PORTABLE DEVICE FOR COLLECTING FILTERS OF USED CIGARETTES

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable device for collecting filters of used cigarettes. In particular, the present invention relates to a portable device adapted to cut a stub so as to separate the respective filter from the remaining stub portion and store said filter inside the device itself.

State of the art

[0002] As everybody knows the stubs, i.e. what remains of cigarettes, cigars and the like, after having used them, cause significant problems of various kind.

[0003] The number of stubs discarded in nature each year is estimated equal to 4500 billions. Considering that the latency time in nature, i.e. the time a stub takes to decompose, ranges from 6 months (for unfiltered cigarettes) to 15 years (for filtered cigarettes), depending on environmental conditions and the type of cigarette or cigar, it is understandable that the problem becomes particularly prominent.

[0004] From an ecological perspective, stubs release into the environment substances that accumulate therein, i.e. benzopyrene, phenol, formaldehyde, heavy metals, nicotine, benzene, hydrogen cyanide, nitrate, butane, ammonia and other chemical substances classified as irritant, harmful, toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. These substances significantly contribute to polluting the environment, both air and water, as well as soil.

[0005] A further problem connected to throw away stubs in the environment, is the risk for children at a tender age, who instinctively bring any object in the mouth, to swallow the stubs. The stubs found in the soil, if accidentally swallowed, may cause serious poisoning.

[0006] Moreover, a so high number of stubs in the environment causes serious aesthetic problems, or rather real environmental and landscape deterioration.

[0007] Last but not least is the fire hazard due to discarding stubs not completely extinguished.

[0008] Recently, a bill has been approved in Italy that provides fines for smokers who discard stubs in the environment, as already provided for a long time in other countries. However, this measure is not expected to reduce the extent of the problem, because of the difficulty of catch the smoker in the act.

[0009] On the other hand, the poor dissemination of ashtrays is one of the underlying causes of the aforementioned problems. It is not disputed that a smoker, having consumed his cigarette, can not hold in his hands the smelly stub, neither can put the latter in his pocket or bag.

[0010] In order to overcome these problems, the document WO2012/110948 provides a device to extinguish cigarettes and contain the residues thereof. The device comprises a body having a chamber to receive at least one lit cigarette able to be inserted through a special opening, and a closing element to hermetically seal the opening so that the cigarette stub is extinguished as a result of oxygen depletion in the chamber. However, such a device provides for the ash of the cigarette that is being extinguished to remain inside the chamber. Furthermore, the stub comprises not only the filter but also a not smoked cigarette portion that, together with ash, is the main source of unpleasant smell. Since the device has a single chamber containing one or more stubs, each time the device is opened to insert a new stub, the smell of already contained stubs and ash is released. In addition the stub, by its nature, is bulkier than the filter alone and therefore causes the containment capacity of the device to be limited, so that the latter requires to be frequently emptied, unless a rather bulky device is provided which, however, is uncomfortable for the user.

[0011] Devices having cutting means to sever the end portion of a used cigarette and a cavity to contain the unsmoked cigarette portion have also been proposed. Such devices, for example described in WO2011/080671 and WO2014/118402, do not have the purpose of containing cigarette residues for environmental and hygienic purposes, but aim to contain a cigarette portion which can be smoked later. Therefore they are not structured so as to contain a plurality of stubs.

Summary of the invention

[0012] Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a portable device for collecting filters of used cigarettes, the device being able to overcome the above mentioned problems. That is, object of the present invention is to provide a portable device for collecting filters of used cigarettes, the device being sufficiently small, light and handy so as to be pocket sized, or else easy to be transported in a bag, a pouch or the like.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filter collecting device allowing the cigarette filter to be separated from the remaining portion of the stub, so as to subsequently collect in the device itself substantially only the filter, i.e. what causes the above-mentioned environmental, sanitation and landscape problems. In fact, the most important problems are caused by the filter that is not biodegradable, because unfiltered cigarettes take 6 to 12 months to decompose. On the contrary, the filter does not decompose, but turns into fine particles within a variable period from 5 to 15 years.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to prevent unintentional fires due to burning stubs, or even not completely extinguished stubs.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a filter collecting device which is simple to use and inexpensive and prevents the smoker from receiving fines.

