Smoking Instrument Personal Air Filter

Abstract

As an accessory and in combination to a smoking instrument such as a traditional cigarette, a personal air filter filtering exhale and intermittent smoke emissions, is disclosed. The device is broadly a housing providing a semi-enclosure having a mouthpiece coupled thereto, the mouthpiece including dual check valve technology for an inhale and a reverse exhale function. Separate or multi-directional filters are provided for the exhale function, and also for filtering intermittent emissions occurring between user intakes. The configuration and filter technology herein, seeks to improve air quality in enclosed spaces, additionally further by minimizing or eliminating second hand smoke.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims benefit of the priority date of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 63/061,330 filed Aug. 5, 2020 entitled “Smoking Instrument Personal Filter.” Accordingly, the entire contents this U.S. provisional patent submission is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to smoking instruments comprising a thin paper cylinder, such as a tobacco cigarette or machine rolled medical cannabis or CBD cigarettes. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exhale and/or ambient filter for such instruments.

Description of the Prior Art

Smoking tobacco or other plant material has notoriously been practiced in numerous cultures for many centuries. Devices for filtering exhaled smoke have also been introduced heretofore. One such early example was proposed by Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,814, entitled “Cigarette Smoke Cleansing and Smoking Device” and was awarded patent protection in 1994. Martin describes a smoking device where a traditional cigarette is smoked through a mouthpiece wherein the same mouthpiece is utilized to exhale therethrough for filtering exhaled smoke. Also notably, the Martin device is an elongated box-like structure that entirely encloses the smoking device.

Importantly, in the last couple decades or so, traditional smoking of tobacco has been banned in places such as bars, casinos and beaches where smoking has traditionally been permitted. Smoking has additionally been banned on airline travel for at least about thirty years where no alternative has been adopted or provided. One challenge to designing a filter solution is that it should completely eliminate smoke emitting from the device as any small smoke emission will be noticeable to people sensitive thereto, especially in an airline flight environment or similar enclosed space or building lacking adequate ventilation.

Recently in addition to traditional cigarettes, cannabidiol (CBD) cigarette delivery has been developed to treat certain ailments such as anxiety and pain disorders, as well as increasing acceptance of cannabis consumption from a machine rolled cigarette, or “pre-roll.” The present invention is intended to be an improvement of the Martin device, also taking advantage of recent advancement in materials and manufacturing technology, such as 3-D printing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-mentioned deficiencies, more specifically, the present invention, in a first aspect is a smoking instrument filter assembly presented either with or without the smoking instrument (e.g., traditional cigarette). In a broad sense, the invention is a smoke filter that can filter in two directions separate sources of smoke. The two directions are two distinct filter streams that pass one another within the same housing. The filter is specifically a filter system with different pairs of filters making up the two filter streams. A mouthpiece with check valve technology are also joined to the filter system and housing. The various filter stream channeling provided is also unique to the invention. The channeling increases velocity, breaks up laminar flow with veins and direction changes, and further provides increased travel time and distance in a relatively compact device.

While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC § 112, or similar applicable law, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC § 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC § 112, or similar applicable law. The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment smoking instrument filter assembly;

FIG. 2 presents a side aspect elevational view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a proximal end view thereof;

FIG. 4 provides a first partial exploded view of separable components of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an additional fully exploded view revealing yet more separable components;

FIG. 6 provides a top plan view of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a second top plan view with the filter housing removed revealing a top surface of the main housing;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken about line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a lengthwise side aspect cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 1, and similarly along line 9-9 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an end aspect cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is lengthwise top aspect cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view thereof taken about line 12-12 in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an isometric view of a traditional cigarette novel emissions filter 10 of the present invention is illustrated. The filter is designed to capture both smoke exhaled into the device and/or smoke emitted from a cigarette 99 having been lit between user intakes. The emitted cigarette smoke between uses is referred to herein as or side-stream or intermittent smoke. In a broad sense, the cigarette or pre-roll filtration device 10 includes: a mouthpiece 20; a check valve insertion piece 21; and a housing unit 11 that holds disposable/replaceable filtering components as well as the cigarette 99 with the housing unit 11 around and about an outside surface of the cigarette 99. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate elevational and end views, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, sequential exploded views are provided illustrating separable components particularly regarding their interconnectedness. More specifically the novel cigarette filter assembly 10 comprises a cylindrical smoking instrument 99 (e.g. traditional cigarette or CBD pre-roll) capable of emitting smoke or vapor; a cylindrical main housing 13 together with the filter housing 12, together making up the housing unit11. The main housing 13 at least partially surrounds and envelopes the cylindrical smoking instrument 99 but does not completely surround same. A mouthpiece 20 is coupled to the cylindrical main housing 13, the mouthpiece configured with dual valve technology 21, 22. 23 having an inhale and an exhale function; and included is an air filter system 40 in fluid communication with the mouthpiece. An intermittent smoke intake system 30 is also provided in fluid communication with the air filter system, the smoking instrument thereby capable of reducing or eliminating second hand smoke.

Still more specifically with regard to FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the intermittent smoke intake system 30 herein initially comprises an inlet plenum 31 having a funnel configuration including a wide area 32 converging toward a narrow area 33 thereby drawing a volume of air toward the narrow area 33. A vent 34 is positioned at the narrow area 33, the vent being in fluid communication with the air filter system 40. The funnel configuration 32, 33 further includes a diverter plate 35 forming an upper portion thereof. Still further, the funnel configuration 32, 33 can be likened to an A-frame tilted slightly, the A-frame side now having upper and lower portions where the plate 35 forms the upper portion. The diverter plate 35 helps funnel smoke and air toward the vent 34 and provides heat protection to the air filter system 40. In addition to heat retardation, the main housing 13 may include a thermal release deodorizer prepared into the polymer, as well as other plastic components.

Also with regard to FIG. 4, the air filter system 40 filtering side-stream smoke includes a filter plenum 41 having a plurality of veins 42 providing turbulence to the volume of air ascending upward through the intermittent smoke intake system. The filter system 40 initially has a first air filter layer 43 contained within the housing 11, 12 for filtering harmful particulate from the volume of air; and a second filter layer 44 juxtaposed to the first filter layer, the first and second filter layers together providing air filtering in a direction substantially tangential 91 to a lengthwise axis 92 of the cylindrical smoking instrument 99 and the housing unit 11; or it filters in an up-and-down direction across the lengthwise axis 92. First and second side stream filters 43, 44 are more specifically comprised of self-charging polyester mesh and anti-microbial self-charging polypropylene fiber mesh, respectively.

Also notably and again with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, housing unit 11 comprises a main housing 13 and a filter component housing 12 connected and seated at an upper portion thereof 13. Intermittent side-stream filter air vents 14 out an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 13 comprises a cut-out relief 15 to load and unload a cigarette 99 additionally providing a natural feel for a user. During user loading, the smoking instrument 99 is inserted to main housing 13 and secured circumferentially into a cigarette mouth piece port 24. From that point, the smoking instrument 99 can be lit normally due to main housing 13 comprising flame retardant materials. Said flame retardant plastics 12, 13 could be pre-treated with flame retardant materials, as well as thermal release deodorizers. The mouth piece 20 together with the check valve insertion piece 21 houses flow diversion, whether during an exhale function or inhale via check valves 22, 23.

