Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PORTABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED AROMATHERAPY VAPORIZERS
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[001] The present disclosure relates generally to a convection vaporizer
for aromatherapy
which dynamically heats air in a furnace and supplies it to a chamber
containing organic material
thereby releasing residues from essential oils, extracts and plant from the
organic material without
combustion.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[002] Vaporizer for plant-based materials and essential oils and exist.
Vaporizers allow aroma
therapy or inhalation. Vaporizers which allow inhalation from a fluid pathway
whereby gas
containing the vapor without combustion by products through a fluid pathway
from source of vapor
to exists. Herbs and botanicals have been known in the art to be vaporized or
burned to release
organic material in the form of inhalable material.
[003] Lavender vaporizes at 260 F Tobacco vaporizes between 257 F to 302 F;
Green tea
vaporizes between about 175 C to 185 C; Valerian vaporizes at about 235 C;
Chamomile used to
aid in the relief of anxiety vaporizes at about 380 F; Peppermint vaporizes at
about 255 F.
Peppermint is also known to ease symptoms of allergies and asthma, in addition
to alleviating some
of the side effects that come along with the common cold or a sinus infection.
Cannabis has a range
at which it can be heated to release different cannabinoids as vapor without
burning the organic
material.
[004] In the following description of examples of implementations,
reference is made to the
accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which show, by way of
illustration, specific
implementations of the present disclosure that may be utilized. Other
implementations may be
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope
of the present
disclosure.
- 1 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
DISCLOSURE
[005] A rechargeable, portable convection vaporizer is disclosed and
aspects related to its
temperature concentration, buffering and smell management.
[006] It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that some of the
circuits, components,
controllers, modules, and/or devices of the system disclosed in the present
application are described
as being in signal communication with each other, where signal communication
refers to any type
of communication and/or connection between the circuits, components, modules,
and/or devices
that allows a circuit, component, module, and/or device to pass and/or receive
signals and/or
information from another circuit, component, module, and/or device. The
communication and/or
connection may be along any signal path between the circuits, components,
modules, and/or devices
that allows signals and/or information to pass from one circuit, component,
module, and/or device
to another and includes wireless or wired signal paths. The signal paths may
be physical such as, for
example, conductive wires, electromagnetic wave guides, attached and/or
electromagnetic or
mechanically coupled terminals, semi-conductive or dielectric materials or
devices, or other similar
physical connections or couplings. Additionally, signal paths may be non-
physical such as free-
space (in the case of electromagnetic propagation) or information paths
through digital components
where communication information is passed from one circuit, component, module,
and/or device to
another in varying analog and/or digital formats without passing through a
direct electromagnetic
connection. These information paths may also include analog-to-digital
conversions ("ADC"),
digital-to-analog ("DAC") conversions, data transformations such as, for
example, fast Fourier
transforms ("FFTs"), time-to-frequency conversations, frequency-to-time
conversions, database
mapping, signal processing steps, coding, modulations, demodulations, etc. The
controller devices
and smart devices disclosed herein operate with memory and processors whereby
code is executed
during processes to transform data, the computing devices run on a processor
(such as, for example,
controller or other processor that is not shown) which may include a central
processing unit
("CPU"), digital signal processor ("DSP"), application specific integrated
circuit ("ASIC"), field
programmable gate array ("FPGA"), microprocessor, etc. Alternatively, portions
DCA devices may
- 2 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
also be or include hardware devices such as logic circuitry, a CPU, a DSP,
ASIC, FPGA, etc. and
may include hardware and software capable of receiving and sending
information.
[007] It will be appreciated that the overheating of plant-based material
will cause combustion
and release toxins and chemicals which are ameliorated via vaporizing the
material to precisely
control temperatures.
[008] In some aspects of exemplary implementations of systems, device and
methods
associated with vaporization of plant materials including an integrated
furnace and material
chamber connected to a power supply to heat an aliquot of air to a
predetermined temperature
before inhalation. In some instance the controller is responsive to the
inhalation, via temperature
changes measured by a temperature sensor at the floor under the bottom of the
unitary furnace
thereby heating air which is drawn in to replace the aliquot which was removed
by inhalation. In
some instance the controller is responsive to the airflow at inhalation, via
at least one of signal
communication from an air flow sensor to the controller and temperature
changes measured by a
temperature sensor in signal communication with the controller located near
the floor or floor
gasket in proximity with the bottom of the unitary furnace thereby heating air
which is drawn in to
replace the aliquot which was removed by inhalation.
[009] Some aspects of exemplary implementations of systems, device and
methods associated
with vaporization of organic material including connecting a power supply to a
controller
configured to selectively supply power to heat a heating element, the heating
element placed within
a unitary furnace. The unitary furnace configured as a single tubular ceramic
element having an
upper furnace region and a lower furnace. Placing a inside the lower furnace
temperature sensor in
signal communication with the controller. A momentary power on/off switch is
also in signal
communication with the controller. In some instance a floor gasket configured
to hold the open
bottom of the lower furnace and the floor is configured to affix the floor
gasket and at least partially
seal off the floor gasket. One or more vent through the floor or the floor
gasket or through the lower
furnace providing a fluid connection for air into the furnace. In some
instance an air permeable
divider, such as a screen, is affixed within the unitary furnace to bifurcate
the upper and lower
furnace regions. In some instances a plant material is placed in the upper
furnace bifurcated by the
- 3 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
air permeable screen in the fluid pathway of air which may be drawn from the
lower furnace region
through the material in the upper furnace.
[010] Some aspects of exemplary implementations of systems, device and
methods associated
with vaporization of organic material including connecting a power supply to a
controller
configured to selectively supply power to heat a heating element, the heating
element placed within
a unitary furnace. The unitary furnace configured as a single tubular ceramic
element having an
upper furnace region and a lower furnace. Placing a inside the lower furnace
temperature sensor in
signal communication with the controller. A momentary power on/off switch is
also in signal
communication with the controller. In some instance a floor gasket configured
to hold the open
bottom of the lower furnace and the floor is configured to affix the floor
gasket and at least partially
seal off the floor gasket. One or more vents through the floor or the floor
gasket or through the
lower furnace providing a fluid connection for air into the furnace. A
connection interface gasket
(CIG) configured to seal between the fluid pathway from the open top of the
unitary furnace and
material chamber formed therein and a vapor dispensing closing system having a
top closure.
Within the vapor dispensing closing system there is a top portion cavity
within the top closure and a
fluid connection is formed through the top closure and in fluid connection
with the top of the
furnace.
[011] Some aspects of exemplary implementations of systems, device and
methods associated
with vaporization of organic material including connecting a power supply to a
controller
configured to selectively supply power to heat a heating element, the heating
element placed within
a unitary furnace. The unitary furnace configured as a single tubular ceramic
element having an
upper furnace region and a lower furnace. Placing a inside the lower furnace
temperature sensor in
signal communication with the controller. A momentary power on/off switch is
also in signal
communication with the controller. In some instance a floor gasket configured
to hold the open
bottom of the lower furnace and the floor is configured to affix the floor
gasket and at least partially
seal off the floor gasket. One or more vent through the floor or the floor
gasket or through the lower
furnace providing a fluid connection for air into the furnace. An air
permeable divider affixed
within the unitary furnace configured to bifurcate the upper and lower furnace
regions. In some
- 4 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
instances a plant material is placed in the upper furnace bifurcated by the
air permeable screen in
the fluid pathway of air which may be drawn from the lower furnace region
through the material in
the upper furnace. A connection interface gasket configured to seal between
the fluid pathway
from the open top of the unitary furnace and material chamber formed therein
and a vapor
dispensing closing system having a top closure. Within the vapor dispensing
closing system there is
a top portion cavity within the top closure and a fluid connection is formed
through the top closure
and in fluid connection with the top of the furnace. The heating system with
furnace and electronics
including but not limited to controller, heating elements, sensors, inputs and
the like are placed
within a generally hollow body with an open top. In some instances at least
one body vent is formed
through the body. In some instances the dispensing closing system is
configured to reversibly mate
with the open top opening of the body and form an air tight seal therewith and
a fluid pathway to
the open top of the unitary furnace therewith. In some instances a recess
formed in a bottom region
of the body, the recess configured to accept insertion of an accessory module
and an accessory
module configured to removably affix within at least part of the recess is
affixed thereto.
[0121 The portable aromatherapy vaporizing systems with unitary furnace and
material
chamber described above in some instances further include at least one
illumination communication
means in signal communication with the controller which produces an
illumination visible on the
exterior of the body.
10131 In some instance, the portable aromatherapy vaporizing systems with
unitary furnace
and material chamber described above a catch may be formed on the inside wall
of the unitary
furnace configured to mate with an air permeable screen.
10141 In some instance, the portable aromatherapy vaporizing systems with
unitary furnace
and material chamber described above the top portion cavity is one of fit into
the top closure and
formed as part of the top closure. In some instances the fluid connection is
configured temporarily
sealed with a closure tab. In some instances the fluid connection is
configured to reversibly mate
with at least one of an inhalation member and a closure tab. In some instances
the closure tab forms
a temporary odor seal with the fluid connection.
- 5 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
10151 Some aspects of exemplary implementations of systems, device and
methods associated
with vaporization of organic material dividing a unitary furnace with an air
permeable screen
between a lower furnace section or region and an upper furnace section or
region forming a material
section in the upper region having an open top. Placing a resistive heater in
the lower furnace
section through a floor of the furnace. Monitoring the temperature near the
floor with a temperature
sensor in signal communication with a controller. Placing a portable power
supply in signal
communication with the controller and whereby the power supply is switchable
connected to the
resistive heater. an aliquot heated air through the unitary furnace and out of
the open top via
inhalation, negative pressure or via air flow from a fan blowing air through
the vents. Air flow from
the exterior of the unitary furnace is constrained to a fluid pathway that
directs the air through at
least one of the floor beneath the unitary furnace, the floor gasket, and the
lower furnace region.
During use the method includes moving an aliquot of air into the furnace. The
method includes the
power supply is supplying power the controller is in signal communication with
the temperature
sensor and controls the amount of power supplied to the resistant heater
corresponding to heating
the air drawn into the furnace to a selected temperature. In some instance the
method includes
temporarily sealing a portion of the top of the upper furnace with a vapor
dispensing closing system,
affixing an inhalation member to the vapor dispensing closing system forming
an extended fluid
pathway; and, inhaling through the inhalation member. In some instance the
method includes at
least one illumination communication means in signal communication with the
control board which
produces an illumination visible on the exterior of the body corresponding to
a state of the system.
10161 The following description of examples of implementations, reference
is made to the
accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which show, by way of
illustration, specific
implementations of the present disclosure that may be utilized. Other
implementations may be
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope
of the present
disclosure.
FIGURES
- 6 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
[017] The invention may be better understood by referring to the following
figures. The
components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference
numerals designate
corresponding parts throughout the different views.
[018] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate aspects of a convection vaporizer with
rotatable material
chamber and fluid pathway;
[019] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate aspects of convection vaporizer;
[020] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate aspects of a furnaces with interfaces for
supplying heated air in a
convection vaporizer;
[021] FIG. 3D illustrates aspects of a multi heating element furnace with
interfaces for
supplying heated air in a convection vaporizer;
[022] FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate assembly and aspects of reusable and
disposable fluid
pathways and material chambers;
[023] FIGS. 5A ¨ 5D illustrate aspects of the interface between furnaces
and fluid flow to
inhalation outlet;
[024] FIG. 6A illustrates an alternative placement of a furnace in a body
of the disclosed
vaporizer;
[025] FIGS. 6B-6C illustrate exterior ornamental view of a vaporizer with
top cover and
bottom;
[026] FIG. 7 illustrates aspects of major electrical components of a
vaporizer;
[027] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a concentrating vaporizer with integral
compartment storage;
[028] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate exterior views of a cylindrical vaporizer
with modular
storage;
[029] FIGS. 9C and 9D illustrate a vaporizer with compartment storage and
heat recirculation;
[030] FIG. 10 illustrates aspects of the outlet portion of vapor
dispensers;
[031] FIG. 11 illustrates a convection vaporizer with unitary furnace and
chamber having a
module accessory container in the body; and,
- 7 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
[032] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate aspects of the outlet portion of a vapor
dispenser and an
insertable sub chamber.
[033] All descriptions and callouts in the Figures and all content therein
are hereby
incorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.
FURTHER DISCLOSURE
[034] Disclosed herein are aspects, exemplary implementations and
embodiments of
aromatherapy vaporizers. In some instances the device and system are
rechargeable with a battery
power supply and is recharged on one of a base and a plug-in. The device can
be disassociated from
the base or power supply cable (plug-in) for use via the internal battery
power supply. In some
instances, the device and system the pathway for the generation and use of
vapor is a self-contained
module which is thermally and physically removable from the furnace and body
of the device.
Vapor residue and the odor associated therewith accumulate in the vapor fluid
pathway. In some
instances, the vapor fluid pathway is relegated to a disposable chamber and
exit fluid path. By
confining the vapor pathway and material containment chamber to a removable
(reusable) structure
odor may be contained in that removable element which may be one or more of
cleaned and stored
in an odor reducing, or generally impervious chamber. By disposing of the
vapor pathway and
material containment chamber odor is eliminated and or reduced. In some
instances, the chamber
containing the material to vaporize may be reusable and the exit fluid pathway
may be disposable.
[035] Disclosed aspects of the furnace include the more preferred use of a
very thin wall to
limit or reduce parasitic thermal losses due to thermal mass. Alternatively, a
ceramic furnace may
be used.
[036] Furnace bodies with concentrator shape force a rising volume of
heated air into a smaller
volume thereby facilitating a chimney effect and causing convection which may
be used to fill a
container and/or cause aroma to exit the device without inhalation or fans.
[037] Furnace bodies with buffer regions above the heating coil(s) have
been tested and
improve heat management and delivery wherein pre-heated air may be positioned
in the buffer
- 8 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
region below the material containing chamber. Said preheated air has limited
penetration into the
material without a negative pressure above same.
[038] Vaporizing plant material or extracts for inhalation of compounds
therefrom is
considered by some to be less harmful then combusting the same plant material.
[039] In a traditional vaporization system, the fluid pathway and material
chamber will
become sticky and coated with residues. The resulting adhesions cause smell
and may reduce
function.
[040] Aspects of vaporizers, systems and methods of use involving utilizing
temperature
controlled heated air to release organic compounds from plant materials and
extracts is disclosed. In
some instances the furnace characteristics reduce power requirements for
heating and/or reduce the
parasitic heat losses.
[041] In some instances the control system includes one or more of
software, logic, sensors,
LEDs, thermistors, thermocouples and controllers having hardware, memory and
microprocessors
to one or more of control, limit, warn about or prevent over heating of
materials. In some instance
the vaporizer includes wife, Bluetooth or other wireless communication to a
smart phone to allow
an application on the smart phone to control heating parameters and/or monitor
usage and
performance. In some instance the vaporizer includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other
wireless
communication to allow an application on the unit's base (which optionally may
have a processor),
computer, streaming box or smart phone to control temperature settings.
[042] The instant disclosure teaches aspects of vaporizers utilizing heated
air flow
(convection) via a shaped concentrating furnace to efficiently heat material
(which includes one or
more of concentrate, extract and plant material) in at least one of a
disposable and a removable
chamber and fluid pathway for exit.
[043] The instant disclosure teaches aspects of vaporizers utilizing heated
air flow
(convection) via a unitary furnace to efficiently heat material (which
includes one or more of
concentrate, extract and plant material) in at least one of a reusable and a
removable chamber. The
chamber may be a portion of the unitary furnace. The unitary furnace tested to
reduce air leakage
and improve delays due to heating from start and stops between uses.
- 9 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
[044] Figures 1A-1B illustrates a vaporizer 10 with a rotating multi-zone
chamber 11. The
body 12 is generally hollow with a closed bottom 13 and an open top 14 with a
first rotating
interface 15 which mates with the bottom 16 of the chamber. The air intake 17
is at the bottom of
the manifold. The open top of the chamber 18 opens to the chamber cavity 19
which has an open
bottom having a floor 20 which is permeable to vapor and heated air. The
manifold 30 has an open
top 32 which is shaped to less than the chamber size, shown in figure 1B is a
1/3 the size of a
chamber floor sized manifold open top 32. An inhalation top 34 fits over the
chamber at its open
bottom 35 and inhalation is via the exit of the inhalation fluid pathway which
40. One or more
baffles 42 may be placed in the fluid flow pathway to direct fluid flow.
Figure 1B a view along the
line of "A" ¨ "A" of Figure 1A. Figure 1C is a view along the line of Figure
1A.
[045] During use the manifold open top 32 provides heat to the chamber via
the chamber floor.
The shaped manifold top provides heat to a section "X" (and any associated
material) of the
chamber. Figure 1C shows section "X" aligned with open manifold top 32. During
inhalation the
non-heated air 2000 travels in the intake 17 then through the manifold 30 and
out the shaped top of
the manifold 32 through the floor of the chamber 20 and through section "X"
and any material
therein, thereby releasing the vapor (not shown) which travels through the
inhalation top 34 and
baffle 42 cooling the vapor to form cooler vapor 2175 and exiting through the
inhalation fluid exit
40. Upon rotation along the line of arrow 1500 a user can turn the rotating
chamber and attached top
34 to move to the next section ("Y" or "Z").
[046] Power to a heating element 50 within the manifold is provided by a
portable power
supply 60 such as lithium ion batteries. A controller 65 associated with a
printed circuit board
(PCB) 66 controls the power supplied to the heating element. An on/off switch
68 is in signal
communication with the PCB. A communication means 70 such as a light, LED,
lens dispersing an
LED and the like is visible from the exterior of the case. An I/O (input /
output) 80 such as any
variation of a universal serial bus (USB) or a wireless communication.
Additionally, a power
adapter plug in 84 may be provided to recharge internal batteries. The USB, in
some instance, may
also be used to recharge. The I/O may be used for data communication with the
PCB and controller
and/or recharge of the battery. A WI-F10 enabled chip 84 such as 802.11
protocol may be provided
- 10 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
for communication with the controller 65 and the PCB 66. A temperature sensor
90 such as a
thermistor or thermocouple may be placed in thermal communication with the
interior or exterior of
the manifold and is in signal communication with the controller and PCB. An
airflow sensor 92 may
also be in signal communication with the controller and PCB.
[047] In Figures 2A-2D show overviews of some aspects of main components
of a
concentrating convection vaporizer system 95. A vessel 100 forms the base of
the vaporizer. The
external body 102 forms a vessel which is a substantially hollow shroud/cover,
the body has a top
region 103, with a top opening 103' which forms a fluid connection from the
exterior of the device
to the interior. The fluid connect may be to a furnace directly or connects to
a duct 420. The body
has a bottom region 104 and a bottom edge 204. A to duct interface 105 formed
at the top region
103 provides a fluid connection from the exterior of the vessel through the
opening 103' to the
interior 102' of the body 102 into a duct 420. An on/off switch 68 that may be
a touch switch,
contact or pressure switch is user accessible from the exterior of the body
102. The switch may be
push on push off, the switch may be programmable, or controlled by the control
board wherein
activation causes the device to enter a steady on state to continually heat
botanicals for
aromatherapy over a preselected period of time. One or more communications
illumination means
70 are provided attached to or illuminating through lens, apertures and the
like in the body to be
visible from the exterior of the body. The illumination means includes but is
not limited to one or
more lenses, LEDs (light emitting diode), electroluminescent band, and may be
a series of drilled
holes or very thin body areas that an illumination from the LEDs able to
penetrate there through.
The vessel 100 is shown removable connected to a charging base 200 and a
removable fluid
pathway 300 (including a material chamber which may be multipart having a cup
bottom 900 and a
shaped top 311) which fits into the top duct interface 105 to form the fluid
path for both heated air
and vapor liberated from material. The shaped top 311 maybe domed, flat,
conical or the like. Those
of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a non-removable fluid pathway
is within the scope of
this disclosure and a chamber with an affixed or non-removable fluid pathway
(NRFP) is within the
scope. Colored illumination such as light emitting diodes (LEDS) are useful
for communications.
An illumination visual language is used wherein the one or more printed
circuit boards (PCB)
- 11 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
"board" 66 with a controller 65, memory and other components to support signal
communication
and input/output to control functions of the device. PCBs and controllers are
well known in the art.
Pulse width modulation (PWM) power management, temperature sensor inputs,
memory, clock, and
Wi-Fi connect ability are a non-exclusive list of PCB "board" components and
functions. all be
control one or more of color, strobe, frequency, intensity and movement (by
turning some LEDs off
in the band of lighting) of illumination to convey state of the device. For
example, green may mean
at temperature and ready to use. Red may mean heating up. Flashing red may
mean time to
recharge. Blue may mean standby mode.
10481 At the bottom 112 of the body is an inserted, affixed or otherwise
attached closure or
floor 115 which also may be a part of an internal chassis 435. One or more air
intakes 117 may be
formed on that closure to provide a fluid passage for external air to be drawn
into the vessel during
heating and use. Intake vents 119 may also be added to allow air flow through
the side edge of the
body.
10491 User interface display 125 and inputs 128, recharge to base
connectors 130, data / power
interface 132 and/or power jack 134 are shown on the bottom closure or floor
115.
10501 Inside the body 102' is the heart of the control system and heating
systems. The
substantially hollow furnace 400 has a thin wall 401 with an interior surface
401' forming a
container which allows for intake of external air and for air heated therein
to exit. In this exemplar
the furnace has a narrower diameter open top 402 and a wider diameter bottom
403. Preferably the
wall is less than 1 millimeter thick, more preferably less than 0.5
millimeters thick and most
preferably less than 0.25 millimeters thick. Suitable materials should have no
harmful levels of
outgassing at temperatures the furnace will be used at. These materials
include but are not limited to
phenolic resins, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and ceramic. A heating
element 405 such as a
kanthal or nichrome coiled wire is within the furnace. Optionally insulation
411 may wrap at least
some of the thin wall of the furnace. The gasket 500 fluidly connecting the
chamber and, also
known as the chamber gasket interface (CGI) forms a portion of a guide pathway
whereby the
material chamber 310 (which may be multipart including a cup bottom 900 and a
shaped top 311)
the bottom may fit into the CGI to mate with the furnace and the shaped top
fitted into the open top
- 12 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
of the container and in fluid connection to the bottom. That gasket 500 may be
at the region
between the duct and furnace or directly between the furnace and a top mounted
chamber. The
illustrated duct 420 has an internal diameter (i.d.) denoted by "D". The duct
has an open top or
proximal end 425 and an open bottom or distal end 427. To connect the duct to
the furnace the
distal end 427 is brought near the open top 402 of the furnace via an
insulation member 510.
[051] The insulation member may be a pliable or semi pliable gasket,
silicon tape, molded
ring, ceramic, polyimide film or the like and it functions to hold the duct
and furnace ends aligned
while separating the two ends to limit heat transfer, parasitic losses due to
heat transfer. Further the
insulating member may be formed to hold and isolate the inserted removable
fluid pathway 300
from thermal contact with the duct (see figure 5B). To connect the duct to the
body 102 at the
gasket 500, the insulation member 510 may have an interface gasket 514 (see
Fig. 5A). The
interface gasket connects the exterior of the body near the top section 103
and the exterior of the top
425 of the duct. The band 515 may be used to separate the duct and the body
from direct physical
contact and to limit thermal contact via the insulating properties of the
insulation member 510. The
band has an internal diameter "Di" which is less than the internal diameter
"D" of the duct. At least
the band is compressible. The insulation member is preferably compressible.
The band (515) may
be a homogeneous thickness or it may be non-homogeneous having thicker
portions (516) leaving
spaces between the edge of the chamber and the band. The band or band and
insulation member
combination should be sufficiently compressible to allow the press fit of the
chamber into the band
whereby the chamber s held inside the duct without touching the duct wall.
[052] The vessel 100 contains a power supply such as lithium ion batteries
400 and it can be
charged with one or more of the recharge-to-base connectors 130, data! power
interface 132 and/or
power jack 134. Accordingly, it may be charged on or off the base.
[053] The removable fluid pathway 300 provides a substantially hollow flow
channel 301 and
an outlet 302 and an inlet 303 connected to the material chamber 310.
Optionally a spacer 304 may
be fitted to the exterior of the flow channel to one or more of act as a heat
exchanger to the flow
channel, position the fluid pathway 300 within the duct 420, provide a grab
for a user to remove the
fluid pathway 300.
- 13 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
[054] A heating element 405 such as a stainless steel, kanthal or nichrome
coiled wire is fixed
within the furnace. Optionally insulation 411 may wrap at least some of the
thin wall. The duct 420
spans from the point heated air exits the open top 402 of the furnace to the
touches the material in
the material chamber 310, then through the flow channel to below the outlet
302. In practice the
bottom edge 305 of the spacer 304 can be fit into a guide 106 around the top
duct interface 105 to
assist with positing and spacing of the chamber of material in the duct above
the furnace.
[055] A chassis 435 is a preferred means to space the duct in an aligned
position with the
furnace. It can hold circuit boards, batteries and support connections and
illumination components.
However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the chassis
may be eliminated in the
power and control elements placed in a casing without departing from the scope
of the disclosure.
The chassis 435 shown has a chassis top 435' and a chassis bottom 435"
extended radial wall to
position it within the body. In some instances the chassis is below the
furnace. In some instances it
fits around a duct and is placed above the furnace. If placed above the
furnace a central core 437 of
the chassis fits around the duct and may be solid, segmented, a series of
studs with air gaps or any
configuration which allows insertion of the fluid pathway. The battery power
supply 60 and the
control board(s) which contains the electrical components to manage
temperature, adjust power,
activate and change the output of the communication illumination, receive
instructions from an app,
it may support the pulse width modulation sensor inputs and battery charge
discharge control. It
may contain an 802.11 chip for wireless data exchanges and support wired data
connections as well
or other user interface. The board 66 may be one or more printed circuit
board(s) PCB and the like
and is also affixed to the chassis 435. Some connection wires 602 from the
heating element to the
PCB are shown. The other electrical switches and sensors are also connected to
the control board(s).
The control board(s) are in signal communications with electrical components
of the vaporizer,
including but not limited to temperature sensor(s), battery, illumination,
on/off switch, charging
board, display(s), user interface, input / output and applications that may be
sued to communicate
with the control board(s).
1056] Figures 2A-3D show more aspects of a furnace 400 and the gasket 500.
The furnace has
both an inner surface 401' and an outer surface 401". One or both of the
surfaces may be coated,
- 14 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
anodized, electroplated, laminated and/ or otherwise adhered or fixed to
another material.
Optionally a fluidly connected divider also known as an air permeably element
410 which is
generally thin, conductive, and with perforations or holes to allow air
passage may be fitted into the
open top 402 below the top circumferential rim 412. The permeable element may
be a metal disk
with drilled or laser etched holes. Depending on the usage and how much heat
is to be stored in the
fluidly connected divider 410, the fluidly connected divider 410 may be very
thin (thousandths of
an inch) or thicker. A thicker metal (or conductive) fluidly connected divider
410 will act as a heat
sink which can be used to provide radiation and conduction of heat a chamber
of material inserted
in the open top 402 in addition to the heated convection air flow.
[057] The heating element 405 has leads 406 extending therefrom for
connection to the PCB
65 and /or battery 60 power supply. In some a second heating element is
outside the furnace and in
this instance separately controlled by the same controller 65. In other
instances the second heating
element 405' is controlled by a separate controller. The second heating
element is configured to
accept a liquid cartridge "LQC" and connect thereto via threads or pressure
fit. A liquid cartridge
interface "LC1" may be formed through the body or container (See figure 9A) to
allow the
connection to the second heating element
[058] Non-heated air 2000 enters one or more air intakes 117 which provide
a fluid passage for
such air to be passed into the furnace 400. Alternatively, if a high-
efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
filter 415 or other air filter is added to the fluid pathway of the air, it
should be at the upstream leg
of the journey. Air intakes 417 to the HEPA 415 provide a pathway for the air
through the filter
material 416 (which removes containments) then into the furnace via the
intakes 117.
[059] The electrical heating element 405 is heated with power from the
battery power supply
60 and the action of the heating element is adjusted via the controller 65
which receives sensor data
from at least one temperature sensor 90 such as a thermistor or other
thermocouple. The
temperature sensor(s) 90 may be placed inside the furnace and/or outside the
furnace. The control
board contains a microprocessor, memory and software which may include look up
tables and may
have pulse width modulation functionality. The control board processes the
sensor data and adjusts
- 15 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
power to the heating element to achieve a predetermined or pre-set, or
selected temperature of air at
or near the interface 500.
[060] The air passing through the furnace and over the heating element
carries heat forming
heated air 2150 and as the heated air 2150 rises in the furnace toward the
open top. Figs. 3A and 3B
the air rises into a reduced volume space and the flow is accelerated as it
passes through the gasket
500 (which may also be a thermal insulator) and passes thorough material "M"
forming the
vaporization air flow (VAF) 2175. The increase in hot air movement or flow
from the concentration
of the rising heated air also may be used to cause convection air flow through
the device without a
fan.
[061] Fig. 3C and 3D illustrates a furnace 400 with a heat buffer zone
4000. In one exemplar a
single heating element 405 receives power from the battery via the controller
and heats the unheated
air "HA" which fills the furnace up as the heated air 2150. In another
implementation Figure 5D a
second heating element 405' independently controlled by the controller 65 is
illustrated. The second
heating element is outside the furnace and in this instance separately
controlled by the controller 65.
The second heating element may be configured to accept a liquid cartridge and
connect thereto via
threads or pressure fit. An interface formed in through the body or container
can allow the
connection
[062] The furnace forms part of a heat management system which includes,
moving from
bottom to top, a floor 115 with vents 117. The vented floor partially seals
off the bottom region 408
of the furnace 400. Within the bottom region of the furnace is the at least
one heating element 405.
As noted above a second separately controlled heating element 405' may be
added. Above the
heating element is a volume of space in the upper furnace 409 which forms a
temperature buffer
4000. The temperature buffer 4000 is between the heating element(s) and the
fluidly connected
divider 410.
[063] The temperature buffer 4000 temporarily contains heated air within a
preferably
insulated furnace. The stored air is used to limit lag time from when the
heating element is powered
on to when it can deliver heated air at a desired temperature. Material "M" in
a chamber 310 above
the fluidly connected divider 410 also blocks the perforations in the fluidly
connected divider
- 16 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
limiting the movement of heated air into the material "M". Accordingly, a
volume of heated air is
staged to be drawn into the material "M". A fluid pathway (RFP) 300 fluidly
connected to the
chamber 310 may be used to accomplish same. The chamber 310 is fluidly
connected to the furnace
400 by way of the CIG 500. A more detailed description of the interface is
provided below
concerning aspects of the implementations shown in Figures 5A-5C, 8A and 9C.
[064] The fluidly connected divider 410 is below the chamber 310. The
heated air in the
temperature buffer absent negative pressure above or positive pressure below
does not readily move
into the chamber and material "M" via said fluidly connected divider 410.
Rather the fluidly
connected divider 410 and material M cooperate to limit heated airflow absent
said pressure
differential. The limit to heated air movement act as a pressure regulated air
damn which allows the
device and method to form a region of heated air 2150 which may be delivered
via a pressure
differential. In practical terms a user during an inhalation will cause a
negative pressure above the
chamber and draw the heated air from the temperature buffer area 4000 into the
chamber and
material "M" thereby causing essential oils and resins, Terpenes and other
volatile compounds to be
liberated into vapor. A temperature sensor 90 inside or outside the furnace in
signal communication
with the PCB and controller 65 thereon provides temperature data whereby the
controller 65 adjusts
power requirements to maintain a target temperature of the relatively still
heated air when the
pressure is constant and the air which is flowing at an accelerated rate due
to inhalation or a fan
causing a pressure differential.
[065] Figures 4A-4D illustrate aspects of removable fluid pathway (RFP) 300
connected to a
chamber 310 either or both of which are removable from the chamber interface
gasket 500. The
RFP 300 and material chamber 310 span from the point heated air touches the
material to the point
the vaporized material is expelled into a space (aromatherapy) or inhaled. The
RFP optionally has a
spacer 304 as previously discussed. An RFP and chamber can be configured to
assemble and
disassemble for fill, cleaning and refill or the combination may be fixed and
non-refillable or
disposable. The RFP may be reusable and the material chamber 310 reusable. The
RFP may be
reusable and the material chamber disposable. The RFP may be disposable and
the material
- 17 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
chamber 310 reusable. The REP may be disposable and the material chamber 310
or portions
thereof disposable.
[066] Figure 4A shows aspects of assembly of a material chamber 310. The
chamber has a
shaped container 311 and an open cup bottom 900. The shaped container 311 is
generally hollow
with an open bottom 312 and a partially sealed top 313. A screen 314 or mesh
material to allow
airflow but restrict any particulate from ascending the RFP may be added in
the fluid path exiting
the partially sealed top. The chamber is connected to the inlet 303 of the
removable fluid pathway
300. Material 800 for vaporization is added to the cylindrical chamber bottom
cup 900 which is
used as a sealing cap or member. The chamber floor has an internal cavity 905,
formed by an
annular wall 906 with an interior surface and an exterior surface and having
an open top 907. The
shaped container 311 has an open bottom 312 configured to receives an air
permeable element 910
such as a removable or fixed screen. Material "M" to vaporize is placed in the
bottom cup 900 and
when the heated air 2150 (shown in Fig. 5B) interacts with the material "M" it
heats the material
until compounds in the material are released via vaporization, without
combustion, and which
become airborne for aromatherapy.
[067] The bottom cup 900 is one of connected to the shaped chamber 311
(either permanently
or reversibly) and separate from the shaped container. Method of fixation for
a shaped container
attached to the cup include but are not limited to latch and catch, snapping,
screwing, pressure fit,
and friction fit. The annular wall 906 may be further modified or formed to be
threaded to receive
the open bottom 312 via rotation. When the cup and shaped chamber are separate
a fluid connection
for vapor movement may be formed via a gasket 318 surrounding the open bottom
312 of the
shaped chamber which is pressed against the open top 907 of the bottom cup.
Those of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that the annular wall and screen may be formed
as one part of
stamping, molding wherein air passage holes are laser drilled, drilled or
punched through such a
unitary chamber floor.
[068] In Figure 4B an inhaler tube 300' slips over the fluid pathway 300
thereby extending the
fluid pathway. That inhaler tube may be disposable such as paper or plastic.
if may be silicone or
plastic tubing, it may be reusable such as ceramic, steel, aluminum and
plastics. Method of
- 18 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
connection include but are not limited to latch and catch, snapping, screwing,
pressure fit, adhesive,
and friction fit.
[069] In Figure 4C an extract or oil tray 950 is added to the bottom cup
900, the tray has a
bowl region 952 and may have air vents 955. When utilized for aromatherapy a
heated airflow rises
from the furnace passes to the fluidly connected chamber and around the tray
thereby heating the
tray to a desired temperature causing the extract 810 to release vapor.
[070] In Figure 4D a simplified chamber assembly 310A is shown. The shaped
chamber 311P
contains one of material "M" and extract 810. The chamber has a chamber floor
901 is snapped or
press fit into the shaped chamber 311P such as pressing a metal screen therein
attached thereto and
it has an air permeable region 910. The air permeable region may be formed as
part of the floor 901.
An airtight seal 975 such as plastic or foil, coated paper or mylar may be
adhered to the chamber to
seal it with a second seal 975 sealing the RFP. Sealing is not required but
optional. Alternatively,
the RFP and chamber may be vacuum sealed in a plastic wrapper/bag 977. Section
980 of the
shaped chamber is preferably vertical to support insertion into the band 515
and compression
thereof.
[071] Figures 5A -5D illustrate the isolation of the RFP and chamber in the
chamber interface
gasket 500. The insulation member 510 forms a connection between the furnace
and duct (as
discussed above). The member 510 has an outer annular wall 512 an inner
annular wall 513 and is
generally hollow. It is however partial bisected by an isolation band 515. The
isolation band may be
used to one or more of physically and thermally separate the duct 420 and the
open top 402 of the
furnace. The band 515 extends from the inner annular wall 514 towards the
center of the member
510. When connected to the duct's distal end 427 the band 515 reduces the
diameter of the passage
formed there through to less than the i.d. "D" of the duct. The isolation
interface 2500 is the area
wherein the band is used to pairing a chamber with floor having a cross
sectional maximum
diameter less than the i.d. "D" of the duct with the duct a user inserts the
RFP into the duct 420. The
chamber in those instances where the floor forms the outermost region of the
chamber the exterior
of the floor 906 is the portion that compresses the band 515 and bottom cup
900 assembly passes
into the C1G 500 and the is isolated by the insulating member 510 at the band
515 wherein the
- 19 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
chamber 310 is positioned remote from the inner wall of the duct. Shown in
Figure 5D is the
furnace 400 with an air buffer region 4000 as described above in reference to
figures 3C and 3D.
After the heated air 2150 passes through the material "M" the VAF 2175 cools
2185 as it passes
through the RFP or a non-removable fluid pathway NRFP.
[072] Once the chamber attached to the fluid pathway mates to the system at
the isolation
interface 2500, heated air 2150 from the furnace may be drawn (via a pressure
differential) through
material (or heat the extract) and organic compounds vaporize as heated air of
the correct
temperature interacts with same. The vapor and heated air 2175 pass into the
flow channel 301. The
vapor and heated air 2175 cool 2185 during passage through the length of the
fluid pathway in the
flow channel.
[073] Figure 6A illustrates a vaporizer with a furnace 400 and side wall
air intakes 3000. In
this alternative the chamber mates directly into the open top 402 of the
furnace thereby eliminating
the duct.
[074] Figure 6B illustrates a vaporizer with a furnace 400 having an on/off
switch 68 and an
illumination communication means. In this illustration the design is a
cylindrical body 12B closed
off with a cylindrical end cover 3050. The bottom 115B is circular (Figure
6C).
[075] Figure 7 shows aspects of main components of the control, electrical
and heating
systems of an exemplary implementation of a vaporizer device. A printed
circuit board(s) (PCB)
4002 contains memory, processors and the circuit components to control heating
and
communications including pulse width modulation and inputs for sensors. The
board is also
electrically or wirelessly in signal communication with, and /or connected to:
[076] 1. A power supply 4004 which may be a battery or the onboard battery
may be
exchanged for a plug-in variation to supply power from a remote battery
supply, plug in the wall
supply or other electrical power generator. If the battery is on board the
device a board to manage
recharge 4500 is connected to the battery supply and an input to recharge
4550.
[077] 2. A furnace 4010 with at least one heating element therein.
[078] 3. One or more sensors 4012 to monitor, report and provide data to
the PCB to control
temperature of the system.
- 20 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
[079] 4. One or more on / off switches 4005.
[080] 5. One or more inputs and outputs for data transfer, and/or charging.
[081] 6. A communications output 4200 such as LEDs to provide illumination
information
which relates to device operation.
[082] 7. A display 4300 (which may also be combined with the communications
output 4200)
and temperature selection 4400 which is a user interface to set a desired VAF
temperature.
[083] 8. An application 5000 on a computing device or smart phone which
communicates
wirelessly or through a wired connection (I/O) to view, adjust, or monitor
temperature, control
operation and report operation and usage of the device.
[084] 9. Wi-Fi chip such as 802.11xx chip.
[085] The Figures illustrate aspects of implementations of aromatherapy
vaporizers and
aspects of modular encasements 6010 attachable to said vaporizer. A safer
material chamber
module provides vapor dispensing function is also disclosed. Finally, heat
exchange system to
leverage the dried and heated air in the air insulation zone (AIZ) of a
vaporizer and thus dehumidify
the incoming air before it reaches the furnace. Many organic plant materials
react differently to
water vapor and by pre-drying the inflowing air supply, water vapor is reduced
which passes
through the furnace into the material being vaporized thus decreasing the
effect of water vapor on
said material and vapor compounds arising therefrom. Preheating and drying air
also reduces energy
needed to heat the incoming air as disclosed.
[086] In Figures 8A-12 overviews, in some instances convection vaporizer
may include
removable storage to ameliorate smell associated with vaporizing material
including smell or odor
of resins and oils which may coat portions of the material chamber and fluid
pathway, by storing the
chamber, fluid pathway, to avoid loss of parts or disassociation and/or store
items.
[087] Figure 8A is an assembly view of a convection vaporizer with modular
storage.
[088] An external body 6002 forms the base of the vaporizer that is
substantially hollow, the
body has a top region 103 which is a first diameter and said first diameter is
smaller than the second
diameter of the bottom 6008 and provides a fluid connection from the exterior
of the vessel through
the opening 103' to the interior of the body 6002. Inside the body is a
substantially hollow furnace
-21 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
400 has a thin wall with an interior surface 401'. Preferably the wall is less
than 2 millimeter thick,
more preferably less than 1.5 millimeters thick and most preferably less than
1 millimeters thick.
Suitable materials should have no harmful levels of outgassing at temperatures
the furnace will be
used at. These materials include but are not limited to phenolic resins,
aluminum, titanium, stainless
steel, and ceramic. A heating element 405 such as a kanthal or nichrome coiled
wire is within the
furnace. In some instances ceramic heaters or High-temperature co-fired
ceramics (HTCC) with
metal element layered therein or thereon may be used in place of the coiled
wire. Optionally,
insulation 411 may wrap at least some of the thin wall of the furnace. A floor
115' is shown
substantially closing off the base 403 of the furnace. Air intakes 117 are
formed through that floor.
The floor is constructive of a material that does not outgas at the
temperature it is exposed to during
aromatherapy vaporization. A non-exclusive list of suitable materials includes
borosilicate, ceramic,
stainless steel, aluminum, ABS, phenolic resins and the like. The furnace may
be linear, tubular, or
shaped with a wider diameter base than top portion.
10891 Within the body a chassis 435 with a top 435' a bottom 435" and one
or more internal
support posts 436 is shown. The chassis can support the PCB "board" 66 and
battery supply 700.
Near the bottom region 6008 of the body 6002 is a recess 6009 of the body
above the bottom edge
204, the bottom 435" of the chassis is fixed into the body and may be sealed
to form a barrier to seal
off an attached module 6010. The bottom of the chassis recess 6009 which forms
a receptacle which
is used to attached, mount, mate, connect, catches or otherwise latch a
mounting of the accessory
module 6010 thereon. On the bottom face 437 of the chassis 435" a user
interface display 125, a
power data / power interface 132 and inputs 128. A separate power jack 134 may
be formed through
the body. Each being in signal communications with the circuitry on the PCB
board. Those of
ordinary kill in the art will understand that a separate end closure (not
shown) portion may be added
near the bottom recess 6009 of the body below the bottom face and that
addition is within the scope
if this disclosure.
10901 In some instance an optional fan 3002 may be placed in the body
between the chassis
and the floor 115'. The device and fan, in this exemplar, has one or more air
intakes 3003 to intake
air from outside the body via one or more vents in the body 3000. Optionally
an airflow sensor 92
- 22 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
may be placed within the airflow. The airflow sensor measures the change in
airflow and is in signal
communication with the controller 65 on the PCB. The controller may use
airflow measurement as
one variable to adjust the electricity being supplied to the heating element.
The controller has
additional inputs including the on/off switch and the temperature sensor. One
or more look up tables
in memory on the PCB may also be used when the controller adjusts temperature
by regulating the
electricity flow to the heating element. Pulse width modulation (PWM) is one
scheme for adjusting
said electricity flow.
[091] Assembly of the device includes affixing the furnace 400 and chassis
and associated
boards and batteries into the body. For those exemplary implementations with
separate material
chambers, between the open top 402 of the furnace and the body's top region
103 is another
variation of a Connection Interface Gasket (CIG) 9000 having upper interface
"IFA" and a lower
interface "IFB" separated by a Fluid Passage "FP". The CIG 9000 fits within
and/or around the top
region 103 and the lower interface "IFB" forms a fluid connection with the
open top 402 of the
furnace. The vaporizer body and associated heating, control and power elements
once constructed
reversibly mate with an herbal material (or extract) vapor dispenser 8000
which places, material
over the furnace for aromatherapy vaporization.
[092] The material for vaporization is confined in a material chamber 310
with a shaped
container 311P which is preferably dome shaped and has a reduced size vapor
exit port 315 which
surround the fluid pathway 300, and which reversibly connects to a bottom cup
900. Aspects of the
removable chamber / cartridge with fluid pathway generally called out as a
vapor dispenser 8000
include providing an insulated and therefore cooler physical surface for a
user to handle, providing
a refillable chamber, and raising the air permeable bottom cup 900 portion of
the chamber away
from the bottom face 8004 of the cooler surface. The raising of the chamber
allows placement of a
hot chamber on a surface wherein only the cooler bottom face 8004 is in
physical contact with said
surface. The vapor dispenser 8000 comprises an insulator body 8001 which
further includes sub
groupings of a base 8002 with a side wall 8006 (which may include divots or
bumps to assist in
gripping (not shown)), a bottom face 8004 and a mounting guide (or gap) 8008
whereby the vapor
dispenser is configured to form a seal around the open top 103. In some
exemplars during mounting
- 23 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
the bottom cup 900 reversibly mates with the upper interface "IFA" which fits
into the upper
portion of the gasket whereby the fluid path "FP" separates the furnace and
bottom cup. The
insulator body is configured to reversibly seal over both the open top of the
body and the open top
of the body with the open top of the bottom cup 900 fit therein which in
either case forms a fluid
path from the furnace through the air permeable bottom portion of the cup
(910) into the vapor
dispenser. A generally ridged tube 7000 with an inhalation end 7001 and a
mounting end 7002 may
be fitted over the exit port 315 to extend the fluid pathway for vapor.
Alternatively, a flexible hose-
like tube 7010 with an inhalation end 7011 and a mounting end 7012 may be
fitted over the exit port
315 to extend the vapor fluid pathway. The flexible tube may collect resins
and odor and in some
instances is configured to be of a size and shape to fit into the accessory
module 6010. The shaped
container 311 and the exit port 315 are configured to cooperate as both a
portion of the fluid
pathway and the material chamber 310. In some instances the material chamber
310 may be
removable from the insulator body 8001 by applying a downward force at the
exit port 315 thereby
dislodging the material chamber. The material chamber may be held via one or
more magnets 6095
into the insulator body 8001. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that there are many
mechanical variations and magnetic variations to accomplish the release and
affixation of the
material chamber in the insulator body. All such variations are within the
scope of these disclosure.
In some aspects a material chamber, or a portion thereof is insulated from the
container and
insulation is also between a user's fingers and the furnace. In this fashion
if a vapor dispenser 8000
is placed on a surface ("S") the material chamber portion is kept remote from
the surface thereby
eliminating contact and reducing or eliminating burning, melting or heating of
the surface it is
placed on.
[093] The furnace 400 is activated via an on/off switch 108A which may
include a
communication illumination means 110 formed at or near the on/off switch
whereby the
communication via light intensity, color, blink or flashing can advise a user
of information such as
state of the device. The optional fan 3002, if included, is activated via an
on/off switch 108B which
may include a communication illumination means formed at or near the on/off
switch. The switches
are in signal communication with the PCB.
- 24 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
[094] The accessory module 6010 is a sealable container which reversibly
mates with the body
6009. The body may have a bottom recess 6009. The module 6010 is cup shaped
with a closed
bottom 6011 and a generally hollow interior 6012. To access the interior of
the module an open top
6014 is provided. An 0-ring or other seal/gasket 6016 may be placed in or at
the open top region
6020 as a seal to the body. Alternatively, a gasket or seal 6022 may be formed
on the bottom face
437 to seal along the top edge of the open top 6014. Although not shown, the
open top may be
threaded and mate with a corresponding threading in the bottom region of the
body.
[095] In some instances the module 6010 may be sealed at its open top via a
lid 6030 which
fits into the open top. A gasket 6032 or 0-ring (not shown) may be added to
further seal off the
module. The accessory module is a generally hollow container with an open top
and closed bottom.
[096] Figures 8B and 8C illustrate the module 6010 utilized to house the
removable vapor
dispenser 8000. In this fashion the method and system contain the removable
vapor dispenser 8000
which may be associated with residue after aromatherapy use. The module
reduces smell. The
module also serves to prevent disassociation of parts and secure storage.
[097] Figures 9A-9D illustrate aspects of aromatherapy vaporizers 6050 and
aspects of
accessory modules 6010 which connect/combine with said vaporizer.
[098] Figures 9A to 9C shows the exterior of a cylindrical body 6002. The
bottom of the body
6002 may be the same as the bottom shown in Figure 6C. An on/off switch is
affixed on the exterior
of the body and is in signal communication with the PCB and controller. An
accessory module 6010
is shown attached and the bottom of that accessory module 6010A is shown in
Figure 9B.
[099] Figure 9D illustrate aspects of a convection vaporizer and with a
material chamber
module formed as part of a vapor dispenser 8000. A heat exchange system to
leverage the air heated
in the air insulation zone (AIZ) of a vaporizer is taught. The methods include
one or more of
dehumidification of air in the AIZ before it reaches the furnace, reduction of
water vapor in the
furnace, reduction of case heating, and reduction of energy needed to heat the
incoming air to the
furnace (as it is preheated).
[0100] Aspects of main components of the convection vaporizer system
include an external
body 6002 which forms the base of the vaporizer that is substantially hollow,
the body has a top
- 25 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
region 103', with a top opening which provides a fluid connection from the
exterior of the vessel
through to the interior of the body 6002. Inside the body is one of a tubular
furnace 400 (see Figure
8A) or a shaped furnace with a wider base 403 which allows for intake of air
and for air heated
therein to exit through its narrower diameter open top 402. Preferably the
wall of the furnace is an
insulator such as ceramic and about 2 to about 4 mm in thickness. If stainless
steel is utilized the
furnace wall is preferably less than lmm thick and more preferably less than
0.5 millimeters thick
and most preferably less than 0.25 millimeters thick. If double walled vacuum
insulated metal
cylindrical furnaces are also within the scope of this disclosure. Suitable
materials should have no
harmful levels of outgassing at temperatures the furnace will be used at.
These materials include but
are not limited to phenolic resins, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and
ceramic. A heating
element 405 such as a stainless steel, titanium, KANTHAL TM or nichrome coiled
wire is within
the furnace. In some instances ceramic heaters or high-temperature co-fired
ceramics (HTCC) with
metal element layered therein or thereon may be used in place of the coiled
wire. Optionally,
insulation may wrap at least some of the thin wall of the furnace. A floor
115' is shown
substantially closing off the wider base 403 of the furnace. Air intakes maybe
formed through the
floor to allow air to pass into the furnace. Floor gasket "FG" may be
configured to hold the bottom
of the furnace 403 adjacent to the floor 115'. Through the floor gasket "FG"
additional vents 117A
may be formed to provide a fluid pathway for air into the furnace "FG". In
some exemplars,
between the body 6002 and the furnace 400 is the air insulation zone (AIZ) in
which the heat
radiating from the exterior wall 429 of the furnace heats the air in the AIZ
thereby recycling waste
heat (6060) to preheat and dry the intake air, coming in through body vents
6063, both drying intake
air and recycling heat as intake air is sucked through body vents 6063 to the
AIZ then heated air in
the AIZ into at least one of an air plenum 6070, additional vents 117A
providing a fluid pathway
through a furnace gasket "FG" and directly into the furnace via the furnace
vents 121. In some
instances at least a section 6064 of the upper portion 6065 of the container
may allow the passage of
light. It may be opaque but translucent or clear and is formed of plastics or
glass. The section
extends completely around the body or may be more of a window. It is within
the scope of the
disclosure that the clear section may be all or the majority of the body. The
clear section 6064,
- 26 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
allow visualization of at least the furnace 400 within the body. Ceramic
furnace elements may be
configured to glow as the heater element therein provide heat inside the
furnace. The glowing
ceramic furnace provides visual cues that the furnace and heating system if
operational and
depending on the amount of glow (brightness) the intensity of the heating may
be estimated. A
pathway of the preheated air is either the floor vents 117 and into the gasket
additional vents 177A
along arrow 6066; or, the heated air may flow directly into the furnace
through the furnace vents
121.
[0101] During inhalation air is drawn from the exterior of the body through
a vent 6063 into the
AIZ then moves from the AIZ into at least one of the floor vents 117 and the
furnace vents 121. The
recycling can reduce power requirements to heat air entering the furnace. In
some instance an
optional fan 3002 may be placed in the air plenum 6070 in between the chassis
and the floor 115'.
Aspects of implementations of the accessory module are illustrated in greater
detail in Figures 9C,
9D.
[0102] In some instances the accessory module 6010 has a latch formed on a
portion of the open
top region 6020. The latch may be a threaded portion or any other known twist
to affix latch and
catch combination. The accessory module is configured to reversibly mate
within the bottom recess
portion 6009 to connect the accessory module to the hollow body 6002. In some
instances, the
accessory module may be fitted substantially fully within the recess portion.
A gasket or 0-ring
6016 may be added at the mounting region to form an additional seal / odor
barrier to reduce or
limit the aroma or smell associated with the material chamber or fluid
pathway. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that there are a plethora of latch and catch
combinations to reversibly
connect the accessory module to the body and that a mere design alteration
would be within the
scope of this disclosure.
[0103] The liquid cartridge interface "LCI" may be formed through the body
6002 and
configured to allow a liquid cartridge to connect to the second heating
element 405'. The second
heating element may be configured to turn on when a liquid cartridge is mated
thereto.
Alternatively, an on/off switch may be provided to input an on signal to the
controller to power the
second heating element.
- 27 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
[0104] The bottom cup 900 which has an air permeable bottom is shown
reversibly connected
to the CIG at an interface (either permanently or reversibly), The bottom cup
900 and shaped
chamber 311 are separate a fluid connection for vapor movement may be formed
via a gasket 318
surrounding the open bottom 312 of the shaped chamber which is pressed against
the open top of
the bottom cup. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
annular wall and screen
may be formed as one part of stamping and molding and wherein air passage
holes are laser drilled,
drilled or punched through such a unitary chamber floor.
[0105] Figures 10 and 12A and 12B illustrates aspects of vapor dispenser
closing systems 9100.
A top closure 9101 formed of an insulator plastic or resin such as phenolic
resin, silicon, PEEK,
ABS or ULTEM has an exterior top wall 9102 through which the exit port 315'
extends, an annular
side wall 9106 and a mounting guide (or gap) 8008 whereby the vapor dispenser,
mounts to the top
portion 103' of the body 6002 and the mounting forms an air seal between the
top opening 103' and
the top closure whereby air does not leak into the fluid pathway, thereby
positioning the top portion
cavity 9110 having a seal 9103 which is configured to fluidly seal above the
open top of the bottom
cup thereby forming the pathway for vapor from the furnace through the bottom
cup into the top
portion cavity (which is part of the top area of the material chamber) and out
the exit port. To fill or
remove the bottom cup, the top closure is removed and the open top of the
bottom cup is exposed.
101061 In some exemplars an exit port 315' is fluidly connected to the top
portion cavity 9110
forming a fluid pathway for vapor and heated air 2175 (from material in the
bottom cup) to exit the
device. Figure 12 illustrates aspects of dispenser closing system 9200
configured to cooperate with
the top closure 9101. The vapor / odor blocking closure tab 9300 or the
inhalation member 9400
may be attached. The other member may be stored in an accessory module. A
fluid connection 9108
is provided through the top wall 9102 and to the top portion cavity 9210. The
connection is
configured to cooperate with a closure tab 9300 or an inhalation member 9400.
The inhalation
member has a body 9401, a proximal end 9402, distal end 9403 and a pathway
9410 therethrough
for the passage of vapor and to fluidly connect with the modified top portion
cavity 9210. The distal
end has an interface 9422 configured to reversibly mate with the fluid
connection 9108. The fluid
connection may be configured of a material Mal which cooperates with the
material Ma2 the
- 28 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
closure interface 9210 is constructed of to form a temporary odor seal when
the tab is affixed. The
interface may be molded or form as part of the inhalation member or it may be
affixed thereto. The
closure tab 9300 has a vapor blocking closure interface 9310 configured to
reversibly mate with the
fluid connection 9108, a body 9315 configured to be twisted or pulled on by
fingers, and a seal
9320 configured to substantially block odor from escaping the device via the
top closure. During
inhalation a pathway of air is from the gasket additional vents 117A; or, the
air may flow directly
into the furnace through the furnace vents 117B along the path of arrow 6067
(shown in Figure 11).
The air is heated and then proceeds through bottom cup 900 and top portion
cavity 9210 into the
fluid pathway 9410 within the inhalation member. The top portion cavity may
have an insert
forming a layer or be coated with a material such as nylon, PTFE and PEEK. The
tubular furnace
400' is unitary with an upper section "UF" and a lower section "LF". The upper
section includes the
material chamber portion and the lower chamber portion surrounds the heating
element 405.
[0107] Figures 11 and 12A-12B show some components of the convection
vaporizer system
include an external body 6002 which forms the base of the vaporizer that is
substantially hollow, the
body has a top region 103', with a top opening which provides a fluid
connection from the exterior
of the vessel through to the interior of the body 6002. Inside the body is a
unitary furnace 400'
having an upper furnace "UF" and a lower furnace "LF" and a material chamber
400" formed in a
portion of the upper furnace via a catch 9500 formed on the inside wall 429'
whereby a screen 9501
is captured to divide the unitary tube in an air permeable fashion. The
unitary furnace 400' has an
open top 400A and an open bottom 400B. The unitary furnace and material
chamber reduce air
leakage between separate material chambers and furnaces common to multipart
exemplars at the
connection interface gasket 9000. However, optionally a reusable or disposable
material sub
chamber 900A may be removably inserted into the upper furnace to hold
material. The sub chamber
900A with an open top optionally has a catch such as an extended upper edge
(900B) such as a
flange that catches the open top of the furnace or the sub chamber or which
may fit into the upper
furnace and be held in place by the air permeable screen. Because that chamber
is not a structural
support nor is it an insulator the chamber may be constructed of thin metal
such as foils, paper,
hemp and the like with air permeable regions (900C) such as perforations. Such
an insertable sub
- 29 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
chamber provides for use of pre-packaging of material. In a convection
environment a significantly
air permeable floor (900C) for the sub-chamber will require an insignificant
amount of additional
energy to by expended to achieve vaporization of the material.
[0108] Pre-packaging supports recent track and trace protocols and quality
control. Preferably
the wall of the furnace is an insulator such as ceramic and about 2 to about 4
mm in thickness. If
stainless steel is utilized the furnace wall is preferably less than lmm thick
and more preferably less
than 0.5 millimeters thick and most preferably less than 0.25 millimeters
thick. If double walled
vacuum insulated metal cylindrical furnaces are also within the scope of this
disclosure. Suitable
materials should have no harmful levels of outgassing at temperatures the
furnace will be used at.
These materials include but are not limited to phenolic resins, aluminum,
titanium, stainless steel,
and ceramic. A heating element 405 such as a stainless steel, titanium,
KANTHAL TM or nichrome
coiled wire is within the furnace. In some instances ceramic heaters or high-
temperature co-fired
ceramics (HTCC) with metal element layered therein or thereon may be used in
place of the coiled
wire. Optionally, insulation may wrap at least some of the thin wall of the
furnace. A floor 115' is
shown substantially closing off the open bottom of the furnace. Air intakes
maybe formed through
the floor to allow air to pass into the furnace. A floor gasket may be
configured to hold the bottom
of the furnace adjacent to the floor. In some exemplars, between the body 6002
and the unitary
furnace 400' is the air insulation zone (AIZ) in which the heat radiating from
the exterior wall 429
of the furnace heats the air in the AIZ thereby recycling waste heat (6060) to
preheat and dry the
intake air, coming in through body vents 6063, both drying intake air and
recycling heat as intake
air is sucked through body vents 6063 to the AIZ then heated air in the AIZ
into at least one of an
air plenum 6070 and vents into the furnace. A bottom vent 117B may be formed
through the
furnace to allow air to pass along the path of arrow 6067. During inhalation
air is drawn into the
furnace through a portion of the exterior of the body from which may be
through a specific vent
6063 into the AIZ. Air may also be drawn through predetermined leakage points
around power
switches and communication illumination means which pass through the body.
When air through
the AIZ into at least one of the floor vents 117 and 117B into the furnace
said air is heated by the
heat radiating from the unitary furnace before it is recycled back into the
furnace. The recycling of
- 30 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
air can reduce power requirements to heat air entering the furnace. In some
instance an optional fan
3002 may be placed in the air plenum 6070 in between the chassis and the floor
115'. In some
instances, a separate board (PCB) 67 may be positioned away from the board 66,
yet in signal
communication. When power requirements are set in the 10-20amp range
additional heat is
produced during the use of the device and at least one of isolating and
separating the power
connections away from the batteries and board may be desirable. Testing has
demonstrated that a
temperature sensor 90 located near the bottom of the LF is a control for
vaporization to achieve
optimal vaporization. Optimal being the maximum release of vapor from the
material with the
minimum combustion. The temperature sensor is in signal communication with the
controller 65 on
the PCB board 66 whereby the temperature may be dynamically adjusted via a
microprocessor
using PWM to maintain predetermined or selected temperatures. By locating the
sensor at the
bottom area of the LF the sensor and controller heat an aliquot of air in the
tubular furnace LF
portion in preparation for vaporization. The aliquot volume is a predetermined
amount may be a
range from 50 ml (milliliters) to 200m1 of air in some instances. In some
instances greater than one
of 25m1, 30m1, 40m1, 50m1, 60m1, 70m1, 80m1, 90m1, 100m1, 110m1, 120m1,
130m1,140m1, 150m1,
160m1, 170m1, 180m1, 190m1 and 200m1. Upon inhalation the temperature sensor
will register
change as soon as the heated aliquot volume moves upward in the furnace and
cooler air form
outside the furnace is drawn in to the bottom of the furnace. The sensor and
control then increase
the power and heating during inhalation for more responsive temperature
control. Conversely a
temperature sensor near the material chamber 400" of the unitary element
remains at temperature
until the last of the aliquot has been drawn in thus creating a gap between
heated air and cooler air
which will be drawn in and follow the aliquot.
[0109] The top closure 9101 mates with the open top 400A and forms a
portion of the fluid
pathway for vapor to be drawn from the system and device.
[0110] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a variety of
odor blocking interface
to reversibly mate the base plate to the inverted accessory module may be used
without departing
from the scope of the disclosure. Those interfaces include but are not limited
to pressure fit,
magnetic, twist, thread and the like.
-31 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
101111 While the method and agent have been described in terms of what are
presently
considered to be the most practical implementations and aspects thereof, it is
to be understood that
the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed implementations, aspects
or order and/or
sequence of combination of aspects. It is intended to cover various
modifications and similar
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of
which should be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and similar
structures. The present disclosure includes any and all implementations of the
following claims.
[0112] It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made
without departing
from the essence of the disclosure. Such changes are also implicitly included
in the description.
They still fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood
that this disclosure is
intended to yield a patent covering numerous aspects both independently and as
an overall system
and in both method and apparatus modes.
[0113] Further, each of the various elements of the disclosure and claims
may also be achieved
in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to encompass
each such variation, be
it a variation of an implementation of any apparatus implementation, a method
or process
implementation, or even merely a variation of any element of these.
[0114] Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates
to elements of the
implementation, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent
apparatus terms or
method terms -- even if only the function or result is the same.
[0115] Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be
considered to be
encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be
substituted where
desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this
disclosure is entitled.
[0116] It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means
for taking that
action or as an element which causes that action.
[0117] Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to
encompass a
disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates.
[0118] Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this
application for patent are
hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should
be understood that
- 32 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such
interpretation, common dictionary
definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all
definitions, alternative terms,
and synonyms such as contained in at least one of a standard technical
dictionary recognized by
artisans and the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, latest edition
are hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0119] in this regard it should be understood that for practical reasons
and so as to avoid adding
potentially hundreds of claims, the applicant has presented claims with
initial dependencies only.
101201 Support should be understood to exist to the degree required under
new matter laws --
including but not limited to United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such
laws -- to permit
the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented
under one independent
claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim
or concept.
[0121] To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent
that the applicant did
not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular
embodiment, and to the extent
otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any
way intended to or
actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been
able to anticipate all
eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to
have drafted a claim that
would have literally encompassed such alternatives .
[0122] Further, the use of the transitional phrase "comprising" is used to
maintain the "open-
end" claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus,
unless the context requires
otherwise, it should be understood that the term "compromise" or variations
such as "comprises" or
"comprising", are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step
or group of elements or
steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements
or steps. Such terms
should be interpreted in their most expansive forms so as to afford the
applicant the broadest
coverage legally permissible. All callouts associated with figures are hereby
incorporated by this
reference.
[0123] Since certain changes may be made in the above system, method,
process and or
apparatus without departing from the scope of the disclosure herein involved,
it is intended that all
- 33 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
matter contained in the above description, as shown in the accompanying
drawing, shall be
interpreted in an illustrative, and not a limiting sense.
[0124] It will be understood that various aspects or details of the
disclosures may be changed
combined or removed without departing from the scope of the invention. It is
not exhaustive and
does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed.
Furthermore, the foregoing
description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose
of limitation.
Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or
may be acquired from
practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of
the invention.
- 34 -
CA 3054029 2019-09-04
