Patent ID: 12207681

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the appended drawings are now explained. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the embodiments are not explicitly defined, the scope of the disclosure is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without these details. In other instances, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. Furthermore, unless the meaning is clearly to the contrary, all ranges set forth herein are deemed to be inclusive of the endpoints. In addition, the terms “over”, “to”, and “on” as used herein may refer to a relative position of one feature with respect to other features. One feature “over” or “on” another feature or bonded “to” another feature may be directly in contact with the other feature or may have one or more intervening layers. In addition, the use of relative terms throughout the description, such as “top”, “above or “upper” and “bottom”, “under” or “lower” may denote a relative position or direction. For example, a “top edge”, “top end” or “top side” may be directed in a first axial direction and a “bottom edge”, “bottom end” or “bottom side” may be directed in a second direction opposite to the first axial direction.

According to one embodiment, a tube filter for smoking a smokable substance includes a receiving section having a receiving chamber dimensioned to receive the smokable substance, a smoke section having a smoke chamber to output smoke produced while the smokable substance is ignited, where the smoke section has a first open end into the smoke chamber and the receiving section has a second open end into the receiving chamber that is opposite to the first end, and a first indentation, a second indentation, and a third indentation that are disposed between the receiving chamber and the smoke chamber, where a portion of the first indentation and a first portion of the second indentation are disposed within a first cross-section of the tube filter and a portion of the third indentation and a second portion of the second indentation are disposed within a second cross-section of the tube filter, and the third indentation is entirely disposed above the first indentation along the center longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the first indentation and the second indentation form a first path inside the tube filter and the second indentation and the third indentation form a second path inside the tube filter, where the first and second paths fluidly couple the receiving chamber to the smoke chamber. In another embodiment, the first, second, and third indentations are equidistant along the center longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the first indentation is radially aligned with the third indentation along the center longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the first and second cross-sections are separate and adjacent to one another, and have a same length along the center longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the first and third indentations are radially separated from the second indentation about the center longitudinal axis by 180°. In another embodiment, the tube filter is composed of at least one of metal and glass. In some embodiments, the tube filter has a diameter from 4 mm to 18 mm. In one embodiment, the first open end and the second open end both have an inner diameter from 3 mm to 12 mm. In another embodiment, the tube filter has a length from the first open end to the second open end that extends along the center longitudinal axis from 12 mm to 120 mm.

According to another embodiment, a tube filter for smoking a smokable substance includes a receiving section having a receiving chamber dimensioned to receive the smokable substance, a smoke section having a smoke chamber to output smoke produced while the smokable substance is ignited, wherein the smoke section has a first open end into the smoke chamber and the receiving section has a second open end into the receiving chamber that is opposite to the first end, and an indentation section that is disposed between the receiving section and the smoke section and fluidly couples the receiving section to the smoke section, where the indentation section includes a first indentation, a second indentation, and a third indentation that are entirely aligned along a transverse plane to a center longitudinal axis of the tube filter.

In one embodiment, the first, second, and third indentations are equidistant along a circumference of the tube filter. In some embodiments, each of the indentations are concave portions of a wall of the tube filter. In another embodiment, each of the concave portions have a same size. In one embodiment, at least one of the concave portions is a different size than a size of another one of the concave portions.

In another embodiment, the indentation section includes a hollow interior that is formed by the first, second, and third indentations. In one embodiment, the center longitudinal axis intersects the hollow interior such that no portion of the first, second, or third indentations are intersected by the center longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the tube filter is composed of at least one of metal and glass. In one embodiment, the smoke section has a first length that extends along the center longitudinal axis and the receiving section has a second length that extends along the center longitudinal axis, wherein the first length is less than the second length. In another embodiment, the receiving section tapers inward along the center longitudinal axis.

FIG.1shows a filter for smoking smokable substances according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, this figure illustrates a filter1that may be a tube (or have a substantially tubular shape) that includes a (substantially) cylindrical wall2with a hollow interior3. In one embodiment, the filter may be any shape, such as cubic-shaped, cone-shaped, or sphere-shaped. The filter may be composed of at least one material, such as glass, plastic, and a metal (e.g., steel). In one embodiment, the filter may be entirely composed of a single material, such as glass.

