SMOKING DEVICE HOLDER CONFIGURED TO BE HOUSED IN AN ICE BLOCK

Abstract

A device for holding a water pipe, such as a hookah or other smoking device with a liquid filter, which allows a block of ice to be used as a housing for the smoking device. The ice block has a cavity bored into it, and the device is an insert for the ice block. The device has a bracket or flange attached to a receptacle (or reservoir), and the bracket or flange suspends the ice block insert over the cavity of the ice block while the receptacle extends into the cavity of the ice block. When a water pipe is place on the device, the bracket provides a smooth, flat surface that can form a seal with the smoking device and the stem of the water pipe extends into the receptacle

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 63/060,735, filed Aug. 4, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Smoking devices come in all shapes and sizes. Water pipes in particular often have unique shapes and configurations because they require a water reservoir filled with water in order work properly. The smoke passes through the water, as a filter, before being inhaled by a user. Many smokers prefer to be able to see the water and smoke billowing inside a water pipe. Typically, see-through water pipes are made of clear plastic or glass. The device allows an ice block to be used as the housing for a water pipe, which provides a unique impression and accents the overall impression of the water pipe and the smoke inside it. Ice has unique properties, which make it a desirable housing for a hookah. In particular, it is a natural material, it melts away leaving no debris, it has a low temperature that assists in smoke/steam creation, and it is transparent or semi-transparent so that a smoker can see the water bubbling inside it as smoke travels through the device.

Using ice as a housing for a water pipe presents problems, however. For example, a seal must be maintained between the water pipe and the water reservoir so that the amount of smoke can be controlled and so that the device can withstand sufficient pressure for a smoker to draw smoke through the pipe and through the water. Without a seal between the water pipe and the water reservoir, a smoker would be unable to draw smoke through the water pipe. Instead, the smoker would draw fresh air through the breaks in the seal. Because ice melts and changes shape, it can be difficult to maintain a seal with ice over time. The disclosed device solves these problems by using an acrylic, plastic, or glass ice block insert with a reservoir and a bracket. The ice block has a cavity bored into it to receive the ice block insert, and the ice block insert's receptacle fits into the ice block's cavity. When the ice block insert's receptacle is in the cavity, the bracket holds the insert in place on the ice block. The bracket also provides a smooth upper surface so that the water pipe can form a seal against the bracket rather than directly against the ice. In this way, the ice block insert forms the receptacle for the water pipe sitting inside the ice block. This setup eliminates the difficulty of forming a seal against ice by placing a flat smooth surface between the ice block and the water pipe. Because the ice block insert is made of a clear material, the ice block insert can remain unnoticeable to most users who will presume that the block of ice forms the housing for water pipe.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a holder for a water pipe, such as a hookah or other smoking device with a liquid filter, which allows a block of ice to be used as a housing for the smoking device. The ice block has a cavity bored into it, and the device is an insert for the ice block. The device has a bracket or flange attached to a receptacle (or reservoir), and the bracket or flange suspends the ice block insert over the cavity of the ice block while the receptacle extends into the cavity of the ice block. When a water pipe is place on the device, the bracket provides a smooth, flat surface that can form a seal with the smoking device and the stem of the water pipe extends into the receptacle. In this way, a water pipe can be attached to and form a seal with the bracket of the device. The receptacle can be used as the water reservoir for the smoking device and the seal between the water pipe and the bracket prevents smoke from escaping from the receptacle when in use.

Some specific aspects of the disclosure relate to a smoking device holder that comprises an ice block assembly, a drainage box, and an ice block stand. In some embodiments, the ice block assembly further comprises an ice block insert, the ice block insert further comprising a bracket configured to receive a smoking device having a stem and a receptacle extending downward from the bracket for holding water and receiving the stem. In some embodiments, the drainage box further comprises a floor. In some embodiments, the ice block stand further comprising a platform having at least one drainage hole extending through the platform and legs to support the platform above the drainage box floor. In some embodiments, a cavity on the ice block is configured to receive the ice block insert's receptacle, with the smoking device's stem extending down into the receptacle; In some embodiments, during operation of the smoking device, the receptacle is in the cavity of the ice block and the receptacle separates the water in the receptacle from the ice block In some embodiments, the ice block assembly sits on the ice block stand inside the drainage box on the drainage box floor so that the drainage box catches water as the water melts from the ice block assembly.

Some further specific aspects of the present disclosure relate to a smoking device holder comprising a bracket for receiving a smoking device having a stem and a receptacle attached to the bracket. In some examples, the receptacle extends downward from the bracket. In certain instances, the receptacle is configured to hold water and is adapted to receive the stem of a smoking device. The ice block insert's receptacle may, in some implementations, be configured to fit an ice block having a cavity and a top surface. In some examples, the ice block insert's bracket is configured to rest on the top surface of the ice block while allowing the ice block insert's receptacle to extend into the ice block's cavity. In some examples, during operation of the smoking device, the smoking device's stem extends down into the receptacle of ice block insert. In certain implementations, during operation of the smoking device, the receptacle is in the ice block, water is in the receptacle, the receptacle separates the water in the receptacle from the ice block, and the bracket separates the smoking device from the ice block.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a smoking device holder where the ice box stand comprises a shelf disposed beneath the drainage hole and orthogonally to the legs. In some embodiments, during operation of the smoking device, the receptacle is configured to nest within the drainage hole. In some embodiments, while the receptacle nests within the drainage hole, a bottom surface of the receptacle sits on the shelf.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of housing a smoking device in a block of ice. In some embodiments, the method comprises carving a cavity in a block of ice, the block of ice comprising a top with a cavity in the top. In some embodiments, the method further comprises setting an ice block insert on the top of the block of ice, the ice block insert comprising a flange, a top surface of the flange, and a reservoir attached to the flange, the reservoir extending downward from the flange and being adapted to receive a smoking device, the smoking device having a stem, a body, a valved passageway in the body, and a seal on the body. In some embodiments, the method further comprises adding water to the reservoir. In some embodiments, the method further comprises setting the smoking device on the top surface of the ice block insert, with the stem extending into the reservoir. In some embodiments, the method further comprises attaching the smoking device to the flange with the seal pressed against the top surface of the flange. In some embodiments, the reservoir of the ice block insert is inside the cavity of the ice block and the stem of the smoking device is inside the reservoir of the ice block insert. In some embodiments, the reservoir and smoking device are sealed by the seal so that air cannot escape from the reservoir except through the valved passageway in the body of the smoking device. In some embodiments, the ice block insert and the smoking device form a water pipe when assembled. In some embodiments of the method, the top surface of the ice block insert further comprising cutouts and the valved passageway in the body further comprises a first set of valved smoking holes and a second set of valved smoking holes and their respective valves. In some embodiments of the method, the cutouts allow for air to travel between a first set of valved smoking holes and a second set of valved smoking holes when a smoking device is inserted in the ice block insert. In some embodiments of the method, the valved passageway in the body further comprises one or more valves, further such that when the smoking device is placed on the ice block insert, the seal of the smoking device rests on the top surface of the flange and the cutouts pair with the valves. In some embodiments of the method, the seal further comprises a perimeter, further wherein the first set of valved smoking holes and the second set of valved smoking holes are inside the perimeter of the seal. In some embodiments of the method, the cutouts are cavities that open into and are in fluid communication with the reservoir and the top surface of the flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a smoking device holder of the present disclosure and an associated smoking device housed within a block of ice in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2-4 depict a non-limiting embodiment of a drainage container according to the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5-7 depict a drainage container and an exemplary embodiment of an ice block stand according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary ice block stand according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9-20 depict an ice block assembly and exemplary components thereof, including a smoking device that may be utilized with the ice block assembly, according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 21A-B depict exemplary ice blocks which may be suitable to house the smoking device holder of the present disclosure according to some embodiments.

FIG. 22 depicts an additional embodiment of an ice block stand according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23A depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a smoking device holder including the ice block stand of FIG. 22 and an associated smoking device.

FIG. 23B depicts a non-limiting embodiment of the smoking device holder of FIG. 23A housed within a block of ice.

FIG. 24 depicts a drainage container and an exemplary embodiment of an ice block stand having a light emitting diode (LED) projector nested within a drainage hole according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25A depicts an exemplary embodiment of the smoking device holder of the present disclosure utilizing the exemplary ice block of FIG. 21B.

