U.S. patent application number 13/944852 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-30 for combination lighter and consumable product dispenser.
The applicant listed for this patent is Albert Maimon. Invention is credited to Albert Maimon.
Application Number | 20140030664 13/944852 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49995226 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140030664 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maimon; Albert |
January 30, 2014 |
COMBINATION LIGHTER AND CONSUMABLE PRODUCT DISPENSER
Abstract
Methods and devices for combining a lighter with a consumable
product dispenser are presented. In exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, the combined dispenser can have a fragrance that
matches or compliments the consumable. The lighter portion of the
dispenser can be non-disposable, for example, and the consumable
portion can be disposable. The consumable portion can be, for
example, slidably attached so that it can be readily removed when
emptied. The consumable can be, for example, a perfume or
fragrance, a mint or candy, a hand sanitizer gel, chewing gum, or
an anti-bacterial lotion. The consumable dispensing portion can
have a button, for example, that when pressed, allows it to slide
into the lighter. When the button is released, the lighter and
consumable can, for example, become locked into a single combined
unit.
Inventors: |
Maimon; Albert; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Maimon; Albert |
Brooklyn |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49995226 |
Appl. No.: |
13/944852 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61672424 |
Jul 17, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q 2/32 20130101; F23Q
2/345 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/253 |
International
Class: |
F23Q 2/32 20060101
F23Q002/32; F23Q 2/34 20060101 F23Q002/34 |
Claims
1. An integrated device, comprising: a refillable lighter; and a
consumable product dispenser, wherein the lighter and the dispenser
are removably attached by removably attaching the bottom surface of
the lighter and a surface of the dispenser.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lighter and the dispenser are
removably attached via at least one of snaps, grooves, flaps, and
flexible sleeves.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the lighter and the dispenser are
removably attached at their respective bottom surfaces.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein one of the lighter and the
dispenser is provided with a female groove in its bottom surface,
and the other is provided with a complementary male protrusion that
fits into said groove.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein one of the lighter and the
dispenser is provided with one or more female holes in its bottom
surface, and the other is provided with one or more complementary
male protrusions that fit into said groove.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is provided with a
closable opening from which product is dispensed.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein said closable opening has a snap
flap type closure.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein said closable opening is provided
on one of the top surface and a side surface of the dispenser.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is provided with a
closable opening from which product is dispensed.
11. The device of claim 3, wherein the dispenser is provided with a
closable opening in its bottom surface from which product is
dispensed.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of a surface of the
lighter and the dispenser has an embedded fragrance.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein said fragrance one of resembles
or complements a fragrance of a product provided in the
dispenser.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the lighter and dispenser are
made of one of Polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene and
polycarbonate.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the lighter and dispenser are
made of the same material.
16. A method of providing a combined lighter and dispenser,
comprising: providing a refillable lighter; providing a consumable
product dispenser, removably attaching the bottom surface of the
lighter and a surface of the dispenser.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the lighter and the dispenser
are removably attached via at least one of snaps, grooves, flaps,
and flexible sleeves.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the lighter and the dispenser
are removably attached at their respective bottom surfaces.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein one of the lighter and the
dispenser is provided with a female groove in its bottom surface,
and the other is provided with a complementary male protrusion that
fits into said groove.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein one of the lighter and the
dispenser is provided with one or more female holes in its bottom
surface, and the other is provided with one or more complementary
male protrusions that fit into said groove.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/672,424, entitled "METHOD AND
DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND A CONSUMABLE
PRODUCT", filed on Jul. 17, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to consumer goods, and in
particular to providing various consumables together with a
