Abstract:
A cigar or cigarette holder constructed from bamboo capable of receiving a cigar or cigarette and a method of manufacturing the same.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to a holder which can be used for assisting an individual in smoking tobacco which is in the form of a cigarette or cigar and a method for manufacturing the same.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Cigarette holders have the advantage of reducing the burns and discolorations of fingertips and nails that may be caused from the holding of short cigars or cigarettes, permitting the cigarette smoker to smoke more of the cigarette or cigar than is possible by holding the cigarette or cigar by hand. Additionally, cigarette holders allow smokers to avoid having the ends of the cigar or cigarette directly in their mouths, thus maximizing the smoking experience of the user. Many types of cigarette holders of have been previously provided, however the present invention provides for a cigarette holders which are easier and less expensive to manufacture and which produce less environmentally-friendly waste products.  
         [0005]     A first object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive yet durable cigarette holder.  
         [0006]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette holder which is easily manufactured.  
         [0007]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a cigarette holder which is biodegradable and earth-friendly.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In order to achieve these and other advantages, the present invention comprises a single piece of hollow bamboo which can be used as a cigarette holder.  
         [0009]     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.  
         [0010]     According to the disclosed embodiments, a method for manufacturing the cigarette holder is also disclosed.  
         [0011]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a cigarette holder according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a sectional or cut-away view of a cigarette holder according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0015]     According to the drawings, a reference numeral  100  in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 2  designates the piece of bamboo forming the body of the cigarette holder. In the preferred embodiment, the piece of bamboo is between 2″ and 4″ in length and between ⅜″ and ⅝″ in diameter.  
         [0016]     The ends of the bamboo are cut so that it consists of two (2) hollow ends  110  and  120  joined by at least one (1) bamboo internode  130  between them. The bamboo may then either allowed be to age and dry. In the preferred embodiment, the bamboo is baked at 300 degrees for 2 to 3 hours. In another embodiment, the bamboo is allowed to age and dry naturally for five to seven weeks.  
         [0017]     The bamboo is then cut again so that the internode  130  is closest to one end  120  but at least ½″ away from the other of the hollow ends  110 . The end  120  of the bamboo is then drilled with a ⅛″ drill bit to create the mouthpiece and allow the smoke  220  to pass through the pipe.  
         [0018]     The pipe is used by inserting a cigarette, cigar, bidi or other elongated tobacco product  210  into the end  1   10  opposite the mouthpiece  120 . The cigar need only be lit at the end  110  furthest from the internode  130 . The user then inhales using the mouthpiece  120 . The smoke not inhaled will, for the most part, remain in the chamber  220  created between the end of the cigar and the hole in the internode  130 , until the user is ready to draw from the holder  100  again.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment of the invention, the bamboo is cut with a beveled tip at  120  to add value and make it easier to hold the invention in the mouth.  
         [0020]     In another embodiment of the invention, the bamboo is wrapped with stickers or engraved to provide customization.  
         [0021]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention provided that they come within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.