Reversible Cigarette Holder and Methods for Holding, Lighting and Smoking a Cigarette

Abstract

An improved cigarette holder, embodiments of which comprise a tubular construction with both cigarette holding and mouthpiece features at either or both ends of the tube, one end generally being smaller than the other, the ends in communication with each other through a passageway. Embodiments of the present invention allow the holder to be reversed following smoking of a first portion of the cigarette such that it enables smokers to light partially-smoked cigarettes safely and easily, allows them to smoke more of the sometimes-high-cost smokable material easily, avoid tasting bitterness of a saliva-stained cigarette and share a pleasurable smoke among friends as desired. Embodiments of the present invention also include disclosure of methods for safe, proper and efficient use of embodiments of the device to enhance smoking pleasure.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/115,236, filed on Feb. 12, 2015,

BACKGROUND

The smoking of tobacco and other materials has been common for much of the history of civilization. A common approach is to roll or otherwise wrap the smokable material with a thin outer wrapper layer of suitable material into a cigar or cigarette, wherein the wrapper is generally ignited and smoked along with the smokable material. The smokable material could be tobacco or any other material smoked for pleasurable, recreational or medicinal purposes. While both cigarettes and cigars contain tobacco or other material the general difference is that in a cigar the smokable material is wrapped in a natural leaf of tobacco or other smokable material. But cigarettes contain the smokable material wrapped in paper, or another material that does not contain a natural leaf of smokable material. For purposes of brevity in this specification, the words cigar and cigarette will be construed interchangeably. Additionally the outer wrapper could be paper, or many other materials used to wrap cigars and cigarettes, all of which are included by reference herein as equivalent substitutes.

The use of a cigarette holder has been common throughout the ages to facilitate holding of the cigarette. Many cigarette holders grasp the proximal, unlit, end to allow convenient and safe lighting of the distal end. There are a variety of other reasons for holding the cigarette, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 150,000 (Dale, 1874). Some smokers dislike the taste of the wrapper which is often bitter, or the feel of the wrapper on their lips, especially once it has been partially smoked and saliva from the smoker's mouth combines with it. Some smokers may have wet or dirty hands that could degrade a cigarette. Some smokers prefer a hard mouthpiece instead of the soft wrapper. Some holders protect the proximal end of the cigarette from damage, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,944 (Banoczi, 1972). Some holders contain a filter, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,137,303 (Shaw, 1964) while others are secured to a filter inherent to the cigarette. Most holders have features for capturing and engaging a cigarette in one end of the holder by using various methods of, for example, funnels, ridges, stepped diameters and the like. The exterior of the other end of the holder comprises a mouthpiece, which may be simple or elaborate, for allowing the smoker to seal the holder with his lips and smoke the cigarette. The interior of the mouthpiece end is simply a passageway to communicate the smoke from the cigarette to the smoker.

Cigarette holders of the prior art suffer from numerous shortcomings. It is noted that many smokers nowadays prefer to make their own cigarettes due to cost or convenience, and that some smokers are not fully competent at doing so. It is noted that many paper wrapper types are thin and fragile, most being much thinner than, for example, writing or printer paper. The various methods used to apply a wrapping material around smokable material in order to form a central channel urging longitudinal flow of air and smoke therein through a cigarette comprise means including rolling, pinching, twisting, raveling, weaving and the like. For purposes of brevity in this specification all such methods shall be included herein when reference is made to rolling, as in the phrase rolling a cigarette or rolling a wrapper around the cigarette.

Rolling followed by twisting of the ends of the wrapper of the cigarette is a common method to make a cigarette. This can induce flaws such as non-constant, non-circular and non-standard diameter, as well as untwisting of the ends of the cigarette and the like, allowing smokable material to leak out. Many holders do not hold such flawed cigarettes well. Some holders of the prior art tear the fragile wrapper. In addition, when a cigarette such as one which is hand-rolled is held in the mouth and smoked, the smokers saliva can combine with the cigarette, causing poor taste for the smoker as well as contaminating the smokable material.

It is noted that some smokable materials are expensive and it is often desirable to smoke nearly the full entirety of the material within the cigarette. As such it is difficult to smoke nearly the full entirety of a, for example, hand-rolled cigarette because the cigarette becomes much smaller as it is smoked thereby becoming much more difficult to hold. Often the smoker will pinch the proximal, i.e. mouth end of the partially smoked cigarette so that the end is rather flat and smokable material will not leak out allowing more of the full entirety of the smokable material to be smoked. These factors make it difficult to smoke a small, partially-smoked cigarette by holding it with the fingers and the mouth only. Therefore it is often desirable to use a cigarette holder.

