ES2995123A1 - Natural wax cigarette filter - Google Patents

Abstract

A filter (10) for cigarettes having a wax tubular member (20) with at least one through opening (30) to allow the smoke to pass through. A second detachable tubular member (125) can be optionally added. Through opening (30) may have different shapes that determine how much the smoke temperature is reduced. Member (20) can be selectively depressed to further constrain the passage of smoke to reduce the smoke temperature and trap more gunk. The present was filter is biodegradable and may be used as a carrier for seeds that may bloom when the filter is discarded.

Description

DESCRIPTION

NATURAL WAX CIGARETTE FILTER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention.

[01] The present invention relates to cigarette filters that use any legal herb for smoking and, more particularly, to filters made entirely of cigarette wax.

2. Description of the related technique.

[02] Many different cigarette filters have been designed in the past. However, none of them include a filter made entirely of wax to provide grip against a rolling paper/leaf, making it much easier for the consumer to roll. The present invention also allows the rolled cigarette to be held upright by using the wax filter to adhere to a surface. The filter of the present invention extinguishes itself once the lit end of the cigarette reaches the wax filter and reduces the temperature of the smoke passing through the filter. In addition, the new filter provides a solid barrier/protection for any material (seeds, glitter, decoration) embedded in the filter that would be discolored, or damaged by smoking through the filter. Yet another feature of the invention is that the new filter moisturizes the dry lips of smokers while they smoke. However, the new filter also allows for selective constriction of the filter across the passage, changing the airflow of the smoker's puff and providing an ionization effect that attracts and collects the tar/resin emitted by smoking at the end of the wax filter.

[03] The applicant believes that a related reference corresponds to US Patent 6,631,722 issued to Mac Adam et al. for tobacco smoke filter elements on October 14, 2003. However, it differs from the present invention because it relates to a filter structure with a capsule containing a deodorant. However, this capsule does not allow smoke to pass through it. Furthermore, it is not suggested to use a wax filter or a filter made entirely of wax.

[04] Another related reference corresponds to US Patent 7,325,548 granted to George Frederick Enslin on April 9, 2001. However, it differs from the present invention in that it does not deal with a cigarette filter made entirely of wax.

[05] Another related reference corresponds to patent US20140332014 granted to Penrose, Graham on November 13, 2014. However, it comprises a hole to insert a filter unit that is fixed by means of small loops, hooks or velcro. In the present invention, no hollow hole or loops, hooks or velcro are needed for the wax filter to stay in place because natural wax is sticky and adheres to the rolling paper/leaf without the need for this.

[06] Another related reference is patent US20120318286 granted to Lisauskas, Tadas on December 20, 2012. However, the present invention differs from this one in that the wax protects the seeds from smoke damage, unlike the cotton, hemp, and paper barrier surrounding the seeds. In addition, the wax is a hydrogenated oil, which provides a more fertile environment for the seed to grow once the filter is discarded and it begins to decompose.

[07] Another related reference is US3270750A, issued to Robert A. Campbell on September 16, 1960. However, the present invention differs from this because there is no mention of the filter being made of wax. A filter made of wax allows the filter apparatus to expand or contract at any time during the smoking process. Furthermore, there is no mention of the filter being made of wax.

[08] Another related reference is patent JPH04207187 granted to KANEMATSU NOBORU on July 29, 1997. However, the present invention differs from this one in that our filter is made entirely of beeswax, unlike the polypropylene fiber obtained by adding wood wax or beeswax in the referenced invention. By making the filter entirely of beeswax, it is allowed to collect a substantially larger amount of wax and resin.

[09] Another related reference is EP 2856891 issued to KATO KATSUO, et al. on April 8, 2015. However, the present invention differs in that wax is mentioned as a space-filling layer of the cigarette. Instead, the present invention is made entirely of wax.

[10] Wax has an ionization-like effect, causing tar (gunk) to adhere to the inner surfaces of the through holes. This is particularly true in regards to the area adjacent to the smoking material or the herbs being smoked.

[11] Wax acts as a moisturizer for the lips. On the other hand, paper and/or cotton filters tend to dry out the lips and fingertips of the user. None of the known techniques address this problem.

[12] It is not uncommon to see cigarette butts, including filters, polluting urban areas. The wax filter of the present invention, in addition to the properties described below that enhance the smoking experience, provides a seed carrier that will beautify the environment. When a user disposes of his cigarette butt, the seeds germinate after being encapsulated by the wax filter. This is a novel concept that will reduce pollution while improving the environment.

[13] Other documents describing the closest subject provide a series of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economic manner. None of these patents suggests the novel features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[14] One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide a cigarette filter made from wax, including natural wax, which moisturizes the lips and fingertips of the smoker while smoking.

[15] Another main objective of the invention is to provide a better grip when rolling one's own cigarettes using the wax filter. The wax filter adheres to the rolling papers/rolling materials much better than existing paper or cotton filters.

[16] Another object of this invention is to provide an extinguishable filter made entirely of wax which will extinguish the lit side of the cigarette once it reaches the wax filter.

[17] Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid barrier that reduces the temperature of smoke passing through it.

[18] Another object of the present invention is to provide smokers with a means of holding their cigarette upright when not in the presence of an ashtray by adhering the base of the wax filter to a surface.

[19] Another object of the present invention is to provide a filter which is non-flammable. A further object of the invention is to provide a filter which is biodegradable and which can act as a carrier for seeds of predetermined species.

[20] Still another object of the invention is to provide a filter with through holes having adjustable diameters for temperature control.

[21] A further object of the present invention is to provide a filter which absorbs or neutralizes the odor of smokable material or herb smoke passing through it.

[22] Another object of this invention is to provide a filter which is economical to implement and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.

[23] Other objects of the invention will be set forth in the following part of the specification, where the detailed description is intended to fully disclose the invention without imposing limitations on it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[24] With the foregoing and related objects in view, the invention consists of such details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of one of the embodiments of the present invention showing the uniform through hole (30) passing through the filter 10.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment in which the filter (10a) has a truncated cone shape.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of filter (10b) with a through hole (30b) of a truncated cone shape with larger diameters than that shown in the previous figure.

Figure 4 shows the filter (10) represented in Figure 1 with a depression (D) created for a user who wishes to lower the temperature of the smoke.

Figure 5 shows the filter (10c) which is similar to the filter (10) shown in Figure 1 with seeds (S) buried in the tubular member 20.

Figure 6 is similar to Figure 1 except that more than one through hole is shown.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a cigarette filter (110) with two tubular filter elements (120) and (125) with cooperative dimensions that will be mounted coaxially with each other.

Figure 8 shows the cigarette filter (110) depicted in the previous figure where the tubular filter elements (120) and (125) have been coaxially mounted to allow a second user to smoke the same cigarette without coming into contact with the tubular element (120) used by the original user.

Figure 9 is an isometric representation of the cigarette filter (110) shown in Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITIES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[25] Referring now to the drawings, in which different embodiments of the present invention are shown, one embodiment of the filter is generally designated by the numeral (10) and can be seen to basically include a tubular member (20) with ends (22) and (24). A through hole (30) extends longitudinally from the end (22) to the end (24). The through hole (30) includes through hole ends (32; 34). The end (22) is mounted axially with respect to the cigarette (C) and in abutting relation to one end thereof. The other end (24) constitutes the distal end of the filter (10). The wrapper (W) or paper (P) is used to roll herbs or smokable material (T).

[26] The tubular element (20) is made of wax, and preferably natural wax.

[27] Different filter configurations provide different smoking experiences. In Figure 1, the through hole (30) is shown to be centrally located with a uniform inner diameter and in Figure 2, the through hole (30a) has a frustoconical shape. The through hole (30a) includes through hole ends (32a) and (34a). The filter (10a) includes the tubular member (20a) and ends (22a) and (24a). Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 except that the through hole (30b) has larger diameters along its length. Dirt (G) is shown only in this figure, but also adheres to the inner walls of the through hole (30) in the other filter configurations. The through hole (30b) includes ends (32b) and (34b). The filter (10b) includes the tubular member (20b) with ends (22b) and (24b). In Figure 4, the filter (10) is shown with a depression area where a user can selectively apply pressure to reduce the diameter of the through hole (30). This allows the user to restrict the passage of smoke, thereby reducing its temperature and tar content. The velocity of the smoke and the pressure against the inner walls of the through hole (30) are increased, facilitating the conduction of heat out of the smoke and the attachment of more tar. In Figure 5, seeds (S) have been buried within the tubular member (20c) of the biodegradable filter (10c). The tubular member (20c) includes a distal end (22c). The through hole (30c) in Figure 5 includes through hole ends (32c) and (34c). As can be seen in Figure 6, the filter (10d) may include one or more through holes (30d). The tubular member (20d) has a distal end (22d). The through holes (30d); (130d) and (230d), in Figure 6, have through-hole ends (32d) and (34d); (132d) and 134d; (232d) and (234d), respectively.

[28] As mentioned above, a wax filter facilitates rolling the material to be smoked and also allows the user to place the cigarette against a surface. The end (22) of the tubular member (20) adheres to a support surface keeping it upright.

[29] And with respect to the preservation of objects inside the filter (10), the inert characteristics of the wax prevent the deterioration of the seeds (S) that may be inserted into it.

[30] As seen in Figures 7 to 9, an alternative embodiment corresponds to a cigarette filter (110) that includes tubular members (120) and (125) that are in turn separable and joinable to allow two users to share the smoking experience while avoiding contact with areas of the tubular members where the other user has had contact. The tubular member (120) has ends (122) and (124). The tubular member (125) has ends (127) and (128). The tubular members (120) and (125) have dimensions that allow for substantial coaxial alignment. The ends (122) and (127) come together and join together, resulting in a sufficiently tight seal to allow the second user (using the tubular member (125)) to draw smoke in substantially the same manner as the initial user using the tubular member (120). The through hole (130) extends through the tubular members (120) and (125) to be coaxially aligned with the through hole (132). The end of the through hole (134) is in a coaxial abutting relationship with the cigarette (C). The ends of the through hole (136) and (138) are removable and coaxially mounted with each other.

[31] The above description enables a better understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments of the inventive concept of this invention can be made. It should be understood that everything described in this document should be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The natural wax cigarette filter has several embodiments for industrial application. For example, the wax cigarette filter, which is made of natural wax, moisturizes the user's lips and fingertips while smoking. In another embodiment, the natural wax material provides a better grip, which is beneficial when the user attempts to roll the cigarette paper over the wax filter. In an alternative embodiment, the natural wax cigarette filter helps extinguish lit cigarettes as the cigarette is consumed. In yet another embodiment, the natural wax cigarette filter provides a solid barrier that can reduce the temperature of the smoke passing through it, allowing for a more pleasurable smoking experience. In one iteration, the natural wax cigarette filter can be used as a base to stand the cigarette upright in the absence of an ashtray. In an alternative iteration, the natural wax cigarette filter is biodegradable and can be used as a seed carrier for planting. In yet another iteration, the natural wax cigarette filter includes a through hole with adjustable diameters that correlate to predetermined desired smoke temperatures. In addition, the natural wax cigarette filter absorbs and neutralizes the odor of smokable material passing therethrough. The natural wax cigarette filter includes a wax tubular element having at least one through opening. The at least one through opening allows smoke to pass therethrough. A second removable tubular element may optionally be added. The wax tubular element may be selectively collapsed, thereby restricting the passage of smoke while reducing the temperature of the smoke.

Claims (9)

1. A cigarette filter, comprising: A) a tubular element (20) made of wax having a first and a second end (22), (24), and further including a through hole (30) extending from said first end (22) to said second end (24); B) a wrapping member (W) covering said tubular member (20) and extending coaxially beyond said end (24) a predetermined distance and containing a smokable herb therein. 2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the wax is natural. 3. The filter according to claim 2, wherein said tubular element (20) includes a plurality of through holes (30). 4. The filter according to claim 2, wherein said through opening is centrally located. 5. The filter according to claim 4, wherein said tubular element (20) has a circular cross section. 6. The filter set forth in claim 4, wherein said through hole (30) has a frustoconical shape with first and second through hole ends, said first through hole end being larger than said second through hole end, the first extending from said second end (24) adjacent said smokable herb. 7. The filter according to claim 4 further includes at least one seed (S) contained within said filter element (20). 8. A cigarette filter, comprising: A) a first tubular element (120) made of wax having a first and a second end (122), (124), and further including a through hole (130) extending from said first end (122) to said second end (124); B) a second tubular member (125) made of wax having third and fourth ends (127), (128), and further including a through opening (131) extending from said third end (127) to said fourth end (128), said first and third ends (122), (127) having dimensions suitable to enter into abutment relationship to provide a seal sufficient to allow a user to draw smoke when applying his lips to said second tubular member (125); and C) a wrapping member (W) covering said tubular member (120) and extending coaxially beyond said second end (124) a predetermined distance and containing a smokable herb therein and adjacent to said second end (124). 9. The filter according to claim 8 wherein the wax is natural.