Abstract:
A vaporizer system that supplies clean, heated air to vaporizable material by directing ambient air from an area surrounding the vaporizer system through a secure air passageway that leads the air through a pump, a heat source, and then onto the vaporizable material. The air passageway prevents the interaction of the air with possibly emissive components. The heated air drives out active ingredients from the vaporizable material, which may be subsequently captured in a removable container or inhaled directly. The vaporizer system includes an air chamber surrounding the receptacle for receiving the material to be vaporized which isolates the material from environmental disturbances. The removable container attaches to a valve, which attaches to the top of the vaporizer system. The valve is configured to be operable between three positions with the use of only one finger and a thumb of one hand.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/273,738, filed Aug. 7, 2009, and titled AROMATHERAPY VAPORIZER SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTING ACTIVE ELEMENTS FROM BIOMASS which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the field of hot air vaporizers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Herbal substances are known to be used as remedies for various ailments or for pleasure. Most often, herbal substances are ingested in the form of pills, tablets, brewed as teas, or by eating the plant itself. However, these methods are generally inefficient and/or ineffective as the herbs necessarily undergo biological degradation, via, for example, a person&#39;s stomach, before entering the bloodstream. 
     Inhaling an herbal substance is a fast and effective way to introduce the active ingredients in the substance into the bloodstream. Two methods are typically used for inhaling herbal substances: smoking and vaporizing. In general, smoking involves the pyrolysis of herbs or other materials. The most common example of smoking an herbal substance is the use of a cigarette to ingest tobacco. As the tobacco is burned and inhaled, its active ingredients are transported into the body&#39;s bloodstream through the lungs. In addition to the active ingredients, however, the pyrolysis of tobacco also releases harmful byproducts such as tar, carbon monoxide, ash, and other carcinogenic derivatives. These byproducts and the heat associated with combustion account for many of the ill-health effects of smoking. 
     In contrast, the process of vaporizing an herbal substance can provide a healthier alternative for active ingredient delivery. Vaporizers generally cause the atomization of water, medicine, or other substances into a heated air flow. When used to release the active ingredients of tobacco or other herbal materials, a vaporizer directs hot air through the plant material at a temperature sufficient to release the active ingredients into the air flow, but not so high as to combust the material. Preventing combustion reduces the incidence of the irritating and harmful effects of smoking because the vaporization process produces only negligible amounts of tar, carbon monoxide, or other harmful constituents. 
     Certain known vaporizers draw into the hot air used to vaporize the herbal substance potentially harmful gases emitted by components of the vaporizer such as the heater. Ingestion of such harmful gases into the lungs is inconsistent with the therapeutic benefits the vaporizer is intended to provide. Another drawback with some prior art vaporizers is that it tends to be difficult to install and remove the container used to receive the vapor. Yet other vaporizers are designed in a way that makes it difficult to conveniently remove vapor from the container in which it is captured. In some cases two-handed operation is required, and in other cases a separate mouthpiece must be installed after the container housing the vapor is removed from the vaporizer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a vaporizer system comprising: a housing, a heater disposed within the housing, a stem coupled to the housing, a receptacle for receiving material to be vaporized, the receptacle interposed between the heater and the stem; and a valve releaseably coupled to the stem. 
     In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a valve for use with a vaporizer having a structure for exhausting vapor, the valve comprising: a body having an opening for receiving the structure of the vaporizer, a clamping assembly associated with the body so as to be in communication with the opening, wherein the clamping assembly is movable between a first position, in which the clamping assembly cooperates with the structure to releasably secure the body thereto when the structure is present in the opening, and a second position, in which the body may be moved freely on and off the structure, a mouthpiece in fluid communication with the opening so that vapor may be drawn through the opening via the mouthpiece, and a connector for securing a vapor-receiving container to the body proximate the opening. 
     In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a vaporizer system comprising: a housing having an interior, a receptacle for receiving a material to be vaporized, a heater disposed in the interior of the housing, an air passageway occupying a first portion of the interior of the housing and extending from a region adjacent the housing to the receptacle, the air passageway for conveying air from the region to the receptacle in fluid isolation with respect to portions of the interior other than the first portion, the air passageway including a first section surrounding the heater and in thermal communication therewith so that heat generated by the heater may be transferred to air in the first section, and a pump in fluid communication with the air passageway for causing air in the air passageway to move toward the receptacle, wherein the pump is disposed in the housing. 
     In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of consuming active ingredients of a vaporizable material, the method comprising: inserting a quantity of the vaporizable material into a vaporizer, propelling heated air through the vaporizable material to release and entrain at least some of the active ingredients of the vaporizable material in a vapor stream, directing the vapor stream through a valve and into a container coupled to the valve, removing the valve and container from the vaporizer, and opening the valve with one hand of a user and removing vapor out the container through the valve while the valve remains coupled to the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vaporizer system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the vaporizer system shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 , showing some internal components of the vaporizer system in non-cross-sectional form; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the vaporizer system shown in  FIG. 1 , with the lid shown in the open position to reveal an upper interior chamber of the vaporizer system; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a heat source according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an air intake according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a heat source according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of a valve in an closed position according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the valve shown in  FIG. 7A  in the open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary vaporizer system  100  in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. Generally, vaporizer system  100  is a device suitable for generating and propelling hot air through a vaporizable material  104 , e.g., tobacco. As will be discussed more fully below, vaporizer system  100  produces a resultant vapor  112  from vaporizable material  104  using external air that is delivered to the vaporizable material so as to avoid the inclusion of any harmful gases or particulate matter, if any, that might be released from heat source  108  or other components of the vaporizer system. Vaporizer system  100  also shields vaporizable material  104  with a chamber of hot air, thus reducing temperature fluctuations and allowing for more uniform heating of the vaporizable material during the vaporization process. In addition, vaporizer system  100  permits the single-handed operation of a valve  116  that is coupled to a container  120  holding vapor  112 , thus enhancing ease and flexibility of use of the vaporizer system. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , vaporizer system  100  includes a housing  124  having a hollow interior cavity  125  in which various components of the vaporizer system are positioned. Vaporizer system  100  may also include a lid  128  that is pivotally mounted to an upper portion of housing  124  so as to be moveable between a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and an open position, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Lid  128  may include an upstanding stem  129  on which valve  116  and container  120  may be releasably mounted. Lid  128  may include a bore  130  ( FIG. 3 ) that is in fluid communication with a bore  131  ( FIG. 3 ) in stem  129 . Optionally, a screen  132  may be positioned in bore  130  to block the passage of vaporizable material  104  up and through bore  131  in stem  129 . Lid  128  is sized and configured so as to engage an upper edge  134  ( FIG. 3 ) of housing  124  when in the closed position, thereby substantially isolating upper interior chamber  135  in housing  124  from the region surrounding the housing. If desired, vents  136  ( FIG. 3 ) may be provided in lid  128  to allow some ventilation of interior chamber  135 . Lid  128  may also include a clasp  137  or other fastener to releasably secure the lid in the closed position. 
     Housing  124  includes various controls  132  (described further below) used in the operation of vaporizer system  100 . 
     Vaporizer system  100  includes a receptacle  144  for receiving vaporizable material  104 . As discussed more below, in one embodiment receptacle  144  may be defined by a cavity provided in top portion  148  of heat source  108 . In another embodiment, receptacle  144  may include a removable basket  149  ( FIG. 2 ) for solid materials or crucible (not shown) for liquid material that is sized to be received in top portion  148  of heat source  108  or elsewhere in or on housing  124 . If desired, an opening (not shown) may be provided in housing  124  adjacent top portion  148  to allow vaporizable material  104 , typically positioned in a basket  149  or other container (e.g., a drawer), to be slid in or removed from a region above aperture  168 . 
     Interior chamber  135  provides an insulating air region around receptacle  144  that shields the receptacle from cold, breezes and other environmental effects that might change the temperature of vaporizable material  104  in the receptacle. In an exemplary embodiment, upper interior chamber  135  is defined substantially by a bottom portion  156 , a top portion  160 , and a sidewall portion  164  extending between bottom portion and top portion. In this embodiment, top portion  160  is defined by the inner surface of lid  128 . Bottom portion  156  includes an aperture  168  extending therethrough. If desired, a screen  169  may be positioned in aperture  168  to block vaporizable material  104  from dropping through aperture  168  while simultaneously allowing heated air to be delivered upwardly through the aperture, as discussed more below. Typically, receptacle  144  is located in top portion  148  just above aperture  168 . Aperture  168  provides an opening for hot air coming from heat source  108  to intercept receptacle  144 , as discussed more below. Other locations for receptacle  144  within the path of heated air provided by heat source  108  are also encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     Vaporizer system  100  includes a pump  180  ( FIG. 2 ) for providing an air flow to heat source  108  in an amount that (i) corresponds to the heating capability of the heater source and (ii) will fill container  120  in a reasonable amount of time. In an exemplary embodiment, pump  180  is capable of providing an air flow of about 0.80 cubic feet per minute (cfm), which when used in vaporizer system  100 , corresponds to a heat transfer rate of about 15 watts/cfm to about 19 watts/cfm. Pump  180  draws air from the region surrounding housing  124  via a tube  182  or other air passageway connected to an opening  184  in housing  124 . Pump  180  delivers pressurized air to heat source  108  via a tube  186  or other air passageway. 
       FIG. 4  shows in exploded perspective view an exemplary heat source  108  suitable for use in a vaporizer system, such as vaporizer system  100 . Generally, heat source  108  provides for the efficient and uniform heating of air provided, for example, by pump  180 , while substantially eliminating any entrainment of undesired vapors or other emissions from the heating element (described further below in reference to  FIG. 6 ) in heat source  108  or from other potentially emissive components  176  ( FIG. 2 ) in cavity  125  of housing  124  in the incoming air delivered to receptacle  144 . In one embodiment, heat source  108  includes an air intake  208 , a lower gasket  212 , a foundation element  216 , a lower wire guide  220 , an upper wire guide  224 , a heater  228  with at least one heating element  230  ( FIG. 6 ), a first insulator  232 , a second insulator  236 , and flow director  240 . Heating element  230  may, for example, include a resistive heating element. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , air intake  208  aids in substantially eliminating the interaction between potentially harmful vapors emitted by (i) heating element  230  ( FIG. 6 ) and by other potentially emissive components  176  (e.g., semiconductor chips and other devices attached to printed circuit boards located in housing  124 ) and (ii) the incoming ambient air that is heated by heater  228  as such air passes through one or more air ducts  248  (best seen in  FIG. 6 ) in the heater. With particular reference to  FIG. 5 , in an exemplary embodiment, air intake  208  has a generally hemi-torus shape with an inner edge  252  and an outer edge  256  that together form the boundary for a depression  260 . Inner edge  252  and outer edge  256  are sized and configured to engage an end  258  of heater  228  so that air ducts  248  are in fluid communication with air present in depression  260 , and other portions of the heater, including heating element(s)  230 , are fluidly isolated from the air in depression  260 . 
     Although  FIGS. 4 and 5  show air intake  208  as having a hemi-torus configuration, air intake  208  may be configured into other hemi-toroid shapes or other forms known in the art that allow for the separation between the ambient air external to heat source  108  that is traveling to air ducts  248  and air surrounding heating element  230  ( FIG. 6 ). Generally, the configuration of air intake  208  is dependent upon the configuration of heater  228 . For example, if heater  228  is generally cylindrical in shape with air ducts  248  being located closer to the central axis of the heater than heating element  230 , air intake  208  may be shaped as a hemi-sphere that is configured to correspond with the area encompassed by the air ducts. 
     Air intake  208  includes an air inlet  264  that extends through a portion of the wall forming depression  260 . Air inlet  264  may be connected to tube  186  and provides a pathway for the ambient air present outside housing  124  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to enter depression  260 , via tube  182 , pump  180 , and tube  186  on its way to air ducts  248  ( FIG. 6 ). With this combination of elements, an air passageway  266  is created between the region surrounding vaporizer system  100  and receptacle  144 . In one embodiment, passageway  266  includes opening  184 , tube  182 , pump  180 , tube  186 , and air ducts  248  in heater  228 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment described above, air intake  208  also includes an aperture  268  through which the wires for heating element  230  enter heater  228 . In certain embodiments, heater  228  may additionally include one or more heating element wire guides, such as a lower wire guide  220  and upper wire guide  224 , for securing the heating element within heat source  108 . Additionally, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , lower gasket  212  and foundation element  216  aid in securing air intake  208  to heater  228  and in sealing the air intake to the heater. While the aforementioned components aid in reducing interaction between ambient air to be used in the vaporization process and the undesirable fumes that may be released by heating element  230  and other emissive components  176  located inside housing  124 , other devices known in the art or combinations of the components described above may provide the secure seal between air intake  208  and heater  228 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment heater  228  may have a generally cylindrical configuration and may be made from one or more blocks of material having desired properties. These properties include relatively good electrical insulation, a relatively high thermal conductivity and sufficiently high mechanical strength to support heating element  230  and generally withstand typical shock, vibration and other forces to which vaporizer system  100  will typically be subjected, e.g., an alumina ceramic. In this embodiment, air ducts  248  and heating chambers  272  are formed to extend through the entire axial length of the cylindrical block(s) or other structure used in the core of heater  228 , and can be equidistantly spaced in a circular configuration inside the outer periphery of the heater to provide for uniform heating of the incoming air. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of air ducts  248  surround a plurality of heating chambers  272 , so as to provide uniform heating of the air. The size, configuration and relative spacing of air ducts  248  and heating chambers  272  may be determined via several factors readily understood in the art such as, but not limited to, the expected air flow through the air ducts during operation of heat source  108 , the size of heater  228 , the heat output capacity of heating element  230 , and the type of material used in the cylindrical block(s) or other structures used in the heater. In any event, the size and configuration of air ducts  248  and heating chambers  272  should be selected to provide efficient and uniform heating of the ambient air entering the heater through air intake  208 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 6 , heating element  230  is disposed radially inwardly of air ducts  248 . This configuration allows for more efficient transfer of heat to the air traversing plurality of air ducts  248  because the heat generated by heating element  230  radiates radially outward through heater  228  and intersects the plurality of air ducts before reaching the outer boundary of the heater. To retain the heat generated by heating element  230  in heater  228 , insulating members, e.g., first insulator  232  and second insulator  236  ( FIG. 4 ), may be provided to limit the escape of heat to interior cavity  125  of housing  124 . 
     Heating element  230  is typically composed of materials capable of achieving high temperatures when connected to an electrical current, such as a high-resistance metal alloy. In an embodiment of heating source  108 , heating element  230  is a continuous wire that is threaded through the heating chambers  272 , e.g., up through one heating chamber  272 , down through the next heating chamber, up through the next heating chamber, and so on. In this embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , heater  228  may be constructed as two concentric cylinders that are axially offset such that a lip  270  is formed that extends around the upper edge of the heater forming a recess  276 . Recess  276  aids in the separation of the heating element  230  from the air exiting heater  228  by allowing for the heating element wires to be sealed away from the exiting air. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of heating elements  230  may be used, such that an individual heating element is placed into each heating chamber  272 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , in one embodiment flow director  240  defines top portion  148  of heater  228 , i.e., the end of the heater opposite air intake  208 . Flow director  240  assists in directing the air exiting heater  228  to the material to be vaporized. As shown in  FIG. 4 , flow director  240  has a generally cylindrical configuration with a hollow interior sized and configured to define receptacle  144  in which vaporizable material  104  is received. Flow director  240  also ensures that receptacle  144  is substantially centered above heater  228 , thus providing for more uniform heating of vaporizable material  104 . In an embodiment, flow director  240  may also include a seal  280  ( FIG. 4 ) partially enclosing the end of the flow director proximate heater  228 . Seal  280  prevents the interaction of air that has come into contact with heating element  230  with the air exiting heater  228 . 
     Turning now  FIGS. 7A and 7B , as discussed above, vaporizer system  100  includes a valve  116 . The latter may be a dual-purpose valve assembly for the introduction and removal of herbal vapor from a container coupled to the valve, such as container  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, valve  116  includes a valve body  304  that contains a clamping assembly  308 . 
     Valve body  304  is sized and configured to allow for one-handed operation of valve  116 . In an exemplary embodiment, valve body  304  has a generally ellipsoid shape, with access to clamping assembly  308  being provided via opposing slots  309  (only one of which is illustrated) proximate an end of the valve body. Opposing slots  309  communicate with an interior cavity  310  in which clamping assembly  308  resides. This configuration allows a user to depress a portion of clamping assembly  308  with a thumb or forefinger, which is received in slots  309  and interior cavity  310 , while the remainder of valve  116  may be stabilized by the user&#39;s palm and remaining fingers. 
     Valve body  304  also has an opening  312  extending therethrough. One end of opening  312  defines an inlet  316  (coming from housing  124  ( FIG. 1 )) and the other end defines an outlet  320  (going to container  120  ( FIG. 1 )). Valve body  304  may also, in certain embodiments, include a valve lid  340 , which may house a connector  344  for coupling container  120  ( FIG. 1 ) to valve  116  at a generally annular wall  336  that makes up a top portion of outlet  320 . The means and the method of connecting valve body  304  and container  120  are known in the art and include elastic bands, zip-ties, and other devices that are suitable for creating a secure, relatively air-tight connection. In an exemplary embodiment, where container  120  is a heat-resistant plastic bag having an opening sized to cooperate with opening  312 , connector  344  may be a zip tie that resides under valve lid  340 . 
     Clamping assembly  308  includes a biasing member  324  and a plug  328 . Biasing member  324  may be a spring or other biasing device that applies a force in a direction parallel to axis  330  sufficient to drive plug clamping assembly  308  along this axis to a substantially closed position (as shown in  FIG. 7B ). In this regard, plug  328  is sized and configured to move back and forth in interior cavity  310  along axis  330  between the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 7A  and the open position illustrated in  FIG. 7B . Plug  328  includes an opening  332  extending through the plug, e.g., a cylindrical bore. Opening  332  is sized and positioned so that when clamping assembly  308  is urged to the open position (as shown in  FIG. 7B ), thereby opening valve  116 , opening  332  is aligned with opening  312 , and so is additionally aligned with inlet  316  and outlet  320 . Opening  312  and opening  332  are sized so that when plug  328  is in the open position, stem  129  on lid  120  may be received within these two openings. In this regard, openings  312  and  332  are typically sized so that stem  129  occupies substantially the entire volume contained within the openings. 
     Stem  129  may be tapered to have a smaller diameter at a point furthest from housing  124  than it does at the end proximate the housing. The taper of stem  129  can ease the insertion and removal of valve  116 . Stem  129  may additionally include one or more gaskets  348 , typically composed of silicone, having one or more ridges or flanges that aid in providing an airtight seal between the stem and the valve  116 . 
     During a mode of operation of an exemplary vaporizer system  100  using valve  116 , clamping assembly  308  may be urged to the open position illustrated in  FIG. 7B  by pressing plug  328  into interior cavity  310  against the bias of biasing member  324  until openings  312  and  332  are aligned. Next, valve  116  is placed on stem  129  on lid  128  so that the stem is fully received in openings  312  and  332 . After the user releases plug  328 , the latter is driven by biasing member  324  toward the closed position ( FIG. 7A ). Before reaching the closed position, however, stem  129  engages the sidewall of valve body defining opening  312  so as to provide a substantially airtight passage for vapors  112  traveling from housing  124  to container  120 . This intermediate position of plug  328  is typically nearly the same as the open position, although in many embodiments the intermediate position will deviate slightly from the fully open position (in the direction of the closed position). 
     Valve  116  ( FIGS. 7A-B ) can also serve as a mouthpiece for the retrieval of vapors  112  from container  120  ( FIG. 1 ) by the user. To function as a mouthpiece, the user depresses clamping assembly  308 , thus aligning opening  332  with inlet  316  and outlet  320 . The user then presses his or her lips to inlet  316  and breaths in, thus removing some of vapor  112  residing within container  120 . 
     Discussing other aspects of the use of vaporizer system  100 , the system is activated, typically by pressing or toggling an on/off switch  400  located in controls  132 , which is typically positioned on the exterior of housing  124 . The user also has the option of choosing a temperature setting for the vaporization process. Heat controls  406  allow for selection of the temperature output of heat source  108 . Vaporizer system  100  may also include an indicator  404 , which tells the user when heat source  108  has reached the desired temperature. While heat source  108  is warming, receptacle  144  may be filled at least partially with vaporizable material  104 . Then, the user activates pump  180  with pump switch  402 , which moves air from the region surrounding housing  124 , through air intake  184  and into heater  228 , and then subsequently through the vaporizable material  104  resting in receptacle  144 . The heated air releases the active ingredients of vaporizable material  104  resulting in vapor  112 , which flows into container  120  under the pressure provided by pump  180 . 
     As described above with reference to interior chamber  135 , the vaporization of vaporizable material  104  is enhanced by the location of receptacle  144  inside housing  124 . Including receptacle  144  inside housing  124  reduces the possibility that a draft of air or other outside influence will cool or dislodge receptacle  144  from the process of vaporization. Additionally, increased heat uniformity is achieved, particularly in the embodiment where housing  124  includes bottom portion  156  ( FIG. 3 ), lid  128  and flow director  240  ( FIG. 4 ). Together, these structures surround receptacle  144 , thus resulting in increased heat uniformity and the heating of vaporizable material  104  through convection and conduction. 
     Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.