Cartridge for vaporizer device

Abstract

To provide features of a cartridge for a vaporizer, and in some examples, management of leaks of liquid-vaporizable material, control of airflow within and near a cartridge, heating of vaporizable material resulting in formation of an aerosol, and / or other assembly features of the cartridge and a device to which the cartridge is separably connected.SOLUTION: A vaporization device 100 includes a cartridge 120 for a vaporizer device. For example, the vaporizer cartridge and / or features thereof may improve management of leaks of vaporizable material from the vaporizer cartridge, control of airflow within and / or near the vaporizer cartridge, heating of vaporizable material in the vaporizer cartridge, management of condensate in the vaporizer cartridge, and / or other assembly features of the vaporizer cartridge. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 915,005, filed Oct. 14, 2019, entitled “Cartridge for Vaporizer Device”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 812,161, filed Feb. 28, 2019, entitled “Cartridge for Vaporizer Device”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 747,099, filed Oct. 17, 2018, entitled “Wick Supply and Heating Element for Vaporizer Device”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 812,148, filed Feb. 28, 2019, entitled “Overflow Control of Reservoir with Constriction Point”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 747,055, filed Oct. 17, 2018, entitled “Overflow Control of Reservoir”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 747,130, filed Oct. 17, 2018, entitled “Recovery and Recycling of Vaporizer Concentrate”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 913,135, filed Oct. 9, 2019, entitled “Heating Element”; and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 653,455, filed Oct. 15, 2019, entitled “Heating Element”, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent permitted.

[0002] Technical Field The disclosed invention generally relates to mechanisms of cartridges for vaporizer devices, and in some examples, to management of leakage of liquid vaporizable materials, control of air flow within and around the cartridge, formation of aerosols by heating of the vaporizable materials, and / or other assembly mechanisms of the cartridge with a device to which the cartridge is removably connected.

Background Art

[0003] As used herein, a vaporizer device, generally referred to as a vaporizer, includes a device that heats a vaporizable material (e.g., liquid, plant material, other solids, wax, etc.) to a temperature sufficient to release one or more compounds from the vaporizable material in a form (e.g., gas, aerosol, etc.) that can be inhaled by a user of the vaporizer. Some vaporizers, such as those in which at least one of the compounds released from the vaporizable material is nicotine, are useful as an alternative to smoking combustible tobacco.

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For purposes of summarization, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described herein. It is to be understood that not all such advantages are achieved by one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed invention may be embodied or practiced in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all of the advantages that may be taught or suggested herein. The various features and items described herein may be incorporated together or may be separable, except where not practicable based on the present disclosure and what would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art therefrom.

[0005] In one aspect, a vaporizer includes a reservoir configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material. The reservoir is at least partially defined by at least one wall and includes a storage chamber and an overflow volume. The vaporizer further includes a collector disposed within the overflow volume. The collector includes a capillary structure configured to hold a volume of liquid vaporizable material in fluid communication with the storage chamber. The capillary structure includes a microfluidic mechanism configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and draining of the collector.

[0006] In related aspects that may be included in the vaporizer of the foregoing aspects, a microfluidic gate for controlling the flow of the liquid vaporizable material between a storage chamber and an overflow volume adjacent to the storage chamber within the vaporizer includes a plurality of openings connecting the storage chamber and the collector, and a pinch-off point between the plurality of openings. The plurality of openings includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel has a higher capillary driving force than the second channel. Optionally, the microfluidic gate may include an edge of the opening that is flatter on a first side facing the storage chamber than a second, more rounded side facing the collector, between the storage chamber and the collector.

[0007] In another related aspect that can be incorporated into other aspects, a collector configured to be inserted into a vaporizer cartridge includes a capillary structure configured to hold a volume of the liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with a storage chamber of the vaporizer cartridge. The capillary structure includes a microfluidic mechanism configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and draining of the collector.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment, it can also be included in a combination capable of performing one or more of the following functions. For example, a primary passage may be included to provide a fluid connection between the storage chamber and an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous state. The primary passage may be formed through the structure of the collector.

[0009] The primary passage can include a first channel configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to flow from the storage chamber towards the wicking element of the atomizer. The first channel can have a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregularity configured such that liquid in the first channel can bypass bubbles that block the remainder of the first channel. The cross-sectional shape may resemble a cross. The capillary structure may include a secondary passage including a microfluidic mechanism, and the microfluidic mechanism may be configured such that the liquid vaporizable material can move along the length of the secondary passage only by a meniscus that completely covers the cross-sectional area of the secondary passage. The cross-sectional area may be small enough such that, for the material forming the walls of the secondary passage and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passage around the entire perimeter of the secondary passage.

[0010] The storage chamber and the collector may be configured to maintain a continuous column of the liquid vaporizable material in the collector in contact with the liquid vaporizable material in the storage chamber such that a decrease in pressure in the storage chamber relative to the ambient pressure causes a continuous column of the liquid vaporizable material in the collector to be at least partially drawn back into the storage chamber. The secondary passage may include a plurality of spaced constrictions having a cross-sectional area smaller than the portion of the secondary passage between the constrictions. The constrictions may have a flatter surface oriented towards the storage compartment along the secondary passage and a rounder surface oriented away from the storage compartment along the secondary passage.

[0011] The microfluidic gate can be disposed between the collector and the storage compartment. The microfluidic gate may include an edge of an opening that is flatter on a first side facing the storage chamber than a second rounder side facing the collector between the storage chamber and the collector. The microfluidic gate may include a plurality of openings connecting the storage chamber and the collector and a pinch-off point between the plurality of openings. The plurality of openings can include a first channel and a second channel, and the first channel has a higher capillary drive than the second channel. A meniscus of the gas-liquid vaporizable material reaching the pinch-off point can be sent to the second channel by the higher capillary drive of the first channel such that bubbles are formed and escape into the liquid vaporizable material in the storage chamber.

[0012] The liquid vaporizable material may include one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

[0013] The collector can include a primary passage that provides a fluid connection between the reservoir and an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous state, and the primary passage is formed through the structure of the collector. In an alternative embodiment, the capillary structure may include a secondary passage including a microfluidic mechanism, and the microfluidic mechanism may be configured such that the liquid vaporizable material can move along the length of the secondary passage only by a meniscus that completely covers the cross-sectional area of the secondary passage. The cross-sectional area may be small enough such that the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passage around the entire perimeter of the secondary passage, depending on the material forming the walls of the secondary passage and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material. The storage chamber and the collector may be configured to maintain a continuous column of the liquid vaporizable material in the collector that contacts the liquid vaporizable material in the storage chamber such that a decrease in the pressure in the storage chamber relative to the ambient pressure causes at least a partial backflow of the liquid vaporizable material in the collector into the storage chamber. The secondary passage may include a plurality of spaced constriction points having a cross-sectional area smaller than the portion of the secondary passage between the constriction points. The constriction points may have a flatter surface oriented towards the storage compartment along the secondary passage and a more rounded surface oriented away from the storage compartment along the secondary passage.

[0014] In yet another related aspect, the vaporization device cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a storage chamber disposed within the cartridge housing and configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material, an inlet configured such that air can enter an internal air flow path within the cartridge housing, an atomizer configured to convert at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material to an inhalable state, and a collector as described in the foregoing aspects.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, such a vaporizer cartridge may include one or more mechanisms described herein, such as a wicking element disposed within an internal air flow path and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The wicking element may be configured to draw a liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir under capillary action. The heating element may be arranged to cause heating of the wicking element to convert at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir to a gaseous state. The inhalable state may include an aerosol formed by condensing at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material from the gaseous state. The cartridge housing may include a monolithic hollow structure having a first open end and a second end opposite the first end. The collector may be insertably received within the first end of the monolithic hollow structure.

[0016] In yet another related aspect, a reservoir for a cartridge usable with a vaporizer device is provided. In one embodiment, the reservoir includes a storage chamber (e.g., a reservoir) for storing a vaporizable material and an overflow volume that is separable from the storage chamber and in communication with the storage chamber via a vent that leads to a passage for the overflow volume.

[0017] The passage for the overflow volume may lead to a port connected to ambient air. The storage chamber or reservoir may include a first wick supply and optionally a second wick supply, each implemented in the form of a first cavity and a second cavity passing through a collector disposed within the cartridge. The collector may include one or more support structures that form a passage within the overflow volume. The first and second cavities may be able to control the flow of the vaporizable material towards a wick housing configured to receive a wicking element.

[0018] The wicking element disposed in the wick housing or the wicking element housing is configured to absorb the vaporizable material passing through the first and second wick supply portions such that, in the thermal interaction with the atomizer, the vaporizable material absorbed by the wicking element is converted into at least one of vapor or aerosol and flows through the outlet tunnel structure formed through the collector and the storage chamber to reach the opening of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be formed in proximity to the storage chamber.

[0019] The collector may have a first end and a second end. The first end may be connected to the opening of the mouthpiece, and the second end opposite the first end may be configured to receive the wick or the wicking element. The wick housing according to a particular embodiment may include a set of prongs protruding outwardly from the second end for at least partially receiving the wicking element, and one or more compression ribs extending from the second end of the collector and disposed near the first or second wick supply portion for compressing the wicking element.

[0020] In yet another related aspect, a vent may be provided to maintain the equilibrium pressure state of the storage chamber of the cartridge and prevent the pressure in the storage chamber from rising to the point where the vaporizable material overflows from the wick housing. The equilibrium pressure state may be maintained by establishing a liquid seal at the opening of the vent located at the point where the storage chamber communicates with the passage in the overflow volume of the cartridge. The liquid seal is established and maintained at the vent by maintaining a capillary pressure sufficient for a meniscus of the vaporizable material to form in a portion of the vent leading to the passage of the overflow volume.

[0021] The capillary pressure of the meniscus of the vaporizable material is controlled by a venting structure that forms, for example, a primary channel or a secondary channel that effectively constructs a fluid valve for controlling at least the pinch-off point of one of the primary or secondary channels. Depending on the embodiment, the primary and secondary channels are tapered, and as the meniscus continues to recede, the capillary drive of the primary channel decreases more significantly than that of the secondary channel. As the capillary drives of the primary and secondary channels gradually decrease, the partial headspace vacuum maintained in the storage chamber decreases.

[0022] In yet another related aspect, as a result of the capillary drives of the primary and secondary channels gradually decreasing relative to each other, the discharge pressure of the primary channel falls below the discharge pressure of the secondary channel. The meniscus of the primary channel continues to discharge even as the discharge pressure of the primary channel changes, while the meniscus of the secondary channel remains stationary. The drainage pressure associated with the receding contact angle of the primary channel is lower than the flooding pressure associated with the advancing contact angle of the secondary channel, such that the primary and secondary channels may be filled with the vaporizable material.

[0023] Accordingly, in response to an increase in the pressure state within the storage chamber, the vaporizable material flows through the vent into the passage of the collector (i.e., the overflow volume), and the vent is configured to maintain a liquid seal, desirably always, at the pinch-off point. In certain embodiments, the vent is constructed to facilitate a liquid seal at the opening from which the vaporizable material flows between the storage chamber of the reservoir and the passage of the collector within the overflow volume.

[0024] In yet another related aspect, one or more wick supply channels can be implemented to control the direct flow of the vaporizable material towards the wick. The first wick supply channel is formed through a collector disposed within the overflow volume and may be independent of the primary and secondary channels of the control valve described above. The collector may include a support structure that forms the first channel or additional wick supply channels. The wick may be disposed within the wick housing such that the wick is configured to absorb the vaporizable material moving through the first channel. Depending on the embodiment, the first channel can have a cross-shaped cross-section or a partial partition. The shape of the first channel can provide one or more non-primary sub-channels and one or more primary sub-channels having a larger diameter compared to the non-primary sub-channels.

[0025] Depending on the embodiment, when a primary sub-channel or a non-primary sub-channel is restricted or blocked (e.g., by the formation of bubbles), the vaporizable material may pass through an alternative sub-channel or the primary channel. In a cross-shaped wick supply, the primary sub-channel may extend through the center of the cross-shaped wick supply. When the primary sub-channel is restricted due to the formation of bubbles in a portion of the primary sub-channel, the vaporizable material flows through at least one of the non-primary sub-channels.

[0026] In some embodiments, the collector has a first end facing the storage chamber and a second end configured to face away from the storage chamber and include the wick housing. The second wick supply can be implemented in the form of a second channel that allows the vaporizable material stored in the storage chamber to flow towards the wick while the vaporizable material flows through the first wick supply. The second wick supply may have a cross-shaped cross-section.

[0027] According to one or more aspects, a reservoir for a cartridge usable in a vaporization device may include a storage chamber configured to contain a vaporizable material. The reservoir may be in operative relation with an atomizer configured to convert the vaporizable material from a liquid phase to a vapor or aerosol phase for inhalation by a user of the vaporization device. The cartridge may also include an overflow volume for holding at least a portion of the vaporizable material, for example, when one or more factors cause the vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber to move into the overflow volume within the cartridge.

[0028] One or more factors may include a cartridge being exposed to a pressure state different from a previous ambient pressure state (e.g., by transitioning from a first pressure state to a second pressure state). In some aspects, the overflow volume may include a passage connecting to an opening or air control port that leads to the exterior of the cartridge (i.e., ambient air). The passage within the overflow volume may communicate with the reservoir chamber so as to function as a vent to allow equalization of the pressure within the reservoir chamber. In response to a negative pressure event in the cartridge surrounding environment, the vaporizable material is drawn from the reservoir chamber into the atomizer and converted to the gas phase or aerosol phase, thereby reducing the volume of the vaporizable material remaining in the storage chamber of the reservoir.

[0029] The storage chamber may be connected to the overflow volume, for example, by one or more openings between the storage chamber and the overflow volume, such that the one or more openings lead to one or more passages through the overflow volume. The flow of the vaporizable material into the passage through the opening may be controllable by capillary properties of a fluid vent leading to the one or more passages or capillary properties of the passages themselves. Further, the flow of the vaporizable material into the one or more passages is reversible, and the vaporizable material can be returned from the overflow volume to the reservoir chamber.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, the flow of the vaporizable material can be reversed in response to a change in pressure state (e.g., when a second pressure state within the cartridge returns to a first pressure state). The second pressure state can be associated with a negative pressure event. The negative pressure event can be the result of a decrease in ambient pressure relative to the pressure surrounding one or more volumes of air retained within the reservoir or other portion of the cartridge. Alternatively, a negative pressure event can result from the compression of the internal volume of the cartridge due to mechanical pressure on one or more outer surfaces of the cartridge.

[0031] The heating element may include a heating portion and at least two legs. The heating portion can include at least two teeth spaced apart from each other. The heating portion may be pre-formed to define an internal volume configured to receive a wicking element such that the heating portion fixes at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element. The heating portion may be configured to contact at least two distinct surfaces of the wicking element. The at least two legs may be coupled to the at least two teeth and spaced apart from the heating portion. The at least two legs may be configured to be in electrical communication with a power source. Power is configured to be supplied from the power source to the heating portion to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

[0032] In some embodiments, the at least two legs include four legs. In some embodiments, the heating portion is configured to contact at least three distinct surfaces of the wicking element.

[0033] In some embodiments, at least two teeth include a first side tooth portion, a second side tooth portion opposite the first side tooth portion, and a platform tooth portion connecting the first side tooth portion and the second side tooth portion. The platform tooth portion may be disposed substantially perpendicular to a part of the first side tooth portion and the second side tooth portion. The first side tooth portion, the second side tooth portion, and the platform tooth portion define an internal volume in which the wicking element is disposed. In some embodiments, at least two legs are spaced apart from the heating portion by a bridge.

[0034] In some embodiments, each of at least two legs includes a cartridge contact disposed at an end of each of the at least two legs. The cartridge contact can be in electrical communication with a power source. The cartridge contact may be angled and extend away from the heating portion.

[0035] In some embodiments, at least two tooth portions include a first pair of tooth portions and a second pair of tooth portions. In some embodiments, the tooth portions of the first pair of tooth portions are equally spaced from each other. In some embodiments, the tooth portions of the first pair of tooth portions are spaced apart by a width. In some embodiments, the width of the inner region of the heating element adjacent to the platform tooth portion is greater than the width of the outer region of the heating element adjacent to the outer edge of the first side tooth portion on the opposite side of the inner region.

[0036] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device is configured to measure the resistance of the heating element at each of the four legs to control the temperature of the heating element. In some embodiments, the heating element includes a heat shield configured to thermally insulate the heating portion from the body of the vaporizer device.

[0037] In some embodiments, the vaporizer device further includes a heat shield configured to thermally insulate the heating portion from the body of the wick housing configured to surround at least a part of the heating element and configured to surround at least a part of the wicking element and the heating element.

[0038] In some embodiments, the heating portion is folded between the heating portion and at least two legs to insulate the heating portion from the at least two legs. In some embodiments, the heating portion further includes at least one tab extending from a side surface of at least two tooth portions to allow the wicking element to easily enter the internal volume of the heating portion. In some embodiments, the at least one tab extends away from the internal volume at an angle.

[0039] In some embodiments, the at least two legs include a capillary mechanism. The capillary mechanism causes a rapid change in capillary pressure, thereby preventing the vaporizable material from flowing across the capillary mechanism. In some embodiments, the capillary mechanism includes one or more bends in the at least two legs. In some embodiments, the at least two legs extend at an angle toward the internal volume of the heating portion, and the at least two angled legs define the capillary mechanism.

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

[0041] A method of forming an atomizer assembly for a vaporizer device may include securing a wicking element within an internal volume of a heating element. The heating element may include a heating portion including at least two spaced-apart teeth and at least two legs spaced from the heating portion. The legs may be configured to be in electrical communication with a power source of the vaporizer device. The heating portion is configured to contact at least two surfaces of the wicking element. The method may also include coupling the heating element to a wick housing configured to surround at least a portion of the wicking element and the heating element. Securing may include sliding the wicking element into the internal volume of the heating element.

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

[0043] In certain aspects of the present invention, problems associated with condensate collecting along one or more internal channels and outlets of some vaporizer devices (e.g., along a mouthpiece) may be solved by one or more of the mechanisms described herein or by equivalent / equivalent approaches understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for capturing condensates of vaporizable materials within a vaporizer device.

[0044] In some variations, it can be selectively included in combinations capable of performing one or more of the following functions.

[0045] Aspects of the present invention relate to a cartridge for a vaporizer device. The cartridge may include a reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material within the reservoir chamber. The cartridge may include a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir and may include a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization chamber and vaporize it by a heating element. The cartridge may include an air flow path extending through the vaporization chamber. The cartridge may include at least one capillary channel adjacent to the air flow path. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first position to a second position via capillary action.

[0046] In one aspect consistent with the present disclosure, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be sized to be tapered. A tapered size may increase the capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls. The at least one capillary channel may be in fluid communication with a wick. The first position may be adjacent to an end of the air flow path and a mouthpiece. The at least one capillary channel may collect fluid condensate.

[0047] In related aspects, the vaporizer device may include a vaporizer body that includes a heating element configured to heat a vaporizable material. The vaporizer device may include a cartridge configured to be releasably coupled to the vaporizer body. The cartridge may include a reservoir that includes a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier. The reservoir may be configured to contain the vaporizable material within the reservoir chamber. The cartridge may include a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir and may include a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization chamber and vaporize it by the heating element. The cartridge may include an air flow passage extending through the vaporization chamber. The cartridge may include at least one capillary channel adjacent to the air flow passage. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first position to a second position via capillary action.

[0048] Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be sized to be tapered. A tapered size may increase the capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls. The at least one capillary channel may be in fluid communication with the wick. The first position may be adjacent to an end of the air flow passage and the mouthpiece. The at least one capillary channel may collect fluid condensate.

[0049] In related aspects, a method of a cartridge of a vaporizer may include collecting condensate in a first capillary channel of at least one capillary channel of the cartridge. Each of the at least one capillary channel may be configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first position to a second position via capillary action. The cartridge may include a reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material within the reservoir chamber. The cartridge may include a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir and may include a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber to the vaporization chamber and vaporize it by a heating element. The cartridge may include an air flow passage that can extend through the vaporization chamber. The at least one capillary channel may be adjacent to the air flow passage. The method may include directing the collected condensate along the first capillary channel toward the vaporization chamber.

[0050] The method may include vaporizing the collected condensate in the vaporization chamber. The first capillary channel may be sized to be tapered. Each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel may be formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls. The at least one capillary channel may be in fluid communication with a wick. The first position may be adjacent to an end of the air flow passage and a mouthpiece.

[0051] Details of one or more variations of the invention described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages of the invention described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. However, the disclosed invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed.

[0052] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate specific aspects of the invention disclosed herein and, together with the description, serve to explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed embodiments provided below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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[0054] If there are no obstacles, the same or similar reference numbers indicate the same, similar, or equivalent structures, functions, aspects, or elements in one or more embodiments.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0055] Vaporizers configured to convert a liquid vaporizable material into a gas phase and / or an aerosol phase (e.g., a suspension of a gas phase and particulate phase material in air that is in relative local equilibrium between the phases) typically include a reservoir or storage container (also referred to herein as a reservoir, storage compartment, or storage volume) containing an amount of the liquid vaporizable material, an atomizer (also referred to as an atomizer assembly), a heating element that heats the liquid vaporizable material to convert at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material into the gas phase (e.g., an electrical resistance element that passes an electric current and converts the current into thermal energy), and a wicking element (sometimes simply referred to as a wick, but generally refers to an element or combination of elements that exerts capillary forces to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir to the location heated by the heating element). The resulting gas phase of the liquid vaporizable material may, depending on various factors, then (and optionally almost immediately thereafter) at least partially begin to condense and form an aerosol in the air passing through, above, near, around, etc. the atomizer.

[0056] As the liquid vaporizable material within the wicking element is heated and converted into the gas phase (and then optionally into an aerosol), the volume of the liquid vaporizable material within the reservoir decreases. When the volume of the liquid vaporizable material decreases due to conversion to the gas / aerosol phase, a mechanism for admitting air or other substances created within the reservoir into the void (e.g., a portion of the reservoir volume not occupied by the liquid vaporizable material) is absent, and thus the reservoir becomes depressurized (e.g., at least partially evacuated). This depressurized state can act against the capillary pressure created within the wicking element and may thus negatively affect the efficacy of the wicking element in drawing the vaporizable material from the storage compartment or reservoir to near the heating element for vaporization into the gas phase.

[0057] More specifically, the reduced pressure in the reservoir can result in insufficient saturation of the wick and ultimately a lack of vaporizable material being sent to the atomizer for reliable operation of the vaporizer. To counter the reduced pressure, ambient air can be introduced into the reservoir to equalize the pressure between the interior of the reservoir and the surroundings. In some vaporizers, this occurs by filling the voids in the reservoir created by the vaporized liquid vaporizable material with air flowing through the wicking element. However, this process generally requires that the wicking element be at least partially dry. Since dry wicking elements may not be easily achieved and / or may not be desirable for reliable operation of the vaporizer, another typical approach is to provide a vent that allows for equalization of the pressure between the ambient conditions and the reservoir.

[0058] Whether air is present in the reservoir voids by passing through the wick or through other vents or vent structures, one or more other problems can occur. For example, when the air pressure in the reservoir voids becomes equal to (or at least nearly equalizes with) the ambient pressure, particularly as the volume of the air-filled voids increases relative to the total volume of the reservoir, a negative pressure differential can occur between the air in the voids and the ambient conditions (e.g., the air in the voids is at a higher pressure than the surroundings), causing the liquid vaporizable material to leak from the reservoir, for example, through the wick, the provided vents, etc. The negative pressure differential between the air in the reservoir and the current ambient pressure can be created by one or more of several factors, such as heating of the air in the voids (e.g., holding the reservoir by hand, moving the vaporizer from a cold location to a warm location), mechanical forces that can distort the shape of the reservoir and thereby reduce its internal volume (e.g., squeezing a part of the vaporizer to cause distortion of the reservoir volume), a sudden drop in ambient pressure (such as what occurs during air travel in an airplane cabin, when a car or train enters or exits a tunnel, when opening or closing a window during high-speed vehicle travel, etc.).

[0059] Leakage of the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir of the vaporizer as described above is generally undesirable because the leaked liquid vaporizable material can cause unwanted disruptions (e.g., by soiling clothing or other items near the vaporizer), enter the inhalation pathway of the vaporizer, thereby being ingested by the user, or interfere with the function of the vaporizer (e.g., by soiling a pressure sensor, affecting the operability of electrical circuits and / or switches, soiling the charging port and / or the connection between the cartridge and the vaporizer body, etc.). Therefore, leakage of the liquid vaporizable material can potentially impede the function and cleanliness of the vaporizer.

[0060] Examples of vaporizers include, but are not limited to, electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or devices and systems having the same, similar, or equivalent structural or functional features or capabilities. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary block diagram of an exemplary vaporizer 100. The vaporizer 100 may include a vaporizer body 110 and a vaporizer cartridge 120 (also simply referred to as the vaporizer cartridge 120). The vaporizer body 110 may include a power source 112 (e.g., a rechargeable battery), and a controller 104 (e.g., a programmable logic device, a processor, or a circuit capable of executing logic code) that controls the delivery of heat to an atomizer 141 to convert a vaporizable material (not shown) from a condensed form (e.g., solid, liquid, solution, suspension, at least partially untreated plant material, etc.) to a gas phase, or more generally, to convert the vaporizable material to an inhalable form or a precursor of an inhalable form. In this context, the inhalable form can be a gas or an aerosol, or some other airborne form. The precursor of the inhalable form may include a gas phase of the vaporizable material that at least partially condenses at some point after the gas phase is formed (optionally immediately or almost immediately, or somewhat delayed or after some cooling) to form an aerosol. The controller 104 may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with a particular embodiment and may be utilized to control specific functions of the vaporizer body 110 in relation to one or more sensors 113.

[0061] As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the vaporizer body 110 may include another sensor 113, a vaporizer body contact 125, a seal 115, and optionally, a cartridge receptacle 118 configured to receive at least a portion of a vaporizer cartridge 120 for coupling to the vaporizer body 110 through one or more various attachment structures. As described below with reference to FIGS. 7A - 7D, male or female receptacle structures or some combination thereof may be used to couple the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the inner portion of the first end of the cartridge is received in the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, and the outer portion of the first end of the cartridge at least partially covers a portion of the outer surface of the structure on the vaporizer body 110 that forms the cartridge receptacle 118. Such a configuration for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110 may enable a convenient and user - friendly joining method that also provides sufficient mechanical coupling strength to avoid unwanted separation of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110. Such a configuration may also provide a desirable resistance to bending of the vaporizer formed by coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110. With respect to the vaporizer body contacts 125, it should be understood that these may also be referred to as "receptacle contacts 125" particularly in embodiments where the corresponding cartridge contacts 124 (discussed below) are part of the vaporizer cartridge 120 inserted into a receptacle or receptacle - like structure of the vaporizer body 110. However, the terms "vaporizer body contact 125" and / or "receptacle contact 125" are used herein as well because aspects of the present invention are not limited to the electrical coupling between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 that occurs between the contacts within the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110 and a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 (and can be used to provide various advantages of other systems).

[0062] In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include a reservoir 140 for containing a liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece 130 for delivering a dose of the vaporizable material in an inhalable form. The mouthpiece may alternatively be a separate component from the structure forming the reservoir 140 or may be formed from the same part or component that forms at least a portion of one or more walls of the reservoir 140. The liquid vaporizable material within the reservoir 140 may be a carrier solution in which active or inactive ingredients may be suspended, dissolved, or held in solution or in the neat liquid form of the vaporizable material itself.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include an atomizer 141 that can include a wick or wicking element, similar to a heater (e.g., a heating element). As described above, the wicking element may include any material that can cause fluid absorption by capillary pressure through the wick and carry an amount of the liquid vaporizable material to a portion of the atomizer 141 that includes the heating element. Although the wick and the heating element are not shown in FIG. 1, they are disclosed and discussed in more detail herein with reference to at least FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4. Briefly, the wicking element is configured to draw the liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir 140 configured to contain the liquid vaporizable material, and the liquid vaporizable material is vaporized (i.e., converted to the gas phase) by heat supplied from the heating element to the wicking element, and the liquid vaporizable material is drawn into the wicking element. In some implementations, in response to the liquid vaporizable material being removed from the reservoir 140 during vapor and / or aerosol formation, air can enter the reservoir 140 through the wicking element or other openings, and the pressure within the reservoir 140 can be made at least partially equal.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure sensor (and other sensors) 113 may be disposed or coupled (e.g., via an electrical, electronic, physical, or wireless connection) on the controller 104. The controller 104 may be a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board. To accurately make measurements and maintain the durability of the vaporizer 100, it may be beneficial to provide an elastic seal 115 to separate the air flow path from other parts of the vaporizer 100. The seal 115, which can be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the pressure sensor 113 such that the connection of the pressure sensor 113 to the internal circuit of the vaporizer is separated from a portion of the pressure sensor that is exposed to the air flow path.

[0065] The liquid vaporizable material used in the vaporizer 100 may be provided in a disposable vaporizer cartridge 120 that can be refilled when empty or disposed of by selecting a new cartridge containing the same or a different type of additional vaporizable material. The vaporizer can be a vaporizer that uses a cartridge or a multi-purpose vaporizer that can be used with or without a cartridge. For example, a multi-purpose vaporizer can include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) configured to receive the vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber and also configured to receive a cartridge or other replaceable device having a reservoir, volume, or other functional or structural equivalent that at least partially contains an amount of vaporizable material that can be used.

[0066] In an example of a vaporizer that uses a cartridge, the seal 115 may separate portions of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 110 and the vaporizer cartridge 120. Such an arrangement of the seal 115 within the vaporizer 100 mitigates potential damaging effects on the vaporizer components resulting from interaction with one or more environmental factors such as condensed water, vaporizable material leaking from the reservoir and / or condensing after vaporization, and helps reduce air leakage from the designed air flow path of the vaporizer.

[0067] Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluids passing through or contacting the circuitry of the vaporizer 100 can cause various unwanted effects such as changes in pressure measurements, or unwanted substances (e.g., moisture, vaporizable materials, and / or the like) can accumulate on parts of the vaporizer 100, and this unwanted substance can cause a decrease in the pressure signal, degradation of the pressure sensor or other electrical or electronic components, and / or shortening of the life of the vaporizer. A leak in the seal 115 can also result in the user inhaling air that has passed through parts of the vaporizer 100 that contain or are composed of materials not suitable for inhalation.

[0068] A vaporizer configured to produce at least a portion of an inhalable dose of a non-liquid vaporizable material via heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material can also be within the scope of the disclosed invention. For example, instead of or in addition to a liquid vaporizable material, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a mass of plant material or other non-liquid material (e.g., a solid form of the vaporizable material itself such as "wax") that has been processed and formed to be in direct contact with at least a portion of one or more resistive heating elements (or heated radiatively and / or convectively by a heating element) that can be selectively included in the vaporizer cartridge 120 or in a portion of the vaporizer body 110. The solid vaporizable material (e.g., one containing plant material) can release only a portion of the plant material as the vaporizable material (e.g., such that a portion of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material has been released for inhalation), or it can ultimately vaporize all of the solid material for inhalation. Similarly, a liquid vaporizable material can be completely vaporized or can include a portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been consumed.

[0069] When composed of a vaporizable material and a heating element within the vaporizer cartridge 120, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may be mechanically and electrically coupled to the vaporizer body 110. The vaporizer body 110 may include a processor, a power source 112, and one or more vaporizer body contacts 125 that connect to corresponding cartridge contacts 124 to complete a circuit with the resistive heating element included in the vaporizer cartridge 120. Various vaporizer configurations may be implemented with one or more of the features described herein.

[0070] In some embodiments, the vaporizer 100 can include the power source 112 as part of the vaporizer body 110, and the heating element can be disposed within a vaporizer cartridge 120 configured to couple with the vaporizer body 110. The vaporizer 100 configured in such a manner can include a controller 104, a power source 112, and an electrical connection mechanism for completing a circuit including the heating element included in the vaporizer cartridge 120.

[0071] In some embodiments of the present invention, the connection mechanism may include at least two cartridge contacts 124 on the bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two contacts 125 disposed near the base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 100. The cartridge contacts 124 and the receptacle contacts 125 are electrically connected when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118. In some embodiments of the present invention, the vaporizer body contacts 125 can be compressible pins (e.g., pogo pins) that are drawn in under the pressure of the corresponding cartridge contacts 124 when the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into and fixed to the cartridge receptacle 118. Other configurations are also conceivable. For example, brush contacts that electrically connect to the corresponding contacts of the fitting portion of the vaporizer cartridge can be used. Such contacts do not necessarily need to be electrically connected to the cartridge contacts at the bottom end of the vaporizer cartridge 120. Instead, when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is properly inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118, they may be coupled by being biased outward from one or more side walls of the cartridge receptacle 118 against the cartridge contacts 124 that are part of a side portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 within the receptacle.

[0072] The circuit completed by the electrical connection enables sending current to the resistive heating element and measuring the resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining and / or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal coefficient of the resistivity of the resistive heating element. It can be further used for additional functions such as identifying the vaporizer cartridge 120 based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuits of the vaporizer cartridge 120.

[0073] In some examples, at least two cartridge contacts 124 and at least two vaporizer body contacts 125 (e.g., receptacle contacts for an embodiment where a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118) may be configured to electrically connect in either of at least two directions. In other words, one or more circuits configured for operation of the vaporizer 100 can be completed by inserting (or otherwise mating) at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a first rotational direction (e.g., around an axis along which an end of the vaporizer cartridge having the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110), thereby electrically connecting a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 to a first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125 and electrically connecting a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 to a second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125.

[0074] Further, one or more circuits configured for operation of the vaporizer 100 can be completed by inserting (or otherwise mating) the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a second rotational direction, thereby electrically connecting a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 to a second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125 and electrically connecting a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 to a first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts 125. The vaporizer cartridge 120 may be reversibly insertable into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, as provided in more detail herein.

[0075] In an example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer main body 110, the vaporizer main body 110 may include a detent (e.g., a recess, a protrusion, etc.) that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include corresponding recesses (not shown in FIG. 1) that fit or snap into such a detent when the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer main body 110.

[0076] The vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer main body 110 may be coupled, for example, by inserting the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer main body 110. The detent of the vaporizer main body 110 may fit within and / or be held within the recess of the vaporizer cartridge 120 to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place when assembled. Such a detent recess assembly can provide sufficient support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place and ensure sufficient contact between at least two cartridge contacts 124 and at least two receptacle contacts 125, while allowing the vaporizer cartridge 120 to be released from the vaporizer main body 110 when the user pulls on the vaporizer cartridge 120 with a reasonable force to remove the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the cartridge receptacle 118.

[0077] In addition to the above discussion regarding the reversible electrical connection between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 such that at least two rotational directions of the vaporizer cartridge 120 within the cartridge receptacle 118 may be possible, in embodiments of the vaporizer 100, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least the shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle 118, may have at least two-fold rotational symmetry. In other words, at least the mechanical mating mechanism and electrical contacts on the vaporizer cartridge 120 or the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may have symmetry when rotated 180° along the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer 100 may support the same operation regardless of which symmetric orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 120 occurs. It will be understood that the entire insertable end of the cartridge need not be symmetric in all embodiments of the present invention. For example, having a rotationally symmetric mechanical mechanism for engaging cooperatively with corresponding mechanisms either inside or outside of the cartridge receptacle 118 that are of a shape and size to fit within the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, and similarly, having a cartridge electrical contact 124 with rotational symmetry and an internal circuit (optionally in either or both of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110) that is compatible with the inversion of the electrical contacts, the vaporizer cartridge 120 is consistent with the present disclosure even if the overall shape and appearance of the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 120 is not rotationally symmetric.

[0078] As described above, in some exemplary embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least an end of the vaporizer cartridge 120, may be configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 and may have a non-circular cross-section that crosses an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. For example, the non-circular cross-section may be substantially rectangular, substantially elliptical (e.g., substantially oval), non-rectangular but having two sets of parallel or substantially parallel opposing sides (e.g., having a parallelogram shape), or other shapes having at least two-fold rotational symmetry. In this context, having a shape that is approximately (nearly, substantially) the described shape indicates that there is an underlying similarity to the described shape, but it indicates that the sides of the shape in question need not be perfectly straight and the vertices need not be perfectly sharp. In the description of the non-circular cross-sections referred to herein, some degree of rounding of both or either the edges or vertices of the cross-sectional shape is contemplated.

[0079] The at least two cartridge contacts 124 and the at least two receptacle contacts 125 can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts may include conductive pins, tabs, posts, or receiving holes for pins or posts. Some types of contacts may include springs or other biasing mechanisms that improve the physical and electrical contact between the vaporizer cartridge and the contacts of the vaporizer body. The electrical contacts may be gold-plated and / or may include other materials.

[0080] A vaporizer 100 consistent with an embodiment of the disclosed invention may be configured to connect to one or more computing devices that communicate with the vaporizer 100 (e.g., via a wireless or wired connection). For this purpose, the controller 104 may include communication hardware 105. The controller 104 may also include a memory 108. The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer 100 and may include independent communication hardware capable of establishing a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer 100.

[0081] Computing devices used as part of a vaporization device system include general-purpose computing devices (such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers, other portable devices such as smartwatches, etc.) that execute software to create a user interface that allows a user of the device to interact with the vaporization device 100. In other embodiments, the devices used as part of the vaporization device system can be dedicated hardware components such as remote controls or other wireless or wired devices that have one or more physical or software interface controls (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or other input devices such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor button, etc.). The vaporization device 100 can also include one or more outputs 117 or devices for providing information to the user.

[0082] The computing device, which is part of the vaporization device system as defined above, can be used for one or more of any functions such as dosage control (e.g., dosage monitoring, dosage setting, dosage limiting, user tracking, etc.), session control (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.), nicotine delivery control (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable materials, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered, etc.), obtaining location information (e.g., location of other users, location of retail stores / commercial facilities, inhalation locations, relative or absolute location of the vaporization device itself, etc.), personalization settings of the vaporization device (e.g., naming the vaporization device, lock / password protection of the vaporization device, adjustment of one or more parental controls, association of the vaporization device with a user group, registration of the vaporization device with the manufacturer or warranty / repair provider, etc.), participation in social activities with other users (e.g., social media communication, interaction with one or more groups, etc.). The terms "sessionization", "session", "vaporization device session", or "vapor session" may be used to refer to the period of time spent using the vaporization device. The period may include time of day, number of doses, amount of vaporizable material, etc.

[0083] In an example where the computing device provides a signal related to activation of the resistive heating element, or in other examples where the computing device is coupled to the vaporizer 100 for implementation of various controls or other functions, the computing device executes one or more computer instruction sets to provide a user interface and basic data processing. In one example, by detecting a user's interaction with one or more user interface elements by the computing device, the computing device can send a signal to the vaporizer 100 to activate the heating element to any of the full operating temperatures for generating an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer 100 may be controlled by an interaction between the user and a user interface on the computing device that communicates with the vaporizer 100.

[0084] In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 120 that can be used with the vaporizer body 110 may include an atomizer 141 having a wicking element and a heating element. Alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element may be part of the vaporizer body 110. In embodiments where any part of the atomizer 141 (e.g., the heating element or the wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer 100 may be configured to supply a liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir 140 within the vaporizer cartridge to the wick and other atomizer components, such as the wicking element, the heating element, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that the capillary structure including the wicking element is only one potential embodiment that can be used with other mechanisms described herein.

[0085] Activation of the heating element can be caused by, for example, automatic detection of puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113 such as a pressure sensor arranged to detect pressure along an air flow path with respect to ambient pressure (or alternatively measuring changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors of the vaporizer 100, one or more flow sensors of the vaporizer 100, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer 100, detection of interaction between the user and one or more input devices 116 (e.g., buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer 100), in response to receiving a signal from a computing device communicating with the vaporizer 100, or via other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.

[0086] The heating element can be or can include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiant heater, and a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which is composed of or at least can 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 current passes through one or more resistive segments of the heating element.

[0087] In some embodiments, the atomizer 141 can include a heating element that includes a resistive coil or other heating element, the heating element being wound, disposed internally, incorporated into a bulk shape, crimped to be in thermal contact, disposed nearby, configured to heat air to cause convective heating, or otherwise send heat to a wicking element that draws vaporizable material of the liquid from the reservoir 140 and is arranged to vaporize it for subsequent inhalation by the user in the gaseous and / or condensed (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) phase. As will be further described below, other wicking elements, heating elements, or atomizer assembly configurations are possible.

[0088] After converting the vaporizable material to the gas phase, depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, or other factors, at least a portion of the gas-phase vaporizable material may condense to form particulate matter that is at least partially in local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of the aerosol, and this material may form some or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer 100 for a given puff or inhalation in the vaporizer.

[0089] The interaction between the gas phase and the condensed phase of the aerosol produced by the vaporizer can be complex and dynamic because ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemical actions (e.g., acid-base interactions, protonation, or lack of compounds released from the vaporizable material upon heating), flow conditions in the air flow path (both within the vaporizer and in the airways of a human or other animal), mixing of the vaporizable material in the gas phase or aerosol phase with other air flows, etc. can affect one or more physical and / or chemical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizers, particularly those delivering more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose may primarily be present in the gas phase (i.e., formation of condensed-phase particles may be highly restricted).

[0090] As described elsewhere in this specification, a particular vaporizer may further (or alternatively) be configured to produce an inhalable dose of the gas-phase and / or aerosol-phase vaporizable material, at least in part, via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material such as a solid-phase vaporizable material (e.g., wax) or a plant material containing the vaporizable material (e.g., a tobacco leaf or a portion of a tobacco leaf). In such a vaporizer, the resistive heating element is part of, or otherwise incorporated into, or in thermal contact with, the wall of an oven or other heating chamber in which the non-liquid vaporizable material is disposed.

[0091] Alternatively, a resistive heating element may be used to heat air passing through or that has passed through a non-liquid vaporizable material, causing convective heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material. In yet other examples, the resistive heating element may be arranged to be in close contact with the plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within the mass of the plant material (e.g., opposing inner conduction from the walls of an oven).

[0092] The heating element may be activated by a controller 104 that may be part of the vaporizer body 110. The controller 104 may pass current from the power supply 112 through a circuit that includes a resistive heating element that may be part of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The controller 104 may be activated in relation to a user puff (e.g., a draw, an inhalation, etc.) at the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer 100 that causes air to flow from the air inlet along the airflow path through the atomizer 141. The atomizer 141 may include, for example, a wick in combination with the heating element.

[0093] The airflow caused by the user puff may pass through one or more condensation regions or chambers inside and / or downstream of the atomizer 141 and then flow towards the air outlet of the mouthpiece. Thus, the incoming air flowing along the airflow path can pass over, through, and around the atomizer 141 such that the vaporizable material in the gas phase (or other inhalable form of the vaporizable material) is entrained in the air by the atomizer 141 that converts some of the vaporizable material to the gas phase. As described above, the entrained vaporizable material in the gas phase may be condensed as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in aerosol form is sent from the air outlet (e.g., via the mouthpiece 130 for inhalation by the user).

[0094] The temperature of the resistive heating element of the vaporizer 100 may depend on one or more of many factors, including the amount of power supplied to the resistive heating element, or the duty cycle at which power is supplied, conductive or radiative heat transfer to other parts of the vaporizer 100 or the environment, specific heat transfer to air and / or the liquid or gas-phase vaporizable material (e.g., raising the temperature of the vaporizable material to its vaporization point, or raising the temperature of a gas such as air or air mixed with the vaporized vaporizable material), latent heat loss due to vaporization of the vaporizable material from the wick and / or atomizer 141 as a whole, convective heat loss due to an air flow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer 141 as a whole when the user inhales on the vaporizer 100), and the like.

[0095] As described above, to ensure operation of the heating element or to heat the heating element to a desired temperature, in some embodiments the vaporizer 100 utilizes a signal from a pressure sensor to determine when the user is inhaling. The pressure sensor can be disposed in the air flow path, or can be connected (e.g., by a passage or other route) to an air flow path connecting an inlet of air entering the device and an outlet through which the user inhales the resulting vapor and / or aerosol, and the pressure sensor can be subject to a change in pressure simultaneously with the air passing through the vaporizer 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some embodiments, the heating element may be actuated in relation to the user's puff, e.g., by automatic detection of the puff, by a pressure sensor that detects, for example, a change in pressure in the air flow path.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be removably inserted into the vaporizer body 110 via the cartridge receptacle 118. As shown in FIG. 2A, which is a plan view of the vaporizer body 110 adjacent to the vaporizer cartridge 120, the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may be formed in whole or in part from a translucent material so that the level of the liquid vaporizable material 102 within the vaporizer cartridge 120 is visible. The vaporizer cartridge 120 may be configured such that when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is received within the cartridge receptacle 118, the level of the vaporizable material 102 within the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 remains visible through a window of the vaporizer body 110. Alternatively or additionally, the level of the liquid vaporizable material 102 within the reservoir 140 can be viewed through a transparent or translucent outer wall or window formed in the outer wall of the vaporizer cartridge 120.

[0097] (Embodiments of the Airflow Path) Referring to FIGS. 2C and 2D, an exemplary vaporizer cartridge 120 in which an airflow path 134 is formed during puffing with the vaporizer 100 by a user is shown. The airflow path 134 can direct air to a vaporization chamber 150 (see, e.g., FIG. 2D) included in a wick housing in combination with an inhalable aerosol that is sent to the user via a mouthpiece 130 that can be part of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The vaporization chamber 150 can include and / or at least partially surround an atomizer 141 that is consistent with the remainder of the present disclosure. For example, when the user puffs on the vaporizer 100, the airflow path 134 may pass between the outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., window 132) and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. Next, air can be drawn into the insertable end 122 of the cartridge and discharged from the outlet 136 of the mouthpiece 130 through the vaporization chamber 150 that includes or houses a heating element and a wicking element to send an inhalable aerosol to the user. Other airflow path configurations, including but not limited to those discussed in further detail below, are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0098] FIG. 2D shows additional mechanisms that may be included in the vaporizer cartridge 120 consistent with the present invention. For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a plurality of cartridge contacts (such as cartridge contact 124) disposed at an insertable end 122 configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. Each of the cartridge contacts 124 can be part of a single metal piece that forms a conductive structure (such as conductive structure 126) selectively connected to one of the two ends of the resistive heating element. The conductive structure can selectively form both sides of the heating chamber and can selectively function as a heat shield and / or heat sink to reduce the transfer of heat to the outer wall of the vaporizer cartridge 120. Details of this aspect are described below.

[0099] Also, FIG. 2D also shows a cannula 128 (an example of a more general concept, also referred to herein as an air flow path) within the vaporizer cartridge 120 that defines a portion of the air flow path 134 passing between a heating chamber (which may also be referred to herein as an atomizer chamber, vaporization chamber, etc.), which may be at least partially formed by the conductive structure 126, and the mouthpiece 130. With such a configuration, as air flows down around the insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and into the cartridge receptacle 118 and enters the cartridge body toward the vaporization chamber 150, it flows in a reverse direction after passing around the insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., the end opposite the end including the mouthpiece 130). The air flow path 134 then moves through the interior of the vaporizer cartridge 120 through one or more outlets (such as outlet 136) formed in the mouthpiece 130 via, for example, one or more tubes or internal channels (such as cannula 128).

[0100] (Pressure equalization vent) As described above, the removal of the vaporizable material 102 from the reservoir 140 (e.g., by capillary suction by the wicking element) can create at least a partial vacuum (e.g., a reduced pressure created in a portion of the reservoir emptied by consumption of the liquid vaporizable material) relative to the ambient air pressure within the reservoir 140, and such a vacuum can interfere with the capillary action provided by the wicking element. This reduced pressure can, in some instances, be large enough to reduce the effectiveness of the wicking element for drawing the liquid vaporizable material 102 into the vaporization chamber 150, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the vaporizer 100 for vaporizing a desired amount of the vaporizable material 102, such as when a user puffs on the vaporizer 100. In extreme cases, the vacuum created within the reservoir 140 can prevent all of the vaporizable material 102 from being drawn into the vaporization chamber 150, thereby potentially leading to an incomplete use of the vaporizable material 102. To mitigate this problem, one or more venting mechanisms can be included in relation to the vaporizer reservoir 140 (regardless of the placement of the reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 or other locations of the vaporizer) to allow for at least a partial equalization (optionally a complete equalization) of the pressure within the reservoir 140 relative to the ambient pressure (e.g., the pressure of the ambient air outside of the reservoir 140).

[0101] In some cases, pressure equalization within the reservoir 140 improves the delivery efficiency of the liquid vaporizable material to the atomizer 141, but the delivery efficiency is improved by filling the void volume (e.g., the space emptied by use of the liquid vaporizable material) within the reservoir 140, which would ordinarily be empty, with air. As will be described in more detail below, this air-filled void volume can then be subject to pressure changes relative to the ambient air, and under certain conditions, there can be a leakage of the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir 140 and ultimately outside of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and / or other parts of the vaporizer including the reservoir 140. Embodiments of the present invention may also provide advantages and benefits with respect to this problem.

[0102] Various features and devices for improving or overcoming these problems are described below. For example, various features for controlling the air flow and the flow of the vaporizable material are described herein, providing advantages and improvements over existing approaches and introducing additional advantages described herein. The vaporizer devices and / or cartridges described herein include one or more features for controlling and improving the air flow within the vaporizer device and / or cartridge, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the vaporization of the liquid vaporizable material by the vaporizer device without introducing additional features that could lead to leakage of the liquid vaporizable material.

[0103] Figures 2E and 2F respectively show a first embodiment and a second embodiment of a reservoir system 200A, 200B configured for a vaporizer cartridge (such as vaporizer cartridge 120) and / or a vaporizer device (such as vaporizer 100) for improving pressure equalization and air flow within the vaporizer. More specifically, the reservoir systems 200A, 200B shown in Figures 2E and 2F improve the regulation of the pressure within the reservoir 240, such that after the user puffs on the vaporizer, the vacuum generated within the reservoir 240 is released, reducing or even eliminating the occurrence of leakage of the liquid vaporizable material through the ventilation structure. Thereby, due to the capillary action of the porous material (e.g., wicking element) associated with the reservoir 240 and the vaporization chamber 242, the vaporizable material 202 can continue to be effectively drawn from the reservoir 240 into the vaporization chamber 242 after each puff.

[0104] As shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F, the reservoir systems 200A, 200B include a reservoir 240 configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material 202. The reservoir 240 is sealed on all sides by a reservoir wall 232 except for the entire wicking housing region extending between the reservoir 240 and the vaporization chamber 242. A heating element or heater may be included within the vaporization chamber 242 and coupled to the wicking element. The wicking element is configured to provide a capillary action that draws the vaporizable material 202 from the reservoir 240 into the vaporization chamber 242 and vaporizes it with the heater to form an aerosol. The aerosol is then combined with an air stream 234 that moves along the air flow path 238 of the vaporizer for inhalation by the user.

[0105] The reservoir systems 200A, 200B also include an air flow restrictor 244 that restricts the passage of the air stream 234 along the air flow path 238 of the vaporizer, such as when the user puffs on the vaporizer. The restriction of the air stream 234 caused by the air flow restrictor 244 can create a vacuum along a portion of the air flow path 238 downstream of the air flow restrictor 244. The vacuum generated along the air flow path 238 can assist in drawing the aerosol formed within the vaporization chamber 242 (e.g., the chamber including at least a portion of the atomizer 141) along the air flow path 238 for inhalation by the user. At least one air flow restrictor 244 can be included in each reservoir system 200A, 200B, and the air flow restrictor 244 can include any number of mechanisms for restricting the air stream 234 along the air flow path 238.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F, each of the reservoir systems 200A, 200B can also include a vent 246 configured to selectively allow air to pass into the reservoir 240 to increase the pressure within the reservoir 240, such as to relieve the reservoir 240 from a negative pressure (vacuum) with respect to the ambient pressure caused by the vaporizable material 202 drawn from the reservoir 240. At least one vent 246 can be associated with the reservoir 240. The vent 246 can be an active or passive valve, and the vent 246 can include any number of mechanisms for allowing air to flow into the reservoir 240 to relieve the negative pressure generated within the reservoir 240.

[0107] For example, an embodiment of the vent 246 can include a vent passage extending between the reservoir 240 and the air flow passage 238, having a diameter (or more generally a cross-sectional area) sized such that the surface tension of the vaporizable material 202 (also called surface tension) prevents the vaporizable material 202 from passing through the passage when the pressure is equalized across the vent 246 (e.g., the pressure within the reservoir 240 is approximately the same as the pressure within the air flow passage 238). However, the diameter (or more generally the cross-sectional area) of the vent 246 and / or the vent passage can be sized such that the vacuum pressure generated within the reservoir 240 can overcome the surface tension of the vaporizable material 202 within the vent 246 or the vent passage, such that air bubbles are released into the reservoir 240 through the vent in response to a sufficiently low pressure within the reservoir 240 with respect to the ambient pressure.

[0108] Accordingly, an amount of air can pass from the air flow passage 238 into the reservoir 240 to relieve the vacuum pressure. As air is added to the reservoir 240, the pressure becomes more uniform across the vent 246 again, thereby causing the surface tension of the vaporizable material 202 to prevent air from entering the reservoir 240 and prevent the vaporizable material from leaking out of the reservoir 240 through the vent passage.

[0109] In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the vent 246 or the vent passage can range from about 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm and can include diameters in the range of about 0.1 mm to 2 mm. In some examples, the vent 246 and / or the vent passage may be non-circular such that it is characterized by a non-circular cross-section along the direction of fluid flow within the vent passage. In such examples, the cross-section is defined by the cross-sectional area rather than the diameter. Generally speaking, regardless of whether the cross-sectional shape of the vent 246 and / or the vent passage is circular or non-circular, in certain embodiments of the present invention, it may be advantageous for the cross-sectional area of the vent 246 to vary along the path between the exposure to the ambient air pressure and the interior of the reservoir 240. For example, the portion of the vent 246 closer to the external ambient pressure may advantageously have a smaller cross-sectional area (e.g., a smaller diameter in the example where the vent 246 has a circular cross-section) compared to the portion of the vent 246 closer to the interior of the reservoir 240. The smaller cross-sectional area closer to the outside of the system may provide a greater resistance to the escape of the liquid-vaporizable material, while the larger cross-sectional area closer to the interior of the reservoir 240 may provide a relatively small resistance to the escape of bubbles from the vent 246 to the reservoir 240. In some embodiments of the present invention, the transition between the smaller cross-sectional area and the larger cross-sectional area is advantageously not continuous but instead involves a discontinuity along the length of the vent 246 and / or the vent passage. Such a structure can be useful for increasing the overall resistance to leakage of the liquid material rather than the equilibrium of the reservoir pressure by the release of bubbles from the vent 246, since the larger cross-sectional area near the reservoir may have a lower capillary driving force than the smaller cross-sectional area exposed to the surrounding air.

[0110] The material of the vent 246 and / or the vent passage can also assist in controlling the vent 246 and / or the vent passage by affecting the contact angle between the wall of the vent 246 and / or the vent passage and the vaporizable material 202. The contact angle can affect the surface tension generated by the vaporizable material 202 and thus, as described above, can affect the threshold pressure difference that occurs across the vent 246 and / or the vent passage before a certain amount of fluid passes through the vent 246. The vent 246 can include various shapes / sizes and configurations within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, various embodiments of cartridges and cartridge components that include one or more of various venting mechanisms are described in more detail below.

[0111] The arrangement of the vent 246 (e.g., passive vent) and the air flow restrictor 244 with respect to the vaporization chamber 242 aids in the effective functioning of the reservoir systems 200A, 200B. For example, if either the vent 246 or the air flow restrictor 244 is inappropriately placed, the vaporizable material 202 may undesirably leak from the reservoir 240. The present disclosure addresses the effective arrangement of the vent 246 and the air flow restrictor 244 with respect to the vaporization chamber 242 (including the wick). For example, when the pressure difference between the passive vent and the wick is small or non - existent, it results in an effective reservoir system that relieves the vacuum pressure in the reservoir, providing effective capillary action of the wick while preventing leakage. The configuration of the reservoir system having an effective arrangement of the vent 246 and the air flow restrictor 244 with respect to the vaporization chamber 242 is described in more detail below.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 2E, the air flow restrictor 244 can be disposed upstream of the vaporization chamber 242 along the air flow passage 238, and the vent 246 can be disposed along the reservoir 240, thereby placing the reservoir 240 in fluid communication with a portion of the air flow passage 238 downstream of the vaporization chamber 242. Thus, when the user puffs on the vaporizer device, a negative pressure is generated downstream of the air flow restrictor 244 such that the vaporization chamber 242 receives a negative pressure. Similarly, the side of the vent 246 that communicates with the air flow passage 238 also receives a negative pressure.

[0113] Therefore, during a puff (e.g., when the user draws or inhales air from the vaporizer), there is a slight to zero pressure difference between the vent 246 and the vaporization chamber 242. However, after the puff, the capillary action of the wick draws the vaporizable material 202 from the reservoir 240 into the vaporization chamber 242 to replenish the vaporizable material 202 that was vaporized and inhaled as a result of the previous puff. As a result, a vacuum or negative pressure is generated within the reservoir 240. Then, a pressure difference occurs between the reservoir 240 and the air flow passage 238. As described above, the vent 246 can be configured such that, due to the pressure difference (e.g., a threshold pressure difference) between the reservoir 240 and the air flow passage 238, a certain amount of air can pass from the air flow passage 238 into the reservoir 240, thereby releasing the vacuum within the reservoir 240 and returning to a uniform pressure across the entire vent 246 and a stable reservoir system 200A.

[0114] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2F, the air flow restrictor 244 can be disposed downstream of the vaporization chamber 242 along the air flow passage 238, and the vent 246 can be disposed along the reservoir 240, thereby providing fluid communication between the reservoir 240 and a portion of the air flow passage 238 upstream of the vaporization chamber 242. Thus, when the user puffs on the vaporizer, as a result of the puff, little or no suction or negative pressure is applied to the vaporization chamber 242 and the vent 246, and thus, little or no pressure difference occurs between the vaporization chamber 242 and the vent 246. Similar to the case of FIG. 2E, the pressure difference that occurs at the vent 246 is the result of the capillary action of the wick that draws the vaporizable material 202 into the vaporization chamber 242 after the puff. As a result, a vacuum or negative pressure is generated within the reservoir 240. Next, a pressure difference occurs across the entire vent 246.

[0115] As described above, the vent 246 can be configured such that, due to a pressure difference (e.g., a threshold pressure difference) between the reservoir 240 and the air flow passage 238 or the atmosphere, a certain amount of air flows into the reservoir 240, thereby releasing the vacuum within the reservoir 240. Thereby, the pressure is equalized across the vent 246 and the reservoir system 200B is stabilized. The vent 246 can include various configurations and mechanisms and can be disposed at various positions along the vaporizer cartridge 120 to achieve various results. For example, one or more vents 246 can be adjacent to or form part of the vaporization chamber 242 or the wick housing. In such a configuration, one or more vents 246 can provide fluid (e.g., air) communication between the reservoir 240 and the vaporization chamber 242 (through which an air flow passes when the user puffs on the vaporizer and is thus part of the air flow path).

[0116] Similarly, as described above, the vent 246 adjacent to or forming part of the vaporization chamber 242 or the wick housing allows air from the interior of the vaporization chamber 242 to move through the vent 246 into the reservoir 240, increasing the pressure inside the reservoir 240, thereby effectively releasing the vacuum pressure that results from the vaporizable material 202 being drawn into the vaporization chamber 242. Thus, the release of the vacuum pressure enables the efficient and effective capillary action of the vaporizable material 202 through the wick into the vaporization chamber 242 to continue in order to generate inhalable vapor during subsequent puffing on the vaporizer by the user. The following provides various exemplary embodiments of a vented vaporization chamber element (e.g., an atomizer assembly) that includes a wick housing 1315, 178 (that houses the vaporization chamber) and at least one vent 596 coupled to or forming part of the wick housing 1315, 178 to achieve the above-described effective venting of the reservoir 140.

[0117] (Embodiment of an open face cartridge assembly) Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an exemplary plan sectional view of an alternative cartridge embodiment 1320 is shown, wherein the cartridge 1320 includes a mouthpiece or mouthpiece region 1330, a reservoir 1340, and an atomizer (not shown individually). The atomizer can include a heating element 1350 and a wicking element 1362 together or separately, depending on the embodiment, and the wicking element 1362 is thermally or thermodynamically coupled to the heating element 1350 for the purpose of vaporizing the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from or stored in the wicking element 1362.

[0118] In one embodiment, a plate 1326 may be included to provide an electrical connection between the heating element 1350 and a power source 112 (see FIG. 1). An air flow passage 1338 defined through or on the side of the reservoir 1340 connects a region within the cartridge 1320 that houses the wicking element 1362 (e.g., a wick housing not shown separately) to an opening leading to the mouthpiece or mouthpiece region 1330, providing a path for the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to move from the heating element 1350 region to the mouthpiece region 1330.

[0119] As provided above, the wicking element 1362 may be coupled to an atomizer or heating element 1350 (e.g., a resistive heating element or coil) that is connected to one or more electrical contacts (e.g., the plate 1326). The heating element 1350 (and other heating elements described herein by one or more embodiments) can have various shapes and / or configurations, and may include one or more heating elements 1350, 500, or mechanisms thereof, as provided in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 44A to 116.

[0120] According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the heating element 1350 of the cartridge 1320 is made from a sheet of material (e.g., by punching) and crimped or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element 1362 to provide a preformed element configured to receive the wicking element 1362 (e.g., the wicking element 1362 is pushed into the heating element 1350 and / or the heating element 1350 is held under tension and pulled over the wicking element 1362).

[0121] The heating element 1350 may be bent such that the heating element 1350 secures the wicking element 1362 between at least two or three portions of the heating element 1350. The heating element 1350 may be bent to conform to at least a portion of the shape of the wicking element 1362. The configuration of the heating element 1350 enables more consistent high-quality manufacturing of the heating element 1350. The consistency of the manufacturing quality of the heating element 1350 is particularly important during a scaled and / or automated manufacturing process. For example, the heating element 1350 according to one or more embodiments helps reduce tolerance issues that may occur during the manufacturing process when assembling a heating element 1350 having multiple components.

[0122] The heating element 1350 may also improve the accuracy of measurements taken from the heating element 1350 (e.g., resistance, current, temperature, etc.) at least in part due to an improved consistency in the manufacturability of the heating element 1350 with reduced tolerance issues. The heating element 1350 made from a sheet of material (e.g., by punching) and crimped or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element 1362 to provide a preformed element preferably helps minimize heat loss and ensures that the heating element 1350 operates to be heated to the appropriate temperature as expected.

[0123] In addition, as will be further described below with respect to embodiments included with respect to heating elements formed of crimped metal, the heating element 1350 may be wholly and / or selectively plated with one or more materials to enhance the heating performance of the heating element 1350. Plating all or part of the heating element 1350 can minimize heat loss. Plating also serves to concentrate heat in a portion of the heating element 1350, thereby providing a heating element 1350 that is heated more efficiently and further reduces heat loss. Selective plating serves to direct the current supplied to the heating element 1350 to the appropriate locations. Selective plating also serves to reduce the amount of plating material and / or the cost associated with the manufacture of the heating element 1350.

[0124] In addition to, or in combination with, the exemplary heating elements described and / or illustrated below, the heating element may include a flat heating element 1850 (see FIGS. 18A-18D) disposed within a vaporizer cartridge 1800 that includes two air flow channels 1838, a folded heating element 1950 (see FIGS. 19A-19C, FIGS. 22A-22B, and FIGS. 44A-116) disposed within a vaporizer cartridge 1900 that includes two air flow channels 1938, and a folded heating element 2050 (see FIGS. 20A-20C) disposed within a vaporizer cartridge 2000 that includes a single air flow channel 2038.

[0125] As described above, in one embodiment, the heating element 1350 can include a wicking element 1362. For example, the wicking element 1362 may extend near or adjacent to and through a resistive heating element in contact with the plate 1326. The wick housing may surround at least a portion of the heating element 1350 and may connect the heating element 1350 directly or indirectly to the air flow path 1338. The vaporizable material 1302 may be drawn in by the wicking element 1362 through one or more passages connected to the reservoir 1340. In one embodiment, one or both of the primary passage 1382 or the secondary passage 1384 may be utilized to help radially deliver the vaporizable material 1302 to one or both ends of the wicking element 1362 or along the length of the wicking element 1362.

[0126] (Embodiment of the overflow collector) Referring particularly to FIGS. 3A and 3B, as provided in more detail below, the exchange of air and liquid vaporizable material into and out of the cartridge reservoir 1340 is advantageously controlled, and the volumetric efficiency of the vaporizer cartridge (defined as the volume of liquid vaporizable material that is ultimately converted to aerosol that can be inhaled relative to the total volume of the cartridge itself) can also be selectively improved by incorporating a structure referred to as the collector 1313.

[0127] According to some embodiments, the cartridge 1320 can include a reservoir 1340 that is at least partially defined by at least one wall (which can optionally be a wall shared with the outer shell of the cartridge) configured to contain the liquid vaporizable material 1302. The reservoir 1340 can include a storage chamber 1342 and an overflow volume 1344, which can include or contain the collector 1313. The storage chamber 1342 can contain the vaporizable material 1302, and the overflow volume 1344 can be configured to collect or hold at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 when the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir storage chamber 1342 moves to the overflow volume 1344 due to one or more factors. In some embodiments of the present invention, the liquid vaporizable material can be initially filled into the cartridge, and the empty space in the collector can be pre-filled with the liquid vaporizable material.

[0128] In an exemplary embodiment, when the volume of the contents in the storage chamber 1342 expands due to the maximum expected pressure change that the reservoir may be subjected to with respect to the ambient pressure, the volume size of the overflow volume 1344 can be configured to be equal to, approximately equal to, or greater than the increase in the volume of the contents (e.g., the vaporizable material 1302 and air) contained in the storage chamber 1342.

[0129] In response to changes in ambient pressure or temperature or other factors, the cartridge 1320 may experience a change from a first pressure state to a second pressure state (e.g., a first relative pressure difference between the pressure inside the reservoir and the ambient pressure and a second relative pressure difference between the pressure inside the reservoir and the ambient pressure). In some embodiments, the overflow volume 1344 may have an opening to the exterior of the cartridge 1320 and may communicate with the reservoir storage chamber 1342, so that the overflow volume 1344 equalizes the pressure within the cartridge 1320 and / or collects, at least temporarily holds, and selectively reversibly returns liquid vaporizable material that moves from the storage chamber in response to fluctuations in the pressure differential between the storage chamber and the ambient air, and may function as a venting channel. As described herein, the pressure differential refers to the difference in absolute pressure between the interior of the reservoir and the ambient air. The vaporizable material 1302 is drawn from the storage chamber 1342 into the atomizer, converted to a vapor phase or aerosol phase, reducing the volume of vaporizable material remaining in the storage chamber 1342, and in the absence of some mechanism to return air to the storage chamber to equalize the pressure therein with the ambient pressure, may result in at least a partial vacuum state as previously described herein.

[0130] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the reservoir 1340 may be implemented to include first and second separable regions such that the volume of the reservoir 1340 is divided into a reservoir storage chamber 1342 and a reservoir overflow volume 1344. The storage chamber 1342 may be configured to store the vaporizable material 1302 and may be further coupled to the wicking element 1362 via one or more primary passages 1382. In some examples, the primary passage 1362 may be very short in length (e.g., a through hole from a space including the wicking element or other part of the atomizer). In other examples, the main passage may be part of a longer fluid-containing path between the storage chamber and the wicking element. The overflow volume 1344 may be configured to store and contain a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 that may overflow from the storage chamber 1342 in a second pressure state where the pressure within the storage chamber 1342 is higher than the ambient pressure, as provided in further detail below.

[0131] In the first pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 can be stored in the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. The first pressure state can exist, for example, when the ambient pressure is approximately the same as or greater than the pressure inside the cartridge 1320. In this first pressure state, the structural and functional characteristics of the primary passage 1382 and the secondary passage 1384 are such that, for example, under the capillary action of a wicking element that draws liquid near a heating element that acts to convert the liquid vaporizable material to the gas phase, the vaporizable material 1302 can flow from the storage chamber 1342 through the primary passage 1382 towards the wicking element 1362.

[0132] In one embodiment, in the first pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 either does not flow into the secondary passage 1384 or flows in a limited amount. In the second pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 can flow from the storage chamber 1342 into the overflow volume 1344 of the reservoir 1340, which includes a collector 1313 that prevents or limits an undesirable (e.g., excessive) flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir. The second pressure state can exist or be induced, for example, when air bubbles expand within the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., by the ambient pressure becoming less than the pressure within the cartridge 1320).

[0133] Advantageously, the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 can be controlled by sending the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from the storage chamber 1342 due to the pressure increase to the overflow volume 1344. The collector 1313 within the overflow volume can include one or more capillary structures that include at least a portion (and advantageously all) of the excess liquid vaporizable material extruded from the storage chamber 1342 without reaching the outlet of the collector 1313. The collector 1313 advantageously also includes a capillary structure that can reversibly draw back into the storage chamber 1342 the liquid vaporizable material pushed into the collector 1313 by the excess pressure within the storage chamber 1342 relative to the ambient pressure when the pressure of the storage chamber 1342 equalizes with or otherwise decreases relative to the ambient pressure. In other words, the secondary passage 1384 of the collector 1313 can have a microfluidic mechanism or characteristic that prevents air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and discharging of the collector 1313. That is, a microfluidic mechanism can be used to manage (i.e., provide a flow reversal mechanism for) the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 to and from the collector 1313 and prevent or reduce leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 or entrapment of air bubbles in the storage chamber 1342 or the overflow volume 1344.

[0134] Depending on the embodiment, the microfluidic mechanism or characteristic described above can be related to the size, shape, surface coating, structural features, and capillary properties of the wicking element 1362, the primary passage 1382, and the secondary passage 1384. For example, the secondary passage 1384 of the collector 1313 can selectively have capillary properties different from those of the primary passage 1382 that leads to the wicking element 1362 to enable a certain amount of the vaporizable material 1302 to move from the storage chamber 1342 to the overflow volume 1344 during a second pressure state.

[0135] In one exemplary embodiment, the overall resistance of the collector 1313 that permits liquid outflow is greater than, for example, the overall wick resistance that enables the vaporizable material 1302 to flow mainly through the primary passage 1382 towards the wicking element 1362 during a first pressure state.

[0136] The wicking element 1362 can provide a capillary path through or into the wicking element 1362 for the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir 1340. The capillary path (e.g., primary passage 1382) may be large enough for wicking or capillary action to displace the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 within the wicking element 1362 and may be small enough to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from leaking out of the cartridge 1320 during a negative pressure event. The wicking housing or wicking element 1362 may be treated to prevent leakage. For example, the cartridge 1320 may be coated after filling to prevent leakage or vaporization through the wicking element 1362. Any suitable coating may be used, for example, a thermally vaporizable coating (e.g., wax or other material).

[0137] For example, when the user inhales from the mouthpiece region 1330, air flows into the cartridge 1320 through an inlet or opening in operative relation with the wicking element 1362. The heating element 1350 may operate in response to a signal generated by one or more sensors 113 (see FIG. 1). The one or more sensors 113 can include at least one of a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a flow sensor, or other mechanism capable of detecting a change in the air flow path 1338. When the heating element 1350 operates, the temperature of the heating element 1350 may increase due to an electric current flowing through the plate 1326 or through other electrical resistance portions of the heating element that act to convert electrical energy into thermal energy.

[0138] In one embodiment, the generated heat is transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 within the wicking element 1362 via conductive, convective, or radiative heat transfer, whereby at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wicking element 1362 vaporizes. Depending on the embodiment, the air entering the cartridge 1320 flows over (or around, near, etc.) the heated elements within the wicking element 1362 and the heating element 1350, pulling the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 away into the air flow path 1338, where the vapor may be selectively condensed and sent, for example, in the form of an aerosol through the opening of the mouthpiece region 1330.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 3B, the reservoir 1342 can be connected to the air flow path 1338 (i.e., via the secondary passage 1384 of the overflow volume 1344) such that the reservoir 1342 can hold the liquid vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir 1342 due to a pressure increase within the reservoir 1342 relative to the environment without leaking from the vaporization device cartridge. The embodiments described herein relate to a vaporization device cartridge including a reservoir 1340, but it should be understood that the described approach is also suitable for use in vaporization devices that do not have a separable cartridge and may be used therein.

[0140] Returning to the example, the air introduced into the reservoir 1342 may expand due to the pressure difference with the ambient air. This expansion of the air within the void of the reservoir 1342 can cause the liquid vaporizable material to move through at least a portion of the secondary passage 1384 within the collector 1313. Due to the microfluidic characteristics of the secondary passage 1384, the liquid vaporizable material can move along the length of the secondary passage 1384 within the collector 1313 only with a meniscus that completely covers the cross-sectional area of the secondary passage 1384 that traverses the flow direction along the length.

[0141] In some embodiments of the present invention, the microfluidic mechanism can include a cross-sectional area small enough such that the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passage 1384 around the entire circumference of the secondary passage 1384, with respect to the material forming the wall of the secondary passage and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material. In an example where the liquid vaporizable material includes one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, such wetting characteristics of such liquids are advantageously considered in combination with the shape of the secondary passage 1384 and the material from which the walls of the secondary passage are made. In this way, as the sign (e.g., positive, negative, or equal) and magnitude of the pressure difference between the storage chamber 1340 and the ambient pressure change, a meniscus between the liquid in the secondary passage and the air entering from the ambient atmosphere is maintained, and the liquid and air cannot pass through each other. If the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 drops sufficiently with respect to the ambient pressure and there is a void volume sufficient to allow it in the storage chamber 1342, the liquid in the secondary passage 1384 of the collector 1313 is drawn into the storage chamber 1342, sufficient for a major liquid-air meniscus to reach a gate or port between the secondary passage 1384 of the collector 1313 and the storage chamber 1342. When such is the case, if the pressure difference of the storage chamber 1342 with respect to the ambient pressure is sufficiently negative to overcome the surface tension maintaining the meniscus at the gate or port, the meniscus becomes free from the gate or port wall and forms one or more air bubbles that are released into the storage chamber 1342 in a volume sufficient to equalize the pressure of the storage chamber with respect to the ambient.

[0142] When the air placed in (or that has come to be present in) the storage chamber 1340 is in a high-pressure state relative to the surroundings (for example, when the cabin of an airplane or other high place, when the window of a moving vehicle is opened, when a train or vehicle leaves a tunnel, etc., a decrease in the ambient pressure that may occur, or local heating, distortion of the shape, and thus an increase in the internal pressure of the storage chamber 1340 that may occur due to mechanical pressure that reduces the volume of the storage chamber 1340), the above process may be reversed. The liquid enters the secondary passage 1384 of the collector 1313 through the gate or port, and a meniscus is formed at the leading edge of the column of liquid entering the secondary passage 1384 to prevent air from flowing around against the progress of the liquid. When the high pressure in the storage chamber 1340 later decreases, by maintaining this meniscus due to the presence of the above-described microfluidic characteristics, the column of liquid is selectively drawn back into the storage chamber until the meniscus reaches the gate or port. When the pressure difference is sufficiently favorable to the ambient pressure compared to the pressure in the storage chamber, the above-described bubble formation process occurs until the pressures are equal. In this way, the collector functions as a reversible overflow volume that receives the liquid vaporizable material extruded from the storage chamber under a temporary condition where the pressure in the storage chamber is higher than the surroundings, and later sends it to the atomizer to convert it into an inhalable form, making it possible to return at least a part (and preferably all or most) of this overflow volume to the storage compartment.

[0143] According to an embodiment, the storage chamber 1342 may or may not be connected to the wicking element 1362 via the secondary passage 1384. In an embodiment where the second end of the secondary passage 1384 leads to the wicking element 1362, any of the vaporizable material 1302 that may exit the secondary passage 1384 at the second end (opposite the first end that defines the contact to the storage chamber 1342) may further saturate the wicking element 1362.

[0144] The storage chamber 1342 may be selectively disposed closer to the end of the reservoir 1340 near the mouthpiece region 1330. The overflow volume 1344 may be disposed, for example, near the end of the reservoir 1340 closer to the heating element 1350, between the storage chamber 1342 and the heating element 1350. The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention with respect to the positions of the various components disclosed herein. For example, the overflow volume 1344 may be disposed at the top, middle, or bottom of the cartridge 1320. The position and arrangement of the storage chamber 1342 may be adjusted relative to the position of the overflow volume 1344 by one or more variations, whereby the storage chamber 1342 may be disposed at the top, middle, or bottom of the cartridge 1320.

[0145] In one embodiment, when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is filled to capacity, the volume of the liquid vaporizable material can be equal to the internal volume of the storage chamber 1342 plus an overflow volume 1344 (which in some examples can be the volume of the secondary passage 1384 between a gate or port connecting the secondary passage 1384 to the storage chamber 1340 and the outlet of the secondary passage 1384). In other words, a vaporizer cartridge consistent with embodiments of the present invention may initially be filled with a liquid vaporizable material such that all or at least a portion of the internal volume of the reservoir is filled with the liquid vaporizable material. In such an example, the liquid vaporizable material is sent to the atomizer when needed for delivery to the user. The sent liquid vaporizable material is drawn from the storage chamber 1340, whereby the liquid in the secondary passage 1384 of the reservoir 1313 can be drawn back into the storage chamber 1340. This is because air cannot enter through the secondary passage 1384 due to the meniscus maintained by the microfluidic characteristics of the secondary passage 1384 that prevent air from flowing over the liquid vaporizable material within the secondary passage 1384. After sufficient liquid vaporizable material has been sent from the storage chamber 1340 to the atomizer (e.g., for vaporization and user inhalation) and the original volume of the reservoir 1313 has been drawn into the storage chamber 1340, the above-described action occurs, i.e., as more liquid vaporizable material is used, air bubbles may be released from a gate or port between the secondary passage 1384 and the storage chamber to equalize the pressure within the storage compartment. When the air that has thus entered the storage compartment becomes high pressure relative to the surroundings, the liquid vaporizable material exits the storage chamber 1340, passes through the gate or port, and moves into the secondary passage until the high-pressure condition no longer exists in the storage compartment, at which point the liquid vaporizable material within the secondary passage 1384 may be drawn back into the storage chamber 1340.

[0146] In certain embodiments, the overflow volume 1344 is sized large enough to selectively include up to about 100% of the ratio of the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the storage chamber 1342. In one embodiment, the reservoir 1313 is configured to include at least 6% to 25% of the volume of the vaporizable material 1302 that can be stored in the storage chamber 1342. Other ranges are possible.

[0147] The overflow portion of the vaporizable material 1302 is received, contained, or stored in the overflow volume 1314 in a controlled manner (e.g., by capillary pressure) such that the vaporizable material 1302 is prevented from leaking from the cartridge 1320 or over-saturating the wicking element 1362. To this end, the structure of the collector 1313 may be configured, constructed, shaped, fabricated, or arranged in the overflow volume 1344 to have different shapes and different properties. It will be understood that the above description referring to the secondary passage is not intended to be limited to a single such secondary passage 1384. One or alternatively two or more secondary passages may be connected to the storage chamber 1340 via one or more gates or ports. In some embodiments of the present invention, a single gate or port may connect to multiple secondary passages, or a single secondary passage may divide into multiple secondary passages to provide additional overflow volume or other advantages.

[0148] In some implementations of the present invention, the air port 1318 can connect the overflow volume 1344 to an air flow passage 1338 that ultimately leads to the ambient air environment outside the cartridge 1320. This air port 1318 can allow, for example, air or bubbles formed or trapped within the collector 1313 to escape from the air port 1318 during a second pressure state when the secondary passage 1384 is filled with an overflow of the vaporizable material 1302.

[0149] According to some aspects, the air port 1318 can act as a reverse vent during the return from a second pressure state to a first pressure state when the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 returns from the overflow volume 1344 to the storage chamber 1342, equalizing the pressure within the cartridge 1320. In this embodiment, since the ambient pressure is greater than the internal pressure of the cartridge 1320, ambient air can flow through the air port 1318 into the secondary passage 1384, effectively assisting in pushing the vaporizable material 1302 temporarily stored in the overflow volume 1344 back in the reverse direction to the storage chamber 1342.

[0150] In one or more embodiments, the secondary passage 1384 of the first pressure state can contain air. In the second pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 can enter the secondary passage 1384, for example, through an opening (i.e., vent) at the boundary point between the storage chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344. As a result, the air in the secondary passage 1384 can move and exit through the air port 1318. In some embodiments, the air port 1318 can act as or include a control valve (e.g., a selective permeation membrane, a microfluidic gate, etc.) that allows air to exit the overflow volume 1344 but prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from exiting the secondary passage 1384 into the air flow passage 1338. As described above, the air port 1318 can function as an air exchange port that allows air to enter and exit the collector 1313, for example, when the collector 1313 is filled during a negative pressure event and emptied after the negative pressure event (i.e., during the transition between the first and second pressure states described above).

[0151] Thus, the vaporizable material 1302 can be stored in the collector 1313 until the pressure in the cartridge 1320 stabilizes (e.g., until the pressure returns to ambient or reaches a specified equilibrium), or until the vaporizable material 1302 is removed from the overflow volume 1344 (e.g., by vaporization at the atomizer). Thus, the level of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow volume 1344 can be controlled by managing the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313 when the ambient pressure changes. In one or more embodiments, the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 to the overflow volume 1344 can be reversible or reversible in response to a detected change in the environment (e.g., the pressure event that causes the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 subsides or ends).

[0152] As described above, in some embodiments of the present invention, when the internal pressure of the cartridge 1320 becomes relatively lower than the ambient pressure (for example, when returning from the aforementioned second pressure state to the first pressure state), the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 can be reversed in a direction that causes the vaporizable material 1302 to flow backward from the overflow volume 1344 into the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. Thus, depending on the embodiment, the overflow volume 1344 may be configured to temporarily accommodate the overflow portion of the vaporizable material 1302 during the second pressure state. Depending on the embodiment, at least a portion of the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 held in the collector 1313 is returned to the storage chamber 1342 during or after the reversal to the first pressure state.

[0153] To control the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 within the cartridge 1320, in other embodiments of the present invention, the collector 1313 can selectively include an absorbent or semi-absorbent material (e.g., a material having sponge-like properties) for permanently or semi-permanently collecting or containing the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 passing through the secondary passage 1384. In an exemplary embodiment where the collector 1313 includes an absorbent material, the reverse flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the overflow volume 1344 to the storage chamber 1342 may not be practical or possible compared to an embodiment where the collector 1313 is implemented without (or with little) absorbent material. Thus, the reversibility or reversibility rate of the vaporizable material 1302 into the storage chamber 1342 can be controlled by including more or less of the density or volume of the absorbent material in the collector 1313, or by controlling the texture of the absorbent material, such properties resulting in higher or lower absorption rates either immediately or over a longer period.

[0154] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cartridge 1320. As shown, the body of the cartridge 1320 may be made of two connectable (or separable) parts such as a first part 1422 (e.g., an upper housing) and a second part 1424 (e.g., a lower housing) that are combined with each other by a top-down architecture implementation model or an assembly process. This separable architecture simplifies the assembly and manufacturing processes and eliminates the need to assemble or configure multiple small parts to build a large part. Instead, as in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, larger parts (e.g., the first part 1422 and the second part 1424) are connected to form, for example, an external cartridge mechanism (e.g., siding) and smaller internal cartridge components (e.g., one or more of the opposing rib-shaped elements that form the collector 1313, the reservoir 1340, the storage chamber 1342, the overflow volume 1344, etc.).

[0155] Referring to FIG. 4, the heating element 1450 may be disposed within a cavity or housing mounted between the first part 1422 and the second part 1424 of the body of the cartridge 1420. In one example, a sponge or other absorbent material 1460 may be placed in the mouthpiece region 1430 for the purpose of collecting excess liquid vaporizable material (e.g., larger droplets that may be formed by condensation of the vaporizable material and / or water vapor and that may cause an unpleasant sensation if ingested during inhalation) passing through the air flow passage 1438. Thus, the assembly or disassembly of additional components (e.g., the heating element 1450 or the sponge 1460) can be performed in a simple and efficient manner, and in the exemplary implementations disclosed herein, this method may not require a large number of machines or assembly automation parts to build the cartridge 1320 from a small set of components into an integrated separable two-piece housing.

[0156] The separable two-piece structure described herein may provide one or more exemplary advantages or improvements over alternative embodiments, such as a reduction in the number of parts, a reduction in assembly or manufacturing costs (e.g., the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 requires four parts for manufacturing and assembly), elimination or reduction of tooling requirements, elimination or limitation of a deep, brittle, and small draft angle tooling core, and a relatively shallow rib structure. Depending on the embodiment, ultrasonic or laser welding techniques can be utilized to create a solid weld between the first portion 1422 and the second portion 1424 of the cartridge 1420.

[0157] Ultrasonic welding is a process commonly used for plastics, in which high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations are locally applied to workpieces (e.g., the first portion 1422 and the second portion 1424) held together under pressure to form a solid weld. Laser welding is a welding process used to join metal or thermoplastic parts using a laser beam that provides a concentrated heat source (such as a laser beam), enabling narrow and deep welds at high welding speeds.

[0158] Referring to FIG. 5, a plan sectional side view of a selected portion of the cartridge 1320 is shown. Referring to both FIGS. 4 and 5, the first portion 1422 (not shown in FIG. 5) and the second portion 1424 of the cartridge 1420 can be molded from plastic parts by injection molding (e.g., a top-down mounting model). In an exemplary embodiment, the use of wire drawing tooling technology enables the separation of the halves of the mold (e.g., the first portion 1422 and the second portion 1424 shown in FIG. 4), allows each part to be ejected from the resulting undercuts without obstacles, and further enables significant cavitation in the mold, thereby shortening the tooling cycle and making the manufacturing time and process more efficient.

[0159] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a cross-sectional top view and a perspective side view of the cartridge 1320 are shown respectively. As shown, the filling port 610 is implemented in one or more embodiments of the cartridge 1320 and can fill the reservoir storage chamber 1342, for example, via the filling needle 622. As shown, the filling needle 622 can be easily and conveniently inserted into the filling port 610 by a filling passage 630 that leads to the storage chamber 1342 (or the overflow volume 1344), depending on the embodiment. Thus, the vaporizable material 1302 can be injected into the reservoir 1340 via the filling passage 630, for example, using the filling needle 622. In some embodiments, the filling passage 630 may be constructed or disposed on a side of the cartridge 1320 opposite to the side where the air flow passage 1338 is disposed, for example.

[0160] FIGS. 7A through 7D illustrate alternative designs of the cartridge connection port. FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of an embodiment of an alternative connection port, and FIGS. 7C and 7D are side plan cross-sectional views of the same embodiment, which can include male or female engagement portions, for example. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7A-7D, the cartridge 1320 may be implemented in a different configuration at the end where the cartridge 1320 engages the vaporizer body 110. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vaporizer body 110 can include a cartridge receptacle 118 that removably receives the cartridge 1320 having a male configuration port 710 (see FIGS. 7A and 7C). In the attached state, the contacts 124 disposed on the male port of the cartridge 1320 are received, for example, in a snap-lock manner by corresponding receptacle contacts 125 within the cartridge receptacle 118. The mating configuration may be directed to a cartridge 1320 having a female configuration port 712 (see FIGS. 7B and 7D) for receiving the end of the vaporizer body 110 that includes the receptacle contacts 125.

[0161] Referring to FIG. 8, a top plan view of the cartridge 1320 is shown. In one example, the cartridge 1320 may be implemented using a separable two-piece structure, and reliefs (e.g., owner's trademarks, serial numbers, patent numbers, etc.) or optionally decorative or ornamental features may be engraved on the outer wall of the cartridge 1320 by a molding process. The molding process allows for a flexible design of the external shape or externally visible logo or decorative design without affecting the placement or formation of the internal functional components (e.g., reservoir 1340, storage chamber 1342, or overflow volume 1344).

[0162] In particular, the JUUL® mark shown in FIG. 8 is a registered trademark of JUUL LABS, Inc., a Delaware corporation headquartered in San Francisco, California. All rights are reserved by the owner or assignee of the mark. The use of the exemplary mark in FIG. 8 should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed invention to include such exclusive designs or markings. Certain embodiments may be without a mark or may not include any decorative or external design features at all. Thus, FIG. 8 provides a non-limiting illustration of a molding relief that may appear as a mark or design on one or more sides of the cartridge 1320.

[0163] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, perspective and top cross-sectional views of an exemplary cartridge 1320 are shown, with a first portion 1422 of the cartridge 1320 separated from a second portion 1424 (see also FIG. 4). In one or more embodiments, the cartridge 1320 may be designed and manufactured by component division. That is, depending on the embodiment, multiple split sections of parts are connected as shown in the example of FIG. 4 to generate the entire part.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 9A, component separation can enable molding conformations for electrical contacts and heating element retention within the wick housing region 910 of the cartridge 1320. As shown in more detail in FIG. 9B, one or more vents 920 can be drilled or placed by injection molding or other suitable methods in the body of the cartridge 1320 in the region near the wick housing region 910, and can control condensation within the cartridge 1320, for example, or affect capillary forces therein, by pinpoint discharge of vapor or air flow to the wick.

[0165] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, an assembled perspective view and an exploded perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the cartridge 1320 are shown respectively. As described above, a top-down implementation model can be used to construct an open-face cartridge structure with two attachable (or removable) housings, including for example a first portion 1422 and a second portion 1424. As shown, the first portion 1422 (e.g., the upper housing) and the second portion 1424 (e.g., the lower housing) can provide a two-piece structure having one or more internal cavities that can be utilized to accommodate at least one of the heating element 1350, the wicking element 1362, or the plate 1326. It should be understood that alternative assembly methods can be used to yield structures having some or all of the features described herein.

[0166] In particular, in the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, instead of or in addition to using molded cavities and walls to form the internal structure of the cartridge (e.g., reservoir 1340 of FIG. 3A), some mechanisms such as secondary passage 1384 (see FIG. 3A) may be constructed independently as separate components and later inserted between a first portion 1422 and a second portion 1424 (e.g., see FIGS. 10A and 10B), or inserted into an optional monolithic hollow cartridge body adapted to receive collector 1313 from an open end (see FIGS. 10C, 10D, 11B, 13, 16C, 17A, 22F), and may be embodied as a removable or attachable collector 1313.

[0167] Referring to FIGS. 10A through 43B, various embodiments are disclosed that utilize a collector 1313 configured, designed, manufactured, fabricated, or constructed completely or partially independently from the cartridge 1320 housing. It is notable that the disclosed embodiments are provided as examples. In alternative embodiments or implementations, the collector 1313 may be formed to have at least a structurally semi - dependent or completely independent structure relative to the structure of other components of the cartridge 1320, as shown in FIGS. 10A through 14B.

[0168] In certain replaceable embodiments, various embodiments or types of collector 1313, such as those shown in FIGS. 10A through 14B, may be inserted or placed, for example, into a standardized cartridge 1320 housing. As provided in more detail herein, some of the main functions for controlling the flow of vaporizable material 1302 within the cartridge 1320 can be achieved by manipulating the collector 1313 structure or its material properties, so cost savings and other efficiencies and advantages are derived, for example, by having a structure that enables interchangeable collector 1313 models that can be adapted to different cartridge housings.

[0169] Referring to FIGS. 10C and 10D, for example, in some embodiments, instead of the separable two-piece structure shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the cartridge 1320 may have a cartridge housing formed of a monolithic hollow structure having a first end and a second end. The first end (i.e., the first end also referred to as the receiving end of the cartridge housing) may be configured to at least insertably receive the collector 1313. In one embodiment, the second end of the cartridge housing may function as a mouthpiece with an orifice or opening. The orifice or opening may be located on the opposite side of the receiving end of the cartridge housing where the collector 1313 can be insertably received. In some embodiments, the opening may be connected to the receiving end by an air flow passage 1338 that can extend, for example, through the body of the cartridge 1320 and the collector 1313. As with other cartridge embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, an atomizer, including, for example, the wicking elements and heating elements described elsewhere herein, may be disposed adjacent to or at least partially within the air flow passage 1338 such that a vaporizable form of the liquid material, or a precursor to a selectively vaporizable form, is released into the air flowing through the air flow passage 1338 from the atomizer toward the orifice or opening.

[0170] (Embodiments of the air exchange port) Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, an exemplary plan side view of a single-gate, single-channel collector 1313 is shown. In these exemplary embodiments, a gate 1102 can be provided in an opening facing a first portion (e.g., the upper portion) of the collector 1313 where the collector 1313 is in contact or communication with the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir (see also FIGS. 3A and 3B above). The gate 1102 can dynamically connect the storage chamber 1342 to an overflow volume 1344 formed by a second portion (e.g., the middle portion) of the collector 1313.

[0171] In one embodiment, the second portion of the collector 1313 has a ribbed or multi-fin shaped structure that forms an overflow channel 1104 that spirals, tapers, or slopes away from the gate 1102 and towards the air exchange port 1106 as shown in FIG. 11A to move the vaporizable material 1302 towards the air exchange port 1106 after the vaporizable material 1302 has passed through the gate 1102 and into the overflow volume 1344. The air exchange port 1106 may be connected to the ambient air via an air path or air flow channel connected to the mouthpiece. This air path or air flow channel is not explicitly shown in FIG. 11A.

[0172] In some embodiments, the collector 1313 is configured to have a central opening or tunnel through which an air flow channel leading to the mouthpiece is implemented, as provided in more detail below (see, for example, the opening indicated by reference numeral 1100 in FIG. 11D). The air flow channel may be connected to the air exchange port 1106 such that the volume within the overflow passage of the collector 1313 is connected to the ambient air via the air exchange port 1106 and also to the volume of the storage chamber 1342 via the gate 1102. Thus, according to one or more embodiments, the gate 1102 may be utilized as a control fluid valve for primarily controlling the flow of liquid and air between the overflow volume 1344 and the storage chamber 1342. The air exchange port 1106 may be utilized, for example, to primarily control the air flow (and possibly liquid flow) between the overflow volume 1344 and the air path leading to the mouthpiece. The overflow channel 1104 may be oblique, vertical, or horizontal with respect to the elongated body of the cartridge 1320.

[0173] The vaporizable material 1302 may have at least an initial interface with the collector 1313 via the gate 1102 when the cartridge 1320 is filled. This is to prevent air trapped in the overflow channel 1104, for example, from entering the cartridge region (e.g., the storage chamber 1342) where the vaporizable material 1302 is stored. Further, such an interface may initiate a first capillary interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the wall of the overflow channel 1104 to allow a limited amount of the vaporizable material 1302 to flow into the overflow channel 1104 to achieve or maintain an equilibrium state.

[0174] The equilibrium state refers to a state where the vaporizable material 1302 neither flows into nor out of the overflow volume 1344, or a state where such forward or reverse flow is negligible. In at least some embodiments, when the internal pressure of the storage chamber 1342 is approximately equal to the ambient pressure, the capillary action (or interaction) between the wall of the overflow channel 1104 and the vaporizable material 1302 is such that an equilibrium state can be maintained when the cartridge 1320 is in a first pressure state.

[0175] The establishment of the equilibrium state and the further capillary interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the wall of the overflow channel 1104 can be established or configured by adapting or adjusting the volume size of the overflow channel 1104 along the length of the channel. As provided in more detail herein, the diameter of the overflow channel 1104 (used herein generally to refer to the measure of the cross-sectional area size of the overflow channel 1104, including embodiments of the present invention where the overflow channel does not have a circular cross-section) can contract at predetermined intervals or points, or over the entire length of the channel, in response to a change in pressure, to allow a sufficiently strong capillary interaction that enables the forward or reverse flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313, while increasing the overall volume of the overflow channel and maintaining the gate point of meniscus formation to prevent air from passing through the liquid within the overflow channel 1104.

[0176] As provided in more detail herein, the diameter of the overflow channel 1104 may be sufficiently small or narrow such that the combination of the surface tension caused by aggregation within the vaporizable material 1302 and the wetting force between the vaporizable material 1302 and the wall of the overflow channel 1104 acts to cause the formation of a meniscus that separates the liquid from the air in a dimension transverse to the axis of flow within the overflow channel 1104 such that air and liquid cannot pass through each other. It will be understood that since the meniscus has an inherent curvature, reference to a dimension transverse to the direction of flow does not mean that the gas-liquid interface is planar in this or other dimensions.

[0177] The wicking element 1362 is in thermal or thermodynamical connection with the heating element 1350 (see, for example, FIGS. 3B and 11B) and can induce the generation of vapor from the heating of the vaporizable material 1302, as detailed previously with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. Alternatively, the air exchange port 1106 may be constructed to provide a gas escape path but prevent the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the overflow channel 1104.

[0178] Referring to both FIGS. 11A and 11B, by implementing a suitable structure (e.g., a microchannel configuration) that introduces or utilizes the capillary properties that may exist between the vaporizable material 1302 and the retaining wall of the overflow channel 1104, the forward or reverse flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the collector 1313 can be controlled (e.g., enhanced or reduced). For example, factors related to length, diameter, inner surface texture (e.g., roughness vs. smoothness), protrusions, directional tapering of the channel structure, constrictions, or the materials used in the construction or coating of the surfaces of the gate 1102, the overflow channel 1104, or the air exchange port 1106 can have a positive or negative effect on whether the liquid is drawn into the overflow channel 1104 or the speed at which it moves through the overflow channel 1104 due to capillary action or other influencing forces acting on the cartridge 1320.

[0179] Depending on the embodiment, one or more of the above factors can be used to control the displacement of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 when the vaporizable material 1302 is collected in the channel structure of the collector 1313 and introduce a desired degree of reversibility. Thus, in some embodiments, the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into the collector 1313 can be fully reversible or semi-reversible depending on selectively controlling the various factors described above and changes in the pressure state inside or outside the cartridge 1320.

[0180] As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 11A, and 11B, in one or more embodiments, the collector 1313 may be formed, constructed, or configured to have a single-channel single-vent structure. In such embodiments, the overflow channel 1104 may be a continuous passage, tube, channel, or other structure for selectively connecting the gate 1102 to an air exchange port 1106 disposed near the wicking element 1362 (see also FIGS. 3A and 3B showing a single elongated overflow channel 1104 within the overflow volume 1344, for example). Thus, in such embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can enter and exit the collector 1313 through a channel constructed singly from the gate 1102, where the vaporizable material 1302 flows in a first direction when the collector 1313 is being filled and in a second direction when the collector 1313 is being emptied.

[0181] To help maintain equilibrium or, depending on the embodiment, to control the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 within the overflow channel 1104, the shape and structural configuration of the overflow channel 1104, gate 1102, or air exchange port 1106 may be adapted or modified to balance the flow rate of the vaporizable material 1302 within the overflow channel 1104 at different pressure states. In one example, the overflow channel 1104 may be tapered such that the tapered end (i.e., the end having a smaller opening or diameter) leads to the gate 1102.

[0182] In one embodiment, the non-tapered end (i.e., the end of the overflow channel 1104 having a larger opening or diameter) can communicate with the ambient environment outside the cartridge 1320, or an air flow path through which the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 is sent to the mouthpiece (see, e.g., the air port 1318 connected to the air flow path 1338 in FIG. 3A). In one embodiment, the non-tapered end can also communicate with an area near the wick housing so that when the vaporizable material 1302 exits the overflow channel 1104, the vaporizable material 1302 can be used to saturate the wicking element 1362.

[0183] Depending on the embodiment, the tapered channel structure may reduce or increase the restriction of flow to the collector 1313. For example, in an embodiment where the overflow channel 1104 is tapered towards the gate 1102, a favorable capillary pressure towards the backflow is induced in the overflow channel 1104 so that when the pressure state changes (e.g., when a negative pressure event subsides or abates), the direction of flow of the vaporizable material 1302 exits the collector 1313 and enters the storage chamber 1342. In particular, implementing the overflow channel 1104 with a smaller opening may impede the free flow of the vaporizable material 1302 to the collector 1313. The non-tapered configuration of the overflow channel 1104 in the direction towards the air exchange port 1106 provides for efficient storage of the vaporizable material 1302 within the collector 1313 during a second pressure state (e.g., a negative pressure state) as the vaporizable material 1302 flows from the narrower portion of the overflow channel 1104 to the larger volume portion of the overflow channel 1104.

[0184] Accordingly, the diameter and shape of the collector structure 1313 are such that the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 passing through the gate 1102 and into the overflow channel 1104 is prevented from flowing too freely (e.g., exceeding a certain flow rate or threshold) into the collector 1313, and further helps to prevent backflow into the storage chamber 1342 in the first pressure state (e.g., when a negative pressure event is mitigated), and can be implemented in such a way that it is controlled at a desired rate during the second pressure state (e.g., a negative pressure event). In one embodiment, the combination of the interaction between the vent 1002, the overflow channel 1104 within the collector 1313 that constitutes the overflow volume 1344, and the air exchange port 1106 provides appropriate ventilation of the bubbles that can be introduced into the cartridge for the controlled flow of the vaporizable material 1302 entering and exiting the overflow channel 1104, which is worthy of note considering various environmental factors.

[0185] (Embodiment of the mouthpiece) Referring to FIG. 11B (see also FIGS. 10C and 10D), in some embodiments, a portion of the cartridge 1320 that includes the storage chamber 1342 may also be configured to include a mouthpiece that is accessible to the user for inhaling the vaporized vaporizable material 1302. The air flow path 1338 extends through the storage chamber 1342 and thereby can connect the vaporization chamber. Depending on the embodiment, the air flow path 1338 may be, for example, a straw-shaped structure or a hollow cylinder that forms a channel inside the storage chamber 1342 through which the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can pass. The air flow path may have a circular or at least substantially circular cross-sectional shape, although it will be understood that other cross-sectional shapes of the air flow path are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0186] The first end of the air flow path 1338 can be connected to the opening of the first "mouthpiece" end of the storage chamber 1342, from where the user can inhale the vaporized vaporizable material 1302. As provided in more detail herein, the second end of the air flow path 1338 (opposite the first end) may be received in the opening of the first end of the collector 1313. Depending on the embodiment, the second end of the air flow path 1338 may extend completely or partially through a receiving cavity that passes through the collector 1313 and connects to a wick housing in which the wicking element 1362 can be accommodated.

[0187] In some configurations, the air flow path 1338 may be an integral part of a monolithically molded mouthpiece that includes the storage chamber 1342 through which the air flow path 1338 extends. In other configurations, the air flow path 1338 may be a separate structure that can be inserted separately into the storage chamber 1342. In some configurations, the air flow path 1338 may be a structural extension of the body of the collector 1313 or the cartridge 1320, such as extending internally from the opening of the mouthpiece portion.

[0188] Without limitation, various different structural configurations may be possible to connect the mouthpiece (and the air flow path 1338 inside the mouthpiece) to the air exchange port 1106 of the collector 1313. As provided herein, the collector 1313 may be inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320, which may also function as the storage chamber 1342. In some embodiments, the air flow path 1338 may be constructed as an internal sleeve that is an integral part of the monolithic cartridge body, such that the opening of the first end of the collector 1313 may receive the first end of the sleeve structure that forms the air flow path 1338.

[0189] Referring to FIGS. 18A - 18D, certain embodiments can include a vaporizer cartridge 1800 that includes a dual - barrel mouthpiece 1830 connected to two air flow passages 1838. In such embodiments, more doses of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can be delivered compared to a single - barrel mouthpiece. Depending on the embodiment, the dual - barrel mouthpiece 1830 can also advantageously provide a smoother and more satisfying inhalation experience.

[0190] (Embodiments of the fluid gate) Referring to FIGS. 10A - 11H, depending on the embodiment, various factors can be considered that help monitor and control the forward and reverse flow of vaporizable material 1302 entering and exiting the collector 1313. Some of these factors can include constituting the capillary drive of a fluid vent, referred to herein as gate 1102. The capillary drive of gate 1102 can be, for example, smaller than the capillary drive of the wicking element 1362. Further, the flow resistance of the collector 1313 can be greater than that of the wicking element 1362. The overflow channel 1104 can have a smooth or wavy inner surface to control the flow rate of vaporizable material 1302 through the collector 1313. The overflow channel 1104 can be formed with a tapered curve to provide appropriate capillary interactions and forces that limit the flow rate into the overflow volume 1344 through the gate 1102 to promote the reverse flow rate through the gate 1102 during a first pressure state and limit the flow rate out of the overflow volume 1344 during a second pressure state.

[0191] Additional modifications to the shape and structure of the components of the collector 1313 may serve to further adjust or fine-tune the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 entering and exiting the collector 1313. For example, a smoothly curved helical channel configuration as shown in FIGS. 11A through 11H (i.e., as contrasted with a channel having sharp bends or edges) may allow for additional mechanisms such as one or more vents, channels, openings, or constriction structures included in the collector 1313 at predetermined intervals along the overflow channel 1104. As provided in more detail herein, such additional features, structures, or configurations may serve, for example, to provide a high level of flow control of the vaporizable material 1302 along the overflow channel 1104 or through the gate 1102.

[0192] Regardless of the various structural elements and embodiments discussed throughout this disclosure, it is notable that certain features and functionality (e.g., capillary interactions between various components) are implemented in the collector 1313 structure to assist in controlling the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 through, for example, (1) a single vent, single channel structure, (2) a single vent, multi-channel structure, or (3) a multi-vent, multi-channel structure.

[0193] Referring to FIGS. 10E, 11A, 11C, 11D, and 11E, an exemplary structural configuration of the collector 1313 by way of a specific modification is presented. As shown, a fully or partially inclined helical surface may be implemented to define one or more sides of the internal volume of the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313, whereby the vaporizable material 1302 freely flows through the overflow channel 1104 by capillary pressure (or gravity) when entering the overflow channel 1104. One or more, optionally central, channels or tunnels, such as the central tunnel 1100, may be configured through the longitudinal height of the collector 1313 having two opposing ends.

[0194] At the first end, a central shaft or central tunnel 1100 passing through the collector structure 1313 can interact with or connect to a housing region where the wicking element 1362 or an atomizer can be disposed. At the second end, the central tunnel 1100 can interact with, connect to, or receive one end of a duct or tube that forms an air flow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece portion of the cartridge 1320. The first end of the air flow passage 1338 can be connected (e.g., by insertion) to the second end of the central tunnel 1100. The second end of the air flow passage 1338 can include an opening or orifice formed in the mouthpiece region.

[0195] According to one or more embodiments, the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 generated by the atomizer can enter the first end of the central tunnel 1100 within the collector 1313, pass through the central tunnel 1100, and further exit from the second end of the central tunnel 1100 to the first end of the air flow passage 1338. Next, the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can move through the air flow passage 1338 and exit through a mouthpiece opening formed at the second end of the air flow passage 1338.

[0196] The collector 1313 may be configured as an independent component having a structure insertable into the body of the cartridge 1320 (see, for example, FIGS. 10C, 11B, 11C - 11E). When inserted, an airtight seal can be formed between the inner wall of the shell body of the cartridge 1320 and the outer edge of the ribbed structure of the collector 1313 that forms a helical inclined surface. In other words, the three walls of the overflow channel 1104 surrounded by the surface of the inner wall of the shell body of the cartridge 1320 form the overflow channel 1104 when the collector 1313 is inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320.

[0197] Accordingly, the overflow channel 1104 may be formed by the inner wall of the body of the cartridge 1320 surrounding the inner wall of the rib-like structure. As shown, the gate 1102 may be disposed at one end of the overflow channel 1104 to control and provide for the entry and exit of the vaporizable material 1302 within the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313, and the storage chamber 1342 is disposed facing it. The air exchange port 1106 may face another end of the overflow channel 1104 and may preferably be disposed on the opposite side of the end where the gate 1102 is disposed.

[0198] The gate 1102 can control the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 entering and exiting the overflow channel 1104 within the collector 1313. The air exchange port 1106 can control the entry and exit of air into and out of the overflow channel 1104 via a connection path to the ambient air, as provided in more detail herein, to adjust the air pressure within the collector 1313 and the air pressure within the storage chamber 1342 of the cartridge 1320. In certain embodiments, the air exchange port 1106 may be configured to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 that may fill the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 (e.g., as a result of a negative pressure event) from exiting the overflow channel 1104.

[0199] In certain embodiments, the air exchange port 1106 may be configured to direct the vaporizable material 1302 toward a path leading to the region where the wicking element 1362 is housed. This embodiment may be useful, for example, in avoiding leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 into the air flow path (e.g., the central tunnel 1100) leading to the mouthpiece during a negative pressure event. In some embodiments, the air exchange port 1106 may have a membrane that allows the entry and exit of gaseous materials (e.g., air bubbles) but prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from entering and exiting the collector 1313 through the air exchange port 1106.

[0200] Referring to FIGS. 11C through 11H, the flow rate of the vaporizable material 1302 entering and exiting the collector 1313 via the gate 1102 may be directly related to the volume pressure within the overflow channel 1104. Thus, the flow rate into and out of the collector 1313 via the gate 1102 is controlled by manipulating the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104, and the pressure within the overflow channel 1104 can be increased by reducing the overall volume of the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., either uniformly or by introducing a plurality of constriction points) to adjust the flow rate to the collector 1313. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 can be decreased (e.g., narrowed, pinched, constricted, or restricted) either uniformly or by introducing one or more constriction points 1111a along the length of the helical path of the overflow channel 1104.

[0201] As an example, FIGS. 11C - 11E show two partial lengths and three full lengths levels constructed on one or more sides of the collector 1313, each full length level having, on the side shown in the figure, for example, three constriction points 1111a. It is noted that in different embodiments, more or fewer levels or constriction points 1111a can be implemented, defined, constructed, or introduced to adjust the volume pressure within the collector 1313. The constriction points 1111a are shown as being highlighted by a circle at the mid - level of the collector 1313 for illustrative purposes.

[0202] The constriction points 1111a may be formed or introduced along the length of the overflow channel 1104 in various ways and shapes. In the following, exemplary embodiments with different constriction points or shapes are disclosed to better illustrate certain features. However, it should be noted that these exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention to a particular configuration or shape.

[0203] Referring to FIG. 11C, in one exemplary embodiment, the constriction point 1111a can be formed by a ridge, raised edge, protrusion, or projection (hereinafter referred to as a "protrusion") extending from the ceiling, floor, or sidewall (or any or all of such) surfaces of the overflow channel 1104 (i.e., the blade of the collector 1313). The shape of the protrusion can be defined as a ridge, finger, prong, fin, edge, or other shape that limits the cross-sectional area transverse to the flow direction within the overflow channel. In the illustration of FIG. 11C, the cross-sectional side view of the protrusion is shown as being similar to, for example, the shape of a shark fin, and the distal end of the protrusion is tapered toward the edge.

[0204] As shown in FIG. 11C, the sharp or cantilevered edge of the shark fin shape may be rounded. However, in other embodiments, the cantilevered edge may be tapered toward a sharp end. The sharpness, size, relative position, and placement frequency of the protrusions within the overflow channel 1104 can be manipulated to further fine-tune the tendency for a meniscus that separates liquid and air to form within the overflow channel 1104.

[0205] For example, as shown in FIG. 11C, the protrusion can have a rounded surface on one side and a flat surface on the opposite side. The rounded surface of the protrusion faces (i.e., is oriented toward) the outward flow of the vaporizable material 1302 (i.e., the flow from the collector 1313 out to the storage chamber 1342), while the flat surface of the protrusion can face the inward flow of the vaporizable material 1302 through the gate 1102 (i.e., the flow into the collector 1313 and out of the storage chamber 1342).

[0206] As described above, in different embodiments, the formation of protrusions along the overflow channel 1104 can be manipulated in terms of number, size, shape, position, and frequency to finely adjust the hydraulic flow rate of the vaporizable material 1302 entering and exiting the collector 1313. For example, alternatively, if it is desired to maintain the inflow of the overflow channel 1104 at a higher velocity than the outflow, the protrusions can facilitate the formation and retention of a meniscus that resists the outward flow of the liquid (e.g., away from the storage chamber 1340), and are shaped to have a flat surface facing the outflow and a rounded surface facing the inflow such that the meniscus easily detaches from the side of the protrusion facing towards the storage compartment 1340. Thus, a series of such protrusions can function as a kind of "hydraulic ratchet" system in which the backflow of liquid into the storage compartment is microfluidically facilitated relative to the outward flow from the storage compartment. This effect can be achieved, at least in part, by the relative tendency for the meniscus to break from the storage chamber side of the protrusion rather than from the opposite side.

[0207] Referring again to FIG. 11C, in one exemplary embodiment, in addition to (or instead of) protrusions extending from the floor or ceiling of the overflow channel 1104, several protrusions may extend from the inner wall of the overflow channel 1104. As more clearly shown by FIG. 11F, the protrusions can extend from the inner wall of the overflow channel 1104 at the same constriction point 1111a, and two additional protrusions extend from the floor and ceiling of the overflow channel 1104 to form a C-shaped constriction point 1111a. Since the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 is more restricted (i.e., narrowed) at the constriction point 1111a shown in FIGS. 11D and 11F, the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 11D and 11F can more effectively adjust the microfluidic characteristics of the overflow channel 1104 to facilitate the liquid flow retreating towards the storage chamber 1340 relative to the embodiment of FIG. 11C.

[0208] The protrusions formed along the overflow channel 1104 need not be uniform in shape, size, frequency, or symmetry. That is, depending on the embodiment, different constriction points 1111a or 1111b may be implemented along the overflow channel 1104 with different sizes, designs, shapes, positions, or frequencies. In one example, the shape of the constriction point 1111a or 1111b may be similar to the shape of the letter C having a round inner diameter. In some embodiments, instead of forming the inner diameter as a rounded C shape, the inner wall of the constriction point may have an angle (e.g., an acute angle) as shown in FIGS. 11F and 11G.

[0209] In some examples, the overflow channel 1104 may have protrusions extending from the ceiling of the overflow channel 1104 at a first level, while at a second level, the protrusions may extend from the floor of the overflow channel 1104. At a third level, for example, the protrusions may extend from the inner wall. Alternatives to the above embodiments are possible by adjusting or changing the number of protrusions and the shape or position of the protrusions at different sequences or levels to assist in controlling the microfluidic effect on the two-directional flow within the overflow channel 1104. In one example, the constriction point 1111a may be implemented at one or more (or all) levels, sides, or widths of the collector 1313, for example.

[0210] Referring to FIGS. 11E and 11G, in addition to defining the constriction point 1111a along the longer length of the overflow channel 1104 or the wider side of the collector 1313, one or more additional constriction points 1111b can be defined along the narrower side of the collector 1313. Thus, the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 11E and 11G can improve the adjustment of the resistance to or the promotion of the meniscus detachment in the desired direction within the overflow channel 1104 compared to the embodiment of FIG. 11D because the overall hydraulic diameter (or flow volume) of the overflow channel 1104 is further suppressed by the addition of the further constriction points 1111b.

[0211] Referring to FIGS. 11F and 11G, for greater clarity, each full level of the illustrated example may include, for example, three constriction points 1111a on each side in addition to two further constriction points 1111b. Thus, the collector 1313 of FIG. 11D can include a total of 18 constriction points, while the collector 1313 of FIG. 11E can include a total of 26 constriction points. In this example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 11E provides improved (e.g., outward) microfluidic flow control because the capillary pressure is enhanced at the plurality of constriction points 1111a and 1111b.

[0212] Referring to FIG. 11H, in some embodiments, the gate 1102 may be constructed to include an opening or aperture configuration having a unidirectionally flatter tapered edge, rim, or flange, similar to the constriction points 1111a or 1111b. For example, the rim of the opening of the gate 1102 may be shaped such that one side (e.g., the side facing the storage chamber 1342) is flat and the other side (e.g., the side away from the storage chamber 1342) is rounded. In such a configuration, the microfluidic forces that promote backflow into the storage chamber 1340 against the flow away from the storage chamber 1340 can be enhanced because the separation of the meniscus is easier on the less rounded side compared to the more rounded side.

[0213] Thus, depending on the implementation and variation of the structure of the constriction points and the gate 1102, the resistance to the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the collector 1313 can be higher than the resistance to the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 entering the collector 1313 and towards the storage chamber 1340. In certain embodiments, the gate 1102 is configured to maintain a liquid seal such that a layer of the vaporizable material 1302 exists in the medium where the storage chamber 1342 communicates with the overflow channel 1104 within the overflow volume 1344. The presence of the liquid seal can help maintain the pressure equilibrium between the storage chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344, facilitating a sufficient level of vacuum (e.g., partial vacuum) within the storage chamber 1342, thereby preventing the vaporizable material 1302 from being completely discharged into the overflow volume 1344 and ensuring that the proper saturation state of the wicking element 1362 is not disrupted.

[0214] In one or more exemplary embodiments, a single passage or channel of the collector 1313 may be connected to the storage chamber 1342 through two vents such that the two vents maintain a liquid seal regardless of the position of the cartridge 1320. The formation of the liquid seal at the gate 1102 may help prevent air in the collector 1313 from entering the storage chamber 1342 even when the cartridge 1320 is held at an angle to the horizontal or when the cartridge 1320 is disposed with the mouthpiece facing downward. This is because when air bubbles from the collector 1313 enter the reservoir, the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 becomes equal to the pressure of the ambient pressure. That is, when ambient air flows into the storage chamber 1342, the partial vacuum in the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., resulting from the vaporizable material 1302 being discharged from the wick supply 1368) is canceled out.

[0215] Referring to FIGS. 11I - 11K, perspective views of alternative gate 1102 configurations of the collector 1313 structure are provided. These alternative configurations may provide advantages regarding the management and control of the flow of air and / or the liquid vaporizable material 1302. In some scenarios, when the empty space in the storage chamber 1342 (i.e., the headspace above the vaporizable material 1302) contacts the gate 1102, the headspace vacuum may not be maintained. As a result, as described above, the liquid seal established at the gate 1102 may be damaged. This effect is because when the collector 1313 is emptied and the headspace contacts the gate 1102, the gate 1102 may not be able to maintain a fluid film, which can lead to a loss of partial headspace vacuum.

[0216] In certain embodiments, the headspace of the storage chamber 1342 may have an ambient pressure, and if there is a hydrostatic offset between the gate 1102 and the atomizer of the cartridge 1320, the contents of the storage chamber 1342 are discharged to the atomizer, resulting in flooding and leakage of the wick box. To avoid leakage, one or more embodiments are implemented to remove the hydrostatic offset between the gate 1102 and the atomizer when the storage chamber 1342 is nearly empty, and the function of the gate 1102 can be maintained.

[0217] As shown in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 11I and 11J, a small partition wall or labyrinth-shaped structure 1190 can be constructed around the gate 1102 to establish a high drive connection between the gate 1102 and the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 to maintain the liquid seal of the gate 1102. In the example of FIG. 11J, a trench structure 1190 is shown as a means to further improve the maintenance of the liquid seal at the gate 1102 according to one or more embodiments.

[0218] (Embodiments of a Controlled Fluid Gate) FIGS. 11L - 11N show plan and enlarged views of a controlled fluid gate 1102 within a collector 1313 structure according to one or more embodiments. As shown, a passage or overflow channel 1104 within the collector 1313 may be connected to the storage chamber 1342 via, for example, a V-shaped or horn-shaped controlled fluid gate 1102, and the V-shaped gate 1102 includes at least two (preferably three) openings connected to the storage chamber 1342. As provided in more detail herein, a liquid seal at the gate 1102 can be maintained regardless of whether the orientation of the cartridge 1320 is vertical or horizontal.

[0219] As shown in FIG. 11L, on the first side of the vent, a ventilation path is maintained between the overflow channel 1104 and the gate 1102, through which air bubbles can escape from the overflow channel 1104 of the collector to the reservoir. On the second side, one or more high-drive channels connected to the reservoir are implemented to promote pinch-off at the pinch-off point 1122 for early discharge of air bubbles from the overflow channel 1104 to the reservoir, and to maintain a liquid seal that prevents unwanted entry of air or vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir to the overflow channel 1104.

[0220] According to an embodiment, the high-drive channel shown as an example on the right side of FIG. 11L is preferably maintained in a sealed state due to the capillary pressure exerted by the liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the cartridge reservoir. The low-drive channel formed on the opposite side (i.e., shown on the left side of FIG. 11L) may be configured to have a relatively low capillary drive compared to the high-drive channel, but still have sufficient capillary drive to maintain a liquid seal in both the high-drive channel and the low-drive channel in the first pressure state.

[0221] Thus, in the first pressure state (e.g., when the pressure in the reservoir is approximately equal to or greater than the ambient air pressure), a liquid seal is maintained in both the low-drive channel and the high-drive channel to prevent air bubbles from flowing into the reservoir. Conversely, in the second pressure state (e.g., when the pressure in the reservoir is lower than the ambient air pressure), air bubbles formed in the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., entering through the air exchange port 1106), or more generally, the leading edge of the meniscus at the interface between the liquid vaporizable material and air, may rise towards the controlled fluid gate 1102. When the meniscus reaches the pinch-off point 1122 located between the low-drive channel and the high-drive channel of the vent 1104, since there is a higher capillary resistance in the high-drive channel, air is preferentially sent through the low-drive channel(s).

[0222] When the bubble passes through the low-drive channel portion of the gate 1102, the bubble enters the reservoir and equalizes the pressure in the reservoir with the pressure of the ambient air. Thus, the air exchange port 1106, in combination with the control fluid gate 1102, allows ambient air to enter through the overflow channel 1104 and pass into the reservoir until an equilibrium pressure state is established between the reservoir and the ambient air. As described above, this process is sometimes referred to as reservoir venting. Once the equilibrium pressure state is established (e.g., during the transition from the second pressure state to the first pressure state), the presence of the liquid in the high-drive channel and the low-drive channel supplied by the liquid vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir causes the liquid seal to be re-established at the pinch-off point 1122.

[0223] Figures 11O through 11X show snapshots of the air flow collected by the exemplary collector 1313 of FIGS. 11L-11N being managed to accommodate proper venting as the meniscus of the vaporizable material 1302 continues to recede.

[0224] Figure 11O shows a receding meniscus where the strength of the partial headspace vacuum increases as the vaporizable material 1302 is removed from the reservoir to the wick. This is sufficient to overcome the capillary drive of the receding meniscus and move the meniscus through the collector towards the constriction point, where the meniscus experiences the maximum pressure differential dictated by the geometry.

[0225] Figure 11P shows how the meniscus crosses the first junction of the gate 1102 as it approaches the gate 1102. At this first junction, the partial vacuum in the headspace is maximized to correspond to the minimum shape of the gate 1102 structure, and the partial vacuum in the reservoir continues to grow to this point.

[0226] Figure 11Q shows how multiple menisci recede when the headspace reaches maximum partial vacuum. The menisci have the tightest curvature across the main plane, and at these positions, the discharge pressures of the three channels are equal, and the three menisci recede simultaneously, in contrast to only from one channel. As the curvature increases as these menisci recede, the pressure difference maintained across these menisci decreases, and the partial vacuum in the headspace begins to decrease.

[0227] Figure 11R shows how the secondary menisci begin to fill the capillary channels. The tapers of these channel shapes are such that the capillary drive of the primary channel decreases at a greater rate than that of the secondary channel as the meniscus continues to recede. This gradual decrease in capillary drive reduces the vacuum in the maintained partial headspace. When the drainage pressure of the primary meniscus falls below the drainage pressure of the secondary channel, this meniscus continues to drain while the other menisci remain stationary. The drainage pressure with the receding contact angle of the primary channel may be lower than the flooding pressure with the advancing contact angle of the secondary channel and replenishes them as shown in the figure.

[0228] Figure 11S shows how the secondary meniscus from one of the two menisci in each secondary channel reaches the point of contact where the two menisci fuse into one. The curvature of this composite meniscus increases and the capillary drive decreases. Due to the higher drive of the primary meniscus, the system may react instantaneously by making the primary meniscus the advancing meniscus. The subsequent recession of the primary meniscus may occur with the secondary meniscus held in place.

[0229] Figure 11T shows how the secondary meniscus moves towards the collector. In the scenario where the storage chamber is filled with liquid, the primary meniscus continues to recede, and as the curvature increases, the partial vacuum in the headspace further decreases. When the partial vacuum falls below the advancing capillary pressure of the secondary meniscus, the secondary meniscus begins to advance again and closes the void. In the scenario where the storage chamber is empty or nearly empty, the liquid seal of gate 1102 remains stable until the bubble bursts and connects the headspace to the surroundings.

[0230] Figure 11U shows how the secondary meniscus closes the junction at gate 1102. The secondary meniscus is designed to be shaped so that it advances until it reaches the vertex of the corner of the primary channel, at which point the secondary meniscus divides and fills both the gate 1102 and the collector 1313 channel. These two newly formed menisci can act to isolate the headspace from the surrounding air, thus re - establishing the partial vacuum in the headspace and reliably reducing leakage from the liquid supply channel. Since the newly formed meniscus has a smaller curvature than before division, due to the increased capillary drive, the newly formed meniscus continues to advance into the channel.

[0231] Figures 11V - 11X show the release of bubbles into the storage chamber 1342. The pressure within the cartridge 1320 at this point reaches a steady state because the bubbles trapped within the primary meniscus channel are expelled by the imbalance created by the advancing and receding menisci. Next, the vaporizable material 1302 is introduced and the bubbles are moved through the upper - right channel. Thus, a high - drive channel structure can be provided through a closed pit near gate 1102, or alternatively, a shorter pit can be utilized to reduce the risk of the bubbles being trapped.

[0232] In some embodiments, a tapered channel can be designed to increase the driving force to the controlled vent. Considering the pinch-off of the two advancing menisci, the tank wall of the reservoir and the channel bottom can be configured to continue to provide drive, while the side walls provide the pinch-off position of the meniscus. In one configuration, the net driving force of the advancing meniscus does not exceed the net driving force of the retreating meniscus, thus maintaining the system statically stable.

[0233] (Embodiment of a multi-gate multi-channel collector) Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an exemplary perspective side view and an exemplary plan side view of an embodiment of a single vent, multi-channel collector 1200 structure are shown. As shown in FIG. 12A, the collector 1200 is formed to have a single gate 1202 and a plurality of channels 1204(a)-1204(j). As shown in FIG. 12A, according to one or more embodiments, the gate 1202 is disposed, for example, at the center or midpoint of the longitudinal width of the collector 1313, allowing the vaporizable material 1302 to enter at least the first channel 1204(a) of the collector 1313 and gradually spread into and through the additional channels 1204(b)-1204(j).

[0234] The position of the gate 1202 can be varied to the center, side, corner, or other location along the length or width of the collector 1313, depending on the embodiment. The single vent, multi-channel collector 1200 structure can have the additional advantage that the vaporizable material 1302 can enter through a single gate 1202 at a first flow rate and spread through the plurality of channels 1204(a)-1204(j) of the collector 1200 at a second flow rate (e.g., a faster rate than the first flow rate).

[0235] Advantageously, the single-gate, multi-channel collector 1200 structure allows for a controlled (e.g., restricted) flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 to the overflow volume 1344 (see FIG. 3A), and once the vaporizable material 1302 enters the overflow volume 1344, it allows for a less controlled (e.g., less restricted) flow. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12B, for example, the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 within the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f) is at a second rate, and the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 within the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) is at a third rate, and a multi-layer multi-channel structure can be implemented. The third rate can be faster or slower than the second rate.

[0236] Thus, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the vaporizable material 1302 flows through the gate 1202 at a first rate, through the channels 1204(a)-1204(f) at a second rate, and through the channels 1204(g)-1204(k) at a third rate. In one or more embodiments, for example, the second rate may be faster than both the first rate and the third rate, such that the vaporizable material 1302 may have a restricted flow when passing through the gate 1202, a slightly restricted flow when passing through the first set of channels (e.g., layer 1), and a relatively more restricted flow when passing through the second set of channels (e.g., layer 2). This multi-layer configuration can help improve the flow rate through the collector 1200, while maintaining a controllable restriction to the rapid flow of the vaporizable material 1302 towards the wicking element 1362 once the vaporizable material 1302 enters the collector 1200.

[0237] In the bilayer embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f) (e.g., layer 1) may have a reversible configuration such that the vaporizable material 1302 collected in the first set of channels flows back to the reservoir 1340. Conversely, the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) (e.g., layer 2) may not have a reversible configuration. In such an embodiment, since the second set of channels is close to the wicking element 1362, the vaporizable material 1302 is withdrawn mainly from the second set of channels and then from the first set of channels (e.g., layer 1 which functions as a reserve). As described above, having reversible and irreversible structures can help provide additional improvements over other embodiments described herein.

[0238] In some multilayer embodiments, by configuring the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) to be irreversible, if the vaporizable material 1302 is stored in the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) during an overflow event, there may be an additional guarantee that the wicking element 1362 will not run dry since the vaporizable material 1302 becomes available in the vicinity of the wicking element 1362. Further, as described above, since the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k) can be configured to have a more restricted flow compared to the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f), in a multilayer implementation, the possibility that the vaporizable material 1302 will flow strongly into the wick housing during a negative pressure event can be prevented. Further, due to the reversibility, the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f) may not contain a relatively large amount of the vaporizable material 1302. In some embodiments, an absorbent material (e.g., sponge) may be introduced into one or both of the channel regions to increase or limit the reversibility or flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in the first set of channels 1204(a)-1204(f) or the second set of channels 1204(g)-1204(k).

[0239] Referring to FIG. 13, an exemplary perspective side view of a multi-vent, multi-channel collector 1300 structure according to one or more embodiments is shown. As shown, the collector 1300 may be disposed within a cartridge such that the collector 1300 has a dual vent 1301. This embodiment may enable the vaporizable material 1302 to flow into the channel 1204 at a relatively fast rate, particularly as compared to the single vent collector 1200 shown in FIGS. 21A and 12B.

[0240] (Embodiments of the Wick Supply Unit) Referring again to FIGS. 10C, 10D, and 11B, in certain variations, the collector 1313 may be configured to be insertably received by the receiving end of the storage chamber 1342. The end of the collector 1313 opposite the end received by the storage chamber 1342 may be configured to receive a wicking element 1362. For example, fork-shaped protrusions may be formed to securely receive the wicking element 1362. A wick housing 1315 may be used to further secure the wicking element 1362 in a fixed position between the protrusions. This configuration may also help prevent the wicking element 1362 from substantially expanding and becoming weak due to excessive saturation.

[0241] Referring to FIGS. 11C, 11D, and 11E, depending on the embodiment, one or more additional ducts, channels, tubes, or cavities passing through the collector 1313 may be constructed or configured as a path to supply the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the storage chamber 1342 to the wicking element 1362. In certain configurations, such as those described in more detail herein, the wick supply duct, tube, or cavity (i.e., the wick supply unit 1368) may run substantially parallel to the central tunnel 1100. In at least one configuration, for example, independently or in association with a wick exchange unit including one or more other wick supply units, there may be a plurality of wick supply units running diagonally along the length of the collector 1313.

[0242] In certain embodiments, the plurality of wick supply units can be interconnected interactively in a multi-link configuration such that the confluence of supply paths that may cross each other leads to the wick accommodation region. This configuration can help prevent complete blockage of the wick supply mechanism, for example, when one or more supply paths at the confluence of the wick supply units are blocked by bubbles or other types of clogging. Advantageously, even if some or certain paths at the confluence of the wick supply units are completely or partially clogged or blocked, the metering of the plurality of supply paths allows the vaporizable material 1302 to safely move towards the wick housing region through one or more paths (or cross-paths to different but open paths).

[0243] Depending on the embodiment, the wick supply path may be shaped, for example, into a tube having a circular or multi-faceted cross-shaped diameter. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick supply unit may be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, or other suitable geometric shapes. In one or more embodiments, the perimeter of the cross-section of the wick supply unit may, for example, be in the shape of a hollow cross such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width in relation to the diameter of the central intersection of the cross from which the arms extend. More generally, the wick supply channel (also referred to herein as the first channel) may have a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregularity (e.g., protrusions, side channels, etc.) that provides an alternative path for the liquid vaporizable material to flow even when bubbles block the remainder of the cross-sectional area of the wick supply unit. The cross-shaped cross-section in this example is an example of such a structure, but other shapes are also conceivable, and those skilled in the art will understand that they are feasible in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0244] Since the cross-shaped duct is essentially considered to include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross), embodiments of the cross-shaped duct or tube formed via the wick supply path can overcome clogging problems. In such embodiments, for example, blockage of the supply tube by air bubbles is likely to occur in the central part of the cross-shaped tube, but the sub-paths (i.e., the paths passing through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) remain open.

[0245] According to one or more aspects, the wick supply path may be wide enough so that the vaporizable material 1302 can freely move through the supply path towards the wick. In some embodiments, the flow through the wick supply section is enhanced or adjusted by devising the relative diameter of a particular portion of the wick supply section that applies capillary pulling force or pressure to the vaporizable material 1302 moving through the wick supply path. In other words, depending on the shape and other structural or material factors, some wick supply paths can induce the movement of the vaporizable material 1302 towards the wick housing by relying on gravity or capillary force.

[0246] In embodiments of the cross-shaped tube, for example, the supply path through the arms of the cross-shaped tube may be configured to supply the wick by capillary pressure instead of relying on gravity. In such embodiments, the central portion of the cross-shaped tube supplies the wick by gravity, for example, while the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 within the arms of the cross-shaped tube can be supported by capillary pressure. It should be noted that the cross-shaped tube disclosed herein is for the purpose of providing exemplary embodiments. The concepts and functions implemented in this exemplary embodiment may be extended to wick supply paths of different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., tubes having a hollow star-shaped cross-section with two or more arms extending from a central tunnel running along the wick supply path).

[0247] Referring to FIG. 11C, an exemplary collector 1313 structure is shown, with two wick supply portions 1368 disposed on opposite sides of the central tunnel 1100, whereby the vaporizable material 1302 can enter the supply portion and flow directly toward the cavity region at the other end of the collector 1313 where the wick housing is formed.

[0248] The wick supply mechanism can be formed through the collector 1313 such that at least one wick supply path within the collector 1313 can be shaped as a multi-faceted cross-diameter hollow tube. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick supply portion can be in the shape of a plus sign (e.g., a hollow cross-shaped wick supply portion as viewed from a top cross-sectional view) such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width in relation to the diameter of the central intersection portion of the cross from which the arms extend.

[0249] Since a tube having a cross-shaped diameter is considered to include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed at the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross), a duct or tube having a cross-shaped diameter formed through the wick supply path can overcome clogging problems. In such an embodiment, blockage of the supply tube by air bubbles (e.g., air bubbles) is likely to occur at the central portion of the cross-shaped tube.

[0250] Due to such a central placement of the air bubbles, even if the central path is blocked by the air bubbles, sub-paths (i.e., paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) that remain open to the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 will ultimately remain. Other embodiments of the wick supply passage structure are possible that achieve the same or similar objectives as those disclosed above with respect to capturing air bubbles or preventing captured air bubbles from completely clogging the wick supply passage.

[0251] When additional vents are available, a relatively large aggregate volume of the vaporizable material 1302 moves, so by adding more vents due to the structure of the collector 1300, a faster flow rate can be achieved depending on the embodiment. Thus, embodiments with three or more vents (e.g., triple vent embodiments, quadruple vent embodiments, etc.) are also within the scope of the disclosed invention, even if not explicitly shown.

[0252] Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, a particular embodiment can include a collector 1400 structure with a dual supply for the wick. In such an embodiment, the wick can have a higher saturation level and fewer opportunities for depletion compared to embodiments where a single supply is provided.

[0253] Referring to FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C, perspective and cross-sectional plan side views of an exemplary collector structure for a dual supply wick 1562 are provided. As shown, the wick or wick 1562 is disposed or housed within the cartridge 1500, such that at least two separate wick supply portions 1566 and 1568 are provided and the vaporizable material 1302 can move toward the region of the cartridge 1500 in which the wick 1562 is housed.

[0254] As previously described, the dual wick supply portion can have the advantage of providing, for example, twice the flow rate of the vaporizable material 1302 to the wick 1562 compared to the alternative of a single wick supply portion. Advantageously, embodiments of the dual wick supply portion provide sufficient supply to the wick 1562 and help prevent the wick 1562 from drying out, for example, if one of the wick supply portions becomes blocked. As shown, the lower portion of the wick 1562 can extend downward within the region of the cartridge 1500 that forms the heating chamber or atomizer.

[0255] Referring to FIG. 16A, a cross-sectional plan side view of an exemplary cartridge is provided, with a dual horn or dual supply wick 1562 disposed within a collector structure. FIG. 16B is a plan cross-sectional side view of an exemplary collector structure in which the wick 1562 may be received. FIG. 16C provides an exemplary perspective view of a cartridge according to one or more embodiments. As shown, for example, at least one of the flanged ends tangentially engages the volume of the storage chamber 1542 or, for example, extends at least partially within the volume of the storage chamber 1542, and the first end of the wick 1562 may have two or more supply portions, horns, or flanged ends for engaging at least partially with two or more wick openings within the partition 1513.

[0256] According to one or more embodiments, the cartridge 1500 may include a reservoir having a storage chamber 1542 for storing the vaporizable material 1302. A secondary volume 1510 separable from the storage chamber 1542 may also be formed inside the cartridge 1500. The secondary volume 1510 may communicate with the storage chamber 1542 via one or more wick supply portions 1590. The secondary volume 1510 may be configured to accommodate at least the wick 1562. The wick 1562 may be configured to absorb the vaporizable material 1302 that moves through the wick supply portion 1590 such that, in the thermal interaction with the atomizer, the vaporizable material 1302 is absorbed by the wick 1562 and converted into at least one of a vapor or an aerosol.

[0257] The wick 1562 may be at least partially confined by one or more heating elements of an atomizer disposed within the secondary volume 1510. A partition 1513 may be provided to at least partially separate the storage chamber 1542 from the secondary volume 1510 so as to be able to control the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 through the wick supply portion 1590. At least a first portion of the wick supply portion 1590 may be formed by at least one or more openings of the partition 1513.

[0258] At least a second portion of the wick supply 1590 may include a vaporizable material passage connecting one or more openings of the partition 1513 to the secondary volume 1510. An air flow passage 1538 connecting the secondary volume 1510 to the mouthpiece may be provided so that the vaporizable material 1302 converted to vapor moves from the secondary volume 1510 through the air flow passage 1538 toward the mouthpiece.

[0259] Referring to FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 17A, and 17B, a perspective view of a first side of the cartridge and a cross-sectional view of a second side of the cartridge having a wick 1562 protruding into the storage chamber 1542 are provided. The wick 1562 can include at least a first end 1592 and a second end 1594, the first end 1592 being proximate to the partition 1513 and the second end extending distally in a direction opposite the first end 1592.

[0260] The first end 1592 of the wick 1562 can protrude at least partially through the wick opening of the partition 1530 and extend at least partially into the volume of the storage chamber 1542. In one aspect, the first end 1592 of the wick 1562 can protrude at least partially through the wick opening of the partition 1530 and engage at least tangentially with the volume of the storage chamber 1542.

[0261] FIG. 26A shows perspective, front, side, bottom, and top views of an exemplary embodiment of a collector 1313 with a V-shaped gate 1102. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, collector 1313 may be mounted inside the hollow cavity of cartridge 1320 along with additional components (e.g., wicking element 1362, heating element 1350, and wick housing 1315). Wicking element 1362 may be disposed between the second ends of collector 1313, along with heating element 1350 wound around wicking element 1362. During assembly, collector 1313, wicking element 1362, and heating element 1350 may be combined with each other and covered by wick housing 1315 before being inserted into the cavity inside cartridge 1320.

[0262] Wick housing 1315 may be inserted into the end of cartridge 1320 opposite the mouthpiece, along with the other described components, to hold the internal components in a pressure-sealed or press-fit manner. The seal or fit of wick housing 1315 and collector 1313 inside the inner wall of the receiving sleeve of cartridge 1320 is desirably tight enough to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 held in the reservoir of cartridge 1320. In some embodiments, the pressure seal between wick housing 1315 and collector 1313 and the inner wall of the receiving sleeve of cartridge 1320 is also tight enough to prevent a user from manually disassembling the components with bare hands.

[0263] Referring to FIGS. 10C, 10D, 11B, 26B, and 26C, in certain variations, the collector 1313 can be configured to be insertably received by the receiving end of the storage chamber 1342. As shown in FIGS. 26B and 26C, the end of the collector 1313 opposite the end received by the storage chamber 1342 may be configured to receive the wicking element 1362. For example, fork-shaped protrusions 1108 can be formed to securely receive the wicking element 1362. The wick housing 1315 may be used to further secure the wicking element 1362 in a fixed position between the fork-shaped protrusions 1108, as shown in the cross-sectional views around the bottom of FIGS. 26B and 26C. Also, this configuration can help prevent the wicking element 1362 from substantially expanding and becoming weak due to excessive saturation.

[0264] Referring to FIG. 26B, in one embodiment, the wicking element 1362 can be constrained or compressed by the compression ribs 1110 at specific positions along its length (e.g., toward the longitudinal distal end of the wicking element 1362 located directly below the wick supply portion 1368), thereby helping to prevent leakage by maintaining a larger saturation region of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the end of the wicking element 1362, thereby keeping the central portion of the wicking element 1362 drier and reducing leakage. Further, using the compression ribs 1110, the wicking element 1362 can be further pushed into the atomizer housing to prevent leakage to the atomizer.

[0265] Referring to FIGS. 26D through 26F, a top view of an exemplary wick supply mechanism formed or structured through collector 1313 according to one or more embodiments is shown. As shown in FIG. 26D, at least one wick supply 1368 path within collector 1313 may be formed as a multi-faceted cross-diameter hollow tube. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick supply 1368 path may be in the shape of a plus sign (e.g., a hollow cross-shaped wick supply as viewed from a top cross-sectional view) such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width in relation to the diameter of the central cross-section where the arms extend therefrom.

[0266] Referring to FIG. 26E, a duct or tube having a cross-shaped diameter formed through the wick supply 1368 path can overcome clogging problems because the tube having a cross-shaped diameter is considered to include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26E, blockage of the supply tube by air bubbles (e.g., air bubbles) is likely to occur in the central portion of the cross-shaped tube. With such a central placement of the air bubbles, even if the central path is blocked by an air bubble, sub-paths (i.e., paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) that remain open to the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 will ultimately remain.

[0267] Referring to FIG. 26F, other embodiments of the wick supply path structure of the wick supply unit 1368 are possible that achieve the same or similar purposes as those disclosed above with respect to capturing bubbles or avoiding the captured bubbles from completely clogging the path of the wick supply unit 1368. As shown in the exemplary figure of FIG. 26F, when bubbles are trapped in the central region of the wick supply unit 1368 path, one or more droplet-shaped protrusions 1368a / 1368b (e.g., similar in shape to one or more separation nipples having the wick supply unit 1368 path therebetween) through which the vaporizable material 1302 passes when flowing from the storage chamber 1342 to the collector 1313 can be formed at the ends of the path of the wick supply unit 1368. In this way, a reasonably controllable and consistent flow of the vaporizable material 1302 can be directed towards the wick while preventing scenarios where the wick becomes inappropriately saturated with the vaporizable material 1302.

[0268] (Embodiments of the Heating Element) Referring to FIGS. 18A - 18D, as described above, the vaporizer cartridge 1800 can also include a heating element 1850 (e.g., a flat heating element). The heating element 1850 includes a first portion 1850A disposed substantially parallel to the air flow path 1838 and a second portion 1850B disposed substantially perpendicular to the air flow path 1838. As shown, the first portion 1850A of the heating element 1850 can be disposed between opposing portions of the collector 1813. When the heating element 1850 operates, for example, when an electric current flows through the heating element 1850 and generates heat, the temperature rises.

[0269] Heat may be transferred to an amount of the vaporizable material 1302 via heat transfer by conduction, convection, and / or radiation such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 vaporizes. The heat transfer may occur in the vaporizable material 1302 within the reservoir, the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from the collector 1813, and / or the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wick held by the heating element 1850. The air flowing into the vaporization device device flows along an air path across the heating element 1850 and removes the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 from the heating element 1850 and / or the wick. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 is condensed by cooling, pressure change, etc., and thereby exits the mouthpiece 1830 through at least one of the air flow passages 1838 as an aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0270] Referring to FIGS. 19A-19C, the vaporization device cartridge 1900 can include a folded heating element 1950 and two air flow passages 1938. As described above, the heating element 1950 may be crimped around the wick 1962 or may be pre-formed to receive the wick 1962. The heating element 1950 can include one or more tooth portions 1950A. The tooth portions 1950A may be disposed in the heating portion of the heating element 1950, and the resistance of the tooth portions 1950A is designed to affect local heating within the heating element 1950 to match an appropriate amount of resistance and heat the vaporizable material 1302 from the wick 1962 more efficiently and effectively.

[0271] The tooth portions 1950A form thin path heating segments or traces in series and / or in parallel to provide a desired amount of resistance. The particular shape of the tooth portions 1950A can be desirably selected to generate a particular local resistance for heating the heating element 1950. For example, the tooth portions 1950A can include one or more various tooth configurations and features described and discussed in more detail below.

[0272] When the heating element 1950 operates, an electric current flows through the heating element 1950 and generates heat, causing the temperature to rise. The heat is transferred to a certain amount of the vaporizable material 1302 through heat transfer by conduction, convection, and / or radiation so that at least a part of the vaporizable material 1302 vaporizes. Heat transfer can occur in the vaporizable material 1302 within the reservoir, the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from the collector 1913, and / or the vaporizable material drawn into the wick 1962 held by the heating element 1950. In some embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can vaporize along one or more edges of the tooth portion 1950A.

[0273] The air flowing into the vaporization device device flows along an air path across the heating element 1950 and removes the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 from the heating element 1950 and / or the wick 1962. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 is condensed by cooling, pressure change, etc., and thereby exits the mouthpiece through at least one of the air flow passages 1938 as an aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0274] Referring to FIGS. 20A - 20C, the vaporization device cartridge 2000 can include a folded heating element 2050 and a single (e.g., central) air flow passage 2038. As described above, the heating element 2050 may be crimped around the wick 2062 or may be pre - formed to receive the wick 2062. The heating element 2050 can include one or more tooth portions 2050A. The tooth portions 2050A may be disposed on the heating portion of the heating element 2050, and the resistance of the tooth portions 2050A is designed to affect local heating within the heating element 2050 in accordance with an appropriate amount of resistance to more efficiently and effectively heat the vaporizable material from the wick 2062.

[0275] The tooth portion 2050A forms thin path heating segments or traces in series and / or in parallel to provide a desired amount of resistance. The specific shape of the tooth portion 2050A can be desirably selected to generate a specific local resistance for heating the heating element 2050. For example, the tooth portion 2050A can include one or more of the various tooth configurations described in more detail below.

[0276] When the heating element 2050 operates, an electric current flows through the heating element 2050 to generate heat, so the temperature rises. The heat is transferred to a certain amount of the vaporizable material 1302 through heat transfer by conduction, convection, and / or radiation so that at least a part of the vaporizable material 1302 vaporizes. The heat transfer can occur in the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir, the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from the collector 2013, and / or the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wick 2062 held by the heating element 2050.

[0277] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can vaporize along one or more edges of the tooth portion 2050A. The air flowing into the vaporization device device flows along an air path across the heating element 2050 and removes the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 from the heating element 2050 and / or the wick 2062. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 is condensed by cooling, pressure change, etc., and thereby exits the mouthpiece through at least one of the air flow passages as an aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0278] Referring to FIGS. 10C, 11B, and 21A, in some embodiments, the collector 1313 is configured to include a flat rib 2102 extending from around the lower portion of the collector 1313 to create a suitable surface for welding the collector 1313 to the inner wall of the storage chamber 1342 after the collector 1313 is inserted into the receiving cavity or receptacle of the storage chamber 1342.

[0279] Depending on the embodiment, the collector 1313 can be firmly fixed within the receiving cavity or receptacle of the storage chamber 1342 using full circumference welding or tack welding options. In some embodiments, a friction-tight and leak-free connection can be established without using welding techniques. In certain embodiments, an adhesive material can be utilized instead of, or in addition to, the above-described connection techniques.

[0280] Referring to FIGS. 11B and 21B, in one or more aspects, a seal bead profile 2104 is formed around the helical ribs of the collector 1313 that define the overflow channel 1104, such that the seal bead profile 2104 can support a rapid rotational injection molding process. The geometry of the seal bead profile 2104 can be devised in various ways such that the collector 1313 is inserted into the receiving cavity or receptacle of the storage chamber 1342 in a friction-tight manner and the vaporizable material 1302 flows through the overflow channel 1104 along the seal bead profile 2104 without leakage.

[0281] Referring to FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 82 - 86, the vaporizer cartridge 2200 can include a heating element 500 and a folded heating element such as two air flow channels 2238. As described above, the heating element 500 may be crimped around the wick 2262 or may be pre-formed to receive the wick 2262. The heating element 500 can include one or more teeth 502. The teeth 502 may be disposed on the heating portion of the heating element 500, and the resistance of the teeth 502 is designed to affect local heating within the heating element 500 in accordance with an appropriate amount of resistance to more efficiently and effectively heat the vaporizable material 1302 from the wick 2262.

[0282] The tooth portion 502 forms thin path heating segments or traces in series and / or in parallel to provide a desired amount of resistance. The specific shape of the tooth portion 502 can be desirably selected to generate a specific local resistance for heating the heating element 500. For example, the tooth portion 502, and the heating element 500, can include one or more various tooth portion configurations and features described in more detail below.

[0283] In some embodiments, the tooth portion 502 includes a platform tooth portion 524 and a side tooth portion 526. The platform tooth portion 524 is configured to contact one end of the wick 2262, and the side tooth portion 526 is configured to contact the opposite side of the wick 2262. The platform tooth portion 524 and the side tooth portion 526 form pockets shaped to receive the wick 2262 and / or conform to at least a portion of the shape of the wick 2262. The pockets enable the wick 2262 to be fixed and held by the heating element 500 within the pockets.

[0284] In some embodiments, the side tooth portion 526 and the platform tooth portion 524 hold the wick 2262 by compression. The platform tooth portion 524 and the side tooth portion 526 contact the wick 2262 to provide multi-dimensional contact between the heating element 500 and the wick 2262. The multi-dimensional contact between the heating element 500 and the wick 2262 provides for a more efficient and / or faster movement of the vaporizable material 1302 to be vaporized from the reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge to the heating portion (via the wick 2262).

[0285] The heating element 500 can include one or more legs 506 extending from the tooth portion 502, cartridge contacts 124 formed at the ends of the one or more legs 506, and / or as a part of at least one of them. The heating element 500 shown in FIGS. 22A-22B and FIGS. 82-86 includes, as an example, four legs 506. At least one of the legs 506 can include and / or define one of the cartridge contacts 124 configured to contact a corresponding one of the receptacle contacts 125 of the vaporizer device. In some embodiments, a pair of legs 506 (and cartridge contacts 124) may contact a single receptacle contact 125.

[0286] The legs 506 may be spring-like so that the legs 506 can maintain contact with the receptacle contacts 125. The legs 506 can include curved portions that help maintain contact with the receptacle contacts 125. The spring-loaded legs 506 and / or the curvature of the legs 506 can help increase and / or maintain a consistent pressure between the legs 506 and the receptacle contacts 125. In some embodiments, the legs 506 are coupled to a support 176 to help increase and / or maintain a consistent pressure between the legs 506 and the receptacle contacts 125. The support 176 can include plastic, rubber, or other materials to help maintain contact between the legs 506 and the receptacle contacts 125. In some embodiments, the support 176 is formed as a part of the legs 506.

[0287] The legs 506 may contact one or more wiping contacts configured to clean the connection between the cartridge contacts 124 and other contacts or the power source 112. For example, the wiping contacts would include at least two parallel but offset protrusions that frictionally engage each other and slide relative to each other in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0288] In some embodiments, the leg portion 506 includes a retaining portion 180 configured to be bent around at least a portion of the wick housing 178 that surrounds at least a portion of the wick 2262. The retaining portion 180 forms an end of the leg portion 506. The retaining portion 180 serves to fix the heating element 500 and the wick 2262 to the wick housing 178 (and the vaporizer cartridge).

[0289] When the heating element 500 operates, an electric current flows through the heating element 500 and generates heat, so the temperature rises. The heat is transferred to a certain amount of the vaporizable material 1302 through heat transfer by conduction, convection, and / or radiation so that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 vaporizes. The heat transfer can occur in the vaporizable material 1302 in the reservoir, the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from the collector 2213, and / or the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wick 2262 held by the heating element 500.

[0290] In some embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 can vaporize along one or more edges of the tooth portion 502. The air flowing into the vaporizer device flows along an air path across the heating element 500 and removes the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 from the heating element 500 and / or the wick 2262. The vaporized vaporizable material 1302 is condensed by cooling, pressure change, etc., and thereby exits the mouthpiece through at least one of the air flow passages 2238 as an aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0291] FIG. 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the wick housing 178 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. The wick housing 178 can include wick support ribs 2296 that extend from the outer shell of the wick housing 178 towards the wick 2262 when assembled. The wick support ribs 2296 serve to prevent deformation of the wick 2262 during assembly.

[0292] FIG. 24 shows an example of a wick housing 178 that includes an identification chip 2295. The identification chip 2295 may be at least partially held by the wick housing 178. The identification chip 2295 may be configured to communicate with a corresponding chip reader disposed in the vaporizer.

[0293] FIG. 25 is a perspective view, a front view, a side view, and an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 1320 with press-fit components. As shown, the cartridge 1320 can include a combination of a mouthpiece reservoir shaped in the form of a sleeve, and an air flow passage 1338 is defined through the sleeve. The region of the cartridge 1320 houses a collector 1313, a wicking element 1362, a heating element 1350, and a wick housing 1315. The opening at the first end of the collector 1313 communicates with the air flow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece and provides a path for the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to move from the region of the heating element 1350 to the mouthpiece that the user inhales.

[0294] (Additional and / or alternative fluid vent embodiments) Referring to FIGS. 27A through 27B, a front planar enlarged view of an exemplary flow management mechanism within the collector 1313 structure is shown. Similar to the flow management mechanism described with reference to FIGS. 11M and 11N, the flow management vent mechanism 2701 or 2702 may be implemented in various shapes in different embodiments. In the example of FIG. 27A, a passage or overflow channel 1104 within the collector 1313 may be connected to the storage chamber of the cartridge through, for example, a fluid vent 2701 such that the vent 2701 includes at least two openings connected to the storage chamber.

[0295] As described above, the liquid seal may be maintained at the vent 2701 regardless of the position of the cartridge. On one side, an air flow path may be maintained between the overflow channel and the vent 2701. On another side, a high drive channel can be implemented to facilitate pinch-off and maintain the liquid seal.

[0296] FIG. 27B shows an alternative vent 2702 structure having three openings connected to the storage chamber of the cartridge by a pinch-off path that prevents the liquid seal between the vent 2701 and the storage chamber from being broken.

[0297] FIG. 28 shows a snapshot when the flow of the vaporizable material collected by the exemplary collector of FIG. 27A or FIG. 27B is managed to accommodate proper ventilation of the cartridge storage chamber, according to one embodiment. As shown, the vent 2701 structure of FIG. 27A is distinguishable from the vent 2702 structure of FIG. 27B, and the latter vent 2702 structure provides an open area on one side instead of the wall structure shown in FIG. 27A. This more open embodiment provides enhanced microfluidic interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the open side of the vent 2702.

[0298] Referring to FIGS. 29A through 29C, perspective, front, and side views of an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge are shown. The illustrated cartridge may be assembled from a plurality of components including a collector, a heating element, and a wick housing that holds the components of the cartridge in place when inserted into the body of the cartridge. In one embodiment, laser welding can be performed at a circumferential joint located at approximately the point where one end of the collector structure meets the wick housing. The laser welding prevents the flow of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from the collector to the heating chamber where the atomizer is located.