cigarette lighter in an integrated package or device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] For years smokers have felt a need to get rid of the smell
that comes along with smoking cigarettes and other tobacco
products, as well as various alternate smoke-able substances. This
perceived need is felt by many different age groups, for different
reasons, and relating to many different situations. However, it is
inconvenient for a smoker to carry around, for example, in addition
to his or her bulky cigarette pack, either a lighter or matches,
and a pack of breath fresheners, chewing gum or the like. What is
thus needed in the art is an all-inclusive "smoker's kit".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary device according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0005] FIG. 2 depicts the device of FIG. 1 separated into its two
component parts, namely the lighter portion and the product
dispensing portion;
[0006] FIG. 3 depicts the separate components of the exemplary
device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an opposite orientation to that shown in
FIG. 2;
[0007] FIG. 4 depicts the exemplary device of FIG. 1 in an exploded
view where the two separate components are slightly separated from
each other, but in their proper orientation;
[0008] FIG. 5 shows the device of FIG. 1 in a more frontal head-on
view; and
[0009] FIG. 6 is a rear-view of the device of FIGS. 1-5 showing the
opposite point of view from that depicted in FIG. 5.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Methods and devices for combining a lighter with a
consumable product dispenser are presented. In exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, the combined dispenser can
have a fragrance that matches or compliments the consumable. The
lighter portion of the dispenser can be non-disposable, for
example, and the consumable portion can be disposable. The
consumable portion can be, for example, slidably attached to the
lighter portion so that it can be readily removed when emptied, and
for example, replaced with another pre-filled dispenser. The
consumable can be, for example, a perfume or fragrance, a mint or
candy, a hand sanitizer gel, chewing gum, or an anti-bacterial
lotion, to name a few. In some embodiments the consumable product
dispensing portion can have a button, for example, that when
pressed, allows it to slide into the lighter. When the button is
released, the lighter and dispenser can, for example, be locked
into a single combined unit.
[0011] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an
integrated device can appear to be a single unit cigarette/cigar
lighter with a disposable and attachable dispenser in which the
plastic of the complete unit may be scented so as to match or
complement the consumable product that is contained inside. As
shown in the various figures, there can be half of the unit filled
with lighter fluid and the other half filled with a consumable
product. The top of the unit can include a lighter device with a
fuel reservoir, and the bottom half, attachable to the top half via
a sliding and locking mechanism, may contain a snap open lid, e.g.,
plastic device, at its bottom portion that allows for dispensing of
consumable products.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Using devices according to exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, smokers can now have the ability to utilize a
multi-purpose cigarette lighter combined with a dispenser of a
consumable product. Such a device can serve many useful functions.
For example, it can be an easy to use cigarette lighter that can be
refilled and reused as many times as one pleases. Second, it can
have an attachable unit that contains a consumable product such as
breath mints, breath spray, hand sanitizer, fragrance, cologne or
perfume, etc. And finally, the unit itself can have a beautiful
scent embedded in its plastic surfaces that resembles or indicates
what consumable product is inside.
[0013] FIGS. 1-6 depict a combination lighter and consumables
dispenser according to exemplary embodiments of the present
invention. Externally, as seen, for example, in FIG. 1, there are
two compartments which can be connected by a slidable mechanism.
The components themselves can be made of an FDA approved plastic,
such as Delrin.RTM. (acetal homopolymer) for example, or, for
example, polypropylene, or polycarbonate. Besides being approved by
the FDA for use in the food industry, Delrin.RTM. has many other
advantages that make it preferable over other types of commonly
used plastics. It is noted that Delrin.RTM. is DuPont's commercial
name for Polyoxymethylene (POM), and also known as acetal,
polyacetal, and polyformaldehyde, which is an engineering
thermoplastic used in precision parts that require high stiffness,
low friction, and excellent dimensional stability. Because of POM's
unique properties it has the following advantages that make it a
good candidate for use in some embodiments of the present
invention: high abrasion resistance, low coefficient of friction,
high heat resistance, good electrical and dielectrical properties,
and low water absorption.
[0014] The upper lighter portion can be filled, for example, with
butane, a highly flammable, colorless, and easily liquefied gas. At
the bottom of the lighter compartment there can be a built-in
horse-shoe shaped female groove into which the bottom compartment
can slide by means of a corresponding male horseshoe-shaped
protrusion. Additionally, there can be a closable hole or portal
provided on a surface of the lighter unit to allow the lighter to
be re-filled with fluid, as is known in the art.
[0015] The bottom dispenser compartment can be filled with anything
from candy, mints, gum, or breath spray, hand sanitizer, perfumes
or various other types of consumable products. The bottom
compartment, used to dispense a consumable product, can have a
built in attachment mechanism similar to the bottom of the lighter
portion which, as noted, can be a male horse-shoe shaped groove
that will allow the bottom unit to slide into the top unit.
Alternatively the lighter and dispenser portions maybe attached via
any other known mechanism or technique, such as, for example,
snaps, grooves, flaps, and flexible sleeves, or, for example,
"Lego" like mated protrusions and holes that snap fit or
compression fit or the like.
[0016] The dispenser compartment can, for example, have a snap open
lid at its bottom surface to dispense the consumable product. The
snap open lid can have a small groove that allows it to snap into
the side of the compartment as well as snap out when pressure is
applied. The plastic used for the bottom compartment can be the
same material as is used for the top lighter unit, or, for example,
a different material can be used.
[0017] The entire lighter, like the slidable attachment mechanism,
can be, for example, made of the same plastic, such as, for
example, Delrin or similar plastics such as polypropylene or
polycarbonate. Alternatively each component may be made of a
different plastic. The shape and size of the lighter, as well as
the sliding mechanisms, can be accomplished through injection
molding, in which the POM is heated and placed into a mold cavity
where it cools and hardens to its desired form.
[0018] During the injection molding, while the POM is inserted into
a metal mold and is still in its liquid form, a few pallets of a
fragrance polymer material, such as are provided in Table A below,
can, for example, be inserted and mixed into the plastic. These
fragrances can match to the type of mint or candy inside the
consumable product, for example, such as cinnamon, spearmint,
peppermint, fruit flavors, etc. The fragrance polymer can mix in
with the POM at about 3-8% for example, depending on the specific
materials used. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
the overall product can thus have a faint scent of the mint candy,
or, for example, breath freshener liquid that is contained inside,
which can last, for example, for about 60-90 days.
[0019] Next described in greater detail are FIGS. 1-6.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, there can be seen the combined
lighter/consumable product dispenser in a perspective view. There
is upper lighter portion 110 and a lower dispenser portion 120,
with a dispensing cap and opening 130. The two portions of 110 and
120 are joined by a male/female horseshoe attachment mechanism 140,
as described above. At the top of lighter portion 110 is the
lighter mechanism 115.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows the same components are as depicted in FIG. 1,
yet now placed side to side for easy comparison. The lighter
portion is on the left 210, and the dispenser portion on the right
220. Visible at the bottom of lighter portion 210 is the lighter
mechanism 215 with the roller by which a consumer creates a spark
from the flint. Also seen is the opening for the flame. At the top
of lighter portion 210 is seen the outside contour of the female
horseshoe attachment mechanism 240. On the right side of FIG. 2 is
seen the dispenser portion 220 and at the top of that is the male
aspect of the horseshoe clasping mechanism 225. Visible at the
bottom of the dispenser portion as in FIG. 1 is the closeable
opening through which the consumables can be dispensed.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows the identical components as are shown in FIG.
2, except the view is now rotated so that the horseshoe attachment
mechanism can be seen in detail. At the left of FIG. 3 is lighter
portion 310 and at the right of FIG. 3 is dispenser portion 320. At
the top of the lighter portion is now seen dearly the female
horseshoe protrusion which is essentially an extension along most
of the periphery, in a horseshoe shape, of the bottom portion of
the lighter, thus creating a hole or groove into which the male
portion can be slid. This male portion is seen in the top of
dispenser 320 and labeled 325 in FIG. 3. Of course, to insert the
dispenser into the lighter, the dispenser as shown in FIG. 3 would
have to be rotated 180.degree. so that that male portion 325 lines
up with the female portion 340 and they then can be slid
horizontally together to clasp or attach. There can be a locking
mechanism for hen it is fully clasped, and the prongs at the open
portion of the horseshoe 340 can, for example click into place with
the back portion (as seen in FIG. 3) of the male portion 325 as
shown, in a snapping or tight fit closure. Alternatively, other
locking mechanisms may be used.
