FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a package for a smokeless tobacco product and to the use of this package.

BACKGROUND

A variety of different tobacco products is offered on the market and there is a class of goods which does not require combustion of the tobacco. These shall be referred to as smokeless tobacco products. Some smokeless tobacco products are intended for oral administration. Examples are chewing tobacco, moist snuff and in particular so called "snus". Snus is a moist tobacco product, which is provided in loose form or in individually wrapped pouches. Smokeless tobacco products are often particularly sensitive to environmental impacts, such as changes in temperature or humidity. In order to provide a product which retains freshness and which is protected against negative environmental impact on the product performance, smokeless tobacco products are delivered in substantially air tight packages.

A typical package, for example for snus, is a substantially cylindrical can or container, which is made from metal or resilient plastic material. An attractively designed and durable package further protecting the sensitive tobacco product is desirable. In addition to this, the package should be easy to handle and allow convenient opening and access its interior space. SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to provide a package for a smokeless tobacco product, which is resilient, flexible and user friendly. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide an advantageous use of this package. In one aspect of the invention, a package for a smokeless tobacco product comprising at least one can and a lid is provided. The lid and the can are coupled via a hinged connection. This allows the can and the lid to be swiveled with respect to each other about a swiveling axis, which is defined by the hinged connection. The lid and the can are swivelable in that an access opening of the can is opened and closed, when the lid is rotated or swiveled with respect to the can. Furthermore, the swiveling axis projects substantially perpendicularly to an access opening of the can. In particular, the swiveling axis is arranged in that it projects substantially perpendicularly to a plane, which is defined by the access opening of the can. Advantageously, a resilient and user friendly package for a smokeless tobacco product, in particular for snus pouches, is provided. The access opening can be widely opened to allow comfortable access to an interior space inside the can. The user of the package can for example access the stored smokeless tobacco product from above and can first visually inspect the product to then select and collect the desired tobacco product from the interior space. Because the lid and the can are swiveled in a direction, which is almost perpendicular to the access opening, there is no risk of an accidental loss of tobacco products, upon opening of the package. This renders the package very user friendly.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the can of the package for the smokeless tobacco product comprises at least a first can and a second can. The first can provides a first storage space, for example for smokless tobacco products. The second can provides a second storage space. This can be used for storing a different type or a different flavor of tobacco products. In particular, the second storage space can be a waste compartment. This waste compartment can be suitable for accommodating consumed smokeless tobacco products, for example snus pouches.

The first can is coupled to the lid via a first hinged connection in that the first can is swivelable about a first swiveling axis, for opening and closing a first access opening, providing access to the first storage space. Similarly, the second can is coupled to the lid via a second hinged connection, wherein the second can is swivelable about a second swiveling axis, which is defined by the second hinged connection. This is to open and close a second access opening to the second storage space. In particular, the first and the second swiveling axis project substantially perpendicularly to the access openings of either one or both of the first and the second storage space.

The package according to this embodiment of the invention is enhanced such that the user is provided with fresh tobacco products and has easy access to a waste compartment, which can be integrated in the package. This relieves the user from the need to find a waste deposit for the consumed tobacco products.

In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one can is eccentrically coupled to the lid. In particular, the first and the second swiveling axis are in line with each other or they are spaced from one another. According to the first embodiment of the invention, the first and the second can are swivelable about a single and common swiveling axis. In the other embodiment, the two axes are not identical or coincident to each other. However, the axes can project substantially parallel to each other. In other words, the axes are aligned in a same or common direction. In particular, the package is configured in that the first and the second swiveling axis are arranged on opposite sides of the package. The swiveling axes can be opposite to each other with respect to a center axis of the package or either one or both of the first and the second storage space. This configuration applies, when the package is closed. Furthermore, a first distance between the first swiveling axis and the center axis and a second distance between the second swiveling axis and the center axis can be at least substantially equal. Advantageously, the package according to one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments allows the first can and the second can to be opened in either a same or in opposite directions. Advantageously, this allows accessing both cans simultaneously, if desired. This is particularly true when the cans are swiveled about different swiveling axes and can be opened in opposite directions. For example, when the first storage space, which resides inside the first can, is a compartment for storing fresh tobacco products and the second storage space, which resides inside the second can, is a waste compartment for consumed tobacco products, a consumed item can be discarded in the waste compartment while a fresh one is selected and subsequently picked up from the storage space. The package is, however, very compact, when closed. This is advantageous because a package for a smokeless tobacco product is often a portable item. Due to its compact size, the user can very conveniently carry the package, for example in a pocket or in a handbag. No unnecessary storage space for accommodation of the package is wasted. According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first can, the second can and the lid are stacked one above the other, when the package is closed. In particular, the first can, the second can and the lid are stacked one above the other in this particular order, when the package is closed. In other words, the first can is the lowermost member of the package and the lid is the uppermost member of the package. This packing or stacking of the cans renders the package particularly compact.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first and the second can each comprise a bottom wall and at least one peripheral wall. A first peripheral wall of the first can surrounds the first storage space. Similarly, a second peripheral wall of the second can surrounds the second storage space. The second bottom wall of the second can closes the access opening of the first can when the package is closed. The package according to this embodiment of the invention is particularly compact because the bottom wall of the second can has a double function. It serves as a bottom wall for the second can and closes the access opening of the first can.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, the first can is coupled to the lid via a first stud, projecting along the first swiveling axis. The second can is coupled to the lid via a second stud, projecting along the second swiveling axis. In particular, the first and the second stud form an integral part of the lid. The first stud fits in a first sleeve being coupled to the first can. The second stud fits in a second sleeve, which is coupled to the second can. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first and the second sleeve form an integral part of the first and the second can, respectively. According to another embodiment of the invention, the first and second sleeve can be integrally formed with the first and second peripheral wall of the first and the second can, respectively.

All parts and members of the package can be injection molded parts, in particular of a rigid synthetic material. This renders the production of the package economic, fast and effective. The studs can be injection molded together with the lid. Similarly, the first and second sleeve can be injection molded together with the first and the second can, respectively. Furthermore, the assembly of the package is simple in that the members forming the package can be composed using snap fit connections. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first stud and/or the second stud are locked in their counterpart sleeve, using a snap fit connection. During assembly of the package, the studs of the lid only have to be inserted in the corresponding sleeves. In particular, there can be a lug at the lower free end of each stud, which fits with the lower surface of a respective one of the sleeves. This establishes the snap fit connections, which will hold the members in place simultaneously allowing rotation of the first and second can about the first and second swiveling axis. In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one can is locked when the package is closed. In particular, a snap lock can be applied. This advantageously avoids the package being accidentally opened, for example during transport.

When the package is configured in that the first can, the second can and the lid are stacked one above the other in this order and the first can comprises at least a first peripheral wall and the second can comprises at least a second peripheral wall, this second peripheral wall can be provided with a recess. The recess locally reduces the diameter of the second can and allows the first stud to pass the second can in the vicinity of the recess. In another embodiment of the invention, the package has a substantially cylindrical shape. This applies when the package is closed. The first and the second swiveling axis can be arranged opposite to each other with respect to a center axis of the package or of either one or both of the storage spaces. This entails the storage spaces and the first and second can being also substantially cylindrical. A cylindrical shape of the package is advantageous for providing a resilient and mechanically stable package. It is furthermore advantageous, because this geometrical shape has a high ratio between surface and volume. The storage spaces have a reasonable capacity without increasing the overall size of the package unnecessarily. In another aspect of the invention, the use of the package according to one or more aspects and embodiments of the invention is provided. The package is used for packing of a smokeless tobacco product. In particular, the package is used for packing of a moist tobacco product. Furthermore, the package is used for packing snus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects and features of the invention ensue from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG.1 is a simplified perspective view showing a closed package according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIGs. 2 and 3 are simplified exploded views of this package, showing the package from different perspectives,

FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of the package, according to the embodiment of the invention, wherein a second can is opened,

FIG. 5 is a simplified partly exploded perspective view of the package of FIG. 4, shown from a different perspective, wherein a first can is offset downwards,

FIG. 6 is another simplified partly exploded perspective view, which is similar to FIG. 5, wherein the second can is closed, FIG. 7a) is another simplified perspective view of the package, according to the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 7b) is a corresponding simplified half cut perspective view of this package, wherein the package is cut along the plane A-A in FIG. 7a,

FIG. 8 is a simplified perspective view showing the package according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the surfaces of the package are depicted as transparent areas,

FIG. 9 and 10 are simplified perspective detailed views showing the areas denoted A and B in FIG. 8, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view showing a package 2 for a smokeless tobacco product. The smokeless tobacco product can be chewing tobacco, moist snuff, dissolvable films etc. In particular, the package 2 is for accommodating a moist tobacco product, for example snus pouches.

The package 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape. However, other shapes, for example: a cylinder having a substantially oval cross section, a parallelepiped, a cuboid or a cube are also suitable. The package 2 including all parts and members can be manufactured using a metal and/or a rigid synthetic material and/or a cardboard material. In particular, the package 2 can be manufacture using injection molded PP (polypropylene), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer) or any other suitable synthetic or plastic material. This advantageously applies to all embodiments of the invention

The package 2 comprises a lid 4, which is the topmost member of the package 2. In addition to this, the package 2 comprises a first can 6 and a second can 8. The first can 6 provides a first storage space. By way of an example only, the first storage space can be used for accommodation of a smokeless tobacco product such as snus. The second can 8 provides a second storage space. In particular, this can be a waste compartment, which is useful for accommodating consumed tobacco products, for example consumed snus pouches.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 1 , a diameter of the package 2 is about 20 mm to 120 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 90 mm and further in particular between 40 mm and 80 mm. A height of the package is about 10 mm to 120 mm. In particular, the height of the package 2 is between 12 mm and 00 mm and further in particular between 15 mm and 50 mm. These dimensions are advantageously applicable to all embodiments of the invention.

In FIG. 2, there is a simplified perspective exploded view of the package 2, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The package 2 is shown from an above perspective. The first can 6 and the second can 8 are coupled to the lid 4 via hinged connections. In particular, the first can 6 is pivotably mounted on the lid 4 using a stud (not visible). This stud projects along a first swiveling axis A1. It fits in a first sleeve 10, which is coupled to the first can 6. In particular, the first sleeve 10 forms an integral part of the first can 6.

The first can 6 further comprises a first bottom wall 12, which is the lowermost part of the package 2, and a first peripheral wall 14, surrounding the first storage space inside the first can 6. The first sleeve 10 can be an integral part of the first peripheral wall 14. Similar to the first can 6, the second can 8 also comprises a bottom wall, which is a second bottom wall 16. The second can 8 further comprises a second peripheral wall 18. This second peripheral wall 18 surrounds the second storage space, which is provided by the second can 8.

The second can 8 is coupled to the lid 4 via a second stud 20. This second stud 20 projects along a second swiveling axis A2. Furthermore, the second stud 20 fits in a corresponding second sleeve 22, which is coupled to the second can 8. In particular, the second sleeve 22 forms an integral part of the second peripheral wall 18.

The first can 6 is swivelable about the first swiveling axis A1. The second can 8 can be swiveled about the second swiveling axis A2. This entails the first can 6 and the second can 8 can be opened in opposite directions. A respective one of the swiveling axes A1 , A2 projects along a direction, which is substantially perpendicular to an access opening of the first can 6 and the second can 8, respectively. To be more precise, the first swiveling axis A1 is substantially perpendicular to a plane, which is defined by a first upper rim 24 of the first peripheral wall 14 of the first can 6. This first upper rim 24 defines the maximum access opening of the first can 6. Similarly, the second swiveling axis A2 is substantially perpendicular to a plane, which is defined by a second upper rim 26 of the second peripheral wall 18 of the second can 8. Again, this second upper rim 26 defines the maximum access opening of the second can 8.

According to the embodiment, the first and the second swiveling axes A1 , A2 are substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, the swiveling axes A1 , A2 are arranged in that the first and the second can 6, 8 are eccentrically coupled to the lid 4. The swiveling axes A1 , A2 are arranged on substantially opposite sides of the package 2. The axes A1 , A2 are arranged on opposite sides of either one or both of the first and the second storage space. When the storage spaces have a substantially cylindrical shape, the swiveling axes A1 , A2 are further arranged opposite with respect to a center or longitudinal axis Z of the storage spaces. This central axis Z can also be a central axis of the package 2. This arrangement of the swiveling axes A1 , A2 only applies when the package 2 is closed. Furthermore, the swiveling axes A1 , A2 are distanced from the center axis Z of the package 2. In particular, the distance between the center axis Z and the first swiveling axis A1 and the distance between the center axis Z and the second swiveling axis A2 can be at least substantially equal. The first compartment 6 can be locked, when the package 2 is closed. This is performed using a snap lock. The snap lock comprises a depression 28 in an outer surface of the first peripheral wall 14 of the first can 6 and a corresponding or cooperating projection (not visible in FIG. 2), which is arranged on an inner surface of a side member 30. The side member 30 is coupled to the lid 4, in particular, it forms an integral part thereof. The side member 30 is adjacent to a part or section of the second peripheral wall 18 and the first peripheral wall 14. Its free end almost reaches the bottom wall 12 of the first can 6. The projection on the inner surface of the side member 30 cooperates with the depression 28 in that a snap lock of the first can 6 is provided. Similarly, the second can 8 can be locked when the package 2 is closed. This is performed using another snap lock. For this purpose, the second can 8 comprises a flap 32, which cooperates with a second projection (not visible in FIG. 2) on a collar 34 of the lid 4.

A rippled structure 36 at the outer surface of the flap 32 simplifies opening and closing of the second can 8. This structure is helpful for swiveling the second can 8 about the second swiveling axis A2.

In FIG. 3, there is another simplified exploded view showing the package 2. In contrast to FIG. 2, the package 2 is shown from a below perspective. The parts and members of the package 2, which have been already explained with reference to FIG. 2, are not repeatedly mentioned. They are provided with the same reference numerals.

The perspective view of FIG. 3 clearly shown the first stud 40, which is for coupling the first can 6 on the lid 4. In addition to this, the projection 42 on the inner surface of the collar 34 of the lid 4 is visible. This projection 42 cooperates with the flap 32 in order to provide a snap lock of the second can 8. The height of the collar 34 can be at least substantially equal to a height of the second can 8. This means that the collar 34 almost entirely projects along the height of the second peripheral wall 18 of the second can 8, when the package 2 is closed.

The first stud 40 and the second stud 20 can be integral parts of the lid 4. They can be injection molded together with the lid 4 in a single manufacturing step. Each stud 20, 40 can have a lug at its lower free end. When the stud 20, 40 is inserted in the corresponding sleeve 10, 22, this lug fits with a lower surface of the sleeve 10, 22. The studs 20, 40 are flexible members in that they can each have a pair of flexible arms. These are pushed towards each other, when the studs 20, 40 are inserted in the sleeves 10, 22. The flexible arms snap back into their initial position, when the stud 20, 40 is entirely inserted into the sleeve 10, 22. The stud 20, 40 is then fixed on the sleeve 10, 22, however, it can freely rotate about the corresponding swiveling axis A1 , A2.

In the embodiment of FIGs. 1 to 3, the first can 6 and the second can 8 open in opposite directions, because the swiveling axis A1 , A2 are arranged at substantially opposite sides of the package 2. According to another embodiment of the invention, the two swiveling axes A1 , A2 are in line with each other. In other words, the first and the second can 6, 8 are swivelable about a single and common swiveling axis. This can be for example the first or the second swiveling axis A1 , A2 in FIGs. 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the first and the second can 6, 8 open in a same direction. They can be coupled to the lid 4 using a single stud. This single stud can project along the common swiveling axis. To fix the cans 6, 8 on the lid, this single stud projects through the second sleeve 22 of the second can 8 into the first sleeve 10 of the first can 6. The single stud can be configured similar to either one of the first and the second stud 40, 20.

In FIG. 4, there is a simplified perspective view of the package 2. The second can 8, providing for example a waste compartment, is opened. By way of an example, consumed snus pouches 50 are stored in a waste compartment inside the second can 8. FIG. 5 is another simplified partly exploded perspective view showing the package 2 of FIG. 4 from a different perspective. The first can 6 is offset downwards in that the first storage compartment can be seen. For example, this is for storing smokeless tobacco products. By way of an example only, these are snus pouches 52. For clarity reasons, only few of these are provided with reference numerals. The second peripheral wall 18 of the second can 8 comprises a recess 54, which is a substantially flat section of this wall. At the recess 54 the second peripheral wall 18 has a lower curvature when compared to the neighboring parts of this second peripheral wall 18. The recess 54 locally reduces the diameter of the second can 8. The recess 54 allows the first stud 40 (see FIG. 3) to pass the second can 8, when this can 8 is rotated about the second swiveling axis A2. The first stud 40 passes the second can 8 at the recess 54 and is snapped in the first sleeve 0 of the first can 6.

Another partly exploded simplified perspective view of the package 2 is shown in FIG. 6. In contrast to FIG. 5, the second can 8 is closed. The first can 6 is again offset downwards, to show the first storage space, which, by way of an example, is used for accommodating the snus pouches 52. To avoid unnecessary repetitions, no particular reference is made to the members and parts of the package 2, which are already known from the description of the FIGs. 1 to 3 above.

In FIG. 7a), there is another simplified perspective view of the package 2. In the corresponding FIG. 7b), this package 2 is half cut along the plane A-A in FIG. 7a). The first stud 40 and the second stud 20 being configured as integral parts of the lid 4 are clearly visible. Furthermore, FIG. 7b) shows that the first stud 40 passes the recess 54 in the second lateral wall 18 of the second can 8. In order to simplify opening and closing of the first can 6, the side member 30 comprises a small projection 56, which allows the user of the package 2 to grasp it from above, in order to rotationally fix the package 2 in the hand. This might be helpful for rotating the first can 6 about the first swiveling axis A1.

In FIG. 8, there is a simplified perspective view of the package 2, wherein the surfaces of the depicted package 2 are shown as transparent areas. This figure shows how the first stud 40 projects into the first sleeve 10 and the second stud 20 projects into the second sleeve 22. In addition to this, FIG. 8 clearly shows how the first stud 40 passes the second can 8 along the recess 54 of its lateral wall 18.

FIG. 9 is a simplified detailed perspective view of the area denoted A in FIG. 8. The rippled surface 36 of the flap 32 is shown in more detail. In addition to this, the projection 42, which projects from an outer surface of the second lateral wall 18 of the second can 8 and which cooperates with the flap 32, is clearly visible.

Another simplified detailed perspective view is shown in FIG. 10. This shows the area denoted B in FIG. 8. The projections 58 of the side member 30 of the lid 4 cooperate with the depression 28 in the outer surface of the first peripheral wall 14 of the first can 6 (see also FIG. 2).

The detailed views of FIG. 9 and 10 illustrate the snap lock between the first and the second can 6, 8 and the lid 4. This is to lock the cans 6, 8, when the package 2 is closed, in that accidental opening of the package 2 is avoided.

Although the invention has been described hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments and no doubt further alternatives will occur to the skilled person that lie within the scope of the invention as claimed.