GB2131770A

GB2131770A - Dispensing device for elongate articles

Info

Publication number: GB2131770A
Application number: GB08235714A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hip Leung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-12-15
Filing date: 1982-12-15
Publication date: 1984-06-27
Also published as: HK91886A; GB2131770B

Abstract

A device for dispensing cigarettes or the like elongate articles comprises a container (2) for the cigarettes (20), having a sloping internal base portion to cause cigarettes to roll to an end of the container, a discharge slot (6), a slideway (7) communicating with the internal space of the container via the said slot (6) and a slide (8) in the slideway for movement between a first position in which the slide (8) leaves the slot free of obstruction, and a second position in which it prevents passage of a cigarette through the slot (6). On movement from the first to the second position, the slide (8) is capable of carrying a cigarette along the slideway, and an abutment (10) in the slideway (7) tilts the cigarette to project it from the slideway. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for dispensing This invention relates to a device for dispensing cigarettes or the like elongate articles, and in particular to such dispensing devices incorporated within an ashtray.

In accordance with a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a device for dispensing cigarettes or the like elongate articles, comprising a container for the cigarettes, having a sloping internal base portion to cause cigarettes to roll to an end of the container, a slot at the said end of the container, adapted to allow a cigarette to roll therethrough, a slideway adjacent the said end of the container, and communicating with the internal space of the container via the said slot, whereby on rolling through the slot, a cigarette passes into the slideway, a slide in the slideway adapted to move between a first position in which the slide leaves the slot free of obstruction, and a second position in which it prevents passage of a cigarette through the passage, the arrangement being such that, on movement from the first to the second position, the slide is capable of carrying a cigarette along the slideway, and an abutment in the slideway to cause such a cigarette to rotate about a transverse axis, and thereby to project from the slideway, on movement along the slideway as a consequence of movement of the slide between the said first and second positions.

The slide may preferably be engaged by a spring-loaded lever, which is in turn operated by a push-button. The whole of the dispensing mechanism may be accommodated within a container, which also provides for the inclusion of an ashtray.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an ashtray, comprising an outer container portion, an inner ash-receiving chamber, a lid for the ash-receiving chamber, pivotally attached to the outer container, and means adapted to be operated on raising of the lid to cause lifting of the ash-receiving chamber, to facilitate its removal from the outer container.

The lid may preferably be provided with a cover, of conventional form, for closing an aperture in the lid, and means may be provided, for example in the form of a push-button, for opening the cover to allow passage of ash therethrough.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic side elevation of an ashtray incorporating a dispensing device according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the ashtray of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the ashtray comprises an outer casing 1, incorporating both a dispensing device and an ashtray part. The dispensing device comprises a container 2 for the cigarettes 20. The container 2 has a sloping bottom portion 3, and a lid 4 hinged about axis 5.

The lid 4 is shown removed for clarity in Figure 2.

A passageway 7 is defined by the end wall 1 9a of the outer container, and wall 1 9b of the cigarette container. At the lower end of the wall 1 9b is a longitudinal slot 6, of sufficient width to enable a cigarette to roll therethrough. A generally rectangular slide 8 is accommodated in the passageway, and is adapted to slide up and down therein. The slide 8 is adapted to move between a first position, in which its top surface is substantially level with the lower edge of the slot 6, and a second position in which its top surface is somewhat higher than an abutment 10 provided towards one side of the slideway 7. Figure 1 shows the slide 8 intermediate between these first and second positions. Engaged with the slide 8 are the ends 21 of two elongate arms 11.The arms 11 are formed from a single piece of sheet metal material by bending, the linking portion between them forming a bearing member 17. The arms 11 are pivoted about axis 1 3 to permit up-and-down movement of the slide 8 in the slideway, and a coil spring 14 bears on the bearing member 17, to urge the arms upwardly, and thus the slide into the second (upper) position. Slots 22 are provided in the lower part of the base of the container base wall 3, to enable the arms 11 to project therethrough, and in the region of the slots 22, the arms are provided with upwardly projecting lugs 12, which serve to cause movement of the cigarettes 20 in the container 2, to ensure that they do not become wedged in the container, and roll readily through the slots 6.

An actuating arm 1 6 is received in a slideway formed in a vertical wall of a support block 1 5. The actuating arm 1 6 bears on the outermost end of the bearing member 17, and a push-button 1 8 in turn bears on the upper end of the actuating arm 16. The push-button 18 is necked and passes through a hole provided in the upper surface of the container 1. Thus, depression of the button 1 8 causes the actuating arm 1 6 to slide vertically in the slideway, and apply pressure to the bearing member 1 7, against the spring 14, to cause pivoting of the arms 11 to about axis 13.This has the dual effect of disturbing the cigarettes in the container 2 by means of the lugs 12, and causing the slide 9 to be depressed into the lower portion of the slideway 7, to enable a cigarette to pass trough the slot 6, and thus onto the upper surface of the slide 8.

When the slide 8 is in the first (lower) position, the end of the cigarette adjacent the abutment 10 lies underneath the abutment 10, and thus as the slide 8 rises in the slideway, the abutment 10 depresses the end of the cigarette, and causes the cigarette to rotate through approximately 900. A projection 9 provided on the end of the slide 8 and applies vertical force to the end of the cigarette, such that the cigarette eventually emerges from the slot 7 in a substantially vertical orientation.

The container 2 may be filled with cigarettes by lifting the hinged lid 4, which may thereafter be closed to maintain the freshness of the cigarettes.

The cigarettes may than be dispensed singly, by pressing the button 1 8.

The ashtray of Figure 1 also incorporates an ash-receiving chamber 40, of generally rectangular shape, having a lip 41 around its peripheral edge, which serves to support the ashreceiving chamber in an aperture provided in a top wall of the container 1 The ash-receiving chamber is provided with a hinged lid portion 42, hinged to the said top surface of the container 1 at pivot 43.

The lid 42 includes a movable cover 45, of conventional form, adapted to be operated by push-button 44 to enable ash and cigarette ends to be allowed to fall into the ash-receiving chamber 40 at desired intervals.

A lifting arm 49 lies beneath the vessel 40, and is pivotally attached about axis 48 to a support (not shown) affixed to a dividing wall 50. An actuating arm 46 engages the end of the arm 49 nearest to wall 50, such that downward pressure on the upward end 47 of arm 46 causes arm 49 to pivot about axis 48. The pivot point 43 of lid 42 is so arranged as to bear upon the upper end 47 of arm 46, when the lid 42 is raised. Thus, on raising of the lid 42, arm 49 is caused to bear against the underside of the ash-receiving vessel 40, to lift the peripheral lip 40 clear of the container 1 to facilitate removal of the ash-receiving vessel 40.

It should be understood that the above specific description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and a wide variety of alternative constructions are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing cigarettes or the like elongate articles, comprising a container for the cigarettes, having a sloping internal base portion to cause cigarettes to roll to an end of the container, a slot at the said end of the container, adapted to allow a cigarette to roll therethrough, a slideway adjacent the said end of the container, and communicating with the internal space of the container via the said slot, whereby on rolling through the slot a cigarette passes into the slideway, a slide in the slideway adapted to move between a first position in which the slide leaves the slot free of obstruction, and a second position in which it prevents passage of a cigarette through the passage, the arrangement being such that, on movement from the first to the second position, the slide is capable of carrying a cigarette along the slideway, and an abutment in the slideway to cause such a cigarette to rotate about a transverse axis, and thereby to project from the slideway, on movement along the slideway as a consequence of movement of the slide between the said first and second positions.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 , including a springloaded lever, adapted to engage the slide.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, including a push button for operating the lever.

4. A dispensing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

5. A container incorporating a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the container also including an ashtray.

6. An ashtray, comprising an outer container portion, an inner ash-receiving chamber, a lid for the ash-receiving chamber, pivotally attached to the outer container, and means adapted to be operated on raising of the lid to cause lifting of the ash-receiving chamber, to facilitate its removal from the outer container.

7. An ashtray as claimed in Claim 6 having a cover, for closing an aperture in the lid, and including means for opening the cover to allow passage of ash therethrough.

8. A container as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the ashtray is an ashtray as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7.

9. An ashtray substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.