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(11) | EP 1 382 264 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Folding equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes |
| (57) The invention is a Kit for preparing cigarettes, comprising a flat work surface with
raised edge (B), with an arched shape (Ba), ending on the front side in correspondence
with a bottom retractable shelf (R), inserted into the thickness of the flat work
surface, with a suitable shape for holding a paper. The Kit includes a cover with
spaces arranged to contain various accessories. |
[0001] This patent concerns smokers' accessories and items and, in particular, cigarette preparation devices.
[0002] Presently, cigarettes are sold as pre-packaged packs and the user can choose among various varieties of cigarettes packaged with different varieties of tobacco during the production process.
[0003] Some users prefer to prepare cigarettes themselves, blending, according to specific proportions, different varieties of tobacco sold in single packs containing pre-cut tobacco. Loose tobacco must be shaken to separate the various strips that are compacted during the vacuum packing operation.
[0004] Airtight and/or controlled-humidity containers are known, which users can utilise to contain the tobacco or the tobacco blend.
[0005] Mechanisms to prepare cigarettes are known, in which tobacco or tobacco blends can be inserted along with the paper and the filter, if any.
[0006] In any event, the user must carry the various objects (container or envelope with tobacco, papers, filters, pressers, lighter, and so on) in various pockets or in a bag at the risk of losing each of those objects, of not being able to find them or, in any case, of having to remove them from the various positions in which they were placed.
[0007] If the user, at any time, wants to blend different varieties of tobacco, it will be difficult for him to find a suitable surface on which to blend the tobacco (after having cut up the tobacco leaves) and to place the various objects needed.
[0008] In any case, the biggest problem is being able to blend and/or aerate the tobacco and to transfer it to the paper that will be wrapped around it to make a cigarette.
[0010] The purpose of the new folding equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes is to make it easier to blend and/or loosen the tobacco.
[0011] Another purpose of the new equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes is to make it easier to transfer the tobacco to the paper that will be wrapped around it to make a cigarette.
[0012] Another purpose of the new equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes is to contain the tobacco to be blended, loosened and prepared to make cigarettes.
[0013] Another purpose of the new equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes is to contain the various accessories and objects needed and/or useful for preparing cigarettes.
[0014] These and other, direct and complementary purposes have been achieved through the implementation of a new equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes, comprising a flat work surface with arched retaining edge, open on its front side, a retractable shelf in the thickness of the flat work surface, and a cover with compartments and housings for accessories, tools and various objects.
[0015] The flat work surface makes it easier to cut, loosen and blend the tobacco. The arched retaining edge of the flat work surface is used to hold the tobacco being worked and to transfer it toward a precise point of the front edge of the flat work surface, in correspondence with the retractable shelf.
[0016] The retractable shelf can be preferably extracted from the front edge of the flat work surface, and preferably at one end of the arched edge. This retractable shelf supports the paper so that the tobacco falls properly from the flat work surface onto the paper.
[0017] The features of the new folding equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes will be more clearly defined in the following description of one among many possible applications of the invention, with reference to the attached drawing.
[0019] The new equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes includes a flat work surface (L) with vertical arched retaining edge (B) open on the front side of said flat work surface (L), a retractable shelf (R) in the thickness of the flat work surface (L), and a cover (C) with compartments and housings (Ca) for accessories, tools and various objects.
[0020] The flat work surface (L) is a surface that, on the top face (Ls), has an arched raised edge (B) extending on three contiguous sides of the flat work surface (L). In particular, said arched raised edge (B) retains, on three contiguous sides, what is placed or present on the top face (Ls) of the flat work surface (L), while the fourth side, preferably one of the two longer sides and subsequently called the front side (Lf), remains preferably without any edge or retaining part.
[0021] Said arched raised edge (B) can consist of one or more arc segments and specifically consists, on one side adjacent to the front side (Lf), of an arc with a large radius (Ba) terminating on the front side (Lf) of the flat work surface (L), subsequently called the discharge edge (Ba).
[0022] In the portions of the flat work surface (L) included between the arched raised edge (B) and the side opposite the front side (Lf), there may be one or more holes or vertical seats (Lo) suitable for holding previously prepared cigarettes or a support for the cover (C).
[0023] The retractable shelf (R) is housed on the front side (Lf) of the flat work surface (L), has the same thickness as the flat surface (L) and is positioned in correspondece of the discharge edge (Ba).
[0024] The dimensions of the retractable shelf (R) allow it to hold a paper; some recesses (Ri) may be present on the sliding side edges, to make it easier for the user to position, arrange and take the paper from the retractable shelf (R) itself.
[0025] It is preferred for the height of the housing (Lr) in the flat work surface (L) of the retractable shelf (R) to be greater than that of said retractable shelf (R), so that the retractable shelf (R) can be closed even if a paper or a knife is resting on it.
[0026] The cover (C) is hinged on the side of the flat work surface (L) opposite the front side (Lf).
[0027] Said cover (C), on the external edges where the hinge connecting it to the flat work surface is not present (L), has projections (Cr) that are used to connect said cover (C) with the flat work surface (L) and the relative raised edge (B) when said cover (C) is closed on the flat work surface (L).
[0028] The inner face of the cover (C) can be expediently divided by means of partitions (Cs) into compartments and housings (Ca) suitable to contain accessories, tools and various objects.
[0029] A closing element (Cc) suitable for engaging a special projection (Lc) located on the front side (Lf) of the flat work surface (L) and to keep the cover closed on said flat work surface (L) is hinged to the edge of the cover (C) on the front side (Lf) of the flat work surface (L). Furthermore, the shape of the closing element (Cc) prevents the retractable shelf (R) from opening as long as the cover (C) is closed on the flat work surface (L) (Figure 2).
[0030] The new equipped flat surface for preparing cigarettes as previously described has some important advantages.
[0032] The retractable shelf (R) can be used to keep a paper in position on the front side (Lf) of the flat work surface (L) without having to hold it with the hands.
[0033] The arched raised edge (B) retains the tobacco placed on the surface (Ls) of the flat work surface (L) and its terminal portion, i.e. the discharge edge (Ba), can be used to guide the tobacco positioned on the top surface (Ls) of the flat work surface (L) exactly onto the retractable shelf (R) and onto the paper resting on it.
[0034] Thanks to the compartments and housings (Ca) on the cover (C), the various objects, tools and instruments necessary and useful for preparing cigarettes, such as a lighter, a knife, filters, papers, scissors, etc., as well as the necessary varieties of tobacco for preparing cigarettes, are always available.
1. Flat surface for preparing cigarettes, characterized in that it comprises a flat work surface (L) equipped, on its top face (Ls), with a raised
edge (B) so as to circumscribe a portion of said top face (Ls), and wherein said raised
edge (B) has at least one arched portion (Ba) on the front side (Lf) that is open
and without a raised edge (B).
2. Flat surface for preparing cigarettes according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a retractable shelf (R), having the same thickness as the flat
work surface (L), in correspondence with the open part without the raised edge (B)
and with the terminal part of the arched portion (Ba), and wherein said retractable
shelf (R) has a shape and a housing (Lr) in the flat work surface (L) that are suitable
for holding a paper.
3. Flat surface for preparing cigarettes according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it is equipped with a cover (C) hinged to one edge of the flat work surface (L),
and wherein the cover (C) has, on the edge of the cover (C) corresponding to the front
side (Lf) of the flat work surface (L), a closing element (Cc) suitable for engaging
a special projection (Lc) on the front side (Lf) of the flat work surface (L) and
for keeping said cover closed (C) on said flat work surface (L), and wherein the shape
of said closing element (Cc) is such as to prevent the retractable shelf (R) from
opening as long as the cover (C) is closed on the flat work surface (L).
4. Flat surface for preparing cigarettes according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the cover (C), on its internal face, has partitions (Cs) suitable for creating compartments
and housings (Ca) so as to contain accessories, tools and various objects.
5. Flat surface for preparing cigarettes according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the flat work surface (L) has, in the portions between the raised edge (B) and the
side opposite the front side (Lf), one or more holes or vertical seats (Lo) suitable
for holding previously prepared cigarettes or a support for the cover (C).