JP2010517586A - Smoking container - Google Patents

Abstract

  A container for a smoking article (18), the container being concentric with the outer wall (12) to form an annular gap for receiving a plurality of smoking articles and the outer wall. A disposable cylindrical cartridge including an inner wall (14) positioned at a distance from the inner wall, the inner wall forming a central receiving portion for receiving a cigarette smoking article; A cylindrical outer case, which includes a cylindrical side wall (42), a top surface (46) and a bottom surface (44), the top surface making available the central receiving portion of the cartridge. The rotatable bottom surface with a central opening has an offset take-off opening from which smoking articles can be taken out of the annular gap of the cartridge.

Description

  The present invention relates to containers for smoking articles such as cigarettes or cigars.

  The majority of smoking articles are provided to consumers as packs made of folded paperboard or hard paper intended for disposal after use. However, such packs are easily crushed and the contents may be damaged. In addition, when the first one or two cigarettes are taken out from a newly opened pack, it may be difficult to take out. Furthermore, since there is no container for ash or butts, they are thrown away as they are, and if the smoker smokes away from the ashtray, it can cause a fire.

  Various packs integrated with an ashtray have been proposed, and these are based on the design of a conventional parallelepiped cigarette pack as described in International Publication No. WO 01/47380.

  As another cigarette container, a cylindrical container that accommodates a plurality of cigarettes bundled in a ring shape has been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,451,533 describes such a container, in which the central space of the ring is used to accommodate the ashtray. The cylindrical portion has a hollow central hole that extends almost to its bottom to receive ash and a plurality of small holes that open around the central hole of the ring and open from the opposite end of the container. Prior to use, the smoker places a cigarette in each of the small holes and places a cylindrical container into the canister, which can grip the side wall of the cylindrical container in a rotating manner. The canister has a hole in the bottom for taking out the cigarette and rotates the canister around the cylindrical container to align the hole with the small hole in the container so that the cigarette falls from there. . The top of the canister is open to allow access to the ashtray and must be emptied after use.

  U.S. Pat. No. 1,800,035 describes a cigarette cabinet that similarly holds a ring-shaped cigarette in an annular partition. The user packs a plurality of cigarettes in these partitions and operates a spring-type lever to continuously move the cigarettes around the ring to the take-out position, where the hinges provided on the sides of the partitions The cigarette is taken out by opening the door. A separate ashtray with a flanged rim is located in the central space of the annular partition.

  GB 229,519 describes a smaller cigarette container, similar to the one described above, in which a spring-loaded arm encases a cigarette ring around an annular container. Move to the take-out position, where the user can operate a vertically sliding push button that protrudes through the side of the container, which pushes the cigarette up through the take-out hole provided at the top of the container It can be taken out. Again, the ashtray is located in the central space of the container.

  Another cylindrical cigarette container includes a removal mechanism separate from the above. British Patent No. 1,581,141 describes a cylindrical take-out container having a plurality of holes arranged in a ring and into which each smoker puts a cigarette. Each hole has a spring that pushes out the cigarette therefrom. A rotating lid with an extraction hole closes the extraction container and holds the cigarette in the hole. The lid can be rotated to align its hole with one of the container holes, which causes the spring to force the cigarette out of the hole.

  International Publication No. WO 02/096228 describes a similar take-out container, which uses magnets instead of springs. Each cigarette housing hole of the cylindrical case has a magnet at its bottom, and the case is rotatable with respect to a base having a magnet of the opposite polarity to this magnet. As the base rotates, it is aligned with one of the holes having the magnet at the bottom, and the repulsion of the magnet pushes the cigarette out of the hole.

  U.S. Pat. No. 1,444,308 describes a take-out container that includes holes arranged in a ring on a cylindrical body, each hole opening at the end. The user fills each hole from the top of the trunk with cigarettes and covers the top with a lid. The fuselage has a rotatable bottom with a take-out hole, which can be rotated by a user's hand to align the take-out hole with the hole in the fuselage and drop a cigarette therein. A central divider inside the ring-shaped hole is used to accommodate spare cigarettes that are packed into the empty hole.

  These various cylindrical cigarette containers and take-out containers are intended to be completely reused and the smoker must refill the containers by hand each time the container is empty. This is time consuming and cumbersome with handling individual cigarettes. In addition, many of these removal mechanisms are complex and include many members and / or delicate mechanical parts, which is costly and may not work well.

  Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention relates to a container for smoking articles, the container being concentric with the outer wall to form an outer wall and an annular gap for receiving a plurality of smoking articles, and A disposable cylindrical cartridge including an inner wall positioned at a distance from the outer wall, the inner wall forming a central receiving portion for receiving a cigarette butt of the smoking article, and for receiving the cartridge A cylindrical outer case configured, the case including a cylindrical side wall, a first end face, and a second end face, one of the end faces being a cartridge. A central opening that allows the central receiving portion of the cartridge to be used when housed in the case, and one of the end faces has a take-off opening offset from the center of the end face; Smoking goods through It can be taken out from the annular gap.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a smoking article container that overcomes the disadvantages associated with the need for cumbersome manual refilling while retaining the advantages of a reusable cylindrical case. New cartridges of smoking articles can be smoothly put into the outer case anytime after emptying the old cartridge. By incorporating the butts for the butts in the disposable cartridge, the accumulated butts can be discarded at once, and the reusable ashtray that characterizes the traditional cylindrical case must be emptied and cleaned. Disappear. It is possible to reduce the butts that become dust by providing a receiving portion for the butts in the smoking article container and to reduce the risk of fire caused by inadvertently dropping the smoldered butts.

  In some embodiments, one of the end faces may have a central opening and the other end face may have a take-off opening. In another aspect, one of the end faces may have both a central opening and a take-off opening.

  One or both of the end surfaces of the case may be removed from the case or replaced so that the cartridge can be inserted into the case. The present invention is flexible in this regard, and openings can be provided on either side of the case as is convenient with respect to other features included on either end face.

  Advantageously, the end face of the case having the take-out opening is rotatable so that the take-out opening can be aligned with the end of the smoking article in the annular gap of the cartridge housed in the case. This makes it easier to remove the smoking article from the cartridge when sucking the smoking article, and reduces the need to shake the case to remove the smoking article and move it to the vicinity of the opening.

  In one aspect, the end surface of the case opposite the surface having the extraction opening may include a plunger that extends through this surface and that can be manually actuated from outside the case, thereby accommodating the case. The smoking article in the annular gap of the formed cartridge may be pushed out through the take-out opening on the opposite side of the case. This provides a simple mechanism for taking out the smoking article and further reduces the need to shake the case to take out the smoking article from the opening.

  Further, the end surface of the case including the plunger may be rotatable so that the plunger is aligned with the end of the smoking article in the annular gap of the cartridge housed in the case.

  In some embodiments, one of the end faces may include a recess for erasing the smoking article. The recess has a depth to receive the opening and the lit end of the smoking article so that the smoking article is extinguished in it without applying force. This keeps the butts of smoking articles intact and more easily inserted into the central receptacle. The recess may be located on the end surface opposite to the end surface having the central opening.

  The central receiving part of the cartridge may be closed by an elastic sealing means having one or more slits at the end aligned with the central opening of the case, through which the butts are placed in the receiving part. Inserted. Although the contents in the butt receiving portion are held by such a configuration, it is not necessary to open the butt when the butt needs to be put in the receiving portion, and when the butt is put in the receiving portion, it is sealed again.

  The elastic sealing means may be heat resistant or may be provided with a heat resistant coating. As a result, the risk of fire is reduced, and the butt that is lit can be put into the butt receiving portion as it is, or the butt can be extinguished by the elastic sealing means before being put into the receiving portion.

  To accommodate a recess for extinguishing the smoking article at the end face of the outer case at the end face of the center receiving part opposite to the end through which the butt passes when the butt of the smoking article is received in the central receiving part May be recessed. This maximizes the capacity of the central receiver and still allows the cartridge to be used with an outer case having a fire extinguishing recess on the corresponding end face.

  The central receiving portion may be made of a nonflammable material. This also allows the smoldering butts that are still smoldering to be put into the butts receiving area without the risk of fire. Also, since the amount of oxygen in the receiving part is small, the butts quickly self-extinguish.

  The central receiver may include a deodorant to reduce or eliminate odor from the butts contained within the receiver. This addresses the problem of unpleasant odors from fire extinguisted butts, and if these odors cannot be extinguished, it would be undesirable to house the butts in a disposable receptacle.

  The cartridge may be provided with at least one sealing layer that closes the annular gap to preserve the freshness of the smoking article contained within the annular gap. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one sealing layer may be composed of a material that the cigarette can break when the cigarette is pushed against the sealing layer. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the sealing layer from the cartridge before use so that a new cartridge can be easily and quickly packed into the outer case.

  The cartridge may be provided with a first sealing layer that closes the annular gap at the first end and a second sealing layer that closes the annular gap at the second end.

  Further, the container of the present invention may include a plurality of smoking articles disposed within the annular gap of the cartridge.

  A second aspect of the invention relates to a container for smoking articles, the container including a cylindrical outer case configured to receive a disposable cylindrical cartridge, the cartridge including an outer wall, a plurality of And a concentric outer wall to form an annular gap containing a smoking article, and an inner wall positioned at a gap from the outer wall and further forming a central receiver for receiving a butt of the smoking article. Includes a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface, and a second end surface, and one of these end surfaces can utilize the central receiving portion of the cartridge when the cartridge is accommodated in the case. A central opening, one of the end faces having a take-off opening offset from the center of the end face, through which the smoking article can be taken out of the annular gap of the cartridge .

