SELF-STANDING TOBACCO POUCH

Abstract

A self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material includes a bottom part forming a support foot to stand on a surface, a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to an entrance defined by an entrance rim, a curved or angled elongate shaping member, which is provided near or at a first rim part of the entrance rim to hold the first rim part in a curved or angled configuration. The shaping member has a bending stiffness which is larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material. The entrance rim includes a second rim part located opposite to the first rim part. The second rim part is positionable in a first position at a distance from the first rim part to form an opened entrance and in a second position located in contact with the first rim part to form a closed entrance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/NL2014/050386, filed Jun. 13, 2014, which claims the benefit of Netherlands Application No. NL 2010992, filed Jun. 17, 2013, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material. Such tobacco pouches are provided in different forms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem of the tobacco pouches is that it is difficult (especially with the use of only one hand) to reach the tobacco inside the tobacco pouch when the tobacco pouch is positioned on a surface, such as a table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The tobacco pouch according the invention provides an improved, or at least alternative tobacco pouch. The tobacco pouch according the invention is a self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material and comprising a bottom part forming a support foot to stand on a surface, a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to an entrance defined by an entrance rim, a curved or angled elongate shaping member, which is provided near or at a first rim part of the entrance rim to hold the first rim part in a curved or angled configuration, wherein the shaping member has a bending stiffness which is larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material, the entrance rim comprises a second rim part located opposite to the first rim part, the second rim part is positionable in a first position wherein the second rim part is located at a distance from the first rim part to form an opened entrance and in a second position wherein the second rim part is located in contact with the first rim part to form a closed entrance.

Due to the shaping member provided in the first rim part, the second rim part has a natural tendency to be positioned in the first position or in the second position. This is caused by the stiffness of the sheet material and the fact the shaping member positions the first rim part in a curved or angled configuration. This facilitates a user to open and close the tobacco pouch. It furthermore ensures that a closed entrance has a natural tendency to remain closed and an opened entrance has a natural tendency to remain open. The fact that the tobacco pouch tends to remain closed once it is closed, is beneficial to keep the tobacco fresh and also ensures that the tobacco remains in the tobacco pouch during for example transport. The fact that the tobacco pouch tends to remain open once it is open, is beneficial for the user to reach the tobacco inside the tobacco pouch in an easy manner, especially in the situation that the tobacco pouch is positioned on a surface and only one hand is used.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the curved or angled elongate shaping member is configured to hold its curved or angled configuration when the second rim part is positioned in the first position and when the second rim part is positioned in the second position.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the curved elongate shaping member is configured to hold its curved configuration when the second rim part is positioned in the first position and when the second rim part is positioned in the second position.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the angled elongate shaping member is configured to hold its angled configuration when the second rim part is positioned in the first position and when the second rim part is positioned in the second position.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the second rim part in the first position has a curved configuration directed in the opposite direction of the curved or angled configuration of the shaping member. It is of course possible to manually manipulate the form of the second rim part in the first position, such that it for example has a more or less angled configuration. Due to the stiffness of the sheet material, the second rim part will naturally tend to take a curved configuration in the first position.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the second rim part in the second position has a curved or angled configuration directed in the same direction as the curved or angled configuration, respectively, of the shaping member.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the second rim part in the second position has a shape which corresponds to the shape of the shaping member.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the shaping member extends in the same direction as the first rim part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the shaping member comprises a first end, a second end and a centre section in the middle between the first end and second end, and the centre section is located at a distance from a straight line extending through the first end and second end.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the second rim part has a length and the distance between the first end and second end along said straight line is smaller than said length of the second rim part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, besides the first end and second end, the rest of the shaping member is located at a distance from said straight line.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, when seen in a direction perpendicular to said straight line, the centre section is located at a larger distance from said straight line when compared with the rest of the shaping member.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the shaping member has the shape of a continuous curve.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the shaping member comprises at least two member parts extending under an angle relative to each other.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the shaping member comprises a first member part and a second member part, and the first member part extends under an angle relative to the second member part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the shaping member comprises a first member part, second member part, and a third member part, the first member part extends under a first angle relative to the second member part, and the second member part extends under a second angle relative to the third member part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the first angle equals the second angle.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, each of the member parts extends along a straight line.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, each of the member parts are curved.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, at least one of the member parts extends along a straight line.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, at least one of the member parts is curved.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the shaping member extends along between 35%-50% of the total length of the entrance rim.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the pouch wall comprises a first wall part and a second wall part, the first wall part and second wall part are sealed together at a first wall rim and a second wall rim, each of the first wall rim and second wall rim extends from the bottom part until the entrance rim, and the shaping member is located in the first wall part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the shaping member extends along between 75% and 100% of the part of the entrance rim formed by the first wall part.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the bottom part comprises a bottom rim surrounding an area of sheet material.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the bottom rim comprises a first bottom rim part and a second bottom rim part, each of the first bottom rim part and second bottom rim part extends from the first wall rim until the second wall rim.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the tobacco pouch comprises a zip-seal having a first zip strip and a cooperating second zip strip.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the first zip strip is provided near or at the shaping member.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the bending stiffness of the shaping member is larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and the bending stiffness of the second zip strip are both determined at room temperature.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the bending stiffness of the shaping member and the bending stiffness of the sheet material are both determined at room temperature.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the entrance provides access to an inside space of the tobacco pouch, which inside space is defined by the bottom part and the pouch wall, and wherein tobacco is located in said inside space.

In an embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention, the tobacco pouch is formed from a single sheet of the sheet material. This allow that the tobacco pouch is produced in a very fast and efficient manner. The shaping member and (if applicable) the seal strip are added to the sheet material during the production of the tobacco pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

the FIGS. 1-4 schematically show a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention,

FIG. 5 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping member of the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 1-4,

FIG. 6 schematically shows a second embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention,

FIG. 7 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping member of the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 schematically shows a third embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention,

FIG. 9 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping member of the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 schematically shows a fourth embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention,

FIG. 11 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping member of the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 schematically shows a bottom view of the folded out sheet material of the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 1-4, and

FIG. 13 schematically shows a fifth embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The FIGS. 1-4 show a first embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 according to the invention. The self-standing tobacco pouch 1 is formed from a pliable sheet material 2. The tobacco pouch 1 comprises a bottom part 3 forming a support foot 4 to stand on a surface 5. A pouch wall 6 extends from the bottom part 3 to an entrance 7 defined by an entrance rim 10. The entrance 7 provides access to an inside space of the tobacco pouch 1. The inside space is defined by the bottom part 3 and the pouch wall 6. Tobacco is located in said inside space.

A curved elongate shaping member 9 is provided near a first rim part 11 of the entrance rim 10 to hold the first rim part 11 in a curved configuration. It is also possible that the shaping member 9 is provided at the first rim entrance part 11. The shaping member 9 has a bending stiffness which is larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material 2.

The entrance rim 10 comprises a second rim part 12 located opposite to the first rim part 11. The second rim part 12 is positionable in a first position 13 wherein the second rim part 12 is located at a distance from the first rim part 11 to form an opened entrance 7. This situation is shown in FIG. 4. The second rim part 12 can also be positioned in a second position 14 wherein the second rim part 12 is located in contact with the first rim part 11 to form a closed entrance 7. This situation is shown in the FIG. 1-3.

Due to the shaping member 9 provided in the first rim part 11, the second rim part 12 has a natural tendency to be positioned in the first position 13 or in the second position 14. This is caused by the stiffness of the sheet material 2 and the fact the shaping member 9 positions the first rim part 11 in a curved configuration (or in an angled configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, 8 or 10). This facilitates a user to open and close the tobacco pouch 1. It furthermore ensures that a closed entrance 7 has a natural tendency to remain closed and an opened entrance 7 has a natural tendency to remain open.

As shown in the FIGS. 1 and 4, the curved elongate shaping member 9 is configured to hold its curved configuration when the second rim part 12 is positioned in the first position 13 and when the second rim part 12 is positioned in the second position 14.

The second rim part 12 in the first position 13 has a curved configuration directed in the opposite direction of the curved configuration of the shaping member 9. It is of course possible to manually manipulate the form of the second rim part 12 in the first position 13, such that it for example has a more or less angled configuration. Due to the stiffness of the sheet material 2, the second rim part 12 will naturally tend to take a curved configuration in the first position 13.

The second rim part 12 in the second position 14 has a curved configuration directed in the same direction as the curved configuration of the shaping member 9. The shaping member 9 extends in the same direction as the first rim part 11.

The shaping member 9 is attached to the sheet material 2. In other examples, the shaping member 9 is secured in a different manner, such as folded and locked in the sheet material 2.

In FIG. 3, a top part 18 of the tobacco pouch 1 is folded toward the bottom part 3. This provides a compact configuration of the tobacco pouch 1 with a closed entrance 7.

The pouch wall 6 comprises a first wall part 31 and a second wall part 32, the first wall part 31 and second wall part 32 are sealed together at a first wall rim 33 and a second wall rim 34, each of the first wall rim 33 and second wall rim 34 extends from the bottom part 3 until the entrance rim 10, and the shaping member 9 is located on the first wall part 31.

An opening 8 is provided in the first wall part 31 and second wall part 32 to suspend the tobacco pouch 1.

The bottom part 3 comprises a bottom rim 35 surrounding an area 36 of sheet material 2.

The bottom rim 35 comprises a first bottom rim part 37 and a second bottom rim part 38, wherein each of the first bottom rim part 37 and second bottom rim part 38 extends from the first wall rim 33 until the second wall rim 34.

The bending stiffness of the shaping member 9 is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material 2. The tobacco pouch 1 comprises a zip-seal 40 having a first zip strip 41 and a cooperating second zip strip 42. The first zip strip 41 is provided near or at the shaping member 9. The bending stiffness of the shaping member 9 is larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip 41 and larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip 42.

The bending stiffness of the shaping member 9 is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip 41 and at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip 42.

The bending stiffness of the first zip strip 41 and the bending stiffness of the second zip strip 42 are both determined at room temperature.

The bending stiffness of the shaping member 9 and the bending stiffness of the sheet material 2 both are determined at room temperature.

FIG. 5 shows a view in perspective of the shaping member 9 of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 of FIG. 1-4. The shaping member 9 comprises a first end 21, a second end 22 and a centre section 23 in the middle between the first end 21 and second end 22. The centre section 23 is located at a distance from a straight line extending through the first end 21 and second end 22. The second rim part 12 has a length and the distance between the first end 21 and second end 22 along said straight line is smaller than said length of the second rim part 12. Besides the first end 21 and second end 22, the rest of the shaping member 9 is located at a distance from said straight line. When seen in a direction perpendicular to said straight line, the centre section 23 is located at a larger distance from said straight line when compared with the rest of the shaping member 9. The shaping member 9 has the shape of a continuous curve.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 according to the invention. The tobacco pouch 1 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-3, in that it comprises an angled elongate shaping member 9, which is provided near the first rim part 11 of the entrance rim 10 to hold the first rim part 11 in an angled configuration. It is also possible that the shaping member 9 is provided at the first rim part 11.

The second rim part 12 in the second position 14 has an angled configuration directed in the same direction as the angled configuration of the shaping member 9. The second rim part 12 in the second position 14 has a shape which corresponds to the shape of the shaping member 9.

The second rim part 12 will in the first position 13 have a curved configuration directed in the opposite direction of the angled configuration of the shaping member 9.

