GB2256573A

GB2256573A - Extinguishing cigarettes and cigars

Info

Publication number: GB2256573A
Application number: GB9212677A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Graham Barnett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-15
Filing date: 1992-06-15
Publication date: 1992-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-15
Also published as: GB2256573B; GB9212677D0; GB9112955D0

Abstract

A method of safely and hygienically storing a used or partially used cigarette or cigar involves placing a lighted cigarette 6 or cigar within an open end of a first hollow section 1 of a container. The container is then closed by means of a second hollow section 2 so that the first and second hollow sections 1 and 2 co-operate to form a substantially air-tight seal and to extinguish the cigarette 6. The cigarette 6 or cigar can then be safely stored in the container for as long as necessary or desired and is then removed for further use or disposal. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD OF STORING CIGARETTES, CIGARS OR THE LIKE The present invention relates to a method of storing a used or partially used cigarette, cigar or the like for future use or disposal.

Cigarettes and cigars are conventionally stored, for example, in cigarette packets or cases or in cigar boxes or tubes. However, such containers are used only for storage of cigarettes and cigars in an unused, or at least unlit, state. Nevertheless, a smoker will from time to time find it necessary to extinguish or otherwise dispose of a completely or partially smoked cigarette or cigar, for example when entering a building or an office, and may consider it undesirable to dispose of a partially smoked cigarette or find there is nowhere suitable to dispose of a completely or partially smoked cigarette.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a container for safely and hygienically storing a used or partially used cigarette, cigar or the like for future use or disposal.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of storing a used or partially used cigarette or cigar comprising the steps of: placing a lighted cigarette or cigar within an open end of a first hollow section of a container; engaging the open end of the first hollow section with the open end of a second hollow section of the container such that the first and second hollow sections co-operate to form a substantially air-tight seal and to extinguish the cigarette; storing the used or partially used cigarette or cigar in the container; and subsequently opening the container and removing the cigarette or cigar from the container for further use or disposal.

The method may include the further step of employing clip means provided on one of the first and second hollow sections for securing the container within a pocket or the like.

The first and second hollow sections are preferably tubular.

The method may include the step of compacting the cigarette or cigar during or subsequent to the step of engaging the open ends of the first and second hollow sections, the cigarette or cigar subsequently being removed from the container for disposal. In this way a number of used or partially used cigarettes or cigars may be accumulated for future disposal.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a container for storing a cigarette according to the method of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in Figure 1, a partially smoked cigarette being stored within the container; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III shown in Figure 1, a partially smoked cigarette being stored within the container; and Figure 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a container for storing a cigarette according to the method of the present invention, the container being illustrated in an open configuration.

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of a container for a cigarette for effecting the method according to the invention, the container comprising a first hollow section 1 in the form of a tube which is closed at one end and open at the other end thereof, and a second hollow section 2 also in the form of a tube which is closed at one end and open at the other end thereof. The open end of the first hollow section 1 is provided with an externally threaded portion 3 which threadedly co-operates with an internally threaded portion 4 provided within the open end of the second hollow section 2 such that when the first and second hollow sections 1, 2 are screwed together the co-operating portions 3, 4 provide a substantially air-tight seal.As an alternative to the open ends of the hollow sections being provided with threaded portions, the external diameter of the first hollow section 1 may be reduced at the open end thereof and the internal diameter of the second hollow section 2 may be enlarged at the open end thereof such that the end portion of the first hollow section is a sliding fit over the end portion of the second hollow section and that when the first and second hollow sections are engaged with each other the co-operating sliding portions provide a substantially air-tight seal.

The container may be made of any suitable fire-resistant materials, such as corrosion-resistant metals or fireresistant plastics materials, and the internal diameter may be chosen so as to comfortably receive a partially or completely smoked cigarette. The external diameter of the container is to some extent determined by the thickness of material required to provide sufficient strength, but in other respects may be chosen such that the external dimensions of the container are convenient for handling.

The internal length of the container should be sufficient to receive an unsmoked cigarette, but may be longer if desired. The relative lengths of the first and second sections 1 and 2 can be varied within wide limits, but may conveniently be chosen to be similar to the relative dimensions of the filter and tobacco-containing portions of a filter-tipped cigarette. The first and second hollow sections 1 and 2 may if desired be coloured so as to resemble a filter-tipped cigarette.

It should be noted that a container for a cigar may require to have somewhat different dimensions compared with a container for a cigarette, but that otherwise no changes are required to the construction of the container.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the second hollow section 2 may be provided with a clip 5 for attaching the container to a pocket or the like of the user, or in a handbag.

However, if desired the clip may be omitted or may be provided on the first hollow section 1.

A partially smoked cigarette 6 is shown within the container in Figures 2 and 3 for illustrative purposes.

If desired, a number of such containers can be arranged side-by-side or one or more of the containers can be incorporated into a box such as may resemble a cigarette packet.

In use of the container shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, in order to store a used, or more particularly a partially used, cigarette, the container is opened by separating the first and second hollow sections 1, 2 and the lighted cigarette is placed in the first hollow section. The second hollow section is then positioned over the open end of the first hollow section and the two sections are screwed or pushed together so as to create a substantially air-tight seal. Deprived of oxygen within the container, the cigarette is automatically extinguished without the need for the smoker separately to extinguish, and thereby damage, the cigarette. In this manner a partially smoked cigarette can be safely and hygienically stored until it is convenient, or the smoker desires, to open the container and relight, or dispose of, the cigarette.

Thus use of the container in the manner according to the method of the present invention provides a safe, simple and hygienic way of storing a partially or completely smoked cigarette in a manner which permits a partially smoked cigarette to be finished, or a completely smoked cigarette to be disposed of, at a later time.

Figure 4 shows a container similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 and the same references will be used to denote the same or similar parts. However, the container shown in Figure 4 incorporates a plunger 7 in the second hollow section 2. The plunger 7 is biased by means of a spring 8 towards the first hollow section 1 so that, as the first and second hollow sections 1 and 2 are screwed or otherwise engaged to provide a substantially air-tight seal, the plunger 7 is urged by the spring 8 towards the used or partially used cigarette so as to compact the same towards the remote end of the first hollow section 1. In this way, the container may be used in the manner described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3 to accumulate a number of used or partially used cigarettes for future disposal.

Claims

1. A method of storing a used or partially used cigarette or cigar comprising the steps of: placing a lighted cigarette or cigar within an open end of a first hollow section of a container; engaging the open end of the first hollow section with the open end of a second hollow section of the container such that the first and second hollow sections co-operate to form a substantially air-tight seal and to extinguish the cigarette; storing the used or partially used cigarette or cigar in the container; and subsequently opening the container and removing the cigarette or cigar from the container for further use or disposal.

2. A method according to claim 1 and including the further step of employing clip means provided on one of the first and second hollow sections for securing the container within a pocket or the like.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second hollow sections are tubular.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3 and including the step of compacting the cigarette or cigar during or subsequent to the step of engaging the open ends of the first and second hollow sections, the cigarette or cigar subsequently being removed from the container for disposal.

5. A method of storing a used or partially used cigarette or cigar according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.