MODULAR VAPORIZER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VAPORIZING A COMPOSITION

Abstract

A vaporiser system for vaporising a composition includes a first element with at least one radiation source connected to an electrical energy source which is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation, and a second element with at least one reservoir for holding the composition and at least one absorber. The first and the second element are reversibly and detachably connectable to each other in a non-destructive manner. A radiation conductor is arranged such that a radiation-conducting connection is formed between the radiation source and the absorber when the first element and the second element are connected to each other. The vaporiser system is adapted to vaporise the composition by the thermal energy obtained from the electromagnetic radiation by the absorber via conversion and/or by the electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the absorber.

Claims

1. A vaporiser system for vaporising a composition, comprising: a first element comprising at least one radiation source connected to an electrical energy source, which at least one radiation source is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation; and a second element comprising at least one reservoir for holding the composition and at least one absorber which is adapted to at least partially absorb the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source and to convert the electromagnetic radiation at least partially into thermal energy and/or to emit the electromagnetic radiation at least partially as electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation; wherein the first and the second element are reversibly and detachably connectable to each other in a non-destructive manner and wherein a radiation conductor is arranged such that a radiation-conducting connection is formed between the at least one radiation source and the at least one absorber when the first element and the second element are connected to each other; and wherein the vaporiser system is adapted to vaporise the composition by means of the thermal energy obtained from the at least one absorber due to conversion from the electromagnetic radiation and/or by the electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the at least one absorber.

2. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the emitted electromagnetic radiation has the highest intensity maximum below a wavelength of 500 nm, or ranging from 410 to 490 nm, or 430 to 480 nm, or 440 to 470 nm, wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a spectral bandwidth at 50% of the maximum intensity of 5 to 50 nm, or 10 to 40 nm, or 20 to 30 nm.

3. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein: the at least one absorber is a three-dimensional body, a dimension of which in two spatial directions is greater than or at least equal to a dimension in a third spatial direction; or the vaporiser system comprises a composition and the absorber is formed by particles which are mixed with the composition to be vaporised or dispersed in the composition to be vaporised.

4. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is configured such that one or more of its absorption maxima for electromagnetic radiation lie at a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the at least one radiation source at a wavelength that lies within 20% around an intensity maximum of the emission of the at least one radiation source.

5. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the absorber has channels or capillary channels, and/or is a porous solid body such that the absorber is liquid-conducting and passage of the liquid composition through the at least one absorber is possible, wherein the at least one absorber comprises a membrane which only allows passage of the liquid composition through the absorber when a limit temperature is exceeded.

6. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one absorber has a non-homogeneous absorption behaviour along at least one spatial direction and a gradient of absorption along a spatial direction corresponding to a direction of incidence of the electromagnetic radiation onto the at least one absorber.

7. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radiation source is a lamp, a laser or a light-emitting diode.

8. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the radiation conductor is opaque to electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength which deviates more than 50%, from a wavelength of an intensity maximum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source.

9. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the absorber has at least one planar surface, and wherein the at least one radiation source, the radiation conductor, any radiation formers that may be present and the at least one absorber, when the first and second elements are connected to each other, are arranged in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation impinges on one of the planar surfaces of the absorber at an angle of incidence of less than 45°.

10. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is transparent at least in one section, or transparent to visible light, or transparent to electromagnetic radiation, the wavelength of which is within 20%, around an intensity maximum of an emission of the at least one radiation source.

11. The vaporiser system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one absorber comprises a first absorber and a second absorber and the at least one radiation source comprises a first radiation source and a second radiation source, wherein the first and the second absorber are connected to different, separate sections of the reservoir and the first and the second radiation source have their highest emission maximum at different wavelengths, wherein the absorptivity of the two absorbers differs at at least one of the wavelengths of the highest emission maximum of the two radiation sources by more than 50%.

12. A cartridge for the vaporiser system for vaporising a composition according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises: the at least one reservoir for holding the composition; and the at least one absorber which is adapted to at least partially absorb electromagnetic radiation emitted by an external radiation source and to convert the electromagnetic radiation at least partially into thermal energy and/or to emit the electromagnetic radiation at least partially as electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation; wherein the at least one absorber is a three-dimensional body, a dimension of which in two spatial directions is greater than or at least equal to a dimension in a third spatial direction wherein the absorber has at least one planar or curved surface, wherein the at least one absorber is arranged in the cartridge in such a manner that the composition held in the reservoir is in contact with or can come into contact with the at least one absorber, wherein the at least one absorber is arranged in the cartridge in such a manner that the at least one absorber is exposed from outside the cartridge to electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of which the at least one absorber shows an absorption.

13. A portable vaporising apparatus comprising the vaporiser system for vaporising a composition according to claim 1, wherein the first element and the second element are reversibly and detachably connected to each other in a non-destructive manner.

14. An absorber for the vaporiser system for vaporising a composition according to claim 1, wherein the absorber is adapted to at least partially absorb electromagnetic radiation emitted by a radiation source and to convert the electromagnetic radiation at least partially into thermal energy and/or to emit the electromagnetic radiation at least partially as electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation; wherein the absorber is a three-dimensional body, the dimension of which in two spatial directions is greater than or at least equal to the dimension in a third spatial direction, wherein the absorber has at least one planar or curved surface; wherein the absorber has channels or capillary channels, and/or is a porous solid body such that a passage of the liquid composition is possible through the absorber.

15. A composition for the vaporiser system according to claim 1, comprising: at least one active ingredient component; at least one first carrier substance boiling higher than the active ingredient component; at least one second carrier substance boiling lower than the active ingredient component; wherein the composition further comprises; at least one additive which increases an absorptivity of the composition for electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength ranging from 50 μm to 700 nm; and/or at least one type of particles, either as a mixture or a dispersion, which is suitable as an absorber material for at least partially absorbing electromagnetic radiation emitted by a radiation source and converting the electromagnetic radiation at least partially into thermal energy and/or emitting the electromagnetic radiation at least partially as electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation.

16. A spatial juxtaposition of a plurality of components of the vaporiser system according to claim 1, comprising: A. a first element as a reusable part comprising the electrical energy source and connected thereto the at least one radiation source which is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation, and B. one or more second elements as a disposable part, preferably a cartridge, comprising, in at least one reservoir, a composition intended for vaporising and an absorber which is adapted to at least partially absorb the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source and to convert the electromagnetic radiation at least partially into thermal energy and/or to emit the electromagnetic radiation at least partially as electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation, the cartridge comprising; the at least one reservoir for holding the composition; and the at least one absorber which is adapted to at least partially absorb electromagnetic radiation emitted by an external radiation source and to convert the electromagnetic radiation at least partially into thermal energy and/or to emit the electromagnetic radiation at least partially as electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation; wherein the at least one absorber is a three-dimensional body, a dimension of which in two spatial directions is greater than or at least equal to a dimension in a third spatial direction wherein the absorber has at least one planar or curved surface; wherein the at least one absorber is arranged in the cartridge in such a manner that the composition held in the reservoir is in contact with or can come into contact with the at least one absorber; wherein the at least one absorber is arranged in the cartridge in such a manner that the at least one absorber is exposed from outside the cartridge to electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of which the at least one absorber shows an absorption; wherein the first and the second elements are reversibly and detachably connectable to each other in a non-destructive manner and wherein a radiation conductor is arranged in the first and/or second element such that a radiation-conducting connection is formed between the radiation source and the absorber when the first element and the second element are connected to each other.

17. A method for vaporising a composition in a vaporiser system, comprising the steps: a) providing a first element comprising at least one radiation source connected to an electrical energy source which is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation; b) providing a second element comprising at least one reservoir for holding the composition and at least one absorber which is adapted to at least partially absorb the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source and to convert the electromagnetic radiation at least partially into thermal energy and/or to emit the electromagnetic radiation at least partially as electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation; c) connecting the first element with the second element such that a radiation-conducting connection is formed between the radiation source and the absorber by a radiation conductor; and d) activating the radiation source and thus vaporising the composition by the thermal energy obtained from the absorber due to conversion from the electromagnetic radiation and/or by the electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the absorber.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising, after step d), the step: e) detaching the first and second elements connected to each other; as well as one of the following steps: f1) providing a further second element and connecting the further second element to the first element for vaporising the composition; f2) refilling the reservoir in the second element to create a refilled second element and connecting the refilled second element to the first element for vaporising the refilled composition; or f3) recycling the second element.

19. The vaporiser system according to claim 6, wherein the gradient of absorption is generated by a concentration gradient of pigments having an absorption maximum at the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation in the absorber which is otherwise or largely transparent at this wavelength.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0201] The invention and preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained and described in greater detail below with reference to the associated drawings. The same reference numbers in different figures denote the same components.

