RAPID FLAME EXTINGUISHING PIPE CAP

Abstract

A flame extinguishing cap for a bowl of a smoking pipe, equipped with a rounded body which exhibits a pointed bottom. The cap is configured to rest atop and/or within the bowl of a pipe. A handle disposed on a top of the body facilitates easy placement and retrieval of the cap to and from the bowl of the pipe. The rounded body and pointed bottom help to ensure that the cap displaces a maximal amount of oxygen present within the bowl, helping to ensure that the flame and embers are rapidly extinguished. Rapidly cooling the contents of the bowl ensures the safety of the user, prolongs the lifespan of wooden pipes, and facilitates reignition of the contents of the bowl for later use, saving the user money.

Description

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of flame suppression, and more specifically relates to a flame retardant cap configured to rapidly extinguish burning embers or flames and to quickly cool ash within a smoking pipe, functioning as a smoking accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Smoking via a pipe is an intentional process by which a dried herb, spice, or other dried plant is packed into a bowl of the pipe and gently lit via a flame source such as a butane lighter, match, or wicked lighter, prior to, and during inhalation. Depending on the size of the bowl of the pipe, the dried plant continues to burn between puffs. This is useful during a prolonged smoking session, and when the user wishes to continue smoking the pipe. However, if the smoker does not wish to continue smoking, and the dried leaf within the bowl has not self-extinguished, it can be difficult to exterminate the burning leaf and embers.

Traditionally, the solution is to “tap out” the bowl, thereby removing the burning contents from the bowl. This is especially critical in pipes composed of wood, as if they are left to burn without actively smoking the pipe, damage to the pipe may occur. However, tapping out the bowl, such as into an ashtray or to the floor, renders the remaining contents of the bowl unusable. If there were a way in which the bowl could be extinguished without tapping out the bowl and removing its contents, money could be saved.

Occasionally, one may attempt to extinguish the contents of a pipe bowl by pressing an item into the bowl, thereby compacting the contents of the bowl. While this can work, the remaining contents of the bowl are more densely packed, and the method by which the embers are extinguished is poor as oxygen is still present to facilitate a continuation of the burn. Furthermore, a smoker may believe that the bowl is extinguished when, in fact, it is not, which can be dangerous. If there were an object that could be used to facilitate removal of oxygen present in the bowl, users would be confident that the flame is out, and any remaining usable contents of the bowl could be used at a later time.

Thus, there is a need for a flame extinguishing pipe cap which is configured to be placed over and/or within the bowl of the pipe to facilitate a rapid snuffing out of any and all flame and burning ember within the bowl, and to displace oxygen within the bowl to prevent a continuation of the burn. Such an apparatus is preferably composed of an insulated material exhibiting low heat conductivity. Further, such an apparatus is preferably equipped with a handle to make the device easy and safe to use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a flame extinguishing pipe cap configured to facilitate the rapid extinguishing of a flame and/or burning embers from a smoking pipe. The present invention is equipped with a rounded, top-shaped body which exhibits a pointed bottom, mimicking the internal shape of a bowl of a conventional smoking pipe. A top of the apparatus is equipped with a handle.

The following brief and detailed descriptions of the drawings are provided to explain possible embodiments of the present invention but are not provided to limit the scope of the present invention as expressed herein this summary section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a view of the apparatus of the present invention as seen from a first side.

FIG. 1B depicts a view of the apparatus of the present invention as seen from a second side.

FIG. 2 exhibits a flow chart detailing the process of use of the apparatus of the present invention by a pipe smoker or user.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternate embodiment of the present invention, detailing a flat-bottomed embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s).

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The present invention is a flame suppression and extinguishing apparatus configured for use on and with a smoking pipe. The present invention is equipped with a body (10) which is generally circular, similar in size and shape to conventional bowls of smoking pipes. The body (10) is equipped with a perimeter (20) circumscribing the lateral axis of the apparatus at a top (30). The top (30) is equipped with a handle (40) which facilitates manual manipulation of the apparatus such that it may be safely placed atop a burning pipe bowl and/or retrieved from the bowl easily by a user.

A bottom (50) of the body (10) approaches a point (60) which is preferably rounded, similar to that of a spinning toy top as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The bottom (50) is preferably crafted of a flame retardant material which exhibits low conductivity of heat, helping to ensure that the handle (40) remains cool to the touch even after prolonged use.

Some embodiments of the present invention may be composed completely out of food grade silicone, which exhibits excellent insulation and low conductivity. Other embodiments may be fashioned of a steel or aluminum core with silicone coated exterior, adding weight to the body (10) of the apparatus to ensure that the apparatus remains within and on the bowl during use, and helping to accelerate flame suppression. Other materials may be used in accordance with current material cost. In some alternate embodiments of the present invention, the body (10) may be composed completely of a metal, such as aluminum, which has been treated with a flame resistant or flame retardant coating or paint.

The process of use of the apparatus of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 2, is preferably as follows:

• • 1. A bowl of a smoking pipe is filled with a smoking substance such as tobacco, marijuana, cloves, or similar dried leaf, referenced as contents. (100)
  • 2. The bowl is lit with a lighter and the smoking substance is smoked by the user via inhalation. (110)
  • 3. The user wishing to discontinue smoking without finishing the contents of the bowl, leaving a portion of the contents still lit. (120)
  • 4. The user grasping the handle of the apparatus and placing the body of the apparatus into and over the bowl of the pipe, inserting the pointed bottom into the bowl. (130)
  • 5. The apparatus snuffing-out and/or extinguishing the remaining contents of the bowl by displacing oxygen within the bowl and placing slight pressure on the remaining contents. (140)
  • 6. Smoldering and smoking of the remaining contents of the bowl ceasing. (150)
  • 7. The user removing the apparatus from the bowl of the pipe. (160)
  • 8. The user cleaning the apparatus as desired with a cloth. (170)

Further, in some alternate embodiments of the present invention, the bottom (50) of the body (10) is generally flat, as depicted in FIG. 3. Such an embodiment may be preferable to some users, as the preferred embodiment, equipped with a point (60), is prone to collecting ashes, or having the smoking material inadvertently adhere to the bottom (50), especially in instances in which the smoking material is sticky. The flat bottom (50) derives from a slope (70) which extends from the perimeter (20) of the body (10). It should be noted that the handle (40) may be any three-dimensional shape, including, but not limited to: leaves, a pipe, a pin, a cigar, a butterfly, or any conventional geometric shapes.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A flame suppression apparatus for a smoking device comprising: a body, said body having a perimeter that is uniform with said body;a handle, said handle disposed on a top of said body;wherein said handle extends vertically from said top of said body; andwherein said body and said handle are composed of silicone.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: A bottom, said bottom tapering down to a rounded point from said perimeter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: A bottom, said bottom being predominantly planar, level with said top of said body.