U.S. patent application number 12/155069 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for package with tray enclosure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc.. Invention is credited to Derek Mueller, Xuan M. Pham, Eric Schardt.
Application Number | 20090065383 12/155069 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40075609 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090065383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schardt; Eric ; et
al. |
March 12, 2009 |
Package with tray enclosure
Abstract
Provided is a pocket-sized container for holding a smokeless
tobacco tray enclosure in an outer housing, including a front and a
back. At least one locator fin is located on the bottom of the
tray. At least one locator groove is located on the inside of the
back. Preferably, one or more locator fins position and secure the
tray within the back. Pins on the front fit into sockets in the
back to secure the front and back together.
Inventors: |
Schardt; Eric; (Powhatan,
VA) ; Pham; Xuan M.; (Glen Allen, VA) ;
Mueller; Derek; (Chester, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
Philip Morris USA Inc.
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
40075609 |
Appl. No.: |
12/155069 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60924797 |
May 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/267 ;
220/253; 220/254.1; 220/265; 220/315; 220/4.22; 53/471 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/20 20130101;
B65D 83/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/267 ;
220/4.22; 220/253; 220/254.1; 220/265; 220/315; 53/471 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00; B65D 6/00 20060101 B65D006/00; B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18 |
Claims
1. A pocket-size hand-held container for containing a supply of
consumer items comprising: an outer housing including a front
portion and a back portion; a lid attached to the front portion,
which when opened reveals an access opening in the outer housing; a
tray received within the outer housing, the tray including a
storage compartment formed by a bottom wall and sidewalls of the
tray; and at least one locator fin on an outside surface of said
tray; and at least one locator groove on an inside surface of said
back portion; wherein said at least one locator fin fits within
said at least one locator groove to position and hold said tray
within said outer housing.
2. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said lid
is slideable linearly in the longitudinal direction between closed
and open positions and wherein in its fully closed position, the
first lid overlying the access opening, and in its fully open
position, the first lid exposing the access opening and situated
within the footprint of the container.
3. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said lid
is hingedly connected to said front portion.
4. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said
locator fin is located on an end of said outside surface of said
tray
5. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein the tray
is hermetically sealed by a membrane.
6. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 5, wherein said
membrane includes a manually openable window disposed beneath the
access opening.
7. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 6, wherein the
openable window is resealable.
8. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 5, wherein said
membrane is a poly-laminated membrane.
9. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said
tray contains a plurality of smokeless tobacco pouch products.
10. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said
container is about 30 mm to about 60 mm wide, about 70 mm to about
100 mm long, and about 15 mm to about 40 mm deep.
11. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said
front portion includes at least one pin and said back portion
includes at least one socket receiving said at least one pin so as
to secure said front portion to said back portion.
12. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said at
least one locator fin comprises two fins, each fin located closer
to the sidewall of the tray than the middle of the tray.
13. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said
tray is of rigid plastic.
14. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said
tray is injection molded.
15. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 14, wherein said
tray is injection molded of a material selected from the group
consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon,
polysulfone, polyester, polyurethane, and combinations thereof
16. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 11, wherein said
front portion includes pins on opposite sides thereof and said tray
is shaped to fit around said pins of the front portion to avoid
interfering with the assembly of the outer housing.
17. The pocket-size hand-held container of claim 1, wherein said
locator fin includes a portion which is straight and/or flared.
18. A method of packaging smokeless tobacco products comprising:
filling a tray with smokeless tobacco products; hermetically
sealing said tray with a membrane; lining up a locator fin on said
tray with a locator groove on a back portion; fitting said tray
into said back portion; positioning a front portion over said back
portion so as to line up pins in the front portion with sockets in
the back portion; and inserting said pins in the front portion into
the sockets in the back portion to form a pocket-sized container.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. provisional Application No. 60/924,797, filed May
31, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
SUMMARY
[0002] Provided herein is a container adapted to hold a number of
consumer items, such as smokeless tobacco products, and in
particular to a pocket-size container that can be held and opened
by one hand of a consumer to expose the items therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a smokeless tobacco tray
enclosure.
[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a contoured tray having
straight locator fins.
[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a contoured tray having
flared locator fins.
