Containers with expandable spacers for both used and unused consumer products.

Abstract

A container is disclosed that can include a box, a lid, at least a first bundle of consumer products and a second bundle of consumer products, and an expandable spacer. The expandable spacer includes at least one spacer weakening line. The at least one spacer weakening line is disposed on a bottom wall of the spacer. The expandable spacer has an initial size defined by an initial distance between an initial sidewall and a second sidewall of the expandable spacer for accommodating a predetermined number of consumer products. The spacer weakening line is configured to break when more than the predetermined number of consumer products is inserted between the walls of the expandable spacer, further spacing the first and second sidewalls of the expandable spacer apart. A method of using the disclosed container is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to containers that can hold used and unused consumer products, particularly rod-shaped consumer products. Background Technology

[0002] The disposal of used consumer products is a well-known problem in the tobacco industry and contributes to the global waste problem. After consuming aerosol-generated products such as cigarettes, users may find it difficult to find a convenient place to dispose of the used products. For example, users may not be near an ashtray or a suitable disposal box. Therefore, in some cases, users may find it difficult to properly dispose of the used products. This problem can be exacerbated when aerosol-generated products are heated without combustion during use. For example, several aerosol-generating systems are known in which aerosol-generated products (which may be similar in size and shape to cigarettes) are electrically heated instead of burned. In such systems, the products may have roughly the same size before and after use. Therefore, users may find it more difficult to dispose of such products compared to conventional cigarettes where only the filter is retained after use.

[0003] Therefore, the goal is to provide users with a convenient way to manage the disposal of used aerosol-generated products. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an aspect of the invention, a container for consumer products, particularly rod-shaped consumer products, is provided. The container can include a box, a lid, at least a first bundle of consumer products and a second bundle of consumer products, and an expandable spacer. The box is used to contain the consumer products and includes a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls. The top surface of the box is at least partially openable to provide an access opening for retrieving and placing the consumer products. The lid is pivotally connected to the rear wall along a hinge line. The lid is movable along the hinge line between a closed position where the lid covers the access opening and an open position where the access opening is exposed. The expandable spacer includes a first side wall, opposing second side walls, a bottom wall positioned between the first and second side walls, and at least one spacer weakening line disposed on the bottom wall of the spacer. The expandable spacer has an initial dimension defined by an initial distance between the first and second side walls of the expandable spacer for accommodating a predetermined number of consumer products. The expandable spacer is positioned within the box between the first and second bundles of consumer products. The first sidewall of the expandable spacer may be adjacent to a first bundle of consumer products, and the second sidewall of the expandable spacer may be adjacent to a second bundle of consumer products. The spacer weakening line is configured to break when more than the predetermined number of consumer products are inserted between the expandable spacer walls, thereby further spacing the first and second sidewalls of the expandable spacer apart.

[0005] The invention may also include a method of using a consumer product container. The method includes obtaining a container of consumer products. The container may include a box, a lid, at least a first bundle of consumer products and a second bundle of consumer products, and an expandable spacer. The box is used to contain the consumer products and includes a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls. The top surface of the box is at least partially open to provide an access opening for retrieving and placing the consumer products. The lid is pivotally connected to the rear wall along a hinge line. The lid is movable along the hinge line between a closed position where the lid covers the access opening and an open position where the access opening is exposed. The expandable spacer includes a first side wall, opposing second side walls, a bottom wall positioned between the first and second side walls, and at least one spacer weakening line disposed on the bottom wall. The expandable spacer has an initial dimension defined by an initial distance between the first and second side walls of the expandable spacer for accommodating a predetermined number of consumer products. The expandable spacer is positioned within the box between the first and second bundles of consumer products. The first sidewall of the expandable spacer may be adjacent to a first bundle of consumer products, and the second sidewall of the expandable spacer may be adjacent to a second bundle of consumer products. When more than a predetermined number of consumer products are inserted into the expandable spacer, the spacer weakening lines are configured to break, further separating the first and second sidewalls of the expandable spacer. A next step in the method described herein may include removing a first portion of the liner covering the first bundle of consumer products by breaking at least a portion of the first and second liner weakening lines. A next step may include removing the first consumer products from the first bundle of consumer products. The consumer products may be used before the first consumer products are inserted into the expandable spacer.

[0006] The containers and methods constructed in the above manner can provide containers and methods of using containers, offering consumers a simple solution for containing used consumer products, particularly all consumer products provided in the container, until the container and all its contents can be properly and responsibly disposed of. Even more advantageously, the container is substantially no larger than existing containers. Furthermore, the containers described herein are easy to use and can contain both used and unused consumer products, separating them from each other. The containers described herein allow for easy insertion of first-time consumer products into the container without jamming the liner. In some particularly disclosed containers, expandable spacers may include odor absorbers, which can advantageously reduce the transfer of odors or tastes from used consumer products to unused consumer products.

[0007] The box includes a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls, wherein the top surface of the box is at least partially open to provide an access opening for retrieving and placing consumer items contained therein. The front wall of the box may include a notch. The notch serves as a reminder to the consumer that the container is designed to hold used items. The notch provides the consumer with an alternative to placing used items into an expandable spacer instead of having to insert them vertically into the top opening of the container. The notch may have a length along the top perimeter of the box that is the same as the initial distance between the first and second side walls of the expandable spacer.

[0008] The lid includes a top wall, a rear wall, a front wall, and two opposing side walls. The lid is pivotally connected to the rear wall of the box along a hinge or hinge line. The lid is movable along the hinge between a closed position where the lid covers the opening of the box and an open position where the opening is exposed. When the lid is in the closed position, the side walls, front wall, and rear wall are aligned with the side walls, rear wall, and box walls, respectively, in the same plane.

[0009] The container, including the box and lid, can be formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to cardboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. The weight of the cardboard can be between about 100 g / m² and about 350 g / m². Preferably, the box and lid are formed from a single sheet blank.

[0010] The container according to the invention can be cuboid in shape, having right-angled longitudinal edges and right-angled transverse edges. Alternatively, the container can include one or more rounded longitudinal edges, rounded transverse edges, chamfered longitudinal edges, or chamfered transverse edges, or combinations thereof. When the container includes one or more rounded edges, preferably, the blank forming the container (box and lid) includes three, four, five, six, or seven score lines or crease lines to form each rounded edge in the assembled container. The score lines or crease lines can be on the inside or outside of the container. Preferably, the score lines or crease lines are spaced between about 0.3 mm and about 4 mm apart.

[0011] The container is sized to accommodate at least two bundles of consumer products: a first bundle and a second bundle. The first bundle is positioned adjacent to a first wall of the container, and the second bundle is positioned adjacent to a second wall of the container. Preferably, the consumer products are elongated consumer products, such as rod-shaped consumer products. Rod-shaped consumer products can be described by their diameter. The container according to the invention has particular applications as a container for aerosol-generating articles or components of aerosol-generating articles. Before its first opening, the filled container can be encased in an outer packaging.

[0012] The number of consumer products contained in each bundle within the container according to the invention can vary. In some specific embodiments, the bundle of consumer products may comprise a single row of consumer products, and in some embodiments, the bundles may comprise more than one row of consumer products. In some specific embodiments, each bundle of consumer products may comprise two rows of at least five consumer products or at least two rows of ten consumer products.

[0013] The container described herein may also include a liner. The liner is used to enclose at least a first bundle of consumer products and a second bundle of consumer products. The liner may also be used to enclose an expandable spacer. The liner includes a first liner weakening line that is generally vertical from the bottom to the top of the box. Specifically, when the liner and the expandable spacer are positioned within the box, the first liner weakening line may preferably be positioned along or between a first or second sidewall of the expandable spacer. The liner also includes a second liner weakening line that may extend parallel to a plane from one sidewall of the box to the other sidewall. Specifically, when the liner is positioned inside the box and encloses the first and second bundles of consumer products, the second liner weakening line may preferably be positioned near or adjacent to the bottom wall of the box. In some embodiments, the second liner weakening line may traverse from one sidewall of the box to the second sidewall. At least a portion of the first and second lining weakening lines can be broken when the lining covering a portion of the first or second consumer product is removed. Specifically, the first portion of the lining covering the first consumer product can be removed by breaking at least a portion of the first and second lining weakening lines.

[0014] The liner can be formed of any suitable material, including but not limited to paper, polymer materials, metal foil, other materials or combinations thereof.

