AU2005100461B4 - Filter - Google Patents

Description

31-May, 2005 18:49 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No. 078 6 P 4 en P/00/009 Regulation 3.2B

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title:

FILTER

The invention is described in the following statement together with the best method of performing it known to us: Our Reference: 056010 COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31 May. 2005 18:49 Walli ngton-Dummer Sydney No,0786 P. 2l, FILTER 0 o The present invention relates to apparatus and method for filtering toxic compounds of cigarette smoke and, more particularly for reducing the tar content of smoke passing Ce 5 from a tobacco to a user.

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BACKGROUND

o It is now well known that cigarette smoking is harmful o' to health of both active and passive smokers, and that the Ci 10 agent which is most responsible for that harm is the tar content of the smoke which is inhaled and, for passive smokers, the smoke that is then exhaled.

So-called low tar cigarettes have been developed, which although perhaps decreasing the danger, are still injurious to the human body and moreover, these have a concomitant reduced level of nicotine offering a lower level of satisfaction. Various filtration means, such as cork tipped cigarettes and cigarette holders are known but have done little to reduce the level of tar, which ultimately finds its way into the lungs of smokers.

It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages, by reducing the tar content of inhaled tobacco smoke, whether that be from a high or low nicotine tobacco.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 14Sep. 2005 13:54 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No 2247 P. 4 n- 3 -3 0 0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION r l A tobacco smoking apparatus comprising a container

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at least partly filled with an oil-based tar attracting liquid; said container provided with an interchangeable holder at an inlet end and a mouth piece at an exit

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end; said container further provided with a filter element interposed between said interchangeable holder o and said mouthpiece; said filter element comprising a "c body of porous solid material at least partially immersed in said tar attracting liquid, and wherein smoke from lighted tobacco supported in said holder is drawn through said filter element and said tar attracting liquid; said filter element one of a selection of filter elements of different sizes and of different degrees of tar reduction.

Preferably, said apparatus further comprising a tubular member supported in an aperture in a wall of said container; said tubular member extending from said aperture outwardly to an outer upper end and inwardly to an inner lower end; said interchangeable holder supported at said outer upper end and said filter element releasably supported at said inner lower end.

Preferably, said interchangeable holder comprises any one of holders adapted for insertion of a cigarette, a cigar or a plug of pipe tobacco.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14 14-Sep. 2005 13:54 14Sep. 20 ~3:54 ingtor-Dummer Sydney o247 P No. 2 247 P b -4o Preferably, said filter element is formed of a elongate cylindrical body of porous stone, pumice or ceramic; said filter element releasably retained in said inner lower end by a sleeve of elastomeric material.

In a further broad form of the invention there is 0 provided a method of reducing suspended tar compounds o from smoke passing from burning tobacco to a smoker by Ci use of the apparatus of any preceding claim; said method including the steps of: fitting said tobacco into said holder, securing said holder to said outer upper end of said tubular member, drawing said tobacco smoke through said filter element and said tar attracting liquid.

in a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a filter element for reduction of tar compounds from tobacco smoke; said element comprising a matrix of liquid retaining material adapted to maximise contact between said smoke and a tar attracting liquid.

Preferably, said matrix of liquid retaining material is a collection of liquid absorbent particulates.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by P1 Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14 14-Sep. 2005 13:55 Wallington-Dunm er Sydney No.2247 P. 6 in 0 Preferably, said particulates are particles of sawdust.

Preferably, said matrix of liquid retaining material is a porous ceramic.

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0 Preferably, said matrix of liquid retaining material is of pumice stone.

0- Preferably, said liquid is oil.

Preferably, said oil is a vegetable oil.

Preferably, said vegetable oil is an olive oil.

Preferably, said element comprises a generally cylindrical body enclosed about cylindrical sides of said body by a sheath of oil-proof paper.

Preferably, each end face of said generally cylindrical body is covered by oil-proof paper; said paper provided with perforations.

Preferably, each of said perforations is shaped as a shallow funnel; a smaller aperture of said funnel facing inwards towards said cylindrical body.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14 14Sep. 2005 13:55 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.2247 P. 7 In -6 0 0 Preferably, said filter element further comprising a

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Sgenerally cylindrical porous plug disposed at least at one end face of said cylindrical body.

Preferably, said filter element further comprises a

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generally cylindrical porous plug disposed at either end 0 face of said cylindrical body.

SPreferably, said porous plug is of cork.

ci Preferably, said filter element is adapted for incorporation at a mouth end of a ready-made cigarette.

Preferably, said filter element is adapted for inclusion by a user in a self-rolled cigarette.

Preferably, said filter element is incorporated in a cigarette smoking apparatus; said filter element immersed in a tar attracting liquid bath interposed between said cigarette and the mouth of a user.

Preferably, oil used in said filter is augmented with a fragrant substance In a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a filter element for the reduction of suspended tar compounds in smoke passing COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14 14-Sep. 2005 13:55 Wal Iin ton-Dummer Sydney No.2247 P. 8 in 6A from the burning tobacco of a cigarette to a smoker; said

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Smethod including the steps of: saturating a generally cylindrical volume of liquid retaining material with a tar

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attracting liquid, drying said material to a point where exposed o liquid is reduced to surface coating only, ci enclosing said cylindrical volume of liquid retaining material in an envelope of oilproof paper, providing end faces of said envelope with perforations.

Preferably, said method further includes the steps of: making said perforations as shallow funnel formations wherein a smaller diameter of said perforation is directed inwardly towards said cylindrical volume, providing a generally cylindrical plug of porous material at least at one end of said cylindrical volume.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14 14.Sep. 2005 13:55 Wall ington-Dummer Sydney No.2247 P. 9 in 6B 0 C( In yet a further broad form of the invention, there C. is provided a method for the reduction of suspended tar compounds in smoke passing from burning tobacco to a smoker by means of an oil filter; said method including \O the steps of: 0 o suspending a generally cylindrical volume of a porous ceramic, pumice stone or the like in a bath of an oil-based tar attracting liquid, retaining said cylindrical volume and said bath of said tar attracting liquid in an apparatus provided with a holder for said tobacco and a mouthpiece arranged such that smoke from said tobacco passes through said cylindrical volume to said mouthpiece.

In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided an oil filter for a cigarette; said filter interposed between a cigarette's tobacco and the mouth of a smoker; said filter comprising a volume of oil retaining material adapted for maximising contact between a stream of tobacco smoke and oil-coated surfaces of said oil retaining material.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14 14.Sep. 2005 13:55 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.2247 P. S- 6C 0 o In a further broad form of the invention there is provided an oil filter for the stem of a tobacco smoking

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pipe; said filter releasably incorporated in an end portion

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0 0 ci COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14 31.May. 2005 18:50 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.0786 P. 7 l In a further broad form of the invention there is 0 provided an oil filter for the stem of a tobacco smoking pipe; said filter releasably incorporated in an end portion of said stem; said filter comprising a volume of oil c 5 retaining material adapted for maximising contact between a stream of tobacco smoke and oil-coated surfaces of said oil

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retaining material.

n BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS (C 10 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a filter element for a cigarette according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1A is a sectioned side view of the filter element and cigarette of Fig. 1 when assembled, SFigure 2 is a sectional view of a portion of a cylindrical volume of oil retaining particulate material of the filter element of Figs. 1 and 1A, Figure 3 is a sectioned side view of second preferred embodiment of a filter element according to the invention, Figure 4 is a sectioned side view of a third preferred embodiment of a filter element retained within a casing fitted to the mouth end of a cigarette, COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31 May. 2005 18:50 Wa I ngton-Dummer S dne No 0786 P 11 -8- Sn Figure 5 is a perspective view of a tobacco smoking pipe and pipe stem fitted with a filter according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 6 is an elevation view of a filter element c 5 according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention installed in a hookah-like apparatus.

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o DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (C 10 First Preferred Embodiment In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to Fig. 1, a filter element 10 is comprised of a generally cylindrical volume 12 of particulate material sandwiched between porous plugs 14 and 16. The particulate material is preferably comprised of small fibres, for example fibres of sawdust, granules of charcoal or even a porous stone such as pumice or ceramic, which are able to both absorb a certain amount of a suitable tar attracting liquid and retain a coating of the liquid on external surfaces of the particles.

In preparation, the particulate material is immersed in a bath of the liquid for a duration sufficient to allow saturation of the particles. These are then removed from the bath and allowed to dry until only the surface coating and absorbed oil remains, and no free oil is retained in the volume 12. The inventive concept is not limited to any COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31 .May 2005 18:50 Wal linston-Dummer Sydne No .0786 P. 12 9 Sparticular type of liquid but must be an oil-based liquid.

0- Experiments have indicated vegetable oils, and in particular olive oil, as being very effective .in the extraction of tar compounds from smoke coming into contact c r 5 with the oil soaked and coated particulate matter.

The cylindrical volume 12 of prepared particles is

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-enclosed in a sheath 18 and with discs 20 at either outer 0 O end, of oil-proof paper. As best seen in the sectional view Sof Fig. 2, discs 20 are provided with apertures 22 formed

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10 as inwardly directed shallow funnels. The funnel form aids in minimising oil seepage and loss of particulate material from volume 12, yet still allows a relatively unobstructed air flow through the volume 12.

The particles are preferably of a size and irregularity of shape such that adjoining particles are not able to form into a coagulated mass, but leave between them interstices allowing smoke to be drawn through.

Furthermore, the size of the particles and the small diameter, that is the inner end of the shallow funnel formations, must be such that particles are not readily lost through the apertures of the end discs.

Porous plugs 14 and 16 closely abut paper discs 20. A suitable material for these plugs has been found to be the same material as currently found in cork-tipped cigarettes.

Again with reference to Fig. 1 and 1A, volume 12 and plugs 14 and 16 are combined and wrapped in a sheath of oil-proof COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31.May. 2005 18:50 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.0786 P. 13 10 V~ paper 19 coextensive with the combined length of these 0 components to form filter element 10. The element 10 is then attached to a volume of tobacco 26 wrapped in cigarette paper 28 in similar manner to the attachment of the filter of a conventional filter tipped cigarette. As more clearly shown in Figs. 1A and 3, outer plug 16 is considerably thicker than plug 14, to reduce the O possibility of any oil seepage induced by drawing on the o cigarette, from reaching the mouth of the smoker.

Ci 10 Second Preferred Embodiment In this preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the cylindrical volume 12 and plugs 14 and 16 are again combined together by first wrapping in a cylindrical sheath 19 of oil proof paper prior to enveloping the filter element thus formed in a cigarette paper with a volume of tobacco. In this form of the invention, the filter element may be incorporated into a ready-made cigarette during manufacture, but may also be provided as a separate item, able to be included in a "roll-your-own" cigarette.

Third Preferred Embodiment With reference now to Fig.. 4, a cylindrical volume of particulate material prepared with a tar attracting liquid as described for the first preferred embodiment above, is again provided with an enclosing sheath 42 and end discs 44 and 46. End discs 44 and 46 are provided as COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31.May. 2005 18:51 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.0786 P. 14 11 ifn described above, with perforations formed as inwardly 0 directed shallow funnels.

Cylindrical volume 40 is provided with a porous plug 48 at least at one, outer or mouth end of the assembly, but preferably, at both ends as shown in Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the combined cylindrical volume 40 and the plugs 48 comprise a filter element 59 releasably retained Sin a casing In o) Casing 50 comprises a generally cylindrical body 52 0 Ci 10 open at a first end 54 adapted for retaining a cigarette as a light press-fit and open at a second mouth end 56.

Body 52 is in two parts joining at a median line 58 so as to be detachable one from the other, thereby allowing removal and replacement of filter element 59.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, the plugs 48 at each end are relatively short, as shown in Fig. 4, because the same plug already exists in the conventional cigarette 55 fitted to first end 54.

Casing 50 is further provided with internal retaining structures, preferably in the form of annular rings 53 ac 4 pted to retain filter element 59 between them.

Preferably also in this embodiment, the mouth end of casing 52 extends beyond the outer face of 57 of outer end plug 48.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31.May. 2005 18:51 Wallinaton-Dummer Sydney No.0786 P. 12 IFourth Preferred Embodiment 0 As shown in Fig. 5, the casing previously described in ci the Third Preferred Embodiment above, may be incorporated in the end portion 60 of a pipe stem 62. Again the filter element 64 comprises a cylindrical volume 66 of particulate material encapsulated in oil proof paper as previously described, flanked at least at an outer or mouth end, but opreferably at both ends, by plugs 68. End piece 70 of pipe ostem 62 is detachable to allow the replacement from time to Ci 10 time of filter element- 64.

Fifth Preferred Embodiment With reference to Fig. 6, a filter element 100 of a tobacco smoking apparatus 110, is immersed in a tar attracting oil-based liquid 102 retained in the main body 104 of a hookah-like apparatus 110. Filter element 100 comprises a cylindrical volume of a porous ceramic, a stone such a pumice or the like, wherein the interstices of the element retain the tar attracting liquid.

The apparatus is provided with a holder 106, which in this form of the embodiment comprises an elongate tube 108, preferably angled upwardly as shown in Fig. 6. An interchangeable fitting 112 may be inserted at the mouth end 114 of holder 106 adapted to hold a cigarette 113, or a cigar (not shown) or plug of tobacco as for a pipe respectively by replacing fitting 112 with fittings 112A or 112B respectively.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31.May. 2005 18:51 Wa l ngton-Dummer Sydney No.0786 P. 16 13 VC) Filter Element 100 is releasably retained at the lower 0 0, end 116 of elongate tube 108 by an elastomer sleeve 120.

Elongate tube 108 is itself retained in the body 104 of the apparatus by an elastomer grommet 122.

