Hookah device and improved consumable pod

Abstract

Described is a hookah device with various hookah components that provide an improvement over traditional hookah devices. The hookah device includes a heater head with a pivotally mounted controller housing that seals against a consumable pod to form a pair of airflow seals therebetween. An inductively heated heat plate is used, in conjunction with a pair of sensors, to precisely control the temperature of the heat plate and consumable pod. A vase is secured against the heater head using a load dispersing mechanism. The load dispersing mechanism secures the vase while dispersing a clamping pressure to preventing breakage thereof. The load dispersing mechanism also provides hanger hooks to secure a handle for directional control while carrying the hookah device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hookah device, comprising:
 a heating head, the heating head having at least a pod tray and a heater mechanism, the pod tray being adapted to secure a consumable pod within the heating head such that the heating head provides an air pathway through the consumable pod and into a vessel assembly, with the heater mechanism being adapted to heat the consumable pod and generate smoke therefrom; and   a vessel assembly connected with the heating head for receiving the smoke and directing the smoke to a smoke outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heating head includes a controller housing pivotally connected thereto, with the heater mechanism being attached to the controller housing. 
     
     
         3 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the heater mechanism includes a coil assembly and a heat plate, such that when an electric current is passed through the coil assembly, a magnetic current is created in the heat plate to produce heat. 
     
     
         4 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the heat plate includes a plurality of blind holes to increase surface area and heating efficiency. 
     
     
         5 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of blind holes are conically shaped holes. 
     
     
         6 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the conically shaped holes terminate in a cone point shape. 
     
     
         7 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the vessel assembly includes a vase and a load dispersing mechanism attached with and between the vase and heating head, whereby the load dispersing mechanism creates an air-tight seal between the vase and heating head and disperses a clamping pressure as being applied to the vase. 
     
     
         8 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the load dispersing mechanism includes an interface band and a pair of collar parts. 
     
     
         9 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the pair of collar parts collectively form a pair of hanger hooks for securing a handle with the hookah device. 
     
     
         10 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the vase includes a vessel connector portion with a ridge circumventing the vase, and wherein the interface band includes an inner face and an outer face, the inner face having an interior channel for receiving the ridge. 
     
     
         11 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the outer face of the interface band includes a plurality of spaced pockets, thereby allowing for compression while absorbing and dispersing a load before pressure is applied to the vase. 
     
     
         12 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the vessel assembly includes a pair of hanger hooks projecting therefrom, and further comprising a handle selectively connectable with the pair of hanger hooks for allowing a user to securely carry the hookah device. 
     
     
         13 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the handle includes a pair of coupling portions that are formed to matingly engage with the hanger hooks to prevent rotation therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein each of the hanger base and coupling portion are square-shaped to allow for a locking mating engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein each hanger hook includes a hanger base projecting from the vessel assembly, the hanger base terminating in a hanger head having a width greater than the hanger base. 
     
     
         16 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heating head includes a controller housing having a primary seal component for positioning over the consumable pod and forming both a first seal and second seal, the first seal being around an air inlet of the consumable pod and the second seal circumventing both the consumable pod and first seal. 
     
     
         17 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the pod tray includes a top side having a tray trim that surrounds the top side, and further includes a plurality of tray outlet holes that reside within the tray trim and provide an air pathway downward and toward the vessel assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the second seal resides between the primary seal component and the tray trim. 
     
     
         19 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the consumable pod includes a top side having both the air inlet and an air outlet, such that when the consumable pod is positioned within the hookah device, air passing through the air inlet into the consumable pod is sealed by the first seal, while allowing air to leave the consumable pad through the air outlet and subsequent tray outlet holes. 
     
     
         20 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the controller housing is rotatable between an open position in which the pod tray is exposed, to a closed position in which the controller housing is pressed against the pod tray and a consumable pod therein to form both the first and second seals. 
     
     
         21 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heater mechanism includes at least a heat plate, and further comprising a pair of sensors positioned within the heating head, the pair of sensors including both a heat plate sensor and a pod sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the heat plate sensor is positioned proximate the heat plate to monitor a heat plate temperature of the heat plate. 
     
