Non-combustion heating vaporizer device

Abstract

A vaporizer device for generating an inhalable aerosol is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the vaporizer device may include a receptacle, one or more heating elements arranged to heat the receptacle, and a cartridge configured to be inserted into the receptacle. The cartridge may include a container configured to heat a vaporizable material when the heating elements heat the receptacle, a lid having a plurality of first air inlets configured to direct air into the container, and a structure within the container, where the structure is configured to direct air through the vaporizable material to form a vaporized material.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 63 / 274,922 and 63 / 410,693, entitled "Heat Not Burn Vaporizer Devices," filed on November 2, 2021 and September 28, 2022, respectively, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Technical Field The subject matter described herein relates to a vaporizer device that includes a vaporizer body configured to heat a cartridge of vaporizable material.

[0003] Background technology Vaporizer devices, which may also be referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used to deliver an aerosol (e.g., a substance in the gas phase and / or condensed phase suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gaseous carrier) containing one or more active ingredients, via inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizer device. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include types of vaporizer devices that are battery powered to simulate the experience of smoking, but also include types of vaporizer devices that do not involve the combustion of tobacco or other substances. Vaporizer devices have become increasingly popular in both prescribed medical applications in the delivery of medicines and the consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based materials. Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and / or convenient to use.

[0004] In using a vaporizer device, a user inhales an aerosol, colloquially referred to as "vapor," which may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., transitions a liquid or solid at least partially to a gas phase) a vaporizable material, which may be a liquid, solution, solid, paste, wax, and / or any other form compatible for use with a particular vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device may be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a separable portion of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable material) that includes an outlet (e.g., a mouthpiece, or an outlet that is fluidly connected to the mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by the user.

[0005] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by the vaporizer device, a user may activate the vaporizer device, in certain instances, by making a puff, by pressing a button, and / or by some other approach. As used herein, the term puff refers to an inhalation by a user that draws a volume of air into the vaporizer device, whereby the combination of the vaporized material (e.g., gas-phase material) and the air volume generates an inhalable aerosol.

[0006] Approaches by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material include heating the vaporizable material (e.g., in a cartridge, insert, vaporization chamber, heater chamber, oven, and / or compartment cooperating with a heating element) to convert at least a portion of the vaporizable material to a vaporized material (e.g., gas-phase material). A vaporization chamber, heater chamber, oven, or the like may refer to a region or volume within a vaporizer device within which a heat source (e.g., a conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat source) heats the vaporizable material to generate vaporized material and allows the vaporized material to mix with air and form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the vaporizer device.

[0007] The vaporizer device may be controlled by one or more controllers, electronic circuits (e.g., sensors, heating elements, buttons, switches) and / or the like on or within the vaporizer device. The vaporizer device may also communicate wirelessly with an external controller (e.g., a computing device such as a personal computer or smartphone).

[0008] In some embodiments, a vaporizer cartridge containing solid vaporizable material (e.g., including plant material such as tobacco leaves and / or tobacco leaf portions) must be heated to undesirably high temperatures to heat the interior region of the vaporizable material to the minimum temperature necessary for vaporization. As a result, some of the solid vaporizable material contained within the vaporizer cartridge may burn or char at such high temperatures, producing combustion or partial combustion by-products (e.g., chemical elements or compounds) that may have undesirable properties such as unpleasant odors or tastes, adverse health effects, etc. Furthermore, uniform heating of the vaporizable material may be difficult to achieve in current conduction-based vaporizers due to the low thermal conductivity of certain vaporizable materials (e.g., plant materials such as tobacco). Thus, a controlled, uniform heat distribution is desired in such devices.

[0009] Conduction-based vaporizer devices may be configured to convert one or more compounds present in a vaporizable material (e.g., a solid material immersed in, at least partially impregnated with, bathed in, treated with, etc.) that includes a liquid component into a gas phase using a heating element in contact with the vaporizable material. Thus, the liquid component may contaminate the heating element. Such contamination may ultimately impair the performance of the vaporizer device. In some vaporizers, the heating element may be incorporated into a disposable portion (e.g., a cartridge) of the vaporizer device, allowing the heating element to be replaced with each new cartridge, thereby limiting, but not eliminating, contamination of the heating element. However, this may increase the manufacturing effort and costs associated with the disposable portion.

[0010] Some problems with current vaporizer devices include the inability to efficiently and effectively heat vaporizable materials without wasting a significant amount of energy. For example, some vaporizer devices include a heater body that is wrapped around the outer surface of the tobacco material and placed directly in the airflow. Such a configuration can cause one or more heater surfaces to be exposed to the airflow, which causes at least a portion of the heat energy generated by the heater that could be used to heat the tobacco material to be lost. Thus, energy may be wasted because the generated heat is not effectively utilized.

[0011] Vaporizer devices configured with a heater element partially embedded inside the tobacco material may include airflow through the tobacco material, thereby preventing tight tobacco compression around the heater and reducing heat transfer from the heater to the tobacco material. Additionally, vaporizer devices with heater elements embedded within or at least partially surrounded by the tobacco may also present cleaning and hygiene issues. For example, as the heater penetrates the tobacco, residue may be left on the heater element after use, requiring users to clean the heater element before continued use.

[0012] overview Aspects of the subject matter relate to a vaporizer device including various embodiments of a vaporizer body and / or a cartridge of vaporizable material configured to generate an inhalable aerosol. For purposes of overview, several aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. It should be understood that not all of these advantages may be achieved by any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be implemented, embodied, or performed to achieve or optimize one advantage or a group of advantages rather than achieve all advantages that may be taught or suggested herein. The various features and items described herein may be combined together or separated, except where not feasible based on the present disclosure and what one of ordinary skill in the art would understand from the present disclosure.

[0013] In various embodiments, a vaporizer device (e.g., for generating an inhalable aerosol) includes a receptacle, one or more heating elements arranged to heat the receptacle, a cartridge configured to be inserted into the receptacle, and a mouthpiece. The cartridge has a container containing a vaporizable material, the container configured to at least partially heat the vaporizable material when the heating element heats the receptacle. The cartridge may additionally have a lid having a plurality of first air inlets configured to direct air into the container, and / or at least one air outlet. The cartridge further has a structure within the container configured to direct air through the vaporizable material to form a vaporized material and / or to direct the vaporized material toward the at least one air outlet. The cartridge further has at least one condensation chamber configured to condense the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol, the at least one condensation chamber being in fluid communication with the at least one air outlet. The mouthpiece may have a mouthpiece outlet configured to deliver an inhalable aerosol to a user and / or the mouthpiece outlet may be in fluid communication with at least one condensation chamber.

[0014] In a related embodiment that may be included in any of the described embodiments of the vaporizer device, the receptacle comprises an oven. Optionally, the one or more heating elements are disposed on, toward, near, and / or along one or more walls of the receptacle. The one or more walls of the receptacle can include a bottom receptacle wall distal to the mouthpiece and / or one or more side walls extending in a longitudinal dimension perpendicular to the bottom receptacle wall.

[0015] In an optional variation of the described embodiment, one of the one or more heating elements extends along at least a portion of one or more side walls of the receptacle, and / or one of the one or more heating elements is wrapped around at least a portion of the exterior surface of the receptacle. In an optional variation of the described embodiment, one of the one or more heating elements extends along at least a portion of the bottom receptacle wall. Both heating elements may be the same heating element or separate heating elements. Optionally, the heating element may be a flexible heating circuit and / or a ceramic heater. The heating element may be in direct contact with the cartridge or indirect contact with the cartridge (e.g., by thermal contact without physical contact with the cartridge). For example, one or more flexible heating circuits may be in contact with and / or wrapped around at least a portion (e.g., a majority or minor portion) of the surface of the receptacle or oven side wall and / or bottom wall. In another example, the ceramic heater may additionally or alternatively be located in (or at least partially form) the bottom wall of the receptacle or oven.

[0016] In optional variations of the described embodiments, the cartridge has one or more side walls extending between the proximal and distal ends (e.g., between opposite ends) of the cartridge, and / or a bottom container wall at or near (e.g., proximal) the distal end of the cartridge. Optionally, the lid has a top barrier at or near (e.g., proximal) the proximal end of the cartridge. The lid may have a base component, the base component having a shaft with one or more axial through holes.

[0017] In optional variations of the described embodiments, the container, lid (e.g., top barrier, perforated lid, and / or base component), and / or other components of the cartridge may be formed from or may otherwise include non-vapor permeable materials such as metal, metal alloy, paper material such as card stock, corrugated material such as cardboard, tobacco paper, heat resistant plastic, and / or the like. When a metal or metal alloy is used, the metal or metal alloy may include aluminum and / or stainless steel. In optional variations of the described embodiments, at least a portion of the lid (e.g., top barrier, perforated lid, and / or base component) may include a paper material, and other portions of the container and lid (perforated lid and / or base component) may include aluminum or stainless steel.

[0018] In a related embodiment that may be included in any of the described embodiments of the vaporizer device, the vaporizer device has at least one air flow passage configured to provide an inhalable aerosol to a user. In an optional variation of the described embodiments, the (cartridge) structure has a baffle or a shaft with multiple axial through holes. In another optional variation of the described embodiments, the air flow passage has multiple air inlets, multiple through holes, at least one condensation chamber, at least one air outlet, a mouthpiece outlet, and / or multiple axial through holes. In an optional variation of the described embodiments, the shaft has at least one condensation chamber(s), the at least one condensation chamber(s) in fluid communication with (one or more of) the multiple air inlets, and the multiple air inlets are configured to direct air into the at least one condensation chamber(s) to promote condensation of the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol.

[0019] In optional variations of the described embodiments, the mouthpiece has at least one condensation chamber(s) and includes or forms at least a portion of at least one air inlet in fluid communication with the at least one condensation chamber(s), the at least one air inlet configured to direct air into the at least one condensation chamber(s) to promote condensation of the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol.

[0020] In optional variations of the described embodiments, the mouthpiece includes or forms at least a portion of an air inlet configured to direct air into the vaporizer device. In optional variations of the described embodiments, the lid has at least one second air inlet configured to direct air into a connected air flow path of the vaporized material, thereby promoting condensation of the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol. In some aspects of the described embodiments, the directed air is mixed into the connected air flow path within at least a portion of the cartridge, outside the cartridge, or both.

[0021] In an optional variation of the described embodiment, the structure (of the cartridge) has at least one first hole and at least one second hole, the at least one first hole configured to direct air through the multiple air inlets of the lid into the container, and the at least one second hole configured to direct vaporized material toward at least one air outlet of the lid. The combination of the at least one first hole and the at least one second hole allows air to enter the cartridge through the lid and allows air to exit the cartridge through the lid. Optionally, the ingress air through the at least one first hole passes through the lid in a first direction, and the egress air through the at least one second hole passes through the lid in a second direction different from the first direction (e.g., opposite directions relative to each other).

[0022] In a related embodiment that may be included in any of the described embodiments of the vaporizer device, the vaporizable material may include a solid plant-based material, such as tobacco. In an optional variation of the described embodiment, the vaporizable material includes both tobacco and non-tobacco materials. Optionally, the tobacco material includes tobacco leaves and the non-tobacco material includes a material having similar properties to the tobacco material. The similar properties may include a heat transfer profile of the tobacco material, an air transfer profile of the tobacco material, a capillary pressure profile of the tobacco material, a porosity profile of the tobacco material, and / or the like. For example, the material may include expanded tobacco stems, hemp, cotton, wood, porous glass beads, porous ceramics, and / or the like. Optionally, the tobacco leaves include dried or dehydrated tobacco leaves.

[0023] In optional variations of the described embodiments, the tobacco and non-tobacco materials are formed as sheets and / or strands and / or are layered. Optionally, the non-tobacco materials are formed in the shape of pellets, pills, and / or beads interspersed within the tobacco material. Further optionally, the tobacco and non-tobacco materials are mixed to form a homogenous or non-homogeneous mixture. In a related embodiment that may be included in any of the described embodiments of the vaporizer device, the structure includes a filter upstream of the at least one air outlet.

[0024] In an optional variation of the described embodiments, the structure is further configured to direct vaporized material towards at least one air outlet.

[0025] In an optional variation of the described embodiments, the at least one condensation chamber is disposed within the cartridge.

[0026] In an optional variation of the described embodiment, the lid includes a filter assembly. Optionally, the filter assembly includes a first layer and an absorbent layer, where at least one condensation chamber is defined in the absorbent layer. Further optionally, the filter assembly further includes a second layer, where the absorbent layer is disposed between the first layer and the second layer. Further optionally, each of the first layer, the second layer, and the absorbent layer includes at least one through hole extending through each layer. Optionally, the absorbent layer includes at least one vent hole, where the at least one vent hole is in fluid communication with the condensation chamber.

[0027] Details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The claims following this disclosure are intended to define the scope of protected subject matter.

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles related to the disclosed embodiments. The patent or application file contains at least one drawing in color. Copies of this patent or patent application file containing color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 2A] 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the vaporizer device of FIG. 2A with the mouthpiece removed. [Diagram 3]1A-1C are front and side views of an embodiment of a cartridge consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 4A] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4B] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4C] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4D] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4E] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4F] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4G] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4H] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 4I] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 5A] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 5B] 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 8A] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9]FIG. 8B is a partially exploded view of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG. 8A. [Figure 10] FIG. 8B is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG. 8A. [Figure 11] FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG. 8B. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 13A] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 13B] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 13C] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 13D] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 13E] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 13F] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 14A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 14B] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 14C] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 15A] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 15B] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 15C] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 16A] 1A-1C are illustrative cross-sectional views illustrating a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 16B] 1A-1C are illustrative cross-sectional views illustrating a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 16C] 1A-1C are illustrative cross-sectional views illustrating a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 16D] 1A-1C are illustrative cross-sectional views illustrating a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 16E] 1A-1C are illustrative cross-sectional views illustrating a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. [Figure 16F] 1A-1C are illustrative cross-sectional views illustrating a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0030] In the embodiments, like reference numbers indicate like structures, functions, or elements.

[0031] Detailed Description The subject embodiments include methods, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and systems for vaporizing one or more materials for inhalation by a user. Various embodiments of vaporizer devices are described herein that provide many advantages, including, for example, improving contact between the heating element and / or heated surface of the heating system and a cartridge containing the vaporizable material to ensure efficient and effective heat transfer between the heating element and the vaporizable material. For example, maintaining intimate contact between the cartridge and the heating element and / or heated surface may reduce heat loss (e.g., to the surrounding housing of the vaporizer device) and improve heating efficiency (e.g., per unit of power consumption). An additional advantage that may be provided by various embodiments of the vaporizer devices described herein is improved user satisfaction. For example, in some embodiments, proper mixing of relatively cool air (e.g., ambient temperature air) with heated air containing the vaporized material may improve the formation of sub-micron sized aerosol particles, thereby reducing condensation of one or more compounds released during heating of the vaporized material on the interior surfaces of the vaporizer (e.g., inhalation tube and / or mouthpiece components). Such condensation will eventually be drawn into the user's mouth in liquid form, which creates an unpleasant taste and is therefore unavailable for inhalation, thereby reducing the amount of inhalable product available. Thus, by ensuring proper mixing and aerosol generation, embodiments of the present subject matter can increase user satisfaction.

[0032] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can be disposed in a cartridge that is in direct contact with and / or proximal to a heating element of a heating system to allow efficient and effective heat transfer from the heating element to the cartridge and thus to the vaporizable material. In some embodiments, the cartridge containing the vaporizable material, e.g., the vaporizable material contained in a suitably configured structure, can be disposed within a vaporization chamber, heater chamber, oven, etc., where the region or volume within the vaporizer device where the heating element causes heating of at least a portion of the vaporizable material includes the interior region or volume of the cartridge. The suitably configured structure features can include one or more of the following: being at least partially formed of a metal or some other material that is durable under heat and has sufficient thermal conductivity; having a plurality of openings through which air can enter and / or exit the cartridge to aid in convective heating of the vaporizable material, and / or evacuation from the cartridge of the inhalable components generated by heating the vaporizable material; and the like. In another embodiment, the vaporizable material can be placed in direct contact with and / or proximate to the heating element of the heating system to allow efficient and effective heat transfer from the heating element to the vaporizable material. Thus, the vaporizer devices, heating systems, cartridges, and vaporizable materials described herein can provide more efficient heating of vaporizable materials and formation of inhalable aerosols compared to some currently available vaporizer devices. Other advantages are described herein and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] The term "vaporizer device" as used in the following description and claims refers to any self-contained device, a device that includes two or more separable parts (e.g., a vaporizer body including a battery and other hardware, a cartridge and / or insert that includes a vaporizable material, and / or a mouthpiece configured to deliver an inhalable aerosol to a user), and / or the like. As used herein, a "vaporizer system" can include one or more components, such as a vaporizer device, a charger for charging the vaporizer device, a wired or wireless communication device that communicates with the vaporizer device, a remote server that communicates with the communication device, and / or the like. Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and / or the like. Such vaporizer devices can be handheld devices that heat (e.g., by convection, conduction, radiation, and / or some combination thereof) a vaporizable material to provide a user with an inhalable dose of material.

[0034] The vaporizable material used with the vaporizer device may optionally be provided in a cartridge (e.g., an insertable and removable portion of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable material), which can be refilled when empty or disposable, in which case a new cartridge containing the same or different type of additional vaporizable material can be used. The vaporizer device may be a vaporizer device that uses a cartridge, a vaporizer device without a cartridge, or a multi-use vaporizer device that can be used with or without a cartridge. Some embodiments of the cartridge can include a vaporizable material that can be filled to an appropriate density as described herein. In some embodiments, the vaporizer device can include a heating chamber or compartment (e.g., a receptacle) that directly accommodates the cartridge therein and is configured to heat the vaporizable material to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0035] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device can be configured for use with liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which active and / or inactive ingredients are suspended or held in solution, or a liquid form of the vaporizable material itself) and / or non-liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a paste, wax, gel, solid, plant material, and / or the like). Non-liquid vaporizable material can include plant material that releases a portion of the plant material as vaporizable material (e.g., a portion of the plant material remains as waste after the material is vaporized for inhalation by the user), or optionally, can be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself, such that all solid material can eventually be vaporized for inhalation. Liquid vaporizable material can be fully vaporizable as well, or can include some liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has vaporized.

[0036] Implementations of the vaporizable material can be formed at least in part from non-liquid vaporizable materials such as tobacco (e.g., leaves) and / or other vegetable matter. In some aspects, the vaporizable material can also include a humectant or other aerosol-forming material or carrier, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and / or the like. Thus, some embodiments of vaporizer devices can be configured to use a vaporizable material that is at least in part made up of one or more vaporizable materials (e.g., including one or more compounds that can be converted to a gas phase when the vaporizable material is heated to a sufficient temperature) for heating and forming an inhalable aerosol, as described in more detail below.

[0037] 1 shows a block diagram illustrating one example of a vaporizer device 100 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. With reference to FIG. 1, the vaporizer device 100 can include a power source 112 (e.g., a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery) and a controller 104 (e.g., a processor capable of executing logic, circuitry, etc.) for controlling the supply of heat from a heating element 141 to convert at least a portion of a vaporizable material 102 (e.g., a solid, liquid, solution, suspension, a portion of at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) of a cartridge 120 into a gas phase. The controller 104 can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0038] After a portion of the amount of one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102 is converted to the gas phase, at least a portion of these gas phase compounds may condense to form particulate matter that is at least partially in local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of the aerosol. This portion of the aerosol may form part or all of the inhalable amount provided by the vaporizer device 100 while a user puffs or inhales on the vaporizer device 100. It should be understood that the interaction between the gas phase and the condensed phase in the aerosol generated by the vaporizer device 100 may be complex and dynamic due to factors that may affect one or more physical parameters of the aerosol, such as, for example, temperature (e.g., ambient temperature, or local temperature at various points within the vaporizer device and / or cartridge), the relative humidity, chemistry, vapor pressure of the one or more vaporizable compounds, flow conditions in the airflow path (both within the vaporizer device 100 and within the airways of a human or other animal), and / or mixing of the one or more compounds in the gas or aerosol phase with other airflows. In some vaporizer devices, particularly for vaporizer devices configured for the delivery of highly volatile compounds, the inhalable amount may exist primarily in the gas phase (e.g., formation of condensed phase particles may be highly limited).

[0039] The heating element 141 may include one or more of an electrically conductive heater, a radiative heater, and / or a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, such as a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate power as heat when an electric current is applied to one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the heating element 141 (e.g., a resistive heating element and / or the like) is configured to generate heat to convert one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102 to a gas phase to generate an inhalable amount of the one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102. Additionally, the vaporizable material 102 may be liquid or non-liquid (or a combination of both liquid and non-liquid). For example, the heating element 141 may be wrapped, pressed, or otherwise placed in thermal contact with the vaporizable material 102 to provide heat that causes one or more compounds to be released into the gas phase and subsequently inhaled by the user in the gas phase and / or condensed phase (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets). In some embodiments, the heating element 141 may be wrapped, pressed, or otherwise placed in thermal contact with the cartridge 120 containing the vaporizable material 102 to provide heat that causes one or more compounds of the vaporizable material to be converted into the gas phase.

[0040] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material 102 may be a non-liquid vaporizable material, including, for example, a solid material (e.g., gel, wax, etc.) or a plant material (e.g., tobacco leaf and / or tobacco leaf portions). If the vaporizable material 102 is a non-liquid vaporizable material, the heating element 141 may be part of or otherwise integrated into or in thermal contact with a wall of the cartridge 120 and / or the heating chamber or compartment (e.g., receptacle 118) in which the vaporizable material 102 is placed. Additionally or alternatively, the heating element 141 may be used to heat air flowing through or passing through the cartridge 120 to cause convective heating of the vaporizable material 102 (e.g., within the cartridge 120). In yet another example, the heating element 141 may be positioned in intimate contact with the vaporizable material 102 such that direct conductive heating of the vaporizable material 102 of the cartridge 120 occurs from within the mass of the vaporizable material 102, and not only by conduction inwardly from the walls of the heating chamber (e.g., an oven and / or the like). In such a configuration, convective heating of air flowing through or past the cartridge may also occur. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the heating element 141 may be part of the vaporizer body 110 (e.g., part of a durable or reusable portion of the vaporizer 100).

[0041] In some embodiments, the heating element 141 can be part of the cartridge 120 (e.g., part of a disposable portion of the vaporizer 100). For example, the cartridge 120 can include one or more cartridge contacts that connect with one or more vaporizer body contacts (e.g., positioned along the receptacle 118) to provide a conductive path between the power source 112 of the vaporizer body 110 and the heating element 141 of the cartridge 120.

[0042] In some embodiments, the heating element 141 can provide heat to convert one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102 into a gas phase in association with a user puffing (e.g., inhaling, inhaling, etc.) the mouthpiece 130 and / or end of the vaporizer device 100 by the user to aid in the formation of an aerosol that can be delivered externally through the air outlet of the mouthpiece 130 and inhaled by the user, causing air to flow from the air inlet along the air flow path. The incoming air flowing along the air flow path passes (e.g., flows around, past, over, etc.) or through the cartridge 120 and / or vaporizable material 102, where compounds released from the vaporizable material 102 into the gas phase are entrained in the air. As described herein, the heating element 141 can be activated by passing an electric current from the power source 112 through a circuit that includes the heating element 141, which can be part of the vaporizer body 110, via the controller 104, which can optionally be part of the vaporizer body 110. As described herein, at least a portion of the entrained gas-phase compound or compounds may condense as they pass through the remainder of the air flow path, thereby allowing an inhalable amount of the one or more compounds in the form of an aerosol to be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., via mouthpiece 130) for inhalation by the user.

[0043] In some embodiments, the heating element 141 may be activated in conjunction with a user interacting with the vaporizer device 100. For example, activation of the heating element 141 may occur by automatic detection of a puff or other user interaction based on one or more signals generated by the one or more sensors 113. The one or more sensors 113 and / or the signals generated by the one or more sensors 113 may include: a pressure sensor arranged to detect pressure along the airflow path of the vaporizer device 100, relative to ambient pressure, or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure; a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, thermocouple, etc., arranged to measure the temperature of the receptacle 118 or some other component of the vaporizer device or the cartridge itself; one or more circuits configured to determine the temperature of the heating element 141, for example, by measuring or determining the resistance of the heating element 141; an accelerator, an actuator, etc. configured to detect movement, vibration, orientation, position, acceleration, etc. of the vaporizer device 100; The techniques may include one or more of the following: a motion sensor, such as a speedometer, a gyroscope, etc.; a flow sensor configured to detect the flow rate of air, gas, or liquid within the vaporizer device 100; a capacitive sensor configured to detect contact of a user's fingers, palm, lips, etc. with a portion of the vaporizer device 100; detecting interaction with the vaporizer device 100 via one or more input devices 116, such as a button on the vaporizer device 100, or other tactile control device; receiving a signal from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100; and / or other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or is about to occur.

[0044] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to initiate a heating cycle, which can include a period of heating the heating element 141, the receptacle 118, the cartridge 120, and / or the vaporizable material 102 to an (e.g., predetermined) operating temperature or temperature range (e.g., a temperature or range sufficient to convert one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102 to a gas phase). The vaporizer device 100 can be configured to maintain or otherwise control the application of heat once the heating element 141, the receptacle 118, the cartridge 120, and / or the vaporizable material 102 reach an operating temperature or temperature range, such that the vaporizable material 102 can vaporize without burning. In some embodiments, additional heat can be provided via the heating element 141 upon detection of an event, such as a user placing their lips on the vaporizer device 100, a user taking a puff on the vaporizer device 100, and / or any of the signals described herein (e.g., generated by one or more sensors 113). The heating cycle may end upon detection of additional interactions with the vaporizer device 100 via one or more input devices 116, upon a determination that a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of the heating cycle, upon a determination that a certain amount of time has elapsed since the detection of the last user puff, upon a determination that the cartridge 120 is not present in the receptacle 118, as a result of other events, actions, detected periods of actions, etc. consistent with embodiments described herein.

[0045] As described herein, a vaporizer device 100 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter can be configured to connect (e.g., via wireless or wired connections) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) that communicates with the vaporizer device 100. To this end, the controller 104 can include communications hardware 105. The controller 104 can also include memory 108. The communications hardware 105 can include firmware and / or can be controlled by software to implement one or more protocols for communication.

[0046] The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device 100 and may include specific hardware for communication that can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer device 100. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system may include a general-purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, other portable device, such as a smart watch, etc.) that runs software that provides a user interface to allow a user to interact with the vaporizer device 100. In other embodiments of the present subject matter, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system may be a dedicated piece of hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch panel or other input device 116, such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor button, etc.) interface controls. The vaporizer device 100 may further have one or more outputs 117 or devices for providing information to a user. For example, the output 117 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on the operating state and / or operating mode of the vaporizer device 100. The one or more LEDs may be single color LEDs and / or multi-color LEDs (eg, both may be used separately).

[0047] In examples where a computing device provides signals related to activation of the heating element 141, or in other examples where a computing device is coupled to the vaporizer device 100 for performance of various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more sets of computer instructions to provide a user interface and underlying data processing. In one example, user interaction with one or more user interface elements may be detected by the computing device, causing the computing device to send a signal to the vaporizer device 100 to activate the heating element until an operating temperature for generating an inhalable dose of aerosol is reached. Other functions of the vaporizer device 100 may be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100.

[0048] The temperature of the heating element 141 of the vaporizer device 100 may depend on several factors, including the amount of power supplied to the heating element 141 and / or the duty cycle at which power is supplied, conductive and / or radiative heat transfer to other parts of the vaporizer device 100 and / or the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of the vaporizable material 102, and / or convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element 141 and / or area heated by the heating element 141 upon a user's puff on the vaporizer device 100). As discussed herein, to ensure activation of the heating element 141 and / or heating the heating element 141 to a desired temperature, the vaporizer device 100, in some embodiments of the present subject matter, may utilize signals from one or more sensors 113 (e.g., pressure sensors) to determine when a user is inhaling. The one or more sensors 113 can optionally be disposed in the air flow path and / or connected (e.g., by a passageway or other pathway) to an air flow path that includes an inlet for air entering the vaporizer device 100 and an outlet for a user to inhale the resulting aerosol, such that the one or more sensors 113 experience a change (e.g., a pressure change) as air passes through the vaporizer device 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the heating element 141 can be activated in conjunction with a user's puff, such as by automatic detection of a puff, or by a sensor 113 detecting a change (e.g., a pressure change) in the air flow path.

[0049] The one or more sensors 113 may be disposed on the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board) or may be coupled (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) to the controller 104. To perform measurements accurately and maintain the durability of the vaporizer device 100, it may be beneficial to provide a seal that is sufficiently resilient to isolate the air flow path from other portions of the vaporizer device 100. The seal, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the one or more sensors 113, such that the connection of the one or more sensors 113 to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 is isolated from the portion of the one or more sensors 113 exposed to the air flow path. Such placement of the seal within the vaporizer device 100 may help to mitigate potentially destructive effects on the vaporizer components due to interaction with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phase, and / or to reduce air leakage from certain air flow paths within the vaporizer device 100. The passage of air, liquid, or other fluids through and / or in contact with the circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can cause various undesirable effects, such as changes in pressure readings, and / or can lead to the accumulation of materials, such as moisture or residuals of the vaporizable material 102, in portions of the vaporizer device 100, which can result in poor pressure signals, degradation of one or more sensors 113 or other components, and / or a shortened lifespan of the vaporizer device 100. Leaks in seals can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed through portions of the vaporizer device 100 that contains or consists of materials that may be undesirable for inhalation.

[0050] In a vaporizer device in which the power source 112 is part of the vaporizer body 110 and the heating element 141 is disposed within a cartridge 120 configured to be coupled to the vaporizer body 110, the cartridge 120 and vaporizer 100 may include electrical connection features (e.g., electrical contacts) to complete a circuit including the controller 104 (e.g., printed circuit board, microcontroller, etc.), the power source 112, and the heating element 141. The circuit completed by these electrical connections may provide electrical current to the heating element 141 (e.g., a resistive heating element) and may further be utilized for additional functions such as, for example, measuring the resistance of the resistive heating element for utilization in determining and / or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal resistance coefficient of the resistive heating element.

[0051] In some embodiments, the receptacle 118 can include all or a portion of a heating element 141 (e.g., a heating coil, a resistive heating element, etc.) configured to heat the cartridge 120 housed within the receptacle 118, for example, to form an aerosol to be inhaled by a user of the vaporizer device 100. For example, the receptacle 118 can include various embodiments of the heating element 141 configured to be housed and / or positioned in contact with the cartridge 120. Various embodiments of the heating element 141, receptacle 118, and cartridge 120 are described herein for incorporation into and / or use with various vaporizer bodies 110 to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0052] In some embodiments, the cartridge 120 can be configured to be inserted into the receptacle 118, for example, to form a contact between an outer surface of the cartridge 120 and one or more inner walls of the receptacle 118. In some embodiments, the cartridge 120 can have the same or similar shape as the receptacle 118. In some embodiments, the cartridge 120 can include a square or rectangular shape. In some embodiments, the cartridge 120 can have a circular cross-section and / or a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the cartridge 120 can have a non-circular cross-section transverse to an axis along which the cartridge 120 is inserted into the receptacle 118. The non-circular cross-section of the cartridge 120 and / or the receptacle 118 can have two sets of parallel or nearly parallel opposing sides (e.g., have a parallelogram-like shape) or can have other shapes, including curved shapes with at least two-fold symmetry. For example, Figures 11A-11F show exemplary cross-sectional views of cartridge 120 and / or receptacle 118 including rectangular shapes (Figure 11A), rounded rectangular shapes (Figure 11B), oval or elliptical shapes (Figure 11C), or other shapes (Figures 11D-11F) that include corners, bends, edges, protrusions, recesses, and / or the like. In this context, approximate shape means that a basic similarity to the described shape is apparent, but the sides of the shape in question need not be perfectly straight and the apexes need not be perfectly sharp. Rounding of edges and / or apexes of the cross-sectional shape is accounted for as any non-circular cross-section referred to herein.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more interior walls forming receptacle 118 can include heating element 141 and / or can include a heat conducting material. For example, a configuration of cartridge 120 in which cartridge 120 forms a snug fit and / or forms intimate contact with receptacle 118 allows for efficient heat transfer between heating element 141, receptacle 118, and cartridge 120, thereby resulting in efficient and effective heating of vaporizable material 102 of cartridge 120.