Holders that allow a small-diameter or tapered cigarette to be deeply inserted into a socket within their body can prevent the cigarette from being fully smoked, resulting in undesired waste and expense. Additionally, attempting to smoke the portion of the cigarette inserted deeply into the holder can cause melting, combustion or degradation of the holder itself, contaminating the smoke and possibly exposing the smoker to poisonous chemical byproducts. Further, due to the stickiness of non-combusted residue derived from smoking the cigarette, the cigarette may easily become stuck inside the holder. Some such aforementioned holders are made of plastic or rubber or other materials susceptible to melting, degradation or combustion. Other such holders are made of ceramic or glass and may be prone to breakage when dropped or suddenly heated due to internal thermal stresses, such as when lighting a partially-smoked cigarette where the flame is close to the holder.

Some holders are made with an integral pre-configured wrapper so the smoker inserts the smokable material into the open end of the holder/wrapper intended to be lit. Such holders suffer from problems including fragility of the unfilled wrapper and a size which is larger and less convenient in storage and transit than a pack of, for example, folded wrapping papers. Such holder/wrappers are also more expensive than the wrappers alone. It is also difficult to make a cigarette of a size other than that for which the pre-made holder/wrapper is intended, should a smoker wish to do so out of choice or necessity. Such holder/wrappers also suffer from the problem of combustion or degradation of the holder itself, contaminating the smoke.

Some holders, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,609 (Morris, 2002), comprise “alligator-jaw” or “clothespin-like” devices to provide a suitable jaw-holding mechanism to secure the cigarette and to provide a handhold for easily passing and sharing a smoke between friends. It is noted that when a cigarette is partially smoked it is sometimes referred to as a “roach” due to its similarity in size, shape and color to a common household cockroach. Such jaw-holding devices are hence commonly referred to as “roach clips”, and while useful to hold a small, partially smoked cigarette to attempt to fully smoke the material these devices suffer from additional problems. The jaw can pierce or tear the wrapper of the cigarette, causing air to bypass the smoking material and dilute the smoke or result in extinguishment of the cigarette or to allow it to become disengaged and fall, all of which are generally unfavorable to the smoker. Also the roach clip precludes any desire to avoid touching the smoker's lips to the cigarette during smoking.

Should the partially smoked cigarette require re-lighting due to being extinguished after partial smoking, additional problems ensue. It is noted that generally the most reliable method of lighting or re-lighting a cigarette is to hold a flame at the desired point of combustion, typically the distal end of the cigarette, while simultaneously inhaling through it, such that the flame is drawn into the smokable material along with air comprising oxygen to combust the material. If this technique is used with a roach clip with a small, partially smoked cigarette, the resulting position of the flame can be dangerously close to the smoker's face, possibly causing burns.

A method in which the smoker tries to light the partially smoked cigarette away from the face and then quickly move it to the mouth for inhaling and combustion is often not successful. These problems are compounded when the partially smoked cigarette becomes smaller as it is further smoked. Additionally, holding the partially smoked cigarette becomes more problematic as it is further smoked. An unsmoked cigarette of typical size can be held between the lips while a lighter or match is utilized to light it resulting in a one-handed operation. When the partially smoked cigarette becomes small due to further smoking it must be held in the other hand during lighting, resulting in a two-handed operation. This requires the smoker to cease whatever activity was being performed with the second hand, such as holding a cup of coffee, which can be disruptive and inconvenient.

Embodiments of this invention eliminate these and other problems.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to further the art in reference with respect to holding, lighting and smoking a cigarette including a hand-rolled cigarette.

Embodiments of the invention relate to the art of cigarette holding and cigarette lighting and smoking and in particular to holding, lighting, and smoking cigarettes. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to a cigarette comprised of tobacco or another smokable material contained within a generally thin wrapper rolled around the smokable material. It should be noted that cigarettes of alternative constructions may also benefit from aspects of embodiments of this invention. Constructions such as the use of a tubular wrapper, a material coating around the exterior of the smokable material forming the wrapper, a smokable material with an inherent wrapper or a smokable material with inherent flow channels precluding the use of the wrapper, or their equivalents without limitation, may all benefit from use of embodiments of this invention. For purposes of brevity in this specification, the word wrapper is used to describe any and all of such constructions and their equivalents.

In a first embodiment, the invention is a device that comprises an elongated thin-walled tube constructed of flame resistant material generally a couple inches or so long. The tube has two ends which communicate through the central passageway of the tube. The characteristics of each end are different, such that each end is used in a different manner at different times throughout portions of the period or periods in which the cigarette is lighted and smoked.

A first end may comprise a generally cylindrical opening free of sharp edges, corners or projections with an entrance shaped to accept, receive and frictionally engage a generally elongated cigarette comprising a wrapper with a proximal end which may be tapered in a cone shaped manner to a small opening through which the material within the cigarette is smoked. The proximal end of the cigarette is inserted into the device through the opening of the first end and pushed into the device until the periphery of the opening of the first end extends over the outer circumferential surfaces of the wrapper sufficiently such that the cigarette is secured internally with friction. The inside receiving portion of the device is smooth to avoid tearing or cutting the wrapper. In the case of a hand-rolled cigarette the circumferential wall of the opening of the first end secures the rolled wrapper upon insertion and additionally keeps it from becoming further unrolled. The predominance of the cigarette extends out from the first end such that the non-inserted distal end of the cigarette is exposed and can be lit and the cigarette smoked.

The surfaces and edges of the outside of the first end may be smooth or textured such that this end comprises a mouthpiece in subsequent smoking actions.

The second end of the device comprises a generally oval, round, elliptical, or similarly shaped exterior with an opening also generally oval, round, elliptical, or similarly shaped, free of sharp edges, corners or projections. The opening extends into the interior hollow portion of the tube wherein it communicates with the first end as well as cooperatively with a cigarette installed in and received by the first end. In the first manner of use of the device wherein the cigarette is inserted into the opening of the first end, the second end comprises a mouthpiece for the smoker such that the outside surface and edges of the second end are smooth and suitable for such use.

To light a cigarette which has been inserted into the first end of the device, the smoker grasps the exterior of the device using his hand or lips, holds the mouthpiece of the second end in his mouth, inhales gently through the device and hence through the cigarette while holding a flame at the distal end of the cigarette such that the cigarette becomes lit. The smoker then further inhales or puffs and enjoys the smoke while conveniently holding the device in hand or by mouth only, through the first portion of the period in which the cigarette is smoked.

The periphery of the opening of the first end also generally seals the device around the cigarette such that when the smoker inhales there is little if any bypassing of air around the cigarette; rather substantially all inhalation effort is utilized to generally smoke the smokable material. Alternative embodiments may comprise features to allow bypassing of air around the cigarette if so desired by the smoker. Such bypassing could be controlled by the smoker.

Once the cigarette has been partially smoked it can be removed from the first end of the device, by the smoker. The cigarette may be lit or extinguished at this moment. It is noted that the by-products of the combustion of the wrapper or smokable material of the cigarette tend to cause the folds and leaves of the wrapper to stick to each other avoiding further unrolling. The smoker may desire to pinch the non-combusted proximal end of the cigarette flat to avoid leaking smokable material while still providing sufficient flow area for further smoking.

The device is then reversed such that the second end now becomes the cigarette holding end and the uncombusted tip of the partially smoked cigarette is inserted into the opening of that second end of the holder. The inside of the second end can be shaped as a funnel, either round, oval, oblong, or any shape such that it will accept a generally flattened or rounded tip of the rolled wrapper and hold and engage the cigarette frictionally while substantially sealing it as desired. In this embodiment the opening in the second end is smaller than the first end such that only the tip and a small portion of the cigarette needs to be inserted before the cigarette is frictionally engaged and sealed to allow smoking. The cigarette is thus held with little intrusion into the opening of the holder such that most of the cigarette is exposed, allowing the preponderance of the full entirety of the smokable material to eventually be smoked. The material of the opening of the second end is smooth and sufficiently rigid such that when the tip of the wrapper of the cigarette is inserted, the wrapper can be made to conform to fit the inside of the funnel opening. In this manner the internal periphery of the opening of the second end forms a seal with the external periphery of the tip of the wrapper to prevent undesired bypass of air around smokable material inside the cigarette, as desired.

The smoker, following reversal of the holder, now uses the mouthpiece of the first end to engage the holder and can inhale, while re-lighting if necessary, the partially smoked cigarette as it is held conveniently and safely away from the smoker's face. As during the first portion of smoking, the smoker can conveniently hold the device with his fingers or his mouth only, with the cigarette secured therein, while the cigarette becomes ever smaller as it is smoked. The second end of the device is shaped wherein it can hold a very small partially smoked cigarette such that nearly the full amount of smokable material can be smoked. As has been noted, some tobacco or other smokable materials are quite expensive such that the desire of the smoker to smoke nearly the full entirety of the material can be realized with embodiments of this invention.

The mouthpiece of the first end of the device is thus used for the second portion of the smoking of the cigarette and the external edges and surfaces of the first end are smooth and formed to allow a convenient and pleasurable smoke.

The differences of embodiments of this invention over the prior art are significant. Whereas in the prior art cigarette holding devices generally comprise a cigarette-holding, e.g. socket end and a mouthpiece end. The relevant features of the holding end are generally located inside of that end, since the outside of that end is generally nonfunctional. Conversely the relevant features of the mouthpiece end are generally located outside of that end wherein the inside of the mouthpiece functions only to communicate smoke from the holding end where the cigarette is located.

By contrast, both the inside and outside of each end of embodiments of this invention may contain relevant features which function to further the convenience of smoking and the art of the field. Both ends have interior features to receive and engage a cigarette, albeit differently from the opposite end. Both ends also have exterior features which comprise a mouthpiece. The mouthpieces may be simple or elaborate, identical or different.

Embodiments of this invention have benefits over other prior art that is intended to allow smoking of virtually all smokable material within the cigarette, such as a “roach clip”, disclosed previously. Some embodiments, without limitation, embrace the lack of the sharp pinching jaws of the roach clip which can cause damage to the thin wrapper or insecure holding. Further, embodiments of the present invention do not require the smoker to touch the partially smoked cigarette with their lips which can cause poor taste in the mouth, burning of the lips from a hot small cigarette as well as damage to the wrapper from the smoker's saliva.

In addition, while using a roach clip, a small partially smoked extinguished cigarette must be held near to the smokers face to allow the smoker to inhale gently while re-lighting the cigarette. Should the smoker wish to light the partially smoked cigarette away from his face, the success of the lighting process is generally compromised. Whereas the present embodiment of the invention allows the smoker to hold the partially smoked cigarette conveniently within the device and away from the face, gently inhaling while lighting the cigarette in a much more efficient and successful manner. This safer and more efficient lighting procedure is obtained without sacrificing the convenience of easily holding and passing the cigarette when it is desired to, for example, share its smoking with a partner.

Other benefits of embodiments of the invention include without limitation a simple design which can be easily manufactured inexpensively. For example the device could be made entirely of one piece of metal tubing, with the ends formed as desired using commonly available manufacturing methods.

The methods and apparatus of embodiments of the present invention can be applicable to many types of smokable instruments including cigars and cigarettes of various styles and types. The features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention are most readily understood when presented in the non-limiting context of hand-rolled cigarettes comprising the smokable material within a thin wrapper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing features of embodiments of the invention will be more readily understood with reference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-rolled cigarette showing a partially-twisted end.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially-smoked cigarette showing a flattened end.

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a reversible cigarette holder.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a reversible cigarette holder.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a reversible cigarette holder with an unsmoked hand-rolled cigarette frictionally engaged and in position to be lit.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a reversible cigarette holder with a partially-smoked cigarette frictionally engaged and in position to be lit by a smoker.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a reversible cigarette holder overwound with wrapping papers.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a reversible cigarette holder with an overmolded feature.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of a reversible cigarette holder with a simple mouthpiece on one end and a more elaborate mouthpiece on the other end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are embodiments of apparatus and methods for holding, lighting and smoking cigarettes.

Embodiments of the Apparatus

Referring first to FIG. 1, a typical hand-rolled cigarette 100 is shown. A paper wrapper is rolled around smokable material such as to encompass it within and avoid spillage or leakage of the material. As is common with inexperienced hand rollers, the ends of the cigarette are difficult to form perfectly such that often times the twisted ends comprising folds and layers tend to become partially untwisted such as the end 101 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2 a typical partially smoked cigarette 200 is shown. The partially smoked cigarette comprises a proximal end through which smoke is inhaled 201 and a distal, combusted end 202 generally comprising ash, with the balance of the smokable material inside. It can be seen that the folds and layers that were partially untwisted in, for example, the end 101 of the unsmoked cigarette 100 of FIG. 1 have now become bonded due to the ingress of sticky byproducts of combustion during the smoking process.

It is noted, and illustrated in FIG. 2, that when smoking a cigarette such as one hand-rolled with a smokable material contained within a thin wrapper, the end toward the smoker, i.e. the uncombusted proximal end 201, is sometimes made flat or oval-shaped. This is to generally provide a channel for sufficient flow of air and smoke while preventing grains of smokable material from leaking out of the cigarette, which is undesirable due to the high cost of some smokable materials. A round, cone shaped wrapper end with a sufficiently small opening may provide equivalent protection against leakage but with possibly less flow area.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a perspective illustration and a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention are shown. The reversible cigarette holder 300 comprises a first end 301 and a second end 302, both ends comprising openings in communication with each other through a tubular central passageway, as is seen in the sectional view of FIG. 4.

In some embodiments the opening in the first end 301 of the reversible cigarette holding device 300 is generally round or conical and is sized appropriately to receive and accept a first portion of the cigarette 100. A cigarette which is hand-rolled with a wrapper is often not perfectly rolled and the folds and layers are not completely secured, wherein the wrapper is prone to untwisting at the end 101.

With embodiments of this invention, the wrapper of the end 101 can be twisted and then quickly guided and inserted into the opening in the first end 301 of the cigarette holding device 300 which will securely capture the partially untwisting wrapper before it can untwist to the extent that smokable material leaks out. Generally as the cigarette 100 is smoked, byproducts of the smoking process are released. Some of these byproducts are generally sticky in nature and act to bond folds and layers of the wrapper to themselves within the invention, wherein following the first portion of the smoking process the wrapper is no longer prone to untwisting and the cigarette can be removed from the first end 301 without further untwisting or leakage. In this manner embodiments of the invention serves to correct for the untwisting, which is a solution for a common problem for novice or hurried cigarette rollers.

Additionally the mouthpiece 303 of the first end 301 has corners, surfaces, and edges which are substantially smooth, even and continuous, to allow a smoker to engage, seal his lips around and inhale through the mouthpiece 303 of end 301 during certain other portions of the smoking process, wherein undesired air does not bypass the cigarette nor the holder, as desired. The mouthpiece 303 of end 301 may contain ridges, grooves, protrusions, knurling, or similar additional features to aid in its use.

The second end 302 of this embodiment comprises a generally tapered funnel-like opening of a generally oval- or elliptical-shaped cross-section with generally smooth internal corners and surfaces to allow the end 302 to insertably receive, frictionally engage, and hold a partially smoked cigarette 200 without tearing or otherwise damaging it. Additionally the mouthpiece 304 of the second end 302 has corners, surfaces, and edges which are smooth, to allow a smoker to engage, seal his lips around, and inhale through the mouthpiece 304 of end 302 during certain other portions of the smoking process, wherein undesired air does not bypass the cigarette nor the holder, as desired. The mouthpiece 304 of end 302 may contain ridges, grooves, protrusions, knurling, or similar additional features to aid in its use.

Embodiments of the present invention, specifically the second end 302 of the embodiment, comprise interior structure wherein insertion of the cigarette into this end generally constrictingly urges and forms a desirable oval or flattened shape onto the end 201 of the partially smoked cigarette 200. Other embodiments may have a more conically-shaped funnel opening. In addition, the constriction of the funnel is shaped such that the periphery of the inside surface of the opening, in conjunction with the external surface of the wrapper, seals the cigarette as desired to avoid allowing air to bypass the smoking material and dilute the smoke or result in extinguishment of the cigarette or to allow it to become disengaged and fall, all of which are generally unfavorable to the smoker.

The opening may be tapered and the dimensions of the root 401 of the opening are sized such that sufficient friction and sealing of the partially smoked cigarette 200 with the holder is achieved without completely constricting the end of the cigarette, which could block flow and prevent smoking. As such, the air and smoke flow can be maintained by the smoker upon inhalation.

It is noted that untwisting of the ends of a cigarette can result in the smokable material leaking out and becoming wasted. It is common for a smoker, when hand-rolling a cigarette, to twist the distal, to-be-lit, end of the cigarette 100 tightly to avoid any leaking during handling, transit or storage. This also seals the end from airflow but this blockage is soon removed when that end is lit and combustion of the wrapper unseals the end and allows airflow ingress, combustion and smoking.

Methods for Holding, Lighting, and Smokinga Cigarette Using the Apparatus Acccording to Several Embodiments

The apparatus according to an embodiment as disclosed herein is used to hold, light, and smoke cigarettes especially cigarettes which are hand-rolled, or those constructed without a filter. FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an un-smoked cigarette 100 inserted and received by the cigarette holder 300. The cigarette 100 is firstly held and the proximal first end 101 is grasped and any untwisted or unsecured folds or layers are twisted or secured longitudinally such that damage to them is prevented, and a continuous flow channel inside the cigarette 100 is preserved, while the cigarette 100 is inserted into the first end 301 and received by the apparatus 300. The cigarette 100 is then further inserted into the apparatus 300 until the circumferential surface of the inside of the holder 300 frictionally receives the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette 100.

FIG. 5 shows a generally cylindrical tubular construction of the holder 300, in section, and a generally tapered elongated construction of the cigarette 100, frictionally engaged therein. Alternative embodiments may comprise, for example without limitation, an inwardly tapered funnel-shaped first end 301 to allow proper frictional reception of cigarettes of different outside diameters. The holder 300 may further be used with a cigarette 100 comprising a cylindrical or tapered elongated shape. Further, embodiments of the apparatus can be constructed of various alternate sizes, such that an even larger range of cigarette sizes, shapes and cross sectional patterns can be accommodated.

FIG. 5 shows a holder 300 which is of elongated shape and generally circular tubular cross-section.

Other cross sectional shapes may be utilized, for example without limitation, octagonal, square, or the like. FIG. 5 further shows a generally smooth central tubular chamber, though it may be desirable to have projections protruding inwardly to further the security of the reception of the cigarette 100, or to arrest its reception at a particular longitudinal location. Similarly, the cigarette 100 shown in FIG. 5 is generally circular in cross section, though other sectional shapes may be utilized as desired.

Once the cigarette 100 is inserted into the holder 300 the smoker can control, as desired, the extent to which the inside chamber of the holder 300 frictionally seals the outer circumferential surface of the cigarette by forcing the cigarette further into the chamber resulting in interference and constriction of the circumferential surface of the cigarette, without damage to the wrapper of the cigarette 100. This step also controls the security of the holding of the cigarette within the holder such that extraneous external forces will not cause the cigarette to fall out of the holder. This effect is further enhanced due to a large portion of the length of the cigarette being encompassed within the holder such that the likelihood of the cigarette being bent or broken at the position corresponding to the first end 301 of the holder 300, resulting in the cigarette or a portion thereof falling from the holder is significantly reduced. The cigarette is now in a position to be lit and smoked.

The smoker grasps the holder 300 and holds the second end 302 in his mouth for smoking. It is noted that the holder 300, being of generally rigid construction, can be held securely solely by the smoker's lips or teeth without requiring the use of a hand. The distal end of the cigarette 100 can now be lit with a match, lighter, ember, candle or the like. It is noted that for lighting with a lit candle or the like the use of a hand is potentially not required at all. The cigarette 100 is now received and secured inside the cigarette holder 300 and the smoker can enjoy the smoke.

Once the cigarette has been partially smoked, it may be desirable to the smoker to attempt to smoke virtually the entirety of the smokable material within the cigarette, as the cost of some smokable materials can be high. Further, to maintain cleanliness of the inside tubular passageway within the holder 300 and prevent its contamination with sticky byproducts of the smoking process, it may be desirable to preclude the combustion of the smokable material from entering within the passageway. To accomplish this the smoker simply removes the now partially smoked cigarette 200 from the holder 300, reverses the holder 300 end-for-end, and inserts the proximal end 201 of the partially smoked cigarette 200 into the opening of the second end 302. It is noted that the partially smoked cigarette 200 may be extinguished or it may remain lit during this portion of the procedure.

Similar to the step portrayed previously describing holding of an unsmoked cigarette 100, the smoker can control, as desired, the extent to which the inside surface of the second end 302 of the holder 300 frictionally seals the outer circumferential surface of the proximal end 201 of the partially smoked cigarette 200 by forcing the cigarette further into the reception area of the second end 302, resulting in interference and constriction of the circumferential surface of the cigarette, without damage to the wrapper of the cigarette. This step also controls the security of the holding of the cigarette within the holder such that extraneous external forces will not cause the cigarette to fall out of the holder. This effect is further enhanced due to the shorter length of the partially smoked cigarette 200 such that the likelihood of it being bent or broken or falling from the holder 300 is significantly reduced.

FIG. 3 shows a generally oval-shaped entrance to the second end 302 of the holder 300. Alternative embodiments could utilize an alternatively-shaped entrance configuration such as circular, elliptical, square, trapezoidal, triangular, or other without limitation, in conjunction with a partially smoked cigarette of alternatively-shaped proximal end 201. In other embodiments the opening could comprise a blending of one shape to another longitudinally within the opening. An embodiment could comprise an extended lower jaw for easier insertion and more secure holding of the partially smoked cigarette. Some smokers may choose to roll a cigarette of such size that only the second end 302 is used to hold such cigarette in both unsmoked or partially smoked configurations.

FIG. 4 shows a generally funnel-shaped tubular construction of the second end 302 of the holder 300, in longitudinal cross section. The entrance to the second end 302 is of sufficient size and appropriately-shaped such that the proximal end 201 of the partially smoked cigarette 200 is easily inserted therein. The size of the root 401 of the funnel shaped opening, the root 401 being the longitudinal point of least transverse cross sectional area of the opening within the second end 302, is sufficiently small to allow frictional security of the reception of the partially smoked cigarette 200. The size of the root 401 is also sufficiently large to allow the desired flow of smoke and air to communicate between the two ends of the holder 300.

The angular taper of the opening at the second end 302 between entrance and root 401 is small enough to afford sufficient friction for holding the received and inserted partially smoked cigarette 200. On the other hand the angular taper is large enough to minimize the extent of the partially smoked cigarette 200 which must be inserted to afford a sufficient frictional seal between the inside surface of the funnel-shaped opening in the end 302 and the proximal end 201 of the partially smoked cigarette 200. It is noted that the partially smoked cigarette 200 is generally squeezably compliant radially and often tapered conically between the proximal end 201 and the distal end 202. Further it was noted previously that the proximal end 201 can be flattened. The smoker can thus form the combination of the frictional reception, circumferential seal and protrusion of the partially smoked cigarette 200 as desired.

Since the holding of the partially smoked cigarette 200 is of the proximal end 201 and not its body, this portion of the smoking process easily accommodates cigarettes of different original outside diameters. Further, embodiments of the apparatus can be constructed of various alternate sizes, such that an even larger range of cigarette sizes and shapes can be accommodated.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the smoker 601 grasps the holder 300 and now holds the first end 301 in his mouth for smoking. It is again noted that the holder 300 can be held securely solely by the smoker's lips or teeth without requiring the use of a hand. The distal end of the partially smoked cigarette 202 can now be re-lit, if required, with a match, lighter, ember, candle or the like. It is again noted that for lighting with a lit candle or the like the use of a hand is potentially not required at all. The partially smoked cigarette 200 is now received and secured inside the cigarette holder 300 and the smoker can enjoy the smoke.

As shown in FIG. 6, the distal end 202 of the partially smoked cigarette 200 is horizontally disposed and well removed from the position directly below the smoker's nose, and away from the smoker's lips. Hence a flame can be held at or below the distal end 202 which is not in a position to burn or injure the nose or lips of the smoker 601.

Construction of Embodiments of the Apparatus

Embodiments of the device could be made in various sizes depending on the desire of the smoker, the size of the wrapper, and the nature of the material to be smoked. Common sizes of cigarettes range from, for example without limitation, at least about ⅛ of an inch diameter to 1 inch or more in diameter for a large cigar. Noncircular cross sections of cigarettes could also be easily accommodated by embodiments of the device.

The basic embodiment of an elongated tube could be modified easily for decorative or functional purposes. For example, the device could be constructed of a tube with a partial arcuate shape.

Alternately, embodiments of the device could have one or more bends. A shape with two symmetric and opposite bends, for example, may represent a zigzag pattern, commonly desirable with some smokers. Such bends, in addition to being decorative, also provide functions such as, for example without limitation, prevention of rolling of the device on a flat surface.

The material of which embodiments of the apparatus is constructed could be one or more of many different types of metal, including for example without limitation, brass, steel, aluminum, copper, titanium, silver, or even gold as a special embodiment, and alloys or combinations thereof. The device could comprise many different types of finish treatments or coatings or plating, or no finishing at all. Other materials, such as heat-resistant ceramic and glass and the like without limitation, and their relative manufacturing processes, may also be suitable to resist the temperature of the smoking material and appeal to the smoker as mouthpiece or handhold.

Embodiments of such a device could be designed wherein features could be added to protect the holder from breakage if dropped. Most all of these materials may additionally prove to be durable and long lasting following the smoking of many cigarettes. Further, embodiments of the apparatus could be constructed from materials and thicknesses which may be selected to construct a very inexpensive reversible cigarette holder which could presumably be discarded after only one or a few uses.

Contrarily the materials and their thickness and finish may be selected to provide an attractive and long-lasting reversible cigarette holder. Additional details could be included in the design of the device for function or appearance. Such details could include without limitation knurling or other details to enhance the grip of the device by the user. Embodiments of the device could be cast, 3-D printed, or otherwise constructed wherein both the function and appearance are built-in.

An advantage of embodiments constructed from hard materials is that, during smoking when an ash is produced at the distal end of the cigarette, a generally small tap of the holder against a hard ashtray results in a high g-force within the device which tends to part the ash from the tip of the cigarette more easily than, say, a soft cigarette holder tapping on a resilient surface.

Should it be desirable to clean the device after use it may be advantageous to select materials and/or finish treatments which are nonstick and/or resistant to any suitable cleaning compound. The basic embodiment allows cleaning of the internal surfaces with a standard pipe cleaner or q-tip and suitable solvent such as, without limitation, alcohol, or possibly no solvent at all. Other shapes could be designed to keep or enhance this feature. The root 401 of the funnel of the second end 302 can be made sufficiently large to allow a pipe cleaner to pass through it without affecting the performance of the device as previously disclosed. The basic embodiment further allows similar easy cleaning of the external surfaces such as, for example, before or after sharing the device and smoke with a fellow smoker.

Additional features which could be added to embodiments of the device include without limitation aspects to enhance the ease of using, holding or passing the device such as an external protrusion to act as a handle, a hole in such protrusion suitable for securing the device in a keychain or necklace, a protrusion such as a “kick stand” to form a tripod or otherwise act to prevent the lit end of the cigarette from touching a surface upon which it is placed, a protrusion shaped as a ring finger holder, a clip or opening in a protrusion designed to attach a cigarette lighter or one of many other functional features. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment wherein an unused wrapping paper 701 comprises perforations 702 allowing it to be detached from a storage roll 703 of additional wrapping papers rolled around the device for convenient storage.

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration showing an embodiment of the present invention comprising the reversible cigarette holder 300 overmolded or otherwise adorned with, for example without limitation, a thumb tab 801 for convenient gripping of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of a reversible cigarette holder with an elaborate mouthpiece 901 on one end and a simpler mouthpiece 303 on the other end. The elaborate mouthpiece could be overmolded, cast, spun, formed, or otherwise manufactured into the holder. In some embodiments the mouthpiece could be made to slide from one end to the other such that a single mouthpiece could function at either end. The simpler mouthpiece could be as simple as that of a drinking straw, where the outside surface and edges are smooth and allow the smoker to seal his lips on it as desired.

The material of such an overmolded or otherwise adorned mouthpiece or feature may comprise plastic, rubber, glass, paper, ceramic, or one or more of many other materials, or the like. Embodiments of such a device could be designed wherein such feature is not exposed to the high temperatures of combustion, furthering the range of material selection.

Details to enhance the appearance of the device could include without limitation attractive paint or other finish material, attractive labeling, or many other decorative artistic features to improve the attractiveness of the device.

These details, whether for function or appearance, could be standardized and mass-produced economically as part of the manufacturing process. Contrarily, these details could be customized for one or more smokers. Customization processes including without limitation 3-D printing could be employed to manufacture the device alone, the device with additional details, or just the additional features, for subsequent assembly.

