EP3808193A1

EP3808193A1 - Water pipe smoking system

Info

Publication number: EP3808193A1
Application number: EP20202057.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sandra Lee; Minh Vo
Original assignee: RYL Inc
Current assignee: RYL Inc
Priority date: 2019-10-16
Filing date: 2020-10-15
Publication date: 2021-04-21
Also published as: CA3092194A1; US20210112856A1; CN112656031A

Abstract

A water pipe including a water chamber that has a threaded top portion with a first opening into the water chamber, wherein the threaded top portion is configured to removably couple to a cap. The water pipe also includes a tube and a percolator disposed within the water chamber. A first end of the tube is coupled to a wall of the water chamber to form a second opening in the water chamber which extends into a first end of the tube, and a second end of the tube is coupled to the percolator.

Description

FIELD

An embodiment of the disclosure relates to a water pipe smoking system that includes a water pipe with a removable cap. Other embodiments are also described.

BACKGROUND

A water pipe is a filtration device that is used to smoke smokable substances (e.g., tobacco, etc.). Generally, a water pipe may be composed of three components: a chamber that includes a mouthpiece (or opening) on top, a downstem that is a small tube that has an opening into a bottom portion of the chamber, and a bowl that holds the smokable substance. During operation, the bowl (or a tube of the bowl) is inserted into the downstem and the bottom portion of the chamber is filled with water until at least a portion the downstem is submerged. A user's mouth is placed over the mouthpiece to form a seal and the smokable substance is ignited by a flame. The user inhales, causing smoke produced by the ignited smokable substance to travel through the downstem from the bowl and pass through the water, thereby filtering and/or cooling the smoke, which then collects in the chamber. Once the smokable substance is spent, the user removes the bowl from the downstem and inhales the smoke that has collected in the chamber.

SUMMARY

Conventional water pipes may be big, ornate, or a combination thereof. For instance, a chamber of the water pipe may normally include a straight tubular neck that has a height which extends several inches or even several feet from the bottom portion of the chamber. The mouthpiece at one end of the neck may have a large diameter that may range from 40 mm to 60 mm, in order to cover the user's mouth. The neck may have a same or larger diameter. The bottom portion of the chamber may have an even larger diameter than the tubular neck in order to hold the downstem and water. The larger bottom portion may also provide a large round base in order to provide the water pipe support when placed on a surface. In addition, water pipes may be ornate by having several chambers and/or different configurations (e.g., having a tubular neck that is curved, rather than straight, etc.).
Due to their large and ornate design, transportation of water pipes may be burdensome to users. For example, users may be forced to carry water pipes by hand when the pipes do not conveniently fit into a carrying case or bag. In addition, the ornate design of some water pipes may make the pipes fragile if not stowed properly. Along with being inconvenienced, the user may feel uncomfortable carrying the pipe in public areas. Thus, there is a need for a water pipe smoking system that is designed to enable a user to securely transport a water pipe conveniently and privately.
The instant disclosure is directed to a water pipe smoking system with a water pipe that is formed to resemble a water bottle. Specifically, the water pipe includes a water chamber that has a threaded top portion with a first opening into the water chamber and is configured to removably couple to a cap. The water pipe also includes a tube and a percolator that are disposed within the water chamber. A first end of the tube is coupled to a wall of the water chamber to form a second opening (through which a bowl is configured to be received) in the water chamber which extends into the first end of the tube, and a second end of the tube is coupled to the percolator. This design provides the user with privacy during transportation, since the water pipe would be interpreted to be a water bottle when seen by a casual onlooker. In addition, the water pipe smoking system may include a (e.g., silicone) sleeve that is configured to at least partially cover the water pipe, which provides additional privacy.
The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the disclosure includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to "an" or "one" embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. Also, in the interest of conciseness and reducing the total number of figures, a given figure may be used to illustrate the features of more than one embodiment of the disclosure, and not all elements in the figure may be required for a given embodiment.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a water pipe smoking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 shows a front view of the water pipe according to an embodiment.
Fig. 3 shows another view of the water pipe smoking system.
Fig. 4 shows the water pipe smoking system with a sleeve.

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.
Fig. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a water pipe smoking system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The water pipe smoking system 1 includes a water pipe 2, a cap 3, and a bowl 4. In one aspect, the water pipe 2 as a form (or is formed to resemble) of a water bottle or water container. In particular, the water pipe includes a water chamber 4 that is cylindrically shaped and is configured to hold fluid, such as water. similar to a water container, the (chamber 4 of the) water pipe includes a body 20, a shoulder 21, and a neck 22. In one aspect, the water chamber 4 is cylindrically shaped such that at least a portion of the body 20 along a longitudinal axis (Y-axis) of the chamber 4 has a same diameter from a bottom of the body (e.g., a base of the water pipe) to the top of the body (e.g., where the body meets the shoulder 21). The diameter of the water chamber decreases throughout the shoulder 21 (from the body to the neck 22), where the neck has a lesser diameter than the body. In one embodiment, the chamber 4 may be shaped differently, such as having a body with a diameter that varies along the longitudinal axis, or not having a neck (or shoulder).More about the shape of the water chamber 4 is described with reference to Fig. 2 .
The neck 22 of the water pipe 2 includes a collar 9 that is disposed above the shoulder 21 and a thread 8 (or threaded top portion) disposed above the collar 9 and with an opening 10 (first opening) into the water chamber 4. In one embodiment, the collar 9 is a section (or lip) that has a diameter that is larger than the neck 22 of the pipe. Specifically, the opening 10 is configured to receive water, which when received collects within the (bottom of the) water chamber 4. In one embodiment, the thread 8 is configured to removably couple to the cap 3. Specifically, the cap 3 includes a threaded inside wall (not shown) that is configured to threadedly couple to the thread 8. When coupled to the thread 8, the cap seals the water chamber 4, preventing water from escaping from the chamber and out of the opening 10.
The water pipe 2 also includes a tube 5 and a percolator 6, both of which are disposed within the water chamber 4. The tube 5 is a hollow tube that is coupled (at a first end of the tube) to a wall 21 of the water chamber to form (second) opening 11 in the water chamber which extends into the tube. Said another way, the opening 11 is an opening of the hollow tube 5 that opens through the wall 21 of the water chamber 4 into the outside environment. A second end of the tube 5 is coupled to the percolator, and, as described herein, the tube is configured to fluidly couple the (chamber 16 of the) bowl 4 (when coupled to the water pipe, as described herein) with the percolator 4 in order to create a path through which smoke of a smoked substance in the bowl 4 (and/or air from the outside environment) may enter the percolator (in order to enter the water chamber 4).
In one embodiment, the tube 5 may include several components. For example, as illustrated, the tube 5 includes a first tube portion 15, a joint 12, and a second tube portion 15. The first tube portion 15 couples the wall 21 of the water chamber 4 to the joint 12, and the second tube portion 15 couples the joint 12 to the percolator. Specifically, the first tube portion extends from the opening 11 to the j oint, and the second tube portion extends from the joint to the percolator 6. As illustrated, the first tube portion 15 is coupled to the joint 12 and the wall 21 of the water chamber 4 along an axis (X-axis) that is (approximately) perpendicular to the longitudinal Y-axis of the water chamber 4. The second tube portion 15 is coupled to the joint 12 and the percolator 6 (at approximately) along the longitudinal Y-axis. Specifically, the second tube portion 15 extends downward from the joint portion 12, perpendicular to the first tube portion 15. As a result, the tube 5 bends at the joint 12 at approximately a 90° angle towards a bottom of the water chamber 4. In another embodiment, the tube portions may be formed/positioned differently. For example, the first tube portion 15 may traverse at an angle away from the X-axis, rather than along the axis. In another embodiment, the tube 5 may include more or less components. For example, rather than having a joint 12, the tube may curve downwards. As another example, the tube 5 may include several joints. As yet another example, the tube may include less tube portions. For instance, the percolator 6 may couple directly to the joint 12, without an intervening tube portion, such as portion 15.
The percolator 6 is a cylindrically shaped structure that includes at least one chamber 13 from which the second end of the hollow tube (or the second tube portion 15) opens into, and includes several hollow arms 14 that extend away from the percolator, each arm with at least one opening into the water chamber 4. Specifically, each of the arms may be hollow tubes that are positioned along a bottom circumference of the percolator, and are configured to fluidly couple the chamber 13 with the water chamber 4 in order to allow smoke and/or air to traverse from the chamber 13 of the percolator 6 into the water chamber 4. In one embodiment, the percolator 6 may have any number of hollow arms, such as ten arms which is illustrated in this figure. In another embodiment, the percolator may be any type of percolator that is configured to diffuse smoke and/or air received from the bowl during use into (e.g., water in the) water chamber.
In one embodiment, rather than (or in addition to) a percolator, the water pipe may include one or more other structures that are configured to diffuse smoke. For example, the water pipe may include one or more diffusers that are hollow structures with one or several openings on one end that are configured to be at least partially submerged in water and fluidly couples the water chamber with the bowl (e.g., via tube 5).
In one embodiment, the water pipe 2 may be composed of or formed from (or made out of) any type of material, such as glass (e.g., heat resistant borosilicate glass, etc.), plastic, or a metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or brass. In another embodiment, the cylindrically shaped water chamber 4, the tube 5, and the percolator 6 may form an integrated unit, meaning each of the components are bonded or fixedly coupled together. For example, each of the components may be formed from a single piece of glass (via glassblowing techniques), or may be formed from separate pieces of glass that are bonded together (e.g., via heat or via an adhesive). In one embodiment, the components are permanently bonded together, which can only be separated by being broken apart. In another embodiment, at least some of the components may be made of different materials. For instance, the water chamber 4 may be (formed from) plastic, while the tube and percolator are glass. In one embodiment, although formed from different materials, the components may still be formed as an integrated unit.
The water pipe smoking system 1 also includes a bowl 4 that is configured to hold the smokable substance, and is configured to couple with the water pipe by being configured to be positioned inside the tube 5 through the opening 11. Specifically, the first tube portion 15 is configured to receive (at least a portion) of the bowl 4 through the opening 11. The bowl 4 includes a chamber 16, a hole 17, a shank 18 and a stem 19. The chamber 19 has an opening on top that is configured to receive the smokable substance. The hole 17 is positioned at the bottom of the chamber 16, and separates the shank 18 from the chamber 16. The shank 18 is coupled to the stem 19, which the first tube portions 15 is configured to receive through the opening 11. In one embodiment, the bowl 4 may be formed from (or made out of) the same material as the water pipe 2, such as glass. In another embodiment, the bowl may be made out of a different material, from at least one component of the water pipe 2. For instance, the bowl, tube, and percolator may be glass, while the water chamber may be plastic. In another embodiment, the bowl 4 may include more or less components, such as not having the shank 18.
In one embodiment, the stem 19 may be configured such that, when the bowl 4 is positioned inside the water pipe 2, the stem 19 is received inside the first tube portion 15 without entering the joint 12. As illustrated, the stem 19 has a length Li and the first tube portion 15 has a length L₂. In one embodiment, Li is the same as L₂. In another embodiment, the stem 19 and first tube portion 15 may be tapered in order to removably couple the bowl in the chamber. Specifically, the stem may be tapered such that a distal end of the stem 19 has a first outside diameter, while a proximal end of the stem 19 has a second outside diameter that is larger than the first outside diameter. Similarly, the first tube portion 15 may be tapered such that an end of the portion 15 proximate to the joint 12 has a first inside diameter and the opening 11 has a second inside diameter, which is larger than the first inside diameter. In one embodiment, the first outside diameter is the same (or similar) to the first inside diameter and/or the second outside diameter is the same (or similar) to the second inside diameter.
Fig. 2 shows a front view of the water pipe 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, this figure illustrates the water pipe 2 with the opening 11 front facing, and at least some dimensions thereof. As described herein, the water pipe 2 has a form that is similar to a conventional water container. In one embodiment, the water pipe 2 may be sized similarly or have similar dimensions to a water container. As a result, along with having a similar appearance, the water pipe 2 may be transported and/or stored in a similar fashion to the water container. Thus, as opposed to conventional water pipes that are large and cumbersome, the present disclosure provides a water pipe that may be transported in a convenient manner that is similar to a water container, such as in a backpack or a cup holder in a car.
The water pipe 2 has a height ("H₁") that reaches from a top of the thread 8 to a base of the water pipe 2. H₁ is between 13 inches to 6 inches, for example from 11 inches to 8 inches or from 10 inches to 9 inches. In one embodiment, H₁ is 9.5 inches. The (body of the) water pipe 2 has a diameter ("D₁"), where D₁ is between 4 inches to 1 inch, for example 3.5 inches to 1.5 inches or 3 inches to 2 inches. In one embodiment, D₁ is 2.55 inches. The opening 11 may be positioned at height ("H₂") from the base of the water pipe 2. H₂ is between 4 inches to 1.5 inches, for example from 3.5 inches to 2 inches or from 3.25 inches to 2.25 inches. In one embodiment, H₂ is 2.5 inches. The opening 11 has a diameter D₂, where D₂ is between 0.2 inches to 1 inch, for example 0.3 inches to 0.9 inches or 0.4 inches to 0.8 inches. In one embodiment, D₂ is 0.6 inches.
This figure further illustrates the neck 22, and at least some dimensions thereof. For instance, the neck 22 has a height ("H₂") that reaches from the shoulder 21 to the top of the thread 8. H₂ is between 0.25 inches to 2 inches, for example 0.5 inches to 1.75 inches or 0.75 inches to 1.5 inches. In one embodiment, H₂ is 1 inch. The thread 8 has a diameter ("D₃"), which is an outside diameter between the outside edges of the thread along a line that runs through a center of the thread. In one embodiment, D₃ may be an inside diameter, which is the diameter of opening 10. D₃ is between 0.4 inches to 1.5 inches, for example from 0.6 inches to 1.3 inches or 0.8 inches to 1.1 inches. In one embodiment, D₃ is 0.9 inches. In another embodiment, D₃ may be the diameter (e.g., outside diameter) of the cap 3 of the water pipe smoking system 1. Also illustrated are the dimensions of the collar 9. Specifically, the collar has a diameter ("D₄"), where D₄ is between 0.8 inches to 2 inches, for example 1 inch to 1.8 inches or 1.2 inches to 1.6 inches. In one embodiment, D₄ is 1.365 inches. The collar has a height ("H₃") that is between 0.1 inches to 0.4 inches, for example 0.15 inches to 0.35 inches or 0.2 inches to 0.3 inches. In one embodiment, H₃ is 0.25 inches.
Fig. 3 shows another view of the water pipe smoking system. Specifically, this figure illustrates the water pipe smoking system 1 that is ready for use. The water chamber 4 includes water 30 with a water level that reaches about halfway up the percolator 6. In one embodiment, to use the water pipe smoking system, the water level must at least be higher than the (openings of the) arms 14 of the percolator. The process to use the water pipe smoking system is as follows. The smokable substance (not shown) is placed in the chamber 16 of the bowl 4, and the bowl is positioned inside the water pipe. Specifically, the stem 19 is received by the opening 11 and positioned inside the first tube portion 15. A user's mouth is placed over the thread 8 and the smokable substance is ignited. The user inhales, causing smoke from the ignited smokable substance (and air) to travel through the shank 18 and stem 19 into the tube 5. The smoke then travels into the percolator and out the openings of the arms 14 of the percolator, into the water 30. The smoke and air causes the water 30 to bubble, thereby filtrating the smoke and extracting heat from the smoke. The smoke collects in the water chamber 4, above the water line. Once the smokable substance is spent, the user removes the bowl 4 from the water pipe 2 and inhales the smoke in the water chamber. Once the user has finished using the water pipe, the water 30 may be poured out and the cap 3 may be threadedly coupled to the thread 8 for storage.
Fig. 4 shows the water pipe smoking system with a sleeve that at least partially covers the water pipe. This figure illustrates the water pipe smoking system 1 with the cap 3 threadedly coupled to the water pipe and the bowl positioned inside the water pipe. This figure also illustrates a sleeve 30 that is wrapped around at least a portion of the water pipe 2. Specifically, the sleeve 30 is wrapped around the body 20 and a portion of the shoulder 21 of the water pipe 2. In addition, the sleeve may wrap around at least a portion of the base of the water pipe. The sleeve 30 includes columns of hexagonal shaped openings. In one embodiment, the sleeve may have one or more openings of any shape. In another embodiment, the sleeve may wrap around (or cover) other portions of the water pipe, such as (at least a portion of) the neck. As shown, the bowl is positioned inside the water pipe, such that the stem of the bowl traverses through one of the openings (not shown) of the sleeve and into the opening 11 of the water pipe. The sleeve 30 is configured to provide a cushion and/or to hide or obfuscate the components (e.g., the percolator 6 and tube 5) inside the water pipe. In one embodiment, the sleeve 30 may be composed of any material, such as silicone, rubber, or cloth.
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.

Claims

A water pipe comprising:
a water chamber that has a threaded top portion with a first opening into the water chamber, wherein the threaded top portion is configured to removably couple to a cap; and

a tube and a percolator disposed within the water chamber,

wherein a first end of the tube is coupled to a wall of the water chamber to form a second opening in the water chamber which extends into the first end of the tube, and a second end of the tube is coupled to the percolator.
The water pipe of claim 1, wherein the percolator comprises
a chamber from which the second end of the hollow tube opens into; and
a plurality of hollow arms that extend away from the percolator, each with an opening that is configured to fluidly couple the chamber with the water chamber.
The water pipe of claim 2, wherein the tube comprises a first tube portion, a second tube portion, and a joint, wherein the first tube portion extends from the second opening to the joint and the second tube portion extends from the joint to the percolator.
The water pipe of claim 3, wherein the first tube portion is configured to receive a bowl through the second opening.
The water pipe of claim 1, wherein the water chamber, the tube, and the percolator form an integrated unit.
The water pipe of claim 5, wherein the integrated unit is made out of glass.
A water pipe smoking system comprising
a water pipe comprising a water chamber that has a threaded top portion with a first opening into the water chamber and, disposed within the water chamber, a hollow tube and a percolator, wherein a first end of the hollow tube is coupled to the water chamber to form a second opening in the water chamber which extends into the first end of the hollow tube, and a second end of the hollow tube is coupled to the percolator;
a bowl that is configured to be removably received by the second opening for extending into the hollow tube through the second opening; and
a cap that is configured to be removably coupled to the threaded top portion to seal the water chamber when threadedly coupled to the threaded top portion.
The water pipe smoking system of claim 7, wherein the percolator comprises
a chamber from which the second end of the hollow tube opens into; and
a plurality of hollow arms that extend away from the percolator, each with an opening that is configured to fluidly couple the chamber with the water chamber.
The water pipe smoking system of claim 8, wherein the hollow tube comprises a first tube portion, a second tube portion, and a joint, wherein the first tube portion extends from the second opening to the joint and the second tube portion extends from the joint to the percolator.
The water pipe smoking system of claim 9, wherein the second tube portion extends downward from the joint, perpendicular to the first tube portion.
The water pipe smoking system of claim 9, wherein the first tube portion is configured to receive the bowl through the second opening.
The water pipe smoking system of claim 7, wherein the water chamber, the hollow tube, and the percolator form an integrated unit.
The water pipe smoking system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the integrated unit and the bowl are made out of glass.
The water pipe smoking system of claim 7 further comprises a sleeve that is configured to at least partially cover the water pipe.