Tobacco Smoking Equipment

Abstract

Tobacco smoking equipment comprising a disposable charge housing formed by compressing a folded section of porous and absorbent paper within a folded section of small mesh metal screen which is subsequently shaped into a sleeve-like unit wherein the opposite ends of the assembly are in overlapping relationship. The thusly formed charge housing is fully inserted in the ventilated bowl section of a smoking holder having a stem section affixed thereto in a pipe like configuration. Additionally, a small hole is provided in the forward portion of the stem section which penetrates into the longitudinal smoke channel within said stem section, said hole being covered by a tapered sleeve like member having a triangular shaped opening in the sidewall thereof. The tapered sleeve member is slidably installed on the aforesaid stem section so as to provide an adjustable valve member for blending air with the tobacco smoke in controllable amounts.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and novel means of smoking tobacco.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thus far the smoking of tobacco has been confined primarily to three basic adaptations, pipe, cigar and cigarette. It is well known that all of these methods of tobacco usage have objectionable features. In the case of tobacco smoking pipes, the combustion of the tobacco charge is sometimes poor. This characteristic may result in wasted tobacco and the need for frequent relighting. Additionally, the smoke and pipe bowl may become unpleasantly hot and a foul tasting fluid may accumulate in the stem section. Efforts have been made to improve the combustion of tobacco in smoking pipes through the use of small air vent openings in the pipe bowl section, however, such procedure has met with little success due to the fact that the openings must obviously be very small if the pipe is to function properly and so they are consequently soon plugged with tobacco tar and rendered ineffective. Another approach to the problem has been to encase the tobacco charge in an impermeable paper wrapper such as cigarette paper and to seat such a charge in a spaced relationship in a pipe having a perforated bowl side wall. This procedure is covered in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,428, issued Oct. 16, 1973, and entitled "Smoking Pipe and Preformed Charger Combination." Although this latter arrangement assures improved combustion of the tobacco charge, it has the disadvantage that the paper wrapper is consumed with each pipe load and must be replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a new and novel means for smoking tobacco or other such like materials, wherein the equipment is similar in appearance to a tobacco smoking pipe, but wherein the principles of combustion and operation are quite different.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pipe-like means for smoking tobacco wherein tobacco waste is reduced due to more complete combustion.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a pipe-like means for smoking tobacco wherein the air supply to the burning tobacco charge is not primarily dependent on the smoker drawing on the stem section, thus eliminating the need for frequent relighting.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a pipe-like means for smoking tobacco wherein the accumulation of foul tasting fluids in the stem section is substantially reduced.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a pipe-like means for smoking tobacco wherein evaporative cooling of the charge housing and smoke stream automatically results.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a means for smoking tobacco wherein the tobacco charge is encompassed by a combustible paper section which is permeable and absorbent in such a manner that it does not burn and is reusable.

Although the aerodynamics of the smoke stream through the charge housing section of the subject invention are not completely clear it is believed that a high percentage of the smoke stream finds the path of least resistance to be near the side wall of the charge housing due to the wire screen irregularities, that partial condensation of the vaporized liquid products of combustion occurs in the charge housing side wall area and that such products are absorbed by the permeable and absorbent paper section, and that evaporative cooling occurs due to heat and the air filtration therethrough.

It should be pointed out that the heat dissipating characteristics of a wire screen double side wall plays an important part in the hereinbefore recited condensation action and that such heat dissipation along with the resulting absorbed moisture are the factors which prevent the permeable and absorbent paper section from burning.

It will be found that for the best results however that the wire screen and permeable and absorbent paper charge housing should be periodically replaced since tobacco tar buildup on these parts will gradually reduce the effectiveness of the assembly.

Further and additional objects and advantages will subsequently become apparent from the description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference is now made to the drawings forming a part hereof and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is exploded perspective view of the folded metal screen section and the folded porous and absorbent paper section which form the disposable charge housing.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view which illustrates the assembly of FIG. 1 after being compressed into a flexible strip.

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration which shows how the assembly of FIG. 2 is initially rolled in forming the disposable charge housing.

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration which shows the assembly of FIG. 2 formed into the completed charge housing with the ends thereof connected.

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of the smoking holder in partial section with the valve sleeve retracted from the valve hole.

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of the smoking holder of FIG. 5 with the charge housing of FIG. 4 fully seated in the bowl cavity thereof and with the valve member in place.

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of the slidable valve member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 a section of small mesh metal screen 10 is utilized which is folded exactly in the center lengthwise. Conventional household type aluminum screen having approximately a one-sixteenth inch mesh size and ten thousandths of one inch wire diameter will give good results, or any other small mesh flexible metal wire screen other than that which may be coated with some undesirable substance. The width of the folded screen section should approximately equal the depth of the bowl cavity of the smoking holder which will subsequently be discussed and the length of the folded metal screen section should approximately equal the internal circumference of the charge housing seats within the bowl cavity plus about three-eighths of one inch. A folded section of porous and absorbent paper 11 is also provided and inserted within the folded metal screen section 10 wherein the dimensions are exactly the same as those of the metal screen section 10 with the exception that it is one quarter of one inch longer in width and with this excess portion which is indicated by the numeral 12 being additionally folded backward and up as illustrated. A wide variety of porous and absorbent paper which is adaptable for this use is readily available at extremely low cost in the form of paper towels. Any of these which have porosity and absorption characteristics which are approximately similar to the Scott Paper Co. product which is covered by U.S. Pat. No. 2,834,809 or the Proctor and Gamble Co. product which is covered by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,301,746; 3,414,459 and D-212,049 will give good results. However, it is not intended that the invention be confined to these paper products or to the two paper layer construction since other paper products are adaptable and especially so when the number of paper layers are increased or decreased.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 2, it can be seen that after the folded porous and absorbent paper section 11 is fully inserted into folded metal screen section 10 and the assembly is compressed so that a flexible strip combination results wherein the component parts are in frictional attachment. It should also be noted that FIG. 2 illustrates the reverse side of the assembly of FIG. 1.

Referring again to the drawings and more particular to FIG. 3, the assembly of FIG. 2 is wrapped around a cylindrical member (not shown) and caused to assume a sleeve like shape wherein the ends 13 and 14 of the assembly are in overlapping but unattached relationship. Due to the resiliency of the metal screen section or its tendency to unroll the diameter of the sleeve like assembly which has been and will hereinafter be referred to as the disposable charge housing will be approximately twice the diameter of the aforesaid cylindrical member which is used in forming it. It should also be noted that in forming the disposable charge housing that excess paper strip 12 should always be folded up around the external side of the assembly so as to provide a gasket like element when the disposable charge housing is subsequently seated in the bowl cavity of the smoking holder. It should also be obvious that a similar gasket-like element can be provided between the vertical overlapping edges 13 and 14 of the assembly if an excess paper strip similar to paper strip 12 is allowed to extend beyond the folded metal screen edges 13 and wherein it is folded backwards so as to reside between vertical overlapping edges 13 and 14 of the cylindrical formed charge housing. It should be further explained that folded edge 13 of metal screen section 10 which results in being the external overlap of the disposable charge housing assembly should preferably be woven or otherwise finished to prevent unraveling. This can be accomplished by the use of a woven edge or in those cases where this is not practical the wire strands along this edge 13 should be bonded together with epoxy glue or other suitable bonding agent in order to prevent wire screen edge 13 from unraveling. On the other hand, it is not necessary or desirable that the small wires forming the wire screen edge 13 of the assembly be in attachment since the rolling procedure which is used in forming the assembly is facilitated if they are not, furthermore the short projections of the horizontal strands which result when the metal wire screen is cut serve a useful purpose in the disposable charge housing assembly by engaging in the wire screen mesh of the interior side wall of the assembly at the point of contact and interlocking thereby assuring that vertical wire screen internal edge 14 does not subsequently collapse. Furthermore, it should be explained that the advantage of using a charge housing assembly as illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the opposite overlapping edges 13 and 14 are not in attachment resides in the fact that such an assembly is adaptable for use without modification in smoking holders wherein the bowl seats 16A are of different diameters. However, the overlapping charge housing edges 13 and 14 may be permanently attached in any well known manner such as by the use of a suitable adhesive or mechanical means such as wire staples or a combination of both (not shown).

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 4, a smoking holder is illustrated which is suitable for use in conjunction with the previously described disposable charge housing. As can be seen the smoking holder is similar to a conventional tobacco smoking pipe having a bowl 15, an inner stem section 20 attached to the lower portion thereof and an outer stem section 22 removably attached thereto said stem sections 20 and 22 having a longitudinal smoke channel 21 therethrough. Four large equispaced holes identified by the numeral 15A have been provided in the side wall of the bowl section. A pair of substantially identical cylindrical apertures 16 and 16A are provided in the upper end and lower end, respectively, of the bowl and will be hereinafter referred to as seating bands. Additionally it can be seen that the central portion of the bowl cavity has been enlarged internally so as to allow free circulation of air around the disposable charge housing when it is centrally seated and frictionally retained within the bowl cavity. Also it is to be noted that a small hole 17 has been vertically drilled in the forward portion of the stem section 20 which penetrates into the smoke channel 21 therein, and that a tapered sleeve-like valve member 18 having a small triangular shaped opening 19 cut in the side wall is slidably installed thereon. The size of hole 17 is not critical. However, seven sixty fourths of one inch diameter is a suitable size. The taper of the side wall of the sleeve-like valve member 18 should be the same as the taper of forward stem section 20 and the size should be such that it will be frictionally engaged with the forward stem section 20 when it is positioned so that the triangular opening 19 is in central alignment with hole 17. Thus it can be seen that a simple adjustable valve means is provided wherein air in a readily controlled amount can be blended with the smoke stream so as to insure a cooler and milder smoke taste.

Referring again to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 6, this figure illustrates the same smoking holder as that shown in FIG. 5, but with the disposable charge housing of FIG. 4 seated in the bowl cavity thereof and with valve member 18 pushed forward on stem section 20 so as to cover and seal hole 17 in essentially leak proof relationship. It should be noted that the cavity within the bowl section of the smoking holder is centrally enlarged so as to allow free circulation of air around the disposable charge housing. The amount of this enlargement is not critical. However, by using a larger bowl section wherein this enlargement is increased will reduce the amount of heat which is absorbed by the bowl section from burning tobacco within the disposable charge housing. It should be further noted that although the smoking holder as illustrated has a round shaped bowl section with four large circular holes through the side wall, it is not my intention to confine the invention to either of these features. Since obviously smoking holders having vertical or tapered bowl side walls will function just as well if the central portion of the bowl cavity is properly recessed. In some cases it may be also desirable for the sake of appearance to cover holes 15A with a strip of air permeable material such as small mesh bronze screen (not shown), which is fitted into the centrally enlarged portion of the bowl cavity and in other cases it may even be desirable for a similar reason to eliminate the bowl ventilating holes 15 and 15A and substitute a bowl section wherein that portion which projects above the lower seating and retainment band 16A is formed of some such like air permeable material such as porous refractory material (not shown). Furthermore, it is obvious that in those cases wherein the bowl section is of molded construction that it will be advantageous to let seating bands 16 and 16A be separate component parts which can be cemented or otherwise attached internally within the upper portion of the bowl cavity after the bowl section is formed. Referring now to bowl ventilating holes 15A, the size, shape or number of such holes is of little significance so long as the combined area of such holes is sufficient so as to allow essentially unrestricted air circulation around the seated disposable charge housing.