[0299] Referring to FIGS. 30A through 30F, perspective views of exemplary cartridges at different fill volumes are shown. As previously described, the volume size of the overflow volume may be configured to be equal to, approximately equal to, or greater than the increase in volume of the contents contained in the storage chamber. When the volume of the contents in the storage chamber expands as a result of one or more environmental factors, when the volume of the contents contained in the storage chamber is X and the pressure in the storage chamber increases to Y, an amount Z of the vaporizable material 1302 can be moved from the storage chamber into the overflow volume. Thus, in one or more embodiments, the overflow volume is configured to be large enough to accommodate at least the amount Z of the vaporizable material 1302.

[0300] FIG. 30A shows a perspective view of an exemplary cartridge body having a reservoir that, when filled, stores a volume of the vaporizable material 1302 of, for example, about 1.20 mL. FIG. 30B shows a perspective view of a fully assembled exemplary cartridge, where the storage chamber and the collector overflow passage together accommodate a total volume of the vaporizable material 1302 of about 1.20 mL when both are filled, for example. FIG. 30C shows a perspective view of a fully assembled exemplary cartridge when the collector overflow passage is filled to a volume of about 0.173 mL, for example. FIG. 30D shows a perspective view of a fully assembled exemplary cartridge when the storage chamber is filled to a volume of about 0.934 mL, for example. FIG. 30E shows a perspective view of a fully assembled exemplary cartridge with the wick supply channel and the air flow passage in the mouthpiece shown in cross section, where the wick supply channel has a volume of, for example, about 0.094 mL. FIG. 30F shows a perspective view of a fully assembled exemplary cartridge where the overflow air channel is incorporated into a portion of the collector towards the bottom rib and the air flow air channel has a volume of, for example, about 0.043 mL.

[0301] Figures 31A - 31C are front views of an exemplary cartridge according to one embodiment, in which a dual - needle filling application is implemented to fill the reservoir (FIG. 31A) of the cartridge before the collector and the encapsulating plug are inserted into the cartridge body (FIG. 31B) to form a fully assembled cartridge (FIG. 31C).

[0302] FIGS. 34A and 34B show front views of an exemplary cartridge body with an external air flow path. In some embodiments, one or more gates, also referred to as air inlet holes, can be provided in the vaporizer body 110. The inlet holes can be located inside an air inlet channel having a width, height, and depth sized such that when the user holds the vaporizer 100, the individual air inlet holes are not inadvertently blocked. In one aspect, for example, if a user's finger blocks the area of the air inlet channel, the structure of the air inlet channel may be long enough so as not to significantly block or restrict the air flow through the air inlet channel.

[0303] In some configurations, to prevent the user from completely covering or blocking the air inlet holes in the air inlet channel with a hand or other body part, the geometric structure of the air inlet channel may provide at least one of, for example, a minimum length, a minimum depth, or a maximum width. For example, the length of the air inlet channel is longer than the width of an average human finger, and the width and depth of the air inlet channel may be such that when the user presses a finger over the channel, the skin folds that can form do not join the air inlet holes within the air inlet channel.

[0304] The air inlet channel may be constructed or formed to have a rounded edge or be shaped to wrap around one or more corners or regions of the vaporizer body 110, such that the air inlet channel cannot be easily covered by a user's finger or body part. In certain embodiments, an optional cover may be provided to protect the air inlet channel and prevent a user's finger from blocking or completely restricting the flow of air into the air inlet channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the air inlet channel can be formed at the interface between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 (e.g., in a receptacle region, see FIG. 1). In such an embodiment, since the air inlet channel is formed inside the receptacle region, the air inlet channel can be protected from blockage. This embodiment also allows the air inlet channel to be configured to be invisible.

[0305] Figures 32A through 32C show a front view, a top view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an exemplary cartridge body with a condensate collector 3201 incorporated inside the air path.

[0306] Referring to FIG. 33A, air or vapor may flow into the air flow path within the cartridge. The air flow path extends longitudinally along the interior of the cartridge body from the opening or aperture of the mouthpiece, such that the vaporizable material 1302 inhaled from the mouthpiece can pass through the condensate collector 3201. As shown in FIG. 33B, in addition to the condensate collector 3201, a condensate recycler channel 3204 (e.g., a microfluidic channel) may be formed to move, for example, from the opening of the mouthpiece to the wick.

[0307] The condensate collector 3201 acts on the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 that is cooled and changed into droplets within the mouthpiece to collect the condensed droplets and send them to the condensate recycler channel 3204. The condensate recycler channel 3204 collects the condensate and large vapor droplets and returns them to the wick, preventing the liquid vaporizable material formed in the mouthpiece from depositing in the mouth when puffing or inhaling from the mouthpiece. The condensate recycler channel 3204 is implemented as a microfluidic channel to capture the droplet condensate, thereby eliminating the direct inhalation of the vaporizable material in liquid form and avoiding undesirable sensations and tastes in the user's mouth. Additional and / or alternative embodiments of the condensate recycler channel, and / or one or more other mechanisms for controlling, collecting, and / or recycling condensate within the vaporization device device, are described and shown with respect to FIGS. 117-119C. The condensate recycler channel (and / or one or more other mechanisms described and illustrated with respect to FIGS. 117-119C) may assist in controlling, collecting, and / or recycling the condensate of the vaporization device device, either alone or in combination with one or more mechanisms of the vaporization device cartridge.

[0308] Referring to FIGS. 35 and 36, a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary cartridge in which the collector structure 1313 includes a void 3501 in the bottom rib of the collector structure is shown. The location of the void 3501 may coincide with the location where the air exchange port is located within the collector structure 1313. As described above, the collector structure 1313 may be configured to have a central opening in which an air flow channel connecting to the mouthpiece is implemented. The air flow channel may be connected to the air exchange port such that the volume within the overflow passage of the collector 1313 is connected to the ambient air via the air exchange port and also to the volume of the storage chamber via the vent.

[0309] According to one or more embodiments, the vent may be utilized as a control valve for primarily controlling the liquid flow between the overflow passage and the storage chamber. The air exchange port may be utilized, for example, for primarily controlling the air flow between the overflow passage and the air path leading to the mouthpiece. The combination of the interaction between the vent, the collector channel of the overflow passage, and the air exchange port provides for proper saturation of the wick, various environmental factors, and proper venting of the bubbles that can be introduced into the cartridge for the controlled flow of the vaporizable material 1302 entering and exiting the collector channel. The presence of the void 3501 in the air exchange port allows for a more robust venting process to prevent the liquid vaporizable material 1302 stored in the collector from penetrating into the wick housing region.

[0310] Figures 37A through 37C show top views of the shapes and configurations of various exemplary wick supply portions of a cartridge according to one or more embodiments. As shown, Figure 37A shows a cross-sectional view of a cross-shaped wick supply portion according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 37B shows a wick supply portion having a generally rectangular cross-section. Figure 37C shows a wick supply portion having a generally square cross-section. As described above, depending on the embodiment, one or more wick supply portions 3701 may be configured as ducts, channels, tubes, or cavities passing through the collector structure 1313 as a path for supplying the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the storage chamber to the wick. In a particular configuration, the wick supply portion 3701 may run generally parallel to the central channel 3700 of the collector 1313.

[0311] Depending on the embodiment, the wick supply path may be shaped, for example, as shown in FIGS. 37B and 37C, to be tube-shaped with a substantially rectangular or square cross-sectional shape. A duct or tube with a variable-width cross-sectional shape formed in the wick supply path can overcome the clogging problem even if air bubbles are formed in a specific region of the wick supply section, provided that such a shape provides a multi-pass configuration through which the vaporizable material 1302 can pass through the wick supply section. In such an embodiment, although blockage of the wick supply tube is likely to be formed in a part of the wick supply tube, the sub-path (for example, an alternative path) remains open.

[0312] According to one or more aspects, the wick supply path may be wide enough so that the vaporizable material 1302 can freely move through the supply path toward the wick. In some embodiments, the flow through the wick supply section is enhanced or adjusted by devising the relative diameter of a specific part of the wick supply section that applies capillary pulling force or pressure to the vaporizable material 1302 moving through the wick supply path. In other words, depending on the shape and other structural or material factors, some wick supply paths can induce the movement of the vaporizable material 1302 into the wick housing section depending on gravity or capillary force.

[0313] FIGS. 37D and 37E show exemplary embodiments of the collector 1313 with a double wick supply section 3701 embodiment. At least one of the wick supply sections 3701 may be formed to partially include a demisting wall. The partial demisting wall may be configured to divide the inner volume of the wick supply section 3701 into two separate volumes (i.e., chambers), as shown in the cross-sectional perspective views of FIGS. 37D and 37E. The embodiment of the partial wall allows the liquid vaporizable material 1302 to easily flow from the reservoir toward the wick housing region to saturate the wick.

[0314] In certain embodiments, the partial wall of a single wick supply forms essentially two chambers of the single wick supply. The chambers of the wick supply are separated by the partial wall and may be utilized separately to allow the vaporizable material 1302 to flow toward the wick housing. In such embodiments, if bubbles are removed in one of the chambers of the wick supply, the other chamber may remain open. The chambers may be volumetrically large to provide a sufficient flow of vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick for proper saturation.

[0315] Accordingly, in embodiments where two wick supplies 3701 are utilized, effectively four chambers may be available to carry the flow of vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick. Thereby, even if bubbles are formed in one, two, or three of the chambers, at least a fourth chamber can be used to direct the flow of vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick, reducing the chance of wick dehydration.

[0316] Referring to FIG. 38, it is an enlarged view of an end of a wick supply disposed proximate to the wick (e.g., at an end configured to at least partially receive the wick), and optionally at least a portion of the wick is sandwiched between two or more protrusions extending from the end of the wick supply.

[0317] FIG. 39 shows a perspective view of an exemplary collector structure having a square - designed wick supply combined with a void at one end of an overflow passage.

[0318] Referring to FIGS. 40A - 40E, a rear view, a side view, a top view, a front view, and a bottom view of an exemplary collector structure are shown respectively. FIG. 40A shows a rear view of a collector structure having, for example, four separate discharge sites. FIG. 40B is a side view of the collector structure particularly showing the clamp - shaped end 4002 of the wick supply section that can firmly hold the wick within the path of the wick supply section. As shown in FIG. 40C, the portion of the cartridge body extending from the mouthpiece into the interior of the cartridge body can be received through the central channel 3700 of the collector structure that forms an airway passage through which the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 escapes from the atomizer to the mouthpiece.

[0319] FIG. 40C shows a top view of a collector structure having a wick supply channel 4001 for receiving vaporizable material from a storage chamber of the cartridge and directing the vaporizable material toward a wick that is held in position at the end of the wick supply channel 4001 by a protruding end of the wick supply channel 4001 that forms the clamp - shaped end 4002.

[0320] FIG. 40D shows a front plan view of the collector structure. As shown, a void cavity can be formed in the lower part of the collector structure at the end of the lower rib of the collector structure, where the overflow passage of the collector communicates with an air control vent 3902 that communicates with the ambient air. The portion of the cartridge body extending from the mouthpiece can be received through the central channel 3700 of the collector structure that forms an airway passage through which the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 escapes from the atomizer to the mouthpiece.

[0321] FIG. 40E shows a bottom view of the collector 1313 structure where two wick supply channels end at two clamp-shaped ends 4002 configured to hold a wick in a fixed position at the bottom end of the collector 1313. As shown, optionally, a segmented ridge, flange, or lip 4003 may be formed on the surface of the lower end of the collector 1313, and the collector 1313 connects to the upper part of the plug 760 during assembly. The lip 4003 provides a pressure engagement between the upper part of the plug 760 and the lower part of the collector 1313 and functions in a manner similar to a flexible O-ring, whereby an appropriate seal can be established during assembly. In one embodiment, the bottom end of the collector 1313 may be laser welded to the upper part of the plug 760.

[0322] FIGS. 41A and 41B show a plan view and a side view of an alternative embodiment of a collector structure having two clamp-shaped ends 4002 and two corresponding wick supply parts. As shown, this alternative embodiment has a lower height compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 40A. This reduced height provides improved functionality by structurally changing the shape of the collector 1313 and the length of the passage within the collector 1313 through which the vaporizable material 1302 flows. Thus, depending on the embodiment, in certain embodiments, the length of the passage of the vaporizable material 1302 to the collector 1313 can be shortened to provide a more effective capillary pressure and better manage the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into the passage of the collector 1313.

[0323] FIGS. 42A and 42B show various perspective views, top views, bottom views, and side views of an exemplary collector 1313 having different structural embodiments. For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 42A includes a constriction point including a vertically disposed C-shaped wall. In contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 42B, the C-shaped wall is disposed obliquely to facilitate a more controlled flow of the vaporizable material 1302 along the collector 1313 passage. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 42B, the C-shaped wall is disposed obliquely with respect to the bottom blade of the collector and perpendicular to the blade portion within the collector that slopes downward.

[0324] As described above, the flow rate into and out of the collector 1313 is controlled by manipulating the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 within the collector 1313 by introducing one or more constriction points, thereby effectively reducing the overall volume of the overflow channel 1104. As shown, introducing a plurality of constriction points into the overflow channel 1104 divides the overflow channel into a plurality of segments, within which the vaporizable material 1302 can flow in the first or second direction, e.g., towards or away from the air control vent 3902, respectively.

[0325] The introduction of the constriction points helps to establish or control the capillary pressure state within the overflow channel 1104, whereby when the pressure state within the cartridge reservoir is below ambient air, the hydraulic flow of the vaporizable material 1302 towards the air control vent 3902 is minimized. In a pressure state where the pressure within the reservoir is lower than the ambient pressure (e.g., exceeding a first threshold), the constriction points are configured to control the capillary pressure or hydraulic flow of the vaporizable material 1302 within the overflow channel 1104, whereby ambient air enters the overflow channel 1104 through the air control vent 3904 and rises towards the controlled fluid gate 1102 and into the reservoir, venting the cartridge (i.e., establishing an equilibrium pressure state).

[0326] In certain embodiments or scenarios, the above ventilation process may not include or may not require the entry of ambient air through the air control vent 3904. For example, as provided in more detail herein with reference to FIGS. 11M and 11N, in some exemplary scenarios, instead of or in addition to air entering through the air control vent 3904, bubbles or gas trapped within the overflow channel 1104 rise towards the controlled fluid gate 1102, and when bubbles are introduced from the overflow channel 1104 through the controlled fluid gate 1102 into the reservoir, the reservoir is ventilated, which can assist in establishing an equilibrium pressure state within the cartridge. As shown in FIGS. 42A and 42B, the constriction points and C-shaped wall design formed in the path of the overflow channel 1104 facilitate a more controlled flow of the vaporizable material 1302 through the overflow channel 1104 by better managing the capillary pressure throughout the path of the overflow control channel 1104.

[0327] FIG. 43A shows various perspective views, top views, bottom views, and side views of an exemplary wick housing 1315 according to one or more embodiments. As shown, one or more perforations or holes are formed in the lower portion of the wick housing 1315 to accommodate an air flow through the wick disposed within the wick housing 760 of the wick housing 1315. A sufficient number of holes facilitate an appropriate air flow through the wick housing 760 and provide appropriate and timely vaporization of the vaporizable material 1302 absorbed by the wick in response to heat generated by a heating element disposed near or around the wick.

[0328] Figure 43B shows components of the collector 1313 and the wick housing 760 of an exemplary cartridge 1320, according to one or more embodiments. As shown, the wick housing 1315 (including the wick housing portion of the cartridge) may be implemented to include a projecting member or tab 4390. The tab 4390 may be configured to extend from the upper end of the wick housing 1315, and the wick housing 1315 is configured to mate with the receiving end of the collector 1313 during assembly. The tab 4390 can include one or more facets that correspond to or match one or more facets of a receiving notch or receiving cavity 1390 at the bottom of the collector 1313, for example. The receiving cavity 1390 may be configured to removably receive the tab 4390, for example, for snap-fit engagement. The snap-fit arrangement can help hold the collector 1313 and the wick housing 1315 together during or after assembly.

[0329] In certain embodiments, the tab 4390 can be utilized to indicate the orientation of the wick housing 1315 during assembly. For example, in one embodiment, one or more vibrating mechanisms (e.g., a vibrating bowl) can be utilized to temporarily store or stage the various components of the cartridge 1320. According to some embodiments, the tab 4390 can serve to orient the upper portion of the wick housing 1315 for a mechanical gripper for easy engagement and correct automated assembly.

[0330] (Embodiments of additional and / or alternative heating elements) As described above, a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more heating elements. FIGS. 44A-116 illustrate embodiments of heating elements consistent with embodiments of the present invention. The features described and illustrated with respect to FIGS. 44A-116 may be included in various embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge described above and / or may include one or more features of various embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge described above. The features of the heating elements described and illustrated with respect to FIGS. 44A-116 may be included, additionally and / or alternatively, in one or more other exemplary embodiments of the vaporizer cartridge such as those described below.

[0331] A heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present invention may desirably be shaped to receive a wicking element and / or may be at least partially crimped or crimped around the wicking element. The heating element may be bent such that the heating element secures the wicking element between at least two or three portions of the heating element. The heating element may be bent to conform to at least a portion of the shape of the wicking element. The heating element may be more easily manufacturable than a typical heating element. A heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present invention may be made of a conductive metal suitable for resistive heating, and in some embodiments, the heating element may include selective plating of another material to enable more efficient heating of the heating element (and thus the vaporizable material).

[0332] FIG. 44A shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge 120, FIG. 44B shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge 120, and FIG. 44C shows a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge 120. As shown in FIGS. 44A-44C, the vaporizer cartridge 120 includes a housing 160 and an atomizer assembly (or atomizer) 141.

[0333] The atomizer assembly 141 (see FIGS. 99-101) may include a wicking element 162, a heating element 500, and a wick housing 178. As will be described in more detail below, at least a portion of the heating element 500 is disposed between the housing 160 and the wick housing 178 and is exposed to couple (e.g., electrically couple to the receptacle contact 125) with a portion of the vaporizer body 110. The wick housing 178 can include four sides. For example, the wick housing 178 can include two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides. Each of the two opposing long sides can include at least one (more than two) recess 166 (see FIGS. 99, 111A). The recess 166 can be disposed along the long side of the wick housing 178 adjacent to each intersection between the long side and the short side of the wick housing 178. The recess 166 can be shaped to releasably couple with a corresponding mechanism (e.g., a spring) on the vaporizer body 110 to fix the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110 within the cartridge receptacle 118. The recess 166 provides a mechanically stable fixing means for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110.

[0334] In some embodiments, the wick housing 178 also includes an identification chip 174, and the identification chip 174 can be configured to communicate with a corresponding chip reader disposed on the vaporizer. The identification chip 174 may be adhered and / or otherwise attached to the wick housing 178, such as on a short side of the wick housing 178. The wick housing 178 can additionally or alternatively include a chip recess 164 (see FIG. 100) configured to receive the identification chip 174. The chip recess 164 may be surrounded by two, four, or more walls. The chip recess 164 can be shaped to fix the identification chip 174 to the wick housing 178.

[0335] As described above, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may generally include a reservoir, an air passage, and an atomizer 141. In some configurations, the heating element and / or atomizer described by embodiments of the present invention can be mounted directly to the vaporizer body and / or may not be removable from the vaporizer body. In some embodiments, the vaporizer body may not include a removable cartridge.

[0336] Various advantages and benefits of the present invention may be related to improvements in the configuration, manufacturing method, etc. of the vaporizer. For example, the heating element of a vaporizer device consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is preferably made (e.g., by punching) from a sheet of material and crimped or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element to provide a preformed element configured to receive the wicking element (e.g., the wicking element is pushed into the heating element and / or the heating element is held under tension and pulled over the wicking element). The heating element may be bent such that the heating element secures the wicking element between at least two or three portions of the heating element. The heating element may be bent to conform to at least a portion of the shape of the wicking element. The configuration of the heating element enables more consistent high-quality manufacturing of the heating element. The consistency of the manufacturing quality of the heating element is particularly important during a scaled and / or automated manufacturing process. For example, a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present invention helps reduce tolerance issues that may occur during the manufacturing process when assembling a heating element having multiple components.

[0337] In some embodiments, the accuracy of the measured values of the heating element (such as resistance, current, temperature, etc.) may be improved, at least in part, because the manufacturability consistency of the heating element, with reduced tolerance issues, is improved. When the accuracy of the measured values is improved, the user experience when using the vaporizer device is improved. For example, as described above, the vaporizer 100 can receive a signal to operate the heating element to a full operating temperature for generating an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol or to a lower temperature to initiate heating of the heating element. The temperature of the heating element of the vaporizer can depend on many factors as described above, and some of these factors can be made predictable by eliminating potential variations in the manufacture and assembly of the atomizer components. A heating element made from a sheet of material (e.g., by punching) and crimped or bent around at least a portion of the wicking element to provide a preformed element preferably helps to minimize heat loss and ensures that the heating element operates to be heated to the appropriate temperature as predicted.

[0338] In addition, as described above, the heating element may be fully and / or selectively plated with one or more materials to enhance the heating performance of the heating element. Plating all or part of the heating element can minimize heat loss. Plating also helps to concentrate the heated portion of the heating element in the appropriate location, providing a more efficiently heated heating element and further reducing heat loss. Selective plating helps to direct the current supplied to the heating element to the appropriate location. Selective plating also helps to reduce the amount of plating material and / or the cost associated with the manufacture of the heating element.

[0339] When the heating element is formed into a suitable shape through one or more processes described below, the heating element is crimped around the wicking element and / or bent to a suitable position to receive the wicking element. The wicking element may, in some embodiments, be at least a substantially flat pad or a fibrous wick formed in other cross-sectional shapes such as a circle, an ellipse, etc. The flat pad allows the rate at which the vaporizable material is drawn into the wicking element to be controlled more precisely and / or accurately. For example, the length, width, and / or thickness can be adjusted to obtain optimal performance. The wicking element forming the flat pad can provide a larger transfer surface area, thereby increasing the flow of the vaporizable material from the reservoir to the wicking element (in other words, the transfer of a larger mass of the vaporizable material) for vaporization by the heating element and the flow of the vaporizable material from the wicking element to the air passing through the wicking element. In such a configuration, the heating element may contact the wicking element in multiple directions (e.g., on at least two sides of the wicking element) to enhance the efficiency of the process of drawing the vaporizable material into the wicking element and vaporizing the vaporizable material. Also, the flat pad can be more easily shaped and / or cut and thus more easily assembled to the heating element. In some embodiments, the heating element may be configured to contact the wicking element on only one side of the wicking element, as described in more detail below.

[0340] The wicking element may include one or more rigid or compressible materials such as cotton, silica, ceramic, etc. Compared to some other materials, a cotton wicking element can increase and / or make more controllable the flow rate of the vaporizable material from the reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge to the wicking element being vaporized. In some embodiments, the wicking element forms at least a substantially flat pad configured to contact the heating element and / or be fixed between at least two portions of the heating element. For example, the at least substantially flat pad may have a first pair of at least opposing sides that are substantially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the at least substantially flat pad may have a second pair of at least opposing sides that are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the first pair of opposing sides.

[0341] Figures 45-48 show schematic views of a heating element 500 consistent with embodiments of the present invention. For example, Figure 45 shows a schematic view of the heating element 500 in a deployed position. As shown, in the deployed position, the heating element 500 forms a planar heating element. The heating element 500 may initially be formed from a substrate material. The substrate material is then cut and / or punched into a suitable shape via various mechanical processes including, but not limited to, punching, laser cutting, photoetching, chemical etching, etc.

[0342] The substrate material may be made of a conductive metal suitable for resistive heating. In some embodiments, the heating element 500 includes nickel-chromium alloy, nickel alloy, stainless steel, etc. As described below, the heating element 500 may be electroplated with a coating at one or more locations on the surface of the substrate material (which may be all or part of the heating element 500) to improve, limit, or change the resistivity of the heating element at one or more locations of the substrate material.

[0343] The heating element 500 includes one or more tooth portions 502 (e.g., heating segments) located in the heating part 504, one or more leg portions or connection portions 506 (e.g., one, two, or more) located in the transition region 508, and cartridge contacts 124 formed at respective ends of the one or more leg portions 506 and located in the electrical contact region 510. The tooth portion 502, the leg portion 506, and the cartridge contact 124 may be integrally formed. For example, the tooth portion 502, the leg portion 506, and the cartridge contact 124 form portions of the heating element 500 punched and / or cut from a substrate material. In some embodiments, the heating element 500 also includes a heat shield 518 extending from one or more of the leg portions 506 and may also be integrally formed with the tooth portion 502, the leg portion 506, and the cartridge contact 124.

[0344] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heating part 504 of the heating element 500 is configured to engage a vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 by a wicking element. The heating part 504 of the heating element 500 can be shaped, sized, and / or otherwise processed to produce a desired resistance. For example, the tooth portion 502 located in the heating part 504 is designed such that the resistance of the tooth portion 502 corresponds to an appropriate resistance value and affects local heating in the heating part 504, heating the vaporizable material from the wicking element more efficiently and effectively. The tooth portion 502 forms heating segments or traces of narrow paths in series and / or parallel to provide a desired amount of resistance.

[0345] The tooth portions 502 (e.g., traces) can include various shapes, sizes, and configurations. In some configurations, one or more tooth portions 502 can be spaced apart such that a vaporizable material wicks out of and away from the wicking element and can vaporize from the side edges of each tooth portion 502. Among other characteristics of the tooth portions 502, in particular the shape, length, width, composition, etc., can be optimized to maximize the efficiency of generating an aerosol by vaporizing the vaporizable material from within the heating portion of the heating element 500 and to maximize electrical efficiency. Among other characteristics of the tooth portions 502, in particular the shape, length, width, composition, etc., can be optimized, additionally or alternatively, to evenly disperse heat across the entire length of the tooth portion 502 (or a portion of the tooth portion 502 such as in the case of the heating portion 504). For example, the width of the tooth portion 502 can be uniform or variable along the length of the tooth portion 502 and can control the temperature profile across at least the heating portion 504 of the heating element 500. In some examples, the length of the tooth portion 502 can be controlled to achieve a desired resistance along at least a portion of the heating element 500 such as the heating portion 504. As shown in FIGS. 45-48, the tooth portions 502 each have the same size and shape. For example, the tooth portion 502 includes an outer edge 503 that is generally aligned and has a generally rectangular shape, having a flat or square outer edge 503 (see also FIGS. 49-53) or a rounded outer edge 503 (see FIGS. 54 and 55). In some embodiments, one or more tooth portions 502 can include non-aligned and / or outer edges 503 of different sizes or shapes (see FIGS. 57-62). In some embodiments, the tooth portions 502 can be evenly spaced apart or can have a variable spacing between adjacent tooth portions 502 (see FIGS. 87-92). The particular geometric shape of the tooth portions 502 is desirably selected to generate a particular local resistance for heating the heating portion 504 and to maximize the performance of the heating element 500 that heats the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol.

[0346] The heating element 500 can include portions having a wider and / or thicker geometry and / or different composition relative to the tooth portions 502. These portions can form electrical contact regions and / or more conductive portions, and / or can include a mechanism for attaching the heating element 500 within the vaporizer cartridge. The legs 506 of the heating element 500 extend from the ends of each outermost tooth portion 502A. The legs 506 typically form a portion of the heating element 500 having a width and / or thickness wider than the respective width of the tooth portions 502. However, in some embodiments, the legs 506 have a width and / or thickness equal to or narrower than the respective width of the tooth portions 502. The legs 506 couple the heating element 500 to the wick housing 178, or another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 120, such that the heating element 500 is at least partially or completely surrounded by the housing 160. The legs 506 provide rigidity that facilitates mechanical stability of the heating element 500 during and after manufacture. The legs 506 also connect the cartridge contacts 124 to the tooth portions 502 disposed at the heating portion 504. The legs 506 are shaped and sized such that the heating element 500 can maintain the electrical requirements of the heating portion 504. As shown in FIG. 48, when the heating element 500 is assembled with the vaporizer cartridge 120, the legs 506 space the heating portion 504 from the end of the vaporizer cartridge 120. As described in more detail below, with respect to at least FIGS. 82-98 and FIGS. 103-104, the legs 506 can also include a capillary mechanism 598. The capillary mechanism 598 restricts or prevents the outflow of fluid from the heating portion 504 to other portions of the heating element 500.

[0347] In some embodiments, one or more of the legs 506 include one or more positioning mechanisms 516. The positioning mechanism 516 can be used for the relative positioning of the heating element 500 or a portion thereof during and / or after assembly by engaging with other (e.g., adjacent) components of the vaporizer cartridge 120. In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism 516 can be used during or after manufacturing to properly position the substrate material for cutting and / or punching the substrate material to form the heating element 500 or for post-processing the heating element 500. The positioning mechanism 516 may be sheared and / or cut before crimping or otherwise bending the heating element 500.

[0348] In some embodiments, the heating element 500 includes one or more heat shields 518. The heat shield 518 forms a part of the heating element 500 that extends laterally from the leg 506. When folded and / or crimped, the heat shield 518 is arranged offset from the teeth 502 in the same plane in a first direction and / or a second direction opposite the first direction. When the heating element 500 is assembled to the vaporizer cartridge 120, the heat shield 518 is configured to be disposed between the teeth 502 (and the heating portion 504) and the body (e.g., plastic body) of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The heat shield 518 can serve to insulate the heating portion 504 from the body of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The heat shield 518 minimizes the effect of heat emitted from the heating portion 504 of the body of the vaporizer cartridge 120, protects the structural integrity of the body of the vaporizer cartridge 120, and helps prevent melting or other deformation of the vaporizer cartridge 120. The heat shield 518 also helps maintain a constant temperature in the heating portion 504 by retaining heat within the heating portion 504, thereby preventing or limiting heat loss while vaporization is occurring. In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 120 may further or alternatively include a heat shield 518A separate from the heating element 500 (see FIG. 102).

[0349] As described above, the heating element 500 includes at least two cartridge contacts 124 that form the ends of each leg 506. For example, as shown in FIGS. 45-48, the cartridge contacts 124 may form a portion of the leg 506 that is folded along the fold line 507. The cartridge contacts 124 may be folded at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the leg 506. In some embodiments, the cartridge contacts 124 may be folded at other angles, such as approximately 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 35 degrees, 45 degrees, 55 degrees, 65 degrees, 75 degrees, or other ranges of angles therebetween, with respect to the leg 506. The cartridge contacts 124 may be folded towards or away from the heating portion 504, depending on the embodiment. The cartridge contacts 124 may also be formed at another portion of the heating element 500, such as along at least one length of the leg 506. The cartridge contacts 124 are configured to be exposed to the environment when assembled to the vaporizer cartridge 120 (see FIG. 53).

[0350] The cartridge contacts 124 may form conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes, or the surfaces of pins or posts, or other contact configurations. Some types of cartridge contacts 124 include springs or other biasing mechanisms that improve the physical and electrical contact between the cartridge contacts 124 on the vaporizer cartridge and the receptacle contacts 125 on the vaporizer body 110. In some embodiments, the cartridge contacts 124 include wiping contacts configured to clean the connection between the cartridge contacts 124 and other contacts or a power source. For example, the wiping contacts may include two parallel but offset protrusions that frictionally engage and slide relative to each other in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0351] The cartridge contact 124 is configured to join with a receptacle contact 125 disposed near the base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 100. When the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118, the cartridge contact 124 and the receptacle contact 125 make an electrical connection. The cartridge contact 124 can be in electrical communication with the power supply 112 of the vaporizer device (such as via the receptacle contact 125, etc.). The circuit completed by these electrical connections can send current to the resistive heating element to heat at least a portion of the heating element 500, for example, to measure the resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining and / or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal coefficient of the resistivity of the resistive heating element, and can be further used for additional functions such as the function of identifying the cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuits of the vaporizer cartridge. The cartridge contact 124 can be processed to provide improved electrical characteristics (such as contact resistance) using, for example, conductive plating, surface treatment, and / or deposited materials, as will be described in more detail below.

[0352] In some embodiments, the heating element 500 may be processed by a series of crimping and / or bending operations to form the heating element 500 into a desired three-dimensional shape. For example, the heating element 500 may be pre-formed to receive the wicking element 162 (such as between opposing portions of the heating portion 504) or crimped around the wicking element 162 to secure the wicking element between at least two portions of the heating element 500 (such as substantially parallel portions). To crimp the heating element 500, the heating element 500 may be bent towards each other along the fold line 520. When the heating element 500 is folded along the fold line 520, a platform tooth portion 524 defined by the region between the fold lines 520 and a side tooth portion 526 defined by the region between the fold line 520 and the outer edge 503 of the tooth portion 502 are formed. The platform tooth portion 524 is configured to contact one end of the wicking element 162. The side tooth portion 526 is configured to contact both sides of the wicking element 162. The platform tooth portion 524 and the side tooth portion 526 form pockets shaped to receive the wicking element 162 and / or conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 162. The pockets enable the wicking element 162 to be fixed and held by the heating element 500 within the pockets. The platform tooth portion 524 and the side tooth portion 526 contact the wicking element 162 to provide multi-dimensional contact between the heating element 500 and the wicking element 162. The multi-dimensional contact between the heating element 500 and the wicking element 162 provides for a more efficient...

Claims

Claim 1 A vaporization device, comprising: a reservoir configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material, the reservoir being at least partially defined by at least one wall, the reservoir including a storage chamber and an overflow volume; and a collector disposed in the overflow volume, the collector including a capillary structure configured to hold a volume of the liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with the storage chamber, the capillary structure including a microfluidic mechanism configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and discharging of the collector. Claim 2 The vaporization device according to claim 1, further comprising a primary passage providing a fluid connection between the storage chamber and an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous state. Claim 3 The vaporization device according to claim 2, wherein the primary passage is formed through the structure of the collector. Claim 4 The primary passage includes a first channel configured to allow the liquid vaporizable material to flow from the storage chamber toward a wicking element of the atomizer, the first channel having a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregularity configured to allow liquid in the first channel to bypass bubbles that block the remainder of the first channel. The vaporization device according to claim 2 or 3. Claim 5 The vaporization device according to claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional shape is cross-like. Claim 6 The capillary structure includes a secondary passage including the microfluidic mechanism, the microfluidic mechanism being configured such that the liquid vaporizable material can move along the length of the secondary passage only by a meniscus that completely covers the cross-sectional area of the secondary passage. The vaporization device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Claim 7 The cross-sectional area is small enough such that, for the material forming the walls of the secondary passage and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material, the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passage around the entire circumference of the secondary passage. The vaporization device according to claim 6. Claim 8 The storage chamber and the collector are configured to maintain a continuous column of the liquid vaporizable material in the collector such that a decrease in the pressure in the storage chamber relative to the ambient pressure causes a continuous column of the liquid vaporizable material in the collector to be at least partially drawn back into the storage chamber. The vaporizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The secondary passage includes a plurality of spaced constriction points having a cross-sectional area smaller than a portion of the secondary passage between the constriction points. The vaporizer according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The constriction point has a flatter surface directed toward the storage section along the secondary passage and a rounder surface directed away from the storage section along the secondary passage. The vaporizer according to claim 9.

11. The collector and the storage section further include a microfluidic gate, and the microfluidic gate includes an edge of an opening that is flatter on a first side facing the storage section than a second rounder side facing the collector between the storage chamber and the collector. The vaporizer according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The microfluidic gate includes a plurality of openings connecting the storage chamber and the collector and a pinch-off point between the plurality of openings. The plurality of openings include a first channel and a second channel, and the first channel has a higher capillary driving force than the second channel. The vaporizer according to claim 11.

13. The meniscus of the gas-liquid vaporizable material reaching the pinch-off point is sent to the second channel by the higher capillary drive of the first channel such that bubbles are formed and escape into the liquid vaporizable material in the storage chamber. The vaporizer according to claim 12.

14. The liquid vaporizable material includes one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. The vaporizer according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A microfluidic gate for controlling the flow of a liquid vaporizable material between a storage chamber and an adjacent overflow volume within a vaporizer, the microfluidic gate comprising A plurality of openings connecting the storage chamber and the collector, the plurality of openings comprising a first channel and a second channel, the first channel having a higher capillary drive than the second channel; the plurality of openings A microfluidic gate including a pinch-off point between the plurality of openings. **Claim 16** The microfluidic gate according to claim 15, wherein the microfluidic gate includes an edge of an opening that is flatter on a first side facing the storage compartment than a second, more rounded side facing the collector, between the storage chamber and the collector. **Claim 17** A collector configured for insertion into a vaporizer cartridge, the collector comprising A capillary structure configured to hold a volume of the liquid vaporizable material in fluid contact with a storage chamber of the vaporizer cartridge, the capillary structure including a microfluidic mechanism configured to prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and draining of the collector; the collector. **Claim 18** The collector according to claim 17, further comprising the microfluidic gate according to claim 15 or 16. **Claim 19** The collector according to claim 17 or 18, further comprising a primary passage providing a fluid connection between the reservoir and an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to a gaseous state, the primary passage being formed through the structure of the collector. **Claim 20** The capillary structure includes a secondary passage including the microfluidic mechanism, the microfluidic mechanism configured such that the liquid vaporizable material can move along the length of the secondary passage with only a meniscus completely covering a cross-sectional area of the secondary passage; the collector according to any one of claims 17 to 19. **Claim 21** The collector according to claim 20, wherein the cross-sectional area is small enough such that the liquid vaporizable material preferentially wets the secondary passage around the entire circumference of the secondary passage, for a material from which the walls of the secondary passage are formed and a composition of the liquid vaporizable material. **Claim 22** The collector according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the storage chamber and the collector are configured to maintain a continuous column of the liquid vaporizable material in the collector in contact with the liquid vaporizable material in the storage chamber such that a decrease in pressure in the storage chamber relative to ambient pressure causes at least a partial return of the continuous column of the liquid vaporizable material in the collector to the storage chamber. **Claim 23** The secondary passage includes a plurality of spaced constriction points having a cross-sectional area smaller than a portion of the secondary passage between the constriction points, the collector according to any one of claims 20 to 22.

24. The constriction point has a flatter surface directed toward the storage compartment along the secondary passage and a rounder surface directed away from the storage compartment along the secondary passage, the collector according to claim 23.

25. A cartridge housing, A storage chamber disposed within the cartridge housing and configured to contain a liquid vaporizable material, An inlet configured to allow air to enter an internal air flow path within the cartridge housing, An atomizer configured to convert at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material into an inhalable state, An atomization device cartridge including the collector according to any one of claims 17 to 24.

26. The atomizer is A wicking element disposed within the internal air flow path and in fluid communication with the reservoir, the wicking element being configured to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the storage chamber under capillary action, the wicking element, The atomization device cartridge according to claim 25, comprising a heating element disposed to heat the wicking element to convert at least some of the liquid vaporizable material drawn from the storage chamber into a gaseous state.

27. The inhalable state includes an aerosol formed by condensing at least some of the liquid vaporizable material from the gaseous state, the atomization device cartridge according to claim 26.

28. The cartridge housing includes a monolithic hollow structure having a first open end and a second end opposite the first end, the atomization device cartridge according to any one of claims 25 to 27.

29. The collector is insertably received within the first end of the monolithic hollow structure, the atomization device cartridge according to claim 28.

30. An atomization device including an atomization device body and the atomization device cartridge according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the atomization device body and the atomization device cartridge are separably attachable to form the atomization device.

31. The heating element is A heating part including at least two tooth parts spaced apart from each other, the heating part being pre-formed to define an internal volume configured to receive the wicking element such that the heating part fixes at least a part of the wicking element to the heating element, the heating part being configured to contact at least two distinct surfaces of the wicking element, a heating part; Including at least two leg parts coupled to the at least two tooth parts and spaced apart from the heating part, the at least two leg parts being configured to be in electrical communication with a power source; The vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein power is supplied from the power source to the heating part to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material stored in the wicking element.

32. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 31, wherein the at least two leg parts include four leg parts.

33. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 32, wherein the heating element is configured to contact at least three distinct surfaces of the wicking element.

34. The at least two tooth parts are A first side tooth part; A second side tooth part facing the first side tooth part; Including a platform tooth part connecting the first side tooth part to the second side tooth part, the platform tooth part being disposed substantially perpendicular to a part of the first side tooth part and the second side tooth part, The vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the first side tooth part, the second side tooth part, and the platform tooth part define the internal volume in which the wicking element is disposed.

35. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 34, wherein the at least two leg parts are disposed spaced apart from the heating part by a bridge.

36. Each of the at least two leg parts includes a cartridge contact disposed at an end of each of the at least two leg parts, the cartridge contact being configured to be in electrical communication with the power source, the cartridge contact being angled and extending away from the heating element, the vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 31 to 35.

37. The at least two tooth portions include a first pair of tooth portions and a second pair of tooth portions, the vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 34 to 36.

38. The tooth portions of the first pair of tooth portions are arranged at equal intervals from each other, the vaporization device cartridge according to claim 37.

39. The tooth portions of the first pair of tooth portions are separated by the width, the vaporization device cartridge according to claim 37 or 38.

40. The width of the inner region of the heating element adjacent to the platform tooth portion is larger than the width of the outer region of the heating element adjacent to the outer edge of the first side tooth portion on the opposite side of the inner region, the vaporization device cartridge according to claim 39.

41. The vaporization device is configured to measure the resistance of the heating element at each of the four legs in order to control the temperature of the heating element, the vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 32 to 40.

42. The vaporization device cartridge further includes a heat shield configured to insulate the heating portion from the main body of the vaporization device, according to any one of claims 31 to 41.

43. The vaporization device is configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element and further includes a heat shield configured to insulate the heating portion from the main body of the wick housing configured to surround at least a portion of the wicking element and at least a portion of the heating element, the vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 31 to 42.

44. The heating portion is folded between the heating portion and the at least two legs to insulate the heating portion from the at least two legs, the vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 31 to 43.

45. The heating portion further includes at least one tab extending from the side surface of the at least two tooth portions to allow the wicking element to easily enter the internal volume of the heating portion, the vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 31 to 44.

46. The at least one tab extends away from the internal volume at an angle, the vaporization device cartridge according to claim 45.

47. The at least two legs include a capillary mechanism, and the capillary mechanism causes a rapid change in capillary pressure, thereby preventing the vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary mechanism. The vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 31 to 46.

48. The capillary mechanism includes one or more bent portions in the at least two legs. The vaporization device cartridge according to claim 47.

49. The at least two legs extend at an angle toward the internal volume of the heating portion, and the at least two angled legs define the capillary mechanism. The vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 47 to 48.

50. The heating element is a heating portion integrally formed and including one or more heater traces spaced apart from each other, the one or more heater traces being configured to contact at least a portion of a wicking element of the vaporization device; a heating portion, a connection portion configured to receive power from a power source and conduct the power to the heating portion; and a plating layer having a plating material different from the material of the heating portion, the plating layer being configured to reduce a contact resistance between the heating element and the power source, thereby localizing heating of the heating element to the heating portion. The vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 25 to 30.

51. The plating layer includes one or more layers deposited on the connection portion. The vaporization device cartridge according to claim 50.

52. The plating layer is integrally formed with the connection portion. The vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 50 to 51.

53. The plating layer includes an adhesive plating layer and an outer plating layer. The vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 50 to 52.

54. At least the outer plating layer is configured to reduce a contact resistance between the heating element and the power source. The vaporization device cartridge according to claim 53.

55. The adhesive plating layer is deposited on the heating element to adhere the outer plating layer to the heating element. The vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 53 to 54.

56. The material of the heating element includes nichrome. The vaporization device cartridge according to any one of claims 50 to 55.

57. The vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 50 to 56, wherein the plating layer contains gold.

58. Further comprising a wick housing, the wick housing comprising an outer wall, and an internal volume defined by the outer wall, the internal volume being configured to receive a heating element and a part of a wicking element of the vaporizer device, the vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 25 to 57.

59. The heating element includes a heating portion and a connection portion, the heating portion is configured to heat a vaporizable material stored in the wicking element to generate an aerosol, the connection portion is configured to communicate electrically with a power source to supply power to the heating portion, and the part of the heating element is the heating portion, the vaporizer cartridge according to claim 58.

60. The outer wall is configured to be disposed between the heating portion and the connection portion, the vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 58 to 59.

61. The outer wall includes two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides, the vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 58 to 60.

62. Each of the two opposing long sides includes a recess configured to releasably couple the vaporizer cartridge to a corresponding mechanism of the vaporizer body, the vaporizer cartridge according to claim 61.

63. The recess is disposed proximate to an intersection between a long side of the two opposing long sides and a short side of the two opposing short sides, the vaporizer cartridge according to claim 62.

64. Each of the two opposing long sides includes two recesses, the vaporizer cartridge according to claim 63.

65. The outer wall further includes a base disposed substantially perpendicular to the two opposing short sides and the two opposing long sides, the vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 61 to 64.

66. The base is provided with one or more slots, and the air pressure generated by the flow of the vaporizable material in the heating portion is configured to escape through the one or more slots, the vaporizer cartridge according to claim 65.

67. At least one of the two opposing short sides includes a chip recess configured to receive an identification chip, the vaporizer cartridge according to claim 61.

68. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 67, wherein the chip recess includes at least two walls configured to surround and hold the identification chip.

69. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 68, wherein the at least two walls include at least four walls.

70. The outer wall is two opposing short side surfaces, two opposing long side surfaces, a base disposed substantially perpendicular to the two opposing short side surfaces and the two opposing long side surfaces, and an opening on the opposite side of the base, and the vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 58 to 69.

71. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 70, further including an outer rim surrounding the opening and extending away from the opening.

72. The outer wall includes a capillary mechanism, and the capillary mechanism causes a sudden change in capillary pressure between the heating element and the wick housing, thereby preventing the vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary mechanism. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 71.

73. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 72, wherein the capillary mechanism includes a curved surface formed at an intersection between at least one of the two opposing long side surfaces and the outer rim.

74. The vaporizer cartridge according to claim 73, wherein the curved surface has a radius sufficient to break a contact point between the outer surface and the outer rim.

75. The capillary mechanism is disposed within a notch of the outer wall, and the notch is configured to separate the heating element from the outer wall, thereby preventing excessive heat from contacting the outer wall. The vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 72 to 74.

76. The vaporizer cartridge according to any one of claims 58 to 75, further including a notch in the outer wall configured to separate the heating element from the outer wall, thereby preventing excessive heat from contacting the outer wall.

77. A collector component of a vaporizer for use with a liquid vaporizable material, the collector component comprising a fluid passage, an outer port disposed at a first end of the fluid passage and configured to be in fluid communication with ambient air outside the vaporizer, A control vent configured to manage the flow between a reservoir of the vaporizer configured to contain the liquid-vaporizable material and disposed at a second end of the fluid passage distal to the first end, and the fluid passage, the control vent at least, When air is in the fluid passage adjacent to the control vent and the void volume in the reservoir is at a lower pressure than the ambient air outside the vaporizer, a first fluid resistance to pinch-off of bubbles into the reservoir, and When the void volume in the reservoir is at a higher pressure than the ambient air outside the vaporizer, a second fluid resistance through which the liquid-vaporizable material is passed into the fluid passage through the control vent, a control vent, and At least a first wick supply implemented in the form of a first channel that enables the vaporizable material stored in the storage chamber to flow towards a wick disposed in a wick housing disposed in an overflow volume, The control vent is a collector component that maintains an equilibrium state in the storage chamber to prevent the pressure in the storage chamber from rising to a point where it overflows the vaporizable material into the wick housing.

78. The collector component according to claim 77, wherein the equilibrium state is maintained by establishing a liquid seal at the opening of the control vent where the storage chamber communicates with the passage in the overflow volume.

79. The collector component according to claim 78, wherein the liquid seal is established and maintained at the vent by maintaining a capillary pressure sufficient to form a meniscus of the vaporizable material at a portion of the control vent leading to the passage of the overflow volume.

80. The capillary pressure of the meniscus of the vaporizable material is controlled by a V-shaped structure forming the primary channel and the secondary channel that constructs the control vent for controlling at least a pinch-off point of one of the primary channel or the secondary channel, the collector component according to claim 79.

81. The collector component according to claim 80, wherein the primary channel and the secondary channel are tapered, and when the meniscus continues to recede, the capillary drive of the primary channel decreases more significantly than the capillary drive of the secondary channel.

82. The collector component according to claim 81, wherein the capillary driving of the primary channel and the secondary channel gradually decreases, thereby reducing the partial headspace vacuum maintained in the storage chamber.

83. The collector component according to claim 82, wherein as a result of the capillary driving of the primary channel and the secondary channel gradually decreasing relative to each other, the discharge pressure of the primary channel is lower than the discharge pressure of the secondary channel.

84. The collector component according to claim 83, wherein the meniscus of the primary channel continues to discharge even when the discharge pressure of the primary channel changes, while the meniscus of the secondary channel remains stationary.

85. The collector component according to claim 84, wherein the drainage pressure accompanied by the receding of the contact angle of the primary channel is lower than the flooding pressure accompanied by the advancing of the contact angle of the secondary channel, and as a result, the primary and secondary channels may be filled with a vaporizable material.

86. The collector component according to claim 85, wherein in response to an increase in the pressure state in the storage chamber, a vaporizable material flows into the passage of the collector through the vent, and the vent is configured to always maintain the liquid seal.

87. A cartridge for a vaporizing device, a reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier, the reservoir being configured to contain a vaporizable material in the reservoir chamber, the reservoir; a vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir, the vaporization chamber including a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization chamber and vaporize it by a heating element, the vaporization chamber; an air flow passage extending through the vaporization chamber; and at least one capillary channel adjacent to the air flow passage, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel being configured to receive a fluid and conduct the fluid from a first position to a second position by capillary action.

88. The cartridge according to claim 87, wherein each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is sized to be tapered.

89. The cartridge according to claim 88, wherein when the size is tapered, the capillary driving through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel increases.

90. The cartridge according to any one of claims 87 to 89, wherein each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls.

91. The cartridge according to any one of claims 87 to 90, wherein the at least one capillary channel is in fluid communication with a wick.

92. The cartridge according to claim 91, wherein the first position is adjacent to an end of the air flow passage and a mouthpiece.

93. The cartridge according to any one of claims 87 to 92, wherein the at least one capillary channel collects fluid condensate.

94. A vaporization device, comprising: A vaporization device body including a heating element configured to heat a vaporizable material; A cartridge configured to be releasably coupled to the vaporization device body, the cartridge including: A reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier, the reservoir being configured to contain the vaporizable material within the reservoir chamber; A vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir, the vaporization chamber including a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization chamber and vaporize the vaporizable material by the heating element; An air flow passage extending through the vaporization chamber; At least one capillary channel adjacent to the air flow passage, each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel being configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first position to a second position by capillary action.

95. The vaporization device according to claim 94, wherein each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is tapered in size.

96. The vaporization device according to claim 95, wherein the capillary drive through each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel increases when the size is tapered.

97. The vaporization device according to any one of claims 94 to 96, wherein each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls.

98. The vaporization device according to any one of claims 94 to 97, wherein the at least one capillary channel is in fluid communication with a wick.

99. The vaporization device according to claim 98, wherein the first position is adjacent to an end of the air flow passage and the mouthpiece.

100. The vaporization device according to any one of claims 94 to 99, wherein the at least one capillary channel collects fluid condensate.

101. A method comprising the step of collecting condensate in a first capillary channel of at least one capillary channel of a cartridge of a vaporization device, wherein each of the at least one capillary channels is configured to receive a fluid and direct the fluid from a first position to a second position via capillary action, and the cartridge comprises A reservoir including a reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir barrier, the reservoir being configured to contain a vaporizable material within the reservoir chamber, A vaporization chamber in communication with the reservoir, the vaporization chamber including a wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization chamber and vaporize it by a heating element, An air flow passage extending through the vaporization chamber, the at least one capillary channel being adjacent to the air flow passage, and the method comprises Directing the collected condensate along the first capillary channel towards the vaporization chamber.

102. The method according to claim 101, further comprising the step of vaporizing the collected condensate in the vaporization chamber.

103. The method according to any one of claims 101 to 102, wherein the first capillary channel is tapered in size.

104. The method according to any one of claims 101 to 103, wherein each capillary channel of the at least one capillary channel is formed by a groove defined between a pair of walls.

105. The method according to any one of claims 101 to 104, wherein the at least one capillary channel is in fluid communication with a wick.

106. The method according to claim 105, wherein the first position is adjacent to an end of the air flow passage and the mouthpiece.

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