TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is concerned with a mouthpiece for a smoking article. Hereinafter in the specification and claims the term smoking article is used in its broad sense and includes smoking articles of any type, size and shape, including without limitation, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, smoking pipes, hookahs, smoking bong, etc.

BACKGROUND

In spite the fact that the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced , according to some estimates, there are about one billion smokers in the world, and some estimate that almost 20% of the world's population smoke cigarettes, with about 6.5 trillion cigarettes sold around the world each year, which translates to roughly 18 billion cigarettes per day.

Many types of cigarette holders are available on the market, serving as a fashion accessory, mostly in the form of a slender tube in which a cigarette is held for smoking. Cigarette holders were considered an essential part of ladies' fashion from the early 1910s. Also, some cigarette holders are configured with a filtration arrangement for trapping some of the nicotine.

It is believed that smoking is one of the reasons for severe lip and mouth wrinkles (often referred to as 'smoker's lines' , 'smoker's wrinkles' or 'cigarette creases'), caused by the repeated pursing, i.e. restricting the orbicular muscle wrapping around the mouth and lips.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure there is provided a mouthpiece for a smoking article, the mouthpiece comprising a smoking article articulation end and a mouthpiece end with a flow path extending therebetween, and wherein the mouthpiece end comprises a lip portion configured for occupying a major space between lips of an individual. The disclosure is directed to a mouthpiece for a smoking article, the mouthpiece comprising a body portion configured with a smoking article articulation portion and a mouthpiece portion, with a flow path extending therebetween; said smoking article articulation portion comprises a smoking article holder articulable with a mouth portion of a smoking article, and said mouthpiece portion is configured with a lip portion, wherein the lip portion is significantly greater than the smoking article holder.

The term mouth portion as used herein the specification and claims refers to a portion of a smoking article which in regular use of the smoking article is placed between user's lips for manipulating/smoking the smoking article, such as a cigarette bud (with or without a filter), a mouthpiece of any smoking article, etc.

The arrangement is such that the lip portion is configured for occupying a major space extending between lips of an individual, whereby, in use, a major portion of the lips of the individual are supported over the lip portion (rather than over the mouth portion of the smoking article) and are prevented from pursing, i.e. constricting over the smoking article (such that the lips substantially do not deform when accommodation the lip portion, namely the lips do not close around the relatively small diameter smoking article).

The shape and size of the lip portion is configured so as to fit into a moderately open mouth, however without pursing lips, i.e. at a natural state of the lips.

According to a particular configuration of the disclosure the lip portion has a complimentary shape of the lips of a mouth of an adult or adolescent individual, at a slightly open sate, however with lips not pursed.

Any one or more of the following features, design and configurations can be applied in a mouthpiece according to the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof:

• A section area of the lip portion is significantly greater than a section area of the smoking article holder;

• An inside diameter of the smoking article holder is significantly smaller than a diameter of a minimal circle inscribing the lip portion;

• The lip portion can be configured with a generally flat shape, with rounded edges; the lip portion can be oval;

• The flat shape of the lip portion can be configured with narrowing side edges; • The flat shape of the lip portion can be configured with one or more axially extending groove at each side edge, imparting side portions of the lip portion pliability;

• A one or both lip surfaces of the lip portion can be configured with an axially extending groove, conforming with a lip tubercle shape (cupid bow);

• The smoking article holder can be configured as a tubular member, configured for being received within a mouth portion of the smoking article or for receiving a mouth portion of the smoking article;

• The smoking article holder can be configured with a tapering cross section, rendering it suitable for articulation with different sizes of a mouth portion of smoking articles;

• The smoking article holder can be configured with a stepped cross section, (i.e. configured with two or more distinct radii), rendering it suitable for articulation with different sizes of a mouth portion of smoking articles;

• The smoking article holder and the lip portion can extend coaxially along a longitudinal axis of the mouthpiece;

• A stopper portion can be configured within a tubular portion of the smoking article holder, for restricting axial insertion of a mouth portion of a smoking article there into;

• The smoking article holder when configured as a tubular member, can constitute a finger grip/holder for the mouthpiece;

• The mouthpiece can be made of a homogenous material, or it can be made of several different materials; for example, the lip portion can be made of a resilient martial and the body portion can be made of a hard material;

• The mouthpiece can be made of hard material;

• The mouthpiece can be made of elastomeric/resilient material;

• The mouthpiece can be made of natural material such as wood;

• The mouthpiece can be made of disposable/biodegradable material;

• The mouthpiece can be washable;

• The mouthpiece can be made of translucent material; • The mouthpiece can be configured with personalized sensational parameters, such as appearance, shape, color, smell, taste; texturizing, hardness, etc.;

• A surface portion of the mouthpiece can be configured with adverting;

• The mouthpiece can be configured with one or more air channels extending from a surface of the body to the flow path;

• The mouthpiece can be fitted with a filtration unit;

• The filtration unit can be integral with or integrated with the mouthpiece;

• The filtration unit can be fitted at either or both the smoking article articulation portion and the mouthpiece portion;

• The filtration unit can be replaceable;

• The smoking article holder can be a tubular support extending from an end of the body;

• The length of the tubular support can suffice for gripping between the fingers of an individual, at a smoking position;

• The length of the tubular support can customized by trimming;

• The mouthpiece can be fitted with a flavoring agent disposed along the flow path, whereby inhaling results in intake of a flavored smoking sensation; the flavoring agent can be disposed within a replaceable cartridge;

• At least the lip portion of the body of the mouthpiece, can be made of a heat insolating material, thereby reducing heat transferred to the lips of the user while dragging;

• The section area and shape of the flow path can be so as to maintain a smooth drag therethrough, without increasing the force required for a drag from the smoking article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the mouthpiece according to the disclosure, from a proximal end;

Fig. IB is a perspective view of the mouthpiece of Fig. 1 A, from a distal end;

Fig. 1C is a section along line 1C - 1C in Fig. 1A;

Fig. ID is a section along line ID - ID in Fig. 1A

Fig. 2A is a top planar view of the mouthpiece of Fig. ID;

Fig. 2B is a side planar view of the mouthpiece of Fig. 1C;

Fig. 3A is a proximal perspective view of the mouthpiece according to the disclosure, fitted with a cigarette;

Fig. 3B is distal perspective view of Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3C is a section along line 3C - 3C in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 3D is a section along line 3D - 3D in Fig. 3A;

Fig. 4A illustrates a face portion of an individual and a mouthpiece fitted with a cigarette;

Fig. 4B is a side view illustrating an individual using the mouthpiece;

Fig. 4C is a front view of a mouth holding a mouthpiece fitted with a cigarette;

Figs. 5A to 5D are sectioned views of a mouthpiece according to the disclosure, illustrating different embodiments and variations thereof, wherein;

Fig. 5A is a top planar sectioned view illustrating a smoking article holder configured with a tapering cross section;

Fig. 5B is a perspective sectioned view illustrating a smoking article holder configured with a stepped cross section, and with an extended smoking article holder;

Fig. 5C is a sectioned side view, illustrating a mouthpiece fitted with a filtration unit;

Fig. 5D is a sectioned side view, illustrating a mouthpiece configured with air channels;

Figs. 6A to 6C illustrate examples of different smoking articles used in conjunction with a mouthpiece according to the disclosure, wherein:

Fig. 6A illustrates a hookah fitted with a mouthpiece according to the disclosure; Fig. 6B illustrates a smoking pipe fitted with a mouthpiece according to the disclosure; and

Fig. 6C illustrates a bong fitted with a mouthpiece according to the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to Figs. 1 and 2, illustrating a mouthpiece according to an example of the present disclosure, generally designated 20.

The mouthpiece 20 is made of a resilient material, such as silicone rubber, and comprises a body portion 22 with a smoking article articulation portion 24 at a distal side, and mouthpiece portion 26 at an opposite, proximal side. Whilst the mouthpiece of the present example is made of resilient, elastomeric material, it is appreciated that the mouthpiece can be made of any other material, such as, wood, metal, polymeric material, ceramics, etc. Even more so, the mouthpiece 20 can be made of combination of materials, e.g. it can be made of a hard material with over-molding of resilient material over at least a portion thereof, such as the mouthpiece portion 26.

At least the lip portion of the body of the mouthpiece, can be made of a heat insolating material, thereby reducing heat transferred to the lips of the user while smoking.

The smoking article articulation portion 24 is configured with a smoking article holder 28, in the form of a tubular extension, having an inside diameter Di corresponding with the diameter D _s of a smoking article, namely cigarette 32 (illustrated in Figs. 3A to 3D) and thus articulable with a mouth portion of cigarette 32, such as an end 34, e.g. a filter end, as will be discussed herein after in greater detail. The tubular extension 28 has an outer diameter Do (Do > Di).

The mouthpiece portion 26 has a lip portion 40 which is a flat portion of the body 22, having two identical faces and configured with a central groove 42 (corresponding with the lip tubercle shape 45 (Fig. 4C). The shape and size of lip portion 40 conforms with the shape and size of the space 47 (Fig. 4A) between the superior, upper lip 49 _u and the inferior, bottom lip 49b of a slightly open mouth of an adult individual, at a natural, non-pursing position. The side portions of lip portion 40 are slightly narrower and thinner and terminate at a longitudinal side crease 46, imparting the side portions increased resilience, for reducing pressure from the oral commissures of the user and a pleasant feel. It is however appreciated that the lip portion 40 can be devoid of said side creases 46 and said central groove 42.

It is well noted that the inside diameter Di of the smoking article holder (as well as the outside diameter Do ) is significantly smaller than a diameter Dmax of a minimal circle inscribing the lip portion (Di « Dmax). A flow path 54 extends along a longitudinal axis X of the mouthpiece 20, between the distal end (namely from smoking article holder 28) and the proximal end (namely from mouthpiece portion 26), with a somewhat flattened outlet opening 56 at the distal wall portion 58 of mouthpiece portion 26. Notably, the mouthpiece 20 is symmetric about the longitudinal axis X. The section area and the shape of the flow path can be so as to maintain a smooth drag therethrough, without increasing the force required for a drag from the smoking article.

It is noted that the shape and size of lip portion 40 is configured so as to fit into a moderately open mouth of an individual, however without pursing lips, i.e. at a natural state of the lips. However, the mouthpiece 20 can be configured at different sizes (e.g. Large, Regular and Small, so as to suit physiological parameters of different individuals.

Reverting as can be seen, best in Fig. 2B, the flow path 54 somewhat narrows towards the distal end thereof, at an imaginary line 62. Accordingly, insertion of a cigarette 32 into the tubular smoking article holder 28 is restricted, as the mouth portion (filter side tip) reaches said narrowing portion. However, the narrowing is gradual, whereby the mouth portion of a cigarette is fitted into said narrowed portion to a small extent, for gripping same, with substantially only little pressure, if any.

With additional reference made to Figs. 3A to 3D of the drawings, an example is illustrated wherein a smoking article, namely cigarette 32 is used in conjunction with a mouthpiece 20, according to an example of the disclosure, wherein a mouth portion of cigarette 32 (namely filter end 34) is introduced into the tubular smoking article holder 28, extending into the flow path 54 within body portion 22, whereby it is gripped by very moderate pressure/friction (against inside wall surfaces of the device), so as to prevent spontaneous detaching of the cigarette 32 from the mouthpiece 20.

In use, as illustrated in Figs. 4A to 4C, the individual grips the mouthpiece 20 (e.g. at the outside surface of tubular smoking article holder 28 (or over a portion of the cigarette), just like regular gripping of a cigarette, or otherwise at the body potion 22, and when smoking the lip portion 40 is placed between the lips of the individual at a slightly open mouth position, at a natural, non-pursed position. As seen in Fig. 4C, the mouthpiece occupies a major portion of the space 47 (between the superior, upper lip 49 _u and the inferior, bottom lip 49b), thereby preventing the individual from pursing lips during smoking, thus eliminating or reducing the formation of smoking-related creases, and however, without interfering with the smoking sensation. Turning now to Figs. 5A to D there are examples of additional embodiments and modifications of the mouthpiece according to the disclosure, however all following the principal design features of the disclosure.

The mouthpiece generally designated 70 illustrated in Fig. 5A has an external appearance identical with that disclosed in connection with the previous illustrations, in particular as far as the shape and size if the mouthpiece portion 71. However, mouthpiece 70 is configured with a flow path 72 having a tapering cross-section along the longitudinal axis X. The tubular smoking article holder 74 is configured with an end inside diameter Du (corresponding with the diameter D _s of a standard cigarette) and narrowing in the proximal direction, so as to fit the diameter of a slim/slender cigarette, to a minimal diameter Di2, whereby the unitary mouthpiece 70 can be used to accommodate different sizes of a mouth portion of a smoking article.

In Fig. 5B there is illustrated yet an example of a mouthpiece generally designated 80, having an external appearance identical with that disclosed in connection with the previous illustrations, in particular as far as the shape and size if the mouthpiece portion 82. In this example the smoking article holder is an elongate tubular portion 84 (i.e. longer than tubular portion 28 of the previous examples), such that in use the mouthpiece 80 is gripped over said elongate tubular portion 84.

The length of the elongate tubular portion 84 can be trimmed according to individual preferences and according to an embodiment of the disclosure, an external surface of the elongate tubular portion 84 can be configured with length trimming indicia (not shown).

In addition, the flow path 88 of the mouthpiece 80 is configured with an annular shoulder ('step') 90, facilitating as a stopper to prevent excessive insertion of a smoking article (not shown) into the flow path 88.

In Fig. 5C there is illustrated yet an example of a mouthpiece generally designated 100, having an external appearance identical with that disclosed in connection with the previous illustrations, in particular as far as the shape and size if the mouthpiece portion 102. In this example the smoking article holder is a tubular portion 104, slightly longer than tubular portion 28 disclosed above (Figs. 1 to 3), and further wherein the flow path 106 is configured at a proximal portion thereof with an stopper shoulder 108. The extended space of the flow path 106 facilitates introducing one or more capsule 110 such as filter element, a flavor (taste/smell) inducing element, medicament or treating capsule, etc., wherein the shoulder 108 prevents further displacement of the element 110 in the proximal direction.

The example of Fig. 5D illustrates another example of a mouthpiece generally designated 120, having an external appearance identical with that disclosed in connection with the previous illustrations, in particular as far as the shape and size if the mouthpiece portion 122, however wherein several air channels 124 extend from an outside surface 126 of the body portion into the flow path 128, wherein each drag through the mouthpiece 120 results in less cigarette burn, as more ambient air is inhaled. According to a modification of this example, different agents can be introduced into such channels such as flavor agents, medicament/treating agents, etc. (e.g. placed in suitable cartridges - not shown).

Turning now to Figs. 6A to 6C, there are illustrated different examples of using a mouthpiece according to the disclosure, in conjunction with different smoking articles.

In Fig. 6A a mouthpiece 130, of the type disclosed herein above in accordance with any of the examples, is fitted over a mouthpiece 132 of a hose 134 of a hookah 136.

In Fig. 6B a mouthpiece 140, of the type disclosed herein above in accordance with any of the examples, is fitted over a bit 142 of a stem 144 of a smoking pipe 146. It is thus appreciated that a distal portion of the smoking article holder can be configured with a non-circular section, so as to fit over different shapes of a mouth portion of various smoking articles (e.g. flat, as in the case of a bit of a smoking pipe).

Whilst in previous examples illustrated herein, the smoking article is introduced into the tubular smoking article holder, Fig. 6C illustrates a mouthpiece 150 articulated with a smoking bong 152 wherein the smoking article holder 156 a somewhat elongate tubular portion introduced into a mouthpiece end 158 of the smoking tube 160. The tubular portion of the smoking article holder 156 can be flexible and it can be fitted with annular sealing ribs for press fit against inside wall surface of the smoking tube 160.

It is appreciated that the mouthpiece can be configured with personalized sensational parameters, such as appearance, shape, color, smell, taste; texturizing, hardness, etc. in addition a surface portion of the mouthpiece can be configured with adverting surface.