Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F1/00—Tobacco pipes
  • A24F1/30—Hookahs

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a portable water-pipe, and particularly a pocket-sized water-pipe, for smoking tobacco and similar substances.
• the smoking of water-pipe tobacco has gained substantially in popularity.
• the smoking of this kind of tobacco product is typically practised using a traditional water-pipe, variously known from near- and middle-eastern states, as well as from the Indian subcontinent, as a "hookah”, “shisha” or “nargile” pipe.
• the traditional water-pipe has a bowl arranged at the top which holds coal and tobacco during a smoking session.
• the bowl is loaded with tobacco then covered with a perforated aluminum foil or a glass or metal screen. Lit coals are then placed on top of the foil or screen, which allows the tobacco to heat to the proper temperature.
• This tobacco bowl of the pipe sits above a water jar, which is sometimes referred to as the vase or base, and a tube communicating with the bowl extends down from the bowl into the water jar to a level below the water in the jar.
• a hose or tube is connected with the water jar in communication with the air-space above the water and this hose or tube typically has a mouth-piece at its distal end through which a user inhales.
• the pressure in the space above the water in the jar drops and air is pulled through the charcoal and into the bowl holding the tobacco.
• the hot air heated by the charcoal, vaporizes (not burns) the tobacco and produces smoke, which is passed down through the tube that extends into the water in the jar.
• the invention provides a portable water-pipe for smoking a substance, such as tobacco or the like, comprising:
• a housing having a mount for holding the substance to be smoked and a chamber for holding water, wherein the chamber is connected in fluid communication with the mount via a first fluid connection;
• the present invention provides a water-pipe that is designed to be manufactured small enough to fit in a pocket of a coat or jacket, or in a personal carry-bag.
• the pipe of the invention is able to be carried while containing water without significant risk of unwanted leakage or spillage of that water. That is, the portable water-pipe will naturally be subject to jostling and movement when carried in a pocket or bag, such that the orientation of the pipe may vary. It is therefore a feature of the invention that the egress of water from the chamber via the first fluid connection is inhibited.
• the first fluid connection defines a convoluted or tortuous fluid path between the mount and the chamber, especially a bottom region of the chamber.
• the first fluid connection preferably comprises a first channel or first tube which interconnects the mount and the water chamber, and this first channel or tube preferably extends in a convoluted path (e.g. having a plurality of bends) between the mount and a lower or bottom region of the water chamber.
• the path of the first fluid connection constricts or narrows from an outlet opening thereof adjacent the bottom region of the chamber towards the mount.
• the water pipe comprises a first valve mechanism to substantially close or seal the first fluid connection against fluid flow.
• the first valve mechanism is selectively movable from an open position permitting fluid flow to a closed position inhibiting fluid flow.
• the first valve mechanism preferably includes an actuating member that is movable, e.g. slidable or rotatable, to move the valve mechanism between the open position and the closed position. This actuating member is preferably arranged on or adjacent the mount.
• the mouth-piece of the water-pipe is connected in fluid communication with the chamber via a second fluid connection, and this second fluid connection is preferably also configured to inhibit egress of water from the chamber irrespective of an orientation of the housing.
• the second fluid connection preferably defines a convoluted or tortuous fluid path between the mouth-piece and a top region of the chamber.
• the second fluid connection may comprise a second channel or second tube which interconnects the mouth-piece and the water chamber, and this second channel or tube desirably extends in a convoluted path (e.g. having a plurality of bends) between the mouth-piece and an upper or top region of the chamber.
• the path of the second fluid connection constricts or narrows from an inlet opening thereof adjacent the top region of the chamber towards the mouth-piece.
• the water pipe comprises a second valve mechanism to substantially close or seal the second fluid connection against fluid flow.
• the second valve mechanism may be selectively movable from an open position permitting fluid flow to a closed position inhibiting fluid flow.
• the second valve mechanism may include an actuating member that is movable, e.g. slidable or rotatable, to move the second valve mechanism between the open position and the closed position. This actuating member is preferably part of or adjacent to the mouth-piece.
• the housing of the water-pipe includes one or more partition or baffle member which at least partially separates the chamber from the mouth-piece. Accordingly, each partition or baffle member may help form the convoluted fluid path of the second fluid connection and/or assist to prevent or inhibit water in the chamber from sloshing into the mouth-piece during movement of the water-pipe in use.
• the housing comprises an elongate upper surface upon which at least one of the mount for holding the substance to be smoked and the mouth ⁇ piece are arranged or attached.
• the mount is designed or configured to hold a product, e.g. a water-pipe tobacco product, to be smoked.
• the mount may be configured simply for insertion of a cigarette or a cigarillo.
• the present invention provides a product, and especially a tobacco product, to be smoked with a water-pipe, the product comprising a body or pellet of a substance to be smoked, especially including tobacco, and a heat source element provided at an end region of the body or pellet .
• the heat source element comprises charcoal, wood or the like, and may be provided as a chip or disc element at an end of the body or pellet.
• the body or pellet of the substance to be smoked is preferably provided in a prismatic form (e.g. in a cylindrical form) and the heat source element may thus have the form of a circular disc, preferably with a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm.
• the diameter of the body or pellet of the product is preferably in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm, and more preferably about 10 mm.
• either the product itself, or at least the body or pellet of the substance to be smoked, is wrapped in a foil, especially in a metal-based foil such as an aluminium-based foil.
• the product may also include a wrap or layer of cigarette paper.
• the body or pellet of the substance to be smoked includes one or more of: tobacco, glycerine (e.g. vegetable glycerine), propylene glycol (PG) , cut filler, and a flavour additive.
• glycerine e.g. vegetable glycerine
• PG propylene glycol
• the glycerine and/or the propylene glycol may be present in an amount ⁇ 25% by mass, and more preferably ⁇ 50% by mass of the body or pellet.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a water-pipe according to a first embodiment
• Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water- pipe shown in Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water- pipe shown in Fig. 1 in use;
• Fig. 4a, 4b are perspective views of a first valve mechanism in the water-pipe shown in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5a, 5b are schematic cross-sectional views of the water- pipe shown in Fig. 1 showing the first and second valve mechanisms in open and closed positions;
• Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water- pipe according to a second embodiment
• Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of the water-pipe shown in Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water- pipe according to a third embodiment
• Fig. 9a-9c are schematic cross-sectional and plan views of the water-pipe and mouth-piece shown in Fig. 8;
• Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water- pipe tobacco product according to an embodiment;
• Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the water-pipe tobacco product shown in Fig. 10;
• Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water- pipe according to a fourth embodiment
• Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the water-pipe shown in
• Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water- pipe according to a fifth embodiment
• Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the water-pipe shown in
• Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water- pipe according to a variation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 14;
• Fig. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water- pipe according to a sixth embodiment.
• Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the water-pipe shown in
• a water-pipe 1 according to a first embodiment is illustrated in both perspective and cross-sectional views together with a tobacco product 30 designed to be smoked with the water-pipe 1.
• the water-pipe 1 may be fabricated from moulded plastic components and comprises elongate housing 2 having a generally slim or narrow profile and an oval or elliptical cross-section, though alternative geometries are also possible without departing from the principles of the invention.
• the water-pipe 1 includes a mount or holder 3 on an upper side 4 of the housing 2 for mounting and holding the tobacco product 30 to be smoked.
• the mount 3 has a recess 5 for receiving and retaining a base of a cylindrical body or pellet 31 of the tobacco product 30.
• the mount 3 comprises a circular collar 6 on the upper side 4 of the housing which extends around and essentially defines or encompasses the recess 5 into which the tobacco product 30 is inserted .
• the housing 2 encloses a chamber 7 for holding water W in the water-pipe 1 of the invention.
• This water chamber 7 is designed to be partially, but preferably not entirely filled with water W to ensure optimum performance of the pipe 1.
• the mount 3 for the substance 30 to be smoked can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings connected in fluid communication with the chamber 7 via a first fluid connection, i.e. comprising a channel 8 and a tube 9, which follows a rather convoluted path to a bottom region B of the water chamber 7. This is especially apparent from Fig. 3, which shows a typical orientation of the water- pipe 1 during use.
• the water-pipe 1 further comprises a mouth-piece 10 attached to and extending from the housing 2.
• the mouthpiece 10 has a distal tip 11 for insertion into the mouth of a user and encloses a space or cavity 12 which is connected in fluid communication with a top region T of the chamber 7 via a second fluid connection through a mesh or perforations 13 in the housing wall.
• the arrows in Fig. 3 illustrate a path taken by smoke S from the tobacco product 30 at the mount 3 through the channel 8 and tube 9, through the water W in the chamber 7, and through the mesh or perforations 13 into the mouthpiece 10 for inhalation by the user of the pipe 1.
• FIGS. 4a, 4b and Figs. 5a, 5b of the drawings first and second valve mechanisms 14, 15 and their operation in the water-pipe 1 of this first embodiment are specifically illustrated.
• Figs. 4a and 4b show details of the collar 6 of the mount 3 for receiving and holding the tobacco product 30 to be smoked.
• the collar 6 is rotatable about a central axis A to move a first valve mechanism 14 between an open position (in Figs. 4a and 5a) in which the first fluid connection 8, 9 between the mount 3 and the water chamber 7 is open to fluid flow, and a closed position (in Figs. 4b and 5b) in which the first fluid connection 8, 9 is closed or sealed to fluid flow at the mount 3.
• a similar, second valve mechanism 15 can be seen (schematically) provided between the mouth-piece 10 and the chamber 7.
• the second valve mechanism 15 can be moved between an open position (in Fig. 5a) in which the second fluid connection between the mouthpiece 10 and the chamber 7 is open to fluid flow, and a closed position (in Fig. 5b) in which the second fluid connection is closed to fluid flow at the mesh or perforations 13.
• Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings illustrate a second embodiment of a water-pipe 1 which differs from the first embodiment in that the first channel 8 and first tube 9 defining the first fluid connection between the mount 3 and the bottom region B of the water chamber 7 is provided in this case purely in the form of a first tube 9, as distinct from a combination of the channel 8 and the tube 9 schematically illustrated in drawing Figs. 1 to 5.
• the water- pipe 1 incorporates a second channel or tube 16 which extends in a convoluted configuration between the mouth-piece 10 and the top region T of the chamber.
• the second tube 16 extends from the mouth-piece 10 over substantially an entire length of the housing 2 and doubles back on itself via a large bend 17 to form two substantially parallel lengths of the second tube 16 at essentially the same elevation in the region marked "X" in Fig. 6.
• the tube 16 has been shown at differing elevations in region "X” in Fig. 6.
• the second embodiment now substantially minimizes the prospect of water escaping or leaking through the mouthpiece, even when the second valve mechanism 15 is in the open position .
• Fig. 8 of the drawings illustrates a third embodiment of a water-pipe 1 of the invention which offers further protection from inadvertent water leakage through the mouth-piece 10 due to sloshing of the water in the chamber 7 when the pipe 1 is carried in a pocket or bag.
• a partition or baffle member 18 is incorporated in the housing 2 to at least partially separate or isolate the mouth-piece 10 from the chamber 7 and to complicate or convolute the fluid connection between the mouth-piece 10 and the chamber 7 further.
• the partition or baffle member 18 is integrally formed with an end wall 19 of the housing 2 proximate the mouth-piece 10 at the top region T of the chamber 7, thereby making the prospect of water W sloshing into an inlet opening 21 at a free end of the second channel or tube 16 less likely.
• a diameter of the first tube 8 reduces or narrows between an outlet opening 20 in the bottom region B of the water chamber 7 and the mount 3 for the product 30 to be smoked.
• a diameter of the second tube 16 reduces or narrows between an inlet opening 21 for the smoke in the top region T of the water chamber 7 and the mouth-piece 10.
• FIG. 9a to 9c of the drawings show an optional, additional aspect for all the embodiments of water-pipe 1 described so far.
• Figs. 9a to 9c illustrate a third valve mechanism 22 in the form of a non-return valve that may be provided in the second fluid connection in the vicinity of mouth-piece 10 (Fig. 9a) .
• This non-return valve 22 incorporates a valve body 23 in the form of a plug configured to sealingly fit within the second fluid path under the bias of a light spring member 24 (e.g. a leaf spring) as shown in Fig. 9b.
• a light spring member 24 e.g. a leaf spring
• the tobacco product 30 comprises a generally cylindrical body or pellet 31 of a substance to be smoked. That substance will usually include tobacco, though other substances are also possible, e.g. tobacco substitutes for smokers wishing to reduce tobacco consumption. That is, other than tobacco, the body or pellet 31 of the substance to be smoked may include: glycerine (VG) , propylene glycol (PG) , cut filler and/or a flavour additive.
• the product 30 further includes a heat source element 32 provided at an end region of the body or pellet 31.
• the heat source element 32 may, for example, comprises a chip or disc of charcoal, wood or the like, which is ignited and smoulders during use of the product 30 in a water-pipe 1 to vaporize the tobacco and/or other substance in the body or pellet 31 to be smoked.
• This heat source element 32 desirably has a thickness in the range of about 2 mm to 3 mm and a diameter of about 10 mm.
• the product 30, or at least the body or pellet 31, is wrapped in a layer of protective foil 33 (e.g. aluminium foil) and may also include an outer wrapping layer of cigarette paper 34.
• protective foil 33 e.g. aluminium foil
• the tobacco product may comprise a body or pellet of substance to be smoked only, without any heat source element associated to it.
• a heat source may preferably be integrated in the housing 2 of the water-pipe 1 of the invention, for example, in, on or adjacent to the mount 3 for holding the tobacco product.
• the water-pipe 1 of the invention may include a heating element for heating the substance to be smoked.
• the heat source may comprise an electric or gas operated heater device, possibly associated with a bowl to hold the tobacco product in order to heat said product substantially uniformly and preferably almost instantly when the heater is actuated by a user.
• a water-pipe 1 according to the invention are illustrated.
• the basic configuration remains essentially the same as described above in relation to the other embodiments, and like reference numerals again identify like parts of the water-pipes 1.
• a difference that may be immediately apparent, however, is that a position and orientation of the mount 3 in the housing 2 for holding a substance to be smoked has been adapted to render these water-pipes 1 more suitable for use with rather longer tobacco products, such as cigarettes and cigarillos Z.
• the recess 5 in the mount 3 is configured to receive and hold the filter F of a cigarette or cigarillo Z, such that the cigarette or cigarillo extends away from the user's mouth in basically the same orientation as if the user were smoking it without the water-pipe 1.
• the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “containing”, “have”, “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
• the terms “a” and “an” used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise.
• the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.

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• Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
• Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)

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Family

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• 2012
  • 2012-07-23 EP EP12177500.1A patent/EP2689678A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2013
  • 2013-07-03 EP EP13732970.2A patent/EP2874511B1/de active Active
  • 2013-07-03 WO PCT/EP2013/063998 patent/WO2014016088A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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