IP Library Granted Patent US 9,259,035
Granted Patent B2
US 9,259,035 · App. 13/698,020 · Granted Feb 16, 2016

Solderless personal vaporizing inhaler

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,259,035
App. No.
13/698,020
Granted
Feb 16, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A personal vapor inhaling unit is disclosed. An electronic flameless vapor inhaler unit t may simulate a cigarette. A flow of electrical power may be coupled through solderless pressure contacts to activate a heating element. When the unit is activated, and the user provides suction, the liquid to be vaporized may be vaporized by an atomizer assembly. Vapors may then be aspirated by the user through an oral aspiration tube, where they may be inhaled.

Claims (44)

1. A vaporizer comprising:

a wick element for directly contacting a liquid to be changed into a vapor;

a heating element having first and second extremities;

an inner contact member;

an outer contact member;

a first pressure member, wherein the first extremity of the heating element is sandwiched over said inner contact member to effect a first solderless pressure contacts; and

a second pressure member, wherein the second extremity of the heating element is sandwiched over the outer contact member to effect a second solderless pressure contacts.

2. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 wherein the inner contact member and the first pressure member comprise metal members.

3. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 wherein the inner contact member includes at least an inner contact post.

4. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer contact member and the second pressure member comprise metal members.

5. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 wherein the second pressure member comprises at least a portion of an oral aspiration tube fluidly coupled with the heating element for transporting vapor from the heating element to a user's mouth.

6. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 wherein the outer contact member comprises an outer contact sleeve.

7. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

an outer contact sleeve; and

an oral aspiration tube having an extremity arranged for sandwiching the second extremity of the heating element over the outer contact sleeve to effect second solderless pressure contacts.

8. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 wherein the heating element comprises a wire.

9. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising an outer contact member wherein the heating element is electrically coupled between the inner contact member and the outer contact member for energizing the heating element when the heating element is activated.

10. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising an outer contact member wherein the heating element is electrically coupled between the inner contact member and the outer contact member for conducting a flow of battery power when the heating element is activated.

11. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

an outer contact member; and

substantially annular insulation interposed between the inner contact member and the outer contact member.

12. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

an outer contact member; and

electrical insulation material interposed between the inner contact member and the outer contact member, wherein the electrical insulation material substantially avoids outgassing at approximately three hundred degrees Celsius.

13. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

an outer contact member; and

electrical insulation material interposed between the inner contact member and the outer contact member, wherein the electrical insulation material substantially maintains dimensional stability at approximately three hundred degrees Celsius.

14. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a heating element support member; and

an air gap defined between at least a first portion of said wick element and a second portion of the heating element support member.

15. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising a heating element support member thermally coupled with the heating element.

16. A vaporizer as recited in claim 1 further comprising a heating element support member, wherein the heating element includes at least a wire coiled about the heating element support member.

17. A vaporizer comprising:

a wick element for directly contacting a liquid to be changed into a vapor;

a heating element having first and second extremities;

an inner contact member;

an outer contact member; and

a first pressure member that holds the first extremity of the heating element in contact with said inner contact member to produce a first electrical solderless pressure contact; and

a second pressure member that holds the second extremity of the heating element in contact with said outer contact member to produce a second solderless pressure electrical contact.

18. A vaporizer as recited in claim 17 wherein the first pressure member includes at least a pressure cap to sandwich the first extremity of the heating element over said inner contact member to effect first solderless pressure contacts.

19. A vaporizer as recited in claim 17 wherein the outer contact member and the pressure member comprise metal members.

20. A vaporizer as recited in claim 17 wherein the pressure member comprises at least a portion of an oral aspiration tube fluidly coupled with the heating element for transporting vapor from the heating element to a user's mouth.

21. A vaporizer as recited in claim 17 wherein the outer contact member comprises an outer contact sleeve.

22. A vaporizer as recited in claim 17 wherein the heating element is substantially “L” shaped.

Assignments (10)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE U.S. PATENT NO. 9,259,020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038004 FRAME 0633. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 28, 2017
From: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
To: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 042370/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2014
From: MINUSA HOLDINGS LLC
To: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033489/0166 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2014
From: TERRY, NATHAN ANDREW; MINSKOFF, NOAH MARK; BREEDE, MICHAEL EDWARD; DUFFIN, LAWRENCE
To: MINUSA HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 033128/0053 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2014
From: BREEDE, MICHAEL EDWARD
To: TERRY, NATHAN ANDREW
Reel/Frame 033108/0628 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: TERRY, NATHAN ANDREW
To: MINUSA HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 033126/0371 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: BREEDE, MICHAEL EDWARD
To: MINUSA HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 033094/0176 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2014
From: DUFFIN, LAWRENCE H., III
To: MINSKOFF, NOAH M.
Reel/Frame 032237/0776 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2014
From: MINSKOFF, NOAH MARK
To: BREEDE, MICHAEL EDWARD
Reel/Frame 032091/0847 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 6, 2013
From: TERRY, NATHAN ANDREW
To: BREEDE, MICHAEL EDWARD
Reel/Frame 030620/0949 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 8, 2013
From: MINSKOFF, NOAH MARK
To: DUFFIN, LAWRENCE
Reel/Frame 029784/0785 →