Evaporator

Abstract

The present application relates to an evaporator characterized by comprising: a reservoir configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material, the reservoir being at least partially defined by at least one wall, the reservoir comprising a storage chamber and an overflow volume; and a collector disposed within the overflow volume, the collector including a capillary structure including a passageway configured to maintain a volume of liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with the storage chamber, the passageway including a plurality of spaced apart constriction points, the constriction points have a smaller cross-sectional area than portions of the passage between the constriction points.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 202420076538.X, filed October 17, 2019, which is a continuation of Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 202321659203.2, filed October 17, 2019, which is a continuation of Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 202123367329.6, filed October 17, 2019, which is a continuation of Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 202120392208.8, filed October 17, 2019, which is a continuation of Chinese Utility Model Patent Application No. 201921746466.0, filed October 17, 2019.

[0002] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 915,005, filed October 14, 2019, entitled “CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE,” U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 812,161, filed February 28, 2019, entitled “CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE,” U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 747,099, filed October 17, 2018, entitled “WICK FEED AND HEATING ELEMENTS IN A VAPORIZER DEVICE,” U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 812,148, filed February 28, 2019, entitled “RESERVOIR OVERFLOW CONTROL WITH CONSTRICTION POINTS,” U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 747,055, filed October 17, 2018, entitled “RESERVOIR OVERFLOW CONTROL,” U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 747,130, filed October 17, 2018, entitled “VAPORIZER CONDENSATE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 16 / 653,455, filed October 15, 2019, entitled “HEATING ELEMENT,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The disclosed subject matter relates generally to features of cartridges for vaporizers, and in some examples to management of leakage of liquid vaporizable material, control of airflow within and around the cartridge, heating of the vaporizable material to cause formation of an aerosol, and / or other assembly features of the cartridge and the device to which it can be detachably connected. BACKGROUND

[0005] Vaporizer devices, generally referred to herein as vaporizers, include devices that heat a vaporizable material (e.g., a liquid, botanical material, some other solid, wax, etc.) to a temperature sufficient to release one or more components from the vaporizable material into a form (e.g., a gas, an aerosol, etc.) that can be inhaled by a user of the vaporizer. Some vaporizers, such as those in which at least one of the components released from the vaporizable material is nicotine, can be used as a smoking substitute for combustible cigarettes. SUMMARY

[0006] For purposes of summarizing the disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages can be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught or suggested herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as can be taught or suggested herein. The various features and aspects of the disclosure can be combined in different ways to achieve or optimize one or more advantages.

[0007] In one aspect, a vaporizer includes a reservoir configured to hold a liquid vaporizable material. The reservoir is defined at least in part by at least one wall, and the reservoir includes a storage chamber and an overflow volume. The vaporizer further includes a collector disposed in the overflow volume. The collector includes a capillary structure configured to hold a volume of the liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with the storage chamber. The capillary structure includes a microfluidic feature configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and emptying of the collector.

[0008] In a related aspect that can be included in the vaporizer of the preceding aspect, a microfluidic gate for controlling flow of the liquid vaporizable material between the storage chamber and an adjacent overflow volume in the vaporizer includes a plurality of openings connecting the storage chamber and the collector, and a pinch point between the plurality of openings. The plurality of openings includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel has a higher capillary drive than the second channel. Optionally, the microfluidic gate can include a rim of an orifice between the storage chamber and the collector that is flatter on a first side facing the storage chamber than on a second more rounded side facing the collector.

[0009] In another related aspect, which can be combined with other aspects, a collector configured for insertion into a vaporizer cartridge includes a capillary structure configured to hold a volume of liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with a reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge. The capillary structure includes a microfluidic feature configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and emptying of the collector.

[0010] In optional variations, one or more of the following features can also be included in any workable combination. For example, a primary passageway can be included to provide a fluid connection between the reservoir and an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material into a gaseous phase state. The primary passageway can be formed through a structure of the collector.

[0011] The primary passageway can include a first channel configured to allow liquid vaporizable material to flow from the reservoir to a wicking element in the atomizer. The first channel can have a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregular shape configured to allow liquid in the first channel to bypass air bubbles that obstruct the rest of the first channel. The cross-sectional shape can resemble a cross. The capillary structure can include a secondary passageway including a microfluidic feature, and the microfluidic feature can be configured to allow liquid vaporizable material to flow along a length of the secondary passageway in which a meniscus completely covers a cross-sectional area of the secondary passageway. The cross-sectional area can be small enough such that, for the material forming the walls of the secondary passageway and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passageway around an entire perimeter of the secondary passageway.

[0012] The reservoir and the collector can be configured to maintain a continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collector in contact with liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir such that a decrease in pressure in the reservoir relative to ambient pressure causes the continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collector to at least partially be drawn back into the reservoir. The secondary passageway can include a plurality of spaced apart pinch points having a cross-sectional area smaller than portions of the secondary passageway between the pinch points. The pinch points can have a relatively flat surface oriented along the secondary passageway toward the reservoir and a relatively rounded surface oriented along the secondary passageway away from the reservoir.

[0013] A microfluidic gate can be located between the collector and the reservoir. The microfluidic gate can include a rim of an orifice between the reservoir and the collector that is flatter on a first side facing the reservoir than on a second, more rounded side facing the collector. The microfluidic gate can include a plurality of openings connecting the reservoir and the collector and a pinch point between the plurality of openings. The plurality of openings can include a first channel and a second channel, where the first channel has a higher capillary drive than the second channel. Due to the higher capillary drive in the first channel, a gas-liquid vaporizable material meniscus reaching the pinch point can be directed to the second channel, forming a bubble to escape into the liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir.

[0014] The liquid vaporizable material can include one or more of propylene glycol and botanical / vegetable glycerin.

[0015] The collector can include a main passageway providing fluid connection between the reservoir and an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous phase state, where the main passageway is formed through a structure of the collector. In an optional variation, the capillary structure can include a secondary passageway having microfluidic features, and the microfluidic features can be configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to move along a length of the secondary passageway in which the meniscus completely covers a cross-sectional area of the secondary passageway. The cross-sectional area of the secondary passageway can be small enough such that, for the material forming the walls of the secondary passageway and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passageway around the entire perimeter of the secondary passageway. The reservoir and the collector can be configured to maintain a continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collector in contact with the liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir such that a decrease in pressure in the reservoir relative to ambient pressure causes the continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the continuous collector to be at least partially drawn back into the reservoir. The secondary passageway can include a plurality of spaced apart pinch points having a cross-sectional area smaller than portions of the secondary passageway between the pinch points. The pinch points can have a flatter surface oriented along the secondary passageway toward the reservoir and a more rounded surface oriented along the secondary passageway away from the reservoir.

[0016] In yet another related aspect, a vaporizer cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a reservoir disposed within the cartridge housing and configured to hold a liquid vaporizable material, an inlet configured to allow air to enter an internal airflow path within the cartridge housing, an atomizer configured to transform at least some of the liquid vaporizable material into an inhalable state, and a collector as described in the above aspects.

[0017] In an optional variant, such an evaporator cartridge can include one or more features as described herein, such as, for example, a wicking element located within the internal airflow path and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The wicking element can be configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from the storage chamber under capillary action. A heating element can be positioned to cause heating of the wicking element, resulting in a transformation of at least some of the liquid vaporizable material drawn from the storage chamber into a gaseous state. The inhalable state can include an aerosol formed by condensing at least some of the liquid vaporizable material from the gaseous state. The cartridge housing can include a unitary hollow structure having a first open end and a second end opposite the first end. The collector can be insertably received within the first end of the unitary hollow structure.

[0018] In another related aspect, a reservoir for a cartridge useable with an evaporator device is provided. In one embodiment, the reservoir includes a storage chamber (e.g., reservoir) for storing a vaporizable material, and an overflow volume separable from the storage chamber and in communication with the storage chamber via a vent to a passageway in the overflow volume.

[0019] The passageway in the overflow volume can be open to a port connected to ambient air. The storage chamber or reservoir can also include a first wick supply and an optional second wick supply, implemented in the form of first and second wick feeds through first and second cavities of a collector disposed within the cartridge. The collector can include one or more support structures forming the passageway in the overflow volume. The first and second cavities can control flow of the vaporizable material toward a wick housing configured to house a wicking element.

[0020] The wicking element or wick housing located within the wick housing can be configured to absorb the vaporizable material traveling through the first and second wick supplies, such that in thermal interaction with an atomizer, the vaporizable material absorbed within the wicking element is converted into at least one of a vapor or an aerosol and flows through an outlet passage structure formed through the collector and storage chamber to an opening in a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece can be formed adjacent to the storage chamber.

[0021] The collector can have a first end and a second end. The first end can be connected to the opening in the mouthpiece, and the second end opposite the first end can be configured to house a wick or wicking element. The wick housing according to certain embodiments can include a set of prongs projecting outward from the second end to at least partially receive the wicking element, and one or more compression ribs positioned adjacent to the first or second wick supplies and extending from the second end of the collector to compress the wicking element.

[0022] In example embodiments, a vent can be provided to maintain a balanced pressure state in the reservoir chamber of the cartridge and prevent the pressure in the reservoir chamber from increasing to a point that would cause the evaporable material to flood / overflow the wick housing. The balanced pressure state can be maintained by establishing a liquid seal at an opening of the vent positioned at a point of communication of the reservoir chamber with the passage in the overflow volume in the cartridge. The liquid seal is established and maintained at the vent by maintaining sufficient capillary pressure against the evaporable material meniscus formed at a portion of the vent leading to the passage into the overflow volume.

[0023] The capillary pressure of the evaporable material meniscus can be controlled by, for example, a vent structure that forms a primary channel and a secondary channel that effectively configure a fluidic valve to control the pinch-off point at at least one of the primary channel or the secondary channel. According to embodiments, the primary channel and the secondary channel can have a constricted geometry such that as the meniscus continues to recede, the capillary drive of the primary channel decreases at a greater rate than the capillary drive of the secondary channel. The gradual decrease in capillary drive of the primary channel and the secondary channel reduces the partial headspace vacuum maintained in the reservoir chamber.

[0024] In another related aspect, as the capillary drive of the primary channel and the secondary channel gradually decrease relative to each other, the discharge pressure of the primary channel falls below the discharge pressure of the secondary channel. As the discharge pressure of the primary channel changes, the meniscus in the primary channel continues to discharge while the meniscus in the secondary channel remains stationary. The discharge pressure involving the receding contact angle of the primary channel can fall below the overflow pressure involving the advancing contact angle of the secondary channel, resulting in the primary channel and the secondary channel filling with evaporable material.

[0025] Accordingly, in response to an increasing pressure state within the reservoir chamber, the evaporable material flows through the vent into the passage of the collector (i.e., the overflow volume) where the vent is configured to maintain a liquid seal at the pinch-off point, desirably at all times. In certain embodiments, the vent is configured to facilitate the liquid seal at an opening from which the evaporable material flows between the reservoir chamber of the cartridge and the passage of the collector in the overflow volume.

[0026] In another related aspect, one or more wick feed channel can be implemented to control the direct flow of vaporizable material toward the wick. A first wick feed channel can be formed through a collector located in the overflow volume and independent of the primary and secondary channels of the control valve described above. The collector can include a support structure that forms the first channel or additional wick feed channels. The wick can be positioned in the wick housing such that the wick is configured to absorb vaporizable material traveling through the first channel. According to embodiments, the first channel can have a cross shape cross-section or have partial dividing walls. The shape of the first channel can provide one or more non-primary sub-channels and one or more primary sub-channels that are larger in diameter than the non-primary sub-channels.

[0027] According to embodiments, when a primary or non-primary sub-channel is restricted or blocked (e.g., due to bubble formation), vaporizable material can travel through an alternative sub-channel or the primary channel. In a cross-shaped wick feed, the primary sub-channels can extend through the center of the cross-shaped wick feed. When the primary sub-channels are restricted due to bubble formation in a portion of the primary sub-channels, vaporizable material flows through at least one non-primary sub-channel.

[0028] In some embodiments, the collector can have a first end facing the storage chamber and a second end facing away from the storage chamber and configured to include the wick housing. A second wick feed can be implemented in the form of a second channel to allow vaporizable material stored in the storage chamber to flow toward the wick while the vaporizable material flows through the first wick feed. The second wick feed can have a cross shape cross-section.

[0029] According to one or more aspects, a reservoir for a cartridge that can be used with a vaporizer device can include a storage chamber configured to hold a vaporizable material. The reservoir can be in operative relationship with an atomizer configured to convert the vaporizable material from a liquid phase to a vapor or aerosol phase for inhalation by a user of the vaporizer device. The cartridge can also include an overflow volume to hold at least some portion of the vaporizable material, for example, when one or more factors cause the vaporizable material in the storage chamber to enter the overflow volume in the cartridge.

[0030] One or more factors can include exposure of the cartridge to a pressure state different from an earlier pressure state (e.g., by changing from a first pressure state to a second pressure state). In some aspects, the overflow volume can include a passageway connected to an opening or air control port that leads to the exterior of the cartridge (i.e., to ambient air). The passageway in the overflow volume can also be in communication with the reservoir chamber, such that the passageway can function as a breather to allow pressure equalization in the reservoir chamber. In response to a negative pressure event in the environment surrounding the cartridge, vaporizable material can be drawn from the storage chamber to the atomizer and converted to a vapor or aerosol phase, thereby reducing the volume of vaporizable material remaining in the storage chamber of the reservoir.

[0031] The storage chamber can be coupled to the overflow volume through one or more openings between the storage chamber and the overflow volume, e.g., such that the one or more openings lead to one or more passageways through the overflow volume. The flow of vaporizable material into the passageways via the openings can be controlled by capillary properties of the fluid breather leading to the one or more passageways or capillary properties of the passageways themselves. In addition, the flow of vaporizable material into the one or more passageways can be reversible, thereby allowing vaporizable material to be transferred from the overflow volume back into the storage chamber.

[0032] In at least one embodiment, the flow of vaporizable material can reverse in response to a change in pressure state (e.g., when the second pressure state in the cartridge reverts to the first pressure state). The second pressure state can be associated with a negative pressure event. The negative pressure event can be a result of a drop in pressure of the environment relative to the pressure of the air held in one or more volumes in the reservoir chamber or other portions of the cartridge. Alternatively, the negative pressure event can result from compression of an interior volume of the cartridge due to mechanical pressure on one or more exterior surfaces of the cartridge.

[0033] The heating element can include a heating portion and at least two legs. The heating portion can include at least two tines spaced apart from each other. The heating portion can be pre-formed to define an interior volume configured to house the wicking element such that the heating portion secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element. The heating portion can be configured to contact at least two separate surfaces of the wicking element. The at least two legs can be connected to the at least two tines and spaced apart from the heating portion. The at least two legs can be configured to be in electrical communication with a power source. The power is configured to be supplied from the power source to the heating portion to generate heat to vaporize the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

[0034] In some implementations, the at least two legs include four legs. In some implementations, the heating portion is configured to contact at least three separate surfaces of the wicking element.

[0035] In some embodiments, the at least two tines include a first side tine portion, a second side tine portion opposite the first side tine portion, and a platform tine portion connecting the first side tine portion and the second side tine portion. The platform tine portion can be positioned generally perpendicular to a portion of the first side tine portion and the second side tine portion. The first side tine portion, the second side tine portion, and the platform tine portion define an interior volume in which the wicking element is positioned. In some embodiments, the at least two legs are positioned away from the heating portion by a bridge.

[0036] In some embodiments, each of the at least two legs includes a cartridge contact positioned at an end of each of the at least two legs. The cartridge contact can be in electrical communication with a power source. The cartridge contact can be angled and extend away from the heating portion.

[0037] In some embodiments, the at least two tines include a first pair of tines and a second pair of tines. In some embodiments, the tines of the first pair of tines are evenly spaced from each other. In some embodiments, the tines of the first pair of tines are spaced apart by a width. In some embodiments, a width of the heating element at an interior region of the heating element adjacent to the platform tine portion is greater than a width of the heating element at an exterior region of the heating element adjacent to an outer edge of the first side tine portion opposite the interior region. In some embodiments, the vaporizer device is configured to measure a resistance of the heating element at each of the four legs to control a temperature of the heating element. In some embodiments, the heating element includes a thermal barrier configured to isolate the heating portion from a body of the vaporizer device. In some embodiments, the vaporizer device further includes a thermal barrier configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element and isolate the heating portion from a body of a wicking portion housing configured to surround at least a portion of the wicking element and the heating element.

[0038] In some embodiments, the heating portion is folded between the heating portion and the at least two legs to isolate the heating portion from the at least two legs. In some embodiments, the heating portion further includes at least one protrusion extending from a side of the at least two tines to allow the wicking element to more easily access an interior volume of the heating portion. In some embodiments, the at least one protrusion extends at an angle away from the interior volume.

[0039] In some embodiments, the at least two legs include a capillary feature. The capillary feature can cause a sudden change in capillary pressure, thereby preventing the flow of the vaporizable material beyond the capillary feature. In some embodiments, the capillary feature includes one or more kinks in the at least two legs. In some embodiments, the at least two legs extend at an angle toward an interior volume of the heating portion, the angled at least two legs defining the capillary feature.

[0040] In some implementations, a vaporizer device includes a reservoir containing a vaporizable material, a wicking element in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a heating element. The heating element includes a heating portion and at least two legs. The heating portion can include at least two tines spaced apart from each other. The heating portion can be pre-formed to define an interior volume configured to receive the wicking element such that the heating portion secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element. The heating portion can be configured to contact at least two separate surfaces of the wicking element. The at least two legs can be coupled to the at least two tines and spaced apart from the heating portion. The at least two legs can be configured to be in electrical communication with a power source. Power is configured to be supplied from the power source to the heating portion to generate heat to vaporize the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

[0041] A method of forming an atomizer assembly for a vaporizer device can include securing a wicking element to an interior volume of a heating element. The heating element can include a heating portion including at least two tines spaced apart from each other and at least two legs spaced apart from the heating portion. The legs can be configured to be in electrical communication with a power source of the vaporizer device. The heating portion is configured to contact at least two surfaces of the wicking element. The method can further include coupling the heating element to a wicking portion housing configured to surround at least a portion of the wicking element and the heating element. Securing can further include sliding the wicking element into the interior volume of the heating element.

[0042] In some implementations, a vaporizer device includes a heating portion including one or more heater traces integrally formed and spaced apart from each other, the one or more heater traces configured to contact at least a portion of a wicking element of the vaporizer device, a connection portion configured to receive power from a power source and direct the power to the heating portion, and a plating layer having a plating material different from a material of the heating portion. The plating layer can be configured to reduce a contact resistance between the heating element and the power source, thereby localizing heating of the heating element to the heating portion.

[0043] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, challenges related to collecting condensate along one or more internal passages and outlets of some vaporizer devices (e.g., along a mouthpiece) can be addressed by including one or more features described herein or a reasonably / equivalent approach understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for capturing vaporizable material condensate in a vaporizer device.

[0044] In some variations, one or more of the following features can optionally be included in any workable combination.

[0045] Aspects of the current subject matter relate to a cartridge for a vaporizer device. The cartridge can include a reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier. The reservoir can be configured to hold a vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber. The cartridge can include a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir, and can include a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber to the vaporization chamber for vaporization by a heating element. The cartridge can include an airflow passageway extending through the vaporization chamber. The cartridge can include at least one capillary channel adjacent to the airflow passageway. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel can be configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first location to a second location by capillary action.

[0046] In one aspect consistent with the present disclosure, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is dimensionally constricted. The dimensional constriction can result in an increase in capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel can be formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls. The at least one capillary channel can be in fluid communication with the wicking portion. The first location can be adjacent to an end of the airflow passageway and the mouthpiece. The at least one capillary channel can collect fluid condensate.

[0047] In related aspects, a vaporizer device can include a vaporizer body including a heating element configured to heat a vaporizable material. The vaporizer device can include a cartridge configured to releasably connect to the vaporizer body. The cartridge can include a reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier. The reservoir can be configured to hold a vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber. The cartridge can include a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir, and can include a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber to the vaporization chamber for vaporization by the heating element. The cartridge can include an airflow passageway extending through the vaporization chamber. The cartridge can include at least one capillary channel adjacent to the airflow passageway. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel can be configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first location to a second location by capillary action.

[0048] Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel can be dimensionally constricted. The dimensional constriction can result in an increase in capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel can be formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls. The at least one capillary channel can be in fluid communication with the wicking portion. The first location can be adjacent to an end of the airflow passageway and the mouthpiece. The at least one capillary channel can collect fluid condensate.

[0049] In related aspects, a method of a cartridge of a vaporization device can include collecting condensate in a first capillary channel of at least one capillary channel of the cartridge. Each of the at least one capillary channel can be configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first location to a second location by capillary action. The cartridge can include a reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier. The reservoir can be configured to contain a vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber. The cartridge can include a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir and can include a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber to the vaporization chamber for vaporization by a heating element. The cartridge can include an airflow passage extending through the vaporization chamber. The at least one capillary channel can be adjacent to the airflow passage. The method can include directing the collected condensate to the vaporization chamber and along the first capillary channel.

[0050] The method can include vaporizing the collected condensate at the vaporization chamber. The first capillary channel narrows in size. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel can be formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls. The at least one capillary channel can be in fluid communication with the wicking portion. The first location can be adjacent to an end of the airflow passage and the mouthpiece.

[0051] According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a vaporizer comprising:

[0052] a reservoir configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material, the reservoir being at least partially defined by at least one wall, the reservoir comprising a storage chamber and an overflow volume; and

[0053] a collector disposed within the overflow volume, the collector comprising a capillary structure configured to maintain a volume of the liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with the storage chamber, the capillary structure comprising microfluidic features configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and emptying of the collector.

[0054] Optionally, the vaporizer further comprises a main channel providing fluid connection between the storage chamber and an atomizer, the atomizer being configured to transform the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous state.

[0055] Optionally, the main channel is formed through a structure of the collector.

[0056] Optionally, the main channel comprises a first channel configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to flow from the storage chamber towards a wicking element within the atomizer, the first channel comprising a cross-sectional shape having at least one irregularity configured to allow fluid bypass within the first channel to block bubbles from blocking a remainder of the first channel.

[0057] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape resembles a cross.

[0058] Optionally, the capillary structure includes a sub-channel, the sub-channel including a microfluidic feature, and wherein the microfluidic feature is configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to move along a length of the sub-channel in which a meniscus completely covers a cross-sectional area of the sub-channel.

[0059] Optionally, the cross-sectional area is sufficiently small such that, for the materials used to form the sub-channel wall and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the sub-channel around an entire perimeter of the sub-channel.

[0060] Optionally, the reservoir and the collector are configured to maintain a continuous column of liquid vaporizable material within the collector in contact with the liquid vaporizable material within the reservoir such that a pressure drop within the reservoir relative to ambient pressure causes the continuous column of liquid vaporizable material within the collector to be at least partially wicked back into the reservoir.

[0061] Optionally, the sub-channel includes a plurality of spaced apart pinch points, the pinch points having a smaller cross-sectional area than portions of the sub-channel between the pinch points.

[0062] Optionally, the pinch points have a flatter surface oriented along the sub-channel toward the storage chamber and a more rounded surface oriented along the sub-channel away from the storage chamber.

[0063] Optionally, the vaporizer further includes a microfluidic gate between the collector and the storage chamber, the microfluidic gate including a rim of an aperture between the reservoir and the collector that is flatter on a first side facing the storage chamber than a more rounded second side facing the collector.

[0064] Optionally, the microfluidic gate includes a plurality of openings connecting the reservoir and the collector and a pinch point between the plurality of openings, the plurality of openings including a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel has a higher capillary drive than the second channel.

[0065] Optionally, an air-liquid vaporizable material meniscus reaching the pinch point is directed to the second channel due to the higher capillary drive in the first channel such that a bubble is formed to escape into the liquid vaporizable material within the reservoir.

[0066] Optionally, the liquid vaporizable material includes one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. According to another aspect of the application, there is provided a microfluidic gate for controlling flow of liquid vaporizable material between a storage chamber and an adjacent overflow volume in a vaporizer, the microfluidic gate comprising:

[0067] a plurality of openings connecting the storage chamber and the collector, the plurality of openings including a first passage and a second passage, wherein the first passage has a higher capillary drive than the second passage; and

[0068] a pinch point between the plurality of openings.

[0069] Optionally, the microfluidic gate includes a rim of an orifice between the storage chamber and the collector that is flatter on a first side facing the storage chamber than a second side facing the collector that is more rounded.

[0070] According to another aspect of the application, there is provided a collector configured to be inserted into a vaporizer cartridge, the collector comprising:

[0071] a capillary structure configured to hold a volume of liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with a storage chamber of the vaporizer cartridge, the capillary structure including microfluidic features configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and emptying of the collector.

[0072] Optionally, the collector further includes the aforementioned microfluidic gate.

[0073] Optionally, the collector further includes a main passage providing fluid connection between the reservoir and an atomizer configured to transform the liquid vaporizable material into a gaseous state, wherein the main passage is formed through the structure of the collector.

[0074] Optionally, the capillary structure includes a secondary passage including microfluidic features, and wherein the microfluidic features are configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to move along a length of the secondary passage in which the meniscus completely covers a cross-sectional area of the secondary passage.

[0075] Optionally, the cross-sectional area is sufficiently small that, for the materials used to form the secondary passage walls and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passage around the entire perimeter of the secondary passage.

[0076] Optionally, the reservoir and the collector are configured to maintain the continuous column of liquid vaporizable material within the collector in contact with the liquid vaporizable material within the reservoir such that a pressure drop within the reservoir relative to ambient pressure causes the continuous column of liquid vaporizable material within the collector to be at least partially drawn back into the reservoir.

[0077] Optionally, the secondary channel includes a plurality of spaced apart pinch points having a smaller cross-sectional area than portions of the secondary channel between the pinch points.

[0078] Optionally, the pinch points have a relatively flat surface oriented along the secondary channel toward the storage chamber and a relatively rounded surface oriented along the secondary channel away from the storage chamber.

[0079] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a vaporizer cartridge comprising:

[0080] a cartridge housing;

[0081] a reservoir disposed within the cartridge housing and configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material;

[0082] an inlet configured to allow air to enter an internal airflow path within the cartridge housing; an atomizer configured to cause at least some of the liquid vaporizable material to transition into an inhalable state; and

[0083] a collector according to the foregoing.

[0084] Optionally, the atomizer comprises:

[0085] a wicking element located in the internal airflow path and in fluid communication with the reservoir, the wicking element configured to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir under capillary action; and

[0086] a heating element positioned such that the wicking element is heated to cause at least some of the liquid vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir to transition into a gaseous state.

