Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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IMPROVED VAPORIZER, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR MANAGING
CONCENTRATE USAGE
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
100011 This
application discloses a number of improvements over and enhancements to the
concentrate vaporizers and systems disclosed in the inventor's U.S. Pat.
Application Ser. No.s
15/391,829 and 62/721,699 which are incorporated herein by their reference.
Field of the Disclosure
100021 The
present invention relates to an improved vaporizer, system and method for
managing and optimizing concentrate's vapor quality, vaporizer's efficiency,
and user
experience.
Background to the Disclosure
100031 The
subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to
be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section.
Similarly, a problem
mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of
the background
section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior
art. The subject
matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which
in and of
themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
100041
Vaporizing devices are readily known and used for medical and recreational
reasons. Existing vaporizing devices allow users to operate by loading a
desired quantity of a
concentrate product (optionally pre-packaged in a cartridge unit), into a
vaporization chamber
of the device. Generally, the mechanisms for loading the concentrate are
complex to operate,
and as a result, the user may end up consuming erratic quantity of the
concentrate in some
vaping sessions. Furthermore, the user is typically unaware of the concentrate
being used
owing to lack of availability of information related to the concentrate.
Vaporizing devices such
as Pax 3 and Firefly 21' do not have a cartridge based system, and therefore,
relies on the
concentrate product's primary package labeling as a means of suggesting the
concentrate
dosage delivered to a user.
100051 Numerous
methods of loading a cartridge into a vaporizer exist. However, these
methods can be cumbersome and present usability problems such as ineffective
cartridge
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sealing and cleaning capabilities. Many existing vaporizers are not capable of
cleanly and
accurately dosing concentrates or concentrate essential oils for inhalation.
Vaporizers, such as
the Pax 311'1, require manual fill, whereby a user must use precision tools,
such as metered
syringes, to achieve accurately controlled dosing. These tools are difficult
to source and
contribute additional cost to the vaporizer. In the case of vaporizers for
medical use, such
limitations do not allow users and physicians to confidently and consistenth
administer and/or
prescribe concentrate dose regimens best suited for their needs. Some
concentrate vaporization
devices have addressed dosing issues by utilizing the inhaled flow rate as a
means to control
dosing. However, such devices fail to adequately provide uniform vaporization
of the
concentrates, resulting in a mismatch between prescribed/desired dosage and
actual amounts
received by the user.
NOW] Further,
there is a lack of technology that allows for dosing of different types of
materials (i.e., products) intended for use in vaporization devices. These
materials can be, for
instance, granular, powdered, loose leaf, flower, aromatic, medicinal, waxy,
paste, thick oil, or
other physical materials capable of being portioned and delivered (such as by
use of an auger
mechanism) through a vaporizer device. Likewise, most raw materials intended
for
vaporization vary in consistency and have not been standardized in a way that
can be portioned
into uniform doses. Dosing of such products is also compromised in that they
are often loaded
by hand. What is needed is an "all-in-one" vaporizer that allows controlled
uniform dosing
and tracking of the chemical compounds of the products contained inside the
cartridge
regardless of the product's physical form and/or constituents.
100071 US
Patent Application No. 15/924172 discloses a method and apparatus for cloud
integration control of medicine delivery parameters in an electronic
vaporizer. Also, US Patent
Application No. 12/780876 discloses a data logging personal vaporizing
inhaler. Further, US
Patent Application No. 13/840588 discloses an inhaler controlled by mobile
device.
100081 In view
of existing vaporizers, there is a need to maintain the operational certainty
of vaporizers as it relates to vapor sealing, dose integrity, and
corresponding direct user
feedback at a minimum. In addition, existing vaporizers do not provide a
feedback system to
alert a user that concentrate product has been completely vaporized or that a
concentrate dosing
session has been properly completed. Therefore, there is a need of a
concentrate product
vaporizer which enables the user to administer the concentrate in desired
dosages, and further
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manages, logs, tracks and/or monitors the concentrate usage of the user. and
provides improved
operational efficiencies.
Brief Description of the Embodiments
[0009) In one
aspect, a system for managing concentrate usage is disclosed. The system
may comprise a vaporizer, a user device, and a central server. The vaporizer
may comprise a
housing, wherein the housing may comprise a cartridge configured to store a
concentrate. The
cartridge may comprise a nozzle, at one end, with a smart chip containing an
identification
code associated with the concentrate and a dosing mechanism at another end.
The housing of
the vaporizer may also comprise a control unit configured to read the
identification code from
the smart chip on the nozzle and control operation of an oven. The oven may be
adjacent to the
nozzle of the cartridge. A communication unit may be coupled to the control
unit, wherein the
communication unit may transmit the identification code to the user device.
The system may
also comprise the central server having a database for storing a plurality of
identification codes
against a plurality of concentrate information. The central server may be
configured to receive
the identification code from the user device. The central server may retrieve
concentrate
information corresponding to the received identification code from the
database. The central
server may transmit the retrieved concentrate information to the user device.
[0010) In an
embodiment, the dosing mechanism may be adjacent to a mouthpiece of the
vaporizer. The dosing mechanism may comprise a plunger driver, a pawl, and a
plunger. Upon
rotation of a dosing wheel by a user, the plunger driver may drive the plunger
within the
cartridge to release a predefined quantity of the concentrate through the
nozzle. The oven may
comprise a coil placed within a thermally resistant tube, an airflow channel
in communication
with ambient air and inhalation negative pressure airflow, and a dose diffuser
containing a
porous material matrix or screen (e.g., a gold-plated metal mesh). The control
unit may be
configured to heat the coil of the oven based on at least one of a fire
button, an in-line pressure
sensor, a fan/IR reflector sensor, and the identification code associated with
the concentrate.
The control unit may heat the coil to vaporize the predefined quantity of the
concentrate
released through the nozzle on the porous material matrix or screen of the
dose diffuser. The
user device may be configured to receive at least one user input related to a
vaping session of
the user. The user device may transmit at least one instruction to the
vaporizer based on the
received user input for triggering the vaping session. Similarly, a user
device may be
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configured to receive at least one user input via a central server related to
a vaping session of
a user. The central server may transmit at least one instruction to the
vaporizer based on the
received central server input for triggering and/or managing the vaping
session. The user device
may also be configured to generate a session data associated with the vaping
session, and the
session data may be transmitted to the central server. The central server may
be configured to
receive the session data from the user device. The central server may be
configured to modify
a vaping session of a user based, at least in part, on vaping session data.
The central server may
update a user profile based on the session data. The user profile may comprise
data associated
with one or more vaping sessions of the user. The user device may also be
configured to display
a survey related to the vaping session of the user. The user device may
receive a user feedback
on the survey, and transmit the user feedback to the central server. The
communication unit of
the vaporizing device may comprise a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) module, a
WiFi module,
or other electronic communication means. The user device may display a dosage
information
based on at least one of the retrieved concentrate information, the user
profile, user's medical
history, and the vaping session.
100111 In
another aspect, a method for managing concentrate usage of a user is
disclosed.
The method may comprise reading, by a control unit of a vaporizer, an
identification code
associated with a concentrate. The identification code may be transmitted to a
user device
through a communication unit of the vaporizer. A central server may receive
the identification
code from the user device. The central server may comprise a database storing
a plurality of
identification codes against a plurality of concentrate information. The
central server may
retrieve concentrate information corresponding the received identification
code from the
database. The retrieved concentrate information may be transmitted to the user
device for
displaying to a user.
100121 In
another aspect, a vaporizer comprising a housing is disclosed. The housing may
comprise a cartridge configured to store a concentrate. The cartridge may
comprise a nozzle,
at one end, a smart chip with an identification code associated with the
concentrate and a dosing
mechanism at other end. The dosing mechanism may be adjacent to a mouthpiece,
and may
comprise a plunger driver, a pawl, and a plunger. A dosing wheel may actuate
the dosing
mechanism, wherein the dosing wheel may be rotatably engaged to the plunger
driver. An oven
may be adjacent to the nozzle of the cartridge, and may comprise a coil placed
within a
thermally resistant tube, an airflow channel in communication with ambient air
and inhalation
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negative pressure airflow, and a dose diffuser containing a porous material
matrix. A control
unit may be configured to heat the coil of the oven based on at least one of a
fire button, an in-
line pressure sensor, a fan/IR reflector sensor, and the identification code
associated with the
concentrate. In an implementation, upon creation of a negative pressure by a
user through
inhalation at the mouthpiece, the control unit may heat the coil. The coil may
be configured to
vaporize an extruded concentrate. The extruded concentrate may be dispensed
through the
nozzle on the porous material matrix or screen of the dose diffuser after the
dosing wheel is
rotated by the user. Upon rotation of the dosing wheel, the plunger driver may
drive the plunger
within the cartridge to release a predefined quantity of the concentrate.
[0013i In an
embodiment, the mouthpiece may be removable to slidably receive the
cartridge within the housing. The identification code associated with the
concentrate may be
stored in a memory module consisting at least one of near field communication
(NFC) means,
QR code, barcode, smart chip (e.g., EEPROM), and radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag,
and wherein the memory module is communicably coupled to the control unit. The
dosing
mechanism may, in an alternative embodiment, be an auger delivery mechanism.
The dosing
wheel may be a hollow cylinder that circumscribes the plunger driver such that
the rotation of
the dosing wheel results in a rotation of the plunger driver. The plunger
driver may be
mechanically engaged with the plunger and the pawl. The plunger may be driven
laterally
downwards upon the rotation of the plunger driver due to the rotation of the
dosing wheel by
the user. The pawl may allow the rotation of the dosing wheel in either a
clockwise or an anti-
clockwise direction only. The dosing wheel may click upon rotation to a
predefined degree
providing audible feedback to a user. One click of the dosing wheel may
release the predefined
amount of the concentrate through the nozzle. The vaporizer may further
comprise a
communication unit configured to transmit the identification code to a user
device, wherein the
user device is configured to display information associated with the
concentrate based on the
identification code.
100141 In
another embodiment, the control unit may be configured to receive instructions
from a user device via the communication unit to activate heating of the coil.
The user device
may display a dosage information based on at least one of the identification
code, user's
identity, user's medical history, vaping session history, and previous dosage.
The vaporizer
may further comprise a power source in communication with the control unit.
The power
source may be configured to supply electrical energy to the coil. The
vaporizer may also
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comprise a power button located on the housing and in communication with the
control unit.
The power button upon being pressed by the user may allow supply of electrical
energy from
the power source to the coil. The vaporizer may further comprise a conduit
proximal to the
dose diffuser. The conduit may run adjacent the cartridge towards the
mouthpiece to allow
travel of the vaporized concentrate upon user inhalation. The conduit may
comprise a filter
located downstream for filtering the vaporized concentrate.
100151 In
various other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, a vaporizer
is
provided which enables a user to index (i.e., turn) a dosing wheel to deliver
a predetermined
dose of concentrate product for vaporization. The exemplary vaporizer may
record and transmit
data associated with a user's vaporization session with enhanced assurance of
the type and
amount of concentrate product delivered.
100161 A
vaporizer is provided with a cartridge, including a storage vessel, for safe
containment of concentrate product. The stored concentrate, as such, is
located away from
heating means of the vaporizer to mitigate heat degradation of the concentrate
product not
intended for vaporization. The vaporizer, further, provides a dosing mechanism
(e.g., dosing
wheel, plunger, etc.) that couples with a plunger-driver of the cartridge. The
dosing wheel is
configured to be turned by a user unidirectionally (i.e., in only one
direction) by use of a pawl
constructed in the device to prevent the user from unwinding the cartridge and
thus retracting
the plunger from the cartridge vessel.
100171 In an
aspect, to insure proper dispensing of concentrate product, pawls constructed
on a cartridge lock rotatably communicate with slots on the plunger to
restrict bi-directional
turning of the plunger-driver/plunger even when the cartridge is removed from
the vaporizer.
Furthermore, the pawls are concealed by the driver upon assembly, thus
mitigating the ability
of a user to disassemble the cartridge for refilling; tampering, and the like.
In an example, the
secured pawls protect a user from receiving concentrate product that is not
representative of
the manufactured product recorded on the smart chip.
100181 To
insure accurate dispensing and recording of concentrate product dosing (i.e.,
dose control/integrity); the exemplary vaporizer includes an infrared emitter
and detector pair
arranged on each side of the dosing wheel to record an indexed dose of
concentrate product via
predetermined spaced/sized slots on the dosing wheel.
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100191 In a
further embodiment of the present disclosure the plunger and plunger-driver
are fixedly attached to assure predetermined advancement of the plunger into
the cartridge
vessel when the plunger-driver is rotated by the dosing wheel. Advancement of
the plunger
provides a means by which to force the concentrate product contained in the
vessel out of a
nozzle at an end of the cartridge.
100201 In yet
another embodiment of the present disclosure, the nozzle is constructed with
a tip seal, wherein the tip seal provides static closure of the nozzle port
end thus protecting the
integrity of the concentrate product held in the cartridge vessel from
oxidation, contamination,
encroachment, and the like (i.e., breach). In an aspect, the tip seal prevents
leakage of the
concentrate product from the cartridge vessel during, for instance, handling
and/or use during
vaporization. And further provides assurance of the delivered dose amount and
prevention of
confounding of the accuracy of measurement of the concentrate dose delivered.
In another
aspect, the tip seal incorporates an elastomer (TPE, silicone rubber, etc.)
septum that seals
against an insert in the nozzle. Upon turning of the dosing wheel, the plunger-
driver assembly
actuates the plunger into the cartridge vessel, and thereby causes concentrate
product to
forcibly deform the elastomer septum away from the insert, thus allowing the
concentrate to
extrude through the tip seal and nozzle port onto a diffuser.
100211 In a
further embodiment of the present disclosure, the vaporizer may include a
vapor
detection system to assess whether extruded concentrate product has been fully
vaporized. An
IR emitter and detector pair communicatively operate to determine whether
concentrate
product vapor as a result of user inhalation is present in a conduit (i.e.,
airpath). The vaporizer,
further, informs the user via an LED lighting display whether a vaporized
concentrate product
dose has been completed, while also providing data regarding the session via
signal
transmission to the system network. The exemplary vaporizer may also provide
information
(e.g., graphical) generated from the data to a user via mobile device,
computer, etc. regarding
the vaporization session.
100221 In yet a
further embodiment of the present disclosure, a predetermined amount of
doses is recorded on a cartridge via smart chip. The exemplary vaporizer, upon
indexing (i.e.,
turning) of the dose wheel writes/updates data onto the smart chip regarding
the remaining
doses in the cartridge. Upon exhaustion/completion of original predetermined
amount of
concentrate product, the vaporizer provides information to the network (i.e.,
mobile device,
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laptop, computer, etc.) and user via LED light or other device signal that the
vaporizer cartridge
is depleted. At depletion, the exemplary vaporizer may restrict further
vaporization. In an
aspect, the restriction of further vaporization mitigates the cartridge from
being refilled and
reused.
100231 This
section is meant to introduce the concepts disclosed in the specification
without being an exhaustive list of the many teachings and variations upon
those teachings that
are provided in the extended discussion within this document. Thus, the
contents of this
summary should not be read as a limit to the scope of the claims that follow.
100241 Other
systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be
or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the
following figures
and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features, and
advantages be included within the scope of and be protected by the
accompanying claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings
100251 While
the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the instant invention, various
embodiments of
the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated from the
following descriptions
of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings in which:
10026) FIG. I
illustrates a system for managing concentrate usage of a user, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
100271 FIG. 2
is a side perspective view of a vaporizer, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
100281 FIG. 3
is a partially disassembled view of the vaporizer, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
100291 FIGS. 4
and 5 are exploded perspective views of the vaporizing device from
different angles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
100301 FIG. 6
is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary cartridge, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
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100311 FIG. 7
is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary cartridge for dispense of a
non-liquid concentrate (e.g., powder), in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
disclosure;
100321 FIG. 8A
is a side perspective view of the nozzle of the vaporizing device cartridge
system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 8B
is a front elevational view of the nozzle of the vaporizing device cartridge
system illustrating a septum in an open position, in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present disclosure;
100341 FIG. 8C
is a front elevational view of the nozzle of the vaporizing device cartridge
system illustrating a septum a in a closed position, in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present disclosure;
100351 FIG. 9
is a cross-section view of the dose integrity mechanism of the vaporizing
device cartridge system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
100361 FIG. 10A
and 10B are perspective views of the plunger driver illustrating various
components thereon of the vaporizing device cartridge system, in accordance
with an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
100371 FIG. 11
is a side view of oven system of the vaporizing device, in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
10038) FIGS.
12A and 12B are perspective views of the dose diffuser of the vaporizing
device oven system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
100391 FIG 12C
is a front elevational view of the dose diffuser of the vaporizing device
oven system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
100401 FIG. 13
illustrates various components of the dose completion and verification
system of the vaporizing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
and
100411 FIG. 14
illustrates a method for managing concentrate usage of a user, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
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Detailed Description
100421
Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features,
examples
of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible,
corresponding or
similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the
same or
corresponding parts. Moreover, references to various elements described
herein, are made
collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the
same type, for
example, "pawl and clicker", or "smart chip and EEPROM". However, such
references are
merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in
the singular may
also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the
scope of the
disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth
explicitly in the
appended claims.
100431 The
exemplary embodiments described herein are provided for illustrative
purposes, and are not limiting. Other exemplary embodiments are possible, and
modifications
may be made to the exemplary embodiments within the spirit and scope of the
present
disclosure. Therefore, the Detailed Description is not meant to limit the
present disclosure.
Rather, the scope of the present disclosure is defined only in accordance with
the following
claims and their equivalents.
100441
Accordingly, a system for managing concentrate usage is disclosed. The system
enables a vaporizer to record and distribute information regarding a vaping
session, user,
product information like name, distillate fill batch information, laboratory
results, product
temperature limits, among other data. The system also provides a vaporizer and
cartridge that
communicatively cooperate to manage dosing data integrity (e.g., dosage
control, non-
confounded dosing, control over breach of concentrate containment, etc.).
100451 FIG. 1
illustrates a system [100] for managing concentrate usage of a user, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system [100] may
comprise a
vaporizer [102] having a housing (not shown). The housing may comprise a
cartridge [IN]
that may be configured to store a concentrate. The cartridge [104] may be a
cylindrical
container with a nozzle at one end and a dosing mechanism at another end. The
nozzle 0181
of the cartridge [104] may have a smart chip with an identification code
associated with the
concentrate. The housing of the vaporizer [102] may also comprise a control
unit [106]
configured to read the identification code from the nozzle [218]. The control
unit [1061 may
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also control operation of an oven of the vaporizer [102]. The oven may be
adjacent to the nozzle
of the cartridge [104]. A communication unit [108] may be coupled to the
control unit [106],
wherein the communication unit 11081 may transmit the identification code to a
user device
[110]. In an embodiment, the user device [110] may be a mobile phone,
computer, laptop, and
the like, and be operable by a user [111]. The communication unit [108] of the
vaporizing
device [102] may comprise a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) module.
100461 The
system 11001 may also comprise a central server [1121 comprising a database
[114]. The database [114] may store a plurality of identification codes
against a plurality of
concentrate information. The central server [112] may be configured to receive
the
identification code from the user device [110]. The central server [1121 may
retrieve
concentrate information corresponding the received identification code from
the database
[114]. The retrieved concentrate information may be transmitted to the user
device [110]. In an
implementation, the system [100] may be a public network environment including
a plurality
of personal computers, laptops, various servers, such as blade servers, and
other computing
devices. In another implementation, the system [100] may be a private network
environment
with a limited number of computing devices, such as personal computers,
servers, laptops,
and/or communication devices, such as mobile phones and smart phones. The
system [100]
may be operable via the central server [112] by user/users [117].
100471 The
system [100] facilitates an improved user experience by providing information
about the concentrate, dosage requirement, among other things on the user
device. In an
embodiment, the user device [110] may be configured to receive at least one
user input related
to a vaping session of the user, and transmit at least one instruction to the
vaporizer [102] based
on the received user input for triggering the vaping session. In another
embodiment, the user
device WO] may be configured to generate a session data associated with the
vaping session,
and transmit the session data to the central server [112]. The central server
[112] may also be
configured to receive the session data from the user device. The central
server [112] may update
a user profile [116] based on the session data. The user profile [116] may
comprise data
associated with one or more vaping sessions of the user.
100481 In
another embodiment, the user device [110] may be configured to display a
survey
related to the vaping session of the user. The user could provide his/her
feedback on the survey,
and the user device [110] may transmit the user feedback to the central server
[112]. The user
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device [110] may display a dosage information based on at least one of the
retrieved
concentrate information, the user profile [116], user's medical history, and
the vaping session.
[0049] In yet
another embodiment, the user device [110] may be configured to capture data
from a healthlbiometric data capture device (e.g., AliveCor's Kardia I Omron)
and the user
device [110] may transmit the healtlybiometric data to the central server
[112].
[0050] Since,
the user device [110] provides information about dosage, the user is enabled
with an option to deliberately select his/her dose (micro-dosing). Further,
the system (1001 may
provide the user notification that they have completed the inhalation of the
administered dose
or desired amount of concentrate product.
[0051] In an
aspect, a vaporizer with on-demand heating, usage tracking, improved user
experience, modular components, and that which can be easily cleaned is
disclosed. The
vaporizer may have a housing to contain various components. The housing may
comprise a
cartridge configured to store a concentrate. The cartridge may comprise a
nozzle at one end
and a dosing mechanism at another end. The nozzle may have a smart chip with
an
identification code associated with the concentrate. The dosing mechanism may
be adjacent to
a mouthpiece, and the dosing mechanism may comprise a plunger driver, a pawl,
and a plunger.
A dosing wheel may actuate the dosing mechanism. The dosing wheel may be
situated partially
outside the housing for a user to manipulate, wherein the dosing wheel may be
rotatably
engaged to the plunger driver. An oven may be placed adjacent to the nozzle of
the cartridge
or elsewhere within the vaporizer, and the oven may comprise a coil placed
within a thermally
resistant tube, an airflow channel in communication with ambient air and
inhalation negative
pressure airflow, and a dose diffuser containing a porous material matrix. A
control unit may
be configured to heat the coil of the oven based on at least one of an in-line
pressure sensor, a
fan/IR reflector sensor, and the identification code associated with the
concentrate.
[0052] In an
embodiment, upon creation of a negative pressure by a user through inhalation
at the mouthpiece, the control unit may heat the coil. The coil may be
configured to vaporize
an extruded concentrate. The extruded concentrate may be dispensed through the
nozzle on the
porous material matrix (or similar screen) of the dose diffuser. When the
dosing wheel is
rotated by the user, the plunger driver drives the plunger within the
cartridge to release a
predefined quantity of the concentrate.
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10053] FIGs. 2-
5 illustrate different views of a vaporizer [200], according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates an
assembled view of the
vaporizer [200], and FIG. 3 illustrates a partially disassembled view of the
vaporizer 12001
showing the internal components thereof and further demonstrates an exemplary
manner in
which each component may be coupled to an adjacent component to assemble the
vaporizer
12001. Further, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate exploded perspective views of the
vaporizing device
200 from two different angles. In the exploded views of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5,
some assemblies
are shown exploded in one figure and other assemblies are shown exploded in
other figure for
the purpose of illustration. Referring to FIGs. 2-5 in combination, as
illustrated, the vaporizer
[200] includes a housing 12021 enclosing various assemblies and components
thereof. The
housing [202], generally, has a rectangular cross-section and extends in a
longitudinal
direction, imparting the housing [202] a cuboidal shape. However, it may be
contemplated that
the housing 112021 may have other shapes, such as cylindrical, spherical, and
the like. The
housing [202] may be shaped such that the vaporizer [200] may be ergonomically
handled by
the user. The housing [202] may be manufactured from a metallic material or
other material
with sufficient electric conductivity and chemical resistance. In an example,
the housing [202]
is made of an aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy.
100541 In an
aspect, the housing [202] may include two halves, a first half [204] and a
second half [206]. The two halves [204], [206] may provide multiple grooves
and apertures
therein, to receive and mount components of the vaporizer 112001 inside the
housing 112021. The
Iwo halves [204], [206] may be joined together by using fasteners, such as
screws or the like.
In particular, it may be seen from the associated drawings, the housing [202]
may provide a
groove [208] at a junction of the first half [204] and the second half [206].
100551 The
vaporizing device [200] utilizes a cartridge 1210] to store a concentrate (not
shown) to be vaporized. The cartridge [210], generally, includes a predefined
quantity of the
concentrate stored therein. The cartridge [210] may be in the form of a hollow
vessel having
an appropriate internal volume to be filled with the predefined quantity of
the concentrate. In
an example, the cartridge 112101 is prefilled with 1000 mg of the concentrate.
The term
"concentrate," as used herein, may include substances in the form of
chemicals, distillates, and
isolates. Examples of the concentrate include vaporizable medications, such as
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), terpenes, cannabidiol (CBD), and other
constituents of
cannabinoids. Other examples of the concentrate include dry herbs, essential
oils, waxes, and
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loose leaves. The cartridge [210] may generally be filled with a homogenous
concentrate in
liquid form, or a viscous liquid, such as waxes and oils, which may be
extruded out of the
cartridge [210] from a bottom opening (not shown) of the cartridge [2101. The
cartridge [210]
may include a cartridge casing, a concentrate storage vessel [211], a plunger
driver [212] and
a plunger [214] slidably received within the cartridge casing. The plunger
[214] may be
disposed inside the cartridge 112101 casing in a manner such that when the
plunger driver [212]
is rotated, the plunger [214] is pushed laterally downwards in the cartridge
[210] to force the
concentrate towards the bottom opening of the cartridge [210] to be extruded
out.
[0056] In an
embodiment, the cartridge [210] includes a memory module [216] to store an
identification code associated with the concentrate. The memory module 12161
may be
mounted externally on the cartridge casing. In an example, the memory module
[216] may be
at least one of near field communication (NFC) means, QR code, barcode, smart
chip, and
radio frequency identification (RF1D) tag. The smart chip allows for its
contents to be erased
and reprogrammed using a pulsed voltage. In the present example, the
identification code
stored in the memory module [216] of the cartridge [210] is indicative of
properties of the
concentrate therein, such as type of concentrate, quantity of concentrate,
expiry date of
concentrate (if any), etc. In other words, the identification code associated
with the cartridge
[210] correlates with concentrate information. The identification code may be
numeric or
alpha-numeric in form. It may be understood that the identification code is
programmed into
the memory module [2161 based on the testing of the concentrate substance in a
testing facility;
and each identification code may be unique to a particular batch of
concentrate. As the
identification code is stored in the memory module [216] of the cartridge
[210], simultaneously
the same identification code along with the corresponding concentrate
information is stored in
a database of the central server [112], as will be described later in detail.
[0057] In the
vaporizer [200], the cartridge [210] is mounted in the housing [202] in a
detachable manner. In particular, the cartridge [210] is received and secured
in the groove [208]
of the housing [202]. The cartridge [210] may have any suitable shape
including, but not
limited to, rectangular, cylindrical, and the like. The cartridge [210], or in
particular the
cartridge casing, may generally be shaped to complement the groove [208] in
the housing [202]
so that the cartridge [210] may snap into place inside the groove [208]. In
some examples, the
cartridge 12101 may store a digital rights management (DRM) code, in the
memory module
[216], indicating whether the cartridge [210] is properly compatible to be
installed in the
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vaporizer [200]. As illustrated, the vaporizer [200] may include a nozzle
[218] at one end of
the cartridge [210]. The nozzle [218] may be configured be exit of the
concentrate from the
cartridge [210].
[0058] In an
embodiment, the vaporizer [200] includes a control unit [220] to execute
various instructions related to the operations of the vaporizer [200], and
further to record the
various operations of the vaporizer [200] and generate corresponding data. The
control unit
[2201 may include a circuit board to which various electronic components of
the vaporizer
[200] are either embedded onto or connected via wires. The control unit [220]
may include a
processor for executing various instructions for controlling the operation of
the vaporizer [200].
The processor may be a single processing unit or a number of processing units
working in
conjunction. The control unit [220] may further include, but not limited to,
an arithmetic logic
unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable
gate array
(FPGA), a System-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, or any other
circuitries capable
of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. The control
unit [220] may
also include a memory to store instructions for executing the operations of
the vaporizer [200],
and further temporarily store data generated from the operations of the
vaporizer [200].
100591 In an
einbodiment, the control unit 12201 may include a code circuitry positioned
proximal to the memory module [216] of the cartridge [210], when mounted in
the housing
[202]. The code circuitry of the control unit [220] reads the identification
code from the
cartridge [210]. In an example, the code circuitry may utilize communication
standards like
Near Field Communication (NFC) or the like, to read the identification code
from the memory
module [216]. In some examples, the code circuitry may utilize laser beams or
some other form
of light source, to read the identification codes in the visual forms, such as
bar codes, QR codes,
etc. The control unit 12201 may use the identification code read from the
cartridge 1121011 for
further processing, as will be explained later in detail.
100601 In an
embodiment, the vaporizer [200] includes a communication unit [224]
disposed within the housing [202]. The communication unit [224] is coupled
with the control
unit 12201 to receive and send information about the vaporizer's operation
settings, among
others. The communication unit [224] configures the control unit [220] of the
vaporizer [200]
to be in signal communication with the user device [110]. In particular, the
communication
unit [224] transmits the identification code read from the cartridge [210], to
the user device
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[110]. In an example, the communication unit [224] is a Bluetooth Low Energy
(BTLE)
module, utilizing a relatively low-power 2.4 GHz antenna (not shown) to
provide a direct link
for wireless communication between the vaporizer 12001 and the user device
11101.
[0061] The
vaporizing device 200 also includes a power source [226] to provide electrical
power to various components thereof. The power source [226] may be in the form
a
rechargeable battery or batteries disposed within the housing [202]. The
vaporizer [200] may
also include a charging port (not shown) provided on an outer periphery of the
housing [202]
and in electric connection with the power source [226] located therein. In
such case, the user
may employ an external power cord (not shown) to connect the charging port
with an external
power socket or the like. In an example, the charging port may use a USB
standard for the
purpose of charging the power source [226]. In an exemplary implementation,
the same
charging port may further be utilized for data transfer, such as for updating
a source code in
the memory of the control unit [220], e.g. to change some parameters
associated with the
operations of the vaporizer 12001. In alternate examples, the vaporizer 12001
may include a
permanently fixed and retractable electrical cord in contact with the power
source [226] at one
end, and with another end having a plug which may be inserted in an electric
socket for
charging purposes.
[0062] The
vaporizer [200] further includes a dosing wheel [232], generally, at a top of
the
cartridge [210]. The dosing wheel [232] may be rotatably disposed within the
housing [202].
The dosing wheel [232] may be situated partially outside the housing [202] for
a user to
manipulate, wherein the dosing wheel 12321 may be rotatably engaged to the
plunger driver
[212]. As illustrated, the cartridge [210] may have nozzle [218] and dosing
mechanism at other
end. The nozzle [218] may have a septum [603] at the nozzle tip to control the
flow of
concentrate of varying viscosities (See FIGs. 8B and 8C). The dosing mechanism
may
comprise the plunger driver [212], the plunger [214], and a pawl [213]. When
the dosing wheel
[232] is rotated by the user and the plunger driver [212] drives the plunger
[214] within the
cartridge [210] to release a predefined quantity of the concentrate.
[0063] In an
embodiment, the dosing wheel [232] is a hollow cylinder that circumscribes
the plunger driver [212] such that the rotation of the dosing wheel [232]
results in a rotation of
the plunger driver [212]. The plunger driver [212] may be mechanically engaged
with the
plunger 12141 and the pawl 12131. The pawl [213] may allow the rotation of the
dosing wheel
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[232] in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The dosing wheel [232]
clicks upon
rotation to a predefined degree. One click of the dosing wheel [232] may
releases the
predefined amount of the concentrate through the nozzle 12181.
[0064] The
plunger driver [212] may be configured to directly correlate the rotational
movement of the dispensing wheel [232] with the linear movement of the plunger
[214]: i.e.,
for a definite degree of rotation of the dispensing wheel [232], the plunger
[214] moves a
certain distance depending upon a pitch of the engaged threads among other
factors. This way
the dosing mechanism enables the user to control the quantity of the extruded
concentrate by
controlling the rotation of the dispensing wheel [232].
[0065] In an
alternative embodiment, the dosing mechanism may be an auger delivery
mechanism.
[0066] In one
or more examples, a dosing circuitry' may be disposed in communication
with the control unit [220], working in conjunction therewith. In some
examples, the dosing
circuitry may form a part of the control unit 12201. The control unit [220]
may receive the
information about the number of dosages of concentrate extruded from the
cartridge [210] from
the dosing circuitry. The control unit [220] registers a single dosage of
concentrate extruded
from the cartridge [210] based on the generation of a dosage signal. The
control unit [220]
further records a number of dosages of concentrate extruded from the cartridge
[210] and utilize
the code circuitry to write/program this information onto the memory module
[216] of the
cartridge [210], in order to track the quantity of concentrate remaining
inside the cartridge
12101. Accordingly, it may be possible to find out the quantity of concentrate
remaining inside
the cartridge [210] detached from the housing [202] of the vaporizer [200],
e.g. by the user or
in a cartridge re-filling facility, using any suitable reader.
[0067] From
FIGS. 2-5, it may be seen that the housing [202] may have a cut-out [249] in
the form of an arc, at a bottom corner thereof. In an embodiment, the
vaporizer [200] may
include an oven [250] positioned in the cut-out [249]. The oven [250] may be
connected with
the housing [202] by using a suitable fastening arrangement, involving one or
more of screws,
pins, nuts and bolts, and the like. The oven [250] includes an oven casing
12521, shown
assembled in FIG. 4 and disassembled in FIG. 5. The oven [250] may further
include a coil
[258] disposed inside in the oven casing [252].
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[0068] As
illustrated, the oven [250] may be located directly below the nozzle [218],
and
disposed in fluid communication with the cartridge [210] via the nozzle [218].
The oven [250]
may comprise the coil 112581 placed within a thermally resistant tube, an
airflow channel in
communication with ambient air and inhalation negative pressure airflow, and a
dose diffuser
[260] containing a porous material matrix. The dose diffuser [260] may be
positioned so as to
collect the concentrate extruded from the cartridge 12101. Further, the coil
[258] may be
positioned below the oven [250], and disposed in thermal communication
therewith. The coil
[258] may be configured to generate heat energy to vaporize the concentrate in
the dose diffuser
[260]. In an example, the coil [258] enclosed in the thermally resistant tube
and having two
legs connected to the power source 112261 via contacts and wire running inside
the housing
[202].
100691 Using
these electrical connections, the coil [258] receives electrical energy from
the
power source [226], which in turn is converted into heat energy. In one or
more examples, the
coil 12581 may be connected to the power source [226] via the control unit
[220], such that the
electrical energy supplied to the coil [258] from the power source [226] is
controlled by the
control unit [220]. Such configuration enables the control unit [220] to
regulate the heat energy
generated by the coil [258] as per a temperature setting of the vaporizer
12001. In an
embodiment, the control unit [220] may be configured to heat the coil [258] of
the oven [250]
based on at least one of an in-line pressure sensor, a fan/IR reflector
sensor, and the
identification code associated with the concentrate.
100701 In an
example, the oven casing [252] may be made of a ceramic material, such as,
but not limited to zirconium,. Such ceramic material for the oven casing [252]
may trap the
heat generated by the coil [258] for efficient vaporizing of the concentrate
in the dose diffuser
[260], and further provide thermal insulation for outside of the oven casing
[252]. In an
example, the porous material matrix may be a screen (e.g., gold-plated metal
mesh) or made
of a metal alloy material like stainless steel, also commonly known as metal
foam. The porous
material matrix contains the concentrate collected within the dose diffuser
[260] with its
absorbing characteristics. The porous material matrix may further be
structured to allow air to
pass therethrough.
100711 In an
example, the vaporizer [200] provides a double-filtration system. For this
purpose, the oven [250] may include a filtering means located downstream of
the oven [250].
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Generally, the filtering means may be made of the same material as the porous
material matrix.
It may be understood that the vaporized concentrate is passed through the
filtering means
before being supplied for inhalation by the user to remove any toxic
substances from the smoke
and thereby providing the user with relatively cleaner vaporized concentrate
for inhalation.
100721 In an
embodiment, the oven [250] may further include an oven cover [266]
connected to the housing [202] using one or more magnets. In one example, the
housing [202]
may include a magnet and the oven cover [266] may be constructed using a
magnetic plate
(e.g., stainless steel plate) such that the magnet in the housing [202] and
the magnetic plate of
the oven cover [266] attract each other to lock the oven cover [266] with the
housing [202]. In
another example, the oven cover [266] may include a first set of magnets, and
the housing
[202] may include a second set of magnets with one magnet each for the two
halves [204, 206]
such that the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets attract each
other to lock the
oven cover [266] with the housing [202]. Further, the first set of magnets and
the second set of
magnets may be separated by some external pulling force, for example as
provided by the user.
This way the oven cover [266] is configured to move between a closed position
and an open
position. In the closed position, the oven cover [266] may at least partially
enclose the oven
[250], including the dose diffuser [260] and the coil 12581, therein. In the
open position, the
oven cover [266] may be disposed at an angle of approximately 450 with respect
to the housing
[202], and allow for access to the dose diffuser [260]. The oven [250] may
also include an
interlock switch disposed in communication with the control unit [220]. The
interlock switch
generates a safety signal if the oven cover [266] is displaced from the closed
position. Further,
the control unit [220] receives the safety signal and may shut-off the coil
[258] based on the
safety signal. In an alternate example, the oven cover [266] may be connected
to the housing
[202] by means of a latch and a compression spring (not shown). The latch and
the compression
spring arrangement not only provides the hinged connection between the oven
cover [266] and
the housing [202], but also allows the oven cover [266] to stay in the open
position, e.g. when
the user may have pulled the oven cover 12661 to be in the open position for
accessing the dose
diffuser [260].
100731 Also, as
illustrated, the oven cover [266] may include a plurality of vents [272] at
its sides and bottom (not shown). Further, in the oven [250], the oven casing
[252] may include
a plurality of vents therein. The vents may allow entry of fresh air from the
atmosphere into
the oven [250] to be circulated in a defined path inside the vaporizer [200].
The air received in
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the oven [250] is exposed to the coil [258], which in turn heats the received
air. In one example,
the coil [258] heats the air. Particularly, the air may be superheated. This
superheated air is
received in a vaporization chamber 12561 through the orifices in the dose
diffuser [260]. The
heated air, in the vaporization chamber [256], passes through the porous
material matrix,
thereby vaporizing the concentrate absorbed in the dose diffuser [260] by the
convection effect.
100741 The
vaporizing device 200 may include a mouthpiece [276] to administer the
vaporized concentrate to the user. The mouthpiece [276] may, typically, be
made of any
medical grade material, such as silicone, soft rubber, and plastic. In an
example, the mouthpiece
[276] may be detachably mounted to the housing [202] of the vaporizer [200].
The mouthpiece
[276] may, generally, be located at a top end of the housing 120211. The
vaporizer 120011 may
further include a conduit [278] fluidly communicating the mouthpiece [276]
with the
vaporization chamber [256] or dose diffuser [260]. As may be understood, the
conduit [278]
provides a path inside the vaporizer [200] for the flow of air from the
vaporization chamber
125611 or dose diffuser [260] to the mouthpiece 12761. Therefore, as the user
pulls for the vapors
through the mouthpiece [276], the fresh air is drawn into the oven [250] via
the vent [272],
which carry the vaporized concentrate from the vaporization chamber [256] to
the mouthpiece
[276] via the conduit [278] for consumption by the user. It may be
contemplated that such
configuration of vents in relation to the conduit [278] allows for a cross-
flow through the oven
[250] to facilitate drawing of the air from outside of the vaporizer [200].
The conduit [278]
may further help to substantially isolate the path for flow of the vaporized
concentrate from the
electronic components of the vaporizer [200] in order to avoid possibility of
any short-circuits.
100751 In
another configuration, the vaporizer [200] further allows for manual loading
of
the concentrate directly into the vaporization chamber [256]. For this
purpose, the user may
put the oven cover [266] in the open position such that the vaporization
chamber [256] is
accessible. In case of a liquid concentrate, the user may directly pour or
inject the concentrate
onto the porous material matrix to be absorbed thereby. In case of a non-
liquid concentrate,
such as wax, powder, dry cannabis, etc., the user may first remove the porous
material matrix
from the vaporization chamber [256], and then place the concentrate directly.
In some other
cases, the user may obtain a dose diffuser prefilled with pods of dry-herb or
the like, and
directly place such dose diffuser inside the vaporization chamber without the
porous material
matrix; thus providing convenient usage of non-liquid concentrate. In any
case, the heated air
from the coil vaporizes the concentrate for consumption purposes. In other
examples, the
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cartridge may be designed to store and extrude the non-liquid concentrate into
the vaporization
chamber.
[00761 It may
be contemplated that the vaporizer 12001 may accrue vapor residue on
specific internal components, especially the conduit [278], as a result of
repetitive use, even
when used properly. In order to clean the conduit [278], the user may; first
remove the
mouthpiece [276], and then pull the oven cover [266] to overcome the
attractive force of the
magnets such that the oven cover [266] is moved to its open position. At this
point, the user
may dip a pipe cleaner (not shown) in a cleaning solution. It may be
contemplated that the pipe
cleaner may be a Q-tip or the like. The user may use this pipe cleaner with
the cleaning solution
and slide the pipe cleaner down through the top of the conduit [278] until it
comes out the
bottom thereof. The user may repeat the above steps until the conduit [278] is
completely clean.
Further, to clean the vaporization chamber [256], the user may; first remove
any loose
particulate or residual substance present therein, and then remove the porous
material matrix
or screen and the dose diffuser 12601 from the bottom of the vaporization
chamber 12561. The
user may then use a Q-tip dipped in the cleaning solution and gently wipe off
the residue
accrued in the vaporization chamber [256]. It may be contemplated that the use
of dose diffuser
[260] reduces the need of frequent cleaning of the vaporization chamber [256],
as the residues
from the concentrate and excess accumulation from the vaporization builds on
the dose diffuser
[260] rather than the walls of the vaporization chamber [256], and further
allows easier
cleaning as the dose diffuser 12601 may be removed from the vaporization
chamber [2561 for
its cleaning by moving the oven cover [266] in the open position. In order to
clean the porous
material matrix, the user may; first make sure to remove the dose diffuser
[260] including the
porous material matrix from the vaporization chamber [256], then soak the
porous material
matrix in the cleaning solution for about 15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly
with water, then
let the porous material matrix to dry, and reinstall. Similarly, to clean the
mouthpiece [276],
the user may; first make sure to remove the mouthpiece [276] from the housing
[202] by gently
pulling it off of the top of the conduit [278], then soak the mouthpiece 12761
in the cleaning
solution for about 15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with water, then let
the mouthpiece
[276] to dry, and reinstall the mouthpiece [276] back in the vaporizer [200].
[0077] In some
embodiments, the vaporizer [200] may include one or more buttons to
control one or more user-controlled operations thereof. The vaporizer 12001
may further
include one or more indication lights for communicating information about the
various
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operations and current settings/parameters of the vaporizer [200]. In an
example, the indication
lights may be RGB based LEDs. In the illustrated example, the vaporizer [200]
is shown to
include two buttons; a power button [280] and a fire button 12821; and further
four indication
lights namely, a first indication light, a second indication light, a third
indication light and a
fourth indication light. In the vaporizer [200], each of the buttons may
generate specific signals
on pressing and are disposed in signal communication with the control unit
[220]; such that the
control unit [220], acting as the intermediator, may generate specific
instructions in response
to such signals for signaling the corresponding components to perform certain
functions.
Further, the control unit [220] may control the flashing of the indication
lights to convey
specific information to the user, as programmed. As illustrated, some of the
buttons and the
indication lights, specifically the power button [280], and the second
indication light and the
third indication light are directly embedded on the circuit board of the
control unit [220].
[0078] In one
exemplary configuration, the user may hold the power button [280] for 2
seconds, to turn the vaporizer [200] ON/OFF. In an example, the communication
unit [2241 of
the vaporizer [200] starts pairing with the user device [110] as soon as the
vaporizer [200] is
turned ON. Further, the second indication light may flash while pairing
between the
communication unit [224] and the user device [110] takes place, and then show
solid BLUE
color when the pairing process is completed. The power button [280] may
further be used for
checking various current settings of the vaporizer [200]. For example,
clicking the power
button [280] once may show the charge level of the power source [226] using
the second
indication light; two clicks may operate the third indication light to
indicate temperature
setting, and three clicks may restart the communication unit [224] to re-
establish a connection
with the user device [110] and may further flash all the lights once. The fire
button [282] may
be used for operating the coil [2581, in the vaporizer 112001. The user may
press the fire button
[282] and hold it down to heat up the coil [258] to the defined temperature
setting and continue
to hold it down while inhaling the concentrate to keep the vaporizer [200] at
the defined
temperature setting.
[0079] Further,
in one exemplary configuration, the first indication light may be indicative
of the power state of the vaporizer [200], i.e. the first indication light
being ON represents that
the vaporizer [200] is ON and vice-versa. Similarly, the second indication
light may be
indicative of the current charge level of the power source [226] of the
vaporizer [200]; such as
GREEN color indicates power level greater than 50%, YELLOW color indicates
power level
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equal to or less than 50%, RED color indicates power level equal to or less
than 15%, and
flashing RED color indicates power level less than 5% and that the vaporizer
[200] needs
immediate charging for continuous operation. The third indication light may be
indicative of
the temperature setting of the vaporizer [200], such that GREEN color may
represent high
temperature setting, BLUE color may represent medium temperature setting and
PURPLE
color may represent low temperature setting, of the vaporizer (2001. The
fourth indication light
indicates various states of the vaporizer [200] using different color schemes;
such as heating
up, reached defined temperature setting, level of the concentrate in the
cartridge [210], warning
if the user is pulling too hard, etc. It may be contemplated that control
schemes for the buttons
[280, 282] and color schemes for the indication lights as described herein are
not limiting to
the disclosure.
[0080] Further,
in an embodiment, the vaporizer [200] includes an anemometer to measure
flow rate of a volume of air passing therethrough. In an implementation, the
coil [258], as
already present in the vaporizer (2001, is used as the anemometer for airflow
measurement
purposes: and as such the terms "anemometer" and "heating element" have been
interchangeably used for the description. The anemometer may, generally, be
placed
somewhere inside the conduit [278J in direct exposure to the airflow therein.
In an example,
the anemometer works on the principle of a hot wire anemometer. In the present
implementation of the anemometer in the vaporizer [200], current and voltage
measurements
are taken directly from the heating element [258], while operating. Further,
some other
parameters of the coil [258] including operating temperature, material
composition, and
dimensionality are determined. These measurements are first used to compute
the resistance of
the coil [258] prior to any flow to establish a calibration offset or
"baseline." As air begins to
flow across the coil [2581, some of the heat is imparted into the air and thus
cools the coil [2581
slightly. As a material's resistance is proportional to its temperature, this
change in temperature
leads to a measurable deviation from the baseline resistance. And as the law
of Joule Heating
provides that the rate of cooling is proportional to the volume of air being
heated, it may be
extrapolated that this deviation may be proportional the rate of flow.
Therefore, it is possible
to determine flow rate of the volume of air flowing through the vaporizer
[200] simply by
algorithmically correlating current and voltage to resistance deviations as
the coil [258]
operates. The air flow, as calculated, may be used to estimate the quantity of
the concentrate
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consumed by the user in comparison to the quantity of the concentrate extruded
from the
cartridge [210].
[0081] In an
aspect, the mouthpiece 12761 is removable to slidably receive the cartridge
[210] within the housing [202]. The communication unit [224] may be configured
to transmit
the identification code to the user device [110], wherein the user device
[110] is configured to
display information associated with the concentrate based on the
identification code. The
control unit [220] may be configured to receive instructions from the user
device [110] via the
communication unit [224] to activate heating of the coil [258]. In an
exemplary scenario the
user device [110] may display a dosage information based on at least one of
the identification
code, user's identity, user's medical history, and previous dosage. In another
aspect a filter may
be present downstream of the conduit [278] for filtering the vaporized
concentrate.
[0082] The
vaporizer [200] is configured to provide an airtight seal upon loading for
efficiency, while also providing easier access by users to facilitate cleaning
of the device
before/after use to assure optimum performance.
[0083] Existing
vaporizers use either combustion or convection techniques to vaporize
concentrate oils. The concentrate oils' active compounds are delivered more
efficiently without
unhealthy levels of byproducts, such as tar (PAR) and carbon monoxide via
convection, and
as such, it is the vaporization method of choice. However, it is also more
difficult to achieve
and maintain a consistent temperature at/of the oil for efficient vaporization
using conventional
convection techniques. In addition, oil has a tendency to flash and wick when
exposed to heat
creating a loss of efficiency in current vaporizers. These systems also
exhibit overheating after
a few uses requiring safety circuitry to protect the user from being burned.
Available vaporizers
use various methods in an attempt to provide controlled convection heating to
concentrate oils,
including flowing hot air to oils contained in chambers with limited surface
area for flashing,
dispensing oils onto large dosing pads requiring excessive heat to vaporize,
and batch heating
more oil than is required for a dose contributing to inefficient delivery of
the vapor. The
vaporizer [200] employs a concentrate product oven that mitigates wicking,
provides integrated
components for increasing vaporization efficiency, and offers simple precision
elements for
micro-dosing control of vaporization product avoids the aforementioned
setbacks.
[0084] Existing
vaporizers exhibit a time lapse between when a user initiates the `fire"
button (i.e. vaporizer device power) and when the vaporizer device is ready
for the user to
inhale vapor of the heated concentrate oil. Currently available vaporizers
have a time lapse that
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can range from as much as 5 seconds to 90 seconds, depending on the device and
its heating
methodology. User convenience is compromised in that the time lapse requires
the user to
continually hold the "fire" button until the device signals that it is ready
for inhalation. In
addition, a user must continue to hold the "fire" button beyond the time lapse
period until the
desired inhalation/dose is completed. Such device operation leads to a
significant waste of
power and unnecessary heating of the vaporizer.
[0085]
Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a system 100 for managing concentrate
usage of a user is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
according to defined operational parameters, as described in the following
description.
[0086]
Continuing with the description of FIG. 1, in an example, the user device
[300] may
be a laptop, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA),
a tablet, a desktop
computer, and the like. The user device [110] is communicatively coupled with
the central
server [112] through a network. The network may be a wireless network, a wired
network, or
a combination thereof. The network may also be an individual network or a
collection of many
such individual networks interconnected with each other and functioning as a
single large
network, e.g., the intemet or an intranet. The network may be implemented as
one of the
different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide
area network
(WAN), the internet, and the like.
[0087] In an
example, the central server [112] may be a server, a desktop computer, a
notebook, a portable computer, a workstation, a mainframe computer, and a
laptop. In an
implementation, the central server 11121 may be a distributed or a centralized
network system
in which different computing devices may host one or more of the hardware or
software
components of the central server [112]. Further, in an example, the central
server [112] may be
configured as an open Application Programming Interface (API) to facilitate
communication
with other computer systems, such as a hospital electronic health records
(EHR) system. The
central server [112] includes a database [114] and user profile data [116].
The database [114]
includes a plurality of identification codes and corresponding concentrate
information. As
described earlier, each identification code from the plurality of
identification codes corresponds
to a concentrate and is thus, linked with concentrate information
corresponding to the
concentrate. In an example, a vendor implementing the central server [112]
maintains the
database [1141. For instance, the vendor may use a computing device, such as
the user device
[110], for generating an identification code for a concentrate. Subsequently,
the vendor may
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use the computing device to upload the identification code and concentrate
information
corresponding to the concentrate to the central server [116]. Further, as
described earlier, for
each cartridge [2101 filled with the concentrate, the identification code
corresponding to the
concentrate is stored on the memory module [216] of the cartridge [210]. As
explained in the
following description, assigning the identification code to the cartridge
[210] facilitates in
monitoring and managing concentrate usage of the user.
[0088] In an
example, a user may use the vaporizer [2001 for performing one or more
vaping sessions. Prior to using the vaporizer [200] for a vaping session, the
user may initially
register himself/herself with the vendor of the vaporizer [200]. For
registration, the user may
install an application associated with the vaporizing device 200 on the user
device [110]. The
application provides the user with a graphical user interface for accessing
services and
operations associated with the vaporizer [200]. For instance, the user may use
the application
for operating or altering one or more functions of the vaporizer [200]. In
another example, the
user may use the application for obtaining information about the concentrate
stored in the
cartridge [210]. Once the application is installed, the user device [110] is
configured to record
user information associated with the user. The user information may include,
without
limitation, a name, an age, a height, a weight, a sex, and a medical history
of the user.
[0089] In an
example, the user device [300] transmits the user information to the central
server [112] for registering the user. As may be understood, the user
information may be
transmitted over a communication link implementing predetermined security
protocols and
standards for ensuring safety of the user information. On receiving the user
information, the
central server [112] may be configured to generate a user profile for the user
based on the user
information. As may be understood, once the user profile is generated, the
user may not be
required to register for subsequent vaping sessions. In an example, the user
profile may be
updated to include additional information besides the user information. The
additional
information may include session logs associated with vaping sessions of the
user, information
about one or more concentrates used by the user, information about efficacy of
the concentrates
with respect to user's reason for using a concentrate in a vaping session, and
one or more
recommendation for the user. In an example, the additional information is
included in the user
profile based on session data related to the current vaping session and the
subsequent vaping
sessions, as will be explained in the following description. In an example,
the central server
[112] stores the user profile in the user profile data [116]. In an example,
the user profile data
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[116] may be stored in a single database (not shown). In another example, the
user profile data
[116] may be stored in distributed or unlinked databases (not shown)
communicatively coupled
to the central server 11121. In aforementioned examples, the single database
or the distributed
databases store(s) the user information in compliance with predefined security
protocols, such
as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
100901 As
mentioned above, in an example, the user may learn about the concentrate being
used in the cartridge [210]. In such cases, the control unit [220] is
configured to read the
identification code stored in the memoiy module [216]. On reading the
identification code, the
control unit [220] may trigger the communication unit [224] to transmit the
identification code
to the user device 11101. The communication unit [224] transmits the
identification code to the
user device [110] through the antenna therein. In an embodiment, the user
device [110] may
obtain the identification code from the user, in case of manual loading of the
concentrate. For
instance, the user may provide the identification code corresponding to the
concentrate through
a user input. In another example, the user may scan the identification code
using the user device
[110]. For instance, if the identification code is a bar code, the user may
switch on a camera
(not shown in the figure) of the user device [110] for capturing the bar code.
100911 In an
example, the user device [1101 is configured to transmit the identification
code
to the central server [112] for obtaining the concentrate information
corresponding to the
concentrate. On receiving the identification code, the central server [112] is
configured to
retrieve the concentrate information corresponding to the identification code
from the database
11141. The retrieved concentrate information is then transmitted by the
central server 11121 to
the user device [110] =for displaying the concentrate information to the user.
In an alternate
example, the communication unit [224], in the vaporizer [200], may be capable
of directly
transmitting the identification code to the central server 11121, e.g., using
a Wi-Fi module, a
cellular module or the like. Further, the vaporizer [200] include a screen
(not shown), like an
e-ink display, to display the concentrate information directly on to the
vaporizer [200].
[0092] The user
device [110], in an example, may receive and store the concentrate
information in an internal memory module (not shown) of the user device [110].
In an example,
on receiving a user input for displaying the concentrate information, the user
device [110] is
configured to display the concentrate information to the user through a
display screen (not
shown) of the user device [110]. In an example the displayed concentrate
information may
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include, a name of the concentrate, a quantity of concentrate left in the
cartridge [210], and a
chemical composition of the concentrate. Displaying of the concentrate
information to the user
enhances the user awareness with respect to the concentrate the user is using
for vaping
sessions. For instance, the user is made aware of the chemical composition of
the concentrate.
Accordingly, the user may choose to continue using the concentrate or may
prefer to change
the concentrate based on the chemical composition.
100931 In an
example, when a user of the vaporizer [200] seeks to perform a vaping session,
the user may provide at least one user input to the user device [110]. For
instance, the user may
provide a user input for selecting a reason for performing the vaping session.
In such a case,
the user device 11101 is configured to display to the user a list of reasons
for performing the
vaping session. The user may then select the reason from the list of reasons.
In another example,
the user may provide a user input defining the reason for performing the
vaping session.
Further, the user device [110] records the reason and may update the list of
reasons to include
the reason defined by the user. Additionally, the user may provide a user
input for determining
a quantity of the concentrate to be administered during the vaping session. In
addition to
determining the quantity of the concentrate to be administered, the user may
operate the
vaporizer [200] for extruding the determined quantity into the vaporization
chamber [256].
Further, the user may provide a user input for configuring a temperature
setting of the vaporizer
[200]. Thereafter, the user may provide a user input for triggering the vaping
session. On
receiving the user input, the user device [110] is configured to transmit at
least one instruction
to the vaporizer [200] for triggering the vaping session.
100941 On
receiving the at least one instruction, the vaporizer [200] may configure the
coil
[258] to the configured temperature for vaporizing the concentrate at that
temperature. In an
example, the concentrate information may also include a predetermined
temperature setting
depending on the type of the concentrate. Further, the control unit [220] may
be configured to
control the coil [258] based on the temperature setting in the concentrate
information. It may
be understood that the user may choose to override the predetermined
temperature setting to a
desired temperature setting for a particular vaping session, by providing a
user input via the
user device [110]. The control unit [220] may control the heat energy
generated by the coil
[258] based on instructions as per the user input. Once the concentrate is
vaporized, the user
may receive a notification indicating that the vaporizer [200] is ready for
use. In an example,
the notification is displayed through the first indication light on the
vaporizer [200]. In another
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example, the notification is provided through a message on the user device
[110]. In yet another
example, the notification is provided through both, the first indication light
and the message.
100951 In an
example, when the vaping session concludes, i.e., the user is no longer using
the vaporizer [200] for vaping for a predetermined time, the user device [110]
is configured to
generate session data corresponding to the vaping session. In an example, the
session data may
include a reason for performing the vaping session, the quantity of
concentrate administered to
the user, and the temperature setting at which the vaping session was
performed. The user
device [110] subsequently, transmits the session data to the central server
[112]. In an example,
the central server [112] receives the session data from the user device [110].
On receiving the
session data, the central server [112] is configured to update the user
profile [116].
100961 In an
implementation, the user device [110] is configured to generate a user survey
form related to the vaping session of the user. The user survey form, in an
example, may include
one or more questions related to the vaping session. For instance, the user
survey form may
include questions related to efficacy of the concentrate, temperature setting
of the vaporizer
[200], and other such questions. The user device [110] may then display the
user survey form
to the user. In another implementation, the central server [112] may be
configured to generate
the user survey form on receiving the session data and may transmit the user
survey form to
the user device [110] for displaying to the user. In an example, the user
survey form is displayed
to the user after a predetermined time interval, for instance, thirty minutes
after the vaping
session.
100971 In
another embodiment, the user device [110] may be configured to capture data
from a health/biometric data capture device (e.g., AliveCor's Kardia I Omron)
and the user
device [110] may transmit and/or exchange the health/biometric data with the
central server
[112] or vaporizer [102].
100981
Subsequently, the user device 11101 is configured to receive a user feedback
from
the user based on the user survey form. In an example, the user survey form
may include one
or more answers to the questions included in the user survey form. Once the
user feedback is
received, the user device 11101 transmits the user feedback to the central
server [112]. The
central server [112], in an example, may store the user feedback in the user
profile data [116]
and may associate the user feedback with the user profile of the user. In an
example, the central
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server [112] may update the user profile based on the user feedback. For
instance, the central
server [112] may update the additional information based on the user feedback.
[0099] In an
embodiment, the central server 1112] is configured to generate
recommendations for the user. For this purpose, the central server [112]
identifies a plurality
of users based on one or more user parameters associated with the user. The
user parameters
may include, without limitation, age, height and weight of the user. On
identifying the plurality
of users, the central server [112] is configured to retrieve user feedback
associated with the
plurality of users. Once the user feedback is retrieved, the central server
[112] is configured to
analyze the user feedback to generate a suggestion for the user. For instance,
the central server
[112] may identify other concentrates used by the plurality of users for a
vaping session similar
to the vaping session of the user. Amongst the identified other concentrates,
the central server
[112] may identify a concentrate in demand with other users based on the user
feedback. The
central server [112] may then generate the suggestion related to the
concentrate. Once the
central server [112] generates the recommendation, the central server [112]
transmits the
suggestion to the user device [110]. The user device [110] may then display
the suggestion to
the user. In an example, the central server [112] may further transmit the
generated suggestion
to a user device of a registered physician of the user.
[00100] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary cartridge [600] configured to store a
concentrate. In an
embodiment of the present disclosure, he cartridge [600] may comprise a nozzle
[601], at one
end, having configured thereon a smart chip [602]. smart chip [602] may have
an identification
code associated with the concentrate. In another embodiment, exemplary
cartridge [600] has
assembled thereon a tip seal [603] to prevent leakage of concentrate product
from the cartridge
vessel [605] during, for instance, handling and/or use during vaporization.
1001011 In an aspect, the tip seal [603] incorporates septum [604] that seals
against an insert
in the nozzle (not shown). The septum [604] may be an elastomer (TPE, silicone
rubber, etc.)
or other flexible, resilient material. In a further aspect, upon turning of
the dosing wheel [232],
the plunger-driver assembly [212] actuates the plunger [214] into the
cartridge vessel [605],
and thereby causes concentrate product to forcibly deform the septum 16041
away from the
nozzle insert [603], and thus allow the concentrate to extrude through the tip
seal [603] onto a
diffuser.
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[00102] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, at another end of
cartridge [600]
there is provided a dosing mechanism [620]. The dosing mechanism [620] may be
adjacent to
a mouthpiece, and comprises a plunger [6211, plunger driver [623], and a
cartridge lock [625].
A dosing wheel [232] may actuate the dosing mechanism [620], wherein the
dosing wheel
[232] is rotatably engaged to the plunger driver [623]. Upon rotation of the
dosing wheel [232],
the plunger driver [623] may drive the plunger [621] within the cartridge
vessel 16051 to release
a predefined quantity of the concentrate. The dosing wheel is configured to be
turned by a user
[111] unidirectionally (i.e., in only one direction) by use of a pawl [904].
The pawl [904]
prevent the user [111] from unwinding the cartridge and thus retracting the
plunger from the
canridge vessel.
[00103] In an aspect, to insure proper dispensing of concentrate product,
exemplary pawls
[904] constructed on a cartridge lock [625] rotatably communicate with slots
on the plunger
[621] to restrict bi-directional turning of the plunger/plunger driver [621,
623] even when the
cartridge [600] is removed from the vaporizer [200]. Furthermore, the pawls
[904] are
concealed by the plunger driver [623] upon assembly, thus mitigating the
ability of a user to
disassemble the cartridge [600].
[00104] In a further aspect of the present disclosure, the plunger and plunger-
driver [621,
623] are fixedly attached to assure predetermined advancement of the plunger
into the cartridge
vessel [605] when the plunger-driver [623] is rotated by the dosing wheel
[232].
[00105] FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of a cartridge [700]
configured for
dispensing generally non-liquid concentrate (e.g., powder, leaf, flower, wax,
etc). The
exemplary cartridge [700] provides similar operation as to that of cartridge
[600]. Cartridge
[700] dispenses generally non-liquid concentrate (e.g., powder,.) by
utilization of an auger
[703]. Cartridge [700], comprising driver [701], nozzle [710], and smart chip
[712], etc. is
communicatively operable within system11001 so as to provide dose control and
dose integrity
data within the network.
[00106] FIG. 8A depicts an exemplary nozzle [800], according to an embodiment
of the
present disclosure. In an aspect of the present disclosure, the nozzle [800]
is made of high
temperature polymer material, such as stainless steel, polysulfone, high-
temperature liquid
crystal polymers (e.g., V ectram4 or PEEK), or other material that is designed
to operate under
continuous exposure to vaporizing temperatures (generally <550F). In an
embodiment of the
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present disclosure, vaporizing temperatures are controlled so as not to avoid
the combustion
temperature and/or denaturing of concentrate products. In an embodiment of the
present
disclosure, the nozzle has circumferential groove 18021 to mate with an
exemplary feature
constructed on an oven seal seat to provide airtight seal and, as such,
eliminate inflow of air
into the oven during negative pressure inhalation by a user. In an aspect, the
nozzle [800] is
constructed with a stepped and flared feature [802] at the nozzle exit to
mitigate wicking of
oil-based concentrate product up the nozzle.
1001071 In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the nozzle is
constructed with a
septum [804] or other similar construction to control the flow of concentrate
product from the
cartridge. The exemplary nozzle [800] is configured on a cartridge [600, 70011
and cooperates
thereon the cartridge [600,700] to provide dose control and dose integrity,
respectively. As
shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C, the exemplary nozzle [800] includes a tip seal
comprised of a
nozzle insert [803] and septum [804]. The exemplary septum [804], in a closed
position, seals
against an insert in the nozzle. Upon turning of the dosing wheel [232], the
plunger driver
[623] actuates the plunger [621] into the cartridge vessel [605], and thereby
causes concentrate
product to deform the elastomer septum away from the insert, thus allowing the
concentrate to
extrude through the tip seal 118031 onto a diffuser.
[00108] As shown in FIGS. 9, 10B and 13, the dose integrity mechanism [900],
according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, includes an anti-unwind feature
using a pawls
[904] situated in cartridge dosing mechanism assembly [620]. Pawls [904] mate
with
longitudinal slots 119061 in plunger driver [623] and restrict rotational
movement of plunger
driver [623] in the reverse direction, thereby prohibiting a user from
inadvertently unwinding
the plunger driver [623]. Exemplary pawls [904] provide additional assurance
against
confounding of the number of doses delivered via cartridge [600]. In an
embodiment, pawl
[904] may not be disassembled by a user without disabling the cartridge [600]
as pawl [904] is
recessed within plunger driver [623] (not shown). In addition, pawl [904]
provides anti-back
wind of the dosing wheel [232] to mitigate against confounding the dose
tracking and
management aspects of vaporizer (2001.
[00109] In an example, plunger driver [623] advances down the threaded body of
cartridge
lock [625] and applies downward pressure on the plunger [621]. Downward
movement of
plunger [621] causes concentrate product to extrude out of the nozzle [800].
By way of turning
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the dosing wheel [232], pawls [904] are spring-tensioned against the cartridge
lock [906] and
exhibit a "click" sound as pawl [904] comes to rest in slot [906]. The "click"
sound provides
audible feedback to a user that a desired amount/dose of concentrate product
(e.g., 2.5mg) has
been delivered for vaporization.
[00110] FIG. 11 illustrates an oven system [1100] in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present disclosure. The oven system [1100] includes a coil [258] (not shown)
located inside a
thermally resistant tube [1102], which focuses airflow [1104] on the heating
coil [258] for
efficient heat transfer from the coil [258] into the negative pressure airflow
[1104]. Tube
[1102] may be constructed of a ceramic or other material that provides thermal
resistance. In
an embodiment, ambient air intake [1106] is directed around the outside of
tube 111021 into
negative pressure airflow [1104] to facilitate enhanced heat transfer from the
heating tube
[1102].
1001111 To improve heating efficiency, the ambient air intake [1106] is
directed around the
outside of the oven tube to facilitate further heat transfer emanating from
the heating tube
[1108] and redirecting back into the negative pressure airflow [1104].
[00112] The oven system includes a dose diffuser [1200], as shown in FIGS. 12A-
12C. The
exemplary diffuser [1200] is a two-part component designed to efficiently
vaporize concentrate
product. The external portion of the diffuser 112001 is made of a thermally
resistant ceramic
material though other thermally resistant materials may be used. The internal
portion of diffuser
[1200] is filled with a low density, porous stainless steel matrix or screen
[1210]. As an
example, the porous stainless steel matrix may be constructed with
approximately 60 pores per
inch; however, other mesh sizes may be utilized in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[00113] Porous material 112101 provides a much higher surface/density ratio
compared to
wire mesh, for greatly improved vaporization efficiency (i.e., more surface
area for concentrate
to spread, and less substrate to heat). Porous material [1210] also minimizes
air resistance
compared to wire mesh.
[00114] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the exemplaiy dose diffuser
[1210] is
configured with three ports. The first port [1211] is directly aligned with
the exit port of the
heater chamber to allow heat to be drawn up into the porous matrix [1210]
during the user's
inhalation. The second port 112131 is located proximally opposite the first
port [1211] on the
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top of the diffuser [1200]. Second port [1211] provides means for the nozzle
[800] to extend
into the interior of the diffuser [1200].
[00115] In an embodiment, oven seal [1202] provides an air tight seal between
the nozzle
[800] and second port [1213]. Seal seat [1202] cooperates with nozzle [800] to
eliminate inflow
of air into the oven [1100] during negative pressure inhalation by a user. A
third port [1215] is
directly aligned with conduit [278] (i.e., the vaporized concentrate air path)
and provides an air
tight seal between the third port [1215] and conduit [278].
[00116] By reference to FIG. 13, during operation of the vaporizer of the
present disclosure,
when the oven cover 12661 is closed, the user extrudes concentrate product by
indexing the
dose wheel [232]. The concentrate is subsequently deposited into the porous
matrix [1210].
When the user fires the device and subsequently inhales air through the
system, heated air "H"
is drawn through the oven [1100], through the internal porous matrix [1210],
up the conduit
[278] and exits via the mouthpiece [276] into the user [111].
[00117] In an exemplary aspect, heated air "H" is drawn through the internal
porous matrix
thereby heating the porous matrix and the deposited concentrate "C". The
concentrate is then
flashed through the porous matrix 1121011 in the direction of airflow `1/". As
an example,
concentrate oil in the porous matrix [1210] continues to thin and transition
to vapor as the vapor
transition temperature of the concentrate oil is exceeded. The thermally
resistive properties of
the vaporizer housing [202] efficiently contains the heat within the porous
matrix. The
exemplary device [200], as such, provides the ability for micro-dosing of the
concentrate oil.
[00118] in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the vaporizer
[200] and
cartridge system, for example 116001 may only provide heated air to vaporize
the concentrate
when a user applies negative pressure (i.e., inhales) at the mouthpiece. A
heating coil [258] is
activated when negative air pressure is sensed in the system by using, for
example, an inline
pressure sensor, a fan/IR reflector sensor, or by monitoring a change in power
draw to maintain
a set temperature at the coil.
[00119] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in
FIG. 13,
the vaporizer device allows a user the ability to deliberately select a
desired dose (e.g. micro-
dosing) via iterative indexing of the dose wheel [1100]. Each index is
captured via pairing an
IR emitter/detector arrangement with slots in the dose wheel (i.e., encoder
wheel
configuration). In one aspect, the vaporizer device notifies a user that they
have completed the
inhalation of the desired/administered dose. In accordance with this aspect,
the device provides
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a hardware/software feedback loop whereby 1) the user presses and holds the
"fire" button,
wherein the device draws current from the battery through the heating coil in
order to heat the
coil to a set temperature, 2) once the set temperature is established and
maintained by the PID
control system (Note: the change in current draw is small and predictable) the
user inhales air
through the vaporizer, 3) the incoming air flow cools the heating coil,
requiring the device to
quickly respond with a ramp up of current in order to maintain the set
temperature, and 4) the
change in amperage can be detected and thus is used to accurately identify
when the user is
inhaling from the device.
[00120] An IR emitter and detector set are paired on opposite sides of conduit
[278] to detect
the presence of vapor in the conduit [278]. In an exemplary embodiment,
conduit 12781 may
be a transparent borosilicate glass air path. When vapor is present in conduit
[278], it scatters
the IR light and results in less being collected by the detector. Therefore,
when the user presses
and holds the "fire" button and inhales air through the system, the device
monitors the presence
of vapor traveling up the air path, and it notifies the mobile app that vapor
is being inhaled.
When no vapor is detected after a set time period while the user is inhaling,
the device informs
the mobile app via the BLE communication that the dose has been fully inhaled.
This completes
the feedback loop of knowing how much concentrate product is prepared for
delivery (via dose
wheel indexing), and when all of the concentrate product has been inhaled.
[00121] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
vaporizer
device provides for the retention of the identification code can be achieved
by the installation
of a smart chip onto the Cartridge that is programmed at time of Cartridge
filling. The code
can subsequently be used by the App to access unique information corresponding
to the
identification code, such as product name, distillate fill batch information,
laboratory results,
product temperature limits, etc. A smart chip, such as an EEPROM is
programmable, therefore,
the chip can be programmed with information by the device as well during use,
such as doses
left in the Cartridge. This is helpful not only to the user, but also for
protecting against misuse
by allowing the device to disable a cartridge should it attempted to be used
beyond its
programmed volume life.
[00122] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the
vaporizer [200], a
removable mouthpiece with integrated diffuser tool is provided, wherein the
mouthpiece [276]:
a) provides cartridge loading access,
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b) is removable and replaceable,
c) provides an air tight seal at top of conduit,
d) mates with push button latch on case body to provide intuitive locking and
unlocking of mouthpiece to case body,
e) provides a preload of concentrate product,
0 serves as a tool to remove the dose diffuser.
1001231 FIG. 14 illustrates a method [1400] for administering the concentrate
to the user
using the vaporizer [200]. The vaporizer [200] may be configured to monitor
and control
various aspects of the concentrate usage of the user. The order in which the
method [1400] is
described is not intended as a limitation, and any number of the described
method blocks may
be combined in any order to implement the method, or an alternative method.
Additionally,
individual blocks may be deleted from the method without departing from the
spirit and scope
of the present disclosure.
1001241 At step [1402], a control unit of a vaporizer reads an identification
code associated
with a concentrate. At step 114041, a communication unit of the vaporizer may
transmit the
identification code to a user device. At step [1406], a central server may
receive the
identification code from the user device, wherein the central server comprises
a database
storing a plurality of identification codes against a plurality of concentrate
information. At step
[1308], concentrate information corresponding the received identification code
is retrieved
from the database. At step [1410], the retrieved concentrate information is
transmitted to the
user device for displaying to a user.
1001251 In this specification and the claims that follow, reference will be
made to a number
of terms that have the following meanings. The terms "a" (or "an") and "the"
refer to one or
more of that entity, thereby including plural referents unless the context
clearly dictates
otherwise. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more" and "at least one"
can be used
interchangeably herein. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment", "some
embodiments",
"an embodiment" and the like are not intended to be interpreted as excluding
the existence of
additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
Approximating language, as
used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify
any quantitative
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representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in
the basic function
to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as
"about" is not to be
limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating
language may
correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Terms
such as "first,"
"second," "upper," "lower" etc. are used to identify one element from another,
and unless
otherwise specified are not meant to refer to a particular order or number of
elements.
[00126] As used herein, the terms "may" and "may be" indicate a possibility of
an
occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified
property, characteristic or
function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability,
capability, or
possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of "may"
and "may be"
indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable
for an indicated
capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some
circumstances the modified
term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in
some
circumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in other
circumstances the event or
capacity cannot occur - this distinction is captured by the terms "may" and
"may be."
[00127] As used in the claims, the word "comprises" and its grammatical
variants logically
also subtend and include phrases of varying and differing extent such as for
example, but not
limited thereto, "consisting essentially of' and "consisting of " Where
necessary, ranges have
been supplied, and those ranges are inclusive of all sub-ranges therebetween.
It is to be
expected that variations in these ranges will suggest themselves to a
practitioner having
ordinary skill in the art and, where not already dedicated to the public, the
appended claims
should cover those variations.
[001281 The terms "determine", "calculate" and "compute," and variations
thereof, as used
herein, are used interchangeably and include any type of methodology, process,
mathematical
operation or technique.
[00129] The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented
for purposes
of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the
present disclosure to
the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for
example, various
features of the present disclosure are grouped together in one or more
embodiments,
configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The
features of the
embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the present disclosure may be
combined in alternate
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embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This
method of
disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the
present disclosure requires
more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the
following claims reflect,
the claimed features lie in less than all features of a single foregoing
disclosed embodiment,
configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated
into this Detailed
Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of
the present
disclosure.
Advances in science and technology may make equivalents and substitutions
possible that are
not now contemplated by reason of the imprecision of language; these
variations should be
covered by the appended claims. This written description uses examples to
disclose the method,
machine and computer-readable medium, including the best mode, and also to
enable any
person of ordinary skill in the art to practice these, including making and
using any devices or
systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope thereof
is defined by
the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary
skill in the art. Such
other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have
structural elements
that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the
claims.
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List of Elements
TITLE: IMPROVED VAPORIZER, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR MANAGING
CONCENTRATE USAGE
100 system
102 vaporizer
104 cartridge
106 control unit
108 communication unit
110 user device
1 1 1 user
112 central server
114 database
116 user profile data
117 user(s)
200 vaporizer
202 housing
204 first half'
206 second half
208 groove
210 cartridge
211 storage vessel
212 plunger driver
213 pawl
214 plunger
216 memory module
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218 nozzle
220 control unit
224 communication unit
226 power source
232 dosing wheel
249 cut-out
250 oven
252 oven casing
256 vaporization chamber
258 coil
260 dose diffuser
266 oven cover
272 vent
276 mouthpiece
278 conduit
280 power button
282 fire button
600 cartridge
601 nozzle
602 smart chip
603 nozzle insert
605 cartridge body, storage vessel
610 tip seal assembly
615 nozzle cap
620 dosing mechanism assembly
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621 plunger
623 plunger driver
625 cartridge lock
700 cartridge, non-liquid
701 driver
703 auger
706 nut
707 cartridge body
710 nozzle
712 smart chip
800 nozzle
802 groove
803 tip seal
804 septum
805 nozzle insert
807 nozzle port
809 cartridge body
900 dose integrity mechanism
902 plunger
904 pawls
906 cartridge lock
910 plunger driver
1000 plunger driver
1100 oven system
1200 diffuser
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1210 porous matrix
1400 method
1402 step
1404 step
1406 step
1408 step
1410 step
