Insert for use with evaporator device

Abstract

A system for generating an inhalable aerosol includes an insert 650 configured to be inserted into a compartment of an evaporator device. The insert includes a jacket portion 660 defining an interior chamber configured to contain a vaporizable material, and the heating element may be configured to heat the vaporizable material to produce an inhalable aerosol. In some embodiments, the insert may include a filter at least partially impregnated with a second vaporizable material and configured to generate a vapor when heated by the heating element, thereby forming a mixture of inhalable aerosols. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Description

[0001] This invention patent application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application CN202080033834.6 (International Application No. PCT / US2020 / 031628) filed on May 6, 2020, with the invention name “Insert for use with an evaporator device”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 844,001, filed on May 6, 2019, entitled “TOBACCO INSERT”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 863,227, filed on June 18, 2019, entitled “TOBACCO INSERT”; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 876,575, filed on July 19, 2019, entitled “TOBACCO INSERT”, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Greek Non-Provisional Application No. 20190100302, filed on July 12, 2019, entitled “TOBACCO INSERT”, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The subject matter described herein relates to various embodiments of evaporator devices and various embodiments of vaporizable material inserts for use with evaporator devices. Background Art

[0005] A vaporizer device, which may also be referred to as a vaporizer, an electronic vaporizer device, or an e-vaporizer device, may be used to deliver an aerosol containing one or more active ingredients (e.g., a vapor phase and / or condensed phase material suspended in a stationary or moving air mass or some other gaseous carrier) by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizer device. For example, an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) includes a class of vaporizer devices that are battery powered and can be used to simulate the experience of smoking. Vaporizers are becoming increasingly popular for prescription medical uses in terms of delivering medicaments and for the ingestion of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based materials. Vaporizer devices may be portable, stand-alone, and / or convenient to use.

[0006] In use of a vaporizer device, a user inhales an aerosol (commonly known as "vapor") that may be generated by a heating element that causes a vaporizable material to evaporate, for example by causing the vaporizable material to at least partially transform into a vapor phase. The vaporizable material may be a liquid, a solution, a solid, a paste, a wax, and / or any other form that is compatible for use with a particular vaporizer device. Furthermore, the vaporizable material for use with a vaporizer may be provided in a vaporizer cartridge, which may be a detachable portion of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable material and has an outlet (e.g., a mouthpiece) for delivering the aerosol generated by the vaporization of the vaporizable material to the user.

[0007] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by the vaporizer device, in some examples, the user can activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing a button, and / or by some other method. As used herein, puffing can refer to the user's inhalation in such a way that the inhalation causes a certain volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device so that the above-mentioned inhalable aerosol is generated when the vaporized vaporizable material combines with the volume of air.

[0008] The method of generating an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material by a vaporizer device includes heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (e.g., a heating chamber) to convert the vaporizable material into a gas (or vapor) phase. The vaporization chamber may refer to an area or volume in the vaporizer device, within which a heat source (e.g., a conductive, convective, and / or radiant heat source) causes heating of the vaporizable material to generate a mixture of air and vaporized material to form a vapor for inhalation of the vaporizable material by a user of the vaporizer device.

[0009] In the case where the vaporizable material is a liquid, the wicking element can draw the vaporizable material out of the reservoir containing the vaporizable material and into the vaporization chamber. The vaporizable material is drawn into the vaporization chamber at least in part due to the capillary action provided by the wicking element, as the wicking element pulls the vaporizable material along the wicking element in the direction of the vaporization chamber.

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

[0011] The quality of tobacco or vaporizable material degrades over time when exposed to the atmosphere. Some vaporizer devices do not provide airtight containment for the tobacco or vaporizable material, which may degrade the quality of the tobacco and prevent uniform heating of the tobacco.

[0012] Some problems with current vaporizer devices include the inability to uniformly heat vaporizable materials, such as tobacco. Attempts to overcome such difficulties, for example, can undesirably result in higher manufacturing costs. Summary of the invention

[0013] In certain aspects of the current subject matter, challenges associated with efficiently and effectively forming an inhalable aerosol from a variety of vaporizable materials, including non-liquid vaporizable materials, can be addressed by methods that include one or more features described herein or comparable / equivalent methods that would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Various aspects of the current subject matter relate to methods and systems associated with vaporizable material inserts for insertion into a vaporizer device to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0014] In one aspect, a system for generating an inhalable aerosol is described. The system may include an insert having a jacket portion defining an inner chamber and a vaporizable material contained in the inner chamber. The system may include a vaporizer device including a compartment configured to receive the insert and a heating element configured to heat the insert positioned in the compartment to generate the inhalable aerosol.

[0015] In some variations, one or more of the following features may be selected to be included in any feasible combination. The jacket portion may be made of a vaporizable material. The jacket portion may include through holes configured to allow air to enter and / or leave the insert. The jacket portion may be configured to prevent air from passing through the insert until heated or degraded due to heating. The vaporizable material may include plant material and / or plant material-based products. The vaporizable material may include tobacco leaves and / or reconstituted tobacco. The vaporizable material may include a gel material. The vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material.

[0016] In some variations, the heating element may include an insert capture and heating mechanism, which includes a first foil heater coupled to a second foil heater via a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism may be configured to allow the first foil heater and the second foil heater to switch between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The open configuration may allow the insert to be positioned between the first foil heater and the second foil heater, and the closed configuration may allow the first foil heater and the second foil heater to at least partially conform to the opposite side of the insert for heating the insert to produce an inhalable aerosol. In some variations, the heating element may include an insert heater, which includes a flexible heating element extending between pivot supports. The pivot supports may allow the insert heater to switch between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The open configuration may allow the flexible heating element to receive the insert, and the closed configuration may allow the flexible heating element to wrap around at least a portion of the insert for heating the insert to produce an inhalable aerosol. In some variations, the heating element may be coupled to a piercing member extending into a compartment of a vaporizer device. The piercing member may be configured to pierce the insert when the insert is inserted into the compartment, thereby positioning the heating element within the interior chamber of the insert. In some variations, the heating element includes a coil spring configured to extend around the periphery of the insert.

[0017] In another aspect, an insert configured to be inserted into a compartment of a vaporizer device is described. The insert may include a jacket portion forming an interior chamber. The insert may include a vaporizable material contained in the interior chamber, and each of the jacket portion and the vaporizable material may include tobacco material.

[0018] In some variations, one or more of the following features may be selectively included in any feasible combination. The insert may include a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material to produce an inhalable aerosol. The heating element may include a flat plate of conductive material, and at least a portion of the heating element may be positioned within the inner chamber of the insert. The jacket portion may include a through hole configured to allow air to enter and / or leave the insert. The jacket portion may be configured to prevent air from passing through the insert until heated or degraded due to heating.

[0019] In another aspect, an insert for use with a vaporizer device is described. The insert may include a jacket portion forming an interior chamber, and the jacket portion may include a first vaporizable material. The insert may include a second vaporizable material contained in the interior chamber, and a heating element in contact with one or both of the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material. The heating element may be configured to heat the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0020] In some variations, one or more of the following features may be selectively included in any feasible combination. Each of the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material may include a non-liquid vaporizable material and / or loose leaf tobacco. The first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. In some variations, the heating element may include a flat plate of conductive material, and at least a portion of the heating element may be positioned within the interior chamber of the insert.

[0021] In yet another aspect, an insert for use with a vaporizer device is described, comprising a jacket portion forming an inner chamber and a first vaporizable material contained in the inner chamber. The insert may include a second vaporizable material contained in the inner chamber and a heating element coupled to the jacket portion. The heating element may be configured to contact and heat the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material, and the heating of the first vaporizable material may form a first inhalable aerosol. The insert may further include an airflow path extending through the inner chamber to allow the first inhalable aerosol to be injected with a portion of the second vaporizable material and form a second inhalable aerosol for inhalation by a user.

[0022] In some variations, one or more of the following features may be selectively included in any feasible combination. The insert may further include a filter positioned upstream of the first region housing the first vaporizable material, the filter being configured to house the second vaporizable material. The filter may be made of a cotton material. The second vaporizable material may include one or more of propylene glycol and a vegetable glycerin-based liquid. The jacket portion may be made of a third vaporizable material. The heating element may extend around the periphery of the jacket portion. The second vaporizable material may include a liquid vaporizable material. The first vaporizable material may include a non-liquid vaporizable material. The first vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. The heating element may directly contact the first vaporizable material or the second vaporizable material.

[0023] In another interrelated aspect of the current subject matter, a method for generating an inhalable aerosol for inhalation by a user includes receiving an insert into a compartment of a vaporizer device. The insert may include a jacket portion forming an interior chamber configured to contain a vaporizable material. The method may further include activating a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material, and forming an inhalable aerosol as a result of the activation and heating of the vaporizable material.

[0024] In some variations, one or more of the following features may be selectively included in any feasible combination. The insert may include a heating element. The vaporizer device may include a heating element. The insert may include a biodegradable material. The vaporizable material may include a non-liquid vaporizable material. The vaporizable material may include tobacco.

[0025] Details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the specification 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

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

[0027] Figure 1A is a block diagram of an evaporator consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0028] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A top view of an embodiment of an evaporator showing the cartridge separated from the evaporator device body;

[0029] Figure 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an insert inserted into a compartment of an evaporator body;

[0030] Figure 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an insert inserted into a compartment of an evaporator device;

[0031] Figure 3 Another embodiment of an insert inserted into a compartment of an evaporator device is illustrated;

[0032] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D An evaporator device is illustrated that includes an insert capture and heating mechanism configured to capture and secure an insert in the evaporator device;

[0033] Figure 5A illustrates a top view of another embodiment of an insert having an elongated circular outer profile;

[0034] Figure 5B Pictured Figure 5A A perspective end view of an insert;

[0035] Fig. 6A illustrates a top view of another embodiment of an insert having a rectangular outer profile;

[0036] Figure 6B Pictured Fig. 6A A perspective end view of an insert;

[0037] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D A method of manufacturing an embodiment of an insert is illustrated;

[0038] Fig. 8Aillustrates a top perspective end view of one embodiment of a combined insert and heater configuration;

[0039] Figure 8B illustrates a top view of another embodiment of a combined insert and heater arrangement;

[0040] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G Another embodiment of an insert and a method of making the insert are illustrated;

[0041] Figure 9H and Fig.9I An embodiment of a vaporizer device is shown having a vaporizer device that can be configured to pierce an insert (e.g., FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G a piercing member of an insert described herein;

[0042] Fig. 10A illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of an insert heater configured to heat an insert;

[0043] Fig. 10B Illustration of the insertion of the insert into the evaporator device integrated in the Fig. 10A In an insert heater;

[0044] Fig. 10C Pictured Fig. 10A A perspective end view of an insert heater with the insert positioned within a base of the insert heater;

[0045] Fig. 10D Pictured Fig. 10A An end view of an insert heater in an open configuration;

[0046] Fig.10E Pictured Fig. 10A An end view of an insert heater in a closed configuration;

[0047] Fig.11 Another embodiment of an insert heater that may be included in an evaporator device is illustrated; and

[0048] Fig.12 Another embodiment of an insert is illustrated that includes a filter that contains the liquid vaporizable material.

[0049] When practical, similar reference numerals represent similar structures, features or elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Embodiments of the present subject matter include methods, devices, articles, and systems related to the evaporation of one or more vaporizable materials for inhalation by a user. Exemplary 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 components (e.g., a vaporizer body including a battery and other hardware, and a cartridge containing vaporizable materials), and the like. As used herein, a "vaporizer system" may include one or more components, such as a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and the like. In general, such 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 material.

[0051] The vaporizable material for use with the evaporator device may be provided in a cartridge (e.g., a portion of the evaporator that holds the vaporizable material), which may be refilled when empty, or the cartridge may be disposable so that a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable materials of the same or different types may be used. The evaporator device may be an evaporator device that uses a cartridge, an evaporator device without a cartridge, or a multi-purpose evaporator device that can be used or not with a cartridge. For example, the evaporator device may include a heating chamber or compartment (e.g., a chamber / chamber in which the vaporizable material is heated by a heating element), which is configured to receive the vaporizable material.

[0052] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device can be configured for use with liquid vaporizable materials (e.g., carrier solutions in which active and / or inactive ingredients are suspended or held in solution, or liquid forms of vaporizable materials themselves) and / or non-liquid vaporizable materials (e.g., pastes, waxes, solids, plant materials, etc.). Non-liquid vaporizable materials can include plant materials that emit some portion of the plant material as vaporizable material (e.g., some portion of the plant material remains as waste after the material is vaporized for inhalation by the user), or can alternatively be solid forms of the vaporizable material itself, so that all of the solid material can ultimately be vaporized for inhalation. Liquid vaporizable materials can also be capable of complete vaporization, or can include some portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.

[0053] Figure 1A A block diagram is depicted illustrating an example of an evaporator device 100 consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter. Figure 1A, the vaporizer device 100 may include a power source 112 (e.g., a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery), and a controller 104 (e.g., a processor capable of executing logic, circuitry, etc.) for controlling the delivery of heat from the heating element 150 to cause the vaporizable material 102 to transform from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a portion of at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to a vapor phase. The controller 104 may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the current subject matter. After the vaporizable material 102 is transformed into the vapor phase, at least some of the vaporizable material 102 in the vapor phase may condense to form particulate matter in at least partial equilibrium with the vapor phase as part of an aerosol that may form some or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 100 during a puff or draw of the vaporizer device 100 by a user. It should be understood that the interaction between the gas phase and the condensation phase in the aerosol generated by the vaporizer device 100 can be complex and dynamic due to factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemical composition, flow conditions in the airflow path (both inside the vaporizer and in the respiratory tract of a human or other animal), and / or the vaporizable substance 102 in the gas phase or the vaporizable substance in the aerosol phase mixing with other airflows, which can affect one or more physical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizer devices, and particularly for vaporizer devices configured to deliver volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can be primarily present in the gas phase (e.g., the formation of condensation phase particles can be very limited).

[0054] The heating element 150 may include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiant heater, and / or a convection heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may include a material (such as a metal or alloy, such as a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical energy 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 current subject matter, the heating element 150 (e.g., a resistive heating element and / or the like) is configured to generate heat for vaporizing the vaporizable material 102 to produce an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 102. As previously described, the vaporizable material 102 may be a liquid or a non-liquid (or a combination of both liquids and non-liquids). For example, the heating element 150 may be wrapped around, positioned therein, integrated into a bulk shape, pressed into thermal contact, or otherwise arranged to provide heat to the vaporizable material 102 to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by a user in a vapor phase and / or a condensed phase (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets).

[0055] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material 102 may be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, a solid phase material (such as wax or the like) or a plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves and / or portions of tobacco leaves). In the case where the vaporizable material 102 is a non-liquid vaporizable material, the heating element 150 may be a portion of, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with, a wall of a heating chamber or compartment (e.g., a cartridge receptacle 118) in which the vaporizable material 102 is placed. Alternatively, the heating element 150 may be used to heat air passing through or over the vaporizable material 102 to cause convective heating of the vaporizable material 102. In other examples, the heating element 150 may be disposed in close contact with the vaporizable material 102 such that direct conductive heating of the vaporizable material 102 occurs from within a mass of the vaporizable material 102, rather than being conducted inwardly through the walls of a heating chamber (e.g., an oven and / or the like). In some embodiments, the heating element 150 may be a portion of an evaporator cartridge 120, such as Figure 1A In some embodiments, the heating element 150 can be part of the evaporator body 110 (eg, part of a durable or reusable component of the evaporator 100 ).

[0056] The heating element 150 can be activated in association with the user sucking (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer device 100 to cause air to flow from the air inlet along the airflow path, to assist in forming an inhalable aerosol, which can be delivered through the air outlet in the mouthpiece 130. The incoming air moving along the airflow path moves around or through the heating element 150 and / or the vaporizable material 102, and the vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase is entrained into the air. The heating element 150 can be activated via the controller 104, as described herein, and the controller 104 can optionally be part of the vaporizer body 110, so that current passes from the power supply 112 through a circuit including the heating element 150, which can optionally be part of the vaporizer cartridge 120. As described herein, the vaporizable material 102 entrained in the vapor phase can condense when it passes through the remainder of the airflow path, so that the inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 102 in the form of an aerosol can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., the mouthpiece 130) for inhalation by the user.

[0057] Activation of the heating element 150 may be caused by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113. The sensors 113 and the signals generated by the sensors 113 may include one or more of: one or more pressure sensors configured to detect pressure relative to ambient pressure along the airflow path (or alternatively measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers) of the evaporator device 100, one or more flow sensors of the evaporator device 100, a capacitive lip sensor of the evaporator device 100, detecting user interaction with the evaporator device 100 via one or more input devices 116 (e.g., buttons or other tactile controls of the evaporator device 100), receiving signals from a computing device in communication with the evaporator device 100, and / or determining by other methods that a puff is occurring or is about to occur.

[0058] As discussed herein, a vaporizer device 100 consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter can be configured to connect (such as, for example, wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) that communicates with the vaporizer device 100. To this end, the controller 104 can include communication hardware 105. The controller 104 can also include a memory 108. The communication hardware 105 can include firmware and / or can be controlled by software for executing one or more encryption protocols for communication.

[0059] The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device 100, and may include its own hardware for communication, which may establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer device 100. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system may include a general-purpose computing device (such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, some other portable device such as a smart watch, etc.) that executes software to generate a user interface that enables a user to interact with the vaporizer device 100. In other embodiments of the current subject matter, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system may be a dedicated hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device, which has one or more physical or software (i.e., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, etc.) interface controls. The vaporizer device 100 may also include one or more outputs 117 or devices for providing information to the user. For example, the output 117 may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to the user based on the status and / or operating mode of the vaporizer device 100.

[0060] In examples where the computing device provides a signal associated with activating the heating element, or in other examples where the computing device is coupled to the vaporizer device 100 to implement various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more sets of computer instructions to provide a user interface and underlying data handling. In one example, detection by the computing device of user interaction with one or more user interface elements may cause the computing device to send a signal to the vaporizer device 100 to activate the heating element to an operating temperature for generating an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer device 100 may be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100.

[0061] The temperature of the heating element 150 of the vaporizer device 100 can depend on many factors, including the amount of electrical power delivered to the heating element 150 and / or the duty cycle of the delivered electrical power, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the vaporizer device 100 and / or the environment, latent heat losses due to evaporation of the vaporizable material 102, and convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element 150 when a user inhales into the vaporizer device 100). As noted herein, in order to reliably activate the heating element 150 or heat the heating element 150 to a desired temperature, in some embodiments of the current subject matter, the vaporizer device 100 can utilize a signal from a sensor 113 (e.g., a pressure sensor) to determine when a user inhales. The sensor 113 can be positioned in and / or can be connected to the airflow path (e.g., through a passage or other path) that includes an inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and an outlet through which a user inhales the generated vapor and / or aerosol, such that the sensor 113 experiences a change (e.g., a pressure change) simultaneously with the air passing through the vaporizer device 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the heating element 150 can be activated in association with a puff by the user, such as by automatically detecting a puff, or by the sensor 113 detecting a change in the airflow path (e.g., a pressure change).

[0062] The sensor 113 may be located on or coupled to the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board) (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or through a wireless connection). In order to accurately measure and maintain the durability of the evaporator device 100, it is beneficial to provide a seal 127 that is sufficiently resilient to separate the airflow path from other portions of the evaporator device 100. The seal 127, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the sensor 113 so that the connection of the sensor 113 to the internal circuit of the evaporator device 100 is separated from the portion of the sensor 113 that is exposed to the airflow path. Such a seal 127 arrangement in the evaporator device 100 may help mitigate potentially damaging effects on evaporator components due to interaction with environmental factors (such as water in vapor or liquid phase), and / or reduce the escape of air from a designated airflow path in the evaporator device 100. Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluid passing through and / or contacting the circuitry of the evaporator device 100 can cause various undesirable effects, such as changes in pressure readings, and / or can cause unwanted materials (such as moisture, free portions of the vaporizable substance 102, etc.) to accumulate in various portions of the evaporator device 100, which can result in poor pressure signals, degradation of the sensor 113 or other components, and / or shortened life of the evaporator device 100. Leaks in the seal 127 can also cause a user to inhale air that has passed through portions of the evaporator device 100 that contain or are composed of materials that may not be desirable to inhale.

[0063] In some embodiments, the vaporizer body 110 includes a controller 104, a power source 112 (e.g., a battery), one or more of a sensor 113, charging contacts (e.g., those used to charge the power source 112), a seal 127, and a cartridge receptacle 118, which is configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge 120 coupled to the vaporizer body 110 through one or more of various attachment structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 120 includes a jacket portion (e.g., made of a biodegradable material) for containing the vaporizable material 102, and the mouthpiece 130 has an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 130 is part of the vaporizer body 110.

[0064] In one embodiment of the evaporator device 100, in which the power supply 112 is part of the evaporator body 110, and the heating element 150 is disposed in the evaporator cartridge 120 and is configured to be coupled to the evaporator body 110, the evaporator device 100 may include an electrical connection feature structure (e.g., a device for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit including a controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, etc.), the power supply 112, and the heating element 150. These features may include one or more contacts (e.g., cartridge contacts 124a and 124b) on the bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two contacts (e.g., receptacle contacts 125a and 125b) disposed near the base of a compartment or receptacle (e.g., cartridge receptacle 118) of the vaporizer device 100, such that when, for example, the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and coupled to the cartridge receptacle 118, the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b are electrically connected to the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b. The circuit completed by these electrical connections may allow current to be delivered to the heating element 150 and may be further used for additional functions, such as measuring the resistance of the heating element 150 for determining and / or controlling the temperature of the heating element 150 based on the resistivity thermal coefficient of the heating element. In some embodiments, the vaporizer body 110 includes the heating element 150, such that the cartridge receptacle 118 and the vaporizer cartridge 120 do not include one or more contacts. For example, in some embodiments, the cartridge receptacle 118 includes a heating element 150 coupled to the power source 112 .

