US20230091304A1

US20230091304A1 - Insulated inhalation enhancement device

Info

Publication number: US20230091304A1
Application number: US17/448,641
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Cree
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-09-23
Filing date: 2021-09-23
Publication date: 2023-03-23

Abstract

An insulated inhalation enhancement device is comprised of a vacuum flask, a removable lid and at least two ports which provide access to the interior of the flask. At least one of the ports enables a hollow tube or pipe to connect the upper portion of the interior of the flask to a mouthpiece or other means to inhale. Another one or more ports allows for a hollow tube or pipe to connect the lower portion of the interior of the flask to a source of inhalants exterior to the flask. And either one of the two ports, or a third port can be configured to connect the upper portion of the interior of the vacuum flask with air that is exterior to the vacuum flask.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to an apparatus useful for improving the experience of inhaling an inhalant, such as smoke produced by smoking, or aerosol produced by vaping, by drawing the inhalant through water, thereby cooling, filtering and moisturizing the inhalant, wherein the apparatus is vacuum insulated.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, it has been considered desirable when smoking tobacco, flavored tobacco, cannabis or other herbals to both cool the smoke and add moisture before inhalation. Both of these modifications to the smoke have the effect of making the smoke “smoother”, or less irritating to the throat, and are generally considered to improve the overall “smoking experience”. A device to draw the smoke through a reservoir of water has traditionally been used to help achieve these two goals. Devices which draw smoke through water include a hookah and a bong, or “water pipe”.
Because smoke resulting from the combustion of smoking products is hot, one function of the water is to cool the smoke. Since the mass of the reservoir of water is large compared to the mass of the smoking product, the water will have the effect of cooling hot smoke. It is still preferable to some users to cool the smoke further, and if that is the case, ice can be added to the water. Cold water will cool smoke particles more than room temperature water and can further improve the perceived “smoothness” of the smoking experience.
The use of hot water to cool the smoke to make it smoother is also known. Hot water is still much cooler than the combusted smoking product and will therefore serve most of the same purpose as cool water in cooling the smoke. But the use of hot water is said to provide certain advantages over the use of cold water. One such advantage is that hot water will capture less of the uncombusted smoking material than cold water will capture, so that the dose received per inhalation of the active ingredient in the smoking product is greater for the hot water case than for the cold water case. Also, the use of hot water will result in additional water vapor being inhaled, which can improve the smoothness of the smoking sensation.
It is also desirable for taste reasons to remove the “Tar” and “Ash” from the smoke as well. “Tar” is a catch-all term referring to the many chemical compounds produced by the combustion of smoking products, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Ash refers to the residue resulting from incomplete combustion of the smoking product. Although studies differ in conclusion, it may be the case that drawing the smoke through water helps to remove some of the Tar and Ash. For example, there may be epidemiologic evidence that tobacco smokers who smoke use water filtration have a lower incidence of cancer than those who do not.
Devices suitable for smoothing smoke intended for inhalation have been used for many centuries. The hookah dates back to the 16th century in Southeast Asia and became popular among the gentrified classes. Since the use of a hookah was a social activity, in general hookas are decorative and ornate, however, in construction and function they are similar to a bong or water pipe in that they provide a means to draw smoke through water. One way hookahs differ from bongs in the technical sense in the way in which the smoking product is heated. In a bong, the smoking product is heated directly, and the smoke from combustion of the smoking product is what is drawn through the water and inhaled. In the case of hookahs, charcoal is used to heat air, which is then passed through the smoking product. The heated air causes the smoking product to smoke, and the smoke is drawn through water and inhaled. Hookahs can differ from bongs in another sense, which is that generally hookahs have multiple inhalation ports so they can be used by a plurality of smokers simultaneously.
Vaping has become popular in the last 10 years, and often used as an alternative to smoking. The first e-cigarette patent was filed by Herbert Gilbert in 1963, although credit for the modern version is given to Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist and inventor, who used a high frequency ultrasound to vaporize a jet of liquid containing nicotine into an aerosol. Vaping is an alternative nicotine delivery system and is considered healthier than cigarette smoking because it does not produce many of the unhealthy by-products of cigarette smoking. Vaping devices come in a large variety of types. Some types include cannabis vapes, nicotine vapes, e-cigarettes, pod vapes, box mods, squonkers, vape pens, THC oil pens, portable vaporizers, and desktop vaporizers.
Smoothing an aerosol before inhalation is not traditionally known. However, aerosol, like smoke, can also irritate the throat, even though the aerosol is not generally hot. The experience of vaping can therefore also be improved by smoothing the resultant aerosol by drawing it through water. As is the case for smoke from smoking products, the effect of drawing the aerosol through the water can be to add moisture to the aerosol before inhalation. The addition of moisture has the effect of making the aerosol smoother, and can improve the vaping experience.
Aromatherapy has been used as a holistic healing treatment for hundreds of years. Aromatic plant components have been incorporated into balms, and essential oils and have been recognized to possess both physical and psychological benefits. The term “aromatherapy” was coined by French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefossé who discovered that lavender seemed to speed the healing of burns.
Aromatherapy has been used to offer multiple benefits, including the management of pain, improved sleep quality, reduced stress, the treatment of headaches and migraines, the alleviation of side effects of chemotherapy, eased discomfort of labor, the fighting of bacteria, improvement of digestion and a boost to immunity. Some means of experiencing the benefit of aromatherapy include inhalation of the essential oil by adding it to water and heating the water until significant evaporation occurs. Inhalation of the evaporant is then the means by which the essential oils are delivered to the user.
Inhalation of an evaporant is not likely to be made smoother by passing the evaporant through water, because the evaporant comprises molecular-sized particles, which are generally too small to irritate the throat. However, aromatherapy evaporation devices tend to be larger and less portable. Therefore some users prefer to experience aromatherapy through vaping, since vaping provides a portable and convenient means to experience aromatherapy. But vaping produces an aerosol, which can irritate the throat. Therefore, it is desirable to smooth the aerosol produced by vaping an aromatherapy essential oil, before inhalation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention described herein generally relate to apparatus useful for improving the experience of smoking or vaping by efficiently drawing smoke though water wherein the apparatus is vacuum insulated. The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a modification of a portable vacuum flask. The embodiment includes a means for holding smoking material such that the smoking product can be heated by an external heat source such as a flame, a means for enabling smoke from the smoking product to enter an interior chamber of the vacuum flask approximately half filled with water at a point submerged in the water, a means for smoothing the smoke by allowing it to pass through the water generally contained within a lower portion of the interior chamber of the vacuum flask if the flask is maintained upright, and a means to inhale the smoke that passes through the water and forms above the water level in the upper portion of the interior chamber. So modified, the advantages of a portable vacuum flask, including the ability to keep hot liquids and foods hot or cold liquids and foods cold for an extended period of time, are then imparted to a bong or hookah, such that the embodiment maintains the main advantages of both.
A vaping device provides a means to convert a liquid vaping product into an aerosol and inhale the aerosol. The liquid typically comprises Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin, nicotine and flavorings. A vaping device with a refillable cartridge enables a wide variety of other vaping products and inhalants to be contemplated such as menthol oil. Menthol oil could be used in conjunction with cold or hot water in the apparatus. Another embodiment of the present invention, then, includes a means for substituting a vaping device such as a vape pen or device, also known as an e-cigarette, for the smoking material, such that upon the action of inhalation of a mouthpiece of the embodiment, the aerosol produced by the vaping device is drawn through the water in the vacuum flask and into the air in the upper portion of the vacuum flask.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is suitable for charcoal to be used as the external heat source to heat the smoking product. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is suitable for an electric heater to be used as the external heat source used to heat the smoking product.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is configured with a means for enabling one or more smoking products and/or one or more vaping devices, such that different smoking products may be smoked simultaneously.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is configured with a means for enabling one or more smoking products and/or one or more vaping devices, and with a plurality of means to inhale the smoke that passes through the water and forms above the water level within the interior chamber such that a plurality of smokers can utilize the apparatus of this disclosure simultaneously.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is configured with a container adjacent the vacuum flask, suitable for holding smoking product. The container is removably attached to the vacuum flask, for example by way of threading or a hinge or friction or glue. If the water in the interior of the vacuum flask is cold when it is added, or if something cold is added to it, for example, ice, the exterior of the vacuum flask will also become cold. If the container is configured to share a wall with the vacuum flask, the container will also be cooled. A cool space is advantageous when storing certain types of smoking product for ease of handling.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention configured such that the one or more of the tube or pipe that connects the upper portion of the interior of the flask with a mouthpiece or other means to inhale, and the tube or pipe that connects the lower portion of the interior of the flask with a source of inhalants exterior to the flask are disposable, so that regular cleaning of the invention is reduced or eliminated.
As yet another embodiment of the present invention is configured with various indicia, images, text and texture so as to confer different aesthetic aspects to the invention.
The invention of this disclosure described herein has multiple innovative aspect and desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the potentially advantageous features of the apparatus of this disclosure will herein be enumerated.
Potential advantages of the invention over some bongs or hookahs include:

- 1. The insulating nature of the vacuum flask enables cold water to stay cold and hot water to stay hot for extended periods of time such that the water temperature in the flask can be generally maintained at the desired temperature until smoking is begun as well as throughout the duration of the smoking activity.
- 2. The ease of transport compared to a typical bong or hookah due to its generally lighter weight and generally smaller size.
- 3. A lower likelihood of breakage compared to a typical hookah or bong.
- 4. A lower likelihood of significant water spillage if the Hydrobong is dropped on the floor or ground.
- 5. The apparatus is adaptable to both smoking products and vaping devices.
- 6. The apparatus is adaptable to smoke several smoking products and/or vaping devices simultaneously.
- 7. The apparatus is adaptable for use with either cold water or hot water.
- 8. The ability to supply cold or hot water to the device at one location and transport the device to another location and smoke at the new location.
- 9. The relative ease of cleaning the device compared to a typical bong or water pipe, since the interior chamber of the device can be accessed without going through long tube that it difficult to clean.
- 10. The apparatus does not need to have a guard or ice pinch, devices to keep the water away from splashing on the user and to prevent ice from escaping, respectively, that are commonly found in typical bongs. The lid portion of the apparatus already serves the purpose of the splash guard by keeping the water inside the inner chamber, as well as the purpose of the ice pinch by preventing any ice in the water from escaping from the inner chamber.
- 11. If the intake tube is removed and without certain indicia, the device looks similar to a regular vacuum flask, a commonly available means to transport liquids while maintaining their temperature.
- 12. The apparatus can be configured in different sizes. For example, measured in the volume of liquid the vacuum flask can hold 12 fluid ounces or 20 fluid ounces or 32 fluid ounces or 64 fluid ounces.
- 13. The apparatus can be configured to use charcoal to heat the smoking product.
- 14. The apparatus can be configured with multiple inhalation means so that a plurality of smokers can use the device simultaneously.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present disclosure so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention configured to accommodate a vaping device

FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of vacuum flask 100 with lid 101.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the upper portion of vacuum flask 100 configured to accommodate a smoking product

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the upper portion of vacuum flask configured to accommodate a smoking product heated by nail 402.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED

Exemplary Embodiments

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide an improved system and method for smoking or vaping.
Bongs are devices normally used indoors in a home while hookahs are normally used indoors in a home or in a restaurant. It can be considered advantageous to be able to use a smoke smoothing device in a different location than a home or a restaurant, for example outdoors on a hike or in nature. Existing smoke smoothing devices are not well suited for portability. Most bongs are made of glass, are large, and are of awkward shape. Hookahs are very often made from metal, but their size and shape are not well suited to portability. Mostly, bongs and hookahs are meant to be used on a table, generally next to a source of cold or hot water and ice. Keeping the smoke smoothing device on a table close to water and ice therefore generally limits the smoking experience to an indoor experience.
Further, bongs and hookahs are not generally rugged. One definition of rugged could be the ability to withstand a fall from a few feet above the ground, without irreparable damage. Most bongs are made of glass, and could shatter if dropped. Most hookahs are made of metal, and could dent if dropped. In the case of either a hookah or a bong, the external configurations which enable inhalation or the placement of smoking product are often more complex in shape. If the hookah or bong is dropped, these external configurations could easily be damaged or rendered unusable. Further, if the bong or hookah is dropped with water in it, there is high likelihood that the water will spill.
The mechanism used by both hookahs and bongs to smooth smoke is by utilizing the process of aeration, by filling the device approximately half way with water and drawing the smoke into the aerator and through the water. A tube from where the smoke is generated to a location under the water provides air communication, and the partial vacuum resulting from normal human inhalation to the region above the water surface creates lower atmospheric pressure above the water and has the effect of drawing or pulling the smoke from the tube through the water. Aerating the smoke in this manner has the effect of filtering the smoke of some Tar, Ash and some of the larger smoke particles.
Generally, the more finely the smoke can be separated, the greater the smoothing effect of the water. If the smoke is introduced into the water at only a single point such as a hole at the end of a tube, the amount of smoke which will interact with the water will be small, and the smoothing effect of the water will be limited. In order to increase the amount of interaction between the smoke and the water, the smoke must be broken up into the smallest possible groups of particles. To this end, a diffuser or percolator, which is a device to increase the interfacial area between a gas phase and a liquid phase by introducing the gas to the liquid through a large number of small holes, is placed at the end of the tube and the tube is closed off at the end, forcing the smoke to enter the water through the percolator.
Vaping is usually carried out by a hand-held device which is more suitable for portability and can be used without being near to a table or a water source. The aerosol produced by vaping consists of the vape liquid particles, which are a combination of a carrier liquid typically comprising Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin, and the desired inhalant ingredients. Such particles can be harsh on the throat. It is therefore the case that with vaping, the desire to smooth the inhaled aerosol also exists. By drawing the vape through water, moisture is added to the aerosol which creates a smoother inhalation experience.
A device which then creates the sensation of smoothing an inhalant can be applied to many different kinds of inhalants. Herbs are among the most common inhalants. Herbs like tobacco and cannabis are well known, while other herbs that may have medicinal properties, sometimes called “healing herbs”, include Mullein for lung infections, White Horehound for asthma, Hyssop for cleansing, purging and purification, Red Raspberry Leaf to neutralize nicotine poisoning, Bergamot as a lung antiseptic, St John's Wort as a mood stabilizer, Skullcap for reducing anxiety, and Wormwood for pain relief. Typically, the medicinal properties of herbs would be delivered to the body by way of inhalation of smoke produced by burning the herbs, and thus may be irritating to the throat. Therefore it may be desirable to smooth smoke produced by herbs before inhaling.
Terpenes are highly aromatic compounds that determine the smell of many plants and herbs, and are used to create the flavors and scents of many everyday products, such as perfumes and skin creams. In nature, terpenes can act as pollinators in plants or are useful in plant health. Aromatherapy is the inhalation of certain terpenes for the purpose of enhancing health and well-being. There is some evidence which supports claims of healthful aspects of aromatherapy. For example, the Japanese practice of being in a forest atmosphere has been shown to reduce concentration of cortisol, lower pulse rate and lower blood pressure compared to being in urban environments. The terpene beta-caryophyllene found in basil, cloves, oregano, rosemary, black pepper, and cannabis has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain-relieving benefits. Other terpenes are said to have healing properties. The terpene pinene found in rosemary, pine, basil, parsley and cannabis is said to be antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic. The terpene limonene found in rosemary, peppermint, fruit rinds, eucalyptus, juniper and cannabis is said to be good for digestion, anxiety, depression and the immune system. The terpene linalool found in cinnamon, lavender and cannabis is said to be good for sleep, relaxation, anxiety and depression. And the terpene myrcene found in sweet basil, hops, mangos, lemongrass and thyme is said to be good for pain relief, muscle tension and depression. Terpenes can also affect the way in which cannabinoids like THC and CBD affect the user. For example, different terpenes can have the effect of causing THC or CBD to be “more uplifting” or “more relaxing”.
Aromatherapy inhalation is generally carried out using essential oils. The oils can be inhaled directly, but are more effective if diffused or volatilized before inhalation. One means of volatilization includes an oil diffuser in which a sonicator is used to atomize oil into small particles which form a mist in the air. Another means of volatilization includes heating the diluted oil and inhaling the resultant vapor. Yet another means of volatilization is the use of vape technology, in which the essential oil is heated to create an aerosol before inhaling. As with normal vaping, it is therefore the case that the desire to smooth the inhaled aerosol of essential oils may also exist.
An additional embodiment of the present invention comprises a portable vacuum flask modified with a port, also known as a “carburetor”, extending from the exterior of the flask though to the upper portion of the interior of the flask, where the port is suitable for supporting a check valve, which allows air to communicate with inner chamber from the exterior of the flask, but does not allow water from the interior chamber to escape. The flask has a lid which can be securely fit to the top, which controls the flow of air and the contents of the flask interior such as water and ice.
In a preferred embodiment, the lid has at least two ports allowing air passage from the exterior of the flask to the interior of the flask. At least one port air connects the upper portion of the interior of the chamber with a mouthpiece that allows a user to draw air from the upper portion of the chamber interior through the act of inhalation. And at least one port air connects smoke from the smoking product or aerosol from the vape device into the lower portion of the interior chamber through a tube comprising an aerator. The aerator comprises a plurality of small holes at a lower portion of the tube.
In another embodiment, the port which air connects smoke from the smoking product or aerosol from the vape device into the lower portion of the interior chamber through a tube comprising an aerator can be configured to act as the carburetor, allowing air to flow from the exterior of the flask though to the upper portion of the interior of the flask. Reconfiguring said port is achieved by removing aerator tube 205, allowing said port to act as the carburetor by holding or removing a thumb or finger over the end of tube 107 during inhalation.
The lid is attached to the body of the vacuum flask, typically by way of a threaded connection, but may be attached by a friction fit, a hinge, a clamp, a magnet, or any known means of attachment. The vacuum flask is configured such that the circumference of the opening at the top of the flask which receives the lid, is generally smaller than the circumference of the rest of the flask. Typically, then, the neck of the vacuum flask with have a flange at its base, in order to accommodate a larger circumference below the neck in the vacuum flask.
A rigid member known as a “deck” is held firmly to the flask, extending perpendicularly to the vertical orientation of the flask, by surrounding the neck of the flask with a snug fit. The snug fit is achieved by means of a large hole contained in the deck, referred to as a supporting hole, where the supporting hole is only slightly larger than the diameter of the neck of the flask, positioned over the neck. The deck is thus constrained from sliding in the plane of the deck since the supporting hole surrounds the neck of the bottle on all sides. And the deck is constrained from tilting by virtue of the circumference of the supporting hole being only slightly larger than the circumference of the neck. Since there is a broadening flange at the base of the neck, the deck is further constrained in the downward vertical direction, and is constrained in the upward vertical direction due to gravity. The deck is generally further generally constrained from rotation due to friction. Therefore the deck is generally constrained in all six degrees of freedom, and will remain at the same orientation with respect to the bottle at all times.
In addition to the supporting hole that fits securely over the neck of the vacuum flask, the deck is further configured with a smaller bracing hole placed distal to the flask, providing structural support to enable the tube air connected to the aerator to be held with upwards orientation at a fixed position with respect to the flask. The tube is held to the bracing hole in the deck by means of a gasket. Rigid attachments to the tube then enable the placement of a container for smoking material to be air connected to the tube, and to be held such that the upwards orientation and position with respect to the flask is maintained. The orientation of the container thus maintained ensures that when the flask is held upright and steady, the smoking material container is also upright and steady.
In additional embodiments, the smoking material is heated to a higher temperature by use of a platform known as a “nail” to hold the smoking material. The nail is normally made of material that can withstand high heat such as a metal, and the heat source used to heat the nail is typically higher temperature than a heat source used to directly heat smoking product. For example, a propane torch could be used instead of a lighter. The torch is used to heat the metal plate rather than the smoking product directly. The metal plate gets hot, and heats the smoking product. Smoke from the smoking product is drawn into the flask by way of a hole located above the smoking product. In this configuration, is can be desirable to keep the source of heat further away from the user. In that case, an extender apparatus can be used, which air connects the smoking product to the vacuum flask further away from the flask. The extender comprises rigid tubing and attachments which maintain the position and orientation of the Nail, and provides air communication between the smoke from the smoking product and the upwardly pointing rigid connector.
The device in its preferred embodiment is then normally used by filling the interior of the interior chamber half way with water, providing a source of smoking material or attaching a vaping device, closing the carburetor with a thumb or finger, lighting the smoking product or releasing the aerosol from a vaping device, and beginning to inhale. The suction produced by the action of inhaling forces air to be drawn into the interior chamber through the aerator, into the water, and into the upper portion of the interior chamber. During the process of inhalation, the hole is released, allowing air to enter the upper portion of the interior chamber of the flask, and enabling all of the smoke or aerosol from a vaping device to be inhaled.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in FIGS. 1-4 . FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention configured to accommodate a vaping device. The apparatus comprises a vacuum flask 100 configured with carburetor 108. A screw top or other snug fitting lid 101 is provided, with an attached carabiner 106 for affixing the apparatus to a belt or strap. Brass elbow 102 is connected through one of the ports in the lid at a 90 degree angle. Tube 107 extends out from brass elbow 102 and passes through the bracing hole in rigid deck 105, held firmly in place by gasket 104. Tube 107 is configured to be suitable for attaching vaping device 109.
A detailed view of lid 101 is provided, showing a threaded means of attachment 110 to the flask. A second detailed view of lid 101 is provided, showing the underside of the lid, in which extension tube 112 and connector tube 111 can be seen. Tube 112 is air connected to the mouthpiece 103, while connector tube 111 is air connected to vaping device 109.
FIG. 2 shows a cutaway view of vacuum flask 100 with lid 101. The flask comprises outer shell layer 202 and inner chamber wall 203. The space between outer shell layer 202 and inner chamber wall 203 is a partial vacuum, enabling thermal insulation between interior chamber 201 and the environment. The interior chamber is about half filled with water 204. Aerator tube 205 supports percolator 207, comprised of a plurality of small holes and closed end 206 shown at the lower portion of aerator tube 205, where percolator 207 is submerged in the water.
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the upper portion of vacuum flask 100 configured to accommodate a smoking product. Tube 107 extends downward to below rigid deck 105, and is attached by snug fit to glass elbow 301 and then passes upwards through the bracing hole in the deck, firmly held in place with respect to position and orientation by gasket 103. Glass adaptor 302 in air communication with and snugly fit onto glass elbow 301, maintains position and orientation with respect to the flask. Glass adaptor 302 then air communicates with and holds with respect to position and orientation glass bowl 303, configured to be suitable for holding smoking product.
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the upper portion of vacuum flask configured to accommodate a smoking product heated by nail 402. Extender 401 is firmly attached to glass elbow 301, extending air communication outward, away from the vacuum flask. Extender 401 is configured to hold and maintain air communication with nail 402. Smoking product placed within nail 402 is heated with higher temperature flame source 403.

Example 1

The advantage of using a diffuser can be detected in the smoothness of the smoke. A survey of smokers was conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the aerator. Five smokers were asked to use the apparatus of the present disclosure and rate their sense of smoothness on a scale of 1 to 5, both with and without the aerator feature. The results of the test were tabulated. When using the apparatus without the diffuser, participants said that they experienced “smooth” draws, and gave it an average rating of 3.5/5. When using the apparatus with the diffuser, participants said that each draw of smoke was “unnoticeable” when inhaled, which allowed them to draw more smoke, and gave it an average rating of 5.0/5.

Example 2

An apparatus of the present disclosure was used to smoke one part of the cannabis plant suitable for use as smoking product known as “Flower”, “Nugget” or “Bud”. An appropriate amount of flower was ground using a grinding device. The apparatus was prepared by filling the chamber about half full with cold water. The bowl was packed with the ground flower. A user placed his mouth over the mouthpiece while his finger was placed on the carburetor hole. A flame was brought in direct contact with the ground flower while the mouthpiece was inhaled upon for about two seconds. The finger was removed from the hole while exhalation took place. The procedure was repeated until the remaining smoke was cleared out. The product was then smoked to completion.

Example 3

An apparatus of the present disclosure was used to smoke a “push button” vape pen. A push-button vape pen activates a battery, heating the e-liquid when the bottom is depressed. The apparatus of the present disclosure was configured without a rigid deck, a rigid tube or a bowl. The mouthpiece end of the vape pen was inserted into the flexible tube. The pen was held with one hand while a finger was placed over the carburerator hole. The user's mouth was positioned over the mouthpiece. The user pressed and held the vape pen button and inhaled. The user released the button and moved his finger from the hold. The user inhaled as much as desired.

Example 4

An apparatus of the present disclosure was used to smoke a “Dab Rig”. A dab rig uses a metal platform called a “Nail” to heat the smoking product instead of a bowl. The metal platform, typically made of titanium, ceramic or quartz can deliver a higher temperature to the smoking product than direct flame, thereby providing a different smoking experience. The female stem of the nail was connected to the male stem on the apparatus. The apparatus was filled about half full with water. A propane blowtorch was used to heat the nail until it became red hot. The torch was removed and a count to 20 was carried out to allow time for some cooling of the nail. A wand was used to place a small amount of smoking material on the nail and agitate it slightly to increase the amount of contact between the smoking product and the head of the nail. A finger was placed over the carbureator hole while inhaling through the mouthpiece until water bubbles were formed. The product was inhaled as much as desired.

Claims

1. A inhalation enhancement system, comprising:

a portable vacuum flask having an interior with a lower portion and an upper portion;

a removable lid; and

at least two access ports, wherein:

one or more of the access ports enables air communication between the upper portion of the vacuum flask interior and a mouthpiece; and,

one or more of the access ports can be configured to maintain air communication between a hollow tube extending to the lower portion of the flask and a source of inhalants; and,

One or more of the access ports can be configured to enable air communication between the upper portion of the vacuum flask interior and air outside the vacuum flask.

2. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the system is generally rugged.

3. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the system comprises a container adjacent the vacuum flask, suitable for holding smoking product.

4. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the one or more tube or pipe that connects the upper portion of the interior of the flask with the mouthpiece or other means to inhale, and the tube or pipe that connects the lower portion of the interior of the flask with a source of inhalants exterior to the flask, is/are disposable.

5. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the enhancement is a smoothing effect.

6. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein the enhancement is a cooling effect.

7. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is a source of terpenes.

8. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from a smoking product.

9. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from tobacco.

10. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from a tobacco product.

11. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from cannabis.

12. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is smoke from a healing herb.

13. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is an aerosol produced by vaping.

14. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is an aerosol from an aromatherapy product.

15. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein an inhalant is an evaporant from an aromatherapy product.

16. The inhalation enhancement system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the inhalants are inhaled simultaneously.