Patent Publication Number: US-2005130090-A1

Title: Combined cigarette lighter and breath freshening dispenser

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to a combined cigarette lighter and breath freshening dispenser, and more particularly, to a hand held device that houses a cigarette lighter and a breath freshening dispenser in one convenient unit.  
      Cigarettes and cigars have been around for many centuries and they provide much enjoyment to those who smoke. While relishing a good cigarette is a relaxing and meditative way to unwind, smokers often encounter a disagreeable side effect. Particularly, the inhaled tobacco invariably results in unpleasant smoker&#39;s breath. Bad breath is one of the most embarrassing problems to have, and if not treated properly, could interfere with work life, social life, and sex life. Americans spend an estimated $3 billion each year for a variety of mints, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and gum in the hopes of eliminating embarrassing mouth odors. Unsurprisingly, smokers comprise a significant percentage of this number. In the battle against smoker&#39;s breath, it is not uncommon to tobacco aficionados to stuff their pockets with chewing gum or mints. However, while having this easy access to breath fresheners certainly has its advantages, it can be cumbersome to carry a cigarette pack or cigar, a lighter, and a bulky pack of mints with limited pocket or purse space. As a result, some smokers may be discouraged from carrying breath fresheners, much to the displeasure of others with whom they may interact.  
      A combined perfume dispenser and cigarette lighter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,939 to Brickwedde. The Brickwedde &#39;939 device provides a cigarette lighting mechanism and a perfume dispensing mechanism within an integrated housing.  
      A combined lighter and mouth spray device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,539 to Carlson. The Carlson &#39;539 device provides a hand held article housing a cigarette lighting mechanism and a breath spray device. The breath spray device of the Carlson &#39;539 patent is in such close proximity to the lighter fluid that it risks inadvertently poisoning the user with lighting fluid. A user may be severely harmed if they mistakenly activate the lighter instead of the breath spray near the mouth.  
      A pocket size dispenser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,033 to Siwek. The patent provides a mechanism for dispensing edible tablets, including tablet breath fresheners. However, the invention falls short of disclosing the combination of the dispenser with any other mechanism.  
      While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the invention to provide smokers with the opportunity to have fresh breath by developing a convenient and space saving way to carry both a cigarette lighter and breath freshener. Accordingly, a combined device that houses both a lighter device and a breath freshening dispenser saves space and is convenient.  
      It is another object of the invention to provide smokers with a breath freshening dispenser that can be easily refilled and replaced. Accordingly, this invention has parallel tracks that secure the breath freshening dispenser to the external side surface of the cigarette lighter and can be easily removed and replaced or refilled as necessary.  
      This invention results from the realization that a better combination cigarette lighter and breath freshening dispenser is affected by the inclusion of an external compartment housing edible breath fresheners that can be removed and refilled as necessary thereby allowing smokers to have breath fresheners available at all times while freeing up much needed pocket and purse space.  
      This invention features a combination cigarette lighter and breath freshening dispenser, comprising a cigarette lighter device having a housing member including a lighting mechanism and an external side surface. A breath freshening dispenser is attached to the side surface of the cigarette lighter for holding a plurality of edible breath fresheners. The external side surface of the cigarette lighter includes a pair of mounted parallel tracks for attaching the breath freshening dispenser to the cigarette lighter device. The breath freshening dispenser is adapted to be removably secured to the external side surface of the cigarette lighter and may therefore be removed and refilled or replaced as necessary. The breath freshening dispenser includes a hinged cover for easily accessing an edible breath freshener therein.  
      To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the combined cigarette lighter and breath freshening dispenser according to the present invention with parts broken away illustrating edible breath fresheners therein;  
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view, illustrating the invention, showing how the breath freshening dispenser is easily securely fastened to the cigarette lighter and easily removed from the cigarette lighter for refilling or replacement; and  
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view, illustrating the invention, wherein the breath freshening dispenser is securely attached to the external side surface of the cigarette lighter.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIGS. 1 through 3  illustrate a combination cigarette lighter and breath freshening dispenser  10 . The cigarette lighter device  12  includes a housing  14 , and a lighting mechanism  16 . the housing  14  has an external side surface  18 . The breath freshening dispenser  20  is attached to the side surface  18  of the cigarette lighter device  12 .  
       FIG. 1  illustrates the breath freshening dispenser  20 , which defines and interior cavity that holds a plurality of edible breath fresheners  22 . The breath freshening dispenser  20  is attached to the cigarette lighter  12  at external side surface  18  by a pair of parallel tracks  24  mounted therein. Additionally, the breath freshening dispenser  20  includes a hinged cover  30  for easily accessing the edible breath fresheners  22  stored therein.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates the cigarette lighter  12  as the breath freshening dispenser  20  is moving along and between the tracks  24 , in the direction of arrow  26 , so that it can be securely attached to external side  18 . Alternatively, breath freshening dispenser  20  may be easily removed for refill or replacement by sliding the dispenser  20  along parallel tracks  24 , in the direction of arrow  27 , thereby removing the breath freshening dispenser  20  from the external side surface  18 .  
       FIG. 3  illustrates breath freshening dispenser  20  as it is securely attached to external side surface  18  of cigarette lighter  12 . As illustrated, the hinged cover  30  has one or more hinges  32 , to allow access to within the breath freshening dispenser  20 .  
      In conclusion, herein is presented a combination cigarette lighter and breath freshening dispenser. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention.