US2816554A - Smoking apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1957 N. s.Bl oDGE-r1' Erm. 2,816,554

l SMOKING APPARATUS Filed oct. 51, 1955 /4 13 l/ /6 lo 2l. l2

|r| |l l 65 65 69 67 56 73* NORMAN S. BLODGE TT 0770 J. MUNZ IN VENT ORS ATTORNEY SMOKING APPARATUS Norman S. Blodgett, Westboro, Mass., and Otto J Munz, Annapolis, Md.

Application October 31, 1955, Serial No. 543,759 4 Claims. (Cl. 131-175) This invention relates to smoking apparatus Iancl more particularly to apparatus arranged to hold a cigar or cigarette during the act of smoking. I

It has been the custom for many years to inhale the fumes of burning tobacco by enclosing 'a quantity of tobacco in an elongated, tubular wrapper. One end of this device, whether it be a cigar or a cigarette, is caused to burn, while the other end is placed in the mouth; by sucking on the end which is placed in the mouth, a quantity rof air is caused to pass through the tubular Wrapper and through the tobacco, thus causing the tobacco to burn more vigorously and carrying a quantity of the products of combustion into the mouth and throat of the user. According to this practice, the air and the products of combustion travel together through the entire length of the tubular wrapper and the tobacco enclosed therein. Since the products of combustion contain many substances, such as tar, which have a high temperature of volatilization, it is commonly recognized that these substances have a tendency to condense and be deposited in the remaining tobacco. As the smoking progresses, the concentration of these tar-like substances in the butt increase-s to a great extent, so that the smoking of the cigar or cigarette becomes less pleasant as the end is reached; as .a matter of fact, it is common practice to throw away a considerable portion.

One `object of the invention is the provision of smoking apparatus in which a cigar or cigarette may be smoked, but the products `of combustion do not pass through the unburned tobacco.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for smoking in which a cigar or cigarette may be consumed without a change in the character of the products of combustion during the burning of the last portion thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of `an apparatus for smoking a cigarette or the like in which the air enters the cigarette through the unlighted end and passes outwardly therefrom through the lighted end.

The character of the invention may be best understood by reference to certain `of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a smoking apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 is a sectional view -of the apparatus taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line V-V of Figure 3.

Referring irst to Figure l, wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention,` the smoking apparatus designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as comprising a mouthpiece 11 and a -retaining portion 12. The mouthpiece and retaining ponti-ou may Patented Dec. 17, 1357 ice be formed of a metal, such as aluminum or silver, or of a non-inflammable plastic. The mouthpiece has a reduced portion 13 of circular cross-section with an annular ilange 14 at the extreme end, as is usual in the construc tion of such devices. A bore 15 of small cross-sectional area extends through the reduced portion. The outer end of the reduced portion 13 merges smoothly with an enlarged portion 16 having a generally circular cylindrical outside surface. A large bore 17 extends into the free end of the enlarged portion for nearly the entire length thereof; the bore terminates adjacent the reduced p0rtion 13 and is provided with -a square bottom surface, so that the corner between the cylindrical surface of the bore and the plane surface of the bottom is square. A shallow counter-bore 18 is provided in the inner end `of the bore 17- and it is into this counterbore that the small bore 15 enters. The diameter of the counterbore 18 is relatively close to that of the bore 17. A screen 19 is tightly iitted into the inner end of the bore 17; the screen is preferably formed of a substance which is not easily corroded and the size of the apertures should be such as to discourage the passage of ash therethrough. The outer end of the bore 17 is provided with an internally threaded part 20.

The retaining portion 12 is of generally elongated frusto-conical tubular form. At one end the outside surface is provided with an externally threaded part 21 which mates with the threaded part 20 of the mouthpiece. The outer surface of the retaining portion tapers from a larger diameter `adjacent the threaded part 21 to a smaller diameter at t-he other end. A central passage 22 extends longitudinally through the portion 12 and has a tapered surface, the smaller end being `at the end of the portion lopposite the threaded part. The diameter of this bore at the smaller end is slightly less than that of the end of a cigarette 23.

