Container for pouches

Abstract

The invention relates to a snus or nicotine pouch container (1) comprising a body (10), an intermediate lid (20) configured to be assembled on the body to delimit therewith a storage compartment (S), and an exterior lid (30) configured to cover said intermediate lid to delimit therewith a waste disposal compartment (W), and to a manufacturing method thereof, where at least two elements among the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid are hingedly attached together.

Description

[0001] CONTAINER FOR POUCHES

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to containers for storing smokeless tobacco products, in particular oral tobacco products such as snus or nicotine pouches.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Oral tobacco products contain a moist powder mainly based on either shredded tobacco material or nicotine. The powder is either sold in loose form or in portions disposed in permeable bags, forming so-called pouches.

[0006] Oral tobacco products are packaged in resealable containers so as to keep the powder moist.

[0007] Such products are meant to be placed directly in the user’s mouth, between the upper lip and gum, during an extensive period. The product is then discarded by the user. This may create inconvenience and littering issues, especially in public places or when a proper waste disposal facility is not readily available.

[0008] To solve this problem, containers have been developed which comprise a first compartment to store unused products, and a second compartment for waste disposal of used products.

[0009] The storage compartment is delimited between a body and an intermediate lid and the waste disposal compartment between the intermediate lid and an exterior lid. The user removes the intermediate lid to pick up a pouch inside the storage compartment and then recloses said compartment to preserve the freshness of the remaining products. Once the pouch has been used, the user then lifts the exterior lid to discard said pouch in the waste disposal compartment.

[0010] A problem often arises that the intermediate and / or exterior lid can be misplaced or lost, leading to potential spillage of used or unused pouches. Summary of the invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is to propose a container and a manufacturing method of such container allowing to alleviate the above- mentioned drawback.

[0012] The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a snus or nicotine pouch container, comprising the steps of:

[0013] - providing a body having a bottom wall at a lower end and a side wall extending from this bottom wall towards an upper end opposite to the lower end in an axial direction,

[0014] - providing an intermediate lid configured to be assembled on the body to delimit therewith a storage compartment, and

[0015] - providing an exterior lid configured to cover said intermediate lid to delimit therewith a waste disposal compartment, the method being characterized in that it further comprises a step of hingedly attaching together at least two elements among the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid.

[0016] The present invention further relates to a corresponding container for snus or nicotine pouches, comprising

[0017] - a body having a bottom wall at a lower end and a side wall extending from this bottom wall towards an upper end opposite to the lower end in an axial direction,

[0018] - an intermediate lid configured to be assembled on the body to delimit therewith a storage compartment, and

[0019] - an exterior lid configured to cover said intermediate lid to delimit therewith a waste disposal compartment, and characterized in that it comprises attaching means for hingedly attaching together at least two elements among the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid.

[0020] Herein, an assembled condition of the container or of elements thereof is a state or position in which the storage compartment and / or respectively the waste disposal compartments are closed. A radial direction is a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. And a radial plane is a plane orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0021] A radial surface is a surface orthogonal to the axial direction or substantially orthogonal thereto (i.e. forming an angle strictly smaller than 45°, preferably smaller than 30°, more preferably smaller than 20°, most preferably smaller than 10°, with said direction).

[0022] An axial surface is a surface parallel to the axial direction or substantially parallel thereto (i.e. forming an angle strictly smaller than 45°, preferably smaller than 30°, more preferably smaller than 20°, most preferably smaller than 10°, with said direction).

[0023] In the present application, and unless otherwise stated, the terms inner or inwards or inside refer to an element or surface oriented towards the center (or central axis) of the container, in a radial direction. The terms outer or outwards or outside refer to an element or surface oriented away or opposite from this center (or central axis), in a radial direction.

[0024] Also, unless otherwise stated, the term “surrounding” refer to elements that enclose the container in a radial direction thereof.

[0025] Herein, a side of the container is formed by the side walls of the body, the intermediate lid and / or the exterior lid. The top of the container is formed by the top wall of the body, the intermediate lid and / or the exterior lid. The bottom of the container is usually formed by the bottom wall of the body.

[0026] By hingedly attached is meant here that the two or more elements are attached, i.e. connected together, but mounted to pivot with respect to each other around at least one rotation axis, generally orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0027] Two hingedly attached elements are at least movable between a closed position corresponding to their assembled condition and an opened position in which a compartment formed between said two elements is made accessible to the user. Either the intermediate lid and the body and / or the intermediate and the exterior lid and / or the body and the exterior lid may be hingedly attached together.

[0028] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the attaching means may hingedly attach all together the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid.

[0029] Apart from these attaching means, the container may further comprise conventional locking means for assembling, securing and possibly sealing the two hingedly attached elements together, and / or elements of the container that are not hingedly attached.

[0030] These conventional locking means may typically comprise snap-fitting means, interference-fitting means or threaded means.

[0031] Further advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0032] According to a first embodiment, the attaching means may comprise a fixing part hingedly connected to a first element among the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid and said fixing part may be configured to engage with a second element among the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid.

[0033] The attaching step of the manufacturing method then comprises engaging said fixing part with said second element among the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid.

[0034] The engagement of the fixing part with the second element attaches said two parts together, and in particular retains the fixing part axially on the second element.

[0035] The first element hence becomes attached to the second element via the said fixing part.

[0036] According to this first embodiment, a hinge portion is formed between the first element and the fixing part and the first element is movable with respect to the fixing part (and consequently the second element) between at least a closed position and an opened position as mentioned hereabove. When an opening force is exerted by the user on the first element, the fixing part ensures that said element remains attached to the second element of the container.

[0037] Preferably, the fixing part may conform to an engagement surface of the second element.

[0038] An engagement surface of the second element is typically an axial surface of said second element.

[0039] According to an example, the fixing part may cooperate with an engagement surface of the second element by interference fit. In particular, the fixing part may be radially clamped against such engagement surface.

[0040] Also, the container and in particular the second element may be provided with snap-fit retaining means, such as at least one retaining protrusion or groove, for axially retaining the fixing part on the second element.

[0041] Following optional features of the manufacturing process and corresponding container may further be envisaged, which may be considered alone or in combination: the fixing part may be a ring-shaped fixing part, preferably forming a closed outline, the fixing part may engage with an inner engagement surface of the second element, for example, the intermediate lid may comprise a side wall and a base delimiting the waste disposal compartment, and the engagement surface may be an inner surface of said side wall, or the fixing part may engage with an outer engagement surface of the second element, a hinge portion between the first element and the fixing part may have a circumferential length between 1 % and 25% of the circumferential length of the first element measured in a radial plane intersecting said hinge portion, the fixing part and the first element may be formed in one piece, i.e. they may be attached per se without any additional external hinge element(s). the fixing part and the first element may be formed of one single material, the fixing part and the first element may comprise or be formed of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) (typically low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or polylactic acid (PLA) or a composition of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and / or polylactic acid with bio composites, as these materials are appropriate for food contact, cost effective, highly available and recyclable. Also, these materials ensure a certain flexibility, allowing that the lid portion and fixing part be opened up to 180°, the fixing part and the first element may be formed by mono-injection of plastic material, a hinge portion between the first element and the fixing part may be a flat hinge, i.e. a flexure line connecting two adjacent flat surfaces of the fixing part and the first element respectively, a hinge portion between the first element and the fixing part may be a double hinge, i.e. it may comprise two parallel flexure lines separated by a rigid spacing stripe, with the first flexure line connecting the fixing part and the spacing stripe and the second flexure line connecting the spacing stripe and the first element respectively, a hinge portion between the first element and the fixing part may be a butterfly hinge, i.e. it may be formed of a flexible stripe connecting the fixing part and the first element respectively, a hinge portion between the first element and the fixing part may be a bi-stable hinge, i.e. it may comprise a main hinge element and an additional hinge element superimposed with or located on a side of the main hinge element. According to a second embodiment, the attaching means may comprise at least one active label attached to the at least two elements to form a hinge portion therebetween.

[0042] Accordingly, the attaching step of the manufacturing method may comprise attaching such active label to the at least two elements to form a hinge portion therebetween.

[0043] The hinge portion is formed at a region of the active label located at a junction between the two attached elements.

