US3631856A

US3631856A - Substitute smoking article dispensing oxygen to provide a physiological lift

Info

Publication number: US3631856A
Application number: US859837A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold V Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-09-22
Filing date: 1969-09-22
Publication date: 1972-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-04

Abstract

A simulated smoking article has a container of oxygen under pressure in a tubular casing. A valve assembly operated by orally exerted pressure discharges the oxygen into a mixing chamber. A mixture of air and oxygen is then passed to the mouth of the user. A flavorful, fragrant filler in the chamber imparts a pleasant flavor and odor to the gaseous mixture. The supply of oxygen can be replenished without removal of the container from the casing.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Harold V. Taylor Scarsdale, N.Y.

Appl. No. 859,837

Filed Sept. 22, 1969 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Assignee Ruth E. Taylor Scarsdale, N.Y. a part interest SUBSTITUTE SMOKING ARTICLE DISPENSING OXYGEN TO PROVIDE A PHYSIOLOGICAL LIFT 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,051,030 8/1936 Dalinda 128/208 UX 2,651,303 9/1953 Johnson et al. 128/203 2,809,634 10/1957 Murai 128/195 3,425,414 2/1969 Roche 128/20] Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet Assistant ExaminerG. F. Dunne Att0rneyPolachek & Saulsbury ABSTRACT: A simulated smoking article has a container of oxygen under pressure in a tubular casing. A valve assembly operated by orally exerted pressure discharges the oxygen into a mixing chamber. A mixture of air and oxygen is then passed to the mouth of the user. A flavorful, fragrant filler in the chamber imparts a pleasant flavor and odor to the gaseous mixture. The supply of oxygen can be replenished without removal of the container from the casing.

OXYGE N UNDER PRESSURE u.s.c| 128/208, 131/170 1111. (I A6lml5/06 Field ofSearch 128/208, 20l,l95,206;l3l/170 v 66 a i 5g \.s

OXYGEN U/VDER PRESSURE INVENTOR.

flaro/dl/Ey/ar WWI/7 PATENTED AN 4 I97? SUBSTITUTE SMOKING ARTICLE DISPENSING OXYGEN TO PROVIDE A PHYSIOLOGICAL LIFI This invention concerns a simulated smoking article such as a cigarette or cigar containing a supply of oxygen and valve means for dispensing a flavored air-oxygen mixture.

Previously, simulated cigarettes and cigars have been proposed to dispense flavored air. This failed to satisfy the primary requirement of an adequate substitute for tobacco smoke, namely, to provide a psychological and physiological lift when needed or desired.

A confirmed smoker finds it difficult to give up smoking even when he wishes to because he depends on smoking of tobacco to give him a lift when he is tired or tense or while trying to cope with a problem. Smoking relaxes him when he is subjected to mental or physical stress. In order to give up smoking without experiencing trauma, the confirmed smoker needs a substitute which will give him a true physiological lift which is noninjurious and which may even be beneficial. One lift-providing substitute for tobacco smoke is oxygen. Oxygen is a basic requirement to life. In pure form it is harmless when inhaled in reasonable amounts.

The present invention is directed at providing a device in the form of a simulated smoking article such as a cigarette or cigar, adapted to dispense an air-oxygen mixture in sufficient concentration to provide a true physiological lift which is the smokers primary desire and requirement when he smokes. Means for providing a pleasant flavor which may be tobacco flavor can be included in the device. The device is light in weight and easily held in the mouth. The device includes a mouth operated valve assembly for dispensing oxygen. The device is arranged so that the oxygen supply can be replenished.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a device having the appearance, size and feel of a smoking article to dispense a flavored air-oxygen mixture orally.

Another object is to provide a simulated smoking article resembling a cigarette or cigar and having a mouth operated valve for dispensing oxygen.

A further object is to provide an article as described, with means for replenishing the oxygen supply.

For further comprehension of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a lateral perspective view of a simulated cigarette embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view with part omitted taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are cross sectional views taken on lines 3-3 and 4-4 respectively of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and oriented perpendicular to the view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a lateral perspective view of a simulated cigar embodying the invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarge longitudinal sectional view with part omitted taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a valve assembly employed in both the simulated cigarette and simulated cigar.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a device 10 simulating a cigarette. The device has a cylindrical body defined by a cylindrical rigid casing 12 closed at end 14 and open at end 16. The casing may be made of metal or of synthetic resin such as an acrylic or other suitable plastic. Surrounding the casing is a tubular paper cover or jacket 18. End of the paper cover may have a printed impression 21 simulating a line of combustion and a cylindrical ash. Overlaying the forward end of the cover 18 and casing 12 is a tubular mouthpiece 22 made of cork or artificial or simulated cork. This mouthpiece may be removable for purposes described below. Diarnetrically opposed holes 24 are formed in the cover 18 and casing 12 to admit air into chamber 25 inside the device.

The casing contains a nonporous, flexible, tubular envelope 30 closed at end 32 and having a long, narrow nipple 34 at its forward end. The envelope contains compressed oxygen at rather high pressure. Nipple 34 extends through a tapered hole 36 in a spacer and sealing disk 38 secured inside the casing at the forward end of envelope 30. The nipple extends further between clamping jaws 40, located at the rear ends of

levers

44, 46. The levers and jaws form parts of a valve assembly 50. The levers are pivotally mounted on pins 48 between spaced frame bars 49; see FIGS. 2-6 and 9. The levers are flat and coplanar. The bars are parallel to and are located outwardly of the levers. Top and bottom edges of the bars 49 are secured by cement or otherwise to the inside wall of the casing near its forward open end. The

jaws

40, 42 are generally semicircular in form with flattened side edges 52. Grooves 56 extend circumferentially around the jaws and engage an endless elastic band 58. The bottom edge of upper jaw 40 is formed with a transverse or diametral V-shaped groove 60. The upper edge 62 of lower jaw 42 is wedge shaped to fit snugly into groove 60 under tension band 58. The nipple 34 is engaged the jaws and is tightly closed. The free forward end of nipple 34 extends laterally of the frame bars and opens into chamber 25 just forwardly of holes 24.

In the forward part of chamber 25 is a filling 64 of granular, volatile, flavorful, fragrant material. Alternatively a fibrous filling can be provided impregnated with a volatile flavorful, fragrant substance. This may have tobacco flavor and odor or other suitable flavor and odor. Filling 64 extends forwardly up to a cylindrical, porous filter 66 fitted inside of mouthpiece 22. Forward end of the levers define arms which extend into the front end portion of the device. The arms are pivotable toward each other to separate

jaws

40, 42 for releasing oxygen from the envelope 30 through nipple 34, when the mouthpiece is radially compressed.

In operation of the device, a smoker holds the device 10 in his mouth with lips and/or teeth engaging mouthpiece 22. By biting or pressing mouthpiece inwardly diametrically, the arms of the levers are pivoted toward each other separating

jaws

40, 42 and releasing pure oxygen into chamber 25. The smoker then sucks or draws gently on the mouthpiece as if he were smoking a cigarette. This draws air into the chamber 25 through holes 24 to mix with the oxygen. The air-oxygen mixture then passes through filter material 66, flavored, fragrant filling 64 and filter 66 to enter the smokers mouth. When he relaxes his bite or pressure on the mouthpiece the clamping

jaws

40, 42 move together and hermetically close the nipple to seal the envelope.

The oxygen supply may have an extended useful life since it is only used in short puffs. When the oxygen supply is exhausted, the mouthpiece 22 along with filters 66 and 66' can be pulled away from the device. The remainder of the fragrant, flavored filling 64 can be poured out or pulled out. This will expose the free end of nipple 34. This nipple can be engaged with a suitable fitting (not shown) of a reserve tank of compressed oxygen. While the

levers

44, 46 are tilted toward each other at the open end of the casing to open the

valve jaws

40, 42, oxygen can be passed into the envelope. After the envelope is filled a fresh filling 64 can be inserted into chamber 25 along with a

new filter

66 and 66 and mouthpiece 22.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another device 10A which is generally similar to device 10 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. Device 10A is arranged to simulate a cigar. The cover 180 extends forwardly of casing 120 and is covered with several layers of tobacco wrapper 70. Alternatively a plastic sheet material printed or colored to resemble a tobacco leaf wrapper can be provided. The front end 72 of the device is rounded like a conventional cigar and a draw hole 74 is provided at this end. Hole 74 opens into chamber 25' which contains filter material 66a and 66a and flavored, fragrant filler 64.

In order to facilitate recharging envelope 300 with oxygen, another nipple can be provided at the rear end of envelope 30a in the device. The nipple is covered and protected by a screw plug 82 in the rear end of casing 120. A one-way ball valve 84 closes nipple 80. When the screw plug is removed from the casing end 140, nipple 80 is exposed. This can be engaged by a suitable fitting of a reserve tank of compressed oxygen. By this arrangement it is not necessary to remove the filter 66a and filling 64 to gain access to nipple 34 as is required in device for replenishing the oxygen supply.

Since the

devices

10 and 10A may be made of relatively inexpensive flexible or rigid plastic parts according to the functions to be performed, the devices can be discarded after the oxygen supply is exhausted. Valve 84 and nipple 80 would not be required; For instance, this is effected by removal of the wrapper and recharging the envelope 300 through the nipple 34a and a new filter and flavoring material replaced and the assembly rewrapper to provide a new cover or jacket 18a.

in both forms of the invention and in others which can readily be devised embodying the principles of construction and operation as described, the user is supplied with a true physiological feeling of mild exhilaration, imparted by the inhalation of a rich, flavorful, fragrant air-oxygen mixture. The dosage is entirely hannless and may even be beneficial in helping to clear smokers lungs and purify his bloodstream.

The devices are psychologically satisfying because the user does not receive a physiological and psychological lift from using the device. He smoked in a conventional way. The devices closely simulate smoking articles with which the smoker is familiar.

What is claimed is:

1. A simulated smoking article, comprising: a generally cylindrical hollow body having a flexible open front end portion adapted to serve as a mouthpiece, and a rigid rear end portion; a container for oxygen disposed in the rigid rear por tion of said body, said container having outlet means at its forward end; and a valve assembly in said body operatively engaged with said outlet means for opening and closing the same and having operating means extending into the front end portion of said body for actuation when said front end portion is orally compressed radially to discharge oxygen axially through said mouthpiece, said valve assembly comprising a support fixed in said body, a pair of levers pivotally engaged on said support, a pair of jaws on rear ends of said levers opposing each other to engage the outlet means of the container, and elastic means engaged with said jaws, yieldably holding the jaws together and clamping said outlet means closed, said levers having arms extending into the front end portion of said body for pivoting the levers to open and close said outlet means when the mouthpiece is respectively compressed and expanded radially; a rigid casing in the rear end portion of said body, said casing having an open front end and closed rear end, said container being a flexible envelope in the casing, and said outlet means being a flexible tube extending between said jaws and engaged thereby for holding the container closed.

2. A simulated smoking article as defined in claim 1, further comprising a mass of volatile fragrant material in the front end portion of said body, whereby the oxygen passes through said material and is discharged in a fragrant condition from the mouthpiece.

3. A simulated smoking article as defined in claim 1, wherein said body has at least one lateral opening spaced forwardly of the forward end of said container for admitting air to mix with oxygen released from container whereby an air-oxygen mixture is discharged from the mouthpiece when suction is applied thereto while the mouthpiece is compressed radially.

4. A simulated smoking article as defined in claim 3, wherein the mouthpiece is removable to expose said flexible tube for refilling said envelope with oxygen when the levers are pivoted to separate the jaws.

5. A simulated smoking article as defined in claim 3, further comprising an outer covering on said body resembling a tobacco leaf wrapper.

6. A simulated smoking article as defined in claim 3, further comprising valve means at the rear end of the casing opening into said container for refilling the sarn e with oxygen.

Claims

1. A simulated smoking article, comprising: a generally cylindrical hollow body having a flexible open front end portion adapted to serve as a mouthpiece, and a rigid rear end portion; a container for oxygen disposed in the rigid rear portion of said body, said container having outlet means at its forward end; and a valve assembly in said body operatively engaged with said outlet means for opening and closing the same and having operating means extending into the front end portion of said body for actuation when said front end portion is orally compressed radially to discharge oxygen axially through said mouthpiece, said valve assembly comprising a support fixed in said body, a pair of levers pivotally engaged on said support, a pair of jaws on rear ends of said levers opposing each other to engage the outlet means of the container, and elastic means engaged with said jaws, yieldably holding the jaws together and clamping said outlet means cloSed, said levers having arms extending into the front end portion of said body for pivoting the levers to open and close said outlet means when the mouthpiece is respectively compressed and expanded radially; a rigid casing in the rear end portion of said body, said casing having an open front end and closed rear end, said container being a flexible envelope in the casing, and said outlet means being a flexible tube extending between said jaws and engaged thereby for holding the container closed.

6. A simulated smoking article as defined in claim 3, further comprising valve means at the rear end of the casing opening into said container for refilling the same with oxygen.