Recent studies show that it is preferable for humans to inhale the vapor of both dry herbs concentrates, and substances developed for vaporizing versus the inhalation of the combustion and smoke of these substances. The chemicals released from the substances change based upon the temperature of the heating coil, and the health detriments of smoking are well-known and avoided by vaporization. Some user's have stomach conditions which do not allow them to digest oral substances and physician's recommend vaporizing as a safer alternative.
Vaporization is the process by which a substance is converted from a solid state into to a vapor by the application of heat.
Increased demand for the vaporization of solid substances has created a market for devices to effectively and safely vaporize such substances as tobacco, concentrate substances, and other herbs in both a wet and a dried state, with both health and delivery being a priority.
Devices that vaporize these substances are known as atomizers which is the non-proprietary name in the art for a device that comprises all of the components necessary to vaporize substances. Atomizers require a connection, usually threaded, to a regulated power source in order to activate the heating coil found in the atomizer. The power source provides power to the heating coil, thereby allowing the coil to vaporize substances that it comes in contact therewith.
There are two main types of heat transfer currently best-known for vaporization. These are conduction and convection. Conduction heat transfer is heating of a medium through direct contact so that the heating coil transfers heat directly to the substance in direct contact therewith. In convection heating, air passes through a heating element which is heated to the desired temperature and the heated air is passed through the material to be vaporized. The present device uses the conduction method by heating the organic substance through direct contact with the heating coil.
Atomizers for herbs and concentrates comprise a cup shaped structure of non-conductive materials, in which there is disposed a tightly wound heating coil into which coil a heating rod is inserted. The heating coil is the surface onto which the dry herb, concentrate, or other substance can be placed. Atomizers typically include a detachable mouthpiece cap that can be removed to provide access to the heating coil so that a user can place substances directly onto the heating coil.
There is a need in the art for improved vaporization and safety in the use of atomizers since they heat substances to temperatures exceeding 400 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a need in the art to be able to capture the unused substance during the vaporization. There is a need in the art to enable different chemicals to be released from the substance. There is a need in the art for an increased amount of airflow which is adjustable. There is a need in the art for pre-conditioning the air that flows to the heating coil. There is a need in the art for a larger heating coil surface on which to apply the substance to increase the quantity of vapor without having to overheat the coil. There is a need in the art for a heating chamber that is more efficient. All of these needs of the art are filled by the device of this invention.
The device described herein relates to vaporizing devices which heat substances to a temperature whereby vapors are produced which are inhaled by the user. The present invention provides enhancements to the vaping experience by increasing the amount of vapor produced by employing a larger than prior art sized coil combined with the adjustable conjunctive airflow system to be described herein.
The invention, once assembled comprises 6 main parts. These are: a mouthpiece drip tip; safety reclaim cap; a removable replacement atomizer; a removable replacement atomizer positive metal pin; a removable conjunctive airflow base; and a conjunctive airflow base positive metal pin.
Enhancements include the implementation of a conjunctive airflow base which allows for increased airflow and the ability to adjust and control the airflow into the heating coil.
Further enhancements include a feature to capture and re-use a portion of the heated substance that may splatter into the recessed cup-like structure in said safety reclaim cup.
Further enhancements include the amount of vapor is increased by having the ability to use a large heating coil and second, by increasing the amount of airflow into the heating coil of the device. Enlarging the size of the coil without increasing the size of the lead wire exit holes of the ceramic heating chamber is unique to this device and is accomplished by replacing the small gauge leads on industry standard oversized coils, followed by welding on larger gauge lead wires so that the smaller gauge wire leads can penetrate the small lead holes in the ceramic heating chamber into which the heating coil is disposed. The second purpose of the larger gauge lead wires is so that the industry standard, universal 510 thread system can be maintained since the lead wires are threaded through the said 510 connector. The use of small lead wire exit holes in the ceramic heating chamber also reduces the common cause of leakage of heated substance into the lower parts of the device which may cause a short.
The present invention further improves on the ceramic heating chamber that holds the heating coil on which a substance is applied, by narrowing two sides of the interior of the ceramic heating chamber along the length of the coil, to further constrict both the substance and the air. The increase in the airflow and the increase in the heating surface creates an increase in the amount of vapor produced without having to provide additional heat to the heating coil from the power source.
Unique to the present invention is the creation of two chambers to deliver incoming ambient air to the heating coil. Conjunctive air flow is an improved method to slowly step up the moving air to a warmer temperature before it reaches the heating coil so that cold air is not introduced directly onto a hot coil, which is too dynamic of a temperature change. Conjunctive airflow is the process by which incoming ambient air is temperature-increased as it fills the first or lower air chamber through a plurality of holes, with the air flow filling the second chamber and warming the air where the air is drawn through a plurality of holes and then filling the replacement atomizer before it reaches the heating coil.
Significant features of the conjunctive airflow system give the user the ability to pre-heat the conjunctive airflow base so that when the user is drawing in ambient air that is too cool, in cold weather for example, the air is pre-warmed as it passes through the conjunctive airflow base and reduces the chance of rapidly cooling or overcooling the coil. In the art, cooler air drawing over a heated coil causes the user to raise the temperature from the power supply to levels that could cause scorching of substances.
Conversely, users may want to keep the temperature of the vapor low and the conjunctive airflow base has the capability to be pre-chilled/cooled for users who have medical health issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (C.O.P.D), or individuals who prefer to draw more vapor from one single use, without the additional affects of inhaling more vapor. Previously, to achieve a cooler vapor in a selected device, users have used water or ice or a combination of both to cool vapor or smoke, but those devices are not portable. The present invention was designed to be portable to fit in a pocket and the size limitations would not allow for water or ice to pre-chill the device. In current art, when ambient air is too cool the interior temperature of the device lowers to such a degree that it affects the amount of vapor produced. The development of a device that could be pre-warmed led to the concept that since the present device can be pre-heated, it can also be pre-chilled. In current art, it is the regulated power source that users would have to engage to pre-heat an atomizer, which ultimately drains the batteries of the power source.
The pre-chilling process of the conjunctive airflow base is possible because the device is constructed from stainless steel to retain the temperature of the air when it is transversing through the conjunctive airflow system. The post-chilling of the flow of air is accomplished when the mouthpiece is removed and the safety reclaim cap is chilled, since the safety reclaim cap is also constructed of stainless steel so it would retain the desired temperatures.
The positive metal pin which is located in the inside wall of the threads of the industry standard universal 510 deck was designed to be easily removable, so that when heating or chilling the conjunctive airflow base the temperature of the positive metal pin won't change allowing the positive metal pin to remain at ambient air temperature. The positive metal pin is only removed when heating or chilling at extreme temperatures, because some of the regulated power sources sense the temperature of the electrical system through the positive metal pin and prevents the heating coil from firing until the termperature stabilizes. In the present invention, the assembled conjunctive airflow system was designed to be completely separate from the electrical system so that it doesn't interfere with the firing of the heating coil .
Further adding to the vapor temperature cooling is a suspended cup inside the reclaim safety cap which is positioned to disrupt the air flow so that the vapor remains in the cap for a longer time to additionally chill the vapor. In the present invention, the reclaim cup with 3 slots for the air to be drawn through, also provides a barrier from the direct heat of a coil being too close in proximity to the user's mouth which is a safety feature.
In the art, there are several splash cap designs that act as a barrier to prevent splatter from hitting the user's mouth, but the recessed cup in the reclaim safety cap is an enhancement to collect the splatter after the coil heats the substance in the reclaim cup to be reused. Issues common to the splatter effect include when a user adds more concentrate to the heating coil where any dried residue remains on the heating coil causing a explosive ‘pop’ where the hardened concentrate mixed with the fresh softer concentrate becomes a safety issue of hot concentrate entering the user's mouth and lips. The reclaim safety cap has reduced the potential for injury.
In the art, the larger the coil, the greater the amount of vapor produced because of a larger heating surface on which to apply the substance. When the device contains a larger coil it creates more heating surface and the ability to better control the temperature, and the user is able to extract the desired chemicals from the substances, which is extremely important for medical purposes, as the user does not have to attain ,higher temperatures from the regulated power source to achieve this. The present embodiment solved two problems in the art: First, smaller gauge coils have a natural lead which is the same size as the coil and the lead holes in the ceramic heating chamber would have to accommodate the larger leads; and, second, the present device must maintain the industry standard, universal 510 threading system which will not accommodate the larger wire leads without changing the overall size of the portable device. The present invention solves the two issues by using a large coil with the natural larger leads, and clipping off those small gauge leads and welding or soldering on large gauge leads. The introduction of having large gauge leads than the leads that are already the extension of large coils allows for smaller lead holes though the ceramic heating chamber which reduces the likelihood of leakage which would a short within the device, which is another safety feature. The combination of a small gauge coil with large gauge leads welded on, a narrowed ceramic heating chamber, and the conjunctive airflow base, produces more vapor and flavor at any temperature.
The enhancement of reducing the size of the lead wires of the coil allows the present invention to increase the size of the coil. In the art, producers of atomizers are not able to use larger coils as the leads are too large to fit in the industry standard, universal 510 thread system. Wire leads that are too large would reduce the thickness of the insulator that separates the positive and negative leads not allowing for a safe connection. Consequently, the process of attaching large gauge wire leads to accommodate the industry standard, universal 510 thread system while maintaining the thicker insulator, greatly reduces the risk of one of the wire leads melting the insulator and creating an electrical short.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
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The device comprises several sections manufactured of one or more materials. In the present embodiment the device comprises detachable sections for cleaning and the replacement of parts which may be susceptible to wear. In the preferred embodiment, the replacement atomizer coil is replaceable by changing the replacement atomizer body, and the o-rings may need to be replaced.
The outer body is designed so that the user has access to the interior parts. In the present embodiment the user has access to the heating coil in order to apply the concentrate. In the preferred embodiment, the user has access to sections of the device to allow the user to clean the parts that accumulate residue and replace components. In the present embodiment, the sections include the mouthpiece drip tip secured by a friction fitted o-ring; the reclaim safety cap secured by two friction-fitted o-rings on the conjunctive airflow base; and a replacement atomizer comprising the atomizer body comprising a 510 male threaded connection in the base, a non-conductive cup shaped structure narrowed on two interior sides and comprises exit holes for the coil wire leads and intake air holes and which holds the heating coil and heating rod, which are assembled by friction fit to a safety ring. In the interior of the male threads of the replacement atomizer, there is a positive metal pin fitted assembled by friction fit into an insulator also assembled by friction fit; the conjunctive airflow base which is assembled by friction fit to the 510 male threaded deck and within the interior wall of the threads are the positive metal pin and insulator which are fitted by friction. The replacement atomizer body's positive metal pin makes contact with the positive metal pin located within the threads of the industry standard, universal 510 deck.
In current art as in the present embodiment, 510 male threads denote a threaded stem located at the center of the base of the atomizer that allows the user to attach the device to universal threads on a regulated power source containing the female receiver section. The outside of the 510 connector threads of the replacement atomizer body act as the ground or negative pole of the circuit and each center positive metal pin acts as the positive connection. On each male and female section of the 510 threads there are corresponding components
When the device is connected by the universal 510 male threads to the female threads of a regulated power source, the user's hand holds the regulated power source. A compatible regulated power source is defined as one that contains the female threads to accept the 510 male threaded connection of the present device. As to power supply, a conventional or readily available power supply is made by LostVape Company, and the chipset within the power supply unit is manufactured by several companies, among the best known is EVOLV. The regulated power supply unit comprises a 3.7 volt rechargeable battery; a fire/power button; power and temperature setting controls and a regulated power controller. regulated power source temperature settings.
In the preferred embodiment, the device may be constructed of steel which is a metal known to retain heat in the interior while maintaining a thermally non-conductive temperature on the exterior. In other embodiments materials that retain heat while maintaining a cool exterior may be used such as ceramic, coated metals, and composites. The material used in the present embodiment is selected for its durability and ability to maintain temperature internally so that it does not convey the heat to the outside surface of the device.
In the present embodiment, the device comprises a detachable mouthpiece drip tip, from which the user draws the vapor. The mouthpiece drip tip through which the vapor flows when the user places his mouth around the opening and by inhaling or drawing as the vapor passes from the heating coil around the slots of in the reclaim safety cap and into the user's mouth. In the present embodiment, the mouthpiece drip tip comprises openings at the top and bottom, which promote air flow from the interior of the device. The vapor produced is the primary purpose of the device disclosed herein. The mouthpiece drip tip is an exterior aspect of the device and is seated by an o-ring when inserted into the reclaim safety cap. The o-ring may be manufactured of rubber or silicone or other insulating materials
In the present embodiment, the mouthpiece drip tip contains a groove in the bottom portion for an o-ring to secure the mouthpiece drip tip into the top of the reclaim safety cap.
In the present embodiment, the device comprises a reclaim safety cap, which contains a sufficient number of slots concentrifically placed inside the perimeter of the recessed cup and suspended by three arms so as to permit the vapor, but not solid matter, to pass through to the mouthpiece drip tip and into the user's mouth when inhaling. In the present embodiment, the device comprises a recessed cup within the reclaim safety cap so that it may capture the splatter from heating concentrate from the heating coil. In the preferred embodiment, the reclaim safety cap separates from the other parts of the device in order for the user to chill and bring down the temperature of said reclaim safety cap in order for the users who have breathing issues to further achieve a cooler vapor and works in conjunction with the pre-cooling of the conjunctive airflow base. The reclaim safety cap is seated by two o-rings when disposed on the conjunctive airflow base. The o-rings may be manufactured of rubber or silicone.
In the present embodiment, the replacement atomizer body comprises the following components: a heating coil with welded leads, a heating rod inserted into the coil; a ceramic heating chamber; a 510 threaded male connection in the base; a safety ring to secure the contents within the replacement atomizer body, an insulator, and a metal pin. The body of the replacement atomizer has two air inlet holes slightly recessed located above the said threaded connection.
The reader should note that there are two threaded connections contained in the device. One threaded connection is contained in the 510 deck which houses the conjunctive airflow base of the present device and the second threaded connection is contained in the replacement atomizer body. The outside male threads in the 510 deck of the conjunctive airflow base of the present device connect to compatible female threads of a regulated power source.
In the present embodiment, in the event of failure of the heating coil from overuse, high temperatures, or electrical bursts, the replacement atomizer is removable and can be replaced with a proprietary replacement atomizer manufactured to fit the configuration of the present device.
In the present embodiment, a safety ring is installed and fitted by friction on the top of the replacement atomizer body for the final assembly to hold the heating coil and ceramic heating chamber securely in place.
In the present embodiment, the function of the positive and negative connection is to complete the electrical circuit from the regulated power source up and into the heating coil of the present device. Positive pins within the interior wall of the exterior threads of the replacement atomizer and 510 deck all have the same function which is to allow the flow of current from the regulated power source to a heating coil.
In one embodiment, the heating wire is tightly wound to form a coil and a heating rod is inserted in the heating coil. In the preferred embodiment, the heating rod is constructed of quartz crystal which is more of an inert material which means substances burn cleaner and which improves the flavor of the vapor. The heating coil consists of two wire leads which complete the negative and positive electrical circuit.
The heating coil converts electrical energy into heat. Vaporizing substances requires both sufficient heat and airflow. The size of the heating coil and the amount and temperature of the airflow determine the amount of vapor produced, e.g., the larger the heating coil surface and the greater the airflow, the greater the production of vapor. The heating coil which has two wire leads welded to the ends of the coil, passes through two holes in the ceramic heating chamber. The heating coil should be capable of heating to temperatures of above 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the preferred embodiment, the heating coil is constructed of single wire or a plurality of wires of varying shapes is tightly wound around a rod in the shape of the heating rod into a coil shape and may be constructed out of any conductive material such as kanthal wire, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, ceramic, or a composite metal wire suitable to vaporize substances applied directly to the heating coil at regulated temperatures.. In the present embodiment, the coil is reconstructed. The reconstructed two coil leads from each respective end of the heating coil are inserted into one of the two exit holes of the ceramic heating chamber. The wire leads from the heating coil make contact with a positive metal pin located in the base of the replacement atomizer and the atomizer body threads.
In the present embodiment, the replacement atomizer body comprises a heating coil surrounding a quartz rod, but not limited to that material. Inserted into the center of the heating coil and used to create more heating surface when installed into the heating coil.
In the preferred embodiment, the ceramic heating chamber is narrowed on two sides of the interior of the cup-like structure. In the preferred embodiment, in the bottom inside of the ceramic heating chamber, there are four holes, each hole surrounded by a raised surface to inhibit the concentrate from leaking through the four holes. In the preferred embodiment, the two small outer holes are for the leads of the heating coil and the two inner larger diameter holes are to accommodate the air flow directly underneath the heating coil. In the preferred embodiment, the larger air intake holes manipulate the coil temperature and force the vapor into the reclaim safety cap.
In the present embodiment, the positive metal pin located in the said 510 thread system of the replacement atomizer body is a conductive metal, sometimes gold plated, silver or copper material, and part of the industry standard to fit an industry standard, universal 510 threaded system.
In the preferred embodiment, the purpose of the insulator located within the interior of the threads is to separate the negative and positive leads from the coil. One lead is inserted into the center of the insulator while the other lead is inserted on the outside of the insulator. In the present embodiment, as in current art, the insulator is inserted into the interior wall of the universal, industry standard 510 threaded opening and secured by friction fitting, and when the positive metal pin is inserted by friction fitting, the insulator keeps the positive metal pin secured in place and forces the center lead wire up against the positive metal pin and the outside of the insulator is pressing the other lead onto the atomizer body which is the negative connection.
In the present embodiment, the conjunctive airflow base is the main section having a plurality holes on the side of the lower part of the base which fills up the first chamber with ambient air for the air to be conditioned. Then there are a plurality of holes above in the second chamber where the air comes in and changes direction from the first chamber. The inner wall in the second chamber where the air comes in is slightly recessed and the inner holes are up against that recess wall so it's forcing the air to interact with the metal as much as possible to condition it before changing direction and going to the two holes in the replacement atomizer.
In the present embodiment, the air inlets located on the side of the exterior of the conjunctive airflow base are covered by an adjustable air ring that rotates 360 degrees around the conjunctive airflow chamber air inlets to regulate airflow based upon user preference. Once the desired air flow is achieved, the adjustable air ring is held in place by an o-ring. The adjustable air ring is held in place by the said 510 deck which is friction fitted to the conjunctive airflow base.
In the present embodiment, incoming airflow may be incrementally stepped up or reduced so that a user may adjust the quantity of incoming ambient air based upon personal preference by rotating the adjustable air ring. The airflow is determined by whether the user selects to expose to expose a plurality of holes. In the present embodiment, by selecting a lesser number of holes, the user is constricting the flow of incoming ambient air providing less air into the conjunctive airflow chamber. The selection of a lesser number of openings produces less air flow, and thus a hotter vapor. Allowing in more ambient air by selecting a greater number of open holes, provides a cooler vapor. The adjustable air ring in the present embodiment is what enables a user to achieve the desired temperature, combined with the the regulated power source settings for the temperature of the coil.
In the present embodiment, a user may prefer additional incoming ambient air due to lung sensitivity issues such as C.O.P.D, and an increased airflow produces a cooler vapor. A user who prefers what is known as a hotter vapor may adjust the incoming air inlets on the outside to limit the incoming air from 1 holes open at one time to a plurality of open holes. Airflow is required to bring vapor to the user's mouth and also to keep the substance and the coil from overheating. The present embodiment permits the user to adapt airflow quantity and temperature of the vapor to their needs.
The present embodiment enables users with sensitive lung issues to inhale a cooler vapor. Water pipes are still commonly used to cool the combustible substance and dry herb where the user could add either water or water and/or ice. The present embodiment is designed to have a means to condition the air before it reaches the coil. In the preferred embodiment, this device enables the user to cool or pre-chill the conjunctive airflow chamber without adversely affecting the heating coil. In the present embodiment, the user may separate the conjunctive airflow base and the reclaim safety cap from the other parts and place them near a cooling source, e.g., air conditioner, refrigerator or freezer in order to chill the interior air space of the conjunctive airflow base. The reclaim safety cap when chilled also enhances the cooling of the vapor because the reclaim safety cap has a suspended recessed cup above the coil which restricts the air from going directly through to the mouthpiece and causes it to wrap around the outer perimeter of the reclaim safety cup and is further chilled as it goes up and through the thin slots and comes up through the mouthpiece drip tip to the user's mouth to continue inhaling.
In the present embodiment, to achieve what is called a hot vape, the user may pre-heat the conjunctive airflow base utilizing the regulated power source by exhaling air to the mouthpiece which reverses the flow of air as the air passes around the coil which the coil may exceed temperatures of 600 degrees Fahrenheit the air flow will then travel through the conjunctive airflow system pre-warming it. The user would exhale for 15 or more seconds depending upon the desired temperature of the conjunctive airflow base. Or the user may use an heating external source, such as a hair dryer or heater, or To the user may Once the conjunctive airflow base is either pre-warmed or pre-cooled, based upon the user determination, the atomizer will achieve different results. The purpose of a hot vape is to release certain chemicals at certain boiling points and the reaction of those chemicals.
In the present embodiment, there is an o-ring groove located at the bottom of the Conjunctive airflow base to secure the adjustable air ring in place The o-ring is located below the plurality of air inlet holes on the side of the conjunctive airflow base where there is a corresponding groove to hold the o-ring Once the conjunctive airflow base and the o-ring and the adjustable air ring are in place, the said 510 deck is fitted by friction to the bottom of the conjunctive air flow base keeping the air ring secured to the device and said o-ring keeps the adjustable air ring securely in place once the user rotates the adjustable air ring to desired air flow.
In the present embodiment, the upper air chamber of the conjunctive airflow base comprises female 510 threads to accommodate the installation of the corresponding 510 male threads of the replacement atomizer body, which completes the second conjunctive airflow section through two recessed air inlets located in the replacement atomizer body.
In the present embodiment, placed at the the top section } of the said 510 threaded deck is a round convex fitting that friction fits to the round convex fitting in the lower part of the conjunctive airflow base. In the present embodiment, stainless steel is used. In the present embodiment, the said 510 deck comprises an insulator, fitted by friction into the interior wall of the male threads of the 510 deck, and the positive metal pin is inserted, fitted by friction into the center of said insulator.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/326,504, filed May 25, 2016 in the name of the inventor Sai Stephen Rose.