Container comprising a separating element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container (101) for smokeless products for oral use, which container comprises a base (103), a lid (109) and a separating element (105). The separating element is positionable in a first and a second height position relative to a top surface (119) of the lid with the first height position being closer to the top surface than the second height position. The separating element is movable from the first height position to the second height position by a linear translational displacement. Further, the separating element is configured to have the same geometrical configuration in both the first and the second height positions. The invention further relates to a container set comprising one or more of the containers and to a container system. The invention also relates to a method of assembling the container.

Description

[0001] CONTAINER COMPRISING A SEPARATING ELEMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a container for smokeless products for oral use, which container comprises a base, a lid and a separating element. The invention further relates to a container set comprising one or more of the containers and to a container system. The invention also relates to a method of assembling the container.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] The smokeless products for oral use to be stored in the container of the invention may be pouched smokeless products for oral use. Such products are well known in the art and include tobacco products as well as non-tobacco products. As an example, the pouched smokeless product for oral use may be a pouched nicotine containing product for oral use, a pouched tobacco product for oral use and / or a pouched nicotine free product for oral use.

[0006] The pouched smokeless products for oral use are typically provided as portion-packed in a saliva-permeable, porous wrapper material forming a pouch enclosing a filling material.

[0007] The pouch material used in pouched smokeless products for oral use, also called the packaging material, is commonly a nonwoven material, such as a dry-laid chemically bonded nonwoven comprising regenerated cellulose fibres, e.g. viscose fibres.

[0008] Alternatively, the smokeless products for oral use may be in the form of oral patches. Such oral patches may comprise a thickening agent, a carrier, and an active agent and / or a flavour, wherein the carrier is a fibrous carrier consisting of a water insoluble nonwoven material, e.g. as described in WO 2023 / 104774 A1.

[0009] As yet an alternative, the smokeless products for oral use may be provided in loose form.

[0010] In order to store and transport the smokeless products for oral use, it is desirable to place them in a container, also known as a can. Typically, the container has a resealable lid, which can maintain the smokeless products for oral use in their desired state. A container typically contains in the range of 10-30 products, such as in the range of 20-25 products. The products may be placed randomly in the container or in a pattern, e.g. as described in WO 2012 / 069505 A1 or in WO 2018 / 086902 A1. The container is a consumer package typically having a shape and a size adapted for conveniently carrying it in a pocket or in a handbag and may be used for packaging any known type of smokeless product for oral use, e.g. provided as a pouched product, in the form of an oral patch or in loose form.

[0011] The smokeless product for oral use is typically used by a consumer by placing it between the upper or lower gum and the lip and retaining it there for a limited period of time. When the smokeless product for oral use has been used by the user, there is a potential risk of littering, especially if there is no dustbin nearby, where the user can dispose of the used product.

[0012] To overcome this problem, it is known from patent document EP 1667541 A1 to provide a container having a lid comprising a bottom lid and a cover lid, which together define a first enclosed space, which is separated from a second enclosed space. The first enclosed space is intended for storing unused snuff and the second enclosed space is intended for storing used snuff. The cover lid is moveably secured to the bottom lid. In the closed position the cover lid is held against the bottom lid by a snap-locking device. In the closed position, the cover lid is preferably situated entirely under the upper edge of the bottom lid. With this configuration, some already used products can be stored in the second enclosed space until the user has access to a dustbin.

[0013] Another prior art container is shown in Figs. 1-2, illustrated as an exploded view in Fig. 1 and a sectional view in Fig. 2. Also, this prior art container, which is further described below, comprises a bottom lid and a cover lid. The prior art container has a first enclosed space, separated from a second enclosed space, in a corresponding way as for EP 1667541 A1. The cover lid is separate from the bottom lid but may be resealably attached to the bottom lid by a snap-locking device.

[0014] However, in a container like the snuff-box according to EP 1667541 A1 or the prior art container of Figs. 1-2, the full volume of the container cannot be used, since the second enclosed space will occupy some of the volume of the container, also when there is no used product therein. Accordingly, the second enclosed space will have room for fewer unused smokeless products for oral use than a standard container, if they have the same size, or the container must be larger than the standard container to provide enough room for the same number of unused smokeless products for oral use. US 2015 / 0216230A1 relates to a container for tobacco related or smoking related articles, in particular snus, and a method of manufacturing such a container. The container comprises a base portion and a top portion defining a first compartment between the base portion and the top portion. The base portion or the top portion comprises a displaceable wall and a cover defining a second compartment between the displaceable wall and the cover. The displaceable wall is coupled to the base portion or the top portion by a screw thread for displacing the displaceable wall by rotating the displaceable wall.

[0015] SUMMARY

[0016] In view of the above, an object of the invention is to provide a container according to claim 1 , which alleviates at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or which at least provides a suitable alternative. Variations of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0017] Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for smokeless products for oral use. The container comprises a base, a lid and a separating element. An external surface of the lid forms a top surface of the container. The separating element is located within the container. A first compartment of the container is delimited by the base and the separating element. A second compartment of the container is delimited by the lid and the separating element. The separating element is positionable in a first and a second height position relative to the top surface with the first height position being closer to the top surface than the second height position. The separating element is movable from the first height position to the second height position by a linear translational displacement. Further, the separating element is configured to have the same geometrical configuration in both the first and the second height positions.

[0018] As mentioned above, the container, also known as the can, is used to store and transport the smokeless products for oral use. The container typically contains in the range of 10-30 products, such as in the range of 20-25 products. The smokeless products may be placed randomly in the container or in a pattern, e.g. as described in WO 2012 / 069505 A1 or in WO 2018 / 086902 A1. The container is a consumer package typically having a shape and a size adapted for conveniently carrying it in a pocket or in a handbag and may be used for packaging any known type of smokeless product for oral use, e.g. provided as a pouched product, in the form of an oral patch or in loose form. The base comprises a bottom wall forming a bottom surface of the container and a side wall forming part of a side wall of the container.

[0019] The lid comprises a top wall forming the top surface of the container. Typically, the lid also comprises a side wall forming part of the side wall of the container. The lid is releasable, such that it can be opened, and resealable, such that it can be closed again.

[0020] The container typically has a shape of a cylinder. In that case, the bottom surface and the top surface of the container are circular. However, other shapes of the bottom surface and the top surface are possible, such as a semi-circle, a square or a rectangle.

[0021] The separating element is located within the container. It is used to separate the unused smokeless products for oral use located in the first compartment from used smokeless products, if any, located in the second compartment. The second compartment is also known as a disposal compartment.

[0022] Since the separating element can be positioned in at least two height positions, it is possible to change the size of the second compartment. Hence, the second compartment can be small, corresponding to being in the first height position, when there is no used product or only a few used products to store in it. However, if there are many used products to be stored in the second compartment, the second compartment can be relatively large, corresponding to being in the second height position. Hence, the second compartment is expandable. Making the second compartment larger at the same time means making the first compartment smaller, since the sum of the space in the first compartment and the second compartment will be the same, no matter in which height position the separating element is positioned, assuming the lid of the container is closed.

[0023] The separating element is displaceable from the first height position to the second height position. Typically, it is also displaceable from the second height position to the first height position, i.e. displaceable in both height directions, i.e. both upwards and downwards.

[0024] Terms for directions as used herein, such as “height direction”, “upwards” or “downwards”, relate to an assumed orientation of the container, in which it is placed on a horizontal surface. Further, terms like “top” or “bottom” refer to this assumed orientation of the container. The displacement from the first height position to the second height position may result from a sufficient number of used products being stored in the second compartment. When the user puts one used product after the other in the second compartment, there will eventually be a pile of used products high enough, such that when the user thereafter closes the lid, the lid will apply pressure to the pile of used products such that they, in turn, apply pressure to the separating element. Finally, the applied pressure on the separating element is sufficiently high to move the separating element to the second height position, which will be in a downwards direction assuming the container is placed on a horizontal surface. In this way, there will be no need for the user to risk touching any used product in order to move the separation element, thereby avoiding a risk of getting unclean fingers. Furthermore, since the displacement of the separating element is performed without any active action taken by the user, the user does not have to bother about the size of the second compartment.

