Snus socket and joint assembly and kit for forming a snus socket

Abstract

The invention relates to a snus can (2), in particular for loose snus and / or portioned snus, with a base body (4) and with a lid (6), wherein the base body (4) and the lid (6) are movably connected to one another by means of a joint assembly (8), wherein the joint assembly (8) has a sliding joint (10), wherein the sliding joint (10) movably connects the base body (4) to the lid (6) in such a way that the lid (6) can be moved into a closed position (I) and into two open positions (IIa, IIb).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a snus can, in particular for loose snus and / or portioned snus. Furthermore, the invention relates to a hinge assembly for such a snus can and a kit for forming such a snus can.

[0002] Snus is a form of oral tobacco, particularly popular in Norway and Sweden, that essentially consists of tobacco, water, salt, and flavorings. Snus can be in loose powder form and must be portioned before use, or it can be pre-packaged in nicotine pouches.

[0003] From DE 60 2004 006 004 T2 a tobacco tin for snuff is known which, in addition to a chamber for storing unused snuff, has a further chamber for receiving used snuff, wherein the tobacco tin has a pivoting hinged lid.

[0004] There is a need to provide a snus can that is particularly easy to use.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by a snus can with a base body and with a lid, wherein the base body and the lid are movably connected to one another by means of a joint assembly, wherein the joint assembly has a sliding joint, wherein the sliding joint movably connects the base body to the lid in such a way that the lid can be moved into a closed position and into two different open positions.

[0006] A sliding joint is a joint that only allows sliding movement. It therefore only allows one or more translational movements, but not rotational or pivoting movements.

[0007] Thus, the lid can be moved from the closed position, in which the lid closes both a chamber for storing unused snus and a receiving space for used snus, into a first of the two open positions, in which the lid exposes the chamber for storing unused snus, and the lid can be moved into a second of the two open positions, in which the lid exposes the receiving space for used snus.

[0008] This provides a snus can with a particularly simple design that is particularly easy to use. The use of a sliding hinge allows the lid to be moved by one person with one hand by sliding it from any of the possible positions—i.e., the closed position and the two open positions—to any of the aforementioned positions.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the lid can be moved from the closed position to the first open position by a translational movement in a first direction, and from the closed position to the second open position by a further translational movement in a second direction. In other words, starting from the closed position, the lid can be moved into the respective open position by sliding in two different directions.

[0010] According to a further embodiment, the first direction is opposite to the second direction. In other words, starting from the closed position, the lid can be moved into the first of the two open positions by sliding it in the first of the two directions. Furthermore, starting from the closed position, the lid can be moved into the second of the two open positions by sliding it in the second of the two directions. The two directions are opposite to each other, i.e. they form an angle of 180°, or are directed away from each other, for example once to the right and once to the left. In other words, the displacement is along a single axis of movement, but in two different, opposite directions. In this way, a snus can that is particularly easy to handle can be provided.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, the joint assembly is formed integrally with the sliding joint, and the sliding joint is fixedly connected to the base body and movably connected to the lid. For this purpose, the sliding joint can have molded-on connecting means for being fixedly connected to the base body and movably connected to the lid. This makes it possible to provide a snus can that is particularly easy to manufacture.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the joint assembly with the sliding joint has a molded-on receiving space for used snus. This allows the one-piece joint assembly to be expanded with additional functionality, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the joint assembly with the sliding joint is designed to be connectable to the base body and / or the lid without the need for tools. For this purpose, the sliding joint can be fixedly connected to the base body by locking elements or a circumferential edge, while the sliding joint is movably connected to the lid by engaging sliding elements. This allows for a particularly easy-to-manufacture snus can.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the joint assembly with the sliding joint is formed at least in two pieces with a first sliding joint component and a second sliding joint component, wherein the first sliding joint component is fixedly connected to the base body and the second sliding joint component is fixedly connected to the lid, and wherein the first sliding joint component and the second sliding joint component are movably connected to one another. In other words, the movable attachment of the lid to the base body is realized by the mobility of the first sliding joint component in relation to the second sliding joint component. In this way, the base body and the lid can each be fixedly connected to the respective sliding joint component. In this way, a snus can that is particularly easy to manufacture can be provided.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the first sliding joint component and / or the second sliding joint component has a first stop defining the first open position and a second stop defining the second open position. The respective stop can be formed by a respective end of an opening in a groove into which a sliding block or a similar engagement element engages. This makes it possible to provide a snus can that is particularly easy to manufacture.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the first sliding joint component and / or the second sliding joint component has a locking device defining the closed position. For this purpose, the locking device can have at least one locking lug, which is assigned either to the first sliding joint component or to the second sliding joint component, and which engages in a locking notch assigned to the respective other sliding joint component. Thus, in the closed position, the lid is in a locked or locked position and is thus secured in this position. This makes it possible to provide a snus can that is particularly reliable to handle.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the first sliding joint component and / or the second sliding joint component are each formed as a single piece. For this purpose, the first sliding joint component and / or the second sliding joint component can each have integrally formed connecting means for being fixedly connected to the base body or the lid, respectively. This makes it possible to provide a snus can that is particularly easy to manufacture.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the first sliding joint component has a molded-on receiving space for used snus. This allows the one-piece first sliding joint component to be expanded with additional functionality, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the first sliding joint component and / or the second sliding joint component are designed to be connected to one another without the need for tools. For this purpose, the first sliding joint component can be connected to the second sliding joint component by sliding elements. This makes it possible to provide a snus can that is particularly easy to manufacture.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the first sliding joint component is designed to be connected to the base body without tools, and / or the second sliding joint component is designed to be connected to the lid without tools. For this purpose, the first sliding joint component and / or the second sliding joint component can be fixedly connected to the base body or the lid by locking elements or a circumferential edge. This allows for a snus can that is particularly easy to manufacture.

[0021] The invention further includes a hinge assembly for such a snus can and a kit for forming such a snus can.

[0022] The invention will now be explained with reference to a drawing. It shows: Figure 1 A schematic representation of a snus can in a closed position. Figure 2 in schematic representation the Figure 1 shown snus can in a first open position. Figure 3 in schematic representation the Figure 1 shown snus can in a second open position. Figure 4 in schematic representation a first embodiment of a joint assembly for the Figures 1 to 3 shown snus can. Figure 5 in schematic representation a second embodiment of a joint assembly for the Figures 1 to 3 Snus can shown in the closed position. Figure 6 in schematic representation the Figure 5 shown joint assembly in the first open position. Figure 7 in schematic representation the Figure 5 shown joint assembly in the second open position. Figure 8in schematic representation a first sliding joint component of the Figures 4 to 7 shown joint assembly. Figure 9 in schematic representation a second sliding joint component of the Figures 4 to 7 shown joint assembly.

[0023] First, the Figures 1 to 3 reference is made.

[0024] Shown is a snus can 2 for snus.

[0025] Snus is a form of oral tobacco, particularly popular in Norway and Sweden, that essentially consists of tobacco, water, salt, and flavorings. Snus can be in loose powder form and must be portioned before use, or it can be pre-packaged in nicotine pouches.

[0026] The snus can 2 comprises, as essential components, a base body 4 and a lid 6 movably attached to the base body 4. In the present exemplary embodiment, the base body 4 as well as the lid 6 are made of tinplate. Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, the base body 4 as well as the lid 6 can be made of other materials. Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, both the base body 4 and the lid 6 each have a flanged edge 38, 40 (see Figures 2 and 3 ).

[0027] The cover 6 is movably connected to the base body 4 in such a way that the cover 6 can be opened by a person from a closed position I (see Figure 1 ) into a first open position IIa (see Figure 2 ) and a second open position IIb (see Figure 3) can be relocated. While in the closed position I a storage chamber 20 for unused snus and a receiving space 12 for used snus in the base body 4 are closed by the lid 6, in the first open position IIa the lid 6 releases the storage chamber 20 and in the second open position IIb the receiving space 12, such that a person can remove unused snus from the storage chamber 20 or deposit used snus in the receiving space 12.

[0028] For this purpose, the snus can 2 has a further essential component, a joint assembly 8, which movably connects the base body 4 and the lid 6 as described above. The joint assembly 8 has a sliding joint 10, which will be explained in detail later.

[0029] The lid 6 can be moved from the closed position I into the first open position IIa by a translational movement in a first direction R1. Furthermore, the lid 6 can be moved from the closed position I into the second open position IIa by a further translational movement in a second direction R2, wherein in the present embodiment the first direction R1 is opposite to the second direction R2. Deviating from the present embodiment, the first direction R1 and the second direction R2 can be in the same direction. This means that by one movement, for example, the storage chamber 20 is first opened, and then by a continued, similarly directed movement the receiving space 12 is opened. Furthermore, deviating from the present embodiment, the first direction R1 and the second direction R2 can also be different, for example, they can be oriented at right angles to one another. This means that by a first movement to the right or left, for exampleFirst, the storage chamber 20 is opened, and then the receiving chamber 12 is opened by an upward or downward movement or by a forward or backward movement.

[0030] In the present exemplary embodiment, the base body 4 has a length of approximately 85 mm, a width of approximately 60 mm, and a height of approximately 15 mm. The interior of the base body 4 thus has a volume of approximately 76,000 mm 3< . The receiving space 12, on the other hand, in the present exemplary embodiment has a length of approximately 20 mm, a width of approximately 60 mm, and a height of approximately 0.7 mm. The receiving space 12 thus has a volume of approximately 900 mm 3< . Since the receiving space 12 is located in the interior of the base body 4, it reduces the volume of the storage chamber 20 accordingly to approximately 75,000 mm 3< . Thus, the ratio of the volume of the storage chamber 20 to the volume of the receiving space 12 is approximately 1 to 100. Deviating from the present embodiment, the ratio of the volume of the storage chamber 20 to the volume of the receiving space 12 can also be in a range of approximately 1 to 10 to 1 to 500.

[0031] It will now also focus on the Figure 4 reference is made.

[0032] A first embodiment of the joint assembly 8 is shown.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the joint assembly 8 is a one-piece injection-molded plastic component with a sliding joint 10, which, when assembled, is fixedly connected to the base body 4 and movably connected to the cover 6. In the present embodiment, the joint assembly 8 is constructed from a single material, i.e., it consists of a single material. In contrast to the present embodiment, the joint assembly 8 can also be constructed from a non-uniform material but in one piece.

[0034] For stationary connection to the base body 4, the sliding joint 10 in the present embodiment has a circumferential edge 22 as a connecting means, which can be brought into engagement with the flanged edge 38 on the inside of the base body 4. For movable connection to the cover 6, the sliding joint 10 in the present embodiment has a plurality of sliding elements 24, which can be brought into engagement with the flanged edge 40 on the inside of the cover 6, so that the cover 6 can then be displaced between the closed position I and the first open position IIa as well as the second open position IIb. For this purpose, the sliding elements 24 are arranged on two straight, opposite longitudinal sides in the main direction of extension or direction of movement of the sliding joint 10.Thus, tool-free assembly is enabled by the edge 22 and the sliding elements 24, which are each brought into engagement with the base body 4 and the cover 6.

[0035] In addition to the receiving space 12 formed on the joint assembly 8, the joint assembly 8 in the present embodiment also has a passage 26 to the storage chamber 20.

[0036] In addition, the Figures 5 to 9 reference is made.

[0037] A second exemplary embodiment of the joint assembly 8 is shown, which differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the joint assembly 8 with the sliding joint 10 is formed in two pieces with a first sliding joint component 14a and a second sliding joint component 14b. The first sliding joint component 14a is fixedly connected to the base body 4 and the second sliding joint component 14b is fixedly connected to the cover 6, wherein the first sliding joint component 14a and the second sliding joint component 14b are movably connected to one another so that, as already described above, the cover 6 can be displaced between the closed position I and the first open position IIa as well as the second open position IIb.

[0038] In the present exemplary embodiment, the first sliding joint component 14a and the second sliding joint component 14b are each integrally formed injection-molded plastic components that together movably connect the base body 4 to the cover 6. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first sliding joint component 14a and the second sliding joint component 14b are formed from the same material, i.e., they each consist of a single material. Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, the first sliding joint component 14a and the second sliding joint component 14b can also be formed from a different material but in one piece.

[0039] The first sliding joint component 14a can be displaced relative to the second sliding joint component 14b from the closed position I into the first open position IIa by a translational movement in the first direction R1. Furthermore, the first sliding joint component 14a can be displaced relative to the second sliding joint component 14b from the closed position I into the second open position IIa by the further translational movement in the second direction R2, wherein in the present exemplary embodiment the first direction R1 is again opposite to the second direction R2. In contrast to the present exemplary embodiment the first direction R1 and the second direction R2 can again be in the same direction. This means that, for example, the storage chamber 20 is first opened by one movement and then the receiving space 12 is opened by a continued movement in the same direction.Furthermore, in contrast to the present embodiment, the first direction R1 and the second direction R2 can also be different; for example, they can be oriented at right angles to one another. This means that, for example, a first movement to the right or left first opens the storage chamber 20, and then the receiving space 12 is opened by an upward or downward movement, or by a forward or backward movement.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the first open position IIa is defined by two stops 16a, 16b, which in the present embodiment are assigned to the second sliding joint component 14b. In the present embodiment, the two stops 16a, 16b are end sections of openings 30a, 30b or grooves into which sliding blocks 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d or other engagement elements engage. These elements are assigned to the first sliding joint component 14b and whose displaceability along the respective opening 30a, 30b is limited by the respective stops 16a, 16b in the direction R1. In the present embodiment, the sliding blocks 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d are integrally formed on the first sliding joint component 14a.

[0041] Analogous to the first open position IIa, in the present embodiment, the second furnace position IIb is defined by two further stops 16c, 16d, which in the present embodiment are also assigned to the second sliding joint component 14b. In the present embodiment, the two stops 16c, 16d are also end sections of the openings 30a, 30b or grooves into which sliding blocks 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d or other engagement elements engage, which are assigned to the first sliding joint component 14a and whose displaceability along the respective opening 30a, 30b is limited by the respective further stops 16c, 16d in the direction R2.

[0042] Furthermore, the openings 30a, 30b or grooves and the sliding blocks 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d in the present embodiment are each designed to be connectable to one another in a snap-in manner, so that the first sliding joint component 14a can be connected to the base body 4 and the second sliding joint component 14b can be connected to the cover 6 without the need for tools during their assembly.

[0043] The closed position I is defined in the present embodiment by a locking device 18. For this purpose, the locking device 18 in the present embodiment has two opposing locking notches 34a, 34b into which two corresponding locking lugs 36a, 36b engage and thus effect a locking action. In this case, the locking device 18 in the present embodiment is designed to be self-releasing, i.e. by applying a minimum force that can easily be applied manually by a person, the locking lugs 36a, 36b can be disengaged from the respective locking notches 34a, 34b. In the present embodiment, the locking notches 34a, 34b are assigned to the first sliding joint component 14a, while the locking lugs 36a, 36b are assigned to the second sliding joint component 14b.Deviating from the present embodiment, the assignment of the locking notches 34a, 34b and locking lugs 36a, 36b to the first sliding joint component 14a and the second sliding joint component 14a can also be different.

[0044] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the locking notches 34a, 34b and the locking lugs 36a, 36b are each designed to be connectable to one another in a snap-in manner, so that the first sliding joint component 14a and the second sliding joint component 14b can be connected to one another without tools during their assembly.

[0045] It will now also focus on the Figure 8 reference is made.

[0046] The first sliding joint component 14a is shown.

[0047] In analogy to the sliding joint 10 according to the first embodiment, the first sliding joint component 14a for stationary connection to the base body 4 also has a circumferential edge 22 which can be brought into engagement with a flanged edge 38 on the inside of the base body 4.

[0048] In addition to the receiving space 12 formed on the first sliding joint component 14a, the joint assembly 8 in the present embodiment also has the passage 26 to the storage chamber 20.

[0049] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the locking notches 34a, 34b are formed on the first sliding joint component 14a, ie the first sliding joint component 14b is formed in one piece with the locking notches 34a, 34b and the other components already described.

[0050] It will now also focus on the Figure 9 reference is made.

[0051] The second sliding joint component 14b is shown.

[0052] In analogy to the first sliding joint component 14a, the second sliding joint component 14b also has a circumferential edge 28 for stationary connection to the cover 6, which can be brought into engagement with the cover 6.

[0053] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the locking lugs 36a, 36b are formed onto the second sliding joint component 14b, ie the second sliding joint component 14b is formed in one piece with the locking lugs 36a, 36b and the other components already described.

[0054] Thus, a snus can 2 with a particularly simple design is provided, which is particularly easy to use. The use of a sliding joint 10 allows the lid 6 to be moved by a person with one hand by sliding it from any of the possible positions, ie, the closed position I and the two open positions IIa, IIb, to another of the aforementioned positions I, IIa, IIb. List of reference symbols

[0055] 2Snus can 4Base body 6Lid 8Joint assembly 10Sliding joint 12Receiving space 14aSliding joint component 14bSliding joint component 16aStop 16bStop 16cStop 16dStop 18Locking device 20Storage chamber 22Rim 24Sliding elements 26Passage 28Rim 30aOpening 30bOpening 32aSliding block 32bSliding block 32cSliding block 32dSliding block 34aLocking notch 34aLocking notch 36aLocking lug 36bLocking lug 38Rim 40Rand R1Direction R2Direction I Closed position IIa Open position IIb Open position

Claims

1. Snus can (2), in particular for loose snus and / or portioned snus, with a base body (4) and with a lid (6), wherein the base body (4) and the lid (6) are movably connected to one another by means of a joint assembly (8), wherein the joint assembly (8) has a sliding joint (10), wherein the sliding joint (10) movably connects the base body (4) to the lid (6) in such a way that the lid (6) can be moved into a closed position (I) and into two open positions (IIa, IIb).

2. Snus can (2) according to claim 1, wherein the lid (6) can be displaced from the closed position (I) into the first open position (IIa) by a translational movement in a first direction (R1), and can be displaced from the closed position (I) into the second open position (IIa) by a further translational movement in a second direction (R2).

3. Snus can (2) according to claim 2, wherein the first direction (R1) is opposite to the second direction (R2).

4. Snus can (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the joint assembly (8) is formed integrally with the sliding joint (10), and the sliding joint (10) is fixedly connected to the base body (4) and movably connected to the lid (6).

5. Snus can (2) according to claim 4, wherein the joint assembly (8) with the sliding joint (10) has a molded-on receiving space (12) for used snus.

6. Snus can (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the joint assembly (8) with the sliding joint (10) is designed to be connectable to the base body (4) and / or to the lid (6) without the use of tools.

7. Snus can (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the joint assembly (8) with the sliding joint (10) is formed at least in two pieces with a first sliding joint component (14a) and a second sliding joint component (14b), wherein the first sliding joint component (14a) is fixedly connected to the base body (4) and the second sliding joint component (14b) is fixedly connected to the lid (6), and wherein the first sliding joint component (14a) and the second sliding joint component (14b) are movably connected to one another.

8. Snus can (2) according to claim 7, wherein the first sliding joint component (14a) and / or the second sliding joint component (14b) has a first stop (16a, 16b) defining the first open position (11a) and a second stop (16c, 16d) defining the second open position (11b).

9. Snus can (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first sliding joint component (14a) and / or the second sliding joint component (14b) has a locking device (18) defining the closed position (I).

10. Snus can (2) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the first sliding joint component (14a) and / or the second sliding joint component (14b) are each formed in one piece.

11. Snus can (2) according to claim 10, wherein the first sliding joint component (14a) has a molded-on receiving space (12) for used snus.

12. Snus can (2) according to one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the first sliding joint component (14a) and / or the second sliding joint component (14b) are designed to be connectable to one another without tools.

13. Snus can (2) according to one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the first sliding joint component (14a) is designed to be connectable to the base body (4) without tools and / or the second sliding joint component (14b) is designed to be connectable to the lid (6) without tools.

14. Joint assembly (8) for a snus can (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Kit for forming a snus can (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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