PORTABLE ELECTRONIC MU'ASSAL VAPORIZER

Abstract

A portable electronic Mu'assal vaporizing device that replaces charcoal as the heat source for hookah smoking to optimize the vaporization process of the combustible substance. The device includes an electric resistance heating element that provides heat energy to vaporize the combustible substance. Positioned in the vicinity of the heating element are adjuncts that greatly enhance the vaporization method. Moreover, a power source supplies the voltage needed to power the heating element. A voltage modulator regulates the voltage supplied to the heating element. The voltage modulator is controlled by the user through a dial potentiometer. The overall integrational strategy of the heating element within the device leads to optimal Mu'assal vaporization.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

The present application claims priority to Patent Application Serial No. 12488, a disclosure incorporated herein at least by reference, filed Mar. 23, 2022, and claims the benefit of priority thereto. Where the present application conflicts with a document incorporated by reference, the present application controls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of heat-not-burn tobacco devices, more particularly to devices that employ an electric heating element to generate vapor from tobacco.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

The use of charcoal as a heat source dates back to the dawn of human civilization. Compared to the material from which it is pyrolyzed from, charcoal burns at a higher temperature, with hardly a visible flame, and releases only heat with minimal soot and smoke. Consequently, throughout the ages, charcoal has been regarded as an indispensable source of thermal energy for a variety of industries. Particularly, since the iron age, charcoal's exceptional thermal capabilities have been harnessed for iron smelting, glassmaking, and the working of precious metals. Around the middle of the 16^th century, charcoal's influence as a crucial heat source extended to the realm of hookah smoking. In a traditional hookah, tobacco is packed into a bowl under a thin sheet of aluminum foil. After that, hot charcoals are placed on top of the foil to vaporize the tobacco underneath.

Unfortunately, the adoption of charcoal use for hookah smoking purposes has a plethora of drawbacks. From an environmental point of view, the industrial production of charcoal, partly fueled by hookah smoking, involves the felling of large swathes of forestland that directly contributes to forest degradation. Moreover, charcoal production and utilization poses a hefty environmental cost as it entails substantial emission of a variety of toxic gases which contribute to the greenhouse effect. From a hookah user's point of view, the preparation of flaming charcoal is a tedious and time-consuming process. Additionally, charcoal use results in remnant ashen residue that causes a bothersome mess. Moreover, the heat generated by charcoal cannot be controlled. More often than not, the unregulated heat results in tobacco combustion rather than vaporization. This leads to the production of thousands of chemicals which are hazardous to a person's health. Furthermore, the heat associated with burning charcoal is inconsistent as the embers cool down after a period of time. As such, the coals must be replaced at progressive intervals to ensure proper tobacco vaporization. In addition to that, the use of flaming charcoal brings about the danger of inhaling noxious gases that may put the user at risk of grave health consequences. Also, handling hot charcoal poses a serious burn hazard.

The substitution of charcoal with an electrically powered heat source presents a solution to eliminate the complications arising from charcoal use for hookah smoking purposes. Nevertheless, simply replacing charcoal with an electrically powered heating element does not address key points such as the optimization of the flavor, smoke production, and duration of the hookah session, matters which are crucial for the end user. Without a strategic configuration of the electric heating element with respect to a hookah bowl, the hookah session, devoid of vapor production, is usually cut short due to the charring of the combustible substance. The resulting charred combustible substance can be comparable to charcoal in terms of harmful compounds production.

As such, what is clearly needed is a strategically designed integration of the electrically powered heat source with a hookah bowl in order to optimally vaporize the combustible substance for hookah smoking.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic heat radiating device that replaces charcoal as the heat source for hookah smoking to optimize the vaporization temperature of the combustible substance is provided, comprising an electric resistance heating element that provides heat energy to vaporize the combustible substance, a heat reflector above the electric resistance heating element, such that said reflector prevents the loss of vapor and thermal energy to the surrounding environment, a voltage modulator connected to the electric resistance heating element, such that this voltage modulator modulates the voltage supplied to the heating element, a power source coupled to the voltage modulator, such that the power source supplies the voltage needed to power the electric resistance heating element, a dial potentiometer that allows the user to control the voltage supplied to the heating element through the voltage modulator, and a microcontroller unit that coordinates the action of the pulse width modulation voltage control.

Also in one embodiment, the electric resistance heating element is a metallic-ceramic heating element.

Also in one embodiment, the electric resistance heating element is perforated with one or more holes.

