STORAGE DEVICE FOR SMOKING MATERIAL, LIGHTER AND SMOKING DEVICE

Abstract

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.

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] 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:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container with a lid in the closed position;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, with the lid in the open position, and showing the engagement of a lighter stored in the container;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a top view of the container of FIGS. 1-2, with the lid in the closed position;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the container of FIGS. 1-3, with the lid in the closed position;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a front view of the container of FIGS. 1-4, with the lid in the open position;

[0032] FIG. 6 shows the cross-section A-A of the container of FIG. 5;

[0033] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container of FIGS. 1-6, with the lid in the open position, showing the lighter being inserted within a different compartment of the container;

[0034] FIG. 8 shows the cross-section B-B of the container of FIG. 3; and

[0035] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the container of FIGS. 1-8, with the lid in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, a container 10 is shown that is sized and configured to contain organic smoking material, and related accessories (i.e., lighter and/or pipe), and is sized to fit within a user's hand, pocket, purse, bag, or pouch, etc. The container 10 includes a housing 12 composed of any nonporous material, such as a polymer, that is suitable to prevent odors, moisture, light (in embodiments where an opaque or translucent housing is desired), and other conditions prevalent in the ambient environment, from penetrating into the interior of the container 10. In some embodiments, the nonporous material may be biodegradable. The composition of the housing 12 further prevents smells and odors from any material or object contained within the housing 12 from permeating into the ambient environment, thus preventing others from being alerted as to the contents within the container 10. The housing 12 may have right-angled edges and/or rounded or curved edges, as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5. However, it will be understood that other dimensions and configurations may be used. The housing 12 may include an upper or first end 14, a lower or second end 16 opposite the first end 14, and a lateral surface 18 extending therebetween.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the container 10 includes a lid 20 pivotally connected to the first end 14 of the housing 12. The lid 20 may be formed as a unitary structure with the housing 12. The lid 20 may be connected to the housing 12 at the first end 14 by a hinge 22 so that the lid 20 may readily transition between an open position and a closed position. The length of the housing 12 may be defined by the total length of the container 10 with the lid 20 in the closed position. Alternatively, the length of the container 10 may be defined by the length of the lateral surface 24 extending between the first end 14 and the second end 16 such that the length of the container 10 does not include the length of the lid 20 when in the closed position.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 FIG. 1, the plurality of ridges 38 may have a chevron or inverted v-shape configuration. However, the plurality of ridges 38 may also have any other shape or configuration that enables a user to more easily grip and transition the lid 20 from the closed position to the open position. Alternatively, the lid 12 may instead define a plurality of grooves (not shown), in place of the plurality of ridges 38, to assist a user to more easily open the lid 20 and gain access to the interior of the housing 12.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3 and 5-7, the housing 12 further includes a first compartment 40, a second compartment 42 adjacent to and separate from the first compartment 40, and a third compartment 44 disposed between and separate from the first and second compartments 40, 42. In one embodiment, each compartment 40, 42, 44 may be formed as a unitary structure with the housing 12. In one embodiment, the first and second compartments 40, 42, may be positioned within the housing 12 at oblique angles with respect to one another. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the second compartment 42 is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the first compartment 40. Further, when the lid 20 is in the closed position, each compartment 40, 42, 44 is sealed by the lid 20. This prevents smells, odors, and debris from escaping the compartments 40, 42, and 44 and entering into the atmosphere, thereby alerting others as to the contents of the container 10. The sealing of each compartment 40, 42, 44, also prevents any debris from escaping the container 10 and causing mess to the user's hand, pocket, clothes, bag, etc. Further, the sealing of each compartment 40, 42, 44 by the lid prevents smells, odors, debris, moisture, or other conditions prevalent in the ambient environment from entering into the compartments 40, 42, 44, and causing mess to any objects or materials stored therein.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, first and second compartments 40, 42 each have a rim 46, 48, respectively. The rim 46 of the first compartment 40 includes an inner circumscribed portion 50 and an outer circumscribed portion 52. The rim 48 of the second compartment 42 includes an inner circumscribed portion 54 and an outer circumscribed portion 56. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the inner sealing member 32 is configured to couple to the outer circumscribed portion 56 of the second compartment 42. This provides an airtight seal so that smells, odors, and debris do not escape from the second compartment 42 and enter into the atmosphere, the first and third compartments 40, 44, or cause mess on any objects or materials in the first and third compartments 40, 44. Additionally, the sealing of the second compartment 42 by the inner sealing member 32 prevents smells, odors, debris, moisture, or other conditions prevalent in the ambient environment from entering into the second compartment 42, and also contributes to maintain the freshness of any organic smoking material that may be stored within the second compartment 42. In order to couple to and sufficiently seal the second compartment 42, the inner sealing member 32 has a cross-section substantially equal to or larger than the cross-section of the second compartment 42.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first compartment 40 defines a first opening 58 at the first end 14 of the housing 12 and includes a first sealed compartment floor 60 at the second end 16 of the housing 12. The first compartment 40 has a cross-section sized to receive the entry of a lighter 62 for use with a pipe and for packing organic smoking material within the second compartment 42 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7). In other words, the first compartment 40 is a compartment configured to removably store the lighter 62. As shown in FIG. 2, when stored in the first compartment 40, the first compartment 40 may be sized so that the top portion of the lighter 62 may protrude outside of the first compartment 40 and beyond the first opening 58 so that the spark wheel 64 and fork 66 of the lighter 62 are accessible to user. This allows the user to engage the spark wheel 64 and the fork 66 to ignite the lighter 62 while it is retained within the first compartment 40, and while the lid 20 is in the open position. Also, when in the open position, the lid 20 may be act as a barrier, wall, or other type of blockade to shield the lighter 62 from wind, rain, or other conditions within the ambient environment. This allows users to operate or ignite the lighter 62 without needing to remove the lighter 62 from the first compartment 40. When the lid 20 is in the closed position, the top portion of the lighter 62 that includes the spark wheel 64 and fork 66 also remains protruding from the first compartment 40 beyond the first opening 58, but is sealed within the container 10 by the lid 20. The lid 20 has a length and/or depth sufficient to allow the lid 20 to transition to the closed position even when the lighter 62 is stored within the first compartment 40.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, the second compartment 42 has a transverse cross-sectional area that is substantially equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the first compartment 40. The second compartment 42 also has the same transverse cross-sectional shape as the first compartment 40 which allows the user to pack, store, or otherwise facilitate the entry of organic smoking material into the second compartment 42. As such, the second compartment 42 may be referred to as an organic material compartment. Because the cross-sectional shape of the second compartment 42 is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the first compartment 40, the user may remove the lighter 62 from the first compartment 40 and use the bottom of the lighter 62 to “push” or pack the organic smoking material down into the second compartment 42 (as shown in FIG. 7). Once the organic smoking material has been packed within the second compartment 42, the user may then place the lighter 62 back within the first compartment 40.

[0046] Now referring to FIG. 9, the container 10 includes a plurality of cleaning elements 78 for use with the pipe 76 or other similar device. In one embodiment, the plurality of cleaning elements 78 may be coupled to and extend distally away from a distal face 80 of the second sealed compartment floor 70 of the second compartment 42 such that the cleaning elements 78 are exposed to the ambient environment. Each cleaning element 78 may be any type of protrusion, stem, rod, elongate member, radially finned element, point, etc., to facilitate the cleaning of a pipe or similar device. Because pipes (and other similar smoking devices) may become clogged over time with ash and other debris as a result of normal wear and usage, air flow within the pipe eventually becomes restricted by the ash or debris when the user attempts to use the pipe. As such, the cleaning elements 78 may be used to unclog or clean the user's pipe to remove the ash or debris, thus allowing normal airflow to be maintained within the pipe.

[0047] 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).

[0048] 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.