System and Methods for Imparting Flavor in Liquid Filtration Inhalation Apparatuses

Abstract

A system and methods for imparting flavor in liquid filtration inhalation apparatus. The system comprises a liquid filtration inhalation apparatus with a liquid reservoir that receives at least one liquid and at least one tablet capable of effervescence. The tablet can contain flavoring, coloring, or fragrance that is mixed in with the liquid. A user heats plant material to cause smoke which is drawn into the reservoir, and through the liquid via inhalation.

Claims

1. A system for imparting flavor in liquid filtration inhalation apparatuses, the system comprising: A liquid filtration apparatus having a reservoir, an outlet, an opening, a plant matter chamber, and a mouthpiece; a tablet containing an anhydrous base and an anhydrous acid; a liquid; a heating element; and plant matter.

2. The liquid filtration apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a stem and a top.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the plant matter chamber is removable.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the plant matter chamber is fixed.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, wine, beer, spirits, milk, fruit juice, vegetable juice, coffee, carbonated soda pop, energy beverage, and combinations thereof.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the tablet is capable of producing effervescence in water from about 10 to about 90 seconds.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the tablet comprises sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and either a fruit or vegetable oil.

8. The tablet of claim 7 further comprising coloring.

9. The tablet of claim 7 further comprising fragrance.

10. The tablet of claim 7 further comprising flavoring.

11. The tablet of claim 9 wherein at least a fraction of the fragrance is encapsulated.

12. The tablet of claim 10 wherein at least a fraction of the flavoring is encapsulated.

13. A method of imparting flavor in liquid filtration inhalation apparatuses, the method steps comprising: Providing a liquid filtration apparatus having a reservoir, an outlet, an opening, a plant matter chamber, and a mouthpiece; a tablet containing coloring, fragrance, or flavoring; a liquid; a heating element; and plant matter; whereby the liquid filtration apparatus is prepared for receiving a tablet by Filling the reservoir between one half and three quarters full with at least one liquid; Placing the tablet into the liquid in the reservoir through the opening to initiate an effervescent phase of the tablet; Engaging the effervescent phase of the tablet whereby the tablet comprising an anhydrous acid and an anhydrous base reacts in the liquid to release carbon dioxide for a period from about 10 to about 90 seconds; Engaging the dissolved phase whereby the tablet and its coloring, fragrance, or flavoring is dissolved in the liquid and effervescence is no longer observed; Placing plant matter in the plant matter chamber connected to the liquid filtration inhalation apparatus; Heating the plant matter directly or indirectly with a heat source to cause combustion which causes smoke; Drawing the smoke into the reservoir and through the liquid via inhalation to cause mixing of the smoke with coloring, fragrance, or flavoring particles dissolved in the liquid, resulting in a flavored smoke aerosol; and Inhaling the flavored smoke aerosol.

14. The method steps of claim 13 whereby the flavor in the dissolved phase lasts from about 3 to about 120 minutes.

15. The method steps of claim 13 wherein the mouthpiece is a hose from which a user inhales the flavored smoke aerosol.

16. The method steps of claim 13 wherein the mouthpiece is attached directly at the opening of the liquid filtration apparatus from which a user inhales the flavored smoke aerosol.

17. The method steps of claim 13 wherein the tablet comprises sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and either a fruit or a vegetable oil.

18. The method steps of claim 17 wherein the fruit or vegetable oil is fractionated coconut oil.

19. The method steps of claim 13 further comprising placing an additional tablet into the reservoir to intensify, complement, or change the flavor, fragrance, or color of the liquid for generating the flavored smoke aerosol.

20. The method steps of claim 13 wherein at least half of the flavor, fragrance, or color particles in the tablet are encapsulated for delayed release.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings that are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for imparting flavor in a liquid filtration inhalation apparatus.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative exemplary system for imparting flavor in a liquid filtration inhalation apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The system and methods for imparting flavor in liquid filtration inhalation apparatuses allow users to quickly and effectively enhance their smoking experience. A compact and portable tablet is placed in liquid held in reservoir in the liquid filtration inhalation apparatus. The tablet effervesces, substantially dissolving and distributing the tablet contents throughout the liquid. Plant material in a chamber of the liquid filtration inhalation apparatus is heated, causing combustion and formation of smoke. A user, via inhalation from mouthpiece at an opening of the liquid filtration inhalation apparatus, draws the smoke into and through the liquid. The liquid filters components from the smoke as well as imparts flavor and fragrance to the resulting smoke aerosol.

[0015] Glossary

[0016] Liquid filtration apparatus as used herein means a device capable of accommodating a reservoir filled with a liquid and connected to an outlet, an opening, and a plant matter chamber. Examples include water pipes, hookahs, bongs, and vaporizers.

[0017] Tablet as used herein means a compacted ball, pellet, pill, tablet, chip, slice, or film containing an anhydrous base and an anhydrous acid capable of dissolving and releasing carbon dioxide when in water.

[0018] Liquid as used herein means any compound or element in the liquid phase. Examples include water, wine, beer, spirits, milk, fruit juice, vegetable juice, coffee, carbonated soda pop, energy beverage, and combinations thereof.

[0019] Heating element as used herein means a heat source capable of resulting in combustion of plant matter and generation of smoke. Examples include matches, hot coals, lighters, and torches.

[0020] Plant matter as used herein means any plant matter suitable for smoking. Examples include tobacco, passionflower, sage, and hops.

[0021] Fragrance as used herein means compounds capable of producing an aroma and may be part of flavoring compounds. Examples include natural or synthetic aromatic or volatile oils such as linalool.

[0022] Numbers of the Figures

[0023] 1. liquid filtration apparatus without tablet.

[0024] 2. liquid filtration apparatus with tablet in effervescent phase.

[0025] 3. liquid filtration apparatus with tablet in dissolved phase.

[0026] 4. reservoir

[0027] 5. opening

[0028] 6. liquid

[0029] 7. tablet

[0030] 8. effervescence

[0031] 9. mouthpiece

[0032] 10. heating element

[0033] 11. plant matter chamber with plant matter

[0034] 12. outlet

[0035] 13. stem

[0036] 14. top

[0037] Descriptions

[0038] Turning to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for imparting flavor in a liquid filtration inhalation apparatus is illustrated. A liquid filtration apparatus without tablet 1 is shown, depicting the initial stage of the system and methods. The liquid filtration apparatus contains a reservoir 4. The reservoir 4 is capable of holding a volume of liquid 6. The reservoir 4 can be filled fully or partially with liquid 6. In some embodiments, the reservoir 4 is filled , , , or of the way with at least one liquid 6. In preferred embodiments, the reservoir should have enough space filled with air to allow the passage and mixing of aerosols, smoke, release of carbon dioxide bubbles, and room for bubbling and aerating caused by inhalation from a mouthpiece 9.

[0039] The liquid filtration apparatus comprises at least one opening 5 to allow aeration and access to inhalation for drawing smoke through the liquid 6 and out through the opening 5 and to the user. In some embodiments, inhalation may occur directly from an opening 5 or from a mouthpiece 9 fixably or removably attached to the liquid filtration apparatus. In some embodiments, a top 14 with a stem 13 may be attached to the liquid filtration apparatus via the opening 5. The top 14 may accommodate a plant matter chamber with plant matter 11 and a heating element 10 arranged linearly. The stem 13 provides for more direct movement of smoke from the plant matter chamber with plant matter 11 at the top 14 to the reservoir 4, through the liquid 6, and out through an outlet 12. The outlet may accommodate a mouthpiece 9 such as a pipe or hose. The outlet 12 may be present at the reservoir 4 but above the liquid 6 level or may be present at the top 14 and may be removable.

[0040] The plant matter chamber with plant matter 11 may be fixably or removably attached. Removable parts such as the plant matter chamber with plant matter 11, top 14, and stem 13, should create a substantially air-tight seal when attached to the reservoir 4 to promote efficient direction and filtration of smoke and aerosols. The plant matter chamber with plant matter 11 may be an open or closed system whereby the plant matter is covered or exposed. The plant matter chamber with plant matter 11 is preferably shaped like a bowl, cone, cube, or other walled structure with a hollow center. The plant matter chamber with plant matter 11 should contain at least one opening to allow smoke from the combusted plant matter to be drawn into the reservoir 4. The heating element 10 may be applied directly to plant matter or may be applied indirectly to plant matter wherein the plant matter chamber with plant matter 11 is covered. The covering should include at least one opening or perforation to allow for combustion of the plant matter and access to air.

[0041] A liquid filtration apparatus with tablet in effervescent phase 2 is illustrated. The tablet 7 produces effervescence 8 in the reservoir 4 when the tablet is in contact with water. The mixture of the anhydrous base and anhydrous acid of the tablet 7 in water or a liquid with a substantially neutral pH will result in the production of carbon dioxide. Flavor, fragrance, or color is released and mixed in with the liquid during the effervescent phase 2.

[0042] A liquid filtration apparatus with tablet in dissolved phase 3 is illustrated. The effervescence should be substantially finished, and the liquid 6 should be relatively flat rather than have the appearance of highly carbonated soda pop. The liquid 6 should not be saturated with carbon dioxide. The contents of the tablet 7 should be substantially evenly mixed or distributed in the liquid 6.

[0043] Turning to FIG. 2, an alternative exemplary system for imparting flavor in a liquid filtration inhalation apparatus is illustrated. The exemplary system and apparatuses show a liquid filtration system with a removable plant matter chamber with plant matter 11, an outlet 12 as part of the reservoir 4, and an opening 5 whereby the mouthpiece 9 is directly part of the liquid filtration apparatus. The heating element 10, is applied directly to the plant matter chamber with plant matter 11. The liquid filtration apparatus without tablet 1, liquid filtration apparatus with tablet in effervescent phase 2, and liquid filtration apparatus with tablet in dissolved phase 3 is illustrated.

[0044] An exemplary tablet may contain an anhydrous base, an anhydrous acid, and either a fruit or vegetable oil in a ratio of approximately 4 to 2 to 1, respectively. An exemplary tablet batch formula may comprise about 667 grams of sodium bicarbonate, about 354 grams of citric acid, and about 91 grams of fractionated coconut oil. Another exemplary tablet may comprise about 500 mg of an anhydrous base, about 250 mg of an anhydrous acid, and about 125 mg of oil. Fragrance, flavor, and color may be added such as two drops of food coloring and 1.25 ounces of grapefruit essential oil. Natural and synthetic flavor, fragrance, and color may be added to the tablet. Coloring includes pigments and dyes such as food coloring. The oil used should preferably contain short or medium chain triglycerides. The contents are mixed to a soft, loose paste, divided, compressed in a mold or by a tablet compression machine, and set to harden.

[0045] Fillers and additives may be included in compositions for a tablet 7. Examples include coloring, emulsifiers, herbs, spices, propylene glycol, algae-derived compounds, silicone-containing compounds, natural or synthetic sweeteners, polymer hydrogels, humectants such as corn starch, cooling agents such as menthol or oil of wintergreen.

[0046] Some fillers, additives, flavoring, coloring, or fragrance compounds may be encapsulated in granules for delayed release. Lipids, chitosan, or algae-based polymers such as carrageenan or sodium alginate may encapsulate the fillers, additives, flavoring, coloring, or fragrance. This allows for extended smoking enjoyment with a reduction in carbon dioxide saturation in the liquid 6, and a reduction in bitter taste compared to traditional effervescent tablets. Traditional effervescent tablets are not suitable for social smoking sessions because they have long effervescent phases, saturating the liquid with carbon dioxide, and have flavor lasting less than 30 minutes. For example, the encapsulated compounds may be released at least once or several times during a dissolved phase 3, such as in 10-minute intervals or once after 30 minutes, or once every 30, 20, 15, or 5 minutes. The delayed release time will differ depending on the thickness of the encapsulation according to traditional molecular gastronomy standards.

[0047] Many flavor and fragrance compounds, especially if derived from volatile essential oils, have relatively low persistence and may not effectively dissolve in the liquid 6 in the reservoir 4. The fruit or vegetable oil in the tablet creates an emulsion with the liquid 6 in a continuous phase and the oil in the dispersed phase. The oil serves to both improve filtration of lipophilic compounds from the smoke and to improve persistence of the lipophilic flavoring and fragrance compounds. The flavor or fragrance in the liquid filtration apparatus with tablet in the dissolved phase 3 may last from about 3 to about 120 minutes depending on the size and concentration of the components in the tablet 7. Exemplary tablets may weigh between approximately 0.2 grams to approximately 20 grams. A 5 to 10 gram tablet may be suitable for a standard hookah reservoir for example. Additional tablets 7 may be added to the liquid 6 simultaneously or sequentially for further enhancement, intensity, complement, and customization for individual tastes, especially where a group of users share a liquid filtration apparatus.

[0048] The effervescence activity in the liquid filtration apparatus with tablet in effervescent phase 2, promotes the mixing and dispersion of the tablet 7 contents in the liquid without the need for additional stirring equipment. Flavor and fragrance will be more evenly distributed, resulting in greater surface area available for smoke exposure. The smoke will mix with the tablet 7 components in the liquid 6, imparting flavor for user enjoyment. The effervescent phase may last from about 10 to about 90 seconds. Examples may be 20, 30, or 60 seconds, providing temporary effervescence to reduce excessive bubbling and reduction of inhaling liquid.

[0049] Conclusion

[0050] A number of embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. While this specification contains many specific implementation details, specific exemplary embodiments and method step descriptions are features specific to particular embodiments of the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the claims.

[0051] Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order or arrangement shown, or sequential order described, to achieve desirable results. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed disclosure.