U.S. Patent No. 9,894,936 B2 issued on February 20, 2018, for “Zoned Vaporizer,” to Mark Krietzman. The claims are directed to vape apparatuses, one a full system and the other a portable device. Independent claim 1 recites a system including a controller, heating chamber, lid, intake, and power supply which can control the vape. Independent claim 15 recites a portable vaporizer comprising a controller, heating chamber, lid, intake, and rechargeable battery.
The specification describes an invention that is a digital vape which can be controlled by wireless communication, either BLUETOOTH® or WI-FI®. The vape is described as being able to vaporize plant material with zoned heating from its heating chamber. A wireless device controlling the heating element from a distance can regulate the temperature to vaporize the plant material, which is disclosed as C. sativa. A visual LCD screen is also disclosed. The International Patent Classifications are A24F (smokers’ requisites) and A24B (tobacco substitutes), and H05B (details of electric heating devices).
This is really an interesting invention, because of the use of a digital media to control the temperature to vaporize cannabis. Two prior art references were cited by the Examiner, one which was US 2015-0150308 A1, for “Method and system for vaporization of a substance,” published on June 4, 2015, which is directed to a conventional vaporizer (still pending with the USPTO), and the other, US 2016-0255879 A1, directed to an e-cigarette smoking apparatus (also still pending with the USPTO).
The growth of adult-use cannabis throughout the U.S. only increases the growth-potential for related technology in the cannabis industry. Vapes and vaporizers and related technology are the beneficiaries of this emerging industry. This particular patent was issued to a sole inventor/applicant. While not an inexpensive investment, it can be a rewarding benefit for the intrepid inventor. It should be a noted that patents for cannabis-related products and services are not limited to large or even mid-size companies; individual inventors are among the largest growing applicant group at the USPTO.
More cannabis technology is expected to begin the patenting process as more states become friendlier to adult-use cannabis, both in research and recreational use.
If you have any questions about the patent process for cannabis-related products and services, please contact Yonaxis for more information.