U.S. patent number 3,884,246 [Application Number 05/324,123] was granted by the patent office on 1975-05-20 for optional dry or liquid filter.
Invention is credited to Eric E. Walker.
United States Patent |
3,884,246 |
Walker |
May 20, 1975 |
Optional dry or liquid filter
Abstract
A dry or moist filter element for tobacco smoke is described.
The filter comprises a resilient liquid-impervious tubular casing
with a porous plug of filter material at either end thereof. A
chamber is provided within the casing, between the plugs, defined
by mutually spaced walls adjacent the inner end of each plug. Each
end wall has at least one port therein to allow the passage of
smoke therethrough. A liquid containing, frangible or collapsible
module is disposed within the chamber. The module is shaped to
permit the passage of smoke through the filter, and designed to
admit the liquid contained therein, through the ports, into the
plugs when the central portion of the casing is compressed. The
filter element of this invention then may be used as a dry filter,
or if desired, as a moistened or wet filter merely by compressing
the casing to rupture or collapse the module. Preferred liquids
which may be used in the module include aqueous solutions of
starch, glucose, or salt in biologically acceptable concentrations,
alcohol to prevent freezing, or an aqueous, buffered solution
containing the enzyme amylase.
Inventors: |
Walker; Eric E. (Ft.
Lauderdale, FL) |
Family
ID: |
23262178 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/324,123 |
Filed: |
January 16, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/337 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D
3/048 (20130101); A24D 3/061 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A24D
3/00 (20060101); A24D 3/04 (20060101); A24D
3/06 (20060101); A24b 015/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;131/10.1,261,173 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michell; Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Millin; V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: LeBlanc & Shur
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters
Patent is:
1. A tobacco smoke filter element comprising:
a resilient, water impervious elongated tubular casing having a
porous plug of filtering material disposed in each end of said
casing;
opposed, mutually spaced, disc-like walls disposed within said
casing between said plugs one wall abutting the inner surface of
each plug, said walls defining a chamber within the central portion
of said casing and having at least one port in each wall;
at least one liquid containing module disposed within said chamber
and extending between said walls, said module configured to define
with the ports in said walls at least one passage for smoke through
said filter element;
means carried by said element and cooperating between said module
and at least one port in each of said walls for directing liquid
from said module through the ports into said plugs responsive to
compression of the external walls of said chamber so that said
plugs may act selectively as a dry filter or, when said casing is
compressed, as a filter moistened by said liquid.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said module is formed from
flexible, water impervious material filled with said liquid.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said walls has a coaxial
port opening therethrough.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said walls has a plurality
of mutually spaced ports opening therethrough, said ports spaced
equidistantly around the central axis thereof.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the liquid contained in said
module is an aqueous solution containing a solute selected from the
group consisting of glucose, salt, starch, or the enzyme
amylase.
6. The liquid of claim 5 wherein said solute is present therein in
a concentration of up to about 5 percent by weight.
7. The liquid of claim 5 further comprising ethyl alcohol present
therein.
8. The liquid of claim 7 wherein said alcohol is present in said
liquid in a concentration of up to about 50 percent by weight.
9. The device of claim 5 wherein about 1-2 c.c. of said liquid are
contained in said module.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein said liquid is a synthetic
salivary mixture comprising an aqueous solution of amylase, and
lyzozyme present in a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 3.0
percent by weight.
11. The liquid of claim 10 further comprising an effective amount
of an anti-freezing agent present therein to prevent freezing when
said filter element is exposed to sub-zero ambient
temperatures.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein the liquid is ethyl alcohol
present in an amount of up to about 50 parts per 100, by weight, of
said liquid.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein each wall has a plurality of
ports therein and said module has opposing, rupturable wall
portions; said module being disposed between said walls with each
rupturable portion being positioned immediately adjacent at least
one port in each wall so that when the casing is compressed the
wall portions will rupture and expel liquid through said ports and
into said plugs.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein said module is an elongated
capsule formed of flexible material, and having rupturable end
portions; the longitudinal axis of said casing extending between
said walls with each end portion being positioned immediately
adjacent at least one port in one of said walls.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein the width of the capsule is
substantially less than the width of the chamber perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of said casing.
16. The device of claim 14 wherein the longitudinal axis of said
capsule is aligned with the longitudinal axis of said casing.
17. The device of claim 14 wherein said capsule is disposed in the
chamber with each end portion in sealing engagement with at least
one port in one of said walls so that the end portions of said
capsule seal at least one port in each wall until the casing is
compressed and the end portions rupture expelling liquid through
the ports and into the plugs.
Description
This invention relates to filter elements and particularly to an
improved filter for tobacco smoke which may be used with
cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. The filter of this invention is
capable of functioning in the conventional manner as a dry filter,
or if desired, as a moistened or liquid filter. The filter element
of this invention contains, in a centrally located frangible or
collapsible module, a liquid designed to saturate the porous filter
media therein only when the casing is compressed whereby the
improved properties of a moistened filter element are available
only when desired by the smoker.
Many attempts to design efficient filter elements for tobacco smoke
have been described in the prior art, and several of these elements
contain means for moistening or humidifying a porous filter.
Typically, a module containing water or an aqueous solution is
embedded in the element, and the module is compressed to release
the liquid before the filter is used. The moistened filter material
in the element then exhibits an improved ability to remove the
primarily tars, nicotine, and certain other volatiles from the
smoke. The liquids also may contain flavoring agents, if
desired.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,428,049 to Leake et al one or more
of such modules are surrounded by a compressed filter material in
the element. When the module is compressed the liquid saturates the
filter material causing it to expand and occupy the space within
the element formally occupied by the module.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,226 to Horsewell et al. a liquid-containing
capsule is disposed between an absorbent plug, adjacent the
tobacco, and a nonabsorbent plug. When the capsule is compressed
the liquid is released into the absorbent plug. U.S. Pat. No.
3,596,665 to Lundegard also describes a frangible,
liquid-containing module disposed between two plugs. Compression of
this module releases the liquid into both plugs for enhanced
filtering.
In addition, many different liquids have been used in moistened
filters. Examples thereof are water, glycerin, and aqueous
solutions or emulsions containing aromatic flavoring agents. These
liquids act, in the filter, primarily to cool the smoke and to
facilitate condensation of volatile components therein on the
filter substrate.
However, the aforementioned prior filters lack the desired
versatility necessary for widespread acceptance. In the prior
filters the module must be ruptured before the filter will draw
satisfactorily. In some instances smoke will not pass through the
filter element until the module or the seals therefor are ruptured.
In others, the filter medium is compacted and does not expand to
allow the smoke to pass freely therethrough until moistened by the
liquid.
In addition, when the filter is used out-of-doors under low ambient
temperature conditions, the liquid contained therein may freeze.
The module then will not rupture easily, and the smoker will be
inconvenienced by having to thaw the cigarette before it may be
smoked.
It should be noted that although it is highly desirable to remove a
high percentage of volatiles from tobacco smoke before is is
inhaled, these volatiles enhance the taste and enjoyment associated
with smoking. Accordingly, removal of major portions of these
components from the smoke has not been universally accepted even
though medical evidence indicates that these components may be
hazardous to the smoker's health. Furthermore, studies indicate
that the last few puffs of a cigarette are more harmful than the
first few, but no prior filter known is capable of increased
filtration during the last puffs of a cigarette.
However, it has been discovered that a versatile filter may be
provided which may be used as a dry filter in the well known
manner, or as a moistened filter, if desired. The filter element of
this invention then may be adapted for use both by smokers who
desire maximum filtration with each cigarette smoked; smokers who
desire maximum filtration with only some of the cigarettes smoked;
and by those who desire maximum filtration with only the last few
puffs of each cigarette.
The filter of this invention includes a cylindrical casing of a
resilient, water impervious material having a plug of porous filter
material at either end. A chamber is defined, within the casing by
opposed, mutually spaced walls disposed adjacent the inner ends of
the plugs. The walls, however, have ports provided therein to
facilitate the passage of smoke through the filter element.
A liquid containing module having a preselected shape is disposed
within the chamber. The walls of the module may be frangible or
brittle, or if desired, the walls may be thin and flexible so that
when the central portion of the casing is compressed the liquid
will be expelled from the module into both plugs. If the central
portion of the casing is not compressed the plugs will act as a
conventional dry filter for tobacco smoke.
