us) United States 2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub, No.: US 2020/0187563 Al US 202001 RAICHMAN (43) Pub. Dat Jun. 18, 2020 (58) SMOKING DEVIC aor 400 (2006.01) ‘61M 15/06 (2006.01) (71) Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC ‘61? 11706 (2006.01) Richmond, VA (US) 61K 9700 (2006.01) AIK 31/382 (2006.01) (72) Inventor: Yosset RAICHMAN, Herzliya (IL) 61? 2900 (2006.01) AOI? 2836 (2006.01) (73) Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC, ea are Richmond, VA (US) ae OPE nin ABP 4/50 (2020.01); ABP 25/36 (Goi8 01); ABIK 367185 (2013.01); 401P ee 2508 201801); ASIP 25/18 (201801): A6IP ao - 28/40 (201801); A6IP 2776 201801); AOTK eee SIS (201501); AGLP 43/00 (2018.01) Relnted US. Applicaton Data AGIM 15/06 (2013.01); ABIP 11/06 (2018.01), 461K 91007 (201301): ABIK (63) Continuation of application No. 16333,446, fled on 3152 (201801), AOLP 29/00 (2018.01) Mar. 14, 2019, ied as application No. PCT/IL2017/ MA6IP 108 (2018.01) (051041 on Sep. 14, 2017 (60) Provisional application No. 62/525.773 filed on an, (57) ABSTRACT 28, 2017, provisional application No. 62/500,509, filed on May 3, 2017, provisional application No. 62/483,544, fied on Feb. 2, 2017, provisional appli= cation No. 62/394,243, filed on Sep. 14, 2016, Publication Classification Int. CL AME 4050 (202001) AIP 108 (200601) AGIK 367185 (2006.01) A6IP 2508, (2006.01) GIP 25/18 (200601) A6IP 2530 (2006.01) GIP 2706, (200601) AIK 3105 (200601) Apparatus and methods are described for use witha portion ‘of plant material that includes at Feast one active ingredient, ‘A vaporizing unit includes a heating element configured to ‘heat the plant material, and a sensor configured to detet an indication of airflow rate through the vaporizing unit. Con- ‘rol circuitry is configured to receive an indication of the airflow rate through the vaporizing unit, and, in response thereto, to determine a smoking profile that is desired by the user. The control cicuitry drives the heating clement to Vaporize the active ingredient of the plant material by heating the plant material according 10 the determined smoking profile. The contol circuitry dynamically update the smoking profile in response to changes in aiDow ra ‘over the courte ofa smoking session. Other applications are ‘also described.Patent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 1 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL FIG. 3 FIG. 2 FIG. 1Patent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 2 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL N FIG. 5 FIG. 4D FIG. 4E FIG. 4C FIG. 4F FIG. 4B j 30 FIG. 4APatent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 3 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL FIG. 7 FIG. 6Patent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 4 of 19 US 2020/0187563 ALPatent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 5 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL 0 8 G z ‘e _ oS] 5 & S 9g SSS gy z ny 23US 2020/0187563 AI Jun. 18, 2020 Sheet 6 of 19 Patent Application Publication 00s Tr Old [spuosasijiu] aus Oop 00€ 00% 00T os oor OST 002 osz eoPatent Application Publication Jun. 18, 2020 Sheet 7 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL 70 80 90 100 60 FIG. 10 z 2 & « 2 a gt <= so z 5 — E 2 = 2 a 20 10 250 200 150 100Patent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 8 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Time FIG. 12A 6 Temperature [°C] 300 250 200 150 100US 2020/0187563 AI Jun. 18, 2020 Sheet 9 of 19 Patent Application Publication az0 Old [spuosas] aun 002 O6t Ost OLT O9t OST OPE OEE Oz OFT COT 06 oF OL 09 0S oO of O% oT ° eggggaseegerase “ost 9,] aunjesadwiay,Patent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 10 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL 2 a + & N A © s Sg = & g tO o oo oS aA ~ 2 & aS a a SG \ 2 260 ‘ 199 EisPatent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 11 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL FIG. 16 FIG. 15US 2020/0187563 AI Jun. 18, 2020 Sheet 12 of 19 Patent Application Publication VAT ‘OldUS 2020/0187563 AI Jun. 18, 2020 Sheet 13 of 19 Patent Application Publication BLT “Old ZZ 802 Qt ‘SIdPatent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 14 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL FIG. 19 FIG. 18Patent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 15 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL FIG. 21 FIG. 20US 2020/0187563 AL Jun. 18, 2020 Sheet 16 of 19 Patent Application Publication g€7 ‘Od Lez Lez Lvz. Lz. zz _ Bez ész 68%-7 cemore eve VEC “DIS eK ese €S2 gS7 8EZ bre a@Z ‘Old 9€Z 19% G 9 ez ese Vez Old 8rz vse gez Br Ss 6&7US 2020/0187563 AL Jun. 18, 2020 Sheet 17 of 19 Patent Application Publication Le Lye 6ez-7 292 Bre Bez LEZ Lvz. ez? 8ve dbz “Old 9E% 192 geez Se LS2 €SZ tHe vot OldPatent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 18 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL Puff Number FIG. 27APatent Application Publication Jun. 18,2020 Sheet 19 of 19 US 2020/0187563 AL FIG. 27B 8 8 & 8 [%] ssew aponied yngUS 2020/0187563 Al SMOKING DE} (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED. APPLICATIONS. 0001] The present application is continuation under 35 USC § 120 of US. application Ser. No. 16/333,446, filed ‘Mar. 14, 2019, which isa national phase under 35 US.C. § 371 of international Application No. PCT/IL2017/051041, filed Sep. 14,2017, which claims priority to US. Provisional Application No, 62/394,243, filed Sep. 14, 2016, US. Pro- vistonal Application No, 62/483,844, fled Feb, 2, 2017, US. Provisional Application No, 62/500,508, filed May 3, 2017, ‘and U.S, Provisional Application No, 62/525,773, fled Jun, 28, 2017, the entie contents of each of which ae hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD 10002} Some applications of the present invention genee- ally relate to a smoking apparatus. Specifically, some appli tations ofthe present invention relate to smoking devices for the delivery of an active ingredient to a subject. BACKGROUND 10003] | Mouthfulless is an attribute that smokers refer to that relates tothe texture and feel of tobaceo smoke in the ‘mouth, In order to reproduce the taste and feel of tobacco smoke, electronic cigarettes typically heat tobacco plant ‘material or other non-liguid materials containing active ingredients (eg, nicotine). The active ingredients are released de to the application of heaton the material 0004] Medical use of cannabis and its constituent ean- ‘abinoids, such as towahydrocannabinol (THC) and canna- bidiol (CED), ha along history. In modem times, camabis is used by patients suffering from AIDS, or undergoing chemotherapy teatment, inorder to relieve nausea and vomiting associated with their conditions. Cannabis is also ‘used in # medicinal manner ia order to provide pain relief, to treat muscle spasticity, and to stimulate appetite. 0005] Medicinal cannabis can be administered using a variety of methods, including vaporizing or smoking dried buds, cating extracts, taking capsules or using oral sprays. The legality of medical use of cannabis varies internation ally, However, even in countries in which the medial use of ‘cannabis is legal, the provision of canis to such users is highly regulated, and itis the case that in almost all Western countries, rereational use of cannabis is legal. ‘SUMMARY 0006] In accordance with some applications ofthe pres cnt invention, a smoking device is used to vaporize the active ingredient of a material, such as a plant material, ‘heating the material. For example, the smoking device may bbe used to vaporize tobacco, cannabis, and/or other plant oF chemical substances that contain an active ingredient (such as nicotine, tetshydrocannabinol (THC) andor cannabidiol (CBD) that becomes vaporized upon the substance being. ‘heated. In general, the material containing the aetive ingre dient is deseribed herein as being a plant material, However, the scope of the present application includes using a non: plant material such as synthetic materials that contain active Ingredients, as an alternative or in addition to the plant serial Jun. 18, 2020 10007] Typically, the smoking device includes a vaporiz~ ing unit, and reloading nit. The reloading unit houses a plurality of capsules, each of the capsules including @ given, ‘amount of plant material that contains an active ingredien, For some applications, the reloading unit is shaped to define ist and second receptacles, each of which is shaped to house the plurality of capsules in stacked configurations, While each of the capsules is disposed at a vaporization Jocation within the vaporizing unit, heating element causes the active ingredient of the plant anaterial within the capsule to become at least partially vaporized by individually heat- ing the capsule. For some application, the heating element includes one or more electrodes that heat the capsule via resistive heating, by driving « current into a portion of the capsule einto 8 metallic mesh ofthe eapsule). Alem tively or additionally, a current is driven into an internal heating element that is housed within the vaporizing unit, ‘and the internal heating element heats the capsule via ‘conductive heating. Typically, capsule-ooding mechanism of the reloading unit individually transfers each of the ‘capsules from the frst receptacle in the reloading device to the vaporization locaton in the vaporizing unit and from the vaporization location to the second receptacle within the ‘reloading unit. For some applications, the smoking device includes the vaporizing unit inthe absence of the reloading unit. For example, the vaporizing unit may be configured such that a user ean insert individual capsules into the poring unit, and can then use the vaporizing unit to ‘vaporize the active ingredient ofthe plant material 0008} For some applications, the vaporizing unit of the smoking device is configured such that various diferent types of capsules can be used with the vaporizing unit For ‘example, respective types of capsules may contain different {quantities of plant material, plant material contsining dif ferent amount of active ingredients, andr different types of plant materials. Altematively or additionally, respective types of capsules may have respective characteristics, respective favors, strengths, richnesses, active ingredient tc. For some applications, control eireitry of the vaporiz~ ing unit is configured to adjust a heating profile of the capsules to the capsule type that is currently being heated. For some such applications, the contro ctcutry implements ‘an automatic capsule classification procedure, in accordance ‘with which the control circuitry automatically classifies the capsule that is currently being heated as a given type of capsule, and designates a capsule heating profile accont- ingly. 0009] Typically, the vaporizing unit is configured to rep- Ticate the responses ofa traditional combustible cigarette to the manner in which a smoker smokes the cigarette. For ‘example, when a traditional combustion cigarets is smoked, the cigarette undergoes an increased heating and burning rate in response to the smoker inhaling more strongly, and the resultant increased aielow through the cigarete, For some applications, in order to replicate this effect, the poring unit applies varible-temperature heating pro- cess to the plant material, for example, in the following, ‘manne. Typealy, in response to receiving fist input atthe ‘vaporizing unit, the heating process i initiated and the plant material s heated above ambient temperature. An indication of the airflow rate through the vaporizing unit (eg. the airflow rate through the capsule is which the plant material is disposed) is then measured, For example, the airflow rate ‘may be measured directly by an airflow or pressure gauge,US 2020/0187563 Al Alternatively or additionally, an indication of the airflow rate ‘may be measured indirectly, by detecting an indication ofthe temperature of the plant material, eg. by measuring the temperature of the cxpsule using a temperature sensor. For some applications, a temperature sensor is used that is configured to measure the temperature ofthe capstile with ‘out drawing heat from the eapsule, as described in further ‘etal hereinbelow. By meastring the temperature of the capsule in this manner, the measured temperature is typi cally more accurate than isthe temperature sensor Were 10 ‘measure the temperature ofthe capsule in manner tht draws heat from the capsule, ceteris paribus. Furthermore, the temperature sensor typically has a “near zero” response time, such that the control eireuity is able to measure changes in temperature due to changes in airflow, and respond to stich changes in the manner described herein: low, effectively immediately with respect to the perception of the user. For example, the temperature sensor maybe configured to detect changes in temperature within 0.01 seconds, eg. within 1 millisecond, of such changes. For some applications, by virtue of having such a temperature Sensor, the contol circuitry is configured 10 respond to firflow-indvced changes in temperate within 0.01 sec fonds, eg., within | millisecond, of such changes. 0010] Since the plant material is heated above ambient temperature inthe absence of heating being applied to the copsule,srflow through the eapsule would cool the capsule by inducing forced heat tansfer by conveetion. Thos, the induced heat transfer is indicative ofthe airflow rate through e capsule, Therefore, for some applications, based on the (ected temperature indication, control cieuitry of the ‘vaporizing unit drives the heating element to maintain the temperature ofthe capsule constant, and! measures the elee~ tical power needed to maintain the temperature of the capsule constant. The elecrical power that is needed 10 ‘maintain the tomperature of the capsule constant indicates the power required to overcome heat loss due 10 airflow through the capsule, and is therefore indicative of airflow through the capsule. Alternatively. the eapsule isnot main- tained at a constant temperature, and the control circuitry determines the rate of airflow through the capsule based on. 4 measured change in the temperature of the capsule. For ‘example, the control circuitry may continue to heat the capsule at a fixed power, and measure the changes in temperature of the capsule. Typically, such changes in temperature are indicative of the airflow rate through the capsule. Alternatively, the control circuitry may stop heating the capsule when the capsule is a @ given temperature, and ‘measure changes in the temperature of the capsule. Typi- cally, such changes in temperature are corelated with the rate of airflow through the capsule 0011] In response 0 the messured indication of the airflow rate, the control circuitry typically determines a smoking profile that is desired by the user and beats the plant ‘material according to the determined smoking profile. A target temperature for the capsule i typically determined as 4 funetion of the measured indication of airflow rate. Typi cally, the target temperature increases as a function of an increase in airflow rate. Further typically, a maximal target temperature will be limited to a predefined maximum value in order not to excoed safety limits, and/or in order not 10 ‘generate a had taste due to overheating the plant material. In response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the capsule has reached the taget temperature, futher Jun. 18, 2020 ‘heating ofthe capsule is withheld, Subsequently, in response to receiving a further indication of the airflow rate, the control circuitry determines an updated sinoking profile that is desired by the user. Typically, a new target vaporization ‘temperature is defined according to the updated smoking profile. Typically, over the course of a smoking session, in response 10 receiving ongoing airflow measurements, the contol circuitry dynamically determines smoking profiles ‘that are desired by the wer, and adjusts the heating of the ‘capsule accordingly. For some applications, the target tea ‘erature fo which the plant material is heated is dynamically ‘updated in order to adjust the vaporization temperature and ‘vaporization rate acconting tothe desired smoking profile of| the user. For some applications, the target temperature to ‘whieh the plant material is heated is dynamically updated in ‘continuous manner. Alternatively the target temperature to ‘whieh the plant material is heated is dynamically updated on, 4 pull-by-pui basis, ie. with each inhalation ofthe user, the ‘control circuitry calculates a target temperature to which the ‘capsule should be heated for that inhalation. For some applications, cach inhalation of the user is detected matically by detecting airflow through the caps dance with the techniques deseribed herein 0012} Typically, the control circuitry employs various ‘heating profiles in order to simulate the behavior of a standard combustion cigarette, and in onder to accommodate the user's indicated desired stoking profile, as well as the type of plant material that is used. For some applications, ‘one or more ofthe following functionalities are provided by ‘2 vaporizing unit that dynamically adjusts the heating ofthe plant material in response to a measured airflow rate indi- cation, as described hereinabove: 10013] 1) When smoking a traditional combustion ciga- rette, an increase in the user's inhalation rate increases ‘generated smoke duc to intensification of cigarette lame. In ao, eter of te ne! ke pal “Therefore, for some applications, the target tem= Perture to which the capsule w heated is conelted to Airflow rate (which is indicative of user inhalation rate), in order to simulate the buming of a traditional cigarette as ‘eseribed above. As described hereinabove, typically the ‘capsule isnot heated above a predefined maximal tempera ture limit. Typically, the predefined maximal temperature limit is set such thatthe plant material isnot heated to temperature tht is greater than the pyrolysis temperature of| ‘the plant material, and/or such that the plant material is not hated toa temperature that will produce smoke andor bad taste. By dynamically adjusting the target vaporization tex- perature as described hereinabove, the taste and “mouthfull- ness" of the generated vapors are adjusted acconding 10 users individ taste and preferences. For example, users ‘that prefer a long and slow inhalation will beneit from receiving a constant slow supply of the vaporized active ingredient, dv to the relatively lower vaporization tempera- ture that will be generated by the lower airflow rate of the slow inhalation. On the other end, users that prefer a faster ‘and more intense release ofthe ative ingredient will enjoy the higher rate of active ingredient vaporization rate that will ‘esl from the higher vaporization temperature to which the plant material is heated, due to their elevated inhalation Airflow rate, 0014] 2) Dynamically adjusting the target temperature to ‘which the plant material is heated as described hereinabove, ‘may provide higher efiiency in the consumption rate oftheUS 2020/0187563 Al material. For example, users that prefer taki ively short pulls will not suffer from loss of plant terial between the short pus, since the contol circuitry will lower the target temperature to which the capsule is ‘heated between the puts [0015] 3) Dynamically adjusting the target temperature to ‘hich the capsule is heated as described hereinabove, may reduce los of ative ingredient prior to the beginning of user inhalation, The lack of airflow prior tothe users inbalation, will result in the target temperature to which the capsule is hncated being relatively low, such as to reduce vaporization ‘of active ingredient prior to user inhalation. 0016] 4) In some eases, a delivery of a constant dose of the active ingredient is desired on every pull. For a given arrangement of plant material, the mass ofthe ative ingre- dient that is vaporized isa funtion of, at least, the tem perature ofthe material and of the airflow rate through the ‘material. For some applications, an airlow-related heating process is used as described hereinabove, and the contol circuitry responds to the measured airflow indication, sueh fasta deliver a constant dose ofthe active ingredient for euch, pif of the vaporizing unit. For example a funetion may be ‘used in aoeordance with which the vaporization temperature is reduced in response to the airflow increasing. 0017] 5) For some applications, the control cireuitry additionally accounts for the amount of active ingredient that has already boon vaporized from the portion of the plant ‘material that is currently being heated (which may, for ‘example, be a portion of the plant material that is disposed inside a capsule). For example, in some cases, based on the rites of airflow and temperatures that have already been applied 10 the capsule that is curently being heated, the font] circuitry may determine aa amount of the active ingredient that ha already been vaporized. For some appli- calions, the contro circuitry determines the target temper tue to which to eat the capsule, in response to the amount of active ingredient that has already been vaporized. For ‘some applications, the control ereuitry determines the target temperature to which to heat the capsule, i response to (a) the amount of active ingredient that has aieady been vapor= ied, a8 well a (b) the eurent measured airflow through the ‘vaporizing unit (through the plant material tht is being ‘heated within the vaporizing unit). For example, fora given. airflow rate, the control circuitry may heat the capsule to a greater temperature, the grester the amount of the active ingredient that has already been vaporized. This may be Ihecause, once a given amour! of the active ingredient has already been vaporized from the plant material, the plant ‘material may need to be heated to 2 greater temperature in Corder for the remaining active ingredient to be vaporized, For some applications, in response to determining that a sven amount of the active ingredient has already been ‘eased from the plant material, the control circuitry may be ‘configured to reduce the temperature ofthe plant material t0 4 sub-vaporization temperature, such as to withhold add tional vaporization of active ingredient. 0018] It is noted that some applications of the present invention are described with reference to tobacco. However, the scope ofthe present invention includes using any mate- tial or substance that contains an setive ingredient, mutatis ‘mutandis, [0019] In accordance with some applications of the pres- cent invention, a vaporizer is used to vaporize the active ingredient of a material, such asa plant material, by heating Jun. 18, 2020 the material. For example, the vaporizer may be used to vaporize the constituent cannabinoids of camabis (e., ‘etrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or eannabidiol (CBD) Alternatively or additionally, the vaporizer may be used to ‘vaporize tobacco, and/or other plant or chemical substances that contain an active ingredient that becomes vaporized ‘upon the substance being heated. 0020] There is therefore provided, in accordance with Some applications of the present invention, apparatus for use ‘with a portion of plant material that includes atleast one active ingredient, the apparatus including: 0024) a vaporizing unit comprising: 10022] a heating clement configured to heat the plant material; 10023] a sensor configured to detect an indication of airflow rate through the vaporizing unit that is gener- ated by a user; and 10024) "control circuitry configured: 10025} to receive a first indication ofthe airflow rate through the vaporizing unit from the sensor; {0026} »in response to receiving the frst indication of the airflow rate, to determine a fist smoking profile that is desired by the user; and [0027] to drive the heating element to vaporize the active ingredient ofthe plant material by heating the plant material according tothe determined smoking profile; and [0028] "subsequently 0029] to receive a further indication ofthe airflow rate through the vaporizing unit from the sensor; and [0030] in response to receiving the further indica tion of the airflow rate, to determine an updated smoking profile that is desired by the user and [031] to drive the heating element to vaporize the ‘active ingredient of the plant material by heating the plant material sccording to the determined updated smoking profile 0032] In some applications, the control circuitry 0033] is further configured to measure an amount of hating thatthe portion of the plant material has already undergone, and 0034) is configured o drive the heating element to vapor- ize the active ingredient of the plant material by heating the ‘lant material according to the determined smoking profile by determining a temperature to which to eat the portion of| the plant material a least partially based upon the meastired indication of the airflow rate and the amount of heating that the portion of the plant material has already undergone, 10035] In some applications, the control circuitry is con- figure: 10036] in response to receiving an indication ofthe arthow rate through the vaporizing unit from the sensor, o deter- ‘min thatthe user isnot inhaling from the vaporizing unit, and 10037] in response thereto, to drive the heating clement to ‘reduce heating ofthe plant material, sueh that a temperature ‘of the plant material decreases below a vaporization tea perature ofthe active ingredient. 10038] In some applications, the sensor includes a tem- perature sensor configured to dotect an indication of temperature ofthe plant material, and the control circuit is ‘configured to calelate a rate of airflow through the vapor- izing unit, based upon the indication ofthe temperature ofUS 2020/0187563 Al the plant material measured by the temperature sensor In some application, the contol circuitry is configured 10 Calcul the rate of airflow thogh the vaporizing wit by Aleteting an indication of an amount of eneray required ‘maintain the temperature ofthe plat material constant. In Some application, the contol cicitey is configured 10 Calculate the rate of airflow through the vaporizing wnt by Aetecting an indication ofa change in the tempertire ofthe lant material that is caused by hat transfer from the plant Inateril 16 ambient air that passes though the capsule. In some applications, the contol circuitry” is configured 10 receive an indication of ambient temperatre and to cae fate the rate of aeflow through the vaporizing unit, by accounting fora dillersace between the temperature of the plant material and the ambient temperature. {0039} In some applications, the temperature sensor is configured to detect a change in the temperature of the plant ‘material within 001 second of the change occurring. In Some applications, the temperature sensor is configured 10 dete the temperature ofthe plant material without drawing Just from the plant material. Tn some applications, the temperature sensor includes an optical temperature sensor. I se ln, he empties so infrared temperstre sensor. In some applications the ‘at fer ices» copaule cofgund to hse the Portion of plant material and the temperate sensor is eonfgured o detet te inication ofthe temperature ofthe plant material by detecting temperature ofthe capsule. In Some applications, the temperature sensor is configured to detet the indication of the temperature of the plant materi by dating decal estan of es porto of te apse {0040} tn some applications, during smoking session, the contol eiteuity is configured to dynamically espond to thnges inthe User's inhalation by: {0041} receiving indications of the alow a ‘aporizing unit from the sensor {0042} in response to receiving the indications of the airflow rate, determining updated smoking profiles that are desired bythe user an [0043] diving the beating element w vaporize the ative ingredient ofthe plat material by hating the plant materiel accoring to the determined updated smoking profiles {0043} In some applications, during the smoking session, the consol ciruity ts configure to dynamically respond to changes i the user's inhalation, on put-by-poft bass. In Some applications, a response to receiving that alow rate through the vaporizing unit has increased, the eatrl cit ity s onfigied 1 drive the heating element to allow a temperature of the plant material to decrease. In some npications during a smoking session, the contol eruitry ‘8 configured to dynamically respond. to changes in the {scr's inhalation, on a continuous bass. In some epi tions, during a smoking session, the contol city is configured to dynamically respond to changes in the user's fnhalation, within O01 seconds of changes in alow rate through the vaporizing unit tht are generated by the user's inhalation [0045] In some applications, in response to receiving an indication from the sensor that airflow rate through the ‘aporiring unit hs inerssed the contol circuitry icone Figured to deve the heating element to iereuse tempers. ture ofthe plant material In some applications, the onto] through the Jun. 18, 2020 ture. In order to enable the se ofthis technique for airDow measurement, the plant material is typically initially heated to temperature that is above the ambient sir temperature, for example to 50 degrees Celsius or more (as showin by the dashed ctrve in FIG. 10), oF to 120 degrees Celsius or more {as shown by the solid curve in FIG. 10). Typically, once the capsule has boen heated above the ambient temperature and. lambient air is then mode to flow through the capsule by the ‘wer inhaling, the electrical power needed to maintain the ‘capsule ata given temperature is related to airflow rate and. the temperature gradient between the capsule and the flow ing ambien air. Therefore, the control circuitry is configured to-determine the arlow rate based upon the current tem perature ofthe capsule, and the electrical power needed to maintain the capsule a the temperature, For example, the ‘control circuitry may measure the electrical power needed to maintain the capsule at the temperature by detecting varia- tions i the duty cycle that is used to heal the capsule. For some applications, the temperature ofthe capsule is not eld ‘constant, and the control circuitry determines the willow rate ‘through the capsule at least partially based upon measured changes in temperature of the capsule resulting. rom ‘changes in airflow rate through the capsule, For example, the contol circuitry may continue to heat the capsule at a fixed ower, and measure the changes in temperature of the ‘capsule. Typically, such changes in temperature are indies tive ofthe airflow rate through the capsule. Altematively, the ‘contol circuitry may stop heating the capsule when the ‘capsule is at a given temperature, and measure changes in the temperature of the eapsile. Typically, such changes in temperature are correlated with the rate of airflow through the capsule, since the measured change ia temperature is indicative of induced heat transfer fom the heated capsule to the ambient air, by convection, which, i tur, is indica tive of the rate of airflow through the capsule. For some applications, the contol circuitry is configured to measure ‘ambient temperature and/or humidity in order to caleulate airflow rate in accordance with the technique described herein. Typically, in order to calculate the airflow rat, the control circuitry accounts forthe diflerence between the temperature ofthe capsule (and therefore the plant material), ‘and the ambient temperateUS 2020/0187563 Al 10177] For some applications, functions are used to deter- ‘mine the target temperature o which the eapsul is heated, ‘based upon the detected airflow rate indication, according to the material in use, the desired uscr experience or any other relevant factor. For some application, in addition to airflow ‘ate measurement, inputs are received by the contol ci city from additional sources, in order to determine the target temperature to which to heat the capsule. For example, as deseribed hereinabove, the control citcuitey may’ be ‘configured to classify a capsule asa given capsule type, and. to control the heating of the capsule based upon a heating profile that is specifically suited to that capsule type. For example, different types of capsules may have different firflo-rate-o-target-capsule-temperature profiles applied to them. For example, one type of capsule may follow a profile a indicated by the solid curve of FIG, 10, another capsule type may follow a profile as indicated by the dashed. curve of FIG. 10, and yet another capsule type may follow a profile as indicated by the dotted curve of FIG. 10. For ‘Some applications, a user inputs a desired heating profile, for example, using usr interface 19 (shown in FIG. 3). 10178] For some applications, by performing the heating ‘of the capsule in the airflow related process described hereinabove, one or more of the following results are achieved! [0179] 1) When smoking a traditional combustion ciga- reite, an increase in the user's inhalation rate increases ‘generated smoke duc to intensification of cigarette lame. In fadition, the temperature of the inhaled smoke is typically sureater. Therefore, for some applications, the target tem- perature to which the capsule is heated is correlated to Airflow rate (which i indiative of user inhalation rate), in frder to simulate the burning of a traditional cigarette as describod above. As described hervinabove, typically the ‘opal isnot heated above a predefined maximal tempera- ture limit (which is typically less than 90 percent of the pyrolyzation temperature of the plant material). Typically, the predefined maximal temperature limits set such that the plant material is aot eated to a temperature that is greater than the pyrolysis temperature of the plant material, and/or sueh that the plant material is not heated to a temperature that will produce smoke andlor a bad taste, By dynamically adjusting the target vaporization temperature as described. hereinabove, the taste and “mouthfullness” ofthe generated preferences. For example, users that prefer along and slow {nkalation will benefit from receiving a coastant slow supply ofthe vaporized active ingredient, due to the relatively lower ‘vaporization temperature that willbe generated by the lower airflow rate of the slow inhalation, On the other end, users that prefer a ister and more intense release of the active ingredient will enjoy the higher rate of active ingredient ‘vaporization rate that will result from the higher vaporiza- tion temperature to which the plant material is heated, due to thei elevated inhalation airflow rate [0180] 2) Dynamically adjusting the target temperature to ‘whieh the plant material i heated as described hereinabove, ‘may provide higher elliciency in the consumption rate ofthe plant material. For example, users that prefer taking several relatively short putfs will not suffer from loss of plant ‘material between the short pulls, since the contol circuitry will lower the target lemperature to which the capsule is ‘heated hetween the pus Jun. 18, 2020 0181] 3) Dynamically adjusting the target temperature to ‘which the capsule is heated as described hereinabove, may _nxduce loss of active ingredient prior to the beginning of user inhalation, The lack of airflow prior to the user's inhalation ‘will result in the target temperature to which the capsule is ‘heated being relatively ow, sch as to reduce vaporization ‘of active ingredient prior to user inhalation. 0182] 4) In some cases, a delivery ofa constant dose of the active ingredient is desied on every pull. For a given arrangement of plant material, the mass ofthe ative ingre= lint that is vaporized is function of, at least, the tea perature ofthe material and of the airflow rate through the material. For some applications, an airflow-related heating proces is used as described hereinabove, and the control circuitry responds tothe measured airflow indication, such ‘8 10 deliver a constant dose ofthe active ingredient for each, pull of the vaporizing unit, For example, function may be ‘used in accordance with which the vaporization temperature is reduced in response to the airflow increasing. 10183] 5) For some applications, the control cireuitry additionally aecounts for the amount of active ingredient that as aleady been vaporized rom the orton ofthe plant material that is currently being heated (which may, for ‘example, be a portion of the plant material that is disposed inside a Capsule). For example, in some cases, based on the rates of airflow and temperatures that have already been. ‘pplied to the capsule that is currently being heated, the contol circuitry may determine an ‘of the active ingredient that has already been vaporized. For some applic ‘cations, the control circuitry determines the target tempera ture to which to heat the capsule, in response to the amount five ingredient that has already been vaporized. For tions, the control circuitry determines the target ‘temperature to which to heat the capsule, in esponse to (a) the amount of active ingredient that has already been vapor- ized, as well as (b) the curent measured airflow throvgh the ‘vaporizing unit (e,through the plant material tht is being heated within the vaporizing unit) For example, for a given airflow rate the contr! circuitry may heat the capsule to a ‘greater temperature, the greater the amount of the active ingredient that has already been vaporized. This may be ‘because, once a given amount ofthe active ingredient has already been vaporized from the plant material, the plant material may need to be heated to a greater temperare in ‘onde for the remaining active ingredient to be vaporized, For some applications, in response to determining that a given amount of the active ingredient has already boen released fom the plant material, the control circuitry may be ‘configured to reduce the temperature of the plant mistrial to 2 sub-vaporization temperature, such as to withhold addi tional vaporization of active ingredient. Loa, Fo sms apatios mapa te dtd rate of airflow through the vaporizer the contro cic Calculates the dosage of the ective substance that has bon ‘provided t the user. For some applications (e.g, when the Vaporizer is used with camabis for medicinal purposes), & healthcare professional inputs instructions into the control circuitry that control the amoust of airflow through the ‘vaporizer that is permitted during each use ofthe vaporizer, andlor the amount of airflow through the vaporizer that is, ‘permitted within a given time period (e.g, per hour, or por day, oF per pull). Allematvely or additionally, the contol incuitey may control the heating rate per unit airflow rte, as described hereinabove. For example, inorder to deliver a