# US 2009/0260641 A1 · Method and system for vaporization of a substance

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- Number: US 2009/0260641 A1
- Document ID: US20090260641A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/482,376
- Filed: 2009-06-10
- Published: 2009-10-22
- Earliest claimed: 2005-07-19
- Assignees: Ploom, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
- Inventors: James Monsees; Adam Bowen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260641A1

## CPC

- A24F 13/04: with arrangements for cleaning or cooling the smoke
- A24D 1/14: Tobacco cartridges for pipes
- A24F 7/00: Mouthpieces for pipes; Mouthpieces for cigar or cigarette holders
- A24F 40/40: Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
- A24F 40/42: Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
- A24F 40/48: Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
- A24F 40/60: Devices with integrated user interfaces
- A24F 42/10: Devices with chemical heating means
- A24F 42/60: Constructional details
- A61M 11/042: {electrical}
- A61M 11/048: {with a flame, e.g. using a burner}
- A61M 15/0028: {using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up}
- A61M 15/06: Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
- F23Q 2/32: Lighters characterised by being combined with other objects (combinations with smokers' equipment A24F)
- F23Q 3/002: {using piezoelectric elements}
- A24F 40/20: Devices using solid inhalable precursors
- A61M 2205/0266: Shape memory materials
- A61M 2205/3368: Temperature
- A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06)
- A24D: CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES OF CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- F23Q: IGNITION (devices or installations peculiar to internal-combustion engines F02P; of cigarettes or tobacco A24F; compositions therefor, chemical igniters C06C); EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES

## 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

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

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

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

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

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

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.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The thermal regulator of claim 8, wherein the actuator is a bi-metallic element.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The actuator of claim 9, wherein the bi-metallic 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.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

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.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

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

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

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

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

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

### Claim 15 (depends on 7)

The operating temperature of claim 7, wherein a range of variation of the operating temperature is about less than +/−20 degrees F.

### Claim 16 (depends on 5)

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

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

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

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

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

### Claim 19 (depends on 5)

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

### Claim 20 (depends on 5)

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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

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.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

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

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

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

### Claim 25 (depends on 21)

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

### Claim 26 (depends on 22)

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.

### Claim 27 (depends on 22)

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

### Claim 28 (depends on 21)

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

### Claim 29

A device for generating an inhalable vapor comprising:
a body;
a heater within said body capable of heating a moist smokeable material to a generate an inhalable vapor;
a mouthpiece; and
a cartridge containing a moist smokeable material.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29, wherein the mouthpiece is configured for removal.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The device of claim 30, wherein the mouthpiece comprises at least one protrusion.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The device of claim 31, wherein the protrusion is a puncturing means.

### Claim 33 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29 further comprising a vaporization chamber.

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The device of claim 32, wherein the vaporization is accessed through a door.

### Claim 35 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29, wherein the body comprises thermal insulation.

### Claim 36 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29, wherein the heater is spaced a distance away from the outside edges of the body.

### Claim 37 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29, wherein the cartridge is configured for removal from the device.

### Claim 38 (depends on 29)

The device of claim 29 further comprising a fuel source for the heater.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The device of claim 38, wherein the fuel source is butane.

### Claim 40 (depends on 38)

The device of claim 38, wherein the fuel source is configured for removal from the device.

### Claim 41

A kit comprising:
a device having a body, a heater within said body capable of heating a moist smokeable material to a generate an inhalable aerosol, and a mouthpiece; and
a cartridge containing the moist smokeable material.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The kit of claim 41 further comprising a compressed gaseous fuel.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The kit of claim 42, wherein the fuel is butane.

### Claim 44 (depends on 41)

The kit of claim 41, wherein the cartridge is penetrable.

### Claim 45 (depends on 41)

The kit of claim 41, wherein the mouthpiece comprises at least one protrusion capable of penetrating the cartridge.

### Claim 46

A device comprising a body and a heater wherein the device generates a smokeless vapor for inhalation by a subject by heating a moist tobacco material to a target temperature.

### Claim 47 (depends on 46)

The device of claim 46, wherein the moist tobacco material comprises glycerine.

### Claim 48 (depends on 46)

The device of claim 46, wherein the moist tobacco material comprises flavorants.

### Claim 49

A device for heating a moist smokeable material prior to inhalation by a subject comprising:
a casing having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a mouthpiece, the casing further comprising an air inlet and an inhalation passage in communication with the proximal end and the distal end;
a heater disposed in the distal end of the casing adapted and configured to maintain an operating temperature below 400 F; and
a vaporization chamber having a cavity for holding a cartridge containing a moist smokeable material and a vapor generated from heating the moist smokeable material.

### Claim 50

A device for vaporizing a material comprising:
a casing having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a mouthpiece, the casing further comprising an air inlet and an inhalation passage in communication with the proximal end and the distal end;
a heater disposed in the distal end of the casing adapted and configured to generate heat sufficient to produce a vapor without combustion from a smokeable material; and
a vaporization chamber having a cavity for holding a cartridge containing the smokeable material and the vapor generated from heating the smokeable material.