Cigarette substitute

• US 4,774,971 A
• Filed: 06/03/1986
• Issued: 10/04/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Vieten
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Vieten
• Inventors: Vieten, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, V.
• Application Number:
  US06/870,124
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 131/360, 131/270, 131/273, 131/359, 131/362
• US Class Current: 131/273
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/20 Devices without heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/60 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/905 Odor releasing material

Abstract

A cigarette substitute is provided which satisfies the smokers psychological and pharmacological need for a cigarette, without exposing him, or others, to the ill-effects associated with inhalation of smoke, tar and other combustion products. This cigarette substitute is a smokeless cigarette designed to satisfy the smokers physical and pharmacological needs of nicotine, without sujecting either the smoker, or others in his immediate vicinity, to exposure to cigarette smoke. It is also intended to satisfy the smoker'"'"'s psychological needs of having something to occupy the hands and/or mouth and to simulate the act of puffing on a cigarette.

Claims

1. A cigarette substitute having the size, shape and overall appearance of a real cigarette and yet devoid of tobacco filler, comprising:

(a) an essentially elongate tubular element having one end thereof adapted to accept a filter tip-like element;

(b) a filter tip-like element, adapted to cooperatively engage one end of the tubular member, and thereby a draw resistant passage of air from the open end of the tubular member, said filter tip-like element having a cross-sectional area somewhat less than the cross-sectional area of the tubular member; and

(c) a consumable confection disposed upon and conforming to the outer cylindrical surface of the filter tip-like element, said confection being capable of ingestion by the user of said cigarette substitute by simply placement thereof between his lips during emulation of the act of smoking, the composition of said confection comprising (i) sufficient nicotine, nicotine derivatives and/or nicotine substitutes to satisfy the pharmacological needs for nicotine of the user; and

(ii) an ingestible binder which is capable of either melting upon contact with the user'"'"'s lips and/or dissolving upon contact with saliva from the user'"'"'s mouth.

2. The cigarette substitute of claim 1, wherein the tubular member is adapted to house a consumable confection and advance a portion thereof toward the filter end of the cigarette substitute as said confection is consumed by the user.

3. The cigarette substitute of claim 1, wherein the consumable confection comprises, in addition to nicotine, one or more additional ingredients which mimic the flavors and/or fragrances commonly encountered by smoking of a real cigarette.

4. The cigarette substitute of claim 1, wherein the filter tip-like element is coated with the consumable confection.

5. The cigarette substitute of claim 1, wherein the consumable confection contains a breath freshner, or other desired flavor/taste.

6. The cigarette substitute of claim 1, wherein the filter tip-like element contains a breath freshner, or other desired flavor/taste.

7. The cigarette substitute of claim 1, wherein the elongate tubular element contains a breath freshner.