PORTABLE CIGARETTE SNUFFER

Abstract

A portable cigarette snuffer for snuffing a lit cigarette comprising: a top cap; a bottom portion; a means to connect the top cap to the bottom portion, where said top portion includes a hollow space extending above the bottom portion after connection thereto; and a means to snuff a lit cigarette within the bottom portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the means to connect includes threads within the top cap and the bottom portion or alternatively a lip within the top cap. The portable cigarette snuffer may also include a clip on the top cap. The means to snuff may include a cigarette encasement for storing a cigarette within snuffer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/348955 filed on May 27, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a portable cigarette snuffer and storage compartment.

2. Description of Related Art

Although cigarette smoking has decreased in recent years, many individuals continue to enjoy cigarettes in their leisure. Cigarette smoking involves the igniting of tobacco that's rolled in paper and usually has a filter attached to one end thereof. The tobacco is ignited at the end of the cigarette opposite of the filter and is consumed by the smoker. Cigarette smoking is restricted in many public areas due to recent concerns regarding second-hand smoke and to generally discourage the use of tobacco products. For the smokers the recent restrictions have become a problem. Many smokers must leave their workplace and go outdoors to consume cigarettes during a break from work. The restricted or time limited consumption of cigarettes may pose a problem to the cigarette smoker. Sometimes the period of time that an individual has to smoke a cigarette is limited; therefore, the smoker occasionally smokes only a portion of their cigarette and then must discard the remaining portion and return to work. The smoker could consume the discarded or wasted portion of the cigarette at a later time, if it were available.

Most cigarette snuffers are used in conjunction with an ashtray or a cigarette disposal device where the cigarette is inserted into the snuffer to extinguish the cigarette and any remaining portion of the cigarette is disposed in the ashtray. One example of a cigarette snuffer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,773 that relates to the ashtray that includes one or more hollow cylindrical extinguishers mounted thereon in order to provide a means for extinguishing cigarettes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,757 discloses a cigarette packet ash holder/extinguisher for neatly keeping cigarettes and the ashes within a single container. The cigarette pack and ash holder/extinguisher includes a container with a plurality of compartments with the first one of which being adapted to receive and store a pack of cigarettes and a second one of which being adapted to receive and store cigarette ashes and spent cigarettes. The packet also includes a tubular member securely disposed in one empty section of one of the compartments adapted to extinguishing a cigarette.

The use of cigarettes continues despite warnings, therefore it would be advantageous to have a device that enables a cigarette smoker to snuff out a cigarette and save the single cigarette for later use as desired. Further it would also be advantageous if this device could be easily stored in the smoker's pocket and conveniently accessed by the smoker as needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable cigarette snuffer for snuffing a lit cigarette comprising: a top cap; a bottom portion; a means to connect the top cap to the bottom portion, where said top portion includes a hollow space extending above the bottom portion after connection thereto; and a means to snuff a lit cigarette within the bottom portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the means to connect includes threads within the top cap and the bottom portion or alternatively a lip within the top cap. The portable cigarette snuffer may also include a clip on the top cap. The means to snuff may include a cigarette encasement for storing a cigarette within snuffer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a portable cigarette snuffer as contemplated by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a portable pocket snuffer for snuffing and storing a single cigarette. The pocket snuffer, according to the present invention, includes a top portion and bottom portion that connect together to form a small portable cylindrical snuffer. The snuffer may be used by the smoker to snuff out a cigarette and to store any unconsumed portion of the cigarette within the snuffer for later use. In reference to FIG. 1 a portable snuffer 10 is depicted. The portable snuffer 10 includes a top cap 13 and a bottom portion 17. The bottom portion 17 and the top cap 13 are connected together at the connected point 11. The bottom portion 17 and top cap 13 may include threads to connect the top cap 13 and bottom 17 together. Alternatively, a lip or other attachment means may be provided to connect the top cap 13 and bottom portion 17. Once the top cap 13 is removed a snuffer, not shown, is provided within the bottom portion 17. A smoker may place a lit cigarette within the snuffer of the bottom portion 17 and then return the top cap 13 onto the bottom portion 17. The cigarette would consequently be extinguished and therefore available for later use by the smoker. As depicted, the portable snuffer 10 is a substantially cylindrical device with a top surface 15 and a clip 12 provided on the top cap 13.

The portable snuffer 10 provides a safe and effective device to extinguish cigarettes and to store them for later consumption. The portable snuffer 10 essentially provides a cigarette encasement where the used cigarette may be completely contained within the snuffer 10. The snuffer 10 therefore extinguishes the cigarette once the top cap 13 is placed upon the bottom portion 17. The cigarette is available for use at a later time and therefore helps the smoker to prevent unnecessary waste and economic consumption of cigarettes. Further, the portable snuffer 10 supplies a quick method to extinguish the cigarette without the lingering smoke that may develop in other instances using open cigarette snuffers and ashtrays. In one particular embodiment, the portable snuffer 10 is about 3½ inches long with a 1-inch diameter. The snuffer 10 may be made of stainless steel or similar metal with the attachment clip 12 provided so that the snuffer may be conveniently transported in a shirt pocket.

Although it has become popular to discourage smoking, such a device is very convenient due to the limited options for public cigarette smoking. The portable snuffer further provides an economic means for cigarette smokers to consume their cigarettes and may help facilitate smoking cessation. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A portable cigarette snuffer for snuffing a lit cigarette comprising:

a. a top cap;

b. a bottom portion;

c. a means to connect the top cap to the bottom portion, where said top portion includes a hollow space extending above the bottom portion after connection thereto; and

d. a means to snuff a lit cigarette within the bottom portion.

2. The portable cigarette snuffer according to claim 1 where the means to connect includes threads within the top cap and the bottom portion.

3. The portable cigarette snuffer according to claim 1, where the means to connect includes a lip within the top cap.

4. The portable cigarette snuffer according to claim 1, further including a clip on the top cap.

5. The portable cigarette snuffer according to claim 1, where the means to snuff includes a cigarette encasement for storing a cigarette within snuffer.

6. A method of extinguishing a cigarette by using a snuffer with a top cap and a bottom portion comprising the steps of:

a. removing the top cap from the snuffer;

b. inserting a lit cigarette into a cigarette encasement within the bottom portion;

c. connecting the top cap to the bottom portion; and

d. enclosing the cigarette in the cigarette encasement.