EP1474009A1

EP1474009A1 - Ashtray capable of being combined with a pack of cigarettes

Info

Publication number: EP1474009A1
Application number: EP03712283A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Edouard Magdelaine
Original assignee: Papiau Olivier
Current assignee: Papiau Olivier
Priority date: 2002-02-04
Filing date: 2003-01-28
Publication date: 2004-11-10
Also published as: FR2835400B1; FR2835400A1; AU2003216962A1; WO2003065829A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an ashtray in the form of a case (2) for a pack of cigarettes (1), and it comprises a window (4) provided in one of the sides of the case, enabling butts, ash and other remains to be dropped into the case chamber, which is accessible after the pack has been moved relative to said case. Said ashtray further comprises a valve arranged at the inlet of the case at the orifice for inserting the pack of cigarettes. Said valve is automatically retracted when the pack is inserted and recovers its position elastically to close the inlet of the case so as to make the ashtray independent.

Description

ASHTRAY ASSOCIATED WITH A PACK OF CIGARETTES

The present invention relates to an ashtray associable with a pack of cigarettes, but also usable independently.

This ashtray allows the almost instant extinction of cigarette butts, without crushing, by simple suffocation. It is produced and achievable in any type of non-flammable, flame-retardant, non-combustible material, both flexible and rigid, such as aluminum or aluminum-lined paper, of any material and material of whatever nature, natural, artificial, synthetic, chemical, directly or indirectly relating to the manufacture of said ashtray or capable of facilitating its extension, its development, and very particularly its recycling because it is disposable.

This ashtray according to the invention is first of all in the form of a case, the bottom of which constitutes a chamber serving as a warehouse for ashes and / or butts or the like, which chamber has a variable volume and is delimited by the lower part of the envelope forming said case and through the bottom of the packet of cigarettes arranged in the latter, which chamber is accessible after displacement of said packet of cigarettes, to accommodate the deposits of ash and / or butts or the like, by the through a window fitted on one of the faces of said case, which window is positioned at a distance from the bottom of the case, also delimiting the reception capacity of said room so that it allows accommodation there a sufficient volume of ashes, butts or other.

The interest of such a case-shaped ashtray lies in the fact that it does not increase the volume of the pack of cigarettes compared to solutions like that described in document FR-2 811 519. The volume n 'is modified only very slightly when full and this modification concerns the height. Still according to the invention, this ashtray also has the particularity of being usable autonomously and it comprises, arranged at its entrance, a valve which is articulated on the upper edge of the face of the case which for example is opposite to that comprising the window for introducing ashes, butts or the like, which flap retracts automatically when the cigarette pack is placed in said case, and it is provided with means which allow it to resume automatically and elastically its closed position of said inlet when the package is separated from said case, so as to give the ashtray its autonomous character. Likewise, said ashtray and / or case can be used independently of the pack of cigarettes, with the same hermetic properties as those envisaged for the use of the ashtray and / or case, associated with the pack of cigarettes, which allows the extinction rapid glowing butts in both cases and which also allows automatic collection of butts, ashes and other cigarette residues, without risk of propagation of igneous elements, from said ashtray chamber and or case to the outside.

Still according to the invention, the valve for automatically closing the inlet of the case comprises lateral tabs which act as a seal, cooperating with the internal faces of the lateral sides of said case, which tabs are in the form of triangle for example.

Still according to the invention, the case comprises, on its lateral sides at its entrance, flaps folded inwards, serving as a guide for introducing the packet of cigarettes into the case, which flaps form a baffle, in cooperation with the tongues of the closing flap, so as to strengthen the seal when said case is used as a stand-alone ashtray.

Still according to the invention, the flaps serving as a guide for introducing the pack of cigarettes, have at their ends an articulated part, of triangular shape for example, serving as an anti-extraction device, once the pack of cigarettes is engaged.

Still according to the invention, the elastic return means of the valve for automatically closing the inlet of the case, consist of a spiral spring disposed between said valve and the face of the case comprising the articulation of said valve. According to another arrangement of the invention, the ashtray comprises, at the level of the face provided with the window for introducing ashes, cigarette butts or the like, a shutter for closing this window.

This shutter can be located under the face which comprises said window, that is to say in the internal volume of the case and its surface is greater than that of the orifice constituting said window.

According to a first embodiment, the shutter valve for the window is articulated on one of the edges of the latter, and in particular the upper edge located on the side of the inlet of the case, which valve is stressed. elastically toward its normal window shutter position, and it has an extra thickness forming a kind of plug, arranged on its external surface, having the dimensions of the orifice constituting said window, which shutter shutter is placed and maintained in the active shutter position of the window by the pack of cigarettes itself same or, as the case may be, by the valve for automatically closing the entrance to the case, after removing said pack of cigarettes.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the shutter shutter of the window is in the form of a drawer which is guided by sliding under the face of the case provided with said window, which drawer can comprise also a window whose dimensions correspond to that located on the pierced face of the case, which drawer window is retractable by means of a finger pass which makes it possible to move said drawer relative to said pierced face of the case to switch it from an active window shutter position to an inactive position and vice versa.

Still according to the invention, the sliding drawer can comprise, on its lateral sides, a flap allowing it to slide in grooves arranged on internal parts of the lateral sides of the case, which flaps limit the stroke of said drawer, cooperating with stops disposed at the ends of said grooves on the side of the inlet of the case so as to prevent the extraction of said drawer.

According to an alternative embodiment, the drawer is associated with the external wall forming the bottom of the case, which bottom is articulated on the end of the face of the case which is opposite to the face comprising the window.

Still according to the invention, the internal lateral sides of the case have cutouts forming stops, which stops are arranged at the upper edge of the window and cooperate with the bottom of the pack of cigarettes to form an anti-extraction device. of the latter with respect to said case.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the ashtray in the form of a case is shaped from a blank of suitable material, cardboard or the like, which blank mainly comprises: - a part forming the rear or dorsal face of the case ,

- a part forming the face provided with the window for introducing ashes, butts or the like, constituting for example the front face, - lateral sides and - a bottom.

Still according to the invention, in the case of a case provided with a shutter for closing the window of the articulated type, the part of the blank forming the rear face comprises, on one side, the bottom of said case and in the extension from this bottom, the part forming the front face with the window, and this part forming the rear face comprises, on the other side opposite said bottom, the shutter closing the inlet of the case, which part forming the front face with the window comprises, in its extension, a part constituting the shutter shutter of said window, which part comprises a portion intended to be glued to the edge of said window where the joint of said flap is located, which portion is for example glued to the internal surface of the face comprising said window.

Still according to the invention, and in the case of a case comprising a shutter for closing the window, in the form of a sliding drawer, said case consists of a blank and a complementary piece forming said drawer, which blank comprises a part forming the rear or dorsal face of said case, extended on one side by the bottom of the case, which bottom is itself extended by the front face comprising the window, and said rear face comprises, laterally, a part constituting the automatic closing valve of said case, each of the parts constituting the dorsal face and the front face, comprises flaps forming the lateral sides of the case, which internal lateral flaps comprise guide grooves of the sliding drawer.

According to another arrangement of the invention, in the case of a case with a shutter associated with the bottom of said case, the blank comprises a part forming a rear or dorsal face, connected to the part forming a front face with window by means of one of the lateral sides of said case, said part forming the rear face is extended on one side by the bottom which itself is extended by said sliding flap and, on the other side, opposite said bottom, said rear face is extended by the automatic closing valve of said case, the lateral sides of the case, situated on either side of the part forming said rear face, extend, on the bottom side, in the form of flaps constituting during the setting in volume of said blank, the real bottom disposed inside said case and forming a seal.

Still according to the invention, the part forming the rear or dorsal face of the case, comprises, at the articulation of the valve for automatically closing the inlet of said case, two small notches at an angle helping to increase the spring effect of said valve.

Still according to the invention, the outline of the window cutout may have a rectangular, round, square shape or a serrated or other outline, facilitating, for the user, the introduction of ashes and / or butts or other residues. According to another arrangement of the invention, the case may comprise, at its lateral sides and at the bottom, a bellows-like folding, making it possible, both for its packaging and for its transport, to retract it in the height direction . Still according to the invention, the parts of the case intended to be glued during the setting in volume, can consist of self-adhesive zones allowing the user to directly mount said case himself.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the parts of the case intended to be glued during the setting in volume, may be provided with tabs which are inserted in one or more cutouts, located on the edge of the lateral sides, articulated on the part forming the bottom of the case.

According to another arrangement of the invention, the part forming the bottom of the case and / or ashtray can be retractable, so that this ashtray can be emptied. Knowing that this valve can be resiliently biased towards its normal position for closing the bottom.

The invention will be further detailed with the aid of the following description and of the appended drawings given for information and in which:

- Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the ashtray according to the invention in the form of a case for a packet of cigarettes;

- Figures 2 and 3 show two alternative embodiments of the ashtray according to the invention in the form of a case;

- Figure 4 shows the ashtray in section, serving as a case for a pack of cigarettes, according to the embodiment of Figure 1; - Figure 5 shows the case usable as an ashtray after the partial extraction of the cigarette pack, according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 4;

- Figure 6 shows, still in section, the ashtray in the form of a case, after reintroduction of the packet of cigarettes into the case, crushing the butts at the bottom of said case, still according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 4 and 5 ; - Figure 7 shows the autonomous ashtray that is to say the ashtray shown in Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 6, but without the pack of cigarettes;

- Figure 8 shows, in section, the ashtray of Figure 7 showing the wedging means of the window shutter allowing the introduction of ashes, butts or other; - Figure 9 shows the ashtray according to Figures 7 and 8, with the shutter resiliently replaced;

- Figure 10 shows a blank in fireproof, non-combustible or other cardboard, usable for making the ashtray in the form of a case shown in Figures 1 and 4 to 9;

- Figure 11 shows the preparation and folding operations to form the window shutter;

- Figures 12 and 13 show the folding operations allowing the formation of the closure valve of the inlet of the case; - Figure 14 shows the volume of the case corresponding to the embodiment of Figure 1;

- Figure 15 shows, in section, the ashtray acting as a case, according to the embodiment of Figure 2;

- Figure 16 shows the ashtray corresponding to the embodiment of Figures 2 and 15, without the pack of cigarettes, constituting an autonomous ashtray;

- Figure 17 shows the blank which allows, after setting in volume, to shape the ashtray according to the embodiment of Figures 2 and 15 and 16;

- Figure 18 shows the ashtray in the form of a sectional case, according to the embodiment of Figure 3; - Figure 19 shows the same ashtray corresponding to Figures 3 and 18, used independently;

- Figure 20 shows the arrangements on the case and on the shutter, allowing the latter to slide;

- Figure 21 shows the blank for making this ashtray-case according to the embodiment of Figure 3, shown in Figures 18 and 19;

- Figure 22 shows the shutter in the form of a sliding drawer;

- Figure 23 shows the volume setting of the blank with the shutter in the form of a sliding drawer;

- Figure 24 shows, schematically, in a section parallel to the front and rear faces of the case, the lateral stops arranged on the internal sides of the case.

- Figure 25 shows a blank in fireproof cardboard, which blank is provided with two tabs located on the lateral sides of the part forming the top of the ashtray and / or case, as well as two cutouts located on the edge of the part forming the below the case and in which these legs are inserted, as well as two parts articulated on the end of the flaps serving as a guide for introducing the packet of cigarettes.

- Figure 26 represents these two legs coming to be inserted in the cutouts located on the edge of the lateral sides, articulated on the part forming the bottom of the case, as well as two articulated parts, located on the end of the two flaps serving as a guide for introducing the pack of cigarettes and as an anti-extraction device, once the pack of cigarettes has been engaged.

- Figure 27 shows, schematically, in a section parallel to the front and rear faces of the case, the flaps serving as introduction guides provided with articulated parts serving as anti-extraction stops of the packet of cigarettes, once inserted in this ashtray and / or case.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a pack of cigarettes 1 housed in a case 2 which forms as detailed below, an ashtray.

This ashtray case 2, which can be combined with a pack of cigarettes 1, has the advantage of not increasing the external volume of the pack of cigarettes. The different cases 2 shown in Figures 1 to 3, all have, on their front face 3, a window 4 which allows, when the packet of cigarettes 1 is partially extracted from said case, to give access to the interior volume of this case to accommodate the ashes, butts or the like.

FIG. 1 represents a first embodiment in which the window 4 is provided with a shutter 5 which closes the orifice of said window.

This shutter 5 is shown in the active shutter position, Figure 1, and it is placed and maintained in this active position, directly by the package 1 which is housed in the case.

It is the withdrawal of the package 1 relative to the case 2 which makes it possible to release the shutter 5, which shutter can then tilt by simple pressure and allow the introduction into the case of ashes, butts or the like.

Figures 2 and 3 each show an alternative embodiment also generally using a shutter 5. This shutter 5 is in fact in the form of a sliding drawer 25 and 35 respectively. The drawer 25 extends under the front face 3 of the case 2 and it is retractable by means of a finger pass 6 arranged at the bottom of this front face, which finger pass gives access to said drawer for the change from its active shutter position of window 4 as shown in FIG. 2 to an inactive position detailed below in FIG. 15.

The case 2 shown in FIG. 3 also includes a shutter 5 in the form of a sliding drawer, and this sliding drawer 35 also extends under the front face 3.

This drawer 35 can be manipulated by means of a finger pass 6, arranged at the upper end of the front face 3 to pass from an active position for closing the window 4 as shown in FIG. 3, to an inactive position giving access to the internal volume of the case 2 when the pack of cigarettes 1 has been partially extracted from said case, freeing access to said window as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 4 shows the case 2 in section in which is placed a pack of cigarettes 1. This pack of cigarettes 1 maintains the shutter 5 in its active shutter position of the window 4.

