Vaporizer device with vaporizer cartridge

Abstract

The cartridge (1320) may include a cartridge housing, a reservoir (1340) and a wick housing (1315) disposed within the cartridge housing, a heating element (1350), and a wicking element (1362). The cartridge housing may be configured to extend below the open top of the receptacle in the vaporizer device (100) when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device. The reservoir may be configured to contain a vaporizable material. The heating element may include a heating portion (504) disposed at least partially within the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing. The contact portion may include cartridge contacts (124) that form an electrical connection with receptacle contacts within the receptacle. The wicking element may be disposed within the wick housing proximate to the heating portion of the heating element. The wicking element may be configured to draw the vaporizable material into the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 913,135 entitled "HEATING ELEMENT", filed on October 9, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 812,148 entitled "RESERVOIR OVERFLOW CONTROL WITH CONSTRICTION POINTS", filed on February 28, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 812,161 entitled "CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE", filed on February 28, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 915,005 entitled "CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE", filed on October 14, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 915,005 entitled "CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE", filed on November 4, 2019. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 930,508 entitled "VAPORIZER DEVICE," filed December 12, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 947,496 entitled "VAPORIZER DEVICE," filed February 25, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 981,498 entitled "VAPORIZER DEVICE WITH VAPORIZER CARTRIDGE," filed February 25, 2020. The disclosures of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] Technical Field The subject matter described herein relates generally to vaporizer devices, and more particularly, to vaporizer devices configured to couple with a vaporizer cartridge.

[0003] background Vaporizer devices, sometimes referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used to deliver an aerosol (e.g., vapor) containing one or more active ingredients through inhalation by a user of the vaporizer device. For example, electronic cigarettes, sometimes referred to as e-cigarettes, are a type of vaporizer device that is typically battery powered and can be used to simulate the experience of smoking, but without the combustion of tobacco or other substances.

[0004] In using a vaporizer device, a user inhales an aerosol, commonly referred to as a vapor, which may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (generally referring to causing a liquid or solid to transition at least partially into the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which may be a liquid, solution, solid, wax, or any other form that may be compatible with the use of the particular vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer may be provided in a cartridge (e.g., the part 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 generated by the vaporizer device, a user may, in certain instances, activate the vaporizer device by making a puff, by pressing a button, or by some other approach. The term puff, as commonly used (and as used herein), refers to inhalation by a user that draws a volume of air into the vaporizer device, whereby an inhalable aerosol is generated by mixing the vaporized vaporizable material with the air.

[0006] A typical approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (or heater chamber) to convert the vaporizable material to a gas (or vapor) phase. The vaporization chamber generally refers to the area and volume in a vaporizer device where the vaporizable material is heated by a heat source (e.g., conductive, convective, and / or radiative) to generate a mixture of air and vaporized vaporizable material to form a vapor for inhalation by a user of the vaporization device.

[0007] In some vaporizer device embodiments, the vaporizable material can be drawn from the reservoir through a wicking element (wick) into the vaporization chamber. Such drawing of the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber can be due, at least in part, to the capillary action provided by the wick, which pulls the vaporizable material along the wick toward the vaporization chamber. However, as the vaporizable material is drawn from the reservoir, the pressure in the reservoir decreases, thereby creating a vacuum that acts against the capillary action. This can reduce the effectiveness of the wick in drawing the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the vaporization device in vaporizing a desired amount of the vaporizable material, such as when a user puffs the vaporizer device. Furthermore, the vacuum created in the reservoir can ultimately prevent all of the vaporizable material from being drawn into the vaporization chamber, thereby wasting the vaporizable material. Therefore, improved vaporization devices and / or vaporization cartridges that improve or overcome these problems are desired.

[0008] Consistent with the present subject matter, the term vaporizer device as used herein generally refers to a portable, self-contained device convenient for personal use. Typically, such devices are controlled (sometimes generally referred to as controls) by one or more switches, buttons, touch-sensitive devices or other user input features on the vaporizer, although many devices have recently become available that can wirelessly communicate with external controllers (e.g., smartphones, smart watches, other wearable electronic devices, etc.). In this context, control generally refers to the ability to affect one or more of various operating parameters, which may include, but are not limited to, turning the heater on and / or off, adjusting the minimum and / or maximum temperature to which the heater is heated during operation, any of a variety of games or other interactive features and / or other operations that the user may access on the device.

[0009] A variety of vaporizable materials having various contents and portions of such contents can be housed in the cartridge. Some vaporizable materials can have, for example, a smaller percentage of active ingredient per total volume of vaporizable material, with adjustments requiring, for example, a particular active ingredient percentage. Thus, a user may need to vaporize a larger amount of vaporizable material (e.g., compared to the total volume of vaporizable material that can be stored in the cartridge) to achieve a desired effect.

[0010] overview In certain aspects of the present subject matter, challenges associated with the presence of liquid vaporizable material in or near certain sensitive components of an electronic vaporizer device can be addressed by including one or more of the features described herein or by equivalent / equivalent approaches understood by those skilled in the art. In one aspect, a cartridge for a vaporizer device is provided. The cartridge may include a cartridge housing configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in a vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device, a reservoir disposed within the cartridge housing and configured to contain a vaporizable material, a wick housing disposed within the cartridge housing, a heating element including a heating portion disposed at least partially within the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing, the contact portion including one or more cartridge contacts configured to form an electrical connection with one or more receptacle contacts in a receptacle of the vaporizer device, and a wicking element disposed within the wick housing proximate to the heating portion of the heating element, configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir to the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element.

[0011] In some variations, one or more of the features disclosed herein, including the following features, may be included, optionally in any workable combination: The contact portion may be further configured to form a mechanical coupling with a receptacle of a vaporizer device, the mechanical coupling may secure the cartridge within the receptacle of the vaporizer device.

[0012] In some variations, the receptacle can be a first portion of the body of the vaporizer device having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than a second portion of the body of the vaporizer device, and a recessed area can be formed between the cartridge housing and the second portion of the body of the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device.

[0013] In some variations, the receptacle may include one or more air inlets that form a fluid connection with one or more slots in the bottom of the wick housing when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. The one or more slots may be configured to allow air entering the one or more air inlets to further enter the wick housing. The one or more air inlets may be disposed in the recessed region. The one or more air inlets may have a diameter of approximately between 0.6 and 1.0 millimeters.

[0014] In some variations, the interior of each of the one or more slots may include at least one step formed by an inside dimension of the one or more slots being smaller than the dimension of the one or more slots at the bottom of the wick housing. The at least one step may provide a constriction point at which a meniscus forms to prevent vaporizable material in the wick housing from flowing out of the one or more slots. The dimensions of the one or more slots at the bottom of the wick housing may be approximately 1.2 millimeters long by 0.5 millimeters wide. The inside dimensions of the one or more slots may be approximately 1 millimeter long by 0.3 millimeters wide.

[0015] In some variations, the heating portion of the heating element and the contact portion of the heating element may be formed by folding a substrate material. The substrate material may be cut to include one or more tines to form the heating portion of the heating element. The substrate material may further be cut to include one or more legs to form the contact portion of the heating element.

[0016] In some variations, the contact portion of the heating element may be formed by folding each of the one or more legs to form at least a first joint, a second joint, and a third joint. The first joint may be disposed between the second joint and the third joint. The second joint may be disposed between a tip of each of the one or more legs and the first joint.

[0017] In some variations, the one or more cartridge contacts may be disposed at the second joint. The heating element may be secured to the wick housing by a first mechanical connection between an exterior of the wick housing and a portion of each of the one or more legs between the first joint and the third joint. The cartridge may be secured to the receptacle of the vaporizer device by a second mechanical connection between the second joint and the receptacle of the vaporizer device.

[0018] In some variations, the one or more cartridge contacts may be disposed at the first joint. The heating element may be secured to the wick housing by a first mechanical connection between an exterior of the wick housing and a portion of each of the one or more legs between the tip and the second joint. The cartridge may be secured to the receptacle of the vaporizer device by a second mechanical connection between the first joint and the receptacle of the vaporizer device.

[0019] In some variations, the reservoir may include a storage chamber and a collector. The collector may include an overflow channel configured to hold a volume of vaporizable material in fluid contact with the storage chamber. One or more microfluidic features may be disposed along a length of the overflow channel. Each of the one or more microfluidic features may be configured to provide a constriction point where a meniscus may be formed to prevent air that has entered the reservoir from passing through the vaporizable material in the overflow channel.

[0020] In some variations, the cartridge housing may include an airflow passage leading to an outlet for the aerosol formed by the heating element that vaporizes the vaporizable material. The collector may include a central tunnel in fluid communication with the airflow passage. A bottom surface of the collector may include a flow controller configured to mix the aerosol generated by the heating element that vaporizes the vaporizable material.

[0021] In some variations, the interior surface of the airflow passage may include one or more channels extending from the outlet to the wicking element. The one or more channels may be configured to collect condensation formed by the aerosol and direct at least a portion of the collected condensation to the wicking element.

[0022] In some variations, the flow controller may include a first channel and a second channel. The first channel may be offset from the second channel. A first inner surface of the first channel may be angled in a different direction than a second inner surface of the second channel to direct a first column of aerosol entering the central tunnel through the first channel in a different direction than a second column of aerosol entering the central tunnel through the second channel.

[0023] In some variations, the bottom surface of the controller may further include one or more wick interfaces. The one or more wick interfaces may be in fluid communication with one or more wick feeds in the collector. The one or more wick feeds may be configured to deliver at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained in the storage chamber to a wicking element disposed in the wick housing.

[0024] In some variations, the wick housing may be at least partially disposed within the receptacle of the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device. A flange may be disposed at least partially around an upper periphery of the wick housing. The flange may extend over at least a portion of the rim of the cartridge receptacle.

[0025] In another aspect, a vaporizer device is provided, the vaporizer cartridge including a receptacle comprising a first portion of a body of the vaporizer device, the receptacle including one or more receptacle contacts configured to receive a wick housing of the cartridge when a cartridge containing a vaporizable material is coupled to the vaporizer device, the cartridge housing extending below an open top of the receptacle when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device, the one or more receptacle contacts configured to form an electrical connection with one or more cartridge contacts including a contact portion of a heating element in the cartridge, the contact portion being disposed at least partially outside the wick housing, a power source at least partially disposed within a second portion of the body of the vaporizer device, and a controller configured to control discharge of an electrical current from the power source to a heating element included in the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device, the controller discharging the electrical current to the heating element to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material filling a wicking element disposed in the wick housing proximate a heating portion of the heating element.

[0026] In some variations, one or more of the features disclosed herein, including the following features, may be optionally included in any workable combination: The receptacle is further configured to form a mechanical coupling with a contact portion of the heating element, the mechanical coupling securing the cartridge within the receptacle of the vaporizer device.

[0027] In some variations, the first portion of the body of the vaporizer device may have a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the second portion of the body of the vaporizer device, and a recessed area may be formed between the second portion of the body of the vaporizer device and the cartridge housing when the cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device.

[0028] In some variations, the receptacle may include one or more air inlets that form a fluid connection with one or more slots in the bottom of the wick housing when the cartridge is coupled with a vaporizer device. The one or more slots may be configured to allow air entering the one or more air inlets to further enter the wick housing. The one or more air inlets may be disposed in the recessed region. The one or more air inlets may have a diameter of approximately between 0.6 and 1.0 millimeters.

[0029] In some variations, the receptacle may be positioned within the first portion of the body of the vaporizer device such that a top rim of the receptacle is substantially flush with a top rim of the first portion of the body of the vaporizer device.

[0030] In some variations, the receptacle may be configured to receive a portion of the wick housing such that a flange disposed at least partially around a top periphery of the wick housing extends over at least a portion of a top rim of the cartridge receptacle and / or a top rim of the first portion of the body of the vaporizer device. The depth of the receptacle may be about 4.5 millimeters.

[0031] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, serve to explain certain principles related to the disclosed implementations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a vaporizer consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 2A]1 is a planar cross-sectional view of an example cartridge having a reservoir chamber and an overflow volume consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 2B] 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of an example cartridge having a reservoir chamber and an overflow volume consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 3A] 1 is a perspective view of a cartridge having an example connector consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 3B] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cartridge having another example connector consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 3C] 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of a cartridge having an example connector consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 3D] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view of a cartridge having another example connector consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 3E] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cartridge having an example connector consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 3F] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cartridge having an example connector consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example cartridge consistent with implementations of the present subject matter in a closed state. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example cartridge consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 4C] 1 is a perspective view of another example cartridge consistent with implementations of the present subject matter in a closed state; [Figure 4D] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example cartridge consistent with implementations of the present subject matter in a closed state. [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of an example collector in a closed state consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a cartridge including an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5C] 1A-1D are perspective and side plan views of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5D]1A-1D are perspective and side plan views of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5E] 1A-1D are perspective and side plan views of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5F] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5G] FIG. 2 is a front view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5H] 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. FIG. [Figure 5I] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5J] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a portion of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5K] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5L] 1A-1C show examples of fluid flow management mechanisms in a collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5M] 1A-1C show examples of fluid flow management mechanisms in a collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 5N] 1A-1C show examples of fluid flow management mechanisms in a collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 is a side view of another example of a collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 7] 1A-1D are perspective, front, side and exploded views of an example cartridge consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 8A] 1A-1D are perspective, front, side, bottom, and top views of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 8B] 1A-1D are perspective and cross-sectional views of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 8C] 1A-1D are perspective and cross-sectional views of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 8D] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an example wick-feed mechanism consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 8E] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an example wick-feed mechanism consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 8F] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an example wick-feed mechanism consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 9A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example cartridge consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 9B] FIG. 2 is a front view of an example cartridge consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 9C] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example cartridge consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 10A] FIG. 2 is a front view of a cartridge having an example condensate recycle system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 10B] FIG. 2 is a top view of a cartridge with an example condensate recycle system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 10C] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a cartridge with an example condensate recycle system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 10D] FIG. 13 is another front view of a cartridge having an example condensate recycle system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 10E] FIG. 13 is another top view of a cartridge with an example condensate recycle system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 11A] FIG. 2 is a front view of a cartridge having an example external airflow path consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 11B] FIG. 2 is a front view of a cartridge having an example external airflow path consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 12A] 1A-1D are perspective, top, bottom, and various side views of an example wick housing consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 12B] 1 is a perspective view of an example collector and wick housing consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. FIG. [Figure 13A]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example cartridge consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 13B] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example cartridge consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 13C] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an example cartridge consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a heating element for use in a vaporizer device consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a heating element for use in a vaporizer device consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a heating element for use in a vaporizer device consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heating element disposed within a vaporizer cartridge for use in a vaporizer device consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 18A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 18B] FIG. 2 is a side view of a heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 18C] FIG. 2 is a front view of a heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 18D] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heating element and a wicking element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 18E] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a wick housing including a heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a side view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a top view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a front view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 23] 1 is a perspective view of an unbent heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter; FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a top view of an unbent heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 25A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 25B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a side view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a top view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a front view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 29A] 1 is a perspective view of an unbent heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter; FIG. [Figure 29B] 1 is a perspective view of an unbent heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter; FIG. [Figure 30A] FIG. 2 is a top view of an unbent heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 30B] FIG. 2 is a top view of an unbent heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Diagram 33] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 34A] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 34B] 2 is another cross-sectional side view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Diagram 35] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example heating element consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Diagram 36] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 37]FIG. 2 is a side view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 38] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 39] FIG. 2 is a side view of a curved heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Diagram 40] 1 is a top view of a substrate material with a heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Diagram 41] FIG. 2 is a top view of an unbent heating element consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 42A] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 42B] 1 is an enlarged view of a portion of a wick housing of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Diagram 43] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Diagram 44] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an atomizer assembly consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 45A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an example condensate recycle system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 45B] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an example condensate recycle system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 45C] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of an example condensate recycle system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 46] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a vaporizer device consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 47A] 1A-1C show examples of socket contacts consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 47B] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of a socket contact consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 47C] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of a socket contact consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 47D] 1 is a perspective view of an example cartridge receptacle consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter; FIG. [Figure 47E]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a vaporizer body including an example cartridge receptacle consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 48A] FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of a cartridge disposed within a cartridge receptacle consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 48B] FIG. 13 is another cutaway side view of a cartridge disposed within a cartridge receptacle consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 48C] 1 is a side partial view of a vaporizer cartridge coupled with a vaporizer body consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 48D] 1 is another partial side view of a vaporizer cartridge coupled with a vaporizer body consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 48E] 1 is another partial side view of a vaporizer cartridge coupled with a vaporizer body consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Fig.48F] FIG. 13 illustrates a heat map showing the distribution of air pressure and airflow velocity around an air inlet consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 49A] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an example carburetor body shell consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 49B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example assembled carburetor body shell consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 50A] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wick housing consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 50B] FIG. 13 is another cross-sectional view of a wick housing consistent with an implementation of the present subject matter. [Figure 51A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example of a heating element consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 51B] FIG. 2 is a side view of another example of a heating element consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 51C] FIG. 13 is a front view of another example of a heating element consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Fig. 51D] FIG. 2 is a top view of another example of a heating element consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 52A] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 52B] 1 is a cross-sectional front view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 52C] 1 is another cross-sectional front view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Fig. 52D] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 52E] 1 is a perspective view of an example collector consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. FIG. [Fig. 52F] 1A-1C show examples of laminar and turbulent flow consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. [Figure 53] FIG. 1 illustrates resistance measurements for an example heating element consistent with implementations of the present subject matter.

[0034] Wherever possible, like reference numerals refer to like structures, features or elements.

[0035] Detailed Description Implementations of the present subject matter include devices for vaporizing one or more materials for inhalation by a user. The term "vaporizer" as used generally in the following description refers to a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizers consistent with implementations of the present subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and the like. Such vaporizers are generally handheld devices that heat a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material.

[0036] The vaporizable material used with the vaporizer can optionally be provided in a cartridge (e.g., a portion of a vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container), which may be refillable when empty, or disposable for a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of the same or different type. The vaporizer can be a vaporizer that uses a cartridge, a vaporizer without a cartridge, or a multi-use vaporizer that can be used with or without a cartridge. For example, a multi-use vaporizer can include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) that receives the vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber and is also configured to receive a cartridge or other replaceable device, such as a reservoir, which is a volume for at least partially containing a dose of the vaporizable material.

[0037] In various implementations, the vaporizer may be configured for use with liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which active and / or inactive ingredients are suspended or held in solution, or the net liquid form of the vaporizable material itself) or solid vaporizable material. Solid vaporizable material may include plant material that releases a portion of the plant material as vaporizable material (e.g., such that a portion of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material is released for inhalation by the user), or may possibly be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself (e.g., "wax"), such that all of the solid material may ultimately be vaporized for inhalation. Liquid vaporizable material may be capable of being vaporized completely as well, or may include a portion of the liquid material remaining after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been consumed.

[0038] In some embodiments, leakage of liquid vaporizable material from the vaporizer cartridge and / or other parts of the vaporizer may occur. Additionally, consistency in manufacturing quality of the vaporizer heating element may be particularly important during scaled and / or automated manufacturing processes. Additionally, the use of a vaporizer may come with specific power requirements that may result in shorter battery run times, shorter run times at low temperatures, faster aging of the battery, and may affect battery performance.

[0039] Implementations of the subject matter can also provide advantages and benefits regarding these issues. For example, various mechanisms for controlling airflow and vaporizable material flow are described herein. This can provide advantages and improvements over existing approaches while also introducing additional advantages described herein. The vaporizer device and / or cartridge described herein includes one or more mechanisms for controlling and improving airflow within the vaporizer device and / or cartridge, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of vaporizing liquid vaporizable material by the vaporizer device without introducing additional mechanisms that may lead to leakage of liquid vaporizable material or accumulation of condensate that collects along one or more internal channels and outlets.

[0040] For example, the heating element can be stamped from a sheet of material and bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element. The configuration of the heating element may allow for more consistent and improved quality heating elements to be manufactured and may help reduce tolerance issues that may arise during the manufacturing process when assembling a heating element having multiple components. The heating element may also improve the accuracy of measurements (e.g., resistance, current, temperature, etc.) taken from the heating element due at least in part to the improved consistency of the ability to manufacture heating elements with reduced tolerance issues. A stamped and formed heating element may desirably help minimize heat loss and help ensure that the heating element will behave predictably as it is heated to the proper temperature.

[0041] To further illustrate, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a vaporizer 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the vaporizer 100 can include a power source 112 (e.g., a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, a fuel cell, etc.) and a controller 104 (e.g., a processor capable of executing logic, circuitry, etc.). The controller 104 can be configured to control the supply of heat to the atomizer 141 to convert the vaporizable material from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, liquid, solution, suspension, at least a portion of unprocessed plant material, etc.) to a gas phase. For example, the controller 104 can control the supply of heat to the atomizer 141 by at least controlling the discharge of current from the power source 112 to the atomizer 141. The controller 104 can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with a particular implementation of the present subject matter.

[0042] After converting the vaporizable material to the gas phase, and 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 vapor phase vaporizable material may condense to form particulate matter in at least partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of the aerosol. The vaporizable material (e.g., particulate matter) in the condensed phase is in at least partial local equilibrium with the vaporizable material in the gas phase and may form part or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer 100 for a given puff or draw at the vaporizer 100. It should be understood that the interaction of vaporizable material between the gas phase and the condensed phase in the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 100 may be complex and dynamic, since factors such as, for example, ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemicals, flow conditions in the airflow path (both in the vaporizer and in the respiratory tract of humans or other animals), mixing of the vaporizable material in the gas or aerosol phase with other airflows, etc., may affect one or more physical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizers, particularly for vaporizers for delivering more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can exist primarily in the gas phase (i.e., formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).

[0043] To allow the vaporizer 100 to be used with liquid vaporizable material (e.g., neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, etc.), the atomizer 141 can include a wicking element (also referred to herein as a wick) formed from one or more materials capable of generating fluid motion via capillary pressure. The wicking element can convey a volume of liquid vaporizable material to a portion of the atomizer 141 that includes a heating element (not shown in FIG. 1). The wicking element is generally configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir. The reservoir is configured to contain (and can contain, in use) the liquid vaporizable material, and heat generated by the heating element can vaporize the liquid vaporizable material. The wicking element can also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir to replace the volume of liquid that has been removed. That is, capillary action may draw liquid vaporizable material into the wicking element for vaporization by a heating element (described below), and air, in some implementations of the present subject matter, returns through the wick to the reservoir, at least partially equalizing the pressure within the reservoir. Other approaches to returning air to the reservoir to equalize pressure are within the scope of the present subject matter, as discussed in more detail below.

[0044] The heating element may be or may include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may be composed of or at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, e.g., 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 implementations of the present subject matter, the atomizer may include a heating element including a resistive coil or other heating element. The heating element may be wrapped around the wicking element, disposed within the wicking element, integrated with the bulk shape of the wicking element, pressed into thermal contact with the wicking element, or otherwise arranged to transfer heat to the wicking element, causing the liquid vaporizable material drawn by the wicking element from the reservoir to vaporize in a gas phase and / or a condensed (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) phase for subsequent inhalation by the user. As discussed further below, other wicking element, heating element and / or atomizer assembly configurations are possible.

[0045] Alternatively and / or additionally, the vaporizer 100 may be configured to generate inhalable doses of gas and / or aerosol phase vaporizable material, for example, via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as a solid phase vaporizable material (e.g., wax, etc.) or a plant material containing a vaporizable material (e.g., tobacco leaves and / or portions of tobacco leaves). Thus, one or more heating elements may be part of, or may be integrated in some manner with, or in thermal contact with, a wall of an oven or other heating chamber in which the non-liquid vaporizable material is placed. Alternatively, one or more heating elements may be used to heat air passing through or having passed through the non-liquid vaporizable material, thereby convectively heating the non-liquid vaporizable material. In yet another example, one or more resistive heating elements may be placed in intimate contact with the plant material, such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within the mass of plant material (as opposed to, for example, being conducted inward from the walls of the oven).

[0046] The heating element may be activated in association with a user puff (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) at the vaporizer mouthpiece 130 (e.g., a controller, which may be part of the vaporizer body discussed below, directs current from a power source to a circuit including a resistive heating element, which is optionally part of the vaporizer cartridge discussed below). The user puff causes air to flow from the air inlet, through the atomizer (e.g., wicking element and heating element), along an airflow path, and optionally through one or more condensation regions or chambers, to an air outlet at the mouthpiece. The incoming air passing along the airflow path passes through the atomizer, where gas-phase vaporizable material is entrained into the air. As described above, the entrained gas-phase vaporizable material condenses as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path, and an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in aerosol form may be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., into the mouthpiece 130 for inhalation by the user).

[0047] The heating element may be activated in response to detecting a puff and / or determining that a puff is imminent. For example, detection of a puff may be based on one or more signals. The signals may be generated by one or more sensors 113 included in the vaporizer 100, such as, for example, one or more pressure sensors (e.g., configured to measure pressure along an airflow path relative to ambient pressure, change in absolute pressure, etc.), motion sensors, flow sensors, capacitive sensors (e.g., configured to detect contact between a user's lips and the vaporizer 100). Alternatively and / or additionally, a puff (or an impending puff) may be detected in response to detecting a user interacting with one or more input devices 116 included in the vaporizer 100 (e.g., a button or other tactile control device on the vaporizer 100), receiving a signal from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer 100, etc. It should be appreciated that detection of a puff, including determining the impending occurrence of a puff, may be performed using a variety of techniques.

[0048] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the vaporizer 100 may be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or possibly two or more devices) that communicates with the vaporizer. To this end, the controller 104 may include communication hardware 105. The controller 104 may also include memory 108. The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer 100, and may include its own communication hardware that may establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer 100. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system may include a general-purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, some other portable device such as a smart watch, etc.) that executes software to generate a user interface to allow a user of the device to interact with the vaporizer. In other implementations of the present subject matter, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system may be a dedicated piece of hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device, having one or more physical or soft (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device, such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, etc.) interface controls. The vaporizer may also include one or more output 117 mechanisms or devices for providing information to a user.

[0049] A computing device that is part of the vaporizer system defined above can be used for any of one or more functions, such as controlling the dose (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling the session (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling nicotine delivery (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable materials, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered, etc.), obtaining location information (e.g., location of other users, location of retailers / venues, vaping locations, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), personalizing the vaporizer (e.g., naming the vaporizer, locking / password protecting the vaporizer, adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a user group, registering the vaporizer with the manufacturer or warranty organization, etc.), participating in social activities with other users (e.g., gaming, social media communication, interacting with one or more groups, etc.), etc. The terms "sessioning," "session," "vaporizer session," or "vapor session" are used generally to refer to a period of time devoted to the use of a vaporizer. The period of time may include time, number of doses, amount of vaporizable material, and the like.

[0050] In examples where a computing device provides signals related to activation of a heating element or other examples where a computing device couples with the vaporizer 100 to achieve various control or other functions, the computing device can execute one or more sets of computer instructions to provide a user interface and underlying data processing. In one example, the computing device detects user interaction with one or more user interface elements, causing the computing device to send a signal to the vaporizer 100 to cause the heating element to operate to any of a full range of operating temperatures for generating an inhalable dose of vapor / aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer can be controlled by user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer 100.

[0051] The temperature of the heating element of the vaporizer may depend on many factors, including the amount of power provided to the heating element and / or the duty cycle at which power is provided, heat conduction to other parts of the electronic vaporizer and / or the environment, latent heat loss from the vaporization of the vaporizable material from the wicking element and / or across the atomizer, and convective heat loss from airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or across the atomizer as a user inhales with an electronic vaporizer). As described above, to ensure that the heating element is activated or heated to a desired temperature, the vaporizer 100, in some implementations of the present subject matter, may utilize a signal from a pressure sensor to determine when a user is inhaling. The pressure sensor may be located in the airflow path and / or connected (e.g., by a passageway or other path) to an airflow path connecting an inlet through which air enters the device and an outlet through which the user inhales the generated vapor and / or aerosol. As a result, the pressure sensor experiences pressure changes as air passes through the vaporizer device from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the heating element can be activated in association with a user's puff, for example, by automatic detection of the puff, for example, by a pressure sensor that detects a pressure change in the airflow path.

[0052] Typically, the pressure sensor (and any other sensors 113) may be located on or coupled (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) to the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). To provide accurate measurements and maintain the durability of the vaporizer 100, an elastic seal 150 may isolate the airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer 100. The seal 150, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the pressure sensor such that the connection of the pressure sensor to the vaporizer's internal circuitry is isolated from the portion of the pressure sensor exposed to the airflow path. In an example of a cartridge-based vaporizer, the seal 150 may also isolate a portion of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 110 and the vaporizer cartridge 1320 (not shown in FIG. 1) from one or more other portions of the vaporizer body 110. Such placement of the seal 150 within the vaporizer 100 can help mitigate potentially destructive effects on the vaporizer components caused by interactions with environmental factors, such as water in the vapor or liquid phase, other fluids such as vaporizable materials, and / or reduce air leakage from the designed airflow path within the vaporizer. Unwanted passage and / or contact of air, liquid, or other fluids with the vaporizer circuitry can cause various undesirable effects, such as changes in pressure readings and / or accumulation of undesirable materials, such as moisture or vaporizable materials, within the vaporizer components, which can result in poor pressure signals, degradation of pressure sensors or other components, and / or shortened vaporizer life. Leaks at the seal 150 can also allow a user to inhale air that contains or has passed through portions of the vaporizer device that would be undesirable for inhalation.

[0053] The vaporizer 100 may be a cartridge-based vaporizer, as described. Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates the vaporizer body 110 of the vaporizer 100 as including a controller 104, a power source 112 (e.g., a battery), one or more sensors 113, one or more charging contacts 124, and a seal 150, as well as a cartridge receptacle 118 configured to receive at least a portion of a vaporizer cartridge 1320 for coupling with the vaporizer body 110 via one or more various attachment structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may include a reservoir 140 for containing a liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece 130 for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. For example, an atomizer 141 including a wicking element and a heating element may be at least partially disposed within the vaporizer cartridge 1320. In some cases, the heating element and / or wicking element may be disposed within the vaporizer cartridge 1320 such that the walls surrounding the cartridge receptacle 118 enclose all or at least a portion of the heating element and / or wicking element when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is fully connected to the vaporizer body 110. In some implementations of the present subject matter, a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 that is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110 may be disposed within another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. For example, the insertable portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may be at least partially surrounded by some other portion, such as, for example, an exterior shell of the vaporizer cartridge 1320.

[0054] Alternatively, at least a portion of the atomizer 141 (e.g., one or both of the wicking element and heating element) can be disposed within the vaporizer body 110 of the vaporizer 100. In an implementation that is part of the vaporizer body 110, a portion of the atomizer 141 (e.g., the heating element and / or the wicking element) of the vaporizer 100 can be configured to deliver liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the atomizer portion contained within the vaporizer body 110.

[0055] As mentioned above, the removal of vaporizable material 102 from the reservoir 140 (e.g., by capillary withdrawal by the wicking element) may create at least a partial vacuum (e.g., a reduced pressure created in a portion of the reservoir that has been emptied due to consumption of liquid vaporizable material) relative to the ambient air pressure within the reservoir 140. Such a vacuum may impede the capillary action provided by the wicking element. This reduced pressure may, in some instances, be sufficient to reduce the effectiveness of the wicking element to draw out the liquid vaporizable material 102, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the vaporizer 100 to vaporize a desired amount of vaporizable material 102, for example, when a user puffs on the vaporizer 100. In extreme cases, the creation of a vacuum within the reservoir 140 may result in an inability to draw all of the vaporizable material 102 from the reservoir 140, thereby resulting in incomplete use of the vaporizable material 102. To alleviate this problem, one or more venting mechanisms may be included in association with the vaporizer reservoir 140 (regardless of the placement of the reservoir 140 within the vaporizer cartridge 1320 or elsewhere within the vaporizer) to enable the pressure within the reservoir 140 to be at least partially equalized (and possibly completely equalized) with ambient pressure (e.g., the pressure of the ambient air outside the reservoir 140).

[0056] In some cases, allowing pressure equalization within the reservoir 140 improves the efficiency of delivering liquid vaporizable material to the atomizer 141, but can do so by allowing air to fill an otherwise vacant void volume within the reservoir 140 (e.g., space vacated by use of the liquid vaporizable material 1302). As discussed in more detail below, this air-filled void volume may then experience a pressure change relative to the ambient air that, under certain conditions, may result in leakage of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir 140 and ultimately from the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and / or other portions of the vaporizer housing the reservoir 140. For example, a negative pressure event in which the pressure within the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is high enough to move at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 within the reservoir 140 may be triggered by various environmental factors, such as changes in the ambient temperature, altitude, and / or volume of the cartridge 1320. Additionally, implementations of the present subject matter can eliminate or at least minimize leakage of vaporizable material 1302.

[0057] 2A-2B show plan cross-sectional views of an example vaporizer cartridge 1320 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown in FIGs. 2A-2B, the cartridge 1320 can include a mouthpiece or mouthpiece region 1330, a reservoir 1340 containing a vaporizable material 1302, and an atomizer (not shown separately). Depending on the implementation, the atomizer can include a heating element 1350 and a wicking element 1362, either together or separately, such that the wicking element 1362 is thermally or thermodynamically coupled to the heating element 1350 for purposes of vaporizing the vaporizable material 1302 drawn from or stored in the wicking element 1362.

[0058] Contacts 1326, in one embodiment, can be included to provide an electrical connection between the heating element 1350 and a power source (e.g., power source 112 shown in FIG. 1). An airflow passage 1338 defined through or on a side of the reservoir 1340 can connect a region within the cartridge 1320 that houses the wicking element 1362 (e.g., wick housing not separately shown) to an opening leading to the mouthpiece or mouthpiece region 1330 to provide a path for the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to travel from the heating element 1350 region to the mouthpiece region 1330.

[0059] As provided above, the wicking element 1362 can be coupled to an atomizer or heating element 1350 (e.g., a resistive heating element or coil) that is connected to one or more electrical contacts (e.g., plate 1326). The heating element 1350 (and / or other heating elements described herein according to one or more implementations) can have a variety of shapes and / or configurations and can include one or more heating elements 1350, 1350 or mechanisms thereof, as provided in more detail below.

[0060] According to one or more exemplary implementations, the heating element 1350 of the cartridge 1320 can be fabricated (e.g., stamped) from a sheet of material and either crimped around at least a portion of the wicking element 1362 or bent to provide a preformed element configured to receive the wicking element 1362. For example, the wicking element 1362 can be pressed into the heating element 1350. Alternatively and / or additionally, the heating element 1350 can be held in tension and pulled over the wicking element 1362.

[0061] The heating element 1350 can be bent such that the heating element 1350 secures the wicking element 1362 between at least two or three portions of the heating element 1350. Additionally, the heating element 1350 can be bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 1362. The configuration of the heating element 1350 can enable more consistent and improved quality manufacturing of the heating element 1350. Consistency in the manufacturing quality of the heating element 1350 can be particularly important during scaled and / or automated manufacturing processes. For example, the heating element 1350 according to one or more implementations can help reduce tolerance issues that may arise during the manufacturing process when assembling a heating element 1350 having multiple components.

[0062] Additionally, as discussed further below with respect to embodiments including heating elements formed of crimped metal, the heating element 1350 may be plated generally and / or selectively with one or more materials to improve the heating performance of the heating element 1350. Plating all or a portion of the heating element 1350 may help minimize heat loss. Plating may also help concentrate heat in a portion of the heating element 1350, thereby providing a heating element 1350 that heats more efficiently and further reduces heat loss. Selective plating may help direct the electrical current provided to the heating element 1350 to the appropriate location. Selective plating may also help reduce the amount of plating material and / or costs associated with manufacturing the heating element 1350.

[0063] As discussed above, the heating element 1350, in one embodiment, may be configured to receive at least a portion of the wicking element 1362 such that the wicking element 1362 is at least partially disposed inside the heating element 1350 (e.g., a heating portion of the heating element 1350). For example, the wicking element 1362 may extend near or next to the plate 1326 and through a resistive heating element in contact with the plate 1326. A wick housing may surround at least a portion of the heating element 1350 and connect the heating element 1350 directly or indirectly to the airflow passage 1338. The vaporizable material 1302 may be drawn by the wicking element 1362 through one or more passages connected to the reservoir 1340. In one embodiment, one or both of the primary passageway 1382 or the overflow channel 1104 (see FIG. 5A ) may be utilized to feed or help direct the vaporizable material 1302 radially to one or both ends of the wicking element 1362 or along the length of the wicking element 1362.

[0064] As provided in further detail below, and with particular reference to Figures 2A-2B, the exchange of air and liquid vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the reservoir 1340 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 can be advantageously controlled by an incorporated structure referred to as a collector 1313. The inclusion of a collector 1313 can also improve the volumetric efficiency of the cartridge 1320, which is defined as the volume of liquid vaporizable material that is ultimately converted into an inhalable aerosol relative to the total volume of liquid vaporizable material contained in the cartridge 1320 (which may correspond to the volume of the cartridge 1320 itself).

[0065] According to some implementations, the cartridge 1320 can include a reservoir 1340 defined at least in part by at least one wall (which may be a wall possibly shared with the cartridge's exterior shell) configured to contain a liquid form of vaporizable material 1302. The reservoir 1340 can include a storage chamber 1342 and an overflow volume 1344. The overflow volume 1344 can include a collector 1313 or can be contained in some manner. The storage chamber 1342 can contain the vaporizable material 1302, and the overflow volume 1344 can be configured to collect and / or hold at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 when one or more factors cause the vaporizable material 1302 in the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir to move into the overflow volume 1344. In some implementations of the present subject matter, cartridge 1320 can be initially filled with vaporizable material 1302 such that the voids in collector 1313 are pre-filled with vaporizable material 1302 .

[0066] In some exemplary embodiments, the volume size of the overflow volume 1344 may be configured to be equal to, approximately equal to, or greater than the increase in volume of the contents contained within the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., vaporizable material 1302 and air) when the volume of the contents within the storage chamber 1342 expands due to the maximum expected change in pressure that the reservoir 1340 may experience relative to ambient pressure.

[0067] In response to changes in ambient pressure, temperature, and / or other factors, the cartridge 1320 may undergo a change from a first pressure state to a second pressure state (e.g., a first relative pressure difference between the interior of the reservoir and the ambient pressure and a second relative pressure difference between the interior of the reservoir and the ambient pressure). For example, in the first pressure state, the pressure within the cartridge 1320 may be less than the ambient pressure outside the cartridge 1320. In contrast, in the second pressure state, the pressure within the cartridge 1320 may exceed the ambient pressure. When the cartridge 1320 is in an equilibrium state, the pressure within the cartridge 1320 may be substantially equal to the ambient pressure outside the cartridge 1320.

[0068] In some embodiments, the overflow volume 1344 can have an opening to the exterior of the cartridge 1320 and can be in communication with the reservoir's storage chamber 1342. As a result, the overflow volume 1344 can function as a vent channel to provide pressure equalization within the cartridge 1320, collect and at least temporarily hold vaporizable material 1302 that enters the overflow volume 1344 (e.g., from the storage chamber 1342 in response to fluctuations in the pressure differential between the storage chamber 1342 and ambient pressure), and / or potentially reversibly return at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 collected in the overflow volume 1344.

[0069] As used herein, a "pressure differential" may refer to the difference between the pressure inside the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure outside the cartridge 1320. By drawing the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 to the atomizer for conversion to a vapor or aerosol phase, the volume of vaporizable material 1302 remaining in the storage chamber 1342 may be reduced. In the absence of a mechanism for returning air to the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., increasing the pressure within the cartridge 1320 to achieve substantial equilibrium with the ambient pressure), a low pressure or vacuum may also develop within the cartridge 1320. The low pressure or vacuum may interfere with the capillary action of the wicking element 1362 to draw additional amounts of vaporizable material 1302 to the heating element 1350.

[0070] Alternatively, the pressure within the cartridge 1320 may increase and exceed the ambient pressure outside the cartridge 1320 due to various environmental factors, such as changes in the temperature, altitude, and / or volume of the cartridge 1320. This increase in internal pressure may occur, for example, after air has been returned to the storage chamber 1342 to achieve equilibrium between the pressure within the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure outside the cartridge 1320. However, it should be understood that a sufficient change in one or more environmental factors may cause the pressure within the cartridge 1320 to increase from below ambient pressure to above ambient pressure (e.g., transitioning from a first pressure state to a second pressure state) without additional air entering the cartridge 1320 to first achieve equilibrium between the pressure within the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure. A negative pressure event resulting from a sufficient increase in pressure within the cartridge 1320 may displace at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 within the storage chamber 1342. Without a mechanism for collecting and / or retaining the displaced vaporizable material 1302 within the cartridge 1320 , the displaced vaporizable material 1302 may leak out of the cartridge 1320 .

[0071] 2A and 2B, the reservoir 1340 may be realized to include a first region and a second region separable from the first region, such that the volume of the reservoir 1340 is divided into a storage chamber 1342 and an overflow volume 1344. The storage chamber 1342 may be configured to store the vaporizable material 1302 and may be further coupled to the wicking element 1362 via one or more primary passages 1382. In some examples, the length of the primary passages 1382 may be very short (e.g., a through hole from a space housing the wicking element 1362 or other parts of the atomizer). In other examples, the primary passages 1382 may be part of a longer fluid path between the storage chamber 1342 and the wicking element 1362. The overflow volume 1344 may be configured to collect and at least temporarily retain one or more portions of the vaporizable material 1302 that may enter the overflow volume 1344 from the storage chamber 1342 in a second pressure state in which the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 is higher than ambient pressure, as provided in further detail below.

[0072] In a first pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 may be stored in the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. As described above, the first pressure state may exist, for example, when the ambient pressure outside the cartridge 1320 is approximately equal to or greater than the pressure inside the cartridge 1320. In this first pressure state, the structural and functional characteristics of the primary passageway 1382 and the overflow channel 1104 are such that the vaporizable material 1302 may flow from the storage chamber 1342 through the primary passageway 1382 toward the wicking element 1362. For example, the capillary action of the wicking element 1362 may draw the vaporizable material 1302 close to the heating element 1350. Heat generated by the heating element 1350 may act on the vaporizable material 1302 to convert the vaporizable material 1302 to a gas phase.

[0073] In one embodiment, in the first pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 may not flow or may flow in a limited amount into the collector 1313, for example, into the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313. In contrast, when the cartridge 1320 transitions from the first pressure state to the second pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 may flow from the storage chamber 1342 into the overflow volume 1344 of the reservoir 1340. By collecting and at least temporarily retaining the vaporizable material 1302 entering the collector 1313, the collector 1313 may prevent or limit undesired (e.g., excessive) flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir 1340. As described above, the second pressure state may exist when the ambient pressure outside the cartridge 1320 is less than the pressure within the cartridge 1320. This pressure differential can cause an expanding gas bubble in the storage chamber 1342, displacing a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 within the storage chamber 1342. The displaced portion of the vaporizable material 1302 can be collected and at least temporarily retained by the collector 1313 instead of exiting the cartridge 1320 and causing undesirable leakage.

[0074] Advantageously, the flow of vaporizable material 1302 can be controlled by directing vaporizable material 1302 driven from storage chamber 1342 to overflow volume 1344 at a second pressure. For example, collector 1313 in overflow volume 1344 can include one or more capillary structures configured to collect and at least temporarily hold at least a portion (and advantageously all) of the excess liquid vaporizable material 1302 pushed out of storage chamber 1342 without allowing the liquid vaporizable material 1302 to reach an outlet of collector 1313 where it may exit collector 1313 and cause undesirable leakage. The collector 1313 may also advantageously include a capillary structure that allows liquid vaporizable material forced into the collector 1313 (e.g., by excess pressure in the storage chamber 1342 relative to ambient pressure) to be reversibly drawn back into the storage chamber 1342 when the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 drops and / or equalizes relative to ambient pressure. That is, the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 may have microfluidic features or characteristics that prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other while filling and emptying the collector 1313. That is, microfluidic features may be used to manage the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 both into and out of the collector 1313 (i.e., provide a flow reversal mechanism). In doing so, these microfluidic features may prevent or reduce leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 and may trap air bubbles in the storage chamber 1342 and / or overflow volume 1344.

[0075] Depending on the implementation, the microfluidic features or characteristics discussed above can be associated with the size, shape, surface coverage, structural features and / or capillary properties of the wicking element 1362, the primary passageway 1382 and / or the overflow channel 1104. For example, the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313 can have different capillary properties than the primary passageway 1382 leading to the wicking element 1362 such that a certain volume of vaporizable material 1302 can pass from the storage chamber 1342 into the overflow volume 1344 during a second pressure state in which at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 in the storage chamber 1342 is displaced from the storage chamber 1342.

[0076] In one exemplary implementation, the total resistance of the collector 1313, which allows liquid to flow out of the collector 1313, may be greater than the total resistance of the wicking element 1362, for example, to allow the vaporizable material 1302 to flow primarily through the primary passage 1382 toward the wicking element 1362 during the first pressure state.

[0077] The primary passageway 1382 can provide a capillary path through or into the wicking element 1362 for the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir 1340. The capillary path (e.g., primary passageway 1382) can be large enough to allow for replacement of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 in the wicking element 1362 by wicking or capillary action, but small enough to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 from the cartridge 1320 when excess pressure in the cartridge 1320 displaces at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342. The wick housing or wicking element 1362 can be treated to prevent leakage. For example, the cartridge 1320 can be coated after filling to prevent leakage or evaporation through the wicking element 1362. Any suitable coating can be used, including, for example, a thermally vaporizable coating (e.g., wax or other material), etc.

[0078] When a user inhales through the mouthpiece region 1330 of the cartridge 1320, air can flow into the cartridge 1320 through an inlet or opening that is in operative relationship with the wicking element 1362. The heating element 1350 may be activated in response to a signal generated by one or more sensors 113 (shown in FIG. 1). As described above, the one or more sensors 113 can include at least one of a pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a flow sensor, or other mechanism capable of detecting a puff and / or an impending puff, including, for example, detecting a change in the airflow passage 1338. When the heating element 1350 is activated, the heating element 1350 can undergo a temperature increase as a result of current flowing through the plate 1326 or through another electrically resistive component of the heating element 1350 that functions to convert electrical energy to thermal energy. It should be understood that activating the heating element 1350 can include the controller 104 (shown in FIG. 1, for example) controlling the power source 112 to discharge current from the power source 112 to the heating element 1350.

[0079] In one embodiment, the generated heat can be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 in the wicking element 1362 by conductive, convective and / or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wicking element 1362 is vaporized. Depending on the implementation, air entering the cartridge 1320 can flow over (or around, near, etc.) the wicking element 1362 and the heated elements in the heating element 1350, stripping off the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 into the airflow passages 1338. In this case, the vapor may optionally be condensed and delivered in aerosol form, for example, through an opening in the mouthpiece region 1330.

