VAPOR INHALATION DEVICE INCLUDING A PIVOT FOR ROTATING

A vapor inhalation device may include a housing. The housing may contain a reservoir that holds liquid. A heating element that heats the liquid from the reservoir to vapor may be located in the housing. The housing may include a power supply that provides power to the heating element. The housing may include a port configured to be engaged by a mouth of a user. A fluid circuit may be configured to convey vapor formed from the liquid from the reservoir to the port for inhalation through the mouth of the user engaged with the port. The vapor inhalation device may include a pivot configured to be engaged by at least one finger of the user. The pivot may formed such that engagement by the at least one finger of the user forms an axis of rotation for the housing about which the housing is rotatable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to vapor inhalation devices having enhanced stress relieving and entertainment capabilities.

BACKGROUND

People have been smoking various plants and herbs for centuries in order to reduce stress, relax, and have fun. In the last few decades, various health issues have been linked to smoking. Recently, as an alternative to smoking, inhaling vapor mixed with various additives from a vapor inhalation devices has become popular. These devices come in various shapes and sizes, and have the sole purpose of creating vapor for a user to inhale. As such, any benefit they provide comes from the act of inhaling vapor itself.

The present disclosure seeks to increase the stress relieving and entertainment capabilities of vapor inhalation devices. The present disclosure is directed to a vapor inhalation device that includes a pivot that is configured to be engaged by at least one finger of a user, such that engagement by the at least one finger forms an axis of rotation for the device.

SUMMARY

One or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus having a housing. The housing may include a reservoir that holds a liquid. The housing may also include a heating element that heats the liquid from the reservoir to vapor. The housing may have a power supply that provides power to the heating element. The housing may include a port configured to be engaged by a mouth of a user. A fluid circuit may be included that is configured to convey vapor formed from the liquid from the reservoir to the port for inhalation through the mouth of the user engaged with the port. The housing may include a pivot configured to be engaged by at least one finger of the user. The pivot may be formed such that engagement by the at least one finger of the user forms an axis of rotation for the housing about which the housing is rotatable.

In some aspects, the pivot may include a receptacle and a bearing may be positioned within the receptacle.

In some aspects, the bearing may include a sleeve.

In some aspects, the bearing may include a horizontal surface configured to engage at least one finger.

In some aspects, a surface that is engaged by at least one finger may remain fixed rotationally while the housing rotates around the surface.

In some aspects, the apparatus may include a port electrically coupled to a power supply, the port may be configured to convey power to the power supply for recharging.

In some aspects, the housing may include a curved upper surface, a curved lower surface, and a side wall between the upper surface and the lower surface.

In some aspects, the side wall, curved upper surface, or curved lower surface may include a transparent window. In some aspects, the transparent window may be located adjacent the reservoir.

In some aspects, the apparatus may include a power level indicator configured to reflect an amount of power in the power supply.

In some aspects, the power supply and the reservoir may be positioned at a distance from the pivot to maximize a moment of inertia.

In some aspects, the power supply may be positioned farther from the pivot than the reservoir.

In some aspects, the reservoir may be positioned farther from the pivot than the power supply.

In some aspects, the housing may be formed of one or more plastic, metal, and glass.

In some aspects, the reservoir may be removable.

In some aspects, the apparatus may include a temperature sensor.

In some aspects, the apparatus may include a button to initiate heating of the heating element.

In some aspects, the housing may include a first end, a second end, a straight side wall, and a curved sidewall.

In some aspects, the housing may taper from the first end towards the second end.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to an apparatus having a housing, the housing may include a first end, a second end, a straight side wall, and curved sidewall. The housing may also include a reservoir configured for receiving one or more liquid. The housing may have a heating element for heating the one or more liquid. The housing may include a power supply. The housing may also have a receptacle having a rotatable sleeve, the receptacle being configured for receiving a finger. In some aspects, the housing may be configured to rotate around a finger positioned in the receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates a top view of a vapor inhalation device100, in accordance with one or more implementations. Vapor inhalation device100includes a housing102. The housing102may be formed of one or more plastic, metal, and glass. In some aspects, the housing102may be formed of two pieces, such as an upper half102A and a lower half102B as illustrated inFIG.3. The upper half102A and the lower half102B may be joined together at seam102C to encase or hold components of the vapor inhalation device100therein. The upper half102A and the lower half102B may be joined by ultrasonic welding, adhesives, heat treatment, or other methods to connect the upper half102A and the lower half102B.

The housing102may include a curved upper surface104and a curved lower surface105. In some aspects, the curvature of the upper surface104and the lower surface105may be similar such that the housing102has a consistent thickness throughout. In other aspects, the curvature of the upper surface104and the lower surface105may be different such that the housing102is thicker in some areas relative to other areas. The curved upper surface104and the curved lower surface105may be configured to accommodate a curve of a palm of a user. The housing102may also include a first end108and a second end110opposite the first end108. The first end108and the second end110may be rounded. The housing102may taper from the first end108towards the second end110.

