Electronic evaporable substance delivery device and method

Abstract

An improved electronic evaporable substance delivery device delivers nicotine-containing vapor to a user from a smoking device. The smoking device comprises a case having therein a power source, microprocessor, heating element and nicotine-containing cartridge. Microprocessor-controlled heating of the heating element causes air passing thereover to be heated. Passage of the heated air in proximity of the cartridge causes boiling of cartridge contents, and the release of a nicotine-containing vapor. A user may ingest the nicotine-containing vapor via a mouthpiece located at a first end of the case.

1 . An electronic evaporable substance delivery device comprising, in combination:
 a case;   a power source located in an interior of said case;   a printed circuit board located in said interior of said case;   a microprocessor located on said printed circuit board and in communication with said power source;   a heating element in communication with said microprocessor;   a cartridge containing an evaporable substance proximate said heating element;   an air path opening located in said case;   a mouthpiece located at a first end of said case wherein said mouthpiece has a channel therein and is in communication with said air path opening so that air entering said case through said air path opening may be sucked though said mouthpiece; and   a switch configured to activate said microprocessor upon a sucking of air through said interior of said case by a user.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said evaporable substance is nicotine. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said power source is a replaceable battery. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a heat shield interposed between said heating element and said printed circuit board. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a display device in communication with said microprocessor, said display device configured to display data of at least one of a substance intake and battery power levels. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a light located at a second end of said case, said light configured to indicate at least one of a substance intake level and battery power levels. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a pocket clip coupled to an exterior of said case. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said case and said mouthpiece substantially resemble a tobacco cigarette. 
   
   
       10 . An electronic nicotine delivery device comprising, in combination:
 a case;   a power source located in an interior of said case;   a printed circuit board located in said interior of said case;   a microprocessor located on said printed circuit board and in communication with said power source;   a heating element in communication with said microprocessor;   a nicotine-containing cartridge proximate said heating element;   an air path opening located in said case;   a mouthpiece located at a first end of said case wherein said mouthpiece has a channel therein and is in communication with said air path opening so that air entering said case through said air path opening may be sucked though said mouthpiece;   a display device in communication with said microprocessor, said display device configured to display data of at least one of a substance intake and battery power levels;   a switch configured to activate said microprocessor upon a sucking of air through said interior of said case by a user; and   a light located at a second end of said case, said light configured to indicate at least one of a nicotine intake level and battery power levels.   
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said power source is a replaceable battery. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said power source is a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10  further comprising a heat shield interposed between said heating element and said printed circuit board. 
   
   
       14 . A method for delivering an evaporable substance comprising:
 providing an electronic evaporable substance delivery device comprising, in combination:
 a case; 
 a power source located in an interior of said case; 
 a printed circuit board located in said interior of said case; 
 a microprocessor located on said printed circuit board and in communication with said power source; 
 a heating element in communication with said microprocessor; 
 a cartridge containing an evaporable substance proximate said heating element; 
 an air path opening located in said case; 
 a mouthpiece located at a first end of said case wherein said mouthpiece has a channel therein and is in communication with said air path opening so that air entering said case through said air path opening may be sucked though said mouthpiece; and 
 a switch configured to activate said microprocessor upon a sucking of air through said interior of said case by a user; 
   providing power from said power source to said microprocessor;   said microprocessor causing said heating element to heat;   air entering said case being heated by said heating element;   said heated air coming into proximity with said evaporable substance in said cartridge;   at least a portion of said evaporable substance boiling and producing a vapor; and   said vapor exiting said case via said mouthpiece.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said evaporable substance is nicotine. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of said microprocessor calculating an amount of nicotine exiting said case via said mouthpiece. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising displaying said amount of nicotine exiting said case via said mouthpiece to a user. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said step of displaying occurs on a display device located on said case. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said amount of nicotine exiting said case via said mouthpiece to a user is communicated from said case to another device. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said heating element comprises at least one of a heating coil, a light emitting diode, an infra-red device, a laser, a vibration chamber, a flame, and a pressure chamber.