U.S. patent application number 10/771433 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for compartmented smokeless tobacco can.
Invention is credited to Lemmons, Robert W. IV.
Application Number | 20050173272 10/771433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34826561 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050173272 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lemmons, Robert W. IV |
August 11, 2005 |
Compartmented smokeless tobacco can
Abstract
The present invention provides a compartmented smokeless tobacco
can for containing a plurality of types of smokeless tobacco. In
particular the compartmented smokeless tobacco can provides two
separated compartments for simultaneously containing two types of
smokeless tobacco. The tobacco can comprises a main container
portion for holding smokeless tobacco, having a closed bottom and
an open top. A lid is disposed on the open top of the main
container portion. The lid of the tobacco container is movable from
a closed position to an open position to provide access to the
interior of the main container portion. A dividing member is
disposed inside of the main container portion to divide the main
container portion into two separate portions for holding two
different types of smokeless tobacco.
Inventors: |
Lemmons, Robert W. IV; (New
Auburn, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
34826561 |
Appl. No.: |
10/771433 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/256 ;
206/242 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/256 ;
206/242 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/10 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A compartmented smokeless tobacco can, comprising: a main
container portion having a bottom portion, an open top portion and
a generally cylindrical side wall enclosure defining a hollow
interior portion; a cover disposed along the open top portion
having a hinge member disposed through the center of the cover
separating the cover into a first lid portion and second portion,
whereby the first lid portion and the second lid portion are
movable about the hinge member; and a center divider disposed
through the center of the main container portion separating the
hollow interior portion into a first interior compartment and a
second interior compartment; whereby the first interior compartment
and the second interior compartment each contain a different type
of tobacco separately in the compartmented smokeless tobacco
can.
2. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 1,
wherein the center divider is aligned with the center hinge
member.
3. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 1,
wherein the first lid portion is movable from a closed position to
an open position by pivoting the first lid portion upward about the
center hinge member.
4. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 1,
wherein the second lid portion is movable from a closed position to
an open position by pivoting the second lid portion upward about
the center hinge member.
5. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 1,
wherein the entire compartmented smokeless tobacco can is a single
integrated piece.
6. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 1,
wherein the main container portion, the first lid portion, the
second lid portion and the center divider are made from a first
plastic material.
7. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 6,
wherein the center hinge member is made from a second plastic
material that is more pliable than the first plastic material.
8. A compartmented smokeless tobacco can, comprising: a main
container portion having a bottom portion, an open top portion and
a generally cylindrical side wall enclosure defining a hollow
interior portion; a cover disposed along the open top portion
having a hinge member disposed through the center of the cover
separating the cover into a first lid portion and second portion,
whereby the first lid portion and the second lid portion are
movable about the hinge member; and a partitioning member disposed
inside of said main container portion for dividing the interior
portion into a plurality of tobacco containing portions; whereby
the compartmented smokeless tobacco can simultaneously contains
several, separated varieties of smokeless tobacco.
9. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 8,
wherein said partitioning member comprises a center divider
disposed through the center of the main container portion
separating the hollow interior portion into a first interior
compartment and a second interior compartment.
10. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 9,
wherein the center divider is aligned with the center hinge
member.
11. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 8,
wherein the first lid portion is movable from a closed position to
an open position by pivoting the first lid portion upward about the
center hinge member.
12. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 8,
wherein the second lid portion is movable from a closed position to
an open position by pivoting the second lid portion upward about
the center hinge member.
13. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 8,
wherein the entire compartmented smokeless tobacco can is a single
integrated piece.
14. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 8,
wherein the main container portion, the first lid portion, the
second lid portion and the partitioning member are made from a
first plastic material.
15. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can according to claim 14,
wherein the center hinge member is made from a second plastic
material that is more pliable than the first plastic material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to smokeless tobacco
containers and more particularly to a smokeless tobacco can having
separate compartments for holding different types of smokeless
tobacco.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Smokeless tobacco is typically sold, in cylindrical cans or
tins. The tobacco cans have an interior portion for holding the
tobacco and a removable lid disposed over the top of the interior
portion. Each tobacco can contains a single type of smokeless
tobacco. There are, however, several varieties of smokeless
tobacco. With the rising popularity of smokeless tobacco an
increasing variety of smokeless tobacco has been developed. There
are several different types of smokeless tobacco including fine cut
and long cut, as well as several different flavors. Existing
smokeless tobacco cans only contain a single type of smoking
tobacco. If someone desires a variety of smokeless tobacco that
person must carry more than one tobacco can.
[0005] The following patent documents each disclose existing
tobacco containers.
