US20080223382A1

US20080223382A1 - Litter disposal device

Info

Publication number: US20080223382A1
Application number: US12/045,801
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric ZEANAH
Original assignee: American Accessories International LLC
Current assignee: American Accessories International LLC
Priority date: 2007-03-14
Filing date: 2008-03-11
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Also published as: WO2008112756A1; JP2010521161A; RU2009137918A

Abstract

A litter disposal device for temporarily storing and containing cigarette ash, butts, and other litter. The litter disposal device includes a cap, a storage system, a pivot system adapted to permit the cap to move between the closed and open positions, and an extinguishing system containable within the storage system and adapted to extinguish the lit end of a cigarette. In the open position, ashes, butts, and unused portions of cigarettes, cigars, and/or other similar products/rubbish can be transported from the outside to the inside of the litter disposal device and vice versa. In the closed position, however, cigarette ash and butts cannot enter or exit the storage system of the litter disposal device. The storage system has a generally flat bottom to enable the litter disposal device to maintain an upright position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/894,732 filed 14 Mar. 2007, the entire contents and substance of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a litter disposal device and, in particular, to a cigarette butt disposal device.
2. Description of Related Art
Smoking is often prohibited in public areas to improve air quality and to prevent discomfort or harm to non-smoking individuals. On the occasions when an individual desires to smoke, the individual typically must remain in a designated area outside. These designated outside areas do not always provide ashtrays or ash containers for proper disposal of cigarette ash, cigarette butts, and other litter. Individuals, therefore, are forced into the objectionable practice of allowing litter, ashes, and cigarette butts to pollute the ground and thus the environment.
When not properly extinguished, lit cigarette butts can become fire hazards. Partially lit cigarette butts can ignite grass or debris, resulting in a larger and more serious fire that could lead to injury or even death. The lack of proper ashtrays and ash containers within designated smoking areas increases the probability that discarded ash and cigarette butts are not adequately extinguished.
Ashtrays and ash containers are limited in portability and, therefore, must remain in a more permanent location, such as cigarette urns and receptacles near benches and door exits, within an automobile, or on a table. These ashtrays and ash containers can be aesthetically unpleasing and are often considered undesirable. Accordingly, smokers are provided with fewer opportunities to properly dispose of litter, ash, and cigarette butts when away from such permanently-located receptacles.
What is needed is a personal litter disposal device that is easily transportable for temporarily containing and storing cigarette ash, cigarette butts, and other litter. It is to such a device that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in preferred form, the present invention is a personal litter disposal device sized for easy transport for temporarily storing and containing cigarette ash, butts, and the like. The litter disposal device includes a cap having an open position and a closed position, a storage system, a pivot system adapted to permit the cap to move between the closed and open positions, and an extinguishing system containable within the storage system and adapted to extinguish the lit end of a cigarette. When the cap is in the open position, ashes, butts, and unused portions of cigarettes, cigars, and/or other similar products/rubbish can be received from the outside of the litter disposal device by the storage system. Additionally, in the open position, the cigarette ash and butts can be removed from the inside of the storage system to the outside of the litter disposal device for proper disposal. In the closed position, however, cigarette ash and butts cannot enter or exit the storage system of the litter disposal device.
The pivot system can comprise a biasing system against accidental opening, for example, a pulling element can be adapted to temporarily maintain the cap in the closed position. More particularly, the pulling element provides an adequate amount of resistance to an opening force, thereby ensuring that the cap of the litter disposal device is not accidentally opened at an inappropriate time, such as while in an individual's pocket.
Further, the storage system comprises a generally flat bottom adapted to enable the litter disposal device to maintain an upright position on a flat surface. The flat bottom of the storage system ensures that the litter disposal device can be placed on a generally flat surface, such as a table, for an extended period of time.
Although the present invention described above refers to systems, the physical elements of the present invention include a cap, a storage body, a pivot hinge element, a pivot groove, and an extinguishing plate element. The cap has an open position when a lower open end of the cap is not engaged with an upper open end of the storage body, and a closed position when the lower open end of the cap is engaged with the upper open end of the storage body. The cap can include an insert plate to provide support to the cap, while maintaining a seal with the storage body so that the contents of the litter disposal device do not accidentally spill from the storage body.
The pivot groove is in communication with the upper open end of the storage body and is adapted to receive and house the pulling element, which is in communication with the lower open end of the cap. Connected together via a pivot hinge element, the pulling element and the pivot groove permit the cap to rotationally move between the open and closed positions.
The extinguishing plate element is removably containable within the storage body and is preferably positioned near the upper open end of the storage body. The extinguishing plate element can be used to knock off, or dislodge, ashes from the end of a cigarette into the storage body. The extinguishing plate element is further adapted to engage and extinguish a lit cigarette. Subsequently, the extinguished cigarette butt can be deposited within the storage body for temporary containment. The extinguishing plate element can also comprise an extinguishing handle element and an extinguishing lip element, such that the extinguishing handle element and the extinguishing lip element permit an individual to easily hold the extinguishing plate element when it is removed from the storage body.
The storage body can further comprise an inner body containable within the storage body. The inner body is preferably shaped cooperatively with the storage body and is adapted to maintain the shape of the storage body, while sealing the storage body with the cap, when in the closed position. Alternatively, the inner body is adapted to absorb and dissipate heat from the storage body. Accordingly, the inner body ensures that external surfaces of the storage body do not exceed a predetermined temperature.
Among the many beneficial features of the personal litter devices include a litter disposal device for adequately containing and storing cigarette ash, butts, and other litter; a cap adapted to allow the cigarette ash and butts to enter and exit a storage body when the cap is in the open position, but not the closed position; a pivot system adapted to permit rotational movement of the cap between the closed and open positions; and an extinguishing system adapted to dislodge ash from the end of a cigarette or extinguish the lit end of a cigarette.
Notably, the personal litter device overcomes many of deficiencies of the prior art because it is preferable that the personal litter device comprise a flat bottom. Most of the prior art personal litter devices included a rounded bottom, and thus prohibited the personal litter device from standing upright on a flat surface. The personal litter device of the present invention overcomes this deficiency.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a litter disposal device, with the cap closed, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the litter disposal device of FIG. 1, with the cap open, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the litter disposal device of FIGS. 1-2, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view, across line A-A of FIG. 2, of the litter disposal device with a cap open, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side, cross-sectional view, across line A-A of FIG. 2, of the litter disposal device with the cap closed, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, a litter disposal device 100 (also referred to herein as “cigarette butt disposal device 100”) of FIGS. 1-5 is designed for proper disposal, storage, and containment of litter, ashes, butts, and unused portions of cigarettes, cigars, and/or other similar products/rubbish (collectively referred to herein as “cigarette rubbish”). Further, the litter disposal device 100 is designed for portability and, therefore, allows for easy and convenient disposal of cigarette rubbish by an individual on the move. Although the cigarette butt disposal device 100 can be of various shapes and sizes, it is preferably small enough to fit within a coat, shirt, or pant pocket.
When in an open position, the cigarette butt disposal device 100 is configured to permit the receipt of cigarette rubbish into the inside of the cigarette butt disposal device 100, while also permitting the expulsion of cigarette rubbish from the inside to the outside of the cigarette butt disposal device 100. The cigarette butt disposal device 100, however, prevents cigarette rubbish from entering or exiting the cigarette butt disposal device 100, when in a closed position.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the cigarette butt disposal device 100 comprises a cap 200, a pivot system 300, a storage system 400, and an extinguishing system 500. The pivot system 300 is adapted to enable the cap 200 to move between the open and closed positions. The extinguishing system 500 is releasably disposed within the storage system 400, and is adapted to extinguish a cigarette before being disposed within the storage system 400 for proper storage. Further, the extinguishing system 500 can be used to dislodge, or knock off, ashes from the end of a cigarette into the storage system 400. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the storage system 400 and extinguishing system 500 are generally constructed of non-flammable, heat-resistant materials.
The storage system 400 comprises an upper open end 410, such that the upper open end 410 is in communication with an inside and an outside of the cigarette butt disposal device 100 when the cap 200 is in the open position. Accordingly, cigarette rubbish can be received by the storage system 400 or removed from the storage system 400, when the cap 200 is in the open position. When the cap 200 is in the closed position, however, the upper open end 410 of the storage system 400 is not in communication with the outside of the cigarette butt disposal device 100. The cigarette rubbish, therefore, cannot enter or exit the storage system 400 when the cap 200 is in the closed position.
The pivot system 300 of the cigarette butt disposal device 100 comprises a biasing system against accidental opening, for example, a pulling element 305 is adapted to temporarily maintain the cap 200 in the closed position. The pulling element 305 is designed to ensure that the cigarette rubbish stored within the storage system 400 does not accidentally exit the storage system 400 at an inappropriate or undesired time. More particularly, the pulling element 305 provides proper resistance when an opening force is applied to the cap 200 to ensure only an intended opening force will open the cap 200. Likewise, the pulling element 305 provides proper resistance when a closing force is applied to the cap 200 to ensure an intended closing force closes the cap 200.
The storage system 400 further comprises a bottom 415. The bottom 415 is preferably rectangularly shaped, though other shapes can be implemented, and the bottom 415 is preferably generally flat so that it can rest upon a surface. Further, it is preferable that the bottom 415 can be adapted to enable the storage system 400 to maintain an upright position on a generally flat supporting surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the cigarette butt disposal device 100 is purposefully designed to enable an individual to place the cigarette butt disposal device 100 on a flat surface, such as a table, during use. The bottom 415 of the storage system 400 having the generally flat shape enables the cigarette butt disposal device 100 to be used as an ordinary ashtray.
More specifically, the cigarette butt disposal device 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, comprises a cap 200, a storage body 405 adapted to store and contain cigarette rubbish, a pivot system 300 adapted to controllably permit the cap 200 to move between the closed and open positions, and an extinguishing plate element 520 containable within the storage body 405 and adapted to extinguish (or snuff) a cigarette. As an individual smokes, the cap 200 of the cigarette butt disposal device 100 can be moved to the open position, allowing for ashes to be deposited within the storage body 405. Once the individual finishes, the cigarette can be extinguished on the extinguishing plate element 520, and then the cigarette butt can be deposited within the storage body 405. The individual can then move the cap 200 to the closed position before putting the cigarette butt disposal device 100 in his or her pocket.
The cap 200 is moveable between an open and closed position. As described above, the cap 200 prevents cigarette rubbish from entering or exiting the storage body 405 when the cap 200 is in the closed position. Conversely, the cap 200 allows the cigarette rubbish to be received into the storage body 405 for storage or expelled from the storage body 405 to the outside of the cigarette butt disposal device 100 for proper disposal. As illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the cap 200 comprises an upper closed end 205, a lower open end 210, and a peripheral wall 215. The peripheral wall 215 extends downwardly from the upper closed end 205 to the lower open end 210, thereby defining a cavity below the upper closed end 205 of the cap 200. Further, the lower open end 210 is adapted to engage an upper open end 410 of the storage body 405, when the cap 200 is in the closed position.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cap 200 further comprises an insert plate 220, such that the insert plate 220 is containable within the cap 200. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the insert plate 220 is shaped cooperatively as the upper closed end 205 and the lower open end 210 of the cap 200. The insert plate 220 is adapted to maintain the shape of the cap 200 and provide a seal between the cap 200 and the storage body 405. Generally, a portion or the entirety of the insert plate 220 can be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam or rubber to provide a seal between the cap 200 and the storage body 405. The insert plate 220 can prevent unwanted spills from occurring.
Now referring to FIGS. 3-5, the storage body 405 is adapted to temporarily store and contain cigarette rubbish, until the cigarette rubbish can be disposed of properly (e.g., into a standard ashtray or garbage container). Besides the upper open end 410, the storage body 405 further comprises a lower closed end 415 and a peripheral wall 420. The peripheral wall 420 extends downwardly from the upper open end 410 to the lower closed end 415 and, thereby defines a hollow cavity above the lower closed end 415. Cigarette rubbish is stored within the formed hollow cavity during use of the cigarette butt disposal device 100. The lower closed end 415 of the storage body 405 can have a rectangular shape to enable the storage body 405 to maintain an upright position. Additionally, the lower closed end 415 can be generally flat enabling the storage body 405 to rest on a generally flat surface.
The pivot system 300 is adapted to permit the cap 200 to move between the open and closed positions. The pivot system 300 comprises a pulling element 305, and a pivot groove 320 defined in the storage body 405. The pulling element 305 is in communication with the cap 200, such that when the cap 200 is closed, the pulling element 305 provides a sufficient resistance enabling the cap 200 to remain closed.
The pulling element 305 includes two spaced ends—a first end 305 a in communication with the cap 200 and a second end 305 b that is containable within the pivot groove 320. The first end 305 a defines a pulling element aperture 310. The pulling element aperture 310 is adapted to receive a pivot hinge element 315. The cap 200 can include a pair of cap apertures on opposing sides of the proximal end of the cap 200. When the pulling element aperture 310 and the cap apertures are properly aligned, the pivot hinge element 315 can be slidably contained therein. The pivot hinge element 315 essentially connects the cap 200 with the storage body 405 via the pulling element 305. Preferably, the pivot hinge element 315 is a hinge pin, although one skilled in the art would appreciate that the pivot hinge element 315 can comprise other appropriate hinge devices. Based on the pivot hinge element 315 being slidably contained within the pulling element aperture 310 and the cap apertures, the cap 200 can be rotationally moved between the open and closed positions, such that the lower open end 210 of the cap 200 engages with the upper open end 410 of the storage body 405, when the cap 200 is the closed position. The rotational movement of the cap 200 can further be described as a rotational pivot at the proximal end of the cap 200 and storage body 405.
The second end 305 b of the pulling element 305 is preferably housed in the pivot groove 320. This end of the pulling element 305 can comprise a pivot latch element 335, such that the pivot latch element 335 includes a bias element 340. In an exemplary embodiment, the bias element 340 can be a spring or single pin spring action lever, though as one skilled in the art would appreciate, other bias elements can be implemented. The bias element 340 is adapted to temporarily maintain the cap 200 in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The bias element 340 is generally positioned at the proximate end of the cap 200 and the storage body 405, and can be adapted to receive the second end 305 b of the pulling element 305. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the bias element 340 can be effectively used to both hold the cap 200 in its open or closed positions. The bias element 340 generally biases the cap 200 to the closed position, and provides an adequate amount of resistance to an opening force exerted on the cap 200.
In one embodiment, the bias element 340 can have approximately the same tension when the cap 200 is in the open position as the cap is in the closed position.
The pivot system 300 can further include a pivot rod 330 that can extend through a pair of aligned storage body apertures 325 located on the proximal end of the storage body 405. The pivot rod 330 provides a pivot point for the cap 200 to open/close relative to the storage body 405.
In an exemplary embodiment, the pivot system 300 can include a latch element 600 adapted to temporarily maintain the cap 200 in the closed position. The latch element 600 can be positioned at a distal end of the cap 200 and the storage body 405. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the latch element 600 can be effectively positioned in different locations about the cigarette butt disposal device 100. The latch element 600 provides an adequate resistance to an opening force, thereby preventing the cap 200 from accidentally being moved from the closed position to the open position. For example and not limitation, the latch element 600 can be an external locking means for assuring the cigarette butt disposal device 100 does not accidentally open. Consequently, the latch element 600 prevents cigarette rubbish from exiting the storage body 405 at an inappropriate time (e.g., while still in the pocket of the individual).
Now referring to FIGS. 3-5, the extinguishing system 500 is adapted to engage and extinguish a lit item, such as a cigarette, before the cigarette is deposited within the storage body 405. The extinguishing system 500 comprises an upper open end 505, a lower open end 510, a peripheral wall 515, and the extinguishing plate element 520. The peripheral wall 515 extends downwardly from the upper open end 505 to the lower open end 510, thereby defining a hollow interior that permits the transport of cigarette rubbish from the outside of the storage body 405 to the inside of the storage body 405, or vice versa. The lower open end 510 of the extinguishing system 500 is adapted to engage the upper open end 410 of the storage body 405. More particularly, the extinguishing system 500 is partially containable within the storage body 405, such that the upper open end 505 of the extinguishing system 500 engages the lower open end 210 of the cap 200, when the cap 200 is in the closed position.
The extinguishing plate element 520 is in communication with the proximate end of the upper open end 505 of the extinguishing system 500. The extinguishing plate element 520 narrows the passage between inside and outside of the storage body 405 by partially covering the upper open end 505 of the extinguishing system 500. Cigarette rubbish can only enter or exit the storage body 405 via the distal end of the upper open end 505 of the extinguishing system 500, unless the extinguishing system 500 is actually removed from the storage body 405. When the lit end of a cigarette engages the extinguishing plate element 520, ashes at the end of the cigarette can be knocked off into the storage body 405 or the cigarette can be extinguished or snuffed out. The extinguishing plate element 520 can be flat or slightly contoured for adequately engaging with the lit end of a cigarette. Additionally, the extinguishing plate element 520 can be slanted to assist the ashes that have been knocked off the end of the cigarette to slide easily into the storage body 405, e.g., through an aperture 507 of the extinguishing system 500.
The extinguishing plate element 520 can further comprise an ash disposal slot 508, such that the ash disposal slot 508 is adapted to engage the lit end of a cigarette and assists the cigarette ash to fall from the extinguishing plate element 520 into the storage body 405. The ash disposal slot 508 is configured to allow ash from a cigarette to pass through the extinguishing plate element 520 into the storage body 405. The ash disposal slot 508, therefore, is generally measured in size between approximately 50% and 70% of the lit end of a cigarette. The ash disposal slot 508 can be configured in the shape of a “plus sign” for aesthetics and to also increase the area that burning ashes can be scraped and then fall into the storage body 405. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the ash disposal slot 508 can include many aesthetically-pleasing shapes that still permits the burning ash, or like litter pieces, to fall into the storage body 405.
The extinguishing system 500 further comprises an extinguishing handle element 525 that is in communication with the lower open end 510 of the extinguishing system 500. The extinguishing handle element 525 extends downwardly from the proximal end of the lower open end 510. The extinguishing handle element 525 comprises an extinguishing lip element 530 in communication with the distal end of the extinguishing handle element 525.
When removed from the storage body 405, an individual can hold onto the extinguishing system 500 via the extinguishing handle element 525. The extinguishing handle element 525 is properly shaped so that an individual can easily hold the extinguishing system 500, while the cigarette rubbish within the storage body 405 is removed. The extinguishing lip element 530 provides the individual with a convenient location to put one's thumb while wrapping one's finger about the extinguishing handle element 525. Further, the extinguishing lip element 530 is also adapted to properly position the extinguishing system 500 within the storage body 405 by engaging the inner side of the peripheral wall 420 of the storage body 405. As positioned, the extinguishing lip element 530 provides support to the extinguishing system 500 during use.
The extinguishing handle element 525 is also adapted to receive the moveable pivot system 300. When the cap 200 is moved from the closed position (see FIG. 5) to the open position (see FIG. 4), the pivot system 300 extends into a portion of the storage body 405. Specifically, the bias element 340 and the pulling element 305 of the pivot system 300 extend into a portion of the storage body 405 when the cap 200 is in the open position. The extinguishing handle element 525 has an arcuate shape that receives the inwardly-extending pivot system 300, when the cap 200 is in the open position. The arcuate shape not only protects the pivot system 300, but also reduces the amount of cigarette rubbish that will interact with the pivot system 300. Preferably, the extinguishing handle element 525 is shaped to prevent ash and other rubbish from interfering with the pivot system 300.
