U.S. patent application number 12/231942 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for vaporization pipe with flame filter.
Invention is credited to Dan A. Steinberg.
Application Number | 20090032034 12/231942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40336954 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090032034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steinberg; Dan A. |
February 5, 2009 |
Vaporization pipe with flame filter
Abstract
A vaporizer device that uses a flame for vaporizing flavor and
psychoactive compounds from smoking materials such as tobacco. The
present device has a filter unit 34 with a porous flame filter 36.
The flame filter 36 can be made of open-cell ceramic or metal foam,
sintered ceramic or metal granules or other porous, heat resistant
materials. In use, flame is supplied to the flame filter, and
inhalation causes ambient air to enter the flame filter as well.
The flame exhaust and ambient air are mixed within the flame filter
and produce an air stream of intermediate temperature. The
intermediate temperature air stream is hot enough to vaporize
desirable components from the smoking material. The filter unit and
pipe can attach with a ground glass joint.
Inventors: |
Steinberg; Dan A.;
(Blacksburg, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dan Steinberg
1507 Glade Road
Blacksburg
VA
24060
US
|
Family ID: |
40336954 |
Appl. No.: |
12/231942 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10639344 |
Aug 12, 2003 |
7434584 |
|
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12231942 |
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60429120 |
Nov 26, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
131/194 ;
131/331; 431/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 15/06 20130101;
A61M 2205/8268 20130101; A61M 2205/3368 20130101; A24D 3/17
20200101; A61M 11/042 20140204; A24F 42/60 20200101; A61M 11/048
20140204; A24F 42/10 20200101; A24F 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/194 ;
131/331; 431/2 |
International
Class: |
A24F 1/32 20060101
A24F001/32; A24D 3/06 20060101 A24D003/06 |
Claims
1. A method for vaporizing smoking material, comprising the steps
of: a) disposing smoking material in a bowl of a pipe having an
inhalation end; b) disposing a heat resistant and porous flame
filter upstream from the bowl; c) inhaling from the inhalation end
so that flame exhaust is drawn into the flame filter, and the flame
exhaust is mixed with ambient air in the flame filter; d) drawing
the flame exhaust and ambient air mixture through the smoking
material such that volatile components of the smoking material are
vaporized.
2. A vaporization device, comprising: a) a pipe having: 1) a bowl
for holding smoking material, and 2) an inhalation end for emitting
vapors, wherein the inhalation end is disposed downstream from the
bowl; b) a heat resistant and porous flame filter, with tortured
flow paths, for receiving a flame, wherein the flame filter has a
thickness of at least 0.02 inches, and wherein the flame filter is
disposed upstream from the bowl; c) a filter housing for holding
the flame filter, wherein the filter housing and the pipe attach
via a ground glass joint or O-ring seal.
3. The vaporization device of claim 2, wherein the flame filter
comprises a material selected from the group consisting of open
cell foam, open cell ceramic foam, bonded granules, stacked discs,
tangled wire, stacked screens, and combinations thereof.
4. The vaporization device of claim 2, wherein the filter housing
comprises a male joint, and the pipe comprises a female joint.
5. The vaporization device of claim 2, wherein the filter housing
comprises a female joint, and the pipe comprises a male joint.
6. The vaporization device of claim 2, wherein the ground glass
joint is conical or spherical.
7. The vaporization device of claim 2, wherein the filter housing
includes a step for supporting the flame filter.
8. The vaporization device of claim 2, further comprising a
retaining ring disposed in the filter housing, for retaining the
flame filter.
9. The vaporization device of claim 2, further comprising a finger
attached to the filter housing, for retaining the flame filter.
10. The vaporization device claim 2, wherein the flame filter
comprises silicon carbide ceramic foam and has a thickness of at
lest 0.05 inches.
11. A filter unit for attachment to a pipe having a bowl for
holding smoking material, and having an inhalation end for emitting
vapors, wherein the inhalation end is disposed downstream from the
bowl, the filter unit comprising: a) a filter housing; b) a heat
resistant and porous flame filter disposed in the filter housing,
wherein the flame filter has a thickness of at least 0.02 inches,
and wherein the flame filter comprises a material selected from the
group consisting of open cell foam, open cell ceramic foam, bonded
granules, stacked discs, tangled wire, stacked screens, and
combinations thereof; wherein the filter housing comprises a male
or female ground glass joint for attaching the filter housing to
the pipe such that the flame filter is disposed upstream from the
bowl.
12. The filter unit of claim 11, wherein the filter housing
comprises a male joint, and the pipe comprises a female joint.
13. The filter unit of claim 11, wherein the filter housing
comprises a female joint, and the pipe comprises a male joint.
