Cigarette and Cigar Holder and Preserver

Abstract

A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver comprises a tubular portion made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as copper or other appropriate metal with at least one end closed to contain a cigarette or cigar therein. The diameter of the tubular portion is selected to easily contain the cigarette or cigar within while easily allowing the cigarette or cigar to be removed for later use. Another end cap is provided to prevent the cigarette or cigar from accidentally falling out. In one embodiment, an eyehook is provided for attachment to a key chain. Another embodiment includes a clip for use in a pocket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is evidence that early on in human history people used smoking both in ritual observances as well as for personal enjoyment. Tobacco use is at least 8000 years old and originated in the Americas. Although originally, tobacco and other smoking products were generally just rolled leaves, it became known to place the crushed leaves in a silk or paper container and then smoked. Today, smoking has become extremely convenient with uniform and high consistency in a pack of cigarettes and commercially produced cigars.

Along with the convenience, smoking has become much more commonplace and people are able to smoke much more, with the associated health consequences. Additionally, because of the health issues, tobacco products such as cigarettes are highly taxed making them much more expensive. Often, in today's environment, smoking is confined to certain areas, with many places being off limits to smoking altogether. Often, a smoker no sooner lights up when he or she has to put the cigarette out. This is expensive and wasteful and some smokers have attempted to save money by carefully putting their cigarette out and attempting to relight it at a later time. Although this saved money, the relit cigarette did not taste like a new cigarette. Additionally, many fires have been started leading to loss of life and property by lit cigarettes.

Many devices have been proposed that allow a lit cigarette or cigar to be placed within and then closed with an airtight cover to extinguish the cigarette or cigar by snuffing it out due to lack of oxygen sufficient for combustion. While this works in extinguishing the cigarette or cigar, it does not preserve the flavor.

There is a need for a device that allows a smoker to put out a lit cigarette or cigar in way that preserves it for later use that maintains the flavor and taste. Additionally, there is a need for a device that allows a user to safely extinguish the smoking material without danger of burns even when placed in a pocket or laid on a table etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver comprises a tubular portion made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as copper or other appropriate metal with at least one end closed to contain a cigarette or cigar therein. The diameter of the tubular portion is selected to easily contain the cigarette or cigar within while easily allowing the cigarette or cigar to be removed for later use. Another end cap is provided to prevent the cigarette or cigar from accidentally falling out. In one embodiment, an eyehook is provided for attachment to a key chain. Another embodiment includes a clip for use in a pocket.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cigarette holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the cigarette holder shown in FIG. 1 with a used cigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cigar holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cigarette holder 100 is shown having a tubular portion 102 with a bottom end cap 106 and a top end cap 104. A cigarette 108 may be placed and stored within holder 100 to protect it. Cigarette 108 may be lit and then placed within holder 100. A burning section 110 makes contact with bottom end cap 106 which is made a material having a high heat conductivity such as copper, aluminum or other metal as is known in the art. Because of the high heat conductivity, the temperature of the burning section 110 is almost instantaneously reduced to the point where combustion is no longer sustained. Because of this rapid reduction in temperature, little to no smoke products are released, thus preserving the flavor and taste of the cigarette. In use, it is not necessary to secure upper end cap 104 since cigarette 108 is extinguished through heat transfer rather than being snuffed out due to lack of oxygen. Upper end cap 104 is used to keep cigarette 108 from accidentally falling out.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cigarette holder 300 is shown having an upper portion 304 which remains open during use. A tubular portion 302 and lower end cap 306 are made of a material having high thermal conductivity as discussed above. An optional stopper (not shown) may be used to contain cigarette 108.

With reference to FIG. 4, a cigar holder 400 is shown having a tubular portion 402 with a lower end cap 406 and an upper end cap 404. A cigar 408 fits within cigar holder 400. The size and diameter of cigar holder 400 may be varied to allow a user to select a size most appropriate for the cigar they smoke. Again, cigar holder 400 is made of a high heat conductive material as discussed above to provide for rapid extinguishing of a lit cigar when placed therein. Upper end cap 404 is used to keep cigar 408 from falling out.

FIG. 5 shows the details of a cigarette holder 500 that includes an enhanced heat transfer portion 510. Heat transfer portion 510 is made of a material having high heat conductivity as well as an increased thermal mass. Heat transfer portion 510 may be an integral part of end cap 506 or may be a separate piece (not shown). In this embodiment, tubular portion 502 and upper end cap 504 do not have to be made of a material having high thermal conductivity due to heat transfer portion 510. As before, when cigarette 108 is lit and comes in contact with heat transfer portion 510, the temperature is rapidly reduced extinguishing cigarette 108.

Referring to FIG. 6, a cigarette holder 600 is shown having a tubular body 602 and a lower end cap 606. As discussed above tubular portion 602 and lower end cap 606 are made of a material having high heat conductivity. Upper end cap 604 includes an eye hook 612 and may be used to attach cigarette holder 600 to a keychain or other item.

FIG. 7 shows a cigarette holder 700 having a generally tubular portion 702 and lower end 706 made of a material having high heat conductivity. And upper end cap 704 includes a sealing portion 720 and eye hook 712. Sealing portion 720 is made of a resilient material such as rubber that provides an airtight seal to keep moisture and other contaminants out of the space contained therein. A lower sealing portion (not shown) may also be utilized.

FIG. 8 refers to an embodiment of the cigarette or cigar holder 800 with a base portion 820 that stabilizes the holder for use on a tabletop or other surface. In this configuration, the cigarette or cigar holder 800 functions as a mobile ashtray, but with the added benefit of extinguishing a cigarette or cigar rapidly due to heat transfer as discussed above to preserve the cigarette or cigar for future use.

FIG. 9 shows a cigarette or cigar holder 900 having a clip 950 used to facilitate the use of cigarette or cigar holder 900 in a shirt pocket or similar use. Again as discussed above a lit cigarette or cigar is rapidly extinguished due to heat transfer and is preserved for future use.

FIG. 10 shows a cigarette holder 1000 without an end cap. Cigarette holder 1000 is manufactured as one piece having a tubular body 302 and a lip portion 304 and is made of a material having high heat conductivity as discussed above. Each of the holders shown could be similarly made in that the use of an end cap is not required as long as the material is selected to have high heat conductivity.

FIG. 11 shows a cigarette holder 1100 having a crimped end 1110 rather than a lower end cap. A generally tubular body 1102 is flattened to provide a sealed end to keep a cigarette from falling through. A hole 1120 is provided to attach cigarette holder 1100 to a keychain or other item. An upper end cap 1104 has an eyehook 1112.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver comprises:

a generally tubular body defining a holding space therein;

at least one end cap removeably disposed on an end of said generally tubular body wherein said holding space is closed at an end; and

said generally tubular body is made of a material having high heat conductivity.

2. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 wherein said material is a metal.

3. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 2 wherein said material is copper.

4. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 3 wherein said material is aluminum.

5. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 wherein said generally tubular body has a diameter chosen to match a selected cigarette.

6. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 wherein said generally tubular body has a diameter chosen to match a selected cigar.

7. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 further comprising another end cap removeably disposed on another end of said generally tubular body.

8. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 wherein said other end of said generally tubular body is crimped to seal said other end.

9. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 further comprising a hook disposed on said at least one end cap.

10. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 further comprising a sealing ring disposed inside said at least one end cap wherein when said at least one end cap is placed on said end of said generally tubular body, a liquid tight seal is produced.

11. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 further comprising a clip disposed on an upper portion of said generally tubular body.

12. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver comprises:

a generally tubular body defining a holding space therein;

said generally tubular body having a closed end and an open end; and

said generally tubular body is made of a material having high heat conductivity.

13. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 12 further comprising an end cap removeably disposed on said open end.

14. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 12 wherein said closed end is closed by crimping said closed end.

15. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 12 wherein said open end is flared wherein insertion of said cigarette and cigar is facilitated.

16. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 12 further comprising a base having an opening dimensioned to removeably hold said closed end of said cigarette and cigar holder.

17. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 12 wherein said closed end is closed with an end cap removeably disposed therein.

18. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 1 further comprising a thermal mass disposed on said end wherein said thermal mass draws heat away from a cigarette and cigar.

19. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 12 further comprising a thermal mass disposed on said closed end wherein said thermal mass draws heat away from a cigarette and cigar.

20. A cigarette and cigar holder and preserver according to claim 12 wherein said material is a metal.