[0080] 2B, the storage chamber 1342 may be connected to the airflow passage 1338 (i.e., via the overflow channel 1104 of the overflow volume 1344) for the purpose of allowing a portion of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 driven from the storage chamber 1342 by increased pressure in the storage chamber 1342 relative to atmosphere to be retained in the overflow volume 1344 without exiting the vaporizer cartridge 1320. Although the implementations described herein relate to a vaporizer cartridge 1320 including a reservoir 1340, it should be understood that the described approach is also compatible with and contemplated for use with vaporizers that do not have a separable cartridge.

[0081] Returning to the example, if the pressure within the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is lower than ambient pressure, the air that can enter the storage chamber 1342 can increase the pressure within the vaporizer cartridge 1320, transitioning the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to a second pressure state where the pressure within the vaporizer cartridge 1320 exceeds the ambient pressure outside the vaporizer cartridge 1320. Alternatively and / or additionally, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 can transition to the second pressure state in response to a change in ambient temperature, a change in ambient pressure (e.g., due to a change in external conditions, e.g., altitude, weather, etc.), and / or a change in the volume of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 (e.g., when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is compressed by an external force, such as squeezing). For example, in the case of a negative pressure event, the increase in pressure within the storage chamber 1342 can at least expand the air occupying the void space of the storage chamber 1342, thereby displacing at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 within the storage chamber 1342. The displaced portion of vaporizable material 1302 can move through at least some portion of overflow channel 1104 in collector 1313. The microfluidic features of overflow channel 1104 can displace liquid vaporizable material 1302 along the length of overflow channel 1104 in collector 1313 by a meniscus that completely covers a cross-sectional area of ​​overflow channel 1104 transverse to the direction of flow along that length.

[0082] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the microfluidic mechanism may include a cross-sectional area that is sufficiently small relative to the material from which the walls of the overflow channel 1104 are formed and the composition of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 that the liquid vaporizable material 1302 preferentially wets the overflow channel 1104 around the entire perimeter of the overflow channel 1104. For an example in which the liquid vaporizable material 1302 includes one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, the wetting properties of such liquid are advantageously considered in combination with the geometry of the second passageway 1384 and the material from which the walls of the overflow channel 1104 are formed. In this manner, as the sign (e.g., positive, negative, or equal) and magnitude of the pressure difference between the reservoir chamber 1340 and the ambient pressure changes, a meniscus is maintained between the liquid vaporizable material 1302 present in the overflow channel 1104 and the air entering from the ambient atmosphere, preventing the vaporizable material 1302 and the air from passing through each other. When the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 drops sufficiently relative to ambient pressure and there is sufficient void volume in the storage chamber 1342 to allow this, the vaporizable material 1302 present in the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 can be drawn into the storage chamber 1342 sufficiently to cause a main liquid-air meniscus to reach a gate or port between the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 and the storage chamber 1342. At such a point, if the pressure difference in the storage chamber 1342 relative to ambient pressure is negative enough to overcome the surface tension forces maintaining the meniscus at the gate or port, the meniscus will release from the gate or port wall to form one or more gas bubbles, which are then released into the storage chamber 1342, which has sufficient volume, to equalize the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 relative to ambient pressure.

[0083] As discussed above, if the air that has entered (or somehow becomes present within) the storage chamber 1340 is placed under elevated pressure relative to the surroundings (e.g., due to a drop in ambient pressure, as may occur in an airplane cabin or other high altitude location, an increase in internal pressure within the storage chamber 1340, as may occur when a window of a moving vehicle is opened, when a train or vehicle exits a tunnel, etc., or due to localized heating, mechanical pressure that distorts the shape and thereby reduces the volume of the storage chamber 1340, etc.), the process described above can be reversed. Liquid enters the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 through a gate or port, and a meniscus forms at the leading edge of the column of vaporizable material 1302 entering the overflow channel 1104, preventing the air from bypassing and flowing against the progress of the vaporizable material 1302.

[0084] By maintaining this meniscus due to the presence of the microfluidic properties described above, when the increased pressure in the storage chamber 1340 later drops, the column of vaporizable material 1302 may be drawn back into the storage chamber 1340, possibly until the meniscus reaches a gate or port. If the pressure differential sufficiently favors ambient pressure over the pressure in the storage chamber 1342, the bubble formation process described above may occur until the two pressures are equal. In this manner, the collector 1313 can function as a reversible overflow volume that receives vaporizable material 1302 that is pushed out of the storage chamber 1342 under transitional conditions of higher storage chamber pressure relative to ambient pressure, while allowing at least a portion (and desirably all or most) of this overflow volume of vaporizable material 1302 to be returned to the storage chamber 1340 for subsequent delivery, e.g., to the heating element 1350 for conversion to an inhalable aerosol.

[0085] Depending on the implementation, the storage chamber 1342 may or may not be connected to the wicking element 1362 via the overflow channel 1104. In embodiments where the overflow channel 1104 includes a first end coupled to the storage chamber 1342 and a second end overflow channel 1104 leading to the wicking element 1362, any vaporizable material 1302 that may exit the overflow channel 1104 at the second end may further fill the wicking element 1362.

[0086] The storage chamber 1342 can be located closer to the end of the reservoir 1340, possibly near the mouthpiece region 1330. The overflow volume 1344 can be located closer to the end of the reservoir 1340, for example, between the storage chamber 1342 and the heating element 1350, closer to the heating element 1350. The exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter with respect to the location of the various components disclosed herein. For example, the overflow volume 1344 can be located at the top, middle, or bottom of the cartridge 1320. The location and location of the reservoir 1342 can be adjusted relative to the location of the overflow volume 1344, such that the storage chamber 1342 can be located at the top, middle, or bottom of the cartridge 1320 according to one or more variations.

[0087] In one implementation, when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is filled to capacity, the volume of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 may be equal to the internal volume of the storage chamber 1342 plus the overflow volume 1344. The internal volume of the overflow volume may correspond to the volume of the overflow channel 1104 between the gate or port connecting the overflow channel 1104 to the storage chamber 1340 and the outlet of the overflow channel 1104 in some exemplary implementations. That is, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may be initially filled with the liquid vaporizable material 1302 such that all or at least a portion of the internal volume of the collector 1313 is occupied by the liquid vaporizable material 1302. In such an example, the liquid vaporizable material 1302 may be delivered to an atomizer (e.g., including a wicking element 1362 and a heating element 1350) required for delivery to a user. For example, a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 can be drawn from the storage chamber 1340 to deliver a portion of the vaporizable material 1302, thereby drawing any vaporizable material 1302 present in the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 back into the storage chamber 1340. This is because air cannot enter through the overflow channel 1104 (which prevents air from flowing past the vaporizable material 1302 present in the overflow channel 1104) due to the meniscus maintained by the microfluidic properties of the overflow channel 1104. After a sufficient amount of vaporizable material 1302 has been delivered from the storage chamber 1340 to the atomizer (e.g., for vaporization and user inhalation) to draw the original volume of the collector 1313 into the storage chamber 1340, the operations discussed above take place. For example, when a portion of vaporizable material 1302 is removed from storage chamber 1340, one or more gas bubbles may be released from a gate or port between secondary passage 1384 and storage chamber 1340 to equalize the pressure within storage chamber 1340 (e.g., relative to ambient pressure).When the pressure in the storage chamber 1340 increases above ambient pressure (e.g., due to an influx of air at a first pressure condition, a change in temperature, a change in ambient pressure, a change in the volume of the vaporizer cartridge 1320, etc.), some of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the storage chamber 1340 is displaced, allowing it to move out of the storage chamber 1340 and across a gate or port in the overflow channel 1104 until the elevated pressure condition in the storage compartment subsides, at which point the liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 can be drawn back into the storage chamber 1340.

[0088] In certain embodiments, the overflow volume 1344 can be large enough to accommodate a percentage of the vaporizable material 1302 stored within the storage chamber 1342, including up to about 100% of the volume of the storage chamber 1342. In one embodiment, the collector 1313 can be configured to accommodate at least 6%-25% of the volume of the vaporizable material 1302 that can be stored within the storage chamber 1342. Other ranges are also within the scope of the present subject matter.

[0089] The structure of the collector 1313 allows the overflow portion of the vaporizable material 1302 to be at least temporarily received, contained or stored in the overflow volume 1314 in a controlled manner (e.g., by capillary pressure). Thereby, the vaporizable material 1302 may be configured, constructed, shaped, manufactured or arranged in the overflow volume 1344 with different shapes and different properties to prevent it from leaking out of the cartridge 1320 or overfilling the wicking element 1362. It should be understood that the above description referring to the overflow channel 1104 is not intended to be limited to a single such overflow channel 1104. One or possibly more than one overflow channel 1104 may be connected to the storage chamber 1340 via one or more gates or ports. In some implementations of the present subject matter, a single gate or port may connect to two or more overflow channels 1104, or a single overflow channel 1104 may be split into two or more overflow channels 1104 to provide additional overflow volume or other advantages.

[0090] In some implementations of the present subject matter, an air vent 1318 can connect the overflow volume 1344 to an air flow passageway 1338 that ultimately leads to the ambient air environment outside the cartridge 1320. The air vent 1318 can allow a path for air or bubbles that may have formed or been trapped within the collector 1313 to escape through the air vent 1318, for example, during a second pressure state in which the overflow channel 1104 fills with a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 displaced from the storage chamber 1342.

[0091] According to some embodiments, the air vent 1318 can act as a reverse vent and provide pressure equalization within the cartridge 1320 during the return to equilibrium state from the second pressure state as the overflow of vaporizable material 1302 returns from the overflow volume 1344 to the storage chamber 1342. In this implementation, when the ambient pressure exceeds the internal pressure within the cartridge 1320, the ambient air can flow through the air vent 1318 into the overflow channel 1104 and effectively serve to return the vaporizable material 1302 temporarily stored in the overflow volume 1344 back to the storage chamber 1342.

[0092] In one or more embodiments, in a first pressure state, the overflow channel 1104 may be at least partially occupied with air. In a second pressure state, the vaporizable material 1302 may enter the overflow channel 1104, for example, through an opening (i.e., a vent) at the point of interface between the reservoir chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344. As a result, the air in the overflow channel 1104 may be displaced (e.g., by the incoming vaporizable material 1302) and exit through the air vent 1318. In some implementations, the air vent 1318 may function as or include a control valve (e.g., a selectively permeable membrane, a microfluidic gate, etc.) that allows air to exit the overflow volume 1344 but prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from exiting the overflow channel 1104 into the air flow passage 1338. As described above, the air vent 1318 can function as an air exchange port to allow air to enter and exit the collector 1313, for example, as the collector 1313 fills with displaced vaporizable material 1302 due to excess pressure in the storage chamber 1342 and empties when the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 is substantially equal to ambient pressure. That is, the air vent 1318 can allow air to enter and exit the collector 1313 during transitions between a first pressure state, where the pressure in the cartridge 1320 is lower than ambient pressure, a second pressure state, where the pressure in the cartridge 1320 exceeds ambient pressure, and an equilibrium state, where the pressure in the cartridge 1320 and ambient pressure are substantially the same.

[0093] Thus, the vaporizable material 1302 can be stored in the collector 1313 until the pressure in the cartridge 1320 stabilizes (e.g., when the pressure in the cartridge 1320 is substantially equal to the ambient pressure or meets a specified equilibrium) or until the vaporizable material 1302 is removed from the overflow volume 1344 (e.g., by being drawn into an atomizer for vaporization). Thus, by managing the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 in and out of the collector 1313 as the ambient pressure changes, the level of the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow volume 1344 can be controlled. In one or more embodiments, the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 into the overflow volume 1344 can be reversed or reversible in response to changes detected in the environment (e.g., when the pressure event that caused the overflow of the vaporizable material 1302 subsides or ends).

[0094] As described above, in some implementations of the present subject matter, when the pressure in the cartridge 1320 becomes lower than ambient pressure (e.g., when transitioning from the second pressure state back to the first pressure state), the flow of vaporizable material 1302 may reverse to flow vaporizable material 1302 back from the overflow volume 1344 to the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. Thus, depending on the implementation, the overflow volume 1344 may be configured to temporarily hold an overflow portion of the vaporizable material 1302 during the second pressure state in which high pressure in the cartridge 1320 displaces at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342. Depending on the implementation, during or after reversal to the first pressure state when the pressure in the cartridge 1320 is substantially below ambient pressure, at least a portion of the overflow of vaporizable material 1302 held in the collector 1313 may be returned to the storage chamber 1342.

[0095] To control the flow of vaporizable material 1302 in cartridge 1320, in other implementations of the present subject matter, collector 1313 may optionally include an absorbent or semi-absorbent material (e.g., a material having sponge-like properties) for permanently or semi-permanently collecting or retaining the overflow of vaporizable material 1302 moving through overflow channel 1104. In an exemplary embodiment in which an absorbent material is included in collector 1313, backflow of vaporizable material 1302 from overflow volume 1344 back into storage chamber 1342 may not be practical or possible compared to an embodiment implemented without (or with little to no) absorbent material in collector 1313. That is, the presence of the absorbent or semi-absorbent material at least partially prevents vaporizable material 1302 collected in overflow volume 1344 from returning to storage chamber 1342. Thus, the reversibility and / or reversibility rate of vaporizable material 1302 to storage chamber 1342 can be controlled by including more or less density or volume of absorbent material in collector 1313, or by controlling the texture of the absorbent material, where such characteristics result in higher or lower absorption rates, either immediately or over a longer period of time.

[0096] 3A-3D show various design alternatives for connectors for forming a connection between the cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 of the vaporizer 100. Each of FIGS. 3A-3B shows a perspective view of various examples of connectors, while each of FIGS. 3C-3D shows a cross-sectional side view of various examples of connectors. The examples of connectors shown in FIGS. 3A-3D can include complementary male connectors (e.g., protrusions) and female connectors (e.g., receptacles). As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A-2B, and 3A-3D, one end of the cartridge 1320 can include one or more connectors that enable a connection between the cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 of the vaporizer 100. For example, one end of the cartridge 1320 can include one or more mechanical, electrical, and fluid connectors configured to provide an electrical, mechanical, and / or fluid connection between the cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110. It should be understood that these connectors can be realized in various configurations.

[0097] In one implementation of the present subject matter shown in Figures 1, 3A, and 3C, one end of the cartridge 1320 can include a male connector 710 (e.g., a protrusion) configured to couple with a female connector (e.g., cartridge receptacle 118) in the vaporizer body 110. In this example, when the cartridge 1320 is coupled with the vaporizer body 110, the contacts 1326 disposed on the male connector 710 can form an electrical connection with corresponding receptacle contacts 125 in the cartridge receptacle 118. Furthermore, the contacts 1326 on the male connector 710 can mechanically engage, for example, in a snap-lock manner, with the receptacle contacts 125 in the cartridge receptacle to secure the cartridge 1320 in the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. Alternatively, Figures 3B and 3D show another example in which one end of the cartridge 1320 includes a female connector 712. The female connector 712 may be a receptacle configured to receive a corresponding male connector (e.g., a protrusion) on the vaporizer body 110. In this example implementation, contacts 1326 may be disposed within the female connector 712 and may be configured to form an electrical and mechanical connection with corresponding contacts in the male connector on the vaporizer body 110.

[0098] 3E-3F show further views of the cartridge 1320 having the male connector 710 shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C. Referring to FIG. 3E, which shows a perspective cross-sectional view of an example cartridge 1320, the cartridge 1320 can include a wick housing region 910 configured to accommodate at least the heating element 1350 and the wicking element 1362 of the cartridge 1320. As shown in FIG. 3E, the wick housing region 910 can be at least partially disposed within the male connector 710 at one end of the cartridge 1320. In that way, when the male connector 710 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110, the wick housing region 910 including the heating element 1350 and the wicking element 1362 can be at least partially disposed within the cartridge receptacle 118, which can provide additional insulation for the heating element 1350. Meanwhile, FIG. 3F shows a top plan view of the cartridge 1320. In particular, Figure 9B shows that the male connector 710 can include one or more vent holes 920 disposed at or near the wick housing region 910. The one or more vent holes 920 can be configured to provide pinpoint vapor exhaust and / or airflow to the wicking element 1362, for example, to help control condensation within the cartridge 1320, improve capillary action, etc.

[0099] 4A-4D show examples of cartridges 1320 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 4A-4D, the cartridge 1320 can include a collector 1313, a heating element 1350, a wicking element 1362, contacts 1326, and an airflow passage 1338. As described above, the collector 1313 can be configured to control the exchange of air and vaporizable material 1302 into and out of a reservoir 1340 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. The collector 1313 can be disposed within a housing of the cartridge 1320. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the collector 1313 can be configured, designed, manufactured, fabricated, or constructed completely or partially independent of the housing of the cartridge 1320. Additionally, the collector 1313 may be formed completely or partially independent of other components of the cartridge 1320 including, for example, the storage chamber 1342, the air flow passage 1338, the storage chamber 1342, the heating element 1350, the wicking element 1362, and the like.

[0100] For example, in one implementation of the present subject matter, the cartridge 1320 can have a cartridge housing formed from a monolithic hollow structure having a first end and a second end. The first end (i.e., the first end, also referred to as the receiving end of the cartridge housing) can be configured to insertably receive at least the collector 1313. In one embodiment, the second end of the cartridge housing can function as a mouthpiece having an orifice or opening. The orifice or opening can be located opposite the receiving end of the cartridge housing that can insertably receive the collector 1313. In some embodiments, the opening can be connected to the receiving end by an airflow passage 1338, which can extend, for example, through the body of the cartridge 1320 and the collector 1313. As with other cartridge embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, an atomizer, such as an atomizer including a wicking element 1362 and a heating element 1350 discussed elsewhere herein, may be disposed adjacent to or at least partially within the air flow passage 1338 such that an inhalable form of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 or, as the case may be, a precursor in an inhalable form may be released from the atomizer toward an orifice or opening into air passing through the air flow passage 1338.

[0101] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the collector 1313 can have one or more gates and one or more channels configured to control the flow of air and vaporizable material 1320 into and out of the reservoir 1340. To further illustrate, FIG. 5A shows a side plan view of an example collector 1313 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. A side plan view of a cartridge 1320 including an example collector 1313 is shown in FIG. 5B. The example collector 1313 shown in FIGS. 5A-5B can include one gate 1102 and one overflow channel 1104, although alternative implementations of the collector 1313 can include additional gates and / or channels. In the example collector 1313 shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the gate 1102 can be provided at an opening toward a first portion (e.g., top) of the collector 1313 where the collector 1313 contacts or is in fluid communication with the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir. The gate 1102 can provide a fluid connection between the storage chamber 1342 and an overflow volume 1344 formed by a second portion (eg, a central portion) of the collector 1313 .

[0102] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the second portion of the collector 1313 may have a ribbed or multi-fin shaped structure that forms the overflow channel 1104. The overflow channel 1104 may be spiral, tapered, and / or angled in a direction away from the gate 1102 toward the air exchange port 1106. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, the overflow channel 1104 may be configured to move at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 collected in the overflow volume 1344 toward the air exchange port 1106. The vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 may enter the overflow volume 1344 through the gate 1102. The air exchange port 1106 may be connected to the ambient air by an air path or air flow passage that is connected to the mouthpiece. This air path or air flow passage is not explicitly shown in FIGS. 5A-5B.

[0103] 6A, in some implementations of the present subject matter, the collector 1313 may be configured to include a flat rib 2102 extending around a lower periphery of the collector 1313 to create a suitable surface for welding the collector 1313 to the inner wall of the storage chamber 1342 after the collector 1313 is inserted into the receiving cavity or receptacle in the storage chamber 1342. A full circumference weld or tack weld option may be utilized to secure the collector 1313 within the receiving cavity or receptacle in the storage chamber 1342. Alternatively, a friction and leak resistant connection may be established without utilizing welding techniques and / or an adhesive material may be utilized instead of or in addition to the connection techniques described above.

[0104] 6B, the sealing bead profile 2104 can be stylized by a spiral rib around the collector 1313 that defines the overflow channel 1104 so that the sealing bead profile 2104 can support the rapid turn injection molding process. The geometric shape of the sealing bead profile 2104 can be devised in various ways so that the collector 1313 can be inserted into a receiving cavity or receptacle in the storage chamber 1342 in a friction-resistant manner. In this case, the vaporizable material 1302 can flow through the overflow channel 1104 along the sealing bead profile 2104 without any leakage.

[0105] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the collector 1313 can include a central tunnel 1100 (e.g., shown in FIG. 5D ) that can be configured to function as an airflow channel leading to the mouthpiece. The airflow channel can be connected to the air exchange port 1106 such that the volume in the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 is connected to ambient air via the air exchange port 1106 and to the volume in the storage chamber 1342 via the gate 1102. In that way, according to some implementations of the present subject matter, the gate 1102 can be utilized as a control fluid valve to primarily control the flow of liquid and air between the overflow volume 1344 and the storage chamber 1342. For example, the air exchange port 1106 can be utilized to control the flow of air and vaporizable material 1302 between the overflow volume 1344 and the air path leading to the mouthpiece. It should be understood that the overflow channel 1104 can be diagonal, vertical, or horizontal with respect to the elongated body of the cartridge 1320.

[0106] The vaporizable material 1302 can have at least an initial interface with the collector 1313 through the gate 1102 when the cartridge 1320 is filled. This is because the initial interface between the vaporizable material 1302 and the gate 1102 can prevent, for example, air trapped in the overflow channel 1104 from entering the storage chamber 1342. Furthermore, such an interface can initiate a capillary interaction between the vaporizable material 1302 and the wall of the overflow channel 1104. As a result, a limited amount of the vaporizable material 1302 can enter the overflow channel 1104 without destroying the equilibrium state in which the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the overflow volume 1344 is negligible. The capillary action (or interaction) between the wall of the overflow channel 1104 and the vaporizable material 1302 can maintain the aforementioned equilibrium state. Meanwhile, when the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 is approximately equal to the ambient pressure, the cartridge 1320 is in a first pressure state.

[0107] Equilibrium and further capillary interactions between the vaporizable material 1302 and the walls of the overflow channel 1104 may be established or configured by adapting or adjusting the volume size of the overflow channel 1104 along the length of the channel. As provided in further detail herein, the diameter of the overflow channel 1104 (used herein to generally refer to a measure of the size of the cross-sectional area of ​​the overflow channel 1104, including implementations of the present subject matter in which the overflow channel 1104 does not have a circular cross section) can allow for capillary interactions strong enough to provide forward and reverse flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313 in response to changes in pressure, and can also allow for a large total volume of the overflow channel, while still maintaining a gate point for meniscus formation to prevent air from flowing past the liquid in the overflow channel 1104, or can be restricted at a predetermined interval or point or over the entire length of the channel.

[0108] The combination of surface tension forces caused by adhesion within the vaporizable material 1302 and wetting forces between the vaporizable material 1302 and the walls of the overflow channel 1104 can act to cause the formation of a meniscus that separates the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from the air in a dimension transverse to the axis of flow in the overflow channel 1104. This meniscus can prevent the air and the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from passing through one another. It is understood that the meniscus has an inherent curvature. Thus, reference to a dimension transverse to the direction of flow is not intended to imply that the air-liquid interface is planar in this or any other dimension.

[0109] 2B and 5B, the wicking element 1362 can be thermally or thermodynamically connected to the heating element 1350 such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wicking element 1362 can be vaporized by heat generated by the heating element 1350. Meanwhile, the air exchange port 1106 can be configured to allow the flow of air (and / or other gases) from the overflow channel 1104 while preventing the flow of vaporizable material 1302 from the overflow channel 1104.

