US20150342250A1

US20150342250A1 - Water pipe and apparatus and method of making the same

Info

Publication number: US20150342250A1
Application number: US14/821,247
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruce A. Hoch; Charles V. Hoch
Original assignee: EYCE LLC
Current assignee: EYCE LLC
Priority date: 2013-09-12
Filing date: 2015-08-07
Publication date: 2015-12-03

Abstract

An water pipe mold for making a water pipe includes an outer concentric sheath, an inner concentric sheath, a bottom, an outside sleeve and an inside rib. The water pipe mold is flexible and is configured to make an ice water pipe by being filled with water and then freezing the water. The ice water pipe includes a body comprising ice, the body and an opening at a side of the body, a base coupled to a bottom of the body, a mouth piece coupled to a top of the body, and a grommet coupled to a circumference of the body. The base includes an opening configured to be filled by a plug.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/461,071, filed Aug. 15, 2014, entitled “Water Pipe and Apparatus and Method of Making the Same,” which claims the benefits of and priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/960,159, filed Sep. 12, 2013, entitled “Ice Water Pipe Mold,” U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/960,162, filed Sep. 12, 2013, entitled “Ice Stand,” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/960,163, filed Sep. 12, 2013, entitled “Ice Grommet;” each of the above-identified applications being fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to a water pipe and apparatus and method of making the same, and more particularly to ice water pipe and mold and method of making the same.
2. Discussion of the Background
A water pipe is commonly used as a filtration device for smoking tobacco or other herbal substances (e.g., herbal aromas). The water pipe consists of a main body, chamber, or bowl with a closed bottom and an opening at the top. The water pipe also includes an opening on the side of the main body for the insertion at an angle with the main body a stem from the side into the main body of the water pipe. The stem is hollowed and the bottom opening of the stem faces towards the interior of the main body and the top opening faces towards open air. Generally, the water pipe is made of glass.
In a common operation of the water pipe, the main body of the water pipe is filled with water, up to a height below the opening at the top of the water pipe and the top opening of the stem, such that the water filled in the main body will not spill from either openings when the water pipe is stationary and level. Tobacco or other herbal substances may be placed in the stem near the top opening on the stem. The tobacco or other herbal substances is lighted, and a user may inhale through the top opening of the water pipe. As such, the smoke of the tobacco or the other herbal substances is drawn through the stem into the water inside the water pipe body and up the water pipe to be inhaled by the user.
Through the use of the water pipe, the smoke from the lit tobacco or other herbal substances is filtered by the water. One effect of the water filtration of the smoke through the water pipe is that certain ingredients that are harmful to the user inhaling the smoke may get filtered out by the process. Another effect is that the smoke may be “smoothed” by the water filtration, thereby enhancing the enjoyment of the user of the water pipe.
However, the water pipe in the related art has a number of deficiencies.
For example, many users of the water pipe in the related art have a preference for smoke that is further chilled, as many view inhaling chilled smoked as being more enjoyable. Some users may introduce ice into the water to bring about the chilled smoke effect. However, such process introduces complexities to the use of the water pipe by requiring user preparation beyond the designed use of the water pipe (e.g., preparing the ice cubes). Also, placing ice cubes floating in the water may cause undesirable noise and uneven weight distribution when held by the user due to the movements of the ice cubes in the water banging against the interior walls of the water pipe, decreasing the user's enjoyment while using the water pipe or increasing the likelihood of spilling the water or other hazards (e.g., dropping the water pipe causing breakage or dropping the lit tobacco or other herbal substances creating a fire hazard).
Another deficiency is that the water pipe in the related art is made of relatively expensive materials and are non-disposable (e.g., glass water pipe). As such, the water pipe must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. An unclean water pipe may retain flavor, smell, or taste of the smoke from the previous use, affecting the user's enjoyment if the user switches flavor in the next use. Further, an unclean water pipe facilitates the transmission of communicable diseases if a number of users engages in the sharing of the water pipe. Also, further work by the user is needed to thoroughly clean the water pipe after use. The additional handling due to cleaning may expose the water pipe to added risks of being damaged. The replacement costs for breaking a water pipe in the related art would be relatively great. In any case, repeating cleaning and usage of the water pipe increases wear on the water pipe, which eventually requires a full replacement of the water pipe.
