U.S. patent application number 10/340257 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for additional filter for cigarettes.
Invention is credited to Squeo, Michele.
Application Number | 20040050396 10/340257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31986045 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040050396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Squeo, Michele |
March 18, 2004 |
Additional filter for cigarettes
Abstract
A cigarette filtering device (1) is disclosed comprising a
cylinder (3) to be put over the standard filter of the cigarette,
and at least a filtering material element (2), put on one of the
basis of the cylinder, and at least a filtering material.
Inventors: |
Squeo, Michele; (Molfetta,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Howard L. Speight
Baker Botts L.L.P
910 Louisiana
Houston
TX
77002
US
|
Family ID: |
31986045 |
Appl. No.: |
10/340257 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/200 ;
131/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/200 ;
131/331 |
International
Class: |
A24F 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 18, 2002 |
IT |
RM2002U000148 |
Claims
1. Cigarette filtering device comprising a cylinder to be put over
a standard filter of a cigarette, and at least a filtering material
element.
2. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one filtering material element is comprised of gauze.
3. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one filtering material element is comprised of cotton.
4. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one filtering material element is comprised of carbon.
5. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one filtering material element is comprised of salts.
6. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein the
colour of said cylinder is identical to the colour of the standard
filter already provided in the commercial cigarettes.
7. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said
cylinder, put on the standard filter of the cigarette, increases
its consistency and thus makes it resistant to the compression due
to the smoker lips.
8. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said
cylinder is comprised of paper.
9. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said
cylinder is comprised of plastic.
10. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said
filter can be applied during the manufacturing of the
cigarettes.
11. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said
filter can be applied to filter-free cigarettes.
12. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 1, wherein said
filter is disposable.
13. Cigarette filtering device comprising a body having a cylinder
shape wherein one side of the cylinder comprises a filter section
and the other side is open in such a way that the cylinder can be
slipped over one end of a cigarette.
14. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 13, wherein said
at least one filtering material element is comprised one of the
elements of the group consisting of gauze, cotton, carbon, and
salts.
15. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 13, wherein the
colour of said cylinder is identical to the colour of the standard
filter already provided in the commercial cigarettes.
16. Cigarette filtering device according to claim 13, wherein said
cylinder is comprised of one of the elements of the group
consisting of paper, plastic, and disposable material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an additional filter for
cigarettes.
[0002] More specifically, the invention concerns an additional
filter for cigarettes by which a system is realized to hold
condensate and nicotine not held by the filters already provided in
the standard available cigarettes.
[0003] In the following, the specification will be given for the
use on regular cigarettes, but it is to be understood how the same
cannot be considered as limitative to this specific use.
[0004] As it is well known, assuming nicotine is very serious for
the health of the smoker. In fact, it has been demonstrated that
smoking creates dependence to the use. Beside nicotine, often it is
assumed also tar and condensate. These substances, with the passing
of the time, can attack soft tissues of the lungs.
[0005] Furthermore, often, perplexities have been raised about
measures stating nicotine and condensate values allowed in the
cigarettes by the present laws. Said measures are obtained by
sucking machines making slow sucking and long pauses without
increasing the accumulation of residuum on the slides.
[0006] At present, cigarettes sold on the market are provided with
a filter to limit the intaking of nicotine and condensate by the
consumer. However, these filters do not filter in a uniform way the
smoke crossing the same. On the contrary, due, for example, to the
squeezing of the filter, smoke passes through preferential paths.
This effect involves that smoke intaken is not completely or
sufficiently filtered and therefore the smoker is obliged to adsorb
a higher amount of nicotine and condensate. The above can be
demonstrated observing that the filters of smoked cigarettes are
not evenly "stained".
[0007] However, they are available on the market rigid material
filters, typically plastic filters, that however have the drawback
of the displacement of the incisive teeth, through which the
consumer holds said filter while smoking. Furthermore, they are
particularly unaesthetic and fastidious during the use. Further,
these filtering means are multiuse, so that the filters are
saturated by tar and other substances produced by the combustion of
paper and tobacco, thus terminating their filtering function, and
thus their health prophylaxis function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the above, it is well evident the need of having
a disposable filter as the one suggested by the present invention,
allowing to better filter in a cheap way the smoke inspired by the
user.
[0009] It would be further suitable a cheap disposable system, that
does not keep residuals and that can be used also for filter-free
cigarettes.
[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore that of
providing a tool allowing to further filter the smoke inspired by
the consumer, in such a way to limit the breathing in of nicotine
and condensate.
[0011] Another object of the invention is that of providing a
disposable filter for smoking, that is cheap, not to raise the
costs of the cigarettes.
[0012] Further object of the present invention is that of making
the filter pleasant under an esthetical point of view.
[0013] It is therefore specific object of the present invention a
cigarette filtering device characterised in that it is comprised of
a cylinder to be put over the standard filter of the cigarette, and
of at least a filtering material element.
[0014] Still according to the present invention, said at least one
filtering material element is comprised of gauze or cotton.
[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, said at
least one filtering material element is comprised of carbon.
[0016] Still according to the present invention, said at least one
filtering material element is comprised of salts.
[0017] Always according to the invention, the colour of said
cylinder is identical to the colour of the standard filter already
provided in the commercial cigarettes, thus making the filter
pleasant and discreet.
[0018] Furthermore, according to the present invention, said
cylinder, put on the standard filter of the cigarette, increases
its consistency and thus makes it resistant to the compression due
to the smoker lips. This makes unlikely the creation of
preferential paths for the smoke flow inspired by the smoker.
[0019] Preferably, according to the present invention, said
cylinder is comprised of paper.
[0020] Furthermore, according to the present invention, said
cylinder is comprised of plastic.
[0021] Still according to the invention, said filter can be applied
to filter-free cigarettes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention will be now described, for
illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its
preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of
the enclosed drawings, wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the additional filter for
cigarettes;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows the application mode of the filter on a
cigarette;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a cigarette introduced within the filter.
[0026] In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by
the same numerical references.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] To better understand the present invention, in the following
the operation mode of the preferred embodiment of the additional
filter for cigarettes will be described.
[0028] Making reference to FIG. 1, it is noted additional filter 1
for cigarette, comprised by a filtering material element 2, for
example made up of gauze or cotton, and by a cylinder 3, for
example made up of paper, that can be of the same colour of the
filters provided on the commercial cigarettes, in such a way that
when the filter is put on the cigarette, it is not noted. Further,
being the cylinder 3 made up of not stiff material, the above
mentioned phenomenon of motion of incisive teeth is avoided.
[0029] Thanks to the additional filtering action obtained by the
present invention, it is possible that the nicotine and condensate
values that can be breathed in by the smokers, and provided by the
laws, are more probably respected.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the way in which the filter is applied on the
cigarette 4. Particularly, beside the additional filter 1, it can
be noted the filtering material element 2 and the cylinder 3.
Cigarette is introduced according to the direction A, introducing
the filter within the cylinder 3.
[0031] Finally, FIG. 3 shows the cigarette 4 after the application
of the additional filter 1. Particularly, it can no more be viewed
outside the filter of the cigarette 4, in fact it is completely
covered by the cylinder 3 of the additional filter 1. If cylinder 3
has the same colour of the standard filter of the cigarette,
additional filter 1 is particularly pleasant and its use discreet.
Furthermore, since cylinder juxtaposes on the standard filter of
the cigarette, it is obtained that the total consistency of the
point where the smoker lips are put is higher, thus making less
probable the creation of preferential paths. In the figure, it can
be further seen the filtering element 2.
[0032] The solution according to the present invention, being
inexpensive, further has the advantage of being directly applicable
by the manufacturers during the production of the cigarette.
Further, the additional filter described in the above can be easily
removed by the smoker not wishing to use the same.
[0033] Obtained by the solution according to the present invention,
that must be underlined is the possibility of reducing the
mortality, the National Health Service expenses, e.g. for periods
in bed and medicines, as well as the probability that the smokers
suffer of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, papillary neoplasia,
etc.
[0034] The present invention has been described for illustrative
but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred
embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or
changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without
departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed
claims.
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