Smoking set and filter assemblyTechnical Field
The present invention relates to smoking and a smoking device. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to disposable accessories and components for pipes and mouthpieces.
Background
When smoking tobacco through a pipe, mouthpiece or cigarette, the smoke contains nicotine, moisture, tar and other byproducts of tobacco combustion. The pipe and mouthpiece typically include a filter in the stem to limit the amount of byproducts of combustion that are inhaled by the smoker. Along with the pipe and mouthpiece, the elongated rod also helps to limit the amount of combustion byproducts reaching the smoker, which are trapped by the filter due to loss of heat from the smoke and the transition of suspended matter from a gaseous state to a solid or liquid state.
Over time, the waste byproducts will clog the pipe and prevent smoke from passing through the interior flue. Thus, the pipe and mouthpiece require regular cleaning. Regular cleaning of the pipe and mouthpiece is a burdensome task. Moreover, the cleaning of the pipe and mouthpiece often leaves some waste material behind contaminating the smoke that subsequently passes through the tobacco rod and reducing the enjoyment gained from smoking.
Furthermore, the area directly connected to the outlet end of the combustion chamber is often burned by the high temperature of the fumes, thus reducing the area for filtering the fumes. Eventually, the pipe or mouthpiece has to be replaced as the area adjacent the combustion chamber is damaged.
These problems are a source of frustration for smokers due to the reduced filtration efficiency of the smoke. Over time, the filtration efficiency decreases and the health of the smoker is adversely affected. Also, the need for regular cleaning of the pipe and mouthpiece before the smoker enjoys smoking often turns the smoker away from using the smoking set.
Disclosure of Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable smoke filter which overcomes at least one or more of the above problems.
In one aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a disposable receiving member for use in a pipe or a mouthpiece, the disposable receiving member having a bowl end adapted to be secured to a bowl; the disposable receiving member is elongated and has an interior passage for the passage of smoke, said interior passage being substantially L-shaped with a first opening, said first opening being surrounded by a recess, said first opening being connected in use to the bowl and the outlet end of the combustion chamber, smoke entering from said bowl and flowing down and along the longer leg of said L-shaped internal passage to a second opening at the opposite end of the first opening, the second opening has a wide aperture portion to provide an arrangement of a paper filter within the pipe or mouthpiece, the disposable receiving unit has an outer metal sheath providing thermal resistance and a molded ceramic core capable of withstanding high temperatures and absorbing moisture and other liquid and gaseous end products from the fumes, wherein moisture and exudates in the fumes are absorbed in the disposable receiving member due to the cooling of the fumes as they flow through the internal passageway.
Preferably, a rubber gasket is secured around the circumference of the first opening in the recess to sealingly engage the bowl containing the combustion chamber.
In another aspect, the invention is broadly applicable to a device for smoking a cigarette, comprising:
a bowl having a combustion chamber with an outlet end providing a smoke outlet;
a disposable receiving member as described above connected to the outlet end of the combustion chamber, said receiving member for disposal within a pipe or mouthpiece; the disposable receiving member being elongate and having an internal passage for the passage of smoke, said internal passage being substantially L-shaped with a first opening surrounded by a recess, said first opening being connected in use to the outlet end of the bowl and the combustion chamber, smoke entering from said bowl and passing down through and along the longer leg of said L-shaped internal passage to a second opening at the opposite end of the first opening, said second opening having a wide apertured section to provide an arrangement of a paper filter in the bowl or mouthpiece, said disposable receiving member having an outer metal sleeve to facilitate heat transfer and a moulded ceramic core capable of withstanding high temperatures and absorbing moisture and other liquid and gaseous end products from said smoke, said internal ceramic layer surrounding said internal passage, wherein the smoke is cooled as it passes through said internal passage, the moisture and exudates in the smoke are absorbed in the disposable receiving member; and
a tobacco rod connected with the disposable receiving component,
wherein, in use, smoke passes from the combustion chamber through the receiving member and to the tobacco rod portion.
Preferably, the tobacco rod comprises a mouthpiece and a filter housing within which is disposed a cellulose acetate paper filter, the disposable receiving member being a tobacco rod clip substantially securable within the end of the filter housing opposite the mouthpiece, the tobacco rod clip being subsequently secured to a tobacco bowl, the filter housing being subsequently friction fitted to the tobacco bowl to thereby embed the tobacco rod clip in an operative position in which the tobacco rod clip and paper filter are replaced after use.
Drawings
In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the components of a first embodiment of a smoking article, wherein (a) shows a tobacco rod and a bowl, (b) shows a filter housing, and (c) shows a tobacco stem clip;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the smoking article, wherein (a) shows the assembled device, (b) shows the filter cap, and (c) shows the grip of the smoking article;
figure 3 is an alternate view of a second embodiment of the smoking article wherein (a) and (b) show the assembled device;
figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the smoking article wherein the bowl is replaceable, (a) showing an assembled device, (b) showing the tobacco rod and bowl, and (c) showing the bowl;
figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the smoking article in which the bowl can be screwed into place, (a) showing the bowl secured to the tobacco rod, (b) showing the bowl, (c) showing the filter cap;
figures 6 (a) and (b) show a schematic view of another embodiment of a tobacco stem clip according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a gasket for a cigarette grip clip;
fig. 8 (a) and (b) are schematic views of the filter cover and mouthpiece;
fig. 9 (a) and (b) are schematic views of the filter cover and mouthpiece;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a filter housing including a paper filter;
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus;
figure 12 is a schematic view of a tobacco stem clip for a cigarette holder wherein (a) is a fire cap, (b) is a filter portion, and (c) is an end schematic view of the filter portion.
Detailed Description
Referring to fig. 1, there is shown an unassembled smoking article comprising: a receiving member in the form of a tobacco rod holder 11, a filter housing 12 with a mouthpiece 13, a tobacco rod 14 and a tobacco bowl 15. The tobacco stem clip 11 may be connected to the filter cover 12 at the opposite end of the mouthpiece 13. The filter housing 12 has a cellulose acetate paper filter 16 (shown in phantom) located within the housing 12. When the filter housing 12 and the tobacco stalk clip 11 are assembled together, a filter assembly is formed within the tobacco rod 14. The smoke pot 15 is positioned above the smoke rod 14. When assembled, the combustion chamber of the bowl 15 is connected to the bowl clamp 11 and the filter housing 12. When a smoker draws on the mouthpiece 13, smoke from the combustion chamber enters the grip 11 and then passes through the paper acetate filter 16 in the filter housing 12 and is inhaled by the smoker. The grip clip is shaped to collect moisture, tar and other end products to allow smoke to pass through the aperture 18 at the distal end 19 of the grip clip 11. The cellulose acetate paper filter 16 is used to further filter the particles from the smoke before they are inhaled by the smoker. As the fumes pass through the combustion chamber, they are cooled and some of the waste is transformed into a granular or liquid state. Some particulate matter and liquid waste are trapped within the tobacco stalk clip 11. The tobacco grip holder 11 and cellulose acetate paper filter 16 are disposable and can be easily replaced with a new tobacco grip holder and filter, respectively. The grip clip 11 is preferably made of a metal with a ceramic lining, such as brass or aluminum.
Referring to fig. 2 and 3, a second embodiment of a smoking article 20 is shown. The smoking set 20 has a bowl 21, a rod 22, a mouthpiece 23 and a grip 24. The tobacco rod 22 includes two paper filters 25 (shown in phantom). In this device 20, the device 20 shown in fig. 2 and 3 is similar to that shown in fig. 1, except that the filter housing is part of the tobacco rod 22.
Figure 4 shows a smoking article 40 in which the bowl 41 can be removed and replaced by engaging and sliding it to a position on the tobacco rod 42. The bowl 41 includes an engaging member 43 having a beveled edge for sliding along a channel 44 in the tobacco rod 42.
Figure 5 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a smoking article 50 in which the bowl 51 is removable by a screw thread 52. The bowl 51 may be secured to the tobacco rod 53 by complementary threads in the tobacco rod 53. The smoking article 50 has a filter assembly comprising a grip 54 and a paper filter 55.
Figure 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the tobacco stalk clip 60. The grip clamp 60 is comprised of a ceramic material that absorbs moisture and other smoke end products. The tobacco stem clip 60 has a bowl end 61 adapted to be secured to a bowl (not shown). The bowl end 61 has an opening 62 which, when secured, connects to the bowl and the outlet end of the combustion chamber (not shown). To sealingly secure the tobacco stem clip 60 to the bowl, a rubber gasket 63 (fig. 7) is secured around the circumference of the first opening 62 in the recess 64.
Opening 62 is an entrance into internal passage 65. The channel 65 has an outlet 66 (i.e., a second opening) at the opposite end of the opening 62. The outlet 66 has a wider orifice portion 67 to provide an arrangement of paper filters within the pipe or mouthpiece.
The tobacco grip clamp 60 has an outer metal sleeve 68 for providing thermal resistance and a molded ceramic core 69 that can withstand high temperatures and absorb moisture and other liquid and gaseous end products.
The tobacco rod 80 shown in figures 8 and 9 has a filter housing 81 and mouthpiece 82. The embodiment of figure 8 shows that the mouthpiece 82 has one fluted end 84 which is secured within the end 83 of the filter housing. Alternatively, the mouthpiece 82 may be friction fitted to one end 85 of the filter housing 81 (as shown in figure 9).
Within the filter housing 81 is disposed a cellulose acetate paper filter 82 which is generally cylindrical and has a fluted outer surface 88 to provide an increased surface area for filtering the smoke.
The tobacco stem clip 60 may be substantially fixed within an end 89 of the filter cover 81 opposite the mouthpiece 82. The grip clip 60 is then secured to a bowl (not shown). The filter housing 81 is then friction fitted to the bowl to insert the grip clip 60 into an operative position.
When used or the pipe needs to be cleaned, the grip clip 60 and filter 82 are replaced and the used portion is disposed of. In this way, effective filtration can be maintained and cleaning frustration can be avoided by using replacement parts.
Figure 11 shows another embodiment of a smoking article comprising a bowl 110, a grip 111, a filter housing 112 having a mouthpiece 113, a tobacco rod 114 and a tobacco rod cover 115.
Figure 12 shows another embodiment where a grip 90 may be fitted (retrofitted) into a cigarette pipe 91. The grip clip 90 has a U-shaped bowl 92 for holding the cigarette in position so that smoke can be drawn through the cigarette and grip clip 90 when drawn by the smoker. The bowl 92 is required to support the cigarette and allow smoke to be drawn into the mouthpiece when at least initial combustion is not taking place within the bowl 92. When secured to the mouthpiece, the grip clip 90 has a filter portion 93 in the form of a ceramic mesh 94 through which smoke can pass and penetrate out of a fire cap 95 located on the mesh 94. The fire cap 95 has a central opening 97. As the fumes pass over the ceramic surface of the mesh 94, they will filter the moisture and gaseous end products, which are then collected in the chamber 96 formed by the fire cap 95 and the mesh 94. The collected fumes are cooled by the time they reach the chamber 96, and the phase of some of the fume products is transformed into liquid and particulate matter and trapped in the chamber 96. Smoke can only penetrate out of the opening 97 of the fire cap 95. The smoke then passes through the mouth 98 of the pipe 91.
The assembly of the grip clip with the pipe provides a way to filter smoke from the cigarette without the use of a conventional cigarette butt. The grip clip is also replaceable and can be replaced with a new grip clip when cleaning is required.
Advantages of the invention
This embodiment of the grip clip provides the advantage that it is substantially heat resistant, can absorb moisture and other smoke products, in some embodiments it traps liquid waste and particulate end products and it is replaceable, thus avoiding the need to clean the pipe and mouthpiece. In this way, effective smoke filtration can be maintained without cleaning. But also can obtain the effective utilization of tobacco. By using the tobacco stalk clip in the pipe, all the cigarettes can be smoked, thus saving the cost and reducing the waste of tobacco. And without the need to engage the cigarette.
Change
While the foregoing description has been made with reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that all such and other modifications and variations as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.
Throughout the specification and claims, the word "comprise", and variations of the word such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the exclusion of any other elements, components, integers or steps.