WO2019090200A1 - Procédé et appareil pour vaporisation de matériau - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil pour vaporisation de matériau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019090200A1
WO2019090200A1 PCT/US2018/059144 US2018059144W WO2019090200A1 WO 2019090200 A1 WO2019090200 A1 WO 2019090200A1 US 2018059144 W US2018059144 W US 2018059144W WO 2019090200 A1 WO2019090200 A1 WO 2019090200A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
vessel
vaporizer
vapor
internal volume
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2018/059144
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ian Tinkler
James E. Shepard
Brendan Crawford
Original Assignee
Cannakorp, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cannakorp, Inc. filed Critical Cannakorp, Inc.
Publication of WO2019090200A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019090200A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
    • A61M11/04—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised
    • A61M11/041—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters
    • A61M11/042—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes operated by the vapour pressure of the liquid to be sprayed or atomised using heaters electrical
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M11/00—Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes
    • A61M11/001—Particle size control
    • A61M11/003—Particle size control by passing the aerosol trough sieves or filters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0028—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
    • A61M15/003—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up using capsules, e.g. to be perforated or broken-up
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0028—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
    • A61M15/003—Inhalators using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up using capsules, e.g. to be perforated or broken-up
    • A61M15/0033—Details of the piercing or cutting means
    • A61M15/0035—Piercing means
    • A61M15/0036—Piercing means hollow piercing means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0086—Inhalation chambers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/17—Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0001—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
    • A61M15/0013—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof with inhalation check valves
    • A61M15/0016—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof with inhalation check valves located downstream of the dispenser, i.e. traversed by the product
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M15/00—Inhalators
    • A61M15/0001—Details of inhalators; Constructional features thereof
    • A61M15/0021—Mouthpieces therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/07—General characteristics of the apparatus having air pumping means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/14—Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/27—General characteristics of the apparatus preventing use
    • A61M2205/273—General characteristics of the apparatus preventing use preventing reuse, e.g. of disposables
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/27—General characteristics of the apparatus preventing use
    • A61M2205/276—General characteristics of the apparatus preventing use preventing unwanted use
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
    • A61M2205/3306—Optical measuring means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
    • A61M2205/3331—Pressure; Flow
    • A61M2205/3334—Measuring or controlling the flow rate
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
    • A61M2205/3368—Temperature
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/36—General characteristics of the apparatus related to heating or cooling
    • A61M2205/3606—General characteristics of the apparatus related to heating or cooling cooled
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
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    • A61M2205/362—General characteristics of the apparatus related to heating or cooling by gas flow
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/50—General characteristics of the apparatus with microprocessors or computers
    • A61M2205/502—User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/60—General characteristics of the apparatus with identification means
    • A61M2205/6018—General characteristics of the apparatus with identification means providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
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    • A61M2205/6063—Optical identification systems
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    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/60—General characteristics of the apparatus with identification means
    • A61M2205/6063—Optical identification systems
    • A61M2205/6081—Colour codes

Definitions

  • Disclosed embodiments are related to methods and apparatus for producing vapor.
  • 2016/0331913 discloses a system for vaporizing an herbal material contained in a pod and collecting the vapor produced.
  • a vessel may include a sealed, flexible sleeve constructed and arranged to collect vapor inside a cavity of the vessel.
  • the sleeve is configured to expand inside a cavity of the vessel.
  • the sleeve includes an inlet end configured to attach to an inlet of the vessel.
  • the sleeve may also include an outlet end configured to attach to an outlet of the vessel.
  • the vessel is constructed and arranged to receive a container.
  • the vessel may include a securing device configured to lock the container into place on a vessel, and further urge the container to location such that at least one container wall is in contact with a receptacle on a vaporizer.
  • a vessel in yet another embodiment, includes a sealing member constructed and arranged to create a sealed channel between an internal volume of a received container and a cavity of the vessel.
  • a vaporizer in still another embodiment, includes a locking mechanism constructed and arranged to secure a vessel arranged to collect vapor to the vaporizer.
  • the locking mechanism resists the removal of the vessel.
  • a vaporizer in yet another embodiment, includes an optical sensor constructed and arranged to obtain information regarding the status of a received container.
  • the optical sensor is configured to obtain information employed by a controller to control a heating element and pump.
  • a vaporizer in still another embodiment, includes a heating element configured to heat at least one wall of a received container to adjust a temperature within an internal volume of the container.
  • the heating element further includes an actuator constructed and arranged to move the heating element in and out of contact with the at least one wall of the container.
  • a vaporizer in yet another embodiment, includes a pump constructed and configured to move air through an internal volume of a received container.
  • the pump is further arranged to produce an intermittent flow of air through the internal volume.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vaporizer system
  • FIG. 2 is exploded view of another embodiment of a vaporizer system including one embodiment of a vaporizer, a vessel for containing vapor, and a container for holding an herbal composition;
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the vessel of Fig. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel with one embodiment of a sleeve insert
  • FIG. 5 depicts the sleeve insert of Fig. 4;
  • FIG. 6A-6C depict one embodiment of an outlet for the vessel of Fig. 3;
  • FIG. 7A-7B depict one embodiment of the container of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an interface between the container of Fig. 7A-7B and the vessel of Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 9 depicts one embodiment of a locking mechanism for securing the vessel of Fig. 3 to the vaporizer of Fig. 2;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an interface between a heating element and the container of Fig. 7A-7B;
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an optical sensor arranged to obtain information regarding a status of the container of Fig. 7A-7B;
  • Fig. 12 depicts one embodiment of an actuator configured to move the heating element in or out of contact with the container of Fig. 7A-7B;
  • Fig. 13 depicts one embodiment of a system for heating the container of Fig.
  • Fig. 14 depicts the vessel and the sleeve of Fig. 4 during a vaporization process.
  • an herbal composition may include matter derived from a plant, and may be used for consumption, such as for medicinal, therapeutic, aromatic and/or culinary purposes.
  • An example of an herbal composition that may be employed for medicinal and/or therapeutic purposes is cannabis, which involves the use of various cannabinoid compounds, such as
  • tetrahydrocannabinol THC
  • CBD cannabidiol
  • CBN cannabinol
  • THCV tetrahydrocannabivarin
  • CBG cannabigerol
  • the herbal composition may include flavonoids, terpenoids, amino acids, proteins, sugars, enzymes, fatty acids, esters and/or other compounds.
  • the herbal composition may include any one or combination of tobacco, spice, tea, herbal extracts, leafy food products, etc.
  • an individual may simply insert a container containing an herbal composition into a vessel and then the vessel into a vaporizer, never having to measure, weigh, touch, grind, or risk spilling the herbal composition to be vaporized and consumed.
  • aspects of the present disclosure may minimize or otherwise limit direct contact of the herbal composition with packagers, retailers or other persons along the manufacturing and production chain, to reduce the potential for contamination thereof.
  • the contents within the container may be subject to a recipe of conditions pre-specified for the contents of that particular container pod, those conditions being suitable to produce an vapor. Such an vapor, when subject to the appropriate recipe, is produced with a substantial amount of
  • a vapor may include a gaseous phase substance and/or components in a liquid and/or solid form.
  • the vapor may include a mist, aerosol and/or nebulized composition that includes fine solid and/or liquid particles suspended in a gas or, in some cases, the vapor may be substantially formed as a gas.
  • a vapor is a vapor extracted or otherwise derived from an herbal composition.
  • a vapor may include a gaseous substance having small droplets of oil, water and/or other chemical compounds suspended therein.
  • a vapor may be formed by heating an herbal composition such that components of the herbal composition are released in gaseous form and/or as small liquid or solid particles.
  • a vaporizer system may include including a vaporizer, a vessel, and a container.
  • the container may be arranged to contain an herbal composition from which vapor may be created when heated.
  • the container may be configured to attach to the bottom of the vessel configured to collect vapor produced from the herbal composition.
  • the vessel and container may be further configured to be placed in or on the vaporizer configured to heat the herbal composition to create vapor collected in the vessel.
  • the vaporizer may be further configured with a user interface that allows a user to monitor the status of a vaporization process.
  • a vaporizer may be equipped with a controller that is configured to obtain information regarding the contents of the herbal composition based on the readable information.
  • the vaporizer may have an information reader, such as a digital code reader (e.g., for bar codes, QR codes, etc.) for reading the readable information on the surface of the container and/or user interface, for providing input to the controller of the information about the herbal composition.
  • the vaporizer may process the herbal composition within the chamber according to a specific vaporization recipe, to produce an herbal vapor having particularly desirable characteristics.
  • the vaporizer may flow air through the chamber as well as provide a temperature profile within the chamber for extracting a suitable combination of chemical compounds according to a specified protocol.
  • this temperature profile may include a number of timed temperature adjustments that occur during the period of vaporization when herbal extraction occurs.
  • the vaporizer may provide this temperature profile as part of an automated process of herbal vaporization and extraction, or a user may input such a profile into the vaporizer. Vapor generated from the herbal composition is then passed from the internal volume of the chamber to a bag, canister and/or other collection region, for consumption by a user.
  • an herbal composition within a container needs to be heated to a high temperature in order to produce a vapor.
  • the temperature may be over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature which could degrade material properties of the container.
  • the heating of the container to such temperatures would at least partially vaporize the herbal composition within the container.
  • the container drops below the vaporization temperature before the herbal composition is completely vaporized, there may be partial vaporized herbal composition remaining in the container. Accordingly, it may be desirable to avoid heating the container to a vaporization temperature if the herbal composition is partially vaporized to avoid producing an undesirable vapor with improper chemical concentrations or flavors.
  • the vessel may include a sealed, flexible sleeve configured to expand in the cavity of the vessel and receive vapor.
  • the vessel may include an inlet to which and inlet end of the sleeve is attached and an outlet to which the outlet end of the sleeve is attached.
  • the internal surface area of the vessel may be protected by the sleeve.
  • the sleeve may be configured to expand within the vessel during the vaporization process, containing the vapor and preventing the vapor from contacting the walls of the vessel.
  • the inlet end of the sleeve may be contacted by a sealing member such that an internal space of the sleeve is connected by a sealed channel to the internal volume of the container.
  • the sleeve may be further configured with attachments on the inlet end and outlet end of the sleeve such that it can be attached or removed from the vessel.
  • the sleeve may be configured with a threaded attachment on the inlet end to engage threadedly with the inlet of the vessel and a ring on the outlet end to engage with the outlet of the vessel with a friction fit.
  • a threaded attachment on the sleeve may make the sleeve easy to replace by an individual. While threaded and friction attachments are described in this embodiment, it can be recognized that other attachments may be used, including but not limited to hooks, magnets, pins, clamps, glands, or adhesives.
  • the outlet of the vessel may include a valve configured to prevent the unintentional escape of vapor from the vessel.
  • the sleeve may include a septa valve on the outlet end of the sleeve that couples to the outlet of the vessel, such that vapor cannot escape to the ambient atmosphere when contained.
  • Such an arrangement may allow an individual to easily consume the vapor by actuating the valve without losing vapor to the ambient atmosphere when not in use.
  • the vessel may include a mouthpiece arranged to actuate the valve when pressed, such that the vapor can flow while being consumed by an individual but remained contained when not being consumed.
  • septa valve is described in this embodiment, it can be recognized that any valve may be used to prevent the escape of vapor when the vessel is not in use, including by not limited to ball valves, check valves, butterfly valves, diaphragm valve, or gate valves.
  • the vessel may be configured to receive, hold, and align the container.
  • a sealing member that provides a seal between an herbal composition container and a vapor collection vessel may be less effective if it does not contact the container and vessel in a consistent manner.
  • the container may be received and held in position by the vessel, such that the sealing member between the vessel and the internal volume of the container can contact one or both sufficiently and consistently.
  • the vessel may be configured to permanently hold the sealing member and receive the container such that the sealing member contacts the container to create a seal when the container is received.
  • the sealing member may include a biased portion, such that the reception of the container in the vessel forces the sealing member against the container.
  • the vessel may also be arranged to align the container suitably with the vessel so that when the vessel is coupled to a vaporizer, the container may be properly aligned with a heating element or other portion of the vaporizer that couples with the container.
  • the vessel may also include a securing device with pivoting latches configured to hold and align the container with the sealing member.
  • the pivoting latches may be biased such that the container is forced or otherwise urged to a position whereby a sufficient seal can be made with the sealing member.
  • the pivoting latches may be further configured to align the container with the heating element, such that when the vessel is received by the vaporizer the heating element can sufficiently modify the temperature of the internal volume of the container.
  • the pivoting latches may be further configured to only contact the rim of the container. In this arrangement, the small contact area may help to prevent any possible sticking of the container to the vessel that might prevent removal of the container.
  • the vaporizer may include a sealing member arranged to create a sealed channel between the internal volume of the container and the vessel. In some cases, it is desirable that vapor is transferred to the vessel so that it can be temporarily stored for later consumption by an individual.
  • the transfer of vapor from the internal volume of the container to the vessel may necessitate a sealed channel by which the vapor can move from the internal volume of the container to the vessel. Moreover, such a channel may prevent the loss of the vapor to the ambient atmosphere.
  • the sealing member may be arranged to create a seal in an annular area on the container.
  • the container may include a lid attached around a rim of a container and configured to seal the internal volume of the container prior to use.
  • the lid may be attached with an adhesive, such that removal or penetration of the lid results in an adhesive residue remaining on an exterior rim of the container. Such a residue may interfere with the sealing member creating a seal with the container such that a sealed channel between the internal volume of the chamber and the vessel cannot be created.
  • the container may also include a filter inset from the exterior rim of the container.
  • the filter may be arranged to sit below the level of the rim and include a flat annular area on which the sealing member can create a seal.
  • the filter may further include holes arranged radially inward of an area engaged by the sealing member such that air and/or vapor can move between the vessel and internal volume of the container by the sealed channel.
  • the vaporizer may include a locking mechanism for attaching the vessel to the vaporizer.
  • the container may be located in between the vaporizer and the vessel, being inaccessible to an individual while the vessel is attached to the vaporizer.
  • the vaporizer may include a locking mechanism to be used to hold the vessel in the vaporizer and resist the removal of the container by an individual.
  • the locking mechanism may include one or more hinged latches configured to be pressed and locked against a tapered portion of a base of the vessel.
  • hinged latches can be unlocked when the container is sufficiently cooled, enabling the vessel to move the hinged latches away from the tapered base portion as the vessel is removed. While hinged latches are one embodiment of the locking mechanism that may sufficiently attach the vessel to the vaporizer, there are many other arrangements to hold the vessel in place including but not limited to hooks, pins, or electro-magnets that can be unfastened when the container is sufficiently cooled.
  • the vaporizer may include an optical sensor capable of obtain information about a status of the container.
  • the optical sensor may obtain information on the color of a thermochromic ink on the exterior of the container.
  • the color of the ink may prevent the operation of a vaporizer, preventing the heating of the container which would result in undesirable vapor produced.
  • heating the container may permanently change the color of the thermochromic ink once it reaches a high temperature, and the optical sensor may be configured to prevent heating or other use of the container if it detects the permanently changed color.
  • the optical sensor may be further configured with a light for illuminating the exterior of the container. Such a light could be used such that the frequency of reflected light could be measured by the optical sensor.
  • the optical sensor could measure the frequency of reflected light over time during the heating of the container, using the frequency change as a method to measure temperature change.
  • the lack of a light frequency change during heating could be used to stop the heating of the container to prevent any undesirable by-products from being produced, e.g., a stoppage of color change may indicate that a particular temperature has been reached and should not be exceeded.
  • the vaporizer may include a heating element configured to heat the internal volume of the container.
  • the container will be hot after the vaporization process as a result of high temperatures required for producing vapor.
  • a cooling process for the container may be desirable so that an individual contacting the container shortly after the vaporizing process is not harmed by the temperature of the container.
  • the vaporizer may include an actuator to move the heating element in or out of contact with the container as a part of a cooling process. For example, the actuator may activate after the vaporization process is completed, moving the heating element away from the container and allowing it to cool without the heating element necessarily cooling at the same rate.
  • the vaporizer may include a fan configured to move air around the container and cool it by convective heat transfer during the cooling process. Use of a fan and convective heat transfer may decrease the cooling time of the container such that an individual can remove it more quickly.
  • the optical sensor may be further configured to obtain information about the status of the heating element.
  • optical sensor could be used to obtain information on the position of the heating element.
  • the optical sensor could detect whether the actuator has moved the heating element in or out of contact with the container. Accordingly, if the optical sensor detected the heating element is still contacting the container it may be desirable to cool the container for a longer period or reattempt to move the heating element out of contact with the container.
  • the vaporizer may include a pump configured to move air through an internal volume of the container.
  • a pump may use positive or negative pressure to move air through the internal volume of the container where vapor is produced from the herbal composition, the movement of air transferring the vapor to a vessel for collection.
  • the pump may include one or more fans constructed to move air through the internal volume of the container.
  • the fan may be a propeller type fan, a centrifugal fan, cross-flow fan, or any other suitable fan for moving air through the internal volume of the container.
  • the flow rate of the air moving through the internal volume of the container convectively cools the herbal composition contained within the container.
  • the pump may be configured to intermittently produce airflow within the internal volume of the container. Such an arrangement may be desirable to sufficiently vaporize the herbal composition and transfer the produced vapor to the vessel, e.g., because the pulsed air flow will tend to cool the herbal material to a lesser extent, thereby allowing the herbal material to maintain a suitable temperature for vaporization.
  • the pump may be configured to pulse airflow during vaporization, whereby the vapor can be removed for a pre-determined period of time.
  • the heating element may be similarly arranged to increase or decrease heat output to the internal volume of the container intermittently.
  • the heating element maintain the temperature of the internal volume of the container during and after the intermittent pulses of air produced by the pump.
  • the heater may be arranged to reheat the internal volume of the container for a pre-determined period of time following a pulse of airflow produced by the pump. The alternation of airflow pulses and heating may be repeated multiple times until the herbal composition has been vaporized to a pre- specified extent.
  • Fig. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a vaporization system for producing vapor including a vaporizer 100, a vessel 150, and a container 10.
  • the vaporizer 100 may be arranged to produce vapor from the container 10 by heating an herbal composition contained within an internal volume of the container 10.
  • the vessel 150 may be arranged to collect vapor produced by the vaporizer 100 into an internal space define by a housing 152.
  • the vaporizer 100 may have a receptacle 114 arranged to receive the vessel 150.
  • the vessel 150 may include an inlet 158 arranged to receive the container 10, allowing the container 10 and vessel 150 to both be received in the receptacle 114 of the vaporizer 100.
  • the vaporizer 100 may include a heating element (not shown in the figure) arranged to change the temperature of the internal volume of the container 10 to produce vapor.
  • the vaporizer 100 may include a user interface 120 which may allow an individual to monitor the progress of vaporization and/or to provide input to a controller of the vaporizer 100.
  • the vessel 150 may be configured with an outlet 154 and an inlet 158.
  • the outlet 154 may include a mouthpiece 156 by which vapor contained within the vessel may be consumed.
  • the vessel may also include a sleeve 160 configured to attach to the outlet 154 and the inlet 158, such that it can expand within the housing 152 of the vessel 150.
  • the sleeve 160 may be arranged to be removable and prevent contact of vapor with the housing 152 of the vessel 150.
  • the vessel 150 may be configured with locking guides 159 located on the inlet 158 for receiving a locking mechanism (not shown in the figure) when received in the receptacle 114.
  • the vaporizer 100 or the vessel 150 may include the locking mechanism (not shown in the figure) arranged to secure the vessel 150 to the vaporizer 100 and resist removal.
  • the locking mechanism may include hinged latches located around the periphery of the receptacle 114 which push against corresponding locking guides 159 when the vessel 150 is received by the receptacle 114, thereby resisting vertical or lateral movement of the vessel 150.
  • Fig. 2 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of a vaporizer system, including a vaporizer 100, vessel 150, and container 10 similar to that shown in Fig. 1, configured to producing a vapor from the herbal composition located within the container 10.
  • the vaporizer 100 may be suited to receive a vessel 150 at a receptacle 114, for collecting and storing the vapor.
  • the vaporizer also includes a heating element 103 arranged to receive the container 10 and adjust the temperature of the internal volume of the container 10.
  • the heating element may be arranged in proximity to the receptacle 114, whereby both the container 10 and the vessel 150 may be received by the vaporizer 100.
  • the container 10 may be arranged to attach to an inlet 158 of the vessel 150, such that a sealed channel between the internal volume of the container 10 and a cavity defined by a housing 152 of the vessel 150 is formed.
  • the vaporizer 100 may further include a locking mechanism 170 arranged to secure the vessel 150 to the vaporizer 100.
  • the locking mechanism meets the locking guides 159 on the vessel, such that the vessel 150 resists being removed from the vaporizer 100.
  • the locking mechanism 170 is arranged to resist the vertical movement of the vessel 150 when it is received by the vaporizer 100.
  • Such arrangement may be desirable to cover or otherwise enclose any elements that may at an elevated temperature during a vaporization process, including the container 10 and heating element 103.
  • removal of the vessel 150 prior to the completion of the vaporization process may result in a less desirable vapor which may contain different concentrations of the cannabinoid compounds than intended by prescription or recipe.
  • a locking mechanism may resist accidental or intentional removal of the vessel 150 prior to the completion of the vaporization process, such that a desirable amount of vapor and cannabinoid compounds is produced, and structures at elevated temperatures may remain covered.
  • the vessel 150 includes a sleeve 160 which is attached to the inlet 158 by an inlet end 161 of the sleeve.
  • FIG. 2 shows the sleeve 160 collapsed both radially and axially (i.e., a direction between the inlet 158 and outlet 154), but it should be understood that the sleeve 160 may have a length suitable to extend from the inlet 158 to the outlet 154).
  • the sleeve is arranged to expand (at least radially) to fill the cavity defined by the housing 152 of the vessel 150.
  • the vessel 150 may also include an outlet 154 which includes a mouthpiece 156 by which vapor collected can be consumed by a user.
  • the top of the sleeve 160 may attach to the outlet 154, such that the inlet 158 and outlet 154 are linked by an internal space of the sleeve 160.
  • the system may provide a user with an appropriate notification (e.g., audio/visual/tactile signal(s)) as the production of vapor is ongoing, or completed through a user interface 120.
  • a sensor e.g., coupled with the vaporizer, vessel, etc.
  • a sensor that tracks the progress of vapor production may be employed so as to present the user with a real-time status report of the vapor being generated, or even if the vapor is being generated at all.
  • a report may be an indicator for how full the vessel 150 or other collection apparatus is, the particular concentration of one or more cannabinoids within the vapor, whether the vaporization cycle has been completed, the existence of vapor produced, amongst other information.
  • the vessel 150 may be removed from the vaporizer 100 and the user may sip and/or breathe the vapor through a suitable mouthpiece.
  • the user interface may display the progress of vapor production by displaying information from a controller.
  • the user interface 120 could display a progress bar that shows the steps the controller is running to produce vapor.
  • additional sensors are not needed, as the information is derivative from the vaporization process instead of a measured value.
  • the container 10 may be placed within a suitable receptacle 114 of a vaporizer 100 for producing the vapor.
  • the container 10 may be attached to the vessel 150 when received by the vaporizer 100.
  • a heating element 103 may be arranged to receive the container 10 and contact at least one container wall.
  • the vaporizer 100 may be configured to process the container and its contents so as to extract the medicinal and therapeutic compounds as fully as possible therefrom.
  • the vaporizer may control the overall dosage of vapor and herbal extraction by varying a number of parameters during certain steps (e.g., decarboxylation, initial vaporization, extraction), such as cycle time, start/stop times, temperature settings, rate of air flow there through, relative humidity, amongst others, the combination of which may play a substantial role in producing a desirable amount of medicine and flavor.
  • steps e.g., decarboxylation, initial vaporization, extraction
  • cycle time e.g., start/stop times, temperature settings, rate of air flow there through, relative humidity, amongst others, the combination of which may play a substantial role in producing a desirable amount of medicine and flavor.
  • Fig. 3 shows an illustrative embodiment of a vessel 150 for collecting vapor produced from an herbal composition.
  • the vessel 150 may include an inlet 158 and an outlet 154.
  • the inlet 158 may allow vapor produced by a vaporizer to enter the cavity of the vessel as defined by the housing 152.
  • the cavity of the vessel 150 is configured to collect the vapor produced by the vaporizer that enters the cavity through the inlet 158.
  • the outlet 154 may allow vapor collected in the cavity of the vessel to exit the vessel in order to be consumed by a user.
  • the outlet may be further configured with a mouthpiece 156 which allows the vapor to be easily consumed by a user.
  • the outlet 154 may be further arranged with a valve (not shown in the figure) to prevent the escape of vapor in vessel when the vapor is not being consumed.
  • the inlet 158 may similarly configured with a valve such that vapor can enter the vessel via the inlet but cannot escape by the same route.
  • the inlet 158 may be arranged to intake vapor produced from an herbal composition (not shown in the figure), wherein the vapor is collected and stored within the housing 152 of the vessel.
  • the inlet 158 may be further arranged to receive and hold a container (not shown in the figure).
  • a container not shown in the figure.
  • Such an arrangement may be desirable to allow the easy removal and replacement of containers containing an herbal composition.
  • such an arrangement may allow the container to be consistently received by a vaporizer, such that a heating element may be able to consistently control the temperature of the container for vaporization.
  • the inlet may be further arranged to attach to a sleeve 160.
  • the attachment of the sleeve 160 and the container to the inlet 158 may be arranged such that a sealed channel is formed between an internal volume of the container and an internal space of the sleeve.
  • the sealed channel may be formed by a sealing member (not shown in the figure), which seals the attached container and sleeve to create the sealed channel between.
  • the outlet 154 may be configured to be removable from the vessel 150.
  • the outlet 154 may include a threaded portion by which it threadedly engages with the housing 152.
  • the outlet 154 may be easily removable by a user from the remainder of the vessel. In certain cases, this arrangement may be desirable to allow user to clean the vessel. In other cases, this arrangement may be suitable to allow a user to remove and replace a sleeve located within the cavity of the vessel. While a threaded engagement is one embodiment of such a configuration, the outlet could utilize an interference fit, latch, or other suitable arrangement for securing the outlet to the housing in a removable way.
  • the inlet 158 may be configured to be removable from the vessel 150 such that a user can similarly access the cavity of the vessel for the reasons outlined above.
  • the vessel 150 may provide for a more discreet manner in which vapor may be carried, for example, rather than a comparatively more conspicuous bag of vapor.
  • the vessel 150 may have any appropriate structure, for example, similar to that of a travel cup, thermos, etc., and which may interface with the vaporizer.
  • the vessel 150 may or may not include an expandable sleeve or bag, for further containing the vapor.
  • the vessel 150 sits within a receptacle of the vaporizer and is connected or otherwise coupled to the container pod, for collection of the vapor.
  • Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the vessel embodiment of Fig. 3.
  • the vessel 150 includes and inlet 158, an outlet 154, and a sleeve 160.
  • the inlet 158 is further configured with an opening 151 arranged to receive a container (not shown in figure).
  • a sealing member 107 is arranged to create a seal with the container, such that a sealed channel is created between an internal volume of the container and the cavity of the vessel as defined by a housing 152. Accordingly, a user may be able to place a container in the vessel in the opening 151, such that the container is retained and aligned for placement in a vaporizer (not shown in the figure).
  • the outlet is configured with a mouthpiece 156 configured to allow vapor to exit the vessel and be consumed by a user.
  • the vessel includes a sleeve 160 including an inlet end 161 configured to connect to the inlet 158 and an outlet end 162 configured to connect to the outlet 154.
  • the outlet may include a support guide 155 arranged to connect to the outlet end 162.
  • the connection between the outlet end 162 and support guide 155 may be formed by an interference fit.
  • the inlet end 161 of the sleeve may include a threaded portion arranged to engage threadedly with the inlet 158 of the vessel 150.
  • vapor may be prevented from contacting a housing of the vessel.
  • composition may include particulates that may stick to a surface when the vapor contacts such a surface. This sticking may cause a buildup of particulate matter from the vapor that may induce a color change of the surface on which it is stuck, or otherwise require cleaning to remove the buildup of the particulate matter.
  • the arrangement of a vessel including a sleeve 160 allows for disposing and replacement of the sleeve 160 when the particulate matter has built-up.
  • the sleeve may be lower in cost than the vessel as a whole, and may afford an easy method and system to maintain the aesthetics and cleanliness of the vessel without requiring additional labor on the part of a user.
  • a sleeve in the cavity of a vessel may also afford a simpler method of vapor collection in the vessel without the loss or dilution of the vapor.
  • the collection of vapor in the vessel may cause displacement of the existing gas within the vessel.
  • the displacement may be accomplished by a valve arranged to allow gas within the vessel to escape during vaporization to be replaced by vapor.
  • the gas being replaced may not be sufficiently separated from the vapor being produced and collected within the vessel such that vapor partially mixes with the existing gas. Partial mixing of gas and vapor within the container may dilute the
  • a sleeve within the vessel affords a way to prevent the partial mixing of vapor and existing gas within the vessel.
  • the sleeve may be arranged to contain a minimal amount of existing gas prior to vaporization, accomplished by minimizing the internal space of the sleeve by collapsing the flexible material. Accordingly, when
  • vaporization occurs and vapor is introduced into the sleeve, it can expand within the cavity of the vessel and prevent the mixing of vapor and existing gas.
  • Any existing gas in the cavity of the vessel outside of the internal space of the sleeve can be displaced by a valve, vent or other suitable arrangements without diluting or losing any of the vapor produced by the
  • the sleeve 160 may be composed of an impermeable and flexible material (e.g. plastic). Such an arrangement may allow the sleeve to expand in the cavity of the vessel 150 as the internal space of the sleeve 160 fills with vapor.
  • the flexible sleeve may take any shape suitable for expansion in the cavity of the vessel.
  • the fully expanded shape of the sleeve 160 may match that of the housing 152 of the vessel. Accordingly, the sleeve may expand to fill the nearly the entire cavity of the vessel.
  • the shape of the sleeve may be cylindrical, spherical, conical, prismatic, or any other suitable arrangement.
  • the sleeve may be arranged to only partially fill the cavity of the container. Such arrangements could be beneficial for containing smaller amounts of vapor or allow easier removal or installation.
  • the sleeve may include one or more compartments arranged to collect different vapors or vapor components.
  • a sleeve may have a compartment for collecting THC and a second compartment for collection CBD, as both cannabinoids may have different medicinal effects that a user may wish to separate.
  • cannabinoids may have distinct vaporization temperatures, such that multiple compartments are arranged to collect vapor produced at different temperatures in the vaporization process.
  • Fig. 5A shows a top view of one embodiment of a sleeve 160 for use in a vessel (not shown in the figure).
  • the sleeve is cylindrical in shape and includes an outlet end 162 configured to attach to an outlet of the vessel).
  • the outlet end 162 is configured as a seal ring that seals the internal space of the sleeve to the outlet of the vessel.
  • the seal ring may be formed as a molded plastic part that is attached to the flexible sleeve 160 material, e.g., by adhesive or thermal welding.
  • the outlet end of the sleeve includes a channel by which vapor can exit the internal space of the sleeve.
  • Fig. 5B shows a side view of the sleeve 160 of Fig. 5A for use in a vessel (not shown in the figure).
  • the sleeve 160 includes and outlet end 162 and an inlet end 161.
  • the inlet end may include threads arranged to threadedly engage the inlet of the vessel (not shown in the figure).
  • the inlet end and outlet end may form a part of the structure of the sleeve.
  • an impermeable plastic may be fused to the inlet end and outlet end. Accordingly, the inlet end and outlet end could define the shape of the sleeve when it is empty, partially expanded, or fully expanded.
  • the inlet end and the outlet end may have a different shape, and as such they may cause the sleeve to have a different shape at either the outlet end or the inlet end.
  • Such an arrangement may be beneficial to allow the shape to expand within an irregularly shaped cavity of the vessel.
  • the outlet end and/or the inlet end may be composed of inflexible material (e.g. hard plastic, metal, etc.).
  • the inlet end and the outlet end may be composed of a hard plastic.
  • a flexible material may be hard to attach with some structures that may offer certain benefits.
  • a threaded portion on the inlet end may have difficulty engaging threadedly with the inlet of the vessel, but of course may function perfectly well in other embodiments.
  • a flexible outlet end may not suitably engage the outlet of the vessel such that a seal is created in some cases, while in others a flexible outlet end may work well.
  • an inflexible material may be suitable to attach the sleeve to the vessel.
  • the outlet end and inlet end may be composed of flexible material or any other material suitable to attach an inlet end of the sleeve to the inlet of the vessel and the outlet end of the sleeve to the outlet of the vessel.
  • Fig. 5C shows a bottom view of one embodiment of a sleeve 160 for use in a vessel (not shown in the figure).
  • the sleeve 160 includes an inlet end 161 configured to attach to an inlet of the vessel.
  • the inlet end includes a channel by which vapor can enter the internal space of the sleeve.
  • the inlet end 161 includes a threaded attachment arranged to threadedly engage the inlet of the vessel.
  • the sleeve 160 is in an unexpanded state. In the unexpanded state, the sleeve has a minimal amount of existing gas in the internal space of the sleeve.
  • the sleeve is configured to expand in the cavity of the vessel with the increased volume of vapor in the internal space of the sleeve.
  • FIG. 6A shows a top view of one embodiment of an outlet 154 of a vessel 150.
  • the outlet 154 includes a mouthpiece 156 and a valve 157.
  • the mouthpiece 156 is configured to allow a user to consume the vapor located within a cavity of the vessel or internal space of a sleeve.
  • a mouthpiece may be circular to fit around the mouth, but may also include any suitable arrangement such that vapor can be inhaled by a user.
  • the mouthpiece may be configured to fit around the mouth and nose such that a user can consume vapor via the mouth, nose, or both.
  • the mouthpiece may be configured to be inserted in the mouth, such that user and consume vapor as if through a straw.
  • the mouthpiece may be further arranged to actuate the valve 157 such that vapor from the vessel can be consumed, but the vapor cannot escape while not being consumed.
  • the mouthpiece may be arranged to be pushed by the mouth, nose, or face of the user through a septum so that a channel is opened between the mouthpiece and cavity of the vessel or internal space of the sleeve so that vapor can flow.
  • the valve 157 may be any suitable valve arrangement so as to allow vapor to flow while the user is consuming vapor and prevent the vapor from flowing while the user is not consuming vapor.
  • the valve 157 may not be actuated by the mouthpiece 156, but rather a switch, button, or similar. For example, the user may activate the flow of vapor out of the mouthpiece by depressing a button (not shown in the figure) on the vessel to open the valve and allow vapor to flow.
  • Fig. 6B shows a side view of the embodiment of an outlet 154 of a vessel 150 from Fig. 6A.
  • the outlet may include a support guide 155 arranged to attach to an inlet end of a sleeve (not shown in figure).
  • the mouthpiece 156 may be arranged to be inset in the support guide 155.
  • a valve (not shown in figure) may be located in the support guide and operated by the vertical movement of the mouthpiece.
  • the support guide 155 may be constructed and arranged in any suitable shape as to attach and seal the outlet end of the sleeve.
  • the support guide 155 is a cylindrical shape, arranged to cause an interference fit with a seal ring forming the outlet end of the sleeve, e.g., by fitting the seal ring over the cylindrical shape of the support guide 155.
  • the support guide 155 may also include a channel, whereby a sealed channel is formed between the internal space of the sleeve and the mouthpiece.
  • FIG. 6C shows a bottom view of the embodiment of an outlet 154 of a vessel
  • the outlet 154 includes a support guide 155 configured to attach to an outlet end of a sleeve, and a valve 157 that prevents vapor from escaping the vessel when the vapor is not being actively consumed.
  • the support guide 155 is configured to attach and seal the outlet end of the sleeve to the outlet of the vessel.
  • the depicted embodiment shows the support guide arranged as a cylinder, wherein the sleeve can attach around the inside or outside of the cylinder by an interference fit.
  • the support guide is further arranged to create a sealed channel between the internal space of the sleeve and the mouthpiece. In this case, the valve is placed within this channel, and prevents the vapor from exiting the vessel without active consumption.
  • the valve may be in any suitable arrangement so as to contain the vapor within the vessel when the vapor is not being actively consumed by a user.
  • the valve may be configured as a bite-valve located on the mouthpiece, such that the user bites the mouthpiece to allow vapor to flow.
  • Fig. 7A shows an illustrative embodiment of a container 10 for holding an herbal composition.
  • the container 10 includes a cup having a wall 12 and a bottom 16 that define an internal volume 14 of the container 10.
  • a lid 20 closes an opening defined at an upper end of the wall 12, e.g., to seal the internal volume 14 closed and isolate the internal volume 14 from external environmental conditions, such as humidity, 15 oxygen or other gasses, light, etc.
  • the lid 20 is attached to a rim 18 that extends radially outwardly from an upper end of the wall 12, but other arrangements are possible, such as attaching the lid 20 to an inner or outer surface of the wall 12.
  • the herbal is attached to a rim 18 that extends radially outwardly from an upper end of the wall 12, but other arrangements are possible, such as attaching the lid 20 to an inner or outer surface of the wall 12.
  • composition 2 may be arranged to contact an inner surface of the wall 12, and may receive heat from the wall 12 to produce a vapor from components of the herbal composition 2. In some embodiments, heat may be transferred from the wall 12 to the herbal composition 2 by conduction and radiation.
  • the container may include an inner wall 24 configured to contain the herbal composition 2 in an annular area within the internal volume 14.
  • the inner wall 24 may be thermally coupled to the wall 12 and/or the bottom 16 to receive heat from the wall 12 and/or bottom 16 and transfer the heat to the herbal composition 2.
  • the wall 12 may transfer heat radially inwardly to the herbal composition 2 and the inner wall 24 may transfer heat radially outwardly to the herbal composition 2. This may aid in more evenly heating the herbal composition 2, and improve vapor production, whether in time (e.g., by providing a shorter vaporization time) or quality (e.g., by providing more even heating and avoiding hot spots or burning of the herbal composition 2).
  • aspects of the invention involve heating an herbal composition by heating the outer wall of a container in which the herbal composition is contained, rather than passing heated air through the herbal composition.
  • Such an approach to heating can provide for greater heat control, e.g., because the temperature of the outer surface of the container can be accurately measured (or otherwise determined such as by measuring the temperature of a heater in contact with the wall 12 or bottom 16) and controlled. This tighter control over heating the container can provide for accurate and controlled heating of the herbal composition in the container.
  • the embodiment of Fig. 7A also includes a filter 30 in the internal volume 14 arranged to permit vapor to exit the internal volume 14 through the filter 30 and to resist passage of herbal composition 2 through the filter 30.
  • the container 10 may be opened at a top wall (e.g., the lid 20) and at a bottom wall (e.g., the bottom 16) to allow air flow in an axial direction through the container 10 such that vapor produced by the herbal composition 2 may exit through the top wall.
  • the openings may be 9 formed in various ways, such as by removing the lid 20 or other covering at the top and/or bottom, piercing the lid 20 or other covering or wall at the top and/or bottom, or the openings may be present or provided at the time of manufacturing.
  • One or more filters 30 may be arranged to help resist passage of herbal composition 2, e.g., to help keep the material 2 in the internal volume of the container 10.
  • a filter 30 is arranged 5 near a top of the container 10 and is arranged so that herbal composition 2 is resisted from exiting through the opening at the upper end of the wall 12.
  • the filter 30 may be attached to the wall 12, or to the inner wall 24, or both, or may be provided without attachment in the internal volume 14.
  • the filter 30 may be arranged to be pierced if a top wall of the container 10 is pierced for use, or may be shaped or positioned to avoid puncture when the container is pierced.
  • the filter 30 may be positioned suitably below a top wall of the container (e.g., the lid 20) or below the upper end of the wall 12 so that a piercing element that punctures the top wall does not contact the filter 30.
  • the filter may include a recessed pocket to receive the piercing element or an opening arranged so that the piercing 15 element does not contact the filter 30.
  • a filter may be provided at or near a bottom wall of the container 10, e.g., below the inner wall 24.
  • the inner wall 24 may function as a filter.
  • the top and/or bottom wall of the container 10 may be perforated or otherwise have openings to function as a filter, e.g., the top and/or bottom wall may be made of a mesh or otherwise have 20 openings suitably small enough to help resist passage of the herbal composition 2.
  • a filter 30, inner wall 24, or top or bottom wall of the container 10 may be made of a metal or other suitable mesh, screen, or other perforated or suitably permeable material, whether metal, plastic or other polymer, paper, etc.
  • Fig. 7B shows an exploded view of the Fig. 7A embodiment, though without the herbal composition 2 for clarity.
  • the container 10 may include a cup that includes the wall 12 and bottom 16.
  • the cup may be formed in a variety of ways, such as by stamping or molding a metal sheet or other material into a desired shape. If made of a metal, the inner surface of the wall 12 and/or bottom 16 may include a coating, such as a polymer or other material, such that the herbal composition 2 does not contact a metal, if desired.
  • the cup may include a suitable barrier material, e.g., a metal, a foil/polymer laminate, a suitable polymer, etc., to help resist the passage of moisture, glasses or other materials through the cup and into the internal volume 14.
  • Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a container 10 and a vessel 150 including an opening 151 configured to receive and hold the container 10.
  • the opening 151 may be configured to have the right size and shape so as to receive the container 10.
  • the opening may be constructed and configured such that the lowest point on the container is equal to or above the lowest point of the vessel 150, e.g., so the vessel 150 with an attached container 10 may be placed on a table top or other surface without the container 10 contacting the underlying surface.
  • the vessel may further include a securing device 110 arranged to hold and/or align the container 10.
  • the securing device may be configured to attach to the container 10 along a portion of the periphery of the container.
  • the securing device may include a biased member, arranged to cause the securing device to engage the periphery of the container.
  • the securing device 110 may be arranged as a collet or otherwise include two or more gripping elements that may be moved radially inwardly and outwardly to engage the rim of the container 10.
  • the gripping elements may be spring biased to move inwardly to engage the container rim, and an actuator may be pressed by a user to release the spring bias and allow the container to be placed into the opening 151.
  • the securing device 110 may include a release device (not shown in the figure) located on the inlet 158.
  • the release device may allow a user to quickly and easily detach a container from the vessel following the completion of a vaporization process.
  • the release device may be constructed as a button on the exterior of the inlet, whereby depressing the button causes the retraction of the securing device and release of the container. While one embodiment of a securing device is disclosed herein, any suitable configurations for securing the container to the vessel may be employed.
  • the securing device 110 may be configured to align the container about a pre- specified axis. In some cases it may be beneficial for a container to be placed in a precise location on a vaporizer so that it can be heated through one or more container walls contacting a heating element. Accordingly, it may be desirable that the contact between the container and heating element is repeatable for multiple containers without requiring precise alignment by a user.
  • the securing device 110 may be configured align a received container 10 such that it suitably aligns with the heating element in the vaporizer (not shown in the figure).
  • the securing device may include one or more biasing members constructed and arranged to center the vertical axis of the container container about the vertical axis of the vessel. In such an arrangement, a user could place the container 10 in the vessel 150 without precision or accuracy and still have the container aligned with the heating element when the vessel 150 is placed in the vaporizer.
  • the vessel 150 includes a sealing member 107 arranged to create a sealed channel between an internal volume of the container 10 and the vessel 150.
  • the sealing member 107 is constructed and arranged in the opening 151 to create a sealed channel between the internal volume of the container 10 and the cavity of the vessel as defined by a housing 152.
  • the sealing member is constructed in a shape matching that of the container, such that the sealing member 107 can engage the container 10 to create a seal.
  • the sealing member may be cylindrical in nature, to create a seal around a cylindrical container. In some cases, the seal is created by the application of pressure from the container 10 on the sealing member 107.
  • the sealing member 107 may include a biased portion arranged to maintain the force applied from the container 10.
  • the sealing member may include a C- shaped section, wherein the sealing member can be elastically deformed by the application of pressure from the container. By deforming upon receiving the container, the sealing member can create a seal around containers with lower manufacturing tolerances or varying sizes. While this embodiment describes a deformable sealing member, this disclosure includes any suitable arrangement for creating a sealed channel between an internal volume of a container and the cavity of a vessel.
  • the sealing member may include one or more sealing portions 109
  • the sealing member includes two sealing portions 109 for creating the sealed channel between the internal volume of the container and the cavity of the vessel 150.
  • the sealing portions may be arranged in any form such to create an air-tight seal with the container and/or the vessel.
  • one sealing portion 109 on the container may include a U-shaped channel 109a, arranged to create a seal on an annular area of the container.
  • the U-shaped channel is arranged so that distal ends of the U- shaped element contact and create two seals on the annular area of the container such that the failure of one seal would not compromise the sealed channel.
  • a sealing portion 109 may include a conical section 109b arranged to seal with the exterior surface of an inlet end 161 of a sleeve 160.
  • the conical section 109b may sealingly engage the inlet end 161 as it is threadedly engaged with the inlet 158 of the vessel.
  • Fig. 9 shows an embodiment for a vaporizer including a locking mechanism arranged to secure a vessel to the vaporizer.
  • the vaporizer 100 includes a locking mechanism 170 constructed and configured to hold the vessel 150 in place on the vaporizer.
  • the locking mechanism 170 may include latches that meet locking guides 159 on the vessel 150 or any other suitable arrangements so as to resist the vertical and/or rotational movement of the vessel.
  • the latches of the locking mechanism are pivotable about axes so that distal ends of the latches can be moved toward and away from the locking guides 159.
  • the locking mechanism may further include an activator 171 configured to control the locked or unlocked state of the locking mechanism.
  • the activator 171 includes upwardly extending fingers arranged to urge the latches to pivot toward the locking guides 159.
  • a spring bias may urge the latches to move away from the locking guides 159 when upward force of the fingers is released.
  • the activator 171 may be controlled by a controller (not shown in the figure) that locks the locking mechanism during a vaporization processing. By locking the vessel onto the vaporizer during the vaporization process, any structures with elevated temperatures are enclosed by the body of the vaporizer and vessel. In some cases, the locking mechanism may automatically activate upon the reception of the vessel in the vaporizer. Similarly, the locking mechanism may be controlled by one or more sensors by which information about the vaporizer or vaporization process can be obtained. For example, the vaporizer may include temperature sensor that may obtain information about the temperature of the container, and which may lock the locking mechanism if the temperature obtained is above a pre-determined value.
  • Fig. 10 shows an illustrative embodiment of a heating element constructed and arranged to receive and modify a temperature of an internal volume of a container.
  • the heating element 103 is arranged to contact the container 10 along an exterior wall of the container.
  • the heating element 103 may be configured to apply heat directly to the wall of the container 10, thereby modifying the temperature of the internal volume of the container.
  • Such an arrangement may be beneficial to evenly heat an herbal composition within the internal volume of the container to precise temperatures for vaporization.
  • the heating element 103 may be arranged to receive the container 10 when it is attached to a vessel (not shown in the figure).
  • the vessel may be configured to align the container 10 to the heating element 103 such that even contact occurs along the exterior wall when the vessel and container are received.
  • the container 10 may also include an inset filter 30 set below the highest point of the exterior wall.
  • the high point of the exterior wall of the container 10 may be defined by a rim 18 which may be constructed and arranged to meet a securing device on the vessel configured to attach and align the container 10.
  • the filter 30 may include an annular sealing area 32, constructed and arranged to meet a sealing member in the vessel when the container is attached.
  • the sealing member may be configured to create a sealed channel between the internal volume of the container 10 and a cavity of the vessel such that vapor can be collected by the vessel.
  • the heating element 103 contacts the container 10 along the entirety of the circumference of the container.
  • the heating element 103 may be arranged to transfer heat through one or more walls of the container 10 and into the herbal
  • the container may further include an inner wall thermally coupled to an exterior wall.
  • the heat may transfer from the exterior wall to the inner wall which may transfer heat to the herbal composition radially outward, achieving even eating of the herbal composition.
  • the heating element may also contact a bottom wall of the container, thereby transferring heat into the bottom wall and vertically upward into the herbal composition.
  • the application of heat through one or more walls may improve vapor production, whether in time (e.g., by providing a shorter vaporization time) or quality (e.g., by providing more even heating and avoiding hot spots or burning of the herbal composition).
  • Fig. 11 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a vaporizer further including an optical sensor arranged to obtain information regarding the status of a container.
  • the container 10 is received by a heating element 103.
  • the optical sensor 108 is arranged beneath the heating element 103 and is further configured to obtain information regarding the status of the container 10.
  • the optical sensor 108 may receive electromagnetic waves in the infrared, UV, visual, or other spectrums such that information can be obtained about the container 10.
  • the optical sensor may be able to obtain the information from the bottom of the container, but other arrangements are possible.
  • the optical sensor 108 may further include a lighting element arranged to illuminate the bottom of the container such that electromagnetic waves it produces are reflected and used by the optical sensor to obtainer information about the container 10.
  • a lighting element arranged to illuminate the bottom of the container such that electromagnetic waves it produces are reflected and used by the optical sensor to obtainer information about the container 10.
  • Such an arrangement may be beneficial in any arrangement wherein a container, vessel, or vaporizer blocks the optical sensor from exterior light sources. Any suitable optical sensor may be employed.
  • the optical sensor 108 may be configured to obtain information on the color of the container 10.
  • the container 10 may include a thermochromic ink on one or more exterior surfaces.
  • the thermochromic ink may change in color depending on the temperature of the ink.
  • the thermochromic ink may permanently change in color when elevated past a particular temperature.
  • the thermochromic ink may reversibly change color, the color at any given time being determined by the particular temperature the ink at that time.
  • the optical sensor 108 may be configured to stop the vaporization process, or stop heating, or prevent any use of a container, if a pre-specified color is obtained from the container 10.
  • a previously used container including permanently color-changing thermochromic ink may bear a color ink that indicates the container has already been used, and the optical sensor may prevent the vaporizer from reheating the used container.
  • the optical sensor may obtain information regarding whether a container is used or not and may modify or stop a vaporization process to prevent the production of an undesirable vapor.
  • the optical sensor may obtain information regarding the color of a container including reversibly changing thermochromic ink, wherein the color information obtained corresponds to a particular temperature.
  • the optical sensor 108 could be used for control of the heating element 103 such that a particular temperature of the container is maintained.
  • the container may be a particular color permanently.
  • the color information obtained by the optical sensor could be used to alter the vaporization process according to a pre-defined recipe corresponding to a given color.
  • a container with a particular color may alter the recipe to extract more of a particular cannabinoid than a container with a different color.
  • Such an arrangement may be beneficial to allow a user to select a container for a certain medicinal or flavor experience.
  • the optical sensor 108 may be configured to obtain information regarding the proximity of the container 10.
  • the optical sensor may be configured to detect whether a container is received by the heating element 103 and whether suitable contact between the heating element 103 and container 10 is achieved.
  • the optical sensor 108 may be further arranged to modify or stop of vaporization process based on the information obtained regarding the proximity of the container 10.
  • the optical sensor 108 may prevent a vaporization process from starting if the container 10 is not received or unsuitably contacting the heating element 103.
  • the optical sensor 108 may be configured to obtain information regarding the contents of the container 10.
  • the container 10 may include a barcode or other marking from which the optical sensor can obtain information regarding the contents of the container.
  • the optical sensor 108 may be configured to modify a vaporization process based on the information obtained regarding the contents of the container 10.
  • various herbal compositions with different concentrations of cannabinoids can be suitably vaporized during the vaporization process.
  • certain herbal compositions may have different optimal vaporization temperatures which may be included with the information obtained by the optical sensor 108.
  • the vaporizer may subject the herbal composition to a vaporization recipe which may include a temperature profile that is specially crafted for creating a vapor with a suitable combination of chemical compounds from the herbal composition.
  • a vaporization recipe which may include a temperature profile that is specially crafted for creating a vapor with a suitable combination of chemical compounds from the herbal composition.
  • Any suitable optical sensor may be employed.
  • the optical sensor may collect information from a surface of the container pod regarding the contents of the herbal composition and/or a preferred recipe for its vaporization. Based on the marking, the optical sensor may provide a controlled with any appropriate identifying information (e.g., serial number, ingredients, herbal contents, strain information, chemical compound information, grower information, flavorings, weight, packing date, use-by/expiration dates,
  • vaporization information e.g., cycle time, air velocity, air temperature, relative humidity, etc.
  • Fig. 12 shows cross sectional view of one embodiment of a heating element
  • the container may be cooled quickly after a vaporization process due to elevated temperatures of one or more container walls.
  • the one or more walls of the container may be raised to elevated temperatures as a part of heating the herbal composition to the suitable vaporization temperatures. Accordingly, allowing the pod to cool at the end of the vaporization process before vessel removal may be desirable to prevent any heated structures from being exposed.
  • the vaporizer may include an actuator 111 constructed and arranged to move the heating element 103 in or out of contact with at least one container wall.
  • the actuator 111 may be caused to move the heating element 103 out of contact with a wall of the container 10 at the conclusion of a vaporization process.
  • the actuator 111 may be configured to move the heating element 103 in or out of contact with one or more walls of the container during a vaporization process in order to modify the amount of heat transferred to the container.
  • the actuator could move the heating element into contact with one or more container walls at the start of a vaporization process, and move the heating element in or out of the contact with the container such that a particular temperature is maintained in the internal volume of the container.
  • the actuator 111 may be any suitable structure constructed and arranged to move the heating element in or out of contact with one or more container walls, including but not limited to a linear actuator, servo, solenoid, motor, or biased member.
  • the vaporizer may further include a fan (not shown in the figure) configured to cool the container 10 by convective heat transfer.
  • a fan not shown in the figure
  • the fan may be activated upon the conclusion of a vaporization process, and air may be moved around the exterior of the container such that it is cooled more quickly by convective heat transfer.
  • the container 10 may be cooled more quickly than an arrangement without a fan.
  • Any suitable air moving element may be employed to increase the speed at which the container is cooled after a vaporization process.
  • Fig. 13 shows the container 10 of Fig. 7A received by a heating element 103 of a vaporizer 100 in one illustrative embodiment.
  • the heating element 103 includes a container receiver 101, which includes a thermally conductive element, such as a ceramic or metal block, with a receiver cavity 102 arranged to receive the container 10.
  • the receiver cavity 102 may be arranged to closely contact the container wall 12 and/or bottom 16, e.g., to deliver heat to the wall 12 and/or bottom 16 to heat the herbal composition 2.
  • the heating element 103 may be arranged to heat the walls of the receiver cavity 102.
  • the vaporizer 100 may include a controller 104 to control the heating element 103 and other portions of the vaporizer 100 such as an air pump 105 that causes air flow through the container 10.
  • the controller 104 may include one or more sensors, such as an air flow sensor, a temperature sensor, and others to receive feedback regarding operation of system components and to provide suitable control signals.
  • the controller 104 includes an optical sensor 108 that can detect a color change of a heat-changing material 19 arranged on the container 10 in a way like that shown in Fig. 11.
  • the vaporizer 100 may include one or more inlet piercing elements 106 that is fluidly coupled to the air pump 105 so as to deliver air into the container 10. The air may be unheated as in this embodiment, or heated if desired.
  • one or more outlet piercing elements may be arranged to pierce the container 10.
  • the inlet and/or outlet piercing elements may include one or more hollow or solid needles, blades, tubes or other structures to form an opening in the container 10 top or bottom wall, wall, etc.
  • an inlet piercing element 106 may be arranged to pierce the inner wall to provide openings. The openings formed by the piercing elements may provide for air flow through the container 10, which may be driven by the air pump 105.
  • the air pump 105 may create positive pressure in the container to push air into and out of the container, or may create negative pressure in the container to pulls air through the container (e.g., the air pump 105 may be a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to an outlet of the container 10. In this embodiment, the air pump 105 creates positive pressure to push air into and out of the container 10. As shown, air may flow through inlet piercing element(s) 106 or may flow around or otherwise through openings formed by the piercing element(s) 106. Of course, inlet or outlet piercing elements are not required, and in this embodiment a container lid has been removed from the container 10 to expose the filter 30. A similar removable lid or cover may be provided at the bottom of the container 10 for removal prior to use.
  • the vaporizer 100 includes a vapor vessel or other collector like that shown in Figs. 3 and 4 that collects vapor in a replaceable bag or sleeve (not shown in the figure) which is fluidly coupled to the container 10.
  • the vessel includes a sealing member (not shown in the figure), such as an o-ring or cylindrical elastomeric element, that contacts the sealing surface 32 of the filter 30.
  • a sealing member such as an o-ring or cylindrical elastomeric element
  • the bag or sleeve includes a threaded connector that engages with the vessel and contacts the sealing member to form a seal therewith when threadedly engaged with the vessel, although other arrangements are possible.
  • the controller 104 may control portions of the vaporizer 100 in a suitable way to cause a vapor to be produced from the herbal composition 2 in the container 10 and to cause the vapor to be removed from the container 10.
  • the controller 104 may cause the heating element 103 to heat the walls of the receiver cavity 102 so that the wall 12 and/or bottom 16 of the container 10 are heated. Heat received by the wall 12 and/or bottom 16 may be transferred at least in part to the inner wall 24, which may conduct the heat and transmit the heat to the herbal composition 2.
  • the herbal composition 2 may be heated in a radially in direction by the wall 12 and a radially out direction by the inner wall 24.
  • This arrangement may provide for more even heating of the herbal composition 2.
  • the optical sensor 108 may detect the heat-changing material 19 including changes during heating, which may be used to control the heating element 103, to confirm that heating has actually occurred, to confirm that an unused container 10 has been placed in the receiver cavity 102 before heating begins, and so on.
  • the air pump 105 may be activated to cause air flow through the container 10 so that vapor that is produced exits the container 10. The vapor may be collected, if desired, in a sleeve or other vessel for inhalation by a user.
  • the controller 104 may be configured to control the pump 105 to produce an intermittent flow of air through the internal volume of the container 10.
  • the flow of air through the internal volume of the container may cool the herbal composition to a temperature unsuitable for vaporization. Accordingly, it may be desirable to selectively limit the amount of air flowing through the container such that a suitable temperature for vaporization is maintained.
  • the controller may be further configured to adjust a duty cycle of the heating element 103 intermittently.
  • the controller may adjust the airflow of the pump 105 and duty cycle of the heating element 103 alternatively so as to maintain the internal temperature to a pre- specified level.
  • the heating element may be adjusted to have a high duty cycle for 1-20 seconds at which point the duty cycle is lowered and the pump is controlled to produce a flow of air for 1-5 seconds, wherein the alternating process of heating and pulsed airflow is repeated until the vaporization process is completed. While the alternation of heat and airflow is one embodiment disclosed, any suitable method for controlling the pump 105 and heating element 103 may be employed to maintain a pre-specified temperature for vaporization during a vaporization process.
  • Fig. 14 shows an illustrative embodiment during operation of the vaporizer where the sleeve 160 collects vapor arising from the container 10. That is, vapor produced from the heated internal volume of the container 10 flows (depicted by the block arrows) into the sleeve 160, which consequently expands into the space enclosed by the vessel. It can be appreciated that other arrangements for collecting the vapor may be provided. That is, collection of the vapor does not require a sleeve and vessel arrangement as depicted. For example, it may be possible for the vapor to be collected into an otherwise empty vessel without a sleeve or bag.
  • the vapor may be collected into a more rigid bellows or pistonlike structure (e.g., similar to that of an accordion) that expands or contracts based on the flow of air into or out of the structure.
  • the vessel 150 may be removed from the vaporizer 100, to be consumed at a later time.
  • Fig. 14 further shows expansion of the sleeve 160 during a vaporization process.
  • the sleeve 160 includes an outlet end (not shown in the figure) that may include a valve which allows the vapor to exit from the sleeve when desired, and an outlet which includes a corresponding support guide that provides a conduit through which vapor may pass through toward the exit of a mouthpiece.
  • the support guide may have a valve that prevents air or vapor from exiting the sleeve 160, at least, until a suitable activation of the valve by a user is established.
  • vapor stored within the sleeve 160 may be allowed to pass through a mouthpiece for consumption.
  • the support guides couple to an outlet end of the sleeve so as to provide a passage for the vapor therethrough. It can be appreciated that other configurations of the mouthpiece and the manner in which vapor is contained and/or allowed to exit the collection region of the vaporizer may be possible.
  • the end of the mouthpiece may include a septum that seals the passageway from the external environment.
  • the septum may be configured to be opened to the outside upon application of a suitable pressure. For example, a user may bite down on the end, which may cause the septum to open and allow vapor exit therefrom.
  • the container 10 and vessel 150 are secured to the vaporizer 100.
  • the vessel 150 is secured to the vaporizer 100 by a locking mechanism 170.
  • the vessel is secured by one or more latches of the locking mechanism 170 that meet locking guides located on the vessel 150 which resist rotational or vertical movement of the vessel.
  • the container is secured to the vessel by a securing device 110, which aligns the container 10 with the heating element 103.
  • a sealing member 107 creates a sealed channel between the internal space of the sleeve 160 and the internal volume of the container 10.
  • the attached container 10 is pierced by one or more inlet piercing elements 106 such that air can move from the inlet piercing element 106 through the internal volume of the container 10 and into the internal space of the sleeve, as shown by the block arrows in the figure.
  • the vaporizer may include an introduction screen for a user interface that welcomes and invites the user to select one or more options while the system warms up.
  • the one or more options may include one or more vaporization modes, options, or settings by which a user can operate or modify the vaporizer.
  • a "Semi Auto" mode the system is configured to process a container pod carrying a suitable herbal composition according to a pre-specified recipe, for example, having particular temperature, humidity, flow rate profiles over time. In some cases, this recipe is provided based on the particular container pod that is loaded into receptacle.
  • an optical sensor of the vaporizer may read markings (e.g., barcode, QR code, instructions, ingredients, etc.) on the external surface of the container and an appropriate recipe tailored for the herbal contents within the pod may be loaded in.
  • markings e.g., barcode, QR code, instructions, ingredients, etc.
  • a user may manually override particular aspects of the recipe as desired. For example, the user may want to heat the herbal composition at a higher temperature, or for a longer period of time, in which case the adjusted parameters may be specified.
  • a "Manual" mode may be selected. By selecting the "Manual" mode, the system may allow the user to configure or program the vaporizer to process the container pod, as desired, without the benefit of a predetermined recipe.
  • the user may be able to select a "Settings" mode in which the user is able to modify any appropriate features of the system, for example, display settings, language, wireless connectivity, lock features, enable logging, etc.
  • the user may be required to unlock the system before any of the options are accessed.

Abstract

Dans certains modes de réalisation, un système de vaporisateur peut comprendre un vaporisateur et une cuve construite et agencée pour recevoir un récipient. Le récipient peut être conçu pour contenir une composition à base de plante à partir de laquelle de la vapeur peut être créée lorsqu'elle est chauffée. La cuve peut être construite et configurée pour collecter la vapeur produite à partir de la composition à base de plantes. La cuve et le récipient peuvent en outre être configurés pour être placés dans ou sur le vaporisateur configuré pour chauffer la composition à base de plantes pour créer de la vapeur collectée dans la cuve. Le vaporisateur peut comprendre une interface utilisateur qui permet à un utilisateur de surveiller l'état d'un processus de vaporisation.
PCT/US2018/059144 2017-11-03 2018-11-05 Procédé et appareil pour vaporisation de matériau WO2019090200A1 (fr)

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US62/581,233 2017-11-03

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EP3838005A1 (fr) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-23 Nerudia Limited Dispositif de substitution du tabac
CN113365509A (zh) * 2020-01-06 2021-09-07 韩国烟草人参公社 气溶胶生成装置
CN113365511A (zh) * 2020-01-06 2021-09-07 韩国烟草人参公社 气溶胶生成系统
CN114287678A (zh) * 2022-01-18 2022-04-08 深圳市华微矽电子科技有限公司 一种安全防爆的雾化装置及其电子烟

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WO2016183573A1 (fr) * 2015-05-14 2016-11-17 John Cameron Vaporisateur à chambres multiples et commande de mélange
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WO2016147188A1 (fr) * 2015-03-19 2016-09-22 Yossef Raichman Vaporisateur pour vaporiser un ingrédient actif
WO2016183573A1 (fr) * 2015-05-14 2016-11-17 John Cameron Vaporisateur à chambres multiples et commande de mélange
WO2016187695A1 (fr) * 2015-05-22 2016-12-01 Compressed Perforated Puck Technologies Inc. Appareil vaporisateur pour comprimé compressé et matériaux source végétaux en vrac
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EP3838005A1 (fr) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-23 Nerudia Limited Dispositif de substitution du tabac
WO2021123020A1 (fr) * 2019-12-18 2021-06-24 Nerudia Limited Dispositif de substitution pour fumeur
CN113365509A (zh) * 2020-01-06 2021-09-07 韩国烟草人参公社 气溶胶生成装置
CN113365511A (zh) * 2020-01-06 2021-09-07 韩国烟草人参公社 气溶胶生成系统
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EP3873278A4 (fr) * 2020-01-06 2022-01-05 KT&G Corporation Système de génération d'aérosol
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CN113365511B (zh) * 2020-01-06 2024-04-02 韩国烟草人参公社 气溶胶生成系统和气溶胶生成装置
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CN114287678B (zh) * 2022-01-18 2023-08-22 深圳市华微矽电子科技有限公司 一种安全防爆的雾化装置及其电子烟

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