Patent Publication Number: US-10773862-B2

Title: Airtight child resistant case with elongated compartments

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of application Ser. No. 15/175,985 filed 7 Jun. 2016. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a substantially airtight child resistant case for storing and preserving the freshness of elongated rod shaped articles such as cigarettes. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a package including a child resistant latching closure, sealing construction and compartmentalized interior for storing elongated products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The term cigarette, originally a French term for small cigar, is now most commonly used to refer to a tobacco cigarette. As used herein, however, the term encompasses other structurally similar products, i.e., those with a paper or leaf wrapping containing processed leaf and other substances such as tobacco or cannabis (colloquially referred to as “joints”). Cigarettes may be machine rolled or hand rolled usually using paper or whole-leaf tobacco. Tobacco wrapped in whole leaf tobacco is typically referred to as a cigar and if the product is modified to include cannabis it is colloquially referred to as a “blunt.” Regardless of the composition and wrapping, cigarettes are similar in that they have an elongated substantially cylindrical rod shape that is not designed to withstand significant bending or crushing forces. Accordingly there is a need to package cigarettes in containers that reduce bending or crushing forces. Machine rolled cigarettes are typically uniform in size and shape and are often packaged in a way that relies on adjacent cigarettes to provide structural in the package. Hand rolled and other non-uniform products cannot be as tightly packaged. 
     In some locations, the states of Colorado and Washington, for example, retail (non-medical) sale of marijuana products is permitted. Product is sold in a variety of forms including “joints” and “blunts,” which, as noted above, are forms of cigarette as used herein. With such products, there may be additional packaging concerns beyond structural integrity of the products. Providing a substantially airtight packaging helps preserve freshness. Also, child resistant packaging is beneficial and, in some instances, mandated by law. In Colorado, for example, child-resistant packaging is required for both recreational and medical cannabis products. 
     Various multiple-compartment cigarette packaging techniques are known in the prior art. Typically, such prior art packages and containers are box-shaped, made of a paper, cardstock or metallic material and contain a hinge associated with each of one or more lids. The compartments are typically sealed as a single package or are individually sealed to preserve freshness, but the seal is often a one-time seal that is destroyed when opened. U.S. Pat. No. 2,283,856 to Hoenig; U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,424 to Glass; U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,010 to Rogers; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,903 to Focke et al. disclose multi-compartment, individually sealed packages for containing more than one group, brand or type of cigarette. U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,424 to Glass and U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,010 to Rogers show two-compartment, dual-lid cigarette packages with the separate lids and hinges on the same side of the package. U.S. Pat. No. 2,163,828 to Chalmers and U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,126 to Barnard disclose two-compartment cigarette packages with a single hinged lid covering both openings on the same side of the package. U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,412 to White and U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,903 illustrate a rectangular, two-compartment cigarette package with hinged lids on opposite sides of the package. U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,444 to Bray et al., which discloses a typical hinged-lid, box-shaped container that is made from a “rigid card material.” Further examples of cigarette or tobacco packages made of a paper or cardstock material are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,496,474; 2,960,264; 5,044,550; and 5,097,948. Other materials, such as metals, woods and plastic, have also been suggested for use in multi-compartment containers for making crushproof and freshness-preserving cigarette containers. U.S. Pat. No. 2,867,369 to Cernera and U.S. Pat. No. 3,223,275 to Rice, Jr. disclose cigarette containers that may be made of various materials, such as plastic, wood, metal and cardboard. U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,883 to Thomas et al. discloses a package or container for holding two or more types or brands of smoking articles, such as cigarettes, having a generally rectangular shape with two openings on opposite sides of the container and a method of making the same is disclosed. The container has two lids, a body, and a separation member that divides the container into two or more compartments. U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,903 to Focke et al. discloses “trough-like recesses” for reducing movement of individual cigarettes and providing structural support. U.S. Pat. No. 2,491,617 describes a case in which each cigarette is held under slight spring pressure applied longitudinally to an end thereof and is partially ejected from the case when a movable band containing an opening is moved into alignment with a particular cigarette. 
     SUMMARY 
     A container comprising a case body portion and case lid portion, a sealing structure and latching and or locking structures. The case body portion has an open box rectangular cuboid configuration and a continuous sealing surface provided on the interior of the case portion. A case lid portion is pivotally mounted in the case body portion. The case lid portion has a continuous sealing surface and includes a first storage chamber separated into at least three compartments. Latching and or locking components are provided on the case body portion and case lid portion so that the components can be moved from a latching position to a release position. The respective sealing surface of the case lid portion is substantially complementary to the sealing surface of the case body portion, but dimensioned to provide a seal space between the case body portion and the case lid portion. 
     A continuous elastomeric seal is provided in the seal space between the complementary sealing surfaces. The seal is configured to be compressed along the entire sealing length of the sealing surface when the case lid portion is pivoted into the latched position. The compressed elastomeric seal provides a spring force that retains the latch in the latched position and a spring force that is resolved into sealing vectors perpendicular to the sealing surface along the entire length of the sealing surface to ensure a seal along the sealing surface. In particular, parallel side walls connecting the front wall and back wall of the case lid portion have an inclined upper edge and a sealing surface defined at the upper edge and the inclined upper edge and sealing surface extends at an acute angle of inclination relative to the straight back edge and wherein the upper edge and sealing surface extend at a complementary obtuse angle of inclination relative to the straight front edge such that a portion of a sealing force applied in a direction perpendicular to the back wall is resolved into a sealing vector that is perpendicular to the inclined upper edge. The continuous sealing surface preferably extends at an angle of between 30° and 60° from one edge of the side wall toward the opposite edge of the side wall. 
     In the context of providing a substantially airtight child resistant case for storing and preserving the freshness of elongated rod shaped articles such as cigarettes, cigarette substitutes, vaporizers and e-cigarettes other advantageous features are described. For example, the continuous sealing surface extends along a portion of the side walls is between 30-70% of the length of the side walls to accommodate a stable yet accessible first storage chamber construction. The continuous sealing surface extends at an angle of between 30° and 60° from one edge of the side wall toward the opposite edge of the side wall to optimize the balance between sealing vector and case dimensions. Likewise, the pivot openings in the side walls are preferably provided at a location that is substantially equidistant from the front wall, the back wall and the bottom wall. The front wall of the case lid portion has height that is in the range of 30-70% of the height of the back wall and the case lid portion has height that is less than 50% of the height of the back wall to balance support and accessibility. 
     A pivot restriction detent may be provided on the partially cylindrical bottom wall of the case lid portion to restrict the range of pivoting from the closed position. The pivot restriction detent preferably restricts the range of pivoting from the closed position to an open position that is between 15°-30° from the closed position. 
     The body latch portion may be configured as an integral portion of each of the two parallel side walls that is spaced from the back, top and bottom side walls so that the body latch portions may be flexed inward by application of release force to move the body latch portion to the release position and wherein the elasticity of the side walls moves the latch portions toward the latched position when the release force is removed. The body latch portion may also be configured as an integral portion of the top wall spaced from the back and side walls so that the body latch portion may be flexed down by application of release force to move the body latch portion to the release position. The elasticity of the top wall moves the latch portion toward the latched position when the release force is removed. In addition, a closure detent may be provided to inhibit movement of the lid from the closed position to an open position so that a user must apply a moderate force to move the lid past the detent. 
     The case may include an integral locking pin construction having a knob portion having a locking pin extending therefrom through a hole in the case body portion and a plurality of elastic ligaments extending from the knob to the case body portion. The ligaments are configured to provide elasticity sufficient to permit displacement of the locking pin from a locking position to a release position, as well as to maintain a locked position when no forces are applied. 
     As noted, the embodiments described herein provide a substantially airtight enclosure for storing and preserving the freshness of elongated rod shaped product such as cigarettes, cigarette substitutes and the like. There is also a need, on occasion, to store partially smoked product. Storing a partially smoked cigarette in the same airtight enclosure as the fresh product may negatively impact the fresh product due to odor of partially smoked product. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a separate storage space (second storage chamber) is provided in the case to allow for storage of partially used product in a compartment that is isolated from the compartment storing fresh product. An embodiment includes an elongated chamber provided at the bottom of the case. The elongated chamber includes four elongated walls and a chamber bottom wall that define a rectangular tube integrally formed with the remainder of the case such that one of the four elongated walls is an extension of the back wall of the case, the chamber bottom wall is an extension of one of the side walls, another of the four elongated walls is the case bottom and another of the four elongated walls is opposite the case bottom wall and serves as a pivot restriction wall to prevent the case lid portion from opening beyond a position that is about 90° from the closed position. The pivot restriction wall is braced by the other elongated walls and chamber bottom wall to resist deflection of the pivot restriction wall. Alternative shapes for the elongated separate storage space (chamber) are possible. Alternative shapes could include a circular or partially circular shape where the elongated wall may be a single cylindrical wall or a partially cylindrical wall with a flat wall. 
     The elongated rectangular tube chamber formed by the four elongated walls and chamber bottom wall has an open end opposite the chamber bottom wall to provide an open end of the rectangular tube chamber. Product, including partially smoked product, can be inserted into the rectangular tube chamber for storage that is entirely isolated from the first (primary) airtight enclosure of the case. The embodiment further includes an elastomeric cap for closing the open end of the rectangular tube chamber to provide a substantially airtight enclosure of the rectangular tube chamber. Thus, this embodiment includes a primary airtight enclosure and a secondary airtight enclosure that is isolated from the primary airtight enclosure. 
     Other embodiments include providing the secondary airtight enclosure by extending one of the five internal chambers depicted and including a lid to provide the second airtight enclosure within the main compartment. The second airtight enclosure could also be provided as a rectangular tube on the side of the case. 
     While the case shown is a “five pack” with five chambers, other sizes are possible such as a three pack or solo (one) pack. 
     In some embodiments, it is advantageous to add a top “lip” structure to aide users in pulling the lid open once they are squeezing the two tabs. The user presses both tabs at the same time, and then pulls the top lip to release the lid and open the case. This structure is preferable to an arrangement with a upper locking tab that requires the user to squeeze side tabs and push a front locking tab IN to open. In the structure shown, the user need not push the top tab IN, but instead uses the finger tab to add some leverage and a point of reference to open the lid once the sides are squeezed. 
     An embodiment of the elastomeric cap used to close the open end of the rectangular tube chamber is formed of a material that is different, more elastomeric, than the case material. The elasticity and shape of the cap allow the cap to be compressed into the open end of the rectangular tube chamber to ensure a substantially airtight enclosure. When, as in this embodiment, the cap is formed of a different material than the case wall it is preferable to secure the elastomeric cap to the case. To this end, the elastomeric cap is provided with an elastomeric tail that extends from a corner of the cap. The elastomeric tail has an expanded end shaped such that the end can be compressed into an opening in the, but not easily removed. The expanded end is in the form of a plug that has a shape that compresses into an opening and then expands to resist retraction from the opening. In other embodiments, the secondary chamber is provided along the top edge of the case and/or along a side edge of the case. 
     The first storage chamber of the case lid portion is airtight except at the opening that defines the sealing surface. A plurality of divider walls separate the chamber into at least three discrete compartments each having a length, width and depth to hold elongated product. The depth is preferable at least three times length or width of the chamber. An extended divider wall may be provided to define an extended compartment and an integral lid may be connected to the extended compartment by a living hinge. The seal is secured to the case body portion and pressed into contact with the case lid portion when the case lid portion is moved into the latched position. The seal preferably comprises an extrusion of compressible material that is a closed shape substantially polygonal shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a side perspective view of an exemplary case in an open position. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of the case of FIG. lA in an open position. 
         FIG. 1C  is a rear perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1A  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 1D  is a front perspective view of the case of FIG. lA in a closed position. 
         FIG. 1E  is a rear perspective view of the case of  FIG. 1A  in an open position. 
         FIG. 1F  is a top plan view of the case of  FIG. 1A  in an open position. 
         FIG. 1G  is a back plan view of the case of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1H  is a side plan view of the case of  FIG. 1A  in an open position. 
         FIG. 2  is as side profile of the case lid portion. 
         FIG. 2A  is as side profile of an area of the case lid portion indicated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2B  is as side detail of an area of the case lid portion indicated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 2C  is a back perspective view of the case lid portion showing five distinct compartments. 
         FIG. 2D  is as a top plan view of the case lid portion. 
         FIG. 2E  is as a front plan view of the case lid portion. 
         FIG. 2F  is as side plan view of the case lid portion. 
         FIG. 2G  is as back plan view of the case lid portion. 
         FIG. 3  is as side section of the case body portion. 
         FIG. 3A  is as side profile of an area of the case body portion indicated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 3B  is as side detail of an area of the case body portion indicated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 3C  is a front perspective view of the case body portion. 
         FIG. 3D  is as a top plan view of the case body portion. 
         FIG. 3E  is as a front plan view of the case body portion. 
         FIG. 3F  is as side plan view of the case body portion. 
         FIG. 3G  is as back plan view of the case body portion. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a side hinged case. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a back hinged case. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a double latched case. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a closed three dimensional polygonal seal structure. 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic representation of the resolution of sealing vectors along an angled surface. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a case that has an extended compartment. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a case having an alternative top latch. 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of an integral pin lock constriction. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a friction seal construction. 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a case with side tabs and a separate storage case. 
         FIG. 12B  is a front detail view the case of  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 12C  is a side view of the case of  FIG. 12A . 
         FIG. 12D  is a perspective view of a case with side tabs and depicting the elastomeric lid of a separate storage case. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an elastomeric cap structure 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an elastomeric cap structure before assembly into a case. 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of an elastomeric cap structure attached to a case with the cap in the open position. 
         FIG. 15B  is a side view of an elastomeric cap structure attached to a case with the cap in the open position. 
         FIG. 15C  is a front view of an elastomeric cap structure attached to a case with the cap in the open position. 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of the top of a case with a top lip structure. 
         FIG. 16B  is a different perspective view of the top of the case of  FIG. 16A  with a top lip structure. 
         FIG. 17A  is a rear perspective view of the top of a smaller solo case with a top lip structure. 
         FIG. 17B  is a front perspective view of the top of a smaller solo case with a top lip structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A-11  depict various view of an exemplary case according to the present invention. As shown the case comprises a case lid portion  10 , a case body portion  20  and a seal  30 . The case lid portion  10  is dimensioned to nest within the case body portion  20 . The case lid portion  10  is pivotally supported within the dimensioned to nest within the case body portion  20  for movement between an open position (shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1E, 1F and 11 ) and a closed position (shown in  FIGS. 1C and 1D ). Either or both of the case lid portion  10  and the case body portion  20  may include a stop (detent)  15  to limit the range of pivotal movement between the case lid portion  10  and the case body portion  20 . The inside surface of the case lid portion  10  is provided with a plurality of elongated compartments  13  for containing individual cigarettes. 
     In the closed position, the case is preferably substantially hermetically sealed to substantially limit airflow and provide a substantially airtight environment for preserving the freshness of stored product. While complete hermetic sealing may not be achievable, the use of a continuous compressed elastomer and or magnetic seal provides an enclosure that is water resistant, splash proof, airflow resistant to be dust tight. Water resistant as used here generally corresponds to water resistance at 3 atm, i.e., suitable for everyday use, splash/rain resistant, but not necessarily suitable for extended immersion in water or water shower. Dust tight means dust above a certain physical size cannot get in and splash proof generally means that the product could be handled and used in rainy weather for an extended period. To retain the case in the closed position a latch or similar closure is provided. In the case shown in  FIGS. 1A-1H , case lid portion  10  includes a latching lip  17  and the case body portion  20  includes a latch  23  that is engaged by the lip  17  to retain the lid portion in the closed position. Releasing the case lid portion from the latched position preferably requires two distinct actions, for example, if the latch is located at the top of the case, pressing the top surface of the case body down to recess the latch and pushing the lip  17  of the case lid portion way from the recessed latch  23 . Another example of two distinct actions, when latches are on the parallel side walls, is pushing both of the parallel side walls  22  inward (in opposite directions) at once. 
     To substantially limit airflow and provide a substantially airtight environment in the case shown in  FIGS. 1A-1H , a seal is achieved by providing an elastomeric material  30  (i.e., a material that softer/more compressible than the case material) material in the seal space between complementary sealing surfaces provided on the case lid portion  10  and the case body portion  20 . The seal  30  may be secured to the case body portion  20  as shown and pressed against the case lid portion  10  as shown or, alternatively, provided on the case front and pressed against the sealing surface of the case back. A compressible material has a closed shape that may be substantially polygonal or more free form may be used. To provide a substantially hermetic seal however the compressible material should extend continuously between the adjacent sealing surfaces. The seal  30  may be made of a magnetic vinyl or similar flexible magnetic surface that is magnetically attracted to the adjacent sealing surface so as to provide a tight seal between adjacent sealing surfaces. The elastomeric seal  30  is compressed when the lid pivoted into the latched position. The elastomeric spring force then retains the latch in the latched position and ensures a tight seal along the sealing source. The angled edge ensures that a significant portion of the elastomer force is used for sealing action. 
     More specifically, the elastomer of the seal  30  is compressed as the case lid portion  10  is latched to the case body portion. Once latched, the elastomer remains in a somewhat compressed state and exerts a force along the entire perimeter of the adjacent sealing surfaces. An opposing force presses the latch  23  and lip  17  against one another to retain the latch in the closed position. Because the angled edges of the adjacent sealing surfaces (angle α), the return force of the compressed elastomer resolves into a sealing vector (a force pressing the elastomer into the adjacent sealing surface) along the entire closed three dimensional polygonal path of the seal. An additional latching force may be obtained if the top of the case is elastomeric or elastic enough that the latch  23  must be depressed to move the lip into the latching position. The “spring back” force of the top of the case will push the lip and the latch into engagement and vectors of the opposing force will resolve to sealing vectors to ensure a tighter seal. Thus, the case functions as a reusable substantially airtight child resistant cigarette container with a plurality of elongated compartments for containing individual cigarettes. 
       FIGS. 2-2G  further depict details of the case lid portion  10  depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1H . As best shown in  FIG. 2C , the case lid portion  10  has a back wall  16  substantially complementary to the opening defined by the top, bottom and side walls of the case portion  20 . The case lid portion further includes partial enclosure side walls  19  and a front wall  18  and a partially cylindrical bottom wall  11  that collectively define an open ended enclosure that is subdivided into five elongated compartments  13  by dividers  14  in the form of integrated dividing walls. 
     To optimize the size of the compartments  13 , the front wall  18  that is smaller than back wall  16 . Providing a front wall that is between 30-70% of the dimension of the back wall has been found to support cigarettes sufficiently without impeded the ability to retrieve the cigarette from the compartment. A compartment that is too short does not support items sufficiently (unless the pivot range is sufficiently limited) and a compartment that is too long can make it difficult to retrieve product. When the pivoting angle is limited (as by detent 15) a shorter wall (less than 50%) offers advantages such as ease of access. In addition, it is important to provide enough room to accommodate an angled sealing surface on the enclosure side walls. A longer sealing surface results from a more sharply angled side wall edge (meaning the complementary angle between the side wall sealing surface and the back wall sealing surface is greater) results in resolution of a greater sealing vector and better sealing. 
     For this reason, the parallel side walls  19  connecting the front  18  and back  16  case surfaces should have an upper edge/sealing surface that extends at an angle a to allow sufficient sealing pressure—extending at an angle) (30°-60° preferable 45° degrees. The back wall  16 , front wall  18  and angled edges of the side walls  19  provide a sealing surface that is substantially complementary to the sealing surface of the case portion, but dimensioned to provide a seal space between the case body portion  20  and the case lid portion  10 . 
     The bottom edge  11  has a shape that allows pivoting of the case lid within the case portion about a pivot pin/axle  25  located near the bottom of the case lid. The surface is preferably partial cylindrical and the pivot point  25  is located at a location that is equidistant from the front, back and bottom surfaces of the side walls. A round projection from the case lid portion  10  that extends into a complementary hole in the case body portion  20  may define the pivot point  25 . As best shown in  FIG. 2C , the case lid portion  10  has a partially cylindrical lower surface  11  to facilitate pivoting with the case body portion  20 . A  15  detent may be provided to inhibit or block pivoting movement of the case beyond a certain range of movement. Limiting the range of pivoting movement to a range of 15°-30° offers aesthetic and functional advantages. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the edge of the front wall  18  does not pass beyond the side wall of the case body portion  20  which is desirable to ensure that the case lid portion is readily closed and doesn&#39;t flop open. 
     A latch lip portion  17  that cooperatively engages latch portion  23  on case body portion to secure the case lid portion  10  in a closed position in which the elastomeric seal  30  is compressed to provide both sealing force vectors and latch closure vectors. 
       FIGS. 3-3G  further depict details of the case body portion  20  depicted in  FIGS. 1A-1H . As best shown in  FIG. 3C , the case body portion  20  has an open box rectangular cuboid configuration including a back surface  21 , parallel side walls  22  and parallel top  26  and bottom  27  walls, the top, bottom and side walls together defining a containing having a rectangular opening into an interior of the case body, the interior of the case body extending from distal edges of the top, bottom and side walls to an interior side of the back surface  21 . 
     A continuous sealing surface  29  is provided on the interior of the case body portion  20 . As shown, the continuous sealing surface  29  extends along the distal edge of the top wall  26 , further extends along a portion of the side walls  22  and then extends at an angle a from one edge of the side wall  22  toward the opposite edge of the side wall and then across the back surface  21 . The case body portion  20  further comprising a pivot opening  25  provided in each of the parallel side walls, the pivot openings  25  provided in the parallel side walls are being coaxial with one another and configured to receive the pivot pins of the case lid portion  10 . 
     At least one body latch portion  23  is provided on the case body portion  20  and configured to engage a complementary lid latch portion  17 . The body latch portion is located on a portion of the case body that can be moved from a latching position to a release position. In  FIG. 3C  the case body latch portion is provided on each of the two parallel side walls  22 . Alternatively, a single latch could be provided on the top wall  26 . In  FIG. 6 , the body latch portions are provided on each of the two parallel side walls  22  to engage corresponding latch portions provided on the case lid portion  10 . Either or a combination of both of these latching arrangements may be provided. 
     To provide additional resistance to initial movement from the latched position, aligned bumps or supplemental detents  FIGS. 17A and 23A  may be provided on adjacent surfaces of the case lid portion and case body portion  20 . 
     As an alternative to forming the case from a distinct case body portion and case lid portion may be formed as a single piece with the lid portion  110  and body portion  120  connected by a living hinge  125 , i.e., a thin flexible hinge made from the same more rigid body and lid portions. Examples of such one-piece constructions are show in  FIG. 4  (a perspective view of a side hinged case) and  FIG. 5  (a perspective view of a back hinged case). The constructions of  FIGS. 4 and 5  can be injection molded as a single pieces. While  FIGS. 4 and 5  are simplified to illustrate the living hinge, either construction would also allow injection molding of dividing walls  14  to separate the chamber into distinct compartments. The latching assemblies  17 ,  23  described above are also used here. The sealing surfaces  129  are defined clearly and the interior can be sealed with a seal  130  along the open edges without need for a closed shape sealing structure since the living hinge acts  125  as a reliable seal. 
     The containers and case components described herein are preferably formed of a bio-degradable material such as a biopolymer that is both suitable for injection molding and has the requisite elasticity. Exemplary organic plastics or bioplastics include the following biopolymers Polyhydroxy alkanoates (PHB), Polyhydroxy fatty acids (PHF) and biopolymers from renewable resources, biodegradable, of plant origin such as derivates from starch, cellulose blend and lignin basis. Other materials may be used so long as they meet the functional requirements discussed herein. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a double latched case that is similar to the structure of  FIGS. 1A-3G  except that a double latch structure is provided with prong like extensions  17  that extend inside the case body and engage case latch portions provided on the interior surface of the case body portion  20 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts the continuous seal  30  by itself. As shown, the continuous seal has a closed three dimensional polygonal shape that is complementary to the shape of the sealing surface on the respective case portion and case body portion. The seal  30  is made of an elastomer that is preferably softer than the material used in the case lid portion and case body portion. The seal  30  is preferably made of a material having properties making it resistant to contaminants such as oil, water and the like. The seal  30  is dimensioned to be larger than the gap between adjacent sealing surfaces  29 . With this seal structure, when the case is latched, the elastomer remains in a somewhat compressed state and exerts a force along the entire perimeter of the adjacent sealing surfaces  29 . An opposing force presses the latch  23  and lip  17  against one another to retain the latch in the closed position. The force along the sealing surface is generally substantially perpendicular to the sealing surfaces to maximize sealing force. However, as illustrated schematically in  FIG. 7A , where the edges of the adjacent sealing surfaces are angled (angle α), the return force of the compressed elastomer resolves into a sealing vector (a force pressing the elastomer into the adjacent sealing surface) along the entire closed three dimensional polygonal path of the seal. As angle a becomes larger, the sealing vector is reduced. Conversely, reducing the size of angle α results in a substantial increase in the length of the angle surface. To obtain an appropriate balance between sealing vector and angled surface dimension the parallel side walls  19  connecting the front  18  and back  16  case surfaces should have an upper edge/sealing surface that extends at an angle α of 30°-60°, preferably 45° degrees. 
     An additional latching force may be obtained if the top of the case is elastomeric or elastic enough that the latch  23  must be depressed to move the lip into the latching position. The “spring back” force of the walls (side/top) of the case will push the lip and the latch into engagement and vectors of the opposing force will resolve to sealing vectors to ensure a tighter seal. Thus, the case functions as a reusable substantially airtight child resistant cigarette container with a plurality of elongated compartments for containing individual cigarettes. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a case similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1A-3H  except that an extended divider wall  114  is provided to define an extended compartment  113  that has an integral lid  116  connected to the compartment by a living hinge. This structure provides a sealed off compartment/chamber  113  that can be opened and closed independent of the other chambers  13 . Naturally multiple independent chambers could be provided using the same structure. The designs depicted are exemplary and the number of compartments  13 ,  113  and the arrangement and assortment of open  13  and closed  113  compartments can be varied as desired. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a case having a clamshell design and an alternative top latch structure  217 ,  223 . As shown, the lid latch portion  217  is a wedge shaped detent. The case body latch portion is a pivotally mounted latch  223  that has an over center snap action to bias the latch portion  223  into the engaged position when the latch portion  223  is moved being the over center position. The clamshell case design shown may be injection molded as single as a one piece case with a lid portion  210  and body portion  220  connected by a living hinge  225 , i.e., a thin flexible hinge made from the same more rigid body and lid portions injection molded as a single pieces. While  FIG. 9  is simplified to illustrate the living hinge, dividing walls  14  would be provided on one of the portions  210 ,  220  to separate the chamber into distinct compartments. Further, one or more extended dividing walls  114  could be provided to define separately sealed extended compartments  113  with lid  116  may be provided. The latching portion  223  could be formed integrally with a living hinge, but a separate latch portion is depicted. The latch portion  217  may be integrally formed or provided separately. The sealing surfaces  229  are defined clearly and the interior can be sealed with a seal  230  along the open edges without need for a closed shape sealing structure since the living hinge acts  225  as a reliable seal. 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of an integral pin lock construction that may be used in addition to or in lieu of the latching mechanisms described herein. The pin lock construction provided a pin that is biased into a locked position where a locking pin  277  extends from one case component  20  into an opening formed in the adjacent case component  10 . The pin lock construction shown in  FIG. 10  is integrally formed as a single piece with at least one of the case components  20 . The pin lock comprises the locking pin  277 , a release knob  270  and one or more elastic ligaments  273  that retain the locking pin  277  in a locking position as shown in  FIG. 10 . The locking pin  277  may be moved to an unlocked position by using the knob  270  to exert force on the elastic ligament(s) to stretch the ligaments(s) and displace the locking pin from the locked position. When the force is released, the ligaments and locking pin return to their static position, but if the case is opened it will remain open with the locking pin preventing closure unless the pin is retracted by stretching the ligaments. To achieve the locking function described in an integral construction, the construction includes a knob portion  270  having locking pin  277  extending therefrom through a hole in the case body portion  20  and beyond the inside surface of the case body portion (i.e., in a “locking position”). A plurality of elastic ligaments  273  are provided. The ligaments  273  are preferably equi-spaced from the locking pin  277  and extend from the knob  270  to the case body portion  20 . The ligaments are dimensioned (sufficiently thin) to provide elasticity sufficient to permit displacement of the locking pin  277  from the position shown to a release position where the locking pin is retracted from the locking hole in the adjacent case portion  10 . 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic section sectional view of a friction seal construction. The construction shown includes a friction seal  23 F (as opposed to a compression seal). When the friction seal  23 F is pressed against the sealing surfaces  29  on adjacent case opponents  10 ,  20  the forces acting on both side walls of the friction seal  23 F would create the seal, as opposed to the compressive forces on the top and bottom. In the view shown in  FIG. 11 , the friction seal acts on opposed parallel sealing surfaces and is spaced from the adjacent surfaces. 
       FIGS. 12A-15C  depict a substantially airtight enclosure for storing and preserving the freshness of elongated rod shaped product such as cigarettes, cigarette substitutes and the like. In this embodiment, a separate storage space is provided in the case to allow for storage of partially used product in a compartment  313  that is isolated by the case walls and an elastomeric cap  216  from the compartment storing fresh product. As shown best in  FIGS. 12B, 14 and 15A -C, this embodiment includes an elongated chamber provided at the bottom of the case  320 . The elongated chamber includes four elongated walls and a chamber bottom wall that define a rectangular tube,  313  integrally formed with the remainder of the case  320  such that one of the four elongated walls is an extension of the back wall of the case, the chamber bottom wall is an extension of one of the side walls  322 , another of the four elongated walls is the case bottom, and another one the four elongated walls is opposite the case bottom wall and serves as a pivot restriction wall to prevent the case lid portion from opening beyond a position that is about 90° from the closed position. The pivot restriction wall is braced by the other elongated walls and chamber bottom wall to resist deflection of the pivot restriction wall. In other embodiments, alternative shapes for the elongated separate storage space are used. For instance, a single cylindrical wall is used instead of four elongated walls to provide a cylindrical storage space. Likewise a partially cylindrical wall is combined with a flat wall to provide a partially cylindrical storage space Tabs or buttons are provided on the sidewalls of the case to assist opening a double latch structure of the type described previously. The user presses the tabs (buttons) on both sides of the case at the same time, and the pulls the top of the lid to open the case 
     The elongated rectangular tube chamber  313  formed by the four elongated walls and chamber bottom wall has an open end opposite the chamber bottom wall to provide an open end of the rectangular tube chamber. Product, including partially smoked product, can be inserted into the rectangular tube chamber for storage that is entirely isolated from the first (primary) airtight enclosure of the case. The embodiment further includes an elastomeric cap  316  for closing the open end of the rectangular tube chamber to provide a substantially airtight enclosure of the rectangular tube chamber. Thus, this embodiment includes a primary airtight enclosure and a secondary airtight enclosure that is isolated from the primary airtight enclosure. 
     Other embodiments include providing the secondary airtight enclosure by extending one of the five internal chambers, as shown in  FIG. 8 , and including a lid  116 , which may be elastomeric similar to elastomeric cap  216 , to provide the second airtight enclosure  113  within the main compartment. The second airtight enclosure could also be provided as a rectangular tube on the side of the case. 
     While the case shown is a “five pack” with five chambers, other sizes are possible such as a three pack or a solo (one) pack.  FIGS. 17A-B  depict a solo sized container. 
       FIGS. 16A-17B  depict case structure with an additional top “lip” structure  417  to aide users in pulling the lid open once they are squeezing the two tabs. The user presses tabs on both sides of the case at the same time, and then pulls the top lip  417  to release the lid and open the case. This structure is preferable to an arrangement with a upper locking tab that requires the user to squeeze side tabs and push a front locking tab IN to open. In the structure shown, the user need not push the top tab IN, but instead uses the finger tab  417  to add some leverage and a point of reference to open the lid once the sides are squeezed. 
     An embodiment of the elastomeric cap  316  is shown in  FIGS. 13-15C . The cap  316  is used to close the open end of the rectangular tube chamber  313  (or  113  in  FIG. 8 ). The cap  316  is formed of a material that is different, more elastomeric, than the case material. The elasticity and shape of the cap allow the cap to be compressed into the open end of the rectangular tube chamber to ensure a substantially airtight enclosure. When, as in this embodiment, the cap is formed of a different material than the case wall it is preferable to secure the elastomeric cap to the case. To this end, the elastomeric cap is provided with an elastomeric tail  316 t that extends from a corner of the cap. The elastomeric tail has an expanded end shaped such that the end can be compressed into an opening in the case as shown in  FIG. 15C , but not easily removed. The expanded end is in the form of a plug that has a shape that compresses into an opening and then expands to resist retraction from the opening. In other embodiments, the secondary chamber is provided along the top edge of the case and/or along a side edge of the case. 
     The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.