This application relates generally to vaporization of phyto materials, and more specifically to devices for vaporizing phyto materials.
The following is intended to introduce the reader to the detailed description that follows and not to define or limit the claimed subject matter.
Aromatherapy generally uses plant matter, phyto materials, and essential oils, phyto material extracts, for therapeutic benefits. Essential oils can be extracted from phyto materials, such as the leaves of plants. In some cases, essential oils may be massaged into the skin to provide therapeutic benefits. In other cases, essential oils may be ingested or inhaled for therapeutic purposes.
In some cases, phyto materials may be heated in order to release the essential oils or aerosols therefrom. By heating phyto materials at predetermined temperatures, essential oils and extracts can be boiled off. Depending on the temperature at which the phyto materials are heated, an aroma or vapor may be given off. This vapor may be inhaled by a user for its
therapeutic benefits.
Various methods of vaporizing phyto materials are known. Devices that vaporize phyto materials are generally known as vaporizers and may heat through conduction, direct contact with phyto material, or may heat through convection, hot air or combinations of both.
The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed description to follow and not to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.
In accordance with an aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a dual heating chamber vaporization device comprising: a device body comprising a heating unit, the heating unit comprising: a first heating chamber having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and one or more first chamber sidewalls extending from the first end to the second end with a first chamber third sidewall capping the first heating chamber proximate the second end, the one or more first chamber sidewalls together with the first chamber third sidewall defining a first chamber cavity having a first open end proximate the first end and the first chamber third sidewall comprising first chamber pores 106p, where air flows into the first chamber cavity through the first chamber pores and where phyto material may be loaded into the first chamber cavity through this first open end; a first heating element assembly for heating the phyto material within the first chamber cavity through a conduction heating process; a second heating chamber having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and one or more second chamber sidewalls extending from the first end to the second end with a second chamber third sidewall capping the second heating chamber proximate the second end, the one or more second chamber sidewalls together with the second chamber third sidewall defining a second chamber cavity having a second open end proximate the first end and the second chamber third sidewall comprising second chamber pores 206p, where air flows into the second chamber cavity through the second chamber pores and phyto material extracts may be loaded into the second chamber cavity through this second open end; NB This is for bottom flow and we need to have side flow, a second heating element assembly for heating phyto material extract within the second chamber cavity through a conduction heating process; a heating unit airflow path that extends from an air inlet to the first and second chamber cavities via the first and second chamber pores; a control circuit electrically coupled to the first and second heating element assemblies; an energy storage module electrically coupled to the control circuit; and, a mouthpiece lid movably mounted to the device body, the mouthpiece lid movable between an open position and a closed position, the mouthpiece lid comprising:
an outer wall; a lid floor having a perforated floor section and; an inner lid space defined between the outer wall and the lid floor; an inhalation aperture defined in the outer wall, the inhalation aperture fluidly coupled to the inner lid space and downstream from the lid floor, in the open position, the chamber cavity is open to the external environment and the phyto material is loadable within one of the first and second chamber cavities, in the closed position, the lid and the first and second heating chambers enclose the first and second chamber cavities, and at least a portion of the perforated floor section overlies the first and second chamber cavities proximate the first ends, whereby the first and second chamber cavities and the inner lid space are fluidly connected; in the closed position, at least one of the first and second heating element assemblies are energizable to heat phyto material disposed within the chamber cavities to a predetermined first and second vaporization temperatures for creating a first vapor and a second vapor; and to define a vapor flow path from the first and second chamber cavities through the perforated floor to the inner lid space and the inhalation aperture for the first vapor and second vapor to propagate through the inhalation aperture and wherein the second heating element assembly is for operating at a higher temperature than the first heating element assembly.
In some embodiments an air cooling assembly is positioned within the inner lid space at least partially overlying the perforated floor section, the air cooling assembly for receiving of the first vapor and second vapor and for mixing the first and second vapor prior to having mixed vapor to propagate through the inhalation aperture.
In some embodiments a separator rib disposed between first open end and the second open end of the first and second heating chamber cavities the separator rib for extending outwards from the device body towards the mouthpiece lid which comprises a separator rib cavity for receiving of the separator rib when the mouthpiece lid is in the closed position.
In some embodiments the lid floor having a perforated floor section comprises a first perforated floor section and a second perforated floor section, wherein the in the closed position, the lid and the first perforated floor section and the second perforated floor section enclose the first and second chamber cavity, and at least a portion of the first perforated floor section overlies the first chamber cavity and at least a portion of the second perforated floor section overlies the second chamber cavity where the first and second chamber cavities and the inner lid space are fluidly connected through the first and second perforated floor sections.
In some embodiments the lid floor having a perforated floor section comprises a first perforated floor section and a second perforated floor section, wherein the in the closed position, the lid and the second perforated floor section and the first perforated floor section enclose the first and second chamber cavity, and at least a portion of the second perforated floor section overlies the first chamber cavity and at least a portion of the first perforated floor section overlies the second chamber cavity where the first and second chamber cavities and the inner lid space are fluidly connected through the second and first perforated floor sections.
In some embodiments the lid floor having a perforated floor section comprises a first perforated floor section and a second perforated floor section, wherein the in the closed position, the lid and the first perforated floor section and the second perforated floor section enclose the first and second chamber cavity, and at least a portion of the first perforated floor section overlies the first chamber cavity and at least a portion of the second perforated floor section overlies the second chamber cavity where the first and second chamber cavities and the inner lid space are fluidly connected through the first and second perforated floor sections comprising a first air cooling path length formed between the first perforated floor section and the inhalation aperture is shorter than a second air cooling path length formed between the second perforated floor section and the inhalation aperture.
