Abstract:
Provided is a vaporizing device configured for use with a disposable bottle to employ the disposable bottle as a collection device for collecting and delivering the vapor to a user. The vaporizing device includes a threaded connector portion configured to engage with the threaded bottle connector found on a conventional beverage container, such as a water bottle, soda bottle, sports drink bottle, or the like. The vaporizing device is configured to receive and heat herbal contents to produce a vapor for inhalation by a user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to an herbal vaporization device, and more specifically to a thermal vaporization device sized and configured to engage with a conventional beverage bottle for collecting and delivering the herbal vapors to a user. 
         [0004]    Cigarettes or smoking pipes are commonly used for inhaling cannabinoids, nicotine, and other active ingredients of commonly smoked herbal materials. Although smoking is an effective means of delivering the active ingredients to the user, it is recognized that smoking may additionally deliver numerous irritants and possible carcinogens along with the desired active ingredients to the user, especially within the tracheobronchial tree and oral cavity. 
         [0005]    Given the dangers associated with smoking herbal materials, there is a desire for alternate means of receiving the desirable ingredients of the herbal contents, while mitigating delivery of the irritants and possible carcinogens. It is believed that vaporization of the herbal materials is effective toward achieving that end. In particular, vaporization, the temperature range of which is related to the boiling points of the desired active constituents, is believed to separate the desirable, active constituents, from the non-desirable and harmful constituents. Vaporization of herbal products is typically achieved by heating the herbal products to a temperature wherein the desirable constituents are contained within the vapor, which is then captured and delivered to the user. 
         [0006]    Common vaporization devices typically include a bowl configured to receive and heat the herbal contents to produce the vapor. The bowl may be heated by a flame, such as by a lighter or match. Once the herbal contents vaporize, the vapor is collected within a collection device for delivery to the user. The collection device is in fluid communication with the bowl to receive the vapor once it is generated. The collection device typically includes a mouthpiece for enabling a user to inhale the collected vapor. 
         [0007]    When the vapor is collected within the collection device, the vapor may produce a film on the inner surface of the collection device, which may pollute or contaminate the collection device. Although the collection device may be cleaned, the film may form after only a single use. Accordingly, the collection device may require cleaning after each use, which may become tedious. 
         [0008]    Therefore, in view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a vaporization device having a disposable collection device. The present invention addresses these particular needs, as will be discussed in more detail below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0009]    There is provided a vaporizing device configured for use with a disposable bottle to employ the disposable bottle as a collection device for collecting and delivering the vapor to a user. The vaporizing device includes a threaded connector portion configured to engage with the threaded bottle connector found on a conventional beverage container, such as a water bottle, soda bottle, sports drink bottle, or the like. 
         [0010]    More specifically, the vaporizer device includes a housing having a connector portion defining threads configured to be engageable with the threaded bottle connector to connect the bottle to the housing. An herbal receptacle is connected to the housing and includes a base and a wall extending from the base to define a receptacle cavity for receiving the herbal products. A heating member is in thermal communication with the herbal receptacle and is configured to heat the herbal receptacle for vaporizing the herbal products therein. 
         [0011]    The housing may be rotatable relative to the bottle between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. The threads of the housing may be engaged with the threaded bottle connector when in the engaged configuration. Furthermore, the threads of the housing may be disengaged from the threaded bottle connector when in the disengaged configuration. 
         [0012]    The heating member may include an elongate heating rod. The vaporizer device may further include a thermal conduit connected to the herbal receptacle. The thermal conduit may include an inner wall defining a thermal opening with the elongate heating rod being insertable into the thermal opening. 
         [0013]    The vaporizer device may comprise a power unit in electrical communication with the heating member for supplying electrical power to the heating member. A temperature regulator may be in electrical communication with the heating member and the power unit. The temperature regulator may be configured to control the flow of electrical power from the power unit to the heating member to maintain the temperature of the herbal receptacle within a vaporizing temperature range. A temperature indicator may be in operative communication with the temperature regulator and configured to emit a temperature signal when the temperature of the receptacle is in the vaporizing temperature range. A power switch may be in operative communication with the power unit, with the power switch being disposable in an ON position and an OFF position. A power indicator may be in operative communication with the power switch to emit a power signal when the power switch is in the ON position. 
         [0014]    There may also be provided a method of vaporizing an herbal product comprising the steps of providing a collection bottle and a vaporizing device, as described above. The collection bottle includes a bottle wall defining a collection enclosure and a threaded bottle connector. A cooling aperture and an inhaling aperture are punctured within the bottle wall at opposing end portions of the collection bottle. The bottle is then connected to the vaporizing device by engaging the threaded bottle connector to the connector portion of the housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a vaporizer device having a bottle engaged therewith; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of the vaporizer device and bottle depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of the vaporizer device with the bottle being disengaged therefrom; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the vaporizer device depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities. 
         [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, there is depicted a vaporizer device  10  configured for use with a bottle  12 , such as a conventional water bottle, soda bottle, sports drink bottle, or the like. The vaporizer device  10  is configured to vaporize herbal products  14 , such as marijuana or tobacco, and the bottle  12  is connectable to the vaporizer device  10  to collect the vapor  16  for inhalation by a user. It is understood that vaporizing herbal products  14  tends to mitigate the transfer of harmful portions of the herbal products  14  to the user, when compared to traditional smoking of the herbal products  14 . For instance, carcinogenic particles in marijuana and tobacco are believed to be transferred to the user when the user burns the marijuana or tobacco for smoking. Conversely, when the marijuana or tobacco is vaporized, the useful portions of those products are transferred to the user in the vapor, while the harmful portions are not as likely to be transferred. 
         [0022]    The vaporizer device  10  includes a threaded connector portion  18  (see  FIG. 3 ) which is engageable with the threaded end of the bottle  12 . The bottle  12  may be easily attached to the vaporizer device  10  for use, and subsequently easily detached from the vaporizer device  10  after use. It is understood that a film may form on the inner surface of the bottle  12  after an herbal product  14  is vaporized. Therefore, when the bottle  12  becomes dirty, it can quickly and easily be removed and replaced with a new clean bottle  12 . 
         [0023]    The vaporizer device  10  includes a housing  20  configured to be hand portable and easily grippable by a user. The housing  20  includes an upper end portion  22  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and an opposing lower end portion  24  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The housing  20  further includes a cylindrical medial portion and a tapered thickness extending from the medial portion laterally outward. The outer surface of the housing  20  may include a series of ribs or grooves to provide an easily grippable surface for the user. The housing  20  may be formed out of two molded halves which are coupled to each other, such as by snap-fit engagement, or by a mechanical fastener, e.g., screws. The housing  20  may be fabricated out of a lightweight and durable material, such as plastic, or metal. 
         [0024]    The housing  20  includes a housing wall  26  (see  FIG. 1 ) defining a housing opening  28  (see  FIG. 1 ) adjacent the upper end portion  22 , which extends into a housing cavity. Internal threads  32  are formed within the housing opening  28  to facilitate engagement with the bottle  12 . It is understood that most bottles  12  include external threads  34  formed on a bottle connector  35 . The threads  32  formed within the housing opening  28  are sized and configured to engage with the external threads  34  formed on the bottle connector  35 . The housing threads  32  may be double locking threads configured to engage with bottles  12  having different size threaded connectors  35 . The threads  32  shown in  FIG. 1  are configured specifically for the bottle  12  depicted therein, whereas the threads  32  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are more universal in nature, and may be used with bottles having different thread sizes. 
         [0025]    Although the Figures depict a housing  20  configured to engage with an externally threaded bottle  12 , it is contemplated that other embodiments of the housing  20  may be configured for engagement with an internally threaded container. For instance, the housing  20  may include a collar (not shown) disposed about the opening  28 , wherein the collar includes external threads configured to engage with the internal threads formed on the container. Alternatively, an adapter may be used to convert an internally threaded housing for engagement with an internally threaded container. 
