WO2001011995A1

WO2001011995A1 - Dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2001011995A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/003160
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Bradley Taylor
Original assignee: James Bradley Taylor
Priority date: 1999-08-17
Filing date: 2000-08-17
Publication date: 2001-02-22
Also published as: GB9919296D0; AU6706400A

Abstract

A cigarette paper dispenser device and method of use, for dispensing a length of cigarette paper from a roll of such paper wound onto a spindle. The dispenser comprises a housing within which the supported spindle and paper are contained, the spindle is supported in such a way as to allow the spindle to rotate about its longitudinal axis and relative to the housing. The housing has a closure member which may be opened to allow the spindle and paper thereon to be introduced into the housing and replaced when spent. A slit in the housing allows the cigarette paper to extend out of the housing.

Description

Dispensing Device

The invention relates to a device for dispensing paper from a roll, for use particularly but not exclusively, in dispensing cigarette paper from said roll for subsequent use in hand rolling cigarettes or the like.

Background to the Invention

Smokers who choose to roll their own cigarettes require a supply of tobacco and a supply of papers. Typically the papers are purchased in packets, the papers being of predetermined lengths with at least one side thereof provided with an adhesive gum.

The disadvantage of this type of cigarette paper is that the length of cigarette is determined by the pre-cut paper length, thus a user requiring a longer length than can be achieved by the predetermined paper is forced to adhere pieces together in patch- work fashion. This can lead to the cigarette becoming unstuck during smoking or alternatively multiple paper layers can lead to parts of the cigarette burning too quickly or too slowly.

Alternatively cigarette paper can be provided on a roll. In this instance a user can pull off the required length and tear the paper accordingly. However tearing the paper can lead to jagged edges which may be awkward to adhere to another paper surface and/or be uncomfortable to smoke. Moreover when the paper roll is not in use the roll may unravel of its own accord and both paper and roll can be prone to damage.

A paper dispenser allows a user to withdraw a selected length of paper from a roll and to tear an even edge whilst protecting the roll when not in use would offer immediate advantage over the prior art. Statement of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cigarette paper dispenser for dispensing a length of cigarette paper from a roll of such paper wound onto a spindle, the dispenser comprising a housing for accommodating the spindle and paper wound thereon, said housing having located therein means for supporting both ends of the spindle in such a way that the spindle is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and relative to the housing, the housing having a closure member which may be opened to allow the spindle and paper thereon to be introduced into the housing, the housing being further provided with an elongate slit extending, in use, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle and through which cigarette paper may extend out of the housing.

Preferably, housing comprises two closure members situated at each end of the housing.

Preferably, at least one closure member is provided integral with the housing.

Thus, preferably and in use the paper wound onto the spindle may be withdrawn by rotation of the closure member that is freely rotatable with respect to the housing. In this way a length of paper may be withdrawn from the spindle without the need to directly pull the paper itself.

Preferably, the means for supporting the ends of the spindle comprises an elongate member provided with at least one region that contacts an inner surface of the spindle so as to secure the spindle in position within the housing.

In an alternative embodiment the means for supporting the spindle comprises a pair of diametrically opposed nipples with at least one nipple being of sufficient dimensions so as to secure the spindle within the housing whilst the other nipple being of smaller dimensions allows the spindle to rotate relative to the housing and with respect to the opposite nipple.

Preferably, the housing is constructed of durable crush resistant material such as plastics or the like.

Preferably, the slit comprises at least one edge that is fashioned so as to provide a cutting surface for the cigarette paper.

Preferably, the housing further comprises a hinged flap member positioned adjacent or near the slit and more preferably the flap member extends from the housing a sufficient distance therefrom so as to allow paper to be severed at a distance from the slit and more preferably still an outer edge of the flap member, that is the free edge, is fashioned so as to prpvide a cutting edge for a length of cigarette paper.

Preferably, the flap member is provided integral with the housing.

In an alternative embodiment the flap member may be attached by connecting members such as male/female pressure snap fit units and/or any other such connecting means.

Preferably, the housing further comprises at least one storage compartment for storing tobacco or the like. The compartment could be situated at one end with the closure member or may be provided integral with the housing at one end with the integral closure member. The compartment would be provided with a releasable lid member.

Additionally the housing of the invention may be provided as a key ring or with means for attaching it to items of clothing or to a bag or vehicle or any other such surface that a smoker may wish to gain easy access to the device of the invention. Preferably, the dispenser is provided with means for preventing the complete withdrawal of cigarette paper into the housing, such means could be a limited nonreturn mechanism.

Preferably, the dispenser is provided with means for assessing the length of cigarette paper withdrawn.

Preferably the dispenser is provided with means for gauging the amount of paper remaining on the spindle.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of dispensing a length of cigarette paper from a roll of such paper wound onto a spindle comprising ;

1. inserting a roll of cigarette paper into a dispenser housing, 2. engaging at least a part of an internal surface of the spindle about a means for supporting said spindle,

3. withdrawing an edge of paper through a slit,

4. rotating one end of the dispenser so as to expose a length of paper,

5. tearing off the length along an edge of the slit or of a flap member,and 6. optionally counter-rotating the spindle so as to rewind unused paper.

It will be appreciated that to replenish an expended spindle the closure member is removed and the empty spindle disengaged and a new roll placed into the dispenser as disclosed above.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following Figures wherein:

Figure 1 A illustrates a front perspective view of a housing of the cigarette paper dispenser of the present invention;

Figure IB illustrates a plan schematic view of Figure 1 A;

Figure 1 C illustrates the cigarette paper dispenser of the present invention in use dispensing a length of paper;

Figure ID illustrates an alternative embodiment of Figure 1A;

Figure IE illustrates one embodiment of a flap member

Figure 2A illustrates a front perspective view of a closure member of the present invention;

Figure 2B illustrates a plan view of Figure 2A;

Figure 2C illustrates Figure 2A in part assembled form;

Figure 3 illustrates a main body of the housing of the device of the invention;

Figure 4a illustrates an alternative embodiment to Figure 2A; Figure 4 b illustrates a further alternative embodiment of Figure 2A.

Figures 5A-C illustrates a yet further alternative embodiment to Figure 2 A; Figure 6 illustrates a yet further alternative embodiment to Figure 2A; Figure 7A/B illustrates a yet further alternative embodiment to Figure 2A;

Figure 8 illustrates a plan view of engaging sites within a paper spindle;

Figure 9 illustrates a yet further alternative embodiment to Figure 2A;

Figure 10 illustrates a yet further alternative embodiment to Figure 2A;

Figure 1 la illustrates the outer sleeve member; Figure 1 lb illustrates the body with a partially raised surface ; and

Figure 12a illustrates the rotational movement of the sleeve; Figure 12b illustrates the retention of the withdrawn paper by the sleeve.

With reference to Figure 1A there is shown housing 1 of the dispenser of the present invention. Housing 1 is substantially cylindrical in shape but it will be appreciated that the configuration can be any shape so long as it is capable of housing a roll of cigarette paper. Housing 1 is provided with an elongate slit 2 which when not in use and dispensing paper is covered by flap member 3 which rests in relatively flush manner against the housing 1. Flap member is provided with a suitable sharp and fashioned edge 4 to assist in clean and accurate paper severing. In plan view (Figure IB) the housing is a cylindrical body 5 constructed of relatively durable squash resistant material. In use hinged flap member 3 extends away from the body 5, when not in use the flap member is relatively flush at position 6 with respect to body 5.

The flap member 3 can be provided integral with the housing as in Figure 1A at line 7 or may be provided as a separate unit (Figure IE). In the instance of providing the flap member as a separate unit it may be attached to body 5 by complementary male/female units 8 and 9 in a pressure bonding manner. In use, as depicted in Figure 1C, body 5 is provided with a closure member 1 1 and paper 10 is withdrawn by rotation of the closure member with respect to the body 5.

With reference to Figure 2A there is shown one embodiment of the closure member 1 1 and associated securing means 13. In this embodiment securing means 13 comprises a series of longitudinal ribs or corrugated projection 13 A, the securing means 13 being attached to a lid 12. In use, lid 12 is of appropriate dimensions so as to fit flush over main body 5 of Figure 3. In plan view, as depicted in Figure 2B and in greater detail in Figure 8, the corrugated regions or ribs 13A will contact an inner surface of the paper spindle and hold the spindle in position. The purpose of the corrugated regions or ribs 13A is to contact the said inner surface in a manner that will secure the spindle in position when end 19 is inserted into end 20 of paper roll 15. At the same time, an opposite end 22 (Figure 2C), provided with a complementary projection 21, engages within paper roll 15 and allows rotational movement of the roll 15 with respect to body 5 and static closure member 1 1. In use member 22 can be manually rotated so as to release paper from the roll.

In an alternative embodiment as depicted in Figure 4A the means for securing the paper roll is a single elongate member 16 threaded through paper roll 15 via end 20. Elongate member 16 is provided with a tapered end 17 so that nib 18 can appropriately engaging in a receiving member of a second closure member (not shown). Figure 4B illustrates that the lid (11) may be provided with resistance means ("bobbles") which prevent the elongate member (16) freely rotating about its axis.

In a yet further embodiment and with reference to Figure 5A there is shown a dispenser 1. Provided therein is a receiving member 24,25,26 comprising a base 24 with projection 25 and cover 26 for receiving a nib such as 18. In assembled form the receiving member sits within lid 23 and is placed on end 27 of the dispensing means 1. Further embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figures 6, 7A and B, 9 and 10. With reference to Figure 6 closure member 1 1 is provided with means for securing a paper roll wherein the securing is achieved by means of a wishbone section 28 of elongate member 16. This area is resilient but allows for sufficient contact with an inner region of the paper spindle so as to ensure positioning and securement whilst also allowing for replacement of an expended roll. In Figure 7 A the means for securing a paper roll is achieved by a region 29 of greater dimensions than the rest of elongate member 16, similar to a bulging region. In either embodiment, ends 31 and 32 respectively, are engaged in receiving means 30 as depicted in Figure 7B.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate yet further embodiments of the means for securing the paper spindle. Figure 9 illustrates the bulging region 29 of Figure 7A with end 32 of Figure 6. Thus it will be appreciated that the means for securing the paper spindle can be of any shape or conformation and combination so long as it is the means for securing the paper spindle is capable of contacting at least a portion of an inner surface of the spindle and securing it. Additionally the means for securing the paper spindle is capable of engaging a nib or the like in a receiving means such as 30 or as depicted in Figure 10, where end 31 is slotted into an aperture 33.

Figure 1 1 a - 1 1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the cigarette paper dispenser. The housing further comprises a sleeve (34) which slides about the body (5) of the dispenser. The body (5) is provided with a raised surface (36) which is adapted to fill the space (37) in sleeve (34) thereby providing a uniformly cylindrical housing (1).

The sleeve (34) is partially rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the body (5) as illustrated in Figure 12 a, b and c. The raised surface (36) prevents the sleeve from being entirely rotatable about its axis. When paper is removed from the dispenser body, the sleeve can be rotated to cover the slit (2) to retain the withdrawn paper.

The sleeve illustrated in the embodiment has a straight edge (35) which facilitates the severing of the cigarette paper from the role (15). In an alternative embodiment the edge (35) may be serrated. In addition the sleeve provides a cover to lateral slit (2) to protect the enclosed paper (15) from moisture and the like.

Claims

1. A cigarette paper dispenser for dispensing a length of cigarette paper from a roll of such paper wound onto a spindle, the dispenser comprising a housing for accommodating the spindle and paper wound thereon, said housing having located therein support members for supporting both ends of the spindle in such a way that the spindle is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and relative to the housing, the housing having a closure member which may be opened to allow the spindle and paper thereon to be introduced into the housing, the housing being further provided with an elongate slit extending, in use, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle and through which cigarette paper may extend out of the housing.

2. A dispenser according to Claim 1 wherein the housing comprises two closure members situated at respective ends of the housing.

3. A dispenser according to either preceding claim wherein the, or at least one of the closure members is integral with the housing.

4. A dispenser according to any preceding claim which in use allows a length of paper to be withdrawn from the spindle without directly pulling the paper itself.

5. A dispenser according to Claim 4 wherein, in use, the paper wound onto the spindle is withdrawn from the housing by rotation of the closure member, the closure member being freely rotatable with respect to the housing.

6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the means for supporting the ends of the spindle comprises an elongate member provided with at least one region that contacts an inner surface of the spindle so as to secure the spindle in position within the housing.

7. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 1-5 wherein the means for supporting the spindle comprises a pair of diametrically opposed nipples with at least one nipple being of sufficient dimensions so as to secure the spindle within the housing whilst the other nipple allows the spindle to rotate relative to the housing and with respect to the opposite nipple.

8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the housing is constructed of durable crush resistant material.

9. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate slit has at least one edge that is fashioned so as to provide a cutting surface for the paper.

10. A dispenser according to any preceding claim further comprising a hinged flap member positioned adjacent or near the slit.

11. A dispenser according to Claim 11 wherein the flap member extends from the housing a sufficient distance therefrom so as to allow paper to be severed at a distance from the slit.

12. A dispenser according to either Claim 10 or 11 wherein an outer edge of the flap member provides a cutting edge for a length of cigarette paper.

13. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 10-12 wherein the flap member is provided integral with the housing.

14. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 10-12 wherein the flap member is attached to the housing by connecting members.

15. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the housing further comprises at least one storage compartment for storing tobacco or the like.

16. A dispenser according to Claim 15 wherein the compartment is situated at one end with the closure member or is provided integral with the housing at one end with the integral closure member.

17. A dispenser according to either Claim 15 or 16 wherein the compartment is provided with a releasable lid member.

18. A dispenser according to any preceding claim further comprising an attachment member for attaching the dispenser to a user's attire or user's bag or vehicle.

19. A dispenser according to any preceding claim further comprising means for preventing complete withdrawal of cigarette paper into the housing, such means being a limited non-return mechanism.

20. A dispenser according to any preceding claim further comprising means for assessing a length of cigarette paper withdrawn from the housing.

21. A dispenser according to any preceding claim further comprising means for gauging an amount of paper remaining on the spindle.

22. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein said housing is further provided with a sleeve placed about the housing and which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

23. A dispenser according to Claim 22 wherein said sleeve is provided with a serrated edge.

24. A dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein said housing is provided with a raised surface over at least part of the circumference of the housing.

25. A method of dispensing a length of cigarette paper from a dispenser according to any preceding claim comprising ;

(i) inserting a roll of cigarette paper into a dispenser housing,

(ii) engaging at least a part of an internal surface of the spindle about a means for supporting said spindle, (iii) withdrawing an edge of paper through a slit,

(iv) rotating one end of the spindle so as to expose a length of paper, and (v) tearing off the length along a cutting edge of the slit or of a flap member, and

26. A method according to Claim 22 further comprising the step of counter rotating the spindle so as to rewind unused paper.

27. A dispenser according to any of Claims 1 - 24 wherein said dispenser is about 10 cm- 15cm in length and about 4cm - 8cm in diameter.