SMOKING DEVICE

Abstract

Embodiments of the presently disclosed invention relate generally to a smoking device. In an example embodiment, the smoking device can comprise an outer shell comprising a conduit having a conduit input end. The smoking device can further comprise a frame coupled to the outer shell, a top door pivotally connected to a top portion of the frame, a heating element positioned on a bottom surface of the top door, and a front door pivotally connected to the frame and the top door. The top door and the front door can be adapted to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The front door can further comprise a heating chamber configured to receive a combustible smoking substance and further configured to be positioned above the conduit input end when the top door and the front door are in a closed configuration. Further, when the smoking device is in the closed configuration, the heating element can be positioned above the combustible substance, such that the heating element can be configured to heat the combustible smoking substance from above.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/414,682, titled “Electric Smoking Device,” filed Oct. 10, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of smoking devices and in particular portable electronic smoking devices having an improved heating mechanism for heating a combustible smoking substance.

BACKGROUND

There are generally two methods for smoking a substance: combustion and vaporization. Combustion involves an ignition source (e.g., a lighter or match) and a vessel for smoking (e.g., a pipe, bong, or rolling paper). Smoking through combustion often requires two hands to achieve: one to hold the vessel and the other to hold and ignite the lighter. During combustion smoking, a smoking substance provided within the vessel is heated (e.g., burned) using the ignition source and inhaled by a user.

Vaporizers, on the other hand, use vapor to extract substances for inhalation. Vaporizers are typically thought of in the context of e-cigarettes and are often electric devices that use coils or ceramic chambers to heat a substance to a specific temperature causing the substance to vaporize. Vaporizing devices can also be provided in the form of bubblers, which incorporate water to create vapor during smoking. Vaporizers have grown popular because they are easy to use and portable, and some experts believe they avoid the toxins that are created from combusting a natural substance. However, vaporizing a substance for smoking provides users with different effects than traditional combustion. For instance, vaporizers can alter the taste or smell of the substance.

Existing smoking devices have been developed with coils on the bottom of the storage chamber. These methods do not allow for even combustion or vaporizing of the material used and often result in burning the smoking substance or do not allow for complete combustion of the substance used. When the coil is placed on the bottom it also does not allow for gravity and airflow to work together to pull an ember through the substance.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to these and other considerations.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the presently disclosed invention relate generally to an improved smoking device and particularly a smoking device where a heating element is provided above the a combustible substance. This improved configuration allows for efficient use of the combustible substance because it allows for complete combustion of the combustible smoking substance and improves the taste and overall smoking experience.

In an example embodiment, the smoking device comprises an outer shell having a frame coupled to the outer shell. A top door pivotally is connected to a top portion of the frame and a front door is pivotally connected to the frame and the top door. The top door and the front door can be adapted to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration to reveal a heating chamber configured to receive a combustible smoking substance. A heating element is positioned on a bottom surface of the top. When the smoking device is in the closed configuration, the heating element can be positioned above the combustible substance, such that the heating element can be configured to heat the combustible smoking substance from above.

In some embodiments, the smoking device can further comprise an activator unit having an activator button and operatively coupled to the heating element. The smoking device can also comprise a power unit operatively coupled to the activator unit, wherein when the activator button is engaged, the power unit can cause the heating element to heat the combustible smoking substance.

In some embodiments, the power unit of the smoking device can comprise a rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, the smoking device can further comprise a mouthpiece removably coupled to the outer shell proximate the conduit output end.

In some embodiments, the smoking device can further comprise a vessel configured to receive a liquid, such as water.

In some embodiments, the smoking device can further comprise at least one top door pivot gear coupled to the top door and at least one front door pivot gear coupled to the front door. Each of said at least one top door pivot gear and front door pivot gear can have a plurality of gear teeth. Further, each of the plurality of top door pivot gear teeth and the plurality of front door pivot gear teeth can be adapted to engage each other when the top door and the front door move between the top door open configuration and the top door closed configuration.

In some embodiments, the heating element of the smoking device can comprise a coil. The coil can have a coil diameter and the heating chamber can have a heating chamber diameter, such that the coil diameter is smaller than the bowl diameter.

In some embodiments, the top door of the smoking device can comprise a top door lip configured to cause the top door to move from the top door closed configuration to the top door open configuration.

In another example embodiment, the presently disclosed invention can also comprise a smoking system comprising an activator unit and a smoking sub-assembly comprising a door pivotable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a heating chamber for receiving a combustible substance, and a heating element coupled to a bottom surface of the door and operatively coupled to the activator unit. When the door is in a closed configuration, the heating element can be positioned above the heating chamber, such that when the activator unit activates the heating element, heat is provided to the heating chamber from above the heating chamber.

In some embodiments, the smoking system can further comprise a power unit operatively coupled to the activator unit. The power unit can further comprise a battery and a battery chip, and the activator unit can comprise an activator button and an activator chip. The activator chip can be operatively coupled to the battery chip and the heating element such that when the activator button is engaged, the batter chip can cause the heating element to heat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The following figures depict details of disclosed embodiments. The invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in these figures, as the accompanying drawings are provided merely as examples:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a smoking device in a closed configuration, according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the smoking device with a top door and a front door in an open configuration, according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom and back of the smoking device according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the smoking device showing the mouthpiece removed, according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the back of the smoking device with the mouthpiece removed, according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the mouthpiece of the smoking device, according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sub-assembly removed from the smoking device, according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the sub-assembly of the smoking device, according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a smoking device with a sub-assembly removed, according to an example embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the smoking device along the marked axis y-z, according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a smoking device showing exploded details of the power unit, according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the circuitry of the smoking device, according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed smoking device combine the benefits of a combustion smoking device and an electric vaporizer smoking device to realize the effects of combustion smoking with the ease and portability of vaporizer technology. This improved configuration allows for efficient use of the combustible substance because it allows for complete combustion of the combustible smoking substance and improves the taste and overall smoking experience.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an exemplary smoking device 100 in a closed configuration (FIG. 1A) and an open configuration (FIG. 1). When the smoking device 100 is in a closed configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1A, it can be used for smoking a substance disposed within the smoking device 100, stored, or charged, for instance, by plugging the smoking device 100 into the wall. When the smoking device 100 is in an open configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1B, a combustible smoking substance can be placed within the smoking device 100 or the smoking device 100 can be cleaned.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the smoking device 100 can comprise an outer shell 110 and a mouthpiece 120 coupled to the outer shell 110. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the outer shell 110 can be sized and shaped such that it can be easily gripped or held in one hand, when in use for smoking a combustible smoking substance. For instance, in some embodiments, the smoking device 100 can be the size of a can of soda. The outer shell 110 of smoking device 100 may generally be composed of one or more pieces and house various internal components, including the power unit 200, sub-assembly 300, and conduit 140.

The smoking device 100 can also comprise power unit 200 (discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 9) and a sub-assembly 300 (discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 5-7). Sub-assembly 300 can be inserted within outer shell 110 (as illustrated for instance with respect to FIG. 7) and comprise a top door 320 and a front door 330, which can allow the smoking device 100 to transition from the closed configuration (FIG. 1A) to the open configuration (FIG. 1B) and vice versa. Smoking device 100 can further comprise an activator unit 340 for activating (e.g., heating) the smoking device 100 when in use.

As shown for instance in FIG. 1B, the top door 320 and the front door 330 of the smoking device 100 can be positionable into an open configuration (e.g., by pivoting top door 320 away from front door 330). When the smoking device 100 is in the open configuration the smoking device 100 can provisioned with a combustible smoking substance (e.g., tobacco or other dried herbs) within the heating chamber 333. The top door 320 and the front door 330 of the smoking device 100 can also be transitioned to a closed configuration (e.g., by pivoting to door 320 towards front door 330), and the smoking device 100 can be used to smoke the combustible smoking substance.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of smoking device 100, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, smoking device 100 can further comprise bottom door 130, which covers a compartment for housing power unit 200 (discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 9). FIG. 2 also shows an example charging port 150, which can be used to recharge power unit 200, by, for instance, plugging smoking device 100 into a power source (e.g., electrical outlet). Charging port 150 may be any type of port now known or later discovered including, without limitation, USB-C and micro-USB compatible charging ports.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4A, and 4B further illustrate additional details of mouthpiece 120. Mouthpiece 120 may generally comprise a smoke intake aperture 122 and be sized and shaped for placement within a user's mouth. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, mouthpiece 120 may comprise a front wall 124 having a concave shape, which can allow for comfortable placement within a user's mouth.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, mouthpiece 120 may optionally be removably coupled to outer shell 110. This may allow for a user to remove mouthpiece 120 and access conduit 140 to fill it with water or another liquid for a vaporizing effect. For instance, mouthpiece 120 may include a mouthpiece insert 126 and one or more mouthpiece connectors 128a and 128b. The mouthpiece insert 126 may be received by mouthpiece receiving portion 112 of the outer shell 110, which in some embodiments can include an outlet portion 144 of conduit 140. In some embodiments, the one or more mouthpiece connectors 128a and 128b can include one or more magnets. The one or more mouthpiece connectors 128a and 128b can be adapted to couple with a corresponding one or more outer shell connectors 114a and 114b. In an embodiment where the one or more mouthpiece connectors 128a and 128b comprise one or more magnets, the one or more outer shell connectors 114a and 114b may comprise corresponding magnets. As such, when a user wishes to remove mouthpiece 120, the user can simply pull on the mouthpiece 120 to disconnect the one or more mouthpiece connectors 128a and 128b from the one or more outer shell connectors 114a and 114b. It will also be appreciated that the one or more mouthpiece connectors 128a and 128b and the one or more outer shell connectors 114a and 114b can comprise any connection method now know or later discovered and may result in either removable, semi-permanent, or permanent attachment of the mouthpiece 120 to the outer shell 110.

FIG. 5-7 illustrate a sub-assembly 300 that can be inserted within the outer shell 110 of smoking device 100 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Sub-assembly 300 can comprise a frame 310 for receiving various components, including top door 320, front door 330, activator unit 340, and various electrical components (e.g., wires) for facilitating coordination between power unit 200, activator unit 340, and heating element 324 coupled to top door 320. Sub-assembly 300 can be inserted within outer shell 110, as illustrated for instance in FIG. 7.

Sub-assembly 300 can comprise a top door 320. Top door 320 can comprise top door body 321 having a top surface 322 and a bottom surface 323. Top door 320 can further comprise a heating element 324 coupled to the bottom surface 323 of top door body 321. Top door 320 man be pivotally connected to frame 310 via hinge 326 and top door gears 328a and 328b. Top door gears 328a and 328b can comprise a plurality of top door gear teeth 329 configured to mate with a plurality of front door gear teeth 339 to facilitate a coordinated pivoting action of top door 320 and front door 330 when the smoking device 100 is transitioned from a closed configuration (as illustrated for instance in FIG. 1A) to an open configuration (as illustrated for instance in FIG. 1), and vice versa.

In some embodiments, heating element 324 can comprise a coil that may be activated to heat by engaging activator button 342 (e.g., by pressing activator button 342) of activator unit 340. Heating element 324 can be connected to activator unit 340 via various electrical components as discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 9. In an embodiment wherein heating element 324 comprise a coil, the coil may be circular in shape and comprise a coil diameter.

Sub-assembly 300 can also comprise a front door 330. Front door 330 can comprise a front door body 331 comprising a substance receiving portion 332 and a heating chamber 333. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, substance receiving portion 332 can comprise a concave indention for facilitating sliding a bowl or substance into the heating chamber 333. In some embodiments, as illustrated for instance in FIG. 5, heating chamber 333 can comprise a substantially cylindrical shape for receiving an insertable bowl and further comprise a bottom surface 334 comprising a plurality of air holes 335 for allowing smoke or vapor to exit the heating chamber 333 and flow through conduit 140 to mouthpiece 120. In some embodiments, the heating chamber 333 can receive a removable bowl in which the combustible smoking substance can be provided.

Front door 330 can also be pivotally connected to top door 320 via hinge 326 and to frame 310 via one or more front door gears 338a and 338b. The one or more front door gears 338a and 338b can comprise a plurality of front door gear teeth 339 configured to mate with top door gear teeth 329 to facilitating opening and closing of sub-assembly 300. For instance, top door 320 and front door 330 can be opened by pulling upward on top door 320 (for instance by grabbing lip 350) or pressing on top door 320 to release top door 320 and front door 330 to an open configuration.

When the top door 320 is in a closed configuration, heating element 324 can be positioned above the bowl within heating chamber 333 such that a combustible smoking substance placed within bowl can be heated from the top. In other words, the heating element 324 can contact a top layer of the combustible smoking substance. Once the top layer of the combustible smoking substance combusts, gravity and airflow (e.g., from inhaling from the mouthpiece 120) pull the created embers through the remaining combustible smoking substance, which causes the combustible smoking substance burns from top to bottom. Existing products burn the combustible smoking substance from the bottom which can result in wasting some of the substance and overly charring the bottom layer of the substance which affects the taste. Placing the heating element 324 above the combustible smoking substance allows for efficient use of the combustible substance because it allows for complete combustion of the combustible smoking substance and improves the taste and overall smoking experience.

Sub-assembly 300 can further comprise an activator unit 340 comprising an activator button 342 and a chip 344 operatively coupled to activator button 342. In some embodiments, chip 344 can be configured to cause heating element 324 to heat to a temperature when a user pushes activator button 342. In some embodiments, chip 344 can be pre-programed with one or more settings which can cause the heating element 324 to activate or deactivate based on the settings. For instance, the chip 344 may be pre-programmed with a setting which sets the heating element 324 to a specific temperature range based on the number of times a user pushes the activator button 342 (e.g., if the user pushes the activator button five times in a row, the coil may heat to a “high” temperature setting). In some embodiments, the activator button 342 may comprise a lighting element configured to indicate to a user certain predetermined messages such as “battery low,” “heating complete,” “100% charged.”

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the smoking device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 8 shows additional internal elements, including but not limited to conduit 140. Conduit 140 can comprise a smoke receiving portion 142 and a smoke delivering portion 144. Smoke receiving portion 142 can be an inlet disposed below heating chamber 333 and configured to receive smoke from the combustible smoking substance when the combustible smoking substance is heated by heating element 324 and a user inhales via mouthpiece 120. Smoke delivering portion 144 may be connected to smoke receiving portion 142 and configured to deliver smoke to mouthpiece 120 for delivery of smoke to the user via smoke intake aperture 122. For instance, when a user inhales (or pulls) on the smoking device 100 via mouthpiece 120 and the combustible smoking substance is heated using heating element 324, smoke is created which can be drawn from the combustible substance in heating chamber 333, through the plurality of air holes 335, into and through smoke receiving portion 142, into and through smoke delivering portion 144, and out smoke intake aperture 122 of mouthpiece 120. In some embodiments, if a user would like a vaporizer or bubbler affect, the smoke delivering portion 144 may be optionally filled with a liquid. Thereby, once smoke from smoke receiving portion 142 enters smoke delivering portion 144, it can be drawn through a liquid which can, for instance, catch particulates and col the smoke before being inhaled by the user.

FIG. 8 also illustrates various components of power unit 200, also shown in greater in FIG. 9. Power unit 200 can comprise a battery 210, a charging sheath 220, and a charging chip 230. In some embodiments, the battery 210 can be a rechargeable battery which can be charged with a power cord insertable within charging sheath 220. Charging chip 330 can be operatively coupled (e.g., through electrical components such as electrical wiring) to activator chip 344, such that when activator button 342 is engaged, battery 210 may be powered to cause heating element 324 to heat.

FIG. 10 shows an example circuit diagram of smoking device 100. Battery 210 is operatively coupled to charging chip 230. Charging chip 230 may be programed to cause battery 210 to charge when smoking device 100 is plugged in and to activate heating element 324 when activator button 342 is activated. As such, charging chip 330 may be operatively coupled to activator chip 344 and activator chip 344 may in turn be operatively coupled to heating element 324.

Accordingly, this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A smoking device comprising:

an outer shell comprising a conduit having a conduit input end;

a frame coupled to the outer shell;

a top door pivotally connected to a top portion of the frame, the top door adapted to move between a top door open configuration and a top door closed configuration;

a heating element positioned on a bottom surface of the top door; and

a front door pivotally connected to the frame and the top door, the front door comprising a heating chamber configured to receive a combustible smoking substance and configured to be positioned above the conduit input end when the top door is in the top door closed position;

wherein when the top door is in the top door closed configuration, the heating element is positioned above the combustible substance in the heating chamber, such that the heating element is configured to heat the combustible smoking substance from above.

2. The smoking device of claim 1, further comprising an activator unit operatively coupled to the heating element, the activator unit comprising an activator button.

3. The smoking device of claim 2, further comprising a power unit operatively coupled to the activator unit, wherein when the activator button is engaged the power unit causes the heating element to heat the combustible smoking substance.

4. The smoking device of claim 3, wherein the power unit comprises a rechargeable battery.

5. The smoking device of claim 1, further comprising a mouthpiece removably coupled to the outer shell proximate the conduit output end.

6. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a vessel configured to receive a liquid.

7. The smoking device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one top door pivot gear coupled to the top door; and

at least one front door pivot gear coupled to the front door,

wherein each of said at least one top door pivot gear and front door pivot gear have plurality of gear teeth; and

wherein the plurality of top door pivot gear teeth and the plurality of front door pivot gear teeth are adapted to engage each other when the top door is transitioned between the top door open configuration and the top door closed configuration.

8. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a coil.

9. The smoking device of claim 8, wherein the coil has a coil diameter and the heating chamber has a heating chamber diameter and wherein the coil diameter is smaller than the heating chamber diameter.

10. The smoking device of claim 1, wherein the top door comprises a top door lip configured to cause the top door to move from the top door closed configuration to the top door open configuration.

11. A smoking system comprising:

an activator unit;

a smoking sub-assembly comprising a door pivotable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a heating chamber for receiving a combustible substance; and

a heating element coupled to a bottom surface of the door and operatively coupled to the activator unit;

wherein when the door is in a closed configuration, the heating element is positioned above the heating chamber, such that when the activator unit activates the heating element, heat is provided to the heating chamber from above the heating chamber.

12. The smoking system of claim 11, further comprising a power unit operatively coupled to the activator unit.

13. The smoking system of claim 12, wherein the power unit comprises a battery and a battery chip.

14. The smoking system of claim 13, wherein the activator unit comprises an activator button and an activator chip.

15. The smoking system of claim 14, wherein the activator chip is operatively coupled to the battery chip and the heating element such that when the activator button is engaged, the battery chip causes the heating element to heat.

16. The smoking system of claim 11, wherein the door comprises a front door portion pivotally connected to the top portion via a hinge.

17. The smoking system of claim 11, wherein the top portion comprises a lip that when lifted upward causes front portion and top portion to pivot via hinge to the open position.

18. The smoking system of claim 11, further comprising a mouthpiece.

19. The smoking system of claim 18, wherein the mouthpiece is removably coupled to an outer shell of the smoking system.

20. The smoking system of claim 11, further comprising a conduit for receiving a liquid.