One skilled in the art would recognize that the cigarette butt disposal device 100, including the cap 200, pivot system 300, storage system 400, and extinguishing system 500, and all of the components and/or elements thereof can be made of a variety of suitable heat-resistant materials including, but not limited to, polymers, rubber, metal, ceramic, silicone, or other suitable materials or a combination thereof.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a cigarette butt disposal unit. The cigarette butt disposal unit includes a cap; a storage system to store rubbish, the storage system comprising an upper open end; a pivot system permitting the cap to move between a closed position in which discarded rubbish is secured in the storage system and an open position in which rubbish can be inserted into the storage system; and an extinguishing system carried by the storage system, the extinguishing system adapted to extinguish a cigarette when the cigarette contacts the extinguishing system. The pivot system comprises a latch element adapted to temporarily maintain the cap in the closed position against accidental openings. The storage system comprises a flat bottom that is adapted to enable the storage system to maintain an upright position. The pivot system comprises a pivot lug element in communication with the cap, the pivot lug element extending downwardly from a proximal end of a lower end of the cap; and a pivot groove element in communication with the storage system, the pivot groove element adapted to receive the pivot lug element.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a cigarette butt disposal device. The cigarette butt disposal device includes a cap; a storage body adapted to store cigarette ash and butts; a pivot system adapted to permit the cap to move between a closed position and an open position; and an extinguishing system releasably containable within the storage body, the extinguishing system adapted to extinguish a cigarette.
The cap of the cigarette butt disposal device includes an upper closed end; a lower open end adapted to engage an upper open end of the storage body when the cap is in the closed position; and a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper closed end of the cap to the lower open end of the cap. Further, the cap includes an upper insert plate containable within the cap; and a lower insert plate containable within the cap, wherein the upper insert plate and the lower insert plate are adapted to dissipate heat within the storage body.
The storage body of the cigarette butt disposal device further includes a lower closed end, wherein the lower closed end is flat to enable the storage body to maintain an upright position; and a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper open end of the storage body to the lower closed end of the storage body.
The pivot system of the cigarette butt disposal device includes a pivot lug element in communication with the cap, the pivot lug element extending downwardly from a proximal end of the lower open end of the cap; and a pivot groove element in communication with the storage body, the pivot groove element adapted to receive the pivot lug element and extending downwardly from a proximal end of the upper open end of the storage body. The pivot lug element defines a pivot lug aperture. The pivot groove element defines a pivot groove aperture. The pivot system further includes a pivot hinge element adapted to engage the pivot lug element and the pivot groove element. The pivot hinge element can be contained within the pivot lug aperture and the pivot groove aperture.
The cigarette butt disposal device further includes a latch element adapted to temporarily maintain the cap in the closed position.
In addition, the extinguishing system of the cigarette butt disposal device includes an upper open end; a lower open end adapted to engage the storage body; a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper open end of the extinguishing system to the lower open end extinguishing system; and an extinguishing plate element in communication with a proximal end of the upper open end, wherein the extinguishing plate element is adapted to engage and extinguish a lit item. The extinguishing system further comprises an extinguishing handle element in communication with the lower open end of the extinguishing system, the extinguishing handle element extending downwardly from a proximal end of the lower open end of the extinguishing system. The extinguishing handle element comprises an extinguishing lip element in communication with a distal end of the extinguishing handle element.
Moreover, the storage body further includes an inner body containable within the storage body; the inner body includes an upper open end; a lower closed end that is flat; and a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper open end of the inner body to the lower closed end of the inner body. The extinguishing system further includes an extinguishing pocket containable within the extinguishing system, and the extinguishing pocket is in communication with the proximal end of the upper open end of the extinguishing system and is adapted to engage and extinguish the cigarette.
Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. While the invention has been disclosed in several forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the following claims. Therefore, other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Claims

1. A cigarette butt disposal unit comprising:

a cap;

a storage system to store rubbish, the storage system comprising an upper open end;

a pivot system permitting the cap to move between a closed position in which discarded rubbish is secured in the storage system and an open position in which rubbish can be inserted into the storage system; and

an extinguishing system carried by the storage system, the extinguishing system adapted to extinguish a cigarette when the cigarette contacts the extinguishing system.

2. The cigarette butt disposal unit of claim 1, the pivot system comprising a latch element adapted to temporarily maintain the cap in the closed position against accidental openings.

3. The cigarette butt disposal unit of claim 1, the storage system comprising a flat bottom adapted to enable the storage system to maintain an upright position.

4. The cigarette butt disposal system of claim 3, the pivot system comprises:

a pivot lug element in communication with the cap, the pivot lug element extending downwardly from a proximal end of a lower end of the cap; and

a pivot groove element in communication with the storage system, the pivot groove element adapted to receive the pivot lug element.

5. A cigarette butt disposal device comprising:

a cap;

a storage body adapted to store cigarette ash and butts;

a pivot system adapted to permit the cap to move between a closed position and an open position; and

an extinguishing system releasably containable within the storage body, the extinguishing system adapted to extinguish a cigarette.

6. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 5, the cap comprising:

an upper closed end;

a lower open end adapted to engage an upper open end of the storage body when the cap is in the closed position; and

a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper closed end of the cap to the lower open end of the cap.

7. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 6, the cap further comprising:

an upper insert plate containable within the cap; and

a lower insert plate containable within the cap,

wherein the upper insert plate and the lower insert plate are adapted to dissipate heat within the storage body.

8. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 7, the storage body further comprising:

a lower closed end, wherein the lower closed end is flat to enable the storage body to maintain an upright position; and

a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper open end of the storage body to the lower closed end of the storage body.

9. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 8, wherein the pivot system comprises:

a pivot lug element in communication with the cap, the pivot lug element extending downwardly from a proximal end of the lower open end of the cap; and

a pivot groove element in communication with the storage body, the pivot groove element adapted to receive the pivot lug element and extending downwardly from a proximal end of the upper open end of the storage body.

10. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 9, the pivot lug element formed to define a pivot lug aperture.

11. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 10, the pivot groove element formed to define a pivot groove aperture.

12. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 11, the pivot system further comprising a pivot hinge element adapted to engage the pivot lug element and the pivot groove element.

13. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 12, the pivot hinge element containable within the pivot lug aperture and the pivot groove aperture.

14. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 9, further comprising a latch element adapted to temporarily maintain the cap in the closed position.

15. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 14, wherein the extinguishing system comprises:

an upper open end;

a lower open end adapted to engage the storage body;

a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper open end of the extinguishing system to the lower open end extinguishing system; and

an extinguishing plate element in communication with a proximal end of the upper open end, wherein the extinguishing plate element is adapted to engage and extinguish a lit item.

16. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 15, the extinguishing system further comprising:

an extinguishing handle element in communication with the lower open end of the extinguishing system, the extinguishing handle element extending downwardly from a proximal end of the lower open end of the extinguishing system.

17. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 16, the extinguishing handle element comprising an extinguishing lip element in communication with a distal end of the extinguishing handle element.

18. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 17, the storage body further comprising an inner body containable within the storage body; the inner body comprising:

an upper open end;

a lower closed end that is flat; and

a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the upper open end of the inner body to the lower closed end of the inner body.

19. The cigarette butt disposal device of claim 18, the extinguishing system further comprising an extinguishing pocket containable within the extinguishing system, and the extinguishing pocket in communication with the proximal end of the upper open end of the extinguishing system and is adapted to engage and extinguish the cigarette.