The following information is provided to assist the reader in understanding technologies disclosed below and the environment in which such technologies may typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the technologies or the background thereof. The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference.
Water pipes have been known for millennia as a tool in smoking various materials or substances such as dried plant materials (for example, tobacco, cannabis, herbs, etc.). Simple water pipes are sometimes referred to as bongs. A representative example of a simple bong is illustrated schematically in
Referring to
Often, bongs are shared between a plurality of people to smoke the contents of the bowl. Sharing a bong, however, presents a significant risk of spread of disease (via bacteria, viruses, etc.) as each user places his or her mouth on the mouthpiece when using the bong. With the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a renewed focus upon stopping the spread of disease. In the use of bonus, some users will attempt to wipe the mouthpiece of a bona between switching users, but this may not be effective in significantly reducing risk of disease spread. Use of cleaning solutions for cleaning/disinfection may also introduce harmful or distasteful substances to the mouthpiece.
It is desirable to develop devices, systems and/or methods to facilitate the use of simple waterpipes such as bongs by multiple users.
The present devices, systems, and methods, along with the attributes and attendant advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In one aspect, a device for use in connection with a water pipe or bong, which includes a (rigid) tube and an opening in connection with the tube via which a user may draw smoke from the bong into the user's mouth, includes a body including a first section configured to form a removable, sealed connection with the opening. The first section includes at least one port to place the first section in fluid connection with the bona. The device further includes a second section connected to the first section and a plurality of extending rigid tubes. A first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is configured to be placed in fluid connection with the second section to be placed in fluid connection with the at least one port. A second end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes includes an opening via which a user may draw smoke from the bong into the user's mouth.
In a number of embodiments, the second section includes a chamber therein which is in fluid connection with the at least one port of the first section, and the first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is in fluid connection with the chamber.
In a number of embodiments, the first section includes a plurality of ports, and the first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is configured to be placed in fluid connection with one of the plurality of ports. In a number of embodiments, one or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is removably connectible to the second section. Each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes may, for example, be removably connectible to the second section.
In a number of embodiments, the first section is configured to form a sealed connection with bongs of varying size. In a number of embodiments, the first section includes a plurality of sealing flanges of differing diameter, wherein the sealing flanges increase in diameter from a lower end of the first section to an upper end of the first section (in the orientation when connected to a bong).
The body may, for example, include glass, a polymeric material, or silicone. In a number of embodiments, the body comprises silicone. In a number of embodiments, each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes comprises a polymeric material. One or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes may, for example, include a tortuous path between the second end and the first end thereof. In a number of embodiments, one or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes includes a filter between the second end and the first end thereof.
In a number of embodiments, the device includes at least two extending rigid tubes. In a number of embodiments, the device includes at least three extending rigid tubes.
In another aspect, a water pipe includes a tube and a port section formed on the end of the tube. The port section includes one or more ports in fluid connection with the tube to which an extending rigid tube can be removably attached. A first end of the extending rigid tube is configured to be placed in fluid connection with the tube via one of the one or more ports. A second end of the extending rigid tube includes an opening via which a user may draw smoke from the water pipe into the user's mouth.
The port section, in a number of embodiments, includes a plurality of ports. Each of the plurality of ports is configured so that one of a plurality of extending rigid tubes can be removably attached thereto. A first end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is configured to be removably attached to one of the plurality of ports to thereby be placed in fluid connection with the tube of the water pipe. A second end of each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes includes an opening via which a user may draw smoke from the water pipe into their mouth.
In another aspect, a device for use in connection with a water pipe or bong includes a body including a first section configured to form a removable, sealed connection with a tube of the bong. The first section includes a port, and a second section connected to the first section. The second section includes a chamber therein which is in fluid connection with the port of the first section. The device fluffier includes a plurality of extending tubes extending from the second section. A first end of each of the plurality of extending tubes is in fluid connection with the chamber, and a second end of each of the plurality of extending tubes includes an opening via which a user may draw smoke from the bona into their mouth when the device is connected to the bong. In a number of embodiments, the extending tubes are extending rigid tubes.
In a number of embodiments, the device includes at least two extending rigid tubes. In a number of other embodiments, the device includes at least three extending rigid tubes. One or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes may be removably connectible to the second section.
The first section may, for example, be configured to form a sealed connection with bongs of varying size. The first section may be generally conical or frustoconical in shape. In a number of embodiments, the first section includes a plurality of sealing flanges of differing diameter wherein the sealing flanges increase in diameter from a lower end of the first section to an upper end of the first section. The body may, for example, be formed from a material such as class, a polymeric material, or silicone. In a number of embodiments, the body is formed from silicone.
In a number of embodiments, each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes is formed from silicone. One or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes may, for example, include a tortuous path between the second end and the first end thereof. One or more of the plurality of extending rigid tubes may, for example, include a filter between the second end and the first end thereof.
In another aspect, a system includes a water pipe and a device as described herein.
In a further aspect, a method of using a water pipe includes attaching the device as described herein to the water pipe.
In still a further aspect, a water pipe or bong includes a (rigid) tube, a port section formed on the end of the tube including a chamber (or a plurality of chambers or volumes) in fluid connection with the tube and one or more ports to which an extending rigid tube can be removably attached. A first end of the extending rigid tube is configured to be placed in fluid connection with the chamber via one of the one or more ports, and a second end includes an opening via which a user may draw smoke from the water pipe into their mouth. In a number of embodiments, the port section includes a plurality of ports. Each of the plurality of ports is configured so that one of a plurality of extending tubes can be removably attached thereto. A first end of each of the plurality of extending tubes is configured to be removably attached to one of the plurality of ports to thereby be placed in fluid connection with the chamber. A second end of each of the plurality of extending tubes includes an opening via which a user may draw smoke from the water pipe into their mouth when the extending tube is connected to the port section.
It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described representative embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the representative embodiments, as illustrated in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely illustrative of representative embodiments.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation.
As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an extending rigid tube” includes a plurality of such extending rigid tubes and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth, and reference to “the extending rigid tube” is a reference to one or more such extending rigid tubes and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each separate value, as well as intermediate ranges, are incorporated into the specification as if individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contraindicated by the text.
A plurality of user interfaces which include extending tubes or extending air tubes 60 are in operative connection with and extend from second section 50. One or more of extending tubes 60 may be rigid extending tubes. As used herein, the term “rigid” refers to a material or component that does not deform significantly under forces experienced in normal use. For example, in a number of embodiments hereof, rigid extending tubes hereof deform less than 10% or less than 5% under a load of 2 pounds force. Each of extending rigid tubes 60 is in fluid connection with chamber 52 at a first end thereof and with a mouthpiece 62 on a second end thereof. In a number of embodiments, each of extending rigid tubes 60 hereof are formed to be rigid (that is, not significantly deformable under loads experienced in normal use thereof).
Each of the plurality of extending rigid tubes 60 may be permanently attached to second section 50. Alternatively, one or more of extending rigid tubes 60 may be made to be removably connectible to second section 50.
Using removably connectible extending rigid tubes 60a in connection with body 40a enables sharing of a bowl by more individuals than the number of ports 54a, 54a′ provided on second section 50a without multiple individuals having to share a single extending rigid tube 60a/mouthpiece 62a. In that regard, each individual may be provided with their own extending rigid tube 60a. Such extending rigid tubes 60a may be personalized for an individual (for example, in tube form, mouthpiece 62a type, tube length, color, etc.). To assist in reducing or eliminating the risk of cross-contamination, a circuitous or tortuous path (for example, formed by a baffle system 64a) may be provided in the interior of extending rigid tubes 60a to reduce or prevent a user's saliva and/or germs from reaching/contaminating port 54a, 54b. One or more surfaces of extending rigid tubes 60a (for example, surfaces of baffle system 64a) may include an antibacterial and/or antiviral composition thereon. Further, a filter 66a may also be provided in extending rigid tubes 60a positioned between the point of contact with port 54a, 54a′ and mouthpiece 62a as illustrated in
In a number of embodiments in which one or more of extending rigid tubes 60a are removably connectible to second section 50a, body 30a need not be removable from water pipe/bong 100. In that regard, body 30a of device 10a and water pipe/bong 100 may be formed such that body 30a is permanently or un-removably attached to water pipe/bong 100. A first section such as first section 40a may not be required in such embodiments, and the second section may, for example, be formed integrally or monolithically with water pipe/bong 100.
Device 10, 10a facilitates use of a single water pipe or bong (the opening of which may be of varied diameter) by multiple people. Device 10, 10a can provide a novel, sanitary smoking experience at a relatively low cost. Users can explore different setups and even games with multiple users. Device 10, 10a may, for example, be used in connection with a special, larger bowl for higher volume, multiple-person hits. Multiple individuals can take a hit contemporaneously, thereby increasing the enjoyment and social nature of the activity. Device 10, 10a also allows people of varying experience levels to smoke together, taking a contemporaneous hit. Inexperienced users often inhale much less smoke/air than experience users. Each user can inhale as much smoke/air as desired during a contemporaneous hit.
By providing each user with a personal mouthpiece, device 10, 10a can significantly limit or eliminate the spread of germs (for example, common cold, flu, COVID, etc.). Device 10, 10a also reduces the amount of preparation time required for any smoking session including multiple users. In the case of an embodiment of device 10 hereof including two extending rigid tubes 60, 60a and connected mouthpieces 62, 62a, and 8-person group would need only 4 bowls. When smoking in a large group, the length of time it takes to pack and smoke a large number of bowls can be significant.
In some cases, use of materials such as silicone may cause smoke to taste harsh, particularly if not cleaned often. In a number of embodiments of the devices hereof, those components which come into contact with smoke (for example, the inner walls of extending rigid tubes 60, the inner wall of chamber 52, and the inner wall of the channel connecting chamber 52 and port 44 of device 10) may be lined with, for example, glass or polycarbonate (PC) to improve the experience of the user.
Rigid extending tubes 60, 60a here are less likely to cause breakage than flexible tubes often used in connection with hookah water pipes for smoking shisha. Rigid extending tubes 60, 60a hereof provide a suitable sealed connection to the remainder of device 10, 10a and are less likely to cause “knocking over” accidents than extending flexible tubing.
In the embodiment of device 10b, each of ports 54b, 54b′ is in fluid connection with a unique and different port 44b, 44b′ of first section 40b, respectively, via a separate chamber, volume or conduit of flow path 58b, 58b′ as illustrated, for example, in
In a number of embodiments, extending rigid tubes 60a were formed from a polymeric material such as a clear (transparent or translucent) polycarbonate. Mouthpieces 62b hereof were, in a number of embodiments, over-molded on the polycarbonate tube from a material such as silicone (for example, a food-safe, silicone). In a number of embodiments, a base portion 32 (see,
As illustrated in the embodiment of bong system 5c of
The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth a number of representative embodiments at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope hereof, which is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/327,857, filed Apr. 6, 2022 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/411,217, filed Sep. 29, 2022, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63327857 | Apr 2022 | US | |
63411217 | Sep 2022 | US |