STORAGE DEVICE FOR SMOKING MATERIAL, LIGHTER AND SMOKING DEVICE
A storage container includes a housing. The housing includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first compartment, and a second compartment within the housing. The first compartment defines a first opening at the first end and is sealed at the second end of the housing. The second compartment is adjacent to and separate from the first compartment within the housing. The second compartment extends distally beyond the first end of the housing and defines a second opening. The second compartment is sealed with respect to the second end of the housing. The first compartment defines a first cross-sectional shape, and the second compartment defines a second cross-sectional shape. The second cross-sectional shape is the same as the first cross-sectional shape. The second compartment has a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the first compartment.
The disclosure relates to a portable storage container having multiple compartments sized to retain a lighter.
BACKGROUNDOrganic smoking materials, such as tobacco and herbal mixtures, are sold over the counter either in bulk or loose form (for example, packaged loosely in a bag) or assembled (for example, as a rolled cigarette). Smokers of organic smoking material typically carry small amounts of organic smoking material and smoking accessories, such as a pipe. When ready to smoke, a smoker typically removes a small amount of smoking material from a sealable bag and manually places the smoking material into the pipe, which is carried separately from the bag of smoking material. Because the pipe is carried separately from the organic smoking material, one or the other may be forgotten. Moreover, the pipe may become dirty or blocked up over time which restricts air flow to the organic smoking material when the smoker uses the pipe.
Non-disposable containers may also be used for containing organic smoking material. An exemplary currently known container may be composed of wood or other material, and includes a first compartment for storing a removable pipe or smoking device and a second compartment for storing a quantity of organic smoking material. The container also includes a lid that covers the first and second compartments. In one example, the lid is rotatable between open and closed potions. However, the container does not also include a compartment for storing a lighter for use with the removable pipe or smoking device. Thus, a user of the known container is required to separately store and maintain track of a lighter to use with the removable pipe or smoking device. Additionally, the lid of the known container also does not provide an airtight seal. Thus, a humidity level within the second compartment cannot be maintained and odors are allowed to escape into the atmosphere. This not only alerts others as to the contents of the container, but also allows the organic smoking material to dry out. Further, the lack of an airtight seal for each compartment allows smells, odors, ash, or other debris from a used pipe within the first compartment to escape into the second compartment, thus affecting the smell, taste, appearance, and freshness of the organic smoking material stored within. Another disadvantage is that it can be very difficult to insert the organic smoking material into the second compartment without mess.
SUMMARYThe techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a portable storage container having a multiple compartments sized to retain a lighter.
In one embodiment a storage container includes a housing. The housing includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first compartment, and a second compartment within the housing. The first compartment defines a first opening at the first end and is sealed at the second end of the housing. The second compartment is adjacent to and separate from the first compartment within the housing. The second compartment extends distally beyond the first end of the housing and defines a second opening. The second compartment is sealed with respect to the second end of the housing. The first compartment defines a first cross-sectional shape, and the second compartment defines a second cross-sectional shape. The second cross-sectional shape is the same as the first cross-sectional shape. The second compartment has a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the first compartment.
In another aspect, the first and second compartments are formed as unitary structures within the housing.
In another aspect, the first and second compartments each include a rim having an inner circumscribed portion and an outer circumscribed portion.
In another aspect, the storage container further includes a lid hingedly connected to the first end of the housing for operation of the lid between an open position and a closed position, the lid having an inner sealing member configured to provide a seal against the second compartment when in the closed position.
In another aspect, the inner sealing member is coupled to the outer circumscribed portion of the rim of the second compartment when in the closed position.
In another aspect, the storage container further includes a plurality of cleaning elements coupled to and extending distally away from a sealed end of the second compartment.
In another aspect, the storage container further includes a third compartment disposed between and separate from the first and second compartments, the third compartment being open at the first end of the housing and sealed with respect to the second end of the housing.
In another aspect, the third compartment defines a third cross-sectional shape smaller than the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape.
In another aspect, the first and second compartments are disposed at oblique angles with respect to each other.
In another aspect, the inner sealing member defines a fourth cross-sectional shape larger than the second cross-sectional shape of the second compartment.
In another aspect, the second compartment extends distally beyond the rim of the first compartment.
In another embodiment, the storage container includes a housing, a lighter compartment, and an organic material compartment. The housing includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The lighter compartment is within the housing and defines a first opening at the first end and has a sealed compartment floor at the second end of the housing. The organic smoking material compartment is adjacent to and separate from the lighter compartment within the housing. The organic material compartment extends distally beyond the first end of the housing and defines a second opening. The organic material compartment has a sealed compartment floor proximate to the second end of the housing. The lighter compartment defines a first cross-sectional shape, and the organic material compartment defines a second cross-sectional shape. The second cross-sectional shape is the same as the first cross-sectional shape. The second compartment has a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the first compartment.