Another benefit of embodiments of the present invention is that the smoke may become cooled during the period that it is inside of the device prior to inhalation by the smoker's mouth. Such cooling may be desirable to the smoker. Further, such cooling may allow the condensation or separation of undesirable byproducts of the smoking process, such as tar-like substances. Such substances may condense on the interior walls of the device where they can be later cleaned instead of being imbibed into the smoker's mouth. Further, such cooling may be controlled by the length, diameter or other size of the chamber or of the device or through the use of fins, materials having thermal conductivity and/or specific heat as desired such as metal or ceramic, or other features which control the amount of heat dissipated during that duration of the smoking process. Such fins or features may be located internal to the device or externally.

A further embodiment of the device comprises a separate mouthpiece comprising a socket in which either end of the reversible cigarette holder is inserted, such that this embodiment does not require the smoker to touch the cigarette-holding portion of the device to his lips. An embodiment such as this may be desirable when sharing the smoke.

Further embodiments may comprise elements for holding a cigarette lighter or for storage within elements of a cigarette lighter. Yet further embodiments may comprise an element such as a wire clip which may have multiple positions such that it is useful for storing the lighter and/or wrappers, flexibly clipping on to an external edge or surface for storage, or holding the cigarette in a position to avoid contact with other surfaces. Such an embodiment may comprise elements which allow it to be folded for storage.

Further embodiments may comprise an accumulation chamber within the central tubular passageway of the device of sufficient size to store a desired volume of smoke. This accumulation chamber may comprise a small hole which can be covered or uncovered by a finger functioning as a valve to allow unsmoked air to be drawn into the chamber and evacuate the smoke to the smoker upon inhalation. Still further embodiments may comprise an additional chamber or other means in communication with the central tubular passageway of the device wherein substances intended to provide flavoring, stimulation, or some other desired effect can be located and controllably inserted into the smoke stream. A valve or similar means of control could be utilized between this chamber and the central tubular passageway.

Still further embodiments may comprise a mechanism to controllably eject the cigarette before, during or after partial smoking. Such a mechanism may further comprise means for retracting points or barbs inside the first end 301 of the device 300, such that these points or barbs are retracted at which time the cigarette can then be ejected.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Furthermore, numerous references have been made to patents and printed publications throughout this specification. Each of the above-cited references and printed publications are individually incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.

Claims

1. A cigarette holder comprising an extended tube comprising a first end comprising a first opening receptive to frictionally engaging a first portion of a cigarette and a second end comprising a second opening receptive to frictionally engaging a smaller portion of the cigarette, said ends being in communication through a central passageway.

2. The cigarette holder as described in claim 1, further comprising a first mouthpiece on the first end and a second mouthpiece on the second end, wherein the mouthpieces are configured to allow a user to smoke the cigarette while the cigarette is frictionally engaged in the opposite end.

3. The cigarette holder as described in claim 2 wherein the surfaces and edges of the mouthpieces are smooth.

4. The cigarette holder as described in claim 2 further configured to cool smoke from the cigarette prior to inhalation by the smoker.

5. The cigarette holder as described in claim 1 wherein at least one of the ends of the tube is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, glass, and ceramics.

6. The cigarette holder as described in claim 1, wherein said first and second ends are configured to allow a smoker's lips to engage and seal around at least one of said ends to allow smoking of the cigarette.

7. The cigarette holder as described in claim 1, wherein the shape of the entrance to the second opening is selected from the group consisting of oval, circular, elliptical, square, trapezoidal, and triangular.

8. The cigarette holder as described in claim 1 wherein at least one of the openings comprises a funnel-shaped portion.

9. A cigarette holder comprising an extended tube comprising a first end and a second end, each end comprising an opening and a mouthpiece, said ends being in communication with each other through a central passageway of the tube, wherein the opening of the second end is smaller than the opening of the first end.

10. The cigarette holder as described in claim 9 wherein at least one opening is funnel-shaped.

11. The cigarette holder as described in claim 9 wherein edges and corners of the first and second ends are smooth.

12. A method for smoking a cigarette comprising the steps of:

a.) Inserting a first end of the cigarette into a first end of a cigarette holder a first distance;

b.) Lighting the end of the cigarette opposite the first end of the cigarette and smoking a first portion of the cigarette via a first mouthpiece on the end of the holder opposite the first end of the holder;

c.) Removing the cigarette from the holder;

d.) Reversing the holder and inserting the first end of the cigarette into the end of the holder opposite the first end of the holder a second distance; and

e.) Smoking a desired portion of the remainder of the cigarette via a second mouthpiece on the first end of the holder;

wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the exterior of the first end of the holder is round and the first mouthpiece comprises the exterior of the first end.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the steps of inserting are effective to substantially seal the cigarette within the holder.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein at least one of the first end and the opposite end of the cigarette holder is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, glass, and ceramics.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising at least one step of inserting the cigarette holder into the mouth of the smoker and holding the holder therein without the use of the smoker's hands.