AU2007200965A1 - Attachment for a cigarette box - Google Patents

Description

I S PZC I FTIC A T10N S 2 o 3 ATTACHMENT FOR. A CIGARETTE BOX 6 ~CROSS-REERENCE To RELATED APPLICATION 8 This patent application is a divisional application based 9 upon AU patent application serial No. AU 2003219754, filed INO 10 February 14, 2003, and the benefit of such earlier filing date is o hereby claimed by Applicants. Furthermore, this application o12 claims the benefit of U.S. Non-provisional patent aplication 13 Ser. No. 10/078,822, filed February 19, 2002.

o 14 c~KI 15 BACKGROUND OF Tfl IHV7EN!ION 16 The field of the invention is cigarette lighter holding 17 devices, and the invention relates more particularly to a 18 cigarette lighter holding device attachable to a cigarette box.

19 Smoking is a regular habit found amongst many people in society. Despite various behavior patterns axmong smokers, two 21 are extremely common. The first is a reoccurring search for a 22 cigarette light, while the second is a tendency to place the 23 cigarette box on a table after having taken a cigarette out for 24 smoking. Cigarettes typically come in what is known as a hard or soft pack paper box which contains 20 cigarettes inside.

26 Cigarette lighters, on the other hand, are usually fuel (e.g.

27 butane) based incineration mechanisms or an assortment of matches 28 such as those that come in a paper matchbook or matchbox.

29 Although many smokers carry their own cigarette lighter or matchbook with them, both are separate items, totally detached 31 from the cigarette box. Moreover, the common cigarette box does 32 not offer any way of securing or keeping these items close to the 33 box. As a result, cigarette lighters and mnatchbooks are often 34 misplaced or lost due to their compact size and ability to fit almost anywhere. Misplaced or lost cigarette lighters are often COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 troublesome since some are expensive and even one of a kind.

2 Additionally, not having a lighting mechanism secured to the o3 cigarette box often prevents a smoker from enjoying a cigarette 4 when one is most desired.

The smokers' habit of placing their cigarette box on the 6 table is also noteworthy in itself. In almost every circumstance IND 7 in which this behavior occurs, people around the smoker take

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Snotice of the box and may even become fixated on it. This is 9 especially true in places where people get together, including IND 10 food gatherings such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The result o 11 is a lost potential for advertising which goes beyond what is o12 directly printed on the cigarette box.

13 o 14 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTISON It is an object of the present invention to provide a 16 holding device fox cigarette lighters and other small objects 17 which includes a medium containing a message and which is 18 attachable to a cigarette box.

19 It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a medium, independent of the holding device and 21 attachable to the cigarette box for presenting a message.

22 The present invention is for a holding device for a 23 cigarette lighter and other small objects which can be attached 24 to a cigarette box or the like, and which displays a message such as an advertisement, slogan, logo, trademark, trade name, warning 26 message, personal message, or the like (hereinafter "message").

27 The cigarette lighter holding device is preferably attached to a 28 base material (hereinafter, "medium") which contains the message.

29 The message may be audible, mechanical, and/or visual. A visual maessage may consist of written, pictorial, holographic, three 31 dimensional, or otherwise graphic form. Additionally, a visual 32 message may comprise an electronic optical display such as 33 pixilated, light conventional, fCiber optic, etc.), liquid 34 crystal, etc. Such display may present the message in either an 2 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1, animated or motionless manner, and may further include a sound 2 generating element. According to one embodiment, the medium o3 includes an affixing element, such as an adhesive backing on a 4 surface of the medium. In this respect, the medium can be Ct 5 affixed to a cigarette box for displaying a message. The holding 6 device, on the other hand, would have a holding element which IND 7 would be used to grip a cigarette lighter or other compact object C0 8 in an abutting manner to the cigarette box. This would likely 9 decrease the possibility of the lighter getting lost and keep it IN 10 within the smoker's instant reach. Anyone within sight of the o11 cigarette box would be exposed to the displayed message.

o12 Additionally, it is further contemplated that the medium be 13 fashioned independent of the holding element and attachable to a o14 cigarette box for the purpose of conveying the contained message.

16 B3RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 17 FIG. I. is a perspective view of a cigarette lighter holding 18 device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, 19 including a medium which displays a message, "XYZ CO.".

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a holding device similar to 21 the device of FIG. 1, configured in a "closed book" formation and 22 displaying a different message then the holding device of FIG. 1.

23 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back side of the holding 24 device of FIG. 2, illustrating the device with an adhesive layer covered by a peel away backing.

26 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holding device of 27 FIG. 1, together with a cigarette box, with the holding device 28 positioned on the box in accordance with one embodiment, whereby 29 it is capable of grasping a cigarette lighter and most compact objects in an abutting manner to the box while displaying the 31 message.

32 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the holding device and 33 cigarette box of FIG. 4, wherein the cigarette lighter holding 34 device is utilized to grip a butane lighter in an abutting manner to the cigarette box while displaying the message.

COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a holding device including a 2 medium~ which displays a message, in accordance with another 3 embodiment of this invention.

4 FIG. 7 is a per spective view of the holding device of Ct 5 FIG. 6, wherein the displayed message is configured in a three 6 dimensional composition.

No7 FIGS. 8 is a perspective view of a holding device, in 8 accordance with yet another embodiment, wherein the medium is 9 configured in a miniature three dimensional model of a beer mug displaying the message "JKL Beer"'.

o11 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a holding device, in 012 accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, wherein 13 the medium is configured in a three dimensional character 0 o 14 formation displaying the message "XYZ"1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of aholding device, in 16 accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, wherein 17 the device is c6nfigured in the form of a retaining pouch and 18 displaying the message "'XYZ Co.".

19 FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a holding device, in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, wherein 21 the medium comprises an electronic optical display utilizing 22 conventional light element(s).

23 FIG- 12 is a perspective view of a holding device, in 24 accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, wherein the medium comprises an electronic optical display utilizing a 26 liquid crystal display.

27 FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a holding device, in 28 accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, wherein 29 the medium comprises an electronic sound generating element.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a holding device, in 31 accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, wherein 32 the medium comprises an electronic display combined with a sound 33 generating element.

34 FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a medium, independent of the holding device, in accordance with yet another embodiment of 4 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I this invention, wherein the medium is configured as a Miniature 2 slot machine including an electronic motion generating element.

o FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the holding device of 4 FIG. 11 attached to a cigarette box, wherein separated contact ct 5 portions of an activation switch activate the circuit, thereby 6 presenting the message "xYz CASINO" in a luminous manner.

INo FIG, 17 is a perspective view of the holding device of 8 FIG. 11 attached to a cigarette box, wherein touching contact kn 9 portions of an activation switch do-activate the circuit.

IND o I1 DETAILED ]DESCRIPTION OF THE pntFERPED EMEODDSHNTS 012 The present invention is for a cigarette lighter holding 13 device which can hold a cigarette lighter or other small o14 object(s) together with a cigarette box or'the like, while displaying a message. While certain types of cigarette lighter 16 holding devices are illustrated in the drawings, it is to be 17 understood that the present inivention applies to any type of 18 device utilized to hold a cigarette lighter together with a 19 cigarette box, which is adapted to display a message.

Additionally, this invention equally applies to any medium that 21 is fashioned independent of a holding element and which i-s 22 attachable to a cigarette box for the purpose of conveying the 23 contained message- 24 Fig. I. illustrates a cigarette lighter holding device 100 according to one embodiment of this invention. The holding 26 device 100 includes a medium I for displaying a message and a 27 flexible band 10 for gripping a cigarette lighter and other 28 compact objects. The message displayed may be an advertisement, 29 slogan 1 logo, trademark, trade name, warning message, personal message, or the like, and may be in written, pictorial, 31. holographic, or other graphic form. For example, the message may 32 be a written phrase such as "DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE". The message 33 may also be electronic, thereby being delivered via audible, 34 motorized, and/or visual electronic means. This includes use of sound producing element(s), motion producing element(s), as well COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I as light producing element(s) such as pixilated, light (e.g.

o2 conventional, fiber'optic, etc.), liquid crystal, etc. Light o3 producing elements may present the message in either an animated 4 or motionless manner, and may further include a sound generating Ct 5 element.

6 The medium 1 may preferably include an adhesive backing, as VaO o7 shown in FIG. 3, such that it can be affixed to a cigarette box.

8 Addlitionally, the holding device may be configured in a closed 9 book formation, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the left and right INO 10 side portions, 2 and 3, (shown in FIG. 1) are folded over to o11 create a closed book for retaining the band 10. This allows for 12 convenient distribution, wherein the band is prevented from 13 becoming entangled with other objects and the medium remains o14 protected.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the medium I of holding device 100 16 is shown to have a left and right side portion, 2 and 3, 17 respectively, which are attached together to form one congruent 18 article. Left side portion 2 has a front surface 4, while right 19 side portion 3 has a front surface 5. Additionally, both left side 2 and right side 3 portions each have a back'surface, 6 and 21 7 respectively. Although FIG. 1 shows medium 1 with two 22 sectioned front and back surfaces, it is of course, understood 23 that the medium I. may have a single, un-sectioned front and back 24 surface instead, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Furthermore, the medium I can also have more then 26 two sectioned front and back surfaces, depending on the manner in 27 which the medium 1 is designed.

28 Returning now to FIG. 1, it is preferred that -the left side 29 portion 2 be easily detachable from the right side portion 3.

Allowing for the two portions to be separated may be advantageous 31 for mounting the medium on the cigarette box given the amount of 32 surface space available on the box. The preferred method of 33 sectioning the medium 1, as shown in FIG. 1, is by perforating 34 the medium I. along a vertical plane 9 that will allow left side portion 2 to be easily torn apart from right side portion 3. It 6 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:2 1 Date 2007-03-06 I is noteworthy to mention that the perforation can also be o2 positioned along a horizontal plane when such would be the 03 preferred design scheme. In that respect, the upper side portion 4 (not depicted by a character reference) of the medium 1 would be torn apart from the lower sidte portion (not depicted by a 6 character reference) of the medium 1. Another method (not shown) VaO o7 of detaching right side portion 2 from left side portion 3 8 involves breaking an adhesive bond that may be holding both 9 portions together. Mere, an attaching element would be present INO 10 which detachably connects right side portion 2 to left side o11 portion 3. Although many different attachment methods can be 12 used, some of the more common include supplemental material such 13 as tape or an adhesive compound.

o14 Although the medium 1 is shown in FIGS. 1,4,5,6,and 7 as rectangularly flat in shape, it of course, need not be as such, 16 and may undertake any geometric shape including, circular, 17 triangular, trapezoid, elliptical, etc. Examples of alternate 18 shapes are shown in FIG. 8 holding device 300, FIG. 9 holding 19 device 400, FIG. 10 holding device 500, FIG. 11 holding device 600, and FIG. 15 where the medium 1 is fashioned into a miniature 21 three dimensional model of a beer mug, a three dimensional 22 character formation, a retaining pouch, an opaque case, and a 23 slot machine. It is noteworthy to mention that with certain 24 designs, as shown in FIG. 10, the medium 1 and cigarette lighter holding device can even be the same composition. There, the 26 pouch serves as both the medium and device for holding a 27 cigarette lighter abuttingly to a cigarette box.

.28 The medium 1 can also be made in accordance with any size 29 deemed suitable. For example, although the medium 1 is shown in FIG. 1, holding device 100, as elongated and sectioned, it of 31 course, may be compact and non-sectioned as shown in FIG. 6 32 holding device 200, FIG. 8 holding device 300, FIG. 9 holding 33 device 400, FIG. 10 holding device 500, FIG. 11. holding device 34 600, FIG. 12 holding device 700, FIG. 13 holding device 800, FIG.

14 holding device 900, and FIG. 15. In this respect, the medium 7 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 1 may be sized to fit on one of the four walls of a cigarette o2 box, all four walls of the cigarette box, or a select portion 03 thereof. Additionally, the medium 1 may he made out of any type 4 of material, including paper, plastic, wood, glass, polymer, fiber, gel, fiberglass, metal, rubber, elastic, etc. Contrasting 6 material examples are shown in FIG. 1 where the medium 1 is made o7 out of paper, while FIGS. 8, 9, and 11 show a medium 1 that is 8 made out of material such as plastic. One of the advantages of kn 9 making the medium 1 from paper is the fact that such material is IND 10 highly adaptable and cost efficient to work with. An example to o11 this would be a strip of paper such as a paper tag or label.

12 Although the medium 1 is shown in FIGS. a, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 13 as having a flat front 4,5 and back 6,7 surface, it need not have o14 such and may instead, have a two or three dimensional surface plane on any of its respective front and/or back surface(s). A 16 two dimensional surface may comprise a holographic image (not 17 shown) 1 while a three dimensional surface may comprise a 18 protruding formation such as show in FIG. 7. There, the message 19 12 is fashioned in a three dimensional composition so that the lettering '"XYZ Co." is protruding outward from the medium 1.

21 Although such is not the case in FIG. 7, it is of course, 22 understood that the entire medium 1 may additionally be fashioned 23 in a two or three dimensional manner. For example, the medium 1 24 may be a miniature three dimensional model such as a beer mug, shown in FIG. 8, or a three dimensional character formation, as 26 shown in FIG. 9. Additionally, the medium may be fashioned in 27 the form of a retaining pouch, as shown in FIG. 10. It is 28 noteworthy that in all of these configurations, the medium 1 has 29 a front surface 5 and back surface 7. Thus, a two or three dimensional medium surface may be utilized over a flat one for 31 various reasons including, but not limited to, advertisement 32 purposes (as it may be more eye-catching), gripping purposes, 33 and/or preferred aesthetic appearances.

34 it is noteworthy to mention that the holding device need not utilize a band 10 for retaining a cigarette lighter or other 8 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I small object. Any type of element that is capable of gripping o2 and/or holding a cigarette lighter and/or other type of compact o3 article(s) may be utilized. For example, this can be a retaining 4 pouch, as shown in FIG. 10, as well as a clamp, snap-into receptacle, or male/female Velcro strips. It is therefore 6 understood that this invention applies to any type of element o 7 utilized to hold a cigarette lighter or other compact object 8 together with a cigarette box, which is adapted to display a 9 message. Examples of other suitable holding devices which-may be INO 10 adapted to display a message in accordance with the present o11 invention may be found in U.S. Pat. App. 5,099,694 to Torras at 12 al., U.S. Pat. App. 5,788,479 to Galanos at al., U.S. Pat App.

13 5,918,734 to Devens et al., U.S. Pat. App. 6,223,891 B1 to Devens o14 at al., and U.S. Pat. App. D443,387 S to Torres at al.

Preferably, the holding element comprises a band 10, as 16 shown in Fig. 1, that is made out of elastic, rubber, or other 17 flexible material. This is because the advantages of a flexible 18 elastic or rubber band are numerous. First, an elastic band 19 provides a strong holding mechanism that would keep a cigarette lighter and/or other small object secured to the cigarette box 21 16, despite movement factors such as removal and insertion of the 22 cigarette box 16 to and from a pocket. This is indicated in FIG.

23 5 where the butane lighter is tightly held abuttingly to the 24 cigarette box. Next, an elastic band is compact which allows it to easily be enclosed in and attached to the medium 1, for 26 example, as with the closed book formation shown in FIG. 2.

27 Third, an elastic band is very versatile in use as it can hold 28 most compact objects money, paper slips, keys, pens, make- 29 up items, candy, etc.,) regardless of their shape, instead of, or simultaneous to, holding the cigarette lighter 17. Finally, an 31. elastic band is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

32 It is further preferred that the band 10 shown, for example, 33 in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17 be 34 attached to the medium 1. Attachment of the band 10 to the medium 1 can be accomplished by use of an adhesive compound, such 9 cOMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I as glue or tape, as per reference character 11, grip clips/clamp o 2 (not shown), or other known. methods that would hold the two o3 components together- Furthermore, attachment can be permanent or 4 non-permanent wherein the band 10 may be detached and reattached to the medium 1 as is the case with use of Velcro) It is 6 noteworthy to mention that attachment of the band 10 to the No 7 medium 1 may be at any location point or points on the medium 1, 8 the band 10, or a combination-thereof. Preferably, the point or 9 points for attachment would be in a location that does not block Va 10 or interfere with any message that may be located on or within o11 the medium 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the attachment location may be 0 12 at a point right above the message ("XYZ 12. Additionally, 13 attachment can be at one or more points located below, to the o14 left, or the right of the message. in light of this, therefore, it is of course, understood that many variations will be apparent 16 to one skilled in the art.

17 As previously mentioned, the holding device serves both as a 18 holder for keeping a cigarette lighter or other compact object 19 together with a cigarette box, as well as a platform for displaying a message;' This is extremely significant for a number 21 o± reasons. First, each time that the smoker reaches for their 22 lighter or other object gripped by the holding element, they will 23 undoubtedly be exposed to the message and likely take notice of 24 it. This could result in the smoker being exposed to the message on numerous occasions, thereby increasing the prospects of it 26 getting across. Second, it is well known that many smokers 27 habitually place their cigarette box on a table or counter top 28 after having taken out a cigarette for smoking. This conduct is 29 extremely noteworthy given that the cigarette box is usually placed in a location where it is openly visible to any person 31 sitting or standing next to it. In other words, just by virtue 32 of placing the medium I onto the cigarette box 16, the smoker and 33 those around them become potential targets for the message 34 presented on or within the medium 1. In restaurants, for example, the cigarette box may be left on the dining table for COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by P1 Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 hours throughout the course of a meal. During this time, it is o2 very likely that many of those around the table would spend a 03 good portion of that time glancing and staring at the box, 4 thereby noticing the message displayed on the attached medium 1.

It is noteworthy to mention that given the utility of the holding IND6 device, smokers would likely be motivated to place the medium 1 o7 on their cigarette boxes. It therefore ensues that once attached 8 to a cigarette box, the holding device could make the cigarette 9 box a useful article as well as a powerful platform for IND 10 delivering a-message to a substantial amount of people.

o i In lieu of the advantages offered by the holding device, CA 12 however, it is further contemplated that a medium 1, absent a 13 holding element, may also be attached to the cigarette box. This o14 would allow for the message contained by the medium 1 to still be communicated at times where the utility of a holding element is 16 not desired. As shown in FIG. 15, a medium 1 is displayed absent 17 a holding element. The medium 1 is attachable to a cigarette box 18 (preferably by way of an adhesive backing on back side 7) and is 19 solely provided in order to convey a message. In this case, that message may be that the slots at "XYZ CASINO" 22 result in high 21 winnings. It is noteworthy that although FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 22 12, 13, and 14 display holding devices comprising of a holding 23 element (such as band 10) and an attached medium 1, the holding 24 element 10 need not be provided. Elimination of the holding element (band 10) would do away with any utility for gripping an 26 object in an abutting manner to the cigarette box., The result 27 would be a medium 1 fashioned/fabricated only for the purpose of 28 conveying a message to an audience. For example, in accordance 29 with FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, thle message may be a company or product name such as "XYZ 12, "JTKL BEER" 12, ot "XYZ" 12, 31 respectively, presented in a three dimensional formation. With 32 regards to FIGS. 11 and 12, th~e message may similarly, be a 33 company name such as "1XYZ CASINO" 22 presented in an 34 electronically optical manner. In FIG. 13, the message is shown as an audible slogan such as "Marlboro" 25, while a mechanical COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: lime 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 display such as a slot machine is shown in FIG. 15, as previously o2 mentioned. As will later be discussed, band 10 may be used as a 3 means of attaching the medium I to the cigarette box despite its 4 additional utility as a holding element. As such, it is further ct 5 contemplated that the mediums shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, INO 6 13, and 14 may have an attached band 10, yet still be fashioned o7 for the purpose of conveying a message, irrespective of a holding 8 utility. Therefore, a distinctly notable aspect of this 9 invention is a "stand alone"/independent utility for delivering a message(s) to an audience whereby the message(s) is contained o11 within a medium that is attachable to a cigarette box.

12 Shown in FIG. 1, front surface 5 contains a message 13 depicting "XYZ Co." 12. Although the message 12 is only shown on o14 front surface 5, it of course, can be placed on front surface 4 as well. The same or a different message may also be placed on 16 back surface(s) 6 and/or 7. This is shown in FIG. 2, where a 17 different message depicts the imprint "Cig Tag" 13, which, in IS this case, may be a possible company or product logo for the 19 medium 1. Given the diversity in advertising, the message(s) placed on the medium 1 may be a pictorial, holographic, text, 21 and/or other type of graphic image, or a combination thereof.

22 Furthermore, the message(s) may also be a fashioned composition, 23 such as a two or three dimensional form that is comprised of 24 various materials, such as, but not limited to plastic, metal, fiberglass, polymer, fiber, rubber, elastic, gel, paper, wood, 26 glass, etc. For example, FIGS. 6 and 7 both display the message 27 "XYZ 12. The difference between the two, however, is that 28 the message 12 in FIG. 6 is printed while that shown in FIG. 7 is 29 a three dimensional composition comprised out of construction material Such as plastic. Thus, the message(s) on the medium 1 31 may be comprised of graphic, stationary, and/or any other type of 32 construction material, as mentioned above.

33 It is noteworthy that the message(s) may also be 34 electronically generated by way of visual means, audible meanls, motorized means, or a combination of the three. In other words, 12 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 the medium 1 may electronically present the message via use of a o2 luminous display, an audible mechanism, and/or a motorized 3 mechanism. Presenting the message in this manner is extremely 4 advantageous since doing so would highly increase the chances of it being noticed by the smoker and/or those nearby, thus, IND6 increasing awareness of the message. A microprocessor integrated o7 into either the optical, audible, and/or motorized message(s) 8 circuitry may provide means for delivering the message in a pre- 9 determined, controlled, and/or desired manner. Additionally, a memory module(s), if likewise'integrated with the-se circuit(s) is o11 preferably non-volatile and contains pre-programmed data relating 12 to the message and/or its method of presentation. A power source 13 such as a wafer battery may provide power to the circuit.

o14 visual electronic means may include an optical electronic display comprised of a pixilated element(s), conventional light 16 element(s) bulb, fiber optic, etc.), liquid crystal, or 17 other type of electronic optical display. Such display may 18 present the message in either an animated or motionless manner, 19 and may further include additional electronic components needed to present the desired visual message. Such components may 21 include, but are not limited to an activation switch, a power 22 source, a microprocessor, and memory module 23 As shown in FIG. 11, holding device 600, the medium 1 is 24 configured as a case having a front surface 5 and a back surface 7. The medium I includes electronic components such as a light 26 bulb 10, a microprocessor 19, a memory module 20, and a wafer ,27 battery 21 for powering the circuit. Use of a microprocessor 19 28 and/or a memory module(s) would allow for the message to be 29 controlled with respect to presentation and content. For example, the microprocessor 19 may be used to control the 31 operation of the circuit. In one embodiment, the microprocessor 32 19 may be programmed to present the message in a flashing or 33 colored (single or multi) manner. Additionally, programming 34 stored in the memory module(s) 20 may allow for varying message content to be displayed (such as with use of an LOG) during 13 COMB ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by P1 Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 presentation. Despite this, however, it is of-course understood o2 that medium 1 need only have the minimum electronic components, o3 as is best known to those skilled in the art, which would be 4 needed to present the message in an electronically optical ct 5 manner.

NO6 Returning to FIG. 11, upon activation of the circuit, medium o7 1 will display the message "XYZ CASINO" 22 in a luminous manner 8 23 until deactivation. While the electronically optical message 9 may be presented through a number of different Structural INO 10 arrangements, the message 22 shown in FIG. 11 utilizes an opaque o11 medium 1 having text cut from and/or transparently overlaid on 12 its front surface 5. This will allow the light 23 produced by 13 the light generating element to escape the medium 1 and deliver o14 the message 22 in a luminous manner. Furthermore, the medium 1 may be fashioned into a three dimensional formation that includes 16 electronic circuitry as mentioned above. in this respect the 17 optical message is not limited to a luminous text display and may 18 likewise be delivered by presenting a luminous three dimensional 19 graphic formation figure, product, animal, etc.). As a 2 0 further exaMple of how an electronic luminous display may be 21 arranged, FIG. 12, holding device 700, shows a medium comprised 22 of a liquid crystal display (LCD) 37. The medium 1 is configured 23 as a case having a front surface 5 and back surface 7 with the 24 message display surface of LCD 37 positioned towards the front surface 5 of medium 1. While wafer battery 21 may provide power 26 to the circuit, electronic components such as microprocessor 19, 27 and memory module(s) 20 may likewise be integrated in order to 28 deliver and/or enhance the intended Message. Although LCD 37 of 29 FIG. 12 disp lays the message "XYZ CASINO" in a type set manner, other ways of presenting the message on the LCD 37 are likewise 31 contemplated. These include the use of animations (movable or 32 motionless), presentation effects scrolling data content, 33 blinking data content, color. etc.), etc. Besides messages, the 34 LCD 37 may further display any type of informative data including the time (12:00 AM) 38, date (not shown), user's name, etc. It 14 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I is noteworthy that despite the structural arrangement shown in o 2 FIGS. 11 and 12, other types of arrangements for presenting an o 3 electronically optical message likewise exist. These includes 4 use of LEDs positioned in a particular pattern to form a recognizable message (not shown) or any other type of optical 6 electronic display arrangements best known to those skilled in o 7 the art.

8 Similar to an electronically delivered optical message, a 9 sound generating element may be used to generate an electronic Va 10 audible message. The audible message may include.a pre-recorded S 11 verbal message, chime, melody, or any other type of audible 0 12 composition. Components for presenting an audible message may 13 include, but are not limited to an activation switch, a power S 14 source, a sound generating element, a microprocessor, and memory module(s). As shown in FIG. 13, holding device 800, the medium 16 is configured as a case having a front surface 5 and a back 17 surface 7. The medium 1 includes electronic components such as a 18 speaker 24, a microprocessor 19, a memory module 20, and a wafer 19 battery 21 for powering the circuit. Use of a microprocessor 19 and/or a memory module(s) would allow for the audible message to 21 be controlled with respect to presentation and content. For 22 example, the microprocessor 19 may control the message by 23 presenting it in a repetitive or multi-vocal manner.

24 Additionally, programming stored in the memory module(s) 20 may allow for a more informative message to be presented then would 26 otherwise be the case. Inclusion of a recorder element, such as 27 a microphone (not shown), coupled with the microprocessor 19 28 and/or memory module(s) 20 would further allow a user to 29 continually record messages memos) and save them for future playback. Such a feature would be useful in reminding a user of 31 important information. Despite this, however, it is of-course 32 understood that medium 1 need only have the minimum electronic 33 components, as is best known to those skilled in the art, which 34 would be needed to present the message in an electronically audible manner. Referring again to FIG. 13, the medium 1, upon COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I activation of the electronic circuit, will deliver the pre- 2 recorded message "Marlboro' o3 In FIG. 14, a medium 1 is further shown as capable of l4. presenting an electronically generated message containing both ct 5 optical and audible elements. There, medium 1, which is 6 configured as an opaque case has light bulb 18, speaker 24, 7 microprocessor 19, memory module 20, and a wafer battery 21 for 8 powering the circuit. When activated, medium 1 is able to 9 present the message 'XYZ CASINO" 22 in a luminous 23 and aludible 26 manner. Microprocessor 19, coupled with memory module(s) o11 may be used to control the message with regards to optical/audio o12 timing and content presentation.

13 Finally, the message may also be presented via way of a o14 mechanical motion generating element- in one embodiment, an electronically motorized element such as a miniature D/C motor 16 may be attached to movable components contained within the 17 medium. As shown in FIG. 15, the medium 1 is fashioned as a slot 18 machine having front surface 5 and back surface 7. The medium 1 19 includes electronic motor 27 which is powered by wafer battery 21.

and~has a shaft 28 leading to reels 29, 30, and 31.

21 Additionally, a microprocessor 19 and/or memory module(s) 20 may 22- be included to control the message and/or present it in a 23 particular manner. Upon activation, motor 27, via shaft 28, 24 rotates reels 29, 30, and 31 wherein the character on each respective reel falls on or approaches (as is the case with reel 26 31) the center bar 32. A message presented in such a fashion may 27 function to convey the notion that slot machines located at '"XYZ 28 CASINO" 22 result in frequent payoffs. Despite the slot machine 29 formation, the medium 1 may of course, be fashioned in a wide range of different designs and structures, each of which presents 31 a distinct and/or particular message via the use of a motion 32 generating element(s). Other such contemplated structures and/or 33 designs may include, but are not limited to movable figures9 that 34 depict people, animals, recreational activities sports), products vehiclesl tools, electronics, furniture), games, 16 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I game machines, etc. It is al~so noteworthy that although the o2 motion generating element shown in FIG. 15 is an electronic motor o3 27, it may alternatively be a non-electronic spring loaded, wind 4 up, or similar type mechanical motion generating device.

ct 5 Additionally, components such as an electronic optical display 6 and/or sound generating element may be included within the medium o7 1 to further enhance the message.

8 It is preferred that an electronically generated message 9 regarding either the optical, audible, and/or motorized displays IN 10 be activated via use of an activation switch. The activation o 11 switch may consist of a push button, lever (such as that 33 shown 012 in FIG. 15), trigger mechanism (such as touching metal 13 connectors), or any other activation device known to those o14 skilled in the art. A trigger mechanism, for example, may be strategically situated, such as on the medium 1 or cigarette box 16 16, wherein it will activate the circuit resulting from an action 17 initiated by a user (such as push of a button, opening of the 18 cigarette box top cover, etc.). once the switch is activated, 19 the electronic message generating circuitry will present the message in an electronically visual, audible, motorized, or 21 combined type form. As shown in FIG. 16, medium 1 (which is 22 fashioned as an opaque rectangular case) is shown to display the 23 message "XYZ CASINO" 22 in a luminous 23 setting when the top lid 24 34 of cigarette box .16 is opened. There, opening of lid 34 separates upper connector 35 from lower connector 36 to activate 26 the circuit, thereby causing light bulb 2.8 to turn on. As shown 27 in FIG. 17, closing of the cigarette box top lid 34, allows 28 connectors 35 and 36 to come in contact with one another, thereby 29 de-activating the circuit within medium 1.

It is preferred that the medium 1 be configured in a "closed 31 book" enclosure formation since such would be advantageous in 32 distribution, handling, and protection of the holding device 33 and/or medium. As shown in FIG. 2, medium 1 may be folded along 34 vertical perforation 9 to render it in the "closed book" formation. In this configuration, back surfaces 6 and 7, 17 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 I respectively, become the front and reverse outer handling o2 surfaces of the medium 1. with edge 8 forming an outer side o3 surface. The medium 1 can thereafter be detachably sealed along 4 any of its edges so as to keep it in the "closed book" formation.

Ct 5 Although the folded "cl~osed book" enclosure is shown in FIG. 2 as 6 rectangular in shape, it of course, need not be as such, and may o7 come in any geometric shape including, circular, triangular, 8 trapezoid, elliptical, etc. It is noteworthy to mention that in 9 situations where the "closed book" formation is not desired, the INO 10 medium 1 can come in an "~open no fold" formation, as is shown O11 in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. It is of course 0 12 understood, that in such a case, holding devices 200 as per FIG.

13 6 0 s p r F G 8 0 s p r F G 50 s p r F G 0 0 134, as per FIG. 00 as per FIG. 9 500 as per FIG. 190, 600 per FIG. 14, and the medium 1 as per FIG. 15 may be individually 16 wrapped, such as with cellophane or other material, in order to 17 protect the entire apparatus throughout the course of 1S distribution.

19 Attachment of the medium 1 directly on the cigarette box 16 or the cellophane wrapping, which may be present around the box 21 16, can be accomplished in a number of ways. Placing an adhesive 22 backing on the back surface(s) of the medium 1 is one conceivable 23 method of doing this. As illustrated in FIG. 3 and referenced in 24 FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 back surface 7 of medium 1 may have a peel away backing 14 which could be 26 removed to reveal an adhesive surface 15 underneath. The 27 adhesive layer 15 may be placed on the entire back surface 7 or a 28 select portion of it.

29 Use of an adhesive backing is the preferred method of attaching the medium 1 to cigarette box 16 since such would 31 securely affix the two together. Despite this, however, other 32 methods known in the art, including attachment via clips or a 33 strap such as band 10, are also contemplated. In this respect, 34 an adhesive attachment, although preferred, may not even be needed. For example, the elastic band (vis-A-via the band 10 of COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 holding devices 100, 200, 300r' 400, 600, 700, 800, and 900) can 2 be used to attach the medium. 1 to cigarette -box 16 just by o3 stretching the band 10 around the cigarette box 16, Attachment 4 in this manner would likely be the case with holding devices such Ct 5 as those shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In neither of these examples 6 does an adhesive material need to be resident on the back of the 7 respective medium 1 in order for it to be attached to the 8 cigarette box 16. There, band 10 can act as both the mechanism 9 used for attaching the medium 1 to the cigarette box 16 as well IND 10 as that which is used to grip compact objects. Alternatively, o U band 10 may simply act as the mechanism for attaching a medium 1, o12 independent of a holding element, to a cigarette box 16, as 13 previously mentioned, Of course,' if desired, the medium 1 of o14 FIGS. 0, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14, for example, may also contain an adhesive backing to allow for a stronger attachment to the 16 cigarette box 16. This, however, is not required.

17 Alternatively, attachment of holding devices 100, 200, 300, 18 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 and 900 to cigarette box 16 can also be 19 accomplished via the use of clips located on back surface 6 or 7 which could dig into cigarette box 16. Finally, attachment can 21 also be removably affixed, such as where Velcro is used to allow 22 for attachment and re-attachment.

23 After the medium 1 is attached to cigarette box 16, the seal 24 keeping it in the "cl'osed book" formation (if holding device is configured as such) may be broken (not shown), after which the 26 band 10 can be stretched around box 16, as shown in FIG. 4. Once 27 this is done, a cigarette lighter 17 or other compact object(s) 28 may be held in an abutting manner to box 16, as shown in FIG. S.

29 It should be mentioned that although the holding device in this disclosure mainly focuses on an apparatus for securing a 31 cigarette lighter 17 to a cigarette box 16, it is wholly 32 contemplated that such a holding device can also be used to 33 secure other compact objects to the cigarette box 16. Such 34 objects may include, but are not limited to money, writing utensils, paper slips, keys, medical drugs, make-up articles and 19 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 accessories, pouches, wa.1.Jets, identification cards, debit cards, 2 etc. As is obvious from FIG. 4, any of these objects can be o3 gripped by the holding device(s) of this invention anywhere along 4 the circumference of the cigarette box 16, Thus, once the Ct 5 holding device of this invention is attached to a cigarette box 6 16, it can provide the user with an apparatus capable of holding oN 7 most compact objects in an abutting manner to the cigarette box 8 16. This will help the user keep their items close within reach kn 9 while exposing them and others to the message(s) contained on the Va 10 medium 1. Additionally, given the ability to convey messages o1.1 through the medium attached to a cigarette box, this invention is 012 likewise noted for its method of displaying messages by way of 13 rendering medium 1 independent of a holding element.

o14 While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional 16 variations of the present invention may be devised without 17 departing from the inventive concept. The present embodiments of 18 this invention are thus to be considered in all respects as 19 illustrative and not restrictive; the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the 21 foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning 22 and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be 23 embraced therein.

24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06

Claims (8)

1. 2. The method of Claim I further comprising; 16 providing a holding element, said holding element being 17 capable of retaining at least one compact object together 1s with a cigarette box. 19
2. 3. The method as recited in Claim 1, wherein said medium is 21 detachable from said cigarette box. 22 23 4. The method of Claim 1, further comprising an electric motor, a 24 spring loaded element, or a combination thereof. 26 5. The method of Claim 1, further including the step of exposing 27 said cigarette box wherein said message is viewable. 28 29 6. The method as recited in Claim 1, wherein said message is a warning message, a personal message, or a combination 31 thereof. 32 33 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said medium also 34 includes printed material in addition to said at least one 21 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 non-printed message.
3. 8. The method of Claim 1, further including the step of activating said mechanically generated message.
4. 9. A method which utilizes a cigarette box as a platform for delivering at least one message to at least one individual, said method comprising the steps of: packaging cigarettes within a cigarette box; applying product printing to the cigarette box relating to the cigarettes packaged therein; providing a medium containing at least one non-printed message, said at least one non-printed message being mechanically generated; attaching said medium to said cigarette box subsequent to the step of applying product printing to the cigarette box; and displaying said cigarette box wherein said message is viewable. The method of Claim 9, further comprising; providing a holding element, said holding element being capable of retaining at least one compact with a cigarette box.
5. 11. The method as recited in Claim 9, wherein detachable from said cigarette box.
6. 12. The method of Claim 9, further comprising a spring loaded element, or a combination
7. 13. The method as recited in Claim 9, wherein warning message, a personal message, or a thereof. object together said medium is an electric motor, thereof. said message is a combination COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 14. The method as recited in Claim 9, wherein said medium also o 2 includes printed material in addition to said at least one o non-printed message. 4 ct 5 15. The method of Claim 9, further including the step of 6 activating said mechanically generated message. 8 16. A method of presenting a message comprising the steps of: kn9 providing a cigarette box which contains at least one IND 10 cigarette, said cigarette box including product printing o11 applied thereto relating to said at least one cigarette 012 packaged therein; 13 providing a medium that is different fCrom said product o14 printing, said medium including at least one mechanically generated message; 16 attaching said medium to said cigarette box after said 17 product printing has been applied thereto; and 18 exposing said cigarette box wherein said message is 19 viewable. 21 17. The method of Claim 16, further including tbe step of 22 activating said mechanically generated message. 23 24 18. A method of presenting a message on a cigarette box comprising: 26 providing a medium, said medium including at least one 27 mechanically generated message; 28 attaching said medium to said cigarette box; and 29 activating said mec-hanically generated message. 31 32 19. A method of presenting a message on a cigarette box 33 Comprising: 34 providing a medium, said medium including at least one mechanically generated message; 23 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06 1 attaching said medium to said cigarette box; and O 2 exposing said cigarette box wherein said message is 3 viewable. 4
8. 20. The method of Claim 22, further including the step of \0 6. activating said mechanically generated message. o 7 8 t) 9 O i C 12 o 13 CN 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 24 COMS ID No: SBMI-06499640 Received by IP Australia: Time 14:21 Date 2007-03-06