Title:
CIGARETTE OR CIGAR FILTER
United States Patent 3757802
Abstract:
Throw-away filter for cigarettes, cigars, cigarette holders and tobacco pipes, comprising at least in part polystyrene portions having the ability to retain an electrostatic charge. Preferably, the filter comprises two concentric telescopic units, the inner of which consists of polystyrene. The units define plural reversing passages which pass smoke, but tend to trap harmful solids on the electrostatically charged surfaces of the polystyrene portion. The outer unit is tubular and is closed at the upstream end and open at the other. The upstream closure in one instance, comprises a flat flange extending radially outwardly of the tubular portion thereof to space the same inwardly of an outer shell and has smoke passing slots in the peripheral portion of the same. The open end of the outer unit also has smoke passing slots whereby smoke may pass radially inwardly of the filter as it reverses direction, and leaves the filter through the downstream end of the inner unit which is also tubular and open at both ends thereof.
US Patent References:
/1102865.html
Browne - July 1914 - 1102865
Smoking pipe
Blomster - December 1923 - 1477029
Appliance for smokers
Foley - June 1933 - 1915414
Attachment for smoking devices
Tarrant - August 1938 - 2126422
Smoke condenser and cooler
Gobel - February 1939 - 2146256
/1102865.html
Browne - July 1914 - 1102865
Smoking pipe
Blomster - December 1923 - 1477029
Appliance for smokers
Foley - June 1933 - 1915414
Attachment for smoking devices
Tarrant - August 1938 - 2126422
Smoke condenser and cooler
Gobel - February 1939 - 2146256
Inventors:
Streule, Josef (Brulisau, CH)
Brot, Blasius (St. Gallen, CH)
Brot, Blasius (St. Gallen, CH)
Application Number:
05/208456
Publication Date:
09/11/1973
Filing Date:
12/15/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
131/212.200, 131/339
International Classes:
A24D3/04; A24F7/04; A24F13/04; A24D3/00; A24F7/00; A24F13/00; A24F1/16
Field of Search:
131/10.5,212A,213,218,262B,261B,187
US Patent References:
Primary Examiner:
Reich, Joseph S.
Parent Case Data:
This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 842,205, filed July 16, 1969, now abandoned, which is a division of our copending application Ser. No. 613,876, filed Feb. 3, 1967, now abandoned.
Claims:
We claim
1. A filter for cigarettes, cigarette holders, cigars, and tobacco pipes, comprising
2. A filter according to claim 1 wherein the means providing the relative fine passages of said median tube and said disc are means providing hair-fine slots which pass smoke gases but trap smoke-carried solids.
3. A filter according to claim 1 wherein said polystyrene of which said second unit is formed has the following properties:
1. A filter for cigarettes, cigarette holders, cigars, and tobacco pipes, comprising
2. A filter according to claim 1 wherein the means providing the relative fine passages of said median tube and said disc are means providing hair-fine slots which pass smoke gases but trap smoke-carried solids.
3. A filter according to claim 1 wherein said polystyrene of which said second unit is formed has the following properties:
Description:
The present invention relates to a filter structure for cigarettes, cigars, cigarette holders and tobacco pipes and particularly to a filter structure of the disposable type.
Cigarette filters are normally produced from materials having high absorption characteristics such as bleached cotton, cell fibers, paper and the like. In the case of cigarette holders and tobacco pipes, filter cartridges are used which usually comprise a hollow cylinder filled with activated charcoal or similar mineral material.
The filter construction itself frequently comprises a plurality of telescopic or interlocking spaced members which, when assembled, define a smoke passage extending axially of the filter, the smoke being deflected through several 180° turns, so that the smoke will be cooled and at the same time subjected to a distillation process resulting in deposits on the filter surface touched by the smoke and resulting in filtration.
An object of the present invention is to provide a filter with desired characteristics for the retention of noxious and harmful smoke constituents such as nicotine, tobacco tar and the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a filter which provides means for the retention of the noxious and harmful smoke constituents due to the construction of the filter.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a filter which provides means for the retention of the noxious and harmful smoke constituents due to the properties of the material from which at least a part of the filter is made.
Referring to the drawings, showing preferred embodiments of the invention:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a filter made in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken in the direction of arrow II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III--III of FIG. 1, the slots at the upper end of the inner unit being omitted for clarity;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV--IV of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the filter shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is another longitudinal sectional view of the filter shown in FIG. 5 with the interior portion of the filter removed;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the inner portion of the filter shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the inner filter element shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the inner filter element shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a partial side elevational view of a modification of the inner filter element shown in FIG. 7; and
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI--XI of FIG. 10.
The filter construction shown in FIGS. 1-4 is in the form of a cartridge and comprises a shell 1 partially closed at the bottom end by a disc 2 having a central outlet opening 4. An internal concentric outlet or exhaust tube 5 extends from a position below the top of the shell 1 through the outlet opening 4 in the bottom disc 2. A top disc 3 closes the end of a median tube 6 extending concentrically between the shell 1 and the exhaust tube 5 to the bottom disc 2. The smoke inlet of the filter is formed by a series of radial slots or passages 7 disposed on the periphery of top disc 3, the smoke entering into the exterior intermediate space 8 between the shell 1 and the median tube 6. The slots 7 are very small and are shown oversize in the drawing for clarification. Very fine slot-like passages 7' are formed at the lower end of median tube 6 and still further very fine slot-like passages 7" are provided at the top end of exhaust tube 5.
The smoke entering through slots 7 as noted by arrows a flows downwardly through the exterior intermediate space 8 and then through slots 7' at which point the smoke is deflected through 180° and flows in the opposite direction through the interior intermediate space 9 between the exhaust tube 5 and the median tube 6. At the upper end of the interior intermediate space 9 the smoke is again deflected through 180° when passing through slots 7" and then flows in the initial direction again through exhaust tube 5 and out of the filter in the direction of arrow b.
At least some of the various elements of the filter construction are composed of polystyrene which has the property of retaining electrostatic charges. At least the top disc 3 and the median tube 6 are formed from polystyrene so that at least one surface of both the exterior intermediate space 8 and the interior intermediate space 9 may receive and retain an electrostatic charge. The preferred polystyrene which is capable of generating and retaining an electrostatic charge thereon has the following ranges of properties:
TABLE I
Yield tensile strength 420-490 kg/cm 2 Yield elongation 1.5-2.5% Modulus of elasticity 31,000-34,000 kg/cm 2 Izod impact strength 0.3-0.6 ft lb/in of notch Softening point 79°-85° C Hardness, Rockwell M 68-80 Specific gravity 1.05-1.07 Dielectric constant 2.50-2.60 Specific resistance 10 21 -10 22 Ohm-cm Index of refraction 1.59
Polystyrene meeting the above specifications is of the general purpose variety such as that sold under the trade name STYRON 666 by The Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Michigan.
By using polystyrene capable of generating and retaining electrostatic charges in a filter construction and particularly a construction such as that shown in FIG. 1, a substantial increase in the amount of oil-like or greasy deposit has been found to form on the electrostatically charged polystyrene walls of the filter. This unexpected result is caused by the property of polystyrene in generating and retaining an electrostatic charge which facilitates the deposition of nicotine and tar on its surfaces. This in cooperation with the relatively long flow path, the repeated deflection of the various flow paths through the hairfine slots 7, 7' and 7" which act as traps, and the various cooling zones through which the smoke passes all result in substantially increased deposition in the filter. When all the various elements of the filter construction are produced from polystyrene having the ability to generate and retain electrostatic charges, a proportional increase in the amount of nicotine and tar deposition has been found.
The low production cost of the filters makes it possible to assemble the filters integral with cigarettes or cigars where they are used only once. In the case of filters used in smoking pipes, they may be discarded and thrown away after they become clogged with impurities. The various parts making up the filter may be easily manufactured at low cost and assembled readily.
A cartridge type filter in many respects similar to the filter found in FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 5-9. The shell 10 includes a slightly tapered plug portion 11 for receiving the end of the cigarette or cigar 12. The inlet end of the cartridge includes an annular shoulder 13 which serves as a stop for the end of the cigar or cigarette. An inner exhaust tube 14 secured in an outlet opening in the bottom 21 of the cartridge extends upwardly concentric with the shell 10 to a point short of the annular shoulder 13. A median tube 15 which is sealed at one end by a top disc 16 is inserted through the open end of the cartridge such that the median tube passes downwardly between and a spaced distance from the shell 10 and the inner exhaust tube 14. The top disc 16 has a greater diameter than the median tube 15 forming a circumferentially projecting guide flange 17 which serves to center the tube 15. Although the top disc 16 substantially closes the upper end of the filter, the flange 17 is provided circumferentially with a plurality of slots 18. Similarly the lower edge of the median tube 15 is provided with slots 19. The path followed by the smoke through the filter cartridge is similar to that for the filter shown in FIG. 1. The smoke enters through the slots 18 in the flange 17 as noted by the arrows a. The smoke then passes downwardly between the shell 10 and the median tube 15 and then reverses direction after passing through slots 19. It then passes upwardly between the exhaust tube 14 and the median tube 15 and then again changes direction as it passes over the end of the central exhaust tube 14 and through the outlet as noted by the arrow b.
With this cartridge construction at least the median tube 15 and disc 16 are made of the polystyrene which has the ability of producing and maintaining an electrostatic charge on its surface. Ideally, the whole cartridge however is produced from polystyrene so that all the surfaces which come in contact with the smoke have the ability to attract and deposit tar and nicotine. The cartridge may be easily disassembled for cleaning since the combination median tube 15 and top disc 16 are only loosely retained in position. Thus, when the cigar or cigarette is removed, the disc and tube may be drawn out after which the whole cartridge may be cleaned.
A modified form of the median tube and top disc is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Longitudinal guide ribs 20 are arranged on the outer circumference of the median tube 15' so that the coaxial positioning of the median tube 15' within the shell 10 may be assured.
An advantage of the filter cartridge shown in FIGS. 5-9 is that it offers not only a large surface area which is electrostatically charged, but also the large surface area permits a substantial amount of condensed water to coat these surfaces which further enhance the precipitation of nicotine and tar.
While the invention has been illustrated and described herein in its preferred forms, it is to be understood that it may be used in other forms, embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
Cigarette filters are normally produced from materials having high absorption characteristics such as bleached cotton, cell fibers, paper and the like. In the case of cigarette holders and tobacco pipes, filter cartridges are used which usually comprise a hollow cylinder filled with activated charcoal or similar mineral material.
The filter construction itself frequently comprises a plurality of telescopic or interlocking spaced members which, when assembled, define a smoke passage extending axially of the filter, the smoke being deflected through several 180° turns, so that the smoke will be cooled and at the same time subjected to a distillation process resulting in deposits on the filter surface touched by the smoke and resulting in filtration.
An object of the present invention is to provide a filter with desired characteristics for the retention of noxious and harmful smoke constituents such as nicotine, tobacco tar and the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a filter which provides means for the retention of the noxious and harmful smoke constituents due to the construction of the filter.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a filter which provides means for the retention of the noxious and harmful smoke constituents due to the properties of the material from which at least a part of the filter is made.
Referring to the drawings, showing preferred embodiments of the invention:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a filter made in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken in the direction of arrow II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III--III of FIG. 1, the slots at the upper end of the inner unit being omitted for clarity;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV--IV of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the filter shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is another longitudinal sectional view of the filter shown in FIG. 5 with the interior portion of the filter removed;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the inner portion of the filter shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the inner filter element shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the inner filter element shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 10 is a partial side elevational view of a modification of the inner filter element shown in FIG. 7; and
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI--XI of FIG. 10.
The filter construction shown in FIGS. 1-4 is in the form of a cartridge and comprises a shell 1 partially closed at the bottom end by a disc 2 having a central outlet opening 4. An internal concentric outlet or exhaust tube 5 extends from a position below the top of the shell 1 through the outlet opening 4 in the bottom disc 2. A top disc 3 closes the end of a median tube 6 extending concentrically between the shell 1 and the exhaust tube 5 to the bottom disc 2. The smoke inlet of the filter is formed by a series of radial slots or passages 7 disposed on the periphery of top disc 3, the smoke entering into the exterior intermediate space 8 between the shell 1 and the median tube 6. The slots 7 are very small and are shown oversize in the drawing for clarification. Very fine slot-like passages 7' are formed at the lower end of median tube 6 and still further very fine slot-like passages 7" are provided at the top end of exhaust tube 5.
The smoke entering through slots 7 as noted by arrows a flows downwardly through the exterior intermediate space 8 and then through slots 7' at which point the smoke is deflected through 180° and flows in the opposite direction through the interior intermediate space 9 between the exhaust tube 5 and the median tube 6. At the upper end of the interior intermediate space 9 the smoke is again deflected through 180° when passing through slots 7" and then flows in the initial direction again through exhaust tube 5 and out of the filter in the direction of arrow b.
