Abstract
A cigarette paper dispenser comprising a structure foldable between a first and second configuration, the first configuration forming a tray; and the second configuration forming a pouch for carriage of a rolled cigarette.
Claims
1. A cigarette paper dispenser comprising: (a) a plurality of panels and a plurality of hinge lines, wherein (i) each panel is adjoined to at least one other panel along at least one hinge line, (ii) the plurality of panels comprises at least a first cover panel and a second cover panel and at least a first inner panel and a second inner panel, (iii) the first inner panel is adjoined to the second inner panel along a first foldable hinge line along a length of panels, (iv) the first inner panel is adjoined to the first cover panel along a second foldable hinge line along the length of the panels, and the second inner panel is adjoined to the second cover panel along a third foldable hinge line along the length of the panels, and wherein (v) the panels are foldable along the hinge lines between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein (A) in the first configuration the plurality of panels defines a tray where side edges of the plurality of panels that are transverse to the foldable hinge lines define a substantially “M” shaped profile, and wherein (B) in the second configuration, the plurality of panels define an enclosure that defines a substantially triangular shaped prism and that is sized to accommodate a rolled cigarette.
2. The cigarette paper dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a pouch disposed on one of the plurality of panels, wherein the pouch is foldable between: (a) a closed configuration, wherein the pouch is substantially flat, and (ii) an open configuration that defines a void sized to accommodate a rolled cigarette.
3. The cigarette paper dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a pouch disposed on one of the plurality of panels, wherein the pouch is foldable between: (a) a closed configuration, wherein the pouch is substantially flat, and (ii) an open configuration that defines a void sized to accommodate a rolled cigarette.
4. The cigarette paper dispenser of claim 3, wherein the pouch comprises a pair of foldable collars which are substantially flat in the closed configuration and form end walls of the pouch in the open configuration.
5. The cigarette paper dispenser of claim 4, wherein with the pouch in the open configuration, the plurality of panels are foldable about the pouch to enclose the void.
6. The cigarette paper dispenser of claim 3, wherein the pouch comprises a magnetic clasp that secures the pouch in the closed configuration.
7. The cigarette paper dispenser of claim 5, wherein the pouch comprises a magnetic clasp that secures the pouch in the closed configuration.
8. The cigarette paper dispenser of claim 1 further comprising an elasticated element secured to one of the plurality of panels, wherein when the plurality of panels are in the second configuration, the elastic element is sized to extend about an outer surface of the plurality of panels and engage the outer surface to secure the panels in the second configuration.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a cigarette dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention in a closed configuration.
(2) FIG. 2 is a rear view of a cigarette dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention in a closed configuration.
(3) FIG. 3 is a front view of a cigarette dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention in the first or tray configuration.
(4) FIG. 4 is a view of a cigarette dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention showing the dispensing means and cigarette tips.
(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of a cigarette dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention being folded towards the second configuration.
(6) FIG. 6 is a front view of a cigarette dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention being further folded towards the second configuration.
(7) FIG. 7 is a front view of a cigarette dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention in the second configuration with the pouch sealed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(8) FIG. 1 is a front view of the cigarette dispenser in a closed configuration while FIG. 2 is a rear view of the cigarette dispenser of the invention in a closed configuration. In this configuration, the dispenser is substantially flat in profile. The structure 1 of the dispenser comprises a plurality of panels 2, 3, 4, 5 foldable along hinge lines 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 adjoining the panels. From FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that in the closed configuration, a first cover panel 2 and a second cover panel 3 are outward of the structure. The structure is retained in this configuration by an elasticated means, such as an elasticated band 11, wrapped around the structure.
(9) FIG. 3 is a topside view of the cigarette dispenser 1 according to one embodiment of the invention folded into a first configuration or tray configuration. The first configuration the structure comprises a substantially “M” shaped profile. The “M” shaped profile is formed from the surfaces of the plurality of panels 2, 3, 4, 5 of the structure. The M shaped profile comprises the first cover panel 2, the second cover panel 3 and a first inner panel 4 and a second inner panel 5. The first inner panel 4 is adjoined to the second inner panel 5 along a first foldable hinge line 6 along the length of the panels. Furthermore, the first inner panel is adjoined to the first cover panel along second foldable hinge lines 7, 8 along the length of the panels and the second inner panel is adjoined to the second cover panel along third foldable hinge lines 9, 10 along the length of the panels.
(10) The elasticated band 11 extends from a central area of the first inner panel 4 and may be stretched to hook over a corner of the first cover panel 2 when the structure is in the tray configuration.
(11) FIGS. 4 and 5 are underside views of the cigarette dispenser of the invention when folded into the first configuration or tray configuration and showing a plurality of cigarette tips 12 fixed to the underside of the first inner panel 4 and a dispensing means or holder 13 for rolling papers fixed to the underside of the second inner panel 5. Thus, the required paraphernalia for rolling a cigarette are affixed to the structure 1 and available to the smoker.
(12) FIG. 6 is a front view of the cigarette dispenser of the invention being folded towards the second or pouch configuration, the second configuration forming a pouch 14 for carriage of a rolled cigarette. The pouch 14 is formed between the underside of the dispensing means 13 and the underside of the second inner panel 5. The pouch 14 is foldable between a closed configuration wherein the pouch 14 is substantially flat (as in FIGS. 4 and 5 and an open configuration forming a void 15 for carriage of a rolled cigarette (as in FIG. 6).
(13) The pouch 14 comprises a pair of foldable collars 16, 17. These collars 16, 17 are substantially flat in the closed configuration and form end walls 18, 19 of the pouch in the second configuration.
(14) FIG. 7 is a front view of the cigarette dispenser of the invention in the second configuration with the pouch sealed. In the second configuration the structure forms a substantially triangular shaped prism. The outer surface of the prism is formed from the first cover panel 2 and the first and second inner panel 4, 5. The first cover panel 2 further folds over the second cover panel 3 to seal the pouch 14. The pouch 14 is held in a sealed configuration by the elasticated band 11.
(15) The cigarette dispenser will now be described in use. Starting with the dispenser in the closed configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a user decides to roll a cigarette. The dispenser is substantially flat with the first cover panel 2, first inner panel 4, second inner panel 5 and second cover panel 3 overlaying each other in a stacked formation. The elasticated band it may be first unwrapped from about the structure 1 of the dispenser. The structure 1 may be unfolded such that the first and second inner panels 4, 5 are separated or unstacked by opening the first foldable hinge 6. The first cover 2 is separated or unstacked from the first inner panel 4 by unfolding along the second foldable hinges 7, 8. The second cover 3 is separated or unstacked from the second inner panel 5 by unfolding along the third foldable hinges 9, 10. The structure now forms a substantially “M” shaped profile. From the underside of the first inner panel 4, the user may remove a cigarette tip 12 and from the underside of the second inner panel 5, the user may remove a rolling paper from the dispensing means 13. The user may then place the structure 1 on a surface with the first and second cover panels 2, 3 and the first and second inner panels 4, 5 facing upwards towards the user forming a tray as in FIG. 3. The elasticated band 11 may be stretched and hooked over a corner of the first cover panel 2. With the dispenser in this position, the user may lay the rolling paper with its bisecting fold nested in the fold between the first and second inner panels formed by the first foldable hinge 6. The rolling paper is thus stably held between the inner panels 4, 5.
(16) Tobacco or other substances may be placed along the rolling paper to the preference of the user and the paper may be wrapped and sealed by the user with a cigarette tip 12 added as desired. The cigarette is now rolled, however, the user may not wish to smoke the cigarette immediately and instead may wish to store the rolled cigarette for later use. In this instance, the structure 1 may be turned over as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the pouch 14 may be opened by the user as shown in FIG. 6. The pouch may be opened by releasing a clasp (not shown), for example a magnetic clasp. Releasing the clasp exposes two foldable collars 16, 17, one at each end of the pouch 14. The collars 16, 17 are foldable along axes extending from points A, B and C such that each collar is foldable from a flat configuration, with the collar against the inner panel 5, to an upright configuration in which the collars form end walls 18, 19 for the pouch. It can be seen from FIG. 6, that folding the collars to the upright configuration, creates a void 15 or space into which the rolled cigarette can be placed for safe carriage. Once the cigarette is placed in the void 15 of the pouch 14, the pouch may be closed. To close the pouch 14, the first inner panel 4 is folded towards the pouch 14 such that the panel side comprising the cigarette tips 12 covers the void 15 of the pouch 14. The second outer cover 3 may be folded towards the pouch, and the first outer cover 2 may be folded to overlap the second outer cover 3. Thus, the structure now forms a triangular prism with the rolled cigarette held in the void 15 formed by the foldable pouch collars 16, 17 and sealed by the second inner panel 5. Once again, the elasticated band 11 may be used to seal the structure in this configuration by wrapping the band around the panels as shown in FIG. 7. The cigarette may now be carried safely as the prism shape provides a robust defense against crushing.
(17) To retrieve the cigarette, the elasticated band 11 can be unwrapped and the first cover panel 2 and first inner panel 4 unfolded to allow the user access the pouch 14. The collars 16, 17 may be returned to their flat configuration, the pouch may be clasped shut and the first and second cover panels 2, 3 may be folded flat as per FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
(18) The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
(19) It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
