BALL-ASSISTED SMOKING DEVICE

Abstract

Disclosed is a cartridge for a handheld smoking device with angled holes provided therein. The cartridge includes balls that rotate upon inhalation by a user. Orifices are provided in the cartridge that are angled in such a manner to cause air to flow in a particular direction and push the balls against the portion of the cartridge where product is likely to be located. The balls are therefore utilized more efficiently to distribute heat to the product and improve air flow within the handheld smoking device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed embodiments relate generally to devices for consuming combustible products. More particularly, the presently disclosed embodiments relate to a handheld smoking device that improves distribution of heat and air flow to combustible products using rotating balls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The recent legalization of cannabis products has brought with it a slurry of new consumption methods. While tobacco was traditionally consumed with a pipe, cigarette papers, or through chewing, cannabis consumption has inspired technology never seen before. Much of the cannabis industry is devoted to raw plant-based consumption of the cannabis buds (referred to sometimes as “flower”). But other consumption methods are available for those seeking a more contemporary experience. For example, cannabis products can be consumed with a wax concentrate substance, edibles, “flower,” vape cartridges, and more.

With different products come different ingestion methods. Gone are the days when a glass pipe or “joint” was the assumed method of consumption. Vaporizers, dab pens, and vape pens provide a new and interesting way to consume cannabis with the many different products available. Even within these categories, various companies have implemented measures to improve air flow and heating efficiency within the consumption device, such as balls that spin upon inhalation. So-called “terp pearls” are small balls that are placed inside the banger of a dab rig to utilize the natural air flow provided by the inhalation of the user and spin within the banger. The end result is the balls distribute the heat to the entirety of the product while spinning, circulate air to improve fluid flow, and overall improve the inhalation experience. The balls can help prevent “puddling” by more efficiently distributing the heat to the product.

Conventional banger beads sit in a bottom of a banger in a dab rig and are rotated through air pulled from a single orifice. The air draw can cause the beads to rotate, but further improvements can be made to prevent the beads from rising out of the bottom of the banger where product sits and where heat needs to be distributed. Further versatility beyond dab rigs can also beneficial, with there being no known uses of terp pearls with a pen-type device. Of course, various structural challenges would need to be overcome to provide a pen-type device that can be utilized with terp pearls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed embodiments relate to a portable smoking device with balls provided therein that rotate upon inhalation by a user. The device can include a cartridge with angled orifices that cause air to flow in a particular direction and push the balls against the portion of the cartridge where product is likely to be located. The balls are therefore utilized more efficiently to distribute heat to the product and air flow to the handheld smoking device upon inhalation by a user. The arrangement of the heating element and cartridge can allow this technology to exist within a portable smoking device such as a pen-type device. In an optional embodiment, a removable cartridge can be provided where the balls and product can be associated with one another prior to the user even purchasing the product. As a result, the balls can be used more efficiently and with a more custom pairing of balls and product.

In particular, the presently disclosed embodiments include a combustion device including a base extending in an axial direction, a heating element coupled to the power supply and capable of increasing in temperature based on activation through the power supply, and a cartridge. The cartridge includes a cap, and a chamber having an opening at a first end and a bottom at a second end, where the opening couples with the cap to enclose the chamber. The cartridge includes orifices defined therein, and at least one of the orifices is aligned at a non-zero angle with respect to the axial direction of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a front partially-exploded view of a handheld smoking device showing internal features in broken lines according to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a front partially-exploded view of a handheld smoking device according to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a handheld smoking device according to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a cartridge according to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a cartridge according to at least some of the presently disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. As used herein, the term “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention and is instead a term used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only.

The presently disclosed embodiments relate to a cartridge for a handheld smoking device. The cartridge includes balls provided therein that rotate upon inhalation by a user. The device can include a heating element aligned with the cartridge to selectively apply heat to the cartridge while the balls are spinning. Orifices are provided in the cartridge that are angled in such a manner to cause air to flow in a particular direction and push the balls against the portion of the cartridge where product is likely to be located. The balls are therefore utilized more efficiently to distribute heat to the product and improve air flow within the handheld smoking device. In an optional embodiment, the cartridge is removable to permit custom pairing of balls and product in cartridge form to provide a more tailor-made experience to the user.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a smoking device 100 extends from a first extreme end 100a to a second extreme end 100b. The device 100 is powered by a power supply 105 within a base 107, and product to be consumed is placed within a cartridge 110 located proximate the first extreme end 100a. The cartridge 110 can include a cap 115 that covers a chamber 120 to enclose the cartridge 100 while product is present therein. For example, the cap 115 can be friction-fit or snap-fit to the chamber 120, or can be hinged to the chamber 120, or any other coupling that allows the cap 115 to expose the chamber 120 and allow product to be inserted therein. The chamber 120 can have a bottom 120a that is located proximate a heating element 125, and an opening 120b that receives the product opposite the bottom 120b. The bottom 120b can be heated by a heating element 125 so product inside the cartridge 110 can be heated and consumed. A button 130 can be used to activate the power supply 105 and draw power to the heating element 125 to thereby heat the product to the consumed. Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the power supply 105 can be automatically activated upon inhalation by the user. For example, the device 100 may include a pressure sensor that senses a pressure change in the chamber 120

The device 100 can be a handheld device or can be a stationary rig device, bong, or other such cannabis or tobacco smoking apparatus. The cartridge and angled orifice aspect of the invention is not limited to simply a dab pen, vape pen, or bowl and can be implemented in a variety of different devices. As used herein, the term “combustion device” refers to any device that is capable of causing a product to yield a vapor or smoke in response to heat or radiation.

As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the device 100 can be a portable handheld device capable of being carried by a user, often referred to as a “pen” device. Pen devices are defined by their elongate shape—that is, their base 107 has a greater length than width and the base 107 is generally cylindrical or shaped as a prism (e.g., elliptical prism, rectangular prism). In a preferred embodiment, the device 100 is a pen device in a similar sense, and includes the cartridge 110 extending axially from the base 107 but not beyond the radial perimeter of the base 107. This structure allows for the portability of the pen device but brings with it challenges that are met by the structure of the present invention.

The heating element 125 can be strategically placed directly below the bottom 120a of the cartridge 110 to heat product placed therein. In so doing, the balls can be utilized to more efficiently deliver heat to the product being consumed without requiring a flame to heat the product, as with conventional products that utilize balls in this fashion. The heating element 125 can also be adjustable in heat to provide a lower or higher amount of heat to the product, depending on the product and preferences of the user. For example, some users prefer low heat applications to achieve a better terpene profile and improved taste of the product. In this instance, the spinning balls can efficiently heat the product at a lower temperature due to the improved efficiency and the adjustable heating element 125 can be set to a lower temperature.

The power supply 105 can be any source of power that can cause the heating element 125 to heat and therefore combust the product. For example, the power supply 105 can be a wired connection to a standard outlet, or a battery that is placed inside a housing. In the event the device 100 is a handheld pen device, the power supply 105 can be a conventional battery, such as one or more replaceable AA batteries or a rechargeable battery that can be recharged through a mini-USB or similar port.

The cartridge 110 can be a fixed or removable cartridge that connects to or is fixed to the base 107. For example, in an optional embodiment in which the cartridge is removable, the cartridge 110 can snap-fit or friction-fit to the power supply 105 by connecting the bottom 120a of the chamber 120 to an indentation 137 provided in the base 107. Alternatively, the cartridge 110 can connect to the base 107 using any temporary or permanent coupling, such as a magnet, adhesive, fasteners, threads, or any other means.

The optional embodiment of a removable cartridge 110 offers several advantages. For example, a removable cartridge 110 permits the manufacturer to custom pair certain size balls with certain products within the chamber 120 of the cartridge 110. Certain products require more heat distribution than others and can benefit from a larger quantity of smaller balls to provide that distribution. Different size cartridges 110 also require different size balls due to the air flow through the cartridge. Further, various caps 115 can be shaped differently for decorative or functional reasons, and the air flow through the cartridge 110 can be different as a result. Accordingly, cartridges 110 can be preassembled with custom-paired caps 115 and chambers 120, or balls and product, or other elements that affect the consumption process.

The cartridge 110 of the presently disclosed embodiments has an advantageous orifice configuration that allows the use of a “terp pearl” arrangement with a pen-type device. In particular, the cartridge 110 can include orifices 135 that permit entry of air into the chamber 120 so that the balls can spin and distribute heat to the product and circulation to the air located inside the chamber 120. The orifices 135 can be angled with respect to the axial direction of the device 100 to provide air inflow in a direction that pushes the balls into the product on the lower side of the cartridge 110, proximate the bottom 120a. For example, orifices 135 that are angled in the same direction as the axis of the device 100 can prevent the balls from rotating such that the intended purpose of the balls is not realized. However, orifices 135 that are angled perpendicular to the axial direction of the device 100 can cause the balls to “ride up” the chamber 120 or bounce around the chamber 120 without spinning. The angled nature of the orifices 135 of the presently disclosed embodiments allows the balls to spin without unduly riding upward in the chamber 120 and out of the product, although some riding is permissible. As shown, the orifices 135 can be defined within the cap 115, but the orifices 135 can further be provided in the chamber 120 or any other portion of the cartridge 110. Also as shown, the orifices 135 need not be located at the first extreme end 110a but merely need to communicate air from outside the chamber 110 to the inside of the chamber 110 while being oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the axial directio, i.e., in a manner that is not perpendicular or parallel/coaxial to the axial direction of the device 100.

The heating element 125 can be any element capable of being heated or energized to cause heat to be emitted therefrom. For example, the heating element 125 can be a ceramic or metallic heating element that increases in heat when current is provided to it by the power supply 105. The heating element 125 can also be a simple wire, coil, or rod that heats based on current provided thereto, or a flammable component (e.g., gas or pellets) that are provided to heat the product within the cartridge 110. Any other manner of heating can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the cartridge 110 in bottom perspective view. As shown, the cartridge 110 includes the cap 115 and chamber 120 as discussed previously. However, the cartridge 110 can also include a window 140 to permit the viewing of the product being consumed or the balls spinning within the chamber 120.

As used herein, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are not intended to necessarily be limited to direct, mechanical coupling of two or more components. Instead, the term “coupled” and its functional equivalents are intended to mean any direct or indirect mechanical, electrical, or chemical connection between two or more objects, features, work pieces, and/or environmental matter. “Coupled” is also intended to mean, in some examples, one object being integral with another object.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims

1. A handheld device comprising:

an elongated base extending in an axial direction and having first and second ends opposite one another;

a heating element coupled to the base and capable of increasing in temperature based on activation through a power supply;

a cartridge coupled to the first end and comprising: a cap; a chamber having an opening at a first end and a bottom at a second end, the opening coupling with the cap to enclose the chamber, wherein the cartridge includes orifices defined therein, and wherein at least one of the orifices is aligned at a non-zero angle with respect to the axial direction of the base.

2. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is removable from the base upon actuation by a user.

3. The handheld device of claim 2, wherein the base includes an indentation and the removable cartridge is friction fit within the indentation.

4. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is provided within the base.

5. The handheld device of claim 4, further comprising a button associated with the power supply and adapted to cause the power supply to supply current to the heating element so as to cause the heating element to heat.

6. A handheld device comprising:

an elongated base extending in an axial direction;

a heating element coupled to the base and capable of increasing in temperature based on activation through a power supply;

a cartridge comprising: a cap; a chamber having an opening at a first end and a bottom at a second end, the cap coupling with the device so as to enclose the chamber at the opening, wherein the cartridge includes orifices defined therein, and wherein at least one of the orifices is aligned at a non-zero angle with respect to the axial direction of the base.

7. The handheld device of claim 6, wherein the cartridge is removable from the base upon actuation by a user.

8. The handheld device of claim 7, wherein the base includes an indentation and the removable cartridge is friction fit within the indentation.

9. The handheld device of claim 6, further comprising a power supply provided within the base.

10. The handheld device of claim 9, further comprising a button associated with the power supply and adapted to cause the power supply to supply current to the heating element so as to cause the heating element to heat.