[0202] FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of the energy and mass transport between the components of a vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0203] FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of the energy and mass transport between the components of a vaporiser system according to the invention with visualisation of the first and second elements;

[0204] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section through an exemplary vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0205] FIGS. 4a-4c are three schematic representations (4a, 4b, 4c) of exemplary relative arrangements of a radiation source and an absorber with respect to each other;

[0206] FIGS. 5a-5c are three schematic cross-sectional representations (5a, 5b, 5c) of exemplary relative arrangements of a radiation source and an absorber with respect to each other in a detail of a vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0207] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0208] FIG. 7 is a detail of a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0209] FIG. 8 is a detail of a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention with enlargement of the connection region between the first and the second element;

[0210] FIG. 9 is a detail of a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0211] FIG. 10 is a detail of a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0212] FIG. 11 is a detail of a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0213] FIG. 12 is a detail of a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention with enlargement of the connection region between the first and the second element;

[0214] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0215] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0216] FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention;

[0217] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a preferred vaporiser system according to the invention; and

[0218] FIG. 17 is a schematic flowchart of the method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0219] FIG. 1 shows a schematic flowchart of the energy and mass transport between the components of a vaporiser system 10 according to the invention. This flowchart schematically illustrates the function of the vaporiser system according to the invention.

[0220] The radiation source 18 emits electromagnetic radiation 20 which impinges on the absorber 26 through the radiation conductor 30, the absorber being adapted to at least partially absorb the electromagnetic radiation 20 emitted by the radiation source 18 and to convert it at least partially into thermal energy 28 and/or to emit it at least partially as electromagnetic radiation 21 with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation 20. In FIG. 1, the absorber 26 is arranged by way of example in the reservoir 24 which is suitable for holding the composition 12.

[0221] The thermal energy 28 is supplied to the composition 12 directly or via a circuitous route via a suitable heat conductor 52, the electromagnetic radiation 21 with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation 20 also contributing to the energy input into the composition.

[0222] The composition 12 is transferred to the vapour phase in order to produce vapour 54 which can then pass to the user via an outlet opening 56.

[0223] In this system, the composition 12 is correspondingly vaporised by means of the thermal energy 28 obtained from the absorber 26 due to conversion from the electromagnetic radiation 20 and/or by means of the electromagnetic radiation 21 with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation 20 which is emitted by the absorber 26.

[0224] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a vaporiser system according to the invention which is very similar to the representation in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, however, the first element 14, which is presently configured as reusable part 48, and the second element 22, which is presently configured as disposable part 50, as well as an electrical energy source 16 arranged in the first element 14 and connected to the radiation source 18, are additionally drawn in. Accordingly, it can be seen that the first element 14 comprises at least one radiation source 18 connected to an electrical energy source 16, which radiation source is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation 20. In addition, the second element 22 comprises a reservoir 24 for holding the composition 12 and the absorber 26.

[0225] It is schematically indicated that the radiation conductor 30 is arranged between the first element 14 and the second element 22, it being possible in this case, for example, to configure the radiation conductor in two parts, for example as two transparent glass discs, each of which is arranged in one of the elements and which together form the radiation conductor 30. It can be seen that the radiation conductor 30 is arranged such that a radiation-conducting connection is formed between the radiation source 18 and the absorber 26 when the first element 14 and the second element 22 are connected to each other.

[0226] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-section through an exemplary vaporiser system 10 according to the invention which is configured as a portable vaporising apparatus 46, for example as an electronic cigarette, which in addition contains the composition 12 as a so-called liquid. The vaporiser system comprises a first element 14, which is configured as reusable part 48, comprising a radiation source 18 connected via a control device 58 to an electrical energy source 16, which radiation source is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation 20, In addition, the vaporiser system comprises a second element 22, which is configured as disposable part 50, comprising a reservoir 24 with the composition 12 and an absorber 26, which is adapted to at least partially absorb the electromagnetic radiation 20 emitted by the radiation source 18 and to convert it at least partially into thermal energy 28 and/or to emit it at least partially as electromagnetic radiation 21 with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation 20.

[0227] The first element 14 and the second element 22 are reversibly and detachably connectable to each other in a non-destructive manner, whereby, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, they are reversibly and detachably connected to each other in a non-destructive manner, for example by means of a screw system (not shown). In FIG. 3, the radiation conductor 30 is arranged in the first element 22 in such a manner that a radiation-conducting connection is formed between the radiation source 18 and the absorber 26. In this way, the vaporiser system 10 or the portable vaporising apparatus 46 is adapted to vaporise the composition 12 by means of the thermal energy 28 obtained from the absorber 26 due to conversion from the electromagnetic radiation 20 and/or by means of the electromagnetic radiation 21 with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation 20 which is emitted by the absorber 26.

[0228] The radiation source 18 is controlled or regulated by a control device 58. Vaporisation takes place in a vaporising region 60, from which the vapour passes to the outlet opening. Not shown is an inlet for supply air which mixes with the vapour in the vaporising region 60. The radiation source 18 is controlled by the control device 58 so that the portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation 20 absorbed and converted by the absorber 26 is sufficient to vaporise a defined quantity, for example 6 g, of the composition 12 in 3 s.

[0229] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the radiation source 18 is an LED in SMT (surface-mounted technology) construction with a maximum of the emission between 444 and 465 nm, with a typical value of 459 nm and a spectral bandwidth of 27 nm. A vaporiser system according to the invention is preferred, the radiation source being adapted to be operated continuously or pulsed, pulsed operation being preferred.

[0230] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the composition 12 is a liquid comprising nicotine as the active ingredient component as well as 1,2-propanediol, glycerol and water. The composition 12 shows almost no absorption at the wavelength of 444 to 465 nm.

[0231] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the reservoir 24 is composed of plastic, it also being possible to use other materials.

[0232] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the radiation conductor 30 is a cuboid block of quartz glass which is transparent in all spatial directions to the electromagnetic radiation 20 emitted by the radiation source 18, it also being possible, of course, to use other radiation conductors 30.

[0233] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the absorber 26 is a copper body configured as a porous three-dimensional body, namely as a plate with 6 planar surfaces, which has been provided with a black coating and which sufficiently absorbs the electromagnetic radiation 20 with a wavelength of 459 nm. Of course, other absorbers can also be used.

[0234] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the electrical energy storage device 16 is a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 650 mAh and a maximum discharge current of 6.5 A, but other electrical storage devices 16 can also be used.

[0235] FIGS. 4a to 4c show, in three schematic representations, exemplary relative arrangements of a radiation source 18 and an absorber 26 with respect to each other.

[0236] It can be seen in FIG. 4a that the radiation source 18 conducts the electromagnetic radiation 20 through a section of the reservoir 40, i.e. the transparent outer wall, and the composition 12 in such a manner that the radiation impinges vertically, in the Y-direction, on the absorber 26 which has a structure provided with channels 34 on an irradiated surface, through which the composition 12 can be drawn into the absorber 26 by capillary action. In the embodiment shown, the absorber 26 has the greatest absorptivity in the region directed away from the radiation source 18. Vaporisation of the composition 12 and thus the formation of vapour 54 therefore takes place on the side directed away from the radiation source 18. This form of orthogonal irradiation of the absorber 26 has proven particularly successful in terms of efficient energy use.

[0237] FIG. 4b shows a setup comparable to FIG. 4a, but this time with the electromagnetic radiation 20 radiating along the X-direction so that it impinges on the narrower side of the absorber 26. However, in this embodiment the absorber 26 has a gradient of absorption along the X-direction which is generated by a concentration gradient of pigments 36, black in this example, with an absorption maximum at the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation 20 in the silicate glass matrix acting as the absorber in this example.

[0238] FIG. 4c shows an arrangement in which the electromagnetic radiation 20 impinges on the absorber 26 at an angle of incidence of approximately 45°, this less efficient arrangement per se always proves its value when more than one absorber 26 is to be used, which are to be activated by the same radiation source.

[0239] FIGS. 5a to 5c show details of schematically different relative arrangements of the radiation source 18 and the absorber 26 in a vaporiser system 10 according to the invention, as can be implemented structurally by way of example.

[0240] In FIGS. 5a to 5c, the first element 14 and the second element 22 in each case are reversibly and detachably connected to each other in a non-destructive manner by fastening means (not shown) such that a radiation-conducting connection, which extends through the radiation conductor 30, is formed between the radiation source 18 and the absorber 26, the radiation conductor 30 in FIG. 5b being configured as a section of the reservoir 40. In all cases shown, the liquid composition 12 passes to the absorber 26 and is transported by capillary forces to the absorbent portion of the absorber 26 (shown in dark) through the channels 34 arranged on this absorber 26, which in these examples are counted as part of the absorber 26, but can also be configured as a porous wick, for example. During operation of the vaporiser system 10, vaporisation of the composition 12 takes place there so that vapour 54 is formed which, together with air provided by a supply air line 74, is conducted to the outlet opening 56 and to the mouthpiece 76 (both not shown). In FIGS. 5a and 5b, the absorber 26 is exposed to electromagnetic radiation 20 from above and below, i.e. once frontally onto the absorbent portion of the absorber 26 and once onto the channels 34. In FIG. 5c, as previously discussed for FIG. 4b, irradiation takes place from the side, a gradient of absorption being generated in turn by a concentration gradient of pigments 36, this gradient being drawn in schematically in FIG. 5c. In this purely schematic representation, the y-axis shows the pigment density in purely qualitative terms which can be an indicator of the maximum absorption, whereas the x-axis shows the location in the absorber 26 and the distance from the radiation source. The schematic representation in FIG. 5c thus shows, by way of example, a linear increase in pigment concentration with increasing distance from the radiation source 18. In other words, it shows a decrease in transparency in the absorbent portion of the absorber 26 as the distance from the radiation source increases along the vapour direction. The person skilled in the art will recognise that the gradient plotted is a purely qualitative representation which, for reasons of clarity, does not take account of the channels 34 in the absorber 26 in which the pigment density is, of course, actually zero. Moreover, in practice, such absorbers 26 have shown the best properties which display a non-linear increase in particle concentration along the x-axis.

[0241] FIG. 6 shows a vaporiser system 10 according to the invention in which the arrangement shown in FIG. 5c is installed. The assembly known from FIG. 5c represents the connection between a reservoir 24 and the composition 12 contained therein as well as the vent 64 which conducts the vapour 54 generated to the outlet opening. In this example, the vent 64 has a circular cross-section and is arranged coaxial with the reservoir 24 which is also circular. These components form the second element 22, or the disposable part 50, which is reversibly and detachably connected to the first element 14, or the reusable part 48, in a non-destructive manner, which houses the electrical energy source 16, the control device 58 and the radiation source 18, the latter irradiating the absorber 26 provided with the absorption gradient laterally through a section of the reservoir 40 which is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation 20.

[0242] FIG. 7 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of the vaporiser system 10 according to the invention in cross-section, in which the first element 14 and the second element 22 are connected to each other by means of a positive-locking plug-in connector. The vaporiser system 10 shown is rotationally symmetrical and has a circular cross-section. The radiation conductor 30, in which radiation conduction is based on total or partial reflection, is accordingly arranged around the absorber 26 in an annular shape and thus ensures circumferential irradiation of the absorber 26. The disc-shaped absorber 26, which is provided with channels 34 filled with a wick 66, has a radial, inwardly increasing absorption gradient starting from the edge of the disc, which is irradiated by means of the radiation conductor 30, to the centre of the disc, which gradient is formed by colour particles in an otherwise transparent crystal matrix and thus produces a uniform temperature profile, despite the indirect, lateral irradiation of the absorber 26.

[0243] FIG. 8 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of the vaporiser system 10 according to the invention in cross-section, which is a design modification of FIG. 7, in which the absorber 26 in this case is configured as a porous solid ring of wick material and also serves at the same time as wick 66. The electromagnetic radiation 20 conducted via the radiation conductor 30 is spread by scattering via the radiation former 38 in extension of the radiation conductor 30 so that the entire outer surface of the absorber 26 is impinged on.

[0244] FIG. 9 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of the vaporiser system 10 according to the invention in cross-section, the individual components which are arranged in this rotationally symmetrical vaporiser system 10 having already been described above. The particularly efficient feature of the embodiment in FIG. 9 is that the annular, disc-like absorber 26 is configured as a porous absorber 26, provided with channels 34, which is formed by the lower base of the reservoir 24. Both the reservoir 24 and the absorber 26 surround the vent which is arranged coaxial with the reservoir 24 and absorber 26. The composition 12 enters the absorber from the reservoir 24 through the channels 34 and is vaporised there due to interaction of the absorber 26 with the electromagnetic radiation 20 as described above. The vapour is entrained by the supply air 68 and leaves the vaporiser system 10 via the vent 64, e.g. in the direction of a user.

[0245] The detail of a preferred embodiment of the vaporiser system 10 according to the invention shown in cross-section in FIG. 10 differs substantially from the representation in FIG. 9 in that a hollow cone-shaped absorber 26 is used instead of an annular absorber 26. This makes it possible to adjust a lower radiation angle at the radiation source 18 due to the inclined positioning relative to a longitudinal axis of the vent 64 and the radiation source 18, while maintaining the same passage surface for the composition 12 and still completely impinging the absorber 26 with electromagnetic radiation. In addition, a smaller structural shape is possible due to positioning of the absorber 26 with respect to the diameter of the reservoir 24 or the second element 22.

[0246] FIG. 11 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of the vaporiser system 10 according to the invention in cross-section, the composition 12 in the reservoir 24 being supplied to the absorber 26 via an at least partially porous section 40 of the reservoir 24, here the base, it being possible for this section, for example, to also be configured as a separate wick. The absorber 26 is not irradiated by the radiation source 18 in a straight line, but rather the radiation source 18, in the connected state, is aligned with a radiation former 38 which reflects the electromagnetic radiation 20 and redirects it to the absorber 26. From the absorber, the vapour 54 passes to the vent (not shown here) via a connection 70.

[0247] FIG. 12 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of the vaporiser system 10 according to the invention in cross-section, the vaporiser system 10 comprising two reservoirs 24a and 24b, each of which is connected to one of two absorbers 26a and 26b which can be irradiated with electromagnetic radiation via two separate radiation sources 18a and 18b such that the vapour from the composition 12 can pass from the left and/or right reservoir 24a and 24b to the vent (not shown here) via the connection 70. The vaporiser system 10 accordingly comprises a first absorber 26a and a second absorber 26b as well as a first radiation source 18a and a second radiation source 18b, the first absorber 26a and the second absorber 26b being connected to different, separate sections of the reservoir 24a and 24b.

[0248] The embodiment shown functions in principle as described below. The first absorber 26a is supplied with composition 12 by the first reservoir 24a, the first absorber 26a being fluidly coupled to the wick 66 in a liquid-conducting manner and being wetted with the composition 12 by said wick. The same applies to the second absorber 26b. When the vaporiser system 10 is activated, the first radiation source 18a is activated in such a manner that the first radiation source 18a initially illuminates the first absorber surface 26a during the illumination period. During a portion of the illumination period, the absorber 26a absorbs the electromagnetic radiation 20 and converts it (among other things) as described above, e.g. into thermal energy. The composition absorbs the thermal energy and vaporises. After a predetermined time, the first radiation source 18a is deactivated and the second radiation source 18b is activated. The second radiation source 18b illuminates the second absorber 26b as previously described. During a further predetermined time of the illumination period of the second radiation source 18b, composition 12 can flow from the first reservoir 24a into the first absorber 26a. After the predetermined illumination period of the second radiation source 18b, it is switched off. The advantage of this setup is effectively more continuous vaporising of the composition due to the sequential, consecutive illumination of the different absorbers 26a and 26b. As a result, during the period of illumination of the second absorber 26b, the first absorber 26a can be refilled with composition 12 from the corresponding reservoir 24a. Alternatively, in this setup it is also conceivable for the composition 12 in the reservoir 24a and the composition 12 in the reservoir 24b to differ. For example, the reservoir 24a could comprise a composition 12 having nicotine. The reservoir 24b could comprise a composition containing cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinol. The radiation sources 18a and 18b can then be operated independently of each other, i.e. for example, according to selection of the desired active ingredient by the user. A further example of two such compositions which differ from each other in the reservoir 24a and 24b can be active ingredients that are used in the therapy of respiratory diseases. For this purpose, the reservoir 24a can comprise a composition 12 having an active ingredient which a patient takes regularly according to a schedule determined by a doctor. The reservoir 24b can comprise an active ingredient which the patient can use in an emergency. In this case too, operation of the radiation sources 18a, 18b would depend on selection by the patient of the active ingredient to be vaporised in the reservoir 24a and 24b respectively.

[0249] FIG. 13 shows a preferred embodiment of the vaporiser system 10 according to the invention in cross-section, this being a stationary setup such as can be used in inhalers. Of particular note here is that a radiation former 38 is used to scatter the relatively focused electromagnetic radiation 20 of a monochromatic laser radiation source 18 such that a relatively large surface of the absorber 26 can be impinged on, in order to enable uniform vaporising of the composition 12, even with a laser.

[0250] FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 show particularly preferred embodiments of the vaporiser system 10 according to the invention in cross-section, the second element 22 being configured in each case as mouthpiece 76 (FIG. 16), or forming a mouthpiece 76 together with the first element 14 (FIGS. 14 and 15). FIG. 14 shows a particularly powerful vaporiser system 10 which enables particularly intensive and uniform vaporisation via the total of three radiation sources 18. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the vent 64, which conducts the vapour 54 to the mouthpiece 76, is formed between the first element 14 and the second element 22 which is made possible in that the absorber 26 prevents undesirable leakage of the composition 12 from the reservoir 24. In contrast, the vent 64 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 is integrated into the cartridge, which is most preferred, since the reusable part 48 does not come into contact with the composition even if unintentional leakage of the composition 12 from the reservoir 24 occurs, e.g. due to mechanical damage to the absorber 26.

[0251] FIG. 17 shows a schematic flowchart of the method according to the invention, which comprises the steps illustrated, namely:

[0252] providing 100 a first element 14 comprising at least one radiation source 18 connected to an electrical energy source 16, which radiation source is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation 20,

[0253] providing 102 a second element 22 comprising at least one reservoir 24 for holding the composition 12 and at least one absorber 26 which is adapted to at least partially absorb the electromagnetic radiation 20 emitted by the radiation source 18 and to convert it at least partially into thermal energy 28 and/or to emit it at least partially as electromagnetic radiation 21 with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation 20,

[0254] connecting 104 the first element 14 with the second element 22 such that a radiation-conducting connection is formed between the radiation source 18 and the absorber 26 by a radiation conductor 30, and

[0255] activating 106 the radiation source 18 and thus vaporising the composition 12 by means of the thermal energy 28 obtained from the absorber 26 due to conversion from the electromagnetic radiation 20 and/or by means of the electromagnetic radiation 21 with increased wavelength compared to the absorbed electromagnetic radiation 20 which is emitted by the absorber 26.

[0256] Also shown are the optional steps of the preferred method 108, 110, 112 and 114, namely: detaching 108 the first 14 and second elements 22 connected to each other; providing 110 a further second element 22 and connecting the further second element 22 to the first element 14 for vaporising the composition 12; refilling 112 the reservoir 24 in the second element 22 to create a refilled second element 22 and connecting the refilled second element 22 to the first element 14 for vaporising the refilled composition 12; or recycling 114 the second element 22.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0257] 10 Vaporiser system

[0258] 12 Composition

[0259] 14 First element

[0260] 16 Electrical energy source

[0261] 18 Radiation source

[0262] 18a First radiation source

[0263] 18b Second radiation source

[0264] 20 Electromagnetic radiation

[0265] 21 Electromagnetic radiation with increased wavelength

[0266] 22 Second element

[0267] 24 Reservoir

[0268] 24a First separate section of reservoir

[0269] 24b Second separate section of reservoir

[0270] 26 Absorber

[0271] 26a First absorber

[0272] 26b Second absorber

[0273] 28 Thermal energy

[0274] 30 Radiation conductor

[0275] 32 Planar or curved surface

[0276] 34 Channels

[0277] 36 Concentration gradient of pigments

[0278] 38 Radiation former

[0279] 40 Section of reservoir

[0280] 42 Different, separate sections of reservoir

[0281] 44 Cartridge

[0282] 46 Portable vaporising apparatus

[0283] 48 Reusable part

[0284] 50 Disposable part

[0285] 52 Heat conductor

[0286] 54 Vapour

[0287] 56 Outlet opening

[0288] 58 Control device

[0289] 60 Vaporising region

[0290] 62 Wall (optional)

[0291] 64 Vent

[0292] 66 Wick

[0293] 68 Supply air

[0294] 70 Connection to vent

[0295] 72 Connection to reservoir

[0296] 74 Supply air line

[0297] 76 Mouthpiece

[0298] 78 Supply air inlet

[0299] 100 Providing a first element

[0300] 102 Providing a second element

[0301] 104 Connecting the first element to the second element

[0302] 106 Activating the radiation source and thus vaporising

[0303] 108 Detaching the first and second elements connected to each other

[0304] 110 Providing a further second element and connecting the further second element

[0305] 112 Refilling the reservoir in the second element

[0306] 114 Recycling the second element

[0307] X, Y, Z Spatial direction