U.S. patent application number 17/392153 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-10 for smoking instrument personal air filter.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philter Labs Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is Philter Labs Incorporated. Invention is credited to Gianni Grimm, John Grimm, Andrew Lammoureux.
Application Number | 20220039464 17/392153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005813765 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220039464 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grimm; John ; et
al. |
February 10, 2022 |
Smoking Instrument Personal Air Filter
Abstract
As an accessory and in combination to a smoking instrument such
as a traditional cigarette, a personal air filter filtering exhale
and intermittent smoke emissions, is disclosed. The device is
broadly a housing providing a semi-enclosure having a mouthpiece
coupled thereto, the mouthpiece including dual check valve
technology for an inhale and a reverse exhale function. Separate or
multi-directional filters are provided for the exhale function, and
also for filtering intermittent emissions occurring between user
intakes. The configuration and filter technology herein, seeks to
improve air quality in enclosed spaces, additionally further by
minimizing or eliminating second hand smoke.
Inventors: |
Grimm; John; (Santee,
CA) ; Lammoureux; Andrew; (Santee, CA) ;
Grimm; Gianni; (Santee, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Philter Labs Incorporated |
Encinitas |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Philter Labs Incorporated
Encinitas
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005813765 |
Appl. No.: |
17/392153 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63061330 |
Aug 5, 2020 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 13/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 13/06 20060101
A24F013/06 |
Claims
1. A smoking instrument filter assembly comprising: a smoking
instrument capable of emitting smoke or vapor; a main housing
having a longitudinal axis at least partially containing the
smoking instrument; a filter contained within the main housing, the
filter comprising a filter stream in a direction substantially
tangential to the main housing longitudinal axis, the filter for
filtering potentially harmful pollutants for the smoke or vapor; an
inlet plenum in fluid communication with the filter, the inlet
plenum for gathering and directing smoke to the filter; and a vent
approximately a top surface of the main housing for exiting said
filter stream in the direction substantially tangential to the main
housing longitudinal axis.
2. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 1, further
comprising a mouthpiece, wherein the filter is a first filter and
further comprising a second filter, wherein the mouthpiece is in
fluid communication with the second filter, also further wherein
the filter stream is a first filter stream and further comprising a
second filter stream wherein the second filter stream further
comprises the mouthpiece and the second filter.
3. A smoking instrument filter assembly comprising: a cylindrical
smoking instrument capable of emitting smoke or vapor; a
cylindrical main housing at least partially containing the
cylindrical smoking instrument, wherein a portion of the
cylindrical smoking instrument remains exposed; a mouthpiece
coupled to the cylindrical main housing, the mouthpiece in fluid
communication with the cylindrical smoking instrument; an air
filter system in fluid communication with the mouthpiece; an
intermittent smoke intake system further in fluid communication
with the air filter system, the smoking instrument thereby capable
of reducing or eliminating second hand smoke.
4. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 3, the
intermittent smoke intake system comprising: an inlet plenum having
a funnel configuration including a wide area converging toward a
narrow area thereby drawing a volume of air toward the narrow area;
a vent positioned at the narrow area, the vent in fluid
communication with the air filter system, the funnel configuration
further comprising a copper diverter plate at an upper portion
thereof, the copper diverter plate for funneling smoke and air
toward the vent and for providing heat protection to the air filter
system, wherein the air filter system further comprises: a filter
plenum including a plurality of veins providing turbulence to the
volume of air; a first air filter layer contained within the
cylindrical main housing for filtering harmful particulate from the
volume of air; and a second filter layer juxtaposed to the first
filter layer, the first and second filter layers together providing
air filtering in a direction substantially tangential to a
lengthwise axis of the cylindrical smoking instrument and the
cylindrical lengthwise housing.
5. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 4, the vent
positioned at the narrow area further comprising a venturi nozzle
increasing a velocity to the volume of air.
6. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 4, the funnel
configuration further comprising an A-frame with the vent
positioned at the A-frame, the A-frame having a lower portion and
the copper diverter plate at the upper portion.
7. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 3, further
comprising a check valve insert coupled to the mouthpiece, the
check valve assembly including an inhale function check valve and
an exhale function check valve.
8. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 4, further
comprising a filter housing containing the air filter system, the
filter housing snuggly configured to a top of the cylindrical main
housing having a snap-in and a snap-out relationship wherein the
first filter layer and the second filter layer can be removed from
the from the filter housing and replaced or cleaned.
9. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 4, the filter
system further comprising: a first filter stream in a direction
substantially tangential to the lengthwise axis; a second filter
stream in a direction substantially parallel to the lengthwise
axis, the second filter stream further comprising: an carbon filter
including a plurality of filter channels provided therethrough; a
duct in fluid communication with the carbon filter for reversing
direction of the second filter stream; and an elongated tubular
HEPA filter in fluid communication with the duct for filtering the
second filter stream.
10. A smoking instrument filter assembly comprising: a main housing
about a longitudinal axis; a mouthpiece coupled to the cylindrical
main housing; a check valve permitting flow in a first direction
and diverting air flow in a second reverse direction; an air filter
system in fluid communication with the mouthpiece; an intermittent
smoke intake system comprising an inlet plenum further in fluid
communication with the air filter system thereby the smoking
instrument filter assembly capable of reducing or eliminating
second hand smoke.
11. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 10 further
comprising; a cylindrical smoking instrument, wherein the smoking
instrument is coupled to the main housing; a cylindrical smoking
instrument mouthpiece port configured to the main housing for
coupling to the smoking instrument; and a cut out relief in the
main housing, the cut out relief for placing the cylindrical
smoking instrument in the cylindrical smoking instrument mouthpiece
port.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This patent application claims benefit of the priority date
of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 63/061,330 filed Aug. 5, 2020
entitled "Smoking Instrument Personal Filter." Accordingly, the
entire contents this U.S. provisional patent submission is hereby
expressly incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention pertains generally to smoking
instruments comprising a thin paper cylinder, such as a tobacco
cigarette or machine rolled medical cannabis or CBD cigarettes.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an exhale
and/or ambient filter for such instruments.
Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Smoking tobacco or other plant material has notoriously been
practiced in numerous cultures for many centuries. Devices for
filtering exhaled smoke have also been introduced heretofore. One
such early example was proposed by Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,814,
entitled "Cigarette Smoke Cleansing and Smoking Device" and was
awarded patent protection in 1994. Martin describes a smoking
device where a traditional cigarette is smoked through a mouthpiece
wherein the same mouthpiece is utilized to exhale therethrough for
filtering exhaled smoke. Also notably, the Martin device is an
elongated box-like structure that entirely encloses the smoking
device.
[0004] Importantly, in the last couple decades or so, traditional
smoking of tobacco has been banned in places such as bars, casinos
and beaches where smoking has traditionally been permitted. Smoking
has additionally been banned on airline travel for at least about
thirty years where no alternative has been adopted or provided. One
challenge to designing a filter solution is that it should
completely eliminate smoke emitting from the device as any small
smoke emission will be noticeable to people sensitive thereto,
especially in an airline flight environment or similar enclosed
space or building lacking adequate ventilation.
[0005] Recently in addition to traditional cigarettes, cannabidiol
(CBD) cigarette delivery has been developed to treat certain
ailments such as anxiety and pain disorders, as well as increasing
acceptance of cannabis consumption from a machine rolled cigarette,
or "pre-roll." The present invention is intended to be an
improvement of the Martin device, also taking advantage of recent
advancement in materials and manufacturing technology, such as 3-D
printing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates
the above-mentioned deficiencies, more specifically, the present
invention, in a first aspect is a smoking instrument filter
assembly presented either with or without the smoking instrument
(e.g., traditional cigarette). In a broad sense, the invention is a
smoke filter that can filter in two directions separate sources of
smoke. The two directions are two distinct filter streams that pass
one another within the same housing. The filter is specifically a
filter system with different pairs of filters making up the two
filter streams. A mouthpiece with check valve technology are also
joined to the filter system and housing. The various filter stream
channeling provided is also unique to the invention. The channeling
increases velocity, breaks up laminar flow with veins and direction
changes, and further provides increased travel time and distance in
a relatively compact device.
[0007] While the apparatus and method has or will be described for
the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it
is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly
formulated under 35 USC .sctn. 112, or similar applicable law, are
not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the
construction of "means" or "steps" limitations, but are to be
accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the
definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of
equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly
formulated under 35 USC .sctn. 112 are to be accorded full
statutory equivalents under 35 USC .sctn. 112, or similar
applicable law. The invention can be better visualized by turning
now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced
by like numerals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The novel features of this invention, as well as the
invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will
be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar
reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment
smoking instrument filter assembly;
[0010] FIG. 2 presents a side aspect elevational view of the
device;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a proximal end view thereof;
[0012] FIG. 4 provides a first partial exploded view of separable
components of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an additional fully exploded view revealing yet
more separable components;
[0014] FIG. 6 provides a top plan view of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a second top plan view with the filter housing
removed revealing a top surface of the main housing;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken about line 8-8 in FIG.
7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a lengthwise side aspect cross-sectional view of
the invention taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 1, and similarly along
line 9-9 in FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 10 is an end aspect cross-sectional view of the
invention taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 11 is lengthwise top aspect cross-sectional view taken
along line 11-11 in FIG. 2; and
[0020] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view thereof taken about line 12-12
in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an isometric view of a
traditional cigarette novel emissions filter 10 of the present
invention is illustrated. The filter is designed to capture both
smoke exhaled into the device and/or smoke emitted from a cigarette
99 having been lit between user intakes. The emitted cigarette
smoke between uses is referred to herein as or side-stream or
intermittent smoke. In a broad sense, the cigarette or pre-roll
filtration device 10 includes: a mouthpiece 20; a check valve
insertion piece 21; and a housing unit 11 that holds
disposable/replaceable filtering components as well as the
cigarette 99 with the housing unit 11 around and about an outside
surface of the cigarette 99. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate
elevational and end views, respectively.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, sequential exploded
views are provided illustrating separable components particularly
regarding their interconnectedness. More specifically the novel
cigarette filter assembly 10 comprises a cylindrical smoking
instrument 99 (e.g. traditional cigarette or CBD pre-roll) capable
of emitting smoke or vapor; a cylindrical main housing 13 together
with the filter housing 12, together making up the housing unit11.
The main housing 13 at least partially surrounds and envelopes the
cylindrical smoking instrument 99 but does not completely surround
same. A mouthpiece 20 is coupled to the cylindrical main housing
13, the mouthpiece configured with dual valve technology 21, 22. 23
having an inhale and an exhale function; and included is an air
filter system 40 in fluid communication with the mouthpiece. An
intermittent smoke intake system 30 is also provided in fluid
communication with the air filter system, the smoking instrument
thereby capable of reducing or eliminating second hand smoke.
[0023] Still more specifically with regard to FIG. 5 and FIG. 10,
the intermittent smoke intake system 30 herein initially comprises
an inlet plenum 31 having a funnel configuration including a wide
area 32 converging toward a narrow area 33 thereby drawing a volume
of air toward the narrow area 33. A vent 34 is positioned at the
narrow area 33, the vent being in fluid communication with the air
filter system 40. The funnel configuration 32, 33 further includes
a diverter plate 35 forming an upper portion thereof. Still
further, the funnel configuration 32, 33 can be likened to an
A-frame tilted slightly, the A-frame side now having upper and
lower portions where the plate 35 forms the upper portion. The
diverter plate 35 helps funnel smoke and air toward the vent 34 and
provides heat protection to the air filter system 40. In addition
to heat retardation, the main housing 13 may include a thermal
release deodorizer prepared into the polymer, as well as other
plastic components.
[0024] Also with regard to FIG. 4, the air filter system 40
filtering side-stream smoke includes a filter plenum 41 having a
plurality of veins 42 providing turbulence to the volume of air
ascending upward through the intermittent smoke intake system. The
filter system 40 initially has a first air filter layer 43
contained within the housing 11, 12 for filtering harmful
particulate from the volume of air; and a second filter layer 44
juxtaposed to the first filter layer, the first and second filter
layers together providing air filtering in a direction
substantially tangential 91 to a lengthwise axis 92 of the
cylindrical smoking instrument 99 and the housing unit 11; or it
filters in an up-and-down direction across the lengthwise axis 92.
First and second side stream filters 43, 44 are more specifically
comprised of self-charging polyester mesh and anti-microbial
self-charging polypropylene fiber mesh, respectively.
[0025] Also notably and again with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG.
5, housing unit 11 comprises a main housing 13 and a filter
component housing 12 connected and seated at an upper portion
thereof 13. Intermittent side-stream filter air vents 14 out an
upper portion 12 and a lower portion 13 comprises a cut-out relief
15 to load and unload a cigarette 99 additionally providing a
natural feel for a user. During user loading, the smoking
instrument 99 is inserted to main housing 13 and secured
circumferentially into a cigarette mouth piece port 24. From that
point, the smoking instrument 99 can be lit normally due to main
housing 13 comprising flame retardant materials. Said flame
retardant plastics 12, 13 could be pre-treated with flame retardant
materials, as well as thermal release deodorizers. The mouth piece
20 together with the check valve insertion piece 21 houses flow
diversion, whether during an exhale function or inhale via check
valves 22, 23.
[0026] As detailed further herein and with regard to FIG. 1 and
FIG. 4, the filter system has an exhale (second) filter stream in a
direction 92 substantially longitudinal to the cylindrical smoking
instrument and the cylindrical lengthwise housing unit 11.
Conversely, the intermittent (first) filter stream (FIG. 10) is
substantially in the tangential 91 direction. The filter system 40
exhale filter stream initially includes an activated extruded
carbon filter 45 including a plurality of filter channels 46
passing therethrough. The extruded carbon 45 is able to be molded
and shaped according to fine details and tolerances required,
wherein the apertures 46 can be fine-tuned; and the activated
carbon is optionally treated with bonding agents for better
performance. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5., one or a pair of HEPA
(high efficiency particulate air) filters 47 is subsequently
provided and configured at the outer most edges of the housing unit
11, more specifically within the upper filter system housing 12.
More particularly, elongated tubular filters 47 having a single
channel therethrough and are disposable comprised of sustainable,
environmentally friendly vegetable-based polymer, e.g. PLA
(polylactic acid), hemp, or avocado.
[0027] Still further with regard to FIG. 4, the housing unit 11
comprises a main housing 13 with a filter housing 12 configured at
a top surface of the main housing 13. The two housings 12, 13 have
a snap-in and out fitting relationship and can be easily assembled
and disassembled.
[0028] Regarding FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, top plan views of the present
invention are provided; the first illustrated is with the filter
housing 12 in place. As shown, an intermittent stream vent 14 is
provided on a top surface thereof. Also, corners 48 are tapered and
sliced off the housing to configure exhale stream vents 48,
thereto. FIG. 7 provides a top view of the invention 10 with the
filter housing removed hence showing the main housing 13 from the
top vantage point. FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of a top of
the main housing revealing the vents holes 34 in base plate 35. It
is additionally contemplated that the vents 34 are shaped like
venturi nozzles increasing velocity of air flow above to the filter
system and below where the intermittent smoke intake system 30
introduces the side-stream smoke to be filtered. Additionally shown
as provided by FIG. 8, are the plurality of veins 42 that impart
turbulence and tunneling to the intermittent smoke and air flow
stream.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 9, a lengthwise side aspect
cross-sectional view of the invention is provided particularly
illustrating user loading, lighting, and inhaling a smoking
instrument. The arrows depict air flow during the inhale function
as center check valve 22 opens allowing air flow provided by
differential pressure caused by respiration.
[0030] Now turning to FIG. 10, an end aspect cross-sectional view
of the invention taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 1 shows the
intermittent smoke an air flow upwardly through the filters and out
of the intermittent stream top vent 14. Initially, the invention 10
provides an inlet plenum 31 as an initial area for side-stream
smoke to gather as depicted by the arrows. If the cigarette 99
sides had directly contacted the side-stream filters 43, 44, then
the filter system 40 functionality would be compromised. Further
the inlet plenum is shaped like a funnel having a wide area 32 and
a narrow area 33 that the smoke gravitates toward. More
specifically, the inlet plenum is shaped like an A-frame with a
vent 34 carved out of the top of the A-frame 32, 33 serving as the
funnel exit 34. The upper wall of the funnel 32, 33; or the A-frame
is formed by the copper static ion diverter plate that also serves
as a heat shield. The lower wall (lower portion of A frame 32, 33
is simply an inside surface of the main housing 13.
[0031] Still further with regard to FIG. 10 and FIG. 4, the
intermittent smoke intake system 30 transitions into the filter
system 40 wherein smoke and air vents 34 to a filter plenum 41. In
a preferred embodiment, the vents 34 are shaped like venturi
nozzles increasing velocity and imparting turbulence to the smoke
and air. Veins 42 further create tunneling and impart more
turbulence increasing travel time and capture efficiency while
transiting first and second filter layers and ultimately venting 14
out a top surface 12 of the device 10.
[0032] Regarding FIG. 11, a lengthwise top aspect cross-sectional
view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 2 is provided and generally
illustrates a second filter stream substantially along the device
longitudinally axis 92 in that is enters the device 10 at the
mouthpiece proximal end and exits out vents 48 provided at a distal
end. FIG. 12 provides an enlarged view thereof. As shown, user
exhale enters mouthpiece through exhale check valve 23 positioned
above the inhale check valve 22 and transits the extruded carbon
filter 45; subsequently, user exhale is diverted back toward the
proximal end outer edges. More particularly, filtered air is
diverted back toward the proximal end via duct 49 for additional
filtering. From there, exhaled smoke and air transits the one or
more device 10 HEPA filter tubes 47 aligned down left and right
sides (and around filter layers 43, 44) of the device 10 finally
exiting vents 48 at the distal end.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 9 and in its 10 method of
operation or intended use, a cigarette 99 is inserted into the
device 11, and easily lit because a portion of cigarette is exposed
underneath. In other words, the invention resembles a tray or
cylindrical housing that the cigarette is inserted into, however,
the tray is inverted. And in this way, the body portion 11 is an
inverted tray. But however, it is also contemplated that the
invention could be inverted with intermittent filter stream 30, 40
exiting out a bottom of the device instead of a top 12. and the
device operated this way. Once lit, the intermittent smoke comes
off of the cigarette and gathers in the inlet plenum 31. Then the
user inhales for smoke delivery, then exhales either into the
ambient air (assuming the surroundings permit) or back into the
device 10 as the exhaled smoke is diverted through the carbon
filter 45 and to the outside 47 filter(s) and ultimately vented
48.
[0034] Further with regard to FIG. 5, the device has a check valve
insertion piece 21 containing one, two 22, 23 or three check
valves. A check valve 22 at a center area permits an inhale
function (FIG. 9), but however diverts exhaled smoke to the exhale
filter 45, 47 in the exhale function (FIG. 11). The exhale check
valve(s) 23 are at an upper (or alternatively, outer) portion with
respect to the center area, diverting smoke around the side 47 of
the cigarette and the intermittent smoke filter 43, 44.
[0035] As stated herein, filters 43, 44, 45, 47 may comprise
screens, HEPA, carbon (e.g. extruded with apertures), felt, (e.g.
corrugated or as a wrap), and channeling or baffling (e.g. veins
42). Intermittent filters 43, 44 can be disassembled and washed
and/or retreated. Layer(s) of fire-retardant material(s) may be
included in invention embodiments. Additionally, with reference to
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the device 11 is serviced by first removing the
filter housing from the main housing. Subsequently, components 43,
44 may be washed or retreated with deodorizer, for example.
[0036] As stated variously herein and with regard to FIG. 1, FIG.
4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the invention in a first broad aspect is a
smoking instrument filter assembly 10 comprising: a smoking
instrument 99 capable of emitting smoke or vapor; a main housing
11, or 13 having a longitudinal axis 92 and at least partially
containing the smoking instrument; a filter 43, and/or 44,
contained within the housing, the filter comprising a filter stream
in a direction 91 substantially tangential to the main housing 11
longitudinal axis 92, the filter for filtering potentially harmful
pollutants for the smoke or vapor; an inlet plenum 31 in fluid
communication with the filter 43, the inlet plenum 31 for gathering
and directing smoke to the filter 43; and a vent 14 approximately a
top surface of the main housing 11 for exiting said filter stream
in the direction substantially tangential 91 to the main housing
longitudinal axis 92.
[0037] The invention in this first aspect is additionally
characterized, and as illustrated by FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, in that it
further comprises the following: a mouthpiece 20 at a proximal end
of the filter assembly 10 wherein the filter is more specifically,
a first filter 43 and/or 44 and further comprising a second filter
45 and/or 47 wherein the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with
the second filter, also further wherein the filter stream is a
first filter stream 91 and further comprising a second filter
stream 92 wherein the second filter stream further comprises the
mouthpiece 20 and the second filter 45 and/or 47.
[0038] In a second general aspect, and also with regard to FIG. 1,
FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the invention may be characterized as a smoking
instrument filter assembly 10 comprising: a cylindrical smoking
instrument 99 capable of emitting smoke or vapor; a cylindrical
main housing 11 or 13 at least partially (containing) surrounding
and enveloping the cylindrical smoking instrument but not to fully
encase the cylindrical smoking instrument; a mouthpiece 20 coupled
to the cylindrical main housing, the mouthpiece configured with a
dual valve insert 21 comprising an inhale 22 and an exhale function
23 (specifically, the dual valve insert technology comprises one or
more check valve(s) that allow flow in one direction 22 for one
flow conduit; and permit flow in the one direction; but allow flow
in another direction 23 for a second flow conduit (while preventing
flow 21 in the another direction for the one flow conduit)); an air
filter system 40 in fluid communication with the mouthpiece; an
intermittent smoke intake system 30 further in fluid communication
with the air filter system, the smoking instrument thereby capable
of reducing or eliminating second hand smoke.
[0039] Further in this second aspect, and with regard to FIG. 5 and
FIG. 10, the smoking instrument filter assembly 10 is further
characterized in that it further comprises the following structural
aspects: an inlet plenum 31 having a funnel configuration including
a wide area 32 converging toward a narrow area 33 thereby drawing a
volume of air toward the narrow area 33; a vent 34 positioned at
the narrow area 33, the vent 34 in fluid communication with the air
filter system 40, the funnel configuration 32, 33 further
comprising a diverter plate 35 at an upper portion thereof. Also,
main housing inside wall forms the lower portion of the funnel
configuration. The diverter plate is provided for funneling smoke
and air toward the vent 34 and for providing heat protection to the
air filter system 40, wherein the air filter system further
comprises: a filter plenum 41 including a plurality of veins 42
providing turbulence to the volume of air; a first air filter layer
43 contained within the cylindrical main housing for filtering
harmful particulate from the volume of air; and a second filter
layer 44 juxtaposed to the first filter layer, the first and second
filter layers together providing air filtering in a direction
substantially tangential 91 to a lengthwise (longitudinal) axis 92
of the cylindrical smoking instrument and the cylindrical
lengthwise housing.
[0040] Additionally still in this second aspect, and with regard to
FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the smoking instrument 99 filter assembly 10 is
additionally characterized in that the vent 34 positioned at the
narrow area 32 further comprises a venturi nozzle 34 increasing a
velocity to the volume of air. And, the inlet plenum 31 has a
copper smoke diverter plate 35 at an upper portion thereof wherein
the funnel configuration 32, 33 further comprises an A-frame with
the vent 34 positioned at the A-frame, the A-frame having a lower
32, in addition to the upper portion 33 funneling smoke and air
toward the vent 34. Still further, a check valve insert 21 is
provided coupled to the mouthpiece 20, wherein the check valve
insert includes an inhale function check valve 22 and an exhale
function check valve 23.
[0041] Yet still further in the second aspect, the invention is
charactered in that the filter system 40 further comprises a second
filter stream in a direction 92 substantially along the
longitudinal axis of the cylindrical smoking instrument and the
cylindrical lengthwise housing. The second filter stream (FIG. 11,
FIG. 12) further comprises the following: an activated, extruded
carbon filter 45 including a plurality of filter apertures 46
provided therethrough. Specifically, the extruded carbon filter 45
can be molded to the fine details of a specific shape being a
concave insert about the longitudinal axis 92. A duct 49 is
provided in fluid communication with the carbon filter 45 for
reversing direction of the second filter stream. Further, an
elongated tubular HEPA filter 47 is included in fluid communication
with the duct 49 for reversing direction of the second filter
stream. Lastly, filtered second stream air releases to ambient via
vent 48.
[0042] In yet a third aspect, and with regard to FIG. 1, FIG. 4,
and FIG. 5, the invention may be characterized as a smoking
instrument filter assembly 10 comprising a cylindrical main housing
11, or 13; a mouthpiece 20 coupled to the cylindrical main housing
at a proximal end, the mouthpiece configured with dual valve
technology 21, 22, 23 comprising an inhale and an exhale function.
Specifically, the dual valve technology comprises one or more check
valve(s) 21 that allow flow in one direction 22 (inhale) for one
flow conduit and prevent flow in the other direction 22 but divert
and allow flow (exhale) in another direction 23 for a second flow
conduit.
[0043] Further in this third aspect and with regard to FIG. 4, the
invention further comprises: an air filter system 40 in fluid
communication with the mouthpiece; and an intermittent smoke intake
system 30 further in fluid communication with the air filter system
40 and a smoking instrument 99 thereby the smoking instrument
filter assembly capable of reducing or eliminating second hand
smoke. In the various embodiments, the smoking instrument 99 itself
is either explicitly included. Or, the assembly 10 is a stand-alone
device for the smoking instrument 99 to be added later.
[0044] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those
having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that
the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the
purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the
invention as defined by the following claims. For example,
notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth
below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood
that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or
different elements, which are disclosed above even when not
initially claimed in such combinations.
[0045] While the particular Smoking Instrument Personal Air Filter
herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining
the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it
is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are
intended to the details of construction or design herein shown
other than as described in the appended claims.
[0046] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as
viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or
later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently
within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions
now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are
defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
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