Method and system for vaporization of a substance

• US 20070283972A1
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JT International SA (Japan Tobacco Inc.)
• Original Assignee: JT International SA (Japan Tobacco Inc.)
• Inventors: Monsees, James, Bowen, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 9,675,109 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 131/273
• CPC Class Codes: A24D 1/14 Tobacco cartridges for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 13/04 with arrangements for cleaning or cooling the smoke
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/20 Devices using solid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/40 Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/42 Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/48 Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/60 Devices with integrated user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/10 Devices with chemical heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/60 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 7/00 Mouthpieces for pipes; Mouthpieces for cigar or cigarette holders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/048 with a flame, e.g. using a burner
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F23Q 2/32 Lighters characterised by being combined with other objects combinations with smokers' equipment A24F
• CPC Class Codes: F23Q 3/002 using piezoelectric elements

Abstract

A smoking device for generating and releasing smoking vapor free from contamination into the mouth of a user comprising a mouthpiece for providing vapor for inhalation to a user including a tubular casing containing a heater for heating a smoking substance at a substantially constant low temperature by regulating the flow of fuel by a thermal regulator and further having means for visual indication of the operation of the device.

Claims

1. A portable hand-held low-temperature vaporization smoking device, comprising:

an elongated tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a mouthpiece and the distal end is adapted for attachment to a tubular casing, the tubular body further comprises an air inlet for entry of fresh air and an inhalation passage which is in communication with the proximal end and the distal end for releasing vapor into the mouth of a user;

the tubular casing removeably secured to the mouthpiece at the distal end thereby forming an airtight connection;

a heater formed of a thermally conductive shell disposed in the tubular casing and comprises a vapor chamber and a heating chamber;

the vapor chamber having a cavity for holding vapor and a cartridge therein;

the heating chamber having a cavity for holding a catalyst therein; and

a seal disposed between the vapor chamber and the heating chamber for preventing contamination of exhaust gases produced by heating chamber from entering said vapor chamber.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein thermally conductive shell of the heater comprises of one or a combination of material formed together by pressing or welding to provide an efficient conductive property.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the catalyst formed of a material comprising a platinum- or palladium-coated substrate.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cavity of the vapor chamber having a surface contact area adapted for enclosing a smoking cartridge therein, whereby heat from the heating chamber is transferred to a smoking cartridge by conduction, convection, and radiation.

5. A portable hand-held tubular casing device adapted for attachment to a mouthpiece for providing vapor for smoking to a user, comprising:

a fuel tank containing liquid fuel;

a master valve for controlling flow of liquid fuel;

a carburetor having a slot for entry of ambient air and providing a venturi effect to ambient air on entry;

a heater having a vapor chamber and a heating chamber;

an ignitor; and

a thermal regulator;

Whereby in order to activate said device, the master valve is actuated which allows the fuel to flow into the carburetor and mixes with ambient air drawn through the slot which is ignited by the ignitor disposed within the heating chamber and heat generated therein is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation into the vapor chamber containing a smoking cartridge for vaporization.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the liquid fuel is butane.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the ignitor is a piezoelectric ignitor having an ignition lead disposed in the heating chamber.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the thermal regulator comprises a temperature-dependent mechanical actuator and a mechanically-actuated fuel valve for maintaining a low operating temperature for vaporization;

Whereby in order to maintain a low operating temperature, the actuator and the fuel valve of the thermal regulator are arranged and sized such that when the actuator heats up, it adjusts the fuel valve and thereby restricts the flow of the fuel.

9. The thermal regulator of claim 8, wherein the actuator is a bimetallic element.

10. The actuator of claim 9, wherein the bimetallic element is a strip of rectangular cross-section, which is further fabricated in a curve so as to maintain substantial thermal contact with the heater at room temperature.

11. The thermal regulator of claim 8, wherein the fuel valve is a flexible silicone tube;

Whereby in order to maintain a low operating temperature, the actuator and the silicone tube are arranged such that when the actuator heats up, it pinches the silicone tube and thereby restricts the flow of fuel.

12. The regulator of claim 8, wherein the actuator is a nickel-nitanium (Nitinol) element.

13. The regulator of claim 8, wherein the actuator is a paraffin wax-filled element.

14. The thermal regulator of claim 8, wherein the operating temperature for vaporization is maintained below 400 degrees F. or preferably below 350 degrees F.

15. The operating temperature of claim 7, wherein a range of variation of the operating temperature is about less than +/−

20 degrees F., preferably less than +/−

10 degrees F.

16. The device of claim 5, wherein the heating chamber includes a catalyst formed of a material comprising a platinum- or palladium-coated substrate.

17. The catalyst of claim 16, wherein a surface of the catalyst glows red to indicate that the device is activated and ready to use.

18. The catalyst of claim 17 further includes exhaust vents for venting exhaust gases.

19. The device of claim 5, wherein the heater includes a cut out see-thru window for visual indication of the operation of the device.

20. The device of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the fuel tank is constructed of translucent material, to provide visual indication of the amount of fuel remaining.

21. A portable hand-held smoking device comprising:

a vapor chamber having a cavity disposed therein; and

a smoking cartridge having a shape conforming to the cavity of the vapor chamber.

22. The smoking cartridge of claim 21, wherein a wrapper enclosing the smoking cartridge on all sides and bottom leaving the top exposed for exiting vapor.

23. The smoking cartridge of claim 22, wherein the top of the cartridge is formed of vapor permeable material.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the smoking cartridge having perforations at top for emitting vapor.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the smoking cartridge having aeration wells at the top for emitting vapor.

26. The smoking cartridge of claim 22, wherein the wrapper is impermeable and covers the sides and the bottom leaving the top open for protecting the cavity surface of the vapor chamber.

27. The smoking cartridge of claim 22, wherein the cartridge comprise of two layers, a moist layer at the top and a dry layer at the bottom for preventing any liquid from bubbling up and out of the cartridge during heating.

28. The device of claim 21, wherein the smoking cartridge containing glycerine as a vapor-forming medium.

29. Method steps of vaporization of smoking substance at substantially low constant temperature associated with the tobacco, comprises:

loading a shaped smoking cartridge into the vapor chamber having a conforming surface for providing heat to the shaped smoking cartridge by conduction;

heating the cartridge for producing vapor; and

regulating the flow of fuel for substantially maintaining a constant temperature;

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the operating temperature for vaporization is maintained substantially constant below 400 degrees F. or preferably below 350 degrees F.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein a range of variation of the operating temperature is about less than +/−

5 degrees F.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein a thermal regulator is designed to maintain a substantially constant low temperature of heating for vaporization by restricting the flow of fuel for ignition and generating heat from combustion.