Patent ID: 12207680

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to smoking devices such as water pipes, and in particular, smoking devices including an integrated lighter receptacle or holder that can be used to reliably retain a handheld lighter between uses of the lighter to ignite combustible materials in the smoking device. To this end, in a preferred embodiment, the integrated lighter receptacle is formed integrally as a unitary piece with the remainder of the water pipe, and the lighter receptacle is sized to receive, preferably by means of a frictional or interference fit, a conventional handheld lighter to prevent any potential accidental dislodgements or dropping of the handheld lighter. The integrated lighter receptacle is joined to the water pipe at a location that does not negatively detract from the aesthetic appearance of the water pipe, and this location also is not a typical gripping location for a user during a smoking operation, such that the lighter receptacle does not interfere with normal use of the water pipe. By allowing for reliable retention of a handheld lighter on the body of the water pipe itself and close to the position the lighter is used, problems with misplaced or missing lighters can be avoided, thereby resulting in a more relaxing and enjoyable smoking experience.

Moreover, before explaining the embodiments of the water pipe1of this invention, it is to be understood that this smoking device is not limited to the particular embodiments shown. For example, several specific variations and alternatives are also described in connection with the embodiments below.

FIGS.1through5illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a water pipe1having an integrated lighter receptacle8. As shown inFIG.1, the water pipe1includes a basin2connected to an elongate chamber pipe3with an opening defining a mouthpiece4at the top end opposite the basin2. The mouthpiece4is formed as an enlarged portion of the chamber pipe3in this embodiment. The basin2is configured to be partially filled with a liquid, such as water, in an internal cavity32which defines a volume thereof. In this embodiment, the basin2is shown to be generally conical in shape, so as to expand in cross section from the bottom end of the chamber pipe3to a generally flat bottom surface14defining a support or base for the water pipe1. The chamber pipe3is generally cylindrical in this embodiment. It will be understood that the basin2and the chamber pipe3may be formed with a different profile or shape in other embodiments (including but not limited to having the chamber pipe3extend upwardly at an angle rather than vertically), without departing from the scope of this invention. The basin2may include interior features (not shown in detail) for collecting or controlling condensation or movement of water and smoke within the water pipe1, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the smoking field.

The water pipe1also includes a small bowl5(also colloquially referred to as a “slide”) that is mounted on an elongate bowl stem6configured to be removably inserted into a downstem17, and the downstem17is configured to be removably inserted into the basin2. The basin2includes an aperture16formed in a sidewall of the basin2or in a downstem receptacle18formed at the basin2, the latter arrangement being shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS.1and5. In some embodiments, the bowl stem6itself is of a length to extend into water contained within the basin2without the need for a downstem17, while in other embodiments, and as shown inFIG.5, the downstem17defines a tube-like structure that communicates between the water in the basin2and the lower end of the bowl stem6. The bowl stem6and bowl5are sized to produce a glass-on-glass fluid-tight seal, such as a hermetic seal, when inserted into the downstem17, and the downstem17is sized to produce a glass-on-glass fluid-tight seal, such as a hermetic seal, when inserted into the basin2via the aperture16, thereby preventing air flow leaks out of the basin2during smoking use (except via the flow path defined through the tube of the bowl5and bowl stem6). The engagements may also be coated with or formed from heat resistant material or include grommets to avoid heat transfer stresses/fractures that may otherwise be caused by the ignition of smoking material in the bowl5. The bowl5is configured to hold smoking material to be combusted, with ignition typically caused by use of a handheld lighter7, which is commonly supplied separately from the water pipe1. Although not shown inFIGS.1through5, some embodiments of the water pipe1may include an additional aperture in the sidewall of the basin2referred to as a “carb” for selectively allowing venting between the air space in the internal cavity32of the basin2and the exterior environment during smoking use. Each of these components of the water pipe1may be formed from glass or silicone material as shown, but other types of smoking device materials can also be used without departing from the scope of this invention.

As thoroughly understood in the smoking field, the water pipe1is used as follows. The basin2is partially filled with a fluid, such as water, at least to an extent which will cover the bottom end of the downstem17(or the bowl stem6). The bowl5is lightly packed with smoking material such as tobacco products or the like, and then the bowl stem6and bowl5are inserted into the downstem17which is seated through the aperture16and into the downstem receptacle18to create a fluid-tight seal, such as a hermetic seal, with the basin2. The bowl5, bowl stem6, and downstem17define an air flow path from the open top end (at bowl5) to the bottom end of the downstem17, which is located underneath the fluid level in the basin2. The lighter7is then used to ignite the smoking material in the bowl5while a user places his or her mouth on the mouthpiece4and inhales to draw air (and smoke) from the combusting smoking material through the bowl stem6and downstem17and water into the chamber pipe3, e.g., the user creates negative pressure within the interior of the water pipe1. Once the chamber pipe3is sufficiently filled with smoke, the bowl5can be lifted out (or the optional “carb” opened) of the downstem17while continuing to inhale to pull in the collected smoke from the chamber pipe3into the user's mouth. The bowl5includes a handle26for such movement, for example. The process can then be repeated until the smoking material is depleted and needs to be replaced.

As can be understood from the description of a typical use of the water pipe1above, the handheld lighter7is needed for a few seconds during the process to ignite the smoking material in the bowl5, but then is not needed again until another smoking cycle is performed. The user typically holds the water pipe1in one hand (often at the chamber pipe3) while performing the lighting and movement of the bowl5with the other hand. As such, the manipulation or storage of the lighter7before and after it is used raises difficulties that negatively impact the smoking experience when using conventional water pipes. The preferred embodiment of the water pipe1addresses these concerns and difficulties by providing the integrated lighter receptacle8.

The lighter receptacle8is shown in further detail inFIGS.3and4. The lighter receptacle8is integrated with the water pipe1at the basin2to provide a convenient location for reliably holding the handheld lighter7when it is not being used to ignite the smoking material within the bowl5. To this end, the handheld lighter7is retained in a location proximate to the bowl5so that a user can quickly and easily retrieve the lighter7and replace it within the receptacle8when finished with the lighter7. The lighter receptacle8is located in the illustrated embodiment about 90 degrees around the circumference of the basin2from the bowl5, although this spacing may be modified in other embodiments. The preferred location of 90 degrees around the circumference of the basin2from the bowl5provides a convenient and accessible storage location for the lighter7, especially for accessing and storing the lighter7while using the water pipe1.

With continued reference toFIGS.3and4, the lighter receptacle8includes an interior9defined by a sidewall20and a closed bottom wall22. The interior9of this embodiment is sized to receive (potentially in a frictional fit) 50% or at least half of a conventional handheld lighter7, shown in these Figures as a BIC® lighter. It will be appreciated that other types of conventional lighters (torch lighters, etc.) may be used with water pipes1, and the size and shape of the interior9can be reconfigured in other embodiments to receive those other types of known lighters7. The lighter receptacle8includes an opening24at a top end opposite the closed bottom wall22, and the handheld lighter7is inserted into and removed from the interior9via this opening24.

The lighter receptacle8of the embodiment shown inFIGS.1through3is formed integrally as a unitary piece with the basin2, and therefore is not removable in this embodiment. These types of embodiments are advantageous for some consumers because there are less junctions to seal closed at the basin2and fewer parts to keep track of in the water pipe1. However, in other embodiments it may be desired to enable removal of this element for deep cleaning the basin2and the lighter receptacle28, and in such alternative embodiments, the receptacle28is affixed in position at an aperture30formed in the basin2to produce the configuration shown in the embodiment ofFIG.6. It will be understood that the removable affixing or securement of the receptacle28may be done in different manners, so long as the connection forms a fluid-tight seal to prevent air leaks or water leaks at the junction of the basin2and the receptacle28. These issues are avoided entirely when forming the lighter receptacle8as a unitary piece with the basin2.

Regardless of the construction of these elements of the water pipe1, the interior9of the receptacle8,28remains isolated from the interior of the basin2so that air and water does not leak out of the interior of the water pipe1, and such that the handheld lighter7is not exposed to the water. The lighter receptacle8,28does not move relative to the basin2when these elements are integrated together at the water pipe1. The extension of the receptacle8,28into the internal cavity32of the basin2allows a large portion of the lighter7to be disposed within the peripheral defined by the basin2and out of the way of a user's hands when the lighter7is not needed for use. For example, the interior9of the lighter receptacle8,28is sized to receive at least 50% (or half) of the volume of the lighter7in this embodiment. In addition to holding a substantial portion of the lighter7out of the way of the user during storage, this sizing of the receptacle8,28assures secure retention of the lighter7without dislodgement even if the lighter7is accidentally bumped by a user's hands during smoking use. Thus, unlike conventional external clamp designs, the lighter7will reliably remain in the desired position on the basin2, ready for use when the smoking material in bowl5is to be ignited.

With reference toFIG.6, the lighter receptacle28is shown separated from the water pipe1. As set forth above, in embodiments with a removable lighter receptacle28, this would represent what that element would look like when removed from the basin2. Dimensions for the width 10, depth 11, and length 12 of the lighter receptacle28, as demonstrated in the exemplary embodiments shown inFIGS.4and6, are tailored to allow the interior9to receive at least half of a conventional BIC® lighter. The width 10 is about 20 millimeters, the depth 11 is about 67 millimeters, and the length 12 is about 30 millimeters. It will be appreciated that these dimensions and the overall shape defined by the sidewall20and the closed bottom wall22may be modified as set forth above to be configured to retain different styles of conventional lighters. The lighter receptacle8,28is typically formed from the same glass or silicone material as the basin2as shown in theseFIGS.1through6, but it will be understood that when the lighter receptacle28is removable, it could also be formed from another type of material without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIGS.1through3illustrate the water pipe1and lighter receptacle8of the exemplary embodiment described above, but in a front view. To this end, the total height of the water pipe1measured between the mouthpiece4and the flat bottom surface14should be about 293 millimeters in this embodiment, with the basin2defining about 108 millimeters of that height. The chamber pipe3has a diameter of about 44 millimeters, while the enlarged mouthpiece4is about 14 millimeters in height with about a 59-millimeter outer diameter. The total width or diameter of the basin2at the flat bottom surface14is about 115 millimeters. The lighter receptacle8,28is oriented to extend into the internal cavity32of the basin2to position the handheld lighter7at an angle of between 0 to 90 degrees from horizontal, or more preferably from 30 to 90 degrees from horizontal, or for example, 70 degrees as shown in these embodiments. This orientation of the lighter receptacle8,28also tends to reliably retain the lighter7within the receptacle8,28, thanks to the effects of gravity when the water pipe1is held in the normal, upright position for smoking. Additionally, storing the lighter7at an angle from the horizontal positions the lighter in a way that is convenient and accessible for the user of the water pipe1to access, especially while smoking.FIG.1also shows about 30% of the lighter7extending outside the receptacle8,28during storage of the lighter7. It will be understood that the dimensions set forth above, may be modified in other embodiments of the water pipe1, as this is just one exemplary embodiment of a water pipe1including an integrated lighter receptacle8.

As shown inFIGS.3and6, the lighter receptacle8,28contains a removable dampening member25, configured to fit along the interior surface of the bottom wall22of the lighter receptacle. In these preferred embodiments, the dampening member25is provided to absorb and dampen energy and shock to the lighter receptacle8,28during storage and removal of the lighter7by the user. The dampening member is removable to enhance the cleanability of both the dampening member25and lighter receptacle8,28. The dampening member25can be constructed from silicone or any other suitable material for the application.

While the invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.