Patent Grant
9259033
Cigarettes have been used for many years in various shapes and sizes. Most cigarettes are discarded upon finishing, however sometimes the smoking session can be cut short wasting a useable portion of the cigarette. The present invention teaches a cigarette snuffing, cutting and storage system for extending the life of a cigarette through multiple smoking events.
The present invention features a cigarette snuffing, cutting and storage system for extending the life of a cigarette through multiple smoking events. In some embodiments, the system comprises a generally cylindrical storage receptacle having a storage tube with a storage lid. In some embodiments, the storage lid is pivotally connected to a storage tube top. In some embodiments, the storage lid pivots and rotates about an axis. In some embodiments, the axis is located on and in line with a storage tube side wall.
In some embodiments, a storage lid bottom comprises an annular cutting blade for severing a cigarette located inside. In some embodiments, the annular cutting blade comprises a cutting edge located on an interior edge. In some embodiments, the cutting blade comprises a shape of a circle. In some embodiments, for operation, a cigarette is inserted into the storage receptacle from a storage tube bottom. In some embodiments, the cigarette extends through a storage component cavity and into a storage lid cavity. In some embodiments, upon rotation of the storage lid, an end is removed from the cigarette using the cutting blade, preparing it for use.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.
Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular-element referred to herein:
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the storage tube (300) comprises a storage tube top (310) having a storage tube top aperture (320) located thereon, a storage tube bottom (330) having a storage tube bottom aperture (340) located thereon, a storage tube side wall (350), and a storage tube cavity (360) located therein fluidly connected to the storage tube top aperture (320) and the storage tube bottom aperture (340).
In some embodiments, the storage lid (400) comprises a storage lid top (410), a storage lid bottom (420) having a storage lid bottom aperture (430) located thereon, and a storage lid cavity (440) fluidly connected to the storage lid bottom aperture (430). In some embodiments, the storage lid bottom (420) is pivotally connected to and faces the storage tube top (310) via a hinge (610). In some embodiments, the storage lid (400) pivots and rotates about an axis, Axis A (500). In some embodiments, Axis A (500) is located on and in line with the storage tube side wall (350).
In some embodiments, the storage lid bottom (420) comprises an annular cutting blade located thereon for severing a cigarette (110) located therein. In some embodiments, the annular cutting blade (450) comprises a cutting blade cutting edge (460) located on an annular cutting blade interior edge (470). In some embodiments, the cutting blade (450) comprises a shape of a circle.
In some embodiments, for operation, a cigarette (110) is inserted into the storage receptacle (200) via the storage tube bottom (330) for snuffing and storing. In some embodiments, the cigarette (110) extends through the storage tube cavity (360) and into the storage lid cavity (440).
In some embodiments, upon rotation of the storage lid (400), an end is removed from the cigarette (110) via the cutting blade (450) preparing it for use. In some embodiments, a cigarette snuffing, cutting and storage system (100) is for extending the life of a cigarette (110) through multiple smoking events.
In some embodiments, the cutting blade (450) is removable and replaceable.
In some embodiments, a compressing member (600) is located in the storage tube side wall (350) for holding a cigarette (110) in place. In some embodiments, the compressing member (600) resembles a spring loaded pin that clamps the cigarette (110) into place.
As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the device is about 10 inches in length includes a device that is between 9 and 11 inches in length.
The disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. D 522,689; U.S. Pat. No. 7,409,955; U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,177; U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,280; U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,157; U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,826.
Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.
The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2120027 | Johnson | Jun 1938 | A |
| 2371445 | Irvin | Mar 1945 | A |
| 2715961 | Field | Aug 1955 | A |
| RE29001 | Foote | Oct 1976 | E |
| 4907604 | Beloff | Mar 1990 | A |
| 5345953 | Taylor | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5377826 | Ayres et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
| 5385157 | Smith et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
| 5862809 | Nicotra | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5947280 | Jimenez | Sep 1999 | A |
| 6161550 | Kontos | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6386204 | Kontos | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6431177 | Sieggen et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| D468860 | Franzblau | Jan 2003 | S |
| D469571 | Franzblau | Jan 2003 | S |
| D469572 | Franzblau | Jan 2003 | S |
| 6705326 | Rosler | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| D522689 | Bores et al. | Jun 2006 | S |
| 7409955 | Mauldin et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
| 20030172943 | Connolly | Sep 2003 | A1 |
| 20060185683 | Rigert | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20120111745 | Stephenson | May 2012 | A1 |
