Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WATER PIPE AND APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Patent
Application
Serial No. 14/461,071, filed August 15, 2014, entitled "Water Pipe and
Apparatus and Method of
Making the Same," which claims the benefits of and priority, under 35 U.S.C.
119(e), to U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 61/960,159, filed September 12, 2013,
entitled "Ice Water
Pipe Mold," U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/960,162, filed
September 12, 2013,
entitled "Ice Stand," and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/960,163,
filed September 12,
2013, entitled "Ice Grommet" each of the above-identified applications being
fully incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention generally relates to a water pipe and apparatus and
method of
making the same, and more particularly to ice water pipe and mold and method
of making the
same.
DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND
[0003] A water pipe is commonly used as a filtration device for smoking
tobacco or other
herbal substances (e.g., herbal aromas). The water pipe consists of a main
body, chamber, or
bowl with a closed bottom and an opening at the top. The water pipe also
includes an opening on
the side of the main body for the insertion at an angle with the main body a
stem from the side
into the main body of the water pipe. The stem is hollowed and the bottom
opening of the stem
faces towards the interior of the main body and the top opening faces towards
open air.
Generally, the water pipe is made of glass.
[0004] In a common operation of the water pipe, the main body of the water
pipe is filled
with water, up to a height below the opening at the top of the water pipe and
the top opening of
the stem, such that the water filled in the main body will not spill from
either openings when the
water pipe is stationary and level. Tobacco or other herbal substances may be
placed in the stem
near the top opening on the stem. The tobacco or other herbal substances is
lighted, and a user
may inhale through the top opening of the water pipe. As such, the smoke of
the tobacco or the
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. ,
other herbal substances is drawn through the stem into the water inside the
water pipe body and
up the water pipe to be inhaled by the user.
[0005] Through the use of the water pipe, the smoke from the lit tobacco or
other herbal
substances is filtered by the water. One effect of the water filtration of the
smoke through the
water pipe is that certain ingredients that are harmful to the user inhaling
the smoke may get
filtered out by the process. Another effect is that the smoke may be
"smoothed" by the water
filtration, thereby enhancing the enjoyment of the user of the water pipe.
[0006] However, the water pipe in the related art has a number of
deficiencies.
[0007] For example, many users of the water pipe in the related art have a
preference for
smoke that is further chilled, as many view inhaling chilled smoked as being
more enjoyable.
Some users may introduce ice into the water to bring about the chilled smoke
effect. However,
such process introduces complexities to the use of the water pipe by requiring
user preparation
beyond the designed use of the water pipe (e.g., preparing the ice cubes).
Also, placing ice cubes
floating in the water may cause undesirable noise and uneven weight
distribution when held by
the user due to the movements of the ice cubes in the water banging against
the interior walls of
the water pipe, decreasing the user's enjoyment while using the water pipe or
increasing the
likelihood of spilling the water or other hazards (e.g., dropping the water
pipe causing breakage
or dropping the lit tobacco or other herbal substances creating a fire
hazard).
[0008] Another deficiency is that the water pipe in the related art is made of
relatively
expensive materials and are non-disposable (e.g., glass water pipe). As such,
the water pipe must
be thoroughly cleaned after each use. An unclean water pipe may retain flavor,
smell, or taste of
the smoke from the previous use, affecting the user's enjoyment if the user
switches flavor in the
next use. Further, an unclean water pipe facilitates the transmission of
communicable diseases if
a number of users engages in the sharing of the water pipe. Also, further work
by the user is
needed to thoroughly clean the water pipe after use. The additional handling
due to cleaning may
expose the water pipe to added risks of being damaged. The replacement costs
for breaking a
water pipe in the related art would be relatively great. In any case,
repeating cleaning and usage
of the water pipe increases wear on the water pipe, which eventually requires
a full replacement
of the water pipe.
[0009] Another deficiency is each water pipe in the related art may contain
original and
unalterable artwork or design when the water pipe is first created. For
example, once the water
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pipe is made, the artwork or other design elements cannot be changed readily
if at all. Therefore,
a user may need to own a collection of water pipes if it is desirable to use a
water pipe of a
different design (i.e., for different occasions) in order to derive the
maximum enjoyment from
using water pipes with different designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a water pipe and apparatus and method of
making
the same to address the above deficiencies and other problems.
[0011] One advantage of the present invention is to provide a water pipe that
will chill
the smoke for inhaling by the user without additional process by the user
during use.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a water pipe
that is
inexpensive and disposable after one or more uses.
[0013] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a water
pipe that can
be easily customizable by the user.
[0014] Accordingly, in one aspect, a water pipe includes a body including ice.
The body
includes a hollowed interior configured for being filled with water and an
opening at a side of the
body. The water pipe further includes a base coupled to a bottom of the body,
a mouth piece
coupled to a top of the body, and a grommet coupled a circumference of the
body. The grommet
is further coupled to the body through a hollowed stem inserted into an
opening of the grommet
and the opening at the side of the body. A top of the base comprises one or
more fingers coupled
to the ice of the body. An under body of the mouth piece includes a cored out
body and one or
more fingers coupled to the ice of the body. The grommet includes a flexible
material configured
to stay coupled to the body as the ice of the body melts or deforms. The base
includes an opening
configured to be filled by a plug. The plug includes a flexible material. The
body further includes
one or more of a scent, a flavor, and a food. The body further includes one or
more of a color, a
design, and an ornament.
[0015] In another aspect, an apparatus for making a water pipe includes an
outer
concentric sheath and an inner concentric sheath. The outer concentric sheath
and the inner
concentric sheath form an interior space. The apparatus further includes a
bottom connecting a
bottom of the outer concentric sheath and a bottom of the inner concentric
sheath, an outside
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,
sleeve coupled to the outer concentric sheath over an opening of the outer
concentric sheath. The
outside sleeve is positioned at an angle with the outer concentric sheath The
apparatus further
includes an inside rib coupled to the inner concentric sheath over an opening
of the inner
concentric sheath. The inside rib is positioned at an angle with the inner
concentric sheath and in
alignment with the outside sleeve. The bottom is configured to fit a base. The
base includes an
opening configured to be filled by a plug. The apparatus further includes a
grip rib coupled to an
outer edge of a top of the outer concentric sheath. The opening of the outer
concentric sheath and
the opening of the inner concentric sheath are configured to insert a core
pin. the core pin
provides a water-tight seal with the opening of the outer concentric sheath
and the opening of the
inner concentric sheath. An inner layer of the core pin includes a rigid
material. An outer layer of
the core pin includes an elastic material. The apparatus includes a flexible
material
[0016] In yet another aspect, a method of making a water pipe includes
inserting a base
into an interior space of a water pipe mold. The interior space includes a
space between an outer
concentric sheath and an inner concentric sheath of the water pipe mold. The
method further
includes inserting a core pin into an opening of the outer concentric sheath
and an opening of the
inner concentric sheath, filling the interior space with water, inserting a
mouth piece into the
interior space over the water, freezing the water, removing the core pin from
the opening of the
outer concentric sheath and the opening of the inner concentric sheath,
removing the water pipe
made from the frozen water from the water pipe mold, and inserting a stem and
a grommet into
an opening in the water pipe corresponding to a space occupied by the core
pin. The grommet is
coupled to a circumference of the water pipe. The method further includes
inserting one or more
of a scent, a flavor, and a food into the interior space. The method further
includes inserting one
or more of a color, a design, and an ornament into the interior space. The
base includes an
opening configured to be filled by a plug. The method further includes
freezing the water pipe
with the stem and the grommet inserted. The grommet includes a flexible
material configured to
stay coupled to the opening in the water pipe as the frozen water of the water
pipe when the
water pipe melts or deforms. The stem includes one or more of a metal,
plastic, and silicone
material
[0017] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention
are readily
apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a
number of exemplary
embodiments and implementations, including the preferred mode contemplated for
carrying out
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the present invention. The present invention is also capable of other and
different embodiments,
and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without
departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions
are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a water pipe according to an
embodiment
of the invention;
[0019] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate exemplary views of a water pipe mold according
to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe
according
to an embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe
according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate exemplary views of a mouth piece for a water
pipe
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe
according
to another embodiment of the invention; and
[0024] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe
according to
another embodiment of the invention.
[0025] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have
the same
reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be
distinguished by
following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only
the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is
applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the
second reference
label.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending on
the
particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. These and other
advantages will be
apparent from the disclosure.
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[0027] The phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and/or" are open-ended
expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For
example, each of the
expressions "at least one of A, B and C," "at least one of A, B, or C," "one
or more of A, B, and
C," "one or more of A, B, or C" and "A, B, and/or C" means A alone, B alone, C
alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
[0028] The term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity. As
such, the
terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one" can be used
interchangeably herein. It is
also to be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," and "having" can be
used
interchangeably.
[0029] It shall be understood that the term "means," as used herein, shall be
given its
broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112(f).
Accordingly, a
claim incorporating the term "means" shall cover all structures, materials, or
acts set forth herein,
and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts
and the equivalents
thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention,
brief description of the
drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
[0030] The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an
understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an
extensive nor
exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments,
and/or
configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of
the disclosure nor to
delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the
disclosure in a
simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented
below. As will be
appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the
disclosure are possible,
utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth
above or described in
detail below.
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of the present
invention,
an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a water pipe according to an
embodiment
of the invention.
[0033] Water pipe 100 includes a body 110, a grommet 120, a mouth piece 140,
and a
stand 130. In an embodiment, the body 110 is formed from ice (frozen water) or
other suitable
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materials. The grommet 120, the stand 130, and the mouth piece 140 may be
formed partly or
wholly from plastic, silicone, metal, or other suitable materials.
[0034] The operation of the water pipe 100 is as follows.
[0035] In an embodiment, the water pipe 100 is formed through a molding
process (i.e.,
by water pipe mold 200 as will be discussed with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E). The
mouth piece 120,
the stand 130, and the grommet 120 are assembled to the body 110 during the
molding process or
in the subsequent assembly step using a freezer. In a preferred embodiment,
the water pipe 100
may be stored in the freezer until the user is ready to use the water pipe
100.
[0036] When the user is ready to use the water pipe 100, the body 110 is
filled with water,
up to a height below the top of the grommet 120 so that the water will not
spill from the grommet
120. In an embodiment, tobacco or other herbal substances may be placed near
the top of the
grommet 120. The tobacco or other herbal substances is lighted, and a user may
inhale through
the top opening of the water pipe. As such, the smoke of the tobacco or the
other herbal
substances is drawn through the stem into the water inside the water pipe body
and up the water
pipe to be inhaled by the user. In another embodiment, a further container
that has openings at
the bottom that allow smoke to enter the grommet 120 may be placed on top of
the grommet 120,
where the container would hold the tobacco or the other herbal substances.
[0037] Through the use of the water pipe 100, the smoke from the lit tobacco
or other
herbal substances is chilled by the interior walls of the body 110 and
filtered by the water in the
body 110 as the smoke passes from the grommet 120 through the body 110 to be
inhaled by the
user through the mouth piece 130.
[0038] In an embodiment, the walls of the body 110 may further include
flavored scents
or other items (e.g., fruits, spices, and other items) frozen or in other ways
connected to the ice
wall of the body 100. As such, when the smoke from the tobacco or other herbal
substances
passes upward through the body 110, the flavor from these scents and other
items may also get
mixed with the smoke, thereby enabling the user to inhale the mixture of these
scents and smoke,
increasing the novelty and enjoyment value of the user from the user of the
water pipe 100.
[0039] In another embodiment, the walls of the body 110 may include other
substances
(e.g., gels that harden and/or solidify or other substances that may be molded
to take the shape of
the water pipe 100, such as substantially changing from a fluid to a solid
form through the
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molding process, as known now or may be later derived) substantially in place
of or mixed in
conjunction with water (and ice).
[0040] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate exemplary views of a water pipe mold according
to an
embodiment of the invention.
100411 Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the water pipe mold 200 is configured to
allow a user
or other persons to make a water pipe (e.g., water pipe 100) by filling the
mold with freezable
liquid (e.g., water). The water pipe mold 200 includes an outer concentric
sheath 210, an inner
concentric sheath 211, a base 240, a grip rib 230, an outside sleeve 220, and
an inside rib 260.
[0042] The outer concentric sheath 210 and the inner concentric sheath 211
form an
interior space 250 by which water is filled within the interior space 250 in
the molding process.
The interior space 250 is closed at the bottom by base 240 between the outer
concentric sheath
210 and the inner concentric sheath 211. The space 245 enclosed by the inner
concentric sheath
211 is not used in the molding process. This space 245 may be further closed
at the bottom by a
seal 242 or may be left open. In an embodiment, the base 240 may be flat for
allowing
unsupported placement of the water pipe mold 200 on various surfaces (e.g., on
counter tops and
in the freezer during the molding process). When the water pipe 100 is formed
by the molding
process using the water pipe mold 200, the space 245 corresponds to the
interior of the water
pipe 100 within the body 110 and may be filled with water during use of the
water pipe 100.
[0043] The water pipe mold 200 further includes a concentric grip rib 230 at
the top
extending from the outer edge of the outer concentric sheath 210. The grip rib
230 may be a
relatively wide and circular rib configured for facilitating a person picking
up and moving the
water pipe mold 200 by holding the grip rib 230 when the water pipe mold 200
is filled with
water.
[0044] The water pipe mold 200 may be made of plastic, metal, silicone, or
other suitable
material. In an embodiment, the water pipe mold 200 may be made by casting
silicone rubber
(e.g., cast medical grade USP class VI and FDA approved silicone rubber) and
may be non-rigid
(e.g., flexible). The wide and circular shape of the grip rib 230 may also
help increase durability
of the water pipe mold 200 that is made from non-rigid material. In an
embodiment, the water
pipe mold 200 may be formed by molding, pressing, or other type forming
process as known
now or may be later derived and may be formed as one piece including the outer
concentric
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sheath 210, the inner concentric sheath 211, the base 240, the grip rib 230,
the outside sleeve 220,
and the inside rib 260
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2E, the water pipe mold 200 further includes the
outside
sleeve 220 extending at an angle from an opening on the outside of the outer
concentric sheath
210. As such, the outside sleeve 220 may serve as a protection and a guide for
the insertion of a
core pin 290 into the interior space 250 from the opening by the outside
sleeve 220.
[0046] In the interior space 250, the water pipe mold 200 also includes the
inside rib 260
that is in alignment with the outside sleeve 220 in a position and angle such
that the core pin 290
may be inserted through the opening by the outside sleeve 220 into the
interior space 250 and
into the space of the inside rib 260. The inside rib 260 may be formed in the
space 245 from a
similar opening beyond the inner concentric sheath 211. In an embodiment, the
inside rib 260 is
sealed from the space 245 at the end of the inside rib 260.
[0047] In an embodiment, both the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260
are
configured to create a water tight seal with the core pin 290 is inserted into
both spaces, such that
water will not leak from the outside sleeve 220 out of the water pipe mold 200
and from the
inside rib 260 out of the space 245. For example, the outside sleeve 220 and
the inside rib 260
may be formed from an elastic material, such as silicone rubber material
(i.e., formed with
silicone rubber material along with the other parts of the water pipe mold 200
as one piece) that
includes some stretching (and constricting) property that helps seal water
leaks. Further, the
length of the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260, due to the angled
orientation, may
provide further surface area for the core pin 290 to contact and interface
with the surface of both
parts, thereby increasing the surface area by which a water-tight seal may
develop. Similarly, the
extension of the outside sleeve 220 away from the outer concentric sheath 210
and the inside rib
260 away from the inner concentric sheath 211 also increases the surface by
which a water-tight
seal may develop with the core pin 290.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 2E, the core pin 290 is dimensioned and configured
to be
inserted into the water pipe mold 200 through the opening by the outside
sleeve 220 into the
interior space 250 and into the space of the inside rib 260, such that the
insertion of the core pin
290 would create a water-tight seal in the openings of the outside sleeve 220
and the inside rib
260.
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[0049] When the core pin 290 is inserted into the water pipe mold 200, the
space
occupied by the core pin 290 would be where the stem portion (e.g., the
grommet 120) would
occupy in the formed water pipe 100. The core pin 290 is inserted into the
water pipe mold 200
passing through the outer concentric sheath 210 and the inner concentric
sheath 211, creating a
feature that ice can form around when frozen. When the ice is frozen around
the core pin 290, the
core pin 290 is able to be removed from the water pipe mold 200, and the shape
created by the
core pin 290 allows standard hardware of a water pipe to be used for
assembling the water pipe.
[0050] In an embodiment, the core pin 290 may be made of a core and surface of
different materials and may be manufactured in two processes. For example, the
core pin 290
may be made of rigid core (e.g., hard plastic) and surfaced by an elastic
material (e.g., silicone
rubber) casted around the rigid core. The rigid provides rigidity to the core
pin 290 for shape
conformance without bending when the core pin 290 is inserted into the angled
opening of the
outside sleeve 220 of the water pipe mold 200. The outer surface of the core
pin 290 may be
made from an elastic material (e.g., similar to silicone rubber of the water
pipe mold 200) such
that the interface and contact between the water pipe mold 200 (e.g., the
outside sleeve 220 and
the inside rib 260) may form a water-tight seal through the compression of the
material. In
another embodiment, the core pin 290 may be made of one or more materials that
offer similar
properties of a combination of rigidity and elasticity.
[0051] In a method of using the water pipe mold 200 to create a water pipe, a
mouth
piece (e.g., mouth piece 140), which acts as a mouth piece for the user to
breathe through in the
formed water pipe, is first inserted into an empty water pipe mold 200. Next,
the core pin 290 is
inserted into the outside sleeve 220 and the inside rib 260 as discussed
above. Then, the interior
space 250 is filled with water. A base (e.g., base 130), which acts as a base
for the formed water
pipe, is used to cover the top of the water pipe mold 200, and the entire set
up is frozen (e.g., put
into a freezer). As such, the formed water pipe is in a correspondingly upside-
down orientation
with the water pipe mold 200. When enough time has passed that the water in
the interior space
250 is completely frozen, the water pipe mold 200 is removed from the freezer.
[0052] To remove the frozen water pipe from the water pipe mold 200, running
water,
hot water, or other means may be used to melt a thin layer of the exterior
portion of the water
pipe contacting the outer surfaces of the water pipe mold 200 (e.g., the outer
concentric sheath
210 and the inner concentric sheath 211). Once a thin layer of the exterior
portion of the water
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pipe has melted, various portions of the water pipe mold 200 should be able to
be removed from
the water pipe easily. The core pin 290 is removed first, then the water pipe
is removed from the
interior space 250. In an embodiment, the water pipe mold 200 is flexible and
will aid this
process by being able to be pushed or squeezed to release the frozen water
pipe.
[0053] In an embodiment, various artwork, design, and other materials
affecting the
smell, taste, flavor, and aesthetics of the water pipe may be added at
different steps of the water
pipe creation process. For example, after the water pipe mold 200 is filled
with water, coloring
(e.g., food coloring) may be added to the water to create water pipes of
various colors. In another
example, various scents (e.g., perfume), flavors (e.g., spices), food (e.g.,
sliced fruits), and other
ingredients may be added to the water to customize the smell, taste, flavor,
and aesthetics of the
created water pipe. In yet another example, other novelty items (e.g., coins,
gems, and other
items) may be added to the water in order to create customized water pipe that
is aesthetically
enjoyable (i.e., sparkle when used in certain lighting environment).
[0054] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe
according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, the grommet 120 includes a concaved oval
portion 310
and an opening 320 configured for the insertion of a stem 390. The opening 320
is configured to
enclose the opening in a water pipe corresponding to the opening of the outer
sleeve 220 when
the stem 390 is fitted into the water pipe. The stem 390 is configured to fit
through the opening
320 into the water pipe (e.g., into the body 110).
[0056] The grommet 120 may be made of the same materials as discussed with
respect to
the water pipe mold 200 or may be made of other materials. In an embodiment,
the grommet 120
may be made from flexible materials (e.g., silicone rubber) such that the
grommet 120 may
stretch to form an air-tight seal with the opening at the exterior of the
water pipe. For example,
the concaved oval portion 310 of the grommet 120 allows the grommet 120 to hug
the contour of
the exterior of the water pipe even as the ice melts. As such, the concaved
oval portion 310 keeps
the grommet 120 in air-tight seal with the water pipe even after the ice is
well into its melting
cycle and significant deformation has occurred.
[0057] In an embodiment, the grommet 120 may be prepared and assembled with
the
water pipe as follows. The opening 320 of the grommet 120 is inserted with the
stem 390, which
is inserted into the body of the water pipe through the opening in a water
pipe corresponding to
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the opening of the outer sleeve 220. As such, the concaved oval portion 310
sits on top of the
opening of the water pipe. Next, the water pipe is re-frozen with the grommet
120 and the stem
390 inserted. As such, the grommet is allowed to be sealed by frozen ice with
the water pipe.
[0058] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe
according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, the base 130 includes a stand portion 410,
opening 420,
pass through fingers 430, and triangular ribs 440. The base 130 is configured
to insulate the user
from the coldness of the ice portions of the water pipe when handling the
water pipe by
providing an insulated surface that the user can hold and handle. As such, the
base 130 may be
made from relatively insulating or other materials, such as plastic, silicone,
rubber, or other
materials.
[0060] As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E, the base 130 is
inserted into the
top of the water pipe mold 200 after the water pipe mold 200 is filled with
water. The base 130 is
inserted in an orientation such that the pass through fingers 430 face the
water in the water pipe
mold 200.
[0061] The pass through fingers 430 are designed as shut off surfaces for
single pull
injection molding tool. As such, when the water is frozen, the pass through
fingers 430 allow the
ice to form around the undercut of the pass through fingers 430. Because the
pass through fingers
430 are designed as shut off surfaces, the ice can expand into the remaining
cavity of the base
130, thereby preventing damages to parts of the base 130 when the ice is
frozen over it. Further,
the pass through fingers 430 may act to further secure the ice when the ice is
formed over the
base 130. Similar to the shut off surfaces, the opening 420 also allows any
overflow water to be
frozen in the opening 420.
[0062] In an embodiment, the triangular ribs 440 are provided in the inside
cavity of the
base 130. The triangular ribs 440 help to provide strength to the base 130
(e.g., for holding and
handling by the user) and to help relieve stress from long time use and abuse.
[0063] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate exemplary views of a mouth piece for a water
pipe
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, the mouth piece 140 includes a top 520, an
underside
body 530, and one or more pass through fingers 510. The mouth piece is
configured to provide a
surface from which to support the user's mouth when the user is inhaling from
the water pipe
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. .
and to protect the user's mouth from the coldness of the ice of the water
pipe. In an embodiment,
the top 520 is configured to provide a smooth surface for supporting the
user's mouth (or skin).
As such, the mouth piece 140 may be made from plastic, silicone, rubber, or
other suitable
materials.
[0065] In an embodiment, the pass through fingers 510 are not designed as shut
off
surfaces (unlike the pass through fingers 430 of base 130) because the top 520
needs to retain the
smooth surface for the contact with the user's mouth. However, the pass
through fingers 510
may serve similar functions as pass through fingers 430 in that they help
contact and bond with
the ice for proper bonding of the water pipe.
[0066] As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E, the mouth piece 140 is
inserted
into the top of the water pipe mold 200 before the water pipe mold 200 is
filled with water. The
mouth piece 140 is inserted in an orientation such that the top 520 faces the
bottom of the water
pipe mold 200 and the pass through fingers 510 face the water in the water
pipe mold 200 when
filled.
[0067] In an embodiment, the underside body 530 may be a cored out body.
Similar to
the pass through fingers 510, the cored out body helps to further secure and
bond with the ice of
the water pipe by allowing the ice to fill the inside of the cored out body.
Further, the cored out
body helps to prevent a gap emerging from between the mouth piece and the
water pipe when
bonded.
[0068] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary views of a grommet for a water pipe
according
to another embodiment of the invention.
[0069] Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, the grommet 600 includes a concaved portion
610, a
strap portion 630, and an opening 620. The concaved portion 610 is attached to
the strap portion
630 (e.g., molded as one piece or attached by means as known now or may be
later derived in the
,
art), where the attached assembly forms a ring whereby the body 110 of a water
pipe is able to fit
into an interior of the ring. The concaved portion 610 is sized such that the
grommet 600 may
securely hold in place a stem 690 when the stem 690 is inserted into the
opening 620 (and into
the body 110 of the water pipe when the body 110 is fitted into the interior
of the ring formed by
the concaved portion 610 and the strap portion 630.
[0070] In an embodiment, the opening 620 may further be configured to enclose
the
opening in a water pipe corresponding to the opening of the outer sleeve 220
when the stem 690
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is fitted into the water pipe. The stem 690 is configured to fit through the
opening 620 into the
water pipe (e.g., into the body 110).
[0071] The grommet 600 may be made of the same materials as discussed with
respect to
the water pipe mold 200 or may be made of other materials. In an embodiment,
the grommet 600
may be made from flexible and/or stretchable materials (e.g., silicone rubber)
such that the
grommet 600 may stretch to fit the body 110 in the ring formed by the concaved
portion 610 and
the strap portion 630. For example, the circumference of the body 110 of the
water pipe may be a
little larger than the circumference of the ring such that the grommet 600 may
need to stretch a
little but fitted onto the body 110, which would allow for a tighter fit.
Also, when the body 110
that is made of ice starts to melt (e.g., when if use at room temperature),
the circumference of the
body 110 also starts reducing; the tighter fit also allows for the tightening
of the circumference of
the ring of the grommet 600 (relative to the stretched circumference of the
initial fit onto the
body 110), which allows for the fit to stay fitted for a longer period.
[0072] In an embodiment, the concaved portion 610 proximate to the opening 620
may
also form an air-tight seal with the opening at the exterior of the water
pipe. For example, the
concaved portion 610 of the grommet 600 allows the grommet 600 to hug the
contour of the
exterior of the water pipe even as the ice melts. As such, the concaved
portion 610 keeps the
grommet 600 in air-tight seal with the water pipe even after the ice is well
into its melting cycle
and significant deformation has occurred.
[0073] In an embodiment, the grommet 600 may be prepared and assembled with
the
water pipe as follows. The ring formed by the concaved portion 610 and the
strap portion 630 is
slid into the body of the water pipe (e.g., through a top or a bottom of the
water pipe) until the
opening 620 is positioned at the corresponding to the opening of the outer
sleeve 220. As such,
the opening 620 is positioned on top of the opening of the water pipe such
that the step 690 may
be inserted through the opening 620 and the corresponding opening of the outer
sleeve 220. In an
embodiment, the water pipe may be further frozen (for ice) or solidify by
other means (e.g., for
gels or other substances) with the grommet 600 and the stem 690 inserted. As
such, the grommet
600 is allowed to be sealed by frozen ice (or gel or other substances) with
the water pipe.
[0074] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary views of a stand for a water pipe
according to
another embodiment of the invention.
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[0075] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, the base 700 includes a stand portion 710,
opening 720,
pass through fingers 730, and triangular ribs 740. The base 700 further
includes a plug 750
configured to seal the opening 720. In an embodiment, the base 700 is
configured to insulate the
. user from the coldness of the ice portions of the water pipe when
handling the water pipe by
providing an insulated surface that the user can hold and handle. As such, the
base 700 may be
made from relatively insulating or other materials, such as plastic, silicone,
rubber, or other
materials.
[0076] As discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2E and FIGS. 4A-4C, the
base 710
is similar to the base 130 in function and use. In an embodiment, the base 700
may be inserted
into the top of the water pipe mold 200 after the water pipe mold 200 is
filled with water. The
base 700 is inserted in an orientation such that the pass through fingers 730
face the water in the
water pipe mold 200.
[0077] The pass through fingers 730 are designed as shut off surfaces for
single pull
injection molding tool. As such, when the water is frozen, the pass through
fingers 730 allow the
ice to form around the undercut of the pass through fingers 730. Because the
pass through fingers
730 are designed as shut off surfaces, the ice can expand into the remaining
cavity of the base
700, thereby preventing damages to parts of the base 700 when the ice is
frozen over it. Further,
the pass through fingers 730 may act to further secure the ice when the ice is
formed over the
base 730. Similar to the shut off surfaces, the opening 720 also allows any
overflow water to be
frozen in the opening 720.
[0078] After the water pipe 100 is formed through the molding process, the
base 700
would be attached to the bottom of the water pipe 100 as discussed above. The
water pipe 100
(made of ice) may start to melt after being used (e.g., when being used at
room temperature). The
melted ice (water) may start to leak through the opening 720 (e.g., due to
being at the bottom of
the water pipe 100), which may be undesirable. In an embodiment, the plug 750
is configured to
fill the spaces of the opening 720 and to substantially seal the opening 720,
thereby preventing
such water leakage.
[0079] In an embodiment, the plug 750 may be made of an elastic substance
(e.g.,
silicone rubber) that has some compression and stretching properties. The plug
750 may be sized
larger than the opening 720 by a small amount at the portion of the plug 750
that is configured to
be inserted into the opening 720 such that the plug 750 may push against the
walls of the opening
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720 (when the plug 750 is compressed when being inserted into the opening 720
and is released
when inserted into the opening 720). As such, the plug 750 forms a substantial
seal with the
walls of the opening 720 thereby preventing fluid (water) to escape from the
opening 720.
[0080] In an embodiment, the base portion of the plug 750 may be sized
substantially
larger than the portion configured to be inserted into the opening 720,
thereby preventing the
plug 750 to be inserted too deep into the opening 720. Also, the enlarged base
portion of the plug
750 aids in easier insertion and extraction of the plug 750 into the opening
720 (e.g., by
providing an enlarged area for the gripping of the plug 750 by the user).
[0081] In an alternate embodiment, the plug 750 may be inserted into the
opening 720
while the water pipe 100 is being molded (e.g., the mold 200 is filled with
water), which may
prevent spillage of the water while the water pipe 100 is molding. As
discussed above, ice may
form into the opening 720 as the volume of ice is larger than the volume of
water the ice is made
from. As such, the ice may apply additional pressure against the walls of the
mold 200 because
the inserted plug 750 may prevent that ice to form in an otherwise opened
opening 720 (e.g.,
effectively relieving the pressure from the larger volume of ice).
[0082] In an embodiment, the plug 750 may be configured such that it can slide
outward
from the opening 720 as it is pushed against by the ice (e.g., the fit between
the plug 750 and the
opening 720 is tight enough to prevent the leakage of water but loose enough
that the plug 750 is
movable from the pressure applied by the enlarging volume of ice when being
molded). As such,
the plug 750 may still function to prevent water leaks from the opening 720
while still allowing
the opening 720 to function as a pressure relief. In yet another embodiment,
the plug 750 may be
inserted (or sized to be inserted) less than fully into the opening 720 (e.g.,
filling the opening 720
only halfway). During molding, the water does not fill the opening 720, as
such, there is
available space between the inserted plug 750 and the water. Therefore, when
ice is formed, the
ice may form in the available space, thereby achieving the pressure release
effect in the opening
720.
[0083] In an embodiment, the triangular ribs 740 are provided in the inside
cavity of the
base 700. The triangular ribs 740 help to provide strength to the base 700
(e.g., for holding and
handling by the user) and to help relieve stress from long time use and abuse.
[0084] The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been
described in
relation to the tracking system. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
present
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disclosure, the preceding description omits a number of known structures and
devices. This
omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scopes of the claims.
Specific details are set
forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It should however
be appreciated
that the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the
specific detail set
forth herein.
[0085] A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used.
It would
be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing
others.
[0086] Although the present disclosure describes components and functions
implemented
in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations with reference to
particular standards and
protocols, the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to
such standards and
protocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein are in
existence and are
considered to be included in the present disclosure. Moreover, the standards
and protocols
mentioned herein and other similar standards and protocols not mentioned
herein are periodically
superseded by faster or more effective equivalents having essentially the same
functions. Such
replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered
equivalents
included in the present disclosure.
[0087] The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations,
includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus
substantially as depicted and
described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations
embodiments,
subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof Those of skill in the art will
understand how to make
and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations after
understanding the
present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments,
and/or
configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of
items not depicted
and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations hereof,
including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous
devices or processes,
e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of
implementation.
[0088] The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of
illustration and
description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form
or forms disclosed
herein. In the foregoing description for example, various features of the
disclosure are grouped
together in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the
purpose of
streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations of
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the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and/or
configurations other
than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted
as reflecting an
intention that the claims require more features than are expressly recited in
each claim. Rather,
as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all
features of a single foregoing
disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the following claims
are hereby
incorporated into this description, with each claim standing on its own as a
separate preferred
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0089] Moreover, though the description has included a description of one or
more
aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations and
modifications, other
variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the
disclosure, e.g., as may
be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the
present disclosure.
It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects,
embodiments, and/or
configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable
and/or equivalent
structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such
alternate,
interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are
disclosed herein, and
without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
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