The invention set forth in the appended claims relates generally to a disposable receptacle for ash, residue, and other waste formed from burning cigars, cigarettes, and similar products.
New and useful apparatuses for receiving ash, residue, and other waste from smoking products are set forth in the appended claims. Illustrative embodiments are also provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter.
For example, some embodiments of an apparatus may comprise a base panel, a plurality of side panels, and a hole in each of the side panels. The base panel may have one or more tab slots, and each of the side panels may have one or more tabs. In some examples, each of the side panels may comprise a bottom section extending from the base panel and a top section coupled to the bottom section. The apparatus may additionally comprise a base fold line between the base panel and each of the bottom sections and a side fold line in each of the side panels between the bottom section and the top section. Each of the holes in the side panels may be aligned with the side fold line in the side panel. Each of the bottom sections may be configured to be folded at a substantially right angle along the base fold line, and each of the top sections may be configured to be folded at a substantially straight angle along the side fold line to allow each tab to be inserted into one of the tab slots in the base panel. Additionally, or alternatively, the hole in each of the side panels may be symmetrical and may form a notch or groove if the top section is folded along the side fold line. The base panel and the side panels may comprise or consist essentially of a material that is resistant to fire, such as an aluminum foil board or aluminum foil paper.
In more particular example embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise one or more corner panels, wherein each of the corner panels may extend from one of the side panels.
In other examples, an apparatus may comprise a base panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel. The base panel may comprise a first tab slot, a second tab slot, a third tab slot, and a fourth tab slot. The first side panel may have a first side fold line, a first hole aligned with the first side fold line, and a first tab. The second side panel may have a second side fold line, a second hole aligned with the second side fold line, and a second tab. The third side panel may have a third side fold line, a third hole aligned with the third side fold line, and a third tab. The fourth side panel may have a fourth side fold line, a fourth hole aligned with the fourth side fold line, and a fourth tab. The first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, and the fourth side panel may extend from the base panel at a base fold line formed around the base panel. The first side panel and the third side panel may extend from opposite sides of the base panel, and the second side panel and the fourth side panel may extend from opposite sides of the base panel. The first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, and the fourth side panel may be folded at substantially right angles along the base fold line. The first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, and the fourth side panel may be folded at substantially straight angles along the first side fold line, the second side fold line, the third side fold line, and the fourth side fold line, respectively, so that the first tab, the second tab, the third tab, and the fourth tab may be inserted into the first tab slot, the second tab slot, the third tab slot, and the fourth tab slot, respectively. The first hole, the second hole, the third hole, and the fourth hole may be configured to form a notch or groove in the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, and the fourth side panel, respectively, if the first side panel, the second side panel, the third side panel, and the fourth side panels are folded at substantially straight angles. The base panel and the side panels may comprise or consist essentially of a material that is resistant to fire, such as an aluminum foil board or aluminum foil paper.
In yet other examples, a method for assembling a receptacle for ash may comprise providing a folder box that comprises a base panel tab slots, and a plurality of side panels, each of the side panels comprising a bottom section joined to the base panel at a base fold line, a top section coupled to the bottom section and having a tab, a side fold line between the bottom section and the top section, and a hole aligned with the side fold line. Each bottom section may be folded at a substantially right angle along the base fold line so that each bottom section is substantially orthogonal to the base panel. Each top section may be folded at a substantially straight angle along the side fold line, and the tab of each top section may be inserted into one of the tab slots in the base panel.
Features, elements, and aspects described in the context of some embodiments may also be omitted, combined, or replaced by alternative features. Other features, objectives, advantages, and a preferred mode of making and using the claimed subject matter are described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of illustrative embodiments.
The accompanying drawings illustrate some objectives, advantages, and a preferred mode of making and using some embodiments of the claimed subject matter. Like reference numbers represent like parts in the examples.
The following description of example embodiments provides information that enables a person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter set forth in the appended claims, but it may omit certain details already well known in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, to be taken as illustrative and not limiting.
Some embodiments of the apparatus 100 may additionally comprise corner panels 135. Each of the corner panels 135 may be coupled to and extend from one of the side panels. For example, two of the corner panels 135 may extend from opposite ends of the first side panel 110, and two more of the corner panels 135 may extend from opposite ends of the third side panel 120, as illustrated in
Each of the side panels of
Additionally, or alternatively, the base panel 105 may comprise one or more tab slots 165. In some examples, the tab slots 165 may coincide with the base fold line 130. Each of the top sections 145 may also have one or more tabs 170 adapted to be inserted into the tab slots 165. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may also comprise supports 175. As illustrated in the folder box configuration of
Optionally, one or more of the base fold lines 130, the side fold lines 150, and the corner fold lines 155 may be scored, creased, or otherwise marked to facilitate folding the side panels, the corner panels, or both.
Configured as illustrated in the example of
The apparatus 100 may be formed from a variety of flexible materials. For example, some embodiments of the apparatus may be formed from paper, corrugated cardboard, or similar materials, which may be treated to be fire resistant and heat resistant. In some examples, the apparatus may comprise or consist essentially of some combination of such materials. Aluminum foil board or aluminum foil paper may be particularly advantageous for providing flexibility and flame resistance.
The systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein may provide significant advantages. For example, the apparatus 100 can provide a portable receptacle that is easy to assemble and cost-effective enough to be disposable after a single use. The apparatus may be used for cigars, cigarettes, and other cylindrical or similarly shaped products designed for burning or smoking. Additionally, or alternatively, some embodiments may be biodegradable or recyclable.
While shown in a few illustrative embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein are susceptible to various changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, descriptions of various alternatives using terms such as “or” do not require mutual exclusivity unless clearly required by the context, and the indefinite articles “a” or “an” do not limit the subject to a single instance unless clearly required by the context.
The claims may also encompass additional subject matter not specifically recited in detail. For example, certain features, elements, or aspects may be omitted from the claims if not necessary to distinguish the novel and inventive features from what is already known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Features, elements, and aspects described in the context of some embodiments may also be omitted, combined, or replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63265427 | Dec 2021 | US |