INSULATED INHALATION ENHANCEMENT DEVICE

Abstract

An insulated inhalation enhancement device is comprised of a vacuum flask, a removable lid and at least two ports which provide access to the interior of the flask. At least one of the ports enables a hollow tube or pipe to connect the upper portion of the interior of the flask to a mouthpiece or other means to inhale. Another one or more ports allows for a hollow tube or pipe to connect the lower portion of the interior of the flask to a source of inhalants exterior to the flask. And either one of the two ports, or a third port can be configured to connect the upper portion of the interior of the vacuum flask with air that is exterior to the vacuum flask.

Claims

1. A inhalation enhancement system, comprising: a portable vacuum flask having an interior with a lower portion and an upper portion; a removable lid; and at least two access ports, wherein: one or more of the access ports enables air communication between the upper portion of the vacuum flask interior and a mouthpiece; and, one or more of the access ports can be configured to maintain air communication between a hollow tube extending to the lower portion of the flask and a source of inhalants; and, One or more of the access ports can be configured to enable air communication between the upper portion of the vacuum flask interior and air outside the vacuum flask.

2. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the system is generally rugged.

3. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the system comprises a container adjacent the vacuum flask, suitable for holding smoking product.

4. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the one or more tube or pipe that connects the upper portion of the interior of the flask with the mouthpiece or other means to inhale, and the tube or pipe that connects the lower portion of the interior of the flask with a source of inhalants exterior to the flask, is/are disposable.

5. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the enhancement is a smoothing effect.

6. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the enhancement is a cooling effect.

7. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is a source of terpenes.

8. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from a smoking product.

9. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from tobacco.

10. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from a tobacco product.

11. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from cannabis.

12. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from a healing herb.

13. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is an aerosol produced by vaping.

14. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is an aerosol from an aromatherapy product.

15. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is an evaporant from an aromatherapy product.

16. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the inhalants are inhaled simultaneously.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention configured to accommodate a vaping device

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of vacuum flask 100 with lid 101.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the upper portion of vacuum flask 100 configured to accommodate a smoking product

[0041] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the upper portion of vacuum flask configured to accommodate a smoking product heated by nail 402.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED

Exemplary Embodiments

[0042] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide an improved system and method for smoking or vaping.

[0043] Bongs are devices normally used indoors in a home while hookahs are normally used indoors in a home or in a restaurant. It can be considered advantageous to be able to use a smoke smoothing device in a different location than a home or a restaurant, for example outdoors on a hike or in nature. Existing smoke smoothing devices are not well suited for portability. Most bongs are made of glass, are large, and are of awkward shape. Hookahs are very often made from metal, but their size and shape are not well suited to portability. Mostly, bongs and hookahs are meant to be used on a table, generally next to a source of cold or hot water and ice. Keeping the smoke smoothing device on a table close to water and ice therefore generally limits the smoking experience to an indoor experience.

[0044] Further, bongs and hookahs are not generally rugged. One definition of rugged could be the ability to withstand a fall from a few feet above the ground, without irreparable damage. Most bongs are made of glass, and could shatter if dropped. Most hookahs are made of metal, and could dent if dropped. In the case of either a hookah or a bong, the external configurations which enable inhalation or the placement of smoking product are often more complex in shape. If the hookah or bong is dropped, these external configurations could easily be damaged or rendered unusable. Further, if the bong or hookah is dropped with water in it, there is high likelihood that the water will spill.

[0045] The mechanism used by both hookahs and bongs to smooth smoke is by utilizing the process of aeration, by filling the device approximately half way with water and drawing the smoke into the aerator and through the water. A tube from where the smoke is generated to a location under the water provides air communication, and the partial vacuum resulting from normal human inhalation to the region above the water surface creates lower atmospheric pressure above the water and has the effect of drawing or pulling the smoke from the tube through the water. Aerating the smoke in this manner has the effect of filtering the smoke of some Tar, Ash and some of the larger smoke particles.

[0046] Generally, the more finely the smoke can be separated, the greater the smoothing effect of the water. If the smoke is introduced into the water at only a single point such as a hole at the end of a tube, the amount of smoke which will interact with the water will be small, and the smoothing effect of the water will be limited. In order to increase the amount of interaction between the smoke and the water, the smoke must be broken up into the smallest possible groups of particles. To this end, a diffuser or percolator, which is a device to increase the interfacial area between a gas phase and a liquid phase by introducing the gas to the liquid through a large number of small holes, is placed at the end of the tube and the tube is closed off at the end, forcing the smoke to enter the water through the percolator.

[0047] Vaping is usually carried out by a hand-held device which is more suitable for portability and can be used without being near to a table or a water source. The aerosol produced by vaping consists of the vape liquid particles, which are a combination of a carrier liquid typically comprising Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin, and the desired inhalant ingredients. Such particles can be harsh on the throat. It is therefore the case that with vaping, the desire to smooth the inhaled aerosol also exists. By drawing the vape through water, moisture is added to the aerosol which creates a smoother inhalation experience.

[0048] A device which then creates the sensation of smoothing an inhalant can be applied to many different kinds of inhalants. Herbs are among the most common inhalants. Herbs like tobacco and cannabis are well known, while other herbs that may have medicinal properties, sometimes called “healing herbs”, include Mullein for lung infections, White Horehound for asthma, Hyssop for cleansing, purging and purification, Red Raspberry Leaf to neutralize nicotine poisoning, Bergamot as a lung antiseptic, St John's Wort as a mood stabilizer, Skullcap for reducing anxiety, and Wormwood for pain relief. Typically, the medicinal properties of herbs would be delivered to the body by way of inhalation of smoke produced by burning the herbs, and thus may be irritating to the throat. Therefore it may be desirable to smooth smoke produced by herbs before inhaling.

[0049] Terpenes are highly aromatic compounds that determine the smell of many plants and herbs, and are used to create the flavors and scents of many everyday products, such as perfumes and skin creams. In nature, terpenes can act as pollinators in plants or are useful in plant health. Aromatherapy is the inhalation of certain terpenes for the purpose of enhancing health and well-being. There is some evidence which supports claims of healthful aspects of aromatherapy. For example, the Japanese practice of being in a forest atmosphere has been shown to reduce concentration of cortisol, lower pulse rate and lower blood pressure compared to being in urban environments. The terpene beta-caryophyllene found in basil, cloves, oregano, rosemary, black pepper, and cannabis has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain-relieving benefits. Other terpenes are said to have healing properties. The terpene pinene found in rosemary, pine, basil, parsley and cannabis is said to be antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic. The terpene limonene found in rosemary, peppermint, fruit rinds, eucalyptus, juniper and cannabis is said to be good for digestion, anxiety, depression and the immune system. The terpene linalool found in cinnamon, lavender and cannabis is said to be good for sleep, relaxation, anxiety and depression. And the terpene myrcene found in sweet basil, hops, mangos, lemongrass and thyme is said to be good for pain relief, muscle tension and depression. Terpenes can also affect the way in which cannabinoids like THC and CBD affect the user. For example, different terpenes can have the effect of causing THC or CBD to be “more uplifting” or “more relaxing”.

[0050] Aromatherapy inhalation is generally carried out using essential oils. The oils can be inhaled directly, but are more effective if diffused or volatilized before inhalation. One means of volatilization includes an oil diffuser in which a sonicator is used to atomize oil into small particles which form a mist in the air. Another means of volatilization includes heating the diluted oil and inhaling the resultant vapor. Yet another means of volatilization is the use of vape technology, in which the essential oil is heated to create an aerosol before inhaling. As with normal vaping, it is therefore the case that the desire to smooth the inhaled aerosol of essential oils may also exist.

[0051] An additional embodiment of the present invention comprises a portable vacuum flask modified with a port, also known as a “carburetor”, extending from the exterior of the flask though to the upper portion of the interior of the flask, where the port is suitable for supporting a check valve, which allows air to communicate with inner chamber from the exterior of the flask, but does not allow water from the interior chamber to escape. The flask has a lid which can be securely fit to the top, which controls the flow of air and the contents of the flask interior such as water and ice.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the lid has at least two ports allowing air passage from the exterior of the flask to the interior of the flask. At least one port air connects the upper portion of the interior of the chamber with a mouthpiece that allows a user to draw air from the upper portion of the chamber interior through the act of inhalation. And at least one port air connects smoke from the smoking product or aerosol from the vape device into the lower portion of the interior chamber through a tube comprising an aerator. The aerator comprises a plurality of small holes at a lower portion of the tube.

[0053] In another embodiment, the port which air connects smoke from the smoking product or aerosol from the vape device into the lower portion of the interior chamber through a tube comprising an aerator can be configured to act as the carburetor, allowing air to flow from the exterior of the flask though to the upper portion of the interior of the flask. Reconfiguring said port is achieved by removing aerator tube 205, allowing said port to act as the carburetor by holding or removing a thumb or finger over the end of tube 107 during inhalation.

[0054] The lid is attached to the body of the vacuum flask, typically by way of a threaded connection, but may be attached by a friction fit, a hinge, a clamp, a magnet, or any known means of attachment. The vacuum flask is configured such that the circumference of the opening at the top of the flask which receives the lid, is generally smaller than the circumference of the rest of the flask. Typically, then, the neck of the vacuum flask with have a flange at its base, in order to accommodate a larger circumference below the neck in the vacuum flask.

[0055] A rigid member known as a “deck” is held firmly to the flask, extending perpendicularly to the vertical orientation of the flask, by surrounding the neck of the flask with a snug fit. The snug fit is achieved by means of a large hole contained in the deck, referred to as a supporting hole, where the supporting hole is only slightly larger than the diameter of the neck of the flask, positioned over the neck. The deck is thus constrained from sliding in the plane of the deck since the supporting hole surrounds the neck of the bottle on all sides. And the deck is constrained from tilting by virtue of the circumference of the supporting hole being only slightly larger than the circumference of the neck. Since there is a broadening flange at the base of the neck, the deck is further constrained in the downward vertical direction, and is constrained in the upward vertical direction due to gravity. The deck is generally further generally constrained from rotation due to friction. Therefore the deck is generally constrained in all six degrees of freedom, and will remain at the same orientation with respect to the bottle at all times.

[0056] In addition to the supporting hole that fits securely over the neck of the vacuum flask, the deck is further configured with a smaller bracing hole placed distal to the flask, providing structural support to enable the tube air connected to the aerator to be held with upwards orientation at a fixed position with respect to the flask. The tube is held to the bracing hole in the deck by means of a gasket. Rigid attachments to the tube then enable the placement of a container for smoking material to be air connected to the tube, and to be held such that the upwards orientation and position with respect to the flask is maintained. The orientation of the container thus maintained ensures that when the flask is held upright and steady, the smoking material container is also upright and steady.

[0057] In additional embodiments, the smoking material is heated to a higher temperature by use of a platform known as a “nail” to hold the smoking material. The nail is normally made of material that can withstand high heat such as a metal, and the heat source used to heat the nail is typically higher temperature than a heat source used to directly heat smoking product. For example, a propane torch could be used instead of a lighter. The torch is used to heat the metal plate rather than the smoking product directly. The metal plate gets hot, and heats the smoking product. Smoke from the smoking product is drawn into the flask by way of a hole located above the smoking product. In this configuration, is can be desirable to keep the source of heat further away from the user. In that case, an extender apparatus can be used, which air connects the smoking product to the vacuum flask further away from the flask. The extender comprises rigid tubing and attachments which maintain the position and orientation of the Nail, and provides air communication between the smoke from the smoking product and the upwardly pointing rigid connector.

[0058] The device in its preferred embodiment is then normally used by filling the interior of the interior chamber half way with water, providing a source of smoking material or attaching a vaping device, closing the carburetor with a thumb or finger, lighting the smoking product or releasing the aerosol from a vaping device, and beginning to inhale. The suction produced by the action of inhaling forces air to be drawn into the interior chamber through the aerator, into the water, and into the upper portion of the interior chamber. During the process of inhalation, the hole is released, allowing air to enter the upper portion of the interior chamber of the flask, and enabling all of the smoke or aerosol from a vaping device to be inhaled.

[0059] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention configured to accommodate a vaping device. The apparatus comprises a vacuum flask 100 configured with carburetor 108. A screw top or other snug fitting lid 101 is provided, with an attached carabiner 106 for affixing the apparatus to a belt or strap. Brass elbow 102 is connected through one of the ports in the lid at a 90 degree angle. Tube 107 extends out from brass elbow 102 and passes through the bracing hole in rigid deck 105, held firmly in place by gasket 104. Tube 107 is configured to be suitable for attaching vaping device 109.

[0060] A detailed view of lid 101 is provided, showing a threaded means of attachment 110 to the flask. A second detailed view of lid 101 is provided, showing the underside of the lid, in which extension tube 112 and connector tube 111 can be seen. Tube 112 is air connected to the mouthpiece 103, while connector tube 111 is air connected to vaping device 109.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of vacuum flask 100 with lid 101. The flask comprises outer shell layer 202 and inner chamber wall 203. The space between outer shell layer 202 and inner chamber wall 203 is a partial vacuum, enabling thermal insulation between interior chamber 201 and the environment. The interior chamber is about half filled with water 204. Aerator tube 205 supports percolator 207, comprised of a plurality of small holes and closed end 206 shown at the lower portion of aerator tube 205, where percolator 207 is submerged in the water.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the upper portion of vacuum flask 100 configured to accommodate a smoking product. Tube 107 extends downward to below rigid deck 105, and is attached by snug fit to glass elbow 301 and then passes upwards through the bracing hole in the deck, firmly held in place with respect to position and orientation by gasket 103. Glass adaptor 302 in air communication with and snugly fit onto glass elbow 301, maintains position and orientation with respect to the flask. Glass adaptor 302 then air communicates with and holds with respect to position and orientation glass bowl 303, configured to be suitable for holding smoking product.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the upper portion of vacuum flask configured to accommodate a smoking product heated by nail 402. Extender 401 is firmly attached to glass elbow 301, extending air communication outward, away from the vacuum flask. Extender 401 is configured to hold and maintain air communication with nail 402. Smoking product placed within nail 402 is heated with higher temperature flame source 403.

Example 1

[0064] The advantage of using a diffuser can be detected in the smoothness of the smoke. A survey of smokers was conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the aerator. Five smokers were asked to use the apparatus of the present disclosure and rate their sense of smoothness on a scale of 1 to 5, both with and without the aerator feature. The results of the test were tabulated. When using the apparatus without the diffuser, participants said that they experienced “smooth” draws, and gave it an average rating of 3.5/5. When using the apparatus with the diffuser, participants said that each draw of smoke was “unnoticeable” when inhaled, which allowed them to draw more smoke, and gave it an average rating of 5.0/5.

Example 2

[0065] An apparatus of the present disclosure was used to smoke one part of the cannabis plant suitable for use as smoking product known as “Flower”, “Nugget” or “Bud”. An appropriate amount of flower was ground using a grinding device. The apparatus was prepared by filling the chamber about half full with cold water. The bowl was packed with the ground flower. A user placed his mouth over the mouthpiece while his finger was placed on the carburetor hole. A flame was brought in direct contact with the ground flower while the mouthpiece was inhaled upon for about two seconds. The finger was removed from the hole while exhalation took place. The procedure was repeated until the remaining smoke was cleared out. The product was then smoked to completion.

Example 3

[0066] An apparatus of the present disclosure was used to smoke a “push button” vape pen. A push-button vape pen activates a battery, heating the e-liquid when the bottom is depressed. The apparatus of the present disclosure was configured without a rigid deck, a rigid tube or a bowl. The mouthpiece end of the vape pen was inserted into the flexible tube. The pen was held with one hand while a finger was placed over the carburerator hole. The user's mouth was positioned over the mouthpiece. The user pressed and held the vape pen button and inhaled. The user released the button and moved his finger from the hold. The user inhaled as much as desired.

Example 4

[0067] An apparatus of the present disclosure was used to smoke a “Dab Rig”. A dab rig uses a metal platform called a “Nail” to heat the smoking product instead of a bowl. The metal platform, typically made of titanium, ceramic or quartz can deliver a higher temperature to the smoking product than direct flame, thereby providing a different smoking experience. The female stem of the nail was connected to the male stem on the apparatus. The apparatus was filled about half full with water. A propane blowtorch was used to heat the nail until it became red hot. The torch was removed and a count to 20 was carried out to allow time for some cooling of the nail. A wand was used to place a small amount of smoking material on the nail and agitate it slightly to increase the amount of contact between the smoking product and the head of the nail. A finger was placed over the carbureator hole while inhaling through the mouthpiece until water bubbles were formed. The product was inhaled as much as desired.