Self-Extinguishing Storage Device

Abstract

A self-extinguishing storage device is disclosed. The self-extinguishing storage device safeguards cylindrical smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, for future consumption. A cylindrical body includes a longitudinal length between two open ends in order to accept the cylindrical smoking article therein. A pair of cylindrical caps are configured to friction fit with the cylindrical body at each of the open ends. The pair of cylindrical caps form an airtight closure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to self-extinguishing storage devices and, in particular, to self-extinguishing storage devices that safeguard cylindrical smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, for future consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of self-extinguishing storage devices exist to safeguard cylindrical smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, for future consumption. Such storage devices need to provide an easy manner for emptying ashes therefrom in a clean manner. Such storage devices also need to extinguish any smoking article without allowing smoke, that can have odors, to escape, while preserving the smoking article for future consumption without damaging or dirtying the smoking article. Existing self-extinguishing storage devices have failed to achieve all of these goals. Accordingly, a need exists for a self-extinguishing storage device that safeguards cylindrical smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, for future consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a self-extinguishing storage device that safeguards cylindrical smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, for future consumption. It would also be desirable to enable a thermomechanical solution that furnishes an effective, compact, and easily portable storage device. To better address one or more of these concerns, in one aspect of the invention, a self-extinguishing storage device is disclosed. A cylindrical body includes a longitudinal length between two open ends in order to accept the cylindrical smoking article therein. A pair of cylindrical caps are configured to friction fit with the cylindrical body at each of the open ends. The pair of cylindrical caps form an airtight closure. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a self-extinguishing storage device, in partial cutaway, having a cylindrical smoking article therein, according to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the self-extinguishing storage device, according to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the self-extinguishing storage device shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the self-extinguishing storage device shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4 is a front exploded view of the self-extinguishing storage device shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a portion of the self-extinguishing storage device shown in FIG. 1B, in one operational embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a front elevation view of another embodiment of a self-extinguishing storage device, according to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 6B is a front elevation view, in partial cross-section, of the self-extinguishing storage device shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a front elevation view, in partial cross-section, of an additional embodiment of a self-extinguishing storage device, according to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 7B is a front elevation view, in partial cross-section, of the self-extinguishing storage device shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view, in partial cross-section, of a further embodiment of a self-extinguishing storage device, according to the teachings presented herein; and

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view, in partial cross-section, of a still further embodiment of a self-extinguishing storage device, according to the teachings presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, therein is depicted one embodiment of a self-extinguishing storage device, which is schematically illustrated and generally designated 10. The self-extinguishing storage device 10 safeguards smoking articles C, such as cylindrical smoking articles like cigarettes and cigars G (See FIG. 6B), for future consumption. It should be appreciated, however, that the self-extinguishing storage device 10 may also provide storage for other articles, such as pills P (See FIG. 7B) and other small items.

A cylindrical body 12 has a longitudinal length from an open end 16 to an open end 18 with a longitudinal axis A therethrough. As shown, the longitudinal length 14 is marked in one-eighth (⅛) increments, each representing 12.5 percent of the total longitudinal length. In one embodiment, the total longitudinal length 14 includes a length of 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) or 4.5 inches (11.43 cm). The longitudinal length 14, however, may be any length. The cylindrical body 12 has an interior surface 20 and an exterior surface 22 with an inner diameter d_ci and an outer diameter d_co. The cylindrical body 12 may have a continuously integral, closed tubular sidewall 24 that has no perforations or openings other than the aforementioned open end 16 and the open end 18. Each of the open ends 16, 18 is configured to accept a smoking article, such as the smoking article C. The cylindrical body 12 may be a metal, such as aluminum or copper, or a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It should be appreciated that the cylindrical body 12 may be any material that is self-extinguishing.

In one embodiment, a cylindrical cap 30 having a receiving end 32 is configured to friction fit with the exterior surface 22 of the cylindrical body 12 at the open end 16. The cylindrical cap 30 may be a metal, such as aluminum or copper, or a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or an elastomeric material, such as a rubber or synthetic rubber. The cylindrical cap 30 includes a sidewall 34, an end member 36 opposite the receiving end 32, and a lip 38 at the receiving end 32. An interior volume 39 is defined within the cylindrical cap 30. The sidewall 34 and the lip 38, in combination, have a subterminal surface 40 accommodating distal phalange contact F of a user. In one embodiment, the sidewall 34 and the end member 36 form a continuously integral, closed surface 42. The sidewall 34 has an inner diameter d_s1i and an outer diameter d_s1o. The cylindrical cap 30 may include a cap length of at least 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in order to provide distal phalange contact F. It should be appreciated, however, that the cylindrical cap 30 may have any cap length.

The cylindrical cap 30 forms, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface 22 of the cylindrical body 12 parallel to the longitudinal axis A, an airtight closure V. The cylindrical cap 30 extends, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface 22 of the cylindrical body 12, along the longitudinal axis A and intersecting the longitudinal length 14 from at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length 14 measured from the open end 16. The cylindrical cap 30, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface 22, being disposed in a spaced, non-contact relationship with the interior surface 20. As shown and best seen in FIG. 5, the cylindrical cap 30, in response to distal phalange contact F and displacement of the lip 38 of the cylindrical cap 30 from the longitudinal axis A, releases the airtight closure V.

In one embodiment, a cylindrical cap 50 having a receiving end 52 is configured to friction fit with the exterior surface 22 of the cylindrical body 12 at the open end 18. The cylindrical cap 50 may be a metal, such as aluminum or copper, or a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or an elastomeric material, such as a rubber or synthetic rubber. The cylindrical cap 50 includes a sidewall 54, an end member 56 opposite the receiving end 52, and a lip 58 at the receiving end 52. An interior volume 59 is defined within the cylindrical cap 50. The sidewall 54 and the lip 58, in combination, have a subterminal surface 60 accommodating distal phalange contact F of a user. In one embodiment, the sidewall 54 and the end member 56 form a continuously integral, closed surface 62. The sidewall 34 has an inner diameter d_s2i and an outer diameter d_s2o. The cylindrical cap 50 may include a cap length of at least 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in order to provide distal phalange contact F. It should be appreciated, however, that the cylindrical cap 50 may have any cap length. In one embodiment, the cylindrical cap 30 and the cylindrical cap 50 are identical.

The cylindrical cap 50 forms, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface 22 of the cylindrical body 12 parallel to the longitudinal axis A, an airtight closure V. The cylindrical cap 50 extends, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface 22 of the cylindrical body 12, along the longitudinal axis A and intersecting the longitudinal length 14 from at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length measured from the open end 18. The cylindrical cap 50, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface 22, being disposed in a spaced, non-contact relationship with the interior surface 20. Similar to the cylindrical cap 30, the cylindrical cap 50, in response to distal phalange contact F and displacement of the lip 58 of the cylindrical cap 50 from the longitudinal axis A, releases the airtight closure V.

In one operational embodiment, the device may be kept in any orientation. One of the open ends 16, 18 may be capped with one of the cylindrical caps 30, 50. The other open end 16, 18 may be opened to insert the smoking article C, which is then capped by the available cylindrical cap 30, 50. As such, due to the airtight closure V created by the cylindrical caps 30, 50 extending at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length 14, the smoking article C is smothered and extinguished within the closed cylindrical body 12. Further, any ashes H (See FIG. 6B) that break away from the smoking material are captured in the respective interior volume 39, 59 of the respective cylindrical caps 30, 50, which may be periodically removed and emptied or cleaned.

The self-extinguishing storage device 10 provides a self-extinguishing storage device 10 that safeguards smoking articles C, such as cigarettes and cigars G (See FIG. 6B), for future consumption. The thermomechanical solution including the cylindrical body 12 and the cylindrical caps 30, 50 furnish an effective, compact, and easily portable storage device. In particular, the self-extinguishing storage device 10 has a symmetrical form factor and design that allows either end to be accessed, while providing an airtight enclosure that will not allow smoke or odors to escape. Further still, the self-extinguishing storage device 10 preserves the smoking article C for future consumption without damaging or dirtying the smoking article C.

Referring now to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, in some embodiments, the self-extinguishing storage device 10 includes a cylindrical body 72 having a pair of cylindrical caps 74, 76 that are configured to friction fit with the cylindrical body 72 at each open end 78, 80. As shown, the cylindrical body 72 and the pair of cylindrical caps 74, 76 are made of the same material. Within the cylindrical body 72, a cigar G with ashes H is extinguished due to the airtight closure V. Referring now to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the self-extinguishing storage device 10 includes a cylindrical body 92 having a pair of cylindrical caps 94, that are configured to threadably engage with the cylindrical body 92 at each open end 98, 100. As shown, the cylindrical body 92 and the pair of cylindrical caps 94, 96 are made of the same material. It should be appreciated, however, that the cylindrical body 92 and the pair of cylindrical caps 94, 96 may be made of different materials. Within the cylindrical body 92, the pills P are maintained in the airtight closure V.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the self-extinguishing storage device 10 includes the cylindrical body 12 with the open end 16 and the open end 18 with the exterior surface 22 having a wrap 110, which may be any design, including images, symbols, and alphanumeric characters, for example, at least partially circumscribing the exterior surface 22. The cylindrical caps 30, 50 are respectfully secured to each of the open ends 16, 18.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the self-extinguishing storage device 10 includes the cylindrical body 12 with the open end 16 and the open end 18 with the exterior surface 22 having a magnetic body 120 secured to the exterior of the cylindrical body 12. The cylindrical caps 30, 50 are respectfully secured to each of the open ends 16, 18. The magnetic body 120 uses magnetic forces to selectively secure the self-extinguishing storage device 10 to any magnetic body.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and techniques illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and techniques may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.

