Smokeless tobacco container, manufacturing method and mold for smokeless tobacco container

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a smokeless tobacco container (1) equipped with a locking device (112, 122) having a first locking member (122) and a second locking member (112), and the first lid (12) is movable about a rotation axis (R) between a first closed position (P1) in which the first locking member (122) and the second locking member (112) are locked together to axially fix the first lid (12) to the body (11), and an unlocked position (P2) in which the first lid (12) is axially displaced relative to the first closed position (P1). The first lid (12) is adapted to be rotatable relative to the body (11) and the locking device (112, 122) is adapted to oppose rotation of the first lid (12) from the first closed position (P1) towards the unlocked position (P2) until the first lid (122) is rotated to a position where the first lid (12) is forced axially out of the second locking member (112), thereby allowing the first lid (12) to rotate freely to the unlocked position (P2) and be releasable from the body (11). Also disclosed is a method for releasing a first lid from the body of a smokeless tobacco container.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a smokeless tobacco container, a manufacturing method and a mold for the smokeless tobacco container, and in particular to a smokeless tobacco container having a locking function. [Background technology]

[0002] Smokeless tobacco is typically sold to consumers as packaged smokeless tobacco portions contained in resealable lidded containers, which are traditionally cylindrical in shape and made from plastic or polymeric materials.

[0003] To keep manufacturing costs low, containers are typically designed to have as thin walls as possible without compromising their ability to contain smokeless tobacco portions. This typically results in smokeless tobacco containers being relatively flexible in design, creating a risk and danger of failure of the smokeless tobacco container to accidentally open when in a pocket or bag. There is also a risk that these smokeless tobacco containers can be easily opened by children.

[0004] US Patent No. 5,399,633 discloses a child-resistant smokeless tobacco container with a locking device that requires a resilient, flexible tongue to deflect inwardly from a locked configuration before the lid can be rotated relative to the body of the smokeless tobacco container, to an unlocked position before the lid can be removed.

[0005] The problem with this design is that it increases the complexity of the smokeless tobacco package, leading to increased manufacturing costs and increased risk of failure.

[0006] It would therefore be of interest to provide a smokeless tobacco container with a locking device of a more cost-effective design. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 3405050(A1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved solution which alleviates the mentioned problems by the inventive solution. In particular, a first object of the present invention is to provide a smokeless tobacco container with a locking device of a more cost-effective design. This object is solved by the invention as defined in claim 1. A second object of the present invention is to provide a two-compartment smokeless tobacco container with a locking device of a more cost-effective design. This object is solved by the invention as defined in claim 8. A third object is to provide a method for producing a smokeless tobacco container of a simple and cost-effective design. This object is solved by the invention as defined in claim 9. A fourth object is to provide a mould for use in said method. This object is solved by the invention as defined in claim 10. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a smokeless tobacco container. The smokeless tobacco container further comprises a body defining a first compartment, a first lid adapted to be releasably attached to the body to close the first compartment, and a locking device comprising a first locking member and a second locking member, the first locking member being disposed on a lid side of the first lid and the second locking member being disposed on a body side of the body, the first lid being adapted to be rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the body between a first closed position in which the first locking member and the second locking member are locked together to axially secure the first lid to the body, and an unlocked position in which the first lid is axially displaced relative to its first closed position, and the locking device being adapted to resist rotation of the first lid from the first closed position towards the unlocked position until the first locking member is rotated to a position in which the first locking member is forced axially out of position with the second locking member, thereby allowing the first lid to rotate freely to the unlocked position and be releasable from the body.

[0010] The advantage of this smokeless tobacco container is that it can be unlocked and released by one operation, i.e. by rotating the first lid from the first closed position to the unlocked position. Thus, unlocking of the locking device can be consequently dependent on the rotation of the first lid relative to the body. This eliminates the need to incorporate a more complex locking device. Thus, this smokeless tobacco container has the advantage of being simpler in design, which results in a reduced risk of failure. Furthermore, the smokeless tobacco container due to its simple design can be manufactured more cost-effectively, thereby solving the first object of the present invention.

[0011] The smokeless tobacco container may include a second lid adapted to be releasably attached to the first lid to close a second compartment defined by the first lid.

[0012] The used and unused smokeless tobacco portions may be stored in either the first compartment and / or the second compartment. One of the first compartment and the second compartment may be adapted in shape and size to provide a compartment of smaller volume than the other. The smaller compartment may be used to store the used smokeless tobacco portion while the larger compartment may be used to store the unused smokeless tobacco portion, or vice versa.

[0013] Some of the above mentioned phrases or terms are further explained below. The locking device being adapted to resist rotation of the first lid may mean that the locking device is flexible or capable of resisting said rotation that the first lid must overcome in order to successfully rotate from the first closed position to the unlocked position. The means of resisting rotation may be provided primarily by the locking force between the first and second locking members. In other words, a torque of sufficient magnitude needs to be applied to the first lid such that the locking force between the first and second locking members is overcome.

[0014] When referring to an event or movement occurring axially, e.g., off-axially, it may mean that the event or movement occurs along a direction substantially parallel to a major axis. The major axis may be a rotation axis. The direction of the rotation axis may be determined by how the first lid rotates relative to the body. The major axis may be a cylinder axis when the smokeless tobacco container has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0015] Axially locked can mean that the first lid and body are in a position where the locking device prevents axial displacement until the first and second locking members are forced axially out of alignment. Additionally, when axially locked, the first lid can at least partially rotate relative to the body about the axis of rotation.

[0016] Further optional features of the smokeless tobacco package are described below. The smokeless tobacco container may be sized and shaped to have a form factor similar to that of a conventional smokeless tobacco container. The smokeless tobacco container may have a substantially cylindrical shape. The first compartment may also have a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0017] The first lid may have a cylindrical structure adapted to be at least partially inserted into the first compartment. The cylindrical structure of the first lid may define a second compartment. The smokeless tobacco container may include a second lid adapted to be releasably attached to the first lid to close the second compartment. The smokeless tobacco container may be made of a polymeric material. The smokeless tobacco container may be made of a plastic material. Or, the smokeless tobacco container may be made of a material including a metal such as aluminum, titanium, etc. One or more parts of the smokeless tobacco container may be made of the same material. The body may be made of a polymeric material, a plastic material, or a metal. The first lid may be made of a polymeric material, a plastic material, or a metal. If present, the second lid may be made of a polymeric material, a plastic material, or a metal.