FIG. 25B depicts an exemplary embodiment of the smoking device holder of the present disclosure utilizing the exemplary ice block of FIG. 21A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One non-limiting aspect of the device relates to a holder for a smoking device, such as a hookah pipe. In one embodiment, the device is an ice block assembly 40 formed from an ice block

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the disclosed device is a multi-part housing for a water pipe, such as a water hookah. As shown in FIG. 1, a hose 30 can be attached to the smoking device 50. The hose 30 can further comprise a mouthpiece. The hose 30 can connect to the smoking device 50 (such as through a hose connector hole 525). In one embodiment, two hoses 30 can connect to the smoking device 50 (such as to two different connector holes 525). In some embodiments, smoking device 50 may be obtained commercially. While the type of smoking device 50 is not particularly limited, one example of a commercial smoking device 50 that may be acceptable according to certain embodiments, is the Atom™, which is sold by Hoob™. In one embodiment, additional hoses can connect to the smoking device at additional connector holes. Also as shown in FIG. 1, a heater 60 can be placed on top of the smoking device 50. The heater can be any hookah heater and connects to the smoking device (such as, via the heater adapter 513). In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the heater 60 can be decorated by placing it in a pineapple shell, but it can be decorated in any way that is preferred by a user.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the disclosed device may comprise a drainage container 20 having a floor 24, at least one sidewall 22 having a top edge 26, and an underside 25. In one embodiment, the drainage container 20 has multiple side walls 22, and, as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, can be an open-top box having a top edge 26, at least one handle 21, wall seams 28, an underside 25, and top corners 27. In some embodiments, the drainage container 20 can be a box, a canister, or any other shape. In an embodiment of the drainage container 20, the sidewall(s) are fused to the floor forming a water-carrying box without gaps or holes that would allow water to leak. In an embodiment with a single wall, the wall can form a bucket-shaped or canister-shaped drainage container with a floor. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the drainage container 20 resembles a crate in its shape. In one embodiment, the drainage container 20 is molded in a single piece without seams, which box holds water. The drainage container 20 should have a volume capacity that is greater than the volume of water frozen in the ice block, so that when the ice block melts, the resulting water is contained inside the drainage container 20 and does not overflow the drainage container. In one embodiment, the drainage container 20 is made from acrylic or some other clear material so that a person can see through the walls of the drainage container 20. This can be important in some embodiments because it allows a user to see the ice block assembly 40 and the smoke inside the ice block 41 and ice block insert 42.

As shown in FIG. 5, the drainage container 20 may be sized to accommodate an ice block stand 200. For example, the drainage container 20 may be larger than the ice block stand 200, so as to allow the ice block stand 200 to nest within the drainage container 20.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the ice block stand 200 has a top surface 211, drain holes 212 in the top surface 211, and support legs 213. In one embodiment, the top surface 211 is etched or has an uneven surface to prevent the ice block from slipping around on the top surface 212.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in one embodiment, the support legs 213 are connected to a support brace 214. The support brace 214 strengthens the support legs 213 so they can reliably support the weight of an ice block 41 even on a wet, slippery surface such as the floor 24 of the drainage container 20. In one embodiment, the support brace 214 is shorter than the support legs so that water distributes across the floor of the drainage container 20 when an ice block is melting on the ice block stand 200 inside the drainage container 20. In one embodiment, the end of each of the support legs 213 has one or more non-slip tabs 217 to keep the ice block stand 200 from sliding around inside the drainage container 20 when the floor 24 of the drainage container 20 is wet. In one embodiment, the ice block stand 200 is made from acrylic or some other transparent material so that a person can see through the walls of the drainage container 20.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the disclosed device comprises an ice block assembly 40 comprising an ice block 41 (shown in FIG. 1) and ice block insert 40 for receiving a smoking device 50.

The disclosed device may receive a smoking device as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10, a smoking device 50. In one embodiment, the smoking device 50 can have a body 511, a top surface 510, one or more smoking valves 512, a heater adapter or grommet 513, a stem 514, an end piece 515, one or more hose caps 516, one or more hose connector holes 525, one or more fingerholds 517.

As shown in FIG. 11, the smoking device 50 can have through-holes 518 and a tray 521 in the top surface 510. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the heater adapter 513 can house one end of the stem 514 allowing a heater (not shown) to directly communicate with the stem. As shown in FIG. 12, the smoking device 50 can comprise a stem endpiece 515, a first set of valved smoking holes 520 and a second set of valved smoking holes 521.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the smoking device can have a bottom surface 524 and a seal 519 in the bottom surface to isolate the smoking valves 512 and stem 514. The seal 519 seals the bottom surface 524 of the body 511 to the ice block insert 40 to prevent smoke from escaping from the ice block insert 40 or the smoking device 50 when in operation. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the smoking device can have air intake holes 523 on the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 15, the smoking device 50 can have one or more hose connector holes 525 in the body 511 shown uncapped in this figure.

FIG. 16 is an alternate side view of the smoking device 50 in an upright position showing air intake holes 523 in the one or more smoking valves 512. In one embodiment of the smoking device, the air intake holes 523 of the one or more smoking valves 512 connect with the first set of valved smoking holes 520 while the one or more hose connector holes 525 connect with the second set of valved smoking holes 521. In one embodiment, the first set of valved smoking holes 520 is valved for inhalation so that when a smoker is inhaling from the device the applicable valve is opened and the second set of valved smoking holes 521 is valved for exhalation so that when the smoker is exhaling into the device the applicable valve is opened.

As shown in FIG. 17, the stem 515 is held in place by a stem insert 522 in the bottom surface 524 of the body 511. In one embodiment, the body 511 of the smoking device 50 is metal, such as stainless steel. In one embodiment, the bottom surface 524 of the body 511 is metal, such as stainless steel. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface 524 of the body 511 is the same topography (flat, rounded, etc.) as the top surface 51 (see, FIG. 20) of the ice block insert's bracket 42. In such an embodiment, the smoking device 50 fits neatly into the ice block insert 48 and allows a tight seal between the smoking device 50 and the ice block insert 48. In one embodiment, the seal 519 is a rubber gasket or other seal suitable for wet applications. In some embodiments, ice block insert 48 rests on top of ice block 41, while the smoking device 50 is in operation (see, FIG. 1.) In some embodiments, ice block insert 48 is nested within ice block 41 while the smoking device 50 is in operation.

As shown in FIG. 18, the disclosed device comprises an ice block insert 48. In some embodiments, at least a portion of ice block insert 48 sits in a cavity 46 of a block of ice block 41. In some embodiments, ice block insert 48 sits on a top surface of ice block 41 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). The ice block insert 48 comprises a bracket 42 for receiving the ice block 45 (shown in FIG. 1) and a receptacle 47 extending down from the bracket 42. In one embodiment, the bracket is a flange. The bracket 42 further comprises a top surface having magnets 44 to secure the ice block insert 40 to the smoking device 50 and cutouts 43 to allow for air to travel between the first set of valved smoking holes 520 and the second set of valved smoking holes 521 and their respective valves 512 when the smoking device 50 is inserted in the ice block insert 42. The receptacle 47 is often cylindrical with a bottom 45, but it can be any shape so long as it holds water and is of sufficient length to accommodate the length of stem 514 of a smoking device 50. In one embodiment, the receptacle 47 of ice block insert 42 is longer than the stem 514 of the smoking device 50 being used. When the smoking device 50 is inserted in the ice block insert 48, the seal 519 of the smoking device 50 rests on the top surface 51 (see, FIG. 20) of the ice block insert's bracket 42 and the cutouts 43 pair with the smoking valves 512 on the smoking device 50. This allows for the free flow of air between the receptacle 47 and the smoking valves 512. In one embodiment, the receptacle 47 is made of acrylic or another clear material so that a user can see through it when in use. When used with a water hookah, the receptacle 47 can be filled between one third and two thirds of its capacity with water or other liquid. The amount of water can vary provided that the end piece 515 of the stem 514 of the smoking device 50 is submerged in the water or liquid in the receptacle 47. As shown in FIG. 19, the cutouts 43 in the ice block insert bracket 42 can be butterfly-shaped, but they can also be oval-shaped, square-shaped, or shaped in any other configuration. The cutouts 43 are cavities or hollowed areas in bracket 42 and, in one embodiment, formed in a top surface of the bracket 42. In one embodiment, the cutouts 43 do not penetrate the entire bracket 42 and the cutouts 43 do not allow air to pass through the entire bracket 42 from top to bottom. Instead, in such an embodiment, the cutouts 43 are cavities that open into and are in fluid communication with the receptacle 47 and a top surface of the bracket 42. This allows air and smoke to freely pass and mix between the receptacle 47, the first set of valved smoking holes 520, and the second set of valved smoking holes 521. As shown in FIG. 20 (an upside down view of the ice block insert 42), the bottom 45 of the receptacle is sealed so that the receptacle 47 holds water. In one embodiment, when the ice block insert 42 is in the block of ice 45 and the smoking device 50 is in the ice block insert 42, and a hose 30 is in the hose connector hole 525, there is first a pathway through the hose 30, through the hose connector hole 525, thorough the first valved smoking hole 520, through the second valved smoking hole 521 through the cutouts 43 in the ice block insert bracket 42, into the receptacle 47. When a heater is on the smoking device 50, there is a second pathway for air to enter the smoking device 50 through the bowl or heater, through the heater adapter 513, through the stem 514, and into the receptacle 47. When there is water or liquid in the receptacle 47, when air is drawn through the hose by a user, the suction created draws smoke through the water in the receptacle 47, the water or liquid acting as a filter for the smoke as it passes through the water in the cavity and proceeds through the second pathway from the second pathway to the first pathway. In one embodiment, without water in the receptacle 47, the first and second pathway can be a single pathway. In one embodiment, there are valves in the first pathway so that air can only move in a single direction and the valve blocks movement of air in the opposite direction or, said differently, the valve prevents air that has been inhaled from escaping back out past the valve in the opposite direction from which it entered.

As shown in FIGS. 21A-B, the ice block 41 can be a standard ice block, but it can also be ornately decorated or be shaped in any other shape. The top of the ice bock 41 may have a surface that matches the shape (flat, rounded, etc.) of the bottom of the ice block insert's 48 bracket 42 so that the ice block insert 48 rests neatly inside the ice block. In one embodiment, the ice block's cavity 46 can be slightly longer than the receptacle 47. The cavity 46 of the ice block 41 should have an area footprint that is the same or larger than the footprint of ice block insert's 48 receptacle 47. In one embodiment, the receptacle 47 fits easily into or mates with cavity 46 of the ice block insert 48. As shown, in FIG. 21A, in some examples, cavity 46 may extend through the entire ice block 41. As shown in FIG. 21B, in other examples, cavity 46 may terminate within the ice block 41. In some embodiments of the ice block 41 of FIG. 21B, the receptacle 37 may be inserted through a top of the ice block 41. In some embodiments of the ice block 41 of FIG. 21A, the receptacle 37 may be inserted through a top or a bottom of the ice block 41. As further shown in FIGS. 21A-B, in some embodiments, ice block 41 may comprise a spout 52. The spout 52 may be configured to drain water from the cavity 46. For instance, in some examples, spout 52 may be configured to prevent water levels from overflowing out from a top of the cavity. In some examples, spout 52 may be integral with the ice block 41 and may be carved into the ice block 41. In some examples, spout 52 may comprise an insert, such as, but not limited to a hollow insert (e.g., a hollow tube) that can be inserted into a hole on the ice block 41.

FIG. 22 depicts an additional embodiment of an ice block stand 200 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the ice block stand 200 may include a single drainage hole 49. In some embodiments, the ice block stand 200 may further comprise a plurality of cutouts 44 adjacent to the drainage hole. In some examples, during operation of the smoking device 50, the cutouts 40 are configured to drain water from the ice block 41. In the depicted example of FIG. 22, the cutouts 43 are integral with the drainage hole 49. However, in some embodiments, one or more of the cutouts 43 may be separate from the drainage hole 49. As further shown in FIG. 22, the ice box stand 200 may, in some embodiments, further comprise a shelf 215. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 22., the shelf 215 may be disposed beneath the drainage hole 49. In some examples, during operation of the smoking device 50, the receptacle 47 may be configured to nest within the drainage hole 49. In some such embodiments, a bottom surface of the receptacle 47 may rest on the shelf 215. In some embodiments, shelf 215 may be disposed orthogonally to the legs 213 of the ice box stand 200. In some embodiments, shelf 215 may function to collect water that falls through drainage hole 49. In some such embodiments, a water collector may rest on the tray 215 during operation of the smoking device 50 to aid in collecting water that falls through the drainage hole 49.

FIG. 23A depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a smoking device holder including the ice block stand 200 of FIG. 22 and an associated smoking device 50. FIG. 23B depicts a non-limiting embodiment of the smoking device holder of FIG. 23A housed within a block of ice. As shown in FIGS. 23A-B, in some embodiments, receptacle 47 may be nested within the drainage hole 49, so as to rest on the shelf 215. Such a configuration may obscure a bottom of the receptacle 47 while the smoking device 50 is in operation. Obscuring a bottom of the receptacle 47 may, in some implementations, create an illusion that a user is smoking from the ice block 41 rather than the smoking device 50. In some embodiments, receptacle 47 may rest on ice block stand 200, such that a bottom of receptacle 47 sits above (rather than nesting within) drainage hole 49. In some embodiments, the ice block 41 of FIG. 23B may rest on top surface 211 of ice box stand 200. In some such embodiments, the light emitting diode (LED) projector 700 shown in FIG. 24 may nest within the drainage hole 49. During operation, in some of these embodiments, the ice block 41 may rest on top surface 211 of ice box stand 200 during operation of the smoking device. In some such embodiments, receptacle 47 may be nested within the drainage hole 49 to rest on the shelf 215 for the purpose of transport or storage. For instance, nesting receptacle 47 within the drainage hole 49 to rest on shelf 215 during transport or storage, may allow the embodiment of FIG. 23A to be carried without a bottom of receptacle 47 slipping of a top surface 211 on the ice block stand.

FIG. 24 depicts a drainage container 20 and an exemplary embodiment of an ice block stand 200 having an LED projector 700 nested within a drainage hole 49 according to some aspects of the present disclosure. In certain examples, LED projector 700 may be commercially obtained. While the type of the LED projector 700 is not particularly limited, one example of a commercially obtainable LED projector is the “LED Hookah Lights with Wireless Remote Control” sold by Hoob™. As shown, the LED projector 700 may, in some examples, nest inside the drainage hole 49. In some examples, cutouts 44 may remain unoccupied during nesting of the LED projector 700 in the drainage hole 49, so that water can flow through the cutouts 43 while the LED projector 700 and the smoking device 500 are in operation. In some examples, while the smoking device 50 is in operation, LED projector 700 may create an illusion that the ice block 41 is illuminated. In certain implementations, LED projector 700 may rest on shelf 215 of the ice block stand 200. In some examples, a bottom of the receptacle 47 may rest on top of LED projector 700. In some examples, a bottom of the receptacle 47 may create a watertight seal on top of LED projector 700 so as to prevent water from entering LED projector 700. In some embodiments, LED projector 700 may be waterproof. In some such embodiments, LED projector 700 may rest directly beneath ice block 41 during operation of the smoking device 50. In some examples, LED projector 700 may be battery powered, to eliminate the need to charge LED projector 700 during operation of the smoking device 50.

FIG. 25A depicts an exemplary embodiment of the smoking device holder of the present disclosure utilizing the exemplary ice block 41 of FIG. 21B. As shown, cavity 46 does not penetrate all the way through the ice block 41. The embodiment of FIG. 25A is in some cases, usable with the configuration shown in FIG. 1. In some such embodiments, ice block assembly 40 rests on a bottom of ice block 41, with ice block 41 resting on a top surface 211 of ice box holder 200 within container 20. FIG. 25B depicts an exemplary embodiment of the smoking device holder of the present disclosure utilizing the exemplary ice block of FIG. 21A. As shown, cavity 46 penetrates all the way through ice block 41. The embodiment of FIG. 25A is in some cases, usable with the configuration shown in FIG. 23B. In some such embodiments, receptacle 47 of ice block assembly 40 may be configured to nest within drainage hole 49, with receptacle 47 resting on tray 215 and ice block 41 resting on a top surface 211 of ice box holder 200 within container 20. In some embodiments, the example of FIG. 25B may include ice block assembly 40 resting on a bottom of ice block 41, with ice block 41 resting on a top surface 211 of ice box holder 200 within container 20. In some such embodiments, LED projector 700 (shown in FIG. 24) may nest within drainage hole 49 during operation of the smoking device 50.

Method of Assembly

One example of the method of assembling a smoking device housed in ice, the method comprising: carving a cavity in a block of ice, the block of ice comprising a top with a cavity in the top; setting an ice block insert on the top of the block of ice, the ice block insert comprising a bracket or a flange, a top surface of the flange, and a reservoir attached to the flange, the reservoir extending downward from the flange and being adapted to receive a smoking device, the smoking device having a stem, a body, a valved passageway in the body, and a seal on the body; adding water to the reservoir; setting the smoking device on the top surface of the ice block insert, with the stem extending into the reservoir; attaching the smoking device to the flange with the seal pressed against the top surface of the flange; wherein the reservoir of the ice block insert is inside the cavity of the ice block and the stem of the smoking device is inside the reservoir of the ice block insert; further wherein the reservoir and smoking device are sealed by the seal so that air cannot escape from the reservoir except through the valved passageway in the body of the smoking device; further wherein, the ice block insert and the smoking device form a water pipe when assembled. In one embodiment of the method, the top surface of the ice block insert further comprising cutouts and the valved passageway in the body further comprising a first set of valved smoking holes and a second set of valved smoking holes and their respective valves, so that the cutouts allow for air to travel between a first set of valved smoking holes and the second set of valved smoking holes when a smoking device is inserted in the ice block insert. In one embodiment of the method, the valved passageway in the body has one or more valves, further wherein when the smoking device is placed on the ice block insert, the seal of the smoking device rests on the top surface of the flange and the cutouts pair with the valves. In one embodiment of the method, the seal further comprises a perimeter and the first set of valved smoking holes and the second set of valved smoking holes are inside the perimeter of the seal. In one embodiment of the method, the cutouts are cavities that open into and are in fluid communication with the reservoir and the top surface of the flange.

Method of Use

A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, in some examples, when coupled with and sealed to a smoking device, the disclosed device operates like a valved water pipe. When a smoker draws on the smoking device, smoke enters the smoking device from the heater and passes through the valved passageway and the stem of the smoking device into the liquid in the receptacle. The smoke bubbles up through the liquid in the receptacle. The smoke collects in the receptacle above the water, but because the receptacle is sealed to the smoking device the smoke cannot leave the receptacle until the smoker draws the smoke out of the smoking device, typically through a tube.

In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless the claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The description and drawings described herein represent example configurations and do not represent all the implementations within the scope of the claims. For example, the operations and steps may be rearranged, combined or otherwise modified. Also, structures and devices may be represented in the form of block diagrams to represent the relationship between components and avoid obscuring the described concepts. Similar components or features may have the same name but may have different reference numbers corresponding to different figures.

Some modifications to the disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In this disclosure and the following claims, the word “or” indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, the list of X, Y, or Z means X or Y or Z or XY or XZ or YZ or XYZ. Also the phrase “based on” is not used to represent a closed set of conditions. For example, a step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both condition A and condition B. In other words, the phrase “based on” shall be construed to mean “based at least in part on.” Also, the words “a” or “an” indicate “at least one.”

Claims

1. A smoking device holder comprising:

an ice block assembly,

a drainage box, and

an ice block stand;

the ice block assembly further comprising an ice block insert, the ice block insert further comprising a bracket configured to receive a smoking device having a stem and a receptacle extending downward from the bracket for holding water and receiving the stem,

the drainage box further comprising a floor;

the ice block stand further comprising a platform having at least one drainage hole extending through the platform and legs to support the platform above the drainage box floor;

wherein a cavity on the ice block is configured to receive the ice block insert's receptacle, with the smoking device's stem extending down into the receptacle;

wherein during operation of the smoking device, the receptacle is in the cavity of the ice block and the receptacle separates the water in the receptacle from the ice block; and

wherein the ice block assembly sits on the ice block stand inside the drainage box on the drainage box floor so that the drainage box catches water as the water melts from the ice block assembly.

2. The smoking device holder of claim 1, the top surface of the ice block insert further comprising cutouts configured to allow for air to travel between a first set of valved smoking holes and a second set of smoking holes of the smoking device and wherein the ice block insert is configured so that the cutouts pair with the first set of smoking holes and the second set of smoking holes.

3. The smoking device holder of claim 1, the top surface of the bracket further comprising cutouts that are open to the top surface of the bracket and the receptacle, wherein the cutouts are configured to receive a seal on the smoking device, the seal having a perimeter and the smoking device having valve smoking holes inside the perimeter, further wherein the cutouts allow the valved smoking holes and the receptacle to be in fluid communication when the smoking device is sealed to the ice block insert.

4. The smoking device holder of claim 1, where the ice box stand comprises a plurality of drainage holes.

5. The smoking device holder of claim 1, wherein the ice box stand comprises a single drainage hole, wherein the single drainage hole is configured to house a light-emitting-diode (LED) projector, and wherein the ice box stand further comprises a plurality of cutouts adjacent to the drainage hole, wherein during operation of the smoking device, the cutouts are configured to drain water from the ice block.

6. The smoking device holder of claim 5, the ice box stand further comprising a shelf disposed beneath the drainage hole.

7. A smoking device holder comprising:

a bracket configured to receive a smoking device having a stem and

a receptacle attached to the bracket, the receptacle extending downward from the bracket, wherein the receptacle is configured to hold water and being adapted to receive the stem of a smoking device,

wherein the ice block insert's receptacle is configured to fit an ice block having a cavity and a top surface, and the ice block insert's bracket is configured to rest on the top surface of the ice block while allowing the ice block insert's receptacle to extend into the ice block's cavity,

wherein, during operation of the smoking device, the smoking device's stem extends down into the receptacle of ice block insert;

wherein during operation of the smoking device, the receptacle is in the ice block, water is in the receptacle, the receptacle separates the water in the receptacle from the ice block, and the bracket separates the smoking device from the ice block.

8. The smoking device holder of claim 7, the ice block insert's bracket further comprising an interface for the smoking device that is flat and smooth, wherein the interface is configured to receive a seal on a smoking device and form a seal between the smoking device and the receptacle.

9. The smoking device holder of claim 8, further comprising an ice block stand, the ice block stand further comprising:

a platform having at least one drainage hole extending through the platform, and

legs supporting the platform.

10. The smoking device holder of claim 9, further comprising a drainage box, the drainage box further comprising a floor; wherein, when the ice block stand is in the drainage box, the ice block stand's legs support the platform above the drainage box floor, and wherein the ice block stand sits inside the drainage box on the drainage box floor to catch water from the ice block during operation of the smoking device.

11. The smoking device holder of claim 7, further wherein the ice block further comprises a top and a cavity extending downward from the top, the cavity being adapted to receive the receptacle of the ice block insert and the top of the ice block being adapted to support the ice block insert's bracket.

12. The smoking device holder of claim 7, wherein the ice block's cavity is configured to receive the ice block insert's receptacle, the ice block insert's bracket is configured to rest on the top of the ice block, and the ice block insert's bracket is configured to receive the smoking device, so that when the smoking device is sitting on the bracket of the ice block insert, the smoking device's stem extends down into the receptacle of the ice block insert.

13. The smoking device holder of claim 10, the top surface of the ice block insert further comprising cutouts configured to allow for air to travel between a first set of smoking holes and a second set of smoking holes of a smoking device when a smoking device is inserted in the ice block insert.

14. The smoking device holder of claim 13, further wherein the ice block insert is configured so that the cutouts pair with the first set of smoking holes and the second set of valved smoking holes when the smoking device sits on the top surface of the bracket.

15. The smoking device holder of claim 14, the seal further comprising a perimeter, further wherein the first set of smoking holes and the second set of smoking holes are inside the perimeter of the seal.

16. The smoking device holder of claim 12, further wherein the cutouts are cavities that open into and are in fluid communication with the receptacle and the top surface of the bracket.

17. The smoking device holder of claim 7, further wherein the cavity of the ice block has an area footprint that is the same or larger than the footprint of ice block insert's receptacle.

18. The smoking device holder of claim 7, the bracket further comprising a top surface and cutouts that are open to the top surface of the bracket and to the receptacle, wherein the cutouts are configured to receive a seal on a smoking device, the seal having a perimeter and the smoking device having valve smoking holes inside the perimeter, further wherein the cavities allow the valved smoking holes and the receptacle to be in fluid communication when the smoking device is sealed to the ice block insert.

19. A smoking device holder comprising:

an ice block assembly,

a drainage box, and

an ice block stand;

the ice block assembly further comprising an ice block insert, the ice block insert further comprising a bracket configured to receive a smoking device having a stem and a receptacle extending downward from the bracket for holding water and receiving the stem,

the drainage box further comprising a floor;

the ice block stand further comprising a platform having a single drainage hole extending through the platform and legs to support the platform above the drainage box floor;

the ice box stand further comprising a shelf disposed beneath the drainage hole and orthogonally to the legs, and where, during operation of the smoking device, the receptacle is configured to nest within the drainage hole, with a bottom surface of the receptacle sitting on the shelf;

wherein a cavity on the ice block is configured to receive the ice block insert's receptacle, with the smoking device's stem extending down into the receptacle;

wherein during operation of the smoking device, the receptacle is in the cavity of the ice block and the receptacle separates the water in the receptacle from the ice block; and

wherein the ice block assembly sits inside the drainage box on the drainage box floor so that the drainage box catches water as the water melts from the ice block assembly.

20. The smoking device holder of claim 19, wherein the ice box stand further comprises a plurality of cutouts adjacent to the drainage hole, wherein during operation of the smoking device, the cutouts are configured to drain water from the ice block.