The present disclosure is directed toward a vaporization system and, in particular, to a vaporization system that produces an inhalable product and directs the inhalable product to a separate container.
Usage of devices that output inhalable products is becoming increasingly popular. For such devices, inhalable products can be formed from various starting materials, such as oils, concentrates, and/or combustible plant substances, which are initially in a solid or liquid state. The starting material is then heated to form an inhalable vapor, and the inhalable vapor is discharged from the device and consumed by a user. Unfortunately, accessibility of inhalable vapor may be limited. For example, the inhalable vapor is typically consumed immediately after discharge, such as by a user directly in possession of the device. Thus, other users may be hindered from being able to easily or flexibly consume the inhalable vapor, such as without directly contacting the device. Additionally, the taste and effects of inhalable vapor produced from a specific substance are often not discernable when the substant is in a starting state and/or phase (e.g., oil or wax). As such, increased accessibility of the substance while in a vaporous phase is desirable.
A vaporization system for an inhalable product is presented herein. According to at least one embodiment, the vaporization system includes a reservoir configured to contain a starting material, a heating element configured to output heat to vaporize the starting material to provide an inhalable vapor, an outlet configured to discharge the inhalable vapor, and a conduit configured to direct the inhalable vapor from the outlet to an interior of a container.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a vaporization system for an inhalable product is presented herein. The vaporization system includes a tank with a heater, an outlet, and a reservoir configured to contain a liquid or solid. The heater is configured to vaporize the liquid or solid contained within the reservoir to provide an inhalable vapor, and the outlet is configured to discharge the inhalable vapor from the tank. The vaporization system also includes a power source configured to direct a current to the heater to cause the heater to vaporize the liquid or solid and a conduit fluidly coupled to the outlet of the tank and configured to direct the inhalable vapor discharged from the outlet toward a container.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a vaporization system for an inhalable product is presented herein. The vaporization system includes a tank configured to contain a starting material and having an outlet. The vaporization system also includes a power source configured to supply electrical power that causes vaporization of the starting material to form an inhalable vapor. The outlet of the tank is configured to discharge the inhalable vapor. The vaporization system further includes a conduit configured to receive the inhalable vapor discharged from the outlet of the tank and direct the inhalable vapor toward an interior of a container.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
Present herein is a vaporization system for an inhalable product. The vaporization system includes a reservoir that contains starting materials, as well as a heater (e.g., an atomizer) configured to provide heat that vaporizes at least a portion of the starting materials to produce an inhalable vapor. An outlet is configured to discharge the inhalable vapor. One or more conduits are fluidly coupled to the outlet and receive the inhalable vapor created from the starting materials included in the reservoir. The conduit(s) are also fluidly coupled to a container that is separate from the reservoir. Thus, the conduit(s) may direct the inhalable vapor away from the reservoir to the container. A user is able to consume the inhalable vapor from the container, e.g., to sample (e.g., taste) the vapor prior to buying a quantity of the starting materials, which cannot be sampled in their original phase and/or state.
By directing the inhalable vapor away from the reservoir to the container, the inhalable vapor may be more accessible. For instance, the inhalable vapor may be more flexibly consumed. As an example, the container may store the inhalable vapor for a duration of time such that a user does not have to consume the inhalable vapor immediately after the inhalable vapor is discharged from the outlet. As another example, the container may be separated (e.g., easily detachable from the conduit) to enable the inhalable vapor to be consumed away from the vaporization system. As a further example, different starting materials, such as different types or flavors of starting materials, can be easily implemented and changed with respect to the vaporization system (e.g., by replacing the reservoir, by refilling the reservoir), thereby enabling users to consume different inhalable vapors more readily. In this way, the vaporization system can improve user experience regarding consumption of inhalable vapors.
As used herein, “starting materials” refer to any suitable substance that is in a solid and/or liquid state and that is consumable while in a vaporous state. As an example, starting materials can include a viscous fluid with a relatively low boiling temperature. After the substance is heated to transform into a vaporous state, the substance is no longer considered a starting material, even though the composition of the substance may remain the same. In other words, starting materials refer to a substance in its solid/liquid state and not to the substance in its vaporous state, regardless of whether the composition of the substance has changed in response to heating.
One or more conduits 62 are fluidly connected to the outlet 60 and receive the inhalable vapor discharged via the outlet 60. The conduit(s) 62 are also fluidly connected to an interior of a container 64, such as a bottle. Thus, the conduit(s) 62 may direct the inhalable vapor to the interior of the container 64. The container 64 can store the inhalable vapor, at least temporarily, and a user can consume the inhalable vapor contained within the interior of the container 64. For example, the container 64 can be transported away from the reservoir 52 (e.g., removed from the vaporization system 50) for a user to consume the inhalable vapor away from the reservoir 52. As such, the vaporization system 50 can improve access to consume the inhalable vapor outside of or away from the vaporization system 50, such as without having to consume the inhalable vapor immediately after the inhalable vapor is discharged from the outlet 60 (e.g., which may otherwise require the user to be in contact with or within close proximity to the reservoir 52). In other words, the vaporization system 50 enables the inhalable vapor to be transported and/or consumed a substantial duration of time after being discharged from the outlet 60.
The vaporization system 50 also includes a valve 66 in certain embodiments. The valve 66 enables or blocks flow of inhalable vapor away from the reservoir 52 toward the container 64. For example, the valve 66 is connected to the conduit(s) 62 and may adjust a size of a passage through which the inhalable vapor may flow to adjust flow (e.g., a flowrate) of the inhalable vapor through the passage. The valve 66 may be configured to transition between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the valve 66 enables flow (e.g., full flow) of the inhalable vapor away from the reservoir 52 to the container 64 via the conduit(s) 62. In the closed position, the valve 66 blocks flow of the inhalable vapor away from the reservoir 52 to the container 64 via the conduit(s) 62. The valve 66 may also be adjustable to an intermediate position in which the valve 66 enables some or partial flow (e.g., below the full flow) of the inhalable vapor away from the reservoir 52 to the container 64 via the conduit(s) 62.
In some embodiments, the valve 66 may transition between the open position and the closed position via a manually applied force. In additional or alternative embodiments, a control system 68 (e.g., a computing device, a cloud-computing server, control circuitry, a programmable controller, an electronic controller) of or communicatively coupled to the vaporization system 50 is configured to operate the valve 66. The control system 68 includes a memory 70 and a processor 72 (e.g., processing circuitry). The memory 70 includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media devices, optical storage media devices, flash memory devices, electrical, optical, or other physical/tangible (e.g., non-transitory) memory storage devices. Thus, in general, the memory 70 includes one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., a memory device) encoded with software with computer executable instructions that may be executed to effectuate the operations described herein. For example, the memory 70 stores or is encoded with instructions for operating the vaporization system 50. The processor 72 includes a collection of one or more microcontrollers and/or microprocessors, for example, each configured to execute respective software instructions stored in the memory 70. The processor 72 is configured to, for example, execute the instructions stored in the memory 70 to operate the vaporization system 50. As an example, the processor 72 may execute the instructions stored in the memory 70 to instruct an actuator 74 to open and/or close the valve 66, such as based on a user input and/or based on data received from a sensor 76 (e.g., a parameter indicative of whether the valve 66 is to be in the open position or in the closed position).
In some embodiments, the reservoir 52 and the heater 54 are integrated into the same device or component. For example, the reservoir 52 and the heater 54 may both be implemented in the same tank, and the tank may be removable from the vaporization system 50. For instance, the tank may be a portable device that can be easily electrically coupled to and decoupled from the power source 56 and/or fluidly coupled to and decoupled from the conduit(s) 62. As such, the tank may be implemented in the vaporization system 50 (e.g., while the reservoir of the tank is filled with the starting materials 58) to enable the power source 56 of the vaporization system 50 to vaporize the starting materials 58 to provide an inhalable vapor that may be discharged to the conduit(s) 62. The tank may also be removed from the vaporization system 50 (e.g., when the reservoir 52 of the tank is empty and does not contain the starting materials 58), such as to replace the tank (e.g., with a different tank that is filled with the starting materials 58). The power source 56 and the conduit(s) 62 may remain a part of the vaporization system 50 after the tank, along with its reservoir 52 and heater 54, has been removed. For instance, the vaporization system 50 may readily receive another tank with an additional reservoir and an additional heater, the power source 56 may provide power to the additional heater to vaporize starting material in the additional reservoir to provide an additional inhalable vapor, and the conduit(s) 62 may direct the additional inhalable vapor to the container 64.
In another embodiment, the reservoir 52 and the heater 54 are integrated into the same device or component, which may not be easily removed from the vaporization system 50. By way of example, the reservoir 52, the heater 54, the power source 56, and the conduit(s) 62 may be fixed to one another. In such embodiments, the reservoir 52 may be refillable with the starting materials 58 without having to be removed from the vaporization system 50. For instance, the reservoir 52 includes an opening that enables access to an interior of the reservoir 52, and additional starting materials 58 may be directed (e.g., poured, sprayed) through the opening and into the interior of the reservoir 52 to re-fill the reservoir 52 with the starting materials 58. A cover (e.g., a door, a panel, a wall) may be connected to the reservoir 52 and may be adjustable to shield the opening and block access to the interior of the reservoir 52 (e.g., when the reservoir 52 has a sufficient amount of starting materials 58) and to expose the opening and enable access to the interior of the reservoir 52.
In further embodiments, the reservoir 52 and the heater 54 may not be integrated with one another and may be easily separated from one another. As an example, the reservoir 52 may be easily coupled to and decoupled from the heater 54 and the conduit(s) 62. Thus, the reservoir 52 may be easily removed from the vaporization system 50 (e.g., to replace an empty reservoir 52) without having to remove the heater 54 from the vaporization system 50. Additionally or alternatively, any other component, such as the heater 54, the power source 56, and/or the conduit(s) 62, may be easily removed from the vaporization system 50, such as for replacement, inspection, maintenance, and so forth. Indeed, any suitable coupling or securement between the reservoir 52, the heater 54, the power source 56, and/or the conduit(s) 62 may be implemented to enable the starting materials 58 to be heated for discharge of inhalable vapor to the conduit(s) 62 via the outlet 60.
The vaporization system 100 is in a non-operating configuration 116 in the depicted embodiment. In the non-operating configuration 116, inhalable vapor is blocked from flowing to the container 114 via the conduit 108. For example, a valve (e.g., the valve 66) within the nozzle 104 is in a closed position to reduce a size of a passage (e.g., of the conduit 108, of the nozzle 104) through which the inhalable vapor may flow, thereby blocking flow of the inhalable vapor through the conduit 108. In some embodiments, the valve may be transitioned to the closed position via a lever or handle 118 of the nozzle 104. For instance, a first position 120 of the lever 118 (e.g., in which the illustrated lever 118 extends substantially vertically or along the panel 106 of the enclosure 102) may maintain the valve in the closed position. In additional or alternative embodiments, the valve may be transitioned to the closed position via another technique, such as via a rotating feature (e.g., a knob), a button, a switch, and so forth. Thus, the lever 118 may be manually actuated by a user (e.g., via a force applied by the user) to transition the valve to the closed position and transition the vaporization system 100 to the non-operating configuration 116. In further embodiments, the valve may be transitioned to the closed position without manual actuation. By way of example, the valve may be coupled to an actuator (e.g., the actuator 74), and a controller (e.g., the control system 68) communicatively coupled to the actuator may instruct the actuator to transition the valve to the closed position (e.g., automatically, in response to a user input).
Flow of inhalable vapor through the conduit 108 may also be blocked using another suitable technique to transition the vaporization system 100 to the non-operating configuration 116. As an example, operation of the power source of the vaporization system 100 may be suspended and/or electrical power supplied by the power source may be interrupted to block the heating element from heating the starting materials to produce the inhalable vapor. Such ways to transition the vaporization system 100 to the non-operating configuration 116 may be effectuated by a user (e.g., via a manually applied force, via a user input) or automatically (e.g., based on a schedule, based on a frequency of operation, based on sensor data, such as detection of a user within a threshold distance of the vaporization system 100). As one automated example, the valve is automatically opened upon vaporization of starting materials. That is, a predetermined amount of time after vaporization of the starting materials (e.g., by powering on the heater), the valve might open. The valve can then remain open for a predetermined amount of time, which may be constant or dependent on the length of time that the heater is operating to discharge a suitable amount of subsequently produced inhalable vapor.
In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 118 is transitioned (e.g., via a manually applied force) to a second position 154 to transition the valve within the nozzle 104 to an open position that enables inhalable vapor 152 to flow through the conduit 108 and into the container 114. By way of example, in the second position 154, the lever 118 extends crosswise to the panel 106. The lever 118 may be moved to selectively enable and block flow of the inhalable vapor 152 through the conduit 108. For instance, the lever 118 may be transitioned to the second position 154 to enable the inhalable vapor 152 to flow into the interior 115 of the container 114. After a sufficient amount of the inhalable vapor 152 has been directed into the container 114 (e.g., the interior 115 of the container 114 is sufficiently filled with the inhalable vapor 152), the lever 118 may be transitioned to the first position 120 to block additional inhalable vapor 152 from flowing into the container 114 via the conduit 108.
The container 114 may also be removed from the vaporization system 100, such as after being filled with the inhalable vapor 152. By way of example, the container 114 filled with the inhalable vapor 152 may be carried away from the enclosure 102 and the inhalable vapor 152 remains stored within the container 114 to enable consumption of the inhalable vapor 152 from the container 114 at a different location. To this end, the conduit 108 may be removed from the interior 115 of the container 114. In this way, the vaporization system 100 enables greater flexibility to consume the inhalable vapor 152, such as without having to be in close proximity to the vaporization system 100 (e.g., to the reservoir, to the conduit 108) and/or without having to consume the inhalable vapor 152 within a threshold duration of time of discharge away from the reservoir and/or from the conduit 108.
In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosure 102 includes a base 156 on which the container 114 may be placed to fluidly couple the conduit 108 to the container 114. For example, placement of the container 114 on the base 156 may maintain fluid coupling of the conduit 108 with the container 114 (e.g., insertion of the conduit 108 within the container 114). However, the container 114 may be positioned in any other suitable manner to enable the container 114 to receive inhalable vapor 152 via the conduit 108. For example, in additional or alternative embodiments, the container 114 may be positioned on another surface or may be held by a user without being positioned on a surface. In further embodiments, the vaporization system 100 (e.g., the enclosure 102) may include a feature to which the container 114 may be secured (e.g., threadably coupled) to enable the container 114 to receive inhalable vapor 152 via the conduit 108.
In the depicted embodiment, each of the tank enclosure 205, the heater 202, and the chimney 209 are cylindrical. However, in other embodiments, these components could have other shapes. The tank 200 includes a chamber 206 formed between the tank enclosure 205 and the combination of the heater 202 and the chimney 209. The chamber 206 can be filled with the starting materials (e.g., an inhalable or consumable liquid, such as oil) and is sealed to block undesirable flow of the starting materials out of the chamber 206. To this end, the tank enclosure 205, the chimney 209, and the heater 202 cooperatively define a seal between outer surfaces of the heater 202 and of the chimney 209 and an inner surface of the tank enclosure 205. Consequently, in the depicted embodiment, the chamber 206 is an annular chamber that extends around the heater 202 and chimney 209.
Channels 201 are formed in a liner surrounding the heater 202 to enable flow of the starting materials from the chamber 206 into an interior of the heater 202 that is separate and distinct from the chamber 206. The heater 202 then provides heat that vaporizes a portion of the starting materials within the interior of the heater 202 to produce the inhalable vapor 152. In some embodiments, the heater 202 (e.g., a heating coil) can conductively heat the starting materials. Additionally or alternatively, the heater 202 (e.g., a magnetic coil) can inductively or electrically heat the starting materials. The heater 202 is sealingly engaged with the chimney 209 to block the starting materials from entering the interior of the chimney 209 without passing through the channels 201 and the heater 202 and undergoing a phase change to vapor as a result. As such, the coupling between the heater 202 and the chimney 209 may ensure that vapor (e.g., instead of liquid) flows through the heater 202 and toward the chimney 209.
The interior of the heater 202 is fluidly connected to an interior of the chimney 209 to enable the inhalable vapor 152 to flow from the heater 202 into the interior of the chimney 209. For instance, production of the inhalable vapor 152 within the interior of the heater 202 increases the pressure within the interior of the heater 202 (e.g., to a greater pressure than that in the interior of the chimney 209) to force the inhalable vapor 152 to flow from the interior of the heater 202 to the interior of the chimney 209. Additionally, the interior of the chimney 209 is fluidly connected to an interior of the discharge portion 220. Airflow openings 222 are formed through the discharge portion 220 to enable ambient air to enter the tank 200 and encourage a flow of the inhalable vapor 152 out of the tank 200 through an outlet 223 (e.g., after flowing through the heater 202 and the chimney 209).
The chamber 206, the interior of the heater 202, the interior of the chimney 209, and the interior of the discharge portion 220 cooperatively form a reservoir 225 (e.g., the reservoir 52) in which the starting materials are positioned and undergo a phase change to vapor to provide the inhalable vapor 152. In this manner, the tank enclosure 205, the heater 202, the chimney 209, and the discharge portion 220 cooperatively define the reservoir 225 where starting materials are heated to produce the inhalable vapor 152, and the outlet 223 enables discharge of the inhalable vapor 152 out of the reservoir 225 and the tank 200. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the heater 202 is integral with the reservoir 225 (e.g., as a part of the tank 200).
However, as discussed above, in some embodiments, the heater 202 and the reservoir 225 can be separate from one another. For instance, the heater 202 may be external to the tank 200, and other components (e.g., the tank enclosure 205, the chimney 209, the discharge portion 220) may define the reservoir 225. In such embodiments, the heater 202 may heat the starting materials (e.g., by conducting heat through the tank enclosure 205) in the reservoir 225 to provide the inhalable vapor 152, and the inhalable vapor 152 may flow through at least a portion of the reservoir 225 (e.g., through the chimney 209, through the discharge portion 220) without flowing through the heater 202. Additionally, the tank 200 may be easily decoupled from the heater 202 in such embodiments, such as to enable replacement of the tank 200 (e.g., to replace a first tank 200 having a low amount of starting materials with a second tank 200 filled with a high amount of starting materials and/or to sample different flavors/compositions). The heater 202 may remain as a part of the vaporization system 100 and may therefore be able to heat multiple different tanks 200. Thus, manufacture and implementation of multiple heaters 202 is avoided.
In further embodiments, the reservoir 225 of the tank 200 may be easily accessible to enable refill of starting materials within the reservoir 225. By way of example, the discharge portion 220 may be decoupled from the tank enclosure 205 to expose an interior of the reservoir 225 and enable starting materials to be placed within the reservoir 225. In such embodiments, the reservoir 225 may be refilled without having to remove a substantial portion of the tank 200 from the vaporization system 100.
The conduit 108 (e.g., the same conduit 108 or a different conduit 108 as that extending exterior to the enclosure 102) is fluidly coupled to the reservoir 225 of the tank 200. For example, the discharge portion 220 is inserted into a second end 224 (e.g., a proximal end) of the conduit 108 such that the outlets 223 can discharge inhalable vapor 152 into the second end 224 of the conduit 108. The conduit 108 may then direct the inhalable vapor 152 out of the interior 198 of the enclosure 102 and toward the container 114.
The heater 202 is connected to a power source (not shown), which may be positioned within the interior 198 of the enclosure 102 and/or exterior to the enclosure 102. In some embodiments, the power source may include a generator configured to generate electrical power (e.g., via kinetic energy, via solar energy). In additional or alternative embodiments, the power source may include a power storage, such as a battery or capacitor. In further embodiments, the power source may include grid power. In the illustrated embodiment, connectors 226 that are external to the tank 200 electrically couple the heater 202 to the power source to enable the heater 202 to receive electrical power from the power source and provide heat using the received electrical power. Additionally or alternatively, the power source is a part of the tank 200, and the tank 200 may include internal connectors that electrically couple the power source and the heater 202 to one another. Furthermore, the heater 202 may receive electrical power in any other suitable manner, such as via electromagnetic induction.
The vaporization system 100 further includes circuitry that enables the power source to provide electrical power to the heater 202. As an example, a first switch 228 is configured to enable or block the power source from supplying electrical power. The first switch 228 is configured to transition between a first position and a second position. In the first position (e.g., an ON position), the first switch 228 is configured to enable the power source to supply electrical power (e.g., toward the heater 202). In the second position (e.g., an OFF position), the first switch 228 is configured to block the power source from supplying electrical power. For instance, the first switch 228 is an on-off switch that, in the first position, enables operation of the power source (e.g., powers on the power source) and, in the second position, suspends operation of the power source (e.g., powers off the power source).
As another example, a second switch 230 may be configured to electrically couple and electrically decouple the power source and the heater 202 with respect to one another. For instance, the second switch 230 may also transition between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second switch 230 may enable electrical power output by the power source to flow toward the heater 202. In the second position, the second switch 230 may interrupt flow of electrical power toward the heater 202. In embodiments with the switch 228 and the switch 230, electrical power will be delivered to the heater 202 while the first switch 228 is in its first position to enable operation of the power source to supply electrical power and while the second switch 230 is in its first position to enable the electrical power supplied by the power source to flow to the heater 202. However, electrical power will not be delivered to the heater 202 while the first switch 228 is in its second position to block the power source from supplying electrical power and/or while the second switch 230 is in its second position to interrupt flow of electrical power toward the heater 202 (e.g., even though the power source is supplying electrical power, the second switch 230 blocks the supplied electrical power from reaching the heater 202).
Although the first switch 228 is in the form of a rocker-type configuration and the second switch 230 is in the form of a button-type configuration in the illustrated embodiment, it should be noted that the first switch 228 and the second switch 230 may have any other suitable configuration, such as a dial, a lever, a touch-sensitive interface, and so forth, to adjust positions and control flow of electrical power from the power source to the heater 202.
Additionally, in some embodiments, flow of electrical power to the heater 202 and flow of inhalable vapor 152 through the conduit 108 may be simultaneously adjusted with one another using a single feature or component. By way of example, as discussed herein, a valve may be used to enable or block flow of inhalable vapor 152 through the conduit 108. In certain embodiments, adjustment of the valve may also adjust the flow of electrical power. For example, transition of the valve to the open position to enable flow of inhalable vapor 152 through the conduit 108 may concurrently or successively (or some other time-based pattern or scheme) enable flow of electrical power to the heater 202. Meanwhile, transitions of the valve to the closed position to block flow of inhalable vapor 152 through the conduit 108 may also block or interrupt flow of electrical power to the heater 202, concurrently or in some other pattern. That is, the valve may control both flow of inhalable vapor 152 and flow of electrical power to direct the inhalable vapor 152 into the container 114 (e.g., by adjusting operation of the power source and/or by adjusting an electrical connection between the power source and the heater 202). As such, a user may operate the valve to selectively enable or block output of inhalable vapor 152, including production of inhalable vapor 152 via the heater 202 and subsequent flow of inhalable vapor 152 through the conduit 108, without having to operate or actuate multiple, separate components or features (e.g., components that separately control flow of inhalable vapor 152 and flow of electrical power) of the vaporization system 100. Thus, operation of the vaporization system 100 may be simplified.
The tank 200 may be easily replaceable. To this end, the tank 200 is easily implementable within and removable from the interior 198 of the enclosure 102. By way of example, the tank 200 may be easily coupled to and decoupled from the mount 354 and therefore is removably positionable with respect to the support 350. For instance, the tank 200 may be replaced to refill the starting materials and/or to direct different inhalable vapors (e.g., different types or flavors of inhalable vapors) to the container 114. As such, the vaporization system 100 may improve user experience without introducing any overcomplications or burdens related to adjustment of the tank 200.
The conduit 108 is configured to direct the inhalable vapor 152 through an opening 356 formed through the panel 106 of the enclosure 102 to direct the inhalable vapor 152 toward the container 114. In some embodiments, a single conduit 108 extends through the opening 356 such that the second end 224 of the conduit 108 extends into the interior 198 of the enclosure 102 and the first end 112 of the conduit 108 extends exterior to the enclosure 102. As such, the second end 224 of the conduit 108 may be fluidly coupled to the reservoir 225 of the tank 200 (e.g., via the discharge portion 220), and the first end 112 of the same conduit 108 may be fluidly coupled to the container 114. In alternative embodiments, separate conduits 108 extend into the interior 198 of the enclosure 102 and exterior to the enclosure 102. For example, the conduits 108 are fluidly coupled to the reservoir 225 of the tank 200 and to the container 114, respectively, and each of the conduits 108 is fluidly coupled to the nozzle 104 (not shown) secured to the panel 106 at the opening 356. The nozzle 104 fluidly couples the conduits 108 to one another to fluidly couple the tank 200 and the container 114 to one another.
In another example embodiment, there may not be a conduit 108 positioned within the interior 198 of the enclosure 102. Instead, the discharge portion 220 may be directly fluidly coupled to the nozzle 104. For example, the discharge portion 220 of the tank 200 may extend into or within the nozzle 104 via the opening 356. As such, the tank 200 may directly discharge the inhalable vapor 152 into the nozzle 104 via the discharge portion 220 without a conduit. Similarly, there may not be a conduit 108 positioned exterior to the enclosure 102 in a certain embodiment. Rather, for instance, the opening 113 of the container 114 may directly fluidly couple to the nozzle 104 to enable the nozzle 104 to discharge the inhalable vapor 152 into the container 114 without a conduit.
In some embodiments, the conduit 400 may be easily detachable from the nozzle 104. For example, the conduit 400 may be easily removed from within the outlet 404. As such, the conduit 400, with the container 114, can be removed from the vaporization system 100 and moved away from the enclosure 102, such as after the container 114 is filled with the inhalable vapor 152. In additional or alternative embodiments, the conduit 400 may be easily removable from within the container 114. In this manner, the conduit 400 may be separated from the container 114, such as to facilitate consumption of the inhalable vapor 152 within the container 114. In either case, the container 114 may be moved away from the enclosure 102 to improve flexibility of consuming inhalable vapor 152 within the container 114.
Positioning of the container 454 within the interior 453 of the enclosure 452 may enable the enclosure 452 to shield the container 454 from external elements. As such, a structural integrity and/or placement of the container 454 can be better maintained to facilitate filling of the container 454 with inhalable vapor. For instance, during operation of the vaporization system 450 to fill the container 454 with inhalable vapor, the container 454 may be secured within the enclosure 452 (e.g., by blocking access to the interior 453). After the container 454 is filled with inhalable vapor, the container 454 may be removed from the interior 453 (e.g., by enabling access to the interior 453) and transported away from the enclosure 452 (e.g., and removed from the vaporization system 450). As an example, the container 454 may be transported away from the enclosure 452 and replaced with another container 454 without removing the tank 456 such that a single tank 456 may fill or at least partially fill multiple different containers 454.
Additionally, positioning of the tank 456 exterior to the enclosure 452 may facilitate ease of access of the tank 456 as compared to positioning the tank 456 within the enclosure 452. In the illustrated embodiment, a support 466, such as a plate or bracket, is coupled to the enclosure 452, and the tank 456 is positioned on the support 466. The support 466 may orient the tank 456 in a desirable manner that facilitates flow of inhalable vapor away from the reservoir 458 to the container 454 via the conduit 462. For example, the support 466 may orient the tank 456 such that the discharge portion 460 maintains engagement with the conduit 462 to maintain fluid coupling of the tank 456 with the conduit 462. Additionally, the tank 456 may be easily decoupled or disengaged from the support 466 and from the conduit 462 to remove the tank 456 (e.g., the reservoir 458) from the vaporization system 450, such as for replacement, inspection, and/or maintenance. Thus, the vaporization system 100 facilitates implementation of different tanks 456, such as tanks 456 having different amounts or types of inhalable vapor. Indeed, the tank 456 may be replaced with another tank without removing the container 454 from the enclosure 452. In this manner, the vaporization system 450 can be easily adjusted to fill the same container 454 with inhalable vapor using different tanks 456, such as tanks 456 that include different types of inhalable vapor to mix the inhalable vapor within the container 454.
In certain embodiments, the tank 456 includes a heater or heating element that operates to produce inhalable vapor. In additional or alternative embodiments, the heater is separate from the tank 456. For example, the support 466 may include the heater, and the tank 456 is thermally coupled to the heater while the tank 456 is in engagement with the support 466. The heater may be operated using any of the techniques discussed herein, such as via a power source of the vaporization system 450.
Positioning of both the container 506 and the tank 510 in the enclosure 502 may shield each of the container 506 and the tank 510 from external elements to facilitate directing inhalable vapor from the tank 510 to the container 506. Additionally, the enclosure 502 may be configured to facilitate ease of access to the tank 510 (e.g., for replacement and/or inspection). For instance, an opening 520 is formed through the enclosure 502 at the second interior 508, and a door 522 is attached to the enclosure 502 at the opening 520. The door 522 is movable relative to the enclosure 502 to cover or expose the opening 520, thereby enabling or blocking access to the second interior 508 and the tank 510 positioned within the second interior 508. For example, the door 522 is configured to rotate about the enclosure 502 via hinges 524 to adjust exposure of the opening 520. In additional or alternative embodiments, the door 522 may slide relative to or may be detachable from the enclosure 502 to adjust exposure of the opening 520.
Although the illustrated vaporization system 500 includes a single enclosure 502 having multiple compartments separated by the wall 512, in additional or alternative embodiments, the vaporization system 500 may include multiple, separate enclosures 502 in which the container 506 and the tank 510 may be respectively positioned. In further embodiments, the enclosure 502 may not include the wall 512 and may have a single compartment in which each of the container 506 and the tank 510 may be positioned.
At block 552, starting materials contained within a reservoir are heated and vaporized to provide an inhalable vapor. The heat may be provided via conduction and/or induction, such as via a heater that uses electrical power supplied by a power source. At block 554, the inhalable vapor is discharged away from the reservoir to a conduit or to multiple conduits that are fluidly coupled to one another. At block 556, the conduit(s) direct the inhalable vapor to a container to fill the container with the inhalable vapor. The container filled with inhalable vapor can then be transported away for consumption of the inhalable vapor. As such, the inhalable vapor may be more accessible to increase flexibility of consumption.
It should be noted that a vaporization system can include various components to provide different aesthetic and/or operational features. However, each embodiment of the vaporization system generally operates in a similar manner to heat starting materials to produce an inhalable vapor and to direct the inhalable vapor to a container that can be separated from the vaporization system. Various vaporization system embodiments are further discussed below.
The nozzle 606 includes an actuator 610 configured to be actuated (e.g., manually by a user) to operate the vaporization system 600. By way of example, actuation of the actuator 610 opens a valve within the nozzle 606 to enable flow of inhalable vapor through the nozzle 606 via the valve and into the container 608. In some embodiments, actuation of the actuator 610 also initiates operation of a heating element of the tank to heat starting materials and produce inhalable vapor. Thus, a single actuator 610 may be used to produce inhalable vapor and to direct the inhalable vapor into the container 608. The illustrated actuator 610 includes a button. However, additional or alternative actuators 610 can include any suitable feature, such as a switch, a dial, and the like. The actuator 610 may provide an alternative manner in which the vaporization system 600 can be operated (e.g., by a user) as compared to moving a lever of a nozzle (e.g., the nozzle 104). For instance, actuation of the actuator 610 may be more intuitive and/or easier to effectuate for some users. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator 610 operates to maintain a desirable structural integrity of the conduit extending through the nozzle 606, such as by adjusting the position of the valve to control flow of inhalable vapor through the nozzle 606 without having to adjust a geometry (e.g., an opening size) of the conduit.
The vaporization system 600 further includes a light emitter 612 coupled to the base 604 and configured to output a light. As an example, the container 608 may be positioned over the light emitter 612 when arranged to receive inhalable vapor discharged from the nozzle 606, and the container 608 may be at least partially transparent/translucent. The light emitter 612 therefore outputs light through the container 608, which illuminates the interior of the container 608. Thus, the light emitter 612 may help a user visually inspect the container 608, such as to observe an amount of inhalable vapor in the container 608 (e.g., to determine whether the container 608 has been filled with the inhalable vapor so that operation of the vaporization system 600 is to be suspended to avoid overflow of inhalable vapor from the container 608).
In certain embodiments, the base 604 includes a feature to help engagement or coupling to an additional vaporization system, such as a corresponding base of the additional vaporization system. By way of example, the base 604 may include a slot 614 extending around at least a portion of a border of the base 604. The slot 614 is configured to receive a corresponding part, such as a protrusion, of the base of the additional vaporization system. Inserting the base of the additional vaporization system into the slot 614 restricts movement between the vaporization system 600 and the additional vaporization system for coupling with one another. For instance, the slot 614 of the base 604 may enable multiple vaporization systems to be stacked side-by-side, such as to enable simultaneous operation of a plurality of vaporization systems to concurrently fill different containers with separate inhalable vapors.
The vaporization system 650 also includes a light emitter 662 coupled to the base 654 and configured to output a light through the container 658 to illuminate the interior of the container 658. The base 654 is also configured to couple to a corresponding base of an additional vaporization system via a slot 664 configured to receive a portion of the base of the additional vaporization system.
The vaporization system 650 also includes an electrical port 754 formed into the enclosure 652. The electrical port 754 is configured to enable the vaporization system 650 to connect to another component to receive electrical power. As an example, the vaporization system 650 may include a power source in the form of a power storage, such as a battery and/or a capacitor, configured to store electrical power for operating the vaporization system 650 (e.g., for operating the heating element to heat the starting materials), and the electrical port 754 may enable the power source to receive electrical power (e.g., from grid power) for storage. As another example, the electrical port 754 may enable the vaporization system 650 to electrically couple to an external power source such that the vaporization system 650 may operate via electrical power supplied by the external power source. By using an electrical port 754 that facilitates ease of connecting and disconnecting the vaporization system 650 to a component for receiving electrical power, the vaporization system 650 may be separated from the component and more flexibly positioned in a desirable manner.
In certain embodiments, the cover 656 may be readily decoupled from the enclosure 652. As an example, the cover 656 may be detached from the enclosure 652 for inspection, repair, and/or replacement. As another example, the cover 656 may be detached from the enclosure 652 to enable a nozzle (e.g., the nozzle 606) to be attached to the enclosure 652. In either case, the vaporization system 650 includes an interface 756 with which a user can interact to enable decoupling of the cover 656 from the enclosure 652. For instance, the cover 656 is secured to the enclosure 652 via a latch or hook, and interacting with the interface 756 releases the latch to reduce securement of the cover 656 to the enclosure 652, thereby enabling the cover 656 to be separated from the enclosure 652. By facilitating ease of removal of the cover 656, the vaporization system 650 may be more readily modified.
The enclosure 652 is also configured to couple to a nozzle (e.g., the nozzle 606) to enable the vaporization system 650 to operate via the nozzle instead of via the cover 656. That is, the cover 656 and the nozzle may be interchangeably coupled to the enclosure 652 one at a time. Thus, the vaporization system 650 may be more easily customized, such as by implementing a particular one of the cover 656 or the nozzle, as desired by a user. By way of example, the nozzle can be readily fluidly coupled to the hole 802 and secured to the enclosure 652, such as by extending a portion of the nozzle into the hole 802 and/or into the aperture 800.
To this end, the vaporization system 900 includes a plurality of actuators to control operation to direct inhalable vapor from the tanks 904. As an example, a first actuator 906 may be actuated to direct inhalable vapor from a first tank 904A to the container (e.g., and to initially produce inhalable vapor within the first tank 904A via a first heating element). A second actuator 908 may be actuated to direct inhalable vapor from a second tank 904B to the container (e.g., and to initially produce inhalable vapor within the second tank 904B via a second heating element). A third actuator 910 may be actuated to direct inhalable vapor from each of the first tank 904A and the second tank 904B to the container (e.g., and to initially produce inhalable vapor within the first tank 904A and the second tank 904B via corresponding heating elements). For instance, actuation of the third actuator 910 may cause a valve to open and enable inhalable vapor from each of the tanks 904 to mix, and the mixed inhalable vapor is directed to the container. As such, the actuators 906, 908, 910 may be selectively actuated to provide a desirable inhalable vapor or a mixture of inhalable vapors and enable the vaporization system 900 to be more desirably controlled to provide a particular experience to a user. In some embodiments, the same power source is configured to cause respective heating elements to produce the inhalable vapors in the tanks 904. In additional or alternative embodiments, separate power sources (e.g., dedicate power sources) are configured to cause the respective heating elements to produce the inhalable vapors in the tanks 904.
While the disclosure 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 disclosure and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. For example, the shapes of the components shown in the Figures are not intended to be limiting and, in different embodiments, these components (as well as other components described herein) may have different shapes and/or sizes. 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 components disclosed herein may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, provided that the components, or portions thereof, can function as described herein (i.e., withstand heating forces and/or 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 disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure 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 disclosure 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 disclosure.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/509,558, entitled “VAPORIZATION SYSTEM FOR INHALABLE PRODUCT,” filed Jun. 22, 2023, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63509558 | Jun 2023 | US |