At least some of the various elements of the filter construction are composed of polystyrene which has the property of retaining electrostatic charges. At least the top disc 3 and the median tube 6 are formed from polystyrene so that at least one surface of both the exterior intermediate space 8 and the interior intermediate space 9 may receive and retain an electrostatic charge. The preferred polystyrene which is capable of generating and retaining an electrostatic charge thereon has the following ranges of properties:
TABLE I
Yield tensile strength 420-490 kg/cm 2 Yield elongation 1.5-2.5% Modulus of elasticity 31,000-34,000 kg/cm 2 Izod impact strength 0.3-0.6 ft lb/in of notch Softening point 79°-85° C Hardness, Rockwell M 68-80 Specific gravity 1.05-1.07 Dielectric constant 2.50-2.60 Specific resistance 10 21 -10 22 Ohm-cm Index of refraction 1.59
Polystyrene meeting the above specifications is of the general purpose variety such as that sold under the trade name STYRON 666 by The Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Michigan.
By using polystyrene capable of generating and retaining electrostatic charges in a filter construction and particularly a construction such as that shown in FIG. 1, a substantial increase in the amount of oil-like or greasy deposit has been found to form on the electrostatically charged polystyrene walls of the filter. This unexpected result is caused by the property of polystyrene in generating and retaining an electrostatic charge which facilitates the deposition of nicotine and tar on its surfaces. This in cooperation with the relatively long flow path, the repeated deflection of the various flow paths through the hairfine slots 7, 7' and 7" which act as traps, and the various cooling zones through which the smoke passes all result in substantially increased deposition in the filter. When all the various elements of the filter construction are produced from polystyrene having the ability to generate and retain electrostatic charges, a proportional increase in the amount of nicotine and tar deposition has been found.
The low production cost of the filters makes it possible to assemble the filters integral with cigarettes or cigars where they are used only once. In the case of filters used in smoking pipes, they may be discarded and thrown away after they become clogged with impurities. The various parts making up the filter may be easily manufactured at low cost and assembled readily.
A cartridge type filter in many respects similar to the filter found in FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 5-9. The shell 10 includes a slightly tapered plug portion 11 for receiving the end of the cigarette or cigar 12. The inlet end of the cartridge includes an annular shoulder 13 which serves as a stop for the end of the cigar or cigarette. An inner exhaust tube 14 secured in an outlet opening in the bottom 21 of the cartridge extends upwardly concentric with the shell 10 to a point short of the annular shoulder 13. A median tube 15 which is sealed at one end by a top disc 16 is inserted through the open end of the cartridge such that the median tube passes downwardly between and a spaced distance from the shell 10 and the inner exhaust tube 14. The top disc 16 has a greater diameter than the median tube 15 forming a circumferentially projecting guide flange 17 which serves to center the tube 15. Although the top disc 16 substantially closes the upper end of the filter, the flange 17 is provided circumferentially with a plurality of slots 18. Similarly the lower edge of the median tube 15 is provided with slots 19. The path followed by the smoke through the filter cartridge is similar to that for the filter shown in FIG. 1. The smoke enters through the slots 18 in the flange 17 as noted by the arrows a. The smoke then passes downwardly between the shell 10 and the median tube 15 and then reverses direction after passing through slots 19. It then passes upwardly between the exhaust tube 14 and the median tube 15 and then again changes direction as it passes over the end of the central exhaust tube 14 and through the outlet as noted by the arrow b.
With this cartridge construction at least the median tube 15 and disc 16 are made of the polystyrene which has the ability of producing and maintaining an electrostatic charge on its surface. Ideally, the whole cartridge however is produced from polystyrene so that all the surfaces which come in contact with the smoke have the ability to attract and deposit tar and nicotine. The cartridge may be easily disassembled for cleaning since the combination median tube 15 and top disc 16 are only loosely retained in position. Thus, when the cigar or cigarette is removed, the disc and tube may be drawn out after which the whole cartridge may be cleaned.
A modified form of the median tube and top disc is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Longitudinal guide ribs 20 are arranged on the outer circumference of the median tube 15' so that the coaxial positioning of the median tube 15' within the shell 10 may be assured.
An advantage of the filter cartridge shown in FIGS. 5-9 is that it offers not only a large surface area which is electrostatically charged, but also the large surface area permits a substantial amount of condensed water to coat these surfaces which further enhance the precipitation of nicotine and tar.
While the invention has been illustrated and described herein in its preferred forms, it is to be understood that it may be used in other forms, embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.