U.S. patent application number 15/344516 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-10 for venturi vaporizer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Harold Mueller. Invention is credited to Harold Mueller.
Application Number | 20180125115 15/344516 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62065302 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180125115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mueller; Harold |
May 10, 2018 |
Venturi Vaporizer
Abstract
An improved bowl for a water pipe which has both a venturi port
for providing vaporized herbs into the stem of the water bowl as
well as a fresh are intake port for providing mixing air which
dilutes the concentration of the vaporized herb which is inhaled by
the smoker. The improved water pipe bowl of the is primarily
comprised of a bowl section where the medicinal marijuana oil or
other substance can be placed; a venturi port located in close
proximity to the substance to be vaporized, connecting the bowl
section and the stem of the water pipe; and a fresh air intake
port, located substantially away from the substance to be vaporized
or the vaporized substance, connecting the stem of the water pipe
and fresh air supply.
Inventors: |
Mueller; Harold; (Oldsmar,
FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mueller; Harold |
Oldsmar |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62065302 |
Appl. No.: |
15/344516 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 5/04 20130101; A24F
47/008 20130101; A24F 1/30 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 5/04 20060101
A24F005/04; A24F 1/30 20060101 A24F001/30; A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. A bowl apparatus for use with a smoking apparatus comprising: an
elongated tube having upper and lower ends; a reservoir having an
interior volume; a venturi port connecting the interiors of said
elongated tube and said reservoir; a fresh air intake located on
the upper end of said elongated tube; means for connecting said
bowl apparatus and to said smoking apparatus wherein said means is
located on the lower end of said elongated tube; whereas a
substance to be smoked using said smoking apparatus can be placed
in said reservoir and elevated to a temperature to produce vapor;
whereas when negative pressure is applied to said elongated tube
lower end smoke or vapor is drawn from said reservoir into said
elongated tube through said venturi port and fresh air is also
drawn into said elongated tube through said fresh air intake and
the fresh air dilutes the vapor before it exists the bowl apparatus
through said means for connecting said bowl apparatus to said
smoking apparatus.
2. The bowl apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for
connecting an electronic heating device to the apparatus in close
proximity to said reservoir.
3. The bowl apparatus of claim 2 wherein said reservoir is formed
by a bowl structure with a hole in the center of the bowl structure
where the bowl structure can be slide over said elongated tube, and
when fit together, the center of the bowl structure and the
exterior of said elongated tube form a seal which can hold a
liquid.
4. The bowl apparatus of claim 3 wherein the bowl apparatus is
further comprised of two pieces comprising: an upper piece
comprised of the upper end of said elongated tube, said venturi
port, and said fresh air intake; a lower piece is comprised of the
lower end of said elongated tube, said reservoir structure, said
means for connecting the bowl apparatus and to a smoking apparatus;
means for connecting the upper and lower pieces together; whereas
when fit together the upper and lower sections of the elongated
tube form a continuous channel allowing fresh air and vapor to
travel from the upper piece to the smoking apparatus.
5. The bowl apparatus of claim 4 wherein said upper piece further
comprises a lid which will fit over and seal said reservoir of said
lower piece when the upper piece and lower piece are connected.
6. The bowl apparatus of claim 3 wherein the bowl apparatus is
further comprised of three pieces comprising: an upper piece
comprised of said fresh air intake and a lid which will fit over
and seal said reservoir of said lower piece when the upper, center,
and lower pieces are connected; a center piece comprised of the
upper end of said elongated tube, and said venturi port; a lower
piece is comprised of the lower end of said elongated tube, said
reservoir structure, said means for connecting the bowl apparatus
and to a smoking apparatus; means for connecting the upper, center,
and lower pieces together; whereas when fit together the upper,
center, and lower sections of the elongated tube form a continuous
channel allowing fresh aft and vapor to travel from the upper piece
to the smoking apparatus.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to consuming
medicinal marijuana. More particularly, the present invention
relates to an apparatus for heating marijuana oils in order to
extract the active ingredient of plant material by
vaporization.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Water pipes are Well known and come in a variety of forms,
including hookahs and narghiles. The term "Water pipe" Will be used
to encompass all such smoking devices.
[0004] The water pipe has been used for centuries to smoke both
plain and flavored tobaccos, medicinal marijuana, mixtures of
various aromatic herbs and spices, or mixtures of both. Typically a
water pipe has a bowl in which the substance to be smoked is
placed, the bowl being mounted on top of a reservoir structure. The
interior of the reservoir is partially filled with water. Extending
downward from the bowl into the reservoir is a tubular hollow stem,
with its lowermost extremity immersed in the water. The interior
portion of the reservoir structure (i.e., the air space) above the
level of the water forms a chamber into which smoke may be
collected. One or more inhalation tubes extend outward from this
smoke collection portion of the reservoir or from a neck base
extending from and in fluid communication with the reservoir.
[0005] Inhaling through the inhalation tube, a smoker causes smoke
to be drawn from the bowl down the stem, passing the smoke through
the water in the lower portion of the reservoir. Passing upwards
through the water in the form of bubbles, smoke gradually fills the
smoke collection portion of the reservoir, and when sufficient
smoke has been collected, passes on through the inhalation tube to
the smoker. By drawing the smoke through a water reservoir, the
smoke is filtered and cooled.
[0006] This basic functionality is shared by virtually all
traditional water pipes, which generally differ in size, shape, and
style although the means used to burn the substance to be smoked
may also differ. Some use a lighted coal placed in or above the
bowl with the herb to provide a heat source for burning the herb.
Others may require an ignition source such as a match or butane
lighter to be placed near the top of the bowl to begin burning the
herb. However, all traditional water pipes use combustion as the
method of producing smoke, thus also producing all the undesirable
combustion by-products in the smoke. Use of water to filter and
cool the smoke may reduce some of the undesirable smoke components,
but some cannot be removed in this manner.
[0007] Combustion has traditionally been the only technology
available for production of smoke. However, electric power has
allowed development of a variety of alternatives to combustion for
use by smokers. These typically generate a sufficient amount of
heat to vaporize volatile aromatic components of the herbs or
concentrated herb oils without actually burning the herbs, in this
way avoiding production of undesirable combustion by-products such
as carbon monoxide present in smoke.
[0008] Typically, the electric vaporization of the herb or herb
oils is achieved by connecting and adjustable electric heater to
the bowls, which heat the bowls and herbs to the desired
temperature to achieve vaporization. Once vaporized, the vapor is
drawn into the water pipe through the bowl and stem as described
above.
[0009] The bowls used in these vaporizers have a single inlet which
draws the vapors into the stem. Depending on the preferences of the
smoker utilizing this bowl, the resulting vapors can be harsh or
overly strong. Additionally, if the smoke is utilizing the device
for medicinal marijuana, a highly concentrated vapor may have
stronger effects that are desired. Since there is a single inlet
for the vapors, there is no mechanism to dilute the concentration
of vapor inhaled by the smoker.
[0010] Thusly, there is a need for a water pipe which allows a
smoker to dilute the concentration of vapors inhaled by a smoker
who wishes to enjoy a lower concentration vapor when they
smoke.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention seeks to provide an improved water
pipe, as is described in detail further herein below. The water
pipe of the present invention vaporizes volatile aromatic
components of the herbs or herb oil concentrates without actually
burning the herbs or herb oils, thereby avoiding production of
undesirable combustion by-products. Additionally, the water pipe
allows the vapor concentration inhaled by the smoker to be
controller through by diluting the vapor with fresh air.
[0012] In achieving this goal, the present invention provides an
improved water pipe bowl which has both a venturi port for
providing vaporized herbs into the stem of the water bowl as well
as a fresh are intake port for providing mixing air which dilutes
the concentration of the vaporized herb which is inhaled by the
smoker.
[0013] The improved water pipe bowl of the current invention is
primarily comprised of a bowl section where the medicinal marijuana
oil or other substance can be placed; a venturi port located in
close proximity to the substance to be vaporized, connecting the
bowl section and the stem of the water pipe; and a fresh air intake
port, located substantially away from the substance to be vaporized
or the vaporized substance, connecting the stem of the water pipe
and fresh air supply.
[0014] Additionally, the water pipe bowl provides a location where
an electric heating element can be attached to the water pipe bowl
so that the substance to be vaporized can be elevated to the proper
temperature for vaporization.
[0015] Once the substance is heated to the proper temperature for
vaporization, the smoker will inhale through the inhalation tube,
which will draw both fresh air from through the fresh air intake
port and the vaporized substance from the venturi port. The fresh
air and vaporized substance will mix as they travel through the
stem, water, and inhalation tube. The resulting effect will be a
less concentrated and less harsh vapor inhaled by the smoker.
[0016] The improved bowl piece for a water pipe is also comprised
of multiple pieces to allow the piece to be disassembled for
clean-ability, and is constructed of a material that does not emit
harsh or toxic substances when heated, such as 316L Stainless
steel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view drawings depicting an
assembled water pipe.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled two piece
venturi vaporizer apparatus and electrical heater, with lid, the
preferred embodiment of the current invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled two
piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the assembled two
piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the
disassembled two piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled three piece
venturi vaporizer apparatus and electrical heater, an alternate
embodiment of the current invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled three
piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top view of the top piece of the
three piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional exploded side view of the
disassembled three piece venturi vaporizer apparatus.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembled two piece
venturi vaporizer apparatus and electrical heater, without lid, an
alternate embodiment of the current invention.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled
three piece venturi vaporizer apparatus, without lid.
[0028] FIG. 12 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the
disassembled two piece venturi vaporizer apparatus, without lid
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, the a fully assembled water pipe of the
current invention comprises; a bowl 1, a beveled section 2 where
the bowl and the reservoir structure 3 connect and seal, a
reservoir structure 3, and a inhalation tube 4.
[0030] The reservoir structure 3 is generally comprised of
connection piece 5 at the top of the reservoir structure 3 for
attaching the bowl 1, a reservoir section 6 that can be partially
filled with water 7, a stem 8 that connects the connection piece 5
and the water 7, and an additional connection piece 9, allowing the
inhalation tube 4 to be connected to the reservoir structure 3.
[0031] In the preferred embodiment the bowl 1 and inhalation tube 4
are connected to the reservoir structure 3 at the connection pieces
5 and 9 via beveled connectors due to the ease of assembly and
disassembly, and clean-ability. However, these connections could be
made in any manner known to those skilled in the art, such as
threading or clamps.
[0032] The focus of the present invention is on the bowl 1 portion
of the water pipe, more specifically, a bowl 1 designed for
vaporizing oil substances for smoking. Historically, there have
been no bowl apparatuses available which allow for the dilution of
the vaporized oil smoke with air to reduce the concentration of the
smoke the smoker inhales. The bowl 1 of the current invention
addresses this shortcoming.
[0033] Generally, the improved bowl 1 of the current invention is
primarily comprised of a bowl section where the medicinal marijuana
oil or other substance can be placed; a venturi port located in
close proximity to the substance to be vaporized, connecting the
bowl section and the stem 8 of the water pipe; and a fresh air
intake port, located substantially away from the substance to be
vaporized or the vaporized substance, connecting the stem 8 of the
water pipe and a fresh air supply.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 & 5 the preferred embodiment
of the present invention is comprised of two pieces: a bowl piece
100 and a venturi piece 200. The venturi piece 200 fits inside of
the bowl piece 100.
[0035] The bowl piece 100 is comprised of: a bowl structure 101
with a hole in the bottom 102 for insertion of the venturi piece
200; a receiving counterbore for the venturi piece 103; a reservoir
connector 104; an interface for an electronic heater 106, and a
throat section 105, allowing smoke/air mixture to travel from the
venturi piece 200 to the stem 8.
[0036] The venturi piece 200 is comprised of: an insertion
protrusion 201 that mates with the receiving counterbore for the
venturi piece 103; a lid 202 that closes the top of the a bowl
structure 101; a throat section 203; a venturi port 204 connecting
the volume inside of the bowl structure 101 and the throat section
203, and a fresh air intake port 205 that connects the throat
section 203 and the outside air 10.
[0037] When the venturi piece 200 is inserted into the bowl piece
100 the insertion protrusion 201 of the venturi piece 200 is
inserted into the hole in the bottom of the bowl 102 and will mate
with the receiving counterbore for the venturi piece 103 in the
bowl piece 100, creating a seal around the hole in the bottom of
the bowl structure 101 so that the substances to be smoke which are
placed into the bowl 101 will not leak from the bowl structure
101.
[0038] Additionally, when the venturi piece 200 is inserted into
the bowl piece 100 the lid 202 of the venturi piece 200 will mate
with the top of the bowl structure 101 creating a seal that will
entrain vapor within the bowl.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, in the lid 202 of the venturi piece 200
has a notched section 206. The notched section allows oil to be
added to the bowl structure 101 when the venturi piece 200 is
inserted into and sealed with the bowl piece 100. Additionally, the
notched section 206 provides a relief so that a vacuum doesn't form
within the bowl 1 when the substance being smoked is inhaled by the
smoker. The notched section 206 also allow for the evacuation of
vapor remnants from the bowl structure 101.
[0040] Within the venturi piece 200 located below the lid 202 is
the venturi port 204. The distance between the venturi port and the
lid should be such that when the venturi piece 200 is inserted into
the bowl piece 100 the bottom of the venturi port 204 is above the
level of any oil that will be vaporized within the bowl, to prevent
spillage. The venturi port 204 connects the bowl structure 101 of
the bowl piece 100 and the throat section 203 of the venturi piece
200. The venturi port provides passage for the vaporized substances
from the bowl 1 into the stem 8 of the reservoir structure 3. The
cross sectional area of the venturi port 204 will control the flow
of vapor through the water pipe.
[0041] Atop the venturi piece 200 is a fresh air intake port 205
that connects the throat section 203 and the outside air 10. The
cross sectional area of the will control the flow of fresh air 10
through the water pipe.
[0042] Once the water pipe has been assembled, a heating element is
attached to the bowl 1 at the interface for an electronic heater
106. Typically, the heating elements are doughnut shaped, therefore
the interface for an electronic heater 106 in the preferred
embodiment is a cylindrical shape to allow for the electronic
heater better interface with the bowl 1 ensuring the best possible
heat transfer between the elements.
[0043] When the water pipe is fully assembled, filled, and heated
to the proper temperature to vaporize the substance to be smoked,
the smoker with inhale through the inhalation tube 4. The
inhalation will create a vacuum that will draw fresh air through
the a fresh air intake port 205 and vaporized substance through the
venturi port 204 into the throat sections of the venturi piece 203
and bowl piece 105. The fresh air and the vaporized substance will
mix as they travel through the stem 8, water 7, and inhalation tube
4. The resulting mixture of fresh air and vaporized substance will
be significantly less harsh than pure vaporized substance would be
by itself.
[0044] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 depict an alternate embodiment of the
present invention where the water pipe bowl is comprised of 3
primary components: a bowl piece 300, a venturi piece 400, and a
lid piece 500.
[0045] The bowl piece 300 is comprised of: a bowl structure 301
with a hole in the bottom 302 for insertion of the venturi piece
400; a receiving port for the venturi piece 303; a reservoir
connector 304; an interface for an electronic heater 306, and a
throat section 305, allowing smoke/air mixture to travel from the
venturi piece 400 to the stem 8.
[0046] The venturi piece 400 is comprised of: an insertion
protrusion 401 that mates with the receiving port for the venturi
piece 303; an protrusion 402 that mates with the lid piece 500; a
throat section 403; a venturi port 404 connecting the volume inside
of the bowl structure 301 and the throat section 403.
[0047] The lid piece 500 is comprised of: a lid structure 501 that
will mate with the top of the bowl structure 301 creating a seal
that will entrain vapor within the bowl; a receiving counterbore
502 for the venturi piece protrusion 402; a fresh air intake port
503 that connects the venturi piece throat section 403 and the
outside air 10; and a hole 504 that provides a relief so that a
vacuum doesn't form within the bowl 1 when the substance being
smoked is inhaled by the smoker and also allows for the evacuation
of vapor remnants from the bowl structure 301.
[0048] This alternate embodiment functions very similar to the
earlier described preferred embodiment with one distinct feature,
the lid 500 can be completely removed to allow the bowl structure
301 to be filled with the substance to be smoked. This feature
allows for the lid 500 to be removed for easier filling of the bowl
structure 301 and also allows the lid 500 to be removed when
smoking so that the bowl structure 301 is exposed to the outside
air, allowing for additional mixing of the vapor and fresh air
within the bowl structure 301, further diluting the vapor with
fresh air, if desired.
[0049] FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 depict an alternate embodiment of the
present invention where the water pipe bowl is comprised of 2
primary components: a bowl piece 600, a venturi piece 700.
[0050] The bowl piece 600 is comprised of: a bowl structure 601
with a hole in the bottom 602 for insertion of the venturi piece
700; a receiving port for the venturi piece 603; a reservoir
connector 604; an interface for an electronic heater 606, and a
throat section 605, allowing smoke/air mixture to travel from the
venturi piece 700 to the stem 8.
[0051] The venturi piece 700 is comprised of: an insertion
protrusion 701 that mates with the receiving port for the venturi
piece 603 of the bowl piece 600; a fresh air intake port 702 that
connects the venturi piece throat section 703 and the outside air
10; a throat section 703; a venturi port 704 connecting the volume
inside of the bowl structure 601 and the throat section 703.
[0052] This alternate embodiment functions very similar to the
earlier described embodiments with one distinct feature, there is
no lid. This feature allows for the bowl structure 601 to be
exposed to the outside air, in lieu of being isolated by a lid
structure, allowing for additional mixing of the vapor and fresh
air within the bowl structure 601, further diluting the vapor with
fresh air, if desired.
[0053] In all of the embodiments, the bowls 1 are constructed of
316L Stainless Steel. 316L Stainless Steel is the preferred
material of construction due to its good thermal conductivity,
durability, clean-ability, and the fact that it does not tend to
release any contaminants into the air when heated to the
temperatures required to vaporize the substances to be smoked.
While 316L Stainless Steel is the preferred materials of
construction for the bowl 1 of the current invention, the bowl 1
could be constructed of any materials known to those skilled in the
art, including titanium and ceramics.
[0054] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated
embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be
covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *