Apparatus For Cutting And Storing A Cigarette

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for cutting away a portion of a cigarette and storing the remaining portion of the cigarette. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a housing having a first interior compartment for storing a cigarette and a second interior compartment that is separate and sealed off from the first interior compartment. The housing has a first end that defines openings to the first and second interior compartments and a second end that defines an opening only to the second interior compartment. The housing has an exterior wall that is a part of the second interior compartment. The exterior wall has first and second openings that are located between the first and second ends of the housing. The second opening in the exterior wall is adjacent to the second end of the housing and is sized to receive a portion of a cigarette. The apparatus includes a cutting device movably positioned within the second interior compartment. The cutting device can move in a first direction toward the first end of the housing or in an opposite second direction toward the second end of the housing. The cutting device has a portion accessible through the first opening in the external wall of the housing so as to enable a user to move the cutting device either in the first direction or second direction. The cutting device includes a cutting blade. When a user inserts a portion of a cigarette into the second opening in the exterior wall of the housing and moves the cutting device in the second direction, the cutting blade cuts off a portion of the cigarette.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for cutting away a used portion of a cigarette and storing the remaining portion of the cigarette, comprising:
 a housing having a first interior compartment for storing a cigarette and a second interior compartment that is separate and sealed off from the first interior compartment, the housing having a first end that defines openings to the first and second interior compartments and a second end that defines an opening only to the second interior compartment, the housing having an exterior wall that is a part of the second interior compartment, the exterior wall having first and second openings that are located between the first and second ends of the housing, wherein the second opening in the exterior wall is adjacent to the second end of the housing and is sized to receive a portion of a cigarette; and   a cutting device movably positioned within the second interior compartment, wherein the cutting device can move in a first direction toward the first end of the housing or in an opposite second direction toward the second end of the housing, the cutting device having a portion accessible through the first opening in the external wall of the housing so as to enable a user to move the cutting device either in the first direction or second direction, the cutting device having a cutting blade, wherein when a user inserts a portion of a cigarette into the second opening in the exterior wall of the housing and moves the cutting device in the second direction, the cutting blade cuts off a portion of the cigarette.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the first and second interior compartments are in juxtaposition. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising a cap removably attached to the first end of the housing to close off the openings to the first and second interior compartments. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising a cap removably attached to the second end of the housing to close off the opening to the second interior compartment. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  further comprising a cover movably attached to the housing, the cover being movable between a closed position which covers the first and second openings in the exterior wall of the housing and an opened position which exposes the first and second openings in the exterior wall of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the cover comprises side portions that frictionally contact the housing when the cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein the cutting device comprises a blade holder and a blade attached to the blade holder. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for cutting away a used portion of a cigarette and storing the remaining portion of the cigarette, comprising:
 a housing having a first interior compartment for storing a cigarette and a second interior compartment that is separate and sealed off from the first interior compartment, the housing having a first end that defines openings to the first and second interior compartments and a second end that defines an opening only to the second interior compartment, the housing having an exterior wall that is a part of the second interior compartment, the exterior wall having first and second openings that are located between the first and second ends of the housing, wherein the second opening in the exterior wall is adjacent to the second end of the housing and is sized to receive a portion of a cigarette; and   a first cap removably attached to the first end of the housing to close off the openings to the first and second interior compartments;   a second cap removably attached to the second end of the housing to close off the opening to the second interior compartment;   a cutting device movably positioned within the second interior compartment, wherein the cutting device can move in a first direction toward the first end of the housing or in an opposite second direction toward the second end of the housing, the cutting device comprising a blade holder and a cutting blade attached to the blade holder, the blade holder having a portion accessible through the first opening in the external wall of the housing so as to enable a user to move the cutting device either in the first direction or second direction, wherein when a user inserts a portion of a cigarette into the second opening in the exterior wall of the housing and moves the cutting device in the second direction, the cutting blade cuts off a portion of the cigarette; and   a cover movably attached to the housing, the cover being movable between a closed position which covers the first and second openings in the exterior wall of the housing and an opened position which exposes the first and second openings in the exterior wall of the housing, the cover comprising side portions that frictionally contact the housing when the cover is in the closed position.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the first and second interior compartments are in juxtaposition. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the housing has an interior wall separating the first interior compartment from the second interior compartment.