[0087] Optionally, the inhalable state comprises an aerosol formed from condensation of at least some of the liquid vaporizable material from the gaseous state.

[0088] Optionally, the cartridge housing comprises a unitary hollow structure having an open first end and a second end opposite the first end.

[0089] Optionally, the collector is insertably received in the first end of the unitary hollow structure.

[0090] According to another aspect of the present application, there is also provided a vaporizer comprising a vaporizer body and a vaporizer cartridge according to the foregoing, wherein the vaporizer body and the vaporizer cartridge are attachable to each other separately to form the vaporizer.

[0091] Optionally, the heating element comprises:

[0092] a heating portion comprising at least two tines spaced apart from each other, the heating portion being pre-shaped to define an inner volume configured to receive the wicking element such that the heating portion secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element, the heating portion being configured to contact at least two separate surfaces of the wicking element; and

[0093] at least two legs coupled to the at least two tines and spaced apart from the heating portion, the at least two legs being configured to be in electrical communication with a power source,

[0094] wherein the power is configured to be supplied from the power source to the heating portion to generate heat to thereby vaporize the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

[0095] Optionally, the at least two legs comprise four legs.

[0096] Optionally, the heating portion is configured to contact at least three separate surfaces of the wicking element.

[0097] Optionally, the at least two tines comprise:

[0098] a first side tine portion;

[0099] a second side tine portion opposite the first side tine portion; and

[0100] a platform tine portion connecting the first side tine portion and the second side tine portion, the platform tine portion being positioned generally perpendicular to a portion of the first side tine portion and the second side tine portion, wherein the first side tine portion, the second side tine portion, and the platform tine portion define the inner volume in which the wicking element is positioned.

[0101] Optionally, the at least two legs are positioned away from the heating portion by a bridge portion.

[0102] Optionally, each of the at least two legs comprises a cartridge contact positioned at an end of each of the at least two legs, the cartridge contact being configured to be in electrical communication with the power source, the cartridge contact being beveled and extending away from the heating portion.

[0103] Optionally, the at least two tines comprise a first pair of tines and a second pair of tines.

[0104] Optionally, the tines of the first pair of tines are evenly spaced apart from each other.

[0105] Optionally, the tines of the first pair of tines are spaced apart by a width.

[0106] Optionally, a width at an inner region of the heating element is greater than a width at an outer region of the heating element, the inner region being proximate to the platform tine portion, the outer region being proximate to an outer edge of the first side tine portion, opposite the inner region.

[0107] Optionally, the vaporizer device is configured to measure a resistance of the heating element at each of the four legs to control a temperature of the heating element.

[0108] Optionally, further comprising a thermal barrier configured to isolate the heating portion from a body of the vaporizer device.

[0109] Optionally, the vaporizer device further comprises a thermal barrier configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element and isolate the heating portion from a body of the wicking portion housing, the wicking portion housing configured to surround the wicking element and at least a portion of the heating element.

[0110] Optionally, the heating portion is folded between the heating portion and the at least two legs to isolate the heating portion from the at least two legs.

[0111] Optionally, the heating portion further comprises at least one protrusion extending from a side of the at least two tines to allow the wicking element to more easily access an inner volume of the heating portion.

[0112] Optionally, the at least one protrusion extends away from the inner volume at an angle.

[0113] Optionally, the at least two legs comprise a capillary feature that causes a sudden change in capillary pressure, thereby preventing flowable material from flowing past the capillary feature.

[0114] Optionally, the capillary feature comprises one or more bends in the at least two legs. Optionally, the at least two legs extend at an angle toward an inner volume of the heating portion, the angled at least two legs defining the capillary feature.

[0115] Optionally, the heating element comprises:

[0116] a heating portion comprising one or more heater traces integrally formed and spaced apart from one another, the one or more heater traces configured to contact at least a portion of a wicking element of a vaporizer device;

[0117] a connection portion configured to receive power from a power source and direct the power to the heating portion; and

[0118] a plating layer having a plating material different from a material of the heating portion, the plating layer configured to reduce a contact resistance between the heating element and the power source, thereby localizing heating of the heating element to the heating portion.

[0119] Optionally, the plating layer includes one or more layers deposited onto the connection portion.

[0120] Optionally, the plating layer is integrally formed with the connection portion.

[0121] Optionally, the plating layer includes an adhesion plating layer and an outer plating layer.

[0122] Optionally, at least the outer plating layer is configured to reduce a contact resistance between the heating element and the power source.

[0123] Optionally, the adhesion plating layer is deposited onto the heating element to adhere the outer plating layer to the heating element.

[0124] Optionally, the material of the heating portion includes a nickel-chromium alloy.

[0125] Optionally, the plating layer includes gold.

[0126] Optionally, further comprising a wick portion housing, the wick portion housing including:

[0127] an outer wall; and

[0128] an inner volume defined by the outer wall, the inner volume configured to receive a heating element and a portion of a wicking element of a vaporizer device.

[0129] Optionally, the heating element includes a heating portion configured to heat a vaporizable material stored in the wicking element to generate an aerosol and a connection portion configured to be in electrical communication with a power source to provide power to the heating portion, and wherein the portion of the heating element is the heating portion.

[0130] Optionally, the outer wall is configured to be positioned between the heating portion and the connection portion.

[0131] Optionally, the outer wall includes two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides. Optionally, each of the two opposing long sides includes a recess configured to releasably couple the vaporizer cartridge to a corresponding feature of a vaporizer body.

[0132] Optionally, the recess is proximate an intersection between one of the two opposing long sides and one of the two opposing short sides.

[0133] Optionally, each of the two opposing long sides includes two recesses.

[0134] Optionally, the outer wall further includes a base positioned substantially perpendicular to the two opposing short sides and the two opposing long sides.

[0135] Optionally, the base includes one or more slots, wherein an air pressure caused by a flow of vaporizable material within the heater portion is configured to escape through the one or more slots.

[0136] Optionally, at least one of the two opposing short sides includes a chip recess configured to receive an identification chip.

[0137] Optionally, the chip recess includes at least two walls configured to surround and retain the identification chip.

[0138] Optionally, the at least two walls include at least four walls.

[0139] Optionally, the outer wall includes:

[0140] two opposing short sides;

[0141] two opposing long sides;

[0142] a base positioned substantially perpendicular to the two opposing short sides and the two opposing long sides; and

[0143] an opening opposite the base.

[0144] Optionally, the vaporizer cartridge further includes an outer rim surrounding the opening and extending away from the opening.

[0145] Optionally, the outer wall includes a capillary feature that causes a sudden change in capillary pressure between the heating element and the wick housing, thereby preventing the flow of vaporizable material beyond the capillary feature.

[0146] Optionally, the capillary feature includes a curved surface formed at an intersection between at least one of the two opposing long sides and the outer rim.

[0147] Optionally, the curved surface has a radius sufficient to break a tangent point between the outer surface and the outer rim.

[0148] Optionally, the capillary feature is positioned within a cutout in the outer wall, the cutout configured to space the heating element from the outer wall, thereby preventing excessive heat from contacting the outer wall.

[0149] Optionally, a cutout in the outer wall is also included, the cutout configured to space the heating element from the outer wall, thereby preventing excessive heat from contacting the outer wall.

[0150] According to another aspect of the present application, there is also provided a collector component for a vaporizer for use with a liquid vaporizable material, the collector component comprising:

[0151] a fluid passageway;

[0152] an outer port disposed at a first end of the fluid passageway and configured to be in fluid communication with ambient air outside the vaporizer;

[0153] a control vent disposed at a second end of the fluid passageway distal from the first end and configured to govern flow between the fluid passageway and a reservoir of the vaporizer configured to hold the liquid vaporizable material, the control vent configured to provide at least:

[0154] a first fluid resistance when air is in the fluid passageway proximate the control vent and a void volume within the reservoir is at a lower pressure than ambient air outside the vaporizer to condense air bubbles into the reservoir; and

[0155] a second fluid resistance when the void volume within the reservoir is at a higher pressure than ambient air outside the vaporizer to allow the liquid vaporizable material to pass through the control vent into the fluid passageway; and

[0156] at least one first wick feed configured in a first passageway to allow the vaporizable material stored in the storage chamber to flow towards a wick placed in a wick housing positioned in the overflow volume,

[0157] the control vent maintains an equilibrium state in the storage chamber to prevent the pressure in the storage chamber from increasing to a point that would cause the vaporizable material to flood the wick housing.

[0158] Optionally, the equilibrium state is maintained by establishing a liquid seal at an opening of the control vent in the storage chamber in communication with the passageway in the overflow volume.

[0159] Optionally, the liquid seal is established and maintained at the control vent by maintaining sufficient capillary pressure against a meniscus of the vaporizable material to be formed at a portion of the passageway of the control vent leading to the overflow volume.

[0160] Optionally, the capillary pressure for the meniscus of the vaporizable material is controlled by a V-shaped structure forming a primary passageway and a secondary passageway, the primary passageway and the secondary passageway constituting the control vent to control at least one condensing point at one of the primary passageway or the secondary passageway.

[0161] Optionally, the primary and secondary channels have a tapered geometry such that as the meniscus continues to recede, the capillary drive of the primary channel decreases at a greater rate than the capillary drive of the secondary channel.

[0162] Optionally, the gradual decrease in capillary drive of the primary and secondary channels reduces the partial headspace vacuum maintained in the reservoir.

[0163] Optionally, the drop in discharge pressure of the primary channel is lower than the discharge pressure of the secondary channel due to the gradual decrease in capillary drive of the primary and secondary channels relative to one another.

[0164] Optionally, as the discharge pressure of the primary channel changes, the meniscus in the primary channel continues to discharge while the meniscus in the secondary channel remains stationary.

[0165] Optionally, the discharge pressure involving the primary channel receding contact angle can drop lower than the submersion pressure involving the secondary channel advancing contact angle, thereby causing the primary and secondary channels to fill with vaporizable material.

[0166] Optionally, in response to an increase in pressure within the reservoir, vaporizable material flows into the channel of the collector through the vent, wherein the vent is configured to maintain the fluid seal at all times.

[0167] According to another aspect of the present application, there is also provided a cartridge for a vaporizer device, the cartridge comprising:

[0168] a reservoir comprising a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier, the reservoir configured to contain vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber;

[0169] a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir and comprising a wicking element configured to wick the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber to the vaporization chamber for vaporization by a heating element;

[0170] an airflow passageway extending through the vaporization chamber; and

[0171] at least one capillary channel adjacent the airflow passageway, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first location to a second location by capillary action.

[0172] Optionally, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is tapered in size. Optionally, tapering in size results in an increase in capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel.

[0173] Optionally, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls.

[0174] Optionally, the at least one capillary channel is in fluid communication with the wicking portion.

[0175] Optionally, the first location is adjacent to an end of the airflow passageway and the mouthpiece.

[0176] Optionally, the at least one capillary channel collects fluid condensate.

[0177] According to another aspect of the application, there is also provided an evaporator device comprising:

[0178] an evaporator body comprising a heating element configured to heat a vaporizable material; and

[0179] a cartridge configured to releasably couple to the evaporator body, the cartridge comprising: a reservoir comprising a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier, the reservoir being configured to hold the vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber;

[0180] an evaporation chamber in communication with the reservoir and comprising a wicking element configured to wick the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber to the evaporation chamber for vaporization by the heating element;

[0181] an airflow passageway extending through the evaporation chamber; and

[0182] at least one capillary channel adjacent to the airflow passageway, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel being configured to receive a fluid and draw the fluid from a first location to a second location by capillary action.

[0183] Optionally, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is dimensionally constricted. Optionally, the dimensional constriction results in an increase in capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel.

[0184] Optionally, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls.

[0185] Optionally, the at least one capillary channel is in fluid communication with the wicking portion.

[0186] Optionally, the first location is adjacent to an end of the airflow passageway and the mouthpiece.

[0187] Optionally, the at least one capillary channel collects fluid condensate.

[0188] According to another aspect of the application, there is also provided a method comprising:

[0189] collecting condensate in a first capillary channel of at least one capillary channel of a cartridge of an evaporation device, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel configured to receive fluid and direct the fluid from a first location to a second location by capillary action, the cartridge comprising:

[0190] a reservoir comprising a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier, the reservoir configured to hold a vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber;

[0191] an evaporation chamber in communication with the reservoir and comprising a wicking element configured to wick the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber to the evaporation chamber to be vaporized by a heating element; and

[0192] an airflow pathway extending through the evaporation chamber, the at least one capillary channel adjacent to the airflow pathway; and

[0193] directing the collected condensate toward the evaporation chamber and along the first capillary channel.

[0194] Optionally, the method further comprises vaporizing the collected condensate at the evaporation chamber.

[0195] Optionally, the first capillary channel narrows in size.

[0196] Optionally, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls.

[0197] Optionally, the at least one capillary channel is in fluid communication with a wicking portion.

[0198] Optionally, the first location is adjacent to an end of the airflow pathway and a mouthpiece.

[0199] The 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 become apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. However, the disclosed subject matter is not limited to any particular embodiment disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0200] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification and, together with the description, explain certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed. In the drawings:

[0201] Figure 1 a block diagram illustrating an exemplary vaporizer device, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0202] Figure 2A a plan view illustrating an exemplary vaporizer body and insertable vaporizer cartridge, in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0203] Figure 2B a perspective view of a cartridge according to one or more embodiments; Figure 2A

[0204] Figure 2C a perspective view of a cartridge according to one or more embodiments; Figure 2A

[0205] Figure 2D another perspective view of a cartridge according to one or more embodiments; Figure 2C

[0206] Figure 2E a schematic view of a reservoir system configured for a vaporizer cartridge and / or a vaporizer device for improving airflow within the vaporizer device according to one or more embodiments;

[0207] Figure 2F a schematic view of a reservoir system configured for a vaporizer cartridge or a vaporizer device for improving airflow within the vaporizer device according to another embodiment;

[0208] Figure 3A and 3B an exemplary planar cross-sectional view of a cartridge having a storage chamber and an overflow volume according to one or more embodiments;

[0209] Figure 4 an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge according to one or more embodiments; Figure 3A 3B

[0210] Figure 5 a planar cross-sectional side view of selected separated portions of a cartridge according to one or more embodiments;

[0211] Figure 6A a cross-sectional top view of an exemplary cartridge structure according to one or more embodiments;

[0212] Figure 6B a perspective side view of an exemplary cartridge according to one or more embodiments; Figure 6A

[0213] Figures 7A-7D an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge connection port having a male or female configuration according to one or more embodiments;

[0214] Figure 8 a planar top view of a cartridge having an exemplary pattern or logo according to one or more embodiments; ​​​​​​

[0215] Figure 9A and 9B Perspective and plan cutaway views of separate parts of an example cartridge are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0216] Figure 10A and 10B Closed and exploded perspective views of an example filter cartridge embodiment having a separable structure for housing a collector mechanism are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0217] Figures 10C-10E Perspective front and side views of an example cartridge structural component having a flow management collector with one or more flow channels are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0218] Figure 11A Side plan views of an example single-aeration single-channel collector structure are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0219] Figure 11B Side plan views of an example cartridge in accordance with one or more embodiments having a translucent housing structure containing an example collector, such as Figure 11A is shown;

[0220] Figures 11C-11E Perspective and plan side views of an example collector structure are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments in which a flow management constriction is built into a flow channel;

[0221] Figure 11F and 11G Front and side views of an example collector structure are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments in which a flow management constriction is built into a flow channel of the collector;

[0222] Figure 11H Perspective close-up views of an example collector structure having one or more aerations that can control liquid flow between a storage chamber and an overflow volume in a cartridge are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0223] Figures 11I-11K Perspective views of an example collector structure having flow management control are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0224] Figures 11L-11N Front plan and close-up views of an example flow management mechanism in a collector structure are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0225] Figures 11O-11X Perspective views of an example cartridge in accordance with one or more embodiments when in Figures 11L-11Na snapshot of the flow of vaporizable material collected in the example collector being managed to accommodate proper ejection as the meniscus of vaporizable material stored in the overflow volume continues to recede;

[0226] Figure 12A and 12B An example single-vent multi-channel collector structure is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0227] Figure 13 An example dual-vent multi-channel collector structure is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0228] Figure 14A and 14B Perspective and cross-sectional plan side views of an example collector structure for a cartridge having a dual wick supply are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0229] Figures 15A-15C Further perspective and cross-sectional plan side views of an example collector structure for a dual wick supply structure are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0230] Figures 16A-16C Cross-sectional plan side views of an example cartridge, plan side views of example wicking elements housed in a collector structure, and perspective views of an example cartridge having a collector structure are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments, respectively;

[0231] Figure 17A and 17B Perspective views of a first side of a cartridge and cross-sectional views of a second side of a cartridge having wicking elements protruding into a storage chamber are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0232] Figures 18A-18D Examples of heating elements and airflow pathways in a vaporizer cartridge are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0233] Figures 19A-19C Examples of heating elements and airflow pathways in a vaporizer cartridge are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0234] Figures 20A-20C Examples of heating elements and airflow pathways in a vaporizer cartridge are shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0235] Figure 21A and 21B Side views of example collector structures are shown that include one or more ribs or sealing flange profiles that support certain manufacturing techniques for securing the collector into a storage chamber in a cartridge;

[0236] Figures 22A-22B An example of a heating element is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0237] Figure 23 An example of a portion of a wick housing is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0238] Figure 24 An example of an identification chip is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments;

[0239] Figure 25 Perspective, front, side, and exploded views of an example embodiment of a cartridge are shown;

[0240] Figure 26A Perspective, front, side, bottom, and top views of an example embodiment of a collector with a V-shaped vent are shown;

[0241] Figure 26B And 26C Perspective and cross-sectional views of an example collector structure viewed from different perspectives, with attention to structural details for securing placement of wicking elements and wick housing relative to an atomizer toward one end of a cartridge, in accordance with one or more embodiments are shown;

[0242] Figures 26D-26F A top plan view of an example wick supply mechanism formed or constructed by a collector, in accordance with one or more embodiments is shown;

[0243] Figure 27A And 27B A front view of an example flow management mechanism in a collector structure, in accordance with one or more embodiments is shown;

[0244] Figure 28 A front view of an example cartridge containing an example collector structure is shown;

[0245] Figures 29A-29C Perspective, front, and side views of an example embodiment of a cartridge are shown, respectively;

[0246] Figures 30A-30F Perspective views of an example cartridge at different fill heights, in accordance with one or more embodiments are shown;

[0247] Figures 31A-31C A front view of an example cartridge at fill and assembly, in accordance with one embodiment is shown;

[0248] Figures 32A-32C Front, top, and bottom views of an example cartridge air path are shown;

[0249] Figure 33A And 33BA front view and a top view of an example cartridge having an airflow path, a liquid supply channel, and a condensation collection system are shown;

[0250] Figure 34A and 34B A front view and a side view of an example cartridge body having an external airflow path are shown;

[0251] Figure 35 and 36 A perspective view of a portion of an example cartridge having a collector structure with an air gap at the bottom rib thereof is shown;

[0252] Figures 37A-37C A top view of various example wick supply portion shapes for a cartridge are shown;

[0253] Figure 37D and 37E is an example embodiment of a collector having a dual wick supply portion arrangement;

[0254] Figure 38 An enlarged view of a wick supply portion positioned adjacent to a wick and configured to at least partially receive an end of the wick supply portion is shown;

[0255] Figure 39 A perspective view of an example collector structure having a square design wick supply portion and an air gap at one end of the overflow channel is shown;

[0256] Figure 40A A rear view of a collector structure having, for example, four different ejection sites is shown;

[0257] Figure 40B A side view of a collector structure is shown, which in particular shows a clamp-shaped end of a wick supply portion that is, for example, capable of securely holding a wick in the path of the wick supply portion;

[0258] Figure 40C A top view of a collector structure having a wick supply channel for receiving a vaporizable material from a storage chamber of a cartridge and directing the vaporizable material toward a wick held in place at an end of the wick supply channel by a protruding end of the wick supply channel is shown;

[0259] Figure 40D A front plan view of a collector structure is shown. As shown, an air gap cavity can be formed in a lower portion of the collector structure at an end of a lower rib of the collector structure at which an overflow channel of the collector leads to an air control outlet in communication with ambient air;

[0260] Figure 40Ea plan view and a side view of the collector structure are shown, wherein two respective wick supply portions have two clip-like end portions;

[0261] Figure 41A and 41B various perspective, top and side views of an example collector having different structural embodiments are shown;

[0262] Figure 42A and 42B various perspective, top and side views of an example collector having different structural embodiments are shown;

[0263] Figure 43A various perspective, top and side views of an example wick housing according to one or more embodiments are shown;

[0264] Figure 43B a collector and wick housing components of an example cartridge are shown, wherein a protruding tab is configured in the structure of the wick housing so as to be insertably received in a receiving notch or cavity in a corresponding bottom portion of the collector;

[0265] Figure 44A a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a cartridge according to embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0266] Figure 44B a top perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge according to embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0267] Figure 44C a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge according to embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0268] Figure 45 a schematic view of a heating element for a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0269] Figure 46 a schematic view of a heating element for a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0270] Figure 47 a schematic view of a heating element for a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0271] Figure 48 a schematic view of a heating element positioned in a vaporizer cartridge for a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0272] Figure 49 a heating element and wick element consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter are shown;

[0273] Figure 50 A heating element and wicking element are shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0274] Figure 51 A heating element and wicking element are shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0275] Figure 52 A heating element and wicking element are shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0276] Figure 53 A heating element and wicking element are shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0277] Figure 54 A heating element in an unbent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0278] Figure 55 A heating element in a bent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0279] Figure 56 A heating element in a bent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0280] Figure 57 A heating element in an unbent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0281] Figure 58 A heating element in a partially bent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0282] Figure 59 A heating element in a partially bent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0283] Figure 60 A heating element in a partially bent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0284] Figure 61 A heating element in a partially bent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0285] Figure 62 A heating element in a partially bent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0286] Figure 63 A heating element in an unbent position is shown consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

[0287] Figure 64A heating element in a partially folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0288] Figure 65 A heating element in a partially folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0289] Figure 66 A heating element in a partially folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0290] Figure 67 A heating element in a partially folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0291] Figure 68 A heating element and a wicking element in a partially folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0292] Figure 69 A heating element and a wicking element in a partially folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0293] Figure 70 A heating element and a wicking element in a partially folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0294] Figure 71 A heating element in an unfolded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0295] Figure 72 A heating element in an unfolded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0296] Figure 73 A heating element in an unfolded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0297] Figure 74 A heating element in an unfolded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0298] Figure 75 A heating element coupled to a portion of an evaporator cartridge according to embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0299] Figure 76 A heating element and a wicking element positioned within an evaporator cartridge consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0300] Figure 77 A heating element in a partially folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0301] Figure 78A heating element and wicking element in a partially bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter are shown;

[0302] Figure 79 A heating element with a plated portion in an unbent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0303] Figure 80 A heating element with a plated portion in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0304] Figure 81 A heating element with a plated portion located within a vaporizer cartridge consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0305] Figure 82 A perspective view of a heating element in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0306] Figure 83 A side view of a heating element in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0307] Figure 84 A front view of a heating element in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0308] Figure 85 A perspective view of a heating element and wicking element in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0309] Figure 86 A heating element located within a vaporizer cartridge consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0310] Figure 87 A perspective view of a heating element in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0311] Figure 88 A side view of a heating element in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0312] Figure 89 A top view of a heating element in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0313] Figure 90 A front view of a heating element in a bent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0314] Figure 91 A perspective view of a heating element in an unbent position consistent with implementations of the current subject matter is shown;

[0315] Figure 92A top view of a heating element in an unbent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0316] Figure 93A A perspective view of a heating element in a bent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0317] Figure 93B A perspective view of a heating element in a bent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0318] Figure 94 A side view of a heating element in a bent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0319] Figure 95 A top view of a heating element in an unbent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0320] Figure 96 A front view of a heating element in a bent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0321] Figure 97A A perspective view of a heating element in an unbent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0322] Figure 97B A perspective view of a heating element in an unbent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0323] Figure 98A A top view of a heating element in an unbent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0324] Figure 98B A top view of a heating element in an unbent position is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0325] Figure 99 A top perspective view of an atomizer assembly is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0326] Figure 100 A bottom perspective view of an atomizer assembly is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0327] Figure 101 An exploded perspective view of an atomizer assembly is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0328] Figure 102 A perspective view of a thermal barrier is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0329] Figure 103A A side cross-sectional view of an atomizer assembly is shown, consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter;

[0330] Figure 103B Another side cross-sectional view of an atomizer assembly consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0331] Figure 104 A heating element consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown schematically;

[0332] Figure 105 A perspective view of a heating element in a folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0333] Figure 106 A side view of a heating element in a folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0334] Figure 107 A perspective view of a heating element in a folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0335] Figure 108 A side view of a heating element in a folded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0336] Figure 109 A top view of a substrate material having a heating element according to embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0337] Figure 110 A top view of a heating element in an unfolded position consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0338] Figure 111A A top perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0339] Figure 111B A close-up view of a portion of a wick housing of an atomizer assembly consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0340] Figure 112 A bottom perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0341] Figure 113 An exploded perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0342] Figures 114A-114C An assembly process of an atomizer according to embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0343] Figures 115A-115C An assembly process of an atomizer according to embodiments of the present subject matter is shown;

[0344] Figure 116A process flow diagram illustrating features of a method of forming and implementing a heating element consistent with embodiments of the subject matter is shown;

[0345] Figure 117 An embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge is shown;

[0346] Figure 118 An embodiment of an interface of a vaporizer cartridge and / or a vaporizer device is shown;

[0347] Figure 119A A side cross-sectional view of a condensate recirculation system of a vaporizer cartridge is shown;

[0348] Figure 119B A first perspective view of a condensate recirculation system of Figure 119A is shown; and

[0349] Figure 119C A second perspective view of a condensate recirculation system of Figure 119A is shown.

