GB2555096A

GB2555096A - Cigarette case

Info

Publication number: GB2555096A
Application number: GB1617382.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Feng Xue Ai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-10-13
Filing date: 2016-10-13
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Also published as: GB201617382D0

Abstract

A case 2 comprising: a body 4 defining an interior chamber, arranged to retain in parallel configuration (i) a row of cigarettes 40, and (ii) a row of nicotine replacement products 38, the body being formed with a mouth opening at or near one end of the parallel configuration. The body has a mouth opening 6 and a movable door 8 mounted to the body having a closed position and an open position. A controller 12 is configured to control a locking mechanism to permit the door to be opened at one or more timed intervals. The container may comprise a limiting mechanism to permit only a single cigarette and/or nicotine replacement product to be removed from the opening when the door is open, and said mechanism may be further configured to accept the return of a cigarette or nicotine replacement product and prevent removal of the returned object until the next time interval. The door may comprise a drawer unit which is slidably located within the case and can be partially withdrawn from the case, possibly dimensioned to carry a single cigarette and single nicotine replacement product at a given time.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Ai Feng Xue

Tristram Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 5LX, United Kingdom

1617382.5 (5η ]_Νγ ci_:

A24F 15/00 (2006.01)

13.10.2016 A24F 15/08 (2006.01)

A24F 47/00 (2006.01)

- B65D 83/16 (2006.01)

B65D 85/10 (2006.01)

A24F 75/04(2006.01) A24F 15/14 (2006.01) B65D 83/04 (2006.01) B65D 83/68 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

WO 2016/131136 A1 (72) Inventor(s):

Ai Feng Xue (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA24F, B65D Other: WPI, EPODOC, TXTA (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Agile IP LLP

Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 0ΧΖ, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Cigarette case

Abstract Title: Cigarette and Nicotine Replacement Product Case with Time Controlled Lock (57) A case 2 comprising: a body 4 defining an interior chamber, arranged to retain in parallel configuration (i) a row of cigarettes 40, and (ii) a row of nicotine replacement products 38, the body being formed with a mouth opening at or near one end of the parallel configuration. The body has a mouth opening 6 and a movable door 8 mounted to the body having a closed position and an open position. A controller 12 is configured to control a locking mechanism to permit the door to be opened at one or more timed intervals. The container may comprise a limiting mechanism to permit only a single cigarette and/or nicotine replacement product to be removed from the opening when the door is open, and said mechanism may be further configured to accept the return of a cigarette or nicotine replacement product and prevent removal of the returned object until the next time interval. The door may comprise a drawer unit which is slidably located within the case and can be partially withdrawn from the case, possibly dimensioned to carry a single cigarette and single nicotine replacement product at a given time.

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Application No. GB1617382.5

RTM

Date :20 March 2017

Intellectual

Property

Office

The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

“Bluetooth”

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

Cigarette Case

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cigarette case, particular one that contains both cigarettes and nicotine replacement products.

Background of the Invention

It is well established that smoking cigarettes is unhealthy. Many smokers attempt to cease smoking with varying or short-term success owing to the highly addictive nature of nicotine. There are various methods associated with smoking cessation, including the gradual reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked and/or the use of nicotine replacement products such as chewing gum and tablets/lozenges.

Regarding nicotine replacement products, the general principle is for the user to minimise withdrawal effects by consuming nicotine in a less harmful form, i.e. without inhaling toxic smoke. A recommended plan is provided in leaflet form, involving reducing the frequency of use after an initial period, and then gradually reducing use over a further period of time.

Whilst many succeed, others still find it difficult to cease nicotine consumption. Whilst even a reduced number of cigarettes are being smoked, the user still has free access to the cigarette pack. When following a nicotine replacement program, there is reliance on the user following the recommended reduction program and in many cases the user will overuse the products rather than cut down gradually.

An improved way of reducing nicotine intake with the aim of quitting is desirable.

Summary of the Invention

In a broad sense, the invention provides a cigarette case which holds both a plurality of cigarettes and a plurality of nicotine replacement products. The case comprises a mouth opening which allows a single one of each product to be accessible by a user at a timed interval, therefore controlling when a user can access either or both of a cigarette and replacement product. The timed interval may be predetermined in accordance with a program which may vary according to the user’s progress which may be fed-back to a control module. The program may be stored locally on the case, or stored remotely on an electronic terminal such as a smart phone, computer or tablet. The program may be part of an application program (e.g. an “App”). For this purpose, the case may comprise a wireless communications module for transmitting and/or receiving data with the remote terminal.

According to one aspect, there is provided a cigarette case, comprising a body defining an interior chamber, dimensioned and arranged to retain in parallel configuration (i) a row of cigarettes, and (ii) a row of nicotine replacement products, the body being formed with a mouth opening at or near one end of the parallel configuration; a movable door mounted to the body having a closed position in which said door obstructs said opening and an open position in which said door clears said opening; and a controller configured to control the locking mechanism to permit the door to be moved from the closed position to the open position at one or more timed intervals.

The interior chamber may comprise first and second portions for housing the row of cigarettes and row of nicotine replacement products respectively, the second portion being narrower than the first.

The case may further comprise a limiting mechanism configured to permit only a single cigarette and/or nicotine replacement product to be removed from the mouth opening when the door is in the open position.

The limiting mechanism may be further configured to accept the return of a cigarette and/or nicotine replacement product through the opening into the interior chamber and to prevent subsequent removal of said returned cigarette and/or nicotine replacement product until the next time interval.

The case my further comprise a button, switch or touch panel for effecting opening of the movable door at the timed interval.

The case may further comprise a communications module for communicating with a remote terminal, the communications module being arranged to receive data indicative of the one or more timed intervals. The communications module may be a wireless communications module, e.g. using Bluetooth or RF.

As mentioned above, the timed intervals may be determined by a program, e.g. a computer program stored in data form on a computer readable storage medium. The program may be stored locally on a memory medium of the case and/or remotely on the remote terminal. The program may determine when the user is able to access the stored products, otherwise preventing access until the next time interval. The communications module of the case may be configured to send usage data to the remote terminal indicative of removal of the cigarettes and/or replacement products. This usage data may be used by the terminal to adapt one or more subsequent timed intervals.

In some embodiments, there may be provided an override facility, whereby a user may access the stored products before the next interval, e.g. if the user is about to board an airplane or go into a meeting. This override facility may be permitted a limited number of times, e.g. once or twice per day, and may be initiated by a special switch or button, or by an existing switch being operated in a particular way.

The case may comprise a second opening for the insertion of replacement cigarettes and nicotine replacement products.

The case may comprise a battery for powering electronic components of the case. The battery may form part of a detachable control module which comprises the communications module.

A display interface may be provided on the case and/or the control module, e.g. in the form of one or more of LEDs, LCDs, or other forms of electronic display. The display interface may be configured to provide information on one or more of (i) battery charge remaining, (ii) remaining number of stored products (iii) remaining time to next interval. Other information may be displayed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a cigarette case according to an embodiment and a remote terminal for use with the case;

Figure 2a is a plan view of the Figure l case showing interior contents;

Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of the Figure 2a case;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the Figure l case;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the Figure 1 case showing interior components during one phase of operation;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the Figure 1 case showing interior components during a subsequent phase of operation;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of components of a control module of the Figure 1 case; and Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of components of the remote terminal shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments relate to a cigarette case which holds both a plurality of cigarettes and a plurality of nicotine replacement products in respective compartments for timed release according to a predetermined program. The case may be used to assist users cease smoking by reducing the amount of nicotine consumed.

Referring to Figures l to 3, a cigarette case (hereafter “case”) 2 comprises a threedimensional body 4 which is generally rectangular in plan-view and cross-section and is formed of any suitable material such as plastics or metal, or a combination of both. The body 4 is hollow and comprises two opposed major walls, two narrower side walls, with two opposite end openings 6,10.

A first opening 6 is selectively closed by a cover 8 which can be moved between closed and open positions to allow access to contents within the hollow body 4. In the shown embodiment, the cover 8 forms one end of a drawer unit 9, slidably located within the body from said first opening 6.

In alternative embodiments, the cover 8 may be hingedly attached to the body in the manner of a flap or door, serving the same purpose, which will become clear.

A locking or latching mechanism (not shown) is provided in the region of the drawer unit 9 which in use prevents or enables movement of the cover 8 to the open position. The locking mechanism operates in accordance with control signals issued by a control module 12 to be described below. Once opened and re-closed, the locking mechanism reverts to the locked state until a further control signal is issued by the control module 12.

The second opening 10 is closed by the above-mentioned control module 12 which is detachably connected over said second opening using any suitable attachment means. The control module 12 may comprise, amongst other things, electrical and/or electrical components powered by a rechargeable battery which is integral with the unit.

A button or switch 16 is provided on a lateral side wall of the case 2 which may be mechanically connected to the cover 8 so as to open it, or allow it to be opened provided the control module 12 permits.

As indicated in Figure l, the case 2 is configured in use to communicate with a remote terminal 20. The terminal 20 may be a mobile telephone, a smartphone, tablet computer or indeed any electronic computer terminal. Typically, the terminal 20 comprises a body 22, one or more hardware buttons 24, a screen 26 (which may or may not be touch-sensitive) and an antenna 28 for signal communications using any short or long-range wireless protocol such as Bluetooth, WiFi and/or cellular communications using 3G, 4G or 5G. Signal communications between the case 2 and the terminal 20 is by means of an antenna 14 on the case (which is part of the control module 12) and the antenna 28 of the terminal 20.

Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, the body 4 of the case 2 is arranged into first and second parallel compartments 29, 30 either side of a dividing wall 31 which is upstanding from a base wall of the case. The first compartment 29 is narrower than the second compartment 30. The first compartment is configured in use to hold a single row of nicotine replacement products, for example tablets or lozenges 38. The second compartment 30 is configured in use to hold a single row of cigarettes 40. The tablets 38 are in parallel configuration to the cigarettes 40 and typically there will be one tablet corresponding to each cigarette as shown.

The drawer unit 9 further comprises first and second parallel compartments 32, 34 arranged either side of an upstanding dividing wall 36 so that said compartments and the dividing wall are substantially aligned with those in the body 4.

The width W of the compartments 32, 34 is such that they will only accept a respective single tablet 38 and cigarette 40 at a given time.

As shown in Figure 4, when the drawer unit 9 is closed, a tablet 38 and a cigarette 40 within the body 4 of the case 2 can move into the corresponding compartment 32, 34 of said drawer unit, provided there is not already one present. This movement may be by means of gravity, an appropriately shaped sloping floor of the case and/or a mechanical biasing means which urges the products towards the drawer unit 9.

As shown in Figure 5, withdrawal of the drawer unit 9 by the user (e.g. by the user operating the button 16 when the control module 12 permits) opens the first opening 6 to allow the user to remove either or both of the tablet 38 and the cigarette 40.

In some embodiments, the remaining tablets 38 and cigarettes 40 are prevented from entering the opened drawer unit 9 by a gate 41 which is raised when the drawer unit is opened. When the drawer unit 9 is closed, the gate 41 is lowered. If a tablet 38 and/or cigarette 40 is left in the drawer unit 9 upon closing, e.g. because the user did not remove them from the drawer unit 9, then further products are prevented from entering the drawer unit as it is dimensioned to hold only a single product.

Control Module Components

Figure 6 shows an example schematic diagram of components of the control module 12. The control module 12 has a controller 50, a display 18, a memory 54, RAM 56 and a communications module 58 having the above-mentioned antenna 14. The above-mentioned hardware key 16 and lock 64 are shown in dotted line to indicate that they are controlled by signals from the control module 12 (although are provided with the case 2 itself.) The controller 50 is connected to each of the other components in order to control operation thereof.

The memory 54 may be a non-volatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The memory 54 may store, amongst other things, an operating system 62 and one or more software applications 60. The RAM 56 is used by the controller 50 for the temporary storage of data. The operating system 62 may contain code which, when executed by the controller 50 in conjunction with RAM 56, controls operation of each of hardware components of the terminal.

The controller 50 may take any suitable form. For instance, it may be a microcontroller, plural microcontrollers, a processor, or plural processors.

A battery 65 provides power to the electrical and electronic components, and may be rechargeable via a suitable port (not shown).

Terminal Components

For completeness, Figure 7 shows an example schematic diagram of components of the terminal 20. The terminal 20 has a controller 70, the display 26, a memory 72, RAM 74 and a communications module 76 having the above-mentioned antenna 28. The abovementioned hardware key 24 and a rechargeable battery 76 are also shown. The controller 70 is connected to each of the other components in order to control operation thereof.

The memory 72 may be a non-volatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The memory 72 may store, amongst other things, an operating system 78 and one or more software applications 80. The RAM 74 is used by the controller 70 for the temporary storage of data. The operating system 78 may contain code which, when executed by the controller 70 in conjunction with RAM 74, controls operation of each of hardware components of the terminal.

The controller 70 may take any suitable form. For instance, it may be a microcontroller, plural microcontrollers, a processor, or plural processors.

Operation

The control module 12 and terminal 20 may initially be ‘paired’ to link the respective software applications 60, 80 so that they may communicate with each other when run on the respective controllers 50, 70. Pairing may involve the user holding down the hardware key 24, or another key, for a predetermined period of time so that the control module 12 can be discovered by the terminal 20. Once paired, the software application 80 of the terminal may be opened in the form of an App for display and user interaction on the display 26.

The user may at this point may create an account which may be administered locally or remotely, e.g. on a remote server or cloud device. The user enters identification data such as a username and password, and possibly other data such as age and health -related data. The user may for example indicate the number of cigarettes currently consumed.

The software application 80 may generate a smoking cessation program at this time. This may be a default program or one that is tailored to the user’s data, for example based on their age and/or number of cigarettes currently consumed.

One feature of the software application 80 is to control when the lock 64 of the case 2 is disabled. This may be performed by issuing a control signal from the terminal 20 to the control module 12 which causes the latter to disable the lock at predetermined intervals based on the cessation program.

This control signal may be issued in real-time, i.e. at each predetermined interval, or the control signal may send one or more times that the control module 12 itself stores and executes later on, referenced against an internal clock.

Initially, for example, the software application 80 may allow the lock 64 to remain disabled for a period of time, e.g. a week. This gives unlimited access to the case 2 to permit the user to get used to its general operation, for example how to operate the button 16 and the drawer unit 9, and how to refill the body 4.

Another purpose of the initial period is for the software application 8o to learn the number of cigarettes / tablets 40, 38 the user consumes over the course of a day or some other reference period. In some embodiments, the cessation program is tailored based on this learning period.

After this initial period, the software application 80 may enable the lock 64 so that the drawer unit 9 can be opened only at selected times so that a limited number of products can be removed over the course of a day. For example, the software application 80 may attempt to reduce the number of cigarettes by one cigarette per day, or per week, or some other amount.

If the user attempts to open the drawer unit 9 before the next allowed interval, then it is prevented by the lock 64. Upon pressing the button 16 before the next allowed interval, a message may be displayed on the display 18 indicating the time remaining until the next interval.

The reduction program may continue further over time, with data being fed back to the software application 80 indicating progress. The overall aim is to reduce nicotine intake gradually, starting with a soft decrease in intake, until cessation.

If a user does not take a cigarette 40 or tablet 38, then this is recorded also. As mentioned previously, the drawer unit 9 will be locked until the next interval.

In some embodiments, the gate 41 shown in Figure 5 may be divided into two separate gates so that the program permits only the release of, e.g. tablets, and not cigarettes. In this way, the program may (after a period of time) provide access only to a tablet instead of a cigarette. For example, instead of a cigarette being allowed every hour over the course of a day, a cigarette may be made available every two or three hours. In between these intervals, only a tablet is permitted. Therefore, over time, cigarettes become gradually replaced by the tablets.

The display 18 may also be used to indicate remaining battery life, the number of products remaining stored in the case 2, signal quality etc.

The software application 80 may allow user feedback to further help developers understand the user’s progress, and to compare progress from other users. A support forum may also be provided to allow users to share experiences and/or so that they may acquire support from others.

When the user has finally ceased nicotine intake, the case 2 may be gifted to another person who can reset the control module 12 and pair it with their own App downloaded on another terminal.

The case 2 may be used to help keep the user’s blood nicotine level relatively stable, and gradually reduce, without smoking but will notice, recommend and remind the user to take a nicotine replacement tablet or other supplement. The program may be designed to reduce smoking with the aim of ultimately stopping, without an uncomfortable user experience. Hence the use of the nicotine supplement; over time, the user may reduce their supplement intake to totally quit.

By pairing the case 2 with the mobile terminal 20, the case may release the cigarettes or tablets in response to a signal from the terminal. The case 2 may also send a signal back to the terminal 20 when opened or to indicate the stock level. This minimises to costs involved in making the case 2. User feedback and reset commands can be made through the terminal 20. The signal range can be close or near -field.

In summary, there is described a case 2 and system comprising the case and terminal which offers the following:

i) a program to reduce smoking with the aim of stopping the habit;

ii) a program to notice, recommend and/or remind the user to take a nicotine replacement supplement at an interval or time before the nicotine level is too low, avoiding an uncomfortable experience;

iii) after smoking cigarettes has ceased in accordance with the program, the nicotine supplement is reduced in quantity/frequency slowly.

The case 2 may have a transparent part, e.g. a window, to enable the user to view the stock level. Alternatively, or additionally, a signal may be sent from the case 2 to the mobile terminal 20 indicating the stock level. The App on the terminal 20 may provide the majority or all of the control.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present application or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/or combination of such features.

Claims

1. A case, comprising:

a body defining an interior chamber, dimension and arranged to retain in parallel configuration (i) a row of cigarettes, and (ii) a row of nicotine replacement products, the body being formed with a mouth opening at or near one end of the parallel configuration;

a movable door mounted to the body having a closed position in which said door obstructs said opening and an open position in which said door clears said opening;

a controller configured to control the locking mechanism to permit the door to be moved from the closed position to the open position at one or more timed intervals.

2. A container according to claim l, wherein the interior chamber comprises first and second portions for housing the row of cigarettes and row of nicotine replacement products respectively, the second portion being narrower than the first.

3. A container according to claim l or claim 2, further comprising a limiting mechanism configured to permit only a single cigarette and/or nicotine replacement product to be removed from the mouth opening when the door is in the open position.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the limiting mechanism is further configured to accept the return of a cigarette and/or nicotine replacement product through the opening into the interior chamber and to prevent subsequent removal of said returned cigarette and/or nicotine replacement product until the next time interval.

5. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a button, switch or touch panel for effecting opening of the movable door at the timed interval.

6. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a communications module for communicating with a remote terminal, the communications module being arranged to receive data indicative of the one or more timed intervals.

7. A container according to claim 6, wherein the communications module is a wireless communications module, e.g. using Bluetooth or RF.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a gate mechanism for selectively enabling access to only one of a cigarette and nicotine replacement product when the door is in the opened position.

59. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the door comprises a drawertype unit having a cover portion and a base portion which is slidably located within the case and which can be partially withdrawn from the case.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the base portion is dimensioned so as to

10 only carry a single cigarette and a single nicotine replacement product at a given time.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1617382.5