Vaping Apparatus and Methods

Abstract

A portable vapor inhalation unit, and associated components and methods, which includes some or all of:Powered iris adjustment to hold and seal to vapor source cartridges of various diameters;A cartridge receiver which, under control from the user, can be translated to protrude from the body of the unit, or retracted into the body of the unit; and/orA compact display having a screen cover to which a user can apply pressure along at least two axes.

1 . A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising:
 a body;   a first powered mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably grasp and release a vapor source cartridge;   a second powered mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably retract the vapor source cartridge into the body, or protrude the vapor source cartridge from the body;   one or more batteries, operatively connected to power the first and second mechanisms; and   a user-operated control input which causes operation of the first and second mechanisms.   
     
     
         2 . The portable vapor inhalation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the user-operated control input is a single two-dimensional input. 
     
     
         3 . The portable vapor inhalation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the user-operated control input is a single two-dimensional button input. 
     
     
         4 . The portable vapor inhalation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the user-operated control input is a single two-dimensional button input which overlies a display. 
     
     
         5 . A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising a body, and:
 a first mechanism which is operatively connected to selectably grasp and release a vapor source cartridge of unknown diameter;   a second mechanism which is operatively connected to shift the position of the cartridge with respect to the body;   a power source which provides electrical power to the first and second mechanisms; and   a control input which allows the user to operate both the first and second mechanisms independently through a single control input with at least two degrees of freedom.   
     
     
         6 . The portable vapor inhalation unit of  claim 5 , wherein said single control input also includes a button. 
     
     
         7 . The portable vapor inhalation unit of  claim 5 , wherein said single control input overlies a display. 
     
     
         8 . The portable vapor inhalation unit of  claim 5 , wherein the power source is a battery. 
     
     
         9 . A portable vapor inhalation unit, comprising:
 a body;   powered grasping means for holding a vapor source cartridge;   protrusion means for powered protrusion and retraction of the cartridge; and   control means for manual control of both the grasping means and the protrusion means through a single input having two degrees of freedom.   
     
     
         10 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The vapor inhalation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second mechanisms are both mounted to the body. 
     
     
         14 . The vapor inhalation unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second mechanisms are both powered by a single battery. 
     
     
         15 . The vapor inhalation unit of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second mechanisms are both mounted to the body. 
     
     
         16 . The vapor inhalation unit of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second mechanisms are both powered by a single battery. 
     
     
         17 . The vapor inhalation unit of  claim 9 , wherein the powered grasping means and the protrusion means are both mounted to the body. 
     
     
         18 . The vapor inhalation unit of  claim 9 , wherein the powered grasping means and the protrusion means are both powered by a single battery.