SMOKING APPARATUS

Abstract

A smoking apparatus for smokeless and odorless smoking is provided. The smoking apparatus includes an ignition unit, an elongated covering unit and a mouthpiece unit. A smoking substance is heated in a bowl in the ignition unit in presence of air to generate smoke in a burning chamber configured by the elongated covering unit. The smoke is inhaled by the user through an opening in the mouthpiece unit. The user exhales through the same opening in the mouthpiece unit. The exhaled smoke is filtered by a filtering element and released through vents into the surrounding environment to facilitate smokeless and odorless smoking.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to smoking apparatuses and, more particularly to a smoking apparatus for enabling smokeless and odorless smoking.

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a practice involving inhalation of smoke produced by burning or heating substances, such as tobacco, herbs etc. Various types of smoking devices are currently available in the market for enabling smoking activity, such as for example, cigarettes, water pipes, vaporizer pens etc. Some of these smoking devices, such as water pipes for example, are required to be ignited or lit by the user at one end to initiate the smoking process, while other devices, such as vaporizer pens, require the user to just press a button to initiate the smoking process.

In most conventional smoking devices, the smoke resulting from igniting the substance or the smoke released during exhaling or even the particulates produced by vaporizing the substance are released into the immediate environment of the person involved in smoking of the substance. Other people in vicinity of the person involved in smoking may not want to indulge in passive smoking (i.e. the act of inhaling second hand. smoke/vapor particulates) and may object to the smoking activity. This concern may be exacerbated if the smoking activity is carried out in an indoor environment. Furthermore, in many scenarios, smoking indoors may result in a bad odor and long-term indoor smoking may also tar the walls and the furniture disposed in the indoor environment.

Some recently launched solutions to the aforementioned problems involve the use of personal air filters to eliminate the odor and the smoke generated during the smoking activity. However, such solutions necessitate a smoker to carry multiple devices, i.e. the smoking device and a personal air filter. Further, such solutions only treat the exhaled smoke and do not treat the smoke generated at the time of ignition of the substance.

Hence it would be advantageous to provide smokers, with a smoking device to help treat the smoke generated during ignition of the substance and during exhaling, without the need to carry an additional device. Such a mechanism would allow smokers to smoke without having to worry about the smoke or the odor affecting other people and their surrounding environment.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide smoking apparatuses for smokeless and odorless smoking.

In an embodiment, a smoking apparatus for facilitating smokeless and odorless smoking is disclosed. The smoking apparatus includes an ignition unit, an elongated covering unit and a mouthpiece unit. The ignition unit includes a chamber, a bowl and a heating element. The chamber includes at least one air inlet and an ignition switch disposed on a body of the chamber. The at least one air inlet is capable of enabling surrounding air to enter the chamber. The ignition switch is configured to receive user input for switching ON or switching OFF of an electrical power supply. The bowl is disposed on a top portion of the body of the chamber. The bowl is configured to receive and hold a smoking substance. The heating element is disposed substantially under the bowl and is electrically connected to the ignition switch. The heating element is configured to generate heat upon receiving electrical power sub sequent to the switching ON of the electrical power supply. The heat generated by the heating element is configured to facilitate burning of the smoking substance held in the bowl to generate smoke. The elongated covering unit includes an open end portion capable of being removably attached to the top portion of the body of the chamber. The elongated covering unit is capable of housing the bowl to configure a burning chamber. The mouthpiece unit is attached to the elongated covering unit at an end opposite to the open end portion of the elongated covering unit. The mouthpiece unit includes an elongated body having a closed bottom portion at one end and an opening at an opposite end. The closed bottom portion is associated with an aperture for receiving the smoke generated by burning of the smoking substance in the burning chamber. The opening is configured to enable a user to place a mouth portion thereon and inhale the smoke generated from the burning of the smoking substance. The opening is further configured to receive smoke exhaled by the user by placing the mouth portion thereto. The mouthpiece unit further includes a filtering element configured to filter the exhaled smoke. The smoking apparatus is configured to release the filtered exhaled smoke into surrounding environment.

In an embodiment, another smoking apparatus for facilitating smokeless and odorless smoking is disclosed. The smoking apparatus includes an ignition unit, an elongated covering unit, a water chamber and a mouthpiece unit. The ignition unit includes a power supply chamber, a bowl and a heating element. The power supply chamber includes an ignition switch disposed on a body of the power supply chamber. The ignition switch is configured to receive user input for switching ON or switching OFF of an electrical power supply. The bowl is disposed on a top portion of the body of the power supply chamber. The bowl is configured to receive and hold a smoking substance. The heating element is disposed substantially under the bowl. The heating element is electrically connected to the ignition switch and configured to generate heat upon receiving electrical power from the electrical power supply subsequent to the switching ON of the electrical power supply. The heat generated by the heating element is configured to facilitate burning of the smoking substance held in the bowl to generate smoke. The elongated covering unit includes an open end portion capable of being removably attached to the top portion of the body of the power supply chamber. The elongated covering unit is capable of housing the bowl to configure a burning chamber. The elongated covering unit includes at least one air inlet configured to enable surrounding air to enter the burning chamber. The water chamber is attached to the elongated covering unit at an end opposite to the open end portion of the elongated covering unit. The water chamber includes an opening to enable an entry of the smoke generated in the burning chamber into the water chamber. The water chamber also includes water configured to treat the smoke. The mouthpiece unit is attached to the water chamber and is configured to receive the treated smoke from the water chamber. The mouthpiece unit includes a mouthpiece opening configured to enable a user to place a mouth portion thereon and inhale the treated smoke. The mouthpiece opening is further configured to receive smoke exhaled by the user by placing the mouth portion thereto. The mouthpiece unit further includes a filtering element configured to filter the exhaled smoke. The smoking apparatus is configured to release the filtered exhaled smoke into surrounding environment.

Other aspects and example embodiments are provided in the drawings and the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present technology, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a representation of an example scenario depicting a person involved in a smoking activity;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a smoking apparatus, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a representation showing the ignition unit detached from the elongated covering unit, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the bottom portion of the body of the chamber of FIG. 3, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a top portion of the ignition unit is shown, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a simplified block diagram of the ignition unit for illustrating the passage of surrounding air into the bowl, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic representation of a mouthpiece unit, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the closed bottom portion of the mouthpiece unit, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the filter chamber, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective top view of the filter chamber housed with the body of the mouthpiece unit, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a simplified diagrammatic representation of the smoking apparatus for illustrating inhaling of smoke using the smoking apparatus, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a simplified diagrammatic representation of the smoking apparatus for illustrating exhaling of smoke using the smoking apparatus, in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a smoking apparatus, in accordance with another example embodiment; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a working of the smoking apparatus of FIG. 13, in accordance with an example embodiment.

The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only exemplary in nature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

It is noted that though the term ‘smoking’ is explained throughout the specification as the act of inhaling and exhaling smoke, in at least some embodiments smoking may also involve inhaling vapor generated from vaporizing the smoking substance. As such, the term ‘smoke’ as used throughout the description and claims refers to both smoke and vapor generated from burning or vaporizing a smoking substance as the case may be.

Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, although many of the features of the present disclosure are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present disclosure is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a representation 100 of an example scenario depicting a person 102 involved in a smoking activity. The smoking activity is exemplarily depicted to be carried out in an indoor environment 104. However, it is understood that the smoking activity may not be restricted to the indoor environment and may be performed in an open environment or any external environment as well.

The person 102 is depicted to use a smoking device 106 for smoking purposes. It is understood that the smoking device 106 may include a smoking substance, such as for example tobacco, herbs etc., which can be burnt or vaporized to indulge in the smoking activity. The smoke resulting from the smoking activity is exemplarily labeled as smoke 108 in the representation 100. The smoke 108 may be caused from igniting the substance in the smoking device 106 or may be caused as a result of exhaling by the person 102 upon smoking the substance.

As can be seen from the representation 100, the smoke 108 is released into the immediate environment of the person 102. Other people in the vicinity of the person 102, such as an individual 110, may inhale the smoke 108. In many scenarios, people may not want to indulge in passive smoking (i.e. inhaling second hand smoke) and may object to the released smoke 108. The smoke 108 may also be associated with bad odor, which may not be acceptable to the person 102 or to people around the person 102. In some example scenarios, the smoke 108 may also cause darkening of indoor walls (as exemplarily depicted by dark patches 112) or furniture disposed in the indoor environment 104.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide smoking apparatuses that are capable of overcoming these and other obstacles and providing additional benefits. More specifically, a smoking apparatus is provided that allows people to smoke with discretion in their home/apartment or other restricted places without worrying about the odor and the long-term tar buildup on walls/ceiling. The smoking apparatus accomplishes this through a series of chambers and valves that completely contain the smoke. When the user initiates the smoking apparatus, a heating element in the smoking apparatus heats a substance (for example, tobacco or herbs) and either burns or vaporizes the substance depending on the temperature set. As the user inhales, a one-way valve lets air in near the heating element (containing the tobacco or herbs) and routes the smoke to the user's mouth. The user then exhales back into the smoking apparatus and the smoke is routed through a smoke filter that eliminates the smoke and odor. This smoke is then routed through another one-way valve that only lets air out.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a smoking apparatus 200, in accordance with an example embodiment. The smoking apparatus 200 includes an ignition unit 202, an elongated covering unit 204 and a mouthpiece unit 206. The components of the smoking apparatus 200 such as the ignition unit 202, the elongated covering unit 204 and the mouthpiece unit 206 are depicted to vertically stacked to configure a substantially cylindrical shape for the smoking apparatus 200. In at least some embodiments, the substantially cylindrical shape facilitates ease of handling the smoking apparatus 200 for the user. However, it is noted that the vertically stacked arrangement of components and the substantially cylindrical shape of the smoking apparatus 200 is shown herein for illustration purposes and that the overall arrangement of the components and the structure of the smoking apparatus 200 may vary in some embodiments.

A user of the smoking apparatus 200 may initiate the smoking activity by switching ON the electrical power supply by using an ignition switch 208 and inhaling through an opening 210 in the mouthpiece unit 206. The user may also exhale smoke into the opening 210 of the mouthpiece unit 206. The inhaled and the exhaled smoke are trapped and filtered inside the smoking apparatus 200, thereby eliminating the release of smoke and odor into the environment. The various components of the smoking apparatus 200 are explained next with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10.

FIG. 3 is a representation showing the ignition unit 202 detached from the elongated covering unit 204, in accordance with an example embodiment. In at least one embodiment, the ignition unit 202 is configured to be detachably coupled with the elongated covering unit 204. The elongated covering unit 204 includes an open end 302. The open end 302 may be associated with screw rails (not shown in FIG. 3) to facilitate coupling with a complementary screw rail arrangement on the ignition unit 202. The ignition unit 202 may be unscrewed from the elongated covering unit 204 to facilitate detachment of the ignition unit 202.

The ignition unit 202 includes a chamber 304, a bowl 306 and a heating element (shown in FIG. 6). As can be seen from FIG. 3, a body 308 of the chamber 304 configures a housing enclosure. In one embodiment, the body 308 of the chamber 304 is configured to house a power supply cord for connecting to an external electrical power supply source (not shown in FIG. 3). The external power supply source may provide the electrical power to the heating element subsequent to the user input on the ignition switch 208 for switching ON the electrical power supply. In one embodiment, the body 308 of the chamber 304 is configured to house one or more batteries capable of providing the electrical power to the heating element subsequent to the user input on the ignition switch 208 for switching ON the electrical power supply. In some embodiments, the body 308 of the chamber 304 may include one or more rechargeable batteries and a power supply cord for recharging the batteries.

The ignition switch 208 is depicted to be disposed substantially centrally on the body 308 of the chamber. However, it is noted that such positioning of the ignition switch 208 is shown for illustration purposes. The ignition switch 208 may be disposed in any location on the body 308 of the chamber 304. In some embodiments, the ignition switch 208 may also be located on the elongated covering unit 204 or on the mouthpiece unit 206 as long as the ignition switch 208 maintains the electrical connection with the heating element and the electrical power supply source. Moreover, the ignition switch 208 is depicted to be a push button for illustration purposes. The ignition switch 208 is depicted to be a physical button (for example, a push button or a toggle switch) for illustration purposes and in at least some alternate embodiments, the ignition switch 208 may be capable of receiving a touch or a gesture input to switch ON or switch OFF the electrical power supply. In some example embodiments, the chamber 304 may be configured to preclude the ignition switch 208 and may be configured to initiate the supply of electrical power to the heating element based on the signals generated by an air pressure sensor (not shown in FIG. 3) which detects the change in air pressure when a user of the smoking apparatus 200 inhales and automatically turns on the smoking apparatus 200.

The chamber 304 further includes at least one air inlet for enabling the surrounding air to enter the housing enclosure configured by the body 308 of the chamber 304. In an embodiment, one or more air inlets are situated on a bottom portion 312 of the body 308. The air inlets disposed on the bottom portion 312 of the body 308 are depicted in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a front view of the bottom portion 312 of the body 308 of the chamber 304 of FIG. 3 is shown, in accordance with an example embodiment. It is understood that the round shape of the bottom portion 312 is depicted herein as the body 308 of the chamber 304 (shown in FIG. 3) has a substantially cylindrical shape. However, it is noted that the body 308 of the chamber 304 may be configured in different shapes and accordingly the periphery of the bottom portion 312 may assume different shapes.

The bottom portion 312 is depicted to include air inlets, such as the air inlet 402, 404 and 406. The air inlets enable entry of the surrounding air into the housing enclosure configured by the body 308 of the chamber 304. It is noted that in some embodiments the air inlets may be situated on the main surface of the body 308 bearing the ignition switch 208.

The bottom portion 312 is further depicted to include an opening 408 for the power supply cord (not shown in FIG. 4). In at least one embodiment, the bottom portion 312 is configured to be substantially flat thereby facilitating placement of the smoking apparatus 200 on any flat surface (such as a table, for instance) when the smoking apparatus 200 is not in use. More specifically, the bottom portion 314 serves as the grounding surface for holding the smoking apparatus 200 in an upright position when not in use.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the bowl 306 is depicted to be disposed on a top portion 310 of the body 308 of the chamber 304. In some embodiments, the bowl 306 may be associated with a lid capable of being detachably coupled with a bowl opening portion. The bowl 306 with a detached lid is shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a top portion of the ignition unit 202 is shown, in accordance with an example embodiment. As explained with reference to FIG. 3, the ignition unit 202 includes a chamber 304 and a bowl 306. Further, as explained with reference to FIG. 4, the bowl 306 disposed on the top portion 310 of the chamber 304 may be associated with a lid, such as a lid 502, which can be detached to enable access to the interior portion of the bowl 306. The coupling of the lid 502 with a bowl opening portion 504 may be achieved using a suction arrangement or a screw-based arrangement. In at least one example embodiment, the user may place a smoking substance in the bowl 306 subsequent to detaching the lid 502 from the bowl opening portion 504. The bowl 306 is configured to receive and hold the smoking substance. In an embodiment, the smoking substance may be one of herbs, tobacco, flower essence, and the like. In at least one example embodiment, the user may deposit herbs, tobacco or any such substance in natural or crushed form into the bowl 306 and thereafter seal the bowl opening portion 504 with the lid 502.

In at least one example embodiments, both the bowl 306 and the lid 502 may include apertures (not shown in FIG. 5). The aperture in the bowl 306 may facilitate entry of air present in the chamber 304 to enter the bowl 306 thereby facilitating combustion of the smoking substance during heating of the smoking substance by the heating element. The aperture in the lid 502 may facilitate exit of the smoke generated by burning of the smoking substance held in the bowl. The passage of the air to the bowl 306 and the heating element is illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a simplified block diagram of the ignition unit 202 is shown for illustrating the passage of surrounding air into the bowl 306, in accordance with an example embodiment. The block diagram shows the various components of the ignition unit 202. As explained with reference to FIG. 3, the ignition unit 202 includes the chamber 304, the bowl 306 and a heating element, such as the heating element 602. The heating element 602 is disposed substantially under the bowl 306 within the body of the chamber 304. The heating element 602 is electrically connected to the ignition switch 208 (not shown in the block diagram) and configured to generate heat upon receiving electrical power subsequent to the switching ON of the electrical power supply. In at least one example embodiment, the heat generated by the heating element 602 is configured to facilitate burning of the smoking substance disposed in the bowl 306 to generate smoke. In some embodiments, the heating element 602 is embodied as a heating coil capable of producing heat upon receiving supply of electrical power from an electrical power supply source. In some embodiments, the heating coil may be a metallic element or a metallic alloy/composite filament.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom portion 312 of the chamber 304 includes air vents, exemplarily shown as a dotted line 604 in FIG. 6. The air vents allow entry of the surrounding air into the housing enclosure, configured by the body 308 (shown in FIG. 3) of the chamber 304. The body of the chamber 304 is further depicted to house a check valve 606, which is configured to allow one-way entry of the surrounding air into the bowl 306. The passage of the air from the surrounding environment into the chamber 304 through the air vents 604 and from the chamber 304 to the bowl 306 through the check valve 606 is shown using a directed arrow 650.

The entry of the surrounding air into the bowl 306 enables combustion of the smoking substance when heated using the heating element 602. As explained with reference to FIG. 2, the elongated covering unit 204 includes an open end portion (shown as 302 in FIG. 3) which is capable of being removably attached to the top portion 310 of the body of the chamber 304. In at least one example embodiment, the elongated coveting unit 204, when attached to the top portion 310 of the chamber 304 houses the bowl 306, or more specifically configures a closed enclosure, referred to herein as a burning chamber. The smoking substance upon being heated by the heating element 602 may combust in presence of the air present in the burning chamber to generate smoke. The smoke may rise upwards and enter the mouthpiece unit 206. Example configuration of the mouthpiece unit and the passage of the smoke through the mouthpiece unit are explained next with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a diagrammatic representation of a mouthpiece unit 206 is shown, in accordance with an example embodiment. As explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the mouthpiece unit 206 is attached to the elongated covering unit 204 at an end opposite to the open end portion of the elongated covering unit 204. More specifically, one end portion of the elongated covering unit 204 is removably attached to the ignition unit 202 and the other end portion (or the opposite end portion) is connected with the mouthpiece unit 206. The elongated covering unit 204 is fixedly attached to the mouthpiece unit 206. However, in some embodiments, the elongated covering unit 204 may be detachably coupled with the mouthpiece unit 206.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the mouthpiece unit 206 is associated with an elongated body having a closed bottom portion 702 at one end and an opening 210 at an opposite end. In at least one example embodiment, the closed bottom portion 702 is includes an aperture for receiving the smoke generated by burning of the smoking substance in the burning chamber. The aperture in the closed bottom portion is shown in FIG. 8

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the closed bottom portion 702 of the mouthpiece unit 206, in accordance with an example embodiment. The closed bottom portion 702 includes an aperture 802. The aperture 802 enables the smoke that is generated in the burning chamber to pass through and enter into the mouthpiece unit 206.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the opening 210 of the mouthpiece unit 206 is configured to enable a user to place a mouth portion thereon and inhale the smoke generated from the burning of the smoking substance. The user may also exhale the smoke into the opening 210 by placing the mouth portion thereto. More specifically, the user may place a mouth portion on the opening 210 and exhale into the smoking apparatus 200.

The mouthpiece unit 206 is further depicted to include a filter chamber 750 disposed within a body of the mouthpiece unit 206. As can be seen, the filter chamber 750 is disposed between the opening 210 of the mouthpiece unit 206 and closed bottom portion 702 of the mouthpiece unit 206. The filter chamber 750 includes a filtering element 740. The filtering element 740 is configured to filter the smoke exhaled by the user through the opening 210.

The filter chamber 750 also includes a check valve 752 (also shown in FIG. 10). The check valve 752 is disposed substantially below the filtering element 740 and is configured to enable the filtered exhaled smoke (or more specifically, air) to exit the filtering element towards the closed bottom portion 702 of the mouthpiece unit 206.

The mouthpiece unit 206 is further configured to include vents, such as the vents 754 disposed substantially near the closed bottom portion 702. The vents 754 are configured to serve as an outlet for the filtered exhaled smoke (i.e. air) to escape into the surrounding environment. More specifically, the smoke exhaled by the user into the opening 210 of the mouthpiece unit 206 travels through the filtering element 740 in the filter chamber 750 and is filtered. The filtered exhaled smoke passes through the check valve 752 disposed below the filtering element and provides a one-way exit to the filtered smoke into the closed bottom portion 702 of the mouthpiece unit 206. The vents 754 disposed on the body of the mouthpiece unit 206 substantially near the closed bottom portion 702 serves as path for the air to be released into the surrounding environment.

The filter chamber 750 also includes a concluding part 770 of a channel 760 extending from the aperture 802 (shown in FIG. 8) in the closed bottom portion 702. The concluding part 770 of the channel 760 is disposed within the body of the filter chamber 750 and opens into the space between the inner wall of the body of the mouthpiece unit 206 and the outer wall of the filter chamber 750 as shown in a perspective view and a top view of the filter chamber 750 in FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a perspective view of the filter chamber 750 is shown, in accordance with an example embodiment. As explained with reference to FIG. 7, the filter chamber 750 is configured to be housed within the body of the mouthpiece unit 206. The body of the mouthpiece unit 206 housing the filter chamber 750 is not shown in FIG. 9. The filter chamber 750 includes a concluding part 770 of the channel 760, which opens into the space between the inner wall of the body of the mouthpiece unit 206 and the outer wall of the filter chamber 750. The space between the walls is depicted in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective top view of the filter chamber 750 housed with the body of the mouthpiece unit 760, in accordance with an example embodiment. It is noted that the filtering element 740 (shown in FIG. 7) included with the filter chamber 750 is not shown in FIG. 10 so as to depict the concluding part 770 of the channel 760 and the check valve 752. As explained with reference to FIG. 7, the channel 760 serves to direct the smoke generated in the burning chamber through the aperture 802 (shown in FIG. 8) into the space between the filter chamber wall and the inner wall of the body of the mouthpiece unit 206, thereby bypassing the filtering element 740. The space between the walls is shown as 780 in FIG. 10. The smoke travels the through the channel 760 (shown in FIG. 7) and exits the channel 760 through the concluding part 770 in the filter chamber 750 to enter into the space 780 between the walls, thereby bypassing the filtering element disposed in the filter chamber 750. The smoke may then proceed towards the opening 210 of the mouthpiece unit 206 when the user inhales through the opening 210 by placing a mouth portion onto the opening 210 of the mouthpiece unit 206. The passage of smoke during inhaling and exhaling is explained next with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 11 shows a simplified diagrammatic representation of the smoking apparatus 200 for illustrating inhaling of smoke by a user 1100 using the smoking apparatus 200, in accordance with an example embodiment. The smoking apparatus 200 as explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10 includes an ignition unit 202, an elongated covering unit 204 and a mouthpiece unit 206. To initiate the inhaling process, the user may first detach the elongated covering unit 204 from the ignition unit 204 to access the bowl 306. The user may then remove the lid 502 associated with the bowl 306 and deposit a smoking substance, such as herbs for instance, in the bowl 306. The user may then close the lid 502 and re-attach the elongated covering unit 204 on top portion of the chamber 304.

The user may thereafter select the ignition switch 208 to start the provisioning of electrical power to the heating element 602 disposed below the bowl 306. The user may further inhale through the opening 210 in the mouthpiece unit 206. The air from the surrounding environment may enter the chamber 304 through the air vents 604 in the chamber 304 and pass through the check valve 606 into the bowl 306 containing the smoking substance. The passage of air from surrounding environment to the bowl 306 through the check value is exemplarily depicted using dotted arrow 1102.

The heat from the heating element may cause combustion of the smoking substance in presence of air received through the check valve 606 to generate smoke. The smoke may rise through the burning chamber 1120 and enter the mouthpiece unit 206 through the aperture 802 in the closed bottom portion 702. The smoke may pass through the channel 760 to enter the space 780 between the filter chamber 750 and the inner wall of the mouthpiece unit, thereby bypassing the filtering element included within the filter chamber 750. The passage of air from the burning chamber to the space 780 between the walls in the mouthpiece unit 206 is exemplarily depicted using dotted arrow 1104.

The smoke may then be inhaled by the user through the opening 210. The passage of smoke from the space 780 between the walls in the mouthpiece unit 206 into a mouth portion of the user is exemplarily depicted using dotted arrow 1106.

The working of the smoking apparatus 200 during exhaling is explained next with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 shows a simplified diagrammatic representation of the smoking apparatus 200 for illustrating exhaling of smoke by a user 1200 using the smoking apparatus 200, in accordance with an example embodiment. In at least one example embodiment, the user 1200 may exhale the smoke into the opening 210 of the mouthpiece unit 206. The smoke may enter the filter chamber 750. The passage of the exhaled smoke from a mouth portion of the user into the filter chamber 750 is shown using directed arrow 1202. The filtering element 740 present within the filter chamber 750 is configured to filter the exhaled smoke. The exhaled smoke may pass through the check valve 752 in the filter chamber 750 to enter the closed bottom portion 702 of the mouthpiece unit. The passage of the filtered smoke through the filtering element 740 into the closed bottom portion 702 of the mouthpiece unit through the check valve 752 is shown using dotted arrow 1204. As explained with reference to FIG. 7, one or more vents are provided substantially near to the closed bottom portion 702 of the mouthpiece unit. The filtered exhaled smoke may then be released to the surrounding environment through the vents as exemplarily depicted using dotted arrows 1206.

As explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12, the smoking apparatus 200 provides a single device for performing the smoking activity. Moreover, the smoke released to the environment is filtered and odorless, or more specifically, air is released into the surrounding environment.

In some embodiments, the smoking apparatus 200 may also include a. water chamber disposed in-between the closed bottom portion 702 associated with the mouthpiece unit 206 and the burning chamber. The water in the water chamber may temper and treat the smoke prior to the inhaling of the smoke by the user. Another example smoking apparatus including a water chamber is explained with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a smoking apparatus 1300, in accordance with another example embodiment of the invention. The smoking apparatus 1300 can be used by smokers for smoking substances, like herbs, tobacco etc. The smoking apparatus 1300 is depicted to include an ignition unit 1302, an elongated covering unit 1304, a water chamber 1306 and a mouthpiece unit 1308.

The ignition unit 1302 includes a power supply chamber 1310, a bowl 1312 and a heating element 1314. An ignition switch 1316 is depicted to be disposed on a body 1318 of the power supply chamber 1310. The ignition switch 1316 is configured to receive user input for switching ON or switching OFF of an electrical power supply. The ignition switch 1316 is depicted to be a physical button (for example, a push button or a toggle switch) for illustration purposes and in at least some alternate embodiments, the ignition switch 1316 may be capable of receiving a touch or a gesture input to switch ON or switch OFF the electrical power supply. In some example embodiments, the power supply chamber 1310 may be configured to preclude the ignition switch 1316 and may be configured to initiate the supply of electrical power to the heating element 1314 based on the signals generated by an air pressure sensor (not shown in FIG. 13) which detects the change in air pressure when a user of the smoking apparatus 1300 inhales and automatically turns on the smoking apparatus 1300.

In an embodiment, a body 1318 of the power supply chamber 1310 is configured to house a power supply cord, such as the cord 1320, for connecting to an external electrical power supply source (not shown in FIG. 13). The external power supply source is capable of providing the electrical power to the heating element 1314 subsequent to the user input on the ignition switch 1316 for switching ON the electrical power supply. In an embodiment, the body 1318 of the power supply chamber 1310 is configured to house one or more batteries capable of providing the electrical power to the heating element 1314 subsequent to the user input on the ignition switch 1316 for switching ON the electrical power supply.

A bowl 1312 is disposed on a top portion of the body 1318 of the power supply chamber 1310. The bowl 1312 is configured to receive and hold a smoking substance. Some examples of the smoking substance include herbs, tobacco, flower essence, or any such substance capable of producing smoke typically inhaled by smokers. The bowl 1312 is similar to the bowl 306 explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, the heating element 1314 is disposed substantially under the bowl 1312 within the body 1318 of the power supply chamber 1310. The heating element 1314 is electrically connected to the ignition switch 1316 and configured to generate heat upon receiving electrical power from the electrical power supply source subsequent to the switching ON of the electrical power supply. The heat generated by the heating element 1314 is configured to facilitate burning of the smoking substance held in the bowl 1312 to generate smoke. In some embodiments, the heating element 1314 is embodied as a heating coil capable of capable of producing heat upon receiving supply of electrical power from an electrical power supply source. In some embodiments, the heating coil may be a metallic element or a metallic alloy/composite filament.

In at least one example embodiment, the elongated covering unit 1304 includes an open end portion such as the open end portion of the elongated covering unit 204 explained with reference to FIG. 3. The open end portion is exemplarily depicted using the edge 1322 and is referred to hereinafter as open end portion 1322. The elongated covering unit 1304 is capable of being removably attached to the top portion of the body 1318 of the power supply chamber 1310. In an embodiment, the open end portion 1322 of the elongated covering unit 1304 is configured to be rotatably screwed to the top portion of the body 1318 of the power supply chamber 1310.

The elongated covering unit 1304 is configured to house the bowl 1312 to configure a burning chamber 1324. The elongated covering unit 1304 further includes at least one air inlet, such as the air inlet 1326 configured to enable surrounding air to enter into the burning chamber 1324. In some embodiments, the elongated covering unit 1304 further includes a first check valve 1328 configured to provide an one-way entry for the surrounding air into the burning chamber 1324 to facilitate combustion of the smoking substance during heating of the smoking substance.

In at least one embodiment, a user of the smoking apparatus 1300 may decouple the ignition unit 1302 from the elongated covering unit 1304 to access the bowl 1312. Further, the user may deposit herbs, tobacco or any such substance in natural or crushed form into the bowl 1312 and thereafter couple the ignition unit 1302 to the elongated covering unit 1304. The switching ON of the electrical power supply using the ignition switch 1316 may cause the heating element 1314 to produce heat to burn the substance.

In at least one embodiment, the ignition unit 1302 can be decoupled from the elongated covering unit 1304 by rotational movement of the power supply chamber 1310 in a direction opposite to the lock-inducing direction associated with the screw based arrangement. It is understood that the ignition unit 1302 may be decoupled from the elongated covering unit 1304 for replacing the smoking substance (for example, tobacco/herbs etc.) in the bowl 1312. in some embodiments, the ignition unit 1302 may also be decoupled for maintenance purposes and/or for replacement or charging of the power source (for example, for charging batteries) etc.

The water chamber 1306 is depicted to be attached to the elongated covering unit 1304 at an end opposite to the open end portion 1322 of the elongated covering unit 1304. The water chamber 1306 is configured to receive the smoke generated in the burning chamber 1324. To that effect, the water chamber 1306 includes an opening 1330 associated with a check valve 1332 to enable the entry of the smoke generated in the burning chamber 1324 into the water chamber 1306. The water chamber 1306 includes water 1334 configured to treat the smoke. For example, the water 1334 in the water chamber 1306 is configured to cool as well clean the smoke (for example, reduce or eliminate toxins in the smoke). In an embodiment, the check valve 1332 may be embodied as a water trap unit. The water trap unit may be configured to prevent the flow of water 1334 from the water chamber 1306 to burning chamber 1324.

The mouthpiece unit 1308 is coupled with the water chamber 1306 using an airtight seal 1336 with an opening 1338 therein. In at least one embodiment, the airtight seal 1336 is configured to decouple the water chamber 1306 from the mouthpiece unit 1308 to enable refilling of the water 1334 in the water chamber 1306. The mouthpiece unit 1308 is configured to receive the treated smoke from the water chamber 1306 through an aperture 1338.

The mouthpiece unit 1308 further includes a mouthpiece opening 1340 configured to enable a user to place a mouth portion thereon and inhale the treated smoke. The mouthpiece opening 1340 is further configured to receive smoke exhaled by the user by placing the mouth portion thereto. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece unit 1308 may include an air trap unit, such as the air trap unit 1342, configured to trap the smoke inside the mouthpiece unit 1308 and prevent flow of excess smoke into the immediate surrounding environment.

The mouthpiece unit 1308 further includes a filter unit 1344. The filter unit 1344 includes a filtering element 1346 and a second check valve 1348. The filter unit 1344 is configured to receive the exhaled smoke from the mouthpiece unit 1308 through the opening 1350 and filter the exhaled smoke. The second check valve 1348 may be configured to only let out filtered air from the smoking apparatus 1300 when the user exhales the smoke through the mouthpiece unit 1308. In one embodiment, the filtering element 1346 is configured to eliminate the exhaled smoke and the odor associated with the exhaled smoke. In some embodiments, the filter unit 1344 may be decoupled from the mouthpiece unit 1308 for cleaning or maintenance purposes. In one embodiment, the filtering element 1346 is a replaceable filter.

It is noted that the smoking apparatus 1300 may include more or fewer components than those depicted in FIG. 13. For example, in at least some embodiments, the smoking apparatus 1300 may preclude the water chamber unit 1306. In such a scenario, the smoke generated in the burning chamber 1324 may be directly funneled to the mouthpiece unit 1308.

The working of the smoking apparatus 1300 is explained in further detail with reference to FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 illustrates a working of the smoking apparatus 1300 of FIG. 13, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. FIG. 14 depicts a user 1400 engaged in a smoking activity using the smoking apparatus 1300. Further, an air/smoke inflow path (hereinafter referred as inflow path 1402) and a smoke/air outflow path (hereinafter referred to as an outflow path 1404) are shown to illustrate the working of the smoking apparatus 1300.

The user 1400 may initiate the smoking activity by switching ON the smoking apparatus 1300 by turning on the ignition switch 1316. The switching of the electrical power supply supplies the required electrical power to the heating element 1314. The heating element 1314 starts heating the smoking substance (for example, tobacco, herbs etc.) disposed in the bowl 1312. Upon switching ON the ignition switch 1316, the user 1400 may inhale, using the mouthpiece opening 1340 in the mouthpiece unit 1308.

As a result of the inhaling, air flows inside the smoking apparatus 1400 through the first check valve 1328 (shown in FIG. 13) which is a one-way valve and lets the air to flow along the direction exemplarily depicted using a segment stretching from point A to point B of the inflow path 1402.

The incoming air along with the heat from the heating element 1314 provides necessary elements for burning/vaporizing the smoking substance, resulting in Generation of smoke. The smoke generated as a result of the heating of the smoking substance arises through the opening 1330 and travels along the direction exemplarily depicted using a segment stretching from point B to point C of the inflow path 1402 and enters into the water chamber 1306.

The generated smoke then passes through the water trap unit 1332 and into the water 1334 in the water chamber 1306 and finally to the opening 1338 travelling along the direction exemplarily depicted using a segment stretching from point C to point D of the inflow path 1402.

The cooled and/or cleaned smoke then travels along the direction exemplarily depicted using a segment stretching from point D to point E of the inflow path 1402 and where the smoke is inhaled by the user 1400.

During the exhalation part of the smoking process the user 1400 exhales the smoke generated during the act of smoking into the mouthpiece opening 1340 of the mouthpiece unit 1308. The smoke travels along the direction exemplarily depicted using the outflow path 1404 for letting the smoke out of the smoking apparatus 1300. More specifically, the exhaled smoke is first routed from the mouthpiece opening 1340 in the mouthpiece unit 1308 and reaches the opening 1350 along the direction exemplarily depicted using segment stretching from point X to point Y of the outflow path 1404. The smoke then enters the filter unit 1344 where the smoke is filtered using the filtering element 1346 (shown in FIG. 13) and travels to the check valve 1348 along the direction exemplarily depicted using the segment stretching from point Y to point Z of the outflow path 1404. The check valve 1348 is a one-way valve, which lets the filtered smoke (i.e. air) out of the smoking apparatus 1300.

The smoking apparatus 1300 as depicted and explained with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 can be manufactured in various shapes and sizes. In at least one example embodiment, the smoking apparatus 1300 can be made of a size of a vaporizer pen, e-cigarette, e-cigar or similar sized conventional devices available in the market, so as to ensure ease of use and portability.

It is noted that the smoking apparatus may not be limited to a structural form as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 13 and operated as explained with reference to FIGS. 11, 12 and 14. Indeed, the smoking apparatus may be designed/structured and/or operated in various possible ways while retaining the essence of the techniques disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, the smoking apparatus may be designed to preclude stacking of chambers or include a protruding filter unit and instead include concentric chambers, with one chamber associated with air/smoke inflow path and the other chamber associated with smoke/air outflow path. It is understood that various equivalent configurations can be contemplated without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a smoking apparatus that is capable of facilitating smokeless and odorless smoking. The smoking apparatus as disclosed herein is configured to treat both—the smoke generated during ignition of the substance as well as the exhaled smoke, thereby providing a complete solution to the user. Using the smoking apparatus, the smokers can smoke with discretion in indoor environments without having to worry about odor or tar buildup on ceilings and/or on walls/furniture in the rooms. In general, the smoking apparatus may also enable users to smoke indoors and other places where the second hand smoke/odor might not be tolerated. Further, the smoking apparatus is a multi-purpose smoking and filtration portable device that does not require a user to carry multiple devices for smoking and filtration purposes.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it is noted that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention.

Although various exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A smoking apparatus, comprising:

an ignition unit, the ignition unit comprising: a chamber comprising at least one air inlet and an ignition switch disposed on a body of the chamber, the at least one air inlet capable of enabling surrounding air to enter the chamber, the ignition switch configured to receive user input for switching ON or switching OFF of an electrical power supply, a bowl disposed on a top portion of the body of the chamber, the bowl configured to receive and hold a smoking substance, and a heating element disposed substantially under the howl, the heating element electrically connected to the ignition switch and configured to generate heat upon receiving electrical power subsequent to the switching ON of the electrical power supply, the heat generated by the heating element configured to facilitate burning of the smoking substance held in the bowl to generate smoke;

an elongated covering unit comprising an open end portion capable of being removably attached to the top portion of the body of the chamber, the elongated covering unit capable of housing the bowl to configure a burning chamber; and

a mouthpiece unit attached to the elongated covering unit at an end opposite to the open end portion of the elongated covering unit, the mouthpiece unit comprising an elongated body having a closed bottom portion at one end and an opening at an opposite end, the closed bottom portion associated with an aperture for receiving the smoke generated by burning of the smoking substance in the burning chamber, the opening configured to enable a user to place a mouth portion thereon and inhale the smoke generated from the burning of the smoking substance, the opening further configured to receive smoke exhaled by the user by placing the mouth portion thereto, the mouthpiece unit further comprising a filtering element configured to filter the exhaled smoke, wherein the smoking apparatus is configured to release the filtered exhaled smoke into surrounding environment.

2. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber further comprises a check valve disposed within the body of the chamber, the check valve configured to provide a one-way entry for the surrounding air into the bowl to facilitate combustion of the smoking substance during heating of the smoking substance.

3. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the chamber is configured to house a power supply cord for connecting to an external electrical power supply source, the external electrical power supply source capable of providing the electrical power to the heating element subsequent to the user input on the ignition switch for switching ON the electrical power supply.

4. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the chamber is configured to house one or more batteries capable of providing the electrical power to the heating element subsequent to the user input on the ignition switch for switching ON the electrical power supply.

5. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smoke received through the aperture is directed towards the opening in the mouthpiece unit by bypassing the filtering element.

6. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece unit comprises a check valve disposed substantially below the filtering element, the check valve configured to enable the filtered exhaled smoke to exit the filtering element towards the closed bottom portion of the mouthpiece unit.

7. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mouthpiece unit comprises one or more vents disposed substantially near the closed bottom portion, the one or more vents configured to serve as an outlet for the exhaled smoke to escape into the surrounding environment.

8. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smoking apparatus comprises a water chamber disposed in-between the closed bottom portion associated with the mouthpiece unit and the burning chamber, the water chamber configured to temper and treat the smoke prior to the inhaling of the smoke by the user.

9. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the smoking substance is one of herbs, tobacco and flower essence.

10. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bowl is associated with a lid capable of being detachably coupled to a bowl opening portion.

11. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one air inlet is disposed on a bottom portion of the body of the chamber.

12. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open end portion of the elongated covering unit is configured to be screwably attached to the top portion of the body of the chamber.

13. A smoking apparatus, comprising:

an ignition unit, the ignition unit comprising: a power supply chamber comprising an ignition switch disposed on a body of the power supply chamber, the ignition switch configured to receive user input for switching ON or switching OFF of an electrical power supply, a bowl disposed on a top portion of the body of the power supply chamber, the bowl configured to receive and hold a smoking substance, and a heating element disposed substantially under the bowl, the heating element electrically connected to the ignition switch and configured to generate heat upon receiving electrical power subsequent to the switching ON of the electrical power supply, the heat generated by the heating element configured to facilitate burning of the smoking substance held in the bowl to generate smoke;

an elongated covering unit comprising an open end portion capable of being removably attached to the top portion of the body of the power supply chamber, the elongated covering unit capable of housing the bowl to configure a burning chamber, the elongated covering unit comprising at least one air inlet configured to enable surrounding air to enter the burning chamber;

a water chamber attached to the elongated covering unit at an end opposite to the open end portion of the elongated covering unit, the water chamber comprising an opening to enable an entry of the smoke generated in the burning chamber into the water chamber the water chamber comprising water configured to treat the smoke; and

a mouthpiece unit attached to the water chamber and configured to receive the treated smoke from the water chamber, the mouthpiece unit comprising a mouthpiece opening configured to enable a user to place a mouth portion thereon and inhale the treated smoke, the mouthpiece opening further configured to receive smoke exhaled by the user by placing the mouth portion thereto, the mouthpiece unit further comprising a filtering element configured to filter the exhaled smoke, wherein the smoking apparatus is configured to release the filtered exhaled smoke into surrounding environment.

14. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the elongated covering unit further comprises a first check valve configured to provide a one-way entry for the surrounding air into the burning chamber to facilitate combustion of the smoking substance during heating of the smoking substance.

15. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the body of the power supply chamber is configured to house a power supply cord for connecting to an external electrical power supply source, the external power supply source capable of providing the electrical power to the heating element subsequent to the user input on the ignition switch for switching ON the electrical power supply.

16. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the body of the power supply chamber is configured to house one or more batteries capable of providing the electrical power to the heating element subsequent to the user input on the ignition switch for switching ON the electrical power supply.

17. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the filtering element is associated with a second check valve configured to enable the exhaled smoke filtered by the filtering element to exit the mouthpiece unit and escape into the surrounding environment.

18. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the smoking substance is one of herbs, tobacco and flower essence.

19. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bowl is associated with lid capable of being detachably coupled to a bowl opening portion.

20. The smoking apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the open end portion of the elongated covering unit is configured to be screwably attached to the top portion of the body of the power supply chamber.