  A third aspect of the present invention relates to a container for smoking articles, the container including a disposable cylindrical cartridge, the cartridge defining an outer wall and an outer wall to form an annular gap containing a plurality of smoking articles. An inner wall that is concentric with and spaced from the outer wall and that forms a central receiver for receiving the smoking article butts, and a plurality of smoking articles disposed in an annular gap, and a cylinder The side wall, the first end surface, and the second end surface are configured to be accommodated in a cylindrical outer case, and one of these end surfaces is accommodated in the case. A central opening that allows access to the central receiving portion of the cartridge, and one of the end faces has a take-off opening that is offset from the center of the end face, through which the smoking article is placed. Remove from the annular gap of the cartridge Door can be.

  In order to better understand and to practice the present invention, it will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is sectional drawing of the disposable cartridge for smoking articles by 1 aspect of this invention. It is a top view of the cartridge of FIG. It is a bottom view of the cartridge of FIG. It is a top view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 before removing a sealing member. It is sectional drawing of the one aspect | mode of the outer case for accommodating the cartridge of FIG. It is a top view of the case of FIG. It is a bottom view of the case of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 fitted in the case of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a case and cartridge according to a further aspect. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a case and cartridge according to a further aspect. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a case according to a further aspect. It is sectional drawing of the lower part of a case and a cartridge containing a fire extinguishing part. It is sectional drawing of the lower part of a case and a cartridge containing a fire extinguishing part. It is sectional drawing of the lower part of a case and a cartridge containing a fire extinguishing part.

  The present invention provides a container for smoking articles, which is an inner disposable cylinder comprising a plurality of smoking articles arranged in a ring around a central ash and / or butts (ashtray). This receiving portion is loaded into a cylindrical outer case when in use, and this outer case is also cylindrical, so that smoking articles can be taken out of the cartridge and the cigarette butt receiving portion can be used. . When all the smoking articles are consumed, the cartridge containing all the waste in the butt receptacle can be disposed of and a new cartridge is loaded into the case.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention. The cylindrical cartridge 10 includes an outer wall 12 and an inner wall 14 disposed concentrically within the outer wall 12. The annular gap formed between the inner wall 14 and the outer wall 12 is filled with a smoking article 18 such as a cigarette or cigar in a ring shape with its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 10. Thus, the inner wall 14 is separated from the outer wall 12 by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the smoking article 18. In this example, the smoking article 18 is a cigarette with a filter and the filter is positioned downward so that the smoker first touches the filter when the cigarette is removed through the lower end of the cartridge 10. It will be.

  Further, the inner wall 14 forms a cylindrical gap 20 inside thereof. This is a butt receiving portion for receiving a smoking article butt taken out from the cartridge 10. Accordingly, the lower end portion of the butt receiving portion 20 is closed by the bottom surface 22, and the upper end portion is closed by a flexible sealing means 24 such as a membrane. The flexible sealing means 24 has one or more slits 26, which are configured in the shape of a cross or a star, for example to provide an opening to the buttocks receptacle. The butt can be pushed into the butt receiving part 20 via the slit 26, after which the slit is closed by the elasticity of the sealing means 24 and closes the butt receiving part 20. The butts are therefore securely held inside the receptacle 20 until the cartridge is used up and disposed of.

  The elastic sealing means 24 includes a heat-resistant material such as aluminum foil or a heat-resistant fiber or polymer (for example, clay-based heat-resistant gas barrier polymer, liquid crystal polymer, leather, flame-resistant / fire-resistant cotton), molded plastic, rubber or It may be made of other suitable synthetic composite materials or may be coated with a refractory material. As a result, there is no risk of burning the elastic sealing means, and the butt that is still lit can be pushed into the receiving part 20 through the slit 26 (the butt has a small amount of oxygen in the receiving part, so To self-extinguish). Further, the sealing means 24 may be used as a surface for rubbing a fired smoking article to extinguish it. To do this, the sealing means 24 is flexible enough to push the butts through the slits without requiring excessive force, but does not overdeform, It must have sufficient rigidity to absorb mild pressure suitable for extinguishing fires.

  In addition, the butt receiving portion 20 is made of a deodorant such as an adsorbent known to those skilled in the art including carbon, clay, zeolite, silicate, activated carbon, kaolin and chalk (which may be impregnated with a flavoring agent or a fragrance). May be included. Such a deodorant reduces or eliminates the odor generated by the extinguisher butts, if not removed, this odor will pass through the slit as the next butt is pushed into the receptacle 20. Will be released. The deodorant may be provided as a granular or solid material (tablet, grain, or powder) installed inside the receiving part 20, or impregnated, coated or adhered to the inner surface of the inner wall 14 and / or the bottom surface 22. May be.

  In order to enhance safety, the inner surface of the butt receiving portion 20 may be made of nonflammable material, for example, or coated with a flame retardant material. This can reduce the risk of fire when a lit or smoldering butt is placed in the butt receiver 20.

