CHILLING WATER PIPE AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A water pipe that cools down smoke or vapor in a water pipe or other smoking apparatus for the user. The water pipe includes a base having an extended bottom surface, a base insert and a top assembly, whereby the top assembly includes a downstem and a mouthpiece. A cooling solution is poured into the base container and the base insert is bonded or otherwise coupled to the base container such that the cooling solution remains in between the base container and base insert. The water pipe is put in a freezer or cooling source for a specified amount of time, and thereafter the base insert is filled with water. Once filled with water, the top assembly is inserted on top of the base insert. Tobacco, medicinal herbs, and/or oils are placed in a bowl or other apparatus connected to the downstem with one end submerged in water and one end exposed to ambient air. As the smoke or vapor percolates and passes through the water pipe the smoke or vapor is cooled down.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a base container having an outer wall, an inner wall, a top opening, and a closed bottom surface, wherein the base container further comprises an empty base container inner chamber defined by the inner wall of the base container; a base insert, wherein the base insert has an outer wall, an inner wall, a top opening, and a closed bottom surface, wherein the base container further comprises an empty base insert inner chamber defined by the inner wall of the base insert; wherein the base insert is configured to fit at least partially within and is configured to be located within the base container; a cooling solution positioned within the space between the outer surface of the base insert and the inner surface of the base container; and a top assembly securable to the base insert, the top assembly configured to cover the top opening of the base insert, wherein the top assembly further comprises a downstem and a mouthpiece, wherein the a downstem has a hollow inner bore with a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end of the downstem, and wherein the mouthpiece is positioned adjacent to the downstem on the top assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base insert further comprises a flange extending along a top surface of the base insert, wherein the flange is configured to hold the base insert in place and in contact with the base container, and further wherein the base insert is configured to be positioned in place within base container without the closed bottom surface of base insert making contact with the closed bottom surface of the base container;

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base insert is configured to be affixed to the base container.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base container and the base insert are substantially similar in shape, wherein the base insert is smaller in size than the base container and configured to fit within the base container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the empty space defined by the outer wall and the inner wall of the base container is configured to receive cooling solution.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cooling solution is refrigerant.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the downstem includes a percolator and wherein the downstem narrows in size towards a bottom end of the downstem.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base insert further comprises a seal, the seal configured to produce a substantially air tight seal between the top assembly and the base insert when top assembly is secured to the base insert.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top assembly is configured to be removable from the base insert.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first opening at the first end of the downstem is tapered.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening at the first end of the downstem is configured to receive a bowl placed over the opening, wherein the bowl is configured to hold a substance to be combusted or vaporized.

12. A method of inhaling chilled smoke or vapor from a water pipe or other smoking apparatus, the method comprising: pouring cooling solution between an outer wall and an inner wall of a base container; inserting a base insert within an empty inner space of the base container; affixing the base insert to the base container; placing the base insert and base container within a freezer or other cooling source for an adequate period of time until the cooling solution is chilled; filling the base insert with water; positioning a top assembly of the water pipe over the base insert such that the top assembly is connected to the base insert, wherein the top assembly comprises a downstem and a mouthpiece; positioning a bowl onto first end of the downstem, wherein the bowl includes a combustible or vaporizable material that produces smoke or vapor for inhalation; igniting or vaporizing the combustible or vaporizable material; and chilling the smoke or the vapor prior to the smoke or the vapor being inhaled, wherein the smoke or the vapor is drawn down through the downstem and through the water in the base insert, and up through a hollow bore of the mouthpiece.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising, chilling of the water in the base insert which is chilled by the cooling solution that has been placed in the freezer or other cooling source.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising, affixing the base insert to the base container using welding or adhesion.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising, filtering and cooling the smoke or the vapor that percolates through the downstem and the water in the base insert.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the base insert is smaller in size than the base container and is positioned within the base container, wherein a bottom surface of the base insert does not make contact with an inner bottom surface of the base container.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising, removing the top assembly from the base insert and emptying of the water located within the base insert.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the downstem narrows in size from the first end to a second end of the downstem, and wherein the downstem further includes a percolator.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the chilling of the smoke or vapor is assisted by the percolator located within the downstem prior to the smoke or vapor being drawing through the water of the base insert.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the cooling solution is a refrigerant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a perspective view of the chilling water pipe in assembled state.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an exploded view of an exemplary water pipe, including atop assembly, base container, and base insert.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a sectional exploded view of the exemplary water pipe.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a sectional view showing a water pipe in assembled state according to an illustrative embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an illustration showing a perspective view of a bowl being placed into the chilling water pipe in assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

[0014] Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

[0015] Exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect described in this document as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

[0016] Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate like elements. As used herein, the term coupled or coupling may indicate a connection. The connection may be a direct or an indirect connection between one or more items. Further, the term set as used herein may denote one or more of any item, so a set of items, may indicate the presence of only one item, or may indicate more items. Thus, the term set may be equivalent to one or more as used herein.

[0017] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments described herein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

[0018] The present disclosure recognizes the unsolved need for a portable water pipe or other type of apparatus that offers an efficient way to rapidly cool down the smoke or vapor produced from ignited or vaporized organic materials (e.g. such as tobacco, medicinal herbs, or oils) associated with the water pipe or other apparatus. In particular, a water pipe as described in one or more embodiments herein may be described as a chilling water pipe capable of chilling the smoke or vapor that one may use around or in association with the water pipe.

[0019] A water pipe, in one or more embodiments of the present description, may include, without limitation, several components, such as a base container, a base insert, and a top assembly. Further, cooling solution (which is further described below) may be separately poured and stored within the empty space between the outer wall of the base insert and the inner wall of the base container as shown in one or more Figures herein. Initially, the base insert and the base container of the water pipe may be placed in a freezer or other cooling source capable of cooling down the cooling solution. In one or more embodiments, the material of the water pipe prevents thermal shock that glass water pipes often have problems with, as well as makes the water pipe easier to grasp after removing the water pipe from the freezer. The cooling solution remains in a viscous, liquid state and does not freeze at low temperatures like water, such that when the base insert is filled with water and the top assembly is placed or attached to the base insert, the cooling solution acts as a refrigerant to more effectively cool the smoke or vapor being percolated through the chilled water. More details will be provided for the various embodiments in the present description in accordance with the accompanying Figures.

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of an exemplary chilling water pipe, such as water pipe 100. FIG. 1 depicts water pipe 100 having base container 114, as well as other components described further below. In FIG. 1, all of the pieces are assembled together. The chilling water pipe may have a design or logo such as design 180 on the outside of water pipe 100. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the exemplary, non-limiting components of water pipe 100 as they may fit together. In one embodiment, water pipe 100 includes base container 114. Base container 114, in one or more embodiments, has an outer wall, such as outer wall 152, and an inner wall, such as inner wall 154. Base container 114 is configured to serve as a large container for base insert 112 to be placed into (e.g. whereby base insert 112 either fits wholly within the inner empty space of base container 114 or partially fits within the inner empty space of base container 114). Also, in operation, cooling solution (e.g. such as cooling solution 118 shown in FIG. 3) may be poured into the empty space between the outer wall 152 and inner wall 154 of base container 114. In one embodiment, base container 114 may be cylindrically shaped or any other shape as desired. Base container 114 may also have a bottom stabilizing piece such as bottom stabilizing piece 150 that juts out from each side (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 1-4) and adds further stabilization to water pipe 100. Base container 114 may have an inner chamber or empty space that extends into base container 114 between the inner walls of base container 114. Base container 114 may further include a closed bottom surface as shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, base insert 112 may be cylindrically shaped having a hollow cylindrical body with a closed bottom surface. Base insert 112 may be configured, in one or more non-limiting embodiments, to generally have the same shape as base container 114. Base insert 112 may further include an outer wall 162 and an inner wall 164 as well as an inner chamber 166 or opening extending through the empty space of the base insert 112. Further, the inner chamber 166 of base insert 112 may extends downwardly and be defined by the surface of the inner wall 164 of base insert 112. Base insert 112 may also have a closed bottom surface (e.g. circular or cylindrically shaped).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, base insert 112 may include a radially extending, flanged, or stepped region, such as flange 130, near the top portion or surface of base insert 112. In one embodiment, flange 130 may have a diameter greater than the diameter of base insert 112. Flange 130 on base insert 112 may be configured to contact and rest against a top surface of base 114 (e.g. across an edge such as edge 140 near the top of base 114) whereby when base insert 112 is positioned inside of base 114, the bottom of base insert 112 does not reach the bottom of base 114. In other embodiments, base insert 112 may be insertable to some predetermined position within base container 114. In one embodiment, base insert 112 is configured to be only partially insertable and positioned within base container 114 such that a bottom surface of base insert 112 does not make contact with an interior bottom surface of base container 114. Flange 130 may be used to position and hang base insert 112 in its correct position within base container 114, although other configurations may also be used that incorporate flange 130 having a different structural appearance or design. In one embodiment, and as further discussed below, water may be poured into an empty inner chamber of base insert 112.

