Receptacle accessories for mating with consumer product packaging

Abstract

A receptacle attachment for fitting onto a package for consumables, the package having a body portion and a lid portion hinged to the body portion, the receptacle attachment comprising a cap portion configured to receive and releasably hold the lid portion of the package with an interference fit, the cap portion comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a lateral top wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall, the receptacle attachment further comprising a compartment configured to receive and hold used consumables, the compartment being located on a face of the front wall facing away from the rear wall.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a receptacle accessory for mating with a package for a consumable product, and a system including a receptacle accessory releasably mated with a package for a consumable product. In particular, the receptacle accessory has particular, but not exclusive, application as a receptacle for storing used aerosol-generating articles or components of used aerosol-generating articles. The package may be for unused aerosol-generating articles. The package may be filled with unused aerosol-generating articles, partially filled with unused aerosol-generating articles, or devoid of unused aerosol-generating articles. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to provide consumables, e.g., aerosol-generating articles shaped as rods, in a portable package having a lid portion hinged to a body portion. An example of such a package is the Flip Top® package. The consumables are aligned parallel to one another within the package and may be individually removed after tilting the lid about a hinged connection to an open position to allow a user to grasp an exposed end of one of the consumables and pull the consumable from the package.

[0003] If the consumable is an aerosol-generating article, such as a heated, non-combustion article in which an aerosol-generating substrate is heated to release an aerosol, the user may wish to dispose of the used aerosol-generating article in a responsible manner. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receptacle attachment for fitting onto a package for consumables, the package having a body portion and a lid portion hinged to the body portion, the receptacle attachment comprising a cap portion configured to receive and releasably retain the lid portion of the package by an interference fit, the cap portion comprising a front wall, a rear wall and a lateral top wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall, the receptacle attachment further comprising a compartment configured to receive and retain used consumables, the compartment being located on a face of the front wall facing away from the rear wall.

[0005] The receptacle accessory may be configured as a reusable accessory. When fitted onto a package for consumables, the receptacle accessory may not add significantly to the bulk of the package. When fitted onto a package for consumables, a cap portion of the receptacle accessory may be configured to allow a lid portion of the package to open by hinging to a body portion of the package. The receptacle accessory may pivot with the lid portion relative to the body portion of the package when the lid portion is opened or closed.

[0006] The compartment of the receptacle attachment provides a convenient volume for temporarily storing used consumables until such time as they can be disposed of in a responsible manner. Once the package is empty after all of the consumables have been used, the receptacle attachment can then be mated with a new package of unused consumables.

[0007] Used aerosol-generating articles may contain components that can be usefully recycled, such as, for example, polylactic acid components, cellulosic components, and metal components.

[0008] The cap portion may be configured to have a cup shape that is complementary to the shape of a lid portion of a package for the consumable product (e.g., if the lid portion of the package is shaped as a rectangular prism or a trapezoidal prism, the cap portion may have a complementary cup shape) and is configured to receive and releasably retain the lid portion of the package with an interference fit.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cap portion further comprises at least one side wall connecting an end of the front wall to a corresponding end of the rear wall.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cap portion further comprises a first side wall and a second side wall each connecting respective first and second ends of the front wall to corresponding first and second ends of the rear wall.

[0011] The cap portion may form a cup shape that is closed on all sides except for the mouth that receives the lid portion of the package, which may help to securely engage and retain the lid portion on the cap portion.

[0012] Alternatively, the cap portion may be open on at least one side in addition to the mouth, in which case the cap portion may slide laterally onto the lid portion of the package for the consumables. The cap portion may comprise only a rear wall bounded by a front wall and a lateral top wall. This may allow the receptacle accessory to be more easily fitted onto the lid portion of the package.

[0013] At least one interior surface of the cap portion, e.g., the interior surface of the front wall, the interior surface of the rear wall, the interior surface of the side wall, or the interior surfaces of any combination of the front wall, rear wall, and side wall, may be provided with a non-slip surface coating or feature to help improve the interference fit between the interior surface of the cap portion and the exterior surface of the lid portion. The non-slip surface coating may be a coating having a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the exterior surface of the receptacle attachment. The non-slip surface feature may include roughening or texturing at least a portion of the interior surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the interior surface.

[0014] The front wall of the cap portion may extend further from the lateral top wall than the rear wall. This may be useful when the lid portion of the package has a front wall that extends further from the top of the lid portion than the rear wall of the lid portion. In this manner, the configuration or shape of the cap portion is made to correspond similarly to the configuration or shape of the lid portion.

[0015] When the cap portion of the receptacle accessory is fitted to the lid portion of the package, the lid portion of the package can be freely opened only if the rear wall of the cap portion does not extend beyond and cover the hinge line at which the lid portion of the package is hinged to the body portion of the package. When the lid portion of the package is fully inserted into the cap portion of the receptacle accessory, it may be desirable for the rear wall of the cap portion to cover the hinge line, thus preventing the lid portion from being able to pivot relative to the body portion of the package. This can help to keep the lid portion of the package closed when the package is being transported in a user's pocket or handbag. A user may slidably raise the cap portion of the receptacle accessory a predetermined distance relative to the lid portion of the package such that the rear wall of the cap portion exposes the hinge line, thus allowing the lid portion to freely pivot about the hinge line to allow access to the consumables within the package.

[0016] The receptacle accessory compartment may have a rear wall formed by the front wall of the cap portion, a front wall, a lateral top wall connecting the rear wall and the front wall, and a pair of side walls. The compartment may be open at a lower end to receive used consumables.

[0017] The compartment may be provided with a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal ridges to define a plurality of substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0018] Each space may be configured to provide an interference fit with the used consumable product when received within the space such that the used consumable product is securely retained within the space.

[0019] The compartment may be configured to provide convenient temporary storage for used consumables. If provided, the ridges and spaces may help to retain the used consumables within the compartment so that the used consumables do not easily fall out of the compartment.

[0020] A concave arcuate surface may be provided between each adjacent pair of ridges. The concave arcuate surface may be configured to be complementary to the arcuate surface of the cylindrical consumables. In this manner, the interference fit of the consumables within the compartment may be improved because a greater proportion of the surface of each consumable is in contact with the interior surface of the compartment.

[0021] Each space may have a closed end adjacent the lateral top wall of the cap portion. The closed end of each space may be configured to retain a portion of the used consumable material in a substantially airtight manner. This may be useful for reducing the emission of undesirable odors from the used consumable material when temporarily stored in the compartment. For example, if the consumable material is an aerosol-generating article, the consumable material may be formed as a rod with an aerosol-generating substrate towards one end and a filter at the other end. The used aerosol-generating article may be inserted into the container such that the end with the aerosol-generating substrate is within the closed end of its respective space, and the filter may act as a plug or seal to reduce the emission of undesirable odors from the aerosol-generating substrate from the compartment.

[0022] The ridges may define at least 10 substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0023] The ridges may define at least 20 substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0024] Generally, it is preferred that the ridges define a number of spaces within the compartment sufficient to store all of the consumables contained within the package for the consumables. For example, for a package of 10 aerosol-generating articles, the container may have 10 spaces. For a package of 20 aerosol-generating articles, the container may have 20 spaces. For a package of N aerosol-generating articles, the container may have N spaces, where N is a positive integer.

[0025] A ridge may be provided on the rear wall of the compartment, facing the front wall of the compartment.

[0026] A ridge may be provided on the front wall of the compartment, facing the rear wall of the compartment.

[0027] The ridges may be provided on the mutually facing surfaces of both the front and rear walls of the compartment.

[0028] At least one interior surface of the compartment may be provided with a non-slip surface coating or feature to assist in retaining the used consumable within the compartment. The non-slip surface coating or feature may improve the interference fit between the used consumable and the interior surface of the compartment. The non-slip surface coating may be a coating having a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the exterior surface of the receptacle accessory. Non-slip surface coatings are commercially available and may be applied as a coating of a polymer-based adhesive, optionally in a solvent, or as a coating of grit or wood particles or other rough textured components in an adhesive and optionally a solvent. The non-slip surface feature may include roughening or texturing at least a portion of the interior surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the interior surface.

[0029] The front wall of the cap portion may comprise the rear wall of the compartment.

[0030] The front wall of the compartment may extend further from the lateral top wall than the rear wall of the compartment. In such an embodiment, the compartment may be open on the side facing the body portion of the package when the receptacle accessory is fitted onto the package. The surface of the body portion of the package can then function as the rear wall of the compartment while the receptacle accessory is fitted onto the package. Used consumables stored in the compartment can be more easily accessed for disposal by removing the accessory container from the package to expose the open side of the compartment.

[0031] The front wall of the compartment may extend substantially the same distance from the lateral top wall as the rear wall of the compartment, which may allow for more secure temporary storage of used consumables within the compartment as they can be retained between the front and rear walls of the compartment along their entire length.

[0032] The compartment may be provided with a ribbon configured to be pulled to facilitate removal of the used consumable product from the compartment. The ribbon may be made of a flexible polymeric material, for example an extruded polymeric material. The ribbon may comprise woven or non-woven yarns or fibers, for example of cotton or synthetic polymers. In some embodiments, the ribbon may be made of cellulosic fibers. The ribbon is flexible. The ribbon is preferably substantially inelastic in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the ribbon preferably does not appreciably stretch when pulled.

[0033] One end of the ribbon may be attached to an interior portion of the compartment. One end of the ribbon may be attached to an interior corner portion of the compartment, for example, where the lateral top wall meets the side wall. The ribbon may then extend along the interior surface of the lateral top wall from its attachment point to the corner portion, and then along the interior surface of the side wall opposite the corner to which the attached end of the ribbon is attached. The free end of the ribbon may be graspable from outside the container.