In addition, it has been discovered that improved filtration
results when the liquid utilized is a biologically acceptable
aqueous solution of for examle, glucose, salt, as a saline
solution; starch; or preferably, a solution of synthetic saliva
extract. The synthetic saliva extract may be a buffered, slightly
alkaline, aqueous solution containing from 0.5 to about 3 percent
of the enzyme amylase, lysozyme, and a mild hemostatic agent, if
desired. The liquid also may contain a high percentage of ethyl
alcohol to prevent freezing, or any other biologically acceptable
liquid useful to lower the freezing point of the liquid moistening
agent.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a
versatile filter element for tobacco smoke which may be used as
either a conventional dry filter or as a moistened filter, as
desired.
It is another object to provide a filter element for tobacco smoke
having a liquid containing module therein which will emit said
liquid into said filter when the central portion thereof is
compressed, but which will not substantially obstruct the flow of
smoke through the filter.
It is another object to provide a freezing resistant liquid
solution in a biologically acceptable concentration; said liquid
encapsulated in a frangible module disposed in a chamber within a
filter element for selectively moistening fibrous tobacco filter
material disposed in either end thereof.
It is still another object to provide a tobacco smoke filter
element having a water impervious casing, a porous plug of filter
material at either end, and a frangible, liquid-containing module
disposed therebetween, said module configured to define, with said
casing, a passage for smoke therethrough, and adapted to emit said
liquid into said material when compressed.
It is yet another object to provide a tobacco smoke filter element
having a water impervious casing, porous plugs of filter material
at either end thereof, mutually spaced end walls having ports
therethrough and disposed adjacent the inner ends of said plugs;
and a collapsible liquid-containing capsule affixed to said walls
adjacent ports therethrough and disposed therebetween, so that when
the central portion of said casing is compressed said capsule will
collapse and emit the liquid through the ports in said walls, into
the filter plugs to improve the ability of said element to filter
smoke passing therethrough.
These and other objects will become readily apparent with reference
to the drawings and following description wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette having an embodiment of
the filter element of this invention mounted thereon;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view similar to FIG. 2
illustrating compression of the central portion of the element of
this invention;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the embodiment of
FIGS. 2 and 3 after the central portion thereof has been compressed
and liquid expelled into the filter material;
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG.
2;
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6--6 of FIG.
2;
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating a
plurality of ports through an end wall in an embodiment of the
filter element of this invention;
FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing an
alternate embodiment of the module of this invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing another
alternate embodiment of the module of this invention;
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing yet
another alternate embodiment of the module of this invention;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing another
alternative embodiment of the filter element of this invention;
and
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross sectional view similar to FIG. 5
showing another alternative embodiment of the filter element of
this invention.
With reference to the drawings, and specifically with reference to
FIGS. 1-4, the filter element of this invention 10 may be mounted,
as shown in FIG. 1, on a conventional cigarette 12 in the
mouthpiece 14 in the well known manner, or it may be utilized in a
cigarette holder, a filter pipe, or on the end of a cigar (not
shown). The filter element of this invention 10, however, is
preferred for use with a cigarette 12 to provide an optional dry or
liquid filter for smoke drawn therefrom. The element 10, may be
recessed in mouthpiece 14 as shown in FIG. 1, or it may be mounted
flush with the end of the mouthpiece in the conventional
manner.
Cigarette 12 contains tobacco 16 wrapped in paper 18, and may be
provided with a cork or other mouthpiece 14. The element 10 of this
invention including a resilient, water impervious casing 20 is then
preferably disposed within mouthpiece 14 abutting the tobacco
16.
A plug 22 of any conventional porous filter material is disposed at
either end of casing 20. The filter material may be any well known
type, and this invention is not intended to be limited to the
particular type of filter material employed. Accordingly, the
filter material may be fibrous material, such as treated or
untreated paper, but must be sufficiently porous to permit the
passage of smoke therethrough.
