EP0975239A1 - Cigarette perforation method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for progressively reducing the concentration of cigarette smoke inhaled by a smoker, comprising a set of combined cigarette lighter/perforators designed to ventilate cigarettes (13, 15) to different extents. The lighter/perforators are used in turn, to enable the smoker to reduce the tar and nicotine inhaled, at a controlled rate.

Description

CIGARETTE PERFORATIONMETHOD AND APPARATUS

This invention relates to a cigarette perforation method and apparatus for

reducing the haπnful cigarette smoke products inhaled by a smoker whilst

smoking, particularly, but not exclusively, to assist in the process of giving up

smoking.

The health risks faced by smokers are well known and the difficulty that

smokers have in giving up smoking is considerable. Additionally, many people

who smoke try to reduce their consumption of cigarettes because of the expense

incurred or for social reasons. Therefore, a great deal of research has gone into

developing methods of reducing the harmful effects of smoking and of assisting

people in giving up smoking.

One such approach relies upon ventilating the cigarette between the lit

end and the mouth end, using a pin to perforate the cigarette paper. This causes

fresh air to be drawn into the cigarette through the perforated paper when the

smoker draws on the cigarette. This in turn causes a dilution of the cigarette

smoke which is inhaled. In addition to this, the hot cigarette smoke is cooled by

the ingress of the relatively cold air at the perforation point. Consequently,

some of the cigarette smoke products condense in the cigarette, without entering

the smoker's body.

Two types of device have been developed to achieve this result. The first of these are discrete cigarette perforators, examples of which

are disclosed in UK patent application 2019193A and US patent 5,218,976.

Such devices comprise at least one perforator, such as a pin. which is attached to

a guide member. The guide members are generally manually aligned with the

cigarettes and then the guide members and cigarettes are forced together causing

the perforators to perforate the cigarette.

In the case of US patent 5,218,976, multiple pins are used to perforate a

whole packet of cigarettes at once. In this arrangement the pins are forced

through the cigarette packet and then through the cigarettes within. The guide

member in this design aligns the pins with the cigarette packet and not the

cigarettes inside. Therefore, correct cigarette perforation is dependent upon the

positioning of the cigarettes within the packet, which cannot be relied upon.

UK patent application 2,019, 193 A discloses perforators for perforating

individual cigarettes. In this disclosure the guide members more effectively

ensure that the perforator enters the cigarette at the right angle and to the right

depth.

However, the problem with discrete cigarette perforators is that if the

cigarette perforator is small, as in UK patent application 2,019,193 A, it is

generally difficult to use. Conversely however, if these devices are made larger

and so easier to use, they become bulky and undesirable to carry on one's

person, as is the case with the perforator in US patent 5,218,976. The second type of device is a combined cigarette lighter and cigarette

perforator. An example of a combined cigarette lighter/perforator is disclosed

in Belgian patent 822,351. The perforating device of this cigarette

lighter/perforator incorporates a central recess into which a cigarette can be

inserted and two mutually opposed perforating elements, which can be pressed

by the user in order to perforate the cigarette prior to lighting.

Accordingly, in one aspect the current invention provides a system for

progressively reducing the concentration of cigarette smoke inhaled by a

smoker, comprising a set of combined cigarette lighter/perforators designed to

ventilate cigarettes to different extents. The lighter/perforators are used in turn,

to enable the smoker to reduce the tar and nicotine inhaled, at a controlled rate.

A problem that is faced by a person who is trying to reduce the number

of cigarettes that he or she smokes, or who is trying to give up smoking, when

using the prior art devices, is as follows: in order to wean him or herself off the

perceived need for nicotine, the dosage received from the cigarettes must be

gradually decreased over a period of time. This allows their body time to

reduce its nicotine dependency. This may be achieved by progressively

increasing the ventilation in the cigarettes which are smoked.

Each of the prior art devices discussed above becomes increasingly

tedious for the user to operate if the ventilation of the cigarettes is to be

increased. This has a negative psychological effect on a user, who is trying to

cut down or give up smoking using this method. Therefore, the user will rapidly return to perforating cigarettes in the minimum number of places, if at

all. At best this results in a reduction in the intake of cigarette smoke, without

assisting the user in weaning themselves off smoking altogether. At worst, the

user will revert to smoking unventilated cigarettes.

Thus a user of an embodiment of the present invention is able to reduce

his or her dependency upon nicotine gradually in a manner involving the

minimum of effort.

In another aspect, the invention provides a combined lighter/perforator,

which incorporates in its perforation mechanism a recess into which cigarettes

may be placed, to a given depth; thus allowing perforations to be made at a

constant position along the length of the cigarettes.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a combined lighter/perforator

in which the perforation process is effected by the movement of an arm which is

pivo table in relation to the body of the combined lighter/perforator.

In yet a further aspect, the invention provides a method of progressively

reducing the cigarette smoke drawn through cigarettes which are being smoked,

the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a combined cigarette lighter/perforator from a set of cigarette

lighter/perforators;

using the selected combined cigarette lighter/perforator to ventilate

cigarettes to a predetermined level prior to being smoked; replacing the selected combined cigarette lighter/perforator with a

further combined cigarette lighter/perforator from the set, the further combined

cigarette lighter/perforator being arranged to provide increased ventilation in a

cigarette when used to perforate a cigarette; and

using the further selected combined cigarette lighter/perforator to

ventilate cigarettes prior to being smoked.

Preferably, each cigarette lighter/perforator of a set according to the

invention is non-refillable, with the quantity of fuel contained being calculated

to light an approximate, predetermined number of cigarettes; for example, one

or more packets. When the fuel in a given lighter/perforator is expended, the

user exchanges the lighter/perforator for the next lighter in the set, which

increases the degree to which cigarettes are ventilated. Advantageously, this

enables a reduction profile to be set which encourages the user to progress

through increasing levels of ventilation at a predetermined rate.

Preferably, the perforating means of each cigarette lighter/perforator in a

set is designed so as to permit the user to comfortably activate the perforating

means, and subsequently activate the lighting means without adjusting the way

in which the lighter/perforator is held.

Preferably, the perforating means of each lighter/perforator in a set

permits the cigarette to be perforated through its entire width; thus allowing

increased ventilation for a given number of perforating elements. Preferably, the perforating means of each lighter/perforator in the set of

lighters is arranged such that the cigarette may be positively located such that

the ventilation point or points are consistently positioned with respect to the

length of the cigarette. This ensures that each cigarette of the same type yields

the same composition and concentration of smoke which is inhaled, when

perforated by a given lighter/perforator. Advantageously, by positioning the

ventilation holes near the mouth end the dilution of the smoke is maximised.

The invention also extends to perforation inserts which may be used in

combination with cigarette lighter bodies to perform the invention as described

above.

Other aspects and preferred embodiments of the invention will be

apparent from the following description and claims.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail by

way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal cross section view of one of a set of

lighter/perforators, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 2a-c illustrate the perforating action of the lighter/perforator of Fig.

1, Figs. 2a and 2b show the same view as in Fig. 1, with the perforator

mechanism open and closed respectively and Fig. 2c shows an end on view of

Fig 2a; Figs. 3a-d show end on views of the guides for the perforator elements

in each of a set of cigarette lighter/perforators, according to the first

embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 4a-c show in longitudinal cross section, a set of lighter/perforators

according to the second embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 5a-c illustrate the perforating action of one of a set of

lighter/perforators according to the second embodiment of the invention, Figs.

5a and 5b show the same view as in Fig. 4a, with the perforator mechanism

open and closed, respectively and Fig. 5c shows an end on view of Fig. 5a;

Figs. 6a-f illustrate one of a set of lighter/perforators according to the

third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6a shows a side view of the cigarette

lighter/perforator, Fig. 6b shows in longitudinal cross section the

lighter/perforator of Fig. 6a with the perforator mechanism in the open position,

and Fig. 6c shows the view of Fig. 6b with the perforator mechanism in the

closed position and with the lighter removed. Fig. 6d shows the

lighter/perforator of Fig. 6a viewed from below, and Figs. 6e and 6f show cross

sectional views of the perforator mechanism taken along lines 6-6 of Figs. 6b

and 6c, respectively;

Figs. 7a-c show in longitudinal cross section a set of three lighter/

perforators according to the third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7d shows

the same view as that of Fig. 7c but with the perforator mechanism in the closed

position and with the lighter removed; Figs. 8a-c show in longitudinal cross section a set of three lighter/

perforators according to the third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 8d shows

the same view as that of Fig. 8c but with the perforator mechanism in the closed

position and with the lighter removed; and

Figs. 9a-c show in longitudinal cross section a set of three lighter

perforators according to the third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9d shows

the same view as that of Fig. 9c but with the perforator mechanism in the closed

position and with the lighter removed, and Figs. 9e and 9f show cross sectional

views of the perforators mechanism taken along lines 9-9 of Figs. 9c and 9d ,

respectively.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

In this embodiment a set of four combined cigarette lighter/perforators

are used as an aid to giving up smoking filter cigarettes. The exact number of

lighter/perforators may be varied to suit individual requirements. All of the

lighter/perforators are substantially the same, differing only in terms of their

cigarette perforating characteristics, which will be discussed in detail later, and

in that they can easily be differentiated by the user. To this end, the body of

each lighter/perforators is embossed with a number, 1 to 4. This number

corresponds to the degree of ventilation that is caused in a cigarette which it is

used to perforate.

Referring to Fig. 1 , one of a set of lighter/perforators according to the

first embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The lighter/perforator incorporates a conventional lighter mechanism comprising: a flint mechanism 1,

a fuel release activator 2, a fuel nozzle 3, and a flame shield 4. The lighter

mechanism is mounted upon the lighter/perforator body 5, which is

conventionally moulded from a polymer suitable for the purposes of

conventional disposal cigarette lighters; for example polypropylene. This

allows inexpensive manufacture to be achieved. However any other suitable

material may be used for the purpose.

The lighter/perforator body 5 provides a fuel storage volume 6, a

substantially cylindrical recess 7 into which cigarettes to be perforated are

placed and a lever 8 with which a pin 9 may be forced through a pin guide 10a

formed in insert 10b and into recess 10c, in order to perforate a cigarette, not

shown. Upon perforating a cigarette, pin 9 is retracted from recess 7 through

the action of spring 11 upon lever 8, in order to allow the cigarette to be

removed.

In this embodiment, the lighter/perforators are disposable and therefore

there is no means for replenishing the fuel in storage volume 6. This feature

helps to ensure that the user will progress to using the second lighter/perforator,

upon depleting the fuel in the first lighter/perforator of the set. Subsequently the

second, t-αird and fourth lighter/perforators will be used and depleted of fuel. As

each successive lighter/perforator causes a greater degree of ventilation in

cigarettes, the user is gradually accustomed to inhaling less and less cigarette

smoke. When finally the fourth lighter/perforator is depleted of fuel, the user

may find that his or her dependency on nicotine has been diminished to such an

extent that it is then possible to give up smoking altogether.

In this embodiment, an equal volume of fuel is stored in volume 6 of

each of the four lighter/perforators of the set. This means that approximately an

equal number of cigarettes will be lit at each stage of ventilation.

Although numbering the lighter/perforators is used in this embodiment,

any other suitable means of differentiating each lighter/perforator from the

others of the set may be used; for example, each lighter/perforator being

predominantly of a different colour, the greater the ventilation provided by each

lighter/perforator, the lighter its colour.

Perforating Cigarettes

Referring to Fig. 2a-c, in the current embodiment each lighter/perforator

incorporates a perforation activation lever 8, which may be comfortably

operated by squeezing the lighter/perforator between a finger and the base of the

thumb, whilst the lighter means is in a suitable position to be activated by the tip

of the thumb.

As is shown in Fig. 2b the perforation action is achieved by moving

lever 8, in the direction indicated by the arrow. Thus the user can quickly and

easily carry out the perforation and lighting operations without adjusting his or

her grip on the lighter/perforator. As can be seen from Fig. 2c, the lever 8 comprises shroud portions 8a

and 8b which fit around the lighter/perforator body 5. The shroud portions

protect the perforation mechanism and greatly increase the strength of lever 8.

