US20020000389A1

US20020000389A1 - Packaging system with a receptacle for storing debris

Info

Publication number: US20020000389A1
Application number: US09/805,450
Authority: US
Inventors: Guadalupe Garcia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-04
Filing date: 2001-03-07
Publication date: 2002-01-03

Abstract

A convenient, safe and economical packaging system has an open receptacle that collapses to a reduced closed receptacle for storing debris. An outer sleeve and a container are connected through an accordion section. The accordion section folds by pushing the container into the outer sleeve collapsing the open ashtray receptacle to the closed receptacle. A removable lining may optionally cover the walls of the closed receptacle. With the container pulled out the open ashtray receptacle is easily assessable through an access hole in the sleeve. A folded cutout attached to a panel of the sleeve and a bottom of the container covers the access hole in the closed position. The packaging system is particularly useful for packaging cigarettes and can be used several time before emptying the closed receptacle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/643,322 filed Aug. 21, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,822 herein incorporated by reference.[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a package having a compartment to hold debris. More particularly, this invention relates to a package for cigarettes with an ashtray compartment that collapses to a concealed compartment for storing cigarette debris such as ashes and filters.

BACKGROUND ART

There are several cigarette containers with built-in ashtrays disclosed in prior art. Most of the prior art discloses cigarette containers having pivoting flaps or pivoting members that open and serve as temporary receptacles to hold cigarette debris. For examples of prior art cigarette containers with pivoting ashtray members see; Dement in U.S. Pat. No. 2,349,488; Card in U.S. Pat. No. 2,396,827; Peel et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,555; Adams in U.S. Pat. No. 2,958,417; Posavic in U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,877; Sandacz in U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,482; and Kim in U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,059. The devices disclosed do not serve as permanent receptacles for smoking debris because to close the pivoting ashtray members, the ashtray must be empty or nearly empty. Thus with each use, the ashtray must be emptied prior to storing the container in a pocket or a purse.

Draucker et al. in U.S. Pat No. 5,480,025 discloses a cigarette package to hold short cigarettes using a packages of similar size used to hold conventionally sized cigarettes. The package has a receptacle at the bottom of the package to support the short cigarettes and the receptacle is further supplied with an access aperture that can be used for discarding cigarette ashes and filters. The cigarette package disclosed, however, does not address the potential fire hazards associated with burning cigarette filter or ashes. Further the packages design only provides for a very small access aperture that can easily be used for inserting cigarette filters into the receptacle, but is extremely inconvenient to use as an ash tray during a smoking session.

The German Pat. No. 4210959 discloses a cigarette package with a drawer-like receptacle at the bottom of the cigarette package that can be pulled out and used as an ashtray. After the ashtray is used the drawer be retracted back into the package and stored. The ashtray does not require emptying after each use but is not a convenient to use as an ashtray because the receptacle and is very small.

Arthur in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,781 describes a multi-component cigarette package that contains an ashtray. The package has an outer sleeve and an inner compartment for holding cigarettes, whereby the inner compartment slides into the outer sleeve. The adjustable cavity formed between the bottom of the inner compartment and bottom of the outer sleeve is used as the ashtray. A receptacle hole in a side of the outer sleeve is used to access the cavity when the inner compartment is pulled sufficiently far outward from the outer sleeve. After disposing the smoking debris in the ashtray, the hole is closed by sliding the inner compartment inward into the outer sleeve. These designs provide mechanisms for suffocating burning smoking debris, assuming that the inner section fits in the outer section sufficiently snug to suffocate any smoldering debris and that the inner compartment of the package is inserted far enough into the outer sleeve to completely cover the receptacle hole. However, if the receptacle hole is made large enough to be useful as an ashtray, a small outward displacement of the inter compartment will cause a portion of the receptacle hole to be open and smoking debris will spill out or smoldering debris will re-ignite. This situation is highly likely since there is no mechanism to secure the outer section and the inner section in a closed position. Further, since the inside wall of the outer sleeve serves as the bottom of the ashtray it will become highly soiled with ash. After using the ashtray, the inner section is pushed back inward to close the receptacle hole and the outside wall of the inner compartment that overlaps the outer sleeve will also become soiled with ash. Thus, in subsequent uses of the ashtray the soiled inner compartment will be pulled out and the hands of the user and the surface where the package is rested will also become soiled. Further, the cigarette container and outer sleeve may become completely separated allowing the smoking debris to escape for the top portion of the outer sleeve.

What is needed is a cigarette-packaging system that provides an ashtray unit that is functional, safe and clean to use. The ashtray unit needs to be accessible through a large receptacle hole for ashing cigarettes and have a receptacle container for storing smoking debris from several smoking sessions, whereby smoking debris will not cause the packaging system to burn and spillage of smoking debris is unlikely. It would also be beneficial if the packaging system could be configured such that debris may be properly disposed of while part or all of the packaging components may be recycled.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for elongated smoking members that has a closed receptacle compartment for storing smoking debris and a larger open receptacle for ashing and disposing of smoking debris.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a packaging system for elongated smoking members that has an open receptacle compartment for disposing smoking debris through a large access hole that is easily used for an astray.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for elongated smoking members that has a large open receptacle compartment that compresses to a closed receptacle compartment for permanently storing smoking debris, wherein the smoking debris is secured within closed receptacle and is unlikely to spill or leak-out during storage of the packaging system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for elongated smoking members that has an open receptacle compartment and closed receptacle compartment that are substantially fire resistant.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for smoking members that has an open receptacle compartment that compresses to a closed receptacle compartment through an accordion member that is attached to a container for holding smoking members and is further attached to an outside sleeve. The accordion member keeps smoking debris contained in the closed receptacle compartment, wherein the accordion member serves as a bottom portion of the ashtray with the system in a open position preventing smoking debris from collecting on the walls of the container after multiple uses.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a receptacle compartment which is removable from the packaging system such that debris may be properly disposed of and part or all of the packaging system may be recycled.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for conventional cigarettes, that has an ashtray that is safe, easy to use, clean and can be adapted to conventional cigarette packages already produced by cigarette manufactures.

SUMMARY

The objects and advantages of the invention are accomplished by a packaging system that provides a receptacle for storing debris. The packaging system generally comprises an outer sleeve with a bottom panel, front and back panels and side wall panels. The sleeve has a cross-sectional geometry substantially similar to a container, such as a cigarette package. The sleeve is inserted over the container and the container is capable of sliding inward within the outer sleeve to a closed position and outward within the outer sleeve to an extended open position. The outer sleeve also has an access hole that is substantially covered by a wall of the container in the closed position and is open to an open receptacle compartment in the expanded open position. The open receptacle compartment is the volume within the outer sleeve between the bottom portion of the container and the bottom portion of the sleeve. The closed receptacle container is defined as the region between the folded accordion member and the bottom of the sleeve with the container in the closed position.

The container and sleeve may be connected by an accordion member that comprises at least two hinged sections. The hinged sections have geometries substantially similar to the bottom portion of the container. The accordion member is attachable to the container and the sleeve, whereby the accordion member unfolds to be substantially flat within the sleeve with the packaging system in the expanded open position and the accordion member folds and is held substantially folded with the container in the closed position.

A removable receptacle lining may also be positioned within the closed receptacle container. The interior portion of this lining would form an annulus suitable for containing debris. The lining may be attachable to the accordion member, whereby forming a substantially closed receptacle when the accordion member is in a substantially folded state.

In a specific embodiment of the invention the packaging system has a substantially rectangular container for holding elongated smoking members and an open end for inserting elongated smoking members. The packaging system also has a substantially rectangular outer sleeve that fits over the container, wherein the container is capable of sliding inward within the outer sleeve to a closed position and outward within the outer sleeve to an extended open position. The outer sleeve has an access hole that is substantially covered by a wall of the container in the closed position and is open to an open receptacle compartment in an extended open position. An accordion member connected near to the bottom of the container and an inside wall of the outer sleeve has at least two rectangular sections with substantially similar geometries to the rectangular bottom of the container. The accordion member unfolds with the container in the expanded open position to be substantially flat against a wall within the sleeve, wherein the substantially flat accordion member serves as a bottom portion of the ashtray. The accordion member is folded and held substantially folded forming a closed receptacle compartment for storing smoking debris with the container in the closed position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the packaging system is a packaging system for storing cigarettes with an open receptacle ashtray and closed receptacle for storing smoking debris. The cigarette packaging system has a rectangular container made of a material that is preferably 0.25 mm to 2 mm thick. The container has an open end for inserting and storing cigarettes length wise, wherein the container has outside dimensions of 8 to 12 cm long, 4 to 7 cm wide and 1.5 to 3.5 cm deep. The cigarette packaging system has outer rectangular sleeve with inside dimensions similar to the outside dimensions of the container and an open end for inserting the container. The container is capable of sliding inward within the outer sleeve to a closed position and outward within said outer sleeve to an extended open position. The outer sleeve has an access hole that is covered by the container in the closed position and is open to an open receptacle ashtray in the extended open position. An accordion member is made of two or more rectangular folding sections and is attached to a portion of the container and a wall of the sleeve. The accordion prevents the container from being removed from the sleeve. The accordion member is substantially flat with the container in the extended open position and against a wall opposite of the access hole. The accordion member serves as a bottom portion of the open receptacle ashtray with the container in the extended open position and is folded in the closed position forming a closed receptacle for storing smoking debris. The folding sections are sized to tightly close said closed receptacle and suffocate smoldering debris contained in the closed receptacle.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the accordion member is attached to a receptacle lining in place of being attached to the sleeve. The lining has a depth substantially similar to the distance between the container bottom and the sleeve bottom when the packaging system is in a closed position. The receptacle lining further has a cross section substantially similar to the sleeve bottom. Thus when positioned in proximity to the bottom of the sleeve, within the packaging system, the receptacle lining forms an annulus suitable for containing debris, and further forms a closed receptacle compartment when the accordion member is in a substantially folded position.

The container, the sleeve the accordion member, and the receptacle lining are preferably constructed of cardboard for easy recycling/disposal, but may alternatively be made of metal or other material that is capable of being reused. Further, it is preferred that the interior surfaces be accessible to smoking debris within the closed receptacle compartment and the open receptacle ashtray be covered with a fire resistant material such as a metal or fiber glass coating.

The accordion member and receptacle lining are preferably separable from the sleeve such that debris may be properly disposed of and the sleeve recycled. Based on design preference the container may or may not be separable from the accordion member and receptacle lining.

The access hole for ashing and disposing of smoking debris can be any shape, but is preferably large enough to be used as a functional ashtray. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention the access hole is on the larger side of the rectangular sleeve and opposite to the bottom of the open ashtray receptacle. Alternatively, the access hole can also be on the smaller rectangular side of the sleeve without loss to the benefits of the packaging system, except that the access hole can not be as large. In a further embodiment the access hole has an attached lid, but a lid is not required to keep smoking debris contain in the closed receptacle because the access hole is closed with the container in the closed position and thus containing the stored debris.

The invention also preferably has a top to hold the smoking members in the container and a means to secure the container in the closed position to contain the stored smoking debris. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the smoking member are secured in the container by a flip-top. In a particular embodiment of the invention the flip-top is attached to the sleeve and serves to contain the smoking members in the container and to secure the container in the closed position within the sleeve. Additionally, the packaging system may further include a pouch for holding a lighter or a book of matches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in the closed position. [0025]
FIG. 1B is a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in the open position with showing the open receptacle compartment being used as an ashtray. [0026]
FIG. 2A is a standard cigarette package with a flip-top used as a container in the invention. [0027]
FIG. 2B is an unfolded portion of the outer sleeve used in the cigarette packaging system of the invention. [0028]
FIG. 2C is an exemplary accordion member used in the cigarette packaging system of the current invention. [0029]
FIG. 2D is an illustration of a potential design for the receptacle lining as described in the current invention. [0030]
FIG. 2E is a further illustration of an alternate design for the receptacle lining as used in the cigarette packaging system of the current invention. [0031]
FIG. 2F is an exemplary illustration of an accordion member in conjunction with a receptacle lining used in the cigarette packaging system of the current invention. [0032]
FIG. 3A is a view of a partially assembled cigarette packaging system of the invention. [0033]
FIG. 3B is a view of a container, accordion member, and receptacle lining shown as separable from a sleeve as described by the cigarette packaging system of the invention. [0034]
FIG. 4A is a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in an extended open position and the access hole, on a smaller rectangular side of the outer sleeve, open to the open ashtray receptacle. [0035]
FIG. 4B is a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in a position between an extended open position and a closed position to illustrate the positioning and motion of the accordion member. [0036]
FIG. 4C is a cigarette packaging system according to the invention with the cigarette container in a closed position and with a flip top attached to the outer sleeve to secure the cigarette container in the closed position.[0037]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. [0038]
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. [0039] 1A-1B. The packaging system 3 of the invention is capable of forming an open receptacle that compresses to a closed receptacle for storing smoking debris. The packaging system 3 is preferably a packaging system for cigarettes, but is suitable for packaging any elongated smoking member. In fact, the packaging system is well suited for packaging any tobacco related smoking product that may require and ashtray and a receptacle for storing smoking debris. Furthermore, although specific embodiments of the invention dealing with smoking members are described below, those of skill in the art will recognize that the packaging system disclosed herein may be used for storing other types of debris for later disposal. Other possible applications of the packaging system 3 include cigars, chewing tobacco matches, chewing gum, nuts with shells, candy, crackers, medicines, contraceptive devices and any other commodities that produce trash as a byproduct of ordinary use. Furthermore, the closed receptacle need not be used for storing debris but may alternatively be used for storing accessories to the products contained in the packaging system 3. For example, in the case of a cigarette container, the closed receptacle may be used to store matches. In case of a package of crackers, the closed receptacle may store cheese or other spread to put on the crackers.
