Herbal Vaporizing Device

Abstract

A device for vaporizing herbal smoking materials such as tobacco has a base with a trench and an electrically-insulating block disposed in the trench. The trench has two sides. A first side contains a U-shaped electrical heating element. A second side is for receiving a battery. Electrical contacts extend between the first side and second side. The electrical contacts are connected to terminal ends of the heating element. In operation, the battery is connected to the electrical contacts, allowing electrical power to flow through the heating element. A window can cover the first side, so that the bowl area is enclosed. A sliding switch can be disposed in the second side to provide pushbutton manual control of electrical power to the heating element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vaporizing device, comprising:
 a) a base;   b) a trench disposed in the base, comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is for receiving herbal smoking material, and the second side is for receiving a battery;   c) an insulator block disposed in the trench, between the first side and the second side;   d) a U-shaped heating element disposed in the first side, with an open end of the U-shape facing the block;   e) two electrical contacts electrically connected to terminal ends of the heating element, and extending into the second side; and   f) a cover for covering the first side of the trench.   
     
     
         2 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  wherein the electrical contacts extend through the block 
     
     
         3 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  wherein the electrical contacts extend between the block and trench sidewalls. 
     
     
         4 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  wherein the trench is closed on the first side, and the base comprises a mouthpiece hole extending through the base to the trench first side. 
     
     
         5 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  wherein the heating element comprises a vertically-oriented strip of metal foil. 
     
     
         6 . The vaporizing device of  claim 5  wherein the metal foil is corrugated. 
     
     
         7 . The vaporizing device of  claim 5  wherein the metal foil is perforated. 
     
     
         8 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  wherein the heating element comprises a vertically-oriented strip of wire cloth. 
     
     
         9 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  further comprising a sliding switch movable toward the block such that it can provide a momentary electrical connection between a battery disposed in the second side and one of the electrical contacts. 
     
     
         10 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  further comprising a battery holder attached to the base and at least partially extending over the second side, and retaining a battery in the second side by friction. 
     
     
         11 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  further comprising a base magnet disposed in the base, and a cover magnet attached to the cover, wherein the cover is removably attachable to the base by magnetic attraction between the base magnet and the cover magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The vaporizing device of  claim 11  wherein the magnets are shaped such that the cover cannot rotate when attached to the base. 
     
     
         13 . The vaporizing device of  claim 1  further comprising a battery charge indicator disposed in or on the insulator block. 
     
     
         14 . A vaporizing device, comprising:
 a) a base comprising a trench;   b) an insulator block disposed in the trench, dividing the trench into a first side and a second side, wherein the second side is dimensioned to receive a battery;   c) a U-shaped heating element disposed in the first side, with the open side of the U-shape facing the block;   d) two electrical contacts extending between the first side and second side, wherein the electrical contacts are electrically connected to terminal ends of the heating element; and   e) a battery holder extending over the second side; and   f) a cover for covering the first side of the trench.   
     
     
         15 . The vaporizing device of  claim 14  further comprising a sliding switch movable toward the block such that it can provide a momentary electrical connection between a battery disposed in the second side and one of the electrical contacts. 
     
     
         16 . The vaporizing device of  claim 14  further comprising a base magnet disposed in the base, and a cover magnet attached to the cover, wherein the cover is removably attachable to the base by magnetic attraction between the base magnet and the cover magnet. 
     
     
         17 . The vaporizing device of  claim 16  wherein the magnets are shaped such that the cover cannot rotate when attached to the base. 
     
     
         18 . A vaporizing device, comprising:
 a) a base comprising a trench;   b) an insulator block disposed in the trench, dividing the trench into a first side and a second side, wherein the second side is dimensioned to receive a battery;   c) a U-shaped heating element disposed in the first side, with the open side of the U-shape facing the block;   d) two electrical contacts extending between the first side and second side, wherein the electrical contacts are electrically connected to terminal ends of the heating element; and   e) a battery holder extending over the second side;   f) a sliding switch movable toward the block such that it can provide a momentary electrical connection between a battery disposed in the second side and one of the electrical contacts; and   g) a cover for covering the first side of the trench.   
     
     
         19 . The vaporizing device of  claim 18  further comprising a base magnet disposed in the base, and a cover magnet attached to the cover, wherein the cover is removably attachable to the base by magnetic attraction between the base magnet and the cover magnet. 
     
     
         20 . The vaporizing device of  claim 18  further comprising a battery charge indicator electrically connected between the electrical contacts.