SMOKING APPARATUS
A smoking apparatus comprising a main body comprising a combustion chamber fluidly coupled to an aperture in a mouthpiece; an outer layer at least partially surrounding the main body; and wherein the outer layer is formed of an at least partially transparent material and the main body is at least partially visible within the outer layer.
The application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/890,979 filed 23 Aug. 2019, titled “Smoking Apparatus”; and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/688,815 filed 19 Nov. 2019, titled “Smoking Apparatus” which are all incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety and for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe following detailed description relates to a smoking apparatus. More particularly, the description relates to a smoking apparatus with a main body with an outer layer of an at least partially transparent material.
BACKGROUNDCurrent silicone smoking apparatuses offer advantages, such as durability and lightweight characteristics. They may have a limited variety of desired visual effects implemented with respect to a particular shape. There may be perceived disadvantages when comparing silicone to the traditional pipe material of glass. One of those disadvantages may be the limitation of visual effects that can offer uniqueness within a particular shape. Generally, silicone rubber is visibly differentiated from glass by a solid surface and/or opaque or semi-opaque appearance, and it may be considered difficult to create visual depth effects where silicone is used in the manufacture of the smoking apparatus.
Another potential disadvantage of current silicone smoking apparatuses is the temporary or permanent discoloration and/or irreversible oxidation or damage to silicone pipes from general use. For example, a surface of silicone rubber may be temporarily or permanently discolored or damaged when exposed to the tars that may be produced when burning smoking products such as tobacco or hemp. This damage may be in the form of discoloration, and may be more noticeable when the silicone pipe is clear, transparent or light in color. Solid colored silicone rubber may mask the oxidation, which is why it may be used in smoking apparatuses. Silicone may also become dirty more easily than other materials, such that clear or lighter colored silicones may not typically be used for devices that will be constantly or consistently subjected to handling.
There is a need for a smoking apparatus which includes an enhanced variety of aesthetic appearances, and/or improved performance related to discoloration or oxidation.
SUMMARYIn an example, a smoking apparatus includes a main body of a first material including a combustion chamber fluidly coupled to an aperture of a mouthpiece. The main body has an outer shape. An outer layer of a second material at least partially surrounds the main body. The second material has a deformable property. The outer layer is formed of an at least partially transparent material and the outer shape of the main body is at least partially visible through the outer layer.
In an example, the smoking apparatus includes a receptacle positioned at least partially within the combustion chamber. The receptacle shields the outer layer from contact with combustibles positioned within the receptacle.
In an example, the main body further includes at least one decorative feature positioned about an outer surface of the main body. The outer layer surrounds the at least one decorative feature.
In an example, the at least one decorative feature is placed on the outer surface of the main body. The outer layer surrounds the at least one decorative feature.
In an example, the at least one decorative feature is formed on the outer surface of the main body. The outer layer surrounds the decorative feature.
In an example, the main body forms a border about the aperture of the mouthpiece, and the outer layer is positioned adjacent the border.
In an example, an outer surface of the outer layer has a shape which is substantially similar to a shape of an outer surface of the main body.
In an example, an outer surface of the outer layer has a shape that includes relief features created by surface features positioned on the main body.
In an example, the outer layer is overmolded onto the main body.
In an example, the second material has an elastically deformable property.
In an example, a smoking apparatus includes a main body with an outer surface and fluid pathway extending through the main body. The main body has an outer shape. An outer layer is at least partially molded about at least a part of the outer surface of the main body. The outer layer is formed of an at least partially transparent material and the outer shape of the main body is at least partially visible through the outer layer.
In an example, the smoking apparatus includes a proximal end, and the outer layer at the proximal end has a consistent thickness.
In an example, the smoking apparatus includes a proximal end, and the outer layer at the proximal end has a varying thickness.
In an example, the smoking apparatus includes a terminal end, and the outer layer at the terminal end has a consistent thickness.
In an example, the smoking apparatus includes a terminal end, and the outer layer at the terminal end has a varying thickness.
In an example, the smoking apparatus includes a receptacle and the receptacle is assembled to the main body and outer layer.
In an example, an outer surface of the outer layer has a shape which is substantially similar to an outer shape of the main body.
In an example, an outer shape of the outer layer is substantially dissimilar to an outer shape of the main body.
In an example, the main body further includes at least one decorative feature positioned about the outer surface of the main body. The outer layer is molded over the decorative feature.
In an example, the outer layer is formed via an insert mold and positioned about the main body.
In an example, a smoking apparatus includes a main body with an outer surface and fluid pathway extending through the main body. The main body has an outer shape. An outer layer is at least partially molded about at least a part of the outer surface of the main body. A power source is configured to supply power to an electrical component. The outer layer is formed of an at least partially transparent material and the outer shape of the main body is at least partially visible through the outer layer.
The following description generally relates to a smoking apparatus with a main body with a fluid pathway extending there through, the main body at least partially covered with an outer layer of an at least partially transparent, flexible, and/or resilient material. The application of a flexible material to a main pipe body may offer many advantages, such as durability, weight, and ease of varying design aesthetics.
The apparatus of the current disclosure depicts a smoking apparatus with a main body at least partially covered by an outer layer or body. In some examples, the smoking apparatus may include a layer of an at least partially transparent silicone rubber formed over a main body to create a single, non-separable part. In some examples, a smoking apparatus has a main body with a visual effect that is visibly depicted through an outer layer. In some examples, the apparatus may be formed using a technique commonly known as over-molding or insert-molding. In some examples, the main body may include a lumen or gas pathway extending through it, with an outer layer formed of an at least partially transparent silicone rubber. The silicone rubber outer layer or body of the disclosed apparatus and/or method may provide an advantage in contrast to smoking apparatuses made of other materials, such as glass, because it is able to withstand somewhat rough handling, such as that when the apparatus may be stored, used and/or transported.
In some examples, the outer layer may appear to be clear or at least partially transparent, but the outer layer may include attributes of durable silicone rubber, such as at least one of being clear, durable, deformable or resilient. Deformation or resiliency may be interpreted as the elastic deformation of a solid that is reversible, path-independent (such as deformation being caused by internal or external loading that includes extension, compression, bending and twisting) and fully or at least partially recovered on unloading. For example, if a user presses a finger tip into the outer layer, the outer layer may deflect as the force is applied. Once the force from the finger tip is removed, the outer layer may rebound to appear unchanged. In some examples, the material may deform and rebound to show a remnant effect, such as a depression, from the force. In some examples, the outer layer is elastically, resiliently and/or reversibly deformable, such that it is capable of absorbing internal or external loading or forces. The deformation caused by the loading forces may not cause permanent deformation or damage, or may in some instances result in some remaining deformation. In some examples, the outer layer may be elastically deformed upon the application of an external load or force. Upon the removal or unloading of the external load or force, the outer layer at least partially or entirely returns or reverts to its original shape and/or size, or surface contour.
In some examples, the outer layer may be formed of a material having a Shore A scale durometer in the range 0-100, in some examples having an extra soft Shore A durometer inclusive of the range of 0-10, a soft Shore A durometer inclusive of the range of 10-35, a medium-soft Shore A durometer inclusive of the range of 35-60, a medium hard Shore A durometer inclusive of the range of 60-80, a hard Shore A durometer inclusive of the range of 80-100, or a Shore A durometer value in multiple ranges.
In some examples, the outer layer may be formed of a material having a Shore 00 scale durometer in the range 0-100, in some examples having an extra soft Shore 00 durometer inclusive of the range of 0-50, a soft Shore 00 durometer inclusive of the range of 50-70, a medium-soft Shore 00 durometer inclusive of the range of 75-90, a medium hard Shore 00 durometer inclusive of the range of 90-100, or a Shore 00 durometer value in multiple ranges.
In some examples, the outer layer may be formed of a material having a Shore D scale durometer in the range 0-100, in some examples having an medium hard Shore D durometer inclusive of the range of 0-30, a hard Shore D durometer inclusive of the range of 30-60, an extra hard Shore D durometer inclusive of the range of 60-100, or a Shore D durometer value in multiple ranges.
In some examples, the main body, if made of a moldable material, may have similar properties to the outer layer. In some examples, the main body may be rigid, flexible, durable, deformable, or resilient. In some examples, the main body may be formed of a material with a Shore 00, Shore A, or Shore D scale durometer.
In some examples, the apparatus is a smoking apparatus constructed of a base part or main body that may extend to all openings and surfaces that may come in contact with the tars or contamination from a combusted smoking product, or heat from a type of ignition source. In examples where the main body extends to an outlet opening and surfaces that may come in contact with the contaminants described above, the main body may help to protect the outer layer from heat from a type of ignition source, provides oxidation resistance, and effectively prevent or reduce the oxidation and/or discoloration from contaminants. In some examples, a smoking apparatus includes a main body including a receptacle or bowl positioned at an inlet to the main body, the bowl also covering the opening in the outer layer and surrounding surface from the same heat, oxidation, contaminants and/or discoloration. In some examples, the apparatus is constructed to help add at least one visual depth effect.
