PERSONAL MOUTHPIECE

Abstract

A personal mouthpiece that can be used for smoking devices is provided. Such a mouthpiece includes a pipe portion and a core portion. The pipe portion may be configured to receive smoke from a smoking device and to direct the smoke to a mouth of a user. The core portion may have a first end configured to removably attach to the smoking device and a second end configured to removably attach to the pipe portion. During an exemplary use, smoke from the smoking device travels through the core portion prior to receipt at the pipe portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/625,608 filed on Apr. 17, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to mouthpieces. More specifically, the present invention relates to personal mouthpieces.

2. Description of the related art

There are presently a variety of appliances that are used by mouth. Smoking devices, for example, can transfer smoke from a burning substance to a user for inhalation by mouth. Some smoking devices, such as hookahs, may be shared among a group of users. In such instances, such users may wish to use their own individual mouthpieces to avoid having to share the actual mouthpiece with another individual user. Such a wish may be based on concerns regarding microbes, communicable illness, hygiene, and other personal preferences.

Establishments that offer use of hookahs may also provide disposable mouthpieces, usually formed in one piece by plastic injection molding. As such, these mouthpieces may easily deteriorate or otherwise become unsuitable for continued use. As such, these mouthpieces may need to be continually discarded and replaced. In addition, the continual removal and replacement of a group's mouthpieces during the use of a hookah may result in mouthpieces becoming misplaced or misidentified. As such, users may inadvertently use another's mouthpiece, which runs counter to the purpose of providing individual mouthpieces. In addition, such mouthpieces may also be unattractive and incongruous to establishments that seek to provide a special, distinguished experience for their guests.

There is, therefore, a need in the art for improved personal mouthpieces.

SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION

A personal mouthpiece that can be used for smoking devices is provided. Such a mouthpiece includes a pipe portion and a core portion. The pipe portion may be configured to receive smoke from a smoking device and to direct the smoke to a mouth of a user. The core portion may have a first end configured to removably attach to the smoking device and a second end configured to removably attach to the pipe portion. During an exemplary use, smoke from the smoking device travels through the core portion prior to receipt at the pipe portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary personal mouthpieces that may be provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a drawing of an exemplary mouthpiece.

FIG. 3B is an exploded drawing illustrating the components of that mouthpiece.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an alternative embodiment of a personal mouthpiece.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary smoking device that may be used with embodiments of the claimed personal mouthpiece.

FIG. 6A illustrates another embodiment of a personal mouthpiece.

FIG. 6B illustrates the personal mouthpiece attached to a tube of the smoking device.

FIG. 7 illustrates another component that may be used with smoking devices and personal mouthpieces.

FIG. 8 illustrates how such a component may be used in conjunction with the personal mouthpiece and smoking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A personal mouthpiece that can be used for smoking devices is provided. Such a mouthpiece includes a pipe portion and a core portion. The pipe portion may be configured to receive smoke from a smoking device and to direct the smoke to a mouth of a user. The core portion may have a first end configured to removably attach to the smoking device and a second end configured to removably attach to the pipe portion. During an exemplary use, smoke from the smoking device travels through the core portion prior to receipt at the pipe portion.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate exemplary personal mouthpieces that may be provided in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Both embodiments are formed from a variety of durable, as well as decorative, materials and may be associated with a variety of accessories.

FIG. 3A is a drawing of an exemplary mouthpiece, and FIG. 3B is an exploded drawing illustrating the components of that mouthpiece. As illustrated, such an exemplary mouthpiece may include (from right to left) a pipe portion, a body portion, an accessory portion, and a core portion. The pipe portion is a portion where the user may place his or her mouth. The body may be both decorative and functional. FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, feature bodies having floral designs and crystalline facets. In some embodiments, the body may incorporate ergonomic designs that may facilitate grip and other aspects of use.

The accessory portion illustrated in FIG. 3B allows for attachment of a necklace to the other components. While the accessory portion is illustrated as separate from the other components, the (necklace) accessory portion may be incorporated into or combined with one of the other components. A necklace may be used to keep a personal mouthpiece accessible and prevent confusion with other mouthpieces. In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates that the necklace may also be used to attach additional decorate elements (e.g., charms).

A core portion is the portion that connects the mouthpiece to a smoking device (e.g., hookah). All these portions may include a hollow center to allow smoke to travel through from one end (connected to the smoking device) to the other (where the user's mouth may inhale the smoke).

FIG. 4 is a drawing of an alternative embodiment of a personal mouthpiece. The mouthpiece in FIG. 4 is illustrated as having several portions: 1. a core portion, 2. a pipe portion, and 3. an accessory (ring) portion. In addition, the mouthpiece incorporates a pipe filter for insertion into the core portion, as well as a filter stopper within the core portion that could keep the pipe filter in place and/or prevent the pipe filter from being transferred to an attached smoking device. In some embodiments, the pipe filter may be flavored (e.g., soaked in a flavorful compound) such that the flavor may be imparted to smoke passing through the filter.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary smoking device, specifically a hookah, that may be used with embodiments of the claimed personal mouthpiece. As can be seen, the smoking device may be connected to the mouthpiece at an end of a tube that is connected to a body where smoke may be created by burning a variety of substances. FIG. 6A illustrates another embodiment of a personal mouthpiece, and FIG. 6B illustrates the personal mouthpiece attached to a tube of the smoking device. While the illustrated personal mouthpiece fits inside the tube, other types of connections known in the art are possible.

FIG. 7 illustrates another component that may be used with smoking devices and personal mouthpieces. Similar to the filter, the component may be used to hold something flavorful (e.g., candy), thereby imparting flavor either to the smoke or directly into the user's mouth. FIG. 8 illustrates how such a component may be used in conjunction with the personal mouthpiece and smoking device.

The present invention may be implemented in a variety of smoking devices. While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

1. A personal mouthpiece comprising:

a pipe portion configured to receive smoke from a smoking device and to direct the smoke to a mouth of a user; and

a core portion having a first end configured to removably attach to the smoking device and a second end configured to removably attach to the pipe portion, wherein smoke from the smoking device travels through the core portion prior to receipt at the pipe portion.

2. The personal mouthpiece of claim 1, further comprising a customizable body portion associated with the core portion.

3. The personal mouthpiece of claim 2, wherein the customizable body portion is interchangeable with another customizable body portion.

4. The personal mouthpiece of claim 1, further comprising a connection component configured to attach to a decorative accessory.

5. The personal mouthpiece of claim 4, wherein the decorative accessory includes a necklace.

6. The personal mouthpiece of claim 1, further comprising a filter stopper configured to hold a filter in place within the core portion.

7. The personal mouthpiece of claim 6, wherein the filter is flavored.

8. The personal mouthpiece of claim 1, further comprising a component configured to hold a flavored candy.