Bottle Stopper

Abstract

A stopper apparatus comprising a flat upper portion having a centrally-located circular indention facing upward, an activation element having a circular, planer disc loosely engaging the circular indention, a vertically-oriented panel, and a male-threaded stem descending on a vertical axis of the disc, a reinforced circular lower horizontal panel having a centrally-located internally-threaded post extending vertically from the lower horizontal panel and engaging the internally-threaded post, and a bladder of rubberlike material disposed between the lower horizontal panel and the flat, reinforced upper portion, the bladder having a central passage through which the stem and post pass, and an internal cavity.

1 . A stopper apparatus for a water pipe, comprising:
 a substantially flat, reinforced upper portion of a diameter substantially the outer diameter of a cylindrical smoke chamber of the water pipe, the upper portion having a centrally-located circular indention facing upward;   an activation element having a circular, planer disc loosely engaging the circular indention in the upper portion, a vertically-oriented panel located across a diameter of the disc, and a male-threaded stem descending below on a vertical axis of the disc;   a reinforced circular lower horizontal panel having a centrally-located internally-threaded post extending vertically from the lower horizontal panel, the male-threaded stem engaging the internally-threaded post; and   a bladder of rubberlike material disposed between the lower horizontal panel and the flat, reinforced upper portion, the bladder having an outer diameter and a central passage through which the stem and post pass, and an internal cavity;   wherein rotating the activation element further engages the stem with the post, decreasing the separation of the lower panel and the flat upper portion, compressing the bladder and increasing the outer diameter of the bladder to a diameter that causes bladder contact with an inner wall of the cylindrical smoke chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bladder is joined by adhesive or heat sealing to the flat upper portion and to the lower panel. 
     
     
         3 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bladder is a separate object having a donut outer shape, and an inner cavity also in donut shape, having substantially thin outer walls. 
     
     
         4 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the internal cavity of the bladder is filled with air at a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bladder is filled with a liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bladder is filled with a foam material. 
     
     
         7 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the internal cavity of the bladder is filled with air at a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the bladder is filled with a liquid. 
     
     
         9 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the bladder is filled with a foam material 
     
     
         10 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the internal thread in the post extends through the lower panel. 
     
     
         11 . The stopper apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a loop of cord or ribbon joined by a clip to the vertically-oriented panel of the activation element, the loop of cord or ribbon enabling suspension of the stopper apparatus from a portion of the water pipe when the stopper apparatus is not in use.