Patent Application
20200154763
The present specification relates generally to pipes, and specifically to screens for the bowls of smoking pipes.
Smoking pipes are routinely used to smoke a variety of fuels. Such fuels are often dried plant matter, such as tobacco or cannabis, but other fuels may also be used. Often, smoking pipes are used recreationally or for medical purposes.
Smoking pipes generally include a body or housing, the body or housing defining a bowl and a draw passage, the draw passage extending from a lower portion of the bowl to a mouthpiece. The bowl is provided to receive fuel and to contain the fuel while the fuel is burned, while a user of the smoking pipe draws air in through the bowl, into the draw passage, and out through the mouthpiece by drawing on the mouthpiece.
Many users use a screen with a smoking pipe. Screens may be used to impede the movement of fuel into the draw passage. Screens may be used to impede the movement of fuel into a chamber or opening in the bottom of the bowl, such as to improve the burning of the fuel. However, many screens impede air flow or break down when exposed to repeated heating.
In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a screen for a smoking pipe bowl, the screen comprising a wire coil forming at least one ring, the wire coil defining an upper side and a lower side, the wire coil configured to be received in the smoking pipe bowl to support a quantity of fuel on the upper side, the wire coil configured to permit fluid flow therethrough between rings of the wire coil.
In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a screen for a smoking pipe bowl, the method comprising receiving a wire; designating a crook point on the wire between a base portion and a coilable fuel support portion, the base portion being shorter than the coilable fuel support portion; bending the wire at the crook point to form an angle between the base portion and the coilable fuel support portion; and coiling the fuel support portion around the crook point to form a coiled fuel support platform having at least one ring, the coiled fuel support platform defining a fuel support plane and the base portion defining a base axis, the base axis forming an acute or right angle with the fuel support plane.
The principles of the invention may better be understood with reference to the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of an exemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles and aspects of the present invention, and in which:
The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, of particular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in order more clearly to depict certain features of the invention.
An aspect of this description relates to a screen, such as for the bowl of a smoking pipe. An aspect of this description relates to a robust and resilient screen formed of a heavy wire, a first portion of the heavy wire coiled to form a support platform for fuel and a second portion of the heavy wire bent out of a plane defined by the support platform, the second portion of the heavy wire provided as a stabilizer to stabilize the support platform when the support platform is used in a pipe bowl.
An example of a smoking pipe is depicted in
Many users of smoking pipes choose to use a screen, such as a screen within the bowl of the smoking pipe. The screen may be used for a variety of reasons, such as to impede the movement of fuel material into the draw passage, to define an open chamber at the bottom of the bowl beneath a charge of fuel, and to elevate a charge of fuel to keep it away from any moisture which moves down the draw passage from the mouthpiece.
Such screens may be expected to come into contact with flames, embers, or burning material. As a result, many screens formed of a fine mesh, such as a brass wire mesh, steel wire mesh or plastic mesh, can be expected to wear out over time as the heat degrades the mesh material. To form a more durable screen a heavy wire is used in embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, a steel wire is used. In some embodiments, a stainless steel wire is used. In some embodiments, an 18 or 20-gauge wire is used. In some embodiments, a narrower or wider diameter of wire may be suitable, depending on the type of fuel or size of pipe bowl. For example, a thinner wire may be more cost effective, visually appealing or allow for better functionality.
An embodiment of a screen for a smoking pipe bowl is depicted in
Fuel support portion 2200 is the portion of wire 2100 between first end point 2110 and crook point 2130. Fuel support portion 2200 is a continuous coiled portion of wire 2100 forming four rings; first ring 2212, second ring 2214, third ring 2216, and fourth ring 2218. As may be seen particularly in
Base portion 2300 is the portion of wire 2100 between crook point 2130 and second end point 2120. As may be seen particularly in
Forming a screen, such as screen 2000, involves selecting a wire, bending the wire at a crook point between a base portion and a fuel support portion, and coiling the fuel support around the crook point to form one or more rings.
In some embodiments, a wire may be bent and coiled into a screen using a pair of standard plyers and a pair of needle-nosed pliers; the wire may be bent to form a base or tail, the wire may then be coiled tightly to form a fuel support portion or platform.
Fuel support portion 2200 of screen 2000 forms a circular platform with a diameter of approximately 16.5 mm. Screen 2000 is approximately 15 mm from the bottom of base portion 2300 to the top of the fuel support platform.
For example, wire 3000 of
As may be seen in
While five rings are shown in
As shown in
While a right angle between a base axis and a fuel support portion may be preferred, some embodiments may have an acute angle. As shown in
As shown in
While other embodiments may use other wire thicknesses, 18-gauge wire has been found to provide a practical balance between durability and functionality; a thinner wire would be less durable, and a thicker wire would decrease airflow. However, in some embodiments a thicker or thinner wire is used.
In some embodiments, a wire is coiled to provide a spacing of approximately 1 mm between rings. Some embodiments may use larger or smaller spacing between rings, but 1 mm spacing has been found to provide a practical balance between air flow and containment; containing ashes while providing ample air flow. Some embodiments may use variable spacing between rings, however maintaining a consistent spacing has been found to contribute to even fuel burn.
Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail. Since changes in and or additions to the above-described best mode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of the invention, the invention is not to be limited to those details but only by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62768232 | Nov 2018 | US |
