Abstract:
The present invention relates to an improved water pipe comprising a chamber containing water in its lower portion, its upper compact cylindrical portion serving as a smoke collection reservoir; a bowl for combusting tobacco or medicinal herbs, the smoke directed through a tube to the water chamber below the water; and a mouth piece for applying suction to the interior of the chamber to inhale the smoke.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application claims under 35 U.S.C. §120, to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/594,302 filed on Jan. 12, 2015. The present application is based on and claims priority from this application, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    In general, the invention relates to an improved apparatus for filtration of particulates and solvable from the smoke or vapor created in a water pipe. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,875 provides a vented pot-like vessel to contain water and provide a smoke chamber above the water, the smoke chamber being provided with finger controllable vents for the use of the user in diluting the smoke. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,499 illustrates a device with sedimentation chambers housed in the lower part of a tube. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,639 documents the use of single fritted disc filter. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    This invention prevents or substantially alleviates the aforesaid disadvantages of the prior art devices by providing a water pipe designed with compact space for the efficient filtering of the vapors before being inhaled by a user. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved device for tobacco or medicinal herbs. Another object of the invention is to provide a controlled reservoir of gaseous effluent from combustion or vapor that is to be inhaled. A further object of the invention is to provide a water pipe whereby a volume of selectively controlled smoke may be inhaled without dilution or variation thereof during the inhalation. Another important object of the invention is to provide a water pipe which is designed to filter/scrub the gaseous vapors with a fritted glass filter before the user inhales the vapors. 
         [0008]    A further object of the invention is to provide for the subsequent cooling of the smoke prior to inhalation. 
         [0009]    Another further object of the invention is to provide a generally cylindrical water pipe of a size and extension readily accommodated by a user. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide an inbuilt water containing chamber for sedimentation and cooling of the smoke before the smoke enters a smoke inhalation pathway. 
         [0011]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a transparent smoke chamber and transparent smoke and air transportation tubes and passages, typically made of clear transparent glass. 
         [0012]    A further object of the invention is to provide a water pipe or bong which may be economically constructed of readily available components and materials. 
         [0013]    These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a water pipe apparatus. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a closeup view of a water pipe apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a water pipe apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a water pipe apparatus. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a water pipe apparatus. 
       
    
    
     LIST OF SELECTED REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
       [0019]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 100//300/400/500 
                 Water pipe 
               
               
                   
                 200 
                 Closeup view 
               
               
                   
                 110/510 
                 Primary tubular wall 
               
               
                   
                 111/511 
                 Compact Smoke Chamber 
               
               
                   
                 120/520 
                 Base 
               
               
                   
                 130/530 
                 Secondary Cylindrical tubular wall 
               
               
                   
                 135/535 
                 Flat surface 
               
               
                   
                 155/555 
                 Gas outlet pathway 
               
               
                   
                 160/560 
                 Mouth piece 
               
               
                   
                 165/565 
                 Fritted glass 
               
               
                   
                 170/570 
                 Liquid 
               
               
                   
                 175/575 
                 Volatilizing chamber mount 
               
               
                   
                 180/580 
                 Smoke Inlet Tube 
               
               
                   
                 185/585 
                 Vapor aperture 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Reference is now made to the  FIG. 1-5 , wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
         [0021]    Reference is now made to the Figures, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.  FIG. 1  in particular illustrates a first embodiment of a water pipe generally designated by  100 , a single piece construction, comprising a primary tubular wall  110  connected vertically to a base  120 , the lowermost terminus of the primary tube  110  being bonded or otherwise sealably secured to the base  120 . The water pipe  100 , further comprising of a secondary cylindrical tubular hollow glass wall structure  130  disposed inside the primary cylindrical tubular wall  110 , vertically upon the base  120 , the lower most terminus of said secondary tube sealed to a flat surface  135 . An uppermost terminus of the tube  110  and an uppermost terminus of tube  130  are circumferentially sealed and make way for an aperture  150  which opens to a gas outlet pathway  155  leading to a mouthpiece  160  as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    A lower portion of the tube  110  is fitted with a fritted glass filter  165  above the base  120 . In preparation for the use, the water pipe is filled with liquid  170 , preferably water, in the space below the fritted glass filter  165 . The water  170  occupying the lower portion of the tube  110  creates above its surface a compact smoke chamber  111  between the primary and secondary cylinder wall structures. 
         [0023]    The tube  110  carries a smoke inlet tube  180  upon which is mounted with a bowl (not shown) on base joint  175  for vaporizing for volatilazable substance. The tube  180  provides an internal passage terminating in a smoke outlet aperture  185  into the water  170  at a point near to the bottom  120  of the tube  110 . As described hereinafter, during operation of the water pipe, smoke is drawn through the passage of the tube  180  from the bowl (not shown) and emerges as bubbles from the lower end  185  of the tube  180 . 
         [0024]    A method of operation of the water pipe  100 , referred in  FIG. 1 , is now described. The operator places volatile substance into the volatilizing vessel (not shown) and applies a lighted match, lighter or electric heater or the like thereto, until it is ignited and produces smoke or vapor. Medicinal herbs and or extracts may be employed in place of the tobacco in the bowl or volatizing vessel 
         [0025]    After the volatile material is ignited as described above, the user may exhale and then again place his mouth upon the end  160  of the tube  155 , and then draw upon the tube  160  while excluding air from the water pipe  100 . As the user draws upon the tube  160 , volatiles or smoke from the bowl is drawn through the opening  185  into the tube  180  and emerges as bubbles from the tube  180 . The bubbles of smoke are then buoyed upwardly through the water  170  in the lower portion of the tube  110 , thereafter arriving into the chamber  111 . Thus, a volume of smoke is formed in the compact chamber  111 , cooled, scrubbed and freed of ash, tar and other contaminants by its passage through the water  170 . 
         [0026]    The volume of smoke in chamber  111 , as the user continues to inhale, moves smoothly and uniformly without dilution by the incoming air into the mouth of the user, and thence through bronchial passages to the lungs of the user. The user therefore inhales an extended and substantially uniform puff of smoke pleasurably into his lungs. 
         [0027]    With the waterpipe  100 , after the user has inhaled the volume of smoke from chamber  111 , he may continue to draw upon the waterpipe  100 , thereby inhaling a following puff consisting of the cooled and moistened air which has displaced the smoke he has previously inhaled. This subsequent puff, free of smoke, cool and damp, provides soothing relief, if needed, from any caustic or stringent effects of the smoke upon his throat and bronchial membranes. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a close-up view  200  of the bottom portion is illustrated. It can be clearly seen that the water layer below the fritted glass makes way for an efficient scrubbing and cleaning of the gas bubbles emerging from the gas inlet tube and bouying into the gas outlet pathway. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , illustrates a second embodiment of a water pipe designated by  300 . In comparison to the water pipe  100  described above, the water pipe  300  has a lengthier cylindrical body and a very short inlet tube. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , illustrates a third embodiment of a water pipe designated by  400 . In comparison to the water pipe  100  described above, the water pipe  400  has a lengthier cylindrical body and a lengthy inlet tube. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  in particular illustrates a fourth embodiment of a water pipe  500 , comprising a primary cylindrical tubular wall  510  disposed vertically upon a base  520 , the lowermost terminus of said primary cylindrical tubular wall  510  being bonded or otherwise secured to the base  520 . 
         [0032]    The water pipe  500 , has a secondary cylindrical tubular hollow glass structure  530  placed inside the primary cylindrical tubular wall  510 , vertically upon the base  520 , the lower most terminus of the secondary tube sealed to a flat surface  535 . An uppermost terminus of the primary cylindrical tubular wall  510  has ground outer joint  540 . The uppermost terminus of the secondary cylindrical tubular hollow glass structure  530  has ground inner joint  545  to mate with the ground outer joint of tube  510 . The primary cylindrical tubular wall  510  has a side aperture  550  which opens to a gas outlet pathway  555  leading to a mouthpiece  560  as indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0033]    A lower portion of the primary cylindrical tubular wall  510  is fitted with a fritted glass filter  565  above the base  520 . 
         [0034]    In preparation for the use, the water pipe is filled with a liquid  570  preferably water. The water  570  occupying the lower portion of the tube  510  creates above its surface a compact smoke chamber  511  between the secondary cylindrical tubular hollow glass structure  530  and the primary cylindrical wall  510 . 
         [0035]    The primary cylindrical wall  510  carries a smoke inlet tube  580  upon which is mounted with a bowl (not shown) for vaporizing a volatilizing substance. The tube  580  provides an internal passage terminating in a smoke outlet  585  beneath the surface of the water  570  at a point near the bottom  520  of the primary cylindrical wall  510 . As described hereinafter, during operation of the water pipe, smoke or vapor is drawn through the passage of the tube  580  from the bowl (not shown) and emerges as bubbles from the lower end  585  of the tube  580 . 
         [0036]    A method of operation of the water pipe  500 , referred in  FIG. 5 , is now described. The operator places combustible substance into the volatilizing chamber (not shown) and applies a lighted match, lighter, electric heating or the like thereto, until it is ignited and produces smoke. Medicinal herbs may be employed in place of the tobacco in the volatilizing chamber. 
         [0037]    After the combustible material is ignited as described above, the user may exhale and then again place his mouth upon the end  560  of the tube  555 , and then draw upon the tube  560  while excluding air from the water pipe  500 . As the user thus draws upon the tube  560 , smoke or vapor or gaseous effluent from the bowl is drawn through the opening  585  in the tube  580  and gaseous effluent emerges as bubbles from the tube  580 . The bubbles of smoke are then buoyed upwardly through the water  570  in the lower portion of the tube  510 , thereafter arriving into to the chamber  511 . Thus, a volume of smoke is formed in the compact chamber  511 , cooled, scrubbed and freed of ash, tar and other contaminants by its passage through the water  570 . 
         [0038]    The volume of smoke in chamber  511 , as the user continues to inhale, moves smoothly and uniformly without dilution by the incoming air into the mouth of the user, and thence through bronchial passages to the lungs of the user. The user therefore inhales an extended and substantially uniform puff of smoke or vapor pleasurably into his lungs. In contrast to the water pipe  500 , other water pipes and bongs hereinbefore described with air admitting orifices directly into the smoke containing chamber  511  above the surface of the water provide the user with a puff of smoke successively diluted and weakened as the user continues to inhale. This is because air admitted into the chamber  511  through a side wall thereof strongly tends to mix with and dilute the smoke therein. The user using such a water pipe accordingly never completely exhausts the chamber  511  of all smoke. 
         [0039]    The design features for water pipe  100 / 300 / 400500  may be selected in size and proportions in accordance with the individual user&#39;s desires. It is desirable and efficient to use cylindrical tubular members to form the water and smoke containing chamber. However, chambers otherwise shaped may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention, so long as such shapes are chosen to be consistent with the operation of the water pipe as herein described. Thus, the uniform displacement and inhalation of smoke could be preserved by the use of a chamber  511  which tapered from larger to smaller in the vertical direction. However, the use of an extremely bulbous of pot shaped smoke chamber would tend to defeat this feature of the operation. As a further example, a pot or bulb shaped water chamber could probably be employed, but such a chamber would more desirably be shaped to blend smoothly at the surface of the water with the lowermost extension of the smoke inhalation chamber. 
         [0040]    It is clear that a variety of designs could be employed for the mouthpiece  160 / 560  without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the tube  155 / 555  could be narrowed at the end  160 / 560 , so that the lips of the user could embrace, rather than be embraced, by the mouthpiece as in the illustrated embodiments. Likewise, standard taper ground fittings may allow for accessorizing as desired. 
         [0041]    As indicated in both  FIGS. 1-4 and 5 , the chamber forming tubes  110 / 510  and  130 / 530  may be transparent, so that the user may observe the passage, bubbling and accumulation of the smoke during the above described sequences. It is clear however that the use of opaque members would not in any way depart from the spirit of the invention. The porosity of a frit is related to the mesh range of the glass beads (particles) or fibers. The mesh range of glass beads or packing determines a nominal particle size: For example, a 200-400 mesh corresponds to 37-74 .mu.m, and are sometimes called out as 40 .mu.m. This means that a frit with a pore size of 16-40 .mu.m will not clog when used to support a nominal 40 .mu.m packing. Commonly, a frit may be classified as a medium porosity frit having 10-15-.mu.m porosity, a coarse porosity frit having a 40-60 .mu.m porosity, or an extra-coarse porosity frit having a 170-220 .mu.m porosity. 
         [0042]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention contemplates a glass laboratory apparatus filtration device having a filter. The filter could be a fritted disk, a stainless-steel mesh screen or a carbon fiber filter or an activated charcoal filter or another similar filtering device. 