In operation, the mouthpiece and the retaining portion are separated by unscrewing the threaded parts 20 and 21. The cigarette 23 is inserted into the bore 22 through the larger end and is pushed into the bore until it is squeezed and rmly held in the smaller end, as shown. The user then lights the cigarette, puffing a few times on the small end of the retaining portion 12 if necessary. Then, the retaining member is screwed into the mouthpiece so that the apparatus and the cigarette are in the condition shown in the drawing. The user then places the reduced portion 13 of the mouthpiece in his mouth and draws inwardly. Air enters the apparatus at the smaller or outer end of the retaining portion 12; since the bore at that end is entirely occupied by the end of the cigarette 23, the air must necessarily pass through the cigarette. The air passes through the cigarette from the unlighted end to the lighted end where it takes part in the combustion process. The gaseous products `of combustion, along with smoke and excess air travel through the bore 17, the screen 19, the counterbore 1S and the bore 15 into the mouth of the user.

The modification of the invention shown in Figure 2 relates to a smoking apparatus 30 comprising a mouthpiece 31 and a retaining portion 32. The mouthpiece, as in the above-described embodiment, has a reduced part 33 with an annular ange 34 at its inner end. A small bore 35 enters that end and is flared in order to form a chamber 36. The reduced part 33 of the mouthpiece merges smoothly in an enlarged part 37 having a generally circular cylindrical surface. The router end of the enlarged part is provided with an axial bore 3S which, adjacent the open outer end thereof, is provided with an internally threaded portion 39. The inner end of the bore 38 is very close to the chamber 36 and only a thin wall exists between them; a small passage 40 extends through this wall, axially of the mouthpiece. A counter.

bore 41 is for-med in the passage 40 on the side facing the bore 3S; this counterbore is of a size to receive snugly the end of a conventional filter 42. The retaining portion 32 consists of a tubular part 43 and a plug 44. The tubular part 43 is of generally cylindrical tubular form with a wall 45 formed at the inner end thereof. The wall 45 has a small passage 46 extending therethrough, and this wall is provided with a counterbore 47 extending into the side facing inwardly; the counterbore is shaped to receive the outer end of the filter 42. The exterior surface of the tubular part at the end occupied by the wall 45 is provided with an externally threaded portion 43 adapted to mate with internally threaded portion 39 of the mouthpiece. A bore 49 occupies most of the length of the part 32 and for the most part it is cylindrical; however, adjacent the outer open end, the bore flares radially outwardly and has an interior frusto-conical surface 50. The plug 44 has a frusto-conical exterior surface 51 which mates with the surface 50 on the tubular part 32 so that the two may be easily put together with a tight fit. The plug 44 is also provided with a conical bore 52 which tiares radially outwardly slightly at the outer end thereof. The plug also has a conical surface 53 in which the end of a cigarette 54 may be placed; the taper of the surface 53 is such that the cigarette is held gently but firmly in an air-tight relationship.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 and described above is very similar in character to that described in connection with the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1. In this case, however, the retaining portion 43 remains screwed to the mouthpiece 31 all the time, unless it is desired to change the filter 42. The plug 44 is removed from the bore 49 and one end of the cigarette 54 is placed in the bore 52 of the plug. The other end of the cigarette is lighted and its burning is given a good start by the user drawing on the plug 44 as though it were a conventional cigarette holder; it should be noted that the outer end of the plug 44 is smoothly formed in the manner of a mouthpiece.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 relates to a smoking apparatus 60 in which a mouthpiece 61 and a retaining portion 62 are formed generally in one piece. As in the previously-described versions of the invention, the mouthpiece has a reduced part 63 terminating in an annular flange 64. A small bore 65 enters the inner end and flares slightly before opening into a chamber 66 which is substantially the same size as a filter 67 which it is adapted to contain. A portion 68 of an enlarged part 69 of the mouthpiece is hingedly removable to permit a change of filter when necessary. As is evident in Figure 4, the portion 68 constitutes one half of the cross-section in that area, is connected to the remainder at one side by a hinge 70, and is held in operative closed position by a clip 71 attached to the remainder and which engages a notch in the portion 69. The retaining portion 62 is formed with a large cylindrical chamber, there being a wall 73 lying between this chamber and the filter chamber 66. A passage 74 extends through the wall and joins the chambers. From the drawing it may be noted that the hinged portion 68 is slightly longer than the filter chamber 66 and that the severance line by which it is defined extends into the passage 65 and the passage 74. Furthermore, the passages 65 and 74 at their entrances into the chamber 66 are only slightly smaller in diameter than the filter 67; that is, of course, to permit the use of as much of the cross-sectional area of the filter as possible. The rctaining portion 62 is of generally tubular cylindrical form throughout its length and a closure wall 75 is formed at its outer end. A cylindrical bore 76 passes axially through the wall 75 and joins the chamber with the exterior; the bore 76 is cylindrical and is of a diameter approximately the same as a cigarette 77 which is to be inserted therein. The retaining portion 62 is formed with a hinged portion 7S which constitutes approximately onehalf of the wall as is evident in Figure 5, the hinged portion is connected to one side of the remainder by a hinge 79 and to the other side by a clip 80 which engages a notch 81.

The operation of the embodiment of Figure 3 is very similar to the use described above in connection with the other versions of the invention. The differences lie in the details of construction and use. For instance, the filter 67 may be changed by opening the chamber 66. The clip 71 is released from its notch and the portion 68 moved about its hinge 70. Since the line of severance between the hinged portion 68 and the remainder is along the center line of the apparatus, half the chamber is removed with the hinged portion and half remains behind. The filter is firmly clamped, as is evident, between the hinged portion and the remainder, so that the smoke and air going from the passage 74 to the passage 65 is forced to go through the core of the filter instead of passing around it. The cigarette 77 may be placed within the chamber 72 in a similar manner. The hinged portion 78 is moved about its hinge 79 after the clip 0 has been lifted from the notch 81. The cigarette is lighted in the mouth of the user in the usual way and the cigarette is placed in the chamber 72 with the unlighted end lying in the half of the passage 76 which remains behind. Then, the hinged portion 78 is returned to its original place. The end of the cigarette is, therefore, clamped between the two halves of the passage 76. When first placed in the chamber 72, the lighted end of the cigarette will usually rest on the bottom of the chamber; the clamping action, however, Will lift the cigarette into the cantilever condition shown in the drawing.

It will be understood, of course, that, although a cigarette has been used in the above description and in the drawings to indicate the tobacco article, the apparatus is intended for use with any cigarette-like tobacco article, such as a cigar.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Smoking apparatus for use with a cigarette-like tobacco article comprising a mouthpiece and an elongated hollow retaining portion, the retaining portion defining a chamber having a passage leading to the exterior of the arti-cle at the end opposite the mouthpiece, the pas sage being of a size such that the apparatus may grasp the tobacco article at one end, the other end of the article being lighted, the only openings into the apparatus being in the mouthpiece and the said passage into the retaining portion, whereby the withdrawal of air from the mouthpiece causes a fiow of combustion supporting air through the article from the unlighted end toward the lighted end and means permitting rapid insertion of the lighted article into the chamber.

2. Smoking apparatus for use with a cigarette-like tobacco article comprising a mouthpiece and an elongated retaining portion, the mouthpiece having a bore therethrough, the retaining portion having a tapered bore therethrough, the end of the retaining member having the part of the bore with the larger diameter being capable of being separated from the mouthpiece, the small end of the tapered bore being of a size such that that end portion of the retaining portion may grasp the tobacco article at one end, the other end of the article being lighted, the only openings into the apparatus being in the mouthpiece and in the said small end of the tapered bore into the retaining portion, whereby the withdrawal of air from the mouthpiece causes a fiow of combustion air through the article from the unlighted end toward the lighted end.

3. Smoking apparatus for use with a cigarette-like tobacco article comprising a mouthpiece and an elon gated hollow retaining portion, the retaining portion having a separable plug which is removable from the remainder of the retaining portion at the end opposite from the mouthpiece, the said plug having a passage therethrough, the passage being of a size such that the plug may grasp the tobacco article at one end thereof, the other end of the article being lighted, the only openings into the apparatus being in the mouthpiece and the said opening into the plug, whereby the withdrawal of air i from the mouthpiece causes a ow of combustion air through the article from the unlighted end toward the lighted end.

4. Smoking apparatus for use with a cigarette-like tobacco article comprising a mouthpiece and au elongated hollow retaining portion, the retaining portion having a passage leading to the exterior at the end opposite the mouthpiece, the passage being of a size to enable the retaining portion to grasp the tobacco article at one end,

the retaining portion having a hinged portion adjacent the passage which is hingedly connected to the remainder thereof, part of the passage being formed in the hinged portion and the rest of the passage being formed in the remainder of the retaining portion so that the end of the tobacco may be clamped in place thereby, the other end of the article being lighted, the only openings into the apparatus being in the mouthpiece and the said passage into the retaining portion, whereby the withdrawal of air from the mouthpiece causes a' flow of combustion air through the article from the unlighted end toward the lighted end.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 989,293 Riggs Apr. 11, 1911 1,541,891 Becker June 16, 1925 2,655,157 Weintraub Oct. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 694,150 France Nov. 28, 1930

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