     
         23 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the pod sensor is spring-loaded and projects through the pod tray for contact with the consumable pod to monitor a pod temperature. 
     
     
         24 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the heat plate sensor is used to limit a highest temperature of the heat plate through an upper temperature threshold, such that if the heat plate sensor senses a heat plate temperature that exceeds the upper temperature threshold, the heater mechanism is turned off until the heat plate temperature is below a predetermined offset below the upper temperature threshold. 
     
     
         25 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the pod sensor is used to maintain the consumable pod at a predetermined target temperature, such that when the predetermined target temperature is reached, the heater mechanism is turned off and entered into a maintenance mode in which the heater mechanism is turned cycled on and off to maintain the pod temperature within a set value of the predetermined target temperature. 
     
     
         26 . The hookah device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heating head includes a controller housing pivotally connected thereto, with the heater mechanism being attached to the controller housing;
 wherein the heater mechanism includes a coil assembly and a heat plate, such that when an electric current is passed through the coil assembly, a magnetic current is created in the heat plate to produce heat;   wherein the heat plate includes a plurality of blind holes to increase surface area and heating efficiency;   wherein the plurality of blind holes are conically shaped holes;   wherein the conically shaped holes terminate in a cone point shape;   wherein the vessel assembly includes a vase and a load dispersing mechanism attached with and between the vase and heating head, whereby the load dispersing mechanism creates an air-tight seal between the vase and heating head and disperses a clamping pressure as being applied to the vase;   wherein the load dispersing mechanism includes an interface band and a pair of collar parts;   wherein the pair of collar parts collectively form a pair of hanger hooks for securing a handle with the hookah device;   wherein the vase includes a vessel connector portion with a ridge circumventing the vase, and wherein the interface band includes an inner face and an outer face, the inner face having an interior channel for receiving the ridge;   wherein the outer face of the interface band includes a plurality of spaced pockets, thereby allowing for compression while absorbing and dispersing a load before pressure is applied to the vase;   further comprising a handle selectively connectable with the pair of hanger hooks for allowing a user to securely carry the hookah device;   wherein the handle includes a pair of coupling portions that are formed to matingly engage with the hanger hooks to prevent rotation therebetween;   wherein each of the hanger base and coupling portion are square-shaped to allow for a locking mating engagement therebetween;   wherein each hanger hook includes a hanger base projecting from the vessel assembly, the hanger base terminating in a hanger head having a width greater than the hanger base;   wherein the controller housing includes a primary seal component for positioning over the consumable pod and forming both a first seal and second seal, the first seal being around an air inlet of the consumable pod and the second seal circumventing both the consumable pod and first seal;   wherein the pod tray includes a top side having a tray trim that surrounds the top side, and further includes a plurality of tray outlet holes that reside within the tray trim and provide an air pathway downward and toward the vessel assembly;   wherein the second seal resides between the primary seal component and the tray trim;   wherein the consumable pod includes a top side having both the air inlet and an air outlet, such that when the consumable pod is positioned within the hookah device, air passing through the air inlet into the consumable pod is sealed by the first seal, while allowing air to leave the consumable pad through the air outlet and subsequent tray outlet holes;   wherein the controller housing is rotatable between an open position in which the pod tray is exposed, to a closed position in which the controller housing is pressed against the pod tray and a consumable pod therein to form both the first and second seals;   further comprising a pair of sensors positioned within the heating head, the pair of sensors including both a heat plate sensor and a pod sensor;   wherein the heat plate sensor is positioned proximate the heat plate to monitor a heat plate temperature of the heat plate;   wherein the pod sensor is spring-loaded and projects through the pod tray for contact with the consumable pod to monitor a pod temperature;   wherein the heat plate sensor is used to limit a highest temperature of the heat plate through an upper temperature threshold, such that if the heat plate sensor senses a heat plate temperature that exceeds the upper temperature threshold, the heater mechanism is turned off until the heat plate temperature is below a predetermined offset below the upper temperature threshold; and   wherein the pod sensor is used to maintain the consumable pod at a predetermined target temperature, such that when the predetermined target temperature is reached, the heater mechanism is turned off and entered into a maintenance mode in which the heater mechanism is turned cycled on and off to maintain the pod temperature within a set value of the predetermined target temperature.