U.S. patent number 3,828,799 [Application Number 05/328,921] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-13 for tobacco smoking equipment.
Invention is credited to Jon W. Beam.
United States Patent |
3,828,799 |
Beam |
August 13, 1974 |
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.
Inventors: |
Beam; Jon W. (Cushing, OK) |
Family
ID: |
23283048 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/328,921 |
Filed: |
February 2, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/195; 131/204;
131/198.2; 131/348 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F
1/02 (20130101); A24F 5/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A24F
1/02 (20060101); A24F 5/00 (20060101); A24F
1/00 (20060101); A24F 5/08 (20060101); A24f
001/22 (); A24f 005/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;131/3,194,195,198A,15B,226,220,204 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
|
|
5,612 |
|
1894 |
|
GB |
|
1,431,791 |
|
Feb 1966 |
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FR |
|
9,521 |
|
1885 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Reich; Joseph S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Head & Johnson
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.
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.
* * * * *