WO2013045265A2

WO2013045265A2 - Dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2013045265A2
Application number: PCT/EP2012/067735
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jon HINDLEY; Richard Young
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-29
Filing date: 2012-09-11
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-29
Also published as: GB201116800D0; AR088444A1; WO2013045265A3

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing discrete units therefrom, the dispenser comprising a discrete unit storage part arranged to store the discrete units in an ordered sequence and a dispensing part arranged to dispense sequentially discrete units stored in the discrete unit storage part from the dispenser.

Description

Dispenser

The present invention relates to dispensers of discrete units. Smoking article filters allow filtration of certain smoke constituents from a smoke stream as a user draws on the smoking article. A plug of cellulose acetate is commonly used to provide filtration particularly of particulate matter from the smoke stream although various other fibrous materials are also used as an alternative.

It is also known to introduce additives to the plug of fibrous filtration material. The additives further alter the profile of smoke passing through the filter. For example adsorbent materials such as activated carbon may be added to the filter plug to remove certain smoke constituents from the smoke stream. Flavourants such as menthol may also be added. Such additives are conventionally introduced to the filtration material during the process of manufacturing the filter thus depriving a user of the opportunity to introduce a particular additive to an individual smoking article in accordance with their preference. WO 2007/123046 discloses a smoking article with a recessed filter and filter insert units for insertion therein which contain a menthol flavourant. Accordingly, the user can insert the filter insert unit to alter the flavour of the smoke drawn through the smoking article. Such filter insert units tend to be very small in order to fit into a filter and so can be difficult to handle. During handling the insert units may also become dirty and deteriorate.

The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing discrete units therefrom, the dispenser comprising a discrete unit storage part arranged to store the discrete units in an ordered sequence and a dispensing part arranged to dispense sequentially the discrete units stored in the discrete unit storage part from the dispenser. The dispenser allows for storage of discrete units prior to use and for dispensing of the discrete units without the drawbacks outlined above relating to the prior art.

The present invention may provide a dispenser for dispensing filter insert units therefrom, the dispenser comprising a filter insert unit storage part arranged to store the filter insert units in an ordered sequence and a dispensing part arranged to dispense sequentially the filter insert units stored in the filter insert unit storage part from the dispenser for insertion into a recessed filter of a smoking article. The storage part may be configured to store a plurality of filter insert units axially.

The dispenser may comprise biasing means for advancing successive filter insert units to be ejected from the dispenser. The biasing means may comprise an inner frame for gripping the filter insert unit and dispensing it therefrom.

An interior wall of the storage part may comprise recession prevention means to prevent recession of the filter insert units into the storage part.

The recession prevention means may comprise a plurality of ridges or a high friction surface.

The dispenser may comprise a locating part to locate the smoking article during insert unit insertion.

The locating part may be a telescopic sleeve.

The present invention may provide a kit of parts comprising the dispenser and a smoking article comprising a recessed filter.

The present invention provides a method of inserting a filter insert unit into a recessed filter of a smoking article, the method comprising storing the filter insert unit in a dispenser, actuating the dispenser in the vicinity of the recessed filter and inserting the filter insert unit into the recessed filter.

So that the present invention may be fully understood embodiments thereof will be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of various components of the dispenser shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an elevated view of part of an inner frame of the dispenser; Figure 4 is an elevated view of part of a cylindrical body of the dispenser;

Figure 5 is an end-on cross sectional view of the cylindrical body of the dispenser; Figure 6A is a perspective view of the dispenser in use;

Figure 6B is a side-on cross sectional view of the dispenser and smoking article shown in Figure 6A; and

Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a dispenser 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser 10 comprises a cylindrical body 20, a driving cap 30 situated at a proximal end of the dispenser 10 and a smoking article guide 40 situated at a distal end of the dispenser 10. Figure 2 shows the dispenser 10 with sections of the cylindrical body 20 and the smoking article guide 40 stripped away and the driving cap 30 partially transparent to better illustrate the interior of the dispenser 10. The cylindrical body 20 is hollow and arranged to accommodate an inner frame 50 which is configured to hold at least one filter insert unit 60 and to engage with the driving cap 30 to dispense an filter insert unit 60 when the driving cap 30 is depressed. The filter insert unit 60 may be of varying dimensions, such as length and diameter and shape. For example, while insert unit 60 is illustrated as being cylindrical, any suitable shape can be used. Insert unit 60 may be used in conjunction with smoking articles of varying dimensions. Filter insert units 60 may be used in conjunction with varieties of smoking articles with dimensions ranging from 'superslim' to 'king size'— sizing terms which are well known in the art. The filter insert unit may have a length between 5 mm and 20 mm.

The filter insert unit 60 may be modified to achieve an effect which is known in the art as the Dalmatian effect. The Dalmatian effect may be achieved using tobacco in whole leaf form, reconstituted tobacco or other botanicals or their derivatives.

The filter insert unit 60 may comprise flavourants such as, for example only, menthol, lemon, orange, lime, coffee or tea. Leaf based flavourants, such as tobacco, menthol, tea and so forth, may be added to the filter insert unit 30 in whole leaf form and/or as extracts.

The filter insert unit 60 may be formed from filtration material such as cellulose acetate or other smoking article filtration material known in the art and may be wrapped circumferentially with a plugwrap or other suitable material. The material may act as a particulate absorbent of smoke constituents when inserted in a smoking article. The entire filter insert unit 60 may be formed from reconstituted tobacco paper or compressed cut tobacco leaf which may be wrapped in reconstituted paper or a plugwrap of a type known in the art. The filter insert unit 60 may contain one or more flavourants in liquid form.

Alternatively, the filter insert unit 60 may be formed from a combination of a filtration material such as cellulose acetate with reconstituted tobacco paper and/or compressed cut tobacco leaf and/ or materials used to obtain a Dalmatian effect and/ or a thread. In this case, the filter insert unit 60 may be wrapped in

reconstituted tobacco paper or a plugwrap of a type known in the art. The filter insert unit 60 may contain flavourants in liquid form.

The filter insert unit 60, when inserted, may modify characteristics of smoke as the smoking article is smoked by a user.

The inner frame 50 comprises first and second inner frame parts 50a and 50b, as indicated in Figure 2. The first inner frame part 50a is shown in Figure 3 prior to assembly of the dispenser 10. The first inner frame part 50a comprises a sawtooth edge 70 which itself comprises cliffs 71 and ramps 72. The cliffs 71 face towards the distal end of the dispenser 10. At the proximal end of the first frame part 50a a stalk 80a extends axially from the sawtooth edge 70. A first flange part 90a extends perpendicularly from the first stalk 80a.

The first inner frame part 50a also comprises first and second leaf springs 100a. The leaf springs 100a extend curvilinearly from the main body of the first inner frame part 50a generally towards the proximal end of the dispenser 10.

It will be readily understood that the second inner frame part 50b complements the first inner frame part 50a in shape and comprises a sawtooth edge 70 having cliffs 71 and ramps 72 in which the cliffs 71 face the distal end of the dispenser 10. The second frame part 50b further comprises a stalk 80b and a second flange part 90b as can be seen in Figure 2. The cylindrical body 20 of the dispenser 10 comprises a first half 20a (as shown in Figure 4) and a second half, both formed from an injection moulded thermoplastic although other materials may be used in alternative embodiments. The first and second halves may be affixed to each other in any manner that would be evident to the person skilled in the art.

Figure 4 shows the first half 20a which comprises a sawtooth edge 110 comprising cliffs 111 and ramps 112. The cliffs 111 face the distal end of the dispenser 10. The sawtooth edge 110 comprises a greater number of teeth than the sawtooth edges 70 of the inner frame 50. Opposite the sawtooth edge 110 is a series of locking members 120 which engage with corresponding locking members 121 on the exterior of the inner frame 50 when the inner frame 50 is inserted into cylindrical body 20, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 shows the first and second halves 20a, 20b of the cylindrical body 20 in end-on cross section. The second half 20b of the cylindrical body 20 complements the first half 20a in shape. The second half 20b comprises a sawtooth edge 110b which lies opposite to and facing the sawtooth edge 110a (and adjacent to the locking members 120a) when the first and second halves 20a, 20b are joined together.

Referring again to Figure 2, the driving cap 30 comprises a coil spring 130 and a cover 140. The coil spring 130 wraps around the stalks 80 of the inner frame 50 and is held in place by the flange 90 of the inner frame 50. The coil spring 130 is further held in place by an inner cap 150. The cover 140 engages with the proximal end of the dispenser 10 and provides protection to the stalks 80, flange 90, inner cap 150 and coil spring 130.

According to embodiments of the present invention it is intended that the dispenser 10 may be assembled and disassembled by a user so that the dispenser may be refilled with insert units as required. In these embodiments the cover 140, inner cap 150 and coil spring 130 are easily removable and replaceable to allow convenient insertion of insert units 60. In use, the smoking article guide 40 at the distal end of the dispenser 10 is placed over the buccal end of a smoking article 160 having a recessed filter, as shown in Figure 6A. The smoking article guide 40 provides a guide to the smoking article 160 and helps to hold it in place.

Figure 6B shows a filter insert unit 60 being inserted into the buccal end of the smoking article 160. As the driving cap 30 is depressed pressure is applied to the flange 90 of the inner frame 50 thereby causing the inner frame 50 to move relative to the cylindrical body 20 in the direction of depression. The pressure applied also leads to the leaf springs 100 pressing against the interior of the cylindrical body 20 which leads to a compression of the inner frame 50 and a firm grip on the insert units 60 stored therein is obtained.

The insert units 60 may be formed from a slightly deformable material so that, when gripped firmly by the inner frame 50 a slight compression of the insert unit 60 is achieved. This slight compression may assist in fitting the insert unit 60 into the recess of a smoking article 160 as shown in Figure 6B. Compression of the insert unit 60 may be achieved by tapering towards the distal end of the cylindrical body 20 of the dispenser 10.

The cliffs 71 of the sawtooth edge 70 of the inner frame 50 also help to push the insert units 60 stored within the dispenser 10 towards the distal end of the dispenser as the inner frame 50 moves. The insert unit 60a nearest the distal end is dispensed from the dispenser 10 and the remaining insert units 60 move closer to the distal end.

The insert units 60 advance a predetermined distance along the inside of the dispenser 10. For example, the insert units 60 may advance approximately 8 millimetres (mm) per depression of the driving cap 30. One insert unit 60a may be dispensed per depression. In an alternative

embodiment, the components of the dispenser 10 may be arranged so that each depression of the driving cap 30 leads to more than one insert unit 60 being dispensed from the dispenser. In a further alternative embodiment, each insert unit 60 may be dispensed in response to more than one depression of the driving cap 30.

As the driving cap 30 is released, pressure on the inner frame 50 is released. The coil spring 130, which was compressed by the downward pressure applied by the user, now expands back to its equilibrium position, leading to the inner frame moving relative to the cylindrical body 20 towards the proximal end of the dispenser 10. At the same time, pressure on the leaf springs 100 is released and so the grip on the insert units 60 is loosened. While the inner frame 50 returns to its original position, the insert units 60 are prevented from moving towards the proximal end of the dispenser 10 by the presence of the sawtooth edges 70, 110 on the inner frame 50 and cylindrical body 20, respectively.

The sawtooth edges 70, 110 may be replaced with any high friction surface so that recession of the insert units 60 into the dispenser 10 is prevented. As such, the insert units 60 are advanced sequentially towards the distal end of the dispenser 10 to be dispensed.

Figures 7A and 7B show a dispenser 170 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser 170 is in many respects similar to the dispenser 10 shown in Figures 1-6. However, the smoking article guide 40 is replaced with a telescopic tubular sleeve 171. The telescopic sleeve 171 is formed from any suitable material such as a plastic and fits over the distal end of the dispenser 170 and comprises an opening 172 suitable to accommodate the buccal end of a smoking article 160. When not in use the telescopic sleeve 171 may be stowed as shown in Figure 7A. In use, as shown in Figure 7B, the telescopic sleeve 171 be deployed in the direction of the arrow, forming a tubular recess to accommodate the smoking article 160. The telescopic sleeve 171 may also serve as a guide when loading the dispenser 10 with insert units 60. When the telescopic sleeve 171 is deployed a user may place one or more insert units therein and push the insert units 60 into the interior of the dispenser 10 via the distal end thereof.

The telescopic sleeve 171 may be shaped so that when held, the dispenser 10 may be gripped comfortably by a user.

Whilst the foregoing description refers to smoking articles and insert units therefor, it should be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be used to dispense various discrete items such as tablets, pills, items used in dental treatments and so forth.

As used herein, the term "smoking article" includes smokable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also heat-not- burn products. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker. It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing discrete units therefrom, the dispenser comprising:

a discrete unit storage part arranged to store the discrete units in an ordered sequence; and

a dispensing part arranged to dispense sequentially the discrete units stored in the discrete unit storage part from the dispenser.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1 for dispensing smoking article filter insert units therefrom, the dispenser comprising:

a filter insert unit storage part arranged to store the filter insert units in an ordered sequence; and

a dispensing part arranged to dispense sequentially the filter insert units stored in the filter insert unit storage part from the dispenser for insertion into a recessed filter of a smoking article.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the storage part is configured to store a plurality of filter insert units in an axial arrangement.

4. A dispenser according to either claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising biasing means for advancing successive filter insert units to be ejected from the dispenser.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the biasing means comprises an inner frame for gripping the filter insert unit and dispensing it therefrom.

6. A dispenser according to any of claims 2— 5, wherein an interior wall of the storage part comprises recession prevention means to prevent recession of the filter insert units into the storage part.

7. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the recession prevention means comprises a plurality of ridges or a high friction surface.

8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, further comprising a locating part.

9. A dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the locating part is a telescopic sleeve.

10. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the discrete units are oral tablets or dental treatment units.

11. A kit of parts comprising a dispenser according to any of claims 2 - 9 and a smoking article comprising a recessed filter.

12. A method of inserting a smoking article filter insert unit into a recessed filter of a smoking article, the method comprising:

storing the filter insert unit in a dispenser;

actuating the dispenser in the vicinity of the recessed filter; and

inserting the filter insert unit into the recessed filter.

13. A dispenser or method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.