Claims

1. A self-extinguishing storage device comprising: a cylindrical body having a longitudinal length from a first open end to a second open end, the cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis therethrough, the cylindrical body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, each of the first open end and the second open end being configured to accept a cylindrical smoking article;the cylindrical body including a continuously integral, closed sidewall;the cylindrical body consisting of a metal;a first cylindrical cap having a receiving end configured to friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body at the first open end, the first cylindrical cap being an elastomeric material, the first cylindrical cap having an end member opposite the receiving end, a sidewall, and a lip at the receiving end, the sidewall and the end member forming a continuously integral, closed surface, the sidewall and the lip, in combination, having a subterminal surface accommodating distal phalange contact;the first cylindrical cap forming, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first airtight closure;the first cylindrical cap extending, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, along the longitudinal axis and intersecting the longitudinal length from at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length measured from the first open end;the first cylindrical cap, in response to distal phalange contact and displacement of the lip of the first cylindrical cap from the longitudinal axis, releasing the first airtight closure;a second cylindrical cap having a receiving end configured to friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body at the second open end, the second cylindrical cap being an elastomeric material, the second cylindrical cap having an end member opposite the receiving end, a sidewall, and a lip at the receiving end, the sidewall and the end member forming a continuously integral, closed surface, the sidewall and the lip, in combination, having a subterminal surface accommodating distal phalange contact;the second cylindrical cap forming, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second airtight closure;the second cylindrical cap extending, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, along the longitudinal axis and intersecting the longitudinal length from at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length measured from the second open end; andthe second cylindrical cap, in response to distal phalange contact and displacement of the lip of the second cylindrical cap from the longitudinal axis, releasing the second airtight closure.

2. The self-extinguishing storage device as recited in claim 1, wherein the metal comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum and copper.

3. The self-extinguishing storage device as recited in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal length comprises a length selected from the group consisting of 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) and 4.5 inches (11.43 cm).

4. The self-extinguishing storage device as recited in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical smoking article further comprises an article selected from the group consisting of cigarettes and cigars.

5. The self-extinguishing storage device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical cap further comprises a cap length of at least 0.5 inches (1.27 cm).

6. The self-extinguishing storage device as recited in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material of the first cylindrical cap further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of rubbers and synthetic rubbers.

7. The self-extinguishing storage device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical cap, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, is disposed in a spaced, non-contact relationship with the interior surface.

8. The self-extinguishing storage device as recited in claim 1, wherein the exterior surface further comprises a wrap.

9. A self-extinguishing storage device comprising: a cylindrical body having a longitudinal length from a first open end to a second open end, the cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis therethrough, the cylindrical body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, each of the first open end and the second open end being configured to accept a smoking article;a magnetic body secured to the exterior of the cylindrical body;a first cylindrical cap having a receiving end configured to friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body at the first open end, the first cylindrical cap having a sidewall and a lip at the receiving end, the sidewall and the lip, in combination, having a subterminal surface accommodating distal phalange contact;the first cylindrical cap forming, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first airtight closure;the first cylindrical cap extending, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, along the longitudinal axis and intersecting the longitudinal length from at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length measured from the first open end;a second cylindrical cap having a receiving end configured to friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body at the second open end, the second cylindrical cap having a sidewall and a lip at the receiving end, the sidewall and the lip, in combination, having a subterminal surface accommodating distal phalange contact;the second cylindrical cap forming, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second airtight closure; andthe second cylindrical cap extending, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, along the longitudinal axis and intersecting the longitudinal length from at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length measured from the second open end.

10. A self-extinguishing storage device comprising: a cylindrical body having a longitudinal length from a first open end to a second open end, the cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis therethrough, the cylindrical body having an interior surface and an exterior surface, each of the first open end and the second open end being configured to accept a cylindrical smoking article;the cylindrical body consisting of a metal;a magnetic body secured to the exterior of the cylindrical body;a first cylindrical cap having a receiving end configured to friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body at the first open end, the first cylindrical cap being an elastomeric material, the first cylindrical cap having a sidewall and a lip at the receiving end, the sidewall and the lip, in combination, having a subterminal surface accommodating distal phalange contact;the first cylindrical cap forming, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first airtight closure;the first cylindrical cap extending, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, along the longitudinal axis and intersecting the longitudinal length from at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length measured from the first open end;the first cylindrical cap, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, being disposed in a spaced, non-contact relationship with the interior surface;the first cylindrical cap, in response to distal phalange contact and displacement of the lip of the first cylindrical cap from the longitudinal axis, releasing the first airtight closure;a second cylindrical cap having a receiving end configured to friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body at the second open end, the second cylindrical cap being an elastomeric material, the second cylindrical cap having a sidewall and a lip at the receiving end, the sidewall and the lip, in combination, having a subterminal surface accommodating distal phalange contact;the second cylindrical cap forming, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface of the cylindrical body parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second airtight closure;the second cylindrical cap extending, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, along the longitudinal axis and intersecting the longitudinal length from at least one-eighth (⅛) of the longitudinal length measured from the second open end;the second cylindrical cap, upon the friction fit with the exterior surface, being disposed in a spaced, non-contact relationship with the interior surface; andthe second cylindrical cap, in response to distal phalange contact and displacement of the lip of the second cylindrical cap from the longitudinal axis, releasing the second airtight closure.