Patent Application
20230389131
The present disclosure relates generally to smokeless disposable cartridges containing vaporizable oils, compounds and/or other plant-based material which upon appropriate zoned heating controllably releases vapor.
Vaporizer for plant-based materials and/or essential oils is known. Vaporizers which allow a fluid gas containing the vapor and other residues to follow a fluid pathway from source of vapor to user inhalation exist. Cannabis, hemp, tobacco and other botanicals have been known in the art to be vaporized or burned to release organic material in the form of inhalable material. Vaporizing at correct temperatures can boil off the oils for inhalation without combusting the plant material.
Vaporizer for plant-based materials and essential oils and exist. Vaporizers allow aromatherapy or inhalation. Vaporizers which allow inhalation from a fluid pathway whereby gas containing the vapor to heat not burn without combustion by products through a fluid pathway from source of vapor to exists. Herbs and botanicals have been known in the art to be vaporized or burned to release organic material in the form of inhalable material.
Lavender vaporizes at 260° F. Tobacco vaporizes between 257° F. to over 3602° F. Green tea vaporizes between about 175° C. to over 185° C. Valerian vaporizes at about 235° C. Chamomile used to aid in the relief of anxiety vaporizes at about 380° F. Peppermint vaporizes at about 255° F. Peppermint is also known to ease symptoms of allergies and asthma, in addition to alleviating some of the side effects that come along with the common cold or a sinus infection. Cannabis, has a range at which it can be heated to release different cannabinoids as vapor without burning the organic material from below 200 F to about 430 F.
Cannabis contains over 421 different chemical compounds, including over 60 cannabinoids. Cannabinoid plant chemistry is far more complex than that of pure THC, and different effects may be expected due to the presence of additional cannabinoids and other chemicals. Eighteen different classes of chemicals, including nitrogenous compounds, amino acids, hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, terpenes, and simple and fatty acids, contribute to the known pharmacological properties of Cannabis.
Heating a cartridge configured to contain organic plant material and/or infused oils on a carrier material may, in some instances, overheat at least portions thereof and therefore combust, overheat or otherwise release unwanted substance which may include carcinogens and chemicals into the vapor.
It is therefore a desideratum to have a device, method and or system wherein such heating avoids burning and is better managed.
A method, system and device is disclosed which can heat not burn plant material such as tobacco in a disposable cartridge through a fluid pathway.
Aspects of aromatherapy vaporizer systems and methods disclosed include a zoned heating system include a controller; a power supply in signal communication with the controller; a heater with multiple heating elements each affixed cross-sectionally around a portion of and inner or outer wall of a receiver; wherein each heating element is in signal communication with the controller; at least one temperature sensors in thermal communication with at least one of an outer and an inner wall of the receiver and in signal communication with the controller; a cartridge having an inhalation end and a containment portion configured to fit within the receiver and be in thermal communication with the heating elements; material within the containment portion; wherein the receiver is a heat transfer body configured to pass heat from the heater through to at least a portion of the containment portion; and, the controller receives temperature sensor input and controls the timing and/or the amount of power applied to activate a heating element. In some instances each heating element is separated from the other by an insulation divider configured as a less conductive area of the receiver inner wall. In some instances the controller switches activated heating elements based on at least one of time and temperature. In some instances there are multiple conductive regions within the inner wall of the containment portion; and, during heating by a specific activated heating element the conductive region closest to the heating element heat up more than conductive regions remote from the active heating element. In some instances the conductive regions in the containment portion are separated from each other by non-conductive areas of the containment inner wall.
Aspects of aromatherapy vaporizer systems and methods disclosed include a zoned heating system include a controller; a power supply in signal communication with the controller; a heater with multiple heating elements each affixed cross-sectionally around a portion of and inner or outer wall of a receiver; wherein each heating element is in signal communication with the controller; at least one temperature sensors in thermal communication with at least one of an outer and an inner wall of the receiver and in signal communication with the controller; a cartridge having an inhalation end and a containment portion configured to fit within the receiver and be in thermal communication with the heating elements; material within the containment portion; wherein the receiver is a heat transfer body configured to pass heat from the heater through to at least a portion of the containment portion; and, the controller receives temperature sensor input and controls the timing and/or the amount of power applied to activate a heating element and each heating element is separated from the other by an insulation divider configured as a less conductive area of the receiver inner wall and the material is at least one of hemp, Cannabis and tobacco. In some instances the cartridge is formed of at least one of paper, fibers such as cotton and hemp, metal, foil, plastic, resins, thermoplastics, ceramics, ceramic doped paper, glass, PEEK, and combination thereof.
Aspects of aromatherapy vaporizer systems and methods disclosed include multiple heating elements affixed cross sectionally as rings within a receiver configured to receive a cartridge; wherein each heating element is in signal communication with a controller; at least one temperature sensors in thermal communication with at least one of an outer and an inner wall of the receiver and in signal communication with the controller; a cartridge having an inhalation end and a containment end configured to fit within the receiver and be in thermal communication with the heating elements; material within the containment; wherein the receiver is configured as a heat transfer body to transfer heat from the a heating element to at least a portion of the containment end of the cartridge; wherein the controller receives temperature sensor input and controls the timing and/or the amount of power applied to activate a heating element to vaporize compounds from said material. In some instances the conductive regions are separated from each other by less conductive areas of the containment end. In some instances the heating elements are separated from each other by less conductive portions of the receiver. In some instances the containment end of the cartridge does not burn, or combust at temperatures below 430 degrees F. for at least 30 seconds. In some instances one or more indicator whereby status of the system is visually communicated. In some instances the material is at least one of hemp, Cannabis and tobacco. In some instance the method includes communicating via illumination if the temperature of at least a portion of the common receiver is at a predetermined temperature.
A controller utilizing one or more temperature sensors maintains the receiver exposure temperatures (SET). SET is selected from the group consisting of about 180 degrees F., about 200 degrees F., about 220 degrees F., about 240 degrees F., about 260 degrees F., about 280 degrees F., about 300 degrees F., about 320 degrees F., about 340 degrees F., about 360 degrees F. about 380 degrees F., 390 degrees F., 400 degrees F., 410 degrees F., 420 degrees F., 430 degrees F., and 440 degrees F.
The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
All descriptions and callouts in the Figures and all content therein are hereby incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.
A modular vaporizer which eliminates one or more of fouling, mess, resin build up, debris build-up and performance reducing impact of same is disclosed herein.
Vaporizing plant material for inhalation of plant borne chemicals is considered by some to be less harmful then combusting the plant material. Tobacco, hemp and Cannabis are examples of such material.
The instant disclosure teaches a disposable inhalation cartridge and a heater base wherein the cartridge contains the organic material to be vaporized and the heater system is zoned.
It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that some of the circuits, components, controllers, modules, and/or devices of the system disclosed in the present application are described as being in signal communication with each other, where signal communication refers to any type of communication and/or connection between the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices that allows a circuit, component, module, and/or device to pass and/or receive signals and/or information from another circuit, component, module, and/or device. The communication and/or connection may be along any signal path between the circuits, components, modules, and/or devices that allows signals and/or information to pass from one circuit, component, module, and/or device to another and includes wireless or wired signal paths. The signal paths may be physical such as, for example, conductive wires, electromagnetic wave guides, attached and/or electromagnetic or mechanically coupled terminals, semi-conductive or dielectric materials or devices, or other similar physical connections or couplings. Additionally, signal paths may be non-physical such as free-space (in the case of electromagnetic propagation) or information paths through digital components where communication information is passed from one circuit, component, module, and/or device to another in varying analog and/or digital formats without passing through a direct electromagnetic connection. These information paths may also include analog-to-digital conversions (“ADC”), digital-to-analog (“DAC”) conversions, data transformations such as, for example, fast Fourier transforms (“FFTs*), time-to-frequency conversations, frequency-to-time conversions, database mapping, signal processing steps, coding, modulations, demodulations, etc. The controller devices and smart devices disclosed herein operate with memory and processors whereby code is executed during processes to transform data, the computing devices run on a processor (such as, for example, controller or other processor that is not shown) which may include a central processing unit (“CPU”), digital signal processor (“DSP”), application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), microprocessor, etc. Alternatively, portions DCA devices may also be or include hardware devices such as logic circuitry, a CPU, a DSP, ASIC, FPGA, etc. and may include hardware and software capable of receiving and sending information.
Heating logic turns on/off heating elements forming zones to heat different sections of the cartridge at different times. In some instances the cartridge has limited orientations of insertion to hold it fixed in the heater and unable to rotate about its axis. In some instances the cartridge is marked with a frangible identifier which is broken on insertion to prevent reuse of a spent cartridge. In some instances the cartridge is marked with an identifier that is stored in memory to turn off the heater if the cartridge has already been used.
The cartridge is formed of an inexpensive disposable material which will not burn or release toxic or harmful fumes at temperatures that are reached by the heater in the device. In generally for many organic materials the temperature of vaporization will be between 320 F to 420 F. The cartridge may be scarred by the heating process as it is disposable. Paper, fibers such as cotton and hemp, metal, foil, plastic, resins, thermoplastics, ceramics, ceramic doped paper, glass, PEEK, and combination thereof may be suitable material for some or all of the cartridge. The cartridge maybe made of different materials for different regions, layers or areas. For example the containment portion 3 is subjected to the greatest heat. The material or materials therein must be suitable to transfer a sufficient portion of the heat applied to its surface through its wall and into the containment portion to thereby cause vapor of the organic material 500 without burning. In some instances the interior annular wall of the containment portion has one or more conductive regions or layers facing the inside.
During use the cartridge 1 is inserted in a heater 20 via the pathway of arrow 1000. This also may be referred to as a pass-through cartridge device. The example of the passing the cartridge through the heater is not a limitation and those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a non-pass-through configuration is within the scope of this disclosure. The heater 20 has a case 22 with an interface forming a receiver 23 (forming a guide or interface within the heater for the cartridge). An interface 24 is an open guide to insert a disposable cartridge into a receiver. The receiver is a channel within the case that is configured to receive a cartridge therein. The receiver refers to a region within the case that is roughly the cross-sectional circumference or perimeter around the cartridge. Accordingly, if heating elements are placed in the area of the cartridge guide, they would be adjacent to at least a portion of the cartridge in the receiver. The receiver is configured as a heat transfer body whereby heat passes from one or more heating elements through to the area of the cartridge containing material o vaporize. Within the case is a battery 25. A cartridge identification reader 26 may also be added to the case. The identification reader is a sensor that verifies a cartridge is new and has not been previously used. It may determine that a heat indicator has previously been heated, it may determine that a code which is ablated by the heat of use his or is not present thereby interrupting or allowing heating. It may read a code and verify that the code has not been used during a prescribed interval. An on/off switch 27 is shown, and battery may have a charging I/O 28. The case may have a mechanical or electrical mechanical actuator 29 that is activated by a cartridges frangible section 7 and also deforms, or breaks said frangible section upon actuation. Actuation is the communication of the actuator 29 to the controller whereby the controller recognizes the cartridge as “new” and not used and thereby allows electrical current to flow to the heating elements. Within the case is a controller 30. The controller is a microprocessor which may have memory 32 and which controls certain operations of the vaporizer device. Operations may include one or more of time, date, location, security code, on/off, sequence of heating, temperature, indicator display of the heater, battery charging, battery management, battery state of charge indication, cartridge verification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that blue tooth or other wireless or wired connection to a smart phone or computer may also be used to perform some of the controller functions and that would be within the scope of this disclosure. One or more temperature sensors 34 are within the case and near the receiver 23.
The case 22 contains one or more heating elements 40A-N. One or more heater vents 42 may be provided. Although four heating elements are shown those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that what is disclosed is one or more zones. In some instance only a single heating zone may be provided, in other instances multiple zones may be utilized and such is within the scope of this disclosure.
In some exemplary implementations a multi-zone heater is disclosed it may have heat zone “A” to zone “N”. A cartridge, during use, will have corresponding zones “AA”” to “NN” which align generally with the heat zones.
During use one or more zones may be turned on to supply heat, via heating elements, to heat organic material 500 and release vapor. Sequencing the zones for heating is advantageous in that it can reduce power consumption. Sequencing the zones for heating is advantageous in that it can release vapor from a discreet amount of organic material at one time thereby leaving unheated areas of organic material with the same cartridge for a next use. Sequential heating also reduces overheating and supports continuous use while reducing over heating which for at least Cannabis results in singeing the material which is commonly referred to as a “popcorn” taste.
The cartridge mates with the receiver 23 which places it adjacent to heating elements. The cartridge heating portion (containment) should be constructed so that it does not burn, or combust at exposure temperatures below at least one of 400 degrees F., 410 degrees F., 420 degrees F., 430 degrees F., and 440 degrees F. The failure to burn or combust occurring after at least one of 30 seconds exposure, 1 minute exposure, 2 minute exposure. The failure to burn or combust occurring after at three least 30 second exposures. The failure to burn or combust occurring after at three least 1 minute exposures. The failure to burn or combust occurring after at least four 1 minute's exposures. The failure to burn or combust occurring after at five least 1 minute exposures. The failure to burn or combust occurring after at seven least 1 minute exposures. The failure to burn or combust occurring after at eight least 1 minute exposures
The controller initiates each heating element sequentially to activate selected zone(s) and then the next. When the sequence is complete the device stops heating until reset. Accordingly, vertical heat zone “E” is primarily heated by vertical zone heater element 73 and so on. A printed circuit board (PCB) or other support 79 may be used to support the heater elements 73-77
A recharge connection 52 communicates through the enclosure or case for recharging the battery, it may be a USB or other power connection. Inside the case is a controller 30, optional I/O 52 may be a USB connector (or other standard such as USB-C, micro USB and the like) which may also provide recharging functions and data input/output. Additional memory via solid state device may be provided. In some instances an optional wireless connection via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or the like may be provided on the appropriate solid state device.
At least one temperature sensor 34, for the chamber or in other instances one temperature sensor 34 per zone 36A and 36B. (a first and a second sensor) such as a thermistor or thermocouple is placed in close proximity to the heater system to communicate data to the controller whereby the energy provided to the heater system and subzones is modulated to maintain a selected temperature. Wireless connection allows connecting the device to a smart phone which can have software (applications) which pair with the device and adjust operation of the device via the controller.
Inside the receiver is a floor that seals the bottom forming an open chamber with a partially blocked floor and the floor provides a fluid pathway for air to be drawn into the chamber. The case 222 provides a series of vents 250 which provide fluid communication from the outside of the case to the inside. A series of intakes 252 create a fluid pathway into the receiver 23 allow air to be drawn through. The material forming the containment portion of the cartridge 1″ is shown laid flat in
In
The material forming the containment portion of the cartridge 1″ on another exemplar is shown laid flat in
Methods disclosed include a controller that manages heating of a zone at a selected exposure temperatures (SET) to vaporize a portion of the material in the containment area in the accordance with one of variable, preselected and fixed times. The heating of all heating elements may also be referred to as a cycle or a heating cycle. When a cycle is over the cycle has timed out. Temperature sensors are utilized to measure when the chamber or subzone has reached a target temperature. If the amount of time a specific heating element is to be heated is reached the heating of that element has timed out. The controller can track, monitor, measure or otherwise count that heating time. In other instances the controller may switch between subzones, preferably using a PWM protocol to supply power to each heating element separately to maintain a temperature at a predetermined range. Selective heating allows the “off” zone to cool while the “on” zone is heating. Said cooling is effective to reduce singeing of Cannabis material.
In some instances the controller prohibits heating when a zone has already been heated for a predetermined timeframe. In some instances the controller may accept a user over ride to allow reheating of a zone or to heat multiple zones simultaneously.
It will be understood that various aspects or details of the disclosures may be changed combined, or removed without departing from the scope of the invention. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/147,030, filed Jan. 12, 2021, and entitled “PORTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED AROMATHERAPY VAPORIZERS” which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 10,893,707, filed May 13, 2019 entitled “Portable Temperature Controlled Aromatherapy Vaporizers” which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 10,299,515, filed Feb. 18, 2018 entitled “Dynamic Zoned Vaporizer” which is a continuation in part of U.S. Pat. No. 9,894,936, filed Feb. 16, 2016 and entitled “Zoned Vaporizer” U.S. Pat. No. 9,894,936 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/551,234 entitled ZONED VAPORIZERS filed 29 Aug. 2017; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/116,926 entitled CARTRIDGE AND HEATER filed on 17 Feb. 2015; Application Ser. No. 62/127,817 entitled MULTI ZONE VAPORIZER filed on 3 Mar. 2015; Application Ser. No. 62/184,396 entitled VAPORIZER DEVICE AND METHOD 25 Jun. 2015; Application Ser. No. 62/208,786 entitled VAPORIZER CARTRIDGE AND HEATER 23 Aug. 2015; Application Ser. No. 62/270,557 entitled THIN CONVECTION VAPORIZER filed 21 Dec. 2015 the disclosures of each of the above referenced applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety as if fully set forth herein, the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference herein in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/437,698 entitled VAPORIZATION CARTRIDGE ZONED HEATING filed 8 Jan. 2023, the disclosure of which is also incorporated by reference herein in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62270557 | Dec 2015 | US | |
| 62208786 | Aug 2015 | US | |
| 62184396 | Jun 2015 | US | |
| 62127817 | Mar 2015 | US | |
| 62116926 | Feb 2015 | US | |
| 63437698 | Jan 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17147030 | Jan 2021 | US |
| Child | 18233240 | US | |
| Parent | 16410858 | May 2019 | US |
| Child | 17147030 | US | |
| Parent | 15045410 | Feb 2016 | US |
| Child | 15045442 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16118244 | Aug 2018 | US |
| Child | 16410858 | US | |
| Parent | 15898629 | Feb 2018 | US |
| Child | 16118244 | US | |
| Parent | 15045442 | Feb 2016 | US |
| Child | 15898629 | US |
