VAPORIZER FOR VAPORIZING AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT

• US 20160271347A1
• Filed: 03/19/2015
• Published: 09/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Yossef Raichman
• Inventors: RAICHMAN, Yossef
• Granted Patent: US 10,179,215 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/05 Devices without heating means
• 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 40/46 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 40/57 Temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/185 Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/007 Pulmonary tract; Aromatherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/044 with electrodes immersed in the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/003 using capsules, e.g. to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0063 Storages for pre-packed dosages
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3313 used specific wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3317 : Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 : by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 : battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 : variable in time
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1927 : using a plurality of sensors G05D23/1902, G05D23/1917, and G05D23/1919 take precedence

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.

Claims

1. A method for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material, the method comprising:

receiving a first input at the vaporizer;

in response to receiving the first input, heating of the plant material, in a first heating step;

detecting an indication of a temperature of the plant material;

in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, terminating the first heating step, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material, the first temperature being less than 95 percent of a vaporization temperature of the active ingredient;

subsequently, receiving a second input at the vaporizer; and

in response to receiving the second input, heating the plant material to the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient, in a second heating step.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting the indication of the temperature of the plant material comprises detecting the indication of the temperature of the plant material using an optical temperature sensor.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating an indication that the first heating step has terminated.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein terminating the first heating step, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material comprises preventing pyrolysis of the active ingredient.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, subsequent to the second heating step, in response to detecting that no air has been inhaled from the vaporizer for a given time period, reducing a temperature of the plant material to below the vaporization temperature of the plant material.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting a rate of air flow through the vaporizer by detecting an indication of an amount of energy required to maintain the temperature of the plant material constant.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein heating the plant material in the first heating step comprises heating the plant material at a first heating rate, wherein heating the plant material in the second heating step comprises heating the plant material at a second heating rate, and wherein the first heating rate is greater than the second heating rate.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the second input comprises detecting that a user is inhaling from the vaporizer.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein detecting that the user is inhaling from the vaporizer comprises detecting the indication of the temperature of the plant material.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein detecting that the user is inhaling from the vaporizer comprises detecting an indication of an amount of energy required to maintain the temperature of the plant material constant.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant material includes cannabis and wherein terminating the first heating step comprises withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material has reached a temperature that is less than 170 degrees Celsius.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein terminating the first heating step comprises withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material has reached a temperature that is less than 160 degrees Celsius.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting the indication of the temperature of the plant material comprises detecting a temperature of a capsule in which the plant material is housed.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the capsule includes a metallic mesh, and wherein detecting the temperature of the capsule comprises detecting electrical resistance of the mesh.

8-13. -13. (canceled)

21. Apparatus for use with a plant material that includes at least one active ingredient, the apparatus comprising:

a vaporizer configured to vaporize the active ingredient of the plant material, the vaporizer comprising;

a heating element configured to heat the plant material;

a temperature sensor configured to detect an indication of a temperature of the plant material; and

control circuitry configured to;

receive a first input;

in response to receiving the first input, drive the heating element to heat the plant material at a first heating rate, in a first heating step;

in response to receiving, from the temperature sensor, an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, terminate the first heating step, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material by the heating element, the first temperature being less than 95 percent of a vaporization temperature of the active ingredient;

subsequently, receive a second input at the vaporizer; and

in response to receiving the second input, drive the heating element to heat the plant material to the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient at a second heating rate that is less than the first heating rate, in a second heating step.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is configured to be removed from the vaporizer and to be coupled to a second vaporizer.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the temperature sensor comprises an optical temperature sensor.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is configured to generate an indication that the first heating step has terminated.

25. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control circuitry by terminating the first heating step, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material, is configured to prevent pyrolysis of the active ingredient.

26. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is configured, subsequent to the second heating step, in response to receiving an indication that no air has been inhaled from the vaporizer for a given time period, to reduce a temperature of the plant material to below the vaporization temperature of the plant material.

27. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is configured to detect a rate of air flow through the vaporizer by receiving an indication of an amount of energy required to maintain the temperature of the plant material constant.

34. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive the second input by detecting that a user is inhaling from the vaporizer.

37. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the plant material includes cannabis and wherein the control circuitry is configured to terminate the first heating step by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material in response to receiving an indication that the temperature of the plant material has reached a temperature that is less than 170 degrees Celsius.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the control circuitry is configured to terminate the first heating step by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material in response to receiving an indication that the temperature of the plant material has reached a temperature that is less than 160 degrees Celsius.

39. The apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a capsule configured to house the plant material, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect the indication of the temperature of the plant material by detecting a temperature of the capsule in which the plant material is housed.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the capsule comprises a metallic mesh, and wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect the indication of the temperature of the plant material by detecting electrical resistance of the mesh.

41. The apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising a phase-change material that is coupled to the capsule, the phase-change material being configured to undergo a phase change at a temperature that is below a pyrolysis temperature of the plant material.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the capsule comprises at least one hollow wire, and the phase-change material is housed inside the hollow wire.

28-33. -33. (canceled)

35-36. -36. (canceled)

43. Apparatus comprising:

a vaporizer shaped to define at least first and second receptacles, the vaporizer comprising;

a plurality of capsules, each of the capsules comprising a plant material that contains an active ingredient, the first and second receptacles each being shaped to house the plurality of capsules in stacked configurations;

a heating element configured, while each of the capsules is disposed at a vaporization location within the vaporizer, to cause the active ingredient of the plant material within the capsule to become at least partially vaporized by individually heating the capsule; and

a capsule-transfer mechanism configured to individually transfer each of the capsules from the first receptacle to the vaporization location and from the vaporization location to the second receptacle.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the capsule-transfer mechanism comprises a rotating capsule-transfer mechanism, configured to transfer the capsules by rotating.

45. The apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the first and second receptacles and the vaporization location are linearly aligned with each other, and wherein the capsule-transfer mechanism comprises a linear capsule-transfer mechanism, configured to move each of the capsules by moving linearly.

46-70. -70. (canceled)