Another deficiency is each water pipe in the related art may contain original and unalterable artwork or design when the water pipe is first created. For example, once the water pipe is made, the artwork or other design elements cannot be changed readily if at all. Therefore, a user may need to own a collection of water pipes if it is desirable to use a water pipe of a different design (i.e., for different occasions) in order to derive the maximum enjoyment from using water pipes with different designs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, there is a need for a water pipe and apparatus and method of making the same to address the above deficiencies and other problems.
One advantage of the present invention is to provide a water pipe that will chill the smoke for inhaling by the user without additional process by the user during use.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a water pipe that is inexpensive and disposable after one or more uses.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a water pipe that can be easily customizable by the user.
Accordingly, in one aspect, a water pipe includes a body including ice. The body includes a hollowed interior configured for being filled with water and an opening at a side of the body. The water pipe further includes a base coupled to a bottom of the body, a mouth piece coupled to a top of the body, and a grommet coupled a circumference of the body. The grommet is further coupled to the body through a hollowed stem inserted into an opening of the grommet and the opening at the side of the body. A top of the base comprises one or more fingers coupled to the ice of the body. An under body of the mouth piece includes a cored out body and one or more fingers coupled to the ice of the body. The grommet includes a flexible material configured to stay coupled to the body as the ice of the body melts or deforms. The base includes an opening configured to be filled by a plug. The plug includes a flexible material. The body further includes one or more of a scent, a flavor, and a food. The body further includes one or more of a color, a design, and an ornament.
In another aspect, an apparatus for making a water pipe includes an outer concentric sheath and an inner concentric sheath. The outer concentric sheath and the inner concentric sheath form an interior space. The apparatus further includes a bottom connecting a bottom of the outer concentric sheath and a bottom of the inner concentric sheath, an outside sleeve coupled to the outer concentric sheath over an opening of the outer concentric sheath. The outside sleeve is positioned at an angle with the outer concentric sheath The apparatus further includes an inside rib coupled to the inner concentric sheath over an opening of the inner concentric sheath. The inside rib is positioned at an angle with the inner concentric sheath and in alignment with the outside sleeve. The bottom is configured to fit a base. The base includes an opening configured to be filled by a plug. The apparatus further includes a grip rib coupled to an outer edge of a top of the outer concentric sheath. The opening of the outer concentric sheath and the opening of the inner concentric sheath are configured to insert a core pin. the core pin provides a water-tight seal with the opening of the outer concentric sheath and the opening of the inner concentric sheath. An inner layer of the core pin includes a rigid material. An outer layer of the core pin includes an elastic material. The apparatus includes a flexible material
In yet another aspect, a method of making a water pipe includes inserting a base into an interior space of a water pipe mold. The interior space includes a space between an outer concentric sheath and an inner concentric sheath of the water pipe mold. The method further includes inserting a core pin into an opening of the outer concentric sheath and an opening of the inner concentric sheath, filling the interior space with water, inserting a mouth piece into the interior space over the water, freezing the water, removing the core pin from the opening of the outer concentric sheath and the opening of the inner concentric sheath, removing the water pipe made from the frozen water from the water pipe mold, and inserting a stem and a grommet into an opening in the water pipe corresponding to a space occupied by the core pin. The grommet is coupled to a circumference of the water pipe. The method further includes inserting one or more of a scent, a flavor, and a food into the interior space. The method further includes inserting one or more of a color, a design, and an ornament into the interior space. The base includes an opening configured to be filled by a plug. The method further includes freezing the water pipe with the stem and the grommet inserted. The grommet includes a flexible material configured to stay coupled to the opening in the water pipe as the frozen water of the water pipe when the water pipe melts or deforms. The stem includes one or more of a metal, plastic, and silicone material
Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, including the preferred mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate exemplary views of a water pipe mold according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate exemplary views of a mouth piece for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe according to another embodiment of the invention.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending on the particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure.
The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.
It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possible, utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention.
Water pipe 100 includes a body 110, a grommet 120, a mouth piece 140, and a stand 130. In an embodiment, the body 110 is formed from ice (frozen water) or other suitable materials. The grommet 120, the stand 130, and the mouth piece 140 may be formed partly or wholly from plastic, silicone, metal, or other suitable materials.
The operation of the water pipe 100 is as follows.
In an embodiment, the water pipe 100 is formed through a molding process (i.e., by water pipe mold 200 as will be discussed with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E). The mouth piece 120, the stand 130, and the grommet 120 are assembled to the body 110 during the molding process or in the subsequent assembly step using a freezer. In a preferred embodiment, the water pipe 100 may be stored in the freezer until the user is ready to use the water pipe 100.
When the user is ready to use the water pipe 100, the body 110 is filled with water, up to a height below the top of the grommet 120 so that the water will not spill from the grommet 120. In an embodiment, tobacco or other herbal substances may be placed near the top of the grommet 120. The tobacco or other herbal substances is lighted, and a user may inhale through the top opening of the water pipe. As such, the smoke of the tobacco or the other herbal substances is drawn through the stem into the water inside the water pipe body and up the water pipe to be inhaled by the user. In another embodiment, a further container that has openings at the bottom that allow smoke to enter the grommet 120 may be placed on top of the grommet 120, where the container would hold the tobacco or the other herbal substances.
Through the use of the water pipe 100, the smoke from the lit tobacco or other herbal substances is chilled by the interior walls of the body 110 and filtered by the water in the body 110 as the smoke passes from the grommet 120 through the body 110 to be inhaled by the user through the mouth piece 130.
In an embodiment, the walls of the body 110 may further include flavored scents or other items (e.g., fruits, spices, and other items) frozen or in other ways connected to the ice wall of the body 100. As such, when the smoke from the tobacco or other herbal substances passes upward through the body 110, the flavor from these scents and other items may also get mixed with the smoke, thereby enabling the user to inhale the mixture of these scents and smoke, increasing the novelty and enjoyment value of the user from the user of the water pipe 100.
In another embodiment, the walls of the body 110 may include other substances (e.g., gels that harden and/or solidify or other substances that may be molded to take the shape of the water pipe 100, such as substantially changing from a fluid to a solid form through the molding process, as known now or may be later derived) substantially in place of or mixed in conjunction with water (and ice).
FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate exemplary views of a water pipe mold according to an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the water pipe mold 200 is configured to allow a user or other persons to make a water pipe (e.g., water pipe 100) by filling the mold with freezable liquid (e.g., water). The water pipe mold 200 includes an outer concentric sheath 210, an inner concentric sheath 211, a base 240, a grip rib 230, an outside sleeve 220, and an inside rib 260.
The outer concentric sheath 210 and the inner concentric sheath 211 form an interior space 250 by which water is filled within the interior space 250 in the molding process. The interior space 250 is closed at the bottom by base 240 between the outer concentric sheath 210 and the inner concentric sheath 211. The space 245 enclosed by the inner concentric sheath 211 is not used in the molding process. This space 245 may be further closed at the bottom by a seal 242 or may be left open. In an embodiment, the base 240 may be flat for allowing unsupported placement of the water pipe mold 200 on various surfaces (e.g., on counter tops and in the freezer during the molding process). When the water pipe 100 is formed by the molding process using the water pipe mold 200, the space 245 corresponds to the interior of the water pipe 100 within the body 110 and may be filled with water during use of the water pipe 100.
The water pipe mold 200 further includes a concentric grip rib 230 at the top extending from the outer edge of the outer concentric sheath 210. The grip rib 230 may be a relatively wide and circular rib configured for facilitating a person picking up and moving the water pipe mold 200 by holding the grip rib 230 when the water pipe mold 200 is filled with water.
The water pipe mold 200 may be made of plastic, metal, silicone, or other suitable material. In an embodiment, the water pipe mold 200 may be made by casting silicone rubber (e.g., cast medical grade USP class VI and FDA approved silicone rubber) and may be non-rigid (e.g., flexible). The wide and circular shape of the grip rib 230 may also help increase durability of the water pipe mold 200 that is made from non-rigid material. In an embodiment, the water pipe mold 200 may be formed by molding, pressing, or other type forming process as known now or may be later derived and may be formed as one piece including the outer concentric sheath 210, the inner concentric sheath 211, the base 240, the grip rib 230, the outside sleeve 220, and the inside rib 260
