Cartridge for evaporator device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an evaporator cartridge for an evaporator apparatus. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge may include an evaporation channel configured to allow fluid from the atomizer to pass through the evaporation channel to the outlet. The evaporation channel includes a plurality of channels, where at least one channel is a groove channel defining a fluid passageway extending from the first end to the second end, and the groove channel has a plurality of grooves extending in a direction along the fluid passageway. An evaporator apparatus is also disclosed herein.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 394,144, filed on August 1, 2022, entitled “Cartridges For Vaporizer Devices,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The subject matter described herein relates to vaporizer cartridges and vaporizer devices using the same. Background Art

[0004] 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 gas phase and / or condensed phase material suspended in a stationary or moving air mass 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, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a class of vaporizer devices that are battery powered and can be used to simulate the smoking experience, but without burning tobacco or other substances. Vaporizer devices are becoming increasingly popular for prescription medical uses, delivery of medications, and consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based materials. Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and / or easy to use.

[0005] When using a vaporizer device, a user inhales an aerosol, colloquially referred to as "vapor," which may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., converts a liquid or solid at least partially into a gas phase) a vaporizable material, which may be a liquid, solution, solid, paste, wax, and / or any other form compatible for use with a particular vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device may be disposed within a vaporizer cartridge (e.g., a detachable portion of a vaporizer device containing the vaporizable material), which includes an outlet (e.g., a mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by the user.

[0006] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by the vaporizer device, in some examples, the user can activate the vaporizer device by puffing, by pressing a button, and / or by some other method. Puffing, as used herein, can refer to inhalation by the user in a manner such that a volume of air is drawn into the vaporizer device (such that the inhalable aerosol is generated by the combination of vaporized vaporizable material and a volume of air).

[0007] The method of generating an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material by a vaporizer device involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (e.g., a heater chamber) to convert the vaporizable material into a gas (or vapor) phase. The vaporization chamber may refer to an area or volume in a vaporizer device within which 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, thereby forming a vapor of the vaporizable material for inhalation by a user of the vaporizer device.

[0008] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can be drawn out of the reservoir and enter the evaporation chamber. However, when the ambient pressure becomes negative relative to the internal pressure, applying heat, manual pressure, or any type of negative pressure event (e.g., pressure drop inside an aircraft cabin) may cause the air volume or bubble expansion in the cartridge reservoir. Disadvantageously, this pressure change causes the vaporizable material to overflow the reservoir, for example, through a wicking element, and directly enter the fluid channel (e.g., airflow channel) of the cartridge. This can allow the vaporizable material in liquid form to be directly inhaled, thereby causing an undesirable sensation or taste in the user's mouth.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, evaporating the vaporizable material into an aerosol may result in condensate gathering along one or more internal passages and outlets of some vaporizer devices (e.g., along the airflow tube and / or the mouthpiece). For example, such condensate may include a vaporizable material that is drawn from a reservoir, formed into an aerosol, and condensed into a condensate before leaving the vaporizer device. In addition, the condensate may travel away from the mouthpiece and eventually form a meniscus on one or more air inlets of the airflow tube. Therefore, during use of the vaporizer device, the user may directly inhale the condensate, thereby producing an unpleasant user experience and reducing the amount of the originally available inhalable aerosol. In addition, the accumulation and loss of condensate may ultimately result in the inability to draw all of the vaporizable material from the reservoir into the vaporization chamber, thereby wasting the vaporizable material. For example, as particles of vaporizable material accumulate in the internal passage of the airflow tube downstream of the evaporation chamber, the effective cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow tube narrows, thereby increasing the flow rate of the air, thereby applying a drag (pulling force) to the accumulated fluid, thereby amplifying the possibility of entraining fluid from the internal passage and through the nozzle outlet.

[0010] Vaporizable material leakage is often problematic because such leakage often interferes with the function and cleanability of the vaporizer device (e.g., the leaking vaporizable material clogs electrical ports or creates a mess that requires cleaning). Additionally, vaporizable material leakage from the cartridge negatively impacts the user experience due to the potential for contamination or damage to other items or fabrics adjacent to the leaking cartridge.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for an evaporator device and / or an evaporator cartridge that addresses one or more of these issues. Summary of the invention

[0012] In certain aspects of the present subject matter, challenges associated with direct inhalation of vaporizable materials in liquid form may be addressed by including one or more features described herein or comparable / equivalent methods as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.Aspects of the present subject matter relate to vaporizer cartridges for use in vaporizer devices and vaporizer devices.

[0013] In some embodiments, one or more of the following features may optionally be included in any feasible combination.

[0014] In one embodiment, an exemplary cartridge for an evaporator device includes a cartridge housing and an evaporation channel extending at least partially through the cartridge housing. The cartridge housing includes a reservoir configured to selectively accommodate evaporable material. The evaporation channel is configured to allow fluid to reach the outlet of the cartridge from the atomizer through the evaporation channel. The evaporation channel includes a plurality of first channels, wherein each first channel forms a fluid passage extending from a first end of the first channel to a second end, wherein the first end is close to the atomizer. The evaporation channel also includes at least one second channel that is fluidly connected to the plurality of first channels and is located downstream of the plurality of first channels, wherein at least one second channel is close to the outlet. At least one first channel in the plurality of first channels is a groove channel having a groove, and the groove extends in the direction of the fluid passage along the groove channel, so that the fluid passage of at least one of the groove channel and another first channel remains open to allow evaporated material to pass therethrough and enter the at least one second channel.

[0015] In some embodiments, at least one first channel of the plurality of first channels may have a cross-section that narrows toward the outlet of the cartridge.

[0016] In some embodiments, the evaporation channel may include a first section and a second section located downstream of the first section. The first section may include a plurality of first channels. The first section may have a cross section that narrows toward the outlet of the cartridge. In certain embodiments, the second section may include at least one second channel.

[0017] In some implementations, at least one groove of the plurality of grooves can have a triangular configuration.

[0018] In some embodiments, the evaporation channel may include a baffle that may be positioned between the plurality of first channels. The baffle may be configured to promote mixing of air and evaporated material within the evaporation channel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the reservoir may include a storage chamber that can be configured to selectively accommodate a vaporizable material and a collector that can be fluidly communicated with the storage chamber. A plurality of first channels may be positioned in the collector. In some embodiments, a portion of the second section of the vaporization channel may be located in the collector. In certain embodiments, the cartridge may include an atomizer, and the atomizer may include an atomizer housing having a wicking element that can be disposed therein and is fluidly communicated with a plurality of first channels. The collector may include at least one recess defined therein, and at least one recess may create a gap between the collector and the atomizer housing that may prevent vaporizable materials from being sucked between the bottom outermost surface of the collector and the top outermost surface of the atomizer housing. The atomizer may include a heating element that may have a heating portion that may be disposed in the atomizer housing and a connecting portion that may be at least partially disposed outside the atomizer housing. The gap may be located between the connecting portion of the heating element and the collector. The collector may also include at least one lug that may extend outward from the bottommost surface of the collector. At least one lug can be configured to be inserted into a corresponding cutout of the atomizer housing so that a portion of the connecting portion is positioned between the at least one lug and the atomizer housing. In such an embodiment, at least one recess of the collector can be positioned adjacent to and close to at least one lug. At least one lug can have a trapezoidal shape.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a wicking element that may be disposed within the cartridge housing. The groove may be in fluid communication with the wicking element.

