SANITARY SMOKING APPARATUS

Abstract

A sanitary smoking apparatus is described. It includes a burn chamber having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet conduit is coupled to the burn chamber and is arranged to deliver air to the burn chamber. An air pump is coupled to the inlet conduit and is the source of air delivered to the burn chamber. An outlet conduit is also coupled to the burn chamber, wherein air from the pump pushes smoke from within the burn chamber out of the burn chamber through the outlet conduit to a user of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A sanitary smoking apparatus comprising: a burn chamber having an inlet and an outlet; an inlet conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the inlet of the burn chamber; an air pump coupled to the second end of the inlet conduit; an outlet conduit having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the outlet of the burn chamber and the second end is arranged for delivery of contents of the burn chamber to a user of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the burn chamber includes a screen retained therein for retaining burn media.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the burn chamber includes a body and a coolant therein.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air pump is powered by a battery or an electrical outlet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second end of the outlet conduit includes a cap with a nipple.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a barrier removably retained on the cap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first version of the invention with a first burn chamber arrangement, with portions thereof shown in section.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of a second version of the invention with a second burn chamber arrangement, with portions thereof shown in section.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a close-up representation of the burn chamber of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a side view of a third version of a burn chamber that can be used to replace either burn chamber of FIGS. 1 and 2, with portions thereof shown in section.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a simplified side view of a first example air pump arrangement that can be used with either version of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with portions thereof shown in section.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a simplified side view of a second example air pump arrangement that can be used with either version of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with portions thereof shown in section.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a close-up illustration of the exit conduit of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a first version of a sanitary smoking apparatus 50 of the present invention. The apparatus 50 may be used with a dry smoker element, but the invention is not limited to use with a dry smoker element. A base 10 is arranged to keep all components within proximity of each other and to create a platform stable enough to keep the components in an upright position. The base 10 may be hollow to enable the passage of air therethrough. An air pump 11 is used to draw air via pump inlet 11a through this closed system, which in turn draws smoke generated in the apparatus 50 with it to follow a path of least resistance through the apparatus 50 to deliver smoke to a chosen outlet or outlets. The pump 11 may be the type of air pump that can be used to aerate an aquarium but is not limited thereto.

[0014] A body 12 of the apparatus 50 that establishes the path of least resistance for smoke flow is configured of any desirable shape and dimensions and delivers the smoke to a chosen point. The body 12 includes a coupling interface 12a for joining together a burn chamber 13, an inlet conduit 15, an outlet conduit 16 and the air pump 11. The body 12 includes an upper portion 12b coupled between the burn chamber 13 and the coupling interface 12a, and a lower portion 12c coupled between the air pump 11, optionally via the base 10, and the coupling interface 12a.

[0015] The burn chamber 13 is configured of selectable size and dimensions and includes a first end 13a coupled to the inlet conduit 15 and a second end 13b coupled to the body 12. Activation of the air pump 11 causes the drawing in of air through the inlet conduit 15 where the air is first introduced into the burn chamber 13. The burn chamber 13 is also where a selectable smoking medium or media is inserted and lit when ready for consumption by a user.

[0016] Once the air from the pump 11 is introduced through the burn chamber 13 to the lit media, the media will continue to burn within the closed system because of fresh air and oxygen being continuously supplied through the inlet conduit 15 to the burn chamber 13 by operation of the air pump 11. A screen 14 may be installed in the burn chamber 13 to support the smoking media. The screen 14 is of selectable size and porosity sufficient to allow the flow of air to pass through the burn chamber 13 into the body 12 but not to allow the passage of ash from the burnt media to pass into the body 12.

[0017] The inlet conduit 15, which may be a hose, tube or pipe, for example, of selectable length and dimensions, includes a first end 15a and a second end 15b and is used to deliver the air and oxygen from the air pump 11 to the top first end 13a of the burn chamber 13 in a continuous manner. The inlet conduit 15 may be made of a metallic material such as Aluminum or a non-metallic material such as a plastic or rubber but is not limited thereto. The air pump 11 is selected to be of sufficient capability to ensure that air is drawn through the burning media and then through the least resistant path, which exists from the second end 13b of the burn chamber 13 through the upper portion 12b of the body 12 through outlet conduit 16 via outlet conduit interface 16a, and bring with it smoke generated in the burn chamber 13.

[0018] The outlet conduit 16 is made of any suitable material and selectable length and dimensions. For example, it may be made of a metallic material such as Aluminum or a non-metallic material such as a plastic or rubber but is not limited thereto. The outlet conduit 16 includes a first end 16b, the interface 16a, and a second end 16c, and is connected to the body 12 of the apparatus 50 to establish the path of least resistance for smoke generated in the burn chamber 13, delivering a continuous stream of smoke to an individual or individuals in a safe and sanitary fashion via second end 16c. The smoke may flow out of the conduit 16 directly to the individual or it may be coupled to an intermediate smoke delivery device, including one with multiple outlets.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a second version of a smoking apparatus 19 of the present invention that can be used with a wet system, but not limited thereto. A base 20 is arranged to keep all components within proximity of each other and to create a platform stable enough to keep the components in an upright position. The base 20 may be hollow to enable the passage of air therethrough. An air pump 21 is used to deliver air via pump outlet 21a through the apparatus 19 that forces generated smoke to follow a path of least resistance along with the air delivered by the air pump 21 to deliver smoke to a chosen outlet or outlets.

[0020] Smoke generated in a burn chamber 24 is forced by the air from the air pump 21 into a container 22, which may have an optional coolant such as water 22a therein which the path of least resistance is created by any manner of design and delivers the smoke to a chosen point. A bung 23 is used to create an airtight environment within the container 22. The burn chamber 24 is configured in any desirable shape and dimensions and includes a first end 24a where the air is first introduced into this system, and a second end 24b where generated smoke enters the container 22. The smoking medium or media is installed and lit in the burn chamber 24.

[0021] Once the air from the pump 21 is introduced through the burn chamber 24 to the burning media, the media will continue to burn within the closed system because of fresh air and oxygen being continuously supplied to the burn chamber 24 through the burning media via the air pump 21. A screen 25 may be installed in the burn chamber 24 to support the smoking media. The screen 25 is of selectable size and porosity sufficient to allow the flow of air to pass through the burn chamber 24 into the container 22 but not to allow the passage of ash from the burnt media to pass into the container 22.

[0022] An inlet conduit 26, which may be of a tube, hose or pipe, for example, of any length and dimensions, includes a first end 26a coupled to the outlet 21a of the air pump 21, and a second end 26b coupled to the first end 24a of the burn chamber 24. The inlet conduit 26 is used to deliver the air and oxygen from the air pump 21 into the burn chamber 24 in a continuous manner. The inlet conduit 26 may be made of a metallic material such as Aluminum or a non-metallic material such as a plastic or rubber but is not limited thereto. The air pump 21 is selected to be of sufficient capability to force the air through the burning media and then through the least resistant path, which exists via the container 22 to an outlet conduit 27.

[0023] The outlet conduit 27, which also may be a hose, tube or pipe, for example, is connected to the container 22 of the apparatus 19 and delivers a continuous stream of smoke to an individual or individuals in a safe and sanitary fashion when the air pump 21 is operating. The outlet conduit 27 may be made of a metallic material such as Aluminum or a non-metallic material such as a plastic or rubber but is not limited thereto. The outlet conduit 27 includes a first end 27a connected to an outlet 22b of the container 22, and a second end 27b that provides the generated smoke to one or more users of the apparatus 19.

[0024] FIG. 3 represents a close-up illustration of the burn chamber 13 of FIG. 1. As noted, this is where the smoking media is installed into this invention, it is also where the smoking media is lit whether it be by coal, fire, or electric all of which are a relative to this invention. Furthermore, it is also where the air and oxygen is introduced with a continuous flow into the invention at the top of the burning media forcing the air and oxygen into and through the burning media, which keeps the media burning in a closed system, creating smoke which is forced by the very action of the continuous flow of air and oxygen to follow the path of least resistance to the individual or individuals in a safe and sanitary fashion. Connector 31, which may be of any desired configuration and material suitable for the intended purpose of the invention, creates an airtight seal at the interface of the burn chamber 13 and the inlet conduit 15. Smoking media 32 is retained in the chamber 13 and can be of any sort chosen by the user(s). Inlet conduit 15, as previously described with respect to FIG. 1, is used to deliver the continuous flow of air and oxygen from the air pump 11 to the burn chamber 13. The screen 14 may be deployed in the burn chamber 13 to allow the flow of air and smoke therethrough while not allowing ash into outlet conduit 16. Outlet conduit 16 is as described with respect to the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 and is used to connect the burn chamber 13 with a path of least resistance to the body 12.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a third version of a burn chamber 40. This is where the smoking media is installed into this invention. It is also where the smoking media is lit whether it be by coal, fire, or electric all of which are a relevant to this invention. Furthermore, it is also where the air and oxygen is introduced with a continuous flow into the invention at the top of the burning media, forcing the air and oxygen into and through the burning media, which is critical to keeping the media burning in a closed system, creating smoke which is forced by the very action of the continuous flow of air and oxygen to follow the path of least resistance to the individual or individuals in a safe and sanitary fashion as previously described with respect to the configurations of the invention described and illustrated with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. An interface coupling 41 is used to establish a connection between a source of air and oxygen and the burn chamber 40, creating a tight seal where they mate. A cigarette-style media 42 is retained in the burn chamber 40 and is of selectable configuration dependent upon a user's interest. The burn chamber 40 is coupled to an inlet conduit 43 and to an outlet conduit 45, both of which are configured as previously described regarding inlet conduits 15 and 26 and outlet conduits 16 and 27. A screen 44 may be deployed in the burn chamber 40 to allow the flow of air and smoke through while not allowing ash through.

[0026] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate two versions of the air pumps 11 and 21 previously described. These are examples and the invention is not limited to these particular configurations. The air pumps of FIGS. 5 and 6 are substantially the same as each other except with respect to the source of power. A power source 1 may be a battery element as shown in FIG. 5, or it may be a plug couplable to an outlet with conventional power as shown in FIG. 6. A switch 2 is used to complete or break the continuity of the electrical circuit. A motor 3 is used to operate the air pump 11/21 by transferring incoming air to an outlet that is coupled to the inlet conduit 15/26 of the apparatuses 19 and 50 as described. Pump 4 is used to create a steady flow of air and oxygen for the invention. A valve 5 may be deployed to control the amount of flow of air and oxygen coming from the pump 4. A pump conduit 4a from the pump 4 may either be the inlet conduit 15/26 as described herein or a separate conduit couplable to such an inlet conduit 15/26 to deliver the continuous flow of air and oxygen from the air pump 11/21 to the burn chamber 13/24.

[0027] FIG. 7 provides a detailed illustration of the outlet conduits 16 and 27 described herein with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. This is the end or one of the ends of the path of least resistance where the smoke is delivered to the individual or individuals in a safe and sanitary fashion via second end 16c or second end 27b. The outlet conduit 16/27 is as previously described and comes from the body 12 or container 22 of the apparatuses 50 and 19 of the invention, delivering smoke in a forceful manner, in one direction towards its end due to the constant forceful supply of air and oxygen provided by the air pump 11/21. A cap 102 with a nipple 103 in any manner of design is secured to the end 16c/27b of the outlet conduit 16/27. This is the smoke outlet where the smoke is released from the closed system of the invention and delivered to the individual with a light forceful manner, eliminating the need to come in direct physical contact with the outlet 16c/27b or have to draw on it. A disposable barrier or cover 104 is used to cover or slip over the nipple 103 to provide a barrier in the event the burn chamber 13/24 is lit in such a way that is required to draw from the smoke outlet. Once the media in the burn chamber 13/24 is lit and the air and oxygen are introduced, the barrier 104 can be removed and discarded, keeping the nipple 103 sterile, thereby allowing the individual to share a favorite smoke in a safe and sanitary way.

[0028] While the present invention has been described with respect to specific example embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto. The scope of rights is established by the following claims and reasonable equivalents thereof.