In another aspect, the lighter compartment and organic material compartment are formed as unitary structures within the housing.
In another aspect, the lighter compartment and organic material compartment each include a rim having an inner circumscribed portion and an outer circumscribed portion.
In another aspect, the storage container further includes a lid hingedly connected to the first end of the housing for operation of the lid between an open position and a closed position, the lid having an inner sealing member configured to provide a seal against the organic material compartment when in the closed position.
In another aspect, the inner sealing member is coupled to the outer circumscribed portion of the rim of the organic material compartment when in the closed position.
In another aspect, the storage container further includes a plurality of cleaning elements coupled to and extending distally away from the sealed compartment floor of the organic material compartment.
In another aspect, the storage container further includes a pipe compartment disposed between and separate from the first and second compartments, the pipe compartment being open at the first end of the housing and sealed with respect to the second end of the housing.
In another aspect, the pipe compartment defines a third cross-sectional shape smaller than the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape.
In yet another embodiment, the storage container includes a housing, a lighter compartment, an organic material compartment, a pipe compartment, a lid, and a plurality of cleaning elements. The lighter compartment is within the housing and has a first rim defining a first opening at the first end of the housing, and a sealed compartment floor at the second end of the housing. The lighter compartment defines a first cross-sectional shape. The organic material compartment is adjacent to and separate from the lighter compartment within the housing and defines a second cross-sectional shape that is the same as the first cross-sectional shape of the lighter compartment. The organic material compartment has a second rim defining a second opening distally beyond the first end of the housing. The first rim of the lighter compartment and the second rim of the organic material compartment each have an inner circumscribed portion and an outer circumscribed portion. The organic material compartment also has a sealed compartment floor proximate to the second end of the housing. The pipe compartment is disposed between and separate from the lighter compartment and the organic material compartment within the housing. The pipe compartment defines a third cross-sectional shape that is different from the first cross-sectional shape and second cross-sectional shape. The pipe compartment is open at the first end of the housing and sealed with respect to the second end of the housing. The lid is hingedly connected to the first end of the housing for operation of the lid between an open position and a closed position. The lid has an inner sealing member configured to couple to and provide a seal against the outer circumscribed portion of the second rim of the organic material compartment when in the closed position. The plurality of cleaning elements are coupled to and extend distally away from the sealed compartment floor of the organic material compartment. The organic material compartment has a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the first compartment.
The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring now to
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The lid 20 includes a proximal end 24, a distal end 26 opposite the proximal end 24, and a lateral surface 28 extending therebetween. The hinge 22 is disposed proximate to the proximal end 24 of the lid 20. The lateral surface 28 of the lid 20 may be substantially flat or planar to serve as a base to allow the container to stand vertically when placed lid-side down on a substantially flat surface. Alternatively, the lid 20 may also have a rounded or curved lateral surface 28. Further, an interior portion 30 of the lid 20 also includes an inner sealing member 32 sized and configured to engage a compartment (discussed below) disposed within the container 10.
As mentioned herein, the lid 20 may readily transition between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, a lip portion 34 of the lid 20 is in contact with a lip portion 36 of the housing 12 at the first end 14 to provide a seal. Alternatively, the lid 20 may couple to an outer circumscribed portion (not shown) of the housing 12 at the first end 14. To transition to the open position, the lid 20 may include a plurality of protrusions or ridges 38 to allow a user to more easily push or pull open the lid 20 to gain access to the interior of the housing 12. As shown in
Referring now to
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As shown in
The second compartment 42 extends distally beyond the first end 14 of the housing 12 and the first opening 58 of the first compartment 40, and defines a second opening 68. The second opening 68 is fully sealed by the inner sealing member 32 of the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The second compartment 42 includes a second sealed compartment floor 70 located with respect to the second end 16 of the housing 12. In other words, the second sealed compartment floor 70 is located proximate to the second end 16 of the housing 12, but not at the second end 16 of the housing 12. For example, the first sealed compartment floor 60 of the first compartment 40 is in closer proximity to the second end 16 of the housing 12 than the second sealed compartment floor 70 of the second compartment 42.
The third compartment 44 defines a third opening 72 at the first end 14 of the housing 12 and includes a third sealed compartment floor 74 located with respect to the second end 14. The first sealed compartment floor 60 of the first compartment 40 is closer to the second end 16 of the housing 12 than the third sealed compartment floor 74 of the third compartment 44. The third compartment 44 also has a cross-sectional area and shape that is smaller than the cross-sectional areas and shapes of the first and second compartments 40, 42, and is sized to receive the entry of a smoking device, such as, for example, a pipe 76 for use with the organic smoking material and lighter 62. As such, the third compartment 44 is a pipe compartment.
As shown in
Now referring to
It should be understood that various aspects disclosed herein may be combined in different combinations than the combinations specifically presented in the description and accompanying drawings. It should also be understood that, depending on the example, certain acts or events of any of the processes or methods described herein may be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., all described acts or events may not be necessary to carry out the techniques).
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.
Claims
1. A storage container, comprising:
- a housing, the housing including a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a first compartment within the housing, the first compartment defining a first opening at the first end and being sealed at the second end of the housing;
- a second compartment adjacent to and separate from the first compartment within the housing, the second compartment extending distally beyond the first end of the housing and defining a second opening, the second compartment being sealed with respect to the second end of the housing; and
- the first compartment defining a first cross-sectional shape and the second compartment defining a second cross-sectional shape, the second cross-sectional shape being the same as the first cross-sectional shape, the second compartment having a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the first compartment.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first and second compartments are formed as unitary structures within the housing.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the first and second compartments each include a rim having an inner circumscribed portion and an outer circumscribed portion.
4. The container of claim 3, further including a lid hingedly connected to the first end of the housing for operation of the lid between an open position and a closed position, the lid having an inner sealing member configured to provide a seal against the second compartment when in the closed position.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein the inner sealing member is coupled to the outer circumscribed portion of the rim of the second compartment when in the closed position.
6. The container of claim 5, further including a plurality of cleaning elements coupled to and extending distally away from a sealed end of the second compartment.
7. The container of claim 6, further including a third compartment disposed between and separate from the first and second compartments, the third compartment being open at the first end of the housing and sealed with respect to the second end of the housing.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the third compartment defines a third cross-sectional shape smaller than the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the first and second compartments are disposed at oblique angles with respect to each other.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the inner sealing member defines a fourth cross-sectional shape larger than the second cross-sectional shape of the second compartment.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the second compartment extends distally beyond the rim of the first compartment.
12. A storage container, comprising:
- a housing, the housing including a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a lighter compartment within the housing, the lighter compartment defining a first opening at the first end and having a sealed compartment floor at the second end of the housing; an organic material compartment adjacent to and separate from the lighter compartment within the housing, the organic material compartment extending distally beyond the first end of the housing and defining a second opening, the second compartment having a sealed compartment floor proximate to the second end of the housing; and
- the lighter compartment defining a first cross-sectional shape and the organic material compartment defining a second cross-sectional shape, the second cross-sectional shape being the same as the first cross-sectional shape, the second compartment having a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the first compartment.
13. The container of claim 12, wherein the lighter compartment and organic material compartment are formed as unitary structures within the housing.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein the lighter compartment and organic material compartment each include a rim having an inner circumscribed portion and an outer circumscribed portion.
15. The container of claim 14, further including a lid hingedly connected to the first end of the housing for operation of the lid between an open position and a closed position, the lid having an inner sealing member configured to provide a seal against the organic material compartment when in the closed position.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the inner sealing member is coupled to the outer circumscribed portion of the rim of the organic material compartment when in the closed position.
17. The container of claim 16, further including a plurality of cleaning elements coupled to and extending distally away from the sealed compartment floor of the organic material compartment.
18. The container of claim 17, further including a pipe compartment disposed between and separate from the first and second compartments, the pipe compartment being open at the first end of the housing and sealed with respect to the second end of the housing.
19. The container of claim 18, wherein the pipe compartment defines a third cross-sectional shape smaller than the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape.
20. A storage container, comprising
- a housing, the housing including a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a lighter compartment within the housing, the lighter compartment defining a first cross-sectional shape, the lighter compartment having: a first rim defining a first opening at the first end of the housing; and a sealed compartment floor at the second end of the housing;
- an organic material compartment adjacent to and separate from the lighter compartment within the housing, the organic material compartment defining a second cross-sectional shape that is the same as the first cross-sectional shape of the lighter compartment, the organic material compartment having: a second rim defining a second opening distally beyond the first end of the housing, the first rim of the lighter compartment and second rim of the organic material compartment each having an inner circumscribed portion and an outer circumscribed portion; and a sealed compartment floor proximate to the second end of the housing;
- a pipe compartment disposed between and separate from the lighter compartment and the organic material compartment within the housing, the pipe compartment defining a third cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape, the pipe compartment being open at the first end of the housing and sealed with respect to the second end of the housing;
- a lid hingedly connected to the first end of the housing for operation of the lid between an open position and a closed position, the lid having an inner sealing member configured to couple to and provide a seal against the outer circumscribed portion of the second rim of the organic material compartment when in the closed position;
- a plurality of cleaning elements coupled to and extending distally away from the sealed compartment floor of the organic material compartment; and
- the organic material compartment having a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the lighter compartment and larger than a cross-sectional area of the pipe compartment.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 7, 2021
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2022
Inventor: Harold Scot GORADESKY (Plantation, FL)
Application Number: 17/340,847