Abstract
An enhancement providing system for use with smoking devices, e.g., waterpipes includes an enhancement providing assembly and a holder assembly. The attachment assembly is designed to hold the enhancement providing assembly on top of, at, or within an upper region of a waterpipe's uptake tube. The enhancement providing assembly provides enhancements to the user's smoking experience, such as flavoring, smoke filtering, and edible materials. In use, the system is configured with the top of the waterpipe uptake tube, and the user engages the system with his/her lips while inhaling smoke from the waterpipe.
Claims
1. An enhancement providing system for use with a smoking device, the smoking device including a mouthpiece with an outermost rim, the enhancement providing system comprising: a flat member adapted to engage an entirety of the outermost rim of the smoking device, the flat member including a through hole; a body member with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and having an inner passageway extending between the first end and the second end, the body member configurable within the through hole; and at least one enhancement mechanism configured with the body member.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the flat member includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the second surface includes an adhesive material adapted to grip the outermost rim.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the adhesive material is non-permanent.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein when the body member is configured with the through hole, the first end of the body member is outside the smoking device and the second end of the body member is within the smoking device.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one enhancement mechanism includes at least one of a flavor providing mechanism, a filtering mechanism, and an edible member.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the flavor providing mechanism and/or the filtering mechanism is within the inner passageway.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the edible member includes hard candy and/or pressed powder candy.
8. The system of claim 5 wherein the edible member is configured at the first end of the body member.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the edible member is releasable from the first end of the body member.
10. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a gasket configured with the through hole.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 shows an enhancement providing system configured with a water pipe according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0020] FIGS. 2, 2A, 2B, 2C show aspects of an enhancement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0021] FIG. 3 shows an attachment member according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows an enhancement providing system configured with a water pipe according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0023] FIG. 5 shows aspects of an enhancement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0024] FIG. 6 shows an enhancement providing system configured with a water pipe according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0025] FIG. 7 shows aspects of an enhancement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0026] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an enhancement providing system configured with a water pipe according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0027] FIGS. 10-12 show aspects of an enhancement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0028] FIG. 13 shows an enhancement providing system configured with a water pipe according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0029] FIGS. 14-16, 17A and 17B show aspects of an enhancement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0030] FIGS. 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B show an enhancement providing system configured with a water pipe according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0031] FIGS. 20A and 20B show aspects of an enhancement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0032] FIGS. 21, 21A and 21B show aspects of an enhancement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0033] FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 show an enhancement providing system configured with a water pipe according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0034] FIGS. 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 26, 27A, 27B and 27C show aspects of an enhancement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;
[0035] FIGS. 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 show an enhancement providing system configured with a water pipe according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and
[0036] FIG. 33 shows an uptake tube configured with apertures and enhancement providing assemblies according to exemplary embodiments hereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0037] In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, an enhancement providing system for use with waterpipes, and other types of smoking devices is provided.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows a general schematic of a waterpipe P including a bowl piece BP, a water chamber WC, and an uptake tube T. In use, smokable material (e.g., tobacco, herbs, cannabis, etc.) is placed into the bowl piece BP and combusted. The user places his/her mouth over the top end of the uptake tube T and inhales, causing the smoke S from the combusted smokable material to flow from the bowl piece through the water chamber WC and up through the uptake tube T as represented by the smoke arrow S. The smoke S is then available at the top of the uptake tube T for the user to inhale. As described herein, the enhancement providing system 10 of the current invention provides additional enhancements, e.g., flavor, to the user during the smoking experience.
[0039] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the enhancement providing system 10 (also referred to herein as simply the system 10) includes an enhancement providing assembly 100, and an attachment assembly 200. In general, the attachment assembly 200 positions and holds the enhancement providing assembly 100 at the top of the uptake tube T of a waterpipe P, and the enhancement providing assembly 100 provides one or more enhancements to the smoking experience as a user inhales smoke S from the waterpipe P and through the system 10. For example, the attachment assembly 200 may rest upon and be releasably attached to the upper rim of the waterpipe's uptake tube while holding the enhancement providing assembly 100 upright, and the enhancement providing assembly 100 may add an enhancement including, but not limited to, an edible member and/or added flavoring for the user to consume and/or taste during the smoking experience. The enhancement providing system 10 also may include other elements to fulfill its functionalities as described herein.
[0040] For the purposes of this specification, the system 10 will be described herein primarily as being used with a waterpipe P as shown in FIG. 1, however, it is understood that this is for demonstration and that the system 10 may be use with any type of device that may benefit from its functionalities. For example, the enhancement providing system 10 may be used with other types of smoking devices, such as, without limitation, bubblers, dab rigs, vaporizers, hookahs, traditional pipes, other types of smoking devices, and any combinations thereof. It also is understood that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the type of smokable material(s) that it may be used with.
[0041] For the purposes of this specification, it is understood that the system 10 may provide a variety of different types of enhancements for the user to enjoy during the smoking experience, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the type of enhancements that it may provide. For example, the system 10 may provide flavoring for the user to taste during the smoking experience, filtering to filter the smoke prior to the inhalation of the smoke (e.g., activated carbon filters also referred to as activated charcoal filters), edible substances such as candy for the user to consume and taste, and/or fragrances for the user to smell (and that may freshen the waterpipe). The system 10 also may provide enhancements such as cooling elements, odor reducing elements, nutritional elements, lighting (e.g., that illuminates inner portions of the waterpipe), media (e.g., audio, video, etc.), vaporizers, other types of smokable materials (that may or may not be combusted within the system 10 and/or within the waterpipe), other types of enhancements, and any combinations thereof.
[0042] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the enhancement providing assembly 100 includes an enhancement holding member 102 including a first end 104 (e.g., the top end), a second end 106 (e.g., the bottom end), and sidewalls 108 extending therebetween defining an inner volume 110. In some embodiments, during use, a user may place his/her mouth on the enhancement holding member's upper end 104 and inhale. This will be described in further detail in other sections.
[0043] In some embodiments, the first end 104 is open, the second end 106 is open, and the inner volume 110 is at least partially unobstructed (e.g., hollow) between the first end 104 and the second end 106 thereby defining in inner passageway 112 through the member 102 through which the user may inhale. Being a tube (e.g., a straw), the only passageway through the member 102 is preferably through its inner passageway. While the enhancement holding member 102 in FIG. 2 is depicted as generally cylindrical in shape (e.g., as a straw), it is understood that the member 102 may be formed as any suitable shape(s), including, but not limited to, a cylinder, a tube, a frustum, a cone, a partial sphere, and/or any other type of suitable form or shape, and/or any combinations thereof. The cross-section of the member 102 may be circular, oval, polygonal, and/or any other suitable cross-sectional shape. The holding member 102 may comprise paper, cardboard, rubber, plastic, plant material such as leaves or husks, other suitable materials, and any combinations thereof.
[0044] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the enhancement holding member 102 is designed to hold and/or release one or more enhancement providing mechanisms 113, e.g., a flavor providing mechanism 114, a filter providing mechanism 117, an edible member 120 and/or other types of enhancement mechanisms. In some embodiments, the enhancement holding member 102 holds and/or is attached to one or more enhancement providing mechanisms 113 at its top end 104, its bottom end 106, between its top end 104 and its bottom end 106, on the outside of its sidewalls 108, on the inside of the sidewalls 108, within its inner volume 110, in other areas, and/or at any combinations thereof.
[0045] The enhancement providing mechanisms 113 may be fixedly coupled to the holding member 102 (e.g., provided as an integral part of the holding member 102), and/or may be interchangeably coupled to the member 102 so that the mechanism 113 may be removed and interchanged with another mechanism 113 as desired (e.g., to change the flavor, to replace an empty flavor mechanism 114, to replace a used filter mechanism 117, to replace a consumed edible member 120, etc.). For example, in some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be generally cylindrically shaped and may be inserted into and/or onto the top and/or bottom end 104, 106 of the member 102. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the mechanism 113 is held within the holding member's inner volume 110.
[0046] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 includes one or more flavor balls 115 (e.g., a small sphere containing a flavoring substance such as liquid). When the flavor ball 115 is squeezed, the flavor ball 115 may be caused to burst and release its liquid (or powdered or gaseous) flavoring into the holding member 102 thereby flavoring the smoke that passes through the member 102. In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a cartridge such as an insert or crutch, e.g., a tubular, cylindrical or frustum shaped mechanism similar to a mouthpiece tip typically used with smokable rods such as cigarettes, cones, pre-rolls, etc., to hold the flavor ball 115 therein. In some embodiments, the cartridge (typically formed of paper, plastic, rubber, cellulose, cotton, etc.) may include an inner volume designed to contain the flavor ball 115. The cartridge may be placed within the holding member 102 such that the user may squeeze the holding member 102 in the vicinity of the cartridge during use to burst the ball 115 and release its flavor. Preferably, the cartridge does not obstruct the flow of the smoke, and instead, the smoke passes through and/or over the flavoring substance. In this way, the smoke passes through the holding member's inner volume 110 and is contacted by the flavoring substances therein thereby becoming flavored smoke.
[0047] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 includes one or more filter providing mechanisms 117. In some embodiments, the filter providing mechanisms 117 include one or more smoke filtering materials, such as but not limited to, carbon (e.g., activated charcoal), cellulose, cotton, other fibrous filtering materials, other types of filtering materials, and/or any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the smoke filtering materials may be placed and secured within the holding member's inner volume 110. The smoke filtering materials may be held in place within the holding member 102 by permeable (e.g., mesh) plugs, dividers, by pressure fit against the sidewalls 108, and/or by using other types of holding techniques within the holding member 102. In this way, smoke passing through and/or over the smoke filtering materials may be filtered thereby.
[0048] In some embodiments, the smoke filtering materials may be contained within a cartridge (e.g., a tube filled with the materials and capped on either end with permeable (e.g., mesh-like) end caps that allow smoke to pass through the cartridge while containing the filtering materials therein). As such, the cartridge may be inserted into the inner volume 110 of the holding member 102 such that the filtering materials are positioned to filter the smoke.
[0049] In any event, the filter providing mechanism(s) 117 may be placed within the holding member 102 such that as smoke passes through the holding member 102, the smoke is directed to pass over and/or through the filter providing mechanism 117 to be filtered thereby.
[0050] While some of the enhancement providing mechanisms 113 shown in FIG. 2 are depicted as generally elongate cylinders, it is understood that this is for demonstration and that the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be formed as any shape or form as required.
[0051] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include an edible member 120. The edible member 120 is depicted as transparent to show aspects of the corresponding holding member 102. In some embodiments, the edible member 120 includes a flavored edible member 120 such as, but not limited to, an edible member 120 made of candy (e.g., hard candy, pressed powder candy, gummy candy, chocolate, caramel, etc.) and/or other edible substances. In this case, the user may receive a flavoring enhancement from the edible member 120 when his/her mouth (e.g., lips, tongue, etc.) touches the flavored edible member 120 coupled to the member 102. The user also may remove the edible member 120 at any time to suck on and/or otherwise consume and ingest the edible member 120, e.g., to freshen his/her breath (e.g., with the edible member 120 being a mint candy).
[0052] In some embodiments, the edible member 120 may not include a flavor (may be flavorless), e.g., the edible member 120 may include a supplement (e.g., a vitamin, digestive supplement, etc.) that the user may ingest during and/or after the smoking experience to provide nutritional, medical and/or other types of substances to the user.
[0053] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2A, the edible member 120 may be formed as a cap that may be placed onto the top end 104 of the holding member 102. In some embodiments, the edible member 120 may include a lower opening that may receive the top 104 of the holding member 102 such that the edible member 120 may rest on the top 104 of the holding member 102. As such, it may be preferable that the inner diameter of the lower opening generally matches the outer diameter of the top 104 of the holding member 102. The lower opening may include an inner ledge or notch in its sidewalls (e.g., a downward facing circumferential ledge) that may act as a stop to the top 104 of the holding member 102 within the edible member 120 thereby holding the edible member 120 in place. In other embodiments, the lower opening may receive and hold the top 104 of the holding member 102 by pressure fit, by adhesive, and/or by other attachment mechanisms. In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the edible member 120 be removable from and replaceable onto the top 104 of the holding member 102 so that it may be removed and consumed by the user and/or replaced after use.
[0054] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, at least a portion of the edible member 120 may be received into the top 104 of the holding member 102. For example, the edible member 120 may include a lower portion including an outer diameter that generally matches the inner diameter of the holding member 102 so that the lower portion may be received through the top 104 and into the holding member's inner volume 110. The edible member 120 also may include a ledge or notch at an interface between its lower portion and its upper portion that may act as a stop to the top 104 of the holding member 102. In this way, the edible member 120 may rest on the top 104 of the holding member 102. In other embodiments, the edible member 120 may be tapered between its lower end and its upper end such that the lower end (having a lesser outer diameter) may fit into the top 104 of the holding member 102 while the edible member's upper end (having a greater diameter) may not. As such, the tapered edible member 120 may rest within the top 104 of the holding member 102 and be held by pressure fit. Other attachment techniques, such as adhesive, also may be used.
[0055] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2C, the edible member 120 may be formed as a ring that extends about the outer circumference of the top 104 of the holding member 102. The ring may be secured to the holding member 102 by pressure fit, by detents and/or notches, by adhesive, and/or by other attachment methods. It may be preferable that the ring is removable and/or replaceable.
[0056] In another example, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a clip or other type of attachment mechanism that may facilitate the attachment of the mechanism 113 with the member 102. In any event, it is understood that the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be releasably or fixedly coupled to any portion of the enhancement holding member 102 such that the mechanism 113 may adequately provide one or more enhancements as described herein.
[0057] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 includes a material that has been impregnated with an enhancement (e.g., a crystal material, a porous material, a fibrous material such as cotton, etc., impregnated with flavoring substance(s)), a material coated with flavoring substance(s), a container of flavoring substance(s) (e.g., powdered and/or gaseous flavoring), any other types of enhancement providing mechanism(s), and/or any combinations thereof.
[0058] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may hold an enhancement under pressure so that when it is activated (e.g., opened) the enhancement may be released, e.g., the mechanism 113 may include a flavor providing mechanism 114 including a pressurized flavoring substance (gas, liquid, solid, powder, etc.) that when opened may release the flavoring under pressure.
[0059] The enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include any type of solid, liquid, and/or gas (and any combinations thereof) that may provide one or more enhancements when activated. For example, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a flavor providing mechanism 114 that includes any form of flavor providing substance, including solid, liquid, and/or gaseous flavor substances. The enhancement providing mechanism 113 will be described in further detail in other sections.
[0060] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may simply comprise an enhancement providing item, such as a flavor ball 115, and/or an enhancement providing material, such as flavored crystal(s), gas, powder, and/or other substances. To be clear, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a holder to hold items such as a flavor ball 115, or the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may simply be the item(s) itself (i.e., the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be the flavor ball 115) and may be held directly within an enhancement holding member 102 without an additional holder.
[0061] It is understood that any of the one or more enhancement providing mechanisms 113, e.g., flavor providing mechanisms 114, filter providing mechanisms 117, edible members 120 and/or other types of enhancement mechanisms, may be implemented with a holding member 102 at the same time and/or individually.
[0062] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the attachment assembly 200 and a corresponding top view of the attachment assembly 200.
[0063] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the attachment assembly 200 includes an attachment member 201 to attach the system 10 to the top of a waterpipe mouthpiece. As is known, the uppermost (or outermost) rim of a waterpipe's uptake tube (e.g., the mouthpiece) is typically contained in a single plane (see FIG. 1). That is, the mouthpiece of the waterpipe comprises an uppermost rim (e.g., of glass or plastic) that extends in and is entirely contained in a single plane. For example, the uppermost rim of the mouthpiece may include a circle within the single plane. As is known, a user may place his/her mouth against the uppermost rim to inhale smoke from the waterpipe.
[0064] In some embodiments, the attachment member 201 includes a plate or otherwise flat sheet of material, e.g., of cardboard, plastic, rubber, glass, wood, other suitable materials, and/or any combinations thereof. The attachment member 201 being flat, may rest on, and cover, the uppermost rim of the waterpipe's mouthpiece. That is, the attachment member 201 may be contained in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the mouthpiece's uppermost rim such that the attachment member 201 when placed upon the mouthpiece's uppermost rim may cover the uppermost rim, preferably without any gaps.
[0065] In some embodiments, the attachment member 201 may be circular, oval shaped, square, rectangular, polygonal, may be formed as other suitable shapes or forms, and/or as any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the surface area of the attachment member 201 be large enough to fully cover the top opening (e.g., the mouthpiece) of a typical waterpipe P while resting on the rim of the top opening as described in detail in other sections (e.g., see FIG. 4). In this way, the attachment member 201 may completely cover the top opening of the waterpipe's mouthpiece.
[0066] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the attachment member 201 may include first layer 209 (e.g., an upper layer) comprising a generally rigid and/or semi-rigid material and/or flexible material (e.g., cardstock paper, cardboard, plastic, rubber, glass, wood, etc.) and a second layer 211 (e.g., a bottom layer) that comprises a tacky and/or sticky material. The tacky or sticky material may comprise an adhesive (e.g., a rubber-or acrylic-based adhesive), a tacky and/or sticky polymer (e.g., a suitable soft rubber with added tackifiers), a nano-or micro-based gripping material, any other suitably tacky and/or sticky substance(s), and/or any combinations thereof. The purpose of the second layer 211 is to generally stick to the upper surface of the waterpipe mouthpiece (the uppermost rim) when the attachment member 201 is placed thereon. Accordingly, the second layer 211 may comprise any suitable sticky and/or tacky material that may adequately stick to whatever material the waterpipe mouthpiece may comprise, e.g., glass, plastic, and/or any other materials, such that the second layer 211 holds the attachment member 201 in place on the mouthpiece until it is intentionally removed (e.g., by exerting an upward force to the member 201). In some embodiments, the tacky surface of the second layer 211 may include a covering or backing (e.g., a thin sheet of plastic) that may be removed by the user to expose the tacky surface for use. In this way, the covering may protect the tacky surface until it is removed.
[0067] In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the second layer 211 includes the same general footprint as the first layer 209 (e.g., the size and/or shape of the layers 209, 211 may match and may be aligned) and that the second layer 211 covers the entire top surface of the waterpipe mouthpiece when the attachment member 201 is placed thereon. In this way, the attachment member 201 and the second layer 211 may generally cover the entire mouthpiece opening, stick to the entire top surface of the water pipe mouthpiece, and hold the attachment member 201 thereto (see FIG. 4).
[0068] In some embodiments, the interface (the seal) between the top of the waterpipe mouthpiece and the attachment member 201 (e.g., its lower layer 211) is preferably fluid-tight (e.g., airtight) so that when the attachment member 201 is held to the top of the waterpipe mouthpiece smoke and/or air may not pass through the interface. Accordingly, smoke from within the waterpipe during use will not pass out of the waterpipe between the attachment member 201 and the top of the waterpipe mouthpiece but will instead pass through the holding member 102 configured with the attachment member's through hole 203 as described herein.
[0069] In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the attachment member 201 is at least slightly flexible such that if the uppermost rim of the waterpipe is not fully contained in a single plane (e.g., if the uppermost rim is warped) that the attachment member 201 may flex and/or bend to accommodate any non-linearity of the uppermost rim of the mouthpiece.
[0070] In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the adhesive layer does not comprise a completely permanent adhesive so that the second layer 211 may be released from the top of the waterpipe when desired, e.g., by grasping the attachment member 201 and applying a generally upward force of sufficient magnitude to release the second layer 211 from the mouthpiece surface. It also may be preferable that the second layer 211 not leave a residue and/or particles of tacky material on the top of the waterpipe mouthpiece when removed.
[0071] It is understood that the attachment member 201 may preferably be flat in the portion of the attachment member 201 that may engage with and seal the uppermost (outermost) rim of the waterpipe's mouthpiece and may not necessarily be flat in other areas of the attachment member 201. For example, areas of the attachment member 201 corresponding to areas outside of the uppermost rim and/or to areas inside of the uppermost rim may not necessarily be flat and contained in a plane parallel to the plane of the uppermost rim since these areas may not be required to provide the seal between the attachment member 201 and the uppermost rim. As such, the attachment member 201 may include non-flat elements, e.g., decorative elements, within these non-engaging areas.
[0072] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the attachment member 201 includes a through hole 203 passing through the member 201 from the member's top side 205 to the member's bottom side 207. In some embodiments, the through hole 203 may be located at the center of the member or in another suitable location. The through hole 203 preferably includes a diameter that generally matches the outer diameter of the enhancement holding member 102 such that the holding member 102 may be inserted through the through hole 203 and held therein. In some embodiments, a gasket, caulk, adhesive, silicone, or other suitable sealing member(s) may be used to seal the junction between the holding member 102 and the through hole 203. In other embodiments, the holding member 102 may be held within the through hole 203 by pressure fit and/or friction, notches, detents, adhesive, etc. In other embodiments, the holding member 102 may be repositionable within the through hole 203 and/or removable from the through hole 203 as desired (e.g., for replacement). In some embodiments, the through hole 203 may include a circumferential rubber gasket 221 that enables a holding member 102 to be inserted into the attachment member 201 through the gasket 221 for use, and subsequently removed from (e.g., pulled out of) the gasket 221 and the attachment member 201, and/or replaced by a different holding member 102 by inserting the different holding member 102 through the gasket 221 and the through hole 203. With the holding member 102 inserted through the rubber gasket 221, the outer sidewalls 108 of the holding member 102 may be sealed to the attachment member 201.
[0073] In some embodiments, the bottom end 106 of the holding member 102 may be mounted to the upper surface 205 of the attachment member 201 such that the holding member 102 may not extend through the attachment member 201. In this case, the holding member 102 may instead extend from the attachment member's upper surface 205 where it may be mounted upward and towards the user. The bottom end 106 of the holding member 102 may be permanently mounted to the upper surface 205 (e.g., using adhesive, silicone, caulking, etc.), or releasably mounted to the upper surface 205 (e.g., using a mount, base, gasket, etc.).
[0074] FIG. 4 shows the enhancement providing system 10 configured with a waterpipe P, and specifically, with a waterpipe's uptake tube T. As shown, the attachment member 201 rests on the top of the uptake tube T (e.g., on top of the water pipe's mouthpiece) and is held thereto and sealed in place by the tacky and/or sticky material of its bottom layer 211. The enhancement holding member 102 extends from above (at its top end 104), down and through the attachment member's through hole 203, and into the top inner volume of the waterpipe's uptake tube T. With the member's bottom end 106 within the inner volume of the uptake tube T, the inner passageway 112 of the holding member 102 extends from within the waterpipe's uptake tube T to outside (and above) the uptake tube T. In this way, a user may place his/her mouth on the top 104 of the holding member 102 and inhale. With the interface between the holding member 102 and the attachment member 201 (at the through hole 203) airtight, the suction from the user's inhalation causes a partial vacuum within the uptake tube T thereby pulling the attachment member 201 downward and tighter against the uptake tube's top surface. The inhalation also causes smoke generated from combustion at the waterpipe's bowl piece BP (see FIG. 1) to move into the waterpipe in the direction of the arrow S (FIG. 1), through the enhancement holding member's inner passageway 112, and into the user's mouth to be inhaled. As the smoke passes through the enhancement holding member 102, one or more enhancements may be provided to the smoke, e.g., flavoring from a flavor providing mechanism 114, filtering from a filter providing mechanism 117, etc. In addition, if the enhancement providing mechanism 113 includes an edible member 120, flavor and/or supplements from the edible member 120 also may be provided to the user. For example, flavoring from the edible member 120 may be provided to the user's lips, tongue, mouth, etc. that may be in contact with the edible member 120, and/or supplements from the edible member 120 (e.g., vitamins) may be provided to the user when the user consumes the edible member 120.
[0075] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the diameter D2 of the attachment member 201 (or its width if the member 201 is not necessarily circular) is larger than the diameter D3 of the waterpipe uptake tube T such that the attachment member 201 completely covers the uptake tube's top opening. In this way, the interface between the attachment member 201 and the uptake tube T may be sealed airtight.
[0076] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the system 10 includes one or more illumination devices 213. In some embodiments, the illumination devices 213 are arranged to shine light into the waterpipe WP during use. For example, the illumination devices 213 may be arranged on the bottom side 207 of the attachment member 201 and may be configured to shine light into the inner volume of the waterpipe's uptake tube T. The illumination devices 213 may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other suitable light emitting devices. The devices 213 may include a variety of different colors and may be controlled by a circuit 215 to flash, change color, swirl, rotate or otherwise move the direction of their emitted light beams, etc. In this way, as the smoke passes through the waterpipe WP, the illumination devices 213 may illuminate the smoke as it swirls through pipe WP during use. The circuit 215 also may power the devices 213 via one or more batteries.
[0077] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the enhancement holding member 102 may include an outward bend 121 in an area of the member 102 between its top end 104 and where the member 102 passes through the attachment member's through hole 203. This may orient the top end 104 of the member 102 outward for an easy orientation for the user's mouth if desired.
[0078] In some embodiments, the system 10 also may include one or more media output devices 217 (e.g., a speaker). The circuit 215 may power and/or control a media output device 217 (e.g., the speaker) that may play media (e.g., music) during use of the system 10. The circuit 215 may synchronize the media (e.g., the music) with the pattern of flashing illumination devices 213 for added entertainment value.
[0079] It is preferable that the illumination devices 213, the media output devices 217, the circuit 215, etc., do not interfere with the functionality of the enhancement providing assembly 100, and/or of the attachment assembly 200.
[0080] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a mobile application 300 (mobile app) that may run on a user device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet computer, etc.) and that may connect to the circuit 215 (e.g., wirelessly via Bluetooth, RF, etc.). The mobile app 300 may control aspects of the device 10 such as the playing of the audio, controlling of the illumination devices 213, and so forth. In some embodiments, the mobile app 300 may cause the user's mobile device to play audio (e.g., the music) during use of the system 10 instead of and/or in addition to the speakers 217. In this way, the mobile app 300 may play music from the user's playlist such that the user's favorite songs may play during use of the enhancement providing system 10.
Additional Embodiments
[0081] FIG. 6 shows a general schematic of a waterpipe P including a bowl piece BP, a water chamber WC, and an uptake tube T. In use, smokable material (e.g., cannabis, tobacco, herbs, etc.) is placed into the bowl piece BP and combusted. The user places his/her mouth over the top end of the uptake tube T and inhales, causing the smoke S from the combusted smokable material to flow from the bowl piece through the water chamber WC and up through the uptake tube T as represented by the smoke arrow S. The smoke S is then available at the top of the uptake tube T for the user to inhale. As described herein, the enhancement providing system 10 of the current invention provides additional enhancements, e.g., flavor, to the user during the smoking experience.
[0082] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the enhancement providing system 10 (also referred to herein as simply the system 10) includes an enhancement providing assembly 100, and an attachment assembly 200. In general, the 200 positions and holds the enhancement providing assembly 100 within the uptake tube T of a waterpipe P (at the top end of the uptake tube T, also referred to as the mouth end or the mouthpiece) and the enhancement providing assembly 100 provides one or more enhancements to the smoking experience as a user inhales smoke S from the waterpipe P and through the system 10. For example, the enhancement providing assembly 100 may add an enhancement including, but not limited to, an added flavoring for the user to taste during the smoking experience. This flavoring enhancement as well as other types of enhancements will be described herein. The enhancement providing system 10 also may include other elements to fulfill its functionalities as described herein.
[0083] For the purposes of this specification, the system 10 will be described herein primarily as being used with a waterpipe P, however, it is understood that this is for demonstration and that the system 10 may be use with any type of device that may benefit from its functionalities. For example, the enhancement providing system 10 may be used with other types of smoking devices, such as, without limitation, traditional pipes, hookahs, bubblers, dab rigs, vaporizers, other types of smoking devices, and any combinations thereof. It also is understood that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the type of smokable material(s) that it may be used with.
[0084] For the purposes of this specification, the system 10 will be described primarily with respect to its functionalities involving the providing of added flavoring for the user to taste during the smoking experience. However, it is understood that the system 10 may provide other types of enhancements for the user to enjoy during the smoking experience, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the type of enhancements that it may provide. For example, the system 10 also may provide edible substances such as candy for the user to taste, and/or fragrances for the user to smell (and that may freshen the waterpipe). The system 10 also may provide enhancements that include improved filtering of the smoke, such as carbon filters. The system 10 also may provide enhancements such as cooling elements, odor reducing elements, nutritional elements, lighting within the waterpipe, vaporizers, other types of smokable materials (that may or may not be combusted within the system 10), other types of enhancements, and any combinations thereof.
[0085] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the enhancement providing assembly 100 includes an enhancement holding member 102 including a first end 104 (e.g., the top end), a second end 106 (e.g., the bottom end), and sidewalls 108 extending therebetween defining an inner volume 110. In some embodiments, the first end 104 is open, the second end 106 is open, and the inner volume 110 is at least partially hollow between the first end 104 and the second end 106 thereby defining in inner passageway 112 through the member 102. While the enhancement holding member 102 in FIG. 7 is depicted as generally cylindrical in shape, it is understood that the member 102 may be formed as any suitable shape(s), including, but not limited to, a cylinder, a tube, a frustum, a cone, a partial sphere, and/or any other type of suitable form or shape, and/or any combinations thereof. The holding member 102 may comprise paper, cardboard, rubber, plastic, plant material such as leaves or husks, other suitable materials, and any combinations thereof.
[0086] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the enhancement holding member 102 is designed to hold and/or release one or more enhancement providing mechanisms 113, e.g., a flavor providing mechanism 114. In some embodiments, the enhancement holding member 102 holds one or more enhancement providing mechanisms 113 at its top end 104, its bottom end 106, on its sidewalls 108, within its inner volume 110, and/or at any combinations thereof.
[0087] The enhancement providing mechanisms 113 may be fixedly coupled to the holding member 102 (e.g., provided as an integral part of the holding member 102), and/or may be interchangeably coupled to the member 102 so that the mechanism 113 may be removed and interchanged with another mechanism 113 as desired (e.g., to change the flavor, to replace an empty mechanism 113, to replace a used filter mechanism 113, etc.). For example, in some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be generally cylindrically shaped and may be inserted into the top end 104 of the member 102 so that at least a portion of the mechanism 113 is held within the holding member's inner volume 110. In another example, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be formed as a cap that may be placed over the top end 104 of the holding member 102. In another example, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a clip or other type of attachment mechanism that may facilitate the attachment of the mechanism 113 with the member 102. In any event, it is understood that the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be releasably coupled to any portion of the holding member 102 such that the mechanism 113 may adequately provide one or more enhancements as described herein.
[0088] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 includes a cartridge such as an insert, e.g., a cylindrical or frustum shaped mouthpiece tip typically used with smokable rods such as cigarettes. In some embodiments, the mechanism 113 (typically formed of paper, plastic, or rubber) may include an inner volume designed to contain one or more internal flavor balls 115 (e.g., a small sphere containing a flavoring substance such as liquid, see FIG. 10). Accordingly, when the mechanism 113 is squeezed, the internal flavor ball 115 is caused to burst and release its liquid flavoring into the mechanism 113. While the enhancement providing mechanism 113 is shown in FIG. 10 as generally being an elongate cylinder, it is understood that the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be formed as any shape or form as required.
[0089] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 includes a material that has been impregnated with an enhancement (e.g., a fibrous material such as cotton soaked with flavored liquid), a material coated with flavoring substance, a container of powdered flavoring, any other types of enhancement providing mechanism, and any combinations thereof.
[0090] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may hold an enhancement under pressure so that when it is activated (e.g., opened) the enhancement may be released, e.g., the mechanism 113 may include a flavor providing mechanism 114 including a pressurized flavoring substance (gas, liquid, solid, powder, etc.) that when opened may release the flavoring under pressure.
[0091] The enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include any type of solid, liquid, and/or gas (and any combinations thereof) that may provide one or more enhancements when activated. For example, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a flavor providing mechanism 114 that includes any form of flavor providing substance. The enhancement providing mechanism 113 will be described in further detail in other sections.
[0092] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may simply comprise an enhancement providing item, such as a flavor ball 115, and/or an enhancement providing material, such as flavored gas or powder. To be clear, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a holder to hold items such as a flavor ball 115, or the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may simply be the item(s) itself (i.e., the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may be the flavor ball 115) and may be held directly within an enhancement holding member 102 without an additional holder.
[0093] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the enhancement providing assembly 100 is coupled to the attachment assembly 200. While FIG. 7 shows the attachment assembly 200 generally attached to the lower portion of the enhancement providing assembly 100, it is understood that the attachment assembly 200 may be attached to the enhancement providing assembly 100 at any location, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the location(s) at which the assemblies 100, 200 may be coupled. In addition, while FIG. 7 shows the enhancement providing assembly 100 generally centered with respect to the diameter D2 of the attachment assembly 200, it is understood that the enhancement providing assembly 100 may be located at any position with respect to the holder assembly's diameter D2.
[0094] FIGS. 8 and 9 show the enhancement providing system 10 of FIG. 7 inserted into the top end of a waterpipe's uptake tube T. In some embodiments, the member 102 includes a diameter D1 chosen to fit within an uptake tube T of any typical water pipe P.
[0095] In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 200 includes a holding mechanism 202 with one or more outer surfaces 219 designed to fit within or otherwise accommodate different waterpipes with uptake tubes T of different diameters, and to hold the assembly 200 within any particular uptake tube T regardless of its diameter. To accomplish this, as shown in FIGS. 7-8, the holding mechanism 202 may include a first diameter D2 (when the system 10 is not in use as shown in FIG. 7) that may transition to a second diameter D2 when the system 10 is inserted into a waterpipe uptake tube T (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9).
[0096] Comparing the diameter D2 of the holding mechanism 202 in FIG. 7 to the diameter D2 of the holding mechanism 202 in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the diameter D2 of the holding mechanism 202 reduced in size to a smaller diameter D2 when positioned within the uptake tube T. In this case, the waterpipe's uptake tube T has a smaller diameter than the diameter D2 of the isolated holding mechanism 202 (FIG. 7) such that D2<D2. As such, the holding mechanism 202 may be designed to flex, bend, retract, compress, deflate and/or otherwise adjust its size, shape and/or form to accommodate the smaller diameter of the waterpipe uptake tube T of FIG. 8 when used therewith.
[0097] Conversely, comparing the diameter D2 of the holding mechanism 202 in FIG. 7 to the diameter D2 of the holding mechanism 202 in FIG. 9, it can be seen that the diameter D2 of the holding mechanism 202 increased in size to a larger diameter D2 when positioned within the uptake tube T. In this case, the waterpipe's uptake tube T has a larger diameter than the diameter D2 of the isolated holding mechanism 202 (FIG. 7) such that D2>D2. As such, the holding mechanism 202 may be designed to flex, bend, extend, expand, inflate, and/or otherwise adjust its size, shape and/or form to accommodate larger diameter of the waterpipe uptake tube T of FIG. 9 when used therewith.
[0098] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when positioned within an uptake tube T, one or more outer surfaces 219 of the holding mechanism 202 applies one or more outward force(s) F1 to the inner surface(s) of the uptake tube T to hold it therein.
[0099] In use, the system 10 is inserted into the top end of a waterpipe's uptake tube T as represented by the arrow A in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this arrangement, the diameter D2 of at least a portion of the holding mechanism 202 reduces or increases to a diameter D2 to generally match the inner diameter of the uptake tube T (which may also equal D2). In this configuration, one or more outer surfaces 219 of the holding mechanism 202 make(s) contact with and exert(s) outward force(s) (as represented by the force arrows F1) to the inner surface of the uptake tube T. These outward force(s) F1 thereby hold the attachment assembly 100 in place within the tube T.
[0100] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, and for the purposes of this specification and for demonstration, the holding mechanism 202 of FIGS. 7-9 is represented as having a generally circular form with the outward facing surface(s) generally including the outer circumferential surfaces of the mechanism 202. However, it is understood that this is for demonstration and that the holding mechanism 202 may include any suitable shape and/or form, and that the outer surfaces 219 may include any type of one or more surfaces of the holding mechanism 202 that may engage with one or more inner surface(s) of the waterpipe's uptake tube T to hold the holding mechanism 202 in place within the tube T.
[0101] Once inserted into and positioned at the top end of the waterpipe tube T, a user may activate the flavor releasing mechanism 114 within the enhancement holding member 102 (as described in other sections) and utilize the waterpipe P to ignite a smokable material. The user may then place the top of the waterpipe tube T to his/her lips and inhale. Smoke from the ignited smokable material may travel upwards through the waterpipe's uptake tube T as represented by the arrow B in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0102] As smoke rises through the waterpipe's uptake tube T and the user wishes to add an enhancement to the smoke, the user may close his/her lips around the top end 104 of the enhancement holding member 102 and inhale through the member 102. In this arrangement, it is preferable that the user's lips continue to press against the top opening of the waterpipe's uptake tube T thereby keeping the top end of the uptake tube T sealed so that no smoke is released outside the tube T and/or outside the user's mouth.
[0103] As the user inhales through the enhancement holding member 102, smoke is sucked through the member's inner passageway 112 from the second end 106 to the first end 104 and into the user's mouth. In addition, flavor from the activated flavor releasing mechanism 114 is released into the upward passing smoke through the passageway 112 and/or sucked into the user's mouth by the user's inhalation, thereby providing flavor to the user's mouth during the smoking experience.
[0104] Given the in-use description above, it is notable that the system 10 may be inserted into and positioned within the top end of the waterpipe's uptake tube T such that the enhancement holding member's top end 104 extends slightly out the top end of the tube T, is generally even with the top end of the tube T or is positioned slightly below the top end of the tube T depending on the preference of the user.
[0105] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the holding mechanism 202 includes one or more outward extending foot members 204. FIG. 60 is a schematic of the system 10, FIG. 11 is a top view of the system 10, FIG. 12 is a side view of the system 10 at rest, and FIG. 13 shows the system 10 inserted into the top end of a waterpipe uptake tube T.
[0106] In general, the foot members 204 are designed to accommodate different waterpipe uptake tubes T of different diameters, and to apply outward forces to the inner surfaces of the different uptake tubes T when inserted therein to hold the system 10 in place.
[0107] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 10-13, the foot members 204 include generally elongate members, with each member 204 including a proximal end coupled to the enhancement holding member 102 and a distal end extending outward therefrom.
[0108] In some embodiments, the foot members 204 extend generally radially outward from the sidewalls 108 of the enhancement holding member 102. While FIG. 10 depicts a total of three outward extending foot members 204, it is understood that the holding mechanism 202 may include any number of foot members 204, such as, without limitation, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, and/or more foot members 204. It may be preferable that the foot members 204 be of equal length and positioned generally symmetrically about the outer circumference of the enhancement holding member 102 so that the enhancement holding member 102 is generally positioned centrically in the waterpipe's uptake tube T when inserted therein, but this may not be necessary.
[0109] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, the foot members 204 extend generally orthogonally outward from the enhancement holding member 102. In other embodiments, the foot members 204 extend outward from the enhancement holding member 102 at offset angles with respect to the enhancement holding member 102. It is understood that the foot members 204 may extend outward from the enhancement holding member 102 in any direction and/or at any angle and/or orientation.
[0110] FIG. 13 shows the system 10 of FIG. 12 positioned within the top end of a waterpipe uptake tube T. As shown, the foot members 204 may be designed to flex inward and/or upward in the direction of the arrows C when inserted into the uptake tube T so that the diameter of the holding mechanism transitions from a diameter D2 in FIG. 12 to a smaller diameter D2 in FIG. 13. This flexing of the foot members 204 causes the outer surfaces 219 of the foot members 204 to make contact with and to each exert an outward force F1 to the inner surface of the uptake tube T thereby holding the system 10 within the tube T. Notably, the outer surfaces 219 of the holding mechanism 202 in this embodiment include the lower surfaces of the foot members 204 when the foot members 204 are unflexed (see FIG. 12) which then turn upward when flexed to engage with the inner surface of the uptake tube T (see FIG. 13).
[0111] Accordingly, in some embodiments, it is preferable that the foot members 204 comprise a flexible and/or semi-rigid material with memory such that when flexed the material tends to return to its original shape. In some embodiments, the foot members 204 may comprise paper, cardboard, plastic, rubber, wood, laminated materials, other flexible materials, and/or any combinations thereof.
[0112] In some embodiments, the holding mechanism 202 may include one or more spring members 206 configured with the foot members 204 to provide additional outward tension to the foot members 204 when the foot members 204 are flexed inward to increase the magnitude of the outward forces F1 applied by the foot members 204 to the inner surface(s) of the uptake tube T.
[0113] In some embodiments, the spring members 206 include sections of spring material (e.g., plastic, spring metal, cardboard, etc.) coupled to the foot members 204 to increase the overall spring coefficient of the foot members 204. In some embodiments, the spring members 206 may be configured between the foot members 204 and the enhancement holding member 102 to provide additional outward forces to the foot members 204 as the foot members 204 are flexed inward. For example, as shown in FIG. 62, the spring members 206 may include right angled sections of spring material coupled between a surface of each foot member 204 and the side walls 108 of the enhancement holding member 102. As shown in FIG. 13, these right angles sections spring members 206 may flex inward with the foot members 204 thereby adding tension to the members 204 and increasing the outward forces F1 applied to the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T.
[0114] It is understood that any suitable type, shape, and/or form of spring members 206 may be configured with the foot members 204 to increase the overall spring coefficient of the foot members 204 in order to increase the outward forces F1 applied by the foot members 204 to the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T. It also is understood that the scope of the system 10, and specifically, of the attachment assembly 200, is not limited in any way by the types, shapes, and/or forms of the spring members 206 used to provide these functionalities.
[0115] While FIG. 13 depicts the foot members 204 as flexing upward when inserted into the uptake tube T, it is understood that the foot members 204 also may be caused to flex downward when inserted into the uptake tube T to generally provide the same or similar functionalities. In this case, the upper surfaces of the foot members 204 (FIG. 12) may include the outer surfaces 219 that when flexed make contact with and exert forces to the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T to hold the holding mechanism 202 in place.
[0116] In the case where only one foot member 204 is provided, the single foot member 204 may extend generally across the inner diameter of the waterpipe's uptake tube T with its outer surface 219 contacting the inner surface of the tube T on one side and its proximal end coupled to and pressing the body of the enhancement holding member 102 against the inner surface of the tube T on the other side.
[0117] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, the foot members 204 may include distal end elements 208 at their respective distal ends to provide larger and/or form-fitted curvatures that may provide outer surfaces 219 that nest against the inner surface of the waterpipe uptake tube T. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the distal ends of the foot members 204 may include outward facing semi-circles elements 208. The outer surfaces 219 in any of the embodiments herein and/or the end elements 208 may comprise the same or different materials as the foot members 204, e.g., the elements may comprise silicone (e.g., a surface coat) or other suitable materials that may add traction between the outer surfaces 219 of the foot members 204 and the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T.
[0118] It is understood that the foot members 204, the outer surfaces 219 of the foot members 204, and/or the end elements 208 may include any type, shape, and/or form as desired.
[0119] In some embodiments, the proximal end of one or more of the foot members 204 is movably coupled to the enhancement holding member 102 so that it may be rotated about the member 102 thereby repositioning the foot member 204 with respect to the holding member 102 and the other foot members 204. For example, one of the foot members 204 may be rotatable about the holding member 102 to be aligned (and even overlapping and/or overlaying) another foot member 204. In this way, the foot members 204 may be positioned in a generally compact arrangement for retail packaging (to minimize the size of the packaging) and then repositioned after being removed from the packaging into an arrangement described herein for use.
[0120] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the foot members 204 and/or outer surfaces 219 may comprise sections of the holding mechanism 202 and may not necessarily be formed individually. For example, the foot members 204 and/or outer surfaces 219 may be formed by folding a larger section of material (e.g., paper or cardboard) into sections with each section generally forming a foot member 204 and/or an outer surface 219. For example, the holding mechanism 202 may comprise a flat piece of material and/or a cone of material with folds (e.g., accordion like folds) that may flex to accommodate the diameter of the waterpipe's uptake tube T when the holding mechanism 202 is inserted into the tube T. While FIG. 15 shows a star-or flower-shaped folded holding mechanism 202 folded to form four folded foot members 204 and/or outer surfaces 219, it is understood that the holding mechanism 202 may be formed by folding a sheet of suitable material in any way, shape, or form (e.g., as any shape of origami) that may form foot members 204 and/or outer surfaces 219. When inserted into a waterpipe uptake tube T, the folded sections (e.g., the folded foot members 204 and/or outer surfaces 219) may bend and/or flex to accommodate the diameter of the uptake tube T. In this case, the outer surfaces 219 may include any surface that makes contact with and that applies a force to an inner surface of the waterpipe uptake tube T.
[0121] In some embodiments, the foot members 204 may include any form(s) that may retract when inserted into the waterpipe's uptake tube T. For example, as shown in FIG. 66, the foot members 204 may include one or more outward facing convex curvatures with outer surfaces 219 that may compress, bend, and/or retract (e.g., in the direction of the arrows E) when the system 10 is inserted into a waterpipe uptake tube T.
[0122] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 17A-17B, the holding mechanism 202 includes a spiral 210 formed of suitable material (e.g., paper, cardboard, plastic, spring material, etc.) that when wound tight (as shown in FIG. 17A) may fit within the diameter of a waterpipe uptake tube T and that when released (as shown in FIG. 17B) expands to engage the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T. Notably, in this case, the initial diameter D2 of the holding mechanism 202 may be smaller than its expanded diameter D2 (D2>D2). In In this case, the outer surfaces 219 include the outer surfaces of the spiral 210. The enhancement providing assembly 100 may be coupled to an inner portion of the spiral 210 so that it may be generally held within the uptake tube T, preferably generally centered or thereabouts. The spiral 210 may include a belt 212, band, locking tab or other type of mechanism that may hold the spiral 210 wound tight (FIG. 17A) for inserting into the uptake tube T and that may be subsequently released (removed) to allow the spiral 210 to expand to make contact with the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T when desired (FIG. 17B). In some embodiments, the spiral 210 comprises a rectangular section wound into a spiral, a cone wound into a spiral, an open frustum wound into a spiral, any other suitable shape of material wound into a spiral, and any combinations thereof.
[0123] In some embodiments, the holding mechanism 202 includes an umbrella-like structure that may be inserted into the waterpipe uptake tube T and then opened (expanded) to make contact with and apply outward forces to the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T and to hold the holding mechanism 202 in place. Notably, in this case, the initial diameter D2 of the holding mechanism 202 may be smaller than its expanded diameter D2 (D2>D2). In some embodiments, the holding mechanism 202 may include foot members 204 that are held in a retracted state, e.g., by a belt 212, band, locking tab or other type of mechanism that may hold the foot members 204 generally retracted (FIG. 18A) for inserting into the uptake tube T and that may be subsequently released (removed) to allow the foot members 204 to flex outward to make contact with the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T when desired. In this case, the foot members 204 may preferably include a material (e.g., a spring material) and/or additional spring mechanisms (e.g., spring members 206 of FIG. 12) that provide an outward bias to the members 204 such that the members 204 automatically flex outward to the expanded state when released.
[0124] In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 19A-19B, the holding mechanism 202 of FIG. 18A may include a slider mechanism 216 configured to slide along the longitudinal length of the enhancement holding member 102 of the enhancement providing assembly 100 and one or more spines 214 configured between slider mechanism 216 and the foot members 204. In some embodiments, the user may position the holding mechanism 202 within the uptake tube T and subsequently press the slider mechanism 216 downward in the direction of the arrow F. The slider mechanism 216 may then exert an outward force to the spines 214 which in turn may cause the foot members 204 to flex outward thereby making contact with and applying outward forces to the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T to hold the holding mechanism 202 in place.
[0125] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 20A-20B, the holding mechanism 202 includes a section of compressible and/or expandable material 218 that may be compressed, expanded, stretched, and/or otherwise deformed to modify (e.g., expand and/or reduce) its width (e.g., its diameter). In this way, the section 218 may be positioned within the waterpipe uptake tube T, and then subsequently deformed to make contact with and to exert outward forces to the inner surfaces of the waterpipe uptake tube T. The enhancement providing assembly 100 may be configured with the section of compressible material 218, e.g., the section 218 may include a through-hole passing through the section 218 (preferably centered) that may receive and secure the assembly 100.
[0126] In a first example, the section 218 of FIG. 20A is at rest with a width W1. Because the section 218 comprises rubber, the section 218 of FIG. 20A may be stretched, e.g., by pulling the section 218 in the directions of the arrows G, to reduce its width W1 (FIG. 70A) to width W2 (FIG. 20B). The stretched section 218 of FIG. 20B may then be placed within a waterpipe uptake tube T having a diameter less than W2 and subsequently released to return to its width W1 of FIG. 20A. The section 218 may then expand to make contact with and to apply outward forces to the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T. Accordingly, it is preferable that the original width W1 of the section 218 is greater than the inner diameter of the uptake tube T so that as the section 218 expands it is able to match the uptake tube's inner diameter.
[0127] In a second example, the section 218 of FIG. 20B is at rest with a width W2. Because the section 218 comprises rubber, the section 218 of FIG. 20B may be compressed, e.g., by squeezing the section 218 in the directions of the arrows H, to increase its width W2 (FIG. 20B) to width W1 (FIG. 20A). Accordingly, the section 218 of FIG. 20B may be inserted into an uptake tube T with diameter less than W2, and subsequently squeezed to increase its width to match the inner diameter of the uptake tube T and to apply outward forces thereto. Accordingly, it is preferable that the section 218 is able to expand to at least the inner diameter of the uptake tube T when it is squeezed.
[0128] In any of the embodiments of FIGS. 20A-20B, the section 218 may be stretched and/or compressed using an additional tool (e.g., forceps) that may be configured with upper and/or lower portions of the section 218 to stretch and/or squeeze the section 218. When squeezing the section 218 to increase its width, it may be preferable that the section 218 include a clamp or other type of locking mechanism that may hold the section 218 in the squeezed position so that it presses outward against the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T until unlocked and removed. It also is contemplated that the section 218 may be stretched and/or squeezed along any other combination of axis in addition to the vertical axis as shown.
[0129] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 21, the holding assembly 200 includes a line 220 that includes a first end coupled to the enhancement providing assembly 100 and a second end attached to a hook 222. In this arrangement, enhancement providing assembly 100 is positioned within the uptake tube T and the line 220 extends from the assembly 100 upward with the hook 222 engaging the upper rim of the uptake tube T. In this configuration, the enhancement providing assembly 100 hangs down within the uptake tube T via the line 220 and hook 222 combinations. While FIG. 21 shows two line 220 and hook 222 combinations, any number of line 220 and hook 222 combinations may be used.
[0130] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 21A-21B, the holding assembly 200 includes a flexible and elastic membrane 223 (preferably non-permeable) comprising rubber or other suitable material(s) that is formed generally as a tube or closed sheath with an upper opening 225, a lower opening 227, and sidewalls 229 extending from the upper opening 225 to the lower opening 227. In one example, the membrane 223 may generally resemble a deflated balloon with the standard bottom opening through which the balloon may be inflated and an upper opening opposite the bottom opening. The upper opening 225 may be configured to receive the enhancement holding member 102 and to attach to the sides 108 of the member 102 (preferably air-tight) via its elastic properties. For example, the upper opening 227 may be generally circular and may be stretched open to receive the holding member 102 and then released so as to be attached to the holding member 102 by a retractive elastic force. In use, as shown in FIG. 21B, the lower end 106 of the enhancement holding member 102 may be inserted into the mouth end of the water pipe's uptake tube T and the membrane's 223's lower opening may be stretched open and extended over the uptake tube's T's upper opening. When released, the membrane's lower opening may retract around the outer circumference of the uptake tube T and attach thereto with an airtight seal. The user may then place his/her lips around the top end 104 of the enhancement holding member 102 and inhale. Because the membrane 223 provides an airtight seal around the sidewalls 108 of the holding member 102 and around the outer circumference of the uptake tube T, smoke may only pass through the enhancement member 102 from the waterpipe WP to the user's mouth, thereby providing the enhancements to the user as described herein.
[0131] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 22, the holding assembly 200 includes a ring 224 that is designed to encircle the outer circumference of the uptake tube T and hold itself in place thereto, e.g., an elastic band. The line 220 may then extend from the enhancement providing assembly 100, over the top rim of the uptake tube T, and then down to the ring 224. In this way the enhancement providing assembly 100 hangs down within the uptake tube T and its depth within the tube T is determined by the placement position of the ring 224 along the height of the uptake tube T. Any number of lines 220 are contemplated.
[0132] In any of the embodiments of FIGS. 21-22, the holding assembly 200 may include a stabilizer, e.g., a spider, configured with the enhancement providing assembly 100 that may position and hold the assembly 100 generally centered within the inner diameter of the uptake tube T.
[0133] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 23, the holding assembly 200 includes a wedge 226 (e.g., a cone) that may be inserted into the top end of the uptake tube T. The wedge 226, having a diameter that varies from a smaller diameter towards it bottom end to a larger diameter towards its upper end, may preferably accommodate any uptake tube T of any diameter. The enhancement providing assembly 100 may be coupled to an inner portion of the wedge 226 so that its upper end 104 may be accessible to the user as required. In this case, because a portion of the wedge 226 may remain outside and generally above the top rim of the uptake tube T, the user may place his/her lips to the top rim of the wedge 226 to inhale smoke from the tube T. In some embodiments, the wedge 226 includes an upper mouthpiece section sized and formed to optimize the comfort and fit between the mouthpiece and the user's lips. The wedge 226 may be generally solid (e.g., rubber) so that the smoke may only pass upward through the enhancement providing assembly's inner passageway 112 or the wedge 226 may include holes or other types of passageways that the smoke also may pass upward through. In some embodiments, the wedge 226 may include outer flexible circumferential ribs 228 (e.g., outer concentric rubber rings) that may flex to facilitate the wedge nesting within the top rim of the uptake tube T.
[0134] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 24, the holding assembly 200 includes one or more suction cup mechanisms 230. In some embodiments, the suction cup mechanism 230 includes a suction cup adapted to attach via suction to an inner surface of the waterpipe uptake tube T. The suction cup mechanism 230 may include a support section that extends from the suction cup at the inner surface of the tube T to an interior area within the tube T where it may be coupled to the enhancement providing assembly 100. In this way, with the suction cup mechanism 230 secured to an inner surface of the uptake tube T, the enhancement providing assembly 100 may be positioned within the uptake tube T for use as shown.
[0135] In any of the embodiments described herein, as shown in FIG. 24, the enhancement providing assembly 100 may include a stop 116 that may extend outward from the assembly 100 in an area above the top rim of the waterpipe uptake tube T when the assembly 100 is properly placed within the uptake tube T. The stop 116, is long enough to extend across at least a portion of the uptake tube's top rim, thereby blocking the enhancement providing assembly 100 from being deployed any further into the uptake tube T.
[0136] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 25A-25D, the holding assembly 200 includes a generally rectangular section 232 of material with a first end 234 and a second end 236 opposite the first end 234 wound into a spiral 238. FIG. 25A shows the section 232 generally flat, FIG. 25B shows a side view of the section 232 formed into a spiral 238 and configured within a waterpipe uptake tube T (and configured with the enhancement providing assembly 100), and FIG. 25C shows the spiral 238 from below and with the spiral 238 generally including a single loop, i.e., the section 232 is formed into a spiral 238 with the first end 234 and the second end 236 generally arranged in an overlapping configuration. FIG. 25D shows the spiral 238 of FIG. 25C but wound into a spiral 238 including two loops.
[0137] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 25B, the holding assembly 200 includes an upward extending support section 240 with a first end coupled to the section's first end 234 and a second end coupled to the enhancement providing assembly 100 above. In this way, the holding assembly 200 including the spiral 238 holds the enhancement providing assembly 100 within the inner area of the uptake tube T.
[0138] Given that the spiral 238 of FIG. 25D includes two loops while the spiral 238 of FIG. 25C includes a single loop, the diameter of the spiral 238 in FIG. 25D is about half the diameter of the spiral 238 in FIG. 25C. Accordingly, in use, the spiral 238 of FIG. 25D may be placed within the uptake tube T and released and allowed to expand. As this happens, spiral's diameter will expand to generally match the inner diameter of the uptake tube T and apply outward forces thereto. In this way, the expanded spiral 238 holds the system 10 in place within the tube T.
[0139] Notably, the spiral 238 may be wound as tight as necessary (thereby reducing its outer diameter) to allow it to be placed into any uptake tube T of any diameter, and subsequently released. In addition, the length of the section 232 may be chosen to provide an expanded diameter, when the spiral 238 is released, large enough to accommodate any uptake tube T. Accordingly, it is understood that while the spiral 238 of FIG. 25C includes a single loop, and the spiral 238 of FIG. 25D includes two loops, the spiral 238 may be formed to create any number of loops in either case as necessary.
[0140] In addition, and also notable, the first end 234 of the section 232 may remain generally in the same location as the second end 234 travels about the loop as the spiral 238 expands. Accordingly, the support section 240, being coupled to the first end 234, also remains generally in the same position thereby providing stable support to the enhancement providing assembly 100.
[0141] In any of the embodiments herein, the holding assembly 200 may include a sheath 242 and/or one or more sheath sections 242 that extend about the holding assembly 200 to obstruct smoke from passing through the holding assembly 200. As an example, as shown in FIG. 26, the holding assembly 200 of FIG. 11 may include sheath sections 242 of flexible plastic that extend between each adjacent foot member 204 from the proximal ends of the foot members 204 to the distal ends of the foot members 204. Because the sheath sections 242 may be flexible, the sheath sections 230 may flex and/or fold to accommodate the positioning of the foot members 204 as the members 204 flex to accommodate the inner diameter of the waterpipe uptake tube T. In this way, the sheath sections 242 may block smoke from passing upwards between the foot members 204, thereby forcing the smoke to pass primarily through the enhancement providing assembly's inner passageway 112.
[0142] In the case of the embodiments of FIGS. 25A-25D, the sheath 242 may comprise a cone or cylinder with an upper end coupled to the enhancement providing assembly 100 and a lower end coupled to the spiral 238. This is shown in FIG. 27A.
[0143] In addition, in some embodiments, the lower portion of the sheath 242 may be coupled to only a portion of the spiral 238. For example, in some embodiments, the lower portion of the sheath 242 is coupled to the spiral 238 from the spiral's first end 234 to an intermediate location 244 on the spiral (e.g., between the first end 234 and the second end 236). For example, in some embodiments, the intermediate location 244 may be located about halfway between the first and second ends 234, 236. This is represented by the solid line representing the sheath 242 in FIG. 27B. In some embodiments, the sheath 242 may not be connected to (disconnected from) the spiral 238 from the intermediate location 244 to the second end 236. This unconnected sheath portion 244 is represented by the dashed line in FIG. 27B.
[0144] Given the arrangement described above, as the spiral 238 is wound tighter, e.g., into a double loop as shown in FIG. 27C, the connected portion of the sheath 242 may extend generally around the outer perimeter of the wound spiral 238 and the unconnected sheath portion 242 may fold over upon itself outside the perimeter of the wound spiral 238 (as represented by the dashed line in FIG. 27C). Then, as the wound spiral 238 of FIG. 27C is released, the spiral 238 may expand and the unconnected sheath portion 242 may be pulled towards the expanding spiral 238 and stretched about its perimeter as the diameter of the spiral 238 increases.
[0145] Notably, for uptake tubes T with diameters smaller than the diameter of the spiral 238 shown in FIG. 27B, any unconnected sheath portion 242 remaining outside the perimeter of the spiral 238 may simply be pressed between the expanded spiral 238 and the inner surface of the uptake tube T. Accordingly, it may be preferable that the sheath 238 comprise a soft flexible material such as thin plastic bag material or similar.
[0146] In some embodiments, because the sheath 238 of FIGS. 27A-27B may be pressed against the inner surface of the uptake tube T due to the outward forces applied by the expanding spiral 238, the system 10 may be inserted into the uptake tube T in the orientation as shown in FIG. 27A or in an orientation opposite to this orientation (upside down). When upside down, the expanded spiral 238 may be positioned at the top end of the uptake tube T and the user may generally place his/her lips against the uptake tube T and/or against the sheath 238 therein to inhale.
[0147] In any of the embodiments described herein, the enhancement providing assembly 100 may not necessarily be fixedly attached to the attachment assembly 200, but instead, may rest on the attachment assembly 200.
[0148] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing assembly 100 may be simply held by the user's lips and the attachment assembly 200 may be omitted. In this case, however, it may be preferable to include a safety line between the enhancement providing assembly 100 and the waterpipe P so that if the user inadvertently drops the enhancement providing assembly 100 into the waterpipe's uptake tube T, the safety line may stop it from falling too far into the tube T. In addition, with the safety line, the dropped enhancement providing assembly 100 may be easily retrieved by simply pulling on the line. In some embodiments, the safety line may include a line 254 as described below.
[0149] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 28, the attachment assembly 200 includes an external holder that is configured with an outer portion of the waterpipe uptake tube T. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 28, the attachment assembly 200 includes a band 252. In some embodiments, the band 252 includes an elastic band with a unstretched diameter less than the diameter of the waterpipe's uptake tube T. In this way, the band may be stretched open (widened) to be placed over the top and around the outer circumference of the uptake tube T, and once released, may tighten around the tube T, and be held in place by the elastic force of the band 252.
[0150] As shown in FIG. 28, the attachment assembly 200 in this embodiment also may include a line 254 that extends from the band 252 up the outside of the uptake tube T, over the uptake tube's upper rim, and into the uptake tube's inner volume. The distal end of the line 254 may then be coupled with an enhancement providing assembly 100 to hold it within the uptake tube T to provide one or more enhancements thereto.
[0151] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing assembly 100 may include a locket or other type of similar holder that may be opened to receive the enhancement providing mechanisms 113 and subsequently closed to contain the mechanisms 113 therein. In some embodiments, the assembly 100 includes one or more apertures in its sidewalls to allow enhancements to be released. The apertures also may allow smoke to penetrate into and flow through the assembly 100. In this way, with the assembly 100 placed within the inner volume of the waterpipe's uptake tube T, the smoke passing through the assembly 100 and/or the tube T may be subject to the enhancements provided by the assembly 100.
[0152] In some embodiments, the assembly's 100's sidewalls may be formed as a screen, mesh, or other type of member that includes a plurality of apertures. In some embodiments, the apertures may be decorative.
[0153] In some embodiments, the band 252 includes a belt with a diameter adjustment mechanism (e.g., a belt buckle/loop and corresponding holes and/or hook and loop material on the belt's opposite end). In some embodiments, the belt may include one or more elastic sections that may apply an inward force to the belt when placed on the waterpipe's tube T to help with holding the belt in place.
[0154] In some embodiments, the band 252 comprises elastic material, cloth material, rubber (e.g., a rubber band), plastic, metal (e.g., a chain), string, other suitable materials, and any combinations thereof.
[0155] In some embodiments, the waterpipe's uptake tube T may include notches, posts, ledges, recesses, nubs, tabs, hooks, hook and loop material, and/or any other suitable structures on its outer circumferential surface to facilitate the holding of the band 252 in place.
[0156] In any event, it is understood that the band 252 may include any type of band that may be extended around the outer circumference of the waterpipe's uptake tube and that may be held there by any type(s) of forces and/or mechanisms (e.g., elastic forces, inward tightening forces, friction, pressure fit, notches, etc.) .
[0157] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 29, the attachment assembly 200 includes a hook 256 that hooks over the top end of the waterpipe's uptake tube T. It may be preferable that the thickness of the hook 256 in the area where the hook 256 contacts the top of the waterpipe's tube T be thin enough that the user may not feel discomfort when his/her lips are pressed against the top of the tube T when using the waterpipe P. As shown, the line 254 may be configured with the hook 256.
[0158] In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 200 includes hook and loop material. A patch of hook material may be attached to the first end of the line 254 and a corresponding patch of loop material may be attached to the side of the waterpipe's tube T (e.g., using adhesive). In this way, the patch of hook material on the line 254 may be pressed against the patch of loop material on the tube T to attach the line to the tube T. It is understood that the patch of hook material and the patch of loop material may be switched.
[0159] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 30, the attachment assembly 200 includes an integrated attachment mechanism 258 integrated into the waterpipe P itself. For example, the waterpipe's tube T may include an embedded loop or other embedded structure to which the first end of the line 254 may be attached. The embedded loop may include a post that passes into and/or through the sidewall of the tube T to be attached thereto. The embedded loop also may be integrated directly into the material (plastic, glass, etc.) of the tube T and be formed as part of the tube T during manufacturing. In some embodiments, the first end of the line 254 may simply be embedded into the waterpipe P (e.g., into the outer or inner sidewall of the tube T or other area on the pipe P) thereby functioning as the attachment mechanism 258. It is understood that the integrated attachment mechanism 260 may include any type of attachment mechanism that is integrated into the waterpipe P itself.
[0160] In some embodiments, the line 254 includes any type of elongate structure that may generally extend between the attachment assembly 200 (e.g., the band 252) and the enhancement providing assembly 100 to effectively attach the elements 100, 200 together.
[0161] In some embodiments, the line 254 may include flexible members, such as chain, string, twine, plastic line, thread, elastic line, strips of cloth, other suitable flexible types of lines, and any combinations there. In other embodiments, the line 254 may include semi-flexible members, such as wire, and/or rigid members such as rods bent into the shape necessary to extend between the attachment assembly 200 and the enhancement providing assembly 100. In some embodiments, the line 254 may include sections of flexible materials, sections of semi-flexible sections, and/or sections of rigid sections, and/or any combinations thereof.
[0162] It is understood that the line 254 may include any type of elongate member(s) that may adequately extend between the attachment assembly 200 and the enhancement providing assembly 100 as described herein.
[0163] In some embodiments, the system 10 is integrated directly into the waterpipe P, e.g., into the waterpipe uptake tube T. In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 200 is permanently attached to an inner surface of the waterpipe uptake tube T. For example, with any attachment assembly 200 in any of the embodiments described herein, the attachment assembly 200 may be fixedly attached (e.g., permanently attached) to an inner surface of a waterpipe uptake tube T at any point of contact between the attachment assembly 200 and the uptake tube T. For example, the outer surfaces 219 of the attachment assembly 200 of FIG. 13 may be fixedly attached to the inner surfaces of the waterpipe's uptake tube T. In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 200 may be fixedly attached to the uptake tube T using adhesive, screws, bolts, clamps, other types of attachment and/or bonding techniques, and any combinations thereof. In addition, the attachment assembly 200 may be fixedly attached to the uptake tube T during the manufacturing process, e.g., during the formation of the glass, during the plastic molding process, and/or during any other manufacturing process of the uptake tube T.
[0164] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 31, in some embodiments, the attachment assembly 200 may include a spider with a central portion designed to hold an enhancement providing assembly 100 and with one or more radially extending foot members 204 extending between the central portion and the inner surfaces of the uptake tube T, and with the distal ends of the foot members 204 permanently attached to the uptake tube's inner surfaces. It is understood that any number of foot members 204 may be used, including a single foot member 204 (that preferably places the enhancement providing assembly 100 in the center region of the uptake tube T cross section). In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 200 may include a disc that fits flush within and against the inner circumference of the uptake tube T and that includes a central opening for the enhancement holding member 102. In this way, the disc-shaped foot member 204 may cover the entire inner cross-section of the uptake tube T so that it is sealed. Accordingly, the only passageway for smoke to pass out of the uptake tube T is through the enhancement holding member 102.
[0165] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 32, the system 10 includes one or more inner circumferential members 246 inner surface of the waterpipe uptake tube T includes, e.g., small posts and/or an inward extending rim that extends all the way or at least partially around the inner circumferential surface of the uptake tube T. In some embodiments, the attachment assembly 200 includes a tray 248 designed to rest upon at least one of the inner circumferential members 246 thereby being held within the uptake tube T. In some embodiments, the tray 248 is coupled to the enhancement holding member 102 while preferably positioning the member 102 in the center region of the uptake tube T cross section. In other embodiments, the tray 248 itself may serve as an enhancement holding member 102 while holding one or more enhancement providing mechanisms 113 thereon. It may be preferable that the tray 248 includes through-holes, channels, and/or other types of apertures that pass through the tray 248 thereby allowing smoke to pass through the tray 248 as well. In other embodiments, it may be preferred that the smoke be directed through the enhancement holding member 102 and not through the tray 248 in which case the tray 248 may preferably be solid and may cover the entire cross-section of the uptake tube T (except for the inner aperture configured with the enhancement holding member 102).
[0166] In some embodiments, the inner circumferential members 246 are fixedly attached to the inner surface of the uptake tube T (e.g., bonded or bolted to the inner surface, integrated into the inner surface during the formation of the uptake tube T, etc.). In other embodiments, the circumferential members 246 may be releasably attached to the inner surface. For example, the member(s) 246 may apply outward forces to the inner surfaces to hold itself thereto (e.g., the members 246 may include foot members 204 and/or a circumferential ring that presses outward against the inner surfaces). In another example, the members 246 may comprise magnets and/or ferromagnetic materials and may be held by corresponding opposing magnets on the outside surfaces of the uptake tube T. In this way, the members 246 may be held by the magnetic forces applied between the outer magnets and the members 246. The members 246 also may be held by other attachment mechanisms, such as, suction cups, Velcro, snaps, latches, detents, indents, channels, other attachment mechanisms, and any combinations thereof.
[0167] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 33, the waterpipe uptake tube T include one or more side apertures 250 through which one or more enhancement providing assemblies 100 may pass through into the interior of the uptake tube T and provide enhancements therein. In some embodiments, the enhancement providing assembly 100 may be designed to release one or more enhancements through the apertures 250 into the interior of the uptake tube T. In some embodiments, the enhancement providing assembly 100 may include one or more enhancements (e.g., flavored gas, vapor, and/or powder) under pressure that when released is injected into the interior of the uptake tube T (e.g., through the aperture(s) 250) to mix with the smoke being inhaled by the user. In some embodiments, the enhancement providing assembly 100 includes a button or other type of activation device that once activated triggers the enhancement providing assembly 100 to release the enhancement(s).
[0168] In some embodiments, an enhancement providing assembly 100 and/or an enhancement holding member 102 may include one or more enhancement providing mechanisms 113. The enhancement providing mechanisms 113 may provide one or more enhancements to the user during the user's smoking experience. For example, the enhancement providing mechanisms 113 may provide added flavoring to user's smoking experience, edible substances such as candy for the user to taste, and/or fragrances for the user to smell (and that may freshen the waterpipe). The enhancement providing mechanisms 113 also may provide enhancements that include improved filtering of the smoke, such as carbon filters. The enhancement providing mechanisms 113 also may provide enhancements such as cooling elements, odor reducing elements, nutritional elements, lighting within the waterpipe, vaporizers, other types of smokable materials (that may or may not be combusted within the system 10), other types of enhancements, and any combinations thereof. It is understood that the enhancement providing mechanisms 113 may provide any types of enhancements for the user to enjoy during the smoking experience, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the type of enhancements that the mechanisms 113 may provide.
[0169] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanisms 113 may include one or more flavor providing mechanisms 114 as shown in FIG. 10. The flavor releasing mechanisms 114 include any type of solid, liquid, or gas (and any combinations thereof) that may release one or more flavors when activated. The mechanisms 114 may be designed to be activated by heat (e.g., during smoking), by pressure (e.g., may be squeezed, pricked, torn, exploded, burst, or otherwise opened, etc.), by other activation techniques, and by any combinations thereof.
[0170] In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 10, the flavor releasing mechanisms 114 include one or more flavor balls 115 (also referred to as click balls) comprising a crushable spherical container with a flavoring substance inside. The flavor balls 115 may be designed to generally burst (or otherwise open) when squeezed thereby releasing the flavoring substance. For example, with a flavor ball 115 embedded in an enhancement holding member 102 as shown in FIG. 10, a user may squeeze the enhancement holding member 102 in the area of the flavor ball 115 to cause the flavor ball 115 to burst and release its flavoring. The user may then inhale through the enhancement holding member 102 to receive the flavoring enhancement. Given the above, it may be preferable that the enhancement holding member 102 comprise a material that may deflect inward as the user squeezes it to impart forces against the flavor ball 115 thereby causing it to burst. In some embodiments, it also may be preferable that the enhancement holding member 102 comprise a material that generally returns to its original form after the user stops squeezing the member 102.
[0171] While the flavor releasing mechanism 114 (e.g., the flavor ball 115) is shown in FIG. 10 as being contained within a cylindrical enhancement providing mechanism 113 held within the enhancement holding member 102, it is understood that the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may simply include the flavor ball 115 itself without the cylindrical holder, and that the enhancement providing mechanism 113 (i.e., the flavor ball 115) may be held directly within the inner volume 110 of the enhancement holding member 102.
[0172] In addition, while the flavor ball 115 is FIG. 10 is depicted as generally spherical shaped, it is understood that the flavor balls 115 may be formed as an ovoid, a cuboid, a cylinder, pill-shaped, as any other suitable shape, and as any combinations thereof.
[0173] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a cartridge under pressure that when activated may inject vapor, flavored gas, flavored powder, or other substances into the uptake tube T.
[0174] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include a filter, e.g., a carbon filter, designed to filter the smoke being inhaled by the user through the system 10.
[0175] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include an edible portion, e.g., an edible tip (or cap) that the user may suck on or otherwise ingest as he/she is inhaling through the system 10. The edible tip may include a flavored hard candy, gum, and/or any other types of edible materials. In some embodiments, the edible tip may include a through hole generally aligned with the enhancement holding member's passageway 112 through which the user may inhale the enhancement and the smoke.
[0176] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include an outer surface coated with a flavoring, such as a candy coating, sugar coating, flavored powder coating, etc., that the user may wrap his/her lips around to taste as he/she is inhaling through the system 10. It is understood that the flavor coating also may be located on an outer surface of the enhancement holding member 102.
[0177] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 may include an illumination system including light emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, and/or other types of lights that may emit light into the uptake tube T and the smoke therein to add a visually entertaining effect. The system 10 also may include hanging crystals or mirrored balls within the uptake tube T (e.g., on a line 254) to reflect the light in the smoke.
[0178] In some embodiments, the system 10 may include a temperature sensor positioned within the uptake tube T, e.g., with the enhancement holding member 102 or the attachment assembly 200 that senses the temperature within the uptake tube T, and when it senses an increase temperature due to smoke passing through the uptake tube T, may trigger the illumination system to turn on and emit light into the uptake tube T.
[0179] In some embodiments, the enhancement providing mechanism 113 and/or the enhancement providing assembly 100 is configured to hold other types of components that may release other types of elements that the user may inhale, such as a vape pen with cartridge that may release inhalable vapor, a smokable rod (e.g., cigarette, joint, etc.) that may be ignited independently to provide additional smoke to inhale, and other types of components. In this way, the user may inhale smoke from the waterpipe as well as vapor from the vape pen/cartridge and/or smoke from the additional elements.
[0180] In any of the embodiments described herein, the system 10 may be formed as a single piece via injection molding, other molding processes, and/or other manufacturing processes. In other embodiments, the system 10 may be formed as multiple pieces via injection molding, other molding processes and/or other manufacturing processes, and then assembled as required.
[0181] It is understood that any details, elements, and/or aspects of any embodiments of the system 10 described herein may be combined with any other details, elements, and/or aspects of any other embodiments of the system 10 in any way to form additional embodiment(s) of the system 10 all of which are within the scope of the system 10.
[0182] Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
[0183] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase at least some means one or more, and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase at least some ABCsmeans one or more ABCs, and includes the case of only one ABC.
[0184] As used herein, including in the claims, term at least one should be understood as meaning one or more, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with at least one have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as theand the at least one.
[0185] As used in this description, the term portion means some or all. So, for example, A portion of X may include some of X or all of X. In the context of a conversation, the term portionmeans some or all of the conversation.
[0186] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase using means using at least, and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase using X means using at least X. Unless specifically stated by use of the word only, the phrase using X does not mean using only X.As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase based on means based in part on or based, at least in part, on, and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase based on factor X means based in part on factor X or based, at least in part, on factor X. Unless specifically stated by use of the word only, the phrase based on X does not mean based only on X.In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word only is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
[0187] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase distinct means at least partially distinct. Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, X is distinct from Y means that X is at least partially distinct from Y, and does not mean that X is fully distinct from Y. Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase X is distinct from Y means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
[0188] It should be appreciated that the words first, second, and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., (A), (B), (C), and so on, or (a), (b), and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., (i), (ii), and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as particular, specific, certain, and given, in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
[0189] As used herein, including in the claims, the terms multiple and plurality mean two or more, and include the case of two. Thus, e.g., the phrase multiple ABCs, means two or more ABCs, and includes two ABCs. Similarly, e.g., the phrase multiple PQRs, means two or more PQRs, and includes two PQRs.
[0190] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., about 3 or approximately 3 shall also cover exactly 3 or substantially constantshall also cover exactly constant).
[0191] As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms a, an, and theinclude plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0192] Throughout the description and claims, the terms comprise, including, having, and contain and their variations should be understood as meaning including but not limited to, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
[0193] It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0194] The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., about 3 shall also cover exactly 3 or substantially constant shall also cover exactly constant).
[0195] Use of exemplary language, such as for instance, such as, for example (e.g.,) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
[0196] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
