Cigarette Filter Device

Description

The current application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of the U.S. design application Ser. No. 29/967,288 filed on Oct. 9, 2024.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to cigarette accessories. More specifically, the present invention discloses a cigarette filter device that enables the attachment of the filtration end of a cigarette to a secondary filter to further reduce the smoke intake of the cigarette consumer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, a cigarette is a narrow cylindrical that is filled with a combustible material, typically tobacco, and rolled into thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end, causing the combustible material to smolder; the resulting smoke can then be orally inhaled via the opposite end. Cigarette smoking is still the most popular way to consume tobacco in the world, even after the development of other alternatives such as electronic cigarettes. Current cigarettes are often manufactured as either filtered cigarettes or non-filtered cigarettes. Modern filtered cigarettes are designed to remove harmful chemicals from the smoke inhaled by the user resulting from the combustion of the cigarette. However, filtered cigarettes cannot remove all the harmful chemicals that cause negative health effects due to the limitations of the integrated filter.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a cigarette filter device that enables the use of an additional filter with a filtered cigarette to remove additional harmful particles and chemicals. The present invention provides a cylindrical sleeve designed to enable the use of a secondary filter with a filtered cigarette in a practical and comfortable manner. Moreover, the present invention facilitates the hermetical connection between the secondary filter and the filtered cigarette to prevent airflow into the cylindrical sleeve. This way, the present invention further filtrates the smoke being inhaled without hindering the user's smoking experience. Additional features and benefits of the present invention are further discussed in the sections below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a cigarette filter device that enables the user of a secondary filter with a filtered cigarette to further remove harmful chemicals that were not filtered out by the cigarette's filter. The present invention is preferably designed as a reusable cylindrical sleeve that can be periodically cleaned for continuous use. For example, the cylindrical sleeve can be made from solid plastic with two internal sections that can be manually cleaned by the user. The first internal section is designed to receive the filter portion of the cigarette, while the second internal section receives the secondary filter. The first internal section is designed to receive a standard filtered cigarette in such a way that cigarette's filter is pressure fitted into the opening of the first internal section to secure the filtered cigarette to the cylindrical sleeve. Likewise, the secondary filter can be a standard fiber filter that is pressure fitted into the opening of the second internal section to secure the secondary filter to the cylindrical sleeve. Further, the pressure fit connections enable the formation of an air seal to prevent excess air from entering the cylindrical sleeve while the filtered cigarette is being smoked.

The present invention provides easy and convenient means of implementing secondary filtration for a filtered cigarette to reduce the overall harmful chemical intake while smoking. The present invention can provide secondary filtration for up to six cigarettes before replacing the secondary filter depending upon the cigarette brand being used and the secondary filter preference. Further, the present invention cartridge can be periodically cleaned with hot water and/or other suitable cleaning supplies. In addition, the present invention can last from six months up to one year depending on the overall material used to manufacture the cylindrical sleeve. Thus, the reuseable and recyclable cylindrical sleeve serves as a better option over the disposable and non-recyclable solid cigarette filters that are currently in use, disposed of daily, and take about 500 years to decompose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top-front-left perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom-rear-right perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a left view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention discloses a cigarette filter device that allows the removable attachment of a secondary filter to a filtered cigarette. The present invention enables the removal of additional harmful chemicals that were not removed by the cigarette's filter from the smoke being inhaled by the user. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention is preferably a cylindrical sleeve with a tubular body 1 designed to enable the removable coupling of the secondary filter with the filtered cigarette. The tubular body 1 preferably accommodates standard fiber filters and standard filtered cigarettes that are commonly consumed. In addition, the open ends of the tubular body 1 are designed to specifically accommodate the secondary filter and the filtered cigarette at opposite ends of the tubular body 1. Further, the tubular body 1 is designed so that the secondary filter and the filtered cigarette can be coupled without the use of fasteners or other mechanical devices.

The general configuration of the aforementioned components enables the user to comfortably smoke a cigarette with reduced smoke, tar, and chemicals. As previously discussed, the present invention serves as a coupler that allows the removable attachment of a secondary filter to the filter portion of the filtered cigarette. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 5, the tubular body 1 comprises a cigarette-receiving end 2, a filter-receiving end 3, a first inner annular surface 4, a second inner annular surface 5, an inner annular peak 6, and an outer annular surface 7. The cigarette-receiving end 2 and the filter-receiving end 3 correspond to the terminal open ends of the tubular body 1, each designed to receive the filtered cigarette and the secondary filter, respectively. The first inner annular surface 4 corresponds to the inner surface of the tubular body 1 adjacent to the cigarette-receiving end 2, while the second inner annular surface 5 corresponds to the inner surface of the tubular body 1 adjacent to the filter-receiving end 3. Both the first inner annular surface 4 and the second inner annular surface 5 preferably taper towards each other, forming the inner annular peak 6 at the point where both inner annular surfaces meet. Moreover, the outer annular surface 7 corresponds to the external surface of the tubular body 1.

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is implemented as follows: the tubular body 1 is made from a reusable plastic material so that the present invention can be constantly reused until the tubular body 1 reaches end of life. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 5, the cigarette-receiving end 2 and the filter-receiving end 3 are positioned opposite to each other along the cylindrical body due to the cylindrical design of the tubular body 1. The first inner annular surface 4, the second inner annular surface 5, and the outer annular surface 7 are also positioned concentric to each other due to the solid structure of the tubular body 1. Further, the first inner annular surface 4 and the second inner annular surface 5 are encircled by the outer annular surface 7 due to the cylindrical hollow structure of the tubular body 1. Moreover, the first inner annular surface 4 and the second inner annular surface 5 are connected adjacent to each other at the inner annular peak 6 also due to the solid structure of the tubular body 1.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 5, to form the internal structure of the tubular body 1, the first inner annular surface 4 tapers from the cigarette-receiving end 2 to the inner annular peak 6. Likewise, the second inner annular surface 5 tapers from the filter-receiving end 3 to inner annular peak 6. Thus, both inner annular surfaces taper towards each other to form the inner annular peak 6. The tapering of both inner annular surfaces enables the secure attachment of the filtered cigarette and the secondary filter to the tubular body 1 using friction. For example, the filter portion of the filtered cigarette can be inserted into the cigarette-receiving end 2 and, with enough pressure, wedged within the first inner annular surface 4. Likewise, the secondary filter can be inserted into the filter-receiving end 3 and wedged within the second inner annular surface 5. Thus, the filtered cigarette and the secondary filter can be removably attached to the tubular body 1 without using fasteners or other mechanical devices.

The present invention can be designed with different sizes to accommodate different filtered cigarettes and/or secondary filters. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the preferred embodiment, a ratio between a length 8 of the tubular body 1 and a diameter 9 of the tubular body 1 is 8.7:32. For example, the overall length 8 of the tubular body 1 can be 32 millimeters (mm), and the overall diameter 9 of the tubular body 1 can be 8.7 mm. Thus, the present invention can be comfortably carried by the user so that the present invention can be utilized anytime the user wants to smoke.

Moreover, a ratio between a distance 10 from the cigarette-receiving end 2 to the inner annular peak 6 and a length 8 of the tubular body 1 is preferably 11:32, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. For example, the distance 10 between the cigarette-receiving end 2 and the inner annular peak 6 can be 11 mm. In addition, a ratio between a distance 10 from the inner annular peak 6 to the filter-receiving end 3 and a length 8 of the tubular body 1 is preferably 21:32. For example, the distance 10 between the filter-receiving end 3 and the inner annular peak 6 can be 21 mm. Thus, the second inner annular surface 5 can be longer than the first inner annular surface 4. The extra space adjacent to the second inner annular surface 5 allows the full insertion of the secondary filter within the tubular body 1. This way, the user can comfortably smoke the filtered cigarette without the secondary filter being an inconvenience.

As previously discussed, the tubular body 1 of the present invention is designed to accommodate standard filtered cigarettes and secondary filters, such as fiber filters. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the preferred embodiment, a diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 is greater than a diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the filter-receiving end 3. This is due to the overall diameter of filtered cigarettes being larger than the overall diameter of standard filters, such as fiber filters. Further, a ratio between the diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 and the diameter 9 of the second inner annular surface 5 coincident with the filter-receiving end 3 is 80:79. For example, the diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 can be 8 mm, while the diameter 9 of the second inner annular surface 5 coincident with the filter-receiving end 3 can be 7.9 mm. In other embodiments, different ratios can be implemented to accommodate different filtered cigarettes and/or cigarette filters.

Moreover, the taper angles of the first inner annular surface 4 and the second inner annular surface 5 are steep enough to enable the secure attachment of the filtered cigarette and the secondary filter to the tubular body 1 via friction, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. In the preferred embodiment, a ratio between a diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 and a diameter 9 of the inner annular peak 6 is 40:37. For example, the diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 can be 8 mm, while the diameter 9 of the inner annular peak 6 can be 7.4 mm. Further, a ratio between a diameter 9 of the second inner annular surface 5 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 and a diameter 9 of the inner annular peak 6 is 79:74. For example, the diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 can be 7.9 mm. Thus, the first inner annular surface 4 tapers enough so that the filter portion of the filtered cigarette can be wedged within to secure the filtered cigarette to the tubular body 1. Likewise, the second inner annular surface 5 tapers enough so that the secondary filter can be wedged within to secure the secondary filter to the tubular body 1. Further, the snug pressure fit of the filtered cigarette and the secondary filter to the tubular body 1 enables the formation of an air seal within the tubular body 1 to prevent air from leaking into the device while the user is smoking the filtered cigarette. In other embodiments, the taper angles of the first inner annular surface 4 and the second inner annular surface 5 can be modified to accommodate other cigarettes and/or filters.

Due to the different sizes of the open ends of the tubular body 1, the wall thickness 11 along the tubular body 1 changes. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, a ratio between a diameter 9 of the outer annular surface 7 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 and a diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 is 87:80. For example, the diameter 9 of the outer annular surface 7 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 can be 8.7 mm, and the diameter 9 of the first inner annular surface 4 coincident with the cigarette-receiving end 2 can be 8 mm. This way, the wall thickness 11 at the cigarette-receiving end 2 can be 0.35 mm. Similarly, a ratio between a diameter 9 of the outer annular surface 7 coincident with the filter-receiving end 3 and a diameter 9 of the second inner annular surface 5 coincident with the filter-receiving end 3 is preferably 87:79. For example, the diameter 9 of the outer annular surface 7 coincident with the filter-receiving end 3 can be 8.7 mm, and the diameter 9 of the second inner annular surface 5 coincident with the filter-receiving end 3 can be 7.9 mm. This way, the wall thickness 11 at the filter-receiving end 3 can be 0.40 mm. In other embodiments, different wall thicknesses at the open ends of the tubular body 1 can be implemented.

Further, the wall thicknesses along the first inner annular surface 4 and the second annular inner surface increase when approaching the inner annular peak 6. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, a ratio between a thickness 11 of the tubular body 1 from the outer annular surface 7 to the first annular inner surface at the cigarette-receiving end 2 and a thickness 11 of the tubular body 1 from the outer annular surface 7 to the inner annular peak 6 is 7:13. For example, the wall thickness 11 at the cigarette-receiving end 2 can be 0.35 mm, and the wall thickness 11 at the inner annular peak 6 can be 0.65 mm. Further, a ratio between a thickness 11 of the tubular body 1 from the outer annular surface 7 to the second annular inner surface at the filter-receiving end 3 and a thickness 11 of the tubular body 1 from the outer annular surface 7 to the inner annular peak 6 is 8:13. For example, the wall thickness 11 at the filter-receiving end 3 can be 0.4 mm, and the wall thickness 11 at the inner annular peak 6 can be 0.65 mm. In other embodiments, different wall thicknesses of the tubular body 1 can be implemented.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 5, to further match the overall design of the filtered cigarette, the present invention may further comprise an annular visual indicator 12. The annular visual indicator 12 is similar to the band present on most filtered cigarettes. To implemented the annular visual indicator 12, the annular visual indicator 12 is inscribed around the outer annular surface 7, adjacent to the inner annular peak 6, to be similar to the standard band seen on most filtered cigarettes. In other embodiments, different visual elements can be implemented on the outer annular surface 7 of the present invention.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.