Heating elements

Abstract

A heating element for a vaporizer cartridge is provided. [Solution] The vaporizer cartridge 52 may include a reservoir 55 containing a vaporizable material and a wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The heating element may include a heating section, a cartridge contact 65, and legs. The heating section includes at least two teeth spaced apart from each other. The cartridge contact may be in electrical communication with the power supply 8. The legs extend between the heating section and the cartridge contact. The heating section may be crimped around the wicking element so that the heating section fixes the wicking element to the heating section and contacts at least two surfaces of the wicking element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 913,135, filed Oct. 9, 2019, entitled “Heating Element”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 745,589, filed Oct. 15, 2018, entitled “Heating Element”; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 812,161, filed Feb. 28, 2019, entitled “Cartridge for a Vaporizer”; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 747,099, filed Oct. 17, 2018, entitled “Wick Feeding Device and Heating Element in a Vaporizer”, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to the extent permitted.

[0002] Technical Field The invention described herein relates to a vaporizer including a heating element for a vaporizer.

Background Art

[0003] A vaporizer, or a vaporizer referred to as an electronic vaporizer, can be used to deliver an aerosol (or “vapor”) containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizer. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include battery-powered vaporizers of a type that can be used to mimic the smoking experience but do not burn tobacco or other substances.

[0004] During use of the vaporizer, the user inhales an aerosol, commonly referred to as vapor, produced by a heating element that vaporizes a vaporizable material that can be in the form of a liquid, solution, solid, wax, or any other form that may be suitable for use in a particular vaporizer (e.g., causing the liquid or solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase). The vaporizable material used with the vaporizer can be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a separable portion of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir) that includes a mouthpiece (e.g., for inhalation by the user).

[0005] To receive the inhalable aerosol produced by the vaporizer, the user may activate the vaporizer by puffing, pressing a button, or other approaches, in certain cases. Puffing, as the term is commonly used (and is used herein), refers to the user's inhalation by drawing a large volume of air into the vaporizer so that the combination of vaporized vaporizing material and air produces an inhalable aerosol.

[0006] A typical approach by which a vaporizer produces an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (or heating chamber) to convert it into a gas (or vapor) phase. The vaporization chamber generally refers to a region or volume within the vaporizer where a heat source (e.g., conductive, convective, and / or radiative) heats the vaporizable material, creating a mixture of air and the vaporized material, forming vapor for inhalation by the user of the vaporizer.

[0007] As used herein in accordance with the present invention, the term vaporizer generally refers to a portable, built-in device convenient for personal use. Typically, such devices are controlled by one or more switches, buttons, touch-sensitive devices, or other user input functions (commonly referred to as controls) on the vaporizer, but more recently, a number of devices that can be wirelessly controlled by an external controller (such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or other wearable electronic device) have become available. Control in this context generally refers to the ability to influence one or more different operating parameters, including, but not limited to, turning a heater on or off, adjusting the minimum and / or maximum temperature at which the heater is heated during operation, various games or other interactive functions that the user may access on the device, and / or other operations.

[0008] Various vaporizable materials containing various contents and in various proportions can be placed in the cartridge. For example, due to regulations requiring a specific proportion of active ingredients, some vaporizable materials may have a low proportion of active ingredients per unit volume of vaporizable material. As a result, users may need to vaporize a large amount of vaporizable material (compared to the total volume of vaporizable material that can be stored in the cartridge) to achieve the desired effect.

[0009] Summary of the Invention One aspect of the present invention relates to a heating element for use in a vaporizer.

[0010] The heating element may include a heating section and at least two legs. The heating section may include at least two teeth spaced apart from each other. The heating section may be pre-formed to define an internal volume configured to receive the wicking element, such that the heating section secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating section. The heating section may be configured to contact at least two distinct surfaces of the wicking element. The at least two legs may be coupled to at least two teeth and spaced apart from the heating section. The at least two legs may be configured to communicate with a power source. Power is supplied from the power source to the heating section to generate heat, thereby vaporizing a vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

[0011] In some embodiments, 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.

[0012] In some embodiments, at least two teeth include a first lateral tooth portion, a second lateral tooth portion opposite the first lateral tooth portion, and a platform tooth portion connecting the first and second lateral tooth portions. The platform tooth portion may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the first and second lateral tooth portions. The first lateral tooth portion, the second lateral tooth portion, and the platform tooth portion define the internal volume in which the wicking element is placed. In some embodiments, at least two legs are positioned spaced apart from the heating portion by a bridge.

[0013] In some embodiments, each of at least two legs includes a cartridge contact located at the end of each of the at least two legs. The cartridge contact can communicate with a power source. The cartridge contact may be angled and extend away from the heating element.

[0014] In some embodiments, at least two teeth include a first pair of teeth and a second pair of teeth. In some embodiments, the teeth of the first pair of teeth are spaced equally apart from each other. In some embodiments, the teeth of the first pair of teeth are spaced apart by the width of each tooth. 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 opposite the inner region.

[0015] In some embodiments, the vaporizer is configured to measure the resistance of the heating element at each of its four legs in order to control the temperature of the heating element. In some embodiments, the heating element includes a heat shield configured to insulate the heating section from the body of the vaporizer.

[0016] In some embodiments, the vaporizer further includes a heat shield configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element and to insulate the heating portion from the wicking element and the body of the wick housing configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element.

[0017] In some embodiments, the heating element folds between the heating element and at least two legs to insulate the heating element from at least two legs. In some embodiments, the heating element further includes at least one tab extending from the sides of at least two teeth to allow the wicking element to easily enter the internal volume of the heating element. In some embodiments, at least one tab extends away from the internal volume at an angle.

[0018] In some embodiments, at least two legs include a capillary mechanism. The capillary mechanism can cause abrupt changes in capillary pressure, thereby preventing the vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary mechanism. In some embodiments, the capillary mechanism includes one or more bends in at least two legs. In some embodiments, at least two legs extend at an angle toward the internal volume of the heating section, and the angled at least two legs define the capillary mechanism.

[0019] In some embodiments, the vaporizer includes a reservoir containing a vaporizable material, a wicking element fluidly communicating with the reservoir, and a heating element. The heating element includes a heating section and at least two legs. The heating section may include at least two teeth spaced apart from each other. The heating section may be pre-formed to define an internal volume configured to receive the wicking element, such that the heating section secures at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating section. The heating section may be configured to contact at least two distinct surfaces of the wicking element. The at least two legs may be coupled to at least two teeth and spaced apart from the heating section. The at least two legs may be configured to communicate with a power source. Power is supplied from the power source to the heating section to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

[0020] A method for forming an atomizer assembly for a vaporizer may include fixing a wicking element within the internal volume of a heating element. The heating element may include a heating section having at least two spaced-apart teeth and at least two spaced-apart legs. The legs may be configured to communicate with the vaporizer's power supply. The heating section 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 enclose at least a portion of the wicking element and the heating element. Fixation may also include sliding the wicking element into the internal volume of the heating element.

[0021] In some embodiments, the vaporizer includes a heating section comprising one or more integrally formed and spaced-apart heater traces, the one or more heater traces configured to contact at least a portion of the wicking elements of the vaporizer, and the vaporizer includes a connection section configured to receive power from a power source and direct power to the heating section, and a plating layer having a plating material different from the material of the heating section. The plating layer may be configured to reduce the contact resistance between the heating element and the power source, thereby localizing the heating of the heating element to the heating section.

[0022] The accompanying drawings incorporated herein and constituting part thereof illustrate specific aspects of the invention disclosed herein and, together with the description, help to illustrate some of the principles relating to the disclosed embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023] [Figure 1A] A block diagram of a vaporizer consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 1B] Figure 1A shows a top view of an embodiment of the vaporizer, and the cartridge separated from the vaporizer body is shown. [Figure 1C] Figure 1A shows a top view of an embodiment of the vaporizer, and the cartridge coupled to the vaporizer body is shown. [Figure 1D]Shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1E] Shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1F] Shows a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Shows a schematic diagram of a heating element for use in a vaporizer that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Shows a schematic diagram of a heating element for use in a vaporizer that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Shows a schematic diagram of a heating element for use in a vaporizer that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Shows a schematic diagram of a heating element disposed in a vaporizer cartridge for use in a vaporizer that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Shows a heating element and a wicking element that conform to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Shows a heating element and a wicking element that conform to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Shows a heating element and a wicking element disposed in a vaporizer cartridge that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Shows a heating element and a wicking element disposed in a vaporizer cartridge that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Shows a heating element disposed in a vaporizer cartridge that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Shows a heating element in a non-flexed state that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Shows a heating element in a flexed state that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Shows a heating element in a flexed state that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] Shows a heating element in a non-flexed state that conforms to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This shows a heating element in an unbent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 21] This shows a heating element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] The heating element and wicking element, which are in a partially bent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention, are shown. [Figure 26] The heating element and wicking element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention are shown. [Figure 27] The heating element and wicking element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention are shown. [Figure 28] This shows a heating element in an unbent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 29] This shows a heating element in an unbent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 30] This shows a heating element in an unbent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 31] This shows a heating element in an unbent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 32]This shows a heating element coupled to a part of a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] The heating element and wicking element arranged within a vaporizer cartridge consistent with the embodiments of the present invention are shown. [Figure 34] This shows a heating element in a partially bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] The heating element and wicking element, which are in a partially bent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention, are shown. [Figure 36] This shows a heating element having a plated portion and in an unbent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 37] This shows a heating element having a plated portion and in a bent state consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 38] This shows a heating element having a plated portion arranged within a vaporizer cartridge, consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 39] A perspective view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 40] A side view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 41] This shows a front view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 42] A perspective view of the heating element and wicking element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 43] This shows a heating element located within a vaporizer cartridge consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 44] A perspective view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 45] A side view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 46] This shows a top view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 47] This shows a front view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 48] A perspective view of a heating element in an unbent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 49] A top view of a heating element in an unbent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 50A] A perspective view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 50B] A perspective view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 51] A side view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 52] This shows a top view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 53] This shows a front view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 54A] A perspective view of a heating element in an unbent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 54B] A perspective view of a heating element in an unbent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 55A] A top view of a heating element in an unbent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 55B] A top view of a heating element in an unbent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 56] A top perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 57] A bottom perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 58] An exploded perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 59] A perspective view of a heat shield consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 60A] A side cross-sectional view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 60B] Another side cross-sectional view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 61] A heating element consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. [Figure 62] A perspective view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 63] A side view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 64] A perspective view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with the embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 65] A side view of a heating element in a bent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 66] This shows a top view of a substrate material equipped with a heating element consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 67] A top view of a heating element in an unbent state consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 68A] A top perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 68B] This shows an enlarged view of a portion of the wick housing of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 69] A bottom perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 70] An exploded perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 71A] This document shows the process for assembling an atomizer consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 71B] This document shows the process for assembling an atomizer consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 71C] This document shows the process for assembling an atomizer consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 72A] This document shows the process for assembling an atomizer consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 72B] This document shows the process for assembling an atomizer consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 72C] This document shows the process for assembling an atomizer consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 73] A process flowchart illustrating the features of a method for forming and implementing a heating element consistent with embodiments of the present invention is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention include devices for vaporizing one or more substances for inhalation by a user. Examples of vaporizers consistent with embodiments of the present invention include electronic vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and the like.

[0025] The vaporizable material used in a vaporizer may be selectively supplied in cartridges (e.g., part of a vaporizer containing the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container, which is refillable when empty, or a new cartridge containing the same or a different type of additional vaporizable material can be selected and discarded). The vaporizer may be a cartridge-using vaporizer, a cartridge-free vaporizer, or a multipurpose vaporizer that can be used with or without cartridges. For example, a multipurpose vaporizer may include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) configured to receive the vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber, and also to receive a reservoir, a cartridge, or other replaceable device having a volume, etc., containing at least a portion of the vaporizable material in a usable amount. In various embodiments, the vaporizer may be configured for use with liquid vaporizable material (e.g., in a carrier solution in which active and / or inert components are suspended or retained in the solution, or in the stock form of the vaporizable material itself) or solid vaporizable material. Several vaporizers consistent with this disclosure can be used with both solid and liquid vaporizable materials. Solid vaporizable materials may include plant material that releases a portion of the plant material as vaporizable material (for example, so that a portion of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material has been released for inhalation by the user), or selectively, they may be in a solid form (e.g., "wax") of the vaporizable material itself so that all of the solid material can eventually vaporize for inhalation. Similarly, liquid vaporizable materials may be able to vaporize completely, or may include a portion of liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been consumed.

[0026] Referring to the block diagram in Figure 1A, the vaporizer 10 typically includes a power source 8 (such as a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery) and a controller 19 (e.g., a logic-executable processor, circuit, etc.) that controls the delivery of heat to the atomizer 26 (also referred herein as the “atomizer assembly”) to convert the vaporizable material from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, liquid, solution, suspension, or a portion of at least partially untreated plant material) to a gas phase. The controller 19 may also be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the invention. After the vaporizable material has been converted to a gas phase, depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, and / or other factors, at least a portion of the 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 an aerosol, which may form some or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer 10 for a given puff or inhalation in the vaporizer. The interaction between the gas phase and condensed phase of an aerosol produced by a vaporizer can be complex and dynamic, as factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemical reactions, flow conditions in the airflow path (both within the vaporizer and in the respiratory tracts of humans or other animals), and mixing of the vaporizable material in the gas or aerosol phase with other airflows can influence one or more physical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizers, particularly those delivering more volatile vaporizable substances, the inhalable dose may exist primarily in the gas phase (i.e., the formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited). In other examples, the opposite may be true.

[0027] A vaporizer used with a liquid vaporizable material (e.g., stock, suspension, solution, mixture, etc.) typically includes an atomizer 26, within which a wicking element (also referred to herein as a wick (not shown in Figure 1A), any component capable of drawing liquid from a reservoir or fluid storage component under capillary pressure (e.g., a fiber wick, sintered material, a structure having narrow gaps or channels between surfaces wetted by the liquid vaporizable material)) carries a certain amount of the liquid vaporizable material to a portion of the atomizer containing a heating element (also not shown in Figure 1A). The wicking element is generally configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir configured to contain (and may contain during use) the liquid vaporizable material so that it can be vaporized by the heat delivered from the heating element. The wicking element may also selectively introduce air into the reservoir to replace the volume of the removed liquid. In other words, the liquid vaporizable material is drawn into the wick by capillary action, vaporization occurs by a heating element (described later), and in some embodiments of the present invention, air is returned to the reservoir through the wick, at least partially equalizing the pressure in the reservoir. However, when the vaporizable material is drawn out of the reservoir, the pressure in the reservoir decreases, thereby creating a vacuum that acts against capillary action. This reduces the effectiveness of the wick in drawing the vaporizable material into the atomizer, thereby reducing the efficiency with which the vaporizer vaporizes the desired amount of vaporizable material, such as when the user puffs with the vaporizer. Furthermore, the vacuum created in the reservoir may prevent all of the vaporizable material from being drawn into the atomizer, potentially resulting in wasted vaporizable material. Therefore, improved vaporizers and / or vaporization cartridges that improve or overcome these problems are desired. Other approaches to equalize the pressure by returning air to the reservoir are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0028] The heating element may be one or more of the conduction heater, radiant heater, and convection heater, or may include them. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may consist of, or include at least, a material (e.g., a metal or alloy such as a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate power in the form of heat when an electric current passes through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In some embodiments of the present invention, the atomizer may include a heating element comprising a resistive coil or other heating element, which is wound, positioned internally, incorporated into a bulk shape, crimped to make thermal contact, or otherwise delivers heat to a wicking element, which in turn draws the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir and vaporizes it for subsequent inhalation of the gaseous and / or condensed (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) phase by the user. Other wicking elements, heating elements, and / or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible, as will be further described below. For example, a heating element consistent with embodiments of the present invention may preferably be shaped to receive a wicking element and / or at least partially crimped or crimped around the wicking element. The heating element may be bent so that it is configured to secure the wicking element between at least two or three parts of the heating element. The heating element may be bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element. The heating element may be easier to manufacture than a typical heating element. A heating element consistent with embodiments of the present invention may be made of a conductive metal suitable for resistance 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 therefore the vaporizing material).

[0029] Certain vaporizers may be configured to produce inhalable doses of gaseous and / or aerosolized vaporized material via heating of a non-liquid vaporized material, such as a solid-phase vaporized material (e.g., wax) or a plant material containing a vaporized material (e.g., tobacco leaves and / or parts of tobacco leaves). In such a vaporizer, the resistance heating element is part of, otherwise incorporated into, or in thermal contact with the wall of the oven or other heating chamber in which the non-liquid vaporized material is placed. Alternatively, the resistance heating element may be used to heat the air passing through or having passed through the non-liquid vaporized material, causing convective heating of the non-liquid vaporized material. In yet another example, the resistance heating element may be positioned in close contact with the plant material so that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within the mass of plant material (e.g., opposite only to inward conductivity from the oven wall).

[0030] In connection with the user puffing (e.g., inhaling, etc.) the mouthpiece 21 of the vaporizer, a heating element may be activated (for example, a controller, which is selectively part of the vaporizer body as described below, may supply current from a power source to a circuit including a resistive heating element, which is selectively part of the vaporizer cartridge as described below) to flow air from the air inlet to the air outlet of the mouthpiece, selectively through one or more condensation areas or condensation chambers, along an airflow path passing through the atomizer (e.g., a combination of one or more wicking elements and one or more heating elements). The incoming air flowing along the airflow path passes over, around, and through the atomizer, and the vaporizable material in the gas phase is entrained with the air. The entrained vaporizable material in the gas phase may condense as it passes through the rest of the airflow path so that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in aerosol form is delivered from the air outlet (e.g., inside the mouthpiece 21 for inhalation by the user).

[0031] The heating element may be activated by, for example, automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 29, such as one or more pressure sensors positioned to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), one or more motion sensors in the vaporizer, one or more flow sensors in the vaporizer, and / or a capacitive lip sensor in the vaporizer; in response to the detection of interaction between the user and one or more input devices 41 (e.g., buttons or other tactile control devices on the vaporizer 10), in response to the reception of one or more signals from a computing device communicating with the vaporizer; and / or through other approaches to determine that a puff is occurring or imminent.

[0032] As mentioned in the previous paragraph, a vaporizer consistent with embodiments of the present invention may be configured to connect (for example, via a wireless or wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) that communicates with the vaporizer. For this purpose, the controller 19 may include communication hardware 49. The controller may also include memory 43. The computing device is a component of the vaporizer system, which also includes the vaporizer 10, and may include its own communication hardware that can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 49 of the vaporizer 10. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system may include a general-purpose computing device (such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, smartwatch, or other portable device) that runs software to create a user interface that allows the device's user to interact with the vaporizer. In other embodiments of the present invention, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system may be a dedicated hardware component such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or software interface controls (for example, configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons). The vaporizer may also include one or more output mechanisms or devices for providing information to the user.

[0033] The computing device, which is part of the vaporizer system as defined above, may be used for one or more of the following functions: dose control (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking), session control (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking), nicotine delivery control (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporized materials, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered), location acquisition (e.g., location of other users, location of retail stores / commercial facilities, inhalation location, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself), personalization of the vaporizer (e.g., naming the vaporizer, locking / password protecting the vaporizer, adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a user group, registering with the vaporizer manufacturer or warranty provider), and participation in social activities with other users (e.g., games, social media communication, interaction with one or more groups). The terms “sessionalization,” “session,” “vaporizer session,” or “vapor session” are generally used to refer to the period of time spent using the vaporizer. The period may include time of day, number of doses, amount of vaporized material, etc.

[0034] In one example, where the computing device provides signals related to the activation of a resistive heating element, or in another example where the computing device and the vaporizer are coupled for the 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, detection of user interaction with one or more user interface elements by the computing device causes the computing device to signal the vaporizer 10 to actuate the heating element to its full operating temperature for producing an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol, or to a lower temperature for initiating heating of the heating element. Other functions of the vaporizer may be controlled by user interaction between a user interface on the computing device communicating with the vaporizer and the user.

[0035] The temperature of the resistive heating element of a vaporizer may depend on many factors, including the material of the heating element, the amount of power supplied to the resistive heating element and / or the duty cycle under which the power is supplied, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer and / or the environment, latent heat loss due to the vaporization of the vaporizable material from the wicking element and / or the entire atomizer, and convective heat loss due to airflow (e.g., air moving through the heating element or the entire atomizer when a user inhales into the electronic vaporizer). As described above, in order to ensure that the heating element operates or heats the heating element to a desired temperature, the vaporizer, in some embodiments of the present invention, utilizes a signal from a pressure sensor to determine when a user is inhaling. The pressure sensor may be placed in the airflow path and / or connected (e.g., by a passage or other path) to the airflow path connecting the inlet of air entering the device and the outlet from which the user inhales the resulting vapor and / or aerosol, and the sensor may receive pressure changes simultaneously with the air passing through the vaporizer from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some embodiments of the present invention, the heating element may be operated in relation to the user's puffing by automatic detection of the puffing, for example, by a pressure sensor that detects pressure changes in the airflow path. As described above, the heating element may be fully and / or selectively plated with one or more other materials to enhance the heating performance of the heating element.

[0036] Typically, the pressure sensor (and / or other sensors 29) can be located on or coupled to the controller 19 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board) (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection). To ensure accurate measurements and maintain the durability of the vaporizer, it may be beneficial to provide an elastic seal 60 that isolates the airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer. The seal 60, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the pressure sensor so that the connection of the pressure sensor to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer is isolated from the portion of the pressure sensor exposed to the airflow path.

[0037] In the example of a cartridge-based vaporizer, the seal or gasket 60 may isolate one or more portions of electrical connections between the vaporizer body 50 and the vaporizer cartridge 52. Such arrangement of gaskets or seals 60 within the vaporizer 10 helps mitigate potential destructive effects on vaporizer components resulting from interaction with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phase, other fluids such as vaporizable materials, and / or reduce air leakage from designed airflow paths within the vaporizer. Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluids passing over or coming into contact with the vaporizer circuitry can cause a variety of unwanted effects, including changes in pressure readings, and / or the accumulation of unwanted materials such as moisture, vaporizable materials, in parts of the vaporizer, which can result in a decrease in pressure signals, deterioration of pressure sensors or other components, and / or a shortened vaporizer lifespan. Leakage in the seal or gasket 60 could also result in the user inhaling air that has passed through parts of the vaporizer containing or constructed with materials that may be undesirable to inhale.

[0038] A common class of vaporizers that have recently gained popularity includes a vaporizer body 50 which includes a controller 19, a power supply 8 (e.g., a battery), one or more sensors, charging contacts, a gasket or seal 60, and a cartridge receptacle 69 configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge 52 for coupling to the vaporizer body 50 via one or more of various mounting structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 52 includes a reservoir 55 for containing liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece 21 for delivering an inhalable dose to the user. The vaporizer cartridge may include an atomizer 26 having a wicking element and a heating element, or one or both of the wicking element and the heating element may be part of the vaporizer body 50. In embodiments where any part of the atomizer 26 (e.g., the heating element and / or wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body 50, the vaporizer may be configured to supply liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir of the vaporizer cartridge to the atomizer portion included in the vaporizer body.

[0039] The cartridge-based configuration of a vaporizer that generates an inhalable dose of non-liquid vaporizable material by heating the non-liquid vaporizable material is also within the scope of the present invention. For example, a vaporizer cartridge may include a mass of plant material that has been processed and formed to be in direct contact with a portion of one or more resistive heating elements, and such a vaporizer cartridge may be configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to a vaporizer body that includes a processor, a power supply, and electrical contacts for connecting to corresponding cartridge contacts to complete a circuit with one or more resistive heating elements.

[0040] In a vaporizer where the power supply 8 is part of the vaporizer body 50 and the heating element is located in a vaporizer cartridge 52 configured to couple with the vaporizer body 50, the vaporizer 10 may include an electrical connection mechanism (e.g., means for completing the circuit) for completing the circuit including a controller (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, etc.), a power supply, and a heating element. These mechanisms may include at least two, four, or more contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts 65) on the bottom, side, interior, exterior, or other surface of the vaporizer cartridge 52, where at least two, four, or more contacts are located near the base of the cartridge receptacle (referred to herein as receptacle contacts 62) of the vaporizer 10, and the cartridge contacts 65 and the receptacle contacts 62 are electrically connected when the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into and coupled to the cartridge receptacle 69.

[0041] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 65 may face substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 65 may be substantially parallel to the side surface of the vaporizer cartridge and / or face outward toward the side surface of the vaporizer cartridge. In such configurations, the cartridge contacts 65 may be exposed and accessible from the outside of the vaporizer cartridge shell and / or located within a portion of the vaporizer cartridge, such as within the vaporizer cartridge shell. For example, the cartridge contacts 65 may face the inner wall of the vaporizer cartridge shell or another portion of the vaporizer cartridge. The receptacle contacts 62 of the vaporizer 10 enter a portion of the vaporizer cartridge, such as the vaporizer cartridge shell, and electrically connect with the cartridge contacts 65 when the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into and coupled to the cartridge receptacle 69. In some embodiments, when the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into and coupled to the cartridge receptacle 69, the receptacle contact 65 may be positioned between a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 52 (e.g., the outer shell of the vaporizer cartridge) and the cartridge contact 65. Thus, at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 52, such as near the base of the vaporizer cartridge 52, may include a female part that accepts at least a portion of the cartridge receptacle 69 containing the receptacle contact 62, so that the cartridge contact 65 and the receptacle contact 62 mate within at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 52.

[0042] The cartridge contact 65 and / or receptacle contact 62 may include one or more wiping or brush-type contacts configured to clean the connection between contacts 65, 62 and other contacts or power sources. For example, the wiping and / or brush-type contacts may include two parallel but offset projections that frictionally engage with and slide against each other in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction. As described below, the cartridge contact 65 may form part of the heating element of the vaporizer cartridge. The circuit completed by these electrical connections between the cartridge contact 65 and the receptacle contact 62 may be further used for additional functions, such as enabling the delivery of 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, or identifying the cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuits of the vaporizer cartridge.

[0043] In some examples of the present invention, the cartridge contacts and receptacle contacts can be configured to be electrically connected in at least one of two directions. In other words, one or more circuits required for the operation of the vaporizer can be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 52 into the cartridge receptacle 69 in a first rotational direction (around an axis into which the end of the vaporizer cartridge 52 having the cartridge contacts 65 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69 of the vaporizer body 50, and / or at least a portion of the cartridge receptacle 69 having the receptacle contacts 62 is inserted into at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 52 having the cartridge contacts 65), thereby electrically connecting the first cartridge contact of the cartridge contacts 65 to the first receptacle contact of the receptacle contacts 62, the second cartridge contact on the opposite side of the first cartridge contact of the cartridge contacts 65 to the second receptacle contact of the receptacle contacts 62, and so on. Furthermore, one or more circuits necessary for the operation of the vaporizer can be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 52 into the cartridge receptacle 69 in a second rotational direction, thereby electrically connecting the first cartridge contacts to the second receptacle contacts and the second cartridge contacts to the first receptacle contacts. This feature of the vaporizer cartridge 52, which is reversibly insertable into the cartridge receptacle 69 of the vaporizer body 50, will be further described below. For example, the cartridge contacts 65 and the receptacle contacts 62 can be coupled to face each other or to interlock with each other. In some embodiments, one or more cartridge contacts 65 and / or receptacle contacts 62 may include symmetrical inclined or molded surfaces so that they can interlock with each other in either of two reversible directions.

[0044] In one example of a mounting structure for connecting the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the vaporizer body, the vaporizer body 50 includes a retaining element (e.g., a recess, projection, spring, etc.) that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 69. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 52 (e.g., surfaces positioned along the outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge, or externally accessible surfaces positioned inside the vaporizer cartridge) may include corresponding recesses (not shown in Figure 1A) that can engage, accept, and / or otherwise interlock with such retaining elements when the end of the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69 of the vaporizer body 50. When the vaporizer cartridge 52 and the vaporizer body 50 are coupled (for example, by inserting the end of the vaporizer cartridge 52 into the cartridge receptacle 69 of the vaporizer body 50), the retainer of the vaporizer body 50 fits into and / or otherwise settles into the recess of the vaporizer cartridge 52, holding the vaporizer cartridge 52 in place when assembled. Such a retainer recess assembly can hold the vaporizer cartridge 52 in place and provide sufficient support to ensure good contact between at least two cartridge contacts 65 and at least two receptacle contacts 62, while allowing the vaporizer cartridge 52 to be released from the vaporizer body 50 if the user pulls the vaporizer cartridge 52 with reasonable force to detach it from the cartridge receptacle 69.

[0045] In addition to the above discussion regarding the electrical connection between the reversible vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body 50, which allows for at least two rotational directions of the vaporizer cartridge 52 within the cartridge receptacle 69, depending on the vaporizer, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge 52, or at least the shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle 69, may have at least two rotational symmetries. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge 52, or at least the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge 52, may have symmetry of 180° rotation along the axis in which the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69. In such a configuration, the vaporizer circuitry may support the same operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 52 occurs.

[0046] In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 52, or at least the end of the vaporizer cartridge 52 configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69, may have a non-circular cross-section along the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 69. 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 rotational symmetries. In this context, having an approximate (approximate, substantially) shape indicates that there is a clear basic similarity to the described shape, but that the sides of the shape in question do not need to be perfectly straight, and the vertices do not need to be perfectly sharp. The rounding of the edges or vertices, or both, of the cross-sectional shape is taken into consideration in the description of any non-circular cross-sections referred to herein.

[0047] The at least two cartridge contacts 65 and the at least two receptacle contacts 62 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 to improve the physical and electrical contact between the vaporizer cartridge and the contacts on the vaporizer body. The electrical contacts may be selectively gold-plated and / or may include other materials.

[0048] Figure 1B shows an embodiment of a vaporizer body 50 having a cartridge receptacle 69 into which a vaporizer cartridge 52 can be releasably inserted. Figure 1B shows a top view of the vaporizer 10 showing the cartridge positioned for insertion into the vaporizer body 50. When a user puffs the vaporizer 10, air can pass between the outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 52 of the vaporizer body 50 and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 69. The air is then drawn into the insertable end 3 of the cartridge and can pass through a vaporization chamber containing or housing a heating element and a wick, delivering an inhalable aerosol to the user by being discharged from the outlet of the mouthpiece 21. The reservoir 55 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 may be formed entirely or partially from a translucent material so that the level of the vaporizable material 2 is visible along the vaporizer cartridge 52. Figure 1C shows exemplary features that may be included in an embodiment of the vaporizer 10 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, Figure 1C shows a top view of an example of a vaporizer 10 after the vaporizer cartridge 52 has been connected to the vaporizer body 50. Figure 1D shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge 52. Figure 1E shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge 52. Figure 1F shows a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge 52. As shown in Figures 1D to 1F, the vaporizer cartridge 52 includes a housing 7 and an atomizer assembly (or atomizer) 26.

[0049] The atomizer assembly 26 (see Figures 56-58) may include a wicking element 70, a heating element 100, and a wick housing 98. As will be described in more detail below, at least a portion of the heating element 100 is positioned between the housing 7 and the wick housing 98 and exposed to couple with a portion of the vaporizer body 50 (e.g., electrically couple with the receptacle contact 62). The wick housing 98 may include four sides. For example, the wick housing 98 may include two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides. Each of the two opposing long sides may include at least one (more than two) recesses 87 (see Figures 56 and 68A). The recesses 87 may be positioned along the long sides of the wick housing 98, adjacent to the respective intersections between the long and short sides of the wick housing 98. The recess 87 can be shaped to releasably connect to a corresponding mechanism (e.g., a spring) on ​​the vaporizer body 50 in order to secure the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the vaporizer body 50 within the cartridge receptacle 69. The recess 87 provides a mechanically stable means for connecting the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the vaporizer body 50.

[0050] In some embodiments, the wick housing 98 also includes an identification chip 95, which may be configured to communicate with a corresponding chip reader located on the vaporizer. The identification chip 95 may be attached to the wick housing 98 by adhesive and / or other means, such as on the short side of the wick housing 98. The wick housing 98 may additionally or alternatively include a chip recess 83 (see Figure 57) configured to receive the identification chip 95. The chip recess 83 may be surrounded by two, four, or more walls. The chip recess 83 may be shaped to secure the identification chip 95 to the wick housing 98.

[0051] As described above, the vaporizer cartridge 52 may generally include a reservoir, an air passage, and an atomizer 26. In some configurations, the heating element and / or atomizer described in the embodiments of the present invention may be mounted directly on 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.

[0052] Various advantages and benefits of the present invention may relate to improvements in the configuration, manufacturing method, etc., of the vaporizer. For example, a heating element of a vaporizer consistent with embodiments of the present invention is preferably 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 pre-formed element configured to receive the wicking element (e.g., the wicking element is pressed into the heating element, and / or the heating element is held taut and pulled over the wicking element). The heating element may be bent so 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 the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element. The configuration of the heating element allows for more consistent, high-quality manufacturing of the heating element. Consistency in the manufacturing quality of the heating element is particularly important during scaled and / or automated manufacturing processes. For example, a heating element consistent with embodiments of the present invention helps reduce tolerance issues that may arise during the manufacturing process when assembling a heating element having multiple components.

[0053] In some embodiments, the accuracy of the heating element measurements (resistance, current, temperature, etc.) may be improved, at least in part, due to improved manufacturability consistency of the heating element, which reduces tolerance issues. Improved accuracy of measurements enhances the user experience when using the vaporizer. For example, as described above, the vaporizer 10 can receive a signal to activate the heating element to its full operating temperature for producing an inhalable volume of vapor / aerosol, or to a lower temperature for initiating heating of the heating element. The temperature of the heating element in the vaporizer may depend on many factors, as described above, some of which can be predicted by eliminating potential variability in the manufacturing and assembly of the atomizer components. Heating elements 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 pre-formed element are preferably helpful in minimizing heat loss and ensuring that the heating element operates to heat to the appropriate temperature as predicted.

[0054] In addition, as described above, the heating element may be fully and / or selectively plated with one or more materials to enhance its heating performance. Plating all or part of the heating element can minimize heat loss. Plating also helps to concentrate the heating 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 costs associated with manufacturing the heating element.

[0055] Once the heating element is formed into the appropriate shape through one or more processes described below, the heating element is crimped around the wicking element and / or bent into the appropriate position to receive the wicking element. In some embodiments, the wicking element may be a fibrous wick formed as at least a nearly flat pad, or with other cross-sectional shapes such as a circle, ellipse, etc. A flat pad allows for more precise and / or accurate control of the rate at which the vaporizable material is drawn into the wicking element. For example, its length, width, and / or thickness can be adjusted to obtain optimal performance. A wicking element forming a flat pad can provide a larger transfer surface area, thereby increasing the flow of vaporizable material from the reservoir to the wicking element (in other words, the transfer of a larger mass of vaporizable material) and the flow of vaporizable material from the wicking element to the air passing through the wicking element for vaporization by the heating element. In such configurations, the heating element may be in contact with the wicking element in multiple directions (e.g., on at least two sides of the wicking element) to increase the efficiency of the process of drawing the vaporizable material into the wicking element and vaporizing it. Also, the flat pad can be more easily molded and / or cut, and therefore more easily assembled to the heating element. In some embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the heating element may be configured to be in contact with the wicking element on only one side of the wicking element.

[0056] The wicking element may comprise one or more rigid or compressible materials, such as cotton, silica, or ceramic. Compared to some other materials, a cotton wicking element can increase and / or make more controllable the flow rate of 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 to be fixed between at least two parts 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.

[0057] Figures 2 to 5 show schematic diagrams of a heating element 100 consistent with embodiments of the present invention. For example, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the heating element 100 in an unfolded position. As shown, in the unfolded position, the heating element 100 forms a planar heating element. The heating element 100 may first be formed from a substrate material. The substrate material is then cut and / or punched into a suitable shape through a variety of mechanical processes, including but not limited to punching, laser cutting, photoetching, and chemical etching.

[0058] The substrate material may be made of a conductive metal suitable for resistance heating. In some embodiments, the heating element 100 includes nickel-chromium alloy, nickel alloy, stainless steel, and the like. As described below, the heating element 100 may be plated 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 100) to improve, limit, or modify the resistivity of the heating element at one or more locations on the substrate material.

[0059] The heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 (e.g., heating segments) located in the heating section 104, one or more legs or (e.g., one, two, or more) connecting parts 106 located in the transition region 108, and cartridge contacts 65 located in the electrical contact region 110 and formed at each end of one or more legs 106. The teeth 102, legs 106, and cartridge contacts 65 may be formed integrally. For example, the teeth 102, legs 106, and cartridge contacts 65 form a portion of the heating element 100 punched and / or cut from a substrate material. In some embodiments, the heating element 100 also includes a heat shield 118 extending from one or more of the legs 106, which may also be formed integrally with the teeth 102, legs 106, and cartridge contacts 65.

[0060] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heating section 104 of the heating element 100 is configured to connect with the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir 55 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the wicking element. The heating section 104 of the heating element 100 can be molded, sized, and / or otherwise processed to produce a desired resistance. For example, teeth 102 located in the heating section 104 are designed so that the resistance of the teeth 102 corresponds to an appropriate resistance value and influences local heating in the heating section 104, heating the vaporizable material from the wicking element more efficiently and effectively. The teeth 102 form heating segments or traces of narrow paths in series and / or parallel to provide the desired amount of resistance.

[0061] The teeth 102 (e.g., traces) may include a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations. In some configurations, one or more teeth 102 may be spaced apart so that the vaporizable material can be released from there out of the wicking element and vaporize from the side edges of each tooth 102. Among other properties of the teeth 102, in particular the shape, length, width, and composition may be optimized to maximize the efficiency of generating an aerosol by vaporizing the vaporizable material from within the heating section of the heating element 100 and to maximize electrical efficiency. Among other properties of the teeth 102, in particular the shape, length, width, and composition may be additionally or alternatively optimized to uniformly distribute heat over the entire length of the teeth 102 (or a portion of the teeth 102 in the case of a heating section 104). For example, the width of the teeth 102 may be uniform or variable along the length of the teeth 102 to control the temperature profile over at least the heating section 104 of the heating element 100. In some examples, the length of the teeth 102 can be controlled to achieve a desired resistance along at least a portion of the heating element 100, such as the heating portion 104. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, each tooth 102 has the same size and shape. For example, a tooth 102 includes an outer edge 103 that is substantially aligned and has a generally rectangular shape, and has a flat or square outer edge 103 (see also Figures 6 to 10) or a rounded outer edge 103 (see Figures 11 and 12). In some embodiments, one or more teeth 102 may include an outer edge 103 that is not aligned and / or of a different size or shape (see Figures 14 to 19). In some embodiments, the teeth 102 may be evenly spaced apart or may have a variable spacing between adjacent teeth 102 (see Figures 44 to 49). The specific geometric shape of the teeth 102 is preferably selected to generate specific local resistance for heating the heating section 104 and to maximize the performance of the heating element 100, which heats the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol.

[0062] The heating element 100 may include portions with a wider and / or thicker geometric shape and / or different composition relative to the teeth 102. These portions may form electrical contact areas and / or more conductive areas and / or include mechanisms for mounting the heating element 100 within the vaporizer cartridge. The legs 106 of the heating element 100 extend from the ends of each outermost tooth 102A. The legs 106 typically form portions of the heating element 100 that are wider and / or thicker than the width of each tooth 102. However, in some embodiments, the legs 106 are the same width and / or thinner as the width of each tooth 102. The legs 106 connect the heating element 100 to the wick housing 98 or another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 52, so that the heating element 100 is at least partially or completely enclosed by the housing 7. The legs 106 provide rigidity that facilitates the mechanical stability of the heating element 100 during and after manufacturing. The legs 106 also connect the cartridge contacts 65 to the teeth 102 located on the heating section 104. The legs 106 are shaped and sized so that the heating element 100 can maintain the electrical requirements of the heating section 104. As shown in Figure 5, when the heating element 100 is assembled with the vaporizer cartridge 52, the legs 106 separate the heating section 104 from the end of the vaporizer cartridge 52. As will be described in more detail below, the legs 106 may also include a capillary mechanism 198, at least with respect to Figures 39-55 and 60-61. The capillary mechanism 198 restricts or prevents the outflow of fluid from the heating section 104 to other parts of the heating element 100.

[0063] In some embodiments, one or more of the legs 106 include one or more positioning mechanisms 116. The positioning mechanisms 116 may be used to position the heating element 100 or a portion thereof during and / or after assembly by coordinating with other (e.g., adjacent) components of the vaporizer cartridge 52. In some embodiments, the positioning mechanisms 116 may be used during or after manufacturing to properly position the substrate material and cut and / or punch out the substrate material to form or post-process the heating element 100. The positioning mechanisms 116 may be sheared and / or cut before the heating element 100 is crimped or bent in another way.

[0064] In some embodiments, the heating element 100 includes one or more heat shields 118. The heat shields 118 form part of the heating element 100 that extends laterally from the leg portion 106. When folded and / or crimped, the heat shields 118 are positioned offset from the teeth portion 102 on the same plane in a first direction and / or a second direction opposite to the first direction. When the heating element 100 is assembled to the vaporizer cartridge 52, the heat shields 118 are configured to be positioned between the teeth portion 102 (and heating portion 104) and the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52 (e.g., a plastic body). The heat shields 118 can help insulate the heating portion 104 from the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52. The heat shields 118 help minimize the effect of heat emanating from the heating portion 104 on the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52, protect the structural integrity of the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52, and prevent melting or other deformation of the vaporizer cartridge 52. The heat shield 118 also helps maintain a constant temperature in the heating section 104 by retaining heat within it, thereby preventing or limiting heat loss while vaporization is occurring. In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 52 may further or alternatively include a heat shield 118A separate from the heating element 100 (see Figure 59).

[0065] As described above, the heating element 100 includes at least two cartridge contacts 65 that form the ends of each leg portion 106. For example, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the cartridge contacts 65 may form portions of the leg portion 106 that are folded along the fold line 107. The cartridge contacts 65 may be folded at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the leg portion 106. In some embodiments, the cartridge contacts 65 may be folded at other angles relative to the leg portion 106, such as angles of about 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75 degrees or other ranges in between. Depending on the embodiment, the cartridge contacts 65 may be folded toward or away from the heating portion 104. The cartridge contacts 65 may also be formed on other portions of the heating element 100, such as along at least one length of the leg portion 106. The cartridge contacts 65 are configured to be exposed to the environment when assembled in the vaporizer cartridge 52 (see Figure 10).

[0066] The cartridge contact 65 may form a conductive pin, tab, post, housing hole, or the surface of a pin or post, or other contact configuration. Some types of cartridge contacts 65 include a spring or other biasing mechanism to improve the physical and electrical contact between the cartridge contact 65 on the vaporizer cartridge and the receptacle contact 62 on the vaporizer body 50. In some embodiments, the cartridge contact 65 includes a wiping contact configured to clean the connection between the cartridge contact 65 and other contacts or power sources. For example, the wiping contact might include two parallel but offset projections that frictionally engage with and slide against each other in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0067] The cartridge contact 65 is configured to connect with a receptacle contact 62 located near the base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 10. When the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into and coupled to the cartridge receptacle 69, the cartridge contact 65 and the receptacle contact 62 make an electrical connection. The cartridge contact 65 can communicate with the vaporizer power supply 8 (via the receptacle contact 62, etc.). The circuit completed by these electrical connections can deliver current to the resistive heating element to heat at least a portion of the heating element 100 and can be further used for additional functions, such as 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, or identifying a cartridge based on one or more electrical properties of the resistive heating element or other circuits of the vaporizer cartridge. The cartridge contact 65 may be treated to provide improved electrical properties (e.g., contact resistance) using, for example, conductive plating, surface treatment, and / or deposited materials, as will be described in more detail below.

[0068] In some embodiments, the heating element 100 may be subjected to a series of crimping and / or bending operations to shape the heating element 100 into a desired three-dimensional shape. For example, the heating element 100 may be pre-formed to receive a wicking element 70 to secure the wicking element between at least two portions of the heating element 100 (e.g., substantially parallel portions) (e.g., between opposing portions of the heating portion 104) or crimped around the wicking element 70. To crimp the heating element 100, the heating element 100 may be bent toward each other along fold lines 120. When the heating element 100 is folded along fold lines 120, a platform tooth portion 124 is formed, defined by the region between the fold lines 120, and a side tooth portion 126 is formed, defined by the region between the fold lines 120 and the outer edge 103 of the tooth portion 102. The platform tooth portion 124 is configured to contact one end of the wicking element 70. The lateral tooth portions 126 are configured to contact both sides of the wicking element 70. The platform tooth portions 124 and the lateral tooth portions 126 form a pocket that receives the wicking element 70 and / or conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 70. The pocket allows the wicking element 70 to be fixed and held in place by the heating element 100 within the pocket. The platform tooth portions 124 and the lateral tooth portions 126 contact the wicking element 70 to provide multidimensional contact between the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70. The multidimensional contact between the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70 provides more efficient and / or faster movement of the vaporizable material to be vaporized (via the wicking element 70) from the reservoir 55 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the heating section 104.

[0069] In some embodiments, portions of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 may be bent away from each other along the fold lines 122. By folding the portions of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 away from each other along the fold lines 122, the legs 106 are positioned away from the heating portion 104 (and teeth 102) of the heating element 100 in a first direction and / or a second direction opposite to the first direction (for example, in the same plane). Thus, by folding the portions of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 away from each other along the fold lines 122, the heating portion 104 is separated from the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the heating element 100 folded along the fold lines 120 and 122 with respect to the wicking element 70. As shown in Figure 3, the wicking element is positioned in a pocket formed by folding the heating element 100 along the fold lines 120 and 122.

[0070] In some embodiments, the heating element 100 may be folded along the fold line 123. For example, the cartridge contacts 65 may be bent toward each other along the fold line 123 (towards the front and back sides of the page shown in Figure 4). The cartridge contacts 65 are exposed to the environment and in contact with the receptacle contacts, while the rest of the heating element 100 is located inside the vaporizer cartridge 52 (see Figures 5 and 10).

[0071] When in use, if the heating element 100 is incorporated into the vaporizer cartridge 52, and the user puffs the mouthpiece 21 of the vaporizer cartridge 52, air enters the vaporizer cartridge and flows along the air path. In relation to the user's puff, the heating element 100 can be activated by, for example, automatic detection of puffing via a pressure sensor, detection of a button press by the user, detection of signals generated from a motion sensor, a flow sensor, a capacitive lip sensor, and / or another approach that can detect that air enters the vaporizer 10 and moves at least along the air path as the user is puffing, attempting to puff, or attempting to inhale in another way. When the heating element 100 is activated, power can be supplied to the heating element 100 from the vaporizer at the cartridge contact 65.

[0072] When the heating element 100 is activated, an electric current flows through it, generating heat and causing its temperature to rise. The heat is transferred to a certain amount of vaporizable material via conduction, convection, and / or radiation, causing at least a portion of the vaporizable material to vaporize. Heat transfer can occur to the vaporizable material in the reservoir and / or to the vaporizable material drawn into the wicking element 70 held by the heating element 100. In some embodiments, as described above, the vaporizable material can vaporize along one or more edges of the teeth 102. Air flowing into the vaporizer flows along an air path across the heating element 100, removing the vaporized vaporizable material from the heating element 100. The vaporized vaporizable material condenses due to cooling, pressure changes, etc., and exits the mouthpiece 21 as an aerosol for the user to inhale.

[0073] As described above, the heating element 100 may be made of various materials such as nichrome, stainless steel, or other resistance heating materials. A combination of two or more materials can be included in the heating element 100, and such a combination can include both a uniform distribution of two or more materials throughout the heating element, or other configurations in which the relative amounts of two or more materials are spatially non-uniform. For example, the teeth 102 may have a more resistant portion, thereby being designed to reach a higher temperature than the teeth or other parts of the heating element 100. In some embodiments, at least the teeth 102 (such as within the heating section 104) may be made of a material having high conductivity and heat resistance.

[0074] The heating element 100 may be plated entirely or selectively with one or more materials. Since the heating element 100 is made of a thermally and / or electrically conductive material such as stainless steel, nichrome, or other thermally and / or electrically conductive alloy, the heating element 100 may experience electrical or heating losses in the path between the cartridge contact 65 and the teeth 102 of the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100. To help reduce heating and / or electrical losses, at least a portion of the heating element 100 can be plated with one or more materials to reduce the resistance of the electrical path leading to the heating portion 104. In some embodiments consistent with the present invention, it is beneficial that the heating portion 104 (e.g., the teeth 102) remains unplated, while at least a portion of the legs 106 and / or cartridge contact 65 is plated with a plating material that reduces the resistance of those portions (e.g., bulk resistance and / or contact resistance).

[0075] For example, the heating element 100 may include various parts plated with different materials. In another example, the heating element 100 may be plated with a layered material. Plating at least a portion of the heating element 100 helps concentrate the current flowing through the heating section 104, thereby reducing electrical and / or thermal losses in other parts of the heating element 100. In some embodiments, it is desirable to maintain low resistance in the electrical path between the cartridge contacts 65 and the teeth 102 of the heating element 100 to reduce electrical and / or thermal losses in the electrical path and compensate for the voltage drop concentrated throughout the heating section 104.

[0076] In some embodiments, the cartridge contacts 65 may be selectively plated. Selectively plating the cartridge contacts 65 with a specific material allows for minimizing or eliminating contact resistance at the point where measurements are taken and electrical contact is made between the cartridge contacts 65 and the receptacle contacts. Providing low resistance in the cartridge contacts 65 can provide more accurate voltage, current, and / or resistance measurements and readings, which may be beneficial for accurately determining the current actual temperature of the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100.

[0077] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cartridge contact 65 and / or at least a portion of the legs 106 can be plated with one or more outer plating materials 150. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge contact 65 and / or at least a portion of the legs 106 may be plated with at least gold, or another material that provides low contact resistance, such as platinum, palladium, silver, or copper.

[0078] In some embodiments, the surface of the heating element 100 can be plated with an adhesive plating material to fix a low-resistance outer plating material to the heating element 100. In such configurations, the adhesive plating material can be attached to the surface of the heating element 100, and the outer plating material can be attached to the adhesive plating material to define the first and second plating layers, respectively. The adhesive plating material includes a material that has adhesive properties when the outer plating material is attached to the adhesive plating material. For example, the adhesive plating material can include nickel, zinc, aluminum, iron, and alloys thereof. Figures 36 to 38 show examples of heating elements 100 in which cartridge contacts 65 are selectively plated with an adhesive plating material and / or an outer plating material.

[0079] In some embodiments, instead of plating the surface of the heating element 100 with an adhesive plating material, a non-plating primer may be used to primer the surface of the heating element 100 in order to adhere the outer plating material to the heating element 100. For example, the surface of the heating element 100 may be primered using etching instead of adhering an adhesive plating material.

[0080] In some embodiments, all or part of the leg portion 106 and the cartridge contact 65 may be plated with an adhesive plating material and / or an external plating material. In some examples, the cartridge contact 65 may include at least a portion having an external plating material that is thicker than the rest of the cartridge contact 65 and / or the leg portion 106 of the heating element 100. In some embodiments, the cartridge contact 65 and / or the leg portion 106 may have a thicker thickness than the teeth portion 102 and / or the heating portion 104.

[0081] In some embodiments, instead of forming the heating element 100 from a single substrate material and plating the substrate material, the heating element 100 may be formed from various materials that are bonded together (e.g., via laser welding, a diffusion process, etc.). The material of each bonded part of the heating element 100 can be selected to have high resistance at the teeth 102 or heating portion 104, with low or no resistance at the cartridge contact 65, compared to other parts of the heating element 100.

[0082] In some embodiments, the heating element 100 may be electroplated with silver ink and / or spray-coated with one or more plating materials such as an adhesive plating material and an external plating material.

[0083] As described above, the heating element 100 can include various shapes, sizes, and geometries in order to more efficiently heat the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100 and more efficiently vaporize the vaporizable material.

[0084] Figures 6 to 10 show examples of a heating element 100 consistent with embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located in the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, cartridge contacts 65 formed at each end of the one or more legs 106, and a heat shield 118 extending from the one or more legs 106. In this example, each of the teeth 102 has the same or similar shape and size. The teeth 102 have a square and / or flat outer edge 103. In Figures 6 to 9, the teeth 102 are crimped around a wicking element 70 (e.g., a flat pad) to secure the wicking element 70 within the pockets of the teeth 102.

[0085] Figures 11 and 12 show another example of the heating element 100 consistent with embodiments of the present invention in a non-bent position (Figure 11) and a bent position (Figure 12). As shown, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located in the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, cartridge contacts 65 formed at each end of the one or more legs 106, and a heat shield 118 extending from the one or more legs 106. In this example, each of the teeth 102 has the same or similar shape and size, and the teeth 102 have a rounded and / or semicircular outer edge 103.

[0086] Figure 13 shows another example of a heating element 100 in a bent position consistent with embodiments of the present invention, which are similar to the exemplary heating element 100 shown in Figures 11-12, but in this example, each of the teeth 102 has the same or similar shape and size, and the teeth 102 have a square and / or flat outer edge 103.

[0087] Figures 14–19 show other examples of a heating element 100 in which at least one tooth portion 102 is of a different size, shape, or position from the remaining teeth portions 102. For example, as shown in Figures 14–15, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth portions 102 located in the heating portion 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth portion 102, and cartridge contacts 65 formed at each end of the one or more legs 106. In this example, the teeth portion 102 includes a first set of teeth 105A and a second set of teeth 105B. The first and second sets of teeth 105A, 105B are offset from each other. For example, the outer edges 103 of the first and second sets of teeth 105A, 105B are not aligned with each other. As shown in Figure 15, when the heating section 104 is in the bent position, the first set of teeth 105A appears shorter than the second set of teeth 105B in the first portion of the heating element 100, and the first set of teeth 105A appears longer than the second set of teeth 105B in the second portion of the heating element 100.

[0088] As shown in Figures 16-17, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located in the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, and cartridge contacts 65 formed at each end of the one or more legs 106. In this example, the teeth 102 includes a first set of teeth 109A and a second set of teeth 109B. The first and second sets of teeth 109A and 109B are offset from each other. For example, the outer edges 103 of the first and second sets of teeth 109A and 109B are not aligned with each other. Here, the second set of teeth 109B includes a single outermost tooth 102A. As shown in Figures 16-17, when the heating section 104 is in the bent position, the first set of teeth 109A appears to be longer than the second set of teeth 109B. Furthermore, in Figures 16-17, the teeth 102 are not bent. Rather, the teeth 102 are located on a first portion of the heating element 100 and on a second portion positioned substantially parallel to and opposite the first portion. The first set of teeth located on the first portion of the heating element 100 is separated from the second set of teeth located on the second portion of the heating element 100 by a platform portion 130 that is positioned between the first and second sets of teeth and is spaced apart from both. The platform portion 130 is configured to contact the end of the wicking element 70. The platform portion 130 includes a notch 132. The notch 132 can provide an additional edge from which the vaporizable material can vaporize when the heating element 100 is operated.

[0089] As shown in Figures 18-19, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located in the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, and cartridge contacts 65 formed at each end of the one or more legs 106. In this example, the teeth 102 includes a first set of teeth 109A and a second set of teeth 109B. The first and second sets of teeth 109A and 109B are offset from each other. For example, the outer edges 103 of the first and second sets of teeth 109A and 109B are not aligned with each other. Here, each of the first and second sets of teeth 109A and 109B includes two teeth 102. As shown in Figures 18-19, when the heating section 104 is in the bent position, the first set of teeth 109A appears shorter than the second set of teeth 109B. Furthermore, in Figures 18-19, the teeth 102 are not bent. Rather, the teeth 102 are positioned on a first portion and a second portion (parallel to and opposite to the first portion) of the heating element 100. The first set of teeth positioned on the first portion is positioned between the first and second sets of teeth and is separated from the second set of teeth positioned on the second portion by a platform portion that is spaced apart from both. The platform portion is configured to contact the end of the wicking element 70. The platform portion includes a notch. The notch can provide an additional edge from which the vaporizable material can vaporize when the heating element 100 is operated.

[0090] Figures 20–25 show another example of the heating element 100 consistent with embodiments of the present invention in a non-bent position (Figure 20) and a bent position (Figures 21–25). As shown, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located in the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, cartridge contacts 65 formed at each end of the one or more legs 106, and a heat shield 118 extending from the one or more legs 106. In this example, the heating element 100 is configured to be crimped and / or bent to receive a cylindrical wicking element 70 or a wicking element 70 having a circular cross-section. Each of the teeth 102 includes an opening 140. The opening 140 can provide an additional edge from which a vaporizable material can vaporize from when the heating element 100 is activated. The opening 140 also reduces the amount of material used to form the heating element 100, thereby reducing the weight of the heating element 100 and the amount of material used for the heating element 100, and consequently reducing material costs.

[0091] Figures 26–35 show a heating element 100 consistent with embodiments of the present invention in which the heating element 100 is pressed against one side of the wicking element 70. As shown, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located on the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, and cartridge contacts 65 formed at each end of the one or more legs 106. In these examples, the legs 106 and cartridge contacts 65 are configured to curve in the third direction rather than in the first and second directions perpendicular to the third direction. In such configurations, the teeth 102 of the heating section 104 form a planar platform facing outward from the heating element 100 and are configured to press against the wicking element 70 (for example, on one side of the wicking element 70).

[0092] Figures 28 to 31 show several examples of heating elements 100 consistent with embodiments of the present invention, including teeth 102 composed of various shapes. As described above, the teeth 102 form a planar platform that is pressed against one side of the wicking element 70 during use. The legs 106, rather than the teeth 102, bend at the bending position.

[0093] Figure 32 shows an example of the heating element 100 shown in Figure 28, assembled into components of the vaporizer cartridge 52, such as a wick housing (e.g., a wick housing 98) that houses the wicking element 70 and the heating element 100, and Figure 33 shows the heating element 100 assembled into an exemplary vaporizer cartridge 52 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the cartridge contacts 65 are bent laterally toward each other.

[0094] Figures 34 and 35 show another example of a heating element 100 that forms a platform configured such that the teeth 102 are pressed against the wicking element 70. Here, the legs 106 can form a spring-like structure that presses the teeth 102 against the wicking element 70 when a lateral inward force is applied to each of the legs 106. For example, Figure 35 shows an example in which the teeth 102 are pressed against the wicking element 70 when power (e.g., current) is supplied to the heating element 100 via a cartridge contact 65 or the like.

[0095] Figures 39 to 43 show another example of a heating element 100 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located in the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, and cartridge contacts 65 formed at the ends of one or more legs 106 and / or as part of each of them. In this example, each of the teeth 102 has the same or similar shape and size and is spaced equally apart from one another. The teeth 102 have a rounded outer edge 103.

[0096] As shown in Figure 42, the teeth 102 are crimped around the wicking element 70 (e.g., a flat pad) to secure the wicking element 70 within a pocket formed by the teeth 102. For example, the teeth 102 may be folded and / or crimped to define the pocket in which the wicking element 70 resides. The teeth 102 includes a platform tooth portion 124 and a lateral tooth portion 126. The platform tooth portion 124 is configured to contact one side of the wicking element 70, and the lateral tooth portion 126 is configured to contact the other opposing side of the wicking element 70. The platform tooth portion 124 and the lateral tooth portion 126 form a pocket that receives the wicking element 70 and / or conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 70. The pocket allows the wicking element 70 to be fixed and held in place by the heating element 100 within the pocket.

[0097] In some embodiments, the lateral tooth portions 126 and the platform tooth portions 124 hold the wicking element 70 by compression (for example, at least a portion of the wicking element 70 is compressed between the lateral tooth portions 126 and / or the platform tooth portions 124 on both sides). The platform tooth portions 124 and the lateral tooth portions 126 contact the wicking element 70 to provide multidimensional contact between the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70. The multidimensional contact between the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70 provides more efficient and / or faster movement of the vaporizable material to be vaporized (via the wicking element 70) from the reservoir 55 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the heating section 104.

[0098] One or more legs 106 of the exemplary heating element 100 shown in Figures 39 to 43 include four legs 106. Each of the legs 106 may include and / or define a cartridge contact 65 configured to contact a corresponding receptacle contact 62 of the vaporizer 10. In some embodiments, each pair of legs 106 (and cartridge contact 65) may contact a single receptacle contact 62. The legs 106 may be spring-loaded so that the legs 106 can maintain contact with the receptacle contact 62. The legs 106 may include portions extending along the length of the leg 106 that are curved to help maintain contact with the receptacle contact 62. The spring-loaded leg 106 and / or the curvature of the leg 106 may help increase and / or maintain consistent pressure between the leg 106 and the receptacle contact 62. In some embodiments, the leg portion 106 is coupled to a support 97 that helps increase and / or maintain consistent pressure between the leg portion 106 and the receptacle contact 62. The support 97 may include plastic, rubber, or other materials to help maintain contact between the leg portion 106 and the receptacle contact 62. In some embodiments, the support 97 is formed as part of the leg portion 106.

[0099] The leg portion 106 may contact one or more wiping contacts configured to clean the connection between the cartridge contact 65 and other contacts or power supply. For example, the wiping contacts may include at least two parallel but offset projections that frictionally engage with and slide against each other in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0100] As shown in Figures 39 to 55, one or more legs 106 of the heating element 100 include four legs 106. Figures 48 to 49, 54A to 55B, and 66 to 67 show examples of the heating element 100 in a non-bent position. As shown, the heating element 100 has an H shape defined by four legs 106 and teeth 102. This configuration allows for more accurate measurement of the overall resistance of the heater and reduces variability in resistance measurements, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of aerosol generation. The heating element 100 includes two pairs of opposing legs 106. The teeth 102 connect (e.g., intersect) with each pair of opposing legs 106 at or near the center of each pair of opposing legs 106. The heating section 104 is positioned between the pairs of opposing legs 106.

[0101] Figure 66 shows an example of a heating element 100 before it is punched out and / or otherwise formed from the substrate material 177. Excess substrate material 177A may be bonded to the heating element 100 at one, two, or more bonding positions 177B. For example, as shown, the excess substrate material 177A may be bonded to the heating element 100 at two bonding positions 177B near the platform portion of the heating element and / or the opposing lateral ends 173 of the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100. In some embodiments, the heating element 100 may first be punched out from the substrate material 177 and then the excess substrate material 177A may be removed at the bonding positions 177B (e.g., by twisting, pulling, punching, cutting, etc., the heating element 100).

[0102] As described above, in order to crimp the heating element 100, the heating element 100 may be bent or folded in another way along the fold lines 123, 122A, 122B, 120 so as to be toward or toward each other (see, for example, Figure 55A). The fold lines are shown in Figure 55A, but the exemplary heating element 100 described and shown in Figures 1D to 72C may be crimped, folded or otherwise bent along the fold lines. When the heating element 100 is folded along the fold line 120, a platform tooth portion 124 is formed, which is defined by the region between the fold lines 120 and / or the region between the lateral tooth portions 126 defined by the region between the fold line 120 and / or the region between the fold line 120 and the outer edge 103 of the tooth portion 102. The platform tooth portion 124 may contact and / or support one end of the wicking element 70. The lateral tooth portions 126 may contact both sides of the wicking element 70. The platform tooth portion 124 and the side tooth portion 126 define the internal volume of the heating element, which forms a pocket that receives the wicking element 70 and / or conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 70. The internal volume allows the wicking element 70 to be fixed and held in place by the heating element 100 within the pocket. The platform tooth portion 124 and the side tooth portion 126 contact the wicking element 70 to provide multidimensional contact between the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70. The multidimensional contact between the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70 provides more efficient and / or faster transfer of the vaporizable material to be vaporized (via the wicking element 70) from the reservoir 55 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the heating section 104.

[0103] In some embodiments, portions of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 may be bent along fold lines 122A and 122B. By folding portions of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 away from each other along fold line 122, the legs 106 are positioned away from the heating portion 104 (and teeth 102) of the heating element 100 in a first direction and / or a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., in the same plane). Thus, by folding portions of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 away from each other along fold line 122, the heating portion 104 is separated from the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52. Folding portions of the legs 106 along fold lines 122A and 122B forms a bridge 185. In some embodiments, the bridge 185 helps to reduce or eliminate overflow of vaporizable material from the heating portion 104 due to capillary action or the like. The bridge 185 also helps to insulate the heating element 104 from the leg portion 106, so that the heat generated in the heating element 104 does not reach the leg portion 106. This also helps to localize the heating of the heating element 100 within the heating element 104.

[0104] In some embodiments, the heating element 100 may be bent along a fold line 123 to define a cartridge contact 65. The cartridge contact 65 is exposed to the environment or otherwise accessible (and can be located inside a part of the cartridge, such as the outer shell) to contact the receptacle contact, while other parts of the heating element 100, such as the heating portion 104, are located in an inaccessible part of the vaporizer cartridge 52, such as the wick housing.

[0105] In some embodiments, the leg portion 106 includes a retaining portion 99 configured to bend around at least a portion of the wick housing 98 that encloses at least a portion of the wicking element 70 and the heating element 100 (such as the heating section 104). The retaining portion 99 forms the end of the leg portion 106. The retaining portion 99 helps to secure the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70 to the wick housing 98 (and vaporizer cartridge 52). Alternatively, the retaining portion 99 may be bent away from at least a portion of the wick housing 98.

[0106] Figures 44 to 49 show another example of a heating element 100 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located in the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, and cartridge contacts 65 formed at the ends of one or more legs 106 and / or as part of each of them.

[0107] The teeth 102 may be folded and / or crimped to define a pocket in which a wicking element 70 (e.g., a flat pad) resides. The teeth 102 includes a platform teeth portion 124 and a lateral teeth portion 126. The platform teeth portion 124 is configured to contact one side of the wicking element 70, and the lateral teeth portion 126 is configured to contact the other opposing side of the wicking element 70. The platform teeth portion 124 and the lateral teeth portion 126 form a pocket that receives the wicking element 70 and / or conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 70. The pocket allows the wicking element 70 to be fixed and held in place by the heating element 100 within the pocket.

[0108] In this example, the teeth 102 have various shapes and sizes and are spaced apart from one another by the same or varying distances. For example, as shown, each of the lateral tooth portions 126 contains at least four teeth 102. In the first pair of adjacent teeth 102 170, each adjacent tooth 102 is spaced at an equal distance from an inner region 176 located near the platform tooth portion 124 to an outer region 178 located near the outer edge 103. In the second pair of adjacent teeth 102 172, the adjacent teeth 102 are spaced apart by a varying distance from the inner region 176 to the outer region 178. For example, the adjacent teeth 102 in the second pair 172 are spaced with a greater width in the inner region 176 than in the outer region 178. These configurations can help maintain a constant and uniform temperature along the length of the teeth 102 of the heating portion 104. By maintaining a constant temperature along the length of the teeth 102, the maximum temperature can be maintained more uniformly throughout the heating section 104, thereby enabling the delivery of a higher quality aerosol.

[0109] As described above, each of the legs 106 may include and / or define a cartridge contact 65 configured to contact a corresponding receptacle contact 62 of the vaporizer 10. In some embodiments, each pair of legs 106 (and cartridge contact 65) may contact a single receptacle contact 62. In some embodiments, the legs 106 include a retaining portion 99 configured to bend and generally extending away from the heating portion 104. The retaining portion 99 is configured to be positioned in a corresponding recess of the wick housing 98. The retaining portion 99 forms the end of the leg 106. The retaining portion 99 helps to secure the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70 to the wick housing 98 (and vaporizer cartridge 52). The retaining portion 99 may have a tip portion 99A extending from the end of the retaining portion 99 toward the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100. This configuration reduces the possibility of the retaining part coming into contact with another part of the vaporizer cartridge 52, or with a cleaning device used to clean the vaporizer cartridge 52.

[0110] The outer edge 103 of the teeth 102 of the heating element 104 may include tabs 180. The tabs 180 may include one, two, three, four, or more tabs 180. The tabs 180 may extend outward from the outer edge 103 and away from the center of the heating element 100. For example, the tabs 180 can be positioned along the edge of the heating element 100 surrounding an internal volume defined by at least the side teeth portion 126 for receiving the wicking element 70. The tabs 180 may extend outward away from the internal volume of the wicking element 70. The tabs 180 may also extend away in the opposite direction from the platform teeth portion 124. In some embodiments, tabs 180 positioned on opposing sides of the internal volume of the wicking element 70 may extend away from each other. This configuration helps to widen the opening leading to the internal volume of the wicking element 70, thereby reducing the likelihood of the wicking element 70 snagging, tearing, and / or being damaged when assembled to the heating element 100. Due to the material of the wicking element 70, it may easily snag, tear, and / or be damaged in other ways when assembled to the heating element 100 (e.g., placed inside or inserted). Contact between the wicking element 70 and the outer edge 103 of the teeth 102 may also cause damage to the heating element. The shape and / or positioning of the tab 180 allows the wicking element 70 to be more easily positioned into or toward the pocket formed by the teeth 102 (e.g., the internal volume of the heating element 100), thereby preventing or reducing the likelihood of damage to the wicking element 70 and / or the heating element. Therefore, the tab 180 helps reduce or prevent damage to the heating element 100 and / or the wicking element 70 when the wicking element 70 comes into thermal contact with the heating element 100. The shape of the tab 180 also helps minimize its effect on the resistance of the heating section 104.

[0111] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cartridge contact 65 and / or at least a portion of the leg portion 106 can be plated with one or more external plating materials 150 to reduce contact resistance at the point where the heating element 100 contacts the receptacle contact 62.

[0112] Figures 50A to 55B show another example of a heating element 100 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the heating element 100 includes one or more teeth 102 located in the heating section 104, one or more legs 106 extending from the teeth 102, and cartridge contacts 65 formed at the ends of one or more legs 106 and / or as part of each of them.

[0113] The teeth 102 may be folded and / or crimped to define a pocket in which a wicking element 70 (e.g., a flat pad) resides. The teeth 102 includes a platform teeth portion 124 and a lateral teeth portion 126. The platform teeth portion 124 is configured to contact one side of the wicking element 70, and the lateral teeth portion 126 is configured to contact the other opposing side of the wicking element 70. The platform teeth portion 124 and the lateral teeth portion 126 form a pocket that receives the wicking element 70 and / or conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 70. The pocket allows the wicking element 70 to be fixed and held in place by the heating element 100 within the pocket.

[0114] In this example, the teeth 102 have the same shape and size and are spaced equally apart from one another. Here, the teeth 102 include a first lateral tooth portion 126A and a second lateral tooth portion 126B, spaced apart by the platform tooth portion 124. Each of the first and second lateral tooth portions 126A and 126B includes an inner region 176 located near the platform tooth portion 124 and an outer region 178 located near the outer edge 103. In the outer region 178, the first lateral tooth portion 126A is positioned substantially parallel to the second tooth portion 126B. In the inner region 176, the first lateral tooth portion 126A is positioned offset from the second tooth portion 126B, and the first and second lateral tooth portions 126A and 126B are not parallel. This configuration may help maintain a constant and uniform temperature along the length of the teeth 102 of the heating portion 104. By maintaining a constant temperature along the length of the teeth 102, the maximum temperature can be maintained more uniformly throughout the heating section 104, thereby enabling the delivery of a higher quality aerosol.

[0115] As described above, each of the legs 106 may include and / or define a cartridge contact 65 configured to contact a corresponding receptacle contact 62 of the vaporizer 10. In some embodiments, each pair of legs 106 (and cartridge contact 65) may contact a single receptacle contact 62. In some embodiments, the legs 106 include a retaining portion 99 configured to bend and generally extending away from the heating portion 104. The retaining portion 99 is configured to be positioned in a corresponding recess of the wick housing 98. The retaining portion 99 forms the end of the leg 106. The retaining portion 99 helps to secure the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70 to the wick housing 98 (and vaporizer cartridge 52). The retaining portion 99 may have a tip portion 99A extending from the end of the retaining portion 99 toward the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100. This configuration reduces the possibility of the retaining part coming into contact with another part of the vaporizer cartridge 52, or with a cleaning device used to clean the vaporizer cartridge 52.

[0116] The outer edge 103 of the teeth 102 of the heating section 104 may include a tab 180. The tab 180 may extend outward from the outer edge 103 and away from the center of the heating element 100. The tab 180 can be shaped to allow the wicking element 70 to be more easily positioned in the pocket formed by the teeth 102, thereby preventing or reducing the possibility of the wicking element 70 getting caught on the outer edge 103. The shape of the tab 180 helps to minimize its effect on the resistance of the heating section 104.

[0117] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cartridge contact 65 and / or at least a portion of the leg portion 106 can be plated with one or more external plating materials 150 to reduce contact resistance at the point where the heating element 100 contacts the receptacle contact 65.

[0118] Figures 56-57 show an example of an atomizer assembly 26 in which the heating element 100 is assembled to a wick housing 98, and Figure 58 shows an exploded view of the atomizer assembly 26 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. The wick housing 98 may be made of plastic, polypropylene, or the like. The wick housing 98 includes four recesses 192 in which at least a portion of each of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 can be positioned and secured. As shown, the wick housing 98 also includes an opening 193 that provides access to an internal volume 194 in which at least the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70 are positioned.

[0119] The wick housing 98 may also include a separate heat shield 118A, as shown in Figure 59. The heat shield 118A is positioned within the internal volume 194 of the wick housing 98 between the wall of the wick housing 98 and the heating element 100. The heat shield 118A is molded to at least partially surround the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100 and to keep the heating element 100 away from the side wall of the wick housing 98. The heat shield 118A can help insulate the heating portion 104 from the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52 and / or the wick housing 98. The heat shield 118A helps minimize the effects of heat emanating from the heating portion 104 of the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52 and / or the wick housing 98, protect the structural integrity of the body of the vaporizer cartridge 52 and / or the wick housing 98, and prevent melting or other deformation of the vaporizer cartridge 52 and / or the wick housing 98. The heat shield 118A also helps maintain a constant temperature in the heating section 104 by retaining heat within the heating section 104, thereby preventing or limiting heat loss.

[0120] The heat shield 118A includes one or more slots 190 (e.g., three slots) at one end, aligned with one or more slots 196 (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven or more slots) formed in a portion of the wick housing 98 opposite the opening 193, such as the base of the wick housing 98 (see Figures 57 and 69). The one or more slots 190, 196 allow for the flow of liquid vaporized material within the heating section 104 and the release of pressure caused by the vaporization of the vaporized material without affecting the liquid flow of the vaporized material.

[0121] In some embodiments, flooding may occur between the heating element 100 (e.g., the leg portion 106) and the outer wall of the wick housing 98 (or between portions of the heating element 100). For example, as shown by the liquid path 199, the capillary pressure between the leg portion 106 of the heating element 100 and the outer wall of the wick housing 98 may cause the liquid vaporizable material to accumulate. In such cases, there may be sufficient capillary pressure to draw the liquid vaporizable material out of the reservoir and / or heating section 104. To help limit and / or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from escaping from the internal volume of the wick housing 98 (or heating section 104), the wick housing 98 and / or heating element 100 may include a capillary mechanism that causes abrupt changes in capillary pressure, thereby forming a liquid barrier that prevents the liquid vaporizable material from passing through the mechanism without the use of additional seals (e.g., hermetic seals). The capillary mechanism may define capillary ruptures formed by sharp points, bends, curved surfaces, or other surfaces of the wick housing 98 and / or the heating element 100. The capillary mechanism allows the conductive element (e.g., the heating element 100) to be positioned in both the wet and dry regions.

[0122] A capillary mechanism may be located on and / or form part of the heating element 100 and / or the wick housing 98, causing abrupt changes in capillary pressure. For example, the capillary mechanism may include bends, sharp points, curved surfaces, inclined surfaces, or other surface mechanisms along the length of the heating element that cause abrupt changes in capillary pressure between the heating element and the wick housing, or between the heating element and another component of the vaporizer cartridge. The capillary mechanism may also include projections or other parts of the heating element and / or the wick housing that widen capillary channels, such as capillary channels formed between parts of the heating element, between the heating element and the wick housing, etc., which are sufficient to reduce the capillary pressure within the capillary channels so that the capillary channels do not draw liquid into the capillary channels (for example, the capillary mechanism separates the heating element from the wick housing). Therefore, the capillary mechanism prevents or limits the flow of liquid beyond the capillary mechanism along the liquid path, at least in part due to abrupt changes and / or decreases in capillary pressure. The size and / or shape of the capillary mechanism (e.g., bends, sharp points, curved surfaces, inclined surfaces, protrusions, etc.) may be a function of the wetting angle formed between materials such as the heating element and the wick housing, or the other walls of the capillary channel formed between the components may be a function of the materials of the heating element and / or the wick housing or other components, and / or among other properties, a function of the size of the gap formed between two components such as the heating element and / or the wick housing that define the capillary channel.

[0123] As an example, Figures 60A and 60B show a wick housing 98 having a capillary mechanism 198 that causes abrupt changes in capillary pressure. The capillary mechanism 198 helps prevent or limit the flow of liquid beyond the capillary mechanism 198 along the liquid path 199 and prevents liquid from accumulating between the leg 106 and the wick housing 98. The capillary mechanism 198 on the wick housing 98 separates the heating element 100 (a component made of, for example, metal) from the wick housing 98 (a component made of, for example, plastic), thereby reducing the capillary strength between the two components. The capillary mechanism 198 shown in Figures 60A and 60B also includes a sharp edge at the end of the inclined surface of the wick housing that limits or prevents the flow of liquid beyond the capillary mechanism 198.

[0124] As shown in Figure 60B, the legs 106 of the heating element 100 may be angled inward toward the internal volume of the heating element 100 and / or the wick housing 98. The angled legs 106 may form a capillary mechanism that helps restrict or prevent liquid from flowing over the outer surface of the heating element and along the legs 106 of the heating element 100.

[0125] As another example, the heating element 100 may be formed by one or more legs 106 and include a capillary mechanism (e.g., a bridge 185) that separates the legs 106 from the heating section 104 (see Figures 39 to 55). The bridge 185 may be formed by folding the heating element 100 along fold lines 120, 122. In some embodiments, the bridge 185 helps to reduce or eliminate overflow of vaporizable material from the heating section 104 due to capillary action or the like. In some examples, such as the exemplary heating element 100 shown in Figures 50A to 55B, the bridge 185 is angled and / or includes bends to help restrict the flow of fluid from the heating section 104.

[0126] As another example, the heating element 100 may include a capillary mechanism 198 that defines a sharp point to cause abrupt changes in capillary pressure, thereby preventing the liquid vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary mechanism 198. Figure 61 shows an example of a heating element 100 having a capillary mechanism 198 consistent with embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 61, the capillary mechanism 198 may form the end of a bridge 185 that extends outward from the heating section at a distance greater than the distance between the leg 106 and the heating section 104. The end of the bridge 185 may have a sharp edge that helps to further prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing into the leg 106 and / or out of the heating section 104, thereby reducing leakage and increasing the amount of vaporizable material remaining in the heating section 104.

[0127] Figures 62-63 show a modified version of the heating element 100 shown in Figures 44-49. In this modified version of the heating element 100, the leg portion 106 of the heating element 100 includes a bend in the bend region 111. The bend in the leg portion 106 can form a capillary mechanism 198, which helps prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary mechanism 198. For example, the bend can create a sudden change in capillary pressure, which can help limit or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing beyond the bend and / or accumulating between the leg portion 106 and the wick housing 98, and can help limit or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing out of the heating section 104.

[0128] Figures 64-65 show a modified version of the heating element 100 shown in Figures 50A-55B. In this modified version of the heating element 100, the leg portion 106 of the heating element 100 includes a bend in the bend region 111. The bend in the leg portion 106 can form a capillary mechanism 198, which helps prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary mechanism 198. For example, the bend can create a sudden change in capillary pressure, which helps limit or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing beyond the bend and / or accumulating between the leg portion 106 and the wick housing 98, and thus help limit or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing out of the heating section 104.

[0129] Figures 68A to 69 show another example of an atomizer assembly 26 in which the heating element 100 is assembled to a wick housing 98 and a heat shield 118A, and Figure 70 shows an exploded view of an atomizer assembly 26 consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. The wick housing 98 may be made of plastic, polypropylene, or the like. The wick housing 98 includes four recesses 192 in which at least a portion of each of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 can be positioned and secured. Within the recesses 192, the wick housing 98 may include one or more wick housing retaining mechanisms 93 (see Figure 72A) that help to secure the heating element 100 to the wick housing 98, for example, via a snap-fit ​​configuration between at least a portion of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 and the wick housing retaining mechanism 93. The wick housing retaining mechanisms 93 can also help to separate the heating element 100 from the surface of the wick housing 98 and help to prevent heat from acting on the wick housing and melting a portion of the wick housing 98.

[0130] As shown, the wick housing 98 also includes an opening 193 that provides access to the internal volume 194, in which at least the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100 and the wicking element 70 are arranged.

[0131] The wick housing 98 may also include one or more other notches that help to separate the heating element 100 from the surface of the wick housing 98, thereby reducing the amount of heat in contact with the surface of the wick housing 98. For example, the wick housing 98 may include a notch 91. The notch 91 may be formed along the outer surface of the wick housing 98 adjacent to the opening 193. The notch 91 may also include a capillary mechanism, such as a capillary mechanism 198. The capillary mechanism of the notch 91 may define a surface (e.g., a curved surface 198) that breaks the contact point between adjacent (or intersecting) walls (such as the walls of the wick housing). The curved surface 198 may have a radius sufficient to reduce or eliminate the capillary action that forms between adjacent outer walls of the wick housing.

[0132] Referring to Figures 68A to 69, the wick housing 98 may include a tab 89. The tab 89 may help to properly position and / or orient the wick housing with respect to one or more other components of the vaporizer cartridge during assembly of the vaporizer cartridge. For example, the additional material forming the tab 89 shifts the center of mass of the wick housing 98. Due to the shift in the center of mass, the wick housing 98 can rotate or slide in a particular orientation to align with the corresponding mechanism of another component of the vaporizer cartridge during assembly.

[0133] Figures 71A to 71C illustrate exemplary methods for forming an atomizer assembly 26 of a vaporizer cartridge 52, including a wick housing 98, a wicking element 70, and a heating element 100, consistent with embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 71A, the wicking element 70 may be inserted into a pocket formed in the heating element 100 (e.g., formed by a side tooth portion 126 and a platform tooth portion 124). In some embodiments, once the vaporizable material is introduced into the wicking element 70, the wicking element 70 expands after being fixed to the heating element 100.

[0134] Figure 71B shows the wicking element 70 and heating element 100 coupled to the wick housing 98, and Figure 71C shows an example of the wicking element 70 and heating element 100 assembled to the wick housing 98. At least a portion of the heating element 100, such as the heating section 104, can be located within the internal volume of the wick housing 98. The legs 106 (e.g., retaining portion 99) of the heating element 100 may be coupled to the outer wall of the wick housing 98, for example, via a snap-fit ​​configuration. In particular, the retaining portion 99 of the legs 106 can be coupled to a recess in the wick housing 98 and at least partially located therein.

[0135] Figures 72A to 72C show another exemplary method of forming an atomizer assembly 26 of a vaporizer cartridge 52, including a wick housing 98, a wicking element 70, and a heating element 100, consistent with embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 72A, the heating element 100 can be coupled to the wick housing 98 by, for example, inserting or otherwise arranging at least a portion of the heating element 100, such as a heating section 104, within the internal volume of the wick housing 98. The legs 106 (e.g., retaining portion 99) of the heating element 100 may be coupled to the outer wall of the wick housing 98, for example, via a snap-fit ​​configuration. In particular, the retaining portion 99 or another portion of the legs 106 can be coupled to a recess in the wick housing 98 and at least partially positioned therein, for example, by coupling with a wick housing retaining mechanism 93.

[0136] As shown in Figure 72B, the wicking element 70 may be inserted into a pocket formed in the heating element 100 (for example, formed by the side tooth portion 126 and the platform tooth portion 124). In some embodiments, when the wicking element 70 is coupled to the heating element 70, the wicking element 70 is compressed. In some embodiments, when a vaporizable material is introduced into the wicking element 70, the wicking element 70 expands after fitting into the heating element 70 and being fixed to the heating element 100.

[0137] Figure 72C shows an example of a wicking element 70 and a heating element 100 assembled in a wick housing 98 to form an atomizer assembly 26.

[0138] Figure 73 shows an exemplary process 3600 for assembling a heating element 100 consistent with embodiments of the present invention. The process flowchart 3600 illustrates features of the method, which may selectively include some or all of the following: In block 3610, a planar substrate having resistance heating properties is provided. In block 3612, the planar substrate may be cut and / or punched into a desired geometric shape. In block 3614, at least a portion of the heating element 100 may be plated. For example, as described above, one or more layers of plating material (e.g., adhesive plating material and / or outer plating material) may be attached to at least a portion of the outer surface of the heating element 100. In block 3616, the heating portion 104 (e.g., teeth 102) may be bent around the wicking element and / or crimped in another way to match the shape of the wicking element and to secure the wicking element to the heating element. In block 3618, in some embodiments, the cartridge contacts 65 forming the ends of the legs 106 of the heating element 100 can be bent in a first or second direction along a plane, or in a third direction perpendicular to the first or second direction. In block 3620, the heating element 100 is assembled to a vaporizer cartridge 52, and fluid communication can be induced between the wicking element 70 and the reservoir of the vaporizable material. In 3622, the vaporizable material can be drawn into the wicking element 70, which may be positioned to contact at least two surfaces of the heating portion 104 of the heating element 100. In block 3624, heating means can be provided at the cartridge contacts 65 of the heating element to heat the heating element 100 at least in the heating portion 104. Heating causes the vaporizable material to vaporize. In block 3626, the vaporized vaporizable material is carried along with the airflow to the mouthpiece of the vaporization cartridge in which the heating element is located.

[0139] (term) In this specification, when a mechanism or element is referred to as being "on top of" another mechanism or element, it may be directly on top of the other mechanism or element, or there may be intervening mechanisms and / or elements. In contrast, when a mechanism or element is referred to as being "directly on top of" another mechanism or element, there are no intervening mechanisms or elements. When a mechanism or element is referred to as being "connected," "attached," or "joined" to another mechanism or element, it will also be understood that it may be directly connected, attached, or joined to the other mechanism or element, or there may be intervening mechanisms or elements. In contrast, when a mechanism or element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly attached," or "directly joined" to another mechanism or element, there are no intervening mechanisms or elements.

[0140] Although one embodiment has been described or illustrated, the mechanisms and elements described or illustrated in this manner may be applicable to other embodiments. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that references to structures or mechanisms positioned "adjacent" to another mechanism may have parts that overlap with or form the basis of the adjacent mechanism.

[0141] The terms used herein are for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments and implementations, and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” used herein are intended to include the plural form unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, it should be understood that the term “including,” as used herein, indicates the existence of the described mechanism, step, operation, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other mechanisms, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The term “and / or” used herein includes any combination of one or more of the listed related items, and may be abbreviated as “ / ”.

[0142] In the above description and claims, phrases such as “at least one” or “one or more” may appear, followed by a linked list of elements or mechanisms. The term “and / or” may also appear in lists of two or more elements or mechanisms. Unless implicitly or explicitly negated by the context in which it is used, such phrases are intended to mean any of the listed elements or mechanisms individually, or any of the enumerated elements or mechanisms in combination with any of the other enumerated elements or mechanisms. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B,” “one or more of A and B,” and “A and / or B” mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation applies to lists containing three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, and / or C” mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.” The use of the term "based on" in the foregoing and in the claims is intended to mean "based on at least in part," and therefore any mechanism or element not enumerated is also permitted.

[0143] Spatially relative terms such as “forward,” “backward,” “downward,” “below,” “bottom,” “up,” and “top” are used herein to describe the relationship between one element or mechanism and another, as shown in the figures, for the sake of clarity. It will be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figure is upside down, an element described as “below” or “below” another element or function may be oriented “above” the other element or mechanism. Thus, the exemplary term “down” can include both up and down orientations. The device may be oriented toward another (rotated by 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, terms such as “upward,” “downward,” “vertically,” and “horizontally” are used herein for illustrative purposes only unless otherwise specified.

[0144] The terms “first” and “second” may be used in this text to describe various mechanisms / elements (including steps), but these mechanisms / elements should not be limited by these terms unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one mechanism / element from another. Thus, without departing from the teachings provided herein, the first mechanism / element described below may be called the second mechanism / element, and similarly, the second mechanism / element described below may be called the first mechanism / element.

[0145] Where used herein and in the claims, including in the examples, and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if preceded by the words “about” or “approximately.” The words “about” or “approximately” are used when describing magnitude and / or location, indicating that the described value and / or location is within a reasonable expected range of the value and / or location. For example, a number may have a value that is ±0.1% of a given value (or range of values), ±1% of a given value (or range of values), ±2% of a given value (or range of values), ±5% of a given value (or range of values), ±10% of a given value (or range of values), and so on. Numbers given herein should also be understood to include about or nearly that value unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, “about 10” is also disclosed. Any number ranges enumerated herein are intended to include all subranges contained therein. It is also understood that, as can be appropriately understood by those skilled in the art, when a value is disclosed, the possible ranges between it and the values, such as "less than or equal to" it, "greater than or equal to" it, and the values ​​between them, are also disclosed. For example, if the value "X" is disclosed, then "less than or equal to X" and "greater than or equal to X" (for example, where X is a number) are also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in several different forms, and this data represents a range of endpoints and starting points, and any combination of data points. For example, if a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that not only the range between 10 and 15 is disclosed, but also the range greater than 10 and greater than 15, greater than or equal to 10 and greater than or equal to 15, less than or equal to 10 and less than or equal to 15, and equal to 10 and equal to 15. It is also understood that each number between two specific numbers is also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0146] While various exemplary embodiments have been described above, any of several modifications may be made to various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which the various method steps described are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Selective features of various apparatus and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0147] One or more aspects or features of the inventions described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system including a storage system and at least one programmable processor, which may be for special-purpose or general-purpose use, coupled for sending and receiving data and instructions with at least one input device and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system includes clients and servers. Typically, the client and server are remote to each other and interact usually over a communication network. The client-server relationship is created by computer programs running on each computer that have a client-server relationship with each other.

[0148] These computer programs, also called programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor and can be implemented in high-level procedural languages, object-oriented programming languages, functional programming languages, logic programming languages, and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to computer program products, apparatus, and / or devices, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, memory, and programmable logic devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor that includes a machine-readable medium that receives the machine instructions as machine-readable signals. The term “machine-readable signals” refers to signals used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. A machine-readable medium can store such machine instructions non-temporarily, for example, non-temporary solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. A machine-readable medium can store such machine instructions temporarily, alternatively or additionally, for example, a processor cache or other random-access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0149] The examples and figures included herein illustrate, not limiting, specific embodiments in which the invention may be carried out. As stated above, other embodiments may be utilized or derived therefrom so that structural and logical substitutions and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without the intention of spontaneously limiting the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, even if in fact more than one invention or inventive concept is disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any configuration calculated to achieve the same objective may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the embodiments described above, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art by considering the above description.

Claims

1. A heating element for a vaporizer comprising a reservoir containing a vaporizable material and a wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the heating element is A heating element comprising at least two spaced-apart teeth, wherein the heating element is pre-formed to define an internal volume configured to receive the wicking element so that at least a portion of the wicking element can be fixed to the heating element, and the heating element is configured to contact at least two distinct surfaces of the wicking element, It includes at least two legs connected to the at least two teeth and spaced apart from the heating portion, the at least two legs being configured to communicate with a power source, A heating element configured to receive power from the power source to the heating section to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

2. The heating element according to claim 1, wherein the at least two legs include four legs.

3. The heating element according to claim 2, wherein the heating portion is configured to contact at least three separate surfaces of the wicking element.

4. The aforementioned at least two tooth portions are The first lateral tooth portion, A second lateral tooth portion opposite to the first lateral tooth portion, The first side tooth portion includes a platform tooth portion that connects to the second side tooth portion, and the platform tooth portion is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first side tooth portion and a part of the second side tooth portion. The heating element according to claim 1, wherein the first lateral tooth portion, the second lateral tooth portion, and the platform tooth portion define the internal volume in which the wicking element is arranged.

5. The heating element according to claim 4, wherein the at least two legs are arranged to be separated from the heating section by a bridge.

6. The heating element according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two legs includes a cartridge contact located at the end of each of the at least two legs, the cartridge contact being configured to communicate with the power supply, and the cartridge contact being angled and extending away from the heating portion.

7. The heating element according to claim 4, wherein the at least two teeth include a first pair of teeth and a second pair of teeth.

8. The heating element according to claim 7, wherein the first pair of teeth of the teeth are arranged at equal intervals from one another.

9. The heating element according to claim 7, wherein the first pair of teeth of the tooth portion are spaced apart by the width.

10. The heating element according to claim 9, wherein 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.

11. The heating element according to claim 2, wherein the vaporizer 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.

12. The heating element according to claim 1, further comprising a heat shield configured to insulate the heating section from the main body of the vaporizer.

13. The heating element according to claim 1, wherein the vaporizer further comprises a heat shield configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element and to insulate the heating portion from the wicking element and the body of the wick housing configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element.

14. The heating element according to claim 1, wherein 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.

15. The heating element according to claim 1, wherein the heating portion further includes at least one tab extending from the sides of the at least two teeth, allowing the wicking element to easily enter the internal volume of the heating portion.

16. The heating element according to claim 15, wherein at least one tab extends at an angle away from the internal volume.

17. The heating element according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the legs include a capillary mechanism, the capillary mechanism causing a rapid change in capillary pressure, thereby preventing the vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary mechanism.

18. The heating element according to claim 17, wherein the capillary mechanism includes one or more bent portions in the at least two legs.

19. The heating element according to claim 17, wherein the at least two legs extend at an angle toward the internal volume of the heating section, and the at least two angled legs define the capillary mechanism.

20. A vaporizer, A reservoir containing a vaporizing material, A wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, It includes a heating element, and the heating element is A heating element comprising at least two spaced-apart teeth, wherein the heating element is pre-formed to define an internal volume configured to receive the wicking element so that at least a portion of the wicking element can be fixed to the heating element, and the heating element is configured to contact at least two distinct surfaces of the wicking element, It includes at least two legs connected to the at least two teeth and spaced apart from the heating portion, the at least two legs being configured to communicate with a power source, A vaporizer configured to supply power from the power source to the heating section to generate heat, thereby vaporizing the vaporizable material stored within the wicking element.

21. The vaporizer according to claim 20, wherein the at least two legs include four legs.

22. The vaporizer according to claim 20, wherein the heating element is configured to contact at least three separate surfaces of the wicking element.

23. The aforementioned at least two tooth portions are The first lateral tooth portion, A second lateral tooth portion opposite to the first lateral tooth portion, The first side tooth portion includes a platform tooth portion that connects to the second side tooth portion, and the platform tooth portion is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first side tooth portion and a part of the second side tooth portion. The vaporizer according to claim 20, wherein the first lateral tooth portion, the second lateral tooth portion, and the platform tooth portion define the internal volume in which the wicking element is arranged.

24. The vaporizer according to claim 23, wherein the at least two legs are arranged to be separated from the heating section by a bridge.

25. The vaporizer according to claim 20, wherein each of the at least two legs includes a cartridge contact located at the end of each of the at least two legs, the cartridge contact being configured to communicate with the power supply, and the cartridge contact being angled and extending away from the heating element.

26. The vaporizer according to claim 20, wherein the at least two teeth include a first pair of teeth and a second pair of teeth.

27. The vaporizer according to claim 26, wherein the first pair of teeth of the teeth are arranged at equal intervals from one another.

28. The vaporizer according to claim 26, wherein the first pair of teeth of the tooth portion are spaced apart by a width, and 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.

29. A method for forming an atomizer assembly for a vaporizer, A step of fixing the wicking element to the internal volume of the heating element, wherein the heating element is A heating section including at least two teeth spaced apart from each other, It includes at least two legs spaced apart from the heating section, and the legs are configured to communicate with the power supply of the vaporizer. The heating element is configured to contact at least two surfaces of the wicking element, step and A method comprising the steps of coupling the heating element to the wicking element and a wick housing configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the fixing step further includes the step of sliding the wicking element into the internal volume of the heating element.

31. A heating element of a vaporizer, A heating section comprising one or more integrally formed and spaced apart heater traces, wherein the one or more heater traces are configured to contact at least a portion of the wicking element of the vaporizer, A connection part configured to receive power from a power source and guide the power to the heating part, A heating element comprising a plating layer having a plating material different from the material of the heating section, wherein the plating layer reduces the contact resistance between the heating element and the power supply, thereby localizing the heating of the heating element to the heating section.

32. The heating element according to claim 31, wherein the plating layer includes one or more layers attached to the connecting portion.

33. The heating element according to claim 31, wherein the plating layer is integrally formed with the connecting portion.

34. The heating element according to claim 32, wherein the plating layer includes an adhesive plating layer and an outer plating layer.

35. The heating element according to claim 34, wherein at least the outer plating layer is configured to reduce contact resistance between the heating element and the power supply.

36. The heating element according to claim 34, wherein the adhesive plating layer adheres to the heating element, thereby bonding the outer plating layer to the heating element.

37. The heating element according to claim 31, wherein the material of the heating element includes nichrome.

38. The heating element according to claim 31, wherein the plating layer contains gold.

39. A method for forming a heating element for a vaporizer cartridge, comprising a reservoir containing a vaporizable material and a wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, A step of providing a planar substrate containing a resistance heating material, The steps of punching out the planar substrate into the desired shape of the heating element, A method comprising the step of folding the planar substrate to insulate the heating portion of the heating element from the connection portion of the heating element, wherein the heating portion is configured to heat the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol, and the connection portion is configured to communicate with a power source and supply power to the heating portion.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the heating portion of the folded planar substrate defines the internal volume.

41. The method according to claim 40, further comprising the step of fixing the wicking element to the heating element by inserting the wicking element into the internal volume such that the heating element contacts the wicking element on at least two surfaces of the wicking element.

42. The method according to claim 39, wherein the heating portion of the folded planar substrate is provided with opposing side tooth portions that define the internal volume, and the opposing side tooth portions are substantially parallel to each other.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the connecting portion is arranged substantially parallel to the opposing side tooth portions.

44. The method according to claim 42, wherein the connecting portion is spaced apart from the opposing side tooth portions and extends at an angle toward the internal volume.

45. The method according to claim 39, further comprising the step of depositing a plating layer on at least a portion of the surface of the planar substrate in order to reduce the contact resistance on at least a portion of the surface of the planar substrate.

46. A wick housing for a vaporizer cartridge configured to be coupled to the vaporizer body, wherein the wick housing is Exterior walls, and A wick housing comprising an internal volume defined by the outer wall, wherein the internal volume is configured to receive a portion of the heating element and wicking element of the vaporizer.

47. The wick housing according to claim 46, wherein the heating element includes a heating section and a connecting section, the heating section is configured to heat a vaporizable material stored in the wicking element to generate an aerosol, the connecting section is configured to communicate with a power source and supply power to the heating section, and the portion of the heating element is the heating section.

48. The wick housing according to claim 47, wherein the outer wall is configured to be positioned between the heating portion and the connecting portion.

49. The wick housing according to claim 47, wherein the outer wall includes two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides.

50. The wick housing according to claim 49, wherein each of the two opposing long sides includes a recess configured to releasably connect the vaporizer cartridge to a corresponding mechanism of the vaporizer body.

51. The wick housing according to claim 50, wherein the recess is located near the intersection between the long sides of the two opposing long sides and the short sides of the two opposing short sides.

52. The wick housing according to claim 51, wherein each of the two opposing long sides includes two recesses.

53. The wick housing according to claim 49, wherein the outer wall further includes a base positioned substantially perpendicular to the two opposing short sides and the two opposing long sides.

54. The wick housing according to claim 53, wherein the base portion comprises one or more slots, and is configured so that the air pressure generated by the flow of vaporized material in the heating portion escapes through the one or more slots.

55. The wick housing according to claim 49, wherein at least one of the two opposing short sides includes a chip recess configured to receive an identification chip.

56. The wick housing according to claim 55, wherein the chip recess includes at least two walls configured to surround and hold the identification chip.

57. The wick housing according to claim 56, wherein the at least two walls include at least four walls.

58. The aforementioned exterior wall is Two opposing short sides, Two opposing long sides, A base portion positioned substantially perpendicular to the two opposing short sides and the two opposing long sides, The wick housing according to claim 47, further comprising an opening on the opposite side of the base.

59. The wick housing according to claim 58, further comprising an outer rim surrounding the opening and extending away from the opening.

60. The wick housing according to claim 59, wherein the outer wall includes a capillary mechanism, the capillary mechanism causing a rapid change in capillary pressure between the heating element and the wick housing, thereby preventing the vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary mechanism.

61. The wick housing according to claim 60, wherein the capillary mechanism includes a curved surface formed at the intersection between at least one of the two opposing long sides and the outer rim.

62. The wick housing according to claim 61, wherein the curved surface has a radius sufficient to break the contact point between the outer surface and the outer rim.

63. The wick housing according to claim 60, wherein the capillary mechanism is arranged in a notch in the outer wall, and the notch is configured to separate the heating element from the outer wall, thereby preventing excessive heat from coming into contact with the outer wall.

64. The wick housing according to claim 46, further comprising a notch in the outer wall configured to separate the heating element from the outer wall, thereby preventing excessive heat from coming into contact with the outer wall.

65. Wicking elements, A wick housing according to any one of claims 46 to 64, A heating element according to any one of claims 1 to 19 or 31 to 38, Atomizer assembly for a vaporizer.

66. A heating element for a vaporizer comprising a reservoir containing a vaporizable material and a wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the heating element is A heating section including at least two teeth spaced apart from each other, Cartridge contacts configured to provide power and electrical communication, It includes a leg portion extending between the heating portion and the cartridge contact, The heating element is configured such that at least a portion of the wicking element is fixed to the heating element and the heating element is crimped around the wicking element so as to contact at least two surfaces of the wicking element.

67. The heating element according to claim 66, wherein the leg portion includes at least four legs.

68. The heating element according to claim 66, further comprising a heat shield configured to insulate the heating section from the main body of the vaporizer.

69. The heating element according to claim 66, wherein the vaporizer comprises a heat shield configured to surround at least a portion of the heating element and to insulate the heating portion from the main body of the wick housing.

70. The heating element according to claim 66, further comprising a plating layer including one or more layers attached to the heating element in order to reduce the contact resistance between the heating element and the power supply.

71. The heating element according to claim 66, further comprising a plating layer having one or more layers attached to the heating element, wherein the plating layer includes an adhesive plating layer and an outer plating layer.

72. The heating element according to claim 71, wherein at least the outer plating layer is configured to reduce contact resistance.

73. The heating element according to claim 71, wherein the adhesive plating layer adheres to the heating element, thereby bonding the outer plating layer to the heating element.

74. The heating element according to claim 66, wherein the heating element is punched out and / or cut from a flat substrate material.

75. The heating element according to claim 74, wherein the substrate material includes nichrome.

76. The heating element according to claim 75, wherein the outer plating layer contains gold.

77. The heating element according to claim 66, wherein the cartridge contact is configured to be located outside the body of the vaporizer cartridge so as to contact the vaporizer body.

78. A method for forming a heating element for a vaporizer cartridge, comprising a reservoir containing a vaporizable material and a wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, A step of providing a planar substrate containing a resistance heating material, The steps of punching out the planar substrate into a desired shape, and A method comprising the step of fixing the heating element to the wicking element, wherein the fixing step includes crimping at least a portion of the heating element around the wicking element such that the heating element is in contact with the wicking element on at least three surfaces of the wicking element.

79. The method according to claim 78, further comprising the step of depositing a plating layer on at least a portion of the surface of the planar substrate in order to reduce the contact resistance on at least a portion of the surface of the planar substrate.

80. A heating element for a vaporizer comprising a reservoir containing a vaporizable material and a wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the heating element is A heating section including at least two teeth spaced apart from each other, It includes at least two legs spaced apart from the heating element, and the legs are configured to communicate with a power source. The heating element is configured such that at least a portion of the wicking element is fixed to the heating element and the heating element is crimped around the wicking element so as to contact at least two surfaces of the wicking element.

81. The heating element according to claim 80, wherein the at least two legs include four leg portions.

82. The heating element according to claim 80, wherein the heating portion is configured to contact at least three separate surfaces of the wicking element.

83. The aforementioned at least two tooth portions are The first lateral tooth portion, A second lateral tooth portion opposite to the first lateral tooth portion, The first side tooth portion includes a platform tooth portion that connects to the second side tooth portion, and the platform tooth portion is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first side tooth portion and the second side tooth portion. The heating element according to claim 80, wherein the first side tooth portion, the second side tooth portion, and the platform tooth portion define the internal volume in which the wicking element is arranged.

84. The heating element according to claim 83, wherein the at least two legs are positioned away from the heating portion by a bridge, and the bridge includes a capillary mechanism that prevents the vaporizing material from flowing out of the internal volume beyond the capillary mechanism.

85. The heating element according to claim 80, wherein each of the at least two legs includes a cartridge contact located at the end of each of the at least two legs, the cartridge contact being configured to communicate with a power source, and the cartridge contact being angled and extending away from the heating element.

86. The heating element according to claim 83, wherein the at least two teeth include a first pair of teeth and a second pair of teeth.

87. The heating element according to claim 86, wherein the first pair of teeth of the teeth are arranged at equal intervals from one another.

88. The heating element according to claim 86, wherein the first pair of teeth of the tooth portion are spaced apart by the width.

89. The heating element according to claim 88, wherein the width located in the inner region of the heating element adjacent to the platform tooth portion is greater than the width located in the outer region of the heating element adjacent to the outer edge of the first side tooth portion.

90. The heating element according to claim 81, wherein the vaporizer 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.

91. A reservoir containing a vaporizing material, A wicking element that is in fluid communication with the reservoir, A vaporizer comprising a heating element, wherein the heating element is A heating section including at least two teeth spaced apart from each other, and It includes at least two legs spaced apart from the heating element, and the legs are configured to communicate with a power source. The heating section is configured to fix at least a portion of the wicking element to the heating element and to be crimped around the wicking element so as to contact at least two surfaces of the wicking element. Vaporizer.

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