The length of the recess 7 in the current embodiment is slightly longer

than the length of a common "King Size" filter 12, which means 26.75 mm in

length, shown in Fig. 2b. This means that when a cigarette 13 is fully inserted

filter first into recess 7, see Fig. 2b, pin 9 is level with a tobacco-filled part of

the cigarette 13, which is easier to penetrate than the filter 12. It would, of

course, be possible in an alternative arrangement to this embodiment for the

perforations to be made in the filter 12.

Perforating the cigarette close to the filter ensures that the cigarette will

not be smoked beyond the point at which it is ventilated, which would reduce

the advantages of ventilating the cigarette.

Additionally, by ventilating the cigarette close to the filter, the resistance

to air being drawn into the cigarette at the ventilation point is significantly less

than the resistance to drawing smoke along the length of the cigarette. This

results in the fresh air portion of inhaled gas being maximised for a given level

of perforation.

As can be seen from Fig. 2b, the incorporation of recess 10c in the

lighter/perforator body 5 permits pin 9 to penetrate the entire width of the

cigarette 13. Thus air enters the cigarette from both sides of the ventilation point, which allows a high degree of ventilation without structurally damaging

the cigarette by making overly large ventilation apertures.

Pin 9 is flexibly mounted on lever 8, which allows it to enter and exit the

cigarette in a straight line, guided by pin guide 10a; thus avoiding the problem

of pin 9 jamming in the cigarette 13. This is achieved through the use of a

flexible rubber insert 16 (see Fig. 1) in lever 8 on which pin 9 is mounted.

Thus, under the influence of pin guide 10a, after pin 9 has contacted and

penetrated cigarette 13, pin 9 continues to perforate cigarette 13 at the initial

angle of penetration despite the subsequent relative change in angle of lever 8.

The rubber insert 16 deforms to accommodate the resultant change in geometry

between lever 8 and pin 9.

In the current embodiment the first lighter/perforator of the set

incorporates a single pin 9. Greater ventilation is provided progressively in the

second, third and fourth lighter/perforators of the set, which incorporate two,

three and four pins 9, respectively.

In each of the lighter/perforators of the set, all of the pins 9 are flexibly

mounted on rubber insert 16 in lever 8 to avoid the possibility of jamming on

withdrawal and, in each case, the pins 9 are arranged such that they can pass

unimpeded through insert 10b and into recess 10c, to ensure that the cigarettes

are always perforated through their entire width. Therefore the user can always

ventilate cigarettes to the desired degree using one action only, avoiding any

tedious repetition. In this embodiment the insert 10b is press fitted into a corresponding

recess in the lighter/perforator body. In each lighter/perforator of the set the

insert 10b comprises the same number of pin guides 10a as the number of pins 9

used to perforate cigarette 13. This ensures that each pin 9 is individually

supported.

Figs. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d show an end on view of the insert 10b used in

each lighter/perforator of the set according to the current embodiment. Fig. 3a

shows one pin guide 10a for guiding the single pin 9 of the first

lighter/perforator of the set. Figs. 3b, 3c and 3d show 2, 3, and 4 pin guides 10a

and are for use in the second, third and fourth lighter/perforators of the set

respectively.

The configuration of the pin guides 10a in insert 10b is the same as the

mounting configuration of the pins 9 for each lighter/perforator. This ensures a

smooth passage of pins 9 through insert 10b as a cigarette is perforated.

In order to aid manufacture, the rubber insert 16, pins 9, spring 11 and

insert 10b may be manufactured as a separate unit. This enables standard

lighter/perforators to be manufactured without these elements. Sets of lighters

can then be made by combining standard lighter/perforator bodies with the

desired perforation units.

In the current embodiment, the object of increased ventilation is

achieved through using additional pins, although it can equally be achieved

through increasing the size of a single pin, or a combination of the two. SECOND EMBODIMENT

The second embodiment of the invention fulfils the same function as the

first embodiment, but for use with non-filter cigarettes. Similar features will be

referred to by the same numerals and will not be discussed further.

