SMOKING ARTICLE PACKAGE AND LIGHTER CADDY

Abstract

A smoking accessory including a caddy for holding a lighter and a package containing a smoking article, for instance a disposable lighter, and a package containing a smoking article, for instance a package of cigarettes. The caddy includes an aperture that is sized and configured to receive the formed in the body, the package-receiving aperture adapted to receive the package containing a smoking article. The smoking accessory includes a clip which is removably attachable to a structure or relatively stable article. The caddy is configured to be selectively and removable attachable to the clip cooperate with the clip in a securing engagement wherein the caddy may be selectively secured against the clip or selectively removed from the clip

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to smoking accessories and more particularly to a caddy for holding a lighter, for instance a disposable lighter, and a package containing a smoking article, for instance a package of cigarettes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art includes a variety of smoking accessories. There is perhaps nothing more frustrating to a smoker than wanting a cigarette and not being able to find a means for ignition. This reality is bore out by the prior art that includes a wide variety of implements directed to holding a package of cigarettes and a lighting implement. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,852 to Focke, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,734 to Devens, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,503 to Rhodes, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,217 to Focke, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,374 to Liard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,613 to Kopp, U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,148 to Schade II, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,194 to Loredo, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 260,689 to Storms and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 432,263 to Issa all disclose combined cigarette and lighter holding devices that allow for the positioning of a lighter along side a package of cigarettes.

Similarly, a variety of devices that include a lighting device positionable above a package of cigarettes are disclosed in the prior art. See for instance U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,587 to Racine, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,579,222, 4,385,689 and 4,281,761 to Olazabal, U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,924 to Tata, U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,784 to Kaneyasu, U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,910 to Leibow and U.S. Pat. No. 2,529,150 to Fukal. Many of the above references disclose rather involved articles of manufacture that include built-in refillable type lighters. See for instance U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,587 to Racine, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,579,222, 4,385,689 and 4,281,761 to Olazabal, U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,924 to Tata, U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,784 to Kaneyasu, U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,910 to Leibow and U.S. Pat. No. 2,529,150 to Fukal.

In those instances where the disclosed device is intended to accommodate a disposable lighter, such accommodation is achieved by employing a separate case that holds both the package of cigarettes and either houses or otherwise accommodates the lighter. See for instance U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,852 to Focke, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,734 to Devens, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,503 to Rhodes, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,217 to Focke, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,374 to Liard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,148 to Schade II, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,194 to Loredo and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 432,263 to Issa.

Finally, the prior art discloses devices that are intended to accommodate a disposable lighter where such accommodation is achieved without employing a separate case that holds both the package of cigarettes and either houses or otherwise accommodates the lighter, however in each of these the device must be removed from the package or moved with respect to the package in order to access the cigarettes. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,613 to Kopp and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 260,689 to Storms. This is a significant factor particularly where the smoker is involved in some other task, for instance driving, and does not have both hands free to manipulate the device, package and lighter. Additionally in the case of the disclosure by Kopp, the device is not usable with the popular “flip-top” package.

It may be desirable to provide a caddy for holding a lighter and a package of cigarettes. It may also be desirable to provide a caddy for holding a disposable lighter and a “flip-top” package of cigarettes. Additionally, advantage may be found in providing a smoking accessory that includes a clip that permits clipping or otherwise removably attaching the caddy holding a lighter and a package containing a smoking article at a location where the smoker may readily remove the caddy from the clip to retrieve a smoking article, for instance a cigarette, from the package, light the cigarette using the lighter held by the caddy and replace the caddy in the clip for later access and use. Additionally, there may be advantage in combining other useful articles with the caddy for holding a disposable lighter and a “flip-top” package of cigarettes. Additionally, advantage may be found in providing a caddy for holding a disposable lighter and a “flip-top” package of cigarettes including one or more unique design elements.

Therefore one object of the present invention is to provide a caddy for holding a lighter and a package of cigarettes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a caddy that holds a disposable lighter and a “flip-top” package of cigarettes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a smoking accessory that includes a clip that permits clipping or otherwise removably attaching the caddy holding a lighter and a package containing a smoking article at a location where the smoker may readily remove the caddy from the clip to retrieve a smoking article, for instance a cigarette, from the package, light the cigarette using the lighter held by the caddy and replace the caddy in the clip for later access and use. Another object of the present invention is to combine another useful article with the caddy for holding a disposable lighter and a “flip-top” package of cigarettes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a caddy for holding a disposable lighter and a “flip-top” package of cigarettes including one or more unique design elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a smoking accessory including a caddy configured to hold a lighter and a package containing a smoking article, for instance a package of cigarettes. The smoking accessory also includes a clip, the caddy configured to cooperate with the clip in a securing engagement wherein the caddy may be selectively secured against the clip or selectively removed from the clip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative perspective view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a representative perspective view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a representative top view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a representative bottom view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a representative first side view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a representative first end view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a representative second side view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a representative second end view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a representative front view of a clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a representative top view of a clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a representative rear view of a clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a representative perspective view of a smoking accessory including a caddy and a clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a representative perspective view of a clip of a smoking accessory according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a representative perspective view of a clip of a smoking accessory according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a representative exploded side cutaway view of a smoking accessory including a caddy and a clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a representative cutaway view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a detailed representative cutaway view of a caddy according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a representative cutaway view of a smoking accessory including a caddy and a clip according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a representative view of a caddy including a bottle opener according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows caddy 20 for holding a lighter L, in this case a disposable lighter, and a package P containing a smoking article. As seen in FIG. 1, package P includes “flip-top” F, which opens by articulating flip-top F between a closed position, as shown, and an open position, (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, caddy 20 remains mounted to package P, as shown in FIG. 1, during articulation of flip-top F. Also as seen in FIG. 1, caddy 20 includes bottle opener 50.

FIG. 2 shows caddy 20 holding lighter L. As shown, caddy 20 includes bottle opener 50.

FIGS. 3-8 depict various views of caddy 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 5-8 show bottle opener 50 attached to body 25 of caddy 20. FIG. 4 shows anchor end 51 of bottle opener 50 attached within body 25 of caddy 20.

FIGS. 9-11 depict various views of clip 30 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with strap 34 removed.

FIG. 12 shows smoking accessory 10 including caddy 20 and clip 30. Package P including “flip-top” F, is shown inserted in caddy 20 and caddy 20 is shown held by clip 30. Clip 30 includes strap 34 having buckle 35. In a preferred embodiment, strap 34 is formed of a strip of material having alternate front and back surfaced having one or the other of a hook or loop type fabric to permit hook and loop type fastening of clip 30 to a variety of articles or structures. Also, in a preferred embodiment, caddy 20 and clip 30 are both formed of a polymeric material. More preferably, caddy 20 and clip 30 are both formed of a thermoplastic. Still more preferably, caddy 20 and clip 30 are both formed of an injection molded plastic.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, clip 30 is shown including strap 34 having buckle 35. FIG. 13A depicts strap 34 routed through vertical strap passage 36 while FIG. 13B depicts strap 34 routed through horizontal strap passage 37.

Referring to FIG. 14, smoking accessory 10 is shown including caddy 20 and clip 30. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, caddy 20 includes body 25, within which several apertures are formed. Package-receiving aperture 21 is formed in body 25 and extends into body substantially along axis Al. Package-receiving aperture 21 is formed having a size and configuration that permits a snug fit over package P. In FIG. 14, package P containing a smoking article S is shown positioned for insertion in package-receiving aperture 21 of caddy 20. FIG. 15 shows package P containing a smoking article S inserted in package-receiving aperture 21 of caddy 20. FIG. 16 shows a detail cutaway of a portion of body 25 caddy 20 showing package P containing smoking article S positioned within package-receiving aperture 21. Tooth 27 formed on an inner surface of package-receiving aperture 21 engages edge E of package P helping to retain package P in package-receiving aperture 21 of caddy 20.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, caddy 20 also includes first package eject aperture 23 and second package eject aperture 28 formed through a crown portion 29 of body 25, contiguous to package-receiving aperture 21 and substantially parallel to primary axis Al. First package eject aperture 23 and second package eject aperture 28 are also formed substantially along axis A1. This arrangement together with the size and configurations of first package eject aperture 23 and second package eject aperture 28 permit the use of lighter L, as shown in FIG. 14, to be used to eject package P from package-receiving aperture 21. Referring to FIG. 14, in order to remove package P, lighter L is withdrawn from lighter holding aperture 22 and inserted through first package eject aperture 23 and second package eject aperture 28, with a force F that ejects package P from package-receiving aperture 21.

Lighter holding aperture 22 is also formed in body 25 along secondary axis A2 and preferably is configured having a size and cross-sectional shape that is adapted to receive lighter L, shown in FIG. 14. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, lighter holding aperture 22 is formed in body 25 along axis A2. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, lighter holding aperture 22 is formed and oriented with respect to body 25 and package P such that a user might be able to hold caddy 20 with the package P inserted in package-receiving aperture 21, in such a manner that the lighter L is easily operated without removal from caddy 20. As shown, secondary axis A2 of lighter holding aperture 22 intersects with primary axis A1 along which package-receiving aperture 21 is formed.

Referring again to FIGS. 14 and 17 clip 30 is shown, which is attachable to a structure or other article, (not shown in FIG. 14), and in the case of FIG. 17, is shown as a sun-visor V, common in most vehicles, Clip 30 is attachable to a structure or other article employing strap 34 having buckle 35, Strap 34 is shown inserted through vertical strap passage 36 and in FIG. 17, strap 34 passes about visor V and is secured thereto by passing end 38 of strap 34 through buckle 35 and contacting the loop portion of a hook and loop fabric, not shown, against the hook portion of the hook and loop fabric as is well known to those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 17, to attach caddy 20 to clip 30, finger 32 of clip 30 is inserted into first package eject aperture 23 and ridge 31 of clip 30 cooperates with ledge 24 of caddy 20 to secure and hold caddy 20 with against clip 30. In the preferred embodiment, the fit of caddy 20 against clip 30 is achieved by the relative configurations and cooperating fit of ridge 31 of clip 30 with ledge 24 of caddy 20 in combination with the compressive force generated by finger 32 of clip 30 against caddy 20 and therefore against ridge 31 of clip 30 by ledge 24 of caddy 20.

Referring to FIG. 18, use of bottle opener 50 is demonstrated with respect to bottle top T of bottle B. In this case, lip L bottle top T is engaged by edge 55 of bottle opener 50 and an angular force F0 is exerted between fulcrum 26 and edge 55 of bottle opener 50 as shown to remove bottle top T from bottle B.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A caddy for holding a lighter and a package containing a smoking article, the caddy comprising:

a body including a package-receiving aperture formed in the body, the package-receiving aperture adapted to receive the package containing the smoking article; and

the body also including a lighter holding aperture formed in the body, an axis of the lighter holding aperture intersecting an axis of the package-receiving aperture, S the lighter holding aperture adapted to receive the lighter.

2. The caddy of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a package eject aperture formed through a crown of the body, the package eject aperture formed substantially along an axis that lies parallel to an axis along which the package-receiving aperture is formed in the body.

3. The caddy of claim 1 further comprising a bottle opener connected to the body.

4. The caddy of claim 1 wherein the body is formed of a plastic.

5. The caddy of claim 1 wherein the body is formed of a molded plastic.

6. The caddy of claim 1 wherein the body is formed of an injection molded plastic.

7. The caddy of claim 1 wherein the lighter holding aperture further comprises the lighter holding aperture formed along an axis that lies at an angle to the axis along which the package-receiving aperture is formed in the body.

8. A caddy for holding a lighter and a package containing a smoking article, the caddy comprising:

a body including a package-receiving aperture formed in the body, the package-receiving aperture adapted to receive the package containing the smoking article, the body also including a package eject aperture formed through a crown of the body, the package eject aperture formed substantially along an axis that lies parallel to an axis along which the package-receiving aperture is formed in the body; and

the body also including a lighter holding aperture formed in the body, an axis of the lighter holding aperture intersecting at substantially a right angle an axis of the package-receiving aperture, the lighter holding aperture adapted to receive the lighter.

9. The caddy of claim 8 further comprising a bottle opener connected to the body.

10. The caddy of claim 8 wherein the body is formed of a plastic.

11. The caddy of claim 8 wherein the body is formed of a molded plastic.

12. The caddy of claim 8 wherein the body is formed of an injection molded plastic.

13. The caddy of claim 8 wherein the package-receiving aperture further comprises an aperture formed having a size and configuration that permits a snug fit over package P.

14. The caddy of claim 8 wherein the package-receiving aperture further comprises an aperture formed having a size and configuration that permits articulation of a flip-top of the package P with articulation of the caddy.

15. A smoking accessory comprising:

a caddy for holding a lighter and a package containing a smoking article, the caddy including a body having a package-receiving aperture formed in the body, the package-receiving aperture adapted to receive the package containing the smoking article and a lighter holding aperture formed in the body, an axis of the lighter holding aperture intersecting an axis of the package-receiving aperture, the lighter holding aperture adapted to receive the lighter; and

the caddy configured to cooperate with a clip in a securing engagement wherein the caddy may be selectively secured against the clip or selectively removed from the clip.

16. The smoking accessory of claim 15 wherein the body of the caddy further comprises a package eject aperture formed through a crown of the body, the package eject aperture formed substantially along an axis that lies parallel to an axis along which the package-receiving aperture is formed in the body.

17. The smoking accessory of claim 15 further comprising a bottle opener connected to the body of the caddy.

18. The smoking accessory of claim 15 wherein the caddy and the clip are formed of a plastic.

19. The smoking accessory of claim 15 wherein the caddy and the clip are formed of a molded plastic.

20. The smoking accessory of claim 15 wherein the caddy and the clip are formed of an injection molded plastic