The [0040] packaging system 3 preferably generally comprises an outer sleeve 9. The sleeve 9 is for example rectangular and sized to receive a rectangular container 4. In a most particular embodiment of this invention the container 4 is a standard cigarette box with a flip-top lid. The outer sleeve 9 has inside dimensions similar to the outside dimensions the container 4 so that the sleeve 9 is capable of slidably receiving the container 4 to a closed position as shown in FIG. 1A. Further, the packaging system 3 may optionally be equipped with a pouch 50, e.g. attached to the sleeve 9, for holding a lighter or a book of matches. A closed receptacle 40 is defined between the bottom of the container 4 and the sleeve 9 when the packaging system 3 is in the closed position. A receptacle lining 60 may optionally cover the walls of sleeve 9 forming closed receptacle 40. The receptacle lining 60 is positioned flush to the walls of sleeve 9 within closed receptacle 40 and may be removable from packaging system 3. The outer sleeve 9 includes a folded cutout section 10 that covers an access hole 5 in sleeve 9 when the system 3 is in the closed position. The folded cutout 10 is attached at a first end 11 to the outer sleeve 9. A second end 12 of the cutout 10 is attachable to the container 4, e.g., by adhesive tab 14 or other means, at or near a bottom 13 thereof. The folded cutout 10 is folded between the first and second ends as indicated by the dashed line 15.
Now referring to FIG. 1B, the [0041] container 4 is capable of extending outward within the outer sleeve 9 to an extended open position as shown. In the open position, the folded cutout 10 folds up such that access hole 5 is open to an open receptacle 41 bounded by the outer sleeve 9 and a bottom 16 of the container 4. The open receptacle 41 may be used, e.g., as an ashtray for ashing and resting a smoking member such as a cigarette. The folded cutout section 10 serves to cover the access hole 5 when the system 3 is in the closed position. If the packaging system 3 is used for smoking members, the folded cutout may optionally include a notch 17 for holding an elongated smoking member such as a cigarette. The folded cutout section 10 may further serve to restrict the range of movement of the container 4 within the sleeve 9. For example, when the container 4 slides to the right in FIG. 1B to close the packaging system 3, the folded cutout 10 may act as a stop to prevent the container from moving too far to the right. Thus, folded cutout 10 may be used to assure that receptacle 40 has some minimum volume for storing debris when the packaging system 3 is in the closed position. When the container 4 slides to the left in FIG. 1B to open the packaging system 3 the folded cutout 10 folds up and may prevent the container 4 from moving too far to the right. Thus, folded cutout 10 may be used to prevent the container 4 from being withdrawn from the sleeve.
The [0042] packaging system 3 optionally comprises an accordion member 7 that has at least two rectangular folding sections having substantially similar geometry to the bottom portion of the container. The accordion member 7 is attachable to the container 4 and the sleeve 9 and is substantially folded within the sleeve 9 with the packaging system 3 in the closed position. A portion of the accordion member 7 and a bottom 30 of the sleeve 9 form a closed receptacle 40 for storing debris when the packaging system 3 is in the closed position. The accordion member 7 typically lies substantially flat when the container 4 is in the extended open position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the accordion member lies substantially against a wall of the sleeve 9 opposite of the access hole 5 when the packaging system 3 is in the open position. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the accordion member 7 serves as a bottom portion of the open receptacle 41. Debris, such as a cigarette filter and ashes, may be placed in the open receptacle 41 and, when the container is returned to the closed position shown in FIG. 1A, the debris is enclosed in the closed receptacle 40. Preferably, one or more of the folding sections of the accordion 7 are sized to tightly close the closed receptacle 40 and suffocate smoldering debris such as cigarette ashes or matches contained in the closed receptacle 40.
In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, receptacle lining [0043] 60 is incorporated into packaging system 3. The receptacle lining 60 is positioned flush against the walls of outer sleeve 9 within the closed receptacle 40 formed between sleeve 9 and container 4. The accordion member 7 is attachable to the container 4 and the receptacle lining 60 and is substantially folded within the sleeve 9 with the packaging system 3 in the closed position. Thus a portion of the accordion member 7 and the receptacle lining 60 form a closed receptacle 40 when the packaging system 3 is in the closed position.
