Smokeless tobacco container with improved cover

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an improved replacement cover for a conventional smokeless tobacco can that may include a pivotably closable lid and a method of mounting the cover on a conventional smokeless tobacco can. The disclosure also relates to a smokeless tobacco holding device including a container and a lid with a spring-loaded hinge arrangement for opening the lid.

1 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a smokeless tobacco can including an outer surface;    providing a cover including a pivotably closable lid;    mounting the cover on the outer surface of the smokeless tobacco can.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the smokeless tobacco can includes a closed bottom end, an open top end, and a sidewall disposed between the bottom end and the top end, the sidewall including an inner surface and an outer surface, the top end defining a top edge, wherein the cover includes a rim and a skirt projecting downwardly from the rim, the skirt adapted to be mounted around the outer surface of the sidewall.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the skirt is adapted to be slidably mounted around the outer surface of the sidewall.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the skirt is made out of a more resilient material than the rim.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the lid forms a snap-fit arrangement with the rim.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the rim includes a portion adapted to sit on the top edge of the open top end of the can.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the portion of the rim adapted to sit on the top edge of the can is adapted to sit flush with the inner surface of the sidewall of the can.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid is coupled to the cover with a spring-loaded hinge arrangement.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein, after being mounted, the cover is removable and remountable.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein once mounted, the lid is openable and closable with one hand while holding the can with the same hand.  
   
   
       11 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a smokeless tobacco can containing smokeless tobacco;    removing a first lid from the smokeless tobacco can;    replacing the first lid with a cover including a pivotably closable second lid on the smokeless tobacco can.    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the smokeless tobacco can includes a closed bottom end, an open top end, and a sidewall disposed between the bottom end and the top end, the sidewall including an inner surface and an outer surface, the top end defining a top edge, wherein the cover includes a rim and a skirt projecting downwardly from the rim, the skirt adapted to be mounted around the outer surface of the sidewall.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the skirt is adapted to be slidably mounted around the outer surface of the sidewall.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the skirt is made out of a more resilient material than the rim.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the lid forms a snap-fit arrangement with the rim.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the rim includes a portion adapted to sit on the top edge of the open top end of the can.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the portion of the rim adapted to sit on the top edge of the can is adapted to sit flush with the inner surface of the sidewall of the can.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the lid is coupled to the cover with a spring-loaded hinge arrangement.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein, after being mounted, the cover is removable and remountable.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein once mounted, the lid is openable and closable with one hand while holding the can with the same hand.  
   
   
       21 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a smokeless tobacco can including a bottom end, a top end defining a top edge, and an outer surface;    providing a cover including a skirt, a rim located at a top of the skirt, and a lid having a portion that fits within the rim;    mounting the skirt over the outer surface of the smokeless tobacco can, wherein the rim sits on the top edge of the top end of the smokeless tobacco can.    
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the lid forms a snap-fit arrangement with the rim.  
   
   
       23 . A smokeless tobacco holding device comprising: 
 a container holding smokeless tobacco; and    a lid for opening and closing a top of the container,    wherein the lid includes a spring-loaded hinge arrangement for automatically opening the lid.    
   
   
       24 . A smokeless tobacco holding device comprising: 
 a container holding smokeless tobacco, the container including a bottom end and    a top end;    a rim located at the top end; and    a lid having a portion that fits inside the rim.    
   
   
       25 . A smokeless tobacco holding device according to  claim 24 , wherein the lid forms a snap-fit arrangement with the rim.  
   
   
       26 . A smokeless tobacco holding device comprising: 
 a container holding smokeless tobacco, the container including a snap-fitting lid,    wherein the lid is openable and closable with one hand while holding the container with the same hand.    
   
   
       27 . A smokeless tobacco holding device comprising: 
 a container holding smokeless tobacco, the container including a lid that forms a snap-fit interlock with the container, wherein the lid self-opens from a closed position to an open position without use of any hands once unlocked from the snap-fit interlock.