[0018] The smokeless tobacco container may be a child-resistant smokeless tobacco container. A child-resistant smokeless tobacco container may mean that the smokeless tobacco container is adapted so that children under a certain age within a certain period of time cannot open the smokeless tobacco container, typically by hand. Typically, it may mean a majority of children, or it may mean that a group of children cannot open the smokeless tobacco container on average. A certain age may mean children under 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 year old. A period of time may mean less than 1 minute, less than 2 minutes, less than 5 minutes, less than 10 minutes, less than 30 minutes, less than 1 hour, or permanently. A child may not be able to open the smokeless tobacco container because they cannot grip the smokeless tobacco container strongly enough to rotatably open it and / or they do not have the coordination required to rotatably open the smokeless tobacco container. A child may not be able to grip the first lid and the body accordingly due to their dimensions, thereby opening the smokeless tobacco container, thereby rotating them relative to each other.

[0019] One of the first locking member and the second locking member may be integrally formed with one of the first lid and the body, while the other of the first locking member and the second locking member may be provided as a separate element disposed on the other of the first lid and the body. Preferably, both the first locking member and the second locking member are integrally formed with the first lid and the body, respectively. This allows the smokeless tobacco container to be manufactured more efficiently and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0020] The smokeless tobacco container may be adapted so that when the first lid is attached to the body to close the first compartment, the body sides and lid sides extend axially parallel, such that the first locking member and the second locking member can lock together to axially secure the first lid to the body.

[0021] According to one embodiment, one of the body and the first lid comprises a gripping space edge adapted to a shape and dimensions forming a gripping space between the gripping space edge and a surface of the other of the body and the first lid, the gripping space edge being in a position preventing access to the gripping space when the first lid is in the first closed position and in a position allowing access to the gripping space when the first lid is in the unlocked position. Thus, while axially displacing the first lid from the body by rotating the first lid from the first closed position to the unlocked position, the gripping space may be exposed, thereby allowing the first lid to be gripped by a user, thereby facilitating the release of the first lid from the body. Similarly, when the first lid is in the first closed position, the gripping space may be made inaccessible such that no gripping edge is provided. As a result, the first lid and the body may present a substantially connected exterior preventing any edge from functioning as a gripping edge. This makes it more difficult to forcefully open the smokeless tobacco container while the first lid is in the closed position. The gripping space edge may be disposed on the body, with said surface disposed on the first lid. The gripping space edge may be disposed on the first lid, with said surface disposed on the body. The gripping space may be at least partially bounded by a surface of the gripping space edge and said surface of the body or the first lid. The body or the first lid may provide an abutment surface against which the gripping space edge is adapted to abut when the first lid is in the closed position. Alternatively, the abutment surface is provided by another member adapted to be disposed between the body and the first lid. The gripping space may also be at least partially bounded by an abutment surface. The surface of the body or first lid and the surface of the gripping space edge may be at an acute angle relative to one another, in any of the ranges of 15°-25°, 25°-35°, 35°-45°, 45°-55°, 55°-65°, or 65°-75°. In one embodiment, the surface is located on the body and the gripping space edge is located on the first lid. In such a case, the surface of the body may be provided by a body side. In one embodiment, the surface is located on the first lid and the gripping space edge is located on the body. In such a case, the surface of the first lid may be provided by a lid side.

[0022] According to one embodiment, one of the body and the first lid comprises an engagement element adapted to engage with at least one beveled edge provided by the other of the body and the first lid, whereby when the first lid rotates relative to the body from the first closed position to the unlocked position, the engagement element slides along the at least one beveled edge, thereby displacing the first lid relative to its first closed position, whereby the first locking member axially disengages from the second locking member. The first lid may comprise the engagement element and the body may comprise the at least one beveled edge. The at least one beveled edge may be provided by a body side. The first lid may comprise the at least one beveled portion and the body may comprise the engagement element. The at least one beveled edge may be inclined relative to a plane of rotation intersected by the axis of rotation at a right angle. The at least one beveled edge may be inclined relative to said plane of rotation in a curved, smooth manner. The beveled edge may have a maximum slope angled relative to said plane of rotation by an acute angle within any of the following ranges: 1°-5°, 5°-10°, 10°-15°, 15°-20°, or 20°-25°. Such a slope may provide little or negligible resistance when the engagement element slides along its surface, minimizing rotational friction caused by the slope. Thus, most of the reaction force against said rotation is provided by the locking device.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the smokeless tobacco container comprises at least one pair of inclined edges arranged close to each other to form a respective ridge. This allows the first lid to rotate from the closed position to the unlocked position in any rotational direction. A ridge may comprise a flat portion preferably arranged between the inclined edges of said ridge. This allows the engagement element to be located in a substantially horizontal area when in the unlocked position, which may be preferred when removing the first lid from the main body. The smokeless tobacco container may comprise one or more ridges. The smokeless tobacco container may comprise one or more engagement elements. The one or more ridges may be arranged on the main body or the first lid. The one or more engagement elements may be arranged on the main body or the first lid.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the smokeless tobacco container comprises a plurality of engagement elements adapted to engage with the respective ridges, each of which is preferably symmetrically arranged in the smokeless tobacco container. The first lid may comprise two, three, four, five or more engagement elements. The smokeless tobacco container may comprise a similar or different number of ridges. The ridges may be arranged on the body or the first lid in a pattern corresponding to the position of the engagement elements arranged on the first lid or the body, respectively, when the first lid is releasably attached to the body to close the first compartment. One or more of the aforementioned engagement elements may have a rectangular shape and / or may be integrally formed in the first lid. One or more of the aforementioned ridges may be integrally formed in the first lid.

[0025] According to one embodiment, one of the body and the first lid is made of a first material, and the other of the body and the first lid is made of a second material different from the first material. By providing the body and the first lid with different materials, friction between the body and the first lid can be reduced. The first material and / or the second material can be selected from among polymeric materials such as polypropylene homopolymer, PPH, polypropylene copolymer, PPC, or polypropylene random copolymer, PPR-C, or materials including, for example, porcelain, wood, birch bark, gold, silver, aluminum, copper, pressed paper, or plastic. The second lid can be made of the first material, the second material, or a third material different from the first material and the second material. The third material can be selected from the list of materials listed above.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first lid comprises a plurality of support bars. The support bars may be disposed proximate the lid side. The support bars may extend radially from the first lid position radially outward to the second lid position. Radial may mean radially from the center of the first lid. The center of the first lid may coincide with the point where the axis of rotation intersects with the first lid. The support bars may enable the first lid to reduce the flexibility of the first lid. This may therefore allow the first lid to be more securely attached to the body to prevent the first lid from being forcibly released from the body when the first lid is in the closed position. The support bars may extend at least partially or entirely along the bottom surface of the first lid. The support bars may extend through the medial side. The support bars may be integrally formed in the first lid. The plurality of support bars may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more support bars. The support bars may be arranged symmetrically around the first lid.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the body may comprise a plurality of support structures. The support structures may extend along a side wall of the body in a direction at least partially or substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the smokeless tobacco container. The support structures may be grouped together into a support structure group. The smokeless tobacco container may comprise a plurality of support structure groups. Each support structure group may include two, three, four, five or more support structures. At least one support structure group may be located adjacent to a raised portion of the smokeless tobacco container. The support structure groups may be symmetrically arranged around the body. The support structures may have a rod shape.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the main body and the first lid may each include a direction indicator, thereby forming a pair of direction indicators. The pair of direction indicators may be arranged on the outside of the smokeless tobacco container and may be axially aligned when the first lid is in a closed position. The closed position may be a second closed position different from the first closed position. The closed position may be a first closed position. The pair of direction indicators may provide a user with information on how the first lid is rotationally oriented relative to the main body. The smokeless tobacco container may include a plurality of pairs of direction indicators arranged according to the main body and the first lid and adapted to align as described above. The direction markers may be structurally defined or may be markings provided on the surfaces of the main body and the first lid, respectively.

[0029] According to one embodiment, one of the first and second locking members is a protrusion, and the other of the first and second locking members is a recess adapted in shape and size to receive said protrusion. The first locking member may be a protrusion, and the second locking member may be a recess. The first locking member may be a recess, and the second locking member may be a protrusion. Regardless of whether either the first locking member or the second locking member is provided as a protrusion or a recess, the recess is adapted in shape and size to receive the protrusion in a locking manner. By way of example, the protrusion may have a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and extend longitudinally in the circumferential direction of the smokeless tobacco container. The recess may be adapted in a corresponding shape, such that the recess is capable of receiving the protrusion in a locking manner. The protrusion and the recess may be adapted to extend circumferentially in a corresponding manner, either entirely along the circumference of the smokeless tobacco container, or in a plurality of separate portions.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the locking device is adapted to provide a first contact between the first and second locking members that is at an acute angle with respect to the plane of rotation of the smokeless tobacco container. The first contact may be defined by a first contact surface of the first locking member and a first contact surface of the second locking member, facing and / or abutting the first contact surface of the first locking member when the first and second locking members are locked together. The first contact may be located on a side closer to the lower surface of the body relative to the first / second locking members. Alternatively, the first contact is located on a side closer to the upper surface of the first lid relative to the first / second locking members. The locking device may be adapted to provide a second contact between the first and second locking members that is at an acute angle with respect to the plane of rotation of the smokeless tobacco container. The second contact portion may be defined by a second contact surface of the first locking member and a second contact surface of the second locking member, and faces and / or abuts the second contact surface of the first locking member when the first and second locking members lock together. The second contact portion may be located on a substantially opposite side of the first / second locking members as the first contact portion. The acute angle referred to for the first and / or second contact portions may be in any of the ranges of 5° to 10°, 10° to 15°, 15° to 20°, 20° to 25°, 25° to 30°, 30° to 35°, 35° to 40°, 45° to 50°, 50° to 55°, 55° to 60°, 60° to 65°, 65° to 70°, 70° to 75°, 75° to 80°, or 80° to 85°.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the first lid defines a second compartment, and the smokeless tobacco container further comprises a second lid adapted to be releasably attached to the first lid to close the second compartment, such that the smokeless tobacco container can store used and unused smokeless tobacco portions in separate compartments.

[0032] The first and second lids may be adapted to be recessedly received within the first lid such that a portion of the first lid extends at least partially upwardly from the first lid along an outer edge of the second lid. This may prevent the outer edge of the second lid from being gripped. The smokeless tobacco container may include a gripping area provided as a recessed area in the first lid that provides a user with access to an edge of the second lid. Thus, a user may grip the edge and pull the second lid, allowing access to the second compartment.

[0033] According to a first aspect of any of the embodiments, there is provided a method of manufacturing a smokeless tobacco container, the method comprising the steps of providing a mold defining a plurality of mold cavities corresponding to at least a body and a first lid component of the smokeless tobacco container, injecting a material into each of the plurality of mold cavities, and once solidified, ejecting the smokeless tobacco container from the mold, preferably one of the body and the first lid being made of a first material and the other of the body and the first lid being made of a second material different from the first material.

[0034] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mould. The mould is adapted in shape and dimension to define a plurality of cavities corresponding to at least a body and a first lid of a smokeless tobacco container according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof. The mould may also define a cavity corresponding to a second lid of a smokeless tobacco container according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof. The mould may comprise further members each defining at least one of said cavities. Each further mould member may be adapted to receive a different injected material such as PPH, PPC, PPR-C, etc. The further mould members may each define a cavity for the body, the first lid and optionally the second lid.

[0035] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of releasing a first lid from a body of a smokeless tobacco container, the method comprising the steps of rotating the first lid relative to the body from a first closed position, engaging an engagement element with the beveled edge, disengaging the first locking member from the second locking member, where the body includes the first locking member and the first lid includes the second locking member, and rotating the first lid relative to the body to an unlocked position.

[0036] The body may include a beveled edge and the first lid may include an engagement element.In an alternative embodiment, the first lid may include a beveled edge and the body may include an engagement element.

[0037] Additionally, engaging the engagement element with the beveled edge may include sliding the engagement element against the beveled edge.

