SMOKING DEVICES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME

Smoking devices are disclosed. Methods of making and using smoking devices are also disclosed.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/149,838 filed on Apr. 20, 2015 and entitled “SMOKING DEVICES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME,” the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to smoking devices and systems. The present invention is further directed to methods of making and using smoking devices and systems.

BACKGROUND

Efforts continue to further develop smoking devices and systems.

SUMMARY

The present invention addresses some of the difficulties and problems discussed above by the discovery of new smoking devices and systems.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to smoking devices and systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the smoking device of the present invention comprises a tubular member having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cavity extending through the tubular member from the first end towards the second end, the cavity having a first opening at the first end, the first opening having a first cross-sectional area AF that is greater than a second cross-sectional area AS positioned along the cavity between the first opening and the second end, and one or more second end edges along the second end, the one or more second end edges having a combined edge length Lse that is greater than an outer circumference Lcir of the tubular member at the one or more second end edges that is closest to the first end.

In another exemplary embodiment, the smoking device of the present invention comprises a tubular member having: a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cavity extending through the tubular member from a first opening at the first end to one or more second openings between the first opening and the second end, and one or more blade-like or spike-like members at the second end, the one or more blade-like or spike-like members being capable of piercing an outer wall of a plastic or aluminum container (e.g., a two-liter plastic container). In one desirable embodiment, the one or more blade-like or spike-like members form a single spike-like member at the second end.

The present invention is further related to methods of making smoking devices and systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of making a smoking device comprises: forming a tubular member via a first forming step, the first forming step comprising at least one of a machining step, a molding step, a drilling step, a cutting step, and a cooling step, wherein the tubular member has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cavity extending through the tubular member from the first end towards the second end, the cavity having a first opening at the first end, the first opening having a first cross-sectional area AF that is greater than a second cross-sectional area AS positioned along the cavity between the first opening and the second end, and one or more second end edges along the second end, the one or more second end edges having a combined edge length Lse that is greater than an outer circumference Lcir of the tubular member at the one or more second end edges that is closest to the first end.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method of making a smoking device comprises: forming a tubular member via a first forming step, the first forming step comprising at least one of a machining step, a molding step, a drilling step, a cutting step, and a cooling step, wherein the tubular member has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cavity extending through the tubular member from a first opening at the first end to one or more second openings between the first opening and the second end, and one or more blade-like or spike-like members at the second end, the one or more blade-like or spike-like members being capable of piercing an outer wall of a plastic or aluminum container (e.g., a two-liter plastic container).

The methods of making smoking devices and systems of the present invention may further comprise one or more additional steps. Suitable additional steps include, but are not limited to, a first forming step that results in a single spike-like member at the second end of the tubular member; a first forming step that results in a bowl portion at the first end of the tubular member; a first forming step that results in a single cavity extending through the tubular member; forming a housing member via a second forming step, the second forming step comprising at least one of a machining step, a molding step, a drilling step, a cutting step, and a cooling step, wherein the housing member has a housing first end, a housing second end opposite the housing first end, a housing cavity extending into the housing first end towards the housing second end, the housing cavity having a first housing opening at the housing first end, the housing first opening being sized so as to extend over at least a portion of the tubular member that extends from the second end towards the first end; a second forming step that results in a housing member having a sheath-like configuration that is extendable over at least a portion of the tubular member from the second end towards the first end; or any combination thereof.

The present invention is even further related to methods of using smoking devices and systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of using a smoking device comprises: puncturing a container with one or more second end edges along a second end of a tubular member having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cavity extending through the tubular member from the first end towards the second end, the cavity having a first opening at the first end, the first opening having a first cross-sectional area AF that is greater than a second cross-sectional area AS positioned along the cavity between the first opening and the second end; and positioning combustible material within a first opening of the tubular member.

The methods of using smoking devices and systems of the present invention may further comprise one or more additional steps. Suitable additional steps include, but are not limited to, filling at least a portion of the container with a liquid (e.g., water); lighting the combustible material with a flame (e.g., a match or a lighter); draining a fluid from the container to create a vacuum force within the container, the vacuum force drawing smoke from the combustible material into the container; stopping draining of fluid from the container; removing the tubular member from the container to enable inhalation of smoke within the container; removing a container closure device (e.g., container screw-on cap) from the container to enable inhalation of smoke within the container; inhaling smoke from within the container; one any combination thereof. In some desired embodiments, the combustible material comprises marijuana.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary smoking device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary tubular member suitable for use in the exemplary smoking device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary tubular member suitable for use in the exemplary smoking device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A-4B provide perspective views of optional features for the exemplary tubular member shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary tubular member shown in FIG. 2 at line 5-5 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary tubular member shown in FIG. 2 at line 6-6 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary housing member suitable for use in the exemplary smoking device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of optional features for the exemplary housing member shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary housing member shown in FIG. 8A as viewed along line 8B-8B shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary housing member shown in FIG. 7 at line 9-9 shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the exemplary housing member shown in FIG. 7 showing optional features for the exemplary housing member;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary cap member suitable for use in the exemplary smoking device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exemplary cap member shown in FIG. 11 showing optional features for the exemplary cap member.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention, descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow and specific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations, further modifications, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

The present invention is directed to smoking devices and systems. The present invention is further directed to methods of making smoking devices and systems. The present invention is even further directed to methods of using smoking devices and systems.

Other Embodiments:

Smoking Devices and Systems

  • 1. A smoking device 100 comprising: a tubular member 10 having: a first end 11, a second end 12 opposite said first end 11, a cavity 14 extending through said tubular member 10 from said first end 11 to said second end 12, said cavity 14 having a first opening 15 at said first end 11, said first opening 15 having a first cross-sectional area AF that is greater than a second cross-sectional area AS positioned along said cavity 14 between said first opening 15 and said second end 12, and one or more second end edges 16 along said second end 12, said one or more second end edges 16 having a combined edge length Lse that is greater than an outer circumference Lcir of said tubular member 10 at said one or more second end edges 16 that is closest to said first end 11.
  • 2. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 1, wherein at least a portion of said one or more second end edges 16 along said second end 12 extend from said second end 12 towards said first end 11.
  • 3. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein said one or more second end edges 16 along said second end 12 form one or more blade-like or spike-like members 17 at said second end 12.
  • 4. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein said one or more second end edges 16 along said second end 12 form one or more spike-like members 17 at said second end 12.
  • 5. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein said one or more second end edges 16 along said second end 12 form a single spike-like member 17 at said second end 12. See, for example, exemplary smoking device 100 shown in FIG. 3.
  • 6. A smoking device 100 comprising: a tubular member 10 having: a first end 11, a second end 12 opposite said first end 11, a cavity 14 extending through said tubular member 10 from a first opening 15 at said first end 11 to one or more second openings 151 between said first opening 15 and said second end 12, and one or more blade-like or spike-like members 17 at said second end 12, the one or more blade-like or spike-like members 17 being capable of piercing an outer wall of a plastic or aluminum container (e.g., a two-liter plastic container).
  • 7. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 6, wherein said tubular member 10 comprises one or more spike-like members 17 at said second end 12.
  • 8. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 6 or 7, wherein said tubular member 10 comprises a single spike-like member 17 at said second end 12. See, for example, exemplary smoking device 100 shown in FIG. 3.
  • 9. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 5 or 8, wherein said single spike-like member 17 is positioned along an outer edge of said tubular member 10.
  • 10. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 5 or 8, wherein said single spike-like member 17 has a dissecting axis X that is centrally located along a dissecting axis X′ of said tubular member 10.
  • 11. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein said cavity 14 comprises two or more parallel cavity portions 14′ (not shown) extending along said tubular member 10 between said first end and a location proximate to or at said second end 12.
  • 12. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein said cavity 14 comprises a single cavity 14 extending through said tubular member 10. It should be noted that (i) single cavity 14 or (ii) two or more parallel cavity portions 14′ (not shown) may end at second end 12 or at a location proximate to but not at second end 12 (i.e., along stem 20 as shown in FIG. 4B). Further, the two or more parallel cavity portions 14′ may be represented by two or more second openings 151 positioned proximate or at said second end 12 (e.g., 2 to 6 holes positioned along an outer surface of said tubular member 10 within a lower ½ of a tubular member length Ltm of said tubular member 10.
  • 13. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 6 to 12, wherein said first opening 15 has a first cross-sectional area AF that is greater than a second cross-sectional area AS positioned along said cavity 14 between said first opening 15 and said one or more second openings 151.
  • 14. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein said tubular member 10 further comprises a bowl portion 13 at said first end 11, said bowl portion 13 having said first opening 15 therein.
  • 15. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein said tubular member 10 further comprises a bowl portion 13 at said first end 11, said bowl portion 13 having said first opening 15 therein and having a conical shape along a length LBP thereof. See, for example, FIG. 2.
  • 16. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 and 13 to 15, wherein said first cross-sectional area AF is at least about 1.5 times greater than said second cross-sectional area AS, wherein said second cross-sectional area AS is positioned along said cavity 14 and perpendicular to a dissecting axis X′ of said tubular member 10. See, for example, dissecting axis X′ in FIGS. 1 and 4B.
  • 17. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 and 13 to 16, wherein said first cross-sectional area AF is at least about 2.0 times greater than said second cross-sectional area AS, wherein said second cross-sectional area AS is positioned along said cavity 14 and perpendicular to a dissecting axis X′ of said tubular member 10.
  • 18. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 and 13 to 17, wherein said first cross-sectional area AF is at least about 2.5 times greater than said second cross-sectional area AS, wherein said second cross-sectional area AS is positioned along said cavity 14 and perpendicular to a dissecting axis X′ of said tubular member 10.
  • 19. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein an outer diameter Dtm of said tubular member 10 decreases along a bowl portion 13 to a bowl end 19, and then stays substantially constant from said bowl end 19 to said second cross-sectional area AS, wherein said second cross-sectional area AS is positioned along said cavity 14 and perpendicular to a dissecting axis X′ of said tubular member 10. See, for example, FIG. 4.
  • 20. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein said tubular member 10 further comprises a stem 20 extending from a bowl end 19 of a bowl portion 13 along said tubular member 10, said stem 20 having a substantially constant outer diameter DS from said bowl end 19 to said second cross-sectional area AS, wherein said second cross-sectional area AS is positioned along said cavity 14 and perpendicular to a dissecting axis X′ of said tubular member 10. See, for example, FIG. 4A.
  • 21. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 20, wherein said tubular member 10 further comprises a stop 102 positioned along said tubular member 10 between said second end 12 and said first end 11. See, for example, exemplary stop 102 shown in FIG. 4A.
  • 22. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 14 to 21, wherein said bowl portion 13 acts as a stop 102 along said tubular member 10. Although not shown in the figures, it should be understood that stop 102 may extend along a length of tubular member 10 from below first opening 15 at said first end 11 to a point along stem 20. Further, it should be understood that stop 102 and tubular member 10 may be (1) integrally connected to one another as a single piece, (2) two separate pieces that are joined to one another and intended to be used as a single piece, or (3) two separate pieces that are joined to one another and intended to be used as a single piece, but are separable from one another if so desired.
  • 23. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein said tubular member 10 further comprises a rim 99 extending outwardly from and surrounding said first opening 15 at said first end 11. See, for example, exemplary rim 99 shown in FIG. 4B.
  • 24. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, wherein said tubular member 10 further comprises a rim 99 extending outwardly from and surrounding said first opening 15 at said first end 11, said rim 99 extending outwardly a rim distance DR of from about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm from a tubular member side surface 191 below said rim 99. See, for example, exemplary rim 99 and rim distance DR shown in FIG. 4B.
  • 25. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 24, wherein said tubular member 10 has a tubular member length LTM ranging from about 1.0 centimeter (cm) to about 100 cm (or any length between about 1.0 cm and about 100 cm, in increments of 0.1 cm, e.g., about 2.1 cm, or any range between about 1.0 cm and about 100 cm, in increments of 0.1 cm, e.g., from about 1.2 cm to about 3.4 cm).
  • 26. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 25, wherein said tubular member 10 has a tubular member length LTM ranging from about 3.0 cm to about 10.0 cm.
  • 27. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 26, wherein said tubular member 10 has a maximum tubular width WTM ranging from about 1.0 cm to about 5.0 cm (or any width between about 1.0 cm and about 5.0 cm, in increments of 0.1 cm, e.g., about 2.1 cm, or any range between about 1.0 cm and about 5.0 cm, in increments of 0.1 cm, e.g., from about 1.2 cm to about 3.4 cm).
  • 28. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 27, wherein said tubular member 10 has a maximum tubular width WTM ranging from about 1.2 cm to about 1.5 cm.
  • 29. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 28, wherein said tubular member 10 comprises a metallic or ceramic material.
  • 30. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 29, wherein said tubular member 10 comprises a metallic material.
  • 31. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 30, wherein said tubular member 10 comprises stainless steel or aluminum. In one desired embodiment, when stop 102 is present, tubular member 10 comprises aluminum, and stop 102 comprises a plastic and/or wood.
  • 32. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 31, further comprising: a housing member 30 having: a housing first end 31, a housing second end 32 opposite said housing first end 31, and a housing cavity 34 extending into said housing first end 31 towards said housing second end 32, said housing cavity 34 having a first housing opening 35 at said housing first end 31, said housing first opening 35 being sized so as to extend over at least a portion of said tubular member 10 that extends from said second end 12 towards said first end 11.
  • 33. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 32, wherein said housing cavity 34 extends from said first housing opening 35 to at least one opening (not shown, but could be, for example, under bottle opener 39 shown in FIG. 10) within said housing second end 32.
  • 34. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 32, wherein said housing cavity 34 extends from said first housing opening 35 to a point between said first housing opening 35 and said housing second end 32 and spaced from said housing second end 32.
  • 35. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 34, wherein said housing first opening 35 is sized so as to extend over a portion of said tubular member 10 that extends from said second end 12 to at least a bowl end 19 of a bowl portion 13 of said tubular member 10.
  • 36. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 35, wherein said housing member has a sheath-like configuration that extend over a portion of said tubular member 10 that extends from said second end 12 to at least a bowl end 19 of a bowl portion 13 of said tubular member 10.
  • 37. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 36, wherein said housing member has a sheath-like configuration that extend over said tubular member 10 from said second end 12 to said first end 11.
  • 38. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 37, wherein said housing second end 32 comprises one or more end surface portions 36 that enable said housing member 30 to stand on its housing second end 32.
  • 39. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 38, wherein said housing member 30, when assembled over at least a portion of said tubular member 10, extends beyond said second end 12 of said tubular member 10.
  • 40. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 39, wherein said housing member 30 further comprises one or more housing channels 37/38 extending from a housing side surface 33 to said housing cavity 34.
  • 41. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 40, wherein said housing member 30 further comprises one or more housing channels 37/38 extending from a housing side surface 33 to said housing cavity 34, said one or more housing channels 37/38 comprising a first channel 37 having a first channel configuration that enables said housing member 30 to make a whistle sound when a user blows into said first housing opening 35 of said housing member 30. See, for example, exemplary first channel 37 shown in FIGS. 8A-8B.
  • 42. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 41, wherein said housing member 30 further comprises one or more housing channels 37/38 extending from a housing side surface 33 to said housing cavity 34, said one or more housing channels 37/38 comprising a second channel 38 having a second channel configuration that, when assembled with said tubular member 10 and aligned with at least one second opening 151 of said cavity 14, enables said housing member 30 to act as a pipe when a user pulls through said second channel 38. See, for example, exemplary second channel 38 shown in FIGS. 8A-8B. It should be understood that (i) housing cavity 34 and (ii) one or more housing channels 37/38 extending from a housing side surface 33 to said housing cavity 34 may have any configuration. For example, although not shown, housing member 30 may comprise a housing cavity 34, a housing volume in fluid communication with said housing cavity 34, a first channel 37 having a first channel configuration that extends from a housing side surface 33 into the housing volume, a second channel 38 having a second channel configuration that, when assembled with said tubular member 10, enables said housing member 30 to act as a “minibong” when a user pulls through said second channel 38, and the housing volume is at least partially filled with a fluid such as water. When housing member 30 is used as a “minibong,” housing member 30 may further comprise some type of water-sealing material (e.g., an O-ring) positioned along housing cavity 34 so as to form a water-tight seal between housing cavity 34 and tubular member 10 positioned therein.
  • 43. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 42, wherein said housing member 30, when assembled with said tubular member 10, is movable relative to said tubular member 10, and is movable from a first position in which said second channel 38 is aligned with at least one second opening 151 of said cavity 14 (i.e., a “use” position in which housing member 30 can be used as a pipe) to a second position in which said second channel 38 is not aligned with at least one second opening 151 of said cavity 14 (i.e., a “storage” position in which housing member 30 cannot be used as a pipe).
  • 44. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 43, wherein said housing member 30 further comprises a bottle opener 39 along or embedded within a housing side surface 33 of said housing member 30.
  • 45. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 44, wherein said housing member 30 further comprises a bottle opener 39 along or embedded within a housing side surface 33 of said housing second end 32 (e.g., one or more end surface portions 36 as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B). In one desired embodiment, housing member 30 comprises a bottle opener 39 along a bottom surface 36 (i.e., bottom end surface portion 36). In this embodiment, housing member 30 and bottle opener 39 may be (1) integrally connected to one another as a single piece, (2) two separate pieces that are joined to one another and intended to be used as a single piece, or (3) two separate pieces that are joined to one another and intended to be used as a single piece, but are separable from one another if so desired.
  • 46. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 45, wherein said housing member 30 is connectable to said tubular member 10.
  • 47. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 46, wherein said housing member 30 is disconnect from said tubular member 10.
  • 48. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 47, wherein said housing member 30 has a housing member length LHM ranging from about 1.0 cm to about 100 cm (or any length between about 1.0 cm and about 100 cm, in increments of 0.1 cm, e.g., about 2.1 cm, or any range between about 1.0 cm and about 100 cm, in increments of 0.1 cm, e.g., from about 1.2 cm to about 3.4 cm).
  • 49. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 48, wherein said housing member 30 has a housing member length LHM ranging from about 3.0 cm to about 10.0 cm.
  • 50. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 49, wherein said housing member 30 has a housing member width WHM ranging from about 1.0 cm to about 5.0 cm (or any width between about 1.0 cm and about 5.0 cm, in increments of 0.1 cm, e.g., about 2.1 cm, or any range between about 1.0 cm and about 5.0 cm, in increments of 0.1 cm, e.g., from about 1.2 cm to about 3.4 cm).
  • 51. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 50, wherein said housing member 30 has a housing member width WHM ranging from about 1.2 cm to about 1.5 cm.
  • 52. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 51, wherein said housing member 30 comprises a metallic or ceramic or polymeric or cellulosic material or combination thereof. In one desired embodiment, housing member 30 comprises (i) an upper section comprising a polymeric material and having a substantially flat end surface (e.g., similar to housing member 30 shown in FIG. 7), and (ii) a lower section attached to the upper section (e.g., if the lower section shown in FIG. 10 were to be attached to housing member 30 shown in FIG. 7 so that bottle opener 39 was facing downward in FIG. 7), the lower section comprising aluminum and having a bottle opener 39 formed in a lower surface of the lower section.
  • 53. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 52, wherein said housing member 30 comprises a metallic material.
  • 54. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 32 to 53, wherein said housing member 30 comprises stainless steel or aluminum.
  • 55. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 54, further comprising: a cap member 40 having: a cap member first end 41, and a cap member second end 42 opposite said cap member first end 41, said cap member second end 42 being sized to extend over said first opening 15 of said cavity 14. In some embodiments, said cap member second end 42 is sized to extend over all of a rim 99. See, for example, exemplary rim 99 shown in FIG. 4B.
  • 56. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 55, wherein said cap member first end 41 comprises a cap member first end surface 44 and one or more cap member wall portions 45 extending upward from said cap member first end surface 44.
  • 57. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 55 or 56, wherein said cap member first end 41 comprises a cap member first end surface 44 and a single cap member wall portion 45 extending upward from said cap member first end surface 44.
  • 58. The smoking device 100 of embodiment 55 or 56, wherein said cap member first end 41 comprises a cap member first end surface 44 and two or more cap member wall portions 45 extending upward from said cap member first end surface 44.
  • 59. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 56 to 58, wherein said cap member first end 41 further comprises one or more cap member holes 46 extending thru said one or more cap member wall portions 45, each hole 46 being sized to allow a key chain component (not shown) to extend therethrough. Suitable key chain components include, but are not limited to, a metal ring, a metal chain, a string, an inelastic band, an elastic band, etc.
  • 60. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 56 to 59, wherein said cap member first end 41 further comprises two or more cap member holes 46 extending thru said one or more cap member wall portions 45, each hole 46 being sized to allow a key chain component (not shown) to extend therethrough.
  • 61. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 60, wherein said cap member first end 41 resembles an upper portion of a rook piece of a chess set.
  • 62. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 61, wherein said cap member second end 42 comprises a cap member second end surface (not shown) and one or more cap member wall portions 421 extending downward from said cap member second end surface.
  • 63. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 62, wherein said cap member 40 is connectable to at least one of said tubular member 10 and said housing member 30. Although not shown in the figures, cap member second end 42 may comprise cap member connectors (e.g., cap member threads) that can be used to connect to corresponding connectors on at least one of tubular member 10 (e.g., corresponding tubular member threads) and housing member 30 (e.g., corresponding housing member threads).
  • 64. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 63, wherein said cap member 40 is connectable to said tubular member 10.
  • 65. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 64, wherein said cap member 40 is connectable to said tubular member 10 and said housing member 30.
  • 66. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 65, wherein said cap member 40 is disconnectable from said tubular member 10.
  • 67. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 66, wherein said cap member 40 comprises a metallic or ceramic or polymeric or cellulosic material.
  • 68. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 67, wherein said cap member 40 comprises a metallic material.
  • 69. The smoking device 100 of any one of embodiments 55 to 68, wherein said cap member 40 comprises stainless steel or aluminum.

Methods of Making Smoking Devices and Systems

  • 70. A method of making the smoking device of any one of embodiments 1 to 69, said method comprising: forming the tubular member 10 via a first forming step, said first forming step comprising at least one of a machining step, a molding step, a drilling step, a cutting step, and a cooling step.
  • 71. The method of embodiment 70, said first forming step comprising a molding step.
  • 72. The method of embodiment 70 or 71, wherein said first forming step results in a single spike-like member 17 at the second end 12 of the tubular member 10.
  • 73. The method of any one of embodiments 70 to 72, wherein said first forming step results in a bowl portion 13 at the first end 11 of the tubular member 10.
  • 74. The method of any one of embodiments 70 to 73, wherein said first forming step results in a single cavity 14 extending through the tubular member 10.
  • 75. The method of any one of embodiments 70 to 74, further comprising: forming the housing member 30 via a second forming step, said second forming step comprising at least one of a machining step, a molding step, a drilling step, a cutting step, and a cooling step.
  • 76. The method of embodiment 75, said second forming step comprising a molding step.
  • 77. The method of embodiment 75 or 76, said second forming step results in the housing member 30 having a sheath-like configuration that is extendable over at least a portion of the tubular member 10 from the second end 12 towards the first end 11.

Methods of Using Smoking Devices and Systems

  • 78. A method of using the smoking device of any one of embodiments 1 to 69, said method comprising: puncturing a container (not shown) with (i) the one or more second end edges 16 or (ii) the one or more blade-like or spike-like members 17 along the second end 12 of the tubular member 10; and positioning combustible material (not shown) within the first opening 15 of the tubular member 10.
  • 79. The method of embodiment 78, further comprising: filling at least a portion of the container with a liquid (not shown).
  • 80. The method of embodiment 79, wherein the liquid comprises water.
  • 81. The method of any one of embodiments 78 to 80, further comprising: lighting the combustible material with a flame.
  • 82. The method of any one of embodiments 78 to 81, further comprising: draining a fluid from the container to create a vacuum force within the container, the vacuum force drawing smoke from the combustible material into the container.
  • 83. The method of embodiment 82, further comprising: stopping said draining of the fluid from the container.
  • 84. The method of any one of embodiments 78 to 83, further comprising: removing the tubular member 10 from the container to enable inhalation of smoke within the container.
  • 85. The method of any one of embodiments 78 to 84, further comprising: removing a container closure device (e.g., container screw-on cap)(not shown) from the container to enable inhalation of smoke within the container.
  • 86. The method of any one of embodiments 78 to 85, further comprising: inhaling smoke from within the container.
  • 87. The method of any one of embodiments 78 to 86, wherein the combustible material comprises marijuana.

It should be understood that although the above-described smoking devices, systems, and methods are described as “comprising” one or more components or steps, the above-described smoking devices, systems, and methods may “comprise,” “consists of,” or “consist essentially of any of the above-described components or steps of the smoking devices, systems, and methods. Consequently, where the present invention, or a portion thereof, has been described with an open-ended term such as “comprising,” it should be readily understood that (unless otherwise stated) the description of the present invention, or the portion thereof, should also be interpreted to describe the present invention, or a portion thereof, using the terms “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” or variations thereof as discussed below.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” “contains”, “containing,” “characterized by” or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, subject to any limitation explicitly indicated otherwise, of the recited components. For example, a smoking device, system, and/or method that “comprises” a list of elements (e.g., components or steps) is not necessarily limited to only those elements (or components or steps), but may include other elements (or components or steps) not expressly listed or inherent to the smoking device, system, and/or method.

As used herein, the transitional phrases “consists of” and “consisting of” exclude any element, step, or component not specified. For example, “consists of” or “consisting of” used in a claim would limit the claim to the components, materials or steps specifically recited in the claim except for impurities ordinarily associated therewith (i.e., impurities within a given component). When the phrase “consists of” or “consisting of” appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, the phrase “consists of” or “consisting of” limits only the elements (or components or steps) set forth in that clause; other elements (or components) are not excluded from the claim as a whole.

As used herein, the transitional phrases “consists essentially of” and “consisting essentially of” are used to define a smoking device, system, and/or method that includes materials, steps, features, components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed, provided that these additional materials, steps, features, components, or elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. The term “consisting essentially of” occupies a middle ground between “comprising” and “consisting of”.

Further, it should be understood that the herein-described smoking devices, systems, and/or methods may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of any of the herein-described components and features, as shown in the figures with or without any feature(s) not shown in the figures. In other words, in some embodiments, the smoking devices, systems, and/or methods of the present invention do not have any additional features other than those shown in the figures, and such additional features, not shown in the figures, are specifically excluded from the smoking devices, systems, and/or methods. In other embodiments, the smoking devices, systems, and/or methods of the present invention do have one or more additional features that are not shown in the figures.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLE 1

Smoking devices, similar to exemplary smoking device 100 shown in FIGS. 1-12, were prepared.

While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A smoking device comprising:

a tubular member having: a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a cavity extending through said tubular member from said first end to said second end, said cavity having a first opening at said first end, said first opening having a first cross-sectional area AF that is greater than a second cross-sectional area AS positioned along said cavity between said first opening and said second end, and one or more second end edges along said second end, said one or more second end edges having a combined edge length Lse that is greater than an outer circumference Lcir of said tubular member at said one or more second end edges that is closest to said first end.

2. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said one or more second end edges along said second end extend from said second end towards said first end.

3. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein said one or more second end edges along said second end form one or more blade-like or spike-like members at said second end.

4. The smoking device of claim 3, wherein said one or more second end edges along said second end form one or more spike-like members at said second end.

5. The smoking device of claim 4, wherein said one or more second end edges along said second end form a single spike-like member at said second end.

6. A smoking device comprising:

(I) a tubular member having: a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a cavity extending through said tubular member from a first opening at said first end to one or more second openings between said first opening and said second end, and one or more blade-like or spike-like members at said second end, the one or more blade-like or spike-like members being capable of piercing an outer wall of a plastic or aluminum container;
(II) a housing member having: a housing first end, a housing second end opposite said housing first end, and a housing cavity extending into said housing first end towards said housing second end, said housing cavity having a first housing opening at said housing first end, said housing first opening being sized so as to extend over at least a portion of said tubular member that extends from said second end towards said first end; and
(III) a cap member having: a cap member first end, and a cap member second end opposite said cap member first end, said cap member second end being sized to extend over said first opening of said cavity.

7. The smoking device of claim 6, wherein said tubular member comprises one or more spike-like members at said second end.

8. The smoking device of claim 6, wherein said first opening has a first cross-sectional area AF that is greater than a second cross-sectional area AS positioned along said cavity between said first opening and said one or more second openings.

9. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein said tubular member further comprises a bowl portion at said first end, said bowl portion having said first opening therein and having a conical shape along a length LBP thereof.

10. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter Dtm of said tubular member decreases along a bowl portion to a bowl end, and then stays substantially constant from said bowl end to said second cross-sectional area AS, wherein said second cross-sectional area AS is positioned along said cavity and perpendicular to a dissecting axis X′ of said tubular member.

11. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein said tubular member further comprises a stem extending from a bowl end of a bowl portion along said tubular member, said stem having a substantially constant outer diameter DS from said bowl end to said second cross-sectional area AS, wherein said second cross-sectional area AS is positioned along said cavity and perpendicular to a dissecting axis X′ of said tubular member.

12. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein said tubular member further comprises a rim extending outwardly from and surrounding said first opening at said first end.

13. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein said tubular member has a tubular member length LTM ranging from about 1.0 centimeter (cm) to about 100 cm.

14. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein said tubular member comprises a metallic or ceramic material.

15. The smoking device of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing member having: a housing first end, a housing second end opposite said housing first end, and a housing cavity extending into said housing first end towards said housing second end, said housing cavity having a first housing opening at said housing first end, said housing first opening being sized so as to extend over at least a portion of said tubular member that extends from said second end towards said first end.

16. The smoking device of claim 15, wherein said housing member has a sheath-like configuration that extend over said tubular member from said second end to said first end.

17. The smoking device of claim 1, further comprising:

a cap member having: a cap member first end, and a cap member second end opposite said cap member first end, said cap member second end being sized to extend over said first opening of said cavity.

18. The smoking device of claim 17, wherein said cap member first end resembles an upper portion of a rook piece of a chess set.

19. A method of using the smoking device of claim 1, said method comprising:

puncturing a container with (i) the one or more second end edges or (ii) the one or more blade-like or spike-like members along the second end of the tubular member; and
positioning combustible material within the first opening of the tubular member.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising one or more of the following steps:

filling at least a portion of the container with a liquid;
lighting the combustible material with a flame;
draining a fluid from the container to create a vacuum force within the container, the vacuum force drawing smoke from the combustible material into the container;
stopping said draining of the fluid from the container;
removing the tubular member from the container to enable inhalation of smoke within the container;
removing a container closure device from the container to enable inhalation of smoke within the container; and
inhaling smoke from within the container.
Patent History
Publication number: 20160302480
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 20, 2016
Publication Date: Oct 20, 2016
Inventor: Ross Rhoades (Aragon, GA)
Application Number: 15/133,760
Classifications
International Classification: A24F 1/28 (20060101); A24F 1/32 (20060101); A24F 3/00 (20060101); A24F 9/00 (20060101);