Opposed, mutually spaced end walls 24 are disposed within casing 20
adjacent the inner ends of plugs 22. End walls 24 together with the
internal surface 26 of the central portion of casing 20 form a
chamber 27 within element 10.
A liquid containing module 28 is disposed within chamber 27. At
least a portion of the external surface thereof contacts surface 26
of casing 20 and preferably end walls 24.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 end walls 24 may have a single, centrally
disposed port 30 therethrough, or a plurality of mutually spaced
ports 32 to allow the passage of smoke therethrough, and to permit
liquid from module 28 to flow from chamber 27 into plugs 22. End
walls 24 may be constructed of any suitable materials such as
polyethylene or polypropylene.
The module 28 may have a variety of different shapes within the
scope of this invention to facilitate the passage of smoke through
element 10. With attention to FIG. 5, module 28 may have the
general configuration of a sphere, with a plurality of mutually
spaced protrubances 34 affixed to the external surface of the
sphere 36. The diameter of sphere 36 should be less than the
diameter of casing 20. However, the distal portions of some of
protrubances 34 should contact the internal surface 26 of casing
20. In this way smoke may pass around protrubances 34 and through
chamber 27, and, as shown in FIG. 3, only a slight external
depression of the central portion of casing 20 will rupture module
28.
In addition, the distal portion of a plurality of protrubances 34
may contact end walls 24, as shown in FIG. 2, if desired.
As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the thin walled
module 28 may be constructed of any frangible water impervious
materials such as a brittle plastic, or a gelatine. Module 28
preferably contains from 1-2 c.c. liquid.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3, when the central portion of casing
20 is compressed with, for example 2-5 pounds pressure, the
frangible module 28 will rupture and the liquid will be expelled
into chamber 27. The liquid will then pass through ports 30 and 32
into end plugs 22 as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, saturating plugs
22.
As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 the liquid containing module need not
be spehrical, but, as shown in FIG. 8, the module 28' may have the
cross sectional configuration of a polygon. The edges 34' of module
28' where the external surfaces 36' intersect should contact the
internal surface 26 of casing 20. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9,
the module 28" may have protrubances 34" which are hollow and
liquid containing, and which contact the inner surface 26 of casing
20.
With reference to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the module of this
invention may have a toroidal shape 40 wherein the external surface
42 contacts the internal surface 26 of casing 20, and a passageway
44 is provided through the center thereof. Alternate embodiments
(not shown) may include a spiral or helical hollow module wherein
the external surface or a portion thereof contacts the internal
surface of the resilient casing.
The liquid containing module of this invention, however, must
provide at least one passageway for smoke. In the embodiments of
FIGS. 5, 8, and 9, the passage is provided around the external
surface between the protrubances 34 or 34" or edges 34' of the
module 28' shown in FIG. 8. The passage may also be provided
through the center of the module in the case of the toroid 40 shown
in FIG. 10.
In this way, smoke from cigarette 12 will normally pass through
plugs 22, ports 30 or 32 in end walls 24 and through chamber 27, if
the smoker desires to utilize the filter element of this invention
as a dry filter. However, in the event it is desired to utilize the
filter of this invention as a liquid filter, the central portion of
mouthpiece 14 is compressed as shown in FIG. 3 and module 28 expels
the liquid contained therein into the filter plugs 22 whereby the
plugs become saturated with the liquid for improved filtration.
With attention to FIG. 11, in the embodiments of this invention
described in FIGS. 1-10, the liquid containing module is disposed
in chamber 27 with portions of the exterior abutting the internal
surface 26 of casing 20 and preferably, walls 24 so that when the
casing is compressed the brittle or frangible module will rupture.
However, it is not essential to provide a module constructed of
brittle material. As shown in FIG. 11, the module may be a flexible
sack 46 having weakened ends 48 of, for example, gelatin, affixed
to the end walls 50. Walls 50 may be provided with a plurality of
ports 52, as desired. In addition, if desired, a centrally disposed
port 53 may be provided in end walls 50. Port 53 may be surrounded
in sealing engagement or plugged by the end portions 48 of module
46. Module 46 then preferably has a lateral diameter less than the
diameter of casing 20 and extends longitudinally between the end
walls 50. Accordingly, when the central portion of casing 20 is
compressed, ends 48 will rupture expelling liquid through the end
portions 48 and centrally located ports 53 into plugs 22.
As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, in the embodiment
of FIG. 11, end walls 50 may be removed and fibrous filter material
used to surround and support module 46 within chamber 27. The
module 46 containing from 1/2 to 1 cc of fluid could be
manufactured as an endless belt for mass production. The liquid
module is embedded in the fibrous filter with clearance enough on
each side for free passage, in this manner allowing a more
reasonable manufacturing cost.
Finally, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of liquid containing
modules 80 may be provided within chamber 82. Modules 80 could be
shaped as segments of a circular dish having a rupturable port at
the flattened end portions 84. Or, if desired, modules 80 may be
shaped like tentacles extending from the internal surface 86 of
casing 88. In this way smoke entering chamber 82 could be
circulated around and through the modules before passing through
end wall 90 and filter substrate 92.
Although a variety of different types of liquids 70 may be
contained within the module of this invention, it is preferred to
utilize a sterile, biologically acceptable solution simulating the
natural body fluid saliva. Saliva typically is an aqueous solution
containing from 0.5 to 3.0 percent of the enzyme amylase, the
enzyme lysozyme, and a mild hemostatic agent. The hemostatic agent
may be any well known, pharmaceutically acceptable compound present
in this embodiment of the liquid of this invention in trace
quantities. It has been found that the filter of this invention
saturated with either sterile human saliva or a synthetic saliva
solution containing one or more of the aforementioned enzymes, is
capable of removing up to about 80 percent of the tars and nicotine
in the smoke from regular or king size cigarettes, and slightly
less than 80 percent from the smoke of longer cigarettes.
In the alternative, the liquid 70 may be water, or a biologically
acceptable aqueous solution of, for example, glucose; salt, as a
saline solution; or starch as a thin corn starch syrup. Typically
the solute for the solution of this invention is present in a
concentration of no more than about 5 percent by weight.
Also, in the preferred embodiment of this invention a biologically
acceptable agent is added to the liquid 70 to prevent the freezing
thereof. A preferred agent is ethyl alcohol which may be present in
up to 50 parts per 100, by weight, in the liquid 70 in order to
prevent freezing thereof at temperatures down to approximately
50.degree. below freezing. Accordingly, it is preferred to include
ethyl alcohol in the liquid 70 contained in the filter 10 of this
invention in a quantity effective to prevent freezing thereof under
ambient temperature conditions.
In summary, the optional dry or liquid filter of this invention
comprises a resilient water impervious casing having plugs of
filter material disposed at either end thereof. End walls having
ports therethrough are disposed within the casing, adjacent the
inner ends of said plugs, to define, with the central portion of
said casing, a chamber. A liquid containing module is disposed in
the chamber.
The module is configured to permit passage of smoke through the
chamber without substantial obstruction so that when the cigarette
is smoked, smoke may pass through the plugs, through the ports in
the end walls and through the chamber, and the tobacco may be
smoked in the conventional manner with only dry filtration provided
by the plugs. In the alternative, the central portion of the casing
may be compressed to expel the liquid from the module contained
therein into the plugs to provide a moistened, highly efficient
filter for tobacco smoke.
Therefore, the device of this invention may be utilized optionally,
with, for example, every other cigarette smoked; with each
cigarette smoked; or with each cigarette after smoking a portion
thereof. Therefore, the smoker will utilize the improved filtering
qualities provided by a moistened filter according to this
invention when desired, and a filter universally adaptable to a
wide variety of different smoking tastes is provided.
Finally, the liquid containing module of this invention, in one
embodiment thereof, is disposed within the chamber with at least a
portion of the external surface thereof abutting both the inner
surface of the casing, and the inner surfaces of the end walls. In
this embodiment the module preferably is constructed of brittle or
frangible material.
In an alternate embodiment the module may be a flexible sack
affixed centrally to the inner surfaces of the end walls. In this
embodiment the smoke will be permitted to pass through ports in the
end walls and around the liquid containing module. However, when
the central portion of the casing is compressed the liquid will be
expelled in the aforementioned manner through ports in the end
walls to saturate the filter materials.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects
as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention
being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *