Abstract:
A device for filtering second-hand smoke from a burning tobacco product includes a first chamber for receiving the lit end of the tobacco product. Users of the device can inhale smoke from the tobacco product through a first aperture in the first chamber, while a filter communicating with the first chamber filters smoke from the burning end of the tobacco product. A second chamber is configured to receive smoke and air exhaled by the user. The smoke is filtered by the second filter and the filtered air is passed through to the surrounding environment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to devices for smoking tobacco products, and more particularly to a device that filters second-hand smoke from a burning tobacco product. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Second-hand smoke from cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products has been linked to several health problems and produces a smell that is offensive to many persons. Many devices have been proposed to reduce or eliminate second-hand smoke released into the surrounding atmosphere by smokers while smoking a tobacco product. While improvements have been made in the field, there are still problems to be solved. For example, one common problem with previous smoke filtering devices is that they do not allow users to replace the filters without needlessly replacing other components of the device. Other devices detract from smokers&#39; enjoyment by requiring users to wear what is essentially a mask covering their nose and mouth. The most common problem with the prior art devices is that they utilize a single chamber to filter smoke from the burning tobacco product and smoke exhaled by the smoker. Exposing exhaled smoke to the tobacco product causes it, particularly a cigarette, to lose its flavor and in fact begin to taste bad. The smoking experience is thus less enjoyable to the smoker. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved smoke filtering device that will overcome these and other drawbacks of prior devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A device for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention overcomes drawbacks of current smoke filtering devices, such as those discussed above. The device reduces a non-smoker&#39;s exposure to second-hand smoke through containment and filtering while maintaining the taste of a tobacco product and more closely mimicking conventional smoking than prior devices. To this end, a device for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a first chamber that surrounds at least the lit end of a tobacco product and which has a first filter to filter the smoke from the tobacco product. A second chamber has a second filter into which second-hand smoke is exhaled and filtered before being released into the air. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment of a device for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the first and second chambers are removably coupled such that the apparatus forms an integrated unit. A fan may be located after the filter in the first chamber so as to draw smoke out from the first chamber and maintain air circulation to keep the tobacco product lit. 
         [0005]    The dual-chamber structure separates the tobacco product from exhaled smoke, which would otherwise cause the tobacco product to lose its taste. The filters may be removable and cleanable so that the apparatus may be reused. The first chamber, into which at least the lit end of the tobacco product is placed, may be transparent so that the user may see if the tobacco product is burning properly. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0006]    These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a device for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of a device similar to that shown in  FIG. 4A , illustrating a fourth embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a device for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an elevational view of a sixth embodiment of a device for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary device  10  for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The device  10  includes a first chamber  12 , a first filter  14 , a second chamber  16 , and a second filter  18 . At least the lit end  20  of a tobacco product  22 , such as a cigarette, is placed into the first chamber  12 . The user may inhale smoke from the tobacco product  22 . Smoke given off by the tobacco product  22  but not inhaled is filtered through the first filter  14 . The user then exhales through a mouthpiece  24  into the second chamber  16 . Smoke and air is forced through the second chamber  16  and the second filter  18 . The second filter  18  filters the smoke exhaled by the user so that only the filtered air is released into the atmosphere. 
         [0017]    In the embodiment shown, the first chamber  12  comprises at least a sidewall  26 , a first end  28  and a second end  30  forming an enclosed structure. The first end  28  of the first chamber  12  includes a first filter  14  that filters smoke from the lit end  20  of the tobacco product  22  as the smoke exits the first chamber  12 . The first chamber  12  also has at least one aperture  32  in the second end  30  through which at least the lit end  20  of a tobacco product  22  is placed into the first chamber  12 . The unlit end  34  of the tobacco product  22  extends through the aperture  32  so that a user can place the tobacco product  22  between their lips to smoke the tobacco product  22  in a conventional manner. A collar  36  may be provided at the second end  30  of the first chamber  12  proximate the aperture  32  to support the unlit end  34  of the tobacco product  22 . In the embodiment shown, the collar  36  is integrated into the second end  30  of the first chamber  12  and helps to seal the first chamber  12  so that smoke and air may not escape the first chamber  12  except through the first filter  14 . Alternatively, the collar  36  may be removably coupled to the first chamber  12 , as described more fully below. In one aspect of the invention, the walls of the first chamber  12  may be transparent, or at least translucent, such that the user may see the tobacco product  22  therein to confirm, for instance, whether or not the tobacco product  22  is still lit. 