Again referring to FIG. 1B, because the [0044] accordion member 7 serves as a bottom portion of the ashtray, the outer sleeve 9 is not soiled with ashes when the container 4 is returned to the closed position after smoking and, therefore, will not soil the users hands or other surfaces that the packaging system may come in contact with after multiple uses. If the container 4 has an opening that aligns with access hole 5 when the system 3 is in the closed position, the folded cutout 10 covers that opening and protects the users hands and pockets from being soiled with debris when the system 3 is closed. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the inside portions of the outer sleeve 9, the exposed surface of the accordion member 7, the receptacle lining 60, and the bottom of the container 4 that form the open and closed receptacles are coated with a fire resistant material. When the fire resistant material coats a non-fire resistant material, e.g., cardboard, paper, wood, thermal plastic etc., the non-fire resistant material becomes fire resistant. In a particular embodiment, the fire resistant material is a thin layer of metal or adhesive backed metal tape. Alternatively, the fire resistant material can be fiber glass or any other material that provides protection against fire during use of the packaging system.
FIGS. [0045] 2A-2C show the individual unassembled components of a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2A depicts the container 4. In the embodiment shown, the container 4 is a typical cigarette box or standard manufactured cigarette package, but is preferably constructed from cardboard. The container 4 may include a flip-top 19 to hold one or more cigarettes in the container 4. FIG. 2B is a flat member 9A that has been cut (as illustrated in FIG. 2B) preferably from a piece of card board (not shown). The flat member 9A generally comprises front and back wall panels 22, 24 attached to a bottom wall panel 30 and flaps 21, 23 25, 27, 28, and 29. The flat member 9A may be folded on the dashed lines 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and glued on the flaps 21, 23 25, 27, 28, and 29. to form the outer sleeve 9 of the packaging system 3 described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B. The wall panel 24, which forms a front wall panel of the sleeve 9, may be cut along solid lines 39A, 39B, 39C and folded along lines 39D, 38E, 39F to form panels 10A, 10B and flap 10C of the folded cutout section 10 described above. The terms front, back, bottom and side are used herein for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to limit the invention.
A side of the [0046] member 9A, that is the interior of the outer sleeve 9, is preferably coated with a fire resistant material either prior to cutting the member 9A or after cutting the member 9A. It is particularly useful to coat the member 9A using a metallic adhesive tape, but the flat member 9A can be coated with a fire resistant material by any suitable method. The larger wall panels 24 and 22 have substantially similar widths W1 to a larger rectangular side 61 of the container 4 and the flaps have substantially similar widths W2 to a smaller rectangular side 63 of the container 4 as shown in FIG. 2A, but are generally slightly larger so that when the outside sleeve 9 is formed from the member 9A the container 4 will easily slide inside. Further, the wall panel 30 of the member 9A, which serves as a bottom section of the sleeve 9, has a similar size and geometry to that of the bottom 16 of the container 4.
FIG. 2C illustrates an [0047] accordion member 7 prior to its assembly into the packaging system of this invention. The accordion member 7 has two rectangular folding sections 13, 15 and two flaps 12, 14. The rectangular folding sections typically have substantially the same size and geometry as the bottom 16 of the container 4, shown in FIG. 2A. Again referring to FIG. 2C, the flaps 14 and 12 may be coated with adhesive to attach the accordion member 7 to the wall 24 of the member 9 and the bottom 16 of the container 4. The sections 12 and 14 are preferably made form a cardboard material coated with a fire resistant material on at least one side, namely, the side that serves as a bottom portion of the open ashtray receptacle (corresponding to the back side of the accordion member 7 as shown in FIG. 2C). It is convenient to coat the accordion member 7 with a fire resistant metallic tape wherein the tape extends beyond the accordion sections 13 and 15 to form the flaps 12 and 14. The adhesive of the metallic tape that form the flaps 12 and 14 provides a means to attach the accordion member 7 to the bottom 16 of container 4 and the wall 22 of the member 9, while providing a fire resistant coating to the bottom 16 of the container 4. It is clear, however, that the accordion sections 13 and 15 can be attached to the outer sleeve and the container by several alternative means.
FIGS. [0048] 2D-2E show two variations of unassembled receptacle lining 60. FIG. 2D depicts unfolded receptacle lining 60A. Unfolded receptacle lining 60A generally comprises front, back and side wall panels 66, 67, 68, 69 attached to bottom wall panel 70 and flaps 71, 72, 73, 74 attached to side wall panels 68, 69. On folding members of receptacle lining 60A along the illustrated dashed lines flaps 71, 73 may be attached to back wall panel 67, and flaps 72, 74 may be attached to front wall panel 66 with an adhesive to form an open container. FIG. 2E depicts unfolded receptacle lining 60B comprising front and back panels 81, 82 attached to bottom panel 85, side panels 83, 84 attached to front panel 81, and flaps 86, 87. On folding at the illustrated dashed lines flaps 86, 87 are attachable with an adhesive to side wall panels 83, 84.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surfaces of the open container formed on [0049] folding 60A or 60B are coated with a fire resistant material similar to that applied to the internal surface of the sleeve 9. The dimensions of the open container formed on folding 60A or 60B are suitable in cross section and depth such that folded receptacle lining 60A or 60B will fit flush within the closed receptacle container formed between sleeve 9 and container 4 when packaging system 3 is in the closed position.
FIG. 2F illustrates a preferred embodiment of partly assembled [0050] accordion member 7 in conjunction with receptacle lining 60B to form a single accordion/receptacle (A/R) component 90. Back wall panel 82 of receptacle lining 60B is attached to folding section 15 of accordion member 7 in place of flap 12. As previously discussed, flap 14 may be further attached to bottom 16 of container 4. The surface geometry of bottom wall panel 85 of A/R component 90 is substantially similar to the cross section of bottom wall panel 30 of sleeve 9. On folding at the dashed lines, A/R component 90 forms an open container with hinged lid. The geometry of folded sections 13, 15 is such that on folding, they form a substantially closed receptacle with the container formed by receptacle lining 60B. The surfaces of A/R component 90 are preferably coated with a fire-resistant material.
FIG. 3A illustrates a partially assembled [0051] cigarette packaging system 3 of the current invention. The flap 14 of the accordion member 7 is attached to the bottom of the container 4 as shown and the flap 12 is attached to a wall panel, e.g. wall panel 24 of the outer sleeve member 9A. Adhesive is applied to selected surfaces of the flaps 21, 23 25, 27, 28, 29 in order to assemble the sleeve. The flaps 21, 23, 25, 27 fold along dotted lines 37, 31, 32, 38 respectively Panels 22 and 24 fold along lines 35 and 36 respectively. Flaps 28 and 29 attach to panel 30. Flap 21 attaches to flap 23 to form a first side wall panel and flap 25 attaches to flap 27 to form a second sidewall panel. Member 9A thus folds to form outer sleeve 9 of the packaging system 3.
FIG. 3B illustrates a preferred embodiment of the partially assembled cigarette packaging system described be in FIG. 3A. In this embodiment A/[0052] R component 90 is utilized in place of accordion member 7. Flap 14 is similarly attached to the bottom 16 of container 4.
FIGS. [0053] 4A-4C show further embodiments, particulars and adaptations of the packaging system. Further, the FIGS. 4A-4C clearly illustrate the motion and positioning of the accordion member 7, receptacle lining 60, and folded cutout section 10 as the container 4 moves in or out of the outer sleeve 9. Referring to FIG. 4A, the container 4 is in the extended open position (O), wherein the access hole 5 is open to the open receptacle 41 defined by the volume within the outer sleeve 9 that is between the bottom 16 of the container 4 and the top of receptacle lining 60, and the volume contained within the annulus 95 formed by the interior surface of receptacle lining 60. The accordion member 7 is in a substantially flat position within the sleeve 9 and serves as a bottom portion of the open ashtray receptacle 41. The folded cutout section 10 folds up to expose the access hole 5.
FIG. 4B illustrates the position of the [0054] accordion member 7 within the outer sleeve 9 when the container 4 is between the extended open position and the closed position. In FIG. 4C the container is in the closed position (C) and the accordion member 7 is folded. The closed receptacle 40 is defined by the volume bounded by the bottom 16 of the container 4, and the annulus 95 defined by the interior surface of receptacle lining 60. When the accordion 7 is used, one or more of the folding sections 13, 15 of the accordion member 7 and the interior surface of receptacle lining 60 bound the closed receptacle. The outer sleeve 9 may optionally include a flip-top 80 capable of being closed over the flip-top 19 of the container 4 in order to secure the container 4 in the closed (C) position. The flip-top 19 is unnecessary in this embodiment, as it is clear the flip-top 80 will serve both purposes of holding smoking members in the container 4 and securing the container 4 in the closed position within the outer sleeve 9.
Again referring to FIG. 4A, in a most preferred embodiment of the invention the [0055] packaging system 3 is a cigarette package made from a material that is preferably 0.25 mm to 2 mm thick and is cardboard. The outside dimension of the of the cigarette container 4 are 8 to 12 cm long (L), 4 to 7 cm wide (W) and 1.5 to 3.5 cm deep (D). The cigarette packaging system 3 has an outer rectangular sleeve 9 with inside dimensions similar to the outside dimensions of container 4 and A/R component 90 within the tolerances of ±0.5 cm.
It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above embodiment may be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the [0056] container 4 can be held in the closed position by any means such as a strap. Furthermore, while the access hole 5 is depicted herein as being rectangular, any shape access hole, e.g., round, elliptical, triangular, etc is within the scope of the invention. Similarly, although the container 4 and sleeve 9 are depicted herein as being substantially rectangular in shape, other container shapes, e.g., round, elliptical, triangular, spherical, cylindrical, etc may be used. The packaging system 3 may also be of any size and is not in any way limited solely to packaging for cigarettes. Furthermore, the pouch 50 may be attached to any of the walls of the sleeve 9. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A packaging system having an open receptacle for dispensing debris and a closed receptacle for storing said debris, said system comprising:

