ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE FILTER AND CIGARETTE

Abstract

An electronic filter is adapted for having a rolling material containing a leaf product rolled onto an exterior surface of the electronic filter where the electronic filter includes a liquid to be aerosolized and mixed with a smoke from burning the leaf product. The electronic filter can be pre-rolled into a cigarette with a leaf product and ready for consumption in a single use or can be adapted for multiple uses. The electronic filter includes a cylindrical body including a mouthpiece portion and a rolling material attachment portion, where the mouthpiece portion includes a mouthpiece having an orifice leading into the cylindrical body, and where the rolling material attachment portion includes an exterior surface of the cylindrical body adapted to have a rolling material rolled onto and sealed against the exterior surface. The electronic filter also includes a battery, storage tank and auto draw device.

Claims

1. A electronic filter for a cigarette, the electronic filter comprising: a cylindrical body including a mouthpiece portion and a rolling material attachment portion, wherein the mouthpiece portion includes a mouthpiece having an orifice leading into the cylindrical body, wherein the rolling material attachment portion includes an exterior surface of the cylindrical body adapted to have a rolling material rolled onto and sealed against the exterior surface; an air-flow cap disposed in the rolling material attachment portion, wherein the air-flow cap includes a plurality of openings leading into the cylindrical body; an auto draw device disposed in the cylindrical body and adapted to activate a heating element to heat a liquid into an aerosolized smoke, wherein activating the heating element coincides with drawing on the mouthpiece and the smoke flowing into the cylindrical body.

2. The electronic filter for a cigarette of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is less than 40 mm in length.

3. The electronic filter for a cigarette of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is less than 30 mm in length.

4. The electronic filter for a cigarette of claim 1, further comprising a storage tank disposed in the cylindrical body wherein the storage tank contains an aerosolizable liquid.

5. The electronic filter for a cigarette of claim 1, wherein the smoke flowing into the cylindrical body is mixed with a second smoke from heating the liquid into an aerosolized smoke.

6. The electronic filter for a cigarette of claim 1, wherein the electronic filter is adapted to a single session of use, wherein the volume of liquid is limited to what will be aerosolized within the single session of use.

7. The electronic filter for a cigarette of claim 1, wherein the electronic filter is adapted to a single session of use, wherein the electronic filter further comprises a battery in operational communication with the heating element, wherein the battery has enough watt-hours of power to aerosolize the liquid for the single session of use.

8. The electronic filter for a cigarette of claim 1, wherein the auto draw device is adapted to delay activating the heating element.

9. The electronic filter for a cigarette of claim 1, wherein the air-flow cap is made of ceramic and wherein at least one of the openings in the air-flow cap directs to a channel adapted to restrict a smoke flowing into the cylindrical body.

10. An electronic filter and cigarette combination, comprising: a cylindrical body including a mouthpiece portion and a rolling material attachment portion, wherein the mouthpiece portion includes a mouthpiece having an orifice leading into the cylindrical body, wherein the rolling material attachment portion includes an exterior surface of the cylindrical body, wherein attached to the exterior surface is a rolling material forming a cylindrical receptacle, wherein disposed within the cylindrical receptable is a smokable material, wherein the smokable material emits a smoke when burned; an air-flow cap disposed in the rolling material attachment portion, wherein the air-flow cap includes a plurality of openings leading into the cylindrical body; an auto draw device disposed in the cylindrical body and adapted to activate a heating element to heat a liquid into an aerosolized smoke, wherein activating the heating element coincides with drawing on the mouthpiece and the smoke flowing into the cylindrical body.

11. The electronic filter and cigarette combination of claim 10, wherein the cylindrical body is less than 40 mm in length.

12. The electronic filter and cigarette combination of claim 10, wherein the cylindrical body is less than 30 mm in length.

13. The electronic filter and cigarette combination of claim 10, further comprising a storage tank disposed in the cylindrical body wherein the storage tank contains an aerosolizable liquid.

