SMOKING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USING SAME

Disclosed herein is a smoking device and method for using same. The smoking device may include a tube having first and second opposed ends, the first end defining a cavity for receiving and releasably securing a cigarette within said cavity, a chamber having a predefined volume and including an aperture, the chamber connected to the second end of the tube and in fluid communication with the cavity for receiving smoke generated from a cigarette through an internal channel of the tube; a circular disc member having top and bottom opposed surfaces, and an outer edge defining a predefined circumference, the circular disc member with first and second support members attached to said outer edge and extending out radially therefrom; and a curved member for attaching a pendant or strap.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/803,280, filed Feb. 8, 2019, which is herein incorporated in its entirety. It is intended that the referenced application may be applicable to the concepts and embodiments disclosed herein, even if such concepts and embodiments are disclosed in the referenced applications with different limitations and configurations and described using different examples and terminology.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to devices, apparatuses and methods specially adapted for smoking, for example, filtered and hand rolled cigarettes and other tobacco products.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Tobacco users often enjoy the experience of sharing a cigarette with another individual or multiple individuals. However, many are deterred by the risk of spreading germs from one person to another. In addition, passing a lit cigarette can also result in burned fingers.

Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved smoking device and method for sharing cigarettes. This need and other needs are satisfied by the various aspects of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the purposes of the disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to a smoking device and apparatus, such as for filtered and hand rolled cigarettes and other tobacco products, and method for using the disclosed smoking devices.

In another exemplary aspect, the present invention relates to a smoking accessory that allows users to insert a cigarette, and other filtered or unfiltered tobacco products. The smoking accessory effectively offers a reusable tobacco holder designed to prevent the spread of germs when sharing a cigarette or other smokable product among multiple people. The holder includes a mouthpiece, a cavity to insert the cigarette, and in internal passageway connecting the cavity to the mouthpiece, thereby affording germ conscious smokers a way to share tobacco products with others. In further aspects, this smoking device can be configured to enable users to wear the device as a pendant or carry it on a chain.

In another exemplary aspect, the disclosure relates to a smoking device and accessory for smoking cigarettes and method for sharing cigarettes without spread of germs and decreased burn incidents. In another aspect, the smoking device and apparatus and method may be configured specifically filtered and unfiltered cigarettes.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the disclosure. The advantages of the disclosure will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of a method for using a disclosed smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 show a user using a smoking device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure and the Examples included therein.

Before the present articles, systems, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that they are not limited to specific manufacturing methods unless otherwise specified, or to particular materials unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, example methods and materials are now described.

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

A. DEFINITIONS

It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the specification and in the claims, the term “comprising” can include the aspects “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.” Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In this specification and in the claims, which follow, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined herein.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an opening” can include two or more openings.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from one particular value, and/or to another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent ‘about,’ it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

As used herein, the terms “about” and “at or about” mean that the amount or value in question can be the value designated some other value approximately or about the same. It is generally understood, as used herein, that it is the nominal value indicated ±10% variation unless otherwise indicated or inferred. The term is intended to convey that similar values promote equivalent results or effects recited in the claims. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but can be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where “about” is used before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The terms “first,” “second,” “first part,” “second part,” and the like, where used herein, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, and are used to distinguish one element from another, unless specifically stated otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, the phrase “optionally affixed to the surface” means that it can or cannot be fixed to a surface.

Moreover, it is to be understood that unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of aspects described in the specification.

Disclosed are the components to be used to manufacture the disclosed devices, systems, and articles of the disclosure as well as the devices themselves to be used within the methods disclosed herein. These and other materials are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these materials cannot be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. For example, if a particular material is disclosed and discussed and a number of modifications that can be made to the materials are discussed, specifically contemplated is each and every combination and permutation of the material and the modifications that are possible unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Thus, if a class of materials A, B, and C are disclosed as well as a class of materials D, E, and F and an example of a combination material, A-D is disclosed, then even if each is not individually recited each is individually and collectively contemplated meaning combinations, A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are considered disclosed. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is also disclosed. Thus, for example, the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E would be considered disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in methods of making and using the articles and devices of the disclosure. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the methods of the disclosure.

It is understood that the devices, apparatuses, and systems disclosed herein have certain functions. Disclosed herein are certain structural requirements for performing the disclosed functions, and it is understood that there are a variety of structures that can perform the same function that are related to the disclosed structures, and that these structures will typically achieve the same result.

Smoking Devices and Apparatuses

As briefly described above, the present disclosure relates, in various aspects, to a smoking device and apparatus (which may individually also be referred to as a “smoking accessory” or “cigarette holder”), and methods for using the disclosed smoking devices and apparatuses for smoking and sharing cigarettes. In another aspect, the smoking device may be configured to for use with filtered or non-filtered cigarettes. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a device having a housing having a unique shape with two opposed apertures or openings at the front and rear. In further aspects, the housing may be molded such that the housing is shaped with curves and greppable areas configured to be hand held. In still further aspects, the two openings at the front and rear of the housing are entry or exit points of smoke running the central length of the device. In even further aspects, the housing may comprise pendant loop, which may be associated with a strap or pendant for holding or suspending the device from a user's body part.

In an exemplary aspect, the present disclosure provides a smoking device for cigarettes, the device comprising: A smoking device comprising: a tube having first and second opposed ends, the first end defining a cavity for receiving and releasably securing a cigarette within said cavity, a chamber having a predefined volume and including an aperture, the chamber connected to the second end of the tube and in fluid communication with the cavity for receiving smoke generated from a cigarette through an internal channel of the tube; a circular disc member having top and bottom opposed surfaces, and an outer edge defining a predefined circumference, the circular disc member disposed around an entire outer circumference of the tube at a position between the first and second ends; the circular disc member comprising first and second support members attached to said outer edge and extending out radially therefrom; and a curved member having first and second opposed ends, said first end attached to the bottom surface of the disc member and said second end attached to an outer surface of the tube.

In further aspects, the device is configured such that when placed on a flat surface, the first and second support members and chamber cooperate to keep the tube off of said flat surface. To this end, a lit cigarette can be held by the device off the surface to avoid burning the surface. Moreover, the device can be easily be pick up by another user without worrying about burning another user during a hand off of a lit cigarette. In still further aspects, the first and second support members may be co-axial with the disc member.

In yet aspect, a bisecting, coplanar angle formed between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is from about 5 degrees to about 120 degrees. In still further aspects, a bisecting, coplanar angle may be formed between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is from about 30 degrees to about 100 degrees. In even further aspects, a bisecting, coplanar angle may be formed between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is about 90 degrees.

In further aspects, the device may be configured to receive an unlit end of the cigarette within the tube and for transferring smoke generated from the cigarette within said tube to the chamber. In still further aspects, the disc member may have a predefined diameter in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches. In yet further aspects, the first end aperture may have a predefined diameter in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1 inches.

In still further aspects, the cavity may have a first predefined diameter located at an outermost edge of the first end, and a second, smaller predefined diameter at interior position from the outermost edge. In yet further aspects, the first predefined diameter may be in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1.9 inches. In even further aspects, the second predefined diameter may be in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1.9 inches.

In further aspects, the chamber may be configured to collect a predetermined volume of smoke generated from the cigarette within said chamber. In still further aspects, the chamber comprises a spherical compartment. In even further aspects, the chamber comprises a mouthpiece.

In further aspects, the curved member comprises an attachment element configured to releasably connect one or more detachable device accessories. In yet further aspects, the device further comprises attachment means configured to releasably connect one or more detachable device accessories. In still further aspects, the attachment means comprise apertures, holes in housing, fittings, clips, hooks, fasteners, and the like. In even further aspects, the detachable device accessories comprise a pendant, strap, necklace, or the like.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a smoking device of the present invention takes the form of or otherwise comprises a housing, which may be shaped to conform to the contour of a surface, such as, for example, a hand. In further aspects, the shaped housing may have an established shape, for example, by a preformed casing, or may be a moldable casing that is shaped by a user. The housing or device may include one or more components or elements described herein associated with the device.

In further aspects, a housing may be convex in shape on at least its proximal side so that the is shaped so that substantially all of the proximal side of the housing contacts the surface of the user's hand. All or a portion of a housing may be curved. For example, the entire housing may be curved, such as in a concave direction (curved like the interior of a circle). In further aspects, the housing may comprise a plurality of curves, and the distal side of the housing is also curved so as to be comfortably held by a hand. Alternatively, only one surface, either the distal or proximal side may be curved, for example, where the proximal side is flat, but the distal side is curved or has multiple curves. Additionally, a proximal side and/or a distal side of the casing may be flat or planar, and the lateral sides of the casing may be shaped. In still further aspects, the lateral sides of the housing may be shaped in any form desired. The housing can be any shape, and preferably is in the shape of a three-dimensional polygon and the housing walls define an interior space or interior sections for containing the smoke. Any other shape (as used herein, the term shape is used in the broad sense of three-dimensional works) may be employed, so long as the shape is large enough and structured so as to be able to contain smoke as disclosed herein.

In further aspects, the housing is a generally hollow structure sized to contain the inserted cigarette in a cavity and smoke through a central channel into the mouthpiece. The housing can be a rigid hollow container having an interior volume. The housing may be constructed such that housing can contain and hold the cigarette in a predetermined position relative to the ground when the device is placed on a flat surface. In still further aspects, the housing may comprise a plastic housing. The plastic housing may be molded to have a gripping area allowing for ease of gripping the smoking device.

In further aspects, the housing may further comprise a gripping area comprising an anti-slip material, for example, high friction rubber, on a portion or substantially all of the outer surface of the housing. In yet further aspects, housing may comprise a gripping area on a portion or substantially all of the distal (i.e., top) and lateral (i.e., side) sides of the housing. In some embodiments, the smoking may be constructed with an ergonomic grip. In further aspects, the smoking device may be constructed from various materials including but not limited to plastic, glass, wood, polypropylene, abs, pvc, centered nylon, injection molded plastic, and the like. The housing of the smoking may be configured further comprising a rubber comfort grip.

According to various further aspects of the disclosure, the disclosed smoking devices can comprise multiple configurations. For example, various exemplary embodiments of the inventive smoking devices and methods are shown in FIGS. 1-10.

In aspects, FIGS. 1-8 show various aspects and features of smoking device 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown, smoking device 100 comprises a tube 102 having first and second opposed ends, the first end defining a cavity 104 for receiving and releasably securing a cigarette within said cavity, a chamber 105 having a predefined volume and including an aperture 106, the chamber connected to the second end of the tube and in fluid communication with the cavity for receiving smoke generated from a cigarette through an internal channel 108 of the tube; a circular disc member 110 having top and bottom opposed surfaces, and an outer edge defining a predefined circumference, the circular disc member disposed around an entire outer circumference of the tube at a position between the first and second ends; the circular disc member comprising first and second support members 112 attached to said outer edge and extending out radially therefrom; and a curved member 114 having first and second opposed ends, said first end attached to the bottom surface of the disc member and said second end attached to an outer surface of the tube. The device surface is ergonomically configured with one or more curves to provide the ease of a hand-held grip.

Smoking device 100 may include main housing tube 102 having a first aperture in the form of a cavity 104 at a first end, chamber 105 with second aperture 106 at an opposed second end as the mouthpiece, and a smoke channel 108 between the first and second ends, configured to allow a smoke to travel therethrough. Device 100 can have a length from about 1.0 inches to about 24 inches, such from about 2.0 inches to about 10 inches, or from about 3.0 inches to about 6.2 inches, including exemplary values of 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0 inches; a width W1 from about 0.2 inches to about 2.0 inches, for example, from about 0.3 inches to about 1.5 inches or from about 0.4 inches to about 1.0 inches, including exemplary values of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 inches; and a height H1 from about 0.2 inches to about 3.0 inches, for example, from about 0.5 inches to about 2.0 inches or from about 0.4 inches to about 1.5 inches, including exemplary values of 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, and 2.9 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, smoking device 100 is configured such that when placed on a flat surface, the first and second support members 112 and chamber 105 cooperate to keep the tube off of said flat surface, and thus, the cigarette off said flat surface. First and second support members 112 are co-axial with the disc member 110, and form a bisecting, coplanar angle of about 90 degrees between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is from about 5 degrees to about 120 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, smoking device 100 is not only configured to hold a cigarette 122, but curved member 114 is configured to releasably connect one or more detachable device accessories, such as pendant 120. To this end, a user can wear the smoking device around their neck or clip to a key chain when not being held by the user.

As described herein, the present disclosure also provides methods of using the disclosed smoking devices and accessories, for example to share cigarettes without spreading germs and burn incidents. The process can then be repeated for one or more other users.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a method for smoking and sharing a cigarette using a disclosed smoking device. The method can comprise the step of:

A. Receiving a cigarette in a front end cavity of the smoking device;
B. Generating smoke by pulling air through the mouthpiece; and
C. removing the cigarette.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for using the smoking in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in a method 800 consistent with an embodiment of the disclosure for providing the smoking in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Although method 800 has been described to be performed by a first user, it should be understood that any number of users may be used to perform the various stages of method 800. Furthermore, in some embodiments, different operations may be performed by different users in operative communication with a first user.

Although the stages illustrated by the flow charts are disclosed in a particular order, it should be understood that the order is disclosed for illustrative purposes only. Stages may be combined, separated, reordered, and various intermediary stages may exist. Accordingly, it should be understood that the various stages illustrated within the flow chart may be, in various embodiments, performed in arrangements that differ from the ones illustrated. Moreover, various stages may be added or removed from the flow charts without altering or deterring from the fundamental scope of the depicted methods and devices disclosed herein. Ways to implement the stages of method 800 will be described in greater detail below.

Method 800 may begin at starting block 805 and proceed to stage 810 where a first user using the device may receive a cigarette in cavity of the device. For example, a filtered or unfiltered cigarette may be received in the apparatus.

From stage 810, where a first user using the device inserts a cigarette into front cavity of device, method 800 may advance to stage 820 where a first user using the may generate smoke from the cigarette into the mouthpiece chamber. For example, a smoker may pull air through the aperture of the mouthpiece until the desired amount of smoke is generated.

Once a first user using the device generates smoke in stage 820, method 800 may continue to stage 830 where a first user using the device may remove the cigarette by pulling out the cigarette from the cavity. First user may give cigarette to a second user with a second smoking device in order for second user to be able to repeat the foregoing steps. Alternatively, the first user may hand the smoking device with cigarette to a second user to generate smoke.

After first user removes the cigarette in stage 830, method 800 may then end at stage 840. User may then hang the smoking device from their neck as shown in FIG. 10.

The present invention includes at least the following aspects: Aspect 1: A smoking device comprising: a tube having first and second opposed ends, the first end defining a cavity for receiving and releasably securing a cigarette within said cavity, a chamber having a predefined volume and including an aperture, the chamber connected to the second end of the tube and in fluid communication with the cavity for receiving smoke generated from a cigarette through an internal channel of the tube; a circular disc member having top and bottom opposed surfaces, and an outer edge defining a predefined circumference, the circular disc member disposed around an entire outer circumference of the tube at a position between the first and second ends; the circular disc member comprising first and second support members attached to said outer edge and extending out radially therefrom; and a curved member having first and second opposed ends, said first end attached to the bottom surface of the disc member and said second end attached to an outer surface of the tube.

Aspect 2: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein when placed on a flat surface, the first and second support members and chamber cooperate to keep the tube off of said flat surface.

