Patent Publication Number: US-2015075115-A1

Title: User Constructed Container with a Decorative or Advertising Exterior for Storing a Standard Cigarette Box

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to cigarette containers and in particular to a cigarette container, which may be assembled by a user, with a decorative or advertising exterior for storing a standard cigarette box. 
     RELATED ART 
     Cigarette smoking is a popular form of entertainment through out the world and is often done to relax or socialize with friends. Some individuals consume cigarettes everyday while others do so only occasionally, such as when out with friends or in clubs or lounges. In some instances, cigarettes are part of an individual&#39;s look or presentation and thus, consumed or possessed for appearances. 
     Cigarettes are typically sold in paper or cardboard containers which include an inner container and an outer container. The inner container is typically paper and foil or plastic lining which is configured to maintain freshness. The outer container is often a box made of paper, cardboard, or plastic.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary cigarette box  104 . As shown a cigarette box  104  includes one or more cigarettes  108  which are contained in an outer container  112 . An inner paper or foil bag  109  may help and keep the cigarettes fresh. The outer container includes a lid  120  which connects to a base  124 . 
     The outer surface of the outer container often contains the logo of the cigarette manufacturer that is printed by the manufacturer of the cigarette. This may include the brand and the logo of the cigarette manufacturer. Often, this is not an attractive design that appeals to consumers of cigarettes, who are trying to present an image or appearance. In some instances, the manufacturers logo and brand may simply be unattractive. A further drawback of traditional cigarette containers is that some brands, while less expensive, are known to be ‘cheap’ cigarettes and thus do not present a desirable image or appearance to the cigarette consumer. 
     Recently, government entities have legislated laws which require warning text or even graphic images on the cigarette containers. The warning text provides information to cigarette consumers regarding possible health effects from consuming cigarettes. Often, these warnings are printed in unappealing black and white text and often degrade the image of the outer container or may reduce the enjoyment of the consumer when consuming the cigarettes. In the case of graphic images, these are often unsightly and for some people, whether they consume cigarettes or not, are disturbing to view. For many cigarette consumers, who only consume cigarettes occasionally, these warnings and graphic images are irrelevant because such health concerns typically arise in heavy or habitual cigarette consumers. In other instances, many consumers do not even inhale the smoke into their lungs, but instead draw the smoke into their mouth for the taste and the appearance of smoking. Again, for these cigarette consumers the warnings and graphic images are less relevant. 
     A further drawback of existing cigarette containers is that these containers do not adequately protect the cigarette contained within the container from being crushed or bent. Often, containers are held in a consumer&#39;s pocket or purse and as a result are at risk of being crushed. Existing cigarette containers do not provide adequate structural support and protection for the cigarettes contained within the outer cigarette container. This drawback is made worse as cigarette manufacturers continue to reduce the cost of the cigarette container by making the cigarette container from thinner material to save costs. 
     To overcome these drawbacks and provide additional benefits, the following discloses a cigarette container, which may be assembled by a user, with a decorative or advertising exterior for storing a standard cigarette box. 
     SUMMARY 
     To overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and provide additional benefits, a container for storing a cigarette box and covering the exterior of the cigarette box is disclosed below. In one embodiment, the container comprises a front section, a back section opposing the front section, a bottom section, a top section opposing the bottom section and a first side section and a second side section, such that the first side section opposes the second side section. The front section, back section, bottom section, and top section are connected to form a container, the container being sized to accept a cigarette box. A hinge, formed from a portion of the back section, is provided that has a first end and a second end. A cut connects to the hinge, the cut extending from the first end of the hinge, a first side, across the front, and across the second side to the second end of the hinge. On the exterior of the container, one or more pictures, graphics, or text are printed on the external side the front section, back section, first side section or second side section. 
     In one embodiment, the container is made from one or more of the following materials: paper, cardboard, plastic. The pictures, graphics or text may be advertising for a business other than the maker of the cigarette box. In one configuration, the container has a height dimension, width dimension, and a depth dimension and the height, width and depth is generally ⅛ of an inch greater than the corresponding dimensions of the cigarette box that is accepted inside the container. The hinge and cut correspond generally in location to an opening of the cigarette box. 
     In another embodiment, a container for storing a cigarette box to thereby protect and cover the cigarette box is disclosed. In this embodiment, the container comprises an opposing front section and back side section, an opposing first side section and second side section, and an opposing top section and bottom section. One or more flaps extend from the first side section, the second side section, top section, the bottom section, such that the front section, back side section, first side section, second side section, top section, bottom section, and one or more flaps connect to form a container having an enclosed inner area. The container also includes a cut extending across the first side section from the back section in a non-perpendicular direction relative to the back section, then across the front section in a direction perpendicular to the side section, and then across the second side section to the back section in a non-perpendicular direction relative to the back section. A hinge is provided and formed by bending a portion of the back section wherein the hinge and the cut operate to form a lid which rotates about the hinge to provide access to the inner area of the container such that the inner area of the container is sized to be between 1/32 of an inch and ¼ of an inch larger in size than a cigarette box. One or more advertisements are printed on an outer surface of one or more of the front section, back section, first side section, and second side section. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more advertisements are for a product or service which is provided by a company other than a manufacture of cigarettes in the cigarette box. The cigarette box may have a first and second side sections which are generally 3.5 inches by 0.875 inches, a front section and a back section which are generally 3.5 inches by 2.125 inches, and a top section and a bottom section which are generally 2.125 inches by 0.875 inches. In one embodiment, the cigarette box has a height between 3 inches and 4 inches, a width between 1.75 inches and 2.375 inches, and a depth between 0.75 inches and 1.25 inches. In one configuration, the lid is configured, when opened, to also open a cigarette box when a cigarette box is within the container. The container may further include a seal at the cut to reduce air flow from outside the container to inside the container. In one embodiment a seal is also located at the top and the bottom of the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of a prior art cigarette box. 
         FIG. 2  is top plan view of a user assemblable cigarette container for storing a standard cigarette box. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cigarette container in a partially assembled state. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the cigarette container in a partially assembled state with a bottom end completed. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cigarette container in a partially assembled state with a top end and bottom end completed. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the cigarette container in a assembled state with a hinged top partially open. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the container with a cigarette box in the container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     To overcome these drawbacks and provide additional benefits, the following discloses a cigarette container, which may be assembled by a user, with a decorative or advertising exterior for storing a standard cigarette box. The user assemblable cigarette container disclosed herein provides a user assemblable container that is larger than a standard cigarette box thereby allowing a standard cigarette box to fit inside of the assembled cigarette container. When a standard cigarette box is placed inside the assembled container, the cigarette container covers the standard cigarette box thereby hiding the unsightly branding, warnings or graphic images that may be on the exterior of the standard cigarette box. In addition, the assembled container provides additional structural support for the standard cigarette box to prevent crushing or damage to the cigarettes contained therein. 
     The container as described herein may be made using any type material. These materials include cardboard, plastic, organic biodegradable material such as those made from renewable material include corn or recycled material. The container if preassembled, could also be assembled from a longer lasting material such as wood or metal, or any type sheeting. Although shown below as folding together, the assembly could also include any fastening material such as tape, glue, Velcro, or any other attachment means. 
       FIG. 2  is top plan view of a user assemblable cigarette container for storing a standard cigarette box. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the user assemblable cigarette container  200  (hereinafter container) includes a bottom  204  and a top  208 . Between and connecting the bottom  204  to the top  208  is a middle section that includes two sides  244  (only one of which is shown) and a front  240  and back (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) which is generally similar in size to the front. The sides  244 , front  240  and back connect as shown in  FIG. 2  when the container  200  is in the flat position. 
     At the bottom  204  are two bottom side flaps  220  and a bottom flap  224  that includes a bottom section  252  and a bottom securing flap  256 . These bottom flaps and bottom sections are configured to close to establish a closed and secure bottom  204  as discussed and shown below. 
     A similar arrangement is presented at the top  208  including two top side flaps  230  extending from both opposing sides  244 . A top section  234  includes a securing flap as shown. 
     The sides  244 , top  234 , back (not shown), which opposes the front  240 , and the bottom  252  have an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface faces the inside of the container  200  when assembled. The outer surface faces outward from the container when assembled and is thus visible to the user and other individuals when in use. The outer surfaces may include one or more designs, artwork, text numbers, advertising, bar codes, box codes, branding, images, three dimensional artwork, or any other type design, pattern or text. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the container  200  is flat to facilitate shipping and storage. The container  200  may be assembled as shown below. To facilitate assembly one or more creases, pressed seams, or fold lines  260  are established in the container  200  to ease and lead the user in folding the flat container as shown in  FIG. 2  into a 3 dimensional container capable of accepting a standard cigarette box. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cigarette container in a partially assembled state. As compared to  FIG. 2 , identical reference numbers are used to identify identical elements. To avoid repetition, elements that have been previously discussed are not discussed again in  FIG. 3 . In this state of assembly, the middle area of the container  200  is open to form a rectangular tube. An open passage  304  is thereby established through the middle section of the container  200 . 
     In this partially assembled state, the front section  240  forms or is in a plane that is generally parallel to the back section, which is not shown but is generally below the front section. The front section  240  and the bottom section are separated by a distance that is defined by the height of the side section  240 . Likewise, the first side section  244  is opposite a second side section (not visible) and in this partially assembled state forms or is in a plane that is generally parallel to the second side section (not visible). The first side section  244  and the second side section are separated by a distance defined by a width of the front section  240 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the cigarette container in a partially assembled state with a bottom end completed. As compared to  FIG. 3 , identical reference numbers are used to identify identical elements. To avoid repetition, elements that have been previously discussed are not discussed again in  FIG. 4 . As shown in this state of assembly, the bottom end  204  is assembled by bending each bottom flap  220  inward toward the opposing bottom flap to establish each bottom flap in a common plane and generally perpendicular to the side  244  (not visible),  246  from which it extends. After the bottom side flaps  220  are folded inward, the bottom section  252  may be folded inward and over the bottom side flaps  220  to thereby be in the same general plane as the bottom side flaps and generally perpendicular to the sides  244 ,  246  and front section  240  and back section. The extended flap  256  attached to the bottom section  252  folds inside the container to be in the same general plane as the front section  240  and perpendicular to the side sections  244  and the bottom section  252 . 
     When assembled as shown in  FIG. 5 , the container  200  and bottom  204  form a container with a generally rectangular cross section. The top  208  is still unassembled. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cigarette container in a partially assembled state with a top end and bottom end completed. 
     As compared to prior figures, identical reference numbers are used to identify identical elements. To avoid repetition, elements that have been previously discussed are not discussed again in  FIG. 5 . As shown in this state of assembly, the top end  204  is assembled by bending each top flap  230  inward toward the opposing top flap to establish each top flap in a common plane and generally perpendicular to the sides  246 ,  244  (not visible) from which it extends. After the top side flaps  230  are folded inward, the top section  236  may be folded inward and over the top side flaps  230  to thereby be in the same general plane as the top side flaps  230  and generally perpendicular to the sides  244 ,  246  and front section  240  and back section. The extended top flap attached to the top section  236  folds inside the container  200  to be in the same general plane as the front section  240  and perpendicular to the side sections  244 ,  246  and the top section  236 . 
     When assembled as shown in  FIG. 5 , the container  200  is formed with a completed bottom  204  and top  208  form a container with a generally rectangular cross section. The container  200  has opposing sides  244 ,  246  which are parallel, and an opposing front  240  and back  242  which are parallel. The opposing sides  244 ,  246  are generally perpendicular to the opposing front  240  and back  242 . The top  208  and bottom  204  are both assembled to have the top section  234  and bottom section  252  opposing and generally parallel. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the cigarette container in an assembled state with a hinged top partially open. As compared to prior figures, identical reference numbers are used to identify identical elements. To avoid repetition, elements that have been previously discussed are not discussed again in  FIG. 5 . As shown in this state of assembly, hinge  608 , near the top  208 , is formed as part of the back  242 . The hinge  608  operates in conjunction with a cut  604  (as shown) along the front  240  and sides  244 ,  246  to allow a top  208  to rotate upward around the hinge. The top  208  may then rotate around the hinge  608  into a closed position or an open position. The closed position is shown in  FIG. 5 . A partially open position is shown in  FIG. 6  to expose and allow access to an inner area  612  of the container  200 . 
     The inner area  612  of the container  200  is accessible by opening the hinged top  208 . A standard cigarette box may be placed in the container in the inner area  612 . The hinged top  208  may then be closed over the top of the standard cigarette box to enclose and contain the standard cigarette box. The size of the container  200  may be adjusted during manufacture to accept standard cigarette box, which may also vary based on brand or type of cigarette. Cigarettes are manufactured in different sizes, such as long, slims, or shorts, and the standard cigarette box may vary accordingly. 
     In one embodiment, a traditional box of cigarettes measures 8.5 centimeters high, 5 centimeters wide and 2 centimeters deep. However, there are special versions, some of which are slightly smaller than these dimensions, while others are marginally bigger. Hence the size of the cigarette box may vary slightly. In one embodiment, the size of the cigarette box is about 3.5 inches high, 2 and ⅛ inches wide, and ⅞ inches thick. In one embodiment the size of the cigarette box is about 3.5 inches high, 2 and ⅛ inches wide, and ⅞ inches thick. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the container  200  with a cigarette box  104  in the container. As shown, the cigarette box  104  fits inside the inner area  612  of the container  200 . To place the cigarette box in the container  200 , the lid  208  of the container is opened to provide access to the inner area  612  of the container. The cigarette box  104  slides downward into the container  200 . The lid  208  of the container  200  is rotated downward about the container&#39;s hinge  608  to cover the cigarette box. Then when the lid  208  of the container  200  is rotated open, it also catches the top of the cigarette box  104 . Thus, opening the lid  208  of the container also opens the top of the cigarette box  104  to thereby expose and provide access to the cigarettes. Closing the container lid  208  also closes cigarette box  104  top. This arrangement hides the unsightly cigarette box  104  and provides additional support to protect the cigarettes contained therein. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.