Vaporizer

Abstract

A cartridge for a vaporizer includes a housing, a vaporizable substance disposed within the housing, and a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable substance. The cartridge is a first cartridge, and at least one connector is operable to connect the first cartridge to one of a second cartridge and a battery module. A vaporizer and a method of using the vaporizer are also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a vaporizer, and more particularly to a cartridge for a vaporizer.

Background Art

[0002] A vaporizer vaporizes a substance to produce a vapor of a desired scent or flavor. Generally, a vaporizer includes a battery, a cartridge containing a vaporizable substance, and a heating element that is powered by the battery and operates to heat and vaporize the substance. A typical vaporizer includes a single cartridge or is configured to receive a single cartridge. If a user prefers different scents or flavors, the cartridge needs to be removed and replaced with another one. Further, a user cannot combine scents or flavors with a typical single-cartridge vaporizer.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] In a particular example according to the present disclosure, a cartridge for a vaporizer includes, among other possible things, a housing, a vaporizable material disposed within the housing, and a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material. The cartridge is a first cartridge, and at least one connector is operable to connect the first cartridge to either a second cartridge or a battery module.

[0004] In a particular example according to the present disclosure, a vaporizer includes, among other possible things, a first cartridge containing a first vaporizable substance, a second cartridge containing a second vaporizable substance connected to the first cartridge, and a battery module configured to provide thermal energy to the first cartridge and the second cartridge to vaporize the first and second vaporizable substances.

[0005] In a particular example provided herein, the vaporizer cartridge includes, among other possible configurations, a first cartridge containing a first vaporizable material connected to a battery module, a second cartridge containing a second vaporizable material connected to the first cartridge, and thermal energy being supplied from the battery module to the first and second cartridges so that the first and second vaporizable materials are vaporized into a first vaporized material and a second vaporized material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figures (A) and (B) show an example of a vaporization apparatus, where (A) is a perspective view of the apparatus and (B) is a side view of the apparatus. [Figure 2] Figures (A) to (E) show examples of battery modules for the vaporizer shown in Figures 1(A) to (B), where (A) is a bottom view of the battery module, (B) is a top view of the battery module, (C) is a side view of the battery module, (D) is a perspective view of the battery module, and (E) is an exploded view of the battery module. Figure (F) shows another example of a battery module. [Figure 3] Figures (A) to (F) show examples of cartridges for the vaporizer shown in Figures 1(A) to (B), where (A) is a top view of the cartridge, (B) is a bottom view of the cartridge, (C) is a side view of the cartridge, (D) to (E) are perspective views of the cartridge, and (F) is an exploded view of the cartridge. Figure (G) shows an example of another cartridge. [Figure 4] (A) is a diagram showing an example of an optional mouthpiece for the vaporizer in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), and (B) is an exploded view of the mouthpiece. (C) is a diagram showing another example of a mouthpiece. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Figures 1A and 1B show an example of a vaporizer 100. The vaporizer includes a battery module 200 and one or more cartridges 300. In some examples, the battery module and / or cartridges 300 may be housed in a common housing. In the example in Figures 1A and 1B, there are three cartridges 300a / 300b / 300c, but more or fewer cartridges may be used. The vaporizer 100 can be used to vaporize a substance to produce an aroma or flavor. In the latter case, the vaporizer 100 may optionally further include a mouthpiece 400. In the former case, the vaporizer may include means for releasing / dispersing the vaporized aroma substance, such as a fan or nozzle (not shown). Vaporizable substances are well known in the art and include, for example, oily compositions, organic solids and liquids.

[0008] One or more cartridges 300 may contain vaporizable substances with different flavors / aromas / active ingredients. This allows the user to customize the flavor / aroma / effect of the vapor produced by the vaporizer. For example, a user can select a first cartridge 300a with strawberry flavor, a second cartridge 300b with kiwi flavor, and a third cartridge 300c with pineapple flavor, and using them together will provide strawberry / kiwi / pineapple flavored vapor. As another example, a user can select a first cartridge 300a with rose scent and a second cartridge 300b with lavender scent to provide rose / lavender scented vapor. A user can also replace one of the first and second cartridges 300a / 300b with a third cartridge 300c with lemon scent to provide rose / lemon or lavender / lemon scented vapor. A user can also choose to use a single cartridge 300a or multiple cartridges 300a / 300b / 300c with different flavors / aromas / active ingredients.

[0009] Figures 2A-2E show an example of a battery module 200. Figure 2A is a bottom view of the battery module 200. Figure 2B is a top view of the battery module 200. Figure 2C is a side view of the battery module 200. Figure 2D is a perspective view of the battery module 200. Figure 2E is an exploded view of the battery module 200. The battery module 200 includes a housing 202, which in turn includes side walls 204 and a bottom wall 206. In one example, the side wall 204 includes an opening 203, and the bottom wall 206 includes a tab 207 configured to be received in the opening 203 and connect the side wall 204 and the bottom wall 206, as is best seen in Figure 2E. In a particular example, the side wall 204 is made of aluminum and the bottom wall 206 is made of plastic.

[0010] The support structure 208 is located on the side wall 202 and engages with the bottom wall 206. In one example, the support structure 208 may be made of plastic. The support structure 208 helps protect the other sides of the battery module 200 when the side wall 204 is made of a relatively soft material. In the most common example shown in Figure 2D, the side wall 204 protrudes from the support structure 208 to form a pocket P configured to accommodate the stepped portion S of the cartridge 300, which will be described in more detail below.

[0011] The battery cell 210 is located on the support structure 208. Any known battery cell 210 can be used. In a particular example, the battery cell 210 is an 1100mAh battery. In one example, the battery cell 210 is a rechargeable battery such as a polymer lithium battery, and the bottom wall 206 includes a charging port 212 on which a charger (not shown) can be attached to charge the battery cell 210, as is well known. Any known charging port 212, such as a USB Type-C port, can be used. The bottom wall 206 may also include an on / off switch 213 that switches the vaporizer 100 on and off in conjunction with the battery cell 210 and / or PCB 214 (described later).

[0012] In some examples, the battery module 200 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 214 with a display 216 (best shown in Figure 2B). The PCB 214 interacts with the battery cells 210 and the display 216 to display information such as the remaining charge in the battery cells 210. Such a system, including the battery cells 210, an on / off switch 213, the PCB 214, and the display 216, is well known in the art and will not be described further here. In some examples, the PCB 214 is housed in a set of rails 215 within a support structure 208.

[0013] The battery module 200 also includes two electrodes 218 for transferring energy from the battery cells 210 to one or more cartridges 300, which will be described in detail below. The electrodes 218 interact with the terminals of the battery cells 210, as is well known in the art. In one example, the electrodes 218 are copper electrodes.

[0014] The battery module 200 also includes one or more connectors 220 configured to engage with the cartridge 300. In one example, the connector 220 includes tabs extending from the housing sidewall 204 or the support structure 208. In the examples shown in Figures 2A–E (best shown in Figure 2E), the support structure 208 includes one or more tabs 220a configured to connect with the cartridge 300. The connector 220 may also include one or more magnets 220b, such as neodymium-based magnets, configured to contact the magnets in the cartridge 300.

[0015] In one example, the battery module 200 includes one or more seals to restrict the airflow through the battery module 200 and thereby guide air through one or more cartridges 300. The one or more seals may be made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic or a flexible plastic such as silicone. In a specific example shown in Figures 2A-E (most commonly seen in Figures 2D-E), the battery module 200 includes a seal 222a located between the battery cell 210 and the housing bottom wall 206, and additional seals 222b / 222c located inside the housing 202.

[0016] In one example, the battery module 200 also includes a microphone 224. The microphone is configured to emit a low battery sound, for example, according to instructions on PCB 214. The use of the microphone in combination with PCB 214 in this manner is well known and will not be described further herein.

[0017] Figure 2F shows another example of a battery module 200'. The illustrative battery module 200' in Figure 2F can be used in place of the battery module 200 described above, along with any of the other components of the vaporizer 100 described herein. The illustrative battery module 200' is similar to the battery module 200, but certain features are described in detail below. It should be understood that any feature of the battery module 200 can be used with the battery module 200', and vice versa.

[0018] In this example, the battery module 200' includes a housing 202', which includes a base 204' and a side wall 206'. In this example, the base 204' includes a bottom wall. The base 204' also includes an angled step 204a that connects to the bottom edge 206a of the side wall 206'. The support structure 208' is positioned on the side wall 206'. In this example, the support structure 208' is a generally flat structure having a shape that generally conforms to the installation area of ​​the base 204'. In a particular example, the support structure 208' includes a tab 209a configured to be accommodated in an opening 209b of the base 204' in order to connect the support structure 208' to the base 204'.

[0019] The battery module 200' also includes the battery cell 210.

[0020] PCB 214' is housed in the base 204'. In this example, PCB 214' has a periphery that follows the installation area on the base 204'. The battery module 210 is positioned between PCB 214' and the support structure 208'. PCB 214' may include a display 216.

[0021] In some examples, one or more seals 222a' / 222b' are placed between the PCB 214' and the base 204'. Similarly, one or more seals 222c' / 222d' are placed between the support structure 208' and the battery cell 210 / side wall 206', respectively. An optional air regulating valve 223 may also be placed between the PCB 214' and the base 204'. The air regulating valve 223 controls the airflow through the vaporizer 100.

[0022] The battery module 200' also includes a connector 220, such as a magnet, for connecting the battery module 200' to the cartridge 300 / 300', as described herein.

[0023] The battery module 200’ also includes electrodes 218’ that transfer energy from the battery cells 210 to one or more cartridges 300 / 300’ as detailed below. The electrodes 218’ interact with the terminals of the battery cells 210 as is well known in the art. In the example of FIG. 2F, three electrodes 218’ are included, but the number of electrodes 218’ may be more or less than this. In this example, the electrodes 218’ are supported in an opening 219 of the support structure 208’. In this example, the electrodes 218’ are spring electrodes, but it should be understood that copper electrodes can also be used.

[0024] Next, referring to FIGS. 3A - F, the cartridge 300 will be described. FIG. 3A shows a top view of the cartridge 300. FIG. 3B shows a bottom view of the cartridge. FIG. 3C shows a side view of the cartridge. FIGS. 3D - E show perspective views of the cartridge. FIG. 3F shows an exploded view of the cartridge. The cartridge 300 includes a housing 302 with side walls 304, a bottom wall 306, and a top wall 308. In a particular example, the side walls 304 and the bottom wall 306 are made of rigid or semi - rigid plastic, and the top wall 308 is made of flexible silicone. In this example, the top wall 308 provides a seal to facilitate the flow of air through the vaporizable material within the cartridge 300, which will be described in detail below.

[0025] In one example, the cartridge 300 includes a step S between the bottom wall 306 and the side walls 304, whereby the bottom of the cartridge 300 has a smaller diameter than the rest of the cartridge 300. The smaller - diameter bottom is configured to be received in the pocket P of the battery module 200 as described above. At the same time, the side walls 304 project from the top wall 308 to form a pocket P similar to the pocket P of the battery module 200 (best shown in FIG. 3E). Thus, a first cartridge 300a can accommodate the smaller - diameter portion of a second cartridge 300b, and as shown in FIGS. 1A - B, multiple cartridges can be used in series.

[0026] The cartridge 300 also contains a vaporized substance disposed within the housing 302. In one example, the vaporized substance is dispersed in a liquid absorbed by a wick 310. The wick 310 includes an opening 312 configured to accommodate a heating element, which is described in more detail below. In other examples, the vaporized substance may be provided in other forms. The wick 310 may be made of a cotton-like absorbent material such as polypropylene or polyethylene or a combination thereof.

[0027] The cartridge 300 includes a first set of electrodes 314a configured to interact with electrodes 218 in the battery module 200 to transfer energy from the battery module 200 to the vaporized material in the cartridge 300 in the form of thermal energy. The interaction includes direct contact. A heating element 316, such as a coil, is configured to receive heat from the electrodes 314a. In one example, the heating element 316 is a nichrome coil.

[0028] Cartridge 300 also includes a second set of electrodes 314b configured to transfer thermal energy received by a first set of electrodes 314a in the first cartridge 300a / 300b / 300c to another cartridge 300a / 300b / 300c connected to the first cartridge 300a / 300b / 300c, as shown in Figures 1A-B. In this way, multiple cartridges 300a / 300b / 300c can be connected in series to a common battery module 200, thereby allowing for customization of flavors / aromas / active ingredients as described above. The electrodes 314a / 314b may be the same or different. In one example, the electrodes 314a / 314b are copper electrodes. One or both of the first and second sets of electrodes 314a / 314b may be copper coil electrodes.

[0029] When a wick 310 is used, the heating element 316 is configured to be at least partially housed in the opening 312 of the wick 310. Otherwise, the heating element 316 is positioned adjacent to the vaporized material in the cartridge 300 to heat the vaporized material. In one example, the heating element 316 is at least partially housed in a protective tube 318, such as a fiberglass tube, which prevents the wick 310 from coming into direct contact with the heating element 316 and minimizes the possibility of the wick 310 overheating and burning or charring.

[0030] In one example, the cartridge 300 includes a seal 318 positioned between the bottom wall 306 and the wick 310. The seal 318 facilitates the flow of air through the wick 310 and the vaporized material within it.

[0031] In one example, cartridge 300 includes a connector 320 configured to engage with another cartridge 300 and / or battery module 200. For example, the connector 320 includes one or more magnets 320a, such as neodymium magnets, which are capable of interacting with a magnet 220b in the battery module 200 to connect the battery module 200 to cartridge 300. The magnets 320a may be configured to interact with magnets 320a in other cartridges 300. In some examples, the connector 320 also includes an opening 320b configured to receive a tab 220a in the aforementioned battery module 200. In some examples, the connector 320 includes a tab 320c. The tab 320c is configured to contact a mouthpiece 400, which is described below. The tab 320c is housed in the opening 320b of another cartridge 300 to connect multiple cartridges 300a / 300b / 300c to each other.

[0032] In some examples, the cartridge 300 includes a PCB 322 with a display 324 (best shown in Figure 3A) configured to display information such as the amount of vaporized material remaining in the cartridge 300. The PCB 322 is housed in a pair of rails 305 on the housing side wall 304.

[0033] In some examples, the cartridge 300 includes a cotton pad 326 on its upper wall 308 to absorb any vaporized material that may be released from the cartridge 300 during use.

[0034] In some examples, the cartridge 300 may include a button 328. The button 328 is operable to affect the power / voltage received by the heating element 316 via the first set of electrodes 314a, as described above. The button 328 is then operable to increase the amount of flavor / aroma / active ingredients provided to the user by the cartridge 300, since the amount of power / voltage received by the heating element 316 directly relates to the amount of flavor / aroma / active ingredients provided to the user. In other words, the more power / voltage supplied to the heating element 316, the more flavor / aroma / active ingredients are vaporized by the heating element 316, and the more flavor / aroma / active ingredients are provided to the user. Thus, by pressing the button 328, the user can select one of several cartridges 300 to highlight while using the vaporizer 100.

[0035] Figure 3G shows an example of another cartridge 300'. The example cartridge 300' in Figure 3G can be used in place of the cartridge 300 described herein, along with any of the other components of the vaporizer 100 described herein. The example cartridge 300' is similar to cartridge 300, but certain features are described in detail below. It should be understood that any feature of cartridge 300 can be used with cartridge 300', and vice versa.

[0036] The cartridge 300' includes a housing 302' which includes a bottom wall 306' and a side wall 304'. The side wall 304' includes a top wall 308'. The core 310 is placed inside the core housing 311, which is then placed inside the housing 302'. In this example, seals 318' are placed between the core 310 / core housing 311 and the bottom wall 306', and between the core 310 / core housing 311 and the side wall 304', respectively. In some examples, the seals 318' may be silicone seals.

[0037] Cartridge 300' also includes PCB 314. In this example, PCB 314 is supported by an opening 306a' in the bottom wall 306'.

[0038] Cartridge 300' also includes a pair of electrodes 314a' configured to interact with electrodes 218 / 218' in battery modules 200 / 200' to transfer energy in the form of thermal energy from battery modules 200 / 200' to vaporized material in cartridge 300 / 300'. In this example, the pair of electrodes 314a' has three electrodes, but the number of electrodes may be greater or less. In this example, the electrodes are spring electrodes, but copper electrodes / copper coil electrodes may be used. In this example, the electrodes are supported by openings 306b' in the bottom wall 306'. Electrodes 314a' are operable to transfer energy to other cartridges, similar to the second pair of electrodes 314b in cartridge 300 described above, although in other examples, another pair of electrodes may be used in cartridge 300', similar to cartridge 300' described above.

[0039] The cartridge 300 also includes a heating element 316'. In one example, the heating element 316' may be at least partially housed in the core housing 311 and extend through the openings of one or both seals 318'.

[0040] Cartridge 300' also includes a connector 320', such as a magnet, for connecting to another cartridge 300 / 300' and / or battery module 200 / 200'.

[0041] In some examples, cartridge 300' may include button 328.

[0042] In some examples, the cartridge 300' includes a PCB 314, a button 328, and / or one or more LED lights 330 associated with a battery module 200 / 200', as is well known in the art. When the button 328 is pressed, one or both of the LED lights 330 can be activated via the PCB 314 to provide a display to the user. In other examples, more or fewer LED lights 300 may be used.

[0043] The LED lights 330 can also provide other indications to the user. For example, one or both of the LED lights 300 can light up in a color such as green to indicate that the vaporizer 100 is on. Another example is that one or both of the LED lights 330 can light up in a first color to indicate that the battery cell 210 is charging, and light up in a different color to indicate that the battery cell 210 is fully charged. Yet another color, such as red, can be used to indicate that the battery cell 210 needs charging. In one example, flashing can also be used as an indicator. For example, a flashing red light can indicate a malfunction in the vaporizer 100.

[0044] In another example where more LED lights 330 are used, such as four lights, the lights can also flash in sequence to indicate a specific number. For example, the lights could flash in a specific order, such as 1-2-3-4, with each LED light 300 corresponding to a number to indicate the first number, and then flash in a different order, such as 4-3-2-1, to indicate the second number. The lights can also be used in combination to indicate the battery power. For example, if two of the four lights are lit, it indicates that the battery cell 210 is half charged.

[0045] Next, an optional mouthpiece 400 will be described with reference to Figures 4A-B. The optional mouthpiece 400 includes an upper part 402 and an outlet 404 extending from the upper part 402. The mouthpiece 400 may also include a filter piece 406 made of a paper-like material such as a polypropylene or polyethylene-based material for filtering the output from one or more cartridges 300. The mouthpiece 400 also includes a silicone plug 408 at the outlet 404, which improves user comfort when using the mouthpiece 400. The mouthpiece also includes a connector 410 configured to connect the mouthpiece to the cartridge 300. For example, the connector 410 may include a magnet 410a, such as a neodymium magnet, configured to interact with the magnet 320a in the cartridge 300. The connector 410 may also include an opening 410b configured to receive the tab 320c of the aforementioned cartridge 300.

[0046] During operation, the user applies suction to the mouthpiece 400 via the outlet 404, drawing air through one or more cartridges 300a / 300b / 300c. The battery module 200 heats the vaporizable substance in the heating element 316 to vaporize it. The vaporized substance enters the person's mouth along with the air. If multiple cartridges 300a / 300b / 300c are used, the air contains a mixture of vaporized substances from each cartridge 300a / 300b / 300c. In other examples where the mouthpiece 400 is not used, other means of drawing air through the cartridges, such as the fan or nozzle described above, can be used.

[0047] Figure 4C shows an example of another mouthpiece 400'. Mouthpiece 400' is similar to mouthpiece 400' except that the outlet 404 is centrally located relative to the rest of mouthpiece 400, whereas in mouthpiece 400' the outlet 404 is offset from the center.

[0048] Having sufficiently described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative designs according to the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. While the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein constitute currently preferred embodiments, many other embodiments are also possible. This specification is not intended to refer to all possible equivalent or derived forms of the present invention. The terms used herein are not limiting but merely descriptive, and it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cartridge for a vaporizer, Housing and A vaporized substance placed inside the housing, A heating element configured to heat the aforementioned vaporized substance, Equipped with, The cartridge is a first cartridge, wherein at least one connector is operable to connect the first cartridge to one of a second cartridge and a battery module.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the vaporizing substance is in a liquid absorbed by a wick placed inside the housing.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one connector includes a magnet.

4. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one connector includes an opening configured to receive a tab.

5. The cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one connector includes a tab configured to be received into an opening.

6. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board equipped with a display, wherein the display is configured to display the amount of vaporized substance remaining in the cartridge.

7. A vaporizer, A first cartridge containing a first vaporizable substance, A second cartridge, which is connected to the first cartridge and contains a second vaporizable substance, A battery module configured to supply thermal energy to the first cartridge and the second cartridge to vaporize the first and second vaporizable substances, A vaporizer equipped with a vaporizer.

8. The vaporizer according to claim 7, characterized in that the first and second vaporizable substances are different from each other.

9. The vaporizer according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and second vaporizable substances have different flavors.

10. The vaporization apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and second vaporizable substances have different fragrances.

11. The vaporizer according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and second vaporizable substances contain different active ingredients.

12. The vaporizer according to claim 7, characterized in that the first cartridge is connected to the battery module by at least one magnet.

13. The vaporizer according to claim 12, characterized in that the second cartridge is connected to the first cartridge by at least one magnet.

14. The vaporizer according to claim 13, further comprising a mouthpiece configured to receive suction from the user, thereby enabling the user to inhale air through the first and second cartridges.

15. The vaporization apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the mouthpiece is connected to one of the first and second cartridges by at least one magnet.

16. A method for using a vaporizer, A first cartridge containing a first vaporizable substance is connected to the battery module. A second cartridge containing a second vaporizable substance is connected to the first cartridge. Thermal energy is supplied from the battery module to the first and second cartridges such that the first and second vaporizable substances are vaporized into the first vaporized substance and the second vaporized substance, respectively. A method for using a vaporizer equipped with the following features.

17. The method of use according to claim 15, further comprising drawing air through the vaporizer such that the air discharged from the vaporizer contains a mixture of the first and second vaporized substances.

18. The method of use according to claim 16, characterized in that the aforementioned air is drawn in by applying suction force to the mouthpiece.

19. The method of use according to claim 15, further comprising replacing one of the first and second cartridges with a third cartridge, and supplying thermal energy from the battery module to the third cartridge so that the third vaporizable substance is vaporized into a third vaporized substance.

20. The method of use according to claim 15, characterized in that the first and second vaporizing substances are different from each other.

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