[0006] United Kingdom Patent Application number GB 2 147 875
published on May 22, 1985 discloses a tobacco container for holding
pipe tobacco. The tobacco container provides a generally
cylindrical tin with a cover portion. The container has two
inwardly formed portions formed in the wall of the container. The
first portion is adapted for supporting a pipe and the second
portion is adapted for receiving ash.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,278 issued to Krawec et al. on Sep. 28,
1999 discloses a container for filter tipped cigarette tubes used
in hand made cigarettes. The cigarette tube container provides a
plurality of partitions for dividing the container space into
multiple segments. The cigarette tubes are held upright inside of
the container.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,101 issued to Heath, B. A. on Feb. 14,
1989 discloses a container assembly comprising multiple
compartments. The container assembly comprises a cylindrical
primary container for containing a first commodity such as
smokeless tobacco. The container further comprises a cylindrical
base portion and a dispenser subassembly secured to the primary
container portion.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 336,801 issued to Evans et al. on Feb. 23,
1886 discloses a tobacco package. The package provides a pail or
similar container having a plurality of partitions for separating
different grades of tobacco. The partitions in the container are in
the shape of a star.
[0010] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention
as claimed. Thus a compartmented smokeless tobacco can solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a compartmented smokeless
tobacco can for containing a plurality of types of smokeless
tobacco. In particular the compartmented smokeless tobacco can
provides two separated compartments for simultaneously containing
two types of smokeless tobacco. The tobacco can comprises a main
container portion for holding smokeless tobacco, having a closed
bottom and an open top. A lid is disposed on the open top of the
main container portion. The lid of the tobacco container is movable
from a closed position to an open position to provide access to the
interior of the main container portion. A dividing member is
disposed inside of the main container portion to divide the main
container portion into two separate portions for holding two
different types of smokeless tobacco.
[0012] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a compartmented smokeless tobacco can having at least two
separate container portions for holding tobacco.
[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a
compartmented smokeless tobacco can for holding at least two
different types of smokeless tobacco.
[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide a
compartmented smokeless tobacco can that allows the user to have a
selection of types of smokeless tobacco in a single tobacco
can.
[0015] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which
is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its
intended purposes.
[0016] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a compartmented
smokeless tobacco can according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is side perspective view of the compartmented
smokeless tobacco can.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the compartment smokeless tobacco
can.
[0020] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts a compartment smokeless tobacco can 10
according to certain preferred embodiments of the present
invention. The compartmented smokeless tobacco can 10 is a device
for separately containing a plurality of types of smokeless tobacco
in a single container. The tobacco can 10 comprises a main
container portion 12 having closed bottom portion 14 and an open
top portion 16. The open top portion 16 provides access to the
hollow interior of the main container portion 12. According to
certain preferred embodiments of the present invention the top
portion 16 and the bottom portion 14 are generally cylindrical in
shape having a center axis. The entire tobacco can 10 comprises
typical dimensions for smokeless tobacco cans, which allow a person
to carry the tobacco can 10 in that person's pocket.
[0022] The tobacco can 10 further comprises a cover 18 disposed on
top of the top portion 16 of the main container portion 12 to close
the open top portion 16. The cover 18 comprises a first lid 20 and
a second lid 22. A center hinge member 24 is disposed along the
center of the cover 18, separating the first lid 20 and the second
lid 22. The center hinge member 24 is aligned along the center axis
of the top portion 16.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the tobacco can 10
depicting the interior of the main container portion 12. The main
container portion 12 is divided into two separate portions by a
center divider 30, defined by the hidden lines shown in FIG. 2. The
center divider 30 is a generally rectangular wall disposed inside
of the main container portion 12. The center divider 30 is disposed
along the center axis of the top portion 16 and the bottom portion
14 of the main container portion and is aligned along the center
hinge portion 24 of the cover 18. The center divider 30 divides the
interior of the main container portion 12 in a first interior
portion 26 and a second interior portion 28. The first container
portion 26 contains a first type of tobacco 32a. The second
container portion 28 contains a second type of tobacco 32b.
[0024] The center hinge portion 24 allows the first lid 20 and the
second lid 22 to move from a closed position to an open position,
as shown in FIG. 3. The first lid 20 and the second lid 22 may be
opened simultaneously or they may each be opened individually. The
first lid 20 may be lifted upward and pivoted about the hinge
portion 24 to provide a first opening 34. The first opening 34
provides access to the contents of the first interior container
portion 26. The second lid 22 may be lifted upward and pivoted
about the hinge portion 24 to provide a second opening 36. The
second opening 36 provides access to the contents of the second
interior container portion 28.
[0025] The entire smokeless tobacco can 10 comprises a single
unitary piece. The cover 18 is integrally formed to the main
container body 12. The entire smokeless tobacco can 10 is
preferably made from a durable plastic material. The center hinge
portion 24 is preferably made from a plastic material that is more
pliable, in comparison to the plastic material of the main
container portion 12 and the cover 18, to allow the first lid 20
and the second lid 24 to pivot from the closed position to the open
position.
[0026] According to certain preferred embodiments of the present
invention the main container portion 12 is divided into more than
two separate interior portions to hold more than two types of
tobacco.
[0027] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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