Package for consumer goods

Abstract

A package (10) for receiving a plurality of consumer goods (100A, 100B). The package comprises: a first compartment (12) for containing a first consumer product (100A); and a second compartment (14) for containing a second consumer goods (100B). The package (10) may be moved, potentially only by one hand of a user, from a first configuration (10A) in which the first compartment (12) and the second compartment (14) are inaccessible to a second configuration (10B) in which the first end (12A) of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to an interior of the first compartment. The second configuration (10B) also causes the first end (14A) of the second compartment to be exposed to allow access to an interior of the second compartment. Therefore, the packaging can be well applied to people with two-hand insufficiency, such as disabled people who can use only one hand and / or people who suffer from conditions affecting the dexterity of the disabled people.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to packaging for consumer products, such as consumer products associated with an aerosol supply system (including components thereof, such as consumable products including a reservoir containing an aerosolizable material, which is configured to be aerosolized by the aerosol supply system during use to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user). Background Art

[0002] Currently existing packaging is used to contain consumer goods in such a way that these consumer goods are stored (eg, stored in a store) before they are used / purchased by an end user.

[0003] A potential disadvantage of existing packaging in the above aspects is that it is often challenging for those with limited ambidextrous function (e.g., those with disabilities who can only use one hand and / or those with conditions that affect their dexterity, such as those with Parkinson's disease) to open the packaging.

[0004] Various approaches are described herein that seek to help solve or alleviate some of the problems discussed above by providing a package that can be more easily opened by those affected by the above-mentioned conditions.

[0005] The difficulty that existing packaging for consumer goods also has is that a single material sheet may not necessarily be used to construct more than one compartment / container for storing more than one consumer goods as a part of packaging. In other words, existing packaging usually requires a separate material sheet to form each required consumer goods holding compartment of the packaging.

[0006] Thus, various approaches are described herein that seek to help solve or alleviate some of the problems discussed above by providing a package that is capable of forming two separate compartments, each compartment having an interior for containing a respective consumer product. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a package for receiving a plurality of consumer products, the package comprising:

[0008] a first compartment for containing a first consumer product;

[0009] a second compartment for containing a second consumer product;

[0010] wherein the package is movable from a first configuration in which the first compartment and the second compartment are inaccessible to a second configuration in which:

[0011] The first end of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment; and

[0012] The first end of the second compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment.

[0013] According to a second aspect of some embodiments, there is provided an assembly comprising a package according to the first aspect and further comprising a first consumer product located in the first compartment and a second consumer product located in the second compartment.

[0014] According to a third aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a sheet of material configured to be folded along a plurality of fold lines to form a package (e.g. a package according to the first aspect), the package comprising:

[0015] a first compartment for containing a first consumer product;

[0016] a second compartment for containing a second consumer product;

[0017] Wherein the package comprises at least one flap comprising an adhesive portion configured to adhere a portion of the first compartment to a portion of the second compartment when the sheet of material has been folded into a first configuration of the package.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect of some embodiments, there is provided a method of forming a package according to the first aspect using a single sheet of material.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of some embodiments, there is provided a method of opening a package, the package comprising:

[0020] a first compartment for housing a first consumer product; and

[0021] a second compartment for containing a second consumer product;

[0022] Among them, the method includes:

[0023] The first compartment is rotated toward the second compartment in a manner that simultaneously causes:

[0024] The first end of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment; and

[0025] The first end of the second compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment.

[0026] According to a sixth aspect of some embodiments, there is provided a method of opening a package, the package comprising:

[0027] a first compartment for housing a first consumer product; and

[0028] a second compartment for containing a second consumer product;

[0029] Among them, the method includes:

[0030] opening the package to allow access to the interior of the first compartment and the interior of the second compartment;

[0031] separating the second compartment from the first compartment; and

[0032] The first compartment is covered so that access to the interior of the first compartment is no longer possible.

[0033] It will be appreciated that the features and aspects of the invention described above with respect to multiple aspects of the invention are equally applicable to, and may be appropriately combined with, embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention, and not just in the specific combinations described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 A plan view of a sheet of material that can be folded to form a package for receiving a plurality of consumer products, such as according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2I Those packages shown;

[0036] Figure 2A For example, Figure 1 Use of a sheet of material as shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the sheet of material is configured to be folded to form a package for receiving a plurality of consumer products;

[0037] Figure 2B Shows Figure 2A The sheet of material in the further folding stage to form a package for receiving a plurality of consumer products;

[0038] Figure 2C Shows Figure 2B The sheet of material in the further folding stage to form a package for receiving a plurality of consumer products;

[0039] Figure 2D Shows Figure 2C The sheet of material in the further folding stage to form a package for receiving a plurality of consumer products;

[0040] Figure 2E Shows Figure 2D The sheet of material in the further folding stage to form a package for receiving a plurality of consumer products;

[0041] Figure 2F Shows Figure 2Ethe sheet of material in a final folding stage in which the sheet of material forms a package in a first configuration for receiving a plurality of consumer products and wherein a first consumer product is inserted / positioned inside a first compartment of the package and wherein a second consumer product is inserted / positioned inside a second compartment of the package;

[0042] Figure 2G to Figure 2H For example, Figure 2F The package of the embodiment of claim 1, comprising a first consumer product in a first compartment of the package and a second consumer product in a second compartment of the package, the package being moved / opened such that a first end of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment, and such that a first end of the second compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment;

[0043] Fig.2I For example, Figures 2F to 2H The package shown in the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the first end of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment, and wherein the first end of the second compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment, the package is separated so that the second compartment is separated from the first compartment, thereby allowing the first compartment to be re-covered so that access to the interior of the first compartment is no longer possible, thereby allowing the first compartment to be sealed for subsequent opening / use as needed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Various aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be conventionally implemented, and for the sake of brevity, these aspects and features will not be discussed / described in detail. It is therefore understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods not described in detail herein may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing these aspects and features.

[0045] The present disclosure relates to packaging for containing consumer products, such as consumer products associated with aerosol supply systems and components thereof in particular embodiments. Figures 1 to 2I 10B. Figures 2F to 2H The best shown in the related embodiments) can be from the first configuration 10A (such as Figure 2F ) moves to the second configuration 10B (as shown Figure 2G to Figure 2HAs shown), in the first configuration, the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are inaccessible, and in the second configuration, the first end 12A of the first compartment 12 is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment 12; and the first end 14A of the second compartment 14 is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment 14.

[0046] By this arrangement, it can be seen that the package 10 can be arranged to open the package so that the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 can be accessed at the same time, which is very convenient. In particular, as will be described, according to some embodiments (e.g., in Figure 2F to Figure 2G The package 10 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 may be such that opening the package 10 to expose the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 may be such that the user can use a single hand to perform the opening action, which is theoretically very easy. Therefore, this package may be well suited for those with limited bimanual function (e.g., those with disabilities who can only use one hand and / or those with disorders that affect their dexterity, such as those with Parkinson's disease).

[0047] With respect to how the package 10 is moved from the first configuration 10A to the second configuration 10B, it can be seen that in some embodiments, for example, Figures 2F to 2H , the package 10 may include a fold line 16 along which the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are configured to move when the package 10 moves from the first configuration 10A to the second configuration 10B. Thus, in some embodiments, the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 may be configured to move when the package 10 moves from the first configuration 10A to the second configuration 10B. Figure 2F ) moves to the second configuration 10B ( Figure 2H ) when rotated towards each other.

[0048] With respect to the structure of each compartment, it can be seen that the first compartment 12 can also include a second end 12B opposite the first end 12A of the first compartment 12. In a similar manner, the second compartment 14 can include a second end 14B opposite the first end 14A of the second compartment 14. In some embodiments, this can enable the second end 12B of the first compartment 12 to be configured to move toward the second end 14B of the second compartment 14 when the package 10 is moved from the first configuration 10A to the second configuration 10B. This can be seen from Figures 2F to 2H As can be seen from the embodiment shown, the second end 12B of the first compartment 12 is configured to be when the package 10 is in the second configuration 10 (e.g., in Figure 2H 14B adjacent to the second end 14B of the second compartment 14. Due to this arrangement, the contents of each of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 can be conveniently presented, for example, Figure 2HAs shown in the specific embodiment of FIG, the user can easily see / access the two compartments by means of the first ends (exposed ends) 12A, 14A of the two compartments 12, 14, which are located on the same side of the package 10 when the package 10 is in the second configuration 10B. This arrangement is further beneficial because the user can pinch / squeeze the two compartments 12, 14 together (such as between two fingers of a single hand (such as a thumb or other fingers)). Figure 2G The second configuration 10B of the package 10A is shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the two compartments 12, 14 are squeezed together between the thumb and other fingers of one hand of the user) and allows the user to easily hold the package in its second configuration 10B. Thus, this arrangement again helps to make it easier to grip the package 10A when it is in the second configuration 10B, particularly for those with limited use of both hands.

[0049] With regard to the geometry of the package 10 and the geometry of each of the first compartment 12 / second compartment 14 thereof, it can be appreciated that, depending on the contents that each of the compartments 12, 14 is configured to hold in use, they can have any desired geometry. In principle, any consumer product or, more generally, any article can be located in each compartment 12, 14 as desired. However, the present package described herein can have a specific application for accommodating consumer products associated with an aerosol supply system. Therefore, according to some more specific embodiments, each of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 can include any of the following:

[0050] i) Consumer goods;

[0051] ii) accessories for use with such consumer products; and / or

[0052] iii) labels / instructions for such consumer products.

[0053] For example, an application may include one of the compartments, which contains a consumer product 100, such as an aerosol supply system or a consumable 100A, 100B for such an aerosol supply system, wherein the consumable includes a reservoir containing an aerosolizable material. Such consumables 100A, 100B are shown, for example, in an embodiment associated with the accompanying drawings, wherein the respective consumables 100A, 100B are configured to be located in each of the respective first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14.

[0054] However, it is apparent that in some other embodiments, a pair of other consumer products may be housed in the respective first compartment 12 and second compartment 14, such as a first (possibly disposable) aerosol supply system located in one of the first compartment 12 and second compartment 14, and a second (possibly disposable) aerosol supply system located in the other of the first compartment 12 and second compartment 14.

[0055] In other embodiments, the consumer product 100 is located in one of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14, and accessories (such as a possible charging cable or cleaning accessories) or labels / instructions for or associated with the consumer product are located in the other of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14.

[0056] For example, other consumer products that are not necessarily associated with an aerosol supply / generation system could equally be used, such as wearable consumer products (eg, earrings or some other form of jewelry).

[0057] Regardless of the contents of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14, the packages described herein have application in allowing individual / separate access to each compartment in a convenient manner when the package is in the second configuration 10B.

[0058] That is, in order to tightly contain the consumables in the form of consumables 100A, 100B for an aerosol supply system, it may be the case in some embodiments (such as those shown in the drawings, and possibly other embodiments) that in the first configuration 10A, any one of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 and at least one of the package 10 has a cubic shape. This arrangement and geometry may be helpful, especially for facilitating storage / stacking when the package 10 is not in use (e.g., when sold / stacked on a shelf in a store where the package 10 is displayed).

[0059] Likewise, in some embodiments, such as those in which the two compartments 12, 14 accommodate consumer goods of the same shape / type (as shown in the examples in the accompanying drawings), the first compartment 12 can be the same size as the second compartment 14, and / or have the same volume capacity and / or dimensional shape. This can again be seen from the specific embodiments in the accompanying drawings, in which the first compartment 12 has the same storage space and the same width / height / depth (dimensional shape) as the second compartment 14.

[0060] Regarding the material of the package 10, it is understood that the package can be made of any desired material that has the necessary rigidity to provide a certain safety for the consumer goods 100 in the compartments 12, 14 of the package 10 during use. Therefore, in some applications, the package is likely to be made of plastic. However, in some more environmentally friendly options (which may also have other advantages to be described), the package can be made of cardboard, which can include recycled cardboard in some more limited embodiments.

[0061] When using paperboard and any other material that may have a certain degree of foldability, this can also make the package 10 described herein formed from a sheet of material (which may initially be flat), as described with respect to Figures 1 to 2F 1. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows a specific folding operation associated with the embodiment shown. By this arrangement, it can be seen that this single material sheet can be used to form the shape of both the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 of the package 10, so there is no need for a first material sheet to form the shape of the first compartment 12 and a second (different) material sheet to form the shape of the second compartment 14. In essence, this ability of the package 10 can thus significantly make the package 10 easier to manufacture / form into its final shape.

[0062] With the foregoing in mind, and at a general level, it can be seen that the present disclosure also provides a method of using a single sheet of material 11 (e.g., in conjunction with Figure 1 In the method of forming any package described herein from a single sheet of material shown in the related embodiments, the single sheet of material can be a single sheet of material that can be folded to form the shape of the first compartment and the second compartment of the package 10.

[0063] Regardless of how many material sheets 11 are used to construct / form the package 10 described herein, and regardless of whether the package described herein can be formed from a single material sheet 11, it is understood that the package 10 can include an adhesive portion 20 that bonds a portion 22 of the first compartment 12 to a portion 24 of the second compartment 14 when the package 10 is in the first configuration 10A. This can be seen by referring to the embodiments in the accompanying drawings to separate the material sheet 11 from the first compartment 12. Figure 1 and Figure 2A The initial position shown is folded to Figure 2B As seen from the position shown.

[0064] from Figure 2B in this position, or by first turning the package 10 (to Figure 2C, from the embodiment of the drawings), the shape of the first compartment 12 can be formed by folding the side surfaces 121, 122, 123, 124 along a plurality of parallel folding lines 126, 127, 128 parallel to each other, which are located between the first end 12A and the second end 12B of the first compartment 12. In this way, the side surfaces 121, 122, 123, 124 can be maintained in the shape of the first compartment 12 by using the adhesive portion 28 from the package 10 or by a mechanism using friction (e.g., using a flap of one of the multiple side surfaces, which fits / clamps in a corresponding slot of another of the multiple side surfaces to clamp the surfaces together), for example, Figure 2D and Figure 2E , wherein the adhesive portion / adhesive portion 28 from the package 10 is used to adhere / retain the first face 121 of the plurality of sides in a position adjacent to the second face 124 of the plurality of sides so as to form the cube shape of the first compartment 12. For the sake of completeness, there are four such sides 121, 122, 123, 124 in the embodiment in the drawings, wherein the first compartment 12 has a cube shape when the package 10 is in the first configuration 10A. However, in the case where the first compartment 12 has a different shape (e.g., a shape having a triangular cross-section), there may be a different number of sides (e.g., three sides) between the first end 12A and the second end 12B of the first compartment 12.

[0065] As reference FIG. 2C to FIG. 2E As shown in the embodiment shown in , the shape of the second compartment 14 can also be formed by folding the side surfaces 141, 142, 143, 144 along a plurality of parallel fold lines 146, 147, 148 that are parallel to each other (and these lines can also be parallel to the plurality of parallel fold lines 126, 127, 128 associated with the first compartment 12), which are located between the first end 14A and the second end 14B of the second compartment 14. In this way, the side surfaces 141, 142, 143, 144 can be maintained in the shape of the second compartment 14 by using the adhesive portion 30 from the package 10 or by a mechanism using friction (e.g., using a flap of one of the plurality of side surfaces that fits / clamps in a corresponding slot of another of the plurality of side surfaces to clamp these surfaces together), for example, Figure 2D and Figure 2E As shown in the specific embodiment shown in, the adhesive portion / adhesive portion 30 from the package 10 is used to adhere / retain a first face 141 of the plurality of sides in a position adjacent to a second face 144 of the plurality of sides so as to form a cubic shape of the second compartment 14. Likewise, depending on the selected shape of the second compartment 14, there may be a different number of sides (e.g., three sides) between the first end 14A and the second end 14B of the second compartment 14.

[0066] After the respective sides of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 have been folded to form the shapes of the first compartment and the second compartment, as shown in FIG. Figure 2E As shown in the specific embodiment shown in , it can be seen that the second end 12B, 14B of each of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 is exposed / opened to allow the first consumer product 100, 100A to be inserted into the first compartment 12 from the exposed / opened second end 12A of the first compartment 12, and to allow the second consumer product 100, 100B to be inserted into the second compartment 14 from the exposed / opened second end 14B of the second compartment 14.

[0067] The second end of each of the first compartment and the second compartment can then be closed, for example using an adhesive or some other fastener, to form the package in the first configuration 10A (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 2F ), and wherein, in theory, a first consumer product 100, 100A is contained in a first compartment 12, and a second consumer product 100, 100B is contained in a second compartment 14. This package can then be opened / moved to a second configuration 10B, as discussed previously, e.g., as described with reference to Figures 2F to 2H The embodiments shown in the drawings are related to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0068] As can be seen from the foregoing disclosure, the present disclosure also provides a related method for opening a package 10, which includes: a first compartment 12 for accommodating a first consumer product 100, 100A; and a second compartment 14 for accommodating a second consumer product 100, 100B; wherein the method includes: rotating the first compartment 12 toward the second compartment 14 in a manner that simultaneously causes the following situations: the first end 12A of the first compartment 12 is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment 12; and the first end 14A of the second compartment 14 is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment 14.

[0069] With respect to these methods, it will be appreciated that, at least in some embodiments, a user can use a single hand to perform the step of rotating the first compartment 12 toward the second compartment 14—as described, for example, with reference to FIG. Figure 2F to Figure 2G The illustrated embodiment is visually accessible and thus facilitates easier use by those who have limited use of their hands.

[0070] With respect to some of the methods / packages 10 described above, it can be seen that according to some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings (e.g. Figure 2B ), a portion 22 of the first compartment 12 may be provided that is bonded to a portion 24 of the second compartment 14. The purpose of this arrangement is to allow the package 10 to be in the first configuration 12 (e.g., Figure 2E), the adhesive portion 20 provides a force that maintains the first compartment 12 in its position relative to (adjacent / adjacent to) the second compartment 14.

[0071] By this, some embodiments may provide that by applying force to the package 10, the portion 22 of the first compartment 12 bonded to the portion 24 of the second compartment 14 is separated from the portion 24 of the second compartment 14 to allow the first compartment 12 to rotate toward the second compartment 14.

[0072] The force reference Figure 2F 10A, wherein a first force may be applied (by a middle finger / third finger of a user's hand that is grasping the package 10 when the package 10 is in the first configuration 10A at a location adjacent to the fold line 16 along which the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are configured to move). In some related additional / alternative embodiments, it can be seen that a pair of forces may be applied equally to each of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 (e.g., using a thumb and second finger / first finger of a user's hand that is grasping the package 10 when the package 10 is in the first configuration 10A, as shown in FIG. 10A). Figure 2F 10A ) to force the portion 22 of the first compartment 12 that is bonded to the portion 24 of the second compartment 14 to separate from the portion 24 of the second compartment 14, thereby enabling the first compartment 12 to rotate toward the second compartment 14. Regardless of the exact force employed, it can be achieved as shown in the embodiments associated with the accompanying drawings, for example, a user can use a single hand to perform the step of applying force to the package to move the package 10 from the first configuration 10A to the second configuration 10B. Therefore, for those with limited bimanual function (e.g., those with disabilities who can only use one hand and / or those suffering from conditions that affect their dexterity), the structure of the package described herein is still easy to use.

[0073] Another aspect of the package 10 is that it has the ability to allow the second compartment 14 to be separated from the first compartment 12 after the package is in the second configuration 10B, thereby allowing the first end of the first compartment 12 to be covered so that the first end of the first compartment is no longer exposed. FIG. 2H to FIG. 2I as shown, so as to effectively allow the compartment to be re-covered for subsequent use as needed.

[0074] For example, using FIG. 2H to FIG. 2IAs can be seen from the specific example, after the package 10 is in the second configuration 10B, a consumer product in the form of a second consumable product 100B for an aerosol generating system can be removed from the second compartment 14 and inserted into / used with the aerosol generating system. However, the consumable product 100A in the first compartment 12 can still be retained in the first compartment, wherein the first compartment is then covered so that the first end 12A of the first compartment 12 is no longer exposed. In this way, the consumable product 100A in the first compartment 12 can be retained for subsequent use, for example when the second consumable product 100B is exhausted / consumed and therefore needs to be replaced with the consumable product 100A in the first compartment 12.

[0075] Thus, from the foregoing it can be seen that the package 10 provided as described herein can conveniently allow a plurality of consumer products 100, 100A, 100B to be stored in such a manner that two of the consumer products are initially accessible simultaneously (e.g., for allowing a user to select one of the consumer products they initially wish to use), but still also allows an unused consumer product 100, 100A, 100B to then be repackaged / covered for storage in one of the (opened) compartments for subsequent use as required.

[0076] The above functions can be seen with reference to the package 10 shown in the drawings, for example, wherein the action of separating the second compartment 14 from the first compartment 14 (e.g. FIG. 2H to FIG. 2I The first compartment 12 may be provided with a first end 12A of the first compartment 12, as shown in the figure, by separating a portion 31 of the first compartment 12 located at the first end 12A of the first compartment 12 from a portion 33 of the second compartment 14 located at the first end 14A of the second compartment 14. In this manner and according to some more limited embodiments, a subsequent step of covering the first end 12A of the first compartment 12 so that the first end of the first compartment 12 is no longer exposed may be achieved by covering the first end 12A of the first compartment 12 with the portion 31 of the first compartment 12 so that the first end of the first compartment 12 is no longer exposed.

[0077] In addition to the use of the portion 31 of the first compartment 12 and the portion 33 of the second compartment 14 can be used to allow these compartments to separate / recover, it can also be recognized that each (or both) of the portion 31 of the first compartment 12 and the portion 33 of the second compartment 14 can also be used to prevent any consumable 100, 100A in the first compartment 12 from contacting / impacting any consumable 100, 100B in the second compartment 14 when the package 10 is in the first configuration 10A. In other words, when the package is in the first configuration, any portion 31 of the first compartment 12 and / or the portion 33 of the second compartment 14 provided can be configured to separate / separate the consumable 100, 100A in the first compartment 12 from the consumable 100, 100B in the second compartment 14. This therefore helps to help avoid the consumables from rattling / sliding in the package 10 when the package is in the first configuration 10A.

[0078] In view of the foregoing, a package for receiving a plurality of consumer products is accordingly described, the package comprising:

[0079] a first compartment for containing a first consumer product;

[0080] a second compartment for containing a second consumer product;

[0081] wherein the package is movable from a first configuration in which the first compartment and the second compartment are inaccessible to a second configuration in which:

[0082] The first end of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment; and

[0083] The first end of the second compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment.

[0084] Also described is an assembly comprising the above-described package and further comprising a first consumer product located in the first compartment and a second consumer product located in the second compartment.

[0085] Also described is a sheet of material configured to be folded along a plurality of fold lines to form a package (such as the above-described package), the package comprising:

[0086] a first compartment for containing a first consumer product;

[0087] a second compartment for containing a second consumer product;

[0088] Wherein the package comprises at least one flap comprising an adhesive portion configured to adhere a portion of the first compartment to a portion of the second compartment when the sheet of material has been folded into a first configuration of the package.

[0089] A method of forming the above-described package using a single sheet of material, such as possibly paperboard material, is also described.

[0090] Also described is a method of opening a package comprising:

[0091] a first compartment for housing a first consumer product; and

[0092] a second compartment for containing a second consumer product;

[0093] Among them, the method includes:

[0094] The first compartment is rotated toward the second compartment in a manner that simultaneously causes:

[0095] The first end of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment; and

[0096] The first end of the second compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment.

[0097] Also described is a method of opening a package comprising:

[0098] a first compartment for housing a first consumer product; and

[0099] a second compartment for containing a second consumer product;

[0100] Among them, the method includes:

[0101] opening the package to allow access to the interior of the first compartment and the interior of the second compartment;

[0102] separating the second compartment from the first compartment; and

[0103] The first compartment is covered so that access to the interior of the second compartment is no longer possible.

[0104] A package 10 for receiving a plurality of consumer goods 100A, 100B is also described. The package includes a first compartment 12 for accommodating a first consumer good 100A; and a second compartment 14 for accommodating a second consumer good 100B. The package 10 can potentially be moved from a first configuration 10A to a second configuration 10B by only one hand of the user, in which the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are inaccessible, and in which the first end 12A of the first compartment 12 is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment 12. The second configuration 10B also exposes the first end 14A of the second compartment 14 to allow access to the interior of the second compartment 14. Therefore, the package 10 can be well suited for people with limited functionality of both hands, such as those with disabilities who can only use one hand and / or those suffering from disorders that affect their dexterity.

[0105] In order to solve various problems and promote technological progress, the present disclosure shows by way of illustration that multiple embodiments of the claimed invention can be practiced. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are only representative examples of these embodiments, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. These embodiments are presented only to help understand and teach the claimed invention. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered as limitations on the present disclosure defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be adopted and may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. In addition to those elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc. specifically described herein, multiple embodiments may appropriately include, contain or substantially contain a combination of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., and it is therefore understood that the features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims in combinations other than those combinations explicitly set forth in the claims. For example, as required, any dependent claim associated with independent claim 1 (or other independent claims) may be adopted accordingly as the corresponding features in any related independent claim listed in the claims. It is also apparent that the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

[0106] For the sake of completeness only, it will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, either the first compartment 12 or the second compartment 14 provided may include a viewing portion in some embodiments for allowing viewing into the compartment when the package is in the first configuration 10A (and possibly also when the package is in the second configuration 10B). With regard to this viewing portion, in some embodiments, the viewing portion 42 may clearly include an at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent portion of the compartment, such as a portion made of a transparent plastic. By providing this viewing portion 42, a user may be allowed to confirm that the relevant compartment contains the specific consumer product they desire. For the sake of illustration only, in the description of Figure 2E An example of such an observation portion 42 implemented is shown in an illustrative modification of the embodiment in , where the observation portion 42 may include an at least partially transparent portion 44 of the first compartment 12, and the portion defines a rectangular window for observing the first compartment 12. Here, the observation portion 42 may be made of, for example, a transparent material film.

[0107] It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments where the consumer product 100 in each compartment has the potential for leakage, such as a consumer product containing an aerosolizable material, or any other fluid that may leak from the consumer product when the consumer product is stored in the associated compartment, in some of these embodiments (e.g., as shown in the embodiments in the accompanying drawings), the consumer product 100 may be wrapped when located in the associated first compartment 12 or second compartment 14 to prevent any contents of the consumer product 100 from leaking into the compartment. This may be used, for example, with Figure 2D In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, each consumer product is contained in a sealed container 102 in the form of a blister pack 104. However, it is apparent that other forms of sealed container 102 may be used instead, such as a sealed bag that optionally encloses the consumer product 100. In each case, to facilitate easy access to the sealed container 102, the sealed container 102 may include a removable portion 106 (e.g., as shown in reference Figure 2D The peelable film / flat film shown in the blister pack 104 shown in FIG. 1 ) is used as an entry point for a user to access the consumer product 100 located within the container 102.

[0108] Also for the sake of completeness, while the present disclosure has referred to having a first compartment 12 and a second compartment 14, in other embodiments it is quite possible that there are more than two compartments, as desired.

[0109] For example, refer to Figure 2F In one embodiment, four compartments may be provided in the package 10 (e.g., Figure 2F ), wherein the additional first compartment 12' is located on one side of the first compartment 12, and the additional second compartment 14' is located on one side of the second compartment 14. Where appropriate, the additional first compartment 12' can be attached to the first compartment 12 or formed integrally with the first compartment. The additional second compartment 14' can also be attached to the second compartment 14 or formed integrally with the second compartment.

[0110] According to some of these embodiments, it may be the case that the additional first compartment 12' may be positioned opposite the additional second compartment 14' in such a way that there is another fold line 16' aligned with and parallel to the fold line 16 - such as with Figure 2F, for example, wherein the fold line 16 is aligned with another fold line 16'. With this modification, the package 10 can then be moved from a first configuration 10A to a second configuration 10B, in which the additional first compartment 12' and the additional second compartment 14' are inaccessible, in which the first end of the additional first compartment 12' is exposed to allow access to the interior of the additional first compartment 12', and wherein the first end of the additional second compartment 14' is exposed to allow access to the interior of the additional second compartment 14'.

[0111] In other words, with respect to the additional use of any such additional first compartment 12' and / or additional second compartment 14', it can be seen that in some embodiments, the shape / feature / movement thereof can be the same as that with respect to the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 (e.g., with respect to Figure 2F ). However, it will be appreciated that, where additional first compartments 12' and / or additional second compartments 14' are employed, any such additional first compartments and / or additional second compartments need not necessarily have the same shape as the corresponding first compartments 12 and second compartments 14. For example, this may be the case where the additional compartments are configured to accommodate consumer products that are different from the consumer products accommodated in the first compartment 12 or the second compartment 14.

[0112] Also for the sake of completeness, with respect to the use of portion 31 of the first compartment 12 and portion 33 of the second compartment 14, it will be appreciated that these two portions 31, 33 need not be specifically provided except where they may be used to allow separation / recovering of the compartments.

[0113] For example, in some embodiments, where the package 10 includes a divider 46, 46A, 46B for separating / isolating the consumables 100, 100A in the first compartment 12 from the consumables 100, 100B in the second compartment 14, the two portions 31, 33 may be replaced as well. Figure 1 As shown), it will be appreciated that in some more limited embodiments, the divider 46 may be attached to the sheet of material 11 used to form the first compartment 12 and / or the second compartment 14, or may be formed integrally with the sheet of material.

[0114] In one embodiment employing a divider 46, the divider 46 can be configured to be removable when the package 10 is in the second configuration. This can then facilitate replacement of the divider 46, 46A with a different (possibly wider / thinner) divider 46, 46B that is shaped differently from the divider 46, 46A. Thus, one purpose of such a removable / replaceable divider 46 is to allow the package 10 to adjust the volumetric capacity of each of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment using dividers 46A, 46B of different sizes as desired, so as to allow adjustment of the volumetric capacity of each of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 (e.g., Figure 1 10A) to better accommodate / accommodate consumables of different sizes. Therefore, this can facilitate the package 10 to be able to accommodate consumables in each compartment 12, 14 in such a way that when the package 10 is in the first configuration 10A, the possibility of each consumable rattling / moving in its corresponding compartment is reduced.

Claims

1. A package for receiving a plurality of consumer products, the package comprising: a first compartment for accommodating a first consumer product; a second compartment for containing a second consumer product; wherein the package is movable from a first configuration, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are inaccessible, to a second configuration, wherein: The first end of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment; and The first end of the second compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment.

2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein: The package includes a fold line, and the first compartment and the second compartment are configured to move along the fold line when the package moves from the first configuration to the second configuration.

3. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein: The first compartment and the second compartment are configured to rotate toward each other when the package is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration.

4. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein: The first compartment includes a second end opposite the first end of the first compartment; and Wherein, the second compartment includes a second end opposite to the first end of the second compartment.

5. The package according to claim 4, wherein: The second end of the first compartment is configured to move toward the second end of the second compartment when the package moves from the first configuration to the second configuration.

6. The package according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The second end of the first compartment is configured to be adjacent to the second end of the second compartment when the package is in the second configuration.

7. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein: The package includes an adhesive portion that, in the first configuration, adheres a portion of the first compartment to a portion of the second compartment.

8. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein: The package is formed from a sheet of material.

9. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein: The package is made of cardboard.

10. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein The package has a cuboid shape in the first configuration.

11. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein The first compartment has a cubic shape in the first configuration.

12. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein The second compartment has a cubic shape in the first configuration.

13. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein: The first compartment and the second compartment have the same size.

14. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein Each consumable is a consumable for use in an aerosol generating system, wherein each consumable comprises a reservoir containing an aerosolizable material.

15. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein At least one of the compartments includes a viewing portion for allowing viewing into the compartment when the package is in the first configuration.

16. An assembly comprising a package according to any preceding claim and further comprising a first consumer product located in the first compartment and a second consumer product located in the second compartment.

17. A sheet of material configured to be folded along a plurality of fold lines to form a package, such as a package according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising: a first compartment for accommodating a first consumer product; a second compartment for containing a second consumer product; wherein the package comprises at least one flap comprising an adhesive portion configured to adhere a portion of the first compartment to a portion of the second compartment when the sheet of material has been folded into the first configuration of the package.

18. A method of forming a package according to any one of claims 1 to 15 from a single sheet of material.

19. A method of opening a package, the package comprising: a first compartment for accommodating a first consumer product; as well as a second compartment for containing a second consumer product; Wherein, the method comprises: Rotating the first compartment toward the second compartment in a manner that simultaneously causes: The first end of the first compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the first compartment; and The first end of the second compartment is exposed to allow access to the interior of the second compartment.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The step of rotating the first compartment towards the second compartment can be performed by a user with a single hand.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein: The method initially comprises: A force is applied to the package such that the portion of the first compartment that is bonded to a portion of the second compartment separates from the portion of the second compartment to allow the first compartment to rotate toward the second compartment.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: The step of applying force to the package can be performed by a user with a single hand.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein: The method comprises, after the first end of the first compartment and the first end of the second compartment have been exposed: separating the second compartment from the first compartment; and The first end of the first compartment is covered so that the first end of the first compartment is no longer exposed.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The method also includes covering a first end of the first compartment with at least one flap of the first compartment.

25. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein: The first compartment or the second compartment contains a consumable product, such as a consumable product optionally for an aerosol generating system, wherein the consumable product comprises a reservoir containing an aerosolizable material.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein: The consumer product is wrapped when located in the first compartment or the second compartment to prevent any contents of the consumer product from leaking into the respective compartment.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein: The consumer product is packaged in a blister pack or a sealed container such as an optional sealed bag.

28. A method of opening a package, the package comprising: a first compartment for accommodating a first consumer product; as well as a second compartment for containing a second consumer product; Wherein, the method comprises: opening the package to allow access to the interior of the first compartment and the interior of the second compartment; separating the second compartment from the first compartment; and The first compartment is covered such that the interior of the first compartment is no longer accessible.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein: The method further comprises: After opening the package to allow access to the interior of the first compartment and the interior of the second compartment, the consumer goods are removed from the second compartment.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein: The method further comprises: After the second compartment has been detached from the first compartment, another consumer product is retained inside the first compartment such that the another consumer product is inside the first compartment when the first compartment is covered.

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