Additionally, the present disclosure includes a method of utilizing a manufacturing technique in one example of forming the disclosed smoking apparatus.
In some examples, the main body 102 is formed using a solid-colored material, such as silicone rubber. Examples of silicone rubber for use in some example embodiments include compression molded, platinum cured silicone. In some examples, the main body may or may be formed with cured pigments. In some examples, the outer layer, which may form an outer body, may have a generally consistent thickness about the main body. In some examples, different portions of the outer layer may have a thickness that varies. In some examples, an outer surface 181 of the outer layer may have the same, similar, or different shape from an outer surface 183 or outer shape of the inner layer.
In some examples, the outer layer is formed so that the main body is visible through the outer layer. In some examples, the outer layer is formed of an at least partially transparent material and the main body is at least partially visible within the outer layer. Examples of an at least partially transparent material include 100% optically clear liquid silicone rubber, clouded clear compression molded silicone rubber, hardened silicone, and heat-cured rubber (HCR) silicone.
In some examples, the main body of a smoking apparatus, such as the smoking apparatus 100 of
The combustion chamber 106 includes an inlet and may have an upper region 197 and a lower region 195. The upper region 197 may include an ignition region 112 formed at least partially by a recess 132 and receptacle 108. The recess 132 includes a large aperture 118 formed through the main body 102 and the outer layer 104. A smoking product or combustibles 99 may be placed at least partially within the ignition region 112.
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In some examples the outer layer 104 and main body 102 may include features to help assemble various components together, such as at T4 in
The shape of the aperture 118 may be designed to receive the receptacle 108 for holding a smoking product. As shown in
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In some examples, the thickness may vary, such as at T5, where the shape of the outer layer is dissimilar and includes different features as that of the shape of the main body 102. For example, the outer layer 104 has a flat face 138 whereas the corresponding main body portion is rounded.
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The decorative features may be positioned about various portions of the main body, such as the proximal end 201, stem 214, or terminal end 203 of combinations thereof. “Positioned about” may be interpreted as including integrally formed features and/or separately formed features attached to or placed on the outer surface of the main body. The surface features may be formed integrally with the main body 202, or alternatively, maybe formed separately from the main body and secured to the main body prior to the application of the outer layer over the main body. In some examples, a pattern formed on the outer surface of the main body may be replicated in the outer surface of the outer layer.
For instance, the outer layer 204 may have a shape that is generally or substantially similar to or the same as the outer shape of the main body, or be similar to or the same as features formed on the main body 202. In some examples, the outer surface of the outer layer has a shape that includes relief features created by surface features positioned on the main body. In some examples, the outer layer 204 may have a generally constant thickness, thereby reflecting or including relief features, such as a ridge similar to that of a ridge 250 or other raised or indented features, creating a tactically detectable feature in addition to a generally smooth outer surface on the outer layer. In some examples, the outer layer 204 may include inconsistent thickness, so that there is no relief or that the relief is minimized, and the raised or indented features formed on the outer surface of the main body are not tactilely detectable on the outer surface of the outer layer 204, but still optically visible through the outer layer.
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In the example of
In some examples, the male end 760 forms a press fit with female end 761. In some examples, the apparatus 700 includes alignment features for the first piece 756 and second piece 758. The male end may include a ridge or keyed feature that may engage with a groove or interlocking structure of the female end 761. For example, the collar 781 may be keyed or shaped, with the receiving aperture 775 forming a complementary keyway or shape so that the first piece 756 and second piece 758 may be assembled in a specific orientation or so that a specific surface feature may be aligned or visible when the smoking apparatus is used.
In some examples, the male end 760 may be threaded and be threadably engaged with grooved or threaded female end 761.
To assemble the pipe 700 for use, the male end 760 may be inserted into the first piece 756 to create the smoking apparatus assembly 700. As shown in
The smoking apparatus 800 may include a first piece 856 and a second piece 858. Both the first piece 856 and second piece 858 may be cylindrically shaped, but with different diameters and lengths. Similar to the smoking apparatus 700, the second piece 858 may include a male end 860 formed as part of the main body 802, and the outer layer 804 does not extend about the main body 802 at the male end 860. The male end 860 may be inserted into a female end 861 formed in the first piece 856 to assemble the pipe. In some examples, the engagement of the male end 860 and female end 861 forms a press fit with the first piece. In other examples, the male end may include a ridge, thread, and/or key that may engage with a groove, threaded or interlocking structure of the female end 861 of the first piece. In some examples, the first piece 856 may include a male end and the second piece 858 may include a female end.
