Package for consumer goods

Abstract

A package (10) for receiving consumer goods (100). The package includes a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion. The package (10) is movable from a first configuration (C1) in which the first portion (12) and the second portion (14) are held together by the removable portion (16) such that the first portion (12) and the second portion (14) of the package (10) define a closed receptacle (R) for receiving the consumer goods (100). The package is then movable from a first configuration (C1) to a second configuration (C2) in which the removable portion (16) is separated from at least one of the first portion and the second portion. Thereby, the first part and the second part are slidable relative to each other to a third configuration (C3) in which the first part (12) is separated from the second part (14), exposing the receptacle (R), such that the consumer goods (100) can then be removed from the receptacle (R).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a package 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, the aerosolizable material being configured to be aerosolized by the aerosol supply system during use to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user), or consumable products including fresh products (such as chewing tobacco, snuff, or oral products). Background Art

[0002] There are currently existing packaging that is used to contain consumer goods in a manner that allows the consumer goods to be stored (e.g., in a store) prior to use / purchase by an end user.

[0003] A potential disadvantage of existing packaging in the above respects is that unless some form of additional layer is added to the overall packaging (e.g. a [transparent] outer plastic film layer that is then layered over the packaging), it is often difficult to tell whether the packaging has been opened.

[0004] Various approaches are described herein that attempt to help solve or alleviate some of the problems discussed above by providing packaging that eliminates the need for such an outer plastic film layer. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a package for receiving a consumer product, the package comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the package is movable from the first configuration to the second configuration:

[0006] In a first configuration, the first portion and the second portion are held together by a removable portion attached to both the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion and the second portion of the package define an enclosed receptacle for receiving the consumer product;

[0007] In the second configuration, the removable portion is separated from at least one of the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion and the second portion of the package still define an enclosed receptacle for receiving the consumer product;

[0008] Wherein the first and second parts of the package are configured to slide relative to each other from a second configuration of the package to a third configuration of the package in which the first part is separated from the second part such that the receiving portion is exposed.

[0009] According to a second aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a method of packaging a consumer product in a package, the package comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the method comprises:

[0010] inserting the consumer product into a receptacle for receiving the consumer product from the package, wherein the receptacle is at least partially defined by the first portion of the package;

[0011] Sliding the second portion of the package relative to and toward the first portion of the package such that the receptacle is closed and defined by the first and second portions of the package and such that the consumer product is located within the receptacle; and

[0012] The first and second parts of the package are held together by attaching the removable portion to both the first and second parts of the package.

[0013] According to a third aspect of some embodiments, there is provided a method of removing a consumer product located within a receiving portion of a package according to the first aspect, the method comprising:

[0014] separating the removable portion from at least one of the first portion and the second portion to move the package from the first configuration to the second configuration;

[0015] Sliding the first portion of the package relative to the second portion of the package to separate the first portion from the second portion and expose the receptacle in which the consumer product is located from the package; and

[0016] The consumer product is removed from the receiving portion of the package.

[0017] It will be appreciated that features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to various aspects of the invention are equally applicable to embodiments of the invention according to its other aspects and may be combined therewith as appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1A represents a package having a removable portion when in a first configuration according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 1B According to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 1A a package in which the removable portion is moved from a first configuration toward a second configuration in which the removable portion is separated; and

[0021] Figure 2 According to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 1A and Figure 1B The package in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 when in a third configuration and illustrating various consumer products that may be used with the package. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 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 are not discussed / described in detail. Therefore, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0023] The present disclosure relates to a package 10 for receiving consumer goods 100. It is envisioned that this package can be applied to any desired consumer goods 100. The specific example of the consumer goods 100 can take the form of an aerosol supply system 100A and / or a consumable (smoke cartridge) for such an aerosol supply system 100A, wherein the consumable includes a reservoir containing an aerosolizable material. The consumer goods can also include fresh products 101, such as chewing tobacco, snuff, or oral products. So-called oral products can be understood to include oral products made or derived from tobacco, containing tobacco, or not containing tobacco, and for human consumption. In some embodiments, such oral products can also be understood to include oral products containing nicotine.

