UNIVERSAL SMOKING DEVICE

Abstract

Disclosed is a universal smoking device, system, and methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In some aspects, a universal smoking device includes a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter; a smoking vessel comprising a pipe having an interior chamber between a first aperture and a second aperture; a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide the smoking vessel; and a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a smokeable substance and provide a structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel.

Claims

1. A universal smoking device, comprising: a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter; a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide a smoking vessel; and a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a smokeable substance and provide a structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel, wherein the third compartment includes an access port that is reversibly sealable to allow an item to be inserted within or removed from an interior of the third compartment through an opening of the third compartment that leads into the interior, wherein the access port includes at least one component of the igniter assembly to reversibly seal over the opening of the third compartment that leads into the interior of the third compartment.

2. (canceled)

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the access port includes a door coupled to a surface of the third compartment by at least one of a magnetic attachment mechanism, a snap mechanism, a rotatable joint mechanism including a hinge joint or a ball-socket joint, a screw mechanism, a slide-latch mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a plug mechanism optionally including a tether between the door and the surface.

4. (canceled)

5. A universal smoking device, comprising: a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter; a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide a smoking vessel; and a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a smokeable substance and provide a structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel, wherein the third compartment includes an access port that is reversibly sealable to allow an item to be inserted within or removed from an interior of the third compartment through an opening of the third compartment that leads into the interior, wherein the access port includes a door coupled to a surface of the third compartment by at least one of a magnetic attachment mechanism, a snap mechanism, a rotatable joint mechanism including a hinge joint or a ball-socket joint, a screw mechanism, a slide-latch mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a plug mechanism optionally including a tether between the door and the surface, wherein the access port includes a plurality of bendable and/or retractable flanges operable to allow the smoking vessel to penetrate through the access port by bending or displacing the flanges, such that the flanges return to a default conformation to close and seal the third compartment when the smoking vessel is removed from the access port.

6. The device of claim 38, wherein the third compartment is configured to house a substance container having the smokeable substance stored within, the substance container being removeable and insertable into the third compartment through one or more of a side access, a top access, or a bottom access of the third compartment.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the substance container includes at least one access port disposed on at least one of a bottom wall or a side wall of the substance container, wherein the at least one access port is reversibly sealable to allow the smoking vessel to be inserted within or removed from an interior of the substance container to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance into the smoking vessel.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least one access port includes a door coupled to the bottom wall or the side wall of the substance container by at least one of a magnetic attachment mechanism, a snap mechanism, a rotatable joint mechanism, a screw mechanism, a slide-latch mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a plug mechanism.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least one access port includes a plurality of bendable and/or retractable flanges operable to allow the smoking vessel to penetrate through the access port by bending or displacing the flanges, such that the flanges return to a default conformation to close and seal the substance container when the smoking vessel is removed from the access port.

10.-14. (canceled)

15. The device of claim 38, further comprising: a removeable substance container configured to be received within the third compartment, wherein the removeable substance container is configured to store the smokeable substance within its interior, and wherein the removeable substance container is configured to fit within the third compartment.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the third compartment comprises a securement mechanism that is coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to reversibly attach the removable substance container to the third compartment.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the securement mechanism includes at least one of a snap mechanism, a screw mechanism, a slide-rail mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a magnetic attachment mechanism.

18.-22. (canceled)

23. The device of claim 17, wherein the securement mechanism is the snap mechanism, and wherein the snap mechanism includes one or more snap sets, where a snap set includes a first snap arm coupled to a wall of the third compartment and positioned apart by a distance from a second snap arm coupled to the wall.

24.-33. (canceled)

34. The device of claim 38, wherein the body of the lighter includes an aperture that extends to an interior of the second compartment to facilitate ejection of the smoking vessel when stored within the second compartment.

35. The device of claim 38, wherein the second compartment includes an access port to allow the smoking vessel to be inserted within or removed from an interior of the second compartment.

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

38. A universal smoking device, comprising: a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter; a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide a smoking vessel; and a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a smokeable substance and provide a structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel, wherein the second compartment comprises a securement mechanism that is coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to reversibly attach the smoking vessel to the second compartment, wherein the securement mechanism includes at least one of a snap mechanism, a hinge joint mechanism, a screw mechanism, a slide-rail mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a magnetic attachment mechanism, wherein the securement mechanism is the magnetic attachment mechanism, and wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism is disposed in the body of the lighter proximate a top region, a bottom region, or a side region of the second compartment, the magnetic attachment mechanism comprising: a magnet component disposed in a channel of the body leading to the top region, the bottom region, or the side region of the second compartment, wherein the smoking vessel includes a corresponding magnetic feature configured to interface with the magnet component of the magnetic attachment mechanism.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism is operable to produce an audible sound when an insertable end of the smoking vessel makes contact with the magnet component of the magnetic attachment mechanism within the second compartment to indicate to a user of the universal smoking device that the smoking vessel is secured within the second compartment.

40. The device of claim 38, wherein the channel comprises a ridge at the end of the channel next to an interior of the second compartment, where the ridge protrudes into the channel to prevent the magnet from entering the second compartment.

41. The device of claim 38, wherein the smokeable substance includes one or more of (i) at least one of flowers or leaves to be loaded into the smoking vessel, (ii) a paper-based or leaf-based pre-rolled smoking article to be smoked independently of the smoking vessel, or (iii) components of the pre-rolled smoking article including paper, leaves, and/or filters.

42. (canceled)

43. The device of claim 38, wherein the lighter includes a flame lighter, wherein the igniter of the flame lighter is configured to create a flame, and the first compartment is configured to store a fuel to be provided to the igniter to ignite the fuel and create the flame for the ignition event of the smokeable substance.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the flame lighter includes a disposable pocket lighter, a refillable pocket lighter, a blue flame pocket lighter, a catalytic pocket lighter, or a permanent match pocket lighter.

45. The device of claim 43, wherein the fuel of the flame lighter includes at least one of butane, naphtha, methanol, or liquefied petroleum gas.

46. The device of claim 38, wherein the lighter includes an electric lighter, wherein the igniter of the electric lighter is configured to create an electric arc, and the first compartment is configured to store a battery to provide electrical charge to the igniter for the ignition event of the smokeable substance.

47. The device of claim 46, wherein the electrical lighter includes at least one of an electric arc lighter or an electric coil lighter.

48. (canceled)

49.-57. (canceled)

58.-60. (canceled)

61.-65. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an example embodiment of a universal smoking device in accordance with the present technology.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment integrated with a lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel storage.

[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment integrated with a lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel storage.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment integrated with a lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel storage.

[0013] FIGS. 5A and 5B show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment integrated with a lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel storage.

[0014] FIGS. 6A and 6B show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment integrated with a lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel storage.

[0015] FIG. 7 shows diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment integrated with a lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel storage and featuring a detachable container.

[0016] FIGS. 8A-8C show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment integrated with a lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel storage.

[0017] FIGS. 9A and 9B show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment integrated with a lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel storage.

[0018] FIGS. 10A-10E show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment secured to an integrated lighter contingent and smoking vessel storage via an attachment assembly.

[0019] FIGS. 11A and 11B show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIGS. 10D and 10E, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment secured to an integrated lighter contingent and smoking vessel storage via an attachment assembly.

[0020] FIGS. 12A and 12B show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment secured to and integrated with the lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel and that provides multiple access options to the smoking substance storable within.

[0021] FIG. 13 shows diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1 and/or FIGS. 10A-10E, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment secured to and/or integrated with the lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel and that provides multiple access options to the smoking substance storable within.

[0022] FIG. 14 shows a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a magnetic attachment assembly for a magnetic securement mechanism, in accordance with the present technology.

[0023] FIG. 15 shows an example embodiment and implementation of a universal smoking device, in accordance with the present technology, which employs an example embodiment of a magnetic attachment assembly.

[0024] FIG. 16 shows a diagram of another example embodiment of a universal smoking device in accordance with the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A lighter is a device that generates a flame or an electrical arc to create a laser charge instead of a flame. Lighters can come in many shapes and sizes based on their desired use, such as to ignite a variety of things including smokeable substances, candles, outside fires, gas-powered appliances such as stoves or fireplaces, etc. In general, a flame lighter includes a metal or plastic container filled with a fuel (e.g., flammable liquid or compressed gas); an igniter assembly to produce the flame (e.g., a flint wheel and button) by releasing the fuel and concurrently generating a spark to ignite the released fuel; and a mechanism for maintaining and/or extinguishing the flame. For an electric lighter, generally, the arc lighter includes an electric battery (typically encased in the body of the lighter) and at least two separated ceramic nodes electrically connected to the battery to create an electric arc in the space between the nodes to ignite the target.

[0026] Portable lighters are the most common device used for igniting a smokeable substance in a smoking vessel, such as a pipe, rolled paper, rolled plant leaves, or other. Typically, a user of a smokeable substance (i.e., a user also referred to herein as a smoker) will carry a portable lighter and the smokeable substance on their person, e.g., in the smoker's pocket, handbag, or other compact storage unit, whether as part of their clothing or as a separate carrying case. In such cases, the smoker generally prefers their portable lighter, their smoking vessel, and, as applicable, their smokeable substance, to be of a compact size to minimize any inconvenience in possessing and transporting these items. Examples of a smokeable substance can include flowers or leaves to be loaded into a smoking vessel, and can include components for a paper- or leaves-rolled smoking article including paper, leaf/leaves, and/or filters.

[0027] For instance, the most common portable lighter is known as the pocket lighter. In the early 1970's, Marcel Bich revolutionized the lighter industry by introducing the adjustable-flame lighter in a convenient pocket size; a little over a decade later, the BIC company introduced a non-adjustable flame lighter, and subsequently an electronic lighter. However, in the two to three decades since these BIC lighters, little change has been introduced to lighter technology. Some of the advancements include more compact containers, more ergonomic flint wheels and buttons, and more safety features. Examples of safety features for the portable pocket lighter are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,420A, titled Child Resistant Disposable Lighter, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,488, titled Child Resistant Disposable Lighter, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as part of the disclosure of this patent document for all purposes.

[0028] Yet, the evolution of the pocket lighter has consistently shown that size matters, such that it is important to keep the overall volume, footprint, and form factor of the portable lighter to be as small as practical, i.e., small sized to fit in a pocket, but large enough to comfortably and effectively grip and handle to ignite a flame safely.

[0029] Due to these and other constraints, long ignored has been an interest in creating new features for lighters with smoking vessels, such as pipes or rolls, and smokeable substances. As a result, smokers have traditionally had to manage and carry their lighter separate from their smoking vessels and substances. Moreover, for loose smokeable substances, such as leaves or flowers, a smoker must find a surface to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel, which not only risks contamination to the smoking substance to be prepared and/or loaded, but also makes it more difficult to prepare a smoking solution, takes a longer time, and may be impracticable in the smoker's present situation, particularly if he/she is on-the-go. At a minimum, there has been a long-felt inconvenience to have to separately carry and transport each needed item on the smoker's person in order to readily smoke on demand; and, such extra responsibility raises the risk of loss of any one of these items or disruption when any one item is not brought by or easily found on the smoker.

[0030] Yet, like lighters, there are many types of portable smoking vessels easily carried in the smoker's pocket or purse. For example, one type of pipe for smoking a single-serving or small amount of a smokeable substance (e.g., approximately 300 mg or less, or in some instances around 100 mg) is a slender pipe, sometimes referred to as a one-hitter based on the size and structural configuration to facilitate a single inhalation, or hit, of the smoke from burning a smokeable substance contained in the slender pipe's body. A one-hitter is typically structured to have a narrow cylindrical body having a hollow interior chamber between two end apertures, i.e., one hole at one end of the cylindrical body as a mouthpiece and the other hole at the other end of the body to load the smokeable substance and apply the igniting flame when smoking the substance. Sometimes, the one-hitter slender pipe can be sized to facilitate multiple (e.g., few) inhalations of the smokeable substance loaded within, referred to as a multi-hitter pipe. This slender pipe design allows smoking using a one-hitter or multi-hitter to be relatively easy and efficient with respect to other pipe designs (such as bowl pipes) by reducing the distance of the igniter flame to the opening from where the user inhales from, e.g., resulting in minimizing combustion waste and toxicity.

[0031] Yet, still to date, there has been no advancement in the integration of a lighter, smoking vessel, and smoking preparation station that meets the needs of smokers and/or improves the practice of smoking. While some existing lighters have horizontal flame outputs (e.g., for better accommodating lighting cigars, one-hitters or multi-hitters, or other types of vessels) or provide ancillary tools akin to a Swiss Army knife, such as a nail filer, pocketknife, reamer, etc., no known technology has effectively assimilated smokeable substance lighting and combustion vessel containment. Also, while there are container products, sometimes referred to as a dugout, that offer storage portions to store one's smoking substance (e.g., tobacco or other) and to stow one's slender smoking pipe, there has been no advancement in the integration of a facile, multi-functional utility for storing, preparing, loading, and/or igniting a smoking substance in the smoking vessel, where a user can possess all of the necessary items for having a smoke on demand and on his/her person at any time.

[0032] Disclosed is a universal smoking device and system with an integrated lighter, smoking vessel, and compartment for storage and/or preparation of a smokeable substance, and methods of manufacture and/or use thereof.

[0033] In some aspects, a universal smoking device includes (i) a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter to ignite the fuel and create the flame; (ii) a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide a smoking vessel (e.g., where, in some embodiments, the smoking vessel comprises a pipe having an interior chamber between a first aperture and a second aperture, and in some embodiments the smoking vessel comprises a pre-rolled paper- or leaf-based smoking article); and (iii) a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and/or the second compartment and configured to store a smokeable substance and provide a structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel. For example, in some implementations of the universal smoking device, a user can, with the use of just the device alone, release the smoking vessel from the second compartment, insert the smoking vessel through an access port (e.g., door) of or to the third compartment to load the smokeable substance into the smoking vessel, and bring the smoking vessel near the igniter to ignite the smokeable substance for smoking.

[0034] In some embodiments of the device, for example, the smoking vessel includes a one-hitter pipe or multi-hitter pipe. In some embodiments of the device, for example, the lighter includes a flame lighter, in which the igniter of the flame lighter is configured to create a flame, and the first compartment is configured to store a fuel to be provided to the igniter to ignite the fuel and create the flame for the ignition event of the smokeable substance. Examples of the flame lighter embodiments of the lighter include, but are not limited to, a pipe lighter, a disposable pocket lighter, a refillable pocket lighter, a blue flame pocket lighter, a catalytic pocket lighter, and a permanent match pocket lighter. Examples of the fuel for the flame lighter include, but are not limited to, butane, naphtha, methanol, and liquefied petroleum gas. In some embodiments of the device, for example, the lighter includes an electric lighter, in which the igniter of the electric lighter is configured to create an electric arc, and the first compartment is configured to store a battery to provide electrical charge to the igniter for the ignition event of the smokeable substance. Examples of the electrical lighter include, but are not limited to, an electric arc lighter (also referred to as a plasma lighter) and an electric coil lighter (e.g., car lighter). In some example embodiments of the electric arc lighter, the igniter includes at least two separated nodes (e.g., ceramic nodes) electrically connected to the battery to create an electric arc in a space between the at least two separated nodes.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an example embodiment of a universal smoking device, labeled 100, in accordance with the present technology. The device 100 includes a lighter contingent 110 comprising a body 111, an igniter assembly 130 comprising an igniter 131 and coupled to the body 111, and a first compartment 120 coupled to and/or encompassed within the body 111 to store an energy source 125 to be provided to the igniter assembly 130. In some embodiments, for example, the igniter assembly 130 can include a flame igniter, which may include a hood (e.g., frame of igniter, including flame channel), a spark wheel assembly (e.g., one or more wheels with a strike plate in-between, and a flint, e.g., such as a plastic rod with the flint and spring inside), and a trigger (e.g., lever) to create a spark proximate an outer aperture of a tube from the first compartment 120 (storing an ignitable fuel, e.g., butane, naphtha, methanol, or liquefied petroleum gas or other) to create a flame directed outward from the igniter assembly 130. Yet, in some embodiments, for example, the igniter assembly 130 includes an electric igniter, which may include at least two separated nodes electrically connected to a battery disposed in the first compartment 120 to create an electric arc in a space between the at least two separated nodes.

[0036] The device 100 includes a second compartment 140, also referred to as smoking vessel compartment or smoking vessel storage, coupled to and/or encompassed within the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110, where the second compartment 140 is configured to store a smoking vessel 150 and provide the smoking vessel 150 to a user of the device 100. In some embodiments, for example, the device 100 includes the smoking vessel 150 that is structurally designed to the features of the second compartment 140. Examples of the smoking vessel 150 designed for the second compartment 140 include, but are not limited to, a one-hitter pipe or multi-hitter pipe. In some embodiments, for example, the smoking vessel 150 can include a pipe with an ashing feature and/or a pipe with a filter. Whereas, for example, in other embodiments of the device 100, the smoking vessel 150 is not included as part of the device 100 but can be of any type of smoking vessel that is at least partially storable by the second compartment 140, such as an individual rolled paper-based smoking substance, a pipe, etc. In some embodiments of the device 100, for example, the lighter body 111 can optionally include an aperture that extends into the interior of the second compartment 140, which can facilitate easy ejection of the smoking vessel 150 stored within the second compartment 140 by, e.g., enabling a user to use her/his thumb to quick press/push the smoking vessel 150 to slide out. In some embodiments, for example, the length of the aperture can constitute up to 10%, or up to 20%, or up to 30%, or up to 40%, or up to 50%, or up to 60%, or up to 70%, or up to 80%, or up to 90%, or up to 95% of the length of the smoking vessel 150. In some embodiments, for example, the width of the aperture can constitute up to up to 40%, or up to 50%, or up to 60%, or up to 70%, or up to 80%, or up to 90%, or up to 95% of the width of the smoking vessel 150. In some embodiments of the device 100, for example, the lighter body 111 and corresponding wall or structure of the second compartment 140 can optionally include a window or transparent or translucent wall of the second compartment 140 (or portion thereof) that provides visibility into the interior of the second compartment 140, which can allow the user to see an amount of the smoking vessel 150 stored within the second compartment 140. In some embodiments of the device 100, the second compartment 140 can be accessed via an access port, which, for example, can be an opening at a bottom, side, and/or top portion of the second compartment 140 depending on the position of the second compartment 140 within the lighter body 111; and/or, in some embodiments, the access port can be part of the structure (e.g., a door on a wall) of the second compartment 140, and/or can be part of a structure of the lighter contingent 110 (e.g., removeable component(s) of the igniter assembly 130).

[0037] The device 100 includes a third compartment 160, also referred to as a smokeable substance compartment or smokeable substance storage, coupled to and/or encompassed within the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110, where the third compartment 160 is configured to store a smokeable substance 165 and/or provide a structure or surface to a user of the device 100 to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance 165 in the smoking vessel 150. In some embodiments, for example, the third compartment 160 is built into (e.g., permanently attached to or as part of) the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110. In some embodiments, for example, the third compartment 160 is reversibly attachable to the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110. For example, in some implementations of example embodiments with a reversibly attachable (attachable and detachable) smokeable substance compartment 160 with the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110, the universal smoking device 100 can allow for interchangeability of multiple smokeable substance compartments 160, which can be prefilled and be refillable, to provide the smoker with variety in smokeable substance storage options. The third compartment 160 can be accessed via an access port, which, for example, can be part of the structure (e.g., a door on a wall) of the third compartment 160, and/or can be part of a structure of the lighter contingent 110 (e.g., removeable component(s) of the igniter assembly 130). In some embodiments of the device 100, for example, the body of the third compartment 160 can optionally include a window or transparent or translucent wall of the third compartment 160 (or portion thereof) that provides visibility into the interior of the third compartment 160, which can allow the user to see an amount of the smokeable substance 165 presently stored within the third compartment 160.

[0038] In various embodiments of the device 100, for example, the second compartment 140 that stores and provides the smoking vessel 150 from the device 100 can be coupled to the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110 in a variety of ways, including: being within the lighter body 111 such that second compartment 140 has a cavity adjacent (e.g., including below, at least partially above, or to the side of) to the first compartment 120 and/or the third compartment 160 and is capable of encasing the smoking vessel 150 within the cavity; or being disposed outside of the lighter body 111 such that it is capable of attaching the smoking vessel 150 to the lighter body 111, e.g., on a side of the lighter contingent 110. Being adjacent can include directly adjacent (i.e., next to) or indirectly adjacent (i.e., nearby but not directly next to, including with something or with nothing in between).

[0039] Also, in various embodiments of the device 100, for example, the third compartment 160 that stores and provides the smokeable substance 165 for use with the smoking vessel 150 and lighter assembly 130 can be coupled to the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110 in a variety of ways, including: being within the lighter body 111, such as adjacent (e.g., including below, at least partially above, or to the side of) the second compartment 140 and/or the first compartment 120, where third compartment 160 has an access port to insert and remove the smokeable substance 165 in and out of the compartment 160; or being disposed outside of the lighter body 111 such that it is capable of attaching to the lighter body 111, such as on a side (e.g., bottom) of the lighter contingent 110. For example, in some embodiments of the third compartment 160, the access port of the third compartment 160 includes a door coupled to a portion of the body (e.g., a wall) of the third compartment 160 and operable to move between an open position and a closed position to at least partially enclose the smoking substance in the third compartment 160. The example door access port can be configured in a variety of embodiments, including (i) a sliding door configured to move between the open position and the closed position by pivoting, by sliding, by reversibly releasing from the body, or a combination thereof; a (ii) a divet and/or a tab door configured to allow for engagement of the door to move between the open position and the closed position; (iii) a tethered door that connects the door to the body in a manner that allows the door to seal and expose the opening into the second compartment to deploy or store the smoking vessel; (iv) a hinge jointed-door to enable the door to move about an axis (e.g., as a hinge-rotatable joint mechanism) or a ball-socket jointed door to enable the door to move with multiple degrees of freedom (e.g., a ball-socket-rotatable joint mechanism) to seal and expose the opening into the second compartment to deploy or store the smoking vessel. In some embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, the access port to the third compartment 160 can include one or more components of the lighter contingent 110, such as one or more components of the igniter assembly 130, which can be removed from its regular position in the lighter contingent 110 to open the access port allowing access into the third compartment 160 and can be returned back to its regular position in the lighter contingent 110 to close the access port (e.g., and seal the third compartment 160).

[0040] Also, in various embodiments of the device 100, for example, the third compartment 160 (smokeable substance container 160) can attach/detach to/from the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110 by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, the universal smoking device 100 includes a screw attachment assembly that (i) can include a series of grooves or threads that can be disposed on or coupled to a wall of the body 111; and (ii) can include corresponding grooves or threads disposed on or coupled to a wall of the smokeable substance container 160 to engage the grooves or threads of the body 111 to secure the smokeable substance container 160 to and allow it to reversibly attach to the body 111. In some embodiments, for example, the universal smoking device 100 includes a magnetic attachment assembly that (i) can include a magnet component attached to or materially part of a wall of the body 111 and/or secured in a channel or cavity proximate the wall where the smokeable substance container 160 is to attach/detach; and (ii) can include a magnet component attached to or materially part of a wall of the smokeable substance container 160, such that the magnets are configured with respect to the wall of the body 111 and wall of the smokeable substance container 160 to prevent from falling out of the device 100, thereby ensuring safety of the magnetic securement feature.

[0041] In some embodiments of the device 100, for example, the device 100 includes a fourth compartment (not shown) coupled to the body 111 of the lighter contingent 110 and/or the second compartment 140 and configured to store and provide an auxiliary vessel device associated with use of the smoking vessel, such as for packing, cleaning, or other uses.

[0042] FIGS. 2-9 show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, depicting various configurations of the lighter contingent 110, the second compartment 140, and the third compartment 160 with the lighter body 111, in accordance with the present technology.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows diagrams illustrating example embodiments of a universal smoking device 200 in accordance with the present technology, which include example embodiments of a container for a smokeable substance that is integrated with the lighter body (e.g., at the base). The universal smoking device 200 includes a lighter contingent 210 including a body 211, an igniter assembly 230, and a first compartment 220, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 230, coupled to and encased within the body 211. The universal smoking device 200 includes a second compartment 240 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 211, which may be configured to be adjacent to the first compartment 220, and which a smoking vessel 250 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 240, where the second compartment 240 can be enclosable in the lighter body 211. The universal smoking device 200 includes a third compartment 260 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 260 is coupled to the body 211 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its cavity. In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 260 can provide an apparatus to a user of the device 200 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 250. In some embodiments of the device 200, for example, the third compartment 260 is affixed to the body 211; whereas, in some embodiments of the device 200, for example, the third compartment 260 is reversibly attachable to the body 211, e.g., illustrated by examples in the upper right portion of FIG. 2, showing a screw attachment and a slide attachment for the third compartment 260 to reversibly attach to the body 211 of the device 200.

[0044] In various embodiments, the third compartment 260 can include an outer surface that can detach from the structure of the third compartment 260. As illustrated by an example embodiment of the third compartment 260A, an outer surface can be configured to screw, slide, swing or otherwise (at least partially) detach from the body of the third compartment 260A, e.g., which allows the smoker to fill and/or remove the smokeable substance from the third compartment 260A. For example, the third compartment 260A may be affixed to the body 211 of the lighter contingent 210, in which the outer surface that detaches (fully or partially) is a bottom surface of the third compartment 260A (and thereby a bottom surface of the lighter body 211). Yet, in some embodiments, for example, the third compartment 260A may be reversibly attachable to the body 211 of the lighter contingent 210, in which the outer surface that detaches (fully or partially) is a top surface or a button surface of the third compartment 260A. In some embodiments of the third compartment 260A (not shown), the outer surface that fully or partially detaches can include a side surface of the third compartment 260A. In various embodiments of the device 200, the third compartment 260 can be configured to be clear (e.g., transparent or translucent wall or walls) or with a visible window along a side wall, top wall, and/or bottom wall, thereby allowing users to see how much substance remains in the third compartment 260.

[0045] In various embodiments, the third compartment 260 can include an access port 261 of the third compartment 260. As illustrated by an example embodiment of the third compartment 260B, the access port 261 can be configured on the bottom surface of the third compartment 260, which can allow for the third compartment 260B to be either affixed to the lighter body 211 or reversibly attachable to the lighter body 211, allowing the smoker access to fill and/or remove the smokeable substance from the third compartment 260B in either configuration. In some embodiments of the third compartment 260B (not shown), the access port 261 can be configured on a side surface of the third compartment 260B; or in some embodiments of the third compartment 260B that is reversibly attachable from the lighter body 211 (not shown), the access port 261 can be configured on a top surface of the third compartment 260B.

[0046] In various embodiments, the third compartment 260 can include two or more sections having a single access port or multiple corresponding access ports, in which the multiple sections of the third compartment 260 can store separate quantities of the smokeable substance and be separately accessible to the smoker. As illustrated by an example embodiment of the third compartment 260C, the multiple sections of the third compartment 260 can be configured with a single access port or multiple respective access ports on the bottom surface of the third compartment 260C, which can allow for the smoking vessel to access the storage space of the third compartment 260C (e.g., to load the smokeable substance into the smoking vessel 250). Moreover, in some example implementations, the multiple compartments can be used to store both a smokeable substance and another type material or component that could fit in a section of the third compartment 260C.

[0047] In some embodiments of the device 200, like that shown in FIG. 2, the lighter body 211 includes an opening 241 that extends into the interior of the second compartment 240. In the embodiments of the device 200, the second compartment 240 can be positioned on a side of the igniter assembly 230 opposite where the flame is produced (referred to as non-flame side); yet it is understood that the second compartment 240 can be positioned on a side of the igniter assembly 230 where the flame is produced (referred to as flame side), or on a side adjacent, perpendicular, or otherwise proximate to the flame side. In some embodiments (not shown), for example, the second compartment 240 is disposed fully or at least partially under part of the igniter assembly 230 while positioned on an exterior of a body 211 (e.g., fully outside the body 211 or at least partially inside the body 211), where the second compartment 240 both secures the smoking vessel 250 and allows the smoking vessel to reversibly attach/detach to/from the second compartment 240, such that the smoking vessel 250 is fully (or at least partially) outside of the lighter body 211 when it is in a stored position. In this manner, the igniter assembly 230 provides an overhang for the smoking vessel 250, which is reversibly attachable to a securement mechanism of the second compartment 240 when stored in the device 200.

[0048] The example structural configurations of the universal smoking device 200 are configured to contain the smoking vessel 250 and the smokeable substance compartment 260 within the form factor of the lighter contingent 210. In this manner, for example, the universal smoking device 200 still maintains an optimal size profile for a lighter while providing an ergonomic securement for a smoking vessel and smokeable substances, as well as improves cleanliness and safety aspects for storing all of the necessary elements for smoking in a user's pocket, purse, or other personal location. Moreover, the example structural configurations of the universal smoking device 200 can provide additional utility advantages for readily available, on-demand smoking by providing an integrated structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel without having to rely on an external surface, such as one's hand, or a table, or other that could contaminate or otherwise introduce unsanitary features to the smokeable substance to be smoked. Furthermore, the example structural configurations of the universal smoking device 200 can reduce the difficulty for the smoker to prepare a smoking solution, especially for users without the knowledge of how to use shredders, papers, packers, etc., e.g., by enabling one or multiple compartments that are pre-arranged and structured to facilitate loading of the smoking substance in the smoking vessel 250 with relative ease, effectively enabling on-the-go preparation and/or loading. Yet further, the example structural configurations of the universal smoking device 200 can provide advantageous attributes to its user in that the opening 241 to the smoking vessel compartment 240 can allow others to see, at least partially, the stored smoking vessel 250 while in the body 211 of the lighter, which may be aesthetically pleasing and create positive attention to the user of the device 200.

[0049] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 200, one or more features of any of the embodiments of the universal smoking device 100 can be included as features of the universal smoking device 200.

[0050] FIGS. 3A and 3B show diagrams illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 300 in accordance with the present technology, which includes example embodiments of the container for a smokeable substance that is integrated with the lighter body (e.g., at the base) and having an access port to the interior of the container. As shown in FIG. 3A, the universal smoking device 300 includes a lighter contingent 310 including a body 311, an igniter assembly 330, and a first compartment 320, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 330, coupled to and encased within the body 311. The universal smoking device 300 includes a second compartment 340 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 311, which may be configured to be adjacent to the first compartment 320, and which a smoking vessel 350 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 340, and where the second compartment 340 can be enclosable in the lighter body 311. For example, the smoking vessel 350 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 340, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. The universal smoking device 300 includes a third compartment 360 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 360 is coupled to the body 311 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its cavity. In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 360 can provide a structure to a user of the device 300 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 350. In some embodiments of the device 300, for example, the third compartment 360 is affixed to the body 311; whereas, in some embodiments of the device 300, for example, the third compartment 300 is reversibly attachable to the body 311. For example, the smokeable substance compartment 360 can be embodied in a container that can attach/detach to/from the body 311 of the lighter contingent 310 by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism.

[0051] In various embodiments, the third compartment 360 can include an outer surface that can detach from the structure of the third compartment 360. For example, the outer surface can be configured to screw, slide, swing, magnetically attract, or otherwise (at least partially) attach and detach from the body of the third compartment 360. In some example embodiments, the third compartment 360 may be affixed to the body 311 of the lighter contingent 310, in which the outer surface that detaches (fully or partially) is a bottom surface or a side surface of the third compartment 360 (and thereby a bottom surface of the lighter body 311). Yet, in some embodiments, for example, the third compartment 360 may be reversibly attachable to the body 311 of the lighter contingent 310, in which the outer surface that detaches (fully or partially) is a top surface, a side surface, or a button surface of the third compartment 360.

[0052] Various embodiments of the third compartment 360 are illustrated in FIG. 3B, showing examples of an access port 361 of the third compartment 360. As illustrated by an example embodiment of the third compartment 360A, the access port 361 can be configured on the side, the top, or the bottom surface of the third compartment 360A, where the access port can be configured at a central or corner position on the surface. As illustrated by an example embodiment of the third compartment 360B, the access port 361 can be configured on the side, the top, or the bottom surface of the third compartment 360B and include a plurality of bendable and/or retractable flanges, in which the access port 361 is sized similar or larger than the smoking vessel 350, such that the smoking vessel 350 can penetrate through the access port 361 by bending or displacing the flanges to load the smokeable substance contained in the third compartment 360B, in which the bendable and/or retractable flanges return to a default conformation to close and seal the third compartment 360B when the smoking vessel 350 is removed from the access port 361.

[0053] As illustrated by an example embodiment of the third compartment 360C, the access port 361 can be configured on the side, the top, or the bottom surface of the third compartment 360C, where the access port includes a door, e.g., including but not limited to a sliding door, a hinged (swing) door, a screw cap door, or other. As illustrated by example embodiments of the third compartment 360E and 360F, the access port 361 can be configured on one of the top or bottom surface of the third compartment 360, where the access port includes a hinged (swing) door and a screw cap door, respectively.

[0054] In various embodiments (including but not limited to the third compartment embodiments 360A, 360B, 360C, 360E, 360F), the third compartment 360 can include two or more sections having a single access port or multiple corresponding access ports, in which the multiple sections of the third compartment 360 can store separate quantities of the smokeable substance and be separately accessible to the smoker. FIG. 3B illustrates an example of the multi-sectional third compartment 360D, including one access port 361. In this example, the multiple sections can be rotated such that the access port 361 can align with an individual section of the compartment. In some embodiments, for example, the multi-sectional third compartment 360D can include a section rotating mechanism (not shown) to cause the sections to move relative to the access port 361.

[0055] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 300, one or more features of the universal smoking device 200, or any other embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, can be included as features of the universal smoking device 300.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows diagrams illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 400 in accordance with the present technology, which includes example embodiments of the container for a smokeable substance that is integrated with the lighter body (e.g., at the base). The universal smoking device 400 includes a lighter contingent 410 including a body 411, an igniter assembly 430, and a first compartment 420, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 430, coupled to and encased within the body 411. The universal smoking device 400 includes a second compartment 440 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 411, which may be configured to be adjacent to the first compartment 420, and which a smoking vessel 450 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 440, and where the second compartment 440 can be enclosable in the lighter body 411. For example, the smoking vessel 450 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 440, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. The universal smoking device 400 includes a third compartment 460 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 460 is coupled to the body 411 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its cavity. In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 460 can provide a structure to a user of the device 400 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 450. In some embodiments of the device 400, for example, the third compartment 460 is affixed to a structure of the body 411 (e.g., such as a wall); whereas, in some embodiments of the device 400, for example, the third compartment 400 is reversibly attachable to the body 411. For example, the smokeable substance compartment 460 can be embodied in a container that can attach/detach to/from the body 411 of the lighter contingent 410 by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, for example, the smoking vessel 450 can partially fit inside smokeable substance compartment 460 to pick up smokeable substance(s) contained within the smokeable substance compartment 460, in which the container of the smokeable substance compartment 460 can include any of the example embodiments of the access port 360 (shown in FIG. 3B) to facilitate access and operability of the smoking vessel 450 to and inside the smokeable substance compartment 460.

[0057] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 400, one or more features of the universal smoking device 200 and/or the universal smoking device 300, or any other embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, can be included as features of the universal smoking device 400.

[0058] FIGS. 5A and 5B show diagrams illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 500 in accordance with the present technology, which includes example embodiments of the compartment with container for a smokeable substance and the compartment for the smoking vessel that are integrated with each other and the lighter and orientated in a similar manner and/or positioned adjacent to each other within the lighter body.

[0059] FIG. 5A shows the universal smoking device 500, which includes a lighter contingent 510 including a body 511, an igniter assembly 530, and a first compartment 520, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 530, coupled to and encased within the body 511. The universal smoking device 500 includes a second compartment 540 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 511, which a smoking vessel 550 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 540, and where the second compartment 540 can be enclosable in the lighter body 511. For example, the smoking vessel 550 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 540, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism.

[0060] The universal smoking device 500 includes a third compartment 560 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 560 is coupled to the body 511 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its cavity. The second compartment 540 and the third compartment 560 are configured within the lighter body 511 such that they are oriented in a similar manner (e.g., oriented vertically within the body 511) and/or positioned adjacent with each other and/or with the second compartment 520. In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 560 can provide a structure to a user of the device 500 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 550. In some embodiments of the device 500, for example, the third compartment 560 is affixed to a structure within the body 511 (e.g., such as a wall); whereas, in some embodiments of the device 500, for example, the third compartment 560 is reversibly attachable to the body 511. For example, in such reversibly attachable embodiments, the third compartment 560 can include a detachable storage container 560C (also referred to as substance storage container), which is reversibly attachable to the body 511 within the space that defines the third compartment 560. In this manner, for example, the smoker can eject the substance storage container 560C for filling or removing a smokeable substance away from the lighter contingent 510, and can reinsert the substance storage container 560C back into the third compartment 560 to maintain all smoking elements in a singular apparatus. For example, the substance storage container 560C can attach/detach to/from the body 511 of the lighter contingent 510, within the third compartment 560, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. In the example shown in FIG. 5A (and FIG. 5B below), the second compartment 540 is configured on the non-flame side of the lighter contingent 510, the third compartment 560 is configured on the flame side of the lighter contingent 510, and the first compartment 520 is configured between the second compartment 540 and the third compartment 560 in the lighter body 511; yet, it is understood that in some embodiments the second compartment 540 may be configured on the flame side of the lighter contingent 510 or between the third compartment 560 and first compartment 520 in the lighter body 511, and it is understood that in some embodiments the third compartment 560 may be configured on the non-flame side of the lighter contingent 510 or between the second compartment 540 and first compartment 520 in the lighter body 511.

[0061] FIG. 5B shows a diagram of the body 511 of the device 500 depicting the first compartment 520 between the second compartment 540 (e.g., configured on one side of the body 511) and the third compartment 560 (e.g., configured on the opposite side of the body 511 with respect to the second compartment 540), in which the substance storage container 560C is insertable, attachable, and removeable from the third compartment 560, e.g., by translationally moving the substance storage container 560 into and out of the third compartment 560. While not shown, the third compartment 560 can include a securement mechanism to reversibly attach the substance storage container 560C, including but not limited to a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. The right illustration of FIG. 5B illustrates various embodiments of the substance storage container 560C that include a fill door to fill smoking substance in the container 560C; the fill door can be configured at a top end of the substance storage container 560C or at a bottom end of the substance storage container 560C. In some embodiments, for example, the substance storage container 560C can optionally include a separate access door to allow the user to load stored smoking substance into the smoking vessel 550 (shown in FIG. 5A); where, for some implementations in such embodiments, the smoking vessel 550 can be inserted in the separate access door (e.g., such as from the bottom of the container 560C having the fill door at the top end, or vice versa). Yet, in some embodiments, the fill door and the access door are not separate and rather the same door, as shown in the right-most illustration in FIG. 5B, allowing the user to store the smokeable substance within the substance storage container 560C and later on load the stored smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 550 via the substance storage container 560C.

[0062] In some embodiments of the universal smoking device 500, the smoking vessel 550 is configured to a shape and size that fits inside of substance storage container 560C. In this manner, the smoking vessel 550 can be loaded with the smokeable substance stored in the substance storage container 560C, whether the substance storage container 560 is positioned within the third compartment 560 or separated from the third compartment 560 (and thereby the lighter contingent 510), such as the example illustration on the right in FIG. 5A. It is understood that the relative sizes and shapes of the smoking vessel 550 and the smokeable substance compartment 560C can be varied.

[0063] In some embodiments of the device 500, like that shown in FIG. 5A, the lighter body 511 (optionally) includes an opening 541 that extends into the interior of the second compartment 540. The opening 541 can allow for easy ejection of the smoking vessel 550 stored within the second compartment 540, e.g., enabling a user to use his/her thumb to quick press/push the smoking vessel 550 to assist in the removal of the smoking vessel 550 from the second compartment 540. In some embodiments of the device 500, the lighter body 511 (optionally) includes an opening 562 that extends up to the third compartment 560 (e.g., to an outer wall of the substance storage container 560C); or in some embodiments, the opening 562 extends into the interior of the third compartment 560. In example embodiments where the (optional) opening 562 extends up to the substance storage container 560C, this can allow for easy ejection of the substance storage container 560 from being within the third compartment 560, e.g., enabling a user to use his/her thumb to quick press/push the smoking storage container 560C to slide out. Moreover, in example embodiments where the (optional) opening 562 extends up to the substance storage container 560C, the substance storage container 560C may include a window or transparent or translucent wall that aligns with the optional opening 562 so that the user can view an amount of the smokeable substance in the substance storage container 560C. In example embodiments where the (optional) opening 562 extends into the interior of the third compartment 560, the substance storage container 560C can include an access port to allow for the smoking vessel 550 enter the third compartment 560 for preparing and/or loading of the smokeable substance into the smoking vessel 550.

[0064] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 500, one or more features of the universal smoking device 200, the universal smoking device 300, and/or the universal smoking device 400, or any other embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, can be included as features of the universal smoking device 500.

[0065] FIG. 6A shows diagrams illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 600 in accordance with the present technology, which includes example embodiments of the compartment for a smokeable substance and the compartment for the smoking vessel that are integrated with each other and the lighter and orientated in a similar manner and/or positioned adjacent to each other within the lighter body. The universal smoking device 600 includes a lighter contingent 610 including a body 611, an igniter assembly 630, and a first compartment 620, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 630, coupled to and encased within the body 611. The universal smoking device 600 includes a second compartment 640 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 611, which a smoking vessel 650 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 640, and which can be releasably attachable to the second compartment 640 and/or enclosable in the lighter body 611. For example, the smoking vessel 650 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 640, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. The universal smoking device 600 includes a third compartment 660 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 660 is coupled to the body 611 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its cavity. The second compartment 640 and the third compartment 660 are configured within the lighter body 611 such that they are oriented in a similar manner (e.g., oriented vertically within the body 611) and/or positioned adjacent with each other and/or with the second compartment 620.

[0066] In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 660 can provide a structure to a user of the device 600 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 650. In some embodiments of the device 600, for example, the third compartment 660 is affixed to a structure within the body 611 (e.g., such as a wall); whereas, in some embodiments of the device 600, for example, the third compartment 600 is reversibly attachable to the body 611. For example, in such reversibly attachable embodiments, the third compartment 660 can include a detachable storage container (not shown similar to the substance storage container 560C discussed for FIGS. 5A and 5B), which is reversibly attachable to the body 611 within the space that defines the third compartment 660. In this manner, for example, the smoker can eject the substance storage container 660C for filling or removing a smokeable substance away from the lighter contingent 610, and can reinsert the substance storage container 660C back into the third compartment 660 to maintain all smoking elements in a singular apparatus. In such embodiments, for example, the detachable storage container of the third compartment 660 can attach/detach to/from the body 611 of the lighter contingent 610, within the third compartment 660, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism.

[0067] In some embodiments of the universal smoking device 600, like that illustrated in the diagram of FIG. 6A, for example, the second compartment 640 is configured adjacent to the third compartment 660 on the non-flame side of the lighter contingent 610, and the first compartment 620 is configured adjacent to one or both of the second compartment 640 and the third compartment 660 on the flame side of the lighter contingent 610. Similarly, it is understood that in some embodiments, for example, the second compartment 640 can be configured adjacent to the third compartment 660 on the flame side of the lighter contingent 610, and the first compartment 620 is configured adjacent to one or both of the second compartment 640 and the third compartment 660 on the non-flame side of the lighter contingent 610, or in other configurations.

[0068] FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of the universal smoking device 600 like that illustrated in the diagram of FIG. 6A, labeled device 600B, except in FIG. 6B, the second compartment 640 is configured adjacent to the third compartment 660 in alignment with the igniter assembly 630 of the lighter contingent 610, and the first compartment 620 is also configured in alignment with the second compartment 640 and the third compartment 660, where the first compartment 620 is positioned at least partially underneath the igniter assembly 630 and is adjacent to one of the second compartment 640 or the third compartment 660. While the diagram of FIG. 6B depicts the second compartment at the rear side of the device 600B (e.g., non-flame side) and the third compartment 660 in between the second compartment 640 and the first compartment 620, it is understood that in some embodiments, for example, the third compartment 660 can be configured at the rear side of the device 600B and the second compartment 640 configured in between the third compartment 660 and the first compartment 620, or in other configurations.

[0069] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 600, one or more features of the universal smoking device 200, the universal smoking device 300, the universal smoking device 400, and/or the universal smoking device 500, or any other embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, can be included as features of the universal smoking device 600.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows diagrams illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 700 in accordance with the present technology, which includes example embodiments of the compartments for storing a smoking vessel and a smokeable substance with a detachable container for pre-rolled smoking vessel(s) and/or container for smokeable substance(s), can be integrated with each other and the lighter and/or orientated in a similar manner and/or positioned adjacent to each other within the lighter body. Example embodiments of the universal smoking device 700 can enable a user (smoker) to store and carry (transport), in a single device, one or both of a readily-smokeable article (e.g., manufacture or pre-rolled cigarette) and a non-readily smokeable article(s) (e.g., non-rolled smoking substance components like flower or leaves and/or paper or filters), thereby allowing the smoker to conveniently hold all the elements needed to make a customized, readily-smokeable article from stored components while also having the ability to immediately smoke a previously-prepared readily-smokeable article already stored. For example, a user could ultimately choose what they want to store with them based on their preference on how they will choose to smoke, prepare to smoke, or what to have on them when they reach a location where they intend to smoke, e.g., for on-the-go situations. As discussed below, the universal smoking device 700 includes a detachable smoking vessel container storable in a smoking vessel compartment, and/or optionally storable in a smokeable substance compartment, which, may include an optional secondary detachable container, such as a detachable smokeable substance container.

[0071] The universal smoking device 700 includes a lighter contingent 710 including a body 711, an igniter assembly 730, and a first compartment 720, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 730, coupled to and encased within the body 711. The universal smoking device 700 includes a second compartment 740 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 711, which may be configured to be adjacent to the first compartment 720. The universal smoking device 700 includes a detachable smoking vessel container 750D (e.g., to hold one or more pre-rolled smoking articles, like cigarettes, whether manufactured or hand-made), where the detachable smoking vessel container 750D can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 740. It is understood that in some implementations of the universal smoking device 700, an example embodiment of the smoking vessel 150 (e.g., a pipe) may be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 740. In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 700, for example, the second compartment 740 can be releasably attached to and/or enclosable in the body 711 of the lighter contingent 710. As shown in the diagram of FIG. 7, the second compartment 740 is integrated within the body 711. In some embodiments of the device 700, for example, the body 711 can optionally include an aperture 751 that extends into the interior of the second compartment 740, which can facilitate easy ejection of the detachable smoking vessel container 750D when stored within the second compartment 740 by, e.g., enabling a user to use her/his thumb to quick press/push the smoking vessel container 750D to slide out (and similarly, vice versa, to slide back in to secure within the second compartment 740). In some embodiments of the device 100, the second compartment 740 can be accessed via an access port, which, for example, can be an opening at a bottom, side, and/or top portion of the second compartment 740 depending on the position of the second compartment 740 within the body 711; and/or, in some embodiments, the access port of the second compartment 740 can be part of a structure (e.g., a door on a wall) of the second compartment 740 and/or body 711, e.g., thereby allowing the second compartment 740 to be enclosed and exposed by closing and opening the structure (e.g., door).

[0072] The universal smoking device 700 includes a third compartment 760 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 760 is coupled to the body 711 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its cavity. In some optional embodiments, for example, the third compartment 760 can provide a structure, such as a secondary detachable smoking vessel container (not shown), to a user of the device 700 to store, prepare and/or load smokeable substance(s) for becoming a paper-rolled smoking articles, or to store additional pre-rolled smoking articles like those that can be stored in the detachable smoking vessel container 750D. One example of such an embodiment can include two detachable smoking vessel containers 750D, where one is for storing an example paper-rolled smoking article or articles and another is for storing smoking substance components, e.g., including but not limited to flower or loose-leaves and/or paper or filters. It is understood that the detachable smoking vessel container 750D, while depicted in FIG. 7 as storing one or more pre-rolled smoking articles (also referred to as a paper-based smoking vessel), can be used to store smokeable substance(s), e.g., loose leaves, flower(s), paper(s), and filter(s). In some embodiments of the device 700, for example, the third compartment 760 is affixed to a structure within the body 711 (e.g., such as a wall); whereas, in some embodiments of the device 700, for example, the third compartment 700 is reversibly attachable to the body 711. In some example implementations of the universal smoking device 700, the detachable smoking vessel container 750D can be stored in the third compartment 760, e.g., storing pre-rolled smoking articles or constituents thereof (smoking substances like leaves, flowers, paper and/or filters), and the second compartment 740 can store a smoking vessel, e.g., such as a pipe or a pre-rolled smoking article, such as a leaf-rolled smoking vessel or a paper-rolled smoking vessel. In some embodiments of the device 700, the third compartment 760 can be accessed via an access port, which, for example, can be part of the structure (e.g., a door on a wall) of the third compartment 760 and/or the body 711, e.g., thereby allowing the third compartment 760 to be enclosed (sealed) and exposed (accessible) by closing and opening the structure (e.g., door).

[0073] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 700, for example, the device 700 can accommodate one or more paper-based smoking vessels to fit inside of the detachable smoking vessel container 750D, which can be secured within the second compartment 740. In some embodiments, for example, the detachable smoking vessel container 750D can be sized and shaped to fit one or multiple sizes of paper-based smoking vessels. In some embodiments, for example, the detachable smoking vessel container 750D can include a fully- or partially-removeable cap, e.g., including but not limited to the examples illustrated on the right side of FIG. 7, showing a screw cap, a hinge cap (e.g. pop top or plug top), a slide cap, or other, to contain a paper-based smoking vessel 750, which can ensure any substances packed within the paper-based smoking vessel does not unwantedly escape from the device 700.

[0074] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 700, one or more features of the universal smoking device 200, the universal smoking device 300, the universal smoking device 400, the universal smoking device 500, and/or the universal smoking device 600, or any other embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, can be included as features of the universal smoking device 700. For instance, while the example shown in FIG. 7 depicts the second compartment 740 is configured on the non-flame side of the lighter contingent 710 (and with the optional third compartment 760 configured on the flame side of the lighter contingent 710), it is understood that in some embodiments of the universal smoking device 700 the second compartment 740 may be configured on the flame side of the lighter contingent 710 or central or quasi-central with respect to the lighter contingent 710, or in other configurations depicted for the example embodiments of a universal smoking device of the present technology.

[0075] FIG. 8A shows diagrams illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 800 in accordance with the present technology, which includes example embodiments of the container for a smokeable substance and the container for the smoking vessel that are integrated with each other and the lighter and orientated in a similar manner and/or positioned adjacent to each other within the lighter body, where one or both of the smoking vessel storage compartment and/or the smokeable substance storage compartment are accessible from the upper portion of the lighter via a detachable igniter assembly (e.g., where at least one or some of the components of the igniter assembly can facilely detach to allow access to the smokeable substance storage compartment). The universal smoking device 800 includes a lighter contingent 810 including a body 811, an igniter assembly 830, and a first compartment 820, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 830, coupled to and encased within the body 811. The universal smoking device 800 includes a second compartment 840 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 811, which may be configured to be directly adjacent (i.e., next to) or indirectly adjacent (i.e., nearby) to the first compartment 820, and which a smoking vessel 850 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 840, which the second compartment 840 can be enclosable in the lighter body 811. For example, the smoking vessel 850 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 840, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism.

[0076] The universal smoking device 800 includes a third compartment 860 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 860 is coupled to the body 811 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its cavity. In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 860 can provide a structure to a user of the device 800 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 850. In some embodiments of the device 800, for example, the third compartment 860 is affixed to a structure within the body 811 (e.g., such as a wall); whereas, in some embodiments of the device 800, for example, the third compartment 800 is reversibly attachable to the body 811, e.g., via a detachable storage container 860C (also referred to as substance storage container), which may be unattached or reversibly attachable to the body 811 within the space that defines the third compartment 860. In this manner, for example, the smoker can eject the substance storage container 860C for filling or removing a smokeable substance away from the lighter contingent 810 as desired, and the smoker can reinsert the substance storage container 860C back into the third compartment 860 to maintain all smoking elements in a singular apparatus. For example, the substance storage container 860C can attach/detach to/from the body 811 of the lighter contingent 810, within the third compartment 860, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism.

[0077] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 800, for example, at least some of the components of the igniter assembly 830 (or the entirety of the igniter assembly 830) can be removeable for access to an opening into the third compartment 860. In some embodiments of the universal smoking device 800, the device's access port to the third compartment includes at least one component of the igniter assembly 830 to reversibly seal over an opening of the third compartment 860; and the device's access port can additionally or alternatively include a door of the third compartment 860. In some embodiments (not shown in FIGS. 8A-8C), the second compartment 840 can also be configured as a top-accessible compartment along with the third compartment 860; or alternatively, in some embodiments (not shown in FIGS. 8A-8C), the second compartment 840 can be configured as the top-accessible compartment and the third compartment 860 can be configured to be accessible via a bottom or side portion of the lighter contingent 810. As illustrated in the diagrams of FIG. 8A, a spark wheel assembly is releasable from the lighter contingent 810, allowing the smoker access to the opening into the third compartment 860. In this manner, for example, the smoking vessel 850 can fit inside the third compartment 860 from top of lighter body 811 to pick up/load a smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 850. Also illustrated in the diagrams of FIG. 8A, the device 800 includes the substance storage container 860C, which is removeable from the space defining the third compartment 860, such that the smoker can eject and load the substance storage container 860C as desired. For example, this allows for replaceable smokeable substance storage containers to be independently acquired by the smoker for use and interchangeability with the universal smoking device 800.

[0078] FIG. 8B shows an embodiment of the universal smoking device 800 like that illustrated in the diagram of FIG. 8A, labeled device 800B, except in FIG. 8B, the first compartment 820 at least partially encompasses the third compartment 860 on two sides (e.g., lateral side and bottom side) and is configured directly adjacent to the second compartment 840.

[0079] FIG. 8C shows an embodiment of the universal smoking device 800 like that illustrated in the diagram of FIG. 8B, labeled device 800C, except in FIG. 8C, the first compartment 820 at least partially encompasses the third compartment 860 on two sides (e.g., lateral side and bottom side) and is configured at least partially directly adjacent to the second compartment 840, and the third compartment 860 is configured in the between the second compartment 840 and the first compartment 820.

[0080] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 800, 800B, 800C, one or more features of the universal smoking device 200, the universal smoking device 300, the universal smoking device 400, the universal smoking device 500, the universal smoking device 600, and/or the universal smoking device 700, or any other embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, can be included as features of the universal smoking device 800.

[0081] FIG. 9A shows diagrams illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 900 in accordance with the present technology, which includes example embodiments of the container for a smokeable substance and the container for the smoking vessel that are integrated with each other and the lighter and orientated in a similar manner and/or positioned adjacent to each other within the lighter body. The universal smoking device 900 includes a lighter contingent 910 including a body 911, an igniter assembly 930, and a first compartment 920, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 930, coupled to and encased within the body 911. The universal smoking device 900 includes a second compartment 940 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 911, which may be configured to be adjacent to the first compartment 920, and which a smoking vessel 950 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 940, which the second compartment 940 can be enclosable in the lighter body 911. For example, the smoking vessel 950 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 940, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. The universal smoking device 900 includes a third compartment 960 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 960 is coupled to the body 911 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its cavity (which, in some examples, the smokeable substance is stored within a removeable smokeable substance container 960C, which is itself storable in the third compartment 960). In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 960 can provide a structure to a user of the device 900 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 950. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, for example, the removeable, interchangeable container 960C for the third compartment 960 can be removeable from the bottom or top of the lighter body 911 of the device 900. Also, for example, the depth of the channel locations of first compartment 920, the second compartment 940, and/or the third compartment 960 can vary.

[0082] In some embodiments of the device 900, for example, the third compartment 960 is affixed to a structure within the body 911 (e.g., such as a wall); whereas, in some embodiments of the device 900, for example, the third compartment 900 is reversibly attachable to the body 911. For example, in such reversibly attachable embodiments, the third compartment 960 is reversibly attachable to the body 911, e.g., via the removeable smokeable substance storage container 960C (also referred to as substance storage container), which may be unattached or reversibly attachable to the body 911 within the space that defines the third compartment 960. In this manner, for example, the smoker can eject the substance storage container 960C for filling or removing a smokeable substance away from the lighter contingent 910 as desired, and the smoker can reinsert the substance storage container 960C back into the third compartment 960 to maintain all smoking elements in a singular apparatus. For example, the substance storage container 960C can attach/detach to/from the body 911 of the lighter contingent 910, within the third compartment 960, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism.

[0083] As illustrated in the diagrams of FIG. 9A, the device 900 can include a detachable substance storage container 960C, which is removeable from the space defining the third compartment 960, such that the smoker can eject and load the substance storage container 960C as desired. For example, this allows for replaceable smokeable substance storage containers to be independently acquired by the smoker for use and interchangeability with the universal smoking device 900.

[0084] In some embodiments, for example, the smoking vessel 950 can be configured to fit inside the third compartment 960 from a bottom access port 961 of lighter body 911 to pick up, e.g., load, the smokeable substance stored in the third compartment 960 into the smoking vessel 950. Various embodiments of the access port 961 associated with the third compartment 960 are illustrated in the top-right portion of FIG. 9A. As illustrated by an example embodiment of the access port 961 (referred to as access port 961S), the access port 961 can be configured to include a sliding door, e.g., where a door can slide along at least one flange on the door or interfacing wall to cover and uncover the opening into the third compartment 960. In some example embodiments of the access port 961 (referred to as access port 961P), the access port 961 can be configured to include a plug door, e.g., where the plug door can include a plug and a tether so that a plug can be pushed into the opening of the access port 961P and be pulled off. In some example embodiments of the access port 961 (referred to as access port 961H), the access port 961 can be configured to include a hinge door, e.g., where the hinge door can include a door component coupled to a hinge that is coupled to a portion (e.g., end) of the body 911 so that the door component and rotate to expose (i.e., door open) and to cover (i.e., door closed) the opening of the access port 961 that leads into the third compartment 960 (e.g., substance storage container 961C). The access port 960 can include other embodiments, for example, including but not limited to a swivel door, a pin latch component, or others may be used for the door.

[0085] FIG. 9B shows multiple embodiments of the universal smoking device 900 like that illustrated in the diagram of FIG. 9A, labeled devices 900B1, 900B2, and 900B3, except in FIG. 9B, the third compartment 960 is configured to be accessed at the bottom of the device 900 and be centered in the lighter (example 900B1), flush with the second compartment 940 (example 900B2), or positioned on the opposing side with respect to the second compartment 940 (example 900B3). In each example, the first compartment 920 at least partially encompasses the third compartment 960 on two sides (e.g., lateral side and top side) and is configured at least partially directly adjacent to the second compartment 940.

[0086] In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 900, 900B1-900B3, one or more features of the universal smoking device 200, the universal smoking device 300, the universal smoking device 400, the universal smoking device 500, the universal smoking device 600, the universal smoking device 700, and/or the universal smoking device 800, or any other embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, can be included as features of the universal smoking device 900.

[0087] FIGS. 10A-10C show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment secured to an integrated lighter contingent and smoking vessel storage via an attachment assembly. In embodiments of the universal smoking device 1000, for example, the smokable substance compartment may be configured, at least partially, outside of the form factor of the lighter contingent.

[0088] FIG. 10A shows a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 1000, in accordance with the present technology, which includes example embodiments of the compartment for a smokeable substance secured to the universal smoking device via an attachment assembly, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, for example, the attachment assembly can be fixedly attached to the smokeable substance compartment; whereas, in some embodiments, for example, the attachment assembly can be reversibly attached to the smokeable substance compartment.

[0089] The universal smoking device 1000 includes a lighter contingent 1010 including a body 1011, an igniter assembly 1030, and a first compartment 1020, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 1030, coupled to and encased within the body 1011. The universal smoking device 1000 includes a second compartment 1040 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 1011, which may be configured to be adjacent to the first compartment 1020, and which a smoking vessel 1050 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 1040, which the second compartment 1040 can be enclosable in the lighter body 1011. For example, the smoking vessel 1050 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 1040, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism.

[0090] The universal smoking device 1000 includes a third compartment 1060 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 1060 is coupled to the body 1011 by an attachment assembly 1070, and where the third compartment 1060 is configured to store a smokeable substance within its interior cavity encased in a body 1065. In some examples, the smokeable substance is stored directly within the interior cavity of the third compartment 1060; and/or in some examples, the smokeable substance is stored in an (optional) removeable smokeable substance container 1060C, like embodiments previously disclosed or described below, which the optional smokeable substance container 1060C is itself storable in the third compartment 1060. For example, the body 1065 of the third compartment 1060 can include a base wall, at least one side wall coupled to the base wall and forming the interior cavity between the at least one side wall and the base wall, and at least one access port that includes an opening into the interior cavity, where the opening of the at least one access port can be at an end opposite the base wall (e.g., a top access port of the third compartment 1060), on the at least one side wall (e.g., a side access port of the third compartment 1060), and/or at the base wall (e.g., a bottom access port of the third compartment 1060). As discussed before, the access port may include a door to reversibly seal the opening into the interior cavity of the third compartment 1060.

[0091] In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 1060 can provide a structure to a user of the device 1000 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 1050. As depicted by the arrow 1069 in FIG. 10A, for example, the smokeable substance can be loaded into the third compartment 1060 when the access port is located at the top of the body 1065; and it is understood that the smokeable substance can be loaded into the third compartment 1060 at other locations where the access port is configured, e.g., such as the bottom and/or side of the body 1065 of the third compartment 1060. In example embodiments including the optional smokeable substance container 1060C, the smokeable substance can be loaded into the smokeable substance container 1060C when the smokeable substance container 1060C is stored in the third compartment 1060 or when the smokeable substance container 1060C is located outside the third compartment 1060.

[0092] For example, the attachment assembly 1070 can attach to the body 1011 of the device 1000 by at least one of a gripping mechanism (e.g., such as a clamp or a screw or other mechanical connection), chemical adhesion (e.g., adhesive material including a glue or epoxy between the attachment assembly 1070 and body 1011), magnetism (e.g., magnets between and/or magnetic material of structures of the attachment assembly 1070 and body 1011), or other attachment mechanism to secure the attachment assembly 1070 to the body 1011 of the device 1000. In example embodiments where the attachment assembly 1070 is fixedly attached to the third compartment 1060, for example, the third compartment 1060 can be removeable from the lighter of the universal smoking device 1000 by removing (e.g., detaching) the attachment assembly 1070 from the lighter body 1011 of the device 1000. In some embodiments where the attachment assembly 1070 is reversibly attached to the third compartment 1060, for example, the third compartment 1060 can be removeable from the lighter of the universal smoking device 1000 by removing (e.g., detaching) either or both of (i) the third compartment 1060 from the attachment assembly 1070 and/or (ii) the attachment assembly 1070 from the lighter body 1011 of the device 1000.

[0093] In some example embodiments where the attachment assembly 1070 is fixedly attached to the third compartment 1060, for example, the attachment assembly 1070 can be reversibly mounted to the lighter body 1011 of the device 1000 by a gripping mechanism at channel ends of an opening 1041 of the lighter body 1011 that extends to the second compartment 1040. In such embodiments, the attachment assembly 1070 can include a clamp attachment mechanism, such as external flanges to wrap partially around the edge of the channel ends of the body 1011 to secure the attachment assembly 1070 to the body 1011. Examples of the exemplary external flange embodiment of the attachment mechanism are shown later in FIGS. 10D and 10E. Also, some of the other examples of the attachment mechanism to reversibly mount the attachment assembly 1070 to the lighter body 1011 are shown later in FIG. 13, including but not limited to a belt, a hook, a slider attachment, a snap button, a clasp, a tightly stretched material such as fabric (e.g., acrylic), rubber, flexible foam, or other stretchable material, or other attachment mechanism.

[0094] FIGS. 10B and 10C show example embodiments of the attachment mechanism 1070 fixedly attached to the third compartment 1060, depicting various interfaces of a bracket structure (that reversibly mounts to the body 1011 of the device 1000) and the body 1065 of the third compartment 1060 (that stores the smokeable substance). FIG. 10B shows example universal smoking device 1000B1, 1000B2, 1000B3, 1000B4, 1000B5, 1000B6, 1000B7, and 1000B8 featuring different structural configurations of the bracket of the attachment assembly 1070 and body of the third compartment 1060, i.e., 1070B1, 1070B2, 1070B3, 1070B4, 1070B5, 1070B6, 1070B7, and 1070B8, respectively, attached to the channel walls along the opening 1041 of the lighter body 1011. FIG. 10C shows other example universal smoking device 1000C1, 1000C2, 1000C3, 1000C4, 1000C5, 1000C6, 1000C7, and 1000C8 featuring different structural configurations of the bracket of the attachment assembly 1070 and body of the third compartment 1060, i.e., 1070C1, 1070C2, 1070C3, 1070C4, 1070C5, 1070C6, 1070C7, and 1070C8, respectively, attached to the channel walls along the opening 1041 of the lighter body 1011.

[0095] Referring back to FIG. 10A, in some embodiments, for example, the attachment assembly 1070 can be configured to be reversibly attachable to the third compartment 1060 so that a user can have the option to remove the attachment assembly 1070 or the third compartment 1060 separately from the device 1000, which can later be carried and/or stored separately. Furthermore, for example, this can enable disposable, single-use smokeable substance compartments to be separately manufactured and sold from the attachment assembly 1070 and lighter/smoking vessel contingents of the universal smoking device 1000.

[0096] FIGS. 10D and 10E illustrate example embodiments of the attachment assembly 1070 that is reversibly attachable to the third compartment 1060 (smoking substance compartment). FIG. 10D shows a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of attachment assembly 1070 mounted to the body 1011 of the device 1000, and FIG. 10E shows a diagram illustrating the example attachment assembly 1070 in isolation. As depicted in FIGS. 10D and 10E, the attachment assembly 1070 includes a body portion 1071 (e.g., bracket) configured to conform to the body 1011 of the device 1000. The attachment assembly 1070 includes a securement mechanism 1072 that is coupled to and/or spans from the distal wall of the bracket 1071 such that the securement mechanism 1072 reversibly attaches the third compartment 1060 (e.g., the body 1065). For example, the body 1065 of the third compartment 1060 can attach/detach to/from the securement mechanism 1072 by, e.g., at least one of a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism, such as any of the example attachment mechanisms described herein. In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 1070 can include one or more external flanges 1073 (e.g., vertical flanges) that span off the proximal end of the bracket 1071 (e.g., perpendicular or at an angle to wrap partially around the edge of the body 1011) to secure the attachment assembly 1070 to the body 1011.

[0097] Some embodiments of the securement mechanism 1072 can include a magnetic attachment assembly, which can include a wall structure or protrusion structure of the securement mechanism 1072 comprising a magnet component attached to or materially part of the structure, which is configured to magnetically interface with a magnet component attached to or materially part of a wall or protrusion structure of the body 1065 of the third compartment 1060. An example of the magnetic attachment assembly as an embodiment of the securement mechanism 1072 or a securement mechanism applicable to secure embodiments of the smoking vessel in the second compartment and/or secure embodiments of the removeable smokeable substance container in the third compartment for other embodiments of the universal smoking device described herein is shown later in FIG. 14. The securement mechanism 1072 can include other embodiments, including a mechanical snap attachment assembly shown later in FIG. 11B, for example.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 10D, some example embodiment of the universal smoking device 1000 may optionally include an auxiliary vessel device 1080, which can include a protrusion rod (not shown, spanning into a cavity or channel within the body 1011 of the device 1000) and a terminus flange to allow a user to pull the auxiliary vessel device 1080 out of the device 1000. For example, the auxiliary vessel device 1080 can be implemented to assist in packing a smoking substance within the interior of the smoking vessel 1050, and/or for cleaning smoking substance, residue or other material from the interior of the smoking vessel 1050, or other functions (e.g., such as assisting the user in preparing his/her own paper-rolled smoking article). For example, the auxiliary vessel device 1080 may include bristles (not shown) configured to clean out smokeable substances and remnants thereof left within the smoking vessel 1050. Also, for example, the auxiliary vessel device 1080 may include a long slender shaft with an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of the shaft of the smoking vessel 1050, such that the long slender shaft of the auxiliary vessel device 1080 can be inserted into the smoking vessel 1050, for example, to displace, push out, and clean residue, debris, and smokeable substances residing within the smoking vessel 1070. Also, for example, the auxiliary vessel device 1080 may include a flat end and/or a diameter corresponding to an internal diameter of the smoking vessel 1050, such that the auxiliary vessel device 1080 can be used to pack and compress smokeable substances within the smoking vessel 1050.

[0099] FIGS. 11A and 11B show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 10, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment secured to an integrated lighter contingent and smoking vessel storage via an attachment assembly.

[0100] FIG. 11A shows a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 1100, which includes example embodiments of the compartment for a smokeable substance that is reversibly detachable from the attachment mechanism that is securable to the lighter body. The universal smoking device 1100 includes a lighter contingent 1110 including a body 1111, an igniter assembly 1130, and a first compartment 1120, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 1130, coupled to and encased within the body 1111. The universal smoking device 1100 includes a second compartment 1140 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 1111, which may be configured to be adjacent to the first compartment 1120, and which a smoking vessel 1150 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 1140, which the second compartment 1140 can be enclosable in the lighter body 1111. For example, the smoking vessel 1150 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 1140, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. For example, the lighter body 1111 can include an opening 1141 that extends to the second compartment 1140, e.g., allowing a user to view into the second compartment 1140 and assisting the user in removing and reattaching the smoking vessel 1150 from the second compartment 1140.

[0101] The universal smoking device 1100 includes a third compartment 1160 having a body 1165 surrounding an interior cavity 1164, where the third compartment 1160 is reversibly coupled to the body 1111 by an attachment assembly 1170, and where the third compartment 1160 is configured to store a smokeable substance within its interior cavity 1164 (e.g., the smokeable substance is stored directly within the interior cavity 1164 of the third compartment 1160, which can be accessed through an access port (e.g., door) (not shown) coupled to the body 1165). Example embodiments of the universal smoking device 1100 can enable disposable, single-use smokeable substance compartments to be separately manufactured and sold from the attachment assembly 1170 and lighter/smoking vessel contingents of the universal smoking device 1100. In some implementations, for example, the third compartment 1160 can provide a structure to a user of the device 1100 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel 1150. As depicted by the horizontal arrows in FIG. 11A, for example, the third compartment 1160 can be removeable from the attachment assembly 1170, and thereby be removeable from the lighter body 1111, by removing (e.g., detaching) the body 1165 from a side of the lighter body 1111 where the attachment assembly 1170 is disposed, such as a side region, a bottom region, or a top region of the device 1100.

[0102] FIG. 11B shows a diagram illustrating example embodiments of attachment assembly 1170 mounted to the body 1111 of the device 1100, in which the attachment assembly 1170 is configured as a snap mechanism to allow for the body 1165 of the third compartment 1160 to reversibly attach to the device 1100. The example snap mechanism 1170B1 (left, FIG. 11B) can include one or more pairs of corresponding snap arms 1177 that are connected to the body 1111 of the device 1100, e.g., which can span out therefrom with a spacing or gap therebetween to allow the body of the body 1165 to fit within. In some embodiments, not shown in FIG. 11B, the snap mechanism 1170B1 can include a ring which allows the body of the removeable smokeable substance container 1165 to slide through. The example snap mechanism 1170B2 (right, FIG. 11B) can include one or more snap arm sets 1178 to secure the body 1165 within but with a gap to allow the body of the body 1165 to pass through (through elastic bending of the snap set(s)) and be pulled out of.

[0103] The lower part of the diagram of FIG. 11B illustrates various shapes of a balcony wall 1157 of the attachment assembly 1170, including rectangular and ovular or elliptical shapes, but it is understood that the balcony wall 1157 can include a multitude of shapes and sizes to secure the body 1165 of the third compartment 1160 to the attachment assembly 1170 to reversibly attach to the third compartment 1160 to the device 1100. In this example, the balcony wall 1157 can sufficiently contain the body 1165 in a stored position without incidentally falling out in any orientation of the device 1100. Notably, in some embodiments of the device 1100, for example, the attachment assembly 1170 can include an internal securement component (not shown) (e.g., snap mechanism, screw attachment mechanism, magnetic attachment mechanism, or other) in compilation with the balcony wall 1157 to at least partially assist in containing the body 1165 of the third compartment 1160 in a stored position for certain orientations of the device 1100. While not shown in FIG. 11B, the body 1165 can be secured by a door that can be positioned on the balcony wall 1157 or other structure of the attachment assembly 1170. In various embodiments of the door, for example, the door may be a swivel door, a sliding door, a hinged door, or other.

[0104] FIGS. 12A and 12B show diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment secured to and integrated with the lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel and that provides multiple access options to the smoking substance storable within.

[0105] FIG. 12A shows a diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a universal smoking device 1200, which includes example embodiments of the container for a smokeable substance integrated with the lighter contingent and compartment for the smoking vessel, where the smokeable substance storage compartment is accessible from the lower portion of the lighter via multiple access points and includes a removeable substance container pod, also referred herein as pod, e.g., which can be pre-loaded and/or fillable with smoking substance and accessible for loading the smoking substance into the smoking vessel when the pod is contained in the smokeable substance storage compartment.

[0106] The universal smoking device 1200 includes a lighter contingent 1210 including a body 1211, an igniter assembly 1230, and a first compartment 1220, e.g., to store an energy source for the igniter assembly 1230, coupled to and encased within the body 1211. The universal smoking device 1200 includes a second compartment 1240 having an interior cavity disposed within the body 1211, which may be configured to be adjacent to the first compartment 1220, and which a smoking vessel 1250 can be contained within the cavity of the second compartment 1240, which the second compartment 1240 can be enclosable in the lighter body 1211. For example, the smoking vessel 1250 can attach/detach to/from the second compartment 1240, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. For example, the lighter body 1211 can include an opening 1241 that extends to the second compartment 1240, e.g., allowing a user to view into the second compartment 1240 and assisting the user in removing and reattaching the smoking vessel 1250 from the second compartment 1240.

[0107] The universal smoking device 1200 includes a third compartment 1260 having an interior cavity, where the third compartment 1260 is coupled to the body 1211 and configured to store a smokeable substance within its interior cavity, e.g., via a removeable pod 1265. In some implementations, for example, the pod 1265 and third compartment 1260 can provide a structure to a user of the device 1200 (smoker) to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance into the smoking vessel 1250. The pod 1265 can be configured to slide into the third compartment 1260 in the lighter body 1211, e.g., via a side access (e.g., side opening) of the body 1211 into the third compartment 1260 (depicted in FIG. 12B by arrows 1269h) and/or via a bottom access (e.g., bottom opening) of the body 1211 into the third compartment 1260 (depicted in FIG. 12B by arrows 1269v). For example, once the pod 1265 is inserted inside the third compartment 1260, it is secure and snug in order to enable the smoking vessel 1250 to be inserted into the interior of the pod 1265, e.g., via an access port of the pod 1265, without undesired movement inhibiting ease of insertion. In some embodiments, for example, the pod 1265 can include a window or transparent or translucent wall (or portion thereof) to allow the user to see how much smokeable substance remains in the pod 1265. In various embodiments and implementations, the pod 1265 can include one or more access ports on a side wall and/or a bottom wall to enable access into the pod 1265 by the smoking vessel 1250 when stored within the third compartment, discussed below.

[0108] In some implementations, for example, the smoker can eject the pod 1265 for filling or replacing with a new unused pod or removing a smokeable substance away from the lighter contingent 1210 as desired, and the smoker can insert the pod 1265 (e.g., reinsert the same pod back, or insert a new pod) into the third compartment 1260 to maintain all smoking elements in a singular apparatus. In some embodiments, for example, the pod 1265 can be secured (e.g., immobilized) in the third compartment 1060 when inserted. For example, the pod 1265 can attach/detach to/from the body 1211 of the lighter contingent 1210, within the third compartment 1260, e.g., by a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic mechanism, and/or other attachment mechanism. Also, for example, the pod 1265 can be inserted into the third compartment 1260 horizontally (e.g., depicted by arrows 1269h) through a side access port through the body 1211 where the third compartment 1260 is positioned, or additionally or alternatively, the pod 1265 can be inserted into the third compartment 1260 vertically (e.g., depicted by arrows 1269v) through a lower access port through the body 1211 where the third compartment 1260 is positioned.

[0109] In various embodiments of the example pod 1265 of the third compartment 1260, the pod 1265 can include one or more access ports configured on the side surface and/or the bottom surface (and/or the top surface) of the container, which is like the examples shown in FIG. 3B for the third compartment 360A-360D. In various embodiments of the universal smoking device 1200, the third compartment 1260 can include a minimal structure (e.g., brackets and/or walls) to secure the pod 1265 within the region that is formed by the third compartment 1260, such that the pod 1265 itself can provide side walls for the device 1200 in that third compartment 1260 space as to resemble and/or integrate with the body 1211 of the lighter contingent 1210. As an illustrative example, the third compartment 1260 can include one or more bracket structures and/or internally-spanning flange(s) that span from the bottom portion of the body 1211 of the lighter contingent 1210 to align at their lower end with the bottom of the second compartment 1240, where the third compartment 1260 does not include wall structures or may have one wall aligned with the wall of the second compartment 1260, and where the bracket(s) and/or flange(s) secure the pod 1265 within the third compartment 1260 when inserted, such that the pod 1265 provides the side and bottom walls for the device 1200 where the third compartment 1260 is situated. In such embodiments, the bracket(s) and/or flange(s) of the third compartment provide sufficient structure for the device 1200 to stand upright when a pod 1265 is not inserted.

[0110] FIG. 12B shows a diagram depicting an example implementation of the example universal smoking device 1200 where the smoking vessel 1250 is inserted into the pod 1265 secured within the third compartment 1260 to prepare and/or load the smoking substance by/into the smoking vessel 1250. For example, after removing the smoking vessel 1250 from the second compartment 1240, e.g., via assistance by the opening 1241, the smoking vessel 1250 can be aimed toward an access port leading into the third compartment 1260 and the pod 1265 stored therein. Once inserted, the smoking vessel 1250 can prepare the smokeable substance for loading and smoking by, for example, smashing up the substance, moving the substance around the pod, and/or into the interior of the smoking vessel 1250, e.g., such as by turning the vessel slowly, rotating it, and pressing downward.

[0111] FIG. 13 shows diagrams illustrating example embodiments of the universal smoking device shown in FIG. 1 and/or FIGS. 10A-10E, in accordance with the present technology, which include smokeable substance compartment secured to and/or integrated with the lighter contingent and/or smoking vessel and that provides multiple access options to the smoking substance storable within. For example, universal smoking device 1301, 1303, 1305, and 1307 can include an attachment assembly (fixedly or reversibly) attached to the body of the device but where the third compartment is removeable and attachable, e.g., similar to example embodiments disclosed above in connection with FIGS. 11A-11B. As an example, universal smoking device 1309 and 1311 can include an attachment assembly that is fixedly attached to the body of the device and where the third compartment is fixedly attached to the attachment body of the attachable assembly, e.g., similar to example embodiments disclosed above in connection with FIGS. 10B-10C.

[0112] FIG. 14 shows an example embodiment of a magnetic attachment assembly 1480 of a magnetic securement mechanism in accordance with the present technology. As shown in the upper perspective view diagram, the magnetic attachment assembly 1480 includes the magnet 1487 contained in an at least partially-encompassing container 1488, e.g., such as a cap, to shield the magnetic field in a manner that controls or drives the magnetic force in a uniform direction 1485F. In some embodiments, the container 1488 comprises steel (e.g., 420 steel, aluminum or other metal alloys). For example, in implementations of the magnetic attachment assembly 1480 that comprises a cap as the at least partially-encompassing container 1487, the cap can, at least partially, surround the magnet 1487 on multiple sides but expose at least one side positioned to face an interior of the compartment (e.g., for the second compartment for embodiments where the magnetic attachment assembly 1480 is used to secure the smoking vessel in the second compartment, and/or for the third compartment for embodiments where the magnetic attachment assembly 1480 is used to secure the removeable smokeable substance container in the third compartment). For example, in such instances, the exemplary cap is operable to shield a magnetic field emanating into or out of the magnetic attachment assembly 1480 in a manner that drives a magnetic force in a uniform direction with respect to the compartment. The left inset diagram illustrates an example embodiment of the cap embodiment of the at least partially-encompassing container 1488 without the magnet 1487 inside; and the right inset diagram depicts a cross-sectional view 1485XS of the magnetic attachment assembly 1480.

[0113] FIG. 15 shows a top-side (partially exploded) view of an example embodiment and implementation of a universal smoking device, labeled 1500, in accordance with the universal smoking device 100 and other embodiments disclosed herein, which employs an example embodiment of a magnetic attachment assembly in accordance with the present technology, such as the magnetic attachment assembly 1480 described in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 15, the universal smoking device 1500 includes a lighter contingent 1510 comprising a body 1511 and lighter assembly 1531 (e.g., including a spark wheel 1535); a smoking vessel 1550 removably storable in a second compartment 1540 configured to store the smoking vessel 1550; a third compartment 1560 configured to store a smokeable substance (and/or in some embodiments, an optional removeable smokeable substance container (not shown in FIG. 15)); and an auxiliary vessel device 1571 removably storable in an optional fourth compartment (fourth compartment 1570) of the device 1500, which can be embodied as a vessel packer, vessel tamper, vessel cleaner, and/or the like. The universal smoking device 1500 is configured to store the auxiliary vessel device 1571 along with the lighter components and the smoking vessel 1550 within a singular body, thereby augmenting the convenience and other benefits of smoking practice being integrated into one device.

[0114] The universal smoking device 1500 includes an example embodiment of the magnetic attachment assembly 1480 (discussed previously in connection with FIG. 14), labeled in FIG. 15 as magnetic attachment assembly 1580. The magnetic attachment assembly 1580 includes a curved or cylindrical magnet housed, at least partially, by a container structure configured to direct the magnetic field into the compartment to which the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 sits above (or below). In the illustration of FIG. 15, the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 is disposed in a channel above the second compartment 1540 that leads to a top region of the second compartment 1540, and where the channel comprises a ridge at the end of the channel next to the top region of the second compartment 1540, and where the ridge protrudes into the channel to prevent the magnet component of the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 from entering into the second compartment 1540. While shown in this example above the second compartment 1540 for magnetically securing the smoking vessel 1550 into the second compartment 1540, the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 may additionally or alternatively be configured in a channel above the third compartment 1560 that leads to a top region of the third compartment 1560, where the ridge of such channel protrudes into the channel in order to prevent the magnet component of the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 from entering into the third compartment 1540.

[0115] In some embodiments of the magnetic attachment assembly 1580, for example, the container includes a cap configured to at least partially surround the magnetic component on multiple sides but expose at least one side positioned to face an interior of the compartment, where the exemplary cap is operable to shield a magnetic field emanating into or out of the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 in a manner that drives a magnetic force in a uniform direction. In some embodiments of the magnetic attachment assembly 1580, for example, the exemplary cap is attached at or proximate to a top surface of the compartment, such that a distal end of the object (e.g., distal end 1557 of the smoking vessel 1550 or distal end of the optional removeable smokeable substance container) will sit flush against a magnet surface of the magnet component of the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 when the object is contained within the compartment (e.g., the second compartment 1540 or the third compartment 1560, respectively).

[0116] In some implementations of the universal smoking device 1500, for example, the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 is configured to produce audible sound (e.g., clicking sound) when the distal end 1557 of the smoking vessel 1550 makes contact with the magnet component of the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 positioned with respect to the second compartment 1540 to indicate to the user of the device 1500 that the smoking vessel 1550 is magnetically secured, i.e., magnetically locked in place. Similarly, in some implementations of the universal smoking device 1500, for example, the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 is configured to produce audible sound (e.g., clicking sound) when the distal end of the smokeable substance container makes contact with the magnet component of the magnetic attachment assembly 1580 positioned with respect to the third compartment 1560 to indicate to the user of the device 1500 that the smokeable substance container is magnetically secured, i.e., magnetically locked in place.

[0117] FIG. 16 shows a diagram of another example embodiment of a universal smoking device, labeled 1600, in accordance with the present technology, for providing a lighter and smokeable substance storage in a single, convenient apparatus. The device 1600 includes a lighter contingent 1610 comprising a body 1611, an igniter assembly 1630 comprising an igniter 1631 and coupled to the body 1611, and a first compartment 1620 coupled to and/or encompassed within the body 1611 to store an energy source 1625 to be provided to the igniter assembly 1630. In some embodiments, for example, the igniter assembly 1630 can include a flame igniter, which may include a hood (e.g., frame of igniter, including flame channel), a spark wheel assembly (e.g., one or more wheels with a strike plate in-between, and a flint, e.g., such as a plastic rod with the flint and spring inside), and a trigger (e.g., lever) to create a spark proximate an outer aperture of a tube from the first compartment 1620 (storing an ignitable fuel, e.g., butane, naphtha, methanol, or liquefied petroleum gas or other) to create a flame directed outward from the igniter assembly 1630. Yet, in some embodiments, for example, the igniter assembly 1630 includes an electric igniter, which may include at least two separated nodes electrically connected to a battery disposed in the first compartment 1620 to create an electric arc in a space between the at least two separated nodes.

[0118] The device 1600 includes a compartment 1660, also referred to as a smokeable substance compartment or smokeable substance storage, coupled to and/or encompassed within the body 1611 of the lighter contingent 1610, where the smokeable substance compartment 1660 is configured to store a smokeable substance 1665 and/or provide a structure or surface to a user of the device 1600 to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance 1665 in a smoking vessel (not shown), such as a pipe or a hand-made smoking article. In some embodiments, for example, the smokeable substance compartment 1660 is built into (e.g., permanently attached to or as part of) the body 1611 of the lighter contingent 1610. In some embodiments, for example, the smokeable substance compartment 1660 is reversibly attachable to the body 1611 of the lighter contingent 1610. For example, in some implementations of example embodiments with a reversibly attachable (attachable and detachable) smokeable substance compartment 1660 with the body 1611 of the lighter contingent 1610, the universal smoking device 1600 can allow for interchangeability of multiple smokeable substance compartments 1660, which can be prefilled and be refillable, to provide the smoker with variety in smokeable substance storage options. The smokeable substance compartment 1660 can be accessed via an access port, which, for example, can be part of the structure (e.g., a door on a wall) of the smokeable substance compartment 1660, and/or can be part of a structure of the lighter contingent 1610 (e.g., removeable component(s) of the igniter assembly 1630). In some embodiments of the device 1600, for example, the body of the smokeable substance compartment 1660 can optionally include a window or transparent or translucent wall of the smokeable substance compartment 1660 (or portion thereof) that provides visibility into the interior of the smokeable substance compartment 1660, which can allow the user to see an amount of the smokeable substance 165 presently stored within the smokeable substance compartment 1660.

[0119] Various embodiments of the universal smoking device 1600 can include features from the various embodiments of the universal smoking device 100, e.g., as embodied in the figures and description associated with FIGS. 1-15, as pertaining to example embodiments of the lighter contingent and third compartment associated with embodiments of the universal smoking device 100.

EXAMPLES

[0120] In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example A1), a universal smoking device includes a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter; a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide a smoking vessel; and a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a smokeable substance and provide a structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel.

[0121] Example A2 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the device is operable for a one-handed use comprising receipt of the smoking vessel in one hand when released from the second compartment when the lighter is held in a second hand, insertion of the smoking vessel by the one hand through an access port of the third compartment to load the smokeable substance into the smoking vessel when the lighter is held in the second hand, and movement of the smoking vessel by the one hand near the igniter for ignition of the smokeable substance for smoking, wherein the ignition is performed by the second hand.

[0122] Example A3 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the third compartment includes an access port that is reversibly sealable to allow an item to be inserted within or removed from an interior of the third compartment.

[0123] Example A4 includes the device of example A3 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the access port includes a door coupled to a surface of the third compartment by at least one of a snap mechanism, a rotatable joint mechanism, a screw mechanism, a slide-rail mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a magnet mechanism.

[0124] Example A5 includes the device of example A3 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the access port includes a plurality of bendable and/or retractable flanges operable to allow the smoking vessel to penetrate through the access port by bending or displacing the flanges, such that the flanges return to a default conformation to close and seal the third compartment when the smoking vessel is removed from the access port.

[0125] Example A6 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the third compartment is integrated with the body of the lighter at the base of the body.

[0126] Example A7 includes the device of example A6 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the third compartment is a reversibly detachable compartment.

[0127] Example A8 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the third compartment and the second compartment are integrated within the body of the lighter and orientated in a same orientation or and/or positioned adjacent to each other within the body.

[0128] Example A9 includes the device of any of examples Al-A25, wherein the third compartment is configured to receive a removeable substance container configured to store the smokeable substance within its interior, where the removeable substance container is configured to fit within the third compartment.

[0129] Example A10 includes the device of example A9 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the third compartment comprises a securement mechanism that is coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to reversibly attach the removable substance container to the third compartment.

[0130] Example A11 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the second compartment is configured to receive a removeable smoking vessel container configured to store the smoking vessel within its interior, where the removeable smoking vessel container is configured to fit within the second compartment.

[0131] Example A12 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the second compartment comprises a securement mechanism that is coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to reversibly attach the smoking vessel to the second compartment.

[0132] Example A13 includes the device of example A12 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the securement mechanism includes at least one of a snap mechanism, a rotatable joint mechanism, a screw mechanism, a slide-rail mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a magnet mechanism.

[0133] Example A14 includes the device of example A13 or any of examples A1-2A5, wherein the rotatable joint mechanism includes a hinge joint or a planar pivot joint.

[0134] Example A15 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, further comprising the smoking vessel, wherein the smoking vessel comprises a pipe having an interior chamber between a first aperture and a second aperture.

[0135] Example A16 includes the device of example A15 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the device includes a first form factor when the smoking vessel is not stored in the second compartment that is not greater than a second form factor when the smoking vessel is stored in the second compartment.

[0136] Example A17 includes the device of example A16 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the first form factor and the second form factor are the same.

[0137] Example A18 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the smoking vessel includes a single inhalation pipe or multiple inhalation pipe.

[0138] Example A19 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the smoking vessel is operable to contain the smoking substance in the interior chamber while the smoking vessel stored within the second compartment of the device.

[0139] Example A20 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the lighter includes a flame lighter, wherein the igniter of the flame lighter is configured to create a flame, and the first compartment is configured to store a fuel to be provided to the igniter to ignite the fuel and create the flame for the ignition event of the smokeable substance.

[0140] Example A21 includes the device of example A20 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the flame lighter includes a disposable pocket lighter, a refillable pocket lighter, a blue flame pocket lighter, a catalytic pocket lighter, or a permanent match pocket lighter.

[0141] Example A22 includes the device of example A20 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the fuel of the flame lighter includes at least one of butane, naphtha, methanol, or liquefied petroleum gas.

[0142] Example A23 includes the device of any of examples A1-A25, wherein the lighter includes an electric lighter, wherein the igniter of the electric lighter is configured to create an electric arc, and the first compartment is configured to store a battery to provide electrical charge to the igniter for the ignition event of the smokeable substance.

[0143] Example A24 includes the device of example A23 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the electrical lighter includes at least one of an electric arc lighter or an electric coil lighter.

[0144] Example A25 includes the device of example A24 or any of examples A1-A25, wherein the igniter of the electric arc lighter includes at least two separated nodes electrically connected to the battery to create an electric arc in a space between the at least two separated nodes.

[0145] In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example B1), a universal smoking device includes a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter; a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide a smoking vessel; and a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a smokeable substance and provide a structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in the smoking vessel.

[0146] Example B2 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the third compartment includes an access port that is reversibly sealable to allow an item to be inserted within or removed from an interior of the third compartment through an opening of the third compartment that leads into the interior.

[0147] Example B3 includes the device of example B2 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the access port includes a door coupled to a surface of the third compartment by at least one of a magnetic attachment mechanism, a snap mechanism, a rotatable joint mechanism including a hinge joint or a ball-socket joint, a screw mechanism, a slide-latch mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a plug mechanism optionally including a tether between the door and the surface.

[0148] Example B4 includes the device of example B2 or example B3 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the access port includes at least one component of the igniter assembly to reversibly seal over the opening of the third compartment that leads into the interior of the third compartment.

[0149] Example B5 includes the device of example B3 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the access port includes a plurality of bendable and/or retractable flanges operable to allow the smoking vessel to penetrate through the access port by bending or displacing the flanges, such that the flanges return to a default conformation to close and seal the third compartment when the smoking vessel is removed from the access port.

[0150] Example B6 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the third compartment is configured to house a substance container having the smokeable substance stored within, the substance container being removeable and insertable into the third compartment through one or more of a side access, a top access, or a bottom access of the third compartment.

[0151] Example B7 includes the device of example B6 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the substance container includes at least one access port disposed on at least one of a bottom wall or a side wall of the substance container, wherein the at least one access port is reversibly sealable to allow the smoking vessel to be inserted within or removed from an interior of the substance container to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance into the smoking vessel.

[0152] Example B8 includes the device of example B7 or any of examples B1-B487, wherein the at least one access port includes a door coupled to the bottom wall or the side wall of the substance container by at least one of a magnetic attachment mechanism, a snap mechanism, a rotatable joint mechanism, a screw mechanism, a slide-latch mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a plug mechanism.

[0153] Example B9 includes the device of example B7 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the at least one access port includes a plurality of bendable and/or retractable flanges operable to allow the smoking vessel to penetrate through the access port by bending or displacing the flanges, such that the flanges return to a default conformation to close and seal the substance container when the smoking vessel is removed from the access port.

[0154] Example B10 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the third compartment is integrated with the body of the lighter at a base of the body.

[0155] Example B11 includes the device of any of examples B1-B48, wherein the third compartment is reversibly attachable to a base of the body of the lighter.

[0156] Example B12 includes the device of example B10 or example B11 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein device includes a first form factor when the smoking vessel is not stored in the second compartment and when the third compartment is attached to the base of the body of the lighter that is not greater than a second form factor when the smoking vessel is stored in the second compartment.

[0157] Example B13 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the third compartment is a reversibly detachable compartment.

[0158] Example B14 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the third compartment and the second compartment are integrated within the body of the lighter and orientated in a same orientation or and/or positioned adjacent to each other within the body.

[0159] Example B15 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, further including a removeable substance container configured to be received within the third compartment, wherein the removeable substance container is configured to store the smokeable substance within its interior, and wherein the removeable substance container is configured to fit within the third compartment.

[0160] Example B16 includes the device of example B15 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the third compartment comprises a securement mechanism that is coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to reversibly attach the removable substance container to the third compartment.

[0161] Example B17 includes the device of example B16 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement mechanism includes at least one of a snap mechanism, a screw mechanism, a slide-rail mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a magnetic attachment mechanism.

[0162] Example B18 includes the device of example B17 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement mechanism is the magnetic attachment mechanism, and wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism is disposed in the body of the lighter proximate a top region, a bottom region, or a side region of the third compartment, the magnetic attachment mechanism comprising: a magnet component disposed in a channel of the body leading to the top region, the bottom region, or the side region of the third compartment, wherein the removable substance container includes a corresponding magnetic feature configured to interface with the magnet component of the magnetic attachment mechanism.

[0163] Example B19 includes the device of example B18 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism is operable to produce an audible sound when an insertable end of the removable substance container makes contact with the magnet component of the magnetic attachment mechanism within the third compartment to indicate to a user of the universal smoking device that the removable substance container is secured within the third compartment.

[0164] Example B20 includes the device of example B18 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the channel comprises a ridge at the end of the channel next to an interior of the third compartment, where the ridge protrudes into the channel to prevent the magnet from entering the third compartment.

[0165] Example B21 includes the device of example B18 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism further includes a cap configured to at least partially surround the magnet component on multiple sides but expose at least one side positioned to face an interior of the third compartment, wherein the cap is operable to shield a magnetic field emanating into or out of the magnetic attachment mechanism in a manner that drives a magnetic force in a uniform direction.

[0166] Example B22 includes the device of example B18 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the corresponding magnetic feature of removable substance container includes a magnetic material layer on or in a body of the removable substance container, or wherein the corresponding magnetic feature of the removable substance container includes a magnetic material constituent of the body of the removable substance container.

[0167] Example B23 includes the device of example B17 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement mechanism is the snap mechanism, and wherein the snap mechanism includes one or more snap sets, where a snap set includes a first snap arm coupled to a wall of the third compartment and positioned apart by a distance from a second snap arm coupled to the wall.

[0168] Example B24 includes the device of example B17 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement mechanism is the screw mechanism, and wherein the screw mechanism includes one or more grooves or threads disposed on an interior receding wall of third compartment, such that corresponding grooves or threads of the removable substance container are operable to engage the grooves or threads on the interior receding wall in the third compartment to secure the removable substance container to facilitate reversible attachment of the removable substance container with the third compartment.

[0169] Example B25 includes the device of example B17 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement mechanism is the slide-rail mechanism, and wherein the slide-rail mechanism includes a rail component coupled to one of (i) an interior wall of the third compartment or (ii) a side of the removeable substance container, and a slide component coupled to the other of (i) the interior wall of the third compartment or (ii) the side of the removable substance container, such that the rail component inserts within the slide component to facilitate reversible attachment of the removable substance container with the third compartment.

[0170] Example B26 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the smoking vessel to be stored in the second compartment comprises one or more pre-rolled smoking articles, wherein the smokeable substance to be stored in the third compartment includes one or more of (i) at least one of flowers or leaves, (ii) a second one or more pre-rolled smoking articles, or (iii) components for a pre-rolled smoking article including paper, leaves, and/or filters, the device further comprising: a removeable smoking vessel container configured to store the one or more pre-rolled smoking articles within its interior, wherein one or both of the second compartment and the third compartment is configured to receive and secure the removeable smoking vessel container within an interior of the one or both of the second compartment and the third compartment.

[0171] Example B27 includes the device of example B26 or any of examples B1-B48, the device further comprising: a second removeable smoking vessel container configured to store the one or more pre-rolled smoking articles within its interior, wherein one or both the second compartment and the third compartment is configured to receive and secure the second removeable smoking vessel container within the interior of the one or both of the second compartment and the third compartment.

[0172] Example B28 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the third compartment is configured externally to the body of the lighter, the device further comprising: an attachment assembly configured to secure the third compartment to the body of the lighter, the attachment assembly comprising a bracket to conform to a region of the body of the lighter, a securement interface coupled to or spanning from a first end of the bracket such that the securement interface connects the bracket and the third compartment, and a fastening mechanism to fasten the attachment assembly to the body of the lighter device.

[0173] Example B29 includes the device of example B28 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the fastening mechanism includes at least one of a clamp, an adhesive material, a magnet, or one or more flanges that span from a second end of the bracket opposite the first end to secure the attachment assembly to the body of the lighter device.

[0174] Example B30 includes the device of example B28 or example B29 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the attachment assembly is fixedly attached to the third compartment at the securement interface.

[0175] Example B31 includes the device of example B30 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement interface includes a uniform material interface between the bracket and an external wall of the third compartment, where the bracket and the external wall of the third compartment are the same material.

[0176] Example B32 includes the device of example B28 or example B29 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the attachment assembly is reversibly attached to the third compartment at the securement interface.

[0177] Example B33 includes the device of example B32 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement interface includes a securement mechanism comprising at least one of a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic attachment mechanism.

[0178] Example B34 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the body of the lighter includes an aperture that extends to an interior of the second compartment to facilitate ejection of the smoking vessel when stored within the second compartment.

[0179] Example B35 includes the device of example B1 or example B34 any of examples B1-B48, wherein the second compartment includes an access port to allow the smoking vessel to be inserted within or removed from an interior of the second compartment.

[0180] Example B36 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the second compartment comprises a securement mechanism that is coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to reversibly attach the smoking vessel to the second compartment.

[0181] Example B37 includes the device of example B36 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement mechanism includes at least one of a snap mechanism, a hinge joint mechanism, a screw mechanism, a slide-rail mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a magnetic attachment mechanism.

[0182] Example B38 includes the device of example B37 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the securement mechanism is the magnetic attachment mechanism, and wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism is disposed in the body of the lighter proximate a top region, a bottom region, or a side region of the second compartment, the magnetic attachment mechanism comprising: a magnet component disposed in a channel of the body leading to the top region, the bottom region, or the side region of the second compartment, wherein the smoking vessel includes a corresponding magnetic feature configured to interface with the magnet component of the magnetic attachment mechanism.

[0183] Example B39 includes the device of example B38 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the magnetic attachment mechanism is operable to produce an audible sound when an insertable end of the smoking vessel makes contact with the magnet component of the magnetic attachment mechanism within the second compartment to indicate to a user of the universal smoking device that the smoking vessel is secured within the second compartment.

[0184] Example B40 includes the device of example B38 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the channel comprises a ridge at the end of the channel next to an interior of the second compartment, where the ridge protrudes into the channel to prevent the magnet from entering the second compartment.

[0185] Example B41 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the smokeable substance includes one or more of (i) at least one of flowers or leaves to be loaded into the smoking vessel, (ii) a paper-based or leaf-based pre-rolled smoking article to be smoked independently of the smoking vessel, or (iii) components of the pre-rolled smoking article including paper, leaves, and/or filters.

[0186] Example B42 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the smoking vessel includes a single inhalation pipe or multiple inhalation pipe.

[0187] Example B43 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the lighter includes a flame lighter, wherein the igniter of the flame lighter is configured to create a flame, and the first compartment is configured to store a fuel to be provided to the igniter to ignite the fuel and create the flame for the ignition event of the smokeable substance.

[0188] Example B44 includes the device of example B43 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the flame lighter includes a disposable pocket lighter, a refillable pocket lighter, a blue flame pocket lighter, a catalytic pocket lighter, or a permanent match pocket lighter.

[0189] Example B45 includes the device of example B43 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the fuel of the flame lighter includes at least one of butane, naphtha, methanol, or liquefied petroleum gas.

[0190] Example B46 includes the device of example B1 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the lighter includes an electric lighter, wherein the igniter of the electric lighter is configured to create an electric arc, and the first compartment is configured to store a battery to provide electrical charge to the igniter for the ignition event of the smokeable substance.

[0191] Example B47 includes the device of example B46 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the electrical lighter includes at least one of an electric arc lighter or an electric coil lighter.

[0192] Example B48 includes the device of example B46 or any of examples B1-B48, wherein the igniter of the electric arc lighter includes at least two separated nodes electrically connected to the battery to create an electric arc in a space between the at least two separated nodes.

[0193] In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example B49), an attachment apparatus for securing a smokeable substance storage compartment to a lighter includes a body portion comprising a bracket configured to conform to a region of a body of a lighter device; a securement interface coupled to or spanning from a first end of the bracket such that the securement interface connects the smokeable substance storage compartment; and a fastening mechanism to fasten the attachment apparatus to the body of the lighter device.

[0194] Example B50 includes the attachment apparatus of example B49 or any of examples B49-B57, wherein the attachment apparatus is fixedly attached to the smokeable substance storage compartment at the securement interface.

[0195] Example B51 includes the attachment apparatus of example B50 or any of examples B49-B57, wherein the securement interface includes a uniform material interface between the bracket and an external wall of the smokeable substance storage compartment, where the bracket and the external wall of the smokeable substance storage compartment are the same material.

[0196] Example B52 includes the attachment apparatus of example B50 or any of examples B49-B57, wherein the securement interface includes an adhesive material to bind the bracket and an external wall of the smokeable substance storage compartment.

[0197] Example B53 includes the attachment apparatus of example B49 or any of examples B49-B57, wherein the attachment apparatus is reversibly attached to the smokeable substance storage compartment at the securement interface.

[0198] Example B54 includes the attachment apparatus of example B53 or any of examples B49-B57, wherein the securement interface includes a securement mechanism comprising at least one of a screw mechanism, a slide mechanism, a clip mechanism, or a magnetic attachment mechanism.

[0199] Example B55 includes the attachment apparatus of example B49 or any of examples B49-B57, wherein the fastening mechanism includes at least one of a clamp, an adhesive material, a magnet, or one or more flanges that span from a second end of the bracket opposite the first end to secure the attachment assembly to the body of the lighter device.

[0200] Example B56 includes the attachment apparatus of example B55 or any of examples B49-B57, wherein the one or more flanges are arranged perpendicular to or at an angle from a side wall of the bracket at the second end from which the one or more flanges span to wrap, at least partially, around an edge on the body of the lighter device.

[0201] Example B57 includes the attachment apparatus of example B49 or any of examples B49-B57, wherein the lighter device includes the universal smoking device of any of examples B1-B48.

[0202] In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example B58), a method for facilitating one-handed preparation of a smokeable substance for smoking in a smoking vessel, where the method includes: providing a universal smoking device that includes (i) a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter, (ii) a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide a smoking vessel, and (iii) a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a smokeable substance; releasing the smoking vessel from the second compartment to a first hand of a user while the universal smoking device is held by a second hand of the user; receiving a distal end of the smoking vessel within the third compartment through an access port of the third compartment while the smoking vessel is held in the first hand the universal smoking device is held by the second hand, wherein the receiving of the distal end of the smoking vessel within the third compartment causes transfer of the smoking substance stored in the third compartment to be loaded in an interior of the distal end of the smoking vessel; igniting a flame at the igniter of the lighter by actuation of the igniter from contact of fingers of the second hand while the universal smoking device is held in the second hand; and receiving heat energy at the distal end of the smoking vessel created by the ignited flame during the igniting while the universal smoking device is held in the second hand to cause burning of the transferred smokeable substance within the interior of the smoking vessel while held in the first hand.

[0203] Example B59 includes the method of example B58 or any of examples B58-B60, wherein the receiving of the distal end of the smoking vessel within the third compartment comprises receiving force upon an interior wall of the third compartment applied by the smoking vessel when received within the third compartment, thereby causing at least one of breaking up portions of the substance, moving the substance within the third compartment, or intaking of the smoking substance from the third compartment into the interior of the smoking vessel.

[0204] Example B59 includes the method of example B58 or any of examples B58-B60, wherein the universal smoking device includes the universal smoking device of any of examples B1-B48.

[0205] In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example B61), a smoking device includes a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter; and a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a smokeable substance and provide a structure to prepare and/or load the smokeable substance in a smoking vessel.

[0206] Example B62 includes the device of example B61 or any of examples B61-B65, wherein the second compartment is integrated with the body of the lighter.

[0207] Example B63 includes the device of example B62 or any of examples B61-B65, wherein the second compartment is integrated with the body of the lighter at a base of the body.

[0208] Example B64 includes the device of example B62 or any of examples B61-B65, wherein the second compartment is integrated with the body of the lighter at a side of the body.

[0209] Example B65 includes the device of example B61 or any of examples B61-B65, wherein the smoking device includes one or more features of the universal smoking device of any of examples B1-B48.

[0210] In some embodiments in accordance with the present technology (example C1), a universal smoking device includes a lighter comprising a body, an igniter coupled to the body and operable to create an ignition event of a smokeable substance, and a first compartment coupled to and encompassed within the body to store an energy source to be provided to the igniter; a second compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store and provide a first article associated with smoking; and a third compartment coupled to the body of the lighter and configured to store a second article associated with smoking.

[0211] Example C2 includes the device of example C1, wherein the device includes one or more features of the universal smoking device of any of examples B1-B48, or includes one or more features of the smoking device of any of examples B61-B65.

[0212] Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operations described in this patent document can be implemented in various systems, digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more of them. The term data processing unit or data processing apparatus encompasses all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The apparatus can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them.

[0213] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0214] The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0215] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0216] While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features that are described in this patent document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0217] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described in this patent document should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments.

[0218] Only a few implementations and examples are described and other implementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this patent document.