Aromatherapy vaporization device

A novel herbal vaporization device (HVD) and method is disclosed. The HVD includes a recharging unit for storing therein of a vaporization unit having a heating chamber disposed at a first end thereof for receiving of loose leaf herbal material and for providing of heat thereto, the vaporization unit comprising a second end disposed opposite the first end with a fluid pathway between the two ends. In a first mode of operation the vaporization unit is for being recharged from the recharging unit and in a second mode of operation the vaporization unit is for use in vaporizing of loose leaf herbal material inserted into the heating chamber for having at least partially vaporized loose leaf herbal material and ambient air to flow through the fluid pathway.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technical field relates to a device for vaporization of phyto materials and more specifically to a device for aromatherapy vaporization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Aromatherapy generally uses essential oils, which are extracted from phyto materials, such as leaves of plants, for therapeutic benefits. These essential oils are either massaged into the skin or can be inhaled. In some cases the phyto materials are heated in order to released the essential oils therefrom. By heating these phyto materials at predetermined temperatures, essential oils and extracts are boiled off, depending upon the temperature at which these phyto materials are heated, an aroma or vapor is given off, which is then inhaled by a user for its therapeutic benefits. Devices that provide such operation are generally known as vaporizers. Different phyto materials release vapors at different temperatures. Some release vapors at 120 degrees Celsius, whereas others at 220 degrees Celsius. Ideally the predetermined temperature is less than a combustion temperature of the phyto material or loose leaf material.

Many herbal vaporization devices on the market utilize a heating chamber in order to heat herbal leaf material in order to vaporize its contents so that desired oils and other flavor materials can be separated from the leaf material in order to be consumed by a user of the device in a vaporized form.

Unfortunately, many of these herbal vaporization devices have long heating times as well as leave the herbal material in contact with the heating chamber of an oven for a prolonged period of time, which may reduce the potency of the vaporization of the desired extracts from the loose leaf herbal materials.

Furthermore, battery life is also important in portable based vaporizers because in some cases users may demand to utilize them over the course of an 8 h day and in some cases if the battery life is too short, then the device will lose its power before the demands of the consumer are met.

Additionally, many vaporization devices on the market utilize proprietary recharging connections, which may not readily be available when on the go. There are also many vaporization devices that utilize non controlled heating of the herbal materials and as a result cause the herbal material to be combusted versus being vaporizer, not to mention that many of these devices are quite bulky in size.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an aromatherapy vaporization device that overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the embodiments of the invention there is provided a herbal vaporization device comprising: a recharging unit for storing therein of a vaporization unit comprising a first housing comprising a heating chamber disposed at a first end thereof for receiving of loose leaf herbal material and for providing of heat thereto, the vaporization unit comprising a second end disposed opposite the first end; a conductive heating element disposed proximate the heating chamber at the first end for heating of the loose leaf herbal material for at least partial vaporization thereof; a first battery at least partially disposed within the first housing; a first control circuit coupled with the first battery and the conductive heating element, the first control circuit for controlling the flow of electrical current from the first battery to the conductive heating element; a first battery first recharging contact coupled with the first control circuit and a first battery second recharging contact coupled with the first control circuit, wherein the first and second battery recharging contacts and protrude past the first housing; a switch coupled with the first control circuit for providing a control signal to the first control circuit for affecting the flow of electrical current from the first battery to the conductive heating element; a fluid pathway extending through the housing from the first end to the second end and fluidly coupled with the heating chamber that places the fluid pathway in fluid communication with an outside environment and for allowing of the at least partially vaporized loose leaf herbal material and ambient air to flow therein from proximate the first end to the second end; the recharging unit comprising a second housing for receiving at least partially therein the vaporization unit, the recharging unit having disposed therein a second battery having a larger capacity than the first battery and coupled with a second control circuit and coupled with a recharging port, the recharging port for receiving of electrical energy for recharging of the second battery from an external source; a charging port coupled with the second control circuit for in a first mode of operation for being coupled with the first battery first recharging contact and the first battery second recharging contact for providing of electrical energy from the second battery to the first battery in a controllable manner and for in a second mode of operation for uncoupling of the first battery first recharging contact and the first battery second recharging contact from the charging port, the first and second battery recharging contacts being disposed within the second housing when providing of electrical energy from the second battery to the first battery, wherein in the second mode of operation upon depressing of the switch, electrical current from the first battery is controllably provided to the conductive heating element and the loose leaf herbal material within the heating chamber is heated by the conductive heating element and where upon creating a low pressure proximate the second end, a lower pressure is created in the fluid pathway and ambient air at a higher pressure flows into the heating chamber and propagates through the loose leaf herbal material and vapor emitted from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material is mixed with the ambient air and together flows out of the second end.