[0054] Additionally, the cartridge 120 may include a compressed and / or denser configuration of the non-liquid vaporizable material 102, which may further contribute to efficient and effective heating of the vaporizable material 102 and conversion of one or more compounds present within the vaporizable material 102 to a gas phase. For example, a compressed and / or denser configuration of the vaporizable material 102 may include a minimal amount of air or pockets of air within the vaporizable material 102, which may increase the efficiency and effectiveness of transferring heat within the vaporizable material 102. Such a configuration may allow for reduced power consumption, at least because less heating power is required to effectively heat the vaporizable material 102 to a temperature sufficient to cause the release of an inhalable substance. Additionally, due to at least the improved heating efficiency of the vaporizable material 102, lower temperatures (e.g., at the contact surface of the oven or heating element) may be utilized for heating the vaporizable material 102, which may also reduce power consumption and the formation of harmful by-products resulting from heating the vaporizable material at a higher temperature. Described herein are various embodiments of cartridges 120 that include vaporizable material formed in a compressed and / or dense configuration to achieve at least some of the advantages discussed above.

[0055] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device 100 can include a heating system configured to contain and heat the vaporizable material 102 to generate an inhalable aerosol. For example, embodiments of the heating system can include one or more heating elements 141 disposed at, toward, near, within, outside, and / or along a wall of the receptacle 118 (e.g., extending along at least a portion of the wall at a distal end (e.g., bottom) of the receptacle 118, extending along at least a portion of each of the distal walls and / or side walls of the receptacle 118, etc.). In some embodiments, the one or more heating elements 141 can be configured to heat one or more of the walls of the receptacle 118 from the outside into the interior of the receptacle 118 (e.g., including the vaporizable material 102 present within the receptacle 118). The heating system can also include at least one air flow path that can be configured to move heated air through the vaporizable material 102. As described in more detail below, the heating system houses the cartridge 120, heats the cartridge 120 from the outside to the inside (e.g., from the outer surface of the cartridge 120 to the interior (e.g., the interior in which the vaporizable material 102 is housed)) using at least one heating element 141, and provides an inhalable aerosol via one or more air flow paths for inhalation by a user.

[0056] Various embodiments of such heating systems for vaporizer device 100 are described herein that provide multiple advantages including evenly distributing heat throughout vaporizable material 102 of cartridge 120, which can result in improved production of inhalable aerosol, reduced energy and / or average temperature required to form the inhalable aerosol, and increased user satisfaction with device use and consumption of vaporizable material 102.

[0057] In some embodiments, the heating system of the vaporizer device 100 is configured to heat a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as a tobacco-based material. For example, the vaporizer body 110 can include one or more compartments or receptacles 118 each receiving at least one cartridge 120 configured to be heated by one or more heating elements 141 to generate an inhalable aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporizer device 100 can include one or more air flow paths extending through the cartridges 120 located in each receptacle 118 and exiting through the mouthpiece 130 to the user.

[0058] In some embodiments, the cartridge 120 may include a non-vapor permeable barrier (e.g., a metal, a metal alloy, a paper material such as card stock, a corrugated material such as cardboard, tobacco paper, a heat resistant plastic, and / or the like) configured to contain the vaporizable material 102. In some embodiments, where a single heat source is provided, the use of a metal such as aluminum may be advantageous when efficient heat transfer is required (e.g., less energy is needed to spread over a larger area). In other embodiments, where multiple heat sources are provided to heat different areas of the cartridge 120, a metal such as stainless steel may be advantageous when efficient heat transfer is less important. Containing the vaporizable material 102 within the non-vapor permeable barrier may protect the heating element 141, the receptacle 118, the mouthpiece 130, and / or other portions of the vaporizer device 100 from vapor buildup and / or vaporizable material residue, which may eliminate the need to clean the heating element 141 and / or other portions of the vaporizer device 100 after use.

[0059] As shown, cartridge 120 can include a container 122 and a lid 124. In some aspects, container 122 can be configured to hold vaporizable material 102 and / or lid 124 can be configured to close a top (e.g., a proximal end) of container 122 such that vaporizable material 102 remains within container 122. In some embodiments, lid 124 and / or proximal end of container 122 can extend beyond the full width of container 122 (e.g., the width at a distal end of container 122 and / or the width of container 122 at a midpoint of container 122 between the proximal and distal ends) such that a portion of cartridge 120 resides outside of receptacle 118. In other words, the width of cartridge 120 can be tapered from lid 124 and / or the proximal end of cartridge 120 such that a portion of cartridge 120 rests on ledge 126 outside receptacle 118 and another portion of cartridge 120 (e.g., more than half of container 122 and / or more than half of vaporizable material 102) is disposed within receptacle 118. Various embodiments of heating systems and cartridges 120 are described in more detail below.

[0060] 2A-2B show perspective views of one embodiment of a vaporizer device 200 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. The vaporizer device 200 may be an embodiment of one or more components of the vaporizer device 100 of FIG. 1. For example, as shown, the vaporizer device 200 may include a vaporizer body 210 and a mouthpiece 230. When the mouthpiece 230 is removed from the vaporizer body 210, the receptacle 218 is exposed. Outside the receptacle 218, the vaporizer body has a ledge 221. As described herein, a cartridge containing a vaporizable material may be inserted into the receptacle 218, and at least a portion of the cartridge may remain outside the receptacle 218, for example, by being placed on the ledge 221. The mouthpiece 230 may be attached to the vaporizer body 210 in a closed position, in which case the cartridge may be enclosed within the vaporizer device 200 and / or may be at least partially enclosed within the receptacle 218.

[0061] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 230 is fully removable and attachable to the vaporizer body 210 by one or more attachment mechanisms, such as a snap fit, magnetic force, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 230 can be attached to the vaporizer body 210 by a hinge, ball and socket, hook, and / or the like.

[0062] As shown, the vaporizer device 200 can include one or more input devices 216a, 216b (collectively referred to as input devices 216), such as a pair of input devices 216a on opposing sides of the vaporizer body 210 and / or one or more input devices 216b on the ledge 221, where the one or more input devices 216b are accessible to a user only when the mouthpiece 230 is opened and / or removed to expose the receptacle 218. In some embodiments, the one or more input devices 216a, 216b can include buttons (e.g., plastic, metal, elastomer), capacitive sensors, and / or the like. The controller 104 (not shown) of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to detect the motion (e.g., touch or force) of the one or more input devices 216a, 216b based on signals or data provided by the one or more input devices 216a, 216b. In embodiments where multiple input devices 216a are provided, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to activate the device only in response to detecting movement of all of the input devices 216a. It can be beneficial to provide multiple input devices 216a in different locations where each is unlikely to be accidentally activated (e.g., locations that are most likely to be all touched simultaneously only during active use of the vaporizer device 200).

[0063] In some embodiments, the controller 104 may be configured to select a predefined operating temperature and / or heating profile from among N temperatures or profiles. According to these embodiments, the controller 104 may be configured to select a temperature or profile based on detecting the operation of one or more input devices 216b (so that a user can select). In some embodiments, two or more input devices 216b may be used to increase and decrease a currently selected operating temperature and / or profile between a range of zero (0) to N temperatures and / or profiles, where zero means that the vaporizer device 200 is in an "off" state (e.g., not actively heating the receptacle 218 but configured to detect interaction with one or more components of the vaporizer device 200 in other ways). Thus, one input device of the two or more input devices 216b may be actuated to increase the currently selected operating temperature and / or profile, and another input device of the two or more input devices 216b may be actuated to decrease the currently selected operating temperature and / or profile. Two or more input devices 216b may be actuated to provide a toggle between an "off" state and an "on" state when both, or a dedicated one of the two or more input devices 216b, is actuated (e.g., held down or pressed) for a predetermined period of time (e.g., where the "on" state begins at a preset minimum temperature and / or profile). In another embodiment, one input device 216b may be actuated to ramp up the temperature and / or profile over a range of zero (0) to N temperatures and / or profiles, and / or one input device 216b may be held down to toggle between an "off" state and an "on" state.

[0064] In some embodiments, the controller 104 can be configured to detect when the mouthpiece 230 has been pressed against the vaporizer body 210 (e.g., against the ledge 221) with sufficient force and / or for a sufficient period of time. In response to determining that the mouthpiece 230 has been pressed with sufficient force and / or for a sufficient period of time, the controller 104 can switch the vaporizer device 200 between an “off” state and an “on” state (e.g., if the mouthpiece is held down for a predetermined period of time), ramp up a temperature and / or profile over a range of zero (0) to N temperatures and / or profiles, etc.

[0065] In some embodiments, the controller 104 can be configured to determine whether the cartridge 120 is spent and / or should be replaced. This can occur when all, most, or an estimated threshold amount of one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102 contained in the cartridge 120 have already been converted to the vapor phase, when an insufficient quantity or quality of vaporizable material 102 is present to provide an inhalable aerosol that satisfies a user, etc. For example, the controller 104 can be configured to determine that the cartridge is spent and / or should be replaced based on the length of time the cartridge 120 is heated, the temperature to which the cartridge 120 is heated over that length of time, and / or the like. Based on a determination that the cartridge is spent and / or should be replaced, the controller 104 can be configured to provide an indication that the cartridge is spent and / or should be replaced, switch the vaporizer device 200 to an “off” state, etc. During operation of the vaporizer device 200, the controller 104 can be configured to provide an indication of an estimated amount of vaporizable material 102 remaining in the cartridge and / or an estimated remaining time that the vaporizable material 102 can be used in a vaporization session (e.g., the period from when the vaporizer device 200 is heated or when the receptacle 218 reaches a predetermined operating temperature to when the cartridge 120 is consumed and / or should be replaced).

[0066] The vaporizer device 200 may have one or more LEDs, and may be configured to, in response to detecting the movement of one or more of the input devices 216a, 216b, in response to detecting that the mouthpiece 230 is being pressed against the vaporizer body 210 with sufficient force, illuminate the LEDs to indicate a currently selected operating temperature and / or temperature profile, to indicate a current temperature of the receptacle 218, to indicate a current temperature of the receptacle 218 relative to a currently selected operating temperature and / or temperature profile, that the current temperature of the receptacle 218 has reached the currently selected operating temperature, an estimated amount of available vaporizable material 102 remaining in the cartridge 120, an estimated amount of time remaining in the vaporization session, an indication that the cartridge 120 is consumed and / or should be replaced, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the input devices 216a, 216b may include LEDs, may be at least partially surrounded by LEDs, and / or may be positioned relative to the LEDs such that a periphery of light (e.g., a halo) at least partially surrounds a periphery of the one or more input devices 216a, 216b.

[0067] The controller 104 can be configured to cause the LEDs to illuminate in one or more colors and / or according to one or more patterns. For example, the controller 104 can be configured to cause the LEDs to illuminate according to various colors to indicate the current temperature of the receptacle 218 (e.g., an oven), to flash one or more times to indicate that the current temperature of the receptacle 218 has reached a currently selected operating temperature, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 104 may be configured to provide tactile feedback (e.g., via one or more outputs 117, such as a motor, a linear resonant actuator, etc.) that one or more input devices 216a, 216b have been pressed to indicate that the cartridge 120 is consumed and / or should be replaced, whether the vaporizer device 200 has switched between an “off” state and an “on” state (e.g., that the receptacle 218 is heating), the current temperature of the receptacle 218 (e.g., a periodic pattern with increasing frequency), whether the current temperature of the receptacle 218 has reached a currently selected operating temperature, when a threshold amount of estimated amount of available vaporizable material 102 remaining in the cartridge 120 has been reached, when a threshold amount of estimated remaining time in the vaporization session has been reached, etc.

[0068] 3 illustrates an exploded front view of one embodiment of a cartridge 320 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. The cartridge 320 may be an embodiment of one or more components of the cartridge 120 of FIG. 1 and may be configured to hold a vaporizable material 102 and / or may be configured for use in a vaporizer device, such as the vaporizer device 100 of FIG. 1 and / or the vaporizer device 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B. As illustrated, the cartridge 320 may include two or more components, such as a container 322 and a lid 324. The lid 324 may include one or more distinct components, such as a base component 324a, a perforated lid 324b, and an upper barrier 324c.

[0069] As shown, the base component 324a can have an axis 326, a number of through-holes 325a, one or more passages 329a, and / or a central opening 328a. The number of through-holes 325a can be fluidly connected to the container 322. Thus, the number of through-holes 325a can be configured to supply air to or toward the container 322 and / or to draw air from the container 322. The one or more passages 329a can be fluidly connected to the central opening 328a. Thus, the one or more passages 329a can be configured to supply air to or toward the central opening 328a and / or to draw air from the central opening 328a. The central opening 328a can be fluidly connected to the axis 326. Thus, the central opening 328a can be configured to supply air to or toward the axis 326 and / or to draw air from the axis 326. Although the central opening 328a is shown and described as being in the center of the base component 324a, in some embodiments the central opening 328a may be off-center (e.g., simply an "opening" providing the same or similar functionality). Although only one central opening 328a is shown and described, in some embodiments there may be two or more central openings 328a, and these central openings may be "centered" across one dimension, across two dimensions, across three dimensions, or even across any dimension of the base component 324a.

[0070] Although the shaft 326 can have a variety of configurations, as illustrated, the shaft 326 can have a generally cylindrical configuration and can have one or more shaft through holes 327 extending through a wall 326a of the shaft 326. The one or more shaft through holes 327 can be fluidly connected to an internal passageway (blocked in FIG. 3) of the shaft 326. Thus, the one or more shaft through holes 327 can be configured to supply air to and / or draw air from the internal passageway of the shaft 326. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more shaft through holes 327 can be fluidly connected to the container 322. Thus, the one or more shaft through holes 327 can be configured to supply air to and / or draw air from the container 322.

[0071] The one or more axial through holes 327 are shown to be located toward the distal end of the shaft 326, but may be located at different locations on the shaft 326, such as closer to the proximal end of the cartridge 320. Although three of the one or more axial through holes 327 are shown, one, two, four or more of the one or more axial through holes 327 may be located closer to the proximal end of the cartridge 320, or both. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more axial through holes 327 may be located at the distal end of the shaft 326 and / or the distal end of the shaft 326 may be closed. Although the one or more axial through holes 327 are shown extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis L of the shaft 326, in other embodiments, the one or more axial through holes 327 may extend in a direction along the longitudinal axis L of the shaft or at an angle greater than or less than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis L. The one or more axial through holes 327 may be efficiently punched into the shaft 326 during the manufacturing process, provided that the one or more axial through holes 327 extend along or at an angle greater than or less than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis L of the shaft 326. In some embodiments, the base component 324a may comprise a metal, a metal alloy, a paper material such as card stock, a corrugated material such as cardboard, tobacco paper, a heat resistant plastic, and / or the like.

[0072] As shown, the perforated lid 324b can include a plurality of through holes 325b, one or more inlet holes 329b, and / or one or more outlet holes 328b. The plurality of through holes 325b of the perforated lid 324b can be configured to align with and / or be in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of through holes 325a of the base component 324a. Thus, the plurality of through holes 325b of the perforated lid 324b can be configured to supply air to or toward and / or draw air from the plurality of through holes 325a of the base component 324a.

[0073] The one or more inlet holes 329b can be configured to align with and / or be in fluid communication with one or more of the one or more passages 329a of the base component 324a. Thus, the one or more inlet holes 329b of the perforated lid 324b can be configured to supply air to or toward and / or draw air from the one or more passages 329a of the base component 324a. The one or more outlet holes 328b can be configured to align with and / or be in fluid communication with the central opening 328a of the base component 324a. Thus, the one or more outlet holes 328b of the perforated lid 324b can be configured to supply air to or toward and / or draw air from the central opening 328a of the base component 324a. Although the one or more inlet holes 329b and the one or more outlet holes 328b are described with respect to one direction of airflow, in some embodiments, the one or more inlet holes 329b may be configured to allow air to exit (e.g., from one or more passages 329a) and / or the one or more outlet holes 328b may be configured to allow air to enter (e.g., into the central opening 328a).

[0074] In some embodiments, the base component 324a and the perforated lid 324b may be coupled to one another. For example, the base component 324a may include a lip 321 configured to press and secure the distal side 332b of the perforated lid 324b against the proximal side 330a of the base component 324a. In some embodiments, the lip 321 may be disposed (e.g., by bending and / or folding) above the perforated lid 324b and configured to secure the perforated lid 324b against the proximal side 330a of the base component 324a.

[0075] In some embodiments, the upper barrier 324c may be easily removable and / or disposable. However, in some embodiments, the upper barrier 324c may remain fixed to at least a portion of the proximal side 332a of the perforated lid 324b during use, in which case the upper barrier may be configured and / or arranged to direct air toward the through holes 325a, 325b, the central opening 328a, the one or more passages 329a, the inlet hole 329b and / or the outlet hole 328b. According to these embodiments, the upper barrier 324c may have at least one hole so that the inhalable aerosol exiting the cartridge 320 may be provided to the user. In some embodiments, the upper barrier 324c and the perforated lid may define a compartment therebetween. In such a case, during use, one or more compounds converted to a gas phase by heating the vaporizable material and air present in the compartment may mix to form an inhalable aerosol for inhalation by the user.

[0076] The container 322 can include a number of passages 323. The number of passages 323 can protrude from and / or extend into the interior of the container 322. In some embodiments, the number of passages 323 can aid in forming a bulk shape of the vaporizable material 102 (not shown) within the container 322, which can affect the temperature to which the vaporizable material 102 is heated and / or the rate at which one or more compounds present within the vaporizable material 102 are converted to a gas phase and / or otherwise released from the vaporizable material 102. That is, when the vaporizable material is inserted into the container, the bulk shape can resemble the shape of the container based at least in part on the vaporizable material filling the void defined within the container. For example, if multiple passages 323 extend from the interior of the container 322 outward, these passages 323 may contact (e.g., physically and / or thermally) one or more heated walls of the vaporizer device 100 (e.g., an oven) and / or other areas outside the container 322 may not contact the one or more heated walls. In some embodiments, reducing the total surface area of ​​the container 322 intended to contact one or more heated walls can reduce the impact on aerosol generation of heating variations (e.g., sudden increases or decreases in temperature of the heating element 141), degradation (e.g., warping or bending), and / or cleanliness (e.g., foreign particles or residue) associated with one or more heated walls over time. For example, by implementing passages 323 that form a controlled area of ​​thermal contact between the container 322 and the receptacle 118, the total contact surface area of ​​the container 322 may be reduced, thus improving the predictability of heat transfer and reducing temperature variations between different cartridges 120 and / or different vaporizer devices 100 having slightly different dimensions. Thus, the multiple passages 323 can provide a controlled area of ​​intimate thermal contact between the container 322 and a heat source (e.g., an oven wall).In some embodiments, the passages 323 may be configured to compress when the cartridge 322 is inserted into a heat source, thereby increasing the surface area of ​​the container 322 that is in contact with heat from the heat source, at least in areas proximate the passages 323. In some embodiments, the multiple passages 323 may not be filled with vaporizable material 102 (e.g., hollow or void), in which case the multiple passages 323 may be configured to improve circulation of (heated) air within the container 322. In some embodiments, the multiple passages 323 may provide additional rigidity to the container 322 (and thus the cartridge 320), making the cartridge 320 more resistant to forces that might otherwise destroy the cartridge 320. Additionally, the multiple passages 323 may minimize toggling action between the cartridge 322 and the vaporizer body (not shown).

[0077] Although shown as generally cylindrical, the cross-sections of the base component 324a, the perforated lid 324b, and / or the top barrier 324c may be different shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-sections of the base component 324a, the perforated lid 324b, and / or the top barrier 324c may resemble one or more of the cross-sectional views of Figures 11A-11F. The cross-sections may be anywhere between the distal and proximal ends of the base component 324a, the perforated lid 324b, and / or the top barrier 324c, respectively.

[0078] Although flows of "air" are described depending on the location within cartridge 320 or external to cartridge 320, this "air" may include other substances, such as gas and / or condensed phase materials suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gaseous carrier (e.g., an aerosol), liquids or solids that have at least partially transitioned to the gas phase (e.g., vaporizable materials), and / or the like.

[0079] 4A-4I show schematic cross-sectional views of various embodiments of vaporizer devices 400a-400i consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. For simplicity only, some components of the vaporizer devices 400a-400i are not shown. Moreover, these vaporizer devices 400a-400i may be embodiments of one or more components of the vaporizer device 100 of FIG. 1, the vaporizer device 200 of FIG. 2A-2B, and / or the cartridge 320 of FIG. 3.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4A, the vaporizer device 400, 400a can include a vaporizer body 410, a mouthpiece 430, and / or a cartridge 420 including a vaporizable material 402. The vaporizer body 410 can include an oven 442 configured to be heated by one or more heating elements 441. The oven 442 can include an area defined, at least in part, by a bottom wall 442a (distal end 442d) and two opposing side walls 442b, 442c extending from the bottom wall 442a, respectively, and configured to be heated (e.g., via convection heat). The heat provided by the oven 442 and / or the one or more heating elements 441 can heat the vaporizable material 402 to generate an inhalable aerosol, as described herein. In some embodiments, the oven 442 can provide an embodiment of a receptacle 118 for insertably receiving the cartridge 420.

[0081] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more heating elements 441 may be a different type of heater. For example, a first heating element of the one or more heating elements 441 may include a flex heater wrapped (e.g., substantially, mostly, or partially) around the oven 442. Additionally or alternatively, a second heating element of the one or more heating elements 441 may include a surface heater, such as a ceramic heater, in thermal contact with the oven 442 (e.g., a bottom wall 442a of the oven 442) (see FIGS. 4A-4B, 4D-4F) or in direct contact (e.g., substantially, mostly, or partially) with the cartridge 420 (see FIG. 4C). In some embodiments, only one heating element 441 may be provided, which may reduce costs and simplify manufacturability of the vaporizer device 400, 400a. The one or more heating elements 441 can take other forms, such as conductive heaters, radiative heaters, and / or convection heaters (e.g., by converting one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 402 into a gas phase from which recondensation into an inhalable aerosol can occur), as described herein. In some embodiments, the one or more heating elements 441 can be incorporated into one or more of the walls 442a, 442b, 442c of the oven 442.

[0082] Possibly, depending on the location and / or type of heater used, the walls of the cartridge 420 can be configured to physically contact the inner surfaces of the walls 442a, 442b, 442c of the oven 442 only in certain areas. As described herein, the container 322 of the cartridge 420 can have multiple passages 323 that protrude from and / or extend into the interior of the container 322 of the cartridge 420 to provide controlled areas of intimate thermal contact between the cartridge 420 and the walls 442a, 442b, 442c of the oven 442.

[0083] In embodiments where only one heating element 441 is provided, for example at or near the distal end of the oven 442, as shown in vaporizer device 400b in FIG. 4B, it may be advantageous to increase physical contact between the cartridge 420 at or near the distal end of the oven 442 and / or minimize physical contact between the cartridge 420 and other areas of the oven 442 that are not actively heated, such as the side walls 442b, 442c of the oven 442. As used herein, the term "side wall" may refer to a wall between the distal and proximal ends of an object such as the oven 442, the cartridge 420, and / or the like. Thus, in addition to or alternatively to using multiple passages 323 to space a portion (e.g., a majority) of the exterior surface area (e.g., sidewalls) of the cartridge 420 away from the sidewalls of the oven 442, the cartridge 420 can be sized to fit within the oven 442 in a position where the sidewalls 420a, 420b of the cartridge 420 are spaced away from the sidewalls of the oven 442. The space between the sidewalls 420a, 420b of the cartridge 420 and the sidewalls 442b, 442c of the oven 442 is illustrated as an air gap 447. It will be appreciated that if the sidewalls 420a, 420b of the cartridge 420 contact the sidewalls 442b, 442c of the oven 442 that are not actively heated, heat loss may result via heat transfer from the sidewalls 420a, 420b of the cartridge 420 to the sidewalls 442b, 442c of the oven 442, resulting in reduced performance. Vaporizer devices 400, 400b may include the same components or may operate in the same manner as vaporizer device 400a of FIG. 4A, unless otherwise noted.

[0084] In embodiments where only one heating element 441 is provided, for example at or near the distal end of the oven 442, as shown in the vaporizer device 400c of FIG. 4C, it may be advantageous to position the cartridge 420 in direct contact with the single heating element 441. In such embodiments, the oven 442 may not be present. However, similar to the vaporizer device 400b of FIG. 4B, in addition to or in place of using multiple passages 323 to space a majority of the exterior surface area (e.g., sidewalls) of the cartridge 420 away from the sidewalls 418a, 418b of the receptacle 418, the cartridge 420 may be dimensioned to fit within the receptacle 418 at a location where the sidewalls 420a, 420b of the cartridge 420 are spaced apart from the sidewalls 418a, 418b of the receptacle 418. The space between the sidewalls 420a, 420b of the cartridge 420 and the sidewalls 418a, 418b of the receptacle is illustrated as an air gap 447. Vaporizer devices 400, 400c may include the same components or may operate in the same manner as vaporizer device 400a of FIG. 4A, unless otherwise noted.

[0085] The vaporizer body 410 can include a thermistor 443 positioned to make resistance and / or temperature measurements based on the temperature of the oven 442 and / or the temperature of the only heating element 441. Although the thermistor 443 is illustrated as being in direct contact with the heating element 441, in another embodiment, the thermistor 443 can be in direct contact with a wall of the oven 442 (e.g., one or more walls 442a, 442b, 442c (see FIG. 4A)). Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the thermistor 443 can be located within the vaporizer body 410 (e.g., on at least a portion of an inner surface of one or more walls 442a, 442b, 442c of the oven 442) such that the thermistor 443 is in direct contact with at least a portion of the cartridge 420 when the cartridge 420 is inserted into the vaporizer body 410.

[0086] To operate the vaporizer devices 400, 400a-400c, the controller 104 may execute instructions stored in the memory 108 to perform operations that result in heating the oven 442 and / or one or more heating elements 441 to a target temperature (e.g., an operating temperature) sufficient to release one or more vaporizable compounds from the vaporizable material 402. These operations may include monitoring the temperature of the oven 442 and / or one or more heating elements 441 based on data from thermistor 443 and / or one or more sensors 113, and increasing or decreasing the amount of power provided to the one or more heating elements 441 such that the temperature of and / or within the oven 442 is within an acceptable range (e.g., an operating temperature range). The action of heating the oven 442 and / or one or more heating elements 441 may be invoked based on one or more parameters, such as whether the cartridge 420 is present in the oven 442, whether a signal or signal pattern is received from the input device 116, 216 (e.g., in response to a user pressing and / or holding a button one or more times within a predetermined period, for a predetermined time, according to a predetermined pattern, etc.), whether there is sufficient power remaining in the power source 112, etc. In some embodiments, the action may include stopping the flow of power to the one or more heating elements 441 based on one or more parameters, such as the cartridge 420 being removed, whether one or more heating elements 441 have been activated for a predetermined period or more based on data from one or more sensors 113 (e.g., no movement for a predetermined period, no use of the device based on no drop detected in temperature from a thermistor for a predetermined period), whether a signal or signal pattern is received from the input device 116, 216 (e.g., in response to a user pressing and / or holding a button one or more times within a predetermined period, for a predetermined time, according to a predetermined pattern, etc.).

[0087] The vaporizer body 410 may include insulation 445 to insulate the remainder of the vaporizer body 410 (e.g., controller 104, power supply 112, exterior shell or casing, etc.) from the heat of the oven 442 and / or one or more heating elements 441. In some embodiments, the insulation 445 may include a vacuum-insulated dewar. Although a primary insulation 445 is shown, one or more secondary insulating regions and / or materials may be present in the vaporizer device 400, 400a-400c. The vaporizer body 410 may include one or more seals 446 that assist in sealing the oven 442 to the remainder of the vaporizer body 410. In some embodiments, the one or more seals 446 may include an O-ring seal.

[0088] The first air flow path 431 and the second air flow path 432 may be defined at least in part by the vaporizer body 410, the mouthpiece 430, the cartridge 420, and / or the vaporizable material 402. The first air flow path 431 and the second air flow path 432 may be configured within and outside the vaporizer device 400, 400a-400c to direct air flow from outside the vaporizer device 400, 400a-400c into the vaporizer device 400, 400a-400c. Although two air flow paths 431, 432 are shown and described, in some embodiments, there may be only one air flow path, or there may be more than two air flow paths.

[0089] As shown, the first air flow path 431 can include and / or may be at least partially defined by one or more of the following: first air inlet 433, first air flow passage 435, aperture 425 (e.g., including multiple through holes 325a, 325b, one or more passages 329a (shown as angled walls), central opening 328a, one or more inlet holes 329b, one or more outlet holes 328b), cartridge 420 (e.g., including base component 324a, perforated lid 324b, and / or container 322), vaporizable material 402, shaft 426 (e.g., including one or more axial through holes 327), air flow outlet passage 438, and / or air flow outlet 439. The second air flow path 432 may include and / or be at least partially defined by one or more of: a second air flow inlet 434, a second air flow passage 436, an aperture 425 (e.g., including a plurality of through holes 325a, 325b, one or more passages 329a (shown as angled walls), a central opening 328a, one or more inlet holes 329b, one or more outlet holes 328b), a cartridge 420 (e.g., including a base component 324a, a perforated lid 324b, and / or a container 322), a vaporizable material 402, a shaft 426 (e.g., including one or more axial through holes 327), an air flow outlet passage 438, and / or an air flow outlet 439.

[0090] As shown, the mouthpiece 430 may include a first airflow inlet 433 in fluid communication with a first airflow passage 435 and / or a second airflow inlet 434 in fluid communication with a second airflow passage 436. Although the first and second airflow inlets 433, 434 are shown as being formed toward and / or by an intersection of the mouthpiece 430 and the vaporizer body 410, the first and second airflow inlets 433, 434 may be located in different locations. For example, the first and second airflow inlets 433, 434 may be formed elsewhere on the mouthpiece 430, such as on the front or back (not shown) of the vaporizer device 400, 400a-400c, on a proximal end of the mouthpiece 430, etc. In another embodiment, the mouthpiece 430 may include one airflow inlet or three or more airflow inlets. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 430 may have one or more features configured to direct the flow of air between the first and second airflow inlets 433, 434 and the first and second airflow passages 435, 436. For example, the mouthpiece 430 may include one or more regions configured to leave a gap to allow air to flow between the first and second airflow inlets 433, 434 and the first and second airflow passages 435, 436 when the mouthpiece 430 is closed relative to the vaporizer body 410.

[0091] The mouthpiece 430 can include an airflow outlet passage 438 in fluid communication with the airflow outlet 439. In some embodiments, a distal end (e.g., a bottom surface) of one or both of the first and second airflow passages 435, 436 and / or the airflow outlet passage 438 can be positioned to press against a proximal end (e.g., a lid 324) of the cartridge 420 to provide a good seal for the airflow channels 431, 432. In some embodiments, the first and second airflow passages 435, 436 and / or the airflow outlet passage 438 can include a rubber-like material (e.g., silicone) at their respective distal ends to provide a good seal. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 430 and the vaporizer body 410 can be configured such that the first and second airflow passages 435, 436 and / or the airflow outlet passage 438 press against the cartridge 420 to remain closed even while a force is applied to open the mouthpiece 430. In some embodiments, the distal end of the cartridge 420 can include one or more crumple zones (e.g., one or more passages 323 described herein) that can be configured to compress when the mouthpiece 430 closes the vaporizer body 410.

[0092] After entering the first and second air flow passages 435, 436, the air is directed toward and travels through a plurality of holes 425 in the cartridge 420. At least a portion of the air that enters the holes 425 may then pass past the vaporizable material 402 along the first air flow path 431 and the second air flow path 432. As the air passes through the container 422 and / or the vaporizable material 402, the air is heated by the oven 442 and / or one or more heating elements 441, as described herein. The air along the air flow paths 431, 432 may be heated sufficiently to convert a portion of the amount of one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 402 to a gas phase. Air along the air flow paths 431, 432 can mix with vaporized material (e.g., one or more gas-phase compounds) and transport the vaporized material toward an air flow outlet passage (e.g., air outlet passage 438 in Figures 4A-4E and 4G-4H or first and second air flow outlet passages 438a, 438b in Figure 4F).

