Cigarette with colored smoke

Abstract

A smoking device is disclosed including an inhalation portion and a combustion portion joined to the inhalation portion. The combustion portion includes a combustible product portion surrounded by a wrapping portion. The combustion portion also includes a colored smoke producing element that produces colored smoke. The color of the smoke produced is communicatively significant, and may correspond to a quality of the smoking device, and/or a characteristic of one smoking the smoking device, and/or an event.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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[MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE]

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people around the world smoke cigarettes, cigars, nargillas (hookahs), pipes, and other smoking devices. Often, cigarettes and other smoking devices are smoked by people in groups. For instance, some people tend only to smoke in social situations, with other smokers and/or non-smokers, such as when at a bar with friends. Also, many buildings now either prohibit smoking altogether, or limit the activity to restricted, designated areas. Thus, people who smoke in those buildings congregate in the areas where smoking is permitted. Because many people who smoke are not allowed to smoke while working, smokers also tend to smoke at similar times as other smokers, such as on a lunch break, or immediately before or after work. These limitations on where and when people can smoke tends to bring smokers in contact with other smokers. Because cigarettes or other smoking devices are frequently smoked in social situations, it would be useful if the cigarettes themselves could have socially interactively useful functions.

One object of the present invention is to utilize cigarettes having colored smoke to communicate something about either the cigarette being smoked or the person smoking the cigarette.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cigarette or other smoking device with colored smoke, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cigarette formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cigarette from FIG. 1 after it has been lighted.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the cigarette from FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating the correspondence, between the color of smoke produced by a cigarette and a characteristic of a cigarette, formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating the correspondence, between the color of smoke produced by a cigarette and a characteristic of a smoker, formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating the correspondence, between the color of smoke produced by a cigarette and an event, formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cigarette 10, and FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cigarette 10 after it has been lighted. As shown in FIG. 1, the cigarette 10 includes an inhalation portion 20 and a combustion portion 30. The inhalation portion 20 includes an inhalation end 22, and the combustion portion 30 includes a combustion end 32.

As shown in FIG. 2, lighting the ignition end 32 of the combustion portion 30 starts the ignition end 32 burning, which gives off smoke 42 as a product of combustion. After the ignition end 32 is lit, a smoker can draw smoke through the cigarette 10 and out of the inhalation end 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the inhalation portion 20 and combustion portion 30 of the cigarette 10. The inhalation portion 20 includes a filter 24 and a filter wrapper 26. The filter 24 is generally cylindrical, and designed to remove potentially harmful materials from smoke drawn through the cigarette 10 towards the inhalation end 22. The filter wrapper 26 surrounds the filter 24.

The combustion portion 30 of the cigarette 10 includes a tobacco rod 34, cigarette wrapper 36, and a colored smoke producing strip 38. The tobacco rod 34 is a generally cylindrically formed mass of tobacco, pre-formed before being incorporated in the cigarette 10, and may contain additional additives other than tobacco. The cigarette wrapper 36 surrounds the tobacco rod 34, providing support and/or protection to the tobacco rod 34, and/or helping to shape the tobacco rod 34 or helping to maintain the shape of the tobacco rod 34. The colored smoke producing strip 38 is interposed between the cigarette wrapper 36 and tobacco rod 34, and aligned length-wise with the major axis of the generally cylindrical tobacco rod 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the colored smoke producing strip 38 may be affixed to the cigarette wrapper 36 before the cigarette wrapper 36 is wrapped around the tobacco rod 34. More than one colored smoke producing strip 38 may be used. The tobacco rod 34, cigarette wrapper 36, and colored smoke producing strip 38 are all combustible.

The colored smoke producing strip 38 contains a material that gives off colored smoke when the colored smoke producing strip 38 is burned. For example, known materials that give off colored smoke may be found in products such as smoke bombs or fireworks. These materials, or other materials to be used, can be adapted (but not necessarily so) for use in cigarettes for such considerations as safety, burn rate, ease of production and/or compatibility with other cigarette materials, and any effect they may have on taste. As smoke from the cigarette 10 will be ingested by the smoker and also distributed to the atmosphere, the material used will ideally have no or low toxicity.

