[0001] The present invention refers to a device for extinguishing cigarettes, consisting
of a type of cap which, when tightly fitted over the burning end of a cigarette, not
only snuffs this out but also acts as a recipient for any remaining ash, this extinguisher
being disposable, to be thrown away with the cigarette itself when a suitable occasion
presents itself in any appropriate container.
[0002] Although ashtrays are usually available for smokers, both publicly and privately,
where they are able to extinguish and dispose of their cigarettes, in practice there
are frequent occasions in which such ashtrays are not available, and when it is not
advisable to throw the cigarette onto the floor, due either to the nature of the area
in which this occurs, or for simple reasons of hygiene and politeness. Under these
circumstances smokers find disposing of spent cigarettes to be a real problem.
[0003] The snuffer proposed by this invention was conceived to solve the above problems,
offering smokers a simple, economical and effective way of disposing of cigarettes,
firstly instantaneously putting them out and then forming a cap which covers the burnt
end of the cigarette and thereby allowing this to be placed in a pocket or other appropriate
place, where it can be kept temporarily until it can be thrown away definitively in
a litter bin or any other appropriate waste container.
[0004] The snuffer is structured as a single piece body, preferentially metallic or of a
biodegradable plastic material, given its disposable character, which forms a type
of diminutive receptacle, the mouth of which is suitably shaped to facilitate the
penetration of a cigarette into its interior, and of an internal diameter, at least
at its mid - point, equal to the external diameter of a cigarette, such that the simple
introduction of the latter into the hollow body gives rise to the creation of a snuffing
chamber, of extremely small size and totally airtight, in which the oxygen disappears
virtually instantaneously on introduction of the cigarette, due to which the latter
is also extinguished very quickly.
[0005] Following extinguishment the body remains joined to the cigarette, constituting a
form of cap which also acts as an ashtray, preventing the fall of residual ash until
such time as the set formed by the snuffer - cigarette is thrown away.
[0006] From observation of the figure it can be seen that the cigarette snuffer is constructed
of a single piece body (1) hollow and open at one end (2), the body diverging towards
the said opening (2) to facilitate the penetration of the cigarette (3), wither through
the mixed configuration shown in the figure, based on a cylindrical sector and a frustum-conical
sector, or using a frustum -conical configuration throughout its length, or of any
other appropriate configuration, without this affecting the essential nature of the
invention.
[0007] In any case at least at a half way point (4) of the body (1) this is to incorporate
a diameter equal to that of a cigarette (3), such that when this latter is placed
within the device a snuffing chamber (5) is created, which as well as holding the
ash (6) of the cigarette (3), is closed in an airtight fashion by the fitting or contact
of the sides of the cigarette (3) and the internal surfaces of the body (1), this
airtight closure giving rise, as was mentioned above, to a swift consumption of the
oxygen in the said snuffing chamber (5) and the resulting extinction of the cigarette
(3) which is virtually instantaneous.
[0008] As well as this effect of instantaneous extinguishment of the cigarette (3) the body
(1) forms a cap which remains statically linked to the cigarette (3) protecting the
burnt end of the same and holding the said ash (6) in its interior, such that, as
is stated above, the set composed of the body or snuffer (1) and the cigarette (3)
can be kept temporarily in a pocket or any other appropriate place when no ashtray
is available at the time, allowing its posterior elimination on gaining access to
any type of waste container.
The disposable nature of the snuffer (1) and its embodiment in a single, preferably
metallic or biodegradable plastic piece offer ecological advantages.
[0009] The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements are to be liable to variation,
provided that this does not alterate the essential nature of the invention.
1. A cigarette snuffer, characterized by being composed of a single piece body, turned,
at least on the inside, which forms a type of vessel in which the burning end of a
cigarette may be tightly fitted, inserted coaxially in the said body, giving rise
due to this fitting to the closure of a snuffing chamber formed in the bottom of the
body, where a rapid exhaustion of oxygen is produced together with the consequent
extinguishment of the cigarette, acting simultaneously as a container for the remaining
ash, the said body also being planned to include a certain divergence towards its
opening, such that the penetration of cigarettes is facilitated and with the additional
particular feature that it is disposable, this body preferably being of a metallic
or biodegradable plastic nature.