[0093] The combination of the plurality of holes 435 and the air passages 431, 432 allows for a more uniform distribution of airflow (e.g., substantially uniform or completely uniform airflow) throughout the bulk of the vaporizable material, which can result in a more uniform heating effect throughout the vaporizable material, and therefore a more uniform depletion of the vaporizable material during use, thereby reducing waste (e.g., the amount of vaporizable material remaining in a discarded cartridge).

[0094] The porosity of vaporizable material 402 may depend at least on the packing density (e.g., level of compression) of vaporizable material 402, the particle size of the tobacco material within vaporizable material 402 (e.g., average size of the tobacco pieces), and the humectant loading (e.g., amount of carrier present, such as vegetable glycerin (VG) and / or propylene glycol (PG)) within vaporizable material 402. The rate of airflow through vaporizable material 402 may also be affected by the porosity of vaporizable material 402. Thus, as described herein, in some embodiments, the packing density, particle size, and amount of carrier may be varied to achieve a desired concentration and / or quality of the inhalable aerosol.

[0095] As shown, the first and second air flow passages 431, 432 may be connected at a central location of the cartridge 420, such as within an internal axis 426 of the cartridge 420, as described herein. For example, the first and second air flow passages 431, 432 may pass through the axis 426 via one or more axis through holes 327. The connected first and second air flow passages 431, 432 may then supply vaporized material toward an air flow outlet 439 (where a vacuum is applied (e.g., by a user inhaling), which causes air to flow along the air flow passages 431, 432). The vaporized material passing through the axis 426 may condense within the axis 426. The axis 426 may therefore be referred to as a condensation chamber or condensation region.

[0096] As shown, the distal end 426a of the shaft 426 may be spaced apart from the distal end 420d of the cartridge 420, and / or the vaporizable material 402 may reside within the cartridge 420 between the distal end 426a of the shaft 426 and (inside) the distal end 420d of the cartridge 420. In some embodiments, spacing the shaft 426 away from the heated region of the cartridge 420 can help maintain a relatively low temperature within the shaft 426, which can help cool the vaporized material more quickly. In related embodiments, providing the vaporizable material 402 at or near a heated region of the cartridge 420 can improve the overall efficiency of vaporization, as vaporization in this region is relatively higher over time.

[0097] However, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to maintain the shaft 426 at a relatively high temperature to reduce the likelihood of condensation forming on the inner walls of the shaft 426. Thus, the distal end 426a of the shaft 426 may be pressed against (the inside of) the distal end 420d of the cartridge 420 to heat the shaft 426. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the distal end 426a of the shaft 426 may be brought closer to (the inside of) the distal end 420d of the cartridge 420. For example, the distal end 426a of the shaft 426 may be spaced apart from the distal end 420d of the cartridge 420 by a distance of 0-2 mm or 0-1 mm. In some embodiments, the distal end 426a of the shaft 426 may be shaped with a tip that may be sharpened, or may terminate in a flat end (e.g., an end that extends transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 426). According to an embodiment in which the distal end of the shaft is shaped into a tip, cartridge 420 can be filled with vaporizable material 402 and shaft 426 can more efficiently extrude vaporizable material 402 during the manufacturing process. Extruding, rather than compressing, vaporizable material 402 can be advantageous as described herein.

[0098] It will be appreciated that as the one or more compounds converted to the gas phase by the heating of the vaporizable material cool, condensation and formation of an inhalable aerosol occurs. Depending on how and where the cooling occurs, condensation may form and / or deposit on the walls of the vaporizer body 410, the cartridge 420, and / or the mouthpiece 430, particularly where the air mass containing the one or more compounds is still relatively hot and comes into contact with the relatively cooler walls. Therefore, in order to reduce the formation and deposition of condensation, it may be beneficial to thoroughly mix the cool air into the connected air flow passages 431, 432 containing the vaporized material (e.g., one or more compounds released into the gas phase by the heating of the vaporizable material 402) as early as possible.

[0099] As shown, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the (cooler) air entering the holes 425 in the cartridge 420 can be directed (e.g., via an angled wall) toward where the (heated) connected first and second air flow paths 431, 432 penetrate the cartridge 420. Thus, the air from the holes 425 can mix in the connected first and second air flow paths 431, 432 to reduce the temperature of the vaporized material in the connected first and second air flow paths 431, 432 and promote the formation of a suitable aerosol. The area of ​​the cartridge 420 where the relatively cool air flow from the holes 425 meets the connected first and second air flow paths 431, 432 (e.g., the axis 426, the central opening 328a, the holes 425 downstream of the central opening 328a) can be referred to as a condensation chamber or condensation area.

[0100] In some embodiments, to promote mixing of the cold air with the vaporized material (e.g., to condense one or more compounds of the gas-phase vaporizable material into an aerosol), the cartridge 420 may include one or more features in the first and second air flow passages 431, 432 that create vortices or otherwise direct the air flow in a non-linear manner, such as one or more obstructions, holes of a special geometry (e.g., shape, size, angle), holes in special locations, multiple holes, and / or the like.

[0101] After such mixing occurs, the resulting aerosol continues to travel along the connected first and second air flow paths 431, 432 through the hole 425, which is in fluid communication with the air flow outlet passage 438. If the aerosol has cooled sufficiently by the time it enters the air flow outlet passage 438, the likelihood that compounds released by heating of the vaporizable material will condense on interior surfaces (e.g., the walls of the air flow outlet passage 438) is reduced. The air flow outlet passage 438 can be in fluid communication with the air flow outlet 439, which allows the inhalable aerosol to travel along the connected air flow paths 431, 432 to exit the mouthpiece 430 (e.g., toward the user). Vaporized material (e.g., one or more compounds) passing through the air flow outlet passage 438 can condense within the air flow outlet passage 438. The air flow outlet passage 438 may therefore be referred to as a condensation chamber or condensation region.

[0102] Additionally or alternatively, mixing of the cold air with the connected first and second air flow paths 431, 432 containing the vaporized material may occur outside of the cartridge 420, as shown in the vaporizer device 400d of FIG. 4D. For example, in some embodiments, to facilitate mixing of the cold air with the connected first and second air flow paths 431, 432, the air flow outlet passage 438 may include one or more passages for the cold air to enter (e.g., from the air flow inlets 433, 434) and mix with the connected first and second air flow paths 431, 432. The air flow outlet passage 438 may include one or more features, such as one or more obstructions in or extending from a wall of the air flow outlet passage 438, holes of special geometry (e.g., shape, size, angle), holes in special locations, multiple holes, and / or the like, that generate vortices or otherwise direct the air flow in a non-linear manner. Alone or in combination with any features of the airflow outlet passage 438 configured to direct the airflow in a non-linear manner, the cartridge 420 can include one or more features for directing the airflow in a non-linear manner, such as one or more obstructions in or extending from the walls of the airflow outlet passage 438, holes of a particular geometry (e.g., shape, size, angle), holes in a particular location, multiple holes, and / or the like. The vaporizer device 400, 400d can include the same components or operate in the same manner as any of the vaporizer devices 400, 400a-400c of Figures 4A-4C, unless otherwise noted.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first and second airflow passages 435, 436 may not be present in the mouthpiece 430. For example, as shown in vaporizer device 400e of FIG. 4E, the first and second airflow passages 431, 432 may be defined at least in part by an airflow passage 435 that is in fluid communication with each of the first and second air inlets 433, 434. The airflow passage 435 may be defined in a lid (e.g., lid 324) of the cartridge 420, for example, between a base component and an upper layer of the cartridge 420 (e.g., similar to base component 324a and upper barrier 324c, respectively). In some embodiments, the air flow passage 435 may be defined between a component having a function equivalent to a base component combined with a perforated top (e.g., one integral or two combined, similar to base component 324a and perforated lid 324b, respectively) and an upper layer of the cartridge 420 (e.g., similar to upper barrier 324c).

[0104] As shown, the airflow passage 435 includes an open central region where (cool) air from the air inlets 433, 434 can mix with the (heated) connected airflow passages 431, 432. As described herein, one or more features that create vortexes or otherwise direct the airflow in a non-linear manner may be present in or near this central region. Although all of the holes 425 are shown as through holes and the airflow passage 435 is shown as including an open central region, one or more passages may be present in the cartridge 420 (e.g., similar to the angled walls in the cartridge 420 of the vaporizer device 400a of FIG. 4A and / or the one or more passages 329a of FIG. 3) and / or the central region of the airflow passage 435 may be closed (e.g., include additional holes 425 instead). Vaporizer device 400, 400e may include the same components or operate in the same manner as any of vaporizer devices 400a-400d of Figures 4A-4D, unless otherwise noted.

[0105] In some embodiments, the direction of airflow can be reversed (e.g., relative to the vaporizer devices 400a-400e of FIGS. 4A-4E), as illustrated in the vaporizer device 400f of FIG. 4F. In such embodiments, the mouthpiece 430 can include a first airflow inlet passage 435, a first airflow outlet passage 438a in fluid communication with a first airflow outlet 439a, and / or a second airflow outlet passage 438b in fluid communication with a second airflow outlet 439b. Additionally or alternatively, the cartridge 420 can include different configurations of holes 425, for example, by including a larger open area in the base component 324a and / or by having no (or few) through holes 325a in the base component 324a.

[0106] As shown, air flow path 440 can include and / or be at least partially defined by one or more of first air flow inlet 433, second air flow inlet 434, air flow passage 435, aperture 425 (e.g., including one or more exit holes 328b, central opening 328a, one or more passages 329a, one or more entrance holes 329b, and / or multiple through holes 325a, 325b), shaft 426 (e.g., including one or more axial through holes 327), first air flow path 431, second air flow path 432, cartridge 420 (e.g., including base component 324a, perforated lid 324b, and / or container 322), vaporizable material 402, first air flow outlet passage 438a, second air flow outlet passage 438b, first air flow outlet 439a, and / or second air flow outlet 439b.

[0107] The air flow passage 440 can be configured to provide ambient air to hotter regions of the cartridge 420 (e.g., near the bottom wall of the oven 442 at or near one or more heating elements 441, which may be the hottest regions of the cartridge 420 before the air flows through the vaporizer device 400, 400f) so that the heated air is more evenly distributed across the vaporizable material 402 (e.g., relative to the vaporizer devices 400a-400e of FIGS. 4A-4E). The vaporizer devices 400, 400f can include the same components or operate in the same manner as any of the vaporizer devices 400a-400e of FIGS. 4A-4E, unless otherwise noted.

[0108] In some embodiments, as illustrated in vaporizer device 400g of FIG. 4G, cartridge 420 may include one or more baffles 448. According to these embodiments, only one air inlet 433 in fluid communication with one air inlet passage 435 and / or only one air outlet 439 in fluid communication with one air outlet passage 438 may be provided to provide a more unidirectional air flow path 431. However, additional air inlets 434 (not shown) may be provided to provide additional ambient air for mixing with the (heated) air flow path 431 to assist in the generation of the aerosol.

[0109] As shown, air flow passage 431 can enter cartridge 420 from one side and exit cartridge 420 from the opposite side. A first baffle 448 near where air flow passage 431 enters cartridge 420 can be configured to direct air flow passage 431 toward the distal end of the cartridge (e.g., near the distal end of oven 442) and can terminate at a distal edge to provide a gap for air flow passage 431 to enter vaporizable material 402. In some embodiments, first baffle 448 can include one or more holes sized to allow the passage of air through first baffle 448. If first baffle 448 is provided with multiple holes, the holes can be of different diameters that increase in diameter from the proximal edge to the distal edge of first baffle 448.

[0110] Air flow passage 431 may flow through vaporizable material 402 toward second baffle 448, potentially at different rates (e.g., velocity, volume, etc.) and through different levels of vaporizable material 402 (e.g., closer to or more distal to the distal end of oven 442). Second baffle 448, which may be near where air flow passage 431 exits the cartridge, may be configured to direct air flow passage 431 toward the distal end of the cartridge (e.g., near the distal end of oven 442) and / or may terminate at a distal edge to provide a gap for air flow passage 431 to exit vaporizable material 402. In some embodiments, second baffle 448 may include one or more holes sized to allow passage of air through second baffle 448. If first baffle 448 has multiple holes, the holes may be of different diameters, increasing or decreasing in diameter from the proximal edge to the distal edge of first baffle 448.

[0111] After exiting the vaporizable material 402, the air flow passage 431 may merge with the (cold) air flow, for example, in the lid of the cartridge 420 and / or outside the cartridge 420. For example, at least a portion of the (cold) air entering the hole 425 in the cartridge 420 can be directed toward where the (heated) air flow passage 431 penetrates the cartridge 420. Thus, the air from the hole 425 can mix with the air flow passage 431 to lower the temperature of the vaporized material in the air flow passage 431 and promote the formation of a suitable aerosol. Because the vaporizable material 402 may not occupy the entire width of the cartridge 420, in some embodiments, the cartridge 420 is heated only from the distal end 420d (e.g., via the heating element 441).

[0112] In some embodiments, two or more baffles 448 may be provided. The presence of additional baffles may help further guide the air flow path 431, which may allow for a more even distribution of heat across the vaporizable material 402. Multiple baffles 448 may be used to form C-shaped paths, S-shaped paths, snake-shaped paths, and / or the like. Although one or more baffles 448 are generally described with respect to the vaporizer device 400g of FIG. 4G, one or more baffles 448 may be included in any of the cartridges 420 of FIGS. 4A-4F. The vaporizer device 400, 400g may include the same components or operate in the same manner as any of the vaporizer devices 400a-400f of FIGS. 4A-4F, unless otherwise noted.

[0113] In some embodiments, as illustrated in the vaporizer device 400h of FIG. 4H, the oven 442 and / or the cartridge 420 can include one or more holes at their respective distal ends 442d, 420d. According to such embodiments, the first and second air flow paths 431, 432 can be configured to direct air from the first and second air inlets 433, 434 downward and around the side walls 442b, 442c of the oven 442 and / or the side walls of the cartridge 420. However, providing holes at the distal end 420d of the cartridge 420, or any area of ​​the cartridge 420 that contacts a heated surface, may increase the likelihood that the vaporizable material 402 itself will come into contact with the heated surface, thereby increasing the likelihood that the vaporizer device 400, 400h will experience performance issues over time (e.g., due to residue, buildup, combustion, etc.). Thus, as described herein, the vaporizer devices 400a-400g of Figures 4A-G, in which the vaporizable material 402 does not contact a heated surface (before or after vaporization), may provide advantages over the vaporizer device 400h of Figure 4H. Vaporizer devices 400, 400h may include the same components or operate in the same manner as any of the vaporizer devices 400a-400g of Figures 4A-4G, unless otherwise noted.

[0114] In some embodiments, as shown in the vaporizer device 400i of FIG. 4I, the first and second airflow inlets 433, 434 can be configured to direct air toward the holes 425 without providing first and second airflow passages 435, 436 in the mouthpiece 430 (as in the vaporizer device 400e). According to such an embodiment, the mouthpiece 430 can be configured such that at least a portion of the first and second airflow inlets 433, 434 are exposed to ambient air, such that ambient air enters the vaporizer device 400i and travels along the first and second airflow passages 433, 434. The vaporizer device 400, 400i can include the same components or operate in the same manner as any of the vaporizer devices 400a-400h of FIGS. 4A-4H, unless otherwise noted.

[0115] 5A-5B are cross-sectional views illustrating embodiments of vaporizer devices 500 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. For simplicity only, some components of the vaporizer devices 500 are not shown. Moreover, these vaporizer devices 500 may be embodiments of one or more components of the vaporizer device 100 of FIG. 1, the vaporizer device 200 of FIG. 2A-2B, the cartridge 320 of FIG. 3, and / or the vaporizer devices 400, 400a-400i of FIG. 4A-4I.

