US3877573A

US3877573A - Compartmentalized troche delivering cigarette container

Info

Publication number: US3877573A
Application number: US434317A
Authority: US
Inventors: Morton W Scott; Larry Beck
Original assignee: ICAN LAB Inc
Current assignee: ICAN LAB Inc; ICAN LABORATORIES Inc
Priority date: 1974-01-17
Filing date: 1974-01-17
Publication date: 1975-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-15

Abstract

A container having an outer configuration similar to a standard cigarette package but adapted to carry both a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches for discouraging smoking. The container is divided into two compartments or chambers. The first chamber contains the troches and includes an aperture through which the troches can be dispensed. The second chamber contains cigarettes which can be dispensed through the top of the container. The container has a cover which is designed so that removal thereof provides access to the troches prior to access to the cigarettes to encourage the user to take a troche rather than a cigarette.

Description

United States Patent Scott et al. Apr. 15, 1975 COMPARTMENTALIZED TROCHE 2,820,545 1/1958 Bramhill 206/273 x DELIVERING CIGARETTE CONTAINER FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventors: Morton Scott, San Rafael; Larry 1,559,783 2/1969 France 206 236 Beck, Greenbrae, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Ican Laboratories, Inc., San Rafael, Primary Examiner-Davis T. Moorhead Calif.

[22] Filed: Jan. 17, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] A L N 434,317 A container having an outer configuration similar to a standard cigarette package but adapted to carry both I a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches for [52] Cl 206/236; 229/44 200/273 discouraging smoking. The container is divided into two compartments or chambers The first chamber [58] Flew of Search 2 contains the troches and includes an aperture through 206/38 c, 229/44 CD, 7 17 hi h the troches can be dispensed. The second chamber contains cigarettes which can be dispensed [56] References cued through the top of the container. The container has a UNI STATES PATENTS cover which is designed so that removal thereof pro- 348,924 9/1886 Munson 206/273 X vides access to the troches prior to access to the ciga- 409,029 8/1889 Elliott 206/273 X rettes to encourage the user to take a troche rather 1,902,388 3/1933 Welch 206/38 0 x than a cigarem 1,928,041 9/1933 Windesheim.... 206/38 C X 2,031,363 2/1936 Erikson 206/236 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures COMPARTMENTALIZED TROCI-IE DELIVERING CIGARETTE CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A present invention relates to cigarette packages or containers and in particular to a compartmentalized container which carries a plurality of troches for discouraging smoking as well as a number of cigarettes.

After years of advertising by the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, and other public interest organizations showing the hazards of smoking, and in spite of warnings placed on cigarette packages themselves and all advertisements for cigarettes, the fact remains that the overall volume of cigarette smoking has not been substantially reduced. The principal reason for this appears to be that many people still begin smoking as teenagers, and when they become adults do not have the willpower or the incentive which is required to give up cigarette smoking. As a result, smoking is still a major cause and/or contributing factor to illness.

It has been found that the hazards of cigarette smoking are strongly related to the volume of such smoking, i.e., the number of cigarettes smoked per day. For example, statistics show a reduction from three packs of cigarettes per day to one pack per day substantially reduced the likelihood of occurence oflung cancer. heart disease, emphysema and other cigaretterelated diseases. Since only a few cigarettes are ordinarily consciously enjoyed by the smoker, most of the cigarettes being the result of a conditioned reflex in taking and lighting a cigarette, such a reduction does not substantially decrease a person's enjoyment of his smoking. Furthermore, a reduction in the frequency of the cigarette smoking helps to stifle the conditioned reflex so that the smoker can totally abstain more easily. Hence, for persons who are unable to give up smoking entirely, a mere reduction in smoking is a logical and highly advantageous alternative.

The problem with reducing the frequency of smoking is the difficulty in implementing the procedure. Ordinarily, a person either carries a package of cigarettes with him so that the cigarettes are always available, or he carries no cigarettes so that he cannot smoke at all. As a result, the smoker may intend to reduce his smoking frequency, but if he has the cigarettes readily available he will continue to smoke by conditioned reflex. If he does not have the cigarettes on his person but cannot face the prospect of coomplete abstinence, he will ordinarily be forced to purchase a package. Either way, his intent to reduce his smoking is usually frustrated.

Many methods have been suggested for aiding in the reduction of smoking by making cigarettes less available, some of which are partially effective. For exam ple, placing the cigarette package in a pocket different from where they are normally kept interrupts the conditioned reflex until the habit of using the other pocket is developed. Another method is to leave the cigarettes in a somewhat distant location such as another room. A third method is to quit buying cigarettes personally and only borrow from others. However, all of these methods are both inconvenient and annoying. As a result, the smoker may practice them for a few days but soon gives up his attempt. No procedure has yet been advanced which effectively results in heavy smokers reducing their smoking frequency and which is not usually discarded by most such smokers after a relatively short period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a container having an outer configuration generally similar to a standard cigarette package but adapted to carry both a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches for discouraging smoking. The container comprises a box open at the top, and means for dividing the interior of the box into two parallel vertical chambers. One of the chambers is adapted to contain a plurality of troches, and includes an aperture for dispensing the troches individually. The other chamber is adapted to contain a number of cigarettes which can be dispensed through the open top of the box. Means are provided for covering the open top of the box and the aperture in the first chamber. When the cover is removed, the aperture is exposed prior to exposing the open top of the box so that the user has access to the troches prior to having access to the cigarettes. In this manner, a sequence of options is provided to the user of the container. First, he is provided access to a troche which temporarily discourages his smoking urge. Second, he is provided access to a number of cigarettes. Only after refusing to take the available troche is he provided access to the cigarettes.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism which allows the smokerto substantially reduce his smoking in a manner which is both convenient and effective. As such, the invention is primarily directed at persons who cannot face total abstinence from smoking and hence cannot quit in a single step. Rather, the person is allowed access to a limited number of cigarettes, but along with the access to the cigarettes a means is provided for discouraging the smoking. This apparatus is provided in a general configuration of a cigarette package to provide the smoker with the emotional security he receives from the presence of such a package.

When a smoker reaches for a cigarette in the normal manner, but encounters the container of the present invention instead, he is first faced with the problem of opening the container. The container of the present in-;

vention requires two hands in order that it can be opened, rather than the convenience provided by the normal cigarette package or flip-top box which can easily be opened by one hand. Hence, the conditioned reflex of the smoker is to some extent broken by this procedure. When the container is opened, the smoker first has access to the troches, which can be taken in place of the cigarette and which avoid the urge to smoke temporarily. if, however, the smoker has a positive urge to smoke, a cigarette is available to him and he is not faced with total abstinence. Hence, a practical approach is offered by which a heavy smoker can substantially reduce the amount of his smoking and therefore substantially reduce the health hazards thereof.

The term'troche" is used throughout the application to designate the means for discouraging smoking. It is to be expressly understood that the term troche includes any form of lozenge, tablet, chicklet or similar particulate matter having a composition adapted to discourage smoking.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention,'both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are sequential perspective views illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention in its closed, partially opened and fully opened configuration;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are sequencial perspective views of a second embodiment of the present invention illustrating that embodiment in its fully closed, partially opened, and fully opened configuration;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention with the cover removed;

FIG. 8 is a layout view of the cardboard sheet used to form the cover of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a layout view of the cardboard sheet used to form the box of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the interior or second housing of the first embodiment of the present invention illustrating the top open so that it may be filled with troches;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the divider of the first embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The manner in which the first embodiment 10 of the present invention is opened for use is illustrated by way of reference to FIGS. l3 in sequence. Container 10 has a cover 12 which fits snugly over the top and sides of a box 14. Cover 12 and box 14 are preferably constructed of folded cardboard as illustrated hereinafter, but could also be made of stamped plastic, metal or other material. Cover 12 has cutouts 16 in the lower edge thereof so that a person may grasp cover 12 in one hand and box 14 in the other to remove the cover from the box.

I Partial removal of cover 12 from box 14 is illustrated by way of referece to FIG. 2. At this stage, the top of box 14 is still enclosed by cover 12 but an aperture 18 in the side of the box is exposed. As will be further set forth hereinafter, troches adapted to discourage smoking are preferably stored in a secondary container within box 14 and can be dispensed through aperture 18. The radius of aperture 18 is slightly larger then the troches so that they can be dispensed individually. Hence, when cover 12 is partially removed as shown in FIG. 2, access is provided to troches, but not to any cigarettes contained in box 14.

The fully opened configuration of container 10 is illustrated by way of reference to FIG. 3 wherein the cover is removed from box 14. In this configuration, several cigarettes 20 are accessible to the user of the container. An interior housing 22 for containing troches dispensable through aperture 18 occupies one half of the hollow interior of box 14 and is held in place by divider 24. A hold in interio'r housing 22 registers with a corresponding hole in box 14 to form aperture 18 and allow troches to be dispensesd from the interior of housing 22 to the exterior of box 14 when the cover is at least partially removed. Aperture 18 is located in one corner of housing 22 to facilitate removal of the troches when the housing is nearly empty.

A second embodiment 30 of the present invention is illustrated in the sequential views of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. In its entirely closed configuration illustration in FIG. 4, cover 32 overlies the top and sides of box 34 to provide a snug closure as in the first embodiment. Also, cutout portions 36 are provided at the lowe end of cover 32 so that the cover can be removed from the box with the use of two hands. However, partial removal of cover 32, as illustrated in FIG. 5, does not expose an aperture for'the dispensing of troches. Rather, cover 32 must be entirely removed as illustrated in FIG. 6 before either troches or cigarettes may be dispensed.

When a cover of box 34 is fully removed as illustrated in FIG. 6, an aperture 38 at the top of interior housing 40 is exposed. Housing 40 is adapted to contain a plurality of troches for discouraging smoking which can be dispensed individually through aperture 38. Divider 42 is located inside box 34 and maintains interior housing 40 against one side of the box. In second embodiment 30, divider 42 includes a flap 44 adapted to fold over the tops of a plurality of cigarettes 46. Flap 44 normally is in abutment with the tops of cigarettes 46 so that when cover 32 is removed from box 34, aperture 38 is exposed to the user so that he can obtain a troche, but cigarettes 46 remain covered by flap 44. The user has access to cigarettes 46 by simply unfolding flap 44. This is not an inconvenient procedure and therefore will not discourage use of container 30, but will require an.

extra step on the part of the use to obtain a cigarette rather than a troche, thus encouraging use of the troche rather than the cigarette. As can be seen from comparing embodiment 30 with embodiment 10, one of the objects of the present invention, namely, providing access to the troches prior to access to the cigarettes, is achieved by both embodiments, and only the manner of execution differs.

The manner in which the preferred embodiment of cover 12 (or 32) of the apparatus of the present invention is formed from cardboard is illustrated by way of reference to FIG. 8. A flat cardboard sheet 50 is divided into a plurality of rectangular sections by means of

folds

52, 54, 56, and 58. The above mentioned rectangular sections comprise in series a first intermediate side 60, a back side 62, a second intermediate side 64, a front side 66 and a flap 68. The lower edge 70 of surfaces 60-68 is generally colinear with the exception of

cutout portions

72, 74 in the back and

front sides

62, 66, respectively. Cardboard sheet 50 also includes a plurality of

tabs

76, 78, 80, 84 and a slit 86. Side defining surfaces 6068 can be each folded at folds 52-58, and flap 68 glued or otherwise attached to side defining surface 60 to enclose the sides of cover.

Flaps

76, 78 and 80 can then be folded downwardly, and flap 84 folded with the top 88 thereof inserted through slit 86 to enclose the top of the cover. In this manner, the cover illustrated as 12/32 in figure 1/4 is easily formed.

A cardboard sheet utilized to form the box 14 (or 34) is illustrated by way of reference to FIG. 9. Sheet 100 has a plurality of

folds

102, 104, 106, 108 defining a plurality of planar surfaces. These planar surfaces are, in series, a first intermediate side 110, a back side 112, a'second intermediate side 114, a front side 116, and a flap 118. The lower edge 120 of surfaces 110-116 is generally colinear. However, the vertical extent of back side H2 is greater than that of front side I16, and the upper edges of

intermediate sides

110, 114 are inclined to compensate for these differences in height. Hence, when surfaces 110418 are folded at 102-108 in series, and flap 118 glued or otherwise attached to first intermediate side 110, the sides of the box 14 (or 34) are defined. Also, tabs 122-128 can be folded to form the bottom of the box.

Interior housing 22 of the first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in more detail by way of reference to FIG. 110. Housing 22 has a aperture 130 at the lower end thereof, which, in combination with a corresponding aperture in box I4 (see FIG. 3) forms an aperture 18 through which troches can be dispensed. Housing 22 has a flap closure I32 at the top thereof which could be opened to fill the box with troches. However, it is preferred to sell the housing 22 full of troches and merely replace the housing when it is empty. Aperture 130 is normally closed for convenient sale and shipment of housing 22 to keep the troches sanitary until they are used. Aperture I30 is formed with perforations and can be punched out when housing 22 is inserted in the box. The position of housing 22 is maintained by means of divider 24 illustrated in FIG. ll. Divider 24 has

extensions

134, 136 adapted to space the divider from the front surface of the box so that housing 22 is maintained in position and the respective holes in the box and housing register to form aperture 18. The spacing provided is generally equal to the diameter of a cigarette, and several cigarettes can generally be positioned in the portion of the hollow interior defined by divider 24 as illustrated in FIG. 7 As an alternative embodiment of divider 24, extension 134 (or 136) can be folded 180 and placed along the side of housing 22 (not shown).

In operation, the elements of the container, namely the box I4 (or 34), cover 12 (or 32), interior housing 22 (or 40), and divider 24 (or 44) are assembled from thin flexible material. preferably non-corrugated cardboard. A plurality of troches are poured into housing 22, and the housing is inserted in box 14 (or 34). In a first embodiment of the invention, corresponding apertures in housing 22 and box 14 register to provide a common aperture for dispensing the troches through the side of the box. Divider 24 (or 44) is then placed in box 14 (or 34;) and a number of cigarettes inserted in a portion of the hollow interior of the box defined by the divider. In a second embodiment of the invention, flap 44 at the top of divider 42 is then folded over the tops of the cigarettes. Cover 12 (or 32) is then placed over the top and sides of the box.

When a smoker wishes to obtain a cigarette from the container W (or 3%) of the present invention, he must grasp the cover 22 (or 32) in one hand and the box 14 (or 34) in the other hand. In the first embodiment 10 of the container partial removal of cover 12 exposes the common aperture 18 so that a troche can be dispensed. Only upon full removal of cover 12 is access allowed to cigarettes 20. In a second embodiment of the present invention, full removal of cover 32 provides access to the troches through aperture 38. To achieve access to the cigarettes 46, flap 44 at the top of divider 42 must be unfolded. Hence, access is provided to the cigarettes. but only after access has previously been provided to the troches.

While two preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it is obvious that modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims:

What we claim as new is: 1. Apparatus for carrying both a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches for discouraging smoking,

said apparatus comprising:

a vertically elongate box open at the top;

means for dividing the interior of said box into first and second parallel vertical chambers, said first chamber adapted to contain a plurality of troches and including aperture means for dispensing said troches, said second chamber communicating with the open top of the box and adapted to contain a number of cigarettes adapted to be dispensed through said open top; and

means for covering at least the open top of the box and the aperture means in the first chamber, said cover means being at least partially removable and adapted to expose the aperture means prior to the open top of the box upon said removal to provide the user with access to the troches prior to access to the cigarettes.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said dividing means comprises a secondary vertically elongate container disposed within the vertically elongate box, and wherein said aperture means in the first chamber comprises complementary registering apertures in the sides of the box and the container permitting communication from the interior of said container to the exterior of said box through the sides of said box; and wherein said cover means comprises means for covering the top and sides of the elongate box whereby the aperture in the sides of the box is exposed prior to the open top thereof.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said dividing means comprises a secondary vertically elongate container substantially coextensive with said box and adapted to occupy a portion of the interior of said box, said container having an aperture at the top for dispensing said troches; and wherein said cover means includes a flap attached to the top of the dividing means and adapted to normally fold over the top of the second chamber and a cover adapted to fit over the open top of the box overlying the flap so that removal of said cover exposes the aperture and subsequent unfolding of said flap exposes the cigarettes.

4. Apparatus for carrying both a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches adapted to discourage smoking, said apparatus comprising:

a first housing means open at the top and having a small aperture in one side;

a second housing means disposed within the first housing means and vertically coextensive therewith, said second housing means having an aperture adapted to register with the aperture in the first housing means to provide communication from the interior of the second housing means to the exterior of the first housing means through the apertures, said second housing means adapted to occupy a portion of the interior of the first housing means, leaving a second complimentary portion communicating with the open top of the first housing means and adapted to contain a number of cigarettes adapted to be dispensed through said open top; and

a cover adapted to fit over the top and sides of the first housing means, said cover being removable to expose the aperture in the side of the first housing means prior to exposing the open top of said first housing so that troches contained within the second housingare available to the user prior to the exposure of cigarettes contained in the complimentary portion of the interior of the first housing means.

-..Apparatus as recited in claim 4 and additionally comprising a divider located in the second complementary portion of the first housing means, said divider being in abutment with the second housing means to maintain the aperture in second housing means in registration with the aperture in first housing means.

6. Apparatus for carrying both a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches adapted to discourage smoking, said apparatus comprising:

a vertically elongate box comprising a cardboard sheet adapted to be folded into a substantially rectangular enclosure open at the top, said cardboard sheet having first intermediate side, back side, second intermediate side, front side, and flap defining surfaces foldably interconnected in series, the lower edge of said surfaces being colinear, the vertical extent of said back defining portion being greater than the corresponding extent of the front defining portion and the upper edges of the intermediate'side defining portions being inclined so that when said surfaces are folded, the upper edges of the intermediate side defining portions extend from the raised back side defining portion to the relatively lower front side defining portion, said cardboard sheet further including tab means for interconnecting the lower edges of said surfaces to close the box at the bottom, the back side defining portion of said cardboard sheet having a small aperture therein;

a secondary vertically elongate container disposed within the vertically elongate box, said container having an aperture in the side thereof complimentary to the aperture in the elongate box and adapted to register therewith when said secondary container is inserted within said box, said container adapted to contain a plurality of troches dispensable through said registering apertures, said secondary container adapted to occupy a portion of the interior of the elongate box, leaving a second complimentary portion communicating with the open top of the box adapted to contain a number of cigarettes; and

means for covering at least the open end of the box and the aperture in the box, said cover means being removable to expose the registering apertures prior to the open end of the box upon said removal to provide the user with access to the troches prior to access to the cigarettes.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said cover means comprises a cardboard sheet adapted to be folded and having first side, back, second side, front and flap defining surfaces foldably interconnected in series, said back and front defining portions having cutouts in the lower edges thereof, said cardboard sheet further comprising a plurality of flaps adapted to inter connect and seal the upper end of said folded cardboard sheet to provide a cover adapted to fit over the open top and sides of the vertically elongate box.

Claims

1. Apparatus for carrying both a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches for discouraging smoking, said apparatus comprising: a vertically elongate box open at the top; means for dividing the interior of said box into first and second parallel vertical chambers, said first chamber adapted to contain a plurality of troches and including aperture means for dispensing said troches, said second chamber communicating with the open top of the box and adapted to contain a number of cigarettes adapted to be dispensed through said open top; and means for covering at least the open top of the box and the aperture means in the first chamber, said cover means being at least partially removable and adapted to expose the aperture means prior to the open top of the box upon said removal to provide the user with access to the troches prior to access to the cigarettes.

4. Apparatus for carrying both a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches adapted to discourage smoking, said apparatus comprising: a first housing means open at the top and having a small aperture in one side; a second housing means disposed within the first housing means and vertically coextensive therewith, said second housing means having an aperture adapted to register with the aperture in the first housing means to provide communication from the interior of the second housing means to the exterior of the first housing means through the apertures, said second housing means adapted to occupy a portion of the interior of the first housing means, leaving a second complimentary portion communicating with the open top of the first housing means and adapted to contain a number of cigarettes adapted to be dispensed through said open top; and a cover adapted to fit over the top and sides of the first housing means, said cover being removable to expose the aperture in the side of the first housing means prior to exposing the open top of said first housing so that troches contained within the second housing are available to the user prior to the exposure of cigarettes contained in the complimentary portion of the interior of the first housing means.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 and additionally comprising a divider located in the second complementary portion of the first housing means, said divider being in abutment with the second housing means to maintain the aperture in second housing means in registration with the aperture in first housing means.

6. Apparatus for carrying both a number of cigarettes and a plurality of troches adapted to discourage smoking, said apparatus comprising: a vertically elongate box comprising a cardboard sheet adapted to be folded into a substantially rectangular enclosure open at the top, said cardboard sheet having first intermediate side, back side, second intermediate side, front side, and flap defining surfaces foldably interconnected in series, the lower edge of said surfaces being colinear, the vertical extent of said back defining portion being greater than the corresponding extent of the front defining portion and the upper edges of the intermediate side defining portions being inclined so that when said surfaces are folded, the upper edges of the intermediate side defining portions extend from the raised back side defining portion to the relatively lower front side defining portion, said cardboard sheet further including tab means for interconnecting the lower edges of said surfaces to close the box at the bottom, the back side defining portion of said cardboard sheet having a small aperture therein; a secondary vertically elongate container disposed within the vertically elongate box, said container having an aperture in the side thereof complimentary to the aperture in the elongate box and adapted to register therewith when said secondary container is inserted within said box, said container adapted to contaIn a plurality of troches dispensable through said registering apertures, said secondary container adapted to occupy a portion of the interior of the elongate box, leaving a second complimentary portion communicating with the open top of the box adapted to contain a number of cigarettes; and means for covering at least the open end of the box and the aperture in the box, said cover means being removable to expose the registering apertures prior to the open end of the box upon said removal to provide the user with access to the troches prior to access to the cigarettes.

7. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said cover means comprises a cardboard sheet adapted to be folded and having first side, back, second side, front and flap defining surfaces foldably interconnected in series, said back and front defining portions having cutouts in the lower edges thereof, said cardboard sheet further comprising a plurality of flaps adapted to interconnect and seal the upper end of said folded cardboard sheet to provide a cover adapted to fit over the open top and sides of the vertically elongate box.