Collapsible Smoking-Article Shield With Segmented Wind Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smoking articles are often adversely affected by wind and weather conditions, leading to inconsistent burning, extinguishment, or inconvenience due to the lack of effective shielding solutions, especially for hand-rolled articles.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible shielding device with a top, body, and bottom portion, featuring adjustable segments that can be extended or compressed to protect smoking articles from wind and weather, composed of durable, flexible materials like silicone rubber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a smoker uses hand-rolled smoking articles outdoors, then the smoker can smoke in public spaces, but the smoking article is easily affected by wind and weather causing inconsistent burning or extinguishment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to smoke outdoors in public spacesVSAvoidconsistent burning of smoking article

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a shielding device as an intermediary object between the smoking article and the adverse weather conditions. This device acts as a mediator that blocks wind and rain from directly affecting the smoking article, thereby maintaining consistent burning while allowing outdoor smoking in public spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding device is constructed from flexible materials that can form a protective shell around the smoking article. This flexible shell adapts to the shape of the smoking article and provides continuous protection against wind and weather, ensuring reliable burning conditions outdoors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a smoker cups a free hand near or around the smoking article to block wind and rain, then the smoking article is protected from weather conditions, but both hands are occupied and the user lacks a free hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from wind and rainVSAvoidavailability of free hand

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding device is designed to be self-contained and portable, allowing the smoker to protect the smoking article without requiring assistance from a second hand. The device can be held with one hand while the other hand remains free for other activities, making the protection system self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding device serves as an intermediary that provides protection without requiring the user to use their hands for shielding. This allows one hand to hold the device while the other hand remains free, eliminating the need for two-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a smoker stands in close proximity to a wall, overhang, tree, or other structure to block wind or weather conditions, then the smoking article is protected, but such structures may not be readily available or convenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockade of wind and weatherVSAvoidavailability and convenience of shielding structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding device is a self-contained portable structure that the smoker can use independently without requiring external structures like walls, overhangs, or trees. The device is always available and can be deployed immediately, making it more convenient than relying on fixed environmental structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding device is divided into segments that can be assembled or deployed in various configurations to provide protection. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to different smoking positions and weather conditions, maintaining availability and convenience regardless of the surrounding environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a smoker turns their back to the wind to shield the smoking article, then the smoking article is protected from wind, but the positioning of the smoker's body becomes uncomfortable or inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from windVSAvoidcomfort and convenience of smoker positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding device acts as an intermediary that blocks wind from reaching the smoking article without requiring the smoker to change their body position. The device can be held in front of the smoker, allowing them to maintain their comfortable position while still receiving wind protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible shielding device can be positioned and adjusted to provide wind protection without constraining the smoker's body movements. The flexible material allows the device to conform to different holding positions, maintaining smoker comfort while effective blocking wind.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20250280869A1Collapsible shielding device for smoking articles and method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 BBK TOBACCO & FOODS LLP

AI summary

A collapsible shielding device for smoking articles comprises a top portion configured to receive at least a portion of smoking article therein, a bottom portion, and a body portion juxtaposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. The body portion includes a plurality of segments so that the device can be alternately configured in an extended orientation to shield a smoking article positioned therein and a compressed orientation to permit compact storage and ease of portability of the device when not in use.