FIG. 7 shows a view in perspective of the shaping member 9 of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 of FIG. 6. The shaping member 9 comprises a first member part 26A and a second member part 26B. The first member part 26A extends under an angle relative to the second member part 26B. Each of the member parts 26 extends along a straight line. In other examples, each of the member parts 26 are curved. It is also possible that at least one of the member parts 26 extends along a straight line and/or at least one of the member part 26 is curved.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 according to the invention, and FIG. 9 shows a view in perspective of the shaping member 9 of said tobacco pouch 1. The tobacco pouch 1 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in that the shaping member 9 comprises a first member part 26A, second member part 26B, and a third member part 26C. The first member part 26A extends under a first angle relative to the second member part 26B, and the second member part 26B extends under a second angle relative to the third member part 26C. The first angle equals the second angle. In other examples, the first angle and second angle differ from each other.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 according to the invention, and FIG. 11 schematically shows a view in perspective of the shaping member 9 of said tobacco pouch 1. The tobacco pouch 1 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in that the shaping member 9 comprises a first member part 26A, second member part 26B, a third member part 26C and a fourth member part 26D. The first member part 26A extends under a first angle relative to the second member part 26B, the second member part 26B extends under a second angle relative to the third member part 26C, and the third member part 26C extends under a third angle relative to the fourth member part 26D. The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are equal to each other. In other examples, the first angle and/or second angle, and/or third angle differ from each other.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the folded out sheet material of the self-standing tobacco pouch of FIG. 1-4. The tobacco pouch 1 is formed from a single sheet of sheet material 2. The locations where the shaping member 9, the first zip strip 41 and the second zip strip 42 will be positioned are indicated. Also the to be formed first wall rim 33, second wall rim 34 and the bottom rim 35 surrounding the area 36 of sheet material 2 are indicated.

FIG. 13 shows a fifth embodiment of the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 according to the invention. The tobacco pouch 1 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-3, in that the sheet material 2 comprises a line 43 of weakened sheet material (for example formed by incisions made in the sheet material) extending between two locations on the second rim part 12. This allows a user to tear off a part of the sheet material 2 enclosed by the second rim part 12 and said line 43. The sheet material 2 of the tobacco pouch 1 along said line 43, will in that case form part of the new second rim part 12. This is also applicable on other embodiments of the tobacco pouch 1 according the invention, such as the embodiments shown in the FIG. 6-11.

The following clauses form a further description of the self-standing tobacco pouch according to the invention.

1. Self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material, said tobacco pouch comprising;

• • a bottom part forming a support foot to stand on a surface,
  • a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to an entrance defined by an entrance rim,
  • a curved or angled elongate shaping member, which is provided near or at a first rim part of the entrance rim to hold the first rim part in a curved or angled configuration, wherein
  • the shaping member has a bending stiffness which is larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material,
  • the entrance rim comprises a second rim part located opposite to the first rim part,
  • the second rim part is positionable in a first position wherein the second rim part is located at a distance from the first rim part to form an opened entrance and in a second position wherein the second rim part is located in contact with the first rim part to form a closed entrance.

2. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 1, wherein the curved or angled elongate shaping member is configured to hold its curved or angled configuration when the second rim part is positioned in the first position and when the second rim part is positioned in the second position.

3. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the second rim part in the first position has a curved configuration directed in the opposite direction of the curved or angled configuration of the shaping member.

4. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the second rim part in the second position has a curved or angled configuration directed in the same direction as the curved or angled configuration, respectively, of the shaping member.

5. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the second rim part in the second position has a shape which corresponds to the shape of the shaping member.

6. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the shaping member extends in the same direction as the first rim part.

7. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the shaping member comprises a first end, a second end and a centre section in the middle between the first end and second end, and the centre section is located at a distance from a straight line extending through the first end and second end.

8. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 7, wherein the second rim part has a length and the distance between the first end and second end along said straight line is smaller than said length of the second rim part.

9. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 7 or 8, wherein besides the first end and second end, the rest of the shaping member is located at a distance from said straight line.

10. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the clauses 7-9, wherein, when seen in a direction perpendicular to said straight line, the centre section is located at a larger distance from said straight line when compared with the rest of the shaping member.

11. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the shaping member has the shape of a continuous curve.

12. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the clauses 1-10, wherein the shaping member comprises at least two member parts extending under an angle relative to each other.

13. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the shaping member extends along between 35%-50% of the total length of the entrance rim.

14. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pouch wall comprises a first wall part and a second wall part, the first wall part and second wall part are sealed together at a first wall rim and a second wall rim, each of the first wall rim and second wall rim extends from the bottom part until the entrance rim, and the shaping member is located in the first wall part.

15. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 14, wherein the shaping member extends along between 75% and 100% of the part of the entrance rim formed by the first wall part.

16. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the bottom part comprises a bottom rim surrounding an area of sheet material.

17. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 16, wherein the bottom rim comprises a first bottom rim part and a second bottom rim part, each of the first bottom rim part and second bottom rim part extends from the first wall rim until the second wall rim.

18. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material.

19. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the tobacco pouch comprises a zip-seal having a first zip strip and a cooperating second zip strip.

20. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 19, wherein the first zip strip is provided near or at the shaping member.

21. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to clause 19 or 20, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member is larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip.

22. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the clauses 19-21, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip.

23. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the clauses 19-22, wherein the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and the bending stiffness of the second zip strip are both determined at room temperature.

24. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member and the bending stiffness of the sheet material are both determined at room temperature.

25. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the entrance provides access to an inside space of the tobacco pouch, which inside space is defined by the bottom part and the pouch wall, and wherein tobacco is located in said inside space.

26. Self-standing tobacco pouch according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the tobacco pouch is formed from a single sheet of the sheet material.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the self-standing tobacco pouch 1 without departing from the scope as defined in the claims.

Claims

1: A self-standing tobacco pouch formed from a pliable sheet material, said tobacco pouch comprising:

a bottom part forming a support foot to stand on a surface;

a pouch wall extending from the bottom part to an entrance defined by an entrance rim; and

a curved or angled elongate shaping member, which is provided near or at a first rim part of the entrance rim to hold the first rim part in a curved or angled configuration;

wherein the shaping member has a bending stiffness which is larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material;

wherein the entrance rim comprises a second rim part located opposite to the first rim part; and

wherein the second rim part is positionable in a first position wherein the second rim part is located at a distance from the first rim part to form an opened entrance and in a second position wherein the second rim part is located in contact with the first rim part to form a closed entrance.

2: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the curved or angled elongate shaping member is configured to hold its curved or angled configuration when the second rim part is positioned in the first position and when the second rim part is positioned in the second position.

3: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the second rim part in the first position has a curved configuration directed in the opposite direction of the curved or angled configuration of the shaping member.

4: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the second rim part in the second position has a curved or angled configuration directed in the same direction as the curved or angled configuration, respectively, of the shaping member.

5: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the second rim part in the second position has a shape which corresponds to the shape of the shaping member.

6: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the shaping member extends in the same direction as the first rim part.

7: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the shaping member comprises a first end, a second end and a centre section in the middle between the first end and second end, and the centre section is located at a distance from a straight line extending through the first end and second end.

8: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 7, wherein the second rim part has a length and the distance between the first end and second end along said straight line is smaller than said length of the second rim part.

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the shaping member has the shape of a continuous curve.

12: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the shaping member comprises at least two member parts extending under an angle relative to each other.

13: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the shaping member extends along between 35% to 50% of the total length of the entrance rim.

14: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the pouch wall comprises a first wall part and a second wall part, the first wall part and second wall part are sealed together at a first wall rim and a second wall rim, each of the first wall rim and second wall rim extends from the bottom part until the entrance rim, and the shaping member is located in the first wall part.

15. (canceled)

16: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the bottom part comprises a bottom rim surrounding an area of sheet material.

17: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 16, wherein the bottom rim comprises a first bottom rim part and a second bottom rim part, each of the first bottom rim part and second bottom rim part extends from the first wall rim until the second wall rim.

18: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the sheet material.

19: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 1, wherein the tobacco pouch comprises a zip-seal having a first zip strip and a cooperating second zip strip.

20: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 19, wherein the first zip strip is provided near or at the shaping member.

21: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 19, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member is larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip.

22: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 19, wherein the bending stiffness of the shaping member is at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and at least 2 times larger than the bending stiffness of the second zip strip.

23: The self-standing tobacco pouch according to claim 19, wherein the bending stiffness of the first zip strip and the bending stiffness of the second zip strip are both determined at room temperature.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)