Recirculating pet fountain

Abstract

A snubber having a cigarette chamber and cap that releasably holds a cigarette inserted into the chamber during extinguishment or snuffing that communicates with an ash trap that accumulates ash from an extinguished cigarette. One or more vent ports allow the cigarette and cap to displace atmosphere within the chamber during insertion preventing blowback and ash scatter while facilitating ash collection. The cap can include an orifice through which a cigarette held by the cap can be smoked. When inserted into the chamber, a user can blow through the orifice to purge ash from the cigarette into the trap. Purging can also remove stale air and smoke from the cigarette and snubber helping clean the cigarette for later reuse. When removed from the chamber, a user can blow through the one or more ports to purge accumulated ash from the trap blowing it out of the chamber cleaning the snubber.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to a hand-held portable snubber configured to store an un-lit cigarette or extinguish a lit cigarette and store the extinguished cigarette for later use and more particularly to a snubber which better maintains an extinguished cigarette in a cleaner and fresher condition for re-lighting and further smoking.

BACKGROUND

Changing rules and regulations throughout the United States and the rest of the world have placed restrictions on where smokers are permitted to smoke cigarettes and have increased cigarette taxes all in an effort to deter smoking. In an increasing number of states in the United States, smokers must go outside to smoke. Many times, smokers will partially smoke a cigarette while outside and simply throw away the partially smoked cigarette when finished smoking. Cigarettes however are not cheap to begin with so throwing away partially smoked cigarettes is costly.

To try and save money, more and more smokers extinguish their partially smoked cigarette and stick it back in their cigarette pack so they can later re-light it to continue smoking it. Since the cigarette pack is typically made of paper or cardstock, this can be dangerous if not completely extinguished. Even if properly extinguished, ashes from the extinguished cigarette often fall off into the pack or into the smoker's pocket making a mess. Additionally, the foul odor from an extinguished cigarette being placed into a pack of un-lit cigarettes will transfer the odor to the pack and un-lit cigarettes.

While there have been many attempts to design a snubber or extinguisher for extinguishing a lit cigarette which can also hold the extinguished cigarette, they typically have been stand-alone units that are cumbersome which also are messy, smelly and challenging to use. Very few, if any, are transportable but even these also suffer from at least some of these same drawbacks.

What is needed is a portable cigarette snubber of improved design that overcomes deficiencies of prior snubbers.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a snubber having a cigarette receiving chamber formed in a snubber body and cap releasably holding a lit cigarette that is inserted into the chamber to extinguish the cigarette. When the cap is attached to the snubber body with the cigarette inserted into the chamber, the chamber and cap form a protective enclosure that protects the cigarette allowing the cigarette to be stored until removed and smoked.

The snubber includes a vent that allows atmosphere within the snubber to be vented from the snubber when a lit cigarette releasably held by the cap is inserted into the chamber during extinguishment of the cigarette. Extinguishment is “contactless” as it is caused by oxygen starvation when inserted into the chamber. The cigarette continues to be held by the cap after insertion into the chamber advantageously preventing the cigarette from being banged around within the chamber when stored in the snubber.

A preferred snubber includes an ash trap in gas flow communication with the chamber and an in gas flow communication with a vent formed of one or more vent ports that can be weep holes. During extinguishment as a lit cigarette is being inserted into the chamber, atmosphere that includes smoke, combustion byproducts, and ash is displaced causing atmosphere within the snubber to be discharged from the vent out the snubber. During atmosphere displacement, displaced ash is trapped in the ash trap.

A filter is disposed between the vent and lit cigarette being extinguished to filter atmosphere displaced during extinguishment before it is discharged out the vent from the snubber. Such a filter can be formed of a fibrous or particulate filter media that is porous to help trap ash by preventing ash from being discharged out the vent. Where the ash trap is separate from the chamber, the filter can be disposed between the chamber and the vent. For example, in one preferred snubber embodiment, the ash trap is in gas flow communication with the chamber and the vent with the filter being received in the trap. Such filter media can include carbon, such as activated charcoal or the like that can deodorize or neutralize at least some smoke and odor.

The cap includes a cigarette holder with a cigarette receiving socket formed therein that releasably engages a cigarette inserted into the socket. The cap is configured to be manually held by a user and can have an orifice in it in gas flow communication with the end of a cigarette received in the socket enabling a user to smoke the cigarette through the cap.

In a method of use of the snubber, a lit cigarette is inserted into the socket in the cap and the cap is manually maneuvered to insert the lit end of the cigarette into the chamber in the snubber body in an extinguishing step. As the lit end of the cigarette is inserted into the chamber during the extinguishing step, the lit cigarette consumes oxygen in the chamber causing oxygen starvation leading to extinguishment.

As the cigarette is being inserted into the chamber during the extinguishment step, displacement of atmosphere within the snubber causes a venting step that discharges at least some of the displaced atmosphere from the vent out the snubber. Telescopic engagement between the cap and chamber causes additional displacement of atmosphere and helps to at least partially seal the chamber facilitating extinguishing.

In one implementation of the venting method step, insertion of the cigarette into the chamber causes a first volume of atmosphere to be displaced from the chamber into the ash trap in a first atmosphere displacement step. Displacement of the first volume from the chamber into the ash trap causes a second volume of atmosphere that was within the ash trap to be displaced from the trap and discharged out the vent from the snubber in a second atmosphere displacement step.

Where the snubber cap has an orifice, the venting method step can be enhanced by a cigarette cleaning purging step that can and typically does occur after extinguishment. During the cigarette cleaning purging step, a user holds the snubber up to their face to blow through the orifice in the cap to purge smoke, stale air, combustion byproducts, and ash from the extinguished cigarette. Smoke, stale air and ash purged from the extinguished cigarette cause the ash to be trapped in the ash trap. Depending on how much and how forcefully air is blown through the orifice during the cigarette cleaning purging step, the purged smoke, stale air and combustion byproducts are completely purged from the snubber and discharged out the vent cleaning and freshening the cigarette for later reuse.

When it is desired to reuse the extinguished cigarette, the cap is removed from the snubber body removing the extinguished cigarette from the chamber. When the cap and cigarette have been removed, a snubber cleaning purging step can be executed by a user of the snubber blowing in the opposite direction through the vent. Blowing through the vent in the direction opposite venting and cigarette cleaning purging, causes ash and debris trapped in the ash trap to be blown out of the ash trap through the chamber out the snubber. Once cleaned using such a purging step, the capacity to trap additional ash is restored.

After cap and cigarette removal, the cap can be used as a cigarette holding in a smoking step that holds the extinguished cigarette while it is re-lit and further smoked. The cigarette can remain in the cap with a user smoking the lit cigarette by holding the cap to their lips and smoking the cigarette through the orifice in the cap.

One preferred snubber embodiment includes a cigarette lighter and a configuration enabling operation of the lighter while holding the snubber in one hand using the same hand that is holding the snubber. In a preferred embodiment, the snubber includes an integrally formed lighter holding pocket formed of a bottom and a pair of flexible arms movable relative to each other and the bottom to adjust for differently sized and shaped commercially available lighters. The snubber can also include a removable cover that snaps onto the snubber body with one or more ports of the vent formed therein that can form part of the ash trap. Removal of the cover in a further cleaning step provides direct access to the ash trap enabling the filter to be serviced and the trap to be manually cleaned.

These and various other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a snubber constructed in accordance with the present invention holding a lighter disposed alongside a cigarette storable in the snubber;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded side elevation view of the snubber of FIG. 1 depicting a lit cigarette held by a cap of the snubber being manually inserted into a cigarette-receiving chamber inside the snubber by a user of the snubber to extinguish the cigarette;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded side elevation view of the snubber of FIG. 1 depicting the cap holding a new or unused cigarette being inserted into the cigarette chamber snubber for protective storage within the snubber;

FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the snubber of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the snubber;

FIG. 6 is a third perspective view of the snubber;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the snubber;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation cross sectional view of the snubber illustrating the cigarette chamber formed in the snubber body;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional fragmentary exploded view of the snubber illustrating a cigarette-holding cap and mouth of the cigarette chamber in which part of the cap is telescopically inserted;

FIG. 10A is a side elevation cross sectional view of a preferred snubber embodiment that includes an ash trapping compartment in gas flow communication with the cigarette chamber;

FIG. 10B is a side elevation cross sectional view of a second snubber embodiment configured with an ash trapping compartment in gas flow communication with the cigarette chamber;

FIG. 11A is a bottom plan view of the snubber shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 11B is a bottom plan view of the snubber shown in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 12A is an upside down side elevation cross sectional view of the snubber shown in FIG. 8A depicting a user manually purging ash from the ash trapping compartment by blowing through ports in the bottom of the snubber;

FIG. 12B is an upside down side elevation cross sectional view of the snubber shown in FIG. 8B depicting a user manually purging ash from the ash trapping compartment by blowing through a port in the bottom of the snubber;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional side elevation view of another preferred snubber embodiment having an ash trapping compartment disposed between the cigarette extinguishing chamber and a lighter holding pocket of the snubber;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional side elevation view of still another preferred snubber embodiment having a removable ash trapping cartridge disposed between the cigarette extinguishing chamber and a lighter holding pocket of the snubber; and

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional elevation view of the removable ash trapping cartridge shown in FIG. 14.

Before explaining one or more embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, which can be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a cigarette snubber 40 constructed in accordance with the present invention having a snubber body 42 and a removable cigarette-holding cap 44 used to releasably hold a new cigarette 46 (FIG. 3) or a lit cigarette 46′ (FIG. 2) enabling it to be inserted into an elongate chamber 48 (FIGS. 2 & 3) formed in the body 42 to extinguish or snuff out the cigarette. The cap 44 is releasably engageable with the snubber body 42 forming a protective enclosure 50 together with the chamber 48 that stores and protects a cigarette 46 or 46′ within the snubber 40. This enables an extinguished, partially consumed cigarette 46′ to be later removed from the snubber 20, re-lit, and further smoked. The snubber 40 can also be used to store and protect a new cigarette 46 within the protective enclosure 50 so that the cigarette 46 can later be removed, lit and smoked. The snubber 40 can be configured to include a cigarette lighter 52, such as by including an integrally formed lighter holding pocket 54 that can removably hold lighter 52.

The snubber cap 44 is a cigarette holder 56 configured to releasably hold a lit cigarette 46′ during extinguishment or snuffing of the cigarette 46′, releasably hold a cigarette 46 or 46′ during storage of the cigarette 46 or 46′ within the snubber 40, and can be used to releasably hold the cigarette 46 or 46′ during smoking of the cigarette. The cap 44 is manually held by a user and inserted with a lit cigarette 46′ into the chamber 48 to extinguish the cigarette’ with the chamber 48 functioning as an extinguishing chamber 48 during extinguishment. The cap 44 continues to hold a cigarette 46 or 46′ after it has been inserted into the chamber 48 when the cap 44 is engaged with the snubber body 42 to form a protective enclosure 50 together with the chamber 48, which functions as a cigarette storage chamber 48.

The cap 44 can include an orifice 58 (FIG. 4) through which a lit cigarette 46′ can be smoked while being releasably retained in the cap 44 by a user, e.g. smoker, manually holding the cap 44 between their lips and sucking through the orifice 58. Where the cap 44 includes such an orifice 58, the orifice 58 can be a bi-directional flow orifice 58 enabling air to be blown through the orifice 58 when an extinguished cigarette 46′ has been inserted into the chamber 48. Blowing through the orifice 58 in the cap 44 after the cap 44 and cigarette 46′ are inserted into the snubber chamber 48 purges smoke and ash 64 from the extinguished cigarette 46′ advantageously helping clean the cigarette 46′ for later reuse. Blowing air through the orifice 58 also can purge smoke and stale air from not only the cigarette 46′, it can substantially completely purge smoke, leftover combustion gas by-products, and air from the snubber 40 helping to further clean and freshen the extinguished cigarette 46′ for later reuse.

With additional reference to FIGS. 10A-12B, the snubber 40 includes an ash trap 62 in gas flow communication with a lit end 60 of a burning cigarette 46′ disposed in the chamber 48 during extinguishment to collect ash 64 from the cigarette 46′, including during purging of the cigarette 46′ by a user, e.g. smoker, manually blowing through the orifice 58 in the cap 44. The ash trap 62 can include a fibrous media 66 (FIG. 10A) that is porous and/or a particulate media 68 (FIG. 10B) disposed in gas flow communication with the chamber 48 that can be configured to help trap cigarette ash 64. The ash trap 62 is in gas flow communication with the chamber 48 and can be integrally formed as part of the chamber 48, if desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the media 66 or media 68 provides a porous filter 69 (FIG. 10A) or 69′ (FIG. 10B) that traps ash 62 while permitting smoke and air to flow through. Including such filtering media 66 or 68 within the ash trap 62 advantageously enables smoke and stale air within a cigarette 46′ to be purged not just from the cigarette 46′ but also to be purged substantially completely from the snubber 40 itself thereby helping to clean the cigarette 46′. By cleaning an extinguished cigarette 46′ through such a purging step while the cigarette 46′ is disposed in the chamber 48 with the cap 44 covering the chamber 48, the cigarette 46′ is advantageously cleaner and fresher when a smoker subsequently re-lights and further smokes the cigarette 46′. By purging smoke, stale air and combustion by-products formed during extinguishment substantially completely from the snubber 40, the life of the filtering media 66 or 68 is also advantageously extended.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10A-12B, the snubber 40 includes a vent 71 formed of one or more ports 70 through which atmosphere within the snubber 40 can be vented during insertion of a cigarette 46 or 46′ into the chamber 48. The ports 70 can be weep holes and are sized to permit controlled venting of atmosphere within the ash trap 62 displaced by atmosphere within the chamber 48 during insertion of a lit cigarette 46′ held by the cap 44 into the chamber 48. Venting is done while preventing oxygen from ambient atmosphere outside the snubber 40 from entering the snubber 20 in a sufficient amount to sustain burning of the lit end 60 of the cigarette 46′ thereby enabling the cigarette 46′ to exhaust its oxygen supply within the snubber 40 sufficiently quickly to cease combustion. When the cap 44 and cigarette 46 or 46′ are removed from the chamber 48, a user can manually blow air through one or more of the ports 70 of the vent to purge ash 64 in the ash trap 62 out the chamber 48 cleaning out the ash trap 62, such as in the manner depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The vent 71 is a bi-directional flow vent 71 with each port 70 being a bi-directional flow port that permits venting of atmosphere within the snubber 20 in one direction out of the snubber 20 during extinguishment and allows blowing of air through each port 70 in an opposite direction to clear debris and ash 64 from the ash trap 62 and snubber 20 to clean out the snubber 20.

