EP2353411B1 - Device for quitting smoking and use of such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a cylindrical sleeve (2) whose inner diameter (di) is measured so that the sleeve is positively and completely attachable to a cigarette and the cigarette protrudes over both free ends (22) of the sleeve. A sleeve cover (3) exhibits cross-sectional thickness of about 1 mm. An outer cover surface (4) of the sleeve comprises a milled-symmetrical section (6) with outer diameter that is smaller than outer diameter of the outer cover surface. An annular groove (8) is provided on the sleeve, where the groove is milled in the symmetric section. The sleeve is made of metal material.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for smoking cessation consisting of a cylindrical sleeve whose inner diameter is dimensioned such that it can be positively plugged onto a cigarette.

Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of such a device as a cigarette holder.

In the course of the now very extensive smoking bans, especially in public buildings, at workplaces, in airplanes, in trains, in restaurants and inns, etc., there is a high demand for smoking cessation aids, ie means that facilitate a smoker's weaning from the cigarette. Another reason is the recognition that smoking for the smoker is a serious risk to health and the environment and especially nonsmokers are at risk of serious health hazards through passive smoking.

In this respect, a number of proposals have already been made, which on the one hand eliminate the harmful effects of cigarette smoke, without restricting the nicotine effect, in particular see DE 10 2005 016 415 A1 , or to facilitate a complete exit from cigarette consumption.

Basically, the systems known from the prior art is based on the idea while avoiding a nicotine withdrawal weaning the smoker so far from the cigarette that after some time a complete smoking cessation is possible.

For example, the DE 20 2007 004 678 U1 a smokeless cigarette, which has a depot filter with a defined Maßbohrung and a mouthpiece filter with formdefinierter bore for receiving the depot filter, wherein in the depot filter located nano-bead solution is provided on the nano-beads nicotine and possibly Flavourstoffe are attached.

Another similar device discloses the DE 20 2005 005 506 , Here, a cigarette inhaler is described for the inhalation of volatile active ingredients, wherein a cylindrical body with a continuous axial bore is fitted into a cigarette tube with a filter arranged on one side, and a material storing the inhalant substance is arranged within the bore. The inhaler here thus corresponds to the shape of a cigarette and allows the smoke-free inhalation of nicotine active ingredients.

Another weaning device reveals the US 386,109 B, wherein a cigarette holder for a cigarette is described here, which comprises an inlet sleeve for receiving the cigarette and a mouthpiece. In the wall of the cigarette holder at least one passage opening is provided in the region of the mouthpiece, whose axis is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the tip and the mouthpiece. According to the invention smoke is to flow out of the opening of the tip against the nose of the user by the design of the cigarette holder for smoking cessation, which is perceived by this as unpleasant.

As it turns out, the use of the above products in smoking cessation is not very successful. This is partly because the smoker always has the feeling that he / she is giving up a cigarette because the use of the substitutes and substitutes described above does not give him the usual "satisfaction" during the weaning period. On the other hand, the products are usually very expensive, which increases the smoker's sense of accomplishing a sacrifice and thus keeps him on the cigarette.

Furthermore, from the prior art, for example US 4,873,999 A . FR 2 605 192 A3 . GB 365 376 A or US Pat. No. 1,959,717 , Cigarette holders known to keep the unpleasant smell of smoke from the fingers of a smoker. However, this will achieve the opposite of smoking cessation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for smoking cessation, which allows the easier and sustainable weaning of smoking products and in particular of cigarettes.

The above object is achieved in a very simple manner by a device for smoking cessation according to claim 1 and by the use of such a device according to claim 15.

In particular, this object is achieved by a device for smoking cessation, consisting of a cylindrical sleeve whose inner diameter is dimensioned such that it can be positively and completely plugged onto a cigarette, so that the cigarette protrudes over both free ends of the sleeve, and the sleeve jacket has a thickness s _Q of at least 1mm. In principle, within the scope of the present invention, the sleeve in combination with the cigarette may also be considered as a smoking cessation device.

An essential point of the device according to the invention for smoking cessation is thus a sleeve that is completely plugged onto the cigarette or überstülpbar on the cigarette that this protrudes beyond both free ends of the sleeve and remains during smoking as a cigarette holder on the cigarette. In use, the sleeve of the invention is slid onto the cigarette such that the filter or similar mouthpiece of the cigarette protrudes from the sleeve on one side so that the smoker can place it in the mouth, with the sleeve held by the smoker between the fingers during smoking becomes; the sleeve is thus u.a. as a cigarette holder.

Due to the formation of the sleeve in the manner described above forms during the pulling on the cigarette due to the inside of the sleeve along grazing air in the sleeve inside and on the cigarette condensation, which changes the smoke of the cigarette and in particular reduces the inhalation amount of nicotine. Although the smoker continues to smoke a cigarette as usual, nicotine consumption is reduced and the smoker is sensitized to cigarette smoking by using the device. The result is a gradual smoking cessation.

The outer lateral surface preferably has a milled, symmetrical section with a smaller diameter in the center than the diameter of the outer lateral surface, wherein preferably an annular groove milled into the milled-in symmetrical section is provided on the symmetry axis of the sleeve.

Within the scope of the present invention, the term milled means any machining of the sleeve to form the respective milled sections or annular grooves. Milling means, among other things, also sawing, grooving, abrading, cutting, folding, pressing, deep drawing, laser cutting, rolling, eroding, etc.

In the above embodiment, due to the changed cross-sections of the sleeve over the cigarette length, a particularly effective formation of condensation occurs.

It is particularly advantageous in this case to produce the sleeve from a metal material, it being possible in this case to mill the sleeve in particular by means of appropriate metal-processing methods. Due to the ratio of the different heat transfer coefficients of the materials, which are in operative connection with each other when the sleeve is pushed onto the cigarette, the effect of the device according to the invention is enhanced. It is also possible to produce the sleeve from a multi-layer material, of which at least one layer is made of a metal material. Thus, for example, a plurality of sub-sleeves with different diameters can be pushed precisely to one another, which then together form the sleeve according to the invention. A sleeve may be made of a metal material and an adjoining, preferably smaller sleeve made of a plastic material.

Preferably, at least three insert elements made of a material other than the material of the sleeve and in particular insert elements made of at least one neodymium magnet are preferably distributed uniformly over the circumference of the annular groove. Here, a particularly advantageous effect of the device according to the invention has been found.

The insert element is preferably inserted in a two-step bore in the sleeve which extends radially in the inserted annular groove from the outer surface in the direction of the interior of the sleeve, wherein the first outer stage of the bore has a larger Radius than the inner second stage. In this context, it is particularly preferred if the second inner step extends to the interior of the sleeve.

Preferably, the sleeve has in its sleeve casing at least one longitudinal bore which extends parallel to the main axis of extension of the sleeve. However, this longitudinal bore may partially extend completely from one free end to the other free end of the sleeve. In particular, it is preferred to form the sleeve in its sleeve casing with at least three longitudinal bores of this kind, which, distributed uniformly over their circumference, extend parallel to the main extension axis of the sleeve. In three such longitudinal bores thus results in a distribution of 120 ° offset over the circumference of the sleeve so an offset angle of 120 °.

Preferably, the sleeve has an inner diameter between 6 mm and 9 mm, in particular 7.97 mm. This inner diameter has been found to be particularly advantageous and effective when using conventional cigarettes. When used with thinner cigarettes, so-called "slim-line" cigarettes, however, an internal diameter of 4 mm to 7 mm, in particular 5.4 mm is advantageous

The ratio of the total length of the sleeve to the length of the milled symmetrical section is preferably substantially 3:10, in particular the total length of the sleeve is 20 mm and the length of the milled symmetrical section is 6 mm. Preferably, in principle, the length of the sleeve is less than 1/3 of the length of the cigarette with which the sleeve is used.

The sleeve casing of the sleeve preferably has a thickness of 1.6 mm to 2.0 mm, in particular 1.8 mm, in the area of the milled symmetrical section. In the cigarettes known from the prior art, a sleeve casing with these dimensions has proven to be particularly advantageous.

Preferably, the outer diameter of the milled symmetrical portion by 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, in particular 0.2 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface and the bottom diameter of the annular groove by 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, in particular 0.2 mm smaller than the outer diameter of the milled symmetrical portion.

Preferably, at least one free end of the sleeve, a substantially radially outwardly facing bead edge is provided. This bead is preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, in particular 2 mm larger than the outer diameter of the outer circumferential surface. In a preferred outer diameter between 9.21 mm and 11.21 mm, in particular 10.21 mm, consequently, the outer diameter of the bead edge is between 11.21 mm and 13.21 mm, in particular 12.21 mm.

With regard to the geometry of the beaded edge, a semicircular geometry, in particular with a radius of 1 mm, has proven to be particularly advantageous.

Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

Eine erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Raucherentwöhnung in isometrischer Darstellung;

Fig. 2

Eine schematische Darstellung der Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1 in ei- nem auf eine Zigarette aufgeschobenem Zustand;

Fig. 3

Einen Längsschnitt durch die Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

Einen Querschnitt durch die Ausführungsform gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

Eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung im Längsschnitt; und

Fig. 6

Eine dritte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung im Längsschnitt.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to embodiments, which are explained in more detail by the accompanying drawings. Hereby show:

Fig. 1

A first embodiment of the device according to the invention for smoking cessation in isometric view;

Fig. 2

A schematic representation of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in a state pushed onto a cigarette;

Fig. 3

A longitudinal section through the embodiment according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

A cross section through the embodiment according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

A second embodiment of the device according to the invention in longitudinal section; and

Fig. 6

A third embodiment of the device according to the invention in longitudinal section.

In the following, the same reference numerals are used for the same and the same components, sometimes with the use of high indices to distinguish them.

Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for smoking cessation.

The device consists of a cylindrical sleeve 2 whose inner diameter d _{I is} dimensioned such that it positively and completely on a cigarette 1 (see Fig. 2 ) is attachable, so that the cigarette 1 protrudes beyond both free ends 22 of the sleeve 2, and the sleeve jacket 3 has a thickness s _Q of at least 1mm.

The outer circumferential surface 4 of the sleeve 2 here also has centrally a milled symmetrical section 6 with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the outer lateral surface 4. The exact diameter values will be discussed in more detail below.
In the central section and in particular on the axis of symmetry A _S (see in particular 3 and 4 ) of the sleeve 2, a milled in the milled symmetrical portion 6 annular groove 8 is also provided which completely rotates the sleeve 2. In addition, at its free ends 22, the sleeve 2 in this embodiment in each case comprises a beaded edge 24, which extends radially outward from the lateral surface 4.

In Fig. 2 is the in Fig. 1 illustrated first embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in a state turned up on a cigarette 1. The sleeve 2 is designed so that it can be positively and completely pushed onto the cigarette in such a way that from the one free end 22 a part and in particular here the abzubrennende part 5 and at the other free end 22 'of the filter part 7 and the part protruding over which the smoker pulls on the cigarette 1. The smoker (not shown) in this case comprises the cylindrical sleeve 2 in particular in the region of the symmetrical section 6. If the cigarette 1 smoked almost finished, he can arbitrarily move the device according to the invention back to the filter 7 and shortly before, after or during the expression of the Remove the cigarette and use again.

Due to the inventive design of the device for smoking cessation, especially the cylindrical sleeve 2 forms during smoking on the inner surface 9 of the sleeve 2 and thus directly to the cigarette 1 condensation, that the smokability of the cigarette 1 deteriorates and in particular reduces the inhalation of nicotine. In particular, by the described cross-sectional change between the outer circumferential surface 4, the milled central symmetrical portion 6 and the annular groove 8, there is an effect on the cigarette 1, which will gradually lead to a smoking cessation. Moreover, since the smoker becomes sensitized to any smoking process during use of the device according to the invention, smoking cessation and complete withdrawal from smoking are greatly facilitated.

In the 3 and 4 is the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 and 2 in a longitudinal section ( Fig. 3 ) and a cross section ( Fig. 4 ). As shown there, the device according to the invention comprises the sleeve 2 whose inner diameter d _I pushing on the cigarette 1 (see Fig. 2 ) allowed.

The sleeve 2 comprises the outer circumferential surface 4 in which the symmetrical section 6 is machined centrally or symmetrically to the symmetry axis A _S or the like is incorporated. In the symmetry axis A _S or in the plane of symmetry formed by these radially rotating axes, the annular groove 8 is used, which rotates the sleeve 2 in an annular manner. The outer diameter d _{A of} the lateral surface 4 is slightly larger than the outer diameter d _{Am of} the symmetrical portion 6 and the bottom diameter d _{B of} the annular groove 8. Under the bottom diameter d _B is here the diameter understood, which is formed by the bottom surface of the annular groove 8. According to the invention here the annular groove 8 is formed as a notch and in particular as a 45 ° -Dredickseinkerbung in the symmetrical distance 6.

At the free ends 22 of the sleeve 2 radially outwardly facing annular beads 24 are provided, which in this embodiment have substantially a semicircular geometry.

As in particular in Fig. 4 can be seen over the circumference of the sleeve 2 evenly distributed in the symmetrical section 6, holes 12 are provided which extend from the outside of the sleeve to the interior 14. In these three holes 12 insert elements 10 are used, the material of which differs from the material of the sleeve 2. In particular, here the insert elements 10 are formed as neodymium magnets. Due to the material and cross-sectional change in this area, a particularly strong condensation is surprisingly caused.

The bores 12 are designed as two-step bores, the outer first step 16 having a larger bore radius than the inner second step 18. The insert elements are preferably arranged only in the outer first step 16.

In this embodiment, however, preferably not necessarily circumferentially uniformly distributed longitudinal bores 20 are provided in the sleeve shell 3 parallel to the main extension axis A _H from one free end 22 to the other free end 22 'extend. The existing here longitudinal bores 20 are thus formed through longitudinal bores 20. According to the invention, they are, like the two-step holes 12, also distributed uniformly over the circumference of the sleeve 2. The radial offset angle between the longitudinal bores with each other or between the two-step holes with each other is therefore here 120 °. In addition, the two-step bores and the longitudinal bores are preferably arranged so that they each include an offset angle of 60 °; in the Fig. 4 shown holes 12 and 20 are thus distributed evenly offset by 60 ° over the circumference.

• Gesamtlänge I_H der Hülse 2: 20 mm;
• Gesamtlänge I_m des eingefrästen symmetrischen Abschnittes 6: 6 mm;
• Außendurchmesser D_A der Hülse 2: 10,21 mm;
• Außendurchmesser d_Am des eingefrästen symmetrischen Abschnittes 6: 10,1 mm;
• Bodendurchmesser d_B der Ringnut 6: 9,81 mm;
• Außendurchmesser d_Aw des Wulstrandes: 12,21 mm;
• Radius R des Wulstrandes: 1 mm;
• Innendurchmesser d_I der Hülse: 7,97 mm;
• Durchmesser der äußeren ersten Stufe 16 der Zwei-Stufen-Bohrung 12: 1,1 mm;
• Tiefe der äußeren ersten Stufe 16: 0,7 mm;
• Durchmesser der inneren zweiten Stufe 18 der Zwei-Stufen Bohrung 12: 0,6 mm;
• Tiefe der inneren zweiten Stufe 18: 0,1 mm;
• Durchmesser der Längsbohrung 20: 0,2 mm;
• Abstand der Mittelachse der Längsbohrung 20 zur Haupterstreckungsachse A_H der Hülse 2: 4,47 mm;

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of the smoking cessation device according to the invention, which substantially the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 - 4th corresponds, however, by special dimensions is marked. The sleeve 2 according to the invention has in particular and in an embodiment according to the Fig. 1 - 4th the following dimensions:

• Total length I _H of sleeve 2: 20 mm;
• Total length l _m of milled symmetrical section 6: 6 mm;
• Outer diameter D _{A of} the sleeve 2: 10.21 mm;
• Outer diameter d _Am of milled symmetrical section 6: 10.1 mm;
• Bottom diameter d _{B of} the annular groove 6: 9.81 mm;
• Outer diameter d _{Aw of} the bead edge: 12.21 mm;
• Radius R of the bead edge: 1 mm;
• Inner diameter d _{I of} the sleeve: 7.97 mm;
• Outer first stage 16 diameter of the two-step bore 12: 1.1 mm;
• Depth of the outer first stage 16: 0.7 mm;
• Diameter of the inner second stage 18 of the two-step bore 12: 0.6 mm;
• Depth of the inner second stage 18: 0.1 mm;
• Diameter of the longitudinal bore 20: 0.2 mm;
• Distance of the central axis of the longitudinal bore 20 to the main extension axis A _{H of} the sleeve 2: 4.47 mm;

In Fig. 6 a third embodiment of the smoking cessation device according to the invention is shown, which substantially corresponds to the embodiments described above. However, this sleeve 2 has a longitudinal bore 20, which extends only partially along the sleeve sheath 3 of the sleeve 2, starting from the free end 22. Also, the sleeve 2 here only a single longitudinal bore 20.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 =

Cigarette

2 =

shell

3 =

sleeve shell

4 =

Outer casing surface

5 =

burned part

6 =

milled symmetrical section

7 =

filter part

8 =

ring groove

9 =

Inner surface area

10 =

insert element

12 =

Two-stage bore

14 =

inner space

16 =

First stage

18 =

Second step

20 =

longitudinal bore

22 =

free end

24 =

beaded edge

d _I =

Inner diameter

d _A =

Outer diameter of the outer lateral surface 4

d _Am =

Outer diameter of the milled symmetrical distance 6

d _B =

Bottom diameter of the annular groove 8

d _Aw =

Outer diameter of the Wulstrandes

s _Q =

Section thickness

A _s =

axis of symmetry

A _h =

Main axis

I _H =

Length of the sleeve

I _m =

Length of the milled symmetrical section 6

Claims (15)

1. A device for quitting smoking consisting of a cylindrical sleeve (2), the inner diameter d_I of which is dimensioned such that it can be positively and completely slipped onto a cigarette (1) such that the cigarette (1) protrudes from both free ends (22) of the sleeve (2) and the sleeve jacket (3) of which exhibits a thickness s_Q of at least 1 mm,
   characterized in that
   the outer shell (4) of the sleeve (2) exhibits a milled symmetrical section (6) having a smaller diameter d_Am than the diameter d_A of the outer shell (4), wherein a milled annular groove (8) is provided in the milled symmetrical section (6) on the sleeve (2).
2. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the milled symmetrical section is arranged at the center of the outer shell (4) of the sleeve (2), wherein the milled annular groove (8) is provided on the axis of symmetry A_S of the sleeve (2).
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   at least three insert elements (10) made from a different material than the material of the sleeve (2) are inserted in even distribution over the circumference of the annular groove (8).
4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, any one of claims 2 or 3 in particular,
   characterized in that
   at least one insertion element (10) is a neodymium magnet.
5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, any one of claims 2 to 4 in particular,
   characterized in that
   at least one insertion element (10) is inserted into a two-stage borehole (12) in the sleeve (2) which extends radially in the milled annular groove (8) from the outer shell (4) toward the interior (14) of the sleeve (2), wherein the first outer stage (16) of the borehole (14) exhibits a larger radius than the inner second stage (18).
6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, claim 5 in particular, characterized in that
   the inner second stage (18) extends to the interior (14) of the sleeve (2).
7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the sleeve (2) exhibits at least one longitudinal borehole (20) in its sleeve jacket (3) which extends parallel to the main axis of extension A_H of the sleeve.
8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the sleeve (2) exhibits at least three longitudinal boreholes (20) in its sleeve jacket (3) which are evenly distributed over the circumference of the sleeve (2) and extend parallel to the main axis of extension A_H of the sleeve (2).
9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the sleeve (2) exhibits an inner diameter d_I of between 6 mm and 9 mm, in particular 7.97 mm.
10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the ratio of the overall length I_H of the sleeve (2) to the length I_m of the milled symmetrical section (6) essentially amounts to 3:10, in particular the overall length I_H of the sleeve (2) amounts to 20 mm and the length I_m of the milled symmetrical section (6) amounts to 6 mm.
11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the sleeve jacket (3) of the sleeve (2) exhibits a cross-sectional thickness s_Q of from 1.6 mm to 2.0 mm, in particular 1.8 mm, in the area of the milled symmetrical section (6).
12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the outer diameter d_Am of the milled symmetrical section (6) is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, in particular 0.2 mm, smaller than the outer diameter d_A of the outer shell (4) and the base diameter d_B of the annular groove (8) is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, in particular 0.2 mm, smaller than the outer diameter d_Am of the milled symmetrical section (6).
13. The device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the sleeve (2) exhibits a substantially radially outward facing ring collar (24) on at least one free end (22).
14. The device according to claim 1,
    characterized in that
    the sleeve (2) is made of a metal material.
15. Use of a device according to any one of the preceding claims as a cigarette holder.

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