SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COOLING VAPORS TO BE INHALED

Abstract

An organic material such as tobacco can be smoked through a traditional smoking water pipe, also called a bong. The bong has a vertical cylindrical inhalation tube. The present invention provides a simple flexible ice mold that forms a cylindrical ice cube having a spiraled outer periphery. Various spiral patterns and mold sizes are disclosed. The inhaled smoke is exposed to about a 35% (at least about 25%) increased surface area of the ice cube with the ice cube resting in the vertical cylindrical inhalation tube. This cooler smoke is pleasing to the smoker.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE PATENT

This non-provisional application claims priority to provisional application number 62406774 filed Oct. 11, 2016.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates generally to smoking accessories and more particularly to an apparatus configured to mold ice to fit into a water pipe to cool smoke immediately before inhalation of the smoke by a person using the water pipe to smoke a combustible substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,948 discloses a device for filtering and cooling smoke or gas in a tobacco smoking water pipe (bong). A removably mountable filter is vertically disposed in a cylindrical pipe or passage. The filter retains a quantity of liquid through which upwardly moving smoke or gas passes. Pub. No. US 2011/0005533 discloses an entire smoking water pipe made of ice.

Ice cubes are commonly used in water pipes to cool smoke before inhalation. This conventional approach involves chaotically stacking ice cubes in a water pipe. Novel molds are used in making frozen, gelatinized, baked or otherwise solidified food or beverage products and accessories. Novel geometries of ice cubes, including the present invention have a cylindrical cavity with contiguous indentations, can be used for a variety of purposes. An ice cube with the novel geometry of cylindrical exterior with inset contiguous indentations has a variety of uses including a beverage cooler or garnish.

The present invention solves the long sought need to increase the efficiency of a cooling medium in a smoking water pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Summary of the Disclosure

An aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice shape of cylindrical exterior with inset passages to cool vapors to be inhaled in a tobacco (or other organic material) smoking water pipe.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice shape with a cylindrical exterior and peripheral grooves that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice mold that is simple to use.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wrap to compress the mold during freezing.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an ice holding structure that can hold ice with passages and be removed from the ice. Ice formed within this structure fits into a water pipe to cool passing smoke.

Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a sheath of a flexible waterproof material. The inner circumference of the sheath has raised ribs.

Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In operation a traditional water pipe has a vertical cylinder with interior indents. The present invention provides an ice mold that produces a cylindrical ice cube with a spiral series of indentation grooves. This ice cube is dropped into the vertical cylinder and rests on the interior indents. The smoke passes through the spiraled indentation grooves of the ice cube. The smoke receives over a 30% increased surface area exposure and over a 100% increased pathway length compared to a cylinder shaped ice cube. This extra cooling adds a non-obvious improvement to smoking from a traditional water pipe.

The novel features will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are a part of the application and;

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred mold for the spiraled ice cube.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the back side of the mold, shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view as the mold in FIG. 1 is closing.

FIG. 4 is a top view as the mold in FIG. 1 is closing.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the mold in FIG. 1 once closed.

FIG. 6 is cross-section A-A of FIG. 5 of the closed mold.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of cross-section A-A of the closed mold shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the closed mold shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the molded ice cube made from the mold of FIG. 2 with embodied dimensions.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the ice cube shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is an isometric view of a two flute spiral molded ice cube.

FIG. 11B is a front elevation view of the FIG. 11A ice cube.

FIG. 12A is an isometric view of a spiral zigzag molded ice cube.

FIG. 12B is a front elevation view of the FIG. 12A ice cube.

FIG. 12C is a side elevation view of the FIG. 12A ice cube.

