WO2003043451A1

WO2003043451A1 - Smoking implement and filter assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2003043451A1
Application number: PCT/AU2002/001554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Kollasch
Original assignee: Stefan Kollasch
Priority date: 2001-11-23
Filing date: 2002-11-15
Publication date: 2003-05-30
Also published as: EP1492423A4; AUPR902301A0; CA2468173C; CA2468173A1; EP1492423A1

Abstract

A pipe and a filter assembly (10) for the pipe including in combination a heat arrester member for positioning between a burning chamber (16) adapted to be loaded with and to burn a smoking product, typically tobacco, and a stem assembly in communication with said burning chamber (16), said stem assembly adapted to house, a filter member (12c) wherein in operation, heated gases and/or burning embers drawn from the burning chamber (16) as a smoker draws on the stem assembly will be arrested by the heat arrester member and wherein heat is absorbed and dissipated by the heat arrester member, thereby protecting the filter (12c) from said heated gases and burning embers.

Description

SMOKING IMPLEMENT AND FILTER ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to smoking implements in particular but not exclusively to a filter assembly for smoking foldable pipes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smoking implements such as pipes are well known. In the interest of health there is often provided an ability to insert a disposable or non-disposable filter in the stem assemblies of such pipes to trap and filter tar, ash and moisture.

The problem with using such prior art filters is that they are often fabricated from plastics and combustible materials which must be isolated from the burning chambers of prior art pipes. This is not a problem where the stem of the pipe is long enough to separate the filter from the burning chamber but presents a problem with compact smoking apparatus such as foldable pipes and the like. In addition, prior art filters generally capture tar, ash and nicotine residue in the stems of prior art pipes between the bowl and the mouth piece. With prior art pipes the bowl is attached or embodied in a housing that contains a corridor or path for the hot gases and ash drawn from the bowl during smoking. This housing accumulates waste, tars and ash and requires regular cleaning. With prior art pipes, a filter element is normally incorporated in the stem diverging away from the bottom of the bowl housing. The stem and bowl housing both need to be cleaned regularly after use. There is therefore a need to filter the smoke path from the bowl bottom aperture through to the mouthpiece. There is a present need for a complete filter which can then be disposed with the contents of ash, moisture and nicotine residue contained inside the filter thereby eliminating the need to continually clean the smoke path of the pipe. In compact smoking pipes, the filter is often very close to the burning chamber or the aperture at the bottom of the burning chamber through which smoke is drawn which can be of a temperature high enough to heat or even combust materials such as synthetic fibres and/or plastics of prior art disposable filters. This presents a potential health problem if the materials which are exposed to the heat release harmful gases on molting or burning.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to seek to ameliorate at least on or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, but not necessarily the only aspect, the invention resides in a filter assembly for smoking implements, typically pipes including in combination a heat arrester member for positioning between a burning chamber adapted to be loaded with and to burn a smoking product, typically tobacco, and a stem assembly in communication with said burning chamber, said stem assembly adapted to house, a filter member wherein in operation, heated gases and/or burning embers drawn from the burning chamber as a smoker draws on the mouthpiece portion of the stem assembly will be arrested by the heat arrester member and wherein heat is absorbed and dissipated by the heat arrester member, thereby protecting the filter from said heated gases and burning embers.

Preferably, the heat arrester member comprises two portions, wherein the first portion is adapted to be attached to an end of a disposable filter and said second portion is adapted to house or partially enclose said first portion wherein said second portion is of a greater mass and ability to absorb heat and wherein in operation said second portion operates as a heat sink for said first portion.

Preferably, the first and second portions of the heat arrester are fabricated from a highly heat absorbent metal or other suitable heat absorbent material.

Preferably, the first portion forms a catchment receptacle for capturing tar and/or ash and reduces the rate of transferring heat and particulate matter to the filter.

Preferably, said second portion can form a stem or is part of the stem assembly adapted to house the disposable filter.

Preferably the second portion is adapted to house replacement filter members to replace the used filters.

More preferably, the second portion is adapted to house additional filter members to comprise a multiple filter assembly wherein smoke is further filtered and cooled by passing through the additional filter members before being inhaled by the smoker.

Preferably, the first and second portions can be disassembled and separated for cleaning purposes.

Preferably, the filter is a disposable filter.

In another version the first portion is supplied incorporating a disposable filter and is disposed with the filter when the filter is full or spent.

In another aspect, the invention resides in a smoking implement or pipe having a filter assembly as herein described, the pipe having interchangeable burning chambers or bowls adapted for removable attachment to the stem assembly, the bowls being of different shapes and materials, typically wood, ceramic or metal, wherein the arrangement in use, enables a smoker to select from a range of bowls and to interchange bowls as the smoker desires.

Typically the materials for the interchangeable bowls include briar, meerschum, porcelain, or aluminum or a combination thereof.

Preferably the interchangeable bowls are attached to the stem assembly by means of a slide or screw fitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrations wherein: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example 1

Figure 2 and Figure 2a show a preferred multiple filter assembly of the invention according to Example 2,

Figure 3 shows a preferred smoking implement or pipe with interchangeable bowls according to the invention, and

Figure 4 shows another smoking implement or pipe with a screw in bowl according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the invention according to Example 1.

The filter assembly 10 is shown with the first portion 12 of the heat arrester proximal to an end of the disposable filter 12c. The preferably disposable filter, and first portion of the heat arrester is insertable into the second portion 14 of the heat arrester assembly wherein it abuts against the burning chamber 16. Smoke and hot gases from the burning chamber are trapped in the catchment receptacle 9 of the first portion as a smoker draws on the stem 12b of the filter. The second portion houses the first portion 9 and the filter 12c and positions the first portion beneath the bowl 16 or burning chamber.

The second portion 14 is shown with a greater mass than the first portion and acts as a heat sink for the first portion. This prevents hot gases from directly affecting the end 12a of the filter member 12c. Preferably, the first and second portions of the heat arrester are manufactured from a highly heat absorbing metal such as aluminium or brass or other suitable heat absorbent material. It will be noted that the second portion can be shaped to form a stem for the filter member. In a preferred version the first portion can be attached to the filter member and is disposed with the filter member when the filter has been filled or spent.

The filter which is preferably disposable is shown of an elongate rectangular configuration, however, may be of any other suitable shape, for example, tubular, ovoid in cross-section, tapered, etc. Although the heat arrester is shown as an assembly of two portions, it is possible in some examples, that it can be unitary in construction or may consist of more than two parts.

The present example of the invention is the bowl and stem design of a portable folding pipe, however, there is no reason, why the present invention cannot be adapted to be used with prior art pipes with modifications to the heat arrester design.

It is envisaged that the first portion of the heat arrester is stamped from sheet metal in one piece and the second portion cast from sintered metal or other suitable material with good heat absorption and dissipation properties.

It is envisaged that the filter is constructed in the form of a casing containing fibrous filter material, however, a compressed one-piece filter made from the filter material itself can be an option. It will also be obvious that the length and cross sectional area of the filter relate directly to the performance of the filter, however, it is envisaged that with improvements to filter materials that more compact filter shapes can be produced without change to the inventive concept disclosed. Improvements to metals will be even more significant in changes to the present design which may lead to a reduction in mass and weight, particularly of the second portion of the heat arrester. Changes to bowl design do not have to be significantly different. The inventor brings the filter as close as possible to the hole at the bottom of the bowl as the first portions in the present design sits directly under he bowl to catch the tar, ash and nicotine residue even before it reaches the filter. This design not only improves the performance of the filter but also extends the actual life of the filter.

Figure 2 shows a multiple filter assembly 20 according to Example 2a. In this example, the first portion is adapted to house additional filter members 22, 24 comprising the first portion of the heat arrester assembly 20. Smoke drawn by a smoker is further filtered by the additional filter members and is also further cooled as is passes through the additional filter members (as shown by the arrows) before being inhaled by the smoker through the mouthpiece 26. In an alternative version, the second portion can be adapted to have replacement filter members to replace single disposable filters as they are spent.

Figure 2a shows a detailed side view of the first portion and filter cartridge assembly 20 of Figure 2. The heat catchment receptacle 9 is shown located directly beneath the bowl 16 to capture hot ashes and smoke leaving the bowl through the bowl aperture. The design of the filter cartridge assembly 20 is such that it protects the filter members 22,24 and stem portion 20a proximal to the bowl from extreme heat when a smoker inhales on the mouthpiece 26. This arrangement protects the filters and stem section from burning and/or melting and releasing noxious or harmful gases into the smoke path as shown by the arrows.

