WEARABLE CASE FOR SMOKING ARTICLES AND LIGHTER

Abstract

A wearable case sized to contain smoking articles, adapted to retain a lighter includes a receptacle and hollow cap. The case includes a niche into which the cap can be upended and lodged to serve as an ash tray. The case may be worn around the neck or on a limb.

Description

FIELD

The present subject matter is directed in general to smoking article and lighter storage and is more particularly directed to a wearable smoking article and lighter combination case that is adapted to be worn directly on a user's neck or on a portion of an arm or a leg.

BACKGROUND

There are no smoking article-and-lighter combination cases—to my knowledge—at the present time, which can be directly worn. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,812 to Pisarski et al. discloses a “caddy” for cigarettes and the like, in which the caddy includes a housing having a spaced-apart pair of wider sides and a spaced-apart pair of narrower sides defining a cross-sectional shape and area that is adapted to snugly receive a corresponding, rectangularly shaped cross section of a pack of cigarettes. The housing top is formed with a first aperture superimposed over a second aperture provided by the pack of cigarettes. A cover, carried by the caddy, is used to cover, and uncover, the housing top aperture. An actuator surface on the cover is adapted for engagement by a digit of a hand holding the caddy. A movable bottom covers and uncovers the housing bottom to permit the pack of cigarettes to be inserted or withdrawn. A pincer retainer located at one of the two opposed narrower caddy sides includes two spaced-apart resilient pincer arms extending toward each other to accommodate and resiliently retain the cigarette lighter located on and/or in the caddy in such a position as to permit an ignition operation with the lighter, using the thumb of the caddy-holding hand. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,224 to Weeks discloses a cigarette case and lighter case combination. The combination includes a rectangular case sized for receiving a pack of cigarettes. The cigarette case has a lid movable between “open” and “closed” positions. The combination also includes a tubular lighter case of non-rigid material adapted to receive and snugly fit around a common cigarette lighter. The combination includes means for removably securing the lighter case to the cigarette case and to secure the lid in the “closed” position.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,924 to Tata discloses a combination for cigarettes and a lighter. The lighter is removably mounted atop a cover which, in turn, is mounted atop a container for storing cigarettes. When oriented in a first position, the cigarette lighter covers an opening located atop the cover. When oriented in a second position, the lighter uncovers the opening to allow a user to dispense at least one cigarette through the top of the cover. U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,729 to Conte discloses a holder for a cigarette pack and a lighter, which includes two compartments and has an open top. The holder is integrally formed as a one piece, five-sided plastic box. A partition, integrally joined with three sides, separates the two compartments. Within the lighter compartment is inserted a depth-adjusting block to adjust lighter height. A second embodiment can be shallower than the first embodiment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,503 to Rhodes et al. discloses a cigarette pack-and-lighter combination holder including a base member insertable within a top member. The base member has a cigarette-compartment section sized to retain a cigarette pack and a lighter compartment section dimensioned for holding a common cigarette lighter. The cigarette pack-retained section includes a vertical wall. The lighter-retained section, centered along the vertical wall, extends outwardly from it. The top member is dimensioned and adapted for removably inserting the base member therein for retaining a cigarette pack and lighter, together, within the cigarette pack-and-lighter holder. U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,782 to Torres et al. discloses a lighter clip for use with a cigarette pack. The clip, sized and configured to fit across the width and depth of the pack, contains an arcuate portion adapted to securely retain a lighter on one end. The clip, which is three-sided and characterized by a short side integral with a spaced-apart pair of longer clip-arm sides, can be made of a resilient material shaped to be lightly biased against the pack. The two longer arm sides are sized to have a large enough surface area for securely gripping a cigarette pack between them.

And, since no smoking article-and-lighter combination cases—to my knowledge—are commercially available, smoker articles can be damaged or lost if they fall from a person.

Many smokers would like a smoking article-and-lighter case that is dimensioned and equipped to be worn on a portion of a smoker's body—to be commercially available.

SUMMARY

The present subject matter, for a wearable case sized for retaining smoking articles and an associated lighter, can be thought of as a smoking article and associated lighter assembly or so-called combination structure. The combination structure (called a “combination” hereafter) includes a receptacle, a hollow cap, and a smoking-article lighter. the receptacle and the hollow cap may alternatively be considered a combination structure operative to accommodate smoking articles and a smoking-article lighter, such as a butane lighter.

