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(11) | EP 3 047 740 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A container for smoking apparatus |
| (57) A container for smoking apparatus is provided comprising a first component defining
a first compartment and a second component defining a second compartment. The first
component is pivotally mounted with respect to the second component and is moveable
relative to the second component between a first position and a second position, wherein
the first component closes the second compartment at the first position and wherein
the second compartment is open at the second position. The first and second compartments
each comprise a respective base extending in a respective plane. Said planes remain
parallel during movement between said first and second positions.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a container for smoking apparatus and, in particular, to a container comprising a plurality of moveable compartments for storing smoking apparatus.
[0002] Many users of roll-your-own (RYO) or make-your-own (MYO) cigarettes typically carry around filters, rolling paper (also referred to as tobacco wrappers), rolling tobacco and a lighter on their person. This is inconvenient as these smoking apparatus can easily be lost and can be difficult to locate (e.g. if split between multiple pockets). Some users have taken therefore to storing these items together in a container (such as a regular tin) however it can be difficult to sort through these containers to remove an individual item without dislodging another item first from the container. Furthermore, these containers are often ill-fitting and inconvenient for users to carry on their person. There is therefore a need for an improved container for storing smoking apparatus in a compact and convenient manner and which allows users to easily access said apparatus. The present invention seeks to provide such a container.
[0003] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container for smoking apparatus comprising:
a first component defining a first compartment and a second component defining a second compartment, wherein the first component is pivotally mounted with respect to the second component and is moveable relative to the second component between a first position and a second position;
wherein the first component closes the second compartment at the first position and wherein the second compartment is open at the second position;
wherein the first and second compartments each comprise a respective base extending in a respective plane; and
wherein during movement between said first and second positions, said planes remain parallel.
[0004] A container is thus provided comprising two components that define respective compartments. These compartments may be typically be used to separate and store different smoking apparatus such as lighters, rolling papers, filters and rolling tobacco. Providing separate compartments can help prevent contamination of smoking apparatus (such as rolling tobacco) stored within a given compartment and the transmission of smells and flavours between apparatus stored in different compartments. The first component is typically positioned above the second component (when the container is held upright) and is moveable relative to the second component between a first position, at which closes the second compartment, and a second position wherein the second compartment is open. The first and second components are preferably substantially the same size such that, at the first orientation, the outside of the first component is flush with the outside of the second component. The first component hence behaves as a lid or 'sealing member' to the second compartment (said second compartment being closed at the first position and open at the second position). This arrangement provides a simple and effective means for grouping two compartments together without the need to provide a separate lid for the second compartment, which may be lost and is inconvenient to use. Each compartment comprises a base against which smoking apparatus contained therein will typically rest when the container is held upright. Said bases extend in respective planes which remain parallel during movement between the first and second positions thus enabling a user to fully open the container (i.e. open both the first and second compartments) in order to assemble a RYO cigarette without rotating either compartment and thereby causing the apparatus stored within to fall out.
[0005] In an advantageous arrangement, at the first position, the first component is vertically aligned with the second component and at the second position, the first component is laterally offset from the second component. The vertical direction extends in a direction perpendicular to the planes extending through the first and second compartments, whereas the lateral direction extends in a direction broadly parallel to either of said planes. Perturbations from this vertical direction are allowed, with the first and second components being only 'substantially' vertically aligned at the first position so long as the first component still closes the second compartment at the first position. This may be the case, for example, if the container forms a parallelepiped or frustum at the first position (each compartment having a substantially rectangular base).
[0006] In order to allow relative movement between the first and second positions, the first and second components are preferably movable about a pivot that extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane extending through either of said bases. This provides longitudinal support to the container and binds the first and second components together.
[0007] A particular benefit is realised wherein the apparatus further comprises an inner lid mounted to the first component, wherein said inner lid is configured to open and close said first compartment. This lid may provide an effective seal for the first compartment and thereby reduce the transmission of smells or flavours between the different compartments or from outside the container. As previously discussed, the first component effectively behaves as a lid to the second compartment however a separate cover element or lid may be also provided to both close and open the first compartment. Preferably, said lid is pivotally mounted to the first component. By mounting the inner lid to the first component as such, the inner lid is never fully removed from the container and so is unlikely to ever be lost. A further benefit is provided wherein said inner lid is movable about a pivot that extends in a direction parallel to a plane extending through the base of the first compartment. For example, said inner lid may be mounted to a hinge that partially or fully extends along a side of the first component (either inside or outside of the first compartment). Alternatively, the inner lid may be movable about a pivot that extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane extending through the either of said bases and which may advantageously form part of the pivot coupling the first and second components together. Furthermore, the inner lid may alternatively be provided by way of a slidable cover element or sleeve that couples with the first component.
[0008] The container preferably further comprises an outer lid configured to cover the first and second components when said first and second components are arranged at the first position. The outer lid provides a means for safely securing the first and second components at the first position and for ensuring that the first and second compartments are both closed. In the event that an inner lid is not provided, the outer lid may provide an alternative means for closing the first compartment. Said outer lid is preferably pivotally mounted to the second component (although it may instead conceivably be pivotally mounted to the first component). Furthermore, said outer lid is preferably movable about a pivot that extends in a direction parallel to a plane extending through either of said bases. For example, the outer lid may be affixed to the second component by a hinge extending along the outside of the second component, parallel to the base. The outer lid may be biased towards an open or closed position. For example, said outer lid may be spring biased or "spring loaded" such that it either covers the first and second components and is hence closed, or is rotated at least 90°, preferably between 90 and 190°, most preferably 180°, to an open position wherein it no longer covers the first and second components. Most preferably, the outer lid is biased towards an open and closed position such that the outer lid is either securely closed or securely held at an open position at a particular angle with respect to a plane extending through the base of either compartment. In this case, the outer lid is not able to freely rotate between these two positions. Most preferably, the first component and the second component are biased towards the second position. This is most useful in the event that an outer lid is provided and may be achieved, for example, using a spring mechanism. This can improve the user-friendliness of the container and remind a user of the existence of the second compartment (which is otherwise hidden by the first component at the first position).
[0009] A further benefit is provided wherein the container further comprises a locking mechanism configured to hold the first and second component at the first position. This locking mechanism may be used in addition (or as an alternative) to the outer lid for securing the first and second components at the first position. Preferably, said locking mechanism comprises a protruding member which is mounted to the second component and is configured to engage with a recess provided on an outer surface of the first component. Alternatively, said protruding member may be mounted to the first component and configured to engage a recess provided on an outer surface of the second component. The protruding member may comprise an outer surface which when pressed by a user, releases an engagement between the protruding member and the recess provided on the opposing component, so as to allow relative movement from the first position to the second position.
[0010] In order to aid convenience to the user for storing smoking apparatus, the base of the first or second compartment preferably comprises a ridged surface configured to hold smoking apparatus such as filters, rolling paper or a lighter. A footprint may hence be provided within the inside of either compartment that matches the shape of the smoking apparatus it is designed to hold. Preferably still, the base of the first or second compartment comprises a flat surface configured to hold a container (such as a box or pouch) of rolling tobacco. Furthermore, the dimensions of this compartment preferably match the dimensions of an average container of rolling tobacco which may be purchased by a user. Most preferably, the base of the first compartment comprises a ridged surface configured to hold smoking apparatus such as filters, rolling paper or a lighter and the base of the second compartment comprises a flat surface configured to hold a container of rolling tobacco. This is advantageous as a user will typically wish to remove filters and rolling paper from the upper (or first) compartment, whilst the lower compartment is closed, before removing tobacco from the lower (or second) compartment when rolling a RYO cigarette.
[0011] An example of a container in accordance with the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figures 1 and 2 are illustrations of a container according to the invention in a first position; and,
Figures 3 and 4 are illustrations of a container according to the invention in a second position.
[0012] Illustrations of a container 1 orientated at a first position are shown by Figures 1 and 2. The container 1 comprises a first component 2 which is mounted to a second component 6 by a pivot 10 (shown in Figure 4). A first component 2 is vertically aligned (i.e. "stacked") with a second component 6 at the first position so that the outer edges of the first component 2 are flush with the outer edges of the second component 6. In this example, the first and second components 2, 6 each have substantially the same cuboidal shape and size with flat, generally rectangular, bases such that a substantially cuboidal shape (in this case having rounded corners) is formed when these components 2, 6 are positioned at the first position (with an intersection between the components bisecting the cuboid). Other shapes are possible, however, including frustums and parallelepipeds so long as the base of the first component 2 fully covers the top of the second component 6 at the first orientation.
[0013] An outer lid 9 is mounted to the second component 6 by a hinge which is configured to enable the outer lid 9 to be opened (as shown in Figure 1) or closed such that it covers the first component 2 and the second component 6. An inner lid 3 is pivotally mounted to the outside of the first component 2. The inner lid 3 is shown at a closed position in Figure 1 wherein it seals a first compartment 4 provided directly beneath. In Figure 2 the inner lid 3 has been opened in a direction shown by the curved double-headed arrow to reveal the first compartment 4 below.
[0014] The first component 2 and the second component 6 define respective compartments 4, 7 for storing different smoking apparatus (such as filters, rolling paper, rolling tobacco, lighters or matches). The interior of the first component 2 forms a first compartment 4 which is accessible when the outer lid 9 or the inner lid 3 are orientated at their respective open positions (as shown by Figure 2). The base of the first compartment 4 comprises a ridged surface configured to hold filters and a box of rolling paper. The hinge for the inner lid 3 may be provided on the inside of the first compartment 4 so that it does not protrude out of the first component 2 so that the first component 2 forms a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. This allows the outer lid 9 to cover both components at the first orientation, without need for an indent.
[0015] Figure 3 shows an illustration of the container 1 wherein the first component 2 and the second component 6 are orientated at the second position. Figure 4 essentially reproduces Figure 3 with a cross-section having been taken through the first component 2 so as to show the pivot 10 that couples the first and second components 2, 6 together. A coordinate axis is also shown in Figure 3 wherein the abscissa x axis and ordinate y axis define a transverse plane. A vertical z axis (which is aligned with gravity during normal use of the container 1, wherein the base of the container 11 sits flat against a level surface) extends through the container 1 in a direction parallel to the pivot 10. Respective planes extend through the base of the first compartment / component 4, 2 and the second compartment / component 7, 6 in the x-y direction.
[0016] In Figures 3 and 4, the first component 2 has been rotated relative to the second component 6 in the φ direction about the pivot 10 to a second position so as to reveal the interior of the second component 6 beneath which forms a second compartment 7. Optionally, the first or second components 2, 6 may be spring-loaded to the second position such that the second compartment 7 is automatically opened when the outer lid 9 is opened. In this example the dimensions of the second compartment 7 match those of a typical container of rolling tobacco which may be purchased by a user, thus ensuring that the rolling tobacco container fits tightly inside the compartment 7. For example, the second compartment 6 comprises a flat base for storing a large flat box or pouch, whereas the first compartment 4 comprises a ridged base for storing smaller items such as filters. Elasticated bands may also be provided in either the first or second compartments 4, 7 for securing smoking apparatus within.
[0017] The first component 2 is shown here in its closed position (with the inner lid 3 being closed) however the inner lid 3 may be opened at the first or second positions. Movement of the inner lid 3 and the outer lid 9 about their respective hinges occurs in the θ direction, which is perpendicular to the φ direction. In alternative examples, either or both of these lids 3, 9 may be opened or closed in the φ direction (for example if mounted to the pivot 10) however this could produce quite a complex arrangement if both lids 3, 9 were open at the second position.
[0018] In the illustrations of Figures 3 and 4, the first component 2 partially obscures the second compartment 7. The first component 2 may be further rotated in the Φ direction however such that the second compartment 7 is fully opened and is fully accessible to a user. Indeed the first component 2 may be rotated 360 degrees about the pivot 10. It is preferable, that the second component 6 is heavier than the first component 2 such that when the first (or upper) component 2 is rotated in the φ direction to a position wherein it is laterally offset from the second component 6, the modified centre of mass does not cause the container 1 to tip over. In the present example, the first component 2 is formed substantially of molded plastic with a thin metallic inner lid 3 affixed to it, whereas the second component 6 has a metallic outer surface and a thin plastic inner surface that forms the second compartment 7. The outer lid 9 is formed from the same thin metallic material (such as stainless steel) as the outside of the second component 6 so as to provide a uniform, aesthetically pleasing look. Common materials such as plastic, silicon, ceramic, glass, felt, wood or any combination thereof may be used to form part or the whole of the container 1. The materials chosen are preferably inert however so as to not react with the smoking apparatus / tobacco stored therein.
[0019] A locking mechanism is further shown consisting of a protruding member 11 formed on the upper edge of the second component 6, which is configured to engage with a recess 12 formed on an outer surface of the first component 2 so as to hold said components 2, 6 together at the first position. The protruding member 11 has an outer surface (or button) that is flush with the outer surface of the second component 6 and which may be pressed down by a user in order to unlock these components for relative movement to the second position. Alternatively, the protruding member 11 may be formed on the inside of the second compartment 7 (with no outer surface / button being visible) and configured to retain the first and second components 2, 6 at the first position until a threshold of force is applied to these components which overcomes the resistance provided by the locking mechanism. Any combination of standard catches, magnets or clips may be used alternatively, or in addition to this.
1. A container for smoking apparatus comprising:
a first component defining a first compartment and a second component defining a second compartment, wherein the first component is pivotally mounted with respect to the second component and is moveable relative to the second component between a first position and a second position;
wherein the first component closes the second compartment at the first position and wherein the second compartment is open at the second position;
wherein the first and second compartments each comprise a respective base extending in a respective plane; and
wherein during movement between said first and second positions, said planes remain parallel.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein at the first position, the first component
is vertically aligned with the second component and wherein at the second position,
the first component is laterally offset from the second component.
3. A container according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the first and second components are
moveable about a pivot that extends in a direction perpendicular to a plane extending
through either of said bases.
5. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an inner
lid mounted to the first component, wherein said inner lid is configured to open and
close said first compartment.
6. A container according to claim 5, wherein said inner lid is pivotally mounted to
said first component.
7. A container according to claim 6, wherein said inner lid is moveable about a pivot
that extends in a direction parallel to a plane extending through the base of the
first compartment.
8. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an outer
lid configured to cover the first and second components when said first and second
components are arranged at the first position.
9. A container according to claim 8, wherein said outer lid is pivotally mounted to
the second component.
10. A container according to claim 9, wherein said outer lid is moveable about a pivot
that extends in a direction parallel to a plane extending through either of said bases.
11. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first component
and the second component are biased towards the second position.
12. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a locking
mechanism configured to hold the first and second components at the first position.
13. A container according to claim 10, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a protruding
member which is mounted to the second component and is configured to engage with a
recess provided on an outer surface of the first component.
14. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base of the first
or second compartment comprises a ridged surface configured to hold smoking apparatus
such as filters, rolling paper or a lighter.
15. A container according to any of the preceding claims, the base of the first or second
compartment comprises a flat surface configured to hold a container of rolling tobacco.