EXTINGUISHING DEVICE FOR SMOKING MATERIALS

Abstract

An extinguishing device for smoking materials including a base having a top side and an opposing bottom side, the bottom side being substantially flat for supporting the base on a surface, the base defining a blind end bore extending through the top side, and the bore being configured to receive a lit end of a cigarette for extinguishing the end of the cigarette.

Claims

1. An extinguishing device for smoking materials comprising: a base having a top side and an opposing bottom side, the bottom side being substantially flat for supporting the base on a surface; the base defining a blind end bore extending through the top side; and the bore being configured to receive a lit end of cigarette for extinguishing the end of the cigarette.

2. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bore defines a flat bottom.

3. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bore defines a diameter in a range between about one quarter inch to about one and one-half inches.

4. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bore defines a depth in a range between about five-sixteenth inches to about one inch.

5. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base is formed of stone.

6. The extinguish device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of stone, granite, marble, metal, and ceramic.

7. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base is polished.

8. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base defines a substantially flat top side.

9. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein a shape of the base is selected from the group consisting of square, rectangle, triangle, cylinder, pyramid, oval, hexagon, octagon, and ellipse.

10. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base is formed from a natural material.

11. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a coating applied to an exterior surface thereof.

12. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base further comprises indicia attached to, or embedded within a surface thereof.

13. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a colorant.

14. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a tether having one end attached to the base for restricting movement of the base from a selected location.

15. An extinguishing device for smoking materials comprising: a base having a top side and an opposing bottom side, the bottom side being substantially flat for supporting the base on a surface, the base being formed of a natural stone and defining a blind end bore extending through the top side, the bore having a flat end, and extending into the base to a depth in a range between about 5/16 inches and 7/16 inches, the bore being configured to receive an end of cigarette for extinguishing the end of the cigarette.

16. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 14 wherein an exterior surface of the base is polished.

17. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 14 wherein the base further comprises a protective coating applied to an exterior surface thereof.

18. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 14 wherein a depth of the bore is approximately one-half inch.

19. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 14 wherein a diameter of the bore is in a range of between about one-fourth inch and about one and one-half inches.

20. The extinguishing device in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a tether having one end attached to the base for restricting movement of the base from a selected location.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description, the appended claims and the following drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an extinguishing device for smoking materials in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top side view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 2 taken at the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an extinguishing device for smoking materials in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top side view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 5 taken at the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an extinguishing device for smoking materials in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 8 is a top side view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 7.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 8 taken at the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an extinguishing device for smoking materials in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 11 is a top side view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 10.

[0023] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 11 taken at the line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an extinguishing device for smoking materials in accordance with the present disclosure including a tether.

[0025] FIG. 14 is a top side view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 13.

[0026] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 14 taken at the line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

[0027] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an extinguishing device in accordance with the present invention shown with a cigar inserted into the bore thereof.

[0028] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 16 without the cigar.

[0029] FIG. 18 is a top side view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 17.

[0030] FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 18 taken at the line 19-19 of FIG. 18.

[0031] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 1 shown as used to extinguish a cigarette.

[0032] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 20 shown with the cigarette stored in the extinguishing device.

[0033] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the extinguishing device of FIG. 20 showing a user removing an extinguished cigarette from the extinguishing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Detailed illustrative descriptions of example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The example embodiments may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

[0035] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0036] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being connected, coupled, mated, attached, or fixed to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected or directly coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., between versus directly between, adjacent versus directly adjacent, etc.).

[0037] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises, comprising,, includes and/or including, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0038] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

[0039] Reference numbers may be used in multiple embodiments shown in one or more figures to represent the same or similar elements in the embodiments. Thus, the same reference number may be used in multiple embodiments to identify similar parts in each of the embodiments.

[0040] FIGS. 1-3 show an extinguishing device for smoking materials 10 according to the present disclosure. The extinguishing device 10 includes a solid base 12 defining a bore 14 extending into the base from a top surface 16 thereof. The base 12 includes a generally flat bottom side 18 for supporting the base on a surface (not shown). In the FIG. 1-3 embodiment the base 12 is formed from a stone. In other embodiments, the base 12 may be formed from other materials, for example, granite, marble, ceramic, plastic, or metal. Accordingly, in various embodiments of the extinguishing device 10, the base 12 can be made from natural or man-made solid materials. In a preferred embodiment (e.g., FIG. 1), the base 12 is stone in its natural form.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the bore 14 is a blind end bore extending into the base 12 from the top surface 16 of the base. As shown in FIG. 2, the bore 14 is generally perpendicular to the top surface 16 of the base and has a generally flat bottom. In other embodiments of the extinguishing device 10, the bore 14 has an axis disposed at an angle theta relative to the top side 16 of the base. The angle theta of the bore 14 relative to the top surface 16 of the base is preferably about 90 degrees but may be in a range from about 45 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0042] Still referring to FIG. 2, the bore 14 has a diameter X in a range between about five-sixteenth inches to about one and one-half inches depending on the application. For use with a machine or hand rolled cigarette, a preferred diameter of the bore 14 is about 5/16 inches. In applications of the extinguishing device 10 designed for use with cigars, the bore 14 may have a diameter in a range between about three-quarter inches to one and one-half inches.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows the bore 14 to have a flat bottom 15 and a depth identified with the reference letter y to be measured downward into the base 12 from the top surface 16 to the flat bottom 15 of the bore. The depth y of the bore 14 is preferably in a range from about 5/16 inches to about one inch depending on the application. For machine or hand-rolled cigarettes, a preferred depth of the bore 14 is about one-half inch. For other applications, e.g., for use with cigars, the depth of the bore 14 may be up to one inch or more.

[0044] Depending on the material of the base 12, the exterior surfaces of the base can be finished with a polishing process or coated with a protective coating such as polyurethane or other type of coating material. In other embodiments of the extinguishing device 10, the exterior surface of the base 12 is left unfinished in a natural state. In other embodiments and depending on the material of the base 12, a colorant may be used so the exterior surfaces of the base 12 are of a preferred color.

[0045] FIGS. 4-6 show another embodiment of an extinguishing device for smoking materials 10A in accordance with the present disclosure. The base 12 of the FIGS. 4-6 embodiment defines a rectangular or cube shape. The bore 14 and bottom side 18 are similar to those mentioned above with respect to FIG. 1. The base 12 includes indicia 20 attached to or embedded into an exterior surface 21 of the base 12. In one embodiment, the indicia 20 may be engraved or ground into the exterior surface 21. In other embodiments, the indicia 20 may be printed on the base 12 or include a sticker attached to the exterior surface 21.

[0046] FIGS. 7-9 show another embodiment of an extinguishing device for smoking materials 10B in accordance with the present disclosure. The base 12 of the FIGS. 7-9 embodiment defines a cylindrical shape. The bore 14 and bottom side 18 are similar to those mentioned above with respect to FIG. 1.

[0047] FIGS. 10-12 show another embodiment of an extinguishing device for smoking materials 10C in accordance with the present disclosure. The base 12 of the FIGS. 10-12 embodiment defines an oval or ellipse shape. The bore 14 and bottom side 18 are similar to those mentioned above with respect to FIG. 1.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 13-15, the extinguishing device 10D is shown including a tether 24 attached to the base 12 via a fastener 26 to secure the base in a selected location. In the illustrated embodiment the tether 24 is shown as a chain attached to a pole 25. However, in other embodiments, the tether 24 may a small chain or string coupled to a table or counter to keep the extinguishing device 10D from getting lost or stolen.

[0049] FIGS. 16-19 illustrate another embodiment of an extinguishing device 10E according to the present disclosure. The extinguishing device 10E has a base 12 defining an octogen shape as can be seen in the FIGS. 16-19. The bore 14 is similar to that describe hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 1-3, but sized to receive the tobacco end tip of a cigar 29. Accordingly, the diameter X of the bore 14 of embodiment 10E may be in a range of between about inches to about one and one-half inches. The depth y of the bore 14 may be in a range of about inches to about one and one-half inches. FIG. 16 shows the cigar 29 supported by and/or stored in the extinguishing device 10E.

[0050] As set forth above, the base 12 can be of any shape including one of a square, rectangle, triangle, cylinder, pyramid, oval, hexagon, octagon, and ellipse. The base 12 may also be formed in other symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes or be formed in free-form shapes. The base 12 shown in the embodiment 10A of FIGS. 1-3 is formed of natural stone such as a river stone or similar type of stone. Other types of stones such as cut stones or crushed stone having non-uniform sides may also be used for the base 12.

[0051] FIGS. 20-22 show the extinguishing device 10A as used to extinguish and store a rolled cigarette 31. Referring to FIG. 20, a user holding the cigarette 31 in his/her hand 35 places the lit end 37 of the cigarette into the bore 14. Due to the lack of oxygen in the bore 14 occupied by the end 37 of the cigarette 31, the smoking material 39 at the end 37 of the cigarette is immediately extinguished so that no further burning of the smoking material occurs.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 21, the cigarette 31 can be left for storage inserted in the base 12 or immediately removed and the extinguished cigarette kept or stored elsewhere for use at a later time. FIG. 22 shows the user removing the cigarette 31 from the bore 14 and base 12 with the smoking material 39 at the end 37 of the cigarette being intact but extinguished. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the extinguishing device 10 quickly and effectively extinguishes the lit cigarette 31 due to a lack of oxygen within the bore 14 so that the structure and freshness of the partially burnt smoking material 39 at the end 37 of the cigarette is maintained for further use and relighting at a later time.

[0053] It is recommended the user may tap the cigarette 31 near the end 37 prior to inserting the end 37 into the bore 14 so as to knock off any loose or burnt ash of the smoking material 39 prior to inserting the end of the cigarette into the bore 14. This will help to maintain the freshness of the smoking material 39 for further use and reduce the amount of ash buildup within the bore 14.

[0054] Periodically, depending on the amount of use of the extinguishing device 10A-10E, the bore may need to be emptied or cleaned to remove any ash or other residue left in the bore 14 from the smoking material(s) 39.

[0055] As will be obvious to one skilled in the art the extinguishing device 10-10E of the present disclosure can be used by a smoker who may be smoking alone and does not want to smoke an entire cigarette or joint, or maybe cutting back on smoking and desires only to smoke a portion of a cigarette. Similarly, a smoker with only a short smoke break may use the extinguishing device 10-10E to efficiently extinguish and save for later a partially smoked cigarette or cigar. In another application, the extinguishing device 10-10E may be used in a smoke shop wherein one or more smokers may be sampling various smoking materials and may not desire to smoke an entire cigarette. As discussed, one or more of the extinguishing devices may be attached to a counter in the smoke shop via a tether 24.

[0056] Due to the lack of available smoking areas and time allotted for smoking breaks in many workplaces, the presently disclosed extinguishing device for smoking materials provides a convenient and low cost method to extinguish a partially smoked cigarette or cigar without damaging the smoking material or cigarette and retaining the condition thereof for further use at a later time.

[0057] Example embodiments and methods thus being described, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that example embodiments may be varied through routine experimentation and without further inventive activity. Variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.