The receptacle, which is preferably elongated and includes a spaced-apart pair of opposite end portions, is arranged about a first axis. The receptacle includes a cavity arranged about the first axis. The cavity is sized for enabling at least two smoking articles to be contained within the receptacle. The receptacle also includes a hollow neck unitary with one of the receptacle end portions. The neck is configured for enabling at least two smoking articles to be removably inserted without damage into the cavity. The receptacle further includes a retainer that is unitary with the other receptacle end portion. The retainer extends from the other receptacle end portion in a direction that is transverse to the first axis. The receptacle also includes a spaced-apart pair of arcuate arms unitary with the receptacle and disposed between the receptacle end portions. The arms extend from the receptacle in a direction which is transverse, preferably ninety degrees, to the first axis.

The hollow cap includes an open-end portion dimensioned and configured for frictionally engaging the neck for enabling the cap to be removably secured to the neck.

The smoking-article lighter, preferably elongated, includes a bottom end portion of predetermined size and configuration. The lighter also includes an operative end portion opposite the lighter bottom end portion. The retainer defines a depression dimensioned and configured for frictionally engaging the lighter bottom end portion, for enabling the lighter to not only be frictionally secured in the depression but also removable therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present subject matter in use.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of select components presented in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 presents a side elevational view of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1, 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevational view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts an exploded side elevational view of the embodiment of the present invention, presented in FIG. 4, and rotated ninety degrees clockwise about a vertical axis.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the present subject matter that is shown in FIGS. 1-5, with two of the components arranged in transverse orientation.

FIG. 7 shows one of the smoking articles being removed from the receptacle cavity.

FIG. 8, a side elevational view of the embodiment of the present subject matter shown in FIGS. 1-7, demonstrates how a cap is used as an ash tray for a smoking article.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a wearable case according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of an illustrated embodiment of the present subject matter refers initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, which present a wearable case sized for retaining smoking articles and an associated lighter, i.e., a smoking accessory. The present subject matter might better be described as a smoking article and associated lighter retainer assembly or so-called combination structure. The combination structure (hereinafter simply called a “combination”) includes a receptacle 12, a hollow cap 10 (for the receptacle 12), and a retainer assembly 14, 22 operative to retain a smoking-article lighter 28.

The receptacle 12, preferably elongated, includes a spaced-apart pair of opposite end portions 15 and 17. The illustrated receptacle 12 is oriented about a first axis X-X. Receptacle 12 has a cavity 20 (FIG. 2), also preferably elongated, along first axis X-X.

The cavity 20 is sized for enabling at least two smoking articles 26 (FIG. 1) to be contained within the receptacle 12 and has an approximately “FIG. 8” cross-section. The receptacle 12 also includes a hollow neck 13 (FIG. 2) unitary with the receptacle upper end portion 15. The neck 13 is sized and configured for allowing at least two smoking articles 26 to be removably inserted first through the neck 13 and thereafter into cavity 20 without damaging smoking articles 26.

The receptacle 12 includes a retainer 22 (FIGS. 1-8) unitary with the bottom end portion 17 (FIG. 2) of receptacle 12. Retainer 22 extends from the bottom portion 17 in a direction transverse (FIG. 4) to first axis X-X. Receptacle 12 includes a spaced-apart pair of arcuate arms (14: FIGS. 1, 2) which are unitary with the receptacle 12 and disposed between the receptacle end portions 15, 17 (FIGS. 2, 4). The arms 14 extend from the receptacle 12 in a direction transverse, preferably ninety degrees, to the first axis X-X and align with the retainer 22.

Hollow cap 10 includes an open-end portion 16 dimensioned and configured for frictionally engaging neck 13 for enabling the cap 10 to be removably secured to neck 13.

The smoking-article lighter 28, preferably elongated (see, e.g., FIGS. 1, 3, and 4), includes a bottom end portion 27 (FIG. 4) of predetermined size and configuration. The lighter 28 also includes an operative-end portion 29 opposite the bottom-end portion 27.

The retainer 22 defines a depression 22a (FIG. 2) dimensioned and configured for frictionally engaging the lighter bottom-end portion 27 (FIG. 4), for enabling the lighter 28 to be not only frictionally secured within the depression 22a but also removable therefrom.

In embodiments, the smoking articles 26 contained within receptacle 12 include but are not limited to cigars, cigarettes, and combinations including cigars and cigarettes.

In embodiments, the lighter 28 includes a lateral side 28a, preferably planar, with predetermined vertical and horizontal dimensions. Furthermore, both arms 14 are sized and shaped so that both arms 14 partly encircle the lighter 28 (FIG. 1), enabling distal end portions of both arms 14 to extend around lighter 28 and overlay the lateral side 28a.

In embodiments, the combination includes a band 24 (FIG. 1) disposed through a C-shaped niche 18 (FIG. 4) between the receptacle 12 and the lighter 28. In certain embodiments, the band 24 has a length sufficient for enabling the receptacle 12 to be worn on or around a preselected region of a person, such as around the person's neck, on a shirt sleeve or a jacket sleeve, or around a boot worn by the person.

In other embodiments, the band 24 has a predetermined length and possesses a predetermined elasticity value necessary for enabling the receptacle 12 to be frictionally retained at a preselected body portion or region (FIG. 1) of a person 30. Assorted embodiments are possible. For instance, in certain embodiments, a preselected region is a neck portion, an upper arm portion, or a lower arm portion. In certain other embodiments, a preselected region is a wrist. In still other embodiments, a preselected region can be an upper leg portion or a lower leg portion. In still other embodiments, a preselected region is an ankle.

Removal of cap 10 from neck 13. In embodiments, portions of the retainer 22 and portions of the arms 14 collectively define a C-shaped niche 18 (FIG. 4) disposed about a second axis Y-Y (FIG. 7). The second axis Y-Y is disposed (i.e., oriented) transverse to the first axis X-X. In addition, the retainer 22 defines a lower jaw 22b (FIG. 4) and the distal ends of the arms 14 collectively define an upperjaw 14b (FIGS. 4, 7). The C-shaped niche 18 (FIG. 4) is sized and configured for securely retaining the cap 10 oriented along the second axis Y-Y As a result, portions of lower jaw 22b and upper jaw 14b extend parallel to the first axis X-X over cap 10 when cap 10 is retained in C-shaped niche 18.

In embodiments, the receptacle 12 can be oriented on a surface S (FIG. 8) parallel to the first axis X-X. In addition, cap 10 can be removably retained within niche 18 with the open-end portion 16 of the cap 10 spaced—i.e., in distal relation to—the surface S.

When in such orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 6-8), cap 10 can easily serve as an ash tray, enabling the open-end portion 16 of cap 10 to be used to collect smoking article ash.

Additional Features and Advantages. In embodiments, cap 10 includes an exterior multi-purpose surface region (see, e.g., FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 8) which can be used to display a family coat-of-arms, an owner's initials, an icon, a vendor's trademark, or other indicia.

In addition, the region may include apertures 35 of predetermined size and shape (e.g., circular, elliptical) through which a predetermined length of cord is passed and thereafter knotted to form a loop-of-cord for enabling a person to hang the smoking-article-and-lighter combination case in a house or apartment. In select embodiments, a necklace passed through apertures 35 enables wearing the combination case on one's neck.

After searching online and reviewing prior art noted above, it is clear there are no wearable protective cases of this type to protect smoker articles which would become damaged or lost, should they fall out of a pocket (which is possible) with prior art cases.

The case (consisting of the receptacle 12 and the cap 10 described above) can be worn and, if properly secured together and to a person, will never be lost. The case was designed to be worn by a person, and the lighter stays with the wearer, out of harm's way.

FIG. 9 illustrates a case according to another embodiment of the present invention having a cap 10 and a receptacle or bottom body 12, accommodating a lighter 28, with a cord 32 extending through an aperture 35 in the cap. The cord 32 is shown worn around a user's 34 neck.

To make a prototype of the present subject matter, a commercially available plastic resin having desired physical properties including strength, resiliency, and longevity and a conventional computer-assisted-design (“CAD”) program coupled to a conventional three-dimensional (“3D”) printer were used. A suitable resin is high-density polyethylene, although other polymeric resins may be used.

Illustrated and described throughout this patent specification is a wearable case for smoking articles and a lighter (or smoking-article-and-lighter combination case). While the present subject matter has been described in connection with an illustrated exemplary embodiment, the present subject matter is not limited to the embodiment disclosed. On the contrary, numerous alternatives, changes, and/or modifications will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the prior art (“POSITA”) after this patent specification has been reviewed in connection with its drawing figures. Therefore, all such alternatives, changes, and/or modifications are to be interpreted as forming a part of the present subject matter insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A smoking-article-and-lighter combination case comprising: a receptacle (12) arranged about a first axis (X-X), wherein the receptacle (12) includes opposite end portions (15, 17), and wherein the receptacle (12) defines: a cavity (20) arranged about the first axis (X-X) and configured to accommodate at least two smoking articles (26) within the receptacle (12);a hollow neck (13) unitary with one of the opposite end portions (15), wherein the hollow neck (13) is configured to accommodate the at least two smoking articles in the cavity (20);a retainer (22) unitary with the other of the opposite end portions (17) and extending therefrom in a direction transverse to the first axis (X-X); anda spaced-apart pair of arcuate arms (14) disposed between the opposite end portions (15, 17) and extending in the direction transverse to the first axis (X-X); anda hollow cap (10) having an open-end portion (16) configured to frictionally engage the hollow neck (13) to enable the hollow cap (10) to be removably secured to the hollow neck (13);wherein the retainer (22) and the spaced-apart pair of arcuate arms (14) are operative to accommodate a smoking-article lighter (28).

2. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 1, wherein the retainer (22) defines a depression (22a) dimensioned and configured for frictionally engaging a bottom end portion (27) of the smoking-article lighter (28) to enable the smoking-article lighter (28) to be removably secured within the depression (22a), wherein the smoking-article lighter (28) is removably secured to the retainer (22).

3. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 1, wherein the spaced-apart pair of arcuate arms (14) extend around the smoking-article lighter (28) and have end portions overlaying a lateral side (28a) of the smoking-article lighter (28).

4. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 1, wherein the at least two smoking articles are cigars.

5. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 1, wherein the at least two smoking articles are cigarettes.

6. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 1, wherein portions of the retainer (22) and portions of the spaced-apart pair of arcuate arms (14) define a niche (18) disposed about a second axis (Y-Y) oriented transverse to the first axis (X-X), wherein the retainer (22) defines a lower jaw (22b), wherein the spaced-apart pair of arcuate arms (14) together define an upperjaw (14b), wherein the niche (18) is sized and configured for retaining the hollow cap (10) oriented along the second axis (Y-Y), and wherein portions of the lower jaw (22b) and upper jaw (14b) extend along the first axis (X-X) over the hollow cap (10) when the hollow cap (10) is retained in the niche (18).

7. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 6, wherein when the receptacle (12) is oriented on a surface (S) parallel to the first axis (X-X) and the hollow cap (10) is retained in the niche (18) with the open-end portion (16) spaced from the surface (S), the open-end portion (16) of the hollow cap (10) can be used by a person to collect ash from one of the at least two smoking articles.

8. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 6, including a band (24) disposed in the niche (18) between the receptacle (12) and the smoking-article lighter (28), when present.

9. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 8, wherein the band (24) has a length to enable the receptacle (12) to be worn on a preselected region of a person (30).

10. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 9, wherein the band (24) possesses a predetermined elasticity value for enabling the receptacle (12) to be frictionally retained on the preselected region of the person (30).

11. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 9, wherein the preselected region is a neck.

12. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 9, wherein the preselected region is an upper arm portion or a lower arm portion.

13. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 9, wherein the preselected region is a wrist.

14. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 9, wherein the preselected region is an upper leg portion or a lower leg portion.

15. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 9, wherein the preselected region is an ankle.

16. The smoking-article-and-lighter combination case of claim 1, wherein the cap has an aperture formed therethrough, further comprising a cord extending through the aperture, the cord being operative to suspend the cap and the receptacle around a user's neck.