Abstract:
A hookah smoke filtration device is provided that attaches to the of a stem of a hookah apparatus, wherein the filtration device is at least partially or fully submerge within the water in the base of the hookah. In addition, the filter device of the present invention can be made of an extensive cellular polyurethane foam material having a plurality pores, channels, passages, open cells, and/or closed cells for trapping tar, nicotine, and other smoke impurities. Further, the filter device reduces the size and increases the number of smoke and air bubbles leaving the filter, thereby improving surface contact and solubility of the bubbles within the water at the base of the hookah. The additional air bubbles can help reduce the temperature of the smoke, add additional moisture to the smoke, improve the tobacco&#39;s flavor, and further filter the smoke, thereby removing additional tar, nicotine, and impurities.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a smoke filtration cartridge for a waterpiper, nargile, hookah, qalyan, shisa, or vaporizer. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This section is intended to introduce the reader to aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions to prior art. 
         [0003]    The hookah is a centuries old smoking device for smoking tobacco or controlled substances. Generally described, the hookah provides for the smoke produced from burning smokable material in pipe bowel to be passed through a layer of water. Here, a minimal amount of undesirable smoke by products such as tar, oil, ashes, carbon monoxide and the like are can be absorbed or separated in the water layer. 
         [0004]    During the past 130 years, little progress has been made to develop a practical and widely acceptable smoke filtration system that can be used to boost a hookah&#39;s capability. Many prior art devices have modified the hookahs in an effort to increase their acceptance in the Western countries, or in the Middle East. However, they fail to provide a practical tar removal device. At present, there is no filtration adapter that has the ability to be used with a wide variety or pipe designs, sizes and configurations. Also for a filter medium to be acceptable in the market, it must be effective at tar and impurity removal, improve the smoking experience, and be convenient, easy to use, and inexpensive. 
         [0005]    Hence, what is needed is a filtration medium or apparatus for a hookah or water pipe that effectively remove impurities and tar of smoke from the hookah, improves the flavor of the tobacco, further cools down the smoke, and is convenient, disposable or re-usable, easy to use, and inexpensive. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    One or more aspects of the present invention overcome the above shortfalls of prior attempted methods and devices. In particular, in one aspect of the present invention a method, system, and apparatus are provide for a smoke filtration device that attaches to the end of a stem of a hookah apparatus, wherein the filtration device is at least partially or fully submerged within the water in the base of the hookah. In addition, the filter device of the present invention can be made of an extensive cellular polyurethane foam material having a plurality pores, channels, passages, open cells, and/or closed cells for trapping tar, nicotine, free radicals, undesirable particles, and other impurities. Further, the filter device reduces the size and increases the number of smoke and air bubbles leaving the filter, thereby improving surface contact and solubility of the bubbles within the water at the base of the hookah. The additional air bubbles can help reduce the temperature of the smoke, add additional moisture to the smoke, improve the tobacco&#39;s flavor, and further filters the smoke, thereby removing additional tar, nicotine, and impurities without increasing the amount of user initiated inhalation. Some principals of the present invention are filtration, condensation, solubility, and pollutant absorption. 
         [0007]    The above summary is not intended to describe each and every disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosure. The Description that follows more particularly exemplifies the various illustrative embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The following description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a general cross-section side view of a hookah with a diffuser. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a general cross-section side view of a hookah with the filtration device according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the filtration device of  FIG. 2  according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the filtration device of  FIG. 3  according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-section close-up view of the cell structure of the filtration device according to the one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the filtration device attached to the stem of a hookah apparatus according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front disassembled view of the filtration device and adapter according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front assembled view of the filtration device and adapter of  FIG. 7  according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a front disassembled view of the filtration device and adapter in accordance with an alternative embodiment according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a front assembled view of the filtration device and adapter of  FIG. 9  according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    In the summary of the invention above and in the Detailed Description of the invention, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more other components. Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). 