[0006] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the outer housing of the
smokeless tobacco tray enclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] As described herein, a pocket-size container has a sealed
tray with locator fins for positioning and securing the tray within
an outer housing.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the pocket-size container is
capable of being held in one hand of a consumer and opened by a
finger or thumb of that hand. The container, which is preferably
formed of about three to about six pieces, preferably contains a
tray containing consumer items that is sealed with a membrane. An
openable window on the membrane situated behind an access opening
of the container facilitates access to the contained items. In a
preferred embodiment, the container includes a tray having locator
fins for positioning and holding the tray within a back portion of
the outer housing.
[0009] Preferably, the tray has an inner cavity, capable of holding
a product, such as smokeless tobacco pouches, and an outside
surface. In an embodiment, at least one locator fin is located on
one end of the outside surface of the tray for positioning and
holding the tray within the outer housing. Preferably, no adhesives
or other substances are needed to secure the tray within the outer
housing, but such adhesives may be used if desired.
[0010] In an embodiment, the inner cavity of the contoured tray is
sealed by a membrane. Preferably, the tray is hermetically sealed
to prevent moisture from escaping from the enclosed product. In an
embodiment, the membrane may cover just the inner cavity. In
another embodiment, the membrane covers the entire tray, while
still allowing the locator fin to function as a device to position
and hold the tray within the outer housing.
[0011] Preferably, the seal is formed by a poly-laminated membrane.
Also preferably, the poly-laminated membrane includes a pull tab
that is engaged to break the seal of the membrane and provide
access to the contents of the inner cavity of the tray.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the outer housing includes a back
and a front. Preferably, the front includes a lid that opens to
reveal the pull tab of the membrane. In an embodiment, the lid
slides open and remains within the footprint of the container. In
another embodiment, the lid is hingedly connected to the front.
Preferably, the front is designed to fit over the tray.
[0013] Also preferably, the back has an inner cavity and an outside
surface. In an embodiment, at least one locator groove is located
on one end of the inner cavity of the back. Preferably, the
location of the locator groove corresponds to the location of the
at least one locator fin located on one end of the tray. In an
embodiment, the locator groove can be located at any location
within the inner cavity so long as the groove corresponds to the
location of the locator fin on the tray.
[0014] In use, the tray is guided into the back by the locator fins
so that the locator fins fit into the locator grooves. The fins and
grooves are preferably held together by friction. In another
embodiment, the fins may have an enlarged portion and the grooves
may expand to receive the enlarged portion such that the tray and
back snap together to hold the tray securely within the back
portion of the outer housing.
[0015] In an embodiment, the front includes at least one pin
extending downward from the bottom of the front portion of the
outer housing. Also preferably, the back includes at least one pin
hole corresponding to each of the pins in the front. To form the
outer housing, the pins on the front are lined up with the sockets
on the back so that the front and back are secured together to form
the outer housing. Preferably, the outer housing fits securely
around the sealed tray.
[0016] Also provided is a method for packaging a smokeless tobacco
product. The method includes filling a contoured, tray with a
smokeless tobacco product and hermetically sealing the tray with a
poly-laminated membrane. Preferably, the tray has locator fins on
the bottom that are lined up with locator grooves inside the back
portion of the outer housing. The tray is then fitted into the back
using the locator fins as guides, and secured within the back
portion. Preferably, the front is then positioned over the back so
as to line up pins in the front with sockets in the back. The pins
are inserted into the pin holes to secure the front to the back to
form a pocket-size container.
[0017] As seen in FIG. 1, a pocket-size container 10 for smokeless
tobacco products 50 includes an outer housing 12 having a front 32
that is designed to fit over and around the tray 14 and engage with
the back 30 to form the outer housing 12. Preferably, the container
10 includes a lid 34, which allows access to the unused product
stored in the tray 14 and a receptacle for storing spent product as
disclosed in U.S. provisional Application No. 60/924,714, filed on
May 29, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle is located
adjacent a first end 38 of the container 10 and is accessible via a
second lid in the back 30. In another embodiment, the receptacle
may be in a central location on the container or accessible via a
second lid in the front. Most preferably, locator fins 24 hold the
tray 14 securely within the back 30 of the outer housing 12.
[0018] In an embodiment, the pocket-size container 10 is an
injection molded or thermally formed plastic tray. Suitable
plastics include, without limitation, polypropylene, polyethylene,
polystyrene, nylon, polysulfone, polyester, polyurethane, and
combinations thereof. Because some plastics absorb flavors, the
preferred plastic is polypropylene if the enclosed product includes
flavors.
[0019] In other embodiments, the pocket-size container 10 is cast
of metal or formed from wood. Suitable metals, include without
limitation aluminum.
[0020] In an embodiment, the pocket-size container 10 is about 1
inch to about 3 inches wide and 3 inches to about 5 inches long. In
a preferred embodiment, the pocket-size container 10 fits in the
palm of an adult user's hand or in a pocket. Most preferably, the
size of the pocket-size container 10 is determined based on the
amount of product 50 to be enclosed. In an embodiment, the
container is about 30 mm to about 60 mm wide, about 70 mm to about
100 mm long, and about 15 mm to about 40 mm deep.
[0021] Also preferably, the tray 14 is contoured to hold a
smokeless tobacco product. In an embodiment, the tray 14 is shaped
to have an outside 16 and an inner cavity 18 that is capable of
holding a product 50 within the tray 14. Preferably, the enclosed
product 50 is a smokeless tobacco product such as snus (pouched
tobacco products).
[0022] The tray 14 may be any shape including rectangular, square,
oval, round, octagonal, and other shapes. Preferably, the tray 14
is sized and configured to fit within the back portion 30 of the
outer housing 12. Most preferably, the tray 14 has curved sides and
bottom to maximize the available volume for product storage.
Likewise, the outer housing may also have curved sides, tops, and
bottoms to accommodate the shape of the tray 14.
[0023] Preferably, the tray 14 has a first end 20 and a second end
22. At least one locator fin 24 is located on either the first end
20 or the second end 22 of the outside 16 of the tray 14. Most
preferably two locator fins 24 are located on one end of the
outside surface 16 of the tray 14. However, in other embodiments,
the locator fins 24 may be located at any point along the outside
surface 16 of the tray 14.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the locator fins 24 correspond to
locator grooves 42 located on the inside of the back 30 so that the
locator fins 24 fit within the grooves 42 to hold and secure the
tray 14 within the back portion 30.
[0025] In an embodiment, the locator fins 24 snap into the locator
grooves 42. In another embodiment, friction holds the locator fins
24 within the locator grooves 42.
[0026] Preferably, the locator fins 24 also prevent nesting of
trays 14 that are stacked together prior to assembly of the
pocket-sized container 10.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the locator fins 24 are straight,
as seen in FIG. 2, and slide into the locator grooves 42. In
another embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the locator fins 24
are flared or curved, and are preferably inserted into the locator
grooves 42 by pushing vertically down. The locator fins 24 may also
be formed in other suitable shapes that allow the locator fins 24
to lock in place within locator grooves 42. In a preferred
embodiment, the corresponding locator grooves 42 are sized and
shaped to securely accommodate the shape of the locator fins 24.
Preferably, the locator fins are about 1 mm to about 3 mm long.
[0028] Preferably, a membrane 26 seals the tobacco product within
the tray 14. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane 26 provides a
hermetic seal that retains the moisture of the product 50, as seen
in FIGS. 2 and 3, within the tray 14.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the membrane 26 is a
poly-laminated foil membrane when a hermetic seal is required. In
another embodiment, the membrane is made of foil.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the membrane 26 has a pull tab 28
that is pulled by the consumer to break the seal and expose the
smokeless tobacco product 50 held within the tray 14. In an
embodiment, only one portion of the membrane 26 is opened and
removed when the tab 28 is pulled. If desired, a section of
material can be torn from the membrane 26 when the tab 28 is pulled
to form an access opening into the tray for removal of product. The
membrane can be pre-scored so that when the tab 28 is pulled, a
uniform opening is formed.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the membrane 26 covers only the
top portion of the tray 14. In another embodiment, the membrane 26
may cover the tray 14 so long as the membrane 26 does not interfere
with the positioning and securing functions of the locator fins
24.
[0032] Preferably, the front 32 includes a lid 34 on the top
surface 52. In an embodiment, the lid 34 slides open. In another
embodiment, the lid 34 is hinged. The lid 34 may be formed in the
middle of the front 32 or to one side.
[0033] In an embodiment, the lid 34 is secured by a securement
mechanism which is yieldable to manual pressure.
[0034] Preferably, the lid 34 covers an opening 55 that is sized
and configured to allow for easy removal of the product 50 from the
inner cavity 18 of the tray 14 once at least a portion of the
membrane 26 has been removed.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the lid 34 in the front 32 is
positioned so that the lid 34 remains within the footprint of the
container 10 and opens to reveal the pull tab 28 of the membrane
26. Therefore, the tray is preferably sealed or positioned within
the outer housing 12 so that the pull tab 28 will align with the
opening 55, created when the lid 34 is opened, once the locator
fins 24 and locator grooves 42 are aligned and locked into position
to secure the inner tray 14 within the back 30.
[0036] In lieu of a sealed tray, the product could simply be placed
directly into the compartment formed by the outer housing or in a
sealed bag having an openable and/or resealable window.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the front 32 includes rearwardly
projecting pins 45 located on a bottom rim 62 that are receivable
in respective sockets 44 disposed in the upper rim 65 of the back
30 thereby securing the front and back portions together. The pins
45 and sockets 44 are located so that the front 32 can be attached
to the back 30 in only one position.
[0038] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, to close the outer
housing 12 around the tray 14, the pin 45 is inserted into the
socket 44 to hold the front 32 and the back 30 together.
Preferably, no adhesives are needed to secure the pin 45 within the
socket 44. However, adhesives may be used if desired.
[0039] In an embodiment, if the top rim 70 of the tray 14
interferes with the positioning of the pin 45 in the pin hole 44,
slits and/or holes 46 may be cut in the rim 70 of the tray 14.
[0040] As seen in FIG. 4, the front portion 32 may be secured to
the back portion 30 by a ball 80 and socket 85 type mechanism. In
other embodiments, a friction fit connection secures the front to
the back.
[0041] Also provided is a method of packaging a smokeless tobacco
product. Preferably, the method includes filling a tray with a
smokeless tobacco product. A poly-laminated membrane is then used
to hermetically seal the smokeless tobacco product within the
tray.
[0042] Next, locator fins located on the bottom of the tray are
lined up with the locator grooves located inside of the bottom of
the back portion of the outer housing. The tray is inserted into
the back portion so that the locator fins rest and are secured
within the corresponding locator grooves so that the tray is held
in place within the back.
[0043] Preferably, the front is then positioned so that the pins in
the bottom of the front are aligned with the sockets in the top rim
of the back. The pins are then inserted in the sockets to hold the
front portion together with the back portion.
[0044] In use, a consumer grips the back of the container 10 in the
palm of his/her hand, while another digit of the consumer's hand,
preferably the thumb, and slides the lid 34 on the front of the
container 10. As the lid 34, when fully opened, remains within the
footprint of the container 10, it can be easily opened without
abutting the consumer's palm as could be the case if the lid were
so long that the bottom portion thereof traveled outside of the
container's footprint.
[0045] The hermetically sealed tray keeps the items in a fresh
state until ready for use, and can be conveniently opened, and
optionally resealed.
[0046] In an embodiment, the container 10 is enclosed in a
shrink-wrap enclosure which includes a tear strip along one side
for opening the shrink wrap.
[0047] However, the particular dimensions and proportions of the
container are not critical. The proportions are preferably selected
to provide a container which is suitably sized to accommodate the
particular items to be packaged therein. Thus, the actual container
could be more elongated than shown in the drawings, or the
container could be more nearly square, i.e., shorter than shown in
the drawings. Preferably, however, the container is sized so it can
be conveniently carried in a pocket, and held and opened by one
hand of a consumer.
[0048] The items can be arranged in various ways. For example, the
products could be arranged with the items overlapped or staggered
relative to one another. Of course, if the products are small
enough, they could be randomly placed in the tray, bag, or loosely
held inside the outer housing without a tray or bag.
[0049] The container can be used for a variety of products. One
specific product for which the container can be used is smokeless
pouched tobacco. Such tobacco is provided in packets, sometimes
known as "snus" and comprise individual packets of tobacco
material.
[0050] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that an
inexpensive pocket-size container capable of holding multiple
items, and capable of being held and opened in one hand of a
consumer is provided.
[0051] It should be understood that the foregoing description is of
the preferred embodiments, and is, therefore, merely representative
of the article and methods of manufacturing the same. It can be
appreciated that variations and modifications of the different
embodiments in light of the above teachings will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, exemplary
embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the articles and
methods as set forth in the attached claims.
* * * * *