Patent Publication Number: US-2021186091-A1

Title: Water pipe with connection between receptacle and housing

Description:
The invention concerns a water pipe with a housing, in which a receptacle, to be filled with a liquid medium and provided with at least one suction connection, and a heating chamber connected to this via a suction hose are integrated, whereby the heating chamber has a holding fixture for a capsule which serves to contain a smoke medium. 
     Also known as shishas or hookahs, water pipes originally come from the oriental region. In recent years they have become increasingly popular, not least as an alternative to cigarettes, especially among teenagers and young adults. Such water pipes are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,906 or US 2012/0042884, among others. Such a water pipe has a receptacle that can be partially filled with water or another liquid medium. Sucking on a mouthpiece causes negative pressure in this receptacle. In addition, a smoke column protrudes partly into the water; this has a head piece at its upper end to receive tobacco, which is heated by charcoal lying on top of it. The mixture of air, steam and smoke particles that is created when the tobacco is heated is then inhaled by the smoker. It is obvious that heating by red-hot charcoal can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, combustion accidents or, in extreme cases, even fire outbreaks. Such traditional water pipes are known from US 2014/0,069,446 or US 2012/0,042,884, among others. Because the water pipes are filled by hand, the legally compliant filling of the water pipes is often not guaranteed. In principle, water pipes known today should therefore only be operated outdoors or in rooms with a guaranteed supply of fresh air. Water pipes with this technology are also relatively heavy and voluminous, they have to be assembled from several parts and are difficult to transport in their individual parts. Cleaning is also time-consuming and often does not meet hygiene standards. Electronic water pipes are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,318, for example, but these do not satisfactorily reduce some of the problems mentioned above. The water pipes known from WO 2017/080545 have also proven to be particularly advantageous. However, there are still deficits in the technology due to air escaping in the area of the connection between the water tank and the housing of the water pipe. This transition from the receptacle represents a kind of predetermined breaking point with corresponding impairments with regard to handling and smoking experience. 
     Thus, the invention presented has the task of creating a water pipe that is characterised by a high level of leak tightness and thus effectiveness for the smoking experience. 
     This task is solved by the receptacle and a housing part containing an electronic unit being connected so as to be detachable, and by providing a valve in the area where the mouth of the suction hose opens into the receptacle. 
     The housing of the water pipe consists essentially of the receptacle as the first housing part, the second housing part containing the electronics and the suction hose, and the third housing part containing the heating chamber for the capsule, preferably in the order mentioned from top to bottom. The receptacle and the housing part containing the electronic unit are connected to each other so as to be detachable and are additionally connected by a valve that ensures an improved seal, which is a particularly effective way of protecting the water pipe from secondary air escaping, according to the invention. 
     Preferably, the valve is arranged centrally for this purpose and, if necessary, part of the valve protrudes into the receptacle interior. 
     It has already been mentioned that the receptacle is located above the housing part containing the electronic unit. In this sense, the suggestion is that the valve should fit precisely on the suction hose protruding upwards from the housing part. The suction hose, the lower end of which opens into the heating chamber and which passes through the housing part containing the electronic unit, is connected at its upper end to the valve in a precisely fitting manner, so that no secondary air can escape in this entire area. 
     In concrete terms, this means that the suction hose opens into the base of the receptacle from below, whereby the base must be solid enough overall to form a stable mounting for the valve and the end of the hose. 
     An advisable design of the invention is one in which the base of the receptacle has a hollow space with an integrated central mounting plate for fixing the suction hose. The mounting plate centrally positioned in the hollow space of the otherwise comparatively solid base serves as the mounting for the suction hose. 
     In addition, the suction hose is designed to open into the mounting plate. The suction hose thus ends in the receptacle, preferably in its base and, in a particularly advantageous way, in the mounting plate integrated into the receptacle base. 
     It goes without saying that the suction hose and the valve are arranged on the longitudinal axis of the water pipe, so that the suction hose directly finds its position in the valve when the receptacle and the housing are assembled, e.g. after cleaning. 
     This type of mounting between suction hose and valve makes it seem advantageous if the mouth of the suction hose is provided with seals in the base of the receptacle. These provide a seal between the suction hose and the receptacle base and/or the mounting plate located in the hollow space, so as to definitely ensure a reliable and safe air path via the suction hose and its connections without losses. 
     It has already been mentioned that the receptacle and the housing part containing the electronics are connected to each other so as to be detachable. A preferred design of the invention provides for the receptacle and the housing part containing the electronics being connected to each other at the edges, this is then complemented by the precise fit between the top of the suction hose and the valve. 
     It has been considered, for example, that the receptacle and the housing part containing the electronics are connected to each other via an all-round thread, a snap-in connection, a bayonet lock or an all-round plug-in connection. The preferred design is a screw connection, a thread. The receptacle is screwed onto the housing part containing the electronic unit, which involves establishing the connection between the suction hose and the valve. The receptacle, housing, suction hose and valve are synchronised in such a way that the firm external connection and the secure positioning of the valve are inevitable. 
     The receptacle closes with a lid at the end facing away from the suction hose. It is advisable for the receptacle to have an inwardly protruding collar at its upper end and for a sealing component to be integrated into the lid on its underside facing the collar. 
     An O-ring is preferred, so that a seal is already in place the moment that the lid is connected to the receptacle. Here, too, the preferred design is a screw connection. 
     The fact that the housing part containing the electronics has switches, indicator lights, connections, etc. on its upper side is advantageous in that these switches, indicator lights and connections are only easily accessible once the receptacle has been dismantled and they do not otherwise get in the way or impair the design. 
     The aim is to ensure a high degree of efficiency in heat transfer between the heating chamber and the capsule inserted in the heating chamber, which is made possible by the precise fit between the holding fixture or parts of this holding fixture on the one hand and the capsule on the other. The cone is essential with regard to this precise fit. This allows a particularly targeted heat transfer due to a precise fit between the side wall of the holding fixture that surrounds the capsule and the capsule itself. The more firmly the capsule is positioned in the holding fixture, the more effectively the heat from outside, i.e. from the direction of the heating chamber, travels in the direction of the capsule. A particularly advantageous variant for such a precise fit is one in which the side wall of the holding fixture tapers conically towards the interior of the heating chamber, with the cone having an angle of approx. 5° to 10°, preferably approx. 7°. An ideal geometry is achieved when the diameter of the holding fixture between the front and the back of the holding fixture or capsule increases constantly by a factor of about 1.1 to 1.25, preferably about 1.17. According to one design of the invention, the holding fixture has on its outside a closing ring extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing, into which the holding fixture for the capsule is integrated, i.e. the closing ring or heating chamber are arranged and designed to correspond to each other in such a way that the closing ring has a central opening in which the capsule is positioned in the holding fixture. Depending on the arrangement of the receptacle, heating chamber, etc., the closing ring also forms the upper or lower end of the housing or heating chamber. In addition, the closing ring also functions as a stop for a collar on the capsule when the capsule is inserted into the heating chamber. The closing ring thus ensures that the capsule is positioned in the heating chamber, not least because the capsule has a collar with which it strikes against the closing ring. 
     Thanks to a mechanism for pushing the used capsule out of its position in the holding fixture in the direction opposite to the direction of insertion, used capsules can be pushed out of their position in the holding fixture in the heating chamber without the user coming into contact with parts of the water pipe that may be exposed to high temperatures. Such health impairments due to the high temperatures of up to  200 ° C., which heated water pipe capsules can assume, are thus ruled out, as is jamming of the capsule when pulled out. Any capsule expansion processes are also irrelevant, because the capsules can be pushed out of the holding fixture from the direction of the receptacle in a particularly effective way. The fact that the mechanism can be operated from outside the heating chamber has the same aim, specifically to create a sufficient distance between the operator&#39;s hand and the heating chamber, or the capsule inside it. 
     An advantageous design of the invention provides for the suction hose to be mounted so that it can be moved in the direction of its longitudinal axis. This is a particularly optimal solution for such a mechanism, as the already existing suction hose has the additional function of serving as a mechanism for removing the capsules. This is done from a completely safe distance with regard to the high temperature of the used capsules in the heating chamber. By simply pressing the suction hose, a force is applied to the capsule in the opposite direction to which it was inserted. Consequently, the capsule inevitably releases from its position in the holding fixture in the heating chamber. For ease of handling, it has been considered that the suction hose is mounted so that it can be moved against the force of a spring, so that the suction hose returns to its starting position after use to release the capsule and the play of the suction hose during operation is limited. 
     The invention is characterised in particular by the fact that the water pipe ensures an optimum total air supply from the capsule to the air exiting through the mouthpiece. This is thanks to a special connection between the water tank and the housing of the water pipe, specifically the central housing part containing the electronics. The reliable transport of air between the heating chamber, the central housing part containing the electronics and the water tank via the suction hose ensures that no air can escape there, because, when the receptacle and the central housing part are assembled or screwed together, a particularly secure connection is established by the valve positioned in their centre. In addition, the suction hose opens into the receptacle, specifically into its hollow base with a central mounting plate which serves as a mounting for the suction hose in this area of the water pipe. 
    
    
     
       Further details and advantages of the object of the invention can be found in the following description of the associated drawing, which shows a preferred design example with the necessary details and individual parts. The following is shown: 
         FIG. 1  a top view of a water pipe, 
         FIG. 2  a cross section of the water pipe according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  a cross section of the mouth of the suction hose, 
         FIG. 4  a receptacle and a housing part containing the electronic unit in perspective view, 
         FIG. 5  a cross section of the receptacle and housing part, 
         FIG. 6  a longitudinal section of the receptacle and housing part 
         FIG. 7  a receptacle in perspective view, 
         FIG. 8  a longitudinal section of the receptacle, 
         FIG. 9  a cross section of the receptacle, 
         FIG. 10   FIG. 11  in detail, 
         FIG. 11  connection ring, holding fixture and capsule, and 
         FIG. 12  a spring-mounted suction hose. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows a water pipe  1 , also known as a shisha or hookah, with its housing  2 . The receptacle  3  is closed at the top by lid  23 . A suction hose  55  is connected at its integral end to the connecting piece  56  as part of the lid  23  and is fitted at the other end with a replaceable mouthpiece  57 . The connection of several hoses is possible.  58  indicates the water level for the water stored in receptacle  3 , especially since only partial filling of receptacle  3  is advisable. The heating chamber, accumulator and control unit are concealed by casing  59 ,  60  indicates the on, off and stand-by switch for operating the water pipe.  10  and  10 ′ indicate two capsules containing solid or liquid smoke media with perforations  61 . The air inlet in the form of several air slits is marked  62 . 
     In addition,  FIG. 2  shows a cross section of the water pipe  1 . In the centre marked  7  is the housing part containing the control unit, underneath is the heating chamber  4  with the holding fixture  5  for a capsule and the removable base plate  30 . The thread  22  between the receptacle  3  and the housing part  7  containing the electronics is clearly visible, so that when these two components are assembled there is automatic positioning of the centrally positioned valve  9 , which is located in the base  12  of the receptacle or protrudes partly into the receptacle interior  19 . The receptacle  3  is screwed onto the housing part  7  containing the electronic unit, which involves establishing the connection between the suction hose  6  and the valve  9 . 
       FIG. 3  first illustrates the solid, multi-layered design of the base  12  of receptacle  3 . The mouth  8  of the suction hose  6  is secured by three seals in the form of O-rings  16 ,  17  and  18 . Valve  9  and suction hose  6  are positioned on a common longitudinal axis  15 . A hollow space integrated into base  12  is marked  13  and serves to hold a central mounting plate  14 , into which the suction hose  6  then opens very precisely. 
       FIG. 4  shows a housing part  7 , which serves to contain an electronic unit, connected to the receptacle  3 . A switch for operating this electronic unit and thus the water pipe is marked with the reference  31 . 
     A cross section of the receptacle is shown in  FIG. 5 , with the central valve  9  and thread  22  on the outer edge  20 . 
     This partial solution is additionally illustrated in  FIG. 6  with the receptacle  3  and the housing part  7 , connected via valve  9 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a receptacle  3  with valve  9  at its lower end  26 .  22  marks the thread on the outer edge of the receptacle  3 . Its opposite upper end  25  offers the connection possibility for the lid not shown here. Here, the housing  3  has an inwardly facing collar  27 , on the underside  28  of which a sealing component, here in the form of an O-ring  29 , can be found. The lid can then be screwed to receptacle  3  via the inner thread  24 . 
     In addition, this is shown in  FIG. 8 , with receptacle  3  featuring the connection to the housing part not shown here containing the electronic unit on one side and the connection for the lid on the other side. 
       FIG. 9  again shows a cross section of the housing  2  of the water pipe  1  with the central valve  9  and the outer thread  22 . 
     In addition,  FIG. 11  shows the detailed view circled in  FIG. 10  in the form of the integration of the holding fixture in the closing ring  41 . The closing ring  41  is connected to the collar  42  on the holding fixture. At the same time, the capsule  10  with its collar  43  lies in the holding fixture  5  and is particularly tight thanks to the uniform cone of approx. 7°. It should also be mentioned that in order to adjust to the closing ring  41 , the capsule  10  has a section  45  between the collar  43  and its actual wall  44 , in which the wall of the capsule  10  runs exactly parallel to the longitudinal axis  46 . 
     Finally,  FIG. 12  represents a cross section. The reference  6  indicates the suction hose, which can be moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis  63  by applying pressure to the suction hose  6  in the direction of arrow  50 , either manually or via the control unit. The suction hose  6  has two hose sections  52  and  53  of different diameters. The section  53  of the suction hose  6  facing the heating chamber  4  has a smaller diameter than section  53  facing the receptacle not shown here, so that a collar  51  or stop is formed which acts on the spring  48  when the suction hose  6  is moved. It is conceivable to provide an inner hose  49  here. Otherwise, the second hose section  53  is surrounded by the pressure spring  48  at its end facing the first hose section  52 , or the spring housing  64  is integrated into the wall  47  of heating chamber  4  facing the receptacle. It is clearly visible that the front end  65  of the second hose section  53  protrudes into heating chamber  4 . A guide pin for the suction hose  6  is marked  54 .