[0015] The container described herein also includes an expandable spacer. The expandable spacer includes a first sidewall, an opposing second sidewall, and a bottom wall. The bottom wall of the expandable spacer includes a first edge adjacent to the first sidewall and an opposing second edge adjacent to the second sidewall. The bottom wall is positioned between the first and second sidewalls. The expandable spacer may also include side wings. Each of the first and second sidewalls may each have two side wings. The side wings may be formed by crease lines on the peripheries of the first and second sidewalls, respectively. The side wings can be used to provide additional structural integrity to the expandable spacer before and after the spacer weakening line breaks. Once the spacer weakening line has broken, the side wings also facilitate sliding of the two sidewalls within the container.

[0016] An expandable spacer is adapted to allow the distance between the sidewalls of the spacer to be expanded. This can be achieved by breaking the bottom wall from at least one sidewall. The expandable spacer can be described as having an initial size that may be partially defined by an initial distance between a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The initial distance between the two sidewalls may be at least as large as the width of the consumer item to be contained in the container. The initial size of the expandable spacer can accommodate a predetermined number of consumer items. Preferably, the initial distance between the two sidewalls may be at least as large as the diameter of the rod-shaped item to be contained in the container. Preferably, the initial size of the expandable spacer can accommodate at least two consumer items, or the predetermined number of consumer items is two.

[0017] An expandable spacer is positioned within the box between a first bundle of consumer goods and a second bundle of consumer goods. A first sidewall of the expandable spacer may be adjacent to the first bundle of consumer goods. A second sidewall of the expandable spacer may be adjacent to the second bundle of consumer goods. The expandable spacer is not bound to any part of the box, but is merely at least partially housed within the box. The expandable spacer is initially also housed within the liner.

[0018] The expandable spacer includes at least one spacer weakening line. The at least one spacer weakening line may be positioned on the bottom wall of the spacer. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one spacer weakening line may be positioned along a first edge or a second edge of the bottom wall. The at least one spacer weakening line is configured to break when more than a predetermined number of consumer items are inserted into the expandable spacer, thereby forcing the first sidewall of the expandable spacer to further separate from the second sidewall. The expandable spacer extends toward any bundle in which the consumer items are removed, to account for any additional number of inserted items. For example, if the predetermined number is two, when a third consumer item is inserted into the expandable spacer, the expandable spacer will extend toward any bundle in which the third consumer item is removed. Specifically, if a third consumer item is removed from, used, and placed into the expandable spacer from the first bundle, the expandable spacer will extend toward the first bundle. If the consumer items are removed from both bundles, the expandable spacer may extend toward either bundle.

[0019] Once the entire first bundle of consumer items has been used and placed into the expandable spacer, the first wall of the expandable spacer may have moved closer to the first side wall of the box by placing the consumer items into the expandable spacer (assuming all consumer items have been removed from the first bundle). Removing the portion of the liner covering the first bundle of consumer items exposes the first bundle to the user and allows the first side wall of the expandable spacer to move more easily toward the first side wall of the box when additional consumer items in the first bundle are placed in the space between the first side wall of the expandable spacer and the first side wall of the box. When opening the second bundle of consumer items, the second portion of the liner can be removed by breaking the second portion of the second liner's weakening line. Removing the portion of the liner covering the second bundle of consumer items exposes the second bundle to the user and allows the second side wall of the expandable spacer to move more easily toward the second side wall of the box when additional consumer items in the second bundle are placed in the space between the second side wall of the expandable spacer and the second side wall of the box.

[0020] The expandable spacer can be formed from any suitable material, including but not limited to cardboard, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. The weight of the cardboard can be between about 100 g / m² and about 350 g / m². Preferably, the expandable spacer is formed from a single sheet blank.

[0021] Expandable spacers can be made of odor-absorbing materials. For example, expandable spacers can include activated carbon or can be made of activated carbon-containing paper. In particular, expandable spacers can be made of materials containing at least 40% by weight of activated carbon. Such activated carbon-containing paper can have a content of approximately 190 g / m³. 2 Its weight and approximately 500 micrometers (μm).

[0022] The container may also include an optional internal frame disposed within the box. Advantageously, an internal frame with a front wall disposed adjacent to the front wall of the box increases the structural strength of the container. The internal frame may also be enclosed within the liner. Alternatively, the internal frame may be disposed outside the liner. The front wall of the internal frame may also include a notch whose size and position correspond to a notch disposed on the front wall of the box. Such notches on the internal frame and the box can provide consumers with an alternative to placing used items into expandable spacers instead of having to insert them vertically into the top opening of the container.

[0023] The outer surface of the container according to the invention may be printed, embossed, debossed, or otherwise decorated with manufacturer or brand logos, trademarks, slogans, and other consumer information and markings.

[0024] As described herein, cardboard boxes can accommodate multiple containers. In addition to containing aerosol-generating products, such as alkaloid-containing consumer products, containers can also include other consumer products, such as matches, lighters, fire extinguishers, breath fresheners, or electronic devices. These other consumer products can be attached to the outside of the container, contained within the container along with the aerosol-generating products, housed in a separate compartment within the container, or in a combination thereof.

[0025] This document also discloses specific methods for using consumer product containers. Such methods include obtaining a container for a consumer product as described herein. A first step in the method includes removing at least a portion of an inner liner to expose the consumer product in a first bundle. This step includes breaking at least a portion of at least a first inner liner weakening line and a second inner liner weakening line. This portion of the inner liner can then be completely removed from the box. Removing this portion of the inner liner exposes the consumer product in the first bundle.

[0026] Once the first bundle of consumer goods is exposed, the user can remove at least one consumer good from the bundle. At least one consumer good can then be used. It should be noted that a particular consumer good mentioned herein may not be fully consumed through use.

[0027] The used consumer items are then placed into the expandable spacer. The placement of the first consumer item does not break the weakening line of the expandable spacer, and therefore does not change the initial size of the expandable spacer, which is designed to accommodate a predetermined number of consumer items.

[0028] Other optional steps in the disclosed method may include removing additional consumer items from the first bundle of consumer items. Additional consumer items may be used. When a cumulative number of consumer items is placed into the expandable spacer, exceeding a predetermined number of consumer items, the weakening line of the expandable spacer may be broken, allowing the expandable spacer to expand by further separating its first and second sidewalls. In some preferred embodiments, the predetermined number of consumer items is two, and placing a third consumer item into the expandable spacer will break the weakening line of the expandable spacer and force the first sidewall of the expandable spacer toward the first bundle of consumer items, thereby making room for the third consumer item. Removing the additional consumer item from the first bundle of consumer items and placing it into the expandable spacer will force the first sidewall of the expandable spacer toward the first sidewall of the box, thereby making room for the additional consumer item in the expandable spacer. These steps may optionally continue until all consumer items from the first bundle are removed from the first bundle. When all consumer items from the first bundle are placed into the expandable spacer, the first sidewall of the expandable spacer will eventually be forced closer to the first sidewall of the box, thereby making room for all consumer items from the first bundle in the expandable spacer.

[0029] Other optional steps in the disclosed method may include removing a portion of the liner covering the second bundle of consumer products by breaking a second portion of the second weakening line of the liner. This step may be used to expose the second bundle of consumer products. Removing consumer products from the second bundle and placing them into the expandable spacer will force the second sidewall of the expandable spacer toward the second sidewall of the box, thereby making room for additional consumer products in the expandable spacer. Removing additional consumer products from the second bundle and placing them into the expandable spacer will force the second sidewall of the expandable spacer toward the second sidewall of the box, thereby making room for additional consumer products in the expandable spacer. These steps may optionally continue until all consumer products from the second bundle are removed from the second bundle. When all consumer products from the second bundle are placed into the expandable spacer, the second sidewall of the expandable spacer will eventually be forced closer to the second sidewall of the box, thereby making room for all consumer products from the second bundle in the expandable spacer.

[0030] Optional methods may include placing all consumer goods from the first and second bundles into an expandable spacer.

[0031] According to various aspects of the present invention, a method for sustainably and responsibly disposing of used consumer products is provided. Preferably, a method for sustainably and responsibly disposing of used consumer products is provided, which does not necessarily require a second container or even a larger container to hold the used consumer products. Furthermore, the container and method do not require consumers to utilize any structure outside the box itself. Expandable spacers can even be made to minimize or prevent any negative perception of unused consumer products (e.g., odor or taste transfer).

[0032] As used herein, unless the content explicitly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a” and “the” also cover embodiments with plural references.

[0033] The terms "preferred" and "ideally" refer to embodiments of the invention that provide certain benefits in certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred in the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the description of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are useless, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of this disclosure, including the claims.

[0034] As used in this article, in the context of providing equipment or systems, "providing" means manufacturing, purchasing, or otherwise acquiring equipment or systems.

[0035] Any directions or orientations mentioned herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other orientations or directions, are used for clarity and brevity but are not intended to limit the actual apparatus or system. The apparatuses and systems described herein can be used in multiple directions and orientations. References to first and second (etc.) are for clarification purposes only and do not imply any additional meaning.

[0036] The term "proximity" refers to a location relative to another object. The term "close to" or the phrase "near" is used to describe a location relative to another object that is farther away than "proximity".

[0037] The term "hinge line" or "hinge" refers to a line through which two elements can pivot relative to each other. A hinge line can be, for example, a fold line, perforation line, or notch line in the wall or panel of a container or between two walls of a container.

[0038] The term "wall" refers to a small facet of a container, and a wall may be formed by a single panel or flap, or by two or more adjacent or overlapping panels or flaps.

[0039] The term "weakening line" describes a line formed by partially cutting into the material of a billet. A weakening line can be formed by removing material from the billet (in which case, the weakening line forms a groove or channel in the billet). Alternatively, a weakening line can be formed without removing any material from the billet, typically involving partial lateral displacement and compression of the material caused by a cutter penetrating a non-zero thickness of material. The depth of the weakening line will be less than the thickness of the billet.

[0040] The term "crease line" is used to describe a line formed by displacing a portion of material perpendicular to the plane of the billet, thereby creating a groove or channel in the billet. Displacement may involve compression, and typically involves the use of a compression tool, such as a roller. Alternatively, material in the crease line may be displaced to extend at least partially from opposite sides of the billet. Generally, no material is removed during the formation of the crease line.

[0041] The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting embodiments is provided below. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein. Attached Figure Description

[0042] The invention will now be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of the container;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view of the lining;

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view of the blank for the expandable spacer;

[0046] Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of the expandable spacer;

[0047] Figure 5 It is a schematic perspective view of the liner that houses the expandable spacer and two bundles of consumer products;

[0048] Figure 6 This is a schematic perspective view of a container during the removal of a portion of its lining;

[0049] Figure 7 This is a schematic perspective partial sectional view of the container, showing the first sidewall of the expandable spacer closer to the first sidewall of the box;

[0050] Figure 8 This is a schematic perspective partial sectional view of the container, showing the second part of the liner being removed;

[0051] Figure 9 This is a schematic perspective partial sectional view of the container, showing the second sidewall of the expandable spacer closer to the second sidewall of the box; and

[0052] Figure 10 It is a schematic perspective view of a container that includes an optional notch in the box. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Figure 1 The container 10 is shown in a partially open position. The container 10 includes a box 20 and a lid 30.

[0054] Box 20 includes a rear wall 22 extending between a first side wall 27 and a second side wall 28. A bottom wall 23 is orthogonal to the first and second side walls 27 and extends between them. The first and second side walls 27 and 28 are orthogonal to a front wall 24 disposed opposite to the rear wall 22.

[0055] The cover 30 includes a top wall 36 extending between the front wall 34 and the rear wall 32 and between the first side wall 37 and the second side wall 38. The first side wall 37 and the second side wall 38 are orthogonal to the top wall 36 and extend between the front wall 34 and the rear wall 32.

[0056] The rear wall 32 of the lid extends from the hinge line 40 along the top edge of the rear wall 22 of the box. The lid 30 is movable about the hinge line 40 between a closed position and an open position. The hinge line 40 extends between the first side wall 27 and the second side wall 28 of the box.

[0057] The box 20 is arranged and configured to receive a consumer product. The consumer product may have a longitudinal length that is generally orthogonal to the hinge line 40. Preferably, the consumer product is an elongated article, such as an aerosol-generating article, wherein the longitudinal length or axis is generally orthogonal to the hinge line 40. The consumer product can be withdrawn from an access opening defined on the top side of the box 20.

[0058] Figure 2 The image shows a liner 50 before it is placed in the container. This particular liner 50 is made of a single piece of material. The liner 50 includes a first liner weakening line 51 and a second liner weakening line 52. The first liner weakening line 51 and the second liner weakening line 52 define a first portion 56 and a second portion 57 of the liner. The liner 50 may also optionally include a first crease line 53, a second crease line 54, and a third crease line 55. The first crease line 53, the second crease line 54, and the third crease line 55 can be used to facilitate folding of the liner to better cover the first and second bundles of consumer products when the liner 50 is wrapped inside the container.

[0059] Figure 3 A blank of an expandable spacer 60 is shown. The expandable spacer 60 includes a first sidewall 61 and a second sidewall 63 spanned by a bottom portion 65. The bottom edges adjacent to the first sidewall 61 and the second sidewall 63 are a first weakening line 66 and a bottom crease line 64, respectively. Each of the first sidewall 61 and the second sidewall 63 may optionally include a first wing 67 and a second wing 68 formed by folding along the first crease line and the second crease line on the first sidewall 61 and the second sidewall 63, respectively. Figure 4 An expandable spacer 60 is shown formed by folding the first sidewall 61 and the second sidewall 63 toward each other at least partially along the first weakening line 66 and the bottom crease line 64. In this view, the first wing 67 and the second wing 68 of the first sidewall 61 and the second sidewall 63 have not yet been folded toward the bottom portion 65 of the expandable spacer 60.

[0060] Figure 5 A first bundle of consumer items 71, a second bundle of consumer items 72, and an expandable spacer 60 are shown within a liner 50. A first weakening line 51 of the liner 50 can be viewed as being positioned along a first sidewall 61 of the expandable spacer 60. A second weakening line 52 of the liner 50 can be viewed as being positioned along the bottom of the first bundle of consumer items 71 and the second bundle of consumer items 72, which may be adjacent to the periphery of the front wall 24 and the bottom wall 23 of the box 20 when inserted into the container 10. This view of the liner shows an optional first crease line 53, which allows a portion of the liner 50 to fold over the first bundle of consumer items 71 and the second bundle of consumer items 72. A second crease line 54 is adjacent to the bottom back of the first bundle of consumer items and the second bundle of consumer items.

[0061] Figure 6 The diagram shows the first portion 56 of the liner 50 inside the container after a portion of the first portion 56 of the liner 50 has been peeled back for removal. As shown in the figure, a portion of the first weakening line 51 has broken.

[0062] Figure 7 A partial cross-sectional view of the container is shown after a certain quantity has been placed, in which case 10 consumer items have been placed in the expandable spacer 60, and the first wall 61 of the expandable spacer 60 has been pressed against the first side wall 27 of the box 20. As shown in the figure, the second side wall 63 of the expandable spacer 60 has not yet moved. As also noted in the figure, the expandable spacer has an expanded dimension to accommodate 10 consumer items, the full quantity of which is included in the first bundle of consumer items 71.

[0063] Figure 8 The second portion 57 of the liner is shown inside the container after a portion of the second portion 57 of the liner has been peeled back so that it can be finally removed from the second bundle of consumer goods 72.

[0064] Figure 9 A partial cross-sectional view of the container after a certain additional quantity is shown, in which 10 consumer items in the second bundle of consumer items have been placed in the expandable spacer 60, and the second wall 63 of the expandable spacer 60 has been pressed against the second side wall 28 of the box 20.

[0065] Figure 10 A perspective view of a container is shown, which includes a front wall 24 of a box, the front wall including an optional notch 29 cut out from the front wall 24 to facilitate the placement of consumer products into an expandable spacer.

[0066] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all figures representing quantities, quantities, percentages, etc., shall be understood to be modified by the term “about” in all cases. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges that may be specifically listed or not listed herein. Thus, in this context, the numeral A is understood as A ± 2% A. Within this context, the numeral A can be considered as a value within the general standard error for the measurement of the attribute modified by the numeral A. In certain instances used in the appended claims, the numeral A may deviate from the percentages listed above, provided that the amount of deviation from A does not materially affect the essential and novel features of the claimed invention. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges that may be specifically listed or not listed herein.

Claims

1. A container for consumer products, the container comprising: A box for containing consumer products, the box including a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls, wherein the top surface of the box is at least partially openable to provide an access opening for retrieving and placing the consumer products. A lid, pivotally connected along a hinge to the rear wall of the box, and movable along the hinge between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening and an open position in which the access opening is exposed. At least the first and second bundles of consumer goods, and An expandable spacer includes a first sidewall, an opposing second sidewall, a bottom wall positioned between the first and second sidewalls, and at least one spacer weakening line disposed on the bottom wall of the spacer. The expandable spacer has an initial size defined by an initial distance between the first and second sidewalls of the expandable spacer, for accommodating a predetermined number of consumer products. The expandable spacer is positioned within the box between the first bundle of consumer products and the second bundle of consumer products, the first sidewall of the expandable spacer is adjacent to the first bundle of consumer products, and the second sidewall of the expandable spacer is adjacent to the second bundle of consumer products, and the spacer weakening line is configured to break when more than the predetermined number of consumer products are inserted between the expandable spacer walls, such that the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the expandable spacer are further spaced apart.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the spacer weakening line is positioned along a first edge of the bottom wall adjacent to the first sidewall or the second sidewall of the expandable spacer.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the front wall of the box includes a notch aligned with the initial position of the expandable spacer in the box.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the size of the notch is configured such that at least one consumer product can pass through the notch into the expandable spacer.

5. The container of claim 1, further comprising a liner, wherein the expandable spacer and the first bundle of consumer products and the second bundle of consumer products are enclosed within the liner.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the liner includes a first liner weakening line positioned along either the first or the second sidewall of the expandable spacer and a second liner weakening line positioned adjacent to the bottom wall of the container.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the second liner weakening line and the first liner weakening line are both configured to break upon removal of the first portion of the liner covering the first bundle of consumer goods.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the expandable spacer comprises activated carbon.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the expandable spacer is configured to contain used consumer products.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the first sidewall of the expandable spacer is configured to move toward the first bundle of consumer products when the first bundle of consumer products is inserted into the expandable spacer.

11. The container of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the expandable spacer further comprises two opposing flanks on each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the consumer product is a rod-shaped consumer product.

13. A method of using a container for a consumer product, the method comprising: A container for obtaining consumer goods, the container comprising: A box for containing consumer goods, the box including a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls, the two opposing side walls including a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the top surface of the box is at least partially open to provide an access opening for retrieving and placing consumer goods. A lid, pivotally connected along a hinge to the rear wall of the box, and movable along the hinge between a closed position in which the lid covers the access opening and an open position in which the access opening is exposed. At least the first and second bundles of consumer goods, An expandable spacer includes a first sidewall, an opposing second sidewall, a bottom wall positioned between the first and second sidewalls, and at least one spacer weakening line positioned on the bottom wall of the spacer. The expandable spacer has an initial size defined by an initial distance between the first and second sidewalls of the expandable spacer for accommodating a predetermined number of consumer products. The liner, which encloses the first bundle of consumer products and the second bundle of consumer products, includes a first liner weakening line positioned along the first or second sidewall of the expandable spacer and a second liner weakening line positioned adjacent to the bottom wall of the box. The expandable spacer is positioned within the box and within an inner package between the first bundle of consumer products and the second bundle of consumer products. The first sidewall of the expandable spacer is adjacent to the first bundle of consumer products and the second sidewall of the expandable spacer is adjacent to the second bundle of consumer products. The spacer weakening line is configured to break when more than the predetermined number of consumer products are inserted, thereby further spacing the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the expandable spacer apart. The first portion of the liner covering the first bundle of consumer goods is removed by breaking at least a portion of the second liner weakening line and the first liner weakening line. Remove the first consumer item from the first bundle of consumer goods. Using the first consumer product, and Place the used first consumer product into the expandable spacer.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising removing all of the consumer products from the first bundle of consumer products, using all of the consumer products from the first bundle of consumer products, and placing all used consumer products from the first bundle of consumer products into the expandable spacer, wherein when placing all used consumer products from the first bundle of consumer products into the expandable spacer, the first sidewall of the expandable spacer is positioned close to the first box sidewall.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising removing a second portion of the liner covering the second bundle of consumer goods by breaking off the remaining portion of the second liner weakening line, wherein, The remaining portion of the second lining weakening line is the portion of the second lining weakening line excluding the at least one portion.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising removing the first consumer product from the second bundle of consumer products, using the first consumer product from the second bundle of consumer products, and placing the used first consumer product into the expandable spacer, thereby moving the second sidewall of the expandable spacer toward the second box sidewall.

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