In some embodiments the heating unit airflow path comprises a first airpath and a second air path, the first and second airpaths extending from the air inlet to the first and second chamber cavities respectively via the first and second chamber pores wherein the first and second airpaths are substantially parallel and, in the closed position, the lid and the first and second heating chambers enclose the first and second chamber cavity where the first and second airpaths and the inner lid space are fluidly connected.
In some embodiments a first airpath and a second airpaths both meet at the inner lid space when the mouthpiece lid is in the closed position; a first ambient air input port for allowing of air to flow along the first airpath for propagating through the first heating chamber; a second ambient air input port disposed proximate the first end of the second heating chamber proximate the first end for skimming second vapor proximate the first end that are emitted by the second heating unit when heating of the phyto material extract.
In some embodiments the second ambient air input port include a selectable airflow restrictor where the selectable airflow restrictor 399 is controllably movable into various positions to approximately restrict incoming ambient airflow into the second airpath 268 and to allow airflow into the second airpath in dependence upon a position thereof.
In some embodiments a thermal radiator include a third heating element assembly electrically coupled with the control circuit, the thermal radiator disposed upstream of first heating chamber and proximate the first chamber third sidewall, where the thermal radiator is substantially disposed for other than being conductively coupled with the first chamber third sidewall and for heating air propagating along a first airpath that extends from the air inlet to the first chamber cavity and the respectively via the first chamber pores, where this air is convectively heated by the thermal radiator prior to entering the first heating chamber through first chamber pores, the thermal radiator for substantially convectively heating the phyto material in addition to the first heating element assembly for heating the phyto material within the first chamber cavity through the conduction heating process wherein a thermal inertia of the thermal radiator is such that it heats up at a faster rate than the first heating element assembly.
In accordance with an aspect of this disclosure there is provided, a dual heating chamber vaporization device comprising: a device body comprising an air inlet and a heating unit, the heating unit comprising: a first heating chamber having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and one or more first chamber sidewalls extending from the first end to the second end with a first chamber third sidewall capping the first heating chamber proximate the second end, the one or more first chamber sidewalls together with the first chamber third sidewall defining a first chamber cavity having a first open end proximate the first end and the first chamber third sidewall comprising first chamber pores 106p, where air flows into the first chamber cavity through the first chamber pores and where phyto material may be loaded into the first chamber cavity through this first open end; a first heating element assembly for heating the phyto material within the first chamber cavity through a conduction heating process; a third heating element assembly electrically coupled with the control circuit and thermally coupled with a thermal radiator, the thermal radiator disposed upstream of first heating chamber and proximate the first chamber third sidewall, where the thermal radiator is substantially disposed for other than being conductively coupled with the first chamber third sidewall and for heating air propagating along a first airpath that extends from the air inlet to the first chamber cavity and the respectively via the first chamber pores, where this air is convectively heated by the thermal radiator prior to entering the first heating chamber through first chamber pores, the thermal radiator for substantially convectively heating the phyto material in addition to the first heating element assembly for heating the phyto material within the first chamber cavity through the conduction heating process, a second heating chamber having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and one or more second chamber sidewalls extending from the first end to the second end with a second chamber third sidewall capping the second heating chamber proximate the second end, the one or more second chamber sidewalls together with the second chamber third sidewall defining a second chamber cavity having a second open end proximate the first end and the second chamber third sidewall comprising second chamber pores, where air flows into the second chamber cavity through the second chamber pores and phyto material extracts may be loaded into the second chamber cavity through this second open end; a second heating element assembly for heating phyto material extract within the second chamber cavity through a conduction heating process; a heating unit airflow path that extends from the air inlet to the first and second chamber cavities via the first and second chamber pores; a control circuit electrically coupled to the first and second heating element assemblies; an energy storage module electrically coupled to the control circuit; and a mouthpiece lid movably mounted to the device body, the mouthpiece lid movable between an open position and a closed position, the mouthpiece lid comprising: an outer wall; a lid floor having a perforated floor section and; an inner lid space defined between the outer wall and the lid floor; an inhalation aperture defined in the outer wall, the inhalation aperture fluidly coupled to the inner lid space and downstream from the lid floor; in the open position, the chamber cavity is open to the external environment and the phyto material is loadable within one of the first and second chamber cavities; in the closed position, the lid and the first and second heating chambers enclose the first and second chamber cavities, and at least a portion of the perforated floor section overlies the first and second chamber cavities proximate the first ends, whereby the first and second chamber cavities and the inner lid space are fluidly connected; in the closed position, at least one of the first and second heating element assemblies are energizable to heat phyto material disposed within the chamber cavities to a predetermined first and second vaporization temperatures for creating a first vapor and a second vapor; and to define a vapor flow path from the first and second chamber cavities through the perforated floor to the inner lid space and the inhalation aperture for the first vapor and second vapor to propagate through the inhalation aperture and wherein the second heating element assembly is for operating at a higher temperature than the first heating element assembly wherein the third heating element assembly is separately engageable from the first heating element assembly by the control circuit.