[0038] The beveled edge may be part of a ridge. The step of unlocking the first locking member and the second locking member may include the first locking member and the second locking member being axially disengaged from one another.

[0039] Rotating the first lid relative to the body to an unlocked position can include sliding the engagement element over a flat of the ridge.

[0040] The method may further include a further step of rotating prior to the first step of rotating, which may include rotating the first lid from the second closed position to the first closed position relative to the body, the first lid remaining axially fixed to the body.

[0041] The invention is defined by the accompanying independent claims and embodiments are set out in the accompanying dependent claims, the following description and the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A-4C] 4A-4C show cross-sectional views of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention when the first lid is in first and second closed and unlocked positions, respectively. [Figure 5A-5B] 5A-5B show perspective views of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the first lid omitted from the figure to more clearly show the smokeless tobacco container when the first lid is moved from the second closed position to the unlocked position. [Figure 6A-6B] 6A-6B show perspective and bottom views of a first lid of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a body of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of a first lid of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the body of a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9A-9B] 9A-9B show flow diagrams of a method for releasing a first lid from a body of a smokeless tobacco container and a method of manufacturing the smokeless tobacco container, respectively, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a mold used in a method for manufacturing a smokeless tobacco container according to one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0044] A general embodiment of the smokeless tobacco container will now be described. The general embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1-7, where features are shown to be included in the preferred embodiment shown in the figures but may be optional. In the general embodiment, the smokeless tobacco container 1 may comprise a body 11 defining a first compartment 110. The smokeless tobacco container 1 may comprise a first lid 12 adapted to be releasably attached to the body 11 to close the first compartment 110. The smokeless tobacco container 1 may comprise a locking device 112, 122 for locking the first lid 12 to the body 11. The locking device 112, 122 may be a first locking member 122 and a second locking member 112. The first locking member 122 may be disposed on the first lid 12. The first locking member 122 may be disposed on a lid side portion 121 of the first lid 12. The second locking member 112 may be disposed on the body 11. The second locking member 112 may be disposed on the body side of the body 11. The first lid 12 may be adapted to be rotatable relative to the body 11 about a rotation axis R between a first closed position P1, in which the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 are locked together, and an unlocked position P2, in which the first lid 12 is releasable from the body 11. When the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 are locked, the first lid 12 is axially fixed to the body 11. When the first lid 12 is in the unlocked position P2, the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 may be unlocked or axially disengaged from each other. When the first lid 12 is in the unlocked position P2, the first lid 12 may be axially displaced relative to its first closed position P1. The first lid 12 may be freely rotatable to the unlocked position P2 when the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 are unlocked or axially disengaged from each other. The locking device 112, 122 is configured to counteract rotation of the first lid 12 from the first closed position P1 towards the unlocked position P2 until the first locking member 12 is rotated to a position where the first locking member 122 is forced out or axially disengaged from the second locking member 112, thereby allowing the first lid 12 to be freely rotated to the unlocked position P2 and removed from the body 11.

[0045] Thus, the smokeless tobacco container 1 can provide a simple and cost-effective design. More specifically, by coupling the process of unlocking the locking device 112, 122 to the rotational movement of the first lid 12 relative to the body 11, a more intuitive solution is provided that does not rely on separately operated and complex locking devices 112, 122. Rather, the first lid 12 may be axially fixed to the body 11, a structurally simpler means of the locking device 112, 122, comprising two locking members 112, 122 that can be adapted in shape and size to provide a desired locking action that a user must overcome to unlock the smokeless tobacco container 1 so that it can be opened. This simple design allows for a wide variety in how the smokeless tobacco container 1 can be adapted to achieve a desired design objective, such as providing a child-resistant smokeless tobacco container.

[0046] One of the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 may be integrally formed with one of the first lid 12 and the body 11, while the other of the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 is provided as a separate element disposed on the other of the first lid 12 and the body 11. Preferably, both the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 are integrally formed with the first lid 12 and the body 11, respectively. This allows the smokeless tobacco container 1 to be manufactured more efficiently and reduces manufacturing costs. Alternatively, both the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 may be provided as a separate element disposed on the first lid 12 and the body 11, respectively.

[0047] One of the body 11 and the first lid 12 may be made of polypropylene homopolymer, PPH, and the other of the body 11 and the first lid 12 may be made of polypropylene copolymer, PPC. This can particularly reduce friction between the body 11 and the first lid 12. The body 11 may be made of PPH or PPC. The first lid 12 may be made of PPH or PPC. Also, polypropylene random copolymer, PPR-C, may be used for the body 11 and the first lid 12 instead of PPH or PPC. The smokeless tobacco container may comprise a second lid 13 adapted to be releasably attached to the first lid 12 to close the second compartment defined by the first lid 12. The second lid 13 may be made of PPH, PPC, or PPR-C. The body 11 may be made of a first material and the first lid 12 may be made of a second material different from the first material. The second lid 13 may be made from the first material, the second material, or a third material that is different from the first and second materials.

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings will now be described in more detail. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which a smokeless tobacco container 1 includes a generally cylindrical shape similar to that of a conventional smokeless tobacco container. The smokeless tobacco container 1 includes a body 11, a first lid 12, and a second lid 13. The first lid 12 is removably attached to the body 11 to close a first compartment defined by the body 11. The second lid 13 is removably attached to the first lid 12 to close a second compartment defined by the first lid 12. The smokeless tobacco container 1 includes a gripping area 14 provided as a recessed area of ​​the first lid 12, which provides a user with access to an edge 131 of the second lid 13. Thus, a user can grip the edge 131 and pull the second lid 13 to allow access to the second compartment. To access the first compartment, the first lid 12 is rotated from the first closed position to an unlocked position, which rotation forces the locking device of the smokeless tobacco container 1 to unlock. Said unlocking may include overcoming a locking force provided by the first locking member locked with the second locking member, which axially disengages the first locking member from the second locking member. This may allow the first lid 12 to be freely rotatable to the unlocked position, where it may be removed from the body 11 to allow access to the first compartment.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a smokeless tobacco container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The smokeless tobacco container 1 comprises a first compartment 110 defined by a body 11 and a second compartment 120 defined by a first lid 12. Used and unused smokeless tobacco portions may be stored in either the first compartment 110 and / or the second compartment 120. One of the first compartment 110 and the second compartment 120 may be adapted in shape and size to provide a compartment with a smaller volume than the other. The smaller compartment may be used to store used smokeless tobacco portions, while the larger compartment may be used to store unused smokeless tobacco portions, or vice versa. The first compartment 110 may be larger than the second compartment 120, or vice versa. The first compartment 110 may have a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2 and extend along a cylindrical axis. The second compartment 120 may have a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2 and extend along a cylindrical axis. The first lid 12 and the body 11 may be adapted such that the cylindrical axes of the respective compartments are aligned. The first lid 12 may be rotatable about an axis of rotation R relative to the body 11 between the first closed position and the unlocked position. The smokeless tobacco container 1 may be adapted such that the axis of rotation R is aligned with the cylindrical axes of the respective first compartment 110 and second compartment 120.

