METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VAPOR CATCHING
A vapor catching method and apparatus which catches approximately or nearly 100% of visible secondary vapor produced from an electronic cigarette is disclosed. A device embodying the method comprises a casing having an interior space for housing a vapor filter. The casing comprises a vapor intake opening and an exhaust port. The secondary vapor is exhausted through an appropriate filter system housed within the filter casing. In use, an electronic cigarette user sucks vapor through the lip end of an electronic cigarette product and exhales the vapor into the vapor intake opening of the vapor catching device which filters the various vapor chemicals allowing only clean filtered air to pass out of its exhaust port.
This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/931,605 entitled “Personal Vapor Reducer”, filed Jan. 25, 2014, wherein the aforementioned priority application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to electronic cigarettes. More particularly, the present invention is directed to electronic cigarettes that vaporize mixtures of propelyne glycol and/or vegetable glycerin and/or other liquids with optional flavors including nicotine. More specifically, the present invention is in the field of accessories for use with these types of electronic cigarettes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION“Vaping” is a popular new smoking replacement technology that is thought to be considerably less harmful than tobacco products. This technology incorporates the use of electronic cigarettes wherein flavors and/or nicotine are suspended in vegetable glycerin and/or propylene glycol and/or other liquids (sometimes referred to as “e-juice”). In use, the e-juice is heated by an electronic device (usually resembling a pipe, cigar or cigarette) and inhaled. To date, the exhalation from vaping is not known to pose a measurable second-hand smoke danger. Because of the novelty of the technology and the less harmful nature of vaping, many municipalities and businesses currently allow people to vape in places where tobacco smoking would be prohibited (such as bars, restaurants, businesses, etc.).
However, vaping usually produces a visible exhalant that resembles cigarette smoke. Due to the social stigma associated with smoking, people who vape are often subject to concern or hostility from others. Therefore, there is a need to allow a user to “smoke” and enjoy an electronic cigarette with the ability to dispose of the resulting vapor so as not to disrupt or disturb people in their presence or the surrounding public.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA vapor catching method and apparatus which catches approximately or nearly 100% of visible secondary vapor produced from an electronic cigarette is disclosed. A device embodying the method comprises a casing having an interior space for housing a vapor filter. The casing comprises a vapor intake opening and an exhaust port. The secondary vapor is exhausted through an appropriate filter system housed within the filter casing. The filter material may be folded or shaped to increase the surface area available for filtering exhaust. In use, an electronic cigarette user sucks vapor through the lip end of an electronic cigarette product and exhales the vapor into the vapor intake opening of the vapor catching device which filters the various vapor chemicals allowing only visibly clean filtered air to pass out of its exhaust port.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description of the illustrative embodiments takes place, in which:
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Although particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in full here, there is no intention to thereby limit the invention to the details of such embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternatives, embodiments, usages and equivalents of the subject invention as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, specification, and the appended claims.
Claims
1. A vapor catching device, comprising:
- a casing having an interior space for housing a vapor filter;
- said casing defining a vapor intake opening and an exhaust port; wherein
- secondary vapor is exhausted through said vapor filter when an electronic cigarette user sucks vapor through the lip end of an electronic cigarette product and exhales the vapor into said vapor intake opening which filters various vapor chemicals allowing only clean filtered air to pass out of said exhaust port.
2. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said casing is formed by combining first and second housing shells.
3. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said casing defines a generally square interior space for housing said vapor filter.
4. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said casing defines a tapered end section.
5. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said casing is formed by combining first and second housing shells wherein said first and second housing shells define a plurality of mounting holes for receiving mounting screws for assembling said identical mating parts together.
6. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said casing further includes an end-cap, said end-cap defining a vapor intake opening at a first end and exhaust ports at a distal end.
7. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said casing further includes an end-cap, said end-cap defining a vapor intake opening at a first end and exhaust ports at a distal end and said end-cap is mounted to said case.
8. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said vapor filter is shaped in a concave manner for increasing surface area and available for air flow and filtering.
9. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said vapor filter is shaped with repeating folds similar to an air filter of an automobile for increasing surface area available for air flow and filtering.
10. The vapor catching device according to claim 1 wherein said casing is formed by combining first and second housing shells wherein said first and second housing shells providing glue-able surfaces for assembling said identical mating parts together.
11. A method for vapor catching, comprising:
- housing a vapor filter an interior space of a casing;
- defining a vapor intake opening and an exhaust port for said case; wherein
- creating secondary vapor is exhausted through said vapor filter when an electronic cigarette user sucks vapor through the lip end of an electronic cigarette product and exhales the vapor into said vapor intake opening which filters various vapor chemicals allowing only clean filtered air to pass out of said exhaust port.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2015
Publication Date: Jul 28, 2016
Inventor: Mark Thaler (Los Angeles, CA)
Application Number: 14/604,744