SMOKING PIPE CLEANING TOOL

Abstract

Presented is a cleaning tool and method for cleaning interior surface of smoking pipes including tobacco pipes or water pipes. The cleaning tool comprises a shank and a tool body. The tool body comprises a helical portion and a tip portion. The cleaning of smoking pipe by a cleaning tool involves movement of the cleaning tool relative to the smoking pipe. The cleaning tool as well as method enables easy and safe cleaning of the interior surface of the smoking pipe.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to smoking pipes and more particularly, it pertains to a tool and method for cleaning interior surface of smoking pipes including tobacco pipes or water pipes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Smoking is an act or practice in which a substance i.e. tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled by a user. Various smoking devices such as tobacco pipes, hookahs, bongs, water pipes and so on are used by smokers and the substance used for smoking can include but not limited to: tobacco, marijuana, cannabis and so on.

[0003] Generally after prolonged use, residue such as carbon lining builds up within smoking water pipes. The residue may damage the smoking pipe and further, it badly affects the smoking experience. Thus, cleaning of smoking pipes is required from time to time to ensure quality of the smoking.

[0004] Various methods and techniques are employed in existing market to clean the water pipes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,056B1 discloses a composition useful for removal of organic deposits from a ceramic, glass, plastic, or metal substrate, and a method of use thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the invention pertains to a composition for cleaning an organically fouled smoking apparatus such as a pipe, a cigarette holder, or a water pipe, and to a process whereby the smoking apparatus is cleaned and disinfected.

[0005] The existing methods and techniques can include cleaning chemicals/solvents which can clean interior and/or exterior of water pipes. However, cleaning chemicals/solvents are sometimes inefficient in cleaning all residue and further, these cleaning chemicals/solvents increases overall cost of smoking. Further, if a small quantity of cleaning chemicals/solvents is consumed during smoking, it could lead to unpleasant smoking experience and could also be hazardous depending on chemical composition of the cleaning chemicals/solvents. Thus, there is a need for a smoking pipe cleaning tool that efficiently and effectively cleans the residue that builds up within the interior surfaces of a smoking pipe.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] Before the present systems and methods, enablement are described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular systems, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a smoking pipe cleaning tool capable of efficiently cleaning interior of smoking pipes.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a smoking pipe cleaning tool which is formed as a unitary (one-piece) construction.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a smoking pipe cleaning tool that is easy to use and could be easily washed by using a suitable liquid.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a smoking pipe cleaning tool that is manually used by a user.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a smoking pipe cleaning method which requires longitudinal motion and/or rotational motion of the smoking pipe cleaning tool to effectively and efficiently clean the smoking pipe.

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention disclose a cleaning tool for cleaning the interior surface of the smoking pipe of a smoking device, the cleaning tool comprising a shank configured to be grasped by the user with their hands while performing cleaning of the smoking pipe. Further, the cleaning tool comprises a tool body comprising a helical portion and a tip portion. The helical portion is arranged atleast partially on the outer surface area of the tool body and the helical portion comprises screw threads for facilitating removal of residue builds up within smoking pipe during cleaning. The cleaning of smoking pipe by a cleaning tool involves movement of the cleaning tool relative to the smoking pipe. The cleaning tool as well as method enables easy and safe cleaning of the interior surface of the smoking pipe.

[0013] In an embodiment, the movement of the cleaning tool relative to the smoking pipe includes: longitudinal movement, rotational movement and/or combinations thereof.

[0014] In another embodiment, the cleaning of smoking pipe by a cleaning tool includes washing the cleaning tool by a liquid such as soap solution, detergent, water etc.

[0015] In another embodiment, the helix angle of the helical portion lies between 5 degrees to 85 degrees.

[0016] In another embodiment, the tool body comprises a tip portion and a tip extension to enable poking of any clogged hole in the smoking pipe.

[0017] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the drawings:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional smoking device comprising a smoking pipe;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a cleaning tool, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrates various side views of the cleaning tool of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3E and FIG. 3F illustrates top view and bottom view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 2 respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 2 being used to clean the smoking pipe;

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a cleaning tool, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrates various side views of the cleaning tool of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F illustrates top view and bottom view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 5 respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 5 being used to clean the smoking pipe;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Some embodiments, illustrating its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any methods, and systems similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments, the preferred methods, and systems are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary.

[0029] Referring to accompanying figures, especially FIG. 1, a conventional smoking device 100 is shown enabling a user to smoke various substances. The substances capable of being smoked by the user could include but not limited to: marijuana, tobacco, cannabis and so on. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional smoking device 100 is a bong i.e. water pipe commercially available in the existing market. Further, the conventional smoking device 100 could include other smoking devices (not shown in figures) including but not limited to: hookahs, e-cigarettes, tobacco pipes, vapes and so on. The conventional smoking device 100 includes at least one smoking pipe 110 as shown in FIG. 1 to be cleaned after prolonged use by a cleaning tool 130 which will be described in greater detail in the below description. Further, the conventional smoking device 100 could include a second type of smoking pipe 210 commercially available in the market as shown in FIG. 7.

[0030] The various features and embodiments of proposed cleaning tool and cleaning method will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying figures, namely FIGS. 2-7.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the cleaning tool 130 to effectively clean the smoking pipe 110 (seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning tool 130 comprises a shank 132 and a tool body 134. The shank 132 is configured to be grasped by the user with their hands while performing cleaning operation of the smoking pipe 110. The shank 132 could be made of a material which supports grasping by hands of the user and the material could include but not limited to: rubber, silicone, plastic, metal and so on. The tool body 134 comprises a helical portion 135 arranged at least partially on the outer surface area of the tool body 134. The helical portion 135 comprises screw threads which facilitates removal of residue builds up within smoking pipe 110 during cleaning operation which will be described in greater detail in the description to follow. The helix angle of the helical portion 135 can vary from 5 degrees to 85 degrees, in particular 20 degrees to 70 degrees. Tool body 134 comprises a tip portion 136. In an embodiment, the tip portion 136 is substantially hemispherical-shaped with chamfered edges. In an embodiment, the tip portion 136 facilitates removal of residue builds up within smoking pipe 110 by breaking large deposits of residue in smaller deposits/parts. The overall shape of the cleaning tool 130 is substantially cylindrical in nature. The overall length and diameter of the cleaning tool 130 could vary depending on the dimensions of the smoking pipe 110. In an embodiment, the overall length of the cleaning tool 130 is about 12 centimeters. Further, the material of the cleaning tool 130 could include but not limited to: plastics, metal, composites, wood and so on.

[0032] FIGS. 3A-3D illustrates various side views of the cleaning tool 130 of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning tool 130 has a substantially elongate shape and a substantially uniform cross section as seen in FIGS. 3A-3D.

[0033] FIG. 3E and FIG. 3F illustrates top view and bottom view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 2 respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning tool 130 has a substantially circular cross section as seen in FIG. 3E and FIG. 3F.

[0034] Cleaning method involving the cleaning tool 130 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning tool 130 is engaged against the smoking pipe 110 such that the helical portion 135 contacts the interior of the smoking pipe 110. Afterwards, the cleaning tool 130 is rotated in a direction so as to disengage the cleaning tool 130 from the smoking pipe 110 such that any residue build-up inside the smoking pipe 110 is carried away by the helical portion 135 and thus, the residue buildup inside the smoking pipe 110 is expelled outwards from the smoking pipe 110. Afterwards, the cleaning tool 130 could be cleaned for enabling repeated use by any conventional technique such as liquid washing, air blowing, shaking, and napkin/cloth cleaning and so on so as to remove residue from the cleaning tool 130.

[0035] In another embodiment, the longitudinal motion and/or rotational motion of the cleaning tool 130 relative to the smoking pipe 110 is utilized to effectively and efficiently clean the smoking pipe 110.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the cleaning tool 230 to effectively clean the second type of smoking pipe 210 (as shown in FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning tool 230 comprises a shank 232 and a tool body 234. The shank 232 is configured to be grasped by the user with their hands while performing cleaning of the smoking pipe 210. The shank 132 could be made of a material which supports grasping by hands of the user and the material could include but not limited to: rubber, silicone and so on. The tool body 234 comprises a helical portion 235 arranged at least partially on the outer surface area of the tool body 234. The helical portion 235 comprises screw threads which facilitates removal of residue builds up within smoking pipe 210 during cleaning operation which will be described in greater detail in below description. The helix angle of the helical portion 235 can vary from 5 degrees to 85 degrees, in particular 20 degrees to 70 degrees. Further, the tool body 234 comprises a tip portion 236 and a tip extension 238. In an embodiment, the tip portion 236 is substantially cone-shaped with chamfered edges. The overall shape of the cleaning tool 230 is substantially cylindrical and non uniform. As seen in FIG. 5, the shank 232 has the diameter D1, helical portion 235 has the diameter D2 and the tip extension 238 has the diameter D3 wherein D1>D2>D3. In an embodiment, the overall length of the cleaning tool 230 is about 12 centimeters. Further, the material of the cleaning tool 230 could include but not limited to: plastic, metal, composites, wood and so on.

[0037] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrates various side views of the cleaning tool of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning tool 130 has a substantially elongate shape and a non uniform cross section as seen in FIGS. 6A-6D.

[0038] FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F illustrates top view and bottom view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 5 respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning tool 130 has a substantially circular cross section as seen in FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F. As seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6F, the shank 232 has the diameter D1, helical portion 235 has the diameter D2 and the tip extension 238 has the diameter D3 wherein D1>D2>D3.

[0039] Cleaning method involving the cleaning tool 230 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the cleaning tool 230 is engaged against the smoking pipe 210 such that the helical portion 235 contacts the interior of the smoking pipe 210. Further, as the cleaning tool 230 is engaged against the smoking pipe 210, the tip portion 236 and the tip extension 238 are pushed towards the smoking pipe 210 to poke/clear any residue filled/clogged holes in the smoking pipe 210. Afterwards, the cleaning tool 230 is rotated in a direction so as to disengage the cleaning tool 230 from the smoking pipe 210 such that any residue buildup inside the smoking pipe 210 is carried away by the helical portion 235 and thus, the residue buildup inside the smoking pipe 210 is expelled outwards from the smoking pipe 210. Afterwards, the cleaning tool 230 could be cleaned for enabling repeated use by any conventional technique such as liquid washing, air blowing, shaking, and napkin/cloth cleaning and so on so as to remove residue from the cleaning tool 230.

[0040] In another embodiment, the longitudinal motion and/or rotational motion of the cleaning tool 230 relative to the smoking pipe 210 is utilized to effectively and efficiently clean the smoking pipe 210.

[0041] It should be understood that cleaning tool 130, 230 may be constructed using any conventional manufacturing processes such as but not limited to molding, machining, casting, 3D printing and so on. Further, the cleaning tool 130, 230 could be made as a unitary piece construction (one piece) to reduce manufacturing time and save costs. However, the cleaning tool 130, 230 could also be formed as a multi-piece component. The cleaning of the smoking pipe 110, 210 could be performed using cleaning tool 130, 230 while the smoking pipe 110, 210 is still connected to the smoking device 100. Further, it should be obvious to one skilled in the art that cleaning of the smoking pipe 110, 210 could be performed using cleaning tool (130, 230) while the smoking pipe 110, 210 is detached from the smoking device 100 for better cleaning operation. Further, it should also be understood that the smoking device 100 and the smoking pipe 110, 210 are interchangeable and various embodiments of the present invention could also be considered for smoking pipe 110, 210 alone. For instance, in an embodiment, the smoking pipe 110, 210 could include tobacco pipe and the tobacco pipe itself can be considered as a smoking device 100.

[0042] According to various embodiments of the present invention, the movement of the cleaning tool 130, 230 is manually enabled by a user while holding the shank 132, 232 of the cleaning tool 130, 230 using his/her hands. However, it should be understood that the movement of the cleaning tool 130, 230 could be enabled automatically using machines/machine platforms/robotic manipulators which would carry/transport the cleaning tool 130, 230 of the present invention for desired movement. The movement of cleaning tool 130, 230 using machines would allow automation of the smoking pipe cleaning.

[0043] It should be understood according to the preceding description of the present invention that the same is susceptible to changes, modifications and adaptations, and that the said changes, modifications and adaptations fall within scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning tool (130) for cleaning the interior surface of a smoking pipe (110), the cleaning tool (130) comprising: a shank (132) configured to be grasped by the user with their hands while performing cleaning of the smoking pipe (110); a tool body (134) comprising a helical portion (135) and a tip portion (136); Wherein the helical portion (135) is arranged at least partially on the outer surface area of the tool body (134); and the helical portion (135) comprises screw threads for facilitating removal of residue build up within smoking pipe (110) during cleaning; and Wherein cleaning of the smoking pipe (110) by the cleaning tool (130) involves movement of the cleaning tool (130) relative to the smoking pipe (110).

2. The cleaning tool (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of the cleaning tool (130) relative to the smoking pipe (110) comprises rotational movement.

3. The cleaning tool (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of the cleaning tool (130) relative to the smoking pipe (110) includes: longitudinal movement, rotational movement and/or combinations thereof.

4. The cleaning tool (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning of the smoking pipe (110) by the cleaning tool (130) includes washing the cleaning tool (130) by a liquid.

5. The cleaning tool (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an helix angle of the helical portion (135) lies between 5 degrees to 85 degrees.

6. The cleaning tool (130) as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the overall length of the cleaning tool (130) is about 12 centimeters.

7. A cleaning tool (230) for cleaning the interior surface of a smoking pipe (210), the cleaning tool (230) comprising: a shank (232) configured to be grasped by the user with their hands while performing cleaning of the smoking pipe (210); a tool body (234) comprising a helical portion (235), a tip portion (236) and a tip extension (238); Wherein the helical portion (235) is arranged atleast partially on the outer surface area of the tool body (234); and the helical portion (235) comprises screw threads for facilitating removal of residue builds up within smoking pipe (210) during cleaning; Wherein the tip extension (238) is configured to poke any residue filled/clogged holes in the smoking pipe (210); Wherein cleaning of the smoking pipe (210) by the cleaning tool (230) involves movement of the cleaning tool (230) relative to the smoking pipe (210);

8. The cleaning tool (230) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the movement of the cleaning tool (230) relative to the smoking pipe (210) comprises rotational movement.

9. The cleaning tool (230) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the movement of the cleaning tool (230) relative to the smoking pipe (210) includes: longitudinal movement, rotational movement and/or combinations thereof.

10. The cleaning tool (230) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cleaning of smoking pipe (210) by a cleaning tool (230) includes washing the cleaning tool (230) by a liquid.

11. The cleaning tool (230) as claimed in claim 7, wherein an helix angle of the helical portion (235) lies between 5 degrees to 85 degrees.

12. The cleaning tool (230) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the shank (232) has the diameter D1, helical portion (235) has the diameter D2 and the tip extension (238) has the diameter D3 wherein D1>D2>D3.

13. The cleaning tool (230) as claimed in claim 7, wherein, the overall length of the cleaning tool (230) is about 12 centimeters.