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The smoking apparatus 800 may also include the receptacle 808. The receptacle 808 includes a lip 809 and body 811 with an aperture located at the bottom of the body 811. The receptacle may form an ignition region 812, and a smoking product may be positioned within the receptacle. The receptacle may be positioned within an upper region of the combustion chamber, with the lip 809 in an abutment arrangement about the upper surface 882 of the smoking apparatus. The body 811 of the receptacle may contact or be adjacent to the main body 802 forming the combustion chamber.
The proximal end 901 of the smoking apparatus may include a recess 932 formed by the outer layer 904 and the main body 902. The outer layer may extend past the main body 902, forming a collar 960 in which the receptacle may be partially positioned within. Similar to the receptacle 808 of
The smoking apparatus 1100 may include a first piece 1156, including the combustion chamber 1106, and a second piece 1158, including the stem 1114 and terminal end 1103. The first piece 1156 may include a male end 1160 configured to engage with a female end 1161 formed in the second piece 1158. In some examples, the female end 1161 may be formed by only the outer layer 1104, and the male end is formed as part of the main body.
To use, the male end 1160 of the first piece 1156 may be inserted at least partially within the female end 1161 of the second piece 1158, and the receptacle 1108 may then be inserted into or coupled with the combustion chamber 1106 of the first piece 1156. The first piece 1156 may engage with the female end 1161 via a press or compression fit, or may be threaded and threadably engage with the female end 1161. In some examples, the stem 1114 may be filled with or include a mixture of gas and liquid, such as water or water mixed with other liquids.
The smoking apparatus 1100 may also include a decorative feature 1150, such as raised or indented features which may be in the form of a ridge, groove, raised or engraved text or a symbol that is formed integral with the main body 1102 or that may be positioned with or attached to the main body 1102 prior to the outer layer 1104 being applied.
In some examples, the described smoking apparatuses, such as smoking apparatus 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700,800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, may be formed using an insert molding or overmolding process. A method for forming a smoking apparatus may include forming a main body 102 with a conduit or lumen 127 extending through the main body 102 between a combustion chamber 106 and a mouthpiece 110, and positioning, molding, or overmolding a second material onto or about at least a portion of the main body 102 wherein the second material forms an outer layer 104.
In some examples, overmolding is an injection molding process that allows an additional layer of resin to be added to an existing molded part to provide a combination of characteristics that a single material may not provide. In some examples, an overmolding process may be used to add a soft, functional, “hand-friendly” layer of rubber-like material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer over the main body, such as when is formed of a hard or a soft substrate. An example of a hard substrate is ceramic, glass, wood or metal and an example of a soft substrate is a rubber-like material, thermoplastic elastomer, lower-density foam, cloth, or rope. In some examples, overmolding may be used to change or enhance the appearance of a part by overmolding material of a different color or finish to it.
Like overmolding, insert molding injects a resin over a first material, but instead of a plastic substrate, the first material may typically be metal and the injected resin is typically a rigid plastic. In some examples, metal electrical components or custom-machined metal parts may be embedded in plastic using an insert molding process. Similarly, threaded inserts in the smoking apparatus can be molded into plastic parts for stronger, more durable assembly of plastic components, for example a separable, decorative feature that may assembled to and separated from the smoking apparatus. In some examples, insert molding may be an alternative to inserting metal parts by either heat staking or ultrasonic welding, processes by which a molded plastic part is locally melted to allow the insertion of a metal part. In some examples, insert molding may be more controllable and allow for better or improved encapsulation than the other methods. Molded inserts may also eliminate the need for a secondary insert installation process.
The main body 102 may be formed of a variety of materials, including any one or a combination of silicone rubber, glass, wood, metal, fiber, plastic, cloth, ceramic, quartz, and/or stone. The main body 102 is formed to include the gas pathway, or a hollow lumen 127 that extends between the combustion chamber 106 and the mouthpiece 110 formed in the terminal end 103 of the smoking apparatus 100. Once the main body 102 is formed, it may be positioned within an injection molding tool. The tool may be designed to create a shaped outer layer 104 or outer body that may be similar to or different than the shape of the main body. In some examples, decorative features, such as ridge 250 of
In some examples, the smoking apparatuses disclosed herein, such as smoking apparatus 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700,800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, may include features that assist in reducing the effects of oxidation. As shown in
To help avoid this potential damage, the main body 102 may define the mouthpiece aperture 126, vent aperture 128, and at least a portion of the combustion chamber 106. As shown in
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In some examples, the combustion chamber 106 does not include a receptacle, such as shown in
In some examples, the main body 102 may be formed using a colored and/or opaque silicone rubber, which may help to mask the effects of the heat damage and contaminants. The position of the outer layer 104 with respect to the main body 102, such that in some examples it terminates at a distance away from the apertures 126, 128 formed on the main body 102, may help to shield the outer layer 104 and prevent the heat or damaging smoke from contacting the outer layer 104 while providing a durable outer layer or covering for the smoking apparatus. In some examples, the additional oxidation protection of the outer layer 104 may also provide a user a way to view a visually interesting main body 102, formed of a material that may more easily hide or mask any discoloration or damage from use.
The smoking apparatus 1300, 1600 includes features that may be similar to those of the smoking apparatus 100, for example the main body 1302, 1602 and the outer layer 1304, 1604. As shown in the embodiments of
In some examples, each portion of the main body 1302, 1602 not covered by the outer layer 1304, 1604 defines an exposed portion with an exposed surface. The outer layer 1304, 1604 adjacent the exposed surfaces defines an edge that at least in part defines the shape and/or extent of the exposed portion. For example, in
In some examples, the main body 1302, 1602 protrudes through and past the outer surface of the outer layer 1304, 1604, such as at post 1305, 1605. In some examples, the post 1305 may have an aperture 1323 formed at or near a free end 1321. The aperture may receive a key ring 1325, lanyard string, chain, charm or the like. In
In some examples, such as at recessed portion 1661 of
In some examples, the main body 1302 is exposed at an area where the outer layer 1304 thickness decreases, becoming gradually thinner until the outer layer 1304 does not cover the main body 1302, such as region 1351 of
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The clasp may be secured to the smoking apparatus in a number of ways, such as by being fastened directly to the main body. The clasp could be encapsulated in the main body as well. Alternatively, as shown in
In some examples, the clasp 1354 contacts the main body 1302. In some examples, the clasp 1354 may be integrally formed with the main body 1302 such that the resilient arm may be an extension of the main body. In some examples, the clasp 1354 is attached or coupled to the main body 1302 by a fastener. In some examples, the clasp 1354 does not contact the main body 1302 but is secured to the smoking apparatus by the outer layer 1304 and held in position.
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The smoking apparatus 1400 may include multiple displays, such as second display 1458. The second display 1458 may be entirely encapsulated by the outer layer 1404, be at least partially exposed, or extend at least partially past the outer surface of the outer layer 1404 as shown in
In some examples, one or both of the displays 1456, 1458 is an LED feature. The LED feature may include a plurality of lights for communicating, an accessory feature, or both. The LED feature may flash or blink in certain patterns based upon an operating status of the smoking apparatus or its electrical subcomponents. The display may include decorative features or patterns formed by the LED or by features separate from the LED. The display may visually communicate information about the operating status of the apparatus or device. In some examples, the display(s) 1456, 1458 may be formed as part of a computing device.
The displays 1456, 1458 may be electrically coupled, for example via wires 1491, to a power source 1460. The power source 1460 may include a battery. The battery may be a permanent, replaceable, and/or rechargeable battery. The power source 1460 may be positioned to be exposed through the outer surface 1481 of the outer layer 1404, as shown in
In some examples, the user may input or upload information to or output data or download information from the apparatus. In some examples, the charging port may be blocked or protected by a cover movable 1489 from an open position to a closed position. This may prevent debris from entering the charging port.
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Electrical wires 1491 may separately, or in combination, couple the displays 1456, 1458, heating element 1482, charging port 1480, sensor 1474, and power source 1460. These components may be used individually and are not required to be used together. The wires may be positioned adjacent an outer surface 1481 of the outer layer 1404, be embedded within or extend through the outer layer, be positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the main body 1402, contact or be attached to the main body, or be embedded within or extend through the main body, or combinations thereof. In some examples, where the outer layer is at least partially transparent, the wires connecting various electrical components of the smoking apparatus may be visible.
In some examples, the displays 1456, 1458 are electrically coupled to a processing element 1462, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a memory device 1464 so that the displays may be controlled to send and/or receive information regarding the status and/or operation of the smoking apparatus. The memory device may store programming information regarding the displays or operation instructions or performance history of the apparatus.
In some examples, the displays include an I/O interface 1466, such as an input element, which may be coupled to send information to the processing element and control certain aspects of the smoking apparatus 1400. For example, the displays could include a touch screen input element. In these examples, a portion of the display may be exposed outside of the outer layer and main body. In some examples, the input element 1466 is separate from the display, such as a button in
In some examples, the I/O interface may include a communication interface (such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy chips, or the like) and communication components (such as a universal serial bus (USB), mini-USB, and micro-USB ports/cables). The communication interface may be operable to communicate, wired or wirelessly, with other external computing devices, such as a smartphone, tablet, service, or web-based cloud service.
In some examples, the charging port 1480 is also electrically coupled to the computing device 1470 of the smoking apparatus. This may allow a user to input or output information about the performance of the smoking apparatus or to control aspects of the smoking apparatus. For example, the user may be able to update various electrical configurations of the computing device by transferring software updates from an external source, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop coupled to the smoking apparatus via a cord connected to the charging port or wirelessly via a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. The user may also be able to download information, such as use time and performance, via the charging port.
Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood the disclosure has been made by way of example, and changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A smoking apparatus comprising:
- a main body of a first material including a combustion chamber fluidly coupled to an aperture of a mouthpiece, the main body having an outer shape;
- an outer layer of a second material at least partially surrounding the main body, the second material having a deformable property;
- wherein the outer layer is non-separable from the main body.
2. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
- a receptacle positioned at least partially within the combustion chamber, and
- wherein the receptacle shields the outer layer from contact with combustibles positioned within the receptacle.
3. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body has a sidewall thickness around the aperture such that the main body forms a rim around a periphery of the aperture and the outer layer is spaced away from the aperture around the periphery of the aperture at the rim by the sidewall thickness.
4. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one decorative feature is positioned on an outer surface of the main body, wherein the outer layer encapsulates the at least one decorative feature, and wherein at least a portion of the outer layer contacts the main body adjacent to the decorative feature.
5. The smoking apparatus of claim 4, wherein the decorative feature is contained in the outer layer.
6. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the outer layer has a shape that includes relief features that replicate surface features of the main body.
7. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is secured to the main body by overmolding and forms a single part with the main body.
8. The smoking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first material has an elastically deformable property.
9. A smoking apparatus comprising:
- a main body with an outer surface and fluid pathway extending through the main body, the main body having an outer shape;
- an outer layer at least partially covering at least a part of the outer surface of the main body; and
- wherein the main body and the outer layer are joined together to form a single part.
10. The smoking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the main body is formed of a material having an elastically deformable property.
11. The smoking apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
- a receptacle assembled to the main body and outer layer.
12. The smoking apparatus of claim 9, wherein an outer shape of the outer layer is substantially dissimilar to the outer shape of the main body.
13. The smoking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the main body further comprises wherein the outer layer encapsulates the decorative feature, and wherein at least a portion of the outer layer contacts the main body adjacent to the decorative feature.
- at least one decorative feature defined on the outer surface of the main body,
14. The smoking apparatus of claim 9, wherein a power source is configured to supply power to an electrical component positioned within the main body or outer layer.
15. The smoking apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
- a power source configured to supply power to an electrical component, wherein the electrical component is configured to ignite a combustible material, and
- wherein the outer layer is at least partially molded about at least a part of the outer surface of the main body.
16. A smoking apparatus comprising:
- a main body of a first moldable material having a deformable property, and including a combustion chamber fluidly coupled to an aperture of a mouthpiece, the main body having an outer shape;
- an outer layer of a second material at least partially surrounding the main body, the second material having a deformable property;
- wherein the outer layer is non-separable from the main body.
17. The smoking apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one decorative feature is positioned on an outer surface of the main body, wherein the outer layer encapsulates the at least one decorative feature, and wherein at least a portion of the outer layer contacts the main body adjacent to the decorative feature.
18. The smoking apparatus of claim 16, wherein an outer surface of the outer layer has a shape that includes relief features that replicate surface features of the main body.
19. The smoking apparatus of claim 16, wherein an outer surface of the outer layer has a shape which is substantially dissimilar to the outer shape of the main body.
20. The smoking apparatus of claim 16, wherein a power source is configured to supply power to an electrical component positioned within the main body or outer layer.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 9, 2021
Publication Date: Oct 28, 2021
Inventors: Charles V. Hoch (Boca Raton, FL), Bruce A. Hoch (Boca Raton, FL)
Application Number: 17/371,521