As detailed further herein and with regard to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the filter system has an exhale (second) filter stream in a direction 92 substantially longitudinal to the cylindrical smoking instrument and the cylindrical lengthwise housing unit 11. Conversely, the intermittent (first) filter stream (FIG. 10) is substantially in the tangential 91 direction. The filter system 40 exhale filter stream initially includes an activated extruded carbon filter 45 including a plurality of filter channels 46 passing therethrough. The extruded carbon 45 is able to be molded and shaped according to fine details and tolerances required, wherein the apertures 46 can be fine-tuned; and the activated carbon is optionally treated with bonding agents for better performance. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5., one or a pair of HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters 47 is subsequently provided and configured at the outer most edges of the housing unit 11, more specifically within the upper filter system housing 12. More particularly, elongated tubular filters 47 having a single channel therethrough and are disposable comprised of sustainable, environmentally friendly vegetable-based polymer, e.g. PLA (polylactic acid), hemp, or avocado.

Still further with regard to FIG. 4, the housing unit 11 comprises a main housing 13 with a filter housing 12 configured at a top surface of the main housing 13. The two housings 12, 13 have a snap-in and out fitting relationship and can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Regarding FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, top plan views of the present invention are provided; the first illustrated is with the filter housing 12 in place. As shown, an intermittent stream vent 14 is provided on a top surface thereof. Also, corners 48 are tapered and sliced off the housing to configure exhale stream vents 48, thereto. FIG. 7 provides a top view of the invention 10 with the filter housing removed hence showing the main housing 13 from the top vantage point. FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of a top of the main housing revealing the vents holes 34 in base plate 35. It is additionally contemplated that the vents 34 are shaped like venturi nozzles increasing velocity of air flow above to the filter system and below where the intermittent smoke intake system 30 introduces the side-stream smoke to be filtered. Additionally shown as provided by FIG. 8, are the plurality of veins 42 that impart turbulence and tunneling to the intermittent smoke and air flow stream.

With reference to FIG. 9, a lengthwise side aspect cross-sectional view of the invention is provided particularly illustrating user loading, lighting, and inhaling a smoking instrument. The arrows depict air flow during the inhale function as center check valve 22 opens allowing air flow provided by differential pressure caused by respiration.

Now turning to FIG. 10, an end aspect cross-sectional view of the invention taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 1 shows the intermittent smoke an air flow upwardly through the filters and out of the intermittent stream top vent 14. Initially, the invention 10 provides an inlet plenum 31 as an initial area for side-stream smoke to gather as depicted by the arrows. If the cigarette 99 sides had directly contacted the side-stream filters 43, 44, then the filter system 40 functionality would be compromised. Further the inlet plenum is shaped like a funnel having a wide area 32 and a narrow area 33 that the smoke gravitates toward. More specifically, the inlet plenum is shaped like an A-frame with a vent 34 carved out of the top of the A-frame 32, 33 serving as the funnel exit 34. The upper wall of the funnel 32, 33; or the A-frame is formed by the copper static ion diverter plate that also serves as a heat shield. The lower wall (lower portion of A frame 32, 33 is simply an inside surface of the main housing 13.

Still further with regard to FIG. 10 and FIG. 4, the intermittent smoke intake system 30 transitions into the filter system 40 wherein smoke and air vents 34 to a filter plenum 41. In a preferred embodiment, the vents 34 are shaped like venturi nozzles increasing velocity and imparting turbulence to the smoke and air. Veins 42 further create tunneling and impart more turbulence increasing travel time and capture efficiency while transiting first and second filter layers and ultimately venting 14 out a top surface 12 of the device 10.

Regarding FIG. 11, a lengthwise top aspect cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 2 is provided and generally illustrates a second filter stream substantially along the device longitudinally axis 92 in that is enters the device 10 at the mouthpiece proximal end and exits out vents 48 provided at a distal end. FIG. 12 provides an enlarged view thereof. As shown, user exhale enters mouthpiece through exhale check valve 23 positioned above the inhale check valve 22 and transits the extruded carbon filter 45; subsequently, user exhale is diverted back toward the proximal end outer edges. More particularly, filtered air is diverted back toward the proximal end via duct 49 for additional filtering. From there, exhaled smoke and air transits the one or more device 10 HEPA filter tubes 47 aligned down left and right sides (and around filter layers 43, 44) of the device 10 finally exiting vents 48 at the distal end.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 9 and in its 10 method of operation or intended use, a cigarette 99 is inserted into the device 11, and easily lit because a portion of cigarette is exposed underneath. In other words, the invention resembles a tray or cylindrical housing that the cigarette is inserted into, however, the tray is inverted. And in this way, the body portion 11 is an inverted tray. But however, it is also contemplated that the invention could be inverted with intermittent filter stream 30, 40 exiting out a bottom of the device instead of a top 12. and the device operated this way. Once lit, the intermittent smoke comes off of the cigarette and gathers in the inlet plenum 31. Then the user inhales for smoke delivery, then exhales either into the ambient air (assuming the surroundings permit) or back into the device 10 as the exhaled smoke is diverted through the carbon filter 45 and to the outside 47 filter(s) and ultimately vented 48.

Further with regard to FIG. 5, the device has a check valve insertion piece 21 containing one, two 22, 23 or three check valves. A check valve 22 at a center area permits an inhale function (FIG. 9), but however diverts exhaled smoke to the exhale filter 45, 47 in the exhale function (FIG. 11). The exhale check valve(s) 23 are at an upper (or alternatively, outer) portion with respect to the center area, diverting smoke around the side 47 of the cigarette and the intermittent smoke filter 43, 44.

As stated herein, filters 43, 44, 45, 47 may comprise screens, HEPA, carbon (e.g. extruded with apertures), felt, (e.g. corrugated or as a wrap), and channeling or baffling (e.g. veins 42). Intermittent filters 43, 44 can be disassembled and washed and/or retreated. Layer(s) of fire-retardant material(s) may be included in invention embodiments. Additionally, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the device 11 is serviced by first removing the filter housing from the main housing. Subsequently, components 43, 44 may be washed or retreated with deodorizer, for example.

As stated variously herein and with regard to FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the invention in a first broad aspect is a smoking instrument filter assembly 10 comprising: a smoking instrument 99 capable of emitting smoke or vapor; a main housing 11, or 13 having a longitudinal axis 92 and at least partially containing the smoking instrument; a filter 43, and/or 44, contained within the housing, the filter comprising a filter stream in a direction 91 substantially tangential to the main housing 11 longitudinal axis 92, the filter for filtering potentially harmful pollutants for the smoke or vapor; an inlet plenum 31 in fluid communication with the filter 43, the inlet plenum 31 for gathering and directing smoke to the filter 43; and a vent 14 approximately a top surface of the main housing 11 for exiting said filter stream in the direction substantially tangential 91 to the main housing longitudinal axis 92.

The invention in this first aspect is additionally characterized, and as illustrated by FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, in that it further comprises the following: a mouthpiece 20 at a proximal end of the filter assembly 10 wherein the filter is more specifically, a first filter 43 and/or 44 and further comprising a second filter 45 and/or 47 wherein the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the second filter, also further wherein the filter stream is a first filter stream 91 and further comprising a second filter stream 92 wherein the second filter stream further comprises the mouthpiece 20 and the second filter 45 and/or 47.

In a second general aspect, and also with regard to FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the invention may be characterized as a smoking instrument filter assembly 10 comprising: a cylindrical smoking instrument 99 capable of emitting smoke or vapor; a cylindrical main housing 11 or 13 at least partially (containing) surrounding and enveloping the cylindrical smoking instrument but not to fully encase the cylindrical smoking instrument; a mouthpiece 20 coupled to the cylindrical main housing, the mouthpiece configured with a dual valve insert 21 comprising an inhale 22 and an exhale function 23 (specifically, the dual valve insert technology comprises one or more check valve(s) that allow flow in one direction 22 for one flow conduit; and permit flow in the one direction; but allow flow in another direction 23 for a second flow conduit (while preventing flow 21 in the another direction for the one flow conduit)); an air filter system 40 in fluid communication with the mouthpiece; an intermittent smoke intake system 30 further in fluid communication with the air filter system, the smoking instrument thereby capable of reducing or eliminating second hand smoke.

Further in this second aspect, and with regard to FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the smoking instrument filter assembly 10 is further characterized in that it further comprises the following structural aspects: an inlet plenum 31 having a funnel configuration including a wide area 32 converging toward a narrow area 33 thereby drawing a volume of air toward the narrow area 33; a vent 34 positioned at the narrow area 33, the vent 34 in fluid communication with the air filter system 40, the funnel configuration 32, 33 further comprising a diverter plate 35 at an upper portion thereof. Also, main housing inside wall forms the lower portion of the funnel configuration. The diverter plate is provided for funneling smoke and air toward the vent 34 and for providing heat protection to the air filter system 40, wherein the air filter system further comprises: a filter plenum 41 including a plurality of veins 42 providing turbulence to the volume of air; a first air filter layer 43 contained within the cylindrical main housing for filtering harmful particulate from the volume of air; and a second filter layer 44 juxtaposed to the first filter layer, the first and second filter layers together providing air filtering in a direction substantially tangential 91 to a lengthwise (longitudinal) axis 92 of the cylindrical smoking instrument and the cylindrical lengthwise housing.

Additionally still in this second aspect, and with regard to FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, the smoking instrument 99 filter assembly 10 is additionally characterized in that the vent 34 positioned at the narrow area 32 further comprises a venturi nozzle 34 increasing a velocity to the volume of air. And, the inlet plenum 31 has a copper smoke diverter plate 35 at an upper portion thereof wherein the funnel configuration 32, 33 further comprises an A-frame with the vent 34 positioned at the A-frame, the A-frame having a lower 32, in addition to the upper portion 33 funneling smoke and air toward the vent 34. Still further, a check valve insert 21 is provided coupled to the mouthpiece 20, wherein the check valve insert includes an inhale function check valve 22 and an exhale function check valve 23.

Yet still further in the second aspect, the invention is charactered in that the filter system 40 further comprises a second filter stream in a direction 92 substantially along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical smoking instrument and the cylindrical lengthwise housing. The second filter stream (FIG. 11, FIG. 12) further comprises the following: an activated, extruded carbon filter 45 including a plurality of filter apertures 46 provided therethrough. Specifically, the extruded carbon filter 45 can be molded to the fine details of a specific shape being a concave insert about the longitudinal axis 92. A duct 49 is provided in fluid communication with the carbon filter 45 for reversing direction of the second filter stream. Further, an elongated tubular HEPA filter 47 is included in fluid communication with the duct 49 for reversing direction of the second filter stream. Lastly, filtered second stream air releases to ambient via vent 48.

In yet a third aspect, and with regard to FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the invention may be characterized as a smoking instrument filter assembly 10 comprising a cylindrical main housing 11, or 13; a mouthpiece 20 coupled to the cylindrical main housing at a proximal end, the mouthpiece configured with dual valve technology 21, 22, 23 comprising an inhale and an exhale function. Specifically, the dual valve technology comprises one or more check valve(s) 21 that allow flow in one direction 22 (inhale) for one flow conduit and prevent flow in the other direction 22 but divert and allow flow (exhale) in another direction 23 for a second flow conduit.

Further in this third aspect and with regard to FIG. 4, the invention further comprises: an air filter system 40 in fluid communication with the mouthpiece; and an intermittent smoke intake system 30 further in fluid communication with the air filter system 40 and a smoking instrument 99 thereby the smoking instrument filter assembly capable of reducing or eliminating second hand smoke. In the various embodiments, the smoking instrument 99 itself is either explicitly included. Or, the assembly 10 is a stand-alone device for the smoking instrument 99 to be added later.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

While the particular Smoking Instrument Personal Air Filter herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

Claims

1. A smoking instrument filter assembly comprising:

a smoking instrument capable of emitting smoke or vapor;

a main housing having a longitudinal axis at least partially containing the smoking instrument;

a filter contained within the main housing, the filter comprising a filter stream in a direction substantially tangential to the main housing longitudinal axis, the filter for filtering potentially harmful pollutants for the smoke or vapor;

an inlet plenum in fluid communication with the filter, the inlet plenum for gathering and directing smoke to the filter; and

a vent approximately a top surface of the main housing for exiting said filter stream in the direction substantially tangential to the main housing longitudinal axis.

2. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece, wherein the filter is a first filter and further comprising a second filter, wherein the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the second filter, also further wherein the filter stream is a first filter stream and further comprising a second filter stream wherein the second filter stream further comprises the mouthpiece and the second filter.

3. A smoking instrument filter assembly comprising:

a cylindrical smoking instrument capable of emitting smoke or vapor;

a cylindrical main housing at least partially containing the cylindrical smoking instrument, wherein a portion of the cylindrical smoking instrument remains exposed;

a mouthpiece coupled to the cylindrical main housing, the mouthpiece in fluid communication with the cylindrical smoking instrument;

an air filter system in fluid communication with the mouthpiece;

an intermittent smoke intake system further in fluid communication with the air filter system, the smoking instrument thereby capable of reducing or eliminating second hand smoke.

4. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 3, the intermittent smoke intake system comprising:

an inlet plenum having a funnel configuration including a wide area converging toward a narrow area thereby drawing a volume of air toward the narrow area;

a vent positioned at the narrow area, the vent in fluid communication with the air filter system, the funnel configuration further comprising a copper diverter plate at an upper portion thereof, the copper diverter plate for funneling smoke and air toward the vent and for providing heat protection to the air filter system, wherein the air filter system further comprises: a filter plenum including a plurality of veins providing turbulence to the volume of air; a first air filter layer contained within the cylindrical main housing for filtering harmful particulate from the volume of air; and a second filter layer juxtaposed to the first filter layer, the first and second filter layers together providing air filtering in a direction substantially tangential to a lengthwise axis of the cylindrical smoking instrument and the cylindrical lengthwise housing.

5. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 4, the vent positioned at the narrow area further comprising a venturi nozzle increasing a velocity to the volume of air.

6. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 4, the funnel configuration further comprising an A-frame with the vent positioned at the A-frame, the A-frame having a lower portion and the copper diverter plate at the upper portion.

7. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 3, further comprising a check valve insert coupled to the mouthpiece, the check valve assembly including an inhale function check valve and an exhale function check valve.

8. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 4, further comprising a filter housing containing the air filter system, the filter housing snuggly configured to a top of the cylindrical main housing having a snap-in and a snap-out relationship wherein the first filter layer and the second filter layer can be removed from the from the filter housing and replaced or cleaned.

9. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 4, the filter system further comprising:

a first filter stream in a direction substantially tangential to the lengthwise axis;

a second filter stream in a direction substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis, the second filter stream further comprising:

an carbon filter including a plurality of filter channels provided therethrough;

a duct in fluid communication with the carbon filter for reversing direction of the second filter stream; and

an elongated tubular HEPA filter in fluid communication with the duct for filtering the second filter stream.

10. A smoking instrument filter assembly comprising:

a main housing about a longitudinal axis;

a mouthpiece coupled to the cylindrical main housing;

a check valve permitting flow in a first direction and diverting air flow in a second reverse direction;

an air filter system in fluid communication with the mouthpiece;

an intermittent smoke intake system comprising an inlet plenum further in fluid communication with the air filter system thereby the smoking instrument filter assembly capable of reducing or eliminating second hand smoke.

11. The smoking instrument filter assembly of claim 10 further comprising;

a cylindrical smoking instrument, wherein the smoking instrument is coupled to the main housing;

a cylindrical smoking instrument mouthpiece port configured to the main housing for coupling to the smoking instrument; and

a cut out relief in the main housing, the cut out relief for placing the cylindrical smoking instrument in the cylindrical smoking instrument mouthpiece port.