U.S. patent application number 11/239132 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for smokeless cigarette system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael S. Braunshteyn, Richard Jupe, Jimmy Lyons-Hart, Raquel M. Olegario, Gail Yoss.
Application Number | 20070074734 11/239132 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37836674 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070074734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Braunshteyn; Michael S. ; et
al. |
April 5, 2007 |
Smokeless cigarette system
Abstract
A smokeless lighter includes a heater sized to accommodate a
smokable article such as a cigarette such that a portion of the
cigarette protrudes from the lighter. The heater maintains the
temperature in an internal chamber in the range of 160 to
200.degree. C. so as to be below the ignition temperature for
tobacco. An insulating jacket surrounds the heater to protect the
smokers from burn injury. Circuitry may be activated manually or by
insertion of a cigarette into the heater and limits operation of
the heater preferably to a period of 10 to 12 minutes. Optionally,
a light may be used to indicate when air is drawn through the
smokeless lighter.
Inventors: |
Braunshteyn; Michael S.;
(Richmond, VA) ; Jupe; Richard; (Richmond, VA)
; Lyons-Hart; Jimmy; (Sandston, VA) ; Yoss;
Gail; (Chesterfield, VA) ; Olegario; Raquel M.;
(Richmond, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
Philip Morris USA Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37836674 |
Appl. No.: |
11/239132 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/328 ;
131/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 13/00 20130101;
A24F 40/46 20200101; A24D 1/20 20200101; A24F 40/51 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/328 ;
131/194 |
International
Class: |
A24F 1/32 20060101
A24F001/32 |
Claims
1. A lighter comprising: generally cylindrical heater defining a
generally cylindrical chamber, an air supply opening, and an
entrance sized to receive at least an end portion of a smokable
article, the heater being operable to maintain a substantially
uniform temperature in the generally cylindrical chamber, the
temperature being below the ignition temperature of tobacco, and
lying in the range of about 160.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C.;
an insulating jacket substantially surrounding the generally
cylindrical heater, having an external surface, being fashioned
from a thermally insulating material, and having a thickness
selected such that the temperature of the external surface remains
below 40.degree. C.; power supply operable to supply electrical
energy to the heater; and circuitry operable to control the
duration of electrical energy delivered by the power supply to the
heater.
2. The lighter of claim 1 wherein circuitry includes a timing
circuit operable to interrupt delivery of electrical energy to the
heater after a period of about 10 to about 12 minutes.
3. The lighter of claim 1 further including a puff-indicator
operable to sense airflow into the heater and to generate a signal
during periods of increased airflow.
4. The lighter of claim 2 wherein the circuitry includes a manually
actuatable switch to initiate operation of the heater independently
of the timing circuit.
5. The lighter of claim 1 wherein the circuitry includes a switch
actuated in response to the presence of an object in the generally
cylindrical chamber of the heater.
6. The lighter of claim 1 wherein the generally cylindrical chamber
of the heater has a transverse dimension corresponding to the
nominal diameter of a cigarette or cigar.
7. The lighter of claim 1 further comprising an aerosol generating
flavor cartridge in the chamber.
8. The lighter of claim 7 wherein the smokable article is a
cigarette.
9. The lighter of claim 1 wherein the generally cylindrical chamber
has a length corresponding to the length of the tobacco rod of a
conventional cigarette.
10. A lighter comprising: a heater defining a generally cylindrical
chamber, an air supply opening, and an entrance sized to
accommodate at least an end portion of a smokable article, the
heater being operable to maintain a temperature in the generally
cylindrical chamber in the range of 160 to 200.degree. C.; a jacket
substantially surrounding the heater, having an external surface,
being fashioned from a thermally insulating material, and having a
thickness selected such that the temperature of the external
surface remains below 40.degree. C.; a power supply operable to
supply electrical energy to the heater; and circuitry operable to
control the duration of electrical energy delivered by the power
supply to the heater to a period of about 10 to about 12
minutes.
11. The lighter of claim 10 further including a puff-indicator
operable to sense airflow into the heater and to generate a signal
during periods of increased airflow.
12. The lighter of claim 10 wherein the circuitry includes a
manually actuatable switch to initiate operation of the heater
independently of the timing circuit.
13. The lighter of claim 10 wherein the circuitry includes a switch
actuated in response to the presence of an the smokable article in
the generally cylindrical chamber of the heater.
14. The lighter of claim 10 wherein the generally cylindrical
chamber of the heater has a transverse dimension corresponding to
the nominal diameter of a cigarette.
15. The lighter of claim 10 further comprising an aerosol
generating flavor cartridge in the chamber.
16. A smokeless cigarette lighter comprising: heater defining a
generally cylindrical chamber with a transverse dimension
corresponding to the nominal diameter and length of a cigarette,
the heater further including an air supply opening, and an entrance
sized to accommodate the cigarette, the heater being operable to
receive the cigarette and to maintain a temperature in the
generally cylindrical chamber in the range of 160 to 200.degree.
C.; a jacket substantially surrounding the heater, having an
external surface, being fashioned from a thermally insulating
material, and having a thickness selected such that the temperature
of the external surface remains below about 40.degree. C.; a power
supply operable to supply electrical energy to the heater; and
circuitry operable to control the duration of electrical energy
delivered by the power supply to the heater to a period of about 10
to about 12 minutes.
17. The lighter of claim 16 further including a puff-indicator
operable to sense airflow into the heater and to generate a signal
during periods of increased airflow.
18. The lighter of claim 16 wherein the circuitry includes a
manually actuatable switch to initiate operation of the heater.
19. The lighter of claim 16 wherein the circuitry includes a switch
actuated in response to the presence of a cigarette in the
generally cylindrical chamber of the heating means.
20. The lighter of claim 16 further comprising an aerosol
generating flavor cartridge in the chamber.
21. A method of heating at least a portion of a cigarette rod while
maintaining it at a preselected temperature for a predetermined
time interval.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the preselected temperature is
maintained without interruption between puffs during said time
interval or in absence of a puff for said time interval.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the preselected temperature is
maintained without interruption between puffs.
24. The method of claim 21 further including the step of using a
puff sensor to actuate the predetermined time interval.
25. A method of delivering mainstream smoke from a cigarette
without combustion by maintaining at least a portion of a cigarette
rod at a preselected temperature for a predetermined time
interval.
26. The method of claim 25 further including the step of sensing
for puffs during the predetermined time interval.
27. The method of claim 26 further including the step of restarting
the preselected time interval when a puff is sensed.
28. A system for smokeless enjoyment of a smoking article
comprising: at least one smokable article; a lighter having an
opening sized to receive at least an end portion of the smokable
article, including an insulating jacket, and heating apparatus
operable to maintain a preselected temperature within the opening,
the preselected temperature being in the range of about 160.degree.
C. to about 200.degree. C.; and a power supply operable to supply
electrical energy to the heating apparatus.
29. The system of claim 28 wherein the lighter further includes a
puff sensor effective to sense air flow changes through the
lighter.
30. The system of claim 29 wherein the heating apparatus of the
lighter is actuated for a predetermined time period, wherein the
smokable article initiates the predetermined time period, and
wherein the puff sensor resets the predetermined time period.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A lighter for using cigarettes in a smokeless manner is
disclosed. The lighter can accommodate conventional cigarettes, a
flavor cartridge, or both.
SUMMARY
[0002] A smokeless cigarette lighter may include a generally
cylindrical heating arrangement operable to define a generally
cylindrical chamber and to maintain the temperature in that chamber
between 160.degree. and 200.degree.. The lighter may also include a
generally cylindrical jacket surrounding the heating arrangement
and being operable to maintain the external temperature of the
lighter at or below 40.degree. C., surface temperatures that will
not burn the smoker's hand. One end of the jacket defines an
opening sized to accept a smoking article, such as a cigarette or
cigar. The other end of the jacket connects with an air supply
manifold. The air supply manifold connects with a power supply
arrangement operable to energize the heating means, to optionally
contain the related electronic circuitry, and to optionally
simulate glowing tobacco.
[0003] To preserve the life of the power supply arrangement, as
well as to ensure self-extinction operation of the lighter, a timer
circuit may be provided which terminates the supply of energy to
the heating arrangement after a period of time correlated to the
time associated with burning of a typical smoking article.
[0004] To initiate operation of the lighter, a switch may be
provided which becomes engaged by a smoking article. Alternatively,
or conjunctively, a manually operable switch may be provided so
that the smoker can initiate lighter operation or override its
electronic circuitry.
[0005] If desired, the lighter may also include a glow-indicator
light coupled with circuitry operable to sense air flowing through
the lighter and to illuminate the glow-indicator light in response
to that event.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smokeless cigarette
lighter.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a smokeless cigarette
lighter showing an optional puff-indicator light.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the smokeless cigarette
lighter of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a suitable electronic circuit
for the smokeless cigarette lighter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Turning now to FIG. 1, a lighter 20 may have a generally
cylindrical external configuration and is designed to function with
a conventional smoking article such as a conventional cigarette 22,
or a conventional cigar, or a conventional cigarillo, or the like.
The conventional cigarette 22 typically includes a rod 24
comprising a rod of tobacco cut filler encased in a paper wrapper.
Depending upon the particular cigarette 22, a filter end 26 may
also be part of the cigarette. The lighter 20 may also be designed
to function with other smoking articles such as a cigar or
cigarillo or the like. In that case, however, a range of lighter
sizes may be needed to accommodate the various ring sizes of the
cigars.
[0012] As illustrated, the lighter 20 receives a substantial
portion of the length of the smoking article through an opening at
one end. The opposite end of the lighter 20 includes a manifold 28
provided with a plurality of generally radially extending channels
30. The manifold 28 allows air to enter the lighter when the smoker
puffs on the cigarette 22 by drawing air therethrough.
[0013] Optionally, the end of the lighter opposite to the opening
for the smoking article may include an indicator light assembly 36
which can light when the smoker draws air through the smoking
article. Thus, the indicator light assembly 36 operates analogously
to the coal of a conventional cigarette or cigar when air is drawn
into it. The indicator light assembly 36 (see FIG. 2) may have a
cover 38 to protect the LED, bulb or filament 40. As desired, the
cover 38 may be transparent or translucent. Moreover, the cover 38
may have pigmentation such as orange or another color to simulate
the color of a burning coal. The cover 38 may be constructed from
any suitable conventional material including, for example, plastic,
glass, transparent minerals, and the like.
[0014] Within the lighter 20 a heating assembly 50 is provided. The
heating assembly 50 defines a chamber 52 which is generally
cylindrical with a generally circular cross section. This heater is
not limited to that shape and includes other shapes such as
frustoconical and other cross sections such as polygonal,
elliptical, and the like. Whichever shape may be selected, the
chamber 52 has a transverse dimension selected to accommodate the
transverse dimension of a smoking article to be used with the
lighter. In addition, the length of the chamber 52 is selected to
accommodate the length of the associated smoking article such that
a mouth engageable portion, i.e., about 0.5 to about 2 inches,
extends from the lighter 20.
[0015] One end of the chamber 52 has an opening 54 sized to
accommodate a smoking article. For example, where a cigarette is
the smoking article, the opening 54 may have a transverse dimension
in the range of about 8 to about 10 mm (about 0.3 to about 0.4
inches). Where the smoking article is a cigar, the transverse
dimension may range from about 10 mm to about 25 mm (about 0.4 to
about 1.0 inches).
[0016] The other end of the chamber 52 also has an opening 56. This
opening 56 communicates with the manifold 28 and receives air that
is drawn through the lighter 20 during smoking. The air opening 56
can be sized as desired. In appropriate circumstances, the air
opening 56 may define an orifice of reduced transverse dimension.
In other circumstances, the air opening 56 is sufficiently large
that no airflow restriction or pressure drop is caused thereby.
[0017] The air opening 56 has fluid communication with a central
bore 58 of the manifold 28. The central bore 58 has fluid
communication with each of the channels 30 (see FIG. 4) which
extend radially outwardly through the manifold 28. While four
channels 30 are illustrated, it should be understood that the
number of channels can be selected as desired to give the
appropriate airflow into the lighter. For example, there may be as
few as two to as many as sixteen channels. The channels 30 may be
equiangularly spaced around the axis of the manifold 28 and may be
arranged in one radial plane or in two or more axially-spaced,
radial planes.
[0018] The central bore 58 preferably has a transverse dimension
selected so that it does not restrict airflow through the lighter
20. For example, the bore 58 may have a transverse dimension or
diameter as large as the transverse dimension of the air opening 56
of the heating assembly. To avoid restricting airflow into the
lighter, the central bore 58 preferably has a cross-sectional area
at least as large as the sum of cross-sectional areas of the
channels 30 which communicate with the bore 58.
[0019] The heating assembly 50 may include a generally cylindrical
element 60 having a substantially uniform wall thickness and having
a generally circular cross section. The element 60 may be
fabricated from a suitable conventional material including, for
example, a ceramic material, a thermally insulating material, or a
thermally conductive material. The element 60 may have one or more
surface-mounted resistance heating members such as films, or shaped
ribbons. Alternatively, the element 60 may include one or more
internal heating members. Regardless of the type of heating members
used, the heating members are arranged in and/or on the heating
element 60 so that a substantially uniform temperature can be
obtained and maintained in the chamber 52 in both the radial and
axial directions.
[0020] The heating assembly 50 is operable to raise the temperature
in the chamber 52 to preselected temperature or range, preferably
in the range of about 160.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. within
a short time period, for example less than about 30 seconds,
preferably less than about 20 seconds, and most preferably about 10
seconds or less. Further, the heating assembly 50 is operable to
maintain the temperature in the chamber 52 within the range of
about 160.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. The lower temperature
of this range, i.e., about 160.degree., constitutes the threshold
for release of volatiles from tobacco which provide the experience
of smoking. The higher temperature of this range, i.e., about
200.degree., defines a heating temperature below which visible
smoke does not occur around the lighter. Moreover, at and below
this higher temperature, the lighter operates without combustion of
tobacco and/or paper cigarette wrapper material. Coincidentally,
most of the pyrolytic and pyrosynthetic processes are avoided that
otherwise occur when a conventional cigarette is smoked in a
conventional manner.
[0021] A jacket 62 is disposed on the outside of the heating
assembly 50 both to provide a means of holding the lighter 20 and
to insulate the smoker's hand and fingers from the heating assembly
50. To that end, the jacket 62 is fashioned from an insulating
material such as, for example, ceramic, phenolic, wood, or the
like. The jacket 62 has a thickness selected such that the
temperature of its external surface does not exceed about
40.degree. C. To further protect the smoker's fingers from
accidental burns, the jacket 62 may be substantially coaxial with
the heating element 60 and preferably has a similar cross-sectional
shape. For the same reason, the jacket 62 preferably has a length
which exceeds the length of the heating element 60 so that the
jacket can also substantially cover the end of the heating element
60 at the opening 54. When the jacket 62 covers the end of the
heating element 60 and extends toward the opening 54, the jacket is
shaped so that it provides an opening for the smoking article which
is at least as large as the opening 54.
[0022] If desired, the jacket 62 may be designed with a tolerance
that permits the heating element 60 to slide axially for
replacement purposes.
[0023] The manifold 28 attached to the jacket 62 and provides a
radially extending surface 64 which provides an abutment to hold
the heating element 60 in position within the jacket 62. As shown,
the surface 64 extends radially across the end of the heating
element 60; however, to provide the positioning function, that
surface 64 need only overlap a portion of the end of the heating
element. The manifold 28 may be attached to the jacket 62 in any of
a variety of ways depending on the materials used for the jacket
and the manifold. For example, the connection may be with a
permanent adhesive, welding, brazing, interference, or a mechanical
arrangement. Where the heating element 60 is designed to be
replaceable, the connection may be a mechanical one such as mating
threads on the jacket and the manifold 28.
[0024] If desired, the remote end of the lighter 20 may include a
glow light assembly 36. The glow light assembly is operable to
sense airflow in the lighter 20 in a suitable conventional manner
so that the light 40 comes on when air is passing through the
lighter 20, such as when the smokeable object is puffed. When the
glow light assembly is not part of the lighter, a simple cap may be
substituted having a similar shape and being operable to contain
the battery 70. The glow light assembly, or the cap, is removably
connected to the manifold 28 so that the battery 70 can be accessed
and replaced if needed.
[0025] The battery 70 is provided to energize the lighter 20. The
battery 70 may be disposed in a conformingly shaped cavity located
between the manifold 28 and the light assembly 36. The battery 70
not only supplies energy to the heating element 60, it also
supplies energy for the glow light assembly. The battery 70 may
have any desired design. For example, the battery 70 may be
disposable or rechargeable; however it must be capable of
delivering electrical energy to the heating element 60 for a
plurality of periods of smoking.
[0026] The lighter 20 also includes a comparatively simple control
system for regulating delivery of electrical energy to the heating
element 60 The control system also operates to control the
temperature in the heating chamber 52 to the range specified above.
The control system also functions to energize the glow light
assembly when that is part of the lighter 20.
[0027] While various designs for a control system will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, one simple control system is shown in
FIG. 5. The battery 70 may be connected in series with a first
actuator 80, a timer circuit 82, and the heating element 60. The
first actuator 80 may be operated by insertion of a cigarette into
the heating chamber of the lighter, such as a switch, or a suitable
conventional sensor to detect the presence of a smoking article, or
a suitable conventional pressure sensor to indicate when the smoker
draws upon a smoking article that has been inserted into the
lighter. Regardless of the actuator type used, the actuator 80 is
operable to connect the battery 70 with the timer circuit 82. When
the circuit is energized, the timing circuit begins and continues
to permit electrical energy to reach the heating element 60 for a
predetermined time, such as a period in the range of about 10 to
about 12 minutes. During that time, the heating element 60 rapidly
reaches its operating condition and heats the chamber to a
temperature in the range of about 160.degree. C. to about
200.degree. C. A temperature control 84 is provided to both sense
the temperature in the heating chamber and to regulate that
temperature. This control aspect can be effected by, for example,
adjusting the electrical energy passing through the heating element
60.
[0028] The optional puff-indicator assembly includes the light 40
and a puff sensor circuit 88. These elements may be connected in
series and those elements then connected in parallel with the
heating element 60. The puff sensor circuit is operable to
determine when airflow through the heating chamber begins and/or
increases. When that happens, the light 40 is energized;
conversely, when airflow drops or stops, the light 40 is
extinguished. Thus, the light 40 simulates the operation of the
coal on a burning cigarette when the cigarette is being puffed.
[0029] At the end of the timer cycle, energy to the puff sensor
circuit 88 and to the heating element 60 stops. As a result,
further puffing by the smoker will not be accompanied by lighting
of the light 40 and the smoker will know that the operating cycle
has ended. Also, since energy to the heating element 60 stops,
further heating of the chamber ends at the same time.
[0030] For those situations where the smoker wants to continue
puffing the smokeable object, a manually operable switch 86 is
provided on the lighter 20. As seen in FIG. 1, the switch 86 may be
located adjacent to the end of the lighter and near the protruding
portion of the smokeable object. If the switch 86 is engaged, the
timer circuit again becomes energized and operates as discussed
above.
[0031] Various other arrangements for controlling the heating
element 60 are possible and are within the scope of this
disclosure.
[0032] In use, a smoking article such as a cigarette 24 (FIG. 3) is
inserted into the open end 54 of the lighter 20. As an alternative,
a disposable or permanent flavor cartridge 90 may be inserted into
the lighter 20 prior to insertion of the cigarette. The flavor
cartridge 90 permits customization of the tobacco flavors by the
smoker. Yet another alternative involves using both a flavor
cartridge 90 and a smoking article 24. When the flavor cartridge,
or the smoking article, or both are introduced into the heating
chamber, the actuating switch 80 (FIG. 5) of the lighter 20 is
closed. As a result, the battery 70 energizes or initiates the
timer 82 and the heating element 60.
[0033] The battery 70 is preferably sized to have an electrical
capacity sufficient to operate the lighter 20 through multiple
cycles. Recognizing that frequent replacement or recharging of the
battery 70 could annoy a smoker, the battery 70 is most preferably
capable of operating the lighter 20 for about a week for an average
smoker. That could be, for example, through 100 to 150 cycles or
more before replacement or recharge becomes needed. As a minimum,
the battery should be able to operate the lighter 20 for at least a
day, for example through about 20 cycles or more before replacement
or recharge is needed.
[0034] The battery 70 is also selected so that, when the timer 82
is initiated, the temperature of the heating chamber 52 (FIG. 3)
rises to the preselected temperature or temperature range,
preferably in the range of about 160.degree. C. to about
200.degree. C. in a time period of about 10 seconds. At this time
the heat in the chamber 52 acts on tobacco in the smoking article
and on the flavor cartridge, if present, to begin releasing
volatile vapors from the tobacco or tobacco flavor extract
cartridge. The temperature of about 160.degree. C. is preferred
since, below that temperature, volatile vapors may not be released.
The temperature of about 200.degree. C. is also preferred since
higher temperatures may give rise to visible smoke. By keeping the
temperature in the chamber 52 below this value, visible smoke is
essentially avoided. The temperatures defining the range end points
allow for some variation due to operation of the temperature
control, introduction of cooler air during puffing, responsiveness
of the temperature control to ambient temperature changes, and
similar factors. Generally speaking, these end point temperatures
can be evaluated as time averages over the period of time that the
timer 82 energizes the heater element 60.
[0035] The timer circuit 82 (FIG. 5) preferably energizes the
heater element for a predetermined time period, preferably in the
range of 10 to 12 minutes. This length of time will accommodate
most individuals who use cigarettes as the smoking article. The
time period is selected to be longer that the length of time the
typical smoking article to be smoked with the lighter would burn if
used in the conventional way of lighting the smoking article and
smoking it in the conventional manner. Where the smoking article is
a cigarette, the time period of 10 to 12 minutes substantially
exceeds the time frame of 3 to 5 minutes typically involved in
smoking a cigarette. The time period of 10 to 12 minutes also
exceeds the time during which a lighted, but unsmoked, cigarette
burns. Where, however, the smoking article is a cigar, the period
of operation established by the timer may be adjusted to be
significantly longer than the 10 to 12 minute period. Again, the
time period would be selected to be greater than the length of time
normally associated with smoking a cigar in the conventional,
lighted way. With cigars, the expected duty cycles for the battery
70 may also be different since fewer cigars than cigarettes may be
consumed by smokers on a daily or weekly basis.
[0036] When the timer circuit reaches the end of the time period,
energy flow from the battery 70 to the heating element 60 is
interrupted and the heating chamber 52 is no longer heated. At that
time, the smoking article may be withdrawn from the lighter 20 and
discarded. If, however, the smoker wants to continue smoking the
smoking article, a manually operable switch 86, located for example
on the outside of the jacket 62 near the open end 54 of the heating
chamber 52, can be actuated. When the switch 86 is activated energy
again flows through the timer circuit, heating element, and
temperature control, so that the smoker can continue smoking the
object.
[0037] When smoking a cigarette in the normal way, each time the
smoker takes a puff the coal at the end of the cigarette glows at
least in part as a result of the increased oxygen from airflow
through the burning end. That glowing coal provides an indicia that
the cigarette is lit and being smoked. If desired, the lighter can
provide increased power to the indicator 40 to simulate the smoking
experience.
[0038] The indicator can remain on during the time the heater is
maintained at the desired temperature or the indicator can be
turned off between puffs. For example, where the puff sensor 88 and
the puff-indicator 40 are used, however, the smoker of the
smokeless lighter will get a visual indication when puffing occurs.
For example, the puff sensor 88 senses airflow into the internal
end 56 of the heating chamber 52 (FIG. 3). The airflow sensor may
be positioned in one of the channels 30, or the central manifold
58, as desired. Normally there is very little airflow through those
channels and manifold since there is no need for oxygen to support
combustion of tobacco at the end of the cigarette. But, when the
smoker puffs or draws air through the smoking article in the
lighter 20, the puff sensor 88 (FIG. 5) allows electrical energy to
light the indicator 40 causing it to glow. When the airflow returns
to its normal value, the puff sensor 88 interrupts electrical
energy to the indicator and the indicator 40 no longer glows.
Accordingly, the optional puff-indicator indicates when the smoker
is puffing or drawing air through the lighter.
[0039] During the time when air is drawn into the lighter, i.e.,
puffing, the air condenses the volatile and semi-volatile vapors of
the tobacco and the flavor extracts of the flavor cartridge, when
used, into an aerosol that is then drawn out of the end of the
smoking article protruding from the lighter 20. That distillation
aerosol looks like smoke but does not include the particulate
matter, ash, pyrolytic and pyrosynthetic compounds found in
conventional tobacco smoke.
[0040] As an alternate arrangement, the predetermined time interval
for operation of the lighter could be set to a shorter value such
as, for example the time typically involved in smoking a cigarette.
That arrangement could be desirable as a way to increase battery
life or longevity. In such a situation, the puff sensor 88 could be
used to restart the preselected time interval when a puff by the
smoker is sensed. In this way, the preselected time interval could
be as short as the typical length of time between puffs for a
smoker who smokes a cigarette slowly, but the lighter would keep
the heating element energized so that there would not be any
interruption in the smoking experience.
[0041] While the lighter 20 discussed above can be offered as a
stand-alone item, it may also be offered as a component of a kit or
smoking system. For example, the kit could include at least one,
perhaps more, smokable articles as well as the lighter and a
replaceable power supply.
[0042] The lighter 20 can smoke conventional cigarettes. No
specially manufactured cigarette or tobacco product is required.
Thus, the cost to the smoker for this smoking system is thus
reduced compared to other approaches where special cigarettes are
required. Furthermore, the components of the lighter 20 are
fabricated from inexpensive materials. For example, the electronic
components are conventional elements so that the expense associated
with sophisticated electronic components is avoided. All these
factors contribute to an inexpensive system and an inexpensive
lighter assembly.
[0043] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
system described above allows at least a portion of a cigarette rod
to be heated maintained at, or heated to, a preselected temperature
for a predetermined time interval. The preselected temperature is
maintained without substantial interruption between puffs during
that time interval and, in the absence of a puff, for the duration
of the predetermined time interval. Presence of a puff during the
predetermined time interval can be determined by a puff sensor. In
an alternate arrangement, the puff sensor can actuate or restart
the time interval to extend the smoking period.
[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
cigarette being smoked is almost entirely enclosed in the heating
chamber 52 and the heating temperature avoids combustion products.
As a result, virtually no sidestream smoke is generated during a
smoke. Thus, the lighter 20 is a smokeless device.
[0045] The tobacco smoked in this lighter is maintained in the
specified temperature range continuously. Accordingly, the smoker
may take as many puffs, or as few puffs, as desired. Further, the
frequency of the puffs is unrestricted and can be any frequency the
smoker desires. Furthermore, since the temperature range is low,
less battery energy is needed than in systems using higher
temperatures.
[0046] It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that
the lighter according to this disclosure would require, at most,
minimal cleaning. And, when such cleaning is needed, it can be
performed very simply. For example, the air channels 30 are
externally accessible and can be readily cleaned. The heating
chamber 52 is open at one end, and is also externally accessible.
To the extent it might be necessary to clean the central channel of
the air manifold, that manifold may be removed from the lighter for
internal access.
[0047] It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that
this specification describes a new, useful, and nonobvious
smokeless cigarette lighter and smoking system. It will also be
apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications,
variations, substitutes, and equivalents exist for various aspects
of the invention that have been described in the detailed
description above. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all
such modifications, variations, substitutions, and equivalents that
fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by
the appended claims, be embraced thereby.
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