In accordance with the embodiments of the invention there is provided a herbal vaporization device comprising: a recharging unit for storing therein of a vaporization unit comprising a first housing comprising a heating chamber disposed at a first end thereof for receiving of loose leaf herbal material and for providing of heat thereto, the vaporization unit comprising a second end disposed opposite the first end; a conductive heating element disposed proximate the heating chamber at the first end for heating of the loose leaf herbal material for at least partial vaporization thereof; a first battery at least partially disposed within the first housing; a first control circuit coupled with the first and the conductive heating element, the first control circuit for controlling the flow of electrical current from the first battery to the conductive heating element; a first battery first recharging contact coupled with the first control circuit and a first battery second recharging contact coupled with the first control circuit, wherein the first and second battery recharging contacts protrude past the first housing; a switch coupled with the first control circuit for providing a control signal to the first control circuit for affecting the flow of electrical current from the first battery to the conductive heating element; a fluid pathway extending through the housing from the first end to the second end and fluidly coupled with the heating chamber that places the fluid pathway in fluid communication with an outside environment and for allowing of the at least partially vaporized loose leaf herbal material and ambient air to flow therein from proximate the first end to the second end; a central plane axially propagating from the first end to the second end of the first housing of the vaporization unit, the central plane being disposed equally within a geometric center of first housing, wherein the fluid pathway is offset from the central plane and the heating chamber comprises an aperture that is fluidly coupled with the heating chamber and offset from the central plane, the recharging unit comprising a second housing for receiving at least partially therein the vaporization unit, the recharging unit having disposed therein a second battery having a larger capacity than the first battery and coupled with a second control circuit and coupled with a recharging port, the recharging port for receiving of electrical energy for recharging of the second battery; a charging port coupled with the second control circuit for in a first mode of operation for being coupled with the first battery first recharging contact and the first battery second recharging contact for providing of electrical energy from the second battery to the first battery in a controllable manner and for in a second mode of operation for uncoupling of the first battery first recharging contact and the first battery second recharging contact from the charging port, the first and second battery recharging contacts being disposed within the second housing when providing of electrical energy from the second battery to the first battery, wherein in the second mode of operation upon depressing of the switch, electrical current from the first battery is controllably provided to the conductive heating element and the loose leaf herbal material within the heating chamber is heated by the conductive heating element and where upon creating a low pressure proximate the second end, a low pressure is created in the fluid pathway and ambient air at a higher pressure flows into the heating chamber and propagates through the loose leaf herbal material and vapor emitted from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material is mixed with the ambient air and together flows out of the second end.

In accordance with the embodiments of the invention there is provided a method of vaporizing herbal material comprising: a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation; providing a recharging unit comprising a second housing and having disposed therein a second battery having a second capacity and coupled with a second control circuit; providing a vaporization unit comprising a housing having at least partially embedded therein a first battery having a first capacity, the vaporization unit comprising a heating chamber disposed at a first end for receiving of loose leaf herbal material and having a second end with a fluid pathway extending from the first end to the second end thereof; providing a conductive heating element disposed in proximity of the heating chamber proximate the first end; inserting of loose leaf herbal material into the heating chamber; in the first mode of operation, electrically coupling of the first battery with the second control circuit; providing of electrical energy from the second battery to the first battery; in the second mode of operation, electrically uncoupling of the first battery from the second control circuit and physically uncoupling of the vaporization unit from the recharging unit; providing of electrical energy from the first battery to the conductive heating element in a controllable manner; heating of the loose leaf herbal material to generate vapor therefrom; inhaling from the second end of the fluid pathway; creating a reduction in ambient air pressure within the fluid pathway; creating a flow of ambient air to flow past the loose leaf herbal material and mixing with vapor generated as a result of the conductive heating to flow through the fluid pathway; inhaling a mixture of vaporized loose leaf material and ambient air from the second end; removing the loose leaf herbal material from the heating chamber; re-coupling electrically of the first battery with the second control circuit; in the first mode of operation, recharging of the first battery from electrical current controllably provided by the second battery through the second control circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1Aillustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, a herbal vaporization device (HVD)100in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. The HVD100is formed from a recharging unit110for storing therein of a vaporization unit421having a first housing101and having a heating chamber102disposed at a first end thereof101afor receiving of loose leaf herbal material419and for providing of heat thereto. The vaporization unit421comprising a second end101bdisposed opposite the first end101a.

Referring toFIG. 1B, a conductive heating element103disposed proximate the heating chamber102at the first end101afor heating of the loose leaf herbal material for at least partial vaporization thereof. A first battery104is at least partially disposed within the first housing101of the vaporization unit421. A first control circuit105is coupled with the first battery104and the heating element103, the first control circuit105for controlling the flow of electrical current from the first battery104to the heating element103. A first battery first recharging contact106is electrically coupled with the first control circuit105and a first battery second recharging contact107is electrically coupled with the first control circuit105, wherein the first and second battery recharging contacts106and107protrude past the first housing101.

A switch108is electrically coupled with the first control circuit105for providing a control signal to the first control circuit105for affecting the flow of electrical current from the first battery104to the conductive heating element103. A fluid pathway109extends through the housing101of the vaporization unit421from the first end101ato the second end101band is fluidly coupled with the heating chamber102that places the fluid pathway109in fluid communication with an outside environment and for allowing of the at least partially vaporized loose leaf herbal material422to flow therein from proximate the first end101ato the second end101b.

Referring toFIG. 1A, the recharging unit110comprising a second housing114for receiving at least partially therein the vaporization unit421, the recharging unit110having disposed therein a second battery111having a larger capacity than the first battery and coupled with a second control circuit112and coupled with a recharging port113, the recharging port113for receiving of electrical energy from an external source (not shown) for recharging of the second battery111. The external source (not shown) is preferably in the form of a power source, such as a 5 W and 5V USB power supply.

A charging port115is electrically coupled with the second control circuit112for in a first mode of operation for being coupled with the first battery first recharging contact106and the first battery second recharging contact107for providing of electrical energy from the second battery111to the first battery104in a controllable manner and for in a second mode of operation for uncoupling of the first battery first recharging contact106and the first battery second recharging contact107from the charging port115, the first and second battery recharging contacts106,107being disposed within the second housing114when providing of electrical energy from the second battery111to the first battery104during the first mode of operation. In the second mode of operation the recharging unit110is separated from the vaporization unit421.

Referring toFIG. 1B, where the vaporization unit421is shown in more detail in a cutaway view, loose leaf herbal material419, the loose leaf herbal material419being derived from a phyto material or tobacco, is inserted into the heating chamber and wherein in the second mode of operation upon depressing of the switch108, electrical current from the first battery104is controllably provided to the conductive heating element103and the loose leaf herbal material419within the heating chamber is heated by the conductive heating element103and where upon creating a lower pressure proximate the second end101b, such as that by an inhalation of a user, a low pressure is created in the fluid pathway109and ambient air555at a higher pressure flows into the heating chamber102and propagates through the loose leaf herbal material419and vapor422emitted from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material is mixed with the ambient air and together flows out of the second end101b. A heating chamber aperture102afluidly couples the heating chamber102to the fluid pathway109.

Advantageously, the first battery104is therefore a small battery and smaller in capacity than the second battery111, for example the first battery is about 300 mAh to 750 mAh and the second battery has a capacity of about 3000 mAh. This allows for the vaporization unit421to be relatively small, such as that of a pen. This type of assembly advantageously allows for the first battery104to be charged when the vaporization unit421has preferably a portion thereof disposed within the recharging unit110and the first battery first recharging contact106is coupled with the first control circuit105and a first battery second recharging contact107coupled with the first control circuit105.

Referring toFIG. 1C, the vaporization unit421is shown in perspective, where the first battery first recharging contact106and first battery second recharging contact107protrude past the housing101and substantially wrap around the housing101where preferably the housing101is cylindrical in shape.

Referring toFIG. 1B, in use, when the loose-leaf material is vaporized, the vapor422is for flowing from the first end101ato the second end101bwhere preferably the user has their lips on this end to suck in the vapor being emitted. Once the loose-leaf material has been utilized then it is tapped out from the heating chamber102and new material is inserted. Recharging of the first battery104will be preferred after a few uses of the vaporization unit421. In this embodiment the conductive heating element103comprises a metallic material and is thermally coupled with an inner surface of the heating chamber102. Preferably the fluid pathway109comprises a thermally conductive material and allows for cooling of the vapor emitted422from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material419and ambient air555propagating therethrough.

Referring toFIG. 1D, an optional storage compartment418is provided as part of the recharging unit110as well as a detachable cleaning tool117for cleaning of the heating chamber102. The second control circuit112is electrically coupled with the first battery first recharging contact106using a first spring contact206and a first battery second recharging contact107is electrically coupled with the first control circuit105through a second spring contact207.

The optional storage compartment418is for storing of the loose leaf herbal material419. The heating chamber102is thereafter inserted into the optional storage compartment418and the loose leaf herbal material419is forcefully pushed into the heating chamber102. The cleaning tool117is removed from the recharging unit110and used for picking at the loose leaf herbal material419once the material has been at least partially vaporized within the heating chamber102.

Referring toFIG. 1E, an alternate embodiment of the vaporization unit421is shown. It comprises a housing with the heating chamber402disposed at a first end401afor receiving of loose leaf herbal material419for providing of heat thereto. In this case the conductive heating element403is disposed proximate the heating chamber402wherein a screen mesh116is disposed between the conductive heating element403and the loose leaf herbal material419. The screen mesh116comprising a first side116afor being in contact with the lose leaf herbal material419and a second side116bfor being in contact with the conductive heating element403, wherein heat emitted from the conductive heating element403heats up the screen mesh116and heats up the loose leaf herbal material419and ambient air555and vapor422emitted from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material419propagates through the screen mesh116.

In this embodiment the conductive heating element403is disposed within the heating chamber402and the heating chamber is manufactured from other them a metallic material, such as a ceramic material. Preferably the screen mesh116comprises a metal material and allows for heating of the screen mesh116through the conductive heating element403. The conductive heating element403is disposed within the heating chamber402.

Referring toFIG. 1E, the conductive heating element403is in the form of a ceramic heating element having an annular shape with a center of the ceramic heating element forming an aperture403aand being in fluid communication with the fluid pathway109and for allowing of ambient air555and vapor422emitted from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material to flow together through the aperture403aof the annular shape ceramic heating element.

Preferably in order to effectively reduce heat generated from vaporization of the loose leaf herbal material419, the fluid pathway109is thermally conductive and has an ability to transfer heat across the material at a generally high rate. Preferably the fluid pathway109is made from a metal, such as aluminum or copper. Optionally the fluid pathway109is made from conductive polymers, composites, or other metallic-based materials with thermally conductive properties. As the ambient air555is directed through the loose leaf herbal material419proximate the first end101aand propagates with the ambient air through the fluid pathway109extending through the housing101from the first end101ato the second end101b, where it is subsequently inhaled by a user, a temperature thereof has been reduced to a range that is safe and comfortable for the user to inhale.

Referring toFIGS. 2C and 2Da vaporization unit521in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown. This herbal vaporization device is formed from a recharging unit110(seeFIG. 1A) and the vaporization unit521ofFIGS. 2C and 2D. The recharging unit110(seeFIG. 1A) is for storing therein at least partially the vaporization unit521comprising a first housing501comprising a heating chamber502disposed at a first end thereof501afor receiving of loose leaf herbal material419and for providing of heat thereto, the vaporization unit521comprising a second end501bdisposed opposite the first end501a. The vaporization unit521does not tether to the recharging unit110and couples directly therewith, therefore allowing for a more compact HVD100and provides for improved ease of use.

A conductive heating element503is disposed proximate the heating chamber502at the first end501afor heating of the loose leaf herbal material419for at least partial vaporization thereof. A first battery104is at least partially disposed within the first housing501and a first control circuit105is coupled with the first battery104and the conductive heating element503, the first control circuit105for controlling the flow of electrical current from the first battery104to the conductive heating element503.

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 2C, a first battery first recharging contact106coupled with the first control circuit105and a first battery second recharging contact107coupled with the first control circuit105, wherein the first and second battery recharging contacts106and107protrude past the first housing501. A switch108is coupled with the first control circuit105for providing a control signal to the first control circuit105for affecting the flow of electrical current from the first battery104to the conductive heating element503(FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2D).

Referring toFIG. 2E, a fluid pathway509extends through the housing501(shown inFIG. 2C) from the first end501ato the second end501band fluidly coupled with the heating chamber502that places the fluid pathway509in fluid communication with an outside environment and for allowing of the at least partially vaporized loose leaf herbal material419and ambient air555to flow therein from proximate the first end501ato the second end501b.

A central plane888axially propagates from the first end501ato the second end501bof the first housing501of the vaporization unit521, the central plane888being disposed equally within a geometric center of first housing501, wherein the fluid pathway509(FIG. 2E) is offset from the central plane888and the heating chamber502comprises an aperture502a(FIG. 2A) that is fluidly coupled with the heating chamber502and offset from the central plane888.

Referring toFIG. 1Ain combination withFIG. 2C, the recharging unit110comprising a second housing114for receiving at least partially therein the vaporization unit521, the recharging unit110having disposed therein a second battery111having a larger capacity than the first battery104and coupled with a second control circuit112and coupled with a recharging port113, the recharging port113for receiving of electrical energy for recharging of the second battery111.

In the second mode of operation upon depressing of the switch108, electrical current from the first battery104is controllably provided to the conductive heating element503and the loose leaf herbal material419within the heating chamber502(FIG. 2B) is heated by the conductive heating element503and where upon creating a low pressure proximate the second end501b, a lower pressure is created in the fluid pathway509and ambient air at a higher pressure flows into the heating chamber502and propagates through the loose leaf herbal material419and vapor emitted from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material419is mixed with the ambient air and together flows out of the second end501b.

Referring toFIG. 2E, the vaporization unit521comprise a first portion588and a second portion599, wherein the first portion588and second portion589are separated by the central plane888and the first portion588comprises the switch108and the fluid pathway509wherein the second portion599comprises the first battery104.

Referring toFIG. 2E, The first portion588comprises the fluid pathway509and the heating chamber502comprises the aperture502athat is fluidly coupled with the heating chamber502, wherein in use, in the second mode of operation the central plane888is oriented with the first end501acloser relative to ground than the second end501b(FIG. 2C) where a partial amount of vapor emitted from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material419rises from the second portion589to the first portion588for flowing through the aperture502aand into the fluid pathway509. Because the vapor emitted from the conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material is hotter than ambient air, it will tend to rise.

Preferably the fluid pathway509comprises a thermally conductive material and allows for cooling of the vapor emitted from conductive heating of the loose leaf herbal material and ambient air propagating therethrough. Referring toFIG. 2C, the heating chamber502comprises other than a metal material and comprises a ceramic material and the conductive heating element503is formed as a unitary construction with the heating chamber502. This is advantageous from a manufacturing standpoint as it allows for the manufacturing of the conductive heating element503and the heating chamber502as a single unit that has electrical connections for being connected to the first control circuit105.

Referring toFIGS. 1A, 1C and 1D, a method of vaporizing herbal material is disclosed. The method comprises providing a recharging unit110comprising a second housing114and having disposed therein a second battery111having a second capacity and coupled with a second control circuit112. It includes providing a vaporization unit421comprising a housing101having at least partially embedded therein a first battery having a first capacity, the vaporization unit comprising a heating chamber102disposed at a first end101afor receiving of loose leaf herbal material419and having a second end101bwith a fluid pathway109extending from the first end101ato the second end101bthereof. A conductive heating element103is provided and disposed in proximity of the heating chamber102proximate the first end101a. Loose leaf herbal material419is inserted into the heating chamber and in the first mode of operation, electrically coupling of the first battery104with the second control circuit112. Providing of electrical energy from the second battery111to the first battery104. In the second mode of operation, electrically uncoupling of the first battery104from the second control circuit112, physically uncoupling of the vaporization unit521from the recharging unit110and providing of electrical energy from the first battery104to the conductive heating element103in a controllable manner. This results in heating of the loose leaf herbal material419to generate vapor422therefrom for inhaling from the second end of the fluid pathway109by the user. This results in a creation of a reduction in ambient air pressure within the fluid pathway109and creates a flow of ambient air555to flow past the loose leaf herbal material419and mixing with vapor generated as a result of the conductive heating to flow through the fluid pathway109.

The user inhales a mixture of vaporized loose leaf material422and ambient air555from the second end101b. Upon completion, removing the loose leaf herbal material419from the heating chamber is performed. Re-coupling electrically of the first battery104with the second control circuit112is achieved and in the first mode of operation, recharging of the first battery104from electrical current controllably provided by the second battery111through the second control circuit112.

Advantageously, the embodiments of the invention allow for the loose leaf herbal material, such as tobacco, to be loaded into the heating chamber proximate the first end of the vaporization unit and to be enjoyed in small doses where it is vaporize as opposed to being burned. Optionally the temperature at which the material is vaporized is adjustable. Advantageously, by having a small heating chamber a short heating time is provided for heating of the loose-leaf materials.

Advantageously because of small battery the form factor of the vaporization unit421is small and it may only provide enough current in the first battery104for one or two full cycles of heating of the loose leaf herbal material419prior to require charging of the vaporization unit412first battery104using the second battery111. Having a small battery capacity for the first battery104allows for the first housing101to be compact in size and thus having an advantage to the user they are not exhibiting a large herbal vaporization device.

Furthermore, because of having a small sized heating chamber as well as having two batteries, the first and the second battery, the battery life can therefore be extended to preferably meet the demands of the consumer. Furthermore, a capacity of the second battery is larger than a capacity of the first battery. For example the first battery has a capacity of 500 mAH and the second battery has a capacity of 2700 mAh. Thus the second battery facilitates multiple recharges of the first battery.

Numerous other embodiments are envisaged without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.