Referring to Figs. 4a-c, in this embodiment a set of three

lighter/perforators are used. Each lighter/perforator of the set incorporates a pin

9 per level of ventilation, i.e. the first lighter/perforator comprises one pin 9 as

shown in Fig. 4a, the second lighter/perforator of the set comprises two pins 9a-

b as shown in Fig. 4b, and the third lighter/perforator of the set comprises three

pins 9a-c, as is shown in Fig. 4c.

Unlike the arrangement of the first embodiment, the extra pins are not

positioned in approximately the same location as the first pin and because of the

lack of filter, the ventilation hole closest to the mouth end of the cigarette may

be closer thereto than in the first embodiment.

As extra pins 9 in this embodiment are not positioned in approximately

the same position as the first pin, the pin guides 10a are formed directly in the

material of the lighter/perforator body. Therefore no equivalent to insert 10b is

used in this embodiment.

In this embodiment the perforating mechanism has been altered from a

lever arrangement, as previous discussed, to a push button arrangement. This is

shown in Figs. 5a-c which illustrate the perforating action of this embodiment.

Push button 14 is used to force the pin(s) 9 through a non-filter cigarette 15. However, since the movement of pin 9 is linear, pin 9 does not require a flexible

mounting, which facilitates manufacture. A spring 1 1 is used to retract pin 9

from the cigarette 15, and for the same reason discussed in the first

embodiment, push button 14 incorporates shroud portions 14a and 14b, shown

in Fig. 5c.

As described in the first embodiment, the length of the recess 7 and the

positioning of the pins 9 may be such that either the tobacco-filled portion or the

filter portion of the cigarette is perforated. Indeed it may be desirable to design

the perforation mechanism so that both portions are perforated.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

The third embodiment, in general terms, fulfils the same function as the

first and second embodiments. Similar features will be referred to by the same

numerals and will not be discussed further in detail.

Whereas the first and second embodiments illustrated sets of

lighter/perforators of unitary construction, in this embodiment the lighter and

the perforator are designed to be separate portions, the two portions being

arranged to be united as a single unit cigarette lighter/perforator.

The arrangement of the present embodiment gives rise to two separate

advantages: first, the perforator inserts may be designed to function with a

known brand of commercially available cigarette lighter. This in turn has the

effect of greatly simplifying the manufacturing process of the lighter/perforator

and so of greatly reducing manufacturing costs. Second, the advantage of being easy to carry on one's person, as well as being easy to use, as described in the

previous embodiments, is preserved.

Referring to Fig. 6a, a cigarette lighter/perforator according to the

present embodiment is shown, which comprises a body 5 and a push button 14

for actuating the perforator mechanism. Situated above the body 5 is a

conventional lighter mechamsm, as described with reference to the first

embodiment. However, in Fig. 6, only the flame shield 4 and the fuel release

activator 2 are visible. In order to assemble the cigarette lighter/perforator

shown in Fig. 6a, a commercially available cigarette lighter 16 is inserted into

recess 22 formed in the lighter/perforator body 5. The shape and size of recess

22 is formed in order to securely hold a selected commercially available

cigarette lighter.

Fig. 6d is a view from below of the lighter/perforator shown in Fig. 6a,

which illustrates the substantially cylindrical recess 7 into which cigarettes to be

perforated are placed.

Figs. 6b and 6c illustrate the internal construction of the cigarette

lighter/perforator of Fig. 6a, showing the perforation mechanism in the open and

closed positions respectively. Figs. 6e and 6f show views of Figs. 6b and 6c,

respectively, from underneath along cross sections 6-6. As can be seen from

Figs. 6b and 6c, the perforation mechanism employed in this embodiment works

in the manner previously described with respect to the second embodiment; i.e.

a cigarette is inserted into recess 7 and then it is perforated by the actuation of push button 14 from the open state (as shown in Fig. 6b) to the closed state

(shown in Fig. 6c), forcing perforation pins 9 into the cigarette. The resilience

of spring 1 1 subsequently causes the perforation mechanism to return to its open

state.