[0016] These and further objects are achieved by means of a portable device for collecting filters of used cigarette according to claim 1.

[0017] Specifically, the device comprises a first portion defining the main body of the device and provided with one or more seats, each able to contain a filter inserted through an opening of the seat itself, and a second portion combined with the first portion so as to be both movable one with respect to the other, and cutting means combined with the second portion. The cutting means are arranged on a plane parallel to the plane on which the seat openings lie, so as to be transverse thereto. According to this configuration, when a cigarette stub is inserted into a seat, as a result of a movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion, the cutting means interact with the opening of this seat so that the cigarette portion emerging from the seat itself is severed and thus separated from the filter which instead remains in the seat. Thus, advantageously, the filter remains enclosed in the first portion, while the rest of the cigarette, which is biodegradable, falls outside the device, with the double advantage of reducing the bulk of the material to be retained in the device, i.e. limiting it to the sole nondegradable part, and eliminating the part being the main source of unpleasant smell of the device, which part is the end portion of the cigarette.

[0018] A device having these characteristics is very easy to use, thus allowing quick and simple collection of filters and concurring to solve the above mentioned problems caused by discarding the stubs.

[0019] Furthermore it is pocket-sized, or anyway small sized, so that it can be held in a pouch or combined with a ring to act, for example, as a keyring, thereby obviating the problem of lack of ashtrays. In fact, being light and easily transportable, the smoker can carry it with him without dropping stubs in the environment and thus helping to protect the environment.

[0020] For the purposes of the present invention, the term cigarette is used to indicate any of a filtered cigarette or a filtered cigarillo.

[0021] Furthermore, in the present context, speaking of filter, reference is made to the real filter, usually a cellulose acetate cylinder, together with the paper which normally covers it or with another type of coating (such as tobacco leaves), but nor residues of tobacco and the wrapping paper, partially consumed and burned, neither the remains of ash can be excluded.

[0022] Preferably, the first portion and the second portion are combined one another so that they are rotatable one with respect to the other; thus, by a partial rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion, a seat is brought at the cutting means. The cutting means advantageously comprise a blade.

[0023] In a preferred implementation, the second portion is formed by a rotation shaft whose ends have a first end element and a second end element fastened thereto so that they are both integral with the shaft itself; the first portion is provided in turn with a central hole, in which the shaft is inserted and acts as pivot pin of the first portion, and the first portion is retained on the shaft by the first and the second end elements. In order to allow the rotation shaft to be inserted into the hole in the first portion, the second end element is removably combined with the shaft, for example by screwing; for this purpose, its end will be provided with a thread preferably on its outer surface, and the second end element will be provided with a corresponding second thread preferably formed at the level of the inner surface of a hole provided in the element itself.

[0024] In an alternative implementation, the second portion comprises only the rotation shaft and the first end element; in this case, the free end of the rotation shaft will be provided with attachment means cooperating with corresponding means at the level of the first portion and configured so as to allow the first and second portions to rotate with respect to each other.

[0025] In another embodiment, the second portion is constituted by the first end element rotatably combined with the first portion by suitably arranged coupling means.

[0026] Preferably, the first portion is substantially cylindrical, the seats extending along the direction of its height and being substantially parallel to the central hole, and the end elements are disc-shaped.

[0027] Advantageously, the first closing element is provided with an insertion opening which, as a result of partial rotation of the first portion, can be placed either at one of the openings of the first portion, in order to allow a cigarette stub to be inserted into a seat, or between two adjacent openings to keep the device closed; preferably the opening is shaped so as to leave the cutting means partially exposed in order to be able to see the cutting operation. Alternatively, the insertion opening can have the same shape as the seat openings and cutting means can be provided in the form of two blades at two opposite sides of said opening, so as to allow the stub to be severed by rotating the first portion either clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0028] Advantageously a closing element is combined with the insertion opening, and more preferably a closing element is combined with the device, the closing element being adapted to cover the outer surface of the first end element to more effectively close the device.

