Housing accessory for fitting on a package of consumer goods

Abstract

A containment accessory for fitting on a package for consumer goods, the package having a body portion and a lid portion hingedly attached to the body portion, wherein the containment accessory comprises 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, and wherein the containment accessory further comprises a compartment configured to receive and retain a used consumer good, the compartment being provided on a face of the front wall facing away from the rear wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a accommodating accessory for assembly on packaging for consumer products, and to a system comprising a accommodating accessory releasably assembled on packaging for consumer products. In particular, but not exclusively, the accommodating accessory is particularly suitable as a container for storing used aerosol-generating articles or components of used aerosol-generating articles. The packaging may be for unused aerosol-generating articles. The packaging may be filled with unused aerosol-generating articles, partially filled with unused aerosol-generating articles, or emptied of unused aerosol-generating articles. Background Technology

[0002] Consumer products, such as aerosol-generated articles shaped as strips, are known to be provided in portable packaging having a lid portion that is hingedly attached to the body portion. An example of such packaging is the Flip. Packaging. The consumer products are aligned parallel to each other within the packaging and can be removed individually after the lid is tilted to the open position around the hinged connection, allowing the user to grasp the exposed end of one of the consumer products and pull it out of the packaging.

[0003] In cases where the consumer product is an aerosol-generating article (such as a heat-not-burning article that heats an aerosol-generating matrix to release aerosols), the user may wish to dispose of the used aerosol-generating article responsibly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a receiving accessory for mounting on a package for a consumer product, the package having a body portion and a cover portion hingedly attached to the body portion, wherein the receiving accessory includes a cap portion configured to receive and releasably retain the cover portion of the package by an interference fit, the cap portion including a front wall, a rear wall and a lateral top wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall, and wherein the receiving accessory further includes a compartment configured to receive and retain a used consumer product, the compartment being disposed on a surface of the front wall opposite to the rear wall.

[0005] The accommodating accessory can be configured as a reusable accessory. When assembled onto packaging for consumer products, the accommodating accessory may not significantly increase the volume of the packaging. When assembled onto packaging for consumer products, the cap portion of the accommodating accessory can be configured to allow the lid portion of the packaging to be opened by hinge relative to the body portion of the packaging. When the lid portion is opened and closed, the accommodating accessory can pivot together with the lid portion relative to the body portion of the packaging.

[0006] The compartments of the containment attachment provide convenient volume for the temporary storage of used consumer goods until they can be disposed of responsibly. Once the packaging is empty after all consumer goods have been used, the containment attachment can then be fitted onto new packaging for brand-new consumer goods.

[0007] Used aerosol-generated articles may contain components that can be effectively recycled, such as polylactic acid components, cellulose components, and metal components.

[0008] The cap portion can be configured to have a cup shape that complements the shape of the lid portion of the packaging for consumer products. For example, if the lid portion of the packaging is formed as a rectangular prism or a trapezoidal prism, the cap portion can have a complementary cup shape. The cap portion is configured to receive and releasably retain the lid portion via an interference fit.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cap portion further includes at least one sidewall that connects the end of the front wall to the corresponding end of the rear wall.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cap portion further includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall each connecting a corresponding first end and a second end of the front wall to a corresponding first end and a second end of the rear wall.

[0011] The cap portion can be formed into a cup shape, which is closed on all sides except for the opening of the lid portion that receives the package. This helps to securely attach the lid portion to the cap portion.

[0012] Alternatively, in addition to the opening, the cap portion may open on at least one side, in which case the cap portion can slide laterally onto the lid portion of the packaging for consumer products. The cap portion may consist only of a front wall and a rear wall connected by a side-top wall. This allows for easier fitting of accessories onto the lid portion of the packaging.

[0013] At least one inner surface of the cap portion, such as the inner surface of the front wall, the inner surface of the rear wall, the inner surface of the side wall, or any combination of the front, rear, and side walls, may be provided with an anti-slip surface coating or anti-slip surface feature to help improve the interference fit between the inner surface of the cap portion and the outer surface of the cover portion. The anti-slip surface coating may be a coating with a coefficient of friction higher than that of the outer surface accommodating the accessory. The anti-slip surface feature may include roughening or texturing of at least a portion of the inner surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the inner surface.

[0014] The front wall of the cap portion may extend further from the side to the top than the rear wall. This can be useful in cases where the front wall of the lid portion of the packaging extends further from the top of the lid portion than the rear wall of the lid portion. In this way, the construction or shape of the cap portion is similar to that of the lid portion.

[0015] When the cap portion of the accessory is fitted onto the lid portion of the packaging, the lid portion of the packaging can be opened freely if the rear wall of the cap portion does not extend beyond and cover the hinge line, wherein the lid portion of the packaging is hingedly attached to the body portion of the packaging. When the lid portion of the packaging is fully inserted into the cap portion of the accessory, it may be desirable for the rear wall of the cap portion to cover the hinge line, thus preventing the lid portion from pivoting relative to the body portion of the packaging. This helps to keep the lid portion of the packaging closed when the packaging is carried in the user's pocket or handbag. The user can slidably raise the cap portion of the accessory relative to the lid portion of the packaging a predetermined distance, exposing the rear wall of the cap portion to the hinge line, thus allowing the lid portion to pivot freely about the hinge line to allow access to the consumer product inside the packaging.

[0016] The compartment for accommodating accessories 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 its lower end to receive used consumer products.

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

[0018] Each space can be configured to interlock with the used consumer goods when they are received in the space, so that the used consumer goods are firmly held in the space.

[0019] Compartments can be configured to provide convenient temporary storage for used consumer goods. Where provided, ridges and spaces can help keep used consumer goods within the compartment, making them less likely to fall out.

[0020] A concave arcuate surface can be provided between each pair of adjacent ridges. The concave arcuate surface can be configured to complement the arcuate surface of the cylindrical used consumer product. In this way, the interference fit of the used consumer products in the compartment can be improved, because a larger proportion of the surface of each used consumer product will be in contact with the inner surface of the compartment.

[0021] Each compartment may have a closed end near the lateral top wall of the cap portion. The closed end of each compartment may be configured to retain a portion of the used consumer product in a substantially airtight manner. This can be used to reduce the release of unwanted odors from the used consumer product when temporarily stored in the compartment. For example, in the case where the consumer product is an aerosol-generating article, it may be formed as a strip comprising an aerosol-generating matrix facing one end and a filter at the other end. The used aerosol-generating article may be inserted into a container such that the end comprising the aerosol-generating matrix is ​​within the closed end of its respective compartment, and the filter may act as a plug or seal to reduce the release of unwanted odors from the aerosol-generating matrix from the compartment.

[0022] The ridge can define at least 10 substantially parallel spaces within the partition.

[0023] The ridge can define at least 20 substantially parallel spaces within the partition.

[0024] Generally, it is preferable that the ridge defines sufficient space within the compartment to store all consumer products contained in the packaging for consumer goods. 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] The ridge can be set on the rear wall of the compartment, facing the front wall of the compartment.

[0026] The ridge can be set on the front wall of the compartment, facing the rear wall of the compartment.

[0027] The ridge can be set on the facing surfaces of the front and rear walls of the compartment.

[0028] At least one inner surface of the compartment may be provided with an anti-slip surface coating or anti-slip surface feature to help retain used consumer goods within the compartment. The anti-slip surface coating or anti-slip surface feature improves the interference fit between the used consumer goods and the inner surface of the compartment. The anti-slip surface coating may be a coating with a coefficient of friction higher than that of the outer surface accommodating the accessory. The anti-slip surface coating is commercially available and may be applied as a coating of a polymer-based adhesive optionally in a solvent, or as a coating of abrasive or wood particles or other rough texture components in an adhesive and optionally a solvent. The anti-slip surface feature may include roughening or texturing of at least a portion of the inner surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the inner surface.

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

[0030] The front wall of the compartment may extend further from the side to the top than the rear wall. In such examples, the compartment can be opened on the side facing the main body of the package when the accommodating attachment is attached to the package. The surface of the main body of the package can then serve as the rear wall of the compartment while the accommodating attachment is attached to the package. By removing the accommodating attachment from the package to expose the open side of the compartment, the used consumer goods stored in the compartment can be more easily accessed for disposal.

[0031] The front wall of the compartment can extend substantially the same distance from the side to the top wall as the rear wall of the compartment. This allows for safer temporary storage of used consumer goods in the compartment, as they can be held between the front and rear walls of the compartment along their entire length.

[0032] The compartment may be equipped with a belt configured to be pulled to facilitate the removal of used consumer goods from the compartment. The belt may be made of a flexible polymer material, such as an extruded polymer. The belt may comprise woven or nonwoven yarns or fibers, such as cotton or synthetic polymers. In some embodiments, the belt may be made of cellulose fibers. The belt is flexible. Preferably, the belt is substantially inelastic in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the belt preferably does not stretch significantly when pulled.

[0033] One end of the strap can be attached to an interior portion of the compartment. Another end of the strap can be attached to a corner portion of the interior of the compartment (e.g., where the lateral top wall meets the side wall). The strap can then extend from its attachment point with the corner portion along the inner surface of the lateral top wall, and then along the inner surface of the side wall opposite the corner (where the attached end of the strap is attached). The free end of the strap can be grasped from outside the container.

