US3884246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optional dry or liquid filter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-16
•
Granted: 1975-05-20
•
Expires: 1993-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A dry or moist filter element for tobacco smoke is described. The filter comprises a resilient liquid-impervious tubular casing with a porous plug of filter material at either end thereof. A chamber is provided within the casing, between the plugs, defined by mutually spaced walls adjacent the inner end of each plug. Each end wall has at least one port therein to allow the passage of smoke therethrough. A liquid containing, frangible or collapsible module is disposed within the chamber. The module is shaped to permit the passage of smoke through the filter, and designed to admit the liquid contained therein, through the ports, into the plugs when the central portion of the casing is compressed. The filter element of this invention then may be used as a dry filter, or if desired, as a moistened or wet filter merely by compressing the casing to rupture or collapse the module. Preferred liquids which may be used in the module include aqueous solutions of starch, glucose, or salt in biologically acceptable concentrations, alcohol to prevent freezing, or an aqueous, buffered solution containing the enzyme amylase.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric E Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:57
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D3/00; A24D3/06; A24D3/061; A24D3/04; A24D3/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A tobacco smoke filter element comprising: a resilient, water impervious elongated tubular casing having a porous plug of filtering material disposed in each end of said casing; opposed, mutually spaced, disc-like walls disposed within said casing between said plugs one wall abutting the inner surface of each plug, said walls defining a chamber within the central portion of said casing and having at least one port in each wall; at least one liquid containing module disposed within said chamber and extending between said walls, said module configured to define with the ports in said walls at least one passage for smoke through said filter element; means carried by said element and cooperating between said module and at least one port in each of said walls for directing liquid from said module through the ports into said plugs responsive to compression of the external walls of said chamber so that said plugs may act selectively as a dry filter or, when said casing is compressed, as a filter moistened by said liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A tobacco smoke filter element comprising: a resilient, water impervious elongated tubular casing having a porous plug of filtering material disposed in each end of said casing; opposed, mutually spaced, disc-like walls disposed within said casing between said plugs one wall abutting the inner surface of each plug, said walls defining a chamber within the central portion of said casing and having at least one port in each wall; at least one liquid containing module disposed within said chamber and extending between said walls, said module configured to define with the ports in said walls at least one passage for smoke through said filter element; means carried by said element and cooperating between said module and at least one port in each of said walls for directing liquid from said module through the ports into said plugs responsive to compression of the external walls of said chamber so that said plugs may act selectively as a dry filter or, when said casing is compressed, as a filter moistened by said liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said module is formed from flexible, water impervious material filled with said liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each of said walls has a coaxial port opening therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each of said walls has a plurality of mutually spaced ports opening therethrough, said ports spaced equidistantly around the central axis thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the liquid contained in said module is an aqueous solution containing a solute selected from the group consisting of glucose, salt, starch, or the enzyme amylase.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The liquid of claim 5 wherein said solute is present therein in a concentration of up to about 5 percent by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The liquid of claim 5 further comprising ethyl alcohol present therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The liquid of claim 7 wherein said alcohol is present in said liquid in a concentration of up to about 50 percent by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 5 wherein about 1-2 c.c. of said liquid are contained in said module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said liquid is a synthetic salivary mixture comprising an aqueous solution of amylase, and lyzozyme present in a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 3.0 percent by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The liquid of claim 10 further comprising an effective amount of an anti-freezing agent present therein to prevent freezing when said filter element is exposed to sub-zero ambient temperatures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the liquid is ethyl alcohol present in an amount of up to about 50 parts per 100, by weight, of said liquid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each wall has a plurality of ports therein and said module has opposing, rupturable wall portions; said module being disposed between said walls with each rupturable portion being positioned immediately adjacent at least one port in each wall so that when the casing is compressed the wall portions will rupture and expel liquid through said ports and into said plugs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said module is an elongated capsule formed of flexible material, and having rupturable end portions; the longitudinal axis of said casing extending between said walls with each end portion being positioned immediately adjacent at least one port in one of said walls.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 14 wherein the width of the capsule is substantially less than the width of the chamber perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said casing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 14 wherein the longitudinal axis of said capsule is aligned with the longitudinal axis of said casing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said capsule is disposed in the chamber with each end portion in sealing engagement with at least one port in one of said walls so that the end portions of said capsule seal at least one port in each wall until the casing is compressed and the end portions rupture expelling liquid through the ports and into the plugs.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |