Patent Publication Number: US-11638445-B2

Title: Smoking apparatus for attachment to a bottle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a smoking apparatus and, more particularly to a smoking apparatus which is easily and efficiently connectable to a bottle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Users of water pipes, hookahs, etc. are often faced with issues of portability and fragility. They are often large, oblong, and with a heavy glass base. Typical water pipes and hookahs deal with limitations in use and portability due to the size and weight of the apparatus. 
     The above mentioned apparatus are very breakable and expensive to replace being they are typically only offered for purchase as a full unit and not as separate accessories. This results in relatively high costs. 
     When using a pipe, the smoke from the smokable material can be inhaled at hot temperatures, depending on the size of the pipe. Since pipes are also reusable, if the pipe is not properly cleaned after every use then the user can inhale previously burnt carcinogens along with the new burnt smokable material, leading to undesirable risks. Further, smoke from pipes is often wasted into the atmosphere between inhalations, and undesirable debris and/or residue from the smokable material may be inhaled through the pipe when there is no substantial filter. 
     In standard use, each of these apparatus mentioned above would also need to be purchased separately as individual pieces, not only furthering the user&#39;s expense, but also the amount of equipment that would be needed to be lugged around when transporting. 
     In partial response to the problems discussed above, U.S. Pat. No. 10,226,071 B2, entitled Apparatus for Securing to The Top of a Bottle or Canister for Providing a Smoking Assembly, issued on Aug. 17, 2017, discloses a smoking apparatus and assembly that may be used with a variety of standard sized bottles, which utilizes a disposable straw and bowl. The &#39;071 device sits on top of the bottle or canister. The device and its use are relatively flimsy. 
     U.S. Publication No. 2016/0095351 A1, entitled Hydro Puff, published on Apr. 7, 2016, discloses various embodiments of a portable puff device comprising a stem, a mouth piece and a filter band. The stem is a tubular structure with a cone or cup shaped holder fixed to one end. The mouth piece is hollow structure comprising a screw structure to be fixed over a mouth of a bottle. The mouth piece comprises an angularly attached puffing pipe. A placement of the puffing pipe is above the mouth of the bottle to allow a flow of air or smoke. The filter band is attached at a junction of the conical holder of the stem and a top portion of the mouth piece. The stem is inserted into the mouth piece and is firmly fitted to the mouth piece through the filter band with conical holder lying above a top portion of the mouth piece. The &#39;351 device hinders a cool smoke. Smoke comes up and is reheated because it is in proximity with the mouthpiece. Neither the &#39;071 device nor the &#39;351 device effectively provide a cool, clean smoke. 
     As will be disclosed below the present invention obviates these and other problems with waterpipes, hookahs and alike by providing a smoking apparatus which is easily connectable to a commercially used bottle, such a wine bottle, beverage bottle, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a smoking apparatus for attachment to a bottle. The smoking apparatus includes a main base, a downstem element, and a mouthpiece assembly. The main base has a central axis, and includes an upper and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a bowl receiving port configured to be attached to a bowl for containing smokable material, a smoke inlet conduit for providing passage of smoke between the bowl receiving port and a downstem element insertion port formed within the main base, a mouthpiece receiving port configured to be attached to a mouthpiece assembly, and a smoke outlet conduit for providing passage of smoke from an upper section of the bottle to the mouthpiece receiving port. The lower portion depends from the upper portion and comprises a flexible material configured to provide a force fit relationship with a bottle. The downstem element is configured to be attached within the downstem element insertion port. The downstem element is configured to extend into the bottle during use. The mouthpiece assembly is configured to be attached to the mouthpiece receiving port. 
     In another aspect the present invention is embodied as a method for inhaling smokable material including the steps of providing parts of a smoking apparatus, connecting the various parts, and inserting the assembled smoking apparatus in the top opening of the bottle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of the smoking apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4 A  is a front perspective view of a vape attachment for the smoking apparatus. 
         FIG.  4 B  is a side perspective view of the vape attachment of  FIG.  4 A . 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a hookah hose accessory of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are a perspective view and side view, respectively, of a hookah bowl assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a side perspective view of a smokable roll attachment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7 B  is a top view thereof.  FIG.  7 C  is a side perspective view thereof. 
         FIG.  8    is view of a bottle insert accessory of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime designation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon,  FIGS.  1 - 6    show a preferred embodiment of the smoking apparatus of the present invention, designated generally as  10 . The smoking apparatus  10  includes a main base  12 , a downstem element  14 , and a mouthpiece assembly  16 . 
     The main base  12  includes a main base central axis  18 . The main base  12  includes an upper portion, designated generally as  20 ; and, a lower portion, designated generally as  22 . The upper portion  20  includes a bowl receiving port  24  configured to be attached to a bowl  26  for containing smokable material. The upper portion  20  also includes a smoke inlet conduit  30 ; a mouthpiece receiving port  32 ; and, a smoke outlet conduit  34 . The smoke inlet conduit  30  provides passage of smoke between the bowl receiving port  24  and a downstem element insertion port  28  formed within the main base  12 . The mouthpiece receiving port  32  is configured to be attached to the mouthpiece assembly  16 . The smoke outlet conduit  34  provides passage of smoke from an upper section of the bottle to the mouthpiece receiving port. The main base is preferably formed of acrylic plastic or other resilient suitable materials such as glass. A bowl receiving port insert  35  is preferably positioned between the bowl receiving port  24  and a bowl  26  to secure a desired bowl  26  selected from various sizes. The bowl receiving port insert  35  also acts as an insulator to insure the heat is controlled to be in the bowl and not transferred to other parts of the smoking apparatus  10 . 
     The lower portion  22  of the main base  12  depends from the upper portion  20  and includes a flexible material configured to provide a force fit relationship with a bottle  36 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3    the lower portion  22  includes a lower portion sleeve  23 , which may be formed of material such as silicone. In some embodiments the lower portion  22  may not be required to include the lower portion sleeve  23 . Other suitable materials may be utilized to provide the flexibility for a force fit as known by those skilled in the art. The lower portion  22  may be tapered to accommodate various bottle diameters. Different sizes may be used. For example, in one embodiment, a diameter at the upper end of the lower portion  22  has a diameter of 2.5 cm and the lower end of the lower portion  22  tapers to 1.9 cm. This size is appropriate for wine bottles and the like. In some embodiments the lower portion  22  may include a substantially smooth outer surface; however, in other embodiments it may have a ridged outer surface to enhance the force fit. 
     The downstem element  14  is configured to be attached within the downstem element insertion port  28  such that the downstem element  14  extends into the bottle  36  during use. The downstem element  14  is preferably removably attached by a force/friction fit. A downstem element sleeve  29  may be utilized inside the lower portion  22 , within the downstem element insertion port  28 , to function as a secure way to hold the downstem element  14  in place during operation. The downstem element sleeve  29  may be formed of a suitable flexible material, preferably silicone. This attachment method of the downstem element  14  provides ease in storage and interchangeability of parts. The downstem element  14  may include a number of slits  38  for diffusing the smoke. The downstem element  14  is preferably formed of a resilient plastic such as acrylic plastic to provide the force fit, however, other suitable materials can be used. 
     The mouthpiece assembly  16  is configured to be attached to the mouthpiece receiving port  32 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , the mouthpiece receiving port  32  includes a mouthpiece extension  40  including a first end connectable to the mouthpiece receiving port  32  and a second end connectable to a mouthpiece element  42 . 
     In operation of the smoking apparatus  10 , when the user inhales from the mouthpiece element  42 , smoke from combustion in the bowl  26  passes through the smoke inlet conduit  30 , and through the downstem element  14 . It then passes up through the liquid in bottle  36 , through the lower portion  22 , through the smoke outlet conduit  34 , and into the mouthpiece assembly  16 . Thus, the main base  12  effectively partitions the smoke in the smoke inlet conduit  30  from the smoke in the outlet conduit  34 . 
     The mouthpiece receiving port  32  portion of the main base extends from the main base central axis  18  at an angle of approximately 20-65 degrees. In a preferred embodiment the angle is approximately 50 degrees. 
     The present invention can include a number of different accessories. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , a vape attachment is illustrated, designated generally as  44 . The bottom portion  46  is inserted into the bowl receiving port  24 . A vape pen (not shown) is then inserted into the vape receiving port  48 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , a hookah hose accessory is illustrated, designated generally as  50 . One end  52  is inserted to the mouthpiece receiving port  32 . The other end contains a hookah mouthpiece (typically with a metal tip)  54  is then used to inhale from. 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  show a hookah bowl assembly, designated generally as  56 . The hookah bowl assembly  56  is inserted into the bowl receiving port  24 . The hookah smoking substance is placed in the hookah bowl element  58  around the outside of the cylinder  60  in the center which pulls the smoke into the water for filtration. Once heated by the heating element (not shown), the smoke rises, forced down the cylinder  60 , and led to the hookah hose for inhalation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  7 A- 7 C  a smokable roll attachment is illustrated, designated generally as  62 . This is for smoking of plant material that has been rolled or placed into rolling papers. The smokable roll attachment  62  is inserted into the bowl receiving port. A smokable roll is inserted into the center  64  which holds it in place while smoking. A carburetor opening  66  on the side can be covered and released as needed to increase the efficacy of the smoking experience. The smokable roll will stay inserted and the bowl  68  itself will function as an ash catcher. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a bottle insert  70 . The bottle insert  70  provides utilization of the smoking apparatus with various sizes of bottles. Such a bottle insert  70  can fit about the lower portion  22 . The lower portion of the bottle insert provides the maximum amount of surface area in order to hold the bottle. In order to remove, the user grasps the bottle&#39;s neck as well as the bottle insert at its sides and pulls up on the smoking apparatus, while keeping the bottle stationary. 
     The term “bottle” as used herein is meant to broadly encompass any type of container with an opening on top which can accommodate the main base and with sufficient depth to accommodate the downstem element, as discussed above. 
     As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.