Illuminated Cigar Label

Abstract

An illuminated cigar label. The label includes an label element, for example in the form of a block with a concave inner surface or a band. A light source, such as a light-emitting diode, and an energy source, such as a battery or solar cell array, are attached to the label element. Various forms of the battery are described. Other alternatives include light sources of a type including a self-contained energy source, examples of which include bioluminescent and chemically-luminescent materials.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of Provisional Application No. 61/839,565, filed Jun. 26, 2013, incorporated herein by this reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention may be implemented into an illuminated label for a cigar, including one or more light sources that are attached to or integrated within the label. The light source element may be attached below the label so as to illuminate through the label material, integrated within the label itself, or may be attached to the top outer surface of the label. An energy source for the light source element is attached to or integrated to the label below its surface, so as to not be visible to the viewer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigar with an illuminated cigar label according to embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of an illuminated cigar label according to an embodiment of this invention.

FIGS. 3a and 3b are cross-sectional views of illuminated cigar labels according to embodiments of this invention.

FIGS. 4a through 4c are elevation views of the construction of an illuminated cigar label according to embodiments of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention will be described in connection with its embodiment as implemented into a label for a cigar, as it is contemplated that the invention will be especially beneficial when realized in that manner. However, it is contemplated that this invention may be beneficially applied to other articles. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the following description is provided by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the true scope of this invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an implementation of an illuminated cigar label according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, cigar 10 is shown with label element 12 attached thereto. As will be evident from the description below, label element 12 may be in the form of a cigar band or a cigar holder. In this example, label element 12 includes printed promotional information at its surface as shown in FIG. 1. According to embodiments of the invention, light source 14 is attached to or integrated within label element 12, and emits light of one or more colors.

FIG. 2 shows label element 12 with light source 14 in a front elevation view, illustrating the relationship of light source 14 with the promotional information of label element 12. In this embodiment of the invention, the portion of light source 14 visible in FIG. 2 is a transparent or translucent jeweled cover overlying a light-emitting diode (LED).

FIGS. 3a and 4a illustrate the construction of an illuminated cigar label according to an embodiment of the invention. In this example, FIG. 3a is a cross-section of cigar 10, looking downward along its axis as indicated in the elevation view of FIG. 4a. In this embodiment, the label element is in the form of plastic block 25 having a concave (e.g., of constant radius, such as semi-circular) inner surface abutting cigar 10; as such, block 25 may be a cigar holder, or may alternatively simply be adhered to the cigar surface. Block 25 is not visible in the view of FIG. 4a, so that the inner components are visible. As described above, LED 22 is attached to or integrated within block 25, and is covered by transparent or translucent cover 20. LED 22 is powered from disk-style battery 24, which in this embodiment is integrated within or attached to block 25.

FIG. 3b illustrates another embodiment of the invention in cross-section. In this embodiment, the label element is in the form of cigar band 35, and as such wraps around cigar 10, with its ends either mated on the back side of cigar 10 or constructed as a contiguous band that fits snugly around cigar 10. In this embodiment, LED 32 is attached to or integrated into a location of band 35, and is covered by transparent or translucent cover 30. In this embodiment, battery 34 is a “can” type battery to which leads from LED 32 make contact, for example as shown in FIG. 4b. As such, LED 32 and battery 34 are disposed one above the other in a direction parallel to the axis of cigar 10, as evident from FIGS. 3b and 4b.

FIG. 4c illustrates another embodiment of the invention, in which leads of LED 42 make contact to opposite sides of ultra-thin LiPON battery 44, such as the NANOENERGY battery available from Front Edge Technology, Inc. This type of battery is especially attractive for use in connection with embodiments of the invention, due to its ultra-thin construction (e.g., as thin as 0.05 mm), and flexible form factor.

Further in the alternative, it is contemplated that the energy source powering light source 14 may be a small array of solar cells that is attached to or integrated into label element 12. For the alternative of FIGS. 3a and 4a including block 25 as the label element, such a solar cell array may be implemented in similar fashion as disk battery 24. For the alternative of FIGS. 3b and 4c, a solar cell array formed on a flexible substrate may be realized in place of ultra-thin flexible battery 44, with the appropriate lands or other connecting elements to which LED 32 may attach.

Further in the alternative, it is contemplated that light source 14 may be of a type that includes a self-contained energy source, in which case an external energy source such as a battery is not necessary. For example, light source 14 may be constructed of a chemically luminescent material such as phosphorous, tritium, and the like. Another example of the construction of light source 14 with a self-contained energy source includes bioluminescent materials such as “foxfire”, which is a fungus that emits visible light.

In each of these embodiments, as well as alternatives and variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art having reference to this specification, it is contemplated that the illuminated cigar label will be a disposable item, in that the label, LED, and battery will be removable from the cigar as a unit, for discarding or disposal.

It is contemplated that the LED used in the light source according to embodiments of this invention may be of any one of a various number of types and colors; indeed, it is contemplated that the illuminated cigar label of embodiments of this invention may be of different colors to allow identification of individual cigars by smoker, for example to avoid mixing up cigars that have been set down at an ash tray. It is further contemplated that a removable plastic tab or tape may be disposed between the leads of the LED and the terminals of the battery at the time of manufacture, to prevent the LED from discharging battery power until desired by the user. At the time that the cigar is smoked, the user can then pull the tab or tape away from the cigar label, allowing the LED leads to make contact to the battery and begin illumination.

While this invention has been described according to its embodiments, it is of course contemplated that modifications of, and alternatives to, these embodiments, such modifications and alternatives obtaining the advantages and benefits of this invention, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having reference to this specification and its drawings. It is contemplated that such modifications and alternatives are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An illuminated cigar label, comprising:

a label element;

a light source attached to the label element; and

an energy source coupled to the light source.

2. The cigar label of claim 1, wherein the label element comprises:

a block having a concave inner surface.

3. The cigar label of claim 2, wherein the energy source comprises a disk battery attached to the block.

4. The cigar label of claim 3, wherein at least one of the disk battery and the light source is integrated into the block.

5. The cigar label of claim 3, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode.

6. The cigar label of claim 1, wherein the label element comprises a cigar band.

7. The cigar label of claim 6, wherein the energy source comprises a can battery attached to the cigar band.

8. The cigar label of claim 7, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode.

9. The cigar label of claim 7, wherein the energy source comprises a flexible ultra-thin battery.

10. The cigar label of claim 9, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode having a pair of leads that are in electrical contact with opposing sides of the flexible battery.

11. The cigar label of claim 1, wherein the energy source comprises a solar cell array attached to the label element.

12. An illuminated cigar label, comprising:

a label element;

a light source, attached to the label element, the light source of a type including a self-contained energy source

13. The cigar label of claim 12, wherein the light source is comprised of bioluminescent material.

14. The cigar label of claim 12, wherein the light source is comprised of a chemically luminescent material.