WO2009025720A2

WO2009025720A2 - Method of construction and holder for cigarette pack and lighter

Info

Publication number: WO2009025720A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/009260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benjamin P. Thomas
Original assignee: Thomas Benjamin P
Priority date: 2007-08-22
Filing date: 2008-07-31
Publication date: 2009-02-26
Also published as: WO2009025720A3; CN101827763A; ZA201002050B; AU2008289603A1; EP2194801A2; CA2704341A1

Abstract

Articles of manufacture to hold a combination of a cigarette pack and cigarette lighter, and methods to manufacture the articles are described. The articles are constructed from one or more strips of elastic matter. If only one strip is used in the construction, that strip will have a generally dumbbell-style shape comprising opposing elastic end sections separated by middle elastic section. The top end of one of the opposing end sections is provided with an arc-shaped cutout. In the one strip embodiment the opposing end sections are folded over the middle section so that the opposing end sections are aligned with one another with the arc-shaped cutout section positioned outside the other end section.

Description

SPECIFICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention. This invention relates in general to articles of manufactures constructed to hold both a conventional soft or hard flip-top style cigarette pack and a conventional butane cigarette lighter, as well as methods of manufacturing the articles. Prior Art. One recurring problem for smokers is how to conveniently carry both a cigarette pack, as well as the lighter needed to light a cigarette from the pack without misplacing or forgetting one during a person's daily routine. This problem has existed for some time, and many attempts have been made to solve these problem. One solution proposed by the prior art is to incorporate the lighter as part of the cigarette pack. Examples of this solution are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,976,194. Another solution that has been proposed is to provide the cigarette pack case and the lighter with various types of attaching means to permit them to be attached to one another. Examples of this solution are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,230,224. A more popular solution is to construct a carrying case that can hold both the cigarette pack and the lighter. Examples of this solution are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,190,148; 4,252,237; 4,385,689; 4,852,729; 5,277,315; 5,630,503; 6,119,852; and 6,693,850, as well as in U.S. Published Applications US2002/0063069; US 2005/0072707; and US 2005/0100847. Each of these solutions do provide means whereby the cigarette pack and the lighter can be attached or carried together. However, these solutions in many cases have created other problems or simply have not provided the total convenience desired by the smoker. In some cases the increased manufacturing costs makes the solution as a practical matter not feasible. In other cases the resultant case is too bulky to fit comfortably into a standard shirt pocket or pants pocket. Despite the various prior art solutions there remains a need for a device that can hold both a cigarette pack and a typical butane-style lighter.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, one object of this invention is to provide a lightweight article that can securely hold both any size of conventional cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter in a manner that prevents neither to fall out when the article is tossed about even when more than one-half of the cigarettes have been removed from the pack. Another object of this invention is to provide an article that holds both a cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter separate from one another, but in a manner that permits a person to remove and light a cigarette without removing either the cigarette pack or the butane-style cigarette lighter from the article. Still another object of this invention is to provide an article that can hold both a hard flip-top lid style cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter in a manner to provide a water-tight seal about the opening edge of a flip-top lid of the cigarette pack. A further object of this invention is to provide a relatively thin article that can hold both a cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter in a manner to then permit the article to be inserted into a conventionally shaped shirt pocket. Another further object of this invention is to provide an article that permits a cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter to be easily inserted in a position in the article whereby the article can hold both in a secure manner. A still further object of this invention is to provide an article that can hold both a cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter in a manner to provide at least four panels on the article on which advertising or other imagery can be printed. Another further object of this invention is to provide an article that can hold both a hard flip-top lid style cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter in relation to one another whereby the flip-top lid can be easily opened. Another further object of this invention is to provide an article that can hold both a cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter whereby the lighter can be positioned in front of, in back of, or on one of the sides of the cigarette pack. Still another further object of this