Vaporization cartridge zoned heating

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems to vaporize plant material including utilizing a removable disposable cartridge into a case with a receiver. Multiple zones allow for efficient heating. The receiver is configured to support heating elements and transfers heat to a containment portion of the cartridge. Heat zones can direct heat to different areas of the containment portion at a sufficient temperature to vaporize resins or oils on plant material for inhalation via the cartridge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vaporizer zoned heating system comprising:
 a controller;   a power supply in signal communication with the controller;   a heater with heating elements each affixed cross-sectionally around a portion of and inner or outer wall of a receiver;   wherein each heating element is in signal communication with the controller;   at least one temperature sensors in thermal communication with at least one of an outer and an inner wall of the receiver and in signal communication with the controller;   a cartridge having an inhalation end and a containment portion configured to fit within the receiver and be in thermal communication with the heating elements;   material within the containment portion;   wherein the receiver is a heat transfer body configured to pass heat from the heater through to at least a portion of the containment portion; and,   the controller receives temperature sensor input and controls the timing and/or the amount of power applied to activate a heating element.   
     
     
         2 . The vaporizer system of  claim 1  further comprising each heating element is separated from the other by an insulation divider configured as a less conductive area of the receiver inner wall. 
     
     
         3 . The vaporizer system of  claim 1  wherein the controller switches activated heating elements based on at least one of time and temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The vaporizer system of  claim 3  further comprising:
 at least one conductive region within the inner wall of the containment portion; and, 
 wherein during heating by a specific activated heating element the area of the conductive region closest to the heating element heat up more than conductive regions remote from the active heating element. 
 
     
     
         5 . The vaporizer system of  claim 3  further comprising:
 multiple conductive region within the inner wall of the containment portion; and, 
 wherein during heating by a specific activated heating element the conductive region closest to the heating element heat up more than conductive regions remote from the active heating element. 
 
     
     
         6 . The vaporizer system of  claim 5  wherein the conductive regions in the containment portion are separated from each other by non-conductive areas of the containment inner wall. 
     
     
         7 . The vaporizer system of  claim 1  wherein the material is at least one of hemp,  Cannabis  and tobacco. 
     
     
         8 . The vaporizer system of  claim 1  wherein the cartridge is formed of at least one of paper, fibers such as cotton and hemp, metal, foil, plastic, resins, thermoplastics, ceramics, ceramic doped paper, glass, PEEK, and combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A method of zoned heating to vaporize material in a disposable cartridge within a common receiver, the method comprising:
 multiple heating elements affixed cross sectionally as rings within a receiver configured to receive a cartridge;   wherein each heating element is in signal communication with a controller;   at least one temperature sensors in thermal communication with at least one of an outer and an inner wall of the receiver and in signal communication with the controller;   a cartridge having an inhalation end and a containment end configured to fit within the receiver and be in thermal communication with the heating elements;   material within the containment;   wherein the receiver is configured as a heat transfer body to transfer heat from the a heating element to at least a portion of the containment end of the cartridge;   wherein the controller receives temperature sensor input and controls the timing and/or the amount of power applied to activate a heating element to vaporize compounds from said material.   
     
     
         10 . The method of zoned heating to vaporize material in a cartridge within a common receiver of  claim 9  wherein the conductive regions are separated from each other by less conductive areas of the containment end. 
     
     
         11 . The method of zoned heating to vaporize material in a cartridge within a common receiver of  claim 9  wherein the heating elements are separated from each other by less conductive portions of the receiver. 
     
     
         12 . The method of zoned heating to vaporize material in a cartridge within a common receiver of  claim 9  wherein the containment end of the cartridge does not burn, or combust at temperatures below 430 degrees F. for at least 30 seconds. 
     
     
         13 . The method of zoned heating to vaporize material in a cartridge within a common receiver vaporizer system of  claim 9  wherein the containment portion of the cartridge does not burn, or combust at temperatures below 430 degrees F. for at least 60 seconds. 
     
     
         14 . The method of zoned heating to vaporize material in a cartridge within a common receiver of  claim 9  further comprising one or more indicator whereby status of the system is visually communicated. 
     
     
         15 . The method of zoned heating to vaporize material in a cartridge within a common receiver of  claim 9  wherein the material is at least one of hemp,  Cannabis  and tobacco.