a) an outer sleeve comprising a front sleeve wall, a back sleeve wall, two side sleeve walls, and a sleeve bottom connecting adjacent ends of said front sleeve wall, said back sleeve wall and said two side sleeve walls, said front sleeve wall having a folded cutout section defining an access hole to said open receptacle, said folded cutout section being attached at a first end to said front sleeve wall, said folded cutout section having a free second end, said access hole being positioned a distance from said sleeve bottom to provide space for said closed receptacle;

wherein said outer sleeve is sized to slidably receive a container for movement between an open position and a closed position, said free second end of said folded cutout section being attachable to said container adjacent a bottom of said container so that in said closed position said folded section lies substantially flat to substantially cover said access hole and in said open position said folded section folds to substantially uncover said access hole in said closed position.

2. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising:

b) an accordion member positioned within said sleeve between said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, wherein a surface of the accordion member and the sleeve bottom form the closed receptacle, said accordion member comprising at least two folding sections connected along a folding edge and first and second flaps, each said folding section having a geometry substantially similar to said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, said accordion member being attachable to said back sleeve wall by a first flap at a distance from said sleeve bottom such that said container is prevented from being retracted farther than where said accordion member is attached, of said accordion being attachable to said container bottom by a second flap such that said accordion member is flattened to serve as an ashtray bottom with said container in said extended open position and said container is prevented from being removed from said sleeve.

3. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein debris received on said accordion member when said sleeve is in said open position is entirely contained within said closed receptacle when said sleeve is in said closed position.

4. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein one or more of the folding sections are sized to tightly close said closed receptacle and suffocate smoldering debris contained in said closed receptacle.

5. The packaging system of claim 2, further comprising:

c) a receptacle lining comprising a front lining panel section, back lining panel section, two side lining panel sections, and bottom lining panel section, positioned along walls of said sleeve such that said receptacle lining is entirely contained within said closed receptacle when said sleeve is in said closed position.

6. The packaging system of claim 5, wherein said receptacle lining forms an annulus suitable for containing debris.

7. The packaging system of claim 5, wherein said receptacle lining being attachable to said sleeve.

8. The packaging system of claim 5, wherein said receptacle lining being removable from said sleeve.

9. The packaging system of claim 5, wherein said accordion member shall be attached to said receptacle lining.

10. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising:

b) said container, comprising a front container wall, a back container wall, two side container walls and a container bottom connecting adjacent ends of said front container wall, said back container wall and said two side container walls, said container being capable of slidably extending from said sleeve to an open position such that said access hole is open to said open ashtray receptacle between said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, said container also being capable of slidably retracting within said sleeve to a closed position and stopping to a distance away from said sleeve bottom such that, said access hole is completely closed by a portion of said front container wall.

11. The packaging system of claim 10 wherein said container further comprises a flip-top attached to a top portion of said container.

12. The packaging system of claim 10 further comprising a means to secure said container in said closed position.

13. The packaging system of claim 12 wherein said means to secure said container in said closed position is a flip-top connected to a top edge of said sleeve.

14. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises cardboard.

15. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein one or more inside surfaces of said sleeve are covered with a fire resistant material.

16. The packaging system of claim 15 wherein said fire resistant material is selected from the group consisting of a metal and fiberglass.

17. The packaging system of claim 15 wherein said fire resistant material is an adhesive backed metal tape.

18. A packaging system for holding smoking members said system having an open ashtray receptacle for dispensing smoking debris and a closed receptacle for storing said smoking debris, said system comprising:

b) a container for holding said elongated smoking members said container comprising a front container wall, a back container wall, two side container walls and a container bottom connecting adjacent ends of said front container wall, said back container wall and said two side container walls, said container being capable of slidably extending from said sleeve to an open position such that said access hole is open to said open ashtray receptacle, said container also being capable of slidably retracting within said sleeve to a closed position within said outer sleeve to a distance away from said sleeve bottom such that, said access hole is completely closed by a portion of a corresponding side container wall;

c) an accordion member positioned within said sleeve between said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, wherein a surface of the accordion member and the sleeve bottom form the closed receptacle, said accordion member comprising at least two folding sections connected along a folding edge and first and second flaps, each said folding section having a geometry substantially similar to said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, said accordion member being attached to said back sleeve wall by said first flap at a distance from said sleeve bottom such that said container is prevented from being retracted farther than said position where said accordion member is attached, said accordion being attached to said container bottom by said second flap such that accordion member is flattened along said back sleeve wall to serve as an ashtray bottom with said container in said extended open position and said container is prevented from being removed from said sleeve;

wherein said outer sleeve is sized to slidably receive a container for movement between an open position and a closed position, said free second end of said folded cutout section being attachable to said container adjacent a bottom of said container so that in said closed position said folded section lies substantially flat to substantially cover said access hole and in said open position said folded section folds to substantially uncover said access hole.

19. The packaging system of claim 18, wherein smoking debris received on said accordion member when said sleeve is in said open position is entirely contained within said closed receptacle when said sleeve is in said closed position.

20. The packaging system of claim 18 wherein said sleeve, said container and said accordion member comprise cardboard.

21. The packaging system of claim 18 wherein inside surfaces of said sleeve and surfaces of said accordion member are covered with a fire resistant material.

22. The packaging system of claim 21 wherein said fire resistant material is selected from the group consisting of a metal and fiberglass.

23. The packaging system of claim 18 wherein said container further comprises a flip-top attached to at top portion of said container for securing said smoking members.

24. The packaging system of claim 18 further comprising a means to secure said container in said closed position.

25. The packaging system of claim 24 wherein said means to secure said container in said closed position is a flip-top connected to a top edge of said sleeve.

26. The packaging system of claim 18 wherein said distance at which said accordion is attached to said back sleeve wall is greater than 0.5″ from said sleeve bottom.

27. The packaging system of claim 18 wherein said folded cutout section includes a notch for holding an elongated smoking member.

28. The packaging system of claim 18, wherein one or more of the folding sections of the accordion member are sized to tightly close said closed receptacle and suffocate smoldering debris contained in said closed receptacle.

29. The packaging system of claim 18, further comprising a pouch attached to the outer sleeve.

30. The packaging system of claim 18, wherein a removable lining is present within said sleeve between said sleeve bottom and said container bottom.

31. The packaging system of claim 30, wherein said removable lining comprise cardboard.

32. The packaging system of claim 30 wherein inside surfaces of said removable lining are covered with a fire resistant material.

33. The packaging system of claim 32 wherein said fire resistant material is selected from the group consisting of a metal and fiberglass.

34. A packaging system that provides an open receptacle for dispensing debris and a closed receptacle for storing said debris, said system comprising:

a) an outer sleeve comprising a front sleeve panel, a back sleeve panel, two side sleeve panels, and a sleeve bottom panel connecting adjacent ends of said front sleeve panel, said back sleeve panel and said two side sleeve panels, said front sleeve panel having an access hole for dispensing of said smoking debris, said access hole positioned a distance from said sleeve bottom to provide space for said closed receptacle; wherein said outer sleeve is sized to slidably receive a container for movement between an open position and a closed position; and

b) a receptacle lining comprising a front receptacle lining panel, a back receptacle lining panel, two side receptacle lining panels, and a bottom receptacle lining panel connecting adjacent ends of said front receptacle lining panel, having a cross section substantially similar to said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, positioned within said sleeve between said sleeve bottom and said container bottom such that an annulus is present between said receptacle lining and said container bottom; and

c) an accordion member having at least two folding sections connected along a folding edge and first and second flaps, each said folding section having a geometry substantially similar to said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, positionable within said sleeve between said receptacle lining and said container bottom, wherein a surface of the accordion member and surfaces of said receptacle lining form the closed receptacle, said accordion member being attachable to said receptacle lining by said first flap such that said container is prevented from being retracted farther than said position where said accordion member is attached, said accordion being attachable to said container bottom by said second flap such that accordion member is flattened along a back sleeve panel when said container is in said extended open position and said container is prevented from being removed from said sleeve;

wherein debris received on said accordion member when said sleeve is in said open position is entirely contained within said annulus formed between said accordion member and said receptacle lining when said sleeve is in said closed position.

35. A packaging system that provides an open receptacle for dispensing debris and a closed receptacle for storing said debris, said system comprising:

a) an outer sleeve comprising a front sleeve panel, a back sleeve panel, two side sleeve panels, and a sleeve bottom panel connecting adjacent ends of said front sleeve panel, said back sleeve panel and said two side sleeve panels, at least one of said side sleeve panels having an access hole for dispensing of said smoking debris, said access hole positioned a distance from said sleeve bottom to provide space for said closed receptacle; wherein said outer sleeve is sized to slidably receive a container for movement between an open position and a closed position; and

b) an accordion member having at least two folding sections connected along a folding edge and first and second flaps, each said folding section having a geometry substantially similar to said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, positionable within said sleeve between said sleeve bottom and said container bottom, wherein a surface of the accordion member and one or more of said sleeve panels form the closed receptacle, said accordion member being attachable to said sleeve bottom panel by said first flap at a distance from said sleeve bottom panel such that said container is prevented from being retracted farther than said position where said accordion member is attached, said accordion being attachable to said container bottom by said second flap such that accordion member is flattened along a back sleeve panel when said container is in said extended open position and said container is prevented from being removed from said sleeve;

wherein debris received on said accordion member when said sleeve is in said open position is entirely contained within said closed receptacle when said sleeve is in said closed position.