WO2024141244A1

WO2024141244A1 - Container for consumer goods with closure feature

Info

Publication number: WO2024141244A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/084967
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sophie Elise Nelly CARON
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2022-12-29
Filing date: 2023-12-08
Publication date: 2024-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-29
Also published as: EP4642260A1; CN120417791A; KR20250133699A

Abstract

A container (1) comprising a housing (20) comprising a storage chamber for storing one or more products for oral consumption and an access opening for accessing the storage chamber. The container also comprises a cover comprising: a base portion (30) mounted to the housing (20); and a lid portion (40) coupled to the base portion (30) by a hinge line (49), the lid portion (40) being configured to pivot about the hinge line (49) between a closed position in which the lid portion (40) covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more products for oral consumption can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening. The cover is rotatable relative to the housing between a first position, in which a tab (45) of the lid portion (40) is aligned with a recessed portion (25) of the housing (20), and a second position, in which the tab (45) of the lid portion (40) is not aligned with the recessed portion (25) of the housing (20).

Description

CONTAINER FOR CONSUMER GOODS WITH CLOSURE FEATURE

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a container for a product for oral consumption. For example, a container in accordance with the present invention may find use as a container for permeable pouches comprising a nicotine-containing product for oral consumption.

Among the broad spectrum of tobacco products offered on the market, there is a class of goods intended for oral administration which does not require combustion. Examples of such goods are chewing tobacco, snus, snuff and nicotine pouches.

Nicotine pouches are typically white, pre-portioned pouches. They do not contain tobacco leaf, dust or stem, but they do contain either tobacco derivative nicotine or synthetic nicotine. Different nicotine pouch products can have a different nicotine content. Nicotine pouches may also contain one or more of sweeteners, plant-based fibres, food-grade fillers, and flavourants. To use a nicotine pouch, the user puts a pouch between the upper lip and gum, and leaves it there while the nicotine and flavours are released. After use, the pouch is disposed of.

A typical package for nicotine pouches is a substantially cylindrical can or container provided with a reclosable lid. The typical package is made from metal or a resilient plastic material, and is characterized by a hand-held portable size, such that it can be easily stored and transported.

During usage, a user may open the lid to extract and consume a fresh nicotine pouch from the container. The user may then close the lid until they are ready to extract and consume a further consumer good.

It is generally desirable to ensure that the lid of the container remains in the closed position until a user is ready to access the consumer goods. For example, it may be desirable to ensure that the lid remains in the closed position when the container is being transported. This may help to prevent the consumer goods from inadvertently falling out of the container. This may help to preserve one or more properties of the consumer goods, such as their freshness.

It would be desirable to provide a novel and improved container for consumer goods which is configured to reduce the risk of a lid of the container inadvertently moving from a closed position to an open position. Further, it would be desirable to provide a user of the container with a convenient and easy to use means for opening the container when the user is ready to access the consumer goods. It would also be desirable to provide a user of the container with one or both of tactile and audible indications regarding the state of the container.

The present disclosure relates to a container for consumer goods, such as a product for oral consumption. The container may comprise a housing. The housing may comprise a storage chamber for storing one or more consumer goods. The housing may comprise an access opening for accessing the storage chamber. The container may comprise a cover. The cover may comprise a base portion. The base portion may be mounted to the housing. The cover may comprise a lid portion. The lid portion may be coupled to the base portion by a hinge line. The lid portion may be configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more consumer goods can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening. The cover may be rotatable relative to the housing, optionally between a first position, in which a tab of the lid portion is aligned with a recessed portion of the housing, and a second position, in which the tab of the lid portion is not aligned with the recessed portion of the housing.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for a product for oral consumption, the container comprising: a housing comprising a storage chamber for storing one or more products for oral consumption and an access opening for accessing the storage chamber; a cover comprising: a base portion mounted to the housing; and a lid portion coupled to the base portion by a hinge line, the lid portion being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more products for oral consumption can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening, and wherein the cover is rotatable relative to the housing between a first position, in which a tab of the lid portion is aligned with a recessed portion of the housing, and a second position, in which the tab of the lid portion is not aligned with the recessed portion of the housing.

By providing a cover mounted to the housing and rotatable relative to the housing between the first and second positions, a tab of the lid portion may be selectively aligned with a recess of the housing. The container may therefore be able to transfer between: a state in which its lid portion is harder to access and thus less likely to be easily or inadvertently moved to an open position; and another state in which its lid portion is easier to access and thus more easily moved to an open position. A user of the container can therefore place the container in a state whereby it is harder to open or be inadvertently opened when they are not intending to access any goods contained in the storage chamber. For example, the user of the container may place the container in said state when they choose to put the container in their pocket or place the container on a surface. However, when the user is ready to access any goods in the storage chamber, the user can simply rotate the cover relative to the housing until the tab of the lid portion becomes aligned with the recess of the housing. In this position, the user can advantageously use the positional relationship of the recess relative to the tab to access the tab with their finger and lift or pull on the tab to move the lid portion to the opened position.

The base portion may have a lower edge. The housing may have an upper edge. The lower edge of the base portion may be adjacent to an upper edge of the housing. The lower edge of the base portion may be adjacent to an upper edge of the housing around at least 80 percent of the periphery of the housing. The lower edge of the base portion may be adjacent to an upper edge of the housing around substantially all of the periphery of the housing, except from the recessed portion of the housing. This can help to ensure that the outer surface of the base portion is flush with the outer surface of the housing at the point where the lower edge of the base portion meets with the upper edge of the housing. Put another way, the lower edge of the base portion may be adjacent with an upper edge of the housing such that the outer surface of the base portion is flush with the outer surface of the housing where the lower edge of the base portion meets with the upper edge of the housing. This can help to reduce the extent to which one or both of the lower edge of the base portion and the upper edge of the housing can be gripped. This in turn can help to reduce the likelihood of the base portion being inadvertently separated from the housing.

The base portion may have an upper edge. The lid portion may have a peripheral edge. The upper edge of the base portion may be adjacent to a peripheral edge of the lid portion. The upper edge of the base portion may be adjacent to a peripheral edge of the lid portion around at least 80 percent of the periphery of the housing. The upper edge of the base portion may be adjacent to a peripheral edge of the lid portion around substantially all of the periphery of the housing, except from the tab of the lid portion. This can help to ensure that the outer surface of the base portion is flush with the outer surface of the lid portion at the point where the upper edge of the base portion meets with the peripheral edge of the lid portion. Put another way, the upper edge of the base portion may be adjacent with a peripheral edge of the lid portion such that the outer surface of the base portion is flush with the outer surface of the housing where the lower edge of the base portion meets with the upper edge of the housing. This can help to reduce the extent to which one or both of the upper edge of the base portion and the peripheral edge of the lid portion can be gripped. This in turn can help to reduce the likelihood of the base portion being inadvertently separated from the lid portion.

The tab may have a lower edge. The tab may have a first side edge. The tab may have a second side edge. The upper portion of the tab may be integrally formed with the lid portion, and thus have no free edge. The lower edge of the tab may be adjacent to an upper edge of the housing when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the second position. The first side edge of the tab may be adjacent to an edge of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position. The second side edge of the tab may be adjacent to an edge of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position. By arranging for edges of the tab to be adjacent to corresponding edges of other components of the container when the container is in certain states, the tab can be configured to be less accessible or more accessible based on the specified state of the container. That is, the tab can be made relatively inaccessible by ensuring its outer surface is flush with the outer surface of adjacent portions of the container, or made relatively accessible by ensuring at least part of its outer surface is spaced from a corresponding adjacent portion of the container. For example, when the lid portion is in the closed position, side edges of the tab may be adjacent to corresponding edges of the base portion to reduce the extent to which said side edges of the tab are accessible. Similarly, when the cover is rotated to the second position, the lower edge of the tab may be adjacent to an upper edge of the housing. As such, when the cover is in the second position and the lid portion is in the closed position, the edges of the tab may be relatively inaccessible. This can reduce the likelihood of the tab being inadvertently pulled or accessed, and thus reduce the likelihood of the lid portion being unintentionally moved to the open position.

However, the container may be configured so that the lower edge of the tab is positioned away from an upper edge of the housing when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position. As such, in this configuration, the lower edge of the tab may be relatively accessible and thus it may be easier for the tab to be pulled or accessed, and thus easier for the lid portion to be moved to the open position. Consequently, when a user wishes to access any consumer goods in the storage chamber, they can move the cover to the second position, so that the lower edge of the tab can be more easily lifted. Conversely, when the user is not intending to access any consumer goods in the storage chamber, the user can move the cover to the first position and place the lower edge of the tab adjacent to the upper edge of the housing. With the lower edge of the tab being relatively inaccessibly in such a position, the user can be assured of the goods remaining securely stored within the container.

By aligning the tab with the recessed portion, the tab can have a positional relationship with respect to the rest of the container such that the tab is more easy to access. Therefore, the tab may overhang the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position. The tab may overlie the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position. The tab may be adjacent to the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position. The tab may reside at the same peripheral location as the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position. The tab may reside at the same circumferential position of the container as the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

The tab may have an inner surface. The tab may have an outer surface. The inner surface of the tab may be accessible when the lid is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position. That is, the inner surface of the tab may be exposed to the exterior of the container when the lid is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

The inner surface of the tab may not be accessible when the lid is in the closed position and the cover is in the second position. That is, the inner surface of the tab may not be exposed to the exterior of the container when the lid is in the closed position and the cover is in the second position.

The tab may be positioned between a first part and a second part of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position. That is, the tab may separate the first part of the base portion from the second part of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position.

A first side edge of the tab may be adjacent to a side edge of the first part of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position. A second side edge of the tab may be adjacent to a side edge of the second part of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position.

The housing may have an outer surface. The outer surface of the housing may include an outer surface of the recessed portion. The outer surface of the recessed portion of the housing may therefore define the recess. That is, the recess may be defined by the profile of the outer surface of the recessed portion.

The housing may have an inner surface. The inner surface of the housing may define the storage chamber. The storage chamber may be defined by a bottom wall of the housing and one or more side walls extending from the bottom wall of the housing to the access opening. The walls of the housing defining the storage chamber may also define the outer surface of the housing. That is, the housing may comprise a single side wall, where the inner surface of the walls of the housing define the storage chamber, and the outer surface of said walls of the housing define the outer surface of the housing.

The lid portion may comprise a lid element. The tab may extend from the lid element. The tab may be integrally formed with the lid element. The lid element may be substantially circular. The hinge line may be positioned on a first side of the lid element. The lid element may be configured to pivot about the hinge line to move the lid portion between its open and closed positions. The tab of the lid portion may be positioned on a second side of the lid element. The first side of the lid element may be opposite to the second side of the lid element.

The lid element may define a top wall of the container. The outer surface of the lid element may define a top surface of the container.

The base portion of the cover may be mounted to the housing by a snap-fit engagement. This can help to ensure that the outer surface of the base portion can remain flush with the outer surface of the housing during use of the container.

The base portion of the cover may be configured to engage with the lid portion when the lid portion is in the closed position to hold the lid portion in the closed position. Such engagement may be in the form of a snap-fit engagement, frictional fit engagement, or any other suitable closure mechanism. The lid portion may be configured to disengage from the base portion in response to a lifting force being applied to the tab of the lid portion.

In some embodiments, the storage chamber of the housing is the only storage chamber of the housing. In some embodiments, the storage chamber of the housing is a first storage chamber, and the housing further comprises a second storage chamber. For example, a bottom wall or base of the housing may be recessed to define a recess forming a second storage chamber of the housing. The recess may extend upwards. The recess may be defined by the outer surface of the bottom wall of the housing. In such embodiments, the container may further comprise a component configured to cover the second storage chamber. Similar to the closure engagement between the base portion of the cover and the lid portion, the component of the container may be configured to engage with the base of the housing when the component is in a closed position to cover the second storage chamber. Such engagement may be in the form of a snap-fit engagement, frictional fit engagement or any other suitable closure mechanism. The component configured to cover the second storage chamber may be attachable to and removable from the base of the housing. In some embodiments, the component is a cap. In some embodiments, the component is coupled to a base of the housing and movable relative to the housing to selectively allow access to the second storage chamber.

The second storage chamber may advantageously be used for one or more of: storing used goods from the first storage chamber once the user has used these; storing a different type of consumer goods from those stored in the first chamber; and storing one or more accessories for use with the consumer goods stored in the first chamber, such as a tool for picking the consumer goods from the first storage chamber. The housing of the first aspect of the present invention may further comprise at least one stopper and the cover may further comprise a first lug and a second lug spaced apart along a periphery of the cover, and wherein when the cover is in the first position the first lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction, and when the cover is in the second position, the second lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a second direction

The present disclosure also relates to a container for consumer goods, such as a product for oral consumption. The container may comprise a housing. The housing may comprise a storage chamber for storing one or more consumer goods. The housing may comprise an access opening for accessing the storage chamber. The housing may comprise at least one stopper. The container may comprise a cover. The cover may comprise a base portion. The base portion may be mounted to the housing. The cover may comprise a lid portion. The lid portion may be coupled to the base portion by a hinge line. The lid portion may be configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more consumer goods can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening. The cover may comprise a first lug. The cover may comprise a second lug. The second lug may be spaced apart from the first lug along a periphery of the cover. The cover may be rotatable relative to the housing. In a first rotational position of the cover relative to the housing, the first lug may engage with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction. In a second rotational position of the cover relative to the housing, the second lug may engage with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a second direction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for a product for oral consumption, the container comprising: a housing comprising: a storage chamber for storing one or more products for oral consumption; an access opening for accessing the storage chamber; and at least one stopper; a cover comprising: a base portion mounted to the housing; and a lid portion coupled to the base portion by a hinge line, the lid portion being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more products for oral consumption can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening, and wherein the cover further comprises a first lug and a second lug spaced apart along a periphery of the cover, the cover being rotatable relative to the housing between a first position in which the first lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction, and a second position, in which the second lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a second direction.

The container of the second aspect of the present invention may comprise one or more of the features described above with respect to the container of the first aspect of the invention. For example, the container of the second aspect of the invention, may comprise a lid portion having a tab as described above with respect to the container of the first aspect of the invention. Similarly, as noted above, the container of the first aspect of the invention may be provided with one or more of the stopper, first lug and second lug described above. Features described in respect of one aspect of the invention may therefore be equally applicable to other aspects of the invention.

By providing spaced apart first and second lugs on the cover in combination with a stopper on the housing, the extent of rotational movement of the cover relative to the housing may be restricted. That is, advantageously at least one stopper may be used to prevent the cover from rotating beyond certain positions in either rotational direction. This can therefore advantageously help to ensure the cover can rotate to some extent relative to the housing to enable the container to have certain functionality, whilst helping the container to be easy for a user to interact with. For example, restricting the extent of rotational movement may help to restrict the extent of effort a user needs to exert to achieve a desired function with the container. For example, if the container is configured to provide a function when the container is in a certain state (such as being unlocked or easy to open), but provide another function when the container is in a different state (such as being locked or difficult to open), it may be desirable to limit the extent of movement the container can have between said states, so that a user is able to easily switch between the states when desired.

The stopper, first lug and second lug arrangement of the second aspect may therefore be particularly desirable when used in combination with the tab of the first aspect. That is, stopper, first lug and second lug can advantageously prevent the cover from being rotated too far away from the first position in either rotational direction of the cover. This means that when a user is ready to move the cover back to the first position so that they can access the tab and open the container, the user does not necessarily need to rotate the cover by a significant amount to reach this position. This is because the stopper, first lug and second lug can be used to limit how far the cover can be rotated away from the first position.

The stopper, first lug and second lug may be configured to permit a maximum rotational arc of the cover relative to the housing of 180 degrees, preferably 90 degrees, even more preferably 60 degrees. The at least one stopper may be provided on an inner surface of the housing. This can help to reduce the visibility of the stopper during normal use of the container, or otherwise adversely affect the appearance of the container. This may also help to reduce the likelihood of the stopper being inadvertently tampered with or damaged.

One or both of the first lug and the second lug may reside within the container when the base portion of the cover is mounted to the housing. This can help to reduce the visibility of one or both of the first lug and the second lug during normal use of the container, or otherwise adversely affect the appearance of the container. This may also help to reduce the likelihood of one or both of the first lug and the second lug being inadvertently tampered with or damaged.

The stopper may be a protrusion extending from a surface of the housing. The first direction may be a clockwise direction. The second direction may be an anti-clockwise direction.

In some embodiments, the at least one stopper comprises a first stopper configured to engage with the first lug when the cover is in the first position to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in the first direction, and a second stopper configured to engage with the second lug when the cover is in the second position to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in the second direction.

In some embodiments, the at least one stopper comprises a single stopper configured to engage with the first lug when the cover is in the first position to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in the first direction, and also engage with the second lug when the cover is in the second position to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in the second direction.

The housing may further comprise a first rib. The first rib may extend from an inner surface of the housing. The first rib may be spaced apart from the stopper. The first rib may be disposed on a first side of the stopper.

The first rib may be configured to interact with the first lug as the first lug passes the first rib to produce one or both of an audible and tactile effect. For example, the first rib may interact with the first lug to create one or both of a click sound and a vibration of the housing when the first lug overcomes and passes the first rib. Such an audible and/or tactile effect may provide the user with an indication of where the first lug is relative to the stopper. The first rib may have a height which is less than a height of the stopper. The top of the first rib may be positioned below the top of the stopper. In this way, the first rib and stopper may be positioned relative to the first lug such that the stopper can act to prevent further rotation of the first lug and cover, whereas the first rib may only temporarily engage the first lug. Such temporary engagement may be temporary in the sense that the engagement may be overcome by application of a release rotational force between the housing and the based portion of the cover to produce an audible and/or tactile effect. That is, when the cover is rotated in a first direction to a position where the first rib engages with the first lug, further rotation of the cover in the first direction may be inhibited by the engagement of the first rib with the first lug. However, with the application of further rotational force (and in particular the application of a sufficiently large release rotational force) the first lug can be deflected around the first rib and allow the cover to continue to rotate in the first direction.

