Smoking Apparatus Having Diffuser

Abstract

A smoking apparatus for vaporizing a smoking product such as tobacco and herb products. The smoking apparatus is preferably made entirely out of glass. The smoking apparatus comprises a bowl at a first end that receives the smoking product through an open top end, a screen support area immediately below the bowl having one or more screen supports, a product support pellet that rests on the screen supports to support the smoking product, a hollow stem in fluid flow communication with the bowl to allow the user to draw vapor from the bowl and a diffuser removably received in the open top end of the bowl for diffusing heat across the smoking product to vaporize it. The diffuser has a diffusing element made out of the frit. No metal contacts the product, vapor or user. The smoking apparatus can be a pipe or an adapter for a water pipe.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/255,483 filed Oct. 27, 2009.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates generally to apparatuses and systems for smoking tobacco and other generally loose leaf products. In particular, the present invention relates to such smoking apparatuses and systems that are configured to diffuse heat onto the smoking product to vaporize it prior to inhaling. Even more particularly, this invention relates to such apparatuses and systems that are made entirely or substantially out of glass or other non-metallic materials.

B. Background

People have been smoking tobacco and other generally loose leaf smoking products for many years. Although such smoking products can be compressed and/or rolled inside a paper or paper-like wrapper for smoking, such as cigarettes, many people prefer to smoke the smoking product in a pipe. In fact, pipe smoking, has been around for many thousands of years and has been used by many different cultures throughout the world for enjoyment, religious, official or ceremonial purposes. Generally, pipes utilized for smoking have an elongated hollow stem portion that functions as the mouthpiece and which is received in the user's mouth and an interconnected open top bowl in which the smoking product is placed and to which a heat source, typically an open flame such as from a match or lighter, is applied to create smoke from the smoking product. The user inhales the smoke, which has the flavoring and psychoactive compounds desired from the smoking product, from the bowl through the stem. The bowl of the typical pipe is positioned in or nearly in right angle relation to the stem such that the opening to the bowl is in upstanding relation to the user's mouth when he or she is inhaling the smoke through the stem. The flame or other heat source is held over the smoking product and drawn down onto the smoking product due to the suction created by the inhalation action of the user. To prevent the smoking product from being drawn into the stem, and therefore the user's mouth, most pipes have a screen or like device at or near the bottom of the bowl on which the smoking product is supported while the heat source is applied. The screen, typically made out of stainless steel or other metal, has openings that are sized to allow smoke to pass through to the stem while retaining the burned material in the bowl so it may be discarded.

Over the years, pipes have been made out of many different types of materials, including ceramic, wood, metal, clay and the like, and in a wide variety of different sizes and shapes. A popular material for pipes utilized for smoking is glass. Although the popularity of glass pipes has increased significantly in recent years, glass pipes have been utilized for smoking for many years. In fact, there is some evidence that glass pipes have been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. As in the past, glass smoking pipes are formed by a glass blowing process that starts with molten glass which is usually hand blown into the desired shape by a person who is skilled in the art of glass blowing. The popularity of glass pipes is due to the fact that glass pipes are generally easier to clean, are available in a wide variety of shapes and colors and provide a cleaner or more “pure” taste. Prior art glass pipes generally have a screen support area in the bowl that supports a metal screen on which the smoking product is placed prior to exposing the product to the heat source. Many people do not like the metallic taste that results from use of the metal screen to support the smoking product.

A relatively recent improvement to pipes utilized to enjoy smoking products such as tobacco and the like, including herbal products such as medicinal marijuana, is the use of a diffusing apparatus to diffuse the heat from the heat source and vaporize the smoking product such that a vapor is inhaled by the user instead of smoke. Use of a diffusing apparatus, which is commonly referred to as a diffuser, diffuses the heat source such that only heated air is passed through to the smoking product. This diffusing of the heat source vaporizes the smoking product, instead of burning the product, providing a vapor which is much cleaner, smoother and better tasting (as the product intends) for the user. In addition, vaporizing the smoking product generally does not produce as much toxic and/or carcinogenic byproducts as burning the product. Another benefit of vaporizing the smoking product, as opposed to burning it, is that it provides for more efficient use of the smoking material due to the fact that the desired flavor and/or psychoactive compounds are not destroyed or otherwise altered by the burning of the smoking product.

One presently available diffuser for use with smoking products is the electrically operated Volcano® from Storz and Bickel. Diffusers such as these require a source of electricity, typically plugged into the wall or other outlet, to generate the heat required to vaporize the smoking product. Because they require the source of electricity, they are somewhat inconvenient and generally not very portable. Due to the relative complexity of such devices, they also tend to be somewhat expensive. The Vapor Genie®, available from VaporGenie, LLC, is configured as a pipe with the diffuser placed at or near the top of the bowl, at or in its open end, above the screen on which the smoking products rests. The diffuser comprises a plurality of very small openings through which heat from the heat source (i.e., open flame) passes and is diffused above the smoking product on the screen. In one configuration, the flame filter diffuser is made from a ceramic material, typically silicon carbide. The open flame from a match or lighter is held above the open portion of the bowl such that the flame is drawn down through the diffuser when the person inhales. The diffuser causes the flame to vaporize the smoking product instead of burning it, allowing the user to inhale the vapor that contains the flavor and psychoactive compounds of the smoking material. The Vapor Genie® device is provided with a stainless steel bowl and a stainless steel screen.

Despite the various advantages of the presently available smoking apparatuses, many people desire an improved smoking apparatus. Specifically, many people desire to combine the various advantages and desirable features of the glass pipes with the diffusing capability provided by the presently available diffusers. What is needed, therefore, is an improved smoking apparatus that is made out of glass and which has a diffuser for vaporizing the smoking product to provide more enjoyment and benefits from smoking the smoking product. The preferred smoking apparatus should eliminate or at least minimize the use of metal for any of the components of the pipe, including the screen. Preferably, such as pipe should be useful with a variety of smoking products, including tobacco and other herbal products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The smoking apparatus of the present invention provides the benefits and solves the problems identified above. That is to say, the present invention discloses an improved smoking apparatus that is made out of glass and which has a diffuser for vaporizing the smoking product placed into the bowl of the pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the smoking apparatus is entirely made out of glass that is blown into a desired size and shape. In one embodiment, the smoking product is supported in the bowl of the pipe on a glass pellet, which functions as the “screen” for the pipe. A diffuser is received into the open top of the glass bowl to diffuse the heat from an open flame, such as from a match or lighter, to vaporize the smoking product placed on the glass pellet in the bowl. In the preferred embodiment, the diffuser is also made out of a glass with a frit material as the filter that diffuses the heat. In another embodiment, the smoking apparatus can include a standard or traditional screen that is made out of metal, such as stainless steel or the like. In one embodiment, the improved smoking apparatus is configured as a glass pipe with the bowl integral to the pipe and the glass pellet and glass diffuser removably received in the bowl. In another embodiment, the improved smoking apparatus is configured in the same manner but utilized as an adapter for a water pipe or the like. In any configuration, the improved smoking apparatus of the present invention can be utilized with a wide variety of smoking products.

In a primary embodiment of the present invention, the improved smoking apparatus generally comprises a bowl at or near its first end, a hollow stem towards its second end, a screen support disposed below the bowl, a product support device removably received in the screen support for receiving and supporting a smoking product and a diffuser for diffusing heat from a heat source, such as a flame from a torch lighter, match, cigarette lighter or the like, to vaporize the smoking product on the product support device. The smoking apparatus does not burn the smoking product. In the preferred embodiment, the entire smoking apparatus is made out of glass so no metal contaminates the vapor. The bowl has an open top end that is configured to receive the smoking product therethrough. The stem is in fluid flow communication with the bowl so a user can draw air and vaporized product from the bowl to his or her mouth. The screen support area has one or more screen supports for supporting the product support device. In the preferred embodiment, the product support device is a glass pellet that is sized and configured to rest on the screen supports in a manner that allows air and vapor to pass between it and the screen support area. Preferably, the product support pellet has a substantially planar upper surface on which to receive and support the smoking product. The diffuser has a first end and a second end, with the second end being removably received in the open top end of the bowl. The diffuser sized and configured to engage the bowl and be in spaced apart relation to the smoking product on the product support pellet. The diffuser comprises a diffusing element that is fixedly secured to the inside wall of the diffuser at or near its first end. In the preferred embodiment, the diffusing element is made out frit with a plurality of apertures therein. In one embodiment, the frit comprising the diffusing element has a porosity of 150 to 250 μm. The diffuser is configured to allow a user to draw air and heat into the bowl through the diffuser and diffuse heat across the smoking product so as to vaporize the smoking product. The smoking apparatus can be configured as a pipe or as an adapter for a water pipe.

Accordingly, the primary aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved smoking apparatus for vaporizing smoking products that has the advantages discussed above and which overcomes the disadvantages and limitations associated with prior art smoking apparatuses.

It is an important aspect of the present invention to provide a smoking apparatus that has a diffuser configured to vaporize smoking product inside the smoking apparatus instead of burning it and which has no metal components that are in contact with the smoking product or vapor to prevent contamination of the vapor.

It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an improved smoking apparatus that comprises a diffuser having a diffusing element that is made out of frit which is configured to diffuse heat from a flame source to vaporize the smoking product in the apparatus without burning the product.

It is also an important aspect of the present invention to provide an improved smoking apparatus that is entirely made out of glass, has a removable diffuser for diffusing the heat from a flame and which can be configured as a pipe or an adapter for a water pipe.

The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention are explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, mode of operation and combination of the above presently described and understood by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a smoking apparatus configured as a pipe and according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the pipe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the pipe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a pellet that is utilized as a product support in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the pellet shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the diffuser utilized with the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the diffuser shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an alternative configuration for the pipe of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the smoking apparatus configured as a water pipe adapter; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternative configuration of the water pipe adapter embodiment of the smoking apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures are merely illustrative of one of the preferred embodiments and, therefore, represent one of several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and shown in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the figures and description provided herein show certain shapes for the smoking apparatus, those skilled in the art will readily understand that this is merely for purposes of simplifying this disclosure and that the present invention is not so limited.

An improved smoking apparatus that is configured pursuant to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is shown as a pipe that is identified generally as 10 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. An alternative configuration for pipe 10 is shown in FIG. 8. As set forth in more detail below, the improved smoking apparatus can also be configured as a water pipe adapter 12 or 14, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively. As with standard pipes, the improved pipe 10 of the present invention has an open top bowl 16, in which the smoking product 17 is placed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, that is interconnected to and in fluid flow communication with a hollow stem 18 through which vaporized smoking product 17 is transferred to the user from the bowl 16. The first end 20 of pipe 10 corresponds to the open top of the bowl 16 and the second end 22 of pipe 10 corresponds to the open tip of the stem 18. The second end 22 of the pipe 10 functions as the mouthpiece and is received in the user's mouth. As explained in more detail below, a source of heat, which is typically an open flame from a torch lighter, match, cigarette lighter or the like, is applied above the first end 20 of the pipe 10 while the user draws air into the pipe 10 through mouth-applied suction at the second end 22 of the pipe 10 to draw vaporized smoking product 17 into his or her mouth. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire pipe 10 is made out of glass.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and 8, inside or immediately below the bowl 16 is a screen support area 24 that is configured to removably support a screen (not shown) on one or more screen supports 26. The screen supports 26 extend generally inwardly from the inside wall of the pipe 10 at or immediately below the bowl 16 to support smoking material 17 on a screen or other product support device (i.e., the pellet shown as 28). Preferably, the product support device and the screen supports 26 are configured to interfere as little as possible with the flow of air and vapor through the pipe 10 and the screen should be able to be removed from pipe 10 as necessary or desired for cleaning. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, screen supports 26 are also made out of glass. In one embodiment, a standard wire mesh metallic screen, such as those commonly available and manufactured out of stainless steel or the like, can be utilized with the pipe 10. If any such embodiment, the wire mesh of the screen should be selected so as to facilitate flow of air and vapor through the pipe 10 and yet be able to prevent the suctioning of any of the smoking product 17 or the residue left from the smoking product 17. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, however, the screen is also made out of glass or other material that will not contaminate the product vapor with any metallic taste. Many people are very adamant or at least strongly prefer that no metal be utilized in the pipe 10 to contaminate the smoking product 17, which can be very expensive, with the metallic “flavor” that results from a metal screen.

In the preferred embodiment, instead of a screen the pipe 10 utilizes a non-metallic product support pellet 28 that is sized and configured to fit within the open top 30, shown in FIG. 3, of the bowl 16 and rest on the screen supports 26 at screen support area 24, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8. In a preferred embodiment, the pellet 28 is round or nearly round and has a substantially planar upper surface 32, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on which the smoking product 17 is placed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, when the user desires to utilize pipe 10. Preferably, the lower surface 34 of pellet 28 is also substantially planar and the pellet 28 is sized such that it will rest on the screen supports 26 in a manner that facilitates air flow past the pellet 28 to the stem 18 and the user at second end 22. To help avoid loss of the pellet 28 during use, the pellet 28 is preferably sized with a sidewall 36 having sufficient thickness to make pellet 28 more visible and to resist breakage. If desired, however, the sidewall 36 of pellet 28 can be of any thickness and/or could be of the same or contrasting hue as the rest of pipe 10.

If desired, the pipe 10 can be utilized with an open flame, such as from a match or lighter, directly over the smoking product 17 in the same manner as a conventional pipe. In the preferred embodiment of the smoking apparatus of the present invention, however, pipe 10 includes a diffuser 38 that is used to vaporize smoking product 17 instead of burning product 17. In the preferred embodiment, the diffuser 38 is also made entirely out of glass. The diffuser 38 has a first end 40 and a second end 42, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. First end 40 of diffuser 38 comprises a diffusing element 44 that is configured to diffuse the heat source, particularly an open flame, prior to the heat source engaging the smoking product 17 on pellet 28. As known in the art, diffuser 38 comprises a plurality of very small apertures, shown generally as 46 in FIGS. 2 and 7, that diffuse the heat across the width of bowl 16 such that the smoking product 17 on the upper surface 32 of pellet 28 is vaporized instead of burned. A variety of sizes may be applicable to the apertures 46 of diffusing element 44, as long as they are sized to sufficiently diffuse the heat source prior to engaging the smoking product 17. In a preferred embodiment, the apertures 46 of diffusing element 44 are approximately 1/32 to 3/64 of an inch in size. The diffusing element 44 should be of sufficient thickness to assist in diffusing the heat source without unduly inhibiting its flow to the smoking product 17 on the pellet 28. In one embodiment, the thickness of the diffusing element 44 is approximately 3 mm to 6 mm. The position of the screen supports 26 should be selected such that the upper surface 32 of pellet 28 will be spaced sufficiently from the position of the diffusing element 44 when the diffuser 38 is received in the bowl 26 so the flame will not directly contact, and therefore burn, the smoking product 17 on the pellet 28

As stated above, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention the diffuser 38 is entirely made out of glass. In this embodiment, diffusing element 44 can be a frit material, which is the material from which glass is made after having been calcined or partly fused in a furnace but before vitrification. In a preferred embodiment, the frit has a porosity of 150 to 250 μm. The frit size should be chosen such that the heat source, particularly an open flame, is kept off of direct contact with the smoking material 17 on pellet 28. The coarseness or fineness of the frit, which controls how much heat/flame passes through the diffusing element 44, can be selected based on the desired vaporizing of the smoking material 17. As stated above, the preferred amount is that amount which vaporizes the smoking material 17 instead of burning it. The frit for diffusing element 44 is commonly utilized in chemistry applications for filtering liquids and gasses. As best shown in FIG. 2, the diffusing element 44 is preferably disposed at or near the top or first end 40 of the diffuser 38. The frit for diffusing element 44 is cut to size to fit inside the first end 40 of diffuser 38, substantially matching the size and configuration of first end 40. The diffusing element 44 is then attached to the inside of the first end 40 of diffuser 38 using techniques commonly known in the art. Although the entire peripheral edge of the diffusing element 44 can be secured to the inside of diffuser 38, substantially sealing diffusing element 44 to the inside surface of diffuser 38, in the preferred embodiment the diffusing element 44 is only secured at several positions (e.g., three positions), thereby leaving the remaining peripheral edge of the diffusing element 44 in spaced apart relation to the inside surface of diffuser 38 (i.e., unattached to the inside surface of diffuser 38). This will provide a small amount of additional air input for the user when he or she is pulling the heat from the flame to the smoking product 17 on product support pellet 28. This air input space around the diffusing element 44 should be sufficiently small so as to prevent the flame from burning the smoking product 17, instead of vaporizing it, and small enough to prevent cooling (which would interfere with the desired vaporizing).

The second end 42 of diffuser 38 is sized and configured to snugly fit inside the open top end 30 of bowl 16, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8. Because the pipe 10 of the preferred embodiment is made out of glass, the portion of diffuser 38 towards the second end 42 thereof should be configured to be received in and engage the inside surface of bowl 16 of pipe 10. In a preferred embodiment, the second end 42 of the diffuser 38 and the bowl 16 are correspondingly tapered such that the second end 42 of diffuser 38 engages the inside walls of the bowl 16. To provide the desired seal, the lower portion of the diffuser 38 and the bowl 16 should be precision grounded tapered glass joints, which provide a glass-to-glass seal, shown as 48 for the bowl 16 and 50 for the diffuser 38. Such glass joints are commonly available and well known by those skilled in the relevant art. In the figures, the tapered glass joints 48 and 50 are shown as the shaded components in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8.

In the preferred configuration of the present invention, the pipe 10 also includes a center bowl-shaped section 52 approximately mid-way between the first end 20 and second end 22 of pipe 10, as best shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and 8. The bowl-shaped section 52 provides a chamber 54 that is useful for trapping any particulate matter drawn past the product support pellet 28 to avoid inhalation of the particulate matter by the user during use of pipe 10. Preferably, bowl-shaped section 52 has a flat bottom surface 56 that is useful for standing pipe 10 up on a flat surface such as a table or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the pipe 10 has a relatively wide, flattened section 58 at or near the second end 22 thereof that forms a mouthpiece 60, as best shown in FIG. 2, to allow the user to better draw air through the diffuser 38 and stem 18 of pipe 10. Although many people prefer pipe 10 being gently curved forward of the bowl-shaped section 52, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, in part because the pipe 10 is easier to store and transport, pipe 10 can also be configured such that the area generally forward of the bowl-shaped section 52 is substantially perpendicular or upwardly disposed relative to stem 18, as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, various other configurations can be utilized for pipe 10 of the present invention.

In use, the user places the pellet 28 onto the screen supports 26 of the screen support area 24, places the smoking product 17 on the upper surface 32 of the pellet 28, inserts the second end 42 of the diffuser 38 into the open top 30 of the bowl 16 and then holds the heat source, preferably a torch lighter or the light (but alternatively a match or standard cigarette lighter), above the diffusing element 44 of diffuser 38 while drawing air through the pipe 10 using his or her mouth at the second end 22 thereof. The torch lighter or like flame device, such as those used for lighting furnaces and fires in fireplaces, is preferred because it generally puts out a flame having a higher temperature. The higher temperature flame will better vaporize the smoking product 17 and tend not to leave burn residue on diffusing element 44. In a preferred use, the user will pre-heat the outside of the diffuser 38 for approximately fifteen seconds prior to applying the flame to diffusing element 44. This pre-heating warms the glass of the diffuser 38 and the smoking product 17 inside bowl 16 to better vaporize the product 17. The diffusing element 44 will diffuse the heat source and vaporize the smoking product 17 on the pellet 28, allowing the user to draw the product vapor into his or her mouth. With pipe 10, the benefits of using a glass pipe 10 and a diffuser 38, as set forth above, is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, no metal touches the smoking product 17 and no metallic taste is added to the product vapor.

In alternative embodiments, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the smoking apparatus is configured as water pipe adapter 12 or water pipe adapter 14. For both embodiments, the smoking apparatus 12/14 is configured and utilized substantially the same as the corresponding portions of pipe 10. As shown in FIG. 9, water pipe adapter 12 has the bowl 16 and screen support area 24 configured the same as described above. The stem 18, however, is much shorter and the area of stem 18 towards the second end 22 of the apparatus 12 comprises a precision grounded tapered glass joint 62 so it can be sealably received in a correspondingly shaped and sized aperture component of the water pipe (not shown). The water pipe adapter 14, shown in FIG. 10, is configured substantially the same as water pipe adapter 12 except it will generally not be necessary to provide the tapered glass joint at the bottom of the stem 18. If such a tapered glass joint is necessary, then it should be added to the water pipe adapter 14. The second end 22 of adapter 14 should be sized and configured to fit within a correspondingly sized aperture of the water pipe (not shown). Typically, adapter 14 will include a handle 64 so the user can remove the adapter 14 from the water pipe without handling the hot bowl 16 and screen support area 24 of the adapter 14. Both adapters 12/14 utilize the product support pellet 28 and the diffuser 38, shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, in the manner described above to vaporize product 17 inside bowl 16.

While there are shown and described herein a specific form of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.

Claims

1. A smoking apparatus for vaporizing a smoking product, comprising:

a bowl at or near a first end of said smoking apparatus, said bowl having an open top end configured to receive the smoking product therethrough;

a hollow stem towards a second end of said smoking apparatus, said stem in fluid flow communication with said bowl for a user to draw air and vaporized product from said bowl through said stem;

a screen support area disposed below said bowl, said screen support comprising one or more screen supports;

a product support on said one or more screen supports, said product support configured to receive and support the smoking product thereon; and

a diffuser having a first end and a second end, said second end removably received in said open top end of said bowl, said diffuser sized and configured to engage said bowl and be in spaced apart relation to the smoking product on said product support, said diffuser configured to allow a user to draw air and heat into said bowl and to diffuse heat across the smoking product so as to vaporize the smoking product.

2. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said product support is a pellet having a substantially planar upper surface on which to receive the smoking product, said product support and said one or more screen supports cooperatively configured to allow air and vapor to pass around said product support pellet to said stem.

3. The smoking apparatus of claim 2, wherein said pellet is made out of glass.

4. The smoking apparatus of claim 3, wherein said pellet is removably received on said screen supports.

5. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bowl, said stem, said one or more screen supports, said product support and said diffuser are made out of glass.

6. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said diffuser comprises a diffusing element made out of frit at or near said first end of said diffuser, said diffusing element having a plurality of apertures therein.

7. The smoking apparatus of claim 6, wherein said diffusing element has a porosity of 150 to 250 μm.

8. The smoking apparatus of claim 6, wherein said diffusing element is fixedly secured in said diffuser.

9. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said smoking apparatus is configured as a pipe.

10. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein said smoking apparatus is configured as an adapter.

11. A smoking apparatus for vaporizing a smoking product, comprising:

a bowl at or near a first end of said smoking apparatus, said bowl having an open top end configured to receive the smoking product therethrough;

a hollow stem towards a second end of said smoking apparatus, said stem in fluid flow communication with said bowl for a user to draw air and vaporized product from said bowl through said stem;

a screen support area disposed below said bowl, said screen support comprising one or more screen supports;

a product support pellet on said one or more screen supports, said product support pellet having a substantially planar upper surface on which to receive and support the smoking product, said product support pellet and said one or more screen supports cooperatively configured to allow air and vapor to pass around said product support pellet to said stem;

a diffuser having a first end and a second end, said second end removably received in said open top end of said bowl, said diffuser sized and configured to engage said bowl and be in spaced apart relation to the smoking product on said product support; and

a diffusing element fixedly secured inside said diffuser at or near said first end thereof, said diffusing element made out frit having a plurality of apertures therein, said diffusing element configured to allow a user to draw air and heat into said bowl through said diffuser and to diffuse heat across the smoking product so as to vaporize the smoking product.

12. The smoking apparatus of claim 11, wherein said bowl, said stem, said one or more screen supports, said product support pellet and said diffuser are made out of glass.

13. The smoking apparatus of claim 12, wherein said smoking apparatus is configured as a pipe.

14. The smoking apparatus of claim 12, wherein said smoking apparatus is configured as an adapter.

15. The smoking apparatus of claim 11, wherein said diffusing element has a porosity of 150 to 250 μm.