Oblong water steam inhaler

Abstract

The present application relates to a method for inhaling water steam, mixed with volatile substances, by capturing the steam in immediate proximity of the hot free surface of a water-based liquid. All this by means of a handheld mouth inhaler with oblong shape and compact size, kept horizontally or slightly inclined by using it, allowing holding and handling similar to a cigar or to an electronic smoking device. The elongated shape of the inhaler allows the user, by minimally displacing the other end of the inhaler, to find the optimal inclination for best inhalation experience, in dependence of the nature of the substance immersed in hot water and releasing said volatile substances, but also from the applied inhalation effort. During inhalation no energy supply is needed, thanks to high thermal insulation quality of the body of the inhaler. The inhalation is performed for health, well-being or pleasure purposes.

Description

[0001] OBLONG WATER. STEAM INHALER

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] Water steam inhaling is an old and still widely appreciated health method for helping our respiratory system. Often combined with thymian, eucaliptus, lavender and other herbs. Consequently a great variety of inhalation devices exists, as products on the market and as intellectual property. Used for health and healing purposes, they are not designed for producing pleasure by inhaling.

[0004] In recent years there has been an extensive proliferation of patents covering inhaling devices, mostly belonging to the field of electronic cigarettes or, alternatively , to therapeutic and clinical breathing devices, both being based on vaporization, nebulization, aerosol processes with ultrasonic vaporizers, piezo atomizers, other components remaining active in use, usually energy intensive. Their physical working principles are very different from inhaling the water steam released by a hot water free-surface.

[0005] Still not considering it as relevant prior art for the present application, we mention some patents relating to inhalers: US8739786B2 (Portable hand-held vaporizer), WO2015116934A1 (Methods and apparatus for producing herbal vapour), US8869792B1 (Portable vaporizer), JP2023134844A (Device for the care of respiratory well-being), CN209422678U (Personal inhaling device), WO1999025406A1 (Inhalation device), WO2016075436A1 (Electronic vapour inhaler), US10219543B2 (Electronic steam inhaler), WO2015076515A1 (Steam inhaler). The applicant has filed an application (CH001377 / 2023) for a warm air inhaler, which is outside the scope of the present application. It claims a device for inhaling air conveyed by tubes through a heated water volume inside the device itself, said heated water volume having the function to heat the air inside said tubes made of thermally conductive material. Basically it concerns inhaling of hot or warm air, not water steam released by a hot water surface.

[0006] The applicant has more recently filed an application (CH000089 / 2024) having subject matter closer to the present application: the inhalation of water steam released by a hot water free surface by means of a portable inhaler. This previous application covers devices with vertically or downwards oriented inhaler bodies, not necessarily compact in size, with user's handling similar to drinking from a glass with a straw. Whereas the present application covers horizontally elongated devices of compact size, with inside few milliliters water and for user's handling similar to smoking an electronic cigarette or a cigar. Two systems with clearly different physical behaviours.

[0007] The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from earlier Swiss Patent Application No. CH001200 / 2024 filed on November 06, 2024.

[0008] DESCRIPTION

[0009] Today the largest number of people inhaling volatile substances through the mouth are doing this by means of small elongated elements, usually held with just two fingers, kept approximately in horizontal position or slightly inclined downwards: cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes or vapers.

[0010] This application claims a method of mouth inhalation by means of a small elongated device as just mentioned: usually held with just two fingers, kept approximately in horizontal position or slightly inclined downwards. But with a completely different physical working principle: the inhalation of water steam mixed with volatile substances released by the free surface of a small volume of hot water. Said volatile substances being released by a large variety of solid substances immersed in the hot water or by liquid substances mixed with the same or dissolved in the same.

[0011] Key element is the high thermal capacity of water, the highest of all liquids, 5 times higher than air at the same temperature. This allows embodiments according to the present application filled with very small volumes of water (10 ml or less), provided the best thermal insulation for the inhaler's body.

[0012] The release of water steam by a hot water surface is a natural process which does not need technical components such as vaporizers or batteries.

[0013] Water steam is a very effective conveyor of flavours and fragrances provided it is captured in the right way just above the free water surface. Conveyed through the inhaler, loosing some °C temperature, the steam reaches the mouth producing the feeling of a warm and humid fluid.

[0014] The evaporation process, in case of certain substances added to the water, can act also as an effective filter for separating harmless volatile components of a certain substance, inhaled with the steam, from other undesired components which remain in the liquid water, and are not inhaled. Examples being mentioned later in this application.

[0015] As described later in the examples of embodiments following the present application, the water steam is captured above the water surface by means of a tube conveying the same to the mouth. As already explained in my previous application CH000089-2024, the critical factor for obtaining the desired result from the inhalation experience is the distance between the end of this tube, positioned right above the water surface, and the water surface.

[0016] The thin air layer, immediately above the hot water surface, contains the highest concentration of volatile substances such as flavours, fragrances or aromas released by the hot water surface.

[0017] Consequently this is the portion of the steamed air volume, inside the inhaler's body, which has to be captured by inhaling.

[0018] The elongated shape of embodiments according to the present application allows the user, holding between the lips one end of the embodiment and the other end with the fingers, the embodiment approximately in horizontal position, to find said optimal distance by slightly displacing upwards and downwards said other end. Once the hot water surface is kept motionless enough during inhalation, it forms a thin membrane of tiny droplets levitating due to rising evaporation flow, carrying said volatile substances in high concentration and inhaled with the steam.

[0019] Said optimal distance between the lower end of the inhalation tube and the hot water surface can also be defined as the distance by which, if further decreased, the inhalation effort produces sipping liquid particles instead of inhaling steam. This occurring can be a pleasant surprise or even a desired effect in case of steam carrying peppermint or eucalyptus flavour, but preferably avoided in case of some other immersed substances.

[0020] Fig.l shows a schematic view of just the main components of an embodiment according to the present application, with no limiting purposes.

[0021] A longer part A comprises an outer body 1 providing for highest thermal insulation of its inner volume 2 with respect to the external environment.

[0022] Said outer body 1 preferably, but not necessarily, consisting in sealed double-walled elements containing vacuum in-between said double-walled elements, said vacuum with an air pressure value not higher than 50 mbar, which means a thermal insulation value not less than 10X the value for air at the same temperature. The vacuum is produced inside said walls of the sealed outer body 1 preferably by using a Venturi vacuum pump. Materials used for the outer body 1 are preferably copper, aluminium or polycarbonate, the latter now being used also for water boilers.

[0023] The inner volume 2 comprises a solid tubular element 3 made of thermally conductive material such as aluminium, holding on its inside a thin grid 5, preferably also aluminium, dividing the air volume inside said tubular element 3 in two halves along its length. The lower half designed to contain hot water with immersed solid substances releasing said volatile substances, the upper half designed to be filled with steam to be inhaled.

[0024] The round cap 4 provides on one side for a tight closing of the tubular element 3. After having removed outer body 1 (Fig.2, left arrow), the round cap 4 can be easily removed for filling the volume inside structure 2 with water and solid substances. And for cleaning purposes.

[0025] Additionally, the inner volume 2 comprises a tube 7, running along tubular element 3, with a openings 7a, 7b, at each end, having the purpose to convey ambient air 6 inside the tubular element 3 by inhaling. The tube is made of thermally conductive material such as aluminium and the long air path back and forth is justified by warming up incoming ambient air before reaching the inhalation tube 8, by inhaling.

[0026] A shorter part B (Fig.l) comprises the inhalation tube 8, the inhaling opening 9 and the opening 7b for incoming ambient air. The body of part B is made of highly thermal insulating material to be manufactured as a molded part. One possibility being food grade polyurethane.

[0027] As shown in Fig.2 said part B can be extracted from the tubular element 3, also for cleaning purposes. Once re-inserted in its original position, it creates a tight closing of the volume inside the tubular element 3.

[0028] Fig.2 shows also, at the other end of the tubular element 3, the removing of the outer body 1 (arrow). Once removed, and part B firmly fixed in its original position, the inhaler containing water and said solid substances 10 is ready for heating.

[0029] This application brings no technical novelty as far as the heating of a small volume of water and the immersed solid substances inside the tubular element 3 are concerned. It is preferable, without any limiting purposes, to use a compact size heater, portable and to be placed on a table, by which said part A is heated while part B is not heated for later handling. A small heating unit which is easy to use and safe.

[0030] Several conventional heating techniques can be considered for embodiments within the scope of this application. Fig. 3 shows the example the embodiment of Fig 1,2,3 being inserted in a PTC tubular heater placed in vertical position. We note the water level 11 and the immersed solid substances 10.

[0031] This PTC heater comprises an aluminium tubular element 13 with two ceramic heating plates 14 placed at the two sides of element 13 and transferring heat to the same. One advantage of the PTC heater is to maintain a constant temperature of the heated medium. The heating unit further comprises closing caps 15 at the base, and 16 at the top, made of thermal insulating material.

[0032] Fig.4 is a longitudinal section view of the embodiment of Fig.l, said embodiment shown in horizontal position. A horizontal position, or slightly inclined, represent the right way to use an inhaler designed according to the present application. A vertical position, or sharply inclined upwards or downwards, are not considered. As shown on Fig.4 an orientation of the embodiment close to horizontal allows the level 11 of the hot water surface to extend itself along the length of the inhaler, inside the tubular element 3, so keeping the solid surfaces 10 immersed and fully impregnated with water.

[0033] Approximately the upper half of the volume inside the tubular element 3, hot after heating, is the air volume filled with the steam released by the hot water surface 11, and inhaled through inhaling tube 8 and opening 9. The thin grid 5 prevents that solid particles, possibly separating from the solid substances 10, become mixed with the steam due to the inhaling effort.

[0034] Outside air to be inhaled enters the embodiment through opening 7b, and is warmed-up flowing inside the tube 7, previously heated inside the heater (Fig.4). The same air enters the volume above the hot water surface through opening 7a for flowing in the direction of the inhalation tube 8.

[0035] An alternative design solution, not shown on Fig.4, but remaining within the scope of the present application, is outside air entering through opening 7b and flowing directly in proximity of the inhalation tube 8. This is a simple and acceptable solution, but not preferable, because the incoming air shall reduce air temperature near the lower end 17 of the inhalation tube 8.

[0036] Before heating (Fig.3), after removing the outer body 1 and the closing cap 4 shown in Fig. 2, the solid substances 10 are inserted in the inside of the inhaler, under the grid 5 (Fig.4).

[0037] The choice of which solid substances 10, and in what form to be inserted under grid 5, is very large and depends on the purpose of inhaling.

[0038] If the purpose is health, medicines for steam therapy can be inserted as well as healing substances, such as herbs (thymian, eucaliptus, lavender etc.), containing volatile components to be inhaled with the water steam. Embodiments according to the present application are compact in size, may look like a personal life-style accessory, can be confused with vapers, allowing a "social" use without revealing the health of therapeutic purpose.

[0039] If the purpose is well-being or pleasure, the number of solid substances releasing volatile flavours after having been immersed in hot water is huge and can achieve high liking rating, an example being peppermint. Tea bags containing fragmented dried leaves or fragmented candies, usually including essential oils, are just good examples of the large spectrum of possible substances 10: mint, star anise, raspberry, cherries, blueberry, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, lemon and many other.

[0040] The method and embodiments according to the present application allow to consider a conventional tobacco cigarette or a cigar as a substance 10 apt to be inserted in the inhaler of Fig.4 under the grid 5, immersed in water.

[0041] The result is a nicotine-free tobacco inhalation after heating the inhaler to a maximum of 90°C. Harmful substances present in natural tobacco, such as nitrosamines or polyphenols as well as nicotine causing dependence, due to high molecular weight and, more relevant, a very low vapour pressure value at 90°C (194°F) do not reach the gaseous state and can not be inhaled. Just for comparison: water's vapour pressure at 90°C is 70.000 Pa, nicotine's is 15 Pa.

[0042] On the other hand, at 90°C, volatile aromas of natural tobacco, having a much higher vapour pressure compared to the mentioned substances, can be inhaled, contributing to the pleasure of inhaling.

[0043] Caffeine has a much higher vapour pressure (2000 Pa at 80°C) compared to nicotine and consequently shall be present in the steam released by the water based liquid. A pleasant inhalation result being reached with fragmented coffee beans or coffee extracts in liquid form to be added to the water.

[0044] As already explained, for having a really pleasant inhalation result, a critical factor is the distance De (Fig.5) between the end of the inhalation tube 8 above the hot water surface and the same hot water surface 11, the "steamed" air layer where the highest concentration of volatile substances is occurring.

[0045] By lifting upwards the outer end of the inhaler the inhaling effort produces a light sipping of the water based liquid (Fig.6a). By inclining downwards the inhaler (Fig.6b), an increasing loss of flavouring of the inhaled steam shall produce a loss of inhalation pleasure. The user, depending on which substances are releasing said volatile components and on the inhalation effort, shall almost immediately learn the good position of the inhaler during inhalation.

[0046] When the inner diameter of tubular element 3 (Fig.4) is small, for instance below 15mm, the physical behaviour of water quantities lower than 20 ml inside the inhaler, when moving the same, is influenced by the physical surface properties of the inside of tubular element 3. Fig.7a shows the motion of the water inside the inhaler, by inclining the same downwards, in case the inner surface of tubular element 3 exhibits low wetting properties. After bringing the inhaler back into horizontal position, or close to it (Fig.7b), the small water volume needs some time to rebuild the uniform flat water surface 11 and its temporary discontinuity may in the meantime hamper a correct inhalation.

[0047] Fig.8a shows the motion of the water inside the inhaler, by inclining the same downwards, and in case the inner surface of tubular element 3 exhibits good wettabiliy properties (low contact angle) with water. Fig.8b shows how the flat water surface 11 is (immediately) restored and a pleasant inhalation can start.

[0048] Different treatments for the inside surface of tubular element 3 can be considered for increasing its wettability, the most effective are thin mineral layers, an example being silica-gel.

[0049] Different solid substances can be mixed together and inserted under the grid 5 (Fig. 1,2,4) inside embodiments according the present application. But in many cases the pleasure of inhaling is increased by separate heating and steaming of two different substances, conveyed through separate inhalation tubes to the mouth. An example being peppermint and chocolate.

[0050] Without any design's limiting purposes, Fig.9 and Fig.10 show an embodiment which essentially duplicates the design of the embodiment of Fig.1 and Fig.4.

[0051] The outer body 18 contains inside two solid tubular elements 3' and 3", each one with said thin grid inside (5' and 5", Fig.9; not shown on Fig.10) separating the solid substances 10' and 10" (Fig.10) from the air volume filled with steam to be inhaled.

[0052] Two separate incoming air conduits 7' and 7" convey outside air to the air volumes inside tubular elements 3' and 3".

[0053] The steam released inside tubes 3' and 3" flows entering the inhalation tubes 8' and 8" and can be regulated acting manually on valves 19' and 19", allowing to change the ratio between inhaled volatile substances released by solid substances 10' and 10".

[0054] Two solutions concerning the end part of the inhalation tubes 8' and 8" in Fig.11 and Fig.12. are considered, without any limiting purpose. In Fig.11 the inhalation tubes remain separate, including inside the mouthpiece 20. In Fig.12 the same merge together before they reach the mouthpiece 21. Depending on which substances 10' and 10" have been combined, the sensorial result by inhaling can be quite different.

[0055] The other aspects, concerning handling, heating, cleaning of embodiments shown in Fig.9 and Fig.10 have to be considered essentially equivalent to what described for embodiments shown in Figi, Fig2, Fig.3 and Fig.4. and according to the teachings of the present application.

[0056] Fig.13 shows an alternative solution for an embodiment according the present application, without any limiting purposes, allowing "double" inhalation.

[0057] The left part of the embodiment shown in Fig.13 and Fig.14 is essentially the same as part "A" shown in Fig.l.

[0058] The right part of the embodiment shown in Fig.13 and Fig.14 shows additional components 22, 23, 24. , while maintaining all components needed for the water steam inhalation, including inhalation tube 8, as described in previous examples of embodiments.

[0059] 22 is a essentially a tube segment adjacent and parallel to the tubular element 3. It is connected to the inhalation tube 23. The inhalation tube 23 comprises a first segment made of flexible, heat resistant and odourless material (an example being food-grade silicon rubber), followed by a second segment in proximity of the mouth piece, made of rigid material (an example being polycarbonate). Said second segment comprises a flow regulation valve 24, for manual operation. The two inhalation tubes 8 and 23 converge together allowing double inhalation, a way of inhaling already described in embodiment of Fig.9 and Fig.10. and conserving the validity of the two solutions of Fig.11 and Fig.12.

[0060] The tube segment 22 can be filled with a solid substance 25, releasing flavour at ambient temperature to be inhaled together with the water steam mixed with volatile substances conveyed through inhalation tube 8 (Fig.13).

[0061] Fig.15, Fig.16 and Fig.17 show schematic cross-section views of the embodiment of Fig.14 along the axes si (Fig. 15), s2 (Fig.16) and S3 (Fig.17).

[0062] Numbered parts are:

[0063] In Fig.15: outer body 1, tubular element 3, incoming ambient air tube 7, solid substances 10 releasing volatile components once heated, thin grid 5, water level 11.

[0064] In Fig.16: inhalation tube 8 ending above the water surface, tube element 22, solid substance element 25 filling the tube element 22. In Fig.17: end (opening) 26 of inhalation tube 23, end (opening) 27 of inhalation tube 8, both comprised in a mouthpiece.

[0065] Concerning the solid substance element 25, a premise is appropriate. There is worldwide a huge consumption of conventional cigarettes (tobacco combustion), many smokers participating more or less successfully to smoking cessation plans promoted by lung associations in several countries. Participants are invited to gradually reduce day after day (or week after week) the number of smoked cigarettes per day which means reducing gradually the smoking time per day.

[0066] Embodiments according Fig.13, without any design limits concerning embodiments serving the same purpose of "double" inhalation, represent a novel alternative for reducing the daily inhaled smoke volume from burning cigarettes without reducing the daily smoking time (i.e. the number of cigarettes).

[0067] Most smokers are already accustomed to flavoured tobacco (mint, strawberry, vanilla etc.). As extensively described previously, with embodiments according to the present application, the user can inhale through the inhalation tube 8 the intense aroma of volatile substances released by solid substances 10, immersed in water and heated at 90°C. For instance fragmented dried leaves of peppermint or starred anise, but also fragmented candies containing peppermint or starred anise aromas of natural origin.

[0068] The user can then insert inside the tubular element 22 a normal cigarette, light it up, and inhale the tobacco smoke flowing through the inhalation tube 23.

[0069] As both inhalation tubes 8 and 23 have the same inner diameter, tobacco smoke volumes and volatile substances volumes, inhaled together, shall have comparable values.

[0070] By gradually closing, day after day, following a certain time plan, the valve 24, the user will decrease the inhaled smoke volumes without loss of sensorial pleasure, without decreasing the number of cigarettes per day, and continuing to release puffs of smoke.

