Patent ID: 12232520

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.

It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.

The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).

As discussed earlier, there is need for a smoking device that is small, discreet, reduces ambient smoke and waste, and is made from premium materials that are easy to clean and unlikely to be broken, damaged, or corroded. The smoking device disclosed herein solves these and other problems.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.1-13B, a smoking device100comprises an inner cylinder102receivable within an outer cylinder104, the inner cylinder comprising a combustion chamber106separated from an air chamber108by a wall107, a mouthpiece110comprising an air chamber aperture111, one or more combustion chamber slots112A-D, and one or more air chamber slots113A-D. The outer cylinder104comprises a bore hole114for receiving the inner cylinder102, a smoke channel116, and one or more bore slots118A-B. In some embodiments, the inner cylinder102comprises one or more magnets120A-G for securing the inner cylinder102to one or more magnets122A-G of the outer cylinder104and for aligning the combustion chamber slots112A-D with bore slot118B and aligning air chamber slots113A-D with bore slots118A.

In some embodiments, the smoking device100is manufactured from aluminum. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable material (e.g., heat/fire resistant, durable, etc.) or combination of materials may be used, such as stainless steel, carbon fiber, glass, metals, etc. The outer cylinder104has an inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder102, allowing the inner cylinder102to easily slide inside the outer cylinder104. The mouthpiece110is wider in diameter than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder104, allowing the mouthpiece110to remain exposed. This allows a user to easily rotate the inner cylinder102within the outer cylinder104by simply grasping the mouthpiece110and outer cylinder104and rotating one or the other, or both in opposite directions. As the inner cylinder102rotates within the outer cylinder104, different air chamber slots113A-D and combustion chamber slots112A-D align with the bore slots118A-B, respectively. Each alignment may be secured via the magnets120A-G,122A-G. For example, as a user twists the mouthpiece110, thereby rotating the inner cylinder102in relation to the outer cylinder104, the magnet120A realigns with magnet122B, “clicking” into place and aligning an air chamber slot113A-D and/or combustion chamber slot112A-D with the bore slots118A-B, respectively and/or the smoke channel116. The magnets120A-G may be embedded in an underside121of the mouthpiece110(FIG.2) and the magnets122A-G may be embedded within the top123of the outer cylinder104(FIGS.3A-3B).

As best seen inFIG.2, in some embodiments, there are a plurality of combustion chamber slots112A-D and a plurality of air chamber slots113A-D on the inner cylinder102. In some configurations, at least one combustion chamber slot112A-D may align with a bore slot118B and at least one air chamber slot113A-D may align with bore slot118A. In some configurations, only one air chamber slot113A-D or combustion chamber slot112A-D may align with a respective bore slot118A-B. In some configurations, no air chamber slots113A-D or combustion chamber slots112A-D are aligned with the bore slots118A-B, thereby fully enclosing the combustion chamber106and the air chamber108in the outer cylinder104.

For example, as shown inFIGS.7A-7B, in a first configuration, combustion chamber slot112B is aligned with bore slot118B. In this configuration, a user has access to ignite or apply heat to the substance within the combustion chamber106through the alignment of the combustion chamber slot112B and bore slot118B. Combustion chamber slot112D allows smoke to enter the smoke channel116, where it passes into the air chamber108through air chamber slot113D and to a user through air chamber aperture111.

Referring toFIGS.8A-8B, in a second configuration, combustion chamber slot112A is aligned with bore slot118B, with combustion chamber slot112C and air chamber slot113A both aligning with the smoke channel116. Referring toFIGS.9A-9B, in a third configuration, air chamber slots113A-B are aligned with bore slot118A. In this configuration, the combustion chamber106is enclosed, extinguishing any burning, while air chamber slots113A-B allow fresh air to enter into the air chamber108while a user continues to inhale, clearing it of smoke.

Referring toFIGS.10A-B, in a fourth configuration, air chamber slot113D is aligned with bore slot118A and combustion chamber slot112D is aligned with bore slot118B. Referring toFIGS.11A-11B, in a fifth configuration, air chamber slot113C is aligned with bore slot118A and combustion chamber slot112C is aligned with bore slot118B. Referring toFIGS.12A-12B, in a sixth, closed configuration, no air chamber slots113A-D or combustion chamber slots112A-D are aligned with either bore slot118A-B, nor are they aligned with the smoke chamber116.

It will be appreciated that a user may rotate the inner cylinder102in relation to the outer cylinder104, thereby changing which air chamber slots113A-D and combustion chamber slots112A-D are aligned with the bore slots118A-B, respectively. Depending upon the alignment, a user is able to vary the temperature, taste, fuel-to-air ratio, and other factors. While configurations are described and illustrated, it will be appreciated that more or fewer configurations are possible without departing herefrom. Further, it will also be appreciated that any of the slots disclosed herein may vary in size, location, and number without departing herefrom.

Therefore, in one method of use, a user would withdraw the inner cylinder102from the outer cylinder104and would then load the desired substance, ingredient, or material into the combustion chamber106through rear opening109(FIG.2). In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.4-5, a user may use a tamping rod124to tamp the desired substance within the combustion chamber106. Once the combustion chamber106is loaded with substance, the user inserts the inner cylinder102into the outer cylinder104until the mouthpiece110abuts the outer cylinder104and the magnets120A-G in the mouthpiece magnetically couple to the magnets122A-G in the outer cylinder104, securing the inner cylinder102to the outer cylinder104.

A user may grip and twist either the mouthpiece110and/or the outer cylinder104so as to select the desired configuration (e.g.,FIGS.7A-12B). When substance is exposed by the alignment of a combustion chamber slot112A-D with bore slot118B, a user may ignite the substance with a lighter, match, torch, etc. (or otherwise apply heat for dry-herb vaporizing). With the user's lips on the mouthpiece110, a user may then inhale, creating suction through one or more air chamber slots113A-D, which pulls smoke from the combustion chamber106via the smoke channel116and into the air chamber108where it passes to a user via the mouthpiece110.

In some embodiments, a user may rotate the cylinders102,104while inhaling so as to alter the experience. Additionally, as shown inFIGS.12A-B, a user may close the smoking device100by rotating the inner cylinder102such that none of the combustion chamber slots112A-D or air chamber slots113A-D are aligned with the bore slots118A-B. In this closed configuration, none of the air chamber slots113A-D are aligned with the smoke channel116either, reducing or preventing smoke from exiting the smoke device100. In one embodiment, a user would first rotate the inner cylinder to the configuration shown inFIGS.9A-9Bto clear the air chamber108of smoke, then rotate to the closed configuration ofFIGS.12A-12Bto ensure the air chamber108and combustion chamber106remain enclosed. This helps to ensure that the substance ceases to burn (closing the device100extinguishes any burning) and that smoke does not continue to be emitted from the smoking device100(a smokefree configuration). This allows a user to have the substance therein last longer, while simultaneously reducing secondhand smoke, something that the prior art has not achieved.

While described above as igniting the substance with a lighter, match, torch, etc., it will be appreciated that the substance need not be ignited. For example, in some embodiments, heat may be applied to the substance (i.e., conduction) for dry-herb vaporizing. In some embodiments, hot air may be applied to the substance (i.e., convection) for dry-herb vaporizing.

Additionally, a user may couple the smoking device100to a waterpipe or other device so as to reduce ambient smoke. For example, a user may couple the mouthpiece110to the downstem of the waterpipe, ignite the substance through the aligned combustion chamber slots112A-D and bore slots118B, begin inhaling the resulting smoke through the waterpipe, and, while still inhaling, rotate the outer cylinder104to the configuration ofFIGS.9A-9B, thereby extinguishing the burning substance in the combustion chamber106, while inhaling the remaining smoke from the waterpipe. As a result, when a user lifts their mouth from the waterpipe, no smoke is left to exit the waterpipe. This allows for a reduced smoke environment when using a waterpipe. The ability to smoke discreetly, and with less impact on the surroundings, is an improvement over the prior art.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIGS.13A-B, the inner cylinder102may be inserted into a sleeve126. The sleeve126may be used to store/transport an inner cylinder102loaded with a desired substance. For example, a user may have several inner cylinders102pre-loaded and stored in sleeves126for easy and quick use. In this way, a user may withdraw a loaded inner cylinder102from the sleeve126and insert it into the outer cylinder104for use. The emptied inner cylinder102may be inserted into the sleeve126for storage until it can be cleaned and reloaded. This is especially convenient when a user is out and about, allowing them to have “refills” ready for use that may be stored in pocket, briefcase, etc.

Cleaning the smoking device100is easily accomplished as well by simply withdrawing the inner cylinder102from the outer cylinder104and then washing with soap and water. Additionally, the sleeve126may be used to assist in cleaning the inner cylinder102. For example, soaps or cleaners may be inserted into the sleeve126, followed by the inner cylinder102. A user may then repeatedly withdraw and insert the inner cylinder102, as well as shake when inserted, so as to get a thorough cleaning. Additionally, the tamping rod124may also be used to assist in cleaning. For example, the tamping rod124may inserted within the combustion chamber106while in the sleeve to aid in agitating any remaining contents in the combustion chamber106, thereby freeing those contents and clearing the inner cylinder102. It will be appreciated that the sleeve126may be made from silicone, rubber, plastic, etc.

As appreciated from the foregoing, the smoking device100disclosed herein solves the need for a smoking device that is small, discreet, reduces ambient smoke and waste, and is made from premium materials that are easy to clean and unlikely to be broken, damaged, or corroded.

It will also be appreciated that systems and methods according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties or features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment unless so stated. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein.

Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.