MULTIFUNCTIONAL CIGARETTE CASE

Abstract

The present invention provides a multifunctional cigarette case comprising a case body having at least two compartments and a waterproof seal to prevent water from entering any one of the compartments. The invention also provides for at least one compartment to be versatile and interchangeable in that it provides a location space for additional modularly addable sub-compartments for holding items of preference which, depending on a user's inclination, are selectively mountable or securable to said compartment. The cigarette case may include compartments or trays that are hingedly connected together such that the seal is formed there between by establishing an interference fit or joint between a water-proof silicone layer provided on a first peripheral edge of a selected compartment or tray and a waterproof elastic structural member on a second peripheral edge of an adjoining compartment or tray.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a requisites for smokers. Essentially, the invention extends to a multifunctional modularly interchangeable cigarette case.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A variety of cigarette cases are known and utilised on a daily basis by smokers.

Chinese utility model number discloses a cigarette case that is environmentally friendly. The cigarette case comprises a cigarette case body, wherein an ash box is arranged in the chamber of the cigarette case body and is provided with a box cover integrally connected with the ash box; and a spacing board is arranged in the chamber of the cigarette case box, and the ash box is arranged on the outer side of the spacing board. According to the utility model, the cigarette case and the ash box are in an integrated structure, so that the purpose of providing an ash box is achieved, so that pollution is avoided.

Chinese utility model CN202429538 (U) discloses a side-opening automatic cigarette-popping case. The side-opening type automatic cigarette-popping case is composed of a side-opening inner case and an outer case. A side cover is arranged at an opening of the inner case. The side-opening type automatic cigarette-popping cigarette case is characterized in that: the outer case also comprises a push sheet; a slideway is horizontally arranged on the outer case; the push sheet is embedded in the slideway by a sliding member at the back; the inner side of the sliding member is connected with the inner case; a folding jacking sheet is arranged on the sliding member; the underneath of the folding jacking sheet is fixed on the underside of the outer case; a cigarette popping member is arranged between the inner case and the outer case; an embedded sheet with a groove is embedded below the inner case and the outer case; the embedded sheet is pasted with the inner wall of the outer case; the cigarette popping member comprises limit clamping sheets and an elastic sheet; one end of the limit clamping sheets is connected with the underside of the outer case by the elastic sheet and the other end of the limit clamping sheets is embedded in a limit slot of the inner case; and a limit block is arranged at the inner side of the side cover. The side-opening type automatic cigarette-popping cigarette case has a novel structure. With the adoption of the side-opening type automatic cigarette-popping cigarette case, a cigarette can be automatically popped with one hand operation, cigarette popping is convenient, a case body is beautiful, the structure of the case body cannot be damaged after opening, and the side-opening type automatic cigarette-popping cigarette case can be used for loading other objects for recycling. Chinese utility model number CN202311175 (U) discloses an electronic cigarette lighter and a cigarette case equipped with the same. The electronic cigarette lighter comprises a housing and a cigarette lighting switch, wherein an ignition hole is formed on the housing; a circuit board is arranged in the housing; an ignition ceramic cup is arranged on the circuit board, and an electric heating wire is arranged on the ignition ceramic cup and corresponds to the ignition hole; a through hole is formed on the ignition ceramic cup on the circuit board and in the position corresponding to the electric heating wire, and a heat insulation part is arranged in the through hole; a baffle board is arranged on the housing and corresponds to the heat insulation part; and the electronic cigarette lighter is arranged in the cigarette case. The heat insulation part of the electronic cigarette lighter can be taken out for cleaning so as to prevent the accumulation of debris from influencing the cigarette lighting performance; moreover, the utility model provides a cigarette case which can hold both cigarette lights and cigarettes at the same time.

Chinese utility model CN202407075 (U) discloses a multifunctional cigarette case. The inside of a casing of the cigarette case is divided into a tobacco bin (4), a lighter bin (7) and a soot bin (5). One side of a rotating shaft (2) is fixed on a cigarette case cover (1), the other side of the rotating shaft (2) is hinged to the tobacco bin (4), an opening is arranged at the top end of the lighter bin (7) and located on the same side of the tobacco bin (4), and the soot bin (5) is located at the bottom of the casing and provided with a movable soot bin cover (8). The multifunctional cigarette case is convenient to carry and favourable for collection of soot and butts and can be repeatedly used and be recycled.

