Smoking article

• US 4,319,587 A
• Filed: 06/28/1976
• Issued: 03/16/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Irving S. Moser
• Original Assignee: Irving S. Moser
• Inventors: Moser, Irving S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, V.
• Application Number:
  US05/700,579
• Time in Patent Office: 2,087 Days
• Field of Search: 131/4 R, 131/4 A, 131/4 B, 131/8 R, 131/8 A, 131/9, 131/10, 131/263, 131/45 A, 40/321, 40/1.34, 35/31 E, 10/334
• US Class Current: 131/270
• CPC Class Codes: A24D 1/12 with ash-retaining attachments, holders, or other equipment

Abstract

An improved smoking article, such as a cigarette or cigar, having means for controlling quickly, accurately and selectively the extent of consumption of the smoking article, to assist a habitual smoker in voluntarily curtailing or terminating his smoking habit. The control means comprises a generally tubular outer wrapping on the article on which are marked, printed, or otherwise imposed, spaced indicia in the nature of a scale, extending longitudinally of the article, and an annular control indicator mounted telescopically on the article and slidable axially relative thereto. The indicia may be accompanied by contrasting designs or markings, to provide quick, accurate and carefully selected voluntary control by the smoker of the extent of consumption of the smoking article. The annular control indicator contrasts visually relative to the smoking article.

Claims

1. For use with a generally cylindrical smoking article having an end to be lit and an opposite end to be inserted into the mouth when the article is smoked, positive control means for selecting the extent of consumption of said smoking article, to assist a smoker in curtailing or terminating his smoking habit, said means comprising:

(a) control indicia disposed on the smoking article and extending from the end of the article to be lit toward the opposite end of the article, said control indicia comprising a plurality of spaced external markings extending axially along the article, and

(b) an annular control indicator mounted telescopically on the smoking article and being secured detachably to the smoking article adjacent one end thereof, said annular control indicator being detachable from the smoking article with capacity for being slidable axially relative thereto, said control indicator, when detached, comprising a smoking control alert band selectively displaceable on the article relative to the markings,

(c) said control indicia and said annular control indicator cooperating to provide a smoker with heightened awareness of his smoking habit, whereby the smoker is enabled to affirmatively, selectively and voluntarily control said habit.

2. The smoking article of claim 1, comprising a cigarette having a tubular outer wrapping and a filter secured to one end thereof, the markings being disposed on the wrapping, wherein the smoking control alert band is secured detachably to the filter, and is adapted to be separated from the filter and moved axially of the cigarette for location relative to any selected marking on the wrapping of the cigarette.

3. For use with a generally cylindrical smoking article having an end to be lit and an opposite end to be inserted into the mouth when the article is smoked, positive control means for selecting the extent of consumption of said smoking article, to assist a smoker in curtailing or terminating his smoking habit, said means comprising:

(a) control indicia disposed on the smoking article and extending from the end of the article to be lit toward the opposite end of the article, said control indicia comprising a plurality of spaced external markings extending axially along the article, and

(b) an annular control indicator mounted telescopically on the smoking article and slidable axially relative thereto, said control indicator comprising a visually distinct, luminescent smoking control alert band selectively displaceable on the article relative to the markings.

(c) said control indicia and said annular control indicator cooperating to provide a smoker with heightened awareness of his smoking habit, whereby the smoker is enabled to affirmatively, selectively and voluntarily control said habit.

4. For use with a generally cylindrical smoking article having an end to be lit and an opposite end to be inserted into the mouth when the article is smoked, positive control means for selecting the extent of consumption of said smoking article, to assist a smoker in curtailing or terminating his smoking habit, said means comprising:

(a) control indicia disposed on the smoking article and extending from the end of the article to be lit toward the opposite end of the article, said control indicia comprising a plurality of spaced external markings extending axially along the article, and

(b) an annular control indicator mounted telescopically on the smoking article and slidable axially relative thereto, said control indicator comprising a visually distinct vernier having at least one luminescent marking, said vernier being selectively displaceable on the article relative to the control indicia markings,

(c) said control indicia and said annular control indicator cooperating to provide a smoker with heightened awareness of his smoking habit, whereby the smoker is enabled to affirmatively, selectively and voluntarily control said habit.