Also in one embodiment, the perforations' size may range from 0.5 to 40 millimeters. Also in one embodiment, the heat reflector is made from supermirror stainless steel.

Also in one embodiment, the heat reflector is perforated with one or more holes to provide a path for air to flow.

Also in one embodiment, the perforations' size may range from 0.5 to 3 millimeters.

Also in one embodiment, the power source is a battery pack.

Also in one embodiment, the batteries may be situated on an ashtray plate incorporated in most traditional hookahs.

Also in one embodiment, the batteries are rechargeable, and the device includes a port for connecting to a power supply for charging the batteries.

Also in one embodiment, the batteries provide a voltage of 16 Volts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Mu'assal vaporizer positioned above a hookah right before operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Mu'assal vaporizer of FIG. 1 during operation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the vaporization section of the Mu'assal vaporizer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the electronics section of the Mu'assal vaporizer of FIG. 1 with its cover removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventor provides a device which aims to replace charcoal as the heat source for hookah smoking with an electrical heating element. In particular, the invention focuses on the overall integrational strategy of the heating element, including the heater's adjuncts, with respect to a hookah for optimal combustible substance vaporization. The present invention is described in enabling detail in the following examples, which may represent more than one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Mu'assal vaporizer 100 positioned above a hookah 101 right before operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. In such an embodiment, vaporizer 100 comprises a vaporization section 102. Section 102 is the compartment responsible for the vaporization of the combustible substance. Section 102 can be held by a handle 103. Situated on the bottom side of section 102 is a heat source, an exposed heating element 105, with all its related appendages. Element 105 provides the necessary thermal energy to vaporize the combustible substance directly underneath it in bowl 104. Further attached to plate 103 is a cover ring 106. Moreover, separating element 105 and the combustible substance is an aluminum barrier 107. Both ring 106 and aluminum 107 allow for an enhancement in heat distribution. In one embodiment, ring 106 has a diameter such that it outer periphery coincides with the outer periphery of bowl 104. Further describing the embodiment, vaporizer 100 comprises an electronics section 108. Section 108 holds the electronic components of vaporizer 100, namely a power source, charging port, microchip processor, ON/OFF button, voltage modulator, dial potentiometer, and all the required electric wires. Section 108 is situated on an ashtray plate 109 incorporated in most traditional hookahs. A power cable 110 links section 102 with section 108. Element 105 in section 102 derives its power from section 108.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Mu'assal vaporizer 100 of FIG. 1 during operation according to one embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, section 108 is installed on plate 109. After that, bowl 104 containing the combustible substance is mounted on hookah 101. Following that, vaporization section 102 is inserted around and over bowl 104 such that the vaporization section 102 covers the outer periphery of bowl 104 and the upper limit of the bowl comes in contact with ring 106. Next, cable 110 connects section 102 with section 108. Finally, vaporizer 100 is turned ON to begin vaporizing the combustible substance packed into bowl 104.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the vaporization section 102 of the Mu'assal vaporizer 100 of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows the inner components' positioning which is detrimental for optimal combustible substance vaporization. Section 102 comprises a handle 103 fixed to a reflector plate 301. According to one embodiment, plate 301 made from supermirror stainless steel. The heating element 105 and cover ring 106 are fixed to the plate 301.

In one embodiment of the present invention, element 105 may be any form of electrical heating element that can convert electric energy into heat energy. In a preferred embodiment, element 105 is a circular metallic-ceramic heating element. The present inventor realized in an inventive moment that if the actual heat source, in this case element 105, is perforated, as depicted in FIG. 1, then the benefits are twofold. Firstly, air drawn into the hookah passes through the heater instead of around it, thus efficiently heating this air, not to mention allow for its flow without hindrance. The drawn air has two main functions. Primarily, it is a medium by which the vapor produced in the vaporization chamber makes its way to the user. As utilized henceforward, the phrase “vaporization chamber” shall refer to the cavity in which vaporization takes place, namely in the inner boundaries of bowl 104. Moreover, the drawn air greatly facilitates the vaporization of the combustible substance by providing an oxygen-rich environment within the vaporization chamber. Another benefit attributed to the perforations is that the heater, being perforated, has a reduced area of heat transfer. This prevents the combustible substance from being consumed prematurely resulting in an extended hookah session in which the flavor of the vapor emitted from the combustible substance remains fresh. The perforated heater may be likened to a perforated piece of aluminum foil in a traditional hookah. As such, in a preferred embodiment, the perforations may be around 1 millimeter in diameter. In an optional embodiment, more than one heating element may be employed such that none, one, or more than one of those heating elements may be perforated.

In the shown embodiment, right above element 105 and ring 106 is a reflector plate 301. Plate 301 may be formed of a material with low thermal conductivity. In one embodiment, plate 301 is made of supermirror stainless steel. Plate 301 ensures the preservation of heat produced by the electrical heating elements. This translates to less electrical energy needed to be supplied to the heater. As with the heater, the plate is perforated throughout its thickness to allow for adequate airflow.

In the shown embodiment, attached to plate 301 is a handle 103. It enhances the safety of the product as the user can hold section 102 by the provided cutout without the risk of burn injuries.

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the electronics section 108 of the Mu'assal vaporizer of FIG. 1 with its cover removed. In the shown embodiment, a power source 401 is positioned within the boundaries of section 108. Source 401 supplies the voltage needed to power element 105. The voltage available depends on the heater employed to reach the necessary vaporization temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the voltage of source 401 is 16 Volts. Additionally, an ON/OFF button 402 and a DC charging port 403 are held in place by the exterior of section 108. Further shown in the embodiment is a microcontroller unit 404. Unit 404 receives signals from a sensor or group of sensors and outputs commands in response to these signals. Since the temperature of element 105 is directly proportional to the voltage supplied to it, the element's temperature may be adjusted by implementing the use of a voltage modulator 405. In the described embodiment, a dial potentiometer 406 may control modulator 405 to either raise or lower the voltage supplied to element 105. Consequently, the temperature of element 105 may be adjusted by the user depending on their preference. Section 108 has a hollow center 407. With center 407, section 108 may be installed around the stem of hookah 101, specifically on plate 109 as depicted in FIG. 2. In a traditional hookah, plate 109 acts as an ashtray that catches the ash falling from the expended coals. A plate acting as an ashtray is incorporated in most hookahs. With the usage of an electrical heating element, the usage of the plate as an ashtray becomes redundant. This situation was exploited by designing vaporizer 100 such that section 108 holding the electronic components may be situated on plate 109 thus making a new-found use of the plate.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the Portable Electronic Mu'assal Vaporizer may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A portable electronic mu'assal vaporizer that replaces charcoal as a heat source for hookah smoking, comprising:

an electric resistance heating element that provides heat energy to vaporize a combustible substance;

a heat reflector positioned above the electric resistance heating element;

a voltage modulator connected to the electric resistance heating element, the voltage modulator configured to modulate the voltage supplied to the heating element;

a power source coupled to the voltage modulator;

a dial potentiometer configured to control the voltage supplied to the heating element through the voltage modulator; and

a microcontroller unit configured to control the voltage via pulse width modulation.

2. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the electric resistance heating element is a metallic-ceramic heating element.

3. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the electric resistance heating element is perforated with one or more holes.

4. (canceled)

5. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the heat reflector is made from supermirror stainless steel.

6. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the heat reflector is perforated with one or more holes.

7. (canceled)

8. The vaporizer of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

9. The vaporizer of claim 8, wherein the battery is incorporated on an ashtray plate associated with a hookah.

10. The vaporizer of claim 8, wherein one or more batteries included in the battery are rechargeable, and the device includes a port for connecting to a power supply for charging the batteries.

11. The vaporizer of claim 8, wherein one or more batteries included in the battery provide a voltage of 16 Volts.

12. A device comprising:

an electric resistance heating element;

a heat reflector positioned above the electric resistance heating element;

a voltage modulator configured to modulate the voltage supplied to the electric resistance heating element;

a power source coupled to the voltage modulator; and

a voltage control unit configured to control the voltage supplied to the heating element by the voltage modulator.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the heat reflector comprises supermirror stainless steel.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the heat reflector is perforated with one or more holes.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the device further comprises a microcontroller unit that:

receives one or more signals from one or more sensors; and

controls voltage via pulse width modulation based on the one or more signals.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is able to be used in conjunction with a hookah, such that the electrical resistance heating element is used to heat a combustible substance.

17. A system comprising:

an electric resistance heating element;

a heat reflector positioned relative to the electric resistance heating element;

a voltage modulator configured to modulate the voltage supplied to the electric resistance heating element;

a power source coupled to the voltage modulator;

a voltage control unit configured to control the voltage supplied to the heating element by the voltage modulator;

one or more sensors;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: receive one or more signals from one or more sensors; and control voltage provided by the power source via pulse width modulation.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the heat reflector is perforated.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the heat reflector comprises stainless steel.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the electric resistance heating element is perforated.