Paperboard container for extinguishing and disposal of lighted cigarettes

Abstract

A lightweight paperboard container for the disposal of a lighted cigarette includes (a) an open-top drawer with a lid at one end that receives a lighted cigarette in a longitudinal channel in close-fitting relation; and (b) an open-ended case or box that receives the drawer in close-fitting sliding relation and, when the drawer is fully inserted into the box, quickly smothers and extinguishes the lit cigarette remains without scorching or excessive heating. The drawer preferably has two or more parallel channels, each about the length of a cigarette, so that a plurality of extinguished cigarette remains can be stored in the smoker's pocket or handbag pending the opportunity for their proper disposal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to personal container for extinguishing and retaining extinguished cigarettes for use by smokers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]Improper cigarette disposal is the most common form of littering in the world. Cigarette littering has many negative impacts on the public, most of them environmental. Among the biggest and hardest impacts of cigarette littering are pollution, and maintenance and clean-up costs.[0003]Pollution is the worst effect caused by cigarette littering. Cigarette butts can be easily carried by water and even wind. These butts are then carried into rivers, lakes and the oceans. Cigarette butts thrown in the wild or carried into the streams by rain and wind do not degrade easily.[0004]About 95% of all cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate which is a form of plastic. There is much misinformation about cigarette filters. A major public misunderstanding is that cigarette filters are biodegradable. By definit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The above objects and other advantages are achieved by the present invention which is directed to a lightweight paperboard container for the disposal of lighted cigarettes that comprises (a) an open-top drawer that receives a lighted cigarette in a close-fitting longitudinal channel and (b) an open-ended case or box that receives the drawer in sliding relation and, when enclosed in the case or the box, quickly smothers and extinguishes the lit cigarette without scorching or excessive heating. The drawer preferably has at least two parallel channels, each about the length of a cigarette so that a plurality of extinguished cigarette ends can be stored pending the opportunity for their proper disposal.

[0015]The case and the drawer can be of simple rectilinear design. Preferably, each component is formed from a single sheet of paper stock that has been dyed cut from a larger sheet and folded into the desired configuration by automated equipment that is well known in the box-making and packaging art. The case can be a simple, open-ended sleeve or it can be constructed with a close end.

[0016]The tolerances between the sliding components are such that there will be a frictional fit that retains the drawer inside of the case when it is inserted and will also hold the drawer in a partially open position to facilitate the easy placement of the lighted cigarette and in one of the longitudinal receiving channels. These will be apparent the number of cigarette ends that can be accommodated will depend upon whether the cigarette is plain or filter tipped, as well as the extent to which the user has consumed the original length of tobacco. Because of the durability of the container of the present invention and its effectiveness in rapidly extinguishing a lighted cigarette end, the contents of the container can be disposed of in a proper receptacle when it is full and used for the remaining cigarettes in the pack.

Problems solved by technology

Improper cigarette disposal is the most common form of littering in the world.

Cigarette littering has many negative impacts on the public, most of them environmental.

Among the biggest and hardest impacts of cigarette littering are pollution, and maintenance and clean-up costs.

Pollution is the worst effect caused by cigarette littering.

There is much misinformation about cigarette filters.

A major public misunderstanding is that cigarette filters are biodegradable.

Various studies and anecdotal reports indicate that cigarette-related debris, and particularly filter tips, constitute significant proportions of litter washed up along sea shores and other bodies of water and that cigarette debris clean-up efforts consume the time of maintenance personnel employed by businesses, institutions and municipalities.

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