US 2013 O167850A1

(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2013/0167850 A1
Al-AaWar (43) Pub. Date: Jul. 4, 2013
(54) CIGARETTE PROTECTOR (52) U.S. Cl.
USPC .......................................................... 131/175
(76) Inventor: Rabih Al-Aawar, Richmond, VA (US) (57) ABSTRACT
(21) Appl. No.: 13/341,906
y x- - - 9
A cigarette protector device used by a person Smoking a
tobacco cigarette. The device is comprised of a double-walled
cylindrical tubular element having a plurality of Small aper
(22) Filed: Dec. 30, 2011 tures and a mouthpiece portion. The device completely
encases the Smoker's cigarette. The cylindrical encasement
Publication Classification reduces the distribution of ash from the cigarette and, further,
serves to keep the hot ash or Smoldering tip of the cigarette
(51) Int. Cl. from contacting any flammable or injurable Surfaces in the
A24F 3/4 (2006.01) Smoker's environment.
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Patent Application Publication Jul. 4, 2013 Sheet 2 of 4 US 2013/0167850 A1

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US 2013/0167850 A1
CGARETTE PROTECTOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
0001. The present invention relates to cigarette holders
and protectors, and, more particularly, to a new and improved
cigarette holder with various beneficial features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
0002. A substantial number of the world's population
engages in the use of tobacco products. Tobacco comes in
many forms, but cigarettes are frequently the tobacco product
of choice. Trillions of cigarettes are produced and Smoked
annually. Recent statistics have shown that almost twenty
percent (20%) of the United States population currently
Smokes.
0003. In order to smoke a cigarette, one end of the cigarette
is initially ignited and the burning cigarette generates Smoke
which is inhaled by the smoker. Since the cigarette is burning
or smoldering while lit, it presents a potential fire hazard if
ever placed on a flammable surface or item. Indeed, cigarettes
area frequent source offires in homes. A need therefore exists
for a cigarette protective device which minimizes or reduces
this fire risk.
0004. A further inconvenience caused by a burning or
Smoldering cigarette is the presence of ash. A cigarette pro
duces a steady stream of ash which must be deposited some
where. A need therefore also exists to limit or control the
distribution of such ash.
0005 Finally, the cigarette must continue to burn or smol
der in order to be smoked. Smoking is often difficult in loca
tions where a moderate to high wind is present, e.g., in a
moving automobile with open windows. A need therefore
also exists for a device to facilitate Smoking in windy envi
rOnmentS.
0006 Most cigarettes are of one of two generally uniform
diameters, either standard or thin. A need therefore exists for
a cigarette holder which provides the aforementioned benefits
for users of both standard and thin cigarettes.
0007. The prior art includes numerous cigarette holder
designs. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,645 (Hagman)
discloses a safety cigarette holder. The Hagman device pur
portedly offers a safety feature such that if the holder is
dropped on the ground the holder will not roll and the tip of
the cigarette will remain off of the ground. The Hagman
device, however, still leaves the tip exposed. Therefore, this
exposed tip can still come into contact with exposed skin or
flammable substances if the holder is dropped. Another
example in the art is U.S. Pat. No. 2,884.930 which encloses
the entire cigarette in a protective enclosure; however, this
enclosure is of a wire or mesh nature. The wire enclosure fails
to provide adequate heat resistance, ash containment, and fire
prevention properties.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
0008. It is an object of the invention to provide a cigarette
holder device which provides several advantages to a Smoker,
including, but not limited to, reduction of fire risk in cases
where the cigarette is dropped, placed, or falls on flammable
matter and Substantial containment of ash while the cigarette
is being Smoked.
Jul. 4, 2013
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
0009. The present invention discloses a cigarette holder
device composed of a first portion, or encapsulating tubular
portion, and a second portion, or holder body. The first portion
is a double-walled cylindrical tubehaving a plurality of holes.
The second portion includes an end to secure a cigarette, a
passageway for the transmission of smoke, and an opening to
allow the smoke to pass into the mouth of the smoker. In
operation, the first portion is removably engaged with the
second portion and a cigarette is contained in the cylinder
while being smoked. The device offers several benefits over
simply holding a cigarette by hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(0010 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device.
0011 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodi
ment of the device.
0012 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mouthpiece.
0013 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece.
0014 FIG. 5 is a view of the mouthpiece along the axis of
the central passageway.
0015 FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the device
employed with a standard cigarette.
0016 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device
employed with a thin cigarette.
0017 FIG. 8 is perspective view of the device including
ash as when in use.
0018 FIG. 9 is a side view of the encapsulating portion.
(0019 FIG. 10 is view of the first end of the cylinder.
(0020 FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the double-walled
cylinder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
0021. The invention disclosed herein is cigarette holder
device which holds or encases a cigarette. The device is
designed to accommodate a single cigarette, of varying pro
portions, at a time. The device provides several benefits to a
Smoker, including greater control of ash distribution, reduc
tion of fire risk, the ability to smoke in drafty or windy
environments, and aesthetic appeal.
0022 FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the
cigarette holder 10 disclosed herein. The cigarette holder 10
includes a first portion being an encapsulating tubular ele
ment of Substantially circular cross-section 15 and a second
holder body portion 20. The encapsulating portion 15 is a
hollow double-walled cylindrical tube composed of ceramic
material. In a preferred embodiment, the tube 15 is open on
both a first-end 25 and a second end 30, as seen in FIGS. 1 and
11. It will also be noted that the tube 15 may be composed of
any Suitable material, e.g., ceramic or glass, which exhibits
Sufficient heat-resistant properties and possesses adequate
structural strength.
0023. As shown in FIG. 1, the double-walled tube 15 is
comprised of an exterior wall 35 and an interior wall 40. A
space exists between the exterior 35 and interior 40 walls such
that the walls are not in direct contact with one another. In a
preferred embodiment, the tube 15 includes a plurality of
holes 45 which pass through the exterior walls 35 of the tube
15. In this embodiment, the holes simply pass through the
exterior wall 35 of the cylinder 15 and do not interface with
the interior of the cylinder 15, i.e., the holes 45 are not present
in the interior wall 40. Preferred embodiments would include
two or four rows of such holes 45. In this configuration, the
US 2013/0167850 A1
holes 45 serve a cooling function for the tube 15. In an
alternate embodiment one or more of the holes 45 pass only
through the exterior wall 35 and one or more of the holes 45
pass through both the exterior wall 35 and the interior wall 40.
In this alternate embodiment, the plurality of holes 45 facili
tate cooling of the cylinder and also allow ventilation and gas
exchange between the interior of the tube 15 and the user's
environment. In this alternate embodiment, the holes 45 in the
interior wall 40 are to be of such size as to prevent or impede
the travel of ash or other particulate through such holes.
0024. It will be noted, however, that the total number of
holes and the placement of the holes may vary So long as the
function of the holes is maintained.
0025. In a preferred embodiment, a circular ventilation
plug 50 is positioned in the aperture in the first end 25 as seen
in FIG. 1. The ventilation plug 50 has an exterior surface 55
and an interior surface 60. It will be noted that the terms
exterior Surface and interior Surface are used in this context to
define an interior and exterior relative to the encapsulating
portion 15. A ventilation passageway runs along the central
axis of the plug 50 between an exterior opening 70 and an
interior opening 75. The exterior surface 55 of the plug is
generally flat with the exterior opening of the passageway 70
being in the center of the plug 50. The interior surface 60 is
concave and projects into the tube 15. The interior surface 60
terminates with the interior opening 75. The concave portion
generally has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the
tube 15. Indeed, in a preferred embodiment, the maximum
diameter of the concave portion (at any point other than the
base) is no greater than ninety (90%) of the diameter of the
tube 15. The concave projection is, as noted, centered in the
tube 15. As a result, the projection creates an ash-catching
space around the perimeter of the projection within the tube,
as illustrated in FIG.8. The ventilation plug 50 is positioned
within the aperture 70. It must therefore be noted that the
portion of the plug 50 which lies directly within the exterior
opening 70, and a portion immediately adjacent to said open
ing 70, will be of a diameter which is of a sufficient size to
insure a proper fit of the plug 50 within the cylinder 15.
0026. The plug 50 may be secured by a variety of conven
tional means, e.g., adhesives, interference fit, or a Snap-like
mechanism or, alternatively, the plug structure may be of
unitary construction with the tube 15. In an alternate embodi
ment shown in FIG. 2, the ventilation plug is formed as an
integral part of the tube. In this embodiment, the exterior
Surface is not flat; rather it is an aperture which progresses
into a concave enclosure and culminates with an interior
opening. It will be further noted that regardless of whether the
plug is a separate component oran extension of the tube itself,
the exterior surface can be flat, as in FIG. 1 or concave, as in
FIG 2.
0027. The interior of the cylindrical tube 15 is circum
scribed by a projection or lip or a depression or notch at a
point proximal to the second end 30. This projection or
depression is designed to engage an appropriate projection or
depression on the second portion in order to secure the first
and second portions together.
0028. The second portion or holder body 20 comprises a
seating portion 80 and a mouthpiece portion 85 and includes
a central passageway 90 which runs the length of the body 20.