The first lug may have a first portion configured to engage with the stopper and a second portion configured to interact with the first rib. The first portion of the first lug may comprise an abutment surface which abuts with a corresponding abutment surface of the stopper when the cover is in the first position. The abutment surface of the first portion of the first lug may extend substantially parallel to the corresponding abutment surface of the stopper.

The second portion of the first lug may extend from the first portion of the first lug. The second portion of the first lug may comprise at least one surface which is inclined relative to the first rib. The at least one inclined surface of the second portion of the first lug may be configured to deflect the first lug over the first rib as the first lug passes the first rib.

The at least one inclined surface of the second portion of the first lug may comprise a first inclined surface configured to deflect the first lug over the first rib as the first lug passes the first rib in a first direction, and a second inclined surface configured to deflect the first lug over the first rib as the first lug passes the first rib in a second direction. The incline of the first inclined surface may be different to the incline of the second inclined surface. This may result in a different audible and/or tactile effect being produced depending on the direction which the first lug passes the first rib.

The housing may further comprise a second rib. The second rib may extend from an inner surface of the housing. The second rib may be spaced apart from the stopper. The second rib may be disposed on a second side of the stopper. Therefore, where the housing comprises a first rib and a second rib, the first and second ribs may be disposed on opposed sides of the first stopper. One or both of the first rib and the second rib may be spaced from the stopper by a distance which is within 50 percent of the distance which the second rib is spaced from the stopper. One or both of the first rib and the second rib may be spaced from the stopper by a distance which is within 30 percent of the distance which the second rib is spaced from the stopper. One or both of the first rib and the second rib may be spaced from the stopper by a distance which is within 20 percent of the distance which the second rib is spaced from the stopper. The first rib may be spaced from the stopper by a distance which is substantially the same as the distance which the second rib is spaced from the stopper. This may ensure a degree of consistency in experience as the cover moves with respect to the first rib, second rib and stopper.

The first rib may be spaced from the stopper by a distance which is different to the distance which the second rib is spaced from the stopper . By positioning the first rib and the second rib with different spaces relative to the stopper, the user may receive different tactile experiences when the cover is rotated in different directions with respect to the housing (e.g. clockwise vs. anticlockwise). Such different tactile experiences may provide the user with an indication as to whether or not they are changing the container into a state in which it can be readily opened or a state in which it is cannot be readily opened.

The second rib may be configured to interact with the second lug as the second lug passes the second rib to produce one or both of an audible and tactile effect. For example, the second rib may interact with the second lug to create one or both of a click sound and a vibration of the housing when the second lug passes the second rib. Such an audible and/or tactile effect may provide the user with an indication of where the second lug is relative to the stopper. The second rib may have a height which is less than a height of the stopper. The top of the second rib may be positioned below the top of the stopper. In this way, the second rib and stopper may be positioned relative to the second lug such that the stopper can act to prevent further rotation of the second lug and cover, whereas the second rib only temporarily engages the second lug. Such temporary engagement may be temporary in the sense that the engagement may be overcome by application of a release rotational force between the housing and the based portion of the cover to produce an audible and/or tactile effect. That is, when the cover is rotated in a second direction to a position where the second rib engages with the second lug, further rotation of the cover in the second direction may be inhibited by the engagement of the second rib with the second lug. However, with the application of further rotational force (and in particular the application of a sufficiently large release rotational force) the second lug can be deflected around the second rib and allow the cover to continue to rotate in the second direction.

The second lug may have a first portion configured to engage with the stopper and a second portion configured to interact with the second rib. The first portion of the second lug may comprise an abutment surface which abuts with a corresponding abutment surface of the stopper when the cover is in the second position. The abutment surface of the first portion of the second lug may extend substantially parallel to the corresponding abutment surface of the stopper. The second portion of the second lug may extend from the first portion of the second lug. The second portion of the second lug may comprise at least one surface which is inclined relative to the second rib. The at least one inclined surface of the second portion of the second lug may be configured to deflect the second lug over the second rib as the second lug passes the second rib.

The at least one inclined surface of the second portion of the second lug may comprise a first inclined surface configured to deflect the second lug over the first rib as the second lug passes the second rib in a first direction, and a second inclined surface configured to deflect the second lug over the second rib as the second lug passes the second rib in a second direction. The incline of the first inclined surface may be different to the incline of the second inclined surface. This may result in a different audible and/or tactile effect being produced depending on the direction which the second lug passes the second rib.

In some embodiments, the container may comprise a plurality of ribs on one side of the stopper and a plurality of other ribs on the other side of the stopper. For example, the first rib may be part of a first set of ribs placed on a first side of the stopper and the second rib may be part of a second set of ribs placed on a second side of the stopper.

The first set of ribs may contain a different number of ribs to the second set of ribs. This may mean that the first set of ribs provide a different tactile and/or audible effect than the second set of ribs.

The spacing between the ribs of the first set of ribs may be different to the spacing between the ribs of the second set of ribs. This may mean that the first set of ribs provide a different tactile and/or audible effect than the second set of ribs.

The first set of ribs may have a different structural arrangement to the second set of ribs, for example different shapes. This may mean that the first set of ribs provide a different tactile and/or audible effect than the second set of ribs.

Components of the container, such as the housing, cover, base portion and lid portion, may be formed from any suitable material or materials, such as metal, plastic, recyclable moulded pulp material or compostable material or biodegradable material. In some embodiments, one or more of the housing, cover, base portion and lid portion are formed from plastic, such as injection moulded plastic. An example of a suitable plastic is polypropylene. Moulded pulp material may be manufactured by recycling fibrous materials, especially natural fibres like recycled paper, cardboard, wheat, bamboo. The final moulded up products may be shaped from the initial manufacturing stages and show a smooth surface. Moulded pulp products may be recyclable and they may be re-used again after its end-use. Moulded pulp products may be also biodegradable, as they can decompose and break down. Compostable material and biodegradable material can disintegrate into non- toxic, natural elements and may require microorganisms, humidity, and heat to yield a finished compost product.

In some embodiments, the product for oral consumption may be provided in the form of one or more individual permeable pouches comprising nicotine-containing product for oral consumption. The pouches may be made of flexible and permeable material, which contains pores or openings that allow the content of the pouches to migrate through. The individual pouches allows the consumer to have the same experience with every singular pouches, which content repeats equally in each and every singular pouches.

The housing may have a substantially planar or flat bottom wall. The housing may comprise one or more sidewalls extending upwards from the bottom wall of the housing. In some embodiments, the housing has a generally circular profile, and thus has a ring shaped sidewall extending upwards from the base. The ring shaped sidewall may have a substantially vertical upper portion. The ring shaped sidewall may have a lower portion which curves towards the base of the housing.

The base portion of the cover of the container may have a substantially vertical lower portion. The base portion of the cover may have an upper portion which curves towards the lid portion of the housing. The lid portion may be substantially planar or flat.

The container may be disc shaped. The container may be pebble shaped.

As used herein, the term “product for oral consumption” is meant to encompass any product that is administered orally, and in particular any product that is meant to be administered orally but not ingested. Particularly, but not exclusively, the term “product for oral consumption” is meant to include any nicotine-containing product for oral consumption. As used herein, the term “nicotine-containing product” is meant to refer to any nicotine-based product, being the nicotine either synthetic nicotine or extracted nicotine. As used herein, the term “synthetic nicotine” refers to chemically synthesized nicotine such that the nicotine is analytically identical to the naturally occurring nicotine. As used herein, the term “extracted nicotine” is intended to mean nicotine obtained from a natural source, such as from tobacco leaves.

When used herein with references to edges of elements of the container, the term “adjacent” can be taken to mean that the referenced edges abut on or meet with one another substantially without a gap between them. Any gap which may exist between the adjacent edges may be considered negligible, for instance preferably less than 1 millimetre, more preferably less than 0.5 millimetres, even more preferably less than 0.1 millimetres.

As used herein, the terms “side”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower” and other terms used to describe relative positions of the components of containers according to the invention refer to the container in an upright position with the access opening and lid portion of the container at the top. When describing containers according to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective of the orientation of the containers being described. The “bottom” of the container refers to the side of the container opposite the “top” of the container.

The invention is defined in the claims. However, below there is provided a non- exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

EX1 . A container for a product for oral consumption, the container comprising: a housing comprising a storage chamber for storing one or more products for oral consumption and an access opening for accessing the storage chamber; a cover comprising: a base portion mounted to the housing; and a lid portion coupled to the base portion by a hinge line, the lid portion being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more products for oral consumption can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening, and wherein the cover is rotatable relative to the housing between a first position, in which a tab of the lid portion is aligned with a recessed portion of the housing, and a second position, in which the tab of the lid portion is not aligned with the recessed portion of the housing.

EX2. A container according to EX1 , wherein the lower edge of the base portion is adjacent to an upper edge of the housing.

EX3. A container according to EX1 or EX2, wherein the lower edge of the base portion is adjacent to an upper edge of the housing around at least 80 percent of the periphery of the housing, preferably around substantially all of the periphery of the housing, except from the recessed portion of the housing.

EX4. A container according to any of EX1 to EX3, wherein the lower edge of the base portion is adjacent with an upper edge of the housing such that the outer surface of the base portion is flush with the outer surface of the housing at the point where the lower edge of the base portion meets with the upper edge of the housing.

EX5. A container according to any of EX1 to EX4, wherein the upper edge of the base portion is adjacent to a peripheral edge of the lid portion.

EX6. A container according to any of EX1 to EX5, wherein the upper edge of the base portion is adjacent to a peripheral edge of the lid portion around at least 80 percent of the periphery of the housing, preferably around substantially all of the periphery of the housing, except from the recessed portion of the housing. EX7. A container according to any of EX1 to EX6, wherein the upper edge of the base portion is adjacent to a peripheral edge of the lid portion such that the outer surface of the base portion is flush with the outer surface of the housing at the point where the lower edge of the base portion meets with the upper edge of the housing.

EX8. A container according to any of EX1 to EX7, wherein the tab is integrally formed with the lid portion.

EX9. A container according to any of EX1 to EX8, wherein the lower edge of the tab may be adjacent to an upper edge of the housing when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the second position.

EX10. A container according to any of EX1 to EX9, wherein the tab has a first side edge, and optionally the first side edge of the tab is adjacent to an edge of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position.

EX11 . A container according to EX10, wherein the tab has a second side edge, and optionally the second side edge of the tab is adjacent to an edge of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position.

EX12. A container according to any of EX1 to EX11 , wherein the lower edge of the tab is spaced away from the housing when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

EX13. A container according to any of EX1 to EX12, wherein the tab overhangs the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

EX14. A container according to any of EX1 to EX13, wherein the tab overlies the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

EX15. A container according to any of EX1 to EX14, wherein the tab is adjacent to the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

EX16. A container according to any of EX1 to EX15, wherein the tab resides at the same peripheral location as the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

EX17. A container according to any of EX1 to EX16, wherein the tab resides at the same circumferential position of the container as the recessed portion when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

EX18. A container according to any of EX1 to EX17, wherein the tab has an inner surface, and optionally, the inner surface of the tab is accessible when the lid is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position, and optionally the inner surface of the tab is not accessible when the lid is in the closed position and the cover is in the second position.

EX19. A container according to any of EX1 to EX18, wherein the tab is positioned between a first part and a second part of the base portion when the lid portion is in the closed position.

EX20. A container according to any of EX1 to EX19, wherein an outer surface of the housing defines the recess of the recessed portion.

EX21 . A container according to any of EX1 to EX20, wherein the inner surface of the housing defines the storage chamber.

X22. A container according to any of EX1 to EX21 , wherein the storage chamber is defined by a bottom wall of the housing and one or more side walls extending from the bottom wall of the housing to the access opening.

EX23. A container according to any of EX1 to EX22, wherein the housing comprises a single side wall, where the inner surface of the walls of the housing define the storage chamber, and the outer surface of said walls of the housing define the outer surface of the housing.

EX24. A container according to any of EX1 to EX23, wherein the lid portion comprises a lid element, and optionally the tab extends from the lid element.

EX25. A container according to EX24, wherein the tab is integrally formed with the lid element.

EX26. A container according to EX24 or EX25, wherein the lid element is configured to pivot about the hinge line to move the lid portion between its open position and closed position.

EX27. A container according to any of EX24 to EX26, wherein the hinge is positioned on a first side of the lid element and the tab is positioned on a second side of the lid element, and optionally the first side is opposite to the second side.

EX28. A container according to any of EX1 to EX27, wherein the lid element defines a top wall of the container.

EX29. A container according to any of EX1 to EX28, wherein the outer surface of the lid element defines a top surface of the container.

EX30. A container according to any of EX1 to EX29, wherein the base portion of the cover is mounted to the housing by a snap-fit engagement.

EX31. A container according to any of EX1 to EX30, wherein engagement between the lid portion and the base portion is in the form of a snap-fit engagement, frictional fit engagement, or any other suitable closure mechanism. The lid portion may be configured to disengage from the base portion in response to a lifting force being applied to the tab of the lid portion.

EX32. A container according to any of EX1 to EX31 , wherein the storage chamber of the housing is the only storage chamber of the housing.

EX33. A container according to any of EX1 to EX31 , wherein the storage chamber of the housing is a first storage chamber, and the housing further comprises a second storage chamber.

EX34. A container according to EX33, wherein a bottom wall or base of the housing is recessed to define a recess forming the second storage chamber of the housing

EX35. A container according to EX34, wherein the recess in the bottom wall or base of the housing extends upwards.

EX36. A container according to any of EX34 to EX35, wherein the recess in the bottom wall or base of the housing is defined by the outer surface of the bottom wall of the housing.

EX37. A container according to any of EX34 to EX36, wherein the container further comprises a component configured to cover the second storage chamber.

EX38. A container according to EX37, wherein the component of the container is configured to engage with the base of the housing when the component is in a closed position to cover the second storage chamber.

EX39. A container according to any of EX37 to EX38, wherein the component configured to cover the second storage chamber is movable relative to the housing to selectively allow access to the second storage chamber, optionally through a hinged attachment to the housing.

EX40. A container according to any of EX1 to EX39, wherein the housing further comprises at least one stopper and the cover further comprise a first lug and a second lug spaced apart along a periphery of the cover, and wherein when the cover is in the first position the first lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction, and when the cover is in the second position, the second lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a second direction.

EX41. A container for a product for oral consumption, the container comprising: a housing comprising: a storage chamber for storing one or more products for oral consumption; an access opening for accessing the storage chamber; and at least one stopper; a cover comprising: a base portion mounted to the housing; and a lid portion coupled to the base portion by a hinge line, the lid portion being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more products for oral consumption can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening, and wherein the cover further comprises a first lug and a second lug spaced apart along a periphery of the cover, the cover being rotatable relative to the housing between a first position in which the first lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction, and a second position, in which the second lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a second direction.

EX42. A container according to EX40 or EX41 , wherein the stopper, first lug and second lug are configured to permit a maximum rotational arc of the cover relative to the housing of 180 degrees, preferably of 90 degrees, even more preferably of 60 degrees.

EX43. A container according to any of EX40 to EX42, wherein the at least one stopper is provided on an inner surface of the housing.

EX44. A container according to any of EX40 to EX43, wherein one or both of the first lug and the second lug resides within the container when the base portion of the cover is mounted to the housing.

EX45. A container according to any of EX40 to EX44, wherein the stopper comprises a protrusion extending from a surface of the housing.

EX46. A container according to any of EX40 to EX45, wherein the at least one stopper comprises a first stopper configured to engage with the first lug when the cover is in the first position to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in the first direction, and a second stopper configured to engage with the second lug when the cover is in the second position to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in the second direction.

EX47. A container according to any of EX40 to EX45, wherein the at least one stopper comprises a single stopper configured to engage with the first lug when the cover is in the first position to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in the first direction, and also engage with the second lug when the cover is in the second position to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in the second direction.

EX48. A container according to any of EX40 to EX47, wherein the first direction is a clockwise direction and the second direction is an anti-clockwise direction.

EX49. A container according to any of EX40 to EX48, wherein the housing further comprises a first rib, and optionally one or more of: the first rib extends from an inner surface of the housing; the first rib is spaced apart from the stopper; the top of the first rib is positioned below the top of the stopper and the first rib is disposed on a first side of the stopper. EX50. A container according to EX49, wherein the first rib is configured to interact with the first lug as the first lug passes the first rib to produce one or both of an audible and tactile effect.

EX51. A container according to any of EX49 to EX50, wherein the first rib and stopper are positioned relative to the first lug such that the stopper can act to prevent further rotation of the first lug and cover, whereas the first rib can only temporarily engage the first lug.

EX52. A container according to any of EX49 to EX51 , wherein the first lug has a first portion configured to engage with the stopper and a second portion configured to interact with the first rib.

EX53. A container according to EX52, wherein the second portion of the first lug comprises at least one surface which is inclined relative to the first rib, which is optionally configured to deflect the first lug over the first rib as the first lug passes the first rib.

EX54. A container according to EX53, wherein the at least one inclined surface of the second portion of the first lug comprises a first inclined surface configured to deflect the first lug over the first rib as the first lug passes the first rib in a first direction, and a second inclined surface configured to deflect the first lug over the first rib as the first lug passes the first rib in a second direction.

EX55. A container according to EX54, wherein the first inclined surface is different to the incline of the second inclined surface.

EX56. A container according to any of EX40 to EX55, wherein the housing further comprises a second rib, and optionally one or more of: the second rib extends from an inner surface of the housing; the second rib is spaced apart from the stopper; the top of the second rib is positioned below the top of the stopper and the second rib is disposed on a second side of the stopper.

EX57. A container according to EX56, wherein the second rib is configured to interact with the second lug as the second lug passes the second rib to produce one or both of an audible and tactile effect.

EX58. A container according to any of EX56 to EX50, wherein the second rib and stopper are positioned relative to the second lug such that the stopper can act to prevent further rotation of the second lug and cover, whereas the second rib can only temporarily engage the second lug.

EX59. A container according to any of EX56 to EX58, wherein the second lug has a first portion configured to engage with the stopper and a second portion configured to interact with the second rib.

EX60. A container according to EX59, wherein the second portion of the second lug comprises at least one surface which is inclined relative to the second rib, which is optionally configured to deflect the second lug over the second rib as the second lug passes the second rib.

EX61 . A container according to EX60, wherein the at least one inclined surface of the second portion of the second lug comprises a first inclined surface configured to deflect the second lug over the second rib as the second lug passes the second rib in a first direction, and a second inclined surface configured to deflect the second lug over the second rib as the second lug passes the second rib in a second direction.

EX62. A container according to EX61 , wherein the first inclined surface is different to the incline of the second inclined surface.

EX63. A container according to any of EX40 to EX62, wherein the container comprises a plurality of ribs on one side of the stopper and a plurality of other ribs on the other side of the stopper.

EX64. A container according to EX63, wherein the first rib is part of a first set of ribs placed on a first side of the stopper and the second rib is part of a second set of ribs placed on a second side of the stopper.

EX65. A container according to EX64, wherein: the first set of ribs may contain a different number of ribs to the second set of ribs; and/or the spacing between the ribs of the first set of ribs may be different to the spacing between the ribs of the second set of ribs; and/or the first set of ribs has a different structural arrangement to the second set of ribs, for example different shapes.

EX66. A container according to any of EX1 to EX65, wherein components of the container, such as the housing, cover, base portion and lid portion, are formed from one or more of metal, plastic, recyclable moulded pulp material or compostable material or biodegradable material

EX67. A container according to any of EX1 to EX66, wherein components of the container, such as the housing, cover, base portion and lid portion, are formed from plastic, such as polypropylene.

EX68. A container according to any of EX1 to EX67, wherein the product for oral consumption may be provided in the form of one or more individual permeable pouches comprising nicotine-containing product for oral consumption.

EX69. A container according to any of EX1 to EX68, wherein the housing has a substantially planar or flat bottom wall.

EX70. A container according to any of EX1 to EX69, wherein the housing comprises one or more sidewalls extending upwards from the bottom wall of the housing.

EX71. A container according to any of EX1 to EX70, wherein the container is disc shaped or pebble shaped. Examples will now be further described with reference to the figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of an internal portion of the container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a container according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 5 with the lid portion in the open position;

Figure 7 is a perspective underside view of the container of Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 5 with the cap in the open position.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The container 1 comprises a housing 20 comprising a storage chamber for storing one or more products for oral consumption and an access opening for accessing the storage chamber. The housing has a bottom wall and a substantially ring shaped side wall extending upwards from the bottom wall.

The container also comprises a cover comprising: a base portion 30 mounted to the housing 20; and a lid portion 40 coupled to the base portion 30 by a hinge line 49, the lid portion 40 being configured to pivot about the hinge line 49 between a closed position in which the lid portion 40 covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more products for oral consumption can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening. The cover is rotatable relative to the housing between a first position, in which a tab 45 of the lid portion 40 is aligned with a recessed portion 25 of the housing 20, and a second position, in which the tab 45 of the lid portion 40 is not aligned with the recessed portion 25 of the housing 20.

Figure 1 illustrates the container being in the second position. That is, the tab 45 is not aligned with the recessed portion 25. In particular, the tab 45 is not positioned over the recessed portion 25. In this position, the container has the following properties. A lower edge 37 of the base portion 30 is adjacent to an upper edge 27 of the housing 20 around at least 80 percent of the periphery of the base portion 30. This results in the outer surface of the base portion 30 being flush with the outer surface of the housing 20 at the point where the lower edge 37 of the base portion 30 meets with the upper edge 27 of the housing 20. Furthermore, the upper edge 38 of the base portion 30 is adjacent to a peripheral edge 48 of the lid portion 40. In particular, the peripheral edge 48 of the lid portion 40 is defined by a lid element 41 of the lid portion 40.

This results in the outer surface of the base portion 30 being flush with the outer surface of the lid portion 20 at the point where the upper edge 38 of the base portion 30 meets with the peripheral edge 48 of the lid portion 48.

The lid element 41 is in the form of a substantially planar substantially circular disc or plate which forms a top wall of the container. The tab 45 is integrally formed with the lid element 41 and extends away and downwards from the lid element 41 towards the housing 20. The tab 45 extends from an opposite side of the lid element 41 to the hinge line 49.

When the container is in the state shown in Figure 1 , the lid portion 40 is in the closed position and the cover is in its second portion. In this state or condition of the container, any free edges of the lid portion 40 are not readily accessible because they are adjacent to corresponding edges of other components of the container. As such, it is difficult for a user to grip the tab 45 and otherwise move the lid portion 40 to an open position. The container is therefore in a relatively secure condition in Figure 1 , in which inadvertent opening of the container 1 is less likely.

However, the cover is rotatable relative to the housing 20, and capable of moving to a first position, in which the tab 45 of the lid portion 40 is aligned with the recessed portion 25 of the housing 20. Such a first position is shown in the enlarged view of Figure 2. As can be seen from Figure 2, with the tab 45 aligned with the recessed portion the lower edge 455 of the tab 45 is no longer adjacent to a corresponding edge of the housing 20. Instead, the tab 45 overhangs or overlies the recessed portion 25. In this condition, a user of the container can more easily grip the tab 45, and more specifically access the underside of the tab 45. With such improved access to the tab 45, the user is able to more easily apply a lifting or opening force to the tab 45 and thus overcome the closure engagement between the lid portion 40 and the base portion 30. The user can therefore more easily open the container 1 and access the consumer goods contained therein after having moved the cover to the first position shown in Figure 1.

For completeness, it should be noted that in both the first and second positions shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first side edge 451 and second side edge 452 of the tab are positioned adjacent to corresponding side edges 351 and 352 of the base portion 30.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the container 1 of Figure 1 . In particular, Figure 3 shows the container with the lid portion 40 having been removed to show a view of the inside of the container 1 . In particular, as can be seen in Figure 3, the inner surface of side wall of the housing 20 is provided with three elongate protrusions extending parallel to one another. The central, largest protrusion defines a stopper 23. The remaining two protrusions are disposed on respective first and second sides of the stopper 23 and respectively form a first rib 21 and a second rib 22.

As also seen in Figure 3, the base portion 30 of the cover further comprises a first lug

31 and a second lug 32 spaced apart around the periphery of the base portion 30. The lugs 31 , 32 extend downwards and away from the main body of the base portion 30 towards the stopper 23 and first and second ribs 21 , 22. Each lug 31 , 32 is configured to engage with an opposed side of the stopper 23 to restrict movement of the base portion 30 (and hence cover) relative to the housing 20. In particular, in a first rotational position of the base portion 30 relative to the housing 20, the first lug 31 engages with the stopper 23 to prevent further rotational movement of the base portion 30 with respect to the housing 20 in a first direction (i.e., clockwise in this case). This position is the one shown in Figure 3. Additionally, in a second rotational position of the base portion 30 relative to the housing 20, the second lug

32 engages with the stopper 23 to prevent further rotational movement of the base portion 30 with respect to the housing 20 in a second direction (i.e., anti-clockwise in this case). The cover can therefore rotate relative to the housing 20 between these two positions but is restricted from rotating beyond these positions.

The first and second lugs 31 , 32 are also further configured to interact with the first and second ribs 21 , 22 respectively, as will now be described in further detail with respect to Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the container shown in Figure 3. In particular, Figure 4 focuses on the first lug 31 and how it engages with the stopper 23 and first rib 21 of the housing 20. As seen in Figure 4, the first lug 31 comprises a first portion 311 configured to engage with the stopper 23. That is, the first portion 311 of the first lug 31 has a vertical abutment surface 315 configured to abut a corresponding vertical abutment surface 235 of the stopper 23. This clear engagement between the two abutment surfaces 315, 235 can provide a reliable barrier preventing the first lug 31 from moving past the stopper 23.

As also shown in Figure 4, the first lug 31 comprises a second portion 312 extending from the first portion 311 of the first lug 31. This second portion 312 comprises two inclined surfaces, each of which is configured to interact with the first rib 21 as the first lug 31 passes the first rib 21 to thereby deflect the first lug 31 over the first rib 21 and lead to the production of an audible and/or tactile effect. It will be appreciated from Figure 3 that the second lug 32 has corresponding features for interacting with the second rib 22.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a container 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The container 101 of the second embodiment has a housing 120, base portion 130, lid portion 140, tab 145 and recessed portion 125 which are arranged in a similar manner to the housing 20, base portion 30, lid portion 40, tab 45 and recessed portion 25 of the container 1 of the first embodiment of Figure 1 .

However, the shape (and in particular degree of curvature) of certain components of the container 101 of Figure 5 differ from that of the container 1 of Figure 1 , as will be evident from the views of the containers shown in Figures 1 and 5.

Figures 7 and 8 show an underside view of the container of Figure 6. As seen in these Figures, the bottom of the housing is covered by a cap 129. In particular, the bottom wall of the housing 120 is recessed on its outer surface to define a second storage chamber 128 for the container. This second storage chamber is covered by cap 129, which is hinged to the housing, so that the cap can pivot between a closed position (as shown in Figure 7) where the cap covers the second storage chamber 128, and an open position (as shown in Figure 8) where the second storage chamber 128 can be accessed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A container for a product for oral consumption, the container comprising: a housing comprising a storage chamber for storing one or more products for oral consumption and an access opening for accessing the storage chamber; a cover comprising: a base portion mounted to the housing; and a lid portion coupled to the base portion by a hinge line, the lid portion being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more products for oral consumption can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening, and wherein the cover is rotatable relative to the housing between a first position, in which a tab of the lid portion is aligned with a recessed portion of the housing, and a second position, in which the tab of the lid portion is not aligned with the recessed portion of the housing.

2. A container according to claim 1 , wherein a lower edge of the base portion is adjacent to an upper edge of the housing.

3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an upper edge of the base portion is adjacent to a peripheral edge of the lid portion.

4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein a lower edge of the tab is adjacent to with an upper edge of the housing when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the second position.

5. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower edge of the tab is positioned away from an upper edge of the housing when the lid portion is in the closed position and the cover is in the first position.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the base portion of the cover is mounted to the housing by a snap-fit engagement.

7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the base portion of the cover is configured to engage with the lid portion when the lid portion is in the closed position to hold the lid portion in the closed position.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage chamber of the housing is a first storage chamber, and wherein a bottom wall of the housing is recessed to define a second storage chamber of the housing, and wherein the container further comprises a component configured to cover the second storage chamber.

9. A container for a product for oral consumption, the container comprising: a housing comprising: a storage chamber for storing one or more products for oral consumption; an access opening for accessing the storage chamber; and at least one stopper; a cover comprising: a base portion mounted to the housing; and a lid portion coupled to the base portion by a hinge line, the lid portion being configured to pivot about the hinge line between a closed position in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position in which one or more products for oral consumption can be removed from the storage chamber through the access opening, and wherein the cover further comprises a first lug and a second lug spaced apart along a periphery of the cover, the cover being rotatable relative to the housing between a first position in which the first lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction, and a second position, in which the second lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a second direction.

10. A container according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing further comprises at least one stopper and the cover further comprises a first lug and a second lug spaced apart along a periphery of the cover, and wherein when the cover is in the first position the first lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction, and when the cover is in the second position, the second lug engages with the at least one stopper to prevent further rotational movement of the cover with respect to the housing in a second direction.

11. A container according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one stopper is provided on an inner surface of the housing.

12. A container according to any of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the at least one stopper comprises a first stopper configured to engage with each of the first lug and the second lug.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein the housing further comprises a first rib and a second rib, the first and second ribs being disposed on opposed sides of the first stopper.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the first lug is configured to interact with the first rib as the cover rotates relative to the housing.

15. A container according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the second lug is configured to interact with the second rib as the cover rotates relative to the housing.