US20130306692A1

US20130306692A1 - System and method for holding a smokeless cigarette

Info

Publication number: US20130306692A1
Application number: US13/896,072
Authority: US
Inventors: John F. Mangum; Michelle A. Mangum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-17
Filing date: 2013-05-16
Publication date: 2013-11-21

Abstract

A holder is provided for holding a smokeless cigarette device around a neck of a user. The holder includes a hollow cylinder configured to receive a smokeless cigarette device, the cylinder comprising two opposing, open ends and a generally circular sidewall extending between the two open ends, wherein the sidewall comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture positioned opposite from the second aperture; and a cord comprising a first end coupled to the first aperture of the sidewall and a second end coupled to the second aperture of the sidewall, wherein upon insertion of the smokeless cigarette device, the cord is positioned between the sidewall of the cylinder and the smokeless cigarette device to secure the device to the cylinder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/648,277, filed on May 17, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The description that follows relates to an improved holder for a smokeless or electronic cigarette and method for manufacturing the same.
A smokeless or electronic cigarette (hereinafter, “e-cigarette”), is an electrical device that simulates the act of tobacco smoking. An e-cigarette produces a vapor that, when inhaled, has the physical sensation, appearance, and, sometimes, flavor and nicotine content of inhaled tobacco smoke, but without the odor or, arguably, the health risks. As a result, e-cigarettes are primarily used as a smoke-less alternative to tobacco smoking, or as an aid for smoking cessation, and some e-cigarettes are designed to resemble traditional cigarettes in shape, size, and appearance.
E-cigarettes are typically portable, self-contained cylindrical devices that come in varying sizes and may be disposable or reusable. Reusable e-cigarettes include replaceable and refillable components. For example, a typical reusable e-cigarette will include (1) a cartridge that serves as a mouthpiece and holds the liquid to be vaporized, (2) an atomizer or heating element for vaporizing the liquid, and (3) a power source, such as a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Once the liquid within the cartridge of the e-cigarette has been depleted, the user may choose to refill the liquid or replace the empty cartridge with one pre-filled with liquid, depending on the type of e-cigarette. The atomizer of the e-cigarette may require frequent replacement due to a tendency to burn out easily. The battery of the e-cigarette may be recharged using several different methods, including an A/C adapter, a car charger, a USB connection, or a portable charging case.
There are many companies today that sell e-cigarettes or some form of smoke-less cigarettes, and the costs may vary company to company. As an example, an e-cigarette starter pack may cost anywhere from $25-$70, and may include one or more cartridges, an atomizer, a battery, and, in some cases, a battery charger. The frequency of use determines how often the cartridge and/or atomizer must be replaced or refilled, and thereby, the ultimate cost of the e-cigarette.
Given the initial and on-going expenses of e-cigarettes, users have a strong interest in protecting their investment. And, like traditional tobacco smokers, e-cigarette users prefer to keep the e-cigarettes at hand and ready for use when the opportunity arises. However, unlike traditional tobacco cigarettes, placing an unprotected e-cigarette into a pant pocket, for example, could result in breakage and/or spillage of the liquid in, for example, a refillable cartridge. Also, as opposed to traditional cigarettes, the smoke-less nature of the e-cigarette may provide users with more freedom and flexibility as to where and when they can smoke e-cigarettes, thereby magnifying the need to keep e-cigarettes readily available.
Recognizing the needs of e-cigarette users, various types of e-cigarette holders are available on the market today. Many of these e-cigarette holders are specifically designed to hold a certain brand of e-cigarettes, while others are more universal-type holders. One standard example of a e-cigarette holder is a carrying case that is specifically designed to hold one or more e-cigarettes. However, some of these cases are too large to fit into, for example, a pocket and, therefore, are hard to keep within reach at all times. Also, the e-cigarette must be removed from the carrying case in order to smoke it. As another example, some companies sell keychain-type e-cigarette holders that include a slim, fitted pouch for holding a single e-cigarette and a clasp for attaching the pouch to a keychain. With the keychain-type e-cigarette holder, the e-cigarette is typically returned to its storage location (for example, on the keychain or in a pocket) when not in use. Also, the keychain-type holder still requires the user to have a pocket, bag, or other storage location for keeping the e-cigarette readily available.
As yet another example, some companies sell lanyards that attach either directly to an e-cigarette or to a pouch for holding the e-cigarette, and can be conveniently hung around the user's neck. One advantage of many lanyard-type holders is that a user does not necessarily have to remove the e-cigarette from the holder in order to use it. The user may simply raise the e-cigarette from its hanging position to the user's mouth in order to use it, and may return the e-cigarette to the hanging position when finished. This feature is especially convenient if using an e-cigarette while driving and/or if the user does not have pockets, a bag, or other storage means for keeping the e-cigarette readily available. Other reasons that users prefer lanyard-type holders include, for example, freeing up pocket space, ability to keep the e-cigarette close by and generally out of harm's way, and ability to tuck or hide the lanyard/e-cigarette into a shirt, for example, when not in use.
There are several commercially available models of lanyard-type e-cigarette holders. As an example, a model sold by the company EverSmoke is a lanyard-type holder that has a loop of string or cord detachably attached to one end of the lanyard. The loop is slipped onto the e-cigarette and slid towards the center of the e-cigarette until taunt. As another example, the company White Cloud makes a lanyard-type holder that includes a silicon ring with a small slit on one side for allowing a thin cord to enter and exit and thereby create a loop that concentrically lines the inner surface of the silicon ring. The loop of cord and silicon ring are concentrically slipped over the battery portion of the e-cigarette until the silicon ring fits snugly around the e-cigarette. The two ends of the cord are attached to a lanyard connection, thereby allowing detachable connection of the silicon ring to a lanyard. However, users of both the White Cloud and EverSmoke lanyards have complained that the e-cigarette comes loose too easily from the holder portions, for example, after a period of use and/or with a slight tug or bump to the e-cigarette. As a result, e-cigarette owners risk losing their e-cigarettes when using these commercially available lanyards, which is an especially worrisome prospect given the expenses associated with e-cigarette ownership.
Accordingly, there still exists a need in the art for an e-cigarette holder that securely holds an e-cigarette, while keeping the e-cigarette within reach of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is defined by the appended claims. This description summarizes some aspects of the present embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims.
The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved by a holder that can securely hold smokeless cigarette devices of various diameters, keep the smokeless cigarette device within reach of the user, and provide minimal interference with usage of the smokeless cigarette device, even while in the holder, as described herein.
One embodiment includes a holder for holding a smokeless cigarette device around a neck of a user. The holder comprises a hollow cylinder configured to receive a smokeless cigarette device, the cylinder comprising two opposing, open ends and a generally circular sidewall extending between the two open ends, wherein the sidewall comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture being positioned on opposites sides of the sidewall; and a cord comprising a first end coupled to the first aperture of the sidewall and a second end coupled to the second aperture of the sidewall. Upon insertion of the smokeless cigarette device, the cord is positioned between the sidewall of the cylinder and the smokeless cigarette device to secure the device to the cylinder.
In another embodiment, a method is provided for assembling a holder for holding a smokeless cigarette device around a neck of a user. The method comprises the steps of providing a hollow cylinder having two opposing open ends and a generally circular sidewall extending between the two open ends; forming two diametrically opposed apertures in the sidewall of the cylinder; providing a cord having a length and a width; coupling a first end of the cord to a first aperture of the cylinder; and coupling a second end of the cord to a second aperture of the cylinder.
Other articles of manufacture, features, and advantages of the present invention will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional articles of manufacture, features, and advantages included within this description be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an embodiment of an e-cigarette holder as disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the e-cigarette holder shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the e-cigarette holder shown in FIG. 1.