To allow the case 2 to be used as an ashtray, the pack of cigarettes 2, as shown in FIG. 5, is partially extracted from the case 2, releasing the shutter 5 and offering the user the possibility of house ashes, butts 7 or others, in the case itself, in particular in the chamber 8 of the case which is delimited by the bottom 9, the rear face 10 and the sides 11 of said case and the bottom 12 of the package cigarettes 1.

The ashes, butts 7 or other are introduced through the window 4 and fall into the case 2 and in particular on its rear or dorsal face 10.

As soon as a cigarette butt 7 is introduced into the chamber 8 of the case, the user can push the package 1 into said case, automatically closing the shutter 5 so as to immediately stop any combustion of the cigarette butt or butts 7 in said chamber, by suffocation. The package 1 and its ashtray case 2 can be kept as is until a new use.

The chamber 8 of the case, as shown in Figure 6, thus has a variable volume, acting as a warehouse for cigarette or other waste. FIG. 7 shows that the case 2 can also be used as an autonomous ashtray, after complete extraction of the package 1, or independently of any presence of a package.

Found in this case shown in Figure 7, the window 4 on the front face 3, the shutter 5 which, as detailed below, is articulated at the edge 14 of the upper window 4, and in particular the edge located on the side of entry 16 of the case.

The flap 5 is also shown in dotted lines in the open position in the case. Note that this flap 5 has an internal part 15 whose surface greater than that of the orifice constituting the window 4. This internal part 15 constituting the flap 5, is supplemented as detailed below, by an extra thickness in the form of a plug which truly closes the window opening 4.

The inlet 16 of the case, when the latter forms an autonomous ashtray, is closed by means of a valve 17. This closing valve 17 is articulated at the edge 19 forming the entrance to the case 2 , that is to say at the edge which constitutes the upper part of the rear face 12 of said case.

The valve 17 comprises, laterally, lateral tabs 21 which slide on the internal lateral surfaces of the sides 11 of the case 2. These lateral tabs act as a seal between the valve 17 and the lateral sides 11 of the case .

These tongues 21 are for example in the shape of a triangle with an upper edge 23 which can be in contact with the internal surface of the upper face 3 when the valve 17 is in the active closed position and an edge 24 which can merge with the edge 25 of the lateral sides 11 of the case.

The lateral sides 11 have, at their edge 25, flaps 26 also in the shape of a triangle.

These flaps 26 cover the tongues 21 and above all facilitate the guiding of the packet of cigarettes 1 during its introduction into the case 2. These flaps 26 also have a triangle shape matching the space left by the valve 17, as shown in FIG. 7 .

Figure 8 also shows the case 2 constituting an autonomous ashtray, shown in section. Note that the shutter 5 is in position inactive, i.e. open. The window 4 arranged in the front face 3 makes it possible to introduce the ashes, butts or the like.

The shutter 5 is held in the open position, wedged by means of the valve 17 which normally serves to close the inlet 16 of the case. FIG. 9 shows the case 2 acting as an ashtray, containing a few butts 7.

The shutter 5 is shown in the active closing position of the window 4. This shutter 5 is resiliently biased towards its active closing position by means of the valve 17 which itself is shaped in such a way that it has a natural tendency to return elastically to the active closed position of the inlet 16 of the case.

This valve 17 can also be permanently stressed by a complementary means such as for example a spiral spring 30 as shown in FIG. 9. This spiral spring 30 is interposed between the valve 17 and the rear face 10 of the case.

FIG. 10 represents a blank made for example of material of the fireproof cardboard type for making the case 2 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 9.

We find on this blank, a part constituting the front face 3, the bottom 9 which is interposed between this front face and the part forming the rear face 10.

In the extension of the rear face 10, opposite the bottom 9, there is the valve 17 provided, laterally, with its tongues 21.

The valve 17 is linked to the rear face 10 by the edge 19 which forms a joint. Note, starting from the ends of this edge 19 and extending in the rear part 10, two small notches 31 which accentuate the spring effect of said articulation 19, for the valve 17.

Still in FIG. 10, we find the flaps 26 arranged on the lateral sides of the case, in particular on the parts 32 forming the outside of said sides.

The front face 3 comprises the window 4, which window can be partially cut out as shown in FIG. 10, retaining a portion 33 which can be used to make the shutter 5. This portion 33 cut out in the front face 3 is held by a fold line 4, forming in a way the shutter plug of the window 4. The front face 3 is extended, opposite the bottom 9, by a portion 36 consisting of two portions: a portion 37 connected directly to the front face 3 by an edge 40, and a portion 15 in the extension, linked to said portion 37 by a joint 44 which, as indicated above, forms the joint 14 of the flap 5 on the front face 3.

Still in FIG. 10, we note, on either side of the front face 3, lateral parts 45 intended to form the internal lateral sides of the case.

These side parts are provided at their end with flaps 46 positioned so as to fold over the bottom 9. These internal side parts 45 have cutouts 47 which are located at the upper edge 14 of the window 4. These cutouts 47 form stops which allow, as shown in FIG. 24, to avoid the total extraction of the packet of cigarettes 1. In fact, these stops 47 cooperate with the bottom of the packet of cigarettes 1, avoiding untimely extraction of the packet from the case 2.

These cutouts in the form of stops 47 are linked to the internal lateral sides 45 by a fold line 48 which tends to keep them elastically in the active position for retaining the pack of cigarettes 1.

The blank is cut from a non-flammable material. External surfaces may include advertising or other inscriptions. The internal surfaces can be covered in whole or in part with a non-combustible and / or insulating material.

The mounting of the case is shown in FIGS. 11 to 14. This mounting is carried out firstly by folding the part 37 around its edge 40 and bonding this part 37 to the internal surface of the front face 3. The portion 15 located in the extension of the part 37 is glued to the part 33 so as to form the shutter 5.

The part 33 can also be completely cut out, forming a plug, and be glued to the portion 15, or be replaced by any other type of plug, glued to the said portion 15.

The articulation 14 of the flap 5 relative to the front face 3 is constituted either by the connecting line 44 between the parts 37 and 15, or by the combination of this line 44 and the connecting line 34 between the part 33 and the front panel 3. This first arrangement is shown in FIG. 11, with the part 33 glued to the portion 15 so as to form the flap 5 which makes it possible to close the window 4.

Figures 12 and 13 show the establishment of the valve 17 between the walls 1 and its tongues 21 folded between said side walls. They also show the folding of the flaps 26 inside the case.

Still on these figures 12 and 13, it can be seen that the shutter 5 is positioned between the internal lateral sides 45. The surface of this shutter 5 and in particular of its portion 15 is greater than the surface of the window opening 4.

The flaps 46, located in the extension of the internal sides 45, are folded back to position themselves on the bottom 9 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Figure 14 shows the volume of the case, showing the different parts detailed previously. FIG. 15 represents, in section, a variant of an ashtray case 2 corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

This case 2 can accommodate a packet of cigarettes 1. It has on its front face 3 a window 4 allowing access to the internal volume 8 of the case. The particularity resides in the closing means of this window 4, which means consist of a flap 5 in the form of a drawer 25.

This drawer 25 appears on the blank detailed in FIG. 17. This drawer 25 consists of a part of the blank which is located in the extension of the bottom 9, which bottom is attached by a fold line 50 to the rear face 10.

This drawer 25 also has a window 51 which, in the normal position as shown in FIG. 16, is offset with respect to the window 4 arranged on the front face 3.

This window 51 is placed in correspondence with the window 4 by displacement of the drawer 25, which drawer is accessible to the operator by means of the finger pocket 6. The drawer slides under the front face 3, with a movement which moves it towards the bottom of the case.

The bottom 9 is articulated on the rear face 10 around the edge 50 and the drawer 15 forming the shutter is linked to said bottom 9 by the edge 52. As shown in FIG. 15, in the inactive shutter position, the drawer 15 projects beyond the bottom of the case, freeing the window 4 by placing its own window 51 opposite.

The bottom itself of the case consists of two flaps 46 'which extend in the extension of the lateral sides 11, as shown in Figure 17. These two flaps 46' fold inside the case, in front of the background 9.

This case 2 can be used as shown in FIG. 15 with a pack of cigarettes 1. It can also be used as a hermetic and autonomous ashtray as shown in FIG. 16 with all the attributes of the ashtray detailed previously in FIG. 7.

This ashtray case can be obtained from the blank shown in FIG. 17. This blank comprises the rear face 10 which comprises, on either side the lateral sides 11 and in the extension of one of these lateral sides 11, the front face 3 provided with its window 4. The rear part 10 comprises the bottom 9, on one side and on the other side, opposite said bottom 9, the valve 17 which serves to close the opening of the case.

Beyond the bottom 9, as detailed above, there is the drawer 25.

Still in FIG. 17, there is a part 53 intended to be folded over the internal surface of the front face 3, up to the window 4. This internal part 53 and the front face 3 envelop the drawer 25 and serve as a guide, in particular for its end 55 and the rest of the periphery of the window 51.

The front face 3 comprises, opposite the lateral side 11, a side marked 11 'which is positioned inside the case, glued for example on the internal face of the other side 11. FIG. 18 represents in section, the case 2 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

This case accommodates a packet of cigarettes 1 which is partially extracted, revealing the window 4 to allow the introduction of ashes, butts 7 or the like. This case 2 comprises a shutter 5 which is again in the form of a drawer 35 which slides under the front face 3, between the package 1 and the internal surface of this front face. The front face 3 comprises at the entrance of the case, a finger pass 6 which allows the operator to move the drawer 35 from its active position as shown in FIG. 19 to an inactive position as shown in FIG. 18.

Figure 19, the case 2 is shown as a stand-alone ashtray, that is to say without the pack of cigarettes 1. This ashtray forms a closed box thanks to its valve 17 which has been detailed previously in connection with the other embodiments .

The case 2 of this embodiment corresponding to Figure 3 and Figures 18 to 23, comprises two parts: the case itself obtained from a blank as shown in Figure 21 and the shutter 5 shaped drawer 35 obtained from a blank shown in FIG. 22.

This shutter 5 or drawer, consists of a sheet 56 whose width dimensions correspond to the internal dimensions of the case. This sheet 56 includes a window 57 whose dimensions correspond to those of window 4. We note, on either side of the window 57, flaps 59 which extend over a portion of the length of the edges of the sheet 56, about half.

The blank constituting the case proper, represented in FIG. 21, comprises the part constituting the front face 3 provided with the window 4, which front face 3 is extended by the bottom 9, which bottom is itself extended by the part constituting the rear face 10 and this rear face is extended opposite the bottom 9 by the closing valve 17.

The front face 3 is bordered by lateral sides 45 'which, unlike the sides

45 shown in Figure 10, constitute the outer lateral sides of the case. These sides 45 ′ are extended, at the bottom 9, by flaps 46 which double the bottom 9, also making a seal at the corners of said bottom of the case.

The rear face 10 is also bordered laterally by lateral sides 32 ′ which constitute the internal lateral sides. These lateral sides cooperate with the drawer 35. They each have grooves 60 which make it possible to guide the drawer 35. As shown in FIG. 21 in a simplified manner, the drawer 35 slides, guided on the bottom of the grooves 60, by means of its flaps 59 which extend outside the sides 32 '. The front end at least of the grooves 60 comprises, on the side of the inlet 16 of the case, stops 61 which make it possible to limit the stroke of the drawer 35 and thus avoid its untimely extraction.

Figure 23 shows the case volume setting operation. The drawer 35 is positioned on the internal lateral sides 32 '. Its window 57 is located towards the bottom of the case; in this position, the drawer 35 is in the inactive position, that is to say that it closes the window 4 of the front face of the case.

The valve 17 closes the entrance to the case. This valve 17 extends under the drawer 35.

The bottom 9 is doubled by the flaps 46 located at the ends of the sides 45 '. The flaps 26 are arranged at the end of the sides 45 ′, at the entrance to the case.

These flaps 26 fold back on the internal sides 32 ′ and in particular on the tongues 21 of the valve 17.

The sides 32 ′ also include the cutouts 47 forming the anti-extraction stops which cooperate with the bottom 12 of the pack of cigarettes as shown in FIG. 24. These stops 47 are located inside the case and remain elastically protruding at the inside.

FIG. 25 represents a blank made for example of material of the fireproof cardboard type or coated with aluminum. On this blank, there is a part constituting the front face 3, the bottom 9 which is interposed between this face and the part forming the rear face 10.

In the extension of the rear face 10, opposite the bottom 9, there is the valve 17 provided, laterally, with its two tongues 21.

The valve 17 is linked to the rear face 10 by the edge 19 which forms a joint. Still in Figure 25, there are the flaps 26 arranged on the lateral sides of the case in particular on the parts 45 forming the outside of said sides.

The flaps 26 have at their ends a part 71 of triangular shape for example. These parts 71 are articulated on the flaps 26 by the edge 72. These parts 71 or anti-extraction stops cooperate with the bottom 12 of the pack of cigarettes as shown in FIG. 27.

These parts 71 or stops prevent the total extraction of the pack of cigarettes 1. Indeed, these parts 71 cooperate with the bottom of the packet of cigarettes 1, avoiding untimely extraction of the packet from the case, when the latter is associated with the ashtray and / or case.

The front face 3 comprises the window 4, which window can be partially cut out as shown for example in FIGS. 10 and 11, retaining a portion 33 which can be used to make the shutter 5.

This portion 33 cut out from the front face 3 is held by a fold line 4, in a way forming the shutter plug of the window 4.

The front face 3 is extended, opposite the bottom 9, by a portion 36 consisting of two portions: a portion 37 connected directly to the front face 3 by an edge 40, and a portion 15 in the extension, linked to said portion 37 by a joint 44 which forms, as indicated above, the joint 14 of the flap

5 on side 3 (see Figure 11).

Still in FIG. 25, there are, on either side of the front face 3, lateral parts 45 intended to form the internal lateral sides of the case.

We find on the end of these lateral sides 45, two legs 73 articulated on the lateral sides 45 by the edge 74, which legs are inserted in the cutouts 75 located on the edge of the lateral sides (32), articulated on part 10 forming the underside of the case. These lateral parts are provided at their end with flaps 46 positioned so as to fold over the bottom 9.

FIG. 26 represents these two tabs 73 coming to be inserted in the cutouts 75 situated on the edge of the lateral sides 32, articulated on the part 10 forming the underside of the case, as well as two articulated parts 71, situated on the end of the two flaps 26 serving as a guide for introducing the pack of cigarettes, knowing that the parts 71 serve as an anti-extraction device, once the pack of cigarettes is engaged. 27 shows the flaps 26 have at their ends a part 71 of triangular shape for example, articulated on the flaps 26. These parts 71 or anti-extraction stops cooperate with the bottom 12 of the pack of cigarettes as shown in Figure 27. These parts 71 or stops prevent the total removal of the cigarette pack 1.

Indeed, these parts 71 cooperate with the bottom of the packet of cigarettes 1, avoiding untimely extraction of the packet from the case, when the latter is associated with the ashtray and / or case.

The outline of window 4 has been shown with a rectangular shape on the front face 3; this contour can take other forms: square, oval, circular or even partially or totally serrated.

Furthermore, the surfaces of the different blanks, intended to be glued, may include an arrangement of the self-adhesive type so as to allow the user to assemble the case himself.

To reduce the volume of this ashtray case, both for its packaging and its transport, the lateral sides 11 and the bottom 9 may include a bellows type arrangement which makes it possible to reduce its volume.

Likewise to reduce the volume of this ashtray-case, both for its packaging and its transport, the part forming the bottom 9 may include an arrangement allowing an automatic shaping of the bottom.

According to another arrangement of the invention not shown, the part forming the bottom 9 of the case and / or ashtray can be retractable, so that one can empty this ashtray. Knowing that this valve can be resiliently biased towards its normal position for closing the bottom.

Claims

- CLAIMS -

1.- Hermetic and autonomous ashtray, associable with a pack of cigarettes, characterized in that it is in the form of a case for pack of cigarettes (2), including the chamber (8), serving as a warehouse for ashes and / or butts or other, is accessible:

- Either by means of a valve (17) arranged at the entrance to the case and / or ashtray.

- Either by means of a window (4) arranged in one of the faces of said case and or ashtray; which window is positioned at a distance from the bottom (9) of said case and / or ashtray, delimiting the capacity of said chamber (8).

- Or by displacement of said pack of cigarettes, insofar as it is associated with the ashtray and / or case, in which case said chamber may have a variable volume delimited by the part forming the bottom of said case and the bottom (12) of the pack of cigarettes.

2.- Ashtray according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a valve (17) disposed on the side of the inlet (16) of the case, which valve is articulated on the edge (19) of the face (10) of the case which is opposite to that comprising said window (4), which valve automatically retracts when the packet of cigarettes is placed in the case and it is provided with means which allow it to resume automatically and elastically its position for closing said inlet (16) of the case so as to close the latter when used as a stand-alone ashtray.

3.- Ashtray according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve (17) for closing the inlet (16) of the case comprises lateral tabs (21), which act as a seal, cooperating with the internal faces of the lateral sides of said case and / or ashtray.

4.- Ashtray according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises, on its lateral sides, at its entrance (16), flaps (26), sealing and which folded towards the inside, serve as guides for the introduction of the cigarette pack (1) into said case and / or ashtray.

5.- Ashtray according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the elastic return means of the valve (17) consist of a spiral spring (30) interposed between said valve and the face (10) on which is articulated said valve.

6. Ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the window (4) is normally closed by means of a flap disposed under the face (3) provided with said window, which flap is positioned in the internal volume of the case and its surface is greater than that of the orifice forming said window (4).

7. Ashtray according to claim 6, characterized in that the shutter (5) is articulated on one of the edges of the window (4), and in particular on the edge (14) located on the side of the inlet (16) of the case, which flap is urged elastically towards its normal position for closing said window, and it has an additional thickness forming a sort of plug, disposed on its external part, having the dimensions of the orifice of the window, which flap is placed in the active closing position by the pack of cigarettes itself or by the valve (17) allowing the automatic closing of the case after complete removal of the pack of cigarettes.

8. An ashtray according to claim 6, characterized in that the shutter (5) is in the form of a drawer (25, 35), which is guided to slide under the face (3) provided with the window (4), which face has a finger pocket (6) which makes it possible to move said drawer from an active shutter position of said window (4) to an inactive position and vice versa.