         [0018]    The second chamber  16  comprises at least one sidewall  38 , a first end  40 , and a second end  42  forming an enclosed structure. The first end  40  of the second chamber  16  includes a second filter  18  that filters smoke as it exits the second chamber  16 . A mouthpiece  24  has a first end  44  coupled to the second end  42  of the second chamber  16  and has a second end  46  adapted to fit the lips of a user.  FIG. 2  further illustrates features of the mouthpiece  24 . A passage  48  through the mouthpiece  24  communicates with the second chamber  16  whereby a user may exhale smoke and air through the mouthpiece  24  into the second chamber  16 . The second filter  18  filters the exhaled smoke and air so that only filtered air is released into the atmosphere. 
         [0019]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , first filter  14  is removably retained within the first end  28  of the housing  50  by the closure  52  to facilitate cleaning or replacing the filter  14 . The first filter  14  is clamped between an end wall  54  of the closure  52  and a radially inwardly extending ledge  56  provided within the housing  50  proximate the open first end  28 . An aperture  58  in the end wall  54  of the closure  52  is threadably engaged with the first end  28  of the housing  50 . While only a single aperture  58  is depicted in  FIG. 2 , it will be recognized that closure  52  may alternately have more than one aperture therethrough, to clamp the first filter  14  within the first end  28  of the housing  50  while permitting the flow of air through the first filter  14 . In the embodiment shown, closure  52  is removably coupled to the first end  28  of housing  50  by complimentary screw threads  60 ,  62  formed on the closure  52  and the first end  28  of housing  50 . It will be recognized that various other methods or structure may be used to removably couple closure  52  to the first chamber  12 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3 , in which like reference numerals refer to like features in  FIG. 1 , illustrates an embodiment similar to  FIG. 1 , but wherein the first and second chambers  12 ,  16  and other parts of the smoke-filtering device  10   a  are integrated within a single housing  64  to provide a convenient, single-piece construction. Even though the device  10   a  of  FIG. 3  comprises a single housing  64 , the first and second chambers  12 ,  16  and the first and second filters  14 ,  18  are used in the same manner described above with respect to the device  10  of  FIG. 1 , so that smoke exhaled by the user is not exposed to the tobacco product  22 . 
         [0021]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate another embodiment of a device  10   b  for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The device  10   b  is similar to the device  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and similar features have been similarly numbered. In the embodiment shown, the first chamber  12  comprises at least a sidewall  26 , a first end  28  and a second end  30  forming an enclosed structure. The first end  28  of the first chamber  12  includes a first filter  14  that filters smoke from the lit end  20  of the tobacco product  22  as it exits the first chamber  12 . The first chamber  12  also has at least one aperture  32  in the second end  30  through which at least the lit end  20  of a tobacco product  22  is placed into the first chamber  12 . The unlit end  34  of the tobacco product  22  extends through the aperture  32  so that a user can place the tobacco product  22  between their lips to smoke the tobacco product  22  in a conventional manner. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown, the first chamber  12  is interconnected with a second chamber  66 . The second chamber  66  comprises at least one sidewall  68 , a first end  70 , and a second end  72  forming an enclosed structure. At the first end  70  of the second chamber  66  is a second filter  74  which serves to filter the smoke exhaled by the user. An aperture  76  is formed through sidewall  68  of the second chamber  66  and communicates with a passage  78  extending along a conduit  80  that couples the second chamber  66  with a mouthpiece  24 . A passage  48  through the mouthpiece  24  communicates with the passage  78  through conduit  80  whereby a user may exhale smoke and air through the mouthpiece  24 , through the conduit  80 , and into the second chamber  66 . The exhaled smoke and air is then filtered by the second filter  74  so that only the filtered air is released into the atmosphere. 
         [0023]    The device  10   b  shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  further includes a fan  82  to draw smoke and circulate air from the first chamber  12 . The air circulation keeps the tobacco product  22  lit and draws air and smoke into the first filter  14  so that smoke does not build up within the first chamber  12 . In one embodiment, aperture  32  may be sized to provide a clearance space between the tobacco product  22  and the aperture  32 , so that the fan  82  draws air into first chamber  12  through the clearance space instead of through the tobacco product  22 . Filtered air exits the device  10   b  through apertures  114  provided near the outlet side of fan  82 . In the device shown, fan  82  is powered by a battery  84 . It will be appreciated, however, that fan  82  may be powered in various other ways, such as by manual manipulation, to draw smoke and air into the first filter  12 . 
         [0024]    A collar  86  supports the tobacco product  22  extending through the aperture  32  with its lit end  20  in the first chamber  12 . The aperture  32  includes an insert  88  formed from resilient seal material to further seal the first chamber  12  so that smoke and air do not escape without first being filtered. The unlit end  34  of the tobacco product  22  extends through the collar  86  so that a user can place the tobacco product  22  between their lips to smoke the tobacco product  22  in a conventional manner. The collar  86  is flexibly coupled to the device  10   b  by a tether, such as a ball chain  90 . The ball chain  90  is attached at a first end  92  to a grip  94  extended from the collar  86 , making the collar  86  easier to hold. A tab  96  with an aperture  98  is located on a sidewall  26  of the first chamber  12 . Aperture  98  receives the second end  100  of the ball chain  90 . It will be recognized that there are various other ways to flexibly couple the collar  86  to the sidewall  26 , and that the tether used may be attached to the device  10   b  at locations other than the sidewall  26 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4B  is an exploded view of the device  10   b  of  FIG. 4A , illustrating how the components may be separable so as to allow for the replacement and/or cleaning of the first filter  14 , the second filter  74 , and the battery  84 . The separable components are arranged into a first end section  106 , an intermediate end section  108 , and a second end section  110 . Each of these sections is described below. Conduit  80  is not shown removable from the first chamber  12 . It will be recognized, however, that the conduit  80  may be removable from the device  10   b  using a coupling as known in the art. In addition, the mouthpiece  24  connected to the conduit  80  is shown as being not removable. Again, it will be recognized that the mouthpiece  24  may be removable from the device  10   b  using a coupling known in the art to facilitate cleaning and/or replacement. 
         [0026]    The first end section  106  includes the collar  86 , the ball chain,  90 , the first chamber  12 , and the first filter  14 . The collar  86  is shown separated from the aperture  32  yet still coupled to the device  10   b  through the ball chain  90 . With the collar  86  removed, the insert  88  of softer material is more easily seen. A radially inwardly extending ledge  102  projects inwardly from the outer wall  104  of the first chamber  12 . Ledge  102  holds the first filter  14  in position at the first end  28  of the first chamber  12 . In the embodiment shown, the first end section  106  is removably coupled to the intermediate section  108  of the device  10   b  by complimentary screw threads  103 ,  105  provided at the first end  28  of first chamber  12  and the mating portion of the intermediate section  108 , respectively. It will be recognized that the first end section  106  and intermediate section  108  of the device  10   b  may be removably coupled in other manners, such as through a bayonet mount or other structure known in the art. 
         [0027]    The intermediate section  108  of device  10   b  includes fan  82  and battery  84 . The blades  112  of fan  82  rotate and draw smoke and air from the first chamber  12  through the first filter  14  and push the filtered air out of the device  10   b  through apertures  114  extending radially through sidewall  116 , as described above. The battery  84  is coupled to a connector  118  which connects to the fan  82  through a wire  120 . When the device  10   b  is not separated into its component parts (i.e. in the configuration shown in  FIG. 4A ) the battery  84 , connector  118 , and the wire  120  fit inside the battery compartment  122 . Compartment  122  includes radially extending tabs  124  which engage a battery compartment door  126  to hold the battery  84  in the battery compartment  122  in the assembled condition. 
         [0028]    The second end section  110  includes the second chamber  66  and the second filter  74 . The second end section  110  of the device  10   b  is shown as being configured for connection to the intermediate section  108  via a bayonet mount comprising slots  128  and pins  132 . Slots  128  are provided on the exterior wall  130  of the intermediate section  108 . Corresponding pins  132  are provided on an interior wall  134  of the second end section  110  to be received in slots  128  when the device  10   b  is assembled. It will be recognized that the sections  108 ,  110  may be coupled in various other manners suitable for removably coupling the second end section  110  to the intermediate section  108 . 
         [0029]    The second chamber  66  includes radially extending ribs  136  which clamp a second filter  74  into place between the ribs  136  and an end wall  70  of the closure  133 . Ribs  136  are stepped with a first radial length  135  and a second radial length  137 . The second radial length  137  is longer than the first radial length  135 . This longer radial length  137  spaces the filter  74  from the end wall  72 , allowing air to pass from passage  78  in conduit  80  to the second chamber  66  and through the second filter  74 . An aperture  138  is located within the closure  133  to allow filtered air to be released from the second chamber  66  into the atmosphere. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a smoke filtering device similar to the device described above with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4B , wherein the ribs  136  within second chamber  66  in  FIGS. 4A-4B  are replaced with an intermediate wall  140  having apertures  142  formed therethrough. The intermediate wall  140  spaces the second filter  74  from the end wall  144  of the second chamber  66  and the apertures  142  allow smoke and air exhaled through conduit  80  to pass through second filter  74 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a device  10   c  for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The device  10   c  is similar to the device  10  of  FIG. 1 , and like reference numerals refer to like features. In this embodiment, a single mouthpiece  146  is used to communicate with both the first chamber  12  and the passage  78  through conduit  80  to the second chamber (not shown). The mouthpiece  146  comprises a first end  148 , an inlet passage  156 , a second end  150 , and a second section  155  adapted to fit the mouth of a user. The second section  155  includes a smoke channel  152 . The smoke channel  152  is in communication with an outlet passage  154  and the inlet passage  156 . The outlet passage  154  connects the mouthpiece  146  to the passage  78  communicating with the second chamber (not shown). Located within the outlet passage  154  is a check valve  158 , which regulates airflow while the user exhales so that the user&#39;s breath is directed through the outlet passage  154  to the second chamber (not shown). The inlet passage  156  connects the smoke channel  152  to the first chamber  12 . Located within the inlet passage  156  is another check valve  160 , which regulates airflow while the user inhales, allowing air to pass such that the user may inhale smoke from the tobacco product  22 . Tobacco product  22  is positioned with a lit end (not shown) located within the first chamber  12 , as described above. The unlit end  34  of the tobacco product  22  is positioned within the inlet passage  156  between the check valve  160  and the first chamber  12 . At the connection between the inlet passage  156  and the first chamber  12  is an insert  162  to help hold the tobacco product  22  in place, similar to insert  88  described above with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4B . 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of a device  10   d  for filtering second-hand smoke in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The device  10   d  is similar to the device  10  of  FIG. 1 , and like reference numerals refer to like features. In this embodiment, the user inhales and exhales smoke through a single mouthpiece  164 . The mouthpiece  164  has a first end  166  adapted to fit the mouth of a user, a second end  168  opposite the first end  166 , and a passage  170  between the first and second ends  166 ,  168 . Passage  170  is in communication with a first end  172  of a conduit  174 , which allows smoke and air to pass from the first chamber  12  to the mouthpiece  164  and the user and also from the user to the second chamber  176 . Conduit  174  is in communication with an inlet passage  178  of the first chamber  12 , and an outlet passage  180  of second chamber  176 . A first check valve  177  is located within the inlet passage  178  and regulates airflow to allow a user to inhale smoke from a tobacco product  22  in the first chamber  12 . A second check valve  179  is located within the inlet passage  180  and regulates airflow so that a user may exhale smoke into the second chamber  176 . At an end  182  of the inlet passage  178 , a collar  184  is in communication with both the inlet passage  178  and the first chamber  12 . The first chamber  12  and first filter  14  are housed within a first housing section  186 . 
         [0033]    In use, a tobacco product  22  is placed with at least a lit end  20  in the first chamber  12 . The tobacco product  22  passes through the collar  184  such that its unlit end  34  is located in the inlet passage  178  between the check valve  177  and the first chamber  12 . A first filter  14  filters smoke and air from the first chamber  12  so that only filtered air is released into the atmosphere. The outlet passage  180  is in communication with a second chamber  176  that contains a second filter  188 . This second chamber  176  filters smoke and air exhaled from the user in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the device  10  of  FIG. 1 , so that smoke exhaled by the user is not exposed to the tobacco product  22 . In this embodiment, the second chamber  176  and second filter  188  are housed within a second housing section  190 . 
         [0000]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept