FIELD

[0001] The inventions herein related to the field of smoking devices, and more particularly the inventions herein relate to the field of devices for smoking combustible materials. BACKGROUND

[0002] Smoking devices are generally known which include a container for housing a quantity of tobacco or other combustible or burnable plant material used with the device. Pipes often include such a container and have an opening to the container to permit burning of the combustible material, as well as a mouthpiece which is connected by an open channel to the container for inhaling the smoke generated by the burning plant material.

[0003] Unfortunately, such smoking devices do not burn uniformly. Moreover, existing smoking devices continue to burn until manually extinguished by the user, wasting material and preventing the user from quickly storing the device. Furthermore, such devices inefficiently use the material burned therein. SUMMARY

[0004] Accordingly, an improved pipe is disclosed. The pipe has an elongate body having an inlet opening and a mouthpiece with an aperture. An internal bore is provided within the elongate body connecting the inlet opening and the mouthpiece aperture. The internal bore has a bolus chamber with an inlet orifice aligned with the inlet opening and an exit orifice aligned with the internal bore opposite the inlet orifice. The inlet orifice has a smaller diameter than the exit orifice. The pipe is also self-extinguishing.

[0005] A pipe is also disclosed which has an internal bore with a cavity for holding combustible material. The cavity has inlet and exit orifices that create a venturi effect when the pipe is in use.

[0006] A pipe is further disclosed which includes a bolus chamber having an inlet orifice and an exit orifice which is larger than the inlet orifice.

[0007] These and other features and advantages of devices, systems, and methods according to this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed descriptions of various examples of embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Various examples of embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods according to this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0009] FIG.1 is a perspective view of a pipe according to one or more examples of embodiments.

[0010] FIG.2 is a perspective view of a pipe according to one or more alternative examples of embodiments, showing a variation in pipe body shape.

[0011] FIG.3 is a side elevation view of the pipe shown in FIG.1.

[0012] FIG.4 is a cross-sectional view of the pipe shown in FIG.1, taken from section 4- 4 of FIG.3.

[0013] FIG.5 is a side elevation view of the pipe shown in FIG.1, showing the removal of a cap from the pipe body.

[0014] FIG.6 is a side elevation view of the pipe shown in FIG.2, showing the removal of a cap from the pipe body.

[0015] FIG.7 is a side elevation view of the pipe shown in FIG.1 with cap removed as shown in FIG.5.

[0016] FIG.8 is a cross-sectional view of the pipe shown in FIG.7, taken from section 8- 8 of FIG.7.

[0017] FIG.9 is a partial exploded view of water pipe, showing one or more pipes as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2 and a water bath.

[0018] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary to the understanding of the invention or render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to the Figures, a pipe 100, 200 is provided. As shown in FIGS.1-4, the pipe 100 comprises an elongate tubular body 102 having an internal bore 104 or channel. The pipe body 102 has an inlet end 106 and a mouthpiece end 108. The inlet end 106 has an opening 110 or aperture and the mouthpiece end 108 has an opening 112 or aperture. Within the pipe body 102 is a bolus chamber 114 or container or cavity that is joined to, and open to, the bore 104 or channel so as to form a continuous passageway or channel from the inlet end opening 110 to the mouthpiece end 108 and opening 112.

[0020] The continuous passageway, the bore and/or the channel may be any suitable length and/or diameter accomplishing the solutions provided herein. In one or more examples of embodiments, the continuous passageway may have varying diameter. In this regard, the bolus chamber 114 or cavity or container comprises an expanded bored area relative to the channel and includes an inlet orifice 116 which may be coterminous with or connected to the inlet end 106 or inlet opening 110 of the pipe body 102, and an exit orifice 118 separated from, and in the illustrated embodiment on an opposing side of, the bolus chamber 114. The exit orifice 118 or outlet side has a longer bore 104, or is otherwise joined to the bore 104 or channel ending to the mouthpiece end 108. The inlet orifice 116 and exit orifice 118 may be axially aligned such as shown in FIG.4.

[0021] The inlet orifice 116 may range from between approximately 0.050 inches to approximately 0.125 inches in diameter, while the exit orifice 118 may range from approximately 0.065 inches to approximately 0.140 inches in diameter. In one or more examples of embodiments, the inlet orifice 116 and the exit orifice 118 are two different size orifices. Preferably, the inlet orifice 116 and exit orifice 118 are arranged to provide a venturi effect. In other words, the orifices of the continuous pathway cause a reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid (e.g., a gas) flows through a constricted section (or choke) of the pipe 100. In particular, the inlet orifice 116 of the bolus chamber 114 is smaller than the exit orifice 118. More specifically, the inlet orifice 116 has a smaller diameter than the exit orifice 118. To this end, the variation in orifice size between the inlet orifice 116 and exit orifice 118 ranges from a ratio of approximately 1:1.12 to approximately 1:1.3.

[0022] As shown in FIGS.5-8, the pipe 100, 200 may be formed of multiple components which are secured together. In particular, as can be seen, the pipe body 102 includes a removable cap 120. The cap 120 may be secureable/removable by any suitable mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 has a threaded end 122 which mates with a corresponding thread 124 on an inner surface of the cap 120. Alternatively, the cap 120 may be secured by friction fit, tongue and grove, and/or other now known or future developed mechanical mechanisms. Preferably, the cap 120 is easily

removable/securable for access to, loading of, and cleaning of the bolus chamber 114, and internal bore 104 of the pipe 100. In one or more examples of embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG.8, the bolus chamber 114 may be formed by a first section 126 contained within the body 102 (e.g., an internal cavity) and a second section 128 contained within the cap 120 (e.g., an internal cavity). The cap 120 may also include the inlet end 106 and inlet orifice 116. Optionally, an O-ring or other sealing mechanism (not shown) may be used to seal the connection between the cap 120 and the body 102.

[0023] In one or more further examples of embodiments, one or more pipes 100, 200 may be combined and used with a water container 130 or water bath to form a water pipe 300. As shown in FIG.9, the water container 130 has a pipe opening 132 into which the mouthpiece end 108 of a pipe 100, 200 is inserted. The water container also includes an exit end 134 for exhausting of the gases from the pipe and water vapor combination. In one or more further examples of embodiments, an O-ring or other sealing mechanism (not shown) may be used with the water container 130, and provided at the pipe opening of the water container for engaging the pipe inserted therein.

[0024] The pipe 100, 200 described herein may be formed of any suitable material which accomplishes the objects described herein. For example, the pipe material must withstand heat and/or exposure to flame. In addition, the pipe material is easy to clean and has sufficient hardness to be durable. In one or more particular examples of embodiments, the pipe 100, 200 is formed of D2 tool steel, although variations thereon may also be acceptable. In one or more examples of embodiments, the pipe 100, 200 may be cast or molded. In alternative examples of embodiments, the pipe 100, 200 may be precision cut. Moreover, the pipe 100, 200 may be constructed of more than one component as discussed hereinabove, which are subsequently secured together. In one or more additional examples of embodiments, the material may be optionally treated, such as with a coating or other manufacturing process to achieve the desired operating parameters. In the case of a water pipe 300, the water container 130 or water bath may be formed of glass or other suitable material.

[0025] One or more examples of use of the pipe 100, 200 will now be described. In one example of embodiments, a user opens the pipe 100, 200 by removing the cap 120.

Removing the cap 120 reveals the bolus chamber 114 within the pipe. The user then loads the bolus chamber 114 with a quantity of combustible or burnable material to be smoked. The cap 120 is then secured on the body 102. The user may then expose the pipe, and preferably the area of the pipe corresponding to or surrounding the bolus chamber 114, to heat or a flame, thereby causing the combustion of the material and generation of smoke or gas. The user inhales the gas from the mouthpiece end 108, which draws in air from the smaller inlet opening 110 and inlet orifice 116. The air passes through the bolus chamber 114 and carries with it the smoke or gas generated into and through the exit orifice 118, through the bore 104 and out the aperture in the mouthpiece. When the flame or heat is removed, the material contained within the pipe self-extinguishes shortly thereafter.

[0026] A pipe 100, 200, 300 having the foregoing features has many advantages not realized by existing devices. For instance, the variation in orifice sizes causes the combustible material within the bolus chamber to burn with a fairly uniform burn and also to self-extinguish. As a result, the material is preserved or conserved within the bolus chamber, and the pipe can be quickly stored, e.g., safely deposited in a pocket, shortly after use. In addition, the variation in orifice sizes creates a venture effect, limiting extraneous gases from entering the chamber, and efficiently using or maximizing the output of the material burned in the pipe. In one or more further examples of embodiments, the pipe of the type and material described herein is easy to clean and is durable.

[0027] As utilized herein, the terms“approximately,”“about,”“substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

[0028] It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g.,“top” and“bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

[0029] For the purpose of this disclosure, the term“coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

[0030] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the system, methods, and devices as shown in the various examples of embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various examples of embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present inventions.

[0031] While this invention has been described in conjunction with the examples of embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations,

improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the examples of embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents.

[0032] The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are exemplary and are not limiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems.