LOW-PRESSURE SYSTEM INCLUDING DRY STEAM AND ULTRASOUND FOR CLEANING SMOKING ACCESSORIES

Abstract

A low-pressure system for cleaning items includes a tub, an ultrasonic generator and ultrasonic transducer, at least one steam head mounted in the tub having a rotatable nozzle configured to direct steam towards the bottom of the tub. The steam generator is in fluid communication with both the first steam head and the second steam head. A valve including a foot pedal mounts in fluid communication between the steam generator and each steam head. The steam generator connects to a water and power source for generating dry steam at a temperature exceeding 300° F. and at a pressure of less than 150 psi. The dry steam maintains a dryness fraction of 0.4-0.9 at all points within the system.

Claims

1. A low-pressure system for cleaning smoking accessories, comprising: a power supply; a tub having a bottom for capturing fluid; an ultrasonic generator in electronic communication with the power supply, the ultrasonic generator includes an ultrasonic transducer; a steam head mounted in the tub, the steam head being configured for spraying steam at a smoking accessory; a steam generator in electronic communication with the power supply, and in fluid communication with the at least one steam head; the steam generator being configured to connect to a water source for generating steam at a temperature exceeding 300° F. and at a pressure of less than 150 psi.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the steam head includes: a rotatable nozzle configured to direct steam towards the bottom of the tub; a fixed nozzle configured to direct steam upwards, away from the bottom of the tub.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2, where the tub has sides, the ultrasonic transducer mounts on the side of the tub.

4. The system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is capable of delivering a sonic frequency within the range of 25-17 kHz.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the pressure in the system does not exceed 50 psi anywhere in the system.

6. The system a set forth in claim 1, wherein the steam head includes a nozzle with a single port having a diameter of between 3-5 mm.

7. The system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the steam head includes a sleeve press-fit around the nozzle, the nozzle has a distal end, the sleeve extends less than 1 inch beyond the distal end of the nozzle.

8. A low-pressure system for cleaning resin from smoking accessories comprising: a tub having a bottom for capturing fluid; an ultrasonic generator driving an ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer being attached to a wall of the tub; at least one steam head mounted in the tub; a steam generator in fluid communication with both the at least one steam head; a first foot pedal mounted in fluid communication between the steam generator and the at least one steam head; and the steam generator being configured to connect to a water source and to a power source for generating steam at a temperature of approximately 350° F. and at a pressure of less than 50 psi.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the at least one steam head includes: a first steam head mounted in the tub and having a rotatable nozzle configured to direct steam towards the bottom of the tub; a second steam head mounted in the tub and having a fixed nozzle configured to direct steam upwards, away from the bottom of the tub.

10. The system as set forth in claim 9, where the first foot pedal is in fluid communication with the first steam head, and a second foot pedal is in fluid communication with the second steam head to enable more than one operator to use the system.

11. The system as set forth in claim 10, wherein the steam has a dryness fraction within the range of 0.1-0.9.

12. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the pressure in the system does not exceed 50 psi anywhere in the system.

13. The system a set forth in claim 8, wherein the steam head includes a nozzle with a single port having a diameter of between 3-5 mm.

14. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the steam head includes a sleeve press-fit around the nozzle, the nozzle has a distal end, the sleeve extends less than 1 inch beyond the distal end of the nozzle.

15. A method of using dry steam and ultrasound to melt and remove resin from a cannabis pipe, comprising: providing a pipe tarnished with cannabis resin; and directing steam having a dryness fraction of 0.4-0.9 on to the pipe to melt the resin, condense a portion of the dry steam into water droplets, and to enable the water droplets to assist in removal of the melted resin; and submerging the pipe and directing ultrasound to the pipe to further clean the pipe.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pipe is a water pipe including a mouth and a stein, and the method includes sequentially directing dry steam both through the mouth and the stein.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising dispensing the steam through a nozzle having a distal end and a silicon sleeve surrounding the nozzle and extending less than one inch from the distal end.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pipe includes a mouthpiece and a bowl, and the method includes sealing the mouth piece and bowl against the silicon sleeve.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the pipe includes a mouthpiece and a bowl, the method includes sealing the mouth piece against both the distal end of the nozzle and the silicon sleeve.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the ultrasound has a frequency within the range of 25-17 kHz.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of portion of the system of FIG. 1, showing a fixed steam head with a removable nozzle.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 showing a movable steam head with a rotatable nozzle.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a valve including a foot pedal.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a steam head and nozzle cleaning a smoking accessory.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a moveable steam head and nozzle and a smoking accessory.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a nozzle.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of a nozzle.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a hidden line perspective view of a nozzle sleeve covering a single port nozzle.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a stand-alone ultrasonic cleaner 70.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Dry steam is saturated steam that has been very slightly superheated. It results when water is heated to the boiling point and then vaporized with additional heat. If this steam is then further heated above the saturation point, it becomes superheated steam. In dry steam, all the heat which is present is used to transform the water into steam, therefore no micro drops are present. Dry steam sterilizes surfaces upon contact.

[0028] When steam is produced in a boiler or steam generator it usually has some moisture present, which comes from the water from which it is generated. The presence of any such moisture is sufficient to render the steam “wet.” The clean/pure steam generators used in the pharmaceutical industry are designed to produce “dry” steam, a clear, colorless vapor with no entrained moisture.

[0029] Steam dryness has a direct effect on the total amount of transferable energy contained within the steam, which affects heating efficiency and quality. The steam dryness fraction is used to quantify the amount of water within steam. If steam contains 10% water by mass, it's said to be 90% dry, or have a dryness fraction of 0.9.

[0030] Moisture in steam increases the amount of corrosion. Moisture traveling at high steam velocities erodes valve seats and fittings, a condition known as wiredrawing. It also causes erratic operation of control valves. Pure steam cannot carry any impurities, but water can. These impurities increase scaling of pipework and heating surfaces. Impurities can leave water spots on glass and other items to be cleaned. Accordingly, the use of dry steam yields virtually spotless smoking accessories. This is particularly important when cleaning glass pipes such as clear glass water pipes.

[0031] Increasing pressure on a volume of dry steam may cause the saturation point to be met, accordingly, dry steam should have pressure managed so that the saturation point is not reached, and formation of water droplets is avoided.

[0032] The present invention relies on a low-pressure system that is temperature stable to enable the maintenance of dry steam for use in cleaning smoking accessories.

[0033] Dry steam utilized by the present invention is preferably has a dryness fraction of between 0.4 and 0.9 when produced by the steam generator, and does not fall beyond the range of 0.1 and 0.9 anywhere throughout the system of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a system in accordance with the present invention, generally designated with the reference numeral 10. The system 10 includes a water source 12, steam generator 14, power source 16, at least one pressure regulator 26, a tub 18, and at least one steam head 20.

[0035] In one embodiment of the invention, the system 10 further includes an ultrasonic generator 31 including an ultrasonic transducer 29, which is submersable in liquid. The ultrasonic transducer 29 is mounted within the tub 18 and wired through a wall of the tub 18 to the ultrasonic generator 31, which is external to the tub 18 and is optimally rated to generate between 1000-2000 watts of peak power. The peak power output can be within the range of 500-5000 watts in various embodiments of the invention.

[0036] The tub 18 is designed to have at least a portion that can hold water to enable operation of the ultrasonic transducer 29 while the steam head 20 operates. In this way a number of items can be steam cleaned and ultrasonically cleaned simultaneously. Further the process of cleaning can include intermittently utilizing ultrasound and steam to optimize the cleaning process. Ideally the tub 18 would have more than one segregated region for performing discrete cleaning steps. For example a sink with multiple tubs 18 can be used in accordance with the present invention, where the ultrasonic transducer 29 is submerged under water in one of the tubs and the steam head 20 extends from an adjacent tub 18.

[0037] The ultrasound generator 31 generates a uniform frequency in one embodiment of the invention that can be selected within the range of 25-170 kHz. In another embodiment, the generator 31 utilizes pulsed ultrasound utilizing periods of near zero ultrasonic output. In another embodiment, the pulsed ultrasound varies between a first pre-determined frequency to a second pre-determined frequency between the ranges set forth above.

[0038] In an alternate embodiment, a separate tub is provided to house the ultrasonic transducer 29 (See FIG. 10). Water is provided in the tub 18 to cover the ultrasonic transducer 29 and enable submersion of any item to be cleaned.

[0039] The ultrasonic transducer 29 mounts on the base of the tub 18 in one embodiment of the invention. In another embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic transducer 29 mounts on a wall of the tub 18.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, two pressure regulators 24 and 25 operatively connect in fluid communication with the respective steam head 22 and 20. The pressure regulators 24 and 25 are a simple valve in one embodiment of the invention.

[0041] The pressure regulators 24 and 25 preferably include a foot pedal valve that enables operation of the pressure regulators 24 and 25 by use of a user's foot. The pressure regulators 24 and 25 are connected in fluid communication with the steam generator 14.

[0042] The steam generator 14 generates dry steam having a dryness fraction of between 0.4 and 0.9. As steam from the steam generator 14 moves towards the pressure regulators 24 and 25, the dryness fraction and the pressure is maintained. The pressure regulators 24 and 25 have a variable output, and may reduce the dryness fraction. Notwithstanding any reduction of the dryness fraction, the dry steam remains dry, so that no water droplets form within the system 10.

[0043] Upon exiting the system 10 via one of the steam heads 20 or 22, the dry steam will cool and release moisture in the form of water droplets. The heat from the dry steam melts resins on any smoking accessory to be cleaned so that the resins change from a solid to a liquid. The moisture released from the dry steam in the form of water droplets carries the liquid resin from the smoking accessory to be cleaned into the tub 18. Accordingly, one mechanism of action in cleaning smoking accessories is due to the combination of heat and condensation to remove liquefied resins from the smoking accessory. Where an internal surface is to be cleaned, the condensation carries away liquefied resins, but it can be appreciated that in the case of a material to be cleaned made of a thermally conductive material, such as glass, the dry steam sprayed on one side can melt resins on the other side. The melted resins can be removed by a dry cloth, without need for direct contact with the dry steam.

[0044] Preferably the present invention utilizes an array of ultrasonic frequencies to achieve ultrasonic sweep cleaning and avoid the generation of undesirable standing waves in the tub 18. In an alternate embodiment an array of ultrasonic frequencies are used simultaneously. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a single pre-determined frequency is used. In still another embodiment, a sequence of varied pre-determined frequencies are delivered to effectuate optimal cleaning.

[0045] The mechanism of efficacy that the ultrasonic transducer achieves includes on ultrasonic cavitation cleaning. Cavitation is a boiling phenomenon that creates a micro layer of heated water forming vapor bubbles that cling to a surface. When those bubbles pop, the popping force cleans the surface. Ultrasonic cavitation is especially effective in conjunction with the intermittent use of steam for cleaning sticky glass surfaces.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a portion of the tub 18 and the steam head 22. The steam head 22 includes a dome-shaped outlet 24 having a number of steam vents. The steam head 22 threadably attaches to the tube 27. The tube 27 threadably mounts to the opening 28, which is formed in the base of the tub 18. The opening 28 enables a fluid connection between the steam head 22 and the dry steam source.

[0047] The steam head 22 is fixed in a vertical alignment with respect to the base of the tub 18, which lies in a horizontal plane. The ultrasonic transducer 29 is fixed on the base of the tub 18.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the tub 18, the ultrasonic transducer 29, and the steam head 20. The tub 18 holds water at a water level 35, which is above the ultrasonic transducer 29. The ultrasonic transducer 29 mounts on the wall 21 of the tub 18.

[0049] The steam head 20 includes a tube 40, which extends vertically upward from a base 19 of the tub 18. The first elbow 32 mounts on a distal end of the tube 40. A second elbow 34 connects with the first elbow 32 and rotates with respect to the first elbow 32. The second elbow 34 includes a nozzle 36 for directing dry steam in a direction towards the tub 18 during normal operation. The nozzle 36 is shrouded by a sleeve 38.

[0050] The sleeve 38 is manufactured from a heat resistant and semi-flexible material to press-fit over the nozzle 36. Preferably the sleeve 38 is made from silicon. The sleeve 38 protects an operator from condensed water that may splash from the region surrounding the nozzle 36 during use. A sleeve 38 also guides steam towards the object to be cleaned. The sleeve 38 may seal against the smoking accessory to direct dry steam into a channel, bowl, stein or other portion of the smoking accessory. Accordingly, the inside of a pipe, such as a mouthpiece, carburetor, bowl, stein or other portion of the pipe may be readily cleaned without misdirection of steam, water vapor, or condensed water.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a pressure regulator 25. The pressure regulator 26 includes an input conduit 42 configured for fluid communication with a steam generator. The pressure regulator 25 includes an output conduit 44 capable of connection to a steam head. The pressure regulator 26 further includes a foot pedal 40. The foot pedal 40 selectively regulates pressure in the output conduit 44. The use of a foot actuated pressure regulator is a hands-free component of the system of the present invention, which enables an operator to use both hands when cleaning smoking accessory.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a portion of the tub 18 and the steam head 22 inserted into the mouth of a water pipe 42. A water pipe 42 includes a stein 43 having a diameter of between 14-18 mm. The steam head 22 is sized to be capable of insertion into the stein 43. Thus, the steam head 22 including any nozzle, has a maximum diameter of less than 14 to 18 mm to enable the stein 43 to be optimally be cleaned according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows the tube 40, the steam head 20, the first elbow 32, the second elbow 34, the nozzle 36 and the sleeve 38 directing dry steam at a pipe 46. The pipe 46 includes a bowl 47. In operation the ball 47 seals to the sleeve 38 to maximize cleaning process, and to inhibit loss of the dry steam. The pipe 46 further includes a mouthpiece 49. During the second stage in the cleaning process mouthpiece 49 seals within the sleeve 38 and against the nozzle 36 to clean inside of the pipe 46. Accordingly, the sleeve 38 has a dual purpose of selectively sealing over a bowl 47 as well as ceiling over a mouthpiece 49, while improving safety for a user, and inhibiting loss of dry steam.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a nozzle 24. The nozzle 24 has a curved surface 50 that is convex in shape. The surface 50 defines a number of distal steam ports 54. As shown three steam ports 54 are defined by the surface 50, but this number can vary. The steam ports 54 have a diameter of between 0.5-1.5 mm in diameter, and are preferably 1 mm in diameter. The nozzle 24 also has at least one lateral steam port 58, defined on a lateral periphery of the nozzle 24.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows the nozzle 24 having a number of proximal steam ports 66 facing in a direction distal the steam ports 54 of FIG. 7. The nozzle 24 is configured with threads 68 to enable attachment of the nozzle 24 to a steam head.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a nozzle 36 shrouded in a sleeve 38. The sleeve 38 has an end that extends a distance “L” from a distal end 64 of the nozzle 36. Preferably the distance L is less than one inch to optimally mate with either the bowl of a pipe or the mouthpiece of pipe. In this embodiment, the nozzle 36 includes a single opening 60, which is defined by a cylindrically shaped exterior. The opening has a diameter of between 4-5 mm to inhibit over pressurization and condensation of the dry steam within the nozzle 36.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a stand-alone ultrasonic cleaner 70. The cleaner 70 includes a removable rack 72, a hinged lid 74 and wheels. The rack 72 moves between a loadable position as shown, to an operational position within the ultrasonic cleaner 70 where the hinged lid 74 closes. The ultrasonic cleaner 70 can communicate with the power source 16 of FIG. 1 and operate independently of the system 10.

[0058] Preferably the cleaner 70 utilizes a frequency of between 25-170 kHz. In one embodiment, the frequency can be selected at one of 25, 40, 68 and 170 kHz to optimize operation. In another embodiment, customized cycles utilizing more than one of these frequencies can be programmed into the ultrasonic cleaner 70 and utilized so that one frequency can be used initially for a first period of time e.g. 1-5 minutes, and a second frequency can be used subsequently for a second period of time e.g. 1-10 minutes.

[0059] Preferably, in accordance with the present invention, the ultrasonic cleaner 70 is utilized alternatingly with the steam head to clean smoking accessories. Typically, the process may consume 30-45 minutes and alternates back and forth between the ultrasonic cleaner 70 and the steam head being directed to remove resin or other contaminant from a pipe.

[0060] The ultrasonic transducer is an ultrasonic speaker that transmits ultrasound. The term pipe includes any smoking accessory manufactured from glass, composites, metals, or other heat-resistant materials. Smoking accessories include devices for smoking plant biomass, for vaporizing viscous concentrates, for volatilizing non-viscous concentrates such as wax or shatter. Thus the term “pipe” is broadly defined to include devices for smoking concentrates or plant biomass, or both.

[0061] While the present invention is described by way of examples of various embodiments, the true scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.