Abstract:
A device for enclosing a cigarette when being smoked, wherein a series of check valves are provided in conjunction with a smoke filter for permitting a smoker to draw smoke into the lungs and discharge it without affecting significantly a surrounding atmosphere.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For years studies have shown the harmful effects of smoke from tobacco and the like on the person doing the smoking, and many means have been developed to reduce these harmful effects. Recent studies now show that a non-smoker, obliged to breathe in the vicinity of a smoker, is subject to the same or greater harmful effects. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an appliance composed of a face piece fitted to the smoker, a combustion chamber containing burning tobacco or the like, and an intermediate section with a series of check valves and passageways. Air for normal breathing is drawn in through one check valve into the face piece, and exhaled through a second check valve into the combustion chamber. Both exhaled air and smoke are then forced through a third check valve and a filter before exiting to the atmosphere. A mixture of smoke and air may also be drawn through a fourth check valve into a mouthpiece in the face piece. The mixture is then blown back into the combustion chamber either through the aforementioned second check valve or through a fifth check valve, and then exited to the atmosphere through the third check valve and filter. A contoured edge of the face piece together with a soft rim provide an airtight seal between the internal passageways and chambers of the appliance and the surrounding atmosphere. 
     The object of this invention is to provide an appliance to confine the smoke from burning tobacco or the like, to provide for circulation of air for breathing and for combustion, and to filter both products of combustion and the exhalation from the user of the appliance so as to remove smoke and odor before release to the surrounding atmosphere. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the complete appliance, as worn by a user, showing the appliance held in place by means of a head strap; 
     FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the appliance of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a lateral section of FIG. 2 taken along line 3--3; and 
     FIG. 4 is a detail of one type of check valve assembly of the appliance of FIGS. 2-3. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A face piece 10 of molded plastic, has one contoured side 11 and an opposite side with a circular opening 12. The contoured edge is formed to match the facial shape from above the nose to below the mouth of the average adult. Because the opening 12 is standardized, individualized face pieces can be provided when necessary. All face pieces have a soft rubber rim 13 for the comfort of the user, and to ensure an airtight seal between the space inside the face piece 14 and the surrounding atmosphere. 
     The opening 12 of the face piece fits snugly over a matching circular opening 15 of an intermediate section 16, which is also molded of plastic and has an opposite circular opening 17 over which snugly fits a matching circular opening 18 of a plastic molded combustion chamber 19. A partition 20 diagonally divides the two ends of the intermediate sections and provides support for two penetrating cylindrical sleeves 21 and 22. The larger sleeve 22 also has a partition 23 which in turn supports two additional cylindrical sleeves 24 and 25. The face piece end of the sleeve 22 is fitted with a circular cover 26, thus creating a small plenum 27. An opening 28 in this cover snugly fits over a mouthpiece 29 shaped to connect the plenum 27 with the mouth 30 of the smoker. 
     Through the top wall of the intermediate section 16 on the face piece side of the partition 20 is molded a short cylindrical sleeve 31, and through the bottom wall on the combustion chamber side of the partition 20 is another, longer sleeve 32. Pressed into the sleeve 31 is an inwardly directed check valve 33 composed of a plastic disc 34 having a series of holes 35 for passage of air and a central hole 36 to receive a fastening plastic pin 37. The pin holds a flat disc of rubber 38 against one face of the disc 34. Pressed into the longer sleeve 32 is another similar check valve assembly 39 directed outwardly. Also in the sleeve 32 below the check valve 39 is a removable cartridge 40 of activated charcoal or similar smoke and odor-absorbing material. This package is held in place by a partition 41 in the center of a hollow handle 42 which is fastened to the longer sleeve 32 by means of matching threads 43. The partition 41 contains a series of holes 44 for the passage of air leaving the cartridge 40. 
     Fitted into the smaller sleeve 21 in the partition 20 is another check valve assembly 45 directed toward the combustion chamber 19. Similarly, a check valve assembly 46 in the sleeve 25 is placed so as to direct flow toward the combustion chamber 19, and a check valve assembly 47 is placed in the sleeve 24 to direct flow from the chamber 19 to the plenum 27. The sleeve 24 is also fitted with a bushing 48 with a center hole 49, sized to accommodate a cigarette 50, or similar article for the burning of tobacco or the like. 
     In addition to being held by the handle 42, the appliance can be fastened to the user by means of a headband 51. 
     To use the appliance, a cartridge of smoke and odor-absorbing material 40 is placed into the lower part of the sleeve 32 and held in place by threading on the handle 42. The face piece 10 conforming to the facial features of the user is pressed onto the intermediate section 16, and a cigarette or similar item of tobacco or the like inserted into the properly sized bushing 48. The tobacco is ignited in the usual way and the cover 19 of the combustion chamber is immediately fastened to the intermediate section by pressing the circular opening 18 over the matching opening 17. By holding the face piece of the appliance tightly against his or her face, the user is then able to inhale smoke from the cigarette 50, through the bushing 48 and check valve assembly 47 into plenum 27 and thence through mouthpiece 29. This inhaling action withdraws some air from the combustion chamber 19 which is replaced by air flowing through the check valve assemblies 45 and 33. Upon exhaling, if by mouth, the combined smoke and air from the user is blown back through the mouthpiece 29 to the plenum 27, then through the check valve assembly 46 into the combustion chamber 19, where, together with a portion of the smoke from the burning tobacco which has been collecting in the combustion chamber, the total exhalation is blown pass the check valve assembly 39, through the filter and odor-absorbing cartridge 40 and out through the holes 44 to the surrounding atmosphere. 
     Should the user choose to exhale by nose, the air and smoke mixture passes from the space 14, through the check valve assembly 45, to the combustion chamber 19 and then onto the check valve assembly 39 as before. 
     If normal breathing without smoke is desired while the appliance is in place, such as being worn by the headband, the user inhales through the nose, or by mouth without sucking on the mouthpiece, and thus draws in fresh air through the check valve assembly 33 into the space 14 and thence into the lungs. Upon exhaling, the exhaled air is forced through the check valve assembly 45 into the combustion chamber 19, thus introducing relatively fresh air to help maintain the combustion of the tobacco even though the user of the appliance is not drawing in air and smoke through the mouthpiece 29. This same introduction of relatively fresh air into the combustion chamber forces an equal volume of smoke-laden air to flow out through the check valve assembly 39 and into the atmosphere through the filtering system as described above.