FIG. 13 is a water pipe with the ice cube 40 of FIG. 9.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in application to the details of the particular arrangements shown, since other embodiments are possible. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A GLOSSARY OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWINGS

10 mold

11 diameter lettering

12 test fit section

13 media buffer

14 top opening

15 pathway positive ridges

16 slanted protrusion

17 protrusion

18 inlay shutoff

19 raised shutoff

20 cavity

21A and B chamber piece

22 side

23 bottom band

24 center ridge

25 chamber piece bottom

26 center relief

27 side protrusion

28 foot

29 bottom relief

30 wrap

31 hole

32 handle

40 molded shape

41 cylindrical exterior

42 internal diameter of media

43 excess media

44 pathway

50 water pipe

51 ice catch

52 water bulb

53 downstem

54 combustion bowl

55 open cylinder

60 air—Moving toward combustion bowl 54

61 smoke—moving along downstem 53

62 smoke—exiting downstem 53 into water bulb 52

63 smoke—bubbling out of water bulb 52

64 smoke—traveling trough pathway 44

65 smoke—exiting water pipe 55

70 combustible substance

FIG. 1 shows an ice cube mold 10 having two chamber pieces 21A, and 21B. The pieces 21A and B are conjoined by bottom band 23 and having wrap 30. Chamber pieces 21A, B together, enclose mold cavity 20 with raised pathway positive ridges 15.

FIG. 2 shows the other side of the ice mold 10. The test fit section 12 may have diameter lettering 11 identifying the diameter of the molded shape 40 shown in FIG. 9. The slanted protrusions 16, protrusions 17, and side protrusions 27 accept the holes 31 of the wrap 30. Slanted protrusion 16 tapers outward to resist the final hole 31 of the wrap 30 from slipping off and spontaneously unwrapping the mold.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the chamber pieces 21A, B closing. Bottom band 23 is a living hinge. When closing, the chamber piece bottom 25 fits onto the top side of the bottom band 23 such that the center ridge 24 is aligned with the center relief 26. A bottom relief 29 enables the bottom band 23 to present a flat surface downward when closed. To enclose cavity 20, the raised shutoff 19 receives the inlay shutoff 18, and the sides 22 are pressed together.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the mold 10 closing, as it was in FIG. 3. The inlay shutoff 18 is receiving the raised shutoff 19. Side 22 of chamber piece 21A closes against side 22 of chamber piece 21B. The length of wrap 30 is not displayed in full. After the two chamber pieces 21A, B are brought together, the wrap 30 is wrapped around them.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the closed and wrapped mold 10. The wrap 30 is pictured closed, covering side protrusions 27, protrusions 17, and ending at the slanted protrusions 16. The flat surface resulting from the closed bottom band 23 and feet 28 can be seen.

FIG. 6 shows cross-section A-A of the closed mold 10. Both the inlay shutoff 18 and the raised shutoff 19 are shown in this cross section, the raised portion inside the inlay.

Similarly the center ridge 24 and the center relief 26 are shown in contact. The wrap 30 covers the side protrusions 27 with holes 31. The top opening 14 and the media buffer 13 provide the means of filling the mold 10 with media (water) once closed.

Chamber pieces 21A, B may have diameter lettering 11 to display the diameter of the molded shape 40. Chamber pieces 21A, B may have diameter test fit section 12 to check the fit of molded shape 40 into open cylinder 55. Using the mold to check the size of open cylinder 55 in which molded shape 40 will fit, gives confidence to a potential in-store buyer. Above cavity 20 is water level buffer 13. As water freezes and expands in cavity 20 the water raises out of top opening 14 into media buffer 13. Top opening 14 has the same diameter as at the deepest part of pathway 44. Pathway positive 15 is raised from the cylindrical exterior of mold cavity 20 to produce pathway 44 in molded shape 40. Wrap 30 is attached to one chamber piece 21 and wraps covering the each protrusion 16, 17, 27 once. Wrap 30 is sized such that it must be stretched to wrap around assembled chamber pieces 21 and protrusions 16, 17, 27 to provide compression to prevent water leaking from cavity 20. Inlay shutoff 18 runs the perimeter of mold cavity 20 on side 22. Raised shutoff 19 fits into inlay shutoff 18 to impede water leaking from cavity 20. Side 22 fits against another side 22 to support the compression load from wrap 30.

There may exist a bottom band 23 which connects the chamber pieces 21 to provide compressive force at the base, in some instances with center ridge 24 centering that force into the center relief 26 at the base of the chamber piece 21. Chamber pieces may have foot 28 or bottom relief 29 to facilitate the closed mold 10 standing upright unassisted.

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of cross section A-A of mold 10.

FIG. 8 shows the outside of the mold 10 invention where wrap 30 has the handle 32 closed over the slanted protrusions 16. The side protrusion 27 is visible through hole 31.

FIG. 9 shows the dimensions in the preferred embodiment of the molded ice cube shape 40. The diameter d₁ of the molded shape 40 is 1.65 inches with a total height d₂ of 3 inches. The pitch d₃ of the pathway 44 is 0.4 inches. The depth d₅ of the pathway 44 is 0.3 inches. The surface d₆ of the center cylinder 42 between ridges is in the same plane as the cylindrical exterior 41 for 0.08 inches along the pathway 44. The surface d₄ of the ridges composing the cylindrical exterior 41 is 0.11 inches. Therefore, the displacement in the walls of the pathway 44 along this dimension is 0.21 inches. The pathway wall displacement, depth and total pathway 44 length determine the exposed surface area which cools the inhaled vapors. For a 1.65 inch diameter, 3 inch tall described ice cube 40, 35% more surface area is presented to the inhaled gas than a right circular cylinder of the same diameter and height. The pathway 44 length is nine inches while the regular cylinder has only three vertical inches of contacted cooling surface. The surface of the ridges d₄ is such that the user does not find the usage too brief with the ice cube shape 40 melting against the walls of the water pipe 50. The top opening diameter is such that an ice cube 40 can withstand the forces of opening the mold 10.

As there are many diameters of water pipes, many diameters d₁ could be considered as preferred, ranging from one half to three inches. The length, d₂, of the ice relates to the temperature change of the passing smoke; a longer ice shape will cool the smoke more. The length may range from about two to about seven inches. The other pathway measurements d₃, d₄, d₅, and d₆, optimize cooling, ease of use, and duration of function.

FIG. 10 shows a complete molded ice cube 40 after being removed from the mold 10.

FIGS. 11A, B present an isometric and front view of a two flute spiral variant of the molded shape labeled 400.

FIGS. 12A, B, C present a front, side, and isometric view of a three fluted spiral zigzag molded shape labeled 500.

FIG. 13. show a method of use of the ice cube 40 to cool passing vapors. Ice cube 40 is removed from mold 10, placed into open cylinder 55, and lowered to rest on ice catch 51.

A smoker of the water pipe 50 causes combustion of combustible substance 70 in combustion bowl 54 and inhales from open cylinder 55 to draw in air 60 to combustion bowl 54. Smoke 61 travels along the downstem 53. Smoke 62 exits the downstem 53 into water bulb 52. Smoke 63 bubbles out of water bulb 52. Smoke 64 travels through pathway 44 and is cooled. Smoke 65 exits water pipe 50 and is inhaled at the top T of open cylinder 55.

Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment mold 10 of the invention identified as a one-piece, single pathway variant. The bottom band 23 connects the opposed chamber pieces 21A, B. A wrap 30 is connected to one chamber piece 21 of sufficient length to encircle the closed mold 10 after stretching. The wrap 30 has holes 31 spaced to match protrusions 17 and 27. One chamber piece 21 features a raised shutoff 19 and the opposing chamber piece 21 features a complementary inlay shutoff 18.

The method of the preferred embodiment is such that the raised shutoff 19 on one chamber piece 21 fits the inlay shutoff 18 on the other piece and they are pressed together. The bottom band 23 is tensioned in closing. The wrap 30 is then pulled around the mold, fitting holes 31 over protrusions 17 and side protrusions 27 to compress and seal the cavity 20 by closing on slanted protrusions 16. Water is then added to top opening 14 but not so much as to fill media buffer 13 and cause overflow if freezing. The mold and liquid are then stood upright on feet 28 and bottom band 23 in a freezing chamber. Once cast, the wrap 30 is unwrapped completely, then the chamber pieces 21 are gently peeled off the resultant molded shape 40.

Liquid may be added to cavity 20 through top opening 14, then the assembly is chilled to cause liquid in cavity 20 to freeze or cure. The media buffer 13 enables casting using a medium that expands as it solidifies. Once cast, the mold wrap 30 is unwrapped from the mold, then chamber pieces 21A, B are separated from molded shape 40. Mold 10 is made of food safe silicone and is flexible when very cold, enabling bending the mold 10 off of molded shape 40. Internal diameter 42 is used to hold molded shape 40 and lower it into open cylinder 55 of water pipe 50.

Molds of other diameters, numbers of flutes, length, flute height, and flute shape are also possible. Cavity 20 may be formed by a mold 10 having more than two chamber pieces 21. Mold 10 is geometrically created to optimize ease of use, durability, ice function, and manufacturability. Molds may be made of plastic, rubber, silicone, wood, carbon fiber, or metal.

If ice, molded shape 40 can also be used to chill liquids. When placed into a Cocktail or other beverage molded shape 40 provides a novel geometry. The pathway 44 provides an increased interface for molded shape 40 to cool liquid around it, cooling the beverage faster than a right circular cylinder of similar dimension. Establishments that serve cocktails buy ice of specific shapes; including cube and sphere. Ice molded shape 40 can be made in bulk and sold to bars and restaurants as a novel ice shape to cool beverages, or the mold 10 can be sold to economically produce the ice in house.

Molded shape 40 has a circular vertical profile and can be fit into open cylinder 55. Cylindrical exterior 41 is sized to fit open cylinder 55 of water pipe 50 such that gas flowing in open cylinder 55 generally does not flow around molded shape 40 but does flow along the pathway 44. If ice, excess media 43 above internal diameter 42 provides means to hold ice molded shape 40. When ice, molded shape 40 is geometrically created to optimize cooling of the flowing gas with manufacturability, flow impedance, duration of function, and strength of part.

Cavity 20 provides a sheath of a flexible waterproof material. The chamber pieces 21 and wrap 30 may be made of silicone with the benefits of being food safe, easy to clean, stretchy, and durable. Cavity 20 could be used to make Popsicle, cake, chocolate, or food product. Cavity 20 could be used as a male masturbation aide. The multiple uses of the invention provide value to a customer.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

While a number of exemplifying features and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and subcombinations thereof. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. In a smoking water pipe having a vertical cylindrical inhalation tube rising from a water bulb, the water bulb having a downstem with a combustion bowl, an improvement comprising:

a frozen cube of fluid sized to fit inside the vertical cylindrical inhalation tube;

said frozen cube of fluid having a height of at least a diameter of the vertical cylindrical inhalation tube;

said frozen cube of fluid having an outside peripheral wall;

said outside peripheral wall having a plurality of grooves; and

wherein said plurality of grooves provide an increased surface area of the outside peripheral wall of at least about 25% more than a comparable height circular cylinder having flat peripheral walls.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves further comprise a stack of symmetric cavities formed by ridges.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein each ridge has a channel which communicates with adjacent grooves.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein a height of the frozen cube of fluid ranges from about two to about seven inches.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves further comprise a spiral shape forming a continuous spiraled channel.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves further comprise a spiral zigzag shape.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the outside peripheral wall has a cylindrical shape.

8. A method to cool smoke inside a vertical inhalation tube of a smoking water pipe, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a flexible ice mold with a living hinge supporting two half cavity chambers;

compressing each half cavity chamber together;

wrapping a flexible clamp around the closed two half cavity chamber;

forming a plurality of grooves on an inside wall of each half of the cavity chamber;

filling the cavity with a fluid;

freezing the fluid;

opening the closed cavity chambers;

placing a frozen fluid cube from the cavity chamber into the vertical inhalation tube; and

inhaling smoke from the vertical inhalation tube.

9. An ice mold comprising:

a first and a second half of a flexible chamber cavity;

each half of the chamber cavity has an inside wall with ridges;

each half of the chamber cavity has an outside wall with projecting studs;

one half of the chamber cavity has a flexible closure wrap;

said closure wrap has a plurality of receiving holes for the projecting studs; and

a closed mode of the ice mold comprises a positioning of the two halves of the chamber cavity together, and a positioning of the closure wrap around the two halves of the chamber cavity with the receiving holes securing the projecting studs.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the two halves of the chamber cavity are joined by a living hinge connection.

11. The combination of claim 9, wherein the first and second half of the chamber cavity includes a test fit section of the same size as the inside wall.