[0065] In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b can be configured to be electrically connected in any orientation of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits necessary for the operation of the evaporator device 100 can be completed by inserting the evaporator cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a first rotational orientation (around the axis along which the evaporator cartridge 120 is inserted into the evaporator body 110) so that the cartridge contact 124a is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125a and the cartridge contact 124b is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125b. In addition, one or more circuits necessary for the operation of the evaporator device 100 can be completed by inserting the evaporator cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a second rotational orientation so that the cartridge contact 124a is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125b and the cartridge contact 124b is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125a.

[0066] In some embodiments, the evaporator cartridge 120, or at least the insertable end 122 of the evaporator cartridge 120 configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118, may have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the axis along which the evaporator cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. For example, the non-circular cross-section may be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (e.g., having an approximately oval shape), non-rectangular but having two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposite sides (e.g., having a parallelogram-like shape), or other shapes having at least second-order rotational symmetry. In this context, the approximate shape means that the basic similarity to the shape is obvious, but the edges of the relevant shape do not need to be completely straight and the vertices do not need to be completely sharp. In the description of any non-circular cross-section mentioned herein, it is envisioned that both or either of the edges or vertices of the cross-sectional shape are rounded.

[0067] The cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts can include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, etc. Some types of contacts can include springs or other features to facilitate better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the evaporator cartridge 120 and the evaporator body 110. The electrical contacts can be selectively gold plated and / or include other materials.

[0068] Figure 1B An embodiment of an evaporator body 110 is illustrated having a cartridge receptacle 118 into which an evaporator cartridge 120 may be releasably inserted. Figure 1B A top view of the vaporizer 100 is shown, illustrating that the vaporizer cartridge 120 is being positioned for insertion into the vaporizer body 110. When a user puffs on the vaporizer 100, air can pass between the outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. The air can then be inhaled through at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge and expelled through the outlet of the nozzle 130 to deliver an inhalable aerosol to the user.

[0069] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to heat a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaf), a plant material-based product (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or the like. For example, some embodiments of the vaporizer body 110 of the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to receive an embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge 120 that is at least partially made of and / or includes a non-liquid vaporizable material. Embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that are at least partially made of and / or include a non-liquid vaporizable material may be referred to herein as an "insert." As such, any insert embodiments described herein may include the insert embodiments described herein with respect to vaporizer cartridges (e.g., with respect to Figure 1A and Figure 1B ). Likewise, any evaporator cartridge embodiments described herein may include any one or more features described herein in relation to the insert.

[0070] In some embodiments, the insert may include a jacket portion (e.g., made of a biodegradable material) that defines an interior chamber configured to contain a non-liquid vaporizable material. As such, some embodiments of cartridge receptacle 118 may be configured to receive and heat various embodiments of the insert, such as for forming an inhalable aerosol. For example, an embodiment of cartridge receptacle 118 may include a compartment that is configured to receive and heat various inserts, which will be described below. As such, the compartment may include the components described herein in connection with cartridge receptacle 118 (e.g., with respect to Figure 1A and Figure 1B ) and including one or more features configured to receive and / or heat an insert or vaporizer cartridge embodiment made of and / or including a non-liquid vaporizable material.

[0071] In some embodiments, the compartment may include all or part of a heating element 150 (e.g., a heating coil, etc.), which is configured to heat an insert received in the compartment, for example, for forming an inhalable aerosol. In some embodiments, the insert may include a portion of the heating element 150, for example, including a thermally conductive material. Some insert embodiments including a portion of the heating element 150 may also include one or more insert contacts (e.g., a cartridge contact 124), which may be coupled to one or more receptacle contacts 125 when the insert is inserted into the compartment to allow activation of the portion of the heating element 150 of the insert, for example, for heating the insert to form an inhalable aerosol. Various embodiments of inserts are described herein for use with various vaporizer devices 100. Various embodiments of heating elements 150 and compartments are also described herein for heating and accommodating various insert embodiments, for example, for forming an inhalable aerosol.

[0072] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Embodiments of inserts 250a and 250b are illustrated, respectively, positioned within a compartment 252 of an evaporator body 110 of an evaporator device 100. The compartment 252 may include a heating element 255, such that the heating element 255 is included in a durable / reusable evaporator body 110. Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, heating element 255 can be arranged adjacent to and / or along one or more sides of compartment 252. In this way, when insert 250 is positioned in compartment 252, heating element 255 can be adjacent to and / or contact with insert 250a, 250b, thereby allowing heating element 255 to efficiently and effectively heat insert 250a, 250b to form inhalable aerosol. Heating element 255 can extend substantially around the circumference of insert 250a, 250b and / or along its length. Compartment 252 including heating element 255 can include various features and shapes for accommodating and heating insert 250a, 250b, as will be described herein. Various embodiments of heating element 255 are within the scope of the present disclosure, to allow efficient and effective heating to insert 250a, 250b.

[0073] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the inserts 250a, 250b may include a jacket portion 260 forming an inner chamber 262, which is configured to contain a vaporizable material 265. The vaporizable material 265 may be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or similar materials. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. In some embodiments, the jacket portion 260 may completely or substantially contain the vaporizable material 265. In some embodiments, the jacket portion 260 may be made of a material that prevents air from passing through the material (e.g., until heated or degraded due to heating) to prevent air from affecting the quality of the vaporizable material 265 contained in the jacket portion 260. For example, some embodiments of the jacket portion 260 may be completely sealed to prevent air from entering the inner chamber 262 until the jacket portion 260 is heated or degraded due to heating.

[0074] In some embodiments, the jacket portion 260 may include one or more air passages or through holes 267 that allow air to enter and / or exit the inserts 250a, 250b. For example, the inserts 250a, 250b may be completely sealed except for one through hole 267 extending through the wall of the jacket portion 260. Figure 2A As shown, the insert 250a may include a through hole 267 extending through the jacket portion 260 at a first end to allow the aerosol to be directed out of the insert 250a, for example, for inhalation by a user. Figure 2BAs shown, the insert 250b may include two through holes 267, which extend through the jacket portion 260 (e.g., at opposite ends of the insert 250b) and form an airflow channel 268 between the opposite ends. The airflow channel 268 can allow airflow to pass along it and allow the aerosol formed in the insert 250b to be guided out of the insert 250b, such as for inhalation by the user. The one or more through holes 267 and / or airflow channels 268 can be formed before the inserts 250a, 250b are inserted into the compartment 252 of the evaporator body 110 or once the inserts 250a, 250b are inserted into the compartment 252 of the evaporator body 110. For example, one or more through holes 267 can be formed when the inserts 250a, 250b are inserted into the compartment. This can improve and maintain the freshness and quality of the vaporizable material 265 in the inserts 250a, 250b.

[0075] In some embodiments, the jacket portion 260 of the insert 250a, 250b can be made of a non-liquid vaporizable material. The vaporizable material can be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant materials (e.g., tobacco leaves), products based on plant materials (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or similar materials. In this way, the jacket portion 260 can be included as a part of a consumable, and the consumable produces an aerosol, for example, for a user to inhale. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the jacket portion 260 can be made of a thermally conductive material, such as a metal or aluminum foil. In this way, the heating element 255 can contact and / or heat the thermally conductive jacket portion (e.g., via one or more electrical contacts). Then, the heated thermally conductive jacket portion can substantially and uniformly heat the vaporizable material 265 contained in the jacket portion 260, which can result in favorable heating of the vaporizable material 265 to achieve efficient and effective inhalable aerosol formation. This uniform heating can provide effective repeated start and stop heating for the vaporizable material 265 in the jacket portion 260.

[0076] In some embodiments, the jacket portion 260 is made of an impermeable membrane. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heating element 255 can be included in an insert. Other materials and embodiments of the insert and jacket portion are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0077] like Figure 2AAs shown, the insert 250a can be inserted into the compartment 252 of the vaporizer body 110. The open end 280 of the compartment 252 can include at least one vent hole 282 that allows air to pass therethrough, such as from the exterior of the vaporizer device 100 to an airflow path extending along the vaporizer device 100 (e.g., through the open end 280). As such, when a user puffs from the vaporizer device 100, air can be drawn in through the vent hole 282, which can also draw the inhalable aerosol upward from the insert (e.g., along the insert 250a through the through hole 267), such as allowing the user to inhale the inhalable aerosol.

[0078] like Figure 2B As shown, the airflow channel 268 of the insert 250b can be approximately aligned with the inlet 284 of the embodiment of the compartment 252. As such, when a user takes a puff from the vaporizer device 100, air can be drawn through the inlet 284 and into the compartment 252 to pass along the airflow channel 268 of the insert 250b, thereby causing an inhalable aerosol to form and travel out of the vaporizer body 110, e.g., for inhalation by the user.

[0079] Compartment 252 can include various shapes and sizes to effectively receive an insert for heating and forming an inhalable aerosol. For example, compartment 252 can provide a sliding or friction fit along at least one side of the insert, such as to ensure efficient and effective heating of the insert and to ensure secure placement of the insert in compartment 252.

[0080] Figure 3 Another embodiment of an insert 350 is illustrated for insertion into a compartment 352 of a vaporizer device 100. For example, the insert 350 may include a jacket portion 360 made of loose leaf plant material or a plant material-based product wrapped in a wrapping medium such as aluminum foil, paper, plant fiber, plant material (e.g., tobacco), Kapton tape, or other type of insulating and protective layer.

[0081] like Figure 3 As shown, compartment 352 can be at least partially surrounded by an insulation layer 330 comprising an insulating material, such as Nomex insulation. Insulation layer 330 can assist in containing heat from a heating element 355 associated with compartment 352 so that the heat is generally used to heat the insert positioned within compartment 352. Additionally, at least one hold-down plate 335 can be positioned along the outside of insulation layer 330 to contain insulation layer 330 and secure it to compartment 352.

[0082] like Figure 3As shown, the vaporizer device 100 may include a heating element 355 extending along at least a portion of the length of the compartment 352 and configured to contact the outer surface of the jacket portion 360 of the insert 350. In some embodiments, the jacket portion 360 may include a thermally conductive material (e.g., aluminum foil). The contact between the heating element 355 and the jacket portion 360 including the thermally conductive material can provide efficient and effective heating of the vaporizable material 365 of the insert 350 to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0083] In embodiments where the jacket portion 360 is made of a thermally conductive material, heat transfer can be improved along the vaporizable material contained in the jacket portion, thereby ensuring more uniform heating of the vaporizable material. The vaporizable material can be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or the like. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material.

[0084] In some embodiments, the heating element may be integral with a jacket portion made of an aluminum foil material. In some embodiments, the insert may include at least a portion of the heating element, thereby integrating the heating element with the consumable. In embodiments where the jacket portion is at least partially formed of a non-evaporable material and / or another biodegradable material (and the heater is part of a durable, evaporator body), the insert may be considered biodegradable and part of the consumable.

[0085] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D The vaporizer device 100 is illustrated as including an embodiment of a heating element including an insert capture and heating mechanism 470 configured to capture and secure an insert 450 in the vaporizer 100, e.g., for heating and forming an inhalable aerosol. Once captured and secured, the capture and heating mechanism 470 can be activated to heat and / or vaporize the insert 450 captured in the capture and heating mechanism 470, e.g., for forming an inhalable aerosol.

[0086] like Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the insert capture and heating mechanism 470 may include a first foil heater 472 coupled to a second foil heater 474 via a spring mechanism 473. For example, the spring mechanism 473 may include a pair of arms 477 extending from a spring coil 478. Figure 4C and Figure 4DAs shown, each of the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 can be fixed to and extend between a pair of arms 477 extending from a spring coil 478. Each pair of arms 477 of the spring mechanism 473 can provide structural support for the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474. In addition, each pair of arms 477 can allow the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 to have sufficient structural support to capture the insert 450 therebetween and for subsequent heating and / or vaporization of the insert 450, as will be described in more detail below.

[0087] Figure 4A The insert capture and heating mechanism 470 is illustrated in an open configuration. In the open configuration, the insert capture and heating mechanism 470 can be positioned at a distal position along the evaporator body 110 that allows the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 to pivot or spring open to the open configuration. For example, in the distal position, the insert capture and heating mechanism 470 can at least partially extend from the distal end of the evaporator body 110 so that the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 are not constrained to spring open or pivot to the open configuration. In addition, the spring mechanism 473 of the insert capture and heating mechanism 470 can bias the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 in the open configuration.

[0088] In the open configuration, the insert 450 can be inserted between the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474. Once positioned between the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474, the insert capture and heating mechanism 470 can be moved to a more proximal position along the evaporator body 110, thereby moving the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 to the closed configuration, capturing the insert 450 between the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B For example, at a more proximal position, such as Figure 4B As shown, the spring mechanism 473 may be confined within a space within the evaporator body 110 that forces the spring mechanism 473 into a closed configuration.

[0089] The first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 can be flexible so that each of the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 can at least partially conform to opposite sides of the insert 450 captured therebetween. Figure 4CAs shown, when the spring mechanism 473 is in the open configuration, the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 can extend approximately parallel to each other and be separated by a distance that allows the insert 450 to be inserted between the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474. Figure 4D As shown, when the spring mechanism 473 is in the closed configuration, one or both of the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474 may conform to a portion of the insert 450, which may help secure and heat the insert 450 (e.g., conduction heating). This additional contact may allow for effective and efficient heating of the insert 450 by the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474. Although the insert capture and heating mechanism 470 is described as including the first foil heater 472 and the second foil heater 474, the heating components of the insert capture and heating mechanism 470 may include various other heating components without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0090] Figure 5A and Figure 5B Another embodiment of the insert 550 is illustrated, which includes a jacket portion 560 formed by a first jacket component 561 and a second jacket component 562. For example, the first jacket component 561 and the second jacket component 562 can each have a cylindrical shape and have the same or similar size. Both the first jacket component 561 and the second jacket component 562 can include a sealable periphery 575. For example, the peripheral area 577 of the first jacket component 561 can be sealed to the peripheral area 577 of the second jacket component 562, thereby forming an elongated or cylindrical inner chamber in the jacket portion 560. The inner chamber can be filled or substantially filled with a non-liquid vaporizable material. The vaporizable material 565 can be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or similar materials, such as loose leaf tobacco. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material 565 can include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. In some embodiments, the jacket portion 560 can be made of vaporizable material, such as including tobacco material. The jacket portion 560 may be made of a variety of materials and filled without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] As described above, some embodiments of the insert 550 can include one or more through holes 567 extending through the jacket portion 560. The through holes 567 can be sized and shaped to control or limit the amount of air allowed to enter or exit the insert 550. For example, the through holes 567 can be formed along the insert 550, such as by piercing the insert 550 during insertion of the insert 550 into a compartment of the evaporator body 110.