14. The filter unit of claim 11, wherein the filter housing
includes a step for supporting the flame filter.
15. The filter unit of claim 11, wherein the flame filter comprises
silicon carbide ceramic foam.
16. The filter unit of claim 11, wherein the flame filter has a
thickness of at least 0.05 inches.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
copending patent application Ser. No. 10/639,344, filed on Aug. 12,
2003 and which claims the benefit of priority from the following
provisional patent applications: 60/366,809 filed on Mar. 22, 2002;
60/384,551 filed on May 29, 2002; 60/399,465 filed on Jul. 29,
2002; and 60/429,120 filed on Nov. 26, 2002, which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to smoking devices
and vaporization devices. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a pipe designed to provide vaporization by using heat
from a flame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Tobacco, kinnick kinnick, or other herbs are typically
smoked by burning and inhaling the combustion fumes and smoke. In
recent years, interest has grown in the technique of vaporization
in which the smoking material is carefully heated so that the
desired flavor and psychoactive components are liberated, and
combustion is minimized.
[0004] Vaporization provides many benefits over smoking. When
performed properly, vaporization does not produce nearly as much
toxic and carcinogenic pyrolytic products as smoking. Also,
vaporization is smoother and more flavorful, and lacks a burned
taste that many find disagreeable. Further, vaporization allows
more efficient use of smoking materials, since desired flavor and
psychoactive compounds are not destroyed by combustion.
[0005] However, vaporization is difficult to perform, since
vaporization only occurs in a relatively narrow temperature range.
If the temperature is too low, desired compounds are not
volatilized and nothing is inhaled; if the temperature is too high,
combustion will occur, with its ill effects. For most smoking
materials, vaporization is optimal in a temperature range of about
300-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The optimal temperature depends upon
the compounds being vaporized.
[0006] Most vaporizers in use today are electrically powered. For
vaporizing plant materials such as tobacco or essential oils, a
temperature-controlled heat gun is often used. Electrical
vaporization devices are inconvenient to use since they are not
portable and require electrical line power. Typically, heat guns
require several hundred watts of power. Also, electrical
vaporization devices tend to be expensive.
[0007] Some vaporizer devices employ a burning carbonaceous fuel
element as a heat source. These devices are best suited for use in
cigarettes since the carbonaceous fuel element burns for several
minutes. However, a continuously burning fuel element is not
desired for vaporizing some materials. Exemplary vaporizer devices
in the prior art are listed below:
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,032 describes a smoking device using a
fuel element.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,748 describes a vaporization device that
is electrically powered.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,369 describes a vaporization device that
is electrically powered.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,301 describes a vaporizer attachment for
a pipe so that the pipe can be coupled to an electric heat gun.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,083 describes a vaporizer that is
electrically powered.
[0013] It would be an advance in the art of vaporization devices to
provide a vaporizer that operates without electrical power, is
inexpensive, is easily transportable, is small, and is simple to
operate. Such a device could be widely used by tobacco smokers and
by users of medicinal herbs (e.g. mullein, kinnick kinnick) and
essential oils. Such a device would also largely avoid the harmful
effects of inhaling toxic pyrolytic compounds found in smoke and
provide the other benefits of vaporization.
SUMMARY
[0014] The present invention includes a vaporization device having
a pipe with a bowl for holding smoking material (e.g. tobacco or
other medicinal plant-based materials), and a heat resistant and
porous flame filter for receiving a flame, wherein the flame filter
has a thickness of at least 0.02 inches. The flame filter can also
have thickness of at least 0.1 inch, or in the range of 0.125-1
inches. In one embodiment, the flame filter is made of open cell
ceramic foam, which can comprise silicon carbide, silicon,
cordierite or other ceramics. The flame filter causes mixing
between flame exhaust and ambient air.
[0015] The flame filter can also be made of bonded granules (e.g.
sintered metal or ceramic granules), stacked discs (with each disc
having at least one hole), a tangled lump of metal wire, or stacked
screens, for example. Generally, the flame filter material should
have a thermal conductivity of at least 30 W/mK. The pipe can also
have an airflow shutter to automatically regulate the amount of
airflow into the flame filter, and thereby regulate the
temperature. The device can also have a means for indicating
temperature, such as an electronic temperature sensor with a
display, or a bimetallic strip that moves in response to
temperature.
[0016] In one useful embodiment, the flame filter comprises open
cell silicon carbide foam made by chemical vapor deposition. The
foam can have about 40-120 or 60-100 pores-per-inch (PPI), for
example.
[0017] The present invention also may have a filter housing for
holding the flame filter. The filter housing can be made of
thermally insulating material (e.g. wood) so that a user is
protected from touching the hot flame filter. The filter housing
can also be hollow to provide thermal insulation.
[0018] The present invention also includes a filter unit having a
filter housing, a flame filter disposed in the housing, and a means
for attaching the filter housing to a pipe. The filter unit of the
present invention can be used with many different kinds and styles
of smoking pipes and will transform conventional smoking pipe into
a vaporization pipe. The means for attaching the pipe can be a
threaded connection, magnet, clamp, hinge, ground glass joint,
O-ring seal and the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a vaporization
pipe according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the present vaporization pipe in
operation.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a close-up of a filter unit according to the
present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 4a and 4b show an alternative embodiment of the
invention having a hinged filter unit, and a straight pipe.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention
having a friction-fit filter unit.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment wherein the flame filter is a
stack of screens (metal or ceramic).
[0025] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment wherein the flame filter is a
tangled web of wire.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a close-up of the filter unit where the flame
filter comprises a stack of 5 discs with holes.
[0027] FIGS. 9 and 10 show top view of exemplary discs possible in
the embodiment of FIG. 9.
[0028] FIG. 11 shows a close-up of the filter unit where the flame
filter is combined with a disc having holes that directs heat to
the periphery of the flame filter.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a top view of an exemplary disc that can be used
in the embodiment of FIG. 11.
[0030] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment having an electronic temperature
sensor and temperature display.
[0031] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment having a mechanical airflow
shutter responsive to temperature for regulating temperature.
[0032] FIGS. 15a and 15b show top views of an exemplary airflow
shutter usable in the embodiment of FIG. 14.
[0033] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment having a theromechanical element
for indicating temperature inside the device.
[0034] FIG. 17 shows an embodiment where the flame filter is
permanently attached to the pip, and the bowl has a door for
accessing and inserting the smoking material.
[0035] FIG. 18 shows an embodiment where a portion of the filter
housing is part of the door.
[0036] FIGS. 19 and 20 show embodiments made of glass and having
ground glass joints for attaching the bowl and the filter
housing.
[0037] FIG. 21 shows an embodiment made of glass having the flame
filter disposed in a male joint.
[0038] FIG. 22 shows the embodiment of FIG. 21 in operation.
[0039] FIG. 23 shows an embodiment in which the bowl is disposed in
a male joint, and the filter housing comprises a female ground
glass joint.
[0040] FIG. 24 shows a closeup view of the filter housing and
joints of FIG. 23.
[0041] FIG. 25 shows an embodiment with an O-ring seal between the
pipe and filter housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The present invention provides a vaporizing pipe that
vaporizes flavor compounds, medicinal compounds and psychoactive
compounds from smoking material such as tobacco, mullein, passion
flower, cloves, yohimbe, mint, tea, eucalyptus, chamomile and the
like. Many of these plant materials have medicinal compounds that
can be inhaled when vaporized.
[0043] The present vaporizer pipe can be used with a flame such as
from a conventional butane lighter or a match. The vaporization
pipe of the present invention has a heat resistant, porous flame
filter disposed upstream from the smoking material. In operation,
flame exhaust and ambient air are drawn into the flame filter. The
flame filter causes mixing between the flame exhaust and ambient
air, and also conducts heat between the flame exhaust and ambient
air. The flame filter thereby creates an intermediate temperature
(e.g. about 300-400 F) air stream capable of vaporizing without
burning. The smoking material is in the path of the intermediate
temperature air stream, and so volatile flavor and psychoactive
compounds are vaporized from the smoking material. The intermediate
temperature air stream and vaporized compounds are then inhaled.
The flame filter can be made of many heat-resistant materials such
as metals (e.g. refractory metals, noble metals), ceramics and the
like. The material of the flame filter should be resistant to
oxidation at high temperature, resistant to cracking under extreme
thermal shock, and have a high thermal conductivity. In preferred
embodiments of the invention, the flame filter comprises open-cell
ceramic foam.
[0044] Definitions:
[0045] Heat resistant: Capable of not melting and maintaining its
physical structure when exposed to heat from a small flame.
Materials that oxidize slightly when exposed to flame (e.g. bronze,
stainless steel) are considered heat resistant in the invention.
However, combustible materials (e.g. carbon) are not heat
resistant.
[0046] Porous: Having flow paths that create mixing of flame
exhaust and air.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side view of the present
vaporization pipe. The pipe has a pipe bottom 20 having a hole 22
through which vapor is inhaled. The pipe has an inhalation end 24
for contact with a users mouth during use. The pipe also has a bowl
26 for holding smoking material 28, such as tobacco or other herbs
or essential oils. The bowl 26 preferably 25 has a mesh screen 30
for supporting the smoking material. A filter unit 34 is removably
attached to the bowl 26 by threaded connection 32. The filter unit
34 has a heat-resistant and porous flame filter 36 and a filter
housing 38 surrounding the flame filter 36. The filter unit 34 may
optionally have a heat shield 40 disposed between the filter
housing 38 and the flame filter 36. The heat shield 40 can be a
thin sheet (0.002'') of stainless steel foil, for example. A 30
corner heat shield 41 can also be provided at an opening in the
filter housing 38. The corner heat shield 41 and heat shield can
comprise a single component. The corner heat shield 41 helps
protect the filter housing 38 from flame. The filter unit 34 may
make an airtight seal with the bowl 26, but an airtight seal is not
absolutely required in the invention; a small amount of air leakage
is permissible.
[0048] If essential oils are used, the smoking material can
comprise glass or stainless steel wool, or ceramic foam or paper
with the oil absorbed therein. The wool or foam will function as an
inert carrier and will allow the essential oil to vaporize without
dripping down into the pipe.
[0049] The pipe bottom 20 and filter housing 38 can be made of many
different materials such as wood, glass, ceramic, metal or the
like. Materials with low thermal conductivity such as wood are
generally preferred, but not required in the invention. The filter
housing 38 should also be made of a material with low thermal
conductivity so that heat from the flame filter 36 does not escape
to the exterior surfaces. The filter housing 38 can be made of
wood, closed-cell ceramic foam, metal or the like. Alternatively,
the filter housing has a hollow space 42 to provide low thermal
conductivity. The pipe bottom 20 can also have a hollow space (not
shown) for thermal insulation. The bowl 26 can be made of metal
(e.g., stainless steel or brass), in which case it may be plated
with a relatively chemically nonreactive metal such as silver,
gold, platinum or chromium.
[0050] The present invention necessarily includes the porous flame
filter 36. The flame filter is made of heat resistant material such
as ceramic or metal (e.g. refractory metal). The flame filter is
made of porous material. The flame filter can be made of many
structures, such as open cell foam (ceramic or metal), sintered or
bonded ceramic or metal granules, stacked ceramic or metal screens
or porous plates, coils or tangled lengths of wire, or stacked
discs with holes. If plates are used, the plates can each have many
holes or a single hole. A stack of plates with holes or a hole is
considered to be porous in the invention, even if the plates are
made of nonporous material.
[0051] FIG. 2 shows the pipe of the present invention in operation.
In operation, smoking material 28 is disposed in the bowl, and a
user (not shown) inhales air and vaporization products from the
inhalation end 24, as indicated by arrow 44. Flame 46 is provided
to the flame filter 36 by a lighter 48 or other flame source, such
as a match. The flame may or may not touch the flame filter, but it
is best for the flame to be held slightly above the flame filter
36. Hot exhaust from the flame 46 is drawn into the flame filter
36. Cold, ambient air 50 is also drawn into the flame filter. The
flame filter 36 causes mixing and heat exchange between the flame
exhaust and ambient air. The flame exhaust and ambient air, after
mixing and exchanging heat in the filter 36, form an
intermediate-temperature air stream 52 that flows through the
smoking material. The intermediate-temperature air stream 52 can
have a temperature of about 250-500 degrees Fahrenheit, depending
on a number of factors such as the speed of inhalation, the size
and temperature of the flame 46, and the temperature of the ambient
air. More typically, the temperature of the air stream 52 will be
about 275-400 F. By controlling the application of flame to the
flame filter 36 (e.g. lifting or lowering the lighter), the speed
of inhalation, and the size of the flame, a user can modulate the
temperature of the air stream 52. With experience, a user can
determine the temperature by taste and mouth sensations, and adjust
the amount of flame accordingly to obtain a perfect temperature for
vaporization.
[0052] Preferably in the invention, the flame filter 36 and bowl 26
are located so that the intermediate temperature air stream 52
flows straight through the smoking material. For example, in FIG.
2, the airflow path from the filter 36 to the pipe bottom 20
extends in a straight line through the smoking material 28. Forcing
hot air to flow through the smoking material 28 increases
vaporization of compounds from the smoking material.
[0053] FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the filter unit 34 of the
present invention. The flame filter 36 has a thickness 54, which is
measured in the direction of airflow through the filter 36. In the
present invention, the flame filter 36 must have a thickness 54 of
at least 0.02 inches. A thickness of 0.02 inches is the absolute
minimum required for at least partially adequate mixing and heat
exchange between the flame exhaust and ambient air. If the filter
is thinner than 0.02 inches, then the flame will tend to bum the
smoking material. More preferably, the flame filter has a thickness
of at least 0.05 inches, 0.1 inches, 0.125 inches or 0.2 inches. A
thicker flame filter provides more even heating of the smoking
material, and tends to provide lower temperatures. The flame filter
will typically have a thickness in the range of about 0.25-0.75
inches, but the thickness of the filter can also be as great as 1
or 2 inches or greater in the invention. The thickness of the
filter will depend somewhat on the amount of mixing provided by the
filter structure (e.g. pore sizes), and the thermal conductivity of
the filter material. High mixing capability (e.g. small pore size,
and a reticulated structure) and high thermal conductivity will
allow for a thinner filter. Thicker filters are required if the
pore size is large (e.g. 0.1 inch), and the filter has a low
thermal conductivity (e.g. below 10 W/mK)
[0054] The flame filter 36 may be cylindrically shaped (although it
is not necessarily cylindrical), with a diameter 56. The diameter
may be selected to be within the range of about 0.125-1.0 inches
(i.e. cross sectional area of about 0.015 square inch to about 1
square inch). The present invention includes embodiments where the
flame filter is larger or smaller than this range. In one
embodiment, the cross sectional area is about 0.1 to about 0.5
square inches. The present invention also includes embodiments
where the flame filter is square, rectangular or any other shape in
cross-section.
[0055] The porous flame filter 36 is essential in the invention.
The flame filter 36 can be made of many different materials and
structures, all of which are understood to be included in the
invention and within the scope of the appended claims. Materials
and structures suitable for the flame filter include:
[0056] Bonded granules--In this embodiment, the flame filter is
made of granules of heat resistant materials bonded or sintered
together. Examples include sintered bronze, brass, stainless steel,
or other metals. Also included are sintered ceramics such as
alumina, cordierite, or porcelain. Bonded silicon carbide granules
can be used as well. The granules can have sizes in the range of
about 100-2000 microns, for example. If metals are used, a
chemically stable coating (e.g. gold or platinum) can be applied to
prevent oxidation. The porosity (volume % of open space) should be
relatively high, for example at least 20 or 30%. The pore size
should be relatively large so that one can inhale easily; for
example, the pore size can be about 100-1000 microns.
[0057] Stack of plates or screens--The flame filter can comprise a
stack of at least two, preferably at least three or four metal
screens. For example, conventional metal screens can be. used. In
this case, the metal should have a relatively high thermal
conductivity above about 30 W/mK (e.g. brass or silver). Also, the
metal may be resistant to oxidation, or have a protective coating
(e.g. gold or platinum). Alternatively, the flame filter can
comprise a stack of at least two, preferably at least three or four
ceramic or metal plates with holes. A series of plates with holes
is considered to be `porous` in the present invention and appended
claims.
[0058] Metal wire--The flame filter can also comprise a web of
metal wire (e.g. 20-30 gauge). The metal may be resistant to
oxidation or have a protective coating (e.g. platinum or gold), and
have a high thermal conductivity (e.g. copper, brass or silver).
The metal wire can be tangled, coiled, folded or in any other
configuration that creates mixing of air and flame exhaust and
provides heat exchange. The metal wire can have a round
cross-sectional shape, or can be flat ribbon.
[0059] Reticulated open-cell foam--The flame filter can also
comprise open cell metal or ceramic foam. In this case, the foam
can have a pores-per-inch (PPI) rating of about 30-120, more
preferably in the range of 50-100 PPI, inclusive. If metal is used,
it should be heat resistant, and possibly coated with a protective
coating (e.g. gold, platinum or other platinum-family metals). If
ceramic is used, the foam can be made by applying a ceramic slurry
to a burnable (e.g. urethane) foam substrate, and then kiln-firing,
as known in the art. Also, the ceramic foam can be made by chemical
vapor deposition (CVD) onto a foam substrate, also as known in the
art. If CVD ceramic foam is used, it can be made of silicon
carbide, which has very high oxidation resistance and thermal shock
capability, is relatively inert, and has high thermal conductivity,
which are all desirable properties. CVD ceramic foam can also be
made of silicon, which also has high thermal conductivity and heat
resistance. Other possible materials for the ceramic foam include
cordierite, zirconium-containing ceramics, or silica-containing
ceramics, or combinations of these materials. Some ceramic
materials may break apart or crack due to the thermal shock of the
applied flame, which is undesirable. Hence, a ceramic material
should be selected that can withstand the thermal shock. A
particularly useful material for the flame filter is 80 PPI CVD
silicon carbide open-cell foam. The foam may have a relative
density (volume occupied by solid material) of about 5-25% or about
8-12%. It is also noted that not all of the cells need to be open;
some cells can be closed, as often occurs in ceramic foam made from
slurry applied to polymer foam.
[0060] Most generally, the flame filter can comprise any
heat-resistant, porous material that causes mixing of and/or heat
exchange between of the flame exhaust and air, and has a thickness
of at least 0.02 inches, or at least 1 millimeter or 0.1 inches.
Reticulated structures such as open cell foams are preferred, but
the invention and appended claims include all the materials listed
above. The flame filter should resist melting up to at least the
temperature of the flame of course, and preferably resists
oxidation up to about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Some oxidation is
acceptable if it forms a protective coating. Also, the material of
the flame filter (i.e. not including pore spaces), may have a
thermal conductivity of at least 30 W/mK. Silicon carbide can have
thermal conductivity of about 120 W/mK, and so provides good heat
transfer. A high thermal conductivity facilitates heat transfer
between the flame exhaust and ambient air, thereby ensuring that
the intermediate temperature air stream has a uniform
temperature.
[0061] The flame filter can have a protective coating (e.g.
platinum) to protect it from oxidation and chemical reactions. A
protective coating can be particularly useful in embodiments
employing metals, such as metal wire or sintered metal
granules.
[0062] It is also noted that the flame filter 36 can have a
combustion catalytic coating (e.g. platinum or palladium or a
combination thereof) for causing more complete combustion of the
flame exhaust. This will tend to reduce the amount of harmful
combustion products inhaled from the flame.
[0063] Also, it is noted that the filter can include means (e.g.
threads, friction fit) for direct attachment to the pipe.
Preferably, the flame filter is disposed in a filter housing,
because the flame filter typically gets too hot to safely handle
directly. If a filter housing is used, the flame filter can be
attached to the pipe indirectly through the filter housing. It is
understood that the flame filter is considered attached to the pipe
even in embodiments where the flame filter is directly attached
only to the filter housing.
[0064] It is noted that the filter unit 34 can attach to the pipe
with many different mechanisms. Examples include magnetized
components that attach by magnetic attraction, screw threads as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, friction fit (with or without O-rings)
hinges, springed clamps and the like.
[0065] It is noted that it is preferable for the bowl to be
constructed such that air flows in a straight path through the
smoking material (as in all the pipes shown). In other words, the
air preferably exits the bottom of the bowl, opposite the filter.
This tends to result in all the smoking material being exposed to
the hot airflow. In some conventional pipes (e.g. large
conventional tobacco pipes), by contrast, the bowl is constructed
so that air exits the side of the bowl, thus requiring that the hot
air make a 90-degree turn within the bowl. This tends to result in
unvaporized smoking material on the side of the bowl furthest from
the bowl exit, which is undesirable.
[0066] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
invention where the filter unit 34 is attached to a straight pipe
55 with a hinge 56. The hinge allows the smoking material 28 to be
inserted, and removed when it is spent. It is understood that a
hinge attachment is considered to be an example of a `removable`
attachment in the present invention and appended claims.
[0067] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment where the filter unit
34 is attached to the straight pipe by sliding over the straight
pipe 55 with a friction fit. An O-ring (not shown) can be disposed
between the filter housing 38 and the straight pipe 55.
[0068] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention having a stack
of 6 screens 58 as the flame filter. The screens can be made of
metal mesh, for example, or ceramic. The filter unit 34 fits onto a
pipe 57 with a friction fit, for example. The screens 58 may be
spaced apart as shown, or may be in contact. A series of screens is
considered to be `porous` in the invention.
[0069] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment where the flame filter comprises
a web of metal wire 60. The wire can be 20-30 gauge, for example,
and can be round or flat. The wire can be tangled, as shown, or can
be coiled or folded in an organized fashion.
[0070] FIG. 8 shows a close-up of the filter unit 34 in an
embodiment where the porous flame filter comprises a series of 5
discs 61a-61e, with each disc having holes 64. The discs can be
made of metal or ceramic or any other heat-resistant material, for
example. The discs have holes in different locations, so that
ambient air and flame exhaust follow a tortured path 62. The
tortured path creates mixing between the flame exhaust and the
ambient air, as required in the present invention. The disc
material may or may not be porous, but the combination of stacked
discs is considered porous in the invention. The number is discs
can be in the range of about 3-20, for example. Each disc can have
one or more holes.
[0071] FIG. 9a shows a group of 5 discs that can be used in the
embodiment of FIG. 8. Each disc has the same hole pattern, but each
disc is rotated so that the holes in adjacent discs are not
overlapping. This assures that the flame exhaust and ambient air
follow a tortured path and are mixed as they pass between the
discs. FIG. 10 shows an alternative group of discs 61 having
elongated holes 64 arranged in a striped pattern. The discs can be
round (as shown), or square, rectangular or any other shape. The
discs can have a wide range of thicknesses.
[0072] FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the filter unit 34
wherein the flame filter 36 is combined with a disc 70 over the
flame filter 36. The disc 70 has holes 72 around the periphery. The
holes 72 are located at the periphery, and so tend to direct heat
toward the periphery of the filter, and thereby create a more
uniform heat distribution in the smoking material. Without the disc
70, sometimes the temperature can be too hot in the center, and too
low at the edges. FIG. 12 shows a top view of the disc. The disc
can have any number of holes (e.g. 3-10), and the holes can be any
shape. The disc 70 can also be located under (on the downstream
side of) the flame filter 36. The embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 is
most useful where the flame filter 36 comprises a reticulated
structure such as foam or bonded granules. In an alternative
embodiment, the disc 70 has no holes, and has a smaller diameter
than the flame filter 36, so that it directs airflow to the
periphery. The disc 70 can be bonded to the flame filter 36.
[0073] FIG. 13 shows another embodiment having an electronic
temperature indicator 80 coupled to a temperature sensor 82 such as
a thermistor or thermocouple. The temperature sensor 82 should be
located close to the smoking material 28. The temperature sensor
can be located behind (downstream from) the smoking material, as
shown, or can be located between the flame filter 36 and the
smoking material 28. In operation, the display 80 provide the user
with an indication of the temperature at the smoking material. This
is useful for some users who have difficultly adjusting the flame
application to achieve the best vaporization temperature. The
display may have an LED, or liquid crystal element to indicate an
approximate temperature to the user, for example with a bar
display. By using the display, the user can more accurately adjust
the temperature inside the smoking material 28.
[0074] FIG. 14 shows another aspect of the invention wherein the
pipe includes a thermo-mechanical airflow shutter 84 for
controlling airflow in response to temperature. In the present
vaporization pipe, the amount of airflow influences the temperature
at the smoking material. Specifically, for a constant flame size,
higher airflow (stronger inhalation) results in cooler temperature,
since higher airflow requires more ambient air. Hence, the
thermomechanical shutter 84 can maintain a somewhat constant
temperature by restricting airflow when temperature is too low.
More specifically, the shutter 84 opens when is it exposed to
excessive temperature (e.g. temperatures that can cause burning),
thereby allowing more ambient air, and reducing the temperature.
The shutter can be made of a bimetallic strip partially blocking
the air passage. When exposed to high temperature, the shutter 84
bends to open the airway. Many different shapes and structures can
be used for the shutter 84. FIGS. 15a and 15b, for example, show
top views of a shutter made of bimetallic sheet at low and high
temperature, respectively. Leaves 86 of the shutter curl in a
direction out of the page when exposed to excessive temperature,
and thereby allow more airflow when exposed to excessive
temperature. The shutter 84 can be located between the flame filter
36 as shown, or can be placed below the smoking material 28 (i.e.,
within the pipe bottom). In an alternative embodiment, the shutter
allows air directly from ambient (not through the flame filter),
when the temperature is excessive.
[0075] FIG. 16 shows yet another embodiment of the invention having
a temperature indicator. Specifically, the device has a
thermomechanical element (e.g. bimetallic strip) 86 that responds
to temperature by raising or lowering a rod 88 through a hole 90.
The height of the rod 88 indicates the approximate temperature
experienced by the smoking material 28.
[0076] FIG. 17 shows yet another embodiment of the invention where
the filter housing 38 is permanently bonded to the bowl. The bowl
26 is provided with a door 100 through which smoking material 28 is
loaded into the bowl. The door 100 can open and close. When closed,
the door should be air tight, or nearly airtight. In one
embodiment, the screen 30 can be withdrawn from the bowl 26 through
the door 100 and filled with smoking material 28. Then, the smoking
material 28 and screen 30 are loaded into the bowl through the door
100. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the filter is not removably
attachable to the pipe.
[0077] FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the invention where a
portion of the filter housing 38 and bowl 26 form the door 100 that
can be opened to provide access to the smoking material 28. The
door 100 pivots on a hinge 102 and is shown in its open position.
The flame filter 36 can be attached to the hinged portion of the
filter housing, or the stationary portion of the filter housing. In
the specific embodiment of FIG. 18, the flame filter 36 is attached
to the stationary, unhinged portion of the filter housing.
[0078] FIG. 19 shows another embodiment in which the filter housing
38 and pipe 20 attach by means of a conical ground glass joint 100.
The pipe 20 comprises a female joint 102, and the filter housing 38
comprises a male joint 104. The smoking material is disposed in the
bottom of the female joint 102, and the flame filter 36 is disposed
in the male joint 104. The ground glass joint 100 is illustrated as
conical, but can also be spherical or any other shape. The ground
glass joint may be airtight. The pipe 20 and filter housing 34 can
be entirely made of glass for example. FIG. 20 shows an alternative
embodiment in which the male joint is hollow.
[0079] FIG. 21 shows another design of the vaporizing pipe. The
filter housing 38 comprises a male joint. The bowl 26 is disposed
downstream from the female joint 104. The male joint. filter
housing 38 includes an optional step 106. The step 106 provides a
support for holding the flame filter. 36. The step can be about 1
mm thick for example, and provide about 1-4 mm of diameter
constriction for supporting the flame filter. Also a retaining ring
107 (e.g. comprising a wire loop) can be disposed above the flame
filter. The retaining ring 107 assures that the flame filter does
not fall out of the filter housing 38. FIG. 22 shows the pipe of
FIG. 21 in use. A lighter flame is drawn into the flame filter 36,
which mixes flame exhaust with ambient air to create vaporization
temperatures.
[0080] FIG. 23 shows another embodiment in which the bowl 26 is
disposed in a male joint 108, and the filter housing 38 comprises a
female joint 110. The filter housing 38 also includes an optional
glass tube 112 attached to the female joint 110. The filter housing
38 can include a step 106 for supporting the filter. The pipe 20,
male joint 108, bowl 26, female joint 110 and tube 112 can be made
of glass such as borosilicate glass.
[0081] FIG. 24 shows a magnified view of the filter housing 38 and
male joint 108 and bowl 26 of FIG. 23, without the pipe 20. The
filter housing 38 may include the step 106 for supporting the flame
filter 36. Also a retaining ring 107 can be provided for securing
the flame filter 36 to assure it does not fall out.
[0082] Optionally, an air gap exists between the flame filter 36
and the glass (e.g. glass tube 112 or male joint 102). The air gap
can be 0.002''-0.040'' thick, for example. An air gap will tend to
minimize the amount of heat dissipated into the glass.
[0083] FIG. 25 shows another embodiment made in glass. An O-ring
114 is disposed between the filter housing 38 and the bowl 26. The
O-ring provides friction so that the filter housing and bowl 26 can
be securely attached. Both the bowl 20 and the filter housing can
be made of glass.
[0084] FIG. 26 shows another embodiment having a glass finger 120.
The glass finger is connected to the top of the male joint, and
extends downward to the filter 36. The finger holds the filter in
place so that it cannot fall out. The finger can be fused to the
filter, or can be unconnected to the filter. The finger can be in
contact with the filter, or slightly above it. The filter may have
a small amount of space (e.g. 1-3 mm) to move vertically between
the step 106 and the finger 120.
[0085] The present invention is also directed toward only the
filter unit, which has a flame filter inside the filter housing,
and a means for attaching the filter housing to a pipe. The means
for attaching the pipe can be a threaded connection, magnet, clamp,
hinge, ground glass joint, O-ring seal, and the like. The present
filter unit can be used with many different kinds of pipes and
devices ordinarily intended for use as conventional smoking
devices. In fact, the present filter unit can effectively transform
a conventional smoking pipe into a vaporization device. For
example, the filter unit can be combined with a water pipe or any
other pipe known in the art, and the pipe will act as a
vaporizer.
[0086] It is also noted that the present invention can be used to
produce smoke, if desired. If smoke is desired, a large flame is
provided to the flame filter. Smoke produced in the present device
will tend to be smoother and more pleasant than smoke produced in a
conventional pipe, but will contain the harmful substances known to
occur in smoke.
[0087] It is noted in the present invention that ceramic materials
are generally preferred over metals for use in the flame filter 36.
This is because ceramics tend to be much more resistant to
oxidation and corrosion at high temperatures. Metals such as brass,
copper or bronze tend to oxidize, which produces unhealthful metal
oxide particles, which are inhaled. Also, metal flame filters tend
to create a metallic taste. Inert metals such as platinum or gold
can be used (e.g. as a coating), but such materials are very
expensive. Hence, relatively inert ceramics such as silicon
carbide, silicon, cordierite, and zirconia are preferred. It is
also noted that semiconductor materials such as silicon can be used
for the flame filter (e.g. silicon foam), and such materials are
understood to fall under the rubric of ceramic materials in the
present disclosure. Nevertheless, it is understood that even
oxidizable metals (e.g. brass, bronze, steel) will function to
provide flame filtering and air mixing, and are therefore included
in the present invention and scope of the appended claims.
[0088] Also, it is noted that combinations of materials can be used
for the flame filter. For example, the flame filter can comprise a
screen in combination with a metal or ceramic foam, or a coil of
wire in combination with ceramic discs having holes.
[0089] It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above
embodiments may be altered in many ways without departing from the
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention
should be determined by the following claims and their legal
equivalents.
* * * * *