Illustrative and exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to and in conjunction with the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of the invention in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in such a way to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiments described herein, but also other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the disclosure is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a holder 100 that can securely hold an e-cigarette 105 placed therein while being worn around, e.g., hanging from, a neck of a user or otherwise hanging from the holder. The holder 100 includes a cord 110 that allows for hanging of the e-cigarette 105 and a hollow cylinder 120 that attaches the e-cigarette 105 to the cord 110. The cord 110 includes a first end 112 and a second end 114. The cylinder 120 of the holder 100 includes a generally circular sidewall 122 extending between two opposing open ends 124 and 126. The sidewall 122 includes a first aperture 130 and a second aperture 132. Each of the apertures 130 and 132 may be positioned at a predetermined location between the two opposing ends 124 and 126 on the sidewall 122. According to some embodiments, the apertures 130 and 132 are positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the sidewall 122. For example, the apertures 130 and 132 may be located in the middle of the sidewall 122 or half way between the two opposing ends 124 and 126. In other embodiments, the apertures 130 and 132 may be vertically offset from each other relative to the opposing ends 124, 126 of the sidewall 122. For example, the aperture 130 may be positioned closer to the end 124 than to the end 126, and the aperture 132 may be positioned closer to the end 126 than to the end 124. As another example, a first plane that passes through the aperture 130 may be parallel to a second plane that passes through the aperture 132, wherein the first plane and the second plane are both perpendicular to the sidewall 122. According to one aspect, offsetting the apertures 130 and 132 may allow the holder 100 to lie flat when placed on a level surface.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first end 112 of the cord 110 is coupled to the first aperture 130 of the sidewall 122, and the second end 114 of the cord 110 is coupled to the second aperture 132 of the sidewall 122. The ends 112, 114 may be coupled to the apertures 130, 132, respectively, using one or more of a number of known mechanisms for coupling one article to another, including, but not limited to, adhesives (e.g., tape, glue, cement, etc.) and fasteners (e.g., hook and loop, staples, pegs, nails, etc.). According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ends 112, 114 of the cord 110 may be coupled to the sidewall 122 by inserting the ends 112, 114 into the apertures 130, 132 and tying them into knots 140, 142, respectively, on an outer surface of the sidewall 122. The knots 140, 142 may be made large enough to ensure that the ends 112, 114 of the cord 110 do not slip free from the apertures 130, 132, respectively. For example, each of the knots 140, 142 may be sized to be larger than a diameter of each of the apertures 130, 132, respectively.
In other embodiments, instead of the knots 140, 142, other techniques may be used to enlarge the ends 112, 114 of the cord 110, to prevent the ends 112, 114 from slipping out of the apertures 130, 132. For example, in one embodiment, the ends 112, 114 may be attached to end caps (not shown) (e.g., made of metal, plastic, silicone, rubber, or the like) that are dimensioned to be at least larger than a diameter of the apertures 130, 132. Other techniques that may be used to enlarge the ends 112, 114 may include, for example, using an adhesive, fastener, or other attachment mechanism to loop the cord 110 onto itself, burning, torching, or otherwise heating and hardening the ends 112, 114, or any other known technique for enlarging the ends of a cord.
In some embodiments, the apertures 130, 132 may be specifically sized and shaped to receive respective ends 112, 114 and allow the cord 110 to be strung, or passed, through the apertures 130, 132. For example, if the cord 110, e.g., the ends 112, 114, has a generally circular shape, the apertures 130, 132 may be small holes having a generally circular shape and a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the ends 112, 114. As another example, if the cord 110 has a generally flat shape, the apertures 130, 132 may have a more flattened, or oval, shape and may be dimensioned to be larger than the ends 112, 114.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, the cord 110 and the cylinder 120 form a substantially closed loop 150. For example, the loop 150 may be defined by starting at the first knot 140, following the cord 110 towards the second knot 142, then proceeding over the sidewall 122 of the cylinder 120 and ending back at the first knot 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the loop 150 forms an opening 152 that is designed to receive a head of a user, for example, so that the user can slip the holder 100 over his/her head and wear the holder 100 around the user's neck. Accordingly, the cord 110 may be dimensioned to allow at least a head of the user to comfortably pass through the opening 152 of the loop 150. In some embodiments, for example, the cord 110 may have a length that is several inches larger than the average head circumference of an adult male.
In some embodiments, the holder 100 may be configured to enable a user to use, e.g., inhale vapors from, an e-cigarette 105 being held within the holder 100 without removing it from the holder 100 and/or without removing the holder 100 from its position around the user's neck. For example, in one embodiment, the cord 110 may have a length that is at least sufficient to allow comfortable manipulation of the e-cigarette 105 between a resting position and a using position. As an example, the e-cigarette 105 may be in a resting position when hanging down from an end of the holder 100 that is opposite from the end of the holder that is adjacent to, e.g., being worn around, the user's neck. While in the resting position, the e-cigarette 105 may be adjacent to the user's torso, for example. The user may move the e-cigarette 105 from this resting position to the using position by lifting a mouthpiece of the e-cigarette 105 to his/her mouth to vape, e.g. inhale the vapors of, the e-cigarette 105. As an example, some users may (advertently or inadvertently) extend the e-cigarette 105 away from their mouth while using the e-cigarette 105, for example, to mimic a hand-motion that is commonly performed by tobacco cigarette smokers when exhaling cigarette smoke. Accordingly, the length of the cord 110 may be selected to allow any or all of the above movements to occur comfortably, e.g., with minimal tugging or pulling of the cord 110, while the user is wearing the holder 100 around his/her neck.
In some embodiments, the cord 110 may have an adjustable length to better accommodate users based on various criteria, including, but not limited to, gender, height, head circumference, usage preferences (e.g., using the e-cigarette 105 while held in the holder 100, attaching the holder 100 to a keychain ring, belt buckle or bag), etc. For example, adjustable end caps, or small barrel-like enclosures used in jewelry-making, may be attached to the cord 110 for providing an adjustable cord length. In another embodiment, one or more versions of the cord 110 may be produced to accommodate various types of users. For example, the cord 110 may be produced in three different lengths (e.g., small, medium, and large) to accommodate users of different sizes, and the user may select a holder 100 based on a desired length of the cord 110. In one embodiment, a small-sized cord may have a length of 28 inches, a medium-sized cord may have a length of 32 inches, and a large-sized cord may have a length of 36 inches.
In one embodiment, the cord 110 may be produced with a shorter length that is unable to fit over a user's head. This shorter length may be desirable for non-lanyard type uses, such as, for example, attachment to a key chain, a bag, or a belt buckle. The user may wish to have more than one length of cord 110 available, to allow the user to change the type of holder (e.g., lanyard, keychain, etc.) based on the user's current needs. For example, in certain social situations, it may not be appropriate to carry a lanyard-type holder 100. In one embodiment, the holder 100 may include both a lanyard-length cord 110 and a keychain-length cord 110 to provide the user with greater flexibility.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the cylinder 120 may be configured to receive an e-cigarette 105 through one open end 124/126 and pass at least a portion of the e-cigarette 105 through the other open end 126/124. For example, where the e-cigarette 105 has a generally cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder 120 may have a diameter that is at least slightly larger than a diameter of the e-cigarette 105 to easily receive the e-cigarette 105, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the cylinder 120 may be manufactured in various versions to accommodate various brands of e-cigarettes. For example, the cylinder 120 may be produced in three different diameters to correlate with the respective diameters of three select brands of e-cigarettes. In some embodiments, the cylinder 120 may be configured to have a shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the e-cigarette 105. For example, if, rather than have a circular cross-sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 2, the e-cigarette 105 has a more oval shape, the cylinder 120 may be configured to have a corresponding oval cross-sectional shape.
A length of the cylinder 120 may be selected to minimize interference of the cylinder 120 with usage of the e-cigarette 105. For example, in one embodiment, the cylinder 120 may be dimensioned to fit over at least a segment of a battery portion and/or an atomizer portion of the e-cigarette 105, but not a cartridge portion of the e-cigarette 105, since the cartridge portion of an e-cigarette 105 may need to be removed, refilled, and/or replaced relatively frequently, as described above. According to this embodiment, the cartridge portion may be removed as needed without uncoupling the whole e-cigarette 105 from the holder 100. In one embodiment, the length of the cylinder 120 is at least 0.5 inch.
To securely hold the e-cigarette 105 within the cylinder 120 upon receipt thereof, the cord 110 may be positioned between the e-cigarette 105 and the sidewall 122 on opposite sides of the cylinder 120 so as to create a press fit, or friction fit, between the cord 110, the e-cigarette 105, and the sidewall 122. For example, placement of the cord 110 on opposite sides of the cylinder 120 may double the frictional force exerted by the surfaces within the cylinder 120 against each other, and thereby create a more secure hold of the e-cigarette 105 within the cylinder 120. When inserting the e-cigarette 105 into the cylinder 120, the user may need to hold the cord 110 in position on opposite sides of the cylinder 120 until the e-cigarette 105 is pushed into position against the cord 110. To remove the e-cigarette 105 from the cylinder 120, the user may need to apply a force, e.g., to the e-cigarette 105, that is greater than the frictional forces that keeps the cord 110, the e-cigarette 105, and the cylinder 120 pressed together.
As shown in FIG. 2, because the diameter of cylinder 120 is slightly larger than the e-cigarette 105, there may be a gap within the cylinder 120 between the inner surface of the sidewall 122 and the e-cigarette 105. In some embodiments, the cord 110 may be configured to have a width or thickness sufficient to fill this gap within the cylinder 120 from two opposing sides of the e-cigarette 105, like the cord 110 shown in FIG. 2. For example, in one embodiment, the width or thickness of the cord 110 may be at least half of a difference between the diameter of the cylinder 120 and the diameter of the e-cigarette 105.
In some embodiments, the cord 110 may be made of a flexible material that is flexible enough to be compressed between the cylinder 120 and the e-cigarette 105 and strong enough to support the weight and usage of the holder 100 and the e-cigarette 105. For example, the cord 110 may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene, cotton, satin, silk, rayon, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the cylinder 120 may be made of a light-weight material that is strong enough to support the e-cigarette 105, such as, for example, plastic, rubber, silicone, titanium, aluminum, and the like. In one embodiment, the cord 110 and/or the cylinder 120 may be made of a material and/or have a coating that has a relatively high coefficient of friction, to strengthen the press fit of the cord 110 and the e-cigarette 120 within the cylinder 120.
In some embodiments, the components of the holder 100 may be specifically selected, dimensioned, and/or configured to fit a selected brand of e-cigarette. For example, the cylinder 120 may be made in various different lengths, widths, and/or shapes depending on the brand of e-cigarette 105 for which the holder 100 is being manufactured. Similarly, the width or thickness of the cord 110 may be specifically selected based on the brand of e-cigarette and/or a difference between the diameter of the cylinder 120 and the diameter of the e-cigarette. For example, the thickness of the cord 110 may be selected to securely fit in the space between the e-cigarette 105 and the cylinder 120.
In one embodiment, instead of varying the diameter of the cylinder 120 for each type of e-cigarette 105, the type of cord 110 used in the holder 100 may be varied to accommodate for the difference in diameter of different brands of e-cigarettes. For example, for slimmer e-cigarettes, a thicker cord 110 may be inserted into the cylinder 120 to create a friction fit between the e-cigarette 105 and the cylinder 120. As another example, if a particular brand of e-cigarette has a larger diameter, a thinner cord 110 may be selected for use with that e-cigarette. In one embodiment, the cylinder 120 may have a single diameter that is large enough to receive through the open ends 124, 126 each of a plurality of available e-cigarettes from different brands or companies. In this embodiment, the cord 110 may be offered in various thicknesses, with each thickness being appropriate for creating a friction fit between the cylinder 120 and a selected one of the plurality of available e-cigarettes.
In one embodiment (not shown), the holder 100 may include two fastenable ends on the cord 110 and a fastening mechanism, so that the user may fasten the two fastenable ends around the user's neck, e.g., like a standard necklace. For example, to wear the holder 100 according to this embodiment, the user may open the fastening mechanism, place the holder 100 around the user's neck, and then close the fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may include a clasp, a closure, a knot formed by tying two ends of the cord 110, and the like.
Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is a process 200 for manufacturing a holder 100 for holding a smokeless cigarette device or e-cigarette 105 around a neck of a user. The process 200 may begin at step 202 by providing a hollow cylinder 120 having two opposing open ends 124,126 and a generally circular sidewall 122 extending between the two open ends 124, 126. At step 204, two apertures 130, 132 may be formed on opposite sides of the sidewall 122 of the cylinder 120. At step 206, a cord 110 having a length and a width may be provided. In one embodiment, the length of the cord 110 is selected to allow user movement of the cylinder between a resting position and a using position when the cord is worn around the neck of the user. In one embodiment, the width of the cord is selected to keep the smokeless cigarette device securely pressed against the cylinder 120 upon receipt of the smokeless cigarette device in the cylinder 120. At step 208, a first end 112 of the cord 110 may be coupled to a first aperture 130 of the cylinder 122. At step 210, a second end 114 of the cord 110 may be coupled to a second aperture 132 of the cylinder 120. According to one aspect, upon inserting the smokeless cigarette device into the cylinder 120, the cord 110 may be positioned between the sidewall 122 of the cylinder 120 and the smokeless cigarette device to secure the device to the cylinder 120.
The holder 100 as described herein provides a secure and simply constructed lanyard-type holder for an e-cigarette device that provides minimal visual obstruction of or functional interference with the e-cigarette device. In addition, the holder 100 may be specifically designed to fit a particular brand of e-cigarettes, or may be adaptable to one or more e-cigarette brands, as described herein.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A holder for holding a smokeless cigarette device around a neck of a user, comprising:

a hollow cylinder configured to receive a smokeless cigarette device, the cylinder comprising two opposing, open ends and a generally circular sidewall extending between the two open ends, wherein the sidewall comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture being positioned on opposing sides of the sidewall; and

a cord comprising a first end coupled to the first aperture of the sidewall and a second end coupled to the second aperture of the sidewall,

wherein upon insertion of the smokeless cigarette device into the cylinder, the cord is positioned between the smokeless cigarette device and the sidewall of the cylinder to secure the device to the cylinder.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the cord is dimensioned at least to allow user movement of the cylinder between a resting position and a using position when the cord is worn around the neck of the user.

3. The holder of claim 2, wherein the cord is dimensioned to allow at least a head of the user to pass through an opening of a substantially closed loop formed by the cord and the cylinder.

4. The holder of claim 3, wherein the cord has a length of at least 28 inches.

5. The holder of claim 1, wherein the cord has a width dimensioned to keep the smokeless cigarette device securely pressed against the cylinder.

6. A method of assembling a hands-free holder for holding a smokeless cigarette device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a hollow cylinder having two opposing open ends and a generally circular sidewall extending between the two open ends;

forming two apertures on opposing sides of the sidewall of the cylinder;

providing a cord having a length and a width;

coupling a first end of the cord to a first aperture of the cylinder; and

coupling a second end of the cord to a second aperture of the cylinder.

7. The method of claim 6, further including:

selecting the length of the cord to allow user movement of the cylinder between a resting position and a using position when the cord is worn around the neck of the user.

8. The method of claim 7, further including:

selecting the length of the cord to allow at least a head of the user to pass through an opening of a substantially closed loop formed by the cord and the cylinder.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the length of the cord is at least 28 inches.

10. The method of claim 6, further including:

selecting the width of the cord to keep the smokeless cigarette device securely pressed against the cylinder.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein upon inserting the smokeless cigarette device into the cylinder, the cord is positioning between the sidewall of the cylinder and the smokeless cigarette device to secure the device to the cylinder.