US20220361562A1

US20220361562A1 - Assembly and device for a sealed interim chamber within a hookah

Info

Publication number: US20220361562A1
Application number: US17/726,216
Authority: US
Inventors: Reza Bavar; Skyler Olsen; Kevin Shek; Oscar Steenhuis; George Petropoulos
Original assignee: Kaloud Inc
Current assignee: Kaloud Inc
Priority date: 2021-05-11
Filing date: 2022-04-21
Publication date: 2022-11-17
Also published as: WO2022240568A1

Abstract

A hookah assembly for smoking is provided comprising an outer chamber having a smoke outlet and an inner chamber for containing a liquid. The inner chamber is enclosed within the outer chamber and an interim chamber is provided within the outer chamber and outside of the inner chamber. Also provided is a smoke conduit for transmitting smoke from a smoke source into the inner chamber below a fill level of the liquid. The inner chamber is in fluidic communication with the outer chamber above the fill level of the liquid and the inner chamber and the outer chamber are not in fluidic communication with the interim chamber. Smoke is drawn from the inner chamber to the outer chamber when smoke is drawn from the smoke outlet. Also provided is a liquid chamber assembly for use in an existing hookah.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application takes priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/187,095, filed May 11, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to hookah containing a sealed interim chamber within a hookah. Such a sealed interim chamber is within chambers for retaining liquid and smoke used during the smoking process but is isolated from such liquid and smoke during use of the hookah.

BACKGROUND

Traditional hookahs include a liquid container, a downstem pipe extending from a smoke source into the liquid container and acting as a smoke conduit and a smoke outlet through which smoke can be drawn by a user during smoking. During use, the liquid container is at least partially filled with liquid, such as water, and the downstem extends into the liquid container below the liquid level, such that smoke drawn from the downstem is deposited within the liquid.
The smoke source is typically a head containing tobacco located above the downstem and a heat generating element, such as a plate containing charcoal. Smoke from the smoke source is then provided to the liquid container by way of the downstem pipe. The smoke outlet is located above the liquid level, such that smoke can be drawn through the smoke outlet only after it emerges from the liquid in the liquid container.
In some existing hookahs, an additional smoke container is provided outside of the liquid container. In such hookahs, an inner liquid container is provided, as described above, and an outer smoke container is provided outside of such an inner liquid container. The outer smoke container is fluidically connected to the inner container above the liquid level during use such that smoke passes from the inner liquid container to the outer smoke container after it emerges from the liquid in the liquid container.
In many hookah configurations, the liquid container and/or the additional smoke container is transparent or translucent, and aesthetics of the hookah can be improved by adding contents or materials to the liquid container. For example, the liquid may be colored, or fruit, flowers, or other additives may be added to the liquid. However, there are limited customization options because any additives added to the liquid container must be safe to ingest, as they will be incorporated into the smoke. Further, some safe additives may impart a negative flavor to smoke drawn from the hookah, or may otherwise negatively impact the smoking experience. For example, if different tobacco flavors or additives are used at the smoke source to provide a desirable flavor, such additives may be overwhelmed or otherwise impacted by additives in the liquid container. Further, flavoring the liquid in the liquid container may prevent users from changing flavors during a smoking session.
Further, in many hookah configuration, there are advantages to having a smaller liquid container, which may, for example, dilute a flavor of smoke drawn from the smoke source.
There is a need for a hookah that can provide aesthetic improvements without impacting the flavor or safety of smoke extracted from a hookah. There is a further need for a hookah

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a hookah assembly for smoking is provided comprising an outer chamber having a smoke outlet and an inner chamber for containing a liquid. The inner chamber is enclosed within the outer chamber and an interim chamber is provided within the outer chamber and outside of the inner chamber. Also provided is a smoke conduit for transmitting smoke from a smoke source into the inner chamber below a fill level of the liquid.
The inner chamber is in fluidic communication with the outer chamber above the fill level of the liquid and the inner chamber and the outer chamber are not in fluidic communication with the interim chamber. Smoke is drawn from the inner chamber to the outer chamber when smoke is drawn from the smoke outlet.
In some embodiments, the hookah assembly further comprises a gasket disposed between the outer chamber and the inner chamber, and the gasket includes at least one smoke passage placing the inner chamber and outer chamber in fluidic communication. The gasket maintains seals between the interim chamber and each of the inner and outer chambers.
In some such embodiments, the gasket removably seals the interim chamber relative to the inner and outer chambers such that an outer wall of the interim chamber forms an inner wall of the outer chamber, and such that an inner wall of the interim chamber forms the inner chamber. Removing the inner chamber then provides access to an interior of the interim chamber.
In some embodiments, the gasket seals an upper opening of the outer chamber and the smoke conduit transmits smoke to the inner chamber through the gasket from outside of the outer chamber.
In some embodiments, upon drawing smoke from the outer chamber through the smoke outlet, additional smoke is drawn into the inner chamber by way of the smoke conduit. In some such embodiments, a housing of the outer chamber comprises a manifold, and the manifold contains the smoke outlet. The smoke outlet couples with a hose for drawing smoke through the smoke outlet.
In some such embodiments, the housing of the outer chamber further comprises an upper portion for sealing to the manifold such that the upper portion and the manifold define the outer chamber and enclose the interim chamber and the inner chamber. The upper portion may be transparent or translucent.
In some such embodiments, the interim chamber rests on or within the manifold, and the inner chamber is fully enclosed within the interim chamber.
In some such embodiments, at least a portion of an outer wall of the interim chamber is translucent or transparent. In some such embodiments, the hookah assembly may further include a lighting assembly located within the manifold or between the manifold and the interim chamber.
In some embodiments, the inner chamber is defined by a removable inner wall of the interim chamber, and the inner wall is suspended from an outer wall by an inner wall lip. In such an embodiment, an interior of the interim chamber may be accessible by removing the inner chamber from within the outer chamber.
In some embodiments, the interim chamber extends around the inner chamber and further extends below the inner chamber.
Also provided is a liquid chamber assembly for a hookah. The assembly may include an elongated housing at least partially enclosing an end of a downstem of a hookah and having a closed first end defining, along with at least one wall of the elongated housing, a chamber for retaining liquid. The assembly may further include a gasket at an open second end of the elongated housing for sealing the chamber against the downstem. The assembly may then have a fluid outlet in the elongated housing or gasket above a fill line for liquid retained in the chamber, where the fluid outlet is in fluidic connection with a smoke outlet of the hookah.
When the assembly is applied to the downstem, the fill level for liquid retained in the chamber is above a smoke outlet of the downstem.
In some embodiments, the fluid outlet is in the gasket. In some such embodiments, the assembly further comprises a fluid conduit for transmitting smoke from the fluid outlet to the smoke outlet of the hookah.
In some embodiments, the gasket comprises an elongated collar containing at least one fluid conduit. The elongated collar then extends from the second end of the elongated housing to the smoke outlet of the hookah.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, the fluid conduit may be at least one hose extending from the fluid outlet in the gasket to the smoke outlet of the hookah.
In some such embodiments, the fluid conduit is flexible, such that the fluid conduit can transmit smoke from the fluid outlet to the smoke outlet of the hookah when the fluid outlet and the smoke outlet of the hookah are not aligned.
In some embodiments, the assembly includes a manifold, and the hose terminates at the manifold, and the manifold transmits smoke from the hose to the smoke outlet of the hookah.
In some embodiments, the elongated housing is rotationally symmetric. In some such embodiments, the wall of the elongated housing is substantially cylindrical.
In some embodiments, the gasket is formed from a compressible or flexible material, such that it can expand to pass over an enlarged end of a downstem and retain a seal against a smaller segment of the downstem.
In some such embodiments, the gasket is then sized to adapt to multiple downstem radii.
In some embodiments, the gasket is selected from a plurality of differently sized gaskets to correspond to a downstem radius of the hookah.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a hookah incorporating the device of the current disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hookah of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 1 with the device and the resulting interim chamber shown without transparencies.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the hookah of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a hookah containing a liquid chamber assembly of the current disclosure.

FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the hookah of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9 is a perspective sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a hookah containing a second embodiment of a liquid chamber assembly of the current disclosure.

