Water pipe with connection between container and housing

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a water pipe with a housing into 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.

[0002] Water pipes, also known as shishas or hookahs, originally come from the Middle East. In recent years they have enjoyed increasing popularity, particularly among young people and adolescents, not least as an alternative to cigarettes. Such water pipes are known from, among other places, US 4031906 and US 2012 / 0042884. Such a water pipe has a container that is partially filled with water or another liquid medium. Sucking on a mouthpiece creates a vacuum in this container. A column of smoke also protrudes a short distance into the water. At its upper end, this column has a head for tobacco, which is heated using charcoal placed on top. The mixture of air, vapor and smoke particles created when the tobacco is heated is then inhaled by the smoker.It is obvious that heating from glowing coals can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, burns, or, in extreme cases, even fires. Such classic water pipes are known, among others, from US 2014 / 0,069,446 and US 2012 / 0,042,884. Due to the manual filling process, the legality of water pipes is often not guaranteed, especially with shisha pipes. Therefore, today's shisha pipes should generally only be used outdoors or in rooms with a guaranteed supply of fresh air. Furthermore, shisha pipes using this type of state-of-the-art technology are 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.For example, electronic hookahs are known from US Pat. No. 4,133,318, although they cannot satisfactorily mitigate some of the problems mentioned above. The hookahs known from WO 2017 / 080545 have also proven particularly advantageous; this document describes a water pipe with the features mentioned in the preamble of claim 1. However, there are still deficiencies in the prior art due to the leakage of air in the area of ​​the connection between the water tank and the hookah housing. 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.

[0003] The present invention therefore aims to create a water pipe that is characterized by high tightness and thus effectiveness for the smoking experience.

[0004] This object is achieved by a water pipe according to the present claim 1, inter alia 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 region of the mouth of the suction pipe into the container.

[0005] 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 against the escape of unwanted air. For this purpose, the valve is preferably located centrally, and a portion of it may protrude into the interior of the container.

[0006] It has already been mentioned that the reservoir is located above the housing section that houses the electronics unit. This is the reason for the proposal that the valve sits precisely on 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.

[0007] 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 it forms a stable support for the valve and the end of the pipe.

[0008] A practical embodiment of the invention is one in which the base 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 base, thus serves as a support for the suction pipe.

[0009] 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.

[0010] It goes without saying that the suction tube and the valve are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the water pipe, so that when the container and housing are reassembled, e.g. after cleaning, the suction tube finds its position directly in the valve.

[0011] This type of mounting between the intake manifold and the valve makes it advantageous to provide seals at the intake manifold's opening into the bottom of the container. These seals create a seal between the intake manifold and the container bottom and / or the mounting plate located in the cavity, thus ensuring a reliable and safe air path through the intake manifold and its connections without any losses.

[0012] It has already been mentioned that the container and the housing section accommodating the electronics are detachably connected to one another. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the container and the housing section 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.

[0013] 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-in connection. A screw connection or thread is preferred. The reservoir is screwed onto the housing section housing the electronics unit, which creates 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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 interfere, also so as not to impair the design.

[0016] It is important to ensure high effectiveness 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 firmly 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 approx. 5° - 10°, preferably approx. 7°.An ideal geometry is achieved when the diameter of the receptacle between the front and the back of the receptacle or capsule increases constantly 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 closing ring extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing, into which the receptacle for the capsule is integrated, i.e. the closing ring and heating chamber are arranged and designed to correspond to one another in such a way that the closing ring has a central opening in which the capsule sits in the receptacle. The closing ring also forms the upper or lower end of the housing or heating chamber, depending on the arrangement of container, heating chamber, etc. In addition, the closing ring has the function of serving as a stop for a collar on the capsule side when the capsule is inserted into the heating chamber.The end ring ensures that the capsule sits securely in the heating chamber, not least because the capsule has a collar that makes it hit the end ring.

[0017] 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 of the capsule is also irrelevant, as it 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 contained therein.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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 air being expelled through the mouthpiece. This is achieved, for example, by a special connection between the water tank and the shisha's housing, specifically the central housing section that houses the electronics. Reliable air transport between the heating chamber, the central housing section with the electronics, and the water tank via the suction tube ensures that no air can escape. This is because the valve positioned in the middle of the container and the central housing section creates a particularly secure connection when the container and central housing section are assembled or screwed together. 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.

[0020] 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 plan view, Figure 2 a section of the water pipe according to Figure 1 , Figure 3 a section through the suction pipe 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 a perspective view, Figure 8 a container in a longitudinal section, Figure 9 a container in a cross section, Figure 10 a detail of Figure 11 , Figure 11Connecting ring, holder and capsule and Figure 12a spring-loaded suction pipe.

[0021] Figure 1shows 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 designates the water level for the water held in the container 3, especially since only partially filling the container 3 is practical. The heating chamber, accumulator, and control unit are concealed by the cover 59. 60 designates the on, off, and standby switch for operating the shisha. Indicated at 10 and 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 at 62.

[0022] In addition, Figure 2A 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 holder 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.

[0023] Figure 3First, it illustrates the solid, multi-layered construction of the base 12 of the container 3. The opening 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 along a common longitudinal axis 15. A cavity integrated into the base 12 is designated 13, which serves to accommodate a central mounting plate 14, into which the suction pipe 6 then opens.

[0024] A housing part 7 serving to accommodate an electronic unit, connected to the container 3, then shows Figure 4 A switch for activating this electronic unit and thus the shisha is provided with the reference number 31.

[0025] In cross section, the container is in Figure 5 with the central valve 9 and the thread 22 on the outer edge 20.

[0026] This partial solution is additionally illustrated Figure 6 with the container 3 and the housing part 7, connected via the valve 9.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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 receptacle-side collar 42. At the same time, the capsule 10, with its collar 43, lies particularly tightly in the receptacle 5 thanks to the uniform cone of approximately 7°. It should also be mentioned that, for the purpose of adaptation 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.

[0031] Finally, Figure 12a section. The 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 projects into the heating chamber 4 with its front end 65.54 designates a guide pin for the intake manifold 6.

Claims

1. Water pipe (1) with a housing (2), comprising a housing part (7) accommodating an electronics unit, 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 container (3) via a suction hose (6) finishing in the container (3), wherein the heating chamber (4) has a receptacle (5) for a capsule (10) serving to contain a smoke medium, wherein the container (3) and the housing part (7) accommodating the electronics unit are detachably connected to one another and a valve (9) is provided in the area of the opening (8) of the suction hose (6) into the container (3); and wherein the container (3) is closed upwards by a lid (23) in a usage alignment of the water pipe (1), characterised in that the container (3) has an integrated base (12) in a state detached from the housing part (7).

2. Water pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the valve (9) fits accurately on the suction hose (6) protruding from the housing part (7).

3. Water pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the suction hose (6) opens into a base (12) of the container (3) from below.

4. Water pipe according to claim 3, characterised in that the base (12) of the container (3) has a hollow space (13) with an integrated central mounting plate (14) for fixing the suction hose (6).

5. Water pipe according to claim 4, characterised in that the suction hose (6) opens into the mounting plate (14).

6. Water pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the suction hose (6) and the valve (9) are arranged in the longitudinal axis (15) of the housing (2) of the water pipe (1).

7. Water pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the opening (8) of the suction hose (6) is provided with seals (16, 17, 18) in the base (12) of the container (3).

8. Water pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the container (3) and the housing part (7) accommodating the electronics are connected to one another at the edges.

9. Water pipe according to claim 8, characterised in 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.

10. Water pipe according to claim 9, characterised in that the container (3) and lid (23) thereof are connected to one another via a thread (24), a snap-in connection, a bayonet lock or a plug-in connection.

11. Water pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the container (3) has an inwardly protruding collar (27) at its upper end (25) and a sealing component (29) is integrated into the lid (23) on its underside (28) facing the collar (27).

12. Water pipe according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing part (7) accommodating the electronics has switches, indicator lights, connections etc. on its upper side.