Glass tip for use with smokable substances contained within a wrap and method for manufacturing the tip

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a tip for use with smokable substances. A tube is rotated while applying heat to a section of the tube (step 1 ). The tube is pulled apart to separate the tube into two sections, each section having a closed end (step 2 ). Heat is applied to the closed end of one section in a direction to cause it to open (step 3 ), and then heat is applied in a second direction to the end (step 4 ). A plug is inserted into the end and a roller is used to form an opening with a flat external surface (step 5 ). Heat is applied, and the ends are pulled apart to separate the section into two parts (step 7 ). While continuing to apply heat, air is injected into the opened end to form a tip having openings at its two ends connected by an open chamber (step 8 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a tip for use with smokable substances, the method comprising:
 rotating a tube along its longitudinal axis in one direction;   applying heat to a section of the rotating tube;   clamping said tube at its ends and pulling said ends apart to separate said tube into first and second sections, and removing said applied heat, each section having a closed end after said separation;   applying heat to said closed end of said first section of said tube to cause said closed end to open;   applying heat to said opened end of said first section of said tube in a direction perpendicular to said opened end;   removing said heat applied to said opened end of said rotating tube and inserting a plug into said opened end while it is still soft from the applied heat after said removing;   simultaneously with said inserting, applying a roller in a direction perpendicular to said inserting to form an opening in said first section of said rotating tube with a flat external surface;   clamping said first section at its ends;   applying heat to a section of said first section distal from said opened end;   pulling said ends of said first section apart at said heated section of said first section, to separate said first section into two parts, wherein one of said two parts includes said opening with said flat external surface;   while continuing to apply heat to said section distal from said opened end, injecting air into said opened end to form an opening in said distal section to form a tip having openings at its two ends connected by an open chamber between said two ends.   
     
     
         2 . The method defined by  claim 1  wherein said heat applied to said section of the rotating tube is with a burner aligned with said section of the rotating tube. 
     
     
         3 . The method defined by  claim 2  wherein said burner uses oxygen, natural gas and compressed air combined to form a flame so that the temperature of the applied heat is set so that the tube to which it is being applied will soften the tube to enable the tube to be stretched and shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The method defined by  claim 1  wherein said rotating is from 200-300 RPM during each of said steps. 
     
     
         5 . The method defined by  claim 1  where pressure applied by said plug and roller is approximately 2-4 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
         6 . The method defined by  claim 5  wherein the pressure is applied for approximately 3 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . The method defined by  claim 1  wherein said rotating, clamping, heating and pulling, inserting and applying are performed repeatedly to produce a plurality of tips from a single tube. 
     
     
         8 . The method defined by  claim 1  wherein said tube is a glass material. 
     
     
         9 . The method defined by  claim 1  wherein each of said steps is performed serially using a single machine configured to perform each of said steps serially. 
     
     
         10 . The method defined by  claim 1  wherein said applied heat is for borosilicate glass with a working point temperature of 1240° C., a softening point temperature of 825° C. and an annealing point temperature of 565° C. 
     
     
         11 . A tip manufactured according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A tip for being attached to a wrapper containing a smokable substance, said tip comprising a tube having a generally cylindrical shape, having one flattened end with a first opening and one generally rounded end with a second opening, said first and second openings fluidly connected to each other by a chamber disposed between the two ends, the chamber and said two ends being axially aligned. 
     
     
         13 . The tip defined by  claim 12  wherein a diameter of said first opening is smaller than a diameter of said second opening. 
     
     
         14 . The tip defined by  claim 12  wherein a diameter of said first opening is larger than a diameter of said second opening. 
     
     
         15 . The tip defined by  claim 12  wherein a diameter of said first opening is substantially the same size as a diameter of said second opening.