Vaporizing Pipe with Separator for Flame Filter Support

Abstract

Provided is a vaporizing pipe having a separator 40 for maintaining a separation distance between a screen (or constriction) and a flame filter. In a simple, one-piece vaporizing pipe, it is necessary to mechanically fix the location of the screen and flame filter. Forming mechanical features for this function on inside surfaces of the pipe is difficult and expensive, particularly if the pipe is made of glass. In the present invention, the separator is disposed between the screen or constriction and filter, and functions to fix the location of the filter. The separator can be a wireform, for example. The separator greatly simplifies and reduces the cost of fabricating the present vaporizing pipe.

1 ) A vaporization pipe comprising:
 a) a tubular pipe body with a bowl area, and with a sidewall opening adjacent to the bowl area;   b) a screen disposed inside the pipe body adjacent to the bowl area;   c) a flame filter disposed inside the pipe body adjacent to the bowl area;   d) a separator disposed in the bowl area between the screen and filter, whereby the separator maintains a separation distance between the screen and flame filter.   
     
     
         2 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 1  wherein the separator comprises a wireform having two spaced apart support features connected by a connecting leg, and wherein the support features press against the screen and flame filter. 
     
     
         3 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 2  wherein the support features are loops. 
     
     
         4 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 2  wherein the support features are zigzag ends or straight wire ends. 
     
     
         5 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 2  wherein the support features are approximately planar-parallel. 
     
     
         6 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 1  further comprising a constriction, and wherein the screen is disposed between the constriction and the separator. 
     
     
         7 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 1  wherein the separator comprises a zigzag spring. 
     
     
         8 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 1  wherein the separator comprises a sheet of heat resistant material. 
     
     
         9 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 1  wherein the separator comprises a section of glass tubing. 
     
     
         10 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 1  further comprising a sliding door for covering and uncovering the sidewall opening. 
     
     
         11 . A vaporization pipe comprising:
 a) a tubular pipe body with a bowl area, and with a sidewall opening providing access to the bowl area;   b) a constriction disposed inside the pipe body and adjacent to the bowl area;   c) a flame filter disposed inside the pipe body adjacent to the bowl area;   d) a separator disposed in the bowl area between the constriction and filter, whereby the separator maintains a separation distance between the constriction and flame filter   
     
     
         12 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 11  wherein the separator comprises wireform having two spaced apart support features connected by a connecting leg, and wherein the support features are disposed against the constriction and flame filter. 
     
     
         13 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 12  wherein the wireform is made of wire having a diameter of about 0.015-0.035 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The vaporization pipe of  claim 11  further comprising a screen disposed between the constriction and the separator. 
     
     
         15 . A vaporization pipe comprising:
 a) a borosilicate glass tubular pipe body having: 1) a bowl area, 2) a sidewall opening adjacent to the bowl area, and 3) a constriction on a downstream side of the bowl area;   b) a screen disposed inside the pipe body between the bowl area and the constriction;   c) a flame filter disposed inside the pipe body adjacent to the bowl area;   d) a sliding door for covering and uncovering the sidewall opening;   e) a separator disposed in the bowl area between the screen and filter, comprising a wireform having two spaced apart support features connected by a connecting leg, and wherein the support features are disposed against the screen and flame filter, thereby maintaining the separation distance between the screen and ceramic filter.