[0029] Advantageously, on the outer surface of the shaft of the second portion, first matching means can be provided, for example in the form of projections, teeth or the like, which interact with corresponding second matching means, such as grooves and the like, provided at the level of the inner surface of the central hole of the first portion, so as to stop the partial rotation of the first portion when the insertion opening is at a seat opening.

[0030] In a preferred implementation, the rotation shaft is tubular and its inner cavity defines a lighter-holder compartment and/or a housing to contain smell abatement means, such as a perfuming element. Therefore, the first and/or second end elements will be provided with a respective hole for the insertion of the lighter and/or the smell abatement means inside the rotation shaft, and with closing element to close the holes. A separating wall can be provided inside the rotation shaft in order to keep the compartment and the housing separate.

[0031] In order to adapt the seats to cigarettes of different types having filters of different lengths, the device can be provided with a series of interchangeable adaptation plates, each provided with respective protrusions to be inserted into the seats, or with a single adaptation plate having protrusions of adjustable height; for its insertion, the second end element must be removed from the second portion, the selected adaptation plate must be positioned in contact with the first portion so that the protrusions are inserted into the seats, and then the second end element must be fastened to the rotation shaft.

[0032] Advantageously, an adaptation plate provided with hollow protrusions can be provided, each protrusion having a first supporting surface sized so as to support cigarettes having at least one first diameter, and a second supporting surface for cigarettes having at least one second diameter; preferably, the second supporting surface is obtained inside the respective protrusion in a lowered position with respect to the first supporting surface at a distance corresponding to the difference in height between the filters of said cigarettes of at least one first and at least one second diameter.

Brief list of the figures

[0033] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident by the review of the following specification of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is depicted for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portable device for collecting filters of used cigarettes according to a preferred embodiment;
• figure 1a shows the device of figure 1 combined with a closing element;
• figure 2 shows a perspective view of the device of figure 1 in operating condition;
• figure 3 is a sectional side view of the device of figure 1;
• figure 4 is an exploded view of the device section of figure 3; and
• figures 5 and 6 respectively show a top view and a bottom view of the device of figure 1;
• figure 7 shows a top view only of a first portion of the device of figure 1; and
• figures 8 and 9 respectively show a top view and a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a component of the device.

Detailed description of the invention

[0034] The following specification relates to a portable device for collecting filters of used cigarettes.

[0035] Referring to figures 1-5, a portable device for collecting filters of used cigarettes is denoted as a whole with the reference number 1.

[0036] The device 1 comprises a first portion 2 defining a main body to contain a plurality of cigarette filters, a second portion 3, and cutting means 4.

[0037] The first and second portions are combined with each other so as to be movable one with respect to the other. Preferably, the first and the second portions are able to rotate one with respect to the other.

[0038] The first portion is provided with one or more seats 5, each ending in a respective insertion opening 5' which allows a stub 6 to be inserted into the seat. The cigarette stub is usually made up of a filter and an end portion 6' intended to be removed by the device according to the present invention, and usually made up of tobacco and a cigarette paper containing the same, both partially used and charred, and possible ash residues.

[0039] The first portion can be substantially cylindrical with circular or polygonal section - as shown in the figures- to be easily grasped.

[0040] The first portion can also have a central hole 7, open at least at one end, but preferably at both ends.

[0041] The second portion 3 comprises a first end element 8 having an insertion opening 9 sized and positioned so as to be able to be brought each time at a seat opening to allow a cigarette stub 6 to be inserted in the seat itself with its end portion 6' emerging from the seat itself - as shown in Figure 2. By moving the first portion with respect to the second portion or vice versa, each seat can be positioned at the insertion opening. Preferably and as shown in the figures, each seat can be brought at the insertion opening as a result of a rotation of the second portion with respect to the first portion, or vice versa.

[0042] In an embodiment, the second portion comprises a rotation shaft 10 having the first end element 8 fastened at an end thereof. The second portion 2 can also comprise a second end element 11 removably combined by coupling means 12, 13 suitably arranged at the other end of the rotation shaft 10. The coupling means 12, 13 can consist of a thread obtained on the outer surface of the end of the rotation shaft and which is coupled with a corresponding thread obtained at the level of the second end element 11.

[0043] The central hole of the first portion is sized so as to receive the rotation shaft so that the first portion is rotatably combined with the second portion, to rotate on a rotation axis X. The insertion seats 5 extend in a longitudinal direction X' parallel to the rotation axis X of the first portion.

[0044] The cutting means 4 are combined with the second portion and can comprise at least one blade positioned on a side of the insertion opening, so that the cutting direction is parallel to the rotation direction of the first portion. In this way, by rotating the first portion from the position of Figure 2, the cutting blade will be at the stub and will penetrate the same along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X', thereby separating the end portion, which will fall outside the device, from the filter, which will remain in the seat and will be held therein by the first end element. Once the cutting operation is completed, the first portion can be rotated so that the insertion opening is in an intermediate position between two openings in order to keep the device closed, or at the opening of another seat in order to insert another cigarette stub. The insertion opening of the first end element can also be provided with a closing element - not shown - for closing the device when not in use. Alternatively, a closing element 8' shaped so as to be fitted on the outer surface of the first end element, is combined with the device to more effectively close the device; the closing element 8' can be provided with a hole 8" having the same shape and size of the insertion opening 5' of the seats 5, and can be assembled on the first end element 8 so as to be rotatable relative thereto so that the hole 8" can be placed at the opening 5' of the seat 5, which is case by case exposed by the insertion opening 9 of the first end element, or the hole 8" can be brought at another part of the first end element to keep the device closed.

[0045] Furthermore, the cutting opening can be shaped so as to leave a blade portion exposed, thereby being able to immediately select the severing rotation direction of the first portion, or two blades can be provided on opposite sides with respect to the insertion opening, so that the stub is severed either by rotating clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0046] Preferably, the blade includes a cusp in its end portion, i.e. the blade portion first intercepting the stub is punctiform, so as to precisely sever the stub.

[0047] The seats of the first portion can be closed at the bottom, but preferably they are open also towards the second end element. In this case, an adaptation plate 19 can be interposed between the first portion and the second end element, the plate being provided with a plurality of protrusions 20, each to be inserted in a seat in order to vary the longitudinal dimension thereof. Multiple adaptation plates, each with protrusions of different lengths, or a single plate having protrusions of adjustable height, can be combined with the device so as to change the position of the stub with respect to the opening of the seat 5. In fact, since not all the marketed cigarettes have the same size, a stub having a shorter filter with respect to the average length could be positioned entirely inside the housing seat 5, thus not intercepting the cutting means 4. Therefore, the protrusions of the adaptation plate move the stub to a position suitable for properly cutting it at its own filter.

[0048] In a preferred solution shown in figures 7 and 8, the protrusions 20 of the adaptation plate 19 are shaped so as to have a first supporting surface 21 and a second supporting surface 22, in which the second supporting surface is obtained in a lowered position at a distance d with respect to the first supporting surface. In more detail and in a preferred embodiment, the protrusions have substantially tubular hollow shape with a top portion having a first inner diameter 23 and a constriction having a second inner diameter 24 smaller than the first inner diameter of the top portion. In this way, the top portion defines the first supporting surface on which a standard diameter cigarette is supported, whereas the second portion defines the second supporting surface for a cigarette of smaller diameter, so-called "slim". The first inner diameter is sized so as to support standard cigarettes, but to be higher than that of slim cigarettes which therefore slide within the top portion of the protrusion to settle on the second supporting surface. Usually, slim cigarettes, and consequently their filters, are longer than standard cigarettes. Therefore, the distance d between the first and second supporting surfaces is equal to the difference in length between the filter of a standard cigarette and that of a slim cigarette. In this way, a single plate allows the stubs of both types of more common cigarettes to be brought at the proper height in order to sever the stub so as to separate the filter from the rest of the stub.

[0049] In addition, the rotation shaft 10 can be integrated in the adaptation plate 19, which in turn can be a separate body or can be integral to the second end element 11 and form a whole therewith.

[0050] In order to discharge the collected stubs, each seat has just to be positioned each time at the insertion opening, then the device has be turned upside down so that the filter contained in the seat can come out.

[0051] Preferably, the rotation shaft 10 of the second portion is tubular and its cavity is sized so as to act as a lighter-holder compartment 14 to accommodate a common lighter (either disposable or of other type). In addition or alternatively, the cavity of the pivot pin can act as a housing 15 adapted to contain smell abatement means 15', such as a deodorant; the housing can be communicating with the seats, for example by means of vent holes, so as to be more effective.

[0052] If there are both the compartment 14 and the housing 15, the pivot pin can advantageously have an inner separating wall 16 to bisect the space. The compartment 14 and/or the housing 15 can be accessed from outside by means of special insertion holes 17 each with respective closing means such as plugs or lids 18 so that the lighter can be replaced, inserted and removed as needed and the smell abatement means can be replaced or refilled. The lighter-holding compartment 14 gives the advantage of providing a single, compact device comprising a lighter together with a filter collector.

[0053] The smoker, after having finished smoking his cigarette, grasps the device 1, which is in the closed position, and sets it to the open position by rotating the first portion until the insertion opening is at the opening of an empty seat and possibly by rotating the closing element 8' to place its hole 8" in the open position - as shown in figure 1a. At this point, the smoker can insert the stub inside the housing seat 5 - as shown in Figure 2 - rotate the first portion by holding the second portion down so that the cutting means come close to the stub and sever it so as to cut the same in two parts: the filter that is stored in a seat 5 of the device 1 and the ash and/or any unsmoked cigarette portions that remain out.

[0054] In other words, the smoker only has to rotate the first portion of the device, insert the stub and further rotate the first portion in order to collect the filters in the device 1 and prevent them from being discarded in the environment, with the consequent above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0055] Obviously, further modifications and variations, all falling within the protection scope of the present invention, can be applied to the device for collecting filters according to the present invention by the field technician, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements.

[0056] Advantageously and in order to facilitate the use of the device, first matching means, for example in the form of projections, teeth, or the like - not shown - can be provided on the outer surface of the rotation shaft of the second portion, the first matching means interacting with correspondent second matching means, such as grooves or the like - not shown - provided at the level of the inner surface of the central hole of the first portion, or vice versa, so as to allow a step-by-step rotation and to stop the rotation of the first portion when the insertion opening is at the opening of a seat, for the insertion of a stub, or when the opening is in the space between two seats, to keep the device in the closed position.

Claims

1. Portable device (1) for collecting filters of used cigarettes, having a first portion (2) and a second portion (3) both movable one with respect to the other, and cutting means (4), wherein the cutting means (4) are combined with said second portion; the first portion is provided with one or more containing seats (5) to contain a plurality of filters, each having a respective opening (5') for the insertion of a cigarette stub; and said cutting means (4) are arranged transversely to said openings for the interaction with a seat opening so that to cause the filter to be severed from the remaining part of the cigarette stub, after a partial movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion, characterized in that the first portion (2) and the second portion (3) are combined one another so that they are rotatable one with respect to the other on a rotation axis (X), in that each of said seats (5) extends along a longitudinal direction (X') substantially parallel to the rotation axis (X), and in that the cutting means (4) act on a stub placed in a seat after a partial rotation of the first portion with respect to the second portion.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said cutting means (4) to cut the stub comprise at least one blade having a cutting direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stub housing seats (5) and tangential to the rotation direction of the first portion with respect to the second portion.

3. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second portion comprises a first end element (8) combined with the first portion so that to be rotatable with respect to the latter around the rotation axis (X).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the second portion comprises a rotation shaft (10) integral with at least the first end element (8) and with a possible second end element (11), said first and second end elements being each combined with an opposite end of the rotation shaft and wherein the first portion is provided with a central hole (7) intended for receiving the rotation axis (10) for a rotation of said first portion with respect to the second portion.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the second end element (11) is combined with the rotation axis (10) by coupling means (12, 13), wherein said coupling means can be a first thread obtained at the level of an end of the rotation axis and intended for coupling with a corresponding second thread obtained at the level of the second end element.

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first end element (8) is provided with an insertion opening (9) positionable case by case at one of the openings (5') of the first portion in order to allow the insertion of a cigarette stub, or between two adjacent openings to keep the device closed, wherein said opening can be shaped in order to leave the cutting means (4) partially exposed.

7. Device (1) according to one of preceding claims 4-6, wherein the rotation shaft is tubular with an inner cavity defining a lighter-holding compartment (14) and/or a housing (15) adapted to contain a smell abatement means and wherein the first end element and/or the second end element have a respective insertion hole (17) communicating with the cavity of the rotation shaft, for the insertion of the lighter and/or the smell abatement means, said insertion holes (17) being able to be closed by respective closing elements (18).

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the rotation shaft is provided with an inner separating wall (16) between the lighter-holding compartment (14) and the housing (15) of the smell abatement means.

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8, comprising at least one adaptation plate (19) provided with protrusions (20) having fixed or variable height, each one intended for being inserted in a seat (5) for the adaptation of the longitudinal seat dimension to filters with different lengths, said adaptation plate being interposed between the first portion and the second end element.

10. Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the protrusions (20) of the adaptation plate (19) comprise a first supporting surface (21) to support cigarettes of at least one first diameter and a second supporting surface (22) to support cigarettes of at least one second diameter, said first and second supporting surfaces being spaced apart from each other by a distance (d) corresponding to the difference in height between the filters of said cigarettes of at least one first and at least one second diameter.

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the first portion is substantially cylindrical and said first and second end elements are circular.

Ansprüche

1. Tragbare Vorrichtung (1) zum Sammeln von Filtern von gebrauchten Zigaretten, mit einem ersten Abschnitt (2) und einem zweiten Abschnitt (3), die beide relativ zueinander beweglich sind, und Schneidmitteln (4), wobei die Schneidmittel (4) mit dem zweiten Abschnitt kombiniert sind; der erste Abschnitt ist mit einem oder mehreren Aufnahmesitzen (5) versehen, um eine Vielzahl von Filtern zu enthalten, von denen jeder eine entsprechende Öffnung (5') zum Einführen eines Zigarettenstummels aufweist; und die Schneidmittel (4) quer zu den Öffnungen für die Wechselwirkung mit einer Sitzöffnung angeordnet sind, so dass der Filter nach einer teilweisen Bewegung des ersten Abschnitts in Bezug auf den zweiten Abschnitt von dem verbleibenden Teil des Zigarettenstummels abgetrennt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Abschnitt (2) und der zweite Abschnitt (3) so miteinander kombiniert sind, dass sie relativ zueinander um eine Drehachse (X) drehbar sind, dass sich jeder der Sitze (5) entlang einer Längsrichtung (X') im Wesentlichen parallel zur Drehachse (X) erstreckt, und dass die Schneidmittel (4) auf einen in einem Sitz angeordneten Stumpf nach einer Teildrehung des ersten Abschnitts relativ zum zweiten Abschnitt wirken.

2. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Schneidmittel (4) zum Schneiden des Stumpfes mindestens eine Klinge mit einer Schneidrichtung senkrecht zur Längsrichtung der Stumpfgehäusesitze (5) und tangential zur Drehrichtung des ersten Abschnitts in Bezug auf den zweiten Abschnitt aufweisen.

3. Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der Ansprüchen 1 oder 2, wobei der zweite Abschnitt ein erstes Endelement (8) umfasst, das mit dem ersten Abschnitt so kombiniert ist, dass es in Bezug auf Letzteres um die Drehachse (X) drehbar ist.

4. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 3, wobei der zweite Abschnitt einen Drehschaft (10) umfasst, die mit mindestens dem ersten Endelement (8) und mit einem möglichen zweiten Endelement (11) fest verbunden ist, wobei das erste und das zweite Endelement jeweils mit einem entgegengesetzten Ende des Drehschafts kombiniert sind und wobei der erste Abschnitt mit einem zentralen Loch (7) versehen ist, das zur Aufnahme der Drehachse (10) für eine Drehung des ersten Abschnitts in Bezug auf den zweiten Abschnitt bestimmt ist.

5. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 4, bei der das zweite Endelement (11) mit der Drehachse (10) durch Kopplungsmittel (12, 13) verbunden ist, wobei die Kopplungsmittel ein erstes Gewinde sein können, das auf der Höhe eines Endes der Rotationsachse erhalten wird und zur Kopplung mit einem entsprechenden zweiten Gewinde bestimmt ist, das auf der Höhe des zweiten Endelements erhalten wird.

6. Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, wobei das erste Endelement (8) mit einer Einführöffnung (9) versehen ist, die fallweise an einer der Öffnungen (5') des ersten Abschnitts positionierbar ist, um das Einführen eines Zigarettenstummels zu ermöglichen, oder zwischen zwei benachbarte Öffnungen, um die Vorrichtung geschlossen zu halten, wobei die Öffnung so geformt werden kann, dass die Schneidmittel (4) teilweise freiliegend bleiben.

7. Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 4 bis 6, wobei der Drehschaft rohrförmig ist mit einem inneren Hohlraum, der ein Feuerzeug-Aufnahmeabteil (14) und/oder ein Gehäuse (15) definiert, das geeignet ist, ein Geruchsbekämpfungsmittel zu enthalten, und wobei das erste Endelement und/oder das zweite Endelement ein entsprechendes Einführungsloch (17) aufweisen, das mit dem Hohlraum des Drehschafts in Verbindung steht, um das Feuerzeug und/oder das Geruchsbekämpfungsmittel einzuführen, wobei die Einführungslöcher (17) durch entsprechende Verschlusselemente (18) verschlossen werden können.

8. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 7, bei der der Drehschaft mit einer inneren Trennwand (16) zwischen dem Feuerzeug-Aufnahmeabteil (14) und dem Gehäuse (15) des Geruchsbekämpfungsmittels versehen ist.

9. Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 8, umfassend mindestens eine Anpassungsplatte (19), die mit Vorsprüngen (20) mit fester oder variabler Höhe versehen ist, von denen jeder dazu bestimmt ist, in einen Sitz (5) zur Anpassung der Sitzlängsabmessung an Filter mit unterschiedlichen Längen eingesetzt zu werden, wobei die Anpassungsplatte zwischen dem ersten Abschnitt und dem zweiten Endelement angeordnet ist.

10. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 9, bei der die Vorsprünge (20) der Anpassungsplatte (19) eine erste Stützfläche (21) zum Abstützen von Zigaretten mit mindestens einem ersten Durchmesser (22) und eine zweite Stützfläche zum Abstützen von Zigaretten mit mindestens einem zweiten Durchmesser aufweisen, wobei die erste und die zweite Stützfläche um einen Abstand (d), der dem Höhenunterschied zwischen den Filtern der Zigaretten mit mindestens einem ersten und mindestens einem zweiten Durchmesser entspricht, voneinander beabstandet sind.

11. Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 10, wobei der erste Abschnitt im Wesentlichen zylindrisch ist und das erste und zweite Endelement kreisförmig sind.

Revendications

1. Dispositif portable (1) pour collecter des filtres de cigarettes usagées, ayant une première portion (2) et une seconde portion (3) toutes les deux mobiles l'une par rapport à l'autre, et des moyens de coupe (4), dans lequel les moyens de coupe (4) sont combinés à ladite seconde portion ; la première portion est pourvue d'un ou plusieurs supports d'accueil (5) pour accueillir une pluralité de filtres, chacun ayant une ouverture (5') respective pour l'insertion d'un mégot de cigarette ; et lesdits moyens de coupe (4) sont agencés transversalement par rapport auxdites ouvertures pour l'interaction avec une ouverture de support de façon à amener le filtre à être sectionné de la portion restante du mégot de cigarette, après un mouvement partiel de la première portion par rapport à la seconde portion, caractérisé en ce que la première portion (2) et la seconde portion (3) sont combinées l'une à l'autre de façon à ce qu'elles puissent tourner l'une par rapport à l'autre sur un axe de rotation (X), en ce que chacun desdits supports (5) s'étend le long d'une direction longitudinale (X') sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation (X), et en ce que les moyens de coupe (4) agissent sur un mégot placé dans un support après une rotation partielle de la première portion par rapport à la seconde portion.

2. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits moyens de coupe (4) pour couper le mégot comprennent au moins une lame ayant une direction de coupe perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale des supports de logement de mégot (5) et tangentielle à la direction de rotation de la première portion par rapport à la seconde portion.

3. Dispositif (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, dans lequel la seconde portion comprend un premier élément d'extrémité (8) combiné à la première portion de façon à ce qu'il puisse tourner par rapport à cette dernière autour de l'axe de rotation (X).

4. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel la seconde portion comprend un arbre de rotation (10) formé d'un seul tenant avec au moins le premier élément d'extrémité (8) et avec un second élément d'extrémité (11) possible, lesdits premier et second éléments d'extrémité étant chacun combiné à une extrémité opposée de l'arbre de rotation et dans lequel la première portion est pourvue d'un trou central (7) destiné à recevoir l'axe de rotation (10) pour une rotation de ladite première portion par rapport à la seconde portion.

5. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le second élément d'extrémité (11) est combiné à l'axe de rotation (10) par des moyens d'accouplement (12, 13), dans lequel lesdits moyens d'accouplement peuvent être un premier filetage obtenu au niveau d'une extrémité de l'axe de rotation et destiné à s'accoupler à un second filetage correspondant obtenu au niveau du second élément d'extrémité.

6. Dispositif (1) selon l'une des revendications 3 à 5, dans lequel le premier élément d'extrémité (8) est pourvu d'une ouverture d'insertion (9) positionnable au cas par cas à l'une des ouvertures (5') de la première portion afin de permettre l'insertion d'un mégot de cigarette, ou entre deux ouvertures adjacentes pour maintenir le dispositif fermé, dans lequel ladite ouverture peut être façonnée afin de laisser les moyens de coupe (4) partiellement exposés.

7. Dispositif (1) selon l'une des revendications précédentes 4 à 6, dans lequel l'arbre de rotation est tubulaire avec une cavité intérieure définissant un compartiment de conservation de briquet (14) et/ou un logement (15) adapté pour accueillir un moyen de diminution d'odeur et dans lequel le premier élément d'extrémité et/ou le second élément d'extrémité ont un trou d'insertion (17) respectif communiquant avec la cavité de l'arbre de rotation, pour l'insertion du briquet et/ou du moyen de diminution d'odeur, lesdits trous d'insertion (17) pouvant être fermés par des éléments de fermeture (18) respectifs.

8. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel l'arbre de rotation est pourvu d'une paroi de séparation intérieure (16) entre le compartiment de conservation de briquet (14) et le logement (15) du moyen de diminution d'odeur.

9. Dispositif (1) selon l'une des revendications 4 à 8, comprenant au moins une plaque d'adaptation (19) pourvue de saillies (20) ayant une hauteur fixe ou variable, chacune étant destinée à être insérée dans un support (5) pour l'adaptation de la dimension de support longitudinale à des filtres avec des longueurs différentes, ladite plaque d'adaptation étant interposée entre la première portion et le second élément d'extrémité.

10. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 9, dans lequel les saillies (20) de la plaque d'adaptation (19) comprennent une première surface de support (21) pour supporter des cigarettes d'au moins un premier diamètre et une seconde surface de support (22) pour supporter des cigarettes d'au moins un second diamètre, lesdites première et seconde surfaces de support étant espacées l'une de l'autre d'une distance (d) correspondant à la différence de hauteur entre les filtres desdites cigarettes d'au moins un premier et au moins un second diamètre.

11. Dispositif (1) selon l'une des revendications 4 à 10, dans lequel la première portion est sensiblement cylindrique et lesdits premier et second éléments d'extrémité sont circulaires.

Drawing