As discussed in more detail below, the ash trap 62 can be formed of a compartment 72 within the snubber body 42 within which ash 64 accumulates that is in gas flow communication with the cigarette chamber 48 and that is also in gas flow communication with the one or more vent ports 70 of the vent 71. The ash trap 62 can have media received in it, such as fibrous media 66 or particulate media 68, which can include deodorizer and/or neutralizer. Such media 66 and/or 68 can treat atmosphere displaced from the cigarette chamber 48 into the compartment 72 during insertion of a lit cigarette 46′ to extinguish it by filtering at least some smoke and ash, absorbing at least some smoke and ash, and/or neutralizing at least some smoke and ash. It can do so during or before any atmosphere displaced from the chamber 48 and/or from the compartment 72 is vented out one or more ports 70 in the snubber 40 to ambient atmosphere outside of the snubber 40.

During insertion, the lit cigarette 46′, along with part of the cap 44, displaces atmosphere within the chamber 48, including air, smoke, ashes and gases from cigarette combustion, so it flows into the ash trap 62 accumulating ash 64 in the trap 62 with any media 66 and/or 68 treating the displaced atmosphere by filtering, absorbing and/or neutralizing smoke and/or odor produced by the cigarette 46′ before being exhausted out one or more vent ports 70 formed in a bottom or base 74 of the snubber 40. This enables a lit cigarette 46′ to be extinguished while preventing ash 64 from the cigarette 46′ escaping from the snubber 40. If desired, the enclosure 50 formed when the cap 44 is engaged with the snubber body 42 enclosing the chamber 48 can also be used to hold an unused or new cigarette 46, such as the unused or new cigarette shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in a manner that protects the cigarette 46 with the cap 44 holding the cigarette 46 while it is being stored within the snubber 40 enabling it to be quickly and easily withdrawn for use. As is discussed in more detail below, the snubber 20 can include an article holder that is a pocket 54 configured to removably hold an article that preferably is a cigarette lighter 52.

FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate an un-lit new or unused cigarette 46 that can be a King-sized cigarette or which can be a longer “100” sized cigarette whose longer length is depicted in phantom in FIG. 1. Each cigarette 46 includes a generally cylindrical filter 76 from which extends a generally cylindrical tobacco-filled paper-wrapped rod 78 that is consumed during smoking until substantially all of the tobacco-filled rod 78 is burned up reducing cigarette length to about that of the filter 76. FIG. 2 shows a lit cigarette 46′ having a lit end 60 with part of its filter 76 releasably frictionally received within a socket 80 formed in the cap 44 that functions as a cigarette holding socket. As depicted in FIG. 2, the lit end 60 of the cigarette 46′ produces smoke, combustion gases, and ashes 64 during combustion reducing the length of the cigarette 46′.

The lighter 52 can be a commercially available butane lighter having an elongate oblong cross section butane-holding tank 82 that carries a finger or thumb activated valve 84 used to control fuel flow from the tank 82 through a cigarette lighter element that is a gas discharge nozzle 86 (FIG. 11) that is lit by a flint wheel 88 rotatively held by a flame guard 90 attached to the tank 82 that encompasses the nozzle 86. As discussed in more detail below, the lighter holder 92 of the snubber 40 is configured to adjust to hold gas fuelled lighters having a plurality of different sizes and shapes. For example, the lighter size adjustability provided by the flexible, size adjustable construction of the lighter holding pocket 54 enables the pocket 54 to releasably yet securely retain the lighter 52 shown in FIG. 1, having a butane tank 82 that is generally oval in cross section while advantageously also being able to adjust in size at least slightly to hold a lighter having a butane tank that is generally rectangular in cross section (not shown).

The lighter holding pocket 54 defines a lighter holder 92 that is integrally formed of part of the snubber body 42 extending alongside a barrel-shaped hand grip 94 of the body 42 that in turn encircles or encompasses the cigarette chamber 48 producing a snubber 40 of compact, lightweight, hand-held and transportable construction. In a preferred embodiment, the lighter holder 92 extends outwardly from an elongate and generally lengthwise extending spine 96 disposed between the chamber 48 and the holder 92 that extends substantially parallel to the chamber 48. The snubber spine 96 helps stiffen the snubber body 42 and can extend substantially the length of the chamber 48, such as depicted in FIGS. 4-7. As is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the spine 96 is formed with a lengthwise extending channel 98 disposed in the lighter holder pocket 54 that guides insertion of a lighter 52 into the pocket 54 and which helps define a seat 100 that receives an edge of an oval shaped lighter fuel tank 82 or a sidewall of a rectangular shaped lighter fuel tank in a manner that helps uprightly orient or locate the lighter 52 in the pocket 54. At least a portion of the lighter seating channel 98 is defined by a pair of spaced apart and opposed lighter seat flanges 102 and 104 forming a generally U-shaped channel 98 that helps define a lighter cradle. The lighter seating channel 98 can provide a clearance recess at or adjacent the top of the spine 96 enabling a flame adjuster (not shown) of a lighter, e.g., lighter 52, to be disposed therein when the lighter 52 is received in the pocket 54 of the snubber 40.

The lighter holder pocket 54 is formed by a pair of generally opposed pocket defining sidewalls or arms 106 and 108 extending outwardly from the spine 96 and grip 94 of the snubber body 42. The lighter holder pocket 54 also includes a pocket bottom 110 that can be formed of part of the snubber bottom 74 that extends outwardly generally perpendicular to the chamber 48. As is best shown in FIGS. 10A and 12A, the pocket bottom 110 can be formed of part of the bottom 74 of the snubber body 42 that cantilevers outwardly from the spine 96 providing a stop or locator against which a bottom 111 of a lighter 52 abuts when inserted into the pocket 54. Bottom 74 can be flat as shown in the drawing figures enabling the snubber 40 to be stood uprightly in a flat surface, such as a table top or the like.

The lighter holding arms 106 and 108 are flexible including relative to one another and the pocket bottom 110 permitting them to move relative to one another to adjust the size of the lighter holder pocket 54 to accommodate different sized lighters. Each arm 106 and 108 has a bottom edge 112 spaced above the pocket bottom 110 defining a generally transversely extending gap 114 therebetween and an outer side edge 116 providing a lengthwise extending gap 118 between the outer ends of the arms 106 and 108 enabling them to move or flex independently of one another and the pocket bottom 110 during insertion of a lighter 52 into the pocket 54. Each arm 106 and 108 is curved along its transverse cross section to substantially conform to an opposite corresponding portion of an oblong or oval lighter tank 82 inserted into the pocket 54 wrapping around part of the tank 82 and engaging the tank 82 to help releasably retain the lighter 52 in the pocket 54. The lighter holder pocket bottom 110 provides a stop upon which a bottom 111 of a lighter 52 rests when inserted into the pocket 54.

With specific reference to FIGS. 4-6, the lighter holding pocket arms 106 and 108 and hand grip 94 define a handle 120 that enables a user, e.g., smoker, of the snubber 40 to manually grasp the snubber 40 with their palm against one or both lighter holding arms 106 and 108 and fingers engaging the hand grip 94 in using and operating the snubber 40. Having such an integrally formed handle construction also enables the snubber 40 to be manually grasped and maneuvered, such as to quickly and easily put the snubber 40 into a pocket of a user, to quickly and easily retrieve the snubber 40, as well as during use and operation of the snubber 40.

To facilitate manual grasping of the snubber 40, as well as help provide snubber orientation feedback to a user grasping or holding the snubber 40, the hand grip 94 can include a plurality of spaced apart finger-receiving recesses 122, 124 and 126 that are integrally formed, e.g., molded, into a longitudinally extending outer edge 128 and sides 130 and 132 of the snubber body 42 encompassing or encircling the cigarette chamber 48. The use of such a hand grip construction employing a plurality of finger-receiving recesses 122, 124 and 126 not only helps facilitate one hand gripping and operation of the snubber 40, it also helps provide user feedback as to snubber orientation, including when reaching into a pocket into which the snubber 40 had previously been placed.

Such a handle construction enables the snubber 40 to be held in one hand of a user such that their other hand can be used to remove the snubber cap 44 or the lighter 52 during use and operation of the snubber 40. When grasped in such a manner with fingers of one hand wrapped around part of the hand grip 94 and the palm of the same hand resting against one or both lighter holding pocket arms 106 and 108, the lighter 52 can be operated using the thumb of the same hand holding the snubber 40 enabling the thumb to engage the flint wheel 88 and gas flow valve 84 while the lighter 52 remains in the snubber pocket 54. Such a handle construction can produce a snubber 40 that is substantially symmetric about a longitudinally extending plane extending between the lighter holding pocket arms 106 and 108 that longitudinally bisects the cigarette chamber 48 advantageously enabling the snubber 40 to be ambidextrously held in either the right hand or the left hand of the user during snubber use and operation. Examples of a snubber 40 having such a symmetric construction are shown in FIGS. 1-12B.

When held in one hand by a user of the snubber 40, the snubber cap 44 can be removed using the other hand exposing a mouth 134 of the cigarette chamber 48. The chamber 48 is a cigarette receiving chamber that protectively holds a cigarette 46 or 46′ within the chamber 48 when a cigarette 46 or 46′ is placed in the cap 44 and the cap 44 is engaged with the snubber body 42 covering the mouth 134 of the chamber 48. When a lit cigarette 46′ held by the cap 44 is inserted into the chamber 48 while burning, the chamber 48 is an extinguishing chamber because it helps extinguish the combustion of the burning cigarette 46′ when the cap 44 engages the snubber body 42 covering the chamber 48. When a new cigarette 46 held by the cap 44 is inserted into the chamber 48 or an extinguished cigarette 46′ remains in the chamber 48 after extinguishment, the chamber 48 is a protective storage chamber that forms part of a protective cigarette enclosure 50 together with the cap 44 that protects the cigarette 46′ or 46 being stored in the chamber 48. Protection of a cigarette 46 or 46′ being stored in the chamber 48 is increased because the cigarette 46 or 46′ remains attached to the cap 44 during storage preventing the cigarette from bouncing around within the chamber 48 during storage preventing cigarette damage. The cap 44 holding the cigarette 46 or 46′ can then be manually disengaged from the snubber body 42 removing the cigarette 46 or 46′ from the chamber 48 substantially in unison with the cap 44 thereafter enabling the cigarette 46 or 46′ to be lit and smoked.

The cap 44 and snubber body 42 are configured to releasably engage one another when a cigarette 46 or 46′ held by the cap 44 is inserted into the chamber 48 in a manner that releasably retains the cap 44 in place covering the mouth 134 of the chamber 48. A seal 136 can be provided between the cap 44 when engaged with the snubber body 42 covering the chamber 48 that is weather tight and which can be gas tight. Providing such a seal 136 not only helps protect a cigarette 46 or 46′ stored in the chamber 48 from the elements, e.g., weather, water, etc., it also helps extinguish a lit cigarette 46′ inserted into the chamber 48 by preventing oxygen from entering the chamber 48 during extinguishment.

In a preferred embodiment, telescopic engagement between the cap 44 and snubber body 42 when the cap 44 is covering the mouth 134 of the chamber 48 helps provide such a desired seal. While telescopic engagement can take the form of part of the snubber body 42 being telescopically received in or over part of the cap 44, a snubber constructed in accordance with the invention contemplates that part of the cap 44 can also be telescopically received in the chamber 48 when the cap 44 is engaging the snubber body 42 as discussed in more detail below.

With specific reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the cigarette chamber 48 is an elongate, longitudinally extending bore 138 formed in the snubber body 42 that is defined by an inner wall 140 of endless construction that can form a bore 138 that can be generally cylindrical. The bore 138 has one end that is open that defines the mouth 134 of the chamber 48 and an opposite end defined by a bottom wall 142 disposed at or adjacent the bottom 74 of the snubber 40. The chamber 48 has a length great enough to receive a King sized cigarette held by the cap 44 that has a length of between 84-86 millimeters and can be at least slightly longer than that of a lighter 52 received in the lighter holder pocket 54. If desired, the chamber 48 can have a length great enough to receive a “100” sized cigarette having a length of between about 98 millimeters and 102 millimeters enabling such a chamber 48 to also hold King sized cigarettes.

To help enable part of the cap 44 to releasably telescopically engage part of the snubber body 42 during releasable attachment of the cap 44, the chamber 48 can be formed with a widened chamber section 144, which can be a countersink or the like, which extends from adjacent the chamber mouth 134 all the way to the mouth 134, such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The chamber 48 includes an ash trap opening 146 located adjacent the chamber bottom 142 that extends between the chamber 48 and the ash trap 62 providing gas flow communication therebetween. Such gas flow communication provided by the ash trap opening 146 can be and preferably is bi-directional enabling flow of ash 64, smoke, debris and the like from the chamber 48 into the ash trap 62 during extinguishment and purging of ash and smoke from an extinguished cigarette 46′ received in the chamber 48 as well as during cleaning of the ash trap 62 by purging ash 64 from the trap 62 in the opposite direction when the cap 44 and cigarette 46′ are removed from the chamber 48.

The chamber 48 can also include a longitudinally extending channel 148 formed in the chamber wall 140 that extends from the ash trap opening 146 toward the chamber mouth 134. For example, as is shown in FIG. 8, the channel 148 can be elongate and extend from the ash trap opening 146 to adjacent the widened chamber section 144 helping direct ash 64 into the ash trap 62 during use and operation of the snubber 40 no matter what the length of an extinguished cigarette 46′ received in the chamber 48.

With specific reference to FIG. 9, the cap 44 is configured for telescoping insertion into the chamber 48 when the cap 44 is being releasably attached to the snubber body 42, such as during extinguishment and subsequent storage of a lit cigarette 46′ within the snubber 40. The cap 44 is of tubular construction being defined by a sidewall 150 that can be of endless construction having an inner cigarette engaging surface 152 forming a cigarette-receiving socket 80 within the cap 44 that is configured in a manner that frictionally engages and releasably holds one end, preferably a filter end, of a cigarette 46 or 46′ inserted into the socket 80. The cap sidewall 150 has an outer surface 154 that is divided by a snubber abutting shoulder 156 into a snubber body engagement section 158 that is telescopically received in the chamber 48 during cigarette insertion and a head 160 that can be manually grasped by a user to disengage the cap 44 from the snubber body 42 to remove a cigarette 46 or 46′ from the snubber 40.

Part of the cap head 160 can be formed with a gripping flange 161 to facilitate grasping and holding of the cap 44, typically between a plurality of fingers or between a thumb and a finger of a user of the snubber 40. Where the cap 44 includes an orifice 58 formed in its end 162, the cap 44 can be manually grasped by the user in such a manner when the cap 44 is holding a lit cigarette 46′ enabling the user to place the cap 44 between their lips and smoke the lit cigarette 46′ through the orifice 58. If desired, part of the head 160 of the cap 44 can be knurled or roughened to help facilitate manual gripping of the cap 44 by a user.

In order for the cap 44 to function as a cigarette holder 56, the inner surface 152 of the cigarette-receiving bore defining sidewall 150 is configured to frictionally yet releasably engage one end of a cigarette 46 or 46′ inserted into the cigarette receiving socket 80. In the preferred embodiment of the cap 44 shown in FIG. 9, the internal surface 152 of the socket 80 changes so that the diameter of the socket 80 decreases from a diameter, d₁, at its open end that is greater than the outer diameter of a standard cigarette 46 or 46′, permitting cigarette insertion, to a diameter, d₂, that is less than the outer diameter of the cigarette 46 or 46′ an axial distance inside the socket 80 from the socket opening to provide such releasable cigarette engagement. Such an inner bore surface 152 preferably substantially continuously diametrically tapers from diameter, d₁, at the open bore end that is greater than the outer diameter of the filter 76 of a standard cigarette 46 or 46′ to diameter, d₂, within the socket 80 that is less than the outer diameter of the filter 76.

With continued reference to FIG. 9, the internal surface 152 of the socket 80 diametrically tapers at an acute angle, a, that can range between 1° and 20° relative to a tangent line 164 parallel with a central axis 166 of the socket 80 to impart a desirable diametrical taper to the socket 80 that enables a filter 76 of a cigarette 46 or 46′ inserted into the socket 80 to be engaged by the cap 44 in a manner that slightly deforms the filter 76 without damaging the filter 76. In one preferred cap embodiment, the taper angle, α, ranges between 2° and 10°. In another preferred embodiment, the taper angle, α, ranges between 2° and 8°. Such a tapered cap socket construction enables the filter 76 of a cigarette 46 or 46′ to be inserted into the cap 44 until there is engagement therebetween that helps seal the end of the filter 76 keeping ash 64 and debris within the chamber 48 from contaminating the smoking end of the filter 76. Where the cap 44 is configured with an orifice 58 in its end 162, such a seal produced between a cigarette filter 76 inserted into the socket 80 and the cap 44 enhances gas flow communication between the end of the filter 76 and the orifice 58 enabling a lit cigarette 46′ to be smoked while being held in the cap 44 and enabling smoke and ash 64 to be purged from an extinguished cigarette 46′ received in the snubber chamber 48.

In one preferred cap embodiment, the internal surface 152 diametrically tapers at an acute angle, a, between 2° and 8° so as to permit insertion of more than one-half the length of the filter 76 of a cigarette 46 or 46′ into the socket 80 in the cap 44 to help maximize engagement surface area between the filter 76 and cap 44 to securely yet releasably hold a cigarette 26 inserted into the cap 44. Such positive releasable engagement not only helps to retain a cigarette 46 or 46′ inserted into the cap 44 during holding and movement of the cap 44, such as when used as a cigarette holder 56 during smoking of the cigarette, it also helps prevent movement of the cigarette 46 or 46′ when received within the chamber 48. In other words, such a cap construction advantageously holds an extinguished cigarette 46′ firmly but releasably in a manner that prevents any part of the cigarette 46′ within the snubber 40, including its free end 60, from banging around inside the chamber 48, helping preserve the ability of the extinguished cigarette 46′ to be later re-lit and further smoked. This construction also allows a brand new never previously smoked cigarette 46 held by the cap 44 to be safely and securely stored in the snubber 40 preventing it from being damaged during storage.

When inserted into the cigarette chamber 48, the annular snubber body engagement section 158 of the cap 44 is configured to provide a seal 136, such as depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10b, with the snubber body 42 as the engagement section 158 is telescopically inserted into the chamber 48. In the preferred cap embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the engagement section 158 carries a seal in the form of a sealing ring 168 received in a groove 170 formed in its outer surface 154 that seals against an inner surface 172 of the chamber 48, e.g., widened chamber section 144, when the cap 44 is attached to the snubber body 42 producing a seal 136 therebetween. Such a sealing ring 168 can be an O-ring of elastomeric construction, e.g., rubber, or can be integrally formed as part of the cap 44 during molding of the cap 44. Seal 136 can also be formed, at least in part, by engagement between the cap shoulder 156 and an axial end 174 of the chamber defining sidewall 140 or another portion of the snubber body 42 disposed adjacent the chamber mouth 134.

When the cap 44 holding a cigarette 46 or 46′ is being attached to the snubber body 42 during insertion of the cigarette 46 or 46′ into the chamber 48, the engagement section 158 of the cap 44 acts as a piston that helps displace atmosphere within the snubber 40 through one or more of its vent ports 70 when the engagement section 158 is telescopically inserted into the widened section 144 at the mouth 134 of the chamber 48. Atmosphere continues to be discharged from the ports 70 as the engagement section 158 of the cap 44 is inserted into the chamber 48 until the shoulder 156 of the cap 44 abuts against the axial end 174 of the chamber-defining sidewall 140 preventing further insertion. As the engagement section 158 of the cap 44 is inserted into the widened section 144 of the chamber 48, engagement therebetween produces a seal 136 that helps keep the elements out of the chamber 48 protecting the cigarette 46 or 46′ held by the cap 44 received within the chamber 48. Such engagement and sealing also helps releasably yet securely keep the cap 44 attached to the snubber body 42.

With reference to FIGS. 10A-12A, insertion of a lit cigarette 46′ held by the cap 44 into the cigarette chamber 48 to extinguish the cigarette 46′ causes atmosphere within the chamber 48 to be displaced into the ash trap 62 with at least some atmosphere within the ash trap 62 being vented out ports 70 in the bottom 74 of the snubber 40. As is shown in FIG. 10A, the ash trap 62 can include an ash accumulating compartment 72 extending underneath the lighter holding pocket 54 into part of the bottom 110 of the pocket 54. The volume of atmosphere displaced from the chamber 48 during extinguishment along with the size of the vent ports 70 are selected to cause sufficient oxygen starvation within the chamber 48 to cease cigarette combustion during extinguishment. Extinguishment is advantageously “contactless” in that the lit end 60 of a lit cigarette 46′ being extinguished is extinguished by oxygen starvation as it does not come into contact with any part of the cap 44 or chamber 48 during insertion and extinguishment. This also helps preserve the integrity of the extinguished cigarette 46′ so it can later be re-lit and further smoked.

During insertion, the cap 44 and cigarette 46′ move substantially in unison as the cap 44 and cigarette 46′ are urged into the chamber 48. As the cigarette 46′ and engagement section 158 of the cap 44 enter the chamber 48, the resultant piston action displaces atmosphere within the snubber 40 out the vent ports 70 which helps equalize pressure with ambient outside the snubber 40 preventing blowback of smoke and ash 64 out the mouth 134 of the chamber 48. Atmosphere displaced from the chamber 48 during insertion and extinguishment carries smoke and ash 64 from the extinguishing cigarette 46′ into the ash trap 62 where the ash 64 accumulates.

To help facilitate cleaning of smoke and ash both from the extinguished cigarette 46′ and from the chamber 48 in which the cigarette 46′ is received, a user can maneuver the snubber 40 to place the cap 44 between their lips allowing the user to blow air through the orifice 58 in the cap 44 as depicted by air flow arrows in FIG. 10A. Air blown through the orifice 58 in the cap 44 passes through the filter 76 and tobacco-filled rod 78 of the cigarette 46′ purging smoke and ash 64 from within the cigarette 46′ helping to clean the cigarette 46′ readying it to be later re-lit and further smoked. Such a purging step in using the snubber 40 also causes ash 64 from the cigarette and any ash 64 remaining in the chamber 48 to be blown under pressure into the ash trap 62 cleaning the chamber 48. As a result, an extinguished cigarette 46′ removed from the snubber 40 will advantageously be cleaner and in better condition for being re-lit and further smoked.

During this cigarette cleaning purging step, a greater volume of air can be blown through the cap orifice 58 by a user to not only purge smoke and ash from the extinguished cigarette 46′ but also to purge stale air and smoke from the snubber 40 so it is discharged from the vent ports 70. In this regard, blowing some air through the orifice 58 will purge smoke and ash 64 from the extinguished cigarette 46′ held by the cap 44 within the chamber 48 so that it at least reaches the ash trap 62. Blowing additional air through the orifice 58, such as by blowing a greater volume of air under greater air pressure will also cause smoke, stale air and combustion byproducts produced during extinguishment to be urged through the filter media 66 or 68 and out the vent ports 70. Performing such an enhanced purging step further cleans the extinguished cigarette 46′ making it cleaner and fresher when re-lit and further smoked. This also helps keep the filter media 66 or 68 cleaner by reducing the amount of smoke and combustion byproducts that can become entrapped in the filter media 66 or 68 thereby extending filter media life.

The ash trap 62 shown in FIG. 10A includes media 66 in the form of a fibrous media mat 176 disposed between the end of the cigarette 46′ and the vent ports 70 such that the fibrous media mat 176 is in gas flow communication with the cigarette 46′, the cigarette chamber 48, and the vent ports 70. The fibrous media mat 176 acts as a filter by trapping ash 64 before the ash 64 can pass through the ports 70 out the snubber 40 while allowing air, e.g., stale air, smoke and gaseous combustion byproducts produced during extinguishment to pass through. Such a fibrous media mat 176 can be a porous replaceable filter made of a fibrous material, such as cellulose or acetate fiber, which help trap ash 64 and which can be impregnated with particles of carbon, e.g., activated charcoal, which can deodorize and/or neutralize smoke and odor from a cigarette 46′ being extinguished. Other types of fibers and fibrous filter material can be used. If desired, the fibrous replaceable filter media mat 176 can also be made of carbon fiber that not only traps ash 64 from chamber 48 but which can also deodorize and/or neutralize smoke and/or odor.

To remove the fibrous filtering media mat 176, such as to clean it or clean out the ash trap 62, the snubber 40 includes a removable cover 178 that can form part of the ash trap 62 that is removably attached to the bottom 74 of the snubber body 42, such as by a snap fit or the like. The cover 178 can be detached from the snubber body 42 to expose the ash trap 62 and enable the mat 176 to be removed. The mat 176 can be removed and replace with a new mat 176 or the existing mat 176 can be removed, cleaned and reinstalled. While the cover 178 is detached and the mat 176 removed, the ash trap 62 also can be manually cleaned of any accumulated ash 64. When the cover 178 is reattached, the cover 178 can clamp part of the mat 176 against part of the snubber body 42 helping to hold the mat 176 in place over the vent ports 70 in the cover 178. For example, as is shown in FIG. 10A, the cover 178 clamps a portion of the mat 176 underlying the bottom 142 of the cigarette chamber 48 against the chamber bottom 142 positioning the rest of the mat 176 so it stays on top of the vent ports 70 in the cover 178.

With reference to FIG. 12A, removal of the cover 178 and media 176 are not always necessary to clean ash 64 and debris from the snubber 40. This is because the ash trap 62 can be cleaned in a snubber cleaning step by manually grasping the snubber 40, removing the cap 44 along with any cigarette 46 or 46′ held by the cap 44, before the ports 70 in the cover 178 on the bottom 74 of the snubber body 42 are held to the lips of a user and air is blown by the user through the ports 70 in a cleaning method step. The snubber 40 can be tipped upside down relative to gravity when performing this ash purging method step so the mouth 134 of the chamber 48 faces toward the ground. When air is blown through the ports 70 by the user, ash 64 and other debris that has accumulated within the ash trap 62 are blown out the trap 62 into the chamber 64 and out the mouth 134 of the chamber 48. Air blown through the ports 70 also passes through the fibrous media mat 176 where ash 64 and debris embedded in the mat 176 are freed and then blown out the snubber 40 substantially clearing the trap 62 and mat 176 of ash 64 and other debris. Such an ash purging method step advantageously extends the life of the fibrous media mat 176 minimizing the need for disassembling the cover 178 from the snubber body 42.

FIGS. 10B-12B illustrate another preferred embodiment of a snubber 40′ that has an ash trap 62 at least partially filled with particulate or granular media 68 that can include a deodorizer or neutralizer capable of deodorizing or neutralizing cigarette smoke and odor.

As with the snubber shown in FIGS. 10A-12A, smoke and ash 64 are purged from a cigarette 46 or 46′ held by the cap 44 attached to the snubber 40′ by blowing through the orifice 58 in the cap 44. While the cover 178 can be removed to manually clean the ash trap 62 and replace media 68 in the trap 62, the snubber 40′ can be cleaned by removing the cap 44 and cigarette 46 or 46′ before blowing through the single port 70 in the bottom of the cap 178 to purge ash 64 and other debris out the mouth 134 of the chamber 48.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate additional preferred embodiments of a snubber 40″ and 40″″ having an ash trap 180 that includes an ash accumulating compartment 182 disposed between the cigarette chamber 48 and the lighter holder 92 that can produce a more compact snubber. The compartment 182 can hold media 184 that can be of fibrous, particulate or granular composition. The compartment 182 is elongate with its lengthwise extent generally parallel to the lengthwise extent of the chamber 48. In the preferred snubber embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the compartment 182 is integrally formed in part of the spine 96, such as by being molded within the spine 96 during molding of the snubber body 22. Forming the compartment within the spine 96 produces a spine 96 that is at least partially hollow, which not only reduces snubber weight but which can increase stiffness of the spine 96 as well as that of the snubber body 42.

Holes or slots 186 between the chamber 48 and spine 96 allow gas flow communication between the chamber 48 and ash trap 180 during cigarette extinguishment, purging of an extinguished cigarette 46′ by blowing through the orifice 58 in the cap 44, and purging of ash accumulated in the ash trap 180 by blowing through the port 70 in the bottom of the snubber 40″. If desired, the holes or slots 186 can be formed by a perforate screen disposed between the chamber 48 and ash trap 180.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the ash trap 180 can be formed of a replaceable flow-through insert or cartridge 188 that can be at least partially filled with media 184 that can be a fibrous, granular or particular media. Cartridge 188 can be removably inserted into the compartment 182 formed in the spine 96 enabling the cartridge 188 to be removed, cleaned and reinstalled as well as removed and replaced as needed. The cartridge 188 includes a perforated section 190 extending at least along part of one side of the cartridge housing 192 that is oriented toward the chamber 48 when the cartridge 188 is inserted into the compartment 182 so flow of displaced air, ash, smoke and combustion gases from the chamber 48 during extinguishment is directed into the cartridge 188 and through media 184 in the cartridge 188. One or more vent ports 70 are formed in an endwall 194 of the cartridge 188 disposed opposite a cartridge endwall 196 that is imperforate. In one preferred embodiment, the perforated section 190 is a section of perforate screen or mesh.

The cartridge 188 is configured to be received and releasably retained in the compartment 182 formed in the spine 96 enabling the cartridge 188 to be removed and replaced when needed. The compartment 182 is a cartridge receptacle that can be formed with an elongate slot that can include a vertical or lengthwise extending channel in which part of the cartridge 188 slidably registers aligning at least part of the perforated section 190 of the cartridge 188 with the slot. In the cartridge embodiment depicted in FIG. 15, the vent port-containing endwall 194 of the cartridge 188 is formed with an enlarged tail 198 configured to releasably engage with a complementarily configured receiver formed in the bottom end of the compartment 182. In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge tail 198 is configured to provide a snap fit with the complementarily configured receiver formed in the end of the compartment 182.

With reference once again to FIG. 13, the chamber 48 formed in the snubber body 42 can include a chamber extension, such as the bottom extension 200 shown in FIG. 13 or the top extension 202 shown in FIG. 14. In a preferred embodiment, each chamber 48 has a length that enables the chamber 48 to receive a King sized cigarette having a length of between 84 and 86 millimeters (about 85 millimeters) held by the cap 44 when the chamber extension 200 or 202 is in a retracted position and that extends the length of the chamber 48 so it is able to receive a “100” sized cigarette having a length of between 98 and 102 millimeters (about 102 millimeters) when inserted with the cap 44 into the chamber 48 with the extension 200 or 202 in an extended position.

The tubular chamber extension 200 shown in FIG. 13 is disposed at the bottom or closed end of the chamber 48 and is slidably carried on a tubular stem 204 of the chamber 48 that allows the extension 200 to “trombone” along the stem 204 between the retracted position shown in solid and the extended position shown in phantom. The extension 200 has an imperforate sidewall 206 and an imperforate endwall 208 with a substantially gas-tight seal provided between the stem 204 and the extension 200 such as via one or more O-rings 210 disposed therebetween. To enable the extension 200 to be releasably locked in an extended position, one or more detents can be provided in one of the extension 200 and stem 204 that releasably engages the other one of the extension 200 and stem 204.

The tubular chamber extension 202 shown in FIG. 14 is disposed at the top or open end of the chamber 48 and slidably carried on an outwardly extending tubular stem 212 of the chamber 48. The extension 202 is movable between a retracted position, such as where one edge 214 of the extension 202 abuts or is disposed adjacent an extension stop 216 formed in the snubber body 42, and an extended position, such as the extended position shown in FIG. 14. The extension 203 is biased toward the extended position shown in FIG. 14, such as via a biasing element (not shown) that can be a spring or the like that can be disposed between the extension 202 and part of the snubber body 42. During insertion of a lit cigarette 46′ held by cap 44 into the chamber 48, the cap 44 will come into contact with the outwardly biased chamber extension 202 urging the extension 202 toward stop 216 as the cap 44 and cigarette 46′ are inserted into the chamber 48. As the cigarette 46′ is inserted farther into the chamber 48, the extension 202 continues to be urged toward stop 216 until it abuts against stop 216. Movement of the extension 202 in conjunction with the cap 44 increases the volume of atmosphere displaced from chamber 48 into the media 184 in the cartridge 188 during extinguishment which can facilitate extinguishment. To help maintain a generally gas-tight seal, at least one seal 218, such as an O-ring or the like, can be disposed between part of the extension 202 and stem 212.

The snubber body 42 and cap 44 can be molded of a moldable material, such as plastic, e.g. a thermoset plastic, in a molding process, such as a plastic injection molding process such that the cigarette chamber 48 and lighter holder pocket 54 including pocket arms 106 and 108 and pocket bottom 110 are integrally formed together during molding. In one preferred method of making the snubber body, the chamber 48, lighter holder pocket 54, and smoke and/or odor filtering, absorbing and/or neutralizing media containing compartment/receptacle is molded of plastic forming a snubber body 42 of one-piece, unitary and substantially homogeneous construction producing a snubber 40 that is lightweight, compact, durable, and resilient.

With reference once again to FIGS. 1-12A, in a method of use of the snubber 40, a lit cigarette 46′ is inserted into the socket 80 in the cap 44 and the cap 44 is manually maneuvered to insert the lit end 60 of the cigarette 46′ into the chamber 48 in the snubber body 42 in an extinguishing step. As the lit end 60 of the cigarette 46′ is inserted into the chamber 48 during the extinguishing step, the lit cigarette 46′ consumes oxygen in the chamber causing oxygen starvation leading to extinguishment. Extinguishment is therefore advantageously “contactless” helping to maintain the integrity of the extinguished cigarette 46′ in a manner that enables it to be later re-lit and further smoked.

As the cigarette 46′ is being inserted into the chamber 48 during the extinguishment step, displacement of atmosphere within the snubber 40 causes a venting step that discharges at least some of the displaced atmosphere from the vent 71 out the snubber 40. Telescopic engagement between the cap 44 and chamber 48 causes additional displacement of atmosphere and helps to at least partially seal the chamber 48 facilitating extinguishing by oxygen starvation.

In one implementation of the venting method step, insertion of the cigarette 46′ into the chamber 48 causes a first volume of atmosphere to be displaced from the chamber 48 into the ash trap 62 in a first atmosphere displacement sub-step. Displacement of the first volume from the chamber 48 into the ash trap 62 causes a second volume of atmosphere that was within the trap 62 to be displaced from the trap 62 and discharged out the vent 71 from the snubber 42 in a second atmosphere displacement sub-step.

Where the snubber cap 44 has an orifice 58, the venting method step can be enhanced by a cigarette cleaning purging step that can and typically does occur after extinguishment. During the cigarette cleaning purging step, a user holds the snubber 40 up to their face to blow through the orifice 58 in the cap 44 to purge smoke, stale air, combustion byproducts, and ash from the extinguished cigarette 46′. Smoke, stale air and ash purged from the extinguished cigarette 46′ causes ash 64 to be trapped in the ash trap 62. Depending on how much and how forcefully air is blown through the orifice 54 by the user during the cigarette cleaning purging step, the purged smoke, stale air and combustion byproducts, including smoke, stale air and combustion byproducts in the chamber 48 and ash trap 62, are completely purged from the snubber 49 by being discharged out the vent 71 cleaning and freshening the cigarette 46′ for later reuse. Such a cigarette cleaning purging step also advantageously cleans any filter media 66 or 68 in the ash trap 62 of smoke and gaseous combustion byproducts by forcing them through the filter media and out the vent helping increase filter media life.

When it is desired to reuse the extinguished cigarette 46, the cap 44 is removed from the snubber body 42 removing the cigarette 46′ from the chamber 48. When the cap 44 and cigarette 46′ have been removed, a snubber cleaning purging step can be executed by a user of the snubber 40 blowing in the opposite direction through the vent 71. Blowing through the vent 71 in the direction opposite venting and cigarette cleaning purging, causes ash 64 and debris trapped in the ash trap 62 to be blown out of the trap 62 through the chamber 48 and out the snubber 40. Once cleaned, the capacity of the ash trap 62 to trap additional ash 64 is restored.

After removal, the cap 44 can be used as a cigarette holding in a smoking step that holds the extinguished cigarette 46′ while it is re-lit and further smoked. The cigarette 46′ can remain in the cap 44 with a user smoking the lit cigarette 46′ by holding the cap 44 to their lips and smoking the cigarette 46′ through the orifice 58 in the cap 44.

Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cigarette snubber comprising:

a snubber body comprising an elongate cigarette receiving chamber formed therein; and

a cap in releasable engagement with the snubber body covering the cigarette receiving chamber, the cap comprising a cigarette holder extinguishing combustion of a lit cigarette held thereby when the lit cigarette is inserted into the cigarette receiving chamber.

2. The cigarette snubber of claim 1 wherein the cigarette holder comprises a socket in which one end of a cigarette is frictionally telescopically received removably holding the cigarette for movement substantially in unison with the cap.

3. The cigarette snubber of claim 2 wherein the cap comprises an endless sidewall with an interior cigarette engaging surface defining the socket where the interior cigarette engaging surface tapers or diametrically narrows providing frictional engagement with the one end of the cigarette received in the bore.

4. The cigarette snubber of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises a first endless sidewall, wherein the snubber body composes an interiorly disposed second endless sidewall defining the cigarette receiving chamber, and wherein the first endless sidewall telescopically engages the second endless sidewall releasably engaging the cap with the snubber body covering the cigarette receiving chamber.

5. The cigarette snubber of claim 4 wherein the cap and chamber form a protective cigarette storage enclosure when a cigarette held by the cigarette holder is received in the cigarette receiving chamber and the cap is releasably engaged with the snubber body.

6. The cigarette snubber of claim 5 wherein the cigarette remains held by the cap when stored in the protective enclosure formed by the cap and cigarette receiving chamber.

7. The cigarette snubber of claim 5 wherein the cap comprises an orifice in gas flow communication with a cigarette held by the cap enabling a user to smoke the cigarette through the orifice while the cap is holding the cigarette.

8. The cigarette snubber of claim 1 wherein the snubber body comprises a vent in gas flow communication with the cigarette receiving chamber.

9. The cigarette snubber of claim 8 further comprising fibrous or porous media disposed between a cigarette received in the cigarette receiving chamber and the vent.

10. The cigarette snubber of claim 9 further comprising a removable cover releasably engaging the snubber body enclosing the fibrous or porous media.

11. The cigarette snubber of claim 10 wherein the vent is formed in the removable cover.

12. The cigarette snubber of claim 11 wherein the cover and snubber body define an ash accumulating compartment in gas flow communication with the cigarette receiving chamber.

13. The cigarette snubber of claim 8 wherein atmosphere within the snubber body is vented through the vent out the snubber when a lit cigarette held by the cap is inserted into the cigarette holding chamber.

14. The cigarette snubber of claim 1 wherein the snubber body further comprises an ash accumulating compartment in gas flow communication with the cigarette receiving chamber.

15. The cigarette snubber of claim 14 further comprising a vent in gas flow communication with the ash accumulating compartment.

16. The cigarette snubber of claim 15 further comprising a filter disposed in the ash accumulating compartment disposed in gas flow communication between the cigarette receiving chamber and the vent.

17. The cigarette snubber of claim 15 wherein insertion of a lit cigarette held by the cap displaces atmosphere within the snubber body out the vent.

18. The cigarette snubber of claim 15 wherein ash accumulating compartment comprises an ash trap.

19. The cigarette snubber of claim 15 wherein the vent comprises at least, one bi-directional flow port through which a user blows air when the cigarette and cap are removed from the cigarette receiving chamber purging ash accumulated in the cigarette receiving chamber out the cigarette receiving chamber cleaning the snubber.

20. The cigarette snubber of claim 14 wherein the cap comprises an orifice in gas flow communication with the cigarette held by the cap through which a user blows air when the cigarette and cap are received in the cigarette receiving chamber purging smoke and ash from the cigarette.

21. The cigarette snubber of claim 15 wherein the cap comprises an orifice in gas flow communication with the cigarette held by the cap through which a user blows air when the cigarette and cap are received in the cigarette receiving chamber purging smoke and gaseous combustion byproducts from the cigarette out the vent.

22. The cigarette snubber of claim 15 wherein the cap comprises a bi-directional gas flow orifice in gas flow communication with the cigarette held by the cap (a) through which a user blows air when the cigarette and cap are received in the cigarette receiving chamber purging smoke and gaseous combustion byproducts from the cigarette Out the vent, and (b) through which the user sucks when the cigarette and cap are removed from the cigarette receiving chamber when smoking the cigarette held by the cap.

23. The cigarette snubber of claim 1 further comprising a cigarette lighter.

24. The cigarette snubber of claim 23 wherein the cigarette lighter comprises a gas lighter.

25. The cigarette snubber of claim 24 wherein the snubber body comprises a lighter receiving pocket defined by a pair of flexible lighter engaging sidewalls and a lighter supporting bottom.

26. A method of extinguishing a cigarette comprising:

providing an snubber body having a chamber therein in which a cigarette is received and a cap that releasably holds a cigarette;

inserting one end of a lit cigarette into the cap;

extinguishing the lit cigarette by inserting the ht cigarette into the chamber using the cap.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the lit cigarette is extinguished by oxygen starvation during the extinguishing step.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the snubber body further comprises a vent in gas flow communication with a lit cigarette being extinguished in the chamber during the extinguishing step and in gas flow communication with the ambient atmosphere outside of the snubber and the further step of venting atmosphere within the snubber body through the vent to the ambient atmosphere during insertion of a lit cigarette into the chamber using the cap during the extinguishing step.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising a filter in gas flow communication with a lit cigarette being extinguished during the extinguishing step and in gas flow communication with the vent filtering atmosphere within the chamber being vented out the vent.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein the snubber body further comprises a vent in gas flow communication with a lit cigarette being extinguished in the chamber and with the ambient atmosphere outside of the snubber, wherein the cap has an orifice in communication with the end of the lit cigarette inserted into the cap, and comprising the further step of purging the lit cigarette after the cigarette has been extinguished to during the extinguishing step to clean the extinguished cigarette by blowing through the orifice purging smoke, ash and gaseous combustion byproducts from the cigarette and venting smoke and gaseous combustion byproducts out the vent.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein the snubber body further comprises (a) a vent in gas flow communication with a lit cigarette being extinguished in the chamber during the extinguishing step and with the ambient atmosphere outside of the snubber, and (b) an ash trap in gas flow communication the lit cigarette being extinguished in the chamber during the extinguishing step and in gas flow communication with the vent, and comprising the further step of removing the cigarette from the chamber and then purging the snubber to clean the snubber by blowing air through the vent so the air flows through the vent, through the ash trap and out the chamber purging ash accumulated in the ash trap.