Patent Publication Number: US-2012042884-A1

Title: Electronic atomization hookah

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of hookahs and more specifically to an electronic atomization hookah. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A Traditional hookah (also called nargeela, argeela, narguileh, shisha, etc.) is an instrument for smoking tobacco or other herbal or organic materials in which the smoke is cooled and filtered by passing through water. 
     A traditional hookah generally operates with the tobacco first placed in a ceramic bowl covered by a punctured aluminum foil topped by the burning charcoal to heat the tobacco by indirect heat. The smoke from the burning tobacco is drawn down from the head through the pipe stem into the water of the water bowl where it is cooled and filtered before being inhaled by the smoker through the flexible hose. 
     The hookah has been used for centuries to smoke both plain and flavoured tobaccos, mixtures of various aromatic herbs and spices, or mixtures of both. Typically a hookah has of a bowl in which tobacco is placed mounted on top of a reservoir structure, the interior of which is partially filled with water. Extending downward from the bowl into the reservoir is a tubular hollow stem, with its lowermost extremity immersed in the water. The interior portion of the reservoir structure above the level of the water forms a chamber into which smoke may be collected. One or more flexible hoses extend outward from the smoke collection portion of the interior of the reservoir. 
     Inhaling through a flexible hose, a smoker causes smoke to be drawn from the bowl down the stem, passing the smoke through the water in the lower portion of the reservoir. Passing upwards through the water in the form of bubbles, smoke gradually fills the smoke collection portion of the reservoir, and when sufficient smoke has been collected passes on through the flexible hose to the smoker. 
     This basic functionality is shared by virtually all traditional hookahs, which generally differ only in size, shape, and number of hoses, although the means used to burn the tobacco may also differ. Some use a lighted coal placed in or above the bowl with the tobacco to provide a heat source for burning the tobacco. Others may require an ignition source such as a match to be placed near the bowl to begin burning the tobacco. However all traditional hookahs use combustion as the method of producing smoke, thus also producing all the undesirable combustion by-products in the smoke. Use of water to filter and cool the smoke significantly reduces many of the undesirable smoke components, but some, such as carbon monoxide, cannot be removed in this manner. 
     Irrespective of the means used by a given hookah to produce smoke, the method of smoking is the same. The smoker inhales from a flexible hose, drawing smoke from the bowl down through the stem to bubble up from the lowermost extremity of the stem immersed in water, filtering and cooling the smoke. The filtered, cooled smoke gradually collects in the interior portion of the hookah, from which it is drawn by inhalation through a flexible hose. Unfortunately until sufficient smoke has been collected in the interior of the hookah the smoker experiences only the effort of sucking air through the hookah. In a large hookah with a large interior collection chamber, this may require several minutes of effort. Likewise, after the interior portion of the hookah has filled with collected smoke, there is no provision to flush the smoke from the chamber, so a continuous effort must be exerted to enjoy the smoking experience. And unfortunately the collected smoke can become “stale” and unpleasant in taste if not inhaled soon enough, resulting in reduced enjoyment of the smoking experience. 
     Furthermore, the dependence upon human lung power also limits the depth at which the lowermost extremity of the stem can be immersed, thus limiting the amount of water through which the smoke can be passed to be filtered and cooled. If the depth at which the lowermost extremity of the stem is immersed is too great, normal human lung power cannot attain a sufficient vacuum or negative pressure to draw smoke from the bowl into the interior of the hookah. This in turn limits the amount of filtering and cooling that can be achieved in a traditional hookah or water pipe. 
     Moreover, the flavours of different types of tobaccos can be influenced by the combustion rate. Some are best when burned slowly at relatively low temperatures, others when burned quickly at relatively higher temperatures. However, the limited ability of human lung power to produce a vacuum or negative pressure also limits the maximum combustion rate that can be achieved in a traditional hookah or water pipe. 
     Besides, smoking using a traditional hookah takes smokers additional time and effort to have the hookah ready for use, not to mention the cleanup time of changing tobacco after the smoking experience and most importantly the health problems the smokers and surrounding non-smoking public will suffer as a result from the smoke which contains over 4000 harmful by-products and known carcinogens found in tobacco product. All this makes the smoking experience less joyful and less pleasant. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic atomization hookah that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks. 
     The provided electronic atomization hookah is capable of eliminating the hazardous results of smoking tobacco, reduce time and effort to have it ready for use and eliminating the mess and cleanup after smoking. In other terms, it enables users to smoke non-tobacco substances without any fire, flame, tobacco, tar, carbon-monoxide, carcinogens, or offensive second hand smoke found in shisha tobacco. 
     In this optic, as a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic atomization hookah comprising: 
     a shell comprising a shell body, a shell top portion and a shell bottom portion, where the shell body defines a shell internal cavity and comprises a first nozzle defining a first passage inside the cavity and configured to receive a smoking hose, and where the shell top portion comprises a first slot and the shell bottom portion comprises a second slot; 
     a liquid supplying container, an atomizer and at least one battery arranged within the shell internal cavity, where the atomizer is in contact with the container for heating a liquid contained therein when activated such that a mist is formed as a function of the heating, and where the container comprises a first opening in communication with the first passage for allowing output of the mist therethrough; 
     a hollow tube having a tube bottom extremity and a tube top extremity, where the hollow tube bottom extremity is coupled to the first slot and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith; 
     a jar comprising a substantially flat base and a jar top portion configured to be demountably coupled to the second slot; 
     a hookah head having a top portion and a bottom portion, where the head bottom portion is configured to be coupled to the tube top extremity and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith; and 
     a main processing unit and a sensor located within the hookah head, where the main processing unit is connected to the sensor, to the at least one battery and to the atomizer, such that, when a user inhales using the smoking hose, a variation of pressure is detected by the sensor and an electrical signal is automatically transmitted by the main processing unit to the atomizer for activation. 
     Preferably, the electronic atomization hookah further comprises a first conduit located within the internal cavity and extending between an internal orifice of the first nozzle and the first container opening for conveying the mist outside the internal cavity through the first passage. 
     Preferably, the shell liquid supplying container further comprises a second container opening configured to receive a flow of liquid in order to refill the container when required, and the shell body further comprises a second nozzle defining a second passage inside the internal cavity, wherein the second passage is in communication with the second container opening for conveying a flow of liquid inside the container when required. 
     Preferably, the electronic atomization hookah further comprises a second conduit located within the internal cavity and extending between an internal orifice of the second nozzle and the second container opening. 
     Preferably, the shell liquid supplying container further comprises a third container opening for discharging the container when required and the shell body further comprises a third nozzle having an internal orifice in communication with the third container opening for conveying a discharged flow of liquid outside the container. 
     Preferably, the at least one battery is a rechargeable battery, and the hookah further comprises a power supply for recharging the at least one battery using an external electrical source. Preferably, the power supply comprises a power socket integrated within the shell body. 
     Preferably, the shell body further comprises a pane for allowing visibility of the liquid supplying container&#39;s capacity. 
     Preferably, the shell body is configured to be demountable for allowing accessibility to any component located within the shell internal cavity when required. 
     Preferably, the electronic atomization hookah further comprises an electronic switching circuit configured to turn on/off the at least one battery. The electronic switching circuit can be integrated within the shell. 
     Preferably, the electronic atomization hookah further comprises a flexible hose having a first extremity demountably coupled to the first nozzle and a second extremity ending with a mouthpiece. In this case, the electronic switching circuit can also be integrated within the flexible hose, in proximity of the second extremity. 
     Preferably, the main processing unit automatically turns off the at least one battery when the sensor doesn&#39;t detect any pressure variation after a predetermined period of time. 
     Preferably, the electronic atomization hookah further comprises a manual atomizer activation switch connected to the main processing unit for enabling a user to manually activate said atomizer without any inhalation activity. 
     Preferably, the electronic atomization hookah further comprises a bowl shaped component located at the end part of the hookah head and a led located on the bowl, where the led is connected to the main processing unit and is lightened when the sensor detects a pressure variation. 
     Preferably, the electronic atomization hookah further comprises a wireless communication unit connected to the main processing unit and adapted to be connected a remote computer system via a data network. 
     Preferably, the wireless communication unit is configured to receive a remote electrical signal which is transmitted to the main processing unit for turning off the at least one battery. 
     Preferably, the main processing unit comprises a clock and a microprocessor. 
     Preferably, the main processing unit is programmable to transmit an electrical signal to the electronic switching circuit at a predetermined time in order to turn off the at least one battery. The main processing unit can also be configured to count a time of use of the hookah. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram illustrating the electronic components of an electronic atomization hookah in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a schematic view of an electronic atomization hookah in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a cross section view from the bottom side of a shell of an electronic atomization hookah in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a cross section view from a first side of a shell of an electronic atomization hookah in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cross section view from a second side of a shell of an electronic atomization hookah in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross section view from the front side of a shell of an electronic atomization hookah in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As a first aspect of the invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , there is provided an electronic atomization hookah  2  comprising a shell  8 , a liquid supplying container  16 , at least one battery  40 , a power supply  22 , a jar  50 , a hollow tube  60 , a hookah head  70 , a main processing unit  80 , a sensor  84 , an atomizer  88 , an electronic switching circuit  70 , a wireless communication unit  82 , a led  86  and a user interface  110 . 
     The shell  8  comprises a shell body  10 , a shell top portion  24  and a shell bottom portion  30 . The shell body  10  defines a shell internal cavity and comprises a first nozzle  12  defining a first passage inside the cavity and configured to receive a smoking hose (not shown). The first nozzle  12  takes generally the form of a hollow member which extends from a first extremity at the shell body outwardly towards a second extremity consisting of a socket which is configured to encompass a first extremity of a smoking hose. The nozzle  12  generally consists of an integrated part of the shell body and made of the same material. The smoking hose is generally a flexible hose having a first extremity which is coupled to the socket of the first nozzle  12  and a second extremity consisting of a mouthpiece used by a user for smoking. 
     The shell body  10  further comprises a second nozzle  14  defining a second passage inside the shell internal cavity. The second nozzle  14  is used as a conveyer for refilling the liquid supplying container with a flavoured liquid when required. The second nozzle  14  can consist of a hollow member which extends from a first extremity at the shell body  10  outwardly towards a second extremity consisting of a socket and configured to be obstructed when unused. The second nozzle can also consist of a simple orifice formed within the shell body  10  in such a way to define a passage into the shell internal cavity. 
     The shell body  10  is made of a suitable size and form and defines an internal cavity configured for encompassing a liquid supplying container  16 , an atomizer  88  and at least one battery (preferably two batteries)  44 . The shell body  10  can be opened and closed to allow accessibility to the internal components. Preferably, the shell body  10  is made of at least two demountable compartments that when coupled together to form the entire shell body  10 . Accessibility to the internal components is important for allowing users to change the battery if necessary, change the liquid supplying container  16  or repair any internal component such as the atomizer  88 . The shell body  10  is preferably made of stainless steel but can be made of any other suitable material such as plastic. 
     The shell  8  further comprises a shell top portion  24  having a flat surface and comprising a first slot  26  (preferably threaded) configured to be demountably coupled to the bottom extremity  62  of the hollow tube  60  and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith. The shell  8  also comprises a shell bottom portion  28  having a flat surface and comprising a second slot  30  configured to be demountably coupled to the jar top portion  52  and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith. In this optic, in the preferred embodiment, the shell  8  is demountably coupled to the jar  50  and to the hollow tube  60  which permits the coupling/decoupling of the shell  8  for replacement or repair if required. 
     Though, in a conventional hookah, the jar  50  is filled with water and consists of an essential element thereof since it is used to filter the tobacco smoke, it is not the case for an electronic atomization hookah  2  where no tobacco is used and where the jar  50  is rather used for decoration and for supporting the hookah when placed on the ground. However, even though it is not essential for the functionality of the present invention, the jar  50  can always be filled by water and can be configured to bubble when a smoker inhale, thus giving the smoker the same smoking sensation as a conventional hookah. 
     The liquid supplying container  16  is located within the shell internal cavity and contains a liquid having a particular flavour and adapted to produce mist having the same flavour when heated. There is a variety of flavours that can be employed, among others, apple, cherry, lemon, coffee, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, pineapple, rose, mango, cappuccino, green tea and mint. Generally, the ingredients of the flavoured liquid are simple to produce and comprise: Vanillin (1%), 2,3,5-Trimethy pyrazine (0.2%), Menthol (0.8%), 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (0.3%), 2-Acetyl-pyrazine (0.2%), 2-Acetyl pyridine (0.2%), Purified water (3.0%); Vanilla extract (6.0%), Terpineol (0.3%), Decanoic acid (0.4%), 2-Methyl butyrate (0.3%), Glycerol (20.0%) and Propylene glycol (67.3%). 
     The liquid supplying container  16  is in contact with the atomizer  88  which, when activated, heats the flavoured liquid contained in the container  16 . This heating activity results in producing the desired mist that is potentially inhaled by the smoker. The mist that is produced evaporates within a few seconds after being exhaled by the smoker, which make it convenient to smoke even in indoor zones without offending the non-smoking public. Since the flavoured liquid is free of tobacco, the mist doesn&#39;t contain the over 4000 harmful products and carcinogens usually found in tobacco products. Thus, the electronic atomization hookah  2  offers a more pleasant smoking experience to both the smoker and the non-smoking public, since the public is avoided to breathe the offensive, dangerous and banished second-hand smoke produced by traditional tobacco hookahs. 
     The liquid supplying container  16  comprises a first opening  18  in communication with the first passage defined by the first nozzle  12  for allowing output of the mist therethrough towards the flexible hose and all the way to the mouthpiece to be inhaled by the smoker. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic atomization hookah  2  further comprises a first conduit (not shown) located within the shell internal cavity and extending between the internal orifice of the first nozzle  12  and the first container opening  18  for conveying the mist outside said internal cavity through the first passage. The first conduit preferably consists of a flexible pipe made of plastic having a first end connected to the first container opening and a second end connected to the internal orifice of the first passage. The principle is that when the smoker inhales, the atomizer  88  is activated, the flavoured liquid is heated and as a result, a mist is generated and conveyed via the first conduit towards the first passage defined by the first nozzle and then all the way through the flexible hose to be inhaled by the smoker. 
     The liquid supplying container  16  also comprises a second opening  20  in communication with the second passage defined by the second nozzle  14 . The second container opening  20  is configured to receive a flow of liquid in order to refill the container  16  with flavoured liquid when required. In the preferred embodiment, the electronic atomization hookah  2  further comprises a second conduit (not shown) located within the shell internal cavity and extending between the internal orifice of the second nozzle  14  and the second container opening  20 . The second conduit preferably consists of a flexible pipe made of plastic having a first end connected to the second container opening  20  and a second end connected to the internal orifice of the second passage. 
     The liquid supplying container  16  can also comprise a third opening (not shown) located at the bottom side thereof and connected to an internal orifice of a third nozzle located at the shell body  10  which is used to discharge the flavoured liquid contained within the container  16  when required. This can be useful when a user desires to discharge the flavoured liquid contained in the container  16  to replace it with a liquid having a different flavour or when the liquid becomes too old and should be replaced by a fresh one. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the shell  8  comprises a pane  32  for allowing visibility of the liquid supplying container&#39;s capacity. A pane  32  can consist of a transparent material integrated within the shell body  10  which permits the user to determine, at any time, if the liquid supplying container  16  should be refilled. A pane  32  can also consist of a flip/flop member that, when flipped, permits the user to visualize the liquid supplying container  16 . 
     As stated hereinabove, the electronic atomization hookah  2  further comprises at least one battery  44  (preferably two batteries) for providing power to all the electronic components of the hookah, namely the main processing unit  80 , the atomizer  88  and the sensor  84 . The batteries  44  are connected to these electronic components using electrical wires. The batteries  44  are compactly arranged within the shell internal cavity in proximity of the liquid supplying container  16  and, preferably, consist of rechargeable lithium ion batteries which can be recharged using an external electrical power source. In this optic, in the preferred embodiment, the hookah further comprises a power supply  22  comprising a power socket integrated within the shell body  10  and allowing for recharging the batteries  44  using an external electrical source when required. The power supply also comprises an AC/DC charger connected between the power socket and the batteries for converting the entrant alternative electrical current into a DC current suitable to function with the various electronic components of the hookah  2 . 
     The hollow tube  60  has a tube bottom extremity  62  and a tube top extremity  64  and has a similar form to the one comprised in a conventional hookah. The hollow tube bottom extremity  62  is coupled to the first slot  26  comprised in the shell top portion  24  and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith. The hollow tube top extremity  64  is coupled to the hookah head  70  and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith. 
     The hookah head  70  has a top portion  72  and a bottom portion  74 , where the head bottom portion  74  is configured to be coupled to the tube top extremity  64  and forms a substantially airtight seal therewith. The hookah head top portion  72  principally consists of a bowl shaped component located at the end part of the hookah head  70 . The bowl  72  has the shape of a conventional bowl which is generally used in a conventional hookah to hold the tobacco. Moreover, there is provided a led  86  located on the bowl which is connected to the main processing unit  80  and is lightened when the sensor  84  detects a pressure variation (i.e. when the user inhales). Besides, the hookah head bottom portion  74  comprises an ash tray which has the shape of a conventional ash tray used in a conventional hookah and a slot to encompass the hollow tube top portion  64 . 
     As mentioned hereinabove, the electronic atomization hookah  2  further comprises a main processing unit  80  and a sensor  84 . According to the preferred embodiment, these components are located within the hookah head  70 . Alternatively, these components can be placed in any other convenient location within the hookah  2 , such as the shell internal cavity. However, placing these components in the shell internal cavity would expose it to mist and humidity, which would affect the durability of these components. 
     The main processing unit  80  is connected to the sensor  84 , to the at least one battery  44 , to the atomizer  88  and to the led  86 . In the preferred embodiment, the main processing unit comprises a clock and a microprocessor. According to the preferred embodiment, when the user inhales using the flexible hose, the sensor  84  detects a variation in pressure and transmits a positive inhalation signal to the main processing unit  80 . The latter receives the positive inhalation signal and transmits an activation signal to the atomizer  88  for activation as well as a lighting signal to the led  86  in order to turn it on. The atomizer  88  receives the activation signal and turns on to heat the liquid contained in the liquid supplying container  16 . As a function of the heating, a mist is produced in the liquid supplying container  16  and is conveyed through the first conduit to the first passage and then all the way through the first nozzle  12  and the flexible hose to be inhaled by the user. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic atomization hookah  2  further comprises a manual atomizer activation switch connected to the main processing unit  80  which provides the user the possibility to manually activate the atomizer  88  if desired. Manually activating the atomizer  88  would permit formation of a mist without any inhalation activity by the smoker. Using the manual activation switch would avoid the smoker to rely on the sensor to detect the variation in pressure within the hookah  2  when he inhales, thus avoiding him any inhaling efforts that would otherwise be necessary to do in order to ensure that the sensor would detect a variation in pressure inside the hookah  2  in order for the atomizer  88  to be activated. The manual atomizer activation switch is preferably located in proximity of the bottom extremity of the hollow tube  60  or in proximity of the mouthpiece of the flexible hose. 
     The main processing unit  80  is further connected to a wireless communication unit  82 . The wireless communication unit  110  is adapted to be connected to a remote computer system  90  via a data network. This would allow a remote user to remotely turn off the electronic atomization hookah  2  when desired. This application is very useful in case where the electronic atomization hookahs are rented for a predetermined period of time. After the expiration of the rented period, the merchant can use the remote computer system to send a remote electrical signal to the electronic atomization hookah  2  instructing it to turn off. This signal, when transmitted by the remote computer system  90 , is received by the wireless communication unit  82  which then transmits it to the main processing unit  80  for processing. The latter transmit a deactivation signal to the batteries  44  instructing it to turn off. In this way, the smoker should then go pay for a supplementary amount of time in order to continue smoking. A person skilled in the art shall understand that the remote computer system can also be programmed to automatically transmit a deactivation signal at a predetermined time. This application would allow the merchant to economize a tremendous amount of time in monitoring the customers. 
     The main processing unit  80  is further connected to a user interface  110  configured to receive manual instructions from a user. The user interface  110  can be used by the merchant to instruct the main processing unit  80  to turn off the batteries  44  at a predetermined time. The main processing unit  80  can also be programmed using the user interface  110  to count a time of use of the electronic atomization hookah  2 . By counting the time of use, the merchant will be able to read the total time of use of the hookah that would appear on the user interface  110  and charge the client as a function of the time of user of the hookah  2 . 
     The electronic atomization hookah  2  can also comprise an electronic switching circuit  70  which can be used manually by a user  100  to turn on/off the at least one battery  44 . The electronic switching circuit  70  can be integrated within the shell or can be integrated within the flexible hose, in proximity of the mouthpiece. However, it should be understood that the use of the electronic switching circuit  70  is optional since activation by inhalation eliminates the need for an on-off switch knowing that it will always be in a stand-by mode, thus saving battery life and eliminating the need to fumble for an on-off switch. 
     While illustrated in the block diagrams as groups of discrete components communicating with each other via distinct data signal connections, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiments are provided by a combination of hardware and software components, with some components being implemented by a given function or operation of a hardware or software system, and many of the data paths illustrated being implemented by data communication within a computer application or operating system. The structure illustrated is thus provided for efficiency of teaching the present preferred embodiment. 
     Although the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention but is merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. The embodiment(s) of the invention described above is(are) intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.