WO2021108848A1

WO2021108848A1 - Smoking instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2021108848A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/051306
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis John Donovan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-04
Filing date: 2020-12-01
Publication date: 2021-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-04

Abstract

A smoking instrument comprising a body having a barrel for receiving a smoking product through an open end of the barrel and for containment of the smoking product within a section of the barrel, a piston rod to be received within the barrel, and first guiding means adapted to engage the piston rod for selectively displacing the piston rod between a first condition and a second condition for varying the volume of the section of the barrel containing the smoking product. The smoking instrument may also comprise smoke conditioning means. In another aspect there is provided a smoking instrument comprising smoke conditioning means.

Description

Smoking Instrument

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire disclosure of Australian Provisional patent application 2019904598 is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to smoking instruments.

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to handheld and portable smoking instruments.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] Smoking of tobacco may be conducted using paper cigarettes. Paper cigarettes are used for smoking a particular quantity of tobacco at a particular moment in time; and, once the smoker decides to stop smoking, the cigarettes are discarded even if a considerable quantity of tobacco is still left in the cigarettes. This is particularly true, because storage of a partially smoked paper cigarette is cumbersome and most of the time ineffective.

[0005] Other means for smoking tobacco are pipes. Pipes are smoking instruments that may be reused requiring that each that pipe has to be refilled with tobacco to continue smoking. An advantage of pipes over cigarettes is that there is no need to have to manufacture (i.e. roll) a cigarette prior smoking.

[0006] Pipes comprise a chamber for containment of the tobacco. The chamber comprises one end for lighting of the tobacco and the other end, comprising a mouthpiece, to permit the user to inhale the tobacco smoke. Some of these types of pipes comprise relatively large chambers allowing storage of relatively large quantities of tobacco permitting smoking for a relatively long period of time. Other pipes have a tobacco chamber that allow storage of a single dose of tobacco suitable for one or two inhalations only. [0007] Some types of pipes comprise filters for conditioning the smoke exiting the tobacco chamber. For example, some pipes comprise chambers containing water. By diverting the smoke to flow through these water filled chambers, the smoke is conditioned by reducing its temperature and removing any noxious materials.

[0008] However, these particular pipes are relatively large and clumsy and therefore not portable for, for example, carrying them in pockets of clothing such as shirts, pants and jackets.

[0009] Portable Pipes have been developed; for example, pipes of tubular construction have been developed permitting carrying them in pockets of clothing. These particular pipes may be filled with tobacco for smoking immediately after the pipe has been filled with tobacco or at a later stage. Also, these particular pipes allow smoking only a portion of the tobacco and reinitiate the smoking process at a later stage; in this case the combustion process is extinguished and the pipes may be stored for later use. These particular pipes are typically of relatively short length permitting carrying them within pockets of clothing.

[0010] There are disadvantages with these particular tubular pipes. For example, due to their short length, the end of the pipe where the combustion process is occurring is relatively close to the mouthpiece that enters in contact with the smoker’s mouth; thus, the smoke, as it arrives to the smokers’ mouth, is still relatively hot. The hot smoke can make the smoking experience unpleasant.

[0011] Another disadvantage of these tubular pipes is that, due to the tubular construction, the chamber containing the tobacco is tubular and of a relatively small diameter. In this particular configuration the tobacco is arranged in tandem arrangement, along the relatively narrow length of the tubular tobacco chamber of the pipe, extending from (1) the open end of the pipe used to light the tobacco towards (2) the mouthpiece. The disadvantage of having the tobacco arranged within a relatively narrow chamber is that as the tobacco is burned, the combustion process typically stops after the tobacco located proximal to the open end of the pipe has been consumed. The combustion process stops due to the lack of proper ventilation at areas (containing tobacco) located away from the open end of the pipe used for lighting the tobacco. Once the combustion process has stopped, reignition of the combustion process, to burn the tobacco remaining within the pipe at location away from the open end of the pipe, is impossible or at least cumbersome. [0012] A further disadvantage is that no conditioning of the smoke (for example filtering it or reducing its temperature) is provided within these relatively small tubular pipes.

[0013] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a smoking instrument comprising a body having a barrel for receiving a smoking product through an open end of the barrel and for containment of the smoking product within a section of the barrel, a piston rod to be received within the barrel, and a first guiding means adapted to engage the piston rod for selectively displacing the piston rod between a first condition and a second condition for varying the volume of the section of the barrel containing the smoking product.

[0015] Preferably, the barrel comprises a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising the open end for receiving the piston rod during assembly of the smoking instrument and the smoking product after assembly of the smoking instrument.

[0016] Preferably, the distal end comprises the section of the barrel containing the smoking product.

[0017] Preferably, the piston rod comprises a pathway traversing longitudinally the piston rod permitting transfer of the smoke generated within the barrel to a proximal end of the piston rod for inhalation by the user through a mouthpiece.

[0018] Preferably, the piston rod comprises a proximal end and a distal end.

[0019] Preferably, the proximal end comprises a mouthpiece fluidly connected to the pathway for delivery of the smoke to a user of the smoking instrument.

[0020] Preferably, the distal end comprises an opening fluidly connected to the pathway for delivery of the smoke to the mouthpiece.

[0021] Preferably, the smoking instrument further comprises a cap adapted to be mounted on the open end of the barrel for extinguishing the combustion process within the barrel.

[0022] Preferably, the pathway comprises smoke conditioning means. [0023] Preferably, the conditioning means comprises a helical body adapted to be releasably received within the pathway.

[0024] Preferably, the conditioning means comprise a string infused in smelling oils/ essential oils adapted to be wrapped around the helical body.

[0025] Preferably, the helical body comprises a proximal end comprising fastening means for securing the string.

[0026] Preferably, the smoking instrument comprises a hollow plug for attachment to the barrel and receiving the piston rod.

[0027] Preferably, the piston rod comprises second guiding means.

[0028] Preferably, the hollow plug comprises the first guiding means for engagement with the second guiding means of the piston rod. Preferably, the first guiding means comprise a guiding ring having a pin for engagement with the second guiding means of the piston rod.

[0029] Preferably, the second guiding means of the piston rod comprises a guiding groove adapted to receive the pin.

[0030] Preferably, the guiding groove comprises a leading groove for receiving the pin during assembly of the smoking article.

[0031] Preferably, the leading groove comprises an open end at the proximal end of the piston rod for receiving the pin.

[0032] Preferably, the second guiding means are adapted to keep the piston rod fixed at particular locations along the barrel.

[0033] Preferably, the second guiding means may be configured as having any type of pattern that allows moving as well as fixing the piston rod at particular locations within the barrel.

[0034] Preferably, the second guiding means comprise a guiding groove configured as a Zig-Zag Pattern.

[0035] In an alternative arrangement, the second guiding means comprise a guiding groove configured as a spiraling groove surrounding at least partially the piston rod. [0036] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a smoking instrument comprising a body having a barrel for receiving a smoking product through an open end of the barrel and for containment of the smoking product within a section of the barrel, and a piston rod to be received within the barrel, wherein the piston rod comprises a pathway for transferring smoke generated during the smoking process from the section of the barrel to a proximal end of the piston rod for delivery to the smoker, wherein the pathway comprises smoke conditioning means.

[0037] Preferably, the conditioning means comprises a helical body adapted to be releasably received within the pathway.

[0038] Preferably, the distal end comprises the section of the barrel containing the smoking product.

[0039] Preferably, the piston rod comprises a proximal end and a distal end.

[0040] Preferably, the piston rod comprises a pathway traversing longitudinally the piston rod permitting transfer of the smoke generated within the barrel to the proximal end of the piston rod for inhalation by the user through a mouthpiece.

[0041 ] Preferably, the proximal end comprises a mouthpiece fluidly connected to the pathway for delivery of the smoke to a user of the smoking instrument.

[0042] Preferably, the distal end comprises an opening fluidly connected to the pathway for delivery of the smoke to the mouthpiece.

[0043] Preferably, the smoking instrument further comprises a cap adapted to be mounted on the open end of the barrel for extinguishing the combustion process within the barrel.

[0044] Preferably, the smoking instrument comprises a hollow plug for attachment to the barrel and receiving the piston rod.

[0045] Preferably, the smoking instrument further comprises a guiding ring adapted to engage the piston rod for selectively displacing the piston rod between a first condition and a second condition for varying the volume of the section of the barrel containing the smoking product.

[0046] Preferably, the piston rod comprises guiding means. [0047] Preferably, the conditioning means comprises a helical body adapted to be releasably received within the pathway.

[0048] Preferably, the conditioning means comprise a string infused in smelling oils/ essential oils adapted to be wrapped around the helical body.

[0049] Preferably, the helical body comprises a proximal end comprising fastening means for securing the string.

[0050] Preferably, the hollow plug comprises the guiding ring for engagement with the guiding means of the piston rod.

[0051] Preferably, the guiding ring comprises a pin for engagement with the guiding means of the piston rod.

[0052] Preferably, the guiding means of the piston rod comprises a guiding groove adapted to receive the pin.

[0053] Preferably, the guiding groove comprises a leading groove for receiving the pin during assembly of the smoking article.

[0054] Preferably, the leading groove comprises an open end at the proximal end of the piston rod for receiving the pin.

[0055] Preferably, the guiding means are adapted to keep the piston rod fixed at particular locations along the barrel.

[0056] Preferably, the guiding means may be configured as having any type of pattern that allows moving and fixing the piston rod at particular locations within the barrel.

[0057] Preferably, the guiding means comprise a guiding groove configured as a Zig-Zag Pattern.

[0058] In an alternative arrangement, the guiding means comprise a guiding groove configured as a spiraling groove surrounding the piston rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a particular arrangement of a smoking instrument in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in the retracted condition;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the smoking instrument shown in figure 1 in the disassembled condition;

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the smoking instrument shown in figure 1 in a semi-retracted condition;

Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the smoking instrument shown in figure 1 in the extended condition;

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the smoking instrument shown in figure 1 in the extended condition;

Figures 6 to 8 are bottom, top and top perspective view of a hollow plug containing a guiding ring of the smoking instrument shown in figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a particular arrangement of a smoking instrument in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in the extended condition;

Figure 10 is a side view of a particular arrangement of a smoke condition means of the smoking instrument shown in figure 9;

Figure 11 is a top view of the helical body of the smoking instrument shown in figure 9;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the smoking instrument in accordance with either the first or second embodiment prior assembly;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the smoking instrument in accordance with either the first or second embodiment prior assembly;

Figure 14 are side and end views of an alternative arrangement of the piston rod of the smoking instrument in accordance with the first and second embodiment of the invention; Figure 15 is a detail of the proximal end of the piston rod shown in figure 14;

Figure 16 are front view and cross-sectional view of the guiding ring of the smoking instrument in accordance with the first and second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 17 is a top view of a particular arrangement of conditioning means referred to in figures 9 to 11 ;

Figure 18 is a detail of the proximal end of the conditioning means shown in figure 17;

Figure 19 is a top view of the particular arrangement of conditioning means shown in figure 17; and

Figure 20 is a plan view of the smoking instrument referred to in figures 9 to 11 in disassembled condition.

[0060] It should be noted that the figures are schematic only and the location and disposition of the components can vary according to the particular arrangements of the embodiments of the present invention as well as of the particular applications of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0061] Figure 1 shows a particular arrangement of a smoking instrument 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The smoking instrument 10 comprises a piston rod 12, and a barrel 14 for receiving the piston rod 12 and a portion of the smoking product.

[0062] The barrel 14 is adapted to receive the piston rod 12 to be selectively displaced between a retracted condition (the first condition) as shown in figure 1 , and an extended condition (the second condition) as shown in figures 4 and 5. Selective displacement of the piston rod 12 within the barrel 14 between the extended and the retracted condition permits varying the volume of the section of the barrel 14 containing the smoking product.

[0063] As will be described with reference to the method of operation of the smoking instrument 10, in, for example, the extended condition, the smoking instrument 10 may be filled, through a distal end 16 (the open end) of the barrel 14 with the smoking product (such as tobacco). In particular, a distal section of the barrel 14 is filled with the smoking product. During consumption of the smoking product, the piston rod 12 may be displaced towards the retracted condition.

[0064] It is particularly advantageous that the piston rod 12 may be displaced towards the retracted condition because it permits (as the smoking product is consumed) displacement of the smoking product towards the distal end 16. In this manner, there will be always smoking product at the distal end 16 of the barrel 14 permitting lighting of the smoking product to maintain the combustion process by lighting, when required, the smoking product located at the distal end of the barrel 14.

[0065] Further, the piston rod 12 comprises a pathway 23 (see for example figure 12) traversing longitudinally the piston rod 14 permitting transfer of the smoke generated within the barrel 14 to the proximal end 18 of the piston rod 12 for inhalation by the user. At the proximal end 18 of the piston rod 12 there is provided a mouthpiece 13.

[0066] The piston rod 12 comprises the proximal end 18 and a distal end 21. The proximal end 18 comprises a mouthpiece 13 fluidly connected to the pathway 23 (or 42, see figure 9) for delivery of the smoke to a user of the smoking instrument 10. The distal end 29 comprises an opening 17 fluidly connected to the pathway 23 for delivery of the smoke to the mouthpiece.

[0067] Referring now to figure 2, figure 2 shows the smoking instrument 10 in disassembled condition.

[0068] As shown in figure 2, the smoking instrument 10 comprises in addition to the piston rod 12 and the barrel 14, a hollow plug 20 and a guiding ring 22 (the first guiding means).

[0069] The guiding ring 22 comprises a pin 24 extending radially inwards a particular distance from the inner periphery of the guiding ring 22 - see figures 6 to 8. The particular magnitude of the distance that the pin 24 extends radially inward is such that the pin 24 may enter a guiding groove 26 (the second guiding means) engraved within the outer surface of the piston rod 14.

[0070] The hollow plug 20 is adapted to receive the guiding ring 22 in order to place the pin 24 in a particular position so that, during assembly of the smoking instrument 10, the pin 24 is received with the guiding groove 26. As will be described with reference to the method of operation of the smoking instrument 10, the pin 24 runs through the guiding groove 26 as the user of the smoking instrument 10 displaces the piston rod 12 selectively between the retracted and extended condition.

[0071] Further, the hollow plug 20 is adapted to be attached to a proximal end 28 of the barrel 14, which is the same end through which the piston rod 12 will pass during assembly of the smoking instrument 10. By attaching the hollow plug 20 to the proximal end 28, the pin 24 is received within the guiding groove 26 of the piston rod 12. As mentioned above, the hollow plug 20 orients the pin 24 in such a manner that the pin 24 is to be received within the guiding groove 26.

[0072] Furthermore, the piston rod 12 at its distal end 29 comprises an O-ring washer 15 to define a seal (when the piston rod 12 is within the barrel 14) forcing the smoke, generated within the barrel 14 during the combustion process of the smoking product, to only enter the pathway traversing the interior of the piston rod 12 for delivery to the mouthpiece 13.

[0073] Referring now to figures 3 to 5, figures 3 to 5 show the smoking instrument 10 in two conditions, in particular, in a condition where the piston rod 12 is located at a position midway between the extended condition and the retracted condition. In this particular position, the pin 24 (extending radially inward from the guiding ring 22) is located within the guiding groove 26 and at a particular location of the guiding groove 26 (for example, the centre of the guiding groove 26). In order for the user of the smoking instrument 10 to, for example, move the piston rod 12 towards the extended condition, the user pulls at the piston rod 12 while pivoting the piston rod 12 (about the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 12) so as to partially extract the piston rod 12 out of the barrel 14 until it reaches the extended condition (see figure 4). For moving the piston rod 12 back to the retracted condition, the user pushes the piston rod 12 while applying the pivoting movement to the piston rod 12. Returning the piston rod 12 back to the retracted condition permits moving the smoking product towards the distal end 16 of the barrel 14 during the smoking process to ensure that there will be always smoking product at the distal end 16 of the barrel 14. The pivotal movement to be conducted by the user comprises pivoting the piston rod 12 back and forth, in particular, for example, rotating partially the piston rod 12 counter clockwise and subsequently rotating partially the piston rod 12 clockwise and repeating these two movements until the piston rod 12 has moved in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel 12 between the retracted condition and the extended condition. [0074] As the piston rod 12 is moved (as described in the previous paragraph) the pin 24 runs through the guiding groove 26. In particular, as the user (when undertaking the pivoting movement about the longitudinal axis of the barrel 14) partially rotates counter-clockwise the piston rod 14, the pin 24 runs through the groove sections 30 of the guiding groove 26 that are oriented counter-clockwise; similarly, as the user partially rotates clockwise the piston rod 14, the pin 24 runs through the groove sections 32 of the guiding groove 26 that are oriented clockwise.

[0075] In the particular arrangement shown in the figures, the guiding groove 26 is configured as Zig-Zag Pattern having grove sections 30 and 32 arranged in a spaced apart relationship and parallel with respect to each other. The groove section 30 and 32 are joined together at end sections 34 so as define the Zig-Zag pattern shown in figure 4.

[0076] As will be described below, the Zig-Zag Pattern permits fixing the piston rod 12 at a particular location with respect to the barrel 14.

[0077] In particular circumstances, the user may wish to keep fixed the piston rod 12 at a particular location between the extended and retracted condition, such as the midway position (see figure 3; for example the user may wish to store the smoking instrument 10 for subsequent use).

[0078] Fixing of the piston rod 12 at a particular location is accomplished by rotating, for example, counter-clockwise the piston 12 until the pin 24 reaches the end section 34 of the particular groove section 30 or 32 impeding further counter-clockwise rotation of the piston rod 12. At this point, the piston rod 12 may be kept fixed at that particular position. At the later stage, when the user wishes to further move the piston rod 12, the user may rotate the piston rod 12 towards the direction opposite to the direction that the piston rod 12 was rotated earlier in order to keep fixed the piston rod 12 at the particular location.

[0079] From the descriptions of the previous paragraph, it can be envisaged that the Zig-Zag Pattern permits fixing of the piston rod 12 at a plurality of particular locations by pivoting the piston rod 12 to locate the pin 24 within the end section 34 of the guiding groove 26. The quantity of these particular locations will vary on the quantity of groove sections 30 and 32; and, the separation between the particular locations will depend on the particular spacing between end sections 34. In accordance with present embodiments of the invention, the guiding groove 26 may be configured as having any type of Zig-Zag pattern or any other pattern that allows moving as well as fixing the piston rod 12 at particular locations as was described above.

[0080] Referring now to figures 9 to 12. Figures 9 to 12 shows a smoking instrument 36 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

[0081] The smoking instrument 36 comprises a barrel 38 and piston rod 40 adapted to be received within the barrel 38. The piston rod 40 may be selectively displaced between an extended and retracted condition with the objective of smoking a smoking product as was described with reference to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0082] Further, particular arrangements of the smoking instrument 36 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention may comprise the piston rod 12 with the guiding groove 26 and the hollow plug 20 containing the guiding ring 22 with the pin 24.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in figure 9, the smoking instrument 36 comprises a piston rod 40 having a pathway 42 to deliver the smoke generated in the barrel 38 to the mouth piece 44 of the piston rod 40. The smoking instrument 36 further comprises means for conditioning the smoke generated within the barrel and transferred to the mouthpiece 44 via the pathway 42. These conditioning means may reduce the temperature of the smoke and/or filter the smoke to, for example, remove tar from the smoke.

[0084] In the particular arrangement shown in figure 9 and figures 17 to 19, the smoking instrument 36 comprises as conditioning means a helical body 46 adapted to be received within the pathway 42 and extending from the mouthpiece 44 to the distal end 48 of the piston rod 40. In alternative arrangements, the helical body 46 may only occupy a portion of the pathway 42.

