GB2433930A

GB2433930A - Container for tobacco products comprising further compartments and an extinguishing member

Info

Publication number: GB2433930A
Application number: GB0600306A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Freeman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-07
Filing date: 2006-01-07
Publication date: 2007-07-11
Also published as: GB0600306D0

Abstract

The container has a first compartment (18, Fig.4) for tobacco products, generally cigarettes 10, and a second compartment 19 for storing ashes and cigarette butts, which is provided with an extinguishing member 25 in the form of an inclined plate which extends partially across its aperture. The first and second compartments are provided, each, with respective lids 23, 24. The container can have a third compartment (20, Fig.4), located at the other end of the cigarette compartment, for holding a lighter 11. The container can be made in plastic material and the second compartment can be lined with a metal liner 25 to make it fire resistant.

Description

Smoker's Storage Container This invention relates to a storage

container for smokers.

Smoking is not allowed in many buildings and accordingly smokers generally congregate outside buildings to smoke cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products.

Many companies and organisations provide designated smoking areas outside buildings, which generally comprise a receptacle for the smoker's ash, ends and other remains of the tobacco products. However, when the receptacle is full or when no receptacle is provided, it is common for smokers to extinguish and discard the remains of their tobacco products on the floor. This practice is unsightly and creates an unpleasant odour.

I have now devised a container for smokers which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a container comprising a first compartment for storing tobacco products, a second compartment for receiving ash and other remains of the tobacco products and closure means for closing the compartments, wherein an element extends partially across the mouth of the second compartment to provide an outwardly facing surface, against which the tobacco products can be extinguished.

The container can conveniently store a smoker's tobacco products and also provides a closable compartment in which ash, ends and other remains of the tobacco products can be deposited for subsequent disposal. Accordingly, the container alleviates the need to extinguish and discard the remains of the tobacco products on the floor, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned problems.

Preferably the container comprises a third compartment for storing other smoker's requisites, such as a lighter.

Preferably the closure means comprises one or more lids hinged to the body of the container.

Preferably the first and second compartments comprise respective lids.

Preferably at least one of the lids comprises means such as catch for retaining the lid in a closed position.

Preferably at least one of the lids comprises a seal for sealing the respective compartment.

Preferably the lid is lined with metal at least over a portion thereof which extends over the second compartment.

Preferably the metal liner is removable.

Preferably the first compartment for storing the tobacco products comprises an elongate mouth, the compartment being arranged to store a plurality of cigarettes or cigars in rows which extend across the mouth.

Preferably the second compartment is arranged at one end of the mouth, the third compartment preferably being arranged at either end of the mouth, although it is preferred that it is positioned at the end of the mouth which is remote from the second compartment, in order to avoid the risk of the lighter or other requisites being burnt whilst using the second compartment.

Preferably the mouths of each compartment are co-planar.

Preferably said element comprises a generally flat outwardly facing surface, which is preferably inclined away from the mouth towards an opening into the second compartment. Accordingly, when the container is held upright and a cigarette or cigar is extinguished on the surface, the hot ash and other residue falls under gravity through the opening into the second compartment.

Preferably said element comprises a plate.

Preferably said element is formed of metal and is preferably removable from the second compartment for cleaning and emptying of the compartment.

The container may be formed substantially of metal or plastics material. In the latter case, the second compartment is preferably lined with metal to prevent the hot ash and other remains from burning the plastics material.

Preferably the liner comprises a portion which forms said element.

The first compartment may be arranged to receive tobacco products in the carton in which they were provided. Alternatively, the tobacco products may be removed from the carton and inserted loose in the first compartment.

Also, in accordance with this invention, there is provided a container of tobacco products, the container comprising a first compartment in which the tobacco products are stored, a second compartment for receiving ash and other remains of the tobacco products and closure means for closing the compartments, wherein an element extends partially across the mouth of the second compartment to provide an outwardly facing surface against which the tobacco products can be extinguished.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a container in accordance with this invention, shown containing cigarettes and a lighter; Figure 2 is a plan view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, from one end and above, of the container of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view, from the other end and above, of the container of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a front view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a front view of the container of Figure 1, with some parts being shown cut away.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a container containing a plurality of cigarettes 10 and a lighter 11. The container comprises a body portion 12 having a front wall 13, rear wall 14, opposite end walls 15, 16 and a bottom wall 17 formed of plastics or metal material. The width of the front and rear walls 13, 14 is substantially greater than the width of the end walls 15, 16. The top of the body 12 is open to allow access to the interior thereof.

The interior of the body 12 is divided into three compartments 18, 19, 20 by two walls 21, 22 which extend parallel to the end walls 15, 16.

The first compartment 18 is disposed between the second and third compartments 19, 20 and comprises a mouth which is substantially wider than the mouths of the other compartments 19, 20.

First and second lids 23, 24 are pivoted to the upper edge of the rear wall 14 of the body 12. The first lid 23 is arranged to close the first and third compartments 18, 20, which respectively contain the cigarettes 10 and lighter 11. The second lid 24 is lined with a removable metal liner and is arranged to close the second compartment 19.

The lids 23, 24 are provided with catches which snap-engage the upper edge of the front wall 13 to retain the lids in their closed position. Seals (not shown) may extend around the lids 23, 24 for sealing the compartments 18, 19, 20.

The second compartment comprises a removable liner 26. A metal plate 25 mounted to the liner 26 inside the second compartment 19 of the body 12 and extends downwardly from the upper edge of the end wall 15 to a point which is spaced from the dividing waIl 21 by a distance slightly less than the diameter of a cigarette 10.

The plate 25 then extends downwardly, back towards the end wall 15 of the body 12.

In use, up to twenty cigarettes can be inserted into the first compartment 18 in two or more rows, the height of the compartment 18 being such that the tips of the cigarettes project above the level of the upper edge of the front wall 13. When smoking the cigarettes 10, the smoker can deposit cigarette ash in the second compartment 19. The ash falls through the constricted opening provided by the plate 25, into the lower part of the compartment 19. When the cigarette is finished, the smoker can extinguish it by stubbing it against the downwardly inclined upper portion of the plate 25. The hot embers and ash fall downwardly under gravity through the constricted opening defined by the plate 25. The cigarette end can then be forced through the opening, with the restriction serving to contain the cigarette ends and thereby prevent accidental spillage. The plate 25 also helps to keep the cigarette ends and ash out of sight and also helps to reduce odours.

When finished, the lid 24 of the second compartment 19 can be closed to retain the cigarette ash and ends in a secure and preferably airtight manner. The lid 23 can also be closed to contain the cigarettes and lighter 11. The plate 25 can be removed from the second compartment to facilitate emptying and cleaning.

A container in accordance with this invention is simple and inexpensive in construction yet enables smokers to smoke without having to discard any ash, ends or other remains of their cigarettes or cigars on the floor.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A container comprising a first compartment for storing tobacco products, a second compartment for receiving ash and other remains of the tobacco products and closure means for closing the compartments, wherein an element extends partially across the mouth of the second compartment to provide an outwardly facing surface, against which the tobacco products can be extinguished.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, which comprises a third compartment.

3. A container as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which the closure means comprises one or more lids hinged to the body of the container.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second compartments comprise respective lids.

5. A container as claimed in claims 3 or 4, in which at least one of the lids comprises means for retaining the lid in a closed position.

6. A container as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, in which at least one of the lids comprises a seal for sealing the respective compartment.

7. A container as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, in which a said lid is lined with metal at least over a portion thereof which extends over the second compartment.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, in which the metal liner is removable.

9. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first compartment for storing the tobacco products comprises an elongate mouth.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9, in which the second compartment is arranged at one end of the mouth.

11. A container as claimed in claims 9 or 10 as appended to claim 2, in which the third compartment is arranged at one end of the mouth.

12. A container as claimed in claim 11, in which the third compartment is arranged at an end of the mouth which is remote from the second compartment.

13. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mouths of each compartment are co-planar.

14. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said element comprises a generally flat outwardly facing surface, which is preferably inclined away from the mouth towards an opening into the second compartment.

15. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said element comprises a plate.

16. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said element is formed of metal.

17. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said element is removable from the second compartment for cleaning.

18. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container is formed substantially of plastics material.

19. A container as claimed in claim 18, in which the second compartment is lined with metal.

20. A container as claimed in claim 19, in which the liner comprises a portion which forms said element.

21. A container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A container of tobacco products, the container comprising a first compartment in which the tobacco products are stored, a second compartment for receiving ash and other remains of the tobacco products and closure means for closing the compartments, wherein an element extends partially across the mouth of the second compartment to provide an outwardly facing surface against which the tobacco products can be extinguished.

23. A container as claimed in claim 22, which comprises a third compartment.

24. A container as claimed in claims 22 or 23, in which the closure means comprises one or more lids hinged to the body of the container.

25. A container as claimed in claim 22, in which the first and second compartments comprise respective lids.

26. A container as claimed in claims 24 or 25, in which at least one of the lids comprises means for retaining the lid in a closed position.

27. A container as claimed in any of claims 24 to 26, in which at least one of the lids comprises a seal for sealing the respective compartment.

28. A container as claimed in any of claims 24 to 27, in which a said lid is lined with metal at least over a portion thereof which extends over the second compartment.

29. A container as claimed in claim 28, in which the metal liner is removable.

30. A container as claimed in any of claims 22 to 29, in which the first compartment containing the tobacco products comprises an elongate mouth.

31. A container as claimed in claim 30, in which the second compartment is arranged at one end of the mouth.

32. A container as claimed in claims 30 or 31 as appended to claim 23, in which the third compartment is arranged at one end of the mouth.

33. A container as claimed in claim 32, in which the third compartment is arranged at an end of the mouth which is remote from the second compartment.

34. A container as claimed in any of claims 22 to 33, in which the mouths of each compartment are co-planar.

35. A container as claimed in any of claims 22 to 34, in which said element comprises a generally flat outwardly facing surface, which is preferably inclined away from the mouth towards an opening into the second compartment.

36. A container as claimed in any of claims 22 to 35, in which said element comprises a plate.

37. A container as claimed in any of claims 22 to 36, in which said element is formed of metal.

38. A container as claimed in any of claims 22 to 37, in which said element is removable from the second compartment for cleaning.

39. A container as claimed in any of claims 22 to 38, in which the container is formed substantially of plastics material.

40. A container as claimed in claim 39, in which the second compartment is lined with metal.

41. A container as claimed in claim 40, in which the liner comprises a portion which forms said element.