[0350] In practice, according to one or more embodiments, like or similar reference numerals refer to like, similar, or equivalent structures, features, aspects, or elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0351] Vaporizers configured to convert a liquid vaporizable material into a gas phase and / or an aerosol phase (e.g., a suspension of gas phase and particulate phase material in air, which is in relative local equilibrium between the phases) can generally include a reservoir or storage container (also referred to herein as a reservoir, storage compartment, or storage volume) that houses a volume of liquid vaporizable material, an atomizer (which can also be referred to as an atomizer assembly), a heating element (e.g., a resistive element through which an electrical current is passed to cause the electrical current to be converted into heat energy) that heats the liquid vaporizable material to cause at least some of the liquid vaporizable material to be converted into a gas phase, and a wicking element (which can simply be referred to as a wicking portion, but which generally refers to an element or combination of elements that applies a capillary force to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir to a location where it is heated by the action of the heating element). In some cases (depending on a variety of factors), the resulting gas phase liquid vaporizable material then (and optionally almost immediately) begins to at least partially condense to form an aerosol in air that passes through, over, near, around, etc. the atomizer.

[0352] As the liquid vaporizable material in the wicking element is heated and converted to a gas phase (and optionally subsequently to an aerosol), the volume of liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir decreases. In the absence of a mechanism for allowing air or some other substance to enter the void space created within the reservoir as the volume of liquid vaporizable material in the reservoir decreases by conversion to a gas / aerosol phase, a reduced pressure condition (e.g., at least a partial vacuum) is created within the reservoir. This reduced pressure condition can adversely affect the efficacy of the wicking element for wicking vaporizable material from the storage chamber or reservoir to the vicinity of the heating element for vaporization into a gas phase, as the partial vacuum pressure acts in opposition to the capillary pressure created within the wicking element.

[0353] More particularly, the reduced pressure condition in the reservoir can result in insufficient saturation of the wicking portion, and ultimately, a lack of sufficient vaporizable material being delivered to the atomizer for reliable operation of the vaporizer. To counteract the reduced pressure condition, ambient air can be allowed to enter the reservoir to balance the pressure between the interior of the reservoir and ambient pressure. Allowing ambient air to backfill the void space in the reservoir created by the vaporized liquid vaporizable material can occur in some vaporizers by air entering the reservoir via the wicking element. However, this process generally requires the wicking element to be at least partially dry. As a dry wicking element can not be readily achievable and / or can not be desirable for reliable operation of the vaporizer, another typical approach is to provide a vent to allow pressure balancing between ambient conditions and within the container.

[0354] The presence of air in the void space of the reservoir, whether through the wicking portion or through some other vent or venting structure, can create one or more other issues. For example, once the air pressure within the void space of the reservoir balances (or at least approximates balancing) with ambient pressure, and particularly when the volume of the void space filled with air increases relative to the total reservoir volume, the creation of a negative pressure differential between the air in the void space and ambient conditions (e.g., the air in the void space is at a higher pressure than ambient) can cause the liquid vaporizable material to leak out of the reservoir, e.g., through the wicking portion, through any vent provided, etc. The negative pressure differential between the air within the reservoir and the current ambient pressure can be created by one or more of several factors, e.g., heating the air within the void space (e.g., by holding the reservoir in a hand, bringing the vaporizer from a cool area to a warmer area, etc.), mechanical forces that can deform the shape of the reservoir and thereby reduce the internal volume of the reservoir (e.g., squeezing on a portion of the vaporizer, causing deformation of the reservoir volume, etc.), a rapid drop in ambient pressure (e.g., such as can occur in an airplane cabin during air travel, when a car or train enters or exits a tunnel, when a window is opened or closed while a vehicle is traveling at high speed, etc.), etc.

[0355] Leakage of liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir of a vaporizer such as those described above is generally undesirable, as the leaked liquid vaporizable material can create undesirable messes (e.g., by soiling clothing or other items proximate to the vaporizer), can enter the inhalation path of the vaporizer and thereby be inhaled by a user, can interfere with the functionality of the vaporizer (e.g., by soiling pressure sensors, affecting the operability of electrical circuits and / or switches, soiling connections between a charging port and / or cartridge and the vaporizer body, etc.), and the like. Thus, leakage of liquid vaporizable material can interfere with the functionality and cleanliness of the vaporizer.

[0356] Examples of vaporizers include, but are not limited to, electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or devices and systems having the same, similar, or equivalent structural or functional features or capabilities. Figure 1 An example block diagram of an example vaporizer 100 is shown. The vaporizer 100 can include a vaporizer body 110 and a vaporizer cartridge 120 (also referred to simply as a vaporizer cartridge 120). The vaporizer body 110 can include a power source 112 (e.g., which can be a rechargeable battery) and a controller 104 (e.g., a programmable logic device, a processor, or a circuit capable of executing logic code) for controlling the delivery of heat to an atomizer 141 for causing a vaporizable material (not shown) to transition from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to a gas phase, or more generally, for causing the vaporizable material to transition to, or a precursor of, an inhalable form. In this regard, and the inhalable form can be a gas or an aerosol, or some other airborne form. The precursor of the inhalable form can include a gas phase state of the vaporizable material that, at some time (optionally immediately or near immediately or alternatively with some delay or after some amount of cooling) after formation of the gas phase state, at least partially condenses to form an aerosol. The controller 104 can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with particular implementations, and can be used to control particular features of the vaporizer body 110 associated with one or more sensors 113.

[0357] As shown, in some implementations of the current subject matter, the vaporizer body 110 can include one or more sensors 113, vaporizer body contacts 125, a seal 115, and optionally, a cartridge receptacle 118 configured to receive at least a portion of a vaporizer cartridge 120 for coupling with the vaporizer body 110 by one or more various attachment structures. As described below with reference to Figures 7A-7DAs discussed, positive or negative receptacle configurations or some combination thereof can be employed to couple the vaporizer cartridge 120 with the vaporizer body 110. For example, in some embodiments of the current subject matter, an inner portion of the first end of the cartridge can be received in the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, while an outer portion of the first end of the cartridge at least partially covers some portion of the outer surface of the structure forming the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. Such an arrangement for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110 can allow for a convenient, easy-to-use joining method that also provides sufficient mechanical coupling strength to avoid unwanted separation of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110. Such a configuration can also provide a desired resistance to flexing of the vaporizer formed by coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110. With respect to the vaporizer body contacts 125, it should be understood that these contacts can also be referred to as "receptacle contacts 125," particularly in embodiments where the corresponding cartridge contacts 124 (discussed below) are located on a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that is inserted into a receptacle or receptacle-like structure on the vaporizer body 110. However, the terms "vaporizer body contacts 125" and / or "receptacle contacts 125" are also used herein because aspects of the subject matter are not limited to (and can be used to provide various advantages in systems beyond those in which) electrical coupling between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 occurs between contacts within the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110 and on a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118.

[0358] In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a reservoir 140 for containing a liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece 130 for delivering a dose of the vaporizable material in inhalable form. The mouthpiece can optionally be a separate component from the structure forming the reservoir 140, or alternatively, it can be formed from the same part or component that forms at least a portion of one or more walls of the reservoir 140. The liquid vaporizable material within the reservoir 140 can be a carrier solution in which active or non-active ingredients can be suspended, dissolved, or held in solution or pure liquid form of the vaporizable material itself.

[0359] According to one embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include an atomizer 141 that can include a wicking portion or element and a heater (e.g., a heating element). As described above, the wicking element can include any material that is capable of causing fluid absorption through the wicking portion by capillary pressure to deliver an amount of the liquid vaporizable material to a portion of the atomizer 141 that includes the heating element. Figure 1 The wicking portion and the heating element are not shown in FIG. 1, but are at least referred to in Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4This will be disclosed and discussed in further detail here. In short, the wicking element can be configured to draw liquid evaporable material from a reservoir 140 configured to contain such material, whereby the liquid evaporable material can be evaporated (i.e., converted into a gaseous state) by heat transferred from the heating element to the wicking element and to the liquid evaporable material drawn into the wicking element. In some embodiments, in response to the removal of liquid evaporable material from the reservoir 140 during vapor and / or mist formation, air can enter the reservoir 140 through the wicking element or other openings to at least partially equalize the pressure in the reservoir 140.

[0360] like Figure 1 As shown, pressure sensor (and any other sensors) 113 may be positioned on or coupled to controller 104 (e.g., electrically, electronically, physically, or via a wireless connection). Controller 104 may be a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board. For accurate measurements and to maintain the durability of evaporator 100, it is advantageous to provide a resilient seal 115 to separate the airflow path from other parts of evaporator 100. The seal 115, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround pressure sensor 113, such that the connection of pressure sensor 113 to the internal circuitry of the evaporator can be separated from the portion of the pressure sensor exposed to the airflow path.

[0361] Liquid evaporable material used with evaporator 100 can be disposed within evaporator cassette 120, which can be refilled when empty or is disposable to facilitate the accommodation of new cassettes of the same or different types of additional evaporable material. The evaporator can be an evaporator using a cassette or a multipurpose evaporator that can be used with or without a cassette. For example, a multipurpose evaporator may include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) configured to receive evaporable material directly within the heating chamber, and also receive a cassette or other alternative device having a reservoir, volume section, or other functional or structural equivalent for at least partially accommodating the available evaporable material.

[0362] In examples of evaporators using a feed box, seal 115 can also separate one or more electrically connected components between the evaporator body 110 and the evaporator feed box 120. This arrangement of seal 115 in the evaporator 100 can help mitigate the potentially damaging effects on the evaporator components due to interactions with one or more environmental factors (such as condensate, leaks from the reservoir, and / or condensation of evaporable material after evaporation), to reduce air escape from the designed airflow path in the evaporator, etc.

[0363] Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluids passing through or contacting the circuitry of the vaporizer 100 can cause various undesirable effects, such as altered pressure readings, or can result in the accumulation of unwanted materials (e.g., moisture, vaporizable material, and / or the like) in portions of the vaporizer 100 where the unwanted materials can cause poor pressure signals, degradation of pressure sensors or other electrical or electronic components, and / or shorter life of the vaporizer. Leakage of the seal 115 can also result in the user inhaling air that has passed through or been in contact with portions of the vaporizer 100 that contain or are comprised of materials that are not suitable for inhalation. Vaporizers configured to generate at least a partially inhalable dose of non-liquid vaporizable material by heating a non-liquid vaporizable material can also be within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, instead of or in addition to a liquid vaporizable material, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can contain a mass of plant material or other non-liquid material (e.g., a solid form of the vaporizable material itself, such as a "wax") that is treated and formed to be in direct contact with (or radiantly and / or convectively heated by) at least a portion of one or more resistive heating elements, which can optionally be included in the vaporizer cartridge 120 or a portion of the vaporizer body 110. A solid vaporizable material (e.g., one that includes plant material) can release only a portion of the plant material as vaporizable material (e.g., such that some portion of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material is released for inhalation), or can be capable of all of the solid material being eventually vaporized for inhalation. A liquid vaporizable material can likewise be completely vaporized, or can include some portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation is consumed.

[0364] When configured with a vaporizable material and a heating element in the vaporizer cartridge 120, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be mechanically and electrically coupled to the vaporizer body 110, which can include a processor, a power source 112, and one or more vaporizer body contacts 125 for connection to corresponding cartridge contacts 124 to complete a circuit with the resistive heating element included in the vaporizer cartridge 120. Various vaporizer configurations can implement one or more features described herein.

[0365] In some implementations, the vaporizer 100 can include a power source 112 as part of the vaporizer body 110, while the heating element can be provided in the vaporizer cartridge 120, which is configured to couple with the vaporizer body 110. Configured as such, the vaporizer 100 can include electrical connection features for completing a circuit including the controller 104, the power source 112, and the heating element included in the vaporizer cartridge 120.

[0366] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the connection features can include at least two cartridge contacts 124 on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two contacts 125 disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 100, such that when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118, the cartridge contacts 124 and the receptacle contacts 125 form an electrical connection. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the vaporizer body contacts 125 can be compressible pins (e.g., spring pins) that retract under pressure of the corresponding cartridge contacts 124 when the vaporizer cartridge is inserted and secured in the cartridge receptacle 118. Other configurations are also contemplated. For example, brush contacts can be used that form an electrical connection with corresponding contacts on a mating portion of the vaporizer cartridge. Such contacts need not form an electrical connection with the cartridge contacts on the bottom end of the vaporizer cartridge 120, but can instead be coupled by being pushed outward from one or more side walls of the cartridge receptacle 118 against the cartridge contacts 124 on a portion of one side of the vaporizer cartridge 120 within the receptacle when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is properly inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118.

[0367] The electrical circuit completed by the electrical connection can allow for delivery of electrical current to the resistive heating element, and can also be used for additional functions, such as for measuring the electrical resistance of the resistive heating element for determining or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal resistance coefficient of the resistive heating element, for identifying the vaporizer cartridge 120 based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge 120.

[0368] In some examples, the at least two cartridge contacts 124 and the at least two vaporizer body contacts 125 (e.g., receptacle contacts for implementations in which a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118) can be configured to electrically connect in either of at least two orientations. In other words, by inserting (or otherwise incorporating) at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a first rotational orientation (e.g., about an axis having an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110), such that a first one of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically connected to a first one of the at least two receptacle contacts 125 and a second one of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically connected to a second one of the at least two receptacle contacts 125, one or more electrical circuits configured for operation of the vaporizer 100 can be completed.

[0369] Furthermore, by inserting (or otherwise engaging) the vaporizer cartridge 120 in the cartridge receptacle 118 in the second rotational orientation, the first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically connected to the second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125, and the second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically connected to the first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125, one or more electrical circuits configured for operation of the vaporizer 100 can be completed. The vaporizer cartridge 120 can be reversibly inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, as provided in further detail herein.

[0370] In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer body 110 can include a detent (e.g., an indentation, a protrusion, etc.) projecting inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a corresponding recess (not shown in FIG. 1), which can fit over or otherwise snap onto such a detent when an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. Figure 1

[0371] The vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 can be coupled, for example, by inserting an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. A detent in the vaporizer body 110 can fit within and / or otherwise be retained within a recess of the vaporizer cartridge 120 to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place when assembled. Such a detent-recess assembly can provide sufficient support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place to ensure sufficient contact between the at least two cartridge contacts 124 and the at least two receptacle contacts 125, while allowing the vaporizer cartridge 120 to be released from the vaporizer body 110 when a user pulls on the vaporizer cartridge 120 with a reasonable amount of force to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the cartridge receptacle 118.

[0372] ​In addition to the above discussion that the electrical connection between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 is reversible such that at least two rotational orientations of the vaporizer cartridge 120 in the cartridge receptacle 118 are possible, in some embodiments of the vaporizer 100, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least the shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that is configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118, can have rotational symmetry of at least order two. In other words, the mechanical mating features and the electrical contacts on the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 120, are symmetrical when turned 180° about the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. In such a configuration, the electrical circuitry of the vaporizer 100 can support the same operation regardless of how the symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 120 occurs. It can be appreciated that in all embodiments of the current subject matter, the entire insertable end of the cartridge need not be symmetrical. For example, a vaporizer cartridge 120 having rotationally symmetrical mechanical features for cooperatively engaging with corresponding features on or outside of the cartridge receptacle 118, shaped and dimensioned to fit within the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, and likewise having rotationally symmetrical cartridge electrical contacts 124 and internal circuitry that is compatible by having the electrical contacts reversed (which can optionally be located in one or both of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110) is consistent with the current subject matter even if the overall shape and appearance of the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is not rotationally symmetrical.

[0373] As noted above, in some example embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least one end of the vaporizer cartridge 120, is configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle 118 and can have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. For example, the non-circular cross-section can 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 shape), or other shape having rotational symmetry of at least order two. In this context, it is evident that approximately having a shape indicates substantial similarity to the described shape, but the sides of the shape in question need not be perfectly linear and the vertices need not be perfectly sharp. In the description of any non-circular cross-section referred to herein, some amount of rounding of two or either of the edges or vertices of the cross-sectional shape is contemplated.

[0374] The at least two cartridge contacts 124 and the at least two receptacle contacts 125 can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts can include electrically conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, etc. Some types of contacts can include springs or other urging features to create better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body. The electrical contacts can be gold plated, and / or can include other materials.

[0375] The vaporizer 100, consistent with embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, can be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or through a wired connection) to one or more computing devices that are in communication with the vaporizer 100. To this end, the controller 104 can include communication hardware 105. The controller 104 can also include a memory device 108. The computing devices can be components of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer 100, and can include independent communication hardware that can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer 100.

[0376] A computing device used as part of a vaporizer system can include a general purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, some other portable device such as a smartwatch, etc.) that executes software to produce a user interface for enabling a user of the device to interact with the vaporizer 100. In other embodiments, a device used as part of a vaporizer system can be a dedicated hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft interface controls (e.g., that can be configured on a screen or other display device and can be selected via user interaction with a touchscreen or some other input device such as a mouse, a pointer, a trackball, a cursor button, etc.). The vaporizer 100 can also include one or more outputs 117 or devices for providing information to a user.

[0377] A computing device that is part of a vaporizer system as defined above can be used for any of one or more functions, such as controlling dosing (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling interaction (e.g., interaction monitoring, interaction setting, interaction limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling nicotine delivery (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable material, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivery, etc.), obtaining location information (e.g., location of other users, location of retail / commercial sites, location of e-vaping, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), personalization of the vaporizer (e.g., naming the vaporizer, locking / password protecting the vaporizer, adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a group of users, registering the vaporizer with a manufacturer or warranty maintenance organization, etc.), engaging in social activities with other users (e.g., social media communications, interacting with one or more groups, etc.), etc. The terms “interactization,” “interaction,” “vaporizer interaction,” or “vapor interaction” can be used to refer to a period that is dedicated to use of the vaporizer. The period can include a period of time, a number of doses, an amount of vaporizable material, etc.

[0378] In examples in which the computing device provides signals related to activation of the resistive heating element, or in other examples in which the computing device is coupled with the vaporizer 100 for implementing various controls or other functions, the computing device executes one or more computer instruction sets to provide a user interface and underlying data processing. In one example, detection by the computing device of user interaction with one or more user interface elements can cause the computing device to send a signal to the vaporizer 100 to activate the heating element, or to activate to a full operating temperature for producing inhalable doses of vapor / aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer 100 can be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on the computing device, which is in communication with the vaporizer 100.

[0379] In some embodiments, a vaporizer cartridge 120 that can be used with the vaporizer body 110 can include an atomizer 141 having a wicking element and a heating element. Alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element can be part of the vaporizer body 110. In implementations in which any part of the atomizer 141 (e.g., the heating element or the wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer 100 can be configured to supply liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge to the wicking portion and other atomizer components, such as, for example, the wicking element, the heating element, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a capillary structure including a wicking element is only one potential embodiment that can be used with other features described herein.

[0380] Activation of the heating element can be caused by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113, such as one or more pressure sensors arranged to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or can measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors of the vaporizer 100, one or more flow sensors of the vaporizer 100, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer 100; in response to detecting user interaction with one or more input devices 116 (e.g., buttons or other haptic control devices of the vaporizer 100), receiving a signal from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer 100, or by other methods for determining that a puff is occurring or is about to occur.

[0381] The heating element can be or can include one or more of a conduction heater, a radiation heater, and a convection heater. One type of heating element can be a resistive heating element, which can be composed of or at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, such as nichrome, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when an electrical current passes through one or more resistive segments of the heating element.

[0382] In some embodiments, the atomizer 141 can include a heating element comprising an electrically resistive coil or other heating element that is wrapped, positioned within, integrated as an integral shape of, extruded into thermal contact with, positioned adjacent to, configured to heat air to cause convective heating of the wicking element, or otherwise arranged to transfer heat to the wicking element to cause vaporization of liquid vaporizable material wicked from the reservoir 140 by the wicking element for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas and / or condensed (e.g., aerosol particulate or droplets) phase. Other wicking element, heating element, or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible, as discussed further below.

[0383] After the vaporizable material is converted to a gas phase, and depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, or other factors, at least some of the gas phase vaporizable material can condense to form particulate matter in at least partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol that can form some or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer 100 for a given puff or draw on the vaporizer.

[0384] It will be appreciated that the interaction between the gas phase and the condensed phase in an aerosol produced by a vaporizer can be complex and dynamic, as factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemical properties (e.g., acid-base interactions, protonation or lack thereof of compounds released from the vaporizable material by heating, etc.), flow conditions in the airflow path (both inside the vaporizer and in the airways of a human or other animal), mixing of the gas phase or aerosol phase vaporizable material with other airflows, etc. can affect one or more physical and / or chemical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizers, and particularly in vaporizers for delivering more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can exist primarily in the gas phase (i.e., formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).

[0385] As described elsewhere herein, a particular vaporizer can also (or alternatively) be configured to generate an inhalable dose of gas phase and / or aerosol phase vaporizable material at least partially by heating a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as for example a solid phase vaporizable material (e.g., a wax or the like) or a plant material (e.g., tobacco leaf or a portion of tobacco leaf) that includes a vaporizable material. In such a vaporizer, the resistive heating element can be part of a wall of an oven or other heating chamber in which the non-liquid vaporizable material is placed, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with the wall.

[0386] Alternatively, one or more resistive heating elements can be used to heat air passing through or past the non-liquid vaporizable material to cause convective heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material. In still other embodiments, one or more resistive heating elements can be disposed in close contact with the plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within the block of plant material (e.g., as opposed to conductively from the walls of the oven inwardly).

[0387] The heating element can be activated by a controller 104, which can be part of the vaporizer body 110. The controller 104 can cause current to pass from a power source 112 through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which can be part of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The controller 104 can be activated in association with a user taking a draw (e.g., a puff, an inhalation, etc.) on the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer 100, which can cause air to flow from the air inlet along an airflow path past the atomizer 141. The atomizer 141 can include, for example, a wicking portion in combination with the heating element.

[0388] The airflow caused by the user draw can pass through one or more condensation regions or chambers in and / or downstream of the atomizer 141, and then toward the air outlet in the mouthpiece. The incoming air passing along the airflow path can thus pass through, by, near, around, etc. the atomizer 141 such that the vapor-phase vaporizable material (or some other inhalable form of the vaporizable material) is entrained into the air as a result of the atomizer 141 transforming an amount of the vaporizable material into the vapor phase. As described above, the entrained vapor-phase vaporizable material can condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path, such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in the form of an aerosol can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., through the mouthpiece 130 for inhalation by the user).

[0389] The temperature of the resistive heating element of the vaporizer 100 can depend on one or more of a number of factors, including the amount or duty cycle of electrical power delivered to the resistive heating element, conductive and / or radiative heat transfer to other parts of the vaporizer 100 or to the environment, convective heat transfer to air and / or liquid or vapor-phase vaporizable material (e.g., to raise the temperature of the vaporizable material to its vaporization point or to raise the temperature of a gas (e.g., air and / or air mixed with the vaporizable material)), latent heat loss due to vaporization of the vaporizable material from the wicking portion and / or the atomizer 141 as a whole, convective heat loss due to airflow (e.g., movement of air as a whole across the heating element or atomizer 141 when a user draws on the vaporizer 100), etc.

[0390] As described above, to reliably activate or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, in some embodiments, the vaporizer 100 can utilize a signal from a pressure sensor to determine when a user inhales. The pressure sensor can be located in the airflow path or can be connected to the airflow path (e.g., through a passage or other path) that connects an inlet for air into the device and an outlet via which a user inhales the generated vapor and / or aerosol, such that the pressure sensor experiences a pressure change at the same time as air passing through the vaporizer 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some embodiments, the heating element can be activated in association with a user’s puff, such as through automatic detection of a puff, such as through a pressure sensor that detects a pressure change in the airflow path.

[0391] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the vaporizer cartridge 120 is removably insertable into the vaporizer body 110 by the cartridge receptacle 118. As shown in Figure 2A , which shows a plan view of the vaporizer body 110 next to the vaporizer cartridge 120, the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be formed in whole or in part from a translucent material, such that the level of liquid vaporizable material 102 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be visible. The vaporizer cartridge 120 can be configured such that, when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is received in the cartridge receptacle 118, the level of vaporizable material 102 in the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 remains visible through a window in the vaporizer body 110. Alternatively or additionally, the level of liquid vaporizable material 102 in the reservoir 140 can be visible through a light-transmissive or translucent outer wall or window formed in an outer wall of the vaporizer cartridge body 120.

[0392] Airflow path embodiment

[0393] Referring to Figure 2C and Figure 2D , an example vaporizer cartridge 120 is shown in which an airflow path 134 is generated during a user’s puff on the vaporizer 100. The airflow path 134 can direct air to the vaporization chamber 150 contained in the wick housing (e.g., see Figure 2D), in which air mixes with inhalable aerosol for delivery to a user through a mouthpiece 130, which can also be part of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The vaporization chamber 150 can include and / or at least partially surround an atomizer 141 consistent with the rest of the present disclosure. For example, when a user draws on the vaporizer 100, an airflow path 134 can pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., a window 132) and an inner surface of a cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. Air can then be drawn into an insertable end 122 of the cartridge, through the vaporization chamber 150, which includes or houses a heating element and wick, and out through an outlet 136 of the mouthpiece 130 to deliver inhalable aerosol to the user. Other airflow path configurations are also within the scope of the present disclosure, including but not limited to those discussed in further detail below.

[0394] Figure 2D Additional features that can be included in a vaporizer cartridge 120 consistent with the current subject matter are shown. For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a plurality of cartridge contacts (e.g., cartridge contacts 124) disposed on an insertable end 122 that is configured to be inserted into a cartridge receptacle 118 of a vaporizer body 110. The cartridge contacts 124 can each optionally be part of a single piece of metal that forms a conductive structure (e.g., conductive structure 126) that connects to one of the two ends of an electrically resistive heating element. The conductive structure can optionally form opposite sides of a heating chamber, and can optionally serve as a heat shield and / or heat sink to reduce the transfer of heat to the outer walls of the vaporizer cartridge 120. Further details of this aspect are described below.

[0395] Figure 2D A sleeve 128 (which is an example of a more general concept referred to herein as an airflow passage) is also shown within the vaporizer cartridge 120, which defines a portion of the airflow path 134 that passes between a heating chamber (also referred to herein as an atomizer chamber, a vaporization chamber, etc.) that can be at least partially formed by the conductive structure 126 and the mouthpiece 130. This configuration causes air to flow down the insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118, and then to flow back in the opposite direction after passing around the insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., the end opposite the end that includes the mouthpiece 130) as it enters the cartridge body toward the vaporization chamber 150. The airflow path 134 then travels through the interior of the vaporizer cartridge 120, for example through one or more tubes or internal passages (e.g., the sleeve 128) and through one or more outlets (e.g., outlet 136) formed in the mouthpiece 130.

[0396] Pressure equalization vent

[0397] As noted above, removal of the vaporizable material 102 from the reservoir 140 (e.g., by capillary wicking of the wicking element) can create at least a partial vacuum in the reservoir 140 relative to ambient air pressure (e.g., a reduced pressure created in a portion of the reservoir that has been emptied by consumption of the liquid vaporizable material), and this vacuum can interfere with the capillary action provided by the wicking element. This reduced pressure can be sufficiently great in gradient in some examples to reduce the efficiency of the wicking element in wicking the vaporizable material 102 into the evaporation chamber 150, thereby reducing the efficiency of the vaporizer 100 in vaporizing the amount of vaporizable material 102 required, for example, when a user draws on the vaporizer 100. In extreme cases, the vacuum created in the reservoir 140 can result in an inability to wick all of the vaporizable material 102 into the evaporation chamber 150, resulting in incomplete use of the vaporizable material 102. One or more venting features can be included in association with the vaporizer reservoir 140 (whether the reservoir 140 is positioned in the vaporizer cartridge 120 or elsewhere in the vaporizer) to at least partially balance (optionally, fully balance) the pressure in the reservoir 140 with ambient pressure (e.g., the pressure in the ambient air outside of the reservoir 140) to mitigate this problem.

[0398] In some cases, while allowing the pressure within the reservoir 140 to equalize improves the efficiency of transfer of the liquid vaporizable material to the atomizer 141, this is accomplished by filling the otherwise empty void volume within the reservoir 140 (e.g., the space emptied by use of the liquid vaporizable material) with air. As discussed in further detail below, this air-filled void volume can subsequently experience pressure changes relative to ambient air, which can result in leakage of the liquid vaporizable material out of the reservoir 140 and ultimately outside of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and / or other portions of the vaporizer containing the reservoir 140 under certain conditions. Embodiments of the present subject matter can also provide advantages and benefits with respect to this problem.

[0399] Various features and devices that improve or overcome these problems are described below. For example, various features for controlling airflow and flow of vaporizable material are described herein that can provide advantages and improvements over existing approaches, while also introducing additional benefits as described herein. Vaporizer devices and / or cartridges described herein include one or more features that control and improve airflow in the vaporizer device and / or cartridge, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the vaporizer device in vaporizing the liquid vaporizable material without introducing additional features that can result in leakage of the liquid vaporizable material. Figure 2E and Figure 2FSchematic diagrams of first and second embodiments of reservoir systems 200A, 200B, respectively, are shown that are configured for use in a vaporizer cartridge (e.g., vaporizer cartridge 120) and / or a vaporizer device (e.g., vaporizer 100) in order to improve pressure equalization and airflow in the vaporizer. More specifically, Figure 2E and Figure 2F The reservoir systems 200A, 200B shown improve pressure regulation within the reservoir 240 such that, after a user draws on the vaporizer, a vacuum created in the reservoir 240 is relieved while reducing or even eliminating the incidence of liquid vaporizable material leaking through the vent structure. This allows capillary action of a porous material (e.g., a wicking element) associated with the reservoir 240 and the vaporization chamber 242 to continue to efficiently draw vaporizable material 202 from the reservoir 240 into the vaporization chamber 242 after each draw.

[0400] As shown in Figure 2E and Figure 2F The reservoir systems 200A, 200B include a reservoir 240 configured to hold liquid vaporizable material 202. The reservoir 240 is sealed on all sides by a reservoir wall 232 except through a wicking portion housing area extending between the reservoir 240 and the vaporization chamber 242. A heating element or heater can be contained within the vaporization chamber 242 and coupled to the wicking element. The wicking element is configured to provide capillary action that draws vaporizable material 202 from the reservoir 240 to the vaporization chamber 242 for vaporization into an aerosol by the heater. The aerosol is then combined with an airflow 234 traveling along an airflow pathway 238 of the vaporizer for inhalation by a user. The reservoir systems 200A, 200B also include an airflow restrictor 244 that restricts the passage of the airflow 234 along the airflow pathway 238 of the vaporizer, such as when a user draws on the vaporizer. The restriction of the airflow 234 caused by the airflow restrictor 244 can allow a vacuum to form along a portion of the airflow pathway 238 downstream of the airflow restrictor 244. The vacuum created along the airflow pathway 238 can help draw the aerosol formed in the vaporization chamber 242 (e.g., a chamber containing at least a portion of the atomizer 141) along the airflow pathway 238 for inhalation by a user. At least one airflow restrictor 244 can be included in each reservoir system 200A, 200B, and the airflow restrictor 244 can include any number of features for restricting the airflow 234 along the airflow pathway 238.

[0401] As shown in Figure 2E and Figure 2FAs shown, each reservoir system 200A, 200B can also include a breather 246 configured to selectively allow air to pass into the reservoir 240 to increase pressure within the reservoir 240 to release the reservoir 240 from negative pressure (vacuum) relative to ambient pressure created by the vaporizable material 202 being drawn out of the reservoir 240 as described above. At least one breather 246 can be associated with the reservoir 240. The breather 246 can be an active or passive valve, and the breather 246 can include any number of features that allow air to enter the reservoir 240 to release negative pressure created in the reservoir 240.

[0402] For example, an embodiment of the breather 246 can include a breather passage extending between the reservoir 240 and the airflow passage 238, and the diameter (or more generally, cross-sectional area) of the breather passage is sized such that when pressure across the breather 246 is balanced (e.g., pressure in the reservoir 240 is approximately the same as air pressure in the airflow passage 238), the fluid tension (also referred to as surface tension) of the vaporizable material 202 prevents the vaporizable material 202 from passing through the passage. However, the breather 246 and / or the diameter (or more generally, cross-sectional area) of the breather passage is sized such that vacuum pressure created in the reservoir 240 is able to overcome the surface tension of the vaporizable material 202 within the breather 246 or breather passage to cause a bubble to be released into the reservoir 240 through the breather in response to a sufficiently low pressure within the reservoir 240 relative to ambient pressure. Accordingly, a volume of air can flow from the airflow passage 238 to the reservoir 240 and release the vacuum pressure. Once the volume of air is added to the reservoir 240, pressure again more closely balances across the breather 246, allowing the surface tension of the vaporizable material 202 to prevent air from entering the reservoir 240, as well as preventing the vaporizable material from leaking from the reservoir 240 through the breather passage.

[0403] In one example embodiment, the vent 246 or vent passage can have a diameter in the range of about 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm, and can also include diameters in the range of about 0.1 mm to 2 mm. In some examples, the vent 246 and / or vent passage can be non-circular, such that it is characterized by a non-circular cross-section along the direction of fluid flow within the vent passage. In such examples, the cross-section is not defined by a diameter, but rather by a cross-sectional area. Generally speaking, whether the cross-sectional shape of the vent 246 and / or vent passage is circular or non-circular, it can be advantageous in certain implementations of the present subject matter for the cross-sectional area of the vent 246 to differ along its path between exposure to ambient air pressure and the interior of the reservoir 240. For example, portions of the vent 246 closer to the external ambient pressure can advantageously have a smaller cross-sectional area (e.g., a smaller diameter in examples where the vent 246 has a circular cross-section) relative to portions of the vent 246 closer to the interior of the reservoir 240. The smaller cross-sectional area closer to the exterior of the system can provide greater resistance to the escape of liquid vaporizable material, while the larger cross-sectional area closer to the interior of the reservoir 240 can provide relatively less resistance to the escape of bubbles from the vent 246 into the reservoir 240. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the transition between the smaller and larger cross-sectional areas can advantageously not be continuous, but rather include discontinuities along the length of the vent 246 and / or vent passage. Such a structure can be used to provide a greater overall resistance to the escape of liquid material than balancing the reservoir pressure by releasing bubbles from the vent 246, as the larger cross-sectional area near the reservoir can have a lower capillary drive relative to the smaller cross-sectional area exposed to ambient air.

[0404] The material of the vent 246 and / or vent passage can also contribute to controlling the vent 246 and / or vent passage, for example by affecting the contact angle between the walls of the vent 246 and / or vent passage and the vaporizable material 202. The contact angle can have an effect on the surface tension generated by the vaporizable material 202, and thus affect the threshold pressure differential that is generated across the vent 246 and / or vent passage before a certain volume of fluid is allowed to pass through the vent 246, for example as described above. The vent 246 can include various shapes / dimensions and configurations within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, various embodiments of cartridges and portions of cartridges including one or more various venting features will be described in greater detail below.

[0405] The positioning of the vent 246 (e.g., a passive vent) and the airflow restrictor 244 relative to the evaporation chamber 242 contributes to the efficient operation of the reservoir systems 200A and 200B. For example, incorrect positioning of the vent 246 or the airflow restrictor 244 can lead to undesirable leakage of the evaporable material 202 from the reservoir 240. This disclosure addresses the efficient positioning of the vent 246 and the airflow restrictor 244 relative to the evaporation chamber 242 (including the wicking section). For example, a small pressure difference or no pressure difference between the passive vent and the wicking section can result in an efficient reservoir system for releasing vacuum pressure in the reservoir and resulting in effective capillary action of the wicking section while preventing leakage. The configuration of a reservoir system having an efficiently positioned vent 246 and airflow restrictor 244 relative to the evaporation chamber 242 will be described in more detail below.

[0406] like Figure 2E As shown, the airflow restrictor 244 can be located upstream of the evaporation chamber 242 along the airflow passage 238, while the vent 246 is positioned along the reservoir 240, thereby providing fluid communication between the reservoir 240 and a portion of the airflow passage 238 downstream of the evaporation chamber 242. Thus, when the user draws suction from the evaporator, a negative pressure is generated downstream of the airflow restrictor 244, subjecting the evaporation chamber 242 to negative pressure. Similarly, the side of the vent 246 communicating with the airflow passage 238 also experiences negative pressure.

[0407] Thus, during evacuation (e.g., when a user draws or sucks air from the evaporator), a pressure difference so small as to be nonexistent is generated between the vent 246 and the evaporation chamber 242. However, after evacuation, the capillary action of the wicking section will draw the evaporable material 202 from the reservoir 240 into the evaporation chamber 242 to replenish the evaporable material 202 that was evaporated and drawn in due to the previous evacuation. As a result, a vacuum or negative pressure will be generated in the reservoir 240. Then, a pressure difference will be generated between the reservoir 240 and the airflow passage 238. As described above, the vent 246 can be configured such that the pressure difference (e.g., a threshold pressure difference) between the reservoir 240 and the airflow passage 238 allows a certain volume of air to enter the reservoir 240 from the airflow passage 238, thereby releasing the vacuum in the reservoir 240 and returning to the balanced pressure and stable reservoir system 200A across the vent 246.

[0408] In another embodiment, such as Figure 2F As shown, the airflow restrictor 244 can be located downstream of the evaporation chamber 242 along the airflow passage 238, while the vent 246 can be positioned along the reservoir 240 such that it provides fluid communication between the reservoir 240 and a portion of the airflow passage 238 upstream of the evaporation chamber 242. Thus, when the user draws suction from the evaporator, the evaporation chamber 242 and the vent 246 experience very little or no suction or negative pressure due to the suction, resulting in a very little or no pressure difference between the evaporation chamber 242 and the vent 246.Figure 2E As in the case of the vaporizer cartridge 120, after a draw, the pressure differential created across the vent 246 will be the result of capillary action of the wicking portion of the vaporizer chamber 242 drawing the vaporizable material 202 into the wicking portion of the vaporizer chamber 242. As a result, a vacuum or negative pressure will be created in the reservoir 240. Thus, a pressure differential will be created across the vent 246.

[0409] As described above, the vent 246 can be configured such that a pressure differential (e.g., a threshold pressure differential) between the reservoir 240 and the airflow pathway 238 or atmosphere allows a volume of air to enter the reservoir 240, thereby releasing the vacuum in the reservoir 240. This allows the pressure across the vent 246 to be equalized, and the reservoir system 200B to be stabilized. The vent 246 can include various structures and features, and can be positioned at various locations along the vaporizer cartridge 120 in order to, for example, achieve various results. For example, one or more vents 246 can be positioned adjacent to or form a portion of the vaporizer chamber 242 or wicking portion housing. In such a configuration, the one or more vents 246 can provide fluid (e.g., air) communication between the reservoir 240 and the vaporizer chamber 242 (when a user draws on the vaporizer, airflow passes through the vent, such that the vent is part of the airflow pathway).

[0410] Similarly, as described above, a vent 246 positioned adjacent to or forming a portion of the vaporizer chamber 242 or wicking portion housing can allow air to enter the reservoir 240 from the interior of the vaporizer chamber 242 via the vent 246 to increase the pressure inside the reservoir 240, thereby effectively releasing the vacuum pressure resulting from the vaporizable material 202 being drawn into the vaporizer chamber 242. In this way, the release of the vacuum pressure allows the vaporizable material 202 to continue to be effectively and efficiently wicked into the vaporizer chamber 242 via the wicking portion to produce inhalable vapor during a subsequent draw on the vaporizer by a user. Various exemplary embodiments of a vented vaporizer chamber element (e.g., an atomizer assembly) are provided below that include a wicking portion housing 1315, 178 (which houses a vaporizer chamber) and at least one vent 596 coupled to or forming a portion of the wicking portion housing 1315, 178 to achieve the effective venting of the reservoir 140 described above.

[0411] Open-faced cartridge assembly embodiment

[0412] Referring to Figure 3A and Figure 3BFIG. 13 shows an example plan view cross-section of an alternative cartridge embodiment 1320, in which the cartridge 1320 includes a mouthpiece or mouthpiece region 1330, a reservoir 1340, and an atomizer (not shown separately). The atomizer can include a heating element 1350 and a wicking element 1362 together or separately depending on the implementation, such that the wicking element 1362 is thermally or thermodynamically coupled to the heating element 1350 for the purpose of vaporizing vaporizable material 1302 wicked from or stored in the wicking element 1362.

[0413] In one embodiment, a plate 1326 can be included to provide an electrical connection between the heating element 1350 and the power supply 112 (see Figure 1 ). An air flow passage 1338 defined through or on a side of the reservoir 1340 can connect an area of the cartridge 1320 (e.g., a wicking housing not shown separately) that houses the wicking element 1362 to an opening to the mouthpiece or mouthpiece region 1330 to provide a route for vaporizable material 1302 vaporized from the heating element 1350 region to travel to the mouthpiece region 1330.

[0414] As noted above, the wicking element 1362 can be coupled to an atomizer or heating element 1350 (e.g., a resistive heating element or coil) that is connected to one or more electrical contacts (e.g., the plate 1326). The heating element 1350 (and other heating elements described herein according to one or more embodiments) can have various shapes and / or configurations, and can include one or more heating elements 1350, 500 or features thereof, as provided in more detail below. Figures 44A-116 with respect to

[0415] According to one or more example embodiments, the heating element 1350 of the cartridge 1320 can be made from a sheet material (e.g., stamped) and crimped or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element 1362 to provide a pre-formed element configured to receive the wicking element 1362 (e.g., the wicking element 1362 is pushed into the heating element 1350 and / or the heating element 1350 is held under tension and pulled onto the wicking element 1362).

[0416] The heating element 1350 can be bent such that the heating element 1350 secures the wicking element 1362 between at least two or three portions of the heating element 1350. The heating element 1350 can be bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 1362. The configuration of the heating element 1350 allows for more consistent and higher quality manufacturing of the heating element 1350. Consistency in the quality of manufacturing of the heating element 1350 can be particularly important during large scale and / or automated manufacturing processes. For example, the heating element 1350 according to one or more embodiments helps to reduce tolerance issues that can arise during the manufacturing process of assembling the heating element 1350 having multiple components.

[0417] The heating element 1350 can also improve the accuracy of measurements (e.g., resistance, current, temperature, etc.) taken from the heating element 1350 due, at least in part, to the improved consistency in manufacturability of the heating element 1350 with reduced tolerance issues. The heating element 1350 made from a sheet material (e.g., stamped) and crimped or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element 1362 to provide a preformed element desirably helps to minimize heat loss and helps to ensure that the heating element 1350 is predictably heated to the appropriate temperature.

[0418] Additionally, discussed further below with respect to included embodiments involving heating elements formed from crimped metal, the heating element 1350 can be entirely and / or selectively plated with one or more materials that enhance the heating performance of the heating element 1350. Plating all or a portion of the heating element 1350 can help to minimize heat loss. Plating can also help to concentrate heat to a portion of the heating element 1350, thereby providing a heating element 1350 that is more efficiently heated and further reduces heat loss. Selective plating can help to direct current provided to the heating element 1350 to the appropriate location. Selective plating can also help to reduce the amount of plating material and / or costs associated with manufacturing the heating element 1350.

[0419] In addition to or in conjunction with the example heating elements described and / or discussed below, the heating element can include a flat heating element 1850 (see Figures 18A-18D ) located within a vaporizer cartridge 1800 including two air flow passages 1838, a folded heating element 1950 (see Figures 19A-19C , Figures 22A-22B and Figures 44A-116 ) located within a vaporizer cartridge 1900 including two air flow passages 1938, and a folded heating element 2050 (see Figures 20A-20C ) located within a vaporizer cartridge 2000 including a single air flow passage 2038.

[0420] As noted above, in one embodiment, the heating element 1350 can include a wicking element 1362. For example, the wicking element 1362 can extend proximate to or against the plate 1326 and through the resistive heating element in contact with the plate 1326. The wicking element can surround at least a portion of the heating element 1350 and connect the heating element 1350 directly or indirectly to the airflow passage 1338. The vaporizable material 1302 can be wicked by the wicking element 1362 through one or more passages connected to the reservoir 1340. In one embodiment, one or both of the primary passage 1382 or the secondary passage 1384 can be used to help direct or deliver the vaporizable material 1302 to one or both ends of the wicking element 1362 or radially along the length of the wicking element 1362.

[0421] Overflow collector embodiment

[0422] As provided in further detail below, particularly with reference to Figure 3A and Figure 3B the exchange of air and liquid vaporizable material into and out of the cartridge reservoir 1340 can be advantageously controlled, and the volumetric efficiency of the vaporizer cartridge (defined as the volume of liquid vaporizable material ultimately converted into an inhalable aerosol relative to the total volume of the cartridge itself) can also optionally be improved by incorporating a structure referred to as a collector 1313.

[0423] According to some embodiments, the cartridge 1320 can include a reservoir 1340 defined at least in part by at least one wall (which can optionally be a wall shared with the outer housing of the cartridge) configured to hold a liquid vaporizable material 1302. The reservoir 1340 can include a storage chamber 1342 and an overflow volume 1344, which can include or otherwise house a collector 1313. The storage chamber 1342 can hold the vaporizable material 1302, and the overflow volume 1344 can be configured to collect or retain at least some portion of the vaporizable material 1302 when one or more factors cause the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir storage chamber 1342 to travel into the overflow volume 1344. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the cartridge can be initially filled with liquid vaporizable material such that the interstitial space within the collector is pre-filled with liquid vaporizable material.

[0424] In example embodiments, the overflow volume 1344 can be configured to have a volume dimensioned to equal, approximate, or be greater than an amount of increase in volume of contents (e.g., vaporizable material 1302 and air) held in the storage chamber 1342 when the volume of the contents in the storage chamber 1342 expands due to a maximum expected pressure change that the reservoir can experience relative to ambient pressure.

[0425] According to changes in environmental pressure or temperature or other factors, the cartridge 1320 can experience a change from a first pressure state to a second pressure state (e.g., a first relative pressure differential between the interior of the reservoir and ambient pressure and a second relative pressure differential between the interior of the reservoir and ambient pressure). In some aspects, the spill volume 1344 can have an opening to the exterior of the cartridge 1320 and can be in communication with the reservoir storage chamber 1342 such that the spill volume 1344 can act as a venting passage to provide pressure equalization in the cartridge 1320 and / or to collect and at least temporarily hold and optionally reversibly return liquid vaporizable material that can be displaced from the storage chamber in response to changes in the pressure differential between the storage chamber and ambient air. Vaporizable material 1302 can be drawn from the storage chamber 1342 to an atomizer and converted to a vapor or aerosol phase, thereby reducing the volume of vaporizable material remaining in the storage chamber 1342 and causing at least partial vacuum conditions as discussed previously herein in the absence of some mechanism for returning air to the storage chamber to equalize the pressure in the storage chamber with ambient pressure.

[0426] With continued reference to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , the reservoir 1340 can be implemented to include first and second separable regions such that the volume of the reservoir 1340 is divided into a reservoir storage chamber 1342 and a reservoir spill volume 1344. The storage chamber 1342 can be configured for storage of vaporizable material 1302 and can be further coupled to a wicking element 1362 via one or more primary passageways 1382. In some examples, the primary passageways 1382 can be very short in length (e.g., a through hole from the space housing the wicking element or other portion of the atomizer). In other examples, the primary passageways can be part of a longer fluid-holding pathway between the storage chamber and the wicking element. As provided in further detail below, the spill volume 1344 can be configured for storage and containment of portions of the vaporizable material 1302 that can spill from the storage chamber 1342 in a second pressure state in which the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 is greater than ambient pressure.

[0427] In a first pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 can be stored in the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. The first pressure state can exist, for example, when the ambient pressure is approximately equal to or greater than the pressure within the cartridge 1320. In this first pressure state, the structure and functional characteristics of the primary passageway 1382 and the secondary passageway 1384 are such that the vaporizable material 1302 can flow from the storage chamber 1342 through the primary passageway 1382 toward the wicking element 1362, for example, under capillary action of the wicking element to draw liquid proximate and a heating element to act as a phase change to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gas phase. In one embodiment, in the first pressure state, no or limited amounts of the vaporizable material 1302 flow into the secondary passageway 1384. In a second pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 can flow from the storage chamber 1342 into the spill volume 1344 of the reservoir 1340, for example, including the collector 1313 to prevent or limit the undesired (e.g., excess) flow of the vaporizable material 1302 out of the reservoir. The second pressure state can exist or be caused, for example, when a bubble expands in the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., due to the ambient pressure becoming less than the pressure within the cartridge 1320).

[0428] Advantageously, the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 can be controlled by directing the vaporizable material 1302 through a pressure increase to drive the vaporizable material from the storage chamber 1342 to the spill volume. The collector 1313 within the spill volume can include one or more capillary structures that contain at least some (and advantageously all) of the excess liquid vaporizable material that is pushed out of the storage chamber 1342 without allowing the liquid vaporizable material to reach an outlet of the collector 1313. The collector 1313 also advantageously includes a capillary structure that enables liquid vaporizable material pushed into the collector 1313 by an excess pressure in the storage chamber 1342 relative to ambient pressure to be reversibly wicked back into the storage chamber 1342 when the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 relative to ambient pressure is equalized or otherwise reduced. In other words, the secondary passageway 1384 of the collector 1313 can have microfluidic features or characteristics that prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and emptying of the collector 1313. That is, the microfluidic features can be used to manage the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313 (i.e., provide flow reversal features) to prevent or reduce leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 or bubbles from becoming trapped in the storage chamber 1342 or the spill volume 1344.

[0429] According to embodiments, the above microfluidic features or characteristics can be related to the size, shape, surface coating, structural features, and capillary characteristics of the wicking element 1362, the primary passageway 1382, and the secondary passageway 1384. For example, the secondary passageway 1384 in the collector 1313 can optionally have different capillary characteristics than the primary passageway 1382 leading to the wicking element 1362 to allow a specific volume of the vaporizable material 1302 to pass from the storage chamber 1342 into the spill volume 1344 during the second pressure state.

[0430] In one example embodiment, the collector 1313 allows the total resistance to liquid flow out to be greater than the total wicking resistance, for example, to allow the vaporizable material 1302 to flow primarily through the primary passageway 1382 to the wicking element 1362 during the first pressure state.

[0431] The wicking element 1362 can provide a capillary path for the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir 1340 through or into the wicking element 1362. The capillary path, such as the primary passageway 1382, can be large enough to allow wicking or capillary action to displace vaporized vaporizable material 1302 in the wicking element 1362 and small enough to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 out of the cartridge 1320 during a negative pressure event. The wicking portion housing or wicking element 1362 can be treated to prevent leakage. For example, the cartridge 1320 can be coated after filling to prevent leakage or vaporization through the wicking element 1362. Any suitable coating can be used, including, for example, a heat vaporizable coating (e.g., wax or other material).

[0432] When a user inhales from the mouthpiece region 1330, for example, air flows into the cartridge 1320 through an inlet or opening in operative relationship with the wicking element 1362. The heating element 1350 can be activated in response to a signal generated by one or more sensors 113 (see Figure 1 ). The one or more sensors 113 can include at least one of a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a flow sensor, or other mechanism capable of detecting a change in the air flow path 1338. The heating element 1350 can have an increase in temperature as a result of current flow through the board 1326 when the heating element 1350 is activated. Or some other resistive portion of the heating element through which action to convert electrical energy to heat energy.

[0433] In one embodiment, the generated heat can be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 in the wicking element 1362 by conduction, convection, or radiative heat transfer, such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wicking element 1362 is vaporized. Depending on the implementation, air entering the cartridge 1320 flows through (or around, near, etc.) the heated elements in the wicking element 1362 and the heating element 1350, and dislodges the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 into the airflow passage 1338, where the vapor can optionally be condensed and delivered in an aerosol form, e.g., through an opening in the mouthpiece region 1330.

[0434] Referring to Figure 3B The reservoir 1342 can be connected to the airflow passage 1338 (i.e., via the secondary passage 1384 of the overflow volume 1344) so as to allow liquid vaporizable material driven from the reservoir 1342 by increased pressure in the reservoir 1342 relative to the ambient environment to be retained from escaping from the vaporizer cartridge. While the implementations described herein relate to vaporizer cartridges that include a receptacle 1340, it should be understood that the described methods are also compatible with and intended for use in vaporizers that do not have separable cartridges.

[0435] Returning to the example, air admitted into the storage chamber 1342 can expand due to the pressure differential relative to ambient air. The expansion of this air in the interstitial space of the storage chamber 1342 can cause the liquid vaporizable material to travel through at least some portion of the secondary pathway 1384 in the collector 1313. The microfluidic features of the secondary pathway 1384 can cause the liquid vaporizable material to move along a length of the secondary pathway 1384 in the collector 1313 for which the meniscus completely covers the cross-sectional area of the secondary pathway 1384 transverse to the direction of flow along the length. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the microfluidic features can include a cross-sectional area sufficiently small, given the composition of the liquid vaporizable material and the material forming the walls of the secondary pathway, for the liquid vaporizable material to preferentially wet the entire perimeter of the secondary pathway 1384. For examples in which the liquid vaporizable material includes one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, the wetting properties of such liquids are advantageously considered in combination with the geometry of the secondary pathway 1384 and the material forming the walls of the secondary pathway. In this manner, as the sign (e.g., positive, negative, or equal) and magnitude of the pressure differential between the storage chamber 1340 and ambient pressure changes, a meniscus is maintained between the liquid in the secondary pathway and the air admitted from the ambient atmosphere, and the liquid and air cannot move past one another. When the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 falls sufficiently relative to ambient pressure, and if there is sufficient interstitial volume in the storage chamber 1342 to allow it, the liquid in the secondary pathway 1384 of the collector 1313 can be drawn sufficiently into the storage chamber 1342 for the liquid-air meniscus to be directed to the gate or port between the secondary pathway 1384 of the collector 1313 and the storage chamber 1342. At this point, if the pressure differential in the storage chamber 1342 relative to ambient is sufficiently negative to overcome the surface tension holding the meniscus at the gate or port, the meniscus becomes disengaged from the gate or port wall and forms one or more bubbles that are released into the storage chamber 1342 in a volume sufficient to equalize the storage chamber pressure relative to ambient. The above process can be reversed when air admitted into (or otherwise present in) the storage chamber 1340 experiences an elevated pressure condition relative to the surrounding environment, as described above (e.g., due to a drop in ambient pressure that can occur, for example, in an airplane cabin or other high-altitude location, when a moving vehicle’s windows are opened, when a train or vehicle exits a tunnel, etc., or due to an increase in internal pressure in the storage chamber 1340 that can occur, for example, due to localized heating, mechanical pressure that deforms the shape and thereby reduces the volume of the storage chamber 1340, etc.). The liquid enters the secondary pathway 1384 of the collector 1313 through the gate or port, and a meniscus forms at the leading edge of the column of liquid admitted into the secondary pathway 1384 to prevent air from bypassing and flowing counter-current to the liquid’s advance.By virtue of the meniscus being maintained due to the presence of the aforementioned microfluidic properties, when the elevated pressure in the storage chamber 1340 subsequently decreases, the column of liquid is drawn back into the storage chamber, optionally until the meniscus reaches the gate or port. If the pressure differential is sufficiently favorable to ambient pressure relative to the pressure in the storage chamber, the aforementioned bubble formation process occurs until pressure equilibrium. In this manner, the collector serves as a reversible overflow volume that receives liquid vaporizable material that is pushed out of the storage chamber under transient conditions of greater storage chamber pressure relative to ambient, and allows at least some (and desirably all or most) of this overflow volume to return to the storage chamber for later delivery to the atomizer for conversion to inhalable form.

[0436] According to embodiments, the storage chamber 1342 can or can not be connected to the wicking element 1362 via the secondary pathway 1384. In embodiments where the second end of the secondary pathway 1384 opens to the wicking element 1362, any vaporizable material 1302 that can exit the secondary pathway 1384 at the second end (opposite the first end defining the point of connection to the storage chamber 1342) can further saturate the wicking element 1362.

[0437] The storage chamber 1342 can optionally be positioned closer to one end of the access mouthpiece region 1330 of the reservoir 1340. The overflow volume 1344 can be located near the end of the reservoir 1340 closer to the heating element 1350, e.g., between the storage chamber 1342 and the heating element 1350. The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter to the positions of the various components disclosed herein. For example, the overflow volume 1344 can be positioned at the top, middle, or bottom of the cartridge 1320. According to one or more variations, the position and location of the storage chamber 1342 can be adjusted relative to the position of the overflow volume 1344 such that the storage chamber 1342 can be positioned at the top, middle, or bottom of the cartridge 1320.

[0438] In one embodiment, when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is filled, the volume of liquid vaporizable material can be equal to the internal volume of the reservoir 1342 plus the overflow volume 1344 (in some examples, the overflow volume can be the volume of the secondary passageway 1384 between the gate or port connecting the secondary passageway 1384 to the reservoir 1340 and the outlet of the secondary passageway 1384). In other words, a vaporizer cartridge consistent with the current subject matter can initially be filled with liquid vaporizable material such that all or at least some of the internal volume of the collector is filled with liquid vaporizable material. In such an example, liquid vaporizable material is delivered to the atomizer as needed for delivery to a user. The delivered liquid vaporizable material can be drawn from the reservoir 1340 causing liquid in the secondary passageway 1384 of the collector 1313 to be drawn back into the reservoir 1340 because the meniscus maintained due to the microfluidic properties of the secondary passageway 1384 prevents air from flowing past the liquid vaporizable material in the secondary passageway 1384, air cannot enter through the secondary passageway 1384. After enough liquid vaporizable material has been delivered from the reservoir 1340 to the atomizer (e.g., for vaporization and user inhalation) such that the original volume of the collector 1313 is drawn into the reservoir 1340, the above behavior occurs, a bubble can be released from the gate or port between the secondary passageway 1384 and the reservoir to equalize the pressure in the reservoir chamber as more liquid vaporizable material is used. As the air that has entered the reservoir chamber experiences an elevated pressure relative to the ambient environment, liquid vaporizable material moves out of the reservoir 1340 through the gate or port into the secondary passageway until the elevated pressure conditions in the reservoir chamber no longer exist, at which point the liquid vaporizable material in the secondary passageway 1384 can be drawn back into the reservoir 1340.

[0439] In particular embodiments, the overflow volume 1344 is large enough to contain a percentage of the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir 1342, optionally up to about 100%. In one embodiment, the collector 1313 is configured to contain at least 6% to 25% of the volume of vaporizable material 1302 that can be stored in the reservoir 1342. Other ranges are also possible.

[0440] The structure of the collector 1313 can be configured, constructed, molded, manufactured, or positioned in the overflow volume 1344 in different shapes and with different properties to allow the overflow portion of the vaporizable material 1302 to be at least temporarily received, contained, or stored in the overflow volume 1314 in a controlled manner (e.g., by capillary pressure), thereby preventing leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 from the cartridge 1320 or over-saturation of the wicking element 1362. It should be appreciated that the foregoing description of the secondary passageway is not intended to be limiting to a single such secondary passageway 1384. One or, optionally, more than one secondary passageway can be connected to the storage chamber 1340 via one or more gates or ports. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, a single gate or port can be connected to more than one secondary passageway, or a single secondary passageway can be divided into more than one secondary passageway to provide additional overflow volume or other advantages.

[0441] In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the air vent 1318 can connect the overflow volume 1344 to the airflow passageway 1338, which ultimately leads to the ambient air environment outside of the cartridge 1320. This air vent 1318 can allow air or air bubbles that have formed or become trapped in the collector 1313 to escape through a path of the air vent 1318, for example during the second pressure state when the secondary passageway 1384 is filled with overflow of the vaporizable material 1302.

[0442] According to some aspects, the air vent 1318 can function as a reverse vent and provide pressure equalization within the cartridge 1320 during the reversal from the second pressure state back to the first pressure state when overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 returns from the overflow volume 1344 to the storage chamber 1342. In such embodiments, when the ambient pressure becomes greater than the internal pressure in the cartridge 1320, ambient air can flow through the vent 1318 into the secondary passageway 1384 and effectively help push the vaporizable material 1302 temporarily stored in the overflow volume 1344 in the reversal direction back into the storage chamber 1342.

[0443] In one or more embodiments, the secondary pathway 1384 in the first pressure state can include air. In the second pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 can enter the secondary pathway 1384, for example, through an opening (i.e., vent) located at an interface point between the reservoir 1342 and the overflow volume 1344. As a result, the air in the secondary pathway 1384 is displaced and can exit through the air vent 1318. In some embodiments, the air vent 1318 can function as or include a control valve (e.g., a selectively permeable membrane, a microfluidic gate, etc.) that allows air to exit the overflow volume 1344 but prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from exiting the secondary pathway 1384 into the airflow pathway 1338. As previously mentioned, the air vent 1318 can function as an air exchange port to allow air to enter and exit the collector 1313, for example, when the collector 1313 is filled during a negative pressure event and is emptied after the negative pressure event (i.e., during a transition between the aforementioned first and second pressure states).

[0444] Accordingly, the vaporizable material 1302 can be stored in the collector 1313 until the pressure within the cartridge 1320 stabilizes (e.g., when the pressure returns to ambient or satisfies a specified equilibrium) or until the vaporizable material 1302 is removed from the overflow volume 1344 (e.g., by vaporization in an atomizer). Thus, the level / level of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow volume 1344 can be controlled by managing the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313 as the ambient pressure changes. In one or more embodiments, the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir 1342 to the overflow volume 1344 can be reversed or can be reversible depending on detected changes in the environment (e.g., when the pressure event causing the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 subsides or ends).

[0445] As mentioned above, in some implementations of the present subject matter, the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 can be reversed in a direction that causes the vaporizable material 1302 to flow from the overflow volume 1344 back into the reservoir 1342 of the reservoir 1340 in a state where the pressure within the cartridge 1320 becomes relatively lower than the ambient pressure (e.g., when returning from the previously mentioned second pressure state to the first pressure state). Accordingly, depending on the implementation, the overflow volume 1344 can be configured to temporarily contain an overflow portion of the vaporizable material 1302 during the second pressure state. According to the implementation, at least some of the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 that remains in the collector 1313 is returned to the reservoir 1342 during or after the reversal back to the first pressure state.

[0446] To control the flow of vaporizable material 1302 in cartridge 1320, in other embodiments of the subject matter, collector 1313 can optionally include an absorbent or semi-absorbent material (e.g., a material having sponge-like properties) for permanently or semi-permanently collecting or containing overflow of vaporizable material 1302 that travels through secondary passageway 1384. In exemplary embodiments in which an absorbent material is included in collector 1313, as compared to embodiments implemented without (or without as much) absorbent material in collector 1313, reverse flow of vaporizable material 1302 from overflow volume 1344 to storage chamber 1342 can not be practical or possible. Thus, by including more or less density or volume of absorbent material in collector 1313, or by controlling the texture of the absorbent material, the reversibility or rate of reversibility of vaporizable material 1302 to storage chamber 1342 can be controlled, where such properties result in a higher or lower rate of absorption immediately or over a longer period of time.

[0447] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of cartridge 1320. As shown, the body of cartridge 1320 can be made of two connectable (or separable) components, such as first portion 1422 (e.g., an upper housing) and second portion 1424 (e.g., a lower housing), which can be assembled together according to a top-of-bottoms building implementation model or assembly process. Such a separable structure simplifies the assembly and manufacturing process, and can not involve assembling or constructing multiple smaller components to construct a larger component. Rather, as in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4 , the larger components (e.g., first portion 1422 and second portion 1424) can be connected to, for example, form the exterior cartridge features (e.g., sides) and smaller interior cartridge components (e.g., opposing rib-like elements forming one or more of collector 1313, reservoir 1340, storage chamber 1342, overflow volume 1344, etc.).

[0448] Referring to Figure 4 , heating element 1450 can be positioned in a cavity or housing implemented between first portion 1422 and second portion 1424 of the body of cartridge 1420. In one example, a sponge or other absorbent material 1460 can also be positioned in mouthpiece region 1430 so as to collect excess liquid vaporizable material (e.g., formed as by condensation of vaporized material and / or water vapor to form larger droplets that can create an unpleasant sensation when swallowed during inhalation) that travels through airflow passageway 1438. Thus, assembly or disassembly of additional components (e.g., heating element 1450 or sponge 1460) can be performed in a simple and efficient manner, without the need for extensive machinery or assembly automation components to construct cartridge 1320 from a small set of components into a unified, separable two-piece housing in exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

[0449] The separable two-piece structure described herein can provide one or more of the following exemplary advantages or improvements over alternative implementations: fewer number of parts, lower assembly or manufacturing costs (e.g., the illustrated embodiment requires manufacturing and assembly of four parts), no or reduced machining requirements, no or limited deep, fragile, low-slope machined core, relatively shallow rib structure. Depending on the implementation, ultrasonic or laser welding techniques can be used to form a solid-state weld between the first portion 1422 and the second portion 1424 of the cartridge 1420. Figure 4

[0450] Ultrasonic welding is a process commonly used with plastics in which high frequency ultrasonic acoustic vibrations are applied locally to work pieces (e.g., the first portion 1422 and the second portion 1424) which are held together under pressure to form a solid-state weld. Laser welding is a welding process used to join metal or thermoplastic work pieces by using a laser beam that provides a concentrated heat source, allowing for narrow, deep welds at high welding rates.

[0451] Referring to Figure 5 , a planar cross-sectional side view of selected portions of the cartridge 1320 is shown. With reference to Figure 4 and 5 , the first portion 1422 (not shown in Figure 5 ) and the second portion 1424 of the cartridge 1420 can be molded from plastic parts by injection molding (e.g., in over-and-under implementation molds). In one exemplary embodiment, a line of draft machining techniques can be used to allow separation of the halves (e.g., the first portion 1422 and the second portion 1424 as shown in Figure 4 ) of the mold, allowing each portion to be ejected without any hindrance from undercuts being created, and further allowing significant mold cavitation to help shorten machining cycles and allow for more efficient manufacturing time and processes.

[0452] Referring to Figure 6A and 6B ​FIGS. 13A and 13B, respectively, illustrate a cross-sectional top view and a perspective side view of a cartridge 1320. As shown, a fill port 610 can be implemented in one or more embodiments of the cartridge 1320 to allow for filling of the reservoir storage chamber 1342, for example, by a fill needle 622. As shown, the fill needle 622 can be easily and conveniently inserted through the fill port 610, for example, through a fill passage 630 leading to the storage chamber 1342 (or overflow volume 1344), depending on the implementation. Thus, for example, using the fill needle 622, the vaporizable material 1302 can be injected into the reservoir 1340 through the fill passage 630. In some embodiments, the fill passage 630 can be configured or positioned on a side of the cartridge 1320, for example, opposite to a side on which the airflow passage 1338 is positioned.

[0453] Figures 7A-7D Alternative design options for cartridge connection ports are illustrated. Figure 7A and 7B are perspective views of alternative connection port embodiments, Figure 7C and 7D are planar cross-sectional side views of alternative connection port embodiments, which can include male or female engagement portions as examples. Reference is made to Figure 1 , 2, and 7A-7D, the cartridge 1320 can employ different structures at the end where the cartridge 1320 is engaged with the vaporizer body 110. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 and 2, the vaporizer body 110 can include a cartridge receptacle 118 for removably receiving a cartridge 1320 having a male port 710 (see Figure 7A and 7C ) such that, in the attached state, the cartridge contacts 124 located in the male port of the cartridge 1320 are received, for example, snapingly, by corresponding receptacle contacts 125 in the cartridge receptacle 118. An opposite structure can be employed for a cartridge 1320 having a female configured port 712 (see Figure 7B and 7D ) for receiving an end of the vaporizer body 110 that contains the receptacle contacts 125.

[0454] Reference is made to Figure 8 , a planar top view of the cartridge 1320 is illustrated. In one example, the cartridge 1320 can be implemented using a separable two-piece structure, where a relief (e.g., a trademark of an owner, a serial number, a patent number, etc.) or optional decoration or decorative features can be embossed on an outer wall of the cartridge 1320 by a molding process. The molding process allows for flexibility in the design of the outer shape or externally displayable logo or decorative design without affecting the positioning or formation of the internal functional components (e.g., the reservoir 1340, the storage chamber 1342, or the overflow volume 1344).

[0455] Notably, the indicia Figure 8 is a registered trademark of JUUL LABS, Inc. Delaware, headquartered in San Francisco, California. All rights are reserved by the owner or assignee of the indicia. Figure 8 The use of example indicia in Figure 8 provides an illustration of a molded relief that can be presented, without limitation, as indicia or design on one or more sides of the pod 1320.

[0456] Referring to Figure 9A and 9B , perspective and plan cross-sectional views of an example pod 1320 are shown with a first portion 1422 of the pod 1320 separated from a second portion 1424 (see also Figure 4 ). In one or more embodiments, the pod 1320 can be designed and manufactured by way of component sectioning. That is, according to embodiments, multiple sectioned segments of a component are joined together to form the entire component, as shown by way of example in Figure 4

[0457] Referring to Figure 9A , for the electrical contacts and heating element to be held in the wick housing region 910 of the pod 1320, component sectioning can allow for molding compatibility / pliability. As shown in greater detail in Figure 9B , one or more air vents 920 can be drilled or positioned by injection molding or other suitable methods in the body of the pod 1320 in a region proximate to the wick housing region 910 to allow for precise vapor exhaust or airflow direction to the wick, for example, to help control condensation within the pod 1320 or to influence capillary forces therein.

[0458] Referring to Figure 10A and 10B , respectively, assembled and exploded perspective views of alternative example embodiments of the pod 1320 are shown. As previously noted, an up-down implementation model can be employed to construct an open-faced pod structure having, for example, two attachable (or detachable) housings including a first portion 1422 and a second portion 1424. As shown, the first portion 1422 (e.g., an upper housing) and the second portion 1424 (e.g., a lower housing) can provide a two-piece structure having one or more internal cavities that can be used to house at least one of the heating element 1350, the wicking element 1362, or the plate 1326. It will be appreciated that alternative assembly methods can be used to produce structures having some or all of the features described herein. ​​

[0459] In particular, in Figure 10A and 10B the exemplary embodiments shown, instead of or in addition to using molded cavities and walls to form the internal structure of the cartridge (e.g., the reservoir 1340 in Figure 3A , some features such as the secondary passageway 1384 (see Figure 3A ) can be implemented in a removable or attachable collector 1313 that can be independently constructed as a separate component and can be subsequently encased between the first portion 1422 and the second portion 1424 (see Figure 10A and 10B ), or alternatively inserted into an optional unitary hollow cartridge body adapted to receive the collector 1313 from an open end (see Figure 10C , 10D , 1 IB, 13, 16C, 17A, 22B).

[0460] Referring to Figures 10A-43B , various implementations are disclosed that can utilize a collector 1313 that is wholly or partially independent in structure, design, manufacture, assembly, or construction from the cartridge 1320 housing. Notably, the disclosed implementations are provided as examples. In alternative implementations or embodiments, the collector 1313 can be formed as shown in Figures 10A-14B having at least a structure that is semi-related in structure to other components of the cartridge 1320 or wholly independent.

[0461] In certain interchangeable implementations, as shown in Figures 10A-14B various embodiments or types of collectors 1313 can be inserted or encased in, for example, a standardized cartridge 1320 housing. As provided in further detail herein, because some of the primary functions for controlling the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the cartridge 1320 can be achieved by manipulating the structure of the collector 1313 or its material properties, cost savings and other efficiencies and advantages can be obtained from a construction that allows for interchangeable collector 1313 models that can fit different cartridge housing.

[0462] For example, referring to Figure 10C and 10D , in some implementations, the cartridge 1320 can have a cartridge housing formed from a unitary hollow structure having a first end and a second end, instead of Figure 10A and 10BThe illustrated separable two-piece structure. The first end (i.e., the first end is also referred to as the receiving end of the cartridge housing) can be configured for insertably receiving at least one collector 1313. In one embodiment, the second end of the cartridge housing can function as a mouthpiece having an orifice or opening. The orifice or opening can be located opposite the receiving end of the cartridge housing at which the collector 1313 can be insertably received. In some embodiments, the opening can be connected to the receiving end by, for example, an air flow pathway 1338 extending through the body of the cartridge 1320 and the collector 1313. As in other cartridge embodiments according to the present disclosure, an atomizer, such as one containing a wicking element and a heating element discussed elsewhere herein, can be positioned adjacent to or at least partially in the air flow pathway 1338, such that an inhalable form or, optionally, a precursor of an inhalable form of a liquid vaporizable material can be released from the atomizer into air passing through the air flow pathway 1338 toward the orifice or opening.

[0463] Air exchange port embodiment

[0464] Referring to Figure 11A and 11B , an illustrative planar side view of a single gate, single pass collector 1313 is shown. In these example embodiments, a gate 1102 can be disposed at an opening toward a first portion (e.g., an upper portion) of the collector 1313, where the collector 1313 is in contact or communication with a storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir. (See also previously discussed Figure 3A and 3B ). The gate 1102 can dynamically connect the storage chamber 1342 to an overflow volume 1344 formed by a second portion (e.g., a middle portion) of the collector 1313.

[0465] In one embodiment, the second portion of the collector 1313 can have a ribbed or multi- finned structure forming an overflow channel 1104, as shown in Figure 11A , which spirals, narrows, or tilts in a direction away from the gate 1102 and toward an air exchange port 1106 to direct or cause the vaporizable material 1302 to move toward the air exchange port 1106 after the vaporizable material 1302 passes through the gate 1102 into the overflow volume 1344. The air exchange port 1106 can be connected to ambient air through an air path or air flow pathway connected to the mouthpiece. This air path or air flow pathway is not explicitly shown in Figure 11A .

[0466] In some implementations, the collector 1313 is configured to have a central opening or channel through which an air flow channel to the mouthpiece is achieved, as provided in further detail below (e.g., see Figure 11DThe air flow path can be connected to the air exchange port 1106 such that the volume within the overflow passage of the collector 1313 is connected to ambient air via the air exchange port 1106 and also to the volume in the storage chamber 1342 via the gate 1102. In this way, the gate 1102 can function as a control fluid valve to primarily control liquid and air flow between the overflow volume 1344 and the storage chamber 1342, according to one or more embodiments. For example, the air exchange port 1106 can be used to primarily control air flow (and sometimes liquid flow) between the overflow volume 1344 and the air path leading to the mouthpiece. The overflow passage 1104 can be inclined, vertical, or horizontal with respect to the elongate body of the cartridge 1320.

[0467] When the cartridge 1320 is filled, the vaporizable material 1302 can have at least an initial interface with the collector 1313 via the gate 1102. This is because the initial interface between the vaporizable material 1302 and the gate 1102 can prevent, for example, the possibility of trapped air in the overflow passage 1104 from entering the cartridge region where the vaporizable material 1302 is stored (e.g., the storage chamber 1342). Moreover, in an equilibrium state, this interface can initiate a first capillary interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the walls of the overflow passage 1104 to allow a limited amount of vaporizable material 1302 to flow into the overflow passage 1104 to achieve or maintain an equilibrium state.

[0468] An equilibrium state refers to a state in which the vaporizable material 1302 neither flows into nor out of the overflow volume 1344, or a state in which such forward or reverse flow is negligible. In at least some embodiments, the capillary action (or interaction) between the walls of the overflow passage 1104 and the vaporizable material 1302 is such that an equilibrium state can be maintained when the cartridge 1320 is in a first pressure state, when the pressure within the storage chamber 1342 is approximately equal to ambient pressure.

[0469] By adapting or adjusting the volume dimensions of the overflow passage 1104 along the length of the passage, an equilibrium state and further capillary interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the walls of the overflow passage 1104 can be established or configured. As provided in further detail herein, the diameter of the overflow passage 1104 (generally used herein to refer to a measure of the cross-sectional area size of the overflow passage 1104, including embodiments of the present subject matter in which the overflow passage does not have a circular cross-section) can be constricted at predetermined intervals or points or throughout the length of the passage to allow for a sufficiently strong capillary interaction that provides for direct and reverse flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313 according to pressure changes, and further allows for a large volume of the overflow passage while still maintaining a gate point for meniscus formation to prevent air flow through the liquid in the overflow passage 1104.

[0470] As provided in further detail herein, the diameter of the overflow channel 1104 can be sufficiently small or narrow such that the combination of surface tension caused by cohesive forces within the vaporizable material 1302 and wetting forces between the vaporizable material 1302 and the walls of the overflow channel 1104 can act to form a meniscus that separates the liquid from the air in a dimension transverse to the flow axis in the overflow channel 1104 such that air and liquid cannot pass each other. It will be appreciated that the meniscus has an inherent curvature, so reference to a dimension transverse to the flow direction is not meant to imply that the air-liquid interface is flat in that dimension or any other dimension.

[0471] The wicking element 1362 can be thermally or thermodynamically coupled with the heating element 1350 (e.g., see Figure 3B and 11B ) so as to cause the generation of vapor by heating the vaporizable material 1302, as previously discussed in detail with respect to Figure 3A and 3B . Alternatively, the air exchange port 1106 can be configured to provide a gas escape path, but prevent the flow of vaporizable material 1302 out of the overflow channel 1104.

[0472] With reference to Figure 11A and 11B , by implementing suitable structures (e.g., microchannel configurations) to introduce or take advantage of capillary characteristics that can exist between the vaporizable material 1302 and the retaining walls of the overflow channel 1104, the direct or reverse flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the collector 1313 can be controlled (e.g., enhanced or reduced). For example, factors related to length, diameter, internal surface texture (e.g., rough vs. smooth), protrusions, directional constrictions of the channel structure, constrictions or materials used to configure or coat the surfaces of the gate 1102, overflow channel 1104, or air exchange port 1106 can positively or negatively affect the rate at which liquid is drawn or moved through the overflow channel 1104 by capillary action or other influential forces acting on the cartridge 1320.

[0473] Depending on the implementation, one or more of the factors described above can be used to control the displacement of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 as the vaporizable material 1302 collects in the channel structure of the collector 1313 to introduce a desired degree of reversibility. As such, in some embodiments, the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into the collector 1313 can be fully reversible or semi-reversible by selectively controlling the various factors described above and in accordance with changes in the pressure conditions inside or outside of the cartridge 1320.

[0474] As Figure 3A , 3BAs shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, in one or more embodiments, the collector 1313 can be formed, constructed, or configured to have a single channel, single vent structure. In such embodiments, the overflow channel 1104 can be a continuous passageway, tube, channel, or other structure for connecting the gate 1102 to the air exchange port 1106, optionally positioned proximate to the wicking element 1362 (see also, e.g., FIG. 11A, showing a single elongated overflow channel 1104 in the overflow volume 1344). Thus, in such embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can enter or exit the collector 1313 from the gate 1102 and pass through a separately constructed channel, where the vaporizable material 1302 flows in a first direction when the collector 1313 is filled, and in a second direction when the collector 1313 is emptied. Figure 3A and 3B Thus, in such embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can enter or exit the collector 1313 from the gate 1102 and pass through a separately constructed channel, where the vaporizable material 1302 flows in a first direction when the collector 1313 is filled, and in a second direction when the collector 1313 is emptied.

[0475] To help maintain an equilibrium state, or as the case can be, to control the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104, the shape and structural configuration of the overflow channel 1104, the gate 1102, or the air exchange port 1106 can be adapted or modified to balance the rate of flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 at different pressure states. In one example, the overflow channel 1104 can be constricted, such that the constricted end (i.e., the end having the smaller opening or diameter) opens to the gate 1102.

[0476] In one implementation, the unconstricted end (i.e., the end of the overflow channel 1104 having the larger opening or diameter) can open to the air exchange port 1106, which can be connected to the ambient environment outside of the cartridge 1320, or to an airflow pathway from which vaporized vaporizable material 1302 is delivered to a mouthpiece (see, e.g., FIG. 11A, air vent 1318 connected to the airflow pathway 1338). In one embodiment, the unconstricted end can also open to an area proximate to the wicking element housing, such that if the vaporizable material 1302 exits the overflow channel 1104, the vaporizable material 1302 can be available to saturate the wicking element 1362. Figure 3A

[0477] ​According to embodiments, the narrowing channel structure can reduce or increase the restriction on flow into the collector 1313. For example, in embodiments where the spillway channel 1104 narrows toward the gate 1102, a capillary pressure is induced in the spillway channel 1104 that favors flow toward the reverse flow such that when the pressure regime changes (e.g., when a negative pressure event is eliminated or subsides), the direction of flow of the vaporizable material 1302 is out of the collector 1313 and into the storage chamber 1342. In particular, implementing the spillway channel 1104 with a smaller opening can prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from flowing freely into the collector 1313. The un-narrowed configuration of the spillway channel 1101 in the direction leading to the air exchange port 1106 provides for efficient storage of the vaporizable material 1302 in the collector 1313 during the second pressure regime (e.g., the negative pressure regime) because the vaporizable material 1302 flows into the collector 1313 in a manner that enters the larger volume section of the spillway channel 1104 from the narrower section of the spillway channel 1104.

[0478] In this way, the diameter and shape of the collector structure 1313 can be implemented such that, during the second pressure regime (e.g., a negative pressure event), the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 through the gate 1102 and into the spillway channel 1104 is controlled at a desired rate in a manner that prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from flowing too freely (e.g., above a particular flow rate or threshold) into the collector 1313 and also facilitates reverse flow back into the storage chamber 1342 during the first pressure regime (e.g., when the negative pressure event subsides). Notably, in one embodiment, the combination of the vent 1002, the spillway channel 1104 in the collector 1313 that constitutes the spillway volume 1344, and the interaction between the air exchange port 1106 provide for proper venting of air bubbles that can be introduced into the cartridge due to various environmental factors, as well as controlled flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the spillway channel 1104.

[0479] Mouthpiece embodiment

[0480] Reference is made to Figure 11B (see also Figure 10C , 10D ), in some embodiments, a portion of the cartridge 1320 including the storage chamber 1342 can be configured to also include a mouthpiece that can be used by a user to inhale vaporized vaporizable material 1302. An airflow pathway 1338 can extend through the storage chamber 1342, connecting the vaporization chamber. According to embodiments, the airflow pathway 1338 can be, for example, a straw-shaped structure or hollow cylinder that forms a passageway within the storage chamber 1342 to allow passage of vaporized vaporizable material 1302. Although the airflow pathway can have a circular or at least approximately circular cross-sectional shape, it should be understood that other cross-sectional shapes of the airflow pathway are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0481] A first end of the airflow pathway 1338 can be connected to an opening at a first "mouthpiece" end of the storage chamber 1342 from which a user can inhale vaporized vaporizable material 1302. A second end of the airflow pathway 1338 (opposite the first end) can be received in an opening at a first end of the collector 1313, as provided in further detail herein. According to embodiments, the second end of the airflow pathway 1338 can extend completely or partially through a receiving cavity that passes through the collector 1313 and connects to the wicking portion housing, where the wicking element 1362 can be housed.

[0482] In some configurations, the airflow pathway 1338 can be an integral part of the integrally molded mouthpiece that includes the storage chamber 1342, with the airflow pathway 1338 extending through the storage chamber 1342. In other configurations, the airflow pathway 1338 can be a separate structure that can be individually inserted into the storage chamber 1342. In some configurations, the airflow pathway 1338 can be an extension of the structure of the cartridge 1320 body or the collector 1313, for example, extending inwardly from an opening in the mouthpiece portion.

[0483] Without limitation, a variety of different structural configurations can be used to connect the mouthpiece (and the airflow pathway 1338 inside the mouthpiece) to the air exchange port 1106 in the collector 1313. As provided herein, the collector 1313 can be inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320, which can also serve as the storage chamber 1342. In some embodiments, the airflow pathway 1338 can be configured as an internal sleeve that is an integral part of the cartridge body as a whole, such that the opening in the first end of the collector 1313 can receive the first end of the sleeve structure that forms the airflow pathway 1338.

[0484] Referring to Figures 18A-18D Certain embodiments can include a vaporizer cartridge 1800 that includes a dual barrel mouthpiece 1830 that is connected with two airflow pathways 1838. In such embodiments, higher dosing of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can be delivered as compared to a single barrel mouthpiece. Depending on the embodiment, the dual barrel mouthpiece 1830 can also advantageously provide a smoother and more satisfying vaporization experience.

[0485] Fluid gate embodiment

[0486] Referring to Figures 10A to 11HAccording to the implementation, various factors can be considered to help monitor and control the forward and reverse flow of the evaporable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313. Some of these factors may include the capillary actuation of the fluid vent (referred to herein as gate 1102). The capillary actuation of gate 1102 may, for example, be less than the capillary actuation of wicking element 1362. Furthermore, the flow resistance of collector 1313 may be greater than the flow resistance of wicking element 1362. Overflow channel 1104 may have a smooth or corrugated inner surface to control the flow rate of evaporable material 1302 through collector 1313. Overflow channel 1104 may be formed with a narrowed bend to provide appropriate capillary interaction and force, which restricts the flow rate through gate 1102 and into overflow volume 1344 during a first pressure state, to promote the reverse flow rate through gate 1102 and out of overflow volume 1344 during a second pressure state.

[0487] Further modifications to the shape and structure of the collector 1313 components may be possible to help further regulate or fine-tune the flow of the evaporable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313. For example, such as Figures 11A to 11H The smoothly curved spiral channel configuration shown (i.e., the opposite of a channel with sharp bends or edges) allows for additional features, such as one or more vents, channels, orifices, or contractions, to be included in the collector 1313 at predetermined intervals along the overflow channel 1104. As provided in further detail herein, these additional features, structures, or configurations can contribute to providing a higher level of flow control, for example, along the overflow channel 1104 or through the gate 1102 of the evaporable material 1302.

[0488] It is worth noting that, regardless of the various structural elements and implementations discussed in this disclosure, certain features and functions (e.g., capillary action between various components) can be implemented in the collector 1313 structure to help control the flow of the evaporable material 1302 through (1) a single vent, single-channel structure, (2) a single vent, multi-channel structure, or (3) a multi-vent, multi-channel structure.

[0489] refer to Figure 10E , 11A, 11C, 11D, and 11E, according to certain variations, give example structural configurations for the collector 1313. As shown, a fully or partially tilted helical surface can be employed to define one or more sides of the interior volume of the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313, such that the vaporizable material 1302 can freely flow through the overflow channel 1104 due to capillary pressure (or gravity) as the vaporizable material 1302 enters the overflow channel 1104. One or more optionally central channels or grooves, such as the central groove 1100, can be configured to pass through the longitudinal height of the collector 1313, with two opposing ends.

[0490] At the first end, the central axis or central groove 1100 passing through the collector structure 1313 can interact with or connect to a housing region in which a wicking element 1362 or an atomizer can be positioned. At the second end, the central groove 1100 can interact with, connect to, or receive an end of a conduit or tube that forms an airflow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece portion of the cartridge 1320. The first end of the airflow passage 1338 can connect (e.g., by insertion) to the second end of the central groove 1100. The second end of the airflow passage 1338 can include an opening or orifice formed in the interface region.

[0491] According to one or more embodiments, vaporized vaporizable material 1302 produced by the atomizer can enter through the first end of the central groove 1100 in the collector 1313, pass through the central groove 1100, and further exit the second end of the central groove 1100 into the first end of the airflow passage 1338. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can then travel through the airflow passage 1338 and exit through the mouthpiece opening formed at the second end of the airflow passage 1338.

[0492] The collector 1313 can be configured as a stand-alone piece with a structure or configuration that can be inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320 (e.g., see Figure 10C 、 11B , 11C-11E). Upon insertion, an airtight seal can be formed between the inner walls of the housing of the cartridge 1320 and the outer edges of the ribbed structure of the collector 1313 forming the helically tilted surface. In other words, when the collector 1313 is inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320, the three walls of the overflow channel 1104 enclosed by the surface of the inner walls of the housing of the cartridge 1320 form the overflow channel 1104.

[0493] Accordingly, the overflow channel 1104 can be formed by the inner wall of the body of the cartridge 1320 that surrounds the inner wall of the ribbed structure. As shown, the gate 1102 can be located at one end of the overflow channel 1104 toward the location at which the reservoir 1342 is located to control and provide for the entry and exit of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 into the collector 1313. The air exchange port 1106 can be located toward the other end of the overflow channel 1104, preferably opposite the end at which the gate 1102 is located.

[0494] The gate 1102 can control the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313. The air exchange port 1106 can control the flow of air into and out of the overflow channel 1104 through a connection path to ambient air to regulate the air pressure in the collector 1313, and in turn, the air pressure in the reservoir 1342 of the cartridge 1320, as provided in further detail herein. In certain embodiments, the air exchange port 1106 can be configured to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 that can have filled the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 (e.g., due to a negative pressure event) from exiting the overflow channel 1104.

[0495] In particular implementations, the air exchange port 1106 can be configured such that the vaporizable material 1302 exits toward a route to a region in which the wicking element 1362 is contained. Such implementations can help to avoid leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 into an air flow pathway (e.g., the central channel 1100) to a mouthpiece, for example, during a negative pressure event. In some embodiments, the air exchange port 1106 can have a membrane that allows gaseous material (e.g., bubbles) to enter and exit but prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from entering or exiting the collector 1313 through the air exchange port 1106.

[0496] Referring to Figures 11C to 11H The flow rate of the vaporizable material 1302 into or out of the collector 1313 through the gate 1102 can be directly associated with the volumetric pressure inside the overflow channel 1104. Accordingly, the flow rate into and out of the collector 1313 through the gate 1102 can be controlled by controlling the hydraulic diameter / hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 such that a reduction in the overall volume of the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., uniformly or by introducing a plurality of constriction points) can result in an increase in pressure in the overflow channel 1104 and a regulated flow rate into the collector 1313. Accordingly, in at least one implementation, the hydraulic diameter / hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 can be reduced uniformly along the length of the spiral path of the overflow channel 1104 or by introducing one or more constriction points 111 la (e.g., narrowing, constricting, or restricting).

[0497] Figures 11C to 11ETwo partial-length levels and three full-length levels constructed on one or more sides of collector 1313 are illustrated by way of example, wherein each full-length level on the side shown in the figure has, for example, three contraction points 1111a. It is worth noting that in different embodiments, more or fewer levels or contraction points 1111a may be implemented, defined, constructed, or introduced to regulate the volumetric pressure in collector 1313. For illustrative purposes, the contraction points 111a are clearly marked with circles at the intermediate level of collector 1313.

[0498] The contraction point 1111a can be formed or introduced along the length of the overflow channel 1104 in various ways and shapes. Exemplary embodiments with different contraction points or shapes are disclosed below to better illustrate certain features. However, it should be noted that these exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter to any particular configuration or shape.

[0499] Reference Figure 11C In one exemplary embodiment, the contraction point 1111a may be formed by a ridge, raised edge, protrusion, or projection (hereinafter referred to as a "protrusion") extending from the top, bottom, or sidewall (or any or all of these) surface of the overflow channel 1104 (i.e., the blades of the collector 1313). The shape of the protrusion may be defined as a ridge, finger, point, fin, edge, or any other shape that constrains the cross-sectional area transverse to the flow direction in the overflow channel. Figure 11C The illustration shows a cross-sectional side view of a protrusion, for example, resembling the shape of a shark fin, with the distal end of the protrusion narrowing towards the edge.

[0500] like Figure 11C As shown, the pointed or cantilevered edges of the shark fin shape can be rounded. However, in other embodiments, the cantilever edges may be narrowed to pointed tips. The sharpness, size, relative position, and placement frequency of the protrusions in the overflow channel 1104 can be controlled to further fine-tune the tendency of the meniscus separating liquid and air to form within the overflow channel 1104.

[0501] For example, such as Figure 11C As shown, the protrusion may have a rounded corner on one side and a flat surface on the opposite side. The rounded corner of the protrusion may face (i.e., point towards) the outward flow of the evaporable material 1302 (i.e., the flow leaving the collector 1313 and entering the storage chamber 1342), while the flat surface of the protrusion may face the inward flow of the evaporable material 1302 through the gate 1102 (i.e., the flow entering the collector 1313 and leaving the storage chamber 1342).

[0502] As noted above, in different embodiments, the formation of protrusions along the overflow channel 1104 can be controlled in terms of number, size, shape, location, and frequency in order to fine-tune the hydraulic / hydraulic flow rate of the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313. For example, if it is desired to instead maintain a rate of incoming flow in the overflow channel 1104 that is higher than the rate of outgoing flow, the protrusions can be shaped with a flat face facing the outgoing flow and a rounded face facing the incoming flow in order to facilitate the formation and maintenance of a meniscus that resists liquid flow outward (e.g., away from the reservoir 1340), while at the same time making it easier for the meniscus to break away from the protrusion on the side thereof that faces back toward the reservoir 1340. In this way, a series of such protrusions can act as a kind of "hydraulic ratchet" system in which the return flow of liquid into the reservoir is promoted microfluidically relative to the flow outward from the reservoir. This effect can be achieved at least in part by the relative tendency of the meniscus to break from the reservoir side of the protrusion more readily than from the opposite side.

[0503] Referring again to Figure 11C In one example embodiment, in addition to (or instead of) protrusions extending from the bottom or top of the overflow channel 1104, some protrusions can extend from the inner walls of the overflow channel 1104. As Figure 11F More clearly shown, protrusions can extend from the inner walls of the overflow channel 1104 at the same constriction point 1111a, with two additional protrusions extending from the bottom and top of the overflow channel 1104, forming a C-shaped constriction point 1111a. Figure 11D And 11F The example embodiments shown can more effectively tune the microfluidic properties of the overflow channel 1104 to promote the retraction of liquid flow toward the reservoir 1340 relative to Figure 11C The embodiments shown promote the retraction of liquid flow toward the reservoir 1340 because the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 is more constricted (i.e., narrowed) at the constriction point 1111a. Figure 11D And 11F The constriction point 1111a shown is more constricted (i.e., narrower) than the constriction point 1111b.

[0504] The protrusions formed along the overflow channel 1104 need not be uniform in shape, size, frequency, or symmetry. That is, depending on the embodiment, different constriction points 1111a or 1111b can be implemented along the overflow channel 1104 with different sizes, designs, shapes, locations, or frequencies. In one example, the shape of the constriction point 1111a or 1111b can resemble the shape of the letter C with a rounded inner diameter. In some embodiments, instead of forming the inner diameter as a rounded C-shape, the inner walls of the constriction point can have a corner (e.g., a sharp corner), such as those shown in Figure 11F And Figure 11G the corners shown in Figs. 11C and 11D.

[0505] In some examples, the overflow channel 1104 can have protrusions extending from the top of the overflow channel 1104 at a first height, while at a second height, the protrusions can extend from the bottom of the overflow channel 1104. At a third height, for example, the protrusions can extend from the inner wall. Alternative implementations of the above embodiments are possible by adjusting or varying the number of protrusions and the shape of the protrusions or positioning of the protrusions in different orders or heights to help control the microfluidic flow effects in both directions within the overflow channel 1104. In one example, for example, a constriction point 1111a can be implemented on one or more (or all) of the heights, sides, or widths of the collector 1313.

[0506] Referring to Figure 11E and Figure 11G , in addition to defining a constriction point 1111a along the longer length of the overflow channel 1104 or the wider side of the collector 1313, one or more additional constriction points 1111b can be defined along the narrower sides of the collector 1313. In this way, compared to the implementations in Figure 11D , Figure 11E and Figure 11G , the example implementations shown can improve the regulation of resistance in the overflow channel 1104 or promote the separation of the meniscus in the desired direction because the overall hydraulic diameter (or flow rate) of the overflow channel 1104 is more constricted due to the addition of the additional constriction points 1111b.

[0507] Referring to Figure 11F and Figure 11G , for further clarity, for example, in addition to two or more constriction points 1111b, each full height in the example shown can include three constriction points 1111a on each side. Thus, Figure 11D the collector 1313 can include a total of 18 constriction points, while Figure 11E the collector 1313 can include a total of 26 constriction points. In this example, due to the enhanced capillary pressure at the multiple constriction points 1111a and 1111b, Figure 11E the embodiments shown in

[0508] Referring to Figure 11HIn some embodiments, the gate 1102 can be configured to include an orifice or opening configuration similar to the pinch points 111 la or 111 lb with a more flat narrowed edge, rim, or lip in one direction. For example, the rim of the gate 1102 orifice can be shaped to be flat on one side (e.g., the side facing the storage chamber 1342) and rounded on the other side (e.g., the side facing away from the storage chamber 1342). In this configuration, the microfluidic forces that encourage backflow toward the storage chamber 1340 over flow away from the storage chamber 1340 can be enhanced because the meniscus break is easier on the less rounded side relative to the more rounded side.

[0509] Accordingly, depending on the implementation and variation of the structure or configuration of the pinch points and the gate 1102, the flow resistance of the vaporizable material 1302 out of the collector 1313 can be higher than the flow resistance of the vaporizable material 1302 into the collector 1313 and toward the storage chamber 1340. In particular implementations, the gate 1102 is configured to maintain a liquid seal such that a layer of the vaporizable material 1302 exists at the media where the storage chamber 1342 is in communication with the overflow channel 1104 in the overflow volume 1344. The existence of the liquid seal can help maintain pressure equilibrium between the storage chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344 to facilitate a sufficient level of vacuum (e.g., partial vacuum) in the storage chamber 1342 to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from completely draining into the overflow volume 1344 and to avoid the wick element 1362 losing sufficient saturation.

[0510] In one or more example implementations, a single passageway or channel in the collector 1313 can be connected to the storage chamber 1342 through two vents such that the two vents maintain a liquid seal regardless of the positioning of the cartridge 1320. The formation of a liquid seal at the gate 1102 can help prevent air in the collector 1313 from entering the storage chamber 1342 even when the cartridge 1320 is held diagonally relative to the horizon or the cartridge 1320 is positioned with the mouthpiece facing downward. This is because if a bubble from the collector 1313 enters the reservoir, the pressure within the storage chamber 1342 will equalize with the ambient pressure. That is, if ambient air flows into the storage chamber 1342, the partial vacuum within the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., created as a result of the vaporizable material 1302 being drained through the wick feed 1368) will be offset.

[0511] Reference Figures 11I to 11K, a perspective view of alternative gate 1102 configurations for the collector 1313 structure is provided. These alternative configurations can provide advantages with respect to flow management and control of air and / or liquid vaporizable material 1302. In some cases, when empty space in the storage chamber 1342 (i.e., headspace above the vaporizable material 1302) contacts the gate 1102, the headspace vacuum can not be maintained. As a result, as previously described, the liquid seal established at the gate 1102 can be broken. This effect can be due to the gate 1102 being unable to maintain a fluidic film when the collector 1313 is emptied and the headspace contacts the gate 1102, resulting in a loss of part of the headspace vacuum.

[0512] In particular embodiments, the headspace in the storage chamber 1342 can have ambient pressure, and if there is a hydrostatic offset between the gate 1102 and the atomizer in the cartridge 1320, the contents of the storage chamber 1342 drain into the atomizer, causing wick cartridge flooding and leakage. To avoid leakage, one or more embodiments can be implemented to remove the hydrostatic offset between the gate 1102 and the atomizer, and maintain the functionality of the gate 1102 when the storage chamber 1342 is nearly empty.

[0513] As shown in the example embodiment of Figure 11I and Figure 11J , a miniaturized partition wall or labyrinthine structure 1190 can be constructed around the gate 1102 to establish a high drive connection between the gate 1102 and the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313, thereby maintaining the liquid seal at the gate 1102. In the example of Figure 11J , according to one or more implementations, a channel-shaped structure 1190 is shown to further improve the means of maintaining the liquid seal at the gate 1102.

[0514] Controlled fluid gate embodiment

[0515] Figures 11L to 11N A plan view and close-up view of a controlled fluid gate 1102 in a collector 1313 structure is shown, according to one or more implementations. As shown, the passage or overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313 can be connected to the storage chamber 1342 by, for example, a V-shaped or horn-shaped controlled fluid gate 1102, such that the V-shaped gate 1102 includes at least two (and desirably three) openings connected to the storage chamber 1342. As provided in further detail herein, a liquid seal can be maintained at the gate 1102 regardless of the vertical or horizontal orientation of the cartridge 1320.

[0516] As shown in the example embodiment of Figure 11LAs shown, on the first side of the vent, a vent path can be maintained between the overflow channel 1104 and the gate 1102 through which bubbles can escape from the overflow channel 1104 in the collector into the reservoir. On the second side, one or more high-drive channels can be implemented that are connected to the reservoir to facilitate condensation at the condensation point 1122, thereby maintaining a liquid seal that prevents bubbles from prematurely exiting the overflow channel 1104 and entering the reservoir, as well as preventing air or vaporizable material 1302 from undesirably entering the overflow channel 1104 from the reservoir.

[0517] According to embodiments, due to the capillary pressure exerted by the liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the cartridge reservoir, in the first pressure state, a liquid seal is maintained in both the high-drive channels and the low-drive channels. Figure 11L The high-drive channels shown on the right side of FIG. 11A are preferably sealed. The low-drive channels formed on the opposite side (i.e., shown on the left side of FIG. 11A) can be configured to have a relatively lower capillary drive compared to the high-drive channels, but still have sufficient capillary drive such that in the first pressure state, a liquid seal is maintained in both the high-drive channels and the low-drive channels. Figure 11L

[0518] Accordingly, in the first pressure state (e.g., when the pressure inside the reservoir is approximately equal to or greater than the ambient air pressure), then a liquid seal is maintained in both the low-drive channels and the high-drive channels, thereby preventing any bubbles from flowing into the reservoir. Conversely, in the second pressure state (e.g., when the pressure inside the reservoir is less than the ambient air pressure), a bubble formed in the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., by entering via the air exchange port 1106), or more generally the leading meniscus edge of the liquid vaporizable material-air interface, can travel upward and toward the controlled fluid gate 1102. When the meniscus reaches the condensation point 1122 located between the low-drive channels and the high-drive channels of the vent 1104, air is preferentially directed through the one or more low-drive channels due to the higher capillary resistance in the high-drive channels.

[0519] Once the bubble has passed through the low-drive channel portion of the gate 1102, the bubble enters the reservoir and equilibrates the pressure inside the reservoir with that of the ambient air. In this way, the air exchange port 1106 in combination with the controlled fluid gate 1102 allows ambient air entering through the overflow channel 1104 to enter the reservoir until an equilibrium pressure state is established between the reservoir and the ambient air. As previously described, this process can be referred to as reservoir venting. Once the equilibrium pressure state is established (e.g., transitioning back from the second pressure state to the first pressure state), a liquid seal is again established at the condensation point 1122 due to the presence of liquid in both the high-drive channels and the low-drive channels supplied by the liquid vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir.

[0520] Figures 11O to 11X The left side of FIG. 11A shows when the liquid vaporizable material 1302 is collected in the overflow channel 1104. The right side of FIG. 11A shows when the liquid vaporizable material 1302 is collected in the high-drive channels. Figures 11L to 11N ​Air flow in the exemplary collector 1313 is managed to accommodate the snapshot in time when the meniscus of the vaporizable material 1302 continues to recede and the appropriate discharge.

[0521] Figure 11O A receding meniscus is shown in which the strength of the partial top space vacuum increases as the vaporizable material 1302 is removed from the reservoir into the wicking portion. This is sufficient to overcome the capillary drive of the meniscus' receding, moving the meniscus backward through the collector toward the constriction point where the meniscus will see the highest pressure differential as dictated by the geometry.

[0522] Figure 11P The way in which the meniscus passes the first junction in the gate 1102 as it approaches the gate 1102 is shown. At this first junction, the top space partial vacuum is maximized because it corresponds to the smallest geometry in the gate 1102 structure, and the partial vacuum in the reservoir continues to grow until this point.

[0523] Figure 11Q The way in which multiple menisci recede as the top space reaches a maximum local vacuum is shown. The menisci are at a tight bend across their major plane, and at these locations, the three channel discharge pressures are equal, and the three menisci recede simultaneously opposite from only one channel. Since the curvature of these menisci increases as they recede, the pressure differential across the menisci decreases, and thus the partial vacuum of the top space begins to decrease.

[0524] Figure 11R The way in which the secondary menisci begin to fill the capillary channels is shown. The narrowing in these channel geometries is such that, as the menisci continue to recede, the capillary drive of the primary channels decreases at a greater rate than the capillary drive of the secondary channels. This gradual decrease in capillary drive will decrease the partial top space vacuum that is maintained. When the discharge pressure of the primary menisci falls below the discharge pressure of the secondary channels, that meniscus will continue to discharge while the other meniscus remains stationary. The discharge pressure involving the receding contact angle of the primary channels can fall below the overflow pressure involving the advancing contact angle of the secondary channels, resulting in their being refilled as shown in the figure.

[0525] Figure 11S The way in which a secondary meniscus from one of the two menisci in each secondary channel reaches the point of tangency at which the two menisci merge into one is shown. This combined meniscus will have an increased curvature, and thus a lower capillary drive. The higher drive of the primary meniscus can cause the system to react instantaneously by making the primary meniscus the advancing meniscus. Subsequently, a receding of the first meniscus can occur while the secondary meniscus remains in place.

[0526] Figure 11THow the secondary meniscus moves towards the collector is shown. In the case where the storage chamber is full of liquid, the primary meniscus will continue to recede, further reducing the partial vacuum of the headspace as its curvature increases. When the partial vacuum falls below the advancing capillary pressure of the secondary meniscus, the secondary meniscus will begin to advance again, driving to close the gap. In the case where the storage chamber is empty or nearly empty, the liquid seal at the gate 1102 will be stable until a bubble breaks, connecting the headspace to the ambient environment.

[0527] Figure 11U How the secondary meniscus closes the junction at the gate 1102 is shown. Since the secondary meniscus will advance until it encounters the apex of the corner in the primary channel, this geometry is designed to encourage the secondary meniscus to split to fill both the gate 1102 and the collector 1313 channel. These two newly formed menisci can be used to isolate the headspace from ambient air, and thus the headspace partial vacuum can be reestablished, ensuring mitigation of leakage via the liquid feed channel. Since the newly formed menisci have less curvature than before splitting, the newly formed menisci will continue into the channel due to increased capillary drive.

[0528] Figures 11V to 11X Bubble release into the storage chamber 1342 is shown. When a bubble trapped in the primary meniscus channel is expelled due to the imbalance created by the advancing and receding menisci, the pressure within the cartridge 1320 reaches a stability at this point. The vaporizable material 1302 is then allowed to enter and displace the bubble through the right head channel. Accordingly, while a high drive channel structure can be provided via the closed slot near the gate 1102, a shorter slot can alternatively be used to reduce the risk of bubble trapping.

[0529] In some embodiments, a constricted channel can be designed to increase the drive towards the controlled vent. Given the coalescence of two advancing menisci, the reservoir's container walls and channel floor can be configured to continue to provide drive, while the sidewalls provide a coalescence site for the menisci. In one configuration, the net drive of the advancing menisci does not exceed that of the receding menisci, maintaining system static stability.

[0530] Multi-gate multi-channel collector embodiment

[0531] Referring to Figure 12A and Figure 12B , exemplary perspective side and planar side views of an example embodiment of a single-vent multi-channel collector 1200 structure are shown. As Figure 12A shown, the collector 1200 is formed with a single gate 1202 and multiple channels 1204(a) through 1204(j). As Figure 12AAs shown, according to one or more embodiments, the gate 1202 can be positioned, for example, at the center or midpoint of the longitudinal width of the collector 1313 to allow the vaporizable material 1302 to enter at least the first passage 1204(a) of the collector 1313 and gradually expand to and through the additional passages 1204(b) through 1204(j).

[0532] According to embodiments, the position of the gate 1202 can be modified to be positioned at the middle, side, or corner, or any other position along the length or width of the collector 1313. The single vent multi-pass collector 1200 structure can have the additional advantage of allowing the vaporizable material 1302 to enter through the single gate 1202 at a first flow rate and to diffuse through the multiple passages 1204(a) through 1204(j) of the collector 1200 at a second flow rate (e.g., a faster rate than the first flow rate).

[0533] Advantageously, the single gate multi-pass collector 1200 structure allows for a controlled flow (e.g., a restricted flow) of the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 into the overflow volume 1344 (see Figure 3A ) and, once the vaporizable material 1302 is in the overflow volume 1344, further allows for a less controlled (e.g., less restricted) flow. In particular embodiments, a multi-layer multi-pass structure can be implemented such that, for example, as Figure 12B shown, the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the first set of passages 1204(a) through 1204(f) is at a second rate, while the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the second set of passages 1204(g) through 1204(k) is at a third rate. The third rate can be faster or slower than the second rate.

[0534] Accordingly, in the example embodiment shown in Figure 12B , the vaporizable material 1302 can flow through the gate 1202 at a first rate, through the passages 1204(a) through 1204(f) at a second rate, and through the passages 1204(g) through 1204(k) at a third rate. In one or more embodiments, the second rate can be faster than both the first rate and the third rate, for example, such that the vaporizable material 1302 can have a restricted flow through the gate 1202, a less restricted flow through the first set of passages (e.g., layer 1), and a relatively more restricted flow in the second set of passages (e.g., layer 2). Such a multi-layer configuration can help to increase the flow rate through the collector 1200, but maintain a controllable restriction on the fast flow of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the wicking element 1362 once the vaporizable material 1302 enters the collector 1200.

[0535] In Figure 12BIn the illustrated dual layer embodiment, the first set of channels 1204(a)-(f) (e.g., layer 1) can have a reversible configuration such that vaporizable material 1302 collected in the first set of channels can flow back into the reservoir 1340. In contrast, the second set of channels 1204(g)-(k) (e.g., layer 2) can not have a reversible configuration. In such embodiments, because the second set of channels is proximate to the wicking element 1362, vaporizable material 1302 can be drawn primarily from the second set of channels and then from the first set of channels (e.g., layer 1 acting as a reserve chamber). As described above, having reversible and non-reversible configurations can help provide additional improvements to other embodiments described herein.

[0536] In some multi-layer embodiments, by configuring the second set of channels 1204(g)-(k) to be non-reversible, it can additionally be ensured that the wicking element 1362 will not be starved because vaporizable material 1302 can be available proximate to the wicking element 1362 when stored in the second set of channels 1204(g)-(k) during an overflow event. Further, in multi-layer implementations, the chance that vaporizable material 1302 can flow aggressively into the wicking housing during a negative pressure event can be prevented because, as described previously, the second set of channels 1204(g)-(k) can be configured to have more restricted flow as compared to the first set of channels 1204(a)-(f). Further, due to the reversibility, the first set of channels 1204(a)-(f) can not contain a relatively large volume of vaporizable material 1302. In some embodiments, to increase or limit the reversibility or flow of vaporizable material 1302 in the first set of channels 1204(a)-(f) or the second set of channels 1204(g)-(k), an absorbent material (e.g., a sponge) can be introduced into one or both channel regions.

[0537] Referring to Figure 13 , an exemplary perspective side view of a multi-aeration multi-channel collector 1300 structure is shown, in accordance with one or more implementations. As shown, the collector 1300 can be positioned within a cartridge such that the collector 1300 has a dual aeration 1301. This implementation can allow vaporizable material 1302 to flow into the channels 1204 at a relatively faster rate, particularly as compared to the single-aeration collector 1200 shown in Figure 21A and Figure 12B .

[0538] Wick supply embodiment

[0539] Referring back to Figure 10C , 10DIn certain variations, the collector 1313 can be configured to be insertably received by a receiving end of the storage chamber 1342. An end of the collector 1313 opposite the end received by the storage chamber 1342 can be configured to receive the wicking element 1362. For example, pronged protrusions can be formed to securely receive the wicking element 1362. The wicking portion housing 1315 can be used to further secure the wicking element 1362 in a fixed position between the protrusions. Such a configuration can also help prevent the wicking element 1362 from expanding and weakening significantly due to over-saturation. Referring to Figure 11C 、 Figure 11D and Figure 11E According to embodiments, one or more additional conduits, channels, tubes, or lumens running through the collector 1313 can be configured or arranged to feed the wicking element 1362 with the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the storage chamber 1342. In certain configurations, such as those discussed in further detail herein, the wicking portion feed conduit, tube, or lumen (i.e., the wicking portion feed 1368) can extend generally parallel to the central channel 1100. In at least one configuration, there can be multiple wicking portion feeds extending diagonally along the length of the collector 1313, for example, independently or in relation to a wicking portion exchange portion including one or more other wicking portion feeds.

[0540] In certain embodiments, the multiple wicking portion feeds can be interconnected in a multi-link configuration such that the possible crossing over of feed paths to one another can lead to the wicking portion housing region. Such a configuration can help prevent complete blockage of the wicking portion feeding mechanism in the event that one or more of the feed paths in the wicking portion feed exchange portion are impeded, for example, via the formation of a bubble or other type of blockage. Advantageously, the means of multiple feed paths can allow the vaporizable material 1302 to travel safely toward the wicking portion housing region via one or more paths (or cross over to a different but open path) even if some of the paths or certain routes in the wicking portion feed exchange portion are completely or partially blocked or obstructed.

[0541] According to embodiments, the wick feed path can be shaped as a tube having, for example, a circular or polygonal cross-shaped diameter shape. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick feed can be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, or in any other suitable geometric shape. In one or more embodiments, the cross-sectional perimeter of the wick feed can be a hollow cross shape, for example, such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width relative to the diameter of the central intersection portion of the cross from which the arms extend. More generally, the wick feed channel (also referred to herein as the "first channel") can be a cross-sectional shape having at least one irregularity (e.g., a protrusion, a side channel, etc.) that provides an alternative flow-through path for the liquid vaporizable material in the event that an air bubble blocks the remainder of the cross-sectional area of the wick feed. The cross-shaped cross-section of the current example is one example of such a structure, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes consistent with the current disclosure are also contemplated and workable.

[0542] The cross-shaped conduit or tube embodiments formed by the wick feed path can overcome the clogging problem in that the cross-shaped tube can be considered to substantially include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed at the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such embodiments, a blockage in the feed tube via a bubble, for example, would likely form at the central portion of the cross-shaped tube, leaving the sub-paths (i.e., the paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) open to flow.

[0543] According to one or more aspects, the wick feed channel can be wide enough to allow the vaporizable material 1302 to travel freely through the feed channel and toward the wick. In some embodiments, the flow through the wick feed can be enhanced or modulated via designing the relative diameters of certain portions of the wick feed to enhance the capillary pull or pressure on the vaporizable material 1302 traveling through the wick feed path. In other words, depending on the shape and other structural or material factors, some wick feed paths can rely on gravity or capillary forces to induce movement of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick housing portion.

[0544] In the cross-shaped tube embodiments, for example, the feed paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube can be configured to feed the wick via capillary pressure rather than relying on gravity. In such embodiments, the central portion of the cross-shaped tube can feed the wick due to gravity, for example, while the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the arms of the cross-shaped tube can be supported by capillary pressure. Note that the cross-shaped tube disclosed herein is for the purpose of providing an example embodiment. The concepts and functionality implemented in this example embodiment can be extended to wick feed paths having different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., a tube having a hollow star-shaped cross-section with two or more arms extending from a central channel extending along the wick feed path).

[0545] Referring Figure 11C , the configuration of an example collector 1313 is illustrated in which two wick feed sections 1368 are positioned on two opposite sides of the central channel 1100 such that the vaporizable material 1302 can enter the feed sections and flow directly to the cavity region at the other end of the collector 1313 in which the housing for the wick is formed.

[0546] The wick feed mechanism can be formed through the collector 1313 such that at least one wick feed path in the collector 1313 can be shaped as a faceted cross-diameter hollow tube. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick feed section can be in the shape of a plus sign (e.g., a hollow cross-shaped wick feed section if viewed from a top cross-sectional view) such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width relative to the diameter of the central intersection portion of the cross from which the arms extend.

[0547] A conduit or tube having a cross-shaped diameter formed through the capillary feed path can overcome the clogging problem because a tube having a cross-shaped diameter can be considered to include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed at the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such an implementation, blockage of the feed tube by a bubble (e.g., an air bubble) would likely form at the central portion of the cross-shaped tube.

[0548] Even when the central path is blocked by a bubble, such central positioning of the bubble will ultimately leave the sub-paths (i.e., the paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) open to flow of the vaporizable material 1302. Other implementations of the wick feed passage structure that can achieve the same or similar purpose as disclosed above with respect to trapping bubbles or avoiding trapping bubbles that completely clog the wick feed passage are also possible.

[0549] Increasing the number of vents in the structure of the collector 1300 can allow for faster flow rates (depending on the implementation) because a relatively larger collective volume of the vaporizable material 1302 can be displaced when additional vents are available. Thus, even though not explicitly shown, embodiments having more than two vents (e.g., a three-vent implementation, a four-vent implementation, etc.) are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

[0550] Referring Figure 14A and 14B , certain embodiments can include a collector 1400 structure having dual feed sections for a wick. In such embodiments, the wick can have a higher degree of saturation and a lower chance of running out compared to embodiments that provide a single feed section.

[0551] Referring Figure 15A , Figure 15B and Figure 15CFIG. 16 provides a perspective view and a plan cross-sectional side view of an example collector structure for a dual feed wick 1562. As shown, the wick 1562 can be disposed or housed in the cartridge 1500 so as to provide at least two separate wick feed portions 1566 and 1568, allowing the vaporizable material 1302 to travel toward the area in which the wick 1562 is housed in the cartridge 1500.

[0552] As previously mentioned, the dual wick feed portion can have the advantage of providing, for example, double the flow of vaporizable material 1302 to the wick 1562 as compared to a single wick feed portion alternative. Advantageously, the dual wick feed portion embodiment provides sufficient feed to the wick 1562 and helps to prevent the wick 1562 from drying out in the event, for example, one of the wick feed portions is blocked. As shown, the lower portion of the wick 1562 can extend down into the area of the cartridge 1500 that forms the heating chamber or atomizer.

[0553] Referring to FIG. 17, a plan cross-sectional side view of an example cartridge is provided in which a dual horn or dual feed wick 1562 is located within a collector structure. Figure 16A Figure 16B is a plan cross-sectional side view of an example collector structure in which the wick 1562 can be housed. Figure 16C An example perspective view of a cartridge according to one or more embodiments is provided. As shown, a first end of the wick 1562 can have two or more feed portions, horn portions, or flanged ends for at least partially engaging two or more wick openings in the partition 1513 such that at least one of the flanged ends engages, for example tangentially, a volume in the storage chamber 1542 or extends, for example at least partially, into the volume in the storage chamber 1542.

[0554] ​According to one or more embodiments, the cartridge 1500 can include a reservoir having a storage chamber 1542 for storing the vaporizable material 1302. An auxiliary volume 1510 that is separable from the storage chamber 1542 can also be formed within the cartridge 1500. The auxiliary volume 1510 can be in communication with the storage chamber 1542 via one or more wick feeds 1590. The auxiliary volume 1510 can be configured to at least contain a wick 1562. The wick 1562 can be configured to absorb the vaporizable material 1302 traveling through the wick feeds 1590 such that, in thermal interaction with an atomizer, the vaporizable material 1302 is absorbed in the wick 1562 and converted into at least one of a vapor or an aerosol. The wick 1562 can be at least partially defined by one or more heating elements of an atomizer located within the auxiliary volume 1510. A partition 1513 for at least partially separating the storage chamber 1542 from the auxiliary volume 1510 can be provided so that flow of the vaporizable material 1302 through the wick feeds 1590 can be controlled. At least a first portion of the wick feeds 1590 can be formed by at least one or more openings in the partition 1513.

[0555] At least a second portion of the wick feeds 1590 can include a vaporizable material pathway connecting the one or more openings in the partition 1513 to the auxiliary volume 1510. An airflow pathway 1538 can be provided for connecting the auxiliary volume 1510 to a mouthpiece so that the vaporizable material 1302 that has been converted into a vapor travels from the auxiliary volume 1510 through the airflow pathway 1538 away toward the mouthpiece.

[0556] Referring to Figure 16A , Figure 16B , Figure 16C , Figure 17A and Figure 17B , a perspective view of a first side of a cartridge and a cross-sectional view of a second side of the cartridge are provided having a wick 1562 protruding into a storage chamber 1542. The wick 1562 can include at least a first end 1592 proximate to a partition 1513 and a second end 1594 extending distally in an opposite direction from the first end 1592.

[0557] The first end 1592 of the wick 1562 can at least partially protrude through a wick opening in the partition 1530 to at least partially extend into a volume in the storage chamber 1542. In one aspect, the first end 1592 of the wick 1562 can at least partially protrude through a wick opening in the partition 1530 to at least tangentially engage the volume in the storage chamber 1542.

[0558] Figure 26AFIGS. 13A-13E illustrate perspective, front, side, bottom, and top views of an example embodiment of a collector 1313 having a V-shaped gate 1102. As shown in FIG. 13A, the collector 1313 can be assembled with additional components (e.g., wicking element 1362, heating element 1350, and wicking portion housing 1315) within a cavity in the cartridge 1320. The wicking element 1362 can be positioned between the second end of the collector 1313 and the heating element 1350 that surrounds the wicking element 1362. During assembly, the collector 1313, wicking element 1362, and heating element 1350 can be assembled together and covered by the wicking portion housing 1315 before being inserted into the cavity within the cartridge 1320. Figure 25 and Figures 26A to 26D As shown, the collector 1313 can be assembled with additional components (e.g., wicking element 1362, heating element 1350, and wicking portion housing 1315) within a cavity in the cartridge 1320. The wicking element 1362 can be positioned between the second end of the collector 1313 and the heating element 1350 that surrounds the wicking element 1362. During assembly, the collector 1313, wicking element 1362, and heating element 1350 can be assembled together and covered by the wicking portion housing 1315 before being inserted into the cavity within the cartridge 1320.

[0559] The wicking portion housing 1315 can be inserted into the end of the cartridge 1320 opposite the mouthpiece along with the other mentioned components to hold the components within in a pressure-sealed or press-fit manner. The seal or assembly of the wicking portion housing 1315 and the collector 1313 within the inner walls of the receiving sleeve of the cartridge 1320 is as tight as desired to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 held in the reservoir of the cartridge 1320. In some embodiments, the pressure seal between the wicking portion housing 1315 and the collector 1313 and the inner walls of the receiving sleeve of the cartridge 1320 is also tight enough to prevent a user from manually disassembling the components by hand.

[0560] Referring to Figure 10C , Figure 10D , Figure 11B , Figure 26B and Figure 26C In certain variations, the collector 1313 can be configured to be insertably received by the receiving end of the storage chamber 1342. As shown in Figure 26B and Figure 26C The end of the collector 1313 opposite the end received by the storage chamber 1342 can be configured to receive the wicking element 1362. For example, the forked protrusions 1108 can be formed to securely receive the wicking element 1362. As shown in the cross-sectional views toward the bottom of Figure 26B and Figure 26C The wicking portion housing 1315 can be used to further secure the wicking element 1362 in a fixed position between the forked protrusions 1108. This configuration can also help prevent the wicking element 1362 from expanding significantly and weakening due to supersaturation.

[0561] Referring to Figure 26BIn one embodiment, the wicking element 1362 can be constrained or compressed via the compression ribs 1110 at certain locations along its length (e.g., toward the longitudinal distal end of the wicking element 1362 positioned directly beneath the wicking portion feed 1368) to help prevent leaks by, for example, maintaining a greater vaporizable material 1302 saturated area toward the end of the wicking element 1362, such that the central portion of the wicking element 1362 remains drier and less prone to leaks. Further, the use of the compression ribs 1110 can further press the wicking element 1362 into the atomizer housing to prevent leaks into the atomizer.

[0562] Referring to Figures 26D to 26F , a top plan view is illustrated of an example wicking portion feed mechanism formed by or configured through the collector 1313 in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in Figure 26D , at least one wicking portion feed 1368 path in the collector 1313 can be shaped as a faceted cross-shaped diameter hollow tube. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wicking portion feed 1368 path can take the shape of a plus sign (e.g., a hollow cross-shaped wicking portion feed if viewed from a top plan view), such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width relative to the diameter of the central intersection portion of the cross from which the arms extend.

[0563] Referring to Figure 26E , having a cross-shaped diameter formed through the wicking portion feed 1368 path can overcome the clogging problem, indicating that because a tube having a cross-shaped diameter can be considered to include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed at the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such an embodiment, an obstruction via a bubble (e.g., an air bubble) in the feed tube would likely form at the central portion of the cross-shaped tube, as shown in Figure 26E . Even when the central path is obstructed by a bubble, this central positioning of the bubble would ultimately leave the sub-paths (i.e., the paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) open to flow of the vaporizable material 1302.

[0564] Referring to Figure 26F , other embodiments of the wicking portion feed 1368 path structure that can achieve the same or similar purpose as disclosed above with respect to trapping bubbles or avoiding a complete bubble clogging of the wicking portion feed 1368 path are also possible. As Figure 26FAs shown in the example illustration of FIG. 13, one or more drop-like protrusions 1368a / 1368b (e.g., shaped like one or more separate wicks, with the wick supply 1368 path located between the separate wicks) can be formed in the end of the wick supply 1368 path through which the vaporizable material 1302 flows from the storage chamber 1342 into the collector 1313 to help direct the vaporizable material 1302 through the wick supply 1368 path in the event that a bubble becomes trapped in the central region of the wick supply 1368 path. In this way, a reasonably controlled and consistent flow of vaporizable material 1302 can flow to the wick, preventing the situation in which the wick is not sufficiently saturated with vaporizable material 1302.

[0565] Heating element embodiment

[0566] Referring to Figures 18A-18D The vaporizer cartridge 1800 can also include a heating element 1850 (e.g., a flat heating element), as described above. The heating element 1850 includes a first portion 1850A positioned generally parallel to the airflow pathway 1838 and a second portion 1850B positioned generally perpendicular to the airflow pathway 1838. As shown, the first portion 1850A of the heating element 1850 can be positioned between opposing portions of the collector 1813. When the heating element 1850 is activated, heat is generated, for example, due to an electrical current flowing through the heating element 1850, thus causing a temperature increase.

[0567] Heat can be transferred to the amount of vaporizable material 1302 by conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat transfer, causing at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 to vaporize. Heat transfer can occur to the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir, to the vaporizable material 1302 being wicked from the collector 1813, and / or to the vaporizable material 1302 wicked into the wick supply held by the heating element 1850. Air drawn into the vaporizer device flows along the air pathway across the heating element 1850, causing the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to break away from the heating element 1850 and / or the wick supply. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can condense due to cooling, pressure changes, etc., such that it exits the mouthpiece 1830 through at least one of the airflow pathways 1838 as an aerosol for inhalation by a user. Referring to Figures 19A-19Cvaporizer cartridge 1900 can include a folded heating element 1950 and two air flow passages 1938. As described above, the heating element 1950 can be crimped around or pre-formed to receive the wicking portion 1962. The heating element 1950 can include one or more tines 1950A. The tines 1950A can be located in the heating portion of the heating element 1950 and designed such that the electrical resistance of the tines 1950A matches an appropriate amount of resistance to affect localized heating in the heating element 1950 to more efficiently and effectively heat the vaporizable material 1302 from the wicking portion 1962.

[0568] The tines 1950A form a series and / or parallel fine path heating segments or traces to provide a desired amount of electrical resistance. The specific geometry of the tines 1950A can be selected as desired to create a particular localized resistance for heating the heating element 1950. For example, the tines 1950A can include one or more of the various tine configurations and features described and discussed in greater detail below. When the heating element 1950 is activated, heat is generated due to the flow of electrical current through the heating element 1950, thus causing a temperature increase. The heat is transferred by conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat transfer to an amount of the vaporizable material 1302 such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 vaporizes. The heat transfer can occur to the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir, to the vaporizable material 1302 wicked from the collector 1913, and / or to the vaporizable material 1302 wicked into the wicking portion 1962 held by the heating element 1950. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can vaporize along one or more edges of the tines 1950A.

[0569] Air passing into the vaporizer device flows along the air path across the heating element 1950, causing the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to break away from the heating element 1950 and / or the wicking portion 1962. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can condense due to cooling, pressure changes, etc., such that it exits the mouthpiece through at least one of the air flow passages 1938 as an aerosol for inhalation by a user. See, e.g., FIG. 1. Figures 20A-20C vaporizer cartridge 2000 can include a folded heating element 2050 and a single (e.g., central) air flow passage 2038. As described above, the heating element 2050 can be crimped around or pre-formed to receive the wicking portion 2062. The heating element 2050 can include one or more tines 2050A. The tines 2050A can be located in the heating portion of the heating element 2050 and designed such that the electrical resistance of the tines 2050A matches an appropriate amount of resistance to affect localized heating in the heating element 2050 to more efficiently and effectively heat the vaporizable material from the wicking portion 2062.

[0570] The tines 2050A form a series and / or parallel fine path heating segment or trace to provide a desired amount of electrical resistance. The specific geometry of the tines 2050A can be selected as desired to create a particular localized electrical resistance for heating the heating element 2050. For example, the tines 2050A can include one or more of the various tine configuration arrangements described in greater detail below.

[0571] When the heating element 2050 is activated, heat is generated due to the flow of electrical current through the heating element 2050, thus causing a temperature increase. The heat is transferred by conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat transfer to an amount of the vaporizable material 1302, causing at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 to vaporize. The heat transfer can occur to the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir, to the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from the collector 2013, and / or to the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wick 2062 held by the heating element 2050.

[0572] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can vaporize along one or more edges of the tines 2050A. Air passing through the air path across the heating element 2050 flows along the tines 2050A, causing the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to break away from the heating element 2050 and / or the wick 2062. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can condense due to cooling, pressure changes, etc., such that it exits the mouthpiece through the at least one air flow passage as an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

[0573] Referring to Figure 10C , Figure 11B and Figure 21A In some embodiments, the collector 1313 can be configured to include a flat rib 2102 that extends out at a lower periphery of the collector 1313 to create a suitable surface for welding the collector 1313 to an inner wall of the storage chamber 1342 after the collector 1313 has been inserted into a receiving cavity or receptacle in the storage chamber 1342.

[0574] According to embodiments, a full perimeter weld or a tacking option can be employed to securely secure the collector 1313 within the receiving cavity or receptacle in the storage chamber 1342. In some embodiments, a friction-tight and leak-proof coupling can be established without employing a welding technique. In certain embodiments, an adhesive material can be used in addition to or instead of the coupling techniques described above.

[0575] Referring to Figure 11B and Figure 21BAccording to one or more aspects, the seal bead profile 2104 can be fashioned at the periphery of the collector 1313 helical rib defining the overflow channel 1104 such that the seal bead profile 2104 can support a fast spin injection molding process. The geometry of the seal bead profile 2104 can be designed in various ways such that the collector 1313 can be inserted into a receiving cavity or receptacle in the storage chamber 1342 in a tight frictional manner, where the vaporizable material 1302 can flow through the overflow channel 1104 without any leakage along the seal bead profile 2104.

[0576] Referring to Figure 22A , Figure 22B and Figures 82-86 , the vaporizer cartridge 2200 can include a folded heating element (such as the heating element 500) and two airflow passages 2238. As described above, the heating element 500 can be curled or pre-formed around the wicking portion 2262 to receive the wicking portion 2262. The heating element 500 can include one or more tines 502. The tines 502 can be located in a heating portion of the heating element 500 and designed such that the electrical resistance of the tines 502 is matched to an appropriate amount of resistance to affect localized heating in the heating element 500 to more efficiently and effectively heat the vaporizable material 1302 from the wicking portion 2262.

[0577] The tines 502 form a series and / or parallel fine path heating segment or trace to provide a desired amount of electrical resistance. The specific geometry of the tines 502 can be selected as desired to create a particular localized electrical resistance for heating the heating element 500. For example, the tines 502 and heating element 500 can include one or more of the various tine configurations and features described in greater detail below. In some implementations, the tines 502 include a platform tine portion 524 and a side tine portion 526. The platform tine portion 524 is configured to contact one end of the wick portion 2262 and the side tine portion 526 is configured to contact an opposite side of the wick portion 2262. The platform tine portion 524 and the side tine portion 526 form a pocket shaped to receive and / or conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wick portion 2262. The pocket allows the wick portion 2262 to be secured and held within the pocket by the heating element 500. In some implementations, the side tine portion 526 and the platform tine portion 524 hold the wick portion 2262 via compression. The platform tine portion 524 and the side tine portion 526 contact the wick portion 2262 to provide multi-dimensional contact between the heating element 500 and the wick portion 2262. The multi-dimensional contact between the heating element 500 and the wick portion 2262 provides for a more efficient and / or faster transfer of the vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge to the heating portion (via the wick portion 2262) to be vaporized. The heating element 500 can include one or more legs 506 extending from the tines 502 and a cartridge contact 124 formed at an end of the one or more legs 506 and / or as part of at least one of the one or more legs. As an example, Figures 22A-22B and Figures 82-86 The heating element 500 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is a four leg 506. At least one of the legs 506 can include and / or define one of the cartridge contacts 124 that is configured to contact a corresponding one of the receptacle contacts 125 of the vaporizer. In some implementations, a pair of legs 506 (and cartridge contacts 124) can contact a single one of the receptacle contacts 125.

[0578] The legs 506 can be spring loaded to allow the legs 506 to maintain contact with the receptacle contacts 125. The legs 506 can include a curved portion to help maintain contact with the receptacle contacts 125. Spring loading the legs 506 and / or the curvature of the legs 506 can help increase and / or maintain consistent pressure between the legs 506 and the receptacle contacts 125. In some implementations, the legs 506 are coupled with a support 176 that helps increase and / or maintain consistent pressure between the legs 506 and the receptacle contacts 125. The support 176 can include plastic, rubber, or other material that helps maintain contact between the legs 506 and the receptacle contacts 125. In some implementations, the support 176 is formed as part of the legs 506.

[0579] The legs 506 can contact one or more wiper contacts configured to clean the connection between the cartridge contacts 124 and other contacts or the power supply 112. For example, the wiper contacts would include at least two parallel but offset tabs that rub against and slide against each other in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0580] In some implementations, the legs 506 include a retainer portion 180 configured to bend around at least a portion of the wick housing 178 that surrounds at least a portion of the wick 2262. The retainer portion 180 forms an end of the leg 506. The retainer portion 180 helps secure the heating element 500 and the wick 2262 to the wick housing 178 (and the vaporizer cartridge).

[0581] When the heating element 500 is activated, the temperature increases as a result of the current flowing through the heating element 500 to generate heat. The heat is transferred by conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat transfer to an amount of the vaporizable material 1302 such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 vaporizes. The heat transfer can occur to the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir, to the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from the collector 2213, and / or to the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wick 2262 held by the heating element 500.

[0582] In some implementations, the vaporizable material 1302 can vaporize along one or more edges of the rake 502. Air passing into the vaporizer device flows along an air path that traverses the heating element 500, causing the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to break away from the heating element 500 and / or the wick 2262. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can condense due to cooling, pressure changes, etc., such that it exits the mouthpiece through at least one of the airflow passages 2238 as an aerosol for a user to inhale. Figure 23 A cross-sectional view of the wick housing 178 is illustrated, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. The wick housing 178 can include wick support ribs 2296 that extend from an outer shell of the wick housing 178 toward the wick 2262 when assembled. The wick support ribs 2296 help prevent the wick 2262 from deforming during assembly.

[0583] Figure 24 An example of the wick housing 178 including an identification chip 2295 is illustrated. The identification chip 2295 can be at least partially held by the wick housing 178. The identification chip 2295 can be configured to communicate with a corresponding chip reader located on a vaporizer.

[0584] Figure 25FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate perspective, front, side, and exploded views of an example embodiment of a cartridge 1320 having a pressure fit component. As shown, the cartridge 1320 can include a mouthpiece-reservoir combination shaped in the form of a sleeve, with an airflow passage 1338 defined through the sleeve. A region in the cartridge 1320 houses a collector 1313, a wicking element 1362, a heating element 1350, and a wick portion housing 1315. An opening at a first end of the collector 1313 leads to the airflow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece and provides a route for the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to travel from the heating element 1350 region to the mouthpiece, from which a user inhales.

[0585] Additional and / or alternative fluid vent embodiments

[0586] Referring to Figures 27A to 27B , a front close-up plan view of an example flow management mechanism in the collector 1313 structure is shown. Similar to the flow management mechanisms discussed with reference to Figure 11M and Figure 11N , the flow management vent mechanism 2701 or 2702 can be implemented in various shapes in different embodiments. In the example of Figure 27A , the passage or overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313 can be connected to the storage chamber via, for example, the fluid vent 2701 such that the vent 2701 includes at least two openings connected to the storage chamber of the cartridge.

[0587] As previously mentioned, a liquid seal can be maintained at the vent 2701 independent of the positioning of the cartridge. On one side, a vent path can be maintained between the overflow channel and the vent 2701. On the other side, a high drive channel can be implemented to facilitate condensation to maintain the liquid seal.

[0588] Figure 27B An alternative vent 2702 structure is shown with three openings connected to the storage chamber of the cartridge with a condensation path that prevents a liquid seal between the vent 2701 and the storage chamber from being broken.

[0589] Figure 28 An instant snapshot is shown of the vaporizable material flow collected in an example collector 1313 when managed Figure 27A or Figure 27B to adjust to accommodate proper ventilation in the storage chamber of the cartridge. As shown, Figure 27A the structure of the vent 2701 in Figure 27B may differ from the vent 2702 in Figure 27AThe wall structure shown in FIG. 13B. This more open embodiment provides for enhanced microfluidic interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the open side of the vent 2702.

[0590] Referring to Figures 29A to 29C , perspective, front, and side views of an example embodiment of a cartridge are illustrated. The cartridge as illustrated can be assembled from a plurality of components including a collector, a heating element, and a wick housing to hold the cartridge components in place when inserted into the body of the cartridge. In one embodiment, a laser weld can be implemented at a circumferential joint generally at the point / position where the collector structure meets the wick housing. The laser weld prevents liquid vaporizable material 1302 from flowing from the collector into the heating chamber where the atomizer is disposed.

[0591] Referring to Figures 30A to 30F , perspective views of an example cartridge at different fill capacities are illustrated. As previously described, the volume of the overflow volume can be configured to be equal to, approximately equal to, or greater than the increase in volume of the contents contained in the storage chamber. When the volume of the contents in the storage chamber expands due to one or more environmental factors, if the volume of the contents contained in the storage chamber is X, then when the pressure within the storage chamber increases to Y, a quantity Z of vaporizable material 1302 can be displaced from the storage chamber into the overflow volume. As such, in one or more embodiments, the overflow volume is configured to be at least large enough to contain the quantity Z of vaporizable material 1302.

[0592] Figure 30A A perspective view of an example cartridge body is illustrated having a reservoir to accommodate storage of, for example, approximately 1.20 mL of vaporizable material 1302 when filled. Figure 30B A perspective view of an example cartridge in a fully assembled state is illustrated with the storage chamber and collector overflow pathway containing, when both are filled, a combined volume of, for example, approximately 1.20 mL of vaporizable material 1302. Figure 30C A perspective view of an example cartridge in a fully assembled state is illustrated when the collector overflow pathway is filled to a volume of, for example, approximately 0.173 mL. Figure 30D A perspective view of an example cartridge in a fully assembled state is illustrated when the storage chamber is filled to a volume of, for example, approximately 0.934 mL. Figure 30E A perspective view of an example cartridge in a fully assembled state is illustrated with the wick feed channel and airflow pathway in the mouthpiece shown in cutaway, the wick feed channel having a volume of, for example, approximately 0.094 mL. Figure 30F A perspective view of an example cartridge in a fully assembled state is illustrated with the overflow air channel incorporated into the portion of the collector facing the bottom rib, the airflow air channel having a volume of, for example, approximately 0.043 mL. Figures 31A to 31CThe illustration shows a front view of an example cartridge according to one embodiment, wherein the collector and the closure plug are inserted into the body of the cartridge. Figure 31B To form a fully assembled tin ( Figure 31C Before implementing a double-needle filling application to fill the cartridge's reservoir ( Figure 31A ). Figure 34A and Figure 34B The illustration shows a front and side view of an example cartridge body with an external airflow path. In some embodiments, one or more gates (also referred to as air inlet holes) may be provided on the evaporator body 110. The inlet holes may be located within an air inlet channel and have width, height, and depth dimensions designed to prevent a user from unintentionally blocking each individual air inlet hole when holding the evaporator 100. In one aspect, the air inlet channel structure may be long enough that airflow through the air inlet channel is not significantly blocked or restricted when, for example, a user's finger blocks an area of ​​the air inlet channel.

[0593] In some configurations, the geometry of the air inlet channel can provide at least one of, for example, a minimum length, a minimum depth, or a maximum width, to ensure that a user cannot completely cover or block the air inlet opening in the air inlet channel with their hand or other body parts. For example, the length of the air inlet channel can be longer than the width of an average person's finger, and the width and depth of the air inlet channel can be such that when a user's finger presses on the top of the channel, the resulting skin folds will not come into contact with the air inlet opening within the air inlet channel.

[0594] The air inlet channel may be constructed or formed with rounded edges or shaped to surround one or more corners or regions of the evaporator body 110 so that the air inlet channel is not easily covered by a user's fingers or body parts. In some embodiments, an optional cover may be provided to protect the air inlet channel so that a user's fingers do not block or completely restrict airflow into the air inlet channel. In one example embodiment, the air inlet channel may be formed at the interface between the evaporator cartridge 120 and the evaporator body 110 (e.g., at the sump area—see Figure 1 In this embodiment, since the air inlet channel is formed within the housing area, it can be protected from obstruction. This embodiment also allows for a configuration where the air inlet channel is hidden and invisible.

[0595] Figures 32A to 32C The illustrations show a front view, a top view, and a bottom view of an example container body, which has a condensate collector 3201 incorporated in an air path.

[0596] Reference Figure 33A, air or vapor can flow into an airflow path in the cartridge. The airflow path can extend longitudinally along the body of the cartridge from an orifice or opening in the mouthpiece, internally, such that vaporizable material 1302 drawn through the mouthpiece passes through the condensate collector 3201. As shown in Figure 33B In addition to the condensate collector 3201, a condensate recycler channel 3204 (e.g., a microfluidic channel) can be formed, for example, to travel from the opening in the mouthpiece to the wick portion.

[0597] The condensate collector 3201 acts on vaporized vaporizable material 1302 that cools and becomes droplets in the mouthpiece to collect the condensed droplets and direct them to the condensate recycler channel 3204. The condensate recycler channel 3204 collects the condensate and large vapor droplets and returns them to the wick portion and prevents liquid vaporizable material formed in the mouthpiece from being deposited into the user's mouth during user draws or inhalations from the mouthpiece. The condensate recycler channel 3204 can be implemented as a microfluidic channel to trap any droplet condensate and thereby eliminate direct inhalation of vaporizable material in liquid form and avoid undesirable sensations or tastes in the user's mouth. With respect to Figures 117-119C Additional and / or alternative embodiments of condensate recycler channels and / or one or more other features for controlling, collecting, and / or recycling condensate in a vaporizer device are described and shown. The condensate recycler channel (and / or one or more other features described and shown) can assist in controlling, collecting, and / or recycling condensate in a vaporizer device, alone or in combination with one or more features of a vaporizer cartridge Figures 117-119C

[0598] Referring to Figure 35 and Figure 36 , a perspective view of a portion of an example cartridge is illustrated in which the collector structure 1313 includes an air gap 3501 at the bottom rib of the collector structure. The positioning of the air gap 3501 can coincide with the location at which the air exchange port is located in the collector structure 1313. As previously described, the collector structure 1313 can be configured with a central opening through which an airflow passage to the mouthpiece is achieved. The airflow passage can be connected to the air exchange port such that the volume within the overflow pathway of the collector 1313 is connected to ambient air via the air exchange port and also to the volume in the storage chamber via the breather.

[0599] ​According to one or more embodiments, the breather can function as a control valve to primarily control the flow of liquid between the overflow pathway and the reservoir. For example, the air exchange port can be used to primarily control the flow of air between the overflow pathway and the air path leading to, for example, the mouthpiece. The combination of the interaction between the breather, the collector channel of the overflow pathway, and the air exchange port provides for proper wick saturation, and proper breather for air bubbles that can be introduced into the cartridge due to various environmental factors, as well as controlled flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector channel. The presence of the air gap 3501 at the air exchange port allows for a more robust breather process because the air gap prevents the stored liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the collector from seeping into the wick housing region.

[0600] Figures 37A to 37C Figures illustrate top views of various example wick feed shapes and configurations for a cartridge according to one or more embodiments. As shown, Figure 37A Figures illustrate a cross-shaped wick feed cross-section according to an example embodiment. Figure 37B Figures illustrate a wick feed having an approximately rectangular cross-section. Figure 37C Figures illustrate a wick feed having an approximately square cross-section. As previously mentioned, according to embodiments, one or more wick feeds 3701 can be configured to travel through a conduit, channel, tube, or lumen of the collector structure 1313 as a path to feed the stored vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir to the wick. In certain configuration, the wick feed 3701 can extend generally parallel to the central channel 3700 in the collector 1313. According to embodiments, the wick feed path can be shaped as a tube having, for example, a generally rectangular or square cross-sectional shape as shown in, for example, Figure 37B and Figure 37C In certain configurations, the wick feed path can be shaped as a tube having, for example, a generally rectangular or square cross-sectional shape as shown in, for example, Figures 1 1-13. A conduit or tube shaped as a variable width cross-sectional shape through the wick feed path can overcome clogging issues provided such shape is arranged in a multi-path configuration that allows the vaporizable material 1302 to travel through the wick feed even if an air bubble forms in a certain region of the wick feed. In such embodiments, a blockage in the wick feed tube would likely form at a portion of the wick feed tube, opening a sub-channel (e.g., an alternate path) to flow. According to one or more aspects, the wick feed path can be wide enough to allow the vaporizable material 1302 to travel freely through the feed path and toward the wick. In some embodiments, the flow through the wick feed can be enhanced or modulated by designing certain portions of the wick feed to have a relative diameter that enhances the capillary pull or pressure on the vaporizable material 1302 traveling through the wick feed path. In other words, according to shape and other structural or material factors, some wick feed paths can rely on gravity or capillary forces to induce movement of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick housing portion.

[0601] Figure 37D and Figure 37E An example embodiment of a collector 1313 with a dual wick feed 3701 embodiment is illustrated. At least one of the wick feeds 3701 can be formed to include a partial dividing wall. The partial dividing wall can be configured to divide the volume of the interior of the wick feed 3701 into two separate volumes (i.e., body cavities), as Figure 37D and Figure 37E illustrated in perspective cutaway view in

[0602] In certain embodiments, the partial wall in a single wick feed substantially forms two body cavities in the single wick feed. The body cavities in the wick feed can be separated via the partial wall and used individually to allow flow of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick housing. In such embodiments, if a bubble migrates in one of the body cavities in the wick feed, the other body cavity can remain open. The body cavities can be volumetrically large enough to provide sufficient flow of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick to saturate adequately.

[0603] Thus, in embodiments using two wick feeds 3701, effectively four body cavities are available for carrying flow of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick. Thus, in the event a bubble forms in one, two, or even three of the body cavities, at least the fourth body cavity will be available to direct flow of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick, reducing the chance of the wick dehydrating.

[0604] Referring to Figure 38 , a close-up view of an end of a wick feed proximate to a wick (e.g., at an end configured to at least partially receive the wick), where optionally at least a portion of the wick is clamped between two or more prongs extending from the end of the wick feed. Figure 39 A perspective view of an example collector structure combined with an air gap at one end of an overflow pathway is illustrated, the collector structure having a square design wick feed.

[0605] Referring to Figures 40A to 40E , respectively, a rear view, a side view, a top view, a front view, and a bottom view of an example collector structure are illustrated. Figure 40A A rear view of a collector structure is illustrated, for example, with four different ejection sites. Figure 40B A side view of a collector structure is illustrated, showing, among other things, a clamp-shaped end portion 4002 of a wick feed that can securely hold a wick in the path of the wick feed. As Figure 40CAs shown in the middle, the portion of the cartridge body that extends from the mouthpiece, internally, to the cartridge body can be received through the central passage 3700 in the collector structure, which forms an airway passage for the vaporized material 1302 to escape from the atomizer towards the mouthpiece.

[0606] Figure 40C A top view of a collector structure is illustrated with wick-fed passages 4001 for receiving the vaporizable material from the storage chamber of the cartridge and holding the vaporizable material at the end of the wick-fed passages 4001 at the appropriate location at the wick-formed clamp-shaped end portion 4002 of the wick-fed passages 4001.

[0607] Figure 40D An elevation plan view of a collector structure is illustrated. As shown, an air gap cavity can be formed at the lower portion of the collector structure at the end of the lower rib of the collector structure where the overflow passage of the collector opens to the air control vent 3902 that is in communication with ambient air. The portion of the cartridge body that extends from the mouthpiece can be received through the central passage 3700 in the collector structure, which forms an airway passage for the vaporized material 1302 to escape from the atomizer towards the mouthpiece.

[0608] Figure 40E A bottom view of a collector 1313 structure is illustrated with two wick-fed passage ends configured as two clamp-shaped end portions 4022 to hold wicks in place at the bottom end of the collector 1313. As shown, optionally, a segmented ridge, flange, or lip 4003 can be formed on the surface of the bottom end of the collector 1313 where the collector 1313 is connected to the upper portion of the plug 760 when assembled. The lip 4003 provides a pressure-tight engagement for the upper portion of the plug 760 and the lower portion of the collector 1313 to function in a similar manner to a flexible O-ring, so that a proper seal can be established during assembly. In one embodiment, the bottom end of the collector 1313 can be laser welded to the upper portion of the plug 760.

[0609] Figure 41A and Figure 41B A plan top view and side view of an alternative embodiment of a collector structure is illustrated with two clamp-shaped end portions 4002 and two corresponding wick-fed portions. As shown, with the two wick-fed portions, the wicks can be held in place at the end of the collector structure at the appropriate location at the wick-formed clamp-shaped end portion 4002 of the wick-fed passages 4001. Figure 40AThe alternative embodiment is shorter in height compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13. This reduced height provides improved functionality due to the structural changes in the shape of the collector 1313 and the length of the passageway for the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the collector 1313. As such, depending on the implementation, in certain embodiments, the length of the passageway for the vaporizable material 1302 through the collector 1313 can be shorter to provide more effective capillary pressure and better management of the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into the passageway of the collector 1313.

[0610] Figure 42A and 42B Various perspective, top, bottom, and side views of example collectors 1313 with different structural implementations are illustrated. For example, Figure 42A The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 includes a pinch point that includes a vertically positioned C-shaped wall. In contrast, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 includes a pinch point that includes a horizontally positioned C-shaped wall. Figure 42B In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, the C-shaped wall is positioned diagonally to facilitate more controlled flow of the vaporizable material 1302 along the passageway of the collector 1313. As shown in the example embodiment of FIG. 15, the C-shaped wall is positioned diagonally relative to the bottom blade of the collector and perpendicularly relative to the downwardly sloped blade portion in the collector. Figure 42B

[0611] As previously described, the flow rate into and out of the collector 1313 is controlled via manipulation of the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313 by introducing one or more pinch points, which effectively reduces the overall volume of the overflow channel 1104. As shown, the introduction of multiple pinch points in the overflow channel 1104 divides the overflow channel into multiple sections in which the vaporizable material 1302 can flow in a first direction or a second direction, e.g., toward or away from the air control vent 3902, respectively. The introduction of the pinch points helps establish or control the capillary pressure regime in the overflow channel 1104 such that the hydraulic flow of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the air control vent 3902 is minimized at a pressure regime in which the pressure in the cartridge reservoir is equal to or less than the ambient air. At a pressure regime in which the pressure in the reservoir is lower than the ambient pressure (e.g., exceeds a first threshold), the pinch points are configured to control the capillary pressure or hydraulic flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 such that ambient air can enter the overflow channel 1104 through the air control vent 3904 and travel upward toward the controlled flow gate 1102 into the reservoir to vent the cartridge (i.e., establish an equilibrium pressure regime in the cartridge).

[0612] ​In certain embodiments or scenarios, the above-described venting process can not involve or require ambient air to enter through the air control vent 3904. In some example scenarios, in addition to or instead of air entering through the air control vent 3904, any air bubbles or gas trapped within the overflow channel 1104 can also travel upward toward the controlled flow gate 1102 to help establish an equilibrium pressure state in the cartridge by venting the reservoir as the air bubbles are introduced into the reservoir from the overflow channel 1104 through the controlled flow gate 1102, as described herein with reference to, for example, Figure 11M and Figure 11N are further described in detail. The design of the constriction point and the C-shaped wall formed in the path of the overflow channel 1104, as shown in Figure 42A and 42B facilitates more controlled flow of the vaporizable material 1302 through the overflow channel 1104 via better management of capillary pressure throughout the path of the overflow control channel 1104.

[0613] Figure 43A Various perspective, top, bottom, and side views of an example wick housing 1315 are illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown, one or more perforations or holes can be formed in a lower portion of the wick housing 1315 to regulate airflow through the wick located in the wick housing 760 of the wick housing 1315. A sufficient number of holes will facilitate sufficient airflow through the wick housing 760 and will provide for proper and timely vaporization of the vaporizable material 1302 absorbed into the wick in response to heat generated by the heating element located proximate to or surrounding the wick.

[0614] Figure 43B The collector 1313 and wick housing 760 components of an example cartridge 1320 are illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown, the wick housing 1315, which comprises the wick housing portion of the cartridge, can be implemented to include a protruding member or tab 4390. The tab 4390 can be configured to extend from an upper end of the wick housing 1315 that mates with a receiving end of the collector 1313 during assembly. The tab 4390 can include one or more faces that correspond to or mate with one or more faces in a receiving recess or cavity 1390 in, for example, a bottom portion of the collector 1313. The receiving cavity 1390 can be configured to removably receive the tab 4390, such as a snap-fit engagement. The snap-fit arrangement can assist in holding the collector 1313 and wick housing 1315 together during or after assembly.

[0615] In certain embodiments, the protrusions 4390 can be used to guide the orientation of the wick portion housing 1315 during assembly. For example, in one embodiment, one or more vibratory mechanisms (e.g., a vibrating bowl) can be used to temporarily store or stage the various components of the cartridge 1320. According to some implementations, the protrusions 4390 can facilitate orienting the upper portion of the wick portion housing 1315 into a mechanical clamping portion for the purpose of easy engagement and proper automated assembly.

[0616] Additional and / or alternative heating element embodiments

[0617] As described above, the vaporizer cartridge according to embodiments of the present disclosure can include one or more heating elements. Figures 44A-116 Embodiments of heating elements according to implementations of the present disclosure are shown. While Figures 44A-116 The features described and shown can be included in various embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge described above and / or can include one or more features of various embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge described above, but Figures 44A-116 The features of the heating elements described and shown can additionally and / or alternatively be included in one or more other example embodiments of a vaporizer cartridge, such as those described below.

[0618] Heating elements consistent with implementations of the current subject matter can desirably be shaped to receive a wicking element and / or to be crimped or pinched at least partially around a wicking element. The heating element can be bent such that the heating element is configured to secure the wicking element between at least two or three portions of the heating element. The heating element can be bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element. The heating element can be easier to manufacture than typical heating elements. Heating elements consistent with implementations of the current subject matter can also be made of an electrically conductive metal suitable for resistive heating, and in some implementations, the heating element can include a selectively plated other material to allow the heating element (and thus, the vaporizable material) to be heated more efficiently.

[0619] Figure 44A An exploded view of one embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge 120 is shown, Figure 44B A perspective view of one embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge 120 is shown, Figure 44C A bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge 120 is shown. As Figures 44A-44C As shown, the vaporizer cartridge 120 includes a housing 160 and an atomizer assembly (or atomizer) 141.

[0620] The atomizer assembly 141 (see Figures 99-101) can include a wicking element 162, a heating element 500, and a wicking portion housing 178. As described in greater detail below, at least a portion of the heating element 500 is positioned between the housing 160 and the wicking portion housing 178 and is exposed to couple with a portion of the vaporizer body 110 (e.g., electrically couple with the receptacle contact 125). The wicking portion housing 178 can include four sides. For example, the wicking portion housing 178 can include two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides. The two opposing long sides can each include at least one (two or more) recesses 166 (see Figure 99 、 Figure 111A ) positioned along and proximate to a respective intersection between the long side and the short side of the wicking portion housing 178. The recesses 166 can be shaped to releasably couple with a corresponding feature (e.g., a spring) on the vaporizer body 110 to secure the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110 within the cartridge receptacle 118. The recesses 166 provide a mechanically stable securing means for the vaporizer cartridge 120 coupling to the vaporizer body 110.

[0621] In some embodiments, the wicking portion housing 178 also includes an identification chip 174 that can be configured to communicate with a corresponding chip reader located on the vaporizer. The identification chip 174 can be glued and / or otherwise adhered to the wicking portion housing 178, such as on the short sides of the wicking portion housing 178. Additionally or alternatively, the wicking portion housing 178 can include a chip recess 164 (see Figure 100 ) configured to receive the identification chip 174. The chip recess 164 can be surrounded by two, four, or more walls. The chip recess 164 can be shaped to secure th...

Claims

1. An evaporator, characterized by Comprising: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid vaporizable material, the reservoir defined at least in part by at least one wall, the reservoir including a storage chamber and an overflow volume; and a collector disposed within the overflow volume, the collector including a capillary structure, the capillary structure including a passage configured to hold a volume of liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with the storage chamber, the passage including a plurality of spaced apart constriction points having a smaller cross-sectional area than portions of the passage between the constriction points.

2. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein, The passage includes a microfluidic feature configured to prevent air and liquid from passing each other during filling and emptying of the collector.

3. The evaporator of claim 2, wherein, The microfluidic feature is configured to prevent or reduce leakage of liquid vaporizable material or trapping of air bubbles into the storage chamber or overflow volume.

4. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of constriction points have a relatively flat surface oriented along the passage toward the storage chamber and a relatively rounded surface oriented along the passage away from the storage chamber.

5. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein, One or more of the plurality of constriction points include a constriction point that differs in at least one of shape, size, frequency, and symmetry.

6. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a microfluidic gate between the collector and the storage chamber, the microfluidic gate including a rim of an aperture between the storage chamber and the collector, the rim of the aperture being flatter on a first side facing the storage chamber than a second, more rounded side facing the collector.

7. The evaporator of claim 6, wherein, The microfluidic gate includes a plurality of openings connecting the storage chamber and the collector, and a constriction point between the plurality of openings, the plurality of openings including a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel has a higher capillary drive than the second channel.

8. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein, The passage includes a channel configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to flow from the storage chamber to a wicking element within an atomizer, the atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous state.

9. The evaporator of claim 8, wherein, The channel has a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregularity configured to allow liquid in the channel to bypass a bubble obstructing the rest of the channel.

10. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein, The storage chamber and the collector are configured to maintain a continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collector in contact with liquid vaporizable material in the storage chamber such that a decrease in pressure in the storage chamber relative to ambient pressure causes the continuous column of liquid vaporizable material in the collector to at least partially be drawn back into the storage chamber.

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