US3363439A

US3363439A - Cigarette container with variable period time lock

Info

Publication number: US3363439A
Application number: US535912A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kende George
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1966-03-21
Filing date: 1966-03-21
Publication date: 1968-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1985-01-16

Description

Jan. 16, 1968 G. KENDE 3,363,439

CIGARETTE CONTAINER WITH VARIABLE PERIOD TIME LOCK G. KENDE Jan. 16, 196s CIGARETTE CONTAINER WITH VARIABLE PERIOD TIME LOCK 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed March 2l, 1966 Jan. 16, 1968 G. KENDE CIGARETTE CONTAINER WITH VARIABLE PERIOD TIME LOCK Filed March 2,1, 1966 5 SheeiS-Sheet 3 United States Patent O 3,363,439 CIGARETTE CONTAINER WITH VARIABLE PERIOD TIME LCK George Kende, Sierra Madre, Calif. (Cove Neck Road, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 11771) Filed Mar. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 535,912 12 Claims. (Cl. 70-272) This invention relates to a cigarette container, and more particularly to such a container having a lock controlled in its operation by a timing device. The timing device may be adjusted to select the period during which the container may not be opened to extract a cigarette.

Considerable medical evidence has been accumulated and published recently tending to prove that cigarette smoking is a hazard to health, and that the greater an individuals use of cigarettes, the greater the hazard to his health. It is also known that cigarette smoking is usually a habit, and that habits, once acquired, are diiiicult to break. As an aid to the breaking or curtailing of a cigarette smoking habit, cigarette cases or containers having time controlled locks have been described. The timing device on any such device should be set so that the cigarette user has less frequent access to cigarettes than is necessary to satisfy his desire for cigarettes, thereby artificially curtailing the habit.

Prior timed release cigarette containers suler from many practical problems. Many such devices are too costly to ever be made available on a commercial basis. Other devices are suiciently inexpensive to be commercially feasible, but such `devices rely upon inaccurate timing devices. Some devices contain no provision for adjusting the duration of the period during which the container is locked; such devices, therefore, cannot be used effectively to reduce cigarette consumption below a rate related to the period inherent in the timing device. Other devices do not provide a rugged enough lock actuator to assure that the lock will open as desired over the life of the device.

This invention provides a simple, rugged, eiiective and inexpensive timed locking cigarette container. The timing mechanism of the container is rugged and accurate and may be fabricated from readily available components. The latch is operated by a simple and powerful mechanism and, during normal use of the container, cannot become jammed in its locked position. The duration of the period Iduring which the container is locked is adjustable. Moreover, the container does not relock upon closing. Also, the timing mechanism cannot run down sufciently to prevent the unlocking mechanism from operating. The timing mechanism and the container case per se are modular assemblies which are easily assembled into the complete container.

In broad but brief terms, this invention provides a timelock cigarette container including a housing comprised of a base and a cover. The base defines a receptacle sized to receive a quantity of cigarettes. The cover is hinged to the base for movement into and out of closure relation to the receptacle. Latch means are provided within the housing and cooperate between the base and the cover for locking the cover in closure relation to the base. The container also includes timing means which is operable to unlock the cover after the expiration of a selected period following energization of the timing means. The timing means includes a manually operable actuating member exteriorly of the housing. The actuating member is operable to energize the timing means and to lock the latch means, but it cannot be manually operated to unlock the latch means. The timing means is constructed so that the selected period has a duration determined by the extent to which the actuating member is operated. The timing means also includes adjustable selector means exteriorly of the housing cooperating with the actuating member to limit to a selected amount the extent of operation of the actuating member. The container also includes trip means within the housing which operates at the end of the selected period to operate the latch means to unlock the cover.

The above-mentioned and other features of the present invention are more fully set forth in the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, this description being presented with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, with parts broken away, of a time-lock cigarette container according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation View taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevation View of the timing mechanism provided in the container shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation View taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged elevation view of the latch and latch trip mechanism of the container shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevation view through the main shaft of the timing mechanism shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; and

FIG. 7 is an elevation view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

A time-lock cigarette container 10, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a housing 11 comprised of a base 12 and a cover 13. The housing is sized so as to receive and enclose a full package of cigarettes, together with its wrappings, and to t conveniently in a mans shirt or coat pocket or in a womans purse. The housing has a height and depth, i.e., dimension normal to the paper on which FIG. 1 appears, corresponding as closely as possible to the corresponding dimensions of a conventional package 14 of twenty cigarettes. In order that the clockwork mechanism described below may be accommodated as a module in a housing of the smallest possible size, the housing is wider than cigarette package 14 only to the extent required to receive the clockwork mechanism module and a cover plate therefor.

The housing base has an internal partition 15 which divides the interior of the housing base into a receptacle 16 exactly sized to receive the major portion of the length of cigarette package 14, including the package wrappings. The partition is provided to keep dirt and the like from the clockwork mechanism of the container. A chamber 17 for receiving a clockwork mechanism module (described below) is formed on the side of the partition opposite from the receptacle and is bounded by the front and back sides yof the base as well as by the bottom of the base. Adjacent the upper end of the base, i.e., the end of the base adjacent the cover, the chamber is bounded by a wall 18. The portion of the chamber opposite partition 15 is closed by a clockwork module cover plate 19 secured to the base by four screws 20, as shown in FIG. 2.

A partition extension 21 extends upwardly from the base beyond chamber wall 18 to be disposed within the hollow interior of the cover when the cover is in its closed position relative to the housing base, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The partition extension is provided to assure that cigarettes in the package receptacle do not interfere with the operation of the adjacent container latch mechanism. The portion of cigarette package 14 which is not received within receptacle 16 is housed within the cover when the cover is closed `relative to the base. The

3 cover is connected to the base by a hinge 23 along the side Wall of the housing farthest from partition 15 so that the cover is movable into and out of closure relation to the base to completely enclose a cigarette package housed within the base. Sheets of leather 24 are mounted to the housing at desired locations for ornamental effect. The housing base and cover are rigid and are fabricated of metal or a plastic material.

A modular timing device 25, incorporating a clockwork mechanism, is removably mounted within chamber 17 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The timing device includes a back plate 26, an intermediate plate 27 and a top plate 28 which are mounted in essentially parallel spaced relation to each other by a plurality of spacers 29 and screws 30. The timing device is secured to the housing by four screws 31 which are passed through suitable apertures in the top and intermediate plates and threaded into mounting lands 32 formed integral with housing base 12. Cover plate 19 is secured to the housing base independently of the timing device by passing screws 20 through corresponding apertures in the cover plate into threaded engagement with cover plate mounting lands 33 formed integral with the housing in the four corners of chamber 17.

A timingy device and clockwork mechanism output shaft 35 is rotatably mounted adjacent its opposite ends in bottom and

top plates

26 and 28. One end of the shaft passes through cover plate 19 when the cover plate is secured in position over the timing device. A clockwork mechanism main gear 37 is rotatably mounted to the shaft between the top and bottom plates. A clockwork mechanism mainspring 38 has one end thereof secured to the shaft, as shown in FIG. 6. The mainspring is coiled about the shaft several times and has its other end secured to one of spacers 29 adjacent to the shaft, as shown in FIG. 4. The mainspring is wound upon the shaft so that the mainspring normally has a perdetermined amount of curvature biased into it; this predetermined curvature approaches, but does not reach the curvature which exists in the spring when the spring is fully wound about the shaft.

Gear 37 is connected via a gear train 39 to escapement mechanism 40 which includes a balance wheel 41. As described more fully below, the timing device is actuated by rotating shaft 35 a selected'amount away from a shaft rotation stop through only a fraction of one rotation of the shaft to increase the curvature in mainspring 38 to a curvature greater than the predetermined curvature normally present in the mainspring, but actuation of the timing device is regulated so that the mainspring is not fully wound. When the shaft has .been so rotated to actnate the timing device, the mainspring drives gear 37 and shaft 35 so that the mainspring slowly unwinds at a rate accurately controlled by escapement mechanism 4i). Because the mainspring is always operating in a condition of curvature which varies only slightly during use of the container which approaches but does not reach the fully wound condition of the spring, the torque applied to the main gear during operation of the timing device is essentially constant. As a result, the timing device always operates at essentially the same rate, and its timing function is accurately maintained.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, main gear 37 drives shaft 35 via an over-running clutch 45. The clutch is constructed so that, when the shaft is rotated in one direction, the gear stays stationary relative to top plate 28, for example, and does not cause a load to be imposed upon the escapement mechanism. On the other hand, when the shaft is free to rotate in the opposite direction, the clutch functions to provide a positive mechanical linkage between the gear and the shaft so that the gear rotates with the shaft ina direction which causes the curvature in the mainspring to decrease, Le., to return to its perdetermined amount. In other words, when the shaft is rotated in one direction from against a positive stop, the shaft rotates relative to gear 37, but the clutch operates to provide a mechanical lock between the shaft and the gear to permit the shaft to be rotated back toward the stop in response to operation of the clockwork mechanism as accurately regulated by the escapement mechanism.

