Abstract:
Systems and methods for resin cleaning are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for a resin cleaning and sterilizing system that utilizes at least two ultrasonic cleaners. A first ultrasonic cleaner provides removal of resin on a smoking apparatus, and a second ultrasonic cleaner provides sterilization of the smoking apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is based on, claims priority to, and incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/239,560, filed Oct. 9, 2015, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Resin Cleaning and Sterilizing.” 
     
    
     STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    This invention relates generally to cleaning systems and, more specifically, to systems and methods for cleaning a smoking apparatus at least partially covered with resin/tar. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    It is well known that use of a smoking apparatus (e.g., a pipe, a water pipe, or a tube) causes a build up of resin and tar on the smoking apparatus due to condensation of the combusted organic material (e.g., tobacco or medical marijuana) being smoked. This build up of resin may lead to the smoking apparatus not functioning properly, for example, due to blocked air flow passageways. Additionally, the resin typically contains harmful compounds which, when reignited and smoked, may pose a health risk. Furthermore, since the resin is mainly composed of organic material, it can be susceptible to molding and/or rotting over time. 
         [0005]    Typically, a smoking apparatus is cleaned via a pipe cleaner and/or a cleaning solution. However, these cleaning methods rarely sufficiently clean (i.e., remove the resin) and sterilize the smoking apparatus. 
         [0006]    Hence, a need exists for a resin cleaning and sterilizing system that efficiently and effectively cleans and sterilizes a smoking apparatus. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention provides systems and methods for resin cleaning. In particular, systems and methods are provided for a resin cleaning and sterilizing system that utilizes at least two ultrasonic cleaners. A first ultrasonic cleaner provides removal of resin on a smoking apparatus, and a second ultrasonic cleaner provides sterilization of the smoking apparatus. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the present invention provides a resin cleaning and sterilizing system for a smoking apparatus. The resin cleaning and sterilizing system includes a first ultrasonic cleaner having a first cavity configured to be filled with a cleaning solution and a first mesh basket. The resin cleaning and sterilizing system further includes a second ultrasonic cleaner having a second cavity configured to be filled with a sterilizing solution and a second mesh basket. The first ultrasonic cleaner and the second ultrasonic cleaner are mounted on a mounting stand. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of cleaning and sterilizing a smoking apparatus using a resin cleaning and sterilizing system. The resin cleaning and sterilizing system includes a first ultrasonic cleaner having a first cavity configured to be filled with a cleaning solution and a first mesh basket, and a second ultrasonic cleaner having a second cavity configured to be filled with a sterilizing solution and a second mesh basket. The method includes submerging the smoking apparatus into the cleaning solution of the first ultrasonic cleaner, activating the first ultrasonic cleaner for a first predetermined length of time, and removing the smoking apparatus from the cleaning solution after the first predetermined length of time. The method further includes submerging the smoking apparatus into the sterilizing solution of the second ultrasonic cleaner, activating the second ultrasonic cleaner for a second predetermined length of time, and removing the smoking apparatus from the sterilizing solution after the second predetermined length of time. 
         [0010]    These and still other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings. What follows is merely a description of some preferred embodiments of the present invention. To assess the full scope of the invention, the claims should be looked to as these preferred embodiments are not intended to be the only embodiments within the scope of the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a disassembled resin cleaning and sterilizing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system of  FIG. 1  assembled. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a basket divider of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the basket cleaner of  FIG. 3  installed into a basket of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  outlines the steps for operating the resin cleaning and sterilizing system of  FIG. 1  according to one aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The use of the term “resin” herein is a term used to describe a tar-like substance that forms on a smoking apparatus (e.g., a pipe) due to condensation of the combusted organic material (e.g., tobacco or medical marijuana) being smoked. 
         [0017]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  in accordance with one form of the present invention. The resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  includes a first ultrasonic cleaner  12 , a second ultrasonic cleaner  14 , and a mounting stand  16 . The first ultrasonic cleaner  12  and the second ultrasonic cleaner  14  are each configured to generate ultrasonic waves that travel through a fluid (i.e., an ultrasonic bath) within the respective ultrasonic cleaners  12  and  14  at a frequency generally between 20 kHz and 400 kHz. Ultrasonic waves in this frequency range generate cavitation bubbles which agitate the fluid within the ultrasonic cleaners  12  and  14 , and enable the fluid to remove resin, or other debris, from a smoking apparatus and sterilize the smoking apparatus, as will be described in detail below. 
         [0018]    The first ultrasonic cleaner  12  includes a first housing  18  defining a first cavity  20 , and a first cover  22 . The first cavity  20  can be filled with a cleaning solution (e.g., Greased-Lightning™ Cleaner and Degreaser) thereby forming a first ultrasonic bath. A first mesh basket  24  is dimensioned to be received within the first cavity  20 . The first mesh basket  24  enables a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  to easily place a smoking apparatus (not shown) into the first ultrasonic bath and subsequently remove the smoking apparatus from the first ultrasonic bath. The first cover  22  is dimensioned to cover the first cavity  20  and protect a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  from splashing cleaning solution. 
         [0019]    A first control panel  26  is arranged on the first housing  18  that enables a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  to control, for example, a duration of time for the ultrasonic bath to be active (i.e., generate ultrasonic waves that travel through the first ultrasonic bath), a temperature of the cleaning solution in the first ultrasonic bath, and a frequency of the waves traveling through the first ultrasonic bath. 
         [0020]    The second ultrasonic cleaner  14  includes a second housing  28  defining a second cavity  30 , and a second cover (not shown). The second cavity  30  can be filled with a sterilizing solution (e.g., Steramine™ tablets mixed with water) thereby forming a second ultrasonic bath. 
         [0021]    A second mesh basket  32  is dimensioned to be received within the second cavity  30 . The second mesh basket  32  enables a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  to easily place the smoking apparatus into the second ultrasonic bath and subsequently remove the smoking apparatus from the second ultrasonic bath. The second cover is dimensioned to cover the second cavity  30  and protect a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  from splashing sterilizing solution. 
         [0022]    A second control panel  34  is arranged on the second housing  28  that enables a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  to control, for example, a duration of time for the second ultrasonic bath to be active (i.e., generate ultrasonic waves that travel through the second ultrasonic bath), a temperature of the cleaning solution in the second ultrasonic bath, and a frequency of the waves traveling through the second ultrasonic bath. 
         [0023]    The mounting stand  16  includes a first platform  36  dimensioned to receive the first ultrasonic cleaner  12  and a second platform  38  dimensioned to receive the second ultrasonic cleaner  14 . The first platform  36  includes a first supporting frame  40  which extends substantially perpendicularly from the first platform  38 . The first supporting frame  40  aids in preventing the first ultrasonic cleaner  12  from shifting when placed upon the first platform  36 . The first supporting frame  40  includes one or more cutouts  42  for providing a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  access to the first control panel  26  and/or for receiving a drainage port and/or a power chord of the first ultrasonic cleaner  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first supporting frame  40  includes four cutouts  42 . In other non-limiting examples, the first supporting frame  40  may include any number of cutouts  42 , as desired. 
         [0024]    The second platform  38  includes a second supporting frame  44  which extends substantially perpendicularly from the second platform  38 . The second supporting frame  44  aids in preventing the second ultrasonic cleaner  14  from shifting when placed upon the second platform  38 . The second supporting frame  44  includes one or more cutouts  46  for providing a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  access to the second control panel  34  and/or for receiving a drainage port and/or a power chord of the second ultrasonic cleaner  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the second supporting frame  44  includes four cutouts  46 . In other non-limiting examples, the second supporting frame  44  may include any number of cutouts  46 , as desired. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first mesh basket  24  and/or the second mesh basket  32  can include a dividing member  48 . The dividing member  48  includes a first plate  50  slidably coupled to a second plate  52 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first plate  50  is dimensioned to be received longitudinally within the first mesh basket  24  and/or the second mesh basket  32 . The first plate  50  includes an aperture  54  that enables a user of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  to grip the dividing member  48 . The second plate  52  is dimensioned to be received latitudinally within the first mesh basket  24  and/or the second mesh basket  32 . 
         [0026]    The dividing member  48  enables a user to selectively divide the first mesh basket  24  and/or the second mesh basket  32  into one or more compartments. Specifically, when both the first plate  50  and the second plate  52  are installed, the dividing member  48  divides the first mesh basket  24  and/or the second mesh basket  32  into four compartments. When either the first plate  50  or the second plate  52  are installed, the dividing member  48  divides the first mesh basket  24  and/or the second mesh basket  32  into two compartments. It should be known that the specific arrangement of the dividing member  48  is not meant to be limiting in any way, and one of skill in the art would appreciate that the dividing member  48  may be altered to selectively divide the first mesh basket  24  and/or the second mesh basket  32  into any number of compartments, as desired. 
         [0027]    One non-limiting example of the operation of the resin cleaning and sterilizing system will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . A user begins at step  56  by placing a smoking apparatus at least partially covered with resin in the first mesh basket  24 . One or more smoking apparatuses may be placed into the first mesh basket  24  if the dividing member  48  is installed. Next, at step  58 , the user places the first mesh basket  24  into the first ultrasonic bath of the first ultrasonic cleaner  12 , such that the smoking apparatus is submerged within the cleaning solution. The user then sets, at step  60 , at least one of a desired length of time for the first ultrasonic bath to be active, a desired temperature of the first ultrasonic bath, and/or a frequency of the first ultrasonic bath via the first control panel  26 . In one non-limiting example, the first ultrasonic bath may be set to between approximately 18° C. and 100° C. In another non-limiting example, the first ultrasonic bath may be set to between approximately 18° C. and 80° C. In yet another non-limiting example, the first ultrasonic bath may be set to greater than approximately 35° C. 
         [0028]    Depending on the amount of resin on the smoking apparatus, there may be a predetermined amount of time for the first ultrasonic bath to be active in order to remove the resin. Once the smoking apparatus has been submerged in the cleaning solution of the first ultrasonic cleaner  12  for a predetermined amount of time, with the first ultrasonic cleaner active  12 , the smoking apparatus will then be cleaned of resin and can be removed from the cleaning solution at step  62 . 
         [0029]    Following the smoking apparatus being removed from the cleaning solution of the first ultrasonic cleaner  12  at step  62 , the smoking apparatus can then be placed, at step  64 , into the second mesh basket  32 . One or more smoking apparatuses may be placed into the second mesh basket  32  if the dividing member  48  is installed. Next, at step  66  the user places the second mesh basket into the second ultrasonic bath of the second ultrasonic cleaner, such that the smoking apparatus is submerged within the sterilizing solution. The user then sets, at step  68 , at least one of a desired length of time for the second ultrasonic bath to be active, a desired temperature of the second ultrasonic bath, and/or a frequency of the second ultrasonic bath via the second control panel  34 . In one non-limiting example, the second ultrasonic bath may be set to between approximately 18° C. and 100° C. In another non-limiting example, the second ultrasonic bath may be set to between approximately 18° C. and 80° C. In yet another non-limiting example, the second ultrasonic bath may be set to greater than approximately 35° C. 
         [0030]    There may be a predetermined amount of time for the second ultrasonic bath to be active to ensure the smoking apparatus is sterilized. Once the smoking apparatus has been submerged in the sterilizing solution of the second ultrasonic cleaner  14  for a predetermined amount of time, with the second ultrasonic cleaner  14  active, the smoking apparatus will then be sterilized and is removed from the sterilizing solution at step  70 . 
         [0031]    Thus, as described above, the resin cleaning and sterilizing system  10  enables a user to clean the resin off and sterilize a smoking apparatus. 
         [0032]    It should be appreciated that various other modifications and variations to the preferred embodiments can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the described embodiments. To ascertain the full scope of the invention, the following claims should be referenced.