         [0043]    One use of the present invention includes filtering gas or vapor, such as tobacco. A vaporizing or volatilizing sample of burning tobacco is placed in the volatilizing structure and ordinary water is placed in the vessel as the liquid  170  or  570 . This is known as water filtration and there is substantial epidemiological evidence of lower incidences of carcinoma among tobacco users using water filtration compared to other methods of inhaling tobacco products—i.e. from a cigarette, pipe, or cigar. The gas-dispersion frit  165  or  565  serves to break up the smoke, gas, and/or vapor into very fine bubbles, thereby increasing its water-contact area. Frits are commonly referred to as “diffusers” for the way that they diffuse (or disperse) the particulates suspended in the gas as it exits the vessel. 
         [0044]    In other contemplated embodiments, the shape of the vessel can be modified to a bulged bottom dual walled coaxial cylinders or a bulged top dual walled coaxial cylinder or a dual walled coaxial sphere or the like. 
         [0045]    In other contemplated embodiments, the fritted disc may be substituted with any − filter device including a porous, incombustible pre-filter and can be configured in the vessel, for example by inverting a cone of an upturned standard-taper inner joint to form a support shelf for aforementioned pre-filter. 
         [0046]    A fluid, or more precisely, a gas conduit is formed by the linking or coupling from the gas inlet pathway  180 / 580  to the gas outlet pathway  155  or  555 . Thus, when a pressure differentiation is affected (lower pressure at the exhaust) a gas is forced through the fritted disc  165  or  565  through the liquid solution  170  or  570  and up through the gas outlet structure  160  or  560 . 
         [0047]    As such, the apparatus of the present invention is well suited for scrubbing a gas of undesired particles, solids, and other impurities. Another benefit, if used with water in the main chamber, is the cooling effect of the water and that the water can trap some heavier particles and water-soluble molecules, preventing them from entering the effluent stream. 
         [0048]    The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for scrubbing a gas of undesired soluble, particles, solids, and other impurities. Another benefit, if used with water in the main chamber, is the cooling effect of the water and that the water can trap some heavier particles and water-soluble molecules, preventing them from entering the effluent stream. 
         [0049]    The present invention can be altered physically to affect the needed pressure differential to cause bubble filtration through the filter. The greater the volume of water, the greater the pressure differentiation required scrubbing the gas. The defined range of pressure differential is limited by water column height, which should not exceed the height of the pre-filter, as it works poorly when wet. Additionally, allowing the combusted remains to get wet would create recovery, purity and cleaning related issues for the user. 
         [0050]    In an preferred embodiment, a laboratory apparatus  100 / 300 / 400 / 500  consists of blown glass, specifically the apparatus is fabricated from borosilicate glass tubing, 33-expansion type and may include two filters, preferably a first (pre-filter) fritted disc and second fritted disc, however the pre-filter could also be a stainless-steel mesh screen or any incombustible yet porous substance, as would be appreciated by those skilled in this art. Each disc is fabricated by filling vermiculite molds commercially available clear borosilicate frit, large size (#25 mesh) as supplied, for example by North Star Glass and/or Glass Alchemy (both located in Portland, Oreg., USA). While disks can be made from a variety of mold materials, plaster and vermiculite board are the most practical materials. 
         [0051]    To avoid significant breakage of the fritted discs, a kiln wash/glass release using kaolin clay and alumina hydrate is painted the slurry on the quartz rings, dried it out, and then filled the rings with frit. Moreover, a glass release compound of kaolin clay and alumina hydrate slurry is applied to all mold surfaces to prevent damage to both molds and fritted ware upon release, as would be well understood by those skilled in this art. 
         [0052]    The fritted discs can be made in small batches or, alternatively, for larger production quantities, from flat plate stock that has been core-drilled to the proper diameter so that many mold orifices can be filled quickly from bulk. Further economies can be gained from using a kiln wash as an effective substitute for more expensive and time-consuming kiln paper covering the vermiculite mold. 
         [0053]      FIG. 1-5  shows a base  120 / 520  connected or fused to the vessel at a lower portion. The base aids in supporting the vessel on a level surface and, accordingly can be any shape. One contemplated shape is a hexagonal base, another contemplated shape is a six-pointed concave hexagon with curved line segments joining each adjacent point of the six points, each point equally distant from the bases geometric center; although those skilled in the art would appreciate that additional configurations for the base would work equally well. Not shown in the drawings, but contemplated nevertheless: A supporting member adapts to connect the inlet portion to the main body of the vessel, this supporting member is not in fluid connection with the inlet and outlet, but serves merely to mechanically strengthen and reduce the propensity for damage and breakage of the inlet tube portion relative to the main vessel body. 
         [0054]    The embodiments of the present invention presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to restrict the scope of the invention in any way, any embodiment of the invention within the scope and breadth of the appended claims being intended to be embraced thereby. All embodiments within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms than those illustrated or mentioned herein without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.