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c n 5 The upper end 124 of main body 104 of the apparatus 110 may be fashioned into a mouthpiece 125, or may provide connection for a flexible tube 128 and mouthpiece 130 as O well known in the art of water pipe type of smoking ln Sarrangements.

0 CI 10 Filter element 100 may be replaced as required by firstly withdrawing the elongate tube 108 from grommet 122 and pulling the element 100 from the lower end 116 of the tube. For this purpose filter element 100 may be provided with a protruding ring 126, or other graspable element.

In use, the appropriate fitting 112 or 112A or 112B, is inserted into holder 106 and retained as a friction fit or by means of mating internal and external threads. After lighting the tobacco in either a cigarette, a cigar or the pipe plug, suction by a user on the mouthpiece will draw smoke from the tobacco downwardly through passage 114 and thence upwardly after passage through the filter element 100. The liquid-filled interstices of the filter element 100 maximise the contact and interaction of the smoke stream with the tar attractant liquid, thereby significantly reducing the tar content of the smoke drawn into the mouth and lungs of the user.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31 May. 2005 18:51 Walli n ton-Dummer Sydney No.0786 P. 17 14 VS Application The effectiveness of any one of the above embodiments of the present invention is a function of the exposure of the tar laden tobacco smoke to the tar attracting liquid and the interaction between them. To this end, the size, shape and absorbency of the particulate matter of the first

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four; embodiments, or the size and distribution of O interstices in the case of the fifth, as well as the volume Sof the filter, are directed to maximising this exposure and

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10 interaction. The choice of these parameters of the particulate matter also provide a means for adjusting the degree of tar reduction offered by the filter of the present invention. Thus the "strength" of the taste of a cigarette (or either of the other tobacco smoking devices to which the present filter may be fitted) due to the tar content of the smoke passing to the smoker, may be adjusted to suit smoker's preferences.

As noted above, good results have been obtained using vegetable oils and, in particular olive oil. The filter of the present invention traps a significant amount of the oil-based tar produced by the burning tobacco but allows the passage of water-based nicotine with little impedance.

Thus a smoker will derive the satisfaction offered by a high tar/nicotine level tobacco through the high level of inhaled nicotine, but not be exposed to the concomitant COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31 31 May. 2005 18:51 Wa llin ton-Dummer Sydney No.0786 P. 18 15 Shigh level of tar, as would be the case for tobacco smoke 0- inhaled via a conventional cellulose filter.

The capture of a significant proportion of tar in the tar attracting liquid trapped in the respective filter elements, is of course of direct benefit to the inhaling active smoker. But it is also of benefit to the passive

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rij- smoker since exhaled smoke will also have a reduced tar O load.

In OIn any of the above embodiments, the tar attractant

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1 ]0 liquid may be augmented by a fragrant substance, such as a mint or menthol for example, such that as tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter element, it is acquires the taste of the fragrant substance.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-01275121 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:53 Date 2005-05-31

Claims (1)

14-Sep, 2005 13:55 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No. 2247 P- I I 16 CLAIMS 0 o 1. A tobacco smoking apparatus comprising a container Sat least partly filled with an oil-based tar C) attracting liquid; said container provided with an interchangeable holder at an inlet end and a mouth piece at an exit end; said container further VO S provided with a filter element interposed between said interchangeable holder and said mouthpiece; said filter element comprising a body of porous c N solid material at least partially immersed in said tar attracting liquid, and wherein smoke from lighted tobacco supported in said holder is drawn through said filter element and said tar attracting liquid; said filter element one of a selection of filter elements of different sizes and of different degrees of tar reduction. 2. The apparatus of claim 1; said apparatus further comprising a tubular member supported in an aperture in a wall of said container; said tubular member extending from said aperture outwardly to an outer upper end and inwardly to an inner lower end; said interchangeable holder supported at said outer upper end and said filter element releasably supported at said inner lower end. COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14 14.Sep. 2005 13:56 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No .2247 P 12 17 lV 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein said o interchangeable holder comprises any one of holders Sadapted for insertion of a cigarette, a cigar or a C) plug of pipe tobacco. 4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said filter element is formed of a elongate VO cylindrical body of porous stone, pumice or ceramic; o said filter element releasably retained in said Sinner lower end by a sleeve of elastomeric material. Ci 10 5.A method of reducing suspended tar compounds from smoke passing from burning tobacco to a smoker by use of the apparatus of any preceding claim; said method including the steps of: fitting said tobacco into said holder, securing said holder to said outer upper end of said tubular member, drawing said tobacco smoke through said filter element and said tar attracting liquid. DATED: 14 September 2005 Victor Ree by his Patent Attorneys: WALLINGTONT-DUMMER COMS ID No: SBMI-01508787 Received by IP Australia: Time 13:58 Date 2005-09-14