PORTABLE VAPORIZER AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Abstract

A vaporizer and method of vaporizing a botanical material is described. Embodiments of the apparatus include a self-contained, fully enclosed, battery operated vaporizer having an air inlet and a mouthpiece. The vaporizer includes a window for viewing a botanical material contained therein and a heating element that is also visible through the window and through an air inlet. The vaporizer also includes a push-button switch that rapidly provides power to heat air, which is then drawn through the botanical material by inhaling. Embodiments of the method include utilizing a push-button switch for heating vaporizer air and viewing the glow of the heating element as a signal that the vaporizer is ready for use. In certain embodiments, electric power for heating the air is varied according to the temperature of the vaporizer. Certain other embodiments measure the battery voltage and adjust a heater duty cycle according to the measured voltage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/902,038, filed Nov. 8, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of vaporizers for consuming botanical materials, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for operating a vaporizer for heating the materials.

2. Discussion of the Background

Devices for consuming botanical materials, including but not limited to tobacco, flowers, botanical blend, or aromatic herbs, commonly ignite the botanical materials, requiring that the consumer inhale products of combustion along with any volatile compounds that are present. For many botanical materials it is the volatiles, such as the nicotine present in tobacco, that provide a physiological response in the consumer, while the combustion products may actually be harmful.

Prior art vaporizers commonly employ a continuous heating source such as a butane-powered flame, a butane powered catalytic burner, or an electrical resistive heater. The heat source in many such devices is conductive as it is in direct contact with the material or the receptacle containing the material. This may result in high temperatures, leading to singing and charring of the botanical material near the heat source.

Further, many prior art vaporizers require several minutes of heat-up time as they need to heat both the mass of the botanical material and a holder of the material to a desired temperature before they can extract volatile vapors.

Further, since the heating is typically continuous, rather than on-demand, many existing vaporizers use their power inefficiently as they are often providing heat to maintain a steady state of elevated temperature that does not correspond to the user's intended duty-cycle of intermittent inhalation of the vapors produced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art by controlling the power provided to vaporize a botanical material according to the temperature of the vaporizer.

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a method of controlling electric power provided to a vaporizer, where the method includes: accepting a signal from a user-operable switch; providing electric power to a heater of the vaporizer upon accepting the signal from the user-operable switch; measuring a signal indicative of the temperature of the vaporizer; and decreasing the electric power to the heater if the measured temperature of the vaporizer increases.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a vaporizer including: a user-operable switch; a temperature sensor adapted to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the vaporizer; an electric heater configured to heat the botanical material; and electronics adapted to sense actuation of the user-operable switch and accept the signal, and to provide electric power to the electric heater, where the provided electric power decreases with an increase in the temperature of the vaporizer.

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a method of controlling electric power provided to a vaporizer. The method includes measuring the voltage of a battery providing power to the heater, and providing the battery voltage to a heater of the vaporizer according to a duty cycle, where the duty cycle is inversely proportional to the measured voltage of the battery.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a vaporizer to provide a user with vapor from a botanical material. The vaporizer includes a battery having a voltage; an electric heater that accepts the voltage and generates thermal energy to heat the botanical material; and electronics to switch the accepted voltage on and off according to a duty cycle, where the duty cycle is inversely proportional to a measured voltage of the battery.

These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the vaporizer of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a vaporizer;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vaporizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the vaporizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a distal end view of the vaporizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a proximal end view of the vaporizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the vaporizer of FIG. 1 with the upper portion removed from the lower portion;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a heater block;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partially assembled heater block;

FIG. 11 is the view of FIG. 6 illustrating air flow through the vaporizer;

FIG. 12 is a cut-away perspective sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the electronics within the vaporizer.

Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a hand-held vaporizer 100, and FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are, respectively, views of a top side 106, a left side 202, a distal end 104, and a proximal end 102 of the vaporizer.

Vaporizer 100 includes a housing 101 having a mouthpiece 103 with an opening 311 into the vaporizer at proximal end 102, an air inlet 105 at distal end 104, and a window 107 on top side 106 through which one can view a botanical material placed within the vaporizer, and a push-button switch 109 on a right side 108. Left side 202 includes a power switch 201, a power connector 305, indicator lights 307, and a recess 309.

Housing 101 is formed from a rigid material, and may include one or more pieces or layers of metal or plastic. Thus, for example, sides 108, 202, and ends 102, 104 include a case 207 and a removable bottom panel 303, and top side 106 includes an elongated portion 205 and a bezel 203 protruding above and surrounding window 107.

Window 107 is preferably a scratch resistant material that is transparent to visible light, and may be, for example and without limitation, a glass, such as a borosilicate glass or a crystal quartz or fused quartz material.

Vaporizer 100 is preferably sized to be hand-held, and may have dimensions of a height, H, of from 20 to 30 mm, such as height H of 25 mm, a length, L, of from 110 to 170 mm, such as a length L of 140 mm, and a width, W, of from 40 mm to 60 mm, such as a width of 50 mm.

Indicator lights 307 may include one light, or several different color lights (such as red, green, and/or blue) to indicate if vaporizer 100 is being powered, temperature settings, and/or battery power remaining in the vaporizer.

In general, a user may open housing 101 utilizing recess 309 and place a botanical material in a bowl (described subsequently) below window 107, grasp case 207, and push push-button switch 109. In certain embodiments, within several seconds of pushing push-button switch 109 a heater (describe subsequently) within vaporizer 100 emits visible light through window 107 and through air inlet 105 to indicate that a proper temperature has been reached and that the user should inhale though opening 311 in mouthpiece 103. The action of inhaling causes air to be drawn in through air inlet 105 where it is first heated in the heater and then vaporizes the botanical material, the vapors of which are inhaled by the user through the mouthpiece. In one embodiment, power switch 201 has two settings: a power off setting and an on power setting. In another embodiment, power switch 201 may include several settings, such as a power off setting, a low power setting and a high temperature setting for controlling a temperature of vaporizer 100, and power connector 305 allows for recharging of an internal battery.

FIG. 6 as a top perspective view of vaporizer 100 illustrating that the vaporizer includes an upper portion 210 and a lower portion 220. Upper portion 210 includes elongated portion 205, bezel 203, and window 107. In addition, elongated portion 205 forms surfaces 611, lip 613, recess 615, and includes magnets 621 and a window fixture 631. Window fixture 631 further includes include flat surfaces 633 and grooves 635, and is held onto elongated portion 205 with screws 637, as shown in more detail in FIG. 7.

Lower portion 220 includes case 207, bottom panel 303, mouthpiece 103, air inlet 105, push-button switch 109, power switch 201, power connector 305, indicator lights 307, and recess 309. As shown in FIG. 7, air inlet 105 is formed from a grill 703 that may be separate from case 207, and a wire mesh 705 to prevent contaminants from entering vaporizer 100. In addition, lower portion 220 includes a surface 601 and a ledge 603. Surface 601 includes openings into the interior of the housing, and specifically a first opening 607 and a second opening 605 exposing a recessed bowl 640 having an upper surface 604, which is contiguous with surface 601 and a bottom mesh 717.

Surface 601 is, or includes, a material that is attracted to magnets 621. When upper portion 210 is placed on lower portion 220, as in FIG. 1, magnets 621 are attracted to a top 601 such that lip 613 contacts ledge 603, surfaces 611 contact surface 601, surfaces 601 and 604 contact surface 633, and recess 615 and grooves 635 do not contact either surface 601 or 604, providing a gap that provides for air flow between opening 605 and 607.

A more detailed description of one embodiment of upper portion 210 and lower portion 220 are illustratively shown in FIG. 7, which is a sectional view 7-7 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 8, which is a sectional view 8-8 of FIG. 3.

Upper portion 210 includes window fixture 631, which is attached to elongated portion 205 with screws 637. Window fixture may also include gaskets or O-rings to provide a gas-tight seal for window 107.

Surface 601 of lower portion 220 is held onto case 207 using screws 701. Grill 703 forming air inlet 105 is attached to case 207, and a wire mesh 705 is placed against grill 703 and inside vaporizer 100 to prevent contaminants from entering the vaporizer.

Lower portion 220 also includes a heater section 710, control electronics 720, and an energy storage section 730. Heater section 710 further includes a heater block 711 including a lower core 702 and upper core 704 that form having a passageway 713 including a heating element 715, and bowl 640 having a mesh 717 bottom, bowl sides 719, opening 605, a temperature sensor, as shown and discussed subsequently.

In one embodiment, heating element 715 is a resistive coil, such as a nickel-chromium alloy or a FeCrAl alloy, and cores 702 and 704 are transparent to visible light, and may constructed, for example, from borosilicate glass, crystal quartz or fused quartz. Thus when power is dissipated within heating element 715, by providing a voltage across the element, a glow may be visible through window 107 and/or air inlet 105. In other embodiments, heating element 715 is an induction coil or provides heat through the combustion of a fuel, such as butane.

Control electronics 720 includes a circuit board 723 on which are mounted a programmable processor 725, a power controller 727, and other digital and/or analogue circuitry for controlling and powering vaporizer 100, such as power switch 201, power connector 305, and indicator lights 307. In addition, other switches, buttons, and sensors, such as temperature sensors, may be dispersed throughout vaporizer 100 and may be wired into control electronics 720. Additionally, a temperature sensor may be provided to measure the ambient air temperature, and/or to directly measure the temperature of air flowing through vaporizer 100, such as near the heating element or near bowl 640. Energy storage section 730 includes a battery frame 733 attached to case 207 and battery 731. A temperature sensor may also be provided to measure the temperature of battery 731 to monitor the operation of the battery.

In one embodiment, battery 731 is a 7.4 V, 800 mAh with a discharge rate of 7 C. In another embodiment, power controller 727 is a switch operated by programmable processor 725 that can provide time averaged voltages to heating element 715, via a pulse width modulated signal, with a voltage of between zero volts and the current voltage of battery 731. Thus, for example, if programmable processor 725 determines that a voltage of 50% of the current battery voltage should be provided to heating element 715, then the processor provides a 50% duty cycle signal to power controller 727.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of heater block 711, which includes a bottom heat transfer mat 910, a lower core 920, a middle heat transfer mat 930, power and control components 940, an upper core 950, and a top heat transfer mat 960. Lower core 920 and upper core 950 may be, for example and without limitation, lower core 702 and upper core 704, respectively.

Lower mat 910 includes an opening 911 and a slot 913. Lower core 920 includes an opening 921 that is positioned above slot 913, a groove 922, a heating element support 923, a circular recess 924 with a central mesh support 925, and element ground receptacle 926 and a heating element power receptacle 928. Middle heat transfer mat 930 includes an outer portion 931 and an inner portion 935 that supports mesh 717.

Power and control components 940 include heating element 715 attached to a compression fitting 945 connected to a ground wire 947, and to a compression fitting 943 connected to a power lead 949. Upper core 950 includes opening 605 and bowl sides 719. Top heat transfer mat 960 includes an opening 961

Mats 910, 930, and 950 are preferably formed from a high-temperature food-safe silicone rubber. Lower core 920 and upper core 950 are preferable formed from borosilicate glass or quartz crystal. Mesh 717 is preferably formed from stainless steel.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, temperature sensor 942 is positioned to measure a temperature of body 100 within lower portion 220. Temperatures sensor 942 is preferably a digital temperature sensor, such as memory module temperature sensor model MCP9843T-BE/MC (Microchip Technology Inc., San Jose, Calif.).

More specifically, temperature sensor 942 is positioned on circuit board 723. Temperature sensor 942 thus measures temperature of the circuit board, and does not directly measure the temperature of air bowl 640, which is used to vaporize botanical materials M. It has been found that the power levels required for achieving a required temperature may be determined by a calibration, which is then encoded into programmable processor 725. The calibration between the temperature of the air provided to air bowl 640 (T_M) and the temperature measured by temperature sensor 942 (T_TS) and/or the voltage (V) provided to heating element 715 may be performed, for example and without limitation, by placing a thermocouple in the air bowl and then providing various voltages (that is, powers) to heating element until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor stabilizes. Thus, for example and without limitation, the calibration between air bowl temperature the temperature measured by temperature sensor 942, and/or the voltage provided to heating element 715 may be stored in as a look-up table or formula for in the memory of programmable processor 725 and used for controlling the temperature of air provide to botanical materials M from the temperature measured by temperature sensor 942.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partially assembled heater block 711. As shown in FIG. 10, upper core 950 also includes a groove 1001, a heating element support 1003, a heating element power receptacle 1005, a heating element ground receptacle 1003, and a temperature sensor receptacle 1009. Heating element 715 is placed with grooves 922 and 1001, and is supported midway by heating element supports 923 and 1003, compression fitting 945 is sandwiched between receptacles 926 and 1007, and compression fitting 943 sandwiched between receptacles 928 and 1005. When assembled, passageway 713 is formed by mated grooves 922 and 1001.

The operation of vaporizer 100 will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 11, which is the view of FIG. 6 illustrating air flow through the vaporizer, FIG. 12, which is a cut-away perspective sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 13, which is a schematic view of one embodiment of the electronics within the vaporizer.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the placement of botanical materials M within bowl 640, and the flow of air and vapors through vaporizer 100. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows upper portion 210 removed from lower portion 220. This configuration provides access to bowl 640 for cleaning and placing fresh a fresh botanical material M and to clean otherwise internal surfaces 601 and 611, recess 615 and window fixture 631.

When upper portion 210 and lower portion 220 are assembled, as in FIG. 1, recesses 615 and 635 form an air passage between bowl 640 and opening 607. Specifically, FIG. 11 illustrates portions of surfaces 601 and 604 which contact surfaces 611 and 633 (shown as 601a), restriction or prohibiting air flow, while other portions of surfaces 601 and 604 do not contact recesses 615 or 635 (shown as surface 601b) and thus provide an air flow passageway. Thus, as illustrated with arrows, air flow is shown an entering air inlet 105, moving up through bowl 640 and opening 605, between upper portion 210 and lower portion 220 along surfaces 601b, down through opening 607, and then through opening 501.

FIG. 12 illustrates the flow of air from air inlet 105 though bowl 640. Air is drawn though opening 911, along slot 913, up through opening 921, through passageway 713, where the air is heated by contact with heating element 715, up through mesh 717 into bowl 640, along surface 601 to opening 607 and through opening 311 of mouthpiece 103.

Temperature Control

FIG. 13 is a schematic 1300 illustrating control electronics 720 of vaporizer 100. Thus, for example and without limitation, schematic 1300 shows connections between power switch 201, push-button switch 109, indicator lights 307, battery 731, programmable processor 725, power controller 727, temperature sensor 942, and heating element 715.

In addition to providing temperature control for the process of vaporizing a botanical material, control electronics 720 may also prevents the vaporizer body and internal components from overheating and causing damage to the battery, computer, or other internal components.

Processor 725 is powered from battery 731 and is programmed with a control algorithm to accept input from power switch 201, push-button switch 109, temperature sensor 942, and to optionally monitor the voltage of the battery to provide power to one or more indicator lights 307, and a signal to power controller 727. Power controller 727 in turn accepts command signals from processor 725 to provide the voltage from battery 731 to heating element 715. In certain embodiments, the processor 725 and power controller 727 provide a processor determined average voltage to heating element 715 by providing a pulse width modulated signals to power controller 727, which then provides the time averaged voltage (and thus heating power) as determined by the processor.

Power switch 201 may have 2 or more setting, as interpreted by firmware in programmable processor 725, where the setting may include, for example and without limitation, an “off” setting and an “on” setting, or an “off” setting, a “low temperature” setting and a “high temperature” setting. With power switch 201 in the “off” setting, all electronics in vaporizer 100 are powered off With power switch 201 in an “on,” “low temperature” or “high temperature” setting, processor 725 executes algorithms to maintain certain temperatures of heating element 715.

Control electronics 720 are operated to rapidly reach and maintain a desired biological material temperature in vaporizer 100. Although temperature sensor 942 is not located to directly measure the temperature of the biological material, control electronics 720 may be operated to achieve a desired approximate temperature. As discussed above, a look-up table may be provided to processor 725 in the form of temperature of the air provided to air bowl 640 (T_M) versus the battery voltage (V) provided to heating element 715.

In one embodiment, control electronics 720 may rapidly and accurately heat the biological material in vaporizer 100 to a desired temperature using an algorithm that provides a voltage to the heating element as a function of the temporal output of power controller 727 and the temperature of vaporizer 100 as measured by sensor 942.

Indicator lights 307 may include lights that are programmed to provide an indication of the operation of vaporizer 100. Thus, for example and without limitation, indicator lights 307 may include a dim green light that is powered to indicate that vaporizer 100 is powered on in a low temperature setting, a bright green light that is powered to indicate that the vaporizer is powered in a high temperature setting, blinking blue light to indicate that the vaporizer is charging, a red light to indicate that battery power is low, and a solid red light to indicate the device is overheated and has been automatically shut down.

In addition, with power switch 201 in an “on,” “low temperature” or “high temperature” setting, and with push-button switch 109 pressed, processor 725 provides signals to power controller 727 to provide electric power from battery 731 to heating element 715.

In certain embodiments, control electronics 720 help to prevent overheating due to push-button switch 109 being pressed for an excessively long time. Thus, for example, programmable processor 725 may include a timer that starts when push-button switch 109 is pushed and when that timer reaches some predetermined value, the voltage to heating element 715 is reduced in value, which may be as providing no voltage to the heating element.

In certain embodiments, power controller 727 provides power to heating element 715 according to the calibration discussed above. Thus, for example, in one embodiment, a look-up table relating a desired to measured temperature is provided to processor 725 in the form of T_M (the temperature of the air provided to air bowl 640) versus T_TS (the temperature measured by temperature sensor 942). For a given desired value of T_M, the look-up table provides a target temperature T_TS. Using the target temperature T_SS and the measured temperature of temperature sensor 942, processor 725 may then provide control signals to power controller 727 with duty cycles that approach and then maintain the target temperature T_TS, and thus the desired value of T_M. Processor 725 may use, for example and without limitation, a look-up table or a mathematical function based on measured temperature, or a control algorithm such as a PID control algorithm, to power heating element 715.

It certain embodiments, voltage of battery 731 drops as the battery discharges. It has been found that in cases where there is a significant change in battery voltage over time, it is advantageous to adjust a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal provided to power controller 727 so that the voltage, and thus power, dissipated in heating element 715 can be accurately controlled. In certain embodiments, therefore, programmable processor 725 also measures the voltage of the battery during use, so that a known voltage may be provided to the heating element.

Thus, for example, the look-up table in processor 725 may be in the form of T_M versus V. Processor 725 measures the instantaneous battery voltage, and then provides a PWM signal to power controller 727 that ensures that the time average voltage provided to heating element 715 corresponds to the voltage provided during the calibration, as described above.

In certain other embodiments, the time averaged voltage V to heating element 715 is varied according to a current temperature determined by temperature sensor 942 decreases. Thus, for example, the voltage, and thus, power provided to heating element 715 may be any monotonically decreasing function of temperature, such as a continuous function, a step-wise function, or any combination thereof.

As another example of the control algorithm of control electronics 720, power controller 727 may provide several discrete power levels to heating element 715, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more power levels. In the following example, processor 725 may instruct power controller 727 to provide heating element 715 with voltages, and thus power, at one of four power levels (referred to herein, without limitation, as ranging a maximum power level of “HIGH,” to “MEDIUM,” “MEDIUM_LOW,” and a lowest power level of “LOW”). The instructions may change the power level as a function of the sensed temperature of temperature sensor 942, a temporal measure of the provided power, and the voltage of battery 731. As discussed above, the control algorithm may also maintain the power level as the battery voltage drops by measuring the battery voltage and adjusting the duty cycle of to achieve the desired time average voltage to heating element 715

In addition to storing several power levels for power controller 727, processor 725 also stores several predefined temperature levels which the processor may use, in comparison to measured temperature of temperature sensor 942 to switch between power levels. Thus, for example, and without limitation, processor 725 may, in conjunction with the four levels of this example, store three “cut-off” temperature, referred to herein as “CUTOFF_HIGH,” “CUTOFF_MEDIUM,” and “CUTOFF_MEDIUM_LOW.” The algorithm coded into processor 725 may, for example and without limitation, operate as in the following pseudo code, where “TIMER” measures the time from the beginning of heating (that is, a timer that starts when the user-operable, push-button switch 109 is pressed), and “STARTUP_TIME” is a predetermined time for an initial power level of HIGH:

if TIMER < STARTUP_TIME power is HIGH
else if TEMP < CUTOFF_HIGH power is HIGH
else if TEMP < CUTOFF_MEDIUM power is MEDIUM
else if TEMP < CUTOFF_MEDIUM_LOW power is MEDIUM_LOW
else power is LOW
if TIMER < BOOST_SECONDS power is adjusted one level higher

As a first step, there is startup time of START_UP, which may be several seconds, during which the power is set to HIGH. As vaporizer 100 is used, the temperature will likely increase as the result of power provided to heating element 715. In addition to providing rapid heating of the biological material, this will also case heating element 715 to glow and permit the user to see that heating has begun. As the temperature increases the power level is set to progressively lower values: when the temperature is less than CUTOFF_HIGH, the power level is set to HIGH; when the temperature is greater than CUTOFF_HIGH and less than CUTOFF_MEDIUM, the power level is set to MEDIUM, when the temperature is greater than CUTOFF_MEDIUM and less than CUTOFF_MEDIUM_LOW, the power level is set to MEDIUM_LOW; and when the temperature is greater that CUTOFF_MEDIUM_— LOW the power level is set to LOW.

The last line of the code provides an optional feature, a “boost timer” that sets the power level one level higher during an initial operation of vaporizer 100, as indicated in the last line of the pseud code above. Specifically, a power level of HIGH is not affected, a power level of MEDIUM is increased to HIGH, a power level of MEDIUM_LOW is increased to MEDIUM, and a power level of LOW is increased to MEDIUM_LOW.

The boost timer may be used to provide additional heating if the vaporizer has cooled down from a lack of use. The combination of the startup timer and boost time allows the user to increase the heating level by pressing the button again while inhaling if they want more heating.

In another embodiment, BOOST_SECONDS is not used (i.e., BOOST_SECONDS=0).

In various embodiments, the voltages at the various power levels may correspond to, for example and without limitation, a HIGH value of from 40 W to 60 W, a MEDIUM value of from 30 W to 50 W, a MEDIUM_LOW value of from 20 W to 40 W, and a LOW value of from 5 W to 15 W. The CUTOFF_HIGH may be from 70% to 95% of the target temperature, the CUTOFF_MEDIUM may be from 60% to 90% of the target temperature, and the CUTOFF_MEDIUM_LOW may be from 50% to 75% of the target temperature.

As discussed below, vaporization temperatures are generally in the range, for example and without limitation, of from 130° C. to 200° C. The amount of power used to heat air that vaporizes the material depends on the construction of vaporizer 100, such as the thermal mass and amount of material being vaporized, and the amount of air being pulled through the vaporizer. The amount heat required to vaporize is expected to be in the range of from 10 Watts to 100 Watts, though higher and lower powers are within the scope of the present invention.

The target temperature of temperature sensor 942 is selected to effectively drive off volatiles from the botanical material. While not meant to limit the use of the present invention, the Table I contains effective vaporization temperatures of some botanical material.

TABLE I
Vaporization Temperature of Common Botanical Materials
Name	Scientific Name	Plant Part	Vaporization Temp.
LOW TEMPERATURE: 100° C. 150° C.
Eucalyptus	Eucalyptus globulus	Leaves	130° C.
Clove:	Syzygium Aromaticum	Dried Flower	123° C. to 150° C.
		Buds
Lavender	Lavendula angustifolia	Leaves	100° C. to 130° C.
Lemon balm	Melissa officinalis	Leaves	142° C.
Sage:	Salvia Officinalis	Leaves	125° C. to 150° C.
Thyme:	Thymus Vulgaris	Herb	100° C. to 150° C.
Tobacco:	Nicotiana Tabacum	Leaf	125° C. to 150° C.
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE: 150° C.-175° C.
Hops	Humulus lupulus	Cone	154° C.
Ginkgo:	Ginkgo Biloba	Leaves,	125° C. to 175° C.
		Seeds
HIGH TEMPERATURE: 175° C.-200° C.
Chamomile	Matriarca chamomilla	Flowers	190° C.
Sage	Salvia officinalis	Leaves	190° C.
Thyme	Thymus vulgaris	Herb	190° C.
Aloe Vera:	Aloe Vera	Gelatinous	175 C. to 200 C.
		From Leaves	175 C. to 200 C.
Garlic:			175 C. to 200 C.
Ginger			175 C. to 200 C.
Ginseng:			175 C. to 200 C.
Licorice:			175 C. to 200 C.

In general, the target temperature as measured by temperature sensor 942 is in the range of from 145° C. to 205° C., and may be, for example and without limitation, be approximately 145° C., 150° C., 155° C., 160° C., 165° C., 170° C., 175° C., 180° C., 185° C., 195° C., 200° C. or 205° C. For multiple temperature settings, such as a “low temperature” and “high temperatures,” the low temperature setting maybe suitable for vaporizing low temperature volatiles such as tobacco and have a temperature in the range of from 150° C. to 165° C., with a value, for example of 150° C., 155° C., 160° C., or 165° C. The high temperature setting maybe suitable for vaporizing higher temperature volatiles, such as ginseng, and have a temperature of 190° C. to 205° C., with a value, for example of 190° C., 195° C., 200° C., or 205° C.

Examples of the Use of the Vaporizer

The following are examples of the user of vaporizer 100. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, with power switch 201 in an “off position,” a user grasps lower portion 220 in one hand and places their thumb in recess 309 to remove upper portion 210. With reference to FIG. 6, a user may then clean the various internal surfaces and bowl 640, and place a fresh sample of a botanical material in the bowl. Upper portion 210 may then be securely placed on top of lower portion 220.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a user may, at any time, look through window 107 to verify the presence of a botanical material.

Next, the user switches power switch 201 to an appropriate non “off” setting (such as “on,” “low temperature,” or “high temperature”).

Next, the user presses push-button switch 109. Within a few seconds, control electronics 720 has provided sufficient power to raise the air near temperature sensor 942 to the target temperature, as stored within processor 725. The glow from heating element 715 may be seen by the user through window 107 and/or through air inlet 105. For certain botanical materials the extracted vapor may also be viewed through window 107.

With the visible indication of a proper temperature, the user may then inhale through mouthpiece 103. Air is then drawn into air inlet 105, through passageway 713, through the botanical material in bowl 640, between grooves 635 and surface 601, along surface 601 into opening 607, and then through opening 311 to the user's mouth.

The majority of power provided to heating element 715 heats air within passageway 713, and thus the botanical material within bowl 640 is vaporized convectively as the hot air flows through the botanical material.

The surfaces which contact the heated air as it flows between surface 601 and upper portion 210 will act as a “heat sink,” causing the gases to cool from high temperature of heating element 715 to approximately room temperature. After inhaling, the user then releases push-button switch 109, which reduces the power though heating element 715.

It will be understood that the apparatus described herein includes, but is not limited to, certain digital and analog components. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation, programming technique, or combination of analog or digital components, and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate devices or techniques for implementing the functionality described herein.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of controlling electric power provided to a vaporizer, said method comprising:

accepting a signal from a user-operable switch;

providing electric power to a heater of the vaporizer upon accepting the signal from the user-operable switch;

measuring a signal indicative a temperature of the vaporizer; and

decreasing the electric power to the heater if the measured temperature of the vaporizer increases.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing electric power is provided at one of a plurality of discrete power levels.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the decreasing decreases the electric power as the temperature increases above one of a plurality of predetermined temperatures.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said accepting a signal from a user-operable switch actuates a timer, and wherein the electric power is increased during an initial time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said user-operable switch signal is a button on the vaporizer.

6. The method of claim 1, where providing electric power further provides electric power to a lighting element on the vaporizer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal indicative a temperature of the vaporizer is a signal provided by a temperature sensor within said vaporizer.

8. The method of claim 1, where said method further includes flowing air through the vaporizer, and where said heater includes a heating element configured to the air.

9. The method of claim 8, where said providing electric power to a heater resistively heats the flowing air.

10. The method of claim 1, where said measuring a signal indicative a temperature of the vaporizer includes measuring a temperature that is not the temperature of the flowing air.

11. A vaporizer to provide a user with vapor from a botanical material, said vaporizer comprising:

a user-operable switch;

a temperature sensor adapted to provide a signal indicative of the temperature of the vaporizer;

an electric heater configured to heat the botanical material; and

electronics adapted to sense actuation of said user-operable switch and accept said signal indicative of the temperature of the vaporizer, and to provide electric power to said electric heater, where the provided electric power decreases with an increase in the temperature of the vaporizer.

12. The vaporizer of claim 11, wherein the provided electric power is one of a plurality of discrete power levels.

13. The vaporizer of claim 11, wherein the provided electric power decreases as the temperature increases above one of a plurality of predetermined temperatures.

14. The vaporizer of claim 11, wherein said electronics includes a time actuated by said user-operable switch, and wherein the electric power is increased during an initial time.

15. The vaporizer of claim 11, wherein said user-operable switch is a button on the vaporizer.

16. The vaporizer of claim 11, wherein said electronics is further configured to light a lighting element on the vaporizer.

17. The vaporizer of claim 11, where said vaporizer includes a passageway for the flow of air into the vaporizer, over the electric heater, and over said botanical material.

18. The vaporizer of claim 11, where said electric heater resistively heats the flow of air.

19. A method of controlling electric power provided to a vaporizer, said method comprising:

measuring the voltage of a battery providing power to the heater; and

providing the battery voltage to a heater of the vaporizer according to a duty cycle, where said duty cycle is inversely proportional to the measured voltage of the battery.

20. A vaporizer to provide a user with vapor from a botanical material, said vaporizer comprising:

a battery having a voltage;

an electric heater that accepts the voltage and generates thermal energy to heat the botanical material; and

electronics to switch the accepted voltage on and off according to a duty cycle, where the duty cycle is inversely proportional to a measured voltage of the battery.

21. The vaporizer of claim 20, where said vaporizer includes a passageway for the flow of air into the vaporizer, over the electric heater, and over said botanical material.

22. The vaporizer of claim 20, where said electric heater resistively heats the flow of air.