[0116] 5A, the vaporizer device 500 can include a vaporizer body 510, a mouthpiece 530, and / or a cartridge 520 configured to contain a vaporizable material. The vaporizer body 510 can include an oven 542 configured to be heated by one or more heating elements 541. The vaporizer device 500 can additionally include an insulator 545 and / or a seal 546 configured to reduce heat transfer to other portions of the vaporizer device 500 (e.g., electronic components within the vaporizer body 510, an outer shell of the vaporizer device 500, a mouthpiece 530, and / or the like). As further shown, the vaporizer device 500 can include a thermistor 543 that can be operable to assist in regulating the temperature of the oven 542 as described herein.

[0117] As shown, the mouthpiece 530 can include at least one airflow inlet 533, one or more airflow passages 535, and / or an airflow outlet passage 538. As described herein, the at least one airflow inlet 533 can be in fluid communication with one or more airflow passages 535, which themselves can be configured to provide air to the cartridge 520. In some embodiments, the one or more airflow passages 535 and / or the airflow outlet passages 538 can include a seal ring configured to provide a seal between each passage and a corresponding section of the cartridge 520. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the one or more airflow passages 535 and / or the airflow outlet passages 538 can be part of a removable insert 590 that can be configured to be removed from the mouthpiece 530 (e.g., for cleaning).

[0118] Cartridge 520 can include a passageway 529a configured to direct air into an air flow path through cartridge 520 below and at least partially defined by the perforated lid, as described in more detail with respect to Figure 5B. Additionally, as shown in Figures 5A-5B, cartridge 520 can include a container 522 that can contain a vaporizable material (not shown).

[0119] 5B, the oven 542 can include an area defined, at least in part, by a bottom wall 542a (distal end) and two opposing side walls 542b, 542c each extending from the bottom wall 542a. The one or more heating elements 541 can be configured to heat one or more of the walls 542a, 542b, 542c of the oven 542. For example, the one or more heating elements 541 can heat the walls 542a, 542b, 542c of the oven 542 via conductive heat at locations of the oven 542 where the walls 542a, 542b, 542c of the oven 542 are in physical contact with the one or more heating elements 541 and / or via convective heat at locations of the oven 542 where the walls 542a, 542b, 542c of the oven 542 are in thermal but not physical contact with the one or more heating elements 541. Heat provided by the oven 542 and / or one or more heating elements 541 can heat the cartridge 520, thereby heating the vaporizable material contained within the cartridge, to generate an inhalable aerosol, as described herein. For example, the oven 542 can heat the cartridge 520 via conductive heat at locations of the cartridge 520 where the cartridge 520 is in physical contact with the walls 542a, 542b, 542c of the oven 542 and / or via convective heat at locations of the cartridge 520 where the cartridge 520 is in thermal but not physical contact with the walls 542a, 542b, 542c of the oven 542. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more heating elements 541 can heat the cartridge 520 via conductive heat at locations of the cartridge 520 where the cartridge 520 is in physical contact with the one or more heating elements 541 and / or via convective heat at locations of the cartridge 520 where the cartridge 520 is in thermal but not physical contact with the one or more heating elements 541.

[0120] In some embodiments, the oven 542 can provide an embodiment of the receptacle 118 for insertably receiving the cartridge 520. As shown, a side wall 520a (e.g., a bottom) of the cartridge 520 can be configured to contact a bottom wall 542a of the oven 542 to provide heat transfer to a vaporizable material (not shown) contained within the cartridge. As shown, the one or more heating elements 541 can include a flex heater wrapped (e.g., substantially, mostly, or partially) around the periphery of the oven 542. However, the one or more heating elements 541 can have another shape, as described herein.

[0121] As described herein, ambient air can enter the vaporizer device 500 from the outside via the air inlet 533. The air entering the air inlet 533 can be directed to an air flow passage 535 and then provided to a number of holes 525 in the lid of the cartridge 520. At least some of the holes 525 can be configured to direct the air into a container portion of the cartridge 520, while another portion of the holes 525 can be configured to direct the air into a passage 529a in the cartridge 520 that is physically separated from the container portion. The air entering the container portion of the cartridge 520 can traverse first and second air flow paths 531, 532 heated by at least one heating element 541 and / or oven 542. Heated air passing along the first and second air flow paths 531, 532 may pass through vaporizable material contained within the container portion of the cartridge 520, and the resulting vaporized material may be supplied to a shaft 526 in the middle and / or center of the cartridge 520.

[0122] The connected first and second air flow paths 531, 532 can then move upward on axis 526 and mix with air passing through passage 529a of cartridge 520 as it cools to generate an inhalable aerosol. The connected and cooled first and second air flow paths 531, 532 can then deliver the generated aerosol to air outlet passage 538, where it exits air outlet 539 and is directed toward the user.

[0123] Vaporizer device 500 may include the same components or may operate in the same manner as vaporizer device 100 of FIG. 1, vaporizer device 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B, vaporizer devices 400a-400i of FIGS. 4A-4I, and / or any other vaporizer device described herein, unless otherwise specified.

[0124] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cartridge 620 having a container 622 and a lid 624, illustrating the air flow path into, through, and out of the cartridge 620 (shown as arrows). The cartridge 620 is similar to the cartridge 420 of FIG. 4A, and thus similar components will not be described in detail here. The lid 624 can include one or more different components, such as a base component 624a, a perforated lid 624b. The base component can have an axis 626, a number of through holes 625a, one or more passages 629a, and / or a central opening 628a. The number of through holes 625a can be in fluid communication with the container 622. In this illustrated embodiment, the number of through holes 625a is configured to supply air to or toward the container 622. The one or more passages 629a can be in fluid communication with the central opening 628a. As shown, one or more passages 629a are configured to feed air to or toward the central opening 628a so that the air can mix with the vaporized material exiting the shaft 626. Because the air is relatively cooler compared to the air mass containing the vaporized material, this mixing promotes condensation of the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol, as described above. Although the central opening 628a is shown and described as being in the center of the base component 624a, in some embodiments the central opening 628a may be off-center (e.g., simply an "opening" providing the same or similar function). Although only one central opening 628a is shown and described, in some embodiments there may be two or more central openings 628a, which may be "centered" across one dimension, two dimensions, three dimensions, or even no dimensions of the base component 624a.

[0125] As further shown, the shaft 626 can have one or more shaft through-holes 627 extending through a wall 626a of the shaft 626. The one or more shaft through-holes 627 can be in fluid communication with an internal passageway 626b of the shaft 626 and / or with the container 622. In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more shaft through-holes 627 are configured to deliver air and vaporized material from the container to the internal passageway of the shaft 626.

[0126] As shown, the perforated lid 624b can include a plurality of through holes 625b, one or more inlet holes 629b, and / or one or more outlet holes 628b. The plurality of through holes 625b of the perforated lid 624b are aligned with and therefore in fluid communication with the plurality of through holes 625a of the base component 624a. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of through holes 625b of the perforated lid 624b can be configured to supply air to or toward the plurality of through holes 625a of the base component 624a (e.g., upon application of a vacuum (e.g., by a user sucking) while the cartridge 620 is inserted into the receptacle of the vaporizer device).

[0127] In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more inlet holes 629b overlap at least a portion of one or more of the one or more passages 629a of the base component 624a, thereby fluidly communicating with the one or more passages 629a of the base component 624a. Thus, the one or more inlet holes 629b of the perforated lid 624b are configured to supply air to or toward the one or more passages 629a of the base component 624a. The one or more outlet holes 628b overlap at least a portion of the central opening 628a of the base component 624a, thereby fluidly communicating with the central opening 628a of the base component 624a. Thus, the one or more outlet holes 628b of the perforated lid 624b are configured to draw air from the central opening 628a of the base component 624a (e.g., toward the air outlet of the mouthpiece).

[0128] 6, a first air flow path 631 and a second air flow path 632 extend through the cartridge 620. More specifically, the first air flow path 631 is at least partially defined by one or more of a plurality of through holes 625a, 625b, one or more passages 629a, a central opening 628a, one or more inlet holes 629b, and one or more outlet holes 628b. The second air flow path 632 is at least partially defined by a plurality of through holes 625a, 625b, one or more passages 629a (shown as angled walls), a central opening 628a, one or more inlet holes 629b, one or more axial through holes 627, and one or more outlet holes 628b.

[0129] As shown, the first and second air flow paths 631, 632 connect within an internal passage 626b of the shaft 326 of the cartridge 620. The connected first and second air flow paths 631, 632 can then feed the vaporized material toward a central opening 628a of the shaft. Upon exiting the shaft 626 through the central opening 628a, the vaporized material mixes with air that is fed into the cartridge 620 via one or more inlet holes 629b in the perforated lid and one or more passages 629a in the base component 624a. Such mixing promotes condensation of the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol (e.g., for subsequent inhalation by a user).

[0130] FIG. 7A illustrates a top perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge 720 consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter, and FIG. 7B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the vaporizer cartridge 720. As illustrated, the lid 724 of the vaporizer cartridge 720 can include two or more sets of a plurality of through-holes. For example, the lid 724 can have two sets of through-holes 725b and inlet holes 729b on opposing sides of the lid 724. Additionally or alternatively, the lid 724 can have one set of outlet holes 728b at or near the center of the lid 724. As illustrated, the container 722 of the cartridge 720 can include a bottom or sidewall 720a that is substantially parallel to the lid 724.

[0131] During use, air and vapor mix in the mouthpiece to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user. As a result, this condensation can generate undesirable buildup in the mouthpiece that negatively impacts the user's experience with the vaporizer device. This condensation buildup needs to be removed from the mouthpiece throughout use of the device to allow the vaporizer device to function effectively and efficiently. Thus, in some embodiments, it is desirable to minimize or avoid the formation of condensation in the mouthpiece of the vaporizer device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the vaporizer cartridge 820 can be designed such that condensation is encouraged to occur within the cartridge rather than the mouthpiece of the vaporizer device. More specifically, the vaporizer cartridge is designed such that bypass air enters the cartridge and mixes with the vapor in the cartridge to cool the vapor into an aerosol for subsequent inhalation by the user (e.g., through the mouthpiece of the vaporizer device). Thus, condensation that may occur during mixing and cooling of the vapor can be trapped within the vaporizer cartridge before exiting, rather than exiting (e.g., through an exit hole in the cartridge lid).

[0132] Figure 8A illustrates a top perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge 820 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter, and Figure 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the vaporizer cartridge 820. The cartridge 820 may be an embodiment of one or more components of the cartridge 120 of Figure 1 and may be configured to hold a vaporizable material 102 and / or may be configured for use in a vaporizer device, such as the vaporizer device 100 of Figure 1 and / or the vaporizer device 200 of Figures 2A-2B. Although not shown, the cartridge 820 may be configured to be reversibly inserted into a receptacle of the vaporizer device.

[0133] As shown, cartridge 820 can include two or more components, such as a container 822 and a lid 824. Lid 824 can include one or more different components, such as a base component 826, shown in more detail in Figure 9, and a filter assembly 828, shown in more detail in Figure 10. Figure 9 is a partially exploded view of cartridge 820, and Figure 10 is an exploded top perspective view of filter assembly 828.

[0134] The base component 826 can have various configurations, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 9, where the base component 826 has a base 830 and a baffle 832 extending from the base into the container 822. Although the baffle 832 is illustrated as a single baffle and is centrally located relative to the base 826, in some embodiments, the baffle 832 can include two or more baffles, or the single baffle can be non-centrally located. In use, the baffle 832 can be configured to direct air entering the container 822 through a vaporizable material (not shown) in the container 822 to form a vaporized material. The baffle 832 can have various configurations. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 9, the baffle 832 can have an elongated, substantially flat configuration and can extend a length L into the container 822 (e.g., when the base component 826 is attached to the container 822) (see, e.g., FIG. 8B). Base component 826 may be attached to container 822 in a variety of ways, such as, for example, welding (e.g., laser welding), gluing, snap-fitting, magnetic adhesion, etc. Additionally, as shown in Figure 8B, baffle 832 is spaced a predetermined distance from bottom wall 822a of container 822 to allow air to move through container 822 and, consequently, through the vaporizable material contained therein.

[0135] Additionally, the base component 826 includes a plurality of through holes extending through the base 830. While the number and size of the plurality of through holes may vary, in the illustrated embodiment, there is a first plurality of through holes 834 and a second plurality of through holes 836. Both the first and second plurality of through holes 834, 836 may be in fluid communication with the container 822. In use, the first plurality of through holes 834 may be configured to supply air to or toward the container 822, and the second plurality of through holes 836 may be configured to draw air from the container 822.

[0136] 8A and 8B, a filter assembly 828 can be coupled to the base component 826. The filter assembly 828 can include two or more components, such as a first layer 838 (e.g., a bottom layer), an absorbent layer 840, and a second layer 842 (e.g., a top layer), as shown in more detail in FIG. 10. In another embodiment, the filter assembly can include an absorbent layer and one or more layers, such as the first layer or the second layer. In yet another embodiment, the filter assembly includes three or more layers.

[0137] While the first and second layers 838, 842 can be formed from a variety of materials, in some embodiments, the first layer 838, the second layer 842, or both can function as an adhesive layer. Thus, the first layer 838, the second layer 842, or both can include one or more adhesive materials. Alternatively or additionally, the first layer 838, the second layer 842, or both can include paper, plastic, ceramic, and / or the like. The absorbent layer 840 can include one or more materials, such as paper, plastic, cotton, cellulose acetate, ceramic, and / or the like, and can be configured to absorb condensate formed by mixing of air (e.g., bypass air introduced into the cartridge 820) and vaporized material (e.g., formed within the cartridge 820) to form an inhalable aerosol that exits the cartridge 820 (e.g., toward a mouthpiece of the vaporizer device) for inhalation by the user. As a result, the absorbent layer 840 can help avoid condensation build-up that might otherwise occur within a mouthpiece in fluid communication with the cartridge 820 .

[0138] The first layer 838 can have various configurations, but as illustrated in Figures 8B, 9 and 10, the first layer 838 can be located adjacent (e.g., directly adjacent) to the base component 826 and can include two through holes 844, 846. The first through hole 844 can be configured to align with at least a portion of the plurality of through holes 834 of the base component 826, and the second through hole 846 can be configured to align with at least a portion of the second plurality of through holes 836 of the base component 826 (see Figure 8B). Thus, the first through hole 844 can be in fluid communication with the plurality of through holes 834, and the second through hole 846 can be in fluid communication with the second plurality of through holes 836. As a result, during use, the first through hole 844 can be configured to supply air to or toward the container 822, and the second through hole 846 can be configured to draw air and vaporized material from the container 822.

[0139] The second layer 842 can have a variety of configurations. In some embodiments, the second layer 842 can include one or more through holes, as shown in Figures 8A, 8B, and 10. More specifically, in this illustrated embodiment, the second layer 842 includes an inlet hole 848 that can be configured to allow air to enter the cartridge 820 and into the container 822, a bypass inlet hole 850 that can be configured to allow air to enter the cartridge 820 and into the filter assembly 828, thereby bypassing the container 822, and an outlet hole 852 that can be configured to allow an inhalable aerosol formed in the filter assembly 828 to exit the cartridge 820 for inhalation by a user. As further illustrated, the second layer 842 can be a top layer (e.g., the outermost layer of the filter assembly 828, the end of the cartridge).

[0140] As shown in Figures 8B, 9 and 10, the absorbent layer 840 may be interposed between the first layer 838 and the second layer 842 and may include at least two through holes 854, 856. The first through hole 854 may be configured to align with at least a portion of the first through holes 844 of the first layer 838 and the air inlet hole 848 of the second layer 842 (see Figure 8B). The second through hole 856 may be configured to align with at least a portion of the second through holes 846 of the first layer 838 and the bypass inlet hole 850 and the outlet hole 852 of the second layer 842.

[0141] As described in more detail below, the second through-hole 856 of the absorbent layer 840 may be configured to function as a condensation chamber for the cartridge 820. More specifically, the second through-hole 856 has a first segment 856a that overlaps the bypass inlet hole 850 of the second layer 842 and a second segment 856b that overlaps the outlet hole 852. The second segment 856b further overlaps a substantially or completely flat portion of the first layer 838, thereby defining a longer air flow path compared to conventional cartridges that only have a straight air flow path upwards outside the mouthpiece of the vaporizer device. During use, this configuration in combination with the second plurality of through-holes 836 of the base component 826 allows outside air to mix with the vaporized material, which can form an inhalable aerosol within the second through-hole 856 of the absorbent layer 840 before exiting the cartridge 820, and ultimately through the mouthpiece of the device to the user for inhalation. Because the air entering cartridge 820 through bypass inlet hole 850 is relatively cooler than the air mass containing the vaporized material from the container, mixing thereof promotes condensation of the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol, as described above. By generating the aerosol within cartridge 820 (e.g., within a condensation chamber of the cartridge), the buildup of condensation that may otherwise occur within the mouthpiece can be avoided.

[0142] Additionally, the absorbent layer 840 may include one or more passageways 858, 860 defined therein. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the absorbent layer 840 may include one or more first passageways 858 disposed to intersect with the first through-holes 854 and one or more second passageways 860 disposed to intersect with the second through-holes 856. The one or more first and second passageways 858, 860 may be configured to draw condensation formed within each of the first and second through-holes 854, 856, respectively, of the absorbent layer 840 and away from the through-holes 854, 856, thereby further helping to avoid condensation build-up within the mouthpiece.

[0143] 11 is a close-up view of the cartridge 820 shown in FIG. 8B, illustrating the air flow paths (indicated by arrows) of the cartridge 820 during use. As shown, when a user puffs on the mouthpiece of a vaporizer device having the cartridge 820, air flows through the cartridge 820 along a first air flow path 862 defined at least in part by the air inlet hole 848 in the second layer 842, the first through hole 854 in the absorbent layer 840, the first through hole 844 in the first layer 838, and the first plurality of through holes 834 in the base component 826. The air enters the container 822 and travels along a second air flow path 864 defined at least in part by the baffle 832 and extending along or proximate to the bottom surface of the container 822. While the air passes through the container 822, the air is heated by a heater of the vaporizer device (e.g., heating element 441 of device 400a of FIG. 4A) to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material (not shown) contained within the container 822. The air and vaporized material then exit the container 822 through the second plurality of through-holes 836 of the base component 826 and travel along a third air flow path 866 defined in part by the second through-holes 856 of the absorbent layer 840. As the air and vaporized material travel along the third air flow path 866, they mix with air present within the second through-holes 856 that entered the third air flow path 866 via the bypass inlet holes 850 of the second layer 842. Such mixing promotes condensation of the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol (e.g., for subsequent inhalation by the user). Additionally, the bypass ratio is determined, at least in part, by the diameter of the bypass inlet holes 850 relative to the diameter of the air inlet holes 848. Thus, the restriction of the lid 824 can be controlled by the relative sizes of the bypass and air inlet holes 850, 848. The bypass ratio thus allows for the production of a desired aerosol droplet size to be controlled at least by the cartridge, rather than, for example, the mouthpiece of the vaporizer device.

[0144] In some embodiments, the bypass ratio may be greater than 1 (e.g., the size of the bypass inlet hole is greater than the size of the air inlet hole). In some embodiments, the bypass ratio may be less than 1 (e.g., the size of the bypass inlet hole is less than the size of the air inlet hole). In embodiments where the bypass ratio is greater than 1, a greater amount of cool air may be introduced into the third air flow path (e.g., third air flow path 866) via the bypass inlet hole and then mixed with the air and vaporized material exiting the container (e.g., air and vaporized material traveling along third air flow path 866). As a result, a smaller amount of nicotine may be present in the cooler inhalable aerosol compared to when the bypass ratio is less than 1.

[0145] In some embodiments, the filter assembly can be designed to increase the dead space in the condensation chamber, for example as shown in Figure 12. Such increased dead space can help slow the velocity of vapor moving through the absorbent layer and / or can lengthen the air flow path, thereby promoting condensation of vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol (e.g., for subsequent inhalation by a user).

[0146] 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary vaporizer cartridge having an increased dead space (e.g., as compared to vaporizer cartridge 820). Other than the differences described below, vaporizer cartridge 920 is similar to vaporizer cartridge 820, and similar components will not be described in detail here. Vaporizer cartridge 920 of FIG. 12 can include a container 922 and a lid 924.

[0147] The lid 924 includes a base component 926 having a base 930 and a baffle 932, and a filter assembly 928 disposed on a surface of the base 930. The filter assembly 928 includes an adhesive layer 938 and an absorbent layer 940, with the adhesive layer 938 located between the absorbent layer 940 and the base 930 of the base component 926. The absorbent layer 940, the adhesive layer 938, and the base 930 each have a respective first through hole 968a, 968b, 968c. The first through holes 968a, 968b, 968c at least partially overlap and collectively form an air inlet that allows outside air (e.g., relative to the cartridge 920) to pass into the container 922. Additionally, the base component 926 has a second through hole 969 in fluid communication with the interior 922a of the container 922 and in fluid communication with a first passageway 970 defined in the filter assembly 928 (e.g., in the adhesive layer 938 and / or the absorbent layer 940). The second through hole 969 can allow air and vaporized material (not shown) within the container 822 to flow out of the container 822 and into the first passageway 970 for coalescence.

[0148] As further illustrated, the first passageway 970 is in fluid communication with a second passageway 972 defined in the adhesive layer 938 and the absorbent layer 940. Thus, the second passageway 972 is downstream of the first passageway 970. The second passageway 972 is in fluid communication with a second through hole 974 extending through the adhesive layer 938 and a second through hole 976 extending through the absorbent layer 940. The second through holes 974, 976 at least partially overlap and collectively form an air outlet that allows the inhalable aerosol to exit the cartridge for inhalation. The first and second passageways 970, 972 in the filter assembly 928 define a condensation chamber within the filter assembly 928.

[0149] The first and second passages 970, 972 can have a variety of shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, the first and second passages 970, 972 each have an arcuate shape. More specifically, the first and second passages 970, 972 collectively are a series of arcuate bends. In other embodiments, the first and / or second passages 970, 972 can have other types of sizes and shapes, such as rectangular, pill-shaped, or any other suitable shape that can allow for the condensation of the vaporized material. In certain embodiments, the first and second passages 970, 972 can have different shapes and / or sizes from each other.

[0150] Additionally, the absorbent layer 940 includes at least one vent 978a, 978b defined therein that is in fluid communication with the outside air (e.g., relative to the cartridge 920). The number of vents can vary, but in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 12, the absorbent layer 940 includes a first vent 978a and a second vent 978b downstream from the first vent 978b. The first vent 978a is in fluid communication with the outside air and the first passageway 970, while the second vent 978b is in fluid communication with the outside air and the second passageway 972.

[0151] During use, outside air enters through the first through-holes 968a, 968b, 968c (e.g., air inlets) and travels along a first air flow path (indicated by arrows 980) into the container 922. The air continues to travel along a second air flow path 982 that extends along or proximate to the bottom surface of the container 922. As the air passes along or proximate to the bottom surface of the container 922, the air is heated by a heater of a vaporizer device (e.g., heating element 441 of device 400a of FIG. 4A) to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material (not shown) contained within the container 922. The heated air and vaporized material then exit the container 822 through a second plurality of through-holes 969 of the base component 930 and into the first passageway 970, where it travels through the first passageway 970 along a third air flow path 984. While passing through the first passageway 970, the air and vaporized material contact a first amount of outside air present in the first passageway 970 through the first vent 978a, and condensation of the vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol begins. This mixture then passes along the fourth air flow path 986 to the second passageway 972, where it contacts a second amount of outside air present in the second passageway 972 through the second vent 978b, and condensation of at least a portion of the remaining vaporized material into an inhalable aerosol occurs. The inhalable aerosol then travels along the fifth air flow path 988 through an outlet of the cartridge 920 for inhalation by the user. In this embodiment, the outlet is defined by the adhesive layer 938 and the second through holes 974, 976 in the absorbent layer 940.

[0152] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to control the amount of nicotine provided to a user over a given period of time (e.g., 2 milligrams of nicotine per 10-12 puffs). However, in some aspects, delivery of nicotine may be provided efficiently and / or effectively via a vaporizer device described herein (e.g., one or more of vaporizer devices 100, 200, 400, 500, 1000, 1100), which may result in a rapid depletion of all or substantially all of the nicotine available in a cartridge (e.g., cartridges 120, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120), for example, when the cartridge contains the same amount of tobacco and / or tobacco leaf as one combustible cigarette. Thus, materials other than tobacco leaf may be included in the cartridge to control the amount of nicotine delivered over the course of use of the cartridge. It will be understood that "tobacco leaf" may mean dried and / or dehydrated tobacco leaf.

[0153] To effectively control the amount of nicotine, a substance having characteristics similar to at least some of the characteristics of tobacco (e.g., characteristics other than the presence of nicotine) can be included in the cartridge along with the tobacco and humectant or other aerosol-forming material or carrier (e.g., PG, VG, and / or the like). In some embodiments, tobacco characteristics that may be desirable to match include heat transfer when impregnated with a humectant and / or heat transfer when not impregnated with a humectant (collectively referred to as a heat transfer profile), air transfer when impregnated with a humectant and / or air transfer when not impregnated with a humectant (collectively referred to as an air transfer profile), capillary pressure when impregnated with a humectant and / or capillary pressure when not impregnated with a humectant (collectively referred to as a capillary pressure profile), porosity when impregnated with a humectant and / or porosity when not impregnated with a humectant (collectively referred to as a porosity profile), and / or the like. Materials having characteristics similar to at least some of the characteristics of tobacco leaves can include expanded tobacco stems, hemp, cotton, wood, porous glass beads, porous ceramics, and / or the like.

[0154] 13A-13F, in various embodiments, tobacco leaf may be combined in the cartridge with a substance having characteristics similar to at least some of the characteristics of the tobacco leaf in various amounts and / or according to various procedures or mechanisms. For example, in some embodiments, the tobacco leaf and substance may be present in an approximately 50 / 50 ratio, an approximately 55 / 45 ratio (either more tobacco leaf or more substance is present), an approximately 60 / 40 ratio, an approximately 65 / 35 ratio, an approximately 70 / 30 ratio, an approximately 75 / 25 ratio, an approximately 80 / 20 ratio, or an approximately 85 / 15 ratio. Either or both of the tobacco leaf and material may be formed as sheets or strands and / or layers (e.g., as a sheet aligned perpendicular to the bottom of the cartridge, such as the sheet in Figures 13A-13B, aligned diagonally to the bottom of the cartridge, such as the sheet in Figure 13C), formed into blocks or other shapes surrounded by one another (e.g., at least two blocks of tobacco leaf surrounded by material in Figure 13D), formed into pellets, pills, beads (e.g., material interspersed within the tobacco leaf in Figure 13E), or other three-dimensional shapes arranged, interspersed, and / or interpenetrating one within the other, mixed together to form a homogeneous or non-homogeneous mixture (e.g., as the mixture in Figure 13F), and arranged to occupy various portions of the cartridge (e.g., front to back, left to right, etc.).

[0155] In some embodiments, the amount and / or procedure or mechanism of combining the tobacco leaf with the substance can affect the rate at which nicotine is extracted from the tobacco leaf during the course of a vaporizer device session. To achieve a vaporizer device session that satisfies combustible tobacco users, it may be desirable to combine the tobacco leaf with the substance in a manner that can substantially exhaust the humectant and nicotine as close as possible. It will be understood that "substantially exhaust" can mean a state in which aerosol production is reduced, the sharp taste of nicotine is less noticeable, or a burnt taste is detected.

[0156] Thus, when combined with tobacco leaf and a humectant and heated at a lower temperature (e.g., 300-400 degrees Fahrenheit or 150-200 degrees Celsius), a substance having characteristics similar to at least some of the characteristics of tobacco leaf can retain and release the humectant at the same or similar rate as tobacco leaf, rendering aspects of the vaporizer device experience substantially similar to the smoking experience of a combustible cigarette.

[0157] Although the vaporizable material (e.g., tobacco leaf and / or a substance having characteristics similar to at least some of the characteristics of tobacco leaf) is illustrated as occupying about 90% of the internal volume of the cartridge, in some embodiments the vaporizable material may occupy about 80% of the internal volume of the cartridge, about 70% of the internal volume of the cartridge, about 60% of the internal volume of the cartridge, about 50% of the internal volume of the cartridge, or less. It will be understood that in some aspects the internal volume of the cartridge may include or exclude space occupied by another component of the cartridge (such as shaft 326, 426, 526, 626).

[0158] 14A-14C show top perspective views of a vaporizer device 1000 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 14A, the vaporizer device 1000 can include a vaporizer body 1010 and a mouthpiece 1030 having an airflow outlet 1039 attached to the vaporizer body 1010. In some embodiments, when the mouthpiece 1030 is closed on the top of the vaporizer body 1010, the shape of the mouthpiece 1030 can be such that a portion of the top of the vaporizer body 1010 is blocked (e.g., at least a portion of the ledge 1021), while another portion of the top of the vaporizer body 1010 remains exposed. Within this exposed area, one or more airflow inlets 1033 can be at least partially exposed (e.g., to ambient air). Additionally or alternatively, one or more outputs 1017 in the form of at least one LED (e.g., in the form of a solid-state light bar) may be provided within the exposed area between the intersection of the vaporizer body 1010 and the mouthpiece 1030.

[0159] 14B, the mouthpiece 1030 of the vaporizer device 1000 can open to provide access to the receptacle 1018 (e.g., to insertably receive the cartridge 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 1020). In some embodiments, airflow can be provided to the cartridge in the receptacle 1018 via one or more airflow inlets 1033, shown as slits, which may be substantially identical on opposite sides of the vaporizer body 1010. As shown, the underside of the mouthpiece 1030 can include an airflow outlet passage 1038 in fluid communication with an airflow outlet 1039.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 14C, the one or more air inlets 1033 in the vaporizer body 1010 may instead take the form of multiple through holes. Additionally or alternatively, as shown, the one or more outputs 1017 in the form of at least one LED may have multiple LEDs (e.g., in the form of a strip of five LEDs). The vaporizer device 1000 may include the same components or operate in the same manner as any of the vaporizer device 100 of FIG. 1, the vaporizer device 200 of FIG. 2A-2B, the vaporizer device 400a-400i of FIG. 4A-4I, the vaporizer device 500 of FIG. 5A-5B, and / or any other vaporizer device described herein, unless otherwise noted.

[0161] 15A-15C show top perspective views of a vaporizer device 1100 consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 15A, the vaporizer device 1100 can include a vaporizer body 1110 and a mouthpiece 1130 having an airflow outlet 1139 attached to the vaporizer body 1110. As shown in FIG. 15B, the mouthpiece 1130 of the vaporizer device 1100 can be opened to expose the cartridge 1120 in the vaporizer body 1110. As further shown, the lid of the cartridge 1120 can be placed on at least a portion of the ledge 1121 of the vaporizer body. As shown in FIG. 15C, the cartridge 1120 can be removed from the receptacle 1118 of the vaporizer body 1110 (e.g., for disposal after use). As further shown, the shape of the receptacle 1118 and / or the ledge 1121 can be complementary to the shape of the cartridge 1120 such that the cartridge can be fitted downwardly into the receptacle 1118 and still be easily removed. Vaporizer device 1100 may include the same components or operate in the same manner as vaporizer device 100 of FIG. 1, vaporizer device 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B, vaporizer devices 400a-400i of FIGS. 4A-4I, vaporizer device 500 of FIGS. 5A-5B, vaporizer device 1000 of FIGS. 14A-14C, and / or any other vaporizer device described herein, unless otherwise specified.

[0163] In some embodiments, any of the cartridges described herein (e.g., cartridges 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1120) can include a filter component within any of the shafts described herein (e.g., 326, 426, 526, 626) and / or at another location downstream of the shaft. Additionally or alternatively, any of the vaporizer devices described herein (e.g., one or more of vaporizer devices 100, 200, 400, 500, 1000, 1100) can include a filter component on the outside of the cartridge, such as within an airflow outlet passageway described herein (e.g., airflow outlet passageway 438, 538, 1038). In various embodiments, the filter component can be configured to add ingredients (e.g., flavors such as menthol) to the inhalable aerosol or remove ingredients (e.g., nicotine and / or HPHCS) from the inhalable aerosol.

[0164] The filter component may be similar to a conventional filter, such as cellulose acetate, and / or may include cotton, charcoal, beads, and / or the like, provided that the configuration of the filter component allows airflow therethrough. In some embodiments, the filter component may be cylindrical in shape. However, in other embodiments, the filter component may be any form of obstruction, such as baffles, webbing, and / or the like. In some aspects, providing a filter component downstream of where the vaporizable material 102, 402 is heated to form the vaporized material may help cool the temperature of the aerosol passing therethrough, restrict or otherwise control the airflow, etc.

[0165] In any of the embodiments described herein, the features defining the air flow passages (e.g., holes 425, 525, 625a, 625b, 725b of the cartridge 420, 520, 620, 720) can be varied in geometry (e.g., shape, size, angle), location, number, and / or the like. Each of these variables can affect the airflow within the vaporizer device 100, 200, 400, 500, 1000, 1100 and its components (e.g., cartridge 120, 320, 420, 520, 620, 1020, 1120) and can provide an entirely different user experience by providing the user with an inhalable aerosol having different characteristics. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to, average particle size, ratio of air to vaporized material, ratio of solid to liquid particles, percentage of active ingredient, temperature, and / or the like, which may be further complicated by the characteristics (e.g., flavor) of the vaporizable material 102,402 itself.

[0166] For example, smaller holes can provide more resistance to the airflow attempting to pass through the holes, thereby increasing the speed, velocity and / or force of the air passing through the holes. Conversely, larger holes can provide less resistance to the airflow attempting to pass through the holes, thereby decreasing the speed, velocity and / or force of the air passing through the holes. Due to the reduced speed / velocity, larger holes can provide increased residence time (e.g., the amount of time the heated air resides within the vaporizable material 102, 402), but due to the reduced force, larger holes can reduce the amount of vaporized material transported within the air flow path 431, 432, 531, 532, 631, 632. Thus, in some embodiments, the features defining the air flow path can be tailored to alter the user experience with the goal of generating an inhalable aerosol with specific characteristics in mind.

[0167] The features defining the air flow path described herein include the air flow inlet 433, 434, 533, 1033, the air flow passage 435, 436, 438, 535, 538, 1038, the air flow outlet 439, 539, 1039, the holes and / or passages in the cartridge 120, 320, 420, 520, 620, 1020, 1120 (e.g., the holes 425, 525, the plurality of through holes 325a, 325b, 625a, 625b, 725b, the one or more passages 329a, 529a, 629a, the central opening 328a, 628a, the one or more inlet holes 329b, 629b, 729b, These include, but are not limited to, one or more exit holes 328b, 628b, 728b, one or more axial through holes 327, 627, and / or the like), components of the cartridge 120, 320, 420, 520, 620, 1020, 1120 (e.g., including base component 324a, perforated lid 324b, upper barrier 324c, container 322, 422, 522, 622, 722, shaft 326, 426, 526, 626, and / or the like), vaporizable material 102, 402, and / or the like.

[0168] Although "smaller" pores is a relative term and is dependent only on the presence of larger pores (of any size), it is contemplated that smaller pores may include pores having a diameter of about 1 mm or less (e.g., 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm). Similarly, although "larger" pores is a relative term, it is contemplated that larger pores may include pores having a diameter of about 1 mm or more (e.g., 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm).

[0169] In some embodiments, components of the vaporizer devices 100, 200, 400a-400i may be configured to not cover any of the holes, or to cover one or any number of the holes, so that a user can customize the user experience to the user's personal preferences (e.g., by ultimately affecting the characteristics of the inhalable aerosol delivered to the user). For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 1120 may be provided with certain holes that are covered (e.g., by a sticker), and the user may uncover any number of the covered holes to change the user's experience. Uncovering one or more of the holes that were initially covered may change the user experience by providing additional air to one or more locations within the cartridge, thereby providing a greater airflow (e.g., via reduced restriction), a less dense vapor (e.g., via a shorter residence time within the cartridge), and / or the like. These optionally exposed or covered air holes can affect one or both of the amount of air that is in direct contact with the heated and / or otherwise vaporizable material, and the amount of "bypass air" that is combined with the heated air mass containing vaporized material released by heating the vaporizable material. Influencing the ratio of these two air flows can affect the temperature of the aerosol inhaled by a user of the vaporizer device, and can affect the distribution of one or more compounds of the vaporized material between the gas and condensed phases when the user receives air that has passed through the vaporizer device.

[0170] Additionally or alternatively, various embodiments of the vaporizer cartridges 120, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 1120 may be sold to allow users to select the cartridge that provides them with their preferred user experience. Cartridges may be manufactured with pre-set air inlet orifices for one or both of the inlet air, which is heated and / or passes through or near the heated vaporizable material, and the bypass air, which is not heated but is added to the heated air mass that contains the vaporized material (e.g., one or more compounds converted to the gas phase by heating the vaporizable material). Different cartridges may include different inlet and / or outlet orifice configurations (e.g., orifice cross-sectional area, orifice shape, orifice location, required number of orifices, and / or other airflow-influencing features, etc.) for these two air streams to affect the characteristics of the resulting aerosol (e.g., based on varying either or both of the orifice cross-sectional area and / or number of orifices at a particular location) as it is delivered to the user through at least one outlet during inhalation.

[0171] term It will be understood that the terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein to indicate the relative location of associated devices and / or components. Although "proximal" is generally used to indicate a location at or near a user when the device and / or component is in use, and "distal" is generally used to indicate a location away from a user when the device and / or component is in use, these terms are not intended to be absolute. For example, the "proximal" and / or "distal" ends of a component need not be the absolute furthest point at the referenced end, but can instead indicate the general area at or near the referenced end. Furthermore, opposing "proximal" and "distal" ends of a component need not be completely and / or completely opposed to one another, since the shape of each end may be different and / or the component may not be perfectly linear (e.g., one or more longitudinal dimensions of the component may be of different lengths).

[0172] When a feature or element is referred to herein as being "on" another feature or element, the feature or element may be directly on the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features and / or elements. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements. Also, when a feature or element is referred to as being "connected," "attached," or "coupled" to another feature or element, it will be understood that the feature or element may be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features or elements. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly attached," or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements.

[0173] Although described or illustrated with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or illustrated may be applicable to other embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that references to structures or features being located "adjacent" to another feature may also have overlapping or underlying portions with the adjacent feature.

[0174] The terms used herein are used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and embodiments only, and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the singular indefinite and definite articles used herein are intended to include the plural as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprises" as used herein specify the presence of the described features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and can be abbreviated as " / ".

[0175] In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of" may appear following a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term "and / or" may also appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly denied by the context of use, such phrases are intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually, or any of the listed elements or features in combination with any of the other listed elements or features. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and B," "one or more of A and B," and "A and / or B" are intended to mean "A only, B only, or both A and B," respectively. A similar interpretation is intended for lists containing more than two items. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, and / or C" are intended to mean "A only, B only, C only, both A and B, both A and C, both B and C, or both A, B, and C," respectively. Use of the term "based on" in the description above and in the claims is intended to mean "based at least in part on," allowing for unrecited features or elements.

[0176] Spatially relative terms such as "forward," "backward," "downward," "below," "lower," "upper," "upper" and the like may be used herein to facilitate description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings were inverted, then an element described as "downward" or "directly below" another element or feature would be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "downward" can encompass both an upward and downward orientation. The device may be oriented in another way (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptions used herein may be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upward," "downward," "vertically," "horizontally," and the like are used herein for descriptive purposes only, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0177] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various features / elements (including steps), these features / elements are not intended to be limited by these terms unless the context dictates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another. Thus, a first feature / element described below may be referred to as a second feature / element, and similarly, a second feature / element described below may be referred to as a first feature / element, without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0178] Unless otherwise specified, including when used in the examples, all numbers used in the specification and claims can be read as if they are preceded by the words "about" or "approximately", even if these terms do not explicitly appear. When describing a size and / or location, these words "about" or "approximately" may be used to indicate that the stated value and / or location is within a reasonable expected range of the value and / or location. For example, a numerical value may include values ​​such as + / -0.1% of a given value (or range of values), + / -1% of a given value (or range of values), + / -2% of a given value (or range of values), + / -5% of a given value (or range of values), + / -10% of a given value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical value given herein should be understood to include values ​​near or about that value, unless otherwise specified by context. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, then "about 10" is also disclosed. Any numerical ranges recited herein are intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. It is also understood that where a value is disclosed, "less than or equal to" that value, "more than or equal to" that value, and possible ranges between those values ​​are also disclosed, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, if a value "X" is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" as well as "more than or equal to X" (e.g., X is a number) are also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in many different formats, and that this data represents end and starting points, and ranges for any combination of those data points. For example, if a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that greater than 10 and 15, greater than or equal to 10 and 15, less than 10 and 15, less than or equal to 10 and 15, and equal to 10 and 15 are also considered to be disclosed, as is the range between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two specific units is also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0179] Although various exemplary embodiments have been described above, any of a number of modifications may be made to the various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which the various method steps described are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Optional features of the various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not included in other embodiments. Thus, the foregoing description has been provided primarily for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0180] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuits, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features can include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive and transmit data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system can include clients and servers. The clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0181] These computer programs, which may also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or codes, contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural languages, object-oriented programming languages, functional programming languages, logic programming languages, and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, apparatus, and / or device, such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, memories, and programmable logic devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. A machine-readable medium may store such machine instructions non-transiently, such as, for example, a non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. A machine-readable medium may alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions temporarily, such as, for example, a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0182] The examples and figures contained herein show, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As noted above, other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for convenience, if more than one is actually disclosed, and are not intended to spontaneously limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above-described embodiments with other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description.

Claims

1. 1. A vaporizer device for generating an inhalable aerosol, comprising: Underbite and one or more heating elements positioned to heat the receptacle; a cartridge configured to be inserted into the receptacle, a container containing a vaporizable material and configured to heat the vaporizable material when the heating element heats the receptacle; a lid having a plurality of first air inlets configured to direct air into the container, the lid further having at least one air outlet; and a structure within the container configured to direct the air through the vaporizable material to form vaporized material. a cartridge having at least one condensation chamber configured to condense the vaporized material into the inhalable aerosol, the at least one condensation chamber in fluid communication with the at least one air outlet; a mouthpiece configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol to a user, the mouthpiece having a mouthpiece outlet in fluid communication with the at least one condensation chamber; a vaporizer device comprising:

2. The vaporizer device of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises an oven.

3. 10. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the one or more heating elements are disposed at, toward, near, and / or along one or more walls of the receptacle.

4. 4. The vaporizer device of claim 3, wherein the one or more walls of the receptacle include a bottom receptacle wall distal to the mouthpiece, and the one or more walls of the receptacle further include one or more side walls extending in a longitudinal dimension perpendicular to the bottom receptacle wall.

5. The vaporizer device of claim 4 , wherein a first heating element of the one or more heating elements extends along at least a portion of the one or more side walls of the receptacle.

6. The vaporizer device of claim 4 , wherein a first heating element of the one or more heating elements is wrapped around at least a portion of an exterior surface of the receptacle.

7. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the first heating element comprises a flexible heating circuit.

8. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 4, wherein a second heating element of the one or more heating elements extends along at least a portion of the bottom receptacle wall.

9. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 4, wherein the bottom receptacle wall includes a second heating element of the one or more heating elements, the second heating element being in direct contact with the cartridge.

10. The vaporizer device of claim 8 , wherein the second heating element comprises a flexible heating circuit or a ceramic heater.

11. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge has a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and the cartridge further has one or more side walls extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the cartridge.

12. 12. The vaporizer device of claim 11, wherein the container has a bottom container wall at or near the distal end of the cartridge.

13. The vaporizer device of claim 11 , wherein the lid has a top barrier at or near the proximal end of the cartridge.

14. The vaporizer device of claim 11 , wherein the lid has a base component, the base component having a shaft with one or more shaft holes therethrough.

15. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the container of the cartridge comprises a non-vapor permeable material.

16. 16. The vaporizer device of claim 15, wherein the non-vapor permeable material comprises a metal, a metal alloy, a paper material such as card stock, a corrugated material such as cardboard, tobacco paper, or a heat-resistant plastic.

17. 16. The vaporizer device of claim 15, wherein the container comprises aluminum or stainless steel.

18. 16. The vaporizer device of claim 15, wherein the lid comprises a paper material and the container comprises aluminum or stainless steel.

19. The vaporizer device of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a baffle or a shaft with a plurality of shaft through-holes.

20. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, further comprising an air flow path configured to supply the inhalable aerosol to a user, the air flow path comprising the plurality of air inlets, the plurality of through-holes, the at least one condensation chamber, the at least one air outlet, and the mouthpiece outlet.

21. 20. The vaporizer device of claim 19, wherein the shaft includes the at least one condensation chamber, the at least one condensation chamber in fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of air inlets, the one or more of the plurality of air inlets configured to direct air into the at least one condensation chamber to promote condensation of the vaporized material into the inhalable aerosol.

22. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece comprises the at least one condensation chamber, and the mouthpiece further comprises at least one air inlet in fluid communication with the at least one condensation chamber, the at least one air inlet configured to direct air into the at least one condensation chamber to promote condensation of the vaporized material into the inhalable aerosol.

23. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the vaporizable material comprises a solid plant-based material such as tobacco.

24. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece further comprises an air inlet configured to direct air into the vaporizer device.

25. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises at least one second air inlet configured to direct air into a connected air flow path of the vaporized material, thereby promoting condensation of the vaporized material into the inhalable aerosol.

26. 26. The vaporizer device of claim 25, wherein the directed air is mixed into the connected air flow path within at least a portion of the cartridge.

27. 27. The vaporizer device of claim 26, wherein the directed air is mixed into the connected air flow path outside of the cartridge.

28. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the structure has at least one first hole and at least one second hole, the at least one first hole configured to direct the air through the plurality of air inlets in the lid into the container, and the at least one second hole configured to direct the vaporized material towards the at least one air outlet in the lid, and the combination of the at least one first hole and the at least one second hole allows air to enter the cartridge through the lid and allows air to exit the cartridge through the lid.

29. 30. The vaporizer device of claim 28, wherein incoming air through the at least one first hole passes through the lid in a first direction and exiting air through the at least one second hole passes through the lid in a second direction different from the first direction.

30. 30. The vaporizer device of claim 29, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions relative to each other.

31. The vaporizer device of claim 1 , wherein the vaporizable material comprises a tobacco substance and a non-tobacco substance.

32. 32. The vaporizer device of claim 31, wherein the tobacco material comprises tobacco leaf and the non-tobacco material comprises a material having similar properties to the tobacco material.

33. 33. The vaporizer device of claim 32, wherein the similar characteristics include a heat transfer profile of the tobacco material, an air transfer profile of the tobacco material, a capillary pressure profile of the tobacco material, and / or a porosity profile of the tobacco material.

34. 33. The vaporizer device of claim 32, wherein the material comprises expanded tobacco stem, hemp, cotton, wood, porous glass beads, and / or porous ceramic.

35. 33. The vaporizer device of claim 32, wherein the tobacco leaves comprise dried or dehydrated tobacco leaves.

36. 32. The vaporizer device of claim 31, wherein the tobacco material and the non-tobacco material are formed as sheets and / or strands and / or are layered.

37. 32. The vaporizer device of claim 31, wherein the non-tobacco material is formed in the shape of pellets, pills, and / or beads interspersed within the tobacco material.

38. 32. The vaporizer device of claim 31, wherein the tobacco material and the non-tobacco material are mixed to form a homogeneous or non-homogeneous mixture.

39. 7. The vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a filter upstream of the at least one air outlet.

40. The vaporizer device of claim 1 , wherein the structure is further configured to direct the vaporized material toward the at least one air outlet.

41. The vaporizer device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one condensation chamber is disposed within the cartridge.

42. The vaporizer device of claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a filter assembly.

43. 43. The vaporizer device of claim 42, wherein the filter assembly comprises a first layer and an absorbent layer, the at least one condensation chamber being defined within the absorbent layer.

44. 44. The vaporizer device of claim 43, wherein the filter assembly further comprises a second layer, the absorbent layer being disposed between the first layer and the second layer.

45. 45. The vaporizer device of claim 44, wherein each of the first layer, the second layer, and the absorbent layer has at least one through hole extending therethrough.

46. 44. The vaporizer device of claim 43, wherein the absorbent layer has at least one vent hole, the at least one vent hole being in fluid communication with the condensation chamber.

Images