GB2511304A

GB2511304A - A smoking device

Info

Publication number: GB2511304A
Application number: GB201303436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John SAMPSON; Charles Dillon; Simon James Smith; Iain Smith; Jonathan Hugh Wilkins
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd; British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: British American Tobacco Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-27
Filing date: 2013-02-27
Publication date: 2014-09-03
Also published as: GB201303436D0

Abstract

A cigar/cigarette holder smoking device 10 having a first open end 11a to receive a cigar/cigarette 13 and a second open end 11b, and a mouthpiece 12. The device comprises a passage having an upstream end and a downstream end, defining a first fluid path, the passage configured to receive and retain the cigar/cigarette 13, the device includes a second fluid path extending between the upstream and downstream ends of the passage, and bypassing the passage, such that, in use, air may flow through the second fluid flow path and mix with smoke from the cigar/cigarette 13 downstream of the passage. The cigar/cigarette may circumscribed in an outer wrapper including a plurality of ventilation formed in the outer wrapper.

Description

A Smoking Device

Field

In this specification there is described a smoking device for use with a combustible component such as a rod of smokeable materia', and in which supplementary ventilation air flow may be provided.

Background

Cigarette holders are known which comprise a body configured to receive a cigarette io and through which the cigarette may be smoked. Such devices may include one or more ventilation apertures to allow ambient air into the device to mix with the smoke stream drawn through the device.

Suniinary i In this specification there are described embodiments of a smoking apparatus comprising a controller body having a first open end to receive a rod of smokeable material and a second open end in communication with the first open end and through which a user may draw smoke in use, the controfler body comprising a passage having an upstream end and a downstream end and defining a first fluid path between the first and second open ends, the passage configured to receive and retain a first end of a rod of smokeahle materia' received in the first end of the controller body, the controller body including a second fluid path extending between the upstream and downstream ends of the passage and bypassing the passage, such that, in use, air may flow through the second fluid flow path and mix with smoke from the rod of smokeabe materia' downstream of the passage.

The smoking apparatus may comprise a first chamber within the controller body, and the first and second fluid paths may extend from the first chamber.

The smoking apparatus may comprise a second chamber within the controller body, and the first and second fluid paths may extend into the second chamber.

The smoking apparatus may comprise a ventilation control mechanism operable to adjust the second fluid path to vary the amount of air that may flow therethrough.

The ventilation control mechanism maybe operable to incrementally vaiy the amount of air that may flow through the second fluid path from no airflow to at least two different degrees of airflow.

The second fluid path may comprise at least one ventilation hole in a wall of the controller body and, a blocking element operable to selectively block or expose the at least one ventilation hole to prevent or allow air to flow therethrough.

The ventilation control mechanism may include an actuator that is axially rotatable io relative to the controller body to control the air flow through the second fluid path.

The smoking apparatus may further comprise a rod of smokeable material circumscribed with an outer wrapper and with a first end received in the first open end of the controller body and retained in the passage, wherein a first ventilation path is defined within the controller body between the upstream and downstream ends of the passage, through the outer wrapper, through the rod of smokeable material and out of the first end thereof.

The rod of smokeable material may comprise a plurality of ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper and the first ventilation path extends through the plurality of ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper such that, in use, air may pass into the rod of smokeable material and mix with smoke within the rod of smokeable material.

The rod of smokeable material may comprise a filter within the outer wrapper at the first end, and at least some of the plurality of ventilation apertures maybe positioned at the filter portion of the rod.

At least some of the ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper may be sealed closed when the rod of smokeable material is received within passage in the controfler body.

The rod of smokeable material may make a friction fit in the passage.

A biasing member may be provided in the controller body and may be configured to bias the blocking element into contact with the wall of the controller body to improve the seal therebetween.

A sealing element, such as a gasket, maybe disposed between the blocking element and the wall of the controller body to improve the seal therebetween.

The blocking dement may be axially rotatable relative to the controer body.

In this specification there are also described embodiments of a smoking apparatus comprising a controller body having a first open end to receive a rod of smokeable material and a second open end in communication with the first open end and through which a user may draw smoke in use, a rod of smokeable material circumscribed in an io outer wrapper and with a first end received in the first open end of the controller body, a first ventilation path defined through the outer wrapper and through the rod of smokeable material, and a second ventilation path defined within the controller body bypassing the tobacco rod for air to mix with smoke drawn through the tobacco rod downstream of the first end of the tobacco rod.

In this specification there are also described embodiments of a smoking apparatus comprising a controller body having a first open end to receive a rod of smokeable material and a second open end in communication with the first open end and through which a user may draw smoke in use, a rod of smokeable material circumscribed in an outer wrapper and with a first end receivable in the first open end of the controller body, the first end of the rod of smokeable material including a plurality of ventilation holes formed in the outer wrapper, wherein at least some of the ventilation holes are sealed closed when the rod of smokeable material is received in the controller body.

The rod of smokeable material may include such a plurality of ventilation holes in the first end that the rod is unsmokeable unless at least some of the ventilation apertures are blocked to reduce the ventilation air drawn into the rod therethrough.

In this specification there is also described embodiments of a rod of smokeable material for use in a smoking apparatus as described above, comprising smokeable material circumscribed with an outer wrapper, the rod having a first end with a phirabty of ventflation apertures in the outer wrapper to define a ventflation path through the phirabty of ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper such that, in use, air may pass into the rod of smokeable material and mix with smoke within the rod of smokeable material.

The rod of smokeable material may further comprise a filter within the outer wrapper at the first end, and at least some of the plurality of ventilation apertures maybe positioned at the filter portion of the rod.

The ventilation apertures maybe configured such that the rod cannot be smoked unless at least some of the ventilation apertures are blocked to reduce the ventilation air drawn into the rod therethrough.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Jo Embodiments of a smoking device wifi now be described, by way of example offly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a smoking device of a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows an end view of the smoking device of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-section view a'ong the fine X-X of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an exp'oded perspective view of the smoking device of Figure i; Figure 5 shows a perspective cross-section view a'ong the Hne X-X of Figure 2 but with the tobacco rod removed; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the ventilation control sleeve of the smoking device of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the cylindrical housing of the smoking device of Figure 1; Figure 8A shows a side view and a cross-sectional view along the line Y-Y, of the smoking device of Figure 1 in a first ventilation evel configuration; Figure 8B shows a side view and a cross-sectional view along the line Y-Y, of the smoking device of Figure 1 in a second ventilation levàl configuration; Figure 8C shows a side view and a cross-sectional view along the line Y-Y, of the smoking device of Figure 1 in a third ventilation level configuration; Figure 9 shows a perspective VCW of a combustible tobacco rod for use with the smoking device of Figure i; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a smoking device of a second embodiment; Figure ii shows an exploded view of the smoking device of Figure 10; and Figure 12 shows an enlarged view of the ventilation contr& s'eeve and bthcking ring of the smoking device of Figures 10 and ii.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figures 1 -8, a first embodiment of a smoking apparatus 10 comprises a controfler body ii and a mouthpiece 12. The controer body ii comprises a first (mouth) end na and, a second (tobacco rod) end tib opposite to the first end. The first and second ends are open and are in fluid communication with each other. A combustible tobacco rod 13 is receivable in an aperture in the second end ub of the controller body ii.

In use, the tobacco rod 13 is inserted into the second end nb of the controller body ii io and ignited. A user inhales through the mouthpiece 12 and smoke is drawn through the tobacco rod 13, through the controller body ii and out of the mouthpiece 12 as the tobacco rod 13 is combusted. When the user has finished smoking, the remaining portion of the combusted tobacco rod 13 is ejected and discarded, and a new tobacco rod 13 is inserted for each subsequent use of the apparatus 10.

The controller body 11 is a muki-use component of the apparatus 10, that is, it can be used for the smoking of multiple tobacco rods 13. The mouthpiece 12 is also a muki-use component although can be removed from the controller body ii and replaced with a new mouthpiece 12 when required.

The controller body ii includes an ejection mechanism configured to eject the spent tobacco rod. The ejection mechanism is actuated by a "stubbing" action, that is, by applying a force on the tobacco rod 13 in a longitudinal direction of the controller body ii and tobacco rod, towards the mouthpiece 12, shown by arrow A' in Figure 1.

The controller body ii comprises a generally cylindrical housing 14 containing a ventilation control sleeve 15 rotatably mounted therein, and a collar 38. An ejection tube 16 is slidably mounted within the ventilation control sleeve 15. The cylindrical housing 14 comprises a first portion ia at a tobacco rod end, and a second portion 14b of a smaller diameter than the first portion at a mouth end, extending from the first portion ida. The first portion ia transitions to the second portion 14b at an annular wall 17 which lies in a pthne perpendicular to the central axis of the cyhndrical housing 14. The collar 38 is attached to the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14, and the mouthpiece 12 is attached to the collar 38.

A coil spring i8 is disposed within the cylindrical housing 14 and has a first end that abuts an inwardly-extending flange 32 of the ventilation control sleeve (described in more detail below) and an opposite end that abuts an end of the ejection tube 16. The spring 18 biases the ejection tube 16 in a direction away from the anmilar wall 17.

The ejection tube 16 comprises a rectangular raised boss 19 on an outer surface thereof that has a recessed cam track 20 formed therein. The ventilation control sleeve 15 includes a cut out section 21 from its outer wall 22 to accommodate the projecting boss 19 of the ejection tube 16. The cut out section 21 is configured to allow the ejection tube io 16 to slide within a predefined range of movement, Bmited by the ends of the boss 19 abutting the respective edge of the cut out section 21, and also to allow rotation of the ventilation control sleeve 15 within the cylindrical housing 14. The ejection tube i6 is moveable between a holding position, in which an end i6a of the ejection tube i6 lies flush with the end face ia of the ventilation control sleeve 15 (as shown in Figures 1 is and 3) and an ejection position in which the end 16a of the ejection tube 16 projects beyond the end face ia of the ventilation contr& aleeve 15.

The cylindrical housing 14 includes a window 23 aligned with the boss 19 of the ejection tube 16. A resilient spring arm 24 is positioned on the outside of the cylindrical housing 14 and has a first end 24 bent at 90 degrees which extends through the window 23 and locates in the recessed cam track 20 of the boss 19 to act as a cam follower. The opposite end 24b of the spring arm 24 is fastened to a cover plate 25 which is secured to the cylindrical housing 14 to cover the window 23. The spring arm 24 is configured such that the cam follower 24a is moveable laterally with respect to the cylindrical housing 14 but is elastically biased back to a central neutral position. The cam track 20 of the boss 19 comprises a closed loop within which the cam follower 24 travels to define the holding and ejection positions and the movement of the ejection tube 16 therebetween. In an embodiment in which the cut out section 21 in the ventilation control sleeve 15 is larger than required to limit ongitiidinal movement of the ejection tube 16, the first end 24 of the spring arm 24 ocated in the recessed cam track 20 of the boss 19 can act to Bmit the ongitudinal movement of the ejection tube 16.

The annular wall 17 of the cylindrical housing 14 includes a plurality of ventilation holes 28, as shown in Figures j and 7. Ventilation channels 29 are formed in the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14 and extend from the ventilation holes 28 to the end of the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14. The cylindrical housing 14 also includes a plurality of air inlet slots 30 formed through the outer wall of the first portion ida, as shown in Figure 4.

A space 27 is defined within the first portion ia of the cylindrical housing 14 around the outside of the tobacco rod 13. This ventilation space 27 is open to ambient atmosphere via the air inlet slots 30, and the ventilation holes 28 in the annular wall 17 open to the ventilation space 27.

io The ventilation control sleeve 15 includes a ridged grip 31 at one end thereof and an inwarWy-extending flange 32 at an opposite end thereof. The flange 32 does not extend around the entire circumference of the opposite end of the ventilation control sleeve is, but instead includes an open section 33 which is adjacent a corresponding recess 34 in the side wall 22 of the ventilation control sleeve is. The flange 32 abuts against the annular wall 17 and is configured such that it may block one or more of the ventilation holes 28, or the ventilation control sleeve 15 may be rotated so that the open section 33 is afigned with the ventilation holes 28 so that they are open to the ventilation space 27.

A gasket 52 (see Figure 4) may be disposed between the flange 32 and the annular wall 17 to ensure effective blocking of the ventilation holes 28 when the ventilation control sleeve 15 is appropriately positioned. Although a gasket 52 is shown and described, this maybe omitted so that the flange 32 seals directly against the annular wall 17, or other sealing means may be used, such as a washer, additional flange or sealant coating on the flange 32, to provide effective blocking of the ventilation holes 28.

The ventilation control sleeve 15 includes a slot 35 around a portion of the circumference of the side wall 22 adjacent the ridged grip 31 that receives the end of a locking post 36 though the wall of the cylindrical housing 14. The locking post 36 prevents the ventilation control sleeve 15 from sliding out of the cylindrical housing 14 but enables ventilation control sleeve 15 to rotate over a range of movement determined o by the length of the slot 35. The slot includes detents 37 to define stable rotational positions of the ventilation control s'eeve 15.

The collar 38 is a hoflow cy'indrical component secured around the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14 with an 0-ring seal 39 disposed between the collar 38 and outside of the annular wall 17 of the cylindrical housing 14. The collar 38 is secured in place by a pair of retaining pins 40 which locate in peripheral groove 41 in the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14. The end of the collar 38 remote from the cylindrical housing 14 includes a projecting portion 42 of reduced diameter with a shaped cam-groove 43 formed therein. The mouthpiece 12 is connected to the collar 38 around the projecting portion 42 by a cam pin 44 extending through the mouthpiece wall and locating in the cam-groove 43. An 0-ring 45 is disposed between the mouthpiece 12 and collar 38 to form an airtight seal therebetween.

A chamber 26 is defined within the collar 38 adjacent the end of the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14, into which smoke flows when drawn through the tobacco io rod 13. Furthermore, the ventilation channds 29 extending from the ventilation holes 28 open into the chamber 26. Therefore, in use, the chamber 26 acts as a mixing chamber for smoke drawn through the tobacco rod 13 and ventilation air introduced via the ventilation holes/channels 28/29.

The combustible tobacco rod 13 used with the smoking apparatus 10 is shown in Figure 9 and comprises a cylinder of smokeable material 46 such as tobacco and a phig of filtration material 47, contained in a apper 48. A plurality of ventilation holes 49 are formed through the outer surface of the wrapped cylinder at the portion that surrounds the filter material 47, to allow flow of ventilation air to pass from the ventilation space 27 into the filter 47 through the wrapper 48 and mix with smoke drawn therethrough in use. The tobacco rod 13 includes an outer sleeve 50 which extends over part of the length of the wrapped tobacco cylinder and stops short of the filter end to provide a perimeter step 51.

In use, with the ejection tube i6 in the extended ejection or release' position, a user inserts a tobacco rod 13 into the controller body 11 so that the filter end extends through the ventilation control sleeve 15 and ejection tube i6. As the tobacco rod 13 is inserted into the controller body ii, the step 51 abuts the end of the ejection tube 16 and pushes it into the ventilation control sleeve 15 against the force of the spring 18 and the ejection mechanism retains the ejection tube 16 in the h&ding position. The filter end of the tobacco rod 13 makes an interference friction fit within the bore 54 of the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14 and is thereby held in place. This friction fit creates a seal to substantially prevent any airflow between the surface of the tobacco rod 13 and the inner surface of the bore 54 of the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14. The distance over which the filter end of the tobacco rod 13 is received within the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14 is shown as dimension d' in Figure 3.

The user is able to vary the amount of ventilation air that is mixed with the smoke stream during smoking of the tobacco rod 13 and thus control the smoking sensory experience. This variable ventilation air is referred to as bypass ventilation since it bypasses the tobacco rod 13 and is introduced into the smoke stream downstream of the point where the smoke exits the filter end of the tobacco rod 13. Referring to Figures 8A to SC, the ventilation control sleeve 15 may be moved between three io different ventilation positions. These three positions correspond to detents 37 in the s'ot 35 to define stable rotational positions of the ventilation control s'eeve 15. Figure 8A shows the ventilation control sleeve 15 in a first position, in which the flange 32 covers all ventilation holes 28 in the annular wall 17 and so no bypass ventilation air is permitted to pass therethro ugh.

