Electronic cigarette container

Abstract

A container adapted to receive an electronic cigarette is configured to obscure the fact that an electronic cigarette is contained within. The container is provided with an open ended receptacle to slidably insert an electronic cigarette. The outer surface of the receptacle is provided with ornamentality to appear to be a surrogate device, such as a writing utensil, a flashlight, or a laser pointer. Alternative embodiments provide for an adapter to enable the container to function as the surrogate device while containing the electronic cigarette.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container adapted to receive an electronic cigarette, comprising:
 a receptacle, having at least one side, a first end, a second end conjoined with said at least one side, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein:   said first end is open;   said second end is closed;   a profile of said inner surface is configured to substantially conform to said electronic cigarette; and, said receptacle is configured to substantially receive and contain said electronic cigarette.   
     
     
         2 . The container recited in  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle is configured to receive said electronic cigarette in its entirety. 
     
     
         3 . The container recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cap having a cap first end, a cap second end, a cap inner surface, and a cap outer surface, wherein:   said cap first end is open;   said cap second end is closed;   a profile of said cap inner surface is configured to substantially conform to a portion of said electronic cigarette; and, said cap is configured to substantially receive said portion of said electronic cigarette.   
     
     
         4 . The container recited in  claim 3 , wherein said cap is provided with a first coupling means to removably secure said cap to said first end. 
     
     
         5 . The container recited in  claim 3 , wherein said cap is removably affixed to said at least one side. 
     
     
         6 . The container recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a length from said first end to said second end is a longitudinal length;   said receptacle is furcated along its longitudinal length, wherein a connected edge connects at least two furcated pieces together via a hinged attachment and an operative edge selectively connects at least two furcated pieces via a snap-fit engagement; and,   said receptacle is configured to pivot about said connected edge to grant access to an inside of said receptacle and envelope said electronic cigarette by pivoting each furcated piece about said connected edge so that said at least two furcated pieces meet at said operative edge.   
     
     
         7 . The container recited in  claim 1 , wherein said inner surface is provided with at least one retaining clip. 
     
     
         8 . The container recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one identification tag configured to removably attach to said outer surface. 
     
     
         9 . The container recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adapter having a first adapter end and a second adapter end, wherein:
 said first adapter end has a second coupling means to removably secure said adapter to said first end; 
 said first adapter end is configured to receive a partially exposed portion of said electronic cigarette; and, 
 said second adapter end is provided with an operational end and is configured to engage said first coupling means of said cap. 
   
     
     
         10 . The container recited in  claim 9 , wherein said adapter is an operational device selected from the group consisting of a writing utensil, a flashlight, and a laser pointer. 
     
     
         11 . A container adapted to receive an electronic cigarette, comprising:
 a receptacle, comprising at least one segment, each segment having at least one side, a first end, a second end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein:
 each first end is open; 
 at least one second end is closed; 
 each segment is provided with a first coupling means to removably connect said segments in a serially manner; 
 a profile of said at least one inner surface is configured to substantially conform to said electronic cigarette when said segments are serially connected; and, 
 said receptacle is configured to substantially receive and contain said electronic cigarette. 
   
     
     
         12 . The container recited in  claim 11 , wherein said receptacle is configured to receive said electronic cigarette in its entirety. 
     
     
         13 . The container recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a cap having a cap first end, a cap second end, a cap inner surface, and a cap outer surface, wherein:
 said cap first end is open; 
 said cap second end is closed; 
 a profile of said cap inner surface is configured to substantially conform to a portion of said electronic cigarette; and, 
 said cap is configured to substantially receive said portion of said electronic cigarette. 
   
     
     
         14 . The container recited in  claim 13 , wherein said cap is provided with a second coupling means to removably secure said cap to said at least one first end. 
     
     
         15 . The container recited in  claim 13 , wherein said cap is removably affixed to said at least one side. 
     
     
         16 . The container recited in  claim 11 , wherein:
 a length from said at least one first end to said at least one second end is a longitudinal length;   said at least one segment is furcated along said longitudinal length, wherein a connected edge connects at least two furcated pieces together via a hinged attachment and an operative edge selectively connects at least two furcated pieces via a snap-fit engagement; and,   said at least one segment is configured to pivot about said connected edge to grant access to an inside of said receptacle and envelope at least a portion of said electronic cigarette after being inserted into said inside by pivoting each furcated piece about said connected edge so that said at least two furcated pieces meet at said operative edge.   
     
     
         17 . The container recited in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said inner surface is provided with at least one retaining clip. 
     
     
         18 . The container recited in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one identification tag configured to removably attach to at least one said outer surface. 
     
     
         19 . The container recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an adapter having a first adapter end and a second adapter end, wherein:
 said first adapter end has a third coupling means to removably secure said adapter to an individual first end of said at least one segment; 
 said first adapter end is configured to receive a partially exposed portion of said electronic cigarette; and, 
 said second adapter end is provided with an operational end and is configured to engage said second coupling means of said cap. 
   
     
     
         20 . The container recited in  claim 19 , wherein said adapter is an operational device selected from the group consisting of a writing utensil, a flashlight, and a laser pointer.