invention is to provide an article that can be reversed or turned inside out to permit multiple colored surfaces and or multiple decorative or advertising areas while still holding both a conventional cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter. It is also an object of this invention to provide a method of manufacture of an article from a one-piece strip or from two strips of elastic material that can securely hold both any size of conventional cigarette pack and a butane-style cigarette lighter in a manner that prevents neither to fall out when the article is tossed about even when more than one-half of the cigarettes have been removed from the pack. Other objects and advantages of this invention shall become apparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention. Accordingly, this invention comprises both a method for the manufacture of an article, as well as for the article, for holding in combination both a conventional soft or hard flip-top lid style pack of cigarettes and a conventional butane-type cigarette lighter, hi a first embodiment the article is manufactured from a single strip of elastic material, such as 2 mm thickness Neoprene or other material having similar elasticity characteristics. In a preferred embodiment the material will also have flame retardant characteristics. The strip has a generally dumbbell-type profile with its two opposing end sections separated by a horizontal generally rectangular middle section. One of the opposing end sections has a top edge provided with an arcuate cutout portion. The article is constructed by folding the opposing end sections over onto the middle section wherein the two opposing end sections are positioned in alignment whereby the end section provided with the arcuate cutout portion is positioned over the other end section. The two opposing end sections are sewn or otherwise affixed to one another along their vertical edges and along their bottom edges to form a pocket sized to permit at least a portion of the cigarette lighter to be inserted into the pocket, as well as to form a band having a center opening which can be stretched to permit the cigarette pack to be inserted into the center opening. hi second embodiment of this invention the article is constructed from two strips of elastic material, such as 2 mm thickness neoprene or other material having similar elasticity characteristics. Again it is preferred that the material have flame retardant characteristics. The first strip has a generally dumbbell-style profile as described above, except neither end section will have a top portion provided with an arc-shaped cutout. The second strip has a generally rectangular-style profile with its top edge provided with an arc-shaped cutout portion. The width of the second strip will preferably be approximately the combined widths of the two end sections of the first strip. The height of the second strip will be approximately the height of either of the two end sections that preferably are of the same height. To construct the article the opposing end sections are folded over onto the middle section whereby the opposing vertical edges of the two end sections abut one another. The two end sections are then sewn or otherwise affixed to one another, preferably along the abutting vertical edges. The second strip is laid over and aligned with the two affixed end sections and sewn or other wise affixed to each end section, preferably along the opposing vertical edges and the bottom edge of the second strip, to form a pocket sized to permit at least a portion of the cigarette lighter to be inserted into the pocket. In both embodiments the sewing or affixing the opposite end sections of the first or only strip, as the case may be, forms a band having a center opening. The band should be of sufficient length to permit the cigarette pack to be positioned in the center opening upon the stretching of the band and held in that position by the elastic nature of the band material. It is preferred that the band material be of sufficient elasticity so that when contracted it will not crush or deform any cigarettes that may be in the cigarette pack. It is also preferred that the material utilized to construct the strip or strips have sufficient flexibility and resiliency to permit the finished holders to be reversed or turned inside out to present a second surface that can be of different color, or have different decorations and/or advertising areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of this invention. However, it is to be understood that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive, noi limiting of the invention. They are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may be practiced. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the cigarette case/lightei holder constructed from two strips of flexible material. FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1 illustrating the separation of the cigarette lighter from the cigarette box when the flip-top lid of the cigarette pack is opened. FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1 when the cigarette lighter is positioned along the side panel of a cigarette box. FIG. 4 is side view of FIG. 1 when the cigarette lighter is positioned along the back panel of a cigarette box. FIG. 5 A is a top view of FIG. 1. FIG. 5B is a top view similar to FIG. 1, but wherein the holder is constructed from a single strip such as illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 1 illustrating the use of the elastic middle section of the holder to form a watertight seal along the edges of the conventional flip-top lid used in hard cigarette packs. FIG. 7 is a top view of the preferred patterns of the first and second elastic strips used to form the holder illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 7A is front perspective view of the opposing edges of the opposing ends of the first elastic strip of FIG. 7 affixed to one another to form a passageway to hold a cigarette pack. FIG. 7B is a front perspective view of the FIG. 7A wherein the second strip has been affixed to the first strip to form a pocket to hold a butane-type lighter. FIG. 8 is a top view of the preferred pattern of the single elastic strip used to fabricate the holder illustrated in FIG. 5B. FIG. 8 A is a front perspective view of the opposing edges of the opposing ends of the FIG. 8 elastic strip folded to be positioned over and aligned with one another to form both a passage for a cigarette pack and a pocket to hold a butane-type lighter. FIG. 9 illustrates multiple shapes that the first strip of FIG. 7 and the first strip of FIG. 8 could take to form the holder of this invention. FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate preferred embodiment of the use of a single elastic strip to fabricate the holder.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is made to the FIG.s in describing the preferred embodiments of the invention. Referring now to FIG. 1, a device 1 for holding either a conventional soft or hard case cigarette pack 2 along with a conventional butane-style lighter 3 is illustrated. As is explained in more detail below, the device or holder 1 may be fabricated from a single strip of elastic material or from multiple strips of elastic material. The amount of elasticity is preferably great enough so as not to crush or disfigure the cigarettes contained in the cigarette pack, but not so elastic that the cigarette pack can not be retained even when the holder 1 may be tossed from one person to another or when held upside down. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred holder 1 constructed from two strips 4 and 5 of elastic material having the shapes illustrated in FIG. 7. First strip 4 is illustrated in FIG. 7 as having a dumb-bell type shape (opposing end sections 6 and 7 each having a height of "hi_A", respectively, connected along their horizontal axis 8 by a middle section 9 of lesser height "hie")- For use with a conventional sized cigarette pack it is preferred that the width "wi" of strip 4 be about 5.75 inches when using a material having the elasticity of 2mm thick Neoprene material. This width will provide the desired sized passageway 9 to retain, but not crush the cigarette pack, when the opposing edges 10 and 11 are abutted and sewn together along sew line 35. It is also preferred that the height "hi_A" be about 3.25 inches to provide the desired cigarette pack retention, but also to provide for the formation of a butane-type lighter pocket 14 of sufficient height to retain the butane-type lighter 3 in the pocket 14 while at the same time providing easy access for a person to remove the lighter 3 from the pocket 14 or to use the lighter 3 to light a cigarette while retaining the lighter 3 in the pocket 14. The second strip 5 is preferably a rectangular shaped strip of elastic material, such as 2mm Neoprene material. In a more preferred embodiment the top edge 15 of second strip 5 will be provided with arc-shaped cutout 16 to facilitate the insertion of the lighter 3 into the lighter pocket 14. To provide for a more efficient fabrication process it is preferred that the widths "W_IA" and "W_IB" of the top edges 17 and 18 of the two opposing end sections 6 and 7, respectively, be approximately equal. It is further preferred that the width "w₂" of the second strip 5 be approximately equal to the sum of the widths "W_IA" and "W_IB". When utilizing 2mm Neoprene it is preferred that "W_IA" and "W_IB" each be about 0.75 inches. When the second strip 5 is positioned and affixed to the first strip 4 as described in more detail below, the lighter pocket 14 is formed sized to permit the lighter 3 to be inserted into and retained in pocket 14. The lighter pocket 14 will also be shallow enough to cause the ignition unit 19 of a conventionally sized butane-type lighter to protrude out from the pocket 14. This provides easier access to grip the lighter 3 for removal from pocket 14. This gripping is further facilitated by the arc-shaped shoulder sections 9A — 9D. As illustrated in FIG. 2, sections 9A — 9D also facilitates the ability of a hard flip-top Hd 20 of a cigarette pack 2 to push lighter 3 away to permit easier access to the cigarettes in pack 2. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 the construction of the holder 1 in accordance with this invention permits the user to position the lighter 3 adjacent to either side of the cigarette pack 2 (FIG. 3) or to the front or rear (FIG. 4) of the cigarette pack 2. This flexibility allows the holder 1 to be inserted in a wider variety of shaped shirt or pants pockets. FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as FIGS. 6 and 7, illustrate that the construction of holder 1 also permits multiple spaces, such as surface areas 21 - 24, to be used to print company or trademark logos, text or other decorative designs. The ability of the holder 1 to serve as an advertising vehicle while still performing its function as a device to hold a cigarette pack and accompanying lighter is an important commercial feature of its construction. It is preferred that strip 9 be constructed from material that has sufficient elasticity to permit the holder surface 9E to be turned inside out so that holder inside surface 9F becomes the outer surface. This permits the holder 1 to exhibit different colors, as well as additional decorations and/or advertising material. FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred shape for the construction of holder 1 that permits the complete fabrication to be made from a single strip 25 in a manner that eliminates at least one sew line. Strip 25 like first strip 4 has a general dumbbell shape; i. e., two opposing end sections 26 and 27, respectively, separated by middle section 28. hi a preferred embodiment the height "Hi_A" of both end sections will be equal. In addition the widths "W_iA" and "Wm" of both end sections will also be equal. The top edge 29 of opposing end section 27 will be provided with an arc-shaped cutout 30. hi a more preferred embodiment the widths "W_IA" and "W_IB" will be twice that of "wi_A" and "wi_B". hi addition the height "hm" and "H_1B" are also equal. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a preferred construction of the opposing vertical edges 31 and 32 of the second strip 5 of the FIG. 7 two strip embodiment, and the opposing vertical edges 33 and 34 of the FIG. 8 single strip embodiment, respectively. In this preferred construction the edges are diagonally cut to permit a lower profile surface along the line that the two strips in the FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 embodiments are to be sewn together. This results in a more desirable uni-body construction appearance. In another preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5C a straight line stitch 44A and 45B is utilized. In this configuration the one strip embodiment of FIG. 8 is used wherein the parallel, vertical stitches terminate below the top edges 29 to permit end section 27 to be folded away from end section 26 to allow easier access to the pocket 48. To construct the FIG. 7 two-strip embodiment, first strip 4 is folded from each end until opposing edges 10 and 11 abut one another. Then the two edges are affixed to one another, preferably by sewing them together along sew line 35 as illustrated in FIG. 7A. Next, second strip 5 is then centered over sew line 35 with each of its vertical edges 31 and 32 affixed to strip 4, preferably by sewing them along sew lines 36 and 37, respectively, hi a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B the second strip bottom edge 38 is also affixed to first strip bottom edges 39 and 40, preferably by sewing along sew line 41, to form a pocket 48 for the butane-style lighter 3. To construct the FIG. 8 one-strip embodiment, the opposing end sections 26 and 27 are folded over one another whereby end section 27 is positioned over end section 26 as illustrated in FIG. 8A. hi the preferred embodiment vertical edge 34 will be aligned with vertical line 42 of end section 26 and vertical edge 33 will be aligned with vertical line 43 of end section 27. With the opposing end sections 26 and 27 so aligned, they are fixed to one another preferably by sewing along sew lines 44 and 45 to form both a tubular member 46 having a central passageway 47 to hold cigarette pack 2 and a pocket 48 to hold the butane- type lighter 3. hi a preferred embodiment the bottom edge 49 of end section 27 is affixed to the bottom edge 50 of end section 26 to form a close bottom of pocket 48. hi a more preferred embodiment bottom edges 49 and 50 are affixed by sewing the bottom edges 49 and 50 together along sew line 51. Although the first strip 4 of the two-strip embodiment and strip 25 of the one-strip embodiment have been described as having a generally dumbbell-style shape, they could have any number of polygon or other amorphous shapes that are provided with opposing edges, such as opposing edges 10 and 11 that can be abutted and sewn together. FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate some of the many other shapes that could be used. More particularly, FIG. 9A illustrates a configuration where opposing edges 52 and 53 are not straight, but which are shaped to mate with one another when abutted. FIG. 9B illustrates a configuration wherein the heights "H" of the opposing end sections 54 and 55 and middle section 56 are equal. It also illustrates an alternate embodiment wherein the arc-shaped cutout 57 can be positioned in either or both opposing end sections 54 and 55. Figure 9C illustrates that the strip 58 may be provided with various shaped cutouts positioned in one or more of the sections making up strip 58. The only limitation to the size or shape or position of the cutouts is that they can prohibit the formation of the passageway that will hold the cigarette case or the pocket that will hold the lighter. Other shapes would be obvious to persons of ordinary skill in the art. However, whatever shape is chosen, the shape should permit the opposing sections 6 and 7 or opposing sections 26 and 27 to be affixed to one another to form a generally tubular member 12 having a central passageway 13 sized to permit the cigarette pack 2 to be inserted into the passageway 13 when the tubular member 12 is stretched due to its elasticity. In the two strip embodiment the shape of the first strip should permit the second strip to be affixed to the first strip to form a pocket that will hold the butane-type lighter. There are of course other alternate embodiments which are obvious from the foregoing descriptions of the invention which are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

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Claims

CLAIMS What I claim is: L A manufacture for holding a cigarette pack and a cigarette lighter comprising: (a) a first elastic band sized when stretched to fit about the cigarette pack, and (b) a second elastic band affixed at its vertical edges and bottom edge to the first elastic band to form a pocket with a top opening, and sized when stretched to permit the cigarette lighter to be placed through the top opening and at least partially into the pocket. 2. A manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the first elastic band comprises a shape having a band height when positioned about the cigarette pack of less than ³A of the cigarette pack height. 3. A manufacture according to claim 2 wherein the band height is less than ¹A the cigarette pack height. 4. A manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the elasticity of the second band is set to hold the cigarette lighter in the pocket. 5. A manufacture according to claim 2 the elasticity of the first elastic band is set to permit a flip-top lid of a flip-top cigarette pack when in a raised position and pushing against the cigarette lighter to push the cigarette lighter away from the cigarette pack to expose any cigarettes in the cigarette pack. 6. A manufacture according to claim 5 wherein the elasticity of the first band is set to form a water-tight seal about the front edge of the flip-top lid when the first band is positioned over the front edge. 7. A manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the elasticity of the first band is set to permit the first band to be turned inside out to expose a second surface on which decorations or advertising material may be affixed. 8. A method for manufacturing a holder for a cigarette pack and a cigarette lighter comprising: (a) forming a first flat strip of elastic material having a dumbbell-type shape provided with opposing end sections separated by a middle section, the shape having opposing vertical edges, (b) forming a second flat strip of elastic material having a generally rectangular shape provided with arc-shaped cutout in an upper end of the strip positioned between opposing vertical edges of the second flat strip and opposite a bottom edge of the second flat strip, (c) folding the opposing vertical edges of the first flat strip over the middle section whereby the opposing vertical edges abut one another, (d) attaching the abutting vertical edges to on another, (e) affixing the opposing vertical edges of the second flat strip to the first flat strip at a position on each side of the abutting vertical edges of the first flat strip. 9. A method according to claim 8 further comprising affixing the bottom edge of the second flat strip to the first flat strip. 10. A method according to claim 8 wherein the height of the opposing vertical edges of the second flat strip are equal and the height of the first flat strip at the positions where the two strips are affixed is equal to the height of the opposing vertical edges of the second flat strip. 11. A method for manufacturing a holder for a cigarette pack and a cigarette lighter comprising: (a) forming a flat strip of elastic material having a generally dumbbell-type shape comprising two end sections separated by a narrower middle section wherein a top edge of one end section has an arc-shaped cutout, (b) folding the flat strip over onto itself whereby the two sides overlap one another, and (c) affixing the two overlapped end sections to one another along their vertical edges. 12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising affixing the two overlapped end sections to one another along their bottom edges to form a pocket into which the cigarette lighter can be at least partially inserted.