[0092] In some embodiments, by using the pressure buildup of a sealed volume formed in the insert, aerosol formed within the interior chamber of the jacket portion can be exhausted from the insert (e.g., via through-holes 567 extending through the jacket portion 560), without relying on airflow through the insert 550. This can reduce the risk of aerosol being drawn back into the vaporizer device 100 and causing contamination issues, such as at the end of a puff.

[0093] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Another embodiment of an insert is illustrated, which includes a jacket portion formed by a first jacket member 661 and a second jacket member 662. For example, the first jacket member 661 and the second jacket member 662 can have a square or rectangular shape and have the same or similar dimensions. Both the first jacket member 661 and the second jacket member 662 can include a sealable perimeter 675. For example, a peripheral area 677 of the first jacket member 661 can be sealed to a peripheral area 677 of the second jacket member 662, thereby forming an elongated or cylindrical inner chamber in the jacket portion 660. The inner chamber can be filled or substantially filled with a non-liquid vaporizable material. The non-liquid vaporizable material can include, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or similar materials. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. In some embodiments, the jacket portion 660 can be made of a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as any non-liquid vaporizable material described herein. The jacket portion 660 may be made of a variety of materials and filled without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0094] like FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B As shown, the insert 650 can include one or more through holes 667 extending through the jacket portion 660. The through holes 667 can be sized and shaped to control or limit the amount of air allowed to enter or exit the insert 650. For example, the through holes 667 can be formed along the insert 650, such as by piercing the insert 650 during insertion of the insert 650 into the compartment of the evaporator body 110.

[0095] FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D A method of manufacturing an embodiment of an insert is illustrated. Fig. 7A As shown, the jacket portion 760 of the insert can be formed of one or more materials. In some embodiments, the jacket portion 760 can be made of a square or rectangular piece of material that can be folded in half so that the opposite sides of the piece of material are sealed together to form a cylindrical channel 740 and a first sealing side 742 (see also Figure 7CIn some embodiments, the jacket portion 760 can be made of two pieces of material that are generally aligned and sealed (e.g., heat sealed) together along opposing sides to form a first sealed side 742 and a second sealed side 743, such as Fig.7D In addition, one or both ends of the jacket portion 760 may be sealed, for example, after forming the first sealing side 742, as shown in FIG. Figure 7B as shown in .

[0096] For example, the first end of the jacket portion can be sealed to form a first sealed end 744. After forming the first sealed end 744, the vaporizable material can be deposited in the jacket component, for example, through the unsealed second end and into the cylindrical passage 740. The vaporizable material can be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or similar materials. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. After the desired amount of material (e.g., tobacco) is deposited in the jacket component, the second end can be sealed to form a second sealed end 746. This sealing of the second end can form a sealed or substantially sealed inner chamber in the jacket portion 760, thereby containing the deposited material in the inner chamber. Although the method of forming and filling an embodiment of the jacket is described as including a single jacket component, similar methods can be used to form and fill embodiments including more than one jacket component without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0097] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B An embodiment of an insert heater 890 is illustrated, which includes an insert 850 (such as any insert described herein) and a heater component 892 (such as any heater component described herein). Fig. 8AAn embodiment of an insert heater 890 is illustrated, which includes an insert 850 having a jacket portion 860, the jacket portion being made of at least one of an insulating and protective layer (e.g., Kapton material) and a thermally conductive material (e.g., a metal material). The jacket portion 860 may include an inner chamber that is filled or substantially filled with a vaporizable material. The vaporizable material may be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or the like. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. In addition, the insert heater 890 may include a heater component 892, which may include at least one thermally conductive element. For example, the heater component 892 may be made of a flat plate of a conductive material having various configurations and resistances, which may cause the temperature of the heater component 892 to increase when an electric current is applied along the conductive material. The heater component 892 may include at least one conductive extension 894 that may be coupled to a power source (eg, to the power source 112 via the receptacle contacts 125) and allow current to travel along the heater component 892. Fig. 8A As shown, heater component 892 may extend at least partially between the insulating and protective layer and the thermally conductive material comprising jacket portion 860. As the temperature of heater component 892 increases, the temperature of the thermally conductive material may increase, thereby heating the vaporizable material contained in interior chamber 862.

[0098] Figure 8B Another embodiment of an insert heater 990 is illustrated, which includes an insert 950 having a jacket portion 960 made of a biodegradable material (e.g., tobacco material). The jacket portion 960 may include an inner chamber that is filled or substantially filled with a vaporizable material. The vaporizable material may be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or the like. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. In addition, the insert heater 990 may include a heater component 992, which may include at least one thermally conductive element. For example, the heater component 992 may be made of a flat plate of conductive material having various configurations and resistances, which when current is applied along the conductive material, causes the temperature of the heater component 992 to increase. The heater component 992 may include at least one conductive extension 994, which may be coupled to a power source (e.g., coupled to the power source 112 via the receptacle contact 125) and allow current to travel along the heater component 992. As shown in FIG. Figure 8BAs shown, heater component 992 may extend at least partially within jacket portion 960, such as within or along an interior chamber of jacket portion 960. As such, heater component 992 may be in direct contact with the vaporizable material contained within jacket portion 960, and as the temperature of heater component 992 increases, the temperature of the vaporizable material increases.

[0099] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G Another embodiment of an insert 1050 and a method of making the insert 1050 are illustrated. Fig.9A As shown, the insert 1050 may include a jacket portion 1060 and first and second end caps 1066 coupled to opposite ends of the jacket portion 1060. The inner chamber 1062 may be positioned between the first and second end caps 1066 and within the jacket portion 1060. The inner chamber 1062 may be filled or substantially filled with a vaporizable material 1065. The vaporizable material 1065 may be a non-liquid vaporizable material including, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or the like. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. A thermally conductive material 1071 may line at least a portion of the inner chamber 1062 so that heating of the thermally conductive material 1071 may heat the vaporizable material 1065, for example, to form an inhalable aerosol. As Fig. 9B As shown, at least one of the first and second end caps 1066 may include a through hole 1067 for allowing airflow (including aerosol) to pass therethrough. In some embodiments, at least one through hole 1067 may include a pierceable material 1072 that may provide an airtight seal within the interior chamber 1062 until the pierceable material 1072 is broken or pierced. For example, the pierceable material 1072 may be broken or pierced before or during the insertion of the insert 1050 into the vaporizer device 100.

[0100] Figure 9H and Fig.9I An embodiment of a vaporizer device 100 is shown having a vaporizer device 100 that can be configured to pierce an insert (e.g., as described above with respect to FIG. 9A to FIG. 9G The piercing member 1099 may include a piercing member 1099 of the insert 1050 described above. For example, the piercing member 1099 may extend along the central axis of a chamber or compartment 1052 configured to receive the insert 1050. As such, as the insert 1050 is inserted into the compartment 1052, the piercing member 1099 may pierce the pierceable material 1072 of the insert 1050. The piercing member 1099 may include a heater component 1092, which may include a thermally and / or electrically conductive material. The heater component 1092 may be configured to heat the vaporizable material 1065 in the insert 1050, such as Fig.9I As shown, the vaporizable material may be in direct contact with the heater component 1092 .

[0101] like Fig. 9C and Fig.9D As shown, the jacket portion 1060 can be formed by forming a first sealing side 1042 of a jacket component (e.g., a piece of material used to form the jacket portion 1060), such as described above with respect to Fig. 7A In addition, after the first sealing side 1042 has been formed, the first end cap 1066 can be securely coupled to the first end of the jacket portion 1060, such as Fig.9E . The vaporizable material 1065 can then be added to the interior chamber via the second end of the jacket portion 1060, after which the second end cap 1066 can be securely coupled to the second end. Such securing of the first and second end caps 1066 can be achieved by any number of securing features and methods, including the use of adhesives.

[0102] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10E One embodiment of a heating element is illustrated and includes an insert heater 1155 that may be included in the evaporator device 100 . Fig. 10A An insert heater 1155 is shown which may include a flexible heating element 1156 secured to and extending between first and second pivot supports 1157. FIG. 10C to FIG. 10E As shown, when the first and second pivot supports 1157 are in the first position, the flexible heating element 1156 can form an open configuration ( Fig. 10D ), thereby allowing the insert 1150 to be placed in contact with the flexible heating element 1156. When the first and second pivot supports 1157 form a closed configuration, the flexible heating element 1156 can wrap around or substantially wrap around the insert 1150, such as Fig.10E As shown, this can result in efficient and effective heat transfer between the flexible heating element 1156 and the insert 1150. Such efficient and effective heat transfer can allow the desired heating of the vaporizable material of the insert 1150, such as heating into an inhalable aerosol. The vaporizable material can be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, plant materials (such as tobacco leaves), plant-based products (such as reconstituted tobacco), and / or similar materials. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may include a sponge at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may include a gel-based consumable.

[0103] like Fig. 10BAs shown, the flexible heating element 1156 can be positioned within a chamber or compartment 1152 of the vaporizer device 100, and the compartment 1152 can be configured to receive the insert 1150. When the insert 1150 is not inserted into the compartment 1152, the insert heater 1155 can be in an open configuration. When the insert 1150 is inserted into the compartment 1152, the insert 1150 can push against the flexible heating element 1156, thereby pivoting the first and second pivot supports 1157 and causing the insert heater 1155 to form a closed configuration. Once in the closed configuration, the insert heater 1155 can be activated to heat the insert 1150.

[0104] Fig.11 Another embodiment of an insert heater 1255 that may be included in the evaporator device 100 is shown. Fig.11 As shown, the insert heater 1255 can include one or more coil springs 1288 made of a thermally and / or electrically conductive material that can increase the temperature to heat adjacent inserts. The coil springs 1288 can be shaped to allow the insert 1250 to be releasably inserted into the coil springs 1288 so that when the insert 1250 is coupled to the insert heater 1255, the coil springs 1288 extend around the periphery of the insert 1250 and along the length of the insert. This can allow the insert heater 1255 to efficiently and effectively heat the vaporizable material contained in the insert 1250, such as heating the vaporizable material that forms an inhalable aerosol.

[0105] In some embodiments, the insert can be configured to heat the liquid vaporizable material in addition to the non-liquid vaporizable material to allow the formation of an inhalable aerosol comprising a vapor mixture of both the non-liquid vaporizable material and the liquid vaporizable material for inhalation by the user. The vaporizable material can be a non-liquid vaporizable material including, for example, plant material (such as tobacco leaves), plant material-based products (such as reconstituted tobacco), and / or the like. Embodiments of inserts including components that allow the formation of such a vapor comprising both non-liquid and liquid vaporizable materials are described herein.

[0106] Fig.12Another embodiment of an insert 1350 is illustrated, which includes a jacket portion 1360 forming an inner chamber 1362 having a first region 1390 and a second region 1392. The jacket portion 1360 can be cylindrical or any of a variety of shapes. For example, the first region 1390 can be configured to accommodate a non-liquid vaporizable material 1365, and the second region 1392 can be configured to include a filter 1366. The non-liquid vaporizable material 1365 can include, for example, plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves), plant-based products (e.g., reconstituted tobacco), and / or the like. In some embodiments, the filter 1366 can be made of cotton and / or at least partially impregnated with a liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a liquid based on propylene glycol (PG) and / or vegetable glycerin (VG)).

[0107] like Fig.12 As shown, the second region 1392 can be positioned upstream of the airflow path 1395 relative to the first region 1390. In this way, air passing through the insert 1350 can draw vapor of the liquid vaporizable material into the airflow before passing through the second region 1392 containing the non-liquid vaporizable material, thereby absorbing / infusing the inhalable aerosol with both the flavor and nicotine content from the non-liquid vaporizable material. Other configurations are within the scope of the present disclosure, including positioning the non-liquid vaporizable material upstream of the filter containing the liquid vaporizable material.

[0108] In some embodiments, the heating element may extend around the perimeter of and / or along the length of the jacket portion 1360 of the insert 1350. For example, such a configuration may allow the heating element to efficiently and effectively heat the liquid vaporizable material in the second region 1392 (contained in the filter 1366) and the non-liquid vaporizable material in the first region 1390. In some embodiments, the filter 1366 may be in direct contact with the heating element 1355.

[0109] For example, the heating element 1355 can heat the liquid vaporizable material in the filter 1366, causing the liquid vaporizable material to be vaporized and released into the airflow path 1395. The heating element 1355 can also heat the non-liquid vaporizable material in the first region, causing the non-liquid vaporizable material to be vaporized and released into the airflow path 1395. The vapor formed by the non-liquid vaporizable material can combine with the vapor generated by the liquid vaporizable material along the airflow path 1395 and be drawn out of the insert 1350 for inhalation by the user.

[0110] Such insert embodiments including first and second regions including non-liquid vaporizable material and liquid vaporizable material, respectively, may provide various benefits, such as reducing manufacturing costs (eg, by requiring only one heater) and improving performance and efficiency of the evaporator device.

[0111] In some embodiments, heating element 1355 can be controlled (eg, by a processor) or configured to heat first region 1390 at a different temperature than second region 1392. Various temperatures and temperature differentials provided by heating element 1355 along insert 1350 are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0112] In some embodiments, the airflow path 1395 may extend through the center of the insert 1350 or along the longitudinal axis of the insert.

[0113] In another embodiment, the second region 1392 of the insert 1350 may include a reservoir configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material. The airflow path may pass through or be adjacent to the first and / or second regions. The first inhalable vapor generated by heating and / or vaporizing the liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir may pass through the non-liquid vaporizable material contained in the first region 1390, thereby infusing the first inhalable vapor with nicotine and flavors from the non-liquid vaporizable material (forming a second inhalable vapor including the injected first inhalable vapor).

[0114] like Fig.12 As shown, in some embodiments, insert 1350 can include a cooling filter 1393 (e.g., a cotton filter) positioned downstream of airflow path 1395 relative to first region 1390 and second region 1392. Cooling filter 1393 can be configured to cool the inhalable aerosol before it is inhaled by the user.

[0115] the term

[0116] When a feature or element is referred to herein as being "on" another feature or another element, the feature or element may be directly on another feature or element, or there may also be intermediate features and / or elements. On the contrary, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intermediate features or elements. It will also be understood that when a feature or element is referred to as being "connected," "attached" or "coupled" to another feature or element, the feature or element may be directly connected, attached or coupled to another feature or element, or there may be intermediate features or elements. On the contrary, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly attached" or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intermediate features or elements.

[0117] Although described or shown relative to one embodiment, the features and elements described or shown in this way may be applicable to other embodiments. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that reference to a structure or feature disposed "adjacent" to another feature may have a portion that overlaps or underlays the adjacent feature.

[0118] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and implementations and are not intended to be restrictive. For example, as used herein, the singular forms of "one", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprise" when used in this text specifically specify the existence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated enumerated items, and can be abbreviated as " / ".

[0119] In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one of..." or "one or more of..." may appear after the consecutive enumeration of elements or features. The term "and / or" may also appear in the enumeration of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or obviously contradictory to the context in which such phrases are used, such phrases are intended to represent any of the listed elements or features individually, or any of the listed elements or features in any combination with other listed elements or features. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and B", "one or more of A and B", and "A and / or B" are each intended to represent "A alone, B alone, or A and B together". Similar interpretations are also intended to include enumerations of 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". Use of the term “based on” above and in the claims is intended to mean “based at least in part on” such that unrecited features or elements are also allowable.

[0120] Spatially relative terms such as "forward", "backward", "under", "below", "down", "above", "on", etc. may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that in addition to the orientations depicted in the accompanying drawings, the spatially relative terms are also intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device is inverted in the accompanying drawings, the elements described as being "under" or "below" other elements or features will then be oriented to be "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "under" can include both the orientation of "above" and the orientation of "under". The device can be oriented otherwise (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive information elements used herein are interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upward", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", etc. are used herein for the purpose of explanation only, unless otherwise explicitly indicated.

[0121] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various features / elements (including steps), these features / elements are not limited by these terms unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another feature / element. Therefore, without departing from the teachings provided herein, the first feature / element discussed below may be referred to as the second feature / element, and similarly, the second feature / element discussed below may be referred to as the first feature / element.

[0122] As used in this specification and claims, including as used in the examples, and unless otherwise expressly indicated, all numbers can be understood as words preceded by "about" or "approximately", even if the term does not appear explicitly. When describing size and / or position, the phrase "about" or "approximately" can be used to indicate that the value and / or position described are within the reasonable expected range of the value and / or position. For example, a numerical value may have a value (or range of values) of + / -0.1% of the stated value, a value (or range of values) of + / -1% of the stated value, a value (or range of values) of + / -2% of the stated value, a value (or range of values) of + / -5% of the stated value, a value (or range of values) of + / -10% of the stated value, etc. Any numerical value given herein should also be understood to include about the value or about the value, unless otherwise indicated by the context. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, "about 10" is also disclosed. Any numerical range listed herein is intended to include all subranges contained in the numerical range. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed, "less than or equal to" the value, "greater than or equal to" the value, and possible ranges between the values ​​are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by those skilled in the art. For example, if the value "X" is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" and "greater than or equal to X" (e.g., in the case where X is a numerical value) are also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in a variety of different formats, and that the data represents endpoints and starting points and ranges for any combination of data points. For example, if a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are also considered disclosed, along with between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two specific units is also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

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

[0124] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented as follows: digital electronic circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features may include implementations using one or more computer programs, which may be executed and / or interpreted on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be dedicated or general purpose, 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 may include a client and a server. The client and server are conventionally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The connection between the client and the server is generated by means of computer programs running on respective computers and having a client-server relationship with each other.

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

[0126] The examples and descriptions included herein show, by way of illustration and in a non-limiting manner, specific embodiments in which the subject matter can be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be used, and other embodiments may be obtained from the specific embodiments, so that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the subject matter of the invention may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term "invention", which reference is only for the sake of convenience, and if more than one invention is in fact disclosed, it is not intended that the scope of the present application is actively limited to any single invention or inventive concept. Therefore, although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, any arrangement structure intended to achieve the same purpose may replace the specific embodiments shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all modifications or variations of different embodiments. After reading the above description, the combination of the above embodiments and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A system for generating an inhalable aerosol, the system comprising: An insert comprising: a jacket portion defining an inner chamber; a vaporizable material contained within the interior chamber; and An evaporator device comprising: a compartment configured to receive the insert; and a heating element configured to heat an insert positioned in the compartment to generate the inhalable aerosol, wherein the heating element comprises: An insert heater comprising a flexible heating element extending between pivot supports, the pivot supports allowing the insert heater to transition between an open configuration allowing the flexible heating element to receive the insert and a closed configuration allowing the flexible heating element to wrap around at least a portion of the insert for heating the insert to generate the inhalable aerosol.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The jacket portion is made of a vaporizable material.

3. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The jacket portion includes through holes configured to allow air to enter and / or exit the insert.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The jacket is configured to prevent air from passing through the insert until heated or degraded by heating.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The heating element is coupled to a piercing member extending into the compartment of the vaporizer device, the piercing member being configured to pierce the insert when the insert is inserted into the compartment, thereby positioning the heating element within the interior chamber of the insert.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The heating element includes a coil spring configured to extend around a perimeter of the insert.

7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The vaporizable material comprises plant material and / or products based on plant material.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The vaporizable material includes tobacco leaves and / or reconstituted tobacco.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The vaporizable material includes a gel material.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The vaporizable material comprises a sponge at least partially saturated with liquid vaporizable material.

11. An insert configured to be inserted into a compartment of an evaporator device, the insert comprising: a jacket portion forming an inner chamber; A vaporizable material is contained in the interior chamber, wherein each of the jacket portion and the vaporizable material comprises a tobacco material.

12. The insert of claim 11, further comprising a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material to thereby generate an inhalable aerosol.

13. The insert according to claim 12, characterized in that The heating element comprises a flat plate of electrically conductive material, with at least a portion of the heating element positioned within the interior chamber of the insert.

14. An insert according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The jacket portion includes through holes configured to allow air to enter and / or exit the insert.

15. An insert according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The jacket portion is configured to prevent air from passing through the insert until heated or degraded by heating.

16. An insert for use with an evaporator device, the insert comprising: a jacket portion forming an inner chamber, the jacket portion comprising a first vaporizable material; a second vaporizable material contained within the interior chamber; as well as A heating element in contact with one or both of the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material, the heating element being configured to heat the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material to form an inhalable aerosol.

17. The insert according to claim 16, characterized in that Each of the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material comprises a non-liquid vaporizable material.

18. The insert according to claim 17, characterized in that Each of the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material includes loose leaf tobacco.

19. The insert according to claim 16, characterized in that Each of the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material comprises a sponge at least partially saturated with a liquid vaporizable material.

20. An insert according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that The heating element comprises a flat plate of electrically conductive material, with at least a portion of the heating element positioned within the interior chamber of the insert.

21. An insert for use with an evaporator device, the insert comprising: a jacket portion forming an inner chamber; a first vaporizable material contained within the interior chamber; a second vaporizable material contained within the interior chamber; a heating element coupled to the jacket portion, the heating element being configured to contact and heat the first vaporizable material and the second vaporizable material, wherein heating the first vaporizable material forms a first inhalable aerosol; as well as An airflow path extends through the interior chamber to allow the first inhalable aerosol to be infused with a portion of the second vaporizable material and to form a second inhalable aerosol for inhalation by a user.

22. The insert of claim 21, further comprising a filter positioned upstream of the first region containing the first vaporizable material, the filter configured to contain the second vaporizable material.

23. The insert according to claim 22, characterized in that The filter is made of cotton material.

24. An insert according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The second vaporizable material includes one or more of propylene glycol and a vegetable glycerin-based liquid.

25. An insert according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The jacket portion is made of a third vaporizable material.

26. An insert according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The heating element extends around a periphery of the jacket portion.

27. An insert according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The second vaporizable material comprises a liquid vaporizable material.

28. An insert according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The first vaporizable material comprises a non-liquid vaporizable material.

29. An insert according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The first vaporizable material comprises a sponge at least partially saturated with a liquid vaporizable material.

30. An insert as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The heating element directly contacts the first vaporizable material or the second vaporizable material.

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