Chinese utility model CN202499410 discloses an environmental protection cigarette case which comprises an outer case and at least two drawer-shaped inner cases. The outer case is divided into at least two containing chambers through separation plates, each containing chamber comprises a containing chamber lateral wall and a containing chamber bottom wall installed at one end of the containing chamber lateral wall, and the other end of the containing chamber lateral wall is an opening. The drawer-shaped inner cases are arranged in the containing chambers through the opening, and inner case bottom walls of the drawer-shaped inner cases and the containing chamber bottom wall are oppositely arranged. In addition, adsorption pieces and adsorbed pieces are fixedly arranged on the inner case bottom walls and the containing chamber bottom wall respectively, and/or the adsorbed pieces and the adsorption pieces are fixedly arranged on the inner case bottom walls and the containing chamber bottom wall respectively. The environmental protection cigarette case has the basic function of cigarette placing and increases the drawer-shaped inner cases special for placing cigarette ends further, furthermore, the drawer-shaped inner cases are connected with the outer case through a magnetic adsorption mode, so that inconvenience to users due to the fact that the drawer-shaped inner cases are divorced from the outer case is avoided. U.S. Pat. No. 8,307,834 (B1) discloses a cigarette case smoking cessation device only allows lid opening and therefore cigarette access at times set by the adjustable timer. The device thereby allows a smoker to predetermine cigarette access in designing a period for weaning off of cigarettes, of just reducing smoking itself. The device provides automatic unlocking at the set intervals, thereby allowing lid opening. The device provides both audio and vibratory alert of cigarette access. The device provides a gasket between case and lid so that cigarettes stay fresh. The charge port is an important feature in assuring battery charge and therefore long-life operation between charges. The thin walled device is compact and only slightly larger than a cigarette pack itself.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a multifunctional cigarette case of the type described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In broad terms, this invention provides a multifunctional cigarette case comprising a case body having at least two compartments and a waterproof seal to prevent water from entering any one of the compartments.

The invention also provides for at least one compartment to be versatile and interchangeable in that it provides location space for additional modularly addable sub-compartments for holding items of preference which, depending on a user's inclination, are selectively mountable or securable to said compartment.

The cigarette case may include compartments or trays that are hingedly connected together such that the seal is formed there between by establishing an interference fit or joint between a waterproof silicone layer provided on a first peripheral edge of a selected compartment or tray and a waterproof elastic structural member on a second peripheral edge of an adjoining compartment or tray.

A further feature of the invention provides for the multifunctional cigarette case to include magnetised compartments or trays thereby to permit selective positioning of a positive pole, on one compartment or tray, in proximity to a negative pole on an adjacent compartment or tray.

A further feature of the invention provides for the multifunctional cigarette case to include a light.

There is further provided for the cigarette case to include at least one lighter, preferably, for the cigarette case to include a gas lighter as well as an electronic lighter.

A yet further feature of the invention provides for the cigarette case to include a clock and for the clock to be visible from the outside of the cigarette case.

As still further feature of the cigarette case provides for one compartment or tray to include a filter extension holder.

The filter extension holder may be hingeable inside its compartment in which it is located and may include filter extensions.

There is also provided for cigarettes to be securely held in storage inside the cigarette case. Hingeable retaining means are provided to securely hold the cigarettes in position.

The cigarette case may include a bank or access card receiving recess which my further include a thumb recess to facilitate ease of removal of a bank or access card from the recess.

One of the compartments of the cigarette case may form the ash tray which has at least one cigarette receiving recess and one cigarette extinguisher hole. The ashtray may include a cover plate that is hingedly connected thereto.

Still further, there is provided for the lighters to be stored underneath water proof covers within the multifunctional cigarette case.

The multifunctional cigarette case may also include a wallet section for receipt of credit cards, notes and even small change.

These and other features are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a multifunctional cigarette case in a closed position from one side;

FIG. 2 shows the multifunctional cigarette case of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the multifunctional cigarette case in an open position, from a second side.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the multifunctional cigarette case with compartments hinged so that cigarette holding compartments face upward from the partially opened multifunctional cigarette case;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a compartment hinged away from the cigarette case to show a filter extension holder as well as a credit card receiving recess;

FIG. 6 shows an ashtray compartment hinged away from the multifunctional cigarette case with a cover of the ashtray compartment in an open position;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a multifunctional cigarette case;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a multifunctional cigarette case FIG. 1 in an open position from one side;

FIG. 9 shows a left side prospective view of the multifunctional cigarette case of FIG. 8 in an open position from a second side; and

FIG. 10 shows a front side perspective view of the multifunctional cigarette case of FIGS. 7 to 9 with the cigarette case in an open position.

FIGS. 11 to 15 show a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings, in which like features are indicated by like numerals, a multifunctional cigarette case in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 1.

The cigarette case 1 consist of a number of compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9 hingedly attached together to form the multifunctional cigarette case 1. The compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9 are typically manufactured from a material being impervious to water. It is also envisaged that same may be manufactured from a plastics material, ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.

Although only shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 7, the compartments or trays are hingeable to a closed position so that a waterproof seal 24 prevents the ingress of water into the respective compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9 of case 1. The seal 24 is typically formed by establishing an interference fit between a waterproof silicone layer provided on a first peripheral edge of a selected compartment or tray 6, 7, 8 and 9 and a waterproof elastic structural member on a second peripheral edge of an adjoining compartment or tray 6, 7, 8 and 9. Accordingly, the application of suitable pressure on two adjoining compartments, as they are urged into the closed position, ensures that the watertight interference fit is created. It is envisaged that interference fit be even be established by utilizing a watertight tongue-and-groove arrangement.

Importantly, one or more of the compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9 are versatile in that it provides location space for additional modularly addable sub-compartments for holding items of preference which, depending on a user's inclination, are selectively mountable or securable to the compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9. The above described versatility of the compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the multifunctional cigarette case 1 permits the case 1 to be interchangeable so that a user, may customise and assemble his or her own cigarette case into a desired configuration. In an embodiment of the invention at least one of the compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9 is magnetised such that each compartment or tray comprises a positive end and a negative end opposite thereto. It will be appreciated that by selective positioning of a positive end of one compartment or tray, in proximity to a negative end of an adjacent compartment or tray, connection is established between two compartments or trays. Any number of compartments or trays may accordingly be connected to one another in this way.

Items of preference, locatable within multifunctional cigarette case 1, typically includes any survival tools medical aid kit, multi-tool, knife or even cell phone and charger kit or a stationary kit. It is envisaged that the items of preference may further be selected from the group consisting of an electronic key finder kit or pedicure kit securely in storage inside the multifunctional cigarette case 1. The selection of such items is dependent on the liking of the user and as such the case 1 is fully versatile and interchangeable. It may even be enlarged by addition of sub-compartments or made smaller by detaching some undesired compartments.

In order to achieve the above described versatility, the one or more of the compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9 may include first connection means for establishing connection between compartments or trays 6, 7, 8 and 9 and one or more additional modularly addable sub-compartments, which sub-compartments are provided with complementary shaped second connection means. Such connection means may be of the slide-in, clip-in or press-together type.

In the instance that a specific toolkit forms part of the multifunctional cigarette case 1, the case 1 includes a receiving formation in the one or more trays or compartments to operatively receive and hold a multi-tool and/or stationary kit and/or survival kit and/or electronic key finder kit and/or pedicure kit securely in storage inside the multifunctional cigarette case. Although not shown herein, it is envisaged that such receiving formation could be formed from suitable padding such as plastics or a cellulosic fabric. Tray 9 includes a cigarette filter extension holder 10 in which cigarette filters 11 are stored. The holder 10 occupies only about a third of the tray and is hingable to an open position to facilitate removal of the filter extensions 11 therefrom. The tray is shown in its open position in FIG. 5. The cigarette extensions include outer sleeves of filter cover material and include a filter made of the normal filter material. The outer sleeve is however longer than the filter material located therein so that a tube section of the sleeve that does not contain filter material may be slid over the filter of a cigarette thus extending the filter of a cigarette.

Cigarette case 1 includes lighter covers 3 and 4 which are waterproof covers and cover lighters that form part of the cigarette case 1. The lighters 22 and 23 could be gas lighters or at least one of them could be an electronic lighter.

In the embodiment of the cigarette case of FIGS. 1 to 7, tray 8 may include a credit card receiving recess for receiving cards such as credit cards 12 or any other card as is known in the trade. This tray may include a thumb recess to facilitate ease of removal of a credit card form the recess.

A further tray may include a credit card holder slot 14 and a window section for storing items such as a driver's license or the like. The display window may include a transparent cover 15.

FIG. 4 shows the compartments hinged such that trays 7 and 8 face outwards and upwards thus exposing cigarettes 13 located therein. Cigarette retainer formations 16 are hingable in these trays to ensure that the cigarettes are held in place when they are in storage.

The ashtray compartment 6 on the ashtray 1 includes a tray section 18 and a hingable cover plate 19. It furthermore includes cigarette recesses 20 and a cigarette extinguishing hole 21 on a solid plate located partly over the ashtray section 18.

FIGS. 7 to 10 show a second embodiment of the cigarette case. This clearly shows that there are many embodiments possible without departing form the scope of the invention.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 10, the cigarette case includes one lighter and one lid 27 for such lighter. The lid 27 is integral with lid 26 for a cigarette holder compartment. In other words, if the lid 27 is open the cigarette compartment is also opened at the same time so that a cigarette can be taken and lit before closing the integral lids 26 and 27.

