Smokeless smoker

Abstract

A smokeless smoker comprising an outer member having a plurality of chambers. A filter member within a first chamber filters and removes smoke. A second chamber houses a cigarette and an insulation member to retain heat from the cigarette being smoked. A removeable mouthpiece engageable over one end has an opening through which smoke and air may be drawn. An ignition area at the opposite end includes apertures through which air and fire can be drawn to light a cigarette. A mesh or screen covering facilitates filtered exhaled air exiting the outer member. A first valve mechanism at one end allows air to enter when open and a user inhales through the mouthpiece and is closed during exhaling through the mouthpiece. Another valve mechanism at a second end is closed when a user inhales through the mouthpiece and opens for filtered air to pass through upon exhaling through the mouthpiece.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/824,786 filed Sep. 7, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to cigarette and tobacco smoke filtering devices, more particularly, this invention relates to the filtering of cigarette and tobacco smoke as well as second hand smoke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, filtering devices, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used in attempts to control the amount of smoke and tobacco by-products which are released during use of cigarettes and tobacco. Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Hyre, U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,853 discloses an ignition device in combination with a multi-stage tobacco smoke filtering apparatus. Nicholson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,001 discloses a filtering device including a mouth and nose covering. Rojas Henao, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,907 discloses a device for containing second hand smoke so that the smoke can be released by the user at a later time or at another location. Schafer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,595 discloses a device for use with a cigarette to filter second hand smoke wherein the device has a hollow body containing a cigarette holder and a holding chamber adapted for accepting a cigarette therein for smoking and holding and filtering second-hand smoke. Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5353,814 discloses a tobacco smoke cleansing pocket size smoking device wherein the user can smoke a cigarette or similar tobacco article in such a way that smoke cannot readily escape from the smoking device unless the smoke has been cleansed by a smoke filter carried on the smoking device and wherein inhaled smoke can be exhaled back through a mouthpiece and can then also be cleansed. Bonanno, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,407 discloses a protective cigarette holder for fully enveloping a lit cigarette with an internal power source to maintain a flow of air to the lit portion and drive the exhaust smoke through a filter before it is vented to the atmosphere, thereby filtering products of combustion which are not drawn in by the smoker. Edwards, Publication No. 2006/0027242 discloses an enclosure for use in smoking a cigarette or cigar wherein the enclosure contains filters that reduce tar output to the surrounding atmosphere.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a smokeless smoker for use when smoking cigarette and tobacco products. The smokeless smoker includes an elongated substantially hollow tubular outer member having each of a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined thickness. Such substantially hollow tubular outer member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a length which is at least sufficient to enclose a cigarette. There is a plurality of chambers within the substantially hollow tubular outer member with a filter member being housed in a first one of the plurality of chambers for filtering and removing smoke.

At least one of a cigarette and tobacco product is housed in a second one of the plurality of chambers for smoking by a user and an insulation member is attached to and lines the second one of the plurality of chambers.

The insulation member is for use in retaining heat within the second one of the plurality of chambers, such heat being generated by cigarette and tobacco products as such cigarette and tobacco products are being smoked by such user;

The invention includes a removeable mouthpiece engageable over one end of the substantially hollow tubular outer member and has an opening through which smoke and air may be drawn through in either direction. An ignition area is at an axially opposed end of the substantially hollow tubular outer member from such mouthpiece end and the ignition area includes a plurality of apertures through which air and fire can be drawn so that at least one of such cigarette and tobacco products housed within can be lit.

There is at least one of a mesh and screen covering at the axially opposed end of the substantially hollow tubular outer member through which filtered exhaled air exits the substantially hollow tubular outer member.

There is a first valve means at a first predetermined end of the substantially hollow tubular outer member through which air may enter when open and upon a user inhaling through such mouthpiece and being closed when such user exhales through such mouthpiece.

There is a second valve means at a second predetermined end of the substantially hollow tubular outer member, the second valve means being closed when such user is inhaling through such mouthpiece and open for filtered air to pass there through upon such user exhaling through such mouthpiece.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a device to capture and filter the smoke released by lit cigarettes and tobacco products as well as to provide a device to receive and filter secondhand smoke from a user of those same products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a smoke filtering device and second hand smoke filtering device which is compact, easy to carry and can fit into a user's pocket easily.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a smoke filtering and second-hand smoke filtering device which is inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for aiding a smoker in controlling and quitting cigarette and tobacco use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means for eliminating the smell of smoke being left in the air and on clothing and other objects after a user has been smoking.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a way to eliminate second hand smoke from the environment.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the smokeless smoker according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the smokeless smoker according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the smokeless smoker according to one embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-3. According to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is a smokeless smoker generally designated 10. The smokeless smoker 10 includes an elongated substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 having each of a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined thickness. In the presently preferred embodiment it is preferred that the first predetermined shape is a cylinder. It is most preferred that the diameter of the cylinder is generally about ¾ of an inch.

The substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 is manufactured from a first predetermined material, and has a length that is at least sufficient to enclose a cigarette 14. It is most preferred that the length of the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 is between about 4 and 5 inches.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the first predetermined material will be selected from the group consisting of consisting of metal and plastic. It is most preferred that the first predetermined material is metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steel.

There is a plurality of chambers 16 and 18 within the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12.

A filter member 20 is housed in a first one 18 of such plurality of chambers 16 and 18 for filtering and removing smoke. At least one of a cigarette 14 and tobacco product (not shown) are housed in a second one 16 of the plurality of chambers 16 and 18 for smoking by a user.

An insulation member 28 is attached to and lining such second one 16 of the plurality of chambers 16 and 18, such insulation member 28 is used in retaining heat within such second one 16 of such plurality of chambers 16 and 18, the heat being generated by a cigarette 14 and tobacco product (not shown) as the cigarette 14 and tobacco product (not shown) are being smoked by such user.

A removeable mouthpiece 30 is engageable over one end of the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 and includes an opening 32 through which smoke and air may be drawn through in either direction.

An ignition area is at an axially opposed end 34 of the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 from such mouthpiece 30 end 36 which includes a plurality of apertures generally designated 38 through which air and fire can be drawn so that at least one of a cigarette 14 and tobacco product (not shown) housed within can be lit.

At least one of a mesh and screen covering generally designated 40 is at the axially opposed end 34 of the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 through which filtered exhaled air exits the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12.

A first valve means 42 is at a first predetermined end of the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 through which air may enter when open and upon a user inhaling through such mouthpiece 30 and being closed when such user exhales through such mouthpiece 30.

A second valve means 44 is at a second predetermined end of the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 being closed when such user is inhaling through such mouthpiece 30 and open for filtered air to pass there through upon such user exhaling through such mouthpiece 30.

According to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the filter member releases one of a variety of predetermined scents upon filtering of air exhaled by such user through such mouthpiece 30.

In yet another embodiment of the invention the substantially hollow tubular outer member 12 has a plurality of apertures generally designated 46 along the outer length of such chamber 16 housing a cigarette 14 and tobacco products (not shown) for allowing air there through and includes a valve means for closing the plurality of apertures 46 along the outer length of such chamber housing a cigarette 14 and tobacco products (not shown) upon a user exhaling.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A smokeless smoker for use when smoking cigarette and tobacco products, said smokeless smoker comprising:

a. an elongated substantially hollow tubular outer member having each of a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined thickness, said substantially hollow tubular outer member manufactured from a first predetermined material, and being at least sufficient length to enclose a cigarette;

b. a plurality of chambers within said substantially hollow tubular outer member;

c. a filter member housed in a first one of said plurality of chambers for filtering and removing smoke;

d. at least one of a cigarette and tobacco product housed in a second one of said plurality of chambers for smoking by a user;

e. an insulation member attached to and lining said second one of said plurality of chambers, said insulation member for use in retaining heat within said second one of said plurality of chambers, said heat being generated by said cigarette and tobacco product as said cigarette and tobacco product is being smoked by such user;

f. a removeable mouthpiece engageable over one end of said substantially hollow tubular outer member and having an opening through which smoke and air may be drawn through in either direction;

g. an ignition area at an axially opposed end of said substantially hollow tubular outer member from said mouthpiece end which includes a plurality of apertures through which air and fire can be drawn so that at least one of said cigarette and said tobacco product housed within can be lit;

h. at least one of a mesh and screen covering at said axially opposed end of said substantially hollow tubular outer member through which filtered exhaled air exits said substantially hollow tubular outer member;

i. a first valve means at a first predetermined end of said substantially hollow tubular outer member through which air may enter when open and upon a user inhaling through said mouthpiece and being closed when such user exhales through said mouthpiece; and

j. a second valve means at a second predetermined end of said substantially hollow tubular outer member being closed when such user is inhaling through said mouthpiece and open for filtered air to pass there through upon such user exhaling through said mouthpiece.

2. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined shape is a cylinder.

3. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 2 wherein a diameter of said cylinder is generally about ¾ of an inch.

4. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined material is selected from the group consisting of metal and plastic.

5. A smokeless smoker according to claim 4 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steel.

6. A smokeless smoker according to claim 1, wherein said filter member releases one of a variety of predetermined scents upon filtering of air exhaled by such user through said mouthpiece.

7. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 1 wherein a length of said substantially hollow tubular outer member is between about 4 and 5 inches.

8. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 1, wherein said substantially hollow tubular outer member has a plurality of apertures along an outer length of said chamber housing said cigarette and said tobacco products for allowing air there through.

9. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 8, including a valve means for closing said plurality of apertures along said outer length of said chamber housing said cigarette and said tobacco products upon a user exhaling.

10. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 8 wherein said first predetermined shape is a cylinder.

11. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 8 wherein a diameter of said cylinder is about ¾ of an inch.

12. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 8, wherein said first predetermined material is metal.

13. A smokeless smoker according to claim 8 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steel.

14. A smokeless smoker according to claim 8, wherein said filter member releases one of a variety of predetermined scents upon filtering of air exhaled by a user through said mouthpiece.

15. A smokeless smoker, according to claim 8 wherein a length of said substantially hollow tubular outer member is between about 4 and 5 inches.