         [0026]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a cross sectional view of the vaporizer device  10  and bottle  12 . The vaporizer device  10  includes an herbal receptacle  36  having a base  38  and a wall  40  extending from the base  38  to define a receptacle cavity  42  for receiving the herbal products  14 . In the embodiment depicted in the drawings, the herbal receptacle  36  defines a cylindrically-shaped wall  40 . The base  38  may include a plurality of base apertures  39  formed therein to facilitate a desired fluid flow. In one embodiment, the base apertures  39  are 1 mm in diameter. 
         [0027]    The herbal receptacle  36  is disposed in thermal communication with a heating assembly including a heating conduit  46  (see  FIG. 1 ) and a heating rod  48  (see  FIG. 1 ). The heating conduit is preferably a copper tube that is sized to fit over the heating rod  48  to transfer heat from the heating rod  48  to the herbal receptacle. In particular, the heating conduit  46  includes an opening  54 , while the heating rod  48  defines a distal tip  56  which is advanced into the opening  54  until a flanged end portion  58  is disposed adjacent the heating conduit  46 . The herbal receptacle is disposed adjacent an end portion of the heating conduit  46  to receive heat therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the herbal receptacle  36  is integrally connected to the heating conduit  46 ; however, it is understood that in other embodiments, the herbal receptacle  36  may be detachable from the heating conduit  46 . For instance, the herbal receptacle  36  and heating conduit  36  may include complimentary threads to enable threaded engagement therebetween. The herbal receptacle  36  is sized to be inserted through the bottle opening and extend at least partially into the bottle  12  during use. Other implementations may include a herbal receptacle  36  which does not extend into the bottle  12 , and may be at least partially disposed within the housing  20 . 
         [0028]    A power supply  60  is also disposed within the housing  20 , and is in electrical communication with the heating rod  48 . One implementation of the vaporizer device  10  includes a power supply  60  comprised of a rechargeable battery or batteries. A power port  62  may be disposed within the housing  20 , and electrically connected to the rechargeable batteries to allow for recharging of the batteries, similar to recharging of a cell phone, or laptop computer. The power supply  60  may also be comprised of disposable batteries, or a power outlet for connecting to an external power source, such as a power outlet. 
         [0029]    As power is supplied to the heating rod  48 , the heating rod  48  generates heat, which is transferred to the heating conduit  46  and ultimately to the herbal receptacle  36 , preferably via conduction between the heating conduit  46  and the herbal receptacle  36 . In other words, the herbal receptacle  36  is preferably disposed in contact with the heating conduit  46  to facilitate heat transfer therebetween. 
         [0030]    It is understood that the herbal products  14  vaporize at a vaporization temperature. For instance, with regard to marijuana, approximately 20% of the HTC is released at a vaporization temperature below 250° F. At temperatures between 250° F.-350° F., 25%-40% of the HTC is released, along with a minor amount of carbon. Marijuana burns at approximately 380° F. to release approximately 60% HTC. 
         [0031]    Certain aspects of the vaporizer device  10  are directed toward maintaining the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  within a certain vaporization temperature range. For instance, the vaporization range for marijuana may be from 210° F. to 220° F. The vaporization range may be pre-programmed into the device  10  for various herbal products  14 , or alternatively, the device  10  may include a user interface, such as a touch-screen, dial, or the like to allow a user to set the vaporization range. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a few drops of water, alcohol, or glycol improves the vaporization efficiency at lower temperatures. 
         [0032]    Along these lines, the vaporizer device  10  may include a temperature control unit  64  in electrical communication with the power supply  60  and the heating rod  48 . A temperature sensor may be in electrical communication with the temperature control unit  64  for measuring the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36 , the heating conduit  46 , or the heating rod  48  to determine whether the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  is within the desired vaporization range. The temperature control unit  64  receives a temperature input reading from the temperature sensor, and compares the temperature input reading with the allowable vaporization range. 
         [0033]    The vaporizer device  10  further includes an ON/OFF switch  66  to control operation of the device  10 . When the switch  66  is in the OFF position, power is restricted from being transferred to the heating rod  48 . When the switch  66  is in the ON position, power is sent to the heating rod  48  to increase the temperature of the heating rod  48 . When the device  10  is powered up, the heating rod  48  receives power from the power supply  60  until the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  is beyond the upper limit of the allowable temperature range, at which time power is restricted to the heating rod  48 . Once the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  falls below the allowable temperature range, power is then directed to the heating rod  48  to increase the temperature thereof. This power cycle repeats as long as the device is in the ON position to maintain the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  within the vaporizing temperature range. 
         [0034]    The vaporizer device  10  may include a power indicator  68  and a temperature indicator  70  to communicate the operational status (ON or OFF) of the device  10 , as well as the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  to the user. The power indicator  68  may include a light (e.g., light emitting diode) disposed on the outer surface of the housing  20  and emit light when the device is in the ON state (and not emit light when in the OFF state). Furthermore, the temperature indicator  70  may include a light (e.g., light emitting diode) disposed within the housing opening  28  to be visible by a user when the user looks into the housing  20 . The temperature light  70  may be configured to emit light when the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  is outside of the vaporization range. Therefore, if the user notices that the power indicator  68  is on, and the temperature indicator  70  is off, then the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  is in the vaporization range. It is also understood that as an alternative, the temperature light  70  may emit light when the temperature of the herbal receptacle  36  is within the vaporization range. 
         [0035]    The temperature light  70  and power light  68  may emit two different colors of light. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature light  70  is blue, while the power light  68  is red, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other colors may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0036]    In order to effectuate the desired fluid flow, the housing  20  may include a plurality of ventilation holes  74  (see  FIGS. 1-2 ) formed therein. The ventilation holes  74  may extend through the housing wall  26  to dispose the housing opening  28  in fluid communication with the ambient environment. Therefore, when the user inhales the vapor from the bottle  12 , ambient air is drawn into the housing opening  28  through the ventilation holes  74 . The ambient air generally cools the vapor before it is inhaled by the user. 
         [0037]    Given the elevated temperatures generated by the heating rod  48 , one embodiment of the vaporizer device  10  may include an insulative sleeve (not shown) disposed about the body of the heating conduit  46  to protect the adjacent components (e.g., the housing, power unit, etc.) from the elevated temperatures of the heating conduit  46 , as well as to mitigate energy loss from the heating conduit  46 . The insulative sleeve may be formed out of a ceramic material, or other material configured to mitigate heat transfer from the heating conduit  46 . 
         [0038]    While the foregoing discussion pertains primarily to the structure of the vaporizer device  10 , operation of the vaporizer device  10  is described below. A bottle  12  obtained and is prepared for use with the vaporizer device  10  by puncturing an inhalation hole  76  through the bottle  12  adjacent an opposing end thereof (e.g., the closed end of the bottle  12 ). A mouthpiece  80  may be used to puncture the inhalation hole  76  in the bottle  12 . The mouthpiece  80  may include a pointed end portion  82  for easily piercing through the wall of the bottle  12 . 
         [0039]    Once the bottle  12  is prepared, herbal products  14  are placed within the herbal receptacle  36 , and the bottle  12  is connected to the housing  20  by screwing the bottle connector  35  into the housing opening  28  so the threads on the bottle  12  engage with the threads on the housing  20  to dispose the bottle  12  in fluid communication with the vaporizer device  10 . The user then places the ON/OFF switch  66  in the ON position to heat the herbal receptacle  36 . Once the herbal receptacle  36  reaches the vaporization temperature, the herbal products  14  vaporizes and accumulates within the enclosure defined by the bottle  12 . The user then inhales through the inhalation opening  76 , causing ambient air to enter the enclosure to cool the vapor  16 . The cooled vapor  16  is then delivered to the user through the inhalation opening  76 . When the user is finished, the ON/OFF switch  66  is disposed in the OFF position which causes the heating rod  48  to cool down to an ambient temperature. The ON/OFF switch may be biased into the OFF position to prevent the device  10  from being left in the ON position inadvertently. The temperature control unit  64  may also include an emergency shutoff which powers down the device  10  after a preset period of time. After the device  10  is turned OFF, the bottle  12  is unscrewed from the housing  20 , and may be discarded. The device  10  may be plugged in to a power source to recharge the power supply  60  for a subsequent use. 
         [0040]    The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.