WO1998006282A1

WO1998006282A1 - Protective devices for smoking

Info

Publication number: WO1998006282A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000516
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Patrick Gray; Wayne Jeffrey Horrigan
Original assignee: Michael Patrick Gray; Wayne Jeffrey Horrigan
Priority date: 1996-08-14
Filing date: 1997-08-14
Publication date: 1998-02-19
Also published as: AUPO162996A0

Abstract

A protective device (10) for reducing the inhalation or ingestion of harmful substances consists of a support (12, 12a) and a filter (15) carried by the support. The device is placed on or around a source of the harmful substances.

Description

PROTECTIVE DEVICES FOR SMOKING FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to protective devices for reducing the inhalation and/or ingestion of harmful substances and/or the transfer of diseases from one person to another.

BACKGROUND ART

Cigarette smokers do not generally share cigarettes but rather have their own individual cigarette and consume it without sharing with others. Such is the case with other drugs such as coffee and alcohol which are usually consumed in an individual cup or glass. Sharing a cigarette or sharing coffee or alcohol from the same glass or container is not regarded as a clean habit. On the other hand, cannabis smokers traditionally share joints, bongs and pipes. This practice involves passing a joint, bong or pipe from one user to another in a smoking session. This practice is performed without due consideration to disease transfer. Furthermore, a filter which forms an important part of most cigarettes is not used with a cannabis joint.

The philosophy of harm minimization regarding drug use is adopted as a national approach in Australia and many other countries. However, in over 5,000 years of recorded cannabis use, there are no known devices for minimizing the harmful aspect of cannabis use arising particularly from the inhalation or ingestion of harmful substances and/or the transfer of disease. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a protective device for reducing the inhalation or ingestion of harmful substances comprising a support and a filter carried by the support, said device being adapted to be placed on or around a source of the harmful substances. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig 1 is a plan view of a first part of a protective device according to one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the second part of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the two parts of Figs. 1 and 2 joined together, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the filter in a different location, Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 after use of the device, Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the filter in a different position, Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 after use,

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 with the filter in a different position, Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 after use, Fig. 1 1 is a view similar to Fig. 9 with the filter in a different position,

Fig. 1 2 is a view similar to Fig. 10 after use,

Fig. 1 3 is a plan view of a sheet material forming part of a protective device according to the second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 3 with the filter in place,

Fig. 1 5 is a view similar to Fig. 14 after use of the device, Fig. 1 6 is a diagrammatic view of a bong and a protective device according to the first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 7 is a diagrammatic view of a bong fitted with a protective device according to a third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 8 is a front view of the third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 9 is a front view of the third embodiment in its opened position, Fig. 20 shows the third embodiment in use and stains on the filter, Fig. 21 is a plan view of a sheet of material forming part of the fourth embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view of the sheet material of Fig. 1 being placed on a bong, Fig. 23 is a plan view of the fourth embodiment of the invention, Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the cone portion of the sixth embodiment of the invention, Fig. 26 is a plan view of the cone wheel of the sixth embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 27 shows a joint in place in the cone wheel of Fig. 26.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODES

The protective device 10 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 consists of a pair of overlying sheets 1 2 and 1 2a which form a support for a filter holder 1 5 therebetween.

The device 10 can be either reusable or disposable. Reusable devices are washed and used repeatedly. To efficiently reduce disease transfer, the sheets 1 2 and 1 2a need to be waterproof. A standard reusable patch will cover the mouthpiece of most bongs.

Provided that the device 1 0 covers the bong mouth of the bong 1 7 (see Fig. 1 6), there is no restriction on size, shape, colour or configuration. In this instance, the sheet 1 2 is 7.5cm and it's thickness is approximately

0.5mm providing flexibility. The lip shaped incision 1 1 measures approximately 22mm x 6mm with varying width measurements due to the curvature of the lip shape.

The sheet 1 2 is connected to an identical sheet 1 2a by way of 4 Velcro triangles 1 3 - one on each corner of the inside of each sheet 1 2 and

1 2a.

Fastening can be achieved via alternate methods such as sewing the corners together or gluing them. Snap fasteners, press studs and velcro are methods which allow for ease in cleaning. The sheets 1 2 and 1 2a could be constructed from unwebbed hospital grade vinyl. Other materials which can be used include waterproof or water-resistant fibrous materials, plastics and other synthetics such as rubberized P.V.C. and rubber.

Thickness may be greater or lesser than the .5mm hospital grade vinyl. It should be noted that irrespective of the material, shape or any other feature of a patch, these are individual items not meant to be shared. The filter holder 1 5 may be constructed of hospital grade vinyl or any other of the alternate materials mentioned above. In this instance, the standard filter holder 1 5 is approximately 9cm x 9cm and is folded to measure 9cm x 4.5cm. A centre piece 1 7 is cut out measuring 6cm x

2cm. This cut out section 1 7 of both sides of the filter holder 1 5 commences 1 .5cm in from the fold and 1 cm from the flap or open opposite side. The cut is 1 .5cm in from each end.

Filter material 1 6 is then placed inside the folder filter holder and in this instance is approximately 8.0cm x 3.5cm. The filter material 1 6 is preferably less than .5mm in thickness and is porous. The filter holder 1 5 is, of course, capable of holding filters which exceed this thickness. The filter holder 1 5 is washable and reusable but the used filter 1 6 is discarded.

The filter holder 1 5, with filter material 1 6 securely in place is positioned between the two layers of patch where it remains loosely in place. Being longer than the patch, the sliding filter holder 1 5 can be manoeuvred into a precise position by using the thumb and forefinger.

Initially the bong smoker slides the filter holder 1 5 into the envelope formed by the sheets 1 2 and 1 2a along the length of the lip shaped incision 1 1 so that the filter material 1 6 will show through the lip shaped incision. The bong smoker will then place the patch over the mouth of the bong 1 7

(See Fig. 1 6) with the lip shaped incision in or about the centre of the bong mouth.

Upon smoking a bong, a dark lip shaped stain will be evident on the portion of filter material 1 6 which has been showing through the lip shaped incision 1 1 . In preparation for the next bong, the user will slide the repositional filter to a point adjacent to the stain whereby only fresh filter material is visible through the lip shaped incision 1 1 .

The dimensions of the filter paper 1 6 are chosen to allow for three bongs to be smoked across the top section of the filter paper. By repositioning the filter holder upwards the lower portion of the filter paper reveals a clean and fresh section of filter which allows for a further three bongs to be consumed through. Six bongs therefore can be consumed through each strip of filter material.

The device 10 is placed directly over the mouth of the bong to create an airseal which is maintained by the flexibility of the sheets 1 2 and 1 2a and the user holding the device downward, on the bong mouth with the downward pressure of their mouth. The action of smoking a bong therefore remains the same with the addition of a physical barrier between the user's lips and the bong mouth. The cannabis smoke is drawn via inhalation through the lip shaped incision 1 1 and into the mouth and lungs of the user.

Tests can be carried out to determine the amount of tar and other paniculate material and T.H.C. (Tetra Hydro Cannabinol) (the active ingredient of cannabis) which is absorbed into the filter strip. The filter material is chosen to absorb maximum tar and other particulates and minimum T.H.C.

The above described device can be varied in many ways. For example, an egg-shape as shown in Figs. 1 7 to 20 constructed of any suitable material such as wood, metal, stone, ceramic, plastic or rubber. Through the centre of the egg shaped support 20 there is a longitudinal passageway 21 . This form of the device will sit partially inside the bong

1 7 with the bong smoker inhaling through the passageway 21 at the exposed end of the support 20.

The egg-shaped support 20 is cut across its centre and the two halves 20a, 20b are joined by hinges 22. Alternatively the halves 20a, 20b could separate and be interlocking or held as one due to the gravitational force of downward mouth pressure. A filter may be inserted either on its own or in a filter holder. A disposable form of the device could be packaged in an airtight or otherwise sealed container and presented as a single use item.

One form of the disposable device includes a first sheet of stretchable material which can easily be either stretched over the mouth of the bong, or moulded to fit over the bong mouth with the overhang gathered further down the shaft of the bong. This sheet may be single layered and has a lip shaped incision in its centre. Once this sheet is stretched across the mouth of the bong the filter would be manually positioned. On top of the filter is a cover made from latex, rubber, paper or other material with a lip shaped incision in it's centre. Downward pressure from the mouth would keep all three components together over the bong mouth.

Another form of the disposable device shown in Figs. 22 to 24 consists of a single sheet 30 having rounded sections 30a, 30b (of similar measurement to the surface area of the first described 7.5cm² sheet), would be joined to an "open shell" or "figure 8" formation. With equidistant lip shaped incisions 31 cut into each section, they are folded together (Fig. 24) and filter paper 32 is appropriately positioned.

The cone shaped device 40 shown in Fig. 25 is designed to provide a physical barrier between the mouth of the user and the shared end of a pipe, joint or hookah. The cone support 41 has a filter 42 which reduces the inhalation of tar and other particulates.

The cone shaped, support 41 has a hole at each end. The larger opening 43 is at the end into which the joint 44 is placed, whereas the smaller opening is from where the user will inhale cannabis smoke, hashish or other inhalants. A dart like filter insert 42 is placed inside the cone 41 falling into place over the smaller hole 45 so that the device 40 acts as a filter as well as reducing the prospect of cross infection.

The cone shaped devices 40 are made from waterproof mouldable material which is able to be pinched around the jointpipe or hookah connection. The thumb and forefinger are able to create an airseal by pinching the cone to the point where the cone is firmly grasping the inhaling end of the joint 44.

As with bongs, tradition and current practice has it that cannabis smokers tend to share joints, pipes and the hose of a hookah. It is the moistened end of these implements which is placed between the user's lips and then passed on for the practice to be repeated.

In this instance the cone 41 measures approximately 30mm in length with a radius at the larger opening 43 of 5mm. The end 45 at which the user would place their lips measures approximately .5mm radius.

A threadring 47 could be provided on the cone 41 approximately 5mm from the larger opening 41 .

Threadrings 47 provide for a point at which the thumb and forefinger can easily grasp. By using a threadring 47, the thumb and forefinger pinch the threadring and manoeuvre it in a series of little pinches into the CP cone to gain an airseal around the joint.

Threadrings 47 enable the device 40 to be attached to key rings, used for earing adornments, worn on a chain or other practical carry with you method. Mouldable cones 41 may be washable and reusable, they are flexible but will ultimately stain. These cones 41 may be made of a material such as sealed hemp or other fibre, nylon and so on, which can be single use items.

Hard cones constructed of, for example, ceramic, metal, wood or stone have the disadvantage that an airseal cannot be achieved by pinching the cone around the joint or end of the pipe. Unlike mouldable cones, hard cones 50 (see Fig. 26) are rigid.

At approximately 2mm - 4mm inside the large end 51 of the cone 50 is a rim 52 protruding 1 .5mm around. A circular cone wheel 53 is placed over the rim 52 inside the cone. A series of 5 or 6 cut sections 54 commencing at 1 .5mm in from the outer rim of the cone wheel 53 meet at the centre of the cone wheel. At the centre of the cone wheel there is a 0.5mm hole 55.

These cuts 54 allow for a joint 44 to be pushed in and held in place of a thumb and forefinger. Cone wheel 53 is constructed from any suitable material which allows for the centre to be pushed open such as cardboard, rubber or similar synthetic material.

The cone wheel 53 also include prevents the joint touching the inside of the cone or falling into it, particularly if the joint is rolled thinly. The cone wheel 53 provides a reasonable air seal as well. A match, pin or finger can be poked into the centre hole 55 of the cone wheel, pushing the points inwards. The joint 44 is placed into this opening 55.

The operation of the device is the same with a pipe. It is pushed through the opening for enough so that an airseal is created. The pipe can then be lit and smoked.

The filter 56 is placed into the cone 50 and at the small opening 57, covering that opening. Smoke therefore, must pass through this filter 56 when inhalation occurs. Tar and other particulate will be filtered to some degree.

The filter 56 is conical and fits snuggly into the tip or inhalation end of the cone. Tapped or blown out at the conclusion of the joint or pipe, the filter 56 will be discarded.

The smaller end of the filter 56 has, in this instance, a radius larger than the .5mm cone opening and can therefore have a .6 or .7mm radius. The length of the filter 56 can be as varied as desired though would be from 5mm to 1 5mm. At 7mm the filter 56 will be concave in shape at it's larger end.

The filter 56 is made from any suitable material such as hemp, cotton, wool, synthetics or paper.

The filter 56 could have an additional safeguard in relation to communicable disease transfer. The filter 56 is provided in a sealed package having been dipped in an aloe vera solution or similar inoffensive tasting anti-bacterial solution.

Claims

1 . A protective device for reducing the inhalation or ingestion of harmful substances comprising a support and a filter carried by the support, said device being adapted to be placed on or around a source of the harmful substances.

2. A protective device according to claim 1 wherein the support comprises two overlying apertured sheets of impervious material with the filter therebetween.

3. A protective device according to claim 2 wherein the filter is removably located between the sheets.

4. A protective device according to claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a body of filter media secured to a filter holder, said filter holder having an aperture therein and wherein the filter media overlies the aperture.

5. A protective device according to claim 1 wherein the support is in the form of a cone.

6. A protective device according to claim 5 wherein the filter is in the form of a cone.

7. A protective device according to claim 5 and further including an apertured wheel within the conical support.

8. A protective device according to claim 1 wherein the support is a single sheet having a pair of spaced apertures.