[0023] FIG. 4 is essentially the same view as depicted in FIG. 1
except that lighter portion 410 and dispenser portion 420 have been
separated and are shown in a semi-exploded view. Also visible is
the outside contour of the female horseshoe clasping mechanism 415,
attached to the bottom of the lighter portion, and the male portion
of said clasping mechanism 425, showing the grooves into which the
female portion (see in detail 340 of FIG. 3) slides, thus
completing the clasping or attachment process.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows the two portions of FIG. 4 after the
aforementioned clasping process has occurred, and finally, FIG. 6
is a front-on view of the exemplary device shown in FIG. 5.
[0025] Although the exemplary device of FIGS. 1-6 is shown to have
rounded corners and thus achieve a kind of "sleek" look, in
exemplary embodiments of the present invention essentially any
design or shape can be used for the lighter and the dispenser. The
lighter and dispenser need not have the same cross sectional area
as long as at the point of clasping--which is, for example, the
bottom of the lighter and the top of the dispenser--they fit
together. Thus, the clasping mechanism could have the shape of a
small waisted structure whereas the walls of each of the lighter
and the dispenser expand outward from the clasping mechanism to the
respectively upper or lower portion of the two components, thus
creating, for example, an hour glass shape. In other embodiments,
various other shapes are possible, as may be desirous in various
contexts due to marketing, functionality and design
considerations.
[0026] Table A, provided on the following page, lists exemplary
flavors for the consumable, and fragrance polymers to be used to
impart scent to the device's walls, as described above.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Mint and/or Breath Spray Flavors Fragrance
Polymers Cinnamon, Peppermint, Aeromatic Fusion .TM. cinnamon
Spearmint, Watermelon, fragrance concentrate, Aeromatic Cherry,
Grape, Apple, Fusion .TM. peppermint fragrance Vanilla, Chocolate,
concentrate, Aeromatic Fusion .TM. Bubble Gum, etc. spearmint
fragrance concentrate, Aeromatic Fusion .TM. watermelon fragrance
concentrate, Aeromatic Fusion .TM. cherry fragrance concentrate,
Aeromatic Fusion .TM. grape fragrance concentrate, Aeromatic Fusion
.TM. apple fragrance concentrate, etc. (which can consist of 1 or
more of the following materials): 2,4-Dimethyl-3-Cyclohexene
Carboxaldehyde, 2- Tertiary-Butylcyclohexyl Acetate, a,a-
Dimethylphenethyl Butyrate, Allyl 3- Cyclohexylpropionate, Allyl
Hpetanoate, (L) Citronellol, and Gamma- Undecalactone.
[0027] Marketing of Exemplary Devices
[0028] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, exemplary
devices may be made available in various models which can be
targeted to different market segments that use cigarette/cigar
lighters. Most will have a slidably attachable unit as seen in
FIGS. 1-6, but it is understood that the present invention also
covers various other orientations, attachment mechanisms and
designs. The overall finished product, when the consumable products
are attached, is as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. In an attempt to
follow a "GoGreen" image and make product as safe for the
environment as possible, the lighter unit itself without the
attachable bottom compartment can be re-usable, and can contain a
hole allowing consumers to refill it with butane, for example. Each
lighter can be covered under a factory warranty, for example. Each
lighter sold in stores can come with an attachable dispenser filled
with consumable product such as from candy, mints, gum, breath
spray, to hand sanitizer. When the consumable products in these
attachable units are finished, consumers will be able to detach the
dispenser unit from the lighter and buy, a new one from any
preferred retailer.
[0029] As is known, lighters that are normally sold in stores are
used by many different types of people of all sorts of cultures,
ethnicities, social classes, and age groups, for more reasons than
just lighting cigarettes or other smokes. Thus, different designs,
slogans, colors, price points, dispensed products, and methods to
make each individual consumer who uses cigarette lighters desire an
integrated device as described above can be utilized. Different
types of consumable products that can be used and attached to
exemplary lighters are, as noted, breath mints, hand sanitizer,
energy spray, breath strips, and supplement pills, to name a
few.
[0030] Exemplary Marketing Strategies
[0031] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various
marketing strategies may be used to market variations of a combined
lighter/dispenser according to exemplary embodiments of the present
invention. Exemplary classes and demographics and corresponding
marketing strategies directed towards them, are next described.
[0032] Class A: Ages 15-18 High School Students
[0033] Despite it being illegal to buy tobacco related products
under the age of 18 in many states in the United States, it has
become more and more common for teens, especially those in high
school, to smoke cigarettes and even marijuana. At that age, teens
are usually looking to hide these obvious scents from their
parents, teachers, and other parental authorities. Combining those
two desires, of having a lighter and a way of getting rid of the
telltale scents of smoking, can drive a need for various exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. Such an integrated device can
be marketed at the same retail value as many branded cigarette
lighters. The consumable dispenser can be sold attached to the
lighter with one consumable. However, all other related or similar
consumables, such as mints of different flavors, gum, or scented
hand sanitizers, can be sold separately. Optionally, a licensed
brand can be used for the consumable dispenser that is popular in
that region, or that precise age group. Such licensed brands can
include a popular breath mint company such as Certs, Tic-Tac, etc.
or, a known hand sanitizer company such as, for example, Purell.
This can allow a product to be more desirable, and increase sales
of the separately sold consumable dispensers.
[0034] Class B: Ages 19-22 (Music Followers)
[0035] Most people of this age group, that generally both work and
that go to college, have similar social habits as far as social
activities. Many such people go to music concerts, parties, clubs,
bars, and other social gatherings. When people go to these events
they look for a place to put their belongings that will no take up
room in their pockets and that they cannot place in their cigarette
packs. Once the consumable products are finished, the consumer can
put whatever he or she may want to put in the dispenser. It can
thus, in exemplary embodiments, function as a kind of pouch or
storage device. This will appeal to men and women alike who wish to
hide their belongings in a safe and portable place that won't take
up room in their pockets. In such embodiments, a larger opening can
be provided, or one that has two opening sizes, a smaller one when
dispensing product, and a larger one for storage use after
consuming the dispensed product.
[0036] Class C: Middle Aged Men and Women (Ages 25-35)
[0037] Regardless of age, gender, or social class, people always
want to smell nice. Whether it is to impress a friend, a date, or
their significant other, people make it their business to buy all
sorts of products that make them look and smell attractive. As
everyone knows, the smell of cigarettes or other types of scents
that come with using a lighter are often not desirable. A
lighter/dispenser model targeted to this group can have a more
elegant look than other simple designs. Licensed brands of
consumable products can be used to put in the attachable
compartments that are popular amongst those of middle age, for
example. The price of an exemplary device will depend upon what
type of consumable is contained inside.
[0038] Class D: Products, Services, and Advertisement
[0039] There are many companies, such as banks and insurance
companies, that give away promotional products with their name and
logo on them. There are also companies that provide products, such
as supplement pills or fragrance products, that struggle to promote
their products efficiently. Therefore, banks and/or insurance
companies can be offered to buy exemplary products for promotional
giveaways. Supplement companies, such as providers of Coenzyme Q10,
or Vitamins A-Z, would love the opportunity to offer their pills in
an attachable compartment to lighters. Since lighters are bought by
all sorts of classes of people and age groups it can be a
profitable advertising approach to run such promotions.
[0040] The present invention has been described in detail,
including various exemplary and preferred embodiments thereof.
However, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon
consideration of the present disclosure, may make modifications
and/or improvements on this invention that fall within the scope
and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *