Filters for smoking devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter for smoking devices, in particular cigarettes or pipes, comprising a sleeve that is at least substantially cylindrical, a filter cap that closes the sleeve at one end, and filter material enclosed in a filter interior defined by the sleeve and the filter cap, through which tobacco smoke can flow due to air holes arranged in the sleeve and the filter cap. According to the invention, activated carbon is used as the filter material. The blind-hole-shaped sleeve with its base and the filter cap each consist of dimensionally stable solid bodies that are detachably screwed together.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a filter for smoking devices, in particular cigarettes or pipes, with an at least substantially cylindrical sleeve, a filter cap which closes the sleeve at the end, and filter material which is enclosed in a filter interior defined by the sleeve and the filter cap and through which tobacco smoke can flow due to draft holes arranged in the sleeve and in the filter cap.

[0002] DE 296 05 497 U1 discloses a filter for smoking devices in which the through-holes are divided into two sections, an inner and an outer section, with the outer section of the through-holes extending to the outer surface of the end cap. This is intended to utilize the existing absorbency of the sleeve to improve the filtering effect by forcing the smoke to enter the filter sleeve before it enters the activated carbon area.

[0003] DE 20 2006 016 350 U1 describes a filter of the type mentioned above, in which at least one radially outwardly closed and at least substantially circular groove is arranged in at least one of the outer filter cap end faces, the groove base of which is provided with a plurality of draft holes. The radially outwardly closed circular groove swirls the drawn-in tobacco smoke before it passes through the holes into the interior of the filter, separating moisture even before it penetrates the interior of the filter. The radially outwardly closed shape of the circular groove is intended to achieve gentle swirling, which promotes moisture separation. The sleeves of the aforementioned filters are made of absorbent, wound paper or cardboard. This also applies to the sleeve according to EP 4 018 852 B1, which is closed by means of a lower cap and is arranged within the activated carbon as the filter material.On the side of the sleeve opposite the lower cap, there is also a cap for sealing the interior of the sleeve. Both caps have openings through which carbon particles can be extracted during production. DE 10 2019 118 292 A1 describes a filter for filling with activated carbon, consisting of three parts: a tobacco product end piece, a rim end piece, and a sleeve made of cardboard. The two end pieces are dimensionally stable and made of ceramic.

[0004] Finally, WO 2020 / 244693 A1 discloses a filter attachment for smoking articles. It has a receiving sleeve sealed at one end by a smoke-permeable barrier and a stuffing sleeve at the other end, which forms a second closure by means of a smoke-permeable cover. The receiving sleeve can be designed as a single piece with the barrier, and the stuffing sleeve can be designed as a single piece with the cover. Activated carbon granules are proposed as the filter material, which is placed in the desired amount between the barrier of the receiving sleeve and the cover of the stuffing sleeve. The casing of the cylindrical container should be made of paper or gauze.

[0005] The disadvantage of the filters mentioned is that they are so-called disposable items and are disposed of after one, or at best after a few, uses.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to further develop a filter of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that any desired multiple use is possible.

[0007] This object is achieved by the filter according to claim 1, which is characterized according to the invention in that the filter material consists of activated carbon, preferably activated carbon granules, the blind-hole-like sleeve with the sleeve base and the filter cap each consist of dimensionally stable, solid bodies that are detachably screwed together. Preferably, the sleeve and the filter cap are made of metal, in particular precious metal. Such a design has the advantage that the sleeve can be used as often as desired. When the filtering effect of the activated carbon diminishes, the sleeve is opened by unscrewing the cap and the activated carbon is poured out. Activated carbon is not harmful to the environment and can therefore be easily "disposed of in nature." The sleeve is refilled with activated carbon and closed before being inserted into the smoking device. Previous paper or cardboard filters, which accrued as residual waste, are completely eliminated.

[0008] The activated carbon-filled tube can be used in both hand-rolled cigarettes and pipes. To minimize the filter's suction resistance, the filter cap and the tube base each have at least six, preferably eight, circular cross-section holes, centered on a circular arc. This arrangement ensures a largely even distribution. Additionally, a centrally located circular cross-section hole can be provided in the filter cap and the tube base.

[0009] According to a further development of the invention, the outer shell of the sleeve has a non-smooth surface, preferably a knurled surface.

[0010] This prevents the filter tube from slipping out of the paper tube, which serves as the wrapping for the tobacco filling, during smoking. Ultimately, the surface design is all about creating the highest possible frictional resistance against the cigarette paper.

[0011] The diameter of the tube is largely determined by the cigarette diameter or the diameter of the corresponding pipe opening in the intake piece. However, the diameter of the tube should be at least 4 mm. It has proven advisable to estimate the material thickness of the tube and / or filter cap at at least 1 mm to ensure sufficient stability during use.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings. Fig. 1 a cross-section through the sleeve, Fig. 2 a plan view of the sleeve closed by a lid, Fig. 3a a top view of the lid and Fig. 3b a cross section through the lid according to Fig. 3a.

[0013] The filter consists of a sleeve 10 with a sleeve base 11 and an end 12 open on one side. The sleeve base 11 has eight circularly arranged openings, each of which has a circular cross-section. An additional central opening with a circular cross-section is provided. Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view, from which the screwed-on cover 20 can be seen in the edge area. This cover, shown in a top view according to Figure 4a, also has eight holes with a circular cross-section, which serve as "draft holes" and, in addition, allow flow through a centrally provided additional hole 22. The cover 20 and the sleeve 10 can be screwed together via a threaded connection 15, 23.

[0014] The sleeve 10 has an interior space 16, which is formed by the lid 10, which can be closed on both sides (left and right in the drawing), and the base 11. This interior space 16 can be filled with activated carbon granules. The granules have a grain size larger than the respective diameters of the draw holes 13, 14, 21, 22. List of reference symbols 10 sleeves 11 Case base 12 sleeve opening 13, 14 Draw openings 15 threaded section 16 Shell interior 20 filter cap 21, 22 draw holes 23 Threaded section QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 296 05 497 U1

[0002] DE 20 2006 016 350 U1

[0003] EP 4 018 852 B1

[0003] DE 10 2019 118 292 A1

[0003] WO 2020 / 244693 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Filter for smoking devices, in particular cigarettes or pipes, comprising an at least substantially cylindrical sleeve (10), a filter cap (20) which closes the sleeve (10) at the end, and filter material which is enclosed in a filter interior (16) defined by the sleeve (10) and the filter cap (20) and through which tobacco smoke can flow due to draft holes (13, 14; 21, 22) arranged in the sleeve (10) and in the filter cap (20), characterized by that the filter material consists of activated carbon, preferably activated carbon granules, the blind hole-like sleeve (10) with the sleeve base (11) and the filter cap (20) each consist of dimensionally stable solid bodies which are detachably screwed together. [2] Filter according to claim 1, characterized by that the sleeve (10) and the filter cap (20) are made of metal, preferably precious metal. [3] Filter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the filter cap (20) and the sleeve base (11) each have at least six, preferably eight cross-sectionally circular draw holes (13, 14) whose centers lie on a circular arc. [4] Filter according to claim 3, characterized by that a centrally arranged, circular cross-sectional draw hole (21, 15) is additionally arranged in the filter cap (20) and the sleeve base (11). [5] Filter according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the outer surface of the sleeve (10) has a non-smooth surface, preferably a knurled surface. [6] Filter according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the diameter of the sleeve interior (16) is at least 4 mm. [7] Filter according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the material thickness of the sleeve (10) and / or the filter cap (20) is at least 1 mm.

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