The clutch is comprised of a cylindrical recess 46 formed in one Side of gear 37 to define a cylindrical surface 47 concentric to the -axis of shaft 35. A clutch plate 4S is disposed within recess 46 and is mounted to the shaft to be secure from angular movement relative to the shaft. A plurality of step recesses 49 are formed in the circumference of the clutch plate, as shown in FIG. 7, at locations spaced uniformly apart around the circumference of the clutch plate. Within each recess 49 is located a ball 5t) having a diameter smaller than the maximum clearance provided within recess 49 between the clutch plate and the gear. Each recess 49 is shaped so that its configuration, when the clutch plate is viewed along the axis of shaft 3S, resembles a circular segment having a right truncation along its chord rather than along its radius. A spring 51 is engaged between each ball 5i) and the clutch plate for urging the ball along the length of the corresponding recess 49 into a position such that the 4ball physically contacts both the clutch plate and surface 47 of gear 37. Recesses 49 are arranged so that, when shaft 35 is rotated clockwise, as seen in FIG. 7, the balls 50 move against the springs so that the balls engage one or the other but not both of surface 47 and the clutch plate. In this condition of the balls, the shaft is permitted to rotate relative to main gear 37. Such rotation of the shaft moves the shaft out of engagement with its rotation stop and causes the mainspring to be wound so that the curvature in the mainspring is increased from the predetermined amount. If shaft 35 begins to rotate counterclockwise, springs 51 are effective to move the balls into mutual engagement with the main gear and the clutch plate thereby to lock the clutch plate and the shaft from rotation relative to the main gear. Therefore, the shaft can rotate counter-clockwise back into engagement with its rotational stop only as the main gear is permitted to rotate in response to operation of the clockwork mechanism as controlled by escapement mechanism 4t). Only a very light force is required to deflect springs 51 suiiiciently to permit the balls to move relative to the clutch plate. Accordingly, the only force required to rotate shaft 35 in a clockwise direction is essentially that required to overcome the torque imposed upon the shaft by the mainspring. Balls 50 are retained in recesses 49 by an annular clutch cover plate 52 which is secured to the clutch plate.

An actuator lever 55 for the timing device is keyed to the end of the shaft 3S which projects beyond the chamber cover plate 19. The actuator lever extends radially from the shaft and has a pointed thickened terminal portion 56 spaced from the shaft. A period selector armI 57 is rotatably mounted to the same end of shaft 35 between the cover plate and the actuator lever. The selector arm preferably is fabricated from sheet metal and has an upstanding flange 53 along one edge thereof lying normal to cover plate 19. A pin 59 is carried lby the selector arm adjacent its end remote from the shaft. The pin is adapted to be received in a selected one of a number of recesses 60 which are formed in cover plate 19 along a line lying concentric to the axis of shaft 35. Recesses 60 are spaced selected distances from an at-rest position of the actuator lever. The actuator lever is in its at-rest position when the pointed end of the actuator lever is aligned with an indicium 61 engraved or otherwise aixed to the adjacent surface of cover plate 19. When the actuator lever is in its at-rest position, the curvature in mainspring 38 is of the predetermined Vahle mentioned previously. Recesses 64B are spaced clockwise from the at-rest position of the actuator lever different distances corresponding to different selected arcs of rotation of shaft 35. Flange 58 coacts with the thickened portion of the actuator lever to prevent the actuator lever from being moved through an arc greater than the arc corresponding to the angular distance between indicium 61 and the recess with which pin 59 is then engaged. As described further below, the arc through which the actuator lever is permitted to move clockwise, as .determined by the setting of the selector arm, determines the extent to which shaft 35 is indexed angularly through a fraction of a revolution from engagement with its rotational stop and thereby determines the duration of the period during which housing cover 13 is maintained locked relative to housing base 12.

As an aid to the user of container 10, a plurality of numbered indicia `62 are carried upon the exterior surface of cover plate 19 adjacent recesses 60. Indicia 62 correspond to the number of cigarettes to which the user of the container desires to have himself limited during a particular day. Of course, if desired, indicia 62 could also be such as to indicate the duration of the period during which the container is kept locked following an actuation of the timer mechanism.

As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6, a trip lever 65 is keyed to the end of shaft 35 between back plate 26 and housing partition 15 for rotation with the shaft. At its end spaced radially from the shaft, the trip lever defines a flange projection 66 which extends through a slot aperture 67 formed in back plate 26 concentric to the axis of shaft 35. The slot aperture is provided to permit projection 66 to engage latch lever 70 which is mounted to the forward side of back plate 26 for the purposes of conservation of space and compactness of the modular timing device. The splot aperture has one end 63 which is located so that flange projection 66 is spaced from it when shaft 35 is rotated into a position in which actuator lever 55 is aligned with indicium 61. The slot has an opposite end 69 which is spaced clockwise from end 68 a distance suicient that the shaft may be rotated clockwise through an arc corresponding to the arc between indicium 61 and the one of recesses 66 which is spaced farthest from indicium 61.

A movable latch lever 70 is pivotally mounted to the forward side of back plate 26 by a screw 71. The latch lever extends from the screw between a pair of stop posts 72 and 73 carried by the back plate and through an aperture 74 in end wall 1S of chamber 70 to a latch hook 75. The latch hook cooperates with a latch lug projection 76 which is fixed to the interior of housing cover 13, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The latch lever also has a projection 77 which extends from adjacent screw 71 toward shaft 35. Stop pin 72 is mounted to the back plate so that, when the cover is closed and the latch lever is engaged with pin 72, latch hook 75 is engaged over projection 76 to maintain the cover in a locked relation to housing base 12. The latch member is urged into this position by a spring 78 connected between stop pin '73 and the latch lever. The clockwork mechanism mainspring need develop only enough power to operate the clockwork mechanism per se and to move the latch lever against the bias provided by spring 78. Spring 78 exerts only enough force upon the latch lever to keep the latch hook engaged with lug 76 in any position of the container. Lug 77 of the latch lever overlies end 68 0f aperture 67 when the latch is locked. Lug 66 extends sufficiently far through the slot aperture from trip lever .65 as to engage lug 77 in response to rotation of shaft 35.

Stop pin 73 defines the rotational stop for shaft 35. As actuator lever 55 is moved clockwise a selected amount corresponding to the duration of the period during which the container is to be locked, trip lever projection 66 moves away from end 68 of aperture 67 an equal am'ount and the curvature of the mainspring is increased correspondingly from its predetermined amount of curvature. Thereafter the clockwork mechanism times out as described above allowing the shaft to rotate counter-clockwise. Eventually projection 66 engages latch lever projection 77. The torque imparted to shaft 35 by the mainspring then becomes effective upon the latch lever to move hook 75 out of locking relation to the latch lug projection. After the hook clears the latch lug projection, the latch lever continues to turn clockwise about screw 71 in response to rotation of shaft 35 until the latch lever engages xed stop pin 73. At this point rotation of the shaft is stopped and the mainspring has its predetermined amount of curvature once again. The latch lever abuts stop pin 73 before projection 66 can engage slot aperture end 68. The latch lever is held by the trip lever in a position unlocking the latch until the trip lever is moved toward end 69 of the slot aperture by a subsequent operation of lever 55 to again actuate the timing device. The latch is locked only during the period required for the shaft to return, by rotation counter-clockwise at a uniform rate, to a position in which projection 66 engages end 68 of aperture 67; the length of this period is dependent upon the arc through which the shaft is rotated clockwise, i.e., the arc between indicium `61 and a selected one of indicia 62.

The structure described above has several features which are particularly beneficial in a time-lock cigarette container. The mainspring of the timing device operates through a narrow range of curvature conditions close to but not at the fully wound state of the mainspring. Throughout this range of curvature conditions, the torque applied to shaft 35 is essentially constant regardless of the angular position of the shaft relative to its mounting plate. Accordingly, the loading upon the clockwork gear train to escapement mechanism 40 is essentially constant and the escapement mechanism functions to accurately regulate the timing out operation of the timing device. Also, the timing device is so constructed that the latch locking cover 13 to base 12 is operated substantially directly by the mainspring at a time when the mainspring has a definite predetermined amount of force biased into it. Accordingly, the latch is always operated at the same state of the timing device by a mechanism which efficiently delivers adequate power to the latch to assure unlocking operation of the latch. Qnce the latch is unlocked, operation of the timing device is stopped. Because the latch is locked only upon actuation of the timing device, and because the timing device can never fully run down, there is no danger that the power stored in the mainspring will be dissipated before the latch is operated. As a result, the container can never become locked by the clockwork mechanism running down before the latch is operated.

Another noteworthy feature of the invention is that the timing device and the housing for it and the cigarette package are constructed as modules. The timing device can be fabricated completely separate from the container housing. A timing device can be tested and checked completely for its total function before installation into the container housing. This is a signiiicant cost reduction feature for quantity production. After a timing device module has been constructed and tested, it is installable directly into a container housing merely by passing the timing device hook projection 75 through housing slot 74 and by securing the timing device to the housing by means of four screws 31. The cover plate is then secured to the housing over the timing device by four screws 20. The actuator lever and the period selector arm are then secured to the projecting end of shaft 35 by a screw or other suitable fastening device. No further assembly procedures are required.

Because the timing device is modular in construction and has no components thereof built into the container housing, except to the extent the device is screwed to the housing at four points, the operative elements of the timing device are not subjected to loads imposed upon the housing and accurate operation of the timing device is assured. In the event repairs upon the timing device are required, it is a simple matter to insert a new timing device into the housing. Repairs upon the old timing device are therefore simplified.

The use of manually operable actuating lever 55 permits the container to be used either as a time-lock cigarette container or as a simple container which may be opened at any time desired; to obtain that latter function of the container, a person using the container merely omits to operate the lever. Such a dual use of the container is a feature not present in time-lock cigarette containers which are locked automatically upon closing. Also, since the user of the container must manually actuate the timing device to lock the container, the user plays an active rather than a passive role in curtailing his own smoking habit, and this participation has beneiicial psychological effects.

Further, the period during which the container is locked is adjustable. As a result, once a user of the container reaches a level where twenty cigarettes per day satises his smoking habit, he may adjust the period selector arm to fifteen cigarettes per day to further reduce his cigarette consumption.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that container 10 may be used effectively by a cigarette smoker as an aid to curtailing a cigarette habit. Initially, the smoker sets period selector arm 57 to the one of indicia 62 which corresponds to a daily rate of cigarette consumption somewhat lower than his present rate of consumption. After inserting a full opened package of cigarettes into the housing, the smoker closes the housing and engages actuating lever 55 with his finger. A small force against the actuating lever is all that is needed to turn shaft to lock the container and to wind the mainspring a selected amount determined by the arc through which the actuating lever moves before abutting stop flange 58. After the timing device times out, the container is unlocked and stays unlocked until the timing device is again energized.

The structure described above has the further feature that the majority of the elements in the clockwork mechanism for the timing device are readily available as standard parts for commercially available clocks. ln a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the clockwork mechanism is comprised principally of parts from a widely available travel alarm clock.

What is claimed is:

l. A time-lock cigarette container comprising a housing having a base defining therein a receptacle sized to receive a quantity of cigarettes and a cover hingably connected to the base for movement into and out of closure relation to the receptacle, latch means within the housing cooperating between the base and the cover for locking the cover in closure relation to the base, and timing means operable for operating the latch means to unlock the cover a selected period following energization thereof, the timing means comprising manually operable actuating means exteriorly of the housing for actuating the timing means and for locking the latch means, the timing means being constructed so that the selected period is determined by the extent of operation of the actuating means, adjustable selector means exteriorly of the housing cooperating with the actuating means for limiting to a selected amount the extent of operation of the actuating means, and trip means within the housing operable at the end of said selected period for operating the latch -means to unlock the cover.

2. A time-lock cigarette container comprising a housing having a base defining therein a receptacle sized to receive a quantity of cigarettes and a chamber, a cover hingably connected to the base for movement into and out of closure relation to the receptacle, latch means within the housing cooperating between the base and the cover for locking the cover in closure relation to the base, and timing means in the chamber operable for operating the latch means to unlock the cover a selected period following actuation thereof, the timing means comprising a mainspring having a predetermined curvature biased thereinto, manually operable actuating means exteriorly of the chamber operable to increase by a selected amount the curvature of the mainspring above said predetermined amount, escapement means coupled to the mainspring operable to reduce mainspring curvature to said predetermined amount at a uniform rate, said selected period having a duration substantially equal to the time required for the escapement means to operate to restore said predetermined curvature of the mainspring, adjustable selector means exteriorly of the chamber cooperating with the actuating means for limiting to a selected amount the extent of operation of the actuating means thereby to determine the duration of said selected period, and trip means in the chamber operable at the end of said selected period for operating the latch means to unlock the cover.

3. A container according to claim 2 including a shaft coupled to the mainspring for rotation in one direction under power from the mainspring in response to operation of the escapement means.

4. A container according to claim 3 including a gear coupled to the escapement means, and means coupling the gear and the shaft for rotation of the gear by the shaft in response to rotation of the shaft in said one direction and for rotation of the shaft in the other direction independent of the gear.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the gear is rotatably mounted on the shaft, and the means coupling the gear and the shaft lcomprises an over-running clutch cooperating between the gear and the shaft.

6. A container according to claim 3 wherein the actuating means comprises an actuating lever secured to the shaft operable for rotating the shaft in a direction opposite to said one direction.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein the selector means comprises a member rotatably mounted to the shaft exteriorly of the chamber adjacent the actuating lever, means cooperating between the member and the housing for locating the member in a selected position angularly of the shaft anis in a direction spaced in said one direction about the axis from a normal position of the actuating lever, and means carried by the member for engaging the actuator lever to limit motion of the actuating lever in said one direction.

8. A container according to claim 3 including stop means for stopping rotation of the shaft in said one direction when the escapement means has operated sutliciently to restore said predetermined curvature in the mainspring following operation of the actuating means.

9. A container according to claim 4 wherein the latch means includes a lug carried by the cover, a latch lever pivotally mounted adjacent the shaft and extending into cooperative registration with the lug, the latch lever having a normal position wherein the latch lever engages the lug to lock the cover closed relative to the housing base, means biasing the latch lever into its normal position, and a trip lever secured to the shaft for rotation therewith for engaging the latch lever to move the latch lever out of engagement with the lug at the end of said selected period.

10. A container according to claim 3 wherein the shaft has a selected angular position corresponding to said predetermined curvature of the mainspring, the actuating means comprises an actuator lever secured to the shaft operable to rotate the shaft in the opposite direction, the trip means comprises a trip lever secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and having a lug carried thereby, the latch means includes a latch lever pivotally mounted in the chamber and having a -catch hook engageable with the cover to lock the cover relative to the housing base, means biasing the latch lever into a normal position wherein the catch hook engages the cover, the trip lever lug moving into engagement with the latch lever and moving the catch hook out of engagement with the cover as the shaft rotates in said one direction, and means against which the trip lever abuts to stop rotation of the shaft in the selected ing means is modular in construction and` is removable position of the shaft following disengagement of the `catch bodily from the Chamberhook with the cover, rotation of the shaft in the one direction upon operation of the actuator lever disengaging References Clted the trip lever lug and the latch lever to lock the latch 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS means. 2,618,956 11/ 1952 Hanna '221-15 11. A container according to claim 2 wherein the re- 2,675,693 4/1954 Emery 70-272 ceptacle is sized to receive a full package of cigarettes MARVIN A CHAMPION Primm Examiner with its attendant wrappings. y

1o 12. A container according to claim 2 wherein the tim- R' L' WOLFE Asmtmt Exammer-

Claims

1. A TIME-LOCK CIGARETTE CONTAINER COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A BASE DEFINING THEREIN A RECEPTACLE SIZED TO RECEIVE A QUANTITY OF CIGARETTES AND A COVER HINGABLY CONNECTED TO THE BASE FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF CLOSURE RELATION TO THE RECEPTACLE, LATCH MEANS WITHIN THE HOUSING COOPERATING BETWEEN THE BASE AND THE COVER FOR LOCKING THE COVER IN CLOSURE RELATION TO THE BASE, AND TIMING MEANS OPERABLE FOR OPERATING THE LATCH MEANS TO UNLOCK THE COVER A SELECTED PERIOD FOLLOWING ENERGIZATION THEREOF, THE TIMING MEANS COMPRISING MANUALLY OPERABLE ACTUATING MEANS EXTERIORLY OF THE HOUSING FOR ACTUATING THE TIMING MEANS AND FOR LOCKING THE LATCH MEANS, THE TIMING MEANS BEING CONSTRUCTED SO THAT THE SELECTED PERIOD IS DETERMINED BY THE EXTENT OF OPERATION OF THE ACTUATING MEANS, ADJUSTABLE SELECTOR MEANS EXTERIORLY OF THE HOUSING COOPERATING WITH THE ACTUATING MEANS FOR LIMITING TO A SELECTED AMOUNT THE EXTENT OF OPERATION OF THE ACTUATING MEANS, AND TRIP MEANS WITHIN THE HOUSING OPERABLE AT THE END OF SAID SELECTED PERIOD FOR OPERATING THE LATCH MEANS TO UNLOCK THE COVER.