Low temperature electronic vaporization device and methods

• US 9,408,416 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2012
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc. (PAX Labs, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PAX Labs, Inc.
• Inventors: Bowen, Adam, Hunter, Krista, Monsees, James, Myall, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, TU A
• Application Number:
  US13/587,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20130042865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.11, 128/200.12, 128/200.14, 128/200.16, 128/200.21, 128/203.12, 128/203.14, 128/203.15, 128/203.16, 128/203.17, 128/203.22, 128/203.23, 128/203.24, 128/203.26, 128/203.27, 128/202.21, 128/204.13, 128/204.14, 131/270, 131/273, 131/194, 392/390
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 1/32 Selection of materials for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 13/04 with arrangements for cleaning or cooling the smoke
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/42 Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/46 Shape or structure of electric heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/51 Arrangement of sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/53 Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/60 Devices with integrated user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/90 Arrangements or methods specially adapted for charging batteries thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 7/02 with detachable connecting members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/00 Sprayers or atomisers specially adapted for therapeutic purposes in general B05B; aerosol containers B65D83/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/007 Syringe-type or piston-type sprayers or atomisers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• 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 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0023 retractable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0025 with caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0026 Hinged caps
• 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 2016/0024 : with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 : Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 : Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 : by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 : by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8237 : Charging means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/084 : Supporting bases, stands for equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B01B 1/005 : Evaporation for physical or chemical purposes; Evaporation apparatus therefor, e.g. evaporation of liquids for gas phase reactions
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 : Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0004 : Personal or domestic articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/36 : with provision for obtaining particular characteristics, e.g. proportional, integral, differential
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 : using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 : using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 : using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0244 : Heating of fluids H05B1/0247 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/021 : Heaters specially adapted for heating liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/146 : Conductive polymers, e.g. polyethylene, thermoplastics
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/34 : flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs

Abstract

Low temperature electronic vaporization devices and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein the devices generate an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract.

Claims

1. A device for generating an inhalable aerosol comprising:

a body;

a vaporization chamber inside the body; and

a tilting lid configured to cover the vaporization chamber, the tilting lid comprising a first axis defining a length of the tilting lid and a second axis defining a width of the tilting lid, wherein the length of the tilting lid is longer than the width of the tilting lid, a top surface having a first end and a second end along the length of the tilting lid, wherein the second end is opposite to the first end, an underside that is chamfered so that pushing down on the first end of the tilting lid towards the body causes the second end of the tilting lid to pivot up and away from the body, and a magnetic attachment comprising a first pair of magnets embedded on either side of the tilting lid along the second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis at a middle region of the tilting lid between the first and second end; and

a pair of mating magnets embedded in the body of the device opposite from the first pair of magnets

wherein the lid is removable once the lid is pivoted up, further wherein the interior of the vaporization chamber is exposed when the lid is pivoted up or removed.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a magnetic force is overcome to remove the lid from the body.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein removal of the lid from the body allows access to the vaporization chamber.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic attachment maintains the lid in the closed position and prevents accidental opening of the lid.

5. The device of claim, 1, wherein the lid is recessed into the body.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a vaporizable material placed directly in the vaporization chamber.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the vaporizable material comprises loose leaf tobacco, a loose leaf plant material, or a botanical.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a pharmaceutical compound or a nutraceutical compound or a pharmaceutical material or a nutraceutical material that can be vaporized at an operating temperature of the device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a mouthpiece and a sensor configured to turn the device on based on the sensor'"'"'s detection of the mouthpiece in an extended position, wherein the device generates the inhalable aerosol when the device is on.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the device comprises a push-push mechanism configured to toggle the device between the extended position and a retracted position.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the sensor is configured to turn the device off based on the sensor'"'"'s detection of the mouthpiece in the retracted position.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the device comprises a magnet in the mouthpiece and the sensor comprises a reed switch or a hall effect sensor.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the sensor is configured to detect when the mouthpiece is in a retracted position.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the mouthpiece in a retracted position is fully within the body.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the mouthpiece in a retracted position is substantially within the body such that a portion of the mouthpiece extends beyond an end of the body.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the mouthpiece is integrated into the device.

17. The device of claim 1 comprising:

an oven comprising an oven chamber; and

a heater circuit attached to the oven, wherein the heater circuit heats as current is passed therethrough thereby conductively heating the oven and a vaporizable material in the oven to generate the inhalable aerosol.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the heater circuit comprises a polyimide thin film.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the heater circuit is soldered to a printed circuit board.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the heater circuit comprises an etched copper-clad polyimide film, a constantan-clad polyimide film, an electrically insulated die-cut constantan sheet, an electrically insulated die-cut copper sheet, an electrically insulated stamped constantan sheet, or an electrically insulated stamped copper sheet.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the heater circuit comprises polyimide to electrically insulate the heater circuit from adjacent conductive elements in the device.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the oven comprises a stainless steel tube and a high temperature capable plastic.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the stainless steel tube and a temperature capable plastic form a dust seal that prevents one or more of;

dust from an internal insulation material from escaping the device and entering the oven chamber, and dust from entering an internal chamber of the device.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the high temperature capable plastic comprises a thermoplastic selected from a group consisting of:

polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimide, and liquid crystal polymer.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the oven comprises an o-ring between the plastic and the stainless steel tube.

26. The device of claim 17, wherein the heater circuit is dimensioned to contour an outer surface of the oven such that heat conductively transfers from the heater circuit to the outer surface of the oven thereby heating the vaporizable material contained inside the oven chamber.

27. The device of claim 17, comprising an internal insulation and a dust seal to prevent dust from the internal insulation from entering the oven chamber.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the dust seal prevents environmental dust from entering an internal chamber of the device.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the insulation is aerogel insulation.