Evaporator device

Abstract

An evaporator device is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, an evaporator device may include an evaporator body and a cartridge selectively coupled to and removable from the evaporator body. The evaporator body includes a cartridge receptacle and a heating element disposed within the cartridge receptacle and attached to the evaporator body. The cartridge includes a reservoir and a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir. The wicking element is configured to draw at least a portion of the vaporizable material from the reservoir. At least a portion of the wicking element and the heating element are in direct contact with each other such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material received within the wicking element may be substantially vaporized to form a vaporized material. A cartridge for an evaporator apparatus is also provided.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application No. 201980085141.9 (PCT / US2019 / 067191) entitled “Evaporator Device” filed on December 18, 2019.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 783,425, filed on December 21, 2018, and entitled “Vaporizer Devices,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] The subject matter described herein relates to vaporizer devices, including disposable vaporizer cartridges. Background Art

[0005] A vaporizer device, which may also be referred to as a vaporizer, an electronic vaporizer device, or an e-vaporizer device, can be used to deliver an aerosol (e.g., a material in a vapor and / or condensed phase suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gaseous carrier) containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizer device. For example, an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) includes a class of vaporizer devices that are battery powered and can be used to simulate the experience of smoking, but without the combustion of tobacco or other substances. Vaporizer devices are becoming increasingly popular for prescription medical uses in terms of delivering medicaments and for the consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based materials. Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and / or easy to use.

[0006] In use of a vaporizer device, a user inhales an aerosol (commonly known as "vapor") that may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., converts a liquid or solid at least partially into a vapor phase) a vaporizable material that may be a liquid, solution, solid, wax, or any other form compatible for use with a particular vaporizer device. The vaporizable material for use with a vaporizer may be provided within a vaporizer cartridge (e.g., a detachable portion of a vaporizer containing the vaporizable material), which includes an outlet (e.g., a mouthpiece) for the user to inhale the aerosol.

[0007] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by the vaporizer device, in some examples, the user can activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing a button, and / or by some other method. As used herein, puffing can refer to an inhalation by a user in such a manner that the inhalation causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that the inhalable aerosol is generated by the combination of the vaporized vaporizable material and the volume of air.

[0008] The method of generating an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material by a vaporizer device includes heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (e.g., a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizable material to change into a gas (or vapor) phase. The vaporization chamber may refer to such an area or volume in the vaporizer device, that is, within the area or volume, a heat source (e.g., a conductive heat source, a convective heat source, and / or a radiant heat source) causes heating of the vaporizable material to produce a mixture of air and vaporized material to form a vapor so that the vaporizable material can be inhaled by a user of the vaporizer device.

[0009] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can be drawn from the reservoir via a wicking element (e.g., a wicking portion) and into the vaporization chamber. The drawing of the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber can be at least partially due to the capillary action provided by the wicking element, as the wicking element pulls the vaporizable material along the wicking element in the direction of the vaporization chamber.

[0010] The vaporizer device may be controlled by one or more controllers on the vaporizer device, electronic circuits (eg, sensors, heating elements), etc. The vaporizer device may also communicate wirelessly with an external controller, eg, a computing device such as a smartphone.

[0011] The vaporizer device generally uses an atomizer, which heats the vaporizable material and delivers an inhalable aerosol instead of smoke. The atomizer may include a wicking element that transfers a certain amount of vaporizable material (along its length) to the portion of the atomizer that contains the heating element. In an embodiment where the vaporizer device is a two-piece product including a vaporizer body and a vaporizer cartridge, the atomizer is generally located in the vaporizer cartridge itself. To activate the atomizer by a power source that is generally located in the vaporizer body, electrical contacts are connected to the vaporizer cartridge itself, and a corresponding electrical socket / receptacle is included in the vaporizer body. Typically, these electrical contacts are gold-plated to maintain a continuous connection between the vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body. These electrical contacts significantly increase the cost of the vaporizer cartridge, and the vaporizer cartridge is replaced after use in most cases.

[0012] In other embodiments, the vaporizer device may be a one-piece product in which the heating element of the atomizer is permanently connected to both the electronics of the device and the wicking element. However, these types of vaporizer devices are typically disposable because the wicking element cannot be replaced as it begins to degrade. Degradation of the wicking element adversely affects device performance and ultimately makes the device unsafe to use. Therefore, the device must be replaced.

[0013] Accordingly, an evaporator device and / or evaporator cartridge that addresses one or more of these issues is desired. Summary of the invention

[0014] Aspects of the present subject matter relate to evaporator devices and evaporator cartridges for use in evaporator devices.

[0015] In some variations, one or more of the following features may optionally be included in any feasible combination.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, an evaporator device is provided, and the evaporator device includes an evaporator body and a cartridge, which is selectively coupled to the evaporator body and can be removed from the evaporator body. The evaporator body includes a cartridge receptacle and a heating element, wherein the heating element is disposed in the cartridge receptacle and attached to the evaporator body. The cartridge includes a storage chamber configured to contain a vaporizable material and a wicking element in fluid communication with the storage chamber. The wicking element is configured to draw at least a portion of the vaporizable material from the storage chamber. In response to at least a portion of the cartridge being seated in the cartridge receptacle, at least a portion of the wicking element and the heating element are brought into direct contact with each other, so that at least a portion of the vaporizable material received in the wicking element is substantially evaporated in response to activation of the heating element to form vaporized material.

[0017] In some embodiments, the evaporator body may include a first airflow path, and the cartridge includes a second airflow path in fluid communication with the first airflow path. The second airflow path may extend from an inlet of the cartridge to an outlet. The evaporator body may include at least one inlet, the at least one inlet being configured to substantially allow airflow to pass into the evaporator body, wherein the at least one inlet may be in fluid communication with the first airflow path. The heating element may include a heating portion that may extend from a first surface to a second surface, wherein the wicking element may be in direct contact with the first surface. In such an embodiment, a portion of the first airflow path may extend near the second surface of the heating portion.

[0018] The heating element can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the heating element can include one or more holes extending therethrough, thereby allowing vaporized material to travel through the heating element.

[0019] In some embodiments, the evaporator device may include a support structure attached to the evaporator body, wherein the heating element may be coupled to at least a portion of the support structure. In such embodiments, the support structure may include a base and two opposing legs extending from the base. Each of the two opposing legs may be formed into a generally T-shaped configuration.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include at least one vent, which may be configured to allow airflow into the reservoir.

[0021] In some embodiments, the material box may include a retaining plate, in which a wicking receptacle is defined, wherein the wicking element may be at least partially disposed in the wicking receptacle. The retaining plate may have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the retaining plate may include at least one distribution opening, and the at least one distribution opening may extend through the wall of the retaining plate to allow at least a portion of the vaporizable material in the storage chamber to pass through it and pass into the wicking receptacle. In some embodiments, the retaining plate may include at least one retaining element, and the at least one retaining element may be configured to fix the wicking element to the wicking receptacle. In some embodiments, the retaining plate may include at least one vent extending through it, wherein the at least one vent may be configured to allow airflow to pass into the storage chamber.

[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, a cartridge for an evaporator device is provided, and the cartridge includes a storage chamber configured to contain a vaporizable material, a wicking element in fluid communication with the storage chamber, and a retaining plate having a wicking receptacle defined therein. The wicking element is configured to draw at least a portion of the vaporizable material from the storage chamber. The wicking element is at least partially disposed within the wicking receptacle. The wicking element is configured to be brought into contact with at least a portion of a heating element attached to an evaporator body, so that at least a portion of the vaporizable material received within the wicking element is substantially vaporized in response to activation of the heating element to form vaporized material.

[0023] The retaining plate may have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the retaining plate may define a portion of the storage chamber. In some embodiments, the retaining plate may include at least one dispensing opening that may extend through the wall of the retaining plate to allow at least a portion of the vaporizable material in the storage chamber to pass through it and into the wicking receptacle. In some embodiments, the retaining plate may include at least one retaining element that may be configured to secure the wicking element to the wicking receptacle. In some embodiments, the retaining plate may include at least one vent extending through it, wherein the at least one vent may be configured to allow airflow to pass into the storage chamber.

[0024] In another exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device is provided and includes an vaporizer body, the vaporizer body including a cartridge receptacle and a heating element disposed in the cartridge receptacle and attached to the vaporizer body. The cartridge receptacle is configured to receive a cartridge that is selectively coupled to and removable from the vaporizer body, wherein the cartridge includes a reservoir containing a vaporizable material and a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir. When at least a portion of the cartridge is disposed in the cartridge receptacle, the heating element of the vaporizer body is in direct contact with the wicking element of the drug cartridge, and the heating element is configured to generate heat that substantially vaporizes at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir into the wicking element.

[0025] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, as well as from the claims. The claims appended to this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain certain principles associated with the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1A is a partially transparent isometric side view of an embodiment of an evaporator device, the evaporator device including an evaporator body having a heating element disposed therein and coupled to a support structure, and an evaporator cartridge having a wicking element disposed therein;

[0028] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Another partially transparent isometric side view of the evaporator device;

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A-1B A partially transparent bottom-up isometric view of an evaporator device, wherein the base frame of the evaporator body is removed;

[0030] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A-1B A partially transparent bottom view of a portion of an evaporator body;

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A An isometric view of a heating element;

[0032] Figure 5 yes Figure 1A An isometric side view of a heating element and support structure;

[0033] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A top isometric view of the heating element and support structure;

[0034] Figure 7 yes Figure 1A-1B A partially transparent bottom-up isometric view of an evaporator cartridge; and

[0035] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of the distal facing surface of the vaporizer cartridge with the wicking element removed.

[0036] Whenever practicable, similar reference numbers indicate similar structures, features, or elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Embodiments of the present subject matter include methods, devices, articles, and systems related to the evaporation of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. Example embodiments include a vaporizer device and a system including a vaporizer device. As used in the following description and claims, the term "vaporizer device" refers to any of a stand-alone device, a device including two or more detachable components (e.g., a vaporizer body including a battery and other hardware, and a vaporizer cartridge including a vaporizable material), and the like. As used herein, a "vaporizer system" may include one or more components, such as a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and the like. In general, such a vaporizer device is a handheld device that heats (e.g., by convection, conduction, radiation, and / or some combination thereof) a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material.

[0038] The vaporizable material for use with the vaporizer device may be provided in an vaporizer cartridge (e.g., a portion of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container), which may be refilled when empty, or which may be disposable so that a new vaporizer cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of the same or different type may be used).

[0039] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device may be configured for use with a liquid vaporizable material. For example, the liquid vaporizable material may include a carrier solution in which the active and / or inactive ingredients are suspended or held in solution. Alternatively, the liquid vaporizable material may be a liquid form of the vaporizable material itself. The liquid vaporizable material may be capable of being completely vaporized. Alternatively, at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material may remain after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.

[0040] As described above, the existing atomizer including a wicking element and a heating element can be entirely arranged in a disposable vaporizer cartridge, which is selectively connected to the vaporizer body and can be removed from the vaporizer body. In this case, each disposable vaporizer cartridge includes at least one electrical contact, which is made to contact at least one corresponding electrical contact in the vaporizer body when the vaporizer device is assembled. To ensure that a continuous and effective electrical connection is formed between the disposable vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body, these electrical contacts are substantially gold-plated, which increases the manufacturing cost of the disposable vaporizer cartridge. Alternatively, the existing atomizer can also be entirely arranged in the vaporizer body itself. However, such a configuration structure hinders the user's ability to replace the wicking element. In this case, the degradation of the wicking element will have an adverse effect on the performance of the vaporizer device and ultimately make the use of the device unsafe. The following describes different features and devices that improve or overcome these problems.