14. The electronic filter and cigarette combination of claim 10, wherein the smoke flowing into the cylindrical body is mixed with a second smoke from heating the liquid into an aerosolized smoke.

15. The electronic filter and cigarette combination of claim 10, wherein the combination is adapted to a single session of use, wherein the volume of liquid is limited to what will be aerosolized within the number of draws on the mouthpiece to substantially if not fully burn the leaf material.

16. The electronic filter and cigarette combination of claim 10, wherein the leaf material comprises a flower.

17. The electronic filter and cigarette combination of claim 10, wherein the auto draw device is adapted to delay activating the heating element.

18. The electronic filter and cigarette combination of claim 10, wherein the air-flow cap is made of ceramic and wherein at least one of the openings in the air-flow cap directs to a channel adapted to restrict the smoke flowing into the cylindrical body.

19. A single use electronic filter cigarette, comprising: a cylindrical body including a mouthpiece portion and a rolling material attachment portion, wherein the mouthpiece portion includes a mouthpiece having an orifice leading into the cylindrical body, wherein the rolling material attachment portion includes an exterior surface of the cylindrical body, wherein attached to the exterior surface is a rolling material forming a cylindrical receptacle, wherein disposed within the cylindrical receptable is a smokable material, wherein the smokable material emits a smoke when burned; an heat resistant air-flow cap disposed in the rolling material attachment portion, wherein the air-flow cap includes at least one opening leading into the cylindrical body, wherein the at least one opening directs to a channel adapted to direct the smoke flowing into the cylindrical body; an auto draw device disposed in the cylindrical body and adapted to activate a heating element to heat a liquid into an aerosolized smoke, wherein activating the heating element coincides with drawing on the mouthpiece and the smoke flowing into the cylindrical body, wherein the smoke is mixed with the aerosolize smoke in the cylindrical body before being inhaled by a user, wherein the cigarette is adapted to be disposable after a single session of smoking by the user.

20. The cigarette of claim 19, wherein the air-flow cap comprises ceramic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a prospective view of an e-filter of a nonlimiting embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 1A is a focused view of a portion of the e-filter of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a side view of the e-filter of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the e-filter of FIG. 2

[0032] FIG. 4 is a side view of the e-filter of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the e-filter of FIG. 4;

[0034] FIG. 6 is an end view of the e-filter of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a top view of the e-filter of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an air-flow cap of the e-filter of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIGS. 9-13 are various views including cross-sectional views of the air-flow cap of FIG. 8;

[0038] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the e-filter of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIGS. 14A-14G are perspective and other views of component parts of the e-filter as seen in FIG. 14;

[0040] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cigarette including an e-filter of a nonlimiting embodiment of the invention;

[0041] FIGS. 16A and 16B are a perspective and front-side view of a another nonlimiting embodiment of an e-filter of the invention; and

[0042] FIGS. 17A and 17B are a perspective and front-side view of a another nonlimiting embodiment of an e-filter of the invention;

[0043] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the embodiments, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the embodiments is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the embodiments as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the embodiment relates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] With reference to FIGS. 1-14 a nonlimiting embodiment of an electronic cigarette filter (filter or e-filter) 10 of the invention is disclosed. The e-filter 10 includes a body 12 having a mouthpiece portion 14 and a rolling-material attachment portion 16. The mouthpiece portion 14 and attachment portion 16 include exterior surfaces of the body 12. The mouthpiece portion 14 includes a mouthpiece 18. The rolling-material attachment portion 16 includes an air-flow cap 20. The mouthpiece 18 includes an orifice 22 leading into the interior of the e-filter 10 body 12. In a nonlimiting embodiment, the body 12 is a round cylinder shape and adapted to contain components of the e-filter. The body 12 can be in shapes other than round, including but not limited oval, square and rectangular. In use, a user will hold the mouthpiece portion 14 with their lips and draw smoke through the e-filter 10 where the smoke, at least in part, originates from a rolled cigarette rolled onto the rolling-material attachment portion 16 of the body 12.

[0045] Advantageously, the e-filter body 12 is of diminutive size generally approximating the size and dimensions of a conventional cigarette filter such as a paper and cotton-type filter found on conventional tobacco cigarettes. The diminutive size of the e-filter body 12 allows for significantly reduced weight and contributes to a more natural feel of holding a cigarette over the much larger e-cigarettes or vapes. In a nonlimiting embodiment the e-filter body 12 is less than 40 mm in length and has a diameter of less than 11 mm. A body 12 length of less than 30 mm is within the scope of the invention.

[0046] The e-filter body 12 can be made from many different materials well known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to metal, plastic, glass, wood, or other suitable materials. The mouthpiece portion 14 of the body 12 can be made in a different shape from the rolling-material attachment portion 16, including for example, an oval shape, a duckbill shape, or a rounded shape including a rounded shape of the posterior portion of the mouthpiece 18.

[0047] The rolling-material attachment portion 16 of the body 12 is adapted to receive a rolling-material of the types well known in the art including a paper cigarette rolling material or other rolling materials used for rolling cigarettes. Different shapes and sizes of rolling material are also suitable for use with the e-filter 10. Advantageously, the attachment portion 16 allows for attaching the rolling material to the exterior of the e-filter 10 body 12 thus allowing for rolling a cigarette directly onto the e-filter 10. Further, advantageously, the e-filter 10 is adapted to have a rolling material rolled onto the rolling-material attachment portion 16 in an automated manner such as by way of a machine roller. In this way the invention offers the advantage of allowing for prefabrication of the e-filter into a cigarette in a combination ready to be smoked by the user.

[0048] The air-flow cap 20 includes a central orifice 24 and two perimeter orifices 26. The perimeter orifices 26 create passages 28 into the interior of the body 12. The passages 28 include occlusions 30 adapted to restrict airflow 32 into the body 12 thus allowing for directing the airflow 32 and creating turbulence in the airflow thereby providing a more satisfying experience for the user while drawing smoke through the mouthpiece portion 14.

[0049] In a nonlimiting embodiment, the air-flow cap 20 is made of ceramic and is heat resistant thus allowing the battery and electronics of the e-filter 10 to be insulated from the burning end of the rolled cigarette. The ceramic body is also chemically resistant to the buildup of resins that occur when smoking. The molded air pathways of the air-flow cap 20 can direct the smoke into and around sensitive electrical components. The ceramic cap is also molded to fit an auto draw silicone seal and an auto draw sensor. This allows the e-filter 10 to begin heating the liquid to be turned into aerosolized smoke when it detects the pull of a person inhaling.

[0050] The air-flow cap 20 further includes two depressions 34 adapted to further create turbulence in the airflow entering the filter cap 20. In a nonlimiting embodiment, the two depressions 34 instead form a second set of passages into the interior of the body 12 thus further controlling the airflow and turbulence of the airflow. In another nonlimiting embodiment, the air-flow cap 20 includes a plurality of passageways into the interior of the body 12, whether or not obstructed.

[0051] The air-flow cap 20 includes a collar 40 and annular wall portion 42 for sealing the air-flow cap 20 onto the body 12. The air-flow cap 20 contributes to a sensation of the user drawing smoke through loosely compacted leaves of a smokable material such as tobacco.

[0052] With emphasis on FIG. 14, starting from the air-flow cap 20 and progressing to the mouthpiece 18, the internal components of the e-filter 10 body 12 include an auto draw silicone part 50 that seals the air-flow cap 20 against internal surfaces of the cylindrical body 12. The auto draw silicone part 50 is made from a suitable silicone or other material well known to a person of skill in the art. The auto draw silicone part 50 also seals an auto draw 52 in the cylindrical body 12 passageway so that smoke entering the body 12 through the central orifice 24 must pass over the auto draw 52. The auto draw 50, in a manner well known to a person of skill in the art, detects the user drawing or pulling a puff on the e-filter 10 mouthpiece 18 and as a result activates the e-filter 10 to produce smoke to be inhaled by the user. A user drawing on the mouthpiece 18 results in a negative air pressure inside the e-filter 10 which is detected by the auto draw 52. As a person of ordinary skill in the art would know, the auto draw 52 device typically includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) with various electronic components, a diaphragm, and a plate. The negative air pressure created by drawing on the mouthpiece 18 deforms the flow of air and causes the diaphragm to touch the plate. When the diaphragm touches the plate, the plate generates a signal that is transmitted to the PCBA. When the PCBA receives the plate signal, it activates the heating of the liquid to create an aerosolized smoke to be inhaled. When a user is not drawing on the mouthpiece 18 the internal pressure of the e-filter 10 and diaphragm bounces back, and the contact with the plate is detached. When the signal transmission is interrupted, the PCBA stops the heating of liquid and thus stops production of the aerosolized smoke. It should be appreciated that the use of other auto draw devices and configurations are contemplated.

[0053] It should be appreciated that the aerosolized smoke can be generated by burning the smoked material or by vaporizer or atomizer as is well known by a person of ordinary skill in the art. It should also be appreciated that additional electronic components well known to those of skill in the art can be included in the e-filter 10. This includes, but is not limited to, the possibility of including a microprocessor in the e-filter 10 to control the heating of the liquid to be aerosolized, including control in response to the auto draw 50.

[0054] Next in progression of the parts is a battery 52 used to power the detection of a user drawing on the e-filter and to power the heating of a liquid to be aerosolized. The battery 52 was specifically developed for the miniaturized e-filter 10 design. In a nonlimiting embodiment the battery 52 is lithium-ion with rechargeable cells and has nominal voltage of 3.85V, and 65 mAh. The battery 52 weighs less than 3 g. Other batteries may be suitable.

[0055] Next in progression is a heating element 56, in working communication with the battery 52. The heating element 56 is disposed in an airflow tube 58 which in turn is disposed in a liquid container 60. The liquid container 60 is filled with a liquid (not shown) suitable to be aerosolized and inhaled by the user. Any suitable liquid for being aerosolized and inhaled is contemplated within the scope of the invention. Expectedly, but not as a limitation, the liquid is of the type that offers a satisfying smoking experience when combined with smoking a leaf material such as tobacco. The liquid container 60 has a vent that allows for the liquid to flow onto a cotton swabbing around the heating element 56. The heating element then heats the liquid until it is aerosolized. In its aerosolized form the liquid becomes a smoke. A window 62 in the body 12 of the e-filter 10 allows for viewing the liquid in the oil tub 60. The window 62 is an optional feature.

[0056] Last in sequence is a silicone gasket 62 which forms a seal between the mouthpiece 18 and the body 12 thus forcing air to be drawn through the e-filter 10.

[0057] Now referring to FIG. 15, in a nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, a pre-rolled cigarette 100 includes the e-filter 10 combined with a rolling paper 102 and smokable leaf material 104 contained therein. The rolling paper 102 is intended to be the same as the aforementioned rolling material and is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The rolling paper 102 typically has a rectangular shape prior to being rolled onto the e-filter 10. The rolling paper 102 is adhered to the attachment portion 16 with an adhesive (not shown). Any adhesive known to those skilled in the art and suitable for attaching a rolling material to metal, plastic, glass or other surface comprising the e-filter 10 body 12, and in the environment of being combusted is suitable. As an example, water may be adequate as the adhesive in appropriate circumstances known to persons of skill in the art when used with a suitable rolling material. A seam 106 of the rolling paper 102 is where two sides of the rolling material come together to form a cigarette. The leaf material 104 is meant to include any type of leaf material suitable for smoking in a cigarette and includes but is not limited to tobacco, blended tobacco, herbs, spice, flower or other similar material that is known and suitable to be burned and inhaled as a smoke.

[0058] In use, a user places the e-filter 10 against their lips, lights the end of the rolling paper 102 to burn the leaf material 104 and draws through the mouthpiece 18 which is detected by the auto draw 52. The auto draw 52 activates the heating element 56 to heat and makes into an aerosol the smokable liquid contained in the liquid container 60. Smoke from the leaf material 104 is mixed with the aerosolized liquid and is inhaled by the user.

[0059] In a nonlimiting embodiment, the auto draw 52 is configured to delay the activation of the heating element 56 to allow for smoke from the burnt leaf material 104 to be within the e-filter 10 prior to aerosolizing the smokable liquid. This delay function allows for an enhanced experience of smoking both sources at the same time.

[0060] Advantageously, the e-filter and cigarette 100 can be made for a single smoking session where a user is expected to take a limited number of puffs on the e-filter 10 after lighting the cigarette. For example, the e-filter and cigarette 100 can be made for fewer than 50 puffs. It is within the scope of the invention that the number of puffs could be 25 puffs, or fewer. In this manner, the e-filter and cigarette 100 can be easily and relatively inexpensively produced. The volume of liquid and power of the battery are adjusted to single use which contributes to the ability to miniaturize the e-filter 10, and reduce the associated manufacturing costs. The resulting combination feels more natural to hold and offers a more satisfying smoking experience.

[0061] Alternatively, the e-filter 10 can be made to allow for refilling the smokable liquid and attaching another cigarette to the rolling material attachment portion 16 by first removing any residue of a prior rolling material and then rolling onto the exterior surface of the attachment portion 16 a new rolling material filled with a leaf material. The smokable liquid can be refilled using a suitable syringe or potentially through a multiple filling apparatus.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 16A-16B in a nonlimiting embodiment the e-filter body 200 has paper receiving portion 210 with a surface adapted to receive the paper. In this embodiment the paper receiving portion 210 is a silicone or other suitable material on a surface 212 wrapped around the body of the e-filter where the surface is easier to wrap a paper or other material around and form a seal. The paper receiving portion 210 includes a crevice that is suitably narrow in its depth that it will grip onto an edge of the rolling paper once the edge is introduced into the crevice and allow for holding the edge while the remainder of the rolling paper is wrapped around the attachment portion 16. This embodiment is conducive to a multiple use version of the e-filter.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 17A-17B in a another nonlimiting embodiment the e-filter 300 includes a paper receptor surface 310 adapted to receive and hold in place a rolling paper surface thus making it easier to roll paper onto the e-filter. The paper receptor surface 310 is a silicone or other suitable material known to persons of skill in the art.

[0064] Furthermore, the e-filter is designed to take both the aerosolized smoke and smoke from the leaf product up separate chambers to reduce tar and other harmful materials from entering the user's mouth. This design also ensures that the hot air of the smoke passing through the e-filter does not damage the battery and other electronic components inside the e-filter. The hot air passes the battery's outside surfaces, traveling along the battery's sides while the smoke travels through the heating coil, combining at the mouthpiece, giving a user a smooth drag experience.

[0065] The afore described e-filter has the potential to impact the smoking industry in several ways. First, it provides an alternative method for smoking that allows a user to combine their preferred aerosolized liquid with their preferred leaf product and rolling paper. This could attract a new segment of consumers who are interested in this type of smoking experience. Second, the e-filter's design allows for addressing some of the health concerns associated with smoking by filtering out tar and other harmful materials. For example, in all the above-described embodiments a carbon filter screen can be incorporated inside the e-filter to help reduce the amount of tar and other harmful substances that reach the user's respiratory system. Third, the e-filter's design allows for customization, including when and how the leaf material is combined with the aerosolized liquid and modulation of the two. This level of customization may appeal to consumers who are looking for a more personalized smoking experience. Taken together, the e-filter allows for a more satisfying smoking experience.

[0066] The invention has been shown and described in what is considered nonlimiting embodiments. It is recognized that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. Further, the invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.