CN116916769A - Closure for a water container of a water pipe - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a closure bottom for a substantially rotationally symmetrical water container of a water tube, comprising an axially extending closure element having a continuous opening in the axial direction; wherein the closure bottom comprises clamping means having a radially changeable circumferential clamping element configured to generate a radially directed clamping force in its mounted state to the water container for clamping the closure bottom between opposite walls of the water container or for clamping the water container between opposite walls of the closure bottom; wherein the clamping force is based on a change in diameter of the clamping element in a radial direction, the closure bottom further comprises a displacement element displaceable in an axial direction relative to the clamping element, configured to change the clamping element in the radial direction due to an axial displacement of the displacement element relative to the closure element. Furthermore, a closure for a substantially rotationally symmetrical water container for a water pipe and a water pipe are disclosed.

Description

Closure for a water container of a water pipe

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a closure bottom for a water container of a water pipe, a closure having the closure bottom and a water pipe having the seal.

Background

A water pipe, also known as a hookah (shisha) or hookah, typically comprises a water container, known as a bottle, and a closure attached to the water container. The sealing piece is connected with a smoke pipe, the upper end of the sealing piece is provided with a tobacco bowl, and the tobacco burns or evaporates together with the hot coal in the tobacco bowl. The smoke tube extends through the closure into the water container and opens into the water container with its lower end below the water level. Furthermore, at least one smoke hose leads via a corresponding recess into an air space in the water container, which air space is arranged between the tobacco bowl and the liquid level. When a user draws on the smoke hose, a negative pressure is created in the air space provided in the water container, by means of which the tobacco smoke is drawn through the smoke tube and is purified, cooled and/or humidified while passing through the liquid.

It is therefore very important that the closure completely seals the water container, since otherwise secondary air would be sucked in and the water pipe does not have the necessary tensile strength. Bottles are typically hand blown with manufacturing tolerances up to 2mm.

For example, known closures are formed as a positive threaded closure (see fig. 1 and 3) or as a non-positive plug-in closure (see fig. 2 and 4) and have communication openings for one or more smoke hoses.

However, one disadvantage of a positive-threaded closure is that the closure bottom is required at the bottle. The closure base is tightly attached, e.g., glued, to the bottle. Direct positive engagement between the closure element and the bottle is not possible because the manufacturing tolerances of the bottle are too great. Bottles without a suitable closure base cannot be used with the closure element. In general, such closures can be said to be uneconomical and proprietary.

Conventional insertable closures use a flexible gasket without positive engagement to form a sealed connection with the bottle. The disadvantage here is that the assembly is unstable. Thus, for example, it is not possible to safely lift the entire water pipe at the well because the assembly may separate or release. Only with force can a connection be established and released. The force required depends on the width of the gap between the closure element and the bottle and the flexible gasket. For manufacturing reasons, the inside diameter of the bottle can vary up to 2mm. The force required to establish and release the connection varies greatly due to the gap widths that result. This is a nuisance to many consumers because hot coal is used when the water pipe is operating and users want to use stable and safe products. In general, such closures can be said to be inconvenient and unsafe.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adapter or closure for a water pipe which is safe, simple and convenient to use and which can be used on water containers (or bottles) having different connection sizes.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a closure base (which is an adapter) according to the teachings of the first aspect of the present invention and a closure according to the teachings of the second aspect of the present invention. The water pipe according to the present invention is defined in the third aspect of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

A closure bottom for a water container of a water pipe according to the invention comprises a closure element which extends in an axial direction and has a continuous opening in the axial direction, wherein the closure bottom comprises a clamping device with a circumferential clamping element which is changeable in a radial direction, the clamping element being configured to generate a radially directed clamping force in a state in which it is fixed to the water container, to clamp the closure bottom between opposite walls of the water container, or to clamp the water container between opposite walls of the closure bottom. The clamping force is based on a change in the diameter of the clamping element in the radial direction.

Due to the radial clamping force, the closure bottom forms a stable assembly with the water container by reducing or suppressing displacement, in particular radial displacement, of the closure relative to the water container when the closure bottom is fixed to the water container. In the secured state, the closure base and the water container are connected to each other by non-positive engagement. Furthermore, the gap between the water container and the closure element in the radial direction can thus be sealed such that no secondary air is sucked into the bottle through the gap when sucking at the smoke hose of the water pipe. Furthermore, the clamping force can be of such a magnitude that it compensates for the weight of the water container, so that the water tube can be lifted at the bottom of the closure without separating the bottle from the bottom of the closure, which simplifies the use of the water tube.

In one embodiment of the invention, the closure bottom further comprises a displacement element displaceable in an axial direction relative to the clamping element, the displacement element being configured to change the clamping element in a radial direction as a result of the axial displacement of the displacement element relative to the closure element. For example, the displacement element may comprise a first surface and may be configured to compress the gripping element between the first surface and a second surface of the closure element axially opposite the first surface, the diameter of the gripping element varying in a radial direction as a result of the axial displacement.

By reversing the axial displacement in a simple manner, the clamping force can be generated and released again.

Here, when referring to movement (e.g., displacement, rotation, etc.) of a first element relative to a second element, reference is made to relative movement between the first element and the second element. That is, the first element may move while the second element may not move or may move differently than the first element; or the second element may move while the first element does not move or moves differently than the second element.

For axial displacement, the closure bottom may optionally comprise an operating element connected to the displacement element.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first surface of the displacement element and/or the second surface of the closure element is inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to the axial direction.

Thus, the clamping element can be displaced in the radial direction due to the axial displacement of the displacement element. Since the first surface and/or the second surface are inclined, a component force in the radial direction is generated, which displaces the clamping element in the radial direction, for example spreads it out. This is another possibility of changing the diameter of the clamping element in the radial direction in addition to the compression in the axial direction in order to generate the clamping force.

This effect can also be produced by arranging the clamping element at an axially extending portion of the displacement element such that the clamping element overlaps the portion in the radial projection and such that the outer diameter of the displacement element decreases in the direction of the closure element within the portion.

If the first surface and/or the second surface is/are inclined, the component forces acting in the axial direction can be reduced, where applicable, so that the clamping element is compressed only very slightly. This state is also a state in which the clamping element between the first surface and the second surface of the closing element opposite thereto in the axial direction is compressed due to the axial displacement of the displacement element.

In another embodiment, the closure element has a threaded cylindrical portion and the displacement element comprises a correspondingly threaded cylindrical portion configured such that the displacement element and the closure element are displaceable relative to each other as a result of a rotational movement in the axial direction. In one embodiment, the displacement element comprises, for example, an internal thread, and the cylindrical portion of the closure element comprises a corresponding external thread. In another embodiment, the displacement element comprises, for example, an external thread and the cylindrical portion of the closure element comprises a corresponding internal thread.

Axial displacement can be advantageously achieved with such a screw arrangement. The axial displacement corresponds to the translational component of the helical motion.

In one embodiment of the closure bottom provided with such a screw arrangement, the displacement element is configured to be in frictional contact with the wall of the water container in a state in which the displacement element is fixed to the water container, such that co-rotation of the displacement element is reduced or inhibited due to friction when the displacement element is rotated. To facilitate such frictional contact, the area of the displacement element in contact with the wall of the water container may comprise a material that increases friction against the wall of the water container or be coated with such a material.

When the closure element is rotated, the closure element is thus rotated relative to the displacement element, such that the displacement element is displaced in the axial direction relative to the closure element.

In another embodiment of the closure bottom provided with such a screw arrangement, the gripping element is configured to be in frictional contact with the wall of the water container in a state in which it is fixed to the water container, such that co-rotation of the gripping element is reduced or inhibited due to friction when the displacement element is rotated. Furthermore, the clamping element and the displacement element are in frictional contact with each other. Furthermore, the closure base may comprise an antifriction element or antifriction coating which is arranged in the axial direction between the clamping element and the second surface of the closure element and which is configured such that co-rotation of the clamping element is reduced or inhibited when the closure element is rotated.

Thus preventing or inhibiting co-rotation of the displacement element when the closure element is rotated. That is, when the closure element rotates, the closure element rotates relative to the displacement element, which has the effect that the displacement element is displaced in axial direction relative to the closure element.

In another embodiment of the invention, the closure bottom comprises a valve system for supplying compressed air to the clamping element and is configured such that the supply of compressed air effects a change in the diameter of the clamping element, for example because of an increase or decrease in pressure within the clamping element. Thus, the clamping force can be set by the supplied compressed air. Therefore, no displacement element is required in such an embodiment.

In another embodiment, the clamping element comprises a resilient element, such as a spring, configured to effect a radial change of the clamping element, and further comprising ventilation means for reducing the prevailing pressure in the clamping element. For example, the spring presses the outer wall of the clamping element radially outwards and thus generates a clamping force in the state in which the spring is fixed to the water container. It is counteracted by a pressure reduction in the clamping element realized by means of the ventilation device. Thus, the clamping force can be set by controlling the pressure in the clamping element. In this embodiment, the displacement element may also be omitted.

In another embodiment, the closure bottom comprises at its end opposite to the clamping means in the axial direction, i.e. at its upper end, connecting means for connecting the upper part of the closure.

The closure according to the invention comprises a closure bottom according to the invention, at the upper end of which, i.e. at the end opposite the clamping means in the axial direction, a closure upper part is fixed, which comprises a second closure element, a continuous opening for the smoke tube, at least one communication opening for at least one smoke hose and at least one continuous first groove for a gas-permeable connection between the water container and the communication opening.

In one embodiment of the closure, the second closure element has a substantially cylindrical portion and the first closure element has substantially cylindrical portions that are interposed between each other and are configured such that axial displacement of the first closure element relative to the second closure element is prevented by positive engagement while maintaining 360 ° rotatability of the first closure element relative to the second closure element. The rotatability provides the advantage that the operation becomes more variable without compromising the stability of the closure.

In one embodiment, positive engagement is achieved by a cylindrical portion of the first closure element and/or a cylindrical portion of the second closure element comprising a circumferential groove in which an axial blocking element (e.g. an O-ring) fits.

In another embodiment of the closure, the closure bottom according to the invention is formed integrally with the closure upper part, such that the closure element comprises at least one for at least one smoke hose and at least one continuous first groove for a gas-permeable connection between the water container and the communication opening.

According to the present invention there is also provided a water pipe comprising a water container and a closure according to the present invention, the closure being secured thereto according to one of the above embodiments.

In an embodiment of the water tube, the water container comprises a recess for receiving the clamping element. It may surround the water container annularly and is typically arranged along the inner wall of the water container in embodiments where the closure element is clamped between the opposing walls of the water container and along the outer wall of the water container in embodiments where the water container is clamped between the opposing walls of the closure element. Thus, in addition to the above-described non-positive engagement, a positive engagement between the closure and the water container is also possible. Therefore, the sealability and stability of the water pipe can be further improved.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the present embodiment will be apparent from the following drawings, comparative examples and exemplary examples, which serve to explain the invention in more detail by way of example and without restricting the invention thereto.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view (not drawn true to scale) of the general structure of a water pipe with a closure comprising two closure elements according to the prior art;

fig. 2 is a schematic view (not drawn true to scale) of the general structure of a water pipe with a closure comprising a single closure element according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a first comparative example of a closure configured with two closure elements and an alternative valve device as a check valve according to the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a second comparative example of a closure configured with one closure element and an alternative valve device as a check valve according to the prior art;

FIG. 5a is a first exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, the closure having a gripping element of variable diameter in an open state, the closure bottom being integrally formed with the closure upper portion;

FIG. 5b is a schematic view of the closure according to the invention of FIG. 5a in a clamped state;

FIGS. 6 a-6 c are displacement elements having friction elements of different shapes;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the closure according to the invention of FIG. 5a in a clamped state, the water container further comprising a recess for receiving a clamping element;

FIG. 8a is a second exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, the closure having a gripping element of variable diameter in an open state, the closure bottom being integrally formed with the closure upper portion;

FIG. 8b is a schematic view of the closure of the present invention according to FIG. 8a in a clamped state;

FIG. 9 is a third exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, the closure having a gripping element of variable diameter in a gripping state, the closure bottom being integrally formed with the closure upper portion;

FIG. 10 is a fourth exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, the closure having a gripping element of variable diameter in a gripping state, the closure bottom being integrally formed with the closure upper portion;

FIG. 11 is a fifth exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, the closure having a pneumatically actuated gripping element of variable diameter in a gripping state, the closure bottom being integrally formed with the closure upper portion;

FIG. 12 is a sixth exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, the closure having a variable diameter vacuum operated gripping element in a gripping state, the closure bottom being integrally formed with the closure upper portion;

fig. 13a is a seventh exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, the closure having a gripping element of variable diameter in a gripping state, the closure bottom being integrally formed with the closure upper part;

FIG. 13b is a schematic view of the closure of the present invention according to FIG. 13a in an open state;

fig. 14a is an eighth exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, which closure has a clamping element of variable diameter in an open state, the closure bottom and the closure upper being formed detachably to each other by means of a screw thread arrangement;

FIG. 14b is a closure according to the present invention of FIG. 14a, wherein the closure upper portion 42 is not in a clamped condition;

fig. 15 is a ninth exemplary embodiment of a closure for a water container for a water pipe according to the present invention, which closure in the open state has a clamping element of variable diameter, the closure bottom and the closure upper part being rotatable 360 ° relative to each other.

The meaning of the reference numerals in the figures is as follows:

01' -first closure element according to the prior art

02' -second closure element according to the prior art

01- (first) closure element

02-second closure element

03-Water

04-liquid level

05-Water container (bottle)

06- (multipart) smoke tube

07-air space

08-blade seal

09-valve device

10-valve body

11-valve seat

12- (first) cylindrical portion of closure element

13 wall of water container

14-cylindrical portion of second closure element

15-protrusion

16-clamping element (at closing element)

17-tobacco bowl

18- (first) outer wall of closure element

19-smoke hose communication opening

20-smoke hose

22-continuous opening (for smoke hose)

23-upper smoke tube

24-lower smoke tube

26-recesses for communication openings

27-smoke hose connecting groove

30-upper part of the closure element

31-groove

32-internally threaded displacement element

33-externally threaded displacement element

34-unthreaded displacement element

35-operating element

36-clamping element (located at the displacement element)

38-part of a displacement element

39-thread

41-closure bottom

42-closure upper part

51 neck of water container

52-groove

53-valve body

54-valve seat

55-valve device

56-gap

61-clamping element (diaphragm)

62-valve

63-ventilation device

64-elastic element (e.g. spring)

Cylindrical portion of 66- (first) closure element

67 cylindrical portion of second closure element

68-circumferential groove

69-axial blocking element

70-friction element

71-screw device

72-connecting device

First surface of 80-displacement element

81 second surface of closure element

97-clamping device

98-closure according to the invention

98' -conventional closure

99-water pipe

Detailed Description

According to the prior art, the water pipe 99 as shown in fig. 1 first comprises a water container 05 which is filled with water 03 during operation, so that the air space 07 is maintained above the liquid level 04. The water container 05 is closed by a closure 98'. The smoke tube 06 extends through the closure 98', the lower end of the smoke tube 06 opening into the water 03 below the liquid level 04 of the water container 05. The tobacco pipe 06 is provided in the region of its upper end with a tobacco bowl 17 in which the hot coal and the tobacco to be evaporated are accommodated. The smoke hose 20 is arranged in the recess 27 of the closure 98', the smoke hose 20 extending through the closure 98' into the air space 07. When a user sucks on the smoke hose 20, a negative pressure is generated in the water container 05, more precisely in the air space 07, and by means of the negative pressure, air enriched with evaporated tobacco flavor is sucked through the smoke tube 06 and the water 03 and supplied to the user in a cooled, purified and humidified state through the smoke hose 20. In order to generate such a negative pressure, it is important that the gap between the water container and the closure member is sealed so that secondary air, which hinders the generation of the negative pressure, is not sucked.

The closure 98' comprises a first closure element 01' and a second closure element 02', which can be plugged into one another or screwed together. The second closure element 02' is permanently attached, for example glued, to the bottle 05 in order to achieve the desired tightness. The disadvantage here is that such a closure 98' must generally be individually adapted to the water container 05, which makes manufacture more expensive, due to the high manufacturing tolerances in the manufacturing process of the water container 05.

The water tube 99 shown in fig. 2 corresponds to the water tube of fig. 1, except for the design of the closure 98', according to the prior art. The closure 98' shown in fig. 2 comprises a separate closure element 01', which closure element 01' is provided with a leaf seal 08. The disadvantage here is that the assembly of the closure 98' and the water container 05 is generally unstable and may move or shift in the radial and/or axial direction.

Fig. 3 shows in detail an exemplary embodiment of the two-part closure 98' shown in fig. 1 according to the prior art. It comprises a first closing element 01 'and a second closing element 02', and optionally also a valve device 09. The second closure element 02' comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 14, which portion 14 is provided with a flange-like projection 15 at its lower end, i.e. the end facing the water container 05. The inner diameter of the flange-like projection 15 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05, so that the second closure element 02' can be placed on the neck 51 of the water container 05 and can be glued there, for example. The neck 51 of the water container 05 is an upper region of the water container 05 having a substantially cylindrical shape.

The first closure element 01' has an upper portion 30 and a cylindrical portion 12 which is also substantially cylindrical. The cylindrical portion 12 of the first closure element 01 'is shaped and dimensioned such that it can be inserted or screwed into the cylindrical portion 14 of the second closure element 02' and removed therefrom again.

The first closing element 01' comprises a continuous opening 22. Two-part smoke tubes 23 and 24 are connected to the inside of the opening 22, and an upper smoke tube 23 is screwed into an upper region of the opening 22 and a lower smoke tube 24 is screwed into a lower region of the opening 22. As shown in fig. 1 or 2, the tobacco bowl 17 is fixed to an upper end (not shown) of the upper smoke pipe 23. The lower smoke tube 24 opens into the water 03 in the water container 05.

Two recesses 26, into which a communication opening 19 is introduced for connecting the smoke hoses 20 shown in fig. 1 or 2, are each arranged in the upper part 30 of the first closing element 01' at an angle of about 45 ° with respect to the smoke tube axis. The recess 26 for receiving the communication opening 19 opens into a substantially cylindrical recess 27 which is open with respect to the interior air space 07.

The optional valve means 09 comprises a valve body 10 and a valve seat 11, respectively, arranged in a recess 27. The communication opening 19 is screwed into the first closing element 01'. The threaded connection is releasable so that the valve body 10 can be selectively removed.

Fig. 4 shows in detail an exemplary embodiment of the closure 98' shown in fig. 2 according to the prior art. It provides a single closure element 01', which closure element 01' comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 12, the outer diameter of which portion 12 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05, so that it can be inserted into the neck 51 of the water container 05 and removed therefrom again.

In its cylindrical portion 12, the closure element 01' comprises a circumferential leaf seal 08, which leaf seal 08 is in sealing contact with the wall 13 in the neck 51 of the water container 05, so that the gap 56 between the outer wall 18 of the closure element 01 and the inner wall 13 of the neck 51 is sealed.

The upper part 30 of the closure element 01' comprises at least one recess 26, into which recess 26 the communication openings 19 are introduced, respectively, for connecting the smoke hose 20 shown in fig. 1 and 2. At least one recess 26 for receiving at least one smoke hose 20 opens into at least one recess 27 opening into the lower end of the closing element 01' and into the air space 07.

The closure element 01' further comprises one or more optional recesses 52, which recesses 52 enable the air space 07 to be connected to the surroundings. At least one optional valve device 55 is arranged in each of the at least one recess 52, which valve device 55 comprises a valve body 53 and a valve seat 54, respectively.

Fig. 5a shows a first exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 of a water container 05 for a water pipe 99 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the closure base 41 is integrally formed with the closure upper 42. Fig. 14a shows a similar embodiment, wherein the closure bottom 41 is not integrally formed with the closure upper 42.

Since the water container 05 for the water pipe 99 is generally rotationally symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis A1 due to manufacturing, when describing the closure 98 according to the present invention, a direction parallel to the rotation axis A1 is referred to as an axial direction, and a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A1, which radiates from the rotation axis A1 or extends toward the rotation axis A1, is referred to as a radial direction. However, the closure 98 according to the invention is not limited to a rotationally symmetrical water container 05. This is expressed in the claims by the term "substantially". In the exemplary embodiment shown, the axial direction is also a vertical direction and the radial direction is a horizontal direction, but is not limited thereto.

The closure 98 shown in fig. 5a comprises an axially extending closure element 01, which closure element 01 has a continuous opening 22 for the smoke tube 06, at least one communication opening 19 for at least one smoke hose 20 and at least one continuous first groove 27 for a gas-permeable connection between the water container 05 and the communication opening 19. As shown in fig. 3, two-part smoke tubes 23 and 24 may be connected in the opening 22, wherein the upper smoke tube 23 may be screwed into an upper region of the opening 22 and the lower smoke tube 24 may be screwed into a lower region of the opening 22. As shown in fig. 1 or 2, the tobacco bowl 17 may be fixed to an upper end (not shown) of the upper smoke pipe 23. The down tube 24 extends into the water container 05 and may open into the water 03 within the water container 05 during operation. In this respect, the closure element 01 is not distinguished from the prior art and can be modified according to the prior art. Thus, the closure element 01 of fig. 5a (and the additional closure elements 01, 02 described below) may also comprise the valve device 09, 55 described with reference to fig. 3 and 4, for example.

According to the invention, the closure 98 comprises at the closure base 41 a clamping device 97, the clamping device 97 comprising a radially changeable circumferential clamping element 16. Here, the clamping element 16 is arranged at the axially extending portion 12 of the closure element 01 such that it overlaps this portion 12 in the radial projection. As shown in fig. 5a, such a clamping element 16 may be a sealing ring (O-ring), for example, which surrounds the portion 12 of the closure element 01 and can be introduced into the water container 05. This portion 12, which can be introduced into the water container 05, can be referred to as a lower portion, because it faces the water container 05, can be cylindrical for example, and has, like the clamping element 16, an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05, so that it can be introduced into the neck 51 of the water container 05. The closure element 01 shown in fig. 5a is thus configured to be at least partially introduced into the neck region 51 of the water container 05. The upper region 30 of the closure element 01 (i.e. the part of the closure upper part 42 that is axially further away from the water container 05 than the lower part) may have an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05, so that only the lower part 12 of the closure element 01 may be introduced into the neck 51 of the water container 05.

At the closure bottom 41, the closure 98 according to the invention shown in fig. 5a also has a displacement element 32, which displacement element 32 can be displaced in the axial direction relative to the closure element 01. The displacement element 32 is configured to change the diameter of the clamping element 16 in the radial direction as a result of the displacement in the axial direction relative to the closure element 01. The change may be an expansion in diameter, as shown herein. This can be achieved by compression of the clamping element 16 in the axial direction. For this purpose, the displacement element 32 has a first surface 80 in the axial direction and the closure element 01 has a second surface 81 opposite to the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32, the clamping element 16 being compressed between the first surface 80 and the second surface 81 as a result of the axial displacement of the displacement element 32 relative to the closure element 01. As a result of this compression, the clamping element 16 extends in the radial direction, in particular when it is made of an elastic material, and thus increases its diameter in the radial direction. As shown in fig. 5b, it thus presses against the inner wall 13 of the water container, thereby clamping the closure element 01 enclosed by the clamping element 16 between the opposite inner walls 13 of the water container 05. The clamping element 16 is thus configured to generate a clamping force for clamping the closure element 01 between the opposing walls 13 of the water container 05 as a result of the axial compression. In this state, the clamping element 16 is in its state of being fixed to the water container 05. This state may be referred to as a clamped state. In contrast, fig. 5a shows the open state, since the clamping element 51 is not clamped between the opposite walls 13 of the water container 05.

In the clamped state or its state of being fixed to the water container 05, the clamping element 16 seals the gap 56 between the water container 05 and the closing element 01 in the radial direction, so that no secondary air is sucked in and a desired negative pressure is generated in the water container 05 by the suction smoke hose 20.

The clamping force may be set to be greater than the weight of the water container 05 so that the entire water tube 99 may be safely lifted at the closure 98 without releasing the assembly. Advantageously, the connection between the water container 05 and the closure 98 is reversible and can be released again by reversing the radial change of the diameter of the gripping element 16, for example by moving the displacement element 32 in a direction opposite to the compression direction. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the compression direction extends upward in the axial direction, and the direction opposite to the compression direction extends downward in the axial direction, but is not limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 5a and 5b, the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32 may be inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to the axial direction, for example, with respect to the wall 13 of the water container 05, so that a change in the radial direction of the clamping element 16 is achieved due to the displacement of the displacement element 32 in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32 is inclined towards the inner wall 13 of the water container 05, such that an upward axial displacement of the displacement element 32 expands the clamping element 16, such that its inner diameter increases, and such that the clamping element 16 presses against the inner wall 13 of the water container 05. Similar to the compression described above, a change in the diameter of the clamping element 16 in the radial direction and thus a change in the clamping force clamping the closure 98 or the closure element 01 between the walls 13 of the water container 05 is caused by the axial displacement. Alternatively or additionally, the second surface 81 of the closure element 01 may be inclined in this way.

The closure element 1 shown in fig. 5a and 5b further comprises a cylindrical portion 12 with a thread 39 (in this exemplary embodiment an external thread) and the displacement element 32 comprises a cylindrical portion 38 with a corresponding mating thread 39 (in this exemplary embodiment an internal thread) configured such that the displacement element 32 and the closure element 01 are displaceable relative to each other in axial direction due to a rotational movement relative to each other. That is, the above-described displacement of the displacement element 32 in the axial direction occurs due to the rotation of the displacement element 32 relative to the closure element 01 about the axial rotation axis (A1). In this embodiment, the displacement element 32 may be, for example, a nut.

The fixing of the closure 98 (or closure bottom 41) shown in fig. 5a and 5b on the water container 05 can be achieved by inserting a lower region of the closure 98 (comprising the clamping element 16 and the displacement element 32) into the neck 51 of the water container 05 such that a portion of the displacement element 01, for example, its outer region, is in contact with and in frictional contact with the inner wall 13 of the water container 05. When the closure element 01 rotates about a substantially axial rotation axis (A1), the above-mentioned portions prevent or reduce co-rotation of the displacement element 01, as a result of which the closure element 01 rotates relative to the displacement element 32. This relative rotation results in a relative displacement between the displacement element 32 and the closure element 01 in the axial direction and, if a corresponding direction of rotation is provided, the clamping element 16 is compressed as described above.

To increase the frictional contact, the displacement element 32 (in particular the area of the displacement element 32 in contact with the wall 13 of the water container 05) may be made of a material which increases friction with respect to the material of the wall of the water container 05, for example made of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), or coated with such a material. In this case, the displacement element 32 is advantageously formed with a flexible diameter, so as to be able to compensate for high tolerances of the glass. To this end, displacement element 32 may include friction element 70, which friction element 70 does not require significant force to insert or extract from closure 98, but generates sufficient radial friction. For example, such friction element 70 may be formed as an annular NBR rim (FIG. 6 a), an annular foam rubber (FIG. 6 b), or an O-ring in a V-groove (FIG. 6 c). Friction element 70 need not be sealed.

Co-rotation of the displacement element 32 may also be selectively prevented by the clamping element 16 and the displacement element 32 being in frictional contact with each other and the clamping element 16 being in frictional contact with the inner wall 13 of the water container 05. In this case, it is advantageously possible to additionally prevent friction between the clamping element 16 and the closing element 01, for example between the clamping element 16 and the second surface 81 of the closing element 01 (opposite to the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32), so as to prevent or reduce co-rotation of the clamping element 16 with the rotation of the closing element 01 about a substantially axial rotation axis (A1). This may be achieved, for example, by incorporating friction reducing elements such as PTFE support rings (not shown) or friction reducing coatings. Since the clamping element 16 is in frictional contact with the displacement element 32 and the frictional contact between the clamping element 16 and the closure element 01 is reduced, when the closure element 01 rotates, when the clamping element 16 is in frictional contact with the inner wall 13 of the water container 05, the displacement element 32 rotates relative to the closure element 01 and a relative displacement is produced between the displacement element 32 and the closure element 01 in the axial direction. The clamping element 16 may be made of NBR, for example, and may be an elastic sealing ring, for example.

In order to bring the clamping element 16 and/or the displacement element 32 into contact with the inner wall 13 of the water container 05, it may be necessary to tilt the closure 98 slightly with respect to the axial direction at the beginning of the rotational movement after introducing the lower region of the closure into the water container 05.

Fig. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the closure 98 or the closure bottom 41 of fig. 5a and 5b is used, with the difference that a groove 31 is provided in the inner wall 13 of the water container 05, which groove 31 is configured such that the clamping element 16 additionally engages with the groove 31 in the clamped state. The groove 31 may be a circumferential groove 31.

The second exemplary embodiment of the closure 98 or closure base 41 according to the invention, which is shown in fig. 8a and 8b, corresponds in its structure and function substantially to the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 5, for the purpose of preventing repetition, please refer to the description given with reference to fig. 5. As shown in fig. 8a, 8b, the closure base 41 may be integrally formed with the closure upper 42. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Except that the closure element 01 has an internal thread instead of an external thread and the displacement element 33 has an external thread instead of an internal thread. Furthermore, the clamping element 36 is arranged at an axially extending portion 38 of the displacement element 33 such that the displacement element 36 overlaps this portion 38 in a radial projection.

Furthermore, the closure element 01 is arranged such that it may not be introduced into the water container 05. In contrast, the upper region of the displacement element 33 protrudes in the state in which it is fixed from the water container 05 to the water container 05 and is movably fixed in a spiral shape around the rotation axis A1 at the lower region of the closing element 01 by the screw thread 39. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the closing element 01 may also include a region protruding into the water container 05 in a state of being fixed to the water container 05. The displacement element 33 may be, for example, a clamping sleeve. As the closure element 01 rotates relative to the displacement element 33 about the rotation axis A1, the first surface 80 of the displacement element 33 approaches the second surface 81 of the closure element 01 and the clamping element 36 is compressed such that it changes (deforms) in the radial direction and generates a clamping force. Fig. 8a shows the closure 98 in an open state, in which the clamping element is not compressed, and fig. 8b shows the closure 98 in a clamped state, in which the clamping element 36 is compressed.

The third exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 or closure base 41 according to the invention shown in fig. 9 corresponds substantially to the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 5 and 6, with reference to the description given above for the purpose of preventing repetition. As shown in fig. 9, the closure base 41 may be integrally formed with the closure upper 42. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The clamping element 36 is arranged at a portion 38 of the displacement element 34, the clamping element 36 extending in the axial direction such that the clamping element 36 overlaps the portion 38 in a radial projection. However, the difference is that the closing element 01 and the displacement element 34 are arranged without the thread 39 described above. That is, in order to change the diameter of the gripping element 36 in the radial direction, the axial displacement of the displacement element 34 relative to the closure element 01 is only a translational effect, that is to say it does not comprise a rotational component. The displacement element 34 is displaceable in the axial direction relative to the closure element 01 by means of an operating lever 35 (as an example of an operating element) which is fixed to the upper surface 30 of the closure element 01 and which is connected to the displacement element 34 by means of the closure element 01. In this embodiment, it may be beneficial to reduce friction between the inner wall 13 of the water container 05 and the displacement element 34. Within the portion 38 of the displacement element 34 extending in the axial direction, the clamping element 36 overlaps this portion 38 in a radial projection, the outer diameter of the displacement element 34 in the direction of the closure element 01 (i.e. upwards) decreasing. In this way, when the gripping element 36 transitions from a region with a smaller outer diameter to a region with a larger outer diameter during axial displacement, a radial deployment of the gripping element 36 can be achieved in addition to a compression during axial displacement of the displacement element 34 relative to the closure element 01.

The fourth exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 or closure base 41 according to the invention shown in fig. 10 corresponds substantially to the exemplary embodiment described with reference to fig. 5 and 7, with reference to the description given therein for the purpose of preventing repetition. As shown in fig. 10, the closure base 41 may be integrally formed with the closure upper 42. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. The clamping element 16 is arranged at the axially extending portion 12 of the closure element 01 such that it overlaps this portion 12 in the radial projection. The displacement element 32 has an internal thread and the closure element 01 has an external thread. The threads 39 extend in an axial direction. In its secured state to the water container 05, the radially extending portion of the displacement element 01 rests on the neck 51 of the water container 05 and the portion extending in the axial direction protrudes into the water container 05. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 5, the first surface 80 of the displacement element 32 is oriented downward (i.e. in the direction of the bottom of the water container 05) and the second surface 81 of the closure element 01 opposite the first surface 80 is oriented upward (i.e. facing away from the bottom of the water container 05). In contrast to the exemplary embodiment depicted in fig. 5, the first surface 80 is closer to the bottom of the water container 05 than the second surface 81 in the axial direction. The radially extending portion of the displacement element 51 is positioned and dimensioned such that a user can hold the displacement element 01 from the outside (at the operating element 35) and thus prevent the displacement element 32 from co-rotating with the rotation of the closure element 01. Therefore, frictional contact between the displacement element 32 and the wall 13 of the water container 05 in order to prevent mutual rotation is not necessary.

The fifth exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 or closure base 41 according to the present invention shown in fig. 11 differs from the above-described embodiments in that no displacement element is provided. Instead, the radially directed clamping force generated by the clamping element 61 for clamping the closure element 01 between the opposing walls 13 of the water container 05 is based on the supplied compressed air. For example, compressed air may be supplied to the interior of the clamping element 61 via the valve 62, and the clamping element thus expands and thus changes, in particular increases its diameter in the radial direction. In addition to this, the explanations given so far with respect to the exemplary embodiments apply and reference is made to them to avoid repetition. The clamping element 61 may be, for example, a diaphragm, which is impacted by compressed air. As in the above-described embodiments, the closure bottom 41 may be provided integrally with the closure upper 42, and the clamping element 61 is provided at the axially extending portion 12 of the closure element 01 such that it overlaps this portion 12 in the radial projection.

The sixth exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 or closure base 41 according to the invention shown in fig. 12 corresponds substantially to the embodiment of fig. 11 and reference is made to the description given therein. The difference is that the clamping element 61 comprises a resilient element 64, e.g. a spring, configured to effect a radial deformation of the clamping element 61, and a ventilation 63 for reducing the prevailing pressure in the clamping element 61. For example, the elastic member 64 presses the outer wall of the clamping member 61 radially outward, thereby generating a clamping force in a state where it is fixed to the water container 05. It is counteracted by a pressure reduction in the clamping element 61 achieved by means of the ventilation 63. The clamping force can be set by controlling the pressure in the clamping element 61. In this embodiment, the displacement element may also be omitted.

The seventh exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 or closure base 41 according to the invention shown in fig. 13a corresponds substantially to the previous exemplary embodiment, for the purpose of preventing repetition, reference being made to the description given therein. The clamping element 16 is formed in a wedge-shaped or V-shaped cross-section and is arranged at the axially extending portion 12 of the closure element 01 such that it overlaps this portion 12 in the radial projection. The wedge points are directed downwards in the axial direction. In other words, the clamping element 16 is configured such that its outer diameter increases from bottom to top in the axial direction. In the thinner part of the clamping element 16, the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05, and in the thicker part thereof, the outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05. Thus, the clamping element 16 can be easily introduced into the water container 05 and then, when the outer diameter becomes larger than the inner diameter of the neck 51, a clamping effect is created which secures the closure 98 or the closure bottom 41 within the water container (see fig. 13 a). In particular in the case of V-shaped clamping elements 16, withdrawal is made more difficult by the hook effect produced, so that the closure 98 or the closure element 41 provides a displacement element 34 by means of which the outer diameter can be changed in the radial direction as a result of the axial displacement of the displacement element 34. The upward displacement achieves a reduction in the outer diameter so that the clamping force is counteracted and the closure 98 or the closure bottom 41 can be removed again from the water container (see fig. 13 b).

The eighth exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 or closure base 41 according to the invention shown in fig. 14a corresponds substantially to the closure 98 or closure base 41 described in relation to fig. 5, and for the purpose of preventing repetition reference is made to the description given therein. An open state is shown. The closure 98 differs in that the closure base 41 is not integrally formed with the closure upper portion 42. Instead, the closure upper 42 and closure bottom 41 are detachably connected to each other by a connecting means 72. The closure bottom 41 comprises a closure element 01 and the closure upper 42 comprises a second closure element 02. The second closure element 02 comprises at least one communication opening 19 for at least one smoke hose 20 and at least one continuous first groove 27 for a gas-permeable connection between the water container 05 and the communication opening 19. The closure element 01 and the second closure element 02 are configured such that they can be plugged into one another and/or screwed together. To this end, the closure element 01 is provided with a substantially cylindrical portion 66 at its upper end (i.e. the end facing the second closure element 02) and the second closure element 02 is provided with a substantially cylindrical portion 67 at its lower end (i.e. the end facing the closure element 01). The outer diameter of the substantially cylindrical portion 67 of the second closure element 02 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 66 of the closure element 01 so that they can be inserted into one another. Furthermore, a screw-thread means 71 with mating threads is provided at the substantially cylindrical portions 66, 67, so that the closure element 01 can be screwed to the second closure element 02. The cylindrical portion 66 of the closure element 01 has an internal thread and the cylindrical portion 67 of the second closure element 02 has an external thread. For example, a bayonet mount may be used instead of the screw means 71.

In fig. 14b, the closure base 41 is shown without the closure upper portion 42 in the clamped state.

The ninth exemplary embodiment of a closure 98 or closure base 41 according to the invention shown in fig. 15 corresponds substantially to the exemplary embodiment described in relation to fig. 14, to prevent repetition, reference being made to the description given therein. The only difference is the connection means 72. The connection means are configured such that the closure element 01 and the second closure element 02 can be rotated arbitrarily relative to each other. Instead of the screw means 71, at the substantially cylindrical portion 66 of the closure element 01 and/or at the substantially cylindrical portion 67 of the second closure element 02, a circumferential groove (or recess) 68 is provided, at which circumferential groove 68 a blocking element 69, such as an O-ring, a snap ring, a grub screw or a pin, is provided, which is configured such that axial displacement of the closure element 01 relative to the second closure element 02 is prevented by positive engagement, while at the same time rotatability of the closure element 01 about the closure element 02 in axial direction about the axis of rotation is maintained.

With respect to the described exemplary embodiments, several modifications may be made.

In the above described embodiments, the closure element 01 is clamped between the opposite inner walls 13 of the water container 05. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the neck 51 of the water container 05 may also be clamped between two opposite walls of the closure element 01. In this case, the clamping element is configured to generate a clamping force directed radially inwards towards the outer wall of the neck 51 of the water container 05. In this case, the clamping element generally has an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the neck 51 of the water container 05, and the change in diameter of the clamping element is radially inward. That is, the change in radial direction may correspond to a decrease in the inner diameter of the clamping element.

In the closure 98 shown in fig. 5-13, the closure base 41 is integrally formed with the closure upper 42. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and as shown in fig. 14 and 15, the closure bottom 41 may be provided separately from the closure upper 42. Furthermore, the closure bottom 41 shown in fig. 14 and 15 can alternatively also be provided with the clamping device 97 described with reference to fig. 6 to 13.

Claims (15)

1. A substantially rotationally symmetrical closure bottom (41) for a water container (05) of a water tube (99), comprising a closure element (01), the closure element (01) extending in an axial direction and having a continuous opening (22) in the axial direction, characterized in that the closure bottom (41) comprises a clamping device (97), the clamping device (97) having a circumferential clamping element (16; 36; 61) changeable in a radial direction, the clamping element (16; 36; 61) being configured to generate a radially directed clamping force in a state in which it is fixed to the water container (05) for clamping the closure bottom (41) between opposing walls (13) of the water container (05) or for clamping the water container (05) between opposing walls (13) of the closure bottom (41); wherein the clamping force is based on a change in diameter of the clamping element (16; 36; 61) in a radial direction; the closure bottom (41) further comprises a displacement element (32; 33; 34) displaceable in an axial direction relative to the closure element (01), the displacement element (32; 33; 34) being configured to change the clamping element (16; 36) in a radial direction as a result of an axial displacement of the displacement element (32; 33; 34) relative to the closure element (01).

2. Closure bottom (41) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (1) has a cylindrical portion (12) with a thread (39), the displacement elements (32; 33) have a cylindrical portion with a corresponding mating thread (39), and that they are configured such that the displacement elements (32; 33) and the closure element (01) are displaceable relative to each other in axial direction as a result of a rotational movement relative to each other.

3. The closure base (41) according to claim 2, wherein the displacement element (32) has an internal thread and the cylindrical portion (12) of the closure element (01) has an external thread.

4. The closure base (41) according to claim 2, wherein the displacement element (32) has an external thread and the cylindrical portion (12) of the closure element (01) has an internal thread.

5. Closure bottom (41) according to any of claims 1-4, further comprising an operating element (35) connected to the displacement element (33; 34).

6. The closure bottom (41) according to claim 1, further comprising a valve (62) for supplying compressed air to the gripping element (61), the valve (62) being configured such that the supply of compressed air effects a change in diameter of the gripping element (61).

7. Closure bottom (41) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping element (61) comprises a resilient element, such as a spring element (64), configured to effect a radial change of the clamping element (61) and a ventilation means (63) for reducing the prevailing pressure in the clamping element (01).

8. Closure bottom (41) according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the clamping element (16; 36; 61) is a sealing element, which is further configured to seal a gap (56) between the water container (05) and the closure element (01) in a radial direction in its state of being fixed to the water container (05).

9. Closure bottom (41) according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the clamping element (16) is arranged at a portion (12) of the closure element (01) extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps the portion (12) in a radial projection.

10. Closure bottom (41) according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the clamping element (36) is arranged at a portion (38) of the displacement element (33; 34) extending in the axial direction such that it overlaps the portion (38) in a radial projection.

11. The closure base (41) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the closure base (41) has a connecting means (72) at its end opposite the clamping means (97) in the axial direction for connecting the closure upper part (42).

12. A closure (98) for a substantially rotationally symmetrical water container (05) of a water tube (99), comprising a closure bottom (41) according to any one of claims 1-11 and a closure upper part (42) fixed to an end of the closure (98) axially opposite the clamping means (97); wherein the closure upper part (42) comprises a second closure element (02), a continuous opening (22) for a smoke tube (06), at least one communication opening (19) for at least one smoke hose (20), and at least one continuous first groove (27) for a gas-permeable connection between the water container (05) and the communication opening (19); wherein the second closing element (02) has a substantially cylindrical portion (67), the first closing element (01) has a substantially cylindrical portion (66), the first closing element (01) and the second closing element (02) are mutually inserted and configured such that an axial displacement of the first closing element (01) with respect to the second closing element (02) is prevented by positive engagement while maintaining a 360 ° rotatability of the first closing element (01) with respect to the second closing element (02).

13. The closure (98) according to claim 12, wherein the cylindrical portion (66) of the first closure element (01) and/or the cylindrical portion (67) of the second closure element (02) comprises a circumferential groove (68), in which circumferential groove (68) an axial blocking element (69) fits.

14. A water pipe having a substantially rotationally symmetrical water container (5) and a closure (98) according to claim 12 or 13.

15. The water pipe according to claim 14, characterized in that one wall (13) of the water container (05) comprises a groove (31) for receiving the clamping element (16; 36; 61).