[0110] 5A-5B, forward or reverse flow of vaporizable material 1302 in collector 1313 can be controlled (e.g., enhanced or reduced) by implementing appropriate structures (e.g., microchannel configurations) to introduce and / or exploit capillary properties that may be present between vaporizable material 1302 and the retaining walls of overflow channel 1104. For example, factors related to the length, diameter, interior surface texture (e.g., rough vs. smooth), constriction points, directional tapering of the channel structure, materials used to construct or coat the surfaces of constriction or gate 1102, overflow channel 1104 or air exchange port 1106 may positively or negatively affect the rate at which liquid is drawn into or moves through overflow channel 1104 by capillary action or other forces acting on cartridge 1320.

[0111] Depending on the implementation, one or more of the factors described above can be used to control the displacement of vaporizable material 1302 in overflow channel 1104 to introduce a desired degree of reversibility as vaporizable material 1302 is collected in the channel structure of collector 1313. Thus, in some embodiments, the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into collector 1313 may be fully reversible or semi-reversible by selectively controlling the various factors described above and in response to changes in pressure conditions inside and outside cartridge 1320.

[0112] As shown in Figures 5A-5B and 11A-11B, in one or more embodiments, the collector 1313 may be formed, constructed, or configured to have a single channel single vent structure. In such embodiments, the overflow channel 1104 may be a continuous passageway, tube, channel, or other structure to connect the gate 1102 to the air exchange port 1106, which may optionally be located near the wicking element 1362. Thus, in such embodiments, the vaporizable material 1302 may enter or exit the collector 1313 through a channel configured separately from the gate 1102. In this case, the vaporizable material 1302 flows in a first direction when the overflow volume 1344 is filling and in a second direction when the overflow volume 1344 is draining.

[0113] To help maintain equilibrium and / or control the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into overflow channel 1104, the shape and structural configuration of overflow channel 1104, gate 1102 and / or air exchange port 1106 can be adapted or modified to balance the flow rate of vaporizable material 1302 in overflow channel 1104 at different pressure conditions. In implementations of the present subject matter, for example, overflow channel 1104 can be tapered such that the cross-sectional dimensions (e.g., diameter, area, etc.) of overflow channel 1104 decrease toward gate 1102 while the cross-sectional dimensions (e.g., diameter, area, etc.) of overflow channel 1104 increase toward air exchange port 1106. That is, the cross-sectional dimension of the overflow channel 1104 may be smallest at the gate 1102 where the overflow channel 1104 is coupled to the reservoir chamber 1342, while the cross-sectional dimension of the overflow channel 1104 may be largest at the air exchange port 1106 where the overflow channel 1104 is coupled to the ambient environment outside the cartridge 1320. It should be understood that the taper of the overflow channel 1104 may be continuous or discontinuous. Alternatively and / or additionally, one or more constriction points may be located along the length of the overflow channel 1104.

[0114] The non-tapered end of the overflow channel 1104, where the cross-sectional dimension of the overflow channel 1104 is smallest, can be connected to an airflow flow path through which the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 is delivered to the mouthpiece (e.g., air vent 1318 shown in FIG. 2A connected to airflow passage 1338). Additionally, the non-tapered end of the overflow channel 1104 can also lead to a region near the wick housing 1315 so that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 exiting the overflow channel 1104 can fill the wicking element 1362 (see, e.g., FIG. 7).

[0115] The tapered structure of the overflow channel 1104 can reduce or increase the restriction to the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into the collector 1313, as desired. For example, in embodiments in which the overflow channel 1104 tapers toward the gate 1102, a favorable capillary pressure toward reverse flow is induced in the overflow channel 1104 by the taper, so that when the pressure conditions change (e.g., when the negative pressure event is eliminated or subsides), the flow direction of the vaporizable material 1302 is out of the collector 1313 and into the reservoir chamber 1342. In particular, implementing the overflow channel 1104 with a smaller opening can prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from flowing freely into the collector 1313. That is, the tapering of the overflow channel 1104 toward the gate 1102 can encourage the vaporizable material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 to flow out of the gate 1102 (e.g., back into the storage chamber 1342) and can impede the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 (e.g., from the storage chamber 1342) through the gate 1102 and into the overflow channel 1104. On the other hand, a non-tapering configuration for the overflow channel 1104 in the direction toward the air exchange port 1106 provides efficient storage of the vaporizable material 1302 in the collector 1313 during a second pressure state in which an increase in pressure in the cartridge 1320 causes at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 to flow from the narrower section of the overflow channel 1104 to the larger volume section of the overflow channel 1104 and into the collector 1313.

[0116] Thus, the dimensions (e.g., diameter) and shape of the collector 1313 can be implemented to control the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 through the gate 1102 and into the overflow channel 1104 at a desired rate. For example, during the second pressure state, the dimensions and shape of the collector 1313 can be configured to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from flowing too freely (e.g., above a certain flow rate or threshold) into the collector 1313 (e.g., due to excess pressure in the cartridge 1320 displacing at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342), while favoring backflow into the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., when the pressure in the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure outside the cartridge 1320 achieve substantial equilibrium). It should be noted that in one embodiment, the combination of interaction between the vent 1318 and the overflow channel 1104 and air exchange port 1106 in the collector 1313 that defines the overflow volume 1344 can provide adequate venting of air bubbles that may be introduced into the cartridge due to various environmental factors and a controlled flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the overflow channel 1104.

[0117] 5B, the portion of the cartridge 1320 including the storage chamber 1342 may also be configured to include a mouthpiece that may be utilized by a user to inhale the vaporized vaporizable material 1302. An airflow passage 1338 may extend through the storage chamber 1342, thereby connecting the vaporization chambers. Depending on the implementation, the airflow passage 1338 may be, for example, a straw-shaped structure or a hollow cylinder that forms a channel within the storage chamber 1342 to allow the passage of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302. The airflow passage may have a circular or at least approximately circular cross-sectional shape, although it should be understood that other cross-sectional shapes for the airflow passage are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0118] A first end of the airflow passage 1338 can be connected to an opening at a first mouthpiece end of the storage chamber 1342 through which a user can inhale vaporized vaporizable material 1302. As provided in further detail herein, a second end of the airflow passage 1338 (opposite the first end) can be received at an opening at a first end of the collector 1313. Depending on the implementation, the second end of the airflow passage 1338 can extend fully or partially through a receiving cavity that extends through the collector 1313 and connects to a wick housing that can house a wicking element 1362.

[0119] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the airflow passage 1338 may be an integral part of a monolithically molded mouthpiece that includes a reservoir chamber 1342, with the airflow passage 1338 extending through the reservoir chamber 1342. In other configurations, the airflow passage 1338 may be a separate structure that may be separately inserted into the reservoir chamber 1342. In some configurations, the airflow passage 1338 may be a structural extension of the body of the collector 1313 or cartridge 1320, for example, extending inwardly from an opening in the mouthpiece portion.

[0120] Without limitation, various different structural configurations may be possible for connecting the mouthpiece (and the airflow passage 1338 therein) to the air exchange port 1106 in the collector 1313. The collector 1313 may be inserted into the body of the cartridge 1320, which may also include and / or function as a reservoir chamber 1342 as provided herein. In some embodiments, the airflow passage 1338 may be constructed as an internal sleeve that is an integral part of the monolithic cartridge body, such that an opening at a first end of the collector 1313 may receive a first end of the sleeve structure that forms the airflow passage 1338. It should be understood that the mouthpiece may be a single barrel mouthpiece as shown in FIG. 5B, or may be a multi-barrel mouthpiece, e.g., a dual barrel mouthpiece. In this mouthpiece, multiple airflow passages are provided to deliver a high dose of vaporized vaporizable material 1302.

[0121] As discussed above, the collector 1313 can include various mechanisms for controlling the forward and reverse flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313 (e.g., overflow volume 1344). Some of these factors can include configuring the capillary drive of a fluid vent, referred to herein as a gate 1102. The capillary drive of the gate 1102 can be less than the capillary drive of the wicking element 1362, for example, while the flow resistance of the collector 1313 can be greater than the flow resistance of the wicking element 1362. The overflow channel 1104 can have a smooth and / or wavy inner surface to control the flow rate of vaporizable material 1302 through the overflow channel 1104. As described above, the overflow channel 1104 may be sloped and / or tapered to provide appropriate capillary interactions and forces to restrict the flow rate through the gate 1102 into the overflow volume 1344 during a first pressure condition and to promote a backflow rate out of the overflow volume 1344 through the gate 1102 during a second pressure condition.

[0122] Further modifications to the shape and structure of the components of the collector 1313 can help to further tune or fine-tune the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the collector 1313. For example, in the smoothly curved spiral channel configurations shown in Figures 5A-5H (i.e., as opposed to channels with sharp turns or edges), it is possible to include additional features in the collector 1313, such as one or more vents, channels, openings and / or constriction structures at predetermined intervals along the overflow channel 1104. As provided in further detail herein, such additional features, structures and / or configurations can help to provide a higher level of flow control for the vaporizable material 1302, for example, along the overflow channel 1104 or through the gate 1102.

[0123] For example, as shown in Figures 5A-5E, a fully or partially inclined spiral surface can be implemented along the interior of the overflow channel 1104 to define one or more sides of the interior volume of the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313. As a result, the vaporizable material 1302 can flow freely through the overflow channel 1104 due to capillary pressure (or gravity) as the vaporizable material 1302 enters the overflow channel 1104. The central tunnel 1100 may traverse the length of the collector 1313. At a first end, the central tunnel 1100 through the collector 1313 can interact with or connect to a wick housing 1315 (see, e.g., Figure 7) in which the wicking element 1362 and the heating element 1350 are located. At a second end, the central tunnel 1100 may interact with, connect to, or receive one end of a duct or tube that forms an airflow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece portion of the cartridge 1320. A first end of the airflow passage 1338 may be connected (e.g., by insertion) to a second end of the central tunnel 1100. The second end of the airflow passage 1338 may include an opening or orifice formed in the mouthpiece region.

[0124] According to one or more embodiments, vaporized vaporizable material 1302 produced by heating element 1350 heating vaporizable material 1302 can enter through a first end of central tunnel 1100 in collector 1313, pass through central tunnel 1100, and exit a second end of central tunnel 1100 into a first end of airflow passage 1338. Vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can then travel through airflow passage 1338 and exit through a mouthpiece opening formed at a second end of airflow passage 1338.

[0125] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the gate 1102 can control the flow of vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313. The air exchange port 1106 can control the flow into and out of the overflow channel 1104 via a connection path to ambient air to regulate air pressure in the collector 1313 and then in the reservoir chamber 1342 of the cartridge 1320, as provided in further detail herein. In certain embodiments, the air exchange port 1106 can be configured to prevent vaporizable material 1302 present in the overflow channel 1104 of the collector 1313 from leaking out of the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., by being displaced by excess pressure in the cartridge 1320) and into the air flow passage (e.g., the central tunnel 1100).

[0126] The air exchange port 1106 may be configured to direct the vaporizable material 1302 toward a path leading to an area in which the wicking element 1362 is housed. This implementation may help to avoid leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 into the air flow passageway (e.g., central tunnel 1100) leading to the mouthpiece as the vaporizable material 1302 moves from the storage chamber 1342. In some implementations, the air exchange port 1106 may have a membrane that allows gaseous material (e.g., air bubbles) to enter and exit, but prevents the vaporizable material 1302 from entering or exiting the collector 1313 through the air exchange port 1106.

[0127] 5C-5H, the flow rate of vaporizable material 1302 into or out of collector 1313 through gate 1102 can be directly related to the volumetric pressure in overflow channel 1104. Thus, the flow rate into or out of collector 1313 through gate 1102 can be controlled by manipulating the hydraulic diameter (or cross-sectional area) of overflow channel 1104. As a result, by reducing the total volume of overflow channel 1104 (e.g., either uniformly or by introducing multiple constriction points), the pressure in overflow channel 1104 can be increased to regulate the flow rate into collector 1313. Thus, in at least one implementation, the hydraulic diameter (or cross-sectional area) of overflow channel 1104 can be reduced (e.g., narrowed, pinched, constricted or restricted) along the length of the helical path of overflow channel 1104, either uniformly or by introducing one or more constriction points 1111a. For example, in the example collector 1313 shown in Figures 5C-5E, the overflow channel 1104 can include multiple downward sloping spirals with various constriction points 1111a and 1111b located along the length of the overflow channel 1104 between the gate 1102 and the air exchange port 1106. The amount of spirals in the overflow channel 1104 and the amount of constriction points along the length of the overflow channel 1104 can determine the volumetric pressure within the collector 1313. Additionally, the volumetric pressure within the collector 1313 can be determined by the configuration of the constriction points located along the length of the overflow channel 1104.

[0128] For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the constriction point 1111a can be formed by a bump, raised edge, protrusion, or constriction point extending from the inner surface of the overflow channel 1104 (i.e., the blade of the collector 1313). The shape of the constriction point 1111a can be defined as a bump, finger, protrusion, fin, edge, or any other shape that constricts the cross-sectional area across the flow direction in the overflow channel. In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the constriction point 1111a can be in the shape of, for example, a shark fin, with the distal end of the constriction point 1111a tapering towards the edge. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sharp edge or cantilever edge of the shark fin shape can be rounded, but the cantilever edge can also be tapered to a sharp end. The shape, size, relative position and total number of constriction points located along the length of the overflow channel 1104 can be adjusted to further control the flow of liquid vaporizable material 1302 into and out of the overflow channel 1104, for example, by fine-tuning the tendency of a meniscus to form in the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., separating the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from the air).

[0129] For example, instead of maintaining the inflow flow into the overflow channel 1104 at a higher velocity than the outflow flow, if desired, the constriction point can be shaped to have a flat surface facing the outflow flow and a rounded surface facing the inflow flow to facilitate the formation and retention of a meniscus that resists the outward flow of liquid (e.g., away from the storage chamber 1340), while favoring the meniscus to collapse from the side of the constriction point that returns toward the storage compartment 1340. In this way, a series of such constriction points can function as a kind of "hydraulic ratchet" system in which the flow of liquid back into the storage compartment is microfluidically encouraged against the outward flow from the storage compartment. This effect can be achieved at least in part by the relative tendency of the meniscus to collapse from the storage chamber side of the constriction point rather than from the opposite side.

[0130] Referring again to FIG. 5C, in one exemplary implementation, in addition to (or instead of) the constriction points extending from the floor or ceiling of the overflow channel 1104, several constriction points can extend from the inner wall of the overflow channel 1104. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5F, the constriction points can extend from the inner wall of the overflow channel 1104 at the same constriction point 1111a. In this case, two additional constriction points extend from the floor and ceiling of the overflow channel 1104 to form a C-shaped constriction point 1111a. According to the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 5D and FIG. 5F, the microfluidic properties of the overflow channel 1104 can be more effectively adjusted to promote the liquid flow to retreat toward the storage chamber 1340, relative to the implementation in FIG. 5C, because the hydraulic diameter of the overflow channel 1104 is more constricted (i.e., narrower) at the constriction point 1111a shown in FIG. 5D and FIG. 5F.

[0131] The constriction points formed along the overflow channel 1104 need not be uniform in shape, size, frequency, or symmetry. That is, depending on the implementation, different constriction points 1111a or 1111b can be realized with different sizes, designs, shapes, locations, or frequencies along the overflow channel 1104. In one example, the shape of the constriction point 1111a or 1111b can be similar to the shape of the letter C with a rounded inner diameter. In some embodiments, instead of forming the inner diameter as a rounded C shape, the inner wall of the constriction point may have a corner (e.g., a sharp corner) as shown in Figures 5F and 5G.

[0132] In some examples, the overflow channel 1104 can have a constriction point at a first level that extends from the ceiling of the overflow channel 1104, while at a second level, the constriction point can extend from the floor of the overflow channel 1104. At a third level, the constriction point can extend, for example, from the inner wall. Alternatives to the above implementations are possible by adjusting or changing the number of constriction points and the shape of the constriction points or arranging the constriction points in different orders or levels to help control the microfluidic effects on the two directions of flow in the overflow channel 1104. In one example, the constriction points 1111a can be implemented, for example, on one or more (or all) levels, sides, or widths of the collector 1313.

[0133] 5E-5G, in addition to defining the constriction point 1111a along the longer length of the overflow channel 1104 or the wider side of the collector 1313, one or more extra constriction points 1111b can be defined along the narrower side of the collector 1313. In that way, the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 5E-5G allows for improved tuning of the resistance to or promotion of meniscus detachment in a desired direction in the overflow channel 1104 compared to the implementation in FIG. 5D, since the overall hydraulic diameter (or flow volume) of the overflow channel 1104 is more constricted due to the addition of the extra constriction point 1111b.

[0134] 5H, in some implementations of the present subject matter, the gate 1102 may be configured to include an aperture or opening configuration that has a flatter tapered edge, rim, or flange in one direction, similar to the constriction points 1111a or 1111b. For example, the rim of the gate 1102 opening may be shaped to be flat on one side (e.g., the side toward the reservoir chamber 1342) and rounded on another side (e.g., the side away from the reservoir chamber 1342). In such a configuration, the microfluidic forces promoting flow from the reservoir chamber 1340 back toward the reservoir chamber 1340 overflow may be improved due to easier meniscus separation on the less rounded side relative to the more rounded side.

[0135] Thus, depending on the implementation and variations in the structure or configuration of the constriction point and the gate 1102, the resistance to the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the collector 1313 may be higher than the resistance to the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 into the collector 1313 and towards the storage chamber 1340. In certain implementations, the gate 1102 is configured to maintain a liquid seal such that a layer of the vaporizable material 1302 is present in the medium where the storage chamber 1342 communicates with the overflow channel 1104 in the overflow volume 1344. The presence of the liquid seal can help to maintain a pressure equilibrium between the storage chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344 and promote a sufficient level of vacuum (e.g., partial vacuum) in the storage chamber 1342 to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from being completely discharged into the overflow volume 1344 and to prevent the wicking element 1362 from losing its full fill.

[0136] In one or more exemplary implementations, a single passage or channel in the collector 1313 may be connected to the storage chamber 1342 by two vents. As a result, the two vents maintain a liquid seal regardless of the position of the cartridge 1320. The formation of a liquid seal at the gate 1102 can also help prevent air in the collector 1313 from entering the storage chamber 1342 even when the cartridge 1320 is held at an angle to the horizontal or when the cartridge 1320 is positioned facing down against the mouthpiece. This is because when air bubbles from the collector 1313 enter the reservoir, the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 equalizes to that of the ambient pressure. That is, the partial vacuum in the storage chamber 1342 (e.g., formed as a result of the vaporizable material 1302 being evacuated through the wick feed 1368) is offset when ambient air flows into the storage chamber 1342.

[0137] In some scenarios, the headspace vacuum may not be maintained when the empty space in the reservoir chamber 1342 (i.e., the headspace above the vaporizable material 1302) contacts the gate 1102. As a result, the liquid seal established at the gate 1102 may be broken, as described above. This effect may be because the gate 1102 is unable to maintain a fluid film as the collector 1313 is evacuated and the headspace contacts the gate 1102, leading to a loss of partial headspace vacuum.

[0138] In certain embodiments, the headspace in the storage chamber 1342 may be at ambient pressure, and if a hydrostatic offset exists between the gate 1102 and the atomizer in the cartridge 1320, the contents of the storage chamber 1342 may be drained into the atomizer, resulting in wick box flooding and leakage. To avoid leakage, one or more embodiments can be implemented to eliminate the hydrostatic offset between the gate 1102 and the atomizer and maintain the functionality of the gate 1102 when the storage chamber 1342 is nearly drained.

[0139] 5I-5K show a maze-shaped structure 1190 that may be constructed around the gate 1102 to establish a high drive connection between the gate 1102 and the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313 to maintain a liquid seal at the gate 1102. In the example shown in FIG. 5J, a moat-shaped structure 1190 may be included as a means to further improve the maintenance of a liquid seal at the gate 1102 in accordance with one or more implementations.

[0140] 5L-5N show various views of a gate 1102 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown, the overflow channel 1104 in the collector 1313 may be connected to the storage chamber 1342 via a V-shaped or horn-shaped controlled fluid gate 1102, such that the V-shaped gate 1102 includes at least two (and desirably three) openings that connect to the storage chamber 1342. As provided in further detail herein, a liquid seal may be maintained at the gate 1102 regardless of the vertical or horizontal orientation of the cartridge 1320.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 5L, on a first side of the vent, a vent path can be maintained between the overflow channel 1104 and the gate 1102, through which air bubbles can escape from the overflow channel 1104 into the reservoir in the collector. On a second side, one or more high drive channels connected to the reservoir can be implemented to facilitate pinch-off at the pinch-off point 1122 and maintain a liquid seal that prevents premature venting of air bubbles from the overflow channel 1104 into the reservoir and undesired ingress of air or vaporizable material 1302 from the reservoir into the overflow channel 1104.

[0142] Depending on the implementation, the high drive channel, shown by way of example on the right side of Figure 5L, is preferably maintained in a sealed state by capillary pressure exerted by liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the cartridge reservoir. The low drive channel formed on the opposite side (i.e., shown on the left side of Figure 5L) may be configured to have a relatively low capillary drive compared to the high drive channel, but still have sufficient capillary drive such that a liquid seal is maintained in both the high drive channel and the low drive channel at the first pressure state.

[0143] Thus, in a first pressure state (e.g., when the pressure inside the reservoir is approximately equal to or greater than the ambient air pressure), a liquid seal is maintained in both the low and high drive channels, preventing air bubbles from entering the reservoir. Conversely, in a second pressure state (e.g., when the pressure inside the reservoir is less than the ambient air pressure), air bubbles formed in the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., entering through the air exchange port 1106), or more generally, the leading meniscus edge of the liquid vaporizable material-air interface, can move toward the controlled fluid gate 1102. When the meniscus reaches a pinch-off point 1122 located between the low and high drive channels of the vent 1104, air is forced preferentially through one or more of the low drive channels due to the higher capillary resistance present in the high drive channels.

[0144] When the air bubble passes through the low drive channel portion of the gate 1102, it enters the reservoir and the pressure inside the reservoir equalizes with the pressure of the ambient air. In that way, the air exchange port 1106 in combination with the controlled fluid gate 1102 allows ambient air to pass through the overflow channel 1104 into the reservoir until an equilibrium pressure condition is established between the reservoir and the ambient air. As described above, this process can be referred to as reservoir venting. Once an equilibrium pressure condition is established (e.g., transitioning from the second pressure condition back to the first pressure condition), a liquid seal is re-established at the pinch-off point 1122 since there is liquid in both the high and low drive channels supplied by the liquid vaporizable material 1302 stored in the reservoir.

[0145] In some implementations, the tapered channel can be designed to increase the drive towards the controlled vent. Considering the pinch-off of the meniscus during the two advances, the reservoir tank walls and the bottom of the channel can be configured to continue to provide the drive, while the side walls can be configured to provide a pinch-off location for the meniscus. In one configuration, the net drive of the meniscus during advancement does not exceed the net drive of the meniscus during retraction, thus keeping the system statically stable.

[0146] Returning to Figures 4C-4D and 5B, in certain variations, the collector 1313 may be configured to be insertably received by a receiving end of the storage chamber 1342. An end of the collector 1313 opposite the end received by the storage chamber 1342 may be configured to receive the wicking element 1362. For example, a fork-shaped constriction point may be formed to securely receive the wicking element 1362. A wick housing 1315 may be used to further secure the wicking element 1362 in a fixed position between the constriction points. This configuration may also help prevent the wicking element 1362 from substantially swelling and weakening due to overfilling.

[0147] 5C-5E, depending on the implementation, one or more additional ducts, channels, tubes, or cavities traveling through the collector 1313 can be constructed or configured as paths to feed the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the storage chamber 1342 to the wicking element 1362. In certain configurations, as discussed in more detail herein, a wick feed duct, tube, or cavity (i.e., wick feed 1368) can run generally parallel to the central tunnel 1100. In at least one configuration, there can be one or more wick feeds that run diagonally along the length of the collector 1313, for example, independently or possibly in conjunction with a wick replacement that includes one or more other wick feeds.

[0148] In certain embodiments, multiple wick feeds can be interactively connected in a multi-link configuration to allow for the exchange of feed paths that may cross each other to result in a wick housing region. This configuration can help prevent complete blockage of the wick feed mechanism when one or more feed paths in the wick feed exchange are impeded, for example, due to the formation of air bubbles or other types of blockages. Advantageously, instrumentation of multiple feed paths can allow the vaporizable material 1302 to safely travel through one or more paths (or cross paths to different but open paths) toward the wick housing region even if some or certain paths in the wick feed exchange are fully or partially clogged or blocked.

[0149] Depending on the implementation, the wick feed passage may be shaped to be, for example, circular or tubular with a multi-sided cross diameter shape. For example, the hollow cross section of the wick feed may be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, or any other suitable geometric shape. In one or more embodiments, the cross perimeter of the wick feed may be, for example, hollow cross-shaped, such that the arms of the cross have a narrower width relative to the diameter of the central intersection of the cross from which the arms extend. More generally, the wick feed channel (also referred to herein as the first channel) may have a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregularity (e.g., a protrusion, a side channel, etc.) that provides an alternative path for the liquid vaporizable material to flow when a gas bubble occludes the remaining portion of the cross-sectional area of ​​the wick feed. The cross-shaped cross section of the present example is an example of such a structure, but one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other shapes are contemplated and feasible consistent with the present disclosure.

[0150] The implementation of a cross-shaped duct or tube formed through the wick feed path overcomes the clogging problem because the cross-shaped tube can essentially be considered to include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional paths formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such an implementation, for example, a blockage of the feed tube by an air bubble could form in the central portion of the cross-shaped tube, leaving the secondary paths (i.e., paths through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) to flow.

[0151] According to one or more aspects, the wick feed pathway may be wide enough to allow the vaporizable material 1302 to move freely through the feed pathway toward the wick. In some embodiments, the flow through the wick feed may be enhanced or accommodated by engineering the relative diameter of certain portions of the wick feed to impose a capillary pull or pressure on the vaporizable material 1302 moving through the wick feed pathway. That is, depending on the shape and other structural or material factors, some wick feed pathways may rely on gravity or capillary forces to induce movement of the vaporizable material 1302 toward the wick housing portion.

[0152] For example, in a cross-tube implementation, the feed path through the arms of the cross-tube may be configured to feed the wick by capillary pressure instead of relying on gravity. In such an implementation, the central portion of the cross-tube may feed the wick by gravity, for example, while the flow of vaporizable material 1302 within the arms of the cross-tube may be supported by capillary pressure. It should be noted that the cross-tube disclosed herein is intended to provide an example embodiment.

[0153] It should be understood that the cross-shaped cross section of the wick-feed path is only one of several possible configurations consistent with implementation of the present subject matter. That is, the concepts and functionality embodied in this exemplary embodiment can be extended to wick-feed paths having different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., a tube having a hollow star-shaped cross section with two or more arms extending from a central tunnel extending along the wick-feed path). A general mechanism consistent with this aspect of the present subject matter is that, for the material forming the wick-feed path and the wetting angle of the liquid vaporizable material used, a cross-sectional shape that does not allow, for example, an air bubble to completely occlude the entire cross section is preferred because one or more protruding features in the cross section are sized such that a meniscus is formed across the protruding features to maintain a continuous liquid flow path around any such air bubble (e.g., in the portion of the wick-feed path that forms the protruding portion of the cross section).

[0154] 5C, an exemplary collector 1313 structure is shown in which two wick feeds 1368 are positioned on two opposing sides of the central tunnel 1100 so that the vaporizable material 1302 can enter these feeds and flow directly toward a cavity region at the other end of the collector 1313 where a housing for the wick is formed.

[0155] The wickfeed mechanism may be formed through the collector 1313 such that at least one wickfeed passage in the collector 1313 may be formed as a multi-sided cross diameter hollow tube. For example, the hollow cross cross section of the wickfeed may be in the shape of a plus sign (e.g., a hollow cross wickfeed when viewed from a top cross section view). As a result, the arms of the cross have a narrower width in relationship to the diameter of the central intersection of the cross from which the arms extend.

[0156] Such central placement of the bubble will ultimately leave a secondary path (i.e., a path through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) that remains open for the flow of vaporizable material 1302 even if the central path is blocked by the bubble. Other implementations for the wick-feed passage structure are possible that can achieve the same or similar objectives as those disclosed above with respect to trapping air bubbles or avoiding trapped air bubbles from completely clogging the wick-feed passage.

[0157] If additional vents are available, a relatively large collective volume of vaporizable material 1302 can be displaced, so depending on the implementation, faster flow rates are possible by adding more vents to the structure of collector 1313. Thus, although not explicitly shown, embodiments having more than two vents (e.g., triple vent implementations, quadruple vent implementations, etc.) are also within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

[0158] 8A shows perspective, front, side, bottom and top views of an exemplary collector 1313 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. In the example of the collector 1313 shown in FIG. 8A, the gate 1102 may be V-shaped. The collector 1313 may fit into a hollow cavity in the cartridge 1320 along with additional components (e.g., a wicking element 1362, a heating element 1350 and a wick housing 1315). The wicking element 1362 may be disposed between a second end of the collector 1313 and a heating element 1350 wrapped around the wicking element 1362. During assembly, the collector 1313, the wicking element 1362 and the heating element 1350 may be fitted together and covered by the wick housing 1315 and then inserted into a cavity in the cartridge 1320.

[0159] The wick housing 1315, along with the other described components, may be inserted into the end of the cartridge 1320 opposite the mouthpiece and hold these components therein by way of a pressure seal or pressure fit. The seal or fit of the wick housing 1315 and collector 1313 within the inner walls of the receiving sleeve of the cartridge 1320 is desirably sufficiently sealed to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material 1302 held within the reservoir of the cartridge 1320. In some embodiments, the pressure seals between the wick housing 1315 and the collector 1313 and the inner walls of the receiving sleeve of the cartridge 1320 are also sufficiently sealed to prevent manual disassembly of the components by a user's bare hands.

[0160] 8B-8C, in some implementations of the present subject matter, the wicking element 1362 can be restrained or compressed by compression ribs 1110 at certain locations along its length (e.g., toward the distal longitudinal end of the wicking element 1362 disposed directly below the wick feed 1368) to help prevent leakage, for example, by maintaining a higher fill area of ​​vaporizable material 1302 toward the ends of the wicking element 1362. As a result, the center portion of the wicking element 1362 tends to remain drier and leak less. Additionally, the use of compression ribs 1110 can further compress the wicking element 1362 into the atomizer housing to prevent leakage into the atomizer.

[0161] 8D-8F show top plan views of examples of wick feed mechanisms that may be formed or configured by the collector 1313. In the example shown in FIG. 8D, at least one wick feed 1368 pathway in the collector 1313 may be shaped as a multi-sided cross-diameter hollow tube. For example, the cross-section of the hollow cross of the wick feed 1368 pathway may be in the shape of a plus sign (e.g., a hollow cross-shaped wick feed when viewed from a top cross-sectional view). As a result, the arms of the cross have a narrower width in relation to the diameter of the central intersection of the cross from which the arms extend. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 8E, a duct or tube with a cross-shaped diameter formed by the wick feed 1368 pathway may overcome clogging issues because the tube with the cross-shaped diameter may be considered to include five separate pathways (e.g., a central pathway formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional pathways formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such an implementation, a blockage of the supply tube by an air bubble (e.g., an air bubble) could potentially form in the central portion of the cross-tube shown in Figure 8E. Such a central location of the air bubble would ultimately leave a secondary path (i.e., a path through the arms of the cross-tube) that remains open for the flow of vaporizable material 1302 even if the central path is blocked by an air bubble.

[0162] 8F, the wick feedback mechanism may be a wick feed 1368 path structure that can trap air bubbles or prevent trapped air bubbles from clogging the wick feed 1368 path entirely. As shown in the illustration of FIG. 8F, if an air bubble is trapped in the central region of the wick feed 1368 path, one or more droplet-shaped constriction points 1368a and / or 1368b (e.g., similar in shape to one or more separated nipples with the wick feed 1368 path therebetween) can be formed at the end of the wick feed 1368 path where the vaporizable material 1302 flows from the storage chamber 1342 into the collector 1313, and can help direct the vaporizable material 1302 through the wick feed 1368 path. In this way, a reasonably controllable and consistent flow of vaporizable material 1302 can be directed toward the wick, preventing scenarios where the wick is not fully filled with vaporizable material 1302.

[0163] 7 shows perspective, front, side and exploded views of an example cartridge 1320 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown, the cartridge 1320 can include a mouthpiece-reservoir combination molded in the form of a sleeve with an airflow passage 1338 defined by the sleeve. An area within the cartridge 1320 houses a collector 1313, a wicking element 1362, a heating element 1350, and a wick housing 1315. An opening at a first end of the collector 1313 leads to an airflow passage 1338 within the mouthpiece, providing a path for vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to travel from the heating element 1350 area to the mouthpiece where the user inhales.

[0164] 9A-9C show perspective, front and side views of an example cartridge 1320 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. Referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, the illustrated cartridge 1320 can be assembled from multiple components including a collector 1313, a heating element 1350, and a wick housing 1315 for holding the cartridge components in place when the cartridge components are inserted into the body of the cartridge. In one embodiment, a laser weld can be made at a circumferential junction located approximately at the point where one end of the collector 1313 contacts the wick housing 1315. The laser weld between the collector 1313 and the heating chamber 1315 can prevent liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the collector 1313 from flowing into the heating chamber 1315 where the atomizer is located.

[0165] The vaporization of vaporizable material into an aerosol can result in the collection of condensate along one or more internal channels and outlets of some vaporizers (e.g., along the mouthpiece). For example, such condensate can include vaporizable material drawn from a reservoir, formed into an aerosol, and condensed into condensate before exiting the vaporizer. Additionally, vaporizable material that avoids the vaporization process may accumulate along one or more internal channels and / or air outlets. This can result in condensate and / or non-vaporized vaporizable material exiting the mouthpiece outlet and depositing in the user's mouth, which can both cause an unpleasant user experience and / or reduce the amount of inhalable aerosol available in some manner. Additionally, the accumulation and loss of condensate can ultimately result in not all of the vaporizable material being drawn from the reservoir into the vaporization chamber, thereby wasting the vaporizable material. For example, when particles of vaporizable material accumulate in the internal channel of the air tube downstream of the vaporization chamber, the effective cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow passage narrows, increasing the air flow rate, which imposes drag on the accumulated fluid, thereby amplifying the likelihood of entraining the fluid from the internal channel through the mouthpiece outlet. Thus, in some implementations of the present subject matter, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 can include a condensate recycling system, including, for example, a condensate collector 3201 and a condensate recycling channel 3204 (e.g., a microfluidic channel) that extends from the mouthpiece opening to the wicking element 1362. To further illustrate, FIGS. 10A-10E show various views of a cartridge 1320 including an example condensate recycling system consistent with implementations of the present subject matter.

[0166] 10A-10E, the condensate collector 3201 can act on the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 that cools and turns into droplets in the mouthpiece to collect and send the condensate droplets to the condensate recycler channel 3204. The condensate recycler channel 3204 collects the condensate and larger vapor droplets and returns them to the wick, preventing the liquid vaporizable material formed in the mouthpiece from being deposited in the user's mouth while the user puffs or inhales on the mouthpiece. The condensate recycler channel 3204 can be implemented as a microfluidic channel to capture any droplet condensation, thereby eliminating direct inhalation of the liquid vaporizable material and avoiding undesirable sensations or tastes in the user's mouth.

[0167] Additional and / or alternative embodiments of the condensate recycler channel and / or one or more other mechanisms for controlling, collecting, and / or recycling condensate in the vaporizer device are described and illustrated with respect to FIGS. 45A-45C. For example, FIGS. 45A-45C illustrate another example of a condensate recycler system 360 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. The condensate recycler system 360 may be configured to collect vaporizable material condensate and return it directly to the wick for reuse. As illustrated in FIGS. 45A-45C, the condensate recycler system 360 may include an internal grooved air tube 334 that forms an airflow passage 338 extending from the mouthpiece toward the vaporization chamber 342 and may be configured to collect any vaporizable material condensate and return it directly to the wick (by capillary action) for reuse.

[0168] One function of the grooves can include vaporizable material condensate being trapped or otherwise disposed within the grooves. Once disposed within the grooves, the condensate is drained to the wick by capillary action caused by the wicking element. The drainage of condensate within the grooves can be achieved at least in part by capillary action. If any condensate is present within the air tube, vaporizable material particles can fill the grooves, whereas if the grooves were not present, a wall of condensate would rather form or build within the air tube. Once the grooves are filled sufficiently to establish fluid communication with the wick, the condensate is drained through the grooves and can be reused as vaporizable material. In some embodiments, the grooves can be tapered, narrowing toward the wick and widening toward the mouthpiece. Such a taper can facilitate the movement of fluid toward the vaporization chamber, as more condensate will collect in the grooves due to higher capillary action at the narrower point.

[0169] FIG. 45A shows a cross-sectional view of air tube 334. Air tube 334 includes air flow passage 338 and one or more internal grooves that decrease in hydraulic diameter toward vaporization chamber 342. The grooves are sized and shaped to allow fluid (e.g., condensate) disposed within the grooves to be transported from a first location to a second location by capillary action. The internal grooves include air tube groove 364 and chamber groove 365. Air tube groove 364 can be disposed within air tube 334 and can be tapered such that a cross-section of air tube groove 364 at first end 362 of the air tube can be larger than a cross-section of air tube groove 364 at second end 363 of the air tube. Chamber groove 365 can be disposed proximate to second end 363 of the air tube and can be connected to air tube groove 364. The internal grooves may be configured in fluid communication with the wick to allow the wick to continuously drain vaporizable material condensate from the internal grooves, thus preventing the build-up of a condensate film within the airflow passages 338. Condensate may preferentially enter the internal grooves due to capillary drive in the internal grooves. A capillary drive gradient in the internal grooves drives the fluid towards the wick housing 346 where the vaporizable material condensate is recycled by refilling the wick.

[0170] 45B and 45C show internal views of the condensate recycler system 360 from the air tube first end 362 and the air tube second end 363, respectively. The air tube first end 362 can be located proximate the mouthpiece and / or air outlet. The air tube second end 363 can be located proximate the vaporization chamber 342 and / or the wick housing 346, and the air tube second end 363 can be in fluid communication with the chamber groove 365 and / or the wick. The air tube groove 364 can have a first diameter 366 and a second diameter 368. The second diameter 368 can be narrower than the first diameter 366.

[0171] As the effective cross-section of the airflow passage narrows, condensation builds up within the airflow passage or, due to any of the designs contemplated herein, the flow rate of air moving through the air tube increases, exerting a drag force on the accumulated fluid (e.g., condensation). When the drag force drawing the fluid towards the user (e.g., in response to inhalation on a vaporizer) is higher than the capillary force pulling the fluid towards the wick, the fluid will exit the air outlet.

[0172] To overcome this problem and to facilitate directing condensate away from the mouthpiece outlet and back to the vaporization chamber 342 and / or wick, a tapered airflow passage is provided such that the cross section of the air tube groove 364 proximate the vaporization chamber 342 is narrower than the cross section of the air tube groove 364 proximate the mouthpiece. Additionally, each internal groove narrows such that the width of the internal groove proximate the first end 362 of the air tube may be wider than the width of the internal groove proximate the second end 363 of the air tube. In this manner, the narrowing passage increases the capillary drive of the air tube groove 364 and facilitates fluid movement of condensate towards the chamber groove 365. Additionally, the chamber groove 365 proximate the second end 363 of the air tube may be wider than the width of the chamber groove 365 proximate the wick. That is, each groove channel gradually narrows as it approaches the wick in addition to the airflow passage itself narrowing towards the wick end.

[0173] To maximize the effectiveness of the capillary action provided by the condensate recycler system design, the cross-sectional size of the air tube relative to the groove size can be considered. As the groove width is narrowed, capillary drive can be increased, but as the groove size is reduced, the condensate may overflow the groove and clog the air tube. Thus, the groove width can range from about 0.1 mm to about 0.8 mm.

[0174] In some embodiments, the geometry or number of grooves can be varied. For example, the grooves do not necessarily have to have a hydraulic diameter that decreases toward the wick. In some embodiments, a hydraulic diameter that decreases toward the wick can improve capillary actuation performance. However, other embodiments are contemplated. For example, the internal grooves and channels can have a substantially straight configuration, a tapered configuration, a helical configuration, and / or other configurations.

[0175] 11A-11B show front and side views of a cartridge 1310 having an example external airflow path consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, one or more gates, also referred to as air inlets, can be provided on the vaporizer body 110. The air inlets can be disposed within an air inlet channel having a width, height, and depth sized to prevent a user from unintentionally blocking the individual air inlets when holding the vaporizer 100 coupled with the cartridge 1320. In one embodiment, the air inlet channel structure can be long enough so that, for example, a user's finger does not significantly obstruct or restrict airflow through the air inlet channel when it blocks an area of ​​the air inlet channel.

[0176] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the geometric configuration of the air inlet channel may provide at least one of a minimum length, a minimum depth, or a maximum width to ensure, for example, that a user cannot completely cover or block an air inlet in the air inlet channel with a finger, hand, and / or another body part. For example, the length of the air inlet channel may be longer than the width of an average human finger, and the width and depth of the air inlet channel may be such that when a user's finger is pressed against the top of the channel, any wrinkles in the skin that form do not interface with the air inlet in the air inlet channel.

[0177] The air inlet channel may be configured or formed to have rounded edges or to wrap around one or more corners or regions of the vaporizer body 110. As a result, the air inlet channel cannot be easily covered by a user's fingers or body parts. In some implementations of the present subject matter, an optional cover may be provided to protect the air inlet channel. As a result, a user's fingers cannot block or completely restrict airflow to the air inlet channel. Alternatively and / or additionally, the air inlet channel may be disposed at an interface between the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110. For example, the air inlet channel may be disposed within a recessed area, e.g., a seam, cavity, groove, gap, etc., formed between the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is coupled with the vaporizer body 110. This recessed area may extend at least partially around the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110. As a result, a user's finger (or other body part) may cover only a portion of the recessed area and air may still enter the air inlet channel through the uncovered portion of the recessed area.

[0178] 12A shows a perspective view, a top view, a bottom view, and various side views of an example wick housing 1315 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown, one or more perforations, holes, or slots 596 may be formed in the bottom of the wick housing 1315 to allow air to flow into the wick housing 1315 and pass around and / or through the wick element 1362 disposed within the wick housing 1315. A sufficient number of slots 596 may facilitate adequate airflow through the wick housing 1315. The wick housing 1315 may be required to provide proper and timely vaporization of vaporizable material 1302 absorbed within the wicking element 1362 in response to heat generated by a heating element 1350 disposed near or around the wicking element 1362.

[0179] To prevent vaporizable material 1302 present within wick housing 1315, e.g., vaporizable material 1302 drawn into wicking element 1362, from flowing out of wick housing 1315, the interior dimensions (e.g., cross-sectional area, diameter, width, length, etc.) of slot 596 can be stepped, e.g., to provide one or more constriction points at which a meniscus can form to prevent further flow of vaporizable material 1302. To further illustrate, FIGS. 50A-50B show cross-sectional views of a wick housing 1315 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown in FIGS. 50A-50B, slot 596 can be stepped in that the interior dimensions of slot 596 can be smaller than the dimensions of slot 596 at the bottom of wick housing 1315. As a result, the interior of slot 596 exhibits at least one step.

[0180] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the slot 596 at the bottom of the wick housing 1315 may have dimensions of 1.0-1.4 mm long by 0.3-0.7 mm wide. For example, the slot 596 may be 1.2 mm long by 0.5 mm wide at the bottom of the wick housing 1315, but may exhibit a stepped interior such that the interior dimensions of the slot are approximately 1.0 mm long by 0.3 mm wide. The step may provide a constriction point at which a meniscus may form to prevent the vaporizable material 1302 from flowing further out of the slot 596. In particular, maintaining an air-liquid interface in the stepped interior of the slot 596 may prevent the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from breaching the bottom of the wick housing 1315 and contaminating the external environment, including the vaporizer body 110, for example, in a location proximate to where the vaporizer cartridge 1320 interfaces with the vaporizer body 110 (e.g., cartridge receptacle 118).

[0181] FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the collector 1313 and wick housing 1315, which can be coupled to form at least a portion of the cartridge 1320, for example. As shown, the wick housing 1315 (including the wick housing portion of the cartridge) can be implemented to include one or more protruding members or tabs 4390. The tabs 4390 can be configured to extend from a top end of the wick housing 1315 and mate with a receiving end of the collector 1313 during assembly. The tabs 4390 can include, for example, one or more facets that correspond or match with a receiving notch in the bottom of the collector 1313 or one or more facets in the receiving cavity 1390. The receiving cavity 1390 can be configured to removably receive the tabs 4390, for example, for a snap-fit ​​engagement. The snap-fit ​​configuration can help hold the collector 1313 and wick housing 1315 together during or after assembly.

[0182] In certain embodiments, the tabs 4390 can be utilized to orient the wick housing 1315 during assembly. For example, in one embodiment, one or more vibration mechanisms (e.g., vibrating bowls) can be utilized to temporarily store or stage various components of the cartridge 1320. According to some implementations, the tabs 4390 can help orient the top of the wick housing 1315 for a mechanical gripper for easy engagement and precise automated assembly.

[0183] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the collector 1313 can include one or more mechanisms configured to promote mixing of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 in the airflow passage 1338. As described above, the central tunnel 1100 can traverse the collector 1313 to form a fluid connection between the airflow passage 1338 and the wick housing 1315 in which the heating element 1350 and the wicking element 1362 are disposed. Thus, the aerosol generated by the heating element 1350 heating the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wicking element 1362 can travel from the wick housing 1315 to the central tunnel 1100 in the collector 1313 before flowing into the airflow passage 1338 for delivery to the user. To promote mixing of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 as it moves through the central tunnel 1100 and the air flow passage 1338, the bottom surface of the collector 1313, which serves as an interface between the collector 1313 and the wick housing 1315, may include one or more features configured to direct the flow of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302.

[0184] To further illustrate, FIGS. 52A-52E show a collector 1313 having an example flow controller 5220 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. With reference to FIGS. 52A-52E, the collector 1313 can include a flow controller 5220 on a bottom surface thereof. The bottom surface of the collector 1313 can further include one or more coupling mechanisms for securing the collector 1313 to the wick housing 1315. The coupling mechanisms include, for example, a first coupling mechanism 5210a and a second coupling mechanism 5210b. The first coupling mechanism 5210a and the second coupling mechanism 5210b can be male connectors (e.g., forks) configured to be inserted into and frictionally engage with corresponding female connectors (e.g., receptacles) in the wick housing 1315. In the example of the collector 1313 shown in Figures 52A-52E, the bottom surface of the collector 1313 may further include one or more wick interfaces, including, for example, a first wick interface 5230a and a second wick interface 5230b. The first wick interface 5230a and the second wick interface 5230b may be coupled to the wick feed 1368. For example, the first wick interface 5230a may be disposed between an end of the first wick feed 1368a and the wick housing 1315, while the second wick interface 5230b may be disposed between an end of the second wick feed 1368b and the wick housing 1315. The first wick interface 5230a and the second wick interface 5230b may each be configured to function as a conduit to deliver at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 flowing through the wick feed 1368 to a wicking element 1360 disposed within the wick housing 1315.

[0185] 52A-52E , the flow controller 5220 can be fluidly coupled to the central tunnel 1100, which in turn is in fluid communication with the airflow passage 1338. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the flow controller 5220 can be configured to direct the flow of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 in a manner that promotes mixing of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 within the central tunnel 1100 and / or the airflow passage 1338. Mixing of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 may be desirable for a variety of reasons including, for example, regulating the temperature and / or distribution of vaporized particulates in the aerosol delivered to a user.

[0186] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the flow controller 5220 can include one or more channels, including, for example, a first channel 5225a and a second channel 5225b. In the example of the collector 1313 shown in FIGS. 52A-52E, the relative positions of the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b can be offset (or staggered) such that a first opening of the first channel 5225a into the central tunnel 1100 is at least partially offset from a second opening of the second channel 5226b into the central tunnel 1100. Additionally, the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b can be tapered, for example, to form separate funnel-like structures. Also, the cross-sectional dimensions of the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b can taper toward the ends where the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b contact the central tunnel 1100. For example, the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b can each taper from 2.62 mm x 5.85 mm to 1.35 mm x 0.70 mm (at the bottom of the collector 1313) over a height of approximately 2.25 mm. Additionally, the inner walls of the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b can be sloped toward the center of the central tunnel 1100. Thus, the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b can each form a separate column of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 from the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 entering the flow controller 5220 from the wick housing 1315.

[0187] Additionally, each column of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can flow in an offset direction due to the angled internal contours of the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b. For example, instead of moving straight toward the airflow passage 1338, the column of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can be directed toward the walls of the central tunnel 1100 and the airflow passage 1338. That is, the flow controller 5220 can be configured to break up the laminar flow of vaporized vaporizable material 1302. In a laminar flow, the layers of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 each move at their own speed, have their own temperature, and move independently without any breakup or intermixing between the layers. Lateral mixing between layers of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 in a laminar flow can be minimal and slow (e.g., due to diffusive mixing). Therefore, without the disruption introduced by the flow controller 5220, the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 may not be able to undergo sufficient mixing before exiting the air flow passage 1338 for delivery to the user.

[0188] In contrast, the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b are configured to offset the flow of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 such that the flow controller 5220 can introduce turbulence into the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 passing through the flow controller 5220. For example, offsetting the flow direction of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can cause each column of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 to interact with the walls of the central tunnel 1100 and the airflow passage 1338 as well as with each other. These interactions can disrupt layers of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 that are moving at different speeds and have different temperatures, facilitating mixing of the layers of vaporized vaporizable material 1302.

[0189] To further illustrate, FIG. 52F shows examples of laminar and turbulent flow through the central tunnel 1100 and air flow passage 1338. On the left side of FIG. 52F, the columns of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 remain separate as they move through the central tunnel 1100 and air flow passage 1338. Thus, the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 maintains a substantially laminar flow, with minimal mixing occurring between the layers of vaporized vaporizable material 1302. In contrast, on the right side of FIG. 52F, turbulence is introduced into the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 by the flow controller 5220, including by offsetting the flow direction of the columns of vaporized vaporizable material 1302. As a result, the columns of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 interact with the walls of the central tunnel 1100 and air flow passage 1338 as well as with each other. As discussed above, turbulence in the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 can promote mixing of different layers of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302. As a result, the resulting aerosol delivered to the user can exhibit more uniformity in temperature and / or distribution of vaporized particulates.

[0190] As described above, a vaporizer cartridge 1320 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter can include one or more heating elements, such as, for example, heating element 1350. According to some implementations of the present subject matter, the heating element 1350 can desirably be shaped to receive the wicking element 1362 and / or be at least partially crimped or pressed around the wicking element 1362. The heating element 1350 can be bent such that the heating element 1350 is configured to secure the wicking element 1362 between at least two or three portions of the heating element 1350. The heating element 1350 can be bent to match the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 1362. The heating element 1350 can be manufactured more easily than a typical heating element. A heating element consistent with implementations of the present subject matter can be made of a conductive metal suitable for resistive heating, and in some implementations, the heating element can include selective plating of another material so that the heating element (and thus the vaporizable material) can be heated more efficiently.

[0191] FIG. 13A illustrates an exploded view of an example vaporizer cartridge 1320, FIG. 13B illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the vaporizer cartridge 1320, and FIG. 13C illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example vaporizer cartridge 1320. As shown in FIGS. 44A-44C, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 can include a collector 1313, a wick housing 1315, and a housing 160 configured to house a heating element 1350 (disposed at least partially within the wick housing 1315). In some implementations of the present subject matter, the wick housing 1315, the heating element 1350, and the wicking element 1362 can form the atomizer assembly 141 shown in FIG.

[0192] As described in more detail below, at least a portion of the heating element 1350 is disposed between the housing 160 and the wick housing 1315 and exposed to couple with a portion of the vaporizer body 110 (e.g., electrically couple with the receptacle contact 125). The wick housing 1315 can include four sides. For example, the wick housing 1315 can include two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides. Each of the two opposing long sides can include at least one (two or more) recess. The recesses can be disposed along the long sides of the wick housing 1315 and adjacent each intersection between the long and short sides of the wick housing 1315. The recesses can be shaped to releasably couple with a corresponding feature (e.g., a spring) on ​​the vaporizer body 110 to secure the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer body 110 in the cartridge receptacle 118. The recess provides a mechanically stable fastening means for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 1320 with the vaporizer body 110 .

[0193] In some implementations, the wick housing 1315 also includes an identification chip 174 that may be configured to communicate with a corresponding chip reader located on the vaporizer. For example, the identification chip 174 may be glued and / or otherwise attached to the wick housing 1315 at a short side of the wick housing 1315. The wick housing 1315 may additionally or alternatively include a chip recess configured to receive the identification chip 174. The chip recess may be surrounded by two, four or more walls. The chip recess may be shaped to secure the identification chip 174 to the wick housing 1315.

[0194] 14-17 show schematic diagrams of a heating element 1350 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. For example, FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of a heating element 1350 in an unfolded position. As shown, in the unfolded position, the heating element 1350 forms a planar heating element. The heating element 1350 can first be formed from a substrate material. The substrate material can then be cut and / or stamped into the appropriate shape by a variety of mechanical processes, including, but not limited to, stamping, laser cutting, photoetching, chemical etching, and the like.

[0195] The substrate material may be made of a conductive metal suitable for resistive heating. In some implementations, the heating element 1350 comprises a nickel-chromium alloy, a nickel alloy, stainless steel, etc. As discussed below, the heating element 1350 may be plated by cladding at one or more locations on a surface of the substrate material to increase, limit, or in some way modify the resistivity of the heating element at one or more locations of the substrate material (which may be all or a portion of the heating element 1350).

[0196] The heating element 1350 includes one or more tines 502 (e.g., heating segments) located in the heating portion 504, one or more connecting portions or legs 506 (e.g., one, two or more) located in the transition region 508, and cartridge contacts 124 located in the electrical contact region 510 and formed at the end of each of the one or more legs 506. The tines 502, legs 506 and cartridge contacts 124 can be integrally formed. For example, the tines 502, legs 506 and cartridge contacts 124 form a portion of the heating element 1350 that is stamped and / or cut from a substrate material. In some implementations, the heating element 1350 also includes a heat shield 518 extending from the one or more legs 506 and can be integrally formed with the tines 502, legs 506 and cartridge contacts 124.

[0197] In some implementations, at least a portion of the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 is configured to interface with vaporizable material drawn into the wicking element from the reservoir 1340 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. The heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 can be shaped, sized, and / or treated in some manner to produce a desired resistance. For example, the tines 502 located within the heating portion 504 can be designed to match an appropriate amount of resistance for the resistance of the tines 502 to affect localized heating within the heating portion 504 to more efficiently and effectively heat the vaporizable material from the wicking element. The tines 502 form heated segments or traces of thin paths in series and / or parallel to provide the desired amount of resistance.

[0198] The tines 502 (e.g., traces) can include a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations. In some configurations, one or more tines 502 can be spaced apart to allow vaporizable material to be drawn from the wicking element and vaporized therefrom at the side edges of each tine 502. The shape, length, width, composition, etc., among other properties of the tines 502, can be optimized to maximize efficiency in generating aerosols by vaporizing vaporizable material from within the heated portion of the heating element 1350 and maximize electrical efficiency. The shape, length, width, composition, etc., among other properties of the tines 502, can additionally or alternatively be optimized to distribute heat evenly across the length of the tines 502 (or a portion of the tines 502, e.g., the heated portion 504). For example, the width of the tines 502 can be uniform or variable along the length of the tines 502 to control the temperature profile across at least the heated portion 504 of the heating element 1350. In some examples, the length of the tines 502 can be controlled to achieve a desired resistance along at least a portion of the heating element 1350, e.g., the heating portion 504. As shown in FIGS. 45-48, the tines 502 each have the same size and shape. For example, the tines 502 include an outer edge 503 that is generally aligned and has a generally rectangular shape, e.g., a flat or squared outer edge 503 or a rounded outer edge 503. In some implementations, one or more tines 502 can include an outer edge 503 that may be misaligned and / or of different sizes or shapes. In some implementations, the tines 502 can be evenly spaced or have variable spacing between adjacent tines 502. The particular geometric shape of the tines 502 can be desirably selected to produce a particular localized resistance to heating the heating portion 504 and maximize the performance of the heating element 1350 to heat the vaporizable material and generate an aerosol.

[0199] The heating element 1350 may include portions of wider and / or thicker geometry and / or different composition relative to the tines 502. These portions may form electrical contact areas and / or more conductive portions and / or may include features for mounting the heating element 1350 within the vaporizer cartridge. The legs 506 of the heating element 1350 extend from the end of each outermost tine 502A. The legs 506 typically form a portion of the heating element 1350 that has a width and / or thickness that is greater than the width of each tine 502. However, in some implementations, the legs 506 have a width and / or thickness that is the same as or less than the width of each tine 502. The legs 506 connect the heating element 1350 to the wick housing 1315 or another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. As a result, the heating element 1350 is at least partially or completely surrounded by the housing 160. The legs 506 provide rigidity that promotes mechanical stability of the heating element 1350 during and after manufacturing. The legs 506 also connect the cartridge contacts 124 with the tines 502 located on the heating portion 504. The legs 506 are shaped and sized to enable the heating element 1350 to maintain the electrical requirements of the heating portion 504. As shown in FIG. 18, the legs 506 space the heating portion 504 from the end of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 when the heating element 1350 is assembled with the vaporizer cartridge 1320. The legs 506 may also include a capillary feature configured to restrict and / or prevent the flow of the vaporizable material 1302 from the heating portion 504 to other portions of the heating element 1350.

[0200] In some implementations, one or more legs 506 include one or more positioning features 516. The positioning features 516 can be used to interface with other (e.g., adjacent) components of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to relatively position the heating element 1350, or portions thereof, during and / or after assembly. In some implementations, the positioning features 516 can be used during or after manufacture to properly position the substrate material for cutting and / or stamping to form the heating element 1350 or for post-processing of the heating element 1350. The positioning features 516 can be sheared and / or cut before crimping or bending the heating element 1350 in any manner.

[0201] In some implementations, the heating element 1350 includes one or more heat shields 518. The heat shields 518 form a portion of the heating element 1350 that extends laterally from the legs 506. When folded and / or crimped, the heat shields 518 are offset from the tines 502 in a first direction and / or a second direction opposite the first direction in the same plane. When the heating element 1350 is assembled to the vaporizer cartridge 1320, the heat shields 518 are configured to be disposed between the tines 502 (and the heating portion 504) and the body (e.g., a plastic body) of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. The heat shields 518 can help insulate the heating portion 504 from the body of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. The heat shield 518 helps minimize the effect of heat emanating from the heating portion 504 on the body of the vaporizer cartridge 1320, protect the structural integrity of the body of the vaporizer cartridge 1320, and prevent melting or other deformation of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. The heat shield 518 also helps maintain a consistent temperature in the heating portion 504 by retaining heat within the heating portion 504, thereby preventing or limiting heat loss while vaporization is occurring. In some implementations, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may also or alternatively include a heat shield 518A that is separate from the heating element 1350.

[0202] As described above, the heating element 1350 includes at least two cartridge contacts 124 that form the ends of each leg 506. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14-17, the cartridge contacts 124 can form portions of the legs 506 that are folded along fold lines 507. The cartridge contacts 124 can be folded at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the legs 506. In some implementations, the cartridge contacts 124 can be folded at other angles relative to the legs 506, such as about 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 35 degrees, 45 degrees, 55 degrees, 65 degrees, 75 degrees, or other ranges therebetween. The cartridge contacts 124 can be folded toward or away from the heating portion 504, depending on the implementation. The cartridge contacts 124 can also be formed on other portions of the heating element 1350, such as along the length of at least one leg 506. The cartridge contacts 124 are configured to be exposed to the environment when assembled within the vaporizer cartridge 1320 .

[0203] The cartridge contacts 124 may form conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes or surfaces for pins or posts or other contact configurations. Some types of cartridge contacts 124 may include springs or other biasing mechanisms to create better physical and electrical contact between the cartridge contacts 124 on the vaporizer cartridge and the receptacle contacts 125 on the vaporizer body 110. In some implementations, the cartridge contacts 124 include wiping contacts configured to clean the connection between the cartridge contacts 124 and other contacts or a power source. For example, the wiping contacts may include two parallel but offset bosses. These bosses frictionally engage and slide against each other in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0204] The cartridge contacts 124 are configured to interface with receptacle contacts 125 located near the base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 100. As a result, when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118, the cartridge contacts 124 and the receptacle contacts 125 are electrically connected. The cartridge contacts 124 can be in electrical communication with the power source 112 of the vaporizer device (e.g., via the receptacle contacts 125, etc.). These electrical connections complete a circuit that allows for sending an electrical current to the resistive heating element to heat at least a portion of the heating element 1350, and can further be used for additional functions, such as, for example, to measure the resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining and / or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element, to identify the cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge. The cartridge contacts 124 may be treated to provide improved electrical properties (e.g., contact resistance) using, for example, conductive plating, surface treatments and / or deposition materials, as described in more detail below.

[0205] In some implementations, the heating element 1350 can be processed through a series of crimping and / or bending operations to form the heating element 1350 into a desired three-dimensional shape. For example, the heating element 1350 can be operated to receive or crimped around the wicking element 1362 to secure the wicking element between at least two portions (e.g., substantially parallel portions) of the heating element 1350 (e.g., between opposing portions of the heating portion 504). To crimp the heating element 1350, the heating element 1350 can be bent toward each other along the fold line 520. The folding of the heating element 1350 along the fold line 520 forms a platform tine portion 524 defined by the area between the fold line 520 and a side tine portion 526 defined by the area between the fold line 520 and the outer edge 503 of the tine 502. The platform tine portion 524 is configured to contact one end of the wicking element 1362. The side tine portion 526 is configured to contact both sides of the wicking element 1362. The platform tine portion 524 and the side tine portion 526 form a pocket shaped to receive the wicking element 1362 and / or conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 1362. The pocket allows the wicking element 1362 to be secured and held within the pocket by the heating element 1350. The platform tine portion 524 and the side tine portion 526 contact the wicking element 1362 to provide a multi-dimensional contact between the heating element 1350 and the wicking element 1362. Multi-dimensional contact between the heating element 1350 and the wicking element 1362 provides more efficient and / or faster transfer of vaporizable material from the reservoir 1340 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to be vaporized to the heating portion 504 (via the wicking element 1362).

[0206] In some implementations, some of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 can also be bent away from each other along the fold lines 522. Folding some of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 away from each other along the fold lines 522 positions the legs 506 away from the heating portion 504 (and the comb tines 502) of the heating element 1350 in a first direction and / or in a second direction opposite the first direction (e.g., in the same plane). Thus, folding some of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 away from each other along the fold lines 522 positions the heating portion 504 away from the body of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the heating element 1350 folded along the fold lines 520 and 522 around the wicking element 1362. As shown in FIG. 15, the wicking element is disposed within a pocket formed by folding the heating element 1350 along fold lines 520 and 522 .

[0207] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the heating element 1350 can also be bent along the fold line 523. For example, the cartridge contacts 124 can be bent toward each other (into or out of the plane of the paper shown in FIG. 16 ) along the fold line 523. The contact portion of the heating element 1350, including the cartridge contacts 124, can be disposed at least partially outside the wick housing 1315 such that the cartridge contacts 124 are exposed to the external environment and can engage the receptacle contacts 125. Meanwhile, the heating portion of the heating element 1350 can be disposed at least partially within the wick housing 1350.

[0208] In use, when the heating element 1350 is assembled in the vaporizer cartridge 1320, a user puffs on the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320, causing air to flow into the vaporizer cartridge along the air path. In connection with a user's puff, the heating element 1350 can be activated, for example, by automatic detection of a puff by a pressure sensor, by detection of a user pressing a button, by a signal generated from a motion sensor, a flow sensor, a capacitance lip sensor, and / or another approach capable of detecting that a user is puffing, about to puff, or inhaling in some manner, to cause air to enter the vaporizer 100 and at least move along the air path. When the heating element 1350 is activated, power can be provided to the heating element 1350 from the vaporizer device at the cartridge contacts 124.

[0209] When the heating element 1350 is activated, a temperature rise occurs due to current flowing through the heating element 1350 generating heat. This heat is transferred to a quantity of vaporizable material by conductive, convective and / or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material vaporizes. Heat transfer can occur to the vaporizable material in the reservoir and / or to the vaporizable material drawn into the wicking element 1362 held by the heating element 1350. In some implementations, the vaporizable material can be vaporized along one or more edges of the tines 502, as mentioned above. Air entering the vaporizer device flows along an air path across the heating element 1350, stripping the vaporized vaporizable material from the heating element 1350. The vaporized vaporizable material can condense due to cooling, pressure changes, etc., such that the vaporizable material exits the mouthpiece 130 as an aerosol for inhalation by the user.

[0210] As mentioned above, the heating element 1350 can be made of a variety of materials, such as nichrome, stainless steel, or other resistive heater materials. A combination of two or more materials can be included in the heating element 1350, and such combinations can include both a homogenous distribution of the two or more materials throughout the heating element or other configurations in which the relative amounts of the two or more materials are spatially non-homogeneous. For example, the tines 502 can have portions designed to be more resistive and thereby hotter than the tines or other sections of the heating element 1350. In some implementations, at least the tines 502 (e.g., in the heating portion 504) can include a material that has high conductivity and heat resistance.

[0211] The heating element 1350 can be plated entirely or selectively with one or more materials. Because the heating element 1350 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 1350 may experience electrical or heat losses in the path between the cartridge contacts 124 and the tines 502 in the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. To help reduce heat and / or electrical losses, at least a portion of the heating element 1350 can be plated with one or more materials to reduce resistance in the electrical path leading to the heating portion 504. In some implementations consistent with the present subject matter, it is beneficial for the heating portion 504 (e.g., the tines 502) to remain unplated and for at least a portion of the legs 506 and / or cartridge contacts 124 to be plated with a plating material that reduces the resistance (e.g., bulk resistance and / or contact resistance) of those portions.

[0212] For example, the heating element 1350 can include various portions plated with different materials. In another example, the heating element 1350 can be plated with layered materials. Plating at least a portion of the heating element 1350 helps concentrate the current flowing through the heating portion 504 to reduce electrical and / or thermal losses in other portions of the heating element 1350. In some implementations, it is desirable to maintain a low resistance in the electrical path between the cartridge contacts 124 and the tines 502 of the heating element 1350 to reduce electrical and / or thermal losses in the electrical path and to compensate for voltage drops concentrated across the heating portion 504.

[0213] In some implementations, the cartridge contacts 124 may be selectively plated. By selectively plating the cartridge contacts 124 with a particular material, contact resistance at the point where measurements are taken and electrical contact is made between the cartridge contacts 124 and the receptacle contacts may be minimized or eliminated. Providing the cartridge contacts 124 with a lower resistance may provide more accurate voltage, current and / or resistance measurements and readings. This may be beneficial in accurately determining the current actual temperature of the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350.

[0214] In some implementations, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 124 and / or at least a portion of the legs 506 may be plated with one or more exterior plating materials 550. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 124 and / or at least a portion of the legs 506 may be plated with at least gold or another material that provides low contact resistance, such as platinum, palladium, silver, copper, etc.

[0215] In some implementations, to secure the low resistance outer plating material to the heating element 1350, the surface of the heating element 1350 can be plated with an adhesion plating material. In such a configuration, the adhesion plating material can be deposited on the surface of the heating element 1350, and the outer plating material can be deposited on the adhesion plating material, respectively defined as a first and second plating layer. The adhesion plating material includes a material that has adhesion properties when the outer plating material is deposited on the adhesion plating material. For example, the adhesion plating material can include nickel, zinc, aluminum, iron, alloys thereof, and the like.

[0216] In some implementations, the surface of the heating element 1350 can be primed for an exterior plating material to be deposited on the heating element 1350 using a non-plating primer rather than by plating the surface of the heating element 1350 with an adherent plating material. For example, the surface of the heating element 1350 can be primed using an etch rather than by depositing an adherent plating material.

[0217] In some implementations, all or a portion of the legs 506 and cartridge contacts 124 can be plated with an adhesion plating material and / or an exterior plating material. In some examples, the cartridge contacts 124 can include at least a portion having an exterior plating material that has a greater thickness relative to the remainder of the cartridge contacts 124 and / or the legs 506 of the heating element 1350. In some implementations, the cartridge contacts 124 and / or the legs 506 can have a greater thickness relative to the tines 502 and / or the heating portion 504.

[0218] In some implementations, rather than forming the heating element 1350 of a single substrate material and plating the substrate material, the heating element 1350 can be formed of various materials that are coupled together (e.g., by laser welding, diffusion processes, etc.). The materials of each portion of the heating element 1350 that are coupled together can be selected to provide low resistance or no resistance at the cartridge contacts 124 and high resistance at the tines 502 or heating portions 504 relative to other portions of the heating element 1350.

[0219] In some implementations, the heating element 1350 can be electroplated with silver ink and / or spray coated with one or more plating materials, for example, an adhesion plating material and an exterior plating material.

[0220] As mentioned above, the heating element 1350 can include a variety of shapes, sizes, and geometries to more efficiently heat the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 and more efficiently vaporize the vaporizable material 1302.

[0221] 19-24 show another example of a heating element 1350 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown, the heating element 1350 can include one or more tines 502 located within a heating portion 504, one or more legs 506 extending from the tines 502, and cartridge contacts 124 formed at an end and / or as part of each of the one or more legs 506.

[0222] The tines 502 can be folded and / or crimped to define a pocket in which the wicking element 1362 (e.g., a flat pad) resides. The tines 502 include a platform tine portion 524 and a side tine portion 526. The platform tine portion 524 is configured to contact one side of the wicking element 1362. The side tine portion 526 is configured to contact the other, opposite side of the wicking element 1362. The platform tine portion 524 and the side tine portion 526 form a pocket shaped to receive the wicking element 1362 and / or conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 1362. The pocket allows the wicking element 1362 to be secured and held within the pocket by the heating element 1350.

[0223] In this example, the tines 502 have various shapes and sizes and are spaced apart from each other by the same or various distances. For example, as shown, each of the side tines 526 includes at least four tines 502. In a first pair 570 of adjacent tines 502, each of the adjacent tines 502 is spaced apart by an equal distance from an inner region 576 located near the platform tines portion 524 to an outer region 578 located near the outer edge 503. In a second pair 572 of adjacent tines 502, the adjacent tines 502 are spaced apart by various distances from the inner region 576 to the outer region 578. For example, the adjacent tines 502 of the second pair 572 are spaced apart by a greater width in the inner region 576 than in the outer region 578. These configurations can help maintain a constant and uniform temperature along the length of the tines 502 of the heating portion 504. By maintaining a constant temperature along the length of the tines 502, the maximum temperature can be maintained more uniformly throughout the heated portion 504, thereby providing a higher quality aerosol.

[0224] As described above, each of the legs 506 can include and / or define a cartridge contact 124 configured to contact a corresponding receptacle contact 125 of the vaporizer 100. In some implementations, each pair of the legs 506 (and cartridge contacts 124) can contact a single receptacle contact 125. In some implementations, the legs 506 include a retaining portion 180 configured to be bent and extending generally away from the heating portion 504. The retaining portion 180 is configured to be disposed within a corresponding recess in the wick housing 1315. The retaining portion 180 forms an end of the legs 506. The retaining portion 180 serves to secure the heating element 1350 and the wicking element 1362 to the wick housing 1315 (and the vaporizer cartridge 1320). The retaining portion 180 can have a tip portion 180A extending from an end of the retaining portion 180 toward the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. This configuration reduces the likelihood that the retaining portion will come into contact with another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 or a cleaning device for cleaning the vaporizer cartridge 1320.

[0225] The outer edge 503 of the comb tines 502 in the heating portion 504 can include a tab 580. The tab 580 can include one, two, three, four or more tabs 580. The tab 580 can extend outward from the outer edge 503 and extend away from the center of the heating element 1350. For example, the tab 580 can be disposed along an edge of the heating element 1350 that surrounds the interior volume defined by at least the side comb tines portion 526 to receive the wicking element 1362. The tab 580 can extend outward away from the interior volume of the wicking element 1362. The tab 580 can also extend away in a direction opposite the platform comb tines portion 524. In some implementations, the tabs 580 disposed on both sides of the interior volume of the wicking element 1362 can extend away from each other. This configuration helps to enlarge the opening to the interior volume of the wicking element 1362, thereby helping to reduce the likelihood that the wicking element 1362 will become trapped, torn, and / or damaged when assembled with the heating element 1350. Due to the material of the wicking element 1362, the wicking element 1362 may easily become trapped, torn, and / or damaged in some way when assembled with (e.g., placed or inserted into) the heating element 1350. Contact between the wicking element 1362 and the outer edge 503 of the tines 502 may also cause damage to the heating element. The shape and / or positioning of the tabs 580 may allow the wicking element 1362 to be more easily positioned within or within the pocket (e.g., the interior volume of the heating element 1350) formed by the tines 502, thereby preventing or reducing the likelihood that the wicking element 1362 and / or the heating element will become damaged. As such, tabs 580 help reduce or prevent damage to heating element 1350 and / or wicking element 1362 upon entry of wicking element 1362 into thermal contact with heating element 1350. The shape of tabs 580 also helps minimize the effect on the resistance of heating portion 504.

[0226] In some implementations, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 124 and / or at least a portion of the legs 506 may be plated with one or more outer plating materials 550 to reduce contact resistance at the point where the heating element 1350 contacts the socket contacts 125.

[0227] 25A-25B, 26-28, 29A-29B, and 30A-30B show another example of a heating element 1350 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown, the heating element 1350 includes one or more tines 502 disposed within a heating portion 504, one or more legs 506 extending from the tines 502, and cartridge contacts 124 formed at an end and / or as part of each of the one or more legs 506.

[0228] The tines 502 can be folded and / or crimped to define a pocket in which the wicking element 1362 (e.g., a flat pad) resides. The tines 502 include a platform tine portion 524 and a side tine portion 526. The platform tine portion 524 is configured to contact one side of the wicking element 1362. The side tine portion 526 is configured to contact the other, opposite side of the wicking element 1362. The platform tine portion 524 and the side tine portion 526 form a pocket shaped to receive the wicking element 1362 and / or conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wicking element 1362. The pocket allows the wicking element 1362 to be secured and held within the pocket by the heating element 1350.

[0229] In this example, the comb teeth 502 have the same shape and size and are spaced apart from each other at equal distances. Here, the comb teeth 502 include a first side comb tooth portion 526A and a second side comb tooth portion 526B spaced apart by a platform comb tooth portion 524. The first and second side comb tooth portions 526A, 526B each include an inner region 576 disposed near the platform comb tooth portion 524 and an outer region 578 disposed near the outer edge 503. In the outer region 578, the first side comb tooth portion 526A is disposed approximately parallel to the second comb tooth portion 526A. In the inner region 576, the first side comb tooth portion 526A is disposed offset from the second comb tooth portion 526B, and the first and second side comb tooth portions 526A, 526B are not parallel. This configuration can help maintain a constant and uniform temperature along the length of the tines 502 of the heating portion 504. By maintaining a constant temperature along the length of the tines 502, a higher quality aerosol can be provided since the maximum temperature can be maintained more uniformly throughout the heating portion 504.

[0230] As described above, each of the legs 506 can include and / or define a cartridge contact 124 configured to contact a corresponding receptacle contact 125 of the vaporizer 100. In some implementations, each pair of the legs 506 (and cartridge contacts 124) can contact a single receptacle contact 125. In some implementations, the legs 506 include a retaining portion 180 configured to be bent and extending generally away from the heating portion 504. The retaining portion 180 is configured to be disposed within a corresponding recess in the wick housing 1315. The retaining portion 180 forms an end of the legs 506. The retaining portion 180 serves to secure the heating element 1350 and the wicking element 1362 to the wick housing 1315 (and the vaporizer cartridge 1320). The retaining portion 180 can have a tip portion 180A extending from an end of the retaining portion 180 toward the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. This configuration reduces the likelihood that the retaining portion will come into contact with another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 or a cleaning device for cleaning the vaporizer cartridge 1320.

[0231] The outer edge 503 of the tines 502 in the heating portion 504 may include a tab 580. The tab 580 may extend outward from the outer edge 503 and away from the center of the heating element 1350. The tab 580 may be shaped to allow the wicking element 1362 to be more easily positioned within the pocket formed by the tines 502, thereby preventing or reducing the chance of the wicking element 1362 becoming trapped in the outer edge 503. The shape of the tab 580 helps to minimize its effect on the resistance of the heating portion 504.

[0232] In some implementations of the present subject matter, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 124 and / or at least a portion of the legs 506 may be plated with one or more outer plating materials 550 to reduce contact resistance at the point where the heating element 1350 contacts the socket contacts 125.

[0233] 24 and 30A-30B, the geometry of the heating element 1350 may resemble the letter "H" in an unfolded state, with the heating portion 504 disposed substantially across the center of the legs 506. The temperature of the heating element 1350 may correspond to, for example, a resistance of the heating element 1350 across the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. For example, the temperature of the heating element 1350 may be determined based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity and resistance of the heating element 1350. Thus, the temperature of the heating element 1350 may be determined and / or controlled (e.g., by the controller 104) by at least measuring the resistance across the heating element 1350, for example across the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. It should be appreciated that in some implementations of the present subject matter, the geometry of the heating element 1350 allows for the measurement of the resistance across the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. That is, the resistance across the heating portion 504 can be measured in isolation (eg, from other portions of the heating element 1350), thereby improving the accuracy of the resistance measurement and the corresponding temperature measurement.

[0234] To further illustrate, Fig. 53 shows resistance measurements for an example heating element 1350 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. With reference to Fig. 53, resistance across the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 can be measured by applying a current at least from a first point 1a to a second point 2b located, for example, on each tip portion 180A of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350. Current can flow from the first point 1a to the second point 2b, but cannot flow between the third point 2a and the fourth point 1b.

[0235] The voltage drop created between the first point 1a and the third point 2a can correspond to the voltage drop between the fifth point C and the sixth point D. As shown in FIG. 53, the fifth point C and the sixth point D are located at each end of the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. Thus, the voltage drop across the fifth point C and the sixth point D can correspond to the voltage drop across the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. Furthermore, measuring the voltage drop across the first point 1a and the third point 2a can correspond to measuring the voltage drop across the fifth point C and the sixth point D. The resistance R across the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 can be determined based on the following equation (1). This equation relates the resistance R across the heating portion 504 to the voltage V and current I across the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. R=VI (1)

[0236] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the first point 1 a and the third point 2 a located at the tip portion 180A of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 can at least partially coincide with the cartridge contacts 124 that form an electrical connection with the receptacle contacts 125 in the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. Thus, the geometry of the heating element 1350 allows for an independent measurement of the resistance across the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 by measuring the voltage drop across the tip portion 180A of the legs 506 (e.g., the first point 1 a and the third point 2 a), which is disposed outside the wick housing 1315 and is more accessible than the heating portion 504 disposed at least partially inside the wick housing 1315.

[0237] 31-32 show an example of the atomizer assembly 141 with the heating element 1350 assembled with the wick housing 1315, and FIG. 33 shows an exploded view of the atomizer assembly 141 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. The wick housing 1315 may be made of a plastic, such as polypropylene. The wick housing 1315 includes four recesses 592 within which at least a portion of each of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 may be positioned and secured. As shown, the wick housing 1315 also includes an opening 593 providing access to an interior volume 594 within which at least the heating portion 504 and the wicking element 1362 of the heating element 1350 are positioned.

[0238] The wick housing 1315 may also include a separate heat shield 518A. The heat shield 518A is disposed within an interior volume 594 within the wick housing 1315 between the walls of the wick housing 1315 and the heating element 1350. The heat shield 518A is shaped to at least partially surround the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 and space the heating element 1350 from the sidewalls of the wick housing 1315. The heat shield 518A may help to insulate the heating portion 504 from the body of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and / or the wick housing 1315. The heat shield 518A helps minimize the effect of heat emanating from the heating portion 504 on the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and / or the wick housing 1315 to protect the structural integrity of the body of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and / or the wick housing 1315 and to prevent melting or other deformation of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and / or the wick housing 1315. The heat shield 518A can also help maintain a consistent temperature in the heating portion 504 by retaining heat within the heating portion 504, thereby preventing or limiting heat loss.

[0239] The heat shield 518A includes one or more slots 590 (e.g., three slots) at one end that align with one or more slots (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, or more slots) 596 formed in a portion of the wick housing 1315 opposite the opening 593, e.g., in the base of the wick housing 1315 (see FIGS. 32 and 43). The one or more slots 590, 596 allow the flow of liquid vaporizable material in the heated portion 504 and pressure caused by the vaporization of the vaporizable material to escape without affecting the liquid flow of the vaporizable material.

[0240] In some implementations, overflow may occur between the heating element 1350 (e.g., legs 506) and the outer wall of the wick housing 1315 (or between portions of the heating element 1350). For example, liquid vaporizable material may build up due to capillary pressure between the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 and the outer wall of the wick housing 1315, as shown by liquid path 599. In such a case, there may be sufficient capillary pressure to draw the liquid vaporizable material out of the reservoir and / or heating portion 504. To help limit and / or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from escaping the interior volume of the wick housing 1315 (or heating portion 504), the wick housing 1315 and / or heating element 1350 may include a capillary feature that creates a sudden change in capillary pressure, thereby forming a liquid barrier that prevents the liquid vaporizable material from passing through the feature without the use of an additional seal (e.g., an airtight seal). The capillary feature can define a capillary break formed by a sharp tip, bend, curved or other surface within the wick housing 1315 and / or the heating element 1350. The capillary feature allows the conductive element (e.g., the heating element 1350) to be positioned in both wet and dry regions.

[0241] A capillary feature can be disposed on and / or form part of the heating element 1350 and / or wick housing 1315 to cause an abrupt change in capillary pressure. For example, the capillary feature can include a bend, a sharp tip, a curved surface, a sloped surface, or other surface feature along the length of the heating element or another component of the vaporizer cartridge that causes an abrupt change in capillary pressure between the heating element and the wick housing. The capillary feature can also include a protrusion or other portion of the heating element and / or wick housing sufficient to widen the capillary channel, e.g., a capillary channel formed between portions of the heating element, between the heating element and the wick housing, etc., and reduce the capillary pressure in the capillary channel, such that the capillary channel does not draw liquid into the capillary channel (e.g., the capillary feature spaces the heating element from the wick housing). Thus, the capillary feature prevents or restricts liquid from flowing past the capillary feature along the liquid path due at least in part to the abrupt change and / or reduction in capillary pressure. The size and / or shape of the capillary features (e.g., bends, sharp points, curves, slopes, protrusions, etc.) may be a function of the wetting angle formed on other walls of the capillary channel formed between materials or components such as the heating element and the wick housing, may be a function of the materials of the heating element and / or wick housing or other components, and / or may be a function of the size of the gap formed between the two components that define the capillary channel, e.g., the heating element and / or the wick housing, among other properties.

[0242] As an example, Figures 34A and 34B show a wick housing 1315 having a capillary feature 598 that causes a sudden change in capillary pressure. The capillary feature 598 prevents or restricts liquid from flowing past the capillary feature 598 along the liquid path 599, helping to prevent liquid from pooling between the legs 506 and the wick housing 1315. The capillary feature 598 on the wick housing 1315 spaces the heating element 1350 (e.g., a metal component, etc.) away from the wick housing 1315 (e.g., a plastic component, etc.), thereby reducing the capillary strength between the two components. The capillary feature 598 shown in Figures 34A and 34B also includes a sharp edge at the end of the wick housing's slope that restricts or prevents liquid from flowing past the capillary feature 598.

[0243] 34B, the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 can also be angled inward toward the interior volume of the heating element 1350 and / or wick housing 1315. The angled legs 506 can form a capillary mechanism that helps to restrict or prevent liquid from flowing along the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 over the outer surface of the heating element.

[0244] As another example, the heating element 1350 can include a capillary feature (e.g., bridge 585) formed by one or more legs 506 that spaces the legs 506 away from the heating portion 504. The bridge 585 can be formed by folding the heating element 1350 along fold lines 520, 522. In some implementations, the bridge 585 helps to reduce or eliminate overflow of vaporizable material from the heating portion 504, for example, by capillary action. In some examples, such as the exemplary heating element 1350 shown in FIGS. 25A-30B, the bridge 585 is angled and / or includes bends to help limit fluid outflow from the heating portion 504.

[0245] As another example, the heating element 1350 can include a capillary feature 598 that defines a sharp tip that causes an abrupt change in capillary pressure, thereby preventing liquid vaporizable material from flowing past the capillary feature 598. The capillary feature 598 can form an end of a bridge 585 that extends outwardly away from the heated portion a distance greater than the distance between the legs 506 and the heated portion 504. The end of the bridge 585 can be a sharp edge that further helps prevent liquid vaporizable material from entering the legs 506 and / or exiting the heated portion 504, thereby reducing leakage and increasing the amount of vaporizable material remaining within the heated portion 504.

[0246] 35-37 show a variation of the heating element 1350 shown in FIGS. 19-24. In this variation of the heating element 1350, the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 include a bend in the bend region 511. The bend in the legs 506 can form a capillary feature 598 that helps prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing past the capillary feature 598. For example, the bend can cause an abrupt change in capillary pressure that helps limit or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing past the bend and / or can also help limit or prevent pooling between the legs 506 and the wick housing 1315 and can help limit or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing out of the heating portion 504.

[0247] As shown in FIG. 35, the leg 506 can be bent to form one or more joints, including, for example, a first joint 534a, a second joint 534b, and a third joint 534c. In the example of the heating element 1350 shown in FIGS. 35-37, the leg 506 can be bent such that the first joint 534a can be disposed between the second joint 534b and the third joint 534c, while the second joint can be disposed between the tip 180a (of the leg 506) and the first joint 534a. Additionally, the plating material 550 and the cartridge contact 124 can be disposed at the second joint 534b. Bending the leg 506 in this manner can at least spring load the leg 506, such that the leg 506 can form a mechanical connection (e.g., a frictional engagement) with the receptacle contact 125 in the receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110.

[0248] 38-39 show another variation of a heating element 1350 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. In this variation of the heating element 1350, the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 include a bend in the bend region 511. The bend in the legs 506 can form a capillary feature 598 that helps prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing past the capillary feature 598. For example, the bend can cause an abrupt change in capillary pressure that can help limit or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing past the bend and / or can help limit or prevent pooling between the legs 506 and the wick housing 1315 and can help limit or prevent the liquid vaporizable material from flowing out of the heating portion 504.

[0249] 18A-18E show another variation of a heating element 1350 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the tip portions 180A of the retaining portions 180 of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 are bent inward (e.g., instead of bent outward as shown in FIGS. 19-22). The legs 506 can each include and / or define a cartridge contact 124 configured to contact a corresponding receptacle contact 125 of the vaporizer 100. For example, each pair of the legs 506 (and cartridge contacts 124) can contact a single receptacle contact 125. The legs 506 can be spring loaded to enable the legs 506 to maintain contact with the receptacle contacts 125. The legs 506 can include a portion extending along a length of the legs 506 that is curved to help maintain contact with the receptacle contacts 125. The spring loading of the legs 506 and / or the curvature of the legs 506 can help to increase and / or maintain a consistent pressure between the legs 506 and the socket contact 125. In some implementations, the legs 506 are coupled with supports 176 that help to increase and / or maintain a consistent pressure between the legs 506 and the socket contact 125. The supports 176 can include plastic, rubber, or other materials to help maintain contact between the legs 506 and the socket contact 125. In some implementations, the supports 176 are formed as part of the legs 506.

[0250] 51A-51D show another variation of a heating element 1350 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the tip portion 180A of the retaining portion 180 of the leg 506 of the heating element 1350 is bent inward (e.g., instead of bent outward as shown in FIGS. 19-22). The retaining portion 180 of the leg 506 is disposed within a corresponding recess in the wick housing 1315, while the tip portion 180A of the retaining portion 180 can contact the wick housing 1315. As shown in FIG. 51B, folding the leg 506 in this manner can form one or more joints, including, for example, a first joint 534a, a second joint 534b, and a third joint 534c. Further, as shown in FIG. 51B, the first joint 534a can be disposed between the second joint 534b and the third joint 534c, while the second joint 534b can be disposed between the tip 180a and the first joint 534a. In the example of the heating element 1350 shown in FIGS. 51A-51D, the cartridge contact 124 and the plating material 550 can be disposed at the first joint 534a of the leg 506. Bending the leg 506 of the heating element 1350 in this manner can spring load the leg 506 such that the leg 506 can form a mechanical connection (e.g., a frictional engagement) with the socket contact 125 in the socket 118 of the vaporizer body 110.

[0251] For example, as shown in FIG. 51B, a first fold of the leg 506 of the heating element 1350 can bend the tip portion 180A of the retaining portion 180 of the leg 506 inwardly to form a second joint 534b. While the retaining portion 180 of the leg 506 can secure the heating element 1315 to the wick housing 1315 (e.g., by being placed in a corresponding recess in the wick housing 1315), a second fold of the leg 506 of the heating element 1350, which can form the first joint 534a, can provide spring tension to further secure the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer body 110. That is, while the cartridge contacts 124 are electrically coupled to the receptacle contacts 125, the first joint 534a formed by the second fold of the leg 506 can apply sufficient pressure to the cartridge receptacle 118 to secure the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer body 110. It should be appreciated that this configuration of the heating element 1350 may be associated with minimal stress at the third joint 534c within the heating element 1350 where the heating element 1350 is folded a third time because at least the force of the legs 506 against the cartridge receptacle 118 is more evenly distributed along the length of the legs 506.

[0252] 42A-42B and 43 show another example of the atomizer assembly 141 with the heating element 1350 assembled with the wick housing 1315 and heat shield 518A, and FIG. 44 shows an exploded view of the atomizer assembly 141 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. The wick housing 1315 may be made of plastic, polypropylene or the like. The wick housing 1315 includes four recesses 592 in which at least a portion of each of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 may be positioned and secured. Within the recesses 592, the wick housing 1315 may include one or more wick housing retention mechanisms 172 configured to secure the heating element 1350 to the wick housing 1315, such as via a snap-fit ​​arrangement between at least a portion of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 and the wick housing retention mechanisms 172. The wick housing retention mechanism 172 helps space the heating element 1350 from the surface of the wick housing 1315 and can help prevent heat from acting on the wick housing and melting portions of the wick housing 1315.

[0253] As shown, the wick housing 1315 also includes an opening 593 providing access to an interior volume 594 within which at least the heating portion 504 and the wicking element 1362 of the heating element 1350 are disposed.

[0254] The wick housing 1315 may also include one or more other notches that help space the heating element 1350 from the surface of the wick housing 1315 to reduce the amount of heat that contacts the surface of the wick housing 1315. For example, the wick housing 1315 may include a notch 170. The notch 170 may be formed along an outer surface of the wick housing 1315 proximate the opening 593. The notch 170 may also include a capillary feature, such as capillary feature 598. The capillary feature of the notch 170 may define a surface (e.g., a curved surface) that breaks contact between adjacent (or intersecting) walls (e.g., walls of the wick housing). The curved surface may have a radius sufficient to reduce or eliminate capillary action formed between adjacent outer walls of the wick housing.

[0255] 42A, the wick housing 1315 can include tabs 168. The tabs 168 can help properly position and / or orient the wick housing relative to one or more other components of the vaporizer cartridge during assembly of the vaporizer cartridge. For example, the additional material forming the tabs 168 shifts the center of mass of the wick housing 1315. The shift in center of mass allows the wick housing 1315 to rotate or slide into a certain orientation to align with a corresponding feature of another component of the vaporizer cartridge during assembly.

[0256] 46 shows an exploded view of an example vaporizer body 110 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the vaporizer body 110 may be configured to receive and / or couple with cartridges having the various features described above, including, for example, cartridge 1320 having collector 1313, finned condensate collector 352, etc.

[0257] As shown in FIG. 46, the vaporizer body 110 can include a shell 1220 including a cosmetic sheath 1219, a battery 1212, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 1203, an antenna 1217, a skeleton 1211, a charging badge 1213, a cartridge receptacle 118, an end cap 1201, and an LED badge 1215. In some embodiments, assembly of the vaporizer body 110 includes placing the battery 1212 within the skeleton 1211 at the bottom end of the skeleton 1211 (left side of FIG. 46). The antenna 1217 can be coupled to the bottom end of the battery 1212. The cartridge receptacle 118, the PCBA 1203, and the battery 1212 can be mechanically coupled, for example, by one or more coupling means. For example, a lower end of the PCBA 1203 can be coupled to an upper end of the battery 1212, and an upper end of the PCBA 1203 can be coupled to the cartridge receptacle 118 using a press fit, a solder joint, and / or any other coupling means. The cosmetic sheath 1219 can be configured to at least partially surround the cartridge receptacle 118 when the cartridge receptacle 118 is disposed within the cosmetic sheath 1219.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 46, the cosmetic sheath 1219 can include an opening on a first side of the cosmetic sheath 1219 sized and shaped to receive the charging badge 1213. A second side of the cosmetic sheath 1219 can include an LED badge 1215 that can be incorporated into the cosmetic sheath 1219 or placed in another opening sized and shaped to receive the LED badge 1215. In some embodiments, the cosmetic sheath 1219 can include a stainless steel material and can have a thickness of about 0.2 mm. The LED badge 1215 can be molded with a black printed circuit. In some embodiments, the charging badge 1213 can include liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polycarbonate, and / or phosphor bronze contacts. The charging badge 1213 can minimize the distance between charging pads by using a Mylar film. The plating of the charging badge can include palladium-nickel, black nickel, physical vapor deposition (PVD), or another black plating option. In some implementations, the assembled battery 1212, PCBA 1203, cartridge receptacle 118, and cosmetic sheath 1219 may be configured to fit into the skeleton 1211, which may be configured to fit into the shell 1220. In some embodiments, the cosmetic sheath 1219 may include a stainless steel material having a thickness of 0.2 mm. The shell 1220 may include a ground pad, an end cap data, an LED interface, one or more air inlets (in fluid communication with a slot 596 at the bottom of the wick housing 1315 when coupling the cartridge 1320 with the vaporizer body 110), and a skeleton snap mechanism that snaps into place when the skeleton 1211 is inserted into the shell 1220. The end cap 1201 may be located at the bottom end of the shell 1220 opposite the cosmetic sheath 1219. The end cap 1201 may be configured to retain the internal components of the vaporizer body 210 within the shell 1220 and may also function as a vent at the bottom end of the shell 1220 .

[0259] In a vaporizer in which the power source 112 is part of the vaporizer body 110 and the heating element is disposed within a vaporizer cartridge 1320 configured to couple with the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer 100 may include electrical connection mechanisms (e.g., means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit including the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, etc.), the power source, and the heating element. These mechanisms may include at least two contacts 124 (herein referred to as cartridge contacts 124) on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and at least two contacts 125 (herein referred to as receptacle contacts 125) disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer 100 such that the cartridge contacts 124 and the receptacle contacts 125 make an electrical connection when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118. These electrical connections complete a circuit that allows for the transfer of electrical current to the resistive heating element and may be used for additional functions, such as, for example, to measure the resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining and / or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element, to identify the cartridge or other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element, etc.

[0260] In some examples of the present subject matter, the at least two cartridge contacts and the at least two receptacle contacts may be configured to electrically connect in one of at least two orientations. For example, one or more circuits required for operation of the vaporizer may be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 1320 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a first rotational orientation (about an axis along which an end of the vaporizer cartridge having a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110) such that the cartridge contacts of a first set of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 are electrically connected to the receptacle contacts of a first set of the at least two receptacle contacts 125 and the cartridge contacts of a second set of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 are electrically connected to the receptacle contacts of a second set of the at least two receptacle contacts 125. Additionally, one or more circuits required for operation of the vaporizer can be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 1320 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a second rotational orientation such that the cartridge contacts of a first set of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 are electrically connected to the receptacle contacts of a second set of the at least two receptacle contacts 125, and the cartridge contacts of the second set of the at least two cartridge contacts 124 are electrically connected to the receptacle contacts of the first set of the at least two receptacle contacts 125. This mechanism for the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to be reversibly insertable into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110 is described further below.

[0261] In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer body 110 includes one or more detents (e.g., dimples, protrusions, spring connectors, etc.) that protrude inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may include corresponding recesses (not shown in FIG. 1 ) that can mate and / or in some manner snap-fit ​​with such detents when an end of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. When the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 are coupled (e.g., by inserting an end of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110), a detent in the vaporizer body 110 can fit into and / or be retained in some manner within a recess in the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to hold the vaporizer cartridge 1320 in place when assembled. Such a detent-recess assembly can provide sufficient support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 1320 in place to ensure good contact between the at least two cartridge contacts 124 and the at least two receptacle contacts 125, while allowing the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to be removed from the vaporizer body 110 when a user pulls the vaporizer cartridge 1320 with moderate force to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 1320 from the cartridge receptacle 118. For example, in one implementation of the present subject matter, at least two detents can be disposed on the exterior of the cosmetic sheath 1219. The detents on the exterior of the cosmetic sheath 1219 can be configured to engage with one or more corresponding recesses in the vaporizer cartridge 1320, e.g., on an inner surface of a portion of the housing of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 that extends below the open top of the cosmetic sheath 1219 (and cartridge receptacle 118) to cover at least a portion of the cosmetic sheath 1219 (and cartridge receptacle 118).

[0262] In addition to the above discussion of the electrical connection between the vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body being reversible, thereby allowing at least two rotational orientations of the vaporizer cartridge in the cartridge receptacle, in some vaporizers, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge or at least the shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle can have at least a second order of rotational symmetry. That is, the vaporizer cartridge or at least the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge can be symmetrical at 180° rotation around the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer can support the same operation for either symmetric orientation of the vaporizer cartridge. In some embodiments, the first rotational position can be greater than or less than 180° from the second rotational position.

[0263] In some cases, the vaporizer cartridge, or at least one end of the vaporizer cartridge configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle, can have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. For example, the non-circular cross-section can be approximately rectangular, approximately oval (e.g., approximately elliptical in shape), non-rectangular, but having two sets of parallel or nearly parallel opposing sides (e.g., shaped like a parallelogram), or other shapes with at least second order rotational symmetry. In this context, approximately having a shape indicates that a basic similarity to the described shape is evident, but the sides of the shape need not be perfectly linear and the apexes need not be perfectly sharp. Rounding of the edges and / or apexes of the cross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of any non-circular cross-sections mentioned herein.

[0264] 47A-47C show various examples of receptacle contacts 125 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. FIG. 47A shows an example pod ID contact 307A extending from a pod ID overmold 308. The pod ID contact 307A can be configured to couple to a contact 293 on the identification chip 174. FIG. 47B shows another example pod ID contact 307B extending from the pod ID overmold 308. FIG. 47C shows another example pod ID contact 307C extending from the pod ID overmold 308.

[0265] As shown in Figures 47A-47C, the cartridge 1320 can be inserted into the cartridge receptacle 318 from the top of the page. In some embodiments, when the cartridge 1320 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 318, the pod ID contacts 307A-307C can be compressed inward or to the left of the page, depending on the insertion of the cartridge 1320. Additionally, the pod ID contacts 307A-307C can be configured to couple to one or more cartridge contacts 124 (e.g., contact 293) after the cartridge 1320 is fully inserted into the cartridge receptacle 318.

[0266] As shown in Figure 47A, the pod ID contact 307A includes a 180 degree bend in the material of the pod ID contact 307A at location 407. The pod ID contact 307C in Figure 47C is similar to and adapted from the pod ID contact 307B in Figure 47B. As shown in Figure 47C, the pod ID contact 307C includes a protective member (e.g., a foot or boot) 408 that at least partially surrounds a portion of the pod ID contact 307C.

[0267] FIG 47D illustrates the assembled cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110. As shown in FIG 47D, the cartridge receptacle 118 includes one or more pod ID contacts including, for example, pod ID contacts 307A, 307B, and 307C on a first side 404 of the cartridge receptacle 418. FIG 47D also illustrates two heater / cartridge receptacle contacts 125A and 125B on a second side 402 of the cartridge receptacle 118.

[0268] FIG. 47E illustrates a top perspective view of a vaporizer body 110 including an example cartridge receptacle 118 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As illustrated in FIG. 47E, the cartridge receptacle 118 can be at least partially disposed within a cosmetic sheath 1219. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 47E, the top rim of the cartridge receptacle 118 and the cosmetic sheath 1219 can be substantially flush. The interior of the cartridge receptacle 118 can include one or more pod ID contacts (e.g., pod ID contacts 307A, 307B, and 307C) and one or more receptacle contacts (e.g., receptacle contacts 125A and 125B). Additionally, the vaporizer body 110 can also include one or more pod retention features 415 that can be disposed within the cartridge receptacle 118 and / or the exterior of the cosmetic sheath 1219. Examples of the pod retention features 415 can include pins, clips, protrusions, detents, and the like. The pod retention mechanism 415 may be configured to secure the cartridge 1320 within the cartridge receptacle 118, including by applying a magnetic force, an adhesive force, a compressive force, a frictional force, or the like to the cartridge 1320.

[0269] In implementations in which the pod retention mechanism 415 is disposed within the cartridge receptacle 118, the pod retention mechanism 415 may be configured to form a mechanical coupling with, for example, at least a portion of the heating element 1350 (e.g., a portion of one or more legs 506 disposed outside the wick housing 1315) and / or a portion of the wick housing 1315 (e.g., a recess within the wick housing 1315). Alternatively and / or additionally, in example implementations in which the pod retention mechanism 415 is disposed outside the cosmetic sheath 1219, the pod retention mechanism 415 may be configured to form a mechanical coupling with a housing of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. It should be understood that the pod retention mechanism 415 may include various means for securing the cartridge 1320 within the cartridge receptacle 118. Additionally, the pod retention mechanism 415 may be disposed at any suitable location within the vaporizer body 110.

[0270] 48A-B show cutaway side views of a cartridge 1320 disposed within a cartridge receptacle 118 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 48A, pod ID contacts 307 can be disposed on a first side of the cartridge receptacle 118 and can be coupled to an identification chip 174 on the cartridge 1320. Additionally, pod ID contacts 309 can be located on a second side of the cartridge receptacle 118 (opposite the first side of the cartridge receptacle 118) and can be coupled to the cartridge 1320. FIG. 48A further shows the pod ID contacts 309 coupled to contacts 293 of the identification chip 250. It should be understood that the cartridge receptacle 118 can be sized to receive at least a portion of the cartridge 1320, including, for example, at least a portion of the wick housing 1315. For example, the cartridge receptacle 118 may be approximately 4.5 millimeters deep, such that the wick housing 1315 having a height of approximately 5.2 millimeters, including a flange disposed at least partially around its upper periphery, may be disposed partially (e.g., up to the flange) within the cartridge receptacle 118. The flange may remain outside the cartridge receptacle 118 when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is coupled to the vaporizer body 110, and may extend at least partially over the rim of the cartridge receptacle 118 and the cosmetic sheath 1219.

[0271] As discussed above, one or more air inlets can be formed and / or maintained while the cartridge 1320 is coupled to the vaporizer body 110, for example, by insertion into the cartridge receptacle 118. The one or more air inlets can be in fluid communication with one or more slots 596 in the wick housing 1315. As a result, air entering through the one or more air inlets can further enter the wick housing 1315 through the one or more slots 596 and flow through and / or around the wicking element 1362. As discussed above, adequate air flow through the wick housing 1315 may be necessary to allow for proper and timely vaporization of the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wicking element 1362. In examples where there are two or more air inlets, the multiple air inlets can be positioned around the assembly including the cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110. For example, the two or more air inlets can be positioned on substantially opposite sides of the assembly including the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110. It is also within the scope of the present subject matter to have two or more air inlets located on the same side of an assembly including the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110, or to have air inlets on different but not substantially opposite (e.g., adjacent) sides of such an assembly.

[0272] In some implementations of the present subject matter, the air inlet may be configured to admit sufficient air to allow for vaporization of the vaporizable material 1302 and generation of an inhalable aerosol. Additionally, as described above, the one or more air inlets may be configured to resist occlusion, for example, by a user's finger, hand, or other body part. For example, the one or more air inlets may be disposed at an interface between the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110. As shown in FIGS. 48A-48D, a recessed region 1395 (e.g., a cavity, gap, seam, etc.) may be formed between the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is coupled with the vaporizer body 110. The one or more air inlets may be disposed within the recessed region 1395 such that portions of the cartridge 1320 (e.g., housing 160) and the vaporizer body 110 may extend beyond the region that includes the one or more air inlets. Additionally, the recessed area 1395 can extend at least partially around the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and vaporizer body 110 to provide clearance for one or more air inlets because a user's finger (or other body part) can cover only a portion of the recessed area 1395. Thus, even when a user's finger (or other body part) covers a portion of the recessed area 1395, as shown in FIG. 48E, air can still enter the one or more air inlets through the uncovered portion of the recessed area.

[0273] It should be appreciated that the air inlet may present at least some constriction to the airflow within the vaporizer cartridge 1320. For example, in the pressure map shown in FIG. 48F, the largest localized pressure drop is observed at the air inlet, where ambient air may enter the cartridge 1320 and provide enough air to allow for vaporization of the vaporizable material 1320 and generation of an inhalable aerosol, as described above. The highest velocity of airflow may also be observed through the air inlet as the ambient air enters the constricted space of the air inlet. A reduction in the velocity of the airflow is observed following intake through the intake port.

[0274] FIG. 49A shows a perspective view of an assembled vaporizer body shell 1220 with the LED badge 1215 facing forward. As shown in FIG. 49A, the shell 1220 can include a cartridge receptacle 118 having a second side 402 with one or more pod retention features, cartridge receptacle contacts 125A and 125B, and pod ID contacts 307. FIG. 49A further shows the shell 1220 as including at least one air inlet 1605 on the right side of the shell 1220. However, it should be understood that the shell 1220 can include additional air inlets located at different locations than shown. For example, in some implementations of the present subject matter, the air inlet 1605 can be disposed above a ridge 1387 of the shell 1220 formed by a first portion of the shell 1220 (including the cosmetic sheath 1219) having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than a second portion of the shell 1220 below the cosmetic sheath 1219 configured to house at least a portion of the power source 112 (e.g., the battery 1212). The air inlet 1605 can be configured to allow ambient air to enter the cartridge 1320 and mix with vapor generated within the atomizer 141. For example, the air inlet 1605 can be in fluid communication with an air flow passage 1338 extending through a body of the cartridge 1320 such that ambient air can enter the air flow passage 1338 via the air inlet 1605 when the cartridge 1320 is coupled with the shell 1220. The mixture of ambient air and vapor generated within the atomizer 141 may be drawn through the air passageway 1338 for inhalation through the mouthpiece 130 (eg, into the user's mouth).

[0275] Alternatively and / or additionally, the air inlet 1605 can be in fluid communication with an air vent 1318 disposed at one end of the overflow channel 1104 in the overflow volume 1344 of the collector 1313. As described above, air can enter or exit the collector 1313 via the air vent 1318. For example, air bubbles trapped within the collector 1313 can be released via the air vent 1318. Additionally, air can also enter the collector 1313 via the air vent 1318 to increase pressure in the reservoir 1340. It should be understood, therefore, that the dimensions of the air inlet 1605, the shape of the air inlet 1605, and / or the location of the air inlet 1605 on the shell 1220 can be sized, shaped, and positioned such that at least a portion of the ambient air entering the air inlet 1605 can enter the collector 1313 via the air vent 1318, and at least a portion of the air discharged from the collector 1313 can exit from the air vent 1318 via the air inlet 1605. The air inlet 1605 can be substantially circular and have a diameter of 0.6 millimeters to 1.0 millimeters. For example, in some implementations of the present subject matter, the air inlet 1605 can be substantially circular and have a diameter of about 0.8 millimeters. In some implementations of the present subject matter, the air vent 1318 can also be in fluid communication with the air passageway 1338. Thus, ambient air entering air inlet 1605 can be supplied to collector 1313 (eg, via air vent 1318) and air passage 1338 (eg, to generate an inhalable aerosol).

[0276] 49B shows a cross-sectional view of a vaporizer body shell 1220 consistent with implementations of the present subject matter. As shown in FIG. 49B, the shell 1220 can include a pressure sensor pathway 1602, a cosmetic sheath 1219, an air inlet 1605 that can also include a pod identification cavity, and a pod ID housing 1607 that can include connections to the pod ID springs 307 or 309 and / or heater contacts 125A and 125B (or 302).

[0277] term When a feature or element is referred to herein as being "on" another feature or element, the feature or element may be directly on the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features and / or elements. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements. Also, when a feature or element is referred to as being "connected," "attached," or "coupled" to another feature or element, it should be understood that the feature or element may be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other feature or element, or there may be intervening features or elements. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly attached," or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements.

[0278] Although described or illustrated with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or illustrated may be applicable to other embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that a reference to a structure or feature being located "adjacent" to another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0279] The terms used herein are used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and implementations and are not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising", as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items and may be abbreviated as " / ".

[0280] In the above description and in the claims, phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of" may appear following a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term "and / or" may appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such phrases are intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the listed elements or features in combination with any of the other listed elements or features. For example, the phrases "at least one of A and B," "one or more of A and B," and "A and / or B" are each intended to mean "A only, B only, or both A and B." A similar interpretation is intended for lists containing more than two items. For example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, and / or C" are each intended to mean "A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together." Use of the term "based on" above and in the claims is intended to mean "based at least in part on," allowing for unrecited features or elements.

[0281] For example, spatially relative terms such as "forward," "backward," "downward," "below," "lower," "upper," "above," and the like may be used herein to facilitate description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were flipped over, an element described as "downward" or "directly below" another element or feature would be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "downward" may encompass both an upward and downward orientation. The device may be oriented in any manner (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptions used herein may be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, terms such as "upward," "downward," "vertically," "horizontally," and the like are used herein for descriptive purposes only, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0282] In this specification, the terms "first" and "second" may be used to describe various features / elements (including steps), but these features / elements are not limited by these terms unless the context dictates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another. Thus, a first feature / element discussed below may be referred to as a second feature / element, and similarly, a second feature / element discussed below may be referred to as a first feature / element, without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0283] Unless otherwise specified, including when used in the examples, all numbers used in this specification and claims can be read as if they are preceded by the words "about" or "approximately" even if these terms do not explicitly appear. When describing a size and / or location, the phrase "about" or "approximately" can be used to indicate that the stated value and / or location is within a reasonable expected range of this value and / or location. For example, a numerical value can have a value that is + / -0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / -1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / -2% of the stated value (or range of values), + / -5% of the stated value (or range of values), + / -10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical value given herein should be understood to include about or approximately that value unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, then "about 10" is also disclosed. Any numerical ranges recited herein are intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. Also, when a value is disclosed, it is understood that "less than or equal to" that value, "more than or equal to" that value, and possible ranges between those values ​​are also disclosed, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, when a value "X" is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" and "more than or equal to X" (e.g., X is a number) are also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in many different formats, and this data represents end and starting points and ranges for any combination of those data points. For example, when a specific data point "10" and a specific data point "15" are disclosed, it is understood that greater than 10 and 15, greater than or equal to 10 and 15, less than 10 and 15, less than or equal to 10 and 15, and equal to 10 and 15 are considered to be disclosed, as well as the range between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two specific units is also disclosed. For example, when 10 and 15 are disclosed, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0284] Although various exemplary embodiments have been discussed above, any of a number of modifications may be made to the various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which the various method steps described are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Any feature of the various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not included in other embodiments. Thus, the foregoing description has been provided primarily for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0285] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuits, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features may be specialized or general purpose and may include implementation in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from and transmit data and instructions to a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system may include clients and servers. The clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communications network. The relationship of clients and servers arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0286] These computer programs, which may also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components or codes, contain machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be executed in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logic programming language and / or an assembly / machine language. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product, apparatus and / or device used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that accepts machine instructions as a machine-readable signal, such as magnetic disks, optical disks, memories and programmable logic devices (PLDs). The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium may store such machine instructions non-transitory, such as a non-transitory solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium may alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions temporarily, such as a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0287] The examples and illustrations contained herein show, by way of example and not by way of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term "invention" for the sole convenience, when more than one is actually disclosed, without any intention of spontaneously limiting the scope of the present application to any single invention or inventive concept. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments with other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

1. 1. A cartridge for a vaporizer device, comprising: a cartridge housing configured to extend below an open top of a receptacle in a vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device; a reservoir disposed within the cartridge housing and configured to contain a vaporizable material; a wick housing disposed within the cartridge housing, the cartridge housing extending below a top of the wick housing and surrounding at least a portion of a periphery of the wick housing; a heating element including a heating portion disposed at least partially within the wick housing and a contact portion disposed at least partially outside the wick housing, the contact portion extending beyond a top of the wick housing to form one or more cartridge contacts configured to form an electrical connection with one or more receptacle contacts in the receptacle of the vaporizer device, the heating element including a substrate material that is folded to form the heating portion and the contact portion; a wicking element disposed within the wick housing proximate the heating portion of the heating element, the wicking element configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir into the wick housing for vaporization by the heating element; A cartridge comprising:

2. 10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the contact portion is further configured to form a mechanical coupling with the receptacle of the vaporizer device, the mechanical coupling securing the cartridge within the receptacle of the vaporizer device.

3. 3. The cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving port comprises a first portion of the body of the vaporizer device having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than a second portion of the body of the vaporizer device, and a recessed area is formed between the cartridge housing and the second portion of the body of the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device.

4. 4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the receiving port includes one or more air inlets that form a fluid connection with one or more slots in a bottom of the wick housing when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device, the one or more slots configured to allow air entering the one or more air inlets to further enter the wick housing, and the one or more air inlets are disposed in the recessed area.

5. The cartridge of claim 4 , wherein the one or more air inlets have a diameter of approximately between 0.6 millimeters and 1.0 millimeters.

6. 6. A cartridge as described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the interior of each of the one or more slots includes at least one step formed by an inner dimension of the one or more slots that is smaller than a dimension of the one or more slots at the bottom of the wick housing, the at least one step providing a constriction point at which a meniscus forms to prevent the vaporizable material within the wick housing from flowing out of the one or more slots.

7. 7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the dimensions of the one or more slots in the bottom of the wick housing are approximately 1.2 millimeters in length by 0.5 millimeters in width, and the inside dimensions of the one or more slots are approximately 1.0 millimeters in length by 0.30 millimeters in width.

8. 8. A cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the substrate material is cut to include one or more comb teeth for forming the heating portion of the heating element, and the substrate material is further cut to include one or more legs for forming the contact portion of the heating element.

9. 9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the contact portion of the heating element is formed by folding each of the one or more legs to form at least a first joint, a second joint and a third joint, the first joint being disposed between the second joint and the third joint, and the second joint being disposed between a tip of each of the one or more legs and the first joint.

10. 10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the one or more cartridge contacts are disposed at the second joint, the heating element is secured to the wick housing by a first mechanical connection between an exterior of the wick housing and a portion of each of the one or more legs between the first joint and the third joint, and the cartridge is secured to the receptacle of the vaporizer device by a second mechanical connection between the second joint and the receptacle of the vaporizer device.

11. 10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the one or more cartridge contacts are disposed at the first joint, the heating element is secured to the wick housing by a first mechanical connection between an exterior of the wick housing and a portion of each of the one or more legs between the tip and the second joint, and the cartridge is secured to the receptacle of the vaporizer device by a second mechanical connection between the first joint and the receptacle of the vaporizer device.

12. 12. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the reservoir includes a storage chamber and a collector, the collector having an overflow channel configured to hold a volume of the vaporizable material in fluid contact with the storage chamber, and wherein one or more microfluidic features are disposed along a length of the overflow channel, each of the one or more microfluidic features being configured to provide a constriction point at which a meniscus forms to prevent air that has entered the reservoir from passing through the vaporizable material in the overflow channel.

13. 13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge housing includes an airflow passage leading to an outlet for an aerosol formed by the heating element that vaporizes the vaporizable material, the collector includes a central tunnel in fluid communication with the airflow passage, and a bottom surface of the collector includes a flow controller configured to mix the aerosol generated by the heating element that vaporizes the vaporizable material.

14. 14. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein an inner surface of the air flow passage includes one or more channels extending from the outlet to the wicking element, the one or more channels configured to collect condensation formed by the aerosol and direct at least a portion of the collected condensation to the wicking element.

15. 15. The cartridge of claim 13 or 14, wherein the flow controller comprises a first channel and a second channel, the first channel being offset from the second channel, and a first inner surface of the first channel being inclined in a different direction than a second inner surface of the second channel to direct a first column of the aerosol entering the central tunnel through the first channel in a different direction than a second column of the aerosol entering the central tunnel through the second channel.

16. 16. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the bottom surface of the flow controller further comprises one or more wick interfaces, the one or more wick interfaces being in fluid communication with one or more wick feeds in the collector, the one or more wick feeds being configured to deliver at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained in the storage chamber to the wicking element disposed within the wick housing.

17. 17. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the wick housing is at least partially disposed within the receptacle of the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device, and wherein a flange is at least partially disposed around an upper periphery of the wick housing, the flange extending over at least a portion of the rim of the receptacle of the cartridge.

18. 18. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the receptacle wall is disposed at least partially between the cartridge housing and the wick housing when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device.

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