Patent Publication Number: US-2016242459-A1

Title: Device for active and passive extinguishing of a cigarette

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application gains priority from Israel Patent Application Number 229341 filed Nov. 10, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, in some embodiments, relates to the field of cigarettes, and more particularly to methods and devices for preventing fire damage caused by smokers discarding lit cigarettes. 
     Every year tens of thousands of fires are caused by people discarding unextinguished cigarettes or cigarette butts. According to a report entitled “The Smoking Material Fire Problem” issued in 2007 by the U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fires caused by discarded cigarette butts are a greater cause of death than fires caused by any other means. The report also stated that in the year 2001, 31,200 fires in the U.S. were caused by discarded cigarette butts, resulting in 830 civilian deaths, 1770 civilian injuries, and 386 million dollars in direct property damage. 
     US Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0132382 discloses cigarette paper with a coating material for Low Ignition Propensity and a fire safe cigarette using such paper. Pre-determined areas of the paper are coated with a coating material which lowers the porosity of the cigarette paper, resulting in extinguishing of the cigarette when the burn region reaches the predetermined area of the paper. However, such a cigarette may only be extinguished by the burn region reaching the suitable area of the paper, and cannot be actively extinguished by the smoker at will. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, in some embodiments, relates to the field of cigarettes, and more particularly to methods and devices for preventing fire damage caused by smokers discarding lit cigarettes. 
     According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein there is provided a cigarette extinguishing device, comprising: 
     a tubular fluid receptacle configured to be disposed within a filter of a cigarette, the fluid receptacle having enclosed therein sufficient fluid to extinguish the cigarette, the fluid being under pressure from compressed air within the fluid receptacle; 
     a diaphragm disposed at an end of the tubular fluid receptacle, the diaphragm being configured to be ruptured by at least one of pressure and heat and being more susceptible to pressure and heat than side walls of the tubular receptacle; and 
     a tube connected to the diaphragm and extending through a tobacco region of the cigarette until a distal end of the cigarette, 
     wherein, when the diaphragm is ruptured, the fluid flows from the fluid receptacle via the tube to a burn region of the cigarette, thereby extinguishing the cigarette. 
     In some embodiments, the diaphragm is configured to be ruptured by a smoker actively applying pressure to the filter, thereby increasing the pressure in the tubular fluid receptacle and rupturing the diaphragm, and as a result of rupturing the diaphragm and due to the pressure within the tubular fluid receptacle, the fluid in the tubular fluid receptacle is injected through the diaphragm and the tube to the burn region regardless of the length of the cigarette when the diaphragm is ruptured. 
     In some embodiments, the diaphragm is configured to be ruptured by elevated burn temperature in the vicinity of the diaphragm and as a result of rupturing the diaphragm and due to the pressure within the tubular fluid receptacle, the fluid in the tubular fluid receptacle is passively injected through the diaphragm and the tube to the burn region, such that the fluid receptacle is emptied. 
     In some embodiments, the tubular fluid receptacle comprises a syringe including a compressed spring configured to withstand pressure applied by the fluid in the fluid receptacle, the compressed spring being connected at one end thereof to the diaphragm, and pressure applied by a smoker to the filter of the cigarette causes the compressed spring to be released, thereby rupturing the diaphragm and releasing the fluid via the ruptured diaphragm and the tube to the burn region. 
     In some embodiments, the diaphragm is configured to be ruptured by elevated burn temperature in the vicinity of the diaphragm, resulting in release of the compressed spring, and as a result of rupturing the diaphragm and due to release of the compressed spring, the fluid in the tubular fluid receptacle is injected through the diaphragm and the tube to the burn region. 
     In some embodiments, a volume of the compressed air in the tubular fluid receptacle is not greater than 25% of a volume of the tubular fluid receptacle. 
     In accordance with an aspect of another embodiment of the teachings herein, there is provided a method for fabricating a cigarette, the method comprising: 
     inserting a tubular fluid receptacle into a cigarette filter, such that the fluid receptacle extends from the proximal area of the filter, through the length of the filter and into a portion of a tobacco region of the cigarette, at the center of the filter; 
     filling the tubular fluid receptacle with a fire-extinguishing fluid while compressing air within the fluid receptacle, such that the compressed air applies pressure to the fluid within the fluid receptacle; 
     placing a diaphragm at a distal end of the tubular fluid receptacle, the diaphragm configured to be ruptured by at least one of pressure and heat, the diaphragm being more susceptible to pressure and heat than side walls of the tubular fluid receptacle; and 
     connecting a tube to the diaphragm distally to the fluid receptacle, such that the tube extends through the tobacco region of the cigarette and enables, when the diaphragm is ruptured, passage of the extinguishing fluid from the fluid receptacle to a burn region of the cigarette thereby to extinguish the cigarette. 
     In some embodiments, the placing a diaphragm comprises placing a diaphragm configured to be ruptured by at least one of application of pressure to the filter or exposure to elevated temperature caused by burning, such that when the diaphragm is ruptured, due to pressure applied to the fluid by the compressed air in the fluid receptacle, the fluid is injected through the diaphragm and the tube to the burn region and the fluid receptacle is emptied. 
     In some embodiments, the method also comprises inserting a compressed spring into the tubular fluid receptacle in addition to the fluid, the compressed spring being configured to withstand pressure applied by the fluid in the receptacle and being connected at a distal end thereof to the diaphragm, wherein pressure applied to the filter results in release of the compressed spring and in rupturing of the diaphragm, thereby releasing the fluid in the fluid receptacle to flow via the ruptured diaphragm and the tube to the burn region regardless of the length of the cigarette when the diaphragm is ruptured. 
     In some embodiments, the placing a diaphragm comprises placing a diaphragm configured to be ruptured by exposure to elevated temperature caused by burning, such that when the diaphragm is ruptured the compressed spring is released and the fluid is injected through the diaphragm and the tube to the burn region. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. In case of conflict, the specification, including definitions, will take precedence. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “having” and grammatical variants thereof are to be taken as specifying the stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. These terms encompass the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”. 
     As used herein, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” mean “at least one” or “one or more” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, when a numerical value is preceded by the term “about”, the term “about” is intended to indicate +/−10%. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Some embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. The description, together with the figures, makes apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art how some embodiments of the invention may be practiced. The figures are for the purpose of illustrative discussion and no attempt is made to show structural details of an embodiment in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. For the sake of clarity, some objects depicted in the figures are not to scale. 
       In the Figures: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic partial cut-away views of an embodiment of a device for extinguishing a cigarette according to an embodiment of the teachings herein, in a rest state and in an extinguishing state, respectively; and 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic partial cut-away views of another embodiment of a device for extinguishing a cigarette according to an embodiment of the teachings herein, in a rest state and in an extinguishing state, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, in some embodiments, relates to the field of cigarettes, and more particularly to methods and devices for preventing fire damage caused by smokers discarding lit cigarettes. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic partial cut-away views of an embodiment of a device for extinguishing a cigarette according to an embodiment of the teachings herein, in a rest state and in an extinguishing state, respectively. The embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  provides for active and passive extinguishing of a cigarette, based on pressured release of a fire-extinguishing fluid. 
     As seen, a cigarette  10  having a filter  11  and a tobacco region  12  has a tubular fluid receptacle  14  disposed in filter  11 . Receptacle  14  typically has a diameter smaller than 3 mm, and has a length suited to the length of the filter  11  of the specific cigarette. Typically, fluid receptacle  14  is placed in the center of filter  11  approximately half a cm from the proximal end of filter  11  such that a proximal end of the fluid receptacle is hidden within filter  11 , and has a distal end extending approximately half a cm into tobacco region  12 . 
     The receptacle  14  may be inserted into the filter  11  during manufacturing of the cigarette  10 , or may be injected into the filter  11  once the filter is constructed. Receptacle  14  is placed such that it does not interfere with the smoker inhaling the burning tobacco. The receptacle  14  may be formed of any suitable material having any suitable thickness, but in some embodiments is fabricated of nylon having a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm. Receptacle  14  is sealed by a diaphragm  15 , as described hereinbelow. 
     Tubular fluid receptacle  14  has contained therein a fire-extinguishing fluid  16  in a volume sufficient for immediate extinguishing of a cigarette when the fluid engages the burn region of the cigarette, such as, for example, 0.05-0.2 ml or approximately 0.15 ml. The fluid  16  in the receptacle  14  may be any suitable fire extinguishing fluid, such as water, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or any other suitable fire extinguishing fluid. The fluid  16  is inserted into receptacle  14  while compressing air  18  within the receptacle  14 , such that the pressure within receptacle  14  is greater than the atmospheric pressure and enables pushing of the fluid  16  from receptacle  14  to the distal end of the cigarette  10 , upon activation of the extinguishing mechanism. The pressure to be reached within receptacle  14  is computed based on the ideal gas equation as well known in the art, at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the air pressure within receptacle  14 , when filled, is in the range of 2-3 atmospheres. In some embodiments, the compressed air  18  is disposed proximally to fluid  16  within receptacle  14 , such that compressed air  18  applies pressure to fluid  16 , and when the pressure in receptacle  14  is released compressed air  18  pushes fluid  16  distally toward the burn region of the cigarette  10 . In some embodiments, the compressed air  18  fills approximately 25% of the volume of receptacle  14 , such that it can apply sufficient pressure to fluid  16 , while not applying too much pressure on receptacle  14  and not escaping through the walls of the receptacle  14 , through the filter  11 , or through other portions of cigarette  10 . 
     Diaphragm  15  disposed at the distal end of receptacle  14  for sealing thereof typically has a generally conical shape, and is sensitive to pressure and to heat, such that application of sufficient pressure and/or heat to diaphragm  15  ruptures the diaphragm and releases the pressure within receptacle  14 . In some embodiments, diaphragm  15  is fabricated of very thin nylon, such as nylon having a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm, and is fabricated of a thinner material than the fluid receptacle  14 . Due to the thinness of the nylon forming diaphragm  15 , increased pressure on receptacle  14  or on diaphragm  15 , or an elevated temperature in the vicinity of diaphragm  15 , such as the temperature in or adjacent to the burn region of a cigarette, results in rupturing of the diaphragm  15 . Due to the fact that diaphragm  15  is fabricated of thinner material than tubular receptacle  14 , increased pressure on the receptacle  14  would result in rupturing of diaphragm  15  prior to any damage being caused to the receptacle  14 . 
     A hollow tube  19  is disposed distally to diaphragm  15 , and extends through tobacco region  12  from diaphragm  15  toward the end of cigarette  10 . Tube  19  typically terminates a short distance from the distal end of the cigarette  10 , for example approximately 0.5 cm from the end of the cigarette, such that tube  19  is not visible from the distal end of cigarette  10 . In some embodiments, hollow tube  19  is connected to the distal end of tubular receptacle  14  or to the distal end of diaphragm  15 . Typically, hollow tube  19  is fabricated to allow fluid  16  to flow therethrough without being absorbed by the tobacco in tobacco region  12 . As such, when diaphragm  15  is ruptured, the fluid from receptacle  14  flows through the diaphragm  15  and through hollow tube  19  to the burn region of the cigarette for extinguishing thereof. 
     In some embodiments, hollow tube  19  is formed of the same tobacco as the tobacco in tobacco region  12 , but comprises tobacco that is more dense and/or compressed than the rest of the tobacco, such that the presence of tube  19  in the tobacco region  12  does not affect the taste or smell of the cigarette, and such that any cigarette manufacturer can fabricate the tube  19  from the tobacco used to fabricate the cigarette. In some embodiments, hollow tube  19  is formed of a paper, similar to the paper used to wrap the cigarette. That being said, hollow tube  19  may be formed of any non-toxic material which would prevent the fluid from being absorbed in the tobacco in tobacco region  12 . 
     In use, the cigarette  10  may be extinguished actively by action taken by the smoker, or may be extinguished passively even without human involvement. 
     When the smoker wishes to actively extinguish cigarette  10 , and cannot find a suitable place for doing so, such as an ashtray or the like, the smoker may apply pressure to the center of filter  11  as indicated in  FIG. 1B . The pressure applied to the filter  11  increases the pressure within fluid receptacle  14 , resulting in rupturing of diaphragm  15  and in release of fluid  16  from receptacle  14  into tube  19 . Under the pressure applied by compressed air  18 , the released fluid reaches the burn region of cigarette  10  and extinguishes the cigarette, regardless of the length of the cigarette when it is being extinguished. Thus, the smoker can immediately extinguish the cigarette  10  using a single-handed motion and prevent the cigarette from being discarded while burning and constituting a fire hazard. 
     When the cigarette is burned down and the burn region reaches the area of the filter  11 , the excessive heat in the vicinity of diaphragm  15  causes the diaphragm to rupture. Due to the force applied to fluid  16  by compressed air  18 , the fluid  16  is released from receptacle  14  and is injected towards tube  19 , where it flows until the burn region of the cigarette  10 , resulting in automatic, self-caused extinguishing of the cigarette, without requiring active extinguishing of the cigarette by the smoker. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic partial cut-away views of an embodiment of a device for extinguishing a cigarette according to another embodiment of the teachings herein, in a rest state and in an extinguishing state, respectively. The embodiment of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  provides for active and passive extinguishing of a cigarette, based on release of a fire-extinguishing fluid under force applied by a compressed spring. 
     As seen, a cigarette  20  having a filter  21  and a tobacco region  22  has a tubular fluid receptacle  24  disposed in filter  21 . Receptacle  24  typically has a diameter smaller than 3 mm, and has a length suited to the length of the filter  21  of the specific cigarette. Typically, fluid receptacle  24  is placed in the center of filter  21  approximately half a cm from the proximal end of filter  21  such that a proximal end of the fluid receptacle is hidden within filter  21 , and has a distal end extending approximately half a cm into tobacco region  22 . 
     The receptacle  24  may be inserted into the filter  21  during manufacturing of the cigarette  20 , or may be injected into the filter  21  once the filter is constructed. Receptacle  24  is placed such that it does not interfere with the smoker inhaling the burning tobacco. The receptacle  24  may be formed of any suitable material having any suitable thickness, but in some embodiments is fabricated of nylon having a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm, or of a suitable plastic. Receptacle  24  is sealed by a diaphragm  25 , as described hereinbelow. 
     Tubular fluid receptacle  24  has contained therein a fire-extinguishing fluid  26  in a volume sufficient for immediate extinguishing of a cigarette when the fluid engages the burn region of the cigarette, such as, for example, 0.05-0.2 ml or approximately 0.15 ml. The fluid  26  in the receptacle  24  may be any suitable fire extinguishing fluid, such as water, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or any other suitable fire extinguishing fluid. Also disposed in receptacle  24 , proximally to fluid  26  and to diaphragm  25 , is a compressed coil spring  27 , which is held compressed by the pressure of fluid  26 . In some embodiments, a proximal end of spring  27  is disposed within receptacle  24  approximately 1 mm from the proximal end of the cigarette  20 . A button  28  is connected to coil-spring  27  at a proximal end thereof, and is configured, when depressed, to release the coil spring  27 . In some embodiments, the distal end of spring  27  is connected to the proximal end of diaphragm  25 , such that receptacle  24 , spring  27 , and diaphragm  25  together form an injector or syringe. 
     Diaphragm  25  disposed at the distal end of receptacle  24  for sealing thereof typically has a generally conical shape, and is sensitive to pressure and to heat, such that application of sufficient pressure and/or heat to diaphragm  25  ruptures the diaphragm and releases the spring  27 , thereby resulting in release of fluid  26  from within receptacle  24 . In some embodiments, diaphragm  25  is fabricated of very thin nylon, such as nylon having a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm. Due to the thinness of the nylon forming diaphragm  25 , pressure applied by release of coil spring  27  or an elevated temperature in the vicinity of diaphragm  25 , such as the temperature in or adjacent to the burn region of the cigarette  20 , result in rupturing of the diaphragm  25 . 
     A hollow tube  29  is disposed distally to diaphragm  25 , and extends through tobacco region  22  from diaphragm  25  toward the end of cigarette  20 . Tube  29  typically terminates a short distance from the distal end of the cigarette  20 , for example approximately 0.5 cm from the end of the cigarette, such that tube  29  is not visible from the distal end of cigarette  20 . In some embodiments, hollow tube  29  is connected to the distal end of tubular receptacle  24  or to the distal end of diaphragm  25 . Typically, hollow tube  29  is fabricated to allow fluid  26  to flow therethrough without being absorbed by the tobacco in tobacco region  22 . As such, when diaphragm  15  is ruptured, the fluid from receptacle  24  flows through the diaphragm  25  and through hollow tube  29  to the burn region of the cigarette for extinguishing thereof. 
     In some embodiments, hollow tube  29  is formed of the same tobacco as the tobacco in tobacco region  22 , but comprises tobacco that is more dense and/or compressed than the rest of the tobacco, such that the presence of tube  29  in the tobacco region  22  does not affect the taste or smell of the cigarette, and such that any cigarette manufacturer can fabricate the tube  29  from the tobacco used to fabricate the cigarette. In some embodiments, hollow tube  29  is formed of a paper, similar to the paper used to wrap the cigarette. That being said, hollow tube  29  may be formed of any non-toxic material which would prevent the fluid from being absorbed in the tobacco in tobacco region  22 . 
     In use, the cigarette  20  may be extinguished actively by action taken by the smoker, or may be extinguished passively even without human involvement. 
     When the smoker wishes to actively extinguish cigarette  20 , and cannot find a suitable place for doing so such as an ashtray or the like, the smoker may depress button  28  as indicated in  FIG. 2B . The pressure applied to button  28  causes the release of coil spring  27 , which in turn ruptures the diaphragm  25  thereby releasing fluid  26  from receptacle  24  into tube  29 . Under the pressure applied by released spring  27 , the released fluid reaches the burn region of cigarette  20  and extinguishes the cigarette, regardless of the length of the cigarette when it is being extinguished. Thus, the smoker can immediately extinguish the cigarette  20  using a single-handed motion and prevent the cigarette from being discarded while burning and constituting a fire hazard. 
     When the cigarette  20  is burned down and the burn region reaches the area of the filter, the excessive heat in the vicinity of diaphragm  25  causes the diaphragm to rupture and coil spring  27  to be released. Due to the force applied to fluid  26  by released spring  27 , the fluid  26  is released from receptacle  24  and is injected towards tube  29 , where it flows until the burn region of the cigarette  20 , resulting in automatic, self-caused extinguishing of the cigarette, without requiring active extinguishing of the cigarette by the smoker. 
     It is appreciated that in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  as well as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the extinguished cigarette may be discarded in any bin, without requiring an ashtray or removing the ash from the edge of the cigarette. The volume of fluid in the tubular fluid receptacle is sufficient to fully extinguish the cigarette even if a lot of ash remains on the edge of the cigarette, and the cigarette may be discarded without becoming a fire hazard. 
     It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements. 
     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
     Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the invention. 
     Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.