Patent Publication Number: US-4220256-A

Title: Automatic dispenser for automatically dispensing lighted cigarettes

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an automatic dispenser for automatically dispensing lighted cirgarettes. 
     More particularly, the invention is concerned with a cigarette igniting device for lighting a cigarette or the equivalent, without an individual becoming distracted or having to use his hands for a long period of time. 
     Vehicles such as automobiles are provided with conventional cigarette lighters which require the user to activate an electrical heater element so as to heat it to red or glowing heat. The electrical heating element is then removed from its energizer and applied to a cigarette for lighting thereof. It is well known that this procedure requires the use of at least one hand (and perhaps two hands) for a considerable period of time. And, when a driver removes one of this hands from the steering wheel, for a long period of time, full control of the vehicle becomes difficult for this particular period of time. 
     The present invention proposes a device which is particularly suitable for use in connection with a moving motor vehicle to provide a lighted cigarette automatically to the operator of such motor vehicle, with a minimum of effort and a minimum of time during which one hand is removed from the steering wheel and therefore, the control of the vehicle. 
     One of the advantages of the invention is that the apparatus for dispensing a lighted cigarette offers greater fire protection because there is no danger of damage of burning oneself as the result of droping the lighter element. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an automatic dispenser for automatically dispensing lighted cigarettes whereby to diminish the possiblity of accidents as the result of the driver or operator of the motor vehicle becoming distracted during the period of removal of the cigarette lighter and/or during the period of lighting the cigarette. 
     In accordance with the invention, the automatic cigarette dispensing device can be electrically powered from the power source of the vehicle in a conventional manner, and a container is provided for storing one or more cigarettes in an unlit condition. A cigarette cradle or support is provided to position an unlit cigarette proximate to an electric heater or lighter for lighting thereof, and a rotatable transport means is positioned between the container and the support for moving a single cigarette from the container to the support while at the same time energizing an electric circuit for heating the electric heater. Coupled with the electric heater and switch is an electronic circuit of the conventional type which controls the duration of heating of the electric heater. Coupled with the transport means is a camming mechanism for activating a switch to heat the electric heater each time the transport means is rotated to a position to place a cigarette into the support. 
     The automatic dispenser for automatically dispensing lighted cigarettes permits a motor vehicle operator merely by rotating a knob to obtain a cigarette which has already been lit without any other manipulations or distractions. 
     While the automatic dispenser has been described in connection for use with a motor vehicle, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it could be used as well in airplanes, in the home, on ships, and in public areas, etc. 
     Other objects, advantages and the nature of the invention will become readily apparent from a detailed description of the invention as described in connection with the Figures of the drawing which illustrates the preferred mode of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the automatic dispenser according to the invention for automatically dispensing lighted cigarettes; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1; and, 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring more particularly to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, the automatic dispenser for automatically dispensing lighted cigarettes comprises a cigarette containter 10 having a top closure 12 which when opened permits cigarettes C to be inserted into container 10, and a mouth or exit portion 14. While two columns of cigarettes are shown, it is to be understood that it is possible to have one column or more than two columns. 
     Positioned below the container 10 is a support or cradle 20 which includes a single concavity cigarette receiver to hold a single cigarette C. One end of the cradle 20 is provided with an opening or fore-shortened portion 22 from which an unlit end of a cigarette C may be withdrawn from the support. The other end of support 20 is provided with an opening 24 which is adjacent to an electric heater 26 of the conventional spiral type. The electric heater 26 is provided with a pair of electrical connectors 28 for connection to a suitable source of electrical energy, such as a 6, 12, or 24 volt battery, or conventional house voltage. 
     Positioned between container 10 and cradle 20 is a rotatable cigarette transport device 30 for transporting a single cigarette C-s from container 10 to cradle 20 for lighting of one end of the cigarette. Transport device 30 includes a rotor member 32 having two oppositely disposed concave or U-shaped cigarette receiving cavities 34 and 36 angularly displaced from each other by 180 degrees. Rotor 32 is carried on a shaft 38 which includes a rotation knob 18 at the front end and a cam device 40 having a pair of cam lobes 42 and 44 angularly displaced from each other by 180 degrees which cooperate with an activation switch 46 for connecting the electric heater 26, in a conventional manner not shown, to the source of electrical energy for energizing the electric heater to heat the heating element thereof. 
     Coupled in circuit with the electric heater 26 and activation switch 46 is electronic circuitry 50 of the conventional type for controlling the length of time electric heater 26 is energized. The time period is sufficient to heat the coil of heater 26 to red heat to light a cigarette held in cradle or support 20. After a predetermined time for the heating of electric heater 26, the electric circuitry 50 causes switch 46 to be moved to its off position whereby to enable it to be reactivated again upon rotation of knob 18 connected with the other end of shaft 38. Cam lobes 42 and 44 are angularly related to cigarette receiving cavities 34 and 36 to activate switch 46 to place it into its &#34;on&#34; condition each time one of the receiving cavities is positioned to deposit a cigarette into cradle 20. 
     OPERATION OF THE DEVICE 
     As best seen in FIG. 3, cigarette C includes a front or heat end 52 which is adapted to be lit and a rear end 54 which is not intended to be lit. Upon rotation of rotor 32 by means of knob 18, cigarette receiving cavity 34 (in the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) is adapted to receive a cigarette C, and upon rotation of knob 18 through 180 degrees, cam lobe 42 is moved from its top position to the position of cam lobe 44, and cam lobe 44 is moved into engagement with switch 46 to place it into its &#34;on&#34; position to connect electric heater 26 with the source of energy; and, at the same time, rotor 32 is also rotated through 180 degrees so that the cigarette C-s which is in cavity 34 is moved to a position to drop into support or cradle 20 so that end 52 may be lit, and upon lighting of end 52 the cigarette C-s is withdrawn by grasping end 54. End 54 extends beyond the withdrawal means 22 whereby to permit removal of the lit cigarette. 
     The container 10 which is adapted to contain a plurality of the loose cigarettes C is superimposed above the cradle 20, and the cigarettes are superimposed one upon the other in a horizontal arrangement. The transport device 30 provides for the removal of one cigarette at a time from container 10 for placement into cradle 20. Cradle 20 is in the form of a concave support to position the front end 52 of the cigarette in proximity with the electric heater 26 which is of the spiral type. While two rows of cigarettes are shown in container 10, it is to be understood that a number of parallel rows may be used if desired. Each half turn or 180 degree turn of the knob 18 provides for the extraction of a single cigarette from the container 10. While the cam lobes 42 and 44 are shown in alignment with and in registry with cigarette receiving cavities 34 and 36, respectively, what is important is that the cam lobes 42 and 44 cooperate with the switch 46 so as to render it operative upon the rotor 32 depositing a cigarette C into cradle 20. The timing electronic circuit 50 regulates the duration of the heating of the electric heater or lighter 26 and the ignition of the front end 52 of cigarette C. 
     The electric heater 26 which is of the spiral type can be made for a preselected or pre-established voltage or for a number of the preselected or pre-established voltages 6, 12, 24 or normal house voltage. The electric heater 26 includes a casing 20&#39; which is separate from and isolated from support or cradle 20 so that the heating element of the electric heater 26 is both electrically and thermally insulated from the support or cradle 20. 
     While there has been shown and described what is considered to be the best mode of carrying out the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.