CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of cigarette filters and more specifically to helical shaped filter made of biodegradable material Cigarette type devices have been in use for many years as a means to smoke botanical materials such as tobacco or cannabis.

Cannabis has been made legal in many states recently. Therefore, the opportunity to sell a cannabis-based cigarette is now legally feasible. Cigarette filters are traditionally made of cellulose acetate, which is a plastic and not biodegradable. Therefore, the filters take many years to decompose and present an environmental problem. Additionally, traditional cigarette filters require a relatively hard draw, which may not be conducive to the smoking of cannabis type material These two issues create a deficiency in the prior technology

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a helical shaped filter for a cigarette shaped smoking device that is biodegradable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a biodegradable helical shaped filter that impedes the release of shredded botanical material yet allows the flow of smoke and air.

Another object of the invention is to provide a biodegradable helical shaped filter that causes the inhaled smoke and air to take longer to reach the mouth of the user thereby allowing time for the smoke and air to become cooler.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a helical shaped filter made of biodegradable material comprising: a helical shaped member made of biodegradable material, said helical shape having an S shaped cross section, said biodegradable capable of withstanding temperatures as high as one hundred and eighty degrees Fahrenheit, said helical shaped member being fitted into the end portion of a cigarette containing shredded botanical material, said helical shaped member having a wall thickness of approximately fifty thousandths of an inch, said helical shaped member having an overall length of approximately three quarters of an inch to one and one quarter of an inch, and said helical shaped member having an overall diameter of approximately three hundred thousandths of an inch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the invention in place inside a paper cigarette housing

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the filter about to be installed in the paper housing.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view of the filter of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the biodegradable helical shaped filter of the present invention 2. The end view 22 is an S shape. The filter is made by extruding liquid infused ground flour such as wheat, beet, rice, corn, lentil, or quinoa into an S shape 22 and then twisting it so that it is helical in nature. The resulting shape is baked until the liquid is driven out creating a rigid helical filter member 2. The number of twists 4 is approximately three or four. The resulting shape allows air to pass through the helical enclosure as formed by the outer sheath of cigarette paper 6 as shown in the section view in FIG. 2. Although the preferred embodiment uses ground flour, other biodegradable materials may be used, such as hemp, corn, or sugar-based plastic.

FIG. 2 shows dimension line 10 of the filter 2 which is approximately three quarters of an inch to one and one quarter of an inch long. The dimension line 8 shows the diameter of the filter 2 which is approximately three hundred thousandths of an inch in diameter. Shredded botanical material 30 is contained within the paper housing 6. The smoke from the combusted material 30 travels through helical filter 2 and therefore takes longer than if drawn through a traditional cellulose acetate filter.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of filter 2 about to be inserted into paper enclosure 6. During actual construction, the filter 2 is already in place within the paper filter 6 in its flat state, and then the paper is rolled around the filter 2 which traps it in place. The paper enclosure 6 is then filled with shredded botanical material

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view of filter 2. The wall thickness 12 of the helical filter is approximately fifty thousandths of an inch thick.

The resulting filter 2 is totally biodegradable and is also FDA approved to be in close proximity to a user's mouth.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment 3 of the invention where the ends of the S shape in filter 2 are continued to form two circles 32, 34 creating more of a figure eight shape as shown in filter 3. The resulting twisted shape of filter 3 is more consistent with the definition of a double helix.

The filter 2 or 3 may be amended with additional materials for both flavoring and for added particulate capture. These include but are not limited to activated coco carbon, beet flour, rice flour, corn flour, quina flour, lentil, or bean flower.

Additionally, the biodegradable material used in conjunction with the present invention including a finely chopped paper version, cardboard version or an extruded clay version. These materials would be worked with in a similar way where they are formed in a moist format and then heated to dive out liquid to form a rigid filter product.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.