IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SMOKING TOBACCO
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hermann Homfeldt van der Werff, of 166, Fleet Street, in
the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
SMOKING TOBACCO."
Sealed the 27th October 1877, and dated the 2nd May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hermann Homfeldt van der
Werff at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd May 1877.
HERMANN HOMFELDT VAN DER WERFF, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SMOKING TOBACCO."
This Invention relates to apparatus for smoking tobacco, and the novelty
consists in constructing or forming a tube with a parallel inner surface to enable a
tube or bowl, into which the tobacco is placed, to be pushed or drawn back within
it, the bowl working upon an inner stem, one end of which is fastened at the back
of the mouth-piece proper, or to the inside of the first-named tube.
The stem is preferably screw threaded, and also the inner tube or tobacco holder
at the inner part, where it is attached to the stem, so that on turning the mouth-
piece with the stem as one article, and holding the inner tube firmly, the stem pro-
jects into the inner tube and pushes the tobacco outwards, when desired, as the
tobacco is being consumed.
The advantage of this plan is, the article always has the appearance of a cigar
within a holder, although charged with tobacco. The draught of air through the
article is always in proportion for preventing the tobacco getting overheated, and
also the smoke from the tobacco.
Another advantage is, as the tobacco becomes consumed, the burning or ash por-
tion is kept near the outer part of its holder by the action of the screw, which draws
the holder within the outer tube, of which the mouth-piece forms a part, or to which
it is attached.
Instead of a screw being upon the stem it may be plain, to enable the inner tube,
also plain, to be drawn back as desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Hermann Homfeldt van der Werff in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 1st November 1877.
HERMANN HOMFELDT VAN DER WERFF, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SMOKING TOBACCO."
"
This Invention relates to apparatus for smoking tobacco, and the novelty consists
in constructing or forming a tube with a parallel inner surface to enable a tube or
bowl, into which the tobacco is placed, to be pushed or drawn back within it, the
bowl working upon an inner stem, one end of which is fastened at the back of the
mouth-piece proper, or to the inside of the first-named or outer tube.
My Invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed Drawings, in
which Figure 1 is a section, and Figure 2 an exterior view of a tobacco holder, as
before explained.
In Figure 1 I have shown an ordinary pipe mouth-piece fitted, while in Figure 2
I have shown a cigar end or tip.
a is an exterior tube, to which the mouth-piece b is attached in the ordinary
manner; c is an inner tube, also attached to the tube a.
The tube c may have a plug d at its outer end to retain a plug of sponge or other
absorbent of moisture e, the plug & having a hole through it to lead the smoke from
the tobacco to the mouth-piece, the sponge or other absorbent of moisture serving to
filter the smoke and to prevent the passage of nicotine. The sponge also prevents the
saliva of the mouth getting to the tobacco, which is contained in a middle tube f, as
in Figure 1; this tube has a pin or other appliance upon it to run in a spiral groove,
as is more particularly shown in Figure 3, which is a view. of the same apparatus
with the middle tube partly pushed in upon the stem, such as when the tobacco is
about half burnt out or consumed.
Figure 4 shows the apparatus in a closed state, as it would be when carried in
the pocket or out of use.
The middle or movable tube is of parallel form throughout its length, and to
enable it to move [freely upon the stem c the inner end g of it has an internal
washer or collar to rub upon the stem in the to-and-fro motion, which is effected
by hand.
To use the apparatus, the tube f is drawn out into the position shown in Figure 1,
and then charged with tobacco, which as it becomes consumed retires, so to speak,
within the tube; the tube is then turned in the proper direction, and the tobacco
finds an abutment against the plug d, so that the tube f passes more or less into
the space between the tube a and the stem c, as in Figure 2, the pushing-in action
being continued at will until the tube f is nearly enclosed by the tube a and the
stem c, as in Figure 4, by which the whole of the tobacco has been consumed and
the tube f cleared of any dust or refuse that may have been left from the last
smoking.
It will be understood that by my Invention I form an apparatus like a cigar tube
or holder, with an extra tube into which tobacco can be placed after a draw-out
action of said tube has been effected, the said extra tube having exteriorly the
appearance of an ordinary cigar placed in the holder or in other form.
The advantage of this plan is, the article has in most cases the appearance of a
cigar within a holder, although charged with tobacco. The draught of air through
the article is always in proportion for preventing the tobacco getting overheated,
and also the smoke from the tobacco.
Another advantage is, as the tobacco becomes consumed, the burning or ash
portion is kept near the outer part of its holder by the push-in action, which draws
the tobacco holder f within the outer tube a, of which the mouth-piece b forms a
part, or to which it is attached.
The temporary fixation of the plug & prevents dust being drawn into the mouth,
also the passage of nicotine from the tobacco; and the sponge or other absorbent

page_text: of moisture not only filters the smoke, but stops the flow of saliva to the tobacco,
which is known to make wet plugs of tobacco, and consequent great waste.
Instead of a screw thread being upon the stem c, it may be plain, to enable the
middle tube f, also plain, to be drawn back as desired.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,—
Firstly. As an apparatus to facilitate the smoking of tobacco, the construction
and arrangement of parts acting in the manner described, and substantially as shown
in the annexed Drawings.
Secondly. I claim, fitting a tobacco holder tube to move between an outer and
an inner tube, as and for the purposes set forth, and as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4
of the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hermann Homfeldt van der Werff, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
HERMANN HOMFELDT VAN DER WERFF. (LS.)