Figure 3 shows a preferred smoking pipe 30 with interchangeable bowls 16, 32 according to the invention. Corresponding numbering used for Figure 1 and Figure 2 is repeated for identical and corresponding parts in Figure 3. The bowls 16, 32 which may be constructed of metal or wood, preferably briar or ceramic typically meerschum can be interchanged with the second portion by means of the base tongue section 36, 38 which has dovetailed edge faces 36a, 36b and 38a, 38b adapted to slide into a corresponding dovetail slot 40 in the heat sink and second portion 14. In this arrangement the tongue in slot combination enables the filter cartridge and first portion 20 to be inserted behind the bowl thereby captively locking the bowl and the second portion together.

Figure 4 shows another smoking pipe with a screw in bowl according to the invention. The bowl 50 which may be made of timber such as briar has a screw in portion 54 at the base of the bowl through which the bowl apparatus passes. The screw in portion is adapted to screw into the heat sink 60 of the pipe. The stem assembly 66 of the pipe has a tenon portion 66a which is slotted into the heat sink portion 60a of the pipe. Attached to the tenon portion 66a of the stem assembly is the heat catchment receptacle 64. The stem portion 66 also houses a rectangular shaped filter 62 and tapers to a mouthpiece 68. It will be evident that by being able to screw in the bowls, various types of bowls having a common screw fitting can be interchangeably used.

Some of the advantages of the present invention discovered by the inventor over the prior art can be said to include the following: The use of the pipe of the preferred embodiment can result in a 30 percent reduction of waste per smoker in the form of cigarette butts, if the pipe is used to replace approximately 42 percent of the cigarettes smoked by a person. In using the pipe of the preferred embodiment the smoker produces less smoke when compared to the use of cigarettes. Unlike cigarettes that continue to smoke when not in use and still burning, the present pipe does not produce any smoke that is not inhaled or generated by the smoker. The result is a reduction of up to 21 percent of the smoke generated per smoker and released into the atmosphere as pollution. A direct result of the reduction in the generation of smoke that is released into the atmosphere, is a significant reduction in "passive smoking" through the inhalation of smoke by bystanders. The use of the pipe of the preferred embodiment will result in a saving of up to 25 percent compared to the cost of cigarettes, when used to substitute approximately 42 percent of the average smoker's cigarette consumption. Similarly, if the pipe of the preferred embodiment is used to substitute cigarette consumption entirely, the resulting saving in cost is approximately 58 percent with up to 70 percent less waste and approximately 50 percent less smoke pollution.

VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A filter assembly for smoking implements including in combination a heat arrester member for positioning between a burning chamber adapted to be loaded with and to burn a smoking product, typically tobacco, and a stem assembly in communication with said burning chamber, said stem assembly adapted to house, a filter member wherein in operation, heated gases and/or burning embers drawn from the burning chamber as a smoker draws on the mouthpiece portion of the stem assembly will be arrested by the heat arrester member and wherein heat is absorbed and dissipated by the heat arrester member, thereby protecting the filter from said heated gases and burning embers.

2. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heat arrester member comprises two portions, wherein the first portion is adapted to be attached to an end of a disposable filter and said second portion is adapted to house or partially enclose said first portion wherein said second portion is of a greater mass and ability to absorb heat and wherein in operation said second portion operates as a heat sink for said first portion.

3. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first and second portions of the heat arrester are fabricated from a highly heat absorbent metal or other suitable heat absorbent material.

4. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the first portion has a catchment receptacle for capturing tar and/or ash and reduces the rate of transferring heat and particulate matter to the filter.

5. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein said second portion can form a stem or is part of the stem assembly adapted to house the filter.

6. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the second portion is adapted to house replacement filters to replace used filters.

7. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the second portion is adapted to house additional filter members to comprise a multiple filter assembly wherein smoke is further filtered and cooled by passing through the additional filter members before being inhaled by the smoker.

8. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the first and second portions can be disassembled and separated for cleaning purposes.

9. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the filter is a disposable filter.

10. A further assembly for smoking implements as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the first portion is supplied incorporating a disposable filter and is disposed with the filter when the filter is full or spent.

11. A smoking pipe having a filter assembly as herein described, the pipe having interchangeable burning chambers or bowls adapted for removable attachment to the stem assembly, the bowls being of different shapes and materials, typically wood, ceramic or metal, wherein the arrangement in use, enables a smoker to select from a range of bowls and to interchange bowls as the smoker desires.

12. A smoking pipe as claimed in claim 10 wherein the materials for the interchangeable bowls include briar, meerschum, porcelain, or aluminum or a combination thereof.

12. A smoking pipe as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the interchangeable bowls are attached to the stem assembly by means of a slide or screw fitting.

13. A filter assembly for smoking implements as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A smoking pipe as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.