It should also be explained that it is desirable that the diameter of the disposable charge housing be about one quarter of one inch in excess of that of the disposable charge housing seats 16 and 16A in the bowl cavity of the smoking holder. The foregoing described oversizing is only applicable however in those instances wherein the overlapping ends 13 and 14 of the charge housing assembly are not in attachment as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 illustrates the sleeve-like valve member 18. This component part is readily formed by tapering a suitable section of thin wall non-corrosive metal tubing of suitable size in a manner which is well known to those skilled in the art. In some cases it may be desirable to use any of several plastic materials in forming this part. The length of the valve member 18 should be about five-eighths of one inch and the length of triangular opening 19 should be about one-fourth of one inch with the base width being equal to the diameter of hole 17.

Although precise measurements and dimensions have been suggested in order to insure successful reproduction of the invention, they are to be considered as illustrative only. Furthermore, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation as shown and described and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention as set forth and claimed.

Claims

Having fully and completely described the invention, what is now claimed as new is as follows:

1. Tobacco smoking equipment comprising in combination a smoking holder of pipe-like configuration having a bowl section with a cavity therein and being open at the upper end thereof, an elongated stem section attached to the lower end of the bowl section and a longitudinal smoke channel passageway provided through the stem section and in open communication with the bowl cavity, air ventilation means provided through the side of the bowl section in open communication with the bowl cavity, an upper annular seating band secured around the inside surface of the bowl cavity at the upper end thereof, a second substantially identical lower annular seating band secured around the inside surface of the bowl cavity at the bottom end thereof; a disposable charge housing having an outside cross sectional shape and size substantially equal to the cross sectional shape and size of the inside surface of the seating bands, said charge housing being removably secured within the bowl cavity and in frictional engagement with the said seating bands, said charge housing comprising an outer screen wire sleeve, an inner spring wire sleeve disposed within the outer screen wire sleeve, and a porous and absorbent material sleeve sandwiched between the outer and inner screen wire sleeves whereby said charge housing may receive a tobacco charge therein.

2. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the porous and absorbent material sleeve comprises at least one layer of porous and absorbent paper.

3. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the outer screen wire sleeve and the inner screen wire sleeve of the charge housing are connected around the upper edge thereof and wherein an annular band of porous absorbent material is secured around the outer periphery of the lower end of the charge housing to form a gasket therearound, said gasket being removably seatable within the lower seating band when the charge housing is secured within the bowl cavity.

4. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper and lower seating bands are constructed as an integral part of the smoking holder bowl.

5. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein air and smoke blending means is provided in the smoking holder and comprises means providing an air inlet aperture provided in the stem section adjacent to the bowl section, said aperture means being in open communication with the smoke channel passageway, variable valve means movably connected to the stem section and in communication with the air inlet aperture whereby said valve means may be variably opened or closed to allow the desired amount of air to be mixed with the smoke in the smoke channel passageway.

6. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 5 wherein the valve means comprises a sleeve member having a circular cross-section slidably surrounding the stem section at the air inlet aperture therein, a second aperture provided in said sleeve member, said second aperture and the air inlet aperture being traversely aligned whereby the sleeve member may be moved thereby adjusting the position of the second aperture with respect to the air inlet aperture for variably opening and closing the air inlet aperture.

7. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein the charge housing comprising said pair of elongated wire mesh screen panels having a porous absorbent material panel sandwiched therebetween said screen panels with porous absorbent material panel has a sleeve shape for receiving a tobacco charge therein.

8. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 7 wherein the elongated wire mesh screen panels have ends which are arranged in overlapping engagement.

9. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 8 wherein the external end of the wire mesh screen panels which forms the charge housing is bonded to prevent unraveling of the wire therein.

10. Tobacco smoking equipment as set forth in claim 7 wherein the ends of the elongated wire mesh screen panels are bonded together.