EP4563016A1 - Water pipe with connection between container and housing - Google Patents

Abstract

A water pipe 1 comprises a housing 2, into which a container 3, which is to be filled with a liquid medium and is provided with a suction connection, and a heating chamber 4 connected to the container 3 via a suction tube 6 are integrated. The container 3 and a housing part 7, positioned between the container 3 and the heating chamber 4 and accommodating an electronic unit, are detachably connected to one another. Furthermore, a valve 9 is provided in the area of the opening 8 of the suction tube 6 into the container 3.

Description

The invention relates to a water pipe with a housing in which a container to be filled with a liquid medium and provided with at least one suction connection and a heating chamber connected to the container via a suction pipe are integrated, wherein the heating chamber has a receptacle for a capsule serving to hold a smoking medium.

Also known as shishas or hookahs, water pipes originate from the Middle East. They have enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years, particularly among young people and adolescents, as an alternative to cigarettes. Such water pipes are, among other things, from the US 4031906 or the US 2012/0042884 Such a water pipe has a container that is partially filled with water or another liquid medium. By sucking on a mouthpiece, a negative pressure is created in this container. A column of smoke also protrudes into the water, which has a head at its upper end for holding tobacco, which is heated with coal placed on top. The mixture of air, steam, and smoke particles that is created when the tobacco is heated is then drawn in by the smoker. It is obvious that the heating from glowing coal can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, or in extreme cases even fire. Such classic water pipes are, among other things, from the US 2014/0,069,446 or the US 2012/0,042,884 The legally compliant filling of water pipes is often not guaranteed due to the manual filling, especially with shisha. Therefore, shisha pipes should generally only be used outdoors or in rooms with guaranteed fresh air supply. Shishas made using this state-of-the-art technology are also relatively heavy and bulky, must be assembled from several parts, and are difficult to transport. Cleaning is also time-consuming and often does not meet hygienic standards. US 4,133,318 For example, electronic shishas are known, but they cannot satisfactorily reduce some of the problems mentioned above. The ones from the WO 2017/080545 This has proven to be a problem in many known shisha pipes. However, there are still shortcomings in the current technology, such as air leakage in the area of the connection between the water tank and the shisha body. This transition from the container proves to be a kind of predetermined breaking point, with corresponding impairments in terms of handling and the smoking experience.

The present invention therefore aims to create a water pipe that is characterized by high tightness and thus effectiveness for the smoking experience.

This object is achieved in that the container and a housing part accommodating an electronic unit are detachably connected to one another and in that a valve is provided in the area of the mouth of the suction pipe into the container.

The housing of the hookah essentially consists of the container as the first housing part, the second housing part housing the electronics such as the suction tube, and the third housing part housing the heating chamber for the capsule, expediently in the above-mentioned order from top to bottom. The container and the housing part housing the electronics unit are detachably connected to each other and additionally connected by a valve ensuring improved sealing, which particularly effectively protects the hookah according to the invention from the escape of secondary air. For this purpose, the valve is preferably located centrally, and a portion of it may protrude into the interior of the container.

As already mentioned, the reservoir is located above the housing section that houses the electronics unit. This is the reason for the valve to fit snugly onto the intake pipe that protrudes upwards from the housing section. The intake pipe, which opens into the heating chamber at its lower end and passes through the housing section that houses the electronics unit, is precisely connected to the valve at its upper end, preventing any leakage of secondary air from occurring in this entire area.

In concrete terms, this means that the suction pipe opens into the bottom of the container from below, whereby the bottom must be so solid that a stable bearing for the valve and the end of the pipe is formed here.

A practical embodiment of the invention is one in which the bottom of the container has a cavity with an integrated central mounting plate for securing the suction pipe. The mounting plate, positioned centrally in the cavity of the otherwise comparatively solid bottom, serves as a support for the suction pipe.

In addition, the suction pipe is provided to terminate in the mounting plate. The suction pipe thus terminates in the container, preferably in its base and, particularly advantageously, in the mounting plate integrated into the container base.