The filter1includes a first (open) end4with a first opening5that opens into the hollow interior3, and a second (open) end6with a second opening7that opens into the hollow interior. In one embodiment, the first open end4is opposite to the second open end6. Thus, the hollow interior3fluidly couples opening5to (with) opening7. The filter1has a first (outer) diameter (D1) that is the outermost diameter of the cylindrical wall2, and a second (inner) diameter (D2) that is the diameter of (at least a portion of) the hollow interior3. In one embodiment, D1may be from about 4 mm to 18 mm. In another embodiment, D2may be from about 3 mm to 17 mm. In one embodiment, D2may be based on a thickness of the cylindrical wall2, which may be from about 0.5 mm to 2 mm. In one embodiment, D2may be less than D1by at least double the thickness of the cylindrical wall. In another embodiment, the filter has a length (L1) that extends from the first end4to the second end6along a center longitudinal axis (e.g., Z-axis) that may be from about 12 mm to 120 mm. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the filter1may vary, as described herein.

In one embodiment, the first end4and second end6of the filter1may have similar dimensions. For example, the first end4and the second end6may have a diameter of D1, while their respective openings have a diameter of D2. In another embodiment, the diameters of the ends may be different. For example, the outer diameter of the first end4may be greater than the outer diameter of the second end6.

The filter1includes several sections. Specifically, the filter includes a first (e.g., smoke) section10, an indentation section11, and a second (e.g., receiving) section12. As shown, the indentation section is disposed (or positioned) between the smoke section and the receiving section. Specifically, the smoke section includes the first open end4and is adjacent to the indentation section. The receiving section includes the second open end6and is adjacent to the indentation section, opposite to the smoke section. The receiving section also includes a receiving chamber14that is formed inside the hollow interior3and is for receiving (through the second open end6) a smokable substance, such as tobacco. In particular, the open end6is fluidly coupled to the receiving chamber, where both may be dimensioned (e.g., have a diameter of D2) to receive the smokable substance, such as a (e.g., personally-rolled) cigarette. Similarly, the smoke section also includes a smoke chamber13that is formed inside the hollow interior3and is for receiving smoke emitted from an ignited smokable substance that has been received by the receiving chamber14. For example, a user may insert the personally-rolled cigarette into the receiving chamber and ignited it. The open end4is fluidly coupled to the smoke chamber, where both are for outputting the smoke produced while the smokable substance is ignited. Specifically, the smoke chamber may be configured to receive the smoke (e.g., from the receiving chamber) and the open end4is for outputting the smoke, such as when the user inhales.

In one embodiment, the receiving section12and the smoke section10may each have a substantially tubular shape along the filter's Z-axis. For instance, the receiving section may have a same (or similar) outer diameter, such as D1, and inner diameter (e.g., the diameter of the receiving chamber), such as D2, throughout a length (L3) of the receiving section that extends along the Z-axis from the second open end6to the indentation section11. Similarly, the smoke section may have a same (or similar) outer diameter, such as D1, and inner diameter (e.g., the diameter of the smoke chamber), such as D2, throughout a length (L2) of the smoke section that extends along the Z-axis from the first open end4to the indentation section. In one embodiment, the sections respective chambers have a same or similar length as the sections. For example, the receiving chamber14has a same or similar length L3as the receiving section.

In one embodiment, the receiving section12and the smoke section10may have different dimensions. For example, as illustrated, L3of the receiving section (and the receiving chamber) that extends along the Z-axis is greater than L2of the smoke section (and the smoke chamber) that extends along the same axis. As a result, the indentation section11may not be centered along L1of the filter1. For instance, the indentation section11is disposed closer to the first open end4than the second open end6of the filter1(along the Z-axis). Specifically, a distance between the indentation section11and the smoke section10is less than a threshold distance. In another embodiment, L2may be greater than L3.

The indentation section11includes a first indentation8and a second indentation9that extend along a portion of the filter1in the Z-direction, and both of which separate the receiving chamber14from the smoke chamber13. The first indentation8is formed from a first concave portion16of the cylindrical wall2of the filter1, and the second indentation9is formed from a second concave portion17of the cylindrical wall2of the filter1. Specifically, the concave portions are portions of the cylindrical wall2that concave into the hollow interior, thereby reducing the inner diameter (D2) of the hollow interior. In one embodiment, the concave portions may also reduce the outer diameter (D1) of the filter1.

As illustrated, the concave portions16and17extend along different sections of the filter1in the Z-direction. For example, the first concave portion16begins to concave at a point18aof the cylindrical wall2and ceases to concave at18b. Similarly, the second concave portion17begins to concave at a point19aof the cylindrical wall2and ceases to concave at19b. Thus, the first concave portion16begins to concave (along the Z-direction) before the second concave portion and ceases to concave before the second concave portion17ceases. Thus, as shown, each of the concave portions are at least partially disposed (or overlap) within a cross-section of the filter1. Specifically, a partial cross-section of the indentation section11(e.g., having a length between19aand18bin the Z-direction) includes at least some of both of the first concave portion16and the second concave portion17. In one embodiment, this cross-section may include equal (or symmetric) portions of the concave portions16and17. For instance, point19amay be on a transverse plane to the Z-axis that intersects a midpoint of the concave portion8(e.g., a midpoint between18aand18b). Similarly, point18bmay be on a transverse plane to the Z-axis that intersects a midpoint of the concave portion9(e.g., a midpoint between19aand19b). In another aspect, at least some of the concave portions16and17may not overlap with each other. For example, at least one other partial cross-section of the indentation section11only includes one of the first concave portion16and the second concave portion17(e.g., between18aand19aand between18band19b). In one embodiment, both indentations are portions of the cylindrical wall that concave into the hollow interior3, without fluidly coupling the hollow interior to an outside environment of the filter. In addition, both indentations cross through (or intersect) the center longitudinal Z-axis of the filter at least two times.

In one embodiment, the indentation section11is arranged to fluidly couple the receiving section12to the smoke section10. In particular, the first indentation8and the second indentation9are concave portions of the cylindrical wall2that form a path15inside the filter1that fluidly couples the receiving chamber14of the receiving section12to the smoke chamber13of the smoke section10. In one embodiment, this path15has a lesser diameter than the diameter of either chamber (e.g., D2). This path15also runs diagonally through the center longitudinal Z-axis of the filter.

In one embodiment, the filter1may include less or more components as described herein. For example, in one variation the filter1may only include one indentation (e.g., the first indentation8), while in another variation the filter1may include three or more indentations. As another example, the filter may include three or more chambers inside the hollow interior3. For instance, the filter may include a chamber that separates the first indentation8from the second indentation9.

As described herein, the dimensions of the filter1may vary. Specifically, diameters (e.g., D1and/or D2) may vary between one or more of the sections. For example, the receiving section12may taper inward toward and along the Z-axis, such that a portion (e.g., cross-section) of the receiving section closest to the indentation section11may have a first diameter (e.g., D2), while the first end4of the filter may have a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. In another embodiment, the smoke section10may taper along the Z-axis.

FIGS.2-9illustrate a process for manufacturing the filter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, these figures illustrate a process performed by a single machine or multiple machines to manufacture filter1(illustrated inFIG.1) from a tube20.

FIGS.2and3illustrate the formation of a first indentation32. Specifically,FIG.2shows heat26being applied to a tube20that has a cylindrical wall21and a hollow interior22. The tube20also as a (first open) end23with a (first) opening24. As illustrated herein, heat26is being applied to a (first) portion of the cylindrical wall21of the tube20. In one embodiment, the heat is applied to the first portion of the cylindrical wall21for a first period of time (e.g., four seconds). In another embodiment, the heat26may be applied for a period of time such that the first portion of the cylindrical wall21becomes amenable. In some embodiments, the heat may be a flame from a blow torch, such as a propane blow torch or a natural gas torch.FIG.3illustrates the tube20ofFIG.2after the heat26is applied to the portion of the cylindrical wall. Specifically, this figure illustrates that a tool31is applying an inward pressure to the portion25of the cylindrical wall at which the heat was applied to collapse the cylindrical wall21into the hollow interior22. In one embodiment, the tool31is a metal rod or plunger. In one embodiment, the tool31is a drill bit. In another embodiment, the tool31may apply the inward pressure a second period of time after the heat26was applied (e.g., two seconds). The result of the applied pressure is the formation of a first indentation32.

FIG.4illustrates the tube20ofFIG.3after the first indentation32is formed. Specifically, this figure illustrates that the tube20is rotated41about a longitudinal Z-axis running through a center of the tube20. In one embodiment, the tube20is rotated by a predetermined threshold. For example, the tube20may be rotated41about the Z-axis by 180°. This is illustrated by the first indentation32being located to the right of the tube20, rather than being located to the left of the tube20, as illustrated inFIG.3. In one embodiment, the tube20may be rotated less or more than 180°, such as 135°.

FIGS.5and6illustrate the formation of a second indentation61. Specifically,FIG.5shows the tube20ofFIG.4, after the tube is rotated41. In particular, this figure illustrates that heat50is being applied to a (second) portion51of the tube20. As illustrated, the heat50is applied at a different point along the Z-axis than the heat26. Specifically, the second portion51at which the heat50is applied is higher along the Z-axis (from the end23) than the first portion25at which the heat26is applied. As a result, the first and second portions at least partially overlap one another or are at least partially contained within a cross section of the tube20. Also, since the tube20is rotated41, the second portion51is radially separated from the first portion25by the predetermined threshold at which the tube was rotated (e.g., 180°). In one embodiment, the applied heat50is the same heat26that is applied inFIG.2. For instance, the temperature of heat26(and/or duration) may be the same as heat50. In another embodiment, heat50is different than heat26. In one embodiment, the heat50may be applied a third period of time after the first indentation is formed in order to allow the tube to (slightly) cool. For example, the third period of time may be thirty seconds between the formation of the first indentation and a time at which the heat50is first applied.FIG.6illustrate the tube20ofFIG.5, after the heat50is applied. Specifically, this figure illustrates that the tool31is applying an inward pressure to the portion51of the cylindrical wall at which the heat was applied to collapse the cylindrical wall21into the hollow interior22. The result of the applied pressure is the formation of a second indentation61, which is therefore formed after the tube20has rotated about the longitudinal Z-axis, as illustrated inFIG.4. Thus, the first indentation32and the second indentation61create 1) a first chamber62and a second chamber63in the tube20that are separated by both indentations and 2) a path64within the hollow interior22formed between the first and second indentations that fluidly couples both chambers together. Since the second indentation is formed after the rotation of the tube20, the first indentation is radially separated from the second indentation about the center longitudinal axis by the predetermined threshold (e.g., 180°). In one embodiment, a same pressure is applied to the second portion51as the pressure that is applied to the first portion25. As a result, the first and second indentations may have a same concave structure. In another embodiment, different pressures may be applied to the first and second portions, which may result in different concave structures for the first and second indentations. In some embodiments a different tool may be used to form the second indentation61.

FIGS.7-9illustrate the separation of a tube filter from the tube20illustrated inFIG.6, after the second indentation61is formed. Specifically,FIG.7shows a scoring tool71scoring (or cutting) the tube20while the tube is rotating70, thereby creating a scored mark73that runs along a circumference of the tube20. In one embodiment, the scoring tool71is a scoring wheel. In another embodiment, the scoring tool may be any tool that is arranged to score glass.

FIG.8shows that heat81is being applied to the score mark72, while the tube rotates. As described herein, the heat81may be the same (similar) or different than at least one of the other heats (e.g., heat26and51) that are applied to the tube20. For instance, the heat81may be applied for a fourth period of time (e.g., four seconds). As described herein, the heat81is applied while the tube20rotates. In one embodiment, the tube20may be rotated at a similar speed as when the tube was scored (as described inFIG.7), or the heat may be applied while the tube is rotating at a different speed. In one embodiment, the tube20is being rotated in order to apply the heat81evenly along the scored mark.

FIG.9shows the tube20being cut due to thermal shock. Specifically, this figure shows a spray nozzle91that is spraying a liquid92(e.g., water) upon the heated score mark72. The sprayed liquid thermally shocks the tube20, causing a portion93of the tube to separate from (a remainder of) the tube20. This portion93is a filter, which includes the first indentation32and the second indentation61, as described herein. In one embodiment, the filter93may be separated (or cut) while the tube20continues to rotate. In another embodiment, the filter93is the same as filter1illustrated inFIG.1.

In one embodiment, the tube20may be allowed to cool after the formation of the second indentation61. Specifically, the heat81may be applied after a sixth period of time (e.g., one minute) from which the second indentation61is formed.

FIG.10is a flowchart of one embodiment of a process100for manufacturing a filter (e.g., filter1ofFIG.1and/or filter93ofFIG.9). This figure will be described with reference toFIGS.1-9. The process100begins by providing a tube, such as tube20that includes a cylindrical wall21and a hollow interior22(at block101). The process100flame polishes an end of the tube (at block102). For example, the end23of tube20is flame polished. In one embodiment, the end23may be flame polished before any indentations are formed within the tube20. In another embodiment, the end may be flame polished after at least one indentation is formed. In some embodiments, flame polishing includes applying a heat to the end, while the tube20is rotating. In one embodiment, this process may be performed one or more times. For example, heat may be applied while the tube20is rotating for a period of time (e.g., five seconds). In one embodiment, the heat may be applied by a flame (produced by a torch), while the tube is rotating. The heat may then be removed for a period of time (e.g., two seconds). Then, heat may be again applied while the tube20is rotating for a third period of time (e.g., five seconds). In one embodiment, the second application of heat may be hotter (e.g., having a higher temperature) than the heat of the first application. In one embodiment, the period of times may be the same or different. As a result of the flame polishing, a raised lip that extends around a circumference of the filter1and may be formed at the end23of the tube20, which may have an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of (the cylindrical wall21of) the tube20.

The process100forms a first indentation within the tube20in which a first portion of the cylindrical wall concaves into the hollow interior. Specifically, the first indentation is formed by applying heat to the first portion of the tube and applying an inward pressure to the first portion (at block103). The process100rotates the tube20(at block104). The process100forms a second indentation within the tube20in which a second portion of the cylindrical wall concaves into the hollow interior. In particular, the second indentation is formed by applying heat to the second portion of the tube and applying an inward pressure to the second portion (at block105). The process106separates the filter (e.g.,93) from the tube20that includes the first and second indentations by scoring the tube to produce a scored mark on the tube, applying heat upon the scored mark, and then thermally shocking the tube by spraying water upon the heated scored mark, which causes the filter to separate from the tube (at block106). The process100flame polishes an end of the filter (block107). For example, as illustrated inFIG.9, the filter93has an end94that was attached to tube20, before the tube was thermally shocked, thereby cutting off the filter. In one embodiment, this end94may be flame polished in a similar fashion to the end23as described in block102.

Some embodiments perform variations of the process100described inFIG.10. For example, the specific operations of at least some of the processes may not be performed in the exact order shown and described. The specific operations may not be performed in one continuous series of operations and different specific operations may be performed in different embodiments. For instance, the first and second indentations may be performed in any order (e.g., the first indentation being performed before the second indentation or vice a versa). In some embodiments, at least some of the operations described herein are optional. For example, the operations contained in dashed blocks (e.g., blocks102and107) may not be performed.

FIG.11shows another filter111for smoking smokable substances that includes three or more indentations along a center longitudinal axis according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The filter111is similar to filter1illustrated inFIG.1. For instance, the filter111includes the smoke section10, the indentation section11, and the receiving section12. Filter111also includes three (or more) indentations, each of which being a concave portion of the wall of the filter that extends along a portion of the tube in the Z-direction. As shown, each of the indentations at least partially overlaps one or more other indentations along a same section or length of the filter111. Specifically, a first cross-section of the filter111having a length between19aand18bin the Z-direction includes a portion of the first indentation and a (first) portion of the second indentation9, and a second cross-section of the filter111having a length between118aand19bin the Z-direction includes a portion of the third indentation112and another (second) portion of the second indentation9. In one embodiment, the cross-sections are separate and adjacent to one another, and have a same length along the Z-axis, such that a length (or distance) between19aand18bis the same as the length between118aand19b. In another embodiment, points18band118amay be the same point. In another embodiment, both of the cross-sections may include equal (or symmetric) portions of respective indentations contained therein.

In one embodiment, at least some of the indentations may be radially aligned with one another. In particular, the first indentation8may be radially aligned with the third indentation112along the Z-axis. For instance, when forming the third indentation, a portion of the tube20where heat and pressure are applied may be vertically aligned (along the Z-axis) with the portion25, as shown inFIGS.2and3. In some embodiments, the indentations may be radially separated as described herein. For example, the first and third indentations are radially separated from the second indentation9about the Z-axis by 180°, as shown. Specifically, once each indentation is formed, the filter may be rotated by 180° to then form a next indentation. In another embodiment, the indentations may be radially separated differently. For example, the indentations may be separated in a spiral fashion about the Z-axis, such as the first indentation being at 0°, the second indentation being at 90°, and the third indentation being at 180°.

As shown, three or more indentations may be positioned along the Z-axis. For instance, the third indentation112is entirely disposed above the first indentation along the Z-axis. In one embodiment, each of the three indentations may be equidistant along the Z-axis. In one embodiment, distances (in the Z-direction) between midpoints of adjacent indentations may be the same (or similar). For example, a distance between a midpoint of the first indentation (e.g., between18aand18b) and a midpoint of the second indentation (e.g., between19aand19b) may be the same as a distance between the midpoint of the second indentation and a midpoint of the third indentation (e.g., between118aand118b).

In one embodiment, the addition of indentations also creates additional paths within the hollow interior of the filter that fluidly couple sections10and12together in order to allow smoke to travel between the sections. As shown, the first and second indentations form the path15, and the second and third indentations form path113. Both paths fluidly couple the chambers of sections10and12together, as described herein. In one embodiment, the paths may be similar (or the same). For instance, the shape and/or size of the paths may be the same. In another embodiment, the paths may be different (e.g., sized differently), which may be based on different sized indentations.

As shown, the filter111includes an odd number of indentations. In some embodiments, the filter may include an even number of indentations. In which case, a fourth indentations may be disposed entirely above the second indentation9(along the Z-axis), and/or may be aligned with the second indentation.

FIG.12shows another filter for smoking smokable substances that includes several indentations according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. This figure illustrates filter121that includes three indentations,127,128, and129that are entirely aligned along a transverse plane to the Z-axis. Specifically, the concave portions of each of the indentations are extend along a same (or similar) length or section of the filter121. For example, a cross-section of the (e.g., entire) indentation section11includes each of the three indentations along the entire length of the cross-section. This is in contrast to the indentation section ofFIG.1, in which a cross section between18band19bincludes a portion of indentation9but not a portion of indentation8. In one embodiment, the indentations are entirely aligned such that no cross-section of either the receiving section12or the smoke section10includes any portion of the indentations. In another embodiment, a portion of a cross-section of the receiving section and/or the smoke section may include portions of all three indentations.

In another embodiment, the concave portions of each of the inventions may have a same size and/or shape. In another embodiment, the concave portions may be different in size and/or shape. In particular, a size and/or shape of one indentation may be different than a size and/or shape of another indentation. For example, a size of the indentation129, such as a length of the indentation extending from a side of the filter's wall to the Z-axis, may be different than a length of the indentation128.

FIGS.13aand13bshow different views of the filter121. For instance,FIG.13ashows a perspective view of the filter121that includes the three indentations127-129.FIG.13bshows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the filter121. Specifically, this figure shows a cross-section of the indentation section11along a transverse plane140to the Z-axis, as shown inFIG.13a. In one embodiment, the indentations are entirely aligned with the transverse plane140such that the plane crosses through a midpoint of the indentation section (and midpoints of each of the indentations) and separates each of the indentations into equal halves. For instance, one half of indentation127is above the plane140and another half of indentation127is below the plane. Also shown in this figure, the indentation section includes a hollow interior141(or path) that is formed by each of the indentations. Thus, this interior141fluidly couples the chambers of the opposing receiving and smoke sections to one another. Also shown, the center longitudinal Z-axis intersects the hollow interior141such that no portion of the indentations are intersected by the Z-axis.

In one embodiment, each of the indentations are equidistant along a circumference of the tube filter. Specifically, segments or arch lengths between adjacent indentations are the same. This is also illustrated by the angle at which (e.g., a midpoint of) each of the indentations is positioned about the Z-axis. In this case, the angles may be equidistant about the Z-axis. For example, Θ1of indentation127may be 45°, Θ2of indentation129may be 180°, and Θ3of indentation128may be 315°. In another embodiment, the angles may not be equidistant (e.g., a segment between indentation129and128may be shorter than a segment between indentation129and127).

In some embodiments, the filter121may include more or less indentations. For example, the filter may include only two indentations that are aligned along the Z-axis and are 180° apart about the Z-axis. As another example, the filter may include four indentations.

In one embodiment, one or more operations performed in process100may be performed similarly or differently to manufacture filter121. For example, to form the second and third indentation, the tube may be rotated about the Z-axis, and the heat and pressure may be applied at a same or similar point along the Z-axis, such that all (or some) of the indentations are aligned with one another.

As previously explained, an embodiment of the disclosure may be a non-transitory machine-readable medium (such as microelectronic memory) having stored thereon instructions, which program one or more data processing components (generically referred to here as a “processor”) to perform the glass manufacturing operations of a vial manufacturing process. For instance, each of the processing operations disclosed herein may be performed by a single machine or a combination of machines, such that each of the steps are considered automated and capable of being performed without user intervention. In other embodiments, some of these operations might be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic. Those operations might alternatively be performed by any combination of programmed data processing components and fixed hardwired circuit components.

While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, this disclosure may include the language, for example, “at least one of [element A] and [element B].” This language may refer to one or more of the elements. For example, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “A,” “B,” or “A and B.” Specifically, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “at least one of A and at least one of B,” or “at least of either A or B.” In some embodiments, this disclosure may include the language, for example, “[element A], [element B], and/or [element C].” This language may refer to either of the elements or any combination thereof. For instance, “A, B, and/or C” may refer to “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C,” or “A, B, and C.”