Leak-resistant vaporizer

Abstract

To provide leak-resistant vaporizer cartridges and / or vaporization apparatuses for use with vaporizable liquid materials including cannabis oils.SOLUTION: Described in some aspects are leak-resistant vaporizer cartridges and / or vaporization apparatuses for use with vaporizable liquid materials including cannabis oils.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of, or priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 398,494, filed on September 22, 2016 relating to, or claiming priority to, “Vaporizer for Use with Cannabinoids”. This application also claims the benefit of, or priority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 396,584, “Leak - Resistant Vaporizer Cartridge for Use with Cannabinoids”, filed on December 31, 2016. These two applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties as part of this specification

[0002] Technical Field The subject matter of the present application generally relates to vaporizers and methods of using and / or manufacturing vaporizers. Such devices broadly include systems and devices that create and supply an aerosol containing an evaporative substance to be drawn by a user. In particular, embodiments of the subject matter of the present application relate to methods and structures that may reduce leaks of liquid evaporative substances from the vaporizer

[0003] Background Art Vaporizers include a broad category of systems, devices, etc., that can produce an inhalable aerosol by heating an evaporative so that at least one evaporative is vaporized into a flowing gas stream. The device combines the vaporized evaporative with other components of the flowing gas stream to produce or form an inhalable aerosol. Such a device may include an electric vaporizer, which typically heats the evaporative using resistance heating supplied to a heating element from a battery or other power source under the control of an electric control circuit. The vaporizer may also use other heat sources (e.g., combustion or oxidation of a fuel source). Vaporizers consistent with the subject matter of this application may be referred to by various terms such as inhalable aerosol device, aerosolizer, vaporizer, electric vaporizer, and electric vaporizer. Such devices are generally configured for use with one or more evaporatives. Heat acts on the evaporative to produce an inhalable aerosol. The evaporating substance may, in various embodiments of such apparatus, include solids [e.g., herbs, tobacco, cannabis, etc. (including products extracted from such substances)], liquids (e.g., extracts, waxes, certain compounds, solutions containing one or more such substances), and combinations of both solids and liquids.

[0004] Certain types of vaporizers include, or are configured to include, a tank, other reservoir, or volume containing the evaporative. Such devices, in particular, that evaporate or vaporize a liquid evaporative to produce aerosol components, may also include air paths and air tubes or other structures to guide the airflow along the structure of the sprayer or vaporizer. The sprayer or vaporizer may include a wicking structure (e.g., a porous core which may be made of ceramic, fibrous material, cloth, and / or other material) for drawing the liquid evaporative from the reservoir toward a heat supply device for the heating range and heating section.

[0005] In some embodiments, the structure of the atomizer or vaporizer may include a subassembly of a vapor-generating wick and a resistance coil. Embodiments of such a structure may include a system of a cartridge and a vaporizer body. In this system, the cartridge includes a reservoir containing at least partially liquid evaporative material. Air enters the cartridge through one or more intake ports and can be energized (e.g., drawn in or passed through) through a heating range. Heating of the evaporative material in this heating range produces vapor that is drawn into the airflow. This process can result in the air being completely saturated with one or more gaseous components of the evaporative material. As the vapor-containing air flows along the air path, it comes into contact with a cooling surface. This cooling surface can condense the drawn-in vapor. Such systems are generally configured such that the composition of aerosol particles is facilitated by this condensation mechanism to be drawn into the airflow. On the other hand, some of the condensed gaseous components may deposit directly on the cooling surface, be removed from the airflow, and return to the liquid phase in other parts of the cartridge or vaporizer. Furthermore, depending on the complexity of the air path, the added mass of the evaporated material may be lost from the airflow through the accumulation of aerosol particles on the surface of the air passage or other parts of the vaporizer. Such a process results in some clumps of the liquid-phase evaporated material, and / or water or other liquids, being present in parts of the vaporizer other than the reservoir that initially contained the evaporated material. Parts of the vaporizer where the evaporated material can condense or accumulate may include the mouthpiece, electronic circuits, etc. Depending on the amount and type of such evaporated material accumulating in parts of the vaporizer and / or elsewhere, user dissatisfaction (e.g., due to the possibility of unpleasant contact with liquid rather than inhalable aerosols) and / or electronic circuit problems may arise.

[0006] In a certain vaporizer configuration, liquid evaporating material, and / or condensed water or other liquid, may be present in a cartridge outside the reservoir and / or elsewhere inside or on the surface of the vaporizer body due to leakage. This leakage may be caused by a pressure difference between the internal volume of the evaporating material reservoir and atmospheric conditions (which may result from changes such as altitude, temperature changes, or mechanical deformation of the container structure of a non-rigid reservoir, for example, relating to an aircraft).

[0007] Summary of the Invention Aspects of the subject matter of this application relate to a vaporizer, which includes one or more absorbent pads or components located inside the device. These absorbent pads or components are configured to prevent leaks without obstructing airflow or vapor generation. Generally, vapor droplets and particles may accumulate on a filter pad, which is off-axis with respect to the vapor path.

[0008] A vaporizer consistent with the embodiment of the subject matter of this application is: A reservoir configured to contain evaporative material, A mouthpiece configured to supply an aerosol containing the aforementioned evaporative substance to the user, An air passage having an air passage axis, The device includes a heating element configured to heat the evaporating substance and vaporize it in the air drawn into the vaporizer along the airflow path, The aforementioned air passage is connected to the air intake, The air outside the vaporizer enters the vaporizer and the mouthpiece through the intake port. The air passage passes near the heating element. This includes a pad located inside or near the mouthpiece, and away from the airflow axis.

[0009] Details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are shown in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following description, drawings, and claims.

[0010] The accompanying drawings incorporated and constituting portions of this specification illustrate aspects of the subject matter of the present application disclosed herein and, together with the following description, are included in the explanation of certain principles relating to the disclosed embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the accumulation of water droplets and vapor on a pair of filter pads that are off-axis relative to the airflow path of the device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the accumulation of water droplets and vapor on a pair of filter pads that are off-axis relative to the airflow path of the device.

[0012] [Figure 3A] Figure 3A shows a vaporizer equipped with a pair of filter pads that are off-axis relative to the airflow path of the device. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B shows a vaporizer equipped with a pair of filter pads that are off-axis relative to the airflow path of the device.

[0013] [Figure 4A] Figure 4A shows an exemplary vaporizer. This exemplary vaporizer includes two pairs of absorbent filter pads as described herein. Figure 4A shows a cartridge located inside the reusable components of the device. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B shows an exemplary vaporizer. This exemplary vaporizer includes two pairs of absorbent filter pads as described herein. Figure 4B shows a cartridge located inside the reusable components of the device.

[0014] [Figure 5A] Figure 5A shows the body of the vaporizer (for example, the reusable parts of the vaporizer shown in Figures 4A-4B). This Figure 5A is a bottom perspective view. [Figure 5B] Figure 5B shows the vaporizer body (for example, the reusable parts of the vaporizer in Figures 4A-4B). This Figure 5B is a front view. [Figure 5C] Figure 5C shows the body of the vaporizer (e.g., the reusable component of the vaporizing device in FIGS. 4A - 4B). This Figure 5C is a top perspective view (peering into the cartridge receiving part including electrical contacts). [Figure 5D] Figure 5D shows the body of the vaporizer (e.g., the reusable component of the vaporizing device in FIGS. 4A - 4B). This Figure 5D is a side view. [Figure 5E] Figure 5E shows the body of the vaporizer (e.g., the reusable component of the vaporizing device in FIGS. 4A - 4B). This Figure 5E is a top view. [Figure 5F] Figure 5F shows the body of the vaporizer (e.g., the reusable component of the vaporizing device in FIGS. 4A - 4B). This Figure 5F is a bottom view showing the electrical connection part connected to a charger or other wired electrical connection part.

[0015] [Figure 6A] Figure 6A shows the cartridge of the device in FIGS. 4A - 4B. This Figure 6A is a bottom perspective view. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B shows the cartridge of the device in FIGS. 4A - 4B. This Figure 6B is the bottom part. [Figure 6C] Figure 6C shows the cartridge of the device in FIGS. 4A - 4B. This Figure 6C is a top perspective view (showing the opening towards the mouthpiece). [Figure 6D] Figure 6D shows the cartridge of the device in FIGS. 4A - 4B. This Figure 6D is an exploded view of the cartridge in Figure 6A.

[0016] [Figure 7A] Figure 7A shows another view of the cartridge as described herein. This Figure 7A is a bottom perspective view. [Figure 7B] Figure 7B shows another view of the cartridge as described herein. This Figure 7B is a top perspective view. [Figure 7C] Figure 7C shows another view of the cartridge as described herein. This Figure 7C is a front view. [Figure 7D]Figure 7D shows another diagram of a cartridge as described herein. This Figure 7D is a side view. [Figure 7E] Figure 7E shows another diagram of a cartridge as described herein. This Figure 7E is a bottom view. [Figure 7F] Figure 7F shows another diagram of a cartridge as described herein. This Figure 7F is a top view.

[0017] [Figure 8A] Figure 8A shows variations of the vaporizer base of a vaporizer into which cartridges, as shown in Figures 7A-7F, can be inserted. Figure 8A is a bottom perspective view. [Figure 8B] Figure 8B shows variations of the vaporizer base of a vaporizer into which cartridges, as shown in Figures 7A-7F, can be inserted. This Figure 8B is a top perspective view showing the cartridge receiving portion of the vaporizer base. [Figure 8C] Figure 8C shows variations of the vaporizer base of a vaporizer into which cartridges, as shown in Figures 7A-7F, can be inserted. Figure 8C is a front view of the vaporizer base. [Figure 8D] Figure 8D shows variations of the vaporizer base of a vaporizer into which cartridges, as shown in Figures 7A-7F, can be inserted. Figure 8D is a side view of the vaporizer base. [Figure 8E] Figure 8E shows variations of the vaporizer base of a vaporizer into which cartridges, as shown in Figures 7A-7F, can be inserted. This Figure 8E is a rear view of the vaporizer base. [Figure 8F] Figure 8F shows variations of the vaporizer base of a vaporizer into which cartridges, as shown in Figures 7A-7F, can be inserted. This Figure 8F is a bottom view of the vaporizer base. [Figure 8G] Figure 8G shows variations of the vaporizer base of a vaporizer into which cartridges, as shown in Figures 7A-7F, can be inserted. Figure 8G is a top view of the vaporizer base.

[0018] [Figure 9A]Figure 9A shows an assembled vaporizer, including a vaporizer cartridge as shown in Figures 7A-7F, which is fully mounted and held in place by the vaporizer base as shown in Figures 8A-8G. Figure 9A is a bottom perspective view of the assembled vaporizer. [Figure 9B] Figure 9B shows an assembled vaporizer, including a vaporizer cartridge as shown in Figures 7A-7F, which is fully mounted and held in place by the vaporizer base as shown in Figures 8A-8G. Figure 9B is a top perspective view of the assembled vaporizer. [Figure 9C] Figure 9C shows an assembled vaporizer, including a vaporizer cartridge as shown in Figures 7A-7F, which is fully mounted and held in place by the vaporizer base as shown in Figures 8A-8G. Figure 9C is a front view of the assembled vaporizer. [Figure 9D] Figure 9D shows an assembled vaporizer, including a vaporizer cartridge as shown in Figures 7A-7F, which is fully mounted and held in place by the vaporizer base as shown in Figures 8A-8G. Figure 9D is a side view of the assembled vaporizer. [Figure 9E] Figure 9E shows an assembled vaporizer, including the vaporizer cartridge shown in Figures 7A-7F, which is fully mounted and held in place by the vaporizer base shown in Figures 8A-8G. Figure 9E is a rear view of the assembled vaporizer. [Figure 9F] Figure 9F shows an assembled vaporizer, including the vaporizer cartridge shown in Figures 7A-7F, which is fully mounted and held in place by the vaporizer base shown in Figures 8A-8G. Figure 9F is a bottom view of the vaporizer. [Figure 9G] Figure 9G shows an assembled vaporizer, including a vaporizer cartridge as shown in Figures 7A-7F, which is fully mounted and held in place by the vaporizer base as shown in Figures 8A-8G. Figure 9G is a top view of the vaporizer.

[0019] [Figure 10A]Figure 10A is an exploded view of the cartridge shown in Figures 7A-7F, with components arranged in a straight line.

[0020] [Figure 10B] Figure 10B is another exploded view of the cartridge shown in Figures 7A-7F. This exploded view shows the components arranged adjacent to each other in an approximate perpendicular position relative to the assembly.

[0021] [Figure 11A] Figure 11A is a semi-perspective view (in which the outer casing of the vaporizer base, mouthpiece, and cartridge housing are visible). This semi-perspective view shows the air path through the assembled vaporizer as shown in Figures 7A-7G.

[0022] [Figure 11B] Figure 11B shows a front view of an embodiment of a vaporizer base with a perforated outer housing (case or shell). This front view shows the cartridge receiving end, including the connector and intake port. [Figure 11C] Figure 11C shows a rear view of an embodiment of a vaporizer base with a perforated outer housing (case or shell). This rear view shows the cartridge receiving end, including the connector and intake port.

[0023] [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a magnified view of a portion of the cartridge passing through the midline of the proximal (upper) part (indicated by the dashed line 12-12' in Figure 9A). This magnified view shows the air path from the vaporization chamber to the mouthpiece opening.

[0024] [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the vaporizer (including the vaporizer base to which the vaporizer cartridge is connected) through the midline. This cross-sectional view shows the air path during suction (discharge, inhalation, etc.).

[0025] [Figure 14]Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view through the cartridge. This cross-sectional view shows a pair of distal absorbent pads offset from the airflow path below the mouthpiece (indicated by the cross-section along the dashed line 14-14' in Figure 9B).

[0026] [Figure 15A] Figure 15A is a cross-sectional view taken through the median line of a vaporizer assembled as shown in Figure 9A (through the line 15A-15A' in Figure 9A).

[0027] [Figure 15B] Figure 15B is another cross-sectional view passing through the midline of the assembled vaporizer as shown in Figure 9A (through the line 12-12' in Figure 9A).

[0028] [Figure 15C] Figure 15C shows another cross-sectional view through the assembled vaporizer (through the line 15C-15C' in Figure 9A).

[0029] [Figure 15D] Figure 15D is a cross-sectional view through the cartridge (through line 15D-15D' in a cartridge as shown in Figure 7A). This cross-sectional view shows a pair of overflow filter pads that are out-of-axis with respect to the airflow path of the device.

[0030] [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view through another exemplary vaporizer (line 16-16' in Figure 9B). This cross-section is near the base of the cartridge, which is inserted into the cartridge receptacle at the base of the vaporizer.

[0031] [Figure 17] Figure 17 is an electrical circuit diagram of the heating element and connector. This electrical circuit diagram shows the Seebeck coefficient for a simplified model of the components of the heating circuit.

[0032] [Figure 18]Figure 18 shows a Seebeck measurement circuit for correcting the vaporization device for the Seebeck effect. This Seebeck measurement circuit is configured as a two-terminal detection circuit.

[0033] [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows another embodiment of the Seebeck measurement circuit for a vaporizer. This Seebeck measurement circuit is configured as a 4-terminal (4-point) circuit.

[0034] [Figure 20A] Figure 20A shows an embodiment of a heating coil comprising different component conductors connected to form a resistance heater. The temperature from this heating coil can be determined using a Seebeck detection circuit as described herein. [Figure 20B] Figure 20B shows an embodiment of a heating coil comprising different component conductors connected to form a resistance heater. The temperature from this heating coil can be determined using a Seebeck detection circuit as described herein.

[0035] [Figure 21] Figure 21 shows one embodiment of a user interface (UI) using an external controller (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, etc.) for the apparatus described herein.

[0036] [Figure 22] Figure 22 shows another embodiment of the UI relating to the apparatus described herein.

[0037] [Figure 23] Figure 23 shows a flowchart illustrating the process of describing the features of a method consistent with the embodiment of the subject matter of the present application.

[0038] When implemented, similar reference numbers represent similar structures, features, or elements. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0039] Conventional vaporizers cannot address one or more of the aforementioned challenges or other problems, which involve managing the liquid evaporating substance outside the reservoir. In the case of evaporative liquids such as cannabis extract, the liquid substance is particularly oily and / or viscous. Evaporation of this liquid substance can result in a viscous residue. This sticky residue can impair the operation of the vaporizer. Such problems are particularly troublesome. Furthermore, evaporating cannabis extract is technically more difficult than evaporating other liquids (such as nicotine solutions).

[0040] Solutions to the accumulation of water droplets used in conventional e-cigarettes and / or other vaporizers require integrating a filter pad along the airflow. A significant drawback of such solutions is that the filter pad along the airflow removes and absorbs most of the inhalable aerosol. Furthermore, having a filter pad along the airflow can obstruct or restrict the airflow when the user inhales towards the mouthpiece. Moreover, this restriction of airflow generally increases as the filter becomes wet with liquid. This forces the user to alter their inhalation appropriately and increases the risk of the generated liquid being inhaled into the user's mouth.

[0041] Furthermore, temperature control when evaporating cannabis extracts and / or other evaporatives may require high precision. Improved power management and control of the heater (atomizer) are preferred in many embodiments of vaporizers. In particular, vaporizers suitable for evaporating cannabis (e.g., solutions of liquid cannabis extract, extracts from other plants, or oils) benefit from precise control of the heater used to produce vapor from evaporatives containing such substances.

[0042] When vaporizing drugs like cannabis, it can be beneficial to provide an immediate (visual) approximation of the amount of substance consumed. Other assistance can be achieved through the use of pre-built, tightly controlled cartridges designed for use when consuming cannabis extracts.

[0043] Embodiments of the subject matter of this application relate to vaporizers (including, but not limited to, vaporizer cartridges) and methods of manufacture, operation, and / or use. This may provide assistance with one or more of the aforementioned problems.

[0044] As described above, apparatus and / or methods consistent with embodiments of the subject matter of this application generally include a heater for vaporizers for generating one or more gaseous components of the vaporizer. The vaporizer may include liquid and / or oily plant materials. One or more gaseous components of the vaporizer may condense after evaporation. Thus, an aerosol is formed in an airflow that can be supplied for inhalation by the user. In embodiments of the subject matter of this application, such a vaporizer is particularly configured for use with oily vaporizers such as cannabis oil, for example.

[0045] One or more features of the subject matter of this application include one or more cartridges (also referred to as vaporizer cartridges) and a reusable vaporizer body (also referred to as vaporizer base, body, base, etc.). This feature can be used with a suitable vaporizer. (In embodiments, it is appropriately named so as to be used with the apparatus. The characteristics, settings, etc., of this apparatus are configured, or can be configured, to be compatible with use with the vaporizer.) The vaporizer may include one or more liquids, such as oils, extracts, aqueous solutions, or other solutions of one or more substances, which are preferably provided in the form of an inhalable aerosol.

[0046] In one embodiment, the evaporating substance comprises a viscous liquid such as cannabis oil. In one variation, the cannabis oil comprises a cannabis oil extract of 40–100%. The viscous oil may contain 0.01–25% (e.g., 0.1–22%, 1–20%, and / or 1–15%) of carriers to improve vapor formation, such as propylene glycol and glycerol. In one variation, the vapor-forming carrier is 1,3-propanediol. The cannabis oil may also contain (natural and / or synthetic) cannabinoids and / or terpenes. For example, any of the evaporatives described herein may be one or more CBG (cannabigerol), CBC (cannabichromene), CBL (cannabicyclol), CBV (cannabivarin), THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin), CBDV (cannabidivarin), CBCV (cannabichromevarin), CBGV (cannabigerovarin), CBGM (cannabigerol monomethyl ether), tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), or one or more endocannabinoids (e.g., Anandor). It may also contain one or more cannabinoids (e.g., mixtures) including synthetic cannabinoids such as mid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, 2-arachidonoylglyceryl ether, N-arachidonoyldopamine, biloidamine, lysophosphatiedelinositol, and / or one or more synthetic cannabinoids such as JWH-018, JWH-073, CP-55940, dimethylheptylpyran, HU-210, HU-331, SR144528, WIN55, 212-2, JWH-133, levonantrador (nantrodrum), and AM-2201.The oily evaporative may contain one or more terpenes such as hemiterpenes, monoterpenes (e.g., geraniol, terpineol, limonene, myrcene, linalool, pinene, iridoids), sesquiterpenes (e.g., humulene, farnesene, farnesol), diterpenes (e.g., cafestol, kahweol, sembren, and taxadiene), sesterterpenes (e.g., geranylfarnesol), triterpenes (e.g., squalene), sescualterpenes (e.g., ferdicadiol and tetraprenylcurcumene), tetraterpenes (lycopene, gamma-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene), polyterpenes, and norisoprenoids. For example, the oily evaporatives described herein may contain 20-80% (e.g., 30-90%, 40-80%, 50-75%, 60-80%) of cannabinoids, 0-40% (e.g., 1-30%, 10-30%, 10-20%) of terpenes, and 0-25% of a carrier (e.g., polyethylene glycol).

[0047] In any of the oily evaporatives described herein (particularly cannabinoid-based evaporatives), the viscosity may be within a predetermined range, which is approximately 30 cP (centipoise) to 115 kcP (kilocentipoise). For example, the viscosity may be between 40 cP and 113 kcP. Outside this range, the evaporative may fail to escape adequately to produce vapor as described herein. In particular, the oil may be formed thin enough to allow escape at a rate beneficial to the apparatus described herein. The oil also limits leakage. (For example, viscosity less than 40 cP may result in leakage problems.) The subject matter of this application may be particularly useful with respect to vaporizers configured for use with evaporatives. These evaporatives may be very poorly sticky and / or may cause corrosion or other impediments to the good user experience and / or cause deterioration or lack of durability of one or more vaporizer components. Leaks or other factors that would lead to the presence of such material outside the reservoir of the evaporative material are highly undesirable for reasons described herein. Figures 7A–7F feature an embodiment of the cartridge. This cartridge is configured for use with a viscous, oily evaporative material (having a viscosity between 40 cP and 113 kcP at room temperature), such as cannabis oil. In this embodiment, the cartridge 700 includes a flattened body with a substantially elliptical cross-section (see, for example, Figures 7E and 7F showing top and bottom views) and a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is attached to the body, which forms a reservoir portion that holds the evaporative material. The body 790 may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The mouthpiece includes one or more openings 792 at its proximal end. Outside this proximal end, vapor can be inhaled by breathing through the device. The bottom portion may include a locking mechanism (e.g., claws, recesses, magnetic locks, etc.) for connecting and securing the cartridge inside the cartridge receiving portion of a vaporizer base, such as a reusable vaporizer base 800. The features of this vaporizer base 800 are shown in Figures 8A to 8G.In this embodiment, the body of the vaporizer 800 may be elongated and include an outer shell or cover 890. The proximal end of the vaporizer base may include an opening that forms a cartridge receiving portion 892. As described in detail below, the cartridge receiving portion may include one or more openings (e.g., lateral openings) to allow airflow to enter.

[0048] Any of these cartridges may instead include a rim, ridge, groove, projection, lip, etc., along the distal end for engagement with a preferred part of the vaporizer. For example, in Figure 7D, cartridge 700 has a groove or edge 795 at its distal end. This groove or lip 795 may engage with a bendable or deformable claw or projection in the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer. This may provide a snap fit. Generally, the cartridge fits into the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer by frictional engagement. The snap fit provides auditory and / or tactile confirmation that the cartridge is held. This engagement can lock or hold the cartridge in the receptacle. On the other hand, this engagement makes it easy to pull out the cartridge in order to remove it.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7C, the elongated, flattened body 790 may have an internal tank section 791 (for example, for holding evaporative material) and an overflow leak chamber 793 distal to it. These structures can be formed by internal components within the elongated, flattened body, as described below.

[0050] Figures 10A and 10B, via exploded views, illustrate the features of an embodiment of a cartridge configured for using a liquid evaporative in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter of the present application as described herein. In this embodiment, the apparatus includes a cartridge body 1005. The cartridge body 1005 may be transparent, opaque, and / or translucent. The cartridge body 1005 may form a reservoir for liquid evaporatives and, in particular, viscous liquid evaporatives such as cannabinoid oil as described herein. The cartridge may include an external seal (e.g., an O-ring 1009) that seals a mouthpiece 403 covering the body 1005. The cartridge body 1005 may be sealed at its top (proximal end), below the mouthpiece 403, by a integrally molded plug 888. The plug 888 covers a plurality of openings that may be used to fill the tank. A vaporization chamber may be formed at the bottom (distal end) of the cartridge. The vaporization chamber may be formed from a cannula and a housing component 1011. The housing component 1011 includes one or more openings. The core (core and coil core portion 443) enters this opening and enters the chamber. The wall forming the vaporization chamber separates the vaporization chamber from the tank and connects to a back portion 1013 that forms the bottom (distal end) of the tank inside the cartridge body. As shown in the figure, this back portion may be sealed from the inside of the cartridge body toward the cartridge body (e.g., by an O-ring 1015). An air chamber is formed between the bottom plate 1019 of the cartridge and the back portion 1013 of the tank. One or more (e.g., two) air openings 796, 796' (see Figure 7E) formed in this bottom plate 1019 allow air to pass through the distal end of the cartridge, through the air chamber portion, and through the opening toward the vaporization chamber (after passing through one or more openings 894 on the side (see Figure 8D), and entering the cartridge receiving portion). The bottom plate 1019 forming the bottom of the cartridge may provide or include one or more (two) electrical connectors. This electrical connector is configured to connect to a connector at the base of the vaporizer. These contacts may be, for example, wiper contacts or peel-off contacts.In Figures 10A and 10B, these contacts are shown as cans 1021 and 1021' having openings. Pins from the vaporizer base protrude toward these openings to form electrical contacts.

[0051] The vaporizer body may include a battery and one or more control circuits, which are built into the cover 890. The control circuits may control a heater located in the cartridge. The heater may generally include a heating coil (resistive heater) that is in thermal contact with a wick. Alternatively, an additional connector made of a different material (e.g., a conductive material) may connect the heating coil to an electrical contact at the base of the cartridge. The control circuits may include one or more additional circuits, such as a Seebeck measurement circuit, which corrects for offsets and other errors in determining the temperature and the power supplied to the device. The control circuits include, control, and / or communicate with a battery regulator. (The battery regulator may adjust the battery output, adjust the charging / discharging of the battery, and provide notifications indicating conditions such as low battery charge.) The control circuits include, control, and / or communicate with output destinations such as a display unit, one or more LEDs, one or more LCDs, a tactile output, or a combination thereof. In the embodiments shown in Figures 7A-9G, the device includes four (RGB) LEDs 897, which are arranged in a pattern. (For example, circular, spiral, or floral patterns, and other patterns may include, for example, linear patterns.) Any of the devices described herein may include a wireless communication circuit that is part of a control circuit, connected to a control circuit, and / or controlled by a control circuit. The device may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote processor (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable electronic device, etc.). This configuration allows the device to receive control information (e.g., temperature settings, dose counter resets, etc.) and / or output information (dose information, operation information, error information, temperature setting information, charge / battery information, etc.).

[0052] The device includes one or more inputs, such as an accelerometer, a lip-detection input, or a contact input. In a vaporizer, the device does not include any visible buttons, switches, or external user inputs on the outer surface of the cartridge or vaporizer base. In this vaporizer, the input may be an accelerometer (connected to, part of, and / or controlled by) a control circuit. The accelerometer and part of the accelerometer's control circuit may be configured to detect striking the device (e.g., the case), rotating the device (e.g., around the long or short axis of the device), and / or other intentional movements of the device. In some variations, where a cartridge is connected and / or removed from the vaporizer base, the device may include a circuit for sensing / detection. For example, a cartridge detection circuit may determine the circumstances under which a cartridge is connected to the device based on the electrical state of electrical contacts in the cartridge receptacle of the vaporizer base. For example, with respect to the vaporizer base shown in Figure 5C, two electrical contacts 595, 595' are shown. When no cartridge is inserted into the device, the circuit is open (for example, between electrical contacts 595 and 595'). When a cartridge is inserted, electrical contacts 595, 595' (shown in Figures 5C and 11B) engage with the cartridge contacts (such as a wiping contract that rubs to remove any leaking and / or dried evaporative material from the surface of the electrode contacts). When the resistance between the contacts changes within a recognizable range (from the open circuit), the controller (via an independent or integrated cartridge detection circuit) may determine that a cartridge has been inserted. Other cartridge detection units may include, and / or use in addition to, a trip switch (which is activated when a cartridge is present). Any of the devices described herein may include one or more breath detection units. These breath detection units include a pressure sensor (e.g., a microphone coil) 1109 having a connection to the inside of the cartridge receptacle, as shown in Figure 11B.

[0053] The vaporizer body may include a connector 899 at its distal end (as shown in Figure 8F) for connecting the device to a charger and / or data connection. The internal battery can be charged by connecting the device to the connector. Alternatively, other electrical connectors and / or electromagnetic induction charging may be used.

[0054] Figures 9A–9G show embodiments of the vaporizer 900 from various viewpoints, in which the cartridge 700 is fully inserted into the vaporizer body 800. This device may be small, lightweight, and portable. This portable device can be safely stored in a pocket, case, or similar.

[0055] When operating, the user can start the vaporizer (which is already fully charged) by inhaling through the mouthpiece. The device may detect the inhalation (using, for example, a pressure sensor, flow sensor, and / or such, including a flow meter detection unit) and increase the power toward a predetermined temperature preset. The power can be adjusted by a controller using the detection of changes in the resistance of the heating coil and the temperature coefficient of resistivity that determines the temperature. If there are various electrically conductive materials connecting the resistance heater to the power supply, as described in more detail below, the temperature determination and / or the power applied can be optionally corrected. In this case, since the Seebeck effect is a concern, a detection circuit may be used to estimate and guarantee against the potential source of this error.

[0056] In any apparatus consistent with the embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the temperature may be adjusted or selected by the user. As described above, in some variations, the apparatus may not include external control or user input. On the other hand, the apparatