CONTAINER INCLUDING BASE WITH FLOOR HAVING EXTENDED POSITION AND RETRACTED POSITION, METHOD OF FILLING AND METHOD OF MAKING THEREOF

Abstract

The container includes a base with a first sidewall and a floor that define a primary cavity, the floor being attached to a first interior surfaces of the first sidewall, the first sidewall having a first end and a second end, a first lid, the first lid being configured to connect to the first end of the first sidewall to close the primary cavity, and a second lid, the second lid being configured to connect to the second end of the sidewall to close a secondary cavity that is defined in part by the floor, the floor including an extended position that expands a first volume of the primary cavity and reduces a second volume of the secondary cavity, the floor including a retracted position that reduces the first volume of the primary cavity and expands the second volume of the secondary cavity.

Claims

1. A container, comprising: a base with at least one first sidewall and a floor that define a primary cavity, the floor being attached to a first interior surfaces of the at least one first sidewall, the at least one first sidewall having a first end and a second end; a first lid, the first lid being configured to connect to the first end of the at least one first sidewall to close the primary cavity; and a second lid, the second lid being configured to connect to the second end of the at least one first sidewall to close a secondary cavity that is defined in part by the floor, the floor including an extended position that expands a first volume of the primary cavity and reduces a second volume of the secondary cavity, the floor including a retracted position that reduces the first volume of the primary cavity and expands the second volume of the secondary cavity.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the floor includes a center panel that is concentrically centered within an angled annular panel, the angled annular panel being connected to the first interior surfaces via an anchor point, the center panel being at a higher elevation and closer to the first end than the anchor point when the floor is in the retracted position, the center panel being at a lower elevation and closer to the second end than the anchor point when the floor is in the extended position.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the floor includes a center panel that is centered on the floor, the center panel being configured to be pressed in a downward direction toward the second end of the at least one first sidewall to selectively actuate the floor into the extended position, the center panel being configured to be pressed in an upward direction toward the first end of the at least one first sidewall to selectively actuate the floor into the retracted position.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the floor includes an angled annular panel that is between a horizontal annular panel a center panel, the center panel being concentrically centered within the angled annular panel, the horizontal annular panel being directly connected to the at least one first sidewall.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the center panel is closer to the second end of the at least one first sidewall when the floor is in the extended position, and the center panel is closer to the first end of the at least one first sidewall when the floor is in the retracted position, and major upper and lower surfaces of the center panel are perpendicular to the first interior surfaces when the floor is in the extended position and in the retracted position.

6. The container of claim 4, wherein the angled annular panel is sloped to radially extend from the horizontal annular panel to the center panel in the downward direction when the floor is in the extended position, and the angled annular panel is sloped to radially extend from the horizontal annular panel to the center panel in the upward direction when the floor is in the retracted position.

7. The container of claim 4, wherein the center panel is a first flat panel with first major upper and lower surfaces that are circular in shape, and the angled annular panel is a second flat panel that is frustoconical in shape, and the horizontal annular panel is a third flat panel with second major upper and lower surfaces that are donut shaped.

8. The container of claim 3, wherein the floor includes an angled annular panel that is between a horizontal annular panel the at least one first sidewall, the center panel being concentrically centered within the angled annular panel, the horizontal annular panel being directly connected to the at least one first sidewall.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the center panel is closer to the second end of the at least one first sidewall when the floor is in the extended position, and the center panel is closer to the first end of the at least one first sidewall when the floor is in the retracted position, and major upper and lower surfaces of the center panel are perpendicular to the first interior surfaces when the floor is in the extended position and the retracted position.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein the center panel is a first flat panel with first major upper and lower surfaces that are circular in shape, and the angled annular panel is a second flat panel that is frustoconical in shape.

11. The container of claim 8, wherein the angled annular panel is anchored to the at least one first sidewall via a horizontal annular panel, the horizontal annular panel being directly connected to the at least one first sidewall, and first major upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal annular panel and second major upper and lower surfaces of the center panel remain parallel to each other when the floor is in the extended position and in the retracted position.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one second sidewall and a first annular inner wall extend from a second interior surfaces of the second lid, a first annular cavity being defined by the at least one second sidewall and the first annular inner wall.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein a second annular inner wall extends from a lower surface of the floor, a second annular cavity being defined by the second end of the at least one first sidewall and the second annular inner wall, and the first annular inner wall fits within the second annular cavity when the second lid is connected to the base.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein a ridge extends from a first distal end of the second end of the at least one first sidewall, the ridge defining a first step along an exterior periphery of the first distal end, and a second distal end of the at least one second sidewall fits within the first step, and the first annular inner wall fits within the second annular cavity, when the second lid is connected to the base.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one second sidewall extends from second interior surfaces of the first lid, and at least one ridge extends from third interior surfaces of the at least one second sidewall along a portion of a periphery of the second interior surfaces, and at least one ridge segment extends from the third interior surfaces, the at least one ridge segment being between the at least one ridge.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein an exterior surface of the first end of the at least one first sidewall defines engaging surfaces along a periphery of the at least one first sidewall, the engaging surfaces being configured to engage and retain the at least one ridge when the first lid is connected to the base, and at least one recessed area is defined within the engaging surfaces, the at least one ridge segment being configured to fit within a respective one of the at least one recessed area when the first lid is connected to the base.

17. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is in a shape of a cylinder, when the first lid and the second lid are connected to the base.

18. A method of filling a container, comprising: filling a primary cavity of the container with at least one consumer product, a floor of a base of the container being in an extended position during the filling, the based including at least one first sidewall, the floor and the base defining the primary cavity, the at least one first sidewall having a first end and a second end; connecting a first lid to the first end of the at least one first sidewall to close the primary cavity; actuating the floor of the base to be in a retracted position; and connecting a second lid to the second end of the at least one first sidewall to close a secondary cavity, the extended position expanding a first volume of the primary cavity and reducing a second volume of the secondary cavity, the retracted position reducing the first volume of the primary cavity and expanding the second volume of the secondary cavity.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: actuating the floor of the base to be in an extended position prior to the filling, and wherein the actuating of the floor to be in the extended position and the retracted position includes pressing on respective upper and lower major surfaces of a center panel that is concentrically centered within an angled annular panel, the floor including the center panel and the angled annular panel.

20. A method of making a container, comprising: forming a base with at least one first sidewall and a floor that defines a primary cavity, the floor being attached to first interior surfaces of the at least one first sidewall, the at least one first sidewall having a first end and a second end; connecting a first lid to the first end of the at least one first sidewall of the base to close the primary cavity; and connecting a second lid to the second end of the at least one first sidewall of the base to close a secondary cavity that is defined in part by the floor, the floor including an extended position that expands a first volume of the primary cavity and reduces a second volume of the secondary cavity, the floor including a retracted position that reduces the first volume of the primary cavity and expands the second volume of the secondary cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. For purposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have been exaggerated.

[0045] FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrations of perspective views of a container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0046] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a side view of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0047] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a top view of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0048] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a bottom view of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0049] FIGS. 6-7 are illustration of perspective views of a base and a lower lid of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 8 is a top view of the base and the lower lid of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0051] FIGS. 9-10 are illustrations of perspective views of the base of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0052] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a bottom view of the base of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0053] FIGS. 12-13 are illustrations of an upper lid of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a bottom view of the upper lid of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0055] FIGS. 15-16 are illustrations of perspective views of the lower lid of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 17 is an illustration of a top view of the lower lid of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0057] FIGS. 18-19 are illustrations of the base and the lower lid of the container, with the base being in a retracted position, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0058] FIG. 20 is an illustration of a top view of the base and the lower lid of the container, with the base in the retracted position, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0059] FIG. 21 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view (view XXI-XXI of FIG. 4), showing the base in a retracted position, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0060] FIG. 22 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view (view XXI-XXI of FIG. 4), showing the base in an extended position, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0061] FIG. 23A is an illustration of a cross-sectional view (view XXI-XXI of FIG. 4), showing the base in the retracted position (depicted without the upper lid and the lower lid), in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0062] FIG. 23B is an illustration of a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 23A, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0063] FIG. 24A is an illustration of a cross-sectional view (view XXI-XXI of FIG. 4), shown without the base, in accordance with at least one example embodiment;

[0064] FIG. 24B is an illustration of close-up view of a portion of FIG. 24A, in accordance with at least one example embodiment; and

[0065] FIG. 25 is a flowchart for a method of filling a container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

[0067] Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0068] It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being on, connected to, coupled to, or covering another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations or sub-combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0069] It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

[0070] Spatially relative terms (e.g., beneath, below, lower, above, upper, and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented above the other elements or features. Thus, the term below may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0071] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms includes, including, comprises, and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or groups thereof.

[0072] When the words about and substantially are used in this specification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical value include a tolerance of 10% around the stated numerical value, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0073] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0074] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of example embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Container

[0075] At least some example embodiments are directed to containers and/or packages that define a cavity, where a size of the cavity can change in size (volume), and general shape. In at least one example embodiment, the containers, or a portion of the containers, have two configurations: an extended configuration where the cavity has a larger volume, and a retracted configuration where the cavity has a smaller volume.

[0076] In at least one example embodiment, the cavity of the containers can contain at least one substance. In at least one example embodiment, the at least one substance is a consumer product. In at least one example embodiment, the at least one substance and/or the consumer product includes an oral product. In at least one example embodiment, the oral product is one or more pouches.

[0077] In at least one example embodiment, the oral product is an oral tobacco product, an oral non-tobacco product, an oral cannabis product, or any combination thereof. The oral product may be in a form of loose material (e.g., loose cellulosic material), shaped material (e.g., plugs or twists), pouched material, tablets, lozenges, chews, gums, films, any other oral product, or any combination thereof.

[0078] The oral product may include chewing tobacco, snus, moist snuff tobacco, dry snuff tobacco, other smokeless tobacco and non-tobacco products for oral consumption, or any combination thereof.

[0079] In at least one example embodiment, the oral product is an oral tobacco product including smokeless tobacco product, the smokeless tobacco product may include tobacco that is whole, shredded, cut, granulated, reconstituted, cured, aged, fermented, pasteurized, or otherwise processed. Tobacco may be present as whole or portions of leaves, flowers, roots, stems, extracts (e.g., nicotine), or any combination thereof.

[0080] In at least one example embodiment, the oral product includes a tobacco extract, such as a tobacco-derived nicotine extract, and/or synthetic nicotine. The oral product may include nicotine alone or in combination with a carrier (e.g., white snus), such as a cellulosic material. The carrier may be a non-tobacco material (e.g., microcrystalline cellulose) or a tobacco material (e.g., tobacco fibers having reduced or eliminated nicotine content, which may be referred to as exhausted tobacco plant tissue or fibers). In some example embodiments, the exhausted tobacco plant tissue or fibers can be treated to remove at least 25%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the nicotine. For example, the tobacco plant tissue can be washed with water or another solvent to remove the nicotine.

[0081] In other example embodiments, the oral product may include cannabis, such as cannabis plant tissue and/or cannabis extracts. In at least one example embodiment, the cannabis material includes leaf and/or flower material from one or more species of cannabis plants and/or extracts from the one or more species of cannabis plants. The one or more species of cannabis plants may include Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and/or Cannabis ruderalis. In at least one example embodiment, the cannabis may be in the form of fibers. In at least one example embodiment, the cannabis may include a cannabinoid, a terpene, and/or a flavonoid. In at least one example embodiment, the cannabis material may be a cannabis-derived cannabis material, such as a cannabis-derived cannabinoid, a cannabis-derived terpene, and/or a cannabis-derived flavonoid.

[0082] The oral product (e.g., the oral tobacco product, the oral non-tobacco product, or the oral cannabis product) may have various ranges of moisture. In at least one example embodiment, the oral product is a dry oral product having a moisture content ranging from 5% by weight to 10% by weight. In at least one example embodiment, the oral product has a medium moisture content, such as a moisture content ranging from 20% by weight to 35% by weight. In at least one example embodiment, the oral product is a wet oral product having a moisture content ranging from 40% by weight to 55% by weight.

[0083] In at least one example embodiment, oral product may further include one or more elements such as a mouth-stable polymer, a mouth-soluble polymer, a sweetener (e.g., a synthetic sweetener and/or a natural sweetener), an energizing agent, a soothing agent, a focusing agent, a plasticizer, mouth-soluble fibers, an alkaloid, a mineral, a vitamin, a dietary supplement, a nutraceutical, a coloring agent, an amino acid, a chemesthetic agent, an antioxidant, a food-grade emulsifier, a pH modifier, a botanical, a tooth-whitening agent, a therapeutic agent, a processing aid, a stearate, a wax, a stabilizer, a disintegrating agent, a lubricant, a preservative, a filler, a flavorant, flavor masking agents, a bitterness receptor site blocker, a receptor site enhancers, other additives, or any combination thereof.

[0084] In at least one example embodiment, the containers may contain any product or substance. For example, the containers may contain confectionary products, food products, medicines, or any other product.

[0085] FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrations of perspective views of a container 100, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIGS. 3-5 are illustrations of a side view, a top view and a bottom view of the container 100, in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

[0086] In at least one example embodiment, the container 100 includes a base 110 and a first lid (upper lid) 120. In at least one example embodiment, the base 110 includes at least one first sidewall 114 that is flush with at least one second sidewall 124 of the first lid 120 (see FIG. 3), when the first lid 120 is in a closed position on the base 110. In at least one example embodiment, the container 100 has a second lid (lower lid) 130. In at least one example embodiment, the second lid 130 has at least one third sidewall 134. In at least one example embodiment, the at least one third sidewall 134 is flush with the at least one first sidewall 114 of the base 110 (see FIG. 3), when the second lid 130 is in a closed position on the base 110. In at least one example embodiment, the first lid 120 includes an upper wall 122 with an upper surface 122a that is substantially flat. In at least one example embodiment, the upper surface 122a defines a dimple 106 at a center-point of the upper surface 122a. In at least one example embodiment, the at least one second sidewall 124 and the upper surface 122a define first recessed areas 102 along a periphery of an upper part of the first lid 120. In at least one example embodiment, the first recessed areas 102 are spaced equidistantly along the upper part of the first lid 120 (see FIG. 4). In at least one example embodiment, the first recessed areas 102 are used as markers to indicate a radial location of ridge segments 1234 on an interior surface of the at least one second sidewall 124 (see at least FIG. 12), so that the ridge segments 1234 can be fitted into recessed areas 650 on the at least one first sidewall 114 of the base 110 (see at least FIG. 6), when the first lid 120 is connected to the base 110 and is in the closed position. That is to say, in at least one example embodiment, each of the first recessed areas 102 is on an exterior surface of a portion of the at least one second sidewall 124 that is at a same radial location relative to a respective one of the ridge segments 1234 (the ridge segments 1234 being on an opposite side of the at least one second sidewall 124), to act as a guide for the ridge segments 1234, as the ridge segments 1234 are inserted into the recessed areas 650. In at least one example embodiment, indicia, markings, or other indicators are used in conjunction with, or in lieu of, the first recessed areas 102.

[0087] In at least one example embodiment, a lower part of the at least one first sidewall 114 of the base 110 defines second recessed areas 104, near a seam 108 that is between the base 110 and the second lid 130. In at least one example embodiment, the second recessed areas 104 allow a portion of a distal end 134a of the at least one third sidewall 134 to be exposed (FIGS. 1 and 3) to allow the second lid 130 to be pried off of the base 110.

[0088] In at least one example embodiment, the second lid 130 includes a lower wall 200 with a lower surface 200a. In at least one example embodiment, the lower surface 200a defines an annular lower surface 230 along an outer periphery of the lower wall 200. In at least one example embodiment, the lower surface 200a defines a recessed area 210 with a recessed surface 240 that is substantially flat. In at least one example embodiment, the lower surface 200a defines an angled surface 220 (see FIGS. 2 and 24A), at a transition between the annular lower surface 230 and the recessed surface 240. In at least one example embodiment, the angled surface 220 can be vertical (parallel with an outer side surface of the at least one third sidewall 134), as opposed to being angled. In at least one example embodiment, the recessed surface 240 defines a dimple 206 at a center-point of the recessed surface 240.

[0089] In at least one example embodiment, an overall shape of the container 100 is cylindrical in shape. In at least one example embodiment, other shapes of the container 100 are contemplated.

[0090] FIGS. 6-7 are illustrations of perspective views of the base 110 and the second lid 130 of the container 100, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 8 is a top view of the base 110 and the second lid 130 of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

[0091] In at least one example embodiment, the base 110 defines a primary cavity 680. In at least one example embodiment, the primary cavity 680 is defined at least in part by a floor 625 and the at least one first sidewall 114. In at least one example embodiment, the floor 625 can be actuated from a retracted position (configuration) 670 where a volume of the primary cavity 680 is smaller (see FIGS. 6 and 21) and a volume of a secondary cavity 2150 is larger (FIG. 21), to an extended position (configuration) 1800 where the volume of the primary cavity 680 is larger (see FIGS. 18 and 22), and the volume of the secondary cavity 2150 is smaller (see FIG. 22), as described herein.

[0092] In at least one example embodiment, the floor 625 includes a horizontal annular panel 610, an angled annular panel 620 and a center panel 600 (see at least FIG. 6). In at least one example embodiment, the center panel 600 is concentrically centered within the angled annular panel 620. In at least one example embodiment, the angled annular panel 620 is anchored to a vertical inner surface 660 of the at least one first sidewall 114 by the horizontal annular panel 610, where the horizontal annular panel 610 remains stationary relative to the at least one first sidewall 114, and the angled annular panel 620 is able to be pressed downward to transition from the retracted position 670 (as shown in at least FIGS. 6 and 21) to the extended position 1800 (see at least FIGS. 18 and 22), as explained in more detail, herein. In at least one example embodiment, the angled annular panel 620 is directly connected to the at least one first sidewall 114, such that the horizontal annular panel 610 is not part of the floor 625.

[0093] In at least one example embodiment, the center panel 600 has a circular footprint (shown in at least FIG. 8), where the center panel 600 is flat and disc-shaped (also see FIGS. 21-23A). In at least one example embodiment, the angled annular panel 620 is a thin annular panel that is frustoconical in shape (see FIGS. 8 and 21), where the angled annular panel 620 is either inclined upward from an anchor point 2100 toward the center panel 600 when the floor 625 is in the retracted position 670 as shown in FIG. 21, or the angled annular panel 620 is declined downward from the anchor point 2100 toward the center panel 600 when the floor 625 is in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 22. In at least one example embodiment, the anchor point 2100 (FIGS. 21 and 22) for the angled annular panel 620 can be an edge of the horizontal annular panel 610, or the anchor point 2100 can be part of the at least one first sidewall 114 (such that the horizontal annular panel 610 is not part of the floor 625).

[0094] In at least one example embodiment, the horizontal annular panel 610 is an annular flat panel that is substantially donut-shaped (see FIGS. 8 and 21-22). In at least one example embodiment, major surfaces of the center panel 600 and the horizontal annular panel 610 are both in planes that are parallel to each other (see FIGS. 21 and 22). In at least one example embodiment, major surfaces of the center panel 600 and the horizontal annular panel 610 are both perpendicular to the at least one first sidewall 114 of the base 110 and/or parallel to the vertical inner surface 660 of the at least one first sidewall 114 (see FIGS. 21 and 22).

[0095] In at least one example embodiment, the upper exterior periphery of the base 110 includes engaging surfaces 630. In at least one example embodiment, the engaging surfaces 630 allow the first lid 120 to be retained by the base 110 once the first lid 120 is pressed onto the base 110 and the first lid 120 is in the closed position. In at least one example embodiment, the engaging surfaces 630 include a lower vertical surface 634 that is between an angled surface 632 and a lower step 636 (see FIGS. 6 and 23A). In at least one example embodiment, the engaging surface 630 further includes an upper vertical surface 640 that is above an upper step 638 (see FIGS. 6 and 23A). In at least one example embodiment, portions of the upper step 638 define the recessed areas 650 (FIGS. 6 and 7), where the recessed areas 650 are spaced equidistantly around the upper step 638 (see FIG. 8, in particular). In at least one example embodiment, and as described herein, the ridge segments 1234 on the interior of the first lid 120 are fitted into the recessed areas 650, when the first lid 120 is pressed down onto the base 110 and the first lid 120 is snapped into a retained (closed) position on the base 110, as described in more detail in relation to FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0096] In at least one example embodiment, the primary cavity 680 contains at least one of the consumer products. In at least one example embodiment, the volume of the primary cavity 680 is changed due to the actuation capabilities of the floor 625, during an initial filling of the base 110, as part of a manufacturing process. Specifically, in at least one example embodiment, the base 110 is initially filled with the at least one consumer product when the floor 625 is in the extended position 1800 (see FIGS. 18 and 22). This allows the primary cavity 680 to be filled with a desired volume of the at least one consumer product, without the at least one consumer product overfilling the primary cavity 680 and/or extending above a top of the at least one first sidewall 114 of the base 110, prior to a top of the base 110 being closed by the first lid 120. In at least one example embodiment, this can avoid wicking of the at least one consumer product, where at least a portion of the at least one consumer product is accidentally caught in seams between the at least one first sidewall 114 of the base 110, where the first lid 120 may disallow the container 100 to be properly sealed, and/or part of the at least one consumer product mistakenly extends from the container 100 even after the first lid 120 is connected to the base 110. In at least one example embodiment, wicking can cause water or moisture to inadvertently be absorbed by the at least one consumer product. During wicking, moisture absorbed by an end of the at least one consumer product that extends outside of the container 100 may degrade the at least one consumer product, and the moisture may migrate through the at least one consumer product and into the primary cavity 680, thereby causing further undesired degradation of the at least one consumer product.

[0097] In at least one example embodiment, due to the actuation capabilities of the floor 625, the volume of the primary cavity 680 is reduced, following the filling of the base 110 with the at least one consumer product (see the retracted position 670 of the floor 625 in FIG. 21). In at least one example embodiment, the retraction of the floor 625 occurs after the first lid 120 is connected to the base 110 and the first lid 120 is in the closed position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 21). In at least another example embodiment, the retraction of the floor 625 occurs after the filling of the base 110 with the at least one consumer product, and before the first lid 120 is connected to the base 110 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 21), once it is verified that the at least one consumer product does not extend above the at least one first sidewall 114 and/or it is verified that the at least one consumer product is not otherwise running a risk of being caught between the base 110 and the first lid 120, or running a risk of extending outside of the container 100 after the container 100 is closed, during a manufacturing process.

[0098] FIGS. 9-10 are illustrations of perspective views of the base 110 of the container 100, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 11 is an illustration of a bottom view of the base 110 of the container 100, in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

[0099] In at least one example embodiment, the base 110 includes an annular inner wall 900 and a ridge 910 extending from a distal end of the at least one first sidewall 114, with an annular cavity 920 defined between the annular inner wall 900 and the ridge 910 (see at least FIGS. 9, 23A and 23B). In at least one example embodiment, an outer surface 2305 of the ridge 910 is rounded and/or beveled (FIG. 23B). In at least one example embodiment, an inner surface 2310 of the ridge 910 is substantially flat (see FIG. 23B). In at least one example embodiment, a step 950 is defined at a distal lower end of the at least one first sidewall 114, between an exterior surface of the at least one first sidewall 114 and the ridge 910. In at least one example embodiment, the ridge 910, or the inner surface 2310 of the ridge 910, is offset in a radially outward direction, with an offset angle 2315 of about 2.5 to 15 degrees, or about 3.0 to 10 degrees, or about 5.0 degrees. In at least one example embodiment, the offset angle 2315 is an angle that is relative to an interior surface 2320 of a lower portion of the at least one first sidewall 114. In at least one example embodiment, a distal end 2300 of the ridge 910 is rounded and/or beveled (FIG. 23B).

[0100] In at least one example embodiment, an outer surface 2325 of the annular inner wall 900 is offset in a radially inward direction, such that a first upper distance 2330 between the interior surface 2320 and the outer surface 2325 is smaller than a second lower distance 2335 (FIG. 23B). In at least one example embodiment, the outer surface 2325 is substantially flat, and the outer surface 2325 is offset with an offset angle 2340 of about 2.5 to 15 degrees, or about 3.0 to 10 degrees, or about 5.0 degrees. In at least one example embodiment, the offset angle 2340 is an angle that is relative to the interior surface 2320 of a lower portion of the at least one first sidewall 114. In at least one example embodiment, a distal end 2350 of the annular inner wall 900 is rounded and/or beveled (FIG. 23B). In at least one example embodiment, the distal end 2350 includes a protuberance 930 along a periphery of the annular inner wall 900, where the protuberance 930 extends toward the ridge 910 (FIGS. 9 and 23B). In at least one example embodiment, a first thickness 940 of the distal end 2350 of the annular inner wall 900 is larger than a second thickness 2355 of a portion of the annular inner wall 900 above the protuberance 930.

[0101] FIGS. 12-13 are illustrations of the first lid 120 of the container 100, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 14 is an illustration of a bottom view of the first lid 120, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIGS. 15-16 are illustrations of perspective views of the second lid 130 of the container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 17 is an illustration of a top view of the second lid 130, in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

[0102] In at least one example embodiment, the first lid 120 has an interior surface 1200 that defines a raised surface 1210 and an annular inset surface 1220 (see FIGS. 13 and 21). In at least one example embodiment, the interior surface 1200 defines an angled surface 1225 at a transition between the raised surface 1210 and the annular inset surface 1220. In at least one example embodiment, the raised surface 1210 is substantially flat. In at least one example embodiment, the raised surface 1210 defines a raised portion 106a at a center-point of the interior surface 1200, where the raised portion 106a extends away from the raised surface 1210.

[0103] In at least one example embodiment, an interior surface 1240 of the at least one second sidewall 124 of the first lid 120 defines engaging structure 1230. In at least one example embodiment, the engaging structure 1230 includes a ridge 1232 that runs along a majority of a periphery of the interior surface 1240. In at least one example embodiment, an outer surface 2400 of a vertical cross-section of the ridge 1232 is rounded (see FIG. 24A).

[0104] In at least one example embodiment, the interior surface 1240 further defines the ridge segments 1234 at equidistant locations along the interior surface 1240 (see FIG. 14 in particular). In at least one example embodiment, an outer surface 2420 of each of the ridge segments 1234 defines an angled lower surface 2410 and a step 2415 (see FIG. 24A). In at least one example embodiment, and as further described herein, each of the ridge segments 1234 are positioned to be at a same radial location as a respective one of the first recessed areas 102 of the first lid 120 (see at least FIGS. 1, 12 and 14).

[0105] In at least one example embodiment, the second lid 130 includes an annular inner wall 1510 that combines with the at least one third sidewall 134 to define an annular cavity 1520 between the annular inner wall 1510 and the at least one third sidewall 134 (see FIGS. 15 and 24A). In at least one example embodiment, an interior surface 1530 of the second lid 130 defines an inset annular surface 1505 and a raised center surface 1515. In at least one example embodiment, the raised center surface 1515 has a higher elevation that the inset annular surface 1505 (see FIG. 24A, in particular). In at least one example embodiment, the raised center surface 1515 is substantially flat. In at least one example embodiment, the raised center surface 1515 defines a raised portion 206a at a center-point of the interior surface 1530 of the second lid 130.

[0106] In at least one example embodiment, a distal end 2435 of the annular inner wall 1510 has a protuberance 1610 (see at least FIGS. 16, 24A and 24B), facing radially inward and toward the raised portion 206a (at the center-point of the interior surface 1530). In at least one example embodiment, a thickness 1600 of the protuberance 1610 is greater than a remaining thickness of the 1510 (see FIGS. 16, 24A and 24B).

[0107] FIGS. 18-19 are illustrations of the base 110 and the second lid 130 of the container, with the base 110 being in the extended position 1800, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 20 is an illustration of a top view of the base 110 and the second lid 130 of the container 100, with the base 110 in the extended position 1800, in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

[0108] In at least one example embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 18-20, the floor 625 includes the extended position 1800 (also see FIG. 22). In at least one example embodiment, when the floor 625 is in the extended position 1800, a lower surface of the center panel 600 and an upper surface of the raised center surface 1515 contact each other see (FIG. 22). In at least another one example embodiment, when the floor 625 is in the extended position 1800, a gap may exist between the lower surface of the center panel 600 and the upper surface of the raised center surface 1515 (not shown).

[0109] FIG. 21 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view (view XXI-XXI of FIG. 4), showing the base 110 in the retracted position 670, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 22 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view (view XXI-XXI of FIG. 4), showing the base 110 in the extended position 1800, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 23A is an illustration of a cross-sectional view (view XXI-XXI of FIG. 4), showing the base 110 in the retracted position 670 (depicted without the first lid 120 and the second lid 130), in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 23B is an illustration of a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 23A, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 24A is an illustration of a cross-sectional view (view XXI-XXI of FIG. 4), shown without the base 110, in accordance with at least one example embodiment. FIG. 24B is an illustration of close-up view of a portion of FIG. 24A, in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

[0110] In at least one example embodiment, the second lid 130 is connected to the base 110 by the annular inner wall 1510 of the second lid 130 fitting into the annular cavity 920 of the base 110 (FIGS. 21 and 23A), as the ridge 910 of the base 110 fits into the annular cavity 1520 of the second lid 130 (FIGS. 21 and 24A), with the step 950 of the base 110 contacting a distal end 2425 of the at least one third sidewall 134 of the second lid 130 (FIGS. 21 and 24B). In at least one example embodiment, an inner surface 2430 of the distal end 2425 of the at least one third sidewall 134 is rounded or beveled to allow the ridge 910 to fit within the annular cavity 1520 of the second lid 130 (FIG. 24B).

[0111] In at least one example embodiment, and as shown in at least FIGS. 21 and 22, the protuberance 930 of the annular inner wall 900 faces radially outward away from the raised portion 206a, and the protuberance 1610 of the annular inner wall 1510 of the second lid 130 faces radially inward toward the raised portion 206a, such that the protuberance 930 and the protuberance 1610 interlock to allow the second lid 130 to be pressed into place and locked onto the base 110. In at least one example embodiment, an inner surface 1510a the annular inner wall 1510 of the second lid 130 is offset, with an offset angle 2450, to help the protuberances 930/1610 interlock. In at least one example embodiment, the offset angle 2450 is about 2.5 to 15 degrees, or about 3.0 to 10 degrees, or about 5.0 degrees.

[0112] In at least one example embodiment, the container 100 is formed from one or more polymers that are malleable, and are able to allow the floor 625 to be actuated without cracking or damaging the floor 625. In at least one example embodiment, the container 100 is formed of one or more homopolymers, one or more copolymers, or any combination of one or more homopolymers and copolymers. In at least some example embodiments, the polymer includes a thermoplastic polymer. In at least some example embodiments, the polymer includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), a polyethylene (PE), or any combination thereof. In at least one example embodiment, the polymer is suitable for storing an oral product having one or more flavorings and/or volatile agents therein. In some example embodiments, the container 100 may further include one or more coatings on an inner surface thereof, if desired. In at least one example embodiment, the container 100 is made from 100% polyethylene.

[0113] In at least one example embodiment, an angle of incline 2160 of the angled annular panel 620 in both the retracted position 670 and the extended position 1800 (FIGS. 21 and 22) is about 20 to 45 degrees, or about 30 to 45 degrees. In at least one example embodiment, a thickness of the floor 625 is about 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm, or about 0.55 mm to 1.5 mm, or about 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0114] FIG. 25 is a flowchart for a method of filling a container, in accordance with at least one example embodiment.

[0115] In at least one example embodiment, and as shown in step S2500 of FIG. 25, the floor 625 of the base 110 is actuated into the extended position 1800 (FIG. 22). In this position, a larger volume of the primary cavity 680 is available to receive the at least one consumer product. In at least one example embodiment, and as shown in step S2510, the primary cavity 680 is filled with at least one consumer product. In at least one example embodiment, and as shown in step S2520, the first lid 120 is connected to the base 110. In at least one example embodiment, and as shown in step S2530, the floor 625 of the base 110 is actuated into the retracted position 21 (FIG. 21). In this position, a volume of the secondary cavity 2150 (defined by the floor 625, the annular inner wall 900, the raised center surface 1515 and the annular inner wall 1510) is increased to create an area for the at least one consumer products to be held, after they are consumer/spent (see FIG. 21). In at least another example embodiment, the secondary cavity 2150 is used for other purposes, such as containing samples, additional consumer products, consumer prizes, consumer information, coupons, marketing literature, or other items for consumers. In at least one example embodiment, and as shown in step S2540, the second lid 130 is connected to the base 110.

[0116] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations may be possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.