Patent Application
20190297939
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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to recreational pipe smoking systems. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a pipe smoking apparatus and method of use that replaces the use of a thin wire mesh screen and provides for the more efficient combustion and manipulation of the smoking material in a smoking pipe bowl while reducing or eliminating clogging from combustion byproducts.
For centuries, people have enjoyed smoking tobacco and tobacco-like substances. And during this time, the pipe been the preferred choice for smoking because of its relative ease of manufacture and general durability.
Today's pipes may be made from a wide variety of materials ranging from wood to stone to tossed or molded ceramics to metal to glass. Furthermore, smoking pipes can range from very simple one-piece machine-made models to highly prized hand-made artisanal implements made by renowned pipe makers, which are often very expensive collector's items.
A typical smoking pipe comprises a bowl, a chamber, a draft hole, a shank, a joint, a stem, and a bit or mouthpiece. A typical pipe is mainly comprised of the bowl and the stem. The bowl is a cup-like outer shell, which is usually hand-held while packing, holding and smoking a pipe. Inside the bowl is a chamber which holds the smokable material. When drawn or inhaled by a user, the general stem delivers the smoke from the bowl to the user's mouth. At the bottom of the chamber is draft hole made as a passage for smoke flow where air has travelled and mixed through the combustible mixture in the chamber. The draft hole passes from the bowl, through the shank and stem. At the end of the shank, a simple joint connection such as a mortise and tenon may connect the shank to the stem. A typical pipe stem tapers down to the mouthpiece or bit which is held in a smoker's mouth. Other pipes may simply have a one-piece bowl, shank and stem assembly.
In a water pipe or hookah, the bowl is sometimes connected to the housing by a stem for introducing smoke into a fluid chamber where the smoke passes through water or flavored liquids where the smoke is filtered and cooled. In such a pipe, a screen is typically placed in the bottom of the bowl before the stem. A mouthpiece then communicates with the fluid chamber for drawing smoke from the burning bowl through the fluid chamber. Such mouthpieces may take the form of hoses or may simply be attached to the water chamber as an extension. Such pipes may have a purge valve in which the user generally covers an opening with his or her finger while drawing air through the bowl and combustion chamber. When a user removes his or her finger, air flow through the bowl is significantly reduced while air travels through the fluid chamber so as to clear smoke from the chamber. Various adaptations of this type of pipe have been implemented throughout the years, with a recent resurgence of demand for hookah-type pipes.
In most of today's smoking pipe systems, the bowl's chamber is separated from the draft hole by a metal screen. The metal screen serves to prevent clogging and to prevent burning material from entering a smoker's mouth, throat and lungs. Metal screens have been used extensively but have presented numerous problems with their use. Screens may become clogged after repeated use. Screens restrict airflow leading to inefficient combustion. Screens are made of various metal alloys, some of which may be emit and slough off potentially toxic substances when heated and manipulated. Finally, traditional pipe screens may not stay in place in certain pipe bowls as a result of the bowl being made of materials having a low coefficient of sliding friction, such materials largely being glass or glazed ceramics.
Various types of tobacco and tobacco-like products may be smoked in today's pipes. Tobacco and tobacco-like substances produce tars and resins when smoked, which may accumulate and clog a pipe's draft hole, stem and mouthpiece. Certain tobaccos and tobacco-like materials may be finer and more resinous than other materials and may be mixed with more coarse tobacco or tobacco-like substances. Other tobacco products may be mixed with molasses, glycerol and flavoring to form Mu'assel or Shisha. Other tobacco or tobacco-like substances may be mixed with or smoked in conjunction with resinous concentrates of those substances. Certain concentrates may be smoked by placing on, or surrounding with, a piece of slow-burning, smokable paper and heated. Such tobaccos, concentrates and tobacco products are far more likely to clog a pipe bowl and draft hole. In many instances, a loaded pipe bowl must be stirred so as to prevent clogging and to facilitate efficient combustion of the tobacco or tobacco-like sub stance.
Presently, there exists a need for a more versatile pipe smoking system which prevents burning material from passing through the draft hole, while preventing clogging and allowing for optimal airflow. Furthermore, there exists a need for a system which will not emit and slough off potentially dangerous particles into a user's mouth, throat and lungs. Finally, there exists a need for a pipe screen replacement which remains in place in pipes made of materials having low coefficients of sliding friction.
The present invention introduces a new technology, which overcomes the problems of pipe clogging, inefficient combustion, the sloughing off of potentially harmful particles from pipe screens, and poorly fitting screens which cannot be held in place. In addition, the present invention allows for the more efficient manipulation of smokable material when being used. Finally, the present invention may be used as a cleaning and scraping apparatus.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for smoking tobacco, tobacco-like substances and/or concentrates of tobacco and tobacco-like substances in a in a pipe, waterpipe or hookah comprising a bowl, a chamber, a draft hole, a stem, and a bit or mouthpiece, the apparatus consisting of a malleable metal wire having a linear proximal end wherein the proximal end is connected to an insulating handle, a linear distal end wherein the distal end is configured to be inserted into the draft hole of a pipe bowl, and a plurality of helical coil windings, the plurality of helical coil windings between and connecting the linear proximal end to the linear distal end configured to create a chamber which may be surrounded by tobacco or a tobacco-like substance with gas passages into the said chamber formed from the said helical coil windings. The helical coil windings create a chamber inside the helical coil with smoke passages created from the space between the coiled wire and the cylindrical aperture inside the helical coil which allows smoke to pass relatively unobstructed from the chamber into the draft hole and into the pipe stem. At the proximal end of the apparatus is an ornamental yet insulating handle where the user may manipulate the apparatus in varying ways so as to stir the contents of the bowl, loosen the contents of the bowl, and to clean the pipe when finished.
Use of the pipe smoking apparatus involves inserting the distal end of the pipe smoking apparatus into the draft hole of a pipe bowl; loading tobacco, tobacco-like substance and/or concentrates so as to surround the helical coil windings; applying a heat source to the tobacco or tobacco-like substance; applying a partial vacuum to the pipe bowl by inhaling or drawing on a pipe; and manipulating the tobacco or tobacco-like substance by manipulating the handle so as to stir and/or lift the contents of a pipe bowl and to clean the pipe when finished.
The pipe smoking apparatus and method is readily implementable across a wide variety of existing pipe smoking systems such as, but not limited to, traditional smoking pipes, water pipes, hookahs, and specialty glass and ceramic pipes where traditional screens generally do not remain in place. Use of the pipe smoking apparatus generally involves surrounding
The invention directed by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be understood that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes all equivalents known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described. But any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein should also be understood to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.
References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include particular features, structures, or characteristics. However, not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment although they may. A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.
“Concentrates” are products made from certain smokable plants that have been processed to keep only the most desirable plant compounds, while removing excess plant material and other impurities such as the stems and seeds. Concentrates may be mixed with smokable material to increase the potency of the material being smoked or they may be used to add or enhance the flavor. Alternatively, concentrates may be smoked as a separate material. Concentrates may assume differing forms ranging from a loose, yet resinous dust to semi-solid wax-like compounds to liquids having the consistency of oils.
As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation of a pipe smoking apparatus and method of use. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art.
The exemplary pipe smoking apparatus and method will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Because pipe screens are made of metal and metal alloys, pipe screens are often difficult to mold to the shape of a pipe bowl. Many times, screens must be carefully folded and manipulated so as to create a proper fit inside a typical pipe bowl. Furthermore, numerous pipe bowls are made of materials having a low coefficient of sliding friction. As such, pipe screens often slide out of the bowl or slide clear of the draft hole making use of the pipe difficult and potentially hazardous.
The pipe smoking apparatus 206 comprises a malleable metal wire having a linear proximal end 210, a linear distal end 212 and a plurality of helical coil shaped windings 214 situated between the and connecting the linear proximal end to the linear distal end with a chamber 216 formed from the shaped windings. In other words, the chamber is the space inside the shaped windings. The chamber 216 is represented by dashed lines. Gas passages into the chamber 216 are created by the coil windings having a space between the said windings. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that there are numerous means of making such windings from metal wire. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a helical coil configuration is employed where three windings are used. However, a number greater or less than three coils may be used depending largely on the type of smoking pipe is used and the shape of the coils. The metal wire may be made from a number of metals or metal alloys such as, but not limited to, iron, steel, stainless steel, silver, silver alloys, copper or copper alloys. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the malleable metal wire's thickness is 20 AWG (American Wire Gauge). However, the malleable metal wire's thickness may vary and may be bent or shaped into a number of configurations to suit a user's needs. The pipe smoking apparatus allows for efficient air passage through the smoking material, the coil windings and into the chamber 216 and ultimately into the draft hole 218.
The pipe smoking apparatus further comprises an insulating handle 220 attached to the proximal end. It will be apparent to persons having skill in the art that the insulating handle may be attached by adhesives, or it may be welded, or it may be attached by threading the proximal end 210 through the insulating handle 220. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the insulating handle is made of glass. However, numerous other materials such as, but not limited to, ceramic, gemstone, stone, wood or crystal may be used. In some embodiments of the invention, the insulating handle may take on the shape of a sphere or an icosahedron or other polyhedron. The insulating handle may serve as a thermal insulator so as to protect the user's hand and fingers when operating. In alternative embodiments, the handle may be a flat shape. In certain embodiments of the invention, the distal end 222 of the pipe smoking apparatus may be a flat or blunted shape. In other embodiments of the invention, the distal end 222 may take on a triangular, blade shape. In even more embodiments of the invention, the distal end 222 may take on a pointed shape. The distal end of the wire may also be cut by the user to accommodate various pipe bowls and pipe stem lengths.
The pipe smoking apparatus is depicted as resting at a slight angle in
Alternative embodiments contemplated as within the scope of the present invention are variations of the number of wire coils. Furthermore, the shape of the coils need not be limited to a purely helical and cylindrical shape. Alternative shapes for the coil could be spherical, frustoconical or truncated in nature.
The helical coil windings create smoke passages from the coils as well as the aperture in the coil itself which allows smoke to pass from the chamber into the draft hole and into the pipe stem. Concentrates of tobacco and tobacco-like products may be applied directly to the coils and the distal end of the apparatus then inserted into the draft hole so as to slide the apparatus in place. Heat or an open flame is then applied to the material, while the user draws or inhales the combusting smoke. The user may manipulate the tobacco-like substance by manipulating the insulating handle when desired. The pipe smoking apparatus may be gently lifted by the insulating to provide a purge valve from pipes with larger smoke chambers such as hookahs and waterpipes. The pipe smoking apparatus may optionally be used as a pipe cleaning tool should the need arise.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the exemplary pipe smoking apparatus and method, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing the pipe smoking apparatus and method according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the pipe smoking apparatus and method may vary depending upon the particular context or application.
By way of example, and not limitation, the pipe smoking apparatus and method described in the foregoing patent application is principally directed towards a standard tobacco pipe. However, similar techniques may instead be applied to water pipes or hookahs or specialty glass and ceramic pipes, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.
Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not others, persons skilled in the art will understand that this is for convenience. Each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively, and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims to be added at a later date.
All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Any amendment presented during the prosecution of the application for this patent is not a disclaimer of any claim element presented in the description or claims to be filed. Persons skilled in the art cannot reasonably be expected to draft a claim that would literally encompass each and every equivalent.
The present continuation-in-part patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. nonprovisional application for patent Ser. No. 15/940,136 titled “Pipe Smoking Apparatus and Method” filed on Mar. 29, 2018 under 35 U.S.C. 120. The contents of this related application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15940136 | Mar 2018 | US |
| Child | 16415127 | US |
