Radiant heating system for vaporizing tobacco and method of use

Abstract

A radiant heater adapted to fit on the head of a hookah. The heater uses one or more resistance ribbons to generate heat which is transferred to shisha in the hookah. The heater includes a chimney which surrounds the resistance ribbon and provides a chimney siphoning to remove heat when the heater is not in use and a heat transfer plate which includes one or more projections to vent excess heat. Air is drawn through the top of the chimney and is heated by the resistance ribbon. The heated air mixes with cool air drawn through a ventilation space below the chimney and the mixed air drawn through one or more vents in a heat plate. The heat transfer plate and hot air vaporize the shisha.

Claims

1. A radiant heating system, comprising: a heating element, wherein the heating element comprises: at least one heating coil comprising resistance wire; where an upper edge of the heating element is exposed to ambient environmental conditions; a support structure, comprising a fused support device or a mounting system; wherein the fused support device further comprises: a fused heating plate, comprising an upper face, a lower face, at least one edge, and at least one vent disposed on the plate; at least one projection disposed on the at least one edge of the fused heating plate; a chimney having an interior space defined by at least one wall and dimensioned to accept the heating element within the interior space; wherein the upper edge of the heating element does not extend beyond the upper edge of the at least one wall; wherein the chimney is fused to at least an edge of the fused heating plate; wherein the mounting system further comprises: an independent heating plate, comprising an upper face, a lower face, at least one edge, and at least one vent disposed on the plate; a chimney having an interior space defined by at least one wall and dimensioned to accept the heating element within the interior space; wherein the upper edge of the heating element does not extend beyond the upper edge of the at least one wall; a mounting block disposed on the edge of the chimney; a ventilation space disposed between the lower edge of the chimney and the upper face of the fused heating plate or upper face of the independent heating plate; an electrical source in an electrical communication with the at least one heating coil.

2. The radiant heating system of claim 1, wherein the at least a first mount is a post, tab, pin, screw hole, or arc-shaped projection.

3. The radiant heating system of claim 1, wherein the at least one projection disposed on the at least one edge of the fused heating plate or the at least one edge of the independent heating plate is a plurality of cooling ribs, a cooling ring, or a plurality of cooling vanes.

4. The radiant heating system of claim 1, wherein the ventilation space is about 1 mm to about 10 mm.

5. The radiant heating system of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a plurality of heating coils, where the plurality of heating coils comprise: a first heating coil comprising a resistive ribbon having a first end and a second end where the first end of the first heating coil is circumscribed by the first heating coil and the second end of the first heating coil extends from a coil in the first heating coil; a second heating coil comprising a resistive ribbon having a first end and a second end where the first end of the second heating coil is circumscribed by the second heating coil and the second end of the second heating coil extends from a coil in the second heating coil; a heating coil connector disposed in electrical communication with the first end of the first heating coil and the first end of the second heating coil; and where the heating coil connector is a conductive material.

6. The radiant heating system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of insulated mounting brackets disposed on an exterior circumference of the first heating coil and an exterior circumference of the second heating coil; wherein a first insulated mounting bracket is disposed on a first side of the exterior circumference of the heating coil and a first side of the exterior circumference of the second heating coil; and wherein a second insulated mounting bracket is disposed on a second side of the exterior circumference of the heating coil.

7. The radiant heating system of claim 1, wherein the chimney has a circular cross section, triangular cross section, square cross section, pentagonal cross section, hexagonal cross section, heptagonal cross section, octagonal cross section, or nonagonal cross section.

8. The radiant heating system of claim 1, wherein the heating coil is a single ribbon coil, a double-back ribbon coil, or a center spiral two layer ribbon coil.

9. The radiant heating system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one mount channel disposed on a first side of the mounting block and dimensioned to accept the at least one mount disposed on the edge of the heating plate.

10. The radiant heating system of claim 1, further comprising at least one rubber band dimensioned to traverse the distance between a first projection on the at least one edge of the fused heating plate or the independent heating plate and a second projection on the at least one edge of the fused heating plate or the independent heating plate.

11. A radiant heating system, comprising: a heating element, wherein the heating element comprises: at least one heating coil comprising resistance wire; where an upper edge of the heating element is exposed to ambient environmental conditions; a support structure, comprising a fused support device or a mounting system; wherein the fused support device further comprises: a fused heating plate, comprising an upper face, a lower face, at least one edge, and at least one vent disposed on the plate; at least one projection disposed on the at least one edge of the fused heating plate; a chimney having an interior space defined by at least one wall and dimensioned to accept the heating element within the interior space; wherein the upper edge of the heating element is does not extend beyond the upper edge of the at least one wall; wherein the chimney is fused to at least an edge of the fused heating plate; wherein the mounting system further comprises: an independent heating plate, comprising an upper face, a lower face, at least one edge, and at least one vent disposed on the plate; a chimney having an interior space defined by at least one wall and dimensioned to accept the heating element within the interior space; wherein the upper edge of the heating element is does not extend beyond the upper edge of the at least one wall; a mounting block disposed on the edge of the chimney; a ventilation space disposed between the lower edge of the chimney and the upper face of the fused heating plate or upper face of the independent heating plate, wherein the ventilation space is about 1 mm to about 10 mm; wherein the lower face of the fused heating plate or independent heating plate is adapted to fit on the upper edge of a hookah head; an electrical source in an electrical communication with the at least one heating coil.

12. The radiant heating system of claim 11, wherein the at least a first mount is a post, tab, pin, screw hole, or arc-shaped projection.

13. The radiant heating system of claim 11, wherein the at least one projection disposed on the at least one edge of the fused heating plate or the at least one edge of the independent heating plate is a plurality of cooling ribs, a cooling ring, or a plurality of cooling vanes.

14. The radiant heating system of claim 11, wherein the heating element comprises a plurality of heating coils, where the plurality of heating coils comprise: a first heating coil comprising a resistive ribbon having a first end and a second end where the first end of the first heating coil is circumscribed by the first heating coil and the second end of the first heating coil extends from a coil in the first heating coil; a second heating coil comprising a resistive ribbon having a first end and a second end where the first end of the second heating coil is circumscribed by the second heating coil and the second end of the second heating coil extends from a coil in the second heating coil; a heating coil connector disposed in electrical communication with the first end of the first heating coil and the first end of the second heating coil; and where the heating coil connector is a conductive material.

15. The radiant heating system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of insulated mounting brackets disposed on an exterior circumference of the first heating coil and an exterior circumference of the second heating coil; wherein a first insulated mounting bracket is disposed on a first side of the exterior circumference of the heating coil and a first side of the exterior circumference of the second heating coil; and wherein a second insulated mounting bracket is disposed on a second side of the exterior circumference of the heating coil.

16. The radiant heating system of claim 11, wherein the chimney has a circular cross section, triangular cross section, square cross section, pentagonal cross section, hexagonal cross section, heptagonal cross section, octagonal cross section, or nonagonal cross section.

17. The radiant heating system of claim 11, further comprising: at least one mount channel disposed on a first side of the mounting block and dimensioned to accept the at least one mount disposed on the edge of the heating plate.

18. The radiant heating system of claim 11, further comprising at least one rubber band dimensioned to traverse the distance between a first projection on the at least one edge of the fused heating plate or the independent heating plate and a second projection on the at least one edge of the fused heating plate or the independent heating plate.

19. The radiant heating system of claim 1, wherein the independent heating plate further comprises: at least a first mount disposed on the edge of the independent heating plate; and at least one projection disposed on the at least one edge of the independent heating plate.

20. The radiant heating system of claim 11, wherein the independent heating plate further comprises: at least a first mount disposed on the edge of the independent heating plate; and at least one projection disposed on the at least one edge of the independent heating plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an isometric, breakaway view of a first embodiment of the radiant heater of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the heating element of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a top down view of a first embodiment of the heating coil.

(5) FIG. 4 an isometric view of a first embodiment of the mounting system of the invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a top isometric view of a first embodiment of the heat transfer plate of the invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a bottom isometric view of a first embodiment of the heat transfer plate of the invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a side view of a first embodiment of the heat transfer plate of the invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the radiant heater of the invention.

(10) FIG. 9a is an isometric, breakaway view of a second embodiment of the radiant heater of the invention.

(11) FIG. 9b is an isometric view of an embodiment of the mounting block.

(12) FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the radiant heater of the invention.

(13) FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the heating element.

(14) FIG. 12 is a top down view of a third embodiment of the heating element.

(15) FIG. 13 is a cut away view of a hookah with an embodiment of the invention attached to the head.

(16) FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the inventive heater attached to a hookah head using silicon rubber bands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(17) As used herein, about means approximately or nearly and in the context of a numerical value or range set forth means20% of the numerical.

(18) As used herein, hookah refers to a device designed for vaporizing and smoking favored materials, the vapor of which is run through a liquid before inhalation. The hookah is typically used to smoke shisha, and may have a single host or multiple hoses for inhalation.

(19) As used herein, heating coil means a heating element wrapped around itself, regardless of shape. For example, the heating coil may be spiral-shaped, with each wrap radially circumscribed by the preceding wrap, or a polygonal shape, such as triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, and octagonal. Other shapes would be readily apparent and are envisioned in the invention.

(20) As used herein, upper and lower or bottom are referenced on the image depicted in FIG. 1. Upper means any portion of the sheath directed to the top in FIG. 1. For example, reference number 5 is above reference number 6. The upper edge references the terminal section of an element directed at the top of the Figure. Lower or bottom is directed toward the bottom of FIG. 1.

(21) As used herein, ambient environment and derivations thereof mean the environment surrounding and outside of the device, as compared to the interior regions and spaces of the device. As a non-limiting example, the ambient environment includes the humidity, temperature, and air particulates 6 inches above the heating elements.

(22) As used herein, projection means any structure which by design, is raised or protrudes beyond the face of the structure upon which the projection is disposed

(23) As used herein, circumference means the outermost boundary of the referenced structure.

(24) As used herein, arc-shaped means that the structure has a convex or concave shape that resemble sections of circles, ellipses, involute curves, and spirals, without forming a full circle, or ellipse.

(25) As used herein, rib refers to a major structural elevation in the heat transfer plate, where the length of the structure is an order of magnitude larger than the width, and the width and thickness are substantially the same. For example, the length can be 5 times larger, 10 time larger, or 20 times larger than the width. It is noted that the magnitudes listed are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other magnitudes are within one of skill in the art and are envisioned in the invention.

(26) As used herein, vane refers to a major structural elevation in the heat transfer plate, where the length of the structure is an order of magnitude larger than the width, and where the width is an order of magnitude larger than the thickness. For example, the length can be 5 times larger, 10 time larger, or 20 times larger than the width. Similarly, the width can be 10 time larger, 20 times larger, 100 time larger than the thickness. It is noted that the magnitudes listed are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other magnitudes are within one of skill in the art and are envisioned in the invention.

(27) As used herein, nub means a small projection or protuberance. In specific embodiments, the length of the nub is equal to or less than the width or circumference of the structure.

(28) As used herein, resistive ribbon means a resistance wire having a length, width, and thickness, where the width is at least 2 times the value of the thickness. In some embodiments, the resistive ribbon possesses both high resistivity and oxidation resistance.

(29) As used herein, resistance cable means a resistance wire having a length, width, and thickness, where the width is less than 2 times the value of the thickness. In some embodiments, the resistive cable possesses a width than is substantially the same as the thickness, i.e. possess a 1:1 ratio. Circular wire is of particular note, having a width to thickness ratio of close to, or equal to 1:1.

(30) As used herein, a single ribbon coil means a coil wrapped around itself, having a first terminal end outside the wrapping and a second terminal end at the core of the wrapping, regardless of shape. For example, where the heating coil is spiral-shaped, the first terminal end extends from a radially circumscribed coil and the second terminal end is disposed at the center-most point of the coil, as seen in FIG. 3.

(31) As used herein, a center spiral two layer ribbon coil means a coil wrapped around itself, wherein the central 1/20- of the coil is spiraled from a lower tier coil to an upper tier coil, similar to the threads of a screw, forming two layers or tiers of heater coil.

(32) As used herein, double-back ribbon coil means a coil folded upon itself and subsequently wrapped around itself. The double-back ribbon coil has a first terminal end and a second terminal end disposed outside the wrapping. The center-most point of the coil possesses the fold, as seen in FIG. 12.

(33) As used herein, substantially means largely if not wholly that which is specified but so close that the difference is insignificant.

(34) A hookah electric radiant heating system is provided for vaporizing tobacco without burning the tobacco. Burning or charring tobacco results in unpleasant volatile gases, ultra-fine particulates and ash. The system includes a heating element, set in an open faced mounting ring such that the heating element optionally moves in relation to the mounting ring to control heat. The system is designed to transfer heat to a heat transfer plate which applies heat to tobacco in a hookah head.

Example 1

(35) Radiant heater 1 is composed of heating element 3, heating plate 20, mounting system 30, and supply system (not shown), as seen in FIG. 1. Heating element 3 is comprised of upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6, where upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6 are resistive wire ribbon connected at a predetermined set distance by first insulated mounting bracket 61a and second insulated mounting bracket 61b, as seen in FIG. 2. Each heating coil is formed of nickel (80%) to chromium (20%) resistance ribbon with a thickness of 0.0285 inches and a width of 0.1875 inches. The total resistance of both upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6 is 0.7. First insulated mounting bracket 61a includes first lower support 8a on its lower edge. Second insulated mounting bracket 61b is positioned at a different location to first insulated mounting bracket 61a and includes second lower support 8b (not shown). First lower support 8a and second lower support 8b provide support to the heating coils, preventing the coils from sagging or otherwise contacting heat transfer plate 20. First screw 4a is disposed in first insulated mounting bracket 7a, thereby fixing first insulated mounting bracket 7a to chimney 10. The upper heating coil and lower heating coil are single ribbon coil designs, as seen in FIG. 3, electrically connected by heating coil connector 9. The connector is formed of steel or other electroconductive material, whereas the insulated mounting brackets are made of a fluorphlogopite mica-borosilicate ceramic insulation (Macor, Corning Inc., Corning, N.Y.). Upper heating coil 5 terminates in upper supply line 5b designed to engage electric source and lower heating coil 6 terminates in lower supply line 6b designed to engage electric source. Upper supply line 5b and lower supply line 6b are disposed in supply housing 50.

(36) Mounting system 30 is formed of cast aluminum and encircles heating element 3 and holds heating element 3 at a predetermined orientation relative to head 110 when radiant heater 1 is configured for heating tobacco. Furthermore, in this embodiment mounting system 30 permits height adjustment in relation to the heating plate to control heat transfer to the tobacco.

(37) Mounting system 30 includes chimney 10 which retains heating element 3 and directs air flow and heat through radiant heater 1. One or more screw ports, such as first screw port 11a and second screw port 11b are disposed along the circumference of chimney 10, as seen in FIG. 4. Mount 31 is fixed to chimney 10 and engages heat transfer plate 20. Mounting system 30 is designed to adjust in height, mount 31 consists of slide mount 34, guide block 35, and height adjustment tab 32. Guide block 35 includes exterior lower slide guide 41 and interior lower slide guide 42, designed to engage slide mount 34. Slide mount 34 includes first slide mount channel 44a and second slide mount channel 44b (not shown) dimensioned to slidingly engage first slide rib 24 and second slide rib 25.

(38) Heat transfer plate 20 comprises a plurality of cooling ribs, designated 22a through 22d in FIG. 5. Each rib has a thickness of about 3.9 mm and spaced apart about 3.9 mm. One or more vents 21 are optionally disposed on the heat transfer plate. In some embodiments, a plurality of vents are disposed on the heat transfer plate. As air is drawn through the heater, and through the plurality of vents, the hot air that passed over the heating elements mixes with cooler air siphoned from outside the chimney due to the 3 mm gap between the chimney and the heat transfer plate. Mount channel 23 is disposed on the edge of the plate, and dimensioned to permit mounting system 30 to mount to the edge of heat transfer plate 20. First slide rib 24 is mounted adjacent to a first side of mount channel 23 and second slide rib 25 mounted adjacent to a second side of mount channel 23, as seen in FIG. 5. In specific variations, a plurality of nubs 26 are disposed on the lower face of the heat transfer plate, allowing heat from the plate to access the tobacco on the bottom of the head, allowing for more even heating of the tobacco. A plurality of heating nubs 26 are disposed on the lower face of heat transfer plate 20, as seen in FIG. 6, allowing heat to transfer through the tobacco via the metallic nubs. While the nubs can be any shape and can vary in depth, the nubs advantageously are round or ovoid, as seen in FIG. 7.

(39) When mount system 30 is attached to heat transfer plate 20, as seen in FIG. 8, the distance between chimney 10 and heat transfer plate 20 is about 3 mm. Heating elements are preferably set to reach a lower point around 3 mm from heat transfer plate and can be raised as needed to reduce heat transfer to the head. Pivoting of height adjustment tab 32 places pressure on slide mount 34 forcing the mounting system up and down to provide height adjustment.

(40) An electric source comprises an electric supply circuit to provide an electrical current to upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6. Power is supplied through electric source 50 to provide 12 V to 18 V and a resultant current of about 17 to 25 Amperes.

Example 2

(41) Radiant heater 1 is composed of heating element 3, mounting system 30, and heating plate 20, as in Example 1. Upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6 are formed of resistive wire ribbon as discussed in Example 1. As seen in more detail, upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6 are supported by first insulated side bracket 61a and second insulated side bracket 61b. First insulated side bracket 61a is attached to first mount retainer 62a, which is made of metal such as steel, stainless steel, or aluminum, by first screw 4a. First exterior mount retainer 62a is encased in a first side of insulated spacer 63a. First interior mount retainer 64a is encased in a second side of insulated spacer 63a and attaches insulated spacer 63a to heating coil connector 9, as seen in FIG. 9a. Second exterior mount retainer 62b is encased in a first side of insulated spacer 63b and accepts second screw 4b, thereby fixing second insulated side bracket 61b. Second interior mount retainer 64b is encased in a second side of insulated spacer 63b and attaches insulated spacer 63b to heating coil connector 9, opposite to insulated spacer 63a. Lower heating coil 6 attaches to the lower half of heating coil connector 9, and is further supported on its lower edge by lower arms on first insulated side bracket 61a and second insulated side bracket 61b. Upper heating coil 5 attaches to the upper half of heating coil connector 9. Upper supply line 5b attaches to the upper portion of insulated bracket 66, and lower supply line 6b to the lower portion of insulated bracket 66. Insulated bracket 66 includes channels or cut outs designed to accept upper supply line 5b or lower supply line 6b and hold each supply line in place.

(42) Heat transfer plate 20 comprises a plurality of cooling ribs, designated 22a through 22d as well as first slide rib 24 and second slide rib 25, mounted adjacent to mount channel 23, as seen in FIG. 5. One or more vents 21 are optionally disposed on the heat transfer plate. In specific variations, a plurality of nubs are disposed on the lower face of the heat transfer plate, as described in Example 1.

(43) Mount bracket 37 is fixed to chimney 10 and is designed to accept mount block 36. Mount block 36 includes first mount block channel 45a, as seen in FIG. 9b, and second mount block channel 45b (not shown). First mount block channel 45a and second mount block channel 45b engage first slide rib 24 and second slide rib 25 to fix mounting system 30 to heat transfer plate 20, seen in FIG. 10. Mount block 36 is dimensioned to support the weight of the mounting ring and heating element, such that the distance between chimney 10 and heat transfer plate 20 is 3 mm.

(44) Electricity is provided to the heating elements as described in Example 1. Mount bracket 37 is designed to accept insulated bracket 66. Supply housing 50 is mounted to mounting system 30 via mounting pins 71a and 71b. A power supply cable (not shown) is clamped to supply housing 50 using cable mounting plate 73 and cable mounting pins 72a and 72b.

Example 3

(45) Development of heating element 3 began with resistance cable 80. Numerous designs were prepared, including a coil, similar to those with resistance ribbon seen in FIG. 3.

(46) During testing, the resistance cable was found to lack sufficient energy to maintain temperature. As air was drawn past the heating element, the air cooled the resistance cable such that the resistance cable dropped below temperatures required to vaporize the tobacco. To compensate for the drop in temperature, the resistance cable was heated to higher temperatures, which resulted in the tobacco burning. Because the distance of the resistance wire dictates impedance, resistance cable 80 was formed into corrugated coils 85, as seen in FIG. 11. This design also permitted increases in cable thickness. While this improved the thermal retention of the resistance cable, the design still lost too much heat to adequately heat the tobacco without burning. Addition designs utilizing the resistance cable did not improve on the thermal retention and transfer properties. As such, it was deemed that resistance cable was insufficient for use in heating tobacco.

Example 4

(47) Heating element 3 designs included a double back ribbon coil, as seen in FIG. 12. Resistance ribbon 86 was coiled into a spiral to a center, where reverse coil 87 results in the coil coiling back upon itself. This results in the two ends of the resistance ribbon 86 extending from the coil, forming first double back supply line 88a and second double back supply line 88b. The designs were formed to generate a temperature range of about 600 F. to about 1000 F. with between about 18 and about 22 Amps. Furthermore, the ribbon must retain sufficient energy such that an airstream resulting from use of a hookah does not result in the heating element dropping below 600 F. Accordingly, the resistance ribbon used has a thickness and width of 0.0285 inches0.1875 inches (0.72 mm4.7 mm).

Example 5

(48) Hookah 100 is prepared for use as commonly known in the art, with vase 130 comprising water 135 with head space 137 immediately above water 135, seen in FIG. 13. Hose 140 connects to vase 130 at port 131 via a first end and thereby directly accesses dead space 137. Mouthpiece 145 connects to a second end of hose 140. Body 120 is mounted onto vase 130, such that channel 125, located in the interior of body 120 is positioned to enable the lower end of the channel to submerge in water 135. The lower portion of body 120 forms a seal with an upper opening in vase 130. Head 110 is mounted to the upper portion of body 120 and in fluid communication with channel 125. Head 110 is made of a material capable of withstanding temperatures needed to vaporize the combustible material, such as glass, ceramic, or steel. Tobacco or other combustible material is placed in head 110.

(49) Radiant heater 1 is mounted on top of head 110. Heat transfer plate 20 is placed onto the upper edge of head 110. In some embodiments, heat transfer plate possesses a lower lip, designed to fit on the upper edge of head 110. One or more silicon rubber bands 115 are attached to opposing ribs, such that the rubber bands traverse the lower flair of head 110, as seen in FIG. 14 thereby securing heat transfer plate 20 to head 110. The remaining sections of radiant heater 1 are assembled as described in Example 1. The upper edge of radiant heater 1 is not covered, allowing heat to escape. Testing showed that covering the upper surface of the heating element resulted in overly high temperatures that burned the combustible material, as noted above.

(50) The distance of upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6 to heat transfer plate 10 is adjusted using height adjustment tab 32. The radiant heater is connected to an electrical source providing about 12-18 V and a current of about 17 to 25 Amperes and the heater elements warmed up. Electrical current causing upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6 to generate heat pursuant to Joule's first law. A user draws air through mouthpiece 145, resulting in a vacuum in the head space of the vase. The vacuum draws air from the head. At the head, air travels past heater elements, warming the air. Cooler air is drawn into the area below the heater elements via the ventilation space between the chimney and heat transfer plate, and mixes with the heated air. The mixed air is drawn through the plurality of vents and into the tobacco, heating the glycerin and aromatic oils in the tobacco to vaporization. The airflow draws the vapor smoke into the body channel, whereupon the vapor smoke is pulled into water in the vase, forming smoke vapor bubbles in the water that filter the raw smoke vapor. The smoke vapor then enters a head space in the vase, where it is drawn to the user.

Example 6

(51) Hookah 100 is prepared as described in Example 5, and tobacco or other combustible material is placed in head 110. Heat transfer plate 20 is placed onto the upper edge of head 110. In some embodiments, heat transfer plate possesses a lower lip, designed to fit on the upper edge of head 110. One or more silicon rubber bands, also known as cooking rubber bands, are attached to opposing ribs, such that the rubber bands traverse the lower flair of head 110, as seen in FIG. 14, thereby securing heat transfer plate 20 to head 110. The remaining sections of radiant heater 1 are assembled as described in Example 2, with the mounting system 30 sliding onto first slide rib 24 and second slide rib 25, and mount block 36 fitting into mount channel 23. The upper edge of radiant heater 1 is not covered, allowing heat to escape. Testing showed that covering the upper surface of the heating element resulted in overly high temperatures that burned the combustible material, as noted above.

(52) The radiant heater is connected to an electrical source providing about 12-18 V and a current of about 17 to 23 Amperes and the heater elements warmed up. Electrical current is then applied, causing upper heating coil 5 and lower heating coil 6 to generate heat pursuant to Joule's first law. A user draws air through mouthpiece 145, resulting in a vacuum in the head space of the vase. The vacuum draws air from the head. At the head, air travels past heater elements, warming the air. Cooler air is drawn into the area below the heater elements via the ventilation space between the chimney and heat transfer plate, and mixes with the heated air. In this embodiment, the ventilation space is at a fixed distance. The distance of the ventilation space and the distance the chimney extends beyond the heating elements provides a self-modulating design. When not in use, air is siphoned through the upper edge of the chimney, transferring the heat away from the tobacco. When used, the mixed air is drawn through the plurality of vents and into the tobacco, heating the tobacco to vaporization. The airflow draws the vapor smoke into the body channel, whereupon the vapor smoke is pulled into water in the vase, forming smoke vapor bubbles in the water that filter the raw smoke vapor. The smoke vapor then enters a head space in the vase, where it is drawn to the user.

(53) In the preceding specification, all documents, acts, or information disclosed does not constitute an admission that the document, act, or information of any combination thereof was publicly available, known to the public, part of the general knowledge in the art, or was known to be relevant to solve any problem at the time of priority.

(54) The disclosure of all publications cited above are expressly incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety, to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually.

(55) It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.