Aspect 3: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the first and second support members are co-axial with the disc member.

Aspect 4: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a bisecting, coplanar angle formed between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is from about 5 degrees to about 120 degrees.

Aspect 5: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a bisecting, coplanar angle formed between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is from about 30 degrees to about 100 degrees.

Aspect 6: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a bisecting, coplanar angle formed between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is about 90 degrees.

Aspect 7: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device is configured to receive an unlit end of the cigarette within the tube and for transferring smoke generated from the cigarette within said tube to the chamber.

Aspect 8: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the disc member has a predefined diameter in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches.

Aspect 9: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the first end aperture has a predefined diameter in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1 inches.

Aspect 10: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the cavity has a first predefined diameter located at an outermost edge of the first end, and a second, smaller predefined diameter at interior position from the outermost edge.

Aspect 11: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the first predefined diameter is in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1.9 inches.

Aspect 12: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the second predefined diameter is in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1.9 inches.

Aspect 13: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the chamber is configured to collect a predetermined volume of smoke generated from the cigarette within said chamber.

Aspect 14: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the chamber comprises a spherical compartment.

Aspect 15: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the chamber comprises a mouthpiece.

Aspect 16: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the curved member comprises an attachment element configured to releasably connect one or more detachable device accessories.

Aspect 17: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device further comprises attachment means configured to releasably connect one or more detachable device accessories.

Aspect 18: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the attachment means comprise apertures, holes in housing, fittings, clips, hooks, fasteners, and the like.

Aspect 19: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the detachable device accessories comprise a pendant, strap, necklace, or the like.

Aspect 20: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device is configured for right-hand users and left-hand users.

Aspect 21: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device has a length from about 1.0 inches to about 12 inches.

Aspect 22: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device has a length from about 2.0 inches to about 6 inches.

Aspect 23: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device has a length from about 3.0 inches to about 5.2 inches.

Aspect 24: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device has a width from about 0.2 inches to about 2.0 inches.

Aspect 25: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device has a width from about 0.3 inches to about 1.5 inches.

Aspect 26: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device has a width from about 0.4 inches to about 1.0 inches.

Aspect 27: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device has a height from about 0.2 inches to about 3.0 inches.

Aspect 28: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the smoke channel of the tube has a length from about 1.0 inches to about 4 inches.

Aspect 29: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the smoke channel of the tube has a width from about 0.4 inches to about 1.0 inches.

Aspect 30: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the smoke channel of the tube has a height from about 0.2 inches to about 1.1 inches.

Aspect 31: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the smoke channel of the tube has a height from about 0.3 inches to about 0.8 inches.

Aspect 32: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the device has a height from about 0.4 inches to about 1.7 inches.

Aspect 33: Aspect 82: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a first and/or second aperture has a width from about 0.1 inches to about 1.0 inches.

Aspect 34: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a first and/or second aperture has a width from about 0.2 inches to about 0.7 inches.

Aspect 35: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a first and/or second aperture has a width from about 0.4 inches to about 0.6 inches.

Aspect 36: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a first and/or second aperture has a height from about 0.1 inches to about 1.0 inches.

Aspect 37: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a first and/or second aperture has a height from about 0.15 inches to about 0.5 inches.

Aspect 38: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein a first and/or second aperture has a height from about 0.2 inches to about 0.3 inches.

Aspect 39: The device of any preceding aspect, further comprising at least one clean out aperture or holes disposed on the top and/or bottom of the housing.

Aspect 40: The device of any preceding aspect, further comprising a plurality of clean out apertures or holes disposed on the top and bottom of the housing.

Aspect 41: The device of any preceding aspect, wherein the clean out apertures or holes are in fluid communication with the smoke channel.

Aspect 42: A method for smoking a cigarette using a smoking device, the method comprising: receiving a cigarette in a cavity of the smoking device of any preceding aspect; generating smoke from the cigarette into mouthpiece chamber the along the channel in a first travel direction; and removing the cigarette from the cavity.

Aspect 43: The method of any preceding aspect, wherein generating smoke comprises pulling air from the mouthpiece aperture effective to cause smoke from a lit cigarette to travel into the mouthpiece chamber.

Aspect 44: The method of any preceding aspect, further comprising placing the device on a flat surface prior to removing the cigarette.

While aspects of the present disclosure can be described and claimed in a particular statutory class, such as the system statutory class, this is for convenience only and one of skill in the art will understand that each aspect of the present disclosure can be described and claimed in any statutory class. Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method or aspect set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not specifically state in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way appreciably intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow, plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, or the number or type of aspects described in the specification.

Throughout this application, various publications can be referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this pertains. The references disclosed are also individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein for the material contained in them that is discussed in the sentence in which the reference is relied upon. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided herein can be different from the actual publication dates, which can require independent confirmation.

The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

While the specification includes examples, the disclosure's scope is indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example for embodiments of the disclosure.

Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawing disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the disclosures are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claims such additional disclosures is reserved.

Although very narrow claims are presented herein, it should be recognized the scope of this disclosure is much broader than presented by the claims.

Claims

1. A smoking device comprising:

a tube having first and second opposed ends, the first end defining a cavity for receiving and releasably securing a cigarette within said cavity,
a chamber having a predefined volume and including an aperture, the chamber connected to the second end of the tube and in fluid communication with the cavity for receiving smoke generated from a cigarette through an internal channel of the tube;
a circular disc member having top and bottom opposed surfaces, and an outer edge defining a predefined circumference, the circular disc member disposed around an entire outer circumference of the tube at a position between the first and second ends; the circular disc member comprising first and second support members attached to said outer edge and extending out radially therefrom; and
a curved member having first and second opposed ends, said first end attached to the bottom surface of the disc member and said second end attached to an outer surface of the tube.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein when placed on a flat surface, the first and second support members and chamber cooperate to keep the tube off of said flat surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the first and second support members are co-axial with the disc member.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein a bisecting, coplanar angle formed between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is from about 30 degrees to about 100 degrees.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the bisecting, coplanar angle formed between attachment positions corresponding to the first and second support members is about 90 degrees.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is configured to receive an unlit end of the cigarette within the tube and for transferring smoke generated from the cigarette within said tube to the chamber.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the disc member has a predefined diameter in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 3 inches.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first end aperture has a predefined diameter in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1 inches.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the cavity has a first predefined diameter located at an outermost edge of the first end, and a second, smaller predefined diameter at interior position from the outermost edge.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first predefined diameter is in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1.9 inches.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the second predefined diameter is in the range of from about 0.1 inches to about 1.5 inches.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the chamber is configured to collect a predetermined volume of smoke generated from the cigarette within said chamber.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the chamber comprises a spherical compartment.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the chamber comprises a mouthpiece.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the curved member comprises an attachment element configured to releasably connect one or more detachable device accessories.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the detachable device accessories comprise a pendant, strap, necklace, or combination thereof.

17. A method for smoking a cigarette using a smoking device, the method comprising:

receiving a cigarette in a cavity of the smoking device of claim 14;
generating smoke from the cigarette into mouthpiece chamber the along the channel in a first travel direction; and
removing the cigarette from the cavity.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein generating smoke comprises pulling air from the mouthpiece aperture effective to cause smoke from a lit cigarette to travel into the mouthpiece chamber.

19. The method of claim, further comprising placing the device on a flat surface prior to removing the cigarette.

20. The method of claim, wherein placing the device on a flat surface prior to removing the cigarette is effective to keep a lit cigarette off said flat surface.

Patent History
Publication number: 20200253273
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 10, 2020
Publication Date: Aug 13, 2020
Inventor: Mary Hines (Sandy Springs, GA)
Application Number: 16/787,007
Classifications
International Classification: A24F 13/02 (20060101); A24F 13/22 (20060101); A24F 13/12 (20060101);