U.S. patent application number 10/180356 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-13 for artificial cigar device.
Invention is credited to Strickland, Leonard Eugene, Strickland, Linda H..
Application Number | 20030029465 10/180356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23875581 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030029465 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Strickland, Leonard Eugene ;
et al. |
February 13, 2003 |
Artificial cigar device
Abstract
An Artificial Cigar Device designed and configured to have the
appearance and feel of an actual cigar, but actually is artificial,
contains no chemicals, and acts as a pacifier for individuals
wishing to quit smoking. The Artificial Cigar Device is structured
and configured to depict an actual cigar and is fabricated from a
soft, chewable, washable and durable material such as medical grade
liquid silicone rubber comprised of an approximate range of
forty-sixty durometer with a pleasant scent. Said scent ingredients
such as vanilla or the like of said non-toxic semi-rigid polymeric
material for the artificial cigar shaft member are also absorbed
into said absorbent material. The Artificial Cigar Device is also
comprised of a cylindrical band affixed around the front end of
said shaft member thereby simulating the appearance of an actual
cigar wrap. In addition, each Artificial Cigar Device will be
packaged in it's own reusable container for storage. The Artificial
Cigar Device may be also chewed and washed with warm soapy water
and rinsed thoroughly prior to reuse and is dishwasher safe.
Inventors: |
Strickland, Leonard Eugene;
(Tallahassee, FL) ; Strickland, Linda H.;
(Tallahassee, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Carnes, Cona & Dixon
Innovation Park
1673 West Paul Dirac Drive
Tallahassee
FL
32310-3763
US
|
Family ID: |
23875581 |
Appl. No.: |
10/180356 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10180356 |
Jun 26, 2002 |
|
|
|
09472457 |
Dec 27, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 42/80 20200101;
A24F 42/60 20200101; A24F 42/20 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/270 |
International
Class: |
A24F 047/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A simulated cigar anti-smoking device for non-burning use which
does not depend on the use of oxygen or the use of mouth-operated
valve assembly for dispensing oxygen, or the use of tobacco flavor
and is not a toy nor does it have the open end surface of a toy
cigar.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the exterior of said shaft member
is designed, structured and configured to have the same size,
shape, color and feel of a cigar but contains no chemicals so as to
simulate the appearance of a conventional cigar.
3. The simulated cigar anti-smoking device of claim 1, wherein said
device excludes a closure at the front end of said device to
facilitate the charging of a container with powdered material and
excludes the use of powdered material.
4. The simulated cigar anti-smoking device of claim 1, wherein said
non-toxic semi-ridgid polymeric material for the shaft member is
selected from the group consisting essentially of: a soft, washable
and durable medical grade liquid silicone rubber comprised of an
approximate range of forty-sixty durometer, transparent, high tear,
liquid silicon rubber.
5. The simulated cigar anti-smoking device of claim 1, wherein said
scent ingredients of said non-toxic semi-rigid polymeric material
for the shaft member are also absorbent material.
6. The group consisting of claim 3, wherein said scent ingredients
are selected from the group consisting of; vanilla, or coconut,
strawberry, chocolate, peach, cherry, raspberry, grape and mint
scent.
7. The device of claim 5, further comprising, A cylindrical band
affixed around the front end of said shaft member, said band being
adapted to simulate the appearance of a cigar wrap.
8. The device of claim 5, further comprising; A feature of said
shaft member which is chewable and washable as well as dish washer
safe.
9. A simulated cigar container device comprising an individual
package with a sealed plug type tube featuring a printed label on
said container.
10. A method of fabricating forty-sixty durometer, transparent high
tear liquid silicone rubber comprising the steps of; Vulcanized by
mixing part A with part B in a ratio of 1:1 with the application of
heat. Cure initiation is exhibited at 118.degree. C.
11. The method as in claim 9 wherein said scent and said coloring
ingredients of said nontoxic semiridgid liquid silicone rubber for
the shaft member are also absorbed into said absorbent liquid
silicone rubber consisting essentially of Titanium Dioxide
comprising about 10 mg/M3 to 15 mg/M3; and Carbon Black 3.5 mg/M3;
Red Iron Oxide 5 mg/M3; Yellow Iron Oxide 10 mg/M3 to 15 mg/M3;
Vanilla 97+% Divinyl Silicone Fluid.
Description
[0001] This is a File Wrapper Continuation of application Ser. No.
09/472,457 filed on Dec. 27, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to an artificial
cigar device and more particularly to an artificial cigar device
designed and configured to have the appearance and feel of an
actual cigar, but actually is artificial, contains no chemicals,
and acts as a pacifier for individuals wishing to quit smoking.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] It has long been recognized that smoking is an addicting
habit which has proven to be dangerous to one's health. Studies
have consistently shown that smoking not only adversely affects the
individual, but can also be potentially dangerous to those around
the particular smoker. For various health reasons addicted smokers
have sought methods to successfully quit "The Habit".
[0006] About forty-seven million Americans now smoke cigarettes or
cigars, and it is estimated that roughly fifty percent of these
smokers will eventually die from smoking related causes at a rate
of nearly 500,000 a year. Studies have indicated that threequarters
of these smokers want to quit, but only an estimated five percent
are able to quit on their own. Cigars are as deadly as cigarettes
to the smoker. Regular cigar smoking has been well documented to
cause an increased risk of mouth, throat and lung cancer.
[0007] Many apparatus exist to aid the smoker in his quests for
quitting the smoking habit. One particular device is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,979 issued to Chase. In this patent there is
disclosed an elongated tube, having a substantially same shape as a
cigarette, and including one or more lumens. At least one lumen
contains a mixture to reduce the desire for tobacco, and hence
includes a mixture of nicotine, or the like, an edible carrier
substance, and a flavoring substance. This device is designed and
configured to allow the smoker to chew on the product. The lumen is
an edible substance, yet difficult to chew to ultimately discourage
the smoker from smoking a cigarette. This device still allows for
the user to be exposed to some amount of nicotine, which has been
proven to be addictive and can be dangerous to his health.
[0008] Yet another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,544
issued to Mascarelli et al. In this patent there is disclosed a
cigarette substance having an edible end and containing a small
amount of nicotine to satisfy the smoker. This device uses the same
approach as Chase and therefore, does not address the user's true
desire to quit the habit, but still allows the individual to be
exposed to nicotine, a substance known for being potentially hamful
and addictive.
[0009] As evidenced by the above patents, various apparatuses exist
to aid the user in quitting the smoking habit. None of these
efforts, however, provide the benefits intended with the present
invention. Additionally, prior techniques do not suggest the
present inventive combination of component elements as disclosed
and claimed herein.
[0010] Accordingly, it is seen that there exists a need to provide
for a product which will aid in the process of terminating the
process of smoking. Such a device should not contain any hazardous
substances.
[0011] As will be seen, the present invention achieves its intended
purposes, objectives and advantages, by accomplishing the needs as
identified above, through a new, useful and unobvious combination
of component elements, which is simple to use, with the utilization
of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to
manufacture, assemble, test and by employing only readily available
materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides for an artificial cigar
device designed and configured to simulate an actual cigar. The
present invention is designed to act as a pacifier for individuals
wishing to quit smoking, without providing the chemicals or
byproducts generally associated with a conventional cigar.
[0013] The artificial cigar of the present invention is an
elongated shaft having a front end and a rear end. The exterior of
the shaft is designed, structured and configured to depict an
actual cigar. Hence, the artificial cigar of the present invention
will be substantially the same shape, size and color of
conventional cigars.
[0014] To avoid any dangerous chemicals, the artificial cigar is
fabricated from a soft, washable and durable material such as
medical grade liquid silicone rubber with a pleasant vanilla scent.
This will provide for the final product to act as a pacifier for
the user, rather than providing for a chemical stimulation.
[0015] Hence, the present invention renders an artificial cigar,
which will provide the manual as well as the oral stimulation to
the user. This manual stimulation will enable the individual to use
the artificial cigar as if it were an actual cigar. Since this
device is fabricated from medical grade liquid silicone rubber, it
is not harmful to the user and will not cause irritation nor be
damaging to one's health.
[0016] In an optional embodiment, this device can be depicted as a
cigar, so as to allow for one end to be chewed. Since, the final
product is made from a resilient material, it will not be damaged,
hence, providing a final product which is reusable.
[0017] Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to
provide for an artificial cigar which will assist an individual
trying to quit smoking and that is free from nicotine or any
derivative thereof, so as to provide for a final product which is
free from any type of addicting or hazardous substance.
[0018] Another object of the present invention, to be specifically
enumerated herein, is to provide an artificial cigar in accordance
with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms
of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to
provide a device that would be economically feasible, long lasting
and relatively trouble free in operation.
[0019] Although there have been many inventions related to
artificial cigars, none of these inventions have been designed to
be free from nicotine or the like, and none will successfully deter
an individual from smoking, and none are reliable enough to become
commonly used, as a smoking alternative. The present invention
meets the requirements of a simplified design, compact size, low
initial cost, low operating cost, durable and washable, and
requires only a minimal amount of training to successfully employ
the invention.
[0020] The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent
objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be
merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and
application of the intended invention. Many other beneficial
results can be obtained by applying the disclosed invention in a
different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the
disclosure. Accordingly, a fuller understanding of the invention
may be had by referring to the detailed description of the
preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention as
defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial cigar of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The instant invention is an artificial cigar designed and
configured to have the appearance and feel of an actual cigar, but
contains no chemicals and is designed to act as a pacifier for
smokers who wish to quit the habit.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial cigar of the
present invention showing the inedible, elongated shaft 10 having a
front end 11 and a rear end 12. The exterior of the shaft 10 is
designed, structured and configured to depict an actual cigar.
Thus, the cigar of the present invention will be substantially the
same shape and size as that of conventional cigars.
[0024] The artificial cigar of the present invention showing the
inedible, elongated shaft 10 is fabricated from a soft, washable
and durable, high tear, transparent medical grade liquid silicone
rubber material comprised of an approximate range of forty-sixty
durometer and a vanilla or coconut, strawberry, chocolate, peach,
cherry, raspberry, grape and mint scent. Said scent ingredients of
said non-toxic semi-rigid polymeric material for the shaft member
are also absorbed into said absorbent material.
[0025] The artificial cigar of the present invention is also
comprised of a cylindrical band affixed around the front end of
said shaft member thereby simulating the appearance of an actual
cigar wrap. In addition, each artificial cigar of the present
invention will be packaged in it's own reusable container for
storage when not in use. The instant invention may also be washed
with warm soapy water and rinsed thoroughly prior to reuse and is
dishwasher safe.
[0026] A method of fabricating the present invention of a range of
forty-sixty durometer, transparent, high tear liquid silicone
rubber comprising the following steps of vulcanized by mixing part
A with part B in a ratio of 1:1 with the application of heat. Cure
initiation is exhibited at 118.degree. C.
[0027] The artificial cigar of the present invention features a
color which mimics the color of an actual cigar and also features
said scents as discussed above and is therefore comprised of:
Titanium Dioxide 10 mg/M3 to 15 mg/M3, Carbon Black 3.5 mg/M3 to
3.5 mg/M3, Red Iron Dioxide 5 mg/M3 to 5 mg/M3, Yellow Iron Dioxide
10 mg/M3 to 15 mg/M3, Vanillin 97+%, and Divinyl Silicone
Fluid.
[0028] The foregoing description and drawings illustrate a number
of preferred embodiments of this invention. As is apparent to one
skilled in the art, various changes may be made in the
configurations, sizes and arrangements of the components
illustrated herein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Therefore, the specific illustrations herein
above are intended only as illustrative of an inventor's concept,
and not intended as delineating its scope.
* * * * *