Two-pocket tobacco pouch with interlocking frames

Abstract

An article ( 10 ) has two pockets ( 12, 14 ) for independently containing tobacco and two interlocking frames ( 22, 24 ) made of a substantially rigid material for maintaining a closed position and for maintaining a tobacco accessory ( 60 ). Openings ( 42, 44 ) to the pockets may be wide enough for convenient manual access. The pockets may be hermetically sealed. An outward surface ( 43 ) of the article may be formed of a flexible material.

1 . A tobacco pouch comprising:
 a first pocket and a second pocket, each pocket comprising:
 a back panel and a front panel defining a tobacco cavity between the back and front panels, 
 an amount of tobacco disposed in the tobacco cavity, 
 an opening formed in the front panel for accessing the tobacco in the tobacco cavity, and 
 a sealing member covering the opening to maintain the tobacco within the pocket; 
   a first interlocking frame attached to the front panel of the first pocket about the first opening; and   a second interlocking frame attached to the front panel of the second pocket about the second opening and configured to separably engage with the first interlocking frame;   wherein the tobacco pouch is movable between an open position and a closed position, such that:
 in the closed position,
 the first and second interlocking frames are engaged, and 
 a tobacco accessory cavity is defined between the first and second interlocking frames; and 
 
 in the open position,
 the first and second interlocking frames are separated, and 
 the first and second interlocking frames define at least one tobacco accessory tray. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The tobacco pouch of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tobacco accessory;   wherein, in the closed position, the tobacco accessory is maintained in the accessory cavity between the first and second interlocking frames; and   wherein, in the open position, the tobacco accessory is accessible and at least partially maintained in the at least one tobacco accessory tray.   
     
     
         3 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the closed position, the sealing members are inaccessible, and in the open position, the sealing members are independently accessible. 
     
     
         4 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein each sealing member includes a releasable portion and a fixed portion, wherein the releasable portion is configured to be lifted away from the respective opening to open the respective pocket to access the tobacco. 
     
     
         5 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein each sealing member is configured to form a hermetic seal over the respective opening before a first opening of the respective pocket. 
     
     
         6 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein each sealing member is configured to reseal the respective pocket after a first opening of the respective pocket. 
     
     
         7 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pockets are hingedly attached to pivot between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         8 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the back panels of the first and second pockets comprise a flexible material and at least partially define a flexible outward surface of the tobacco pouch in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The tobacco pouch according  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second interlocking frames includes a release tab configured to be manually engaged to move the tobacco pouch between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         10 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein each interlocking frame comprises a biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein each interlocking frame is attached to the respective front panel by welding or an adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pockets define equal volumes. 
     
     
         13 . A method of using the tobacco pouch of  claim 1  comprising:
 releasing the first and second interlocking frames to move the tobacco pouch into the open position; 
 releasing, at least partially, the first sealing member to access the tobacco in the first pocket; 
 sealing the first pocket with the first sealing member to maintain the tobacco in the first pocket; and 
 engaging the first and second interlocking frames to move the tobacco pouch into the closed position. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 accessing a tobacco accessory with the tobacco pouch in the open position.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 releasing, at least partially, the second sealing member to access the tobacco in the second pocket after the tobacco in the first pocket has been expended.   
     
     
         16 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 2 , wherein, in the closed position, the sealing members are inaccessible, and in the open position, the sealing members are independently accessible. 
     
     
         17 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 5 , wherein each sealing member is configured to reseal the respective pocket after a first opening of the respective pocket. 
     
     
         18 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second pockets are hingedly attached to pivot between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         19 . The tobacco pouch according  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second interlocking frames includes a release tab configured to be manually engaged to move the tobacco pouch between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         20 . The tobacco pouch according to  claim 18 , wherein each interlocking frame is attached to the respective front panel by welding or an adhesive.