In use, the cigarette case would be convenient to use by a smoker in that it has added functions as described above. The cigarette case may is also more environmentally friendly than normal or other cigarette cases in that used buds can be stored in the ashtray or underneath the plate in which the cigarette receiving recessed 20 occurs. The cigarette case also provides a smoker with a healthier option in that the special cigarette filter extensions are readily at hand. The smoker may also store its credit card or other cards as well as money in the cigarette case. There is less chance of running out of a working lighter as two lighters will be combined as is the case and is shown in the embodiment of the cigarette case of FIGS. 1 to 6. Another important feature is that the case has a waterproof seal between compartments so that cigarette case may be conveniently be used in environments where it could get wet such as on boats and the like.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the compartments and trays described above are located in two main outer trays that have a waterproof seal.

A cellular phone and charger kit, multi-tool, stationary kit, survival kit, medical aid kit, electronic key finder kit or pedicure kit, each having mounting means such as, for example, clip-in mechanisms (not shown) to permit selective and interchangeable mounting thereof relative to the multifunctional cigarette case 1 is believed to also fall within the ambit of the current invention. Similarly, the multifunctional cigarette case 1 is believed to also include a suitably formed receiving formation (not shown) to receive and hold the above items flush with case 1.

Accordingly, this invention has the advantage of providing a multifunctional cigarette case 1 that is capable of being used as a priority item holder for holding items used on a daily basis by individuals.

The multifunctional cigarette case 1 is thus an all-in-one personal accessory pocket size carrying or traveling case with the added benefit of being modularly constructed such that the user can easily attach or detach compartments for locating a variety of popular items and combinations usually needed and carried by a person on a daily basis, therein without having to fear that any of such items would get wet.

Easily customisable combinations of the multifunctional cigarette case 1 are accordingly possible and the user is at liberty to customise each case 1 to fit his or her individual needs. All customised combinations of the multifunctional cigarette case 1 and the kits, tools or gadgets therein can be held in a durable, neat, secure and aesthetically pleasing protective caring case and are believed to also fall within the scope of the current invention.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein. Many embodiments of the invention are possible without departing the scope of the invention.

The monopoly for which protection is claimed is defined in the appended set of claims.

Claims

1. A multifunctional cigarette case comprising an interchangeable case body having at least two compartments and a waterproof seal to prevent water from entering any one of the compartments.

2. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least two compartments, comprising first connection means complementary to and operable to function with second connection means provided on one or more modularly addable sub-compartments, is/are versatile in that it provides location space for the one or more additional modularly addable sub-compartments for holding items of preference which, depending on a user's inclination, are selectively locatable in, mountable to or securable to said compartment.

3. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 2, including compartments or trays that are hingedly connected together such that the seal is formed there between by establishing an interference fit or joint between a waterproof silicone layer provided on a first peripheral edge of a selected compartment or tray and a waterproof elastic structural member on a second peripheral edge of an adjoining compartment or tray.

4. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 3, wherein the interference fit is established by utilizing a watertight tongue-and-groove arrangement.

5. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 3, wherein any one of the at least two compartments or trays are magnetised thereby to permit selective positioning of a positive pole, provided for one compartment or tray, in proximity to a negative pole provided on an adjacent sub-compartment or tray such that connection is established between any one of the at least two compartments or trays and a sub-compartment or tray to create or form a user specific interchangeable and multifunctional cigarette case.

6. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, including a light.

7. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, including at least one lighter.

8. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, including a clock which is visible from the outside of the cigarette case.

9. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, wherein one compartment or tray includes a filter extension holder.

10. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 9, wherein the filter extension holder comprises hinging means located inside the compartment in which the filter extension holder is located to permit hinged connection between the filter extension holder and said compartment.

11. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 10, wherein the filter extension holder includes filter extensions.

12. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, including hingeable retaining means in the one or more trays or compartments to operatively hold cigarettes securely in storage inside the multifunctional cigarette case.

13. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, including a bank card receiving recess formed in the one or more trays or compartments to operatively hold one or more bank cards securely in storage inside the multifunctional cigarette case.

14. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 13, including a thumb recess to facilitate ease of removal of a bank card from the bank card receiving recess.

15. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, wherein one of the compartments of the multifunctional cigarette case forms an ash tray comprising at least one cigarette receiving recess and one cigarette extinguisher hole.

16. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 15, wherein the ashtray includes a cover plate that is hingedly connected thereto.

17. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 7, wherein the lighter is stored underneath a water proof cover inside the multifunctional cigarette case.

18. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, including a wallet section for receipt of bank cards, notes and small change.

19. The multifunctional cigarette case of claim 1, including a receiving formation in the one or more trays or compartments to operatively receive and hold any number of items selected from the group consisting of a multi-tool, cellular phone and charger kit, stationary kit, survival kit, electronic key finder kit, medical aid kit, pedicure kit securely in storage inside the multifunctional cigarette case.

20. A multi-tool, cellular phone and charger kit, stationary kit, survival kit, electronic key finder kit, medical aid kit, pedicure kit, having mounting means to permit selective and interchangeable mounting thereof to a multifunctional cigarette case having complementary shaped mounting means.