Collapsible shielding device for smoking articles and method therefor

Abstract

A collapsible shielding device for smoking articles comprises a top portion configured to receive at least a portion of smoking article therein, a bottom portion, and a body portion juxtaposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. The body portion includes a plurality of segments so that the device can be alternately configured in an extended orientation to shield a smoking article positioned therein and a compressed orientation to permit compact storage and ease of portability of the device when not in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible shielding device for smoking articles comprising:
 a top portion having an opening configured to receive a portion of a smoking article therein;   a bottom portion; and   a body portion juxtaposed between the top portion and the bottom portion;   wherein the device can be alternately positioned in a first configuration wherein the body portion is extended and a second configuration wherein the body portion is compressed.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 1  wherein the body portion comprises at least one curved segment comprising an exterior portion having a convex surface and an interior portion having a concave surface, wherein the at least one curved segment is configured to be downwardly inverted in a direction toward the bottom portion when the device is positioned in the second configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 1  wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments comprising:
 at least one curved segment comprising an exterior portion having a convex surface and an interior portion having a concave surface, wherein the at least one curved segment is configured to be downwardly inverted in a direction toward the bottom portion when the device is positioned in the second configuration; and 
 at least one ring-shaped segment perpendicularly oriented relative to a surface of the top portion. 
 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of segments comprises three curved segments and two ring-shaped segments. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 4  wherein the curved segments and the ring-shaped segments alternate along a length of the body portion. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 4  wherein:
 a first curved segment is positioned proximate the bottom portion; 
 a first ring-shaped segment is positioned adjacent to the first curved segment and has a diameter less than a diameter of the first curved segment; 
 a second curved segment is positioned adjacent to the first ring-shaped segment and has a diameter less than the diameter of the first ring-shaped segment; 
 a second ring-shaped segment is positioned adjacent to the second curved segment and has a diameter less than a diameter of the second curved segment; and 
 a third curved segment is positioned adjacent to the second ring-shaped segment and has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ring-shaped segment. 
 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 1  wherein the device can be alternately positioned in a third configuration wherein the body portion is partially extended. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 1  wherein the body portion is tapered in a direction toward the top portion. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 1  further comprising a ridge around a perimeter of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of concentric rims formed along the body portion when the device is positioned in the second configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 1  comprised of silicone rubber material. 
     
     
         12 . A collapsible shielding device for smoking articles comprising:
 a top portion having an opening configured to receive a portion of a smoking article therein;   a bottom portion; and   a body portion juxtaposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the body portion comprises at least one curved segment comprising an exterior portion having a convex surface and an interior portion having a concave surface, wherein the body portion is tapered in a direction toward the top portion;   wherein the device can be alternately positioned in a first configuration wherein the body portion is extended and a second configuration wherein the body portion is compressed; and   wherein the at least one curved segment is configured to be downwardly inverted in a direction toward the bottom portion when the device is positioned in the second configuration.   
     
     
         13 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 12  wherein the body portion further comprises at least one ring-shaped segment perpendicularly oriented relative to a surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 12  wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments comprising the at least one curved segment and at least one ring-shaped segment perpendicularly oriented relative to a surface of the top portion. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of segments comprises three curved segments and two ring-shaped segments, wherein the curved segments and the ring-shaped segments alternate along a length of the body portion. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 15  wherein:
 a first curved segment is positioned proximate the bottom portion; 
 a first ring-shaped segment is positioned adjacent to the first curved segment and has a diameter less than a diameter of the first curved segment; 
 a second curved segment is positioned adjacent to the first ring-shaped segment and has a diameter less than the diameter of the first ring-shaped segment; 
 a second ring-shaped segment is positioned adjacent to the second curved segment and has a diameter less than a diameter of the second curved segment; and 
 a third curved segment is positioned adjacent to the second ring-shaped segment and has a diameter less than the diameter of the second ring-shaped segment. 
 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 12  wherein the device can be alternately positioned in a third configuration wherein the body portion is partially extended. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 12  further comprising a ridge around a perimeter of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         19 . The collapsible shielding device for smoking articles of  claim 1  comprised of silicone rubber material. 
     
     
         20 . A method for shielding a smoking article comprising:
 providing a collapsible shielding device for smoking articles comprising:
 a top portion having an opening configured to receive a portion of a smoking article therein; 
 a bottom portion; and 
 a body portion juxtaposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the body portion comprises at least one curved segment comprising an exterior portion having a convex surface and an interior portion having a concave surface, wherein the body portion is tapered in a direction toward the top portion; 
 wherein the device can be alternately positioned in a first configuration wherein the body portion is extended and a second configuration wherein the body portion is compressed; and 
 wherein the at least one curved segment is configured to be downwardly inverted in a direction toward the bottom portion when the device is positioned in the second configuration; 
   positioning a smoking article in the opening of the top portion;   extending the body portion of the device over the smoking article;   lighting the smoking article; and   smoking the smoking article with the smoking article in position in the device.