Figure SB shows the ventilation control s'eeve i in a second position, in which the open section 33 of the ventilation control sleeve is afigned with one of the ventilation holes 28 in the annular wall 17, the other ventilation holes 28 remaining blocked by the flange 32. Therefore, when user draws on the mouthpiece and a negative pressure is created in the mixing chamber 26, as well as smoke being drawn through the tobacco rod 13, air is drawn from the ventilation space 27, through the one exposed ventilation hole 28 and corresponding ventilation channel 29 and into the mixing chamber 26 where it mixes with the smoke drawn through the tobacco rod 13. This additional ventilation air dilutes the smoke stream and thus provides a different smoking sensory experience to the user for each inhalation compared to the situation described above where no bypass ventilation is permitted.

Figure SC shows the ventilation control sleeve 15 in a third position, in which the open section 33 of the ventilation control skeve is aligned with a p'urality of the ventilation holes 28 in the annular wall 17. When user draws on the mouthpiece, air is drawn from the ventilation space 27, through the plurallty of exposed ventilation holes 28 and corresponding ventilation channàls 29 and into the mixing chamber 26 where it mixes with the smoke drawn through the tobacco rod 13. This increased flow of ventilation air over the situation described above and shown in Figure 8B, results in a greater dilution of the smoke stream and thus provides a yet further different smoking sensory experience to the user for each inhalation. -10-

It will be appreciated that the above-described variable ventilation control is separate to the filter ventilation provided by the ventilation holes 49 formed in the filter end of the tobacco rod 13. Also, although only three separate ventilation positions are shown and described, the first embodiment is not intended to be limited to such a configuration and other numbers of ventilation positions may be provided.

Furthermore, the bypass ventilation may be continually variable instead of having discrete ventilation settings. For example, an arcuate slot may be provided in the annular wall 17 instead of discrete ventilation apertures 28, the slot being exposed or io occluded by rotation of the ventilation contr& s'eeve 15.

When the user has finished smoking, the tobacco rod 13 can be extinguished by stubbing the end which causes the ejection tube i6 to be pushed inwards against the force of the spring 18 and the cam follower 24a/cam track 20 co-operate to move the ejection tube 16 into the ejection position and, as the ejection tube 16 abuts against the step 51 of the tobacco rod 13, the tobacco rod 13 is pushed out of frictional engagement with the bore 54 of the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14 and so the remaining stub of the tobacco rod 13 is released from the controller body 11. The spring 18 can also provide an ejection force on the tobacco rod 13 to ensure it is ejected clear from the controller body 11 once out of frictional engagement therewith.

The friction fit of the end of the tobacco rod 13 in the cylindrical housing 14 can be provided by the bore 54 of the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14 being of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the end of the tobacco rod 13. For example, the bore 54 of the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14 may be.mm in diameter and the diameter of the end of the tobacco rod 13 may be.mm. Also, to effectively retain and then release the tobacco rod 13 from the controller body ii, the axial distance over which the tip of the tobacco rod 13 is held in second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14 (shown as dimension "d" in Figure 3) must be less than the travel of the ejection tube 16 between its h&ding and release positions. For example, distanced may be mm and the ejection tube 16 travel between h&ding and release positions may be 4mm.

In one embodiment, the filter end of the tobacco rod 13 includes a large number of ventilation holes 49 around the filter end, which render the tobacco rod un-smokeable on its own as a normal cigarette, as the excessive filter ventilation prevents sufficient air -11 -being drawn through the length of the tobacco rod for any appreciable degree of smoke to be drawn through the tobacco rod and for continued combustion of the smokeable material to be maintained. However, when the tobacco rod 13 is inserted in the smoking device 10, some of the ventilation holes 49 (over the length d' of the tobacco rod 13) are blocked by virtue of the interference fit of the tobacco rod 13 within the second portion 14b of the cylindrical housing 14. This permits more air to be drawn along the length of the tobacco rod 13 when the user inhales and provide an acceptable smoke stream. Although not necessarily shown to scale in the figures, the length d' could be increased to cover the entirety of the filter portion, and possibly part of the io tobacco portion, of the tobacco rod 13, so that all or many of the tobacco rod ventilation apertures 49 are covered when the tobacco rod is received in the bore 54 of the controller body 11, to further ensure the tobacco rod 13 would not be smokeable as a conventional cigarette without the rest of the smoking apparatus.

A smoking device 110 of a second embodiment is shown in Figures 10 to 12, and is largely the same as the first embodiment described above, and like features retain the same reference numerals. One difference in the second embodiment is the configuration of the ventilation control sleeve 115. As shown in detail in Figure 12, a ventilation control sleeve 115 of the second embodiment is not formed integrally with an inward flange 32, as with the ventilation control sleeve 15 of the first embodiment.

The ventilation control sleeve 115 of the second embodiment comprises a hollow cylindrical body with a slot lisa formed in the side wall thereof.

A control ring 117 is rotatably mounted within the first portion ia of the housing 14 and includes a plate uS extending in an axial direction from a section of the perimeter of the control ring 117. The plate ii8 is received within the slot iia in the ventilation control sleeve 115 such that rotation of the ventilation control sleeve 115 causes the control ring 117 to rotate. The control ring 117 abuts against the inside of the annular wafl 17 of the housing 14, but includes a section of reduced thickness 119 around a portion of the circumference thereof which is spaced from the annular wall 17.

The coil spring iS is disposed within the cylindrical housing 14 between the control ring 117 and an inner rim uib of the ventilation control sleeve ii. The spring 18 biases the control ring 117 against the annular wall 17 of the housing 14 and thereby improves the seal that the control ring 117 makes over the ventilation holes 28 in the annular wall 17.

-12 -As with the first embodiment, the ventilation control sleeve 115 can be adjusted to control an amount of ambient air that is drawn into the smoking device 10 to mix with the smoke stream as a user draws on the mouthpiece 12. In a first position of the ventilation control sleeve n5, the control ring 117 covers and blocks all of the ventilation holes 28 and so air within the ventilation space 27 is prevented from passing though the annular wall 17 and mixing with the smoke stream. The spring 18 biasing the control ring 117 into contact with the annular wall 17 ensures the seal is secure.

Rotation of the ventilation control sleeve 115 to a second position moves the plate ii8 io and control ring 117 such that the section of reduced thickness 119 aligns with one of the ventilation holes 28 to provide a gap between the ventilation hole 28 and the control ring 117. Air within the ventilation space 27 is then able to pass though the annular wall 17 via the one exposed ventilation hole 28, pass along the corresponding ventilation channel 29, and mix with the smoke stream within the mixing chamber 26, to provide a first degree of smoke ventilation and dilution.

Further rotation of the ventilation control sleeve 115 to a third position moves the plate 118 and control ring 117 such that the section of reduced thickness 119 aligns with more of the ventilation holes 28 to provide a gap between the additional ventilation holes 28 and the control ring 117. Air from the ventilation space 27 is then able to pass though the annular wall 17 via the plurality of exposed ventilation holes 28, pass along the corresponding ventilation channels 29, and mix with the smoke stream within the mixing chamber 26, providing an increased level of smoke ventilation and dilution.

As with the first embodiment, the degree of external ventilation air that is introduced into the smoke stream is variable, thereby varying sensory intensity of the smoking experience. Also as with the first embodiment, although only three separate ventilation positions are shown and described, the second embodiment is not intended to be limited to such a configuration and other numbers of ventilation positions may be provided, or the bypass ventilation maybe continually variable be provision of an arcuate slot instead of discrete ventilation apertures 28, as descnbed above.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers.

-13 -In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for superior smoking apparatus. The advantages and features of the disdosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and io modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

Claims 1. A smoking apparatus comprising a controller body having a first open end to receive a rod of smokeable material and a second open end in communication with the first open end and through which a user may draw smoke in use, the controller body comprising a passage having an upstream end and a downstream end and defining a first fluid path between the first and second open ends, the passage configured to receive and retain a first end of a rod of smokeable material received in the first end of the controller io body, the controller body induding a second fluid path extending between the upstream and dosrnstream ends of the passage and bypassing the passage, such that, in use, air may flow through the second fluid flow path and mix with smoke from the rod of smokeable material downstream of the passage.
2. The smoking apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a first chamber within the controller body, the first and second fluid paths extending from the first chamber.
3. The smoking apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a second chamber within the controller body, the first and second fluid paths extending into the second chamber.
4. The smoking apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a ventilation control mechanism operable to adjust the second fluid path to vary the amount of air that may flow therethrough.
5. The smoking apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the ventilation control mechanism is operable to incrementally vary the amount of air that may flow through the second fluid path from no airflow to at least two different degrees of airflow.
6. The smoking apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the second fluid path comprises at least one ventilation hole in a wall of the controller body and, a blocking element operable to selectively block or expose the at least one ventilation hole to prevent or allow air to flow therethrough.

-15 -
7. The smoking apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6 wherein the ventilation contr& mechanism indudes an actuator that is axially rotatable r&ative to the controller body to control the air flow through the second fluid path.
8. The smoking apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a rod of smokeable material circumscribed with an outer wrapper and with a first end received in the first open end of the controller body and retained in Jo the passage, wherein a first ventilation path is defined within the controller body between the upstream and downstream ends of the passage, through the outer wrapper, through the rod of smokeabe material and out of the first end thereof.
9. The smoking apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the rod of smokeable material comprises a phirahty of ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper and the first ventilation path extends through the plurality of ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper such that, in use, air may pass into the rod of smokeable material and mix with smoke within the rod of smokeable material.
10. The smoking apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rod of smokeable material comprises a filter within the outer wrapper at the first end, and at least some of the plurality of ventilation apertures are positioned at the filter portion of the rod.
ii. The smoking apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein, wherein at least some of the ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper are sealed closed when the rod of smokeaNc material is received within passage in the 3° controller body.
12. A smoking apparatus according to any of claims 8 to ii wherein the rod of smokeable material makes a friction fit in the passage.
13. A smoking apparatus according to claim 6 or any of claims 7 to 12 when dependent on claim 6, wherein a biasing member is provided in the controller body and is configured to bias the blocking element into contact with the wall of the controller body to improve the seal therebetween.
14. A smoking apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a sealing element, such as a gasket, is disposed between the blocking element and the wall of the controller body to improve the seal therebetween.
15. A smoking apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the blocking element is axially rotatable relative to the controller body. I016. A smoking apparatus comprising a controller body having a first open end to receive a rod of smokeable material and a second open end in communication with the first open end and through which a user may draw smoke in use, a rod of smokeable material circumscribed in an outer wrapper and with a first end received in the first open end of the controfler body, a first ventilation path defined through the outer wrapper and through the rod of smokeable materia', and a second ventilation path defined within the controller body bypassing the tobacco rod for air to mix with smoke drawn through the tobacco rod downstream of the first end of the tobacco rod.17. A smoking apparatus comprising a controller body having a first open end to receive a rod of smokeable material and a second open end in communication with the first open end and through which a user may draw smoke in use, a rod of smokeable material circumscribed in an outer wrapper and with a first end receivable in the first open end of the controller body, the first end of the rod of smokeable material including a plurality of ventilation holes formed in the outer wrapper, wherein at least some of the vcntilation hoks arc scalcd closcd whcn thc rod of smokeabic matcrial is received in the controfler body.18. A smoking apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the rod of smokeable materi& includes such a plur&ity of ventilation h&es in the first end that the rod is unsmokeable unless at least some of the ventilation apertures are blocked to reduce the ventilation air drawn into the rod therethrough. -17-19. A rod of smokeable material for use in a smoking apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising smokeable material circumscribed with an outer wrapper, the rod having a first end with a plurality of ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper to define a ventilation path through the plurality of ventilation apertures in the outer wrapper such that, in use, air may pass into the rod of smokeable material and mix with smoke within the rod of smokeable material.20. A rod of smokeable material according to claim 19 further comprising a filter io within the outer wrapper at the first end, wherein at east some of the plurality of ventilation apertures are positioned at the filter portion of the rod.21. A rod of smokeable material according to claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the ventilation apertures are configured such that the rod cannot be smoked un'ess at least some of the ventilation apertures are blocked to reduce the ventilation air drawn into the rod therethrough.