Inhaler for production of aroma- and/or active substance-containing vapors of plant materials and/or fluids

• US 6,513,524 B1
• Filed: 01/28/1999
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Markus Storz
• Original Assignee: Markus Storz
• Inventors: Storz, Markus H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruhl, Dennis
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MITAL B
• Application Number:
  US09/238,545
• Time in Patent Office: 1,468 Days
• Field of Search: 128/203.17, 128/203.26, 128/203.27, 128/203.29, 128/203.28, 128/203.12, 128/202.21, 131/329, 131/202, 131/214, 131/215.1, 131/215.2, 131/215.3
• US Class Current: 128/203.26
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0086 Inhalation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0088 with variable volume
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0078 Breathing bags
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/045 for filling, e.g. for filling reservoirs

Abstract

Process for inhalation and inhaler for production of aroma- and active-substance containing vapors of plant material and/or fluids via hot air.

The previous apparatuses conceived for this—in comparison to smoking—hazardous-substance-free vaporizing of active substances of plant material were too inconvenient in their operation, so that they were not successful. The new inhaler makes it possible to flow the hot air through the portion of plant material to be vaporized or the fluid with one pass, and yet to make it possible that inhalation can occur independently and comfortably in multiple inhalations.

Herein the produced vapors are collected in a balloon and thereafter inhaled using a valve mechanism with associated mouthpiece independently of the vapor generator.

The inhaler makes it possible, to inhale the active substances of the therefore suitable plant material (such as, for example, tobacco), without exposing the user to the hazardous substances which would occur during combustion. Further, one can, for example, for aroma therapy, vaporize the appropriate plants or fluids (such as for example volatile or essential oils) and selectively inhale or blow the vapors into the ambient atmosphere.

Claims

1. An inhaler for providing aroma and/or active substance containing vapors, comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle seated on the housing and having a receptacle chamber defined therein for receiving material to be vaporized;

a hot air generator provided in the housing for blowing hot air through said receptacle chamber;

a valve removably seated on the receptacle;

a container with at least one opening in communication with the valve for introduction and removal of vapors;

wherein the receptacle and valve have conical lower ends, and wherein the receptacle is seatable upon the housing, and the valve is seatable upon the receptacle in such a manner that they slide by themselves to their predetermined place as a result of their conical shape and by gravity.

2. An inhaler for providing aroma and/or active substance containing vapors, comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle seated on the housing and having a receptacle chamber defined therein for receiving material to be vaporized;

a hot air generator provided in the housing for blowing hot air through said receptacle chamber;

a valve removably seated on the receptacle;

a container with at least one opening in communication with the valve for introduction and removal of vapors;

wherein the valve further includes a valve cover formed generally funnel-shaped to prevent direct contact between hot air and the container.

3. An inhaler for providing aroma and/or active substance containing vapors, comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle seated on the housing and having a receptacle chamber defined therein for receiving material to be vaporized;

a hot air generator provided in the housing for blowing hot air through said receptacle chamber;

a valve removably seated on the receptacle;

a container with at least one opening in communication with the valve for introduction and removal of vapors;

further comprising a mouthpiece, which is comprised of an outer cylinder which establishes a fixed connection with the valve, as well as an inner cylinder, through the pressure of the lips of an operating person is transmittable to the valve for opening and closing the container opening.

4. An inhaler for providing aroma and/or active substance containing vapors, comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle seated on the housing and having a receptacle chamber defined therein for receiving material to be vaporized;

a hot air generator provided in the housing for blowing hot air through said receptacle chamber;

a valve removably seated on the receptacle;

a container with at least one opening in communication with the valve for introduction and removal of vapors;

wherein the container is a heat-resistant plastic bag.

5. An inhaler according to claim 4, wherein the housing has a shape of a volcano.

6. An inhaler according to claim 4, wherein a crucible is provided, via which a fluid can be vaporized.

7. An inhaler according to claim 4, wherein the receptacle cooperates with the valve such that the valve is seatable and removable from said receptacle.

8. An inhaler according to claim 4, wherein the receptacle further comprises a smoke detector to monitor the vapor for the development of undesired smoke, whereupon the smoke detector provides a signal to a controller to regulate the temperature of the hot air source.

9. An inhaler according to claim 4, wherein said hot air generator blows air heated to 50-300°

C. through said receptacle chamber.

10. An inhaler according to claim 4, wherein the housing further includes:

a temperature regulator to set the temperature in the vaporizing chamber; and

an on/off switch to control the hot air source.

11. An inhaler for providing aroma and/or active substance containing vapors, comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle seated on the housing and having a receptacle chamber defined therein for receiving material to be vaporized;

a means for blowing hot air through said receptacle chamber, the air heated between 50-300°

C.;

a temperature regulator provided outside the housing for regulating the temperature of the means for blowing hot air;

an on/off switch for energizing and de-energizing the means for blowing hot air;

a valve removably seated on the receptacle;

an expandable container associated with said valve and with at least one opening in communication with the valve for introduction and removal of vapors.

12. An inhaler for providing aroma and/or active substance containing vapors, comprising:

a housing;

a receptacle seated on the housing and having a receptacle chamber defined therein for receiving material to be vaporized;

a hot air generator provided in the housing for blowing air heated to 50-300°

C. through said receptacle chamber, said hot air generator including a heating chamber, an airflow tube connecting the heating chamber to the receptacle, and a motor and propeller for blowing the air through said receptacle;

a temperature regulator provided outside the housing for regulating the temperature of the hot air generator;

an on/off switch for energizing and de-energizing the hot air generator;

a valve removably seated on the receptacle;

an expandable container associated with said valve and with at least one opening in communication with the valve for introduction and removal of vapors.