[0044] Following optional features of the manufacturing process and corresponding container may then be envisaged, which may be considered alone or in combination: the hinge portion between the first and second elements may have a circumferential length that is comprised between 1 % and 25% of the circumferential length of the container measured in a radial plane intersecting said hinge portion, the at least one active label may be welded and / or bonded on the at least two elements, the at least one active label may be bonded on one or each element with an acrylic based glue, the at least one active label may be welded on one or each element by ultrasonic welding, the at least one active label may comprise or may be made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) and / or polylactic acid (PLA),

[0045] The body, intermediate lid and exterior lid and possible supporting label(s) may also comprise or may be made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene and / or polylactic acid or a composition of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene and / or polylactic acid with bio composites, Advantageously, the same material may be used for all parts (body, intermediate lid, exterior lid and labels) of the container, thus facilitating the recycling process, one active label may attach together the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid, with a first region of the active label located at a junction between the body and the intermediate lid forming a first hinge portion and a second region thereof located at a junction between the intermediate lid and the exterior lid forming a second hinge portion, the at least one active label may comprise a strip-shaped portion, for example having a constant width equal to that of the hinge portion, a strip-shaped portion of the active label may have a rectangular shape, a strip-shaped portion of the active label may extend along a side of the container, a strip-shaped portion of the active label may extend along a top of the container, a strip-shaped portion of the active label may be flat or straight, typically it may extend either in the axial or in a radial direction, in an assembled condition of the container, or it may be bent to at least partially cover both a top and a side of the container, the at least one active label may comprise a first main portion at least partially surrounding the body and a second main portion at least partially surrounding the intermediate lid, said first and second main portions being axially separated from each other except at a hinge portion (where they join to form a hinge), at each end of the hinge portion separating said first and second main portions, the active label may have an aperture, for example a circular aperture, having a diameter greater than the axial distance between the first and second main portions in a zone opposed to the hinge portion with respect to said aperture, the diameter of the aperture may be equal to at least 2.5 times the thickness of the active label, the diameter of the aperture may be comprised between 1 and 8 mm, the at least one active label may comprise at least one main portion, typically at least partially surrounding or covering an element of the container among the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid, and at least one strip-shaped portion extending from said main portion to one or more elements of the container, with the strip-shaped portion being welded and / or bonded to the intermediate lid, the at least one active label may comprise a first main portion at least partially surrounding the body and a second main portion at least partially surrounding the intermediate lid, said first and second main portions being axially separated from each other except at a first hinge portion, and the active label may further comprise a strip-shaped portion extending to the exterior lid, with a region of this strip-shaped portion located at a junction between the intermediate lid and the exterior lid forming a second hinge portion, the container may further comprise at least one supporting label on the body, intermediate lid or exterior lid, and the at least one active label may be at least partially attached to said underlying supporting label, for example, the container may comprise a first supporting label at least partially surrounding the body and a second supporting label at least partially surrounding the intermediate lid, and an active label attaching together the body and the intermediate lid by being welded and / or bonded to the first and second supporting labels, the container may further comprise a third supporting label on the exterior lid and the active label may attach together the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid by being welded and / or bonded to the first, second and third supporting labels,

[0046] According to a third embodiment, the attaching step may comprise ultrasonic welding the at least two elements to form a hinge portion therebetween. The attaching means may then comprise at least one ultrasonic welded zone joining the first and second element along a hinge portion.

[0047] At the ultrasonic welded zones, the two elements are merged by material melting and then permanently attached together. With such arrangement, the first element can be opened with respect to the second element while remaining attached to it at said welded zone(s).

[0048] Ultrasonic welded zones are generally invisible. Esthetic of the container is therefore not impaired.

[0049] Following optional features may further be envisaged, which may be considered alone or in combination: the first element may have a flexible tab and the attaching step may comprise ultrasonic welding this flexible tab to the second element, the intermediate lid may have a peripheral skirt configured to engage with the body side wall, said peripheral skirt may be provided with two axial cuts forming a tab therebetween, and the attaching step may comprise attaching said tab to the body, in particular to the body side wall, by ultrasonic welding, the exterior lid may be provided at its periphery with two parallel cuts forming a tab therebetween, and the attaching step may comprise attaching said tab to the intermediate lid, in particular to an upper wall thereof, by ultrasonic welding, a welding zone may be a welding line or a welding point, the attached elements may be welded by ultrasonic welding at several spaced welding zones distributed along a hinge line, the welding zones may be regularly distributed along the hinge line, at least one element to be attached may be covered by at least one label, and the attaching step may include locally attaching together said element, said label and another element by ultrasonic welding to form the hinge portion, the method may further comprise ultrasonic welding one or several labels to the elements of the container, preferably the elements attached by ultrasonic welding, advantageously in the vicinity of the hinge portion, the elements attached by welding may comprise or may be made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethene (PE), and / or polylactic acid (PLA), with or without additional bio composites. Although the material will be under pressure and bent / flexed numerous times, the material properties will make sure that it does not break for an intended duration corresponding to the intended life expectancy of the container (for example around 30 openings).

[0050] Preferably, the elements attached by welding may be made of the same material. Still more preferably, all elements of the container may be made of the same material, thus facilitating the recycling process.

[0051] Brief description of the drawings

[0052] Figure 1 is an exploded view, in perspective, of a container according to a first embodiment where a fixing part hingedly connected to the exterior lid is configured to be engaged with the intermediate lid to attach the exterior and intermediate lids,

[0053] Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the container of figure 1 in an assembled condition,

[0054] Figures 3A to 3D show different types of hinge portions that may be implemented in the container of figure 1 , between the fixing part and the exterior lid,

[0055] Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of a container where a fixing part hingedly connected to the intermediate lid is engaged with the body, Figure 5 is a perspective view of a container according to a second embodiment where a first active label attaches together the body and the intermediate lid and a second active label with a strip-shaped portion attaches said intermediate lid and the exterior lid,

[0056] Figure 6 shows a container according to another example where supporting labels surround the body and the intermediate lid and a strip-shaped active label fixed on said supporting labels forms a hinge portion between the body and the intermediate lid,

[0057] Figure 7 shows a container according to another example where supporting labels are provided on the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid and a strip-shaped active label attaches said three elements together,

[0058] Figure 8 shows a container according to another example where an active label has an annular part surrounding the body and an axially extending strip-shaped portion attaching the intermediate and the exterior lid to the said body,

[0059] Figure 9 illustrates a container according to a third embodiment where the intermediate lid and the exterior lid are attached together by ultrasonic welding,

[0060] Figure 10 illustrates a container according to another example where the exterior lid and the intermediate lid are attached together by ultrasonic welding,

[0061] Figure 11 shows a container according to another example where an active label attaches together the exterior lid and the intermediate lid and said label is secured by ultrasonic welding to the exterior lid and to the intermediate lid.

[0062] Detailed description of the invention

[0063] The present invention will be described with respect to embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto. The described drawings are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0064] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a container 1 for pouches 2, such as nicotine or snus pouches, comprising a body 10, an intermediate lid 20 configured to be movably assembled on the body 10 to delimit therewith a storage compartment S, and an exterior lid 30 configured to cover said intermediate lid 20 and delimit therewith a waste disposal compartment W.

[0065] The body 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on a main axis Z1 defining an axial direction Z of the container 100. It comprises a bottom wall 11 at its lower end 10b and a side wall 12 (hereafter body side wall) extending from said bottom wall 11 up to an upper end 10a delimiting an opening 14. In figure 1 , the body side wall 12 is of circular section but this shall not be considered limiting and the container may have any other adapted section or shape, such as a square, oval shape, etc.

[0066] The intermediate lid 20 is arranged to be movably assembled on the body 10 to cover the opening 14. As appears in figure 1 , the intermediate lid 20 has a main axis Z2 which is aligned with the axis Z1 of the body 10, in an assembled condition.

[0067] The intermediate lid 20 has an inner side wall 21 and a base 22 delimiting together a recess 200 corresponding to the waste disposal compartment W. As appears from figure 2, base 22 separates the storage compartment S and the waste disposal compartment W in the axial direction Z. The inner surface of side wall 21 forms an inwardly oriented engagement surface 210 which function will be detailed hereafter.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 21 is stepped so as to define a first upper section 201 and a second lower section 202 of smaller diameter, separated by a radially extending shoulder 213.

[0069] The intermediate lid 20 is further provided with a peripheral lid skirt 24 radially surrounding said side wall 21 and configured to outwardly engage with the body side wall 12 when the intermediate lid 20 is assembled. In the example of figure 1 , the peripheral skirt 24 and the side wall 21 are concentrically arranged and linked, at their respective upper ends, by a top wall portion 23 configured to lean on the upper end of the body side wall 12, in the assembled condition (see figure 2).