A pad112may be positioned on the upper surface104. The pad may be formed of a material different than housing102. The pad112may be adhered or otherwise affixed to the upper surface104of the housing102. The pad112may be formed of a material having a greater friction coefficient than the housing to reduce the likelihood of a user dropping the vapor inhalation device100. The pad112may also be formed of a compressible material. In some aspects, the pad112may include a first end113and a second end. The pad may taper from the first end113having a larger rounded portion to the second end115. In other aspects, the pad112may include a circular, oval, square, rectangular, or polygonal shape. In some aspects, the pad112may take the shape of a character, mascot, or wording.

The housing102may include a pivot106configured to be engaged by at least one finger of a user. The pivot106may be located adjacent the first end108of the housing102. The pivot106may be offset from a longitudinal axis extending from the first end108to the second end. The pivot106may be formed such that engagement by at least one finger of a user forms an axis of rotation101for the housing102about which the housing102is rotatable (as indicated by arrow103). As such, when a user inserts a finger into pivot106, as illustrated inFIG.5, the user may spin the vapor inhalation device100in a circular motion as indicated by arrow103around axis101.

In some aspects, the pivot106may include a hole or receptacle into which a user may insert a finger. The hole or receptable may take the form of a circle, oval, ellipse, rectangle, square, or polygon. In some aspects, the pivot106may include a bearing114located within the hole or receptacle. The bearing may be formed of a plastic, metal, or combination thereof. The bearing may include a surface that is configured to remain stationary when in contact with a finger of a user while the housing102rotates. The surface may be engaged by a portion of at least one finger and remain fixed rotationally while the housing102rotates around the surface.

In one aspect, the bearing114may take the form of a sleeve positioned within pivot106. The sleeve may include a first lip that engages the upper surface104and a second lip that engages the lower surface105. The sleeve may be configured to rotate freely within pivot106.

In another aspect, the bearing114may include an outer rim that contacts an inner surface of pivot106and remains stationary thereto. The bearing114may include a central cylinder or horizontal surface that freely rotates within the outer rim. In such a configuration, a user may grasp the central cylinder or horizontal surface on opposite sides with a thumb and forefinger, and rotate the housing102around the pivot106.

As seen inFIG.1, the housing102may also include a sidewall extending between the upper surface104and the lower surface105. A first edge116of the sidewall may include a surface that curves from the upper surface104to the lower surface105. The first edge116allows for the vapor inhalation device100to be comfortably gripped by the pinky finger, ring finger, and middle finger of a user while the index finger is inserted through pivot106. A second edge117, as seen inFIG.2,FIG.3, andFIG.5may include a surface that is substantially straight extending from the upper surface104to the lower surface105. The second edge117is configured to rest comfortably in the palm of a user when vapor inhalation device100is gripped.

FIG.2illustrates a bottom view of vapor inhalation device100. The lower surface105may include a transparent window120. The transparent window120may be adjacent the reservoir located within housing102. The transparent window120is configured so that a user may visually inspect a fluid within the reservoir. In some aspects, a transparent window may be located on the sidewall, or along the upper surface104of housing102.

The second edge117, as seen in bothFIG.2andFIG.3, may contain a power level indicator122, a power charging port124, and a vapor port126. The power level indicator122may be configured to indicate when the vapor inhalation device100is turned on or off. Additionally, the power indicator122may provide an indication of a power level in a power supply located with the housing102. The power level indicator122may be configured to reflect an amount of power in the power supply. The power indicator122may take the form of one or more light, such as an LED having various colors. In some aspects, a first color, such as green, may indicate that the vapor inhalation device100is on and ready for use. A second color, such as red, may indicate that the power source is low and needs recharging. A third color, such as blue, may indicate that the power charging port124is in use and the power supply is currently charging.

In some aspects, the power charging port124may allow for charging of the power supply from an external source of electricity. In some aspects, the power charging port124may be configured as a USB port, lightning port, micro USB port, USB type-C port, USB type-C port, pin port, AC port, or DC port. The power charging port124may be electrically coupled to the power supply and be configured to convey power to the power supply for recharging. In some aspects, the power supply may be recharged by induction.

The vapor port126may be located near the first end108of the housing102along a portion of the sidewall. The vapor port126may be located near the first end108to enable inhalation through a mouth of a user while the vapor inhalation device100is being gripped through pivot106by a finger of the user. In some aspects, the vapor port126may be located on the second edge117. In other aspects, the vapor port126may be located on the first edge116near a transition zone118where the first edge116and the second edge117meet. The vapor port126may include an elongated opening or slit having an axis that is congruent with seam102C.

FIG.3also illustrates a button130located on the second edge117of the sidewall of the housing102. Button130may be configured to initiate heating of the heating element in order to produce vapor as discussed below. In some aspects, button130may be positioned on the upper surface104, lower surface105, or first edge116of housing102.

FIG.4AandFIG.4Billustrate cross-sectional views of vapor inhalation device100showing schematic representations of inner components. The inner components are positioned at a distance from the pivot106such that a moment of inertia is maximized. This allows for the vapor inhalation device100to rotate around a finger of a user easily and without interruption.

The vapor inhalation device100includes a reservoir140configured for holding a liquid. The liquid may include one or more flavoring, drug, or additive. A fluid circuit146is configured to convey vapor formed from the liquid from the reservoir to the vapor port126for inhalation through a mouth of a user. The fluid circuit146may include one or more conduit, channel, and wick. In some aspects, the fluid circuit146may be formed by a portion of the upper half102A mating with a portion of the lower half102B.

FIG.4Ashows the power supply142being positioned farther from the pivot106than the reservoir140. In some aspects, power supply142make take the form of a rechargeable battery or capacitor.FIG.4Billustrates the reservoir140being positioned farther from the pivot106than the power supply142. In these configurations, weight154may be positioned opposite the pivot106. The mass of the weight154and/or the mass of the power supply142may maintain momentum of the vapor inhalation device100as the amount of liquid in the reservoir140reduces over time. Maintaining momentum of the vapor inhalation device100may facilitate rotation of the vapor inhalation device100around an axis. The reservoir140, power supply142, and weight154may carry the most mass of vapor inhalation device100. Reservoir140, power supply142, and weight154may be positioned such that weight is evenly distributed throughout. In some aspects, the reservoir140may be removable and the housing102may include one or more door, flap, or opening to access the reservoir140.

A heating element144may be configured to heat the liquid from the reservoir140to vapor. The heating element144may be heated upon receiving power from power supply142. In some aspects, the heating element144may be positioned along fluid circuit146such that the heating element144heats liquid from the reservoir140though conduction. In other aspects, the heating element144may be positioned along fluid circuit146such that the heating element144heats liquid from the reservoir through convection. A temperature sensor148may be positioned along a portion of fluid circuit146or adjacent the heating element144.

During use, a user may engage the vapor port126by the mouth and inhale. The vapor inhalation device100may be configured to automatically initiate heating of the liquid from the reservoir140to vapor while the user inhales. In this configuration, the vapor inhalation device100may include a flow sensor150that initiates heating of the heating element144upon detection of a flow of air or fluid through a portion of fluid circuit146. In some aspects, the flow sensor150may initiate heating of the heating element144based on detection of inhalation at the a vapor port126. The flow sensor150may take the form of a pressure sensor, differential pressure flow sensor, thermal mass flow sensor, velocity flow sensor, volumetric flow sensor, inferential flow sensor, or other sensor that allows for the detection of air or fluid flow through a portion of fluid circuit146.

In another aspect, a user may depress button130while simultaneously inhaling to initiate vapor production. When not using the vapor inhalation device100to produce vapor, a user may place at least one finger into pivot and rotate housing102to reduce stress and entertain themselves. When the device is in use in this fashion, the user's desire to inhale vapor may be decreased in favor of using the pivot functionality.

Vapor inhalation device100may also include one or more light152configured to illuminate a portion of vapor inhalation device100during use. In some aspects, the one or more light152may be located adjacent reservoir140so as to illuminate the contents of the reservoir140, making the contents visible at transparent window120. As such, when vapor is being produced and delivered to vapor port126, transparent window120may be illuminated by the one or more light152. In one aspect, the one or light152may take the form of an incandescent bulb or LED. The one or more light152may be capable of producing a plurality of colors.

FIG.5illustrates the vapor inhalation device100being held by a user in a manner that allows for spinning of the vapor inhalation device100around an axis101created by an index finger inserted into pivot106. A user may spin the device around axis101as indicated by arrow103. When the user desires to utilize vapor inhalation device100for vapor production, the user may simply close their fingers to quickly catch the vapor inhalation device100between the pinky finger, ring finger, middle finger, and the palm. The user simply raises the vapor inhalation device100such that the vapor port126contacts the mouth. When finished, the user may again spin the vapor inhalation device100in a manner to reduce stress and entertain.

It is noted that terms such as “posterior”, “anterior”, “forward”, “rearward”, “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “distal”, “proximal”, “left”, and/or “right” may refer herein to anatomical directions when considering the device in an as used position and/or based on their described use. The use of these terms with various components should therefore be easily understood by a person skilled in the art as related to orientation, direction, and/or disposition. Further, some directions may be specifically defined herein and shown in the figures.