Figs. 6b and 6c show the internal layout of the lighter/perforator

according to the present embodiment, in which the lighter portion consists of a

commercially available cigarette lighter 16 (shown in Fig. 6b), which is united

with the cigarette lighter/perforator body 5. The cigarette lighter/perforator is

shown in Fig. 6c with the cigarette lighter 16 removed.

The skilled reader will appreciate that this embodiment could be

modified in various ways in order to satisfy the aesthetic and ergonomic

requirements of the user.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate three possible variations of this embodiment.

The function and method of use of the cigarette lighter/perforators in these

figures is the same as that already described with reference to that of Fig. 6 and

that of the second embodiment, and hence will not be described further.

Referring to Fig. 7, in this variation of the present embodiment, the

perforator portion, which comprises push button 14, recess 7, spring 11 and pins

9, lies laterally, entirely to one side of the lighter portion 16. In this variation,

the recess 7 is positioned horizontally with respect to the lighter portion, which

may for some people be easier to operate than a lighter/perforator in which the

recess is positioned vertically. As can be seen from Fig. 7b, apertures 17 are provided in the side wall of recess 7 through which pins 9 are free to pass into

void 18. This ensures that it is possible to perforate cigarettes entirely through

their width.

In this variation of the third embodiment, the push button 14 is designed

to be removable from its housing member 19, in which push button 14 slides.

This allows the user to add or remove further pins 9 from pin support members

20, thus allowing the degree of ventilation obtained to be varied.

Referring to Fig. 8, the same design of push button 14, pins 9, spring 11

and recess 7, as is shown in Fig. 7, is used. However, in this variation of the

present embodiment, the perforator mechanism is located entirely below the

lighter portion 16, in body portion 5. Again, the recess 7 is positioned

horizontally with respect to the lighter portion 16. This arrangement may

provide for some users an ergonomic or aesthetic improvement over the

variation shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. 9, again the arrangement of push button 14, recess 7,

spring 11 and pins 9 is the same as shown in Fig. 7. However, in this variation

of the present embodiment, the recess 7 is positioned vertically with respect to

the lighter portion 16, but like the variation shown in Fig. 8 the perforator

portion is located entirely below the lighter portion 16. In this variation of the

present embodiment, portion 21 is provided to give the user an improved grip

on the cigarette lighter/perforator body 5, when actuating the push button 14.

Furthermore, portion 21 provides a continuous smooth outer surface of the body portion 5 and prevents push button 14 from snagging on items of clothing, for

example.

It will also be appreciated by the skilled reader that cigarette

lighter/perforators according to the present embodiment could be manufactured

to incorporate the lever perforation actuator described in the first embodiment.

If disposable cigarette lighters are to be used in lighter/perforators

according to the present embodiment, then it is envisaged that the commercially

available lighter and the perforator portion should be joined in a permanent

manner although this would not be essential. This may be achieved using

standard manufacturing techniques, through the use of adhesives or snapfast

fittings, for example. Therefore, when the fuel in the commercially available

cigarette lighter is expended, the cigarette lighter/perforator assembly would be

disposed of. However, if non-disposable cigarette lighters are to be used then a

releasable attachment between the lighter and the perforator is required. This

may be achieved through the use of a releasable snapfast fitting between the

two, for example. This allows the lighter to be removed in order to be

replenished with fuel as and when required. Further, it allows the perforator

portion to be replaced by a perforator portion which perforates cigarettes to a

different degree, as and when the user chooses.

Sets of combined cigarette lighter/perforators can either be sold as a

complete set in a "pack" together with instructions for use as described above,

or, individually. If sold individually, users may buy the next lighter/perforator required, after a predetermined usage of the current lighter/perforator. For

example, in the case of a disposable lighter, or lighter/perforator, this may be

when its fuel is exhausted; or, in the case of a non-disposable lighter/perforator,

this may be after a certain number of fuel refills.

However, where the lighter/perforators are assembled by the user, using

either disposable or non-disposable commercially available cigarette lighters,

the body portions may be sold either individually or in sets. Further, such body

portions need not be supplied, equipped with the perforator portion, as such

perforator portions may be sold separately in order to easily provide the user

with a greater degree of choice.

Other aspects and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the

skilled person from the foregoing.

For example, it may be desirable to vary the relative volumes of fuel

between each disposable lighter/perforator of a set. For some users it may be

desirable to decrease or increase the volume of fuel with each subsequent

change of lighter/perforator, in order to help with the final transition from

smoking cigarettes with maximum ventilation to giving up altogether.

Therefore, the fuel storage volumes 6 are not constant between each

lighter/perforator in the second embodiment, as can be seen from Figs. 4a-c.

Different levels of ventilation between lighter/perforators of a set may

also be achieved through the use of shorter pins 9 than those previously

discussed allowing cigarettes to be perforated across part of their width. Further, the differing levels of ventilation caused by cigarette lighter/perforators

may be achieved by using short and long pins in combination. For example, the

first lighter/perforator of a set may employ one short pin, perforating cigarettes

partially. The second lighter/perforator of the set may employ one long pin,

which perforates cigarettes fully across their entire width. The third cigarette

lighter/perforator may employ one long and one short pin, causing cigarettes to

be perforated in two places, once partially and once fully.

The term "cigarette" has been used throughout with reference to the

invention, however it will be apparent to the reader that the invention can

equally be applied to similar smoking products and the term "cigarette"

encompasses such products.

Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the

above described embodiments but to extend to all modifications thereof which

will be apparent to the skilled reader and fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for progressively reducing the quantity of harmful

cigarette smoke products inhaled by a smoker, comprising:

a set of two or more cigarette lighter/perforators, each cigarette

lighter/perforator in the set comprising a lighter means and a perforating means,

said perforating means comprising at least one perforating element for

perforating a cigarette, wherein the perforating means of a first lighter/perforator

of said set is arranged to perforate cigarettes to a predetermined degree different

from that of a second lighter/perforator of said set.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first

lighter/perforator of said set comprises a differing number of perforating

elements from said second lighter/perforator of said set.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said first

lighter/perforator of said set comprises at least one perforating element differing

in size from that of said second lighter/perforator of said set.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said

first lighter/perforator of said set comprises a differing quantity of fuel from said

second lighter/perforator of said set.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least

one of said first and second lighter/perforators of said set is non-refillable.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least

one of said first and second lighter/perforators comprises at least one perforating

element arranged to perforate a cigarette through its entire width.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least

one lighter/perforator of said set comprises at least one perforation means which

is arranged to perforate each cigarette at a predeteπ ined point or points on the

length of the cigarette.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said

first lighter/perforator of said set is visually distinguishable from said second

lighter/perforator of said set.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each

said lighter/perforator of the set comprises a cigarette lighter/perforator body in

which both the lighter means and the perforator means are located.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the lighter means is

formed integrally with said lighter/perforator body.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said perforating

means is releasably connected to the body of said lighter/perforator.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the perforating

means is formed integrally with said lighter/perforator body.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said lighter means

is releasably connected to the body of said cigarette lighter/perforator.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said lighter

means comprises a discrete cigarette lighter.

15. A pack comprising apparatus according to any preceding claim.

16. A cigarette lighter/perforator comprising a pivotable arm upon

which one or more perforating elements are mounted, said arm being manually

actuable so as to perforate a -cigarette.

17. A cigarette lighter/perforator comprising a recess arranged to

receive a cigarette to a predetermined depth.

18. A method of treating cigarettes with a set of two or more

lighter/perforators to progressively reduce the cigarette smoke inhaled by a

smoker thereof, said method comprising the steps of:

perforating at least one cigarette to a first predetermined degree with a

first cigarette lighter/perforator; and

perforating at least one further cigarette using a second

lighter/perforator, said second lighter/perforator having a second perforating

means arranged to perforate a cigarette to a second predetermined degree,

greater than said first degree.

19. A method of assembling a cigarette lighter/perforator, the

lighter/perforator comprising a perforator portion connected to a body portion,

said method comprising the step of:

inserting a cigarette lighter into said body portion.

20. A cigarette perforator comprising a perforator means and a body

portion, said body portion being arranged to receive a cigarette lighter.