In some instances, it may be desirable to provide a vaporizer pod for use in a vaporizer, whereby the vaporizer pod supplies the vaping liquid to the vaporizer. Current vaporizer pods include permanently exposed holes in the top or the bottom of the pod with an absorbing material disposed inside the pod. Ideally, this absorbing material soaks up the vaporizing liquid and holds it inside the pod. Unfortunately, oftentimes the absorbing material does not hold the vaporizing liquid and it leaks out of the permanently exposed holes and either into the vaporizer itself or into the surrounding environment such as pant pockets or a carrying case. Therefore, a tremendous need exists to prevent a vaporizer pod from leaking vaporizing material when not in use.
While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.
The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
It will be appreciated that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.
I. Exemplary Reusable Vaporizer Pod
An exemplary reusable vaporizer pod (1) of the present invention is illustrated in
As shown in
Reusable vaporizer pod (1) further includes a lower valve assembly (17) disposed at bottom end (5) and an upper valve assembly (19) disposed at top end (3). In some versions of reusable vaporizer pod (1), lower valve assembly (17) is permanently secured to main body (7). In other versions, lower valve assembly (17) is removably secured to main body (7). Similarly, in some versions of reusable vaporizer pod (1), upper valve assembly (19) is permanently secured to main body (7). In other versions, upper valve assembly (19) is removably secured to main body (7).
Lower valve assembly (17) includes a lower valve (21) and a lower valve cap (23). In some versions of lower valve assembly (17), lower valve (21) is releasably coupled with lower valve cap (23). In other versions, lower valve (21) is permanently secured to lower valve cap (23). Some versions of lower valve (21) includes a bulb portion (25) extending from a flap portion (27). Lower valve cap (23) defines recess (24) by way of an inner surface (26). Inner surface (26) extends perpendicularly from an annular top surface (28). Inside recess (24), lower valve cap (23) includes a wall (30) which defines a central valve aperture (29) sized to receive bulb portion (25) therethrough. In some embodiments of removable vaporizer pod (1), bulb portion (25) and central valve aperture (29) are configured to allow the user to press on bulb portion (25) to release lower valve (21) from lower valve cap (23) and thus allow the user to clean the elements of removable vaporizer pod (1).
Lower valve cap (23) further defines a series of air channels (31) disposed proximate flap portion (27) when bulb portion (25) of lower valve (21) is coupled with lower valve cap (23). Flap portion (27) is biased toward air channels (31) when lower valve (21) is coupled with lower valve cap (23). However, flap portion (27) is configured such that the bias may be overcome when a user is drawing air through the vaporizer. Lower valve cap (23) further includes an annular rim (33) sized to engage first area (13) of lower tube (11) and fit therein through a press fit connection.
Lower valve assembly (17) further includes an inner cap (35), which includes a first section (37) having an annular rim (43) and a second section (39). Inner cap (35) further defines a channel (41) extending therethrough. As shown in
Once lower valve (21) is secured to lower valve cap (23) to form lower valve assembly (17), second section (39) of inner cap (35) is disposed into recess (24), thereby positioning first section (37) in an abutting relationship with annular top surface (28) of lower valve cap (23). Thereafter, lower valve assembly (17) and inner cap (35) are pressed into first area (13) of lower tube (11) to secure lower valve assembly (17) and inner cap (35) therein.
As shown in
Upper valve assembly (19) is generally similar to lower valve assembly (17) in that upper valve assembly (19) includes an upper valve (49) and an upper valve cap (51). Similar to lower valve (21), upper valve (49) includes a bulb portion (53) and a flap portion (55). Similar to lower valve cap (23), upper valve cap (51) includes an annular rim (67) and a recess (57) defined by an inner surface (59) extending from an annular top surface (61). Upper valve cap (51) further defines a central valve aperture (63) and a plurality of air channels (65) disposed within recess (57). Bulb portion (53) of upper valve (49) is sized to be received by central valve aperture (63) and thereby position flap portion (55) proximate air channels (65). In some embodiments of removable vaporizer pod (1), bulb portion (53) and central valve aperture (63) are configured to allow the user to press on bulb portion (53) to release upper valve (49) from upper valve cap (51) and thus allow the user to clean the elements of removable vaporizer pod (1).
Flap portion (55) is biased toward air channels (65) when upper valve is coupled with upper valve cap (51). However, flap portion (55) is configured such that the bias may be overcome when a user is drawing air through the vaporizer. As air is drawn through reusable vaporizer pod (1), flap portion (55) is lifted to expose air channels (65) and allow the air to pass therethrough. When air is not flowing through reusable vaporizer pod (1), flap portion (55) retracts to abut and overlay air channels (65), thus preventing any liquid or wax material from escaping through air channels (65).
As shown in
As shown in
One-way channel (69) affirmatively opens and closes in response to a user drawing air through the vaporizer. Inasmuch as one-way channel (69) is in the closed position by default, when the user is not using the vaporizer any vaping liquid or wax substance deposited within lower tube (11) is prevented from spilling or otherwise exiting reusable vaporizer pod (1). When reusable vaporizer pod (1) is not in use, one-way channel (69) remains closed in any orientation of reusable vaporizer pod (1) and thus can be laid horizontally on a surface or carried in a pocket without spilling the vaping materials.
II. Exemplary Disposable Vaporizer Pod
A disposable vaporizer pod (101) is shown in
Prior to securing either upper valve assembly (19) or lower valve assembly (17) to main body (107), a manufacturer or other party loads the inner area of main body (107) with either a vaping liquid or wax. Thereafter, main body (107) is sealed by pressing either upper valve assembly (19) or lower valve assembly (17) into position. Disposable vaporizer pod (101) may be packaged, shipped, or otherwise move through commerce without spilling the vaping material as one-way channel (69) acts to hold the liquid/wax in disposable vaporizer pod (101). When disposable vaporizer pod (101) ultimately reaches the end user, the user loads disposable vaporizer pod (101) into an appropriate vaporizer and draws on the vaporizer to open up one-way channel (69) and ingest the vaporized liquid or wax. Once the material within disposable vaporizer pod (101) is exhausted, the user removes disposable vaporizer pod (101) from the vaporizer and discards it.
III. Exemplary Vaporizer Pod Valve
Valve (201) is similar to the previously described lower valve (21) and upper valve (49). Valve (201) includes a generally mushroom-shaped profile with a flap portion (203) extending from a bulb portion (205). Flap portion (203) includes a convex top surface (207) peaking at an apex (209), a concave bottom surface (211), and a side surface (213) extending therebetween and around the periphery of valve (201). A ring (215) extends from bottom surface (211) downwardly toward a proximal end of a shaft (217) of bulb portion (205). A chamfered surface (219) extends between ring (215) and shaft (217). A bulb (221) is disposed at a distal end of shaft (217), whereby bulb (221) includes a larger cross-sectional diameter than the cross-sectional diameter of shaft (217).
As shown in
Inasmuch as the vapor is blocked from traversing central valve aperture (29) by the ring (215) and chamfered surface (219), conversely, the curved nature of flap portion (203) defines a pocket (227) above each air channel (31) to prevent flap portion (203) from being pulled or sucked into each air channel (31). The curved nature of flap portion (203) also provides additional area for the vapor to build before the user inhales and raises flap portion (203) through the user's suction force. The curve of flap portion (203) directs bottom surface (211) and side surface (213) out over each air channel (31) and onto the surface of wall (30), sealing each air channel (31). As the user draws vapor through the vaporizer, the suction forces lift flap portion (203) to open fluid communication between first side (223) of wall (30) and second side (225) of wall (30), allowing the vapor to flow therethrough.
While valve (201) is shown and described in connection with lower valve cap (23) of reusable vaporizer pod (1), valve (201) may be used in a similar manner with lower valve cap (23) of disposable vaporizer pod (101), upper valve cap (51) of reusable vaporizer pod (1), or upper valve cap (51) of disposable vaporizer pod (101).
In order to clean or change valve (201), the user presses on bulb (221) to retract bulb (221) up through wall (31) from first side (223) to second side (225) to thereby release valve (201) from lower valve cap (23) or upper valve cap (51) as desired.
IV. Exemplary Combinations
The following examples relate to various non-exhaustive ways in which the teachings herein may be combined or applied. It should be understood that the following examples are not intended to restrict the coverage of any claims that may be presented at any time in this application or in subsequent filings of this application. No disclaimer is intended. The following examples are being provided for nothing more than merely illustrative purposes. It is contemplated that the various teachings herein may be arranged and applied in numerous other ways. It is also contemplated that some variations may omit certain features referred to in the below examples. Therefore, none of the aspects or features referred to below should be deemed critical unless otherwise explicitly indicated as such at a later date by the inventors or by a successor in interest to the inventors. If any claims are presented in this application or in subsequent filings related to this application that include additional features beyond those referred to below, those additional features shall not be presumed to have been added for any reason relating to patentability.
A vaporizer pod comprising configured to be received in a vaporizer, the vaporizer pod comprising: (a) a main body extending from a top end to a bottom end; and (b) a lower valve assembly, wherein the lower valve assembly is secured to the main body proximate the bottom end, wherein the lower valve assembly comprises a lower valve, wherein the lower valve is resilient.
The vaporizer pod of Example 1 or any of the following Examples, wherein the lower valve assembly comprises a lower valve cap, wherein the lower valve is removably coupled to the lower valve cap.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the lower valve cap having a first side and a second side, wherein the lower valve cap defines a plurality of air channels therethrough and extending between the first side and the second side.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the lower valve comprises a flap portion, wherein the flap portion is biased toward the plurality of air channels when the lower valve is coupled with the lower valve cap.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the lower valve comprises a bulb and a shaft, wherein the shaft extends between the flap portion and the bulb.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the bulb is disposed on the first side of the lower valve cap when the lower valve is coupled with the lower valve cap, wherein the flap portion is disposed on the second side of the lower valve cap when the lower valve is coupled with the lower valve cap.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, further comprising an inner cap disposed in the main body, wherein the inner cap defines a channel, wherein the inner cap abuts the lower valve cap in the main body.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, further comprising an absorbing material disposed in the main body, wherein the absorbing material abuts the lower valve cap in the main body.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the main body comprises an upper tube and a lower tube, wherein the upper tube is removably coupled with the lower tube, wherein the lower valve assembly is secured to the lower tube.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, further comprising an upper valve assembly, wherein the upper valve assembly comprises an upper valve removably coupled to an upper valve cap.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the upper valve assembly is secured to the upper tube.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, further comprising a screen, wherein the screen is disposed between the upper valve assembly and the lower valve assembly.
A vaporizer pod comprising: (a) a main body extending from a top end to a bottom end; (b) an upper valve disposed proximate the top end; and (c) a lower valve disposed proximate the bottom end.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, further comprising an upper valve cap, wherein the upper valve is removably secured to the upper valve cap.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, further comprising a lower valve cap, wherein the lower valve is removably secured to the lower valve cap.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, further comprising an absorbable material disposed in the main body between the upper valve and the lower valve.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, further comprising an inner cap disposed in the main body and abutting the lower valve cap and the absorbable material.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the upper valve cap defines a central valve aperture, wherein a portion of the upper valve is disposed within the central valve aperture.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the upper valve cap defines a plurality of air channels disposed about the central valve aperture.
The vaporizer pod of any of the previous or any of the following Examples, wherein the upper valve includes a flap portion, wherein the flap portion includes a convex surface having an apex.
VI. Miscellaneous
It should be understood that any of the examples described herein may include various other features in addition to or in lieu of those described above. By way of example only, any of the examples described herein may also include one or more of the various features disclosed in any of the various references that are incorporated by reference herein.
It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The above-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.
It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.
Having shown and described various versions of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, versions, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62466647 | Mar 2017 | US | |
62463986 | Feb 2017 | US |