Abstract:
A pressure differential device for attachment to a vessel to be used to smoke or vaporize tobacco or other consumables substances meant to be inhaled for pulmonary applications. The pressure differential device includes a chamber for receiving consumables, a tunnel running through the device, a flange for proper seating in a vessel, and a inner protruding member for attaching tunnel extension such as a straw.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Since before the dawn of civilization, humans have been administering herbs and other plants by any effective means possible. First, early man realized that certain foods provided beneficial effects. Over time, the wisest of the tribes discovered that some herbs, roots, and other natural components have curative properties. The administration of compounds through food or water was the most common and intentional methods used by our ancestors. Later, the civilized people discovered the effects of topical applications. Eventually, particulates suspended in air and administered through pulmonary application were discovered. 
         [0002]    The first inhalants were consumed by inhaling smoke, presumably discovered when certain plant matter was burned in a campfire and the tribal “doctor” drew the connection between the inhalation of smoke and the effects on his people. Eventually, methods of harnessing the smoke were developed. Medicine pipes were invented and revered. In some cases, sophisticated traditions were created around smoking of a pipe. In time, cigarettes were also created. 
         [0003]    Almost every culture across the world used local materials and knowledge to create new designs of pipes to achieve an easy and effective method of smoking. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the hookah and water pipe were introduced in Europe following the introduction of tobacco from the new world. The water pipe was introduced in China during the late Ming Dynasty, also for smoking tobacco. The addition of water into the smoking device allowed for cooling and filtering of the smoke. Water filtration provided a healthier and preferred smoke. 
         [0004]    In the late twentieth century, the youth of the US searched for novel ways to smoke tobacco and other organic matter using water. One inventive method utilized a disposable plastic bottle and a container filled with liquid, sometimes referred to as a gravity bong. A user would create a cap for a single use through modification of the existing bottle cap by melting the plastic and adding a receptacle for combustible substances. This created issues with poor hermetic sealing, dangerous thermal issues, no reusability, and no portability, no usability on different type of plastic bottles, among other problems. In addition, the known methods did not have the benefits of utilizing the water for filtration. 
         [0005]    Thus, there exists a need for a portable device capable of fitting on vessels with varying sized openings and allowing for water filtration. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0007]    In accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, a pressure differential device for attachment on a vessel holding liquid is provided. The pressure differential device is configured to receive tobacco, or other substances intended to be smoked or vaporized. The pressure differential device is affixed to the top of a vessel, such as a plastic disposable drinking bottle. 
         [0008]    In the first embodiment of the disclosed pressure differential device is demountably coupleable to a vessel. The pressure differential device further includes a body, with a first end and a second end, the first end having a chamber flange laterally circumscribing a chamber. A tunnel vertically intersects the body running to the chamber on the first end and through a tapered inner protruding member on the second end. The second end has a tapered radial flange circumscribing the inner protruding member. Between the tapered flange and the inner protruding member is a tapered second flange. 
         [0009]    In alternate embodiments of the pressure differential device, the second flange is not present. In one such embodiment, the body is spherical rather than tapered. This embodiment also has impressions on the first end for use in leverage and/or attachment. Other embodiments incorporate a heating element and power source for the purpose of vaporization. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view cutout of one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view and partial transparency of one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional perspective view of one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side-view cross sectional of the another embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an isometric top view of another embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional side view of a spherical embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the side and top view of a spherical embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the bottom of a spherical embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the bottom of a spherical embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a side isometric view of an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side view cross sectional of an embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top isometric view of another embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side view cross sectional of another embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15A-C  are figures describing a bucket bong embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16A-C  are figure describing a waterfall bong embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view of the side and top of another embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is an isometric view of a side of another embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view of the bottom of another embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is an isometric view of the top of another embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a transparent perspective of another embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a cross section of the side of another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Description 
       [0033]    Embodiments of the present disclosure, a pressure differential device, are generally directed at an apparatus used in the consumption of tobacco or other combustible or vaporizable substances and utilizing liquid. This discussion should not be construed as limiting the pressure differential device to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments. The pressure differential device constructed in accordance with each embodiment of the present disclosure is best understood by referring to  FIGS. 15-16 . 
         [0034]    The pressure differential device may be used on a liquid-holding vessel and may be designed to create air suction through gravity whereby the fluid is replaced by smoke or vapor and the surrounding atmosphere. Another use is heating and/or vaporizing solids, liquids, and low viscosity liquids, such as concentrated extracts. Any tobacco, solids, liquid, low viscosity liquids, or substitutes, will hereinafter be referred to as combustible substances. 
         [0035]    For the purposes of this disclosure, smoke and vapor may be used interchangeably and water shall refer to any liquid. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1-4 , a Body  100  is comprised of a First End  114  and a Second End  115 , the Body  100  being approximately circular. The First End  114  is further comprised of a Chamber  104 . The Chamber  104  is laterally circumscribed by a Chamber Flange  102 . The Chamber  104  is further comprised of one opening disposed on the First End  114  and one opening towards the Second End  115 . In other embodiments, the Chamber Flange  102  is not present. Combustible substances may be disposed within the Chamber Flange  102  in the Chamber  104 . A Tunnel  112  is disposed through the First End  114  and the Second End  115  and runs vertically and along the axial length of the Body  100 . The Tunnel  112  is hollow and allows atmosphere to travel between the first end  114  and the Second End  115 . The Chamber  104  is wider than the Tunnel  112  to mitigate combustible substances and combustible substance byproduct from falling through the Tunnel  112 . In some embodiments, a screen (not shown) can be added between the Chamber  104  and the Tunnel  112  to further reduce combustible substances from falling from the Chamber  104  into the Tunnel  112 . In other embodiments, a screen is substituted for other means designed to allow air communication between the Chamber  104  and the Second End  115  through the Tunnel  112 , but reduce combustible substances from entering the Tunnel  112 , the substitution means being obvious to one skilled in the art. The Body  100  is further comprised of a Radial Flange  106  located on the distal end of the Second End  115 . In some embodiments, the Radial Flange  106  is tapered to allow a hermetic seal on a vessel Top Aperture through downward pressure of the Body  100 . In other embodiments, the Body  100  is shaped as a frustum when the Radial Flange  106  is tapered. The Body  100  shaped as a frustum adds advantages in reducing construction complexity and increasing the durability of the pressure differential device. An Inner Protruding Member  110  is disposed on Second End  115  and the Tunnel  112  runs through the Inner Protruding Member  110 . The Inner Protruding Member  110  may be shorter than the Second End  115 , of approximately equal length as the Second End  115 , or longer than the Second End  115 . The Inner Protruding Member  110  is hollow and approximately cylindrical. In this embodiment, the Inner Protruding Member  110  is tapered, to allow coupling with an elongated hollow cylinder, such as a drinking straw, to be more easily attached to and temporarily extend the air passageway of the Tunnel  112  into the vessel. The extension of Tunnel  112  allow for water filtration of vapors through liquid in the vessel. It should be appreciated that a taper is not required and not present in all contemplated embodiments of the present invention, but allows for different size attachments and a better hermetic seal. In the presently illustrated example, a Second Flange  108  circumscribes the Inner Protruding Member  110  and is tapered. It should be appreciated that the taper is not required in all embodiments. Second Flange  108  is configured to fit alternate sized vessel Top Apertures. In one embodiment, Second Flange  108  fits regular soda pop bottle Top Aperture and Radial Flange  106  fits wide-mouth soda pop bottles. The Radial Flange and Second Flange can take different size, shapes, and orientations to fit other vessel Top Apertures. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the Radial Flange  106  is further comprised of a gasket (not shown) to create a more effective hermetic seal between the Radial Flange  106  and a vessel Top Aperture, the gasket being circular. In other alternate embodiments, the Second Flange  108  may also be further comprised with a gasket for the same purpose as the Radial Flange  106  gasket. The Inner Protruding Member  110  may have a gasket for the same purpose as the Radial Flange  106  gasket or the Second Flange  108  gasket. In some embodiment, one or more threads (not shown) may be placed on one or more vertical surfaces of the Radial Flange  106  or on one or more vertical surfaces of the Second Flange  108  to increase friction or allow for proper fitment onto a threaded vessel Top Aperture. In other embodiments, teeth, ribs, knurling, or other methods of increasing friction may be used instead of one or more threads. 
         [0038]    Numerous construction materials are contemplated. The present invention may be constructed from one or more of the following: stainless steel, aluminum, alloys, brass, ceramic, acrylic, polymers, composites, materials including electroplating, anodized materials, or combination of materials. In some embodiments, multiple materials may be utilized for different components. In the illustrated embodiments 1-4, the pressure differential device is constructed of aluminum with a coating of titanium nitride. However, it should be appreciated that other material may be used so long as the material used for the Chamber  102  and the Chamber Flange  102  (when present) has the thermal tolerance for combustion or vaporization of the combustible substance. The pressure differential device may be further comprised of coating or layer of materials such as ceramic or materials having thermal insulatory properties. One advantage of this using thermal insulatory materials on the exterior of the pressure differential device is to protect the user from burns caused by touching the pressure differential device. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , a second embodiment is illustrated without the Second Flange. Utilizing the configuration and descriptions of  FIGS. 1-4 , the Chamber Flange  502  laterally circumscribes a Chamber  504 , which is in air communication with a Tunnel  506 , wherein the tunnel intersects and is in air communication with a Protruding Inner Member  510 . As in  FIGS. 1-4 , Chamber  504  is wider than the Tunnel  506 . In this embodiment, the Radial Flange is tapered and can fit a wider range of vessel Top Apertures. Also, in this embodiment, the Inner Protruding Member does not extend as far towards the Second End as the Radial Flange  508 . One advantage is that the Inner Protruding Member is protected from damage. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 7-8 , an embodiment of a pressure differential device is illustrated with an approximately spherical shape comprising of a First End  702 , a Second End  708 , a Chamber  704 , an Inner Protruding Member disposed within the Second End  708 , a Tunnel  706  located towards the Second End  708  and in air communication with the Chamber  704  and the Inner Protruding Member  710 , and one or more Perforations  712 . The Perforations  712  are located on the First End  702 . Although the illustrations show four Perforations  712 , it should be apparent that any number of Perforations is not intended to be limiting. The Perforations  712  may be shallow or may connect to one or more Perforations  712  within the pressure differential device creating passages (not shown). In other embodiments, one or more perforations may be disposed on the Second End  708  (not shown). In alternate embodiments, one or more Perforations  712  on the First End  702  are in air communication with one or more Perforations located on the Second End  708  to allow air to pass from the exterior of the First End  702  into the vessel without passing through the Chamber  704  and the Tunnel  706 . One or more Perforations  712  may be useful to dissipate heat, to create a hold for a lever to assist in the separation of the pressure differential device from a vessel, as a place to attach a hanging means, allow for additional air to enter the vessel at a configurable rate, or other uses contemplated. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-14 and 17-21 , these two embodiment contains the same components as  FIGS. 5-6 .  FIGS. 11-14  illustrates a less tapered second end and larger chamber and chamber flange. The chamber is elevated at the distal end of the body. Functionality is approximately the same as  FIGS. 5-6 . The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 17-20  illustrates a chamber integrated further within the body. In this embodiment, the Chamber Flange is not required and the Chamber can be fully enclosed within the First End. Functionality is the same among all embodiment in  FIG. 5-6 ,  FIGS. 11-14 , and  FIGS. 17-21 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 15-16  show two uses of the present invention. These illustrations are not to limit the uses of the present invention, but to demonstrate two methods of using the pressure differential device. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1-4  is used for example purposes, only. Other embodiments may be substituted. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 15A-15C , one illustration of a use of a pressure differential device is shown, sometimes referred to as a bucket bong. First referring to  FIG. 15A , a Container  1502  or other container suitable for holding liquid, is filled with water  1504 . Other liquids may be added to or substituted for water. A vessel  1510  may be any container with an open bottom and a Top Aperture  1508 . Common vessels can be constructed from disposable plastic drinking bottles with the bottom removed. Any vessel may be substituted as long as the Top Aperture and open bottom are present and pressure is able to be manipulated in accordance with this  FIG. 15  disclosure. The pressure differential device  1506  is coupled to the Top Aperture  1508  to create a hermetic seal between the Chamber previously described and the vessel  1510 , whereby the Axial Flange or the Second Flange is fit into the Top Aperture  1508  of the vessel. In some embodiments, a thread on either the Axial Flange or the Second Flange allows for the pressure differential device to be screwed into a thread located on the Top Aperture  1508 . In alternate embodiments, the Top Aperture  1508  is fit within and circumscribes a tapered internal wall of the pressure differential device as opposed to an external wall of the Axial Flange or the Second Flange. An Elongated Hollow Cylinder  1516  is attached to the Inner Protruding Member to extend the Tunnel into the water  1504 . It is preferred that the Elongated Hollow Cylinder  1516  is not longer than the Vessel  1510 . Now referring to  FIG. 15B , combustible substance is first placed inside Chamber  1512 . Upon applying sufficient heat to the Chamber  1512  to cause a chemical reaction of the combustible substance and create smoke or vapor, vessel  1510  is elevated upward. Heat may be applied through fire, such as a lighter, causing combustion of the combustible substance, or through other heating means such as by a heating element to cause vaporization of the combustible substance. The elevation of Vessel  1510  causes water contained within the vessel to lower to the equilibrium state of the water in the Container  1502  resulting in negative air pressure within vessel  1510  causing air being drawn into vessel  1510  through the pressure differential device  1506 . Air passing downward through pressure differential device draws air from the Chamber  1512  and Smoke  1512  is brought into the Vessel  1510  interior. Now referring to  FIG. 15C , the pressure differential device  1506  is removed from the Top Aperture  1508 . The Smoke  1512  can be inhaled through the Top Aperture  1508 . Smoke  1512  release may be greatly accelerated by rapidly immersing vessel  1510  downward into the Container  1502 . The addition of the Elongated Hollow Cylinder  1516  allows for the Smoke  1512  to pass through water. One benefit of passing Smoke  1512  through water is to reduce tar and particulate. Another benefit is cooling the Smoke  1512 , causing it to compress and allow more volume to be administered per application. The Elongated Hollow Cylinder  1516  is not required for the proper use of the present invention and is user optional. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 16A-16C , second illustration of the present invention is illustrated, sometimes referred to as a waterfall bong. In this illustration, a Container is not required. A vessel  1604  is utilized in this illustration. At least one hole  1602  is present on the lower portion of the Vessel  1604 . If the user is utilizing a disposable plastic drinking bottle, the hole(s)  1602  can be created by puncturing the Vessel  1604 . The Hole(s)  1602  may be initially capped by a users finger or by other capping means. A valve may be inserted in the Hole(s)  1602 . The Vessel  1604  is filled with Water  1606  or other liquids. A pressure differential device  1610  is affixed on a Top Aperture  1608  of a Vessel  1604 . An Elongated Hollow Cylinder  1614  may be optionally attached to the Inner Protruding Member (described above). Heat is applied to the combustible substance, located in the Chamber of the pressure differential device  1610 , through fire, a heating element, or other heat source capable of initiating a chemical reaction of the combustible substance. Now referring to  FIG. 16B , the user uncaps the Hole(s)  1602  or releases a valve, if a valve is present, and liquid exits out of the Vessel  1602 , resulting in negative pressure within the Vessel  1604  interior. Consequently, air outside the Vessel  1604  is drawn through the combustible substance, the pressure differential device, and into the Vessel  1604  interior, along with Smoke or vapor  1612 . If the Elongated Hollow Cylinder  1614  is present, the Smoke  1612  is filtered through the remaining Water  1606 . Referring to  FIG. 16C , the pressure differential device  1610  is removed from the Top Aperture  1608  and the user can inhale the Smoke or vapor  1612  from the Top Aperture  1608 . The process may be repeated. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 22 , the same components in the same relationships are present as described with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5-6 . The embodiment of  FIG. 22  is further comprised of one or more Ridges  2202  located axially on the exterior of the body and laterally circumscribing the body. Several advantages of the Ridges  2202  are: (1) to prevent the pressure differential device from over-insertion or slipping into a vessel or accidentally being forced in by the user or the negative pressure exerted on the pressure differential device during use; (2) to increase the efficacy of the hermetic seal between the pressure differential device and the vessel Top Aperture; (3) for better seating of one or more gaskets, the gaskets being disposed at one or more Ridges  2202 ; (4) to better control thermal conductivity, among other uses contemplated. In alternate embodiments, one or more gaskets are disposed on one or more Ridges  2202  to improve the hermetic seal between the pressure differential device and the vessel Top Aperture as well as increase friction between the pressure differential device and the vessel Top Aperture. 
         [0046]    In other embodiments, the combustible substance is placed within the Chamber Flange and the Tunnel is connected to the Chamber from a position elevated towards the distal end of the first end and at least 50% above the bottom of the Chamber. This allows vapor to be drawn into the Tunnel from the Combustible Substance at a portion elevated above the bottom of the Chamber. This mitigates combustible substance byproducts from falling through the Tunnel. 
         [0047]    In alternate embodiments, a heating element is added to the chamber to vaporize the combustible substances and produce a vapor as opposed to combustion through fire. The heating element can be added to any embodiment described herein. A power source, such as a battery, may be added to power the heating element. The heating element may be configurable to activate and change heating temperature. 
         [0048]    While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made there without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.