Abstract:
An apparatus and method for reducing or quitting use of smokers&#39; articles is disclosed. The apparatus is a tube which can readily be used to extinguish and preserve partially-smoked cigarettes for later use. The method involves use of the apparatus to periodically cut back on cigarette use until an acceptable level is reached.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/259,456, Filed Jan. 3, 2001. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to an apparatus for holding cigarettes and other smokers articles and, more particularly, to a device for extinguishing and holding a partially used cigarette, and to methods for using the apparatus of the present invention, especially to a method for helping individuals reduce or stop the use of smokers articles containing addictive substances such as nicotine. 
   Smoking of cigarettes and other smokers articles is wide spread in and beyond the United States. The medical hazards of smoking and using nicotine products are extremely well documented, and countless efforts have been made to provide various approaches for reducing or quitting smoking. 
   Current commercial products include various methods of delivering substitutes for nicotine such as chewing gum, patches and the like. Such articles may frequently require a prescription, and also lead to repeat expenditures by consumers which can lead to extraordinary expense to the consumer. 
   Another commercial attempt at providing methods for quitting smoking includes attempts to change behavior through hypnosis, and the like, also which leads to substantial cost to the consumer. 
   Despite the foregoing attempts, and the substantial cost to consumers attempting to quit smoking, the vast majority of people attempting to reduce or quit smoking fail. It is believed that more than 16 million Americans have tried to quit smoking each year, with a success rate of about 8%. Further, those who eventually succeed in quitting have failed on average at lead 5 times on prior attempts. 
   In light of the foregoing, it is clear that the need remains for an effective means by which cigarette smokers can reduce or quit intake, without significant and repeat expense. 
   It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which is readily useable for reducing and quitting smoking. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method utilizing the apparatus for reducing or quitting smoking. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus and method which are cost effective to the consumer. 
   Other objects and advantages will appear hereinbelow. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained. 
   According to the invention, an apparatus is provided for extinguishing and holding a partially-smoked cigarette. The apparatus comprises a tube having a diameter adapted to conform substantially to that of conventional cigarettes, and having one closed end and one open end. The tube advantageously is provided with a slightly reduced diameter portion sized to engage and hold a cigarette, and also to substantially sealingly engage the side wall of the cigarette so that the burning portion of the cigarette is enclosed in a substantially sealed area so as to extinguish same. 
   The open end of the apparatus preferably has an open edge which is angled so as to provide a long-wall portion and a short-wall portion whereby the long-wall portion protects the full length of the cigarette and the short-wall portion allows access to a portion of the cigarette for use in removing the cigarette from the tube. The tube may also advantageously be provided with a clip or other structure for use in securing the apparatus within a pocket or the like by a user. 
   The apparatus can be made from any suitable material, with the tube preferably being made of a metal or other material which is not damaged or adversely impacted by the burning portion of the cigarette. The tube should also be durable so as to resist bending or crushing. 
   When used, the ash-portion of the cigarette tip hardens as the cigarette is extinguished, and keeps the remainder of the cigarette fresh for later use. When it is desired to re-light the cigarette, the cigarette can be easily removed from the tube, the hardened ash can be shaken free and fresh clean tobacco is then exposed for re-lighting. 
   In accordance with the present invention, a method is also provided for using the tube of the present invention to reduce or quit smoking. In accordance with the broad scope of the method of the present invention, the apparatus of the present invention is used to extinguish and save a cigarette, before it is finished, for later use. Cigarette use is also carefully monitored while doing so, and behavior modification leading to reduction in smoking results. 
   It is well documented that the initial two or three puffs or inhalations of a cigarette satisfies the immediate need for nicotine when addicted. By using the apparatus of the present invention, this initial need is satisfied and the cigarette can be extinguished and saved without the user feeling as though the cigarette has been wasted. This in itself can help a user significantly cut back on cigarette use in the course of a day. 
   In accordance with a further aspect of the method of the present invention, a user determines an initial amount of cigarettes corresponding to an average periodical consumption. The user then carefully documents the progressive reduction in cigarettes smoked while utilizing the apparatus of the present invention until cigarette use is stopped or reaches a level satisfactory to the user. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention follows, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is another side view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention rotated 90° from that of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view corresponding to FIG.  1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Apparatus  10  preferably is provided as a tube  12  having an open end  14  and a closed end  16 . Tube  12  preferably has a diameter, particularly an inside diameter, selected to snugly receive a conventionally-sized cigarette. 
   Closed end  16  may suitably be any type of integrally formed or assembled closed end portion, and closed end  16  is schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . Closed end  16  may suitably be a plug sealed into the end of tube  12 , or may be provided in any other form. 
   Open end  14  is left open to allow insertion of a cigarette  18 . Open end  14  is preferably defined having a sloped edge  20  so as to define a long length L ( FIG. 2 ) and a short length S. Long length L is preferably selected so as to provide sufficient length of tube  12  that cigarette  18 , when inserted therein, is protected from crushing, bending, breaking and the like. Short length S is preferably selected so as to allow a cigarette to be easily removed. Thus, short length S preferably allows at least a ⅜ to ⅝ inch portion of cigarette  18  to be extending the beyond the edge at short length S, while nevertheless being shielded by long length L. 
   Tube  12  is also preferably further provided having at least one reduction in inside diameter, and the embodiment in  FIGS. 1-3  has two bands  22  providing two reductions in diameter, which are sized to be sufficient to snugly engage the outside surface of a cigarette  18  disposed within tube  12 . Bands  22  serve several functions. First, bands  22  serve to snugly hold cigarette  18  within tube  12  so as to avoid inadvertent removal of cigarette  18  from tube  12 . Further, bands  22  serve to substantially sealingly engage the side wall of cigarette  18  such that the burning portion  24  of cigarette  12  is contained and substantially sealed within an area  26  defined by closed end  16 , the inner side wall of tube  12  and the engagement between cigarette  18  and bands  22 . 
     FIGS. 1-3  show bands  22  as being indentations in the outer wall of tube  12  which extend inwardly to engage cigarette  18  (see particularly FIG.  3 ). It should of course be appreciated that the important portion of this structure is the inwardly extending surfaces which reduce the inner diameter of tube  12 , and that such structures could be otherwise positioned within tube  12  by other methods readily known to person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein a pocket clip  28  is positioned on tube  12  for use in securing tube  12  to a pocket and the like. Other securement devices may be desirable as well so as to assist a user of apparatus  10  in not losing apparatus  10 . 
   Tube  12  may advantageously be made of any material which will resist crushing, bending and the like. One suitable example of acceptable material is brass. Of course, other materials are acceptable as well. Tube  12  in accordance with the present invention may advantageously be provided having an outside diameter of approximately 9-10 mm, and an inside diameter of approximately 8.3-9.3 mm, with a wall thickness of about 0.6 mm. Further, long length L may suitably be about 80 mm, while short length S may suitable be about 60 mm. The angle of sloped edge  20  may advantageously be between about 15 and about 45° as measured with respect to the longitudinal axis of apparatus  10 , more preferably about 25°. 
   Also as shown in  FIG. 3 , apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention may suitably be provided with a cap  30  which is preferably sized to snugly engage open end  14  and to close tube  12  when positioned in place thereon. Cap  30  may suitably be made from the same material as tube  12 , and preferably has a length sufficient to cover the entire opening of open end  14 , and therefore preferably overlaps the short edge of sloped surface  20 . Cap  30  may advantageously be used to help contain any odors and the like which may emanate from a cigarette after having been extinguished, and may further help to avoid debris and the like from escaping from within tube  12 , so that tube  12  can be kept, for example, within a pocket, purse or other receptacle without allowing undesirable materials to escape therein. 
   Apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention advantageously allows a partially-smoked cigarette  18  to be inserted into tube  12  whereby the burning portion  24  is rapidly extinguished and the cigarette  18  is safely kept for later use. Burning portion  24  when extinguished turns into a substantially hardened ash, which can easily be removed from cigarette  18  to expose fresh tobacco when and if it is desired to re-light the cigarette. 
   In accordance with the present invention, a method is also provided. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a cigarette user is guided through a reduction or complete stoppage of cigarette use. 
   In accordance with the method of the present invention, the user first selects a number of cigarettes for a particular period which corresponds to the user&#39;s average periodic use of cigarettes. For the sake of this description, the period will be considered to be one week. Of course, the method could be adapted so as to be accomplished in different periods such as days, week, months and the like. 
   Assuming a cigarette user uses X cigarettes per week, in accordance with the method of the present invention, the user divides X by 7 (the number of days in the period) to obtain the number of cigarettes per day that the user is allowed to smoke. When it is desired to smoke such cigarettes, the user smokes 2-3 puffs and then extinguishes the cigarette utilizing apparatus  10  of the present invention. By using apparatus  10 , even for only a small number of cigarettes per day, one or more cigarettes will be remaining at the end of the day. This remaining cigarette or cigarettes is/are set aside. 
   The procedure is followed for each remaining day in the period, and at the end of the period, the unused and set aside cigarettes are counted. This is then used as a starting reduction in the number of cigarettes allowed for the next week. For example, if the user started the method with a weekly consumption of 49 cigarettes per week, and 7 cigarettes were set aside at the end of the first week, then the seven cigarettes are treated as the reduction in cigarette consumption for the beginning of the next week. 
   For the next week, the user again obtains the original number of cigarettes for the week (49 in this example), sets aside 7 of the starting 49, and again uses apparatus  10  to extinguish and re-use cigarettes through the course of each day. 
   By repeating this process, the user can either attempt to quit smoking all together, or reduce smoking to an acceptable level as considered by that user. It is believed that success rates in reducing or quitting smoking can be accomplished utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention which will greatly exceed the average 8% success rate accomplished utilizing conventional devices and methods. 
   It should of course be appreciated that the above detailed description is given in terms of cigarette smoking. It should be appreciated that the apparatus and method of the present invention is useful in connection with any type of combustible smoker&#39;s articles, be they tobacco-based or otherwise, and the method and apparatus of the present invention can successfully assist users of such articles who are addicted to components therein in reducing or quitting all together such use. 
   It should therefore be readily appreciated that an apparatus and method have been provided which fully satisfy the stated objects of the present invention. Various modifications to parts, size, shape and/or form of the apparatus of the present invention can and will be readily apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art, and are all considered as to fall within the scope of the present invention. This is also true as to minor modifications to the steps of the method of the present invention, and such minor modifications are considered to fall within the broad scope of the method of the present invention as well.