Get ready for the iCig: Apple files patent for a VAPE that could also be used for marijuana

Describes using plate inside a chamber that heats up a substance to form vapor
Vape is illustrated as being a cylindrical in shape, having a thermal jacket and lid
Method focuses on not losing a lot of the substance during the cooling process
Could use both a ‘solid precursor’ and a ‘liquid chemical’ inside the chamber

Published: 20:17 GMT, 27 January 2017 | Updated: 20:17 GMT, 27 January 2017

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The global vape market is expected to be worth $32.11 billion by 2021 and a new patent suggests Apple wants a piece of the action.

It proposes that the Cupertino company may be working on its own vaporizer that uses high temperatures to ‘cause the substance to sublimate or vaporize’.

The document also indicates that the unit could be used for both a ‘solid precursor’ and a ‘liquid chemical’, suggesting Apple could market if for marijuana use.

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A patent proposes that Apple may be working on its own high-tech vaporizer unit that uses high temperatures to ‘cause the substance to sublimate or vaporize’. T he pages outline plans for a temperature-regulated plate inside a chamber that heats up a substance to form a vapor

APPLE'S NEW PATENT

Apple's latest patent steps away from wearables and smartphones, and into a new market - vaporizers.

A patent was published on Jan. 26 that outlines plans for a temperature-regulated plate inside a chamber that heats up a substance to form a vapor.

The e-cigarette is described in the patent having a cylindrical shape, thermal jacket and a body unit as well as a lid.

Apple’s method seems to be designed around not losing a lot of the substance inside of the chamber during the cooling process.

The document also indicates that the unit could be used for both a ‘solid precursor’ and a ‘liquid chemical’, suggesting Apple could market if for marijuana use.

The patent, first spotted by Digital Trends, was filed in July 2015 and published on Thursday.

The pages outline plans for a temperature-regulated plate inside a chamber that heats up a substance to form a vapor.

‘A chamber body is to receive therein a substance that is to be vaporized or sublimated into a vapor,’ reads the patent.

‘A plate whose bottom face rests on the substance inside the chamber body is temperature regulated, e.g., using a heater therein, which releases heat directly above the substance that lies below.’

‘The plate slides downward as the substance is consumed by vaporization or sublimation.’

Apple’s potential e-cigarette is described as having a cylindrical shape, thermal jacket and a body unit as well as a lid.

The patent also makes a suggestion that the substance placed in the vaporizer could be either a ‘solid precursor’ or a ‘liquid chemical’, which has some questioning if this unit will be used as a marijuana vaporizer.

To use the device, users would open the top of the chamber body and add the substance into the canister.

Inside of the chamber or chamber body is a plate that rests on the substance.

This component has a heater that will activate to heat the substance that is sitting directly below it.

The document also indicates that the unit could be used for both a ‘solid precursor’ and a ‘liquid chemical’, suggesting Apple could market if for marijuana use - along with as a traditional vaporizer

‘Heat released from the plate 5 may efficiently supplement at least part of the energy that is lost through cooling along virtually the entire surface of the substance (latent heat vaporization),’ according to the patent.

‘This takes place continuously while the substance is consumed, to render an efficient vaporization/sublimation process.’

A plate whose bottom face rests on the substance inside the chamber body is temperature regulated, e.g., using a heater therein, which releases heat directly above the substance that lies below,' reads the patent

Users would open the top of the chamber and add the substance into the canister. Inside of the chamber or chamber body is a plate that rests on the substance. This component has a heater that will activate to heat the substance that is sitting directly below it

Apple’s method seems to be designed around not losing a lot of the substance inside of the chamber during the cooling process.

Although it is not clear whether or not Apple was thinking of using its unit for marijuana is unclear, the firm did file the patent in California where it is legal to use recreational.

However, Apple has published hundreds, maybe even thousands of patents, and a majority of the technology has never been made into working devices.