Patent Publication Number: US-2023132792-A1

Title: Vaporiser with Lid Comprising Protrusion

Description:
The present invention relates to a vaporiser for vaporising herbal materials, which has a lid comprising a protrusion. 
     Herbal vaporisers are electronic devices which heat a herbal material to a pre-determined temperature in a heating chamber in order to release an aerosol for consumption. The herbal material is not burnt, rather it is heated only sufficiently for the active ingredient to boil and be released as a consumable vapour. Such devices are distinct from electronic atomisers or e-cigarettes which heat a prepared liquid product to release an aerosol for consumption. 
     Herbal vaporisers are likely to be a less harmful way to consume a herbal product like tobacco or medical marijuana than smoking it, because the aerosol contains far less of the many carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic bi-products created by combustion. 
     In comparison to atomisers and the like which can produce a consumable vapour at any time, herbal vaporisers are beneficial because they heat all the herbal material placed in them at once, meaning that users have to make a conscious decision to use them. This means users can more easily regulate or track their consumption. 
     However, known herbal vaporisers are designed to heat loose herbal material, which has to be ground to the correct particle size, and then has to be loaded manually into a heating chamber of the device before the consumption process is begun. The spent herbal material then has to be removed therefrom at the end. This approach appeals to some, who may enjoy the process. However, for others it is time consuming, and can be messy and fiddly. In particular, it may be considered a disadvantage in comparison to atomizers and the like, which consume easy to load cartridges of liquid. These are much easier to use on the go than herbal vaporisers. As such, some people may not adopt herbal vaporisers for these reasons. 
     In addition, when loose herbal material is placed into the heating chamber of a device, it may be arranged irregularly therein, in particular if the heating chamber is not fully filled with material. As such, the process of heating the loose material may not be optimal, as the conduction of heat from the surface of the heating chamber may not reach it all, or may not heat it all in a regular manner. 
     In order to address some of these problems GB2553773 in the name of the applicant disclosed a vaporiser with a removable container disposed in the heating chamber, the removable container comprising a vapour permeable membrane enclosing a herbal vapour producing material to be heated. The removable container is a consumable product with prepared herbal material inside it, which is placed in the vaporiser for consumption in a simplex action, and then removed therefrom after the herbal product has been heated, again in a simplex action. This removes from the end user the requirements to prepare the loose herbal material, to load the device manually with it, and then to empty and clean it at the end of the process. 
     However, GB2553773 only disclosed some basic designs of removable container, most of which are not practical from a low cost, high speed manufacturing perspective. One particular design of removable container disclosed was a tube of vapour permeable paper enclosing a herbal vapour producing material to be heated, and which was closed at both ends by one or more of a heat seal component, an adhesive component, an ultrasonic weld, a crimping component, a stitching component, a staple component or a punched material component. Such a container is similar to a teabag or snus sachet. 
     This sachet design is now preferred, but it does suffer from some drawbacks. Principal among these is its flat shape and flexible structure, which means that placing it in a known heating chamber requires it to be rolled or folded up for placement therein. This is not difficult, but it is not particularly sophisticated either. In addition, if the sachet is rolled or folded up this results in the paper being interspersed with the herbal material inside the heating chamber, which can result in less than optimal consumption characteristics. 
     The present invention is intended to address some of the above described problems. 
     Therefore, according to the present invention a vaporiser device comprises a heating chamber for receiving a sachet of herbal material to be heated with which said vaporiser is used, and a lid which is movable between an open position in which an internal area of said heating chamber is accessible and a closed position in which said lid overlies said internal area, and in which said lid comprises a protrusion on an underside thereof which extends into said internal area in said closed position. 
     Thus, in its most basic form the present invention involves the use of the protrusion on the underside of the lid to push the sachet of herbal material down into the heating chamber, pinning it against the surface thereof. This removes the requirement of the user to manipulate the sachet in any way prior to loading in the heating chamber, and it also serves to effectively apply one whole side of the sachet to the source of heat, thereby improving vaporisation performance. 
     The vaporiser device can comprise a mounting surface, and an opening can be formed in the mounting surface which can lead into the heating chamber. The underside of the lid can then comprise a portion which can overlie at least a portion of the mounting surface in the closed position. In use the mounting surface provides a platform on which the user can place the sachet of herbal material, prior to closure of the lid. It therefore rests above the heating chamber, before being pushed down therein by the protrusion as the lid moves to the closed position. One of the closed ends of the sachet which is left protruding from the heating chamber can then be held in place between the underside of the lid and the mounting surface. 
     The protrusion can take any physical form capable of extending into the heating chamber and pinning the sachet of herbal material therein. Likewise, the heating chamber can also take any physical form of concavity. However, in a preferred construction the heating chamber and the protrusion can comprise substantially corresponding physical shapes in a first plane, such that in the closed position a containment area is created inside the heating chamber which comprises a substantially regular depth from a first end to a second end thereof in the plane. This construction ensures that the sachet of herbal material is held against the surface of the heating chamber in the same manner across its length. 
     Preferrably the heating chamber can be substantially U-shaped in the first plane, and can have the same U-shaped cross-sectional shape along a first axis normal to the first plane. The protrusion can then be substantially shaped in the first plane as a probe with a rounded end, and it can have the same probe-shaped cross-sectional shape along the first axis. In other words, the heating chamber is shaped like a rounded trough and the protrusion is shaped like a wall with a rounded end. This shape works well with a sachet of herbal material of the kind described above, which has a generally square-shaped pouch portion containing the herbal material, and generally rectangular closed ends. 
     In one version of the invention the heating chamber can have a cross-sectional shape along the first axis comprising a first wall, a rounded bottom and a second wall, and the second wall can be angled away from the first wall at a pre-determined angle. Preferably the second wall can be angled away from the first wall by substantially 15 degrees. The protrusion can then have a cross-sectional shape along the first axis comprising a first side, the rounded end and a second side, and the second side can be angled away from the first side by a pre-determined angle. Again, this can be substantially 15 degrees. The purpose of these shapes is to better facilitate the loading and retention of the sachet of herbal material in the heating chamber. In particular, and as set out in further detail below, the lid can be movable about an axis which is arranged adjacent to the first wall of the heating chamber, which means that the protrusion enters the heating chamber from that side. Having the second wall angled away from the first wall by substantially 15 degrees provides more space for the protrusion and the sachet of herbal material to move into and out of the heating chamber in use. If this construction were not used there would be a greater risk of jamming in use. 
     The mounting surface can comprise a first rectangular portion disposed adjacent to a top of the first wall and normal thereto, and a second rectangular portion adjacent to a top of the second wall and in line with the first rectangular portion. The underside of the lid can comprise a first part adjacent to a bottom of the first side of the protrusion and a second part adjacent to a bottom of the second side of the protrusion. A section of the second part of the underside of the lid can then overlie the second portion of the mounting surface in the closed position. With this construction the part of the sachet of material on the opposite side of the heating chamber to the axis of rotation of the lid is the part which is held between the underside of the lid and the mounting surface in the closed position. This helps to keep the sachet of herbal material in place in the closed position. 
     The first part of the underside, which is that closest to the axis of rotation of the lid, can comprise a concavity adapted to receive a first end of the sachet when the lid is in the open position. This feature allows for the sachet of herbal material to be optimally placed on the mounting surface, and over the heating chamber, prior to loading. In particular, the sachet of herbal material with which the vaporiser is intended to be used is of such a length that in order for a filled pouch portion thereof to be located in the correct position over the heating chamber a clearance gap is required beyond the first wall to accommodate its closed first end. The concavity provides such a clearance gap. 
     The vaporiser can comprise an elongate outer body extending along a second axis normal to the first axis. The mounting surface can then be provided at a first end of the outer body, and the outer body can comprise a rear side in a second plane normal to the mounting surface. The lid can be arranged relative to the outer body such that in the open position a base of the concavity is disposed on an opposite side of the second plane to the outer body. Therefore, the concavity and the arrangement of the lid provides a significant clearance gap for the sachet of herbal material in the open position. The clearance gap is eliminated as the lid moves from the open position to the closed position, but this occurs as the sachet of herbal material is pushed down into the heating chamber, leading to its first end travelling towards the heating chamber. The closed first end of the sachet of herbal material then protrudes from the heating chamber in the closed position, in a small area provided by the concavity, which in the closed position is located over the first portion of the mounting surface. 
     The lid can be connected to the outer body by a hinge, which can comprise a hinge axis which can be parallel to the first axis and can be located below the mounting surface. As discussed above, the hinge axis can be adjacent to the first wall of the heating chamber, which means it can be on the rear side of the outer body. Any known kind of hinge mechanism can be used for the hinge, including versions which can be manually dismantled so the lid can be removable from the outer body. For example, the outer body can comprise a plurality of extensions and the lid can comprise a corresponding plurality of sockets into which the extensions can be a snap-fit. Alternatively, the hinge mechanism can be of the kind which cannot be manually dismantled. For example, it can feature a pin which passes respectively through the lid and the outer body to connect them together. In addition, the hinge can be spring loaded in either rotational direction by a spring element, or it can be free to rotate without restriction. In the latter case the lid can comprise a pair of small spigots, and the outer body can comprise a pair of small slots into which the small spigots can be a snap-fit in order to retain the lid in the closed position, and prevent it from freely moving to the open position in use. 
     The lid can comprise a stop surface which can contact the rear side in the open positon, and delimit the movement of the lid beyond the open position. The stop surface can be angled relative to the rear side such that the lid can be arranged at substantially 15 degrees to the second plane in the open position. This configuration achieves a number of things. Firstly, it means that the lid opens up far enough for the protrusion not to occupy any space over the heating chamber, thereby allowing easy access. It also ensures that the clearance gap is of the correct size in the open position. As the same time, by delimiting the movement of the lid it ensures that the lid is arranged conveniently in the open position for a user to readily rotate it into the closed position. If holding the outer body in their palm they can easily flip the lid shut using a finger or their thumb. 
     In one version of the invention the outer body can comprise a first extension adjacent to a first edge of the mounting surface and a second extension adjacent to a second edge of the mounting surface. The lid can then comprise a lid body disposed between the first extension and the second extension in the closed position. A top side of the lid and outer ends of the first extension and the second extension can then collectively define an outer end surface of the outer body in the closed position, which outer end surface is normal to the second plane. With this construction the lid is protected on either side in the closed position. It also means that when the lid is in the closed position the vaporiser has a neat and ergonomic outer shape without any protruding shapes which the lid might otherwise generate. 
     A first air passageway can extend from an outer surface of the outer body into the heating chamber, and a second air passageway can extend from the heating chamber to a mouthpiece provided at a second end of the outer body. The first air passageway allows for air to be drawn over the sachet of herbal material as it is heated, and for the vapour to be generated in the known way. The second air passageway then allows for the vapour to be drawn from the heating chamber, and be directed to the user via the mouthpiece. 
     It will be appreciated that a vaporiser of the invention can be manufactured and supplied for use without any sachet of herbal material, which can then be provided separately. Such a stand-alone vaporiser falls within the scope of claim  1  below. However, one particular feature of the invention only emerges once a sachet of herbal material is placed in the heating chamber. Therefore, in one version of the invention the vaporiser can comprise such a sachet of herbal material to be heated removably disposed in the heating chamber. The sachet can comprise a tube of vapour permeable material enclosing a herbal vapour producing material to be heated, and which is closed at both ends by one or more of a heat seal component, an adhesive component, an ultrasonic weld, a crimping component, a stitching component, a staple component or a punched material component. The sachet can also comprise a laterally extending handle portion at a second end thereof. The vaporiser can comprise an outer body, and the laterally extending handle portion can protrude from a front side of the outer body. 
     The laterally extending handle portion can be formed by providing an extended length of closed section at the second end of the tube of vapour permeable material. In one version of the invention the laterally extending handle portion can further comprise a visual element. This can be printed thereon, or it can be formed in relief thereon. What this means is that in use a section of the sachet carrying a visual element such as a trade mark, logo, or other insignia can protrude from the front side of the body when a sachet is loaded therein. This serves to provide an indication that the vaporiser can be used, and it also provides marketting or other brand affiliation possibilities. 
     As described above the heating chamber and the protrusion can comprise substantially corresponding physical shapes in a first plane, such that in the closed position a containment area can be created inside the heating chamber which can comprise a substantially regular depth from a first end to a second end thereof in the plane. A pouch portion of the sachet can then be removably disposed in the containment area, and be pinned against a surface of the heating chamber by the protrusion. 
    
    
     
       The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a vaporiser according to the present invention in an open position; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the vaporiser shown in  FIG.  1    in a closed position; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the vaporiser shown in  FIG.  1    in a closed position; 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the vaporiser show in  FIG.  1    in a closed position; 
         FIG.  5    is a partial cross-sectional side view of the vaporiser shown in  FIG.  1    in an open position; and, 
         FIG.  6    is a partial cross-sectional side view of the vaporiser shown in  FIG.  1    in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     As shown in  FIG.  1    a vaporiser device  1  comprises a heating chamber  2  for receiving a sachet of herbal material  3  to be heated (shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   ), and a lid  4  which is movable between an open position, as shown in  FIG.  1   , in which an internal area  5  of the heating chamber  2  is accessible, and a closed position, as shown in  FIG.  2   , in which the lid  4  overlies the internal area  5 , and in which the lid  4  comprises a protrusion  6  on an underside  7  thereof which extends into the internal area  5  in the closed position. 
     The vaporiser  1  is similar to known vaporiser devices in that it comprises an elongate outer body  8 , within which is housed a heating mechanism (not visible) which supplies heat to the heating chamber  2 , a rechargeable battery (not visible) which powers the heating mechanism, and electronic controls disposed on a PCB (not visible) which control the functioning of the vaporiser  1 . The outer body  8  comprises a front side  9 , a rear side  10 , a left side  11  and a right side  12 . As is clear from the Figures, the left side  11  and right side  12  are rounded, which produces a more ergonomic shape for the user to hold. 
     The lid  4  is provided at a first end  13  of the outer body  8 , and a mouth piece  14  is provided at a second end  15  of the outer body  8 . Therefore, in use to consume vapour the vaporiser  1  would be oriented as shown in  FIG.  3   , with the second end  15  uppermost. The mouthpiece  14  can be moved from a stowed position as shown in  FIG.  3   , to an unfurled position (not shown) in which it is perpendicular to as shown in  FIG.  3   , and can be placed in the user’s mouth. The vaporiser  1  also comprises control buttons  16 , which are visible in  FIG.  4   , and which are arranged on the right side  12  of the outer body  8 . The control buttons  16  are like those on known vaporisers and allow the user to operate the vaporiser  1  to produce vapour to be consumed, in the known way. 
     The vaporiser  1  can in theory be used with loose herbal material to be heated (not shown), or with any known kind of sachet of herbal material which would fit inside the heating chamber  2 . However the vaporiser  1  is intended to be used with sachets of herbal material  3  of a particular construction, as shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   . Namely, the sachet  3  comprises a tube of vapour permeable material  17  enclosing a herbal vapour producing material  18  to be heated, and which is closed at both a first end  19  and a second end  20  thereof by a heat seal component (not visible). This results in a central pouch portion  21  being formed. The sachet  3  also comprises a laterally extending handle portion  22  at the second end  20  thereof, which is formed by providing an extended length of closed section at the second end  20  of the tube of vapour permeable material  17 . The laterally extending handle portion  22  comprises a logo element  23  thereon formed in relief, which is created using a pressing tool. The laterally extending handle portion  22  provides a convenient mechanism to handle the sachet  3 , and as explained further below, it creates a particular visual effect when protruding from the vaporiser  1  in use. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the vaporiser  1  comprises a mounting surface  24  at the first end  13 , and an opening  25  is formed in the mounting surface  24  which leads into the heating chamber  2 . The mounting surface  24  provides a platform on which the user can place the sachet of herbal material  3 , prior to closure of the lid  4 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . The sachet  3  rests above the heating chamber  2 , before being pushed down therein by the protrusion  6  as the lid  4  moves to the closed position, as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the heating chamber  2  is generally U-shaped in a first plane. The first plane is, or is parallel to, the plane of the cross-section shown. The heating chamber  2  has the same cross-sectional shape along a first axis A-A which is normal to the first plane. In other words the heating chamber  2  is shaped like a rounded trough. 
     The protrusion  6  comprises a substantially corresponding physical shape to the heating chamber  2  in the first plane. Namely, the protrusion  6  is shaped in the first plane as a probe with a rounded end  26 , and it has the same probe-shaped cross-sectional shape along the first axis A-A. In other words, the protrusion  6  is shaped like a wall with a rounded end  26 . 
     As a result of this, in the closed position a containment area  27  is created inside the heating chamber  2  which comprises a substantially regular depth from a first end  28  to a second end  29  thereof in the first plane. This construction ensures that the sachet of herbal material  3  is held against the surface  30  of the heating chamber  2  in generally the same manner across its length, as shown in  FIG.  6   . It is also held in the same way along its width along the first axis A-A. The shapes of the heating chamber  2  and protrusion  6  therefore work effectively with the sachet  3 , as it has a generally square-shaped pouch portion  21  containing the herbal material  18 , and the first end  19  and second end  20  are rectangular in shape. 
     The heating chamber  2  has a cross-sectional shape along the first axis A-A which is not quite U-shaped, because it comprises a first wall  32 , a rounded bottom  33  and a second wall  34  which is angled away from the first wall  32  by 15 degrees. Likewise, the protrusion  6  has a cross-sectional shape along the first axis A-A comprising a first side  35 , the rounded end  26  and a second side  36  which is angled away from the first side  35  by 15 degrees. 
     The purpose of these angular relationships between the first wall  32  and the second wall  34 , and between the first side  35  and the second side  36 , is to better facilitate the loading and retention of the sachet of herbal material  3  in the heating chamber  2 . In particular, and as set out in further detail below, the lid  4  is movable about a hinge axis B-B which is arranged adjacent to the first wall  32  of the heating chamber  2 , which means that the protrusion  6  enters the heating chamber  2  from that side. Having the second wall  34  angled away from the first wall  32  by 15 degrees provides more space for the protrusion  6  and the sachet of herbal material  3  to move into and out of the heating chamber  2  in use. In particular, the planetary path the rounded end  26  of the protrusion  6  takes about the hinge axis B-B when the lid  4  moves from the open position to the closed position takes it close to the second wall  34 . If the second wall  34  were parallel to the first wall  32  there would be a greater risk of jamming the sachet  3  between the protrusion  6  and the first wall  32 . Instead, with the construction shown, the sachet  3  passes smoothly into the heating chamber  2 , to be held snugly therein as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     Another way to consider these shapes is to appreciate that the containment area  27  needs to be generally the same volume as the pouch portion  21 , so the pouch portion  21  is held snugly in place in the closed position. The sachet  3  contains a pre-determined amount of the herbal material  18 , which therefore determines the required volume of the containment area  27 . The heating chamber  2  and/or the protrusion  6  cannot be too large or too small respectively, or the invention will not function effectively. In particular, the protrusion  6  needs to be long enough to extend into the heating chamber  2  to a sufficient degree. In order to achieve this while also providing a hinged lid  4  within the confines of an ergonomically sized vaporiser  1 , it is necessary to angle the second wall  34  at 15 degrees to the first wall  32 , so as to provide the necessary clearance for the protrusion  6  to enter and leave the heating chamber  2 . 
     Furthermore, by providing the heating chamber  2  with a slightly opened U-shape (by 15 degrees), less force is required to push the sachet  3  therein. It therefore contorts relatively easily as it is forced down into the resulting containment area  27 . The sachet  3  can also be more readily removed from the heating chamber  2  thereafter. 
     Referring to the mounting surface  24  in greater detail, it comprises a first rectangular portion  37  disposed adjacent to a top  38  of the first wall  32  and normal thereto, and a second rectangular portion  39  adjacent to a top  40  of the second wall  34  and in line with the first rectangular portion  37 . The first rectangular portion  37  and the second rectangular portion  39  provide support for the sachet of herbal material  3  when it is placed on the mounting surface  24  in a pre-loading position, as shown in  FIG.  5   . 
     Referring to the underside  7  of the lid  4  in greater detail, it comprises a first part  41  adjacent to a bottom  42  of the first side  35  of the protrusion  6 , and a second part  43  adjacent to a bottom  44  of the second side  36  of the protrusion  6 . The lid  4  is so configured that a forward section  45  of the second part  43  overlies the second portion  39  of the mounting surface  24  in the closed position, as shown in  FIG.  6   . As a result, the second end  20  of the sachet  3 , and a part of the laterally extending handle portion  22 , are held between the underside  7  of the lid  4  and the mounting surface  24  in the closed position. This helps to keep the sachet of herbal material  3  in place in the closed position, but it also results in the rest of the handle portion  22  protruding from the front side  9  of the outer body  8  of the vaporiser  1 . It does so perpendicular to the front side  9 , and such that the logo element  23  is visually presented on the handle portion  22  in an eye-catching way. 
     The first part  41  of the underside  7  comprises a concavity  46  which is adapted to receive the first end  19  of the sachet  3  when the lid  4  is in the open position, as shown in  FIG.  5   . In particular, the concavity  46  is so shaped that when the first end  19  of the sachet  3  is placed against it, the pouch portion  21  is optimally positioned over the heating chamber  2 , prior to insertion therein. Or, looking at it another way, the sachet  3  is of such a length that in order for the pouch portion  21  to be located in the correct position over the heating chamber  2  a clearance gap  47  is required beyond the first wall  32  to accommodate its first end  19 , and the concavity  46  provides such a clearance gap  47 . 
     The clearance gap  47  is created as a result of the shape and configuration of the lid  4 . In particular, the rear side  10  of the outer body  8  is in a second plane normal to the mounting surface  24 , and as is clear from  FIG.  5    the lid  4  is arranged relative to the outer body  8  such that in the open position a base  48  of the concavity  46  is disposed on an opposite side of the second plane to the outer body  8 . As such, much of the clearance gap  47  is rearward of the rear side  10  of the outer body  8 . 
     The clearance gap  47  is eliminated as the lid  4  moves from the open position to the closed position as shown in  FIG.  6   , but this occurs as the sachet  3  is pushed down into the heating chamber  2  by the protrusion  6 , leading to its first end  19  travelling towards the hearing chamber  2 . The first end  19  then protrudes from the heating chamber  2  in the closed position, and is accommodated in a small area  49  provided by the concavity  46 , which in the closed position is located over the first portion  37  of the mounting surface  24 . 
     The lid  4  is connected to the outer body  8  by a hinge  50  on the rear side  10 . The hinge  50  defines the hinge axis B-B which is parallel to the first axis A-A, and which is located below the mounting surface  24 . The outer body  8  comprises three extensions  50   a  and the lid  4  comprises three corresponding sockets  50   b  in which the extensions  50   a  are located to facilitate the hinge  50 . A pin (not visible) passes respectively through the sockets  50   b  and the extensions  50   a  to fix the lid  4  to the outer body  8 , so it cannot be removed. The lid  4  is free to rotate on the hinge  50  without restriction between the open and closed positions. 
     As discussed above, the hinge axis B-B defines the planetary path of the end  26  of the protrusion  6  as the lid  4  moves between the open and closed positions. That planetary path of the end  26  of the protrusion  6  is downward as the lid  4  moves from the open position to the closed position, because the end  26  of the protrusion  6  is forward of the hinge axis B-B. The hinge axis B-B also defines the planetary path of the concavity  46  as the lid  4  moves between the open and closed positions. The planetary path of the concavity  46  is initially upward before being downward as the lid  4  moves from the open position to the closed position, because the concavity  46   is rearward of the hinge axis B-B in the open position, and forward thereof in the closed position. Due to the shape of the concavity  46 , and in particular that the base  48  thereof is rearward and below the first end  19  of the sachet  3  in the pre-loading position shown in  FIG.  5   , this means is that it does not exert any influence on the first end  19  of the sachet  3  until, or at approximately the same time as, the end  26  of the protrusion  6  begins to exert any influence on the pouch portion  21  of the sachet  3 . Therefore, the shape of the concavity  46  and the position of the hinge axis B-B are designed to accommodate the shape of the sachet  31  in use, while still allowing the vaporiser  1  to be a compact and convenient size. 
     The lid  4  comprises a stop surface  51  which contacts the rear side  10  in the open positon, and delimits the movement of the lid  4  beyond the open position. The stop surface  51  is angled relative to the rear side  10  such that the lid  4  is arranged at substantially 15 degrees to the second plane in the open position, as is clear from  FIG.  5   . The angle of the stop surface  51  achieves a number of things. Firstly, it means that the lid  4  opens up far enough for the protrusion  6  not to occupy any space over the heating chamber  2  in the open position, thereby allowing easy access. This is particularly relevant when the sachet  3  is to be removed from the heating chamber  2  in use. It also ensures that the clearance gap  47  is of the correct size and orientation in the open position, as outlined above. As the same time, by delimiting the movement of the lid  4  the stop surface  51  ensures that the lid  4  is arranged conveniently in the open position for a user to readily rotate it into the closed position. If holding the outer body  8  in their palm they can easily flip the lid  4  shut using a finger or their thumb. Finally, with this angle of stop surface  51  the second side  36  of the protrusion  6  is normal to the second plane when the lid  4  is in the open position. 
     Referring back to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the outer body  8  comprises a first extension  52  adjacent to a first edge  53  of the mounting surface  24  and a second extension  54  adjacent to a second edge (not visible) of the mounting surface  24 . The lid  4  comprises a lid body  56  which is disposed between the first extension  52  and the second extension  54  in the closed position. The first extension  52 , second extension  54  and the lid body  56  are so sized that a top side  57  of the lid  4  and outer ends  58  and  59  of the first extension  52  and the second extension  54  respectively combine to collectively define an outer end surface  60  at the first end  13  of the outer body  8  in the closed position, which outer end surface  60  is normal to the second plane. With this construction the lid  4  is protected on either side in the closed position by the first extension  52  and the second extension  54 . It also means that when the lid  4  is in the closed position the vaporiser  1  has a neat and ergonomic outer shape without any protruding shapes which the lid  4  might otherwise generate. 
     The lid body  56  comprises a pair of small spigots on either side, one of which  61  is visible in  FIG.  1   , and the first extension  52  and the second extension  54  each comprise a pair of small slots  62  on their inward facing surfaces. The spigots  61  are a snap-fit into the slots  62  to releasably retain the lid  4  in the closed position. 
     A first air passageway extends from an outer surface  63  of the outer body  8  into the heating chamber  2 . The first air passageway is not visible as such in the Figures because it takes the form of the any gap or gaps between the lid  4  and the outer body  8  when the lid  4  is in the closed position. Such a gap or gaps are present because the lid  4  is not sealed shut in the closed position, and sufficient clearance is present for air to pass freely into the heating chamber  2 . 
     A second air passageway  64  extends from the heating chamber  2  to the mouthpiece  14 . The first air passageway allows for air to be drawn over the sachet  3  as it is heated, and for the vapour to be generated in the known way. The second air passageway  64  then allows for the vapour to be drawn from the heating chamber  2 , and be directed to the user via the mouthpiece  14 . 
     In use the vaporiser  1  operates as follows. Firstly, the vaporiser  1  is provided with a source of electricity to charge the battery (not shown), in the know way. Once the battery is sufficiently charged to operate the vaporiser  1 , the user can load a sachet  3  to consume. The user manually moves the lid  4  into the open position about the hinge  50 , and they place the sachet  3  on the mounting surface  24  in the pre-loading position as shown in  FIG.  5   . In this position the pouch portion  21  is optimally located over the opening  25  in the mounting surface  24  which leads to the heating chamber  2 , and the first end  19  of the sachet  3  is located in the concavity  46 . The user can use the handle portion  22  of the sachet  3  to place it in this positon. 
     The user then manually moves the lid  4  about the hinge  50  into the closed position shown in  FIG.  6   . When the lid  4  reaches the closed position the spigots  61  enter the slots  62  and maintain the lid  4  in the closed position. As described above the hinge axis B-B defines the planetary path of the end  26  of the protrusion  6  as the lid  4  moves, and the end  26  travels in a downward direction because it is forward of the hinge axis B-B. As also described above, the second wall  34  of the heating chamber  2  is angled away from the first wall  32  by 15 degrees to provide sufficient clearance for the end  26  of the protrusion  6  to travel down into the heating chamber  2  with the pouch portion  21  of the sachet  3  wrapped around it. 
     As a result of the movement of the lid  4  the end  26  of the protrusion  6  comes into contact with the pouch portion  21  of the sachet  3 , and pushes the pouch portion  21  down into the heating chamber  2 , until it is disposed in the containment area  27  in the manner shown in  FIG.  6   . In particular, it generally extends from the first end  28  to the second end  29  thereof. This occurs because of the specific location of the pouch portion  21  in the pre-loading position, which can be determined by the user placing the first end  19  of the sachet  3  in the concavity  46  as shown in  FIG.  5   . If the sachet  3  were no so positioned then it may be pushed into the containment area  27  irregularly, and might not extend from the first end  28  to the second end  29  thereof. In the correct arrangement shown in  FIG.  6    the pouch portion  21  of the sachet  3  is held in place against the surface  30  of the hearting chamber  2 , by virtue of the lid  4  being retained in the closed position. This ensures that the maximum amount of heat from the surface  30  of the heating chamber  2  is transmitted to the herbal material  18  inside the pouch portion  21 , which ensures high performance. The fact that the containment area  27  is relatively shallow in depth from its first end  28  to its second end  29  also means that all the herbal material  18  is located close to the surface  30  of the heating chamber  2 , so it is all readily heated, which also ensures a high performance. It also means that when heat is applied, the herbal material  18  inside the pouch portion  21  is consumed in a regular fashion as it is all subjected to the same transmission of heat from the first end  19  to the second end  20  of the sachet  3 . 
     In the closed position the concavity  46  provides the small area  49  over the first rectangular portion  37  of the mounting surface  24 , and as is clear from  FIG.  6    the first end  19  of the sachet  3  protrudes from the heating chamber  2  and is accommodated in the small area  49 . 
     Furthermore, in the closed position the forward section  45  of the second part  43  of the underside  7  of the lid  4  overlies the second portion  39  of the mounting surface  24 . As a result, the second end  20  of the sachet  3 , and a part of the laterally extending handle portion  22 , are held therebetween. This helps to keep the sachet  3  in place in the closed position, but it also results in the rest of the handle portion  22  protruding from the front side  9  of the outer body  8 . It does so perpendicular to the front side  9 , and such that the logo element  23  is visually presented on the handle portion  22  in an eye-catching way. This serves to provide an indication that the vaporiser  1  can be used as it is loaded, and it also provides brand affiliation. 
     The vaporiser  1  is now ready to perform its vaporising function. The user turns the vaporiser  1  back to the upright position as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , and manually moves the mouthpiece  14  from the stowed position as shown in  FIG.  3   , to an unfurled position (not shown) in which it is perpendicular to as shown in  FIG.  3   , and can be placed in the user’s mouth. The user operates the control buttons  16  to activate the heating mechanism (not visible), which then supplies heat to the heating chamber  2 , and the surface  30  in particular. The manner in which this is done is controlled by the PCB (not visible). As this is all known technology it is not further described here. This heat is then transmitted to the herbal material  18  inside the sachet  3  such that it is heated to a pre-determined temperature and releases an aerosol for consumption. 
     The user draws on the mouthpiece  14  which sucks air into the heating chamber  2  via the first air passageway. This air then collects with the generated aerosol vapour, before being sucked into the second air passageway  62 , and consumed by the user via the mouthpiece  14 . The user continues to use the vaporiser  1  in this way until the herbal material  18  no longer provides any further consumable aerosol vapour. 
     Once the sachet  3  is consumed in this way it can be removed from the vaporiser  1 . The user manually moves the lid  4  back into the open position, which they do by exerting sufficient manual pressure to the lid body  56  to release the spigots  61  from the slots  62 . The heating chamber  2  is then exposed and the sachet  3  can then be manually removed therefrom, which is most conveniently done by manipulating the lateral handle portion  22 , before being disposed of. The vaporiser  1  is then ready to be used with another sachet of herbal material. 
     The vaporiser  1  can be altered without departing from the scope of claim  1 . In particular, in one alternative embodiment (not shown) the protrusion is rod-shaped as opposed to being wall-shaped, and the heating chamber has a corresponding well shape as opposed to a trough shape. 
     In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the hinge can be manually dismantled to remove the lid from the outer body. The outer body comprises a plurality of extensions and the lid comprises a corresponding plurality of sockets into which the extensions are a snap-fit. 
     In other alternative embodiments (not shown) the hinge is spring loaded. In one version the hinge is spring loaded by a spring element acting thereon into the open position. This allows the lid to be more readily moved to the open position, and maintains the lid in that position. In another version the hinge is spring loaded by a spring element acting thereon into the closed position. This allows the lid to be more readily moved into the closed position, and helps to maintain the lid in that position. 
     In other alternative embodiments (not shown) the second wall is angled away from the first wall by angles other than 15 degrees, for example any angle between 10 and 20 degrees. This may be preferential in some cases in order to accommodate different sizes of parts or of sachets. 
     In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the mounting surface is provided with one or more grooves formed in its surface in order to increase the area of the first air passageway into the heating chamber. As explained above, the first air passageway takes the form of the any gap or gaps between the lid and the outer body when the lid is in the closed position. Such a gap or gaps are present because the lid is not sealed shut in the closed position, and sufficient clearance is present for air to pass into the heating chamber. The one or more grooves in the mounting surface effectively form a part of the first air passageway, and are implemented as required to improve or better regulate the flow of air into the heating chamber around the first end and second end of the sachet which are disposed on the mounting chamber. In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the underside of the lid is provided with one or more grooves formed in its surface in order to increase the area of the first air passageway into the heating chamber. These work in the same manner as described above. In another alternative embodiment both the mounting surface and the underside of the lid are provided with one or more grooves like those described above. 
     In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the sachet of herbal material is not provided with any lateral handle portion and its second end is the same as its first end. 
     Therefore, the present invention involves the use of the protrusion on the underside of the lid to push the sachet of herbal material down into the heating chamber, pinning it against the surface thereof. This removes the requirement of the user to manipulate the sachet in any way prior to loading in the heating chamber, and it also serves to effectively apply one whole side of the sachet to the source of heat, thereby improving vaporisation performance. Furthermore, the lateral handle portion of the sachet protrudes from the outer body when the sachet is loaded in the vaporiser, which provides a unique visual indication of the presence of the sachet, as well as a marketting and branding opportunity.