[0021] In some embodiments, another at least one first channel of the plurality of first channels may be another groove channel, which may have a groove extending in a direction along the fluid path of the another groove channel.

[0022] In some embodiments, the plurality of first channels may be positioned laterally offset from one another relative to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge housing.

[0023] In another embodiment, an exemplary cartridge for an evaporator device includes an evaporation channel extending from an atomizer toward an outlet of the cartridge, wherein the evaporation channel is configured to allow fluid to pass from the atomizer through the evaporation channel to the outlet. The evaporation channel includes a plurality of channels, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels is a groove channel defining a fluid passage extending from a first end to a second end, the first end being proximate to the atomizer, and the groove channel having a plurality of grooves extending in a direction along the fluid passage.

[0024] In some embodiments, at least one channel of the plurality of channels may have a cross-section that narrows toward the outlet of the cartridge.

[0025] In some embodiments, the evaporation channel may include a first section and a second section located downstream of the first section. The first section may include a plurality of channels, and the first section may have a cross-section that narrows toward the outlet of the cartridge. In certain embodiments, the second section may include at least one other channel, wherein the at least one other channel may be in fluid communication with the plurality of channels.

[0026] In some implementations, at least one groove of the plurality of grooves can have a triangular configuration.

[0027] In some embodiments, the evaporation channels may include baffles that may be positioned between the plurality of channels. The baffles may be configured to promote mixing of air and evaporated material within the evaporation channels.

[0028] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a wicking element that may be disposed within the cartridge.The groove may be in fluid communication with the wicking element.

[0029] In some embodiments, another at least one channel of the plurality of channels may be another groove channel having grooves extending in a direction of a fluid path along the another groove channel.

[0030] In some embodiments, the plurality of channels may be positioned laterally offset from one another relative to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

[0031] An evaporator device is also disclosed.In one embodiment, an exemplary evaporator device includes an evaporator body and any cartridge as described above, wherein the cartridge is configured to be coupled to the evaporator body.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cartridge is removable from the vaporizer body.

[0033] The details of one or more embodiments 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, and from the claims. The claims following this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] 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 some principles associated with the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional front view of an embodiment of an evaporator cartridge having evaporation channels with grooved channels;

[0036] Figure 2 yes Figure 1An enlarged view of a portion of an evaporation channel;

[0037] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A bottom view of a portion of an evaporation channel;

[0038] Figure 4 is a partially transparent front view of an evaporator device having an evaporator body and a cartridge, showing the evaporator body and the cartridge separated from each other;

[0039] Figure 5 yes Figure 5 A partial transparent front view of an evaporator device of , showing an evaporator cartridge inserted into and coupled to an evaporator body;

[0040] Figure 6 shows a partially transparent front view of an embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge having an atomizer with an atomizer housing and a heating and wicking element, and a collector with a grooved channel;

[0041] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 A cross-sectional front view of an evaporator cartridge;

[0042] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Front view of the collector.

[0043] Fig. 9 yes Figure 6 A bottom view of the collector;

[0044] Fig.10 yes Figure 6 An exploded front view of an atomizer of a vaporizer cartridge;

[0045] Fig.11 yes Figure 6 A top perspective view of an atomizer assembly;

[0046] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 An atomizer of FIG. 1 , only the atomizer housing is shown.

[0047] Fig.13 It was taken along Route 13 Figure 6 A cross-sectional side view of an atomizer and a collector; and

[0048] Fig.14 It was taken along Route 13 Figure 6 Another cross-sectional side view of the atomizer and collector.

[0049] When applicable, similar reference numerals indicate similar structures, features, or elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Embodiments of the present subject matter include methods, apparatus, articles, and systems related to vaporizing one or more materials for inhalation by a user. Example embodiments include vaporizer devices and systems including vaporizer devices. The term "vaporizer device" as used in the following description and claims refers to any of a stand-alone device, a device including two or more detachable parts (e.g., a vaporizer body including a battery and other hardware, and a cartridge including 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. Typically, such vaporizer devices are handheld devices that heat (e.g., by convection, conduction, radiation, and / or some combination thereof) vaporizable materials to provide an inhalable dose of the material.

[0051] The vaporizable material used with the vaporizer device can be disposed in a cartridge (e.g., a portion of the vaporizer that holds the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container), which can be refillable when empty, or disposable, such that a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of the same or different type can be used. The vaporizer device can be an vaporizer device that uses a cartridge, an vaporizer device without a cartridge, or a multi-purpose vaporizer device that can be used with or without a cartridge. For example, the vaporizer device can include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven or other area where a heating element heats the material) configured to receive the vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber, and / or a reservoir for holding the vaporizable material, etc.

[0052] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device can be configured for use with a liquid vaporizable material. For example, the liquid vaporizable material can include a carrier solution in which the active and / or inactive ingredients are suspended or held in solution. Alternatively, the liquid vaporizable material can be the vaporizable material itself in liquid form. The liquid vaporizable material can be completely vaporized. Alternatively, at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material can remain after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.

[0053] Various events may cause the ambient pressure to decrease relative to the internal pressure of the cartridge, such as applying heat, manual pressure, any type of negative pressure event (e.g., pressure drop in an aircraft cabin), etc. This pressure change may cause the vaporizable material (e.g., vaporizable material in liquid form) to leak into the environment or other parts of the cartridge. For example, these undesirable leaks may cause the vaporizable material to leave the nozzle / mouthpiece outlet of the cartridge and be deposited in the user's mouth. In addition, forming condensate in the airflow channel (e.g., evaporation channel) of the cartridge may also cause the vaporizable material in the form of condensate to leave the nozzle outlet of the cartridge and be deposited in the user's mouth. These events may produce an unpleasant user experience and reduce the amount of the originally available inhalable aerosol. In addition, vaporizable material leakage may occur and interfere with the function and cleanliness of the vaporizer device, both of which affect the user's experience. Various features and devices that improve or overcome these problems are described below.

[0054] The evaporator cartridge described herein utilizes a groove channel within the evaporation channel of the cartridge to capture evaporable materials (e.g., evaporable materials in liquid form) that have bypassed the evaporation process (e.g., due to a negative pressure event, condensate formation, etc.), and redirects the evaporable materials to open the evaporation channel. That is, the groove channel is configured to collect and remove (e.g., discharge) evaporable materials from the evaporation channel, and prevent the evaporable materials from being deposited in the user's mouth during the user's direct suction or inhalation on the evaporator cartridge itself, or alternatively deposited on the suction nozzle / mouthpiece coupled thereto. Therefore, direct inhalation of evaporable materials, such as liquid form, can be avoided. In addition, collecting and removing evaporable materials from the evaporation channel can also inhibit leakage of evaporable materials, such as leakage from the cartridge through an outlet. The evaporable material that bypasses the evaporation process can be referred to as unevaporated evaporable material.

[0055] The vaporizer cartridge described herein generally includes an evaporation channel having a plurality of channels (e.g., a plurality of first channels), at least one of which is grooved. The groove channel defines a fluid passage extending from a first end to a second end. The groove channel includes a plurality of grooves extending in a direction along the fluid passage, which are used as microfluidic features for removing unevaporated evaporable materials present in the fluid passage. More specifically, a plurality of grooves help to maintain an unobstructed fluid passage along the evaporation channel. As a result, the evaporated material can freely pass from the atomizer to the outlet of the cartridge through the evaporation channel without producing an undesirable sensation or taste in the user's mouth, which would otherwise occur by directly inhaling the unevaporated evaporable material.

[0056] The evaporation channel is configured to allow fluid to reach the outlet of the cartridge from the atomizer through the evaporation channel. Multiple channels (e.g., multiple first channels) can be positioned in the evaporation channel in various orientations. For example, multiple channels can be positioned to be laterally offset from each other relative to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

[0057] A plurality of channels (e.g., a plurality of first channels) may have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, at least one channel in the plurality of channels may have a cross section that narrows toward the outlet of the cartridge. In other embodiments, at least one channel or another channel in the plurality of channels may have a cross section that narrows away from the outlet of the cartridge (e.g., toward the atomizer of the cartridge). In certain embodiments, all channels in the plurality of channels may have a cross section that narrows toward or away from the outlet of the cartridge. In other embodiments, all channels in the plurality of channels may have a cross section that does not narrow. In some embodiments, at least one channel in the plurality of channels may have a cross section that has a rectangular shape.

[0058] In some embodiments, the plurality of channels may include one or more additional groove channels. For example, in one embodiment, the plurality of channels includes another groove channel that may have a slot extending in a direction along the fluid path of the other groove channel.

[0059] In some embodiments, the evaporation channel also includes at least one second channel, which is in fluid communication with the plurality of channels and is located downstream of the plurality of channels. The at least one second channel can be positioned at various positions within the evaporation channel. For example, the at least one second channel can be positioned near an outlet. In this way, due to the groove channel, the fluid passage of at least one of the groove channel and another channel in the plurality of channels remains open to allow the evaporated material to pass therethrough and enter the at least one second channel for the user to inhale.

[0060] In some embodiments, the evaporation channel may include a first section and a second section located downstream of the first section. The first section and the second section may have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the first section may include a plurality of channels. Alternatively or in addition, the second section may include at least one other channel, wherein the at least one other channel may be in fluid communication with the plurality of channels.

[0061] In some embodiments, the evaporation channel may further include baffles that may be positioned between the plurality of channels. The baffles may be configured to promote mixing of air and evaporated material within the evaporation channel.

[0062] The grooves of the groove channel can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, at least one groove can extend along the entire length of the groove channel. Alternatively or in addition, at least one groove can extend along a portion of the length of the groove channel. In some embodiments, all grooves extend along the entire length of the groove channel. In other embodiments, all grooves extend along a portion of the length of the groove channel.

[0063] The groove can have various shapes and sizes. For example, in some embodiments, at least one groove can have a triangular configuration. In other embodiments, at least one groove can have other suitable shape configurations, for example, closed tubular configuration, circular, rectangular, c-shaped, etc.

[0064] In some embodiments, a plurality of channels may include another groove channel having a groove extending in the direction of the fluid path along another groove channel. Another groove channel may have a structural configuration similar to or identical to at least one groove of the above-mentioned groove channel. For example, in some embodiments, all groove channels of the evaporation channel may be similar or identical. In other embodiments, another groove channel may have a different structural configuration (e.g., shape, size, etc.) relative to at least one groove of the above-mentioned groove channel. For example, in certain embodiments, at least one groove channel may be different from another groove channel of the evaporation channel. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number and structural configuration of the groove channels depend at least on the structural dimensions of the evaporation channel and the cartridge itself.

[0065] The cartridges disclosed herein may have a variety of configurations and may include additional elements relative to the elements of the evaporation channel. For example, the cartridge may include a cartridge housing. The cartridge housing may extend from a first end to a second end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The cartridge housing may include a reservoir configured to selectively contain a vaporizable material.

[0066] The reservoir can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the reservoir can include a storage chamber that can be configured to selectively contain a vaporizable material and a collector that can be in fluid communication with the storage chamber.

[0067] The collector may have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of channels may be positioned within the collector. Thus, a groove channel may be positioned within the collector. A plurality of channels may be positioned to be laterally offset from each other relative to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge housing. Each channel may form a fluid passage extending from a first end of the channel to a second end, wherein the first end is proximate to the atomizer. In some embodiments, a portion of the second section of the evaporation channel may be located within the collector.

[0068] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include an atomizer. The atomizer may have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the atomizer may include an atomizer housing having a wicking element that may be disposed therein and in fluid communication with a plurality of first channels. Alternatively or additionally, the atomizer may further include a heating element that may have a heating portion that may be disposed within the atomizer housing and a connecting portion that may be at least partially disposed outside the atomizer housing.

[0069] In some embodiments, the collector may include at least one recess defined therein, and the at least one recess may create a gap between the collector and the atomizer housing that may prevent vaporizable material from being drawn between a bottom outermost surface of the collector and a top outermost surface of the atomizer housing. In certain embodiments, the gap may be located between a connection portion of the heating element and the collector.

[0070] Alternatively or in addition, the collector may include at least one lug that can extend outward from the bottommost surface of the collector. At least one lug can be configured to be inserted into a corresponding cutout of the atomizer housing so that a portion of the connecting portion is positioned between the at least one lug and the atomizer housing. In such an embodiment, at least one recess of the collector can be positioned adjacent to and close to at least one lug. At least one lug can have a variety of configurations. For example, in one embodiment, at least one lug has a trapezoidal shape. In other embodiments, at least one lug can have other suitable shapes, such as a triangle, a square, etc.

[0071] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a wicking element that may be disposed within the cartridge. In such embodiments, the grooves of the groove channel (and any additional groove channels) may be in fluid communication with the wicking element.

[0072] To further illustrate, Figure 1-7 Various examples of evaporator cartridges including evaporation channels according to embodiments of the present subject matter are depicted. In addition, Figure 4 and Figure 5 An example of an evaporator device comprising an evaporator cartridge as disclosed herein is depicted.

[0073] Figure 1-3An exemplary vaporizer cartridge 100 for use in a vaporizer device is depicted. More specifically, the vaporizer cartridge 100 includes a cartridge housing 102 and an evaporation channel 104 extending at least partially through the cartridge housing 102. In this embodiment, the evaporation channel 104 leads to an outlet 106 of the cartridge 100, in which case the outlet 106 is also the outlet of the cartridge housing 102. In other embodiments, the outlet of the cartridge 100 can be an outlet of a mouthpiece coupled to an end of the cartridge housing, wherein the outlet of the mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the outlet of the cartridge housing. In addition, depending on the embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge 100 can also include an atomizer 108, which is disposed at the bottom of the cartridge housing. Figure 1 , while in other embodiments, the atomizer 108 may be part of the evaporator body, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 The vaporizer body 202 in the cartridge housing 102. The atomizer 108 may be configured to vaporize the vaporizable material (eg, vaporizable material in liquid form) within the cartridge housing 102 into vaporized material for inhalation by the user.

[0074] The cartridge housing 102 includes a reservoir 110 that is configured to selectively hold a vaporizable material (eg, vaporizable material in liquid form). Although the cartridge housing 102 may have a variety of sizes and shapes, for example, Figure 1 As shown, the cartridge housing 102 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes at least two sets of opposing side walls 112, 114, wherein the first set of opposing side walls 112 extends substantially perpendicularly (e.g., in the Y direction) to the second set of opposing side walls 114. As shown, these side walls 112, 114 define at least a portion of the reservoir 110.

[0075] The cartridge housing 102 extends from a first end 116 to a second end 118, with the longitudinal axis L extending therebetween (e.g., extending in the Y direction). The outlet 106 of the cartridge housing 102 is positioned at the second end 118. As a result, the second end 118 of the cartridge housing 102 can be used as the mouthpiece itself of the cartridge 100. In use, the user can suck on the second end 118 of the cartridge housing 102, so that the air and evaporated material in the evaporator cartridge 100 can be directly delivered to the user from the outlet 106 for inhalation. Alternatively, a mouthpiece (not shown) can be coupled to the second end 118 of the cartridge housing 102, in which case the user can suck on the mouthpiece instead of directly on the second end 118 of the cartridge housing 102. Therefore, the air and evaporated material in the evaporator cartridge 100 (e.g., in the evaporation channel 104) can travel from the outlet 106 to the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.

[0076] like Figure 1As shown, the evaporation channel 104 extends from the atomizer 108 to the outlet 106 of the cartridge 100, and thus can allow fluid (e.g., evaporated material) to pass from the atomizer 108 to the outlet 106 for inhalation by the user. Although the evaporation channel 104 can have various configurations, in some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the evaporation channel 104 includes a first section 120 and a second section 122 located downstream of the first section 120. For example, the second section 122 can be located near the outlet 106 of the cartridge housing 102.

[0077] The first section 120 and the second section 122 may each have a variety of configurations. In some specific implementations, the first section and the second section 120, 122 may have the same cross-sectional shape, while in other specific implementations, the first section and the second section 120, 122 may have cross-sectional shapes different from each other. In the specific implementation of this example, the first section 120 has a cross section that narrows toward the outlet 106, and the second section 122 has a non-narrowing cross section. In other embodiments, the cross section of the first section 120 may be non-narrowing, and the cross section of the second section 122 may be narrowing or non-narrowing. In addition, depending on the embodiment, the first section 120 may include a single channel or multiple channels. Similarly, depending on the embodiment, the second section 122 may include a single channel or multiple channels. Those skilled in the art will understand that the size, shape and overall cross section of the section itself and the number of channels in the section may depend at least on the other components of the evaporator cartridge and the structural dimensions of the evaporator cartridge itself.

[0078] like Figure 1 shown, and in Figure 2 As further shown in detail in FIG. 1 , the first section 120 includes a plurality of first channels 124, wherein in this example, two first channels 124a, 124b are included, and the second section 122 includes at least one second channel 126 in fluid communication with the plurality of first channels 124. Although two first channels 124a, 124b are shown, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the evaporation channel 104 may include more than two first channels, and thus the number of first channels is not limited to Figure 1 Similarly, although the second channel includes a single second channel, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the evaporation channel 104 may include more than a single second channel, and thus the number of second channels is not limited to Figure 1 The number depicted.

[0079] The two first channels 124a, 124b can be positioned in the evaporation channel 104 in various orientations. For example, in this embodiment, the two first channels 124a, 124b are positioned laterally offset from each other relative to the longitudinal axis L of the cartridge housing 102. Each first channel 124a, 124b forms a corresponding fluid passage 128a, 128b, which is configured to allow a fluid (e.g., evaporated material) to pass through it from the atomizer 108 toward the outlet 106 of the cartridge 100. Each corresponding fluid passage 128a, 128b extends from the first end 130a, 132a of its corresponding first channel 124a, 124b to the second end 130b, 132b. The first end 130a, 132a is close to the atomizer 108, and the second end 130b, 132b is close to the second section 122 of the evaporation channel 104.

[0080] In some embodiments, the evaporation channel 104 may include a baffle 134 configured to promote mixing of air and evaporation material at least partially entering the evaporation channel 104 from the atomizer 108. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As further shown in FIG. 1 , the evaporation channel 104 includes a baffle 134 positioned between the plurality of first channels 124, and more specifically, between the first two channels 124a, 124b. As a result, the first two channels 124a, 124b are separated from each other by the baffle 134, and thus, at least one wall of the channel is the baffle 134. In other embodiments, the baffle 134 may be positioned within the evaporation channel 104 at other suitable locations.

[0081] like Figure 1 shown, and in Figure 2 and Figure 3 As further shown in detail in FIG. 1 , one of the first two channels 124a is a groove channel 136, which includes a groove 138 extending in the direction of the fluid passage 128a along one channel 124a. In some embodiments, as Figure 3 As shown, the groove 138 can be located along a portion of the perimeter of the groove channel 136. In other embodiments, the groove 138 can be located along the entire perimeter of the groove channel 136.

[0082] The groove 138 is configured to convey the vaporizable material (e.g., unvaporized vaporizable material in liquid form) present in at least the groove channel 136 or at least in fluid communication with at least the groove channel 136 back toward the atomizer 108 (e.g., back to the wicking element of the atomizer 108 for reuse), thereby emptying the groove channel 136. As described above, the vaporizable material may be present in at least the groove channel 136 due to a negative pressure event, which causes the vaporizable material to travel from the atomizer 108 toward the outlet 106 of the cartridge 100 and thus enter the evaporation channel 104. Alternatively or additionally, as described above, the vaporizable material may be present in at least the groove channel 136 due to the formation of condensate in the evaporation channel 106 (e.g., in the second channel 126), wherein the resulting condensate travels away from the outlet 106 of the cartridge 100 and down the evaporation channel 104. Furthermore, the grooves 138 provide additional topography within the groove channel 136, which can prevent the meniscus of the vaporizable material from wetting around the entire perimeter of the groove channel 136. Thus, the fluid passage 128a of the groove channel 136, and therefore the first channel 124a, can remain unobstructed (open) for vaporizable material to pass therethrough and into the at least one second channel 126. This, therefore, prevents direct inhalation of vaporizable material that would otherwise be present in the fluid channel 128a.

[0083] Alternatively or additionally, when vaporizable material is present in the evaporation channel 104, the other first channel 124b (e.g., non-groove channel) of the first two channels and therefore its fluid passage 128b may also be blocked. In this case, the groove 138 can draw the vaporizable material into the groove channel 136 and away from the other first channel 124b. Therefore, the fluid passage 128b of the other first channel 124b can become unblocked and thus remain open to allow the vaporized material to pass therethrough and enter the at least one second channel 126. Therefore, in this case, even if the groove channel 136 remains blocked by vaporizable material, the fluid passage 128b of the other first channel 124b will also remain open, thereby avoiding direct inhalation of vaporizable material that would otherwise be present in the evaporation channel 104. In either embodiment, during use, the groove 138 of the groove channel 136 does not block the fluid passages 128a, 128b of at least one of the groove channel 136 and the other first channel 124b. In this manner, the vaporized material has at least one fluid passage 128a, 128b to travel from the atomizer 108 through to the at least one second channel 126 of the vaporization channel 104, and ultimately through the outlet 106 of the cartridge 100 for inhalation.

[0084] The groove 138 can have a variety of configurations. Figure 1-3As shown, the grooves 138 are narrowed so that the grooves 138 are wider toward the first end 130a of the first channel 124a (i.e., the groove channel 136) and are narrower toward the second end 130b of the first channel 124a. Moreover, in this embodiment, all of the grooves 138 have a triangular configuration. However, in other embodiments, the grooves 138 may have other suitable shapes, such as a closed tubular configuration, a circle, a rectangle, a c-shape, etc. Moreover, in some embodiments, the grooves 138 may include grooves of different shapes relative to each other. The number, size, and shape of the grooves will depend at least on the structural configuration of the evaporation channel, and therefore, it should be understood that the number, size, and shape of the grooves are not limited to Figure 1-3 The content described in.

[0085] Figure 4 and Figure 5 An exemplary evaporator device 200 is shown including an evaporator body 202 and an evaporator cartridge 204. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , the evaporator body 202 and the evaporator cartridge 204 are shown in a decoupled configuration, while in FIG. Figure 5 , the evaporator body 202 and the evaporator cartridge 204 are shown in a coupled configuration. The evaporator cartridge 204 is similar to Figure 1-3 The evaporator cartridge 100 is not described in detail herein. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Certain components of the evaporator device 200 are not shown.

[0086] The evaporator body 202 and the evaporator cartridge 204 may be coupled to each other via corresponding coupling elements. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the evaporator body 202 includes a first set of coupling elements 206a, 206b, and the evaporator cartridge 204 includes a second set of corresponding coupling elements 208a, 208b. Although the first set of coupling elements and the second set of coupling elements can have various configurations, in the illustrated embodiment, the first set of coupling elements 206a, 206b includes two protrusions extending outwardly into the evaporator body 202, and the second set of coupling elements 208a, 208b includes two recesses extending inwardly from two opposing side walls 209a, 209b of the evaporator cartridge 204.

[0087] The evaporator body 202 may have various configurations. Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the evaporator body 202 includes a sleeve 210 extending from a proximal end 210a to a distal end 210b. The sleeve 210 defines a cartridge receptacle 212 within the evaporator body 202, which is configured to receive at least a portion of the evaporator cartridge 204. The distal end 210b of the sleeve 210 is coupled to a base 213, which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of any additional components of the evaporator device 200 (e.g., power supplies, input devices, sensors, outputs, controllers, communication hardware, memory, etc.). Once the evaporator cartridge 204 is coupled to the evaporator body 202, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, a fluid path 220 is created between the base frame 213 and the distal surface 204 a of the evaporator cartridge 204 within the cartridge receptacle 212 and through the evaporation channel 216 of the cartridge 204 .

[0088] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the vaporizer device 200 may include a power source 302 (e.g., a non-rechargeable main battery, a rechargeable auxiliary battery, a fuel cell, and / or the like) and a controller 304 (e.g., a processor capable of executing logic, a circuit, etc.). The controller 304 may be configured to control the heat delivery to the atomizer 214 of the cartridge 204 so as to convert the vaporizable material from a condensed form (e.g., a liquid) to a gas phase. For example, the controller 304 may control the delivery of heat to the atomizer 214 by at least controlling the discharge of the current from the power source 302 to the atomizer 214. The controller 304 may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the current subject matter.

[0089] After the vaporizable material is converted to the vapor phase, and depending on the type of vaporizer device, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, and / or other factors, at least some of the vapor phase vaporizable material may condense to form particulate matter in at least partial local equilibrium with the vapor phase as part of the aerosol. The vaporizable material (e.g., particulate matter) in the condensed phase in at least partial local equilibrium with the vaporizable material in the vapor phase may form some or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 200 for a given puff or draw on the vaporizer device 200. It should be understood that the interaction between the vaporizable material in the vapor phase and the condensed phase in the aerosol generated by the vaporizer device 200 may be complex and dynamic, as factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemical properties, flow conditions in a fluid path (such as an airflow path) (inside the vaporizer and in the airway of a human or other animal), mixing of vapor or aerosol phase vaporizable material with other airflows, etc. may affect one or more physical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizer devices, and particularly for vaporizer devices used to deliver more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose may exist primarily in the vapor phase (ie, the formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited).

[0090] In order to enable the vaporizer device 200 to be used with liquid vaporizable materials (e.g., pure liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, etc.), the atomizer 214 may include a wicking element (also referred to herein as a wicking portion) formed of one or more materials capable of inducing fluid movement through capillary pressure. The wicking element may deliver a certain amount of liquid vaporizable material to the atomizer 214 including the heating element (in Figure 5 and Figure 6 A portion of the device is not shown in the figure).

[0091] The wicking element is generally configured to extract liquid evaporable material from a reservoir 215 of a cartridge 204 configured to hold (and in use can hold) liquid evaporable material so that the liquid evaporable material can be evaporated by the heat generated by the heating element. The wicking element can also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir 215 to replace the volume of the removed liquid. In other words, capillary action can pull the liquid evaporable material into the wicking element to be evaporated by the heating element (described below), and in some embodiments of the present subject matter, air can be returned to the reservoir 215 through the wicking portion to at least partially equalize the pressure in the reservoir. Other methods of allowing air to return to the reservoir to equalize the pressure are also within the scope of the present subject matter.

[0092] Although the atomizer 214 Figure 4 204, but in other embodiments, at least a portion of the atomizer (e.g., one or both of the wicking element and the heating element) can be located in the evaporator body of the evaporator device and thus be part of the evaporator body of the evaporator device. In embodiments where a portion of the atomizer (e.g., the heating element and / or the wicking element) is part of the evaporator body, the evaporator device can be configured to deliver liquid evaporation material from the reservoir in the cartridge to the atomizer portion included in the evaporator body.

[0093] The heating element may be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiant heater, and a convection heater. 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 electricity in the form of heat when an electric current passes through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the atomizer 214 may include a heating element that includes a resistive coil or other heating element that is wound around the wicking element, positioned within the wicking element, integrated into the overall shape of the wicking element, pressed into thermal contact with the wicking element, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to the wicking element so that the liquid vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir by the wicking element evaporates for subsequent inhalation by the user in a gas phase and / or condensed (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) phase. Other wicking element, heating element, and / or atomizer configurations are also possible, as discussed further below.

[0094] For example, the heating element can be stamped from a sheet of material and can be bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element. The configuration of the heating element can allow for more consistent and higher quality manufacturing of the heating element and can help reduce tolerance issues that may arise during the manufacturing process when assembling a heating element having multiple components. The heating element can also improve the accuracy of measurements made from the heating element (e.g., resistance, current, temperature, etc.), at least in part due to the improved consistency of the manufacturability of the heating element with reduced tolerance issues. The stamped and formed heating element can ideally help minimize heat loss and help ensure that the heating element can behave predictably to be heated to the appropriate temperature.

[0095] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the heating element can be made (e.g., stamped) from a sheet of material and curled or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element to provide a preformed element configured to receive the wicking element. For example, the wicking element can be pushed into the heating element. Alternatively and / or additionally, the heating element can be held taut and pulled over the wicking element.

[0096] The heating element can be activated (e.g., the controller 304, which is optionally part of the vaporizer body 202, can be associated with a user sucking (e.g., puffing, inhaling, etc.) on the cartridge 204 itself or on a mouthpiece coupled to the cartridge 204 to cause current to flow from the power source 302 through a circuit including the heating element (which is optionally part of the cartridge 204) to cause air to flow from an air inlet (such as the air inlet 218) along a fluid path (such as the fluid path 220), through the atomizer 214 (e.g., the wicking element and the heating element), optionally through one or more condensation regions or chambers, to an air outlet of the cartridge 204 or an air outlet of the mouthpiece coupled to the cartridge outlet. In this way, the electrical contacts can be attached to the heating element to be operably coupled to at least a power source 302, such as a power source disposed within the vaporizer body. The electrical contacts can have a variety of configurations. For example, in one embodiment, the electrical contacts are in the form of wires, which can be overmolded. In addition, the incoming air passing along the fluid path passes through, through an atomizer, etc., where the vapor-phase vaporizable material is entrained into the air. As described above, the entrained vapor-phase vaporizable material can condense as it passes through the remainder of the fluid path, so that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in the form of an aerosol can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., an air outlet of the cartridge itself or an air outlet of a mouthpiece / mouthpiece coupled to the cartridge for inhalation by the user).

[0097] The heating element may be activated in response to detecting a puff and / or determining that a puff is about to occur. For example, puff detection may be performed based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 306 included in the vaporizer device 200, such as, for example, one or more pressure sensors (e.g., configured to measure pressure along a fluid path relative to ambient pressure, changes in absolute pressure, etc.), motion sensors, flow sensors, capacitive sensors (e.g., configured to detect contact between a user's lips and the vaporizer device 200). Alternatively and / or additionally, a puff (or an impending puff) may be detected in response to detecting a user interacting with one or more input devices 308 included in the vaporizer device 200 (e.g., buttons or other tactile controls of the vaporizer device 200), receiving a signal from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 200, and / or the like. It should be appreciated that a variety of techniques may be used to perform puff detection, including determining that a puff is about to occur.

[0098] In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) that communicates with the vaporizer device 200. To this end, the controller 304 can include communication hardware 312. The controller 304 can also include memory 314. The computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device 200, and can include its own communication hardware that can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 312 of the vaporizer device 200. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system can include a general-purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, some other portable device such as a smart watch, etc.) that executes software to generate a user interface for enabling a user of the device to interact with the vaporizer. In other embodiments of the current subject matter, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system may be dedicated hardware, such as a remote controller or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (e.g., 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.

[0099] The vaporizer may also include one or more output 310 features 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 multiple 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 with different colors, and / or the like) to indicate different states, operating modes, and / or the like of the vaporizer device. In some embodiments, the one or more outputs may be disposed near and / or at least partially within the bottom end region of the vaporizer device. Additionally or alternatively, the vaporizer device may include externally accessible charging contacts that may be disposed near and / or at least partially within the bottom end region of the vaporizer device.

[0100] A computing device as part of a vaporizer system as defined above may be used for any of one or more functions, such as controlling doses (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling sessions (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling nicotine delivery (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable materials, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered, etc.), obtaining location information (e.g., the location of other users, the location of a retailer / business location, the location of a smoker, the relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), personalizing the vaporizer (e.g., naming the vaporizer, locking / password protecting the vaporizer, adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a user group, registering the vaporizer with a manufacturer or warranty maintenance organization, etc.), engaging in social activities with other users (e.g., interacting with one or more groups, etc.), etc. The terms "conducting a session," "session," "vaporizer session," or "vapor session" are generally used to refer to a period of time dedicated to the use of a vaporizer. The period may include a time period, a number of doses, an amount of vaporizable material, and / or the like.

[0101] In examples where the computing device provides a signal associated with activation of the heating element, or in other examples where the computing device is coupled to the vaporizer device 200 to implement various control or other functions, the computing device may execute one or more computer instruction sets 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 200 to activate the heating element to a full operating temperature for generating an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer may be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 200.

[0102] The temperature of the heating element of the vaporizer can depend on many factors, including the amount of power delivered to the heating element and / or the duty cycle of the delivered power, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer and / or to the environment, latent heat loss due to evaporation of the vaporizable material from the wicking element and / or the atomizer as a whole, and convective heat loss due to airflow (e.g., when the user inhales on the electronic vaporizer, air moves through the heating element or the entire atomizer). As described above, in order to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, in some embodiments of the present subject matter, the vaporizer device 200 can utilize a signal from a pressure sensor to determine when the user inhales. The pressure sensor can be positioned in a fluid path (e.g., an airflow path) and / or can be connected (e.g., by a channel or other path) to a fluid path (e.g., an airflow path) that connects an inlet for air to enter the device and an outlet through which the user inhales the resulting vapor and / or aerosol, so that the pressure sensor experiences a pressure change while the air passes from the air inlet through the vaporizer device to the air outlet. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the heating element can be activated in association with a puff by a user, such as by automatically detecting a puff, such as by detecting a pressure change in a fluid path (eg, an airflow path) via a pressure sensor.

[0103] In general, the pressure sensor (and any other sensors 306) can be positioned on or coupled to the controller 304 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board) (e.g., physically or electrically connected or connected via a wireless connection) to the controller 304. In order to accurately measure and maintain the durability of the evaporator device 200, an elastic seal (not shown) can optionally separate the fluid path (e.g., the airflow path) from other portions of the evaporator device 200. The seal, which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround the pressure sensor so that the connection of the pressure sensor to the internal circuit of the evaporator device is separated from a portion of the pressure sensor exposed to the fluid path (e.g., the airflow path). In the example of a cartridge-based evaporator device (such as the evaporator device 200), the seal can also separate one or more electrically connected portions between the evaporator body and the cartridge from one or more other portions of the evaporator body. Such an arrangement of seals in an evaporator device can help mitigate potentially damaging effects on evaporator components due to interactions with environmental factors (such as water in vapor or liquid phase, other fluids (such as vaporizable materials), etc.), and / or reduce the escape of air from designed fluid paths (e.g., airflow paths) in the evaporator device. Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluids passing through and / or contacting the circuits of the evaporator can cause various undesirable effects, such as changing pressure readings, and / or can cause unwanted materials (e.g., moisture, vaporizable materials, etc.) to accumulate in portions of the evaporator where they can cause poor pressure signals, degradation of the pressure sensor or other components, and / or a shorter life of the evaporator device. Leaks in the seals can also cause a user to inhale air that has passed through portions of the evaporator device that contain or consist of materials that may not be desired to be inhaled.

[0104] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Another exemplary evaporator cartridge 400 for an evaporator device is depicted. More specifically, the evaporator cartridge 400 includes a cartridge housing 402 having an evaporation channel 404. The cartridge housing 402 and the evaporation channel 404 are structurally similar to Figure 1-3 The cartridge housing 102 and the evaporation channel 104 of the cartridge 100 are shown in FIG. Therefore, the common elements are not discussed in detail herein.

[0105] In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge housing 402 includes a storage chamber 408 and a collector 410. The storage chamber 408 is configured to selectively contain a vaporizable material. The collector 410 is configured to control the exchange of air and vaporizable material (e.g., vaporizable material in liquid form) into and out of the storage chamber 408. The inclusion of the collector 410 can also improve the volumetric efficiency of the cartridge 400, which is defined as the volume of liquid vaporizable material that is ultimately converted into an inhalable aerosol relative to the total volume of liquid vaporizable material included in the cartridge 400 (which can correspond to the capacity of the cartridge 400 itself). In addition to the disclosure herein, additional details regarding the collector and other exemplary collectors can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 11,253,001, entitled “Vaporizer Device Microfluidic Systems and Apparatuses,” filed on April 12, 2022, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0128874, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 719,014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0106] like Figure 7 As shown in more detail, the first section 406a of the evaporation channel 404 is defined within the collector 410. Therefore, a plurality of first channels 412a, 412b are positioned within the collector 410. The plurality of first channels 412a, 412b are similar in structure to Figure 1-3 The plurality of first channels 124a, 124b of the cartridge 100 in the embodiment of the present invention and thus, in use, the plurality of first channels 412a, 412b function similarly to the plurality of first channels 124a, 124b described above. In addition, the plurality of first channels 412a, 412b are separated by a baffle 413, which is similar to Figure 1-3 The baffle 413 of the material box 100 in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] like Figure 7 As further shown, at least a portion of the second section 406b is also defined within the collector 410. Thus, a first portion 414a of at least one second channel 414 is positioned within the collector 410, while a remaining portion 414b of at least one second channel 414 is defined by the cartridge housing 402. At least one second channel 414 is in fluid communication with a plurality of first channels 412a, 412b. Thus, in use, the evaporated material will travel through at least one fluid passage 416a, 416b in the plurality of first channels 412a, 412b and enter the at least one second channel 414, wherein the evaporated material will then pass through and leave the cartridge 400 for inhalation by the user.

[0108] As described above, in some embodiments, in addition to the collector, the cartridge may also include an atomizer. Figure 6-12 As shown, the cartridge 400 may include an atomizer 418, which includes an atomizer housing 420, a heating element 422, and a wicking element 424. The heating element 422 may have a variety of configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 422 includes one or more wing teeth 426 (e.g., a heating section) located in a heating portion 428, one or more connecting portions or legs 430 (e.g., one, two or more) extending from the wing teeth 426, and a cartridge contact 432 formed at the end portion of each leg in the one or more legs 430.

[0109] exist Figure 6 , 7 and Fig.11 In the embodiment, the heating element 422 is assembled with the atomizer housing 420 and the wicking element 424, and Fig.10 An exploded view of an atomizer 418 consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter is depicted. The atomizer housing 420 may be made of plastic, polypropylene, etc. Fig.11 and Fig.12 , the atomizer housing 420 includes four recesses 434 in which at least a portion of each leg 430 of the heating element 422 can be positioned and secured. In addition, the atomizer housing 420 also includes an opening 436 that provides access to an interior volume 438 in which at least the heating portion 428 of the heating element 422 and the wicking element 424 are positioned. Although the wicking element 424 can have a variety of configurations, in the illustrated embodiment, the wicking element 424 is formed of a rectangular porous substrate.

[0110] Generally speaking, in some embodiments, when the collector and atomizer are coupled together, one path for possible leakage of the vaporizable material is through the heater legs. Thus, the vaporizable material can then travel between the space or gap between the collector and the atomizer housing, and thus, when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device, the vaporizable material leaks from the cartridge and, in some cases, into other portions of the vaporizer device. As described in more detail below, and as Figure 8-14 As shown, the collector 410 and atomizer 418 may be designed in such a manner to help prevent vaporizable material from leaking across the legs of the heater and, therefore, out of the cartridge.

[0111] For example, Fig. 9 shown, and partly in Figure 13-14In the embodiment, the collector 410 may include at least one recess 440 defined therein, which creates a larger gap 442 between the collector 410 and the atomizer housing 420, otherwise there will be no gap 442. These larger gaps 442 are configured to prevent the vaporizable material from being sucked between the bottom outermost surface 410a of the collector 410 and the top outermost surface 420a of the atomizer housing 420, and finally extracted from the cartridge 400. Although the number of recesses can vary, in the illustrated embodiment, the collector 410 includes four recesses 440. In addition, the recess 440 may have a variety of configurations. For example, as shown in the figure, each recess 444 has a substantially rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the recess may have other suitable shapes and sizes. Those skilled in the art will understand that the number, size and shape of the recesses depend at least on the structural configuration of the collector and the atomizer. Therefore, the number, size and shape of the recesses are not limited to what is shown in the figure.

[0112] like Figure 13-14 As shown in the middle portion, each recess 440 is positioned at a position within the collector 410 so that when the collector 410 and the atomizer 418 are coupled together, each recess 440 is located above the corresponding heater leg 430. The final gap 442 generated between the collector 410 and the heater leg 430 serves as a capillary break for the vaporizable material. In other words, the final gap 442 prevents the formation of capillary drive between the collector 410 and the atomizer housing 420 (e.g., between the collector and the heater leg), which would otherwise occur in the absence of the recess 440. Therefore, leakage across the heater leg 430 and thus leaving the cartridge 400 can be prevented.

[0113] Alternatively or in addition, such as Figure 8-9 shown and partially in Figure 13-14 As shown in the figure, the collector 410 may include at least one lug 444 extending outward from the bottommost surface 410a of the collector 410. Although the number of lugs 444 can vary, in the specific implementation of this illustration, the collector 410 includes four lugs 444. In addition, the lugs 444 can have a variety of configurations. For example, as shown in the figure, each lug 444 has a trapezoidal shape. In other embodiments, the lugs can have other suitable shapes and sizes. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number, size and shape of the lugs depend at least on the structural configuration of the collector and the atomizer. Therefore, the number, size and shape of the lugs are not limited to the content shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0114] like Figure 13-14As further shown in FIG. 4 , each lug 444 is configured to be inserted into a corresponding cutout 446 of the atomizer housing 420 such that at least a portion of the corresponding heater leg 430 is positioned between the corresponding lug 444 and the atomizer housing 420. In other words, when the collector 410 and the atomizer are coupled to each other, the lug 444 is positioned in front of a portion of the heater leg. Thus, this can create a seamless interface (e.g., when the collector and atomizer are coupled together (e.g., welded together), and thus prevent the vaporizable material from leaking across the heater leg 430, and thus leaking out of the cartridge 400. In the illustrated embodiment, each corresponding cutout 446 is partially defined by opposing angled flanges 448a, 448b. In addition, each corresponding cutout is a complementary shape to the corresponding lug inserted therein. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding cutout is a shape (e.g., a concave shape) that is complementary to the trapezoidal shape (e.g., a convex shape) of the lug. Those skilled in the art will understand that the number, size, and shape of the corresponding cutouts depend at least on the structural configuration of the lug, collector, and atomizer housing. Thus, the number, size, and shape of the corresponding cutouts are not limited to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0115] the term

[0116] When a feature or element is referred to herein as being "on" another feature or element, it may be directly on the other feature or element, or there may be intermediate features and / or elements. In contrast, 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, it may be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other feature or element, or there may be intermediate features or elements. In contrast, 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.

[0117] Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown may apply to other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that reference to a structure or feature disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions overlapping or underlying the adjacent feature.

[0118] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and implementations only and are not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0119] In the above description and claims, phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of" may appear, followed by a connected list of elements or features. The term "and / or" may also appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which the phrase is used, such a phrase is intended to represent any of the elements or features listed individually, or any narrated element or feature in combination with any other narrated element or feature. 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". A similar interpretation is also intended for a list including three or more items. 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". The use of the term "based on" above and in the claims is intended to represent "based at least in part", so that unnarrated features or elements are also allowed.

[0120] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "forward", "backward", "below", "below", "lower", "above", "upper" and the like may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientations depicted in the accompanying drawings, spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is inverted, the elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" can cover the orientations above and below. The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly. Similarly, unless otherwise expressly stated, the terms "upward", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", etc. are used herein for explanation purposes only.

[0121] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various features / elements (including steps), these features / elements should not be limited by these terms unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms can 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 can be referred to as the second feature / element, and similarly, the second feature / element discussed below can be referred to as the first feature / element.

[0122] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples, and unless otherwise expressly stated, all numbers can be understood to begin with the word "about" or "approximately", even if the term does not appear explicitly. When describing amplitude 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 can have a value of + / -0.1% of the value (or range of values), + / -1% of the value (or range of values), + / -2% of the value (or range of values), + / -5% of the value (or range of values), + / -10% of the value (or range of values), etc. Unless the context indicates otherwise, any numerical value given herein should also be understood to include about or approximate the value. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, "about 10" is also disclosed. Any numerical range described herein is intended to include all subranges contained therein. It should also be understood that when a value "less than or equal to" a value is disclosed, a "greater than or equal to" value and possible ranges between values ​​are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by those skilled in the art. For example, if a value "X" is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" and "greater than or equal to X" (e.g., where X is a numerical value) are also disclosed. It should also be understood that throughout the application, data is provided in a variety of different formats, and that the data represents endpoints and starting points, as well as ranges for any combination of data points. For example, if a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it should be understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to 10 and 15, and between 10 and 15 are considered disclosed. It should also be 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.

[0123] Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a variety of changes may be made to the various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, in alternative embodiments, the order in which the various described method steps are performed may generally be changed, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Optional features of the various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not included in other embodiments. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0124] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented in 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 can include implementations in one or more computer programs that are executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system, the programmable system including at least one programmable processor, the programmable processor can be dedicated or general, coupled 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 can include a client and a server. The client and the server are usually far away from each other, and usually interact through a communication network. The relationship between the client and the server is generated by means of a computer program that runs on a corresponding computer and has a client-server relationship with each other.

[0125] 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 procedural languages, object-oriented programming languages, functional programming languages, logical programming languages ​​and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, device and / or equipment for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, such as 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 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 transient manner, such as a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0126] The examples and descriptions included herein show specific embodiments in which the subject matter can be practiced by way of illustration and not limitation. As described above, other embodiments can be utilized and derived therefrom so that structural and logical replacements and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term "invention", which is merely for convenience and is not intended to voluntarily limit the scope of the present application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is actually disclosed. Therefore, although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose can replace the specific embodiments shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various 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. The use of the term "based on" in this article and the claims is intended to mean "based at least in part", so that unrecited features or elements are also allowed.

[0127] Depending on the desired configuration, the subject matter described herein may be embodied in systems, devices, methods and / or articles. The embodiments set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all embodiments consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although some variations have been described in detail herein, other modifications or additions are also possible. In particular, further features and / or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the embodiments described herein may involve various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and / or combinations and sub-combinations of several other features disclosed herein. In addition, the logical flows depicted in the drawings and / or described herein do not necessarily require the specific order or sequence shown to achieve the desired results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A material box for an evaporator device, the material box comprising: a cartridge housing comprising a reservoir configured to selectively contain a vaporizable material; and an evaporation channel extending at least partially through the cartridge housing, the evaporation channel being configured to allow fluid to pass from the atomizer through the evaporation channel to the outlet of the cartridge, the evaporation channel comprising: a plurality of first channels, wherein each first channel forms a fluid passage extending from a first end to a second end of the first channel, the first end being proximate to the atomizer, and at least one second channel in fluid communication with the plurality of first channels and located downstream of the plurality of first channels, the at least one second channel being proximate to the outlet; Wherein, at least one first channel among the plurality of first channels is a groove channel having a groove extending in a direction of the fluid passage along the groove channel, so that the fluid passage of the groove channel and at least one of the other first channels remains open to allow evaporated material to pass therethrough and enter the at least one second channel. 2 . The cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first channels of the plurality of first channels has a cross section that narrows toward an outlet of the cartridge.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaporation channel comprises a first section and a second section downstream of the first section, and wherein the first section contains the plurality of first channels, the first section having a cross section narrowing toward an outlet of the cartridge. The cartridge according to claim 3 , wherein the second section comprises the at least one second channel.

5. Cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one groove of the plurality of grooves has a triangular configuration.

6. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaporation channel comprises baffles positioned between the plurality of first channels, the baffles being configured to promote mixing of air and evaporated material within the evaporation channel.

7. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir comprises a storage chamber configured to selectively contain a vaporizable material and a collector in fluid communication with the storage chamber, wherein the plurality of first channels are positioned within the collector.

8. The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein a portion of the second section of the evaporation channel is located within the collector.

9. The cartridge of claim 7 or 8, further comprising the atomizer, wherein the atomizer comprises an atomizer housing having a wicking element disposed therein and in fluid communication with the plurality of first channels.

10. A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the collector includes at least one recess defined therein, the at least one recess forming a gap between the collector and the atomizer housing, the gap preventing the vaporizable material from being drawn between the bottom outermost surface of the collector and the top outermost surface of the atomizer housing.

11. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the atomizer comprises a heating element having a heating portion disposed within the atomizer housing and a connecting portion at least partially disposed outside the atomizer housing, wherein the gap is located between the connecting portion of the heating element and the collector.

12. A cartridge according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the collector further comprises at least one lug extending outwardly from the bottommost surface of the collector, the at least one lug being configured to be inserted into a corresponding cutout of the atomizer housing so that a portion of the connecting portion is positioned between the at least one lug and the atomizer housing.

13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the at least one recess of the collector is positioned adjacent and proximate to the at least one lug.

14. Cartridge according to claim 13 or 14, wherein at least one lug has a trapezoidal shape.

15. The cartridge of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a wicking element disposed within the cartridge housing, wherein the groove is in fluid communication with the wicking element.

16. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one further first channel of the plurality of first channels is another groove channel having a groove extending in the direction of the fluid path along the another groove channel.

17. A cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plurality of channels are positioned laterally offset from one another relative to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge housing.

18. A cartridge for an evaporator device, the cartridge comprising: An evaporation channel, the evaporation channel extending from the atomizer toward the outlet of the cartridge, the evaporation channel being configured to allow fluid to pass from the atomizer through the evaporation channel to the outlet, the evaporation channel comprising: A plurality of channels, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels is a groove channel defining a fluid passage extending from a first end to a second end, the first end being proximate to the atomizer, the groove channel having a plurality of grooves extending in a direction along the fluid passage.

19. Cartridge according to claim 18, wherein at least one channel of the plurality of channels has a cross section that narrows towards an outlet of the cartridge.

20. The cartridge according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the evaporation channel comprises a first section and a second section downstream of the first section, and wherein the first section contains the plurality of channels, the first section having a cross section narrowing towards an outlet of the cartridge.

21. The cartridge of claim 20, wherein the second section comprises at least one other channel, wherein the at least one other channel is in fluid communication with the plurality of channels.

22. A cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein at least one groove of the plurality of grooves has a triangular configuration.

23. The cartridge of any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the evaporation channel comprises baffles positioned between the plurality of channels, the baffles being configured to promote mixing of air and evaporated material within the evaporation channel.

24. A cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 23, further comprising a wicking element disposed within the cartridge, wherein the groove is in fluid communication with the wicking element.

25. A cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein another at least one channel of the plurality of channels comprises a further groove channel having a groove extending in the direction of the fluid path along the further groove channel.

26. A cartridge according to any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the plurality of channels are positioned laterally offset from one another relative to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

27. An evaporator device comprising: An evaporator body and a cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, the cartridge being configured to be coupled to the evaporator body.

28. The evaporator device of claim 27, wherein: The cartridge is removable from the evaporator body.

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