PORTABLE TAMPER ARTICLE

Abstract

A portable tamper article is disclosed, including a non-flammable tamper device, and a retaining member secured to or integrated with the tamper device, said retaining member adapted to engage a portable device. Also disclosed is a portable tamper article, including a non-flammable retaining member, comprising a tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage a portable device. Further disclosed is a combination lighter and tamper article, including a lighter and a retaining member comprising a tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage the lighter

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/536,926, filed Jun. 28, 2012, currently pending, which claims priority under 35 USC 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/504,465 filed Jul. 5, 2011, in the names of Robert Andrew Healy and Craig John Errington for “PORTABLE TAMPER ARTICLE.” The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/504,465 and U.S. Application No. 13/536,926 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to portable tamper and/or snuffer articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the use of pipes for smoking (e.g., tobacco, cloves, cannabis, etc., hereinafter “consumable material” or “burning material”), a tamper or snuffer may be utilized to tamper, control, or terminate the incineration of consumable material. A tamper is generally a blunt instrument, either a simple dowel or object shaped like the top of a nail, with a flat end for tamping down the consumable material when the bowl is being packed, and for crushing the ash together to aid relighting. Tampers are generally smaller than the opening (i.e., “bowl”) of a pipe, so that the limited portions of the consumable material contained in the bowl may be selectively tampered down. A snuffer is generally a small metal cup used to extinguish the consumable material by placing the cup in a position (e.g., over the bowl) to deprive the material of oxygen.

The size of a pipe, particularly the bowl, depends largely on what consumable material is to be smoked in it. Large tobacco pipes are used for strong-tasting, harsh tobaccos, the smoke from which is usually not inhaled. Smaller pipes such as a midwakh or kiseru are used to inhale milder tobaccos such as dokha and kizami or other substances such as cannabis and opium. Pipes are often made from a variety of materials including glass, ceramic, metal, briar, clay, corncob, meerschaum, gourd, stone, and wood.

Tampering of consumable material is common in order to improve the combustion of the material. Given the high temperatures associated with the burning of consumable material, it is common but not preferred to use a finger (or thumb) to tamper and/or extinguish the burning material. In addition, the use of a disposable lighter for tampering or extinguishing the burning material is common but generally not desirable given the fact that most disposable lighters contain flammable fluid and are made from plastic.

Existing tampers and snuffers are generally bulky instruments that are not easily portable.

In consequence, it would be desirable to have a portable tamper or snuffer. In addition, it would be desirable to have an article that may be utilized as a tamper and a snuffer, and yet is still portable. Moreover, it would be desirable to have a portable tamper and/or snuffer article that may be attached to a portable device such as a lighter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to portable tamper and/or snuffer articles. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a portable tamper article, comprising a non-flammable tamper device, and a retaining member secured to or integrated with the tamper device, said retaining member adapted to engage a portable device. In some embodiments, the tamper device may include a lower portion and a tapered top portion extending from the lower portion to an uppermost point of the tamper device, wherein the top portion decreases in diameter from the lower portion to the uppermost point.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a portable tamper article, comprising a non-flammable retaining member comprising a tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage a portable device.

In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a combination lighter and tamper article, comprising a lighter, and a retaining member comprising a tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage the lighter.

Other aspects, features and embodiments of the disclosure will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tamper article according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the tamper article according to the first

embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tamper article according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tamper article according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tamper article according to a second embodiment, revealing, in exploded form, a vertically displaced tamper insert positioned for engaging the tamper article.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the tamping device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a base portion of the tamper article according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a bottom perspective view of a base portion of the tamper article according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8A-8D are front, top, and side perspective views, respectively, of a retaining member according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a side perspective view of a tamping device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a top and side perspective view of a portion of the base portion of the tamper article according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9C is a bottom view and side perspective view of a portion of the base portion of the tamper article according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure relates to portable tamper and/or snuffer articles.

Unless otherwise defined, terms used herein should be construed to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art. Further, the use of any term in this disclosure in one tense or context shall not be limited to only the tense or context of the term as used.

Unless the absence of one or more elements is specifically recited, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” as used herein should be interpreted as open-ended terms that do not preclude the presence of one or more elements.

The terms “tamper” and “snuffer” as used herein refer to any article that may be used to tamper and/or extinguish a burning consumable material (e.g., tobacco), and are used herein interchangeably. In one embodiment, a tamper comprises any one or more of glass, ceramic, metal, briar, clay, corncob, meerschaum, gourd, stone, and wood. In one embodiment, a non-flammable tamper device comprises any one or more of glass, ceramic, and metal.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a portable tamper article, including a non-flammable tamper device, and a retaining member secured to or integrated with the tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage a portable device.

The term “non-flammable” means not easily ignited and not burning rapidly if ignited. In one embodiment, the tamper device comprises glass which is generally non-flammable. In various embodiments, the retaining member is non-flammable. In a specific embodiment, a non-flammable retaining member comprises a band or sleeve adapted to engage a portable device such as a disposable lighter. In one embodiment, the non-flammable retaining member comprises a flame retardant neoprene rubber that has excellent flame resistant properties. This type of neoprene rubber is also known as fireproof rubber, and provides the necessary elasticity to allow engagement with a portable device (e.g., around a disposable lighter). In one embodiment, a non-flammable retaining member comprises Kevlar® (poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide). In one embodiment, the retaining member is a metal ring with a tightening member that may include a screw, latch, or similar retention member.

The term “retaining member” as used herein refers to any one or more of a clamp (e.g., with screw adjustment member), a band, a clip, an adhesive, a sleeve, watch band (e.g., expandable) and a Velcro strap. In one embodiment, a retaining member is secured to or integrated with a tamper device, to allow the tamper device and retaining member to engage a portable device. In a specific embodiment, a non-flammable retaining member comprises a band or sleeve adapted to engage a portable device and protect the portable device from the high temperatures associated with burning consumable material during use of a tamper device. In various embodiments, the retaining member comprises any one or more of rubber, Kevlar®, metal, and silicone. In a preferred embodiment, a retaining member is heat resistant.

In various embodiments, the non-flammable retaining member comprises a metal sleeve for sliding over a portable device. In one embodiment, the metal sleeve includes an elongated gap running the entire length of the metal sleeve, such that the metal sleeve may be slightly expanded a sufficient amount to allow easy sliding on and off the portable device.

The term “sleeve” as used herein refers to an article adapted to cover a majority of the portable device. In one embodiment, a sleeve insulates and protects a portable device from consumable material being tampered or extinguished by a tamper device. The term “band” as used herein refers to an article adapted to cover less than a majority of a portable device. In one embodiment, a band is secured to or integrated with a tamper device to attach the tamper device to a portable device such as a disposable lighter. In various embodiments, a band, clamp, or sleeve may be utilized to attach a tamper device to a portable device.

The term “portable device” as used herein refers to any device able to be easily transported by a user (e.g., human), and includes, but is not limited to, a lighter (including disposable and non-disposable lighters), a pen, a key chain, a wallet, a purse, a PDA or mobile phone, and a pocket knife.

In one embodiment, a portable tamper article includes a non-flammable tamper device and a retaining member secured to or integrated with the tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage a portable device. In various embodiments, the retaining member is secured to the tamper device and is a separate component and/or comprises a different material. In various embodiments, the retaining member is engaged with the tamper device and may comprise the same material as the tamper device and/or comprise one single component.

According to some embodiments, the tamper device may include a shaped portion sized to fit the bowl of a pipe. The tamper device may include any desired shape to compliment a bowl of a pipe, including round (e.g., cylindrical), octagonal, spherical, mounded, etc. In one embodiment, a tamper device includes a raised cylindrical portion including a tapered top or bezel for deeper insertion and positioning guidance when inserting into a bowl of a pipe. In one embodiment, a tamper device includes an outer raised lip to prevent the tamper device from slipping from the bowl during use. In various embodiments, a tamper device and/or tamper insert comprises a shape sufficient to fit into at least a portion of the opening of a bowl of a pipe and provides tampering function or snuffing functionality, depending upon the angle of application, length of application, and volume of consumable material in the pipe. Therefore, one advantage of the present disclosure is a combined tamper and snuffer capable of either tampering the consumable material, or extinguishing the consumable material.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, various exemplary embodiments and views of a portable tamper article 100 are provided that may include a tamper device 110 and retaining member 150. As depicted, the tamper device 110 may include, for example, a raised substantially spherical or otherwise mound-like shape that may be sized to compliment or mate with a bowl of a pipe (not shown), for example, various pipes mentioned above. In some embodiments, the tamper device's substantially spherical or mounded shape provides for deeper insertion and positioning guidance when inserting into the bowl of a pipe. Further, depending on, among other things, the depth to which the tamper device is inserted, the substantially spherical or mounded shape may provide for both a tamping function and a snuffing function. As will be understood by those having skill in the art, other factors determining the extent of tamping function or snuffing function the tamping device may provide include length of application, volume and type of material in the pipe, and others.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exploded view is provided of the exemplary embodiment of the tamping device 110 and retaining member 150 depicted in FIGS. 1-4 according to various embodiments. As shown, exemplary embodiments of the tamping device may include a tamping portion 115 and a base portion 125. In some embodiments, the tamping portion 115 may be substantially spherical or mound shaped, and may also include an uppermost point 135. In some embodiments, the tamping portion 115 may include a cross-sectional area that decreases along an axis extending from the base portion 125 to the uppermost point 135. As noted above, the tamping portion 115 may be of any non-flammable material. In some embodiments, the tamping portion 115 and base portion 125 may be coupled together. As noted above, tamping portion 115 may also include any other shape desired that may sufficiently complement the bowl of a pipe to provide the desired tamping and/or snuffing functionality.

Referring now to FIG. 6 (along with FIG. 5), various embodiments of the present disclosure are presented wherein tamping device 110 may also include a tamper insert 145. The tamper device 110 may retain and secure the tamper insert 145 with any one or more of a magnet, threaded engagement, snap, plug, Velcro, and any other known means for engaging two elements (“securing member”). The securing member may be comprised within a male protrusion and/or female recess (e.g., recess 147). In some embodiments, the tamper insert 145 may be magnetic, thereby enabling tamping device 110 to be magnetically secured to any magnetic surface or device (e.g., lighter, refrigerator, etc.).

Referring again to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, various embodiments of base portion 125 are also presented. In some embodiments, base portion 125 may include a lip 127 configured to engage with retaining member 150 and securely engage the tamping device 110 with the retaining member 150. For example, retaining member 150 may include recess 155 sized to receive lip 127, thereby enabling tamper device 110 to be secured to retaining member 150. In some embodiments, retaining member 150 may be made from a elastic material (e.g., rubber) that allows the retaining member 150 to operatively release the lip 127, thereby enabling a user to selectively remove or install the tamping device 110 into retaining member 150. Retaining member 150 may also be made of any other material that allows for releasing of the lip 127 from the retaining member 150. Further, it will be understood by those having skill in the art that any other means for operatively securing tamping device 110 to retaining member 150 may be utilized, incuding snaps, Velcro, magnets, or other fastening devices. In certain other embodiments, tamping device 110 may be more permanently secured to retaining member 150 (e.g., glue, welding, etc.) or retaining member 150 and tamping device 110 may be formed from one continuous piece of material.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, exemplary dimensions according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are provided. These dimensions are provided by way of example only and are not intended to limit this disclosure in any way.

In various embodiments, the tamper device 110 may be of limited thickness (approximately less than two cm) to allow easy transport and access when put into a user's pocket or purse. In various embodiments, the benefits of the tamper device of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, small size, limited weight, ease of engagement with a portable device (e.g., lighter), and attractive appearance. In various embodiments, the tamper device may include an attractive appearance or ornamental design.

In some embodiments, the tamper device is adapted to retain a tamper insert. The tamper insert may comprise a charm or similar element having an attractive appearance or ornamental design (e.g., decorative charm). In various embodiments, the tamper insert would comprise a non-flammable material including any one or more of glass, ceramic, and metal. In one embodiment, the tamper device comprises a female recess for retaining the tamper insert, wherein the tamper insert may comprise a male protrusion adapted to fit within or compliment the female recess.

For the various embodiments including a tamper insert, the tamper device may retain and secure the tamper insert with any one or more of a magnet, threaded engagement, snap, plug, Velcro, and any other known means for engaging two elements (“securing member”). The securing member may be comprised within the male protrusion and/or female recess.

A tamper device and/or tamper insert in various embodiments may comprise a thickness (not including the full retaining member) of less than approximately 3 cm, and preferably less than approximately 2 cm, and more preferably less than approximately 1 cm.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a portable tamper article, comprising a non-flammable retaining member comprising a tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage a portable device. In one embodiment, the retaining member includes a tamper device and may comprise one material and/or component for ease of manufacture.

In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to a combination lighter and tamper article, comprising a lighter, and a retaining member comprising a tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage the lighter. In one embodiment, a lighter may be manufactured with a tamper device to avoid the necessity of a retaining member. Additional protection (beyond that already provided for a lighter, particularly a plastic and/or disposable lighter may need thicker walls or alternative materials) may be needed for the lighter fuel against the heat and/or combustion of the consumable material.

In various embodiments, the advantages of the present disclosure provide either a lighter adapted with a tamper device or a means for adding a tamper device to a lighter or other portable device. Such combination of features provides for additional benefits beyond requiring a user to carry two separate devices (e.g., a lighter and a tamper device). In one embodiment, a tamper article may be secured to a portable device to allow for either a right-handed or left-handed user.

Any one or more features and elements as disclosed herein are contemplated for use in combination with one or more other features and elements herein, regardless of whether such features are disclosed in connection with different embodiments, absent indication to the contrary herein.

While the disclosure has been has been described herein in reference to specific aspects, features and illustrative embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that the utility of the disclosure is not thus limited, but rather extends to and encompasses numerous other variations, modifications and alternative embodiments, as will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the field of the present invention, based on the disclosure herein. Correspondingly, the disclosure as hereinafter claimed is intended to be broadly construed and interpreted, as including all such variations, modifications and alternative embodiments, within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A portable tamper article, comprising:

a non-flammable tamper device; and

a retaining member secured to or integrated with the tamper device, said retaining member adapted to engage a portable device;

wherein the tamper device comprises a lower portion and a tapered top portion extending from the lower portion to an uppermost point of the tamper device,

and further wherein the top portion decreases in diameter from the lower portion to the uppermost point.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the tamper device comprises a non-flammable material including any one or more of glass, ceramic, and metal.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the tamper device is adapted to retain a tamper insert.

4. The article of claim 3, wherein the tamper insert comprises a non-flammable material including any one or more of glass, ceramic, and metal.

5. The article of claim 3, wherein the tamper device comprises a recess for retaining the tamper insert.

6. The article of claim 3, wherein the tamper insert is retained by the tamper device with any one or more of a magnet, threaded engagement, snap, and plug.

7. The article of claim 3, wherein the tamper insert comprises a decorative charm.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises any one or more of a clamp, a band, a clip, an adhesive, a sleeve, and a Velcro strap.

9. The article of claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises any one or more of rubber, Kevlar, metal, and silicone.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein the retaining member comprises heat resistant, non-flammable material.

11. The article of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises a lighter.

12. A portable tamper article, comprising: a non-flammable retaining member comprising a tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage a portable device, and further wherein the tamper device comprises a lower portion and a tapered top portion extending from the lower portion to an uppermost point of the tamper device, wherein the top portion decreases in diameter from the lower portion to the uppermost point.

13. The article of claim 12, wherein the retaining member includes slip-resistant material for engaging the portable device.

14. The article of claim 13, wherein the slip-resistant material comprises any one or more of rubber and silicone.

15. The article of claim 12, wherein the retaining member comprises any one or more of glass, ceramic, and metal.

16. The article of claim 12, wherein the retaining member comprises any or more of a clamp, a band, a clip, an adhesive, a sleeve, and a Velcro strap.

17. The article of claim 12, wherein the retaining member comprises any one or more of rubber, Kevlar, metal, and silicone.

18. A combination lighter and tamper article, comprising:

a lighter; and

a retaining member, the retaining member comprising a tamper device, wherein the retaining member is adapted to engage the lighter; and further wherein the tamper device comprises a lower portion and a tapered top portion extending from the lower portion to an uppermost point of the tamper device, wherein the top portion decreases in diameter from the lower portion to the uppermost point.

19. The article of claim 18, wherein the retaining member comprises any or more of a clamp, a band, a clip, an adhesive, a sleeve, and a Velcro strap.

20. The article of claim 18, wherein the tamper device comprises any one or more of glass, ceramic, and metal.