Referring to FIGS. 2A-2E, the water pipe mold 200 further includes the outside sleeve 220 extending at an angle from an opening on the outside of the outer concentric sheath 210. As such, the outside sleeve 220 may serve as a protection and a guide for the insertion of a core pin 290 into the interior space 250 from the opening by the outside sleeve 220.
In the interior space 250, the water pipe mold 200 also includes the inside rib 260 that is in alignment with the outside sleeve 220 in a position and angle such that the core pin 290 may be inserted through the opening by the outside sleeve 220 into the interior space 250 and into the space of the inside rib 260. The inside rib 260 may be formed in the space 245 from a similar opening beyond the inner concentric sheath 211. In an embodiment, the inside rib 260 is sealed from the space 245 at the end of the inside rib 260.
In an embodiment, both the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260 are configured to create a water tight seal with the core pin 290 is inserted into both spaces, such that water will not leak from the outside sleeve 220 out of the water pipe mold 200 and from the inside rib 260 out of the space 245. For example, the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260 may be formed from an elastic material, such as silicone rubber material (i.e., formed with silicone rubber material along with the other parts of the water pipe mold 200 as one piece) that includes some stretching (and constricting) property that helps seal water leaks. Further, the length of the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260, due to the angled orientation, may provide further surface area for the core pin 290 to contact and interface with the surface of both parts, thereby increasing the surface area by which a water-tight seal may develop. Similarly, the extension of the outside sleeve 220 away from the outer concentric sheath 210 and the inside rib 260 away from the inner concentric sheath 211 also increases the surface by which a water-tight seal may develop with the core pin 290.
Referring to FIG. 2E, the core pin 290 is dimensioned and configured to be inserted into the water pipe mold 200 through the opening by the outside sleeve 220 into the interior space 250 and into the space of the inside rib 260, such that the insertion of the core pin 290 would create a water-tight seal in the openings of the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260.
When the core pin 290 is inserted into the water pipe mold 200, the space occupied by the core pin 290 would be where the stem portion (e.g., the grommet 120) would occupy in the formed water pipe 100. The core pin 290 is inserted into the water pipe mold 200 passing through the outer concentric sheath 210 and the inner concentric sheath 211, creating a feature that ice can form around when frozen. When the ice is frozen around the core pin 290, the core pin 290 is able to be removed from the water pipe mold 200, and the shape created by the core pin 290 allows standard hardware of a water pipe to be used for assembling the water pipe.
In an embodiment, the core pin 290 may be made of a core and surface of different materials and may be manufactured in two processes. For example, the core pin 290 may be made of rigid core (e.g., hard plastic) and surfaced by an elastic material (e.g., silicone rubber) casted around the rigid core. The rigid provides rigidity to the core pin 290 for shape conformance without bending when the core pin 290 is inserted into the angled opening of the outside sleeve 220 of the water pipe mold 200. The outer surface of the core pin 290 may be made from an elastic material (e.g., similar to silicone rubber of the water pipe mold 200) such that the interface and contact between the water pipe mold 200 (e.g., the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260) may form a water-tight seal through the compression of the material. In another embodiment, the core pin 290 may be made of one or more materials that offer similar properties of a combination of rigidity and elasticity.
In a method of using the water pipe mold 200 to create a water pipe, a mouth piece (e.g., mouth piece 140), which acts as a mouth piece for the user to breathe through in the formed water pipe, is first inserted into an empty water pipe mold 200. Next, the core pin 290 is inserted into the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260 as discussed above. Then, the interior space 250 is filled with water. A base (e.g., base 130), which acts as a base for the formed water pipe, is used to cover the top of the water pipe mold 200, and the entire set up is frozen (e.g., put into a freezer). As such, the formed water pipe is in a correspondingly upside-down orientation with the water pipe mold 200. When enough time has passed that the water in the interior space 250 is completely frozen, the water pipe mold 200 is removed from the freezer.
To remove the frozen water pipe from the water pipe mold 200, running water, hot water, or other means may be used to melt a thin layer of the exterior portion of the water pipe contacting the outer surfaces of the water pipe mold 200 (e.g., the outer concentric sheath 210 and the inner concentric sheath 211). Once a thin layer of the exterior portion of the water pipe has melted, various portions of the water pipe mold 200 should be able to be removed from the water pipe easily. The core pin 290 is removed first, then the water pipe is removed from the interior space 250. In an embodiment, the water pipe mold 200 is flexible and will aid this process by being able to be pushed or squeezed to release the frozen water pipe.
In an embodiment, various artwork, design, and other materials affecting the smell, taste, flavor, and aesthetics of the water pipe may be added at different steps of the water pipe creation process. For example, after the water pipe mold 200 is filled with water, coloring (e.g., food coloring) may be added to the water to create water pipes of various colors. In another example, various scents (e.g., perfume), flavors (e.g., spices), food (e.g., sliced fruits), and other ingredients may be added to the water to customize the smell, taste, flavor, and aesthetics of the created water pipe. In yet another example, other novelty items (e.g., coins, gems, and other items) may be added to the water in order to create customized water pipe that is aesthetically enjoyable (i.e., sparkle when used in certain lighting environment).
FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, the grommet 120 includes a concaved oval portion 310 and an opening 320 configured for the insertion of a stem 390. The opening 320 is configured to enclose the opening in a water pipe corresponding to the opening of the outer sleeve 220 when the stem 390 is fitted into the water pipe. The stem 390 is configured to fit through the opening 320 into the water pipe (e.g., into the body 110).
The grommet 120 may be made of the same materials as discussed with respect to the water pipe mold 200 or may be made of other materials. In an embodiment, the grommet 120 may be made from flexible materials (e.g., silicone rubber) such that the grommet 120 may stretch to form an air-tight seal with the opening at the exterior of the water pipe. For example, the concaved oval portion 310 of the grommet 120 allows the grommet 120 to hug the contour of the exterior of the water pipe even as the ice melts. As such, the concaved oval portion 310 keeps the grommet 120 in air-tight seal with the water pipe even after the ice is well into its melting cycle and significant deformation has occurred.
In an embodiment, the grommet 120 may be prepared and assembled with the water pipe as follows. The opening 320 of the grommet 120 is inserted with the stem 390, which is inserted into the body of the water pipe through the opening in a water pipe corresponding to the opening of the outer sleeve 220. As such, the concaved oval portion 310 sits on top of the opening of the water pipe. Next, the water pipe is re-frozen with the grommet 120 and the stem 390 inserted. As such, the grommet is allowed to be sealed by frozen ice with the water pipe.
FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, the base 130 includes a stand portion 410, opening 420, pass through fingers 430, and triangular ribs 440. The base 130 is configured to insulate the user from the coldness of the ice portions of the water pipe when handling the water pipe by providing an insulated surface that the user can hold and handle. As such, the base 130 may be made from relatively insulating or other materials, such as plastic, silicone, rubber, or other materials.
As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E, the base 130 is inserted into the top of the water pipe mold 200 after the water pipe mold 200 is filled with water. The base 130 is inserted in an orientation such that the pass through fingers 430 face the water in the water pipe mold 200.
The pass through fingers 430 are designed as shut off surfaces for single pull injection molding tool. As such, when the water is frozen, the pass through fingers 430 allow the ice to form around the undercut of the pass through fingers 430. Because the pass through fingers 430 are designed as shut off surfaces, the ice can expand into the remaining cavity of the base 130, thereby preventing damages to parts of the base 130 when the ice is frozen over it. Further, the pass through fingers 430 may act to further secure the ice when the ice is formed over the base 130. Similar to the shut off surfaces, the opening 420 also allows any overflow water to be frozen in the opening 420.
In an embodiment, the triangular ribs 440 are provided in the inside cavity of the base 130. The triangular ribs 440 help to provide strength to the base 130 (e.g., for holding and handling by the user) and to help relieve stress from long time use and abuse.
FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate exemplary views of a mouth piece for a water pipe according to an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, the mouth piece 140 includes a top 520, an underside body 530, and one or more pass through fingers 510. The mouth piece is configured to provide a surface from which to support the user's mouth when the user is inhaling from the water pipe and to protect the user's mouth from the coldness of the ice of the water pipe. In an embodiment, the top 520 is configured to provide a smooth surface for supporting the user's mouth (or skin) As such, the mouth piece 140 may be made from plastic, silicone, rubber, or other suitable materials.
In an embodiment, the pass through fingers 510 are not designed as shut off surfaces (unlike the pass through fingers 430 of base 130) because the top 520 needs to retain the smooth surface for the contact with the user's mouth. However, the pass through fingers 510 may serve similar functions as pass through fingers 430 in that they help contact and bond with the ice for proper bonding of the water pipe.
As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E, the mouth piece 140 is inserted into the top of the water pipe mold 200 before the water pipe mold 200 is filled with water. The mouth piece 140 is inserted in an orientation such that the top 520 faces the bottom of the water pipe mold 200 and the pass through fingers 510 face the water in the water pipe mold 200 when filled.
In an embodiment, the underside body 530 may be a cored out body. Similar to the pass through fingers 510, the cored out body helps to further secure and bond with the ice of the water pipe by allowing the ice to fill the inside of the cored out body. Further, the cored out body helps to prevent a gap emerging from between the mouth piece and the water pipe when bonded.
FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe according to another embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, the grommet 600 includes a concaved portion 610, a strap portion 630, and an opening 620. The concaved portion 610 is attached to the strap portion 630 (e.g., molded as one piece or attached by means as known now or may be later derived in the art), where the attached assembly forms a ring whereby the body 110 of a water pipe is able to fit into an interior of the ring. The concaved portion 610 is sized such that the grommet 600 may securely hold in place a stem 690 when the stem 690 is inserted into the opening 620 (and into the body 110 of the water pipe when the body 110 is fitted into the interior of the ring formed by the concaved portion 610 and the strap portion 630.
In an embodiment, the opening 620 may further be configured to enclose the opening in a water pipe corresponding to the opening of the outer sleeve 220 when the stem 690 is fitted into the water pipe. The stem 690 is configured to fit through the opening 620 into the water pipe (e.g., into the body 110).
The grommet 600 may be made of the same materials as discussed with respect to the water pipe mold 200 or may be made of other materials. In an embodiment, the grommet 600 may be made from flexible and/or stretchable materials (e.g., silicone rubber) such that the grommet 600 may stretch to fit the body 110 in the ring formed by the concaved portion 610 and the strap portion 630. For example, the circumference of the body 110 of the water pipe may be a little larger than the circumference of the ring such that the grommet 600 may need to stretch a little but fitted onto the body 110, which would allow for a tighter fit. Also, when the body 110 that is made of ice starts to melt (e.g., when if use at room temperature), the circumference of the body 110 also starts reducing; the tighter fit also allows for the tightening of the circumference of the ring of the grommet 600 (relative to the stretched circumference of the initial fit onto the body 110), which allows for the fit to stay fitted for a longer period.
In an embodiment, the concaved portion 610 proximate to the opening 620 may also form an air-tight seal with the opening at the exterior of the water pipe. For example, the concaved portion 610 of the grommet 600 allows the grommet 600 to hug the contour of the exterior of the water pipe even as the ice melts. As such, the concaved portion 610 keeps the grommet 600 in air-tight seal with the water pipe even after the ice is well into its melting cycle and significant deformation has occurred.
In an embodiment, the grommet 600 may be prepared and assembled with the water pipe as follows. The ring formed by the concaved portion 610 and the strap portion 630 is slid into the body of the water pipe (e.g., through a top or a bottom of the water pipe) until the opening 620 is positioned at the corresponding to the opening of the outer sleeve 220. As such, the opening 620 is positioned on top of the opening of the water pipe such that the step 690 may be inserted through the opening 620 and the corresponding opening of the outer sleeve 220. In an embodiment, the water pipe may be further frozen (for ice) or solidify by other means (e.g., for gels or other substances) with the grommet 600 and the stem 690 inserted. As such, the grommet 600 is allowed to be sealed by frozen ice (or gel or other substances) with the water pipe.
FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe according to another embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, the base 700 includes a stand portion 710, opening 720, pass through fingers 730, and triangular ribs 740. The base 700 further includes a plug 750 configured to seal the opening 720. In an embodiment, the base 700 is configured to insulate the user from the coldness of the ice portions of the water pipe when handling the water pipe by providing an insulated surface that the user can hold and handle. As such, the base 700 may be made from relatively insulating or other materials, such as plastic, silicone, rubber, or other materials.
As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E and FIGS. 4A-4C, the base 710 is similar to the base 130 in function and use. In an embodiment, the base 700 may be inserted into the top of the water pipe mold 200 after the water pipe mold 200 is filled with water. The base 700 is inserted in an orientation such that the pass through fingers 730 face the water in the water pipe mold 200.
The pass through fingers 730 are designed as shut off surfaces for single pull injection molding tool. As such, when the water is frozen, the pass through fingers 730 allow the ice to form around the undercut of the pass through fingers 730. Because the pass through fingers 730 are designed as shut off surfaces, the ice can expand into the remaining cavity of the base 700, thereby preventing damages to parts of the base 700 when the ice is frozen over it. Further, the pass through fingers 730 may act to further secure the ice when the ice is formed over the base 730. Similar to the shut off surfaces, the opening 720 also allows any overflow water to be frozen in the opening 720.
After the water pipe 100 is formed through the molding process, the base 700 would be attached to the bottom of the water pipe 100 as discussed above. The water pipe 100 (made of ice) may start to melt after being used (e.g., when being used at room temperature). The melted ice (water) may start to leak through the opening 720 (e.g., due to being at the bottom of the water pipe 100), which may be undesirable. In an embodiment, the plug 750 is configured to fill the spaces of the opening 720 and to substantially seal the opening 720, thereby preventing such water leakage.
In an embodiment, the plug 750 may be made of an elastic substance (e.g., silicone rubber) that has some compression and stretching properties. The plug 750 may be sized larger than the opening 720 by a small amount at the portion of the plug 750 that is configured to be inserted into the opening 720 such that the plug 750 may push against the walls of the opening 720 (when the plug 750 is compressed when being inserted into the opening 720 and is released when inserted into the opening 720). As such, the plug 750 forms a substantial seal with the walls of the opening 720 thereby preventing fluid (water) to escape from the opening 720.
In an embodiment, the base portion of the plug 750 may be sized substantially larger than the portion configured to be inserted into the opening 720, thereby preventing the plug 750 to be inserted too deep into the opening 720. Also, the enlarged base portion of the plug 750 aids in easier insertion and extraction of the plug 750 into the opening 720 (e.g., by providing an enlarged area for the gripping of the plug 750 by the user).
In an alternate embodiment, the plug 750 may be inserted into the opening 720 while the water pipe 100 is being molded (e.g., the mold 200 is filled with water), which may prevent spillage of the water while the water pipe 100 is molding. As discussed above, ice may form into the opening 720 as the volume of ice is larger than the volume of water the ice is made from. As such, the ice may apply additional pressure against the walls of the mold 200 because the inserted plug 750 may prevent that ice to form in an otherwise opened opening 720 (e.g., effectively relieving the pressure from the larger volume of ice).
In an embodiment, the plug 750 may be configured such that it can slide outward from the opening 720 as it is pushed against by the ice (e.g., the fit between the plug 750 and the opening 720 is tight enough to prevent the leakage of water but loose enough that the plug 750 is movable from the pressure applied by the enlarging volume of ice when being molded). As such, the plug 750 may still function to prevent water leaks from the opening 720 while still allowing the opening 720 to function as a pressure relief. In yet another embodiment, the plug 750 may be inserted (or sized to be inserted) less than fully into the opening 720 (e.g., filling the opening 720 only halfway). During molding, the water does not fill the opening 720, as such, there is available space between the inserted plug 750 and the water. Therefore, when ice is formed, the ice may form in the available space, thereby achieving the pressure release effect in the opening 720.
In an embodiment, the triangular ribs 740 are provided in the inside cavity of the base 700. The triangular ribs 740 help to provide strength to the base 700 (e.g., for holding and handling by the user) and to help relieve stress from long time use and abuse.
The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been described in relation to the tracking system. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the preceding description omits a number of known structures and devices. This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scopes of the claims. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It should however be appreciated that the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein.
A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.
Although the present disclosure describes components and functions implemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations with reference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards and protocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are in existence and are considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein and other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are periodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents included in the present disclosure.
The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.
The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
Moreover, though the description has included a description of one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A water pipe, comprising:

a body comprising ice, the body includes a hollowed interior configured for being filled with water and an opening at a side of the body;

a base coupled to a bottom of the body;

a mouth piece coupled to a top of the body; and

a grommet coupled a circumference of the body, the grommet is further coupled to the body through a hollowed stem inserted into an opening of the grommet and the opening at the side of the body.

2. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein a top of the base comprises one or more fingers coupled to the ice of the body.

3. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein an under body of the mouth piece comprises a cored out body and one or more fingers coupled to the ice of the body.

4. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein the grommet comprises a flexible material configured to stay coupled to the body as the ice of the body melts or deforms.

5. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein the base comprises an opening configured to be filled by a plug.

6. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a flexible material.

7. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises one or more of a scent, a flavor, and a food.

8. The water pipe of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises one or more of a color, a design, and an ornament.

9. An apparatus for making a water pipe, comprising:

an outer concentric sheath and an inner concentric sheath; the outer concentric sheath and the inner concentric sheath forming an interior space;

a bottom connecting a bottom of the outer concentric sheath and a bottom of the inner concentric sheath;

an outside sleeve coupled to the outer concentric sheath over an opening of the outer concentric sheath, the outside sleeve is positioned at an angle with the outer concentric sheath; and

an inside rib coupled to the inner concentric sheath over an opening of the inner concentric sheath, the inside rib is positioned at an angle with the inner concentric sheath and in alignment with the outside sleeve, wherein

the bottom is configured to fit a base, the base comprises an opening configured to be filled by a plug.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a grip rib coupled to an outer edge of a top of the outer concentric sheath.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, the opening of the outer concentric sheath and the opening of the inner concentric sheath are configured to insert a core pin, the core pin providing a water-tight seal with the opening of the outer concentric sheath and the opening of the inner concentric sheath.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein an inner layer of the core pin comprises a rigid material, and wherein an outer layer of the core pin comprises an elastic material.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus comprises a flexible material.

14. A method of making a water pipe, comprising:

inserting a base into an interior space of a water pipe mold, the interior space comprises a space between an outer concentric sheath and an inner concentric sheath of the water pipe mold;

inserting a core pin into an opening of the outer concentric sheath and an opening of the inner concentric sheath;

filling the interior space with water;

inserting a mouth piece into the interior space over the water;

freezing the water;

removing the core pin from the opening of the outer concentric sheath and the opening of the inner concentric sheath;

removing the water pipe made from the frozen water from the water pipe mold; and

inserting a stem and a grommet into an opening in the water pipe corresponding to a space occupied by the core pin, the grommet coupled to a circumference of the water pipe.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising inserting one or more of a scent, a flavor, and a food into the interior space.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising inserting one or more of a color, a design, and an ornament into the interior space.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the base comprises an opening configured to be filled by a plug.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising freezing the water pipe with the stem and the grommet inserted.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the grommet comprises a flexible material configured to stay coupled to the opening in the water pipe as the frozen water of the water pipe when the water pipe melts or deforms.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the stem comprises one or more of a metal, plastic, and silicone material.