U.S. patent application number 11/504346 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-22 for smoker's appliance.
Invention is credited to Bernard J. Roman.
Application Number | 20070039627 11/504346 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37766362 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070039627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roman; Bernard J. |
February 22, 2007 |
Smoker's appliance
Abstract
A smoker's appliance or apparatus which reduces a quantity smoke
from a cigarette during periods of time when the cigarette is not
being smoked, by dissipating the heat energy and diminishing the
oxygen supply to a cigarette holding receptacle.
Inventors: |
Roman; Bernard J.;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRASER MARTIN & MILLER LLC
28366 KENSINGTON LANE
PERRYSBURG
OH
43551
US
|
Family ID: |
37766362 |
Appl. No.: |
11/504346 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60709306 |
Aug 18, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
131/231 ;
131/241 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 19/0035
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/231 ;
131/241 |
International
Class: |
A24F 19/00 20060101
A24F019/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for reducing cigarette smoke having at least one
receptacle for receiving a cigarette, comprising: a tubular body
having a hollow interior bore extending longitudinally through the
body; and a means for positioning the tubular body in an
ash-receiving receptacle.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hollow bore
includes a proximal end and a distal end.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the distal end
includes at least one radially inwardly extending spaced apart
detents.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detents are
arranged to retain a lighted end of the cigarette.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least
one slot in the tubular body to allow oxygen to pass to a lighted
end of the cigarette.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for
positioning the tubular body in the ash-receiving receptacle is a
portion of hook and loop tape.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for
positioning the tubular body in the ash-receiving receptacle is at
least one threaded fastener.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for
positioning the tubular body in the ash-receiving the receptacle is
a contoured keyway.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the
ash-receiving receptacle having a generally cup-shaped base.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the base is adapted
to be received by a supporting structure.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the
ash-receiving receptacle having a hingely connected cover.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base is adapted
to be used in a motor vehicle.
13. A smoker's appliance for retaining a cigarette having at least
one receptacle for receiving a lighted end of a cigarette, the
receptacle comprising: a tubular body having a hollow interior bore
extending longitudinally through the body, the hollow bore of
generally circular cross-sectional configuration, the hollow bore
having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including
radially inwardly extending spaced apart detents, the detents
arranged to retain the lighted end of a cigarette, and means for
positioning the tubular body in an ash receiving receptacle.
14. The invention defined in claim 13, wherein the aperture is a
slot spaced from the inwardly extending detents.
15. The smoker's appliance according to claim 13, wherein a portion
of hook and loop tape is the means for positioning the tubular body
in the ash-receiving receptacle.
16. The smoker's appliance according to claim 13, wherein at least
one threaded fastener is the means for positioning the tubular body
in the ash-receiving receptacle.
17. The smoker's appliance according to claim 13, wherein a
contoured keyway is the means for positioning the tubular body in
the ash-receiving receptacle.
18. The smoker's appliance according to claim 13, wherein the base
is adapted to be received by a supporting structure.
19. The smoker's appliance according to claim 13, further
comprising the ash-receiving receptacle having a hingely connected
cover.
20. The smoker's appliance according to claim 13, wherein the base
is adapted to be used in a motor vehicle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 601709,306 filed on Aug. 18, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an appliance for
use with cigarettes. More particularly, the invention relates to an
apparatus for reducing the quantity of smoke emanating from a
lighted cigarette during periods of time the cigarette is
positioned within the apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A number of apparatuses have been utilized to diminish the
secondhand smoke generated by a smoldering cigarette in the
surroundings of the actual and the passive smoker.
[0004] A number of apparatuses have been utilized to diminish the
secondhand smoke generated by a smoldering cigarette in the
surroundings of the actual smoker and the passive smoker. U.S. Pat.
No. 2,340,618 discloses a receptacle for lighted cigarettes which
diminishes the emanation of smoke by admitting only enough oxygen
to the receptacle to permit slow burning for a short time. The
cigarette is inserted vertically into a hole and the lighted end of
the cigarette rests on a ledge formed around the interior of the
receptacle. Due to a lack of oxygen, the cigarette is snuffed out
after approximately one minute.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,348,423 discloses an ashtray supporting a
spaced apart hood on a column. The hood has a plurality of snuffers
formed as thimbles extending inwardly and downwardly from the sides
of the hood. Each of the thimbles is open at both ends for
receiving a cigarette. The lighted end of the cigarette extends
inwardly beyond the open inner end of the thimble. The cigarette
will burn for a minute or so and then go out which substantially
eliminates the smoke from the cigarette once it is positioned
within the thimble.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,329 discloses a cigarette snuffer for
extinguishing a burning cigarette. The burning cigarette is
inserted vertically into a cylindrical tube having an internal
ridge for compressing the unburned material of the cigarette. The
compression is sufficient to restrict the flow of air in the
unburned material. The portion of the cigarette which is burning
quickly uses up available oxygen and is smothered within a few
seconds.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,874,319 discloses an ashtray having a hollow
body and a lid covering an upper open end. The lid has tapered
openings and another opening extending there through to the
interior of the body. A peripheral flange formed on the lid has
radically arranged troughs, and is adapted to rest on the upper end
of the body. A lighted cigarette can be inserted into one of the
tapered openings to snuff it out or through the opening into the
interior of the body. A lighted cigarette also can be placed in one
of the troughs whereby ashes will fall through the openings into
the body.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,883,992 discloses an apparatus for a smoker
having an extinguisher and a support for lighted cigarettes adapted
for use in an ashtray. The apparatus has an open top receptacle and
column supporting a shallow cylindrically shaped framework formed
of spaced apart generally horizontally extending upper and lower
plates connected by a sidewall. The top plate is provided with
apertures of sufficient size to receive a cigarette, and some of
the apertures are positioned above tubes mounted in the interior of
the framework to snugly and tightly engage a cigarette. Apertures
are provided in the lower plate aligned with the apertures in the
upper plate but of insufficient size to enable a cigarette to pass
there through. Apertures are provided in the sidewall and a
rotatable ring in the interior of the framework for controlling the
air admitted to the interior. A cigarette can be inserted into the
upper plate and will be extinguished if inserted into one of the
tubes or if the sidewall apertures are misaligned to cut off the
airflow. A timed extinguishment of the cigarette can be controlled
by the alignment of the sidewall apertures relative to one another
to adjust the airflow to the interior of the framework.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,105 discloses a cigarette having an ash
retaining trough-shaped member, formed of a fire resistant
material, positioned beneath the forward portion of the cigarette
to support the cigarette ashes' cool the smoke and condense
undesirable chemical substances before they reach the mouth of the
smoker. A snuffer band encircles the cigarette at the rear of the
trough to automatically extinguish the cigarette.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,452 discloses a cigarette extinguisher
having an extended tubular portion large enough to receive a
lighted end of a cigarette. The tubular portion is tapered towards
an inwardly extending flange formed at the lower end and has a
flared upper end with dimples for securing the tubular portion to a
supporting plate. A cigarette is inserted vertically into the
tubular portion and the flange prevents the cigarette from passing
through the open lower end. The cigarette is forced or pressed
against the walls of the tubular portion and heat is conducted away
from the lighted end to extinguish the cigarette.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,317 discloses a collapsible and
stackable ash receptacle made from a laminate of paper and foil or
other non-flammable material. An inwardly projecting
non-inflammable, short cigarette supporting ledge is positioned
between a bottom end of the receptacle and an upper end of the
receptacle and projects away from a rear wall and upwardly there
from at an angle between 32.degree. and 64.degree.. The ledge is
perforated by a plurality of openings to enable a lighted cigarette
end supported thereby to continue burning. The ledge is
sufficiently stiff to enable a lighted cigarette end to be
extinguished by forcing the cigarette against the ledge.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,510 discloses a cigarette-snuffing
device which includes a small hollow cylinder which is attached by
a bracket to a guide funnel to facilitate the vertical insertion of
a lip portion of a cigarette into the cylinder. An annular ridge is
located at approximately the midpoint between the ends of the
inside of the cylinder. The cigarette is vertically inserted
through the funnel into the cylinder until contact is made with the
annular ridge. The contact of the cigarette with the ridge forms a
seal which prevents oxygen from flowing through the cylinder. The
burning cigarette quickly dissipates any available oxygen contained
with the cylinder and is extinguished.
[0013] Commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,230 discloses a smoker's
appliance which includes a hollow support body having a bottom edge
for engaging a supporting surface and a wall with a plurality of
retaining apertures formed therein. A plurality of receptacles
having a generally tubular body with a longitudinally extending
aperture of polygonal cross section extending between an outer end
and an inner end mounted in respective ones of the retaining
apertures whereby heat energy from the lighted end of a cigarette
inserted in one of the receptacles is dissipated through the
tubular body and the amount of oxygen supplied to the cigarette is
decreased.
[0014] It would be desirable to develop an apparatus which reduces
a quantity of smoke from a cigarette during periods of time when
the cigarette is not being smoked, by dissipating the heat energy
and diminishing the oxygen supply to a cigarette holding
receptacle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] According to the present invention, an apparatus which
reduces smoke from a cigarette not being smoked, by dissipating the
heat energy and diminishing the oxygen supply to a cigarette
holding receptacle has surprisingly been discovered.
[0016] In one embodiment, the apparatus for reducing cigarette
smoke includes at least one receptacle for receiving a cigarette, a
tubular body having a hollow interior bore extending longitudinally
through the body, and a means for positioning said tubular body in
an ash-receiving receptacle.
[0017] In another embodiment, the smoker's appliance for retaining
a cigarette including at least one receptacle for receiving the
lighted end of a cigarette, the receptacle including a tubular body
having a hollow interior bore extending longitudinally through the
body, the hollow bore of generally circular cross-sectional
configuration having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal
end including at least one radially inwardly extending spaced apart
detents, the detents arranged to retain the lighted end of a
cigarette, and means for positioning said tubular body in an ash
receiving receptacle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the
present invention, will become manifest to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
when considered in the light of the accompanying illustrations in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a smoker's appliance
incorporating the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the smoker's appliance
incorporating the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the configuration of the
arrangement of the tubular body of the smoker's appliance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The following detailed description and appended drawings
describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled
in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of the
methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and
thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 1, a basic layout of the invention is
shown; in practice many variants are possible. The invention
includes an ash-receiving receptacle 10 having a generally
cup-shaped base 12, and a hingely connected cover 14. The
receptacle 10 may be adapted to be used in a motor vehicle (not
shown). The base 12 may be adapted to be received by a supporting
structure. The base 12 may further be adapted such that it is may
be readily removed from the supporting structure for emptying and
cleaning. During periods of non-use, the cover 14 is moved to a
closed position to adequately enclose the otherwise open top of the
base 12. When it is desired to use the mechanism 2, the cover 14 is
manually pivoted to the open position.
[0024] In the open position, the operative mechanism 2 of the
appliance 2 becomes apparent accessible. Referring to FIG. 3, the
mechanism 2 includes a tubular body 20 having a hollow interior
bore extending longitudinally through the bore. The interior bore
is of generally circular cross-sectional configuration and has a
proximal end 22 and a distal end 24. The distal end 24 of the bore
includes radially inwardly extending spaced apart detents 26. The
detents 26 are arranged to retain the lighted end of a
cigarette.
[0025] The mechanism containing the tubular body 20 is secured to
the undersurface of the cover 14 such that when the cover 14 is in
an open position the longitudinally extending bore is aligned such
that a cigarette may be readily inserted into the proximal end 22
and be supported by the detents 26 at the distal end 24 as shown in
FIG. 1.
[0026] In the event, additional oxygen is deemed necessary to
support continuous combustion of the lighted cigarette a slot 28 or
a series of spaced apart slots 28 may be provided as illustrated in
FIG. 3.
[0027] The smoker's appliance is particularly useful in reducing
the quantity of smoke emanating from the lighted end of a cigarette
when the cigarette is not being smoked. Obviously, such smoke is
offensive to a smoker as well as a non-smoker.
[0028] In use, the cigarette (not shown) is inserted into the
proximal end 22 of the longitudinally extending bore until the
lighted end contacts the detents 26. Since the diameter of the
generally circular cross-sectional bore is slightly greater than
the cigarette, some oxygen may pass to the lighted end of the
cigarette between the inner wall of the bore and the outer surface
of the cigarette. Additional oxygen is available for combustion
from the distal end 24 of the bore. Accordingly, the cigarette will
not be extinguished immediately, but will continue to burn at a
very slow rate and without producing smoke for several minutes. If
the cigarette is not removed from the appliance after several
minutes, the cigarette is extinguished.
[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operative mechanism 2
of the invention is selectively maintained on the undersurface of
the cover by hook and loop tape 16. The mechanism 2 may be readily
removed for cleaning, for example, by merely causing the hook and
loop tape 16 strips to be separated in the well-known manner.
Additionally, other means by which the mechanism 2 may be
selectively fastened may be used, such as fore example threaded
fasteners, or properly contoured keyway, without departing from the
scope of the invention.
[0030] From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in
the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this
invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof,
make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it
to various usages and conditions.
* * * * *