Method of Discarding a Cigarette Butt
The method is for discarding cigarette butts. A cigarette box (10) is provided that has a compartment (12) for containing cigarettes (14). The box has an expandable container (28) that is separate from but adjacent to the compartment (12). The container (28) has openable resilient members (20) disposed at a top of the container (28). The resilient members (20) are opened to create an opening (26) leading into the container (28). A cigarette butt (30) may be dropped into the container (28) and the resilient members (20) are then closed.
The method relates to a method for discarding a cigarette butt. More particularly, the method is for discarding the cigarette butt into an openable non-inflammable container that is part of the cigarette box itself that contains the cigarettes.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONCigarette smoking has many negative effects on the smokers and the society as a whole. One such drawback is the littering of cigarette butts that are not only unpleasant to look at but can be dangerous to children particularly to infants. Despite years of various information campaigns the littering of cigarette butts is still a major problem. There is a need for a better and more convenient way of discarding cigarette butts that is less harmful to nature and society.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe method of the present invention provides a solution to the above-outlined problems. More particularly, the method is for discarding cigarette butts. A cigarette box is provided that has a compartment for containing cigarettes. The box has an expandable container that is separate from but adjacent to the compartment. The container has openable resilient members disposed at a top of the container. The resilient members may be opened to create an opening leading into the container. After the smoker has finished smoking a cigarette, the smoker may drop the cigarette butt into the container and the resilient members are, upon release, automatically closed.
With reference to
An important feature of the container 28 is that it may expand into the compartment 12 as the box is being emptied of cigarettes 14. More particularly, the smoker may open the resilient members 20 and drop glowing cigarette butts 30 into the second container 28. As the container 28 is being filled with cigarette butts 30, the compartment 12 is being emptied of cigarettes 14. In this way, the container 28 may gradually expand into the compartment 12. Another feature is that when the container 28 is empty it does not interfere with the space of the compartment 12. Only when the compartment 12 is emptied of cigarettes 14 does the container 28 expand as a result of the increased numbers of cigarette butts 30 contained by the container 28.
Preferably, the container 28 is made of the non-flammable material 29 so that the smoker may insert glowing cigarette butts 30 into the container 28 without causing any material of the box 10 to burn. As best shown in
While the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A method for discarding cigarette butts, comprising:
- providing a cigarette box (10) having a compartment (12) for containing cigarettes (14), the box having an expandable container (28) being separate from but adjacent to the compartment (12), the container (28) having openable resilient members (20) disposed at a top of the container (28);
- taking a cigarette from the compartment (12) of the box (10);
- smoking the cigarette;
- opening the resilient members (20) to create an opening (26) leading into the container (28);
- dropping a cigarette butt (30) from the cigarette into the container (28); and
- closing the resilient members (20).
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises urging a first end (22) towards a second end (24) of the resilient members (20) to open the container (28).
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing the container (28) with a non-flammable material (29).
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing the container (28) with accordion pleated sides (31).
5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the method further comprises expanding the accordion pleated sides (31) by filling the container (28) with cigarette butts (30).
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the method further comprises reducing an effective space of the compartment (12) as the container (28) is expanded with cigarette butts (30).
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 20, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 11, 2008
Inventor: Gunnar Klint (Saltsjobaden)
Application Number: 11/547,896
International Classification: A24F 15/00 (20060101); A24D 1/12 (20060101);