[0041] The evaporator device described herein utilizes a heating element disposed within an evaporator body to generate heat for evaporating at least a portion of a vaporizable material residing within an evaporator cartridge, the evaporator cartridge being selectively coupled to and removable from the evaporator body. That is, the evaporator body (rather than the evaporator cartridge) houses the heating element. Therefore, this eliminates the need to include electrical contacts within the evaporator cartridge to electrically couple the heating element to a power source. In addition, this position of the heating element eliminates the need to permanently attach the heating element to the electronics of the device and to the wicking element, which typically requires the entire evaporator device to be disposed of after the wicking element has sufficiently degraded. At the same time, the wicking element may be disposed within the evaporator cartridge. Accordingly, the wicking element, which is susceptible to degradation, can be replaced together with the evaporator cartridge.

[0042] The evaporator device generally includes an evaporator body, in which a heating element is disposed, and the heating element is attached to the evaporator body. The evaporator cartridge includes a storage chamber configured to contain a vaporizable material and a wicking element in fluid communication with the storage chamber. The evaporator cartridge is selectively coupled to the evaporator body of the evaporator device and can be removed from the evaporator body. Therefore, when the evaporator cartridge is coupled to the evaporator body, at least a portion of the wicking element and the heating element are in direct contact with each other. Subsequently, the user can activate the heating element so that heat is transferred to the wicking element by thermal conduction to evaporate at least a portion of the vaporizable material in the wicking element into vaporized material.

[0043] In some embodiments, the evaporator body may include a cartridge receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of an evaporator cartridge. In one embodiment, the cartridge receptacle may be defined by a sleeve of the evaporator body.

[0044] The wicking element is configured to draw at least a portion of the vaporizable material from the storage chamber for evaporation. The wicking element may also optionally allow air to enter the storage chamber and displace the volume of the vaporizable material removed. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, capillary action may draw the vaporizable material into the wicking element for evaporation with the aid of the heating element, and air may be returned to the storage chamber through the wicking element to at least partially equalize the pressure in the storage chamber. Other methods of allowing air back into the storage chamber to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter.

[0045] As used herein, the term "wicking portion" or "wicking element" includes any material capable of inducing fluid movement via capillary pressure.

[0046] The wicking element may be formed of any suitable material that can draw the vaporizable material from the storage chamber toward the heating element (e.g., capable of causing fluid movement by capillary action) so that the vaporizable material can be evaporated by the heat delivered from the heating element. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials for the wicking element may include one or more ceramic materials, one or more cottons, or one or more polymers. In one embodiment, the wicking element is formed of one or more cottons. In addition, the wicking element may have a variety of shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, the wicking element is generally rectangular in shape. In some embodiments, the wicking element may have a uniform shape and size, while in other embodiments, the wicking element may have a varying shape and / or size.

[0047] In some embodiments, the wicking element is disposed in a wicking receptacle of a retainer plate, which is disposed in an evaporator cartridge. In some embodiments, the retainer plate is permanently connected to the evaporator cartridge, for example, via a bonding material, such as an adhesive, etc. In such an embodiment, the wicking element can be selectively connected to the retainer plate and can be removed from the retainer plate. Therefore, a user can remove the wicking element from the retainer plate in order to refill the storage chamber with evaporable material and / or replace it. In other embodiments, the retainer plate can be selectively connected to the evaporator cartridge and can be removed from the evaporator cartridge. In such an embodiment, a user can remove the retainer plate in order to refill the storage chamber with evaporable material. In addition, the retainer plate and therefore the wicking element can also be replaced.

[0048] The retainer plate may have a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, the retainer plate may have a generally rectangular configuration. In addition, the retainer plate may include at least one dispensing opening extending through a wall of the retainer plate to allow at least a portion of the vaporizable material within the storage chamber to pass through the retainer plate and into the wicking receptacle, such as by capillary action of a wicking element. In one embodiment, when exposed to the vaporizable material, the wicking element may bulge out of the retainer plate by at least about 500 microns. In some embodiments, the retainer plate may define a portion of the storage chamber.

[0049] The wicking receptacle may have any configuration suitable for accommodating at least a portion of the wicking element. In addition, the inner surface of the wicking receptacle may be roughened (e.g., comprising one or more retaining elements such as spikes, barbs, etc. or other grinding features) to help secure the wicking element to the wicking receptacle.

[0050] The retainer plate may include at least one vent extending through the retainer plate, thereby allowing a portion of the air traveling along the airflow path of the evaporator body to enter the storage chamber. During use, the flow of air into the storage chamber may at least partially maintain the internal pressure of the storage chamber (e.g., an internal pressure substantially equal to the ambient pressure). That is, the flow of air into the storage chamber may at least partially equalize the pressure in the storage chamber. Therefore, the at least one vent may be used as a one-way valve and may therefore be used to reduce or eliminate the negative pressure generated by the flow of the evaporable material out of the storage chamber. The at least one vent may have any suitable shape and size that may allow air to pass into the storage chamber.

[0051] In use, when the vaporizer cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer body, the wicking element is brought into direct contact with the first surface of the heating element. The heating element is pressed into thermal contact with the wicking element to allow the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir by the wicking element to be vaporized (e.g., after activation of the heating element) in the form of a gas phase and / or a condensed phase (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) for subsequent inhalation by a user. In some embodiments, the wicking element may be at least partially compressed by the heating element, thereby enhancing heat transfer therebetween.

[0052] The vaporizer device may also include a power source (e.g., a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery) and a controller (e.g., a processor capable of executing logic, circuitry, etc.) for controlling the delivery of heat from the heating element to cause the vaporizable material to transition from a condensed form (e.g., a solid phase material such as a wax, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, etc.) to a vapor phase. The controller may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the current subject matter.

[0053] After the vaporizable material is converted to the gas phase, at least some of the vaporizable material in the gas phase will condense in at least partial local equilibrium with the portion of the vaporizable material still in the gas phase to form particulate matter. The vaporizable material in the gas phase and the condensed phase is part of the aerosol, which can form some or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device during the user's puff or inhalation on the vaporizer device. It should be understood that due to factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemical properties, flow conditions in the airflow path (both in the vaporizer device and in the airway of humans or other animals) and / or mixing of vaporizable materials in the gas phase or in the aerosol phase with other air flows (these factors can affect one or more physical parameters of the aerosol), the interaction between the gas phase and the condensed phase in the aerosol generated by the vaporizer device can be complex and dynamic. In some vaporizer devices, and particularly for vaporizer devices configured to deliver volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose may be mainly present in the gas phase (e.g., the formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited).

[0054] The heating element may have a variety of configurations. For example, the heating element may be or may include a metal foil or wire, a ceramic heater, or any material that is stable at 250°C or above. In addition, the heating element may be configured to be heated using electrical energy, chemical energy, or mechanical energy. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may be composed of or at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, such as a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) that is configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when an electric current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In other embodiments, the heating element may be or may include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiant heater, and a convection heater.

[0055] In some embodiments, the heating element includes one or more holes extending therethrough. The one or more holes may have any suitable shape and size that allows at least a portion of the vaporized material to travel through the heating element and into the airflow path for subsequent inhalation by the user. In some embodiments, the heating element may be stamped and / or cut from a substrate material, such as a conductive material such as a metal.

[0056] In some embodiments, the heating element may include a heating portion and at least one leg extending laterally outward from the heating portion. In addition, the heating portion may include one or more tines having any suitable shape or size. The tines may have a variety of configurations that allow at least a portion of the vaporized material to travel through the heating element and into the airflow path of the vaporizer body for subsequent inhalation by a user.

[0057] In some embodiments, the heating element may be coupled to a support structure attached to the evaporator body. For example, in some embodiments, the support structure is coupled to a chassis configured to house at least a portion of additional components of the evaporator device, such as, for example, a power supply, input devices, sensors, outputs, controllers, communication hardware, memory, etc. The support structure may be configured to provide mechanical support for the heating element during and after manufacturing. The support structure may be formed of any suitable material (e.g., one or more polymers, etc.) using any suitable manufacturing method (e.g., additive manufacturing, etc.).

[0058] The support structure may have a variety of configurations. The support structure may be formed of one or more parts. In some embodiments, the support structure is generally U-shaped. In other embodiments, the support structure can be sized and shaped in different ways, including any other feasible shapes. In one embodiment, the support structure includes a base having two opposing legs extending therefrom. The base and the two opposing legs can have a variety of configurations, for example, in some embodiments, the base is generally rectangular in shape, and the two opposing legs have a generally T-shaped configuration. In other embodiments, each of the base and / or the two opposing legs can also be sized and shaped in different ways, including any other feasible shapes.

[0059] The heating element can be activated by a variety of mechanisms. The heating element can be activated in association with a user's puff (e.g., suction, inhalation, etc.) (e.g., a controller can cause current to pass from a power source through a circuit including the heating element, as discussed herein, the controller is optionally part of the vaporizer body), the user's puff is performed directly on the vaporizer cartridge itself or alternatively on a mouthpiece connected to the vaporizer cartridge, so that air flows from the air inlet along a portion of the airflow path passing near the second surface of the heating element. The second surface is opposite to the first surface of the heating element that contacts the wicking element. As mentioned herein, the entrained vaporizable material in the gas phase can condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path (which also travels through the interior of the vaporizer cartridge (e.g., through one or more internal channels therein)), so that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in the form of an aerosol can be delivered from the outlet (e.g., in the vaporizer cartridge itself and / or in a mouthpiece connected to the vaporizer cartridge) for inhalation by the user. In some embodiments, the evaporator cartridge comprises an internal passage extending through the evaporator cartridge from an inlet of the evaporator cartridge to an outlet of the evaporator cartridge.In one embodiment, the sidewalls of the storage chamber may at least partially define sidewalls of the internal passage.

[0060] Activation of the heating element may be caused by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors. The one or more sensors and the signals generated by the one or more sensors may include one or more of: one or more pressure sensors configured to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or alternatively to measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers) of the evaporator device, one or more flow sensors of the evaporator device, a capacitive lip sensor of the evaporator device, detection of user interaction with the evaporator device via one or more input devices (e.g., buttons or other tactile controls of the evaporator device), receipt of signals from a computing device in communication with the evaporator device, and / or via other methods for determining that a puff is occurring or is about to occur.

[0061] As discussed herein, a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter can be configured to connect (such as, for example, wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) that communicates with the vaporizer device. To this end, the controller can include communication hardware. The controller can also include memory. The communication hardware can include firmware and / or can be controlled by software for executing one or more cryptographic protocols for communication.

[0062] The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device, and the computing device may include its own hardware for communication that is capable of establishing a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware of the vaporizer device. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system may include a general-purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, some other portable device such as a smart watch, etc.) that executes software to generate a user interface to enable a user to interact with the vaporizer device. In other embodiments of the current subject matter, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system may also be dedicated hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or software (i.e., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, etc.) interface controls.

[0063] The vaporizer device may also include one or more outputs or devices for providing information to a user. For example, the output may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on the state and / or operating mode of the vaporizer device. In some aspects, the one or more outputs may include a plurality of LEDs (i.e., two, three, four, five, or six LEDs). The one or more outputs (i.e., each individual LED) may be configured to display light in one or more colors (e.g., white, red, blue, green, yellow, etc.). The one or more outputs may be configured to display different light patterns (e.g., by lighting up specific LEDs, changing the light intensity of one or more LEDs over time, lighting up one or more LEDs in different colors, etc.) to indicate different states, operating modes, etc. of the vaporizer device. In some embodiments, the one or more outputs may be located near the bottom region of the vaporizer device and / or at least partially disposed within the bottom region of the vaporizer device. Additionally or alternatively, the vaporizer device may also include externally accessible charging contacts, which may be located near the bottom region of the vaporizer device and / or at least partially disposed within the bottom region of the vaporizer device.

[0064] In examples where the computing device provides a signal associated with activation of a resistive heating element, or in other examples where the computing device is coupled to a vaporizer device to implement various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more sets of computer instructions to provide a user interface and underlying data processing. In one example, detection of user interaction with one or more user interface elements by the computing device may cause the computing device to signal the vaporizer device to activate the heating element to reach an operating temperature for generating an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer device may be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device.

[0065] The temperature of the resistive heating element of the vaporizer device can depend on many factors, including the amount of electrical power delivered to the resistive heating element and / or the duty cycle at which the electrical power is delivered, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer device and / or to the environment, latent heat loss due to evaporation of the vaporizable material from the wicking element, and convective heat loss caused by airflow (i.e., air moving through the heating element when a user inhales on the vaporizer device). As mentioned herein, in order to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, in some embodiments of the current subject matter, the vaporizer device can utilize a signal from a sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor) to determine when the user is inhaling. The sensor can be positioned in the airflow path and / or can be connected (e.g., by a channel or other path) to the airflow path including an inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device and an outlet through which the user inhales the resulting vapor and / or aerosol, so that the sensor undergoes changes (e.g., pressure changes) simultaneously with the air passing from the air inlet through the vaporizer device to the air outlet. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element can be activated in association with a user's puff, such as by automatic detection of the puff, or by a sensor detecting a change in the airflow path (eg, a pressure change).

[0066] The sensor may be positioned on or coupled to (i.e., electrically or electronically connected, physically or via wireless connection) a controller (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). In order to accurately measure and maintain the durability of the evaporator device, it is beneficial to provide a sufficiently resilient seal to separate the airflow path from other parts of the evaporator device. The seal (which may be a gasket) may be configured to at least partially surround the sensor so that the connection portion of the sensor to the internal circuit of the evaporator device is separated from the portion of the sensor exposed to the airflow path. The seal may also separate portions of one or more electrical connections between the evaporator body and the evaporator cartridge. This arrangement of the seal in the evaporator device may help mitigate potential destructive effects on evaporator components due to interactions with environmental factors (e.g., water in vapor or liquid phase, other fluids such as evaporable materials, etc.), and / or reduce air from a designated airflow path in the evaporator device. Unwanted air, liquids, or other fluids passing through and / or contacting the circuitry of the evaporator device may cause various undesirable effects (e.g., altered pressure readings), and / or may cause undesirable materials (e.g., moisture, excess vaporizable material, etc.) to accumulate in portions of the evaporator device, in which case they may result in poor pressure signals, degradation of sensors or other components, and / or a shorter life of the evaporator device. Leaks in the seals may also cause a user to inhale air that has passed through portions of the evaporator device that contains or is composed of materials that may be undesirable to inhale.

[0067] The evaporator cartridge may be selectively coupled to and removable from the evaporator body using a coupling mechanism. For example, the evaporator body and the evaporator cartridge may each include corresponding coupling elements configured to releasably engage with each other. That is, in use, after a predetermined length of the evaporator cartridge is inserted into the evaporator body, the coupling elements may engage with each other, thereby securing the evaporator cartridge to the evaporator body. Similarly, once the evaporator cartridge needs to be replaced, the coupling elements may be disengaged, allowing the evaporator cartridge to be removed. And subsequently, a new evaporator cartridge may be connected to the evaporator body.

[0068] The position of the coupling element may depend at least on the desired length of the evaporator cartridge to be inserted into the evaporator body, for example to protect the heating element from damage due to insertion forces. In one embodiment, the positioning of the coupling element allows the evaporator cartridge to be inserted into the evaporator body until it reaches approximately 100 microns from the heating element.

[0069] In one example of a coupling element for coupling the evaporator cartridge to the evaporator body, the evaporator body may include one or more snap-fit ​​portions (e.g., pits, protrusions, etc.) protruding inwardly from the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle, another material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include a portion protruding into the cartridge receptacle, and the like. One or more outer surfaces of the evaporator cartridge may include corresponding recesses that may fit and / or otherwise snap onto these snap-fit ​​portions or protruding portions when the evaporator cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle on the evaporator body. When the evaporator cartridge and the evaporator body are coupled (e.g., due to the evaporator cartridge being inserted into the cartridge receptacle of the evaporator body), the snap-fit ​​portions or protrusions of the evaporator body may fit into the recesses of the evaporator cartridge and / or otherwise remain in the recesses of the evaporator cartridge so that the evaporator cartridge remains in place during assembly. Such an assembly may provide sufficient support to hold the evaporator cartridge in place to ensure good contact between the wicking element and the heating element, while allowing the evaporator cartridge to be released from the evaporator body when a user pulls on the evaporator cartridge with reasonable force to disengage the evaporator cartridge from the cartridge receptacle. In other embodiments, the outer surface of the evaporator cartridge may include one or more snap-fit ​​portions, and the cartridge receptacle may include one or more recesses.

[0070] In some embodiments, the evaporator cartridge or at least the end of the evaporator cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle may have a non-circular cross-section that is transverse to the axis along which the evaporator cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. For example, the non-circular cross-section may be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (i.e., having an approximately elliptical shape), non-rectangular but having two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposite sides (i.e., having a parallelogram-like shape) or other shapes with at least second-order rotational symmetry. In this context, the approximate shape represents that the basic similarity to the described shape is obvious, but the edges of the shape in question are not necessarily completely straight and the vertex angles are not necessarily completely sharp. In the description of any non-circular cross-section mentioned herein, the rounding of both or either of the edges or vertex angles of the cross-sectional shape is also considered.