[0070] The container 1 is provided with locking means 41 for securing the intermediate lid 20 to the body 10 in the assembled condition. These locking means 41 may typically include threaded means, snap fit means or interference fit means.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, a thread 411 provided on an inner side of the peripheral lid skirt 24 is configured to engage with an outer thread 412 of the body side wall 12 for securing the body 10 and the intermediate lid 20 in the assembled condition.

[0072] When assembled, the intermediate lid 20 prevents products 2 stored in the storage compartment S from falling down and keeps said compartment S tightly closed, hence ensuring that the products keep their moist content.

[0073] The exterior lid 30 has a plate-shaped part 31 , typically of circular section, centered on a main axis Z3 aligned with the axis Z1 of the body 10 in an assembled condition (see figure 2). The plate-shaped part 31 of the exterior lid 30 is generally configured to cover the upwardly opening housing 200 of the intermediate lid 20 and further delimits therewith the waste disposal compartment W.

[0074] The exterior lid 30 further comprises a peripheral skirt 32 extending from the bottom of said plate-shape part 31 and configured to be inserted in the housing 200.

[0075] In the illustrated example, the plate-shaped part 31 is configured to be received in the first upper section 201 of the housing 200 and to lean on shoulder 203, in the assembled condition of the container 1.

[0076] Locking means 42 are further provided for securing the exterior lid 30 to the intermediate lid 20 in said assembled condition.

[0077] In the example, the exterior lid 30 is provided with a locking bulge 421 formed at the periphery of the peripheral skirt 32 and configured to engage with a corresponding groove 422 of the intermediate lid 20, here formed in the inner side wall 21 .

[0078] According to the present invention, at least two elements of the container 1 are hingedly attached together by attaching means 50, so as to be assembled and disassembled without getting disconnected and possibly lost.

[0079] In this first embodiment, these attaching means 50 comprise a fixing part 60 hingedly attached to the first element, here the exterior lid 30, and configured to be otherwise attached to a second element, here the intermediate lid 20.

[0080] In the example of figure 1 , the fixing part 60 is a ring-shaped part that defines a closed outline, with a diameter substantially equal to that of the peripheral skirt 32 of the exterior lid 30, as shown in figure 2.

[0081] The exterior lid 30 and the fixing part 60 are linked at their periphery by a hinge portion 62 that allows a relative rotation between the two elements 30, 60 around an axis orthogonal to main axis Z3, between at least a first position in which the fixing part 60 and the exterior lid 30 are coaxial and arranged closely to each other as illustrated in figure 2 and a second position in which they form an angle as illustrated in figure 1 .

[0082] Typically, such hinge portion 62 may have a circumferential length between 1 % and 25% of the circumferential length of the exterior lid 30 measured in a radial plane intersecting said hinge portion 62. However different circumferential length can be provided, also depending on the container dimensions.

[0083] The fixing part 60 and the exterior lid 30 may be formed in one piece, and in particular in one single material, typically by mono-injection of plastic material. For example, they may be formed of a material comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and / or polylactic acid or comprising a composition of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and / or polylactic acid with bio composites.

[0084] The hinge portion 62 therebetween may take various shapes, some of which are illustrated in figures 3A to 3D. As illustrated in figure 3A, the hinge portion 62 may be a flat hinge, i.e. a flexure line 620 connecting two adjacent flat surfaces of the fixing part 60 and the exterior lid 30 respectively.

[0085] As illustrated in figure 3B, the hinge portion 62 may be a double hinge, i.e. it may comprise two parallel flexure lines 621 , 622 separated by a rigid spacing stripe 623, with the first flexure line 621 connecting the fixing part 60 and the spacing stripe 623 and the second flexure line 622 connecting the spacing stripe 623 and the exterior lid 30 respectively.

[0086] As illustrated in figure 3C, the hinge portion 62 may be a butterfly hinge, i.e. it may be formed of a flexible stripe 624 connecting the fixing part 60 and the exterior lid 30 respectively.

[0087] As illustrated in figure 3D, the hinge portion 62 may be a bi-stable hinge, i.e. it may comprise a main hinge element 625 and an additional hinge element 626 superimposed with or located on a side of the main hinge element 625.

[0088] The fixing part 60 is configured to engage with the intermediate lid 20 such that a relative movement between said two parts in the axial direction Z is blocked. The relative movement between the fixing part 60 and the intermediate lid 20 may be either completely avoided or a relative axial movement may still be allowed but within a limited range.

[0089] Although optional, a relative rotational movement between both parts 20, 60 (around axis Z) may still be allowed.

[0090] Typically, the fixing part 60 may radially engage with an engagement surface 70 of the intermediate lid 20.

[0091] Advantageously, the fixing part may also conform to said engagement surface 70.

[0092] In particular, the fixing part 60 may be radially clamped against such engagement surface 70 and axially retained thereon by friction. And / or the engagement surface 70 may be provided with axially snap- fit retaining means 72, such as one or more retaining protrusions and / or groove(s), for axially blocking the fixing part 60.

[0093] In the example illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the engagement surface 70 is formed by the inner surface 210 of side wall 21 and the axially retaining means 72 comprise protruding rib sections 74 regularly distributed circumferentially and having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the fixing part 60. On the other hand, the diameter of a groove 76 formed underneath these rib sections 74 matches the outer diameter of the fixing part 60.

[0094] Upon assembly of the container, the fixing part 60 is pushed over the protruding ribs sections 74 and finally axially retained in the adjacent groove 76.

[0095] The example of figures 1 and 2 shall not be considered limiting.

[0096] For example, the fixing part 60 may outwardly engage with the intermediate lid 20. In that case, the fixing part 60 may be radially clamped against an outer engagement surface 70 of the intermediate lid 20 and retained by friction. And / or axial retaining means 72, such as retaining protrusions, may be provided on an outer engagement surface of the intermediate lid 20.

[0097] In addition or as an alternative, the body 10 and the intermediate lid 20 may also be hingedly attached through a fixing portion similar to that described hereabove.

[0098] For example, the intermediate lid 20 may be hingedly attached with a fixing part that may outwardly engage with the body side wall 12. A similar arrangement will be described with reference to figure 4.

[0099] Figure 4 illustrates an example where the intermediate lid 20 is hingedly attached to the body 10 by means of a fixing part 60’ outwardly engaging with the body side wall 12.

[0100] Here, the peripheral lid skirt 24 is hingedly attached to the ring-shaped fixing part 60’ of similar diameter, conforming to the body side wall 12. In the particular example, the body side wall 12 has a retaining rib 74’ and the fixing part 60’ has a corresponding retaining groove 78’ configured to mate with said retaining rib 74’.

[0101] The intermediate lid 20 and the body side wall 12 are further provided with conventional locking means 4T ensuring that both elements be secured in the assembled condition. In the particular example, the peripheral lid skirt 24 is provided with an inner groove 41 T configured to cooperate with an outer bulge 412’ located above the retaining rib on the body side wall 12.

[0102] The exterior lid 30, on the other hand, may be either hingedly attached in the manner described hereabove with reference to figures 1 and 2 or it may be conventionally assembled and locked, with a snap-fit or interference fit or threaded connection, with no permanent connection between the exterior and intermediate lids 30, 20.

[0103] Figures 5 to 8 illustrate a second embodiment where at least one active label 80 forms a hinge portion between two elements of the container 1 .

[0104] The container 1 is similar to that illustrated in figure 1 . In particular, all general features described hereabove with reference to the body 10, the intermediate lid 20 and the exterior lid 30 remain applicable to this second embodiment.

[0105] An active label 80 is a thin flexible element that may be welded on one or each of the respective elements 10, 20, 30 to be hingedly attached, for example by ultrasonic welding, and / or may be bonded on one or each of the respective elements, typically with an acrylic based glue.

[0106] For example, an active label 80 may comprise or may be made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) and / or polylactic acid (PLA).

[0107] A hinge portion 82 formed by an active label 80 between two elements may typically have a circumferential length between 1 % and 25% of the circumferential length of the container 1 measured in a radial plane intersecting said hinge portion 82. However different circumferential length can be provided, also depending on the container dimensions. An active label 80 may radially surround one or each element to be attached, at least partially, to provide more strength and sustainability to the hinge portion 82.

[0108] In figure 5 for example, a first active label 801 is provided to hingedly attach together the body 10 and the intermediate lid 20.

[0109] Said first active label 801 comprises a first annular main portion 8011 extending around the body side wall and a second annular main portion 8012 extending around the intermediate lid 20, with the first and second main portions 8011 , 8012 being axially separated from each other except at a hinge portion 821 where they join to form a hinge.

[0110] The first and second main portions 8011 , 8012 a formed by an annular ribbon, cut at a junction between the body 10 and the intermediate lid 20 except at the hinge portion 821 .

[0111] At each end of the hinge portion 821 , the active label 801 has an aperture 8211 , 8212, for example a circular aperture, having a diameter d1 greater than the axial distance d2 between the first and second main portions 8011 , 8012 in a zone 8010 opposed to the hinge portion 821 with respect to said aperture 8211 , 8212.

[0112] The diameter d1 of the apertures 8211 , 8212 is preferably equal to at least 2.5 times the thickness of the active label 801 and is typically comprised between 1 and 8 mm.

[0113] In the illustrated example, the container 1 further comprises a second active label 802 having a main circular portion 8021 covering the plate-shaped part 31 of the exterior lid 30 and a strip-shaped portion 8022 extending from said main portion 8021 towards the top wall portion 23 of the intermediate lid 20 and forming a hinge portion 822 between the exterior and intermediate lids 30, 20. The main portion 8021 is welded and / or bonded to the exterior lid 30 and the strip-shaped portion 8022 is welded and / or bonded to the intermediate lid 20.

[0114] Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment where the container 1 comprises supporting labels 84, and an active label 80 attached to said underlying supporting labels 84 to form a hinge portion 82 between elements of the container 1 .

[0115] The use of supporting labels 84 allows to use active labels 80 of simpler shape, such as a strip-shape while still ensuring a proper strength of the hinge portion 82.

[0116] In the illustrated example, a first annular supporting label 841 surrounds the body side wall 12, and a second annular supporting label 842 surrounds the intermediate lid 20.

[0117] And a strip-shaped active label 803, here of generally rectangular shape, extends over the body side wall 12 and the peripheral skirt 24 of the intermediate lid 20 while being welded and / or bonded to the first and second supporting labels 841 , 842. A region of the active label 803 located at the junction between the body 10 and the intermediate lid 20 forms a hinge portion 821 .

[0118] Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment where the container 1 is provided with a first annular supporting label 841 surrounding the body side wall 12, a second annular supporting label 842 surrounding the intermediate lid 20, and a third supporting label 843 covering the plate-shaped part 31 of the exterior lid 30.

[0119] A strip-shaped active label 804 extends across and attaches together the body 10, the intermediate lid 20 and the exterior lid 30, with a first region of the label 804 located at a junction between the body 10 and the intermediate lid 20 forming a first hinge portion 821 and a second region thereof located at a junction between the intermediate lid 20 and the exterior lid 30 forming a second hinge portion 822.

[0120] Figure 8 illustrates another example mixing previous possibilities, with supporting labels 843, 842 provided on the plate-shaped part 31 of the exterior lid 30 and the peripheral skirt 24 of the intermediate lid 20 respectively, and an active label 805 having an annular main portion 8051 radially surrounding the body side wall 12 and further comprising a strip-shaped portion 8052 extending from said main portion 8051 and along a side of the container 1 and until the exterior lid 30. A first region of the label 805 located at a junction between the body 10 and the intermediate lid 20 forms a first hinge portion 821 and a second region thereof located at a junction between the intermediate lid 20 and the exterior lid 30 forms a second hinge portion 822.

[0121] Figures 9 to 11 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention where elements of the container 1 are attached by ultrasonic welding to form a hinge portion 92 therebetween.

[0122] The container 1 is similar to that illustrated in figure 1 . In particular, all general features described hereabove with reference to the body, the intermediate lid and the exterior lid remain applicable to this second embodiment.

[0123] The elements 10, 20, 30 attached by welding are preferably made of a material comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and / or polylactic acid, with or without additional bio composites.

[0124] In the example of figure 9, ultrasonic welding is used to attach together the intermediate lid 20 and the body 10.

[0125] Therefor the peripheral skirt 24 of the intermediate lid 20 has two axial cuts 241 , 242 forming a tab 25 (shown transparent in the figure, for clarity) therebetween and this tab 25 is welded by ultrasonic welding to the body side wall 12.

[0126] As illustrated, ultrasonic welded zones 90 are advantageously several spaced welding points distributed, preferably in a regular manner, along a hinge line.

[0127] Figure 10 illustrates another example where the exterior lid 30 may be provided at the periphery of its plate-shaped part 31 with two parallel cuts 311 , 312 forming a tab 35 therebetween, and the tab 35 is attached by ultrasonic welding to an upper resting shoulder 203 of the intermediate lid 20.

[0128] Figure 11 illustrates a further example where, similarly to what has been previously described with reference to figure 5, an active label 802 has a main portion 8021 covering the exterior lid 30 and a strip-shaped portion 8022 extending from said main portion 8021 towards the upper wall 23 of the intermediate lid 20 and forming a hinge portion 822 between the exterior and intermediate lids 30.20. Here, the main portion 8021 is welded to the exterior lid 30 by ultrasonic welding and similarly the strip-shaped portion 8022 is welded to the intermediate lid 20 by ultrasonic welding.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method of manufacturing a snus or nicotine pouch container (1 ), comprising the steps of:- providing a body (10) having a bottom wall (11 ) at a lower end (1 Ob) and a side wall (12) extending from this bottom wall (11 ) towards an upper end (10a) opposite to the lower end (10b) in an axial direction (Z),- providing an intermediate lid (20) configured to be assembled on the body to delimit therewith a storage compartment (S), and- providing an exterior lid (30) configured to cover said intermediate lid (20) to delimit therewith a waste disposal compartment (W), the method being characterized in that it further comprises a step of hingedly attaching together at least two elements among the body (10), the intermediate lid (20) and the exterior lid (30).

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a fixing part (60) is hingedly connected to a first element among the body (10), the intermediate lid (20) and the exterior lid (30), and the attaching step comprises engaging said fixing part (60) with a second element among the body (10), the intermediate lid (20) and the exterior lid (30).

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the attaching step comprises ultrasonic welding the at least two elements to form a hinge portion (92) therebetween.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the attaching step comprises attaching at least one active label (80) to the at least two elements to form a hinge portion (82, 821 , 822) therebetween.

5. A container (1 ) for snus or nicotine pouches, comprising- a body (10) having a bottom wall (11 ) at a lower end (10b) and a side wall (12) extending from this bottom wall (11 ) towards an upper end (10a) opposite to the lower end (10b) in an axial direction (Z),- an intermediate lid (20) configured to be assembled on the body (10) to delimit therewith a storage compartment (S), and- an exterior lid (30) configured to cover said intermediate lid (20) to delimit therewith a waste disposal compartment (W),characterized in that it comprises attaching means (50) for hingedly attaching together at least two elements among the body (10), the intermediate lid (20) and the exterior lid (30).

6. The container (100) according to claim 5, wherein the attaching means (50) comprise a fixing part (60) hingedly connected to a first element among the body (10), the intermediate lid (20) and the exterior lid (30), the fixing part (60) being configured to engage with a second element among the body (10), the intermediate lid (20) and the exterior lid (30).

7. The container (100) according to claim 6, wherein the fixing part (60) is a ring-shaped fixing part forming a closed outline.

8. The container (100) according to 6 or 7, wherein the fixing part (60) conforms to an engagement surface (70) of the second element.

9. The container (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising snap-fit retaining means, such as at least one retaining protrusion or groove, for axially retaining the fixing part on the second element.

10. The container (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the fixing part engages with an inner engagement surface of the second element.

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate lid (20) comprises a side wall (21 ) and a base (22) delimiting the waste disposal compartment (W), and the engagement surface (70) is an inner surface of said side wall (21 ).

12. The container (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 11 , wherein a hinge portion (62) between the first element (20, 30) and the fixing part (60) extends on 1 to 25% of a total circumferential length of said first element.

13. The container (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the fixing part (60) and the first element (20, 30) are formed in one piece.

14. The container (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the piece is made of one single material.

15. The container (100) according to claim 14, wherein the material comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and / or polylactic acid and optionally bio composites.

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