  In this example, the annular gap 16 that accommodates the smoking article 18 is open at the upper and lower ends in that the upper and lower surfaces that are integral with the cartridge 10 are not provided. Instead, the upper and lower ends of the cartridge 10 are closed by the sealing members 28 and 30. These sealing members are airtight sealing members for keeping the smoking article fresh until the smoking article is consumed. Accordingly, the sealing members 28, 30 formed of foil, plastic, plastic-coated paper, foil, or the like are adhered or fixed to, for example, at least the end surface of the outer wall 12, and if necessary, the end surface of the inner wall 14 May be stacked. In order to simplify the manufacture, the sealing members 28 and 30 may be disk-shaped so that both ends of the buttocks receiving part 20 are covered. This also protects the elastic sealing means 24 of the butts receiving portion 20 until the cartridge is used. Further, the sealing members 28 and 30 may be ring-shaped so as to cover only the end portion of the annular gap 16.

  In order to make the smoking article 18 and buttocks receptacle 20 (fit in the outer case) available when using the cartridge, the sealing members 28, 30 must be easily removable from the end of the cartridge. Accordingly, the bonding or securing method used must be such that it provides a reliable hermetic seal, but must be such that the sealing members 28, 30 can be easily peeled from the ends of the inner and outer walls.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cartridge 10 with the upper sealing member 30 removed to prepare the cartridge 10 for use. From this figure, it can be seen how the inner wall 14 and the outer wall 18 form an annular gap 16. A cigarette 18 is arranged in a ring shape in the annular gap 16. The elastic sealing means 24 of the buttocks receiving part can also be seen. In this example, the slits 26 are arranged in a cross shape.

  To maintain the position of the outer and inner walls 12, 14 after the upper and lower sealing members are removed, the cartridge 10 includes one or more connecting struts 32 that extend between the outer and inner walls 12, 14. As many struts as are needed to maintain the cartridge shape and structural strength are used. The struts 32 may be disposed only at one or both ends of the cartridge so as not to block the annular gap, or the struts 32 may be disposed at one or more intermediate points along the height of the cartridge. Good. In the latter case, the struts 32 may extend along the entire height of the cartridge 10. Further, a plurality of support columns may be provided, and the annular gap may be divided into small rooms, and one smoking article may be accommodated in each room. Although more complex and thus more complex to manufacture, this splitting of the annular gap allows the smoking article 18 to be paralleled upwards even after some smoking article 18 has been removed from the cartridge 10. The smoking article 18 can be easily taken out from the cartridge 10.

  FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cartridge 10 with the lower sealing member 28 removed to prepare the cartridge 10 for use. This bottom view is similar to FIG. 2, but the bottom surface 22 of the buttocks receptacle is visible in the annular gap 16 from this angle.

  FIG. 4 shows the end of the cartridge 10 prior to removal of the sealing members 28, 32 (the ends appear to be substantially the same under this condition). In this example, the sealing member has a disk shape, thereby covering the cigarette butt receiving portion 20 and closing both ends of the inner wall and the outer wall as indicated by broken lines. Since the pulling handle 34 extending from the edge of the sealing members 28 and 30 is provided, the user can easily grasp the sealing member when the sealing member is peeled off from the cartridge 10. Also, the sealing member may be marked or labeled in some way to indicate which end of the cartridge it is to assist the user in loading the cartridge 10 into the outer case. Good. This information may be determined from a mark provided on the outside of the outer wall separately or in addition to this.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the outer case used with the cartridge as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Case 40 includes a cylindrical side wall 42 of sufficient diameter and height to accommodate cartridge 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Preferably, the cartridge 10 restricts relative movement to the side wall 42 but is an interference fit within the side wall 42 to limit the extent to which the smoker does not become so tight that it is difficult to insert the cartridge 10 into the side wall 42. For example, it is relatively slip-fitted. The outer surface of the outer wall 12 of the cartridge 10 and the inner surface of the side wall 42 of the case 40 may include one or more interengaging irregularities that prevent the cartridge 10 from rotating within the case. This facilitates the operation of the take-out portion of the case 40.

  The case 40 further includes a top surface 46 and a bottom surface 44 that close the open end of the cylindrical side wall 42. The upper surface 46 includes a central opening 48 for making available the elastic sealing means 23 of the buttocks receptacle 20 of the cartridge 10 inserted into the case 40. The central opening 48 is circular and has a diameter that is not greater than the diameter of the buttocks receptacle 20 so that the smoking article 18 in the annular gap 16 of the cartridge is not exposed.

  The bottom surface 44 includes an extraction opening 50 located on one side thereof, and the position of the opening corresponds to the position of the smoker 18 in the annular gap 16 of the cartridge 10 fitted in the case 40. The opening 50 is large enough for one smoking article to pass through, so that one smoking article can be removed from the cartridge at a time. Conveniently, the opening 50 is circular. Since the bottom surface 44 is rotatable with respect to the side wall 42, the removal opening 50 can be aligned with the smoking article 18 in the cartridge 10 by twisting the bottom surface 44, so that the smoking article can be removed from the opening 50. It is taken out. When the case 40 is shaken, the smoking article can be easily taken out through the opening 50.

  The bottom surface 44 may or may not be removed from the side wall 42. In order to obtain the necessary rotation, the bottom surface 44 may include a rim that extends beyond the end of the outer surface of the sidewall 42 and has an inwardly extending flange 54. This flange engages an outwardly extending flange 56 on the outside of the side wall 42 and thus retains the bottom surface against the side wall 42, but the bottom surface is rotatable (alternatively, the flange 54 is attached to the side wall 42). It may fit in the outer groove). If the flanges 54, 56, the side wall 42 and / or the rim 52 are sufficiently elastically deformable (elastic), the bottom surface 44 can be removed from the side wall 42 and replaced by a “snap fit”. . Otherwise, the bottom surface 44 remains coupled to the side wall 42. If the bottom surface 44 is tightly fitted to the side wall 44, the flange is not necessary and can instead rely on an interference fit. Further, the rim 52 may extend relative to the inner surface rather than the outer surface of the side wall 42, but the outwardly extending rim is more convenient for the user to grip to rotate the bottom surface. Shape. Apart from this, other methods of rotatably connecting these two parts can also be used, in which case the bottom surface may be removable or non-removable.

  In the design of the cartridge and case that is held so that the cartridge and case are substantially fixed to each other against rotational movement when the cartridge is inserted into the case (e.g. The coupling member between the side wall and the bottom surface may include features that allow the extraction opening to be rotated stepwise to accurately align with each cigarette in the cartridge. For example, mutually engaging teeth that provide pawl structures may be employed.

  Since the cartridge needs to be inserted into the outer case, the top surface 46 must be removed from the side wall 42 if the bottom surface 44 cannot be removed. Alternatively, both the bottom surface 44 and the top surface 46 may be removable. In the example shown in FIG. 5, since the opening 48 and the butt receiving portion 20 of the inserted cartridge 10 located below the opening 48 are located in the center, the upper surface 46 is rotatable with respect to the side wall 42 in use. Need not be. Therefore, the removable upper surface 46 may be screwed and fitted. Alternatively, the bottom 44 fitting described above can be used, or another removable or openable structure such as a hinged fitting using fasteners or latches may be used. If the bottom surface 44 is removable or openable / closable, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the top surface does not necessarily need to be removable, and the top surface does not need to be rotatable, so Or may be formed integrally with the side wall.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of an upper surface 46 having a central opening 48 sized to utilize a butcher receiving portion and preferably covering the upper end of the annular gap of the inserted cartridge.

  The cartridge used with the case 40 having the upper end 46 in the example of FIG. 6 may have sealing means for the upper end of the annular gap that is not removed before the cartridge is inserted into the case 40. Thus, the cartridge can be formed to have an integrated end for covering the annular gap instead of the upper sealing member 30 described with reference to FIG. In addition, since it is considered that it is more convenient to use the upper sealing member 30 because the same or similar sealing member as the upper sealing member is used as the lower sealing member 30, the upper sealing member 30 may be used before use. You may make it the structure which does not need to remove from a cartridge. For example, an annular upper sealing member that does not cover the elastic sealing means of the buttocks receptacle 20 may be used, or removable to cover the elastic sealing means that is removed by the user before the cartridge is fitted into the case A circular upper sealing member having a central portion may be used. This central portion may be contoured by drilling and may be provided with a handle to facilitate removal.

  FIG. 7 shows the bottom surface 44 with the extraction opening 50 offset. The arrow indicates the rotation necessary to align the takeout opening 50 with the smoking article in the cartridge.

  FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the cartridge of FIG. 1 inserted into the outer case of FIG. Prior to insertion of the cartridge 10, the upper and lower sealing means 30, 28 are removed from the cartridge 10. When either the upper surface or the bottom surface of the case 40 is opened, the cartridge 10 is pushed into the case, and the opened surface is returned or closed. As shown in the figure, when the take-out opening on the bottom surface is aligned with the smoking article 18 in the cartridge 10, the smoking article 18 can be pulled out. When the case 40 is shaken, it becomes easy for the smoking article to fall through the opening 50. After smoking the smoking article 18, the butts can be received in the butts receiving portion 20 by pressing the butts against the slits of the elastic sealing means 24 through the central opening of the upper surface 40. The butts 58 are already shown in the butts receiving part 20.

  Plunger or similar that can extend through the top surface of the case and abut against the end of the smoking product on the cartridge to facilitate removal of the smoking product from the cartridge through the opening in the case A push-in mechanism may be provided, whereby the smoking article can be pushed out through the opening when the extraction opening is aligned with the smoking article. The plunger may be a spring button, for example.

  FIG. 9A shows a cross section of the top of the case 40 with the cartridge 10 therein, in which a plunger 60 is incorporated into the top surface 46. The plunger 60 extends through a hole provided in the upper surface 46 and is biased to the retracted position as shown in FIG. 9A by a spring 62 hidden in the plunger 60. The interior 64 of the plunger 60 is a flat surface suitable for contacting the end of the smoking article without damaging the smoking article. This flat surface is provided with a rubber or cushion and has a larger area than the end of the smoking article so as not to be pushed into the cigarette.

  In order to use the plunger 60, the upper surface 46 of the case 40 must be rotatable with respect to the cartridge so that the plunger 60 is aligned with each smoking article. When the plunger 60 and the extraction opening 50 are aligned with the same smoking article 18, the plunger 60 can be pushed in, thereby bringing its interior 64 into contact with the end of the smoking article 18 and the smoking article 18. Can be taken out and pushed out toward the opening 50. When the plunger 60 is released, the spring 62 returns the plunger 60 to the retracted position so that the upper surface 46 is free to rotate.

  FIG. 9B shows the plunger 60 of FIG. 9A depressed, showing the downward movement of both the plunger 60 and the smoking article 18. Other plungers or push-in mechanisms can also be used.

  In order to make it easy to align the plunger with the smoking article, the upper surface may be rotated stepwise as described in the bottom surface. Alternatively, the top and bottom surfaces may be connected by a connecting member so that the top and bottom surfaces can rotate together, thereby allowing the plunger and the extraction opening to be aligned with the same smoking article with a single adjustment. The connecting member must be removable to open either the top or bottom surface for insertion into the cartridge and case.

  When the cartridge is used with a case that includes a plunger, the cartridge 10 includes an upper sealing member 30 that can be removed from the cartridge before being inserted into the case so that the smoking article is exposed to the interior of the plunger 60. To do.

  Furthermore, regarding the sealing member, instead of the removable lower sealing member 30, a lower sealing member that can easily break through the smoking article by the action of a plunger may be used. The sealing member may be made of a material that is relatively weak and easily torn, or may have perforations or other thinly formed lines that break when the smoking article is pushed against the sealing member. Good.

  This type of sealing member can also be used to cover the top of the annular gap, in which case the plunger is pushed down and moved downward so that the interior of the plunger passes through the sealing member and below it. Push in contact with smoking items. Furthermore, when the upper sealing member has a central portion covering the elastic sealing means, a material that is easily broken may be used here. The first butt put in the butt receiving part is pressed against the central part before being pushed through the slit of the elastic sealing means and breaks through this central part to open. In such an embodiment, the central portion of the upper sealing member is preferably flame retardant or non-flammable, so that the butt that has not been extinguished can be safely pressed against the sealing member.

  Therefore, the easily tearable sealing member is used to provide a more convenient cartridge that does not require the sealing member to be removed before the smoker fits the cartridge into the case. Therefore, it is not necessary to dispose the sealing member separately in the case, and a new smoking article and an empty butt receiving portion can be re-packed easily and quickly. Further, the sealing member remaining as it is can maintain the freshness of the smoking article for a longer time, particularly when the annular gap is divided into individual rooms.

  Various attachments or support mechanisms can be provided in the case that can be reused for a plurality of cartridges, as required. For example, a clip may be provided outside the side wall, and the case can be sandwiched between a belt or a pocket by this clip. Alternatively or additionally, a chain may be attached to the case for attaching the case to, for example, a bag or belt loop. A key holder or a spring clip that is used by being attached to a dog lead may be provided on the other end of the chain so that the case can be attached if necessary. There can also be a chain or cord that allows it to hang around the neck.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the case 40 provided with both a belt clip 66 and a chain 68 having a key ring 70 and a cord 72 wound around the neck.

  In addition, it is practical to provide a dedicated facility for extinguishing smoking articles before the cigarette butt is inserted into the cigarette butt receiver in the outer case. In order to provide this facility, the case includes a fire extinguishing section in the form of a recess or depression, where the smoking article can be extinguished. This recess can be located anywhere on the outer case, but the central region of the bottom has been found to be convenient for this purpose.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the container showing the cartridge 10 in the outer case 40 including a simple fire extinguishing recess. The recess 74 is disposed in the center of the bottom surface 44 of the case 40 and includes a shallow depression, where the burned end of the smoking article can be erased by pressing it against the surface of the recess 74.

  The buttocks receiving portion 20 in this example has a bottom surface 22 positioned higher than the bottom surface 44 of the outer case 10 in order to create a space for the recess 74. In this example, a deodorant 76 located at the bottom of the receiving portion 20 is also shown. Deodorant 76 is held in place by a layer of gauze 78 and may be tablet or granular.

  FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a container having a fire extinguishing recess according to a different embodiment. The recess 74 in this example is deeper than the shallow depression in FIG. That depth is sufficient to receive most of the end of the smoking article. In addition, the recess is relatively narrow and the smoking article fits tightly there. Thus, once the smoking article 80 is inserted into the recess 74, the oxygen therein is lost and the fire is extinguished. Thus, smoking articles do not need to be subjected to excessive force or crushed, and extinguish the fire. As a result, the shape and structure of the butts are maintained, so that these can be inserted into the butts receiving portion 20 more easily. The recess 74 in this example has a frustoconical outer shape, and the internal cross section expands as it deepens. However, a recess having straight sides may be used. In the example of FIG. 11, the bottom surface 22 of the receiving portion 20 is pulled up to accommodate the recess 74. If the recess is deeper, it is necessary to raise the bottom surface substantially, thereby reducing the total volume of the receiving part.

  FIG. 13 shows a cross section of a container according to a further embodiment having a fire extinguishing recess. The concave portion 74 in this example is configured as the concave portion in FIG. 12, but the bottom surface 22 of the receiving portion 20 is further recessed to accommodate the concave portion 74, thereby reducing the total volume of the receiving portion 20. is doing.

  Furthermore, for the outer case, it is intended to be reused and is preferably made of a relatively sturdy material such as molded plastic, metal or fairly thick paperboard. The outer side of the outer case may be covered with embossed, leather or synthetic leather, or printed with a pattern or brand of smoking article to improve its appearance.

  The disposable cartridge may be made of a low cost material such as thin plastic, paperboard or cardboard. Since the cartridge is discarded, it is advantageous to be a recyclable or biodegradable material.

  The cartridge and case are suitable for containing all types of smoking articles such as cigarettes (filtered, unfiltered and extra fine cigarettes), cigarillos and cigars.

  In all the examples shown so far, the cartridge and the case are configured such that the smoking article is taken out from the take-out opening on the bottom surface of the case, and the butt receiving portion is available through the central opening on the top surface of the case. . However, this arrangement may be reversed, with the takeout opening on the top and the central opening on the bottom. Alternatively, both may be located on the same end surface of the case, i.e., either the top or bottom surface, in which case the position of the cartridge and any plunger mechanism or fire extinguishing unit is adjusted accordingly. Therefore, the cartridge and the case have the first end surface and the second end surface, not the top and bottom, because the take-out opening and the buttocks receiving portion can be used through the opposite end or the same end. Can be considered as.

Claims (41)

This is a container for smoking goods,
An outer wall and an inner wall concentric with and spaced from the outer wall to form an annular gap for receiving a plurality of smoking articles, the inner wall further comprising a smoking article A disposable cylindrical cartridge forming a central receiving portion for accommodating the cigarette butt,
A cylindrical outer case configured to accommodate a cartridge so that the cartridge can be removed and replaced with another cartridge filled with smoking goods when the smoking goods of this cartridge are empty Including
The case includes a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface, and a second end surface, and one of these end surfaces is the central receiving portion of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the case. A central opening which allows one of the end faces to have a take-off opening offset from the center of the end face, through which the smoking article is removed from the annular gap of the cartridge. A container for smoking goods that can be removed.   The container for smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein one of the end faces has a central opening, and the other end face has a take-out opening.   The container for smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein one of the end faces has both a central opening and a take-out opening.   The container for smoking articles according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the end faces of the case are removed for replacement from the case so that the cartridge can be inserted into the case.   The end face of the case having a take-out opening is rotatable to align the take-out opening with one end of the smoking article in the annular gap of the cartridge housed in the case. The container for smoking articles of any one of 1-4.   An end surface opposite to the surface having the take-out opening of the case extends through the end surface, and the smoking article in the annular gap of the cartridge housed in the case is placed on the opposite end surface of the case. The container for smoking articles according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a plunger that can be manually operated from the outside of the case for pushing out through the take-out opening.   7. The end surface including the plunger is rotatable to align the plunger with one end of a smoking article within an annular gap of a cartridge housed in the case. Container for smoking goods.   The container for smoking articles according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one of the end faces includes a recess for extinguishing the smoking article.   9. The smoking article according to claim 8, wherein the recess has a depth sufficient to accommodate an opening and an end of a smoking article that has been ignited, and the smoking article can be extinguished therein. container.   The said recessed part is located in the end surface opposite to the end surface which has a center opening part, The container for smoking articles of Claim 8 or 9 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The central receiving portion of the cartridge is closed by an elastic sealing means having one or more slits at an end portion aligned with the central opening of the case, and a butt is inserted into the receiving portion through the slit. The container for smoking articles according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the container for smoking articles can be used.   The container for smoking articles according to claim 11, wherein the elastic sealing means is heat resistant or has a heat resistant coating.   The end surface opposite to the end portion through which the buttocks of the smoking article passes and is accommodated in the central receiving portion is recessed to accommodate a recess for extinguishing the smoking article at the end surface of the outer case. The container for smoking articles according to any one of claims 1 to 12.   The smoking article container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the central receiving portion is made of a non-combustible material.   15. A container for smoking articles according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central receptacle includes a deodorant to reduce or eliminate odors from the butts contained therein.   16. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is provided with at least one sealing layer for closing the annular gap in order to keep the smoking article contained in the annular gap fresh. The container for smoking articles as described.   17. A container for smoking articles according to claim 16, wherein at least one sealing layer is removable and is removed from the cartridge prior to inserting the cartridge into the case.   The smoking article according to any one of claims 16 to 17, wherein the at least one sealing layer is made of a material capable of breaking the sealing layer when the smoking article is pressed against the sealing layer. container.   17. The cartridge is provided with a first sealing layer that closes an annular gap at a first end and a second sealing layer that closes the annular gap at a second end. The container for smoking goods of any one of thru | or 18.   The smoking article container according to any one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising a plurality of smoking articles arranged in an annular gap of the cartridge. A container for smoking goods,
An empty cartridge comprising a cylindrical outer case configured to receive a disposable cylindrical cartridge and removing the cartridge from the case for disposal when the smoking article of this cartridge is empty Can be replaced with another cartridge filled with smoking articles, said cartridge being concentric with the outer wall to form an outer wall and an annular gap for accommodating a plurality of smoking articles; and An inner wall positioned at a distance from the outer wall, and the inner wall forms a central receiving portion for receiving a cigarette butts of the smoking article.
Includes a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface, and a second end surface, one of these end surfaces being able to use the central receiving portion of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the case A central opening, and one of the end faces has a take-off opening offset from the center of the end face, through which the smoking article can be taken out from the annular gap of the cartridge. A container for smoking goods.   The container for smoking articles according to claim 21, wherein one of the end faces has a central opening, and the other end face has a take-out opening.   The container for smoking articles according to claim 21, wherein one of the end faces has both a central opening and a take-out opening.   24. A smoking article container according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein one or both of the end faces of the case are removed from the case for replacement so that the cartridge can be inserted into the case.   The end face of the case having a take-out opening is rotatable to align the take-out opening with one end of the smoking article in the annular gap of the cartridge housed in the case. The container for smoking articles of any one of 21 thru | or 24.   An end surface opposite to the surface having the take-out opening of the case extends through the end surface, and the smoking article in the annular gap of the cartridge housed in the case is placed on the opposite end surface of the case. 26. A container for smoking articles according to any one of claims 21 to 25, further comprising a plunger that can be manually operated from the outside of the case for pushing out through the take-out opening.   27. The end surface including the plunger is rotatable to align the plunger with one end of a smoking article within an annular gap of a cartridge housed in the case. Container for smoking goods.   The container for smoking articles according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein one of the end faces includes a recess for extinguishing the smoking article.   29. The smoking article according to claim 28, wherein the recess has a depth sufficient to accommodate an opening and an end of a smoking article that has been ignited, and the smoking article can be extinguished therein. container.   30. The container for a smoking article according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the recess is located on an end surface opposite to an end surface having a central opening. A container for smoking goods,
Including a disposable cylindrical cartridge,
The outer wall,
An inner wall that is concentric with the outer wall to form an annular gap that includes a plurality of smoking articles, is located at a distance from the outer wall, and further forms a central receiver for receiving a butt of smoking articles;
The empty cartridge is packed with the smoking article by removing the cartridge from the case for disposal when the smoking article of the cartridge is empty. Configured to be accommodated in a cylindrical outer case so that it can be replaced with another cartridge,
Includes a cylindrical side wall, a first end surface, and a second end surface, one of these end surfaces being able to use the central receiving portion of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the case A central opening, and one of the end faces has a take-off opening offset from the center of the end face, through which the smoking article can be taken out from the annular gap of the cartridge. A container for smoking goods.   The central receiving portion of the cartridge is closed by an elastic sealing means having one or more slits at an end portion aligned with the central opening of the case, and a butt is inserted into the receiving portion through the slit. 32. The container for smoking articles according to claim 31, wherein the container is capable of performing.   The container for smoking articles according to claim 32, wherein the elastic sealing means is heat resistant or has a heat resistant coating.   The end surface opposite to the end portion through which the buttocks of the smoking article passes and is accommodated in the central receiving portion is recessed to accommodate a recess for extinguishing the smoking article at the end surface of the outer case. 34. A container for a smoking article according to any one of claims 31 to 33.   35. The container for smoking articles according to any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the central receiving portion is made of a non-combustible material.   36. A container for smoking articles according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the central receptacle includes a deodorant to reduce or eliminate odors from the butts contained therein.   37. The cartridge according to any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the cartridge is provided with at least one sealing layer for closing the annular gap in order to keep the smoking article contained in the annular gap fresh. The container for smoking articles as described.   38. The smoking article container of claim 37, wherein the at least one sealing layer is removable and is removed from the cartridge prior to insertion of the cartridge into the case.   The container for smoking articles according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the at least one sealing layer is made of a material capable of breaking the sealing layer when the smoking article is pressed against the sealing layer.   38. The cartridge is provided with a first sealing layer that closes the annular gap at a first end and a second sealing layer that closes the annular gap at a second end. The container for smoking articles of any one of thru | or 39.   A smoking article container as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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