[0023] In one embodiment, before base insert 112 is positioned within base container 114, a cooling solution, such as cooling solution 118, as shown in FIG. 4, may be poured into the empty space between outer wall 152 and inner wall 154 of base container 114. Then, the base container 114 may be separately placed in a freezer or other cooling device in order to cool down cooling solution 118 prior to a user utilizing water pipe 100 to inhale smoke or vapor from combustible substances.

[0024] Cooling solution 118 may be a refrigerant or other substance having a higher thermal capacity than frozen water so that cooling solution 118 takes longer to warm up and absorbs more heat for extended amounts of time. Cooling solution 118 may be, without limitation, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polymer, a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water, silica coated with vinyl, or other thermoplastic materials and gels known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Cooling solution 118 is typically non-toxic and biodegradable.

[0025] In one embodiment, when base insert 112 is positioned inside of base container 114, a small air space may remain because cooling solution is not filled all the way to the top of base container 114 after cooling solution 118 is poured in to allow for expansion of cooling solution 118 while moving from a fluid to a solid state.

[0026] In one embodiment, once cooling solution 118 is poured into its designated empty space between the outer wall 152 and inner wall 154 of base container 114, it may be necessary to affix base insert 112 to base container 114. To affix base insert 112 to base container 114, in one exemplary embodiment, flange 130 of base insert 112 may be spin welded to a designated inner area of base container 114, such as without limitation, the area associated with inner edge 140 of base container 114. Base insert 112 and base container 114 may be affixable together by adhesives (e.g. either permanent or non-permanent adhesives) or any other means of attachment may be used (e.g. Velcro). In some embodiments Base insert 112 and base container 114 may be connected by heat generated by rotational friction at the joint line to weld flange and edge together or may connected by using adhesive or bonding agent. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other means of affixation and/or attachment via permanent or removeable means may be used such as ultrasonic welding, supersonic welding, hot plate welding, linear welding, infrared welding, or laser welding. Alternatively, the base insert 112 may be removably attachable to the base container 114 using any type of fasteners known in the art, including, but not limited to, screws, clips, buckles, nuts and bolts, latches, hinges, or any other type of fasteners.

[0027] As seen in FIG. 2, another structural component for water pipe 100 may include top assembly 110. Top assembly 110 may include a downstem, such as downstem 120, and a mouthpiece such as mouthpiece 118, in one exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, downstem 120 and mouthpiece 118 may be located substantially side by side and joined together on top assembly 110 by a small structural piece. Alternatively, in other embodiments for water pipe 100, downstem 120 may be separate from mouthpiece 118. As shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, top assembly 110 may have a substantially circular portion bottom surface having a slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter opening of base insert 112, thus allowing for centering top assembly 110 over the opening in base insert 112 and thereafter interlocking base insert 112 in engagement with top assembly 110. This engagement applies a radial force inward and may be able to create a substantially air-tight seal that prevents exiting of smoke, vapor, or liquid from base insert 112. Top assembly 110 may be removed by applying a force greater than the radial force, such as a user pulling on top assembly 110 away from base insert 112.

[0028] A resilient rubber or other stretchable elastomeric sealing ring such as ring 124 (e.g. as shown in FIG. 3) may be located at a top or substantially near a top surface of base insert 112 to form an air seal between the top assembly 110 and base insert 112 when top assembly 110 is placed over base insert 112. In some embodiments sealing ring 124 may have oppositely disposed protrusions which when top assembly 110 is pulled away from base insert 112 helps to facilitate removal of top assembly 110 by breaking the air tight seal.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, downstem 120, in one or more non-limiting embodiments, may be tubular in shape that narrows towards the bottom and may have an opening at its first end and a bore extending down through the body of downstem 120.

[0030] Further, downstem 120 may further include a percolator, such as percolator 122, at the second end of downstem 120 to provide more air and water to diffuse and cool any smoke or vapor that passes through percolator 122. Percolator 122 may be configured to draw in the air, smoke, or vapor into the water as the user inhales combustible or vaporizable substances, which causes percolation. As the water is percolated the smoke or vapor is filtered.

[0031] Downstem 120 may have a joint such as joint 116 at the first end of downstem 120. Joint 116 may have an end that tapers away from, such that joint 116 has a larger diameter at its top surface in order to better conform to a size of a bowl or other apparatus such as bowl 170 (e.g. as shown in FIG. 3) placed into joint 116. Bowl 170 may be designed for holding the organic substances such as tobacco, medicinal herbs and/or oils to be ignited and/or vaporized and inhaled using a water pipe 100.

[0032] In one embodiment, downstem 120 extends downward into the empty inner chamber of base insert 112 when top assembly 110 is positioned over base insert 112. Downstem 120 may be of a sufficient length to extend downward into the empty inner chamber of base insert 112. In one embodiment, water may be poured into the empty inner chamber 166 of base insert 112, to a level high enough in base insert 112 such that the opening of the second end of downstem 120 may extend down and be submerged in the water poured into base insert 112.

[0033] With respect to mouthpiece 118, mouthpiece 118 may have an open end that is configured to act as an exit for smoke or vapor to move out from. Mouthpiece 118 is configured to be pressed against the mouth of the user, whereby the user may inhale any smoke or vapor from mouthpiece 118.

[0034] In one exemplary method of use, cooling solution 118 is poured into the empty space between outer wall 152 and inner wall 154 of base container 114. Base insert 112 may be inserted into base container 114. In one embodiment, to affix base insert 112 to base container 114, base insert 112 may be bonded to base container 114. The combination of the affixed base insert 112 to base container 114 may be referred to herein as the bottom assembly. The bottom assembly may then be placed in a freezer or other cooling source for a predetermined amount of time to cool cooling solution 118. Once cooling solution 118 has been adequately cooled, a user may remove bottom assembly from the freezer or other cooling source.

[0035] Subsequently, water may be poured into base insert 112 through the opening at the top of base insert 112. Top assembly 110 is then placed back onto the top of base insert 112, sealing the water inside. Bowl 170 is then placed onto a top end of downstem 120. Tobacco, medicinal herbs, and/or oils as selected by a user are then placed in bowl 170 and ignited and/or vaporized. When vaporizing a substance such as oil, bowl 170 connected to joint 116 is first heated and then the substance is then added to heated bowl 170 allowing it to vaporize.

[0036] User then places their mouth on mouthpiece 118 and inhales, thereby creating a vacuum. Smoke or vapor is drawn down from the ignited or vaporized organic material in the bowl, through downstem 120 (including through percolator 122) and is bubbled through the water located within base insert 112. Because base insert 112 is located within base container 114, the water in base insert 112 is cooled down by the recently chilled cooling solution 118 that exists between the empty space of the inner and outer wall of base container 114. Accordingly, any smoke or vapor that is drawn through or percolated through the water is also cooled. Another benefit is that contaminants from the smoke or vapor may also be removed by this process while also being further cooled. As the user continues to inhale by mouth which is positioned over the open end of mouthpiece 118, the smoke or vapor is eventually drawn up through the bore of the mouthpiece 118 to be inhaled by the user who applies suction to the mouthpiece 118 thereby drawing up the smoke or vapor.

[0037] User then may ignite or vaporize additional organic material such as tobacco, medicinal herbs, and/or oil, stored or placed in bowl 170 as long as they desire or until the organic material expires. One end of the combustible or vaporizable, organic material is exposed to ambient air as it is located on the first end of the downstem 120, while the smoke and vapor is able to be drawn through the bore of the downstem 120, through percolator 122, and through the water in base insert 112 before the chilled smoke or vapor travels up through the hollow tube of mouthpiece 118. It is noted that because the cooling solution 118 is chilled prior to the burning process commencing (e.g. by placing the bottom assembly in the freezer or other cooling source), any water located in base insert 112 is also able to be chilled, which helps to chill the smoke or vapor traveling through the water.

[0038] User may place more organic material in bowl 170 if they so wish. Once user is finished using water pipe 100, user may then remove top assembly 110 from base insert 112 and pour out any water located within base insert 112's inner chamber. User may then clean water pipe 100 by hand washing or other methods known by those skilled in the art, replace top assembly 110 onto base insert 112 and store for subsequent use.

[0039] The one or more embodiments described above provide for a portable, chilling water pipe that may be useful to chill the smoke or vapor that a user may want to inhale from organic, combustible and/or vaporizable materials. The overall process provides a relatively quick way for the user to chill any such smoke or vapor, which if not chilled, may cause bums or other damage to a user. Another advantage of the one or more embodiments described herein is that some unwanted contaminants may be removed via the exemplary process described above. Those of ordinary skill in the art can image that other benefits and applications may be also stem from the one or more embodiments provided in the present description.

[0040] The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and 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. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications suited to the use contemplated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the above claims.