Patent Publication Number: US-2006000725-A1

Title: Personal, portable, pocketable cigarette extinguishing and storage device and method for producing the same

Description:
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/585,161 filed Jul. 1, 2004 entitled Personal, Portable, Pocketable Cigarette Extinguishing and Storage Device and Method for Producing the Same, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to devices and methods for the portable and stationary extinguishing and storage of the detritus created by tobacco users. It relates to the devices disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 09/567,704 filed May 10, 2000 entitled Personal, Portable, Pocketable Cigarette Extinguishing and Storage Device and Method for Producing the Same, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
     BACKGROUND  
      There has been increasing public pressure on cigarette smoking, in both public and in private, which has led Government Agencies, private enterprises, educational institutions and other owners of both private and public buildings to declare buildings and common areas as “non smoking areas.” Additionally, many outdoor public spaces such as parks, beaches, golf courses, skiing areas, arenas and open air stadia either prohibit smoking or require that smokers carefully and personally remove their smoking detritus (matches and cigarette butts). Even in those areas where smoking is allowed, tobacco-related detritus is frequently considered a public problem of such magnitude that, by way of example, the government officials of New York City and several European cities have considered a fine for smokers who discard their cigarette butts on the streets, sidewalks, parks and other areas.  
      In the private realm, smoking and its detritus has become increasingly unwelcome. For example, owners of private homes are becoming more and more irritated with smoking guests who dispose of the tobacco-related detritus such as cigarette butts in flower pots, bushes, lawns and drinking glasses.  
      As such, a considerate smoker often finds it necessary to extinguish the cigarette and place the cigarette butt in a pocket or in a purse. However, the attendant smell and tobacco detritus dictate that the making of such disposal be unpleasant.  
      The few existing attempts at providing a solution for the above problem have yielded less than satisfactory results. A review of the field reveals that several “portable ashtrays” exist; however, none of the previous inventions have provided the means for a multi-functional, neat, portable, convenient approach to providing an ashtray-like device which can effectively extinguish, store and empty all tobacco-related detritus.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention herein provides for a device and method for effectively extinguishing and storing and emptying the detritus that a cigarette smoker creates (e.g. spent matches, cigarette ashes, cigarette butts, etc.). The device can be held and operated with one hand and can receive and extinguish tapped ashes from a lit cigarette, as well as burning or spent matches, or partially consumed cigarettes and/or cigarette butts. The device can also be used as a conventional, open faced, ashtray. The device is preferably palm sized device is designed to be portable and can be stored in the hand, pocket or purse for later emptying and cleaning.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the device has a locking mechanism with squeezable side grip portions which release the lock allowing the shells to open, preferably with assistance of a spring or other opening means, e.g., rubber or soft plastic overmolding on mating edges of the clamshell portions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a frontal view of the palm sized device receiving a lit cigarette for extinguishment and storage.  
       FIG. 2  shows a lateral cross section of the device in the closed position with an extinguished match, cigarette and ashes in the extinguishment and storage chamber.  
       FIG. 3  shows the device in the open position in the table top ashtray mode, with a lit cigarette resting in the concave side of the stoppering bung.  
       FIG. 4  shows the device in the closed position with the stoppering bung open to receive tapped ashes from a lit cigarette.  
       FIG. 5  shows a close up view of the top of the device in the closed position with the stoppering bung open to reveal the concave cigarette rest and circular aperture.  
       FIG. 6  shows a horizontal cross section of the device detailing the air restricting, ship lap joint created when the device is closed.  
       FIG. 7   a - 7   f  is a preferred embodiment having squeezable side portions and a spring.  
       FIGS. 8   a - 8   d  disclose an embodiment having a rubber or other similarly flexible resilient and compressible material overlay at the mating surfaces to provide an expanding release from a closed position.  
       FIGS. 9   a  is a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing a resting cigarette in open position ( 9   b ), collecting ashes from a lit cigarette with the device in a closed position ( 9   c ) and emptying the device ( 9   d ).  
       FIG. 10  is a cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the joint in the area of the squeezable side portions.  
       FIG. 11  is shows a preferred embodiment of a cutaway view of the invention showing a preferred joint of the device of the invention.  
       FIG. 12  is a detail showing attachment of the overmold to the invention, showing detail of the ridge. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The invention described herein provides for an apparatus and method for extinguishing a lit tobacco product such as a cigarette in the apparatus as well as for storing tobacco related detritus, such as a number of cigarette butts, cigarette ashes and matches once they have been extinguished.  
      Tobacco product means a cigarette, cigar, pipe or similar products.  
      Tobacco detritus means spent matches; lit or unlit ashes from a cigarette, cigar or pipe; and lit or unlit tobacco ends from a cigarette or cigar.  
      The apparatus is comprised preferably of two connected, similarly shaped halves with concave, interior surfaces, that when brought substantially coincident with each other via a hinged or swivel axis, form a chamber of sufficient volume to extinguish and store a quantity of tobacco related detritus. Each half of the apparatus has a cut-out, preferably rectangular or semi-circular, at a mating edge. When the apparatus is closed, these cut outs substantially align with each other to form a circular aperture through which the lit cigarette, match or cigarette butt is passed into the extinguishment and storage chamber. While the present invention contemplates the use of this method in apparatus in connection with virtually all tobacco related products, such as cigars, cigarillos, pipe tobacco, etc., in a preferred embodiment the invention will be directed to cigarette-related uses.  
      A bung (or stopper or stopple) is hinged to one of the concave halves of the apparatus at the cut out. The hinge preferably allows for the bung to swing through an arc that creates two extreme positions, (1) the open position, which permits the user to pass a lit cigarette, matches, ashes or cigarette butts through the circular aperture and into the extinguishment and storage chamber, and may also provide for a resting place for a lit cigarette where the halves of the device are in the open position, and (2) the closed position in which the bung fills the circular aperture, locks the hinged halves together and restricts the flow of oxygen into the chamber (thereby resulting in the asphyxiation of the cigarette ember, match or ash).  
      The apparatus is made of a flame and heat resistant material which is not only impervious to the heat of a cigarette ember, but is of sufficient heat absorbency, density and thickness to allow a user to place the closed apparatus in his hand, pocket or purse immediately after inserting a lit cigarette without fear of heat or flame from the ember.  
      As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the device  1  of the invention—although possible in any size—is of such a size that it can be easily, and discreetly held in either the right hand  6  or the left hand  2  of the operator. This figure shows that the hinged stoppering element, which is preferably stoppering/locking/cigarette rest bung  3  of device  1  has been opened by the operator&#39;s thumb  4  and that the device  1  is receiving a lit cigarette  5  for extinguishment and storage, having been inserted by the operator&#39;s hand  6  through the circular aperture best shown in  FIG. 5 , item  18 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , the lateral cross section of the device in the closed position with the stoppering/locking/cigarette bung  3  also closed, it is shown that when the concave halves  7  and  8  of the device are closed on their hinged axis  9 , they create a chamber  10  that can receive, extinguish and store a number of ashes  11 , matches  12  and cigarette butts  13 . As one skilled in the art may readily appreciate, the concave halves may be connected through a clam-shell type hinging mechanism, a swivel-type hinging mechanism, or any other hinging mechanism as permits the two halves to come into substantial alignment or adjoinment so as to curtail the availability of oxygen for any embers and contain said detritus.  
      In general, the present invention contemplates a multitude of variations on the present provision of a portable device for tobacco product usage and extinguishment and storage of the resultant detritus. By way of example, a shell body is contemplated to have any number of a plurality of substantially cooperative adjoining portions which can cooperate to substantially to open and close as needed. Alternatively, a one piece version with an aperture like closure is further contemplated.  
      Additionally, the present invention provides for, in a preferred embodiment, a stoppering bung so as to further extinguish embers and to prevent detritus spillage. The bung may be of any multitude of types of a closure portion as one skilled in the art can readily appreciate, but is, in a most preferred embodiment, structured so as to be a stoppering/locking/cigarette rest bung type depicted herein.  
       FIG. 3  shows the device in the open, table top, ashtray position with a lit cigarette  5  resting in the concave side of the stoppering/locking/cigarette rest bung  3 . In this position, each of the halves of the device  7  and  8  act as a receptacle for ashes  11 , and their interior, concave, dish shaped surfaces  14  and  15  allow for a cigarette to be snubbed out in them before the device is closed and the extinguishment and storage chamber created to store the smoker&#39;s detritus as shown in  FIG. 2 . The cut out  16  in the half of the device to which the stoppering bung is preferably not hinged  8 , creates a second, concave location in which to rest a cigarette.  
       FIG. 4  shows the device  1  in use as a receptacle for ashes  11  that have been tapped from a lit cigarette  5  by the operator&#39;s index finger and hand  6 . The falling ashes  11  are directed by the operator&#39;s index finger and hand  6  to fall through the circular aperture  18  (see also  FIG. 5 , item  18 ) that is created when the stoppering/locking/cigarette rest bung  3  is in the open position.  
       FIG. 5  shows the device from the end and details the stoppering/locking cigarette rest bung  3  which, when closed on its hinged axis  17 , tightly fills the circular aperture  18  and restricts the flow of oxygen into the extinguishment/storage chamber (see  FIG. 2 , item  10 )  
      The stoppering/locking/cigarette rest bung  3  has a concave surface  19  designed to accommodate the radius of a cigarette and therefore acts as a cigarette rest as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      The stoppering/locking/cigarette rest bung  3  incorporates a protruding rib  20  that engages and locks into a recessed trough  21  in the opposite half of the device  8  when the device is in the closed position and the bung is swung on its hinged axis  17  to fill the circular aperture  18 . The protruding rib  20  snaps into the recess  21  thereby locking the bung  3  in the closed position and securely locking both halves  8  and  9  of the device together so that the contents of the chamber cannot escape or spill out of the device until it is unlocked and opened for emptying and cleaning.  
       FIG. 6  details that, a preferred embodiment will provide for a “ship lap” joint  22 . The ship lap joint  22  is created when the device is closed and the mating surfaces of the two halves  8  &amp;  9  come into contact with each other. The “ship lap” joint  22  is designed to restrict the flow of oxygen into the extinguishment and storage chamber  10 . The distance  23  between the mating surfaces of the “ship lap” joint  22  has in a most preferred embodiment, been restricted to no more than 0.020″ to prohibit the flow of oxygen into the extinguishment and storage chamber  10 .  
       FIG. 7   a  shows an embodiment having a slightly different shape of cutouts  16 , wherein in the closed position more of a half-ovoid aperture is formed for receiving ashes. In this embodiment, the cutouts in each clamshell may be may be of different sizes and shapes. Bung  3  is hingedly attached, in this embodiment by a hinge as shown but rather than having a concave surface  19  as in  FIG. 5  it has a raised closing area  60  formed to fit the shape of the cutout and to fit therein. The raised area does not extend to the edges of the stopper but rather an area  61  which roughly outlines the perimeter around opening  16  will contact the clamshells in this region.  
      The embodiment as shown  7   a  also has squeezable side portions  50  which are preferably ribbed on one of the clamshells. In this region, a receiving area  52  is formed on the outside of the ship-lap edge  59  of the clamshell to receive latches  51  formed on the interior of the other clamshell. These are positioned such that they will interlock and maintain closure of the device when pressed in the closed position. Squeezable side portions  50  on the clamshell unit having the latch receiving portion allow the user to squeeze the device to release the lock formed by the latch and latch receiving portion  71  are such that the device can be placed in the open position. Spring  54  is positioned in the hinged area connecting the clamshells so that the spring action opens the device when squeezable side portions are inwardly squeezed towards one another to release.  
      A logo may be painted, embossed, engraved or imprinted thereon as shown in  FIG. 7   f.  Such advertising or designs may be on any portion of the device, such as on the outer portion of the clamshell as shown in  FIG. 7   f.    
       FIG. 8   a  depicts an embodiment having an overmolding  80  of a soft, pliable but plastic material, e.g., rubber or soft plastic, which extends around the clamshell or a portion of the clamshell. Overmolding  80  extends around the perimeter  81  of the edge of one clamshell the perimeter of the edge of the clamshell except in cutout  16 . Overmolding  80  may be positioned slightly below (perhaps 1-5 mm) the edge of the clamshell upon which it is overmolded, and the other clamshell serves as the cover. Alternatively, overmolding  80  may be equal with the height of the perimeter  81  of the bottom shell of the device. In preferred embodiments, ridge  85  of the overmolding  80  extends beyond the edge of the clam shell and receives recess  86  formed about the perimeter of upper claim shell  99 . This embodiment has the latch/release mechanism as described with respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 7   a,  but does not require a spring. Rather, when squeezable sides are pressed inwardly to open the device from a closed position, the compressed rubber overlay regains its original shape and forces the clamshell members apart. The physical release of the latch mechanism will have been performed prior to squeezing the clamshells open. Thus, this overlay  80  renders the provision of as spring unnecessary, although one may still be provided.  
      Overlay  80  may extend around any or all of the clamshell but must extend be positioned to perform the opening function of the device as described.  
      Overaly  80  also acts as a gasket to prohibit the entrance of air into the chamber of the closed device thereby making it airtight and assuring the asphyxiation and extinction of the cigarette ember. Furthermore the gasket aspect of the overlay makes the device air and watertight.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8   d,  recessed channel  123  is provided in top clamshell near area of aperture  120 . Recessed channel  123  slopes toward aperture  120  and forms a flattened region  125  having recessed area  121  therein. Near the edge of bung lip  140  of bung  3  on an internal surface  160  thereof is positioned a locking rib member  150  which mates with recessed channel  123  to maintain the bung in a locked position and also contributes to maintaining the clamshells in a closed and locked position. on leading edge of bung  3  as shown in  FIG. 7   a.  Recesses area  123  provides space to receive an operators thumb so that bung  3  can be unlocked and opened.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8   c,  the bottom side of bottom clamshell has a recess  130  for accepting bung lever  122  so that when opened the device can lay flat on a surface.  
      In preferred embodiments, feet  101  are provided to prevent the device from scratching a resting surface or upon it. Feet  101  are integral with overlay  80 . or may be provided on the clamshell.  
      Clamshells may be made of heat resistant material, but can be made of any suitable material including metal, ceramic, and the like.  
       FIG. 9   a  show the device similar to that shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9   b  shows the device in the open position with a resting cigarette.  FIG. 9   c  shows the device in use, with a smoker depositing ashes in the closed device, wherein the cover is in the open position.  FIG. 9   d  provides a demonstration of how to empty the device, in this case, into a glass bowl.  
       FIG. 10  is a cross section in the area of the ribs showing a latch mechanism of the device provided in that region. A first ridge  102  on the perimeter of the upper clamshell mates with a second ridge  103  on the lower clamshell perimeter, with an overlapping portion  104  resting on an upper portion  105  of the perimeter of the lower clamshell.  
       FIG. 11  is a cross section showing closure of the clamshells in areas other than the rib region and the aperture region. The figure shows the overlay rib inside of the perimeter channel of the top clamshell half. Also depicted is the overlay material in compressed state.  
       FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of overlay  80  with ridge  85  attached to lower clam shell. Note that a recess equal to the depth of the overlay has been provided in the clamshell to receive the overlay so that the overlay does not extend beyond the edge of the clamshell. Note that in a vertical direction the recess in the clamshell is shallower than the overlay such that the ridge portion of the overlay extends beyond the upper perimeter of the clamshell half. Ridge portion does not extend to the outer edge of the overlay but covers approximately half of the width of the overlay.  
      The present invention also contemplates a method of producing or fabricating the above detailed device. As one skilled in the art can appreciate, a multitude of manufacturing processes exist for production of the above device. By way of example, one might use cast techniques, machine lathing, hand or custom crafting etc. However, on the preferred embodiment, injection molding will be used. In addition, the product itself may have decorative embellishments which can be printed, painted, carved, or inlaid designs, lettering, etc. on any of the disclosed portions.  
      It will be understood that the terms herein are terms of description rather than of limitation, as those skilled in the art with this specification in hand will be able to vary the details of the invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit thereof.