BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates to the field of personal vaporizers.
Vaporizer rigs are portable electric devices that generate a vapor from a vaporizing media such as a wax, ground herb, or fluid incorporating essential oils and/or other components. The vapor typically is passed through a water pipe and delivered to a user for inhalation.
In typical vaporizers, vaporizing media is delivered onto or adjacent an atomizer, which includes a heating element such as a wire heating coil. The heating element heats the media so that it is atomized-dispersed into very fine droplets or particles. Intake air is drawn through the atomized vaporizing media, and the atomized media becomes entrained in the air so as to form a vapor. The vapor is then routed to and through a mouthpiece into a user's mouth.
Vaporizer rigs include the atomizer as well as an electrical system to control the atomizer. Typically, a water pipe portion is attached to the vaporizer rig during operation. Also, flow paths for intake air and vapor are defined within and through various portions of the vaporizer rig. Further, it is common for non-atomized portions of vaporizing media to be lost or foul portions of flow paths. These interacting components, structures and tendencies can lead to challenges in setting up, cleaning and operating the vaporizer rig.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure discloses aspects that improve vaporizer rigs. For example, some embodiments disclose structure that provides for modular construction. An atomizer module is configured to atomize vaporizing media, receive intake air and generate a vapor. The atomizer module is supported by a base module that includes electronic componentry for powering the atomizer module. However, the atomizer module can be completely removed from the base module, and the atomizer has no electronic componentry other than electrically conductive portions, and can be completely submerged in liquid such as alcohol for cleaning. No part of any vapor flow path impacts or touches the base module that encloses the electronic componentry, and thus the portion of the vaporizer rig that provide electric power will not need cleaning associated with vaporizer operation. A vapor module receives vapor from the atomizer module and functions as a water pipe to cool and filter the vapor. The vapor module can include a venting feature so that once the vaporizing media is spent, vent air can help the user easily draw remaining vapor through the vapor module.
In conjunction with one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a vaporizer rig, comprising an atomizer module having a vaporizing space. The vaporizing space has a heating member configured to heat a vaporizing media sufficient to atomize the vaporizing media, an atomizer manifold configured to receive intake air and communicating with the vaporizing space, and an atomizer outlet configured to receive vapor from the vaporizing space. A base module is configured to support the atomizer module and comprising electronic components configured to selectively apply an electric current across the atomizer module. A vapor module comprises a plurality of interconnected vapor spaces, a first vapor space of the vapor module enclosing the atomizer outlet, the vapor module comprising a vaporizer outlet. The vapor module and the base module are attached to one another with the atomizer module sandwiched between the vapor module and the base module.
In some embodiments the atomizer module comprises an elongated tube depending from the vaporizing space, and the base module comprises a reclaim tray, the elongated tube having a tube opening disposed immediately above the reclaim tray.
In additional embodiments the base module comprises a deck having one or more deck slots formed thereon and a bottom surface of the vapor module engages the deck so that one or more intake passages are defined by the deck slots and the bottom surface of the vapor module, and wherein the intake passage communicate with the atomizer manifold.
In some such embodiments the vapor module comprises a vent opening that is biased to a closed position, the vent opening communicating with a vent passage that communicates with the first vapor space at a location below the atomizer outlet.
In further embodiments a control actuator is disposed on a side wall of the base module and a vent actuator is disposed on a side wall of the vapor module.
In still further embodiments the vapor module can be attached to the base module in a first configuration in which the control actuator and the vent actuator are vertically aligned to one another, and also in a second configuration in which the vent actuator is angularly spaced from the control actuator.
In additional embodiments the atomizer comprises an atomizer nozzle that is releasably positionable above the vaporizing space, the atomizer nozzle having an atomizer lumen and defining the atomizer outlet, and wherein a cross-sectional area of the atomizer lumen at an upstream end of the atomizer nozzle is greater than a cross-sectional area of the atomizer outlet.
In still further embodiments the first vapor space comprises a first outlet communicating with a second vapor space of the vapor module, and the atomizer nozzle is configured to direct a flow of vapor at the first outlet.
In additional embodiments no portion of any vapor flow path of the vaporizer rig contacts the base module.
In accordance with another embodiment, the present specification provides a method of dabbing a vaporizing media. The method includes engaging an atomizer module with a base module, which atomizer module has an atomizer bowl defining a vaporizing space therewithin. A heating member is disposed in or adjacent the vaporizing space, and the base module is configured to selectively apply an electrical current across the atomizer module so as to actuate the heating member. The method also includes depositing a vaporizing media in the atomizer bowl, placing a nozzle atop the atomizer bowl, and placing a vapor module atop the atomizer module so that a nozzle opening of the nozzle opens within a first space of the vapor module and the base module and vapor module enclose the atomizer module. The method then includes actuating the heating member.
Another embodiment comprises sandwiching a portion of the atomizer module between the vapor module and the base module.
A still further embodiment comprises drawing a breath at the vapor module so that atmospheric air is drawn into the vaporizing chamber.
Yet another embodiment comprises opening a vent in the vapor module so that atmospheric air is drawn into the first space of the vapor module without passing through any part of the atomizer module.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mobile vaporizer rig;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the vaporizer rig of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the arrangement of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a central module of the arrangement of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the arrangement of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a base comprising the central module of FIG. 6 and the bottom portion of FIG. 7 shown assembled;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of FIG. 9 assembled;
FIG. 11 is a close-up view showing a cross-section of the base module and atomizer module taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 8, but with the glass rig portion rotated so as to be depicted as shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 12 shows the arrangement of FIG. 11 depicting air and vapor flow during use;
FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of FIG. 11 depicting air and vapor flow at a further point during use;
FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of FIG. 11 depicting air and vapor flow at a yet further point during use;
FIG. 15 shows the arrangement of FIG. 11 depicting air and vapor flow at still a further point during use; and
FIG. 16 shows the arrangement of FIG. 11 during a venting operation.
DESCRIPTION
With initial reference to FIGS. 1-3, a vaporizer rig 20 comprises a vapor module 22 that sits atop and is supported by a base module 24. The base module 24 can have a bottom surface 25 that is configured to rest upon a flat surface such as a table. An atomizer module 30 is configured to be sandwiched between and enclosed between the vapor module 22 and the base module 24, as also depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The vapor module 22 comprises a glass portion 32 and a vent portion 34 that preferably are interconnected so that the vapor module 22 moves as a single unit and can be easily placed atop and removed from the base module 24. The base module 24 preferably comprises a central unit 26 and a bottom portion 28 that are releasably connectable to one another (see also FIG. 6-8).
With specific reference to FIG. 9, the atomizer module 30 comprises an upper housing 36 and a lower housing 38 that can be connected to one another so that they move together as a unit. The illustrated upper housing 36 and lower housing 38 are formed of a metal or other electrically conductive material. A vaporizing bowl 40 is enclosed within the upper housing 36. The illustrated vaporizing bowl 40 is generally cup-shaped, having a tubular bowl side wall 42 that extends upwardly from a bowl bottom wall 44 and terminates at a bowl open end 46. A portion of the side wall 42 can extend downwardly from the bowl bottom wall 44. A vaporizing space 48 is defined within the bowl 40.
In the illustrated embodiment, a tubular air guide 50 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 44. An aperture 52 is formed through the bowl bottom wall 44 and communicating with the air guide 50 so that an air flow path is formed through the aperture 52 and air guide 50 into the vaporizing space 48. The open end of the air guide 50 is spaced from the bowl bottom wall 44.
With continued reference to FIG. 9, a heating member 60 can be placed in the vaporizing space 48 within the bowl 44. The illustrated heating member 60 has an inverted cup shape defined by a tubular side wall 62 that depends from a top wall 64. As shown, the heating member 60 is placed over the air guide 50 so that the air guide 50 opens adjacent a lower surface of the top wall 64. In the illustrated embodiment, blocks 66 extend upwardly from the bowl bottom wall 44, and the heating member side wall 62 rests upon, and is supported by, the blocks 66. With additional reference to FIG. 11, the blocks 66 are spaced apart from one another so that block spaces 68 are defined between adjacent blocks 66. As such, a flow path through the aperture 52 and air guide 50 can continue through the block spaces 68 and into the vaporizing space 48.
The illustrated heating member 60 can be made of a ceramic and/or other heat-conductive material into which a heating element, such as a resistance wire, can be embedded. The heating element can be configured to generate substantial heat when an electric current flows therethrough, and can thus impart that heat to the heating member 60. In operation, a user can apply a vaporizing media M, such as a wax or like, to the heating member 60, such as by placing it on the top wall 64 (see also FIG. 11). Heat can be applied to the vaporizing media M so as to atomize the media. Air flowing into the vaporizing space 48 can be mixed with the atomized media M to form a vapor (See FIG. 12). Features, structure, and operation of these portions of the atomizer module 30 can resemble and incorporate principles discussed in Applicant's US publication no. US2020/0345071 (the “'071 document”), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. It is to be understood that further variations of atomizer modules can employ various types and configurations of vaporizing spaces, heating members, and air flow paths and delivery structures in order to form vapor within the vaporizing space 48.
With continued reference to FIG. 9, an elongated hollow tube 70 is aligned with the aperture 52 below the bowl 40. The tube 70 depends downwardly below the lower housing 38 and terminates in a tube bottom opening 72. In the illustrated embodiment the tube 70 comprises two portions that extend end-to-end and that engage one another to form the tube 70. In additional embodiments the tube 70 can be unitarily formed. An upper portion of the tube 70 is supported by the upper housing 36. The lower housing 38 also supports the tube 70. In the illustrated embodiment an upper insulator 74 is disposed between the tube 70 and the upper housing 36, and a lower insulator 76 is disposed between the tube 70 and the lower housing 38. As such, the tube 70 is electrically insulated from the housings 36, 38. Preferably, the tube is electrically connected to one pole of the heating member 60 and the housings 36, 38 are electrically connected to another pole of the heating member 60, such as is provided in the '071 document. As such, an electrical circuit path extends from the tube 70 to the heating member 60 and to the housings 36, 38.
Continuing with reference to FIG. 9, a plurality of tube holes 80 are formed through the tube 70 around its circumference. Preferably the plurality of tube holes 80 are placed at generally the same point along the length of the tube 70. Similarly, a plurality of housing holes 82 are formed through the lower housing 38 around its circumference and generally aligned with the tube holes 80. The lower housing 38, however, is spaced from the tube, defining an atomizer manifold 84 between the lower housing 38 and the tube 70 at and adjacent the housing holes 82 and tube holes 80. Preferably, the atomizer manifold 84 is blocked, or closed, at its upper and lower ends so that the housing holes 82 and tube holes 80 are substantially the only means for entering and exiting the atomizer manifold 84.
As shown in FIG. 9, the illustrated bowl opening 46 is wide, providing access for a user to place vaporizing media M onto the heat member 60 top wall 64 (see also FIG. 11). Preferably, an atomizer nozzle 90 is configured to be releasably placed atop the upper housing 36 so that a nozzle lumen 92 is in communication with the vapor space 48. The nozzle lumen 92 preferably reduces in diameter moving from the bottom toward the top, terminating at a nozzle outlet 94. In the illustrated embodiment the nozzle lumen 92 has a generally conical portion in which its diameter progressively reduces along the upwardly-directed flow path. As such, the atomizer nozzle 90 accepts vapor from the vapor space 48 and communicates the vapor through the nozzle lumen 92 to and through the nozzle outlet 94. A diameter of the nozzle lumen 92 at the upstream, or bottom, end of the nozzle 90 is much greater than a diameter at the nozzle outlet 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle outlet 94 diameter is less than half of the diameter at the bottom end of the atomizer nozzle 90. One, the other, or both of the atomizer nozzle 90 and upper housing 36 can comprise a magnet. For example, in the illustrated embodiment a magnetic insert 96 is disposed at the bowl open end 46. As such, when the atomizer nozzle 90 is placed atop the upper housing 36 it is magnetically held securely in place but is easily removable so as to provide convenient access for a user to place vaporizing media M in the vaporizing space 48.
The lower housing 38 has a flange portion 96 at which the diameter of the lower housing 38 can be increased. The bottom of the flange portion 96 is a flat flange support surface 98 disposed immediately above the housing holes 82. The flange support surface 98 preferably is generally perpendicular to an axis 100 of the atomizer module 30, and thus is also perpendicular to the tube 70, which preferably extends along the axis 100.
With reference again to FIGS. 4-6 and 9, the central unit 26 of the base module 24 can comprise a casing made up of a deck 102 from which a base wall 104 depends. A base space 106 defined within the casing can comprise an assortment of electrical componentry configured to provide and control electrical energy delivered to the heating member 60 during operation of the vaporizer 20.
A receiver cavity 108 is formed centrally through the base deck 102 and is configured to receive a portion of the atomizer module 22. More specifically, the tube 70 extends through the receiver cavity 108 and further through the base space 106, and a portion of the lower housing 38 fits complementarily in the receiver cavity 108. When the atomizer module 30 is advanced into the receiver cavity 108, the flange support surface 98 eventually engages the deck 102 so that the atomizer module 30 is placed in the desired position upon the base 24.
A plurality of deck slots 110 are formed in the deck 102. The deck slots 110 extend from the outer edge of the deck 102 to the receiver cavity 108. In the illustrated embodiment each deck slot 110 is spaced 90 degrees from the adjacent slot 110. A plurality of deck magnets 112 are also disposed in the deck 102. The deck magnets 112 preferably are placed a consistent angular distance from one another, which radial distance is 90 degrees in the illustrated embodiments.
The electrical componentry within the base space 106 can be configured in many ways. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of rechargeable batteries 114 are electrically connected to a control board 120, which is a printed circuit board having electronic control componentry. A control actuator 122 is supported by the base wall 104 and configured as a button that a user can depress to engage and direct control of control componentry disposed on the control board 120.
A power board 124 comprising a printed circuit board supporting at least a cord connector 126 is also disposed within the base space 106. A cord receiver 128 formed through the base wall 104 enables access through the base wall 104 to the cord receiver 128 so that a power cord and/or data cord can be attached to the cord receiver 128. Componentry on the power board 124 can be configured to receive and process power and/or data received from an external cord through the cord connector 126.
The electronic componentry preferably is configured to provide selective power to the atomizer module 30 when the atomizer module 30 is installed on the base 24. In the illustrated embodiment, first spring-biased electrodes 130 (see FIG. 9) are connected to a first electrical pole of the control board 120 and are configured to electrically engage the tube 70 when the atomizer module 30 is installed in the base 24 as shown in FIG. 10. A second spring-biased electrode 132 is connected to a second electrical pole of the control board 120 and is biased to extend upwardly from the deck 102, as depicted in FIG. 9. When the atomizer module 30 is installed on the base 24, the flange support surface 98 engages and depresses the second electrode 132 (see FIG. 10). The tube 70 simultaneously engages the first electrodes 130, and thus an electrical circuit path is established through the atomizer module 30 between the first and second poles of the control board 120. Notably, in the illustrated embodiment the atomizer module 30 includes no electronic componentry, such as switches, integrated circuits and the like, other than electric conductors such as the metal housings 36, 38 and wires. Rather, such electronic componentry is contained in the base space 106 of the central unit 26. As such, the entirety of the atomizer module 30 can be removed from its electric power source and submerged in a cleaning agent such as alcohol.
In some embodiments, one or more LED lights 133 may be placed to shine upwardly in the deck. Holes in the deck 102 receive a lens 134, and an LED lamp can be arranged below the lens 134 and in electrical communication with the control board 120, which can control operation of the LED lights 133.
With reference to FIG. 6-10, the bottom portion 28 of the base 24 is configured to releasably attach to the central unit 26. In the illustrated embodiment there is, however, no electrical connection between the bottom portion 28 and central unit 26 so that all electronic componentry is supported by and contained within the central unit 26. The bottom surface 25 of the bottom portion 28 can comprise a high-friction coating configured to help the vaporizer rig 20 stay in a desired position when resting upon a flat surface such as a table.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, a media tray 138 is disposed within and supported by the bottom portion 28. The media tray 138 can be formed of a flexible and durable elastomeric material such as rubber, and can be configured to be removable from the base portion 28. In the illustrated embodiment the media tray 138 comprises multiple sections including a media reclaim part 140 and a pair of media storage parts 142. The bottom part 28 can also have a plurality of bottom part magnets 144 spaced to engage and hold the central unit 26 engaged with the bottom part 28. Aligners 146 disposed in the central unit 26 are sized and configured to complementarily fit into aligner receivers 148 in the bottom part 28 so that the bottom part 28 correctly aligns with the central unit 26 when they are engaged.
As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom part 28 is configured so that the media reclaim part 140 is positioned directly below the tube 70 when the central unit 26 is engaged with the bottom part 28. During operation of the atomizer module 30, it can be expected that some portions of vaporizing media M may not get atomized, and may flow into the tube 70. Such unatomized media M then will flow downwardly and out of the bottom opening 72 but will be captured by the media reclaim part 140 of the media tray 138. Such unatomized vaporizing media M can be reused later. The media storage parts 142 can be used by the user to store media M until it is desired to be used.
With reference next to FIG. 3-5, the vapor module 22 is configured to fit atop the deck 102 and enclose the atomizer module 30. A bottom surface 150 of the vapor module 22 is flat and configured to engage and rest upon the deck 102. In this manner, and as depicted in FIG. 11, intake passages 152 are defined by the deck slots 110 and the bottom surface 150 of the vapor module 22. Each intake passage 110 communicates atmospheric air A to the receiver cavity 138. When the atomizer module 30 is installed, the housing holes 82 and associated atomizer manifold 84 are disposed in the receiver cavity 138, and thus each intake passage 152 communicates intake air A to the atomizer manifold 84, from which it flows to and through the tube holes 80 into the flow path that leads to the vaporizing space 48.
With continued reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 11, one or more vapor module magnets 154 can be supported by the vapor module bottom surface 150. The one or more vapor module magnets 154 are configured to match the deck magnets 112 so as to releasably hold the vapor module 22 in place atop the base 24. In additional embodiments, the vapor module magnet 154 can be a magnetic ring (formed unitarily or by a plurality of magnets configured in a ring-shaped array) supported by the vaporizer bottom surface 150 at the same radius from the axis 100 as the deck magnets 112 are placed. As such, the vapor module 22 will be magnetically held in place on the deck 102 without regard to its angular position relative to the base 24. In further embodiments a number and/or size of vapor module magnets 154 is configured to allow magnetic attachment of the vapor module 22 at several different angular positions relative to the base 24, such as every 90 degrees, every 45 degrees, every 30 degrees, every 15 degrees or contiguously as with the magnetic ring embodiment. As such, the vaporizer 20 can be operated with the vapor module 22 rotated a desired amount relative to the base module 24.
Continuing with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 10, the vapor module bottom wall 150 has an opening through which the atomizer module 30 fits. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 96 of the lower housing 38 is circular and has an angled upper surface 158 that terminates at a boss notch 160 adjacent the flange support surface 98. A vapor module guide 162 is defined about the edge of the vapor module bottom wall opening. The vapor module guide 162 preferably is configured to complementarily fit in the boss notch 160 when the atomizer module 30 is installed on the base module 24 and the vapor module 22 is advanced into place atop the base module 24. In this manner, a flange edge 164 of the atomizer module lower housing 38 is sandwiched between the vapor module guide 162 and the deck 102. As such, not only do the engaged deck magnets 112 and vapor module magnets 154 hold the vapor module 22 in place on the base module 24, but since the flange edge 164 is also sandwiched between the vapor module 22 and the base module 24 the magnets 112, 154 also effectively hold the atomizer module 30 in place with the flange support surface 98 engaged with the deck 102. Engagement of the vapor module guide 162 with the flange boss notch 160 also inhibits side-to-side movement of the atomizer module 30. Still further, as the vapor module 22 is advanced over the atomizer module 30 during installation, the vapor module guide 162 can be anticipated to engage and slide across the flange angled surface 158, thus self-guiding the vapor module 22 into the correct positioning over the atomizer module 30 and base module 24, and guiding proper alignment of the vapor module magnets 154 with the deck magnets 112.
Although magnets are often used in the illustrated embodiment to hold various structures releasably together, it is to be anticipated that variations can use other securement structures such as clips, threads, J-locks, pins or the like.
Continuing with reference to FIGS. 5 and 11 the vent portion 34 comprises a vent body 170 enclosed within a vent housing 172. A central space 174 is provided in the vent body 170 above the vapor guide portion 162 and open toward the upper end. A vent opening 178 is defined through the vent housing 172 and a vent passage 180 leads from the vent opening 178 to the central space 174. A vent valve surface 182 can be provided adjacent the vent opening 178, and a vent actuator 184 can be configured to fit in and through the vent opening 178. A portion of the vent actuator 184 engages the vent valve surface 182 so as to close the vent opening 178. Preferably the vent actuator 184 is biased, such as by a spring, to the closed position shown in FIGS. 4 and 11. A button portion 186 of the vent actuator 184 extends outwardly from the vent housing 172 and is configured so that a user, by pushing on the button portion 186, can disengage the vent actuator 184 from the vent valve surface 182, effectively opening the vent opening 178 so atmospheric air A can flow into the central space 174.
In the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the vent actuator 184 and control actuator 122 are aligned vertically one above the other. It is to be understood that, as desired by a user, the rotational position of the vapor module 22 relative to the base module 24 can be adjusted so that the vent actuator 184 and control actuator 122 can be angularly positioned relative to one another in a manner preferred by the user. For example, if the user is holding the vaporizer 20 in one hand, with the user's ring and pinky fingers below the base bottom end 25 for support and the middle finger poised at the control actuator 122, the vapor module 22 can be rotated so that the vent actuator 184 is positioned at the location of the tip of the user's pointer finger, thus enabling the user to operate the vaporizer 22 conveniently with a single hand.
The glass portion 32 is configured to sit atop the vent portion 34, and preferably is made of a high quality material adapted to accommodate vapor flowing therethrough without degradation. Most preferably it is made of a high quality glass. The glass portion 32 has a bottom wall 188 adapted to sit atop the vent portion 34, and terminates at a vaporizer outlet 190 at its upper end. An extension 192 can extend downwardly from the bottom wall 188, and preferably has an extension outer diameter. An interface member 194 can be placed in the vent portion body 170 within the central space 174 at and around the top of the vent portion 34. The interface member 194 preferably is formed of a flexible material, such as certain rubbers or polymers. Preferably an inner diameter of the interface member 194 is about the same as or slightly less than the extension member 192 outer diameter so that the extension member 192 can be pushed into the interface member 194, while deflecting the interface member 194 sufficiently so that the interface member 194 will squeeze the extension member 192 and hold the glass portion 32 in place. Upon application of sufficient force, however, the glass portion 32 can also be pulled out of the interface member 194 when desired, such as for cleaning.
A tubular first space wall structure 200 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 188 and defines a first space 202 within the glass portion 32. As shown, the first space 202 is sized and configured so that the atomizer module 30 extends upwardly within the first space 202 and the atomizer nozzle outlet 94 is disposed above the glass portion bottom wall 188. The extension 192 also defines part of the first space 202. A first space bottom opening 204 is defined by the extension 192. A vent opening space 206 is defined between the extension member 192 and the atomizer module 30 at the first space bottom opening 204. A first space outlet 208 is defined by the first space wall structure 200 at the top of the first space 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the first space outlet 208 is aligned with the atomizer nozzle outlet 94. Although both the first space outlet 208 and atomizer nozzle outlet 94 are disposed along the axis 100 in the illustrated embodiment, in some embodiments these structures can be off-center, angled, or otherwise arranged.
Continuing with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second space wall structure 210 extends upwardly from the bottom wall 188 radially spaced from the first space wall structure 210. The second space wall structure 210 defines a second space 212 between the first space wall structure 200 and the second space wall structure 210. The second space 212 is closed at its upper end, but has one or more passages 214 formed through the second space wall structure 210 near its bottom end adjacent the bottom wall 188. An outer wall structure 220 also extends upwardly from the bottom wall 188 and terminates at the upper end. The outer wall structure 220 encloses a third space 222 between the outer wall structure 220 and the second space wall structure 210. The vaporizer outlet 190 is formed at the upper end. A flow path through the glass portion 32 extends from the first space 202 upwardly through the first space outlet 208 into the second space 212 and downwardly to and through the passages 214 into the third space 222 and further upwardly in the third space 222 to and through the vaporizer outlet 190. As shown in, for example, FIG. 15, water W can be poured into the third space 222, and will flow into the second space 212 through the passages 214, so that the glass portion 32 can function as a water pipe.
With reference next to FIG. 11-16, in operation, a user can install the atomizer module 30 onto the base module 24, remove the nozzle portion 90, and place a vaporizing media M on the heating member top wall 64. The user can then replace the nozzle portion 90 and install the vapor module 22 so that the vaporizer rig 20 is configured as depicted in FIG. 11. The user can then depress the control actuator 122 to heat the medium M. When the medium is sufficiently heated to be atomized, the user can draw a breath through the vaporizer outlet 190. As depicted in FIG. 12, drawing the breath will draw intake air A into and through the intake passages 152 into and through the atomizer manifold 84 and into the tube 70, from which the air A is directed through the air guide 50 and around the heating member 60 so as to mix with atomized vaporizing medium M in the vaporizing space 48 to form a vapor V. With reference next to FIG. 13, the vapor V will flow upwardly into and through the nozzle 90, which will increase the vapor flow velocity and direct it upwardly at and to the first space outlet 208.
With reference next to FIGS. 14 and 15, vapor V that enters the second space 212 will be redirected downwardly into and through the water W to and through the one or more passages 214 and into the third space 222, within which it will be directed upwardly to and through the vaporizer outlet 190.
When the vaporizing medium M has been used, a portion of vapor V will remain in the glass portion 32. To efficiently urge this remaining vapor V to progress along the flow path and out of the glass portion 32, the user can depress the vent button 186 so as to open the vent opening 178 and provide a large quantity of air A through the vent passage 180 to the central space 174. As the user continues to take a draw, such vent air A flows through the vent space 174 into the first space 202, mixes with the existing vapor V and proceeds along the flow path through the glass portion 32. The large quantity of vent air A tends to collect and bring with it any vapor V remaining in the glass portion 32, enabling the user to easily empty vapor V from the glass portion 32. With the vent opening 178 open, air A can also still enter and flow through the intake passages 152. However, preferably the vent opening 178 is configured with a greater cross-sectional flow area so that more air is provided through the vent opening 178 than through the intake passages 152.
Although inventive subject matter has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred or illustrated embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the disclosed embodiments have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the inventive subject matter, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventive subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the inventive subject matter herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.
Patent Application
20250072511
