Magnetic Cigarette Filters And Related Methods

Abstract

A magnetic filter device for use with a cigarette, the magnetic filter device capable of being gathered from loose or uneven ground surfaces via a magnet. The magnetic filter device may comprise a filter element, a wrapping element, and a magnetic element e.g., a ferrous metal), the magnetic element being a layer between the filter and the rolling paper, integrated into the rolling paper, or integrated or inserted into the material of the filter.

Claims

1. A magnetic filter device for use with a cigarette, comprising: a. a filter element for filtering smoke; b. a magnetic element operable to be attracted by a magnet; and c. a wrapping element to secure said filter element to said cigarette.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said magnetic element comprises a metal.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said metal comprises at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt, steel, or other similar magnetic alloy or composition.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said magnetic element comprises a thin, laminar shape operable to be wrapped around at least a portion of a circumference of said filter element.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said magnetic element is positioned between said circumference and said wrapping element.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein said magnetic element comprises a solid, substantially cylindrical shape.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said magnetic element is entirely enveloped by said filter element, said magnetic element comprising a diameter substantially smaller than a diameter of said filter element.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein said magnetic element comprises a substantially flat, rectangular shape.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said magnetic element is operable to be inserted into an outer end of said filter element.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein said magnetic element comprises a plurality of fibers.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said wrapping element comprises a fibrous rolling paper and said magnetic element is integrated into said fibrous rolling paper.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said filter element comprises a polymer material having a microporous composition and said magnetic element is integrated into said microporous composition.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said wrapping element comprises an adhesive for securing said wrapping element around said filter element.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said adhesive comprises a sugar gum.

15. A method of using the device of claim 1, comprising the steps of: a. providing a cigarette having said magnetic filter device; and b. attracting said magnetic device with said magnet after use.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said magnetic element comprises a thin, laminar shape, and further comprising the steps of: a. wrapping said magnetic element around at least a portion of said circumference of said filter element; and b. wrapping said wrapping element around said magnetic element and said filter element.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said magnetic element comprises a solid, substantially cylindrical shape, and further comprising the steps of: a. forming said filter element around said magnetic element; and b. wrapping said wrapping element around said filter element.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said magnetic element comprises a flat, substantially rectangular shape, and further comprising the step of: a. inserting said magnetic element into said filter element.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said wrapping element comprises a fibrous rolling paper and said magnetic element comprises a plurality of fibers, and further comprising the step of: a. integrating said plurality of fibers into said fibrous rolling paper.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said filter element comprises a polymer material having a microporous composition and said magnetic element comprises a plurality of fibers, and further comprising the step of: a. integrating said plurality of fibers into said microporous composition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0031] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring to FIGS. 1-5, it is seen that the present invention includes various embodiments of a magnetic filter device.

[0032] The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and related methods for gathering discarded cigarette filters by providing a magnetic filter device which can be picked up via a magnet. The magnetic filter device may comprise a filter element, a wrapping element, and a magnetic element (e.g., a metal).

[0033] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic filter device 100 may comprise a filter element 110, a wrapping element 120, and a magnetic element 130. The wrapping element 120 is shown in a peeled back orientation in order to more clearly show the orientation of the magnetic element 130.

[0034] The filter element 110 may comprise a polymer material having a microporous or matrix-like composition, and a cylindrical shape.

[0035] The wrapping element 120 may comprise thin and lightweight paper made from non-wood plant fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, or esparto), the paper having a porosity and a regulated burning rate suited to smoking tobacco. The wrapping element 120 may comprise an adhesive 121 on an edge thereof, the adhesive 121 being operable to hold the edge of the wrapping element 121 in place when wrapped about the filter element 110.

[0036] The magnetic element 130 may comprise a metal (e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt, steel, or other similar magnetic alloy or composition) having flat, thin laminar shape operable to be wrapped around at least a portion of the circumference of the filter element 110 and covered by the wrapping element 120.

[0037] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic filter device 200 may comprise a filter element 210, a wrapping element 220 with an adhesive 221, and a magnetic element 230. The wrapping element 220 is shown in a peeled back orientation in order to more clearly show the orientation of the magnetic element 230.

[0038] The magnetic element 230 may comprise a solid cylindrical shape operable to be enveloped by the filter element 210, the magnetic element 230 having a diameter substantially smaller than a diameter of the filter element.

[0039] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device 300, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic filter device 300 may comprise a filter element 310, a wrapping element 320 with an adhesive 321, and a magnetic element 330. The wrapping element 320 is shown in a peeled back orientation in order to more clearly show the orientation of the magnetic element 330. The magnetic element 330 may comprise a flat rectangular shape operable to be inserted into an outer end 311 of the filter element 330, providing a magnetic filter for previously manufactured cigarettes.

[0040] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device 400, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic filter device 400 may comprise a filter element 410, a wrapping element 420 with an adhesive 421, and a magnetic element 430. The wrapping element 420 is shown in a peeled back orientation in order to more clearly show the orientation of the magnetic element 430. The wrapping element may comprise a fibrous rolling paper. The magnetic element 430 may comprise a plurality of metal fibers integrated into the fibrous rolling paper 420.

[0041] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a magnetic filter device 500, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic filter device 500 may comprise a filter element 510, a wrapping element 520 with an adhesive 521, and a magnetic element 530. The wrapping element 520 is shown in a peeled back orientation in order to more clearly show the orientation of the magnetic element 530. The filter element 510 may comprise a polymer material having a microporous composition, and the magnetic element 530 may comprise a plurality of fibers integrated into the microporous composition of the filter element 510.

[0042] It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.