Heating element

Abstract

To provide a heating element for use in a vaporizer device.SOLUTION: A vaporizer device includes a cartridge having a reservoir that holds a vaporizable material and an atomizer chamber that includes a heating element. The heating element can heat the vaporizable material. The heating element can include two rigid portions that are spaced apart by a span that defines a capillary gap. The capillary gap can draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir to a heater region for vaporizing the vaporizable material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 742,554, entitled "HEATING ELEMENT," filed October 8, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and to the extent permitted by law.

[0002] Technical Field The subject matter described herein relates to a vaporizer device that includes a heating element for the vaporizer device.

[0003] Background technology Vaporization 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 a gaseous and / or condensed phase suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gaseous carrier) containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporization device. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a type of vaporizer device that can be battery-powered and used to simulate smoking, but without the combustion of tobacco or other substances. Vaporizers have become increasingly popular both for prescribed medical use in the delivery of medicines, and for the consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based vaporizable materials, including solid and / or liquid materials, as well as pods (cartridges, packaged containers, etc.) pre-filled with such materials. Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and 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., causes a liquid or solid to transition at least partially to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which may be a liquid, solution, solid, paste, wax, and / or other form compatible for use with the particular vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer may be supplied in a cartridge (e.g., a separable portion that contains the vaporizable material in a vaporizer device) that includes an exhalation port (e.g., a mouthpiece) through which the user inhales the aerosol.

[0005] To inhale the inhalable aerosol generated by the vaporizer device, a user may, in certain instances, activate the vaporizer device by puffing, pressing a button, and / or some other approach. As used herein, puffing may refer to inhalation by a user in a manner that draws air into the vaporizer device such that an inhalable aerosol is generated by mixing of the vaporized vaporizable material with the air.

[0006] An approach to having a vaporizer device generate an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material includes heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (e.g., a heater chamber) to convert the vaporizable material to a gas (or vapor) phase. A vaporization chamber may refer to a region or volume within a vaporizer device within which a heat source (e.g., conductive, convective, and / or radiative) heats the vaporizable material to generate a mixture of air and vaporizable material to form a vapor for inhalation of the vaporizable material by a user of the vaporizer device.

[0007] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may be drawn from the reservoir into the vaporization chamber via a wicking element (e.g., a wick). The suction of the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber may be due at least in part to capillary action provided by the wick as it draws the vaporizable material along the wick toward the vaporization chamber.

[0008] The vaporizer device may be controlled by one or more controllers, electronic circuitry (e.g., sensors, heating elements), and / or the like in the vaporizer. The vaporizer device may also communicate wirelessly with an external controller (e.g., a computing device such as a smartphone).

[0009] overview SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT SUBJECT EMBODIMENTS Aspects of the present subject matter relate to heating elements for use in vaporizer devices.

[0010] According to some embodiments, a cartridge for a vaporizer device includes a reservoir and a heating element. The reservoir may hold a vaporizable material. The heating element may heat the vaporizable material. The heating element may include a capillary structure including a plurality of rigid portions. A pair of the plurality of rigid portions may be spaced apart from one another to define a capillary gap therebetween. The capillary gap may draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir to a heater region of the heating element to heat the vaporizable material. The aerosol may be generated by heating the vaporizable material drawn into the heater region of the heating element.

[0011] In some embodiments, the multiple rigid portions of the capillary structure include an upper rigid portion and a lower rigid portion integrally formed with the upper rigid portion, the lower rigid portion being spaced apart from the upper rigid portion by a span that defines a capillary gap.

[0012] In some embodiments, the plurality of rigid portions of the capillary structure include an upper end in fluid communication with the reservoir, a lower end including a heater, a lower rigid portion, and an upper rigid portion integrally formed with the lower rigid portion. The upper rigid portion may include a plurality of upwardly extending members. Capillary gaps may be formed between adjacent upwardly extending members of the plurality of upwardly extending members.

[0013] In some embodiments, the multiple rigid portions of the capillary structure include an inner rigid portion that defines a passageway and an outer rigid portion that surrounds the inner rigid portion, the outer rigid portion being spaced from the inner rigid portion by a span that defines a capillary gap.

[0014] In some embodiments, the heating element is located at least partially within the reservoir.

[0015] In some embodiments, an upper rigid portion of the plurality of rigid portions may include an upper vaporization portion having a plurality of upper gaps, and a lower rigid portion of the plurality of rigid portions may include a lower vaporization portion having a plurality of lower gaps. The plurality of upper gaps may be laterally offset from the plurality of lower gaps.

[0016] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include an air inlet that directs an air flow into the heater region such that vaporizable material drawn into the capillary gap in the heater region during operation of the heating element may vaporize into the air flow.

[0017] In some embodiments, the heating element includes a conductive layer. The conductive layer may include a trace pattern.

[0018] In some embodiments, the heating element comprises nichrome.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cartridge includes an atomizer chamber housing that surrounds at least a portion of the heating element. The atomizer chamber housing can have a cut-out area. The cut-out area can receive a porous material configured to absorb the vaporizable material.

[0020] In some embodiments, the heating element forms a single rigid portion that is folded to define an upper rigid portion and a lower rigid portion, hi some embodiments, the upper rigid portion lies parallel to the lower rigid portion.

[0021] In some embodiments, the heating element includes a plurality of perforations through which the vaporizable material can be vaporized.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the method includes drawing vaporizable material from a reservoir of the vaporizer device to a heater region through a capillary gap formed between two rigid portions of a heating element. The heating element may be partially located within at least a portion of the reservoir. Each of the two rigid portions may have a vaporizing portion. The method may further include heating at least the vaporizing portions of the two rigid portions to vaporize the vaporizable material. The method may further include mixing the vaporized vaporizable material into an airflow along an airflow path to a mouthpiece of the vaporizer device.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1A] 1 is a block diagram illustrating features of a cartridge-style vaporizer consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vaporizer and vaporizer cartridge. [Figure 1C] FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of a vaporizer and vaporizer cartridge. [Figure 1D] FIG. 2 is a front view of a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a vaporizer. [Figure 1E] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vaporizer cartridge. [Figure 1F] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a vaporizer. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element and reservoir consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element and reservoir consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 2C] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element and reservoir consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter shown in an unfolded state. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating a heating element. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an atomizer chamber of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating a heating element. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating a heating element. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 5C] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating a heating element. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating a heating element. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating a heating element. [Figure 8]1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an atomizer chamber of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating at least a portion of a heating element. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 10B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element and reservoir consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 11A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 11B] FIG. 1 illustrates a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 11C] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 12A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating a heating element. [Figure 12B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter incorporating a heating element. [Figure 13A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element and reservoir consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 13B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element and reservoir consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 13C] 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element and reservoir consistent with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [Figure 14] 1 is a process flow diagram illustrating method features of drawing vaporizable material and vaporizing the vaporizable material in a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0026] Detailed Description The embodiments of the present subject matter include methods, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and systems related to vaporization of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. Exemplary embodiments include a vaporizer device and a system including a vaporizer device. The term "vaporizer device" as used in the following description and claims means any self-contained device, a device including two or more separable parts (e.g., a vaporizer body including a battery and other hardware, and a cartridge including a vaporizable material), and / or the like. As used herein, a "vaporizer system" may include one or more components, such as a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with the embodiments of the present subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and / or the like. In general, such vaporizer devices are handheld devices that heat a vaporizable material (e.g., by convection, conduction, radiation, and / or some combination thereof) to provide an inhalable dose of the material. The vaporizable material used in the vaporizer device may be provided in a cartridge (e.g., a portion of a vaporizer that includes a vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container). The cartridge may be refillable when empty, or may be disposable so that a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of the same or different type can be used. The vaporizer device may be a cartridge-based vaporizer device, a cartridge-less vaporizer device, or a versatile vaporizer device that can be used with or without a cartridge. For example, the vaporizer device may include a heating chamber configured to receive the vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber (e.g., an oven or other area where the material is heated by a heating element), and / or a reservoir for containing the vaporizable material, etc. In some embodiments, the vaporizer device may 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), paste, wax, and / or solid vaporizable material.Solid vaporizable material may include plant material that releases some of the plant material as vaporizable material (e.g., some of the plant material remains as waste after being vaporized for inhalation by a user), or may optionally be in a solid form of the vaporizable material itself such that all of the solid material may ultimately be vaporized for inhalation. Liquid vaporizable material may similarly be fully vaporizable, or may include some liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.

[0027] With reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1A, the vaporizer device 100 may include a power source 8 (e.g., a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery) and a controller 19 (e.g., a processor or circuitry capable of executing logic, etc.) that controls the supply of heat to the atomizer 26 to convert the vaporizable material from an aggregated form (e.g., a solid, liquid, solution, suspension, at least a portion of unprocessed plant material, etc.) to a gas phase. The controller 19 may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the present subject matter. After converting the vaporizable material to the gas phase, depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, and / or other factors, at least a portion of the vaporizable material in the gas phase may condense while the user puffs or sucks on the vaporizer device 100 to form particulate matter that is at least partially in local equilibrium with the gas phase as an aerosol portion that may form part or all of the inhalable amount delivered by the vaporizer device 100. It should be understood that interactions between the gas and condensed phases in the aerosol generated by the vaporizer device 100 can be complex and dynamic due to factors that can affect one or more physical parameters of the aerosol, such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, 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 gas or aerosol phase vaporizable material with other airflows. In some vaporizer devices, particularly those configured for delivery of volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable amount may exist primarily in the gas phase (e.g., formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited).

[0028] Aspects of the present subject matter may include the use of atomizer elements that do not have to be porous, but instead have a structure that may include narrow, wettable gaps between structural elements such that capillary pressure draws liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir into the heating zone of the heating element for vaporization. Such structures may provide advantages such as easier to control capillary pressure and ease of manufacture.

[0029] A vaporizer device 100 for use with a liquid vaporizable material (e.g., neat liquid, suspension, solution, mixture, etc.) may include an atomizer 26 in which a wicking element (e.g., a wick (not shown in FIG. 2), which may include any material capable of producing fluid movement due to capillary pressure) conveys a quantity of the liquid vaporizable material to a portion of the atomizer that includes a heating element (also not shown in FIG. 2). The wicking element is generally configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir configured to contain the liquid vaporizable material (and which, in use, may contain the liquid vaporizable material) so that the liquid vaporizable material may be vaporized by heat provided from the heating element. The wicking element may also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir to replace the removed liquid. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, capillary action may draw liquid vaporizable material into a wick for vaporization by a heating element, and air may return through the wick to the reservoir 55 to at least partially equalize pressure within the reservoir.

[0030] Other methods by which pressure may be equalized by air returning to reservoir 55 are within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, vaporizer devices utilize wicks formed from silica, cotton, or fiberglass materials. Silica wick materials may be formed by first bundling thin continuous filaments of, for example, silica glass into threads, which are then bundled together to form a cord or rope that is used as a wick. The cord may be defined by values ​​indicative of a nominal outer diameter, number of threads, and / or linear density.

[0031] As used herein, the term "wick" or "wicking element" includes any material capable of inducing fluid movement via capillary pressure.

[0032] The heating element may be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and 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 in the form of 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 atomizer may include a resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, disposed within, integrated into the bulk shape of, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise disposed to transfer heat to the wicking element, such that liquid vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir by the wicking element is vaporized for subsequent inhalation by the user in a gaseous and / or condensed phase (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets). Other wicking element, heating element, and / or atomizer assembly configurations are possible.

[0033] However, atomizer systems in which liquid is drawn from a reservoir into a fibrous wick are limited in that the liquid is drawn primarily at or near the end of the cord (e.g., the end of a continuous filament of silica or other fibrous material used as the wick) that contacts the liquid in the reservoir, and then the liquid can be transported along the major axis of the wick to a heated area in the form of a wick where vaporization occurs. During use of the vaporizer device, as liquid is vaporized from the heated area of ​​the wick, the liquid may not replenish the heated area as fast as the user would like, requiring more liquid to travel along the wick to replenish. Improvements in the liquid delivery rate in such designs may be desirable. In addition, certain materials used in wick construction, such as fiberglass, can be easily broken down and generate dust, which can be undesirable and / or harmful.

[0034] In one example of a wick-based atomizer design, a typical wick has a diameter of about 1.5 mm and a mass of about 4.7 mm per mm of length. 2 The heating area can be increased by increasing the length of the heated section, but the vaporizable liquid would have to travel further to reach the center of the heater. Such a configuration can limit the total power that can be used for vaporization without also increasing the power density. This can increase the risk that an incremental increase in power will result in loss of liquid, rather than making vaporization more efficient.

[0035] Further improvements may be possible with respect to conventional atomizer systems in which liquid is drawn from a reservoir into a wick. For example, conventional atomizer systems can be quite complex with many components, leading to significant variability in the manufacture and use of wick and coil components. Furthermore, as discussed above, wicks, which are first formed into threads by bundling thin continuous filaments together to form strings or ropes used as wicks, are fragile and their non-rigid structure requires precise and careful placement, increasing the complexity of manufacture. It may be difficult to accurately measure certain material properties (such as capillarity) of conventional wicks without exposing the material to liquid. While certain material properties may be estimated, predictions are difficult due to the high compressibility of the material.

[0036] In other atomizer designs, traditional wick and coil designs have been modified to incorporate cylindrical ceramic wicks, which address some of the design challenges of having a non-rigid wick and the drawbacks of vertical liquid suction. However, such designs tend to have a large number of parts, which also lead to complex manufacturing and can have other drawbacks.

[0037] Yet another atomizer design implements a chimney coil design. Such a design utilizes a ceramic wick formed within a hollow tube with a heating coil inside. Instead of drawing liquid from a reservoir along the axis of the wick, the liquid surrounds the chimney coil, which provides a large wicking area and short wicking distance. However, this design tends to have a high part count and is complex to manufacture.

[0038] Each of the above-mentioned atomizers can include the additional challenge that the designs are not always volumetrically compact and can occupy a large portion of the vaporizer device they are incorporated into. Reducing atomizer volume, and thus allowing a larger volume for vaporizable material, can be a primary goal of vaporizer design.

[0039] Certain vaporizer devices may additionally or alternatively be configured to generate inhalable doses of gas and / or aerosol phase vaporizable material via heating of non-liquid vaporizable material, such as solid phase vaporizable material (e.g., wax, etc.) or plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves and / or tobacco leaf portions). In such vaporizer devices, the resistive heating element may be part of, integrated into, or in thermal contact with the wall of an oven or other heating chamber in which the non-liquid vaporizable material is placed. Alternatively, the resistive heating element may be used to heat air passing through or around the non-liquid vaporizable material to cause convective heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material. In yet another example, the resistive heating element may be positioned in intimate contact with the plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within the plant material (e.g., not only by conduction inward from the oven walls).

[0040] The heating element may be actuated as a user puffs (e.g., inhales, etc.) the vaporizer mouthpiece 21 causing air to flow along the airflow path from the air inlet through the atomizer (e.g., wicking element and heating element) (e.g., a controller, which is an optional part of the vaporizer body, as described below, may direct current from a power source through a circuit including a resistive heating element, which is an optional part of the vaporizer cartridge, as described below). Optionally, air may flow from the air inlet through one or more condensation regions or chambers to an air outlet at the mouthpiece. Incoming air flowing along the airflow path passes, flows through, etc., the atomizer, where vaporizable material in the gas phase is entrained into the air. As described above, the entrained vaporizable material in the gas phase may condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path, allowing an inhalable amount of vaporizable material in aerosol form to be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., at the mouthpiece 21 for inhalation by the user).

[0041] Activation of the heating element may be by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 29. These sensors 29 may include one or more pressure sensors positioned to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers) of the vaporizer device 100, one or more flow sensors of the vaporizer device 100, and / or a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer, in response to detection of a user's interaction with one or more input devices 41 (e.g., buttons of the vaporizer device 100, or other tactile control devices), receiving a signal from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100, and / or via other approaches to determine that a puff is occurring or about to occur.

[0042] As described herein, a vaporizer device 100 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter may 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 19 may include communications hardware 49. The controller may also include memory 41. The communications hardware 49 may include firmware and / or may be controlled by software to implement one or more encryption protocols for communications.

[0043] The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer 100 and may include specific hardware for communication that may establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 49 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 smartwatch, etc.) that executes software to generate a user interface to allow a user to interact with the vaporizer device. 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 interface controls (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via interaction between a user and a touch panel or other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, etc.). The vaporizer device 100 may further have one or more outputs 37 or devices for providing information to a user. For example, the output 37 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on the status and / or operating mode of the vaporizer device 100.

[0044] A computing device that is part of a vaporizer system as defined above may be used for any of the following functions: controlling dosage (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.); controlling sessioning (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.); controlling the delivery of nicotine (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable material, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered, etc.); obtaining location information (e.g., location of other users, location of a retail store, location of a smoking area, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.); personalizing the vaporizer (e.g., naming the vaporizer, locking / password protecting the vaporizer, adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a user group, registering the vaporizer with a manufacturer or warranty maintenance organization, etc.); engaging in social activities with other users (e.g., gaming, social media communication, interacting with one or more groups, etc.), or the like. The terms "sessioning," "session," "vaporizer session," or "vapor session" are generally used to refer to a period of time spent using a vaporizer. This period of time can include time, number of doses, amount of vaporizable material, and / or the like.

[0045] In examples where a computing device provides signals related to the actuation of a resistive heating element, or in other examples where a computing device and a vaporizer device are combined to perform 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 to a full operating temperature to generate an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol, or to a lower temperature to begin heating the heating element. Other functions of the vaporizer device may be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device.

[0046] The temperature of a resistive heating element in a vaporizer device may depend on several factors, including the amount of power provided to the resistive heating element and / or the duty cycle at which power is provided, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer device and / or the environment, latent heat loss due to vaporization of the vaporizable material from the wicking element and / or across the atomizer, and convective heat loss due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or atomizer when a user inhales on the vaporizer device). As discussed herein, to ensure activation of the heating element or to heat the heating element to a desired temperature, in some embodiments of the present subject matter, the vaporizer device may use a signal from a sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor) to determine when a user is inhaling. The sensor may be located in the air flow path and / or connected (e.g., by a passageway or other passageway) to an air flow path that includes an inlet for air to enter the device and an outlet for the user to inhale the resulting vapor and / or aerosol. As a result, the sensor detects a simultaneous change (e.g., pressure change) due to air passing from the air inlet to the air outlet through the vaporizer device. In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the heating element may be activated in conjunction with a user's puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff by a pressure sensor that detects a change (eg, pressure change) in the airflow path.

[0047] The sensor 29 may be located on the controller 19 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board) or may be coupled to the controller 19 (e.g., electrically or electronically connected via a physical or wireless connection). To ensure accuracy of measurements and to maintain durability of the vaporizer device 100, it may be beneficial to provide a resilient seal 60 to isolate the air flow path from other portions of the vaporizer device 100. The seal 60, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the sensor 29, such that the connection of the sensor 29 to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 is isolated from the portion of the sensor 29 exposed to the air flow path. In the example of a cartridge-type vaporizer, the seal 60 may further isolate a portion of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 50 and the vaporizer cartridge 52. Such placement of the seal 60 within the vaporizer device 100 may help mitigate potentially destructive effects on the vaporizer components caused by interaction with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phase, other fluids such as vaporizable material, and / or may help reduce leakage of air from designated air flow paths within the vaporizer device 100. Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluids passing through and / or contacting the circuits of the vaporizer device 100 may cause various undesirable effects such as altered pressure readings and / or may cause the buildup of undesirable materials such as moisture or excess vaporizable material in portions of the vaporizer that may cause poor pressure signals, degradation of sensors or other components, and / or a shortened lifespan of the vaporizer device 100. Leaks at the seal 60 may also result in a user inhaling air that contains or has passed through portions of the vaporizer device 100 that may be undesirable if inhaled.

[0048] In some embodiments, the vaporizer body 50 includes the controller 19, the power source 8 (e.g., a battery), one or more sensors, charging contacts (e.g., for charging the power source 8), a gasket or sealing mechanism (or seal) 60, and a cartridge receptacle 69 configured to receive the vaporizer cartridge 52 for coupling with the vaporizer body 50 via one or more of various attachment structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 52 includes a reservoir 55 for containing a liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece 21 having an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge can include an atomizer 26 having a wicking element and a heating element, or alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element can be part of the vaporizer body 50. In embodiments where any portion of the atomizer 26 (e.g., the heating element and / or the wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body 50, the vaporizer device can be configured to deliver liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir in the vaporizer cartridge to the atomizer portion included in the vaporizer body.

[0049] Cartridge-type configurations for vaporizers that generate inhalable quantities of non-liquid vaporizable material by heating the non-liquid vaporizable material are also within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, a vaporizer cartridge may include a mass of plant material that is processed and formed to directly contact a portion of one or more resistive heating elements, and such a vaporizer cartridge may be configured to mechanically and electrically connect to a vaporizer body that includes a controller, a power source, and receptacle contacts that connect to corresponding cartridge contacts to complete a circuit with the one or more resistive heating elements.

[0050] In a vaporizer device in which the power source 8 is part of the vaporizer body 50 and the heating element is disposed within a vaporizer cartridge 52 configured to be coupled to the vaporizer body 50, the vaporizer 100 may include electrical connection features (e.g., means for completing a circuit) to complete a circuit including a controller (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, etc.), a power source, and the heating element. These electrical connection features may include at least two contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts 65) on the underside of the vaporizer cartridge 52 and at least two contacts (referred to herein as receptacle contacts 62) located near the base of a cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer device 100, the cartridge contacts 65 and the receptacle contacts 62 electrically connecting when the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into and coupled to the cartridge receptacle 69. The circuit completed by these electrical connections may allow current to flow through the heating element and may also be used for additional functions, such as measuring the resistance at the heating element for use in determining and / or controlling the temperature of the heating element based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element, for example, to identify the cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present subject matter, the at least two cartridge contacts and the at least two receptacle contacts may be configured to electrically connect in either of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits required for vaporizer operation may be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 52 into the cartridge receptacle 69 in a first rotational orientation (about the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69 of the vaporizer body 50) such that a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 65 is electrically connected to a first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 62, and a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 65 is electrically connected to a second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 62. Additionally, one or more circuits required for vaporizer operation may be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 52 into the cartridge receptacle 69 in a second rotational orientation, such that a first of the at least two cartridge contacts 65 is electrically connected to a second of the at least two receptacle contacts 62, and a second of the at least two cartridge contacts 65 is electrically connected to a first of the at least two receptacle contacts 62.

[0052] In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the vaporizer body, the vaporizer body 50 includes one or more detents (e.g., indentations, protrusions, etc.) that protrude inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 69, additional material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include a portion that protrudes into the cartridge receptacle 69, and / or the like. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 52 may include corresponding recesses (not shown in FIG. 1A ) that may fit and / or otherwise mate with such detents or protrusions when the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69 in the vaporizer body 50. When the vaporizer cartridge 52 and vaporizer body 50 are coupled (e.g., by inserting an end of the vaporizer cartridge 52 into the cartridge receptacle 69 of the vaporizer body 50), a detent or protrusion on the vaporizer body 50 may fit and / or be otherwise retained within a recess on the vaporizer cartridge 52 to hold the assembled vaporizer cartridge 52 in place. Such an assembly may provide sufficient support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 52 in place to ensure good contact between the at least two cartridge contacts 65 and the at least two receptacle contacts 62, while allowing the vaporizer cartridge 52 to be disengaged from the vaporizer body 50 when a user applies a moderate amount of force to pull on the vaporizer cartridge 52 to disengage it from the cartridge receptacle 69.

[0053] In some embodiments, the cartridge receptacle 69 may have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69. For example, the non-circular cross-section may be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (e.g., approximately oval), a non-rectangular shape having two sets of parallel or nearly parallel opposing sides but that is not rectangular (e.g., has a shape like a parallelogram), or other shape with at least two-fold symmetry. In this context, approximate shape means that while a basic similarity to the shape described is apparent, the edges in the shape in question need not be perfectly straight and the apexes need not be perfectly sharp. Rounding of the edges and / or apexes of the cross-sectional shape is considered in the description of any non-circular cross-section referred to herein.

[0054] The at least two cartridge contacts 65 and the at least two receptacle contacts 62 can take a variety of forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts may include conductive pins, tabs, terminals, holes for receiving pins or terminals, or the like. Some types of contacts may include springs or other features to facilitate better physical and electrical connections between the vaporizer cartridge contacts and the vaporizer body contacts. The electrical contacts may optionally be gold plated and / or include other materials.

[0055] An atomizer component for a vaporizer device consistent with features of one or more embodiments of the present subject matter can provide advantages and improvements over current vaporizer configurations, manufacturing methods, and the like, while also incorporating additional benefits as described herein.

