Universal Bong

The exemplary embodiments of present invention relate generally to water pipes and, more specifically, to a device for converting disposable containers into water pipes.

Traditional direct smoking of substances raises health concerns arising from the natural presence of harmful chemicals that are inhaled during the burning process. One known approach to minimize the inhalation of excess chemicals has been through the use of water pipes. Water pipes pass the smoke generated from the combustion of plant materials through a water bath. This booth cools the vapor and removes some of the impurities. Water pipes, however, often rely on specialized glass containers that are unwieldly, expensive, breakable, and messy. These glass containers are difficult to clean, may become stained, and often require the use of harsh cleaning chemicals. This can serve to further increase the chemicals inhaled by users. In addition, existing products often fail to adequately filter the vapor prior to inhalation. It would be beneficial to have a water pipe that reduced the users exposure to carcinogens. In addition, it would be beneficial to have a water pipe design that provided a cost-effective, sanitary, and utilized disposable containers such that complex cleaning was eliminated.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment there is provided a universal water pipe adapter for use in combination with a disposable container. The water pipe adapter includes a cap housing comprised of a cap upper surface, a cap cavity, and a cap engagement surface. The cap engagement surface is configured to removably engage a container mouth of the disposable container. A slide port may be formed in the cap upper surface to allow a slide assembly to be inserted therethrough. The slide assembly includes a slide bowl and a slide tube. An inhale channel is positioned on the cap upper surface and connects an inhale port to the cap cavity.

According to another aspect, the cap engagement surface of the universal water pipe adapter includes a flange support and a plurality of semi-flexible flange discs tapered from a first engagement surface end to a second engagement surface end.

According to another aspect, the universal water pipe adapter includes a removable mouthpiece having a breathing end and an attachment end. The attachment end is configured to removably engage the inhale port.

According to another aspect, semi-flexible discs extend from the flange support towards a cap centerline axis.

According to another aspect, semi-flexible discs extend from the flange support away from a cap centerline axis.

According to another aspect, the cap housing may be made of a material having one of anti-bacterial properties, anti-bacterial additives, anti-bacterial films, and anti-bacterial coatings.

According to another aspect, the slide assembly may be made of one of metal, plastic, silicon, rubber, and glass.

According to another aspect, the universal water pipe adapter may include a carb port positioned externally from the cap cavity and in communication with the cap cavity.

According to another aspect, the universal water pipe adapter may include a carb tube surrounding the slide tube, the carb tube including a carb port positioned on the carb tube proximate the slide bowl.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments there are provided universal water pipe adapters allowing conversion of a disposable container into a working water pipe with improved filtration. As a result, the container of the water pipe may be disposed of and replaced rather than requiring cleaning. In addition to the aforesaid universal water pipe adapter, the subject disclosure provides a method of integrating a filter system into the water pipe for further removal of chemicals or other adulterants.

Other features and advantages of the subject disclosure will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the exemplary embodiments.

Reference will now be made in detail to the various exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. The term “distal” shall mean away from the center of a body. The term “proximal” shall mean closer towards the center of a body and/or away from the “distal” end. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the identified element and designated parts thereof. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject application in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term “a,” as used in the specification, means “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

“About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

“Substantially” as used herein shall mean considerable in extent, largely but not wholly that which is specified, or an appropriate variation therefrom as is acceptable within the field of art.

Throughout the subject application, various aspects thereof can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the subject disclosure. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the subject disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular exemplary embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings,illustrates a universal water pipe adapterconstructed in accordance with the subject disclosure. The universal water pipe adapteris adapted for use with a disposable container. The disposable containermay be any number of containers such as coffee cups, drink cups, bottles, cans or even jars. The disposable container, in one aspect, defines a container mouthhaving a mouth inner diameterand a mouth outer diameter. The disposable containermay be of any material or size including, but not limited to, paper, glass, ceramic, metal, or plastic.

Referring now to the drawings,, the universal water pipe adapterincludes a cap housingdefined by a cap upper surface, a cap centerline axis, a cap side surface, a cap cavityand a cap universal engagement surface. The cap universal engagement surfaceis configured to removably engage and seal to the container mouthsuch that the cap housingmay be easily engaged and removed from the disposable container. In one aspect, the cap universal engagement surfaceis formed as a unitary part of the cap housing. The cap housingmay be made of any of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, silicon, rubber, and ceramic. In one aspect, the cap housingis made of or includes materials having anti-bacterial properties to prevent unwanted bacterial growth or contamination. These properties are useful as the universal water pipe adapteris intended to come into contact with a users mouth during operation. In another aspect, the cap housingmay include anti-bacterial additives, films or coatings to achieve similar health benefits.

The cap housing, in one aspect, includes a slide portformed in the upper cap surface. The slide portdefines a slide port diameter. The slide portmay be formed of the same material as the cap housingor may include additional sealing features such as a ring gasket. The cap housingfurther includes an inhale channelconnecting an inhale portto the cap cavity. The cap universal engagement surfacemay include a variety of formations which removably engage the container mouth. In one aspect, the cap universal engagement surfacemay comprise a flange supportand a plurality of semi-flexible flange discsconnected to the flange support(see). The semi-flexible flange discsdeform as the cap universal engagement surfaceis pressed into the container mouthto prove a seal between the cap housingand the disposable container. In one aspect, it is contemplated that the plurality of semi-flexible flange discsare tapered in diameter between a first engagement surfaceand a second engagement surface. This tapering allows the cap universal engagement surfaceto engage a wide variety of varied size container mouths. In the present aspect, the taper increases in diameter between the first engagement surfaceto the second engagement surfaceto allow the cap universal engagement surfaceto engage a range of mouth inner diameters. In this aspect, the plurality of semi-flexible flange discsextend from the flange supportin a direction away from the cap centerline axis(see) so as to allow internal engagement of the mouth inner diameter.

The universal water pipe adapterfurther includes a slide assemblyhaving a slide bowland a slide tube(see). The slide tubedefines a slide tube exterior diameter. In one aspect, the slide tube exterior diameteris closely matched to the slide port diameterto provide a tight seal with the cap housingwhile still allowing the slide tubeto be slid in and out of the cap housing. Although the slide assemblymay be formed of a variety of materials, in one aspect the slide assembly is formed from one of metal, plastic, silicon, rubber and glass. In another aspect, the slide bowlis formed from a flame and heat resistant material. The slide tubedefines a slide tube length. When the disposable containeris at least partially filed with water or other liquids, the slide tube lengthallows the slide tubeto be inserted through the slide portsuch that it passes below the liquid fill line. In operation, when combustible material is placed within the slide bowland ignited, the drawing of breath from the inhale portpulls the smoke down through the slide tube, through the liquid, and upwards out the inhale channel.

The universal water pipe adapter, in one aspect, may include a removable mouthpiece(). The removable mouthpieceincludes a breathing endand an attachment end. The attachment endis configured to removably engage the inhale portof the cap housing. In one aspect it is contemplated that the engagement is a frictional engagement. In other aspects, threading, snap-lock, or other fittings may be utilized. The removable mouthpiecemay further include a filter chamberthat may include charcoal or other air purifying features. This further reduces the inhalation of unwanted adulterants by users. When combined with the natural filtration of the liquid in the disposable container, the filter chamberprovides exceptional reduction of inhaled adulterants.

Referring now to, illustrating a universal water pipe adapterconstructed in accordance with another aspect of the subject disclosure. In the present aspect, disposable containermay be comprised of a can or other similar structure. In this aspect, the disposable containermay not have a suitable mouth inner diameterto engage the cap universal engagement surface. In this aspect, the cap housingis formed in a configuration shown in. In this aspect, the cap universal engagement surfaceis configured to surround the mouth outer diameterof the disposable container. In this aspect, the plurality of semi-flexible flange discsextend from the flange supporttowards the cap centerline axis(see). The plurality of semi-flexible flange discsare tapered so as to increase in diameter from the first engagement surface endto the second engagement surface end. This allows the cap universal engagement surfaceto adapt to a wide range of can diameters. In this aspect, it is contemplated that the slide portis configured to be aligned with the standard can pop topsuch that as the slide tubepasses through the slide portit simultaneously passes through the pop top.

Referring now to, illustrating a universal water pipe adapterconstructed in accordance with another aspect of the subject disclosure. In the present aspect, disposable containermay be comprised of a pop bottle, beer bottle or other similar bottle type structure. In this aspect, the disposable containermay have a narrow and centered container mouth. In this aspect, the slide portis preferably aligned with the cap centerline axis. In this fashion, as the slide assemblyis slid through the slide port, the slide tubemay enter unobstructed into the bottle. The plurality of semi-flexible flange discsextend from the flange supportaway from the cap centerline axis. In one aspect, the plurality of semi-flexible flange discsare tapered in diameter from a smaller diameter at the first engagement surface endto a larger diameter at the second engagement surface end. This allows the universal water pipe adapterto accommodate a wide range of bottle neck diameters.

Referring now to, illustrating a cap housingconstructed in accordance with another aspect of the subject disclosure. In the present aspect, the cap housingmay include a car portpositioned externally from the cap cavityand connected to the cap cavityby a carb port channel. The carp portallows a user to selectively cover the carb portand direct all airflow through the slide assembly. This allows increased airflow through the slide assemblyand therefore increased combustion of material burning in the slide bowl. The user may also remove their finger from the carb portto reduce combustion and inhale smoke from within the disposable container.

Referring now to, illustrating a cap housingconstructed in accordance with another aspect of the subject disclosure. In this aspect the carp portmay be formed on or near the inhale channel. In this aspect, the carb channelis comprised of a separate channel from the inhale channelbut running parallel to the inhale channel. This provides a more convenient location for the carb portas well as drawing atmospheric air into the disposable containerat a position closer to the liquid fill.

Referring now to, illustrating a slide assemblyin accordance with another aspect of the disclosure. In this aspect, the universal water pipe adapterincludes a carb tubesurrounding the slide tubeand having a sealed carb tube endadjacent to the slide bowland an open carb tube enddistal from the slide bowl. The carb portis formed in the carb tubebelow the sealed carb tube end. The carb tubehas a carb tube lengththat is smaller than the slide tube length. The shorter carb tube lengthallows the open carb tube endto remain above any liquid while the slide tubeis allowed to pass below the liquid. Although the carb tubemay be made of a variety of materials, in one aspect it is contemplated that the carb tubebe made of metal. This provides additional protection for the slide tubein case of accidental droppage.

Referring not to, illustrating a universal pipe adapterin accordance with another aspect of the disclosure. The universal pipe adapteris configured to be used with a pre-rolled burnable element, such as a rolled tobacco or other herb rolled element. The universal pipe adapterincludes a main pipe adapterhaving a first adapter endconfigured to frictionally retain the pre-rolled burnable element. The main pipe adapteradditionally includes a second adapter endconfigured to form a filter retention chamberand including one or more main retention ridges. A filter elementis positioned within the filter retention chamber. The universal pipe adapterfurther includes a mouthpiece adapterhaving a mouth portand an engagement port. The engagement portincludes one or more mouthpiece retention ridges. The one or more mouthpiece retention ridgesremovably engage the main retention ridgesto secure the filter elementin the filter retention chamber. In this fashion, when a user draws on the mouth port, smoke from the pre-rolled burnable elementis forced through the filter elementprior to being inhaled by the user. In one aspect, the filter retention chamberincludes a chamfered baseto allow the filter elementto be compressed and form a tight seal. The main pipe adapterincludes one or more grip protrusionsto assist in the user's engagement and disengagement of the mouthpiece adapterfrom the main pipe adapter.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is to be understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the particular exemplary embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.