FIG. 10B is an exploded view of the hookah of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is a sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 12 is a perspective sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 10A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.
This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.
FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a hookah 100 incorporating the device 110 of the current disclosure and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hookah of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectioned view of the hookah 100 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 1 with the device 110. FIG. 5 is a sectioned view of the hookah 100 of FIG. 1 with the device 110 and the resulting interim chamber 120 shown without any transparencies.
As shown, while in use, the assembled hookah 100 has an outer chamber 130, an inner chamber 140, and the interim chamber 120. The outer chamber 130 has a smoke outlet 150 and encloses the inner chamber 140. The device 110 then functions as an inner wall of the interim chamber 120 and an outer wall of the inner chamber 140.
The inner chamber 140, during use, contains a liquid (not shown), and the assembled hookah 100 further contains a smoke source 160, typically taking the form of a bowl for tobacco, shisha, or some other smokable material combined with a heat source (not shown), such as a charcoal tray or electric heater. A smoke conduit 170 is then provided, typically taking the form of a downstem assembly, and the smoke conduit extends into the inner chamber 140 and terminates below a liquid fill level 180 in the inner chamber.
The smoke conduit 170 thereby deposits smoke from the smoke source 160 below the surface of the liquid within the inner chamber 140.
The interim chamber 120 is located within the outer chamber 130 and outside of the inner chamber 140. In the embodiment shown, an outer wall 190 of the interim chamber 120 forms an inner wall of the outer chamber 130 and the device 110 forms the inner wall of the interim chamber and an outer wall of the inner chamber 140. As such, the interim chamber 120 is located between the outer and inner chambers 130, 140.
The inner chamber 140 is in fluidic communication with the outer chamber 130 at a location above the fill level 180 of the liquid in the inner chamber. This may be, for example, by way of at least one smoke passage 210 between the inner and outer chambers 130, 140. Accordingly, when smoke is drawn from the smoke outlet 150 of the outer chamber, smoke is drawn from the inner chamber 140 to the outer chamber 130 by way of the at least one smoke passage 210. In such a scenario, pressure in the inner chamber 140 is reduced, thereby drawing more smoke from the smoke source 160 by way of the smoke conduit 170.
The inner chamber 140 and the outer chamber 130 are not in fluidic communication with the interim chamber 120. Instead, the interim chamber 120 is generally sealed, and anything placed within the interim chamber 120 is isolated from the contents of the inner and outer chambers 130, 140.
The hookah 100 shown further comprises a gasket 220 disposed between the outer chamber 130 and the inner chamber 140. The gasket 220 may seal an upper opening 230 of the outer chamber 130 as well as an upper opening 240 of the inner chamber 140, such that the gasket can control what enters and leaves each of those chambers. As such, the gasket 220 maintains the seal between the inner and outer chambers 130, 140 and comprises the at least one smoke passage 210 discussed above that places the inner and outer chambers in fluidic communication.
Similarly, because the gasket 220 seals the upper openings 230, 240 of the inner and outer chambers 130, 140, the gasket further comprises the smoke conduit 170 or an opening for the smoke conduit. The smoke conduit 170 thereby transmits smoke from the smoke source 160 outside of the outer chamber 130 through the gasket and the sealed upper openings 230, 240 and into the inner chamber 140.
The gasket 220 also removably seals the interim chamber 120 relative to the inner and outer chambers 130, 140. As noted above, the inner wall 110 of the interim chamber 120 forms the outer wall of the inner chamber 140. By removing the gasket 220 and the inner chamber 140, defined by the inner wall 110, a user may then be provided with access to an interior of the interim chamber 120.
In some embodiments, the inner wall of the interim chamber 110 may be combined with a gasket and provided as a standalone device for incorporating a sealed interim chamber into an existing hookah. This is discussed in more detail below.
The smoke outlet 150 may couple with a hose (not shown) located outside of the outer chamber 130 for drawing smoke from the outer chamber by way of the smoke outlet. Accordingly, when a user inhales smoke from such a hose, smoke is drawn from the smoke outlet 150, additional smoke is then drawn into the outer chamber 130 from the inner chamber 140 by way of the smoke passage 210, thereby bypassing the interim chamber 120. Smoke is then drawn into the inner chamber 140 by way of the smoke conduit 170.
As shown, a housing 250 of the outer chamber 130 may comprise multiple parts. The housing 250 may thereby comprise a manifold 260 independent from an upper housing portion 270. The manifold 260 may then contain the smoke outlet 150 such that a hose couples with the manifold. The upper housing portion 270 may then combine with the manifold 260 in order to define the outer chamber 130 and enclose the interim chamber 120 and the inner chamber 140.
In some embodiments, the upper housing portion 270 may be transparent or translucent, while the manifold 260 may be opaque. In some such embodiments, the interim chamber 120 is fully enclosed within the outer chamber 130, and the outer wall 190 of the interim chamber may be similarly transparent or translucent. This allows the interim chamber 120 to be usable for aesthetic changes, such as placing decorative elements within the interim chamber, without affecting the flavor of smoke being drawn through the hookah.
The interim chamber 120 may rest on or within the manifold 260. This may be by placing the outer wall 190 of the interim chamber 120 on a base of the manifold 260. Further, as noted above, the inner wall 110 of the interim chamber 120 which defines the inner chamber 140 may be removable. As such, when assembling the hookah 100, the device, or inner wall 110, may be inserted into a cavity defined by the outer wall 190 of the interim chamber, and may be provided with an inner wall lip 280 which extends laterally outwards from an upper portion of the device, or inner wall 110, and rests on top of an upper end of the outer wall 190. In such a manner, the device, or inner wall 110, may be suspended from the outer wall 190, such that the interim chamber 120 extends around the inner chamber 140 and further extends below the inner chamber.
In some embodiments, a cavity 290 may be provided in the manifold 260 below a location supporting the interim chamber 120. Such a cavity 290 may be provided with various accessories, such as a lighting assembly which is thereby located within the manifold 260 or between the manifold and the interim chamber 120.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the hookah 100 of FIG. 1. As discussed above, the assembled hookah 100 includes an outer housing 250 comprising a manifold 260 and an upper housing portion 270. During assembly, the outer wall 190 of the interim chamber 120 is placed on the manifold 260 and the device, or inner wall 110 of the interim chamber, is then placed within the cavity of the outer wall 190. The inner wall 110 can then be suspended by the inner wall lip 280, and the inner and outer walls 190, 110 are then enclosed by the upper housing portion 270. With those components in place, the interim chamber is defined by the inner and outer walls 190, 110 while the outer chamber 130 is defined by the outer housing 250, 260, 270 and the outer wall 190. The inner chamber 140 is then defined by the inner wall 110 of the interim chamber 120.
Prior to inserting the inner wall 110 of the interim chamber 120, the interim chamber can be filled or partially filled in various ways to improve the aesthetic design of the overall hookah. As at least the upper housing portion 270 of the outer wall 250 is typically transparent or translucent, and the outer wall 190 of the interim chamber 120 is similarly transparent or translucent, various coloring or other fills can be added which would then be visible to a user. Further, where lighting is provided in the manifold 260, such lighting may further enhance whatever aesthetic additions are added to the interim chamber 120.
The inner chamber 240 is then partially filled with water to a fill level 180, and a smoke conduit 170, such as a downstem, is then inserted into the upper openings 230, 240 of both the inner and outer chambers 130, 140 such that it extends to below the fill level. The smoke conduit is then fixed in its location and sealed by a gasket 220, where the gasket also seals the upper openings 230, 240 while also sealing the inner and outer walls 190, 110 of the interim chamber 120.
A smoke source 160 is then provided adjacent the end of the smoke conduit 170. In this way, when smoke is drawn from a smoke outlet 150 in the manifold 260, smoke is drawn into the outer chamber 130 by way of smoke passages 210 in the gasket 220. Such smoke is then drawn from the inner chamber 140 and replace by smoke drawn from the smoke source 160 by way of the smoke conduit 170.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a hookah 700 containing a liquid chamber assembly 710 of the current disclosure. FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the hookah 700 of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8 is a sectioned view of the hookah 700 of FIG. 7A and FIG. 9 is a perspective sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 7A.
As shown, the liquid chamber assembly 710 comprises an elongated housing 720 that at least partially encloses an end of a downstem 730 for the hookah 700. As discussed above with respect to the embodiment of claim 1, the downstem 730 is typically a smoke conduit that provides smoke from a smoke source to a chamber for retaining liquid.
Accordingly, the elongated housing 720 has a closed first end 740 and at least one wall 750 which together define a chamber 760 for retaining a liquid. The elongated housing 720 may be rotationally symmetric, and as shown, the wall 750 may be substantially cylindrical. As such, the wall may cylindrically enclose the downstem 730 of the hookah 700.
The liquid chamber assembly 710 further comprises a gasket 770 at an open second end 780 of the elongated housing 720, where the gasket seals the chamber against the downstem 730. Accordingly, the gasket 770 and the housing 720 form a fluid tight seal about the end of the downstem 730.
When in use and applied to the downstem 730, the elongated housing 720 of the liquid chamber assembly 710 is partially filled with liquid, such as water. Typically, as discussed above, when using a hookah 700, a liquid fill level of a liquid chamber 760 is high enough to enclose a segment of the end of the downstem 730, including any smoke outlets 790 within the downstem. Accordingly, when a user of the hookah 700 draws smoke from a smoke outlet 800 of the hookah, negative pressure is generated within the liquid chamber 760 and smoke is drawn from the smoke outlets 790 of the downstem. In such a scenario, all smoke passes through the liquid in the liquid chamber 760 prior to passing through the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700.
Accordingly, at least one fluid outlet 810 is provided in the elongated housing 720 or in the gasket 770 at a location above the fill level for the liquid retained in the liquid chamber 760. The fluid outlet 810 of the elongated housing 720 is in fluidic connection with the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700 itself, such that all smoke exiting the elongated housing 720 passes to the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700.
As shown, the fluid outlet 810 may be in the gasket 770. Because the gasket 770 is at the open second end 780 of the elongated housing 720, the gasket typically remains above the liquid level within the liquid chamber 760. In some embodiments, such as that shown, there may be a gap between the fluid outlet 810 of the elongated housing 720 and the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700. As such, in order to provide the fluidic connection noted above, a fluid conduit 820 may be provided.
As shown, the hookah 700 may be provided with an outer housing 830 which fully encloses the liquid chamber assembly 710 during use. The outer housing 830 also fully encloses the downstem 730 and contains the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700. If the liquid chamber assembly 710 were not provided, during standard use of the hookah 700, the outer housing 830 would function as a liquid chamber and would contain liquid sufficient to cover the smoke outlets 790 of the downstem. With the liquid chamber assembly 710 implemented, the space between the outer housing 830 and the elongated housing 720 forms an interim chamber 840 which is fluidically insulated from the liquid chamber 760 and the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700.
As such, the fluid conduit 820 may transmit smoke drawn from the liquid chamber 760 in the elongated housing 720 to the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700. As shown, such a fluid conduit 820 may be a hose extending from the fluid outlet 810 in the gasket 770 to the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700, and may pass through the interim chamber 840.
The outer housing 830 may be transparent or translucent, such that the interim chamber 840 and any contents of such an interim chamber, may be visible. This allows the interim chamber 840 to be usable for aesthetic changes, such as placing decorative elements within the interim chamber. Because the interim chamber 840 is fluidically insulated from the liquid chamber 760 and the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700, such aesthetic changes can be made without affecting the flavor of smoke being drawn through the hookah.
As shown, in many embodiments, a plurality of smoke outlets 800 may be provided in the hookah 700, and a plurality of fluid outlets 810 may be provided in the elongated housing 720, or in this case, the gasket 770. As such, individual fluid conduits 820 may be provided to pair each fluid outlet 810 with a corresponding smoke outlet 800. In some embodiments, the number of fluid outlets 810 and smoke outlets 800 may not fully correspond. As such, fluid outlets 810 may be plugged or smoke outlets 800 may be unused. Alternatively, as in the embodiment shown, an upper manifold 850 may be provided in order to connect any number of fluid conduits 820 to any number of smoke outlets 800. Further, while a direct vertical path is shown in the embodiment shown, such that the fluid conduits 820 may transmit smoke linearly, in some embodiments, the fluid outlets 810 may not perfectly align with the smoke outlets 800 of a particular hookah 700. As such, the fluid conduits 820 may be flexible, such as a plurality of flexible hoses extend through the interim chamber 840.
Because the same liquid chamber assembly 710 may be applied to a variety of hookahs 700 containing a variety of downstems 730, the gasket 770 of the assembly may be adaptable to different downstem designs. In some downstems 730, an end of the downstem containing smoke outlets 790 may have a larger radius than the rest of the downstem. As such, the gasket 770 may be formed of a compressible or flexible material, such that it can expand to pass over an enlarged end of a downstem 730 and retain a seal against a smaller segment of the downstem. For example, the gasket 770 may be formed from silicone.
Similarly, the gasket 770 may be sufficiently compressible or flexible and sized to adapt to multiple downstem radii corresponding to a variety of standard downstem sizes or a range of adaptable downstems.
Alternatively, or in addition, the liquid chamber assembly 710 may be provided with multiple gaskets corresponding to different size downstems 730. As such, the gasket 770 appropriate to a particular downstem 730 radius of the hookah 700 may be selected from the plurality of potential gaskets.
FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a hookah 700 containing a second embodiment of a liquid chamber assembly 710 of the current disclosure. FIG. 10B is an exploded view of the hookah 700 of FIG. 10A. FIG. 11 is a sectioned view of the hookah 700 and FIG. 12 is a perspective sectioned view of the hookah of FIG. 10A.
As shown, the hookah 700 is the same as that shown in FIG. 7, and the liquid chamber assembly 710 is similar to that discussed above. Accordingly, only differences between the embodiments are discussed here, and all other elements have been numbered identically and correspond to the description above with respect to FIGS. 7A-9.
In the embodiment shown, the liquid chamber assembly 710 comprises a gasket 1010 at the open second end 780 of the elongated housing 720, where the gasket seals the chamber against the downstem 730. Accordingly, the gasket 1010 and the housing 720 form a fluid tight seal about the end of the downstem 730. The gasket 1010 further comprises an elongated collar containing at least one fluid conduit 1020 for transmitting smoke from a fluid outlet 1030 in the gasket to the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700.
The elongated collar 1010 may then extend from the second end 780 of the elongated housing 720 to the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700.
As discussed above, when in use and applied to the downstem 730, the elongated housing 720 of the liquid chamber assembly 710 is partially filled with liquid, such as water.
Accordingly, because the at least one fluid outlet 1030 is provided in the gasket 1010, the fluid outlet is always above the fill level for the liquid retained in the liquid chamber 760. Because the fluid conduit 1020 is in the collar 1010 of the gasket, the fluid outlets 1030 are kept in fluidic connection with the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700 itself, such that all smoke exiting the elongated housing 720 passes to the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700.
As shown, in many embodiments, a plurality of smoke outlets 800 may be provided in the hookah 700, and a plurality of fluid outlets 1030 may be provided in the gasket 1000. As such, individual fluid conduits 1020 may be provided to pair each fluid outlet 1030 with a corresponding smoke outlet 800. In some embodiments, the number of fluid outlets 1030 and smoke outlets 800 may not fully correspond. As such, fluid outlets 1030 may be plugged or smoke outlets 800 may be unused.
During use, a user may draw smoke from the smoke outlet 800 of the hookah 700. Smoke is then drawn from the liquid chamber 760 by way of the fluid outlets 1030 and the fluid conduits 1020 in the gasket 1010. Such smoke being drawn from the liquid chamber 760 thereby generates negative pressure in the liquid chamber, which then draws more smoke from the downstem 730 by way of the liquid in the liquid chamber.
While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hookah assembly for smoking comprising:

an outer chamber having a smoke outlet;

an inner chamber for containing a liquid, the inner chamber being enclosed within the outer chamber;

an interim chamber within the outer chamber and outside of the inner chamber; and

a smoke conduit for transmitting smoke from a smoke source into the inner chamber below a fill level of the liquid,

wherein the inner chamber is in fluidic communication with the outer chamber above the fill level of the liquid, and the inner chamber and outer chamber are not in fluidic communication with the interim chamber, and

wherein smoke is drawn from the inner chamber to the outer chamber when smoke is drawn from the smoke outlet.

2. The hookah assembly of claim 1 further comprising a gasket disposed between the outer chamber and the inner chamber, wherein the gasket comprises at least one smoke passage placing the inner chamber and outer chamber in fluidic communication, and wherein the gasket maintains seals between the interim chamber and each of the inner and outer chambers.

3. The hookah assembly of claim 2, wherein the gasket removably seals the interim chamber relative to the inner and outer chambers such that an outer wall of the interim chamber forms an inner wall of the outer chamber, and such that an inner wall of the interim chamber forms the inner chamber, and wherein removing the inner chamber provides access to an interior of the interim chamber.

4. The hookah assembly of claim 2, wherein the gasket seals an upper opening of the outer chamber, and wherein the smoke conduit transmits smoke to the inner chamber through the gasket from outside of the outer chamber.

5. The hookah assembly of claim 1, wherein upon drawing smoke from the outer chamber through the smoke outlet, additional smoke is drawn into the inner chamber by way of the smoke conduit.

6. The hookah assembly of claim 5, wherein a housing of the outer chamber comprises a manifold, the manifold containing the smoke outlet, and wherein the smoke outlet couples with a hose for drawing smoke through the smoke outlet.

7. The hookah assembly of claim 6, wherein the housing of the outer chamber further comprises an upper portion for sealing to the manifold such that the upper portion and the manifold define the outer chamber and enclose the interim chamber and the inner chamber, the upper portion being transparent or translucent.

8. The hookah assembly of claim 7, wherein the interim chamber rests on or within the manifold, and wherein the inner chamber is fully enclosed within the interim chamber.

9. The hookah assembly of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of an outer wall of the interim chamber is translucent or transparent.

10. The hookah assembly of claim 9 further comprising a lighting assembly located within the manifold or between the manifold and the interim chamber.

11. The hookah assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a housing of the outer chamber is transparent or translucent, and wherein at least a portion of an outer wall of the interim chamber is transparent or translucent.

12. The hookah assembly of claim 11, wherein an interior of the interim chamber is accessible by removing the inner chamber from within the outer chamber.

13. The hookah assembly of claim 12 wherein the inner chamber is defined by a removable inner wall of the interim chamber, and wherein the inner wall is suspended from an outer wall by an inner wall lip.

14. The hookah assembly of claim 13 wherein the interim chamber extends around the inner chamber and further extends below the inner chamber.

15. A liquid chamber assembly for a hookah comprising:

an elongated housing configured to at least partially enclose an end of a downstem of a hookah and having a closed first end defining, along with at least one wall of the elongated housing, a chamber for retaining liquid;

a gasket at an open second end of the elongated housing, the gasket for sealing the chamber against the downstem; and

at least one fluid outlet in the elongated housing or gasket above a fill level for liquid retained in the chamber,

wherein the at least one fluid outlet is in fluidic connection with a smoke outlet of the hookah, and

wherein, when applied to the downstem, the fill level for liquid retained in the chamber is above a smoke outlet of the downstem.

16. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 15, wherein the fluid outlet is in the gasket.

17. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 16 further comprising a fluid conduit for transmitting smoke from the fluid outlet to the smoke outlet of the hookah.

18. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 17, wherein the gasket comprises an elongated collar containing the at least one fluid conduit, wherein the elongated collar extends from the second end of the elongated housing to the smoke outlet of the hookah.

19. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 17, wherein the fluid conduit is a hose extending from the fluid outlet in the gasket to the smoke outlet of the hookah.

20. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 19, wherein the fluid conduit is flexible such that the fluid conduit can transmit smoke from the fluid outlet to the smoke outlet of the hookah when the fluid outlet and the smoke outlet of the hookah are not aligned.

21. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 19, further comprising a manifold, wherein the hose terminates at the manifold, and wherein the manifold transmits smoke from the hose to the smoke outlet of the hookah.

22. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 15, wherein the elongated housing is rotationally symmetric.

23. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one wall of the elongated housing is substantially cylindrical.

24. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 15, wherein the gasket is formed from a compressible or flexible material, such that it can expand to pass over an enlarged end of a downstem and retain a seal against a smaller segment of the downstem.

25. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 24, wherein the gasket is sized to adapt to multiple downstem radii.

26. The liquid chamber assembly of claim 25, wherein the gasket is selected from a plurality of differently sized gaskets to correspond to a downstem radius of the hookah.