Bottle Stopper

Abstract

A stopper apparatus comprising a flat upper portion having a centrally-located circular indention facing upward, an activation element having a circular, planer disc loosely engaging the circular indention, a vertically-oriented panel, and a male-threaded stem descending on a vertical axis of the disc, a reinforced circular lower horizontal panel having a centrally-located internally-threaded post extending vertically from the lower horizontal panel and engaging the internally-threaded post, and a bladder of rubberlike material disposed between the lower horizontal panel and the flat, reinforced upper portion, the bladder having a central passage through which the stem and post pass, and an internal cavity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the technical area of closures for openings in bottles and jars.

2. Description of Related Art

Bottle caps and closures are very well known in the art, and many commercial versions are available. There is, however, a use of such closures that has an issue that has not, to the inventor's knowledge, been adequately addressed.

In use of apparatus broadly known as water pipes, and often referred to as bongs, tobacco and other herbs may be ignited, and the smoke may be drawn by a user through a downstem from a side opening, to a position under water in a lower reservoir of the water pipe, where the smoke is drawn up through the water and then to an upper opening, to the user's mouth, to be inhaled.

It is well known that the smoke, filtering through the water, may leave considerable residue in the water, which may become quite oily and malodorous. After use, unless the openings into the water pipe are adequately closed, if the water pipe is accidentally overturned, damage to carpets and furniture, for example, may be considerable.

There are, as stated above, several sorts of stoppers commercially available for opening in water pipes and other apparatus, such as tapered rubber stoppers, but openings in water pipes vary considerably in diameter, and the user must be careful to obtain closures that fit the diameters of the water pipe, and if two or more may be used, typically a separate stopper may be needed for every opening in every water pipe.

What is clearly needed is a stopper apparatus that is easily variable in diameter, and that may stopper an opening with enough outward pressure to be surely leak proof. Such a stopper may be used on water pipe openings of different diameters.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention a stopper apparatus for a water pipe is provided, comprising a substantially flat, reinforced upper portion of a diameter substantially the outer diameter of a cylindrical smoke chamber of the water pipe, the upper portion having a centrally-located circular indention facing upward, an activation element having a circular, planer disc loosely engaging the circular indention in the upper portion, a vertically-oriented panel located across a diameter of the disc, and a male-threaded stem descending below on a vertical axis of the disc, a reinforced circular lower horizontal panel having a centrally-located internally-threaded post extending vertically from the lower horizontal panel, the male-threaded stem engaging the internally-threaded post, and a bladder of rubberlike material disposed between the lower horizontal panel and the flat, reinforced upper portion, the bladder having a an outer diameter and a central passage through which the stem and post pass, and an internal cavity. Rotating the activation element further engages the stem with the post, decreasing the separation of the lower panel and the flat upper portion, compressing the bladder and increasing the outer diameter of the bladder to a diameter that causes bladder contact with an inner wall of the cylindrical smoke chamber.

In one embodiment the bladder is joined by adhesive or heat sealing to the flat upper portion and to the lower panel. Also, in one embodiment the bladder is a separate object having a donut outer shape, and an inner cavity also in donut shape, having substantially thin outer walls. In one embodiment the internal cavity of the bladder is filled with air at a predetermined pressure. In one embodiment the bladder is filled with liquid. And in one embodiment the bladder is filled with a compressible foam material.

In one embodiment the donut-shaped bladder is filled with a liquid. In another with water. and in a third with a compressible foam material.

In one embodiment the internal thread in the post extends through the lower panel. In one embodiment the apparatus further comprises a loop of cord or ribbon joined by a clip to the vertically-oriented panel of the activation element, the loop of cord or ribbon enabling suspension of the stopper apparatus from a portion of the water pipe when the stopper apparatus is not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a water pipe that may be stoppered in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial section of an upper smoke chamber of the water pipe of FIG. 1, illustrating a stopper apparatus in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the stopper apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows the stopper apparatus of FIG. 3 with the bladder compressed.

FIG. 5 illustrates the activation element in one embodiment in perspective view.

FIG. 6 illustrates a stopper apparatus in an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 6 with the bladder compressed.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment with a hinged panel.

FIG. 9 illustrates a turnkey panel in an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a base unit 101 of a water pipe that may be stoppered when not in use in an embodiment of the present invention. Water pipe 101 has a lower reservoir 102, normally holding a quantity of water, a cylindrical upper portion 103 having a smooth lip at the uppermost extremity, which is the interface through which a user draws smoke in use, and a second cylindrical portion 105 to one side, penetrating bowl 102 at a down angle.

Upper lip 104 may take several forms, as a mouthpiece, and in some instances a separate mouthpiece may be interfaced to the upper lip. Portion 105 also has a circular opening 106 at an upper end, typically of a smaller diameter than that of portion 103. Several parts of the water pipe are not shown in FIG. 1, such as a downstem that fits into portion 105 and provides a stem to a point below water level, through which, in use, smoke may pass to pass through the water before being drawn up portion 103. Also not shown is a bowl that fits into portion 105, in which herbs may be ignited to provide the smoke. The inventor believes FIG. 1 is adequate for enabling descriptions of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of upper lip 104 and part of portion 103 of base unit 101 of FIG. 1, within which a stopper 201 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been placed. The upper lip and portion of the base unit shown are shown in section to better illustrate stopper 201 in FIG. 2.

Stopper 201 has a flat upper portion 202, and a lower sealing portion 203. An activation element 204 described in enabling detail below has a panel 207 that extends above flat portion 202, and has, in this example, a clip 205 engaging a ribbon 206. Ribbon 206 is not essential to the invention, but may be useful in some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 2, but with stopper 201 sectioned as well, to show internal elements. Flat upper portion 202 is a rubber molding with a rigid inner panel 301 that provides strength and rigidity. A circular recess 306 provides guidance for a circular portion of activation element 204, which has an externally threaded stem 302, and upper, vertical panel 207. A molded bladder 304 has internal volumes 305 that may in some circumstances be filled with air, in others a liquid, and in others a closed-cell foam rubber material. Bladder 304 has a reinforced substantially flat bottom 203, the reinforcement includes a rigid panel 303 which may be metal, such as aluminum, which also has a vertically-extending, internally threaded post 307 that engages externally-threaded stem 302. Air or liquid, such as water, in bladder 304 may be injected at higher or less than atmospheric pressure, to influence operation of the bladder in use.

Bladder 304 is, in this example, joined by adhesive or by heat sealing to element 303, and also to underside of upper portion 202. Engagement of threaded stem 302 to threaded post 307 enables adjustment of the apparatus by turning activation element 204. As a user turns element 204 clockwise stem 302 further engages post 307, and the height of bladder 304 is forced to a lesser dimension, which causes bladder 304 to expand outwardly toward the inner wall of cylindrical upper portion 103 of the water pipe.

FIG. 4 is another elevation view of the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3, after element 204 has been turned to an extent that bladder 304 is expanded and has engaged the inner wall of cylindrical upper portion 103. As the height of the inner apparatus is forced to a lesser dimension, bladder 304 is squeezed and expands outward, making a seal with the inner wall of the cylindrical upper portion of the water pipe. It will be apparent that the extent of expansion is substantial, so that a single stopper apparatus may be useful for a rather wide range of diameters of cylinders. In some case a single stopper apparatus may be useful for both the upper opening and the side opening of a water pipe, although, of course, both openings cannot be stoppered by a single apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of stopper 201, illustrating more clearly the nature of activation element 204. There is a circular portion 401 that engages circular recess 306. There is in addition a vertical panel 402 which a user may grasp with thumb and opposing fingers to turn the activation element to engage or disengage threaded stem with threaded post 307.

FIG. 6 is section view, similar to that of FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which a separate bladder donut 601 performs the function of bladder 304 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Donut 601 may be filled with air or a liquid, such as water, or with a closed-cell foam, just as described for bladder 304. It may be seen that in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 6 the internally threaded post may be different than in FIG. 3. In FIG. 6 the internal thread may extend all the way through the post. Donuts of different sizes, diameters and wall thickness may be used in different embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 6 with the stem sufficiently engaged with the post that donut 601 is compressed and flattened, forming a seal with the inner wall of cylindrical portion 103 of the water pipe.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment with a hinged panel. In the embodiment of FIG. 8 element 801 represents the upper assembly analogous to previous versions described. An activation element 802 has an upper horizontal planar portion 803 that includes two hinge elements 804 to which a panel 805 is assembled, such that panel 805 may be folded down parallel with planar portion 803, or may be raised to enable turning the threaded stem. In this version it is necessary that ribbon 206 be located elsewhere on the assembly than to panel 805, such as where shown. But could be located elsewhere as well.

The semicircular shape of panels 204 or 805 is not limiting in the invention. This panel could take other shapes as well. FIG. 9, for example, illustrates a panel 901 that is shaped more like a turnkey in the art. Many other shapes, such as square and rectangular, for example, are possible as well. In some embodiments the panel that a user holds and turns to expand the bladder(s) may be removable and may insert to the activation element like a key, for example.

A significant advantage of stoppers according to embodiments of the present invention is that these stoppers may be used for a wide variety of diameters of openings in water pipes and other apparatus, without any deviation in the actual structure of the stopper. One may adjust the compression of the bladder in these stoppers to be very close to the diameter of an opening meant to be sealed. The stopper may then be slipped into the opening, and a quarter to a half turn of the activation apparatus will thoroughly seal the opening.

In various embodiments of the invention a user may use the ribbon or cord 206 to encircle the cylindrical portion 103 when the water pipe is in active use, keeping the stopper with the water pipe or easy access when needed. A second stopper may be suspended by ribbon 206 around side cylinder 105. The two stoppers kept with the water pipe may be sized and tested for the particular dimensions of the water pipe.

The skilled artisan will understand that the embodiments and design of elemental pieces are all exemplary and may be accomplished in different ways within the scope of the invention. The scope is limited only by the claims below.

Claims

1. A stopper apparatus for a water pipe, comprising: a substantially flat, reinforced upper portion of a diameter substantially the outer diameter of a cylindrical smoke chamber of the water pipe, the upper portion having a centrally-located circular indention facing upward;an activation element having a circular, planer disc loosely engaging the circular indention in the upper portion, a vertically-oriented panel located across a diameter of the disc, and a male-threaded stem descending below on a vertical axis of the disc;a reinforced circular lower horizontal panel having a centrally-located internally-threaded post extending vertically from the lower horizontal panel, the male-threaded stem engaging the internally-threaded post; anda bladder of rubberlike material disposed between the lower horizontal panel and the flat, reinforced upper portion, the bladder having an outer diameter and a central passage through which the stem and post pass, and an internal cavity;wherein rotating the activation element further engages the stem with the post, decreasing the separation of the lower panel and the flat upper portion, compressing the bladder and increasing the outer diameter of the bladder to a diameter that causes bladder contact with an inner wall of the cylindrical smoke chamber.

2. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bladder is joined by adhesive or heat sealing to the flat upper portion and to the lower panel.

3. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bladder is a separate object having a donut outer shape, and an inner cavity also in donut shape, having substantially thin outer walls.

4. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal cavity of the bladder is filled with air at a predetermined pressure.

5. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bladder is filled with a liquid.

6. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bladder is filled with a foam material.

7. The stopper apparatus of claim 3 wherein the internal cavity of the bladder is filled with air at a predetermined pressure.

8. The stopper apparatus of claim 3 wherein the bladder is filled with a liquid.

9. The stopper apparatus of claim 3 wherein the bladder is filled with a foam material

10. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 wherein the internal thread in the post extends through the lower panel.

11. The stopper apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a loop of cord or ribbon joined by a clip to the vertically-oriented panel of the activation element, the loop of cord or ribbon enabling suspension of the stopper apparatus from a portion of the water pipe when the stopper apparatus is not in use.