Portable inhalant filter device

Abstract

A device and method of use thereof enable a portable device to be moveably disposed between a smoker and an output access point of a smoking pipe. The device temporarily forms a channel for inhalants to pass from a smoking pipe to a user's mouth. The smoking pipe may be selected from at least two different pipe structures. A cross section of the channel may be circular, orthogonal or elliptical. The device may include a particulate filter positioned between an inhalant input location and inhalant output location of the device. The filter may be insertable and removable from the tube. A source ledge may extend outward from the inhalant input location and/or a mouth end ledge may extend beyond a cross-section of the channel. A plurality of removable mouthpieces may be alternatively coupled and removed from the inhalant output location. The mouthpiece or a source piece may be elastic.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to inhalant devices that enable a user to intentionally breathe in vapor and gasses generated by burning or combusting one or more materials. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to methods and devices that provide a channel between an output of an inhalant source and a user's mouth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

Human beings have been inhaling vapors and gasses through dedicated pipe designs for centuries. A smoking pipe is a device made to allow a user to inhale smoke or vapor, wherein inhalant is usually generated by the burning or vaporization of some substance contained within the pipe. The tobacco pipe is the most commonly known type of smoking pipe in use today, although most tobacco pipes may be used with many other substances. Smoking pipes are manufactured in a wide variety of shapes and with a wide variety of materials, such as organic materials, glass, porcelain, ebonite, acrylic and other materials.

Prior art smoking pipes are built is multitudes of shapes and sizes. Optional features of smoking pipe designs include filter sections, disposable filters, removably attachable mouth pieces and heat insulating materials positioned to protect the user's from being burned. All of these prior art features have been employed in particular smoking pipe designs to safeguard a smoker's health by, alternatively, filtering out toxic or unpleasant materials prior to inhaling by a smoker of a pipe output gas mixture, decreasing transmission of communicable diseases by providing individualized mouth pieces, or insulating a smoker from contact with heat generated within a smoking pipe.

Yet the prior art smoking pipe components tend to be specific to individual pipe designs and allow only limited use across varieties of distinguishable smoking pipe designs. In one common prior art variation, the aperture of a smoking pipe from the which the gas mixture is externally accessible, e.g., an opening of a pipe stem, may be dimensioned within a wide range of widths, shapes and inner diameters. In addition, the structure of the prior art pipe that forms the pipe aperture may present a thin lip, a thick lip, a flat surface, a curved surface, a rough surface, or an uneven surface in wide varieties of smoking pipes, including calabash pipes, hookahs, gourd pipes, spoon pipes, water pipes, chillum pipes, kiseru pipes, midwakh pipes and other smoking pipes known in the art.

Smokers are often idiosyncratic in their preferences of smoking substances and inhalant treatment, such as tobacco, tobacco product ingredients and inhalant filter materials, yet the prior art fails to optimally enable a user to individualize the pathway formed between a given smoking pipe and a user's mouth. There is therefore a long felt need for devices and methods that enable a user to form a channel for inhalants positionable by the user between an output of a plurality of smoking pipe shapes and protective of the user's mouth and health.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Towards these and other objects of the method of the present invention (hereinafter, “the invented method”) that are made obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the invented method provides a device that accepts an inhalant from a source at a source end of a channel and allows the inhalant to pass or be drawn through the channel and to a mount and/or nose of a user.

Certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention include a (a.) channel element that forms a sidewall extending along a central axis, the sidewall forming a channel disposed between the mouth end and a source end, the mouth end positioned distally along the central axis from the source end; (b.) a mouth feature positioned at the mouth end, the mouth feature exposing no more than a total cross sectional area of the channel normal to the central axis; and (c.) a source feature positioned at the source end, the source piece comprising an extending element that forms an opening, whereby an inhalant enters the channel through the source opening and exits through the mouth feature.

Certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention form a channel for inhalants to pass from a smoking pipe to a user's mouth, wherein the smoking pipe may be selected from at least two different pipe structures. A cross section of the channel normal to the central axis of the channel may be circular, orthogonal, elliptical or other suitable shape.

Certain still alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention include a particulate filter positioned between a source end and an inhalant exit end of a channel. The filter may be insertable and removable from the channel and/or disposable and reusable. The filter may be or comprise a particulate filtering material, to include but not limited to activated carbon, a particulate filtering material, a particulate filtering paper, and/or a smoke permeable wrapping.

In certain yet alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention a source ledge may extend outward from and beyond a cross-section of the channel. Alternatively or additionally, an inhalant exit ledge positioned distally from the source end may extend outward from and beyond a cross-section of the channel.

In certain other alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention a plurality of removable mouthpieces may be alternatively coupled and removed from the inhalant output location. Alternatively or additionally, one or more mouthpieces may be elastic and comprise silicone or other suitable elastic material known in the art.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an assembled first preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, “the first device”) and including a first tube with a circular cross-section

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the first device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an exploded side view of the first device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an assembled second preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, “the second device”) and including a second tube with an orthogonal cross-section;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the second device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an exploded side view of the second device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an assembled third preferred embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, “the third device”) and including a third tube with an elliptical cross-section;

FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the third device of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an exploded side view of the third device of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternate first source piece of the first device of FIG. 1A, wherein alternate first source piece includes a first extended ledge;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an alternate second source piece of the second device of FIG. 2A, wherein the alternate second source piece includes a second extended ledge;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of an alternate third source piece of the third device of FIG. 3A, wherein the alternate third source piece includes a third extended ledge;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an additional alternate first source piece of the first device of FIG. 1A, wherein the additional alternate first source piece forms an alternate intake aperture;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an additional alternate second source piece of the second device of FIG. 2A, wherein the additional second source piece forms an alternate second intake aperture;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of an additional alternate third source piece of the third device of FIG. 3A, wherein the additional alternate third source piece forms an alternate third intake aperture;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternate first mouth piece of the first device of FIG. 1A, wherein the alternate first mouth piece forms an alternate first mouth opening;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an alternate second mouth piece of the second device of FIG. 2A, wherein the alternate second mouth piece forms an alternate second mouth opening;

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of an alternate third mouth piece of the third device of FIG. 3A, wherein the alternate third mouth piece forms an alternate second mouth opening;

FIG. 7 is a cut-away side view of an invented unitary pipe that contains a filter disposed and captured between a stem piece and a bowl piece;

FIG. 8A is a cut-away side view of an invented second pipe that contains a filter removably disposed and between a detachable stem piece and a detachable bowl piece;

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the three detachable elements of the second pipe of FIG. 8A, namely the removable and replaceable filter, the detachable stem piece and the detachable howl piece;

FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of an invented water pipe that contains a water pipe filter removably disposed and between a detachable water pipe stem piece and a detachable water pipe bowl piece; and

FIG. 10 is a cut-away side view of an invented e-cigarette that co an alternate removable filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first device 100 in an assembled state and including a first circular tube 102 presenting a circular cross-section normal to the central axis A. The first device 100 is preferably symmetric about the central axis A.

The first device 100 includes the first circular tube 102, a first mouth piece 104 and a first source piece 106. Both the first mouth piece 104 and the first source piece 106 are shaped to detachably couple by detachable friction fit with opposite circular ends 102A & 102B of the first circular tube 102. The first mouth piece 104 forms a first mouth opening 104A that extends entirely through the first mouth piece 104. The first source piece 106 forms a first aperture 106A (as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C) that extends entirely through the first source piece 106. The first mouth piece 104 and/or the first source piece 106 may be or comprise an durable elastic material, such as silicone, or other suitable durable elastic material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1B, FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the first device 100. The first circular tube 102 presents both and a circular inner perimeter 102C and a circular outer perimeter 102D. A first filter element 108 is shaped and sized to fit within the first circular tube 102 while the first mouth piece 104 and the first source piece 106 are each respectively coupled to different opposite circular ends 102A & 102B of the first circular tube 102 by respective detachable friction fits. The first filter element 108 may be or comprise a particulate filtering material 108A, to include a particulate filtering material, such as but not limited to activated carbon or other suitable toxin or chemical component filtering material known in the art, and/or a particulate filtering paper 108B, such as but not limited to a suitable smoke-permeable toxin-filtering or chemical component filtering sheet or wrapping known in the art. The first filter element 108 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1C, FIG. 1C is an exploded. side view of the first device 100. The first mouth piece 104 includes a first upper piece 104B attached to a first mouth side stopper 104C, wherein first the mouth opening 104A extends entirely through both the first upper piece 104B and the first mouth side stopper 104C. The first mouth side stopper 104C is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with when manually pressed into the first circular tube 102 at either first tube end 102A & 102B of the first circular tube 102. The first source piece 106 includes a first source ledge 106B attached to a first source side stopper 106C, wherein the first source aperture 106A extends entirely through both the first source ledge 106B and the first source side stopper 106C. The first source side stopper 106C is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the first circular tube 102 when manually pressed into the first circular tube 102 at either first, tube end 102A & 102B of the first circular tube 102.

The first source piece aperture 106A has a cross sectional area in a plane normal to the central axis A that is preferably less than one half or possibly less than one quarter of a cross sectional area of a first source piece outer perimeter 106D of the first source piece 106. cross sectional area in a plane normal to the central axis A

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second device 200 in an assembled state and including a second orthogonal tube 202 presenting an orthogonal cross-section normal to the central axis A. The second device 200 is preferably symmetric about the central axis A.

The second device 200 includes the second orthogonal tube 202, a second mouth piece 204 and a second source piece 206. Both the second mouth piece 204 and the second source piece 206 are shaped to couple by a detachable friction fit with opposite orthogonal ends 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube 202. The second mouth piece 204 forms a second mouth opening 204A that extends entirely through the second mouth piece 204. The second source piece 206 forms a second aperture 206A (as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C) that extends entirely through the second source piece 206. The second mouth piece 204 and/or the second source piece 206 may be or comprise an durable elastic material, such as silicone, or other suitable durable elastic material known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2B, FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the second device 200. The second orthogonal tube 202 presents both and an orthogonal inner perimeter 202C and an orthogonal outer perimeter 202D. A second filter element 208 is shaped and sized to fit within the second orthogonal tube 202 while the second mouth piece 204 and the second source piece 206 are each respectively coupled to different opposite orthogonal ends 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube 202 by respective detachable friction fits. The second filter element 208 may be or comprise the particulate filtering material 108A, such as but not limited to activated carbon, and/or the particulate filtering paper 108B. The second filter element 208 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2C, FIG. 2C is an exploded side view of the second device 200. The second mouth piece 204 includes a second upper piece 204B attached to a second mouth side stopper 204C, wherein second the mouth opening 204A extends entirely through both the second upper piece 204B and the second mouth side stopper 204C. The second mouth side stopper 204C is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with when manually pressed into the second orthogonal tube 202 at either second tube end 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube 202. The second source piece 206 includes a second source ledge 206B attached to a second source side stopper 206C, wherein the second source aperture 206A extends entirely through both the second source ledge 206B and the second source side stopper 206C. The second source side stopper 206C is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the second orthogonal tube 202 when manually pressed into the second orthogonal tube 202 at either second tube end 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube 202.

The second source piece aperture 206A has a cross sectional area in a plane normal to the central axis A that is either less than one half or less than one quarter of a cross sectional area of a second source piece outer perimeter 206D of the second source piece 206.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third device 300 in an assembled state and including a third elliptical tube 302 presenting an elliptical cross-section normal to the central axis A. The third device 300 is preferably symmetric about the central axis A.

The third device includes the third elliptical tube 302, a third mouth piece 304 and a third source piece 306. Both the third mouth piece 304 and the third source piece 306 are shaped to couple by detachable friction fit with opposite elliptical ends 302A & 302B of the third elliptical tube 302. The third mouth piece 304 forms a third mouth opening 304A that extends entirely through the third mouth piece 304. The third source piece 306 forms a third aperture 306A (as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C) that extends entirely through the third source piece 306.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3B, FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the third device 300. The third elliptical tube 302 presents both and an elliptical inner perimeter 302A and an elliptical outer perimeter 302B. A third filter element 308 is shaped and sized to fit within the third elliptical tube 302 while the third mouth piece 304 and the third source piece 306 are each respectively coupled to different opposite elliptical ends 302A & 302B of the third elliptical tube 302 by respective detachable friction fits. The third mouth piece 304 and/or the third source piece 306 may be or comprise an durable elastic material, such as silicone, or other suitable durable elastic material known in the art. The third filter element 308 may be or comprise the particulate filtering material 108A and/or the particulate filtering paper 108B. The third filter element 308 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3C is an exploded side view of the third device 300. The third mouth piece 304 includes a third upper piece 30413 attached to a third mouth side stopper 304C, wherein third the mouth opening 304A extends entirely through both the third upper piece 304B and the third mouth side stopper 304C. The third mouth side stopper 304C is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with when manually pressed into the third elliptical tube 302 at either third tube end 302A & 302B of the third elliptical tube 302. The third source piece 306 includes a third source ledge 306B attached to a third source side stopper 306C, wherein the third source aperture 306A extends entirely through both the third source ledge 306B and the third source side stopper 306C. The third source side stopper 306C is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the third elliptical tube 302 when manually pressed into the third elliptical tube 302 at either third tube end 302A & 302B of the third elliptical tube 302.

The third source piece aperture has a cross sectional area in a plane normal to the central axis A either that is less than one half or less than one quarter of a cross sectional area of a third source piece outer perimeter 306D of the third source piece 306.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternate first source piece 400 of the first device 100 of FIG. 1A, wherein the alternate first source piece 400 includes a first extended ledge 402 attached to the first source side stopper 106C. The inclusion of the first source side stopper 106C in the alternate first source piece 400 enables the alternate first source piece 400 to be coupled by detachable friction fit with the circular tube 102.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4B, FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an alternate second source piece 404 of the second device 200 of FIG. 2A, wherein the alternate second source piece 404 includes a second extended ledge 406 attached to the second source side stopper 206C. The inclusion of the second source side stopper 206C in the alternate second source piece 404 enables the alternate second source piece 404 to be coupled by detachable friction fit with the second orthogonal tube 202.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4C, FIG. 4C is a perspective view of an alternate third source piece 408 of the third device 300 of FIG. 3A, wherein the alternate third source piece 408 includes a third extended ledge 410 attached to the third source side stopper 306C. The inclusion of the third source side stopper 306C in the alternate third source piece 408 enables the alternate third source piece 408 to be coupled by detachable friction fit with the elliptical tube 302.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an additional alternate first source piece 500 of the first device 100 of FIG. 1A, wherein the additional alternate first source piece 500 forms an alternate first intake aperture 502A. The alternate first intake aperture 502 extends fully through the additional alternate first source piece 500, to include extending fully through a second circular source side stopper 503. The second circular source side stopper 503 is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the first circular tube 102 when manually pressed into the first circular tube 102 at either first tube end 102A & 102B of the first circular tube 102.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5B, FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an additional alternate second source piece 504 of the second device 200 of FIG. 2A, wherein the additional alternate second source piece 504 forms an alternate second intake aperture 506. The alternate second intake aperture 506 extends fully through the additional alternate second source piece 504, to include extending fully through a second orthogonal source side stopper 505. The second orthogonal source side stopper 505 is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the second orthogonal tube 202 when manually pressed into the second orthogonal tube 202 at either orthogonal tube end 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube 202.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5C, FIG. 5C is a perspective view of an additional alternate third source piece 508 of the third device 300 of FIG. 3A, wherein the additional alternate third source piece 508 forms an alternate third intake aperture 510. The alternate third intake aperture 510 extends frilly through the additional alternate first. source piece 508, to include extending fully through a second elliptical source side stopper 511. The second elliptical source side stopper 511 is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the third elliptical tube 302 when manually pressed into the third elliptical tube 302 at either elliptical tube end 302A & 302B of the third elliptical tube 302.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6A, FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternate first mouth piece 600 of the first device 100 of FIG. 1A, wherein the alternate first mouth piece 600 forms an alternate first mouth opening 602. The alternate first mouth opening 602 extends fully through the alternate first mouth piece 600, to include extending fully through a second circular mouth side stopper 603. The second circular mouth side stopper 603 is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the first circular tube 102 when manually pressed into the first circular tube 102 at either first tube end 102A & 102B of the first circular tube 102.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6B, FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an alternate second mouth piece 604 of the second device 200 of FIG. 2A, wherein the alternate second mouth piece 604 forms an alternate second mouth opening 606. The alternate second mouth opening 606 extends fully through the alternate second mouth piece 604, to include extending fully through a second orthogonal mouth side stopper 607. The second orthogonal mouth side stopper 607 is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the second orthogonal tube 202 when manually pressed into the second orthogonal tube 202 at either orthogonal tube end 202A & 202B of the second orthogonal tube 202.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6C, FIG. 6C is a perspective view of an alternate third mouth piece 608 of the third device 300 of FIG. 3A, wherein the alternate third mouth piece 608 forms an alternate second mouth opening 610. The alternate third mouth opening 610 extends fully through the alternate third mouth piece 608, to include extending fully through a second elliptical source side stopper 611. The second elliptical mouth side stopper 611 is sized and shaped to establish a detachable friction fit with the third elliptical tube 302 when manually pressed into the third elliptical tube 302 at either elliptical tube end 302A & 302B of the third elliptical tube 302.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 7, FIG. 700 is a cut-away side view of a unitary pipe 700 that contains a captured pipe filter 702 disposed and captured between a stem piece 704 and a bowl piece 706. The stem piece 704 and the bowl piece 706 may be permanently attached and be comprised within a unitary construction whereby the captured pipe filter 702 is not easily removable from the unitary pipe 700 without damaging the function and structure of the unitary pipe 700.

The unitary pipe filter 702 comprises a unitary pipe filter material 708 and/or a unitary filter paper 710. The unitary filter paper 710 is shaped and sized to contain the unitary filter material 708. The unitary filter material 708 may be or comprise a smoke-permeable filtering material such as, but not limited to, activated carbon and/or other suitable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/or vapor -filtering material known in the art. The unitary filter paper 710 may be or comprise a suitable smoke-permeable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/or vapor-filtering material known in the art. The unitary pipe filter 702 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

The bowl piece 706 and the stem piece 704 in combination form an internal smoke pathway 712 in which the captured pipe filter 702 is disposed. The internal smoke pathway 712 enables vapors and gases to pass through the captured pipe filter 702. An internal lower pipe lip 714 supports the captured pipe filter 702 and impedes the captured pipe filter 702 from moving toward the bowl piece 706 within the unitary pipe 700. An internal upper pipe lip the supports the captured pipe filter 702 and impedes the captured pipe filter 702 from moving toward the stem piece 704 within the unitary pipe 700. The internal lower pipe lip 714 and the internal upper pipe lip 716 in combination maintain the position of the captured pipe filter 702 as disposed within the internal smoke pathway 712 whereby smoke, gas and vapors passing through captured pipe filter 702 are cleansed.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, FIG. 8A is a cut-away side view of a second pipe 800 that contains a removable pipe filter 802 that is removably disposed between a detachable stem piece 804 and a detachable bowl piece 806. The detachable stem piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806 may be detachably attached by a friction fit of the detachable stem piece 804 with the detachable bowl piece 806. Alternatively, the detachable stem piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806 may be detachably attachable by suitable means and known in the art, such as but not limited to, a complementary tapped and threaded section respectively of the detachable stem piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806, or a complementary threaded and tapped section respectively of the detachable stem piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806.

The removable pipe filter 802 comprises a removable pipe filter material 808 and/or a removable filter paper 810. The removable filter paper 810 is shaped and sized to contain the removable filter material 808. The removable filter material 808 may be or comprise a smoke-permeable filtering material such as, but not limited to, activated carbon and/or other suitable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/or vapor-filtering material known in the art. The removable filter paper 810 may be or comprise a suitable smoke-permeable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/or vapor-filtering material known in the art.

The detachable bowl piece 806 and the detachable stem piece 804 in combination form an alternate internal smoke pathway 812 in which the removable pipe filter 802 is disposed. The alternate internal smoke pathway 812 enables vapors and gases to pass through the removable pipe filter 802.

An internal bowl lip 814 supports the removable pipe filter 802 and impedes the removable pipe filter 802 from moving further into the detachable bowl piece 806 within the second pipe 800. An internal stem pipe lip 816 supports the removable pipe filter 802 and impedes the removable pipe filter 802 from moving further into the detachable stein piece 804 within the second pipe 800. When the detachable stein piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806 are coupled in the attached position as shown in FIG. 8A, the internal bowl lip 814 and the internal stem pipe lip 816 in combination maintain the position of the removable pipe filter 802 as disposed within the alternate internal smoke pathway 812 whereby smoke, gas or vapors passing through removable pipe filter 802 is cleansed. The unitary pipe filter 702 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

It is understood that the internal stem pipe lip 816 is sized and shaped to form a friction fit of the detachable stem piece 804 with the detachable bowl piece 806 when the internal stem pipe lip 816 is inserted into the detachable bowl piece 806 as presented in FIG. 8A.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the second pipe 800. The removable pipe filter 802 is shown as removed form the second pipe 800, and the detachable stem piece 804 and the detachable bowl piece 806 are shown in a decoupled state.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of a water pipe 900 that contains a water pipe filter 902 that is removably disposed and between a detachable water pipe stem piece 904 and a detachable water pipe bowl piece 906.

The detachable water pipe stem piece 904 and the detachable howl piece 906 may be detachably attached by a manual placement of the detachable water pipe stem piece 904 into a receiving end 908 the detachable bowl piece 906. A lower lip 908A of the receiving end 908 supports the water pipe filter 902 and impedes the water pipe filter 902 from passing beyond the lower lip 908A and further into the water pipe bowl 906. An upper lip 908B of the receiving end 908 receives and supports the water pipe stem 904 impedes the water pipe stem 904 from from passing beyond the upper lip 908B and further into the water pipe bowl 906.

Alternatively, the detachable water pipe stem piece 904 and the detachable water pipe bowl piece 906 may be detachably attachable by suitable means and known in the art, such as but not limited to, a friction fit of the detachable water pipe stem piece 904 with the detachable water pipe bowl piece 906, or by means of a complementary threaded section and a tapped section respectively of the detachable water pipe stem piece 904 and the detachable water pipe howl piece 906, or by means of a complementary tapped section and a threaded section respectively of the detachable water pipe stein piece 904 and the detachable water pipe bowl piece 906.

The removable water pipe filter 902 comprises a water pipe filter material 910 and/or a water pipe filter paper 912. The water pipe filter paper 912 is optionally shaped and sized to contain the water pipe filter material 910. The filter water pipe filter material 910 may be or comprise a smoke-permeable filtering material such as, but not limited to, activated carbon and/or other suitable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/or vapor -filtering material known in the art. The water filter paper 912 may be or comprise a suitable smoke-permeable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/or vapor-filtering material known in the art. The removable water pipe filter 902 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

The water pipe bowl piece 906 and the water pipe stem piece 904 in combination form a water pipe internal smoke pathway 914 in which the removable water pipe filter 902 is disposed. The water pipe internal smoke pathway 914 enables vapors and gases to pass through the removable water pipe filter 902.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a cut-away side view of an invented e-cigarette 1000 that contains an alternate airway filter 1002. The invented e-cigarette device 1000 may be one of a number of commercially available electronic cigarettes, such as a PRO™ electronic cigarette, a PLUS+™ electronic cigarette, or a BLU™ electronic cigarette as marketed by Fontem US, Inc. of 10901 S. Commerce Blvd., Suite B Charlotte, N.C.

The airway filter 1002 may optionally be either a unitary element that is emplaced within a tubular frame 1004 of the e-cigarette device 1000. Optionally, additionally or alternatively the airway filter 1002 may be coupled with an e-cigarette cartridge 1006. The invented e-cigarette device 1000 and the airway filter 1002 may further optionally be adapted to enable removable and replacable emplacement of the airway filter 1002 and/or the e-cigarette cartridge 1006.

The invented e-cigarette device 1000 preferably additionally includes a mouthpiece 1008 that is coupled with the tubular frame 1004. The invented e-cigarette device 1000 may further include one or more prior art elements, such as a heating element 1010, a controller 1012, an on/off switch 1014, an electrical energy battery 1016 and/or a light emitting indicator 1018. The controller 1012 may be a prior art microprocessor, microcontroller or logic device that directs the operation of the invented e-cigarette device 1000 in providing vapor or gas to a user (not shown). More particularly, the controller 1012 controls the enablement and disablement of the heating element 1010, the light emitting indicator 1018, and flow of electrical energy from the battery 1016. The user manipulates the on/off switch 1014 to direct the operations of the controller 1012. The controller 1012 optionally enables the light emitting indicator 1018 to be in a light emitting state when the heating element 1010 is placed in a heating state.

The airway filter 1002 may be or comprise (a.) a smoke-permeable filtering material such as, but not limited to, activated carbon and/or other suitable particulate-filtering material, liquid-filtering material and/or vapor-filtering material known in the art; and/or (b.) a suitable smoke-permeable particulate-filtering sheet or fabric, liquid-filtering sheet or fabric and/or vapor-filtering sheet or fabric. The airway filter 1002 is optionally disposable and/or reusable.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invented system, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment, it is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a tube comprising a tubular sidewall extending along a central axis and forming a channel parallel with the central axis, the side walls forming a mouth end and a source end, the mouth end positioned distally along the central axis from the source end;

a mouth piece coupled with the mouth end, the mouth piece exposing at least half of a cross sectional area of the channel, the cross sectional area formed on a plane normal to the central axis; and

a source piece coupled with the source end, the source piece comprising an extending element that forms an aperture and the extending element is adapted to be removable positioned against an output of a smoking pipe, whereby an inhalant is enabled to enter the channel through the aperture and exit through the mouth piece.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the tube presents a circular cross-sectional area normal to the central axis.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the tube presents an elliptical cross-sectional area normal to the central axis.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the tube presents an orthogonal cross-sectional area normal to the central axis.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mouth piece is elastic.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece is elastic.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece aperture has a cross sectional area less than one half of a cross sectional area of the source end.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece aperture has a cross sectional area less than one quarter of a cross sectional area of the source end.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece further comprises a ledge that extends outwardly from the central axis and beyond the tubular sidewall.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece further comprises a ledge that extends outwardly from the central axis and beyond the tubular sidewall.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the source piece ledge is elastic.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the source piece ledge comprises silicone.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the source piece ledge extends outwardly from the central axis and away from the tube.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the source piece ledge forms a surface area larger than the cross-sectional area normal to the central axis of the tube.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the source piece is detachably coupled with the tube.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of source pieces, wherein each source piece of the plurality of source pieces is detachably attachable with the tube.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the source piece further comprises a ledge that extends outwardly from the central axis and beyond the tubular sidewall.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the source piece ledge forms a surface area larger than the cross-sectional area normal to the central axis of the tube.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the mouth piece comprises silicone.

19. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mouth pieces, wherein the mouth piece and each mouth piece of the plurality of mouth pieces is detachably attachable with the tube.

20. The device of claim 1, further comprising a filter, the filter disposed within the tube.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the filter comprises activated carbon.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the filter comprises a particulate filtering material.

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the filter comprises a filtering paper.

24. The device of claim 20, wherein the filter comprises a particulate filtering material contained within a smoke-permeable wrapping.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the filter is adapted for insertion within and removal from the tube.

27. A smoking pipe comprising:

a bowl;

a stem, the stem coupled with the bowl, wherein the bowl and stem in combination form an internal smoke pathway; and

a filter disposed within the smoke pathway.

28. The smoking pipe of claim 27, wherein the filter comprises activated carbon.

29. A smoking pipe comprising:

a bowl;

a stem, the stem detachably coupled with the bowl, wherein the bowl and stem in combination form an internal smoke pathway; and

a filter disposed within the smoke pathway.

30. The smoking pipe of claim 29, wherein the filter comprises activated carbon.

31. The smoking pipe of claim 29, wherein the filter is removable and replacable when the stem is detached from the bowl.