SMOKING IMPLEMENT AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A smoking implement is disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, the smoking implement comprises a housing body having an air inlet port and an air outlet port; a nippleless cap attachable to the housing body at the air outlet port, the nippleless cap having an internally configured first channel; and a holder configured for holding a cigarette, the holder being securable to the nippleless cap in a manner that the holder is partially accommodated into the first channel and extends into an interior space of the housing body.

Claims

1. A smoking implement comprising: a housing body having an air inlet port and an air outlet port; a nippleless cap attachable to the housing body at the air outlet port, the nippleless cap having an internally configured first channel; and a holder configured for holding a cigarette, the holder being securable to the nippleless cap in a manner that the holder is partially accommodated into the first channel and extends into an interior space of the housing body.

2. The smoking implement according to claim 1, wherein the housing body is a football shaped housing having a first end and a second end.

3. The smoking implement according to claim 2, wherein the air inlet port is configured at any location on the housing body, and the nippleless cap is attached to the first end of housing body.

4. The smoking implement according to claim 1, wherein the housing body has a resilient configuration for allowing air to be introduced in the interior space of the housing body via the air inlet port, and exhausting the air from the outlet port on pressing of the housing body.

5. The smoking implement according to claim 1, wherein the nippleless cap has a conical configuration extending between a base and a tip, wherein the base of the nippleless cap is configured for attachment to the first end of the housing body, and the first channel of the nipple-less cap extends from the tip and opens to the base of the of nippleless cap.

6. The smoking implement according to claim 5, wherein the holder includes a first portion having a cylindrical configuration with a first radius and a second portion extending from the first portion, the second portion having a cylindrical configuration with a second radius.

7. The smoking implement according to claim 6, wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius.

8. The smoking implement according to claim 6, wherein the first portion of the holder includes a holding channel for holding the cigarette.

9. The smoking implement according to claim 8, wherein the holding channel is in fluid communication with an outlet channel formed within the second portion of the holder.

10. The smoking implement according to claim 9, wherein the second portion of the holder is configured to fit within the first channel of the nippleless cap, and the outlet channel is in fluid communication with the first channel.

11. The smoking implement according to claim 8, wherein the holding channel includes heat distribution means.

12. The smoking implement according to claim 11, wherein the heat distribution means is one of radial grooves and radial fins.

13. A smoking implement comprising: a football shaped housing body having an air inlet port and an air outlet port, wherein the football shaped housing body has a first end and a second end; a nippleless cap attachable to the housing body at the air outlet port, the nippleless cap having an internally configured first channel; and a holder configured for holding a cigarette, the holder being securable to the nippleless cap in a manner that the holder is partially accommodated into the first channel and extends into an interior space of the housing body; wherein the air inlet port is configured at any location on the housing body, and the nipple-less cap is attached to the first end of housing body; wherein the housing body has a resilient configuration for allowing air to be introduced in the interior space of the housing body via the air inlet port, and exhausting the air from the outlet port on pressing of the housing body.

14. The smoking implement according to claim 13, wherein the nippleless cap has a conical configuration extending between a base and a tip, wherein the base of the nippleless cap is configured for threaded attachment to the first end of the housing body, and the first channel of the nippleless cap extends from the tip and opens to the base of the of nippleless cap.

15. The smoking implement according to claim 5, wherein the holder includes a first portion having a cylindrical configuration with a first radius and a second portion extending from the first portion, the second portion having a cylindrical configuration with a second radius, wherein the first radius is greater than the second radius.

16. The smoking implement according to claim 6, wherein the first portion of the holder includes a holding channel for holding the cigarette.

17. The smoking implement according to claim 8, wherein the holding channel is in fluid communication with an outlet channel formed within the second portion of the holder.

18. The smoking implement according to claim 9, wherein the second portion of the holder is configured to fit within the first channel of the nippleless cap, and the outlet channel is in fluid communication with the first channel.

19. The smoking implement according to claim 8, wherein the holding channel includes heat distribution means, wherein the heat distribution means is one of radial grooves and radial fins.

20. A method of using a smoking implement, comprising: inserting a rolled cigarette into a cigarette holder of a football-shaped housing of the smoking implement; lighting the cigarette and while the cigarette is lit, coupling the cigarette holder to the cap, and the cap and holder to the football-shaped housing; placing a finger over a vent hole on the football-shaped housing; an squeezing the football-shaped housing to expel smoke from the hole in cap end of football, wherein the football-shaped housing is configured to be thrown to another user after use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of the various embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a smoking implement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a smoking implement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a smoking implement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a cigarette holder for a smoking implement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a cigarette holder for a smoking implement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a cigarette holder coupled to a cap for a smoking implement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6-FIG. 9 illustrate a method of use sequence for a smoking implement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates a close-up view of a smoking implement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, depicting a vent aperture on a surface of a housing of the device.

[0030] FIG. 11 illustrates a smoking implement expelling inhalable smoke during a use sequence of the smoking implement, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a method of use in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying figures, which form a part thereof. Depictions are made, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced; however, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.

[0033] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known structures, components, and/or functional or structural relationship thereof, etc., have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0034] Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning. Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment/example” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in another embodiment/example” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matter include combinations of example embodiments in whole or in part.

[0035] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0036] The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present. The term “and/or” means that “and” applies to some embodiments and “or” applies to some embodiments. Thus, A, B, and/or C can be replaced with A, B, and C written in one sentence and A, B, or C written in another sentence. A, B, and/or C means that some embodiments can include A and B, some embodiments can include A and C, some embodiments can include B and C, some embodiments can only include A, some embodiments can include only B, some embodiments can include only C, and some embodiments include A, B, and C. The term “and/or” is used to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Similarly, terms such as “a,” “an,” or “the,” again, may be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage, depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term “based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, allow for the existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described, again, depending at least in part on context.

[0037] While exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Thus, nothing in the foregoing description is intended to imply that any particular feature, characteristic, step, module, or block is necessary or indispensable. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or inventions disclosed herein. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0038] The present disclosure relates to, among other things, a noncontact smoking implement comprising a football shaped housing. The housing includes a cigarette holder adapted to secure a cigarette within a cavity of the housing, the cigarette holder including a first channel for providing a supply of air through the cigarette. At one end of the housing, a cap secures the cigarette holder at least partially within the cavity of the football-shaped housing. The cap includes a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel of the cigarette holder configured to expel inhalable smoke from the cigarette therethrough. The football-shaped housing may be passed around like a regular football, and because a smokable stream is expelled from the device, no one has to make contact with the device by way of their mouth, nor do users have to make fluid contact that may expose their mouth or airways to particles so as to avoid unintended contamination with an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, the flue, or any other contagious ailment. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings for illustration purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a smoking implement 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the smoking implement 100. Reference hereinafter is directed to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the smoking implement 100 comprises a housing body 102 having an air inlet port 104 and an air outlet port 106. In one embodiment, the housing body 102 is a football shaped housing body 102 having a first end 102A and a second end 102B. It is to be noted that the football shaped housing is only one example of the housing body shape and should not be construed as limiting. The housing body 102 may have any other shape and colour and is not restricted to a football shape configuration.

[0040] The air inlet port 104, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment, may be configured at any location on the housing body 102 of the smoking implement 100. The air outlet port 106 is configured at the first end 102A of the smoking implement 100. The housing body 102 may be a resilient housing body that may be pressed to expel out air, which is already contained in an interior space 102C of the housing body 102, from the air outlet port 106 on being pressed or deformed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fresh air may be introduced again in the interior space 102C again once the resilient housing body 102 is made to regain its original shape.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the smoking implement 100 further comprises a nippleless cap 108 attachable to the housing body 102 at the air outlet port 106. Cap 108 is a nipple-less cap in that a region at the tip of the cap is designed to avoid mouth contact. That is, in order to dissuade users from placing their mouths in contact with the outlet of cap 108, cap 108 may be preferably designed without a nipple that would otherwise invite unintended contact use of smoking implement 100. In accordance with the instant embodiment, the nippleless cap 108 is configured to attach to the air outlet port 106 that is configured on the first end 102A of the housing body 102. The nippleless cap 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, has an internally configured first channel 108A. The nippleless cap 108 attaches to the air outlet port 106 in a manner that the first channel 108A is in fluid communication with the interior space 102C of the housing body 102.

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the smoking implement 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the nippleless cap 108 has a conical configuration that extends between a base 108B and a tip 108C. The base 108B of the nippleless cap 108 includes thread formations 110A. Similarly, the air outlet port 106, on which the nippleless cap 108 is configured for fitment, includes complementary thread formations 110B to allow the fitment of the base 108B of the nippleless cap 108 thereon. It is to be noted that feature of threaded formations 110A, 110B for facilitating fitment of the nippleless cap 108 on the air outlet port 106 is only one exemplary embodiment. The fitment of the nippleless cap 108 on the air outlet port 106 may also be facilitated using other known attachment means, such as, e.g., snap formations, push buttons, interlocking formations, and so on.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the smoking implement 100 further comprises a holder 112 configured for holding a cigarette. The holder 112 is securable to the nippleless cap 108 in a manner that the holder 112 is partially accommodated into the first channel 108A and extends into an interior space 102C of the housing body 102.

[0044] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate different views of the holder 112, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the holder 112 includes a first portion 112A having a cylindrical configuration with a first radius and a second portion 112B extending from the first portion 112A and having a cylindrical configuration with a second radius. In one embodiment, the first radius is greater than the second radius. The first portion 112A of the holder 112 includes the holding channel 112C. The holding channel 112C of the holder 112 is provided for holding a cigarette or a joint therein. The cigarette may include a tobacco cigarette, a marijuana joint, or any other psychedelic recreational plant matter cigarette. The holding channel 112C is in fluid communication with an outlet channel 112D formed within the second portion 112B of the holder 112. In one embodiment, the holding channel 112C and the outlet channel 112D may be a single elongate channel that extends along the length of the first and second portions of the holder 112.

[0045] The holder 112 further comprises heat distribution means 112E configured on the first portion 112A of the holder 112. The first portion 112A is configured to hold the cigarette and as such is subjected to high temperatures. Therefore, heat distribution means 112E help in heat distribution to ensure that the material of the housing body 102 does not burn on coming in contact with the high temperature surface of the first portion 112A. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the heat distribution means 112E may be heat distribution grooves (as seen in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) or heat distribution fins.

[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the holder 112 being assembled with the nippleless cap 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The holder 112 is configured for fitment within nippleless cap 108. More specifically, the second portion 112B of the holder 112 is inserted and fitted into the first channel 108A of the nippleless cap 108. As such, the first channel 108A is in fluid communication with the outlet channel 112D. Also, the outlet channel 112D is in fluid communication with the holding channel 112C, and the holding channel 112C is in fluid communication with the interior space 102C when the nippleless cap 108 along with the holder 112 is fitted to the first end 102A of the housing body 102, as seen in FIG. 2. Such an arrangement of the nippleless cap 108 and the holder 112 on the first end 102A of the housing body 102 facilitates the outflow of the air contained within the interior space 102C of the housing body 102 via the cigarette that is held in the holder 112.

[0047] Reference hereinafter is directed to FIG. 6 through FIG. 10 for explanation of the operation of the smoking implement 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view depicting the fitment of a cigarette C on the holder 112 that is received within the nippleless cap 108. This is the first step of using the smoking implement 100, i.e., assembling the cigarette or joint C onto the holder 112 that is received within the nippleless cap 108. Subsequent to that, the cigarette C is lit and introduced in the interior space 102C of the housing body 102 by attaching the nippleless cap 108 (along with the holder 112 and the cigarette C) on the first end 102A of the housing body 102, as depicted in FIG. 7.

[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of the smoking implement 100 after the nippleless cap 108 (along with the holder 112 and the cigarette C) is attached to the first end 102A of the housing body 102. As is apparent from FIG. 8, the smoking implement 100 looks just like a normal football, which makes it easier to throw the smoking implement 100 among a group of friends that have gathered for smoking recreationally. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 depict a top view of the smoking implement 100, wherein the air inlet port 104 can be seen. As mentioned previously, the air inlet port 104 may be configured at any location on the housing body 102.

[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view depicting the operation of the smoking implement 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. As seen in FIG. 11, for using the smoking implement 100 that has been loaded with the cigarette, the user places a finger F on the air inlet port for covering the air inlet port. Once the air inlet port is covered, the air present in the interior space 102C has only path for being exhausted from the interior space 102C, i.e., the through the cigarette being held by the holder having the outlet channel in fluid communication with the first channel of the nippleless cap 108. Therefore, once the housing body 102 of the smoking implement 100 is pressed, as depicted in FIG. 11, the air in the interior space of the housing body 102 passes through the cigarette while being converted into smoke S that can be inhaled on being exhausted from the nippleless cap 108.

[0050] An advantageous aspect of the structure and configuration of the smoking implement 100 is that the smoking implement 100 need not be in contact with the mouth of the user for consumption of the plant material or any other material rolled in a cigarette and loaded into the smoking implement. Such a feature mitigates the transfer of any kind of disease-causing viruses or bacteria that may be contained in the saliva of a user when used in a group gathered for recreational smoking. Another advantageous aspect of the smoking implement 100 is the fun element of playing catch with a group of friends while enjoying the pleasures of smoking the cigarette.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting a method of use of smoking implement 100. In exemplary embodiments, a method may include: holding the football-shaped housing to unscrew the cap and inserting a rolled cigarette into a cigarette holder (201); lighting the cigarette; while the cigarette is lit, coupling the cigarette holder to the cap, and the cap and holder to the football-shaped housing (202); placing a finger over a vent hole on the football-shaped housing (203); squeezing the football-shaped housing to expel smoke from the hole in cap end of football, wherein the football-shaped housing is configured to be thrown to another user after use (204);

[0052] and passing or throwing the football-shaped housing to the another user.

[0053] A smoking implement has been described. The foregoing description of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit of the invention.