GB2184870A

GB2184870A - Cigarette box

Info

Publication number: GB2184870A
Application number: GB08531346A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Stephen Meredith
Original assignee: JEWEL PORT Ltd
Current assignee: JEWEL PORT Ltd
Priority date: 1985-12-03
Filing date: 1985-12-03
Publication date: 1987-07-01
Also published as: GB8531346D0

Abstract

A cigarette box for regulating the number of cigarettes smoked, has a body 1 which is large enough to retain either a number of loose cigarettes or a packet of cigarettes and a hinged lid or cover 2 which can be locked closed by means of 12. A timer 10 activated by a start means 8 whereupon a pro-set time value of between 1 minute and 23 hours 59 minutes will commence to countdown to zero, visible as a digital display 4. Once the timer 10 has been activated by a start means 8 access to the cigarettes inside the cigarette box is completely disabled and will only be enabled when the countdown reaches zero. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cigarette box The invention relates to a cigarette box which enables a smoker to set an interval of time during which the box, having been closed, cannot be opened to allow access to the cigarettes and thus to control the frequency at which the cigarettes can be smoked.

The invention consists in a cigarette box adapted to receive a packet of cigarettes or a number of loose cigarettes, and having an openable cover or lid which is locked in its closed position under control of a timer which is activated to start a countdown upon operation of a "start" means, expiry of the countdown period causes the lock to release to enable the lid or cover to be opened manually or automatically to permit access to the cigarettes in the box.

The timer may be pre-settable to a selected time period while the cover or lid is closed, the pre-setting means being disabled by a "start" button or equivalent means, which action sets the timer running to keep the cover or lid locked closed until the end of the selected time period whereupon the cover or lid is unlocked.

When the lid is closed the timer can be activated again automatically for the same selected time period or reset for another time period desired by the smoker.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the cigarette box according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram of a typical circuit arrangement.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the cigarette box comprises a hollow box portion 1 surmounted by a hinged lid 2 which can be released from its closed position (as shown) by a manually depressable button 3 at its end remote from the hinge. Housed in the lid is an electron timer with a digital display 4, visible through a window 5 in the top of the lid which also carries three buttons 6, 7 and 8. Buttons 6 and 7 serve for pre-setting the hours and minutes of the selected time period displayed and button 8 is a "start" button for starting the timer operating for the selected time period, indicated by the digital display of 1 hour 30 minutes shown by way of example in the window 5. Such a selected display would mean that the box would remain locked for a period of 1 hour 30 minutes, after closure, before it could be opened to gain access to the cigarettes therein.

The box is preferably of a size which can be carried in a man's pocket or a ladies handbag.

Conveniently it can have a height of 1 10mum, a width of 70mm and a depth of 30mm, which provides adequate capacity to receive a packet of cigarettes, the battery and circuit components.

The control circuit is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2. The TIMER 10 provides the time period during which the box will be locked when the START button 8 is pressed. The LOCK CIRCUIT 11 operates the LOCK TRANSDUCER 12, such as a solenoid, when activated by the TIMER 10 and CONTROL LOGIC 13 and when the manual, normally open SWITCH 14 is pressed. The LOCK TRANSDUCER 12 converts the electrical "unlock" signal to a mechanical lid release action. The LID TRANSDUCER 15, which is optional, can provide a status signal, indicating whether the lid is openable or locked. The CONTROL LOGIC 13 controls the interactions of these elements.

The following is a typical sequence of stages during one operation of the box.

1. Battery inserted or lid closed.

2. Time period keyed in. Press either or both the Hr. MIN. buttons 6,7 to select the required period.

3. Time period set. The period must be between 1 minute and 23 hours 59 minutes.

4. Start button 8 pressed. This will start the timing period.

5. Timer running. The display will 'count-down' as the period progresses.

6. End of time period. The legend 'time's up' will appear in the display and the display may count up to show how long since the period ended.

Alternatively counting up does not occur, a nil read out shows that the time period has elapsed.

7. Manual or automatic open switch operated. The switch, when operated, will withdraw the lock.

The switch may be operated continuously or any number of times.

8. Lid opened. Legend 'time's up' will disappear and the timer will display the original selected period.

9. Lid closed.

The following table shows the action of the control logic at each stage, as it controls the overall function of the box. In the table E indicates "enabled" and D "disabled".

Operation Timer Timer Lock No. Period Start Circuit 1 E D E 2 E E E 3 E E E 4 D D D 5 D D D 6 D D E 7 D D E 8 D D D 9 E D E

Whilst a particular embodiment has been described it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the timer may have a countdown period which is permanently fixed or pre-set by a separate appliance, thus enabling the setting buttons 6, 7, and optionally the visible time display, to be dispensed with, with consequent saving in the cost of producing the cigarette box.

Claims

1. A cigarette box comprising a hinged lid or cover and a body in the form of a box, a means of locking the lid or cover closed and setting a time value which, when elapsed, will release the cover or lid or allow the cover or lid to be released.

2. A cigarette box as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lid or cover locking means is provided by a lock transducer such as a solenoid.

3. A cigarette box as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein access to the contents of the cigarette box is totally disabled on activation of a start means and commencement of countdown of a pre-set time value.

4. A cigarette box substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.