With Tobacco Product Patents (Class 206/236)
  • Patent number: 6446632
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for detecting and eliminating, defective and/or incorrectly positioned, in particular transversely located, cigarettes in the cigarette magazine of a cigarette-production and/or a cigarette-packaging machine. Thus, the avoidance of disruptions in the cigarette magazine is improved. For detection using an optical checking element, an image of the cigarettes located in the cigarette magazine is scanned, the image is evaluated by an image-processing device and, if, during the evaluation, the scanned image is established as deviating from a reference image and/or reference value, an error signal is produced. For eliminating defective cigarettes, an ejecting unit arranged in the region of the magazine is actuated in order to eject a plurality of cigarettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventor: Heinz Focke
  • Publication number: 20020000389
    Abstract: A convenient, safe and economical packaging system has an open receptacle that collapses to a reduced closed receptacle for storing debris. An outer sleeve and a container are connected through an accordion section. The accordion section folds by pushing the container into the outer sleeve collapsing the open ashtray receptacle to the closed receptacle. A removable lining may optionally cover the walls of the closed receptacle. With the container pulled out the open ashtray receptacle is easily assessable through an access hole in the sleeve. A folded cutout attached to a panel of the sleeve and a bottom of the container covers the access hole in the closed position. The packaging system is particularly useful for packaging cigarettes and can be used several time before emptying the closed receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Guadalupe C. Garcia
  • Patent number: 6298857
    Abstract: A hand held portable humidor including an upper housing and a telescopically interfitting lower housing, with a ridge structure integrally formed on the upper housing and adapted to secure both a cigar cutter and a belt clip mechanism to the upper housing. In a preferred embodiment, the lower housing is formed with substantially parallel ribs thereacross which contact the upper housing when the lower housing slides within the upper housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Pacific Handy Cutter, Inc.
    Inventor: G. Gerry Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6244434
    Abstract: A tobacco combination pack is provided including a tobacco product and an article related to, and separate from, the tobacco product. The tobacco product and related article are packaged together in a first container and sold as a single item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: William Brooks
  • Patent number: 6223895
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a novel cigarette packaging system for “making your own” smokeable cigarettes. The kit is easily opened and allows a smoker to assemble a smokeable cigarette quickly without requiring great effort. The kit is inexpensive, convenient to use and also convenient to carry and store as its compact size is such that it fits in a person's hand, a shirt or coat pocket as well as in a ladies bag or purse. The kit is also advantageous because it is less expensive than tailor made cigarettes, yet is not that much wider than a standard, typical package of cigarettes. The construction of the kit, is such that it keeps the unsmokeable tobacco elements in a separate compartment which serves to help maintain the freshness of the tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Bowen, Norman Cohen
  • Patent number: 6082368
    Abstract: A nicotine candy is provided for consumption in small volumes and in a cigarette shaped package. Each portion of the candy is obtained by removing it from a cigarette shaped package from the end. In a first embodiment, standard paper is used to wrap the a series of linearly disposed candy portions. In a second embodiment, the package is made of edible rice paper, and may be torn off of the end in a single piece. The formulation of the candy preferably uses a food grade Beta-pyridyl-alpha-N-methylpyrrolidine dissolved into any standard hard sugar candy. This material is water soluble and is admixed into the sugar candy composition during candy formation. Preferably, the candy composition is available in a range of strengths which further enables users to regulate their doses. One or two or three pieces can be ingested simultaneously to enable control of the intake, in addition to the availability of the composition in different strengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Graham H. Brown
  • Patent number: 6041921
    Abstract: The invented apparatus includes a wallet-like foldable member and a receptacle for storage of smoking material. The apparatus can also include a holder attached to the foldable member. One or more smoking accessories such as a pipe and a poker can be removably secured in the apparatus by the holder. In its folded configuration, the member stores the receptacle and any stored smoking accessory in a relatively compact configuration that can readily fit in a shirt or pants pocket for convenient carrying. When unfolded into its opened position, the member exposes the stored receptacle and smoking accessory(ies) so that such items can be selectively removed for use. The invented system includes the apparatus's member and receptacle, and in addition, includes at least one smoking accessory such as the pipe and poker. The system thus constitutes a smoking kit capable of holding substantially all smoking necessities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Top Shelf Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Staiano, Gregory R. Scott
  • Patent number: 6032792
    Abstract: A smoker's box has a base with sidewalls and end walls attached to it forming a boxy structure. Panels divide the boxy structure into compartments for holding cigarettes and other articles needed by a smoker. A lid has a top panel hingedly connected to one end wall and has a downwardly extending lip for engaging another end wall to inhibit air infiltration to help keep the cigarettes fresh. The lid contains a cover for the ashtray which engages the ashtray when the lid is closed to prevent ashes from spilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Abdul-Razzak Faraj
  • Patent number: 5957278
    Abstract: A cigarette tube container for containing and transporting a multiple of cigarette tubes having cigarette filter tips is provided the container has partitions for dividing the container space into multiple segments with the tubes being placed upright with the filter tips located at the top of the container and a closure for each segment of the container where each closure may be individually opened to permit withdrawal of the cigarette tube by its filter tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, Inc.
    Inventors: Marek S. Krawec, Edward G. A. Simpson
  • Patent number: 5947280
    Abstract: A new cigarette container with cutting device for cutting off the lit end of a cigarette off so that the remainder of the cigarette may be stored in the container to be smoked later. The inventive device includes a base portion, a top, a bottom and a perimeter side wall extending between the top and bottom of the base portion. The perimeter side wall of the base portion defines an interior space of the base portion adapted for holding cigarettes therein. The top of the base portion has an opening into the interior space of the base portion. A lid portion substantially closes the opening of the top of the base portion. The lid portion is hingedly coupled to the base portion. A cigarette cutting portion is extended from the bottom of the base portion. The cigarette cutting portion comprises a cutting blade and a sliding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Angelo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 5832935
    Abstract: A tobacco storage and smoking apparatus includes a housing having a first chamber which receives smoking materials such as tobacco and is covered by a cover including a bowl recess with a side passageway extending from the bowl recess to one end of the cover. The housing has a second chamber on an opposite side of the housing from the first chamber removably containing a stem having a through passageway and intended to be assembled to the cover to create a smoking pipe. The second chamber is downwardly open and may be closed by a further cover. If desired, the second chamber may contain a spring recess partially receiving a coil spring which biases the stem toward a direction of removal from the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: New Tradition Pipe Co.
    Inventor: Randolph A. Heine
  • Patent number: 5810164
    Abstract: A cigarette box insert of such width, depth and height to snugly fit within a cigarette box, having a stepped top, a first receptacle being a smoking material receptacle for holding smoking material and one or more second receptacles for holding one or more pipes or cigarettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Bryan Rennecamp
  • Patent number: 5794771
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging system for hand made cigarettes using loose tobacco and pre-made, filter tipped cigarette tubes. The packaging system includes a reusable container with a bottom section and a top section. Loose tobacco is stored in the bottom section and is separated by a divider from the top section. A removable storage canister holds the empty cigarette tubes and fits within the top portion of the reusable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, Inc.
    Inventors: Marek S. Krawec, Edward G. A. Simpson, Jean L. Mailhot
  • Patent number: 5752599
    Abstract: A can holder for use with a can of smokeless tobacco is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a threaded container for receiving and securing a can of smokeless tobacco. A mirror is connected to the underside of the container to assist a smokeless tobacco user in determining whether or not tobacco particles have become lodged or are adhering to their teeth. A toothpick removably retained within a toothpick housing assists a smokeless tobacco user in removing any detected tobacco particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Stephen J. Veltman
    Inventor: Stephen J. Veltman
  • Patent number: 5409374
    Abstract: A clipping attachment for releasably fixing a cigarette lighter to a substantially parallelepiped-shaped pack of cigarettes having an outer jacket and an inner sleeve. The outer jacket of the cigarette pack having a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of opposite side walls. The inner sleeve of the cigarette pack being adapted to slidably move up and down relatively to the outer jacket in order to respectively allow access to the cigarettes and to prevent access to the latter. The clipping attachment has a substantially elongated and flat tongue adapted to be slidably inserted between the inner sleeve and one of the side walls of the outer jacket. A spacing section extends substantially perpendicullarly from the top end of the tongue for spacing the tongue from the lighter. A fixing device for fixing the clipping attachment to the lighter extends integrally from the spacing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: Michel Liard
  • Patent number: 5031645
    Abstract: A unique method of packaging premiums in cigarette packs. The primary concept is to provide instant reward through cash premiums; however, coupons or the like are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Ki I. Kim
  • Patent number: 4887711
    Abstract: A cigarette and matches container has front, rear, bottom and sidewalls forming a box, a lid hinged to a rear wall upper portion for movement between open and closed lid positions, and a panel mounted in parallel confronting relation with the rear wall and defining therewith a channel with a lower opening. A match set is disposed in the channel and has a base with individual matches extending therefrom. One or more pull strips are connected at upper ends to the lid and at lower ends to the match set base so that upon movement of the lid from closed to open position, the pull strip moves relative to the box rear wall to move the match set to a position wherein portions of the matches extend outwardly from the channel for manual grasping by a user. The matches may be secured to the match base with their heads remote from the base so that with the lid in open position the heads extend outwardly from the channel opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Detlev V. Bladt
  • Patent number: 4852729
    Abstract: A holder for a cigarette pack and a lighter. The holder includes two compartments and has an open top. The holder is integrally formed as a one piece, five-sided plastic box. A partition is integrally joined with three sides and separates the compartments. Within the lighter compartment is inserted a depth adjusting block which adjusts the height of the lighter. A different embodiment is made with a lighter compartment which is formed shallower than compartment for the cigarette pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: John R. Conte
  • Patent number: 4844254
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cigarette lighter case whose one edge is connected with a one piece clip member by which the lighter can be attached to a cigarette package. The clip member has at least three parallelly spaced planar plates lying in the same plane and a transverse strip coplanar with and connected to one end of each of said plates. The clip member is connected to the lighter case by means of a hinge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Inventor: Tzong-Shenq Jang
  • Patent number: 4804101
    Abstract: A container assembly for containing a commodity in a cylindrical primary container, and further including a cylindrical base and dispenser subassembly for receiving the cylindrical container, and for dispensing elongated, thin articles. The base and dispenser subassembly includes an upwardly extending peripheral flange, a downwardly extending peripheral flange and a transverse partition therebetween carrying the flanges. Parallel chordal partitions extend across, and substantially normal to, the transverse partition, and define a multiple article storage compartment. A dispenser closure cap includes an end plate which extends across the top of the article storage compartment. The end plate carries an annular outer flange which rotatably engages the downwardly extending peripheral flange. A mirror is affixed to the exterior of the end plate. In another form, the primary container may simply be formed as an integral part of the base and dispenser subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: IAT Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce A. Heath
  • Patent number: 4303154
    Abstract: A cigarette case is provided with adjustable features to accommodate cigarette packages of varying lengths and widths. A longitudinally slidable insert serves to accommodate variations in package length while a swingable side panel attached to the insert is biased inwardly to accommodate variations in width of the package. A hinged package lid engages the lid of a hard-pack cigarette package for simultaneous opening therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Inventor: Harlan D. Hicks
  • Patent number: 4267924
    Abstract: A cigarette lighter is movably mounted to the top of a cover which is mounted to a container in which the cigarettes are stored. In one position, the cigarette lighter covers an opening in the top of the cover and in the other position uncovers the opening thereby permitting the dispensing of at least one cigarette through the top of the cover. The cover and the container are adjustable to accommodate various lengths of cigarettes. The cigarette lighter is disposable or refillable and is either of the electric type or fueled by butane gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Inventor: Peter Tata
  • Patent number: 4252237
    Abstract: A combination holder for a package of cigarettes and ancillary items. It includes a main compartment for the cigarettes, a compartment for ashes and butts, one for a book of matches, and one for a lighter, and a clip for detachably clipping onto a person's belt, or a sun visor in an automobile, etc. An extinguisher is included in the ash compartment in the form of a perforated metal insert. The holder is unitary and effectively integral. It is preferably of plastic material, and it includes a cover for the main compartment and a cover for the ash compartment that are swingable between closed and opened positions, and are integral with the body of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Inventor: Paul S. Baclit
  • Patent number: 4231378
    Abstract: A device for perforating packaged cigarettes comprising first and second housing members, one of which is movably received within the other, one of the housing members having a plurality of spaced pins or needles which are movable to perforate or pierce the cigarettes contained within a package. The device includes means for selectively raising and lowering the package of cigarettes so as to create perforations at different points along the lengths of the cigarettes. Optionally provided is a locking mechanism for preventing relative movement of the housing portions to prevent the needles from inadvertently protruding from a nested position, thereby increasing the safety of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Inventor: Pierre M. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4223784
    Abstract: A combined lighter and cigarette package holder device which is useful either by itself as a lighter or as a lighter in combination with a cigarette package, particularly a soft package, which includes arm members attached to a cigarette package holder base member for hinged movement with respect thereto for holding the cigarette package with effective protection for cigarettes contained in the cigarette package. The combined lighter and cigarette package holder device, when used in combination with a cigarette package, permits the smoker to easily take out a cigarette from the cigarette package for smoking, but otherwise act to positively retain cigarettes therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Dentsu Central Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Kaneyasu
  • Patent number: 4214658
    Abstract: A smoking system is provided to hold a smoking pipe and smoking material in a compact container and provide a quick and efficient method to fill the pipe with the smoking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: Simple Pleasures, Inc.
    Inventor: Floyd Crow
  • Patent number: 4054146
    Abstract: In order to reduce the content of smoking byproducts (including nicotine and tars) in the smoke inhaled by the smoker, the disclosed perforator box is used to simultaneously perforate the paper, covering the smoking end of all cigarettes in a pack. To accomplish this, the full pack is placed in the open sided box and a needle studded cover is pressed onto the box so that the neeldes perforate the cigarettes. When smoked, smoke from the perforated cigarettes contains a lower percentage of nicotine and tars. It is suggested that this should aid a person desirous of stopping to achieve his goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1977
    Assignee: Lawrence Peska Assoc.
    Inventor: Jaime Ortiz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4046252
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cigarette pack of the crushproof type which conventionally has front and back walls joined by side walls into a substantially rigid package, the pack having a top hinged at the back wall and cooperating with the front wall to form a cover for the pack. The improved cigarette pack of the present invention is provided with means defining a slot near the bottom of the front wall of the container, the slot extending at an acute angle greater than 0.degree. and less than 45.degree. to the transverse dimension of the front wall. The slot is spaced from the upper edge of the front wall a distance sufficient to accommodate the back of a book of matches when the back of such book is received through the slot and extends behind the front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Inventors: Leonard A. Korby, Norris K. Heard
  • Patent number: 4037719
    Abstract: A case for containing a pack of cigarettes, the case including a counting mechanism which counts the number of times that the case is opened up so to remove a cigarette from the pack, thus enabling a smoker, who wished to cut down on his smoking habit, to keep track of the number of cigarettes being smoked during a current day, the counting mechanism also having a counter that records the number of cigarettes smoked on a previous day for purposes of comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Inventor: Alan Perlmutter