TEMPERATURE DETECTION FOR HEATING OR COMBUSTION TORCHES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward heating or combustion torches (i.e., non-cutting torches), and in particular, to a temperature detection unit for a heating or combustion torches, such as handheld torches commonly used for vaping, smoking and/or culinary needs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Handheld combustion and/or heating torches (i.e., non-cutting/processing torches) are often used for personal and household needs, such as to cause combustion (e.g., light a candle, cigar, etc.), heat a surface, or food substance. For example, handheld combustion and/or heating torches are sometimes called for in culinary recipes, such as crème brûlée recipes, that require exposure to a flame or a very hot heat source. As another specific example, handheld combustion and/or heating torches (for simplicity, referred to herein as “heating torches”) may often be used to combust substances for smoking (e.g., in place of a lighter), heat substances for vaporization, or other similar uses.

In fact, in view of developments in technology and the law, vaporization devices have become quite popular and torches are often used to heat substances disposed in these devices to create an inhalable vapor within a device. That is, often, a user may use a heating torch to heat a consumable and/or inhalable product, such as oils, concentrates, and/or combustible plant substances to create a vapor for a user to inhale. Heating liquid or wax consumables has become particularly popular since liquids and waxes may be more concentrated and/or specialized as compared to plant substances. Additionally, a quantity of wax or liquid may last longer than a similar quantity of plant substance (which may further decrease the amount of materials that a vaporization user needs to carry). However, if vaporizable substances are heated above a threshold temperature, the vaporizable substances may burn instead of releasing an aromatic vapor. Burning the substances may create harmful particulates, such as tars, that users are often trying to avoid when choosing to vape in place of smoking. In view of at least the foregoing, improvements in torch temperature control are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to techniques that provide temperature detection of a surface on which a heating and/or combustion torch is or will be acting. The techniques may be embodied in the form of a temperature sensing unit that is removably coupleable to a handheld combustion and/or heating torch (again, for simplicity, referred to herein as “heating torch”). Additionally, the techniques may be embodied in the form of a heating torch that includes components configured to sense a temperature of a surface on which a torch is or will be acting or in the form of a vaporization device that includes components configured to sense a temperature of a surface on which a torch is or will be acting.

For example, according to one embodiment, the present application is directed to a vaporization device that includes a main body, a nail, a mouthpiece, a heating torch, and a temperature sensor. The nail includes a nail receptacle for an inhalable substance and defines a heatable portion. The mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the nail receptacle to allow vapor to pass from the nail receptacle to the mouthpiece. The heating torch includes a flame outlet aligned with the heatable portion and the temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the heatable portion.

In at least some of these embodiments, the heating torch and the temperature sensor are irremovably coupled to the main body. This may protect the temperature sensor and the torch and also make the vaporization easier to transport, hold, or otherwise handle. However, in other embodiments, the heating torch and/or the temperature sensor may be removably coupled to the main body. For example, the torch may removably coupled to the main body so that a fuel tank can be detached from the vaporization device and refilled or replaced.

Additionally or alternatively, the vaporization device may include a display configured to display the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and a battery configured to power the temperature sensor and the display. The display may ensure that the user knows the precise temperature of the heatable portion of the nail which may allow the user to achieve full vaporization of the inhalable substance without burning the inhalable substance. Notably, if the inhalable substance burns, the vaporization device may generate smoke, including harmful particulates, instead of vapor that does not include such particulates.

Still further, in some embodiments, the main body is configured to receive a liquid substance and defines pathways through or adjacent to the liquid substance that allow the vapor to pass from the nail receptacle to the mouthpiece. The liquid may condense and/or cool the vapor to make the vapor more palatable for a user.

According to another embodiment, the present application is directed to a handheld heating torch including a torch housing, a fuel tank, and a temperature sensor. The torch housing defines a flame outlet. The fuel tank is operably coupled to the torch housing and is configured to store fuel for the handheld heating torch. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of a surface at which the flame outlet is oriented. That is, the temperature sensor is positioned such that the temperature sensor can determine a temperature of a surface on which a flame emanating from the flame outlet is or will be acting.

In at least some embodiments, the temperature sensor comprises a contactless temperature sensor. Thus, the temperature sensor can be positioned interiorly of a base of the flame outlet (e.g., interiorly of a proximal end of a flame) and can determine a temperature of a surface on which a flame emanating from the flame outlet is or will be acting without being exposed to a flame generated by the handheld heating torch. Moreover, in some embodiments, the temperature sensor may be irremovably coupled to the torch housing, but in other embodiments, the temperature sensor may be removably coupled to the torch housing.

Still further, in some embodiments, the fuel for the handheld heating torch may be butane fuel. Butane fuel may provide a relatively clean flame and may be readily available so that the torch can be easily refilled. Additionally or alternatively, the fuel tank may be a cylindrical fuel tank and the torch housing may be disposed at a proximal end of the cylindrical fuel tank. Moreover, in some embodiments, the torch housing includes a torch head and a flame guide that extends radially outward from the torch head to define the flame outlet. One or more of these features may ensure that the torch is suitable for home and personal uses, including vaping, culinary needs, and other such uses.

In some embodiments, the handheld heating torch may also include a display configured to display the temperature of the surface detected by the temperature sensor. As an example, the torch housing may define a front and a back opposite the front, and the flame outlet and the temperature may be disposed on the front while the display is disposed on the back. Additionally, in at least some torches with this arrangement, the handheld heating torch may include an actuator configured to cause the handheld heating torch to generate a flame and the actuator may be positioned atop the torch housing so that the display naturally faces a user when the user grips the torch housing with a grip position that allows actuation of the actuator. In any embodiment with a display, a battery may power the display and the temperature sensor. Alternatively, if the handheld heating torch does not include a display, a battery may power the temperature sensor.

According to yet another embodiment, the present application is directed to a temperature sensing unit for a handheld heating torch. The temperature sensing unit includes a sleeve and a temperature sensor. The sleeve is configured to be removably installed around a handheld heating torch and the temperature sensor is aligned with a flame outlet of the handheld heating torch so that the temperature sensor can detect a temperature of a surface at which the flame outlet is oriented or directed. Thus, the temperature sensing unit may be removably installed onto a torch, for example, as heating torches wear and require replacement or to provide temperature detection across a variety of types of heating torches. That is, the temperature sensing unit may serve to retrofit temperature detection onto a wide variety of preexisting torches.

In at least some embodiments, the sleeve has an annular interior surface that can be removably installed around a cylindrical fuel tank of the handheld heating torch. Additionally or alternatively, the temperature sensing unit may include a display configured to display the temperature of the surface detected by the temperature sensor. For example, the sleeve may define a front and a back opposite the front, and the temperature sensor may be disposed on the front while the display is disposed on the back. In any embodiment with a display, a battery may power the display and the temperature sensor. Alternatively, if the handheld heating torch does not include a display, a battery may power the temperature sensor. Regardless, in some embodiments with a battery, the sleeve includes a base and the battery is disposed in the base. Such a battery location may weight a bottom end of the temperature sensing unit to stabilize the temperature sensing unit when in a vertical position and/or to encourage a handheld heating torch including the temperature sensing unit to naturally balance or sit in a user's hand during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an example embodiment of a handheld heating torch with a temperature sensing unit configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which the handheld heating torch is or will be acting.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the handheld heating torch of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of another example embodiment of a handheld heating torch with a temperature sensing unit configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which the handheld heating torch is or will be acting.

FIGS. 4-8 illustrate a back view, a first side view, a front view, a second side view, and a bottom view of the handheld heating torch and temperature sending unit of FIG. 3, respectively.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a first example vaporization device including a temperature sensing unit configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which a heating unit included therein is or will be acting.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a front perspective view, a top view, and a schematic side sectional view of the vaporization device of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of a support structure for a second example vaporization device including a temperature sensing unit configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which a heating unit included therein is or will be acting.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate front and top perspective views of the support structure of FIG. 13, with and without a vaporization rig installed therein, respectively.

FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate a side perspective view, a side view and a front perspective view of a third example vaporization device including a temperature sensing unit in an open or temperature sensing state.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate a front perspective view and side view of the vaporization device of FIG. 16A including the temperature sensing unit in a closed or heating state.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overall, the present application provides a temperature sensing unit that is included in or attachable to a handheld combustion and/or heating torch (for simplicity, referred to herein as “heating torch”), a vaporization device, or a portion of a vaporization device, such as a support structure for a vaporization rig. That is, in some embodiments, the temperature sensing unit may be built or incorporated into torches or vaporization devices, but in other embodiments, the temperature sensing unit may be an independent apparatus that is removably coupleable to and/or installable onto (e.g., retrofitted onto) a variety of torches and vaporization devices.

Regardless of the specific implementation, the temperature sensing unit is configured to sense a temperature of a surface on which a torch or other such heating element is or will be acting. For example, the temperature sensing unit may include a contactless temperature sensor (e.g., an infrared thermometer) that can detect a temperature of a heatable portion of a nail that is holding an inhalable substance for vaporization. Additionally, the temperature sensing unit may include a display to provide feedback to the user relating to the temperature detected by the temperature sensing unit. For example, the display may show a detected temperature or provide indications of whether the temperature is within, above, or below a predetermined range (e.g., via colors, via phrases, like “too low,” “just right,” and “too high,” and/or via any other indicia or indications). Additionally or alternatively, the feedback may cause the torch to engage or disengage (i.e., heat the nail or stop heating the nail).

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a first example embodiment of a temperature sensing torch 10. The temperature sensing torch 10 includes a handheld heating torch 50 and a temperature sensing unit 100 configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which the handheld heating torch 50 is or will be acting. The handheld heating torch 50 includes a fuel tank 52 that extends from a proximal end 54 (e.g., a top end 54) to a distal end 56 (i.e., a bottom end 56). The proximal end 54 is adjacent a torch head 60 that is configured to generate a flame from fuel stored in the fuel tank 52. In some implementations, the fuel tank 52 is cylindrical.

The torch head 60 includes a flame guide 62 that defines a flame outlet 64 and also includes an actuator 66 disposed atop the torch head 60. In response to actuations of the actuator 66, the handheld heating torch 50 may generate a flame that exits the flame outlet 64 that can act on a surface aligned with the flame guide 62. In this particular embodiment, the flame guide 62 extends radially outwards from the torch head 60 and, thus, the flame will act on a surface that intersects the radial axis defined by the flame guide 62 when the surface is within a predetermined distance from the flame outlet 64. Although the internal components of the torch head 60 are not shown, the torch head 60 may respond to actuations of the actuator 66 by generating a flame from fuel in tank 52 in any manner now known or developed hereafter and may include any parts or components necessary for such flame generation. Generally, the flame need only produce heat sufficient for personal and household uses, such as vaporization, culinary uses, etc. For example, the handheld heating torch 50 may be a butane torch that generates a blue-colored flame by consuming butane fuel.

In this particular embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 100 includes components coupled to both the torch head 60 and the fuel tank 52. Specifically, the temperature sensing unit 100 includes a two-part housing 110. A first portion 110(1) of housing 110 is coupled to the flame guide 62 and a second portion 110(2) is coupled to the distal end 56 of fuel tank 52. However, in other embodiments (such as the embodiment discussed below with respect to FIGS. 3-8), the temperature sensing unit 100 may only be coupled to one of the torch head 60 and the fuel tank 52 (or any other portion of a torch). Regardless, the temperature sensing unit 100 can be removably coupleable to the handheld heating torch 50 or irremovably coupled to the handheld heating torch 50 (i.e., formed therewith and/or irremovable without tooling/processing operations).

For example, in the depicted embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 100 is manufactured separately from the handheld heating torch 50 and installed or retrofitted onto the handheld heating torch 50, but in other embodiments, the housing 110 may be formed integrally with the handheld heating torch 50 and/or components of the handheld heating torch 50 may be modified to act as the housing 110. In particular, the fuel tank 52 can include a compartment at its distal end 56 and/or the flame guide 62 may include or define support structures for components of the temperature sensing unit 100 housed in the first portion 110(1) of the two-part housing 110. Still further, although the depicted embodiment shows wiring extending between the first portion 110(1) and the second portion 110(2) of the two-part housing 110, wiring, including any connections, whether releasable or not, may also be run through components of the handheld heating torch 50.

That all said, in the depicted embodiment, the first portion 110(1) of the two-part housing 110 houses a temperature sensor 120 and a display 140. The temperature sensor 120 may be any contact or contactless sensor now known or developed hereafter. For example, the temperature sensor 120 may be a contactless sensor configured to detect a temperature of a surface within 0-6 inches of the temperature sensor 120 (e.g., an infrared thermometer).

Regardless, the temperature sensor 120 is aligned with the flame outlet 64 so that the temperature sensor 120 and the flame outlet 64 are both centered on a common vertical plane. In this particular embodiment, the temperature sensor 120 is also aligned with the flame outlet 64 in a second dimension, so that the temperature sensor 120 and the flame outlet 64 are substantially aligned along a horizontal plane. That is, in the depicted embodiment, the temperature sensor 120 and the flame outlet 64 are spaced substantially the same radial distance from the torch head 60. However, a front face of the temperature sensor 120 may not be flush with this horizontal plane and, instead, may be angled upwards, towards the flame outlet 64 so that the temperature sensor 120 can focus on an area on which a flame extending from the flame outlet 64 is or will be acting.

Put another way, the temperature sensor 120 is oriented to intersect with a central radial axis of the flame outlet 64 at a predetermined distance beyond the flame outlet 64 (e.g., at a distance where a flame most effectively heats a surface). To be clear, the temperature sensor 120 does not detect the temperature of a flame generated by the handheld heating torch 50; instead, the temperature sensor 120 detects the temperature of a surface on which the flame is acting (e.g., a crème brûlée or a heatable portion of a nail of a vaporization rig).

The display 140 is disposed below the temperature sensor 120 and is configured to display indicia relating to the temperature detected by temperature sensor 120. For example, in some embodiments, the display 140 may provide numerical feedback of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 120. Additionally or alternatively, the display 140 may display a color or words representative of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 120. For example, the display may be blue and/or read “too cold” when the detected temperature is below a predetermined range of temperatures, may be green and/or read “just right” when the detected temperature is within a predetermined range of temperatures, or may be red and/or read “too hot,” when the detected temperature is above a predetermined range of temperatures. In one example, the predetermined range may be approximately 180° to approximately 200°, which may be an ideal range for inducing vaporization of an inhalable substance without burning the substance.

As still further examples, the display 140 might display one or more static or interactive graphics (e.g., a filling thermometer graphic). Moreover, the display 140 need not only display visual indicia and may also provide additional feedback. For example, the display 140 might generate haptic feedback, audio feedback, or any other type of feedback when the detected temperature enters a predetermined range of temperatures, exits the predetermined range of temperatures, or in response to any other temperature-related criteria. Still further, in some embodiments, the display 140 may provide or serve as a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows a user to control aspects of the handheld heating torch 50 and/or the display 140. For example, the display 140 may present a GUI that allows the user to change the output of display 140.

Still further, in the depicted embodiment, the display 140 faces outwards (e.g., in the same direction that a flame extends), but in other embodiments, the display may face inwards (e.g., towards torch head 60) and/or include two or more screens. An outwardly facing display 140 may be desirable when the user is using is positioned above the flame (e.g., looking downwards towards the flame) and an inwardly facing display 140 may be desirable when a user is positioned behind the flame (e.g., when the user is heating something positioned in front of or below the user).

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second portion 110(2) of the housing 110 may house a battery 150. The battery 150 can be a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery (e.g., a 12V alkaline battery), or any other component that can retain and store power. The second portion 110(2) of the housing 110 may be annular to secure the battery 150 around the distal end 56 of the fuel tank 52 and may be installed onto or secured to the fuel tank 52 in any manner. The battery 150 may provide power to the temperature sensor 120 and/or the battery 150, either continuously or in response to actuations to a trigger or on/off button.

Now turning to FIGS. 3-8, these Figures depict a second example embodiment of a handheld heating torch 10′ with a temperature sensing unit 100′ configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which the handheld heating torch is or will be acting. Any components of temperature sensing unit 100′ that similar to temperature sensing unit 100, such as temperature sensor 120, display 140, and battery 150, are labeled with the same reference numerals and, for brevity, are not described in connection with FIGS. 3-8. Instead, the description of FIGS. 3-8 focuses on the particular structure into which these components are incorporated and any applicable description of these components included above should be understood to apply to these components.

That said, in FIGS. 3-8, the temperature sensing torch 10′ includes a temperature sensing unit 100′ that is disposed in a housing 160 that may be removably coupled to the handheld heating torch 50. That is, the housing 160 may be a sleeve configured to slide onto and off of the handheld heating torch 50 (or, from a different perspective, to allow a handheld heating torch 50 to be inserted into and removed therefrom) as needed, without tools.

In particular, in the depicted embodiment, the housing 160 extends from a base 162 to a top end 164 and the top end 164 defines an opening 167 that serves as an opening to an interior cavity defined within the housing 160. In the depicted embodiment, the interior cavity and the opening 167 are circular and sized to receive the fuel tank 52. The opening 167 may also be specifically sized to serve as a stop against the torch head 60. However, in other embodiments, the opening may be any shape and size, provided that the housing 160 defines at least a portion of annular sleeve that can be secured around a handheld heating torch 50. Additionally or alternatively, the opening 167 may include geometry or features to secure the handheld heating torch 50 to the housing 160 and/or to orient the flame guide 62 over the temperature sensor 120.

At the other end, the base 162 may be closed and may secure a battery 150 below the distal end 56 of the fuel tank 52. This may counterbalance the weight of the torch head 60 so that the temperature sensing torch 10′ naturally balances in a user's hand when held in a horizontal position. Alternatively, if the temperature sensing torch 10′ (or the temperature sensing unit 100′ independent of the handheld heating torch 50) is positioned in an upright position (as depicted), the base 162 may provide a stand on which the temperature sensing torch 10′ (or the temperature sensing unit 100′ independent of the handheld heating torch 50) may rest. The added weight of the battery 150 in the base 162 may also stabilize the temperature sensing unit 100′ when in a vertical or upright position. That all said, in other embodiments, the base 162 need not close an interior cavity defined by the housing 160 and can house the battery 150 while also defining an opening through which a handheld heating torch 50 may be inserted into an interior cavity defined by the housing 160.

Still referring to FIGS. 3-8, the housing 160 also generally defines a front 165 and a back 166. In the depicted embodiment, the temperature sensor 120 is centered on the front 165 adjacent the top end 164. As is discussed above, the temperature sensor 120 may be tilted towards the flame guide 62 so that the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a surface on which a flame exiting the flame outlet 64 of the flame guide 62 is or will be acting. However, in FIGS. 3-8 the temperature sensor 120 is positioned radially inwards as compared to the temperature sensor 120 of FIGS. 1-2. Thus, the temperature sensor 120 of FIGS. 3-8 may have a shallower tilt as compared to the temperature sensor 120 of FIGS. 1-2, but may otherwise function and operate in the manner described above.

When the handheld heating torch 50 is installed in the housing 160, the flame guide 62 should be aligned over the temperature sensor 120. Since the temperature sensor 120 protrudes from the housing 160, the temperature sensor 120 provides a visual indicator for a user. Thus, a user can easily align the flame guide 62 with/over the temperature sensor 120 when installing the handheld heating torch 50 in the housing 160.

By comparison, the display 140 is disposed on the back 166 and faces radially outwards. Thus, when a user grasps the temperature sensing unit 100 and aims the temperature sensing torch 10 at a surface or object, the display 140 will face the user. In fact, since the actuator 66 is disposed atop the torch head 60 (which is disposed above the top end 164 of housing 160), when a user grasps the housing 160 with a finger or thumb positioned over the actuator 66, the shape of the housing 160 encourage the user's palm to align with a side of the housing (e.g., an area between front 165 and back 166) while their fingers wrap around the front 165. Thus, the back 166 will remain uncovered and the display 140 will naturally face a user when the user grips the torch housing with a grip position that allows actuation of the actuator.

FIGS. 9-12 depict a first example vaporization device 200 including a temperature sensing unit 201 configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which a heating unit included therein is or will be acting. That is, vaporization device 200 includes a built-in temperature sensing unit 201 that cannot be removed from the vaporization device 200 without disassembling the vaporization device 200 and/or the temperature sensing unit 201 with tools. More specifically, the vaporization device 200 includes a main body 202 that can house components of a vaporization rig 203, the temperature sensing unit 201, and a heating element 250, such as a torch. The heating element 250 is configured to heat a portion of the vaporization rig 203 and the temperature sensing unit 201 is configured to detect the temperature of the heated portion of the vaporization rig 203.

The vaporization rig 203 includes a nail 204, a mouthpiece 206, and a main body 208 (see FIG. 12). The nail 204 includes a heatable portion 2041 and a receptacle 2042 for an inhalable substance. The nail 204 also includes a neck 2043 that mechanically and fluidly connects the receptacle 2042 to the main body 208. The main body 208 defines one or more passageway that fluidly connects the nail 204 to the mouthpiece 206 and may, in at least some embodiments, be a receptacle that can receive a fluid. The fluid may serve to cool and condense vapor as it passes from the nail 204 to the mouthpiece 206. In some implementations, the fluid may be a liquid (e.g., water).

The heating element 250 may be a torch, like the torch 50 described herein, that generates a flame acting on the heatable portion 2041 of the nail 204 or may also be an electric heating element, for example, with coils that close an open bottom portion of nail 204. Either way, the heating element may include components (e.g., a fuel tank) disposed within the main body 202 of the vaporization device 200 and may have a heating portion 260 disposed at a first end of the main body 202. The heating portion 260 extends through the main body 202 to define a heat outlet 262 (e.g., a flame outlet) beneath the heatable portion 2041 of the nail 204.

The temperature sensing unit 201 includes at least a temperature sensor 120 and a display 140. Each of these components is disposed on the main body 202, with the temperature sensor 120 is arranged to detect the temperature of the heatable portion 2041 of the nail 204 and the display 140 arranged anywhere on the main body 202 that might be convenient for a user. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the temperature sensor 120 is positioned on a top of the main body 202, adjacent, but interiorly of, the heat outlet 262 and is angled towards the heat outlet 262 so that it can detect the temperature of the heatable portion 2041 of the nail 204. Meanwhile, the display 140 is disposed between the temperature sensor 120 and the mouthpiece 206. Thus, the display 140 may align with a user's eyes when the user is holding the vaporization device 200 with the mouthpiece 206 on their mouth and the nail 204 forwardly of the mouthpiece 206 (e.g., further from the user's body).

In the depicted embodiment, the temperature sensor 120 is a contactless temperature sensor and, thus, need not contact the heatable portion 2041 of the nail 204. However, in other embodiments, the temperature sensor 120 could be a contact temperature sensor that contacts the heatable portion 2041 to detect a temperature of the heatable portion 2041 of the nail 204. In either scenario, the temperature sensor 120 can provide valuable feedback relating to the temperature to which an inhalable substance disposed in the receptacle 2042 is being heated.

This feedback can allow a user to make manual adjustments to application of heat from the heating element 250 (e.g., turn the heating element 250 on, off, higher, lower, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the feedback from the temperature sensor 120 (i.e., detected temperatures) might trigger automatic adjustments, for example, if the vaporization device 200 includes a processor operable to control the heating element 250. For example, if the heating element 250 is a torch similar to handheld heating torch 50, a processor might execute computer readable media stored in a non-transitory memory to turn the flame on, turn the flame off, or adjust the size of the flame based on the detected temperature. Likewise, if the heating element 250 is an electric heating element, a processor might execute computer readable media stored in a non-transitory memory to turn a coil on, turn a coil off, or to pulse the coils based on the detected temperature. Thus, although not shown, the main body 202 may also house a processor, memory, and network interface unit (to provide connectivity to the processor). Likewise, although not shown, the main body 202 may also house a battery 150 (see, .e.g., FIGS. 1-2) to provide power to the display 140 and/or the temperature sensor 120.

FIG. 13-15 depict at least a portion of a second example vaporization device 300 including a temperature sensing unit 301 configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which a heating unit included therein is or will be acting. Vaporization device 300 comprises a support structure for a vaporization rig 310 and a handheld heating torch 50 (see FIG. 14). The temperature sensing unit 301 can be built into or installed onto the vaporization device 300. More specifically, the vaporization device 300 includes a main body 302 with an opening 304 for the handheld heating torch 50 and a receptacle 303 configured to receive a vaporization rig 310 while the temperature sensing unit 301 includes a housing 110 that extends around a portion of the main body 302 opposite the receptacle 303 (e.g., around a bottom of the main body 302). This allows the housing 110 to position the temperature sensor 120 at one end of the main body 302 and a display 140 at the other end of the main body 302.

A vaporization rig 310 designed for the vaporization device 300 will include a base 318, a nail 314, and a mouthpiece 316. The base 318 of the vaporization rig 310 is configured to engage the receptacle 303 of the vaporization device 300. The nail 314 is configured to extend over and align with the flame guide 62 of a handheld heating torch 50 installed in the opening 304 defined by the main body 302. The mouthpiece 316 is positioned at or near an opposite side of the base 318 than the nail 314. Thus, when the vaporization rig 310 is installed in the main body 302, the housing 110 of the temperature sensing unit 301 positions the temperature sensor 120 adjacent to the nail 314 (and the flame guide 62 of the handheld heating torch 50) while positioning the display 140 adjacent the mouthpiece 316 of the vaporization rig 310. Consequently, when a user positions their mouth on mouthpiece 316, the display 140 will be in or adjacent to the user's field of view. Again, although not shown, the main body 202 may also house a battery 150 (see, .e.g., FIGS. 1-2) to provide power to the display 140 and/or the temperature sensor 120.

FIGS. 16A-17B depict at least a portion of a third example vaporization device 400 including a temperature sensing unit 401 configured to detect a temperature of a surface on which a heating unit included therein is or will be acting. FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate the vaporization device 400 in an open or temperature sensing state and FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate the vaporization device 400 in a closed or heating state.

Generally, the vaporization device 400 comprises a support structure for a vaporization rig 410 and a handheld heating torch 50. More specifically, the temperature sensing unit 401 includes a main body 420 for receiving a vaporization rig 410. The main body 420 is also operatively coupleable to a sensor body 430 having a temperature sensor 431 and torch 50. The main body 420 translates with respect to the sensor body 430 to expose the temperature sensor 431 and measure a temperature of a nail 414 of the vaporization rig 410. That is, the main body 420 slides laterally along a top surface 432 of the sensor body 430 between then open state (shown in FIGS. 16A-16C) where temperature measuring occurs and a closed state (shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B) where heating occurs.

The vaporization rig 410 includes a base 412 defining an interior cavity, a nail 414 with a neck 415, and a mouthpiece 416. The base 412 of the vaporization rig 410 is configured to be received by the main body 420. The neck 415 extends between the base 412 and nail 414 and connects the nail 414 to the base 412. The neck 415 includes an internal channel that fluidly couples the interior cavity of the base 412 with an interior of the nail 414. However, rig 410 is only one example of a rig that is usable with temperature sensing unit 401 and, in other embodiments, the main body 420 could include a receptacle of any size and shape to receive any desirable rig or the main body 420 could include a built-in rig or rig portion.

In the depicted embodiment, the main body 420 is configured to receive the vaporization rig 410 and electronics (e.g., batteries, user interface, buttons/switches and/or a display screen) electrically coupled to the temperature sensor 431. Specifically, the main body 420 includes a receptacle 422 configured to receive the vaporization rig 410, and a compartment 424 for the receiving the electronics that may be used to operate the temperature sensor 431. The bottom surface 425 of the main body 420 includes a groove 426 for operatively coupling to the sensor body 430. That is, the groove 426 receives a portion of the sensor body 430 and allows the main body 420 to slide along at least a portion of the sensor body 430.

The sensor body 430 is configured to support a temperature sensor 431 and the handheld torch 50. In the depicted embodiment, the sensor body 430 includes a top surface 432 and a tongue 433 protruding from the top surface 432 and extending along the top of sensor body 430 parallel to a longitudinal axis 402 of the temperature sensing unit 401. The tongue 433 is configured to engage the groove 426 of the main body 420. The tongue 433 includes a sensor receptacle 434 for receiving the temperature sensor 431. A spring 435 is disposed between the temperature sensor 431 and a bottom surface of the sensor receptacle 434. In the closed state, the sensor 431 and spring 435 are disposed in the sensor receptacle 434 and the spring 435 is compressed. In the open state, the spring 435 is configured to cause the temperature sensor 431 to protrude from the sensor receptacle 434 and align with the nail 414, insofar as “align” is used in this context to indicate that the temperature sensor 431 is in a position in which it can measure the temperature of a heat receiving portion (e.g., the bottom surface) of nail 414. That is, in some implementations, in the open state, a field of view of the sensor 431 is aligned with the nail 414. In other implementations, the sensor 431 contacts the nail 414 in the open state.

During operation, a user shifts the temperature sensing unit 401 between the open state and the closed state. In the closed state, the main body 420 aligns the nail 414 over the flame outlet 64 of the torch 50. In the open state, the main body 420 aligns the nail 414 with the temperature sensor 431. Specifically, in the depicted embodiment, to place the temperature sensing unit 401 in the closed state, a user slides the main body 420 into vertical alignment with the sensor body 430, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B. While transitioning to the closed state, the bottom surface 425 of the main body 420 applies a force to the temperature sensor 431 causing the spring 435 to compress and the temperature sensor 431 to retract into the sensor receptacle 434. Once in the closed state, the temperature sensor 431 is disposed within the sensor receptacle 434 and concealed by the main body 420. Additionally, the nail 414 is vertically aligned with the flame outlet 64 and may be heated by the torch 50.

To check the temperature of the nail 414, a user translates the main body 420 laterally with respect to the sensor body 430 (e.g., in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 402 of the temperature sensing unit 401, e.g., as shown in FIG. 16B) to expose the temperature sensor 431, as shown in FIGS. 16A-16C. The vaporization rig 410, received in receptacle 422, translates with the main body 420 away from the flame outlet 64. When the spring 435 is no longer constrained by the main body 420, the force from the spring 435 causes the temperature sensor 431 to rotate from the sensor receptacle 434 until the nail 414 is within the field of view of the temperature sensor 431 (i.e., the temperature sensor 431 “pops-up”). The temperature sensor 431 measures the temperature of the nail 414 and transmits the measured temperature to a display on the temperature sensing unit 401. The display may be disposed on a cover plate for the compartment 424 or on the top surface 432 of the sensor body 430. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the display may be disposed on any surface of the temperature sensing unit 401.

Put generally, when the vaporization rig 410 is installed in the temperature sensing unit 401, the main body 420 of the temperature sensing unit 401 can transition between closed state for heating the nail 414 and an open state for measuring the nail 414 temperature. Thus, a user may heat the nail 414 in the closed state and slide the main body 420 into the open state to expose the temperature sensor 431 and determine a temperature of the nail 414. Consequently, a user can quickly and easily determine the temperature of the nail 414.

While the temperature sensing unit presented herein has been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

It is also to be understood that the temperature sensing unit presented herein, or portions thereof, may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, provided that the device, or portions thereof, can function as described herein (i.e., withstand heating forces and form sealed connections). Example materials include plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

Finally, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention.

TEMPERATURE DETECTION FOR HEATING OR COMBUSTION TORCHES

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Provisional Applications (1)