U.S. patent application number 15/438862 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-23 for system for vaporizing plant material.
The applicant listed for this patent is Juan Manuel Gomez, Alexander Zuleta. Invention is credited to Juan Manuel Gomez, Alexander Zuleta.
Application Number | 20180235276 15/438862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63166688 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180235276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zuleta; Alexander ; et
al. |
August 23, 2018 |
SYSTEM FOR VAPORIZING PLANT MATERIAL
Abstract
In one embodiment, a system for vaporizing plant material is
disclosed. The system includes: a vaporization container for
housing plant material therein; a flame diffusing element for
converting thermal energy from an external source to a useable form
of thermal energy sufficient to release vapor of plant material; a
flame diffusing element holder coupled proximate to a first end of
the flame diffusing element and coupled proximate to the first end
of the vaporization container; a housing for housing and coupling
with the vaporization container; and, an insulating element
substantially surrounding the vaporization container within the
housing, wherein the insulating element is for decreasing thermal
energy acting on the housing when the system is in a fully
assembled configuration.
Inventors: |
Zuleta; Alexander; (Miami,
FL) ; Gomez; Juan Manuel; (Miami, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zuleta; Alexander
Gomez; Juan Manuel |
Miami
Miami |
FL
FL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63166688 |
Appl. No.: |
15/438862 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 47/004 20130101;
A24F 47/006 20130101; A24F 7/04 20130101; A24F 1/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00; A24F 7/04 20060101 A24F007/04; A24F 1/32 20060101
A24F001/32 |
Claims
1. A system for vaporizing plant material comprising: a
vaporization container for housing plant material therein; a flame
diffusing element for converting thermal energy from an external
source to a useable form of thermal energy sufficient to release
vapor of plant material; a flame diffusing element holder coupled
proximate to a first end of the flame diffusing element and coupled
proximate to the first end of the tubular vaporization container; a
housing for receiving and coupling with the vaporization container;
and, an insulating element substantially surrounding the
vaporization container within the housing, wherein the insulating
element is for decreasing thermal energy acting on the housing when
the system is in a fully assembled configuration.
2. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 1, wherein
said system further includes a filtering element for preventing
debris from leaving the system.
3. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 1, wherein
said filtering element comprises a disc shaped screen.
4. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 1, wherein
said insulating element comprises a tubular shaped body having
insulating properties.
5. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 4, wherein
said tubular shaped body comprises ceramic.
6. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 4, wherein
said tubular shaped body comprises polymeric materials.
7. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 1, wherein
said insulating element comprises an air gap between said housing
and said vaporization container when the system is in fully
assembled configuration.
8. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 1, wherein the
flame diffusing element comprises: a body having a first end and an
opposing second end; a central port having a termination end within
the body; a plurality of radial ports extending radially outward
from a longitudinal axis of the central port and in fluid
communication with the central port and environment external to the
vaporizing element.
9. A system for vaporizing plant material comprising: a
vaporization container for housing plant material therein; a flame
diffusing element for converting thermal energy from an external
source to a useable form of thermal energy sufficient to release
vapor of plant material; a housing for receiving and coupling with
the vaporization container; an insulating element for substantially
surrounding the vaporization container within the housing
container, wherein the insulating element is for decreasing thermal
energy acting on the housing when the system is in a fully
assembled configuration.
10. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 9, wherein
said insulating element comprises a tubular shaped body having
insulating properties.
11. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 10, wherein
said tubular shaped body comprises ceramic.
12. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 10, wherein
said tubular shaped body comprises polymeric materials.
13. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 9, wherein
said insulating element comprises an air gap between said housing
and said vaporization container when the system is in the fully
assembled configuration.
14. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 9, wherein
the flame diffusing element comprises: a body having a first end
and an opposing second end; a central port having a termination end
within the body; and, a plurality of radial ports extending
radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the central port and
in fluid communication with the central port and environment
external to the vaporizing element.
15. A system for vaporizing plant material comprising: a
vaporization container for housing plant material therein; a flame
diffusing element for converting thermal energy from an external
source to a useable form of thermal energy sufficient to release
vapor of plant material, the flame diffusing element having a body
having a first end and an opposing second end, a central port
having a termination end within the body, and a plurality of radial
ports extending radially outward from a longitudinal axis of the
central port and in fluid communication with the central port and
the environment external to the vaporizing element; a flame
diffusing element holder coupled proximate to a first end of the
flame diffusing element and coupled proximate to the first end of
the tubular vaporization container; a housing for receiving and
coupling with the vaporization container; and, an insulating
element for substantially surrounding the tubular vaporization
container within the tubular housing container, wherein the
insulating element is for decreasing thermal energy acting on the
housing when the system is in a fully assembled configuration.
16. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 15, wherein
said filtering element comprises a disc shaped screen.
17. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 15, wherein
said insulating element comprises a tubular shaped body having
insulating properties.
18. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 17, wherein
said tubular shaped body comprises ceramic.
19. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 17, wherein
said tubular shaped body comprises polymeric materials.
20. The system for vaporizing plant material of claim 15, wherein
said insulating element comprises an air gap between said housing
and said vaporization container when the system is in the fully
assembled configuration.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0003] Not Applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The present invention relates to the field of plant
material, and more specifically to the field of systems for
vaporizing plant material.
BACKGROUND
[0005] People have been smoking tobacco, other herbs and plantlike
materials for centuries. Throughout history people smoked by
inhaling the smoke from tobacco, herbs and other materials produced
by plants in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. It is understood that
the term "plant material" used throughout this application
includes, but is not limited to, tobacco, herbs, medicinal herbs,
and a plurality of other plant materials. For centuries, people
would use a flame, produced by a lighter, match, or other flame
producing device, to burn plant material resulting in smoke that
would be breathed into a person's mouth and lungs.
[0006] However, inhaling smoke from burned plant material has
negative health effects. Additionally, because of the large amount
of medical literature demonstrating the negative health effects of
smoking, smoking now also has a negative perception in certain
segments of society. As a result, recently vaporization has been
used to replace smoking while providing many of the same benefits
of smoking.
[0007] Vaporizing is the act of vaporizing the active ingredients
in plant material for inhalation. To vaporize plant material,
thermal energy or heat is applied to plant material causing a vapor
with the active ingredients in the plant material to be released
from the plant material. During vaporization, the plant material is
not burned or combusted and therefore no smoke or a minimum amount
of smoke is released.
[0008] One major issue with vaporizers is that the vaporizers are
battery-powered. Thus, one major problem is that when a vaporizer
is needed, the battery is not sufficiently charged to vaporize the
plant material. Another major problem experienced with vaporizers
is that many people desire to have a wood element proximate to the
vaporizer. However, the wood element may be damaged by the heat
produced by certain vaporizers.
[0009] As a result, there exists a need for improvements over the
prior art and more particularly for a more efficient and better
vaporizer.
SUMMARY
[0010] A system for vaporizing plant material is disclosed. This
Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts
in a simplified form that are further described below in the
Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary
is not intended to identify key features or essential features of
the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used
to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.
[0011] In one embodiment, a system for vaporizing plant material is
disclosed. The system includes: a vaporization container for
housing plant material therein; a flame diffusing element for
converting thermal energy from an external source to a useable form
of thermal energy sufficient to release vapor of plant material; a
flame diffusing element holder coupled proximate to a first end of
the flame diffusing element and coupled proximate to the first end
of the vaporization container; a holding container for housing and
coupling with the vaporization container; and, an insulating
element substantially surrounding the vaporization container within
the housing, wherein the insulating element is for decreasing
thermal energy acting on the housing when the system is in a fully
assembled configuration.
[0012] Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be set
forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
disclosed embodiments. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments
will be realized and attained by means of the elements and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is
to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory
only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description, explain the
principles of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments
illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood,
however, that the invention is not limited to the precise
arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled system for
vaporizing plant material, according to an example embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the components of
the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side view of a fully assembled
system for vaporizing plant material, wherein an insulating element
is a tubular shaped body, according to an example embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view of a fully assembled
system for vaporizing plant material, wherein the insulating
element is an air gap, according to an example embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a flame diffusing element
holder of the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an
example embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the flame
diffusing element holder of the system for vaporizing plant
material, according to an example embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a flame diffusing element
of the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an
example embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the flame
diffusing element of the system for vaporizing plant material,
according to an example embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a filtering element of the
system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a vaporization container of
the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view of the vaporization
container of the system for vaporizing plant material, according to
an example embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an insulating element of
the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of the vaporization
container of the system for vaporizing plant material, according to
an example embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a coupling element of the
system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a housing of the system for
vaporizing plant material, according to an example embodiment;
and,
[0029] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view of a housing of the
system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following detailed description refers to the
accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference
numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to
refer to the same or similar elements. While disclosed embodiments
may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other
implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions
or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the
drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by
substituting reordering, or adding additional stages or components
to the disclosed methods and devices. Accordingly, the following
detailed description does not limit the disclosed embodiments.
Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed embodiments is defined
by the appended claims.
[0031] The disclosed embodiments improve upon the problems with the
prior art by providing a system or vaporizer for vaporizing plant
material. The system improves over the prior art by providing an
insulating element that prevents a wood or wood like housing from
being damaged from the heat released from a vaporizer when the
vaporizer is in a fully assembled configuration. In one embodiment,
the insulating element may comprise an air gap between a
vaporization container and the internal surface of the system's
housing. In another embodiment, the insulating element may comprise
a tubular shaped body positioned between the vaporization container
and the housing. In the insulating element comprises insulating
properties that prevents or decreases heat from being transferred
to the wood housing. The system also improves over the prior art by
providing a flame diffusing element for converting thermal energy
from an external source to a useable form of thermal energy
sufficient to release vapor of plant material. The flame diffusing
element includes a body having a first end and an opposing second
end, a central port having a terminating end within the body, and a
plurality of radial ports extending perpendicularly radially
outward from a longitudinal axis of the central port and in fluid
communication with the central port and environment external to the
vaporizing element.
[0032] Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of a fully assembled system for vaporizing plant material,
according to an example embodiment. In FIG. 1 the system 100 is a
fully assembled configuration. In the fully assembled
configuration, a user can vaporize plant material 125 contained
within the vaporization container (not shown, however illustrated
as 125 in FIG. 1A and further explained below) by inhaling and
applying a sucking force at the second end 103 of the tubular
shaped housing 105 while applying a flame to the first end of the
flame diffusing element holder 110 (as will be further described
below). As mentioned above, one of the key features of the present
invention is that the insulating element decreases thermal energy
acting on the housing thereby preventing damaging to the
housing.
[0033] FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the components of
the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment. As mentioned above, the system or vaporizer for
vaporizing plant material has a first end 101 opposing a second end
103. At the first end of the system or vaporizer is a flame
diffusing element holder 110 that is configured for holding or
receiving the first end 310 of the flame diffusing element 115
(further explained in FIG. 3). FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional side
view of the system for vaporizing plant material in a fully
assembled configuration, according to an example embodiment. Each
of the components of the system will be discussed below.
[0034] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a flame diffusing element
holder of the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an
example embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of
the flame diffusing element holder of the system for vaporizing
plant material, according to an example embodiment. In one
embodiment, the flame diffusing element holder may comprise
stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, other materials
such as wood, metals, alloys, composites, ceramics, polymeric
materials or any combination thereof may also be used and are
within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The flame
diffusing element holder may be formed from a single piece or from
several individual pieces joined or coupled together. The
components of the flame diffusing element holder may be
manufactured from a variety of different processes including an
extrusion process, using a CNC lathe, a mold, welding, shearing,
punching welding, folding etc. However, other manufacturing
processes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The flame diffusing element holder is a somewhat conical tubular
shape body 213 having a first end 205 opposing a second end 210.
However, it is understood that other shapes other than conical may
also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the present
invention. At the first end of the conical shaped body is a first
opening 215 and at the opposing end is a second opening 230.
Towards the first end of the conical shaped body is a first
threaded section 242 that is adapted to receive the threads 315 of
the threaded section 316 of the flame diffusing element 115.
Towards the second end of the conical shape body is a second
threaded section 240 having a plurality of threads 241. As will be
further explained below, second threaded section 240 of the flame
diffusing element holder is configured for coupling to the first
threaded section 542 of the vaporization container 125. It is also
understood that other means of attaching the flame diffusing
element may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a flame diffusing element
of the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an
example embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of
the flame diffusing element or heat exchanger of the system for
vaporizing plant material, according to an example embodiment. In a
preferred embodiment, the flame diffusing element may comprise
stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, other materials
such as wood, metals, alloys, composites, ceramics, polymeric
materials or any combination thereof may also be used and are
within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The flame
diffusing element may be formed from a single piece or from several
individual pieces joined or coupled together. The components of the
flame diffusing element may be manufactured from a variety of
different processes including an extrusion process, a mold,
welding, shearing, punching welding, folding etc. However, other
manufacturing processes may also be used and are within the spirit
and scope of the present invention. The flame diffusing element is
for diffusing a flame from an external source to a low enough
temperature and to prevent combusting or burning to allow for
vaporization of plant material when placing the system. As
mentioned above, the flame diffusing element 115 is configured for
being received by the first threaded section 242 of the flame
diffusing element holder. The flame diffusing element comprises a
body 313 having a first end 310 and an opposing second end 305. A
threaded section 316 is toward the first end of flame diffusing
element. The threads 315 of the threaded section 316 is for
attaching or mating to the first threaded section towards the first
end of the flame diffusing element holder. A central port 320 is
configured to have an opening 324 at the first end of the claimed
diffusing element and an opposing terminating end 322 that ends
before the second end of the flame diffusing element. A plurality
of radial ports 330 extend perpendicularly radially outward from
the longitudinal axis of the central port and are in fluid
communication with the central port. However, it is understood that
the radial ports may extend radially outward at other angles
relative to the longitudinal access of the central port. The radial
ports are proximate to the terminating end of the central port. In
the fully assembled configuration, when the flame diffusing element
is attached or coupled to the flame diffusing holder and the flame
diffusing holder is coupled to the vaporization container, at least
a portion of each of the radial ports extends into the vaporization
container (as illustrated in FIG. 1B). As a result, when a user
provides a suction force to the second end of the system or
vaporizer, air can be moved from the ambient environment proximate
to the first end of the system and into the vaporization container
through the central port via the radial ports. Also, because of the
terminating end of the central port and the configuration of the
radial ports relative to the central port, a flame does not have a
linear path into the vaporization container and as a result the
flame is diffused and temperature is adequate and appropriate to
vaporize--but not burn or combust--plant material provided inside
the chamber 550 of the vaporization container.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the filtering element 120 of
the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment. In one embodiment, the filtering element may comprise
stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, other materials
such as wood, metals, alloys, composites, ceramics, polymeric
materials or any combination thereof may also be used and are
within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The filtering
element may be formed from a single piece or from several
individual pieces joined or coupled together. The components of the
filtering element may be manufactured from a variety of different
processes including an extrusion process, a mold, welding,
shearing, punching welding, folding etc. However, other
manufacturing processes are also within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. The filtering element is configured for
preventing debris from leaving the system when a user applies a
suction force to the tubular housing. In the present embodiment,
the filtering element comprises a disc like screen. Such screens
are well known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the
screen comprises a plurality of fibers 415 arranged in a bilateral,
trilateral, a quadrilateral configuration that is configured for
allowing air to pass through the screen. The screen may comprise a
variety of materials including wood, metal, aluminum, metallic
materials, polymeric materials, etc. Additionally, other materials
and shapes and other types of filters may also be used and are
within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one
nonlimiting embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the screen is
configured to be positioned within inside the body of the
vaporization container. In the present embodiment, the screen is
proximate to a second end of the vaporization container and
prevents debris from moving to the second end 810 of the housing
803.
[0037] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a vaporization container
125 of the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an
example embodiment, and, FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view of
a vaporization container of the system for vaporizing plant
material, according to an example embodiment. In one embodiment,
the vaporization container may comprise stainless steel. However,
in other embodiments, other materials such as wood, metals, alloys,
composites, ceramics, polymeric materials or any combination
thereof may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. The vaporization container may be formed from a
single piece or from several individual pieces joined or coupled
together. The components of the vaporization container may be
manufactured from a variety of different processes including an
extrusion process, a mold, welding, shearing, punching welding,
folding etc. However, other manufacturing processes are within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. In the present
embodiment, vaporization container to a substantially tubular
shaped body 513 having a first end 515 and an opposing second end
520. The tubular shaped body has a first threaded section 542
proximate to the first end of the tubular shaped container having a
plurality of threads 530. The tubular shaped body also has a second
threaded section 541 having a plurality of threads 540 that is
proximate to the second end 520 of the body of the vaporization
container. The cross-sectional diameter of the second threaded
section is less than the cross-sectional diameter of the first
threaded section. The first threaded section 542 is configured for
mating with the threads of the flame diffusing element holder 110
such that the flame diffusing element holder is coupled to the
first end of the vaporization container. When fully assembled, the
threads proximate to the first end of the flame diffusing element
couple with the threads proximate to the threads of the first end
of the flame diffusing element holder and the threads proximate to
the second end of the flame diffusing element holder couple with
the threads proximate to the first end of the vaporization
container. Because of the tubular shaped design, the vaporization
container allows air to pass through the body of the vaporization
container. The vaporization container is also configured for
allowing plant material to be received within the vaporization
container. The plant material may medicinal herbs, tobacco, etc.
The second threaded section on the external surface of the second
end of the vaporization container are configured to couple and mate
with a coupling element 130 that is for coupling the second end of
the vaporization container to inside the housing 105.
[0038] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an insulating element of
the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment, and, FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional side view of a
vaporization container of the system for vaporizing plant material,
according to an example embodiment. In one embodiment, the
insulating element 135 may comprise a tubular shaped body 613
having a first and 615 and an opposing second end 620. The
insulating element comprises material having insulating properties,
such as or combinations of materials such as ceramics, polymeric
materials such as Polystyrene, Polyisocyanurate, Polyurethane,
cellulose, fiberglass etc. However, other materials having
insulating properties may also be used and are within the spirit
and scope of the present invention. Additionally, in other
embodiments, the insulating element may also include multiple
layers to further prevent heat from transferring to the body of the
housing. In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the
insulating element includes an air gap 905 between the body of the
housing 803 and the external surface of the vaporization container.
The insulating elements described above decrease or prevent thermal
energy or heat from being transferred to the housing from the
vaporization container when the system is fully assembled. As a
result, the insulating element prevents damage to the housing when
the housing is configured of combustible materials such as
wood.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a coupling element 130 of
the system for vaporizing plant material, according to an example
embodiment. In one embodiment, the coupling element comprises a
tubular shaped body 703 having a first end 705 and an opposing
second end 710. In one embodiment, the coupling element may
comprise stainless steel. However, in other embodiments, other
materials such as wood, metals, alloys, composites, ceramics,
polymeric materials or any combination thereof may also be used and
are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The
coupling element may be formed from a single piece or from several
individual pieces joined or coupled together. The coupling element
may be manufactured from a variety of different processes including
an extrusion process, a mold, welding, shearing, punching welding,
folding etc. However, other manufacturing processes are within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. The coupling element is
for attaching the second end of the vaporization container to the
inside of the housing. The external surface of the body is threaded
defining a threaded section 749 having a plurality of threads 750.
The external threaded section 749 is configured for mating and
coupling with a threaded section 841 of the housing. The coupling
element may be integral with or attached separately to the
vaporization container. Along the inside surface of the coupling
element is an inside threaded section 755 having a plurality of
threads 760. In one embodiment, the coupling element may also
comprise a lip 740 or flanged feature that protrudes radially
outward from the body 703 of the coupling element. The lip is
configured to rest against opposing shoulders 855, 856 within and
defined by the walls of the body of the housing. In operation, the
external threaded section 749 of the coupling element may be
coupled with the threaded section 841 of the housing (further
explained below) such that the lip 740 is proximate to or abuts the
opposing shoulders 855, 856 of the housing. The second threaded
section 541 of the vaporization container is coupled with the
internal threaded section at 755 of the coupling element.
[0040] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a housing of the system for
vaporizing plant material, according to an example embodiment, and,
FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional side view of a housing of the system
for vaporizing plant material, according to an example embodiment.
In one embodiment, the housing may comprise wood. However, in other
embodiments, other materials may also be used and are within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. The housing may be
formed from a single piece or from several individual pieces joined
or coupled together. The components of the hosing may be
manufactured from a variety of different processes including an
extrusion process, a mold, welding, shearing, punching welding,
folding etc. However, other manufacturing processes are within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. The housing is a
substantially tubular shaped body 803 having a first end the 805
and an opposing second end in 810. The inside walls of the housing
define a first receiving cavity 825 and a second receiving cavity
820. The first receiving cavity is configured for receiving the
vaporization container when the system is in the fully assembled
configuration (as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C). The second
receiving cavity is configured for receiving the coupling element
130 and for receiving the second threaded section 541 of the
vaporization container within the coupling element. In other
embodiments, the coupling element may be permanently affixed to the
second receiving cavity using glue, or other fastening means. In
such embodiments, the second receiving cavity does not include a
threaded section having threads (as illustrated in FIG. 8B).
[0041] FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate the fully assembled system 100
according to two example embodiments. In both embodiments, the
threaded section 316 of the flame diffusing element is coupled with
the first threaded section 242 of the flame diffusing element
holder. The second threaded section 240 of the flame diffusing
element holder is coupled to the first threaded section 542 of the
vaporizing element. In both embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1B and
1C, the central port 320 and the radial ports 330 of the flame
diffusing element are positioned such that the radial ports provide
fluid communication from the external environment outside of the
system and into the chamber 550 of the vaporization container. The
flame diffusing element, as mentioned above, prevents the flame
from entering the vaporization container where plant product is
stored and as a result prevents the plant product from combusting
or burning while allowing vaporizing the plant product.
[0042] In operation, when the system is fully assembled, a user
will place plant material into the chamber of the vaporization
container before fully assembling the system. Next, a user will
fully assemble the system. To fully assemble the system, the user
will couple the vaporization container to the housing. As mentioned
above, in one embodiment, the attaching element may be either
permanently attached or removably attached to the housing. Next, if
a tubular shaped insulating element is used, a user will position
the tubular shaped insulating element surrounding the vaporization
container within the housing. Next, a user will couple the flame
diffusing element within the flame diffusing element holder, and
then couple the flame diffusing element holder to the first end of
the vaporization container. To disassemble the system, a user will
perform the above steps in reverse.
[0043] To operate the system, a user will use a lighter, or some
other flame producing device, to provide a flame proximate to the
first end of the flame diffusing element holder. Next, a user will
use his or her mouth to apply a suction force to the second end of
the housing to pull ambient air and the flame into the flame
diffusing element. As the flame is sucked into the central port of
the flame diffusing element, the configuration of the radial ports
perpendicular to the central port causes no flame to enter the
vaporization container while allowing the thermal energy, heat or
hot air to enter the vaporization container. The heated or hot air
vaporizes the plant material releasing vapor produced by the plant
material (while not burning the plant material). The vapor released
by the plant material will then be sucked through the channel 815
of the housing and into a user's mouth.
[0044] The insulating element 135, 905 substantially surrounds the
vaporizing container when the system is fully assembled. In one
embodiment, the insulating element may comprise a tubular shape
body that substantially surrounds the vaporization container (see
FIGS. 1A and 1B). In other embodiments, the vaporization container
may also be a gap of air 905 that substantially surrounds the
vaporization container when the system is in the fully assembled
configuration (see FIG. 1C). The insulating element prevents or
decreases the amount of heat that is received by the housing 105.
The insulating element prevents damage caused by heat or thermal
energy on the housing.
[0045] In the fully assembled state, the filtering element 120 is
positioned proximate to the second end of the vaporization
container. As mentioned above, the filtering element prevents
debris or plant material from leaving the system or entering into a
user's mouth. In the fully assembled state, second threaded section
541 of the vaporization container is received by the threads of the
inside threaded section 755 of the coupling element. In the fully
assembled configuration, the threads of the outside threaded
section 749 is received by the threaded section 841 of the second
receiving cavity of the housing such that the body of the
vaporization container is received within the first receiving
cavity of the housing.
[0046] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described
above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the
claims.
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