EP4312604A2

EP4312604A2 - Secondhand smoke filter device

Info

Publication number: EP4312604A2
Application number: EP22776607.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniil Frants
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-03-23
Filing date: 2022-03-23
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Also published as: CA3214654A1; KR20240011667A; JP2024513764A; WO2022204333A3; AU2022245301A1; CN117729858A; WO2022204333A2

Abstract

The present application provides a smoke filtering device that includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and at least a first chamber configured to retain a consumable therein and a second chamber configured to retain a filter assembly therein, within the elongated body; a mouthpiece coupled to the proximal end, the mouthpiece having at least one port therein that communicates with the first and second chambers within the elongated body; and a bottom cap coupled to the distal end of the elongated body, the bottom cap having at least one port therein that communicates with the first and second chambers within in the elongated body. The device is configured therewith to draw air in from the port in the bottom cap during inhalation, then through the first and second chambers, and finally through the port in the mouthpiece. During exhalation, the device is configured for air to pass through the port in the mouthpiece and then the filter assembly, and out of the at least one port in the bottom cap, bypassing the first chamber.

Description

SECONDHAND SMOKE

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/200,695, filed March 23, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This application generally relates to a smoke filtering device, and in particular, a smoke filtering device that removes toxic and carcinogenic elements from secondhand smoke of cigarettes, and other smoking implements including cannabis, pipes, vaporizers, e-cigarettes, and cigars.

[0003] In the United States alone, approximately 41,000 people die every year from heart disease and lung cancer related to secondhand smoke inhalation. The Surgeon General estimates that between 1964 and 2015, 2,500,000 people in the U.S. died from exposure to secondhand smoke. Every year, between 150,000 and 300,000 infants and children under the age of 18 months in the U.S. acquire a lower respiratory infection as a result of secondhand smoke inhalation, resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations. Furthermore, 430 cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in the U.S. per year are linked to secondhand smoke inhalation. As of July 2019, the World Health Organization estimates that 1.2 million people a year die prematurely from exposure to secondhand smoke. This means that for every six smokers who die as a result of their smoking, so does one nonsmoker.

[0004] Secondhand smoke may be a mixture of, or individually, two forms of smoke that come from burning tobacco or other smokable substances: mainstream smoke - the smoke exhaled by a smoker, and sidestream smoke - smoke from the lighted end of a cigarette, a pipe, a cigar, rolled cannabis, or tobacco burning in a hookah or other smoking device. Non-smokers who breathe in secondhand smoke take in toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, similarly to the way in which smokers do. As such, secondhand smoke is very harmful to bystanders. There are over a billion smokers who choose to inhale deadly cigarette (or pipe, cigar, cannabis, hookah, etc.) smoke. However, these people at least have a choice in the matter - those who are affected by secondhand smoke often do not. While the percentage of smokers in the general population is decreasing, it is doing so at a rate less than that at which the population is growing. Thus, the number of smokers is increasing and there is a need for a device that allows users to smoke without subjecting those around them to the hazardous byproduct.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A smoke filtering device is provided that includes an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and at least a first chamber configured to retain a consumable and a second chamber configure to retain a filter assembly therein within the elongated body; a mouthpiece coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body, the mouthpiece defining at least a portion of a proximal plenum and having at least one port therein, wherein the proximal plenum is in communication with the first and second chambers within the elongated body; and a bottom cap coupled to the distal end of the elongated body, the bottom cap having at least one port therein that communicates with the first and second chambers within in the elongated body, the device configured therewith to draw air during inhalation in from the port in the bottom cap, through the first chamber, and through the proximal plenum, to exit through the port in the mouthpiece, and during exhalation, pass air through the port in the mouthpiece, the proximal plenum, the filter assembly, and finally out of the at least one port in the bottom cap. [0006] In one embodiment, the proximal plenum is hingedly coupled to the elongated body between a first position wherein proximal ends of the first and second chambers are exposed, and a second position covering the proximal ends of the first and second chambers.

[0007] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes a top cap and wherein the top cap defines a portion of the proximal plenum, the top cap having first and second apertures therein located over the proximal ends of the first and second chambers.

[0008] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes a first and a second check valve, the top cap having recesses therein for receiving the first and the second check valves.

[0009] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes a means for igniting a consumable placed within the first chamber.

[0010] In one embodiment, the bottom cap has a chamber therein for collecting ash from the consumable in the first chamber.

[0011] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes an arc chamber located between the elongated body and the bottom cap, the arc chamber having a tubular structure that receives a distal end of the first chamber.

[0012] In one embodiment, the means for igniting the consumable is disposed within the tubular structure of the arc chamber.

[0013] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes a plurality of pogo pins configured within the second chamber to provide upward pressure for ejecting the filter assembly from the elongated body. [0014] In one embodiment, the elongated body defining an intermediate plenum below the filter assembly, the intermediate plenum having at least one check valve therein for directing airflow depending on whether positive or negative pressure is exhibited in the intermediate plenum. [0015] The smoke filtering device of claim 10, comprising at least one check valve in the proximal plenum for directing airflow between the first and second chambers depending on whether positive or negative pressure is exhibited in the intermediate plenum.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first chamber having a tubular shape for receiving a cigarette therein, the first chamber comprising a mechanism that feeds the cigarette into an arc chamber located at the distal end of the first chamber.

[0017] In one embodiment, the filter assembly comprises a tubular filter body and a tubular center filter portion disposed within the filter body, each having coincident apertures therein, the filter assembly further comprising a filter material disposed between the filter body and the center filter portion, wherein air flows through the center filter portion, which is filtered by the filter material as the air passes through the apertures in the center filter portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first chamber having a tubular shape for receiving a cigarette therein, the first chamber comprising a wheel driven by a motor, the tubular first chamber having a slot therein for the wheel to pass and when driven to feed the cigarette into an arc chamber located at the distal end of the first chamber.

[0019] In one embodiment, the bottom cap is pivotally coupled to the elongated body.

[0020] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes a controller configured to determine whether the filter assembly has exceeded its life expectancy based on cumulative use. [0021] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes a means for igniting a consumable disposed within the tubular structure of the arc chamber, the controller further configured to prevent ignition until the filter assembly is replaced.

[0022] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes a means for igniting a consumable disposed within the tubular structure of the arc chamber and a controller configured to ignite the consumable in response to an input.

[0023] In one embodiment, the smoke filtering device includes a means for igniting a consumable disposed within the tubular structure of the arc chamber and a controller configured to sense a position of the consumable within the first chamber and to drive a wheel that passes through a slot in the first chamber to feed the cigarette into an arc chamber located at the distal end of the first chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] The invention is illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding parts.

[0025] Fig. 1 illustrates a first perspective view of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0026] Fig. 2 illustrates a second perspective view of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0027] Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein. [0028] Fig. 4-5 illustrate first and second views of a mouthpiece portion of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0029] Fig. 6-7 illustrate first and second views of main body portion of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0030] Fig. 8-9 illustrate first and second views of an inner cover portion of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0031] Fig. 10 illustrates a view of the inner cover installed on the main body of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0032] Fig. 11 illustrates a view of a filter assembly installed in the main body of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0033] Fig. 12 illustrate views of a filter center portion of the filter assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0034] Fig. 13 illustrates a view of a filter assembly and release mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0035] Fig. 14 illustrates a view of the main body of a smoke filtering device, along with a filter body and a cigarette chamber according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0036] Fig. 15 illustrates a view of the main body of a smoke filtering device, along with a cigarette chamber, bottom cap assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein. [0037] Fig. 16 illustrates a view of the bottom cap assembly and main body of a smoke filtering device, along with a cigarette chamber, filter body, pogo pin holder, and push gear according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0038] Fig. 17-19 illustrate views of the bottom cap parts (bottom lid base, bottom lid plate and bottom lid main body) of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0039] Fig. 20 illustrates a partially disassembled view of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0040] Figs 21-22 illustrate cross sectional views of a smoke filtering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the devices disclosed herein.

[0041] Figs. 23-28 illustrate functional flow diagrams of a smoke filtering device according to several embodiments of the devices disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any example embodiments set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning. Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matter include combinations of exemplary embodiments in whole or in part. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0043] The present application discloses a smoke filtering device that can filter secondhand smoke while allowing smokers to consume cigarettes as they normally would, generally. That is, a user may insert a cigarette into a receptacle of the device and drag or draw smoke from an exposed end. Alternatively, the cigarette may be fully enclosed in the device and smoke may be drawn from a mouthpiece, as discussed further below. The user may then exhale into the device, for example, through the mouthpiece so that the smoking experience remains as natural as possible. The device preferably filters from the atmosphere all secondhand smoke, including the mainstream and sidestream therefrom. The device preferably includes one or more layers of filtering material, or one or a series of filters, which remove toxic and carcinogenic elements from the smoke, leaving primarily carbon monoxide therefrom. Once toxic and carcinogenic elements have been removed from the smoke, the remaining constituents may generally be considered relatively safe. While the present disclosure discusses use of the filter device in association with cigarettes, the filter device may be used to filter secondhand smoke from any consumable, including cigars and cannabis. The filter device may also be used with smoking devices that do not emit sidestream smoke, such as Juul® devices, e-cigarettes, and vaporizers. [0044] Referring to Figs 1-2, the smoke filtering device 100 according to a preferred embodiment generally has an elongated body with a proximal end and a distal end. At the proximal end, a mouthpiece 104 is provided with an inhalation/exhalation port 106 therein. The inhalation/exhalation port generally communicates with chambers in the device 100 to draw smoke from a cigarette/consumable and for the user to blow mainstream smoke into a filter assembly. The inhalation/exhalation port 106 is shown as a single port, but dual ports may also be used with dedicated ports for inhalation and exhalation. At the distal end, a bottom cap 108 is provided. The bottom cap 108 preferably includes intake/exhaust port(s) 110. The device 100 includes a housing 102 that encases the inner assemblies discussed in greater detail below.

[0045] Referring to Fig. 3, an exploded view of the exemplary smoke filtering device is provided. The smoke filtering device 100 generally includes a main body 308 to which the mouthpiece 104 is pivotally installed to provide access to the top of the body 308. Although the body is shown as a unitary piece, it is understood that the body 308 may be constructed from a plurality of individual structures and is therefore not limited thereto. More specifically, the mouthpiece 104 is fit to a top cap 304, which is pivotally coupled to the main body 308. Preferably, a top cap seal 302 is located between the mouthpiece 104 and the top cap 304. At the opposite end, a bottom cap 108 and optional seal 328 is provided that is similarly pivotally coupled to the main body 308, which pivots to provide access to the bottom of the body 308. Importantly, the bottom cap 108 provides a means for collecting and disposing ash. Between the body 308 and bottom cap 108 is an arc chamber 324, which has a receiving end for the distal end of the cigarette/consumable to be placed therein and includes therein a means for igniting or otherwise lighting the distal end of the cigarette. [0046] The other parts of the device 100 may include a cigarette chamber 306 which receives the cigarette or other consumable therein, a filter assembly for filtering mainstream smoke, a filter assembly release mechanism 312, 314 for releasing the filter assembly from the main body 308. The filter assembly may further include a pogo pin holder 326, which holds a plurality of pogo pins 2812 (as shown in Fig. 20). The pogo pins 2812 generally provide upward pressure for ejecting the filter assembly when released from the main body 308. In at least one embodiment, the upward pressure is provided via a spring located under the filter cartridge. The main body 308 may have a split structure, which is enclosed with an inner cover 310. The cover 310 also seals the chamber(s) to form the conduit for smoke to flow through the filter assembly, as discussed further below. One or more check valves 330 may be included toward the distal end of the device, in the air flow chamber(s) or plenums connected thereto, just beyond the filter assembly to switch the airflow path depending on whether positive or negative air pressure is exhibited in the chambers/plenum, as discussed further below. In at least one embodiment, the device may include 3 check valves 330. One in intermediate plenum 1120 and one each in the inhalation and exhalation ports of the proximal cap 304. The inhalation port valve may be set to open on negative pressure (inhalation) and to close on positive pressure (exhalation). The exhalation valve may be set to close on negative pressure (inhalation) and to open on positive pressure (exhalation). This would ensure that whether the user is inhaling or exhaling, air would only be taken from or blown into the appropriate port.

[0047] In one embodiment, the device 100 includes a mechanism that feeds the cigarette or other consumable toward and into the arc chamber 324, such as a push gear/wheel 318 which may be powered by a motor 322. Auxiliary board 320 allows for a micro or other USB or any other type of charging cable to be connected for charging and optionally making software changes, etc. Finally, the device 100 includes a controller board 316, which includes one or more microprocessors configured to control the functionality of the device 100, as discussed below. [0048] Referring to Fig. 4-5, a mouthpiece 104 is provided that includes a port 106 for the user to inhale and exhale the smoke from the consumable through the port 106. As shown in Fig. 5, the distal end of the mouthpiece 104 forms a cavity that provides a portion of the proximal plenum that is situated between and communicates with the cigarette and filter portions of the device 100, as described in more detail below. The mouthpiece 104 preferably removably engages or snaps onto the top cap 304, with extensions on opposite ends that receive and interlock onto or with the top cap 304, so that the mouthpiece 104, seal 302, and cap 304 pivot as a unitary assembly.

