TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to lighter cases, and more particularly to waterproof lighter cases with conformable push-fit caps.
BACKGROUND
Disposable lighters are commonly carried and used for a variety of purposes, including smoking, lighting grills, and starting fires. When carrying a disposable lighter, it is possible for the gas button to be pressed while in the user's pocket, resulting in the fuel emptying and rendering the lighter unusable. Such lighters are also vulnerable to water damage, either through accidental water spills, being dropped in water, or simply by being exposed to weather conditions. Water damage can render a lighter unusable due to elements that cannot function when wet and/or that corrode if exposed to moisture for a period of time.
Existing waterproof lighter cases exist with varying designs. There remains room in the art for improved waterproof lighter cases, particularly waterproof lighter cases with conformable push-fit caps.
SUMMARY
To address the foregoing problems, in whole or in part, and/or other problems that may have been observed by persons skilled in the art, the present disclosure provides compositions and methods as described by way of example as set forth below.
A waterproof case for a lighter is provided, wherein the lighter has an elongated body and the waterproof case comprises:
- a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and a second open end that together define a cavity for receiving the elongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and extending outward radially; and
- b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve, wherein the cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and is configured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.
In other embodiments, the elongated sleeve and the cap are both composed substantially of silicone. In other embodiments, coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates a water-tight seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.
A packaged kit is also provided, comprising a waterproof case for a lighter and instructions for use thereof, wherein the lighter has an elongated body and the waterproof case comprises:
- a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and a second open end that together define a cavity for receiving the elongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and extending outward radially; and
- b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve, wherein the cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and is configured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.
In other embodiments, the elongated sleeve and the cap are both composed substantially of silicone. In other embodiments, coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates a water-tight seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.
Additional features of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus described the subject matter of the present invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a waterproof lighter case in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a waterproof lighter case in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a waterproof lighter case in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a waterproof lighter case along with a lighter in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; and
FIG. 5 shows how a user removes the cap of a waterproof lighter case in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, by illustrating, A) a waterproof lighter case in which its cap has created a seal with its elongated sleeve, and B) a waterproof lighter case in which the cap is removed by applying upward pressure on the ridge of the cap to break the seal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The subject matter of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The subject matter of the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the subject matter of the present invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
Waterproof Lighter Case with Conformable Push-Fit Cap
The present invention is directed to a waterproof case for a lighter, wherein the lighter has an elongated body and the waterproof case comprises:
- a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and a second open end that together define a cavity for receiving the elongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and extending outward radially; and
- b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve, wherein the cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and is configured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.
In other embodiments, the elongated sleeve and the cap are both composed substantially of silicone. In other embodiments, coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates a water-tight seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.
The present invention is also directed to a packaged kit, comprising a waterproof case for a lighter and instructions for use thereof, wherein the lighter has an elongated body and the waterproof case comprises:
- a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and a second open end that together define a cavity for receiving the elongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and extending outward radially; and
- b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve, wherein the cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and is configured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.
In other embodiments, the elongated sleeve and the cap are both composed substantially of silicone. In other embodiments, coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates a water-tight seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a top perspective view of waterproof case 100 is shown. Waterproof case 100 comprises elongated sleeve 110 and cap 130. Elongated sleeve 110 comprises first open end 120 and second open end 122 that together define cavity 124. Elongated sleeve 110 also comprises grooves 112 disposed adjacent to first open end 120 and extending outward radially. Cap 130 is configured to be removably coupled to elongated sleeve 110, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with grooves 112 of elongated sleeve 110. Cap 130 also comprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal of cap 130.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a bottom perspective view of waterproof case 100 is shown. Waterproof case 100 comprises elongated sleeve 110 and cap 130 Elongated sleeve 110 comprises first open end 120 and second open end 122 that together define cavity 124. Elongated sleeve 110 also comprises grooves 112 disposed adjacent to first open end 120 and extending outward radially. Cap 130 comprises open end 150 that defines cap cavity 152 and is configured to be removably coupled to elongated sleeve 110, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with grooves 112 of elongated sleeve 110. Cap 130 also comprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal of cap 130.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of waterproof case 100 is shown. Waterproof case 100 comprises elongated sleeve 110 and cap 130. Elongated sleeve 110 comprises first open end 120, second open end 122, and grooves 112 disposed adjacent to first open end 120 and extending outward radially. As described above, cap 130 is configured to be removably coupled to elongated sleeve 110, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with grooves 112 of elongated sleeve 110. Cap 130 also comprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal of cap 130.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of waterproof case 100 is shown with lighter 160. Lighter 160 comprises elongated body 162. Waterproof case 100 comprises elongated sleeve 110 and cap 130. Elongated sleeve 110 comprises first open end 120, second open end 122, and grooves 112 disposed adjacent to first open end 120 and extending outward radially. As described above, cap 130 comprises open end 150 that defines cap cavity 152 and is configured to be removably coupled to elongated sleeve 110, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with grooves 112 of elongated sleeve 110. Cap 130 also comprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal of cap 130.
Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrations are provided showing how a user removes cap 130 of waterproof case 100. FIG. 5A shows lighter 160 and waterproof case 100, comprising elongated sleeve 110 and cap 130. Cap 130 has created a seal with grooves 112 (not shown) of elongated sleeve 110. Cap 130 also comprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal of cap 130. A user's thumb 170 is shown resting on the side of waterproof case 100. FIG. 5B also shows lighter 160 and waterproof case 100. User's thumb 170 is shown applying upward pressure 172 on ridge 140, which breaks the seal between cap 130 and grooves 112 of elongated sleeve 110.
In other embodiments, the waterproof case for a lighter may further comprise a cap attachment point and/or a sleeve attachment point, each of which may define an opening or passageway through a portion of at least part of the corresponding cap or sleeve, which creates a secure attachment point for a key ring, lanyard, or other attachment.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a waterproof case for a lighter that protects all important components from moisture and water damage and keeps the gas button from accidently being depressed, comprising a cap and an elongated sleeve wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with the elongated sleeve, and wherein the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.
Definitions
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.
Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.
For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the subject matter of the present invention. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.
Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.
Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20230194086
