US4026436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time controllable cigarette dispenser
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-09
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Granted: 1977-05-31
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Expires: 1996-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A time controlled cigarette dispenser includes a pair of cooperable superposed inclined surfaces for serially transferring cigarettes from the upper surface to the lower surface. A rotatable drum receives the cigarettes serially in a predetermined timed sequence from the lower surface and delivers it to a pivotable balance tray from when the smoker may retrieve it for smoking. The drum is motor driven, and upon the deposit of a cigarette on the balance tray the motor is deactivated. Upon retrieval of the cigarette from the balance tray the motor is activated to transfer another cigarette thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland X. Madsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:49
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24F; A24F15/00; A24F15/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A time controlled cigarette dispenser comprising in combination: a housing; a downwardly inclined cigarette transfer tray mounted within said housing having a lower discharge end; a feeder ramp mounted pivotally within said housing having an upper cigarette-receiving end positioned adjacent to and cooperable with said discharge end of the transfer tray; spring means adapted to bias said feeder ramp and enable said feeder ramp and transfer tray to act cooperably to serially transfer cigarettes from said tray to said ramp; cigarette retainer means mounted resiliently in said housing adjacent the discharge end of said feeder ramp for controlling the discharge of cigarettes therefrom; a rotatable member having at least one compartment thereon and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined rotational speed to thereby cyclically position said one compartment beneath the discharge end of said feeder ramp to receive a cigarette therefrom and to deliver said cigarette to a balance tray; a balance tray pivotally mounted in said housing and adapted to receive a cigarette from said one compartment and to present same to the smoker; electric motor means for driving said rotatable member at said predetermined rotational speed and control means therefor; and means carried by said balance tray for deactivating said motor upon the deposit of a cigarette upon said tray and for activating said motor upon the removal of said cigarette therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A time controlled cigarette dispenser comprising in combination: a housing; a downwardly inclined cigarette transfer tray mounted within said housing having a lower discharge end; a feeder ramp mounted pivotally within said housing having an upper cigarette-receiving end positioned adjacent to and cooperable with said discharge end of the transfer tray; spring means adapted to bias said feeder ramp and enable said feeder ramp and transfer tray to act cooperably to serially transfer cigarettes from said tray to said ramp; cigarette retainer means mounted resiliently in said housing adjacent the discharge end of said feeder ramp for controlling the discharge of cigarettes therefrom; a rotatable member having at least one compartment thereon and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined rotational speed to thereby cyclically position said one compartment beneath the discharge end of said feeder ramp to receive a cigarette therefrom and to deliver said cigarette to a balance tray; a balance tray pivotally mounted in said housing and adapted to receive a cigarette from said one compartment and to present same to the smoker; electric motor means for driving said rotatable member at said predetermined rotational speed and control means therefor; and means carried by said balance tray for deactivating said motor upon the deposit of a cigarette upon said tray and for activating said motor upon the removal of said cigarette therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
150 words
A time controlled cigarette dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the pivotal axis of said feeder ramp is horizontally disposed within said housing and is located closer to the cigarette-receiving end of the feeder arm than the discharge end thereof, spring means being secured to said feeder ramp to normally bias said cigarette-receiving end thereof away from the discharge end of the transfer tray to permit the discharge of a single cigarette from said tray to said ramp, the distance of the respective ends of said feed ramp to said pivotal axis being selected to develop a force moment at the discharge end due to the weight of a first cigarette thereat sufficient to effect pivotal movement of the feeder ramp against the bias of said spring means to thereby block the discharge of another cigarette from said transfer tray until said first cigarette is discharged from said feeder ramp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A time controlled cigarette dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said cigarette retainer means includes at least one resiliently mounted element normally biased into the path of cigarette discharge to prevent the discharge of a cigarette from said feeder ramp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
A time controlled cigarette dispenser according to claim 3, wherein said rotatable member comprises at least one disk and said compartments comprise at least one recess in the periphery of each of said disks, cam means being formed on said disk periphery adjacent to and in advance of each said recess cooperable with said retainer means upon rotation of the rotatable member to thereby move said retainer means against its biasing force and permitting the discharge of the cigarette stationed at the discharge end of the feeder ramp into the underlying recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A time controlled cigarette dispenser according to claim 4, including second cam means is formed on said disk periphery adjacent to and rearwardly of each said recess cooperable with the underside of the discharge end of said feeder ramp upon rotation of said rotatable member to thereby pivot said feeder ramp against the bias of the said spring means and permit the discharge of a single cigarette from said transfer tray to said feeder ramp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
A time controlled cigarette dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said balance tray is pivotally mounted at approximately the midpoint thereof to divide said balance tray into a first cigarette-receiving lever segment and a second lever segment, electrical contact means being carried by said second segment cooperable with electrical contact means in the motor circuit, whereby the deposit of a cigarette on said cigarette-receiving lever segment develops a sufficient force movement to pivot the balance tray and break the electrical connection between said electrical contact means and deactivate the motor, and the removal of said cigarette from said balance tray results in pivotal movement of said balance tray to the original position thereof so as to reestablish the electrical connection between said electrical contact means and activate the motor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2870937A
Cited
US3186590A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-11-29 | 1981-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-11-29 | 1985-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-11-29 | 1989-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |