Patent Application
20230263217
A common way to ingest substances is to smoke those substances, such as by burning a base substrate that contains one or more active ingredients by which the active ingredients are converted into an inhalant as “smoke,” followed by the inhalation of the resulting smoke.
Presently, the use of inhalants via smoking is common for both medicinal and recreational use. For example, various blends of strains of grown cannabis and related substances when smoked, are associated with experiences. Those experiences may include not only sensory effects such as taste and smell but also pharmacological effects. By way of another example, tobacco products are sometimes blended to deliver the desired set of sensory effects. However, such blends may be costly and/or difficult to obtain.
An arbitrary blend of substances can be characterized as a set of chemicals and their associated amounts. A need may arise to specify a known blend by such a set of chemical amounts, and subsequently to mechanically generate those chemicals using less costly and/or more readily available materials to closely match at least some of the experiences of the characterized arbitrary blend.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items or features.
This disclosure describes techniques for performing an on-demand customization of inhalants to improve a vaping experience. Particularly, the techniques may include showing a selection of target flavors via a user interface of a vaping apparatus, comparing chemical components of a user-selected target flavor with a base flavor, and receiving a chemical signature based at least in part upon a comparison between the target flavor and the base flavor. The chemical signature may be received by the vaping apparatus from a server. The base flavor may be associated with a wick that produces a flavor when heated. The produced flavor (or base flavor) may include, without limitation, tobacco, mint, mango, tropical fruit, cola, or other flavors, for example. The target flavor may include a combination of the base flavor and additional chemicals such as, without limitation, predetermined dosages of cannabis, terpenes, or a suitable combination thereof. In one example, the vaping apparatus may utilize the chemical signature as a reference for injecting predetermined dosages of one or more pre-vapor formulations into a chamber of the vaping apparatus. The vaping apparatus may then apply heat to a combination of the base flavor and the pre-vapor formulations in the chamber to generate the targeted flavor. This technique of on-demand customization of inhalants may improve the vaping experience and reduce the cost of vaping by dynamically adjusting the amount of chemicals to be added to the base flavor depending on a target experience or flavor.
Without limitation, the chemical signature may include an information that identifies dosages, types, and/or other data associated with the chemicals to be used for generating a flavor change. The information may further identify a method, timing of injecting the pre-vapor formulations to the chamber, and/or threshold values such as an airflow pressure threshold that can be used as a reference to activate a heating element in the vaping apparatus. In one embodiment, the chemical signature is based upon a comparison between chemical components of the base flavor of the vaping apparatus and the selected target flavor. For example, the comparison may result in adding a particular dosage of cannabidiol or a terpene to a tobacco-base flavor during vaping. In this example, the additional particular dosage may be treated as a difference between the target flavor and the base flavor.
As described herein, cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that include the species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis has long been used for hemp fibers, seed and seed oils, medicinal purposes, and recreational purposes. Cannabidiol, better known as “CBD,” is one of the chemical compounds called “cannabinoids” that are found in the Cannabis sativa plant. The Cannabis sativa plant may also include terpenes, which are common compounds in the natural world. Terpenes are responsible for the smell of many plants. The terpenes may act on the endocannabinoid system in the human body in a similar way to the cannabinoids.
Details regarding the novel products and techniques referenced above and presented herein are described in detail, below, with respect to several figures that identify elements and operations used in systems, devices, methods, and computer-readable storage media that implement the techniques.
As shown, the first flavor 160 may be obtained via a wick 162 that can be positioned and/or inserted into a replaceable cartridge 164 to absorb an oil 166. The first flavor 160, which may be derived from a heated oil 166, may include tobacco, mint, mango, tropical fruit, cola, or other flavors, for example. The second flavor 170 may be obtained via a combination of one or more pre-vapor formulations such as a first pre-vapor formulation 172, a second pre-vapor formulation 174, a third pre-vapor formulation 176, or a suitable combination thereof. Each of these pre-vapor formulations may include a different type of chemical component and can be drawn from their corresponding reservoir within the vaping apparatus 110. One or more nozzles (not shown) are in fluid communication with the one or more pre-vapor formulations to inject these chemical components into the chamber of the vaping apparatus. The three pre-vapor formulations are for illustration purposes only and other pre-vapor formulations may form the second flavor 170 without affecting the embodiments described herein.
The third flavor 180 may be associated with a printed dissolvable substrate that can be inserted and/or vaporized in the chamber to mix/combine with the base flavor from the wick 162. For example, a printer 182 may print one or more layers of ink on a dissolvable substrate 184 to generate the printed dissolvable substrate that is vaporized to generate the third flavor 180. In one embodiment, the ink may include a composition that can be obtained via a combination of the formulations that are associated with the second flavor 170.
In one embodiment, the second flavor 170 and/or the third flavor 180 may be generated using the chemical signature 140 that can be received by the user device 120 in response to sending a query 190 requesting the chemical signature engine server 132 for the targeted flavor 150. In response to the request, the chemical signature engine server 132 may determine a difference between the first flavor 160 and the targeted flavor 150. Based on the determined difference, the second flavor 170 and/or the third flavor 180 may be combined with the first flavor 160 to obtain the targeted flavor 150.
Turning to the replaceable cartridge 164, the wick 162 may include suitable materials such as, without limitation, glass, ceramic, or graphite-based materials, which can be used to absorb oil and other chemicals from one or more reservoirs of the vaping apparatus 110. In one example, a vaporizing heater (not shown) may apply a particular amount of heat to the replaceable cartridge 164 to vaporize the oil 166 resulting in a generation of the first flavor 160. The first flavor 160 may include, without limitation, tobacco, mint, mango, tropical fruit, cola, or other flavors. The vaporizing heater may include a wire coil that transfers heat to incoming ambient air that can be drawn through chamber vent holes (not shown) during vaping, which in turn heats the wick, oil, injected pre-vapor formulations, and/or the printed dissolvable substrate by convection. The replaceable cartridge 164 may provide a consistent and reliable distribution of the oil 166 onto the vaporizing heater by limiting direct contact of the wick 162 to the vaporizing heater.
The targeted flavor 150 may include an enhanced vaping flavor that can be generated on demand via the user device or the vaping apparatus itself. The targeted flavor may include an enhancement of the base flavor via, without limitation, adding a certain dosage of tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, terpenes, or a suitable combination thereof. In one embodiment, the vaping apparatus 110 may be configured to present options for the target flavors to a user. For example, each target flavor may correspond to a preset radial position of a target flavor wheel (not shown) that can be rotated to select the target flavor from different target flavors offered by the vaping apparatus 110. Due to a vaping apparatus's small form factor, the target flavor wheel may include an indicator tab that stops at a predetermined number of preset radial positions where each preset radial position corresponds to a target flavor that can be presented via a user interface. In this example, the selected target flavor may include the combination of the base flavor that can be derived from the wick of a replaceable cartridge and the additional flavor(s) that can be obtained from the pre-vapor formulations or the printed dissolvable substrate.
In one embodiment, the target flavor 150 may include subtraction or removal of dosages of the second flavor 170 and/or the third flavor 180 from the chamber of the vaping apparatus. In this embodiment, the vaping apparatus may pause the injection of the pre-vapor formulations and/or insertion of the printed dissolvable substrate into the chamber.
The second flavor 170 may be generated to add, without limitation, a particular amount or dosage of tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, terpene(s), or a suitable combination thereof, to the base flavor. In some embodiments, the second flavor 170 may be generated from one or more pre-vapor formulations with relatively high viscosity and density formulation to transform into a vapor. Without limitation, each of the pre-vapor formulations may be a liquid, solid, or gel formulation including, but not limited to, one or more of water, solvent, glycerin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, ethanol, plant extract, and the like. In one embodiment, a pre-vapor formulation may include volatile cannabidiol flavor compounds that are released upon heating. The pre-vapor formulation may further include active ingredients such as tetrahydrocannabinol, terpenes, etc. Other ingredients or chemicals may include flavorings such as mint and menthol. Still, other chemicals may include fixative agents or preservatives.
The third flavor 180 may be generated by vaporizing the printed dissolvable substrate that can be inserted in increments, for example, into a chamber of the vaping apparatus 110. In one embodiment, the third flavor 180 may be used as an alternative to the second flavor 170 that is associated with the one or more pre-formulations. In another embodiment, the second flavor 170 and the third flavor 180 are combined to produce increased amounts of dosages in the chamber. Here, the printer 182 may receive the chemical signature 140 from the vaping apparatus 110, user device 120, or directly from the chemical signature engine server 132. The printer 182 may receive the chemical signature from the vaping apparatus when the vaping apparatus itself is performing the on-demand customization process such as sending of the query to the server, receiving the chemical signature from the server, and the like. Based upon the chemical signature 140, the printer 182 may print at least a single layer in a continuous pattern over a printable area of the dissolvable substrate 184 to produce the printed dissolvable substrate. The single layer may include a particular dosage, amount, or chemical characteristics that comply with the received chemical signature 140.
For example, the selected targeted flavor may require an additional compound that comprises 70% purified cannabinoid by weight for each dose that is combined with the wick flavor as the base flavor. Here, the chemical signature 140 may include specific quantities and types of the chemical compounds that can be mixed to generate the desired additional compound comprising of 70% purified cannabinoid by weight for each dose that is combined with the base flavor. In this example, and to prepare the ink for the printer 182 based on this specification, a purified cannabinoid from molecules such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may be combined with a purified terpene, glycerin, ethanol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and water to create a composition of ink comprised substantially of THC by weight. Without limitation, 70 mL of THC, 3.0 mL of purified terpene such as linalool, 7 mL of glycerin, 20 mL of ethanol, 100 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 15 mL of water may be mixed thoroughly to generate the ink composition that comprises 70% purified cannabinoid by weight and 3% terpene by weight. The ink composition is then printed onto the dissolvable substrate 184 to generate a printed dissolvable substrate, which can be vaporized in the chamber to generate the third flavor 180. The vaporized printed dissolvable substrate may generate the third flavor comprising 70% purified cannabinoid by weight for every 10 mg of TCH, for example.
Following the preceding example, the generated ink composition may be scaled and similarly implemented by one or more nozzles (not shown) that inject the pre-formulations that are associated with the second flavor 170. For example, the pre-vapor formulations in the second flavor 170 may include 0.7 mL of THC, 0.03 mL of purified terpene such as linalool, 0.07 mL of glycerin, 0.002 mL of ethanol, 1 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 0.015 mL of water. In this example, the corresponding nozzle for each pre-vapor formulation may be configured to inject the corresponding amounts into the vaping apparatus chamber to add the 70% purified cannabinoid by weight and 3% terpene by weight to each 10 mg dose of THC to be vaporized. This vaporized composition is then mixed with the first flavor 160 to generate the targeted flavor 150.
The vaping apparatus 110 may include hardware and software components to vaporize a combination of the first flavor 160 and either the second flavor 170 or the third flavor 180 to generate the targeted flavor 150. In one embodiment, the vaping apparatus 110 may include embedded sensors (not shown) to identify a label of the cartridge 164 to detect type and other data of the first flavor 160. For example, each cartridge may include a label that can be used to identify the components of the base flavor that are inserted into the chamber of the vaping apparatus. The label that is associated with the cartridge is stored in the vaping apparatus or the chemical signature engine server 132. The vaping apparatus 110 may also include a user interface (not shown) to show the different selections for the targeted flavors. Based upon a user-selected targeted flavor, the vaping apparatus 110 may send information of the first flavor and the selected target flavor to the user device 120. The user device 120 may then send the query 190 to the chemical signature engine server 132. In response to receiving the query 190 from the user device 120, the chemical signature engine server 132 retrieves the chemical signature 140 from the database 134 and sends the chemical signature 140 to the user device 120, and the user device 120 transmits the chemical signature 140 to the vaping apparatus 110 and/or the printer 182. The chemical signature 140 may define the composition of the second flavor 170 or the third flavor 180 to be combined with the first flavor 160. In some embodiments, the vaping apparatus 110 may include a processor that can execute instructions to determine the chemical signature based upon the first flavor 160 and the target flavor that can be selected via the vaping apparatus. For example, the processor may use a look-up table (LUT) to determine the chemical signature based upon the selected target flavor and the inserted base flavor in the chamber of the vaping apparatus. An example of a LUT is described in detail in
The user device 120 may be embodied by a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, or any other similar functioning device. In one embodiment, the user device 120 may communicate with the chemical signature engine server 132 to obtain the chemical signature 140. In this embodiment, the user device may forward the chemical signature 140 to the vaping apparatus 110 and/or the printer 182.
The chemical signature engine server 132 and the database 134 may include hardware and software infrastructures that can be resident in the cloud 130. The database 134 may be included in the chemical signature engine server 132. The chemical signature engine server 132 may process the query 190 from the user device 120 or the vaping apparatus 110 to determine the chemical components to be added or combined with the base flavor. In some cases, the chemical signature 140 is generated to implement a cheaper version of the targeted flavor 150 when the raw material components in the second flavor 170 or the third flavor 180 can be bought in bulk at lower prices.
In one example, the vaping apparatus 110 may communicate with the user device 120, chemical signature engine server 132, and/or the printer 182 through the communication interface 200, which can include hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to transmit and/or receive data. Communication interface 200 may include a transceiver that facilitates wired or wireless communications through a cellular network or a broadband network. For example, the communications can be achieved via one or more networks, such as, but are not limited to, one or more of WiMax, a Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Personal area network (PAN), a Campus area network (CAN), a Metropolitan area network (MAN), or any broadband network, and further enabled with technologies such as, by way of example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Bluetooth, WiFi, Fixed Wireless Data, 2G, 5G (new radio), etc.
Sensor(s) 210 may include, without limitation, an airflow sensor, power sensor, pressure sensor, and other similar types of sensors that can be used during a vaping operation. For example, the sensor(s) 210 may detect pressure from a mouthpiece (not shown) of the vaping apparatus and in response, the sensor(s) 210 may send this signal to the processor(s) 220 to be used as a reference for activating the heating element in the chamber. In another example, the sensor(s) 210 may detect a time period during which the heating element was activated and compare the time period with a threshold value to automatically shut off power if the threshold value is exceeded, and so on. In these examples, the sensor(s) 210 may send sensor data to the processor(s) 220 for further processing.
Processor(s) 220 may be a central processing unit(s) (CPU), graphics processing unit(s) (GPU), both a CPU and GPU, or any other sort of processing unit(s). Each of the one or more processor(s) 220 may have numerous arithmetic logic units (ALUs) that perform arithmetic and logical operations as well as one or more control units (CUs) that extract instructions and stored content from processor cache memory, and then execute these instructions by calling on the ALUs, as necessary during program execution. The one or more processor(s) 220 may also be responsible for executing all computer applications stored in the memory, which can be associated with common types of volatile (RAM) and/or non-volatile (ROM) memory. For example, the processor(s) 220 may send the query to the chemical signature engine server. The processor(s) 220 may also process the chemical signature from the chemical signature engine server 132 where the chemical signature may indicate the quantities and types of pre-vapor formulations to be combined. In another example, the processor(s) 220 may use the communication interface 200 to send the sensor data, base flavor, selected targeted flavor, and other vaping apparatus data to the user device, chemical signature engine server, and/or the printer.
The chamber module 230 may include hardware and/or processor-executable software components that control the generation of targeted flavors based upon the corresponding chemical signatures. The chamber module may include an enclosure that receives the wick, oil, the injected pre-vapor formulations, and/or the printed dissolvable substrate. A heating element (not shown) in the chamber may transfer heat to an incoming ambient air that can be drawn through chamber vent holes (not shown) during vaping, which in turn heats the wick, oil, injected pre-vapor formulations, and/or the printed dissolvable substrate by convection. In one example, the chamber module 230 may operate to combine a base flavor with a separate or different flavor to generate a desired or targeted flavor. The base flavor can be derived from a wick that is heated to absorb oil while the combined chemical component may be derived via an injection of one or more pre-vapor formulations into a chamber of the vaping apparatus or insertion of the printed dissolvable substrate into the chamber for vaporization. The base flavor may include tobacco, mint, mango, tropical fruit, cola, or other flavors. The injected pre-vapor formulations or printed dissolvable substrate may include an additional amount of purified cannabinoid, terpene, or a suitable combination thereof.
The vaporizing heater 232 may include a heating element such as a coil that can be energized to transfer heat and vaporize a combination of the injected pre-vapor formulations and the base flavor from the wick in the chamber of the vaping apparatus. The heating element may include surfaces that vaporize the pre-vapor formulations in the chamber. In one example, the processor(s) 220 may use the direction of airflow that indicates blowing air through a mouthpiece of the vaping apparatus and the magnitude of the airflow to trigger the application of heat over the base flavor and the injected pre-vapor formulations. In this example, a detected direction of airflow and use of a threshold value for the magnitude of the airflow may indicate active use of the vaping apparatus such that the vaporizing heater 232 activates the heating element to vaporize the combination of base flavor and the added flavor in the chamber. In one embodiment, the activation of the heating element is variable depending upon the detected magnitude of the airflow in a particular direction. For example, when the magnitude of the airflow exceeds the threshold value, then the vaporizing heater 232 applies heat in the chamber. Otherwise, the vaporizing heater 232 may turn off the heating element when the threshold value is not exceeded.
The one or more nozzles 234 may include injectors that are in fluid communication with a set of reservoirs in which are held different pre-vapor formulations. The first pre-vapor formulation 172, second pre-vapor formulation 174, and third pre-vapor formulation 176 in
The one or more cartridge(s) 236 may include disposable and pre-filled containers that can hold the wick, pre-vapor formulations, oil, and the like. In one embodiment, each of the cartridges may include a distinct label to identify the base flavor that is associated with the cartridge. For example, the label may identify a cartridge to have a tobacco flavor. In some embodiments, the cartridge may also contain the second flavor. In this case, the label may identify the cartridge, for example, to have 70% of cannabis per dosage. In these examples, the processor(s) 220 may be configured to identify the flavors that are associated with the different cartridges based on their respective labels.
The vent holes 238 may be positioned on a lower surface of the vaping apparatus to allow the airflow into the chamber of the vaping apparatus. The vent holes may include a slidable cover that can be configured to allow the airflow upon activation of power of the vaping apparatus. The ambient air of the airflow together with the applied amount of heating in the chamber may vaporize the flavor compounds from the chamber of the vaping apparatus and exit at the mouthpiece. The flavor compounds may include cannabinoid, terpene, tobacco flavors, and similar flavors.
The printed substrate 240 may provide a roll of printed dissolvable substrate that can be inserted into the chamber. The insertion to expose the printed dissolvable substrate may be done manually via a knob (not shown) or through a roller (not shown) that inserts the printed dissolvable substrate in increments to the chamber. The printed dissolvable substrate may be subdivided using perforated substrates where each section may correspond to a dosage that can be combined with the base flavor to generate the targeted flavor.
For example, a dissolvable substrate may be printed with an ink composition that comprises 70% purified cannabinoid by weight and 3% terpene by weight. This ink composition may be derived by mixing 70 mL of THC, 3.0 mL of purified terpene such as linalool, 7 mL of glycerin, 20 mL of ethanol, 100 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 15 mL of water. In this example, the printed substrate 240 may be subdivided into dosages where each dosage may include 10 mg of THC per individual dosage. Each dosage may be identified through a perforation of the printed substrate. In some instances, each increment in the vaping apparatus or knob step may be preconfigured to insert a particular dosage into the chamber.
Memory 260 may be implemented using computer-readable media, such as computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media includes, at least, two types of computer-readable media, namely computer-readable storage media and communications media. Computer-readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD), high-definition multimedia/data storage disks, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing device. As defined herein, computer-readable storage media do not consist of and are not formed exclusively by, modulated data signals, such as a carrier wave. In contrast, communication media may embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transmission mechanisms.
Datastore 270 may include a repository of identifiers and corresponding combinations between the base flavor, pre-vapor formulations, and/or the compositions of the ink that were printed on the dissolvable substrate. The datastore may further store the configuration of the vaping apparatus and other suitable data pertinent to an operation of the vaping apparatus. In one embodiment, the datastore 270 may utilize a LUT to identify the corresponding chemical signature based upon the detected base flavor and the selected target flavor. The datastore 270 may include a database for different labels of cartridges and their corresponding information, previously selected flavors, and the like. Each prior selected flavor may be associated with an identifier and stored as historical data in the datastore 270. In some embodiments, a machine-learning algorithm may be used on the historical data to statistically determine the combination or combinations that will best generate the desired targeted flavor.
In one example, the chemical signature engine server 132 may communicate with the vaping apparatus, printer device, user device that is associated with the vaping apparatus, and/or datastore through the communication interface 300. The communication interface 300 may include hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software that transmits and/or receives data from the user device or vaping apparatus. Communication interface 300 may include a transceiver that facilitates wired or wireless communications through a cellular network or the broadband network. For example, the communications can be achieved via one or more networks, such as, but are not limited to, one or more of WiMax, a Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Personal area network (PAN), a Campus area network (CAN), a Metropolitan area network (MAN), or any broadband network, and further enabled with technologies such as, by way of example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Bluetooth, WiFi, Fixed Wireless Data, 2G, 5G (new radio), etc.
Processor(s) 320 may be a central processing unit(s) (CPU), graphics processing unit(s) (GPU), both a CPU and GPU, or any other sort of processing unit(s). Each of the one or more processor(s) 320 may have numerous arithmetic logic units (ALUs) that perform arithmetic and logical operations as well as one or more control units (CUs) that extract instructions and stored content from processor cache memory, and then execute these instructions by calling on the ALUs, as necessary during program execution. The one or more processor(s) 320 may also be responsible for executing all computer applications stored in the memory, which can be associated with common types of volatile (RAM) and/or non-volatile (ROM) memory. For example, the processor(s) 320 may process the query from the user device, vaping apparatus, or the printer. The query may include information such as, e.g., vaping apparatus information, selected targeted data, base flavor, and the like. In another example, the processor(s) 320 may use the communication interface 300 to send the notifications to network components such as the vaping apparatus, user device, and the printer.
The chemical signature identification module 330 may use one or more components to generate the chemical signature based upon the information in the query that can be received from the user device or the vaping apparatus. The information in the query may include the base flavor that is to be loaded or loaded already in the vaping apparatus, the selected flavor, and the desired source of the additional flavor to be added. The desired source can be via the pre-vapor formulations or the printed dissolvable substrate.
The base flavor component 332 may include a hardware and/or software that can identify the base flavor of the cartridge to be loaded or that is loaded already in the vaping apparatus. In one example, the base flavor component may use the information in the LUT 336 to identify the base flavor to be associated with the selected target flavor. In this example, base flavor component 332 may parse data information of the received query to identify the one or more of the requesting vaping apparatuses, the cartridge labels and the associated base flavors, and the like. In this example, each cartridge may be associated with a distinct identification or code included in this data information to determine the type and kind of base flavor that it contains. The base flavor may include tobacco, mint, mango, tropical fruit, cola, or other nicotine flavors.
The target flavor component 334 may be configured to identify the corresponding chemical signature based upon the selected target flavor. In one embodiment, the received query may include the information about the base flavor of the cartridge that has been loaded into the vaping apparatus. In this embodiment, the target flavor component 334 may use the base flavor information and the selected target flavor to search the corresponding chemical signature in the LUT 336. In some embodiments, the received query may only include the information about the selected target flavor because a user is undecided, for example, on the base flavor to load into the vaping apparatus. In this case, the target flavor component may use the LUT to select different base flavors that are associated with the selected target flavor. In these embodiments, the corresponding chemical signatures may include an additional dosage of purified cannabinoid, terpene, or a suitable combination thereof, that can be combined with a particular and identified base flavor.
The LUT 336 may include information that can be used to identify the corresponding chemical signatures and/or base flavors based upon the selected target flavors. In one embodiment, the LUT may include different chemical signatures for different combinations of the loaded or to be loaded base flavors and selected target flavors. The LUT may also include the labels of the cartridges and identification of the vaping apparatus that can be associated with corresponding target flavors and chemical signatures.
Memory 350 may be implemented using computer-readable media, such as computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media includes, at least, two types of computer-readable media, namely computer-readable storage media and communications media. Computer-readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD), high-definition multimedia/data storage disks, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing device. As defined herein, computer-readable storage media do not consist of and are not formed exclusively by, modulated data signals, such as a carrier wave. In contrast, communication media may embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transmission mechanisms. The memory 350 may also include a firewall. In some embodiment, the firewall may be implemented as hardware in the chemical signature engine server 132.
The datastore 370 may include a repository of identifiers and associated chemical signature specifications, base flavors, and any other data pertinent to an operation of the chemical signature engine server 132. The repository may be or include a database, lookup table, or other construct that enables any of the components described herein to retrieve data by, for example, sending first data to the datastore 370 and retrieving second data based on the association.
Without limitation, the LUT 400 may include cartridge labels 410, corresponding base flavor 420 for each type of cartridge, different selections for target flavors 430, and corresponding chemical signatures 440 for the target flavors. The cartridge labels 410 may include distinct identifiers for different cartridges. The identifier may be engraved or affixed to the cartridges such as by a stamp or other marking, or using a printed substrate. The base flavor 420 may include, without limitation, tobacco, mint, mango, tropical fruit, cola, or other flavors, for example. The target flavors 430 may include a combination of the base flavors and additional chemical components such as the cannabis, terpene, and the like. For example, the medium strength tobacco 432, high strength tobacco 434, medium strength mint 436, and high strength mint 438 may each include additional compounds such as TCH, glycerin, ethanol, and the like, that can be added to a particular base flavor.
For each selected target flavor, the chemical signatures 440 may include corresponding predetermined chemical components such as 70% TCH formulations 442, 70% printed dissolvable substrate 444, 70% TCH formulations 446, and 70% printed dissolvable substrate 448. The 70% TCH formulations 442 may include injecting pre-vapor formulations comprising of 70 mL of THC, 3.0 mL of purified terpene such as linalool, 7 mL of glycerin, 20 mL of ethanol, 100 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 15 mL of water to each mg of gin. In one embodiment, the 70% TCH formulations 442 is pre-packaged, and each burst of nozzle injection may correspond to a particular amount of dosage of the TCH. The 70% printed dissolvable substrate 444 may include a specification that uses 70 mL of THC, 3.0 mL of purified terpene such as linalool, 7 mL of glycerin, 20 mL of ethanol, 100 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 15 mL of water to create the ink composition that can be used to create the printed dissolvable substrate, and so on. These chemical signatures are for illustration purposes only and different amounts of cannabis, terpenes, or a combination thereof, can be added and mixed with the base flavor.
At block 502, the vaping apparatus may receive a selected target flavor. In one embodiment, the vaping apparatus may be configured to present a selection of target flavors to a user. For example, each target flavor may correspond to a preset radial position of a target flavor wheel that can be rotated to select the target flavor from different target flavors offered by the vapor apparatus. Due to the vaping apparatus' small form factor, the target flavor wheel may include an indicator tab that stops at a predetermined number of preset radial positions where each presented radial position corresponds to a target flavor that can be presented via the user interface and can be selected by the user. In this example, the target flavor may include the combination of the base flavor that can be derived from the wick of a replaceable cartridge and the additional flavor that can be obtained from the pre-vapor formulations or the printed dissolvable substrate.
At block 504, the vaping apparatus may compare the selected target flavor with a base flavor. The base flavor may include tobacco, mint, mango, tropical fruit, cola, or other flavors. The selected target flavor may include flavors that are different or separate from the base flavor. In a case where the selected target flavor is different from the base flavor (“Yes” at block 506), then, at block 508, the vaping apparatus may receive a chemical signature based at least in part on the comparison between chemical components of the selected target flavor and the base flavor. The chemical signature may include an information to enhance the base flavor, which may include an addition of a particular dosage of purified cannabinoid, terpene, or a suitable combination thereof.
At block 510, the vaping apparatus may inject a preconfigured amount of one or more pre-vapor formulations into a chamber of the vaping apparatus. The chamber in the vaping apparatus may include an enclosure that receives the wick, oil, and injected pre-vapor formulations. A heating element in the chamber may transfer heat to incoming ambient air that can be drawn through chamber vent holes during vaping, which in turn heats the injected pre-vapor formulations and the wick by convection. In one example, the vaping apparatus may utilize one or more nozzles to inject the pre-vapor formulations into the chamber. In one embodiment, the nozzles may be preconfigured to inject a particular dosage of the pre-vapor formulations when heat is applied to the chamber.
For example, the chemical signature specification may require an addition of a 10 mg dosage of cannabinoid to the tobacco flavor. In this example, the nozzle may inject 0.7 mL of THC, 0.03 mL of purified terpene such as linalool, 0.07 mL of glycerin, 0.2 mL of ethanol, 1 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone, and 0.1 mL of water into the chamber to generate a pre-vapor formulation that comprises 70% purified cannabinoid by weight and 3% terpene by weight. The nozzle may be preconfigured to inject a particular weight of the mixed pre-vapor formulations such as 10 mg per injection.
In some embodiments, a printed dissolvable substrate may be obtained from the ink composition that comprise the combined pre-vapor formulations to generate the particular dosage of purified cannabinoid and terpene. In this embodiment, and following the preceding example, the 0.7 mL of THC, 0.03 mL of purified terpene such as linalool, 0.07 mL of glycerin, 0.2 mL of ethanol, 1 mg of polyvinylpyrrolidone and 0.1 mL of water are well mixed such that all the compounds can be homogeneously dispersed within an ink composition. The ink composition is then loaded into an ink cartridge and printed on a dissolvable substrate that can be used as an alternative to the injection of one or more pre-vapor formulations as described above.
At block 512, the vaping apparatus may use the vaporizing heater to apply heat in the chamber to vaporize the base flavor and the injected one or more pre-vapor formulations. In one example, during vaping, the vaporizing heater may transfer heat to incoming ambient air that can be drawn through chamber vent holes, which in turn heats the injected pre-vapor formulations and the wick by convection. The heating of the injected pre-vapor formulations and the wick may generate the selected target flavor received at block 502.
Returning to block 506, in a case where the selected target flavor is the same as the base flavor, then, at block 514, the vaping apparatus may use the vaporizing heater to apply heat in the chamber to vaporize the base flavor.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on Feb. 23, 2022 entitled “Customizable Printable Solutions for Delivery of Inhalants,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17678956 | Feb 2022 | US |
| Child | 17678981 | US |