[0071] Fig.18 shows a person using an inhaler according the teachings of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for the inhalation of water steam mixed with volatile substances, said steam being released by the free surface of a hot water-based liquid and captured in immediate proximity of said surface, by means of an inhaler of elongated form and compact size, visually recalling, by using it, an electronic cigarette or a cigar2. The method of claim 1, wherein said inhaler is kept during inhalation in a horizontal position or proximal to it and is designed for allowing the user to find the optimal distance (De, Fig.5) between the lower end of the inhalation tube capturing said steam and said free hot water surface, by slightly inclining the inhaler up and down, with the goal to optimize the inhalation experience.

3. The method of claims 1, 2, wherein the solid surfaces inside the inhaler, which get in contact with water by using it, are treated or coated for increasing wettability properties in contact with water.

4. The method of claims 1, 2, 3, wherein said water-based liquid releases said steam during inhalation without need of active energy supply, due to the high thermal insulation quality of inhaler's body; said water-based liquid, being heated when no inhalation occurs, with a heating element, by placing the inhaler on its holder connected to the electrical network.

5. The method of claims 1-4 wherein one or more substances, in solid or liquid form, are immersed in the water or added to the samewater before heating the inhaler on its holder, said substances releasing volatile components to be inhaled with said water steam; said substances including healing herbs, mint, tobacco, coffee, their liquid extracts and flavours, fragmented sweets or candies including those with essential oils.

6. The method of claims 1-5, said inhaler comprising an outer body made of a material with very high thermal insulation properties and high thermal resistance, apt to be easily removed before placing the inhaler on said holder for heating; an inside structure made of material possessing high thermal conductivity, high thermal resistance and good water resistance, comprising an inner volume apt to be partially filled with water and with solid substances, to be heated after placing said inhaler in said holder; a conduit for conveying outside air inside said inner volume by inhaling; a component made of material with high thermal resistance and good water resistance, apt to be firmly connected with said inside structure and comprising an inhalation tube conveying said water steam mixed with said volatile components to the mouth, by inhaling.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said outer body consists in a double walled structure with vacuum inside;said conduit for conveying outside air is made of material with high thermal conductivity, in order to be heated during inhalation pauses and transfer heat to incoming outside air during inhalation; said inhalation tube having the surface of its opening above said hot water surface on a horizontal plane when the inhaler is kept in horizontal position.

8. The method of claims 1-7 wherein the inhaler comprises one outer body; two separate inside structures made of material possessing high thermal conductivity, high thermal resistance and good water resistance, each comprising an inner volume apt to be partially filled with water and with solid substances, to be heated after placing said inhaler in said holder; two separate conduits for conveying outside air inside said two inner volumes, by inhaling ; one component made of material with high thermal resistance and good water resistance, apt to be firmly connected with said two inside structures and comprising two separate inhalation tubes, each conveying said water steam mixed with said volatile components to the mouth, by inhaling; wherein each inhalation tube further comprises a valve for manually regulating the steam flow to be inhaled.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said two separate steam flowsmerge together before reaching the mouthpiece, during inhalation.

10. The method of claim 1-7 wherein the inhaler comprises an additional structural component with a second inner volume, said second inner volume connected at one end with a second inhalation tube; said second inhalation tube comprising a valve for manually regulating the flow of inhaled volatile substances through said second inhalation tube; said inhaled volatile substances being released, in the absence of water steam, by solid substances filling said second inner volume; said second inhalation tube conveying said volatile substances to one mouthpiece; said mouthpiece further comprising the end of the first inhalation tube conveying the steam released by the water-basel liquid as described in all previous considered inhaler's embodiments, producing the result of the simultaneous inhalation of volatile substances flowing through both inhalation tubes, finally merging together inside said mouthpiece.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said substance filling said second inner volume of said additional structural component is tobacco, in the form of a conventional cigarette or cigar;said cigarette or cigar being lit-up and smoked through said second inhalation tube simultaneously with the inhaling of the water steam, mixed with said volatile substances, through said first inhalation tube; the amount of inhaled tobacco burning substances being reduced by manually regulating said valve.

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