[0025] Alternatively, or as a complement, the displacement from the first height position to the second height position may be actively performed by the user.

[0026] The separating element is movable from the first height position to the second height position by a linear translational displacement. There thus is no need to rotate the separating element during the displacement, as e.g. would have been the case if following a helical screw line, even if rotation may be possible as a complement. Hence, the displacement from the first height position to the second height position may be a strictly linear displacement.

[0027] The base, the lid and the separating element are typically manufactured of a polymeric material. Such a material typically has an inherent flexibility. Preferably, a material is selected that is suitable for injection moulding. Preferably, the base, the lid and the separating element are made of the same kind of material, which inter alia facilitates material recycling of the container.

[0028] The separating element is configured to have the same geometrical configuration in both the first and the second height positions, as well as during the displacement between the first height position and the second height position. It thus retains its geometrical shape. The separating element has the same geometrical configuration no matter in which position relative to the top surface it is located in.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the container further comprises a retaining element being located between the base and the lid. The retaining element extends along the side wall of the base. Hence, the retaining element typically forms a ring fitting on top of the base. The separating element is held by the retaining element in the container. The retaining element is typically releasably and resealably attachable to an upper portion of the side wall of the base.

[0030] The separating element and the retaining element may together form an expandable disposal insert, in which the separating element is displaceable in relation to the retaining element, and thus also in relation to the base and the lid.

[0031] The retaining element and the separating element may be manufactured separately from each other. They may be combined to form the expandable disposal insert before the expandable disposal insert is mounted in the container, e.g. by the retaining element being releasably and resealably attached to the base. Alternatively, the retaining element may first be attached to the base and thereafter the separating element may be connected to the retaining element.

[0032] The lid may be snap-fastenable to the retaining element, or the retaining element may be snap-fastenable to the base. Snap-fastenable attachment is a well-known way of obtaining a releasable and resealable attachment. Preferably, the lid is snap-fastenable to the retaining element, and the retaining element is snap-fastenable to the base. More preferably, the lid and the retaining element are snap-fastenable by snap-fit configurations having the same geometry. Thereby, it is possible to snap-fit the lid to either the retaining element or to the base, which makes the container suitable to be used as a module in a modular system, e.g. in a container system as described herein.

[0033] An outer surface of the side wall of the container may be formed by the side wall of the lid, a side wall of the retaining element and the side wall of the base. Accordingly, the retaining element may form a rim on top the base. Preferably, the side wall of the lid, the side wall of the retaining element and the side wall of the base have the same outer perimeter.

[0034] Thereby, the side wall of the container is smooth as seen in a height direction of the container, except for that one or more interspaces may be provided between the lid and the retaining element and / or between the retaining element and the base, to make opening of the lid and the retaining element, respectively, easier.

[0035] A top surface of the container may be formed by an external surface of the lid and a top wall of the retaining element. Thus, the container will have a similar appearance to prior art containers, and the container will be familiar to users. The top wall may form the upper limit of the retaining element in the height direction. Preferably, the retaining element comprises a shelf formed in the top wall of retaining element, configured to support the lid. At least one interspace, formed at the top surface of the container, may be provided between the lid and the retaining element in order to make it easy for the user to remove the lid from the retaining element in order to put a used product in the second compartment.

[0036] The linear translational displacement of the separating element may be restricted to movement in a range between the first height position and the second height position, assuming that that the separating element has been mounted to the retaining element. Hence, the user of the container may move the separating element between the first height position and the second height position, but he / she cannot remove the separating element from the retaining element without breaking at least one of them. Thereby, the risk of the separating element undesirably falling out of the container is reduced, or preferably avoided.

[0037] In addition to the first height position and the second height position, the separating element may further be positionable in one or more intermediate height positions between the first and second height positions. There may be in the range of 1 to 10 intermediate height positions, e.g. 2-5 intermediate height positions. It is further possible, that there may be a continuum of intermediate height positions, e.g. provided by a tapering retaining element.

[0038] The retaining element may comprise a first stop facing inwards, the separating element abutting the first stop when in the first height position, and / or the retaining element may comprise a second stop facing inwards, the separating element abutting the second stop when in the second height position. Thereby, the first stop defines the first height position, and the second stop defines the second height position of the separating element. If the separating element may assume the one or more intermediate height positions described herein, there may in addition be one or more intermediate stops at height positions corresponding to the one or more intermediate height positions. The first stop, and any one of the optional intermediate stops, may comprise one or more protuberances, e.g. ribs. Preferably, the protuberances extend along an inner perimeter of the retaining element, typically in a circumferential direction or peripheral direction, e.g. distributed along the whole inner perimeter of the retaining element, or, more preferably, equidistantly interspaced along the inner perimeter of the retaining element.

[0039] The second stop may comprise one or more hook-shaped protrusions being open upwards, preferably the one or more hook-shaped protrusions extending along the inner perimeter of the retaining element, typically in a circumferential direction or peripheral direction, e.g. distributed along the whole inner perimeter of the retaining element, or, more preferably, equidistantly interspaced along the inner perimeter of the retaining element. Hook-shaped protrusion means that the protrusion has a shape of a hook when seen in a sectional view, the section being taken in the height direction of the container.

[0040] Preferably, the one or more protuberances of the first stop are sideways staggered, i.e. sideways displaced, in relation to the one or more protrusions of the second stop, which makes injection moulding of the retaining element easier. In case there are one or more intermediate stops comprising protuberances, these are preferably sideways staggered in relation to each other and to the first and second stops, which makes injection moulding of the retaining element easier.

[0041] The separating element may comprise a bottom wall and a side wall. The second compartment of the container may be delimited by the bottom wall of the separating element, an internal side of the side wall of the separating element and an internal surface of the lid, when the separating element is positioned in the first height position. As used herein, the term “internal” means the side facing inwards.

[0042] When the separating element is positioned in the second height position, or in any of the optional intermediate height positions, the second compartment of the container may be delimited by the bottom wall of the separating element, an internal side of the side wall of the separating element, part of an internal side of the retaining element and the internal surface of the lid. The bottom wall of the separating element is typically rigid and / or planar. Hence, the bottom wall of the separating element is typically parallel to the bottom surface of the container formed by the bottom wall of the base. The bottom wall of the separating element is preferably sufficiently rigid to retain its geometrical configuration, i.e. being undeformed, also when the second compartment is loaded by used products. According to the invention, the separating element moves as an intact unit between the first and second height positions, via any optional intermediate position, instead of being deformed.

[0043] The separating element may comprise one or more protuberances protruding from an external side of the side wall, the one or more protuberances being located at or adjacent to the bottom wall of the separating element, preferably forming a continuation of the bottom wall of the separating element. As used herein, the term “external” means facing outwards. The one or more protuberances protrude so far that they cannot pass the second stop of the retaining element. The relative positions of the first stop and the one or more protuberances are preferably chosen such that the separating element cannot be displaced to a height position above the first height position. If using a continuation of the bottom wall of the separating element as the protuberance of the separating element, the first compartment will be delimited upwards by the bottom wall of the separating element and its continuation, which together provide a flat roof of the first compartment.

[0044] As mentioned above, it is preferred that the user cannot remove the separating element from the retaining element without breaking at least one of them. Thereby, the risk of the separating element undesirably falling out of the container is reduced, or preferably avoided. This can be obtained by the one or more protuberances of the external side of the side wall of the separating element not being able to pass the second stop of the retaining element, thus preventing the separation element from moving further upwards.

[0045] The separating element may comprise one or more hook-shaped protrusions protruding from the external side of the side wall, the one or more hook-shaped protrusions being located at or adjacent to an upper end of the side wall of the separating element, the one or more hook-shaped protrusions being open in a downwards direction. Hook-shaped protrusion means that the protrusion has a shape of a hook when seen in a sectional view, the section being taken in the height direction of the container. The relative height position of the hook-shaped protrusions is chosen, such that they abut the first stop of the retaining element, when the separating element is positioned in the first height position. The one or more hook-shaped protrusions protruding from the external side of the side wall prevent the separation element from moving further downwards when they have reached the second stop.

[0046] An upper surface of the one or more hook-shaped protrusions of the separating element may be partly bevelled in order to more easily pass the second stop of the retaining element during assembly of the expandable disposal insert of the container, i.e. when the separating element and the retaining element are connected to each other.

[0047] A top surface of the one or more hook-shaped protrusions of the separating element may be positioned at the same height level, or substantially at the same height level, as a top surface of the retaining element, when the separating element is in its first height position. Thereby, the separating element will abut an underside of the lid at the same time as the one or more hook-shaped protrusions abut the first stop. Hence, the separating element may assume a fixed position in the container, thereby minimizing, or preferably avoiding, any risk of rattling.

[0048] The side wall of the separating element may comprise at least one cut out, preferably a plurality of cut outs, more preferably a plurality of equidistant cut outs. This helps to facilitate connecting the separating element to the retaining element. The cut-outs may be used to provide flexibility of the separating element, in particular of the hook-shaped protrusions, during connection of the separating element to the retaining element, such that the hookshaped protrusions of the separating element can easily pass the second stop of the retaining element. The cut outs may also be used to provide a simpler way of manufacturing the separating element by injection moulding.

[0049] The expandable disposal insert may be configured to provide an infinite number of stops such that the expandable disposal insert may be configured to provide a continuum of possible height positions. Thereby, an optimal positioning of the separating element relative to the retaining element may be achieved.

[0050] A first portion of the side wall of the retaining element and the side wall of the separating element may be tapered in a downward direction, such that a lower circumference is less than an upper. Thereby, the infinite number of stops of the expandable disposal insert may be achieved. The first portion of the side wall of the retaining element may be located inside the side wall of the base and a second portion of the side wall of the retaining element may be located outside the side wall of the base.

[0051] The first portion of the side wall of the retaining element may comprise a plurality of prongs, wherein a tapered shape resulting from the prongs provides the continuum of possible height positions. The number, geometry, and material, of the prongs may be configured such that the separating element and the retaining element may be held in position at any of the continuum of possible height positions. The prongs may therefore be configured such that for relative movement between the separating element and the retaining element to be achieved sufficient additional force must be applied, for example due to a pressure caused by a pile of used products when the user applies a lid to the retaining element, or the retaining element to the base, such as when closing the first compartment or the second compartment.

[0052] The side wall may further comprise a rim configured to retain an upper rim of the separating element. Thereby, the separating element may be prevented from falling out downwards.

[0053] An upper portion of the side wall may comprise a plurality of structural ridges extending down to the rim, the plurality of structural ridges being configured to stabilize the rim. The rigidity provided from the structural ridges may help the rim to retain an upper rim of the separating element, thereby preventing the separating element from falling out downwards.

[0054] The separating element may comprise at least one further protuberance protruding from an external side of the side wall, the at least one further protuberance being located at an opposite end of the side wall to the bottom wall of the separating element. The extension of the at least one further protuberance may help the rim to retain an upper rim of the separating element, thereby preventing the separating element from falling out downwards.

[0055] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container set for smokeless products for oral use, the container set comprising

[0056] - one or more containers of a first type, the one or more containers of the first type being according to the container of the invention as described herein, and

[0057] - one or more containers of a second type. The one or more containers of the second type comprise a similar lid and a similar base as the one or more containers of the first type, the lid being attachable to the base, wherein the separating element of the one or more containers of the first type fits in the one or more containers of the second type. The one or more containers of the second type may further comprise a bottom lid, the bottom lid being attachable to the base, and the lid being attachable to the bottom lid such that the lid is attachable to the base via the bottom lid, as is known in the prior art. The one or more containers of the second type neither have a separating element, nor a retaining element. In this aspect of the invention, the separating element, and the optional retaining element, can be moved by the user from a container of the first type to a container of the second type. Thereafter, the container of the second type has been transformed to a container of the first type.

[0058] In case there is a retaining element in the one or more containers of the first type, the retaining element preferably fits in the one or more containers of the second type. In that case, the retaining element can be moved by the user from a container of the first type to a container of the second type. Preferably, the separating element and the retaining element are handled as one unit, i.e. the expandable disposal insert described herein, such that they are moved in an assembled state from a container of the first type to a container of the second type. Thereafter, the container of the second type has been transformed to a container of the first type. Accordingly, a modular container set is formed.

[0059] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an expandable disposal insert, comprising the separating element and the retaining element described herein. The expandable disposal insert can be sold as a separate unit, making it possible for the user to transform a prior art container to a container with an expandable second compartment, i.e. a container according to the invention.

[0060] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container system for smokeless products for oral use, the container system comprising

[0061] - one or more containers comprising a base and a lid, but having no separating element or retaining element,

[0062] - an expandable disposal insert, comprising the separating element and the retaining element described herein, wherein the expandable disposal insert fits in any one of the one or more containers of the container system, such that the retaining element is configured to fit on the base and the lid is configured to fit either on the base or on the retaining element. Accordingly, a modular container system is formed.

[0063] An example of the fourth aspect is when the user buys a multi-pack of prior art containers, also known as a stack of cans. The prior art containers comprise a base and a lid but have no separating element or retaining element. It suffices to provide a single expandable disposal insert together with the multi-pack of prior art containers. When the user wants to take the first smokeless product, he / she opens the first container of the multi-pack of prior art containers and can then position the expandable disposal insert on top of the base of that first container. The multi-pack of containers often comprises 10 containers, but may also comprise any other number of containers, such as 3, 5, 8 or 15.

[0064] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a container comprising the separating element and the retaining element described herein, the method comprising a) connecting the separating element to the retaining element, preferably by inserting the separating element into the retaining element from below or from above, b) attaching the retaining element to the base, preferably by snap-fit, c) attaching the lid to the retaining element, preferably by snap-fit.

[0065] The steps may be performed in any order, even if it is preferred to perform the steps in the order a), b), c).

[0066] The separating element is connected to the retaining element, in such a way that the separating element when connected is movable from the first height position to the second height position by a linear translational displacement. Thereby, the separating element may be inserted into the retaining element from below. In a variant of the method, the separating element is inserted into the retaining element from above.

[0067] As an alternative or a complement to the expandable disposal insert, a non-expandable disposal insert may be provided. The non-expandable disposal insert may be formed by a single unitary unit. In that case, there may be provided an alternative container set for smokeless products for oral use, the container set comprising

[0068] - one or more containers of an alternative first type, and

[0069] - one or more containers of an alternative second type. In this alternative container set, the one or more containers of the alternative first type comprise a non-expandable disposal insert. The one or more containers of the alternative second type comprise a similar lid and a similar base as the one or more containers of the alternative first type, the lid being attachable to the base. The one or more containers of the alternative second type have no disposal insert, but the non-expandable disposal insert of the one or more containers of the alternative first type fits in the one or more containers of the alternative second type. Hence, the non-expandable disposal insert can be moved by the user from a container of the alternative first type to a container of the alternative second type. Thereafter, the container of the alternative second type has been transformed to a container of the alternative first type. Accordingly, an alternative modular container set is formed.