More specifically, the second portion 20 comprises a body
having a generally circular inbound end including an entrance
aperture 95, and an outbound end including an exit aperture
100. The passageway 90 is centrally disposed within said
Jul. 4, 2013
body between said entrance aperture 95 and said exit aperture
100. The seating portion 80 includes a broad section having a
first set of shoulders 110 and a narrow section having a second
set of shoulders 115 which effectively reduce the size of the
passageway 90 as it extends from the entrance aperture 95 to
the exit aperture 100. The shape of the passageway 90 may
vary as it progresses from the second set of shoulders to the
exit aperture 100. Commensurately, the exterior of the mouth
piece section 85 may be of a variety of shapes. The passage
way 90 and breathing portion 85 can, for instance, be of an
elongated/flattened nature as shown in FIG. 3. This flattened
shape is potentially more comfortable in a user's mouth.
Alternately, this portion of the passageway and mouthpiece
section could be circular in nature or any other such shape.
0029. In a preferred embodiment, the first 15 and second
20 portions include a locking depression disposed to receive
a locking projection so that the first portion and second por
tion can be removably secured. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, the inbound end 80 includes a locking projection 120
which can be engaged with a locking depression found on the
first portion 15. In a preferred embodiment, the locking pro
jection 120 is a lip which circumscribes the inbound end 80.
It will be recognized that the locking projection need not
encompass the entire inbound end, and, in fact, could simply
be a single tab or notch. Similarly, the locking depression
would of Such shape as to accommodate the locking projec
tion. Further, the locking projection need not engage a lock
ing depression in such fashion, rather, the portions could be
secured by using two projections, e.g., a first projection on the
body 20 is passed into the cylinder 15 and beyond a second
projection on the cylinder 15 which then prevents the first
projection from backward travel without the exertion of at
least a minimal amount of force. Alternatively, the cylinder 15
could incorporate a locking projection which corresponds
with a locking depression on the second portion 29, i.e., the
locking projection could project from the first portion and the
locking depression could be integrated into the second por
tion. Indeed, no locking projection or depression need be
included at all as the second portion and the first portion
could, rather, be engaged via an interference or frictional fit
between the inbound wall of the second portion and the cyl
inder wall of the first portion. Further, a seal of rubber or
similar material may be used at the interface of the first and
second portion.
0030 The entrance aperture 95 is of such size so as to
accommodate a standard cigarette. Further, the broad section
of the passageway in the body 20 has a circumference suffi
cient to accommodate a standard cigarette and the narrow
section of the passageway is of a diameter Smaller than the
broad section and is Sufficient to accommodate a narrow
cigarette.
0031. In operation, the user unsnaps the holder and sepa
rates the first portion 15 from the second portion 20. The user
then inserts a cigarette into the entrance aperture 95. The
cigarette travels down the passageway and, depending on the
size, ultimately rests on either the first set of shoulders 110 or
the second set of shoulders 115. The cigarette is held firmly in
place via an interference fit or frictional engagement of the
filter portion of the cigarette with the walls of the passageway
90. The broad section is of such dimensions so as to permit
frictional engagement of the walls of the broad section with
the filter portion of a standard cigarette. The narrow section is
US 2013/0167850 A1
of Such dimensions so as to permit frictional engagement of
the walls of the narrow section with the filter portion of a
narrow cigarette.
0032. The mouthpiece side 85 is placed or held in the
user's mouth and permits the user to inhale the Smoke from
the cigarette. The selection of heat-resistant or non-heat con
ductive materials, e.g., glass or ceramic, and the use of a
double-walled cylinder helps to insure that the holder remains
cool while in use. As noted Supra, the entire cigarette, includ
ing the tip, is completely enclosed within the device.
0033 Ash normally falls from a cigarette as it burns. Fur
ther, miscellaneous burning particulate matter may be
expelled from the cigarette while it is burning. The enclosure
is designed to retain a Substantial portion of such ash or other
matter so that it does not hit the user and is not ejected into the
user's environment. Rather, the ash 125 falls from the ciga
rette and is deposited around the length of the cigarette on the
walls of the cylinder as seen in FIG.8. Referring now to FIGS.
6, 7, and 8, it will be noted that the cigarette is essentially
Suspended within the encapsulating tubular element 15. As a
result, there is additional space around the exterior of the
cigarette for the accumulation of ash and other Such material.
0034. The ventilation hole 75 is the principal exit for the
ash from the cylinder. Since the ventilation hole 75 is of
limited diameter, only a small portion of the ash will exit the
cylinder via the hole, even if the holder is oriented such that
the ventilation hole is facing the ground (i.e., down). Even
when the holder is so oriented, a majority of the ash 125 or
other matter will simply be distributed within the collection
cavity and, therefore, retained within the holder.
0035. The heat-resistant nature of the cylinder, the enclo
sure of the cigarette tip, and the retention of the ash, all serve
to improve Smoking safety. That is, the design serves to
reduce the risk of a burn or burns from the tip of the cigarette
or ash and also serves to reduce the likelihood of igniting any
flammable material by preventing contact with the tip of the
cigarette and by reducing the likelihood that such material
will come into contact with ash or other burning particulate
matter.
0036 When the user has finished smoking the cigarette,
due to the fact that cigarette has burned to the maximal extent
possible, the user can simply put down the holder or place the
holder in a storage location. When the user is prepared to
Smoke another cigarette, the user unsnaps the enclosure from
the mouthpiece and removes the butt of the cigarette. The user
would typically dump the ash or other matter in the enclosure
at the same time. The user then inserts a fresh cigarette into
the mouthpiece and Snaps the mouthpiece, including the new
cigarette, back into the enclosure.
0037. The device as a whole 10, or simply the cylinder 15,
may also be stylized or designed to increase the aesthetic
appeal of the item. For instance, the device may be painted a
variety of colors or include specific graphics or drawings.
0038. While the invention has been described in reference
to certain preferred embodiments, it will be readily apparent
to one of ordinary skill in the art that certain modifications or
variations may be made to the system without departing from
the scope of invention claimed below and described in the
foregoing specification.
What is claimed is:
1. A protective device for a cigarette comprising:
a first portion; said first portion being tubular with a sub
stantially circular cross-section having a first end and a
Jul. 4, 2013
second end; said first portion having an outer wall and an
inner wall and being open at both said first end and said
second end;
a second portion; said second portion being removeably
engagable with said first portion;
said second portion having an internal space defined by a
first aperture disposed to receive the end of a cigarette, a
second exit aperture, and a passageway between said
first aperture and second aperture,
wherein a cigarette may be completely enclosed within
said device.
2. The protective device of claim 1 wherein said first por
tion includes one or more apertures in said outer wall.
3. The protective device of claim 2 wherein said first por
tion includes one or more apertures in said inner wall; said
apertures in said inner wall being of Such size so as to impede
the flow of ash through said apertures.
4. The protective device of claim3 where said apertures in
said outer wall are axially aligned with said apertures in said
inner wall.
5. The protective device of claim 2 wherein said internal
space includes a set of broad shoulders and a set of narrow
shoulders.
6. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the opening on
said first end of said first portion is of a size less than that of
the Substantially circular cross-section.
7. The protective device of claim 2 further comprising a
ventilation plug positioned in said opening on said first end;
said plug being a concave projection into said opening on said
first end and terminating in an aperture.
8. The protective device of claim 2 wherein said outer wall
or said inner wall or both said outer and inner walls extend to
form a concave projection into said first portion, said concave
projection having a centrally located aperture.
9. A cigarette protective device comprising:
a holder body disposed to receive a cigarette; said holder
body having a central passageway with openings at both
ends; and
a cylindrical portion; said cylindrical portion of double
walled construction and having a first end and a second
end; said cylindrical portion being open on said second
end and further possessing at least one aperture on the
long axis of the double walled cylindrical portion;
said holder body and said cylindrical portion being
removeably engagable with one another.
10. The cigarette protective device of claim 9 wherein said
first end of said cylindrical portion includes an opening; said
opening being of a size less than that of the diameter of said
cylindrical portion.
11. The cigarette protective device of claim 9 wherein said
first end includes a concave barrier element having a centrally
located aperture.
12. The cigarette protective device of claim 9 wherein at
least a portion of said central passageway of said holder
element is of Sufficient size to accommodate a tobacco ciga
rette.
13. The cigarette holder of claim 12 wherein said central
passageway includes a first set of shoulders which impede the
progress of a tobacco cigarette of a first size within at least a
portion of said passageway.
14. The cigarette holder of claim 13 wherein said central
passageway includes a second set of shoulders which impede
the progress of a tobacco cigarette of a second size within at
least a portion of said passageway.
US 2013/0167850 A1 Jul. 4, 2013

15. A cigarette holder comprising:

a cylindrical portion; said cylindrical portion having a
double-walled construction including an outer wall and
an inner wall; said cylindrical portion being of sufficient
dimensions so as to completely encase a cigarette; and
a mouthpiece portion removably engageable with said
cylindrical portion; said mouthpiece portion having an
internal space; said internal space having a first set of
shoulders and a second set of shoulders,
whereby a cigarette may be secured in said holder and
Smoked by a user.
16. The cigarette holder of claim 15 wherein said outer wall
includes a plurality of apertures.
17. The cigarette holder of claim 16 wherein said inner wall
includes a plurality of apertures.
18. The cigarette holder of claim 17 wherein said apertures
are of such size as to prevent the flow of ash or other particu
late matter through such apertures.
19. The cigarette holder of claim 16 wherein said cylindri
cal portion includes a ventilation opening; said ventilation
opening being formed by a concave projection into one end of
said cylindrical portion.
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