         [0020]    The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40% means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm. The embodiments set forth the below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. In addition, the invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrations a general cross-sectional side view of a hookah with a diffuser. This product in the market just makes smoke bubbles smaller. The problem commonly associated with a diffuser is the lack of filtration. It exposes the user with substantial toxic substances during use. It should be understood that the diffuser does not provide effective means to trap the toxic substances. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a general cross-sectional side view of a hookah apparatus with the filtration device according to one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Here, hookah apparatus  100  can include a wind guard  102 , charcoal  104  resting on a later of foil or aluminum material, with tobacco or controlled substance medium  106  resting within a bowl wherein the bowl is coupled to stem  112 , a plate  108  for catching remnants of the burnt charcoal, a gasket  108  coupled to the stem  112 , release or purge value  114 , hose port  116 , water base  118 , and filter device  200 , coupled to the end of stem  112 , wherein the filter device is submerged within the water base. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  further illustrates a method of operation which can include a user inhaling air from the hose port creating a negative pressure within the air pocket of the water base  118 , thereby causing outside air to travel through the charcoal and tobacco, wherein the air is heated and smoke  300  is created by the burning of the charcoal on the tobacco, wherein the smoke  300  travels down the body and stem of the hookah and through the filter device  200 , thereby purifying and filtering the smoke (i.e. removing and trapping tar, nicotine, and other impurities) and further dispersing the smoke as small broken up multiple bubbles of air/smoke through the water, wherein the multiple bubbles improve surface contact with the water to further filter the tar, nicotine, and impurities of the smoke and further cool down the temperature of the smoke, and wherein the purified and filtered smoke fills up the air space within the water base and is subsequently inhaled by the user. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that any other methods including, in addition to, or lieu of the aforementioned method of operation can also be implemented. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate views of the filtration device according to one non-limiting embodiment. Here, filtration device  200  can be any type of filter media. In some embodiments, filter  301  can be constructed in a foam or sponge like configuration and made of substantially cellular polyurethane foam or cellulose. Here, the filter device  301  can be one unitary solid piece in a cylindrical configuration in one embodiment, filter device  301  can be from 3 cm in width and 3 cm in length. However, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that the filter device can be of any shape, size, or dimension, including but not limited to: rectangular, square, triangular, asymmetrical, abstract, or any polygon having three or more sides. In addition, the filter device can be dyed, color coded, or have any type of indicia printed thereon. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , body  303  forms a hollow channel  305  for gaseous and/or fluid passage therethrough. The hollow channel  305  is also configured to receive one or more members of the filter adapters, as shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . It is contemplated that the channel can extend either completely or partially through the filter and it is also contemplated sizing the filter such that an adaptor is not necessary. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates close-up cross section view of the polyurethane foam cell structure of filter device  200 . Here, the polyurethane foam is shown in close-up view  200 A as having multiple channels, granules, passages, and open and closed cells  210  and  212  that allow for tar, nicotine, and other impurities to be absorbed and/or trapped therein. The polyurethane foam can also include activated carbon or additional surfactants to further improve its absorbency and filtration capacity. Preferably, the polyurethane foam can be selected from middle-density polyurethane foams, which generally have a density of from about 0.01 to about 0.05 grams per milliliter. Alternatively, the polyurethane foam can have approximately 3-15 cells per 1 mm square space. In addition, each cell, channel, or passages within the cellular structure can be approximately from 1 to 3 micrometer or micrometer. Further, the cell structure can include both “open cell” structures and/or “closed cell” structures. In addition, the polyurethane foam can trap particles and impurities anywhere from 0.05-100 micrometers. Further, the high porosity of the filter allows the air flow to be substantially free flowing and non-restrictive, thereby allowing the user to inhale the smoke from the hookah without must additional effort. It should be understood by those of skill in the art that any polyurethane foam with a cellular structure and appropriate density that permits smoke to pass through may be used with the present invention provided that it confirms to the teachings herein. Further, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that the filter device can be reusable or disposable. If reusable, the filter device can be made of reusable materials, such as plastics, polymers, and/or metal wiring porous material, thereby allowing a user to wash and rinse the filter prior to each use. 
         [0027]    In addition, an added benefit of the filter device  200  can be that it reduces the temperature of the smoke moving through the filter. Specifically, the filter helps reduce the size of the bubbles smoke/air bubbles leaving the filter, thereby improving the surface contact of the smoke with the water up to 100 times more effective than without the use of filter  200 . Here, by incorporating the filter device, the additional solubility and saturation of the smoke within the water allows for additional later of filtration within the water and even more improved cooling and moisture within the inhaled smoke as opposed to not incorporating the filter device. 
         [0028]    In the same time breaking down of the smoke to multiple small bubbles sharply decreases the temperature of the smoke. High temperature of hookah is one of the major hazards and causes of some serious damages to tissues of the Larynx and lungs. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5 and 6  further illustrates a method of operation of the filter device. As smoke  300  smoke travels down stem  112  and streams through filter cartridge  200 , it hits the surfaces of the cellular structures of the polyurethane foam ( FIG. 4 ) and accelerates to high speed as it flows through the restricted passages  210  and  212 . The smoke impinges against the surfaces of the polyurethane foam at varying angles and at high speed, and its direction of motion is substantially and abruptly altered. Any remaining heavier tar particles and impurities within the smoke stream, which have a substantial inertia relative to the air, are transported in the moisture-laden smoke vapor, which directly impinges against the outer surfaces of the polyurethane foam causing it to stick to the cells and passages. The smoke is thus purified of heavier tar particles, which typically remain stuck according to their stickiness and viscosity on the surfaces of the cellular structure of the polyurethane foam. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , front views of the filter adapter  501  are shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. In the contemplated embodiment, adapter  501  is configured to fit within channel  305  and secure thereto. To achieve this feature, adapter  501  includes a stem receiver  500  having three cup shaped members  503 ,  505 ,  507  integrally joined together and forming a hollow channel therein for fluid and/or gaseous communication with the stem. It will be appreciated that receiver  500  is configured to receive stems having various diameters. To achieve this feature, the members of receiver  500  have different diameters relative to each other. 
         [0031]    As depicted, the bottom member  507  is configured to receive a joint  509  having a plurality of elongated walls  513 , preferably four that are at right angles relative to each other and joined together at a base  511 . 
         [0032]    When assembled, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the base  511  and member  507  come into contact with the inner channel  305  of filter  301  and friction holds the two devices together. Accordingly, during use, the gas/fluid is channeled through receiver  500  to joint  509  and exits through the filter  301 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , front views of a filter adapter  701  are shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application. Adapter  701  includes a receiver  700  having a base  703  and an integrally attached cone  705 . The base  703  is configured to engage with joint  509 , which in turn engages with filter  301 . During use, the fluid/gas travels through cone  705 , through joint  509  and exits through the filter  301 . 
         [0034]    The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.