It goes without saying that the suction tube and the valve are arranged in the longitudinal axis of the hookah, so that when the container and housing are reassembled, for example after cleaning, the suction tube finds its position directly in the valve.

This type of bearing between the suction pipe and the valve makes it advantageous if the mouth of the suction pipe is in the bottom of the container with These seals form a seal between the suction pipe and the tank base and/or the mounting plate located in the cavity, thus ensuring a reliable and safe air path through the suction pipe and its connections without any losses.

It has already been mentioned that the container and the housing part accommodating the electronics are detachably connected to one another. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the container and the housing part accommodating the electronics to be connected to one another at the edges. This is then complemented by the precise fit between the top of the intake manifold and the valve.

The idea is for the reservoir and the housing section housing the electronics to be connected via a circumferential thread, a snap-in connection, a bayonet lock, or a circumferential plug connection. A screw connection or thread is preferred. The reservoir is screwed onto the housing section housing the electronics unit, which involves establishing the connection between the intake manifold and the valve. The reservoir, housing, intake manifold, and valve are synchronized in such a way that a solid external connection, such as a secure valve seat, is inevitable.

At the end facing away from the intake manifold, the container is closed with a lid. It is advantageous for the container to have an inwardly projecting collar at its upper end and for a sealant to be integrated into the lid on its underside facing the collar. An O-ring is preferably used, so that a seal is already established the moment the lid is connected to the container. Here, too, a screw connection is provided in a preferred embodiment.

The fact that the housing part containing the electronics has switches, indicator lights, connections, etc. on its top is advantageous in that these switches, indicator lights and connections are only easily accessible after dismantling the container, but otherwise do not cause any disruption, also so as not to impair the design.

It is important to ensure high efficiency in heat transfer between the heating chamber and the capsule inserted into it, which is made possible by a precise fit between the holder or parts of this holder on the one hand and the capsule on the other. The cone is of crucial importance with regard to the precise fit. This allows particularly targeted heat transfer through a precise fit between the wall of the holder that surrounds the capsule on the sides and the capsule itself. The more tightly the capsule sits in the holder, the more effectively the heat is transferred from the outside, i.e. from the direction of the heating chamber, towards the capsule. A particularly advantageous variant for such a precise fit provides for the side wall of the holder to taper conically towards the interior of the heating chamber, with the cone having an angle of approximately 5° - 10°, preferably approximately 7°. An ideal geometry is achieved when the diameter of the holder between the front and the back of the holder or capsule constantly increases by a factor of approximately 1.1 to 1.25, preferably approximately 1.17. According to one embodiment of the invention, the receptacle has on its outer side a closure ring extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing, into which the receptacle for the capsule is integrated. This means that the closure ring and the heating chamber are arranged and designed in such a way that the closure ring has a central opening in which the capsule sits in the receptacle. The closure ring simultaneously forms, depending on the arrangement of the container, heating chamber, etc., the upper or lower closure of the housing or the heating chamber. In addition, the closure ring serves as a stop for a collar on the capsule side when inserting the capsule into the heating chamber. The closure ring therefore not only ensures the correct seating of the capsule in the heating chamber lastly because the capsule has a collar with which it strikes against the end ring.

Thanks to a mechanism for pushing the used capsule out of its seat in the holder against the direction of insertion, used capsules can be pushed out of their seat in the holder on the heating chamber side without the user coming into contact with parts of the hookah that may be exposed to high temperatures. This eliminates any health risks associated with the high temperatures of up to 200°C that heated shisha capsules can reach, as does the risk of the capsule jamming when pulled out. Any expansion processes of the capsule are also irrelevant, as they can be pushed out of the holder particularly effectively from the direction of the container. The fact that the mechanism can be operated from outside the heating chamber serves the same purpose: to create a sufficient distance between the operator's hand and the heating chamber, or rather the capsule inside it.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the suction tube is mounted so that it can move along its longitudinal axis. This is a particularly optimal solution for such a mechanism, as the suction tube, which is already present, has the additional function of serving as a mechanism for removing the capsules. This can be done from a completely safe distance in relation to the high temperature of the used capsules in the heating chamber. By simply pressing the suction tube, a force is exerted on the capsule in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was inserted. As a result, the capsule is inevitably released from its seat in the holder on the heating chamber side. For easier handling, the suction tube is mounted so that it can move against the force of a spring, so that after it has been used to remove the capsule, the suction tube returns to its original position and the play of the suction tube during operation is limited.

The invention is particularly characterized by the fact that it creates a water pipe that ensures optimal overall air supply from the capsule to the expulsion of the air through the mouthpiece. This is achieved thanks to a special connection between the water tank and the housing of the shisha, specifically the central housing section that houses the electronics. Reliable transport of air between the heating chamber, the central housing section with electronics, and the water tank via the suction tube ensures that no air can escape. This is because a particularly secure connection is created when the container and central housing section are assembled or screwed together thanks to the valve positioned in their center. For this purpose, the suction tube opens into the container, specifically into its hollow base with a central mounting plate that serves as a mount for the suction tube in this area of the shisha.

Figur 1

eine Wasserpfeife in Draufsicht,

Figur 2

einen Schnitt zu der Wasserpfeife gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen Schnitt durch die Saugrohrmündung,

Figur 4

einen Behälter und einen die Elektronikeinheit aufnehmenden Gehäuseteil in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Figur 5

einen Querschnitt durch Behälter und Gehäuseteil,

Figur 6

einen Längsschnitt durch Behälter und Gehäuseteil

Figur 7

einen Behälter in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Figur 8

einen Behälter im Längsschnitt,

Figur 9

einen Behälter im Querschnitt,

Figur 10

ein Detail zu Figur 11,

Figur 11

Anschlussring, Aufnahme und Kapsel und

Figur 12

ein federnd gelagertes Saugrohr.

Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment with the necessary details and individual parts. They show:

Figure 1

a water pipe in top view,

Figure 2

a cut to the water pipe according to Figure 1 ,

Figure 3

a section through the intake manifold mouth,

Figure 4

a container and a housing part accommodating the electronics unit in a perspective view,

Figure 5

a cross-section through the container and housing part,

Figure 6

a longitudinal section through the container and housing part

Figure 7

a container in perspective view,

Figure 8

a container in longitudinal section,

Figure 9

a container in cross section,

Figure 10

a detail to Figure 11 ,

Figure 11

Connection ring, holder and capsule and

Figure 12

a spring-loaded intake manifold.

Figure 1 shows a water pipe 1, also known as a shisha or hookah, with its housing 2. The container 3 is closed at the top by the 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 provided at the other end with an interchangeable mouthpiece 57. The connection of several hoses is possible. 58 indicates the water level for the water held in the container 3, especially since only partially filling the container 3 is advisable. The heating chamber and accumulator as well as the control unit are concealed by the cover 59. 60 indicates the on, off, and standby switch for operating the shisha. Indicated by 10, 10' are two capsules with perforations 61 containing solid or liquid smoking medium. The air inlet in the form of several air slots is designated by 62.

In addition, Figure 2 A section through the hookah 1. Centrally located and labeled 7 is the housing part accommodating the control unit. Below this is the heating chamber 4 with the receptacle 5 for a capsule and the removable base plate 30. The thread 22 between the container 3 and the housing part 7 accommodating the electronics is clearly visible, so that when these two components are assembled, the positioning of the centrally positioned valve 9 is automatically determined. This valve sits in the base 12 of the container or protrudes slightly into the container interior 19. The container 3 is screwed onto the housing part 7 accommodating the electronics unit, which entails establishing the connection between the suction pipe 6 and the valve 9.

Figure 3 illustrates the solid, multi-layered design of the base 12 of the container 3. The mouth 8 of the suction pipe 6 is secured by three seals in the form of O-rings 16, 17, 18. Valve 9 and suction pipe 6 lie in a common longitudinal axis 15. A The cavity is designated 13, which serves to accommodate a central fastening plate 14, into which the suction pipe 6 then opens.

A housing part 7 serving to accommodate an electronic unit, connected to the container 3, then shows Figure 4 A switch for operating this electronic unit and thus the shisha is provided with the reference number 31.

In cross section, the container is in Figure 5 with the central valve 9 and the thread 22 on the outer edge 20.

This partial solution is additionally illustrated Figure 6 with the container 3 and the housing part 7, connected via the valve 9.

Figure 7 shows a container 3 with the valve 9 at its lower end 26. Reference numeral 22 denotes the thread on the outer edge of the container 3. At its opposite upper end 25, the connection point for the lid (not shown here) is provided. Here, the housing 3 has an inwardly directed collar 27, on the underside 28 of which there is a sealant, here in the form of an O-ring 29. The lid can then be screwed to the container 3 via the internal thread 24.

This is also complementary in Figure 8 shown, with the container 3 with the connection to the housing part not shown here for accommodating the electronics unit on one side and the connection for the lid on the other side.

In addition, Figure 9 then another cross-section through the housing 2 of the shisha 1 with the central valve 9 and the external thread 22.

In addition, Figure 11 the detailed view, which in Figure 10 is circled, in the form of the integration of the receptacle into the end ring 41. The end ring 41 is connected to the receiving-side collar 42. At the same time, the capsule 10, with its collar 43, lies particularly tightly in the receiving 5, thanks to the uniform cone of approximately 7°. It should also be mentioned that, for the purpose of adapting to the end 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, Figure 12 a section. Reference number 6 designates the suction pipe, which is displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis 63, for which purpose pressure in the direction of arrow 50 must be exerted on the suction pipe 6 manually or by control. The suction pipe 6 has two pipe sections 52, 53 of different diameters. The section 53 of the suction pipe 6 facing the heating chamber 4 has a smaller diameter than the section 53 facing the container (not shown here), so that a collar 51 or stop is formed which acts on the spring 48 when the suction pipe 6 is displaced. It is conceivable to provide an inner pipe 49 here. Otherwise, the second pipe section 53 is surrounded by the compression spring 48 at its end facing the first pipe section 52, or the spring housing 64 is integrated into the wall 47 of the heating chamber 4 facing the container. It can be clearly seen that the second pipe section 53 protrudes into the heating chamber 4 with its front end 65. 54 denotes a guide pin for the suction pipe 6.

Claims (12)

Water pipe (1) with a housing (2) into which a container (3) to be filled with a liquid medium and provided with at least one suction connection and a heating chamber (4) connected to the latter via a suction pipe (6) are integrated, wherein the heating chamber (4) has a receptacle (5) for a capsule (10) serving to hold a smoking medium, characterized in that
that the container (3) and a housing part (7) accommodating an electronic unit are detachably connected to one another and that a valve (9) is provided in the region of the mouth (8) of the suction pipe (6) into the container (3). Hookah according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the valve (9) fits precisely on the suction pipe (6) protruding from the housing part (7). Hookah according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the suction pipe (6) opens from below into the bottom (12) of the container (3). Hookah according to claim 3,
characterized by
that the bottom (12) of the container (3) has a cavity (13) with an integrated central fastening plate (14) for fixing the suction pipe (6). Hookah according to claim 4,
characterized by
that the suction pipe (6) opens into the mounting plate (14). Hookah according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the suction pipe (6) and the valve (9) are arranged in the longitudinal axis (15) of the housing 2 of the hookah (1). Hookah according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the mouth (8) of the suction pipe (6) in the bottom (12) of the container (3) is provided with seals (16, 17, 18). Hookah according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the container (3) and the housing part (7) accommodating the electronics are connected to each other at the edges. Hookah according to claim 8,
characterized by
that the container (3) and the housing part (7) accommodating the electronics are connected to one another via a thread (22), a snap-in connection, a bayonet lock or a plug-in connection. Hookah according to claim 9,
characterized by
that the container (3) and its lid (23) are connected to one another via a thread (24), a snap-in connection, a bayonet lock or a plug-in connection. Hookah according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the container (3) has an inwardly projecting collar (27) at its upper end (25) and that a sealing means (29) is integrated into the lid (23) on its underside (28) facing the collar (27). Hookah according to claim 1,
characterized by
that the housing part (7) containing the electronics has switches, indicator lights, connections, etc. on its upper side.

Images