Smokeless tobacco container with improved cover
The present disclosure relates to an improved replacement cover for a conventional smokeless tobacco can that may include a pivotably closable lid and a method of mounting the cover on a conventional smokeless tobacco can. The disclosure also relates to a smokeless tobacco holding device including a container and a lid with a spring-loaded hinge arrangement for opening the lid.
The principles disclosed herein relate generally to replacing the lid of a conventional smokeless tobacco can with an improved cover.
BACKGROUNDThe widespread use of smokeless tobacco products has become prevalent around the world. Most smokeless tobacco products are sold in circular cardboard and metal or molded plastic cans having a paper seal enclosing them. This particular form of tobacco is normally referred to as snuff or finecut moist smokeless tobacco. When a user desires to use the product, the paper seal is broken, the lid is removed, and the desired amount of smokeless tobacco is removed from the can for enjoyment. The lid is then replaced until further use is desired.
Almost all commercially available smokeless tobacco cans, however, make using smokeless tobacco a cumbersome experience. The two-piece construction of almost all cans make opening of the lid, removal of a serving of chewing tobacco, and reclosing of the lid an at least two-handed proposition. Holding a conventional can and lid in one hand while trying to remove a serving of tobacco with the other can be cumbersome and lead to spilling of the product.
Furthermore, the inexpensive construction of the conventional smokeless tobacco cans and the repeated opening and closing of the conventional lids cause the lids to deform easily and become loose. Thus, once the paper seal is broken, the conventional cans and lids fail to provide the tight seal required to retain the flavor and freshness of the tobacco and are known to cause unwanted spills.
What is needed is an improved replacement cover for a conventional smokeless tobacco can that minimizes the above-mentioned shortcomings associated with conventional lids. What is needed is an improved cover that is easier to use and retains the integrity of the tobacco product longer by providing a better seal than conventional cans.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure describes embodiments relating to an improved replacement cover for a conventional smokeless tobacco can that is easier to use and provides a better seal than conventional lids and a method of mounting the improved cover on a smokeless tobacco can.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to embodiments relating to a smokeless tobacco holding device including a container and a lid including a spring-loaded hinge arrangement for opening the lid, wherein the lid may form a snap-fit interlock with the container to provide a secure fit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments that examples of how certain inventions can be put into practice. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:
In
Referring to
The lid 108 of the cover 100 is depicted to include a generally semicircular shape to match the shape of the open portion 110 of the top end 104 of the cover 100. The lid 108 includes a top side 116 and a bottom side 118. The lid 108 is pivotably coupled to the solid portion 106 of the top end 104 via a spring-loaded hinge assembly 120, the details of which will be discussed further below. Although cover 100 is depicted with a “mid-hinge” lid arrangement, in certain embodiments, the lid may be provided at various other locations on the cover, as will be discussed below.
Still referring to
As depicted in
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Similar to the rim 112, the lid 108 is also preferably manufactured from a hard material to form a snap-fit interlock with the rim 112 to keep the lid 108 closed. In one embodiment, the lid 108 may be manufactured from Lexen polycarb LS 1111. In other embodiments, the lid may be manufactured from other materials. The lid 108 includes a downward extension 128 at the bottom side 118 extending around the bottom periphery of the lid 108. The downward extension 128 is shaped to fit in and seal the open portion 110 of the top end 104 of the cover 100. The downward extension 128 of the lid 108 includes a forwardly protruding tab 130 for retaining the lid 108 in a closed position once snapped shut. The tab 130 presses against the inwardly protruding portion 122 of the rim 112 to create a snap-fit interlock (see
Referring back to
The spring 146 includes a right end 150 and a left end 152 and is sized to fit within the lid hinge hole 140. The lid hinge hole 140 is not a throughhole and includes an open left end 154 and a closed right end 156. The closed right end 156 defines a slit 158 for mounting the right end 150 of the spring 146 (see
In a preferred embodiment, the spring 146 is inserted into the lid hinge hole 140 and mounted to the spacer 148 in a wound-up fashion such that, once the lid 108 is snapped-open, the spring 146 unwinds to automatically open the lid 108. In this manner, the lid 108 of the cover 100 can be opened with the same hand that is holding the container. Once snapped-open, the lid 108 rotates around the spacer 148 as the spring 146 unwinds. Lubricant such as viscous petroleum gel may also be used within the lid hinge hole 140 around the spacer 148 to slow down the pivot speed of the lid 108 relative to the cover 100. It will be appreciated that the depicted spring-loaded hinge arrangement 120 is only one of many possible coupling arrangements that can be used to couple the lid to the cover. Although the cover 100 is depicted to include a lid 108 that is pivotably coupled to the cover 100, there could be other embodiments where the lid is not pivotably or hingedly attached to the cover. For example, the lid 108 may be provided as a separate piece from the cover that forms a snap fit with the cover.
In general use, a user of smokeless tobacco may purchase a conventional smokeless tobacco can. The user may remove the lid provided on the conventional smokeless tobacco can and discard it. The user may then mount the cover 100 to the tobacco can by sliding the skirt portion 114 of the cover 100 over the outer surface 62 of the tobacco can until the flange portion 122 of the rim 112 rests against the top edge 56 of the can 50. When the tobacco product 40 is eventually exhausted, the cover 100 may be removed from the tobacco can and reused on a new can purchased by the user. The cover 100 may also be provided by smokeless tobacco manufacturers or distributors as a promotional item. For example, the lid 108, the skirt 114, or other portions of the cover 100 may be provided with insignia or trademarks belonging to manufacturers and/or distributors of smokeless tobacco products for advertising and marketing purposes.
Referring to
Cover 200 of
Cover 300 of
As mentioned earlier, the two depicted alternative embodiments 200 and 300 provide two examples of the various locations and arrangements that can be used to couple the lid to the cover and there are certainly other arrangements possible.
Referring to
It will be appreciated that many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and the broad scopes of the invention are not intended to be limited by the specific embodiments depicted and described herein.
Claims
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a smokeless tobacco can including an outer surface;
- providing a cover including a pivotably closable lid;
- mounting the cover on the outer surface of the smokeless tobacco can.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the smokeless tobacco can includes a closed bottom end, an open top end, and a sidewall disposed between the bottom end and the top end, the sidewall including an inner surface and an outer surface, the top end defining a top edge, wherein the cover includes a rim and a skirt projecting downwardly from the rim, the skirt adapted to be mounted around the outer surface of the sidewall.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the skirt is adapted to be slidably mounted around the outer surface of the sidewall.
4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the skirt is made out of a more resilient material than the rim.
5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the lid forms a snap-fit arrangement with the rim.
6. A method according to claim 2, wherein the rim includes a portion adapted to sit on the top edge of the open top end of the can.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the portion of the rim adapted to sit on the top edge of the can is adapted to sit flush with the inner surface of the sidewall of the can.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the lid is coupled to the cover with a spring-loaded hinge arrangement.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein, after being mounted, the cover is removable and remountable.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein once mounted, the lid is openable and closable with one hand while holding the can with the same hand.
11. A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a smokeless tobacco can containing smokeless tobacco;
- removing a first lid from the smokeless tobacco can;
- replacing the first lid with a cover including a pivotably closable second lid on the smokeless tobacco can.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the smokeless tobacco can includes a closed bottom end, an open top end, and a sidewall disposed between the bottom end and the top end, the sidewall including an inner surface and an outer surface, the top end defining a top edge, wherein the cover includes a rim and a skirt projecting downwardly from the rim, the skirt adapted to be mounted around the outer surface of the sidewall.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the skirt is adapted to be slidably mounted around the outer surface of the sidewall.
14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the skirt is made out of a more resilient material than the rim.
15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the lid forms a snap-fit arrangement with the rim.
16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the rim includes a portion adapted to sit on the top edge of the open top end of the can.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the portion of the rim adapted to sit on the top edge of the can is adapted to sit flush with the inner surface of the sidewall of the can.
18. A method according to claim 11, wherein the lid is coupled to the cover with a spring-loaded hinge arrangement.
19. A method according to claim 11, wherein, after being mounted, the cover is removable and remountable.
20. A method according to claim 11, wherein once mounted, the lid is openable and closable with one hand while holding the can with the same hand.
21. A method comprising the steps of:
- providing a smokeless tobacco can including a bottom end, a top end defining a top edge, and an outer surface;
- providing a cover including a skirt, a rim located at a top of the skirt, and a lid having a portion that fits within the rim;
- mounting the skirt over the outer surface of the smokeless tobacco can, wherein the rim sits on the top edge of the top end of the smokeless tobacco can.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the lid forms a snap-fit arrangement with the rim.
23. A smokeless tobacco holding device comprising:
- a container holding smokeless tobacco; and
- a lid for opening and closing a top of the container,
- wherein the lid includes a spring-loaded hinge arrangement for automatically opening the lid.
24. A smokeless tobacco holding device comprising:
- a container holding smokeless tobacco, the container including a bottom end and
- a top end;
- a rim located at the top end; and
- a lid having a portion that fits inside the rim.
25. A smokeless tobacco holding device according to claim 24, wherein the lid forms a snap-fit arrangement with the rim.
26. A smokeless tobacco holding device comprising:
- a container holding smokeless tobacco, the container including a snap-fitting lid,
- wherein the lid is openable and closable with one hand while holding the container with the same hand.
27. A smokeless tobacco holding device comprising:
- a container holding smokeless tobacco, the container including a lid that forms a snap-fit interlock with the container, wherein the lid self-opens from a closed position to an open position without use of any hands once unlocked from the snap-fit interlock.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 21, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 23, 2006
Inventor: James Budd (Bozeman, MT)
Application Number: 10/946,052
International Classification: B65D 85/10 (20060101);