9. Ashtray according to claim 8, characterized in that the sliding drawer (35) comprises, laterally, flaps (59) cooperating with grooves (60) arranged in the internal parts of the sides (32 ') of the case , which flaps prevent the total extraction of said drawer (35), cooperating with stops (61) arranged at the end of said grooves (60).

10.- Ashtray according to claim 6, characterized in that the shutter (25) is associated with the external wall forming the bottom (9) of the case, which bottom is pivotally mounted on the end of the face (10) of the case which is opposite to the face (3) comprising the window (4).

11. Ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the internal sides of the case, between the face (3) comprising the window (4) and the opposite face (10) to the latter, has cutouts (47) forming stops and arranged at the upper edge (14) of the window (4), which stops cooperate with the bottom of the pack of cigarettes to form an anti-extraction device for the latter with respect to said case.

12.- Ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is shaped from a blank of suitable material, which blank comprises mainly.-A part forming the rear face (10) or dorsal the case and -a part forming the front face (3) provided with the window (4), -side sides (11) and a bottom (9).

13.- Ashtray according to claim 12 and according to the embodiment detailed in claim 7, characterized in that the part of the blank forming rear face (10) comprises, on one side, the bottom (9) and in the extension of said bottom, the part forming the face (3) provided with the window (4), and this part forming the rear face (10) comprises, on the other side, opposite to said bottom, the valve (17), which part forming the front face (3) is extended, opposite said bottom (9), by a part (36) which comprises a first portion (37) intended to be folded and glued to the internal surface, of said front face (3) and an end portion (15) which constitutes the shutter (5) itself.

14.- Ashtray according to claim 12 and according to the embodiment detailed in claim 9, characterized in that it is shaped from a blank forming the case itself and a complementary blank forming the sliding drawer (35), which case-forming blank comprises a part forming the rear face (10), extended on one side by the bottom (9), which bottom is itself extended by the front face (3) comprising the window (4 ), and said rear face (10) comprises, opposite said bottom (9), an extension constituting the valve (17), the rear face (10) and the front face (3) also have flaps forming the lateral sides and in particular flaps (45 ') for the front face (3) and internal flaps (32') for the rear face (10), the latter flaps (32 ') having grooves (60) used for guiding of said sliding drawer (35), which sliding drawer itself comprises a window (57) and, on both sides, flaps (59) which allow its guidance relative to said grooves (60) of said internal flaps (32 '), which flaps (59) serve as stroke limiter, cooperating with pins (61) located at the ends of said grooves to avoid total extraction of the drawer .

15.- Ashtray according to claim 12 and according to the embodiment detailed in claim 10, characterized in that the blank comprises a part forming the rear face (10) connected to the part forming the front face (3) provided with the window (4) by means of one of the lateral sides (11) of the case, said part forming rear face is extended, parallel to the front face, and on the window side (4), by the bottom (9) of the case and by the shutter (5) in the form of a sliding drawer (25), which rear face (10) also has a second lateral side (11) and the two sides (11) are extended, on the side of the drawer (25), by flaps (46 ') which, after the setting in volume, constitute the real bottom of said case, inside the latter.

16 - Ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterized in that the part forming the bottom of the ashtrays and / or case present on its lateral sides, at its articulation with the shutter for closing the inlet of the 'case (19), 2 small notches (31) helping to increase the spring effect of said shutter valve (17) disposed on the side of the inlet of the case and in which engages the pack of cigarettes.

17.- Ashtray according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that it comprises parts glued together during the setting of volume of the case, which parts may consist of self-adhesive zones allowing the user to directly mount said case himself.

18. An ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the window comprises a contour of rectangular, or round or square shape, or a serrated or other contour, facilitating for the user, the introduction of ashes, butts and other residues.

19.- Ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises, at its lateral sides (11) and the bottom (9), a bellows-like folding allowing both for its packaging and for its transport, to retract it.

20.- Ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises at its lateral sides (11) and the bottom (9), a bellows-like folding allowing both for its packaging and for its transport, to retract it.

21- Ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises flaps (26) serving as an introduction guide, which flaps comprise a part or stop (71), articulated on the part (26 ), of triangular shape for example, which stops cooperate with the bottom of the pack of cigarettes to form an anti-extraction device for the latter relative to said case and / or ashtray, once the pack of cigarettes is associated or inserted into the ashtray and / or case.

22- Ashtray according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises, according to this embodiment or mounting of said ashtray, two legs (73) coming to be inserted in the cutouts (75) located on the edge of the lateral sides (32), articulated on the part (10) forming the underside of the case.