Alternatively to a colored smoke producing strip 38 interposed between the tobacco rod 34 and cigarette wrapper 36, the combustion portion 30 may include a different type or form of colored smoke producing element. For example, the colored smoke producing element may be formed in smaller, discrete particles mixed into tobacco before the mixture is formed into a tobacco rod. As another example, the colored smoke producing element may be formed as a spray dispersed along the cigarette wrapper 36, and/or along the tobacco rod 34, and/or around loose tobacco before it is incorporated into the combustion portion 30. As a still further example, the colored smoke producing element can be an integrated part of the cigarette wrapper 36. Further detail and additional examples may be found in co-pending application “Colored Smoke Module for Cigarette,” Ser. No. ______, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

After the cigarette 10 is lit, the colored smoke producing strip 38 exudes colored smoke as it burns. Because the tobacco rod 34 and cigarette wrapper 36 are also burning, the color of all the smoke 42 leaving the cigarette 10 may be different from that produced solely by the colored smoke producing strip 38. Thus, to achieve a specified color of smoke for the smoke 42, the colored smoke producing strip 38 provides a more intense shade of that particular color when burning alone. Because smoke inhaled by a smoker passes through the filter 24, the smoke later exhaled by the smoker may or may not be the same shade or color as the smoke 42 exuding from the ignition end 32 of the cigarette 10.

As an example of another alternative, a cigarette may be used that utilizes a single wrapping device for the entire cigarette. For such a cigarette, a single wrapper forms both the filter wrapper and cigarette wrapper. Additionally, the tobacco may come in a loose form, instead of as a pre-formed tobacco rod. Further, the inhalation portion may be substantially identically formed as the combustion portion and not have a filter.

Instead of using a cigarette that produces colored smoke, additional alternative embodiments of the present invention include a different type of smoking device. For example, instead of a cigarette, the smoking device producing colored smoke could be a cigar, cigarillo, nargillo (hookah), or pipe. The colored smoke producing element for such devices may take the form, for example, of powder, drops, tablets, or capsules. For a smoking device such as a cigar, the overall construction would be in many respects similar to that of a filterless cigarette described in the preceding paragraph. Other smoking devices would have different constructions. For example, one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a pipe having an inhalation portion including a mouthpiece and a combustion portion including a bowl into which tobacco is placed. The inhalation portion and combustion portion are operatively joined by a tube interposed between the mouthpiece and bowl. Thus, the operatively joined inhalation portion and combustion portion may be directly connected, or may instead have additional components located between them.

Additional embodiments of the present invention include a smoking device including a colored smoke producing element that adds color to smoke that passes by the colored smoke producing element, instead of requiring the colored smoke producing element to be burned. In these embodiments, the smoke exuding from the burning end of the smoking device is not colored, but smoke exhaled by the smoker is. In such embodiments, smoke being drawn through the inhalation portion of a smoking device has color added to it before it is inhaled by a smoker. For example, one embodiment includes a colored smoke producing element adapted to be incorporated into the filter of a cigarette. As smoke is drawn through the filter the smoke becomes colored. In another embodiment, a colored smoke producing element is interposed between the combustion portion and inhalation portion of a cigarette. In this embodiment, as the smoker inhales, the smoke is first drawn through the colored smoke producing element and then through the filter.

The color of the smoke can be used for communication or identification purposes. For example, the color of the smoke can correspond to the brand of cigarette, or correspond to another quality of the cigarette. FIG. 4 is a table illustrating the correspondence between the color of smoke produced by a cigarette and a characteristic of a cigarette for an embodiment of the present invention. For the embodiment of FIG. 4, the characteristic of the cigarette is its brand. The color A of smoke produced corresponds to a brand AA of a cigarette, the color B of smoke produced corresponds to a brand BB of a cigarette, and so on. In addition to corresponding to the brand of cigarette, the color of the smoke may also be coordinated with the color of the cigarette packaging for further brand identification. Thus, the color A could be red for a brand AA that has red packaging, the color B could be blue for a brand BB that has blue packaging, and so on.

In addition to identifying the brand of cigarette, the color of the smoke may also be coordinated with the color of the cigarette packaging for further brand identification. As additional examples, the color of the smoke may identify another quality of the cigarette, such as the size and/or the flavor. For instance, a smoke color may be used to differentiate a manufacturer's menthol cigarette from other cigarettes. This provides a convenient way for one smoker to determine if another smoker smokes the same brand, type, or variant of cigarette. This can serve as a conversation starter, or a way for smokers to know whom to borrow a cigarette from if they run out. Alternatively, the color of the smoke may correspond to a chemical property of cigarette, such as nicotine and/or tar-level. Also, different colors of smoke could be used for varieties such as regular, light, and ultra-light cigarettes.

Further, the presence of colored smoke may exist only for a portion of the combustion portion 30, or the intensity of the smoke color produced may vary along the length of the combustion portion 30. This is accomplished in one embodiment by positioning the colored smoke producing strip 38 (or different type of smoke producing element) only along a portion of the length of the combustion portion 30 and/or varying the construction, composition, or density of the colored smoke producing strip 38 (or different type of smoke producing element) along the length of the combustion portion 30. This variance could be used to signify something about an individual cigarette—such as whether it has just been lighted, or whether it is close to going out. For example, the presence of color may exist only when the cigarette 10 is close to burning out, or the color of smoke may intensify when the combustion portion 30 is close to being entirely consumed. Thus, if a smoker placed the cigarette 10 in an ash tray While it was lit, with the intention of smoking it a little bit more before it was extinguished, the addition and/or change of shade of colored smoke could alert the smoker that the cigarette 10 is nearly consumed. This could prevent the irritation, expense, inconvenience, and increased sidestream smoke in the environment caused by having to light a new cigarette if the smoker only wanted to take a few more puffs.

The color of the smoke may also correspond to characteristics of individual smokers or groups of smokers. This can make it easier to identify social characteristics of others in a group setting. As one example, the color of smoke may be used to identify whether one is married or single. The color of smoke could also correspond to whether one is open to meeting someone new at a given time, or if one would prefer not to meet someone new. This can reduce any unwelcome advances and alleviate any awkwardness caused by such circumstances. Color of smoke could also be used to indicate one's sexual orientation. Further possible alternatives include the color of smoke corresponding to one's age, or to one's profession. In another embodiment, the color of the smoke corresponds to one's residency, with different colors of smoke denoting different areas of citizenship, either by country or part of country, by state, by city, or by other geographic and/or governmental unit. Further possible alternatives include cigarettes with smoke colors associated with religious affiliation, or with ethnicity or cultural background.

As another example, the characteristic of the smoker that the smoke color corresponds to may be an athletic team that the smoker supports. For instance, if a team wears green uniforms, or has an official color of green, cigarettes that give off green smoke could be used by smokers who were fans of the team. Similarly, the cigarette smoke could correspond to a specific university or college, or a team that plays for a university or college.

FIG. 5 is a table providing an example of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the color of smoke produced by a cigarette corresponds to a characteristic of a smoker. For the embodiment of FIG. 5, the characteristic of the smoker is an athletic team the smoker supports. The color A of smoke produced corresponds to a team M, the color B of smoke produced corresponds to a team BB, and so on. In addition to corresponding to a team, the color of the smoke may also be coordinated with the color of the team's uniforms. Thus, the color A could be red for a team AA that has red uniforms, the color B could be blue for a team BB that has blue uniforms, and so on.

Another example of characteristic of smoker that the color of smoke could correspond to is political affiliation. For example, in the United States, blue has come to be associated with the Democratic Party, and red has come to be associated with the Republican Party. During a political campaign, cigarettes giving off red smoke could be used to identify smokers who were Republicans, while cigarettes giving off blue smoke could be used to identify smokers who were Democrats.