[0070] If providing the non-expandable disposal insert, there may be provided an alternative container system for smokeless products for oral use, the container system comprising

[0071] - one or more containers comprising a base and a lid, but having no disposal insert,

[0072] - a non-expandable disposal insert, which fits in any one of the one or more containers of the alternative container system, such that the non-expandable disposal insert is configured to fit on the base and the lid is configured to fit either on the base or on the non- expandable disposal insert. Accordingly, an alternative modular container system is formed.

[0073] An example of the alternative container system is when the user buys a multi-pack of prior art containers also known as a stack of cans. The prior art containers comprise a base and a lid but have no separating element or retaining element. It suffices to provide a single expandable disposal insert together with the multi-pack of prior art containers. When the user wants to take the first product, he / she opens the first container of the multi-pack of prior art containers and can then position the non-expandable disposal insert on top of the base of that first container. The multi-pack of containers often comprises 10 containers, but may also comprise any other number of containers, such as 3, 5, 8 or 15.

[0074] It is further possible to have a container set or a container system comprising both an expandable disposal insert and a non-expandable disposal insert. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The present invention will hereinafter be further explained by means of non-limiting examples with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0076] Fig. 1 shows a prior art container in an exploded view.

[0077] Fig. 2 shows the prior art container of Fig. 1 in a sectional view.

[0078] Fig. 3 shows a container for smokeless products for oral use according to the invention in an exploded view.

[0079] Fig. 4 shows the container of Fig. 3 in a perspective view when closed.

[0080] Fig. 5 shows the container of Fig. 3 in a sectional view with the separating element being in the first height position.

[0081] Fig. 6 shows the container of Fig. 3 in a sectional view with the separating element being in the second height position.

[0082] Fig. 7 shows a detail of Fig. 5.

[0083] Fig. 8 shows a detail of Fig. 6.

[0084] Fig. 9 shows a container of a second type with the lid being attached to the base.

[0085] Fig. 10 shows the container of Fig. 9 in a sectional view.

[0086] Fig. 11 shows a detail of Fig. 10.

[0087] Fig. 12 shows a non-expandable disposal insert.

[0088] Fig. 13 shows an alternative separating element.

[0089] Fig. 14 shows a sectional view of the separating element of Fig. 13.

[0090] Fig. 15 shows an alternative retaining element.

[0091] Fig. 16 shows a sectional view of the retaining element of Fig. 15.

[0092] Fig. 17 shows an alternative expandable disposal insert with the separating element being in the second height position.

[0093] Fig. 18 shows a sectional view of the expandable disposal insert of Fig. 17.

[0094] Fig. 19 shows a sectional view of the retaining element of the expandable disposal insert of Fig. 17.

[0095] Fig. 20 shows a container for smokeless products for oral use according to another embodiment of the invention in in a perspective view.

[0096] Fig. 21 shows the retaining element of the container of Fig. 20 in a perspective view.

[0097] Fig. 22 shows the retaining element of Fig. 21 in a sectional view.

[0098] Fig. 23 shows the container of Fig.20, in a sectional view, without a separating element.

[0099] Fig. 24 shows the container of Fig. 20, in a sectional view, with the separating element being in the first height position. Fig. 25 shows the container of Fig. 20, in a sectional view, with the separating element being in the second height position.

[0100] It should be noted that the appended drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that the dimensions of some features of the present invention may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity.

[0101] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] The invention will in the following be exemplified by embodiments. It should however be realized that the embodiments are included in order to explain principles of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention, defined by the appended claims. Details from two or more of the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0103] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art container 1 , illustrated as an exploded view in Fig. 1 and a sectional view in Fig. 2. The prior art container 1 comprises a base 3, a bottom lid 5 and a cover lid 7. The prior art container 1 has a first enclosed space 9, separated from a second enclosed space 11, in a corresponding way as for the container of the above- mentioned EP 1667541 A1. The bottom lid 5 is releasably and resealably attached to the base 3 by a snap-locking device 13, such that a user can open the bottom lid 5 and get access to unused products in the first enclosed space 9. Thereafter, the user can reposition the bottom lid 5 on the base 3 by means of the snap-locking device 13, such that the container 1 is once again sealed and the unused products preserved in an appropriate way. The cover lid 7 is separate from the bottom lid 5 but may be releasably and resealably attached to the bottom lid 5 by another snap-locking device 15. Hence, the user can use the second enclosed space 11 to e.g. store used products.

[0104] An upper portion of a side wall 17 of the base 3 is provided with a set of vertical grooves 18. These cooperate with protrusions in the bottom lid 5 in order to avoid rotation of the bottom lid 5 relative to the base 3 when applying a label on a side wall of the container 1.

[0105] Figures 3-8 illustrate a container 101 for smokeless products for oral use according to a first aspect of the present invention. The container 101 comprises a base 103, a separating element 105, a retaining element 107 and a lid 109. The separating element 105 is located within the container 101. A first compartment 111 of the container 101 , intended to contain unused products, is delimited by the base 103 and the separating element 105. A second compartment 113 of the container 101 , intended to contain used products, is delimited by the lid 109 and the separating element 105. Hence, the separating element 105 may be used to separate used products from unused products. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 103, the separating element 105, the retaining element 107 and the lid 109 are manufactured of the same polymeric material by means of injection moulding, which is a suitable way of manufacturing these elements and which also is beneficial for recycling purposes.

[0106] The base 103 comprises a bottom wall 115 forming a bottom surface of the container 101 and a side wall 117 forming part of a side wall of the container 101.

[0107] The lid 109 comprises a top wall 118, which has an external surface forming a top surface 119 of the container 101. The lid 109 also comprises a side wall 121 forming part of the side wall of the container 101. The lid 109 is releasable, such that it can be opened, and resealable, such that it can be closed again.

[0108] The retaining element 107 extends along an upper portion of the side wall 117 of the base 103. Hence, the retaining element 107 forms a ring fitting on top of the base 103. The retaining element 107 has its own side wall 123.

[0109] The retaining element 107 is releasably attached to the side wall 117 of the base 103 by means of a first snap-fit configuration 125, which is best seen in the detailed view of Fig. 7. Thereby a first portion 127 of the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107 is located inside the side wall 117 of the base 103 and a second portion 129 of the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107 is located outside the side wall 117 of the base 103. The first snap-fit configuration 125 comprises a ring 131 formed at an external side of the side wall 117 of the base 103. The ring 131 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding ring 133 at an internal side of the second portion 129 of the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107. When the retaining element 107 is attached to the base 103, the ring 133 of the retaining element 107 is pressed down over the ring 131 of the base 103. The side wall 123 of the retaining element 107 and the side wall 117 of the base 103 have the same outer perimeter. An interspace 135 is provided between the retaining element 107 and the base 103 in order to make it easy for the user to remove the retaining element 107 from the base 103 to reach a product in the first compartment 111. The retaining element 107 is releasable, such that it can be opened, and resealable, such that it can be closed again.

[0110] Further, the lid 109 is releasably attached to an upper portion 137 of the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107 by means of a second snap-fit configuration 139. The second snap-fit configuration 139 comprises a ring 141 formed at an external side of the upper portion 137 of the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107. The ring 141 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding ring 143 at an internal side of the side wall 121 of the lid 109. When the lid 109 is attached to the retaining element 107, the ring 143 of the lid 109 is pressed down over the ring 141 of the retaining element 107. The side wall 121 of the lid 109 and the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107 have the same outer perimeter. An interspace 145 is provided between the lid 109 and the retaining element 107 in order to make it easy for the user to remove the lid 109 from the retaining element 107 in order to put a used product in the second compartment 113. The lid 109 is releasable, such that it can be opened, and resealable, such that it can be closed again.

[0111] When the container 101 is closed, the side wall of the container 101 is smooth as seen in a height direction H of the container 101 , except for the interspaces 135, 145 provided between the retaining element 107 and the base 103 and between the lid 109 and the retaining element 107 to make opening of the lid 109 and the retaining element 107, respectively, easier.

[0112] Preferably, and as illustrated in the embodiment of Figs. 1-8, the first snap-fit configuration 125 and the second snap-fit configuration 139 have the same geometry. Hence, the ring 131 of the base 103 and the ring 141 of the upper portion 137 of the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107 have the same geometry. Further, the ring 133 of the internal side of the second portion 129 of the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107 and the ring 143 of the lid 109 have the same geometry, too. Thereby, it is possible to either snap-fit the lid 109 to the retaining element 107, as illustrated in Figs. 1-8, or directly to the base 103, as illustrated in Figs. 9-11. This makes the container 101 suitable to use as a module in a modular system, e.g. in the container set and / or in the container system described elsewhere herein. Even if the first snap-fit configuration 125 and the second snap-fit configuration 139 are illustrated as comprising two rings 131 , 133; 141 , 143 it would also be feasible to instead of at least one of the rings use a number of consecutive protuberances, e.g. ribs, extending in the peripheral direction. The separating element 105 is positionable in a first height position, see Figs. 5 and 7, and a second height position, see Figs. 6 and 8, relative to the top surface 119 with the first height position being closer to the top surface 119 than the second height position. The separating element 105 is movable from the first height position to the second height position by a linear translational displacement, i.e. downwards in the height direction H if comparing Figs. 5 and 6. There is thereby no need to also rotate the separating element 105 during the displacement between the two height positions, which e.g. would have been the case for a helical screw line. Accordingly, the displacement from the first height position to the second height position may be a strictly linear displacement. Further, the separating element 105 has the same geometrical configuration in both height positions, i.e. it has not changed its geometrical shape due to e.g. deformation.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiment, the linear translational displacement of the separating element 105 is restricted to movement in a range between the first height position and the second height position. Hence, the user of the container 101 can move the separating element 105 between the first height position and the second height position but he / she cannot remove the separating element 105 from the retaining element 107 without breaking at least one of them. Thereby, the risk of the separating element 105 undesirably falling out of the container 101 is reduced, or preferably avoided. The separating element 105 and the retaining element 107 together form an expandable disposal insert 147.

[0114] The retaining element 107 comprises a first stop 149 facing inwards, the separating element 105 abutting the first stop 149 when in the first height position. The retaining element 107 further comprises a second stop 151 facing inwards, the separating element 105 abutting the second stop 151 when in the second height position. Thereby, the first stop 149 defines the first height position and the second stop 151 defines the second height position of the separating element 105.

[0115] In the illustrated embodiment, the first stop 149 comprises a plurality of protuberances in the form of ribs extending in a circumferential direction along an inner perimeter of the retaining element 107. The ribs are distributed along the whole inner perimeter of the retaining element 107 equidistantly interspaced in relation to each other. The second stop 151 comprises a plurality of protrusions extending in a circumferential direction along an inner perimeter of the retaining element 107. When seen in a sectional view, as in Figs. 5-8, the protrusions are hook-shaped, with the hook shape being open upwards. The protuberances of the first stop 149 are sideways staggered in relation to the hook-shaped protrusions of the second stop 151 , as may be gleaned in Fig. 3, which makes injection moulding of the retaining element 107 easier.

[0116] The separating element 105 comprises a bottom wall 153 and a side wall 155. The bottom wall 153 is rigid and planar. It is parallel to the bottom surface of the container 101 formed by the bottom wall 115 of the base 103. The bottom wall 153 of the separating element 105 is sufficiently rigid to retain its geometrical configuration, i.e. being undeformed, also when the second compartment is loaded by used products. According to the invention, the separating element 105 moves as an intact unit between the first and second height positions, instead of being deformed.

[0117] When the separating element 105 is in the first height position, see Figs. 5 and 7, the second compartment 113 of the container 101 is delimited by the bottom wall 153 of the separating element 105, an internal side of the side wall 155 of the separating element 105 and an internal surface 157 of the lid 109.

[0118] When the separating element 105 is positioned in the second height position, see Figs. 6 and 8, the second compartment 113 of the container 101 is delimited by the bottom wall 153 of the separating element 105, the internal side of the side wall 155 of the separating element 105, an internal side of the upper portion 137 of the retaining element 107, part of the first portion 127 of the retaining element 107 and the internal surface 157 of the lid 109.

[0119] The separating element 105 comprises a protuberance 159 protruding from an external side of the side wall 155. The protuberance 159 is located adjacent to the bottom wall 153 and forms a continuation of the bottom wall 153. The protuberance 159 protrudes so far that it cannot pass the second stop 151 of the retaining element 107. Hence, the separating element 105 is prevented from moving further upwards. This prevents the risk of the separating element 105 undesirably falling out of the container 101. Further, the user cannot remove the separating element 105 from the retaining element 107 in an upwards direction without breaking at least one of them. The relative positions of the protuberance 159 and the first stop 151 of the retaining element 107 have been chosen such that the separating element 105 cannot be displaced to a height position above the first height position. Since, in the illustrated embodiment, the protuberance 159 is formed by the continuation of the bottom wall 153, the first compartment 111 of the container 101 will be delimited upwards by the bottom wall 153 of the separating element and its continuation, which together provide a flat roof of the first compartment 111.

[0120] The separating element 105 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 161 protruding from the external side of the side wall 155, located at or adjacent to an upper end of the side wall 155. The protrusions 161 are hook-shaped when seen in a sectional view being open in a downwards direction and form a discontinuous ring. The relative height position of the protrusions 161 is chosen, such that they abut the first stop 149 of the retaining element 107, when the separating element 105 is positioned in the first height position, see Figs. 5 and 7.

[0121] When the user puts one used product after the other in the second compartment 113, there will eventually be a pile of used products high enough, such that when the user thereafter closes the lid 109, the lid 109 will apply pressure to the pile of used products such that they, in turn, apply pressure to the bottom wall 153 of the separating element 105. Finally, the applied pressure on the bottom wall 153 of the separating element 105 is sufficiently high to move the protrusions 161 past the first stop 149 of the retaining element 107, thereby moving the separating element 105 to the second height position, which will be in a downwards direction assuming the container 101 is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0122] Hence, the displacement of the separating element 105 is performed without any active action taken by the user. In this way, there will be no need for the user to risk touching any used product in order to move the separation element 105, thereby avoiding a risk of getting unclean fingers. Furthermore, the user does not have to bother about the size of the second compartment 113. The protrusions 161 on the external side of the side wall 155 prevent the separation element 105 from moving further downwards when the protrusions 161 have reached the second stop 151 , see Figs. 6 and 8. This prevents the risk of the separating element 105 undesirably falling into the first compartment 111. Further, the user cannot remove the separating element 105 from the retaining element 107 in a downwards direction without breaking at least one of them. As mentioned above, the separating element 105 and the retaining element 107 together form the expandable disposal insert 147, in which the separating element 105 is displaceable in relation to the retaining element 107, and thus also in relation to the base 103 and the lid 109. The retaining element 107 and the separating element 105 are manufactured separately from each other. They may be combined to form the expandable disposal insert 147 before the expandable disposal insert 147 being mounted in the container 101 , e.g. by the retaining element 107 being releasably and resealably attached to the base 103. Alternatively, the retaining element 107 may first be attached to the base 103 and thereafter the separating element 105 may be connected to the retaining element 107.

[0123] An upper surface 163 of the protrusions 161 of the separating element 105 are in the illustrated embodiment partly bevelled. Thereby, the protrusions 161 will more easily pass the second stop 151 of the retaining element 107 during assembly of the expandable disposal insert 147 or the container 101.

[0124] Hence, a method of assembling the container 101 comprises: a) connecting the separating element 105 to the retaining element 107, preferably by inserting the separating element 105 into the retaining element 105 from below, as is the case for the embodiment of Figs 3-8, or from above, as is further described below in conjunction with Figs. 17-18, b) attaching the retaining element 107 to the base 103, preferably by snap-fit, c) attaching the lid 109 to the retaining element 107, preferably by snap-fit.

[0125] A top surface 165 of the protrusions 161 of the separating element 105 is positioned at the same height level, or substantially at the same height level, as a top surface 167 of the retaining element 107, when the separating element 105 is in its first height position. Thereby, the separating element 105 will abut an underside of the lid 109 at the same time as the protrusions 161 abut the first stop 149. Hence, the separating element 105 assumes a fixed position in the container 101 , thereby minimizing, or preferably avoiding, any risk of rattling.

[0126] The side wall 155 of the separating element 105 comprises a plurality of cut outs 169, as is best seen in Fig. 3. The cut-outs 169 are used to provide flexibility of the separating element 105, in particular of the protrusions 161 , during connection of the separating element 105 to the retaining element 107, such that the protrusions 161 of the separating element 105 can easily pass the second stop 151 of the retaining element 107. This helps to facilitate mounting of the separating element 105 to the retaining element 107. The cut outs 169 may also be used to provide a simpler way of manufacturing the separating element by injection moulding.

[0127] The side wall 117 of the base 103 may be provided with a set of vertical grooves corresponding to the set of vertical grooves 18 of the prior art embodiment, cf. Fig. 1 , however not illustrated in the embodiment of Figs. 3-8. The grooves cooperate with protrusions in the retaining element 107 to avoid rotation of the retaining element 107 relative to the base 102 when applying a label on a side wall of the container 101. In addition, or as a complement, however not illustrated in the figures, the side wall 123 of the retaining element 107 may also be provided with a set of vertical grooves corresponding to the set of vertical grooves 18 of the prior art embodiment, cf. Fig. 1. The grooves cooperate with protrusions in the lid 109 to avoid rotation of the lid 109 in relation to the retaining element 107 when applying a label on a side wall of the container 101.

[0128] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container set for smokeless products for oral use, the container set comprising

[0129] - one or more containers 101 of a first type, the one or more containers 101 of the first type being according to the invention as described herein, e.g. as illustrated in Figs. 1-8, and

[0130] - one or more containers 201 of a second type, e.g. as illustrated in Figs. 9-11.

[0131] The container 201 of the second type comprises a similar base 203 and a similar lid 209 as the container 101 of the first type. However, the container 201 of the second type has no expandable disposal insert 147. Hence, the container 201 of the second type neither has a separating element 105, nor a retaining element 107. Instead, the lid 209 is directly attachable to the base 203 by means of a snap-fit configuration 225. The container 201 of the second type is shaped and configured such that a separating element 105 of the container 101 of the first type fits in the container 201 of the second type.

[0132] Moreover, the snap-fit configuration 225 of the container 201 of the second type is configured such that a retaining element 107 of the container 101 of the first type can be snap- fitted to the base 203 of the container 201 of the second type. Further, the lid 209 of the container 201 of the second type is configured such that it can be snap-fitted to the retaining element 107 of the container 101 of the first type. Thereafter, the container 201 of the second type has been transformed to a container 101 of the first type, i.e. having an expandable second compartment 113.

[0133] When transforming the container 201 of the second type to the container 101 of the first type, the expandable disposal insert 147 may be taken from a container 101 of the first type. Alternatively, the expandable disposal insert 147, comprising the separating element 105 and the retaining element 107, may be provided as a separate unit. It is also possible to handle the separating element 105 and the retaining element 107 as separate elements and connect them to each other when mounting them in the container 201 of the second type.

[0134] If providing the expandable disposal insert 147 as a separate unit, it is also feasible to provide a container system for smokeless products for oral use. The container system comprises

[0135] - the expandable disposal insert 147, comprising the separating element 105 and the retaining element 107 described herein,

[0136] - one or more containers 201 comprising a base 203 and a lid 209, but having no separating element 105 or retaining element 107, wherein the expandable disposal insert 147 fits in any one of the one or more containers 201 of the container system, such that the retaining element 147 is configured to fit on the base 203 and the lid 209 is configured to fit either on the base 203 or on the retaining element 107.

[0137] An example of the container system is when the user buys a multi-pack of containers, also known as a stack of cans, the containers comprising a base 203 and a lid 209, but having no separating element 105 or retaining element 107, i.e. being containers 201 of the second type illustrated in Figs. 9-11 . It then suffices to provide a single expandable disposal insert 147 together with the multi-pack. When the user wants to take the first product, he / she opens the first container 201 of the multi-pack and can then position the expandable disposal insert 147 on top of the base 203 of that first container 201 . The multipack of containers often comprises 10 containers 201 , but may also comprise any other number of containers, such as 3, 5, 8 or 15. Accordingly, a modular container system according to the invention may comprise: a) one or more expandable disposal inserts 147, b) one or more containers 101 of the first type having an expandable second compartment 113, and / or c) one or more containers 201 of the second type having a base 203 and a lid 209 but no disposal insert.

[0138] The expandable disposal insert 147 fits in the one or more containers 201 of the second type. The expandable disposal insert 147 may be supplied as a separate unit or taken from a container 101 of the first type. Hence a modular system according to the invention can comprise a), or b), or a)+b).

[0139] The container system may further comprise d) one or more non-expandable disposal inserts 301.

[0140] Alternatively, the container set and / or the container system may comprise a container of the second type 1 as described with reference to Figs. 1-2. Thus, the one or more containers of the second type 1 may further comprise a bottom lid 5, the bottom lid 5 being attachable to the base 3, and the lid 7 being attachable to the bottom lid 5 such that the lid 7 is attachable to the base 3 via the bottom lid 5.

[0141] The non-expandable disposal insert 301 , illustrated in Fig. 12, may be used as an alternative or a complement to the expandable disposal insert 147. The non-expandable disposal insert 301 is formed by a single element comprising a bottom wall 303 and a side wall 305. The non-expandable disposal insert 301 is configured such that it can be snap- fitted to a base 103, 203 and such that a lid 109, 209 can be snap-fitted to an upper portion of the non-expandable disposal insert 301. Accordingly, the details of the snap-fit configurations are corresponding to those described in conjunction with Figs. 1-8.

[0142] Figs. 13 and 14 show an alternative separating element 405, in a perspective view and in a sectional view, respectively. The alternative separating element 405 has most details in common with the separating element 105 illustrated in Figs. 1-8 and is configured to be connected to a similar retaining element as the retaining element 107 of the container 101. The alternative separating element 405 comprises a bottom wall 453 and a side wall 455 and is connected and attached in a similar way as described for the embodiment of Figs. 1-8. Accordingly, the details of the snap-fit configurations are corresponding to those described in conjunction with Figs. 1-8. However, the alternative separating element 405 differs in that the protuberance protruding from an external side of the side wall 455 is formed by a ring 471 connected to the side wall 455 by a plurality of tabs 473. The ring 471 is located adjacent to the bottom wall 453 and continues at the same height level as the bottom wall 453. The ring 471 protrudes so far that it cannot pass the second stop 151 of the retaining element 107. Hence, the alternative separating element 405 is hindered from moving further upwards. This prevents the risk of the alternative separating element 405 undesirably falling out of the container 101. Further, the user cannot remove the alternative separating element 405 from the retaining element 107 in an upwards direction without breaking at least one of them.

[0143] Figs. 15 and 16 show an alternative retaining element 507, in a perspective view and in a sectional view, respectively. It is configured to be used in a container corresponding to that of Figs. 1-8. The alternative retaining element 507 has most details in common with the retaining element 107 illustrated in Figs. 1-8. Accordingly, the details of the snap-fit configurations are corresponding to those described in conjunction with Figs. 1-8.

[0144] The alternative retaining element 507 comprises a side wall 523, a first stop 549 and a second stop 551. The second stop 551 preferably is hook-shaped in the way described above for the embodiment of Figs. 1-8. The alternative retaining element 507 is configured to be attached and connected in a similar way as described for the embodiment of Figs. 1-8. However, the alternative retaining element 507 differs in that it comprises a number of intermediate stops, illustrated as a first intermediate stop 575 and a second intermediate stop 577, which allows the separating element 105 to be positioned in intermediate height positions between the first and second height positions. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two such intermediate height positions.

[0145] Preferably, as is shown in the illustrated embodiment of Figs. 15-16, the one or more protuberances of the first stop 549, the first intermediate stop 575, the second intermediate stop 577 and the second stop 551 are sideways staggered, i.e. sideways displaced in the circumferential direction, in relation to each other. Hence, when seen in the height direction H, there is at the most one stop 549, 551 , 575, 577 in the same vertical line. This makes injection moulding of the alternative retaining element 507 easier.

[0146] Figs. 17 and 18 show an alternative expandable disposal insert 647, in a perspective view and in a sectional view, respectively, comprising a separating element 605 and a retaining element 607, with the separating element 605 being illustrated when located in the second height position. Fig. 19 shows a sectional view of the retaining element 607 taken alone.

[0147] The alternative expandable disposal insert 647 is configured to be used in a container corresponding to that of Figs. 1-8. Accordingly, the details of the snap-fit configurations are corresponding to those described in conjunction with Figs. 1-8. The separating element 605 has a bottom wall 653 and a side wall 655. A protuberance 659, e.g. corresponding to the protuberance 159 described above, or the ring 471 described above, protrudes from an external side of the side wall 655. The retaining element 607 has a side wall 623. A first portion 627 of the side wall 623 is to be located inside the side wall 117 of the base 103 and a second portion 629 of the side wall 623 is to be located outside the side wall 117 of the base 103. The first portion 627 of the side wall 623 of the retaining element 607 and the side wall 655 of the separating element 605 are tapered in a downward direction, such that the lower circumference is less than the upper. This corresponds to a continuum of possible height positions, or as expressed with other words, the alternative expandable disposal insert 647 offers an infinite number of stops. Hence, this differs from the expandable disposal insert 147 of Figs. 1-8, having two stops 149, 151 , and the expandable disposal insert comprising the retaining element of Figs 15-16, having four stops 549, 575, 577, 551.

[0148] The first portion 627 of the side wall 623 of the retaining element 607 comprises a plurality of prongs 679. An upper portion 637 of the side wall 623 comprises a plurality of structural ridges 681. The side wall 623 further comprises a rim 683 with the structural ridges 681 extending down to the rim 683, thereby stabilizing the rim 683. The prongs 679 extend from the rim 683 and downwards. The prongs 679 and the structural ridges 681 together form a generally tapered shape of the retaining element 607. The tapered shape resulting from the prongs 679 provides the continuum of possible height positions. Preferably, the tapered shapes of the separating element 605 and the retaining element 607 match each other, as illustrated. The number, geometry, and material, of the prongs 679 may be configured such that the separating element 605 and the retaining element 607 may be held in position at any of the continuum of possible height positions. By adjusting the number, geometry, and material, of the prongs 679 an appropriate clamping force may be achieved by the prongs 679 to hold the separating element 605 in position at any of the continuum of possible height positions. The prongs 679 may therefore be configured such that for relative movement between the separating element 605 and the retaining element 607 to be achieved sufficient additional force must be applied, for example due to a pressure caused by a pile of used products when the user applies a lid to the retaining element 607, or the retaining element 607 to a base, such as when closing the first compartment or the second compartment.

[0149] When assembling the alternative expandable disposal insert 647, the separating element 605 is inserted from above into the retaining element 607. Thanks to the interspaces between the prongs 679, the prongs 679 may temporarily deform elastically by bending and thereby let the protuberance 659 of the separating element 605 through.

[0150] Hence, in a variant of the method described above, the separating element 605 is inserted into the retaining element 607 from above.

[0151] When in the second height position, as illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18, the rigidity provided from the structural ridges 681 will help the rim 683 to retain an upper rim 685 of the separating element 605, thereby preventing the separating element 605 from falling out downwards.

[0152] Figs. 20 shows a container for smokeless products for oral use according to another embodiment of the invention in in a perspective view. Figs. 21 and 22 show a retaining element 707, in a perspective view and in a sectional view, respectively. Fig. 23 shows the container 701, in a sectional view, without a separating element. Figs. 24 and 25 show the container 701, in a sectional view, with the separating element 705 being in the first height position and the second height position, respectively. The container 701 comprises an expandable disposal insert 747 comprising the retaining element 707, the separating element 705, and the lid 709. The alternative retaining element 707 has most details in common with the retaining element 607 illustrated in Figs. 17-19 and may be configured to be connected to a similar base as the base 3 of the container 1 , as shown in Figs. 1-2. Accordingly, the details of the first snap-fit configuration 725 are corresponding to those described in conjunction with Figs. 1-8. However, the alternative retaining element 707 differs in that it is configured such that the lid 709 is releasably attached to an internal side of the side wall 723 of the retaining element 707 by means of a second snap-fit configuration 739.

[0153] The first portion 727 of the side wall 723 of the retaining element 707 comprises a plurality of prongs 779. An upper portion 737 of the side wall 723 comprises a ring 741 , formed at the internal side of the side wall 723 of the retaining element 707. The ring 741 is configured to cooperate with a corresponding ring 743 at an external side of the side wall 721 of the lid 709. When the lid 709 is attached to the retaining element 707, the ring 743 of the lid 109 is pressed down inside the ring 741 of the retaining element 707, such that the ring 743 of the lid 709 eventually protrudes below the ring 741 of the retaining element 707.

[0154] The retaining element 707 comprises a top wall 795, the top wall 795 forming the upper limit of the retaining element 707 in the height direction. When closed, a top surface 719 of the container 701 is formed by an external surface 791 of the lid 709 and the top wall 795 of the retaining element 707. The retaining element 707 comprises a shelf 789 formed in the top wall 795 and configured to support the lid 709 when the second compartment 713 is closed. Two interspaces 745, formed at the top surface 719 of the container 701, are provided between the lid 709 and the retaining element 707 in order to make it easy for the user to remove the lid 709 from the retaining element 707 in order to put a used product in the second compartment 713. The lid 709 is releasable, such that it can be opened, and resealable, such that it can be closed again. Thus, the container 701 has a similar external appearance, and can be similarly handled by a user as the prior art container 1 , described in Figs.1-2.

[0155] The first portion 727 of the side wall 723 of the retaining element 707 further comprises a rim 783, the upper portion 737 of the side wall 723 extending down to the rim 783. The prongs 779 extend from the rim 783 and downwards. The rim 783 is configured to retain an upper rim 785 of the separating element 705. The separating element 705 has most details in common with the separating element 605 illustrated in Figs. 17-19. The separating element 705 in addition comprises a further protuberance 787 protruding from an external side of the side wall 755. Thus, the upper rim 785 of the separating element 705 is formed by the further protuberance 787. The further protuberance 787 may be located at the opposite end of the side wall 755 to the bottom wall 753 of the separating element 705. The relative height position of the further protuberance 787 is chosen, such that it abuts the rim 783 of the retaining element 707, when the separating element 705 is positioned in the second height position, see Fig. 25. Thus, the further protuberance 787 prevents the separation element 705 from moving further downwards when the further protuberance 787 has reached the rim 783. This prevents the risk of the separating element 705 undesirably falling into the first compartment 711. Further, the user cannot remove the separating element 705 from the retaining element 707 in a downwards direction without breaking at least one of them. Furthermore, the further protuberance 787 and the rim 783 may provide an improved sealing of the first 711 compartment when the separating element 705 is in the second height position.

[0156] The container 701 is configured such that in the first height position the lid 709 may be closed such that the separating element 705 is enclosed by the lid 709. Furthermore, the container 701 is configured such that the lid 709 may be opened and closed, and the separating element 705 is movable between the first height position and the second height position, optionally without contact between the side wall 721 of the lid 709 and the separating element 705.

[0157] Further modifications of the invention within the scope of the appended claims are feasible. As such, the present invention should not be considered as limited by the embodiments and figures described herein. Rather, the full scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims, with reference to the description and drawings.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A container (101 ) for smokeless products for oral use, the container (101) comprising a base (103), a lid (109) and a separating element (105), wherein an external surface (191) of the lid (109) forms a top surface (119) of the container (101), the separating element (105) is located within the container (101), a first compartment (111) of the container (101) is delimited by the base (103) and the separating element (105), a second compartment (113) of the container (101) is delimited by the lid (109) and the separating element (105), the separating element (105) is positionable in a first and a second height position relative to the top surface (119) with the first height position being closer to the top surface (119) than the second height position, and the separating element (105) is configured to have the same geometrical configuration in both the first and the second height positions characterized in that the separating element (105) is movable from the first height position to the second height position by a strictly linear translational displacement.

2. The container (101) according to claim 1 , wherein the container (101) further comprises a retaining element (107) being located between the base (103) and the lid (109), the retaining element (107) extending along a side wall (117) of the base (103), the separating element (105) being held by the retaining element (107).

3. The container (101) according to claim 2, wherein the lid (109) is snap-fastenable to the retaining element (107) or the retaining element (107) is snap-fastenable to the base (103), preferably the lid (109) is snap-fastenable to the retaining element (107) and the retaining element (107) is snap-fastenable to the base (103), more preferably the lid (109) and the retaining element (107) are snap-fastenable by snap-fit configurations (125, 139) having the same geometry.

4. The container (101) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an outer surface of a side wall of the container (101) is formed by a side wall (121) of the lid (109), a side wallpreferably the side wall (121) of the lid (109), the side wall (123) of the retaining element (107) and the side wall (117) of the base (103) having the same outer perimeter.

5. The container (701), according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a top surface (719) of the container (701) is formed by an external surface (791) of the lid (709) and a top wall (795) of the retaining element (707), and wherein preferably the retaining element (707) comprises a shelf (789) formed in the top wall (795) of retaining element (707), configured to support the lid (709).

6. The container (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the linear translational displacement of the separating element (105) is restricted to movement in a range between the first height position and the second height position.

7. The container (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating element (105) further is positionable in one or more intermediate height positions between the first and second height positions.

8. The container (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element (107) comprises a first stop (149) facing inwards, the separating element (105) abutting the first stop (149) when in the first height position, and / or wherein the retaining element (107) comprises a second stop (151) facing inwards, the separating element (105) abutting the second stop (151) when in the second height position.

9. The container (101) according to claim 8, wherein the first stop (149) comprises one or more protuberances, preferably the protuberances extending along an inner perimeter of the retaining element (107), e.g. distributed along the whole inner perimeter of the retaining element (107).

10. The container (101) according to claim 8 or 9, the retaining element (107) comprising a second stop (151) facing inwards, wherein the second stop (151) comprises one or more hook-shaped protrusions being open upwards, preferably the one or more hook-shaped protrusions extending along the inner perimeter of the retaining element (107), e.g. distributed along the whole inner perimeter of theretaining element (107).

11. The container (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating element (105) comprises a bottom wall (153) and a side wall (155), preferably the second compartment (113) being delimited by the bottom wall (153) of the separating element (105), an internal side of the side wall (155) of the separating element (105) and an internal surface (157) of the lid (109), when the separating element (105) is positioned in the first height position.

12. The container (101) according to claim 11 , wherein the bottom wall (153) of the separating element (105) is rigid and / or planar.

13. The container (101) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the separating element (105) comprises one or more protuberances (159) protruding from an external side of the side wall (155), the one or more protuberances (159) being located at or adjacent to the bottom wall (153) of the separating element (105), preferably forming a continuation of the bottom wall (153) of the separating element (105).

14. The container (101) according to any one of claims 11 , 12 or 13, wherein the separating element (105) comprises one or more hook-shaped protrusions (161) protruding from the external side of the side wall, the one or more hook-shaped protrusions (161) being located at or adjacent to an upper end of the side wall (155) of the separating element (105), the one or more hook-shaped protrusions (161) being open in a downwards direction.

15. The container (101) according to claim 14, wherein a top surface (165) of the one or more hook-shaped protrusions (161) of the separating element (105) is at the same height level, or substantially at the same height level, as a top surface (167) of the retaining element (107), when the separating element (105) is in its first height position.

16. The container (101) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein an upper surface (163) of the one or more hook-shaped protrusions (161) of the separating element (105) is partly bevelled.

17. The container (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (155) of the separating element (105) comprises at least one cut out (169), preferably comprises a plurality of cut outs (169), more preferably comprises a plurality of equidistant cut outs (169).

18. The container (701) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an expandable disposal insert (747), comprising the retaining element (707) and the separating element (705), is configured to provide an infinite number of stops such that the expandable disposal insert (747) is configured to provide a continuum of possible height positions.

19. The container (701) according to claim 18, wherein a first portion (727) of the side wall (723) of the retaining element (707) and the side wall (755) of the separating element (705) are tapered in a downward direction, such that a lower circumference is less than an upper, and wherein preferably the side wall (723) of the retaining element (707) and the side wall (755) of the separating element (705) are shaped to match each other.

20. The container (701) according to claim 19, wherein the first portion (727) of the side wall (723) of the retaining element (707) comprises a plurality of prongs (779), wherein a tapered shape resulting from the prongs (779) provides the continuum of possible height positions.

21. The container (701) according to claims 19 or 20, wherein the side wall (723) further comprises a rim (783) configured to retain an upper rim (785) of the separating element (705).

22. The container according to claim 21 , wherein an upper portion (637) of the side wall (623) comprises a plurality of structural ridges (681) extending down to the rim (683), the plurality of structural ridges (681) being configured to stabilize the rim (683).

23. The container (701) according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the separating element (705) comprises at least one further protuberance (787) protruding from an external side of the side wall (755), the at least one further protuberance (787) being located at an opposite end of the side wall (755) to the bottom wall (753) of the separatingelement (705).

24. A container (101) set for smokeless products for oral use, the container (101) set comprising- one or more containers (101) of a first type, the one or more containers (101) of the first type being according to any one of the preceding claims, and- one or more containers (201) of a second type, the one or more containers (201) of the second type comprising a similar resealable lid (209) and a similar base (203) as the one or more containers (101) of the first type, the lid (209) being attachable to the base (203), characterized in that the separating element (105) of the one or more containers (101) of the first type fits in the one or more containers (201) of the second type.

25. A method of assembling a container (101) according to claim 2, or any one of claims 3-23 when dependent on claim 2, the method comprising a) connecting the separating element (105) to the retaining element (107), preferably by inserting the separating element (105) into the retaining element (107) from below or from above, b) attaching the retaining element (107) to the base (103), preferably by snap-fit, c) attaching the lid (109) to the retaining element (107), preferably by snap-fit.

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