[0056] FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a vaporizer body 50 having a cartridge receptacle 69 into which a vaporizer cartridge 52 may be removably inserted. FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of a vaporizer device 100 depicting a vaporizer cartridge 52 positioned for insertion into the vaporizer body 50. When a user puffs on the vaporizer device 100, air may pass between an exterior surface of the vaporizer cartridge 52 and an interior surface of the cartridge receptacle 69 in the vaporizer body 50. The air is then drawn into the insertable end of the cartridge 52, through a vaporization chamber having or containing a heating element and a wick, and out the outlet of the mouthpiece 21 to deliver an inhalable aerosol to the user. The reservoir 55 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 may be formed in whole or in part from a translucent material so that the fill level of vaporizable material inside the vaporizer cartridge 52 may be visible. The mouthpiece 21 may be a separable component of the vaporizer cartridge 52 or may be integrally formed with other components of the vaporizer cartridge 52 (e.g., formed as a unitary structure with the reservoir 55 and / or the like).

[0057] Further to the above description regarding the electrical connection between the vaporizer cartridge 52 and the vaporizer body 50 being reversible such that at least two rotational orientations of the vaporizer cartridge 52 in the cartridge receptacle 69 are possible, in some vaporizer devices, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge 52, or at least the end of the vaporizer cartridge 52 configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69, may have at least two-fold symmetry. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge 52 or at least the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 52 may be symmetric when rotated 180° about the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 may support the same operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 52 occurs.

[0058] 1C-1D show exemplary features that may be included in a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. Figures 1C and 1D show top views of an exemplary vaporizer device 100 before (Figure 1C) and after (Figure 1D) a vaporizer cartridge 52 is connected to a vaporizer body 50.

[0059] 1E shows a perspective view of one variation of a vaporizer cartridge 52 that holds a liquid vaporizable material 51. Any suitable vaporizable material 51, including a solution of nicotine or other organic material, may be contained within the vaporizer cartridge 52 (e.g., within a reservoir 55).

[0060] FIG. 1F illustrates a perspective view of another example of a vaporizer device 100 including a vaporizer body 50 coupled to a separable vaporizer cartridge 52. As illustrated, the vaporizer device 100 may include one or more outputs 37 (e.g., LEDs) configured to provide information to a user based on a state, an operational mode, and / or the like of the vaporizer device 100. In some embodiments, the one or more outputs 37 may include multiple LEDs (e.g., two, three, four, five, or six LEDs). The one or more outputs 37 (e.g., each of the individual LEDs) may be configured to display light of one or more colors (e.g., white, red, blue, green, yellow, etc.). The one or more outputs 37 may be configured to display various light patterns (e.g., by illuminating a particular LED, varying the light intensity of one or more LEDs over time, illuminating one or more LEDs in different colors, etc.) to indicate different states, operational modes, and / or the like of the vaporizer device 100. In some embodiments, the one or more outputs 37 may be located proximate and / or at least partially disposed within the bottom end region 43 of the vaporizer device 100. The vaporizer device 100 may additionally or alternatively include an externally accessible charging contact 47. The charging contact 47 may be located proximate and / or at least partially disposed within the bottom end region of the vaporizer device 100.

[0061] 2A shows a schematic diagram of a heating element 120 and reservoir 55 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. The heating element 120 may define and / or contain capillary structures, such as one or more capillary gaps and passageways.

[0062] The heating element 120 may include one or more (e.g., two or more) rigid portions separated to define a capillary structure. For example, the one or more rigid portions may include a first plate portion 124 and a second plate portion 126 separated by a span 128 (e.g., a capillary gap, a passageway, etc.). The span 128 includes a gap that separates the first and second plate portions 124, 126. In other words, the size of the span 128 is the distance between the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126. The span 128 may allow a fluid, such as a vaporizable material, to be held between the rigid portions in various orientations and / or drawn into the space between the rigid portions in various orientations. For example, the rigid portions (e.g., first plate portion 124 and second plate portion 126) are preferably separated by span 128 to allow fluid (e.g., vaporizable material) to be transported and / or drawn from reservoir 55 of vaporizer cartridge 52, e.g., via capillary action, to vaporization portion 122 (e.g., vaporization portions 122A, 122B) of heating element 120 (where the fluid is heated and / or vaporized to generate an aerosol).

[0063] It may be desirable for span 128 to be narrow to maintain strong and / or sufficient capillary forces to draw and / or otherwise retain fluid between the rigid portions. For example, the size of span 128 may control the rate at which fluid is refilled into span 128. In some embodiments, span 128 may desirably be selected and / or sized to limit or prevent vaporizable material from moving into or out of span 128 too quickly and / or to retain vaporizable material within span 128. In some embodiments, it may be preferable for the size of span 128 to be selected and / or sized to allow span 128 to retain a sufficient amount of vaporizable material such that span 128 does not need to be refilled during a puff and / or may be easily refilled during and / or after a puff.

[0064] In some embodiments, the size of the span 128 (e.g., the distance between the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126) is about 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm to 1 mm, 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, 0.7 mm to 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm, 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm, 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm, 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm, and / or other ranges therebetween. In some embodiments, the size of the span 128 is approximately equal to the thickness of each of the first and second plate portions 124, 126. In some embodiments, the size of the span 128 is approximately equal to the thickness of the heating element 120 in the vaporizer portion 122. In some embodiments, the size of the span 128 is greater than the thickness of the first and second plate portions 124, 126. In another embodiment, the size of span 128 is less than the thickness of first and second plate portions 124, 126. In some embodiments, the size of span 128 along a first length of span 128 is greater than the thickness of first and second plate portions 124, 126 and the size of span 128 along a second length of span 128 is less than the thickness of first and second plate portions 124, 126.

[0065] In some embodiments, the length of the span is approximately equal to the length of the first and second plate portions 124, 126. In some embodiments, the length of the span is approximately equal to the length of the vaporizing portion 122 of the heating element 120. In some embodiments, the length of the span 128 is greater than the size of the span 128.

[0066] In some embodiments, the dimensions of the rigid portions of the heating element 120 (e.g., the first and second plate portions 124, 126) can be selected to minimize the maximum hydrostatic potential across the rigid portions (e.g., the first plate portion 124 and / or the second plate portion 126). Also, the span 128 can be varied in size in one or more portions of the heating element 120, such as the portion of the heating element 120 located within the reservoir 55, to selectively withdraw a predetermined amount of vaporizable material (and / or return it to the reservoir and / or replace the vaporizable material in the reservoir, to equalize back pressure) and / or to allow a predetermined amount of air to pass through, by, over, and / or around the heating element 120. In some embodiments, the size of the span 128 in the portion of the heating element 120 for accommodating a flow of vaporizable material within the heater may be the same as and / or different from the size of the span 128 in the portion of the heating element 120 for allowing air flow (e.g., return) to and / or from the reservoir 55.

[0067] Thus, a heating element 120 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter can efficiently control the amount of vaporizable material heated and vaporized by the vaporizer device 100. The heating element 120 may additionally and / or alternatively enable the vaporizer device 100 to heat and vaporize the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol without the use of a wicking element, such as a fibrous wicking element.

[0068] 2A-2D, the heating element 120 (e.g., a capillary structure) includes a first plate portion 124 and a second plate portion 126. As described above, the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126 define one or more rigid portions. Each of the first and second plate portions 124, 126 extends from a proximal end 193A to a distal end 193B. The proximal end 193A may be disposed within the reservoir 55, and the distal end 193B may be disposed outside and / or away from the reservoir 55. For example, FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic side view of the heating element 120 and the reservoir 55 along with an exemplary air passage 118 and a fluid passage 117, and FIG. 2C illustrates a schematic bottom view of the heating element 120 and the reservoir 55 along with an exemplary air passage 118.

[0069] 2D illustrates an example of heating element 120 in an unfolded configuration. For example, first plate portion 124 and second plate portion 126 can be integrally formed as a single structure folded along a central lateral axis. In some exemplary manufacturing methods, heating element 120 can be formed as a single plate by stamping, punching, laser cutting, blanking, die casting, stretch forming, and / or other manufacturing processes.

[0070] The heating element 120 may form a resistive heating structure that may be heated to draw vaporizable material from the reservoir 55, for example, through non-porous driven capillary action. For example, the heating element 120 may be formed from an electrically conductive material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heating element 120 may be plated with an electrically conductive material before or after the heating element 120 is formed by any of the above-mentioned and other manufacturing processes. Once the heating element 120 is formed, the heating element 120 may be folded along a central lateral axis between the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126 such that at least the vaporizing portions 122A, 122B of the first and second plate portions 124, 126 are substantially parallel to form a span 128 (e.g., a capillary gap) and / or induce capillary action. In some embodiments, the first and second plate portions 124, 126 are angled relative to one another. In some embodiments, the heating element 120 may also include a separate heater 120A or heater circuit traces 120A to heat the heating element 120, as described in more detail below.

[0071] 2C, the first and second plate portions 124, 126 may be formed with one or more gaps to allow vaporizable material to drain from the capillary gap into air passage 118. The gaps may be surrounded by edges of adjacent sections of the first and second plate portions 124, 126, thereby permitting vaporizable material to drain from the capillary gap into air passage 118.

[0072] Generally, when a user puffs on the mouthpiece 21 of the vaporizer cartridge 52, air flows through the vaporizer cartridge 52 and along the air passage 118. As the user puffs, the heating element 120 may be activated as described below. When the heating element 120 is activated, a current flows through the heating element 120, causing it to increase in temperature and generate heat. The heat is transferred to a predetermined amount of the vaporizable material via conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat transfer, causing at least a portion of the vaporizable material to vaporize. This heat transfer may occur to the vaporizable material in the reservoir and / or to the vaporizable material disposed in the capillary gap. As shown in FIG. 2C, air passing through the vaporizer cartridge 52 flows along the air passage 118, moving the vaporized vaporizable material away from the heating element 120. In such an embodiment, waste heat may be limited because heat may not be freely conducted into the reservoir 55 and / or other portions of the vaporizer cartridge 52.

[0073] 3A-9 show examples of a vaporizer cartridge 52 (or a portion thereof) consistent with some embodiments of the present subject matter that may incorporate a heating element 120. The vaporizer cartridge 52 may be used with and / or coupled to a vaporizer body 50 (not shown) having a battery and control circuitry, and may be further configured to heat a vaporizable material before and / or as it enters the heating element 120, which may vaporize the vaporizable material to generate an inhalable vapor.

[0074] The vaporizer cartridge 52 may include a reservoir (or tank) 55 for holding a vaporizable material (such as oil, solution, or any other fluid or liquid), a mouthpiece 21, an air inlet 106, and an atomizer chamber 110 disposed within or in contact with the fluid contained within the reservoir 55. As shown in FIG. 3B, the atomizer chamber 110 may include a heating element housing 112, cartridge contacts 65 (receptacle, terminal, etc.), an atomizer chamber air inlet 116, and a heating element 120. The atomizer chamber 110 may at least partially surround and / or support the heating element 120. According to some embodiments, the atomizer chamber 110 may be secured within the vaporizer cartridge 52 by, for example, ultrasonic welding, radio frequency (RF) welding, a snap-fit ​​connection, or any other secure connection method. In some embodiments, the atomizer chamber 110 is removable from the vaporizer cartridge 52.

[0075] 3A, cartridge 52 may include at least two cartridge contacts 65. Cartridge contacts 65 may include any shape and / or structure that receives and / or contacts an electrical connector and / or power source 8. In some embodiments, cartridge contacts 65 further include at least four cartridge contacts 65 for temperature, electrical resistance, and / or sensor readings or measurements.

[0076] The cartridge contacts 65 may be configured to receive or contact corresponding receptacle contacts 62 of the vaporizer body 50 when the cartridge 52 is assembled to the vaporizer body 50. The cartridge contacts 65 may extend inwardly from a bottom surface of the atomizer chamber 110 toward the interior volume of the atomizer chamber 110. In some embodiments, the upper ends of the cartridge contacts 65 may contact and / or otherwise couple to at least a portion of the heating element 120, such as contact portion 130, at the contact area 109 (see FIG. 6). In some examples, the cartridge contacts 65 are secured to the contact portion 130, for example, by spot welding, ultrasonic welding, radio frequency (RF) welding, a snap-fit ​​connection, or any other secure connection method. In some embodiments, the contact area 109 may overlap at least a portion of the heater area 108. In some embodiments, the cartridge contacts 65 may extend into the heater area 108 and contact a portion of the heating element 120.

[0077] The cartridge contacts 65 may provide an electrical connection between a power source 8, such as a battery, and contacts 130 on the heating element 120, for example via receptacle contacts 62 on the vaporizer body 50. The electrical connection between the power source 8 and contacts 130 on the heating element 120 may enable heating of at least the vaporization portion 122, as described in more detail herein.

[0078] 5A shows a perspective view of the heating element 120. According to some embodiments, the heating element 120 may be formed as a pair of connected, opposing plates or rigid portions. The heating element 120 includes a first plate portion 124 and a second plate portion 126. The first plate portion 124 and / or the second plate portion 126 may include a respective contact portion 130 (e.g., electrically connectable or otherwise connectable to each of the cartridge contacts 65), a vaporization portion 122 comprised of opposing tines 123A, 123B (e.g., metal tines), an upper connector 132, an upper heating element support portion 134, and a lower heating element support portion 136.

[0079] The first plate portion 124 and / or the second plate portion 126 may include a vaporizer portion 122. The vaporizer portion 122 may have an approximately sinusoidal shape (or cross-sectional shape). In some embodiments, the vaporizer portion 122 may be approximately rectangular, elliptical, or other shape (or cross-sectional shape). The vaporizer portion 122 may be shaped to have one or more gaps therein to allow vaporizable material to be discharged from the capillary gap into the air passage 118. For example, a gap may be surrounded by edges of adjacent sections of the vaporizer portion 122 to allow vaporizable material to be discharged from the capillary gap into the air passage 118.

[0080] The first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126 of the heating element 120 may be integrally formed. For example, the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126 may be formed by a single plate that is folded along the central lateral axis of the plate. FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of the atomizer component 120 with an example of the first plate portion 124 highlighted. In other embodiments, the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126 may be formed separately and coupled to the connector 132. In still other examples, the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126 may remain separate after formation but be electrically connected in another manner.

[0081] 5C illustrates a top cross-sectional view of a heating element 120 consistent with certain embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, the first plate portion 124 can have an upper vaporizer portion 122A and the second plate portion 126 can have a lower vaporizer portion 122B. The distance between the upper vaporizer portion 122A and the lower vaporizer portion 122B can be adjusted depending on the desired capillary force to draw and / or hold the vaporizable material in the span 128 between the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126. In some embodiments, the size of the span 128 (e.g., the capillary gap) can be constant from the fluid region 107 (shown in FIG. 6) to the heater region 108 (shown in FIG. 6). Additionally and / or alternatively, the size of the span 128 can vary along the fluid passageway 117. For example, the size of the span 128 may narrow as fluid is drawn from the proximal fluid region 107 to the distal heater region 108 , creating a larger capillary pressure differential along the fluid passageway 117 .

[0082] 5C, the upper vaporizer 122A may have a gap 152A formed between adjacent heater tines 123A of the upper vaporizer 122A. The lower vaporizer 122B may have a gap 152B formed between adjacent heater tines 123B of the lower vaporizer 122B. The upper vaporizer 122A and the lower vaporizer 122B may be sized and offset such that the upper and lower heater tines 123A, 123B at least partially overlap each other vertically. In this configuration, the upper gap 152A may be substantially opposite the respective lower heater tine 123B. The lower gap 152B may be substantially opposite the respective upper heater tine 123A, for example, laterally. Such an embodiment preferably allows the vaporizable material 1 to be held in span 128 across at least the entire length (e.g., a substantial portion) of the heating element 120, e.g., across the entire cross-section of the heating element 120 between the first and second plate portions 124, 126. As shown in the exemplary heating element 120 of FIG. 5C, the cross-section of the vaporizable material held in the capillary gap between these oppositely offset heater tines 123A, 123B may have an approximately sinusoidal shape due at least in part to the surface tension of the fluid flowing from tine to tine. This cross-sectional shape of the capillary-actuated vaporizable material may be desirable to limit the air gap disposed in the capillary gap and / or maximize the amount of vaporizable material that may be held in the capillary gap. The offset gaps 152A and 152B are heated below each gap 152A (e.g., between the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126) to allow vaporizable material toward the side of each gap 152A to be efficiently vaporized and mixed into the air passage 118.

[0083] 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a vaporizer cartridge 52 incorporating a heating element 120 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 6, the vaporizer cartridge 52 includes a fluid region 107, a heater region 108, and a contact region 109. The fluid region 107 represents at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 52 that contacts the vaporizable material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heating element 120 is in fluid communication with the vaporizable material in at least one region of the vaporizer cartridge 52.

[0084] 7A and 7B show side cross-sectional views of one embodiment of vaporizer cartridge 52. FIG. 7A highlights fluid region 107. Fluid region 107 may include reservoir 55 and at least a proximal portion 123 of heating element 120 (specifically, in one embodiment, the exposed region between first plate portion 124 and second plate portion 126 of heating element 120). This allows fluid vaporizable material to enter the gap between first plate portion 124 and second plate portion 126 and be transported by capillary action between first plate portion 124 and second plate portion 126, via a wick or otherwise, toward heater region 108.

[0085] FIG. 7B shows the same cross-sectional side view of the exemplary vaporizer cartridge 52 with the heater region 108 highlighted. Here, the heater region 108 includes at least a distal portion 193B of the heating element 120 (specifically, in one embodiment, the exposed area between the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126 of the vaporizer portion 122 of the heating element 120). This allows the vaporizable material of the fluid to vaporize from the gap between the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126. The vaporizer portion 122 may be at least partially surrounded by air (see, e.g., FIGS. 2B, 2C, 5C), which may facilitate vaporization of the vaporizable material transferred via the wick and / or otherwise from the fluid region 107 to the heater region 108. An example of at least an air-filled portion of the heater region 108 is highlighted in FIG. 7B.

[0086] 2B, 2C, 5C, and 6 show an air passage 118. Air may be drawn from at least one side of the vaporizer cartridge 52, for example, via the air inlet 106. The air inlet 106 may be aligned with the atomizer chamber inlet 116 (see FIG. 3A). The alignment of the inlets 106, 116 may allow air to be drawn directly into the atomizer chamber 110 from around or portions of the vaporizer body 50. In alternative embodiments, the air inlet 106 and the atomizer chamber inlet 116 may be offset. The offset of the inlets 106, 116 may be used to control the air flow rate, for example, by increasing or decreasing the amount of air allowed to enter the atomizer chamber and / or increasing the overall length of the air passage 118, which may change the rate at which air enters the atomizer chamber 110.

[0087] The air passageway 118 may pass through the air inlet 106 and the atomizer chamber inlet 116, and may also extend along, adjacent, and / or around at least a portion of the heating element 120, such as the vaporizer portion 122. In some embodiments, air may be drawn from the bottom or base of the vaporizer cartridge 52. The air passageway 118 through the vaporizer cartridge 52 may also pass along, adjacent, and / or around the reservoir 55 in a passageway 119. The passageway 119 may extend between an outer wall of the reservoir 55 and an inner wall of the vaporizer cartridge 52, leading to the mouthpiece 21.

[0088] 6, proximal portion 123A of heating element 120 is in fluid communication with reservoir 55, effectively fluidly connecting proximal portion 142 of the capillary gap to reservoir 55. The opposite distal end 144 of the capillary gap is within heater region 108 and is exposed to air, which may expose the outer surfaces of first and / or second plate portions 124, 126 to air passage 118 and allow vaporizable material drawn from reservoir 55 by capillary action to be heated and vaporized by tines 123A, 123B of heating element 120 into air passage 118.

[0089] When a user puffs on the mouthpiece 21 of the vaporizer cartridge 52, air flows into the inlets 106, 116 and along the air passageway 118. As the user puffs, the heating element 120 may be activated, for example, by automatic detection of the puff via a pressure sensor, by detection of a button being pressed by the user, by a signal generated from a motion sensor, a flow sensor, a capacitive lip sensor, or other approach capable of detecting that a user is puffing, attempting to puff, or otherwise inhaling, causing air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and ultimately move along the air passageway 118. When the heating element 120 is activated, power may be provided to the heating element 120 from the vaporizer device at contacts 130, for example, via the cartridge contacts 65.

[0090] When the heating element 120 is activated, the current flowing through the heating element 120 causes it to increase in temperature and generate heat. Heat is transferred to a predetermined amount of the vaporizable material via conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat transfer, thereby vaporizing at least a portion of the vaporizable material. This heat transfer may occur at the vaporizable material in the reservoir and / or at the vaporizable material drawn into the capillary gap between the first plate portion 124 and the second plate portion 126. Heat transfer between the heating element 120 and the vaporizable material present in the capillary gap may occur at the vaporizer portion 122. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may vaporize along one or more edges surrounding the gap 152A, 152B formed by opposed and offset heater tines 123A, 123B in the vaporizer portion 122 of the heating element 120. Air passing through the vaporizer device 100 flows along air passages 118 through the atomizer chamber 110, causing vaporized vaporizable material to leave the heating element 120. The vaporized vaporizable material may be condensed by cooling, a change in pressure, etc., and is expelled from the mouthpiece 21 as an aerosol for inhalation by the user.

[0091] Heating element 120 may be formed of a variety of materials, such as nichrome, stainless steel, or other resistive heater materials. Combinations of two or more materials may be included in heating element 120, and such combinations may include both homogenous distribution of the two or more materials throughout the heating element, or other configurations in which the relative amounts of the two or more materials are spatially non-uniform. For example, heater tines 123A, 123B may include portions that are designed to be more resistive than other portions, thereby resulting in a higher temperature than other sections of the tines, such as other sections of the tines immersed in the vaporizable material of fluid region 107. Such configurations are useful for localized heating of heating element 120 within vaporization portion 122.

[0092] The heating element 120 may be manufactured using one or more conductive layers on or in contact with at least a portion of the surface of the heating element 120. In some examples, the one or more conductive layers may include a trace pattern. In some examples, the trace pattern is cut into the heating element 120. The trace pattern may be configured to achieve a desired and / or controlled electrical resistance and may be uniform or non-uniform in thickness or may extend along the surface of the heating element 120. The trace pattern may preferably allow the heating element 120 to be powered by a battery, such as a lithium battery. The trace pattern may preferably allow sufficient ventilation for the evaporated vaporizable material to be exhausted under convection. Such an embodiment may help to keep the local vapor pressure low and / or maintain a high rate of evaporation. The particular shape, pattern, thickness, etc. of the heating element 120 may be advantageous in allowing control of the heat supply and / or allowing liquid to be drawn from the reservoir 55 to the heating element 120 (e.g., within and / or along the span 128).

[0093] The conductive layer may be a plate or other continuous layer covering or forming all or part of the exterior or interior surface of the heating element. Such a plate or other continuous layer may include features such as holes or micro-perforations that allow the vaporizable material to pass from the reservoir 55 to the heating element 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the heating element 120 may include first and second plate portions 124, 126 with perforations 199 that allow the vaporizable material to pass when the heating element 120 is heated. The conductive layer may be formed from any conductive material, such as, for example, nickel-chromium alloy, stainless steel, nickel, platinum, gold, copper, or aluminum. As described below, in some embodiments, a plate containing resistive material and traces may be used with another plate having perforations to allow ventilation. Other combinations may be implemented. Such an embodiment may result in a smaller heater surface area and may reduce complexity.

[0094] 5A and 8, the atomizer chamber 110 may at least partially surround and / or support the heating element 120. The heating element 120 may be supported by the atomizer chamber 110 at least at the upper heating element support 134 and / or the lower heating element support 136 of the heating element 120. The upper heating element support 134 may be spaced from the vaporizer section 122 by the upper spacer portion 133, and the lower heating element support 136 may be spaced from the vaporizer section 122 by the lower spacer portion 135. The upper and lower spacer portions 133, 135 may reduce the amount of heat at the upper and lower heating element support portions 134, 136, respectively. Such an embodiment may help to limit heat transfer from the heating element 120 to the atomizer chamber 110 and / or help to limit deformation of the atomizer chamber 110.

[0095] Generally, a certain amount of heat transfer to the liquid contained in the reservoir 55 may improve wicking and may enhance vaporization performance. By affecting the thermal gap between the vaporization portion 122 and the reservoir 55, electrical conductivity may be more effectively controlled. The upper spacer portion 133 may provide a thermal gap by increasing the distance between at least a portion of the heater region 108 (e.g., the vaporization portion 122 of the heating element 120) and the reservoir 55. In some embodiments, the trace of the heating element 120 may include a neck region that increases the distance between the heater region 108 and the reservoir 55. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, each of the tines 123A, 123B may have a proximal spacer portion 133 having a length greater than the length of the distal spacer portion 135 therein. The longer length of the upper spacer portion 133 defines the thermal gap between the reservoir 55 and the heater region 108. The shorter length of the lower spacer portion 135 may reduce the bulk of the heating element 120 and / or may allow additional components to be placed within the atomizer chamber 110.

[0096] The heating element housing 112 of the atomizer chamber 110 can surround at least a portion of the heating element 120. The heating element housing 112 can include any of a plastic, ceramic, metal, and / or other material.

[0097] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of a section of a cartridge incorporating at least a portion of a heating element 120 consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the heating element housing 112 can support the heating element 120. For example, the heating element housing can include a plurality of lower and upper support protrusions and support recesses that are designed to receive and support the upper and lower heating element supports 134, 136 of the heating element 120. For example, the lower protrusions 150A can be positioned within the upper recesses 150B formed between adjacent upper protrusions 150C. Similarly, in some embodiments, the upper protrusions 150C can be positioned within the lower recesses 150D formed between adjacent lower protrusions 150A. The plurality of protrusions and recesses 150 can support at least the upper and lower heating element supports 134, 136 of the heating element 120. As shown at least in FIG. 8, the ends of the upper and lower heating element supports 134, 136 are located between corresponding upper recesses and lower protrusions, or between corresponding lower recesses and upper protrusions.

[0098] 10A-12B show another embodiment of a heating element 120 having a second plate portion 706 and a first plate portion 708 having a plurality of upwardly extending members 702 defining a capillary passage 704 therebetween. The capillary passage 704 may have the same or similar characteristics as the span 128 (e.g., a capillary gap) described above.

[0099] 10B, the heating element 120 can include a proximal end 710 and a distal end 712. The proximal end 710 can be in fluid communication with the reservoir 55 of the vaporizer cartridge 52.

[0100] The second plate portion 706 may include a heater, such as heater 720A, disposed at a bottom end of the second plate portion 706 and / or along at least a portion of an outer surface of the second plate portion 706. In some embodiments, the second plate portion 706 may be heated in another manner to define a heater region.

[0101] The first plate portion 708 and the second plate portion 706 may be integrally formed. The first plate portion 708 may include a plurality of upwardly extending members 702. The upwardly extending members 702 may be spaced apart to define a plurality of passages 704 extending between adjacent upwardly extending members 702. The passages 704 may define a plurality of capillary gaps formed between adjacent upwardly extending members 702. The capillary gaps may allow a fluid, such as a vaporizable material, to be held and / or drawn into the space between adjacent upwardly extending members 702 at various orientations. The vaporizable material may be drawn from the reservoir 55 to the heater region of the heating element 120 by capillary action, for example, via the passages 704. Such a configuration may allow the pressure within the cartridge to be controlled.

[0102] The upwardly extending members 702 may be parallel and may form passages 704 of approximately equal width. In some configurations, the width of the passages 704 may vary along the direction of fluid flow. As discussed above with respect to the span 128 shown in FIGS. 2A-9, the passages 704 may desirably be narrowed to maintain strong and / or sufficient capillary forces between the upwardly extending members 702 to draw and / or otherwise retain fluid. For example, the size of the passages 704 may control the rate at which fluid refills within the passages 704. In some embodiments, the passages 704 may preferably be selected and / or sized to limit or prevent vaporizable material from entering or exiting the passages 704 too quickly and / or to retain the vaporizable material within the passages 704. In some embodiments, preferably, the size of passageway 704 may be selected and / or sized to enable passageway 704 to hold a sufficient amount of vaporizable material such that passageway 704 does not need to be refilled during a puff and / or may be easily refilled during and / or after a puff.

[0103] 12A and 12B, the position of the heating element 120 may be maintained by a gasket 173 or other sealing mechanism. The gasket 173 may be integral and / or separate from the heating element 120. The gasket 173 may separate the heater region 709 from the fluid region 707. The gasket 173 may comprise a variety of materials, such as silicone and / or plastic, among others. In some embodiments, the gasket 173 has a thinness that allows air to return through the passageway 704.

[0104] When a user puffs on the mouthpiece 21 of the vaporizer cartridge 52, air flows into the inlets 106, 116 and along the air passageway 118. As the user puffs, the heating element 120 may be activated, for example, by automatic detection of the puff via a pressure sensor, by detection of a button being pressed by the user, by a signal generated from a motion sensor, a flow sensor, a capacitive lip sensor, or other approach capable of detecting that a user is puffing, attempting to puff, or otherwise inhaling, causing air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and ultimately travel along the air passageway 118.

[0105] When the heating element 120 is activated, the current through the heating element 120 causes it to increase in temperature and generate heat. The heater 120A and / or the heating element 120 may be supplied with current via the leads 714A. The leads 714A may extend to the exterior of the vaporizer cartridge 52. In some embodiments, the heater 120A and / or the heating element 120 may be connected to a power source directly, such that the device may be leadless, or via other means. Heat is transferred to a predetermined amount of the vaporizable material via conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat transfer, thereby vaporizing at least a portion of the vaporizable material. This heat transfer may occur at the vaporizable material in the reservoir and / or at the vaporizable material drawn into one or more capillary passages 704 formed between adjacent upwardly extending members 702. The heat transfer between the heating element 120 and the vaporizable material present in the capillary gap may occur at the heater area. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material may vaporize within the heater region of the heating element 120 along one or more edges surrounding the passageway 704. Air passing through the vaporizer device 100 flows along the air passageway 118 through the atomizer chamber 110, causing the vaporized vaporizable material to leave the passageway 704. The vaporized vaporizable material may be condensed by cooling, pressure changes, etc., and may be expelled from the mouthpiece 21 as an aerosol for the user to inhale. The heating element 120 may be formed from a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, one or more of nichrome, stainless steel, or other resistive heater materials, plastic, and / or ceramic materials, and / or other porous materials.

[0106] 13A illustrates another example of a heating element 120 that includes an inner plate portion 1224 and an outer plate portion 1226 that may at least partially surround the inner plate portion 1224. The inner plate portion and / or the outer plate portion 1224, 1226 may include a plurality of perforations 1221 (see, e.g., FIG. 13B) and / or resistive traces for heating a vaporizable material, causing the vaporizable material to vaporize, thereby generating an aerosol. In some embodiments, the inner plate portion and / or the outer plate portion 1224, 1226 may include a heater 1220A disposed on a surface, such as an exterior surface, for heating the heating element 120 (see FIG. 13C).

[0107] The outer plate portion 1226 may surround the inner plate portion 1224. The inner and outer plate portions 1224, 1226 may be of various shapes, such as a cylinder (as shown in FIG. 13A), a rectangle, a square, or other shapes. The outer plate portion 1226 may be disposed parallel to the inner plate portion 1224 and may be spaced apart from the inner plate portion 1224 by a span (the same as or similar to the span 128 described herein) that defines the capillary gap 1204. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the outer plate portion 1226 and the inner plate portion 1224 may form concentric tubes or cylinders.

[0108] When a user puffs on the mouthpiece 21 of the vaporizer cartridge 52, air flows along the air passageway 118 to the one or more inlets 106. As the user puffs, the heating element 120 may be activated, for example, by automatic detection of the puff via a pressure sensor, by detection of a button being pressed by the user, by a signal generated from a motion sensor, a flow sensor, a capacitive lip sensor, or other approach capable of detecting that a user is puffing, attempting to puff, or otherwise inhaling, causing air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and ultimately travel along the air passageway 118.

[0109] When the heating element 120 is activated, the current flowing through the heating element 120 increases the temperature and generates heat. The heat is transferred to a predetermined amount of the vaporizable material via conductive, convective and / or radiative heat transfer, thereby vaporizing at least a portion of the vaporizable material. This heat transfer can occur at the vaporizable material in the reservoir 55 and / or the vaporizable material drawn into the capillary gap 1204 formed between the inner plate portion 1224 and the outer plate portion 1226. The heat transfer between the heating element 120 and the vaporizable material present in the capillary gap can occur at the heater area. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can vaporize along one or more perforations 1221 in the inner plate portion and / or the outer plate portion 1224, 1226. Air passing through the vaporizer device 100 flows along the air passage 118 through the atomizer chamber 110, moving the vaporized vaporizable material away from the heating element 120. 13, the air passages may extend around the outside of the outer plate portion 1226 and / or through the inlet 106 and through the central passage 1202 defined by the inner plate portion 1224. The vaporized vaporizable material may be condensed by cooling, pressure changes, etc., and is expelled from the mouthpiece 21 as an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The heating element 120 may be formed from a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, one or more of nichrome, stainless steel, or other resistive heater materials, plastic, and / or ceramic materials, and / or other porous materials.

[0110] In some embodiments, the heating element 120 may comprise ceramic and / or other porous materials, such as, but not limited to, high temperature resistant materials including metal, glass, carbon, and / or high temperature resistant plastic materials, such as, but not limited to, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The porous material may be characterized by having a plurality of voids or spaces that allow for absorbing liquid from a reservoir. As mentioned above, the heating element 120 may be formed from one, two, or more plates. In some embodiments, the plates may include printed heater traces for heating the vaporizing portion 122 of the heating element 120. Such a configuration may be desirable for improved manufacturability and / or improved thermal stability, among other advantages. In some embodiments, at least one of the plates with printed heater traces may include at least one perforation that can vent vapors. In some embodiments, the heating element 120 may include one or more plates with perforations and one or more plates with printed heater traces.

[0111] In certain embodiments of the heating element 120 having printed heater traces, the traces may be more easily arranged in parallel, for example along the surface of the heating element 120. Such heating element 120 embodiments may have a higher resistivity. Such embodiments may distribute power more efficiently across the heating element 120 and / or reduce temperature differences across the heating element 120.

[0112] In certain embodiments of the heating element 120 having printed heater traces, the heater traces and / or structure of the heating element 120 may not be identical. Such embodiments may allow ventilation slits to be supported on both ends of the heating element and / or provide greater rigidity to the heating element. This may simplify the mechanical complexity around the atomizer chamber 110 and / or vaporizer cartridge 52.

[0113] In certain embodiments of the heating element 120 having printed heater traces, the heating element 120 can have a low thermal conductivity, which in some cases allows for more efficient power consumption.

[0114] In certain embodiments of the heating element 120 having printed heater traces, the heating element 120 may have a larger area along the surface of the heating element that is not used. Such embodiments may allow the heating element 120 to have smaller dimensions. Such embodiments may allow additional electronic components to be placed on the heating element 120.

[0115] Atomizer chambers consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter not only have enhanced liquid delivery capacity, but are also thermally stable and have sufficient structural integrity for use in vaporizer devices.

[0116] Furthermore, by using conductive materials for the heating elements (e.g., in the form of trace patterns), a thermal coefficient of resistance (TCR) based correlation may be utilized to control the temperature of the heating elements. Different conductive materials (e.g., nickel) may be selected and utilized to achieve a more stable TCR and, as a result, accurate temperature sensing / control.

[0117] Atomizer components consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter may have orientations other than those shown in the exemplary illustrations of FIGS. 1A-13C.

[0118] 1A-13C are directed to vaporizers that use a removable cartridge, the atomizer chamber consistent with embodiments of the present subject matter is not limited to such device configurations. For example, the atomizer chamber may be incorporated as part of the vaporizer body 50 that includes a reservoir in which the atomizer and heating element are contained or in contact.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 14, process flow diagram 1300 illustrates features of a method that may optionally include some or all of the following steps: At block 1310, a heating element may be provided having two or more rigid portions separated by a span that defines a capillary gap. At 1320, fluid communication may be created between a first end of the capillary gap and a reservoir of vaporizable material. At 1330, vaporizable material may be drawn into a capillary gap formed between the two rigid portions of the heating element via capillary action. At 1340, a heating means may be provided at a second end of the capillary gap. For example, at 1350, at least a portion of the heating element may be heated, for example, at the second end of the capillary gap. The heating causes vaporization of the vaporizable material. At block 1360, the vaporized vaporizable material is entrained in an airflow toward a mouthpiece of a vaporizer device in which the heating element is located.

[0120] term 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] The terms used herein are used for the purpose of describing only specific examples and embodiments 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 should be further understood that, as used herein, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprises" 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 " / ".

[0123] 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.

[0124] Spatially relative terms such as "top", "bottom", "down", "below", "below side", "lower", "up", "above" 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 figures. 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 figures. For example, if the device in the figures were flipped over, then an element described as "below" or "directly below" the other element or feature would be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "below" 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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 ​​in the vicinity of or about the same 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.

[0127] Although various illustrative examples have been described above, any of a number of modifications may be made to the various examples 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 examples, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Optional features of the various device and system examples may be included in some examples and not in others. Thus, the foregoing description has been provided primarily for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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. The machine-readable medium may store such machine instructions non-temporarily, such as, for example, a non-temporary solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The 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.

[0130] The examples and figures contained herein show, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, specific examples 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 examples of the subject matter of the present invention may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term "invention" for the sole convenience of more than one, 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 examples. Combinations of the above-mentioned examples with other examples not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the above description.

Claims

1. 1. A cartridge for a vaporizer device, the cartridge comprising: a reservoir configured to hold a vaporizable material; a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material, the heating element comprising: The capillary structure includes a plurality of rigid portions. a pair of the plurality of rigid portions spaced apart from one another to define a capillary gap therebetween, the capillary gap being configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir to a heater region of the heating element for heating the vaporizable material, wherein heating the vaporizable material drawn into the heater region of the heating element generates an aerosol. Cartridges for vaporizer devices.

2. The plurality of rigid portions of the capillary structure include An upper rigid portion; a lower rigid portion integrally formed with said upper rigid portion, said lower rigid portion being spaced from said upper rigid portion by a span that defines said capillary gap.

2. The cartridge of claim 1.

3. The plurality of rigid portions of the capillary structure include a top end configured to be in fluid communication with the reservoir; a lower end portion provided with a heater; A lower rigid portion; an upper rigid portion integrally formed with the lower rigid portion, the upper rigid portion comprising: a plurality of upwardly extending members; the capillary gap is formed between adjacent upwardly extending members of the plurality of upwardly extending members.

2. The cartridge of claim 1.

4. The plurality of rigid portions of the capillary structure include an inner rigid portion defining a passageway; an outer rigid portion surrounding the inner rigid portion, the outer rigid portion being spaced from the inner rigid portion by a span that defines the capillary gap.

2. The cartridge of claim 1.

5. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the heating element is located at least partially within the reservoir.

6. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein an upper rigid portion of the plurality of rigid portions has an upper vaporization portion having a plurality of upper gaps and a lower rigid portion of the plurality of rigid portions has a lower vaporization portion having a plurality of lower gaps, the plurality of upper gaps being laterally offset from the plurality of lower gaps.

7. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising an air inlet configured to direct an air flow into the heater region, such that during operation of the heating element, the vaporizable material drawn into the capillary gap in the heater region vaporizes into the air flow.

8. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a conductive layer.

9. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the conductive layer comprises a trace pattern.

10. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises nichrome.

11. The cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising an atomizer chamber housing surrounding at least a portion of the heating element, the atomizer chamber housing having a cutout area.

12. The cartridge of claim 11 , wherein the cut-out area is configured to receive a porous material configured to absorb the vaporizable material.

13. 3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein said heating element forms a single rigid portion, said single rigid portion being folded to define said upper rigid portion and said lower rigid portion.

14. The cartridge of claim 2 , wherein said upper rigid portion lies parallel to said lower rigid portion.

15. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the heating element has a plurality of perforations through which the vaporizable material can be vaporized.

16. 1. A vaporizer device comprising: A vaporizer device body; A cartridge according to claim 1; The vaporizer device comprises:

17. 1. A vaporizer device comprising: a reservoir configured to hold a vaporizable material; a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material, the heating element comprising: The capillary structure includes a plurality of rigid portions. a pair of the plurality of rigid portions spaced apart from one another to define a capillary gap therebetween, the capillary gap being configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir to a heater region of the heating element for heating the vaporizable material, wherein heating the vaporizable material drawn into the heater region of the heating element generates an aerosol. Vaporizer device.

18. The plurality of rigid portions of the capillary structure include An upper rigid portion; a lower rigid portion integrally formed with said upper rigid portion, said lower rigid portion being spaced from said upper rigid portion by a span that defines said capillary gap.

20. The vaporizer device of claim 17.

19. The plurality of rigid portions of the capillary structure include a top end configured to be in fluid communication with the reservoir; a lower end portion provided with a heater; A lower rigid portion; an upper rigid portion integrally formed with the lower rigid portion, the upper rigid portion comprising: The device has a plurality of members extending upward, the capillary gap is formed between adjacent upwardly extending members of the plurality of upwardly extending members.

20. The vaporizer device of claim 17.

20. drawing vaporizable material from a reservoir of a vaporizer device to a heater region through a capillary gap formed between two rigid portions of a heating element, the heating element being partially located within at least a portion of the reservoir, each of the two rigid portions having a vaporizing portion; heating at least the vaporization portions of the two rigid portions to vaporize the vaporizable material; mixing the vaporized vaporizable material with an airflow along an airflow path to a mouthpiece of the vaporizer device; The method comprising:

Images