The overall field of this invention is a system and method for an apparatus for the inhalation of combustible and vaporizable substances such as tobacco, medicinal herbs, and/or oils. More particularly, the invention is directed to an apparatus by which the smoke or vapor from combusted or vaporized substances may be drawn through water or other liquid and rapidly cooled down by passing through insulated housing containing a cooled substance before being inhaled.
Water pipes, hookahs, and other devices used to smoke or vaporize organic materials such as tobacco, medicinal herbs, and/or oils have been used in the Middle East for centuries. Commonly, a water pipe includes a bowl or other reservoir where the organic materials being inhaled are ignited or heated beyond the evaporation point, a water chamber for storing the water, and a mouthpiece so that the smoke or vapor is percolated through the water thus being filtered and cooled. Water pipes are predominately used because they provide a far healthier method of inhalation then the common cigar, cigarettes, or other forms of rolled up tobacco that can irritate a user's air passageways, resulting in severe coughing and hurting the user's throat. This is because the water pipe filters the smoke or vapor through the water so that it does not reach as a high as a combustion level as it would inside of a cigar. Since the substances in the water pipe burn less harshly the water pipe provides a more palatable experience for the user.
To further assist in contributing to a smoother experience for the user, many water pipes are equipped with ice catchers to hold one or more ice cubes to further diminish the heat from the smoke or vapor. This method does have some benefits but may also be dangerous for the user with hot smoke or vapor flowing from the ice cubes creating water vapor collecting in the user's lungs, leading to severe bronchitis and other lung related issues. Thus, there still exists a need for a water pipe or other apparatus that offers an efficient way to rapidly cool down the smoke or vapor.
Embodiments in the present description are directed to a water pipe including, a base container, the base container having a wall, the wall terminating at an opening, the wall having an inner and outer surface, the wall integrally formed with a bottom, a base insert, the base insert having a wall, the wall having an inner and outer surface, the wall terminating at an opening, the wall integrally formed with a bottom, the base insert configured to hold water, the outer surface of the base insert having a diameter less than the diameter of the inner surface of the base to define a space, a cooling solution positioned within the space between the outer surface of the base insert and the inner surface of the base, a top assembly securable to the base insert, the top assembly configured to cover the opening of the base insert, the top assembly having a downstem, the downstem hollow with an opening at an upper distal end and lower distal end, the downstem configured to extend downward into the base insert when top assembly is secured to base insert.
It is an object of the present description to provide method of inhaling from a water pipe, including the steps of, providing a water pipe: the water pipe having a cylindrical base, the base having a wall, the wall terminating at an opening, the wall having an inner and outer surface, the wall integrally formed with a bottom, a base insert, the base insert having a wall, the wall having an inner and outer surface, the wall terminating at an opening, the wall integrally formed with a bottom, the outer surface of the base insert having a diameter less than the diameter of the inner surface of the base to define a space, a cooling solution positioned within the space between the outer surface of the base insert and the inner surface of the base, the cooling solution absorbing heat from smoke or vapor within the base insert when said cooling solution is cooled, a top assembly securing to the base insert, the top assembly covering the opening of the base insert, the top assembly having a downstem, the downstem hollow with an opening at an upper distal end and lower distal end, the downstem extending downward into the base insert when top assembly is secured to base insert, the top assembly having a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece accepting the mouth of a user, filling the base insert with water wherein the lower distal end of the downstem is submerged in water and the upper distal end is exposed to ambient air, and applying suction at the mouthpiece to draw air through the downstem to percolate through the water in the base insert and out through the mouthpiece.
The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:
In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
“Exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described in this document as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.
Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate like elements. As used herein, the term “coupled” or “coupling” may indicate a connection. The connection may be a direct or an indirect connection between one or more items. Further, the term “set” as used herein may denote one or more of any item, so a “set of items,” may indicate the presence of only one item, or may indicate more items. Thus, the term “set” may be equivalent to “one or more” as used herein.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments described herein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
The present disclosure recognizes the unsolved need for a portable water pipe or other type of apparatus that offers an efficient way to rapidly cool down the smoke or vapor produced from ignited or vaporized organic materials (e.g. such as tobacco, medicinal herbs, or oils) associated with the water pipe or other apparatus. In particular, a water pipe as described in one or more embodiments herein may be described as a “chilling water pipe” capable of chilling the smoke or vapor that one may use around or in association with the water pipe.
A water pipe, in one or more embodiments of the present description, may include, without limitation, several components, such as a base container, a base insert, and a top assembly. Further, cooling solution (which is further described below) may be separately poured and stored within the empty space between the outer wall of the base insert and the inner wall of the base container as shown in one or more Figures herein. Initially, the base insert and the base container of the water pipe may be placed in a freezer or other cooling source capable of cooling down the cooling solution. In one or more embodiments, the material of the water pipe prevents thermal shock that glass water pipes often have problems with, as well as makes the water pipe easier to grasp after removing the water pipe from the freezer. The cooling solution remains in a viscous, liquid state and does not freeze at low temperatures like water, such that when the base insert is filled with water and the top assembly is placed or attached to the base insert, the cooling solution acts as a refrigerant to more effectively cool the smoke or vapor being percolated through the chilled water. More details will be provided for the various embodiments in the present description in accordance with the accompanying Figures.
As shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, before base insert 112 is positioned within base container 114, a cooling solution, such as cooling solution 118, as shown in
Cooling solution 118 may be a refrigerant or other substance having a higher thermal capacity than frozen water so that cooling solution 118 takes longer to warm up and absorbs more heat for extended amounts of time. Cooling solution 118 may be, without limitation, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polymer, a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water, silica coated with vinyl, or other thermoplastic materials and gels known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Cooling solution 118 is typically non-toxic and biodegradable.
In one embodiment, when base insert 112 is positioned inside of base container 114, a small air space may remain because cooling solution is not filled all the way to the top of base container 114 after cooling solution 118 is poured in to allow for expansion of cooling solution 118 while moving from a fluid to a solid state.
In one embodiment, once cooling solution 118 is poured into its designated empty space between the outer wall 152 and inner wall 154 of base container 114, it may be necessary to affix base insert 112 to base container 114. To affix base insert 112 to base container 114, in one exemplary embodiment, flange 130 of base insert 112 may be spin welded to a designated inner area of base container 114, such as without limitation, the area associated with inner edge 140 of base container 114. Base insert 112 and base container 114 may be affixable together by adhesives (e.g. either permanent or non-permanent adhesives) or any other means of attachment may be used (e.g. Velcro). In some embodiments Base insert 112 and base container 114 may be connected by heat generated by rotational friction at the joint line to weld flange and edge together or may connected by using adhesive or bonding agent. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other means of affixation and/or attachment via permanent or removeable means may be used such as ultrasonic welding, supersonic welding, hot plate welding, linear welding, infrared welding, or laser welding. Alternatively, the base insert 112 may be removably attachable to the base container 114 using any type of fasteners known in the art, including, but not limited to, screws, clips, buckles, nuts and bolts, latches, hinges, or any other type of fasteners.
As seen in
A resilient rubber or other stretchable elastomeric sealing ring such as ring 124 (e.g. as shown in
As shown in
Further, downstem 120 may further include a percolator, such as percolator 122, at the second end of downstem 120 to provide more air and water to diffuse and cool any smoke or vapor that passes through percolator 122. Percolator 122 may be configured to draw in the air, smoke, or vapor into the water as the user inhales combustible or vaporizable substances, which causes percolation. As the water is percolated the smoke or vapor is filtered.
Downstem 120 may have a joint such as joint 116 at the first end of downstem 120. Joint 116 may have an end that tapers away from, such that joint 116 has a larger diameter at its top surface in order to better conform to a size of a bowl or other apparatus such as bowl 170 (e.g. as shown in
In one embodiment, downstem 120 extends downward into the empty inner chamber of base insert 112 when top assembly 110 is positioned over base insert 112. Downstem 120 may be of a sufficient length to extend downward into the empty inner chamber of base insert 112. In one embodiment, water may be poured into the empty inner chamber 166 of base insert 112, to a level high enough in base insert 112 such that the opening of the second end of downstem 120 may extend down and be submerged in the water poured into base insert 112.
With respect to mouthpiece 118, mouthpiece 118 may have an open end that is configured to act as an exit for smoke or vapor to move out from. Mouthpiece 118 is configured to be pressed against the mouth of the user, whereby the user may inhale any smoke or vapor from mouthpiece 118.
In one exemplary method of use, cooling solution 118 is poured into the empty space between outer wall 152 and inner wall 154 of base container 114. Base insert 112 may be inserted into base container 114. In one embodiment, to affix base insert 112 to base container 114, base insert 112 may be bonded to base container 114. The combination of the affixed base insert 112 to base container 114 may be referred to herein as “the bottom assembly”. The bottom assembly may then be placed in a freezer or other cooling source for a predetermined amount of time to cool cooling solution 118. Once cooling solution 118 has been adequately cooled, a user may remove bottom assembly from the freezer or other cooling source.
Subsequently, water may be poured into base insert 112 through the opening at the top of base insert 112. Top assembly 110 is then placed back onto the top of base insert 112, sealing the water inside. Bowl 170 is then placed onto a top end of downstem 120. Tobacco, medicinal herbs, and/or oils as selected by a user are then placed in bowl 170 and ignited and/or vaporized. When vaporizing a substance such as oil, bowl 170 connected to joint 116 is first heated and then the substance is then added to heated bowl 170 allowing it to vaporize.
User then places their mouth on mouthpiece 118 and inhales, thereby creating a vacuum. Smoke or vapor is drawn down from the ignited or vaporized organic material in the bowl, through downstem 120 (including through percolator 122) and is bubbled through the water located within base insert 112. Because base insert 112 is located within base container 114, the water in base insert 112 is cooled down by the recently chilled cooling solution 118 that exists between the empty space of the inner and outer wall of base container 114. Accordingly, any smoke or vapor that is drawn through or percolated through the water is also cooled. Another benefit is that contaminants from the smoke or vapor may also be removed by this process while also being further cooled. As the user continues to inhale by mouth which is positioned over the open end of mouthpiece 118, the smoke or vapor is eventually drawn up through the bore of the mouthpiece 118 to be inhaled by the user who applies suction to the mouthpiece 118 thereby drawing up the smoke or vapor.
User then may ignite or vaporize additional organic material such as tobacco, medicinal herbs, and/or oil, stored or placed in bowl 170 as long as they desire or until the organic material expires. One end of the combustible or vaporizable, organic material is exposed to ambient air as it is located on the first end of the downstem 120, while the smoke and vapor is able to be drawn through the bore of the downstem 120, through percolator 122, and through the water in base insert 112 before the chilled smoke or vapor travels up through the hollow tube of mouthpiece 118. It is noted that because the cooling solution 118 is chilled prior to the burning process commencing (e.g. by placing the bottom assembly in the freezer or other cooling source), any water located in base insert 112 is also able to be chilled, which helps to chill the smoke or vapor traveling through the water.
User may place more organic material in bowl 170 if they so wish. Once user is finished using water pipe 100, user may then remove top assembly 110 from base insert 112 and pour out any water located within base insert 112's inner chamber. User may then clean water pipe 100 by hand washing or other methods known by those skilled in the art, replace top assembly 110 onto base insert 112 and store for subsequent use.
The one or more embodiments described above provide for a portable, chilling water pipe that may be useful to chill the smoke or vapor that a user may want to inhale from organic, combustible and/or vaporizable materials. The overall process provides a relatively quick way for the user to chill any such smoke or vapor, which if not chilled, may cause burns or other damage to a user. Another advantage of the one or more embodiments described herein is that some unwanted contaminants may be removed via the exemplary process described above. Those of ordinary skill in the art can image that other benefits and applications may be also stem from the one or more embodiments provided in the present description.
The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications suited to the use contemplated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the above claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/509,039, filed on May 19, 2017. The content of the above application is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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20180332891 A1 | Nov 2018 | US |
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62509039 | May 2017 | US |