[0071] In some embodiments, the evaporator device may include an element or system configured for condensation management. Non-limiting examples include a condensation collector and / or a condensation recycling system. For example, a condensation collector may act on a vaporizable material that is cooled and becomes droplets after evaporation so as to collect and guide the condensed droplets to a condensation recycling channel (e.g., a microfluidic channel), which may be formed to travel from the outlet of the cartridge or alternatively from an opening in a mouthpiece connected to the cartridge to, for example, a wicking element. The condensation recycling channel collects and returns condensation and large vapor droplets to the wicking element, and prevents liquid vaporizable material formed in the outlet of the cartridge or alternatively in the opening of the mouthpiece (if present) from being deposited into the user's mouth during a puff or inhalation of the user on the cartridge or alternatively on the mouthpiece (if present). The condensate recirculation channel may be implemented as a microfluidic channel to capture any droplet condensate and thereby eliminate direct inhalation of the vaporizable material in liquid form and avoid an unpleasant sensation or taste in the user's mouth. The condensate recirculation channel may thus assist in controlling, collecting and / or recirculating condensate in the evaporator device. A microfluidic fin may be provided, the microfluidic fin defining one or more capillary channels through which fluid is collected via capillary forces formed when the fluid is located within the capillary channels. In order to maintain the fluid captured by the fin-type condensate collector in a manner that is not drawn up by the drag force of the airflow, the capillary force of the microfluidic fin may be made greater than the drag force of the airflow by providing a narrow channel or channel in which the fluid is positioned.

[0072] In some cases, instead of evaporating, one or more components in the vaporizable material may form one or more deposits on the outer surface of the heating element. Accordingly, it may be desirable for the evaporator device to include one or more components that are configured to at least partially remove the one or more deposits (e.g., wicking elements). In one embodiment, the wicking element may be configured to at least partially remove the one or more deposits when the evaporator cartridge is inserted and / or removed relative to the evaporator body.

[0073] Figure 1A-1B An exemplary evaporator device 100 is illustrated. More specifically, the evaporator device 100 includes an evaporator body 102 and an evaporator cartridge 104 coupled to the evaporator body. For simplicity purposes only, certain components of the evaporator device 100 are not illustrated.

[0074] The evaporator body 102 and the evaporator cartridge 104 may be coupled to each other via corresponding coupling elements. Figure 1A-3 and Figure 7-8 , the evaporator body 102 includes a first set of coupling elements 106a, 106b, and the evaporator cartridge 104 includes a second set of corresponding coupling elements 108a, 108b. Although the first set of coupling elements 106a, 106b and the second set of coupling elements 108a, 108b can have a variety of configurations, in the illustrated embodiment, the first set of coupling elements 106a, 106b includes two recessed channels extending inwardly into the evaporator body 102, and the second set of coupling elements 108a, 108b includes two protrusions extending outwardly from two opposing side walls 104a, 104b of the evaporator cartridge 104.

[0075] The evaporator body 102 may have a variety of configurations. Figure 1A-3 As shown in , the evaporator body 102 includes a sleeve 110 extending from a distal end 110a to a proximal end 110b. The sleeve 110 defines a cartridge receptacle 112 within the evaporator body 102, which is configured to receive at least a portion of the evaporator cartridge 104. The distal end 110a of the sleeve 110 is coupled to a chassis 113 of the evaporator body 102. The chassis 113 is configured to accommodate at least a portion of additional components of the evaporator device 100, such as, for example, any of the components discussed above (e.g., power supply, input device, sensor, output, controller, communication hardware, memory, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the evaporator device 100 includes a power supply 200, an input device 204, a sensor 204, an output 206, a controller 208, communication hardware 210, a memory 212, and these components are as follows: Figure 1A As shown in FIG. 1 , the evaporator body 102 is disposed within the evaporator body 102 .

[0076] In addition, the air inlet 114 extends through the wall 111 of the sleeve 110. The air inlet 114 is configured to allow ambient air 116 to enter the evaporator device 100. In use, when the user directly sucks on the end 104c of the evaporator cartridge 104, the ambient air 116 enters the evaporator body 102 and travels through the first airflow path 118. Alternatively, a mouthpiece (not shown) may be coupled to the end 104c of the evaporator cartridge 104, in which case the user can suck on the mouthpiece instead of directly on the end 104c of the evaporator cartridge 104. As described in more detail below, the evaporated material converges into the first airflow path 118 and combines with the air 116 to form a mixture. The mixture travels through the remainder of the first airflow path 118 and then through the second airflow path 120, which extends through the evaporator cartridge 104. In this way, the first airflow path 118 and the second airflow path 120 are fluidly connected to each other.

[0077] The evaporator body 102 also includes a heating element 122 disposed within the cartridge receptacle 112. Although the heating element 122 may have a variety of configurations, such as Figure 2-6 As shown in , the heating element 122 includes a heating portion 124 extending from a first surface 126a to a second opposite surface 126b. The heating portion 124 includes rake teeth 130 extending between a first end 128a and a second end 128b of the heating portion 124. The rake teeth 130 may include a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations. As shown, each rake tooth 130 has the same size and shape. In other embodiments, each rake tooth 130 may also be sized and shaped in a different manner, including any feasible shape. The rake teeth 130 are spaced apart relative to each other to form a channel or hole through the heating element 122, thereby allowing the evaporated material to travel through the heating element 122 and into the first airflow path 118, a portion of which travels near the second surface 126b of the heating element 122, such as Figure 2 as shown in .

[0078] like Figure 41, the heating element 122 includes a first leg 132 and a second leg 134, which may extend laterally outward from a first end 128a and a second end 128b of the heating portion 124, respectively. Each leg 132, 134 forms a portion of the heating element 122 having a width that is substantially wider than the width of each rake tooth 130. The first leg 132 and the second leg 134 provide rigidity to facilitate the heating element 122 to be mechanically stable during and after manufacturing. In addition, electrical contacts (not shown) may be attached to the legs 132, 134 to operatively couple the heating element 122 to a power source 200 disposed at least within the evaporator body 102. The electrical contacts may have a variety of configurations. For example, in one embodiment, the electrical contacts are in the form of wires.

[0079] In addition, the evaporator device 100 may include a support structure 136. As shown in the figure, Figure 1A-3 and Figure 5-6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the heating element 122 is coupled to at least a portion of the support structure 136. The support structure 136 is disposed within the cavity 113a of the base frame 113 and is fixedly coupled to the cavity 113a of the base frame 113 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1B ). Thus, the heating element 122 is attached to the evaporator body 102 and is therefore not part of the evaporator cartridge 104 .

[0080] The support structure 136 can have a variety of configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 136 includes a base 138 and first and second opposing legs 140a, 140b extending outwardly from the base 138 and spaced apart from each other by a distance (D). Although the base 138 and the first and second opposing legs 140a, 140b can have a variety of configurations, such as Figure 2-3 and Figure 5-6 As shown, the base 138 is generally rectangular in shape, and each of the first and second opposing legs 140a, 140b has a generally T-shaped configuration. In addition, as shown, the first and second opposing legs 140a, 140b are the same size and shape. In other embodiments, the first and second opposing legs 140a, 140b can also be sized and shaped differently relative to each other. As shown, the base 138 is integrally formed with the first and second opposing legs 140a, 140b.

[0081] The vaporizer cartridge 104 includes a reservoir 142 configured to hold a vaporizable material (not shown) and a wicking element 144 in fluid communication with the reservoir. Although the reservoir 142 can have a variety of sizes and shapes, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown in , the storage chamber 142 is generally rectangular in shape. In other embodiments, the storage chamber 142 can be shaped and sized in different ways, including any feasible shape.

[0082] like Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the wicking element 144 resides at least partially in a wicking receptacle 146 of a retaining plate 150 disposed within the vaporizer cartridge 104. Although the wicking element 144 can have a variety of configurations, the wicking element 144 is generally rectangular in shape. In other embodiments, the wicking element 144 can be shaped and sized in different ways, including any feasible shape. The wicking element 144 is configured to draw at least a portion of the vaporizable material from the reservoir 142 for vaporization into vaporized material.

[0083] The retaining plate 150 defines the distal end 142a of the reservoir 142. The retaining plate 150 and the wicking receptacle 146 are Figure 8 In more detail, Figure 8 14, the wicking element 144 has been removed for illustration purposes only. The wicking receptacle 146 includes a retaining element 154 extending outwardly from one or more inner sidewalls 148 of the wicking receptacle 146. The retaining element 154 is configured to maintain at least a portion of the wicking element 144 within the retaining plate 150 and, therefore, the evaporator cartridge 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining element 154 is generally triangular in shape.

[0084] like Figure 8 As further shown in FIG. 1 , the retaining plate 150 includes a dispensing hole 156 extending through a top wall 152 of the retaining plate 150 that allows the vaporizable material to be drawn from the storage chamber 142 and into the wicking element 144 (e.g., via capillary action). As the wicking element 144 receives the vaporizable material, the size of the wicking element 144 may increase, thereby causing at least a portion of the wicking element 144 to protrude outward from the distal surface 107 of the evaporator cartridge 104. In addition, the retaining plate 150 includes at least one vent 158 ​​extending therethrough. The at least one vent 158 ​​is configured to allow at least a portion of the air traveling along the first airflow path 118 to enter the storage chamber 142. Thus, the negative pressure generated within the storage chamber 142 due to the drawing of the vaporizable material from the storage chamber may be reduced.

[0085] The evaporator cartridge 104 also includes an internal passage 160 extending from the inlet 105a of the evaporator cartridge 104 to the outlet 105b. Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , the second airflow path 120 extends through the internal channel 160. The internal channel 160 is configured to guide air and evaporated material through the evaporator cartridge 104 and out of the outlet 105b for inhalation by the user. Although the internal channel 160 can have a variety of configurations, the internal channel 160 can be configured as follows: Figure 7-8 160 is shown as being defined by two sets of opposing side walls 162, 164. In other embodiments, the interior passage 160 may also be sized and shaped, including any other feasible shapes.

[0086] In use, after the vaporizer cartridge 104 is coupled to the vaporizer device 100, the heating element 122 is activated by a user sucking on the end 104c, and at least a portion of the vaporizable material within the wicking element 144 is vaporized into vaporized material. This sucking also simultaneously draws ambient air 116 into the vaporizer body 102 through the air inlet 114 of the sleeve 110. The vaporized material merges with the air traveling along the first airflow path 118, wherein at least a portion of the merged vaporized material and air continues to travel through the vaporizer body 102 and travels into the second airflow path 120 of the vaporizer cartridge 104. As the merged vaporized material and air travel through at least the second airflow path 120 and thus the internal passage 160 of the vaporizer cartridge 104, the vaporized material and air at least partially condense into an aerosol for subsequent inhalation by the user.

[0087] the term

[0088] For the purposes of describing and defining the present teachings, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified, the term "substantially" is used herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other characterization. The term "substantially" is also used herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative characterization may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

[0089] When a feature or element is referred to herein as being "on" another feature or another element, the feature or element may be directly on another feature or element, or there may also be intermediate features and / or elements. On the contrary, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intermediate features or elements. It will also be understood that when a feature or element is referred to as being "connected," "attached" or "coupled" to another feature or element, the feature or element may be directly connected, attached or coupled to another feature or element, or there may be intermediate features or elements. On the contrary, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly attached" or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intermediate features or elements.

[0090] Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements described or shown in this way may be applicable to other embodiments. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that reference to a structure or feature disposed "adjacent" to another feature may have a portion that overlaps or underlays the adjacent feature.

[0091] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and implementations and are not intended to be restrictive. For example, as used herein, the singular forms of "one", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood in addition that the terms "include" and / or "comprise" when used in this specification clearly indicate the existence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated enumeration items and can be abbreviated to " / ".

[0092] In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one of..." or "one or more of..." may appear after the consecutive enumeration of elements or features. The term "and / or" may also appear in the enumeration of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or obviously contradictory to the context in which such phrases are used, such phrases are intended to represent any of the listed elements or features individually, or any of the listed elements or features in any combination with other listed elements or features. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and B", "one or more of A and B", and "A and / or B" are each intended to represent "A alone, B alone, or A and B together". Similar interpretations are also intended to include more than three enumerations. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, and / or C" are each intended to represent "A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together". Use of the term “based on” above and in the claims is intended to mean “based at least in part on” such that unrecited features or elements are also allowable.

[0093] Spatially relative terms such as "forward", "backward", "under", "below", "down", "above", "on", etc. may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that in addition to the orientations depicted in the accompanying drawings, the spatially relative terms are also intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device is inverted in the accompanying drawings, the elements described as being "under" or "below" other elements or features will then be oriented to be "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "under" can include both the orientation of "above" and the orientation of "under". The device can be oriented otherwise (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive information elements used herein are interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upward", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", etc. are used herein for the purpose of explanation only, unless otherwise explicitly indicated.

[0094] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe different features / elements (including steps), these features / elements are not limited by these terms unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another feature / element. Therefore, without departing from the teachings provided herein, the first feature / element discussed below may be referred to as the second feature / element, and similarly, the second feature / element discussed below may be referred to as the first feature / element.

[0095] As used in this specification and claims, including as used in the examples, and unless otherwise expressly indicated, all numbers can be understood as words preceded by "about" or "approximately", even if the term does not appear explicitly. When describing size and / or position, the phrase "about" or "approximately" can be used to indicate that the value and / or position described are within the reasonable expected range of the value and / or position. For example, a numerical value may have a value (or range of values) of + / -0.1% of the stated value, a value (or range of values) of + / -1% of the stated value, a value (or range of values) of + / -2% of the stated value, a value (or range of values) of + / -5% of the stated value, a value (or range of values) of + / -10% of the stated value, etc. Any numerical value given herein should also be understood to include about the value or about the value, unless otherwise indicated by the context. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, "about 10" is also disclosed. Any numerical range listed herein is intended to include all subranges contained in the numerical range. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed, "less than or equal to" the value, "greater than or equal to" the value, and possible ranges between the values ​​are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by those skilled in the art. For example, if the value "X" is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" and "greater than or equal to X" (e.g., in the case where X is a numerical value) are also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in a variety of different formats, and that the data represents endpoints and starting points and ranges for any combination of data points. For example, if a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are also considered disclosed, along with between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two specific units is also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0096] Although different illustrative embodiments are described above, any number of changes may be made to the different embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which the different described method steps are implemented can often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Optional features in different device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in other embodiments. Therefore, the above description is provided primarily for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0097] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented as follows: digital electronic circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features may include implementations using one or more computer programs, which may be executed and / or interpreted on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be dedicated or general purpose, connected to receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and to send data and instructions to the storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. A programmable system or computing system may include a client and a server. The client and server are conventionally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The connection between the client and the server is generated by means of computer programs running on respective computers and having a client-server relationship with each other.

[0098] These computer programs, which may also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components or codes, include machine instructions for programmable processors and may be implemented in high-level programming languages, object-oriented programming languages, functional programming languages, logic programming languages ​​and / or in assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, device and / or device for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, such as, for example, a disk, an optical disk, a memory and a programmable logic device (PLD), including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. A machine-readable medium may store such machine instructions non-temporarily, such as, for example, a non-temporary solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. A machine-readable medium may alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a temporary manner, such as, for example, a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0099] The examples and descriptions included herein show, by way of illustration and in a non-limiting manner, specific embodiments in which the subject matter can be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be used, and other embodiments may be obtained from the specific embodiments, so that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the subject matter of the invention may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term "invention", which reference is only for the sake of convenience, and if more than one invention is in fact disclosed, it is not intended that the scope of the present application is actively limited to any single invention or inventive concept. Therefore, although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, any arrangement structure intended to achieve the same purpose may replace the specific embodiments shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all modifications or variations of different embodiments. After reading the above description, the combination of the above embodiments and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0100] The disclosed subject matter has been provided herein with reference to one or more features or embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that, despite the detailed nature of the exemplary embodiments provided herein, changes and modifications may be applied to the embodiments without limiting or departing from the overall intended scope. These and various other modifications and combinations of the embodiments provided herein are also within the scope of the disclosed subject matter defined by the disclosed elements and features and their full set of equivalents.

Claims

1. A material box for an evaporator device, comprising: a storage chamber configured to contain a vaporizable material; a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir, the wicking element configured to draw at least a portion of the vaporizable material from the reservoir; as well as a retention plate having a wicking receptacle defined therein, the wicking element being at least partially disposed within the wicking receptacle; Therein, the wicking element is configured to be brought into contact with at least a portion of a heating element attached to the evaporator body such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material received within the wicking element is substantially vaporized in response to activation of the heating element to form vaporized material.

2. The material box according to claim 1, wherein: The retaining plate defines a portion of the storage chamber.

3. The material box according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The retention plate includes at least one dispensing opening extending through a wall of the retention plate to allow at least a portion of the vaporizable material within the reservoir to pass through the retention plate and into the wicking receptacle.

4. The material box according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The retention plate includes at least one retention element configured to secure the wicking element to the wicking receptacle.

5. The material box according to claim 4, wherein: The wicking receptacle includes a plurality of inner sidewalls, and wherein the at least one retaining element extends outwardly from one of the plurality of inner sidewalls.

6. The material box according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one retaining element is generally triangular in shape.

7. The material box according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The retention plate includes at least one vent extending therethrough, and wherein the at least one vent is configured to allow airflow to pass into the storage compartment.

8. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising an internal passage extending from an inlet of the cartridge to an outlet of the cartridge, wherein: The internal passage is configured to direct air and evaporated material through the cartridge.

9. The material box according to claim 8, wherein: The interior passage extends adjacent to and parallel to the reservoir.

10. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising at least one vent configured to allow airflow to pass into the storage chamber.

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