[0024] The package 10 includes a first portion 12, a second portion 14, and a removable portion 16. At a general level, the package can be removable from a first configuration C1 ( Figure 1A ) is moved, and in the first structure, the first part 12 and the second part 14 are held together by a removable part 16 attached to both the first part 12 and the second part 14, so that the first part 12 and the second part 14 of the package 10 define a closed receiving portion R for receiving the consumer product 100.

[0025] In this way, the package 10 can then be moved / transformed to the second configuration C2 (e.g. Figure 1B ), in the second configuration C2, the removable portion 16 is separated from at least one (or both) of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, so that the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the package still define a closed receiving portion for receiving the consumer product 100. According to this second configuration C2, the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the package 10 are then configured to slide relative to each other from the second configuration C2 of the package 10 to a third configuration C3 of the package 10 (as shown). Figure 2 As shown), in the third configuration, the first portion 12 is separated from the second portion 14, exposing the receiving portion R. As can be seen, this then allows the consumer product 100 to be removed from the receiving portion R of the package 10 for subsequent use as desired by the end user.

[0026] Thus, at a general level, the provision of such a package 10 allows the consumer product 100 to be initially contained within the package 10 in a manner that allows the consumer to easily discern whether the package has been opened by observing that the removable portion 16 is unopened / detached. The package 10 also helps maintain the safety of the consumer product by ensuring that the consumer product is retained within the receptacle R just prior to use.

[0027] Turning to the shape of each of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, it will be appreciated that these portions can be shaped to accommodate the shape of any consumer product 100 generally intended for use with the package 10. Thus, in some general embodiments, the first portion 12 can include a base portion 20, and the second portion can additionally / alternatively include a lid portion 22. This is particularly true for elongated consumer products 100, such as Figure 2 ), in some embodiments, the package 10 can be tubular and / or define a cylindrical shape when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1. Such a shape is illustrated in the embodiment of the package shown in the figures, wherein the package 10 is shown as also having a circular cross-section, and wherein the cylindrical shape includes a first closed end 12A defined by the first portion 12; and a second closed end 14A defined by the second portion 14.

[0028] To help improve the security of the consumer product 100 within the receiving portion R when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1, in some embodiments, one of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 can be configured to be at least partially located between the removable portion 16 and the receiving portion R when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1. Figure 1B , wherein, when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1, a portion 24 of the first portion 12 is located between the removable portion 16 and the receiving portion R. In this way, even if the removable portion 16 is partially separated from at least one (or both) of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 (e.g., Figure 1B As shown), in this state, the portion 24 still prevents entry into the receiving portion R.

[0029] When in the first configuration C1, the outer surface 26 of the first portion 12 and the outer surface 28 of the second portion 14 can be configured to be flush with each other in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the removable portion 16 can also include an outer surface 30 that is configured to be flush with the outer surface 26 of the first portion 12 and the outer surface 28 of the second portion 24 when the package is in the first configuration C1. With such a flush arrangement, the removable portion 16 can be better prevented from being accidentally hooked / opened, such as Figure 1ASuch a flush surface is also combined with the user being able to more easily determine whether the package 10 has been tampered with in any way, as long as the surface is not flush at the time, which can indicate such tampering. In other words, it is possible to have the removable portion 16 located in a recessed position between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, such as Figure 1A Shown, for example, in a first configuration C1 of the package 10 .

[0030] In addition to such surface flushing, tampering may also be apparent to the extent that the outer surface 30 of the removable portion 16 is configured to be adjacent to each of the outer surface 26 of the first portion 12 and the outer surface 28 of the second portion 14 when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1. Such tampering may also be more readily apparent if the removable portion 16 is configured to be positioned adjacent to the end 14B of the second portion 14 when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1. Therefore, in such an embodiment, if the relevant surfaces are not adjacent to each other, this can facilitate the inference of tampering. This inference can also be achieved to the extent that the removable portion 16 is located between the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 when the package is in the first configuration C1, to the extent that it is later proven that this is not the case.

[0031] Turning to the removable portion 16, it will be appreciated that the removable portion 16 can take several forms as desired, so long as it achieves its basic purpose: a) holding the first and second portions 12, 14 together when the package is in the first configuration C1; and b) being separable / removable (at least to some extent) to allow the package to then be moved / transferred to its second configuration C2.

[0032] Thus, conceptually, potential embodiments may include a removable portion 16 comprising a hook and loop mechanism; tape; adhesive; a sticker; stitching; and / or a seal (such as a wax seal in a more limited embodiment) attached to both the first portion 12 and the second portion 14. In particular, in some more limited embodiments, where the package 10 is configured to be irreversibly movable from the first configuration C1 to the second configuration C2, thereby better preventing any tampering from being concealed after it has occurred, the removable portion 16 may, in some embodiments, take the form of a tear strip 16A (or perhaps a seal as described above). In this manner, once the removable portion 16 is subsequently separated from at least one (or both) of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, it is impossible to reattach the removable portion 16. This can be seen with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, where, once the removable portion 16—in the form of a tear strip 16A—is separated from either (or both) of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, it is impossible for the user to reattach the removable portion 16 back to both the first portion 12 and the second portion 14. Thus, it should be understood that such re-attachment is not possible via the use of the user's hands alone, ie, without the use of some other tool / implement, such as glue or a stapler.

[0033] To the extent that the removable portion 16 includes a tear strip 16A, the tear strip can be initially held in place by, for example, adhering it in place using an adhesive. This then positions the tear strip 16A in place when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1. To facilitate separation of the tear strip 12A from this first configuration, in some embodiments, the package 10 can then include one or more fault zones 34; 36, such as a first fault zone 34 located between the first portion 12 and the removable portion 16, and / or a second fault zone 36 located between the second portion 14 and the removable portion 16. In the context of the embodiment shown in the figures and potentially other embodiments, each fault zone 34; 36 can include an array / line of holes in the package 10 (adjacent to the removable portion 16) to facilitate separation of the removable portion 16. Although not an array / line of holes, other forms of weakening can obviously be employed, such as by defining a fault zone that defines a crease line or a line of reduced thickness in the package 10 to facilitate separation of the removable portion 16.

[0034] Regardless of whether the removable portion 16 includes a tear strip 16A, in some embodiments, the removable portion can extend around the receiving portion R when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1. This can facilitate the security of the receiving portion R at multiple angular positions around the receiving portion R when the package 10 is in the first configuration C1.

[0035] With respect to how the package 10 may be configured to move from the second configuration C2 to the third configuration C3, convenient movement (at least as shown in the embodiment associated with the drawings) may be such that the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the package 10 are configured to slide telescopically relative to each other from the second configuration C2 of the package 10 to the third configuration C3 of the package 10. This may be Figure 2 , where such telescopic movement is indicated by arrow M (which also coincides with the longitudinal axis L of the package). In other words, such telescopic movement can be achieved by the second portion 14 being configured to at least partially cover the first portion 12 when the package is in the first configuration C1 or the second configuration C2, as can be seen, for example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Turning to the material used for the packaging, particularly where the packaging is configured for single use, it is possible that, in some embodiments, the packaging 10 (or any combination of the first portion 12, the second portion 14, and / or the removable portion 16) can be made of cardboard or paper. This can also facilitate the recyclability of the packaging 10. However, other materials can obviously be used for the packaging, such as plastic or metal.

[0037] Therefore, from the foregoing disclosure, it can be seen that a method of removing a consumer product 100 located within the receiving portion R of the above-described package 10 is also provided herein, wherein the method includes separating the removable portion 16 from at least one of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 to move the package 10 from the first configuration C1 to the second configuration C2. It can be seen that the method can then include sliding the first portion 12 of the package 10 relative to the second portion 14 of the package 10 (e.g., sliding / moving the second portion 14 away from the first portion 12) to separate the first portion 12 from the second portion 14 and expose the receiving portion R from the package 10 in which the consumer product 100 is located. In this manner, and once the receiving portion R is exposed, the method can include removing the consumer product 100 from the receiving portion R of the package 10 to allow the end user to then use the consumer product as desired.

[0038] According to such a method, it may be the case that when the first portion 12 of the package 10 is slid from the second configuration C2 to the third configuration C3 relative to the second portion 14, the consumer product 100 does not move relative to the first portion 12. This can be seen from Figure 2 1 and 2, wherein the first portion (and its receiving portion R) may be stationary when the second (lid) portion 14 is raised / slid out of the first portion 12. In this manner, it can also be seen that once the receiving portion R is exposed, it is possible to enable removal of the consumer product from the receiving portion R of the package 10, including moving the consumer product 100 in the same direction M1 as the direction M in which the second portion 14 of the package 10 was moved when the package 10 was moved from the second configuration C2 to the third configuration C3.

[0039] To help facilitate removal of the consumer product 100 from the receiving portion R once the receiving portion R is exposed, the consumer product 100 may be configured to include a longitudinal axis Lc that is aligned with the longitudinal axis L of the package 10 when the consumer product is located within the receiving portion R of the package in the first (or second) configuration C1. In this regard, it may also be possible to configure the consumer product 100 to have a length L1 that is greater than the length L2 of the second portion 14. In this way, even when the receiving portion R is exposed and when the second portion 14 has been removed from the first portion 12, at least a portion of the consumer product 100 will remain within the receiving portion R, better preventing the consumer product 100 from simply falling out of the package 10 after the second portion 14 has been removed from the first portion 12.

[0040] Also related hereto, and in order to better grip / hold the consumer product 100 within the receiving portion R when the package is in the first configuration C1 and / or the second configuration C2, according to some embodiments, the receiving portion R may include a gripping portion 50 configured to grip the consumer product 100 within the receiving portion. For example, such a gripping portion 50 may include a gripping insert or one or more gripping splines 52 within the receiving portion R that are shaped to match a portion of the shape of the consumer product 100, and / or may include a releasable portion within the receiving portion that is configured to releasably grip the consumer product 100 within the receiving portion R.

[0041] In terms of how the consumable product is initially contained within the package, for example at the point of manufacture / pre-sale, i.e., where the first portion 12 is initially separated from the second portion 14, such that the two portions are not attached to each other via the removable portion 16, for example according to Figure 2 , it is envisaged that this may be achieved by initially inserting the consumer product 100 into the receptacle R. In this way, the second portion 14 of the package 10 may then be moved / slid relative to and towards the first portion 12 of the package 10 such that the receptacle R is then enclosed and defined by the first and second portions 12, 14 of the package 10 and such that the consumer product is located within the receptacle R.

[0042] It can be seen that by attaching the removable portion 16 to both the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the package, the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 can then be held together. In the case where the removable portion 16 is a tear strip 16A, at least a portion of the tear strip 16A can be adhered to the first portion 12 and / or the second portion 14, for example using an adhesive, to produce a tear strip such as Figure 1A In this way, by Figures 1A to 2As shown in the process between and as previously described, the user separates the removable portion 16 from at least one of the first portion 12 and the second portion 14, and the package can then be [irreversibly] advanced / moved back to its second configuration C2, as described above.

[0043] With the foregoing in mind, a package for receiving a consumer product is accordingly described, the package comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the package is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration:

[0044] In a first configuration, the first portion and the second portion are held together by a removable portion attached to both the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion and the second portion of the package define an enclosed receptacle for receiving the consumer product;

[0045] In the second configuration, the removable portion is separated from at least one of the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion and the second portion of the package still define an enclosed receptacle for receiving the consumer product;

[0046] Wherein the first and second parts of the package are configured to slide relative to each other from a second configuration of the package to a third configuration of the package in which the first part is separated from the second part such that the receiving portion is exposed.

[0047] Also described is a method of packaging a consumer product in a package comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the method comprises:

[0048] inserting the consumer product into a receptacle for receiving the consumer product from the package, wherein the receptacle is at least partially defined by the first portion of the package;

[0049] Sliding the second portion of the package relative to and toward the first portion of the package such that the receptacle is closed and defined by the first and second portions of the package and such that the consumer product is located within the receptacle; and

[0050] The first and second parts of the package are held together by attaching the removable portion to both the first and second parts of the package.

[0051] Also described is a method of removing a consumer product located within a receiving portion of any of the above packages, the method comprising:

[0052] separating the removable portion from at least one of the first portion and the second portion to move the package from the first configuration to the second configuration;

[0053] Sliding the first portion of the package relative to the second portion of the package to separate the first portion from the second portion and expose the receptacle in which the consumer product is located from the package; and

[0054] The consumer product is removed from the receiving portion of the package.

[0055] Also described is a packaging 10 for receiving consumer goods 100. The packaging comprises a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion. The packaging 10 can be moved from a first configuration C1, in which the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are held together by a removable portion 16 so that the first portion 12 and the second portion 14 of the packaging 10 define a closed receiving portion R for receiving the consumer goods 100. The packaging can then be moved from the first configuration C1 to a second configuration C2, in which the removable portion 16 separates from at least one of the first portion and the second portion. As can be seen, the first portion and the second portion can slide relative to each other to a third configuration C3, in which the first portion 12 separates from the second portion 14 so that the receiving portion R is exposed so that the consumer goods 100 can be removed from the receiving portion R.

[0056] To address various issues and advance the technology, the present disclosure illustrates various embodiments in which the claimed invention may be practiced. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative samples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are intended solely to aid understanding and teaching of 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 construed as limitations on the present disclosure as defined by the claims or on the equivalents of the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. In addition to those specifically described herein, various embodiments may appropriately include, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, devices, etc., and it will be understood that features of dependent claims may be combined with features of independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly stated in the claims. For example, any dependent claim related to independent claim 1 (or other independent claims) may be used as corresponding features of any related independent claim listed in the claims, as needed. It is also apparent that the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

[0057] Accordingly, this document also provides implementations as set forth in the following numbered clauses:

[0058] 1. A package for receiving a consumer product, the package comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the package is movable from the first configuration to the second configuration;

[0059] In a first configuration, the first portion and the second portion are held together by a removable portion attached to both the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion and the second portion of the package define an enclosed receptacle for receiving the consumer product;

[0060] In the second configuration, the removable portion is separated from at least one of the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion and the second portion of the package still define an enclosed receptacle for receiving the consumer product;

[0061] Wherein the first and second parts of the package are configured to slide relative to each other from a second configuration of the package to a third configuration of the package in which the first part is separated from the second part such that the receiving portion is exposed.

[0062] 2. A package according to clause 1, wherein the removable portion is a tear strip.

[0063] 3. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the first portion comprises a base portion.

[0064] 4. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the second part comprises a cover part.

[0065] 5. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein, when the package is in the first configuration, one of the first part and the second part is at least partially located between the removable part and the receiving portion.

[0066] 6. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion are each configured to be flush with each other when the package is in the first configuration.

[0067] 7. The package of clause 6, wherein the removable portion comprises an outer surface configured to be flush with an outer surface of the first portion and an outer surface of the second portion when the package is in the first configuration.

[0068] 8. A package according to clause 7, wherein the outer surface of the removable portion is configured to be adjacent to each of the outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion when the package is in the first configuration.

[0069] 9. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the first and second parts of the package are configured to slide telescopically relative to each other from the second configuration of the package to a third configuration of the package.

[0070] 10. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the removable portion extends around the receiving portion when the package is in the first configuration.

[0071] 11. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the removable portion is located between the first part and the second part when the package is in the first configuration.

[0072] 12. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the second portion is configured to at least partially cover the first portion when the package is in the first configuration.

[0073] 13. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein when the package is in the first configuration the package is tubular.

[0074] 14. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein when the package is in the first configuration the package defines a cylindrical shape.

[0075] 15. A package according to clause 14, wherein the cylindrical shape comprises:

[0076] a first closed end defined by the first portion; and

[0077] A second closed end is defined by the second portion.

[0078] 16. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein at least one or both of the first and second parts are made from paperboard.

[0079] 17. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the removable portion is made from cardboard.

[0080] 18. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the package is irreversibly movable from the first configuration to the second configuration.

[0081] 19. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the removable portion is located adjacent an end of the second portion when the package is in the first configuration.

[0082] 20. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the package further comprises indicia for indicating how to move the detachable part to move the package from the first configuration to the second configuration.

[0083] 21. A package according to clause 20, wherein the indicia is located on an outer surface of the removable portion.

[0084] 22. A package according to any preceding clause, wherein the package further comprises at least one breakaway region for facilitating separation of the removable portion.

[0085] 23. The package of clause 22, wherein the at least one debonding region comprises a first debonding region located between the first portion and the removable portion.

[0086] 24. The package of clause 22 or 23, wherein the at least one debonding region comprises a second debonding region located between the second portion and the removable portion.

[0087] 25. A package according to any one of clauses 22 to 24, wherein each fracture zone comprises an array of holes.

[0088] 26. A method of packaging a consumer product in a package comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein the method comprises:

[0089] inserting the consumer product into a receptacle for receiving the consumer product from the package, wherein the receptacle is at least partially defined by the first portion of the package;

[0090] Sliding the second portion of the package relative to and toward the first portion of the package such that the receptacle is closed and defined by the first and second portions of the package and such that the consumer product is located within the receptacle; and

[0091] The first and second parts of the package are held together by attaching the removable portion to both the first and second parts of the package.

[0092] 27. A method of removing a consumer product located within a receiving portion of a package according to any one of clauses 1 to 25, the method comprising:

[0093] separating the removable portion from at least one of the first portion and the second portion to move the package from the first configuration to the second configuration;

[0094] Sliding the first portion of the package relative to the second portion of the package to separate the first portion from the second portion and expose the receptacle in which the consumer product is located from the package; and

[0095] The consumer product is removed from the receiving portion of the package.

[0096] 28. The method of clause 27, wherein when the first portion of the package is slid relative to the second portion from the second configuration to the third configuration, the consumer goods do not move relative to the first portion.

[0097] 29. A method according to clause 27 or 28, wherein removing the consumer product from the receiving portion of the package comprises:

[0098] When the package is moved from the second configuration to the third configuration, the consumer goods are moved in the same direction as the second portion of the package is moved.

[0099] 30. The method of any of clauses 26 to 29, wherein the second part comprises a cover part.

[0100] 31. The method of any of clauses 26 to 30, wherein the consumer product comprises a longitudinal axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the package when the consumer product is located within the receptacle of the package in the first configuration.

[0101] 32. A method according to any one of clauses 26 to 31, wherein the consumer product has a length that is greater than the length of the second portion.

[0102] 33. The method of any one of clauses 26 to 32, wherein the consumer product comprises at least one of:

[0103] i) an aerosol generating system; and / or

[0104] ii) A consumable for an aerosol generating system, wherein the consumable comprises a reservoir containing an aerosolizable material.

[0105] 34. The method of any one of clauses 26 to 32, wherein the consumable product comprises a fresh product such as chewing tobacco, snuff, or an oral product.

[0106] 35. A method according to any one of clauses 26 to 34, wherein the consumer goods are wrapped while located in the receiving portion to prevent any contents of the consumer goods from leaking into the compartment.

[0107] 36. A method according to clause 35, wherein the consumer product is packaged in a blister pack; a closable container; or a sealed container, such as an optionally sealed bag.

[0108] Also for the sake of completeness, and with respect to any consumer product 10 as described herein, it will also be understood that in the event that the consumer product 100 has the potential to leak, such as a consumer product that includes an aerosolizable material, or any other fluid that may leak from the consumer product when stored in an associated compartment, in some of these embodiments, the consumer product 100 may be wrapped while located in the receiving portion R to prevent any contents of the consumer product 100 from leaking into the receiving portion R. For example, this may be done in conjunction with Figure 2 In a related embodiment, a consumer product 100 in the form of an aerosol supply system 100A is contained in a sealed container 102. Obviously, any form of sealed container 102 can be used herein, such as a blister pack, or a sealed bag 104 covering the consumer product 100. In each case, to facilitate easy access to the sealed container 102, the sealed container 102 can include a removable / openable portion 106 (e.g., a peelable / flat film) for serving as a user's entry point to the consumer product 100 located inside the container 102. To the extent that the consumer product 100 includes a fresh product 101 (such as chewing tobacco, snuff, or an oral product) and the consumer product is contained in a container 102 (examples of such containers are those described in WO 2022 / 049545, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety), in some embodiments, such a container can include a removable / openable portion 106 for serving as a user's entry point to the consumer product 100 located within the container 102.

[0109] Finally, it will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the package 10, or any portion of the package 10 (such as the first portion 12; the second portion 14, or the removable portion 16), may include indicia 46 that indicates how to operate or move the removable portion 16 to move the package from the first configuration C1 to the second configuration C2. For example, such indicia 46 may be an image / arrow (e.g., as with Figure 1A is shown in the related embodiment, where it is located on the outer surface 30 of the removable portion 16).

Claims

1. A package for receiving a consumer product, the package comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein: The package is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration: in the first configuration, the first portion and the second portion are held together by the removable portion attached to both the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion and the second portion of the package define an enclosed receptacle for receiving the consumer product; in the second configuration, the removable portion is separated from at least one of the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion and the second portion of the package still define the enclosed receptacle for receiving the consumer product; wherein the first and second parts of the package are configured to slide relative to each other from the second configuration of the package to a third configuration of the package in which the first part is separated from the second part such that the receiving portion is exposed.

2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein The removable portion is a tear strip.

3. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein The first portion includes a base portion, and the second portion includes a cover portion.

4. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein The outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion are each configured to be flush with each other when the package is in the first configuration, and wherein the removable portion includes an outer surface that is configured to be flush with the outer surface of the first portion and the outer surface of the second portion when the package is in the first configuration.

5. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein The first and second portions of the package are configured to telescopically slide relative to each other from the second configuration of the package to the third configuration of the package.

6. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein When the package is in the first configuration, the removable portion extends around the receiving portion.

7. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein When the package is in the first configuration, the package is tubular.

8. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein The package is irreversibly movable from the first configuration to the second configuration.

9. A package according to any preceding claim, wherein The package further comprises at least one breakaway region for facilitating separation of the removable portion.

10. The package according to claim 9, wherein Each fault zone includes an array of holes.

11. A method of packaging a consumer product in a package, the package comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a removable portion; wherein: The method comprises: inserting the consumer product into a receptacle for receiving the consumer product from the package, wherein the receptacle is at least partially defined by the first portion of the package; sliding the second portion of the package relative to and toward the first portion of the package such that the receptacle is closed and defined by the first and second portions of the package and such that the consumer product is positioned within the receptacle; and The first and second parts of the package are held together by attaching the removable portion to both the first and second parts of the package.

12. A method of removing a consumer product located within a receiving portion of a package according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising: separating the removable portion from at least one of the first portion and the second portion to move the package from the first configuration to the second configuration; sliding the first portion of the package relative to the second portion of the package to separate the first portion from the second portion and expose the receiving portion in which the consumer product is located from the package; as well as The consumer product is removed from the receiving portion of the package.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: When the first portion of the package is slid relative to the second portion from the second configuration to the third configuration, the consumer goods do not move relative to the first portion.

14. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein When the consumer product is positioned within the receptacle of the package in the first configuration, the consumer product includes a longitudinal axis that is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the package.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein The consumer product includes at least one of the following: i) an aerosol generating system; and / or ii) A consumable for an aerosol generating system, wherein the consumable comprises a reservoir containing an aerosolizable material.

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