Abstract:
The invention provides a tobacco smoking apparatus that enables a person to smoke; namely, inhale and exhale smoke and other combustion products from burning tobacco, while isolating and protecting others from a substantial portion of the combustion products, including smoke, smoker&#39;s exhale, and odor, that are produced from smoking tobacco.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,109 filed Mar. 3, 2006 entitled, “Tobacco Smoking Apparatus,” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to a tobacco smoking apparatus, and specifically to a tobacco smoking apparatus that isolates a substantial portion of the combustion products including smoke and odor, that are produced from the combustion of tobacco and later exhaled by a tobacco smoker, for the purpose of protecting others from the ill health effects and nuisance of the combustion products, the smoke, the smokers exhale and the odor. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Smoke that is produced from a burning cigarette and that is exposed to people that are not inhaling from the burning cigarette, is referred to as second hand smoke. A smoker&#39;s exhale is that which is exhaled by a smoker of a burning cigarette. The second hand smoke, a smoker&#39;s exhale and associated odors are included within a set of the combustion products that are produced from the combustion of tobacco. Second hand smoke, the smoker&#39;s exhale and the associated odors and the other combustion products are generally believed to create negative health effects upon, and are generally considered a nuisance to, those people exposed to it. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention provides a tobacco smoking apparatus that enables a person to smoke; namely, inhale and exhale smoke and other combustion products from burning tobacco, while isolating and protecting others from a substantial portion of the combustion products, including smoke, smoker&#39;s exhale, and associated odors that are produced directly or indirectly from the burning tobacco. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The objects and features of the invention can be better understood with reference to the claims and drawings described below. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the emphasis is instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Within the drawings, like reference numbers are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views. Differences between like parts may cause those parts to be indicated by different reference numbers. Unlike parts are indicated by different reference numbers. 
           [0006]    For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tobacco smoking apparatus that is configured for smoking cigarette tobacco; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment the tobacco smoking apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the cigarette loading port in an open position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment the tobacco smoking apparatus of  FIGS. 1-2  with an unlit cigarette being loaded through the cigarette loading port; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment a tobacco smoking apparatus of  FIGS. 1-3  with a lit cigarette being fully loaded into the cigarette loading port; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a view of the top surface of the tobacco smoking apparatus of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a view of the bottom surface of the tobacco smoking apparatus of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tobacco smoking apparatus that is configured for smoking loose tobacco. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a flapper valve embodiment of a gas output port. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment  100  of a tobacco smoking apparatus  10  that is configured for smoking cigarette tobacco. A cigarette loading port  180 , also referred to as a tobacco loading port  180 , is shown in a closed position. As shown, an enclosure  110 , also referred to as a canister  110  or containment  110 , includes an upper surface  112 , a side surface  114  and a lower surface  116 . The enclosure  110  has a generally cylindrical shape. The upper surface  112  and lower surface  116  are substantially circular and flat. The side surface  114  is substantially curved. In some embodiments, the upper surface  114  and the lower surface  116  are dimensioned to have a diameter of approximately 4 inches, and the side surface  114  is dimensioned to have a height (perpendicular to its curve) of approximately 4.75 inches. 
         [0016]    The enclosure  110  includes an inhale/exhale port  130  that has an exterior portion that is also referred to as a nipple  130  and which is configured to attach to an inhale/exhale conduit  132 . The inhale/exhale conduit  132  includes a proximal end  134  having an attached mouthpiece  138  and a distal end  136  which is configured to attach to and detach from the nipple portion of the inhale/exhale port  130  of the enclosure  110 . Preferably, the nipple  130  is made of aluminum, the inhale/exhale conduit  132  is made of rubber and the mouthpiece  138  is made of nickel. 
         [0017]    The enclosure  110  also includes an air input port  140  and a gas output port  150 . The air input port  140  is configured to input atmospheric gases, collectively referred to as air, that reside outside of the enclosure  110 . The air input port  140  is configured to input air when a detected pressure of internal gases residing inside of the enclosure, also referred to as an internal gas pressure, is substantially less than a detected pressure of the air residing outside of the enclosure, also referred to as atmospheric pressure. Preferably, the input port is implemented as a pressure sensitive one way valve that actuates (opens) upon less than 0.5 pounds per square inch (PSI). 
         [0018]    The gas output port  150  is configured to output the internal gases residing inside of the enclosure  110 . The gas output port  150  is configured to output the internal gases, including smoke and other particulates, when the internal gas pressure of those internal gases is substantially greater than the atmospheric pressure of the air residing outside of the enclosure  110 . The gas output port  150  resides with a gas output cavity  152  located at a bottom portion of the enclosure  110 . Preferably, the gas output port  150  is implemented as a pressure sensitive one way valve that actuates (opens) upon a pressure difference of less than 0.5 pounds per square inch. 
         [0019]    An aluminum spacer (not shown) provides support from gravity to the filters  122 ,  124  located above it and separates the gas output cavity  152  from the remainder of the enclosure  110 . Optionally, a layer of white filter media is disposed between the charcoal filter  124  and the gas output cavity  152 . The white filter paper is made from tightly woven cotton or cotton like material that functions as a dust barrier between the granulated charcoal (charcoal dust) generated within the combustion cavity  174  and the gas output valve  150  disposed within the gas output cavity  152 . 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the portion of the enclosure  110  that surrounds the combustion cavity  174  is made from stainless steel. In some embodiments, the height of the side surface  114  of the combustion cavity is approximately 1.25 inches. Optionally, a remaining portion of the enclosure  110 , not surrounding the combustion cavity  174 , can be made from other types of material, such as an acrylic. 
         [0021]    The enclosure  110  also includes a cigarette loading apparatus  160 , including a cigarette loading port  180 , that assists with the loading (transfer) of pre-combusted tobacco in the form of a cigarette, into the enclosure  110  and that assists with the output (transfer) of post-combusted tobacco from the enclosure  110 . In this embodiment, the cigarette loading apparatus  160  is configured to assist the loading of a pre-combusted cigarette from outside of the enclosure  110  to inside of the enclosure  110  via a sliding cigarette attaching device  162 , also referred to as a cigarette holder  162 . Preferably, the cigarette holder  162  is made from stainless steel. 
         [0022]    The cigarette holder  162  is shaped like a cup without an attached handle. The cup has an open side (mouth) and an opposing passageway side (base). The open side provides access to a cavity that resides within the boundaries of the cup. The cavity is dimensioned to receive and engage (attach) to one end of a cigarette via a “snug fit” type of engagement. A user of the device  10  can open the cigarette loading port  180  and push a cigarette into the cigarette holder  162  and/or pull a cigarette out of the cigarette holder  162  while applying a small amount (less than a pound) of force. 
         [0023]    The passageway side (base) provides a passage  190  for combustion products to flow into a hollow rod  164  and towards the inhale/exhale port  130 . The rod, which is hollow, also has a breathing hole  192  (See  FIG. 5A ) along its top side so that the flow of tobacco combustion products can exit the rod  164  and exit the enclosure  110  via the inhale/exhale port  130 . In other embodiments, not shown, the cigarette holder  162  is formed by the end of a continuous tube that is dimensioned to accommodate a cigarette. 
         [0024]    The cigarette loading apparatus  160  also includes a rod  164  having a proximal end  166  and a distal end  168 . The rod  164  is configured to slide through a rod port  170 . The distal end  168  of the rod  164  is configured to attach to the base of the cup of the cigarette holder  162  and to reside within the enclosure  110 . The proximal end  166  of the rod  164  is configured to reside outside of the enclosure  110 . Optionally, and as shown, the rod  164  includes a knob  172 , also referred to as an end cap  172 , having a knurled outer surface (not shown). The knob  172  is configured to enable a user of the device  10  to grasp and pull the rod  164  substantially out of, or push the rod  164  substantially into, the enclosure  110 . 
         [0025]    The cigarette loading apparatus  160  also includes a cigarette loading port  180  that resides at a location opposite to the rod port  170 . The cigarette loading port  180  is a circular shaped opening that is dimensioned to allow for the passage of a cigarette of standard size. The cigarette of standard size also referred to herein as a cigarette, has a forward end and a back end. The cigarette is configured so that tobacco combustion occurs at its forward end when the cigarette is lit (lighted) and configured for a person (user) to inhale substances produced from the tobacco combustion from the back end of the cigarette. 
         [0026]    When the rod  164  is pushed substantially into the enclosure, the cup shaped cigarette holder  162  that is attached to the distal end  168  of the rod is positioned proximate to the cigarette loading port  180 . As it  162  is attached to the rod  164 , the cup shaped cigarette holder  162  is oriented so that its opening (mouth) faces the cigarette loading port  180 . 
         [0027]    The cigarette loading apparatus  160  resides within a tobacco combustion cavity  174  that occupies a top portion of the enclosure  110 . The device  10  is configured so that tobacco combustion occurs and tobacco combustion products are produced within the tobacco combustion cavity  174 . A first portion of the tobacco combustion products are output from the enclosure  110  via the inhale/exhale port  130  and the gas output port  150 . A second portion of the tobacco combustion products are collected by and contained within the enclosure  110  via the one or more filters  122 ,  124 . Preferably, the cigarette holder  162  and the rod  164  are made from stainless steel. 
         [0028]    The upper surface  112  and the side surface  114  of the top portion of the enclosure  110  that surrounds the tobacco combustion cavity  174  is preferably made of stainless steel. The side surface  114  below that enclosing the combustion cavity  174  and the bottom surface  116  are preferably made of acrylic material. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment a tobacco smoking apparatus  10  with the cigarette loading port  180  in an open position. When the cigarette loading port  180  is in the open position (See  FIG. 2 ) and when the cigarette holder  162  is located proximate to the cigarette loading port  180 , a user can push the back end of a cigarette through the cigarette loading port  180 , through the opening of and into the cup shaped cigarette holder  162  in order for it  162  to engage and attach to the back end of the cigarette. 
         [0030]    In a typical use scenario, the user of the device  10  inserts the back end of a cigarette into the cigarette holder  162  as described above (See  FIG. 3 ). In this circumstance, the back end of the cigarette is disposed inside of the enclosure  110  while a remaining portion of the cigarette, including its front end, is disposed substantially outside of, and protrudes from, the enclosure  110 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a tobacco smoking apparatus with an unlit cigarette  202  being loaded through the cigarette loading port in an open position. Continuing the use scenario described above, the user pulls the rod  164  substantially out of the enclosure to transfer the entire cigarette  202  into the enclosure (See  FIG. 4 ). When the rod  164  is pulled substantially from the enclosure, the cup shaped cigarette holder  162  that is attached to the distal end  168  of the rod is pulled sufficiently away from the cigarette loading port  180  so that the entire attached cigarette  202  is pulled into and entirely enclosed within the enclosure  110 . In this position, the back end of the cigarette  202  is proximate to the inhale/exhale port  130  and the front end of the cigarette  202  is proximate to the cigarette loading port  180 . 
         [0032]    The user next lights (places in physical contact with a) the cigarette  202  as it is preferably disposed within and proximate to the cigarette loading port  180 . Optionally, the cigarette  202  can be lit when it is protruding from the cigarette loading port  180 , before it is pulled into the enclosure  110 . The cigarette  202  is now lit (not shown). 
         [0033]    Next, the air input port  140  is closed by pivoting the outside (pivotable) portion  140   b  of the air input port  140  to the enclosure sealing position. When in the enclosure sealing position, the air input port  140  is operable to respond to the pressure of the internal gases within the enclosure  110 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the tobacco smoking apparatus  10  with a lit cigarette  202  being fully loaded within the enclosure  110  and the cigarette loading port  180  being in a closed position. Tobacco combustion occurring at the front end of the lit cigarette  202  produces combustion products  208  which fill the tobacco combustion cavity  174 . As shown, the distal end  136  of the inhale/exhale conduit  132  is attached to and substantially surrounds the nipple of the inhale/exhale port  130 . 
         [0035]    Continuing the use scenario described above, the user (not shown) next engages the mouthpiece  134  of the inhale/exhale conduit  132  via his/her mouth and inhales through the inhale/exhale conduit  132 . Inhaling through the inhale/exhale conduit  132  causes a reduction in the internal gas pressure of the enclosure  110  and causes substances produced from the tobacco combustion to exit the back end of the cigarette  202  and the enclosure  110  and to travel through the inhale/exhale port  130  and the inhale/exhale conduit  132  to the user. 
         [0036]    The reduction of internal gas pressure causes the air input port  140  to open and to input air from the atmosphere into the enclosure  110 . The air that is input from the atmosphere mixes into forms a portion of the internal gases residing within the enclosure  110 . 
         [0037]    Next, the user exhales through the inhale/exhale conduit  132 . Exhaling through the inhale/exhale conduit  132  causes an increase to the internal gas pressure of the enclosure  110  and causes substances  208  produced from the tobacco combustion to cease traveling from the enclosure  110  and through the inhale/exhale conduit  132  to the user. The increase of internal gas pressure within the enclosure  110  causes the gas output port  150  to open and to allow the internal gases from the enclosure  110  to output (discharge) from the enclosure  110 . 
         [0038]    The enclosure  110  is configured so that any flow of the internal gases from the combustion cavity  174  to the gas output port  150  travels through the one or more filters  122 ,  124 . The enclosure  110  is configured so that there is no path within the enclosure  110  where internal gases from the combustion cavity  174  can flow to the gas output port  150  without traveling through the one or more filters  122 ,  124 . Hence, internal gases residing within the enclosure  110  travel through the one or more filters  122 ,  124  before being output through the gas output port  150  and into the atmosphere. 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, the internal gases pass through the HEPA filter  122  and the carbon filter  124 . The HEPA filter  122  and the carbon filter  124  are disposed in series along a longitudinal axis  118  of the enclosure  110 . A HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestant) filter  122  is configured to filter small particles mixed with the internal gasses. Typically a HEPA filter can filter particles that are less than a micron in diameter. The carbon filter  124  is configured to reduce unpleasant odors and filter particles that are typically larger than those particles that are filtered by a HEPA filter  122 , from the internal gases. 
         [0040]    The device  10  substantially filters and removes particles and unpleasant odors included within second hand smoke, produced from tobacco combustion, before discharge into the atmosphere. This second hand smoke (particles and unpleasant odors) is believed to cause ill health effects among those people exposed to it. Also, this second hand smoke is generally considered a nuisance. As a result, people within proximity of the user (smoker) of the device  10  are substantially less affected by the ill health affects and nuisance of second hand smoke. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a view of the top surface  112  of the tobacco smoking apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown, the cigarette loading  180  port is in an open position. A first hinge piece  540   a  is attached to the base portion  140   a  of the air input port  140 . A second hinge piece  540   b  is attached to the outside (pivotable) portion  140   b  of the air input port  140 . 
         [0042]    A cross-sectioned outline of the cigarette loading apparatus  160  that is located below and obstructed from view by the top surface  112 , is shown as being marked with dashed lines. As shown, the breather hole  192  is located proximate to the inhale/exhale port  130 . 
         [0043]    As shown, outside (pivotable) portion  140   b  of the air input port  140  is pivoted away from the base portion  140   a  of the air input port  140  and is in an enclosure unsealing position. In this enclosure unsealing position, the cigarette loading port  180  is exposed and available for use. When the base portion  140   a  and the outside (pivotable) portion  140   b  of the air input port  140  are closed together and abutting each other (Shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 B), the air input port  140  is in an enclosure sealing position. In the enclosure sealing position, the cigarette loading port  180  is not accessible to the user and is not available for use. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a view of the bottom surface  116  of the tobacco smoking apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown, the cigarette loading  180  port is in a closed position. As shown, outside (pivotable) portion  140   b  of the air input port  140  is pivoted towards and abutting the base portion  140   a  of the air input port  140 . In this enclosure sealing position, the cigarette loading port  180  is not exposed (obscured) and not available for use. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment  600  of a tobacco smoking apparatus  10  that is configured for smoking loose tobacco. This embodiment  600  of the invention enables a user to smoke loose tobacco like the loose tobacco that is smoked within a tobacco pipe. 
         [0046]    This embodiment  600  is structured substantially like the cigarette smoking embodiment  100  of  FIGS. 1-5B  with the exception that the cigarette loading apparatus  160  (including the cigarette loading port  180 ) is eliminated from the enclosure  110  and that the air input port  140  of the first embodiment  100  (See  FIG. 1 ) is relocated from the side surface  114  to the top surface  112  of the enclosure  110 . 
         [0047]    As relocated onto the top surface  112 , the air input port  640  of this embodiment  600  (Now identified using reference number  640  instead of  140 ) is structured and functions the same as the air input port  140  located on the side surface  114  of the first cigarette smoking embodiment  100  (See  FIG. 5A ). Like the air input port  140 , the air input port  640  includes a base portion  640   a  and the outside (pivotable) portion  640   b  and is hinged in the same manner (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) as described in  FIG. 5A . Unlike the air input port  140 , the outside (pivotable) portion  640   b  of air input port  640  pivots and opens upwards, instead of pivoting and opening sideways as shown for  FIGS. 2 and 5A . 
         [0048]    Also like the cigarette input port  180  of the first embodiment  100 , tobacco is entered into the enclosure  110  via a loose tobacco input port  680 , also referred to as a tobacco loading port  680 . Instead of transferring a cigarette into the enclosure  110 , loose tobacco is transferred (dropped and/or pushed) into the tobacco input port  680 . 
         [0049]    Unlike the first cigarette smoking embodiment  100 , a loose tobacco bowl  690 , constructed from a fine meshed metal screen, is disposed below the tobacco input port  680  and stores any loose tobacco transferred into the enclosure  110  via the loose tobacco input port  680 . In a typical use scenario, the user lights the loose tobacco stored within the loose tobacco bowl  680 , typically using a flame extending through the tobacco input port  680 . The loose tobacco bowl  680  separates combusting (burning) loose tobacco that is stored within it  680  from any remaining portion of the tobacco combustion cavity  174  and the enclosure  110 . 
         [0050]    Combustion products that are sufficiently small to pass through the fine mesh metal screen can enter any remaining portion of the combustion cavity  174  and exit the enclosure  110  via the inhale/exhale conduit  132  or via the gas output value  150 . 
         [0051]    Preferably, various contact points and edges located between separate components of the device  10  are sealed using a rubber material. For example, the circular perimeter of the air input valve  140 , of the gas output valve  150 , of the hollow rod  164 , of the stainless steel top portion of the enclosure  110  and of the nipple  130  can be sealed using a rubber “o ring” type of seal. Also, components can be threaded to mechanically attach to each other and washers can be used to interoperate with the threaded portions of the threaded components, where appropriate. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side and a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment  700  of a flapper valve that is implemented a gas output port  150 . As shown, a flapper valve housing  710  is oriented so that internal gases from the enclosure  110  can flow through an inlet port  712  and make physical contact with a flapper  716 . The flapper  716  is bowed in the upwards direction and towards the inlet port  712  and towards the internal gases residing within the enclosure  110 . A center portion of the flapper is in physical contact with and physically held in place by a flapper support  718  in a position adjacent to the inlet port  712 . 
         [0053]    The flapper  716  is manufactured to have a flat and circular shape when it is not being influenced by outside forces. Outside forces supplied by the flapper support  718  and by an inner surface  724  of the housing  710  force the flapper  716  to bow against its otherwise flat shape. Preferably, the flapper is manufactured from material, such as silicone, that permits its integrity to be maintained at temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, the flapper valve housing  710  is made from aluminum. Preferably, a rubber o-ring is employed as a seal between the flapper valve housing  710  and the enclosure  110 . 
         [0054]    When a difference between an internal gas pressure of the internal gases residing inside of the enclosure  110  is less than or equal to an atmospheric pressure of said atmospheric gases residing outside of the enclosure  110 , portions of the flapper  716  that are located outside of the center portion of the flapper  716  are configured to form a flat surface and as a result, press upward (not shown) to make physical contact with an outer rim  713  of the inlet port  712  and the inner surface  724 , to fully obstruct any flow of internal gases through the inlet port  712  and through the flapper valve  700 . 
         [0055]    When a difference between the internal gas pressure of internal gases residing inside of the enclosure  110  is sufficiently greater than the atmospheric pressure of said atmospheric gases residing outside of the enclosure  110 , portions of the flapper  716  that are located outside of the center portion of the flapper  716  that are in physical contact with the flapper support  718 , are pushed by the internal gases in a direction towards and against the flapper support  718 . As a result, a gap  720  is formed between the outer rim  713  of the inlet port  712  and the flapper  716 . The gap  720  eliminates the full obstruction of the flow of internal gases through the inlet port  712 , and enables the flow of internal gases around a gap  722  adjacent the outer edge of the flapper  716  and out through the one or more outlet ports  714  of the flapper  716 . 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, the difference is sufficiently greater by 0.25 pounds per square inch or less. In some embodiments, the difference is sufficiently greater by approximately 0.1 pounds per square inch. Optionally, grooves can be etched along the inner surface  724  of the housing  710  to enhance the flow of internal gases around the flapper  716 . 
         [0057]    This embodiment  700  of a flapper valve can also be implemented as an air input valve  140  where the direction of the flow of gas, being air, is directed into instead of out of the enclosure  110 . Various known embodiments of a flapper type of valve, or other types of pressure sensitive one way valves, can be manufactured or purchased off the shelf and employed to implement the air input port  140  and/or the gas output port  150  valves. 
         [0058]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.