The color of smoke may also correspond to or be related to a social or other external event. The event may be a political event, for instance, such as a political convention, or an election. Similarly, the color of smoke could relate to a specific sporting event, such as a championship game. As yet another example, the color of smoke could relate to a specific holiday, such as red and blue for Independence Day, or green for St. Patrick's Day. FIG. 6 is a table providing an example of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the color of smoke produced by a cigarette corresponds to an event. For the embodiment of FIG. 6, the event is a holiday. The color A of smoke produced corresponds to a holiday AA, the color B of smoke produced corresponds to a holiday BB, and so on. In addition to corresponding to a holiday, the color of the smoke may also be coordinated with a color associated with the holiday. Thus, the color A could be green for holiday AA of St. Patrick's Day, the color B could be orange for holiday BB that was Halloween, and so on. Further, multiple colors could correspond to a single holiday, such as orange and black for Halloween, or red and blue for Independence Day, for example.

By virtue of the color of the smoke corresponding or relating to, for example, a cigarette characteristic, a personal characteristic of a smoker, or a social event, the smoke color is communicatively significant. The smoke color communicates something about the smoker, the cigarette, or both, to others. One or more colors could be used to correspond to a quality, characteristic, or event. The relationship between the smoke color and that which it corresponds to may be based on an association previously established outside of the context of cigarette smoke (such as green smoke corresponding to a sports team with green uniforms), or may not be (such as a color assigned to represent marital status, or, as another example, using a color other than the uniform color to correspond to a sports team). Additionally, there may be overlap between, for example, the correspondence of smoke color to characteristics of smokers and to an event (such as during international sporting events like the Olympics or World Cup soccer, smoke color could correspond to characteristics of smokers such as country of citizenship as well a team they root for, and also correspond to the sporting event or tournament). Also, many colors of smoke may be used as part of a system where each color corresponds to a different characteristic or event in some embodiments of the present invention, whereas only one color of smoke may be provided in other embodiments.

The use of colored smoke can serve as an ice-breaker during a social situation, either by someone identifying the smoke color as indicating a potential topic of conversation; or by encouraging a question from someone who wants to know what that particular color signifies. It may also serve other purposes, for example, by identifying smokers of the same brand to each other, or identifying people with similar interests to each other, or identifying when a cigarette is about to burn out.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A smoking device comprising:

an inhalation portion;

a combustion portion operatively joined to said inhalation portion; and,

a colored smoke producing element located proximally to at least one of said combustion portion and said inhalation portion, said colored smoke producing element being adapted to produce a communicatively significant color of smoke when said smoking device is used to smoke a combustible product.

2. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said inhalation portion comprises a filter surrounded by a filter wrapper, said combustion portion comprising a wrapping portion surrounding said combustible product portion, said combustible product portion comprises a tobacco rod, and said colored smoke producing element comprises a colored smoke producing strip interposed between said combustible product portion and said wrapping portion.

3. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to the brand of said smoking device.

4. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to the variant of said smoking device.

5. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to a chemical property of said smoking device.

6. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element varies along at least a portion of the length of said combustion portion.

7. The smoking device of claim 1 wherein said smoke producing element resides only along a portion of the length of the combustion portion.

8. A cigarette comprising:

an inhalation portion; and

a combustion portion operatively joined to said inhalation portion, said combustion portion comprising a combustible product portion surrounded by a wrapping portion, at least one of said combustion portion and said wrapping portion comprising a colored smoke producing element that when burned produces a color of smoke corresponding to a characteristic of one smoking said cigarette.

9. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to marital status of one smoking said cigarette.

10. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to the interest level of meeting new people of one smoking said cigarette.

11. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to the sexual orientation of one smoking said cigarette.

12. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to the age of one smoking said cigarette.

13. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to the profession of one smoking said cigarette.

14. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to the residency of one smoking said cigarette.

15. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to an athletic team supported by one smoking said cigarette.

16. The cigarette of claim 8 where said color of smoke produced by said colored smoke producing element corresponds to political affiliation of one smoking said cigarette.

17. A cigarette comprising:

an inhalation portion; and

a combustion portion joined to said inhalation portion, said combustion portion comprising a combustible product portion surrounded by a wrapping portion, at least one of said combustion portion and said wrapping portion comprising a colored smoke producing element that when burned produces a color of smoke corresponding to an event.

18. The cigarette of claim 17 where said event is a political campaign.

19. The cigarette of claim 17 where said event is a sporting event.

20. The cigarette of claim 17 where said event is a holiday.