Detailed Description
Several aspects of the disclosure are described below with reference to the figures. In the aspects described below, where the shape, relative position, and other aspects of any described component are not explicitly defined, the component illustrated is intended to be illustrative only, and the scope of the disclosure is not to be limited to only the component illustrated. Furthermore, while numerous details are set forth herein, it will be understood that some embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced without these details. In some instances, certain structures and techniques have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the understanding of this document. Moreover, all ranges given herein are to be considered inclusive of the endpoints unless explicitly stated to be exclusive of the endpoints. Additionally, the terms "above," "to," and "over" as used herein may refer to the relative position of one element with respect to another element. When an element is "on" or "over" or "bonded to" another element, it is meant that the element may be in direct contact with the other element or intervening layers may be present. Further, relative positions or relative directions may be referred to herein by the relative words "top," above, "" upper, "" bottom, "" below, "or" lower. For example, the direction of the "top edge", "top end" or "top side" may be a first axial direction, while the direction of the "bottom edge", "bottom end" or "bottom side" may be a second direction opposite to the first axial direction.
According to one aspect, a glass mouthpiece comprises: the glass outer tube is provided with a first opening positioned at the top end of the glass outer tube and a second opening positioned at the bottom end of the glass outer tube; and a glass inner tube completely surrounded by the glass outer tube, wherein the first opening opens into the glass inner tube, the glass inner tube extends into the glass outer tube (e.g., the hollow interior of the glass outer tube) from the top end, and the glass inner tube is configured to receive a bowl of a hookah through the first opening. In one aspect, the glass outer tube is cylindrical in shape. In some aspects, the glass inner tube is conical in shape and tapers in a direction through the longitudinal central axis of the glass mouthpiece in a direction away from the tip of the glass outer tube. In one aspect, the second opening has a smaller diameter than the first opening. In some aspects, the glass outer tube has a height (or length) of 2cm to 8 cm. In one aspect, the height of the glass inner tube is between 1cm and 4 cm. In another aspect, the outer surface of the glass inner tube is not in contact with the inner surface of the glass outer tube. In some aspects, the glass inner tube and the glass outer tube are a unitary unit. In one aspect, the inner surface of the glass inner tube is a polished surface. In another aspect, the inner surface of the glass inner tube is a frosted surface.
According to another aspect, a smoking article comprises: a pipe bowl of the water tobacco pipe; and a mouthpiece separate from the hookah barrel and for receiving the bowl. In one aspect, the mouthpiece may be similar to the mouthpieces described above.
In this context, "connecting" one component to another component may refer to fluidly connecting the two components together, thereby allowing fluid, such as smoke generated by the lit smoking material, to flow between the two components. For example, fluidly coupling one tube to another tube (or chamber) means that the two tubes are coupled (or connected) such that smoke (and/or liquid) can flow from one tube to the other.
Fig. 1A is an exploded view of a smoking article including a bowl and a mouthpiece according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, the figure shows a smoking article 1 comprising a bowl 2 and a mouthpiece 3. In one aspect, the bowl can be any hookah bowl and the mouthpiece, as described herein, is separate from (e.g., not connected to) the hookah and is designed to receive the bowl. As shown, each of the elements described above are separate (separable or removable) from each other. As shown, the Z-axis is a longitudinal central axis extending through the bowl and/or mouthpiece (e.g., the center of the bowl and/or mouthpiece).
In one aspect, the bowl 2 and mouthpiece 3 may be made of one or more materials. For example, the bowl and mouthpiece can each be made of glass, plastic, and/or metal (e.g., steel) (e.g., the bowl and mouthpiece can each be made of at least one of glass, plastic, and metal).
The bowl 2 includes an open top 4 (which is located at a first or top end of the bowl), an open bottom 5 (which is located at a second or bottom end of the bowl opposite the first end), and an intermediate portion 6 between the top and bottom. As shown, the middle portion fluidly connects the open top with the open bottom. The top is cylindrical in shape and comprises two chambers separated from each other: a first chamber (e.g., receiving chamber) 10 for receiving smokable material through the top opening 8; and a second chamber (e.g., output chamber) 11 for: 1) receiving smoke from the first chamber generated in the first chamber after ignition by the smokable substance; and 2) supplying smoke to the middle portion and the bottom portion in the manner described herein. In particular, the outlet chamber 11 opens into a middle section, which opens into the bottom 5. The open bottom includes a bottom opening 23 that is fluidly connected to the top opening 8 through each portion of the bowl. The bottom 5 is conical in shape so that the diameter of the bottom 5 decreases gradually in the direction from the edge (flange) 13 to the opening 23. In particular, the bottom portion narrows gradually inwards in the direction away from the edge 13 in the Z-axis.
As shown, the chambers 10 and 11 of the open top 4 are separated from each other by a confinement structure 9, which is a ring-type structure. Specifically, the limiting structure surrounds a portion of the inner surface of the open top and is tapered inwardly in a direction toward the Z-axis. The restriction has an orifice 12 in the centre that fluidly connects the first chamber 10 with the second chamber 11. The diameter of the hole 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 8. In this manner, the restriction restricts the passage of objects (e.g., larger objects) between the two chambers by narrowing the inner diameter of the top portion 4. In one aspect, the restriction structure 9 may be a part of (e.g., integrally formed with) the top. The confinement structure may be formed, for example, by the bowl walls of the hopper bowl 2 constituting the top portion 4.
The mouthpiece comprises an outer tube 22 and an inner tube 20. The outer tube is cylindrical in shape and includes a top end 16 and a bottom end 18. The top end comprises a (first) opening 17 and the bottom end comprises a further (second) opening 19. As shown, the base end 18 is dome shaped such that the base end curves inwardly along the Z-axis. In one aspect, the second opening 19 is located at the bottom (e.g., the bottommost portion) of the bottom end 18. The inner tube 20 is completely surrounded by the outer tube. Specifically, the inner tube is connected to (the interior of) the top end 16 of the outer tube and extends therefrom into the outer tube 22 (e.g., the hollow interior of the outer tube 22). As shown, the opening 17 is common to both the inner and outer tubes so that when an object enters the opening 17, the object tends to pass through both the inner and outer tubes. As described herein, the inner tube is used to receive a bowl (e.g., the open bottom 5 of the bowl) therein via the opening 17. The inner tube also includes a bottom opening 21 that opens into the outer tube 22 (e.g., the hollow interior of the outer tube 22). As shown, all of the openings 17, 19, 21 of the mouthpiece are aligned with one another such that the Z-axis extends through the centre of each opening. Further, as shown, the inner tube is conical in shape such that the tube is gradually retracted along the Z-axis in a direction away from the tip 16. Hereinafter, the size of the mouthpiece will be further described.
As described herein, the mouthpiece 3 (e.g., the outer tube 22 of the mouthpiece 3) is cylindrical in shape, while the inner tube 20 is conical in shape. However, in one aspect, the tubes may have other shapes. For example, the inner tube may be cylindrical in shape. As another example, one of the tubes may be square or rectangular. In another embodiment, the top and bottom ends of the mouthpiece may have other shapes. For example, the bottom end 18 may be conical in shape.
In one aspect, the outer tube 22 is formed as an integral unit with the inner tube 20. For example, the inner and outer tubes may be a one-piece glass unit. In this case, the inner and outer tubes may be made (or blown) from at least one piece of glass. In another aspect, the inner and outer tubes are removably connected to each other. For example, the inner tube may be coupled (e.g., press fit, threaded, etc.) into an opening (not shown) in the outer tube.
Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view of a mouthpiece according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, the figure shows a cross-section of the mouthpiece 3 of figure 1A. Hereinafter, the dimensions of the mouthpiece are described, including the height (or length) and diameter of the various parts of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece (or, more specifically, the outer tube 22 of the mouthpiece 3) has a height (H) extending from the top end 16 to the bottom end 181). In one aspect, height H1Can be 2 cm-8 cm. In another aspect, H1Can be 3 cm-7 cm. In some aspects, H1Is 4.5 cm. The diameter (e.g., outside diameter) of the mouthpiece (or, more specifically, the outer tube of the mouthpiece) (D)1) Can be 1 cm-4 cm. In another aspect, D1Can be 1.5 cm-3 cm. In some aspects, D1Is 2 cm. The inner tube 20 has a height (H) extending from the opening 17 (or top end 16) to the opening 21 (or bottom end of the inner tube opposite the opening 17)2). In one aspect, height H2Can be 1 cm-4 cm. In another aspect, H2Can be 1.5 cm-3 cm. In some aspects, H2Is 2.2 cm. In one aspect, H2May be of height H1Half of that.
As shown, the openings of the mouthpiece 3 are of different sizes. For example, the diameter (D) of the opening 172) Can be 0.5 cm-3 cm. In another aspect, D2Can be 1 cm-2 cm. In some aspects, D2Is 1.5 cm. Diameter (D) of opening 193) Can be 0.2cm to 1.5 cm. In one aspect, D3Can be 0.3 cm-1 cm. In some aspects, D3Is 0.5 cm. Diameter (D) of opening 21 of inner tube 204) Can be 0.4 cm-3 cm. In one aspect, D4Can be 1 cm-2 cm. In some aspects, D4Is 1.4 cm. In one aspect, all of the openings may have different diameters from one another. E.g. diameter D2Can be greater than D3And D4And diameter D4Can be greater than D3. Thus, the diameter D3Can be less than D2. In another aspect, some of the diameters may be similar (or the same) as each other. E.g. diameter D2And D4May be the same (this case may be, for example, the case where the shape of the inner tube 20 is cylindrical).
The inner tube 20 includes an inner (or inside) surface 25 and an outer (or outside) surface 27, and the outer tube 22 includes an inner surface 26. In one aspect, the inner surface of the inner tube may be a frosted (or roughened) surface. In another aspect, the inner surface can be a polished surface (e.g., a non-rough surface). In some aspects, the surfaces of the inner and outer tubes do not contact each other. For example, the outer surface 27 of the inner tube (which may extend from the tip 16) is not in contact with the inner surface 26 (which also extends from the tip 16). As such, a gap exists between the inner and outer tubes because the inner tube extends from end 16 within the outer tube (e.g., the hollow interior of the outer tube).
Figure 2 illustrates a bowl 2 of a smoking article 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, the figure shows several dimensions of the bowl 2. The bowl has a height (H) extending from the top 4 (e.g., opening 8 of top 4) to the bottom 5 (e.g., opening 23 of bottom 5)3). In one aspect, height H3Can be 4 cm-20 cm. In another aspect, H3Can be 5 cm-12 cm. In some aspects, H3Is 7 cm. The (outer) diameter (D) of the bowl5) Can be 1 cm-8 cm. In another aspect, D5Can be 1.5 cm-5 cm. In some aspects, D5Is 2 cm.
The figure also shows the height of each part of the bowl 2. Specifically, the open top 4 has a height (H) extending from the top end of the bowl to the middle portion 64). For example,H4Can extend along the cylindrical portion of the bowl constituting the top 4. In one aspect, H4Can be 1.5 cm-6 cm. In another aspect, H4Can be 2.5cm to 4.5 cm. In some aspects, H4Is 3.5 cm. The middle portion 6 has a height (H) extending from the top portion 4 (e.g., the bottom end of the top portion 4) to an edge 13 of the bottom portion 55). In one aspect, H5Can be 0.5 cm-2 cm. In another aspect, H5May be 0.7cm to 1.5 cm. In some aspects, H5Is 1 cm. The bottom 5 has a height (H) extending from the edge 13 to the bottom end of the bowl6). In one aspect, H6Can be 1 cm-4 cm. In another aspect, H6Can be 1.5 cm-3 cm. In some aspects, H6Is 2.2 cm.
Figure 3 illustrates a smoking article according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the bowl 2 is combined with the mouthpiece 3 to form a smoking device (as a single article). In particular, the bottom 5 of the bowl 2 is received in the inner tube 20 of the mouthpiece, so that the bottom is inserted inside the inner tube up to the edge 13 (the edge 13 is in contact with the top end 16 of the mouthpiece 3). In one aspect, the height H of the base 56Height H from inner tube 202Similar (or identical) so that the opening 23 is parallel to the opening 21 of the inner tube.
In this manner, the smoking article 1 can be used by a user to smoke smokable material as a straight puff. Hereinafter, the method of using the same will be briefly described. For example, after placing the smokable substance into the receiving chamber 10 of the bowl, the user may place the mouthpiece (e.g., the bottom end 18 of the mouthpiece) between the lips. After the smokable substance is ignited by the flame, the user can begin smoking. The smoke produced by the smokable substance after ignition passes first through the top portion (e.g. the second chamber 11 at the top) into the intermediate portion 6 and then into the bottom portion 5. After exiting the opening 23 (and simultaneously the opening 21), the smoke enters the hollow interior of the outer tube 22. The smoke in the outer tube is then drawn through the opening 19 by the user.
As described herein, the smoking article can be used as either a straight pipe (as shown in FIG. 3) or as part of a hookah. Figure 4 illustrates a smoking article bowl as part of a hookah pipe during use according to another aspect of the present disclosure. Specifically, the figure shows a glass hookah 40 containing water 41. The bowl 2 is inserted into the lower tobacco rod 42, which extends into the water 41. By utilizing the water pipe 40, a user can draw on the smokable substance contained within the bowl 2 (e.g., as described above), and the bowl 2 can be used as part of the smoking article 1 for the user to smoke the smokable substance. In this manner, the user can interchangeably use the two appliances to draw on smokable material.
Figure 5 illustrates a capped smoking article according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, the figure shows that the bowl 2 comprises an outer lid 50 connected to the top end of the top 4. In one aspect, the outer cap may be a threaded cap with internal threads. In this case, the top portion may include a threaded top portion (not shown) with external threads for threadably connecting with the threaded cap. In one aspect, the outer lid may be a safety (or child-resistant) lid (or cap). For example, the outer cover may be a safety cap that can be screwed onto the top by twisting the cap in a first (clockwise) direction, but cannot be removed by simply twisting the cap in a second (counter-clockwise) opposite direction. Conversely, to remove the cap, the user must twist the cap in a second direction while pushing it downwards (in the direction of the bottom 5 of the bowl). In another aspect, the outer lid can be any type of lid. For example, the outer lid may be a lid that is pressed against the top portion 4 (e.g., the opening 8 in the top portion) in a manner that conforms to the outer surface of the top portion. In one aspect, the outer lid can be secured to bowl 2 by a latch. For example, the outer lid 20 may be a twist-off (or flip-open) top lid fitted with a gasket (e.g., a rubber gasket) and held in place by a metal latch. In some aspects, the cover may be constructed of any material, such as metal, rubber, wood, and the like.
While certain aspects have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such aspects are merely for purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the broad scope of the disclosure, which is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
In some aspects, the disclosure may include a statement such as "[ at least one of element a ] and [ element B ]. Such phrases may refer to one of the elements or more than one of the elements. For example, "at least one of a and B" may refer to "a", "B", or "a and B". In particular, "at least one of a and B" may mean "at least one of a and B", or "at least a or B … …". In some embodiments, the present disclosure may include statements such as "[ element a ], [ element B ], and/or [ element C ]". This statement may refer to any of the elements or any combination of the elements. For example, "A, B and/or C" may refer to "a", "B", "C", "a and B", "a and C", "B and C", or "A, B and C".