[0085] The helical body 46 is adapted to be releasably received within the pathway 42 permitting removal of the helical body 46 for cleaning purposes.

[0086] Figures 10 and11 show a particular arrangement of the helical body 46. The helical body 46 comprises a handle 50 to permit the user to hold the helical body 46 for extraction and insertion of the helical body 46 into the pathway 42. The handle 50 is adapted for keeping the helical body 46 within the pathway 42; as shown, in figures 9 and 10 as well as 17 to 19, the handle 50 is T-shaped permitting insertion of the handle 50 within an indentation made in the distal end 48 of the piston rod 40. [0087] The fact that this particular conditioning means is configured as a helical body 46 is particular useful because as the smoke travels along the pathway 42 and in particular through the helical body 46, the temperature of the smoke is reduced and any relatively noxious materials such as tar is collected on the surfaces of the helical body.

[0088] Furthermore, in a particular arrangement shown in figure 17 to 19, the conditioning means having the helical body 46 comprises means 52 for, for example enhancing the flavor or odors. The means 52 for enhancing the flavor shown in figures 17 to 19 comprises a string 53 adapted to be wrapped around the helical body 46. As shown in figure 17, the proximal end 54 of the helical body 46 comprises a groove 56 (acting as fastening means) for receiving a section of the string 53 permitting wrapping the string 53 around the helical body 46 as shown in figure 19.

[0089] The string 53 may be infused in certain smelling oils / essential oils for conditioning purposes of the smoke to be inhaled by the user.

[0090] Referring now to figures 14 to 16, figure 14 and 15 shows an alternative arrangement of a piston rod 12 of the smoking instrument in accordance with the first and second embodiment of the invention, and figure 16 show a particular arrangement of a guiding ring 22. For illustration purposes the O-ring washer 25 has been removed from the distal end 19 of the piston rod 12.

[0091] As shown in figure 14, the alternative arrangement of piston rod 12, in contrast with the arrangement of piston rod 12 shown on figures 1 to 13, comprises a guiding groove 26 configured as a spiraling groove 26 surrounding the barrel 14 between the distal and proximal end of the piston rod 12.

[0092] The fact that the piston rod 12 comprises a spiraling groove 26, instead than a guiding groove 26 configured as a zig-zag pattern, results in that during operation of the smoking instrument 10, selective displacement of the piston rod 12 between the extended and retracted condition is accomplished by rotating the piston rod 12 and not pivoting back and forth the piston rod 12 as was described before with reference to figures 3 to 5.

[0093] In particular, in order for the user of the smoking instrument 10 (having the particular arrangement of piston rod 12 shown in figure 14) to, for example, move the piston rod 12 towards the extended condition, the user pulls at the piston rod 12 while rotating the piston rod 12 (about the longitudinal axis of the piston rod 12) clockwise so as to partially extract the piston rod 12 out of the barrel 14 until it reaches the extended condition. For moving the piston rod 12 back to the retracted condition, the user pushes the piston rod 12 while applying counterclockwise movement to the piston rod 12. Returning the piston rod 12 back to the retracted condition permits moving the smoking product towards the distal end 16 of the barrel 14 during the smoking process to ensure that there will be always smoking product at the distal end 16 of the barrel 14. Referring now to figures 12 and 13, figures 12 and 13 show the smoking instrument in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in the disassembled condition.

[0094] In accordance with a particular method, the smoking instrument 10 is assembled by initially locating the hollow plug 20 onto the proximal end 28 of the barrel 16. Subsequently, the piston rod 12 is (1) introduced in the barrel 14 by inserting initially the mouthpiece 13 (see figure 5) of the piston rod 12 into the distal end 16 of the barrel 14 and then (2) pushed into the barrel 14 towards the hollow plug 20 comprising the guiding ring 22 with the pin 24.

[0095] The piston rod 12 is inserted in a particular rotational orientation that ensures that, as the mouthpiece 13 of the piston rod 12 enters the hollow plug 20, the pin 24 enters the guiding groove 26. As shown in figure 5, the guiding groove 26 comprises a straight leading section 27 extending from the mouthpiece 13 to the Zig-Zag patterned guiding groove 26. The leading groove section 27 is open at the tip of the mouthpiece 13 permitting the pin 24 to enter the leading groove section 27. As the piston rod 12 is pushed into the barrel 14, the mouthpiece 13 traverses the hollow plug and the pin 24 runs through the leading groove section 27 and enters the guiding groove 27.

[0096] At this stage, the piston rod 12 is moved partially out of the barrel 14 (as shown, for example, in figure 4) by pulling the piston rod 12 and applying the pivoting movement (mentioned earlier) to the piston rod 12. In this manner, the pin 24 may run through the guiding groove 26 while the piston rod 12 is pulled out partially from the barrel 12.

[0097] Once the piston rod 12 has been extracted from the barrel 12 the desired distance, the smoking instrument 10 is ready for use.

[0098] In operation, when the piston rod 12 is partially extracted from the barrel as was described above, the barrel 14 may be filled with the smoking product and smoked by lighting the smoke product through the distal end 16 of the barrel 14. [0099] As the smoking product is being consumed, the user may progressively return the piston rod 12 (via the pushing and pivoting movement described earlier) to ensure that smoking material is always present at the distal end 16 of the barrel 12 for lighting purposes of the smoking product. In this manner, the smoking product may be kept alight.

[00100] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

[00101] Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed.

[00102] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A smoking instrument comprising a body having a barrel for receiving a smoking product through an open end of the barrel and for containment of the smoking product within a section of the barrel, a piston rod to be received within the barrel, and a first guiding means adapted to engage the piston rod for selectively displacing the piston rod between a first condition and a second condition for varying the volume of the section of the barrel containing the smoking product.

2. A smoking instrument according to claim 1 wherein the barrel comprises a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising the open end for receiving the piston rod during assembly of the smoking instrument and the smoking product after assembly of the smoking instrument.

3. A smoking instrument according to claim 2 wherein the distal end comprises the section of the barrel containing the smoking product.

4. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the piston rod comprises a proximal end and a distal end.

5. A smoking instrument according to claim 4 wherein the piston rod comprises a pathway traversing longitudinally the piston rod permitting transfer of the smoke generated within the barrel to the proximal end of the piston rod for inhalation by the user through a mouthpiece.

6. A smoking instrument according to claims 4 or 5 wherein the proximal end comprises the mouthpiece fluidly connected to the pathway for delivery of the smoke to a user of the smoking instrument.

7. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein, the distal end comprises an opening fluidly connected to the pathway for delivery of the smoke to the mouthpiece.

8. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the smoking instrument further comprises a cap adapted to be mounted on the open end of the barrel for extinguishing the combustion process within the barrel.

9. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the pathway comprises smoke conditioning means.

10. A smoking instrument according to claim 9 wherein the conditioning means comprises a helical body adapted to be releasably received within the pathway.

11. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the smoking instrument comprises a hollow plug for attachment to the barrel and receiving the piston rod.

12. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the piston rod comprises second guiding means.

13. A smoking instrument according to claim 12 wherein the hollow plug comprises the first guiding means for engagement with the guiding means of the piston rod.

14. A smoking instrument according to claim 13 wherein the first guiding means comprise a guiding ring having a pin for engagement with the second guiding means of the piston rod.

15. A smoking instrument according to claim 14 herein the second guiding means of the piston rod comprises a guiding groove adapted to receive the pin.

16. A smoking instrument according to any one of claim 15 wherein the guiding groove comprises a leading groove for receiving the pin during assembly of the smoking article.

17. A smoking instrument according to claim 16 wherein the leading groove comprises an open end at the proximal end of the piston rod for receiving the pin.

18. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the second guiding means is adapted to keep the piston rod fixed at particular locations along the barrel.

19. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the second guiding means may be configured as having any type of pattern that allows moving and fixing the piston rod at particular locations within the barrel.

20. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 12 to 19 wherein the second guiding means comprise a guiding groove configured as a Zig-Zag Pattern.

21. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 12 to 18 wherein the second guiding means comprise a guiding groove configured as a spiraling groove surrounding at least partially the piston rod.

22. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 9 to 21 the conditioning means comprises a helical body adapted to be releasably received within the pathway.

23. A smoking instrument according to claim 22 the conditioning means comprise a string infused in smelling oils/essential oils adapted to be wrapped around the helical body.

24. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 22 or 23 the helical body comprises a proximal end comprising fastening means for securing the string.

25. A smoking instrument comprising a body having a barrel for receiving a smoking product through an open end of the barrel and for containment of the smoking product within a section of the barrel, and a piston rod to be received within the barrel, wherein the piston rod comprises a pathway for transferring smoke generated during the smoking process from the section of the barrel to a proximal end of the piston rod for delivery to the smoker, wherein the pathway comprises smoke conditioning means.

26. A smoking instrument according to claim 25 wherein the conditioning means comprises a helical body adapted to be releasably received within the pathway.

27. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 25 or 26 wherein the conditioning means comprises a helical body adapted to be releasably received within the pathway.

28. A smoking instrument according to claim 27 wherein the conditioning means comprise a string infused in smelling oils/essential oils adapted to be wrapped around the helical body.

29. A smoking instrument according to claims 28 wherein the helical body comprises a proximal end comprising fastening means for securing the string.

30. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 25 to 30 wherein the distal end comprises the section of the barrel containing the smoking product.

31. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 25 to 30 wherein the piston rod comprises a proximal end and a distal end.

32. A smoking instrument according to claim 31 wherein the piston rod comprises a pathway traversing longitudinally the piston rod permitting transfer of the smoke generated within the barrel to the proximal end of the piston rod for inhalation by the user through a mouthpiece.

33. A smoking instrument according to claims 31 or 32 wherein the proximal end comprises a mouthpiece fluidly connected to the pathway for delivery of the smoke to a user of the smoking instrument.

34. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 31 to 33 wherein, the distal end comprises an opening fluidly connected to the pathway for delivery of the smoke to the mouthpiece.

35. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 25 to 34 wherein the smoking instrument further comprises a cap adapted to be mounted on the open end of the barrel for extinguishing the combustion process within the barrel.

36. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 25 to 35 wherein the smoking instrument comprises a hollow plug for attachment to the barrel and receiving the piston rod.

37. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 25 to 36 further comprising a guiding ring adapted to engage the piston rod for selectively displacing the piston rod between a first condition and a second condition for varying the volume of the section of the barrel containing the smoking product.

38. A smoking instrument according to claim 37 wherein the piston rod comprises guiding means.

39. A smoking instrument according to claim 38 wherein the hollow plug comprises the guiding ring for engagement with the guiding means of the piston rod.

40. A smoking instrument according to claim 39 wherein the guiding ring comprises a pin for engagement with the guiding means of the piston rod.

41. A smoking instrument according to claim 40 wherein the guiding means of the piston rod comprises a guiding groove adapted to receive the pin.

42. A smoking instrument according to claim 41 wherein the guiding groove comprises a leading groove for receiving the pin during assembly of the smoking article.

43. A smoking instrument according to claim 42 wherein the leading groove comprises an open end at the proximal end of the piston rod for receiving the pin.

44. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 37 to 43 wherein the second guiding means are adapted to keep the piston rod fixed at particular locations along the barrel.

45. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 37 to 44 wherein the second guiding means may be configured as having any type of pattern that allows moving and fixing the piston rod at particular locations within the barrel.

46. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 37 to 45 wherein the second guiding means comprise a guiding groove configured as a Zig-Zag Pattern.

47. A smoking instrument according to any one of claims 37 to 43 wherein the second guiding means comprise a guiding groove configured as a spiraling groove surrounding the piston rod.

48. A smoking instrument as herein described with reference to the figures 1 to 8, 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.

49. A smoking instrument as herein described with reference to the figures 9 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

50. A smoking instrument as herein described with reference to the figures 14 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.