[0034] Used consumer products can be inserted into the container as described above, and the distal end of the used product will tend to push the strap towards the side top wall of the compartment. When the user wishes to remove the used product from the container holding the accessory, the user can grasp the free end of the strap and pull it away from the container. This allows the strap to easily eject the used product from the container, for example, by pushing the used product out of its corresponding space. The strap also helps remove any residual debris that may have fallen from the used product from the compartment. Another advantage is that the user does not have to touch the used product directly with their fingers.

[0035] Before the pull belt is pulled, the cap portion containing the accessories can be detached from the lid portion of the packaging to facilitate the discharge of used consumer products from the container.

[0036] Alternatively, the pull strap can be used while the cap portion containing the accessory is still attached to the lid portion of the packaging.

[0037] The compartment may be equipped with a deodorizing medium. This deodorizing medium may comprise a lining or coating on the interior of the compartment, impregnated with a deodorizing agent. The coating may be a gel coating. Some used consumer products, such as aerosol-generating products that have already been heated in a heating device, may have a residual odor, which may be undesirable in a user's pocket or bag. Providing a deodorizing medium in the compartment can help reduce such residual odors.

[0038] In embodiments with a strap, the deodorizing medium may be incorporated into the strap. For example, the strap may be impregnated or coated with the deodorizing medium. The free end of the strap may not contain the deodorizing medium, allowing the free end to be gripped by the consumer without transferring the deodorizing medium to the consumer's fingers.

[0039] The housing accessories can be made of suitable plastic materials.

[0040] According to a second aspect of the invention, a system is provided comprising packaging for a consumer product, the packaging having a body portion and a cover portion hingedly attached to the body portion along a hinge line; and a receiving accessory according to the first aspect.

[0041] In some embodiments, when mounted on the cap portion of the package, the rear wall of the cap portion does not cover the hinge line, thereby allowing the receiving accessory to move with the cap portion as the cap portion pivots about the hinge line. In other words, the rear wall of the cap portion, extending laterally to the top wall away from the cap portion, terminates above the hinge line of the cap portion of the package. The cap portion of the package can pivot about the hinge line together with the receiving accessory to allow access to a brand-new consumer product within the package.

[0042] Alternatively, when the cap portion of the packaging is fully inserted into the cap portion of the accessory holder, the rear wall of the cap portion may cover the hinge line. This prevents the cap portion from pivoting about the hinge line and can be used to lock the cap portion in the closed position. The cap portion of the accessory holder may slide relative to the cap portion of the packaging to expose the hinge line, thereby allowing the cap portion to pivot about the hinge line. Therefore, the user can selectively lock and unlock the cap portion of the packaging by sliding the cap portion of the accessory holder relative to the cap portion of the packaging between two positions. This can be used to prevent the packaging from being accidentally opened while carried in the user's pocket or handbag.

[0043] After the user has consumed all the consumer goods in the package and temporarily stored the used consumer goods in the container, the user can, at their convenience, detach the container from the empty package, discharge all the used consumer goods from the container for responsible disposal, and then reassemble the container into a brand new consumer goods package. In this way, the container can be reused multiple times.

[0044] In this disclosure, the terms “side,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” and similar terms are used to describe the relative positions of components housing accessories and systems. For example, the “front” wall of a given component refers to the wall opposite the “rear” wall of the same component.

[0045] The term "receptacle accessory" is used herein to define a device used as an accessory for consumer product packaging, and includes a receptacle portion for receiving used consumer products. Receptacle accessories may be manufactured, sold, or distributed separately from the packaging of the consumer product, but it is conceivable that the special packaging of the consumer product may be sold together with the receptacle accessory.

[0046] The term "packaging for consumer products" is used herein to define a generally box-shaped package having a body portion and a lid portion hinged to the body portion along a hinge line. The lid portion can be opened by pivoting about the hinge line to allow access to the interior of the package and to the consumer product within the package. The lid portion itself is box-shaped and may 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, or the two opposing side walls may be trapezoidal. The lid portion may be hollow to fit onto the consumer product stored vertically within the body portion of the package.

[0047] The term "consumer product" is used herein to define goods that are presented to consumers in packaging and that can be removed from the packaging for consumption.

[0048] The term "used consumer product" is used in this document to define a consumer product that has been used or enjoyed by the consumer and that the consumer wishes to dispose of or recycle in a responsible manner.

[0049] In some embodiments, the term "consumer product" specifically refers to a heat-non-combustible aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating matrix and other components formed in a strip shape and packaged in wrapping paper or another packaging material.

[0050] The term "cap portion" is used herein to define a portion of a receiving accessory that is sized and shaped to receive and releasably retain a cap portion of a consumer product package via an interference fit. The cap portion can be fitted onto the cap portion in a cap-like manner.

[0051] The term "compartment" is used herein to define part of a receiving and holding accessory for used consumer products. A compartment defines a volume for storing used consumer products. A compartment may be open on one or more sides to allow used consumer products to be inserted into the compartment.

[0052] The term "longitudinal" is used herein to define a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction that is vertically downward from the lateral top wall of the cap section or the lateral top wall of the compartment.

[0053] The term "deodorizing medium" is used herein to define a medium used to mask or neutralize undesirable odors that may emanate from a used consumer product. A deodorizing medium may release volatile odorant compounds or odor-neutralizing compounds. A deodorizing medium may be one or more of the following: gel, solid, liquid, powder, or granular material. A deodorizing medium may be coated onto or impregnated within components of a receiving accessory.

[0054] The term "strip" is used herein to define a flexible, longitudinally extending, substantially flat strip of material.

[0055] The invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples 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.

[0056] Example Ex1: A accommodating accessory for mounting on a package for a consumer product, the package having a body portion and a cover portion hingedly attached to the body portion, wherein the accommodating accessory includes a cap portion configured to receive and releasably retain the cover portion of the package by an interference fit, the cap portion including a front wall, a rear wall and a lateral top wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall, and wherein the accommodating accessory further includes a compartment configured to receive and retain used consumer products, the compartment being disposed on a surface of the front wall opposite to the rear wall.

[0057] Example Ex2: According to the accommodating attachment of Example Ex1, wherein the cap portion further includes at least one sidewall that connects the end of the front wall to the corresponding end of the rear wall.

[0058] Example Ex3: According to the accommodating accessory of Example Ex1, the cap portion further includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall respectively connecting a corresponding first end and a second end of the front wall to a corresponding first end and a second end of the rear wall.

[0059] Example Ex4: According to the accommodating attachment of any of the preceding examples, the front wall of the cap portion extends further from the side to the top wall than the rear wall of the cap portion.

[0060] Example Ex5: According to the accommodating accessory of any of the preceding examples, the compartment has 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, and wherein the compartment is open at its lower end to receive used consumer products.

[0061] Example Ex6: According to the accommodating attachment of any of the preceding examples, the compartment is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal ridges to define a plurality of substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0062] Example Ex7: The accommodating attachment according to Example Ex6, wherein a concave arcuate surface is provided between each pair of adjacent ridges.

[0063] Example Ex8: According to the accommodating accessory of Example Ex6 or Ex7, each space is configured to interfere with the used consumer product when it is received in the space, such that the used consumer product is firmly held in the space.

[0064] Example Ex9: A receiving attachment according to any one of Examples Ex6 to Ex8, wherein each space has a closed end near the lateral top wall of the cap portion, and wherein the closed end of each space is configured to retain a portion of the used consumer product in a substantially airtight manner.

[0065] Example Ex10: An accommodating attachment according to any one of Examples Ex6 to Ex9, wherein the ridge defines at least 10 substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0066] Example Ex11: An accommodating attachment according to any one of Examples Ex6 to Ex9, wherein the ridge defines at least 20 substantially parallel spaces within the compartment.

[0067] Example Ex12: According to any one of Examples Ex6 to Ex11 belonging to Example Ex5, the accommodating attachment wherein the ridge is disposed on the rear wall of the compartment and faces the front wall of the compartment.

[0068] Example Ex13: According to any one of Examples Ex6 to Ex11 belonging to Example Ex5, the accommodating attachment wherein the ridge is disposed on the front wall of the compartment and faces the rear wall of the compartment.

[0069] Example Ex14: According to any one of Examples Ex6 to Ex11 belonging to Example Ex5, the ridge is disposed on the mutually facing surfaces of both the front and rear walls of the compartment.

[0070] Example Ex15: According to the accommodating accessory of any of the foregoing examples, at least one inner surface of the compartment is provided with an anti-slip surface coating or anti-slip surface feature to help retain used consumer goods in the compartment.

[0071] Example Ex16: According to the accommodating attachment of Example Ex15 which is subordinate to Example Ex5 or Ex7, at least one inner surface of the compartment includes at least one of the following: the inner surface of the front wall, the inner surface of the rear wall, the inner surface of the side wall, and at least one concave arcuate surface.

[0072] Example Ex17: According to the accommodating accessory of Example Ex15 or Ex16, the anti-slip surface coating is a coating with a coefficient of friction higher than that of the outer surface of the compartment.

[0073] Example Ex18: A receiving attachment according to any one of Examples Ex15 to Ex17, wherein the anti-slip surface feature includes roughening or texturing of at least a portion of the at least one inner surface in order to increase the coefficient of friction of the inner surface.

[0074] Example Ex19: An accommodating attachment according to Example Ex5 or any of Examples Ex6 to Ex18 which are subordinate to Example Ex5, wherein the front wall of the compartment extends further from the side to the top wall than the rear wall of the compartment.

[0075] Example Ex20: An accommodating attachment according to Example Ex5 or any of Examples Ex6 to Ex18 which are subordinate to Example Ex5, wherein the front wall of the compartment and the rear wall of the compartment extend substantially the same distance from the side-to-top wall.

[0076] Example Ex21: An accommodating attachment according to Example Ex5 or any of Examples Ex6 to Ex20 which are subordinate to Example Ex5, wherein the front wall of the cap portion is the rear wall of the compartment.

[0077] Example Ex22: According to any of the preceding examples, the accommodating accessory is provided with a belt that is configured to be pulled to facilitate the discharge of used consumer goods from the compartment.

[0078] Example Ex23: According to any of the preceding examples, the accommodating accessory is provided with a deodorizing medium in the compartment.

[0079] Example Ex24: According to the accommodating attachment of Example Ex23 which is subordinate to Example Ex22, the deodorizing medium is incorporated into the belt.

[0080] Example Ex25: According to any of the foregoing examples, at least one inner surface of the cap portion is provided with an anti-slip surface coating or anti-slip surface feature to help improve the interference fit between the inner surface of the cap portion and the outer surface of the cover portion.

[0081] Example Ex26: According to the accommodating attachment of Example Ex25, the at least one inner surface includes at least one of the following: the inner surface of the front wall, the inner surface of the rear wall, the inner surface of the side wall, or the inner surface of any combination of the front wall, the rear wall, and the side wall.

[0082] Example Ex27: According to the accommodating accessory of Example Ex25 or Ex26, the anti-slip surface coating is a coating with a coefficient of friction higher than that of the outer surface of the accommodating accessory.

[0083] Example Ex28: The accommodating attachment according to any one of Examples Ex25 to Ex27, wherein the anti-slip surface feature includes roughening or texturing of at least a portion of the inner surface in order to increase the coefficient of friction of the inner surface.

[0084] Example Ex29: A system comprising packaging for a consumer product, the packaging having a body portion and a cover portion hingedly attached to the body portion along a hinge line; and a receiving accessory according to any one of Examples Ex1 to 28.

[0085] Example Ex30: The system according to Example Ex29, wherein when assembled onto the cap portion of the package, the rear wall of the cap portion does not cover the hinge line, thereby allowing the receiving accessory to move together with the cap portion when the cap portion pivots about the hinge line.

[0086] Example Ex31: According to the system of Example Ex29, when the cover portion of the package is fully inserted into the cap portion of the receiving accessory, the rear wall of the cap portion covers the hinge line to prevent the cover portion from pivoting about the hinge line, and wherein the cap portion of the receiving accessory is slidable relative to the cover portion of the package to expose the hinge line and allow the cover portion to pivot about the hinge line. Attached Figure Description

[0087] Several examples will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0088] Figure 1 The packaging of the consumer product is shown;

[0089] Figure 2 The accommodating accessory is shown;

[0090] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 Bottom plan view of the accommodating accessory;

[0091] Figure 4 The illustration shows a receiving attachment for facilitating the discharge of used consumer products, the receiving attachment being fitted onto the consumer product packaging;

[0092] Figure 5 A side view is shown of a housing accessory assembled on the packaging of a consumer product in a partially opened configuration. Detailed Implementation

[0093] Figure 1 The packaging 1 of consumer product 2 is shown. Packaging 1 is made of cardboard. Packaging 1 has a body portion 3, which includes a front wall 50, a bottom 4, a left beveled panel 5, a right beveled panel 6, and a rear wall (in...). Figure 1(Not visible in the middle). The body portion 3 is hollow and defines the volume therein for storing the consumer product 2. The cover portion 7 is hingedly attached to the body portion 3 along a hinge line 8 formed along the top of the rear wall of the package 1. The cover 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. In the illustrated embodiment, the left and right opposing side walls 12, 13 are trapezoidal such that when the cover portion 7 is closed, the bottom edge of each side wall 12, 13 aligns with the top edge of the corresponding beveled panel 5, 6 of the body portion 3. The cover portion 7 is hollow so as to be fitted over the consumer product 2 stored vertically within the body portion 3 of the package 1. An internal frame 14, also made of cardboard, is disposed inside the body portion 3. The internal frame 14 has a left side wall 15 and a right side wall 16, a front wall 17, and an optional rear wall ( Figure 1 (Not visible in the middle). The front wall 17 of the inner frame 14 has a cutout portion 18 to facilitate access to the consumer product 2 when the lid portion 7 is open. The inner frame 14 helps provide structural stability to the package 1, wherein the edge portions of the side walls 15, 16 and the front wall 17 are fitted inside the lid portion 7 when the lid portion 7 is closed. The inner frame 14 can help guide the lid portion 7 between the open and closed positions.

[0094] Figure 2 A receiving attachment 20 with a cap portion 21 is shown. 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. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the cap portion 21 further includes a first sidewall 25 and a second sidewall 26, each of which connects one end of the front wall 22 to the corresponding end of the rear wall 23. However, in other embodiments (not shown), one or both of the sidewalls 25 and 26 may be omitted.

[0095] exist Figure 2 In one embodiment, the cap portion 21 has a similar shape to... Figure 1 The shape and construction of the cap portion 7 of the packaging 1 are generally similar. The size and construction of the cap portion 21 are configured to receive and releasably retain the cap portion 7 of the packaging 1 via an interference fit. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls 25, 26 of the cap portion 21 are trapezoidal and similar in shape to... Figure 1 The trapezoidal sidewalls 12 and 13 of the package 1 shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 22 of the cap portion 21 extends further from the side to the top wall 24 than the rear wall 23.

[0096] Annex 20 also includes components configured to receive and retain used consumer products. Figure 2 Compartment 27 (not shown in the image). Used consumer goods are... Figure 1The consumer product 2 shown has been removed from packaging 1 and consumed by the consumer. A compartment 27 is provided on the surface of the front wall 22 of the cap portion 21 opposite to the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21.

[0097] Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, compartment 27 has a rear wall 28, a front wall 29 formed by the front wall 22 of cap portion 21, and a lateral top wall 30 connecting the rear wall 28 and the front wall 29. In this embodiment, the lateral top wall 30 of compartment 27 is a simple extension of the lateral top wall 24 of cap portion 21. Compartment 27 also includes a first side wall 31 and a second side wall 32. Compartment 27 opens at its lower end 33 to receive used consumer products.

[0098] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, compartment 27 is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal ridges 34. The ridges 34 define a plurality of substantially parallel spaces 35 within compartment 27. Each space 35 may be configured to interference fit with the used consumer product when received in space 35, such that the used consumer product is securely held within space 35.

[0099] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, each space 35 has a closed end near the lateral top wall 24 of the cap portion 21. The closed end of each space 35 is also near the lateral top wall 30 of the compartment 27. The closed end of each space 35 is defined by the rear wall 28, front wall 29, and lateral top wall 30 of the compartment. Spaces 35 on the left and right sides of the compartment 27 are also defined by the side walls 31 and 32 of the compartment 27. The closed ends of the spaces 35 can be configured to retain portions of used consumer products in a substantially airtight manner. For example, in the case where the used consumer product is a used aerosol-generating article (such as a used strip-shaped heat-not-burn aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-generating matrix facing one longitudinal end and a filter portion at the opposite longitudinal end), the used consumer product can be inserted into the space 35 such that the used aerosol-generating matrix end of each consumer product is accommodated within the closed end of each space 35. The filter portion end of each consumer product can then act as a plug at the opening of the closed end of the corresponding space 35. In this way, the used aerosol-generating matrix portion of each used consumer product can be contained within the enclosed end of the space to reduce unwanted odor emissions from compartment 27.

[0100] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 The bottom plan view of the accommodating accessory 20 shown herein contains similar portions as follows: Figure 2 The markings shown. Figure 3The relationship between the front walls 22 and rear walls 23 of the cap portion 21, the front walls 29 and rear walls 28 of the compartment 27, the side walls 25 and 26 of the cap portion 21, and the side walls 31 and 32 of the compartment 27 is shown more clearly. In the illustrated embodiment, a longitudinal ridge 34 is disposed on the inner surface of the front wall 29 of the compartment 27, facing the rear wall 28 of the compartment 27. In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal ridge 34 may be disposed 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 disposed on the facing surfaces of both the rear wall 28 and the front wall 29 of the compartment 27. In these embodiments, it is preferred that the longitudinal ridges 34 are aligned with each other on opposite sides of the compartment 27, thereby defining a space 35.

[0101] A concave arcuate surface 36 may be disposed 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 complement the cylindrical shape of the used consumer product, thereby better retaining the used consumer product in the space 35 and making it less likely for the used consumer product to fall out of the compartment 27. The concave arcuate surface 36, in combination with the longitudinal ridges 34 and the opposing walls of the compartment 27, provides an interference fit with the used consumer product inserted into the space 35.

[0102] At least one inner surface of compartment 27, such as the inner surface of at least one of the front wall 29, rear wall 28, side walls 31, 32, and concave arcuate surface 36, may be provided with an anti-slip surface coating or anti-slip surface feature to help retain used consumer goods within compartment 27. The anti-slip surface coating may be a coating with a coefficient of friction higher than that of the outer surface of compartment 27. The anti-slip surface feature may include roughening or texturing of at least a portion of at least one inner surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the inner surface of compartment 27.

[0103] Because the used consumer goods are stored inside compartment 27 but outside the packaging 1 of the unused consumer goods 2, it is expected that the used consumer goods will not easily fall out of compartment 27 when the packaging 1 with the attached containment accessory 20 is carried in a pocket or handbag.

[0104] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 29 of compartment 27 extends further laterally towards the top wall 30 than the rear wall 28 of compartment 27. This means that when the accessory 20 is fitted onto the lid portion 7 of package 1 and the lid portion 7 is closed, the lower portion of space 35 is exposed in the direction facing the front wall 50 of the body portion 3 of package 1. When the lid portion 7 is opened by pivoting about the hinge line 8, space 35 moves away from the front wall 50 of the body portion 3 of package 1. However, since at least a portion of the used consumer product is held within the closed end of space 35 by an interference fit, the used consumer product will not fall out of compartment 27 when lid portion 7 is opened.

[0105] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the rear wall 28 of compartment 27 (and the front wall 22 of cap portion 21) and the front wall 29 of compartment 27 extend substantially the same distance laterally towards the top wall 30. In these embodiments, the lower portion of space 34 is enclosed by the rear wall 28 and the front wall 29 of compartment 27, except at the bottom end of compartment 27. Although these alternative embodiments do not allow for easy removal of used consumer goods from compartment 27, they can help to better retain used consumer goods within the compartment due to the increased interference fit.

[0106] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment has ten spaces 35 defined by nine longitudinal ridges 34. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use with a package 1 containing ten consumer products. Thus, the accommodating accessory 20 is configured to hold the same number of used consumer products as the package 1 contains brand-new consumer products 2. In other embodiments, twenty spaces defined by nineteen longitudinal ridges 34 may be present. These embodiments are particularly suitable for use with a package 1 containing twenty consumer products. In embodiments where the longitudinal ridges 34 are located on the inner surfaces of both the front wall 29 and the rear wall 28 of the compartment 27, ten spaces 35 may be defined by eighteen longitudinal ridges, and twenty spaces 35 may be defined by thirty-eight longitudinal ridges 34. The number of spaces 35 and ridges 34 can be generalized as needed.

[0107] Figure 1 and Figure 2 At least one inner surface of the cap portion 21 in the illustrated embodiment may be provided with an anti-slip surface coating or anti-slip surface feature to help improve the interference fit between the inner surface of the cap portion 21 and the outer surface of the cap portion 7 of the packaging 1. At least one inner surface of the cap portion 21 may include at least one of the following: the inner surface of the front wall 22, the inner surface of the rear wall 23, the inner surfaces of the side walls 25, 26, or any combination of the inner surfaces of the front wall 22, rear wall 23, and side walls 25, 26. The anti-slip surface coating may be a coating with a coefficient of friction higher than that of the outer surface of the receiving accessory 20. The anti-slip surface feature may include roughening or texturing of at least a portion of the inner surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the inner surface of the cap portion 21. Such an anti-slip surface coating or surface feature may help prevent the receiving accessory 20 from accidentally separating from the packaging 1 when carried in a pocket or tote bag.

[0108] exist Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 22 of the cap portion 21 extends further from the side towards the top wall 24 than the rear wall 23. When fitted onto the lid portion 7 of the package 1, 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. In other words, when the lid portion 7 of the package 1 is fully received within the cap portion 21, the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21 does not cover or extend above the hinge line 8 of the package 1. This allows the lid portion 7 to open without obstruction, as both the lid portion 7 and the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21 can pivot together about the hinge line 8.

[0109] In other embodiments, when the cap 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, when the cap portion 7 of the package 1 is fully received within the cap portion 21, the rear wall of the cap portion 21 may cover or extend above the hinge line 8 of the package 1. This prevents the cap portion 7 from freely pivoting about the hinge line 8 and can be used to lock the cap portion 7 in the closed position. If the consumer wishes to unlock the cap portion 7, the receiving accessory 20 may slide upward relative to the package 1 until the hinge line 8 is exposed or no longer covered by the rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21, thus allowing the cap portion 7 to freely pivot about the hinge line 8. It may be desirable to be able to lock the cap portion 7 in this manner to prevent the package 1 from being unnecessarily opened while being carried in a pocket or tote bag.

[0110] Compartment 27 may be provided with a deodorizing medium. The deodorizing medium may include a lining or coating on the interior of compartment 27, impregnated with a deodorizing agent. This coating may be a gel coating. Some used consumer products, such as aerosol-generating products that have already been heated in a heating device, may have a residual odor, which may be undesirable in a user's pocket or handbag. Providing a deodorizing medium in compartment 27 can help reduce such residual odors.

[0111] Figure 4An embodiment of a compartment 27 is shown with a belt 40 configured to be pulled to facilitate the removal of used consumer goods from the compartment 27. The belt 40 may be made of a flexible polymer material or may comprise woven or nonwoven yarns or fibers, such as cotton or synthetic polymers. In some embodiments, the belt 40 may be made of cellulose fibers. The belt 40 is flexible. Preferably, the belt 40 is substantially inelastic in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the belt 40 preferably does not stretch significantly when pulled. One end of the belt 40 is attached to the inner surface of the compartment 27. The end of the belt 40 may be attached at or near a corner portion of the interior of the compartment 27 (e.g., where the lateral top wall 30 meets the side walls 31, 32). The length of the belt 40 may then lie substantially within the compartment 27, and the free end 41 of the belt 40 may protrude from the compartment 27 or be gripped from the outside of the compartment 27. As compartment 27 is sequentially filled with used consumer products, strap 40 is restrained between the distal end of the used consumer products and the inner surface of the lateral top wall 30 of compartment 27, but the free end 41 remains graspable from outside container 27. When a consumer wishes to expel the used consumer products from compartment 27 (this can be done when compartment 27 is full or only partially filled), the consumer grasps the free end 41 of strap 40 and pulls it away from the lateral top wall 30. The tension in strap 40 then helps to pull the used consumer products out of compartment 27 for responsible disposal. Strap 40 also facilitates the removal of any debris that may have deposited in the compartment from the used consumer products, such as debris or particles of used aerosol-generating matrix. The provision and use of strap 40 allows for quick and easy removal of used consumer products without requiring the consumer to directly touch or hold the used consumer products with their fingers.

[0112] The belt 40 may include a deodorizing medium. The belt 40 may be impregnated or coated with a deodorizing medium. The free end 41 of the belt 40 may not contain a deodorizing medium, so that the free end 41 can be grasped by a consumer without transferring the deodorizing medium to the consumer's fingers.

[0113] Figure 5 It shows including, for example Figure 1 The side view shown is of an embodiment of the packaging 1 of the consumer product 2, which is assembled with as shown in the figure. Figure 2 The accommodating accessory 20 is shown. The lid portion 7 of the package 1 is connected to the body portion 3 via a hinge line 8. The cap portion 21 of the accommodating accessory 20 is fitted above the lid portion 7 of the package 1. The rear wall 23 of the cap portion 21 does not cover the hinge line 8, thus allowing the lid portion 7 and the accommodating accessory 20 to pivot about the hinge line 8 as shown, thereby allowing access to the consumer product 2 in the package 1.

Claims

1. A receiving accessory for mounting on a package for consumer goods, the package having a body portion and a cover portion hingedly attached to the body portion, wherein the receiving accessory includes a cap portion configured to receive and releasably retain the cover portion of the package by an interference fit, the cap portion including a front wall, a rear wall and a lateral top wall connecting the front wall and the rear wall, and wherein the receiving accessory further includes a compartment configured to receive and retain used consumer goods, the compartment being disposed on a surface of the front wall opposite to the rear wall.

2. The receiving accessory according to claim 1, wherein the cap portion further includes at least one sidewall connecting the end of the front wall to the corresponding end of the rear wall.

3. The receiving accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front wall of the cap portion extends further from the side to the top wall than the rear wall of the cap portion.

4. The accommodating accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compartment has 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, and wherein the compartment is open at a lower end to receive used consumer products.

5. The accommodating accessory according to claim 1 or 2, 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. The receiving accessory according to claim 5, wherein a concave arcuate surface is provided between each pair of adjacent ridges.

7. The receiving accessory of claim 5, wherein each space is configured to interference fit with the used consumer product when received in the space, such that the used consumer product is securely held within the space.

8. The receiving accessory of claim 5, wherein the compartment has 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, and wherein the compartment is open at a lower end to receive used consumer products, and The ridge is located on the front wall of the compartment and faces the rear wall of the compartment.

9. The accommodating accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one inner surface of the compartment is provided with an anti-slip surface coating or anti-slip surface feature to help retain used consumer goods within the compartment.

10. The accommodating accessory of claim 4, wherein the front wall of the compartment extends further from the side to the top wall than the rear wall of the compartment.

11. The accommodating accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compartment is provided with a belt configured to be pulled to facilitate the discharge of used consumer goods from the compartment.

12. The accommodating accessory according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compartment is provided with a deodorizing medium.

13. A packaging and containing assembly comprising: Packaging for consumer goods, the packaging having a body portion and a cover portion hingedly attached to the body portion along a hinge line; And the accommodating accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The packaging and containing assembly of claim 13, wherein when assembled onto the cap portion of the packaging, the rear wall of the cap portion does not cover the hinge line, thereby allowing the containing accessory to move together with the cap portion when the cap portion pivots about the hinge line.

15. The packaging and containing assembly of claim 13, wherein when the cover portion of the packaging is fully inserted into the cap portion of the containing accessory, the rear wall of the cap portion covers the hinge line to prevent the cover portion from pivoting about the hinge line, and wherein the cap portion of the containing accessory is slidable relative to the cover portion of the packaging to expose the hinge line and allow the cover portion to pivot about the hinge line.

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