Versatile Vaporizer Containing an Amount of Product for Multiple Use

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a vaporizer capable of storing an amount of product sufficient for multiple uses of said product. The product may be stored in a casing or cartridge of the invention. The invention may comprise a heating chamber and heating mechanism for which to heat the product to create vapor that may be inhaled by a user. The invention may comprise a mouthpiece. The invention may comprise means for moving product from the casing or cartridge into the heating chamber. In some embodiments, said means may be a piston movable my use of a knob and screw, motor and screw, plunger, or linear actuator. Various embodiments of the invention comprise different features and/or forms of the same feature so that the invention may be used to vaporize multiple types of product.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of vaporizers, specifically portable vaporizers used by users to inhale vapor for recreational and health purposes. The present invention also relates to the fields of recreational and medicinal cannabis.

In the fields of recreational and medicinal cannabis as well as the field of recreational tobacco use, many different forms of inhalable cannabis and tobacco exist. The present invention relates to three of such forms: dry herb; semi-dry, semi-solid extracts; and concentrated oil.

The term “dry herb” used herein refers to a dried form of a plant such as a cannabis or tobacco plant. Dry herb may be any portion of the plant, such as but not limited to the leaves, flowers, stems, buds, or seeds. The term “semi-dry, semi-solid extract” used herein refers to various forms of cannabis or tobacco that exist as solids but exhibit some properties of liquid such as conforming to the shape of their container. Said forms are similar to putties and powders. Examples of semi-dry, semi-solid extracts are products known in the cannabis industry as hash, charas, kief, bubble hash, shatter; other forms and names may arise over time. This list of examples is not to be interpreted as limiting the term “semi-dry, semi-solid extract” to only comprise said examples. The term “concentrated oil” used herein refers to portions or active ingredients of cannabis or tobacco plants infused with or formed into a highly viscous liquid. The viscosity of concentrated oil may be greater than 10,000 centipoise (“cP”), though the viscosity of concentrated oil depends on many factors, and may range anywhere from 5,000 cP to 1,000,000 cP.

A common method of using the aforementioned forms of medicinal and recreational cannabis and tobacco is by either burning or vaporizing the cannabis or tobacco. The term “burning” herein refers to heating a substance to its point of combustion such that the gaseous byproduct “smoke” is created. The term “vaporizing” herein refers to heating a substance to such a temperature, below its point of combustion, that the gaseous byproduct commonly referred to in the art of cannabis as “aerosol” or “vapor” is created. The devices described herein are used for creating vapor. Vaporization is regarded in the art as being a safer method for inhaling cannabis and tobacco products than burning to create smoke, due to the health risks of inhaling smoke. Further, devices used for burning cannabis and/or tobacco products may expose users to an open flame, which presents the risk of injury or property damage due to fire; conversely, vaporizers pose a lesser risk of fire. Devices used for vaporization of cannabis and/or tobacco products are referred to herein as “vaporizers.”

There are vaporizers that exist in the art that are used to vaporize the forms of cannabis or tobacco described previously. However, said vaporizers are often specific to one form of cannabis or tobacco. For example, one vaporizer in the art may be used for vaporizing only concentrated oil, while another may be used only for vaporizing semi-dry, semisolid extracts. This presents a shortcoming: users of said vaporizers are unable to switch between different products while using the same vaporizer. Said vaporizers also generally comprise only the amount of product for one use. Those vaporizers in the prior art which can be used for more than one of the forms of cannabis or tobacco need to be disassembled and reassembled with different or additional components in order to function with different forms of product. This presents an inconvenience to users that wish to use the vaporizers multiple times without disassembling the device.

Due to these and other shortcomings, there exists a need in the art for a vaporizer that may be used to vaporize multiple different types of cannabis and/or tobacco product, as well as being able to be used multiple times without disassembly and reassembly.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vaporizer capable of storing an amount of a product sufficient for multiple uses of said product. The vaporizer may use a piston to move the product proximally through a casing of the vaporizer so that at least a portion of the amount of product is moved into a heating chamber. A heating mechanism may heat the product within the heating chamber to create vapor that may travel proximally through a mouthpiece to be inhaled by a user. The mouthpiece may be permanently or removably attached to the proximal end of the casing. The heating mechanism may be powered by a battery. The heating mechanism may use induction to heat the product within the heating chamber.

The piston may be moved proximally and/or distally by use of a moving mechanism. The moving mechanism may be a rotational mechanism that is permanently attached to a screw such that rotating of the rotational mechanism causes the screw to rotate. The screw may be threaded into the piston such that when the screw rotates, the piston translates proximally and/or distally through the casing. The moving mechanism may be a knob that is rotated manually by a user. Alternatively, the moving mechanism may be an electric motor that is powered by the battery. The motor may further be a stepper motor that exists as part of a motorized step lift system.

The moving mechanism may alternatively be a linear mechanism that is permanently attached to the piston such that when the moving mechanism moves proximally and/or distally, the piston also moves proximally and/or distally. The moving mechanism may be a plunger that is manually pushed proximally or pulled distally by the user. The moving mechanism may alternatively be a linear actuator powered by the battery.

The moving mechanism may be configured distal to the piston. The piston may be configured within the casing. The heating chamber may be configured within the casing, proximal to the piston. The mouthpiece may be configured proximal to the heating chamber.

A plate may be configured proximal to the piston and distal to the heating chamber. The plate may further comprise a hole such that when the product is a concentrated oil and when the amount of product is moved proximally by the piston, the at least a portion of the amount of product moves into the heating chamber through the hole. The portion of the amount of product may rest on the plate while being heated within the heating chamber.

Alternatively, a mesh may be configured proximal to the piston and distal to the heating chamber such that when the product is a semi-dry, semi-solid extract and when the amount of product is moved proximally by the piston, the at least a portion of the amount of product moves into the heating chamber through the mesh. The mesh may “slice” the semi-dry, semi-solid extract into sized portions.

Alternatively, the product may be a dry herb that enters the heating chamber directly when moved proximally through the cartridge by the piston. Alternatively, a plurality of cups may be configured distally and proximally to one another to form a stack within the cartridge. Each cup may contain a different type of product at the option of the user. Each of the plurality of cups may be moved directly into the heating chamber by the piston so that the amount of product within the cup is heated within the heating chamber. Each cup may be removed from the invention by removing the mouthpiece and then removing the cup.

A cartridge may be used to hold the amount of product within the casing. The cartridge may be removable from the casing. In some embodiments, the amount of product may be moved proximally through the cartridge into the heating chamber. In the embodiments of the present invention in which cups are used to hold amounts of product, each cup may be considered a cartridge. In these embodiments, the entire cartridge may be moved into the heating chamber.

In some embodiments, the battery may be permanently attached to the cartridge such that removing the cartridge from the casing results in removing the battery from the casing, and such that introducing the cartridge into the casing results in introducing the battery into the casing. A permanently attached battery may be rechargeable; a vaporizer configured to comprise a rechargeable battery will further comprise an electrical socket configured to recharge the battery through interface with a separate recharging device. In other embodiments, the battery may be removably attached to the distal end of the vaporizer by a distal electrical coupler.

The present invention further relates to a method of vaporizing product, wherein an amount of product is provided, the amount of product is encased within a casing, a portion of the amount of product is moved into a heating chamber by use of a piston, and a heating mechanism is activated to vaporize the portion of the amount of product within the heating chamber.

The method may further include providing a plurality of cups, each cup containing an amount of product, in which each amount of product may be the same or different from any other at the option of the user. The plurality of cups may be linearly stacked within the casing, thereby creating a stack. A first cup may be moved into the heating chamber by the piston, wherein the piston is configured distal to the stack. The heating mechanism may be activated to vaporize the amount of product within the first cup. The first cup may be removed from the heating chamber. A second cup may be moved into the heating chamber by use of the piston, wherein the second cup is configured distal to the first cup within the stack. The heating mechanism may be activated to vaporizer the amount of product within the second cup.

The present invention pertains to the internal workings of a vaporizer. The embodiments described herein may be configured by one skilled in the art, in light of this disclosure, into any of the outer bodies now in use in the art or which may become used in the future, provided such outer bodies are compatible with the inner workings described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the following US Provisional patent applications, which are all hereby incorporated by reference: 63/186,083; 63/189,100; 63/189,102; 63/190,717; 63/214,228; 63/220,559; 63/233,233; and 63/310,603.

The description provided herein describes example embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to any particular embodiment, feature, or use. The figures provided herein are for use of example and are not intended to limit the invention to any particular embodiment, feature, size, shape, color, design, or overall aesthetic. The invention may be used to vaporize various forms of cannabis or tobacco. Said forms of cannabis or tobacco have been described previously herein, and may be referred to herein as “product.” While preferred embodiments of the invention are used to vaporize cannabis and/or tobacco products, the term “product” as used herein is not intended to limit the vaporizable substances used with the invention to comprising portions or active ingredients of a cannabis or tobacco plant; indeed, as the present invention is a device for consuming the product in a legal recreational or medicinal way, the present invention does not claim the product itself and refers to the product only insofar as it is an object upon which the present invention operates.

The directional terms “distal” and “proximal” are used throughout this description. The term “proximal” is used herein to describe a direction “towards” a user of the invention while the invention is being used to inhale vapor, in which the mouthpiece is in preferred embodiments most proximal to the user. The term “distal” is used herein to describe a direction “away from” a user of the invention while the invention is being used by the user to inhale vapor. These terms may also be used to describe locations of the components of the invention relative to one another. For example, an exemplary Component A may be proximal to a Component B, meaning that Component A is closer to the user of the invention while the invention is being used by the user to inhale vapor.

FIGS.1through7herein are described as cross-sections of a vaporizer10as described herein. The outmost lines of the figures describing a casing12of the vaporizer10in such events are understood to be cross-sectional lines of the casing12as though cut through along a plane running proximal to distal.

As shown inFIG.1, the vaporizer10uses a moving mechanism20to move a piston16distally102and proximally100within the casing12. The moving mechanism20displayed in the embodiment inFIG.1is configured to rotate by manual action of a user; other embodiments may comprise a knob23or a rotational mechanism22in place of the moving mechanism20. The moving mechanism20is permanently connected to a screw25such that when the moving mechanism20rotates, the screw25also rotates. The screw25is threaded into the piston16such that when the moving mechanism20is rotated in a first direction, the piston16moves distally102; when the moving mechanism20is rotated in a second direction, the piston16moves proximally100. The screw25may have external threads that mate with internal threads of the piston16. Alternatively, the screw may have internal threads that mate with external threads of the piston16. An amount of product40is configured proximal100to the piston16. The product40shown inFIG.1is concentrated oil42; the product40may comprise other types of product40at the option of the user. As the piston16moves proximally100through the casing12, the concentrated oil42is forced through a hole35in a plate34, the plate34being configured proximal100to the piston16. A heating chamber30, comprising in part a heating mechanism32, is configured proximal100to the plate34such that when the concentrated oil42is forced through the hole35, the concentrated oil42enters the heating chamber30. The heating chamber30via the heating mechanism32applies heat to the heating chamber30in an amount and intensity such that the product concentrated oil42is vaporized rather than burned. The vapor from the heated concentrated oil42is then able to escape through a mouthpiece18configured proximal to the heating chamber30to accept vapor from the heating chamber30so that a user may inhale vapor created by the vaporizing of the concentrated oil42. The mouthpiece18is configured such that a user may rest their mouth on said mouthpiece18in order to inhale the vapor produced by vaporizing the product40. The mouthpiece18and casing12may be configured as one piece or two separate, removably attachable pieces.

It is preferred that the hole35be small enough to allow the piston16to force only a preferred portion of the product40through the hole35at any given time. In alternate embodiments, the hole35and heating chamber30may be configured to allow the piston16to force the entire amount of product40through the hole35; this is not preferred for a vaporizer10configured for use by a single user, but an alternate embodiment may be so configured to release large quantities of vapor into the open air.

As shown inFIG.2, an alternate embodiment of the vaporizer10with the casing12, piston16, moving mechanism20, heating chamber30, and mouthpiece18is used with the amount of product40, said amount of product40being in thisFIG.2a semi-dry, semi-solid extract44that is configured proximal100to the piston16. A mesh38is configured proximal100to the piston16such that when the piston moves proximally100, the semi-dry, semi-solid extract44is forced through the mesh38and into the heating chamber30, which is configured proximal100to the mesh38. The heating chamber30via the heating mechanism32may heat the semi-dry, semi-solid extract44within the heating chamber30such that the semi-dry, semi-solid extract44produces a vapor that may be inhaled by a user via the mouthpiece18configured to accept vapor from the heating chamber30.

As shown inFIG.3, an alternate embodiment of the vaporizer10with the casing12, piston16, moving mechanism20, heating chamber30, and mouthpiece18is used with an amount of product40, said amount of 11 product40being a dry herb46that is configured proximal100to the piston16such that when the piston moves proximally100, the dry herb46is moved into the heating chamber30, which is configured proximal100to the piston16. The heating chamber30via the heating mechanism32may heat the dry herb46within the heating chamber30to product vapor that may be inhaled by a user via the mouthpiece18configured to accept vapor from the heating chamber30. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the vaporizer10does not comprise a plate34or mesh38separating the heating chamber30from the piston16; the dry herb46enters the heating chamber30enters the heating chamber30by the described action of the piston16. Alternate embodiments may comprise a plate34or mesh38configured to accept the dry herb46.

As shown inFIG.4, an alternate embodiment of the vaporizer10with the casing12, piston16, moving mechanism20, heating chamber30, and mouthpiece18is used with multiple amounts of product40. The multiple amounts of product40shown inFIG.4are two amounts of dry herb46, one amount of concentrated oil42, and one amount of semi-dry, semi-solid extract44. Each of the multiple amounts of product40are configured within one of a plurality of cups50. The cups are configured in a distal-proximal line to form a stack52. A user may select any combination of the products40as desired.

Each cup50is configured to be accepted by and interface with the embodiment of vaporizer10; varying embodiments of each cup50may be internally configured to better accommodate each type of product40. A cup50configured optimally for use with a semi-dry, semi-solid extract44may further comprise a mesh38. A cup50configured optimally for use with a concentrated oil42may further comprise a plate34with a hole35.

As further shown inFIG.4, the plurality of cups50forming the stack52are configured along the line from most proximal to most distal. The stack52is configured proximal100to the piston16such that when the piston16moves proximally100, cup50enters the heating chamber30, wherein the heating chamber30via the heating mechanism32may be used to heat the product40, in thisFIG.4being most proximally100the dry herb46, within cup50to create vapor that may be inhaled by the user via the mouthpiece18configured to accept vapor from the heating chamber30. The vaporizer10shown inFIG.4uses a moving mechanism20that is a linear mechanism27. More specifically, the moving mechanism20shown inFIG.4is a plunger28. The plunger28is permanently attached to the piston16and may be manually moved in either the proximal100or distal102directions by the user. When the plunger28is moved proximally100, the piston16is also moved proximally100. When the plunger28is moved distally102, the piston is also moved distally102. The casing12is configured to permit cups50to be added or removed by the user.

As shown inFIG.5, an alternate embodiment of the vaporizer10with the casing12, piston16, mouthpiece18, moving mechanism20, and heating chamber30as well as product40further comprises a battery14attached to the distal102end of the vaporizer10through a distal electrical coupler70. The distal electrical coupler70extends distally102from the moving mechanism20. The distal electrical coupler70may connect to the battery14through threads located on both the distal electrical coupler70and the battery14. The threads of the distal electrical coupler70may be internal threads, and the threads of the battery14may be corresponding external threads. Alternatively, the threads of the distal electrical coupler70may be external threads, and the threads of the battery may be corresponding internal threads.10In preferred embodiments, the thread specifications of the distal electrical coupler70are those of a standard male thread connection used in the art of vaporizers. The distal electrical coupler70may contain one or more conductive pins that make contact with the terminals of the battery14. The contact between the one or more conductive pins and the terminals of the battery14may form a circuit between the battery14and the various15other electrical components of the vaporizer such as the heating mechanism32. The one or more buttons of the vaporizer may act as switches to said circuit. The battery14may be removably attached to the vaporizer10by threading the battery14onto the distal electrical coupler70. When removably attached to the vaporizer10, the battery14may form the distal102end of the vaporizer10. The removable connection between the battery2014and the vaporizer10allows the battery14to be easily replaced when a new battery is needed.

As shown inFIG.6, the vaporizer10with a cartridge12and with the piston16, mouthpiece18, moving mechanism20, and heating chamber30contains amounts of product40, in thisFIG.6two different types of the concentrated oils42. The amounts of concentrated oils42are layered on top of13one another to create an alternating load of concentrated oils42. Though types of concentrated oil42are shown inFIG.6, this alternating load can comprise any type of product40compatible with the embodiment of the vaporizer10, including semi-dry, semi-solid extracts44or dry herb46. In some embodiments, a plurality of spacers may be implemented between amounts of product40and40′ to separate said amounts of product40to prevent the products40intermingling and undesirably altering the flavor or consistency of each product40. In other embodiments, the amounts of products40are not separated by spacers; different types of products40may consequently intermingle within the alternating load to desirably alter the flavor or consistency of each product40. In further embodiments, the various types of products40may comprise waxes or hashes which do not tend to intermingle freely and which may consequently be layered without spacers and still comprise separate layers of the alternating load.

The vaporizer10shown inFIG.6in which the products40are a plurality of two varieties of concentrated oils42further comprises an embodiment of the plate34distal102to the heating chamber30further comprising the heating mechanism32. The concentrated oils42enter the heating chamber30through the hole35in the plate34when one of the plurality of concentrated oils42is moved proximally100through the casing12by the piston16. The heating chamber30via the heating mechanism32applies heat to the heating chamber30in an amount and intensity such that the product concentrated oil42is vaporized rather than burned. The vapor from the heated concentrated oil42is then able to escape through a mouthpiece18configured proximal to the heating chamber30to accept vapor from the heating chamber30so that a user may inhale vapor created by the vaporizing of the concentrated oil.

As shown inFIG.7, an alternate embodiment of the vaporizer10with the casing12, piston16, mouthpiece18, moving mechanism20, and heating chamber30contains amounts of product40. The moving mechanism20is a stepper motor94in this embodiment. Other embodiments may comprise a different type of a rotational mechanism22or other type of motor24. A first bevel gear96is fixed to one end of the stepper motor94. The first bevel gear96mates with a second bevel gear98, which is fixed to a distal102end of the screw25. The screw25mates with the piston16via a threaded connection so that when the stepper motor94rotates the first bevel gear96, the connection between the first bevel gear96and second bevel gear98causes the screw25to rotate, which causes the piston16to move distally102or proximally100depending on the direction of rotation of the screw25. The stepper motor94is powered by one or more instances of the battery14, which is preferably housed within the casing12as shown. The battery14further powers the heating mechanism32. The heating mechanism32is in this instance embodied as one or more of a coil36configured surrounding the heating chamber30or within the heating chamber30.

The coils36shown in the embodiment ofFIG.7are induction coils80that are part of an induction circuit. The induction circuit further comprises an induction module82and a transistor84. The transistor84may be a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor, commonly known as a “MOSFET.”

As the battery14supplies voltage to the induction circuit, current is fed to the transistor84, which regulates the amount of current transmitted to the induction module82. The induction module82establishes an oscillating current that is then sent through the induction coils80. As the oscillating current is sent through the induction coils80, a magnetic field is induced within the induction coils80. The induction coils80are located within or around the heating chamber30such that the magnetic field generated by the induction coils82induces electric eddy currents within the heating chamber30. These electrical eddy currents cause the product40to gain heat, and thus the product40within the heating chamber30is heated by means of induction. The product40within the heating chamber30may be heated to a temperature lower than the combustion temperature of the product40so that the product40is vaporized and not burned. In some embodiments, the induction module82further comprises two inductive chokes that “choke” the current as it flows into the induction coils80in order to ensure that the circuit does not draw too much current upon starting up. Upon starting up, current may flow through a first transistor in embodiments of the invention that comprise more than one transistor. This will cause all of the gate current to flow through the first transistor84and draw the draw the drain of the first transistor84to the ground, which allows current to flow through the induction coils80to the ground. The induction module82may further comprise a capacitor that creates an oscillating resonant tank circuit. Because of the resonant action of this resonant tank circuit, the drain of the second transistor84will alternate and eventually reaching 0 volts. Once this happens, the first transistor84will discharge into the second transistor84. The second transistor84will then gain all of the current, and the cycle will repeat to create an oscillating current within the induction coils80. The stepper motor94shown inFIG.7may be part of a motorized lift system that may further comprise a step vibration motor90and a stepper motor controller92. The motorized lift system may be controlled by one or more buttons located on the outside of the casing12of the vaporizer10.

FIG.8is an embodiment of the vaporizer10as shown inFIG.1without a cross-sectional cut, the embodiment comprising the casing12, piston16, moving mechanism20, heating chamber30, and mouthpiece18for use with a product40. This embodiment presents a version in which the casing18partially comprises a transparent portion by which the user may observe the product40within the vaporizer10.

In some embodiments, an “up button” and a “down button” are present. Pressing the up button once may activate the stepper motor controller92, which controls the stepper motor94and allows the stepper motor94to rotate so that the first bevel gear96rotates the second bevel gear98which rotates the screw25which causes the piston16to move a certain distance proximally100. Pressing the down button (not shown) once may activate the stepper motor controller92which allows the stepper motor94to rotate so that the first bevel gear96rotates the second bevel gear98which rotates the screw25which causes the piston16to move a certain distance distally102. Holding the up or down buttons may cause the stepper motor92to rotate so that the piston16is moved proximally100or distally102, respectively, at a constant rate. Pressing either button once or holding either button may activate the step vibration motor90, which may vibrate the buttons in order to provide the user with tactile feedback that the motorized lift system is functioning as intended.

In some embodiments, the stepper motor controller92may be a transistor84.

In further embodiments, this transistor84may be a MOSFET.

In some embodiments, the stepper motor controller92may be the same transistor84as the transistor84in the induction heating system.

In other embodiments, the induction heating system and motorized step lift system may each comprise their own transistors84.

In some embodiments, all components are made of one or more disposable bioplastics. The term “bioplastics” used herein refers to any type of plastic derived from renewable biological substances rather than petroleum. Said biological substances may be but are not limited to corn, wheat, sugarcane, wood, soybeans, canola, and/or hemp.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece18or casing12, or portions thereof, may be made of heat-resistant glass or another transparent, heat-resistant material. This allows users to view the heating chamber or other components of the invention. This is a desirable feature for the user as it allows the user to determine how much product is entering the heating chamber.

In embodiments comprising the disclosed cups50, the casing12may be configured with an opening and closing feature for insertion or removal of one or more cups50at a time. In other embodiments comprising the cups50, the vaporizer10may be configured with a removable piston16allowing the stack52to be inserted or removed.

Further embodiments of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure and are incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.