[0049] Referring further to Fig. 4-5, the top cap 304 has a recessed floor 602 and side walls 604, which form the complimentary portion of the proximal plenum. The floor 602 incudes a plurality of apertures therein, including a first aperture 606 that is open to or communicates with the cigarette chamber 306 and a second aperture 608 that is open to or communicates with the filter assembly/filter assembly chamber. At one lateral end, the top cap includes a hinge portion 612, which pivotally couples the top assembly to the main body 308. The hinge portion 612 may be release with a button 2802 (Fig. 3). In one embodiment, an opening in the cavity is created to provide a key slot 610 that accepts a key in the top cap seal 302. The hole 702 may also include a magnet therein that couples with a corresponding magnet on the main body 308 for releasably locking the mouthpiece assembly to the body 308. Other locking mechanisms may be used to provide this functionality. The device may further include additional apertures for one or more LEDs that glow to show the status of the device, such as charge state, power connected, filter status, etc., as discussed below. As can be seen, the perimeter of the seal 302 (Fig. 3) mirrors that of the top cap floor 602. Moreover, the apertures 606, 608 align with the cigarette 1102 and filter assembly 1104 chambers (Fig. 6), therewith providing a conduit for airflow to pass from/to the mouthpiece and chambers. In one embodiment, at least one of the apertures 606, 608 is configured to receive a check valve (as discussed above) for selectively directing air during inhalation and/or exhalation. As can be seen, the apertures 606, 608 may include a recess with threaded holes for removably attaching elements thereto, such as a check valve, the seal 302, etc. [0050] Fig. 6 illustrates a view of the main body 308, which includes an upper surface with a plurality of apertures therein, including an aperture that receives or includes the cigarette chamber 1102 and an aperture that receives the filter or filter assembly 1104, as the case may be. Each of these apertures open into tubular or semi-tubular structure(s) 1106, 1108 (hereinafter referred to generally as tubular structure or chambers) that houses the respective component. The structures 1106, 1108 are preferably parallel circular or semi-circular tubes that open into the top proximal plenum and exit toward the distal end of the device, one toward an exhaust port and another toward an ash cavity in the bottom cap. At or near the upper surface, the main body 308 includes a second portion of a hinge 1114, which mates in a pivotal relationship to the top cap 304 and more specifically hinge portion 612. The body 308 includes a structure 1112 for housing a battery or other power source 2810 (Fig. 20), which powers the electronic components to provide the functions discussed below. At the distal end of the body 308, a space may be provided for the arc chamber 324. The arc chamber 324 generally provides the means for igniting the consumable at the distal end of the cigarette chamber 1102. Accordingly, the space may be coincident with the tubular structure 1106 and/or the cigarette chamber 306. As indicated above, a push gear/wheel 318 may be provided that feeds the consumable into or towards the arc chamber 324. That is, a circular gear/wheel may contact the cigarette and when caused to rotate feeds the cigarette toward the arc chamber 324. In this regard, the main body 308 and/or the cover 310 may include indents for receiving an axle 1110 for the push gear/wheel 318 (Fig. 15). The axis of the axle 1110 is preferably orthogonal to the axis of the cigarette chamber 306 and/or the tubular structure 1106. The main body 308 further includes an intermediate plenum 1120 having a first aperture 1118, a second aperture 1210 to accommodate check valve 330 (see Fig. 7), and an open bottom 1124.

[0051] Fig. 7 depicts a top side of the main body 308, which shows the inner structure of the tubular elements 1106, 1108. In at least one embodiment, the upper surface includes at least one aperture 1102, 1104 with at least one key slot 1204 therein that aligns the structure placed into the chamber 1104 with a complimentary key on such structure, i.e., the filter assembly. Additionally, the upper surface includes an aperture 1118 for a filter release button, which opens into a filter release housing 1202 that houses the filter release mechanism. At the distal end of the tubular element 1108 there is preferably a slot 1122 that receives a circular pogo pin holder 326. As can be seen, plenum 1120 includes an aperture 1210 to accommodate the third check valve 330. Aperture 1210 communicates with the filter assembly through main/exchange air chamber 1208. In this regard, inhaled air (negative pressure in plenum 1120) maintains valve 330 in a closed position allowing air to flow into the plenum 1120 from the open bottom 1124 and through the aperture 1181 (and corresponding aperture in the arc chamber), toward the cigarette chamber 1106, as shown in Fig 7 and 21. Also, on inhalation air may flow from all of the ports 110, including the entry port 2511 under the arc chamber 2510. With the application of positive pressure (exhalation), the first check valve in the proximal plenum (over the cigarette chamber) closes so that air blown into the mouthpiece flows through the filter assembly, enters into main/exchange air chamber 1208, and then through the plenum 1120, and through open bottom 1124 and finally through those of ports 110 directly under the open bottom 1124, as shown by the dashed lines. The second check valve in the proximal plenum (over the filter cartridge chamber) opens allowing the air to pass.

[0052] Referring to Figs. 8-9, the inner cover 310 generally covers the open side of the main body 308. In this regard, the inner side of the cover 310 includes structure that complete tubular structures 1106, 1108. That is, semi-circular partial structure 1302 closes structure 1106 when placed over the main body 308. Similarly, partial structure 1304 closes structure 1108. In one embodiment, the inner cover 310 inner side includes stand-off structures 1306, 1308, which are located vertically between the top and bottom of the device 100 approximately at the level of stand-off structures 1606 in the main body 308, as shown in Fig. 7. The inner cover 310 is shown installed on the main body 308 in Fig. 10.

[0053] Referring to Fig. 11-13, the main body 308 is shown with a filter assembly disposed within the tubular filter assembly chamber 1104. In one embodiment, the filter assembly includes a center filter portion 1604 and a filter body 1602. Each of these components is preferably a tubular structure with a plurality of apertures 1706, 2002 therein, which may be approximately equally sized and/or coincident. A filter material may be located within the filter assembly, e.g., between the filter body 1602 and center filter portion 1604, and/or in the center filter portion 1604 tubular structure, preferably covering all of the apertures 1706, 2002 therein. In this embodiment, mainstream smoke is blown into the center filter portion 1604 through the proximal end of the device, which is filtered by the filter material, and the filtered mainstream smoke exits through the apertures 1706, 2002 and downward past the space created by the stand-offs on the inner cover 310, and finally through the ports in the bottom cap 108, as discussed further below. Flow in the filter portion of the device 100 is preferably isolated from airflow in the cigarette chamber when exhaling. The filter assembly is preferably removable from the main body, for example for replacing the filter assembly as a cartridge, cleaning and/or replacing the filter material therein. In one embodiment, the device 100 includes a release button 1904, which when depressed releases the locking member 1902 that restrains the filter assembly or at least the filter body 1602 in the main body 308.

[0054] Referring to Fig. 14, the cigarette chamber 2202 is shown installed in the main body 308. This component generally houses the cigarette or other consumable. In this regard, the chamber 2202 is an elongated tubular structure extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the main body 308.

[0055] Referring to Fig. 15-16, the main body 308 is shown with the bottom assembly installed thereon. At the distal end of the main body 308, the bottom cap 2306 may be pivotally connected to the main body 308 at the hinge portion 2310. The main body 308 preferably includes a motor housing 2308 for affixing a motor 322 thereto, which operates push gear/wheel 2302 to feed the cigarette/consumable in chamber 2202 toward the arc chamber 2304. In this embodiment, the push gear 2302 extends into one or more vertical slots 2312 in the cigarette chamber 2202 so that the perimeter of the wheel comes into contact with a cigarette or other consumable placed in the chamber 2202. The cigarette chamber 2202 may further include slots 2314 for lead switches that allow the controller to know the status of the cigarette in the chamber. As the wheel/gear 2302 rotates, vertical motion is caused in the cigarette, preferably the wheel/gear 2302 at least pushing the cigarette toward the arc chamber 2304. In one embodiment, a second wheel/gear 2808 is added opposite the first gear/wheel 2302, as shown in Fig. 20-21, so the consumable is squeezed on opposite sides and so that the consumable glides more evenly/smoothly downward toward the arc chamber. The second wheel/gear may be free to rotate with the motion of the consumable, i.e., not driven, or the second gear may be driven. [0056] Referring to Fig. 17-19, the bottom cap assembly includes the arc chamber 2304 and bottom cap 2306. As can be seen, an intermediate cap 2305 fits within the bottom cap 2306 to form a cavity 2704 for ash therein sealed from the rest of the device 100. The bottom cap 2306 preferably includes a step 2702 that receives the intermediate cap 2305, which includes the hinge portion 2512, which pivotally couples the bottom cap 2306 to the main body 308 and the arc chamber structure 2304, which remains attached to the main body 308. The hinge portion 2512 may be released with a button 2804 (Fig. 20). The bottom cap 2306 includes one or more entry and/or exit ports 2508, 2514 that selectively communicate, through the intermediate plenum 1120, with the cigarette chamber allowing for clean air inflow and with the filter chamber for expelling filtered mainstream smoke therefrom. The arc chamber 2304 includes a tubular structure 2510 that receives the cigarette chamber 2202. The tubular structure 2510 provides a passage for ash to pass into the bottom cap cavity 2704. This tubular structure preferably includes a means for lighting or igniting the consumable 2512 at the distal end of a cigarette or other consumable. In one embodiment, the ignition system includes a plurality of electrical leads contained in or about the sides of the arc chamber 2304 at recesses 2805. The leads preferably extend inwardly toward the center of the arc chamber 2304 to form a gap between leads for ignition. These leads serve as the endpoints for creating the arc to light/ignite the consumable. The device/controller preferably ignites the consumable repeatedly as the motor pushes the consumable downward or distal!y toward the arc chamber, based on pressure sensors indicating when inhalations or exhalations are made. That is, the ignition may be triggered repeatedly with each inhalation and stop during exhalation, as well as during breaks where there is neither. Beneficially, there may be a negligible amount of sidestream due to the way the cigarette is burned, i.e., the device senses an inhalation, the lighter lights, the cigarette gets pushed down, the person inhales the smoke, the sensor stops sensing inhalation, the lighter and thus the cigarette (having insufficient oxygen without air being pulled through) go out. In another embodiment, the arc chamber may be included in the bottom cap 2304 or the intermediate cap 2305. In this case the arc chamber contains leads serve as the endpoints for creating the arc to light/ignite the consumable when the bottom cap assembly is put into place.

[0057] Referring to Fig. 21, airflow through the device 100 is shown during inhalation. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 21, upon inhalation, clean air enters entry/exit ports 2508 and 2514 in the bottom cap 108, enters into plenum 1120 through open bottom 1124, proceeds through aperture 1181 and a corresponding aperture in arc chamber 2510 (tubular structure), and into cigarette chamber 2202. Upon inhalation, air also enters from an entry port 2511 below the arc chamber, constructed so as to circumvent that ashtray. Referring to Fig. 22, exhaled air passes through the filter assembly, into main air chamber 1208, causing check valve 330 to open, allowing filtered air to enter plenum 1120 and exit through open bottom 1124, and finally through entry/exit ports 2508 and 2514. A check valve may be provided at aperture 1118 to prevent backflow through the cigarette chamber.

[0058] As discussed above, the device preferably includes a controller board 316 that includes one or more microprocessors that control the functionality of the device 100. Fig. 23-28 depict flow diagrams of the functionality of the device, made operable by the controller, according to a several embodiments. In at least one embodiment, the device may toggle between the off and on states using a power button (Figs. 23-25). In some embodiments, the device may be enabled without a power button, i.e., always on (Figs. 26-28). In one embodiment, the device is provided without any electrical buttons (Fig. 28).

[0059] Generally, the device 100 may be plugged into AC power, e.g., via USB, for charging. When the controller senses that the device 100 is plugged in, the controller charges the battery of the device until the battery is fully charged. The controller may indicate the charging state by selectively illuminating a charging/power LED. The controller may perform an in-loop battery check in which the battery is checked for a low charge and an LED may be illuminated/caused to blink when the controller determines the battery charge is low.

[0060] In one embodiment, the controller may determine whether the filter has exceeded its life expectancy based on cumulative use. Use may be tracked, for example, by tracking the number of on/off cycles of the device generally and/or the number of ignitions, as well as the amount of time the pressure sensor senses inhalation. The device may similarly track use based on cumulative airflow using, e.g., an airflow meter. If cumulative use exceeds a desired threshold for the number of cycles and/or cumulative airflow, a filter LED may be illuminated by the controller indicating that the filter has expired. The controller may further prevent ignition until the filter assembly is replaced. A filter reset button may be triggered when the filter is replaced. The device may be equipped with a filter life check button, which if engaged, causes the status of the filter to be displayed with the filter LED (e.g., green ok, yellow low, red expired, etc.).

[0061] The controller may ignite the consumable in a variety of ways, such as with a heating coil and/or electric arc. Ignition may be triggered by the user manually selecting a light button (Fig. 24) and/or automatically by the user inhaling into the device (Fig. 25). In this regard, the controller may receive such inputs and cause the ignition system to ignite the consumable, e.g., turn the coil and/or arc on/off. That is, the controller may sense the depression of a light button and/or negative pressure in the system caused by inhalation into the mouthpiece, and based thereon ignite the coil/arc accordingly. When equipped with a motor to feed the consumable toward the arc chamber, the controller further operates the motor as discussed above in response to the ignition signal.

[0062] The controller may perform in loop checks with regard to temperature and, if determined to be too high, the controller may take appropriate action, such as turning on a fan on or blocking ignition until a safe temperature has been reached. The controller preferably determines whether the consumable and/or filter are in place within the device before enabling ignition of the consumable. The system may also determine whether the top and bottom caps are locked in place before enabling ignition. In the “no electrical button” embodiment, in loop checks may be performed as shown in Fig. 28.

[0063] Smoke from the ignited consumable inhaled by the user may be blown back into the mouthpiece of the device, through the filter assembly, and finally through exhaust ports at the distal end of the device. The filtering portion and/or material may filter particulates, chemicals, odors, toxins, etc. from the air passing through it. The filtering element may include a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. In other embodiments, the filtering element may further include a charcoal filter, ionizer, dryer sheets, or any other filter capable of deodorizing and/or cleaning air.

