Smoking Device With Controllable Air Admitting Means

Abstract

This invention provides a smoking device arranged to dilute the smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and the like. The smoking device includes a rotating index section, a center section, and a mouthpiece. The rotating index section has formed at one end a smoking chamber which is adapted to receive smoke from the cigarette, and on the other end has a reduced portion rotatably mounted in a socket formed by a peripheral wall and a transverse wall of the center section at one end thereof. The remainder of the center section, being a tubular portion, is slidably mounted in a recess bounded by a peripheral wall at one end of the mouthpiece which has formed at its other end a smoke withdrawal chamber from which a smoker may withdraw the smoke products. The transverse wall of the center section has a plurality of pairs of orifices of varying sizes. Within the reduced end portion of the rotating index section there is a smoke passage communicating with the smoke chamber and a separate air passage formed as a relatively large blind hole with a reduced thickness at the reduced end of the hole forming a space between the end portion and the peripheral wall of the center section to provide a direct passage from the blind hole to the surrounding air. By rotating the index section, the two passages can be aligned with any one of the pairs of orifices to meter a predetermined ratio of air to smoke through the orifices to the withdrawal chamber of the mouthpiece.

Parent Case Text

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 744,500, filed July 12, 1968, and now abandoned.

Description

There have been several devices developed for filtering the smoke of cigarettes to reduce or eliminate the intake of nicotine, tars, and other undesirable material. This is especially true during recent times when medical facts appear to be showing an unfavorable relationship between heavy smoking and early death. Therefore, considerable attention is being given to the actual quantity of smoke intake and any resulting physiological damage. In any event, the statistics clearly indicate that the incidence of early death is greater with an average smoker than it is with a light smoker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In contrast to devices which filter the smoke of cigarettes to remove the nicotine and tars therefrom, the present invention provides a smoking device arranged to dilute the concentration of smoke inhaled from cigarettes and the like. By means of the present device, the smoke may be diluted so that a predetermined ratio of air to smoke may be selected and subsequently delivered to the smoker and thus provide a means for reducing the concentration of the smoke inhaled.

In addition, the present invention provides a smoking device which is both easily operated and easily disassembled to have its parts cleaned or replaced as may be required.

The present invention relates to a smoking device arranged to be inserted between a source of smoke and a smoker. The device includes a mouthpiece having a tubular wall in which a smoke withdrawal chamber is formed at one end and on the other end a recess is formed which is adapted to have the tubular portion of a center section inserted. The center section has a peripheral wall and a transverse wall forming a socket into which a reduced end portion of an index section is rotatably mounted. On the other end of the index section a smoke chamber is formed which is adapted to receive smoke from the source. In the end portion of the index section a smoke passage is arranged which communicates with the smoker chamber. Positioned diametrically opposite the smoke passage in the reduced end portion is an air passage formed as a relatively large blind hole with a reduced thickness at the end portion of the hole forming a space between the end portion and the peripheral wall of the center section to provide a direct passage from the blind hole to the surrounding air. Thus, by rotating the index section, the two passages are alignable with any one of the pairs of orifices to provide a predetermined ratio of air to smoke through the orifices to the withdrawal chamber of the mouthpiece.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification, but for a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the detailed explanations of the preferred embodiments of the invention along with the illustrations of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a small scale perspective view of a cigarette holder embodying the present invention as it may be arranged in use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the rotating index, center, and mouthpiece sections of the cigarette holder shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the rotating index section of the cigarette holder shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the rotating index section shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional elevational view of the rotating index section taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the center section of the cigarette holder shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view of the center section shown in FIG. 6, a portion thereof being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the center section taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the mouthpiece section of the cigarette holder shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a partial vertical section of the device of FIG. 2 assembled in one of its modes of operation; and

FIG. 11 is another partial vertical section of the assembly of FIG. 2 shown in an alternate mode of operation; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the filter is located in the center section rather than in the mouthpiece;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the center section taken along lines 13--13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the end of the center section taken along lines 14--14 of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The smoking device of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is illustrated as a cigarette holder 10 comprising a front section or mouthpiece 12, a center section 14 secured within the mouthpiece 12 and a rotating index section 16 rotatably mounted in the center section 14. A liner 18 is provided in the rear end of the index section 16 for receiving a cigarette 20.

The individual sections are held together on a common longitudinal axis in a manner to be described hereinafter. The typical cigarette 20 is arranged to have one end snugly held within the liner or tube 18 inserted in a recess 21 formed in the tubular wall 16 A of the rotating index section 16. Accordingly, in operation the lighted cigarette 20 will provide the source of smoke to an interior smoke chamber 22 within the rotating section 16. The cigarette 20 is preferably that of the filter-type which entraps much of the smoke particles within the filter and furnishes clean smoke to the chamber 22. The smoke may be further filtered for the smoker by placing a filter "F" within the mouthpiece 12, illustrated in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the index section 16 has a front end portion 24 of a reduced diameter having a conical surface 25 with three resilient and deflectable tabs 26 extending at an angle therefrom. The tabs 26 are angularly spaced around the conical surface 25 at 120.degree. intervals. The end portion 24 is shaped to fit snugly into a socket 28 formed by a peripheral wall 14A, and a transverse wall 29 of the center piece 14, as shown in FIG. 2. The socket 28 has an undercut or enlarged internal shoulder 30 to form a groove 32 in which the tabs 26 snap into when the end portion 24 is inserted or rotated within the socket 28 to allow the index section 16 to be readily removable from or circumferentially adjustable within the socket 28. Surrounding the outer surface of the end portion 24 at angular displacements of 60.degree. are protuberances 34 which fit into holding indentations 36 formed on the inner wall of the socket 28, (see FIGS. 7 and 8). These serve as a detent mechanism to hold and secure the end portion 24 within the socket 28 when it is pressed therein, and rotated from position to position to adjust the air to smoke ratio.

The end portion 24 is provided with a cylindrical smoke passage 40 which communicates directly the smoke via the smoke chamber 22 with the socket 28 of the center section 14. The end portion 24 has been drilled on its outside conical surface 25, with an enlarged drill so that a portion of the surface 25 is removed in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. This drilled hole 42 is blind and is part of a vent or air passage which allows air to be drawn from the surrounding air through the crack or vent formed between the end portion 24 and the peripheral wall 14A of the center section 14, which forms the socket 28. The air flow path formed is shown by the arrow in FIG. 11.

The drilled hole 42 and the smoke passage 40 are equidistant from the longitudinal center line of the rotating index section 16 and lie diametrically opposite each other as indicated in FIG. 4.

The center section 14, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, has a tubular portion 44 which is of a smaller diameter than the end portion 46 in which the socket 28 is formed. The tubular portion 44 is of a diameter and size intended to fit snugly within a recess 48 formed by the tubular wall 12A at the rear end of the mouthpiece 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11.

The vertical wall or orifice plate 29 has a plurality of pairs of orifices, each pair having holes which are diametrically opposite each other and equidistant from the longitudinal center line of the smoking device. And, as illustrated in FIG. 7 there are three pairs of orifices each having annular spacing of 60.degree. from each other. Each orifice has a specific flow area relative to the other orifice in its pair to provide a predetermined ratio of flow area for each pair of orifices and thus a predetermined ratio of air to smoke flowing through each pair.

The pairs of orifices are disposed in the orifice plate 29 a distance from the longitudinal axis equal to the distance that the passages 40 and 42 lie from the center line so that the two passages are alignable with each pair of orifices.

As indicated in FIG. 7, one of the three pairs of orifices provides an 80 percent flow in one hole and 20 percent flow in its opposite corresponding orifice. Another pair has a 60 percent to 40 percent ratio, while the remaining pair has a 0 to 100 percent ratio. It can therefore be seen that although the 0 percent hole as shown in FIG. 8 is not in reality a through passage but merely a blind hole when it is aligned with the hole 42, the smoke hole 40 is aligned with the 100 percent flow area hole on the orifice plate and the ratio of smoke to air is infinite. The 0 percent blind hole is coupled with the 100 percent flow area hole and for the purposes of disclosure is to be considered to be one pair of orifices in the orifice plate 29.

The front section or mouthpiece 12, as shown in FIG. 9, is of a generally tubular nature and has formed at one end the recess in which is secured the tubular portion 44 of the center section 14. Within the recess 48 in the mouthpiece 12, there is an interrupted annular ring 54 which forms one end of a cavity 50 which is adapted to have the filter "F" fitted snugly therein (see FIG. 2). Within the mouthpiece 12 toward the front end there is a smoke withdrawal chamber 56 directly opened to the mouth of the smoker for communication with the orifices in the plate 29 of the center section 14. The mouthpiece 12 has an elongated end portion 58 with a passage 60 therethrough so the device 10 is a cigarette holder of the usual size. Accordingly, the mouth held front end 58 has a bit 62 thereon and is flattened to be easily held between the rows of teeth of the smoker.

The filter "F" placed in the mouthpiece 12 so that the mixture of air and smoke will be filtered immediately prior to being inhaled by the smoker. By placing the filter in the mouth-piece the reduction or dilution of the intake of smoke over the entire range, i.e., 100 to 0 percent, is more efficiently regulated. Whereas, by placing the filter, for example, in the index section 16, ahead of the position at which air is mixed with the smoke, the reduction of the intake of smoke is regulated over only a portion or part of the entire range. Therefore, particularly in the present device which provides a positive control of the intake of smoke, it is preferable to place the filter "F" in the mouthpiece.

In order to properly align the position of the various pairs of orifices with the smoke passage 40 and the blind hole 42, the resilient tabs 26 fit into the groove 32; the protuberances 34 fitting within the holding indentations 36 formed on the inner wall of the socket 28. Accordingly, any pair of orifices can be aligned with the passages 40 and 42 by rotating the end portion 24 within the socket 28 and fitting the protuberances 34 into the holding indentations 36.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a rib 52 aligned with the 100 and 0 percent pair of orifices is provided on the outside surface of the center section 14. The rib 52 serves as a marker and may be associated with the indicia stamped on the exterior of the rotating index 16, as illustrated in FIG. 1 that is, the marker 52 and indicia may be used to select and align the pairs of orifices to provide the desired predetermined ratio of air to smoke.

By turning the index section 16, the passage 40 and 42 are rotated about their common axis and become aligned progressively with each pair of orifices to yield a variety of predetermined air-to-smoke ratios. Thus, one could set the present device for smoke percentages of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 percent. It also follows that one could have an 80/20 ratio of air to smoke or smoke to air depending upon which percentage hole was aligned with the smoke hole.

The present smoking device 10 is operable when the filter type cigarette 20 is placed with its filter end in the liner 18 secured in the rotating index piece 16, and the mouthpiece portion 12 is placed in the smoker's mouth. For the device illustrated, FIG. 2 shows the index section 16 in position relative to the center piece 14 where the 100 percent orifice is aligned with the smoke passage 40 and there is a direct communication from the smoke chamber 22 through the passage 40 and the 100 percent orifice hole through the filter and to the withdrawal chamber 56 of the mouthpiece 12. Accordingly, should the smoker exert a negative pressure, smoke will be withdrawn through the cigarette 20 and the device 10 into the mouth. This position will probably be used when lighting the cigarette and represents a predetermined infinite ratio of smoke to air.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the improved smoking device 10A. In this embodiment the center section 14C is generally translucent and elongated to position filter material F therein. The elongated portion 44A is adapted to fit snugly into the recess of the mouthpiece 12, as previously described. The ratio of air to smoke is selected as described in reference to FIG. 2. The predetermined ratio of air and smoke mixture passes through the orifices in the transverse wall 29 directly to the filter material F. At the opposite end of the elongated portion 44A is another transverse wall or cap 70. The transverse walls 29 and 70 and tubular portion 44A generally defining a center section cavity. The filter cap 70 is also provided with orifices 72 enabling the smoker to draw the air and smoke through the filter F into the withdrawal chamber 56 of the mouthpiece 12 and the filter cap 70 is detachable from the elongated portion as shown in FIG. 12.

The filter material F is contained completely within the center section 14C and is removable therewith. With this arrangement the entire center section 14C and filter F are disposable. When the smoker detects discoloration in the filter material F, the center section 14C is removed from the mouthpiece 12 and a new center section 14C inserted.

FIG. 13 provides a view of the filter material F contained within the translucent center section 14C.

FIG. 14 shows the general arrangement of the orifices 72 contained in the filter cap 70 of the center section 14C. The filtered smoke and air mixture passes through the orifices 72 into the withdrawal chamber 56 and eventually to the mouth of the smoker.

Although the specific illustrations show the invention applied to a cigarette holder it may be effectively utilized in other smoking devices such as a pipe or cigar holder to provide metered and predetermined ratios of air to smoke.

The materials of construction may be metal or plastic, machined or molded and/or combinations thereof as conditions may warrant.

An important feature of the present smoking device is that its various sections may be easily disassembled to be cleaned or replaced as may be required. Another significant feature is when the tabs are secured within the respective grooves and the smoke and air passages are aligned with the desired pair of orifices, the various parts of the device are temporarily locked in position until the index section 16 is turned or rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner.

It should be noted that when the center section contains the filter material and is constructed to be at least translucent, the smoker can readily view the condition of the filter material therein.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes there has been illustrated and described herein specific forms of the invention now known, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in the form of the product disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention covered by the claims and that certain features of the invention may some times be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A smoking device arranged to be inserted between a source of smoke and a smoker, said device comprising:

a. a mouthpiece having a tubular wall forming on one end a smoke withdrawal chamber from which the smoker may withdraw the smoke products of said source and on the other end a recess;

b. a center section having at one end a tubular portion fitted snugly and removably into said recess of said mouthpiece and at the other end a peripheral wall and a transverse wall forming a socket, said transverse wall having a plurality of pairs of orifices with each pair having holes disposed diametrically opposite each other and equidistant from a common longitudinal axis; and

c. a rotatable indexing section having a reduced end portion rotatably and removably mounted in said socket of said center section and at its other end a smoker chamber which is adapted to receive smoke from said source, said reduced end portion having a conical surface with resilient and deflectable tabs extending at an angle therefrom, and said socket having enlarged internal shoulders forming grooves into which said tabs are resiliently inserted, allowing said rotating index section to be removable and circumferentially adjustable relative to said socket, said reduced end portion having a smoke passage communicating with said smoke chamber and an air passage formed as a blind hole with a reduced thickness at the reduced end portion of the hole forming a space between said end portion and said transverse wall to provide direct communication to the surrounding air, said smoke and air passages being disposed diametrically opposite each other and equidistant from said common longitudinal axis to be alignable with one of said pairs of orifices, whereby said end portion is rotated relative to said transverse wall to align said two passages with any one of said pairs of orifices to meter a predetermined ratio of air to smoke through said orifices toward said smoke withdrawal chamber of said mouthpiece and said center section may be easily and rapidly separated from said mouthpiece and said rotatable indexing section for ease in cleaning said orifices in said transverse wall and replacement thereof.

2. A smoking device arranged to be inserted between a source of smoke and a smoker, said device comprising:

a. a mouthpiece having a tubular wall forming on one end a smoke withdrawal chamber from which the smoker may withdraw the smoke products of said source and on the other end a recess;

b. a center section including a tubular portion fitted snugly and removably into said recess of said mouthpiece and outwardly extending end portion having a plurality of pairs of orifices with each pair having holes disposed diametrically opposite each other and equidistant from a common longitudinal axis; and

c. a rotatable indexing section having at one end a peripheral wall and a transverse wall forming a socket in which said outwardly extending end portion of said center section is removably mounted and at its other end a smoke chamber which is adapted to receive smoke from said source, said outwardly extending end portion having a conical surface with resilient and deflectable tabs extending at an angle therefrom, and said socket having enlarged internal shoulders forming grooves into which said tabs are resiliently inserted allowing said rotatable indexing section to be removable and circumferentially adjustable relative to said socket, said vertical transverse wall having a smoke passage communicating with said smoke chamber and an air passage formed as a blind hole with a reduced thickness at that portion of the transverse wall to form a space between said reduced thickness portion of the transverse wall and said end portion to provide direct communication to the outside air, said smoke and air passages being disposed diametrically opposite each other and equidistant from said common longitudinal axis to be alignable with one of said pairs of orifices, whereby when said transverse wall is rotated relative to said end portion to align said two passages with any one of said pairs of orifices to meter a predetermined ratio of air to smoke through said orifices toward said smoke withdrawal chamber of said mouthpiece; and

d. a filter material positioned in said tubular portion of said center section to directly effect the filtering of the predetermined mixture of smoke and air whereby said center section may be easily and rapidly separated from said mouthpiece and said rotatable indexing section and replaced when said filter material becomes discolored.