Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a multi-user inhalation adapter comprising an apparatus which connects to a source of vapor device and allows several people to inhale vapor at the same time. Generally, the present invention will attach to a vaporizer. In another embodiment, the apparatus can attach to an adaptor that in turn attaches to a balloon storing vapor. The multi-user inhalation adaptor contains a vapor chamber which receives vapor from a vaporizer or other vapor source. Air channels regulated by valves route the vapor from the vapor chamber to nozzles for which the associated valves have been opened. The nozzles are connected to inhalation tubes, through which users can inhale the vapor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 16/812,290, incorporated by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not applicable. 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to devices for the inhalation of volatile components of a substance, or more particularly to an apparatus for the vaporization of materials which can be utilized simultaneously by a plurality of users. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Multi-user inhalation devices have been used for respiratory protective systems, such as may be used after an emergency situation has caused a noxious environment. These devices have sources of oxygen rich gas, valving systems to replenish breathable air, sensors, scrubbers and other means to filter out impurities. However, these devices tend to be large, expensive and inappropriate for use in the inhalation of vaporized substances. These systems would in many cases remove the vapors that the present invention delivers. 
     Multi-user inhalation devices for the ingestion of materials have been used for smoking substances. In some parts of the world, users smoke waterpipes as part of their culture and tradition. Social smoking may done with a single or double hose hookah, and sometimes even triple or quadruple hose hookahs are used. However, hookahs require a draw from the user to keep the smoked substance ignited and are used in a serial fashion. Additionally, such multi-user features are built into the design of the hookah itself, and cannot be readily transformed from a single user device to a multi-user device. 
     An invention is needed that specifically addresses the problem of providing a means for users of portable vaporizing devices to socially consume vaporized substances by providing an apparatus that is small, portable, and that can easily attach to a source of vaporized substance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The multi-user inhalation adapter is an interface which connects to a source of vapor device and allows several people to vaporize at once. Generally, the present invention will attach to a vaporizer. In another embodiment, the apparatus can attach to an adaptor that in turn attaches to a balloon storing vapor. There are a plurality of nozzles on the multi-user inhalation adaptor, and in one embodiment, a central nozzle is always open to prevent overheating, and the remaining nozzles on the perimeter of the adapter have individual valves to open or close the airway to prevent vapor loss when not in use. They can be opened and closed depending on usage preference. Each nozzle on the multi-user inhalation adaptor can be connected to an individual inhalation tube. 
     The invention provides an enhanced social vaporizing experience, is portable, can easily convert a single user vaporizer to a multi-user vaporizer, can adapt to various sources of vapor, and provides a social and hygienic method to vaporize socially. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view diagram of a multi-user inhalation adaptor. 
         FIG. 2  is an oblique exploded view diagram of a multi-user inhalation adaptor. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view diagram of a multi-user inhalation adaptor. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view diagram of a multi-user inhalation adaptor. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view diagram of a seal. 
         FIG. 6  is a top oblique view diagram of an adaptor cap. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view diagram of an adaptor cap. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom oblique view diagram of an adaptor cap. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view diagram of an adaptor cap. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view diagram of a valve. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view diagram of an adaptor base. 
         FIG. 12  top oblique view diagram of an adaptor base. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view diagram of an adaptor base. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom oblique view diagram of an adaptor base. 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom view diagram of an adaptor base. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view diagram of a multi-user inhalation adaptor and balloon adaptor. 
         FIG. 17  is a front view diagram of a balloon adaptor. 
         FIG. 18  is an oblique exploded view diagram of a balloon adaptor. 
         FIG. 19  is a top view diagram of a balloon adaptor. 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom view diagram of a balloon adaptor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before the invention is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
     Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed with the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein. 
     It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, if dates of publication are provided, they may be different from the actual publication dates and may need to be confirmed independently. 
     It should be further understood that the examples and embodiments pertaining to the systems and methods disclosed herein are not meant to limit the possible implementations of the present technology. Further, although the subject matter has been described in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 
     The present invention generally provides an apparatus allowing for multiple users to partake of vaporized substances using a vaporizer. In another embodiment of the present invention, a balloon adaptor is attached to the apparatus allowing for multiple users to partake of vaporized substances stored in a balloon.  FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a multi-user inhalation adaptor  100  comprising a plurality of inhalation tubes  105 , which may be made of plastic tubing, along with an adaptor cap  110  and an adaptor base  120 , which may be made of metal, plastic or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the adaptor cap  110  and adaptor base  120  are made of high heat and impact resistant nylon plastic fiber. 
     In  FIG. 2  is shown an exploded view of the multi-user inhalation adaptor  100  comprising an adaptor cap  110  configured to be fastened to an adaptor base  120  with a seal  210  configured to be positioned between the adaptor cap  110  and adaptor base  120 . The seal  210  provides for creating airflow channels within the multi-user inhalation adaptor  100  in conjunction with described valves. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a top view of the multi-user inhalation adaptor  100  showing the exterior top of the adaptor cap  110  in which can be seen a central nozzle  310  located in the center of the adaptor cap  110  and three perimeter nozzles  320  located on the perimeter of the adaptor cap  110 . Additionally, adjacent to each perimeter nozzle  320  is perimeter nozzle valve  330  configured to constrict or expand airflow from the interior of the multi-user inhalation adaptor  100  to the perimeter nozzle  320 . When a perimeter nozzle valve  330  is rotated to a particular position, the valve flange in conjunction with the seal  210  and the molding on the bottom interior of the adaptor cap  110  and the top interior of the adaptor base  120  create an air channel from a vapor chamber on the interior of the multi-user inhalation adaptor  100  to the perimeter nozzles  320 . Each perimeter nozzle is configured to accept tubing from which users can readily inhale vapors utilizing the apparatus. There is no valve associated with the central nozzle  310 , which always remains open. This serves the function of the device which can be used as a single user device when all of the perimeter nozzle valves  330  are set to the closed position, and prevents the device from overheating. Each of the perimeter nozzle valves  330  control the airflow to an associated perimeter nozzle  320 , allowing for a variable number of users. Each perimeter nozzle  320  can be connected to an individual inhalation tube. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , shown is a bottom view diagram of a multi-user inhalation adaptor  100  showing the exterior bottom of the adaptor base  120  with a vapor chamber intake vent  410  located in the center. Additionally shown are three screw holes  420  configured to allow insertion of a screw through the hole to fasten the adaptor base  120  to the adaptor cap  110 . The vapor chamber intake vent  410  is the portion that interfaces with the vapor source, and through which the vapor flows through to the vapor chamber. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , shown is a bottom view diagram of the seal  210  configured to be positioned between the bottom interior of the adaptor cap  110  and the top interior of the adaptor base  120 , and which provides a means to control airflow between the vapor chamber through the perimeter nozzle valves  330  to the perimeter nozzles  320 . The seal  210  is made of a pliable material such that it forms a gasket between the interior of the adaptor cap  110  and the top interior of the adaptor base  120 . 
     Turing now to  FIG. 6 , shown is a top oblique view diagram of the adaptor cap  100  showing the central nozzle  310 , the three perimeter nozzles  320  and three valve orifices  610 , each configured to accept seating of a perimeter nozzle valve  330 . When seated in a valve orifice  610 , a perimeter nozzle valve  330  can be rotated to an open position to allow vapor to pass through from a vapor chamber to an associated perimeter nozzle  320 .  FIG. 7  is a top view diagram of the adaptor cap  110  showing the central nozzle  310 , the three perimeter nozzles  320  and the three perimeter nozzle valves  330 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , shown is a bottom oblique view diagram showing the bottom interior of the adaptor cap  110 . The diagram shows three perimeter nozzle intake valves  810 , three screw anchors  820 , and a central nozzle intake vent  830 .  FIG. 9  is a bottom view diagram showing the bottom interior of the adaptor cap  110 . The diagram shows the three valve orifices, the three perimeter nozzle intake vents  810 , the three screw anchors  820 , and the central nozzle intake vent  830 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 10 , shown is a side view diagram of the valve  330  comprising a valve handle  1010 , a valve O-ring  1020 , and a valve flange  1030  in which the valve handle  1010  is fixedly connected to the valve flange  1030  and the valve O-ring  1020  circumscribes the upper portion of the valve flange  1030 . When positioned in a valve seat, the perimeter nozzle valve regulates the flow of vapor from the vapor chamber to the associated perimeter nozzle. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 11 , shown is a side view diagram of the adaptor base  120 .  FIG. 12  shows a top oblique view diagram of the top interior of the adaptor base  120 . Shown are the three screw holes  420 , three perimeter nozzle seats  1210 , three valve seats  1220 , and a vapor chamber  1230 . The screw holes  420  provide the means for screws to be inserted from the underside to attached the adaptor base  120  to the adaptor cap  110 . The perimeter nozzle seats  1210  provide terminal support for the perimeter nozzles, and the valve seats  1220  provide the terminal support for the valve flanges enabling the valves to regulate the flow of vapor from the vapor chamber  1230  through to the perimeter nozzles.  FIG. 13  shows the top view diagram showing the top interior of the adaptor base  120 . Shown are the three screw holes  420 , the three perimeter nozzle seats  1210 , the three valve seats  1220 , and the vapor chamber  1230 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 14 , shown is a bottom oblique view diagram showing the bottom exterior of the adaptor base  120  with the vapor chamber intake vent  410 .  FIG. 15  shows the bottom view diagram showing the bottom exterior of the adaptor base  120  with the vapor chamber intake vent  410  and the three screw holes  420 , each configured to allow a screw to fasten the adaptor base  120  to the adaptor cap  110 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 16 , shown is a front view diagram of the multi-user inhalation adaptor  100  and balloon adaptor  1610 . The balloon adaptor  1610  is used for obtaining vapor from a storage device such as a balloon.  FIG. 17  shows a front view diagram of the balloon adaptor  1610  and  FIG. 18  shows an oblique exploded view diagram of a balloon adaptor  1610  showing an interior ball fixture  1810 , exterior ball fixture  1815 , a mouthpiece lock  1820 , a channel O-ring  1825 , a ball seal  1830 , a valve ball  1835 , a valve ball shaft  1840 , a valve shaft washer  1845 , a valve O-ring  1850 , a valve handle  1855 , balloon adaptor housing  1860 , and a balloon housing O-ring  1865 . The interior ball fixture  1810  and exterior ball fixture  1815  provide an interface with the adaptor base so that the balloon adaptor can be attached to the adaptor base. The mouthpiece lock  1820  is situated in the exterior ball fixture  1815 , and the channel O-ring  1825  and ball seal  1830  provide support for the balloon adaptor valve comprising the valve ball  1835  fixedly attached to the valve ball shaft  1840  with the valve handle  1855  affixed on the distal end with the valve shaft washer  1845  and valve O-ring  1850  securing valve handle  1855  on the exterior of the balloon adaptor housing  1860 . The balloon housing O-ring  1865  is used to secure a balloon to the bottom of the balloon adaptor. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 19 , shown is a top view diagram of the balloon adaptor  1610  showing the interior ball fixture  1810 , the exterior ball fixture  1815 , the valve handle  1855 , and the balloon adaptor housing  1860 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 20 , shown is a bottom view diagram of the balloon adaptor  1610  showing the valve handle  1855 , the balloon adaptor housing  1860 , and the balloon adaptor chamber  2010 . 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.