US20120205266A1

US20120205266A1 - Cigarette Storage Device

Info

Publication number: US20120205266A1
Application number: US13/026,514
Authority: US
Inventors: Justin Tyler Van De Pitte
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-14
Filing date: 2011-02-14
Publication date: 2012-08-16

Abstract

A cigarette storage device is provided, comprising of a open ended cylindrical tube and cap for the protection of an individual cigarette. The tube has 1 open, cylindrical side and the other end being rounded with a small hole in the center. The tube is machined to a size slightly larger in diameter than a conventional cigarette. The cap is pressed onto the outside of the cylindrical end & contains a clip for affixing to a wallet or clothing.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Prior Art
The following is a tabulation of prior art that appears relevant:


Patent #	Issue Date	Patentee

6,431,177	August 2002	Sieggen
6,273,094	August 2001	Potter
D409327	May 1999	Brock
5,862,809	January 1999	Nicotra
5,385,157	January 1995	Smith et al.
5,377,826	January 1995	Ayres et al
5,345,953	September 1994	Taylor
5,002,073	March 1991	Chaing
4,984,586	January 1991	Nae-Won
4,886,076	December 1989	Gilbert et al.
D303438	September 1989	Higgins
4,809,715	March 1989	Musetti
4,660,575	April 1987	Andreason et al.
4,587,980	May 1986	Tipper
4,585,014	April 1986	Fry
3,886,954	June 1975	Hannema et al.
2,715,961	August 1955	Field
2,335,674	November 1943	Horlick
2,113,745	April 1938	Pyatt

2. Background of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a cigarette storage device designed to be compact to allow the user to travel with a single cigarette easily, conveniently & discretely. This storage device is designed to fit in the fold of a wallet or pocket of the user. The cap & clip design, with the top of the clip coming flush to the top of the cap, allows the storage device to sit flush in a wallet fold or pocket. The device is designed to be near exact length of a conventional cigarette to minimize materials, allowing the device to be very compact. The device is created from machined metal tubing & formed sheet metal.
Although the description above contains many specifics, they should not be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments, rather illustrations of some embodiments.
Several devices have been proposed in the prior art for a cigarette storage device, such as those in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,431,177, 4,660,575, 2,113,745 and other mentioned above. Although presumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not provide an inexpensive, compact device that can be easily carried in the fold of a wallet. The previous mentioned devices are comprised of expensive, bulky materials which increase the size & weight of the device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,177 specifically also runs a high risk of cigarette breakage due to pieces meeting at middle of where a cigarette would be stored.

SUMMARY

Therefore in summary, a general object of this invention is to provide a device for storing a cigarette. This storage device is designed to store a cigarette in such a way that is minimal in weight, size & visible features while stored in the users wallet or pocket. The cigarette is stored entirely in the tube, with the cap enclosing the opened end of the tube. The clip & cap are designed in such a way that the top of the clip is equal to the top of the cap, allowing the device to be stored compact in the users wallet. A small hole in one end of the tube allows the user to blow into the tube & free any potentially lodged cigarette. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent with the accompanying drawings, way of illustration and example.

DRAWINGS

Figures

In the drawings, related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the tube. #1 is the tube & #2 notes the hole in the rounded end of the tube.
FIG. 1B is a plan view of the tube
FIG. 1C is a section view of FIG. 1B
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the cap & clip. #3 notes the cap, #4 notes the clip & #5 notes the slit in the cap.
FIG. 2B is a plan view of the cap & clip
FIG. 2C is a section view of FIG. 2B
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cigarette storage device with cap attached to storage tube.
FIG. 3B is a plan view of the cigarette storage device with cap & clip attached to the storage tube.
FIG. 3C is a section view of FIG. 3B.

Claims

1. A cigarette storage device comprised of a tube & a cap with clip attached.

2. A device as in claim 1 is comprised of:

a. cylindrical tube, one end being opened, with the other end rounded with a small hole; and

b. a press fit cap with a clip attached.

3. A device as in claim 1 whereas a press fit cap with a clip attached, the clip height is equal to that of the top of the cap.

4. A device as in claim 1 wheres the tube is cylindrical & rounded at one end, the rounded end possesses an opening to allow the user to dislodge any potentially stuck cigarette by blowing through the hole on the rounded end.

5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said tube is comprised of steel.

6. A device as in claim 1 wherein said cap/clip is comprised of steel.

7. The cap of the storage device contains a slit to allow the cap to be pressed onto the outside of the tube.