In accordance with an aspect of this disclosure there is provided dual heating chamber vaporization device comprising: a device body comprising at least an air inlet and a heating unit, the heating unit comprising: a detachable mouthpiece lid having an outer wall and a floor with a perforated floor section, an inner lid space and an inner lid space defined between the outer wall and the lid floor; an inhalation aperture defined in the outer wall, the inhalation aperture fluidly coupled to the inner lid space and downstream from the lid floor; a first heating chamber for accommodating comprising a first heating element assembly in thermal conduction coupling with the heating chamber for applying a source of a first heat through a thermal conduction process to the first material for vaporization for generating a first aerosol; a second heating chamber coupled with the at least an air inlet for accommodating a second material for vaporization and comprising a second heating element assembly disposed within the second heating chamber for applying a source of the second heat through a thermal conduction process to the second material for vaporization for generating a second aerosol when subjected to a second heat; a thermal radiator comprising a third heating element in thermal conduction with the thermal radiator for providing a source of third heat; the thermal radiator is in a thermally convective coupling with the first heating chamber comprising at least one airflow channel, the thermal radiator for generating for generating a hot airflow originating at the least an air inlet as the third heat when the third heating element is heated for generating a third aerosol, where the first material for vaporization is subjected to at least one of the third heat and the first heat from the first and third heating element assembly, the first heating chamber comprising an airflow passages and a porous floor for allowing the third heat to pass through the heating chamber and the material for vaporization disposed therein, at least one of the first aerosol generated and second aerosol generated and third aerosol generated for being inhaled from the inhalation aperture when the mouthpiece is coupled with the device body.
In accordance with an aspect of this disclosure there is provided a dual heating chamber vaporization device comprising: a device body comprising at least an air inlet and a heating unit, the heating unit comprising: a detachable mouthpiece lid having an outer wall and a floor with a perforated floor section, an inner lid space and an inner lid space defined between the outer wall and the lid floor; an inhalation aperture defined in the outer wall, the inhalation aperture fluidly coupled to the inner lid space and downstream from the lid floor; a first heating chamber for accommodating a first material for vaporization the material for generating a first aerosol when subjected to heat; a first heating element assembly in thermal conduction coupling with the heating chamber for applying a source of a first heat through a thermal conduction process to the first material for vaporization; a second heating chamber coupled with the at least an air inlet for accommodating a second material for vaporization the second material for generating second aerosol when subjected to a second heat, a second heating element assembly disposed within the second heating chamber for applying a source of the second heat through a thermal conduction process to the second material for vaporization; a thermal radiator comprising a third heating element in thermal conduction with the thermal radiator for providing a source of third heat; the thermal radiator is in a thermally convective coupling with the first heating chamber comprising at least one airflow channel, the thermal radiator for generating for generating a hot airflow originating at the least an air inlet as the third heat when the third heating element is heated, where the first material for vaporization is subjected to at least one of the third heat and the first heat from the first heating element assembly, the first heating chamber comprising an airflow passages and a porous floor for allowing the third heat to pass through the heating chamber and the material for vaporization disposed therein, at least one of the first aerosol generated and second aerosol generated for being inhaled from the inhalation aperture when the mouthpiece is coupled with the device body.
Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, methods and compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus, method or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, methods or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.
The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “including,” “comprising,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to vaporization of vaporizable material, such as phyto materials and phyto material products. Although embodiments are described herein in relation to vaporization of phyto material and phyto material products, it will be understood that other vaporizable materials, such as vaporizable nicotine products and/or synthesized vaporizable compounds, or combinations of vaporizable components may be used. For instance, various vaporizable products containing nicotine or plant derived extracts or oils, such as cannabis extract, CBD or terpene extracts and/or synthesized compounds may be used. Phyto material products may be derived from phyto materials such as the leaves or buds of cannabis plants.
Various methods of vaporizing phyto materials and phyto material products, such as cannabis products, are known. Phyto material is often vaporized by heating the phyto material to a predetermined vaporization temperature. The emitted phyto material vapor can then be inhaled by a user for therapeutic purposes.
Devices that vaporize phyto materials are generally known as vaporizers. In some cases, oils or extracts derived or extracted from the phyto materials may also be vaporized. For cannabis oils or extracts, temperatures in the range of about 500 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit may be applied to vaporize these phyto material products can generate phyto material vapor.
The phyto material vapor may be emitted at a temperature that is uncomfortable for a user to inhale. Accordingly, it may be desirable to cool the vapor prior to inhalation.
Referring to
The mouthpiece lid 104 or selective mouthpiece lid 104 may be movably mounted to the device body 102 by a friction fit connection (
Referring to
The device body 102 may have the heating unit that may include the second heating chamber 206 and the second heating element assembly 212 (
Preferably the second heating chamber 206 and the second heating element assembly 212 is may be for operating at a higher temperature than the first heating element assembly 112. The first heating chamber 106 may be for use with ground phyto material and the second heating chamber 206 may be for use with phyto material extract. Optionally the first and second heating chambers are for a same type of phyto material, where both are for use with phyto material extract or both are for use with leaf phyto material.
Referring to
The DCVD 100 and the DCVD 200 may include a control circuit 114 electrically coupled to the first heating element assembly 112 and the second heating element assembly 212 and energy storage module 116. The control circuit 114 may control the operation of the heating element assembly 112 and 212. The control circuit 114 may be used to activate/deactivate the heating element assembly 112 and 212 or to apply a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to at least one of the heating element assemblies 112 and 212.
The control circuit 114 may also be used to adjust the settings of the DCVD 100 and DCVD 200, such as a first and second predetermined vaporization temperature. The control circuit 114 may control the flow of current through the heating element assembly 112 and 212 in accordance with a selected first and second predetermined vaporization temperature. For example the control circuit is used to set the first predetermined temperature using a temperature sensor or a PWM signal of to set the temperature within approximately about 350 Fahrenheit and 450 Fahrenheit and to set the second predetermined temperature to within approximately 450 Fahrenheit and 750 Fahrenheit.
As is shown in
Energy storage module 116 may be a rechargeable energy storage module, such as a battery or lithium battery or super capacitor. DCVD 100 and 200 may include a power supply port 199 (e.g. a USB-port or magnetic charging port) that allows the energy storage module 116 to be recharged. The energy storage module 116 may optionally be removable to allow it to be replaced through a battery removal port 912 or removable cap, as is shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The mouthpiece lid 104 may be moved between an open position (shown in
Referring to
Referring to an exploded view of the mouthpiece lid as shown in
Referring to
The size of first and second pores 134, 135 may be selected to inhibit non-vaporized pieces or flakes of the phyto material from passing into the air cooling assembly 124 and out the inhalation aperture 130 into the user's mouth. Thus, the pores 134 may also provide a filtering action. The pores 134, 135 in conjunction with the air cooling assembly 124 may also provide a filtering action through a shape of the air cooling assembly 124 that uses a curved air path or non linear air path. In some embodiments a first air cooling path length formed between the first perforated floor section 120p and the inhalation aperture 130 may be shorter than a second air cooling path length formed between the second perforated floor section 220p and the inhalation aperture 130. As such the user may be able to adjust between the first orientation of the mouthpiece lid 104 and the second orientation of the mouthpiece lid 104 in order to select from which cavity additional vapor cooling is preferred. The first air cooling path length may provide for a reduced amount of vapor cooling as compared with the second air cooling path length.
An additional air cooling assembly may comprise a porous mesh that may be inserted proximate the mouthpiece for receiving of the vapors emitted from either of the chambers for providing of additional vapor cooling to at least one of the first air cooling path length and second air cooling path length. The size of pores 134. 135 may depend on the form of the phyto material being used. In some embodiments, the pores 134, 135 may be between 0.1 and 0.6 mm. For example, the pores 134, 135 may be between 0.025 and 0.3 mm. In some embodiments, the pores 134 may be between 0.05 and 0.2 mm. In some embodiments the first perforated floor section 120p and the second perforated floor section 220p may have pores of varying sizes. The size of pores 134, 135 may be selected to inhibit non-vaporized pieces or flakes of the phyto material from passing into the air cooling assembly 124 and out the inhalation aperture 130 into the user's mouth. Thus, the pores 134, 135 may also provide a filtering action. The pores 134 in conjunction with the air cooling assembly 124 may also provide a filtering action through a shape of the air cooling assembly 124 that uses a curved air path or a tortuous air path.
First vapor from the first chamber cavity 120 may enter the air inlet of the air cooling assembly 124 at a first temperature T1 and exit through the mouthpiece 130 at a second temperature T2 that is lower than the first temperature T1. This may provide a user with a more comfortable, and safer, temperature of vapor for inhalation. Second vapor from the second chamber cavity 220 may enter the air cooling assembly 124 at a third temperature T3 and exit through the mouthpiece 130 at a fourth temperature T4 that is lower than the third temperature T3. This may provide a user with a more comfortable, and safer, temperature of at least one of first and second vapor for inhalation.
In the open position (shown in
In the closed position the mouthpiece lid 104 (
Further, when in the closed position, the heating element assemblies 112, 212 may be selectively energized to heat the phyto material 419 in the first chamber cavity 120 to the first predetermined temperature to vaporize the phyto material 419 and selectively heat the heat the phyto material 421 in the second chamber cavity 220 to a second predetermined temperature to vaporize the phyto material extract 421.
When the user inhales from the inhalation aperture 104, ambient air 125 may be drawn from the external environment 555 into the first chamber cavity 120 through the first chamber third sidewall 108c via the first chamber pores 106p in fluid communication with the air intake manifold 191. While in the first chamber cavity 120, ambient air is mixed with the vaporized phyto material and is the first vapor drawn by the inhalation through the air cooling assembly and out the inhalation aperture 130 and ambient air 555 may be drawn from the external environment 144 in fluid communication with the air intake manifold 191 into the second chamber cavity 220 through the second chamber third sidewall 208c via the second chamber pores 206p. While in the second chamber cavity 220, ambient air is mixed with the vaporized phyto material extract and is the second vapor then drawn by the inhalation through the air cooling assembly and out the inhalation aperture 130.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments a removable drawer 278 may be provided for collecting phyto material that falls through the first chamber pores 106p, where in some cases there is a tradeoff between the pore size as well as airflow. The smaller the pore size the more the airflow is restricted. As such having a removable drawer 278 facilitates cleaning of crumbs or phyto material that has fallen out of the heating chamber through the first chamber pores 106p. When the removable drawer is removed is also facilitates cleaning of any residue or wax building that may have propagated from the second heating chamber through the second chamber pores 206p into the common air intake manifold 191. In some embodiments, the pores 106p and pores 206p may be between 0.1 and 0.6 mm. For example, the pores 106p and pores 206p may be between 0.025 and 0.3 mm. In some embodiments, the pores 106p and pores 206p may be between 0.3 and 0.9 mm. In some embodiments, such as for the second heating chamber, a porous ceramic or porous metal is envisaged for creating of the second chamber pores 206p.
Referring to
The first heating element assembly 112 may be formed from a silk screen resistive film heating whereby a heating element is formed from a resistive ink that is integrated and sintered with the heating chamber being manufactured from ceramic or where it's a resistive wire wrapped about an outside of the heating chamber or the heating chamber is manufactured from deep drawn or stamped or cast metal and the first heating element assembly 112 is printed onto the heating chamber and integrated therewith where in the case where the first heating chamber 106 is tubular in shape, a Thick Film Tubular Heater (TFH) is printed on stainless steel substrate by using a thick-film screen printing process to print insulating materials, heating resistors, conductors and then a glass protective glaze. In the case of a rectangular heating chamber or a heating chamber with flat walls, a Thick Film Flat Heater (FTH) process may be used. The FTH may be printed on stainless steel substrate by using a thick-film screen printing process to print insulating materials, heating resistors, conductors, glass protective glazes. A capton heater may also be envisaged with a capton resistive heating element wrapped about the first heating chamber 106.
For a convection heating system being utilized within the DCVD 100, 200, a third heating element assembly may be provided in the form of a thermal radiator 1806 (
Referring to
The second heating element assembly 212 may be removable from the second heating chamber with electrical contacts that are pin or screw or magnetic based so that in the case it fails or gets dirty it may be removed. The resistive coil heating element 215 may be directly in contact with the phyto material extract or as shown in
The second airpath 168 may be for propagating into the second heating chamber 206 to the first end 206a through second chamber third sidewall 208c via the second chamber pores 206p and at least one of a gap 392 between walls of the second chamber cavity 220 and an outside surface of the shroud assembly 391 and through the porous ceramic or porous metal 314 material or an air gap or a combination of an insulating material and air channel formed between an outside surface of the bucket 313 and an inside surface of a shroud assembly 391. Air propagating through the second heating chamber 206 in accordance with either of the above means may provide for thermally insulating of the glass bucket from the shroud assembly as well as may assist in thermally insulating (at least partially) of the shroud assembly from inner walls of the second heating chamber. This may facilitate a quicker heating of the glass bucket. Advantageously the glass bucket may provide for a cleaner vaporization of the phyto material extracts as the second vapor as opposed to the phyto material extracts being paced directly onto the coil heater 212.
A releasable electrical coupling 161 (
Referring now to
Referring to
The device body 302 may have a heating unit that includes the second heating chamber 406 and the second heating element assembly 412. The second heating element assembly 412 may be for heating of phyto material extract, or a second material for vaporization, such as a wax or resin and may be a conduction style heating for directly conducting of heat to the phyto material extract from the second heating element assembly 412. The second heating element assembly 412 may include a resistive coil heating element 415 thermally coupled with a bowl or a bucket for containing of the phyto material extract and sidewalls of the second heating chamber may be manufactured from a ceramic or glass or metal. The bowl or a bucket for containing of the phyto material extract may be manufactured from a ceramic or glass or metal with a resistive heating from a floor of the ceramic or glass or metal bucket. The second heating chamber 406 may include a first end 406a, a second end 406b. The second heating chamber 406 may also include one or more second chamber sidewalls 406s extending from the first end 406a to second end 406. The sidewalls may define a second chamber cavity 420 of the second heating chamber 406. Phyto material extract may be loaded to the second heating element 412 of the second chamber cavity 420 in preparation for vaporization. The second heating element assembly may be disposed within the second heating chamber for applying a source of a second heat through a thermal conduction process to the second material for vaporization.
The first heating chamber 306 may be cylindrical. The first heating chamber 306 may include first chamber sidewalls 306s, extending from the first end 306a to the second end 306b, which may be a cylindrical sidewall 308a extending from the first end 306a to the second end 306b. The first heating chamber 306 may also include a first chamber third sidewall 308c capping first heating chamber 306 at the second end 306b that may also be referred to as a base or floor. This may allow air to flow into the first chamber cavity 320 of first heating chamber 306. First heating chamber 306 may also have an open upper end or side 306d. Phyto material may be loaded into the first chamber cavity 320 through this open upper end 306d.
In some embodiments the second heating chamber 406 and the second heating element assembly 412 is may be for operating at a higher temperature than the first heating element assembly 312. The first heating chamber 306 may be for use with ground phyto material and the second heating chamber 406 may be for use with phyto material extract.
The mouthpiece lid 304 may be moved between an open position (shown in
Referring to
The size of first pores 334 and second pores 335 may be selected to inhibit non-vaporized pieces or flakes of the phyto material from passing into the air cooling assembly 324 and out the inhalation aperture 330 into the user's mouth. Thus, the first pores 334 may also provide a filtering action. The first pores 334 in conjunction with optionally the air cooling assembly 324 may also provide a filtering action through a shape of the air cooling assembly 324 may provide for a mixing air path or a cascade mixing air path or a tortuous air path. In some embodiments a first air cooling path length formed between the first perforated floor section 320p and the inhalation aperture 330 may be shorter than a second air cooling path length formed between the second perforated floor section 420p and the inhalation aperture 330 and in some embodiments the first and second cooling path lengths combine towards the mouthpiece to mix vapors emitted from both heating chambers as part of a mixing air path. The air cooling assembly 324 may be manufactured from an elastomeric material or a combination of an elastomeric material and a metal material where in conduction with the inner lid space 322, vapors propagating from each of the perforated floor sections, 320p, 420p, may be cooled. In some embodiments the mouthpiece 304 may be manufactured from a metal or aluminum material. First and second vapors may lose heat to the air cooling assembly 324 as well as the mouthpiece 304.
The user may be able to adjust between the first orientation (
Referring to
The user may be able to selectively control the airflow incoming into the second heating chamber 406 through the selectable airflow restrictor 399 and to control the airflow incoming into the first heating chamber 306 using the first ambient air input port 325. Through blocking of the first ambient air input port 325, for example by using a finger, substantially little airflow flows into the first heating chamber 306. Through blocking of the second ambient air input port 326 for example by using the selectable airflow restrictor 399 such that it may be oriented so that little airflow flows into the second heating chamber 406. The user may then able to control amounts of vapor being emitted from each of the first and second heating chambers.
The mouthpiece lid 304 may be movably mounted to the device body 302 by a friction fit connection such as that described for the first and second embodiments. In other embodiments, the body 302 may have a protruding lip 302L around an outer edge 302a. The mouthpiece lid 304 may be sized to fit within the protruding lip 302L and outer edge and may be held in place by friction along the protruding lip edge, in other embodiments a magnetic coupling may be realized between the mouthpiece lid 304 and the device body 302. In some embodiments a first ring magnet may be disposed about the mouthpiece lid 304 may about the first perforated floor section 320p to be aligned with the first end 306a of the first heating chamber 306 and a second ring magnet may be disposed second about the second perforated floor section 420p to be aligned with the first end 406a of the second heating chamber 406. The ring magnets may engage the first end 306a of the first heating chamber 306 and may engage the first end 406a of the second heating chamber 406 where these surfaces may include a metallic surface for engaging with the ring magnets. First and second elastomeric seals 386 and 486 may be formed about the first and second perforated sections 320p and 420p of the mouthpiece lid 304 for sealing the mouthpiece lid 304 against the device body 302 when the mouthpiece lid 304 is frictionally or magnetically engaged with the device body 302 for allowing a user to create a vacuum at the inhalation aperture 330 for sucking of vapors originating from at least one of the first and second heating chambers 306 and 406. The elastomeric material seals 386 and 486 may facilitates of vapor transfer from the first and second heating chambers, 306 and 406, into the air cooling assembly 324. The mouthpiece lid 304 may contain an indent 304i or a tab to enable the user to remove the mouthpiece lid 304.
Referring to
The DCVD 300 may also include a control circuit similar to the control circuit 114 may also manage the operation of other components of DCVD 300 such as user input controls 997, such as buttons, such as a temperature up button 997a and a temperature down button 997b and a second heater button 997c to control power applied to the second heating element assembly 412 as well as a power ON/OFF button 997d. The DCVD 300 may include one or more output components 499 (such as an OLED display) that provide visual signals to a user regarding the configuration and settings of DCVD 300. The second heating element assembly 412 may be similar to the second heating element assembly 212.
In some embodiments, the heating element assembly may be configured to heat the phyto material to a first predetermined vaporization temperature. The first predetermined vaporization temperature may vary depending on user preference and/or the form of the phyto material. For example, loose leaf phyto material may be vaporized at a predetermined vaporization temperature in a range between about 320 degrees Fahrenheit and about 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The user may be able to adjust the first predetermined vaporization temperature using input controls. The control circuit 114 may then control the current through the first heating element to adjust the first vaporization temperature.
In some embodiments, the heating element assembly may be configured to heat the phyto material extract to a second predetermined vaporization temperature. The second predetermined vaporization temperature may vary depending on user preference and/or the form of the phyto material extract. For example, phyto material extract may be vaporized at a second predetermined vaporization temperature in a range between about 450 degrees Fahrenheit and about 750 degrees Fahrenheit. The user may be able to adjust the second predetermined vaporization temperature using input controls. The control circuit 114 may then control the current through the second heating element to adjust the second vaporization temperature. In some embodiments the battery 116 may have the heating chambers extend along its length and may share a common central axis and the heating chambers may be oriented parallel with each other and inline with the battery. In some embodiments the heating chambers may be oriented perpendicular with a long axis of the battery and a mouthpiece extending across the battery along its length and proximate a battery removal port 912.
Referring now to
The device body 502 may have a heating unit that includes the second heating chamber 606 and the second heating element assembly. The second heating element assembly may be for heating of phyto material extract such as a wax or resin and may be a conduction style heating for directly conducting of heat to the phyto material extract from the second heating element assembly. The second heating element assembly (such as that shown in
An air cooling chamber lid 504 may be moved between an open position (shown in
The air cooling chamber lid 504 may include a first perforated floor section 520p to be aligned with the first end 506a of the first heating chamber 506 and a second perforated floor section 620p may be aligned with the first end 606a of the second heating chamber 606. When air cooling chamber lid 504 is moved to the closed position and in the first orientation, air cooling chamber lid 504 and the first heating chamber 506 and the second heating chamber 606 may enclose the first and second chamber cavities 520, 620. When air cooling chamber lid 504 is moved to the closed position, the air cooling chamber lid 504 and the first heating chamber 506 and the second heating chamber 606 may enclose the first and second chamber cavities 520, 620.
The first perforated floor section 520p of air cooling chamber lid 504 may also includes apertures or first pores 534 throughout its surface and the second perforated floor section 620p of air cooling chamber lid 504 may also includes apertures or second pores 535 throughout its surface. When the air cooling chamber lid 504 is in the closed position the pores 534 may permit vapor to pass from the first chamber cavity 520 to an inner lid space 522 through the first perforated floor section 520p and for the vapor to pass from the second chamber cavity 620 to an inner lid space 522 through the second perforated floor section 620p having pores 535.
A size of pores 534 and 535 may be selected to inhibit non-vaporized pieces or flakes of the phyto material from passing into the air cooling assembly 524 and out an inhalation aperture 530 into the user's mouth. Thus, the pores 534 may also provide a filtering action. The pores 534 in conjunction with an optionally utilized air cooling assembly (not shown) may also provide a filtering action through a shape of the air cooling assembly may provide for a mixing air path. The inner lid space 522 is fluidly coupled with the inhalation aperture 530 when the air cooling chamber lid 504 is approximately fluidly sealed against the first and second heating chambers where the first heating chamber 506 and the second heating chamber 606 may enclose the first and second chamber cavities 520, 620. Vapor emitted from the first heating chamber 506 and the second heating chamber 606 may propagate approximately parallel with a battery container therein and out from the mouthpiece 530 proximate a battery removal port 912.
In some embodiments a first air cooling path length formed between the first perforated floor section 520p and an inhalation aperture 530 may be shorter than a second air cooling path length formed between the second perforated floor section 620p and the inhalation aperture 530 and in some embodiments the first and second cooling path lengths combine towards the mouthpiece 530 along the inner lid space 522 to mix vapors emitted from one of or both heating chambers as part of a mixing air path. Vapors may lose heat as they propagate within the inner lid space 522 and in some embodiments through the air cooling assembly as well as the mouthpiece 504. Ambient air flowing into either of the heating chambers may be similar to that shown in the first, second or third embodiments. The inner lid space 522 may include an air and vapor outlet 526 that is fluidly connected to the inhalation aperture 530 when in the closed position (not shown) and other than fluidly connected to the inhalation aperture 530 when in the open position (as shown).
In some embodiments, as shown in
Referring now to
Referring to
In the example shown in
The CCHU 1103 may includes a first heating element assembly 1112 in thermal conduction coupled with the first heating chamber 1106 between the first and second ends thereof 1106a and 1106b. The first heating element assembly 1112 (
The heating chamber may be manufactured from a metal, such as stainless steel, and manufactured from deep drawn or stamped or cast metal and the heating element assembly 1112 is printed onto the heating chamber and integrated therewith where in the case where the first heating chamber 1106 is tubular in shape, a Thick Film Tubular Heater (TFH) may be printed on stainless steel substrate by using a thick-film screen printing process to print insulating materials, heating resistors, conductors and then a glass protective glaze. In the case of a rectangular heating chamber or a heating chamber with flat walls, a Thick Film Flat Heater (FTH) process may be used. The FTH may be printed on stainless steel substrate by using a thick-film screen printing process to print insulating materials, heating resistors, conductors, glass protective glazes.
Optionally the first heating element assembly 1112 may be formed using a capton heater about a phyto material contact surface 1196 as part of the first heating chamber 1106 that may be disposed inside of the first heating chamber 1106.
A second source of heat is provided by a thermal radiator 1806 may be provided upstream of first heating chamber 1106 and proximate the base sidewall 1108c. The thermal radiator 1806 may include a third heating element assembly 1816 centrally disposed within a first insulating sheath 1170 for converting of electrical energy to thermal energy for being conductively thermally coupled with the thermal radiator 1806 for heating of the thermal radiator 806 for the thermal radiator to radiate heat therefrom as the second source of heat through the first chamber third sidewall pores 1134.
The first insulating sheath 1170 may be provided about an outer circumference or about an outside of the thermal radiator 1806 and may not be in a conductive thermal coupling with the thermal radiator 1806. The first insulating sheath may include a first end 1170a that may be coupled with the first heating chamber 1106 proximate the base sidewall 1108c and it may include an inner surface. The thermal radiator 1806 may be centrally located within the first insulating sheath 1171 and at a separation from the inner surface of the first insulating sheath 1171. As well the thermal radiator 1806 may be separated from the base sidewall 1108c and a gap may exist between the thermal radiator 1806 and the base sidewall 1108c. The thermal radiator may include a first end 1806a that may be proximate to the base sidewall 1108c and a second end 1806b opposite the first end 1806a. A second end cap 1182 may be provided for maintaining the thermal radiator in being separated from the base sidewall 1108c and the inner surface of the first insulating sheath 1171. The thermal radiator may radiate heat towards the inner surface of the first insulating sheath 1171 as well as towards the base sidewall 1108c for the radiated heat to be applied to the ground phyto material as the second source of heat through the first chamber third sidewall pores 1134. The first insulating sheath 1170 may be formed from a PAI (polyamide-imide) or a high temperature thermoplastic material. The first insulating sheath 1171 may include a first end 1171a for coupling with the first heating chamber 1106 proximate the second end 1106b and a second end 1171a opposite the first end 1171b. The thermal radiator 1806 may be disposed between the first end 1171a and the second end 1171b. The thermal radiator 1806 is for providing a source or third heat.
A first thermal insulating layer 1161 (shown in
The CCHU 1103 may include the first heating element assembly 1112 that is capable of heating phyto material disposed within the first heating chamber 1106 through conductive heating and the thermal radiator 1806 for generating of a hot airflow as the second source of heat that may be guided through the contents of the heat the chamber cavity 1120. The thermal radiator 1806 may be thermally conductively insulated from the floor of the heating chamber and the floor of the heating chamber may be thermally convectively coupled with the thermal radiator 1806. Heat radiating from the thermal radiator 1806 may heat the base of the heating chamber. The thermal radiator 1806 may provide of radiant heat to the heat the downstream chamber cavity 1120 for aerosol generated from the material for vaporization to be emitted from the mouthpiece 1104 which is downstream that includes an air cooling assembly (not shown) and out through an inhalation aperture 1130 when the mouthpiece 1104 is coupled with the device body 1102. The thermal radiator 1806 may include a plurality of air channels 1806c and may include a plurality of fins 1806d that may create an increased surface area that facilitates transfer of thermal energy from the thermal radiator to surrounding air flowing past the thermal radiator 1806 from the air intake manifold 1191 through pores in the third sidewall 1108c.
In accordance with this embodiment, the chamber cavity 1120 and the material for vaporization 419 is heated in two means. It may be first heated by the first heating element assembly 1112 and this increases a temperature of the material for vaporization 419 through conduction heating as well as some radiation heating from the first heating element assembly 1112. This heating process may serve to dry some of the material for vaporization to evaporate at least some moisture from the material for vaporization 419. The thermal radiator 1806 is subsequently enabled to provide of a hot air stream to pass through material for vaporization 419 to heat it through convection heating. As shown in
The heating chamber may have a diameter or a width approximately equal to its height and for example has a diameter of about 11.5 mm and a height of about 12 mm and has a volume of about 1.5 cubic centimeters. The thermal radiator may be fabricated from a metal, such as aluminum or copper. The first insulating sheath 1171 may be made from a ceramic or a high temperature plastic, such as Torlon® or PEEK®. The heating unit wall assembly 1199 may be made from a lower temperature thermoplastic, such as ABS or polypropylene or polycarbonate. The first and second end caps 181 and 182 may be made from a high temperature silicone. The thermal radiator 1806 may include a ceramic heater that provides heat to the plurality of fins 1806d.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Through the conductive and radiation heating of the heating chamber using the first heating element assembly 1112, the material for vaporization 419 may create an aerosol and with the hot airflow from the second source of heat it may create a larger amount of aerosol than with using the conductive heating alone from the first source of heat. Preferably the first heating chamber 1106 is first heated using the first heating element assembly 1112 to a predetermined temperature of about 150 degrees Celsius to about 230 degrees Celsius and then the thermal radiator 1806 is heated by the second heating element assembly 816 to about a temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius to about 430 degrees Celsius for generating of the hot airflow to pass through the heating chamber. Heating using the first heating element assembly 1112 allows for moist substances accommodated in the heating chamber such as phyto materials to dry somewhat during a heating up phase before the inhalation is started from the inhalation aperture.
Referring to
The VD 600 may include an energy storage module 1116 such as a battery electrically coupled to first heating element assembly 1112 and the third heating element assembly 1816. Energy storage module 1116 may be used to energize the first and third heating assemblies, 1112 and 1816, to heat the phyto material 419 within the chamber cavity 1120. The VD 600 may include a control circuit 1114 electrically coupled to the first and third heating element assemblies 1112 and 1816. The control circuit 1114 may control the operation of the first and third heating element assemblies heating element assembly 1112 and 1816. The control circuit 114 may be used to activate/deactivate the heating element assembly 1112 and 1816.
The control circuit 1114 may also be used to adjust the settings of the VD 600, such as a predetermined first temperature for providing of first heat to the first heating chamber and a predetermined third temperature for providing of third heat as a hot airflow to the first heating chamber. The control circuit 1114 may control the flow of current through the heating element assembly 1112 and 1816 in accordance with a selected first and second vaporization temperatures. The control circuit 1114 may also manage the operation of other components of VD 600 such as user input controls, generally referred to as 1997, such as buttons, such as a temperature up button and a temperature down button.
For instance, VD 600 may include one or more output components (such as an LED display) that provide visual or audible signals to a user regarding the configuration and settings of VD 600. In some cases, VD 600 may include wireless communication modules to allow the VD 600 to communicate with another wireless device such as a smartphone or tablet or web server. In some cases the VD 600 may include may include one or more output components 1999 (such as an OLED display) that provide visual signals to a user regarding the configuration and settings of DCVD 600.
Energy storage module 1116 may be a rechargeable energy storage module, such as a battery, such as a lithium battery. VD 600 may include a power supply port (e.g. a USB-port or magnetic charging port or a Qi wireless charging port) that allows the energy storage module 1116 to be recharged. The energy storage module 1116 may optionally be removable to allow it to be replaced through a screw port or removable cap. (not visible in this figure). The mouthpiece lid 1104 may be moved between an open position (shown in
Upon inhalation from the inhalation aperture 1130 when the mouthpiece is coupled with a vaporizer housing 1102, ambient air, indicated generally as 555, drawn from the external environment 144 is drawn into the air intake manifold. Referring to
Vapor from the first chamber cavity 1120 may enter the air inlet of the air cooling assembly 1124 at a first temperature T1 and exit through the inhalation aperture 1130 at a second temperature T2 that is lower than the first temperature T1. This may provide a user with a more comfortable, and safer, temperature of vapor for inhalation. The first predetermined vaporization temperature may vary depending on user preference and/or the form of the phyto material. For example, loose leaf phyto material may be vaporized at a predetermined vaporization temperature in a range between about 320 degrees Fahrenheit and about 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The user may be able to adjust the first predetermined vaporization temperature using input controls 1997. The control circuit 1114 may then control the current through the first heating element to adjust the first vaporization temperature as well as current through the third heating element.
When the user inhales from the inhalation aperture 1130, ambient air 555 can be drawn from the external environment 144 into the first chamber cavity 1120 through the, the first chamber third sidewall pores 1134 in fluid communication with the air intake manifold 1191. While in the chamber cavity 1120, ambient air is mixed with the vaporized phyto material and is then drawn by the inhalation through the air cooling assembly and out the inhalation aperture 1130 and ambient air 555 may be drawn from the external environment 144 in fluid communication with the air intake manifold 1191 into the first heating chamber cavity 1120 through the base sidewall 1108c.
Advantageously the mouthpiece may be snapped into one of two orientations where the inhalation aperture is visually inline with one of the first or second heating chambers and drawing from the inhalation aperture will enable for drawing vapor from both chambers. Optionally the selective mouthpiece is used where a valve is depressed and it allows for inhaling from one and not the other heating chamber. Or a selector switch is used to electively block one or the other of the heating chambers.
When inhaling the leaf chamber (first heating chamber) then optionally power applied to the extract chamber (second heating chamber) is pulsed to allow dosing of the extract while inhaling from the leaf chamber. Optionally a power adjustment is provided as part of the control circuit to be able to adjust a power applied to the second heating element.
In some embodiments the heating unit may be detachable from the body as well as the inhalation aperture and the cooling assembly may include a water trap where vapors emitted from at least one of the first and second heating chambers may propagate through the water trap to provide for additional cooling from the water contained within the water trap.
While the above description describes features of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each other. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/770,987 filed Nov. 23, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/845,328 filed on May 9, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62770987 | Nov 2018 | US | |
62845328 | May 2019 | US |