[0034] The used consumables may be inserted into the container in the manner described above, and the distal end of the used consumables will tend to push the ribbon towards the lateral top wall of the compartment. When a user wishes to remove the used consumables from the container of the receptacle accessory, the user can grasp the free end of the ribbon and pull the free end away from the container. This allows the ribbon to facilitate ejection of the used consumables from within the container, for example, by pushing the used consumables out of their respective spaces. The ribbon can also assist in removing any residue debris from the compartment that may fall off the used consumables. A further advantage is that the user does not need to directly touch the used consumables with their fingers.

[0035] The cap portion of the receptacle attachment may be disengaged from the lid portion of the package prior to pulling the ribbon to facilitate removal of the used consumable from the container.

[0036] Alternatively, the ribbon may be pulled while the cap portion of the receptacle accessory is still fitted over the lid portion of the package.

[0037] The compartment may be provided with a deodorizing medium. The deodorizing medium may comprise a lining or coating on the interior of the compartment, the lining or coating being impregnated with the deodorizing agent. The coating may be a gel coating. Some used consumer products, for example aerosol-generating articles that have been heated in a heating device, may have an unwanted residual odor in a user's pocket or handbag. Providing a deodorizing medium in the compartment may help to reduce such residual odor.

[0038] In embodiments where a ribbon is provided, the deodorizing medium may be incorporated into the ribbon. For example, the ribbon may be impregnated or coated with the deodorizing medium. The free end of the ribbon may be free of the deodorizing medium such that the free end may be grasped by a consumer without transferring the deodorizing medium to the consumer's fingers.

[0039] The receptacle attachment may be made of a suitable plastic material.

[0040] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a package for consumables having a body portion, a lid portion hingedly attached to the body portion along a hinge line, and a receptacle accessory according to the first aspect.

[0041] In some embodiments, the rear wall of the cap portion does not cover the hinge line when fitted over the lid portion of the package, thereby allowing the receptacle attachment to move with the lid portion as the lid portion pivots about the hinge line. Stated another way, the rear wall of the cap portion that extends away from the upper lateral wall of the cap portion terminates at a location above the hinge line of the lid portion of the package. The lid portion of the package can pivot about the hinge line along with the receptacle attachment to allow access to unused consumables within the package.

[0042] Alternatively, when the lid portion of the package is fully inserted into the cap portion of the receptacle attachment, the rear wall of the cap portion may cover the hinge line. This may prevent the lid portion from freely pivoting about the hinge line and may function to lock the lid portion in a closed position. The cap portion of the receptacle attachment may be slidable relative to the lid portion of the package to expose the hinge line, thereby allowing the lid portion to pivot about the hinge line. Thus, a user can selectively lock and unlock the lid portion of the package by sliding the cap portion of the receptacle attachment between two positions relative to the lid portion of the package. This may be useful to prevent accidental opening of the package during transport in a user's pocket or purse.

[0043] After a user has consumed all of the consumables in a package and temporarily stored the used consumables in the container, the user may, at a convenient time, disengage the receptacle accessory from the empty package, remove all of the used consumables from the container for responsible disposal, and then engage the receptacle accessory with an unused package of consumables. In this manner, the receptacle accessory may be reused numerous times. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a package for a consumer product. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a receptacle attachment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom plan view of the receptacle attachment of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a receptacle attachment having a ribbon for facilitating removal of used consumables, the receptacle attachment being fitted onto packaging of the consumables. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a receptacle attachment fitted onto a package of consumables in a partially open configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] In this disclosure, the terms "side," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," and similar terms are used to describe the relative positions of receptacle attachment and system components. For example, the "front" wall of a given component refers to the wall opposite the "rear" wall of the same component.

[0046] As used herein, the term "receptacle accessory" is used to define a device used as an accessory to a package of consumables and includes a receptacle portion for receiving the used consumables. The receptacle accessory may be manufactured, sold, or distributed separately from the package of consumables, although it is contemplated that a particular package of consumables may be sold together with the receptacle accessory.

[0047] As used herein, the term "package for consumables" is used to define a generally box-shaped package having a body portion and a lid portion hingedly attached to the body portion along a hinge line. The lid portion may be opened by pivoting about the hinge line to allow access to the interior of the package and the consumables therein. The lid portion may be box-shaped and have a rectangular front wall, a rectangular rear wall, a rectangular lateral top wall, and two opposing side walls. The opposing side walls may be rectangular in shape, or the two opposing side walls may be trapezoidal. The lid portion may be hollow to fit over the outside of a consumable stored vertically within the body portion of the package.

[0048] The term "consumable goods" is used herein to define items that are presented to a consumer in a package and that may be removed from the package by the consumer for enjoyment.

[0049] As used herein, the term "post-consumer product" is used to define a consumer product that has been used or enjoyed by a consumer and that the consumer wishes to dispose of or recycle in a responsible manner.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the term "consumable" specifically refers to a heated, non-combustion aerosol-generating article that includes an aerosol-generating substrate and other components formed into a rod shape and wrapped in wrapping paper or another wrapping material.

[0051] As used herein, the term "cap portion" is used to define a portion of a receptacle attachment that is sized and shaped to receive and releasably retain a lid portion of a package of a consumable product with an interference fit. The cap portion may fit over the lid portion in the manner of a cap.

[0052] As used herein, the term "compartment" is used to define a portion of a receptacle accessory configured to receive and hold used consumables. The compartment defines a volume for storing used consumables. The compartment may be open on one or more sides to allow for insertion of used consumables into the compartment.

[0053] As used herein, the term "longitudinal" is used to define a direction substantially parallel to a direction perpendicularly downward from the upper lateral wall of a cap portion or the upper lateral wall of a compartment.

[0054] As used herein, the term "deodorizing medium" is used to define a medium that functions to mask or neutralize undesirable odors that may emanate from used consumer products. The deodorizing medium may release volatile odorant compounds or odorant-neutralizing compounds. The deodorizing medium may be one or more of a gel, solid, liquid, powder, or granular material. The deodorizing medium may be coated on or impregnated within a component of the receptacle attachment.

[0055] As used herein, the term "ribbon" is used to define a flexible, longitudinally extending, substantially flat strip of material.

[0056] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, below is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of the other examples, embodiments, or aspects described herein. EXAMPLES

[0057] Example 1: A receptacle attachment for fitting onto a package for consumables, the package having a body portion and a lid portion hinged to the body portion, with a cap portion configured to receive and releasably retain the lid portion of the package by an interference fit, the cap portion comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a lateral top wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall, the receptacle attachment further comprising a compartment configured to receive and retain used consumables, the compartment being positioned on a face of the front wall facing away from the rear wall.

[0058] Example 2: The receptacle attachment according to example 1, wherein the cap portion further comprises at least one side wall connecting an end of the front wall to a corresponding end of the rear wall.

[0059] Example 3: The receptacle attachment according to example 1, wherein the cap portion further comprises a first side wall and a second side wall each connecting respective first and second ends of the front wall to corresponding first and second ends of the rear wall.

[0060] Example 4: A receptacle attachment according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the front wall of the cap portion extends further from the lateral top wall than the rear wall of the cap portion.

[0061] Example 5: A receptacle attachment according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the compartment has a rear wall formed by the front wall of the cap portion, a front wall, a lateral upper wall connecting the rear wall and the front wall, and a pair of side walls, and the compartment is open at a lower end for receiving used consumables.

[0062] Example 6: A receptacle attachment according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the compartment is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal ridges to define a plurality of substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0063] Example 7: A receptacle attachment according to example 6, wherein a concave arcuate surface is provided between each adjacent pair of ridges.

[0064] Example 8: A receptacle accessory according to example 6 or 7, wherein each space is configured to form an interference fit with the used consumable when received within the space, thereby securely holding the used consumable within the space.

[0065] Example 9: A receptacle accessory according to any one of Examples 6 to 8, wherein each space has a closed end adjacent a lateral upper wall of the cap portion, and the closed end of each space is configured to retain a portion of the used consumable product in a substantially airtight manner.

[0066] Example 10: A receptacle accessory according to any one of Examples 6 to 9, wherein the ridge defines at least 10 substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0067] Example 11: A receptacle attachment according to any one of Examples 6-9, wherein the ridge defines at least 20 substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0068] Example 12: A receptacle attachment according to any one of Examples 6 to 11 dependent from Example 5, wherein a protuberance is provided on a rear wall of the compartment facing the front wall of the compartment.

[0069] Example 13: A receptacle attachment according to any one of Examples 6 to 11 dependent from Example 5, wherein a protuberance is provided on a front wall of the compartment facing a rear wall of the compartment.

[0070] Example 14: A receptacle attachment according to any one of Examples 6 to 11 dependent from Example 5, wherein the ridges are provided on mutually facing surfaces of both the front and rear walls of the compartment.

[0071] Example 15: A receptacle attachment according to any of the preceding examples, wherein at least one interior surface of the compartment is provided with a non-slip surface coating or non-slip surface feature to assist in retaining used consumables within the compartment.

[0072] Example 16: A receptacle attachment according to Example 15 dependent on Example 5 or 7, wherein at least one internal surface of the compartment includes at least one of an internal surface of the front wall, an internal surface of the rear wall, an internal surface of the side wall, and a concave arcuate surface.

[0073] Example 17: A receptacle attachment according to Example 15 or 16, wherein the non-slip surface coating is a coating having a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the exterior surface of the compartment.

[0074] Example 18: A receptacle accessory according to any one of Examples 15 to 17, wherein the anti-slip surface feature comprises roughening or texturing at least a portion of at least one interior surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the interior surface.

[0075] Example 19: A receptacle attachment according to Example 5 or any one of Examples 6 to 18 dependent on Example 5, wherein the front wall of the compartment extends further from the lateral top wall than the rear wall of the compartment.

[0076] Example 20: A receptacle attachment according to Example 5 or any one of Examples 6 to 18 dependent from Example 5, wherein the front wall of the compartment extends from the lateral top wall substantially the same distance as the rear wall of the compartment.

[0077] Example 21: A receptacle attachment according to Example 5 or any one of Examples 6 to 20 dependent on Example 5, wherein the front wall of the cap portion is the rear wall of the compartment.

[0078] Example 22: A receptacle attachment according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the compartment is provided with a ribbon configured to be pulled to facilitate removal of the used consumable from the compartment.

[0079] Example 23: A receptacle attachment according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the compartment is provided with a deodorizing medium.

[0080] Example 24: A receptacle attachment according to Example 23 dependent on Example 22, wherein the deodorizing medium is incorporated into the ribbon.

[0081] Example 25: A receptacle accessory according to any of the preceding examples, wherein at least one inner surface of the cap portion is provided with a non-slip surface coating or non-slip surface feature to help improve the interference fit between the inner surface of the cap portion and the outer surface of the lid portion.

[0082] Example 26: A receptacle accessory according to Example 25, wherein the at least one internal surface comprises at least one of an internal surface of a front wall, an internal surface of a rear wall, an internal surface of a side wall, or an internal surface of any combination of a front wall, a rear wall, and a side wall.

[0083] Example 27: A receptacle attachment according to Example 25 or 26, wherein the non-slip surface coating is a coating having a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the exterior surface of the receptacle attachment.

[0084] Example 28: A receptacle attachment according to any one of Examples 25 to 27, wherein the anti-slip surface feature comprises roughening or texturing at least a portion of the interior surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the interior surface.

[0085] Example 29: A system comprising a package for consumables having a body portion and a lid portion hingedly attached to the body portion along a hinge line, and a receptacle accessory according to any one of Examples 1 to 28.

[0086] Example 30: A system according to Example 29, wherein the rear wall of the cap portion does not cover the hinge line when fitted onto the lid portion of the package, thereby allowing the receptacle attachment to move with the lid portion as the lid portion pivots about the hinge line.

[0087] Example 31: A system according to Example 29, wherein when the lid portion of the package is fully inserted into the cap portion of the receptacle attachment, a rear wall of the cap portion covers the hinge line, thereby preventing the lid portion from pivoting about the hinge line, and the cap portion of the receptacle attachment is slidable relative to the lid portion of the package such that the rear wall of the cap portion covers the hinge line, thereby preventing the lid portion from pivoting about the hinge line, and the cap portion of the receptacle attachment exposes the hinge line and allows the lid portion to pivot about the hinge line.

[0088] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the figures.

[0089] FIG. 1 shows a package 1 for consumables 2. Package 1 is made of cardboard. Package 1 has a body portion 3 with a front wall 50, a bottom 4, a left miter panel 5, a right miter panel 6, and a rear wall (not visible in FIG. 1). Body portion 3 is hollow and defines a volume in which consumables 2 are stored. A lid portion 7 is hinged to body portion 3 along a hinge line 8 formed along the top of the rear wall of package 1. Lid portion 7 has a rectangular front wall 9, a rectangular rear wall 10, a rectangular lateral top wall 11, and left and right opposing side walls 12, 13. The left and right opposing side walls 12, 13 in the illustrated embodiment are trapezoidal such that when lid portion 7 is closed, a bottom edge of each side wall 12, 13 is aligned with an upper edge of a respective miter panel 5, 6 of body portion 3. The lid portion 7 is hollow to fit over the outside of a consumable item 2 stored vertically within the body portion 3 of the package 1. An inner frame 14, also made of cardboard, is provided inside the body portion 3. The inner frame 14 has left and right side walls 15, 16, a front wall 17, and optionally a rear wall (not visible in FIG. 1). The front wall 17 of the inner frame 14 has a cut-out portion 18 for facilitating access to the consumable item 2 when the lid portion 7 is open. The inner frame 14 helps provide structural stability to the package 1 by having edge portions of the side walls 15, 16 and the front wall 17 fit inside the lid portion 7 when the lid portion 7 is closed. The inner frame 14 can help guide the lid portion 7 between open and closed positions.

[0090] Figure 2 shows a receptacle accessory 20 having a cap portion 21. The cap portion 21 includes a front wall 22, a rear wall 23, and a lateral top wall 24 connecting the front wall 22 to the rear wall 23. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the cap portion 21 also includes first and second side walls 25, 26, each connecting one end of the front wall 22 to a corresponding end of the rear wall 23. However, in other embodiments (not shown), one or both of the side walls 25, 26 may be omitted.

[0091] In the embodiment of Figure 2, the cap portion 21 has a shape and configuration generally similar to that of the lid portion 7 of the package 1 of Figure 1. The cap portion 21 is sized and configured to receive and releasably retain the lid portion 7 of the package 1 with an interference fit. In the illustrated embodiment, the side walls 25, 26 of the cap portion 21 are trapezoidal and similar in shape to the trapezoidal side walls 12, 13 of the package 1 illustrated in Figure 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 22 of the cap portion 21 extends further from the lateral top wall 24 than the rear wall 23.

[0092] The receptacle attachment 20 further comprises a compartment 27 configured to receive and hold used consumables (not shown in FIG. 2 ), which is the consumables 2 shown in FIG. 1 after they have been removed from the package 1 and enjoyed by a consumer. The compartment 27 is disposed on a surface of the front wall 22 of the cap portion 21 that faces away from the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21.

[0093] The compartment 27 in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 has a rear wall 28 formed by the front wall 22 of the cap portion 21, a front wall 29, and a lateral top wall 30 connecting the rear wall 28 and the front wall 29. The lateral top wall 30 of the compartment 27 in this embodiment is a simple extension of the lateral top wall 24 of the cap portion 21. The compartment 27 further comprises first and second side walls 31, 32. The compartment 27 is open at a bottom end 33 to receive used consumables.

[0094] 2, compartment 27 is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal ridges 34. Ridges 34 define a plurality of substantially parallel spaces 35 within compartment 27. Each space 35 may be configured for an interference fit with the used consumable product when received within space 35 such that the used consumable product is securely retained within space 35.

[0095] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each space 35 has a closed end adjacent the lateral top wall 24 of the cap portion 21. The closed end of each space 35 is also adjacent the lateral top wall 30 of the compartment 27. The closed end of each space 35 is bounded by the rear wall 28, the front wall 29 and the lateral top wall 30 of the compartment. The spaces 35 on the left and right sides of the compartment 27 are also bounded by the side walls 31, 32 of the compartment 27. The closed ends of the spaces 35 may be configured to hold the portion of the used consumable in a substantially airtight manner. For example, when the used consumable is a used aerosol-generating article, such as a used rod-shaped heating non-combustion aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate towards one longitudinal end and a filter portion at the opposite longitudinal end, the used consumable may be inserted into the space 35 such that an end of the used aerosol-generating substrate of each consumable is received within the closed end of each space 35. The end of the filter portion of each consumable can then act as a plug in the opening at the closed end of the respective space 35. In this manner, the used aerosol-generating substrate portion of each used consumable may be contained within the closed end of the space so as to reduce the emission of undesirable odors from the compartment 27.

[0096] FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of the receptacle accessory 20 shown in FIG. 2, with like parts labeled as in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 more clearly shows the relationship between the front and rear walls 22 and 23 of the cap portion 21, the front and rear walls 29 and 28 of the compartment 27, the side walls 25, 26 of the cap portion 21, and the side walls 31, 32 of the compartment 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal ridge 34, or one provided on the inner surface of the front wall 29 of the compartment 27, faces the rear wall 28 of the compartment 27. In alternative embodiments, the longitudinal ridge 34 may be provided on the inner surface of the rear wall 28 of the compartment 27, facing the front wall 29 of the compartment. In some embodiments, the longitudinal ridge 34 may be provided on the facing surfaces of both the rear and front walls 28 and 29 of the compartment 27. In these embodiments, the longitudinal ridges 34 are preferably mutually registered on opposite sides of the compartment 27, thereby defining the space 35.

[0097] A concave arcuate surface 36 may be provided between each pair of adjacent longitudinal ridges 34. The concave arcuate surface 36 may be shaped as an arc of a cylinder. The shape of the concave arcuate surface 36 may be selected to be complementary to the cylindrical shape of the used consumables, thereby better retaining the used consumables within the space 35 so that the used consumables do not easily fall out of the compartment 27. The concave arcuate surface 36 combines with the longitudinal ridges 34 and the opposing walls of the compartment 27 to provide an interference fit with the used consumables inserted into the space 35.

[0098] At least one interior surface of the compartment 27, e.g., at least one of the interior surfaces of the front wall 29, the rear wall 28, the side walls 31, 32, and the concave arcuate surface 36, may be provided with a non-slip surface coating or feature to assist in retaining used consumables within the compartment 27. The non-slip surface coating may be a coating having a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the exterior surface of the compartment 27. The non-slip surface feature may include roughening or texturing at least a portion of at least one interior surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the interior surface of the compartment 27.

[0099] The used consumables are stored within compartment 27, but outside of package 1 of unused consumables 2, so that it is desirable that the used consumables not easily fall out of compartment 27 while package 1 with attached receptacle attachment 20 is carried in a pocket or handbag.

[0100] 2, the front wall 29 of the compartment 27 extends further from the lateral top wall 30 than the rear wall 28 of the compartment 27. This means that when the receptacle attachment 20 is fitted onto the lid portion 7 of the package 1 and the lid portion 7 is closed, a lower portion of the space 35 is exposed in a direction facing the front wall 50 of the body portion 3 of the package 1. When the lid portion 7 is opened by pivoting about the hinge line 8, the space 35 moves away from the front wall 50 of the body portion 3 of the package 1. However, because at least a portion of the used consumables is held within the closed end of the space 35 by an interference fit, the used consumables do not fall out of the compartment 27 when the lid portion 7 is opened.

[0101] In alternative embodiments (not shown), the rear wall 28 of the compartment 27 (and the front wall 22 of the cap portion 21) extends substantially the same distance from the lateral top wall 30 as the front wall 29 of the compartment 27. In these embodiments, the lower portion of the space 34 is bounded by the rear wall 28 and the front wall 29 of the compartment 27, except for the lower end of the compartment 27. These alternative embodiments do not allow for easy removal of used consumables from the compartment 27, but may better serve to retain used consumables within the compartment as a result of the increased interference fit.

[0102] The embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 has ten spaces 35 defined by nine longitudinal ridges 34. This embodiment is particularly adapted for use with a package 1 containing ten consumables. Thus, the receptacle attachment 20 is configured to hold as many used consumables as there are unused consumables 2 in the package 1. In other embodiments, there may be twenty spaces defined by nineteen longitudinal ridges 34. These embodiments are particularly adapted for use with a package 1 containing twenty consumables. In an embodiment in which longitudinal ridges 34 are provided on the interior surfaces of both the front wall 29 and the rear wall 28 of the compartment 27, the ten spaces 35 may be defined by eighteen longitudinal ridges, and the twenty spaces 35 may be defined by thirty-eight longitudinal ridges 34. The number of spaces 35 and ridges 34 may be generalized as needed.

[0103] At least one interior surface of the cap portion 21 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 may be provided with a non-slip surface coating or feature to help improve the interference fit between the interior surface of the cap portion 21 and the exterior surface of the lid portion 7 of the package 1. The at least one interior surface of the cap portion 21 may include at least one of the interior surface of the front wall 22, the interior surface of the rear wall 23, the interior surfaces of the side walls 25, 26, or the interior surfaces of any combination of the front wall 22, the rear wall 23, and the side walls 25, 26. The non-slip surface coating may be a coating having a higher coefficient of friction than the coefficient of friction of the exterior surface of the receptacle attachment 20. The non-slip surface feature may include roughening or texturing at least a portion of the interior surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the interior surface of the cap portion 21. Such a non-slip surface coating or feature may help prevent the receptacle attachment 20 from being accidentally separated from the package 1 when carried in a pocket or purse.

[0104] 2, the front wall 22 of the cap portion 21 extends further from the lateral top wall 24 than the rear wall 23. The lower edge of the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21 may be located above the hinge line 8 of the package 1 when fitted over the lid portion 7 of the package 1. In other words, the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21 does not cover or extend beyond the hinge line 8 of the package 1 when the lid portion 7 of the package 1 is fully received within the cap portion 21. This allows the lid portion 7 and the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21 to both pivot together about the hinge line 8, thereby allowing the lid portion 7 to be opened without hindrance.

[0105] In other embodiments, when the lid portion 7 is fully received within the cap portion 21, the lower edge of the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21 may be located below the hinge line 8. In other words, the rear wall of the cap portion 21 may cover or extend beyond the hinge line 8 of the package 1 when the lid portion 7 of the package 1 is fully received within the cap portion 21. This may function to prevent the lid portion 7 from freely pivoting about the hinge line 8 and to lock the lid portion 7 in the closed position. When the consumer wishes to unlock the lid portion 7, the receptacle attachment 20 may be slid upwardly relative to the package 1 until the hinge line 8 is exposed or is no longer covered by the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21, thus allowing the lid portion 7 to freely pivot about the hinge line 8. Being able to lock the lid portion 7 in this manner may be desirable to prevent undesired opening of the package 1 during transport in a pocket or purse.

[0106] Compartment 27 may be provided with a deodorizing medium. The deodorizing medium may comprise a lining or coating on the interior of compartment 27, the lining or coating being impregnated with a deodorizing agent. The coating may be a gel coating. Some used consumer products, for example, aerosol-generating articles that have been heated in a heating device, may have an unwanted residual odor in a user's pocket or handbag. Providing a deodorizing medium in compartment 27 may help to reduce such residual odor.

[0107] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment in which the compartment 27 is provided with a ribbon 40 configured to be pulled to facilitate removal of used consumables from the compartment 27. The ribbon 40 may be made of a flexible polymeric material or may include woven or nonwoven yarns or fibers, such as, for example, cotton or synthetic polymers. In some embodiments, the ribbon 40 may be made of cellulosic fibers. The ribbon 40 is flexible. The ribbon 40 is preferably substantially inelastic in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the ribbon 40 preferably does not appreciably stretch when pulled. One end of the ribbon 40 is attached to an interior surface of the compartment 27. The end of the ribbon 40 may be attached to or near an interior corner portion of the compartment 27, for example, where the lateral top wall 30 meets the side walls 31, 32. The length of the ribbon 40 may then be generally placed within the compartment 27, and the free end 41 of the ribbon 40 may protrude from the compartment 27 or may be graspable from outside the compartment 27. As the compartment 27 is sequentially filled with the used consumable material, the ribbon 40 is constrained between the distal end of the used consumable material and the inner surface of the lateral top wall 30 of the compartment 27, while the free end 41 remains graspable from the outside of the container 27. When the consumer wishes to remove the used consumable material from the compartment 27 (which may occur when the compartment 27 is filled or when the compartment 27 is only partially filled), the consumer grasps the free end 41 of the ribbon 40 and pulls it in a direction away from the lateral top wall 30. The tension of the ribbon 40 then serves to pull the used consumable material out of the compartment 27 for responsible disposal. The ribbon 40 may also facilitate the evacuation of any debris that may have accumulated within the compartment from the used consumable material, for example, debris or particles of the used aerosol-generating substrate. The provision and use of the ribbon 40 allows for quick and easy evacuation of the used consumable material without the need to directly contact or handle the used consumable material with the consumer's fingers.

[0108] The ribbon 40 may incorporate a deodorizing medium. The ribbon 40 may be impregnated or coated with a deodorizing medium. The free end 41 of the ribbon 40 may be free of a deodorizing medium such that the free end 41 may be grasped by a consumer without transferring the deodorizing medium to the consumer's fingers.

[0109] 5 shows a side view of an embodiment comprising a package 1 of consumables 2 as shown in FIG. 1 fitted with a receptacle attachment 20 as shown in FIG. 2. A lid portion 7 of the package 1 is coupled to the body portion 3 by a hinge line 8. A cap portion 21 of the receptacle attachment 20 fits over the outside of the lid portion 7 of the package 1. A rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21 does not cover the hinge line 8, thus allowing the lid portion 7 and the receptacle attachment 20 to pivot about the hinge line 8 as shown, providing access to the consumables 2 within the package 1.

Claims

1. 1. A receptacle accessory for fitting onto a package for consumable goods, the package having a body portion and a lid portion hingedly attached to the body portion, the receptacle accessory including a cap portion configured to receive and releasably retain the lid portion of the package by an interference fit, the cap portion comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and lateral upper walls connecting the front wall and the rear wall, the receptacle accessory further comprising a compartment configured to receive and retain used consumable goods, the compartment being located on a face of the front wall facing away from the rear wall.

2. The receptacle accessory of claim 1 , wherein the cap portion further comprises at least one side wall connecting an end of the front wall to a corresponding end of the rear wall.

3. The receptacle accessory of claim 1 , wherein the front wall of the cap portion extends further from the lateral top wall than the rear wall of the cap portion.

4. 2. The receptacle accessory of claim 1, wherein the compartment has a rear wall formed by the front wall of the cap portion, a front wall, a lateral upper wall connecting the rear wall and the front wall, and a pair of side walls, and the compartment is open at a lower end for receiving used consumable products.

5. The receptacle accessory of claim 4 , wherein the compartment is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal ridges to define a plurality of substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

6. 6. The receptacle attachment of claim 5, wherein a concave arcuate surface is provided between each adjacent pair of ridges.

7. The receptacle accessory of claim 5 , wherein each space is configured to provide an interference fit with a used consumable product when received within the space, thereby securely holding the used consumable product within the space.

8. The receptacle accessory of claim 5 , wherein the ridge is provided on the front wall of the compartment facing the rear wall of the compartment.

9. 10. The receptacle accessory of claim 1, wherein at least one interior surface of the compartment is provided with a non-slip surface coating or feature to assist in retaining used consumables within the compartment.

10. 5. The receptacle accessory of claim 4, wherein the front wall of the compartment extends further from the lateral top wall than the rear wall of the compartment.

11. The receptacle accessory of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is provided with a ribbon configured to be pulled to facilitate removal of used consumables from the compartment.

12. The receptacle accessory of claim 1 , wherein the compartment is provided with a deodorizing medium.

13. A system comprising a package for consumable goods having a body portion and a lid portion hingedly attached to the body portion along a hinge line, and a receptacle accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the rear wall of the cap portion does not cover the hinge line when fitted onto the lid portion of the package, thereby allowing the receptacle accessory to move with the lid portion when the lid portion pivots about the hinge line.

15. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein when the lid portion of the package is fully inserted into the cap portion of the receptacle accessory, the rear wall of the cap portion covers the hinge line, thereby preventing the lid portion from pivoting about the hinge line, and the cap portion of the receptacle accessory is slidable relative to the lid portion of the package to expose the hinge line and allow the lid portion to pivot about the hinge line.

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