Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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[0001] TITLE OF THE INVENTION
[0002] VAPORIZABLE SUBSTANCE STORAGE DEVICE
[0003] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0004] This application is a PCT of U.S. Patent Application No.
16/380,948
filed April 10, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/756,362 filed November 6, 2018 and U.S. Provisional Patent
io Application No. 62/760,924 filed November 14, 2018, and which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/950,083 filed April 10,
2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/483,868 filed April 10, 2017 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/626,451 filed February 5, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference into this disclosure.
[0005] STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0006] Not applicable.
[0007] REFERENCE TO APPENDIX
[0008] Not applicable.
[0009] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Field of the Invention. The present disclosure relates generally
to
storage devices for vaporizable substances and more specifically relates to
devices for storing vaporizable substances and supporting vaporization during
heating.
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[0011] Description of the Related Art.
[0012] A vaporizer or other heating device can be used to convert
oil or
another substance, such as a substance that contains medication or other
compounds, to a vapor or mist for inhalation by a user. Oils can be used to
prevent damage to medications that may be sensitive to solvents or propellants
used in applications like asthma inhalers, or for medications or compounds
that
cannot be dissolved in water. In some cases, a vaporizable substance can
exist in the form of an oil, whether that be naturally, as a result of a
manufacturing or production process, or otherwise. For example, extracts from
io the cannabis plant can take the form of an oil or oil-like substance
that can be
heated via an oral vaporizer or other heating device for inhalation by a user.
However, cannabis extracts can take numerous different forms having differing
physical characteristics, which can include differences in viscosity,
brittleness,
tackiness or stickiness, or density, among other attributes. Moreover, in some
cases, cannabis extracts can be corrosive to metal, plastic, or other
materials,
such as materials used to store the extracts or to manufacture the various
components in a vaporizer or other heating device.
The foregoing
characteristics can in at least some cases make cannabis extracts difficult or
undesirable to work with or use, including by way of difficulties in storage
or
transportation of the extracts, such as prior to vaporization. For instance,
the
variations among forms can present problems pertaining to the use of different
forms in or with a single heating device and the physical characteristics can
make for difficult or tedious cleaning of any heating device components with
which the extracts come in contact. As another example, the corrosiveness or
acidity of the extracts can degrade containers, seals and other components,
which can tend to cause leakage of extracts from storage containers, heating
devices or components thereof, such as oil reservoirs or cartridges.
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[0013] As another example, at least some conventional vaporizers
include
wicking devices for transferring oil from a storage reservoir to an area for
physical or thermal contact with a heating element. However, such wicking
devices can result in leaking of oil from the vaporizer, such as onto a user's
hand or clothing. Excessive wicking can foul a heating element or other
components, such as by providing too much fluid to heat to the vaporization
point. Excessive wicking may also clog air channels within the device or leave
oil exposed to air, which may result in malfunctions or, e.g., allow volatile
medication dissolved in the oil to evaporate. In some cases, such evaporation
io may cause the oil's viscosity to change to a point that prevents the oil
from
being re-liquefied or vaporized within the device. Excessive wicking and
clogging may lead to the loss of some or all of the oil contained in a
vaporizer,
or even render the vaporizer inoperable such that repair or replacement may be
needed. As further examples, in some cases, the oil used in the vaporizer can
be corrosive (e.g., having a PH between 8 and 11.5) and may come into contact
with metal or other parts within the device, which can result in a metallic or
other
taste that may be undesirable to some users or damage to one or more
components. Additionally, conventional heating devices may lack a manner of
recycling or trapping condensed oil within the device for preventing waste or
leaking of the oil.
[0014] Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an improved manner
of
holding oils or other vaporizable substances prior to and during heating or
vaporization. The disclosures and teachings herein are directed to devices,
systems and methods for improved vaporizable substance storage devices.
[0015] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A device for storing a vaporizable substance can include a
porous
body having a top, a bottom and an exterior surface. The body can be adapted
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to absorb a volume of liquid through openings in at least a portion of the
exterior
surface and to retain the volume of liquid within internal pores until at
least a
portion of the volume of liquid can be vaporized. A body can be adapted to
retain its shape and pore volume independently of contact with water. A device
can be adapted to absorb cannabis oil by capillary action. A device can be
adapted to retain a volume of cannabis oil within pores interior of the
exterior
surface of the body. A device can be adapted to retain a maximum weight of
cannabis oil, such as 0.05 gram, or more or less.
[0017] Openings in a body can be at least substantially uniformly
disposed
io about an entire exterior surface of the body. Internal pores of a body
can be at
least substantially uniformly disposed throughout the entire body. Internal
pores
of a body can be of an at least substantially uniform pore size. A body can
have
a pore size of 0.5 micron, or more or less. For example, a body can have a
pore size of 15 microns, which can be a maximum pore size, with a 0.5 micron
particle retention. As another example, a body can be configured to retain (or
at
least partially prevent passage of) particles having a size in the range of
0.5
micron to 50 microns or so. At least a portion of a body can be a solid. At
least
one of a body's shape and pore volume can be fixed.
[0018] A body can be adapted to at least partially resist melting
and/or
burning at an ambient temperature of at least 450 F, or more or less. A body
can be adapted to retain a volume of liquid by capillary action. An exterior
surface of a body can include a radially exterior surface, which can have a
plurality of quadrilateral sides. A body can include one or more partial or
thru
holes. At least a portion of an exterior surface of a body can be concave or
convex. A volume of oil can be stored within at least a portion of a plurality
of
internal pores. A total exterior surface of a body can bound a total body
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volume. A total body volume can be less than or equal to 0.1 cubic inch, or
more.
[0019] A device for storing a vaporizable substance can include a
porous
body having a top, a bottom and one or more sides. A porous body can include
a first plurality of pores that comprise openings in an exterior surface of
the
body and a second plurality of pores disposed wholly or partially within the
body. At least a portion of a second or other plurality of pores can be
disposed
in fluid communication with at least one of a first or other plurality of
pores. A
porous body can be adapted to take in a volume of oil through openings by
capillary action and to retain the volume of oil within one or more of a
plurality of
pores. A body can be adapted to store or hold oil for vaporization by heating.
[0020] A porous body can be adapted to retain its shape and pore
volume
independently of contact with water or other substances or conditions,
including
chemicals or temperature. A porous body can be adapted to at least partially
resist egress or leakage of oil through exterior openings absent heating or
vaporization of the oil. A porous body can be adapted to release or allow
release of vaporized oil. A porous body can be adapted to take in and retain
liquid cannabis oil. A porous body can be adapted to be heated to a
temperature equal to or greater than a vaporization temperature of the
cannabis
oil. At least one of one or more sides of a porous body can be quadrilateral,
or
another shape.
[0021] A method of storing a vaporizable substance can include
disposing
one or more devices of the present disclosure in contact with a first volume
of
oil and removing the device(s) from contact with a remainder of the first
volume
of oil. Removal can take place after a time period or, for example, after a
second or other volume of oil is disposed within a device. A second or other
volume of oil can be a portion of a first volume of oil. A method can include
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storing one or more devices of the disclosure. A method can include at least
one of heating one or more devices, heating oil, removing oil from a surface
or
other portion of a device and a combination thereof. A method can include
packaging or otherwise preparing a device of the present disclosure for
heating
or vaporization of oil within the device.
[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE
DRAWINGS
[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of many embodiments of
a
vaporizable substance storage device according to the disclosure.
io [0024] Figure 2 is a front view of the device of Figure 1.
[0025] Figure 3 is a rear view of the device of Figure 1.
[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view of another of many
embodiments of
a vaporizable substance storage device according to the disclosure.
[0027] Figure 5 is a front view of the device of Figure 4.
[0028] Figure 6 is a rear view of the device of Figure 4.
[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic detail view of one of many
embodiments of
a pore structure according to the disclosure.
[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic detail view of another of many
embodiments of a pore structure according to the disclosure.
[0031] Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of many embodiments of a
cartridge according to the disclosure.
[0032] Figure 10 includes perspective views of other of many
embodiments of a vaporizable substance storage device according to the
disclosure.
[0033] Figure 11 includes perspective views of yet other of many
embodiments of a vaporizable substance storage device according to the
disclosure.
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[0034] Figure 12 is a flow chart schematically illustrating one of
many
embodiments of a method according to the disclosure.
[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The Figures described above and the written description of specific
structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what
Applicants have invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the
Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in
the
art to make and use the invention(s) for which patent protection is sought.
io Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a
commercial
embodiment of the disclosure are described or shown for the sake of clarity
and
understanding. Persons of skill in this art will appreciate that the
development
of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present
disclosure can require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve
the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment(s). Such
implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to,
compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and
other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and
from
time to time. While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming
in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine
undertaking
for those of skill in the art having the benefits of this disclosure.
[0037] The embodiment(s) disclosed and taught herein are
susceptible to
numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. The use of a
singular term, such as, but not limited to, "a," is not intended as limiting
of the
number of items. The use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to,
"top,"
"bottom," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," "down," "up,"
"side," "first,"
"second," "inlet," "outlet" and the like are used in the written description
for
clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the
scope
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of the disclosure or the appended claims unless otherwise indicated. The terms
"couple," "coupled," "coupling," "coupler," and like terms are used broadly
herein
and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding,
fastening,
attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein,
communicating,
or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically,
electrically,
chemically, operably, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one
or
more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation
integrally forming one member with another in a unity fashion. The coupling
can occur in any direction, including rotationally. The terms "include" and
"such
io as" are illustrative and not !imitative, and the word "can" means "can,
but need
not" unless otherwise indicated. The term "end" can, but need not, be or
include a terminal end unless otherwise indicated. Notwithstanding any other
language in the present disclosure, the embodiment(s) shown in the drawings
are examples presented for purposes of illustration and explanation and are
not
the only embodiments of the subject(s) hereof.
[0038] Applicants have created devices, systems and methods for
containing, storing, transporting and/or releasing upon vaporization one or
more
vaporizable substances, including oils such as cannabis oil (e.g., cannabidiol
(CBD) oil and derivatives thereof, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil and
derivatives thereof) and others. Applicants have created devices for
containing,
storing, transporting and/or releasing upon vaporization one or more oils and
at
least partially minimizing or eliminating one or more difficulties
conventionally
associated with using or working with such oils or conventional containers for
such oils, including, but not limited to, difficulties relating to material
handling,
cleanup, viscosities, differences in form or consistency among oils and
related
substances of the same or similar natures, acidity, corrosiveness, stickiness,
brittleness, messiness and tendencies to clog or damage equipment such as
vaporizers or other heating devices. Applicants have created devices, systems
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and methods for containing, storing, transporting and/or releasing upon
vaporization one or more oils, which can include doing so independently from
or
in the absence of a conventional fluid reservoir or other container comprised
of
fluid-impermeable or waterproof walls or other barriers (e.g., bottoms, tops,
etc.)
made from materials such as plastic, aluminum or glass. Applicants have
created devices, systems and methods for holding oil, which can include
devices, systems and methods for storing, transporting, conveying or otherwise
supporting oil prior to, during and/or subsequently to heating of oil for
vaporization and human inhalation. Applicants have created devices, systems
io and methods for providing a convenient and clean way for users to
transport or
store oil for use in a vaporizer. The devices, systems and methods of the
present disclosure can be adapted for use with numerous different types of
oil,
separately or in combination, which can include, but is not limited to,
cannabis
oils or extracts such as those mentioned above and/or other oils, such as oils
having medication or another consumable substance(s) therein or otherwise
associated therewith. Such oils can, but need not, include or be combined with
one or more other substances, such as medicine or a mixture of substances
including a carrier fluid or solvent, whether miscible or otherwise.
Additional
functions and aspects of the devices, systems and methods of the present
disclosure are described in further detail below with reference to the
Figures.
[0039] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of many embodiments of
a
vaporizable substance storage device according to the disclosure. Figure 2 is
a
front view of the device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a rear view of the device of
Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of another of many embodiments of a
vaporizable substance storage device according to the disclosure. Figure 5 is
a
front view of the device of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a rear view of the device of
Figure 4. Figure 7 is a schematic detail view of one of many embodiments of a
pore structure according to the disclosure. Figure 8 is a schematic detail
view
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of another of many embodiments of a pore structure according to the
disclosure. Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of many embodiments of a
cartridge according to the disclosure. Figure 10 includes perspective views of
other of many embodiments of a vaporizable substance storage device
according to the disclosure. Figure 11 includes perspective views of yet other
of many embodiments of a vaporizable substance storage device according to
the disclosure. Figure 12 is a flow chart schematically illustrating one of
many
embodiments of a method according to the disclosure. Figures 1-12 are
described in conjunction with one another.
io [0040]
In at least one embodiment, a system or device 100 for storing one
or more vaporizable substances can be or include a body 102 for holding one or
more oils or other vaporizable substances, separately or in combination with
one another and/or with one or more nonvaporizable substances, in whole or in
part. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, which is but one
embodiment of many, device 100 can be or include a unitary body 102;
however, this need not be the case and, in at least one embodiment, device 100
can include one or more bodies 102 coupled to one another and/or to one or
more other device components, such as, for example, a housing, frame,
coupler, or other structure for supporting one or more bodies 102 or a portion
thereof (see, e.g., Fig. 9 (further described below)). In at
least one
embodiment, body 102 can have a top 104, a bottom 106 and one or more
sides 108a, 108b, 108c . . . 108n (collectively, side(s) 108), such as
radially
exterior sides (about, e.g., a central longitudinal axis X or other axis (see,
e.g.,
Fig. 4)) or other sides, and an exterior surface 110. Top 104, bottom 106 and
sides 108 can include corresponding top, bottom and side surfaces that can
collectively form or otherwise constitute at least a portion of exterior
surface
110. For instance, one or more sides 108 can form or otherwise constitute at
least a portion of exterior surface 110, such as a radially exterior surface
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that, collectively with top surface 110b and bottom surface 110c, comprise
exterior surface 110. Similarly, radially exterior surface 110a can, in at
least
one embodiment, comprise a plurality of surfaces 110a1, 110a2, 110a3 . . .
110an, which can include surfaces of one or more sides 108 and/or other
surfaces, such as intervening surfaces disposed between or otherwise relative
to adjacent or successive sides 108. Alternatively, or collectively, radially
exterior surface 110a can be at least partially endless or free of any
vertices
112a, 112b, 112c . . . 112n (collectively, vertices 112), such as in an
embodiment having a circular or at least partially arcuate cross-section (see,
io e.g., Figs. 10-11). One or more vertices 112 (if present), which can,
but need
not include, all vertices, can be sharp or cornered (see, e.g., Fig. 4) or can
be
contoured, curved, such as by having one or more radii (see, e.g., Fig. 1),
chamfered, or otherwise shaped, separately or in combination, in whole or in
part.
[0041] Device 100 or a portion thereof, such as body 102, can include one
or more dimensions, which can be or include any dimension(s) according to an
implementation of the disclosure, such as exterior dimensions, interior
dimensions, cross-sectional dimensions, or other dimensions, which can
comprise dimensions referenced relative to a position or orientation (e.g.,
heights, widths, lengths), directionally (e.g., along an x, y, or z axis),
arbitrarily,
or otherwise. For example, device 100 can include a major dimension dl, a
minor dimension d2, a thickness t and/or one or more other dimensions, such
as a segment or side dimension d3, or one or more radii, such as radius r1 (of
vertex 112) and radius r2 (of rounded edge). In at least one embodiment, major
dimension dl or another dimension can be or include a diameter (see, e.g.,
Figs. 9-10). Similarly, device 100 or a portion thereof, such as body 102, can
include one or more areas, such as one or more internal, external or other
surface areas, and once or more volumes, such as one or more internal, total
or
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other volumes. For example, top 104, bottom 106 and sides 108 can each have
a surface area, such as an exterior surface area, which can collectively
comprise a total surface area of device 100. As another example, top 104,
bottom 106 and sides 108 can define, enclose or otherwise bound a volume,
which can include a total volume, of device 100. As yet another example,
device 100 or a portion thereof, such as body 102, can include one or more
pores (further described below), each of which can have an internal surface
area and a volume and all of which can, in at least one embodiment,
collectively
constitute a total internal surface area and total internal volume of device
100 or
io body 102, which can be or include any area or volume according to an
implementation of the disclosure.
[0042] Device 100 can be adapted to hold oil in at least a portion
thereof.
In at least one embodiment, device 100 or a portion thereof, such as body 102
or a portion of body 102, can be partially or wholly porous and can include
one
or more pores 114 for holding oil, such as openings, voids, or spaces disposed
between or among material units 116, such as particles, beads, molecules, or
other portions of a component material(s) from which body 102 can be made
(see, e.g., Figs. 7-8). Pores 114 can be any size or shape according to an
implementation of the disclosure and can be uniform in size and/or shape or
nonuniform in size and/or shape, separately or in combination, in whole or in
part. In at least one embodiment, pores 114 can be sized and shaped for
receiving oil and for retaining at least a portion of oil therein, which can
include
receiving, retaining or otherwise holding oil by capillary action.
Accordingly,
pores 114 can be sized and shaped for cooperating with one or more oils by
capillary action and such sizes and shapes can vary among implementations of
the disclosure based on one or more factors, such as the type of oil (or other
vaporizable substance) for which or with which a physical embodiment of device
100 will be used. For instance, variables such as viscosity and molecular size
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or other physical or environmental characteristics can factor into a
determination of an appropriate or desired shape(s) and/or size(s) for the
pores
114 of a given implementation of device 100, including with regard to which
size(s) and/or shape(s) of pores 114 accomplish relevant goals for such
implementation of device 100, such as by way of taking up and/or retaining a
volume of oil by capillary action (whether separately or in combination with
other
forces or mechanisms). In at least one embodiment, device 100 can include a
plurality or pores in fluid communication with its exterior surface and
adapted for
absorbing or taking in cannabis oil by capillary action when the device is in
io contact with cannabis oil and the oil is within the temperature range of
150-250
degrees Fahrenheit.
[0043] In at least one embodiment, the size(s) and/or shape(s) of
pores
114 can at least partially depend on or be controlled by the manner in which
device 100 or body 102 is produced, which can include the production
process(es) and the material(s) from which device 100 or body 102 is made.
For example, in at least one embodiment, device 100 or body 102 can be
produced by way of a molding process, which can include compressing one or
more materials in a mold comprising one or more forms or openings sized and
shaped to result in a device 100 or body 102 of a size and shape according to
an implementation of the disclosure, which can be or include any size or
shape,
whether expressly disclosed herein or otherwise, separately or in combination,
in whole or in part. For instance, in at least one embodiment, one or more
component materials in a powder, granular, or similar form can be combined
with a binding material, such as a glue, adhesive, or other substance for
combining, and/or with a proppant, such as a material for making pores or
other
openings, and such a material or combination of materials can be molded or
otherwise formed into device 100 or body 102, which can, but need not, include
one or more steps for supporting such a molding process, such as heating,
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cooling, drying, hardening or chemical treating. In at least one embodiment, a
component material, such as alumina or another material described herein, can
be combined with a binding agent or other joining material and a proppant and
formed into a device 100 or body 102 with pores 114 shaped and sized
according to the shape and size of the proppant. In such an embodiment,
which is but one of many, a proppant can have a lower melting point, boiling
point, vaporization temperature, or burning temperature then a component
material and/or binding agent, and the proppant can be removed following
formation of a device 100 or body 102 of a desired shape and size by heating
io the device to a temperature that is greater than a melting point,
boiling point,
vaporization temperature, or burning temperature of the proppant and less than
a melting point, boiling point, vaporization temperature, or burning
temperature
of the component material and/or binding agent. In this manner, or one or more
other manners for removing a proppant from a device or body of the present
disclosure, the proppant can be removed during or following production (or
partial production) of a device 100 or body 102 thus leaving pores 114 within
all
or a portion of device 100 or body 102 in place of the proppant material.
[0044] Example component materials for device 100 or body 102
include
porous ceramic, sintered metal, alumina (aka aluminum oxide), silicon carbide,
passivated stainless steel, phosphor bronze, brass, ceramically bonded
alumina, thermally fused alumina, fused silicon carbide, fused metallic beads,
fibers (e.g., glass) and other materials of sufficient characteristics for
forming
pores configured to hold oil, separately or in combination with one another
and/or one or more other materials disclosed herein, in whole or in part.
Example binding agents for binding or coupling units of one or more component
materials together include quartz glass, wax, polyethylene, glass powder,
silicon
dioxide (aka silica), or cotton-based material (e.g., cotton fibers that can
decompose to form glass particles). Example proppants for forming one or
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more pores include sand, glass, salt, plastic, and polymers. However, other
materials can also be used to form device 100 or body 102, whether separately
or in combination with one or more of the exemplary materials described above
or elsewhere herein and can, in at least one embodiment, include any
material(s) capable of forming a porous body according to the disclosure, such
as device 100 or body 102, whether now known or future developed. In at least
one embodiment, device 100 can be or include a porous body 102 that can be
or become relatively low in density and/or low in mass, which can help
minimize
an amount of energy sufficient to increase the temperature of oil coupled to
io device 100 to or above its vaporization point. In at least one
embodiment,
device 100 can be or include a porous body 102 comprising aluminum oxide
coupled with quartz glass or another bonding material or agent. As will be
understood by one of ordinary skill having the benefits of the present
disclosure,
embodiments of the disclosure can be configured for use with one or more
types of oil, which can have differing vaporization temperatures, and the
material and/or composition of device 100 or a portion thereof (e.g., body 102
or
a portion thereof) can be chosen to facilitate flow, storage and/or
vaporization of
oils of different types as needed or desired for a physical embodiment or
implementation of device 100. Factors relevant to such considerations can
include, but are not limited to, pore size, capillary action characteristics,
flow
rate, density, material type, bonding agent type, proppant type, temperature,
heat characteristics, chemical characteristics, pressure, compression rate and
the like. The material(s) and pore size(s) of a device 100 can vary according
to
an implementation of the disclosure. For example, a device 100 can be
adapted to absorb or otherwise store substances of different viscosities,
densities, purities, or other attributes and can be or include one or more
bodies
102 having a pore size(s) or material make up(s) optimized for cooperating
with
an oil(s) or other substance(s) at hand.
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[0045]
Example pore sizes for device 100 or body 102 include 30-90
microns or another pore size according to a physical embodiment or
implementation of the disclosure, which can be any pore size, including pore
sizes less than or greater than 30-90 microns, depending on oil type or other
factors as mentioned elsewhere in this disclosure. In at least one embodiment,
device 100 can include one or more pores 114 having a pore size and/or
particle retention that is between about 0.5 microns and about 100 microns
(inclusive).
However, this need not be the case and, in at least one
embodiment, device 100 can include one or more pores 114 having a
dimension smaller than about 0.5 microns or larger than about 100 microns.
Advantageously, in at least one embodiment of device 100 for use with
cannabis oil, device 100 can include pores 114 having a pore size, such as an
average or maximum pore size, of 15 microns or about 15 microns with a
particle retention or maximum particle passage size of 0.5 micron or about 0.5
micron. As another example, a body can be configured to retain (or at least
partially prevent passage of) particles having a size in the range of 0.5
micron to
50 microns or so. Pores 114 can, but need not, be of similar or the same shape
and size and can, but need not, be of consistent dimension, which can depend
on, for example, the type of material or method of manufacture. In at least
one
embodiment, device 100 can comprise numerous pores having similar, but not
necessarily uniform characteristics, such as sizes and shapes that can differ
from pore to pore. Nonetheless, such an embodiment of device 100 can be
said to have a pore size, such as a mean or average pore size, maximum pore
size, or minimum pore size, notwithstanding that one or more pores 114 can, in
at least one embodiment, have more than one dimension, such as an irregularly
or otherwise shaped pore having a major dimension, a minor dimension and/or
one or more other dimensions.
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[0046] In at least one embodiment, device 100 can be configured to
absorb, take in or otherwise receive oil 118 (see, e.g., Fig. 9) or another
substance(s), separately or in combination, which can include one or more
vaporizable and/or non-vaporizable substances, including one or more solids
disposed in or mixed with one or more oils, and can be configured to retain or
otherwise hold at least a portion thereof in one or more pores 114. As
mentioned elsewhere herein, device 100 can absorb and/or retain oil by way of
capillary action; however, this need not be the case and other manners for
holding oil exist. For example, in at least one embodiment, oil 118 can be
io relatively viscous and sticky when at a temperature within a normal
range of
ambient interior or exterior air temperatures (e.g., about 60-100 F (about
15.5-
37.8 C)) and such viscosity and/or stickiness can decrease upon such oil 118
being heated. In such an embodiment, which is but one of many, pores 114 of
device 100 can be shaped and sized such that oil 118 flows into or otherwise
enters device 100 absent capillary action when oil 118 is at or above a
corresponding temperature and/or remains within one or more pores 114
absent capillary action (e.g., by sticking thereto or otherwise becoming
lodged
therein) when oil 118 is at or below another corresponding temperature, such
as
a cooler temperature. Advantageously, however, in at least one embodiment,
device 100 or a portion thereof, such as one or more bodies 102, can include
one or more pores 114 shaped and sized for taking in and retaining vaporizable
oil (e.g., cannabis oil) by capillary action.
[0047] In at least one embodiment, device 100 can absorb, take in
or
otherwise receive oil 118 and can retain or otherwise hold at least a portion
thereof in pores 114 for supporting vaporization of oil 118 (or another
transformation into a form or forms that can be inhaled). For example, device
100 can hold or store oil 118 until at least a portion of device 100 and/or
the oil
118 contained therein is heated to a boiling point or vaporization temperature
of
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the oil 118, such as in a vaporizer or by way of another heating device. Such
a
process can, but need not, include carbonization or burning of at least a
portion
of the oil and, in at least one embodiment, preferably does not include
carbonization or burning so as to at least partially minimize or eliminate one
or
more effects of carbonization in, for example, a vaporizer, such as the
creation
of smoke, carcinogens, undesirable flavor, or other potentially harmful or
unwanted properties of a substance(s) in inhalable form. The vaporization
temperature or boiling point of oil 118 can depend on the particular type of
oil
118 used and/or the desired heating temperature according to an
io implementation of the disclosure, which can be or include any type of
consumable oil and/or corresponding temperature. In at least one embodiment,
device 100 can be at least partially resistant to such temperatures, which can
include being at least partially resistant of temperatures up to 2000 degrees
Fahrenheit or about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. In at least one embodiment,
device 100 can at least partially resist temperatures greater than 2000
degrees
Fahrenheit. In at least one embodiment, device 100 need not resist
temperatures as great as 2000 degrees Fahrenheit or about 2000 degrees
Fahrenheit and can at least partially resist temperatures less than 2000
degrees
Fahrenheit, which can include any temperature at or above a boiling or
vaporization point of an oil 118 stored in device 100 according to an
implementation of the disclosure. In at least one embodiment, device 100 can
at least partially resist temperatures of up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit or
about
160 degrees Fahrenheit, or of up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or about 375
degrees Fahrenheit, or another temperature between an ambient temperature
and a burning or carbonization temperature of a type(s) of oil(s) 118
according
to an implementation of the disclosure, such as a temperature in or near the
range of 450-550 degrees Fahrenheit.
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[0048] For example, in at least one embodiment, device 100 can be
configured for use in or with one or more heating devices, such as, for
example,
one or more of the vaporizers disclosed in Applicants' co-pending U.S. Patent
Application No. 15/950,083 entitled Vaporizer. In at least one embodiment,
device 100 can be configured to withstand one or more temperatures, such as a
maximum temperature, of a personal vaporizer or other device for vaporizing.
For instance, device 100 can be configured for direct heating by a heat
source,
such as a laser, flame, resistance heater or another heat source, and can be
configured to at least partially resist a maximum temperature of such a heat
io source. As another example, in at least one embodiment, device 100 can
be
configured for indirect heating by a heat source, such as by way of being
exposed to flowing or stagnant air that has been heated by a heat source such
as one or more of those mentioned above (or another type of heat source). In
at least one embodiment, device 100 or a portion thereof, such as body 102,
can be configured for at least partially maximizing heat transfer, such as,
for
example, by at least partially maximizing one or more surface areas, which can
include a total surface area, in contact with a heat source or one or more
mediums heated by a heat source (e.g., air or another fluid(s), a heated
surface,
etc.).
[0049] In at least one embodiment, device 100 can include one or more
indicators 120, such as letters, numbers, symbols, or logos, for conveying
information to a user. For example, as shown in the illustrative embodiment of
Figures 1-3, device 100 can include one or more indicators 120 on the top
and/or bottom of the device (shown schematically in Fig. 3). In an embodiment
having multiple indicators 120, the indicators can be the same or different.
In at
least one embodiment, one or more indicators 120 can be or include a number
or other designation indicating an ideal heating temperature or range of
temperatures, such as a corresponding heat setting for a vaporizer or other
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heating device. As other examples, indicators 120 can be or include warning
symbols or can provide an indication of the type or amount of oil or other
substance stored in the device.
[0050] With continuing reference to the Figures, and particular
reference
to Figures 4-6, another of many embodiments of a device according to the
disclosure will be described. Device 200 can be the same as device 100 (or
any other device embodiment of the present disclosure) in one, some or all
respects but can further include one or more openings 220 therein or
therethrough for facilitating or otherwise supporting one or more aspects of
io device 200 or a use thereof, such as the loading of oil therein and/or
the
removal of oil therefrom. For example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment
of Figures 4-6 for illustrative purposes, which embodiment is but one of many,
device 200 can include a body 202 having one or more openings 220 and the
opening(s) 220 can be or include one or more thru holes. As another example,
opening 220 can be or include one or more partial holes or other openings,
such as one or more grooves, indentations, dimples, or other voids. Device 200
can be of any size and shape according to a physical embodiment or
implementation of the disclosure, and can have any number, size and shape of
openings 220, such as round, clover, slotted, sliced, square, rectangular,
oblong, irregularly shaped, or otherwise configured holes or fluid paths. In
at
least one embodiment, one or more openings 220 can provide for a relatively
larger exterior (or external) surface area versus an embodiment of a device
(100, etc.) without such opening(s), which can include having a relatively
larger
number of pores 114 (see, e.g., Figs. 7-8) in fluid communication with an
atmosphere 222 wholly or partially surrounding device 200 (or, e.g., a
structure
abutting all or a portion of device 200), such as for example, one or more
pores
114 of surface 224 of opening 220. Such an embodiment can be advantageous
in one or more implementations of a device according to the disclosure. For
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example, the presence of one or more openings 220 can allow a heated fluid,
such as air or another fluid, to contact or at least partially pass into or
through at
least a portion of body 202, which can facilitate or otherwise support heating
and/or cooling of device 200, such as by way of faster, more even, or more
efficient heat transfer to and/or from body 202. As another example, the
presence of one or more openings 220 can allow oil to contact or at least
partially pass into or through at least a portion of body 202, which can
facilitate
or otherwise support loading or unloading of device 200, such as by way of
faster, more even, or more efficient transfer of oil into or out of body 202.
io [0051] While the exemplary devices 100, 200 of Figs. 1-6 are shown to
have six radially exterior sides 108 (i.e., to be hexagonal) for purposes of
illustration and explanation, these are but two of many examples of
configurations for devices according to the disclosure. Devices 100, 200 can
include any number of sides 108 (which can include one or more tops 104
and/or bottoms 106), surfaces 110, vertices 112 (if present), openings 220 (if
present), indicators 120 (if present), and/or shapes according to an
implementation of the disclosure. For example, in at least one embodiment,
one or more devices 100, 200 can be sized and shaped for fitting at least
partially within or otherwise cooperating with one another or one or more
other
devices or portions thereof, such as a personal vaporizer or other heating
device, a portion of a heating device such as a housing, bowl, chamber,
heater,
or vaporizable material holder, or a container configured for holding one or
more
devices 100, 200 separately or in combination when not in use in a vaporizer
(e.g., a storage container or transport container). As another example, in at
least one embodiment, one or more devices 100, 200 can be sized and shaped
for holding an amount of oil, such as a prescribed volume or weight of oil,
which
can be any amount of oil according to an implementation of the disclosure. For
instance, in at least one preferred embodiment, which is but one of many, one
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or more devices 100, 200 can be sized and shaped for holding an amount of oil
between .001 milligram (mg) and 1 gram (g) (inclusive), or less, or more, such
as at least about .05 mg per device, .025 mg per device, .075 mg per device,
.1
mg per device, .05 g per device, .025-.075 g per device, or another amount,
which can be any amount according to an implementation of the disclosure. As
another example, in at least one embodiment, one or more devices 100, 200
can be sized and/or shaped and/or otherwise configured based on a number of
desired doses or uses according to an implementation of the disclosure, such
as one, two, three, or up to fifty or more doses, and can be disposable,
io replaceable and/or recyclable after use. In at least one embodiment,
device
100, 200 can be adapted to have a thermal mass for providing enough heat
energy to vaporize or facilitate vaporization of at least a portion of the oil
content
of the device or a portion thereof upon heating.
[0052] As yet another example, in at least one embodiment, one or
more
devices 100, 200 can be configured for incorporation into a cartridge 300
(see,
e.g., Fig. 9) for holding oil and/or cooperating with a heat source for
vaporization
of oil, which can include being sized and shaped for coupling with a reservoir
302, such as a storage space, housing, tank, or chamber for holding oil to be
vaporized during use of or with a vaporizer. Reservoir 302 can have any size,
shape, or volume according to a particular application or physical embodiment
of the disclosure. In at least one embodiment, which is but one of many,
reservoir 302 can have a volume sufficient to hold one gram of oil, but that
need
not be the case, and reservoir 302 can have a volume for holding more or less
than one gram of oil, such as between zero grams and one gram of oil, or more
than one gram of oil, such as between one and one hundred grams of oil, or
more. In at least one embodiment, which is but one of many, reservoir 302 can
be at least generally cylindrical or tubular and can have a diameter of about
1/4
inch and a length of about 1 inch. However, that need not be the case, and
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reservoir 302 can have any size or shape, which can include a size based on
desired volume or a shape based on compatibility with one or more vaporizers
or components thereof. One or more devices 100, 200 can have a shape
similar to, the same as, or different from reservoir 302. One or more devices
100, 200 can be coupled to a reservoir 302 in any manner according to an
implementation of the disclosure and at least a portion of a device 100, 200
can
be disposed in fluid communication with oil 118 within reservoir 302. As shown
in Figure 9 for illustrative purposes, a cartridge 300 according to the
disclosure
can include a device 100, 200 coupled to or near an end 306 of reservoir 302.
However, this need not be the case and alternatively, or collectively,
cartridge
300 can include one or more devices 100, 200 coupled to any portion of
reservoir 302. The coupling can occur in any manner according to an
implementation of the disclosure, which can include utilization of one or more
fasteners, adhesives, seals, gaskets or, as another example, a housing or
holder (not shown) coupled to reservoir 302 (e.g., to or about end 306) and
configured to hold one or more devices 100, 200 relative thereto. In at least
one embodiment, which is but one of many, device 100, 200 can be pressed
into reservoir 302 (or a structure coupled to reservoir 302) and retained in
place
by interference fit or friction fit. Device 100, 200 can be configured to draw
or
pull oil from reservoir 302, such as by capillary action and, in at least one
embodiment, cartridge 300 can include one or more plugs 308, such as an
elastomeric or other float or stopper, configured to sealingly engage the
interior
surface of reservoir 302 and slide along the interior surface (e.g., toward
end
306) as oil is removed from reservoir 302 via device 100, 200. For example,
plug 308 can be configured to at least partially prevent oil 118 within
reservoir
302 from moving in a direction away from device 100, 200. In other words, plug
308 can be configured to at least partially bias oil 118 within reservoir 302
into
or toward contact with device 100, 200. In at least one embodiment, plug 308
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can be configured to float in or otherwise at least partially resist sinking
into oil
118 within reservoir 302, which can in at least some cases at least partially
minimize or prevent leaking of oil 118 from reservoir 302. In at least one
embodiment, plug 308 can be configured to at least partially float on or in
oil
118 within reservoir 302. In at least one embodiment, plug 308 can be
configured to at least partially resist movement in a direction toward oil 118
in
reservoir 302, such as by being coupled with reservoir 302 by friction fit,
interference fit, or the like. Device 100, 200 can, but need not, be of the
same
or a similar shape as reservoir 302 and/or plug 308, separately or in
combination, in whole or in part.
[0053]
While exemplary embodiments of device 100, 200 are shown in
Figures 1-9 for purposes of illustration and explanation, such embodiments are
but some of many and numerous other shapes, sizes and configurations of
device 100, 200 and/or cartridge 300 are possible. For example, in at least
one
embodiment, device 100, 200 can be disc- or puck-shaped (see, e.g., Figs. 9-
11), which can include being at least partially cylindrical and/or having an
at
least partially arcuate or otherwise curved or contoured exterior surface 110.
As other examples, device 100, 200 can be pill-shaped, or another shape, such
as square, cubical, pentagonal, hexagonal, octanol, oblong, football-shaped,
diamond-shaped, double diamond-shaped, star-shaped or any other shape,
including irregularly shaped (see, e.g., Figs. 10-11). Figures 10-11 include
one
or more examples of the shapes mentioned above along with some of many
other exemplary embodiments of device 100, 200.
The exemplary
embodiments of device 100, 200 shown in Figures 10 and 11 are labeled with
reference numerals 400a, 400b, 400c, et seq. (and may be collectively referred
to herein as device(s) 400) for convenience of reference and can include any
of
the structural and functional aspects of the disclosure described with
reference
to devices 100, 200, etc. For example, regardless of shape, any of devices
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400, in at least one embodiment, can include one or more openings 220 therein
or therethrough (see, e.g., embodiments 400aa, 400bb). Alternatively, or
collectively, regardless of shape, any of devices 400, in at least one
embodiment, can include one or more wholly or partially raised borders (see,
e.g., emb0diment400ff), such as on one or more sides or other portions, which
can, but need not, at least partially surround an indicator 120, such as a
logo,
warning, symbol, or other item or designation formed or otherwise disposed on
one or more portions of the device (see, e.g., Figs. 1-3). Any of devices 100,
200, etc., can include one or more indicators 120 absent any border as well.
io Any of the features and options described here or elsewhere in the
present
disclosure with reference to device 100, device 200 or another device or
embodiment (300, 400, etc.), whether alone or in combination with one or more
other embodiments, can apply and be implemented in the same or a similar
manner unless otherwise indicated. While numerous configurations of devices
100 (200, 300, et seq.) are illustrated in the Figures, such configurations
have
been shown for illustrative and explanative purposes and are not !imitative;
numerous other shapes, sizes and configurations of the devices of the present
disclosure are possible.
[0054] With continuing reference to the Figures and specific
reference to
Figure 12, one or more methods and/or method steps according to the
disclosure will now be described in further detail. One or more devices 100,
200, et seq. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "device(s) 100") can be
individually or collectively loaded 502 with oil 118 for subsequent removal of
at
least a portion of the oil by heating or vaporization, which also can take
place
individually or collectively. Loading 502 can include one or more of a number
of
steps and can including filling device(s) 100 wholly or partially. In at least
one
embodiment, loading 502 can include, but is not limited to, disposing
device(s)
100 at least partially in or in contact with oil 118, causing or allowing
device(s)
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100 to absorb a vaporizable substance by capillary action, immersing device(s)
100 in a vaporizable substance, immersing device(s) 100 in a mixture of a
vaporizable substance and one or more non-absorbent media or other media,
heating device(s) 100, heating one or more vaporizable substances,
condensing, vaporizing or melting one or more vaporizable substances,
tumbling device(s) 100 in a vaporizable substance, lowering the viscosity of a
vaporizable substance, applying pressure to device(s) 100, subjecting
device(s)
100 to a vacuum, evacuating air or other fluids from device(s) 100, mixing
device(s) 100 in or with a vaporizable substance, metering or otherwise
feeding
io a vaporizable substance on to or otherwise into contact with device(s)
100,
disposing device(s) 100 in a chamber, such as a heated chamber, pressure
vessel, oven, vacuum oven, kiln, or other space, disposing device(s) 100 in a
mixer, mixing container, tumbler, agitator, tray, or other loading container,
conveying device(s) 100, such as along a conveyor belt or other movement
system, wholly or partially submerging device(s) 100 in a vaporizable
substance, controlling one or more levels, volumes, or amounts of a
vaporizable
substance, controlling temperature, controlling contact time, and/or
controlling
viscosity of a vaporizable substance, separately or in combination, in whole
or
in part, simultaneously or at different times. Any of the foregoing loading
502
steps and/or the other method steps of the present disclosure can occur in any
combination or order according to an implementation of the disclosure. In at
least one embodiment, loading 502 can include cleaning, scrubbing, washing,
bathing, drying, tumbling (alone or with one or more other materials), or
otherwise removing one or more substances (which can, but need not, include a
vaporizable substance) from one or more devices 100, in whole or in part.
[0055] In at least one embodiment, a method of loading 502 one or
more
devices 100 can include one or more of the following steps: mixing or
otherwise
combining one or more distillates, such as cannabis oil distillates, with
shatter,
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live resin, or one or more other cannabis extracts, reducing a concentration
of
tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), increasing a THC content, consolidating
extract in a container, calculating an amount of distillate to combine with an
amount of extract, such as, for example, to attain an 80/20 mix of extract and
distillate, respectively, warming at least one of an extract and a distillate,
such
as to a temperature in the range of about 160-200 F, combining and/or mixing
one or more calculated or other amounts of distillate and extract, such as for
one or more times in the range of about 10-15 minutes and/or at a temperature
in the range of about 180-240 F and/or until at least partially homogenized,
io transferring one or more components or mixtures into one or more
containers,
applying an amount of heat sufficient to at least partially melt one or more
components, dissolving one or more TCHA crystals, limiting an amount of heat,
temperature and/or time for at least partially minimizing or avoiding terpene
loss, measuring oil or oil components, counting devices, matching an amount of
oil with a number of devices, warming oil, warming devices, warming oil and
devices in separate containers and/or to different temperatures, warming oil
to a
temperature less than or greater than or equal to a temperature to which
devices are warmed, warming oil to about 180 F, warming devices to about
225 F, combining devices and oil, pouring devices into oil, pouring oil into
devices, stirring mixture of oil and devices one or more times, heating or
preheating an oven or vacuum oven, such as to a temperature of about 200 F,
disposing oil and/or devices or a mixture thereof in an oven, heating oil
and/or
devices to about 200 F, subjecting oil and/or devices to a vacuum, such as a
vacuum of about 25 inches of mercury (in Hg), subjecting oil and/or devices to
a
vacuum a plurality of times, releasing oil and/or devices from a vacuum a
plurality of times, stirring oil and/or devices during or after being subject
to a
vacuum, separating one or more devices from oil and/or one another, cleaning
one or more devices, absorbing oil from an exterior of one or more devices,
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adding one or more devices to a remainder of a portion of oil, rolling one or
more devices, weighing one or more devices, such as filled devices,
determining a remaining amount of oil, determining a number of devices to
combine with one or more remaining amounts of oil, measuring one or more
temperatures, inspecting for one or more characteristics or attributes, such
as
for the presence of THCA crystals, and repeating one or more of the foregoing
steps, separately or in combination, in whole or in part, and in any order.
[0056] Device(s) 100 can be individually or collectively stored 504
in one
or more containers, which can be or include any type of container according to
io an implementation of the disclosure. Device(s) 100 can be individually
or
collectively disposed 506 in a vaporizer or other heating device. Device(s)
100
can be individually or collectively heated 508 to one or more temperatures,
such
as one or more temperatures sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the
oil
118 within device(s) 100. Vapor emanating from device(s) 100 can be inhaled
510 by one or more users. At least a portion of the oil 118 within device(s)
100
can be depleted 512 over time, which time or time period can vary depending
on, e.g., frequency of use and heating temperature. Device(s) 100 can be
disposed of 514 after use, which can include discarding device(s) 100 or, in
at
least one embodiment, recycling device(s) 100 for refilling and reuse.
[0057] In at least one embodiment, a method of containing, storing,
transporting and/or releasing a vaporizable substance (e.g., oil 118), such as
for
vaporization, can include loading a device 100 or portion thereof, such as a
porous body 102, at least partially with a vaporizable substance and storing
the
body. In at least one embodiment, loading a device 100 or body 102 can
include at least one of causing the body to absorb a vaporizable substance by
capillary action, immersing the body in a vaporizable substance, immersing the
body in a mixture of a vaporizable substance and a non-absorbent medium,
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heating the body, heating a vaporizable substance, condensing a vaporizable
substance, tumbling the body in a vaporizable substance, lowering the
viscosity
of a vaporizable substance, applying pressure to the body, subjecting the body
to a vacuum, evacuating air from the body and a combination thereof. A
plurality of devices 100 or bodies 102 can be loaded simultaneously or
otherwise. A method can include heating at least a portion of one or more
devices 100 or bodies 102 to a vaporization temperature of a vaporizable
substance.
[0058] In at least one embodiment, a method of containing, storing,
transporting and/or releasing a vaporizable substance, such as for subsequent
vaporization, can include loading a device 100 or body 102 at least partially
with
a plurality of vaporizable substances (e.g., two or more oils 118 or oil 118
and
one or more other substances). In at least one embodiment, at least two of the
plurality of vaporizable substances can have different vaporization
temperatures. A method can include heating device 100 or body 102 to a
temperature that can be greater than or equal to a vaporization temperature of
one or more of the plurality of vaporizable substances and less than a
vaporization temperature of one or more other of the plurality of vaporizable
substances. A method can include heating device 100 or body 102 to a
temperature that can be greater than or equal to a vaporization temperature of
each of a plurality of vaporizable substances. A method can include filtering
at
least one component of one or more vaporizable substances, such as into, out
of, or within device 100 or body 102. A method can include loading device 100
or body 102 at least partially with a plurality of miscible fluids. A method
can
include loading device 100 or body 102 at least partially with an indicator
fluid.
A plurality of device 100 or bodies 102 can be loaded or otherwise processed
or
utilized simultaneously or otherwise.
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[0059] A method of storing, administering and/or taking a
medication can
include storing device 100 or body 102 having a volume of medication (e.g.,
medicated oil 118) disposed therein, disposing, or instructing a person to
dispose, device 100 or body 102 into a device for heating at least a portion
of
device 100 or body 102, and heating, or instructing the person to heat, device
100 or body 102 by activating the device. A method can include causing or
instructing a person to consume at least a portion of a volume of medication
disposed within or vaporized (or otherwise removed) out of device 100 or body
102. A method can include causing or instructing a person to inhale at least a
io portion of a volume of medication from device 100 or body 102 in the
form of
vapor and/or gas. A method can include storing a plurality of devices 100 or
bodies 102, which can include storing a plurality of devices 100 or bodies 102
two or more of which have a different amount of medication (or unmedicated
oil)
disposed therein, such as, for example, different volumes, masses or weights,
which can correspond to different prescriptions, doses or treatments.
[0060] In at least one embodiment, a device for storing a
vaporizable
substance can include a porous body having a top, a bottom and a radially
exterior surface, the body can be configured to absorb a volume of liquid and
to
retain the volume of liquid until at least a portion of the volume of liquid
can be
vaporized, and the body can be configured to retain its shape and pore volume
independently of contact with water. The body can be configured to hold oil,
medication or another substance, such as in fluid form, and, when heated to an
applicable temperature, which can include a temperature sufficient to vaporize
at least a portion of such substance without causing carbonization, can
release
at least a portion of such substance in the form of gas and/or vapor. In at
least
one embodiment, the device can have an internal volume of pores for holding a
prescribed amount (e.g., by weight, mass, volume or another measure) of fluid
and can be configured to vary in one dimension (e.g., thickness) to
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accommodate one or more amounts of fluid without varying in one or more
other dimensions or shapes. At least a portion of the body of the device can
be
solid or can comprise a solid. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the
body's shape, pore size, pore volume and a combination thereof can be fixed.
[0061] In at least one embodiment, a liquid stored within the device can
have a vaporization temperature and the body or device can have a melting or
burning temperature, and the melting or burning temperature can be greater
than the vaporization temperature. A pore size of the body can be varied or
otherwise adapted for fluids of different viscosities, which can be or include
any
io viscosity according to an implementation of the disclosure. For example,
a pore
size of the device or a body of the device can be or include a pore size(s)
configured for intaking and/or holding by capillary action fluid(s) having a
viscosity from about 5 Pa-sec to about 100 Pa-sec at 68 degrees F or from
about 0.5 Pa-sec to about 10 Pa-sec at 113 degrees F. The pore size can be
varied to handle different viscosities of oil or other fluid. For example, one
or
more pore sizes described herein can be used for oils falling within the above-
mentioned viscosity ranges. In at least one embodiment, the body can include
a matrix of pores, such as interconnected pores, and the matrix can be
configured for holding one or more fluids in place within the body, such as
via
capillary action, which can include holding fluid(s) in place within the body
while
at least partially minimizing or eliminating the existence of fluid on an
exterior
surface of the body, in whole or in part. In at least one embodiment, the
device
can be configured to hold fluid(s) within at least a portion of the pores or
matrix
until any holding force(s) are overcome via the application of thermal
heating,
such as heating to a temperature sufficient to overcome the capillary action,
which can include turning at least a portion of liquid or other fluid in the
matrix to
gas or vapor.
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[0062] In at least one embodiment, a device can include a porous
body
having a plurality of pores that have a pore size from 0.0001 micron to 100
microns, or less, or more. As another example, a device can include a porous
body having a plurality of pores that have a pore size of from 0.1 micron to
20
microns. As another example, a device can include a porous body having a
plurality of pores that have a pore size of from 0.4 micron to 5 microns. As
another example, a device can include a porous body having a plurality of
pores
that have a pore size of from 0.5 micron to 5 microns. As other examples, a
device can include a porous body having a plurality of pores that have a pore
io size of from 0.5 micron to 3 microns, or of up to 50 microns, such as 15
microns. As another example, a device can include a porous body having a
plurality of pores that have one or more of the above-mentioned pore sizes and
a particle retention of 0.5 micron, or of from 0.5 micron to 50 microns or so.
Such pore sizes can be average pore sizes or, for instance, maximum pore
sizes. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the body can be
composed of at least one of ceramically bonded alumina, thermally fused
alumina, fused silicon carbide, fused metallic beads, fused mineral beads, and
a
combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the
body
can be composed of alumina (A1203) and silicone dioxide (5i02), separately or
in
combination with one or more other materials. For example, in at least one
embodiment, a porous body can include 75-95% alumina and 5-25% silicone
dioxide, or 80-90% alumina and 10-20% silicone dioxide, or 85% alumina and
10-15% silicone dioxide, or about 85% alumina and about 10-15% silicone
dioxide. In at least one embodiment, a body can include one or more metals or
other materials, such as one or more non-toxic metals or other materials
(e.g.,
TiO2, FE203, Na2O, B203, CaO, MgO). In at least one embodiment, a body can
include a nominal particle retention of .001-1 micron, such as 0.5 micron or
about 0.5 micron, a maximum pore diameter of 15 microns or about 15 microns,
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a porosity of 20-70%, such as 40-50%, a bulk density of .001-4 g/cc, such as 2
g/cc or about 2 g/cc, and a modulus of rupture (MOR) of 2000-5000 psi, such as
4000 psi or about 4000 psi. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of
the
body can be composed of naturally occurring materials, such as materials that
do not need to be fused at relatively high temperatures, for example coral,
diatomaceous earth, or porous lava rock, separately or in combination, in
whole
or in part.
[0063] In at least one embodiment, a manufacturing process can
include
packing, compressing or otherwise combining particles of known size and/or
io shape into a porous body for holding fluid, such as within one or more
internal
pores by capillary action. The process can include combining such particles
with one or more binding agents, which can include a substance that can be
burned off during manufacturing. In at least one embodiment, the process can
include combining such particles with one or more materials such as wax or
plastic, disintegrating or boiling off at least a portion of such material(s),
leaving
a matrix to be fused at a higher temperature and fusing the matrix. In at
least
one embodiment, the process can include combining such particles with a
binding agent that may contain material such as wax or polyethylene, heating
the device to a fusing temperature of the matrix, turning the binding agent to
a
gas or burning it away, and preventing contamination of the device, such as by
ensuring no ash or other byproducts of the binding agent remain. In at least
one embodiment, a binding agent can be or include one or more relatively high
temperature melting materials such as a glass powder (e.g., silicone dioxide,
also known as silica, silicic acid or silicic acid anydride) that melts at a
very high
temperature to bond only the contact areas of a matrix. Alternatively, or
collectively, a binding agent can include a substance that changes chemically
to
form a lower fusing temperature material, such as cotton fibers or other
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materials that decompose to glass particles that go on to fuse a matrix at
higher
temperatures.
[0064]
In at least one embodiment, a device can include a porous body
configured to at least partially withstand melting at a temperature, such as
an
ambient or other temperature, of 2000 F or about 2000 F. A body can be
configured to retain a volume of liquid by capillary action, in whole or in
part. In
at least one embodiment, a device can include an exterior surface, which can
include a radially exterior surface having a plurality of flat or planar
sides, which
can include quadrilateral sides or sides of another shape(s). In at least one
embodiment, a device can include one or more openings or holes therein or
therethrough, which can expose additional external surface area for heating
and/or allow air or other fluids to pass there through.
In at least one
embodiment, at least a portion of an exterior surface of a body, which can
include a radially exterior surface, can be contoured, which can include being
concave or convex, separately or in combination, in whole or in part. A body
can include a top and a bottom, which can include a top surface and a bottom
surface, any of which can be flat, contoured or both.
[0065]
In at least one embodiment, a device can include a porous body,
wherein at least a portion of the body can be configured to change color or
reveal an indicator upon being heated to a temperature, such as an indication
temperature or another temperature, which can be or include any temperature
according to a particular implementation. In at least one embodiment, an
indication temperature can be a vaporization temperature of a liquid stored in
the device. In at least one embodiment, a device can be white and can show
the color of fluid contained in the matrix. In at least one embodiment, a
device
can be grey, such as a device having a body comprising silicon carbide, and
can show a modified or varied color of fluid contained in the matrix. In at
least
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one embodiment, a device can be configured to show a different color after
use,
which can include showing or otherwise indicating depletion of fluid contained
in
the body, such as after thermal release as a gas or vapor. In at least one
embodiment, a device can be configured to capture unwanted constituents of a
fluid that are or were present for purposes of holding a medication or other
substance until use of the device, such as in a vaporizer or other heating
device. For example, a lower volatility medication(s) can be boiled out and
relatively higher boiling point materials used to carry such medication(s) can
remain in the matrix.
io [0066]
In at least one embodiment, a device can include a porous body
having a matrix of pores of one or more sizes, which can include diameters,
major dimensions, minor dimensions, volumes, areas, surface areas, average
dimensions, mean dimensions, or other dimensions.
In at least one
embodiment, a body can include a first plurality of pores having a first pore
size
and a second plurality of pores having a second pore size. The first and
second
pore sizes, which can be any pore sizes according to an implementation, can be
the same or different, separately or in combination, in whole or in part.
[0067]
In at least one embodiment, a device can include a porous body
having a volume of liquid stored therein. A liquid can be at least one of, but
is
not limited to, a medication, a carrier fluid, a solvent and a combination
thereof.
A volume of liquid can include a plurality of liquids having the same or
different
vaporization temperatures. In at least one embodiment, a device can include a
porous body having an outside surface comprising a top surface, a bottom
surface and a radially exterior surface. The outside surface can have a first
pore size and the device can have an internal pore volume within or interior
of
the outside surface. An internal volume can have a second pore size. The first
pore size can be the same as or different than the second pore size. One or
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more exterior surfaces can have or include one or more openings, such as
openings in one or more pores or portions of a pore, therein or there through.
Such surfaces can include one or more of one or more top surfaces, bottom
surfaces, radially exterior surfaces and a combination thereof.
[0068] In at
least one embodiment, a device for storing a vaporizable
substance can include a porous body having a top, a bottom and a radially
exterior surface. The porous body can be circular, spherical or another shape.
For example, a porous body can have a plurality of sides, such as 2, 3, 4, 5,
6,
7, 8, 9, 10 . . . n sides, which can include up to 100 sides, 1000 sides, or
more.
io In at least one embodiment, a side can be flat or about flat and can
have a
quadrilateral shape or another shape, which can include having more or less
than four sides. In at least one embodiment, a body can have or include any
cross-sectional shape shown or described herein and, optionally, can be
columnar, which can include having a length or thickness longer than one or
more other dimensions, such as a width. In at least one embodiment, a body
can be configured to hold an amount of liquid (e.g., oil) until at least a
portion of
the amount of liquid is vaporized, which can include any volume, weight, mass
or other amount of liquid according to an implementation of the disclosure.
For
example, in at least one embodiment, a body can be configured for holding from
about .001 milligrams (mg) to at least about 1 gram. In at
least one
embodiment, a body can be configured for holding 50 mg or about 50 mg. In at
least one embodiment, a body can be configured for holding 25-100 mg or from
about 25 mg to about 100 mg.
[0069]
In at least one embodiment, a device for storing a vaporizable
substance can include a porous body having a top, a bottom, a plurality of
radially exterior sides and a thickness. For example, a body can be hexagonal
and can have a thickness of from .005 inch to 0.5 inch. As other examples, the
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body can have a thickness of from .09 inch to 0.2 inch, or of from .095 inch
to
.16 inch, or of from .096 inch to .155 inch, or of from .096 inch to .149
inch. As
yet another example, the body can have a thickness of .146 inch or about .146
inch, or of .149 inch or about .149 inch. In at least one embodiment, a device
for storing a vaporizable substance can include a porous body, such as a
hexagonal or otherwise shaped body, having a weight, such as a dry weight, of
.254 grams, about .254 grams, or more, or less. In at least one other
embodiment, the body can have a shape other than hexagonal, such as square,
pentagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, etc. In at least one embodiment, a device
io for storing a vaporizable substance can include a porous body having a
cross-
sectional shape that can remain constant among a plurality of devices
configured to hold different amounts of oil or another liquid and a thickness
or
height that varies according to such amounts. For instance, a thickness can be
increased or decreased for holding more or less of a substance, respectively,
or
vice versa. In at least one embodiment, a device for storing a vaporizable
substance can include a porous body having a top with a surface area, a bottom
with a surface area, a plurality of radially exterior sides each having a
surface
area, and a thickness. The surface areas of the top and bottom can be the
same or different. The surface areas of two or more sides can be the same or
different. The surface area of a side can be less than the surface area of the
top and/or bottom. The surface area of a side can be less than half of the
surface area of the top and/or bottom. As another example, the combined
surface area of two or more sides can be less than the surface area of the top
and/or bottom.
[0070] In at least one embodiment, which is but one of many, a device for
storing a vaporizable substance can include a porous body configured as
shown in any of the Figures, wherein thickness t can be within the range from
.096 inch to .155 inch, or from about .096 inch to about .155 inch. In at
least
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one embodiment, thickness t can be .146 inch or about .146 inch or, as another
example, in or about the range of .05 inch to .25 inch. As other examples, one
or more other dimensions, such as a major dimension, minor dimension, radius,
diameter or other dimension, can range from .096 inch to .155 inch, or from
about .096 inch to about .155 inch. As another example, thickness t and/or any
of the other dimensions mentioned above can be less than .096 inch, greater
than .155 inch, or another value, which can be or include any value according
to
an implementation of the disclosure. Any of the exemplary shapes shown in the
Figures (e.g., Figs. 10-11) for a device for storing a vaporizable substance
can
io have one or more opposite sides or other sides not expressly shown in
the
Figures hereof and such sides can be the same as or different from the sides
that are expressly shown in the Figures hereof. For example, in at least one
embodiment of each exemplary alternative (or collective) shape of a device
shown in the Figures, the device can be symmetric about one or more planes,
which can be any plane, and/or can have one or more opposing or opposite
sides that are the same as or mirror one or more sides viewable in the
Figures.
As other examples, in at least one embodiment of each exemplary alternative
shape of a device shown in the Figures, the device can have a cross-sectional
shape the same as one or more of its exterior surfaces, such as a top, bottom
or other surface, in one or more directions, which can include a direction
transverse or perpendicular to such exterior surface. For instance, in at
least
one embodiment of a device having one of the illustrative shapes shown in,
e.g., Figs. 10 or 11, its cross-section can remain the same along at least a
portion of, which can include all of, its length or thickness.
[0071] Any of the exemplary shapes shown in the Figures (e.g., Figs. 10-
11) for a device for storing a vaporizable substance can, in at least one
embodiment, have or include any one or more of the attributes or features
illustrated for exemplary purposes in the embodiments of Figs. 1-9, including,
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but not limited to, rounded or otherwise shaped corners or edges and/or one or
more indicators, symbols, identifiers, letters or numbers thereon or therein.
As
another example, any one or more of such embodiments can have one or more
openings therein or therethrough, such as in a longitudinal or other
direction,
which can include openings of a circular, oval, oblong, polygonal or other
shape, including irregular shapes.
[0072] In at least one embodiment, a device for storing a
vaporizable
substance can include a porous body configured to store oil and to fit within
a
heating or vaporization chamber of a conventional vaporizer or other heating
io device. In at least one embodiment, a device for storing a vaporizable
substance can include a porous body configured to at least partially minimize
contact with a cylindrical, tubular, annular or otherwise shaped heating
chamber, such as by way of having one or more points, intersections (e.g., of
adjacent sides), scallops or vertices configured to contact the chamber (e.g.,
an
interior surface or portion of the chamber), which can include being
configured
to allow or route airflow along or proximal to one or more sides, surfaces or
other portions of the body, such as within an airflow path in one or more
directions in or through a heating device. In at least one embodiment, a
device
for storing a vaporizable substance can include a porous body having one or
more indicators or indications formed thereon or therein, such as, for
example,
a logo, warning sign, chemical or other substance identifier, thermal setting
identifier, temperature identifier, heat identifier, or another indicator(s).
Such an
indicator can be recessed in a surface of the body, can extend from a surface
of
the body or, as another example, can be or include a color of the body or a
portion thereof.
[0073] A device for storing a vaporizable substance can include a
porous
body having a top, a bottom and an exterior surface. The body can be adapted
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to absorb a volume of liquid through openings in at least a portion of the
exterior
surface and to retain the volume of liquid within internal pores until at
least a
portion of the volume of liquid can be vaporized. A body can be adapted to
retain its shape and pore volume independently of contact with water. A device
can be adapted to absorb cannabis oil by capillary action. A device can be
adapted to retain a volume of cannabis oil within pores interior of the
exterior
surface of the body. A device can be adapted to retain a maximum weight of
cannabis oil, such as 0.05 gram or more or less.
[0074] Openings in a body can be at least substantially uniformly
disposed
io about an entire exterior surface of the body. Internal pores of a body
can be at
least substantially uniformly disposed throughout the entire body. Internal
pores
of a body can be of an at least substantially uniform pore size. In at least
one
embodiment, a body can have a pore size of 15 microns and a particle retention
of 0.5 micron, or more or less. At least a portion of a body can be a solid.
At
least one of a body's shape and pore volume can be fixed.
[0075] A body can be adapted to at least partially resist melting
and/or
burning at an ambient temperature of at least 450 F, or more or less. A body
can be adapted to retain a volume of liquid by capillary action. An exterior
surface of a body can include a radially exterior surface, which can have a
plurality of quadrilateral sides. A body can include one or more partial or
thru
holes. At least a portion of an exterior surface of a body can be concave or
convex. A volume of oil can be stored within at least a portion of a plurality
of
internal pores. A total exterior surface of a body can bound a total body
volume. A total body volume can be less than or equal to 0.1 cubic inch, or
more.
[0076] A device for storing a vaporizable substance can include a
porous
body having a top, a bottom and one or more sides. A porous body can include
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a first plurality of pores that comprise openings in an exterior surface of
the
body and a second plurality of pores disposed wholly or partially within the
body. At least a portion of a second or other plurality of pores can be
disposed
in fluid communication with at least one of a first or other plurality of
pores. A
porous body can be adapted to take in a volume of oil through openings by
capillary action and to retain the volume of oil within one or more of a
plurality of
pores. A body can be adapted to store or hold oil for vaporization by heating.
[0077] A porous body can be adapted to retain its shape and pore
volume
independently of contact with water or other substances or conditions,
including
chemicals or temperature. A porous body can be adapted to at least partially
resist egress or leakage of oil through exterior openings absent heating or
vaporization of the oil. A porous body can be adapted to release or allow
release of vaporized oil. A porous body can be adapted to take in and retain
liquid cannabis oil. A porous body can be adapted to be heated to a
temperature equal to or greater than a vaporization temperature of the
cannabis
oil. At least one of one or more sides of a porous body can be quadrilateral,
or
another shape.
[0078] A method of storing a vaporizable substance can include
disposing
one or more devices of the present disclosure in contact with a first volume
of
oil and removing the device(s) from contact with a remainder of the first
volume
of oil. Removal can take place after a time period or, for example, after a
second or other volume of oil is disposed within a device. A second or other
volume of oil can be a portion of a first volume of oil. A method can include
storing one or more devices of the disclosure. A method can include at least
one of heating one or more devices, heating oil, removing oil from a surface
or
other portion of a device and a combination thereof. A method can include
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packaging or otherwise preparing a device of the present disclosure for
heating
or vaporization of oil within the device.
[0079] Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects
of the
systems and methods described herein can be devised without departing from
the spirit of Applicants' disclosure. For example, the devices, systems and
methods disclosed herein can be used alone or to form one or more parts of
other devices, systems and/or methods, including, but not limited to,
vaporizers,
vaporizing systems, or methods of vaporizing oil, including but not limited to
cannabis oil. Further, the various methods and embodiments of the devices
100, 200, et seq., can be included in combination with each other to produce
variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular
elements can include plural elements and vice-versa. References to at least
one item followed by a reference to the item can include one or more items.
Also, various aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be used in conjunction
with each other to accomplish the goals of the disclosure or the devices,
systems or methods of the disclosure.
[0080] Unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise,"
"include," and "has" (including variations and conjugations thereof, such as
"comprises," "including," "have" and so forth) imply the inclusion of at least
the
stated element or step or group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof,
and
not the exclusion of a greater numerical quantity or any other element or step
or
group of elements or steps or equivalents thereof. The devices, apparatuses
and systems can be used in a number of directions and orientations. The
order(s) of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise
specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with
other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple
steps.
Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as
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separate components and/or can be combined into components having multiple
functions.
[0081]
The embodiments have been described in the context of preferred
and other embodiments and not every embodiment of Applicants' disclosure
has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described
embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art having the
benefits of the present disclosure.
The disclosed and undisclosed
embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability
of
Applicants' disclosures, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws,
Applicants
io intend to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that
come within
the scope or range of equivalents of the following claims.
43