[0064] The filtering portion may be an assembly that is removably attached to the device main body, as disclosed above. According to at least one embodiment, the filtering assembly is formed as a replaceable cartridge that attaches to or inserts into the main body. The cartridge may be replaceable, which the user can remove easily, inserting a new one in a matter of seconds. This allows the body of the smoke filtering device 100 to be used indefinitely.

[0065] The main body may include an inhale tube/cigarette chamber that allows a user to insert or couple a lighting end of an ignitable consumable therein. The main body may include an exhalation tube configured to receive smoke blown from a user’s mouth into to a chamber that is connected in one embodiment to a filtering material in the cartridge. The filtering material may include, for example, a HEPA filter, a charcoal filter, ionizer, dryer sheets, or any other filter capable of deodorizing and/or cleaning air. The main body may further include one or more flaps or check valves to maintain airflow in a single direction (e.g., towards the exhaust port when blown into and the reverse when inhaled). Alternatively, the flaps may be replaced with check valves, electronically operated flaps linked to a pressure sensor, or other forms of unidirectional airflow control. Some or all flaps may be removed or replaced with sections of wall.

[0066] Similar to vaporizers and e-cigarette devices containing fluids, the body may constitute a permanent device while the filter cartridge may need to be purchased by the user and replaced regularly. In other embodiments, the smoke filtering device may comprise a unibody version of the body/cartridge structure which can be replaced in its entirety upon expiration of, for example, of the filtering material.

[0067] As a filter cartridge, the filter portion may include filtering material that is behind a filter grating as shown in the accompanying drawings. The cartridge can be attached to or inserted into the main body in a fashion so that it is airtight, potentially with the help of an O-ring and/or a clip mechanism at the border of the two. The cartridge may fit into an interior form of the body which locks the cartridge into place.

[0068] The filtering material may comprise primarily a HEPA filter. Filters of minimum efficiency reporting value (“MERV”) in the range of 14-20, or more preferably 17-20 ratings may be used, or any rating system. According to some embodiments, while MERV 17 is sufficient to filter all combustion smoke, using MERV 20 instead may allow greater filtering capability, as a MERV 20 filter has no less than 99.999% efficiency in filtering particles of 10-20 picometers, and MERV 17-20 may not be cost prohibitive. In some embodiments, drier sheets, charcoal filters, or other odor reducing materials may be configured with the exhaust port and/or the interior end of the exhale tube and airways from the body to the cartridge in order to replace the smell of the smoke. In other embodiments, odor reducing materials may be placed anywhere within cartridge.

[0069] The electrical portion/arc chamber may include a coil (e.g., 32 AWG nichrome wire) or electrodes providing an arc for lighting a cigarette, optionally a fan (e.g., 20mm x 20mm, 5V) to propel smoke into cartridge, a circuit board (e.g., a step down board to account for the voltage difference to power the fan and coil), buttons/switches to turn the fan and coil on and off, and a battery (e.g., a 5V or 9V battery that is rechargeable by a charging port). The coil may include an electric lighter (e.g., coil, arc, or gas lighters) inside the arc chamber so that the user does not have to carry an extra item. The arc chamber may include a compact fixture and supports (e.g., copper pegs, or loops of wire attached to pieces of copper not inserted into the electrical sub-body) for holding the coil in place (away from plastics or other heat intolerant components) and may be constructed from heat resistant material in part or in its entirety or wrapped in sections of heat shrink and/or constructed from heat resistant material in part or in its entirety and/or wrapped in sections of heat sink in part or in its entirety. For example, the electrical sub-body may be constructed from material that is not heat resistant where rectangles of heat resistant material insulate an area of the body with the cigarette and coil/arc chamber. In yet another embodiment, heat resistant material may be placed around the coil/arc chamber, where the chances of melting and deformation are likely.

[0070] The battery may be a rechargeable battery, in which case, the body may contain an airtight lid that could be opened to recharge the battery. Otherwise, the body may contain a similar airtight lid that can be opened to replace the battery. According to another embodiment, the replaceable cartridge may be removed to expose a rechargeable battery and a charging port. In other embodiments, the battery, circuit board, coil, and fan may be optional.

[0071] The cigarette chamber may further include a seal, such as a latex ring that can firmly maintain consumable therein. The seal may also form an airtight lock around the consumable to prevent side stream smoke from escaping through inhale tube.

[0072] The on/off button may provide power from battery to the lighter coil/arc electrode and/or fan. The lighter coil/electrode may be activated by a lighter switch to light the consumable within the cigarette chamber. According to one embodiment, cigarette chamber may include a sensor or trigger connected to the lighter switch that indicates when to activate the lighter coil. Circuit board may comprise a step-down board that converts (e.g., from 9V to 5V) and control power to fan. The fan may control airflow such that smoke is ventilated from the cigarette chamber. The cigarette chamber may also include vents or holes to allow air to be drawn from smoking implement and ventilation of the cigarette chamber by fan.

[0073] The device may further include a filter portion or tube that is capable of receiving exhalant that is blown or exhaled into the mouthpiece by a user. The filter portion may include a backflow device to prevent smoke and exhalant from escaping through filter portion. Additionally, a check valve may prevent backflow into the inhalation and/or the exhalation filter tubes.

[0074] Figures 1 through 28 are conceptual illustrations allowing for an explanation of the present invention. Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain elements of the present invention can be partially or fully implemented using known components, only those portions of such known components that are necessary for an understanding of the present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.

[0075] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s) (including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A smoke filtering device comprising: an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and at least a first chamber configured to retain a consumable and a second chamber configured to retain a filter assembly therein within the elongated body; a mouthpiece coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body, the mouthpiece defining at least a portion of a proximal plenum and having at least one port therein, wherein the proximal plenum is in communication with the first and second chambers within the elongated body; and a bottom cap coupled to the distal end of the elongated body, the bottom cap having at least one port therein that communicates with the first and second chambers within in the elongated body, the device configured therewith to draw air during inhalation in from the port in the bottom cap, through the first chamber, and through the proximal plenum, to exit through the port in the mouthpiece, and during exhalation, pass air through the port in the mouthpiece, the proximal plenum, the filter assembly, and finally out of the at least one port in the bottom cap.

2. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, wherein the proximal plenum is hingedly coupled to the elongated body between a first position wherein proximal ends of the first and second chambers are exposed, and a second position covering the proximal ends of the first and second chambers.

3. The smoke filtering device of claim 2, comprising a top cap and wherein the top cap defines a portion of the proximal plenum, the top cap having first and second apertures therein located over the proximal ends of the first and second chambers.

4. The smoke filtering device of claim 2, comprising a first and a second check valves, the top cap having recesses therein for receiving the first and the second check valves.

5. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, comprising a means for igniting a consumable placed within the first chamber.

6. The smoke filtering device of claim 5, wherein the bottom cap has a chamber therein for collecting ash from the consumable in the first chamber.

7. The smoke filtering device of claim 6, comprising an arc chamber located between the elongated body and the bottom cap, the arc chamber having a tubular structure that receives a distal end of the first chamber.

8. The smoke filtering device of claim 7, wherein the means for igniting the consumable is disposed within the tubular structure of the arc chamber.

9. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of pogo pins configured within the second chamber to provide upward pressure for ejecting the filter assembly from the elongated body.

10. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body defines an intermediate plenum below the filter assembly, the intermediate plenum having at least one check valve therein for directing airflow depending on whether positive or negative pressure is exhibited in the intermediate plenum.

11. The smoke filtering device of claim 10, comprising at least one check valve in the proximal plenum for directing airflow between the first and second chambers depending on whether positive or negative pressure is exhibited in the proximal plenum.

12. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, the first chamber having a tubular shape for receiving a cigarette therein, the first chamber comprising a mechanism that feeds the cigarette into an arc chamber located at the distal end of the first chamber.

13. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, wherein the filter assembly comprises a tubular filter body and a tubular center filter portion disposed within the filter body, each having coincident apertures therein, the filter assembly further comprising a filter material disposed between the filter body and the center filter portion, wherein air flows through the center filter portion, which is filtered by the filter material as the air passes through the apertures in the center filter portion.

14. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, the first chamber having a tubular shape for receiving a cigarette therein, the first chamber comprising a wheel driven by a motor, the tubular first chamber having a slot therein for the wheel to pass and when driven to feed the cigarette into an arc chamber located at the distal end of the first chamber.

15. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, wherein the bottom cap is pivotally coupled to the elongated body.

16. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, comprising a controller configured to determine whether the filter assembly has exceeded its life expectancy based on cumulative use.

17. The smoke filtering device of claim 16, comprising a means for igniting a consumable disposed within the tubular structure of the arc chamber, the controller further configured to prevent ignition until the filter assembly is replaced.

18. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, comprising a means for igniting a consumable disposed within the tubular structure of the arc chamber and a controller configured to ignite the consumable in response to an input.

19. The smoke filtering device of claim 1, comprising a means for igniting a consumable disposed within the tubular structure of the arc chamber and a controller configured to sense a position of the consumable within the first chamber and to drive a wheel that passes through a slot in the first chamber to feed the cigarette into an arc chamber located at the distal end of the first chamber.