Abstract:
A convenient, safe and economical packaging system has an open receptacle that collapses to a reduced closed receptacle for storing debris. An outer sleeve and a container are connected through at least one accordion section. An accordion section folds by pushing the container into the outer sleeve collapsing the open ashtray receptacle to the closed receptacle. A removable lining may optionally cover the walls of the closed receptacle. With the container pulled out the open ashtray receptacle is easily assessable through an access hole in the sleeve. A folded cutout attached to a panel of the sleeve and a bottom of the container covers the access hole in the closed position. The packaging system is particularly useful for packaging cigarettes and can be used several time before emptying the closed receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/805,450 filed on Mar. 7, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/643,322 filed on Aug. 21, 2000, which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to a package having a compartment to hold debris. More particularly, this invention relates to a package for cigarettes with an ashtray compartment that collapses to a concealed compartment for storing cigarette debris such as ashes and filters.  
         BACKGROUND ART  
         [0003]    There are several cigarette containers with built-in ashtrays disclosed in prior art. Most of the prior art discloses cigarette containers having pivoting flaps or pivoting members that open and serve as temporary receptacles to hold cigarette debris. For examples of prior art cigarette containers with pivoting ashtray members see; Dement in U.S. Pat. No. 2,349,488; Card in U.S. Pat. No. 2,396,827; Peel et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,555; Adams in U.S. Pat. No. 2,958,417; Posavic in U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,877; Sandacz in U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,482; and Kim in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,059. The devices disclosed do not serve as permanent receptacles for smoking debris because to close the pivoting ashtray members, the ashtray must be empty or nearly empty. Thus with each use, the ashtray must be emptied prior to storing the container in a pocket or a purse.  
           [0004]    Draucker et al. in U.S. Pat No. 5,480,025 discloses a cigarette package to hold short cigarettes using a package of similar size used to hold conventionally sized cigarettes. The package has a receptacle at the bottom of the package to support the short cigarettes and the receptacle is further supplied with an access aperture that can be used for discarding cigarette ashes and filters. The cigarette package disclosed, however, does not address the potential fire hazards associated with burning cigarette filter or ashes. Further the package&#39;s design only provides for a very small access aperture that can easily be used for inserting cigarette filters into the receptacle, but is extremely inconvenient to use as an ash tray during a smoking session.  
           [0005]    The German Pat. No. 4,210,959 discloses a cigarette package with a drawer-like receptacle at the bottom of the cigarette package that can be pulled out and used as an ashtray. After the ashtray is used the drawer be retracted back into the package and stored. The ashtray does not require emptying after each use and is not a convenient to use as an ashtray because the receptacle is very small.  
           [0006]    Arthur in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,781 describes a multi-component cigarette package that contains an ashtray. The package has an outer sleeve and an inner compartment for holding cigarettes, whereby the inner compartment slides into the outer sleeve. The adjustable cavity formed between the bottom of the inner compartment and bottom of the outer sleeve is used as the ashtray. A receptacle hole in a side of the outer sleeve is used to access the cavity when the inner compartment is pulled sufficiently far outward from the outer sleeve. After disposing the smoking debris in the ashtray, the hole is closed by sliding the inner compartment inward into the outer sleeve. These designs provide mechanisms for suffocating burning smoking debris, assuming that the inner section fits in the outer section sufficiently snug to suffocate any smoldering debris and that the inner compartment of the package is inserted far enough into the outer sleeve to completely cover the receptacle hole. However, if the receptacle hole is made large enough to be useful as an ashtray, a small outward displacement of the inter compartment will cause a portion of the receptacle hole to be open and smoking debris will spill out or smoldering debris will re-ignite. This situation is highly likely since there is no mechanism to secure the outer section and the inner section in a closed position. Further, since the inside wall of the outer sleeve serves as the bottom of the ashtray it will become highly soiled with ash. After using the ashtray, the inner section is pushed back inward to close the receptacle hole and the outside wall of the inner compartment that overlaps the outer sleeve will also become soiled with ash. Thus, in subsequent uses of the ashtray the soiled inner compartment will be pulled out and the hands of the user and the surface where the package is rested will also become soiled. Further, the cigarette container and outer sleeve may become completely separated allowing the smoking debris to escape for the top portion of the outer sleeve.  
           [0007]    What is needed is a cigarette-packaging system that provides an ashtray unit that is functional, safe and clean to use. The ashtray unit needs to be accessible through a large receptacle hole for ashing cigarettes and have a receptacle container for storing smoking debris from several smoking sessions, whereby smoking debris will not cause the packaging system to burn and spillage of smoking debris is unlikely. It would also be beneficial if the packaging system could be configured such that debris may be property disposed of while part or all of the packaging components may be recycled.  
         OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for elongated smoking members that has a closed receptacle compartment for storing smoking debris and a larger open receptacle for ashing and disposing of smoking debris.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a packaging system for elongated smoking members that has an open receptacle compartment for disposing smoking debris through a large access hole that is easily used for an astray.  
           [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for elongated smoking members that has a large open receptacle compartment that compresses to a closed receptacle compartment for permanently storing smoking debris, wherein the smoking debris is secured within closed receptacle and is unlikely to spill or leak-out during storage of the packaging system.  
           [0011]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for elongated smoking members that has an open receptacle compartment and closed receptacle compartment that are substantially fire resistant.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for smoking members that has an open receptacle compartment that compresses to a closed receptacle compartment through at least one accordion member that is attached to a container for holding smoking members and is further attached to an outside sleeve. In a particular embodiment, at least one accordion member is used to keep smoking debris contained in the closed receptacle compartment, wherein the at least one accordion member serves as a bottom portion of the ashtray with the system in a open position preventing smoking debris from collecting on the walls of the container after multiple uses.  
           [0013]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a receptacle compartment which is removable from the packaging system such that debris may be properly disposed of and part or all of the packaging system may be recycled.  
           [0014]    Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for conventional cigarettes, that has an ashtray that is safe, easy to use, clean and can be adapted to conventional cigarette packages already produced by cigarette manufactures.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0015]    The objects and advantages of the invention are accomplished by a packaging system that provides a receptacle for storing debris. The packaging system generally comprises an outer sleeve with a bottom panel, front and back panels and side wall panels. The sleeve has a cross-sectional geometry substantially similar to a container, such as a cigarette package. The sleeve is inserted over the container and the container is capable of sliding inward within the outer sleeve to a closed position and outward within the outer sleeve to an extended open position. The outer sleeve also has an access hole that is substantially covered by a wall of the container in the closed position and is open to an open receptacle compartment in the expanded open position. The open receptacle compartment is the volume within the outer sleeve between the bottom portion of the container and the bottom portion of the sleeve. The closed receptacle container is defined as the region between the folded accordion member(s) and the bottom of the sleeve with the container in the closed position.  
           [0016]    The packaging system includes at least one accordion member for connecting the outer sleeve and the container whereby each accordion member is positioned within the outer sleeve. The accordion member could be position between the outer sleeve bottom and the container bottom. The accordion member could also be position between one of the two sleeve walls and the container. Each accordion member has at least two folding sections connected along a folding edge. Additionally a first flap and a second flap could be used to attach each accordion member to the outer sleeve with the first flap and the container with the second flap. The geometry of a folding section could be substantially similar to a width of the sleeve bottom and the container bottom. Additionally, the geometry of a folding section could be sized to close the closed receptacle. The present invention includes at least one accordion member being attachable to the container bottom to flatten at least one accordion member to serve as a debris bottom with the container in an extended open position and the container is prevented from being removed from the outer sleeve, a surface of at least one accordion member and the sleeve bottom form the closed receptacle. The packaging system of the present invention also includes that debris received on at least one accordion member when the outer sleeve is in open position is entirely contained within the closed receptacle when the outer sleeve is in closed position.  
           [0017]    An accordion member is substantially flat with the container in the extended open position and against a wall opposite of the access hole. An accordion member could serve as a bottom portion of the open receptacle ashtray with the container in the extended open position and is folded in the closed position forming a closed receptacle for storing smoking debris. The folding sections are sized to tightly close said closed receptacle and suffocate smoldering debris contained in the closed receptacle.  
           [0018]    A removable receptacle lining may also be positioned within the closed receptacle container. The interior portion of this lining would form an annulus suitable for containing debris. The lining may be attachable to the accordion member, whereby forming a substantially closed receptacle when the accordion member is in a substantially folded state.  
           [0019]    In a specific embodiment of the invention the packaging system has a substantially rectangular container for holding elongated smoking members and an open end for inserting elongated smoking members. The packaging system also has a substantially rectangular outer sleeve that fits over the container, wherein the container is capable of sliding inward within the outer sleeve to a closed position and outward within the outer sleeve to an extended open position. The outer sleeve has an access hole that is substantially covered by a wall of the container in the closed position and is open to an open receptacle compartment in an extended open position. An accordion member is connected near to the bottom of the container and an inside wall of the outer sleeve. The accordion member has at least two rectangular sections with substantially similar geometries to the rectangular bottom of the container. The accordion member unfolds with the container in the expanded open position to be substantially flat against a wall within the sleeve, wherein the substantially flat accordion member(s) serve(s) as a bottom portion of the ashtray. The accordion member is folded and held substantially folded forming a closed receptacle compartment for storing smoking debris with the container in the closed position.  
           [0020]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the packaging system is a packaging system for storing cigarettes with an open receptacle ashtray and closed receptacle for storing smoking debris. The cigarette packaging system has a rectangular container made of a material that is preferably 0.25 mm to 2 mm thick. The container has an open end for inserting and storing cigarettes length wise, wherein the container has outside dimensions of 8 to 12 cm long, 4 to 7 cm wide and 1.5 to 3.5 cm deep. The cigarette packaging system has outer rectangular sleeve with inside dimensions similar to the outside dimensions of the container and an open end for inserting the container. The container is capable of sliding inward within the outer sleeve to a closed position and outward within said outer sleeve to an extended open position. The outer sleeve has an access hole that is covered by the container in the closed position and is open to an open receptacle ashtray in the extended open position.  
           [0021]    In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the accordion member is attached to a receptacle lining in place of being attached to the outer sleeve. The lining has a depth substantially similar to the distance between the container bottom and the sleeve bottom when the packaging system is in a closed position. The receptacle lining further has a cross section substantially similar to the sleeve bottom. Thus when positioned in proximity to the bottom of the outer sleeve, within the packaging system, the receptacle lining forms an annulus suitable for containing debris, and further forms a closed receptacle compartment when the accordion member is in a substantially folded position.  
           [0022]    The container, the outer sleeve, the accordion member, and the receptacle lining are preferably constructed of cardboard for easy recycling/disposal, but may alternatively be made of metal or other material that is capable of being reused. Further, it is preferred that the interior surfaces be accessible to smoking debris within the closed receptacle compartment and the open receptacle ashtray be covered with a fire resistant material such as a metal or fiber glass coating.  
           [0023]    The accordion member and receptacle lining are preferably separable from the outer sleeve such that debris may be properly disposed of and the sleeve recycled. Based on design preference the container may or may not be separable from the accordion member and receptacle lining.  
           [0024]    The access hole for ashing and disposing of smoking debris can be any shape, but is preferably large enough to be used as a functional ashtray. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the access hole is on the larger side of the rectangular sleeve and opposite to the bottom of the open ashtray receptacle. Alternatively, the access hole can also be on the smaller rectangular side of the outer sleeve without loss to the benefits of the packaging system, except that the access hole can not be as large. In a further embodiment the access hole has an attached lid, but a lid is not required to keep smoking debris contain in the closed receptacle because the access hole is closed with the container in the closed position and thus containing the stored debris.  
           [0025]    The invention also preferably has a top to hold the smoking members in the container and a means to secure the container in the closed position to contain the stored smoking debris. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the smoking member are secured in the container by a flip-top. In a particular embodiment of the invention the flip-top is attached to the outer sleeve and serves to contain the smoking members in the container and to secure the container in the closed position within the outer sleeve. Additionally, the packaging system may further include a pouch for holding a lighter or a book of matches. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1A shows a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in the closed position.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1B shows a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in the open position with showing the open receptacle compartment being used as an ashtray.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2A shows a standard cigarette package with a flip-top used as a container in the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2B shows an unfolded portion of the outer sleeve used in the cigarette packaging system of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2C shows an exemplary accordion member used in the cigarette packaging system of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2D shows an illustration of a potential design for the receptacle lining as described in the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2E shows a further illustration of an alternate design for the receptacle lining as used in the cigarette packaging system of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2F shows an exemplary illustration of an accordion member in conjunction with a receptacle lining used in the cigarette packaging system of the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3A shows a view of a partially assembled cigarette packaging system of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3B shows a view of a container, accordion member, and receptacle lining shown as separable from an outer sleeve according to the cigarette packaging system of the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4A shows a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in an extended open position and the access hole, on a smaller rectangular side of the outer sleeve, open to the open ashtray receptacle.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4B shows a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in a position between an extended open position and a closed position to illustrate the positioning and motion of the accordion member.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4C shows a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in a closed position and with a flip top attached to the outer sleeve to secure the cigarette container in the closed position.  
         [0039]    FIGS.  5 A-C shows, in addition to accordion member shown in FIG. 2F, different exemplary accordion members according to the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0040]    Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.  
         [0041]    An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Packaging system  100  of the invention is capable of forming an open receptacle that compresses to a closed receptacle for storing smoking debris. Packaging system  100  is preferably a packaging system for cigarettes, but is suitable for packaging any elongated smoking member. In fact, the packaging system is well suited for packaging any tobacco related smoking product that may require an ashtray and a receptacle for storing smoking debris. Furthermore, although specific embodiments of the invention dealing with smoking members are described below, those of skill in the art will recognize that the packaging system disclosed herein may be used for storing other types of debris for later disposal. Other possible applications of packaging system  100  include cigars, chewing tobacco matches, chewing gum, nuts with shells, candy, crackers, medicines, contraceptive devices and any other commodities that produce trash as a byproduct of ordinary use. Furthermore, the closed receptacle need not be used for storing debris but may alternatively be used for storing accessories to the products contained in packaging system  100 . For example, in the case of a cigarette container, the closed receptacle may be used to store matches. In case of a package of crackers, the closed receptacle may store cheese or other spread to put on the crackers.  
         [0042]    Packaging system  100  preferably generally comprises an outer sleeve  102 . Outer sleeve  102  is, for example, rectangular and sized to receive a rectangular container  104 . In a most particular embodiment of this invention container  104  is a standard cigarette box with a flip-top lid  106 . Outer sleeve  102  has inside dimensions similar to the outside dimensions of container  104  so that outer sleeve  102  is capable of slidably receiving container  104  to a closed position as shown in FIG. 1A. Further, packaging system  100  may optionally be equipped with a pouch  108 , e.g. attached to outer sleeve  102 , for holding a lighter or a book of matches. Closed receptacle  110  is defined between the bottom of container  104  and outer sleeve  102  when packaging system  100  is in the closed position. A receptacle lining  112  may optionally cover the walls of outer sleeve  102  forming closed receptacle  110 . Receptacle lining  112  is positioned flush to the walls of outer sleeve  102  within closed receptacle  110  and may be removable from packaging system  100 . Outer sleeve  102  includes a folded cutout section  114  that covers an access hole  116  as shown in FIG. 1B in outer sleeve  102  when packaging system  100  is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1A. Folded cutout  114  is attached at a first end  118  to the outer sleeve  102 . A second end  120  of folded cutout  114  is attachable to container  104 , e.g., by adhesive tab or other means, at or near a bottom  130  thereof. Folded cutout  114  is folded between first  118  and second  120  ends.  
         [0043]    Now referring to FIG. 1B, container  104  is capable of extending outward within outer sleeve  102  to an extended open position as shown. In the open position, folded cutout  114  folds up such that access hole  116  is open to an open receptacle  122  bounded by outer sleeve  102  and a bottom  124  of container  104 . Open receptacle  122  may be used, e.g., as an ashtray for ashing and resting a smoking member such as a cigarette. Folded cutout section  114  serves to cover access hole  116  when packaging system  100  is in the closed position. If packaging system  100  is used for smoking members, the folded cutout  114  may optionally include a notch  126  for holding an elongated smoking member such as a cigarette. Folded cutout section  114  may further serve to restrict the range of movement of container  104  within outer sleeve  102 . For example, when container  104  slides to the right in FIG. 1B to close the packaging system  100 , folded cutout  114  may act as a stop to prevent container  104  from moving too far to the right. Thus, folded cutout  114  may be used to assure that receptacle  110  has some minimum volume for storing debris when the packaging system  100  is in the closed position. When container  104  slides to the left in FIG. 1B to open packaging system  100 , folded cutout  114  folds up and may prevent container  104  from moving too far to the right. Thus, folded cutout  114  may be used to prevent container  104  from being withdrawn from outer sleeve  102 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 1 shows packaging system  100  optionally comprises an accordion member  128  that has at least two rectangular folding sections having substantially similar geometry to the bottom portion of the container. In general, the present invention has at least two accordion members as is discussed below in more detail. Accordion member  128  is attachable to container  104  and outer sleeve  102  and is substantially folded within outer sleeve  102  with packaging system  100  in closed position. A portion of accordion member  128  and a bottom  130  of outer sleeve  102  form a closed receptacle  110  for storing debris when packaging system  100  is in closed position. Accordion member  128  typically lies substantially flat when container  104  is in the extended open position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the accordion member lies substantially against a wall of outer sleeve  102  opposite of access hole  116  when packaging system  100  is in open position. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, accordion member  128  serves as a bottom portion of open receptacle  122 . Debris, such as a cigarette filter and ashes, may be placed in open receptacle  122  and, when container  104  is returned to the closed position shown in FIG. 1A, the debris is enclosed in the closed receptacle  110 . Preferably, one or more of the folding sections of accordion member  128  are sized to tightly close closed receptacle  110  and suffocate smoldering debris such as cigarette ashes or matches contained in closed receptacle  110 .  
         [0045]    In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, receptacle lining  112  is incorporated into packaging system  100 . Receptacle lining  112  is positioned flush against the walls of outer sleeve  102  within closed receptacle  110  formed between sleeve  102  and container  104 . Accordion member  128  is attachable to container  104  and receptacle lining  112  and is substantially folded within outer sleeve  102  with packaging system  100  in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1A. Thus a portion of accordion member  128  and receptacle lining  112  form a closed receptacle  110  when packaging system  100  is in closed position.  
         [0046]    Again referring to FIG. 1B, because accordion member  128  serves as a bottom portion of the ashtray, outer sleeve  102  is not soiled with ashes when container  104  is returned to the closed position after smoking and, therefore, will not soil the users hands or other surfaces that packaging system  100  may come in contact with after multiple uses. If container  104  has an opening that aligns with access hole  116  when packaging system  100  is in closed position, folded cutout  114  covers that opening and protects the user&#39;s hands and pockets from being soiled with debris when packaging system  100  is closed. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the inside portions of outer sleeve  102 , the exposed surface of accordion member  128 , receptacle lining  112 , and the bottom of container  104  that form the open and closed receptacles are coated with a fire resistant material. When the fire resistant material coats a non-fire resistant material, e.g., cardboard, paper, wood, thermal plastic etc., the non-fire resistant material becomes fire resistant. In a particular embodiment, the fire resistant material is a thin layer of metal or adhesive backed metal tape. Alternatively, the fire resistant material can be fiber glass or any other material that provides protection against fire during use of the packaging system.  
         [0047]    FIGS.  2 A- 2 C show the individual unassembled components of a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2A depicts container  104 . In the embodiment shown, container  104  is a typical cigarette box or standard manufactured cigarette package, but is preferably constructed from cardboard. Container  104  may include a flip-top  106  to hold one or more cigarettes in container  104 . FIG. 2B is a flat member  102 A of assembled outer sleeve  102  shown in FIG. 1. Flat member  102 A has been cut, as shown in FIG. 2B, preferably from a piece of card board. Flat member  102 A generally comprises front and back wall panels  200 ,  202  attached to a bottom wall panel  130  and flaps  204 ,  206   208 ,  210 ,  212 , and  214 . Flat member  102 A may be folded on the dashed lines  216 ,  218 ,  220 ,  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228 , and  230  and glued on flaps  204 ,  206   208 ,  210 ,  212 , and  214  to form outer sleeve  102  of packaging system  100  described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Wall panel  202 , which forms a front wall panel of outer sleeve  102 , may be cut along solid lines  232 ,  234 , and  236  and folded along lines  238 ,  240 , and  242  to form panels  244  and  246  and flap  248  of the folded cutout section  114  as shown in FIG. 1. The terms front, back, bottom and side are used herein for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to limit the invention.  
         [0048]    A side of flat member  102 A, that is the interior of outer sleeve  102 , is preferably coated with a fire resistant material either prior to cutting member  102 A or after cutting flat member  102 A. It is particularly useful to coat flat member  102 A using a metallic adhesive tape, but flat member  102 A can be coated with a fire resistant material by any suitable method. Larger wall panels  200  and  202  have substantially similar widths WI to a larger rectangular side  250  of container  104  and the flaps have substantially similar widths W 2  to a smaller rectangular side  252  of container  104  as shown in FIG. 2A, but are generally slightly larger so that when outer sleeve  102  is formed from flat member  102 A container  104  will easily slide inside. Further, wall panel  130  of flat member  102 A, which serves as a bottom section of outer sleeve  102 , has a similar size and geometry to that of bottom  254  of container  104 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 2C illustrates an accordion member  128  prior to its assembly into packaging system  100  of the present invention. Accordion member  128  has two rectangular folding sections  256 ,  258  and two flaps  260  and  262 . In this particular embodiment, the rectangular folding sections typically have substantially the same size and geometry as bottom  254  of container  104 , shown in FIG. 2A. Again referring to FIG. 2C, flaps  260  and  262  may be coated with adhesive to attach accordion member  128  to wall  202  of member  102 A and bottom  254  of container  104 . Sections  260  and  262  are preferably made form a cardboard material coated with a fire resistant material on at least one side, namely, the side that serves as a bottom portion of the open ashtray receptacle (corresponding to the back side of accordion member  128  as shown in FIG. 2C). It is convenient to coat accordion member  128  with a fire resistant metallic tape wherein the tape extends beyond accordion sections  256  and  258  to form flaps  260  and  262 . The adhesive of the metallic tape that form flaps  260  and  262  provides a means to attach accordion member  128  to bottom  254  of container  104  and wall  200  of outer sleeve  102 , while providing a fire resistant coating to bottom  254  of container  104 . It is clear, however, that accordion sections  256  and  258  can be attached to outer sleeve  102  and container  104  by several alternative means.  
         [0050]    FIGS.  2 D- 2 E show two variations,  112 A and  112 B, of unassembled receptacle lining  112 . FIG. 2D depicts unfolded receptacle lining  112 A. Unfolded receptacle lining  112 A generally comprises front, back and side wall panels  264 ,  266 ,  268  and  270  attached to bottom wall panel  272  and flaps  274 ,  276 ,  278  and  280  attached to side wall panels  268  and  270 . On folding members of receptacle lining  112 A along the illustrated dashed lines flaps  274  and  278  may be attached to back wall panel  266 , and flaps  276  and  280  may be attached to front wall panel  264  with an adhesive to form an open container. FIG. 2E depicts unfolded receptacle lining  112 B comprising front and back panels  282  and  284  attached to bottom panel  290 , side panels  286  and  288  attached to front panel  282 , and flaps  292  and  294 . On folding at the illustrated dashed lines flaps  292  and  294  are attachable with an adhesive to side wall panels  286  and  288 .  
         [0051]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surfaces of the open container formed on folding  112 A or  112 B are coated with a fire resistant material similar to that applied to the internal surface of outer sleeve  102 . The dimensions of the open container formed on folding  112 A or  112 B are suitable in cross section and depth such that folded receptacle lining  112 A or  112 B will fit flush within the closed receptacle container formed between outer sleeve  102  and container  104  when packaging system  100  is in closed position.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 2F shows a preferred embodiment of partly assembled accordion member  128  in conjunction with receptacle lining  112 B to form a single accordion/receptacle (A/R) component  296 . Back wall panel  284  of receptacle lining  112 B is attached to folding section  258  of accordion member  128  in place of flap  262  as shown in FIG. 2C. As discussed above, flap  260  may be further attached to bottom  254  of container  104 . The surface geometry of bottom wall panel  290  of A/R component  296  is substantially similar to the cross section of bottom wall panel  130  of outer sleeve  102 . On folding at the dashed lines, A/R component  296  forms an open container with hinged lid. The geometry of folded sections  256  and  258  is such that on folding, they form a substantially closed receptacle with the container formed by receptacle lining  112 B. The surfaces of A/R component  296  are preferably coated with a fire-resistant material.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 3A shows a partially assembled cigarette packaging system  100  of the present invention. Flap  260  of accordion member  128  is attached to the bottom of the container  104  as shown and flap  262  is attached to a wall panel, e.g. wall panel  202  of outer sleeve member  102 A. Adhesive is applied to selected surfaces of flaps  204 ,  206   208 ,  210 ,  212  and  214  in order to assemble the sleeve. Flaps  204 , 206 ,  208  and  210  fold along dotted lines  228 , 216 , 218  and  230  respectively. Panels  200  and  202  fold along lines  224  and  226  respectively. Flaps  212  and  214  attach to panel  130 . Flap  204  attaches to flap  206  to form a first side wall panel and flap  208  attaches to flap  210  to form a second sidewall panel. Member  102 A thus folds to form outer sleeve  102  of packaging system  100 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 3B shows a preferred embodiment of a partially assembled cigarette packaging system  100  described in FIG. 3A. In this embodiment A/R component  296  is utilized in place of accordion member  128 . Flap  260  is similarly attached to the bottom  254  of container  104 .  
         [0055]    FIGS.  4 A- 4 C further show embodiments, particulars and adaptations of packaging system  100 . Further, FIGS.  4 A- 4 C show the motion and positioning of accordion member  128 , receptacle lining  112 , and folded cutout section  114  as container  104  moves in or out of outer sleeve  102 . Referring to FIG. 4A, container  102  is in the extended open position  0 , wherein access hole  116  is open to open receptacle  122  defined by the volume within outer sleeve  102  that is between bottom  254  of container  104  and the top of receptacle lining  112  (indicated in FIG. 1, but not indicated in FIG. 4), and the volume contained within annulus  400  formed by the interior surface of receptacle lining  112 . Accordion member  128  is in a substantially flat position within outer sleeve  102  and serves as a bottom portion of the open ashtray receptacle  122 . Folded cutout section  114  folds up to expose access hole  116 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 4B shows the position of accordion member  128  within outer sleeve  102  when container  104  is between the extended open position and the closed position. In FIG. 4C, container  104  is in closed position C and accordion member  128  is folded. Closed receptacle  110  is defined by the volume bounded by bottom  254  of container  104 , and annulus  400  defined by the interior surface of receptacle lining  112 . When accordion  128  is used, one or more of the folding sections  256 ,  258  of accordion member  128  and the interior surface of receptacle lining  112  bound the closed receptacle. Outer sleeve  102  may optionally include a flip-top  402  capable of being closed over the flip-top  106  of container  104  in order to secure container  104  in closed C position. Flip-top  106  is unnecessary in this embodiment, as it is clear flip-top  402  will serve both purposes of holding smoking members in container  104  and securing container  104  in the closed position within outer sleeve  102 .  
         [0057]    Again referring to FIG. 4A, in a most preferred embodiment of the invention, packaging system  100  is a cigarette package made from a material that is preferably 0.25 mm to 2 mm thick and is cardboard. The outside dimension of the of cigarette container  104  are 8 to 12 cm long L, 4 to 7 cm wide W and 1.5 to 3.5 cm deep D. Cigarette packaging system  100  has an outer rectangular sleeve  102  with inside dimensions similar to the outside dimensions of container  104  and A/R component  296  within the tolerances of +/−0.5 cm.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 5 shows alternative exemplary embodiments of the accordion member of packaging system  100 . The present invention is not limited to only one accordion member, as it could, for instance, also have two accordion members, as is shown in FIG. 5. In general, the present invention could include at least one accordion member. FIG. 5 shows four different examples of accordion members and how these members are placed within packaging system  100 . The general principle as it has been discussed above is quite similar for the accordion members shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 5A shows accordion members  500  and  502 . Accordion member  500  has rectangular folding sections  504  and  506  and flaps  508  and  510 . Similarly, accordion member  502  has rectangular folding sections  512  and  514  and two flaps,  516  and another one (referred to as  518 ) that is not visible in the view of FIG. 5A, but is position at the bottom of container  104 .  
         [0060]    Accordion members  500  and  502  together could have a smaller size and geometry compared to bottom  254  of container  104  as shown in FIG. 2A.  
         [0061]    Flaps  508  and  510  could be attached to wall  202  of outer sleeve  102  and bottom of container  104 , respectively. Similarly, flaps  516  and  518  could also be attached to wall  202  of outer sleeve  102  and the bottom of container  104 , respectively. The flaps of accordion members  500  and  502  could be position anywhere to wall  202  and bottom of container  104 , such as, for instance, but not limited to, either side of wall  202 . The flaps could, for instance, be positioned to the inside of bottom  130   
         [0062]    In an alternative exemplary embodiment, FIG. 5B shows accordion members  520  and  522  in the opposite position as accordion members  500  and  502  as shown in FIG. 5A. Accordion member  520  has rectangular folding sections  524  and  526  and flaps  528  and  530 . Similarly, accordion member  522  has rectangular folding sections  532  and  534  and two flaps,  536  and another one (referred to as  538 ) that is not visible in the view of FIG. 5B, but is position at the bottom of container  104 .  
         [0063]    Accordion members  520  and  522  together could have a smaller size and geometry compared to bottom  254  of container  104  as shown in FIG. 2A.  
         [0064]    Flaps  528  and  530  could be attached to wall  200  of outer sleeve  102  and bottom of container  104 , respectively. Similarly, flaps  536  and  538  could also be attached to wall  200  of outer sleeve  102  and the bottom of container  104 , respectively. The flaps of accordion members  520  and  522  could be position anywhere to wall  200  and bottom of container  104 , such as, for instance, but not limited to, either side of wall  200 . The flaps could, for instance, be positioned to the inside of bottom  130   
         [0065]    In yet another alternative exemplary embodiment, FIG. 5C shows accordion members  540  and  542  now positioned perpendicular to accordion members  500  and  502  as shown in FIG. 5A as well as accordion members  520  and  522  as shown in FIG. 5B. Accordion member  540  has rectangular folding sections  544  and  546  and flaps  548  and  550 . Similarly, accordion member  542  has rectangular folding sections  552  and  554  and two flaps,  556  and another one (referred to as  558 ) that is not visible in the view of FIG. 5C, but is position at the bottom of container  104 .  
         [0066]    Flaps  548  and  550  could be attached to flap  204  or  206  of outer sleeve  102  and bottom of container  104 , respectively. Similarly, flaps  536  and  538  could also be attached to flap  208  or  210  of outer sleeve  102  and the bottom of container  104 , respectively. The choice of attachment of flap  204  or  206  depends on how flap  204  and  206  are attached to each other and which one becomes the inside of outer sleeve  102 . The choice of attachment of flap  208  or  210  depends on how flap  208  and  210  are attached to each other and which one becomes the inside of outer sleeve  102 .  
         [0067]    Accordion members  540  and  542  could have a similar size and geometry compared to bottom  254  of container  104  as shown in FIG. 2A. In addition, accordion members  540  and  542  could be made so that tip  560  of accordion member  540  touches tip  562  of accordion member  542  when packaging system  100  is in closed position. Alternatively, accordion members  540  and  542  could be made so that tip  560  of accordion member  540  overlaps tip  562  of accordion member  542  when packaging system  100  is in closed position. One skilled in the art might readily acknowledge many variation in position, size and folding/accordion mechanism of the accordion members.  
         [0068]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above embodiment may be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, container  104  can be held in the closed position by any means such as a strap. Furthermore, while the access hole  116  is depicted herein as being rectangular, any shape access hole, e.g., round, elliptical, triangular, etc is within the scope of the invention. Similarly, although container  104  and outer sleeve  102  are depicted herein as being substantially rectangular in shape, other container shapes, e.g., round, elliptical, triangular, spherical, cylindrical, etc may be used. Packaging system  100  may also be of any size and is not in any way limited solely to packaging for cigarettes. Furthermore, pouch  108  may be attached to any of the walls of outer sleeve  102 . Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents.