EP3373754B1 - Water pipe - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water pipe with a housing in which a container to be filled with a liquid medium and provided with at least one suction connection and a heating chamber connected to it, serving to hold a smoking medium and provided with an air inlet, are integrated.

Such hookahs, originally from the Orient, also known as shishas, have also become increasingly popular as an alternative to cigarettes in recent years, especially among young people and adolescents. A hookah has a container that is partially filled with water or another liquid medium. A vacuum is created in this container by sucking on a mouthpiece. A smoke column also protrudes a little way into the water, which has a head part at its upper end for holding tobacco, which is heated with coal lying on it. The mixture of air, steam and smoke particles created when the tobacco is heated is then drawn in by the smoker. It is obvious that heating by glowing coals can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a burn accident or, in extreme cases, even a fire. The qualitative and legally compliant filling of the shisha is not guaranteed due to the manual filling. In principle, shishas known today should therefore only be operated outdoors or in rooms with a guaranteed supply of fresh air. State-of-the-art shishas are also quite heavy and voluminous, have to be assembled from several parts and are awkward to transport in their individual parts. Their cleaning is also expensive and often not sufficient hygienic standards. From the U.S. 4,133,318 or the US2012/0199572 Electronic hookahs are known, with which some of the problems mentioned above could be reduced in an unsatisfactory way. U.S. 4,133,318 discloses, for example, that a chamber has a heating element in the form of a heater or heating wire, the heating element being designed as a flat heater and heating can accordingly only take place on the bottom surface of the flat heater. Furthermore, the CN104522890A a hookah having a heating pot for accommodating tobacco, the side wall of which is connected to the bottom surface thereof to form a tobacco chamber for accommodating tobacco material, wherein a heating element for heating the tobacco material in the tobacco chamber may be wrapped around outside the side wall, among others.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a hookah that is characterized by being particularly compact and safe to use.

This object is achieved by a hookah with the features of claim 1, in which the heating chamber has a receptacle adapted for a capsule used to store a smoking medium, in which the receptacle has a side wall that encompasses the capsule laterally and a taper, the receptacle also serving as a Heating element is formed for the capsule, wherein heating takes place on the side wall of the receptacle, the receptacle has an opening on its side facing the container and the air inlet is provided on a side of the receptacle opposite the opening.

Thus the conception for such a hookah is completely new. It consists of a compact device with a tank-like container that is to be filled with water or another liquid medium and has at least one suction device through which the operator sucks in the mixture. One for holding a smoking medium, e.g. B. tobacco, serving heating chamber is located at the opposite end of the housing and has an air inlet. This principle enables a completely new, simple and safe, direct and unadulterated feeling of smoking thanks to compact modules and a particularly direct, effective and low-loss connection between the heating chamber and the water tank.

Ultimately, the smoker draws in air through the mouthpiece, which is connected to the lid of the water container via a hose. At the end of the housing opposite the water tank, ambient air flows in through the air inlet. There the air passes through the oven-like heatable chamber and the smoke medium stored there, which in turn is regulated to an ideal temperature for smoking. Because the heating chamber and water tank are in communication, the mixture is then sucked into the tank and ultimately through the water, hose and mouthpiece by the user. In this respect it is particularly expedient that the heating chamber is arranged below the container.

A significant advantage of the shisha according to the invention is the simple, fast and also hygienically advantageous operability. For this purpose, the invention provides that the heating chamber has a receptacle for a capsule serving to store a smoking medium. In this case, a capsule z. B. inserted from below into the oven-like heating chamber in which the smoke medium is heated. Such capsules can contain tobacco or non-tobacco smoking medium in a wide variety of variants, e.g. B. as a solid, dry, fermented or moist medium with or without tar or nicotine, in different intensities and flavors or with additives. The capsule is simply inserted into the heating chamber and can be removed just as easily after use without leaving any residue and disposed of properly.

The medium in the capsule is naturally heated in the heating chamber, for which purpose one embodiment of the invention provides that the heating device in the heating chamber is a heating element, preferably a heating coil made of a flexible Material is used, which is isolated from the housing is supplied with energy from the accumulator.

Alternatively, it is advisable if the heating element is designed to match the shape of a capsule, preferably has a conical shape, which makes it even easier to insert and remove after use, especially if the receptacle has a side wall that tapers in the direction of the container and encompasses the capsule / or has an opening on its side facing the container. The recording assumes the function of a kind of electric blanket. The heat is advantageously supplied in a lateral direction to the smoke direction.

The fact that the receptacle is also designed as a heating element for the capsule proves to be an advantage in that one unit can be saved. To a certain extent, this receptacle forms the outer housing for the capsule, with which the latter then corresponds after insertion into the heating chamber in such a way that an unrestricted extraction effect can be achieved. The design of the heating chamber in this area prevents the smoke medium from penetrating into the intake pipe in the direction of the container.

It has already been mentioned that the capsules are positioned in the heating chamber. The proposal according to which the heating chamber can be closed via a base plate, with the air inlet being integrated into the heating chamber, either in the base plate or in the chamber wall, is understood in this sense. When the base plate and thus the chamber are closed, the capsule according to the invention finds its functional position by itself, i. H. the end position of an inserted, snapped or screwed-in base plate corresponds to the capsule in its functional position, so that smoking can begin.

A particularly suitable variant of the invention stipulates that the capsule can be inserted into the heating chamber from below when the base plate is removed. The capsule is thus completely absorbed by the housing of the shisha. The The bottom plate is thus detached from the heating chamber in order to replace the used cartridge with smoke medium; conceivable is a connection via a thread, latching, magnetism, etc. The used cartridge is then removed from the chamber and replaced by one filled with new medium, and then the base plate is fixed again.

In other words: the base plate is designed to correspond to a capsule for storing a smoke medium in such a way that the capsule assumes its functional position when the base plate is fixed, screwed in, inserted or latched into or in the housing, in which the smoke medium with the sucked air in can make contact.

A particularly intensive heating effect can be achieved if an accumulator is integrated in the housing above the heating chamber, which is used to supply energy to the heating chamber. It is important to use the accumulator to heat up this lower chamber and thus the smoke medium stored there in an effective manner and to keep the optimum smoke temperature.

The compactness and the high degree of safety when handling the shisha according to the invention is also achieved in that the smoking medium is not heated up by burning coal, as is the case with previously known shishas. Instead, electronics are used, with which the heat development can naturally be controlled much more effectively, safely and selectively. It is in this sense that the proposal is to be understood, according to which an electronic control unit is positioned between the container or the heating chamber and the accumulator.

It is also conceivable that an electronic measuring, control and/or regulating unit is positioned between the container or the heating chamber and the accumulator, which is used to monitor, control and/or regulate the heating function in the heating chamber and the temperature in the heating chamber serves. The control unit can therefore be used for example when using appropriate Sensor technology also influences the heating function in the lower chamber, ie it is primarily raised and lowered and regulated. This is also associated with a completely new pleasure factor when smoking shisha, because input values such as the temperature in the chamber can be varied automatically by the operator and/or by the control unit when predetermined limit values are reached, and thus ultimately the quality of the smoking product. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the control unit is used to switch the shisha on, off and on standby. An automatism through the air flow is thus possible. A sensor can be used here for monitoring, for example, which then forwards the corresponding signals to the control unit.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the water pipe is equipped with a communication interface, so that the control unit is used to communicate with the user and/or external devices, e.g. B. via NFC or Bluetooth technology. Such an interface can then be used to influence the control via an external control unit, such as a smartphone or tablet PC. This makes it possible to create a user profile or communicate the smoking experience via Facebook or other social media, for example. Reordering tobacco capsules is also conceivable in this way.

The connection between the water tank and the heating chamber is necessary in order to draw the smoke medium by suction first into the heating chamber and then into or through the tank. The most expedient is an embodiment in which the heating chamber and the container are connected via at least one suction tube. To do this, it is necessary for the intake manifold to penetrate the accumulator and/or the electronic control unit or for the intake manifold to be routed past the accumulator and/or the control unit.

It goes without saying that in the housing according to the invention the mixture should only flow or flow in one direction, ie through the air inlet into the lower heating chamber and from there through the intake pipe into the tank, to there eventually being drawn in by the smoker. It is therefore recommended that a non-return valve is provided between the suction tube and the container, which prevents the liquid medium from penetrating from the container into the suction tube.

An essential aspect of the invention is that air is drawn into the heating chamber from the outside and the air then actually comes into contact with the smoke medium provided in the capsules as intensively as possible and with optimal mixing of air and smoke medium. To do this, a capsule must have one or more holes or even be perforated on at least one end. The opening of the smaller, upper hole is expediently accomplished by using the suction tube at the same time as a mandrel, i.e. when inserting the capsule into the lower chamber, the suction tube penetrates into the capsule and in this way it is made possible for the smoking medium to flow into the suction tube and ultimately enter the water tank and can be released there.

In order to facilitate the disposal of the used water from the container and the filling with new water, it is envisaged that the container and the housing are releasably connected to one another, for example by means of a plug-in, snap-in or magnetic connection. This creates a modular structure with the components capsule, heating chamber, energy/electronics, water container, lid, hose and mouthpiece.

The invention is characterized in particular by the fact that a hookah or shisha is created that is particularly compact, safe, user-friendly, easy to clean and numerous possible variations. The operator first draws air through an inlet on the underside of the housing into a heating chamber containing tobacco or non-tobacco smoking medium, suitably in a capsule to be inserted into the heating chamber like an oven. The capsule is so to speak in the air flow that the operator on upper end of the housing by suction, ie generated by producing a negative pressure. At the same time, the smoke medium in the capsule is heated by a heating mechanism powered by an accumulator. From the heating chamber, more precisely from the capsule used there, the mixture of air and smoke medium then passes through a suction pipe into the upper container, also known as the water tank, where it passes through the water and can then be sucked in via a suction device. The capsule for storing the medium is an integral part of the flow of heat and air without loss of aroma in relation to the smoking medium. Thanks to its electronic control, the shisha according to the invention opens up completely new possibilities because the heating processes can be monitored, controlled and/or regulated. In any case, the air flow is defined by pre-made openings/holes on the top and bottom, and the heating preferably takes place on the side surface in the heating chamber. The use of the capsules creates further possibilities in the form of variants for the smoking medium, its composition and intensity.

Figur 1

in Seitenansicht,

Figur 2

als Explosionsdarstellung und

Figur 3

im Längsschnitt.

Figur 4

in Ansicht schräg von oben und

Figur 5

in Ansicht schräg von unten.

Figur 6

eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Kapsel,

Figur 7

die Kapsel in der Heizkammer,

Figur 8

einen Schnitt zu Figur 9 und

Figur 9

eine Draufsicht auf die Kapsel in der Heizkammer.

Further details and advantages of the subject of the invention result from the following description of the associated drawings, in which a preferred exemplary embodiment is shown with the necessary details and individual parts. They each show a water pipe:

figure 1

in side view,

figure 2

as an exploded view and

figure 3

in longitudinal section.

figure 4

in view obliquely from above and

figure 5

viewed obliquely from below.

figure 6

an exploded view of a capsule,

figure 7

the capsule in the heating chamber,

figure 8

a cut to figure 9 and

figure 9

a top view of the capsule in the heating chamber.

Already figure 1 illustrates the special compactness of the hookah 1 with its elongated housing 2 and the modular design. The container 3 is closed by the lid 15 at the top. A suction hose 28 has its integral end connected to the connecting piece 5 as part of the cover 15 and is provided with an exchangeable mouthpiece 16 at the other end. The connection of several hoses 28, 29 is conceivable. The mouthpiece 16 of the tube 28 can be detachably fixed to the outer wall of the housing or the cover 15 via a magnetic connection. The water level for the water held in the container 3 is denoted by 20, since only partial filling of the container 3 is expedient. The heating chamber and accumulator as well as the control unit are covered by a cover 27 which, in addition to many other details, characterizes the design of such a water pipe 1, including the possible imprint or engraving 26 for advertising purposes. 32 is the on, off and standby switch for operating the shisha. Indicated at 13, 13' are two capsules with perforations 33 holding smoke medium. The air inlet in the form of several air slots 19 bears the reference numeral 6.

In an exploded view then shows figure 2 a hookah 1 according to the invention. Through the air inlet in the form of slots 19 indicated by the reference number 6, the operator draws air from the outside into the heating chamber 4, where smoke medium is kept in a replaceable capsule 13. A heating coil 14 is provided as the heating medium in the lower chamber 4, the conical shape of which is adapted to that of the capsule 13—or vice versa. An adapter disc is denoted by 25, which ensures that the capsule 13 is fixed correctly. The lower chamber 4 in the sense of a small oven is connected via the suction tube 11 to the container 3, which in turn is closed off at the top by the cover 15 and has a connection 5 for a hose 28, 29 with a mouthpiece 16 at the other end. The walls of the container 3 serving as a tank are preferably made of acrylic glass. Cover 15, casing 27 and heating chamber 4 or their walls are preferably made of brushed or blasted stainless steel, aluminum or ceramics. The intake pipe 11 ensures that the mixture of air and smoke medium can reach the container 3 from the lower chamber 4 . A non-return valve 12, an O-ring 21 and a cover disk 22 are used for additional sealing or separation. The suction pipe 11 is sealed by Teflon disks 24, 23 on the one hand against the lower chamber 4 and on the other hand against the accumulator 8 or its chamber 7. With a 9 measurement, regulation and / or control unit is called, the z. B. in conjunction with a sensor for monitoring, controlling and / or regulating the heating function of the heating chamber 4 is used. The capsule 13 for storing the medium is an integral part of the flow of heat and air, as a result of which the aroma of the smoking medium is fully preserved.

shows in longitudinal section figure 3 a hookah 1 according to the invention, the container 3 of which is filled with water up to the water level 20 . The non-return valve 12 integrated into the bottom of the container 3 is also clearly visible here. The longitudinal section also shows the electrical shaft with the measuring, regulation and/or control unit 9 and the suction pipe 11, which is guided centrally through the accumulators 8 and finally in the Heating chamber 4 ends. If a capsule is now inserted into the heating chamber 4, the suction tube 11 penetrates with its lower end 18 into the capsule 13, releasing the mixture. The capsule 13 is fixed in the heating chamber 4 by the base plate 17 , the air supply is ensured via the air slots 30 located in the heating chamber 4 .

figure 4 shows a simplified representation of the housing 3 with the upper container 3 for the water and the non-return valve 12 in the direction of the suction pipe 11.

In the drawing of figure 5 Finally, the focus is on the view of the housing 2 from below with the air slot 19 in the heating chamber 4 for sucking the ambient air into the interior of the housing 2.

figure 6 shows an exploded view of a capsule 13 with two end plates 36, 39 at the inlet 50 and outlet 51. The capsule 13 has a taper 37, which then merges into the front end plate 36. An aroma protection film 41 with a handle 43 is used to close the holes 45 in the end plate 36 and must be removed immediately before use. In addition, the capsule 13 includes a further aroma protection film 40 with a handle 42 which corresponds to the rear end plate 39 and thus to the holes 46 etc. The collar 38 is used to attach the aroma protection film 40 and the capsule 13.

Such a capsule 13 in the heating chamber 4 of the smoking device otherwise not shown here shows figure 7 alternative to figure 3 . The heatable receptacle 34 of about 2 mm thickness for the capsule 13 with its wall 35 has a taper 37; Capsule 13 and receptacle 34 are designed to correspond to one another, and capsule 13 sits firmly in receptacle 34. Because receptacle 34 ends after taper 37 or has an opening 52, a free space 48 that is advantageous for the extraction process remains.

This is also illustrated in the section after figure 8 , in which the opening 52 in the area of the receptacle 34 shows. The base plate for closing the heating chamber 4 is denoted by 17 . A bore 47 is used to supply current to the receptacle 34, which also serves as a heating element.

Finally illustrated figure 9 the view from above of the receptacle 34 and the capsule 13 with its front end plate 36. The center 49 of the connection plate 36 is also illustrated here, which is equipped with a particularly large number of holes, one of which is given the reference number 55 as an example, in order to to ensure the intended optimal extraction without the risk that smoke medium could enter the suction pipe.

Claims (11)

1. Waterpipe (1) having a housing (2), into which a container (3) to be filled with a liquid medium and provided with at least one suction connection (5), and a heating chamber (4), which is connected thereto, is intended to receive a smoke medium and is provided with an air inlet (6), is integrated, characterized in that the heating chamber (4) has a receptacle (34) adapted for a capsule (13) intended to store a smoke medium, wherein

   the receptacle (34) has a side wall (35) laterally surrounding the capsule (13) and a taper (37),

   the receptacle (34) is at the same time designed as a heating element for the capsule (13), wherein heating occurs on the side wall (35) of the receptacle (34); and

   the receptacle (34) has an opening (52) on its side facing the container (3) and the air inlet (6) is provided on a side of the receptacle (34) opposite the opening (52).
2. Waterpipe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the heating chamber (4) can be closed via a base plate (17), wherein the air inlet (6, 19) is integrated into the heating chamber (4).
3. Waterpipe according to Claim 2, characterized in that the capsule (13) can be inserted from below into the heating chamber (4) when the base plate (17) is removed.
4. Waterpipe according to Claim 2, characterized in that the base plate (17) is adapted to correspond to a capsule (13) for storing a smoke medium in such a way that the capsule (13) assumes its functional position when the base plate (17) is fixed, screwed into or inserted into the heating chamber (4).
5. Waterpipe according to Claim 1, characterized in that an accumulator (8) is integrated into the housing (2) above the heating chamber (4) and is intended to supply the heating chamber (4) with energy.
6. Waterpipe according to Claim 5, characterized in that an electronic measuring, control and/or regulating unit (9) is positioned between the container (3) or the heating chamber (4) and the accumulator (8), which is intended to monitor, control and/or regulate the heating function in the heating chamber (4).
7. Waterpipe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the waterpipe (1) is equipped with a communication interface.
8. Waterpipe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the container (3) and the heating chamber (4) are connected via at least one suction tube (11).
9. Waterpipe according to Claim 8, characterized in that a one-way valve (12) is provided between the suction tube (11) and container (3) and prevents the penetration of liquid medium from the container (3) into the suction tube (11).
10. Waterpipe according to Claim 9, characterized in that the suction tube (11) also serves as a piercing mandrel.
11. Waterpipe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the container (3) and the housing (2) are releasably connected to one another.

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