Modular Smoking Device With Spherical Base

Abstract

A modular smoking device includes a housing and a mouthpiece attachment. The housing includes a heating element and an outlet. Sides of the housing are non-linear allowing a user to more easily grasp the housing during use. In one example, the housing has a spherical shape and the mouthpiece attachment has a conical shape. The mouthpiece attachment has an inlet and an outlet. The mouthpiece attachment is attachable and detachable from the housing. When connected, an airflow path extends from the outlet of the housing, through the inlet of the mouthpiece attachment, and out of the outlet of the mouthpiece attachment. During operation, a user deposits heating material within the housing and activates the heating element causing smoking material within the housing to vaporize. The user draws smoke or vapor from housing via the mouthpiece attachment. The mouthpiece attachment includes a liquid cavity and an optional air flow control surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to smoking instruments, and more specifically to the operation of smoking devices.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

As an alternative to cigarettes, an electronic cigarette “e-cigarette” is mainly used to simulate the feeling of smoking without affecting health. The existing electronic cigarette includes two parts, a smoking device and an atomizer. The smoking device includes a battery that supplies power. The atomizer includes a heating element and smoking material, such as smoking or vaping oil, solid, or other homogeneous mixture. When the atomizer is installed in the smoking device, a mechanical or pneumatic switch at one end of the smoking device can be activated to complete an electrical circuit between the heating element and the battery. The smoking material is atomized by the heating element and discharged from another end of the atomizer, thereby allowing a user to inhale smoke. The smoking material that is contained in the atomizer determines the quality and taste of the smoke.

SUMMARY

A modular smoking device includes a housing and a mouthpiece attachment. The housing includes a heating element and an outlet. Sides of the housing are non-linear allowing a user to more easily grasp the housing during use. In one example, the housing has a spherical shape and the mouthpiece attachment has a conical shape. The mouthpiece attachment has a mouthpiece inlet and a mouthpiece outlet. The mouthpiece attachment is attachable and detachable from the housing. When connected, an airflow path extends from the outlet of the housing, through the inlet of the mouthpiece attachment, and out of the outlet of the mouthpiece attachment.

During operation, a user deposits heating material within the housing and activates the heating element. The heating element vaporizes the smoking material generating smoke or vapor within the housing. The user draws the smoke or vapor from housing via the mouthpiece attachment. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece attachment has a liquid cavity providing percolating functionality and an air flow control surface that alters direction of airflow through the mouthpiece attachment.

Further details, embodiments, and methods are described in the detailed description below. This summary does not purport to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, where like numerals indicate like components, illustrate embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a component diagram of a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view diagram of the mouthpiece attachment.

FIG. 3 is a side view diagram of a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram of a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view diagram of a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 6 is a front view diagram of a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 7 is a rear view diagram of a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 8 is a side view diagram of the housing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the smoke path through a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method 100 of manufacture of a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a method 200 of operating a modular smoking device with spherical base.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing adaptability and ease of use provided by the novel modular smoking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a component diagram of a smoking device 10. The smoking device 10 comprises a housing 48 and a mouthpiece attachment 1. Housing 48 comprises a heating element 31 and a housing opening 32. Housing attachment 48 has non-linear sides. Mouthpiece attachment 1 comprises an upper end 41 and lower end 42. Mouthpiece attachment 1 includes an opening 60 on the upper end 41 (see FIG. 4). Mouthpiece attachment 1 is connectable to housing 48 such that mouthpiece attachment 1 can rotate about housing 48.

In this embodiment, mouthpiece attachment 1 connects to housing 48 with magnets 51. In other embodiments, mouthpiece attachment 1 connects to housing 48 with mechanical methods, such as a press fit.

In this embodiment, mouthpiece attachment 1 has a conical shape and housing 48 has a spherical dome shape.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view diagram of mouthpiece attachment 1. The upper end 41 has first diameter 43, and the lower end 42 has second diameter 44. In this embodiment, the first diameter 43 is less than half the second diameter 44.

In this embodiment, mouthpiece attachment 1 further comprises an airflow altering device 33. In other embodiments airflow altering device 33 rotates or otherwise moves. In other embodiments, airflow altering device 33 is a stationary control surface.

FIG. 3 is a side view diagram of smoking device 10. Mouthpiece attachment 1 further comprises a mouthpiece outlet 17 and a liquid cavity 50. Smoke or vapor percolates through a liquid stored within liquid cavity 50 before exiting the smoking device 10 through mouthpiece 17 and opening 60. The opening 60 has an opening diameter (OD), which is less than the first diameter 43. In one embodiment, mouthpiece attachment 1 includes a depression 61 and a spherical shaped stopper 62 located towards the upper end 41. The spherical shaped stopper 62 has a diameter that is larger than the opening diameter of the opening 60. In the one example where the mouthpiece attachment 1 includes depression 61 and stopper 62, the depression 61 formed such that it prevents stopper 62 from entering into the liquid cavity 50 when the smoking device 10 is upright. If the smoking device 10 is facing a downward angle, stopper 62 blocks opening 60 and prevents liquid in the liquid cavity 50 from leaking out of the smoking device 10 through the mouthpiece outlet 17 and opening 60.

Housing 48 further comprises a battery 19, a switch 20, a grip 22, a light 25, a charging port 28, a removable housing liner 54, and a non-slip pad 57. The grip 22 is any suitable surface, layer, coating, or material that reduces slippage between an operator's hand and the housing 48. The switch 20 is also referred to as a “power switch” or “on/off switch” in other implementations. The charging port 28 is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) type-A port, a USB type-C port, a micro-USB port, a lightning port, or any suitable charging interface that receives power to charge the battery 19. The battery 19 is any suitable battery chemistry, such a lithium ion battery.

A freestanding feature 58 is created by the flat bottom of housing 48 and non-slip pad 57. This allows smoking device 10 to stand upright when placed on a ground surface, despite the curved shape of housing 48. The non-slip pad 57 is any suitable surface, layer, coating, or material that reduces slippage between the housing 48 and ground surface.

The removable housing liner 54 allows for a user to personalize the housing 48 of their smoking device 10.

In other embodiments, the housing 48 includes no light or other alternative structures that provide a lighting function. In other embodiments, the housing 48 includes no removable housing liner or other alternative structures that provide a lining or personalization function. In other embodiments, the housing 48 includes no non-slip pad or other alternative structures that provide freestanding or non-slip function.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view diagram of smoking device 10.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view diagram of smoking device 10.

FIG. 6 is a front view diagram of smoking device 10. Grip 22 is disposed on housing 48 to allow the user to hold the smoking device 10 securely and comfortably during use.

Light 25 is any suitable light source that activates during use.

FIG. 7 is a rear view diagram of smoking device 10. Charging port 28 is disposed of in housing 48 opposite switch 20.

FIG. 8 is a side view diagram of a housing 48 with housing opening 77 and heating element 31. Within housing 48 is a reservoir that is capable of receiving smoking material.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a smoke path 2 through the assembled smoking device 10. First, smoking material is heated by heating element 31 generating smoke or vapor. Once a user inhales via the mouthpiece outlet 17, causing air to enter between the mouthpiece attachment 1 and housing 48. The air flow combines with the smoke or vapor to exit the housing 48 into air flow altering device 33 into percolator 49. The smoke or vapor exits percolator 49 and percolates through liquid in the liquid cavity 50. Next, the smoke or vapor travels towards the upper end 41 of mouthpiece attachment 1. The smoke or vapor pushes stopper 62 away from depression 61 creating a way for smoke path 2 to travel towards mouthpiece outlet 17. Finally, smoke or vapor exits the mouthpiece attachment 1 via mouthpiece outlet 17 and opening 60.

In another example, depression 61 and stopper 62 are not included and after the smoke or vapor percolates through liquid in the liquid cavity 50, the smoke or vapor exits the mouthpiece attachment 1 via mouthpiece outlet 17 and opening 60.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of method 100. In a first step (101), a mouthpiece attachment is formed. For example, in FIG. 2, the mouthpiece attachment 1 is formed.

In a second step (102), a housing having a heating element is formed. The mouthpiece attachment is attachable and detachable from the housing. In the example of FIG. 8, the housing 48 having a heating element 31 is formed. The mouthpiece attachment 1 is attachable and detachable from the housing 48 via magnets 51. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece attachment 1 is attachable and detachable from the housing 48 via another mechanical connection, such as press fit or latch mechanism.

In a third step (103), the mouthpiece attachment and housing are packaged together. In the example of FIG. 5, the mouthpiece attachment 1 and housing 48 are packaged in package 59 thereby forming a packaged modular smoking device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of method 200. In a first step (201), smoking material is deposited into a housing of a smoking device, wherein the housing has curved sides. For example, in FIG. 8, smoking material is deposited into housing 48 via housing opening 77.

In a second step (202), a mouthpiece attachment is attached to the housing. In one embodiment, the mouthpiece attachment rotates about the housing. For example, in FIG. 9, mouthpiece attachment 1 is attached to housing 48 with magnets 51.

In a third step (203), the smoking material within the housing is heated with a heating element to produce smoke or vapor. In the example of FIG. 9, heating element 31 heats smoking material to create smoke or vapor.

In a fourth step (204), the smoke or vapor exits the housing, percolates through a liquid cavity within the mouthpiece attachment, and exits the mouthpiece attachment through an outlet. For example FIG. 9 shows the smoke path 2 exiting housing 48, percolating through the liquid contained in liquid cavity 50 and exiting the mouthpiece attachment 1 through mouthpiece outlet 17 having opening 60.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing adaptability and flexibility 300 in using the novel modular smoking device 10. For example, features of the smoking device 10 allows for concentrate to be stirred by spherical movement of the housing 48, battery 19, and interior chamber relative to the top mouthpiece attachment 1, attached either magnetically or through physical parts that allow for such flexible movement. The housing 48 allows gripping from all sides, including top and bottom, due to the homogenous structure provided by the spherical shape. The magnetic or mechanical connections allow users to move the percolator 49 and mouthpiece attachment 1 to the side to reveal the chamber of the housing 48 for loading smoking material. This avoids the user from having to entirely remove the mouthpiece attachment 1 and percolator 49 from the housing 48 and from having to find a safe place to rest the device 10.

In accordance with yet another novel aspect, the magnetic or mechanical connections between the mouthpiece attachment 1 and the housing 48 allow the user to move the percolator 49 and mouthpiece attachment 1 to the side such that the device 10 can be used like a pipe or on any desired side of the housing 48. This functionality also allows the user to swap the housing 48 for use with another same or similar housing or with another heating element.

For additional information on the structure and function of mouthpiece attachment 1 and smoking device 10, including how to manufacture and operate, see Chinese Publications CN220239016U and CN219835188U, the entire subject matter of each of the foregoing documents which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Although certain specific embodiments are described above for instructional purposes, the teachings of this patent document have general applicability and are not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and combinations of various features of the described embodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A smoking device comprising: a housing comprising a heating element and a housing opening, wherein sides of the housing are non-linear; anda mouthpiece attachment comprising a mouthpiece inlet and a mouthpiece outlet, and wherein the housing and mouthpiece attachment form an airflow path that extends from the housing opening, through the mouthpiece inlet, and out of the mouthpiece outlet.

2. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the housing has curved sides and a flat base.

3. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece attachment has a conical shape, and wherein the housing has a spherical dome shape.

4. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the housing has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the outlet of the housing is at the upper end of the housing, wherein the mouthpiece attachment has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the mouthpiece inlet is at the lower end of the mouthpiece attachment, wherein the outlet of the mouthpiece attachment is at the upper end of the mouthpiece attachment, and wherein the lower end of the mouthpiece attachment attaches to the upper end of the housing.

5. The smoking device of claim 4, wherein the upper end of the mouthpiece attachment has a first diameter, wherein the lower end of the mouthpiece attachment has a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

6. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece attachment and the housing are connectable thereby allowing the mouthpiece attachment to rotate about the housing.

7. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece attachment and the housing are attachable via a magnetic or mechanical connection.

8. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece attachment comprises: a control surface, wherein the control surface is configured to alter the airflow path between the outlet of the housing and the outlet of the mouthpiece attachment.

9. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece attachment comprises: a liquid cavity, wherein the liquid cavity is configured to store liquid that filters air flowing through the mouthpiece attachment during operation.

10. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the housing provides access to an interior of the housing.

11. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises: a power supply;a charging port;a switch; anda light source.

12. A method comprising: forming a mouthpiece attachment; andforming a housing comprising a heating element, wherein the mouthpiece attachment is attachable and detachable from the housing.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: packaging the mouthpiece attachment and the housing thereby forming a packaged modular smoking device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the housing has curved sides and a flat base.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the housing has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the outlet of the housing is at the upper end of the housing, wherein the mouthpiece attachment has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the inlet of the mouthpiece attachment is at the lower end of the mouthpiece attachment, wherein the outlet of the mouthpiece attachment is at the upper end of the mouthpiece attachment, and wherein the lower end of the mouthpiece attachment attaches to the upper end of the housing.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the upper end of the mouthpiece attachment has a first diameter, wherein the lower end of the mouthpiece attachment has a second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the mouthpiece attachment and the housing are attachable via a magnetic or mechanical connection.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the housing includes a battery and a switch, and wherein the switch causes the heating element in the housing to heat using stored energy in the battery.

19. A modular vaporizer comprising: a housing comprising a heating element and an outlet, wherein sides of the housing are non-linear; andmeans for providing an airflow path from the housing and out of the means, wherein means is attachable and detachable from the housing.

20. The modular vaporizer of claim 19, wherein the means is a mouthpiece attachment.

21-25. (canceled)