Heating element assembly for vaporizer

A heating element assembly for a vaporizing apparatus can include a housing, a heating element disposed within the housing, a magnetic connector, and a spacing member. The housing can comprise an outer wall defining an inner bore and a base portion disposed within the inner bore, the base portion defining an upper well portion and a lower well portion. The upper well portion can receive at least a portion of a therapeutic agent container. The heating element can increase in temperature when a current is applied. The magnetic connector can be disposed at least partially within the housing and coupled to the heating element. The spacing member can be disposed between the heating element and the magnetic connector. The magnetic connector can be configured to couple an electric power source.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems for volatizing therapeutic agents, such as by heating or vaporizing, and more particularly to heating element assemblies for such systems.

BACKGROUND

Liquids containing therapeutic agents can be vaporized and inhaled for medicinal purposes. Certain therapeutic agents can be prepared for consumption in an oil medium. In order to vaporize therapeutic agent-containing oil, it is typically heated to a high temperature (e.g., between 450° F. −600° F., depending on the particular oil or agent). After agent-containing medium is vaporized, the vapors can be inhaled either directly or after passing the vapor through water.

Vaporizers for use with therapeutic agent-containing oils typically have a container that can be heated to vaporize oil placed within the container. The container is typically a glass structure with an opening at the top that oil can be placed in and a lower surface that can be heated. Some vaporizers have containers that are heated directly with a flame from a blow torch or other device. However, this requires the presence of an open flame, which can be dangerous, and which can make achieving a precise temperature difficult. Alternatively, electronic vaporizers can be used to more precisely heat a container to a particular temperature. Electronic vaporizers typically comprise metal coils that wrap around a container and can be heated by applying a voltage to the coils and running a current through them. This can allow a container to be heated to a precise temperature. However, this requires a high voltage to be applied to the coils, which typically means the vaporizer must be plugged into an electrical outlet in order to provide enough electrical power. Furthermore, because the coils wrap around the container, disturbance of the cables connected to the coils can knock the system over, potentially damaging the entire system and/or presenting a fire hazard.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are heating element assemblies for vaporizers for consuming therapeutic agents. In a representative embodiment, a heating element assembly for a vaporizing apparatus comprises a housing comprising an outer wall defining an inner bore and a base portion disposed within the inner bore, the base portion defining an upper well portion and a lower well portion, the upper well portion configured to receive at least a portion of a therapeutic agent container, and a heating element disposed within the housing and configured to increase in temperature when a current is applied to the heating element. The assembly can further comprise a magnetic connector disposed adjacent the housing and configured to be coupled to the heating element, and a spacing member disposed between the heating element and the magnetic connector. The magnetic connector is configured to be coupled to an electric power source.

In some embodiments, the housing can comprise a channel extending through a thickness of the outer wall such that an inner diameter of the housing is variable to clamp the therapeutic agent container, heating element, magnetic connector, and spacing member together. In some such embodiments, the assembly can further comprises a fastener extending across a width of the channel, the fastener configured to retain the housing in a clamped configuration. In some such embodiments, the assembly can further comprise an outer sleeve configured slide over the housing to reduce the inner diameter of the housing.

In some embodiments, the magnetic connector can be disposed at least partially within a magnet holder coupled to the housing. In some such embodiments, the lower well portion can be configured to receive at least a portion of the magnet holder.

In some embodiments, the spacing member can comprise a silicone washer.

In some embodiment, the base portion of the housing can comprise at least a first opening and the spacing member comprises at least a second opening axially aligned with the first opening. In some such embodiments, the heating element can comprise a circular disc and at least one input pin extending from the disc through the first opening of the housing and the second opening of the spacing member. In some such embodiments, the magnetic connector can comprise a main body and at least one output pin extending from the main body through the first opening and the second opening.

In another representative embodiment, a system can comprise a power source configured to output an adjustable current through a cable connected to the power source, a heating assembly couplable to the power source by the cable, a container member coupled to the heating assembly, and a conduit assembly coupled to and in fluid communication with the container member. The heating assembly comprises a magnetic connector magnetically couplable to the cable and a heating element coupled to the magnetic connector.

In some embodiments, the power source can be a rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, one end of the cable can have a metallic surface configured to magnetically couple to the magnetic connector.

In some embodiments, the heating assembly can further comprise a housing in which the heating element, a portion of the magnetic connector, and a portion of the container member are disposed, the housing having a diameter variable between a first diameter and a second diameter, the second diameter configured to secure the magnetic connector and the container member against movement relative to the housing. In some such embodiments, the system can further comprise an outer sleeve configured slide over the housing to move the housing from the first diameter to the second diameter. In some such embodiments, the system can further comprise an outer wall having a channel extending through a thickness of the outer wall, and wherein the housing can be secured at the second diameter by a fastener extending across a width of the channel.

In some embodiments, the heating assembly can further comprise a silicone washer positioned between the heating element and the magnetic connector.

In some embodiments, the container member can be configured to be heated by the heating element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a therapeutic agent delivery or dosing system configured as a vaporizer system that can be used to vaporize liquids, such as medicinal liquids. Such medicinal liquids can include oils, such as oils containing cannabidiol (CBD) or other therapeutic compounds or flavors that can be administered by inhaling the liquid vapors. As described herein, the vaporizer100has a portable power source pack (e.g., a battery) and a magnetic housing for a heating element. In certain embodiments, the heating element can be a ceramic heating element, a metallic coil, or other electrical resistance or inductive heating element. The heating element configurations described herein can output a lower voltage than is typically required for traditional electric vaporizers, which can allow for the use of the portable battery pack instead of an electrical outlet. The magnetic housing can allow the power cable to be easily connected or disconnected.

FIG.1shows a vaporizer system100according to one embodiment. The vaporizer system100can generally comprise a power source102, a power cable104, and a heating assembly144coupled to the power source via the power cable104and comprising a container member or reservoir (e.g., a banger)134. The system can further comprise a conduit assembly140(e.g., configured as an internal recycler, an incycler, or recycler) coupled to the container member134and configured to allow a user to inhale oil vapor generated by heating the container member134using the heating assembly144. The heating assembly144can generally comprise the container member134, a housing128, and heating element130.

As mentioned, the vaporizer system100comprises a power source102, such as a battery, connected to a power cable104. The power source102can output a variable voltage/current through the cable104. In the illustrated embodiment, the power source is a battery102that can output a voltage of between 13 V-16 V. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery102can have a gear assembly comprising a housing110(FIG.2), a controller118(FIG.3), a gear116(FIG.4), a battery gear top106(FIGS.5A-5B) comprising a gear107positioned about a central opening in the top member106, a pin114(FIG.6), and a lid112(FIG.7). The controller118can be, for example, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, such as a motor or speed controller. In some embodiments, the battery102can have a potentiometer that can be used to adjust its voltage/current output. The gear116can be attached to the lid112and the potentiometer. The gears107and116can be meshed together such that rotating the outer gear top member106of the battery102rotates the gear116, which can turn the lid112and adjust the potentiometer to change the voltage/current output by the battery102. The battery102can also comprise a charging port120(FIG.8) for recharging the battery and a power switch122(FIG.9). The battery102can be connected to a wall outlet to charge (e.g., via charging portion120) and then can be disconnected such that it is portable and still able to operate. In other embodiments, the battery (or other power source) can be coupled to an alternative means of charging such as, for example, a solar panel. In still other embodiments, the battery can be replaceable rather than rechargeable.

In some embodiments, the system100can further comprise a power source cap108, as shown inFIGS.10A-10B. The power source cap108can include a lid member109, an outer wall111, and a crescent-shaped opening113extending through a thickness of the lid member109. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening113can comprise an elongated slot including a plurality of circular openings115. The opening113can be disposed in a recess117disposed on a outer surface of the lid member109.

Referring toFIG.11, the power cable104can comprise a cable body103and metallic and/or magnetic connector105. The power cable104can be configured to couple the power source102to the heating assembly144, using the magnetic connector105. As the battery102outputs a voltage/current, because the connector105is connected to the cable body103, the connector105comprises the voltage/current output by the battery102. As shown inFIG.1, the metallic connector105can be magnetically coupled to a magnetic connector124of the heating assembly144. Referring toFIG.12, the magnetic connector124can comprise a magnetic portion123. The magnetic portion123can be sized and shaped to engage the metallic connector105of the power cable104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic portion123can comprise a circular recess146sized to fit a circular protrusion148(FIG.11) of the magnetic connector105. The magnetic portion123can comprise a magnet that creates a magnetic field and thereby attracts metallic objects such as the metallic connector105. The magnetic strength of the magnetic portion123can be such that the metallic connector105firmly connects to the magnetic connector124of the heating assembly144when they are engaged with each other but can be easily removed from the magnetic connector124without the use of excessive force.

As shown inFIG.20, the heating assembly144can comprise a container member134, a housing128that houses the heating element130and positions the heating element130adjacent the container member134, a magnet holder126coupled to the housing128, and the magnetic connector124, which can be disposed within the magnet holder126.

The magnetic connector124can be housed in a magnet holder126, shown inFIGS.13A-13B. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet holder126has a truncated conical or frustoconical shape including an inner bore119. In some embodiments, the magnet holder can include one or more cutouts121. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the magnet holder includes a cutout121extending from the inner bore119to an outer surface of the magnet holder126. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutout121comprises two channels150separated by a wall portion152. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet holder126comprises aluminum. In other embodiments, the magnet holder126can comprise other materials including polymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastics, metals such as aluminum, titanium, and/or steel, or any other material(s) strong enough to hold the magnetic connector124.

When the magnetic connector124is coupled to the connector105, as shown inFIG.1, the voltage/current output by the battery102is applied to the magnetic connector124. The magnetic connector124can have two output pins125aand125b(FIG.12) to apply the received voltage/current to, for example, a heating element130, as described below. Because the connector124is magnetically coupled to the connector105, jostling of the cable104or other components of the vaporizer100can cause the connectors105and124to disconnect rather than toppling the entire system100and potentially causing damage to the components. Thus, this magnetic coupling can enhance system safety.

In the configuration shown inFIG.15, the heating element130can comprise a ceramic plate131and two input pins133aand133b.In the illustrated embodiment, the input pins133a,133bextend from a surface of the ceramic plate at a substantially 90 degree angle, however, in other embodiments the input pins can be arranged in any orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the input pins are disposed on a first end portion of the ceramic plate and are located adjacent one another. In other embodiments, the input pins may be disposed in any configuration on the ceramic plate131. The input pins133a,133bof the heating element130can be connected to the output pins125a,125bof the magnetic connector124(FIG.12). This causes current output by the battery102to be applied to the heating element130thereby heating the ceramic plate131. In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature of the heating element130can range from 0° F. −1100° F. based on the voltage/current output by the battery102. In some embodiments, the heating element can range in temperature from 0° F. −800° F.

A holder or housing128, shown inFIG.14, can house the heating element130, position the heating element between the magnetic connector124and the container member134, and couple the heating assembly144together. In the illustrated embodiment, the holder128is made of aluminum, but can also be made of any suitable heat-resistant material such as any of various metals, quartz, ceramics, glass, etc. The holder128can have a base127upon which the heating element130can rest. The base127of the holder128can comprise two openings129a,129bextending through the base127of the holder and through which the output pins125a,125bof the magnetic connector124and/or the input pins133a,133bof the heating element130can extend. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the housing128can be an annular member/cylindrical tube/adjustable collar comprising an inner diameter portion or inner bore154, and the base127can be disposed within the inner bore154such that a well is defined on either side of the base127. For example, the housing128can comprise an upper well172into which a portion of the container member134can be disposed and a lower well174(FIG.20) into which a portion of the magnet holder126can be disposed.

As shown inFIG.14, the housing128can be configured as a clamp member having an opening or channel156extending through a thickness of the outer wall158of the housing128, that defines a first portion and a second portion166,168of the outer wall158. The inner diameter of the housing128can be varied by moving the first and second portions166,168nearer and/or further relative to one another. The first and second portions166,168can each comprise an aperture170. A fastener such as a screw (not shown) can extend through the apertures170to couple the first and second portions166,168together and can be used to tighten the housing128around one or more other components of the heating assembly144(including the container member134) in order to clamp/engage/retain the components together, as shown inFIG.21.

In some embodiments, the outer wall158can have a non-uniform thickness around the circumference of the housing128. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the outer wall158comprising the channel156is thicker than the opposite portion of the outer wall158. However, in other embodiments, the outer wall158can have a substantially uniform thickness around the circumference of the housing. As shown inFIG.14, the lower wall127of the housing128can further comprise a substantially T-shaped opening160including a head portion162aligned with the channel156in the outer wall158, and a body portion162extending from the head portion to the opposing portion of the outer wall158. The T-shaped opening160can give the housing128additional flexibility such that the housing128can serve as a clamp.

In certain embodiments, if the temperature of the magnetic connector124rises above a certain threshold (e.g., approximately 130° F.), the magnetic connectivity of the connector124with the connector105of the cable104can be degraded. Thus, a spacing member132(FIG.16), such as a disk or washer, can be positioned between the heating element130and the magnetic connector124to separate and thermally isolate the heating element130from the magnetic connector124, as shown inFIG.20. This can prevent the temperature of the connector124from significantly increasing as the temperature of the heating element130increases during operation of the system100. The washer132can comprise any thermally insulative, heat resistant materials such as silicone or other polymers, glass, fiberglass, (e.g., fiberglass exhaust shielding), etc. In certain embodiments, the washer132comprises silicone. The washer132can comprise two openings135a,135bthrough which the output pins125a,125bof the magnetic connector124and/or the input pins133a,133bof the heating element130can extend.

A container member134, shown inFIG.17, can comprise a therapeutic agent container portion136and a tube or conduit portion138in fluid communication with the container portion136. The container portion136can have a cylindrical shape including an inner bore164in which liquid therapeutic agent can be received. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the container member134can comprise quartz or other heat-resistant materials. As shown inFIG.20, the therapeutic agent container portion136can be placed in the holder128with a lower wall137placed against the heating element130. Thus, as the heating element130increases in temperature, the container member134also increases in temperature. Once the container member134reaches a desired temperature, a user can place a therapeutic agent to be vaporized into the therapeutic agent container portion136. When the container member134is at a sufficient temperature, placing liquid agent inside the container causes the agent to vaporize. A cap can then be placed over the therapeutic agent container portion136such that the vapor travels through the tube138and into the conduit assembly140coupled to tube138, as shown inFIG.1. A reservoir141of the conduit assembly140can be filled with water, if desired, and the vapor can pass through the conduit assembly and exit through an opening142where it can be inhaled by a user.FIG.18illustrates the conduit assembly140without the reservoir.

In operation, referring toFIG.20, the battery102outputs a variable voltage/current through the power cable104. The metallic connector105at the end of the power cable104can be coupled to the magnetic connector124, which is housed within the magnet holder126. The voltage/current output by the battery102creates a voltage/current at the metallic connector105and the magnetic connector124when the connectors105,124are coupled together. The housing128can be positioned above the connector124. In other embodiments, the connector124can extend at least partially into the housing128. The washer132can be placed within the housing128and the ceramic plate131of the heating element130can be placed on top of the washer. The output pins125a,125b(FIG.12) of the connector124can extend through the openings129a,129b(FIG.14) in the housing128and through the openings135a,135b(FIG.16) in the washer132and can be connected to the input pins133a,133b(FIG.15) of the heating element130. The connection between the output pins125a,125band the input pins133a,133bensures that the voltage/current output by the battery102is transferred to the heating element130to cause the heating element to increase in temperature. The washer132beneath the ceramic plate131can thermally isolate or prevent the magnetic connector124from excessive heating, avoiding loss of magnetic connectivity with the metallic connector105of the power cable104.

Still referring toFIG.20, the container portion136of the container member134can be placed on top of the heating element130. As the heating element130increases in temperature, because the container member134is in contact with the heating element, the container member increases in temperature as well. When the container member134reaches a desired temperature, which can be controlled by varying the voltage/current output by the battery102, liquid therapeutic agent can be placed in the container portion136of the member134and the container portion can be covered. The liquid agent will vaporize, and the vapor can travel through the tube138into the conduit assembly140, as shown inFIG.1. The vapor can then exit the opening142in the conduit assembly140and it can be inhaled by a user.

FIG.22illustrates another embodiment of a heating assembly200. Heating assembly200can generally include a container member202, a heating element clamp204, a magnetic connection clamp206, and an outer housing or sleeve208. The components of heating element assembly200can advantageously be coupled together without the use of fasteners such as screws.

A heating element (such as heating element130described previously) can be disposed within the heating element clamp204. Similar to housing128, the heating element clamp204can comprise an opening or channel210extending through a thickness of the outer wall212. The inner diameter of the heating element clamp204can be reduced by compressing/squeezing/deforming the outer wall212such that the width of the channel210is narrowed. A portion of the container member202(e.g., a lower portion) and a portion of the magnetic connection clamp206, can each be disposed within the heating element clamp204such that the heating element is disposed between them. Thus arranged, the outer sleeve208can be slid over the components202,204,206to secure them in place relative to one another by compressing the outer wall212to reduce the inner diameter of the heating element clamp204.

Explanation of Terms

Although the operations of some of the disclosed embodiments are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms like “provide” or “achieve” to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level abstractions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation. All features described herein are independent of one another and, except where structurally impossible, can be used in combination with any other feature described herein.

As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises.” Further, the term “coupled” generally means physically, mechanically, chemically, magnetically, and/or electrically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled or associated items absent specific contrary language. As used in this application, directional terms such as “upper” or “lower” can be rotated and considered to be in different orientations.