U.S. patent application number 15/095844 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-13 for smoke pipes.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tianyi Geng, Paul Kalousek, Mauricio Romano, Jordan Steranka. Invention is credited to Tianyi Geng, Paul Kalousek, Mauricio Romano, Jordan Steranka.
Application Number | 20160295911 15/095844 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57111385 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160295911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kalousek; Paul ; et
al. |
October 13, 2016 |
SMOKE PIPES
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to smoke pipes to draw smoke
from a bowl with burning material, through a cooling chamber, and
into a mouthpiece. The smoke pipes each include a coupler, a bowl,
and a cooling chamber. The coupler removably receives the cooling
chamber and the bowl. Material is burned in the bowl and resulting
gasses are drawn into the cooling chamber and then into the
mouthpiece by applying suction to the mouthpiece. The smoke pipes
may include downstems extending into the cooling chamber from the
portion of the coupler into which the cooling chamber is removably
inserted. The cooling chambers may be capable of holding liquid.
The smoke pipes may also include a perforated disc removably placed
between the cooling chamber and the coupler so that after the smoke
passes through the cooling chamber it then passes through the disc
and into the mouthpiece.
Inventors: |
Kalousek; Paul; (Portland,
OR) ; Romano; Mauricio; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Geng; Tianyi; (Kirkland, WA) ; Steranka; Jordan;
(Snohomish, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kalousek; Paul
Romano; Mauricio
Geng; Tianyi
Steranka; Jordan |
Portland
San Francisco
Kirkland
Snohomish |
OR
CA
WA
WA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57111385 |
Appl. No.: |
15/095844 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62178378 |
Apr 9, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 7/00 20130101; A24F
1/30 20130101; A24F 3/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 1/30 20060101
A24F001/30; A24F 7/00 20060101 A24F007/00; A24F 3/00 20060101
A24F003/00 |
Claims
1. A smoke pipe, comprising: a coupler, the coupler comprising: a
first receiving portion, a second receiving portion, and a
mouthpiece; a bowl that is removably inserted into the first
receiving portion; and a cooling chamber that is removably inserted
into the second receiving portion, wherein the coupler routes
gasses passing from the bowl through the cooling chamber and into
the mouthpiece when suction is applied to the mouthpiece.
2. The smoke pipe of claim 1, further comprising a downstem that
removably inserts into the coupler and extends into the cooling
chamber.
3. The smoke pipe of claim 2, wherein the downstem is in fluid
communication with the bowl such that gasses passing from the bowl
to the cooling chamber are routed through the downstem.
4. The smoke pipe of claim 3, wherein the downstem further
comprises a first end that removably inserts into the coupler, a
second end located distally from the first end, and a percolation
cap disposed upon the second end of the downstem such that gasses
passing through the downstem must pass through the percolation
cap.
5. The smoke pipe of claim 1, further comprising a perforated disc
that removably inserts into the coupler between the coupler and the
cooling chamber.
6. The smoke pipe of claim 1, wherein the first receiving portion
is disposed in line with the mouthpiece.
7. The smoke pipe of claim 6, wherein the second receiving portion
is disposed so as to place the cooling chamber close to or
suggesting perpendicular to the line formed by the first receiving
portion and the mouthpiece.
8. The smoke pipe of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is sized so as
to accommodate a lighter.
9. The smoke pipe of claim 1, wherein the coupler routes gasses
through the cooling chamber such that the gasses first pass through
a liquid contained within the cooling chamber.
10. A smoke pipe, comprising: a coupler, the coupler further
comprising: a first receiving portion, a second receiving portion,
and a mouthpiece; a bowl that is removably inserted into the first
receiving portion; a cooling chamber that is removably inserted
into the second receiving portion; and a downstem extending from
the second receiving portion into the cooling chamber.
11. The smoke pipe of claim 10, wherein the bowl further comprises:
a base including a base portion that is inserted into the first
receiving portion; a bowl portion in the base that opens opposite
to the base portion and is capable of receiving material; a flange
that extends from perimeter of the bowl portion; and one or more
holes disposed in the center of the bottom of the bowl that allow
gas to pass from the bowl portion to the base portion.
12. The smoke pipe of claim 10, further comprising a perforated
disc that is inserted into the second receiving portion prior to
insertion of the cooling chamber, wherein the perforated disc is
designed to allow passage of smoke from the cooling chamber to the
mouthpiece while impeding the passage of any liquid placed within
the cooling chamber.
13. The smoke pipe of claim 12, wherein the first receiving portion
is located substantially proximate to the mouthpiece.
14. The smoke pipe of claim 13, wherein the cooling chamber is
removably attached to the second receiving portion by a threaded
connection.
15. The smoke pipe of claim 14, wherein the arrangement of the
mouthpiece, the first receiving portion, and the second receiving
portion provide a handle for the smoke pipe.
16. The smoke pipe of claim 10, wherein the coupler is configured
to convey smoke from material burning in the bowl to the mouthpiece
by first passing the smoke through the downstem, then through the
cooling chamber, passing the smoke through any liquid placed within
the cooling chamber.
17. A smoke pipe, comprising: a coupler; a bowl that is removably
attached to the coupler; a cooling chamber capable of holding
liquid that is removably attached to the coupler; a downstem that
is removably attached to the coupler, with an end that extends into
the cooling chamber; and a perforated disc that is removably
inserted between the cooling chamber and the coupler, wherein smoke
generated by material burned in the bowl passes through the
downstem, then through the cooling chamber, then through the
perforated disc, and then into the mouthpiece when suction is
applied to the mouthpiece.
18. The smoke pipe of claim 17, wherein the end of the downstem
that extends into cooling chamber further comprises a percolation
cap.
19. The smoke pipe of claim 18, wherein the bowl further comprises:
a base including a base portion that is inserted into the coupler;
a bowl portion in the base that opens opposite to the base portion
and is capable of receiving material; a flange that extends from
perimeter of the bowl portion; and one or more holes disposed in
the center of the bottom of the bowl that allow gas to pass from
the bowl portion to the base portion.
20. The smoke pipe of claim 19, wherein the arrangement of the
bowl, mouthpiece, and cooling chamber is such that the coupler
comprises a handle for the smoke pipe.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to copending U.S.
Application Ser. No. 62/178,378, filed on Apr. 9, 2015, which is
hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to smoke pipes. In
particular, pipes for generating smoke from burning material and
drawing it through a cooling chamber and into a mouthpiece by
suction are described.
[0003] Known smoke pipes are not entirely satisfactory for the
range of applications in which they are employed. For example,
existing smoke pipes with cooling chambers use bowls removably
mounted on a piece that is separate from the mouthpiece and
commonly down near the bottom of the cooling chamber with the
cooling chamber itself providing a mouthpiece. Thus, the distance
between the bowl and the mouthpiece is commonly defined by the size
of the cooling chamber. In addition, causing smoke to travel a
further distance through a cooling chamber commonly requires
creating more distance between the bowl and the mouthpiece and
makes the pipe harder to operate. A user may create a long stem
from the bowl to the cooling chamber to reduce the user's distance
between the bowl and mouthpiece, but this adds complexity and
increases the risk of breaking. Further, conventional smoke pipes
may use liquids in the cooling chamber and are prone to splashing
the liquid on the mouthpiece when suction is applied.
[0004] Some existing smoke pipes may attach mouthpieces to lengths
of tubing that allow a user to reach the bowl while operating the
mouthpiece and create more distance to travel within the cooling
chamber, but this adds complexity, makes it more difficult to
simultaneously operate the bowl and the mouthpiece while holding
the cooling chamber, and makes cleaning more difficult.
[0005] Thus, there exists a need for smoke pipes that improve upon
and advance the design of known smoke pipes. Examples of new and
useful smoke pipes relevant to the needs existing in the field are
discussed below.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure is directed to smoke pipes for a user
to draw smoke from a bowl with burning material, through a cooling
chamber, and into a mouthpiece. The smoke pipes each include a
coupler, a bowl, and a cooling chamber. The coupler removably
receives the cooling chamber. In another portion outside the
cooling chamber, the coupler removably receives a bowl where
material can be burned and from which the resulting gasses can be
drawn into the cooling chamber and then into the mouthpiece, which
is another part of the coupler and outside the cooling chamber, by
applying suction to the mouthpiece.
[0007] In some examples, the smoke pipes may include downstems
extending into the cooling chamber from the portion of the coupler
into which the cooling chamber is removably inserted. In some
further examples, the cooling chambers may be capable of holding
liquid and the smoke pipes may include a perforated disc. The
perforated disc is removably placed between the cooling chamber and
the coupler so that after the smoke passes through the cooling
chamber it then passes through the disc and into the
mouthpiece.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a smoke
pipe depicting a coupler, a bowl, a cooling chamber, and a
downstem.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side, cross-section view of the smoke pipe
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the smoke pipe
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded, cross-section, side view of the
coupler, bowl, and upper portions of the downstem and cooling
chamber depicted in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5A is a top view of the bowl depicted in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5B is a side, cross-section view of the bowl depicted
in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the bowl depicted in FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the coupler depicted in
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 6B is a side, cross-section view of the coupler
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6C is a bottom view of the coupler depicted in FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a user placing a
lighter in the coupler depicted in FIG. 1 for storage.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the smoke pipe depicted in
FIG. 1 in use by a user inhaling smoke.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view generally from the bottom
showing the smoke pipe depicted in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second example of a smoke
pipe depicting a coupler, a bowl, a cooling chamber, and a
downstem.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The disclosed smoke pipes will become better understood
through review of the following detailed description in conjunction
with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide
merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those
skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may
be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope
of the inventions described herein. Many variations are
contemplated for different applications and design considerations;
however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated
variation is not individually described in the following detailed
description.
[0023] Throughout the following detailed description, examples of
various smoke pipes are provided. Related features in the examples
may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For
the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly
explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature
names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature
name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained
previously. Features specific to a given example will be described
in that particular example. The reader should understand that a
given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific
portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
[0024] The present disclosure relates to smoke pipes for generating
smoke from burning material and drawing the smoke through a cooling
chamber and into a mouthpiece by suction. The disclosed smoke pipes
use a coupler, comprised of a mouthpiece, a portion that receives a
cooling chamber, and a portion that receives a bowl for burning
material. The coupler provides a simple way to hold the smoke pipe
while using it, as well as providing easy clean-up. In some
examples, a downstem from the coupler into the cooling chamber
provides a way to increase the distance the smoke travels through
the cooling chamber without increasing the distance from bowl to
mouthpiece or using long bowl or mouthpiece stems. In further
examples, the disclosed smoke pipes provide a cooling chamber that
can hold liquids and a perforated disc that prevents the liquids
from splashing into the bowl or mouthpiece during use.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 1-9, a first example of a smoke
pipe, smoke pipe 100, will now be described. The reader will
appreciate from the figures and description below that smoke pipe
100 addresses shortcomings of conventional smoke pipes.
[0026] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 6A, 6B, and 6C, coupler 110
includes first receiving portion 112, second receiving portion 114,
and mouthpiece 116. First receiving portion 112 removably receives
bowl 120. Second receiving portion 114 removably receives cooling
chamber 132. In the present example, first receiving portion 112 is
located substantially proximate to mouthpiece 116. In this example,
first receiving portion 112 is disposed in line with mouthpiece 116
and so that second receiving portion 114 is disposed so as to place
the cooling chamber at an angle that suggests or is close to
perpendicular to the line, but it should be understood that coupler
110 can be configured in any suitable size or arrangement locating
first receiving portion 112 substantially proximate to mouthpiece
116 that the user desires according to the user's particular needs
and desires. In the present example, coupler 110 also provides a
handle for smoke pipe 100.
[0027] Coupler 110 avoids the need for a long stem to bring a bowl
and mouthpiece close to each other for the user to see and reach
both. Its arrangement also reduces neck strain associated with
conventional smoke pipes that open at the top of the cooling
chamber. It also prevents the need for long tubing, thus making it
much easier tor a single person to use the pipe while holding it or
to move it.
[0028] It should be understood that coupler 110 is made from a
heat-resistant plastic sufficient to withstand the temperatures
ordinarily associated with using a lighter to burn material for
smoking and resist imparting any scents, flavors, or other
contaminants to the gasses drawn from the burning material. Coupler
110 can be made from any other suitable material according to the
user's particular desires and wishes such as, for example brass,
stainless steel, dense-grained wood, corn cob, clay, glass, or
ceramic.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3, 6A, 6B, and 6C, first receiving portion
112 is a substantially cylindrical void defined by coupler 110 that
extends partially into coupler 110. A tube with a more narrow
diameter than first receiving portion 112, first coupler tube 113,
extends through coupler 110 from first receiving portion 112 into
second receiving portion 114. Smoke drawn from burning material in
bowl 120 passes through first coupler tube 113 and into second
receiving portion 114 without first intermingling with mouthpiece
116.
[0030] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate bowl 120. Bowl 120 is
removably inserted into first receiving portion 112 as shown in
FIG. 1. Bowl 120 is substantially cylindrical and shaped so it sits
in the first receiving portion. In the present example, bowl 120 is
a cylinder and made of titanium, but any suitable shape and
material can be used, according to the user's particular needs and
wishes. For example, the bowl may be made of any material capable
of holding a burning material such as, for example, brass,
stainless steel, dense-grained wood, corn cob, clay, glass,
ceramic, or any other suitable material. Further, the bowl might
have a square- or hexagonal-shaped cross section, or might be a
mesh screen sized to sit over the first receiving portion.
[0031] As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 6A, 6C, and 9, second receiving
portion 114 is a substantially cylindrical void defined by coupler
110 and shaped to removably accept cooling chamber 132. Smoke drawn
from bowl 120 passes into the cooling chamber through second
receiving portion 114. The second receiving portion removably
accepts the cooling chamber using screw-in threads in the present
example, but any means of removably inserting the cooling chamber
can be used.
[0032] FIGS. 2, 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate the present example in
which the bowl includes base 121, base portion 122, bowl portion
124, flange 126, holes 128, and side holes 129. Base 121 is
narrower at its base, where it inserts removably into first
receiving portion 112, and wider at its top where it includes
flange 126. Flange 126 extends radially from bowl portion 124 to a
diameter that is wider than first receiving portion 112 so that the
base portion sits removably in the first receiving portion. In this
way, the bowl is held removably in place by force of gravity and
can be lifted off by the user during operation. Further, flange 126
includes ribbed sides that increase the surface area of bowl 120 to
disperse heat away more quickly than smooth sides and provide the
user a more secure grip.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5B, and 5C, bowl portion 124 is a
circular depression in the center of flange 126 that does not
extend all the way through base 121. Base portion 122 is an opening
defined by base 121 opposite from bowl portion 124. Base 121
defines one or more holes 128, which are voids extending through
base 121 placing bowl portion 124 in fluid communication with base
portion 122. In the present example bowl 120 includes seven holes
128, but other examples may include more or fewer holes. Users
place the material they want to burn for generating smoke into bowl
portion 124 where it is held such that users can apply a flame to
it, typically with a lighter. Smoke or other gasses from burning
material can be drawn into second receiving portion 114 through
first coupler tube 113 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0034] As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5B, and 5C, base 121 defines side
holes 129. Side holes 129 are voids extending from base portion 122
through base 121 at an approximately 90.degree. angle relative to
holes 128. In the present example, bowl 120 includes two side holes
129, but other examples may include more or fewer holes according
to the user's needs and desires. Side holes 129 allow fresh air to
flow into the cooling chamber when bowl 120 is lifted far enough
out of first receiving portion 112 to expose side holes 129. While
smoke pipe 100 may be used without side holes 129 because the
tapered shape of base 121 allows air to flow past its sides when it
is lifted, side holes 129 increase the available space for air to
flow by allowing air to also flow into and through base portion
122.
[0035] Bowl 120 is made of titanium, which resists imparting any
scents, flavors, or other contaminants to the gasses drawn from the
burning material, but any suitable material can be used such as,
for example, brass, stainless steel, dense-grained wood, corn cob,
clay, ceramic, or any other suitable material. Further, bowl 120 is
generally cylindrical in the present example, but can be any shape
the user desires such as, for example, a square- or
hexagonal-shaped cross-section. In addition, bowl 120 is held
removably in place by force of gravity in the present example, but
any suitable means of holding bowl 120 can be used.
[0036] As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, disc 130 is a
substantially circular disc with an opening in its center sized to
allow gasses to pass from bowl 120 to first coupler tube 113. Disc
130 is magnetized to removably hold bowl 120 with more security
than gravity alone, such that the user may still remove bowl 120
with one hand during use. Disc 130 works with a bowl that is
attracted to disc 130, but its use with any bowl does not limit the
operation of the smoke pipe. Disc 130 in the present example is
removably secured at the bottom of first receiving portion 112 by
tension of the narrowing side walls of first receiving portion 112,
but it could be held by any suitable method, including with metal
in coupler 110, with an adhesive, or by molding it in place.
[0037] Unlike conventional bowls, the shape of bowl 120 enables it
to stand upright on its own when removed from coupler 110. In this
way, bowl 120 reduces the likelihood of material falling out when
the bowl is removed from the pipe and when the user sets it down.
Flange 126 further reduces the likelihood of bowl portion 124 from
reaching an angle sufficient to allow material to fall out when
bowl 120 is set clown upright or on its side.
[0038] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, cooling chamber 132 is
removably inserted into second receiving portion 114, in this case
using screw-type threads although any suitable means of removably
securing the cooling chamber may be used. Cooling chamber 132 is a
cylinder, in this case wider at its base than at its top to provide
stability when standing upright with the other components of smoke
pipe 100. In this case, cooling chamber 132 is made of a glass that
can hold ice or liquids, including water, and withstand the heat
from gasses drawn in from the bowl, cold temperatures such as ice,
and the temperature changes that occur when such hot gasses
interact with cold ice or liquids in the cooling chamber. It should
be understood that cooling chamber 132 may be made from any
suitable material such as, for example, brass, stainless steel,
dense-grained wood, clay, or ceramic, according to the user's
particular needs and desires.
[0039] FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 illustrate downstem 134 in use with
smoke pipe 100. Downstem 134 includes first end 136, entry tube
137, second end 138, exit tubes 139, and percolation cap 140. Smoke
pipe 100 may be used without a downstem, so that gasses drawn in
from bowl 120 enter cooling chamber 132 at second receiving portion
114. When smoke pipe 100 is used with downstem 134, the downstem is
in fluid communication with bowl 120 so that gasses drawn from the
bowl are routed through the downstem.
[0040] In the example shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6A, and 9, downstem 134
is an elongate tube, in this case made of plastic though any
suitable material that withstands the temperatures of smoke pipe
100 during can be used, that removably inserts into second
receiving portion 114 with screw-type threads at first end 136,
though any suitable means of removably securing it may be used.
Further, first end 136 inserts into the second receiving portion
before the cooling chamber is inserted. Downstem 134 contains a
hollow tube defining entry tube 137. Entry tube 137 communicates
with first coupler tube 113 so that gasses drawn from bowl 120 pass
into entry tube 137. Gasses exit from entry tube 137 at second end
138, which is located distal from first end 136.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 8, downstem 134 includes
percolation cap 140 located at second end 138. Percolation cap 140
is a hollow metal piece defining holes. The cap removably attaches
to second end 138. Gasses exit from entry tube 137 through
percolation cap 140 both through side holes and through the bottom,
more effectively spreading the gasses into cooling chamber 132.
When there is a liquid, this produces more bubbles so that more
surface area is in contact with the liquid. When there is a solid
like ice in the cooling chamber, this creates more interaction
between the gasses and the solid, enhancing the filtering and
cooling or warming effect of the user's chosen liquid or ice. The
cap can be removed for cleaning. It should be understood that smoke
pipe 100 may be used without percolation cap 140, but that when the
percolation cap is used the gasses exiting from entry tube 137 must
then pass through percolation cap 140.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, and 9, gasses in the
cooling chamber are drawn out by applying suction to mouthpiece
116. This suction draws the gasses through exit tubes 139. Exit
tubes 139 are voids defined by first end 136 and positioned so they
surround the outside of entry tube 137.
[0043] Smoke pipe 100 includes perforated disc 142 as shown in
FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. In this example, perforated disc 142 is a
roughly fiat, round metal disc with a hollow tube in the center
defining a hole through the center of the disc, center tube 144,
and additional holes surrounding center hole 144 that also go
through the disc, secondary holes 146. While smoke pipe 100 can be
used without perforated disc 142, in this example perforated disc
142 is removably inserted into second receiving portion 114 first,
before either downstem 134 or cooling chamber 132. Downstem 134,
when used, or cooling chamber 132 hold perforated disc 142 in place
by squeezing it when the downstem or cooling chamber is
inserted.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, center tube 144 extends into
first coupler tube 113 and into entry tube 137, forming an
air-tight path for gasses to travel from the bowl into entry tube
137. Secondary holes 146 sit over exit tubes 139, forming a path
for gasses to travel from the cooling chamber into mouthpiece
116.
[0045] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the shape of exit tubes 139
are more narrow in diameter than second receiving portion 114 and
cooling chamber 132. This reduces the likelihood of water or other
liquids in the cooling chamber from splashing up into the
mouthpiece during use. The shape of mouthpiece 116, which bends as
shown in FIG. 6b and is narrower where it opens into second
receiving portion 114, also reduces the likelihood of water or
other liquids splashing into it from the cooling chamber.
Perforated disc 142 reduces, or preferably prevents, water or other
liquids from splashing up into the mouthpiece. It should be
understood that smoke pipe 100 may be used without downstem 134 or
perforated disc 142, or it may be used with either one alone or
with both.
[0046] FIGS. 4, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7, and 8 illustrate mouthpiece 116.
Mouthpiece 116 is a void defined as a tube through coupler 110 and
opening through second receiving portion 114. Mouthpiece 116 does
not connect to first coupler tube 113. Gasses drawn from bowl 120
into cooling chamber 132 are then drawn through mouthpiece 116 by
applying suction to mouthpiece 116, usually created with the user's
mouth as shown in FIG. 8 while lifting bowl 120 from first
receiving portion 112. As shown in FIG. 7, mouthpiece 116 is a
round tube, sized large enough to hold an ordinary lighter. It
should be understood that the mouthpiece can be any suitable shape
and size, according to the user's particular needs and desires. The
length of mouthpiece 116 places the user's mouth a safe distance
from bowl 120 to avoid burns from using a lighter or from the
burning material, while coupler 110 enables an individual to carry
and to use smoke pipe 100 while holding it alone as shown in FIG. 8
even when the cooling chamber is filled with water.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates how the components of smoke pipe 100 may
be taken apart for easy cleaning, storage, or transport. The
components of conventional smoke pipes are often fused together or
positioned in such a way that hand-cleaning is more difficult than
with smoke pipe 100. That the components may be separated and
cleaned, or replaced individually, makes smoke pipe 100 more
sanitary, safer, and cost-effective than conventional smoke pipes.
Removing cooling chamber 132 separately also makes it easier to
empty or fill with new liquid or ice.
[0048] Turning attention to FIG. 10, a second example of a smoke
pipe, smoke pipe 200, will now be described. Smoke pipe 200
includes many similar or identical features to smoke pipe 100.
Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of smoke pipe 200 will
not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between
smoke pipe 200 and smoke pipe 100 will be described in detail and
the reader should reference the discussion above for features
substantially similar between the two smoke pipes.
[0049] As can be seen in FIG. 10, smoke pipe 200 includes coupler
210, bowl 220, cooling chamber 232, downstem 234, and perforated
disc 242. Smoke pipe 200 differs from smoke pipe 100 in that
coupler 210 is shaped differently from coupler 110.
[0050] FIG. 10 illustrates coupler 210 in which first receiving
portion 212 and mouthpiece 216 are disposed in line with each other
so that second receiving portion 214 is between the line formed by
the mouthpiece and first receiving portion. In the present example,
second receiving portion 214 is disposed in a way that is close to
or including perpendicular to the line, but it should be understood
that second receiving portion 214 may be disposed at any suitable
angle the user desires. It should be further understood that while
the present example illustrates a roughly T-shaped coupler, coupler
210 may dispose first receiving portion 212, mouthpiece 216, and
second receiving portion 214 in any configuration the user desires
that places the mouthpiece and first receiving portion in line with
each other. Coupler 210 can also serve as a handle for the user and
enable one person to use the smoke pipe while holding it, but it
should be understood that the coupler can form any shape or size
the user desires.
[0051] The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct
inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions
has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments
disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a
limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject
matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious
combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features,
functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those
skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the
disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite "a" element, "a
first" element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or
claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such
elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such
elements.
[0052] Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to
combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that
are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in
other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions,
elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of
those claims or presentation of new claims in the present
application or in a related application. Such amended or new
claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a
different invention and whether they are different broader,
narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be
considered within the subject matter of the inventions described
herein.
* * * * *