[0050] The smokeless tobacco container 1 shown in Fig. 2 further comprises a second lid 13. The first lid 12 and the second lid 13 may be adapted to be concavely received within the first lid 12 such that a portion of the first lid 12 extends at least partially upward from the first lid 12 along an outer edge 131 of the second lid 13. This may prevent the outer edge 131 of the second lid 13 from being grasped. The first lid 12 may comprise a gripping recess 14 that allows access to a portion of said outer edge 131 of the second lid 13 and allows it to be gripped. This may allow the second lid 13 to be removed from the first lid 12.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a smokeless tobacco container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The smokeless tobacco container 1 comprises a body 11 defining a first compartment 110 and a first lid 12 adapted to be releasably attached to the body 11 to close the first compartment 110. The smokeless tobacco container 1 comprises a second lid 13 adapted to be removably attached to the first lid 12 to close a second compartment 120 defined by the first lid 12. The smokeless tobacco container 1 is adapted to be substantially cylindrically shaped, and the cross section is a plane intersecting and extending along the rotation axis R. The smokeless tobacco container 1 further comprises a locking device 112, 122. The locking device 112, 122 comprises a first locking member 122 arranged on a lid side 121 of the first lid 12 and a second locking member 112 arranged on a body side 111 of the body 11. The first locking member 122 may be integrally formed on the first lid 12. The second locking member 112 may be integrally formed on the body 11. The smokeless tobacco container 1 may be adapted such that the body side 111 and the lid side 121 extend axially parallel to each other such that the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 lock together to axially fix the first lid 12 to the body 11 when the first lid 12 is attached to the body 11 to close the first compartment 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first locking member 122 is provided as a recess 122 on the first lid 12, and the second locking member 112 is provided as a protrusion on the body 11, so that the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 can be tightly locked together accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3. As an alternative embodiment, the first locking member 122 may be provided as a protrusion and the second locking member 112 as a recess. Regardless of whether the first locking member 122 or the second locking member 112 is provided as a protrusion or a recess, the recess is adapted in shape and size to receive the protrusion in a latching manner. As an example, the protrusion may have a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and extend longitudinally in the circumferential direction of the smokeless tobacco container 1. The recess may be adapted in a corresponding shape, so that the recess is capable of receiving the protrusion in a latching manner. The protrusion and the recess may be adapted to extend circumferentially in a corresponding manner, either entirely along the circumference of the smokeless tobacco container or in a number of separate portions.

[0052] The first lid 12 and the body 11 may be adapted in shape and size such that their respective outer surfaces are substantially aligned with one another, as shown in Figure 3. This allows the smokeless tobacco container 1 to reduce the number of available gripping areas with which a user can interact in order to force open the smokeless tobacco container 1 while the first lid 12 is in the closed position.

[0053] The second lid 13 may be adapted to be removably attached to the first lid 12 by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may comprise a first locking element disposed on or provided by the second lid 13 and a second locking element disposed on or provided by the first lid 12. The first and second locking elements of the locking mechanism may be a protrusion and a recess adapted to receive said protrusion, or vice versa. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first locking element is a protrusion and the second locking element is a recess, together forming a locking mechanism adapted to hold the second lid 13 on the first lid 12 in a closed position. The second lid 13 may be formed at least in part by a flexible material that allows it to be flexibly inserted or removed from the first lid 12.

[0054] 4A-4C show cross-sectional views of a smokeless tobacco container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The smokeless tobacco container 1 comprises a body 11 defining a first compartment and a first lid 12 adapted to be releasably attached to the body 11 to close a second compartment. The smokeless tobacco container 1 comprises a second lid 13 adapted to be releasably attached to the first lid 12 to close a second compartment defined by the first lid 12. The first lid 12 is adapted to be rotatable relative to the body 11 along a rotation axis R between a first closed position P1 and an unlocked position P2. These positions are shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, respectively. In the first closed position P1, the first lid 12 is axially fixed to the body 11 by a locking device 112, 122 comprising a first locking member 122 and a second locking member 112. In the unlocked position P2, the first lid 12 is axially displaced relative to the first closed position P1 such that the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 are axially disengaged. The smokeless tobacco container 1 may be further adapted such that the first lid 12 is rotatable relative to the body 11 between the first closed position P1 and the second closed position P0, during which the first lid 12 remains axially fixed to the body 11 by the locking devices 112, 122. By making the first lid 12 rotatable while being axially fixed to the body 11, the first lid 12 can be releasably attached to the body 11 regardless of the direction of rotation of the first lid 12 relative to the body 11. Thus, it is possible to facilitate closing the first compartment of the smokeless tobacco container 1.

[0055] The smokeless tobacco container 1 may be further adapted such that the first lid 12 comprises a gripping space edge 123 adapted in shape and dimension to form the gripping space 113 between the gripping space edge 123 and the body side 111, the gripping space edge 123 being in a position preventing access to the gripping space 113 when the first lid 12 is in the first closed position P1 and in a position allowing access to the gripping space 113 when the first lid 12 is in the unlocked position P2. Thus, while axially displacing the first lid 12 from the body 11 by rotating the first lid 12 from the first closed position P1 to the unlocked position P2, the gripping space is exposed and the first lid 12 can be gripped by a user (see FIG. 4C ), thereby facilitating release of the first lid 12 from the body 11. Similarly, when the first lid 12 is in the first closed position P1, the gripping space 113 may be made inaccessible so that no gripping edge is provided. As a result, the first lid 12 and the body 11 may present a substantially connected exterior that prevents any edge from functioning as a gripping edge (see Figs. 4A, 4B). When the first lid 12 is in the first closed position P1 or the second closed position P0, the first lid 12 and the body 11 may be radially flush to present an even surface to avoid the possibility of using the gripping space 113. This makes it more difficult to forcefully open the smokeless tobacco container 1 while the first lid 12 is in the closed position P0, P1. The gripping space 113 may be at least partially bounded by the surface of the gripping space edge 123 and the surface of the body side 111. The body 11 may provide an abutment surface 125 against which the gripping space edge 123 is adapted to abut when the first lid 12 is in the closed position. Alternatively, the abutment surface 125 is provided by a separate member adapted to be disposed between the body 11 and the gripping space edge 123. The gripping space 113 may also be at least partially bounded by the abutment surface 125. The surface of the body side 111 and the surface of the gripping space edge 123 may be angled at an acute angle relative to each other. The acute angle between the surface of the body side 111 and the surface of the gripping space edge 123 may be in the range of 15° to 75°.4A-4C, smokeless tobacco container 1 is shown with said surface of body side portion 111 angled at an acute angle of approximately 30° relative to said surface of gripping space edge portion 123. In FIG.

[0056] The body side 111 may comprise a raised portion 1110 comprising at least one beveled edge. The first lid 12 may comprise an engagement element 124 adapted to engage with the at least one beveled edge, so that when the first lid 12 rotates relative to the body 11 from the first closed position P1 to the unlocked position P2, the engagement element 124 slides along the at least one beveled edge, thereby displacing the first lid 12 relative to its first closed position P1 and causing the first locking member 122 to axially disengage from the second locking member 112. The at least one beveled edge may be inclined relative to a plane that intersects the rotation axis R at a right angle in a curved smooth manner. The beveled edge may comprise a maximum inclined portion angled relative to said plane at an acute angle within the range of 1° to 25°. With such a slope, the slope of the beveled edge may provide little resistance as the engagement element 124 slides along its surface, so that most of the reaction force is provided by the locking devices 112,122.

[0057] The second lid 13 may be adapted to be removably attached to the first lid 12 by a locking mechanism 126, 132. The locking mechanism 126, 132 may comprise a first locking element 132 disposed on or provided by the second lid 13 and a second locking element 126 disposed on or provided by the first lid 12. The first locking element 132 and the second locking element 126 of the locking mechanism 126, 132 may be a protrusion and a recess adapted to receive the protrusion, or vice versa. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first locking element 132 is a protrusion and the second locking element 126 is a recess, which together form the locking mechanism 126, 132 adapted to hold the second lid 13 in a closed position relative to the first lid 12. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4A-4C, the second locking element 126 extends only partially in the circumferential direction and is therefore not shown in Figures 4B and 4C. The second locking element 126 may comprise two parts arranged on either side of the second compartment. The first locking element 132 may extend fully circumferentially or partially to match the position of the second locking element 126 when the second lid 13 is removably attached to the first lid 12 to close the second compartment. The second lid 13 may be formed at least in part by a flexible material that allows it to be flexibly inserted or removed from the first lid 12.

[0058] 5A and 5B show perspective views of a smokeless tobacco container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The smokeless tobacco container 1 comprises a body 11 defining a first compartment and a first lid 12 adapted to be releasably attached to the body 11 to close the first compartment. The first lid 12 is adapted to be rotatable relative to the body 11 about a rotation axis between a first closed position P1 and an unlocked position P2 in which the first lid 12 is freely releasable from the body 11 such that the first compartment is accessible. When the first lid 12 is in the unlocked position P2, it is axially displaced relative to the first closed position P1. FIG. 5A shows the smokeless tobacco container 1 when the first lid 12 is in the first closed position P1, and FIG. 5B shows the smokeless tobacco container 1 when the first lid 12 is in the unlocked position P2. Further, in both Figures 5A and 5B, a portion of the first lid 12 has been omitted from the figures to show the functionality of how the first lid 12 is capable of displacing itself relative to the main body 11 when the smokeless tobacco container 1 according to one embodiment is rotated from the first closed position P1 to the unlocked position P2.

[0059] The first lid 12 comprises an engagement element 124 adapted to engage with at least one beveled edge 1110a, 1110b provided by the body side 111, such that when the first lid 12 rotates relative to the body 11 from the first closed position P1 to the unlocked position P2, the engagement element 124 slides along said at least one beveled edge 1110a, 1110b, thereby displacing the first lid 12 axially relative to its first closed position P1, resulting in the first locking member 122 being axially displaced from the second locking member 112. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5A-5B, the body 11 comprises a pair of beveled edges 1110a, 1110b arranged adjacent to each other to form respective ridges 1110. Thus, the first lid 12 may be rotatable in any direction relative to the body 11 to move the first lid 12 to the unlocked position P2. The ridge 1110 further comprises a flat portion 1110c disposed between the angled edges 1110a, 1110b of the ridge 1110. This allows the engagement element 124 to be positioned in a substantially horizontal area when in the unlocked position P2, which may be preferred when removing the first lid 12 from the body 11. The ridge or ridge 1110 may alternatively be disposed on or provided by the first lid 12, while the engagement element or engagement element 124 is disposed on or provided by the body 11.

[0060] The smokeless tobacco container 1 further comprises a locking device 122, 112, which is a first locking member 122 disposed on the first lid 12 and a second locking member 112 disposed on the body 11. When the first lid 12 is in the closed position P0, P1, the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 are locked together to axially fix the first lid 12 to the body 11. When the first lid 12 is rotated from the closed position to the unlocked position, the locking devices 112, 122 counteract said rotation by the locking force provided by the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 when locked to each other. However, when the first lid 12 is rotated against this locking force a portion of the path between the first closed position P1 and the unlocked position P2, the engagement element 124 slides along one of the inclined edge portions, thereby displacing the first lid 12 relative to its closed position P1, whereby the first locking member 122 is moved axially from the second locking member 112, thereby allowing the first lid 12 to rotate freely to the unlocked position P2.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the locking device is adapted to provide an interface between the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 that is at an acute angle with respect to the plane of rotation of the smokeless tobacco container 1. The plane of rotation may mean a plane that the axis of rotation intersects at a right angle. This acute interface may facilitate disengagement of the first locking member 122 from the second locking member 112 when the first lid 12 is rotated to a position between the first closed position P1 and the unlocked position P2.

[0062] In one embodiment, the smokeless tobacco container 1 comprises a plurality of engagement elements 124 adapted to engage with respective ridges 1110 of the body 11. The respective ridges 1110 may preferably be arranged symmetrically along the body side 111. Figures 6A and 6B respectively show a perspective view and a bottom view of a first lid 120 according to one embodiment, in which the first lid 12 comprises three engagement elements 124 arranged symmetrically along the lid side in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the body side 111 provides the same number of ridges 1110, in this case three ridges, arranged symmetrically around the body side 111 (see Figure 7). The first lid 12 is not limited to comprising three engagement elements 124, and may alternatively comprise one, two, four, five or more engagement elements 124. The body 11 may include a similar or different number of ridges 1110. A smokeless tobacco container 1 with a first lid 12 having a fewer number of engagement elements 124 can be manufactured more cheaply, while a smokeless tobacco container 1 with a first lid 12 having a greater number of engagement elements 124 can distribute forces more evenly, thereby extending the life of the smokeless tobacco container 1.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the first lid 12 comprises a plurality of support bars 127 disposed proximate the gripping space edge 121 of the first lid 12. The support bars 127 may extend radially from the first lid position 128 to the second lid position 129 radially outward from the first lid position. Radial may mean a direction radially from the center of the first lid 12. The center of the first lid may coincide with the point where the axis of rotation intersects with the first lid 12. The support bars 127 may allow the first lid 12 to reduce the flexibility of the first lid 12. Thus, this may allow the first lid 12 to be more firmly attached to the body 11 to prevent the first lid 12 from being forcibly released from the body 11 when the first lid 12 is in the closed position. The support bars 127 may extend at least partially or entirely along the bottom surface of the first lid. The support bars may extend through the middle side 130. The support bar 127 may be integrally formed with the first lid 12. The plurality of support bars 127 may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 or more support bars. The support bars 127 may be symmetrically disposed about the first lid 12.

[0064] Fig. 8A shows the first lid 12 according to an embodiment, and Fig. 8B shows the body 11 according to an embodiment. The body 11 and the first lid 12 may each comprise directional indicators 15a, 15b adapted to axially align in a matching pair to indicate to a user whenever the first lid 12 is in a closed position. The closed position may be the second closed position P0 or the first closed position P1. The directional indicators may be structurally defined, see for example Figs. 8A-8B.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the body 11 may comprise a plurality of support structures 114. The support structures 114 may extend along the sidewall of the body 11 in a direction at least partially or substantially parallel to the rotation axis R of the smokeless tobacco container 1. The support structures 114 may be grouped together as a plurality of support structures 114 to form a group of support structures 114. The smokeless tobacco container 1 may include a plurality of groups of support structures 114. Each group of support structures 114 may comprise two, three, four, five or more support structures 114. At least one group of support structures 114 may be disposed adjacent to a raised portion 1110 of the smokeless tobacco container 1. The groups of support structures 114 may be disposed symmetrically around the body 11, preferably disposed adjacent to each raised portion 1110. The support structures may have a rod shape. These support structures can increase the rigidity of the body 11 and prevent the body from flexing excessively so as to allow the first lid 12 to be removed from the body 11 when the first lid 12 is in the closed position.

[0066] 9A shows a flow chart of a method M0 for releasing a first lid 12 from a body 11 of a smokeless tobacco container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes the following steps: step M1 of rotating the first lid 12 relative to the body 11 from a first closed position P1; step M2 of engaging an engagement element 124 with the inclined edges 1110a, 1110b; and step M3 of disengaging the first locking member 122 from the second locking member 112, where the body 11 includes the first locking member 112 and the first lid 12 includes the second locking member 122. The method includes a step M3, and a step M4 of rotating the first cover 12 relative to the main body 11 to the unlocked position P2.

[0067] The body 11 may include beveled edges 1110a, 1110b, and the first lid 12 may include an engagement element 124.

[0068] The step M2 of engaging the engagement element 124 with the angled edges 1110a, 1110b may include sliding the engagement element 124 over the angled edges 1110a, 1110b. The angled edges 1110a, 1110b may be part of the ridge 1110.

[0069] The step M3 of disengaging the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 may include the first locking member 122 and the second locking member 112 disengaging from each other in an axial direction.

[0070] The step M4 of rotating the first lid 12 relative to the body 11 to the unlocked position P2 may include sliding the engagement element 124 onto the flat portion 1110c of the raised portion 1110.

[0071] The method may include a step M1a preceding the rotating step M1, which is a step of rotating the first lid 12 relative to the body 11 from the second closed position P0 to the first closed position P1, while keeping the first lid 12 axially fixed to the body 11.

[0072] 9B shows a flow diagram of a method S0 of manufacturing a smokeless tobacco container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method S0 includes the following steps: S1 providing a mold 100 defining a plurality of mold cavities 1021, 1022, 1023 corresponding to at least the body 11 and first lid 12 parts of the smokeless tobacco container 1; S2 injecting a material into each of the plurality of mold cavities 1021, 1022, 1023; and S3 ejecting the smokeless tobacco container 1 from the mold 100 once the material has solidified, where preferably one of the body 11 and the first lid 12 is made of a first material and the other of the body 11 and the other of the first lid 12 is made of the first material. The method S0 may also include manufacturing a second lid 13 adapted to be removably attached to the first lid 12 to close a second compartment defined by the first lid 12. The body 11, the first lid 12, and the optional second lid 13 may be provided according to any of the previously described embodiments or contemplated variations. As the first material or the second material, PPH, PPC, or PPR-C, or any other material mentioned herein, may be used.

[0073] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a mold 100 used during a method S0 of manufacturing a smokeless tobacco container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mold 100 comprises an upper mold 101 and a lower mold 102. The lower mold 102 is adapted in shape and size to define a number of mold cavities 021, 1022, 1023 adapted to receive respective protrusions 1011, 1012, 1013 of the upper mold 101 when the upper mold 101 and the lower mold 102 are pressed together. The recesses and protrusions together define mold cavities corresponding to the body 11, the first lid 12, and optionally the second lid 13 of the smokeless tobacco container. A nozzle 1014 guides the material into the mold cavities. Once the smokeless tobacco container 1 has solidified, it is ejected by an ejection pin 1024. Preferably, the material used is a plastic or polymeric material. Here, a part of a smokeless tobacco container 1 includes a body 11 defining a first compartment, and a first lid 12 adapted to be releasably attached to the body 11 to close the first compartment. The part may also include a second lid 13 adapted to be releasably attached to the first lid 12 to close a second compartment defined by the first lid 12. The body 11, first lid 12, and optional second lid 13 may be provided according to any of the previously described embodiments or contemplated variations.

[0074] In the drawings and specification, preferred embodiments and examples of the invention have been disclosed, and although specific terms have been employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A smokeless tobacco container (1), The main body (11) defines the first compartment (110), The first compartment (110) is enclosed by a first lid (12) adapted to be removablely attached to the main body (11), The smokeless tobacco container (1) further comprises a locking device (112, 122) having a first locking member (122) and a second locking member (112), wherein the first locking member (122) is positioned on the lid side portion (121) of the first lid (12), and the second locking member (112) is positioned on the body side portion (111) of the body (11), The first lid (12) is adapted to be rotatable with respect to the body (11) about a rotation axis (R) between a first closed position (P1) in which the first locking member (122) and the second locking member (112) are locked together to fix the first lid (12) to the body (11) in the axial direction, and an unlocked position (P2) in which the first lid (12) is displaced in the axial direction relative to the first closed position (P1). The locking devices (112, 122) are adapted to counteract the rotation of the first lid (12) from the first closed position (P1) toward the unlocked position (P2) until the first lid (12) rotates toward a position where it is forced to axially disengage from the second locking member (112), thereby allowing the first lid (12) to rotate freely toward the unlocked position (P2) and be released from the body (11). One of the main body (11) and the first lid (12) includes a gripping space edge (123) and a gripping space edge (123) that is shaped and sized to form a gripping space (113) between the surface of the other main body (11) and the first lid (12), The gripping space edge (123) is positioned to prevent access to the gripping space (113) when the first lid (12) is in the first closed position (P1), and to allow access to the gripping space (113) when the first lid (12) is in the unlocked position (P2), in a smokeless tobacco container (1).

2. Smokeless tobacco container (1) according to claim 1, wherein one of the body (11) and the first lid (12) comprises an engaging element (124) adapted to engage with at least one inclined edge (1110a, 1110b) provided by the other of the body (11) and the first lid (12), such that when the first lid (12) rotates relative to the body (11) from the first closed position (P1) to the unlocked position (P2), the engaging element (124) slides along the at least one inclined edge (1110a, 1110b), thereby forcing the first lid (12) to displace relative to the first closed position (P1), as a result the first locking member (122) disengages axially from the second locking member (112).

3. The smokeless tobacco container (1) according to claim 2, comprising at least a pair of inclined edges (1110a, 1110b) arranged in close proximity to each other to form each raised portion (1110), preferably one raised portion (1110) including a flat portion (1110c) positioned between the at least a pair of inclined edges (1110a, 1110b) of the raised portion (1110).

4. A smokeless tobacco container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the body (11) and the first lid (12) is made from a first material, and the other of the body (11) and the first lid (12) is made from a second material different from the first material.

5. A smokeless tobacco container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one of the first locking member (122) and the second locking member (112) is a protrusion, and the other of the first locking member (122) and the second locking member (112) is a recess that is shaped and sized to receive the protrusion.

6. The smokeless tobacco container (1) according to claim 5, wherein the locking device (112, 122) is adapted to provide a first contact portion between the first locking member (122) and the second locking member (112) which form an acute angle with respect to the rotation plane of the smokeless tobacco container (1).

7. The first cover (12) defines the second compartment (120), The smokeless tobacco container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second lid (13) adapted to be removably attached to the first lid (12) for closing the second compartment (120).

8. A mold (100) that conforms to the shape and dimensions of a plurality of cavities (1021, 1022, 1023) corresponding to at least the body (11) and the first lid (12) of the smokeless tobacco container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. A method (M0) for releasing the first lid (12) from the body (11) of a smokeless tobacco container (1), Step (M1) of rotating the first lid (12) relative to the main body (11) from a first closed position (P1), Step (M2) of engaging the engaging element (124) with the inclined edge portions (1110a, 1110b), Step (M3) of disengaging the first locking member (122) from the second locking member (112), wherein the first lid (12) has the first locking member (122) and the main body (11) has the second locking member (112), The first lid (12) is rotated relative to the main body (11) to the unlocked position (P2) (M4), A method comprising (M0).

10. The method according to claim 9 (M0), wherein the main body (11) is provided with the inclined edge portions (1110a, 1110b), and the first lid (12) is provided with the engaging element (124).

11. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 10 (M0), wherein the step (M2) of engaging the engaging element (124) with the inclined edge portions (1110a, 1110b) includes sliding the engaging element (124) on the inclined edge portions (1110a, 1110b).

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 10 (M0), wherein the inclined edges (1110a, 1110b) are part of the raised portion (1110).

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 10 (M0), wherein the step (M3) of disengaging the first locking member (122) and the second locking member (112) includes disengaging the first locking member (122) and the second locking member (112) from each other in the axial direction.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 10 (M0), wherein the step (M4) of rotating the first lid (12) relative to the main body (11) to the unlocked position (P2) includes the step of sliding the engaging element (124) on the flat portion (1110c) of the raised portion (1110) of the inclined edge portion (1110a, 1110b).

15. Step (M1a) is located before the rotation step (M1), The above step (M1a) is, The method according to any one of claims 9 to 10 (M0), comprising the step (M1a) of rotating the first lid (12) from a second closed position (P0) to the first closed position (P1) relative to the body (11), and keeping the first lid (12) fixed axially to the body (11).

Images