Abstract:
A cigarette filtering device ( 1 ) is disclosed comprising a cylinder ( 3 ) to be put over the standard filter of the cigarette, and at least a filtering material element ( 2 ), put on one of the basis of the cylinder, and at least a filtering material.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an additional filter for cigarettes.  
           [0002]    More specifically, the invention concerns an additional filter for cigarettes by which a system is realized to hold condensate and nicotine not held by the filters already provided in the standard available cigarettes.  
           [0003]    In the following, the specification will be given for the use on regular cigarettes, but it is to be understood how the same cannot be considered as limitative to this specific use.  
           [0004]    As it is well known, assuming nicotine is very serious for the health of the smoker. In fact, it has been demonstrated that smoking creates dependence to the use. Beside nicotine, often it is assumed also tar and condensate. These substances, with the passing of the time, can attack soft tissues of the lungs.  
           [0005]    Furthermore, often, perplexities have been raised about measures stating nicotine and condensate values allowed in the cigarettes by the present laws. Said measures are obtained by sucking machines making slow sucking and long pauses without increasing the accumulation of residuum on the slides.  
           [0006]    At present, cigarettes sold on the market are provided with a filter to limit the intaking of nicotine and condensate by the consumer. However, these filters do not filter in a uniform way the smoke crossing the same. On the contrary, due, for example, to the squeezing of the filter, smoke passes through preferential paths. This effect involves that smoke intaken is not completely or sufficiently filtered and therefore the smoker is obliged to adsorb a higher amount of nicotine and condensate. The above can be demonstrated observing that the filters of smoked cigarettes are not evenly “stained”.  
           [0007]    However, they are available on the market rigid material filters, typically plastic filters, that however have the drawback of the displacement of the incisive teeth, through which the consumer holds said filter while smoking. Furthermore, they are particularly unaesthetic and fastidious during the use. Further, these filtering means are multiuse, so that the filters are saturated by tar and other substances produced by the combustion of paper and tobacco, thus terminating their filtering function, and thus their health prophylaxis function.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In view of the above, it is well evident the need of having a disposable filter as the one suggested by the present invention, allowing to better filter in a cheap way the smoke inspired by the user.  
           [0009]    It would be further suitable a cheap disposable system, that does not keep residuals and that can be used also for filter-free cigarettes.  
           [0010]    The object of the present invention is therefore that of providing a tool allowing to further filter the smoke inspired by the consumer, in such a way to limit the breathing in of nicotine and condensate.  
           [0011]    Another object of the invention is that of providing a disposable filter for smoking, that is cheap, not to raise the costs of the cigarettes.  
           [0012]    Further object of the present invention is that of making the filter pleasant under an esthetical point of view.  
           [0013]    It is therefore specific object of the present invention a cigarette filtering device characterised in that it is comprised of a cylinder to be put over the standard filter of the cigarette, and of at least a filtering material element.  
           [0014]    Still according to the present invention, said at least one filtering material element is comprised of gauze or cotton.  
           [0015]    Furthermore, according to the present invention, said at least one filtering material element is comprised of carbon.  
           [0016]    Still according to the present invention, said at least one filtering material element is comprised of salts.  
           [0017]    Always according to the invention, the colour of said cylinder is identical to the colour of the standard filter already provided in the commercial cigarettes, thus making the filter pleasant and discreet.  
           [0018]    Furthermore, according to the present invention, said cylinder, put on the standard filter of the cigarette, increases its consistency and thus makes it resistant to the compression due to the smoker lips. This makes unlikely the creation of preferential paths for the smoke flow inspired by the smoker.  
           [0019]    Preferably, according to the present invention, said cylinder is comprised of paper.  
           [0020]    Furthermore, according to the present invention, said cylinder is comprised of plastic.  
           [0021]    Still according to the invention, said filter can be applied to filter-free cigarettes. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the additional filter for cigarettes;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 shows the application mode of the filter on a cigarette;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 shows a cigarette introduced within the filter. 
     
    
       [0026]    In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated by the same numerical references.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    To better understand the present invention, in the following the operation mode of the preferred embodiment of the additional filter for cigarettes will be described.  
         [0028]    Making reference to FIG. 1, it is noted additional filter  1  for cigarette, comprised by a filtering material element  2 , for example made up of gauze or cotton, and by a cylinder  3 , for example made up of paper, that can be of the same colour of the filters provided on the commercial cigarettes, in such a way that when the filter is put on the cigarette, it is not noted. Further, being the cylinder  3  made up of not stiff material, the above mentioned phenomenon of motion of incisive teeth is avoided.  
         [0029]    Thanks to the additional filtering action obtained by the present invention, it is possible that the nicotine and condensate values that can be breathed in by the smokers, and provided by the laws, are more probably respected.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 shows the way in which the filter is applied on the cigarette  4 . Particularly, beside the additional filter  1 , it can be noted the filtering material element  2  and the cylinder  3 . Cigarette is introduced according to the direction A, introducing the filter within the cylinder  3 .  
         [0031]    Finally, FIG. 3 shows the cigarette  4  after the application of the additional filter  1 . Particularly, it can no more be viewed outside the filter of the cigarette  4 , in fact it is completely covered by the cylinder  3  of the additional filter  1 . If cylinder  3  has the same colour of the standard filter of the cigarette, additional filter  1  is particularly pleasant and its use discreet. Furthermore, since cylinder juxtaposes on the standard filter of the cigarette, it is obtained that the total consistency of the point where the smoker lips are put is higher, thus making less probable the creation of preferential paths. In the figure, it can be further seen the filtering element  2 .  
         [0032]    The solution according to the present invention, being inexpensive, further has the advantage of being directly applicable by the manufacturers during the production of the cigarette. Further, the additional filter described in the above can be easily removed by the smoker not wishing to use the same.  
         [0033]    Obtained by the solution according to the present invention, that must be underlined is the possibility of reducing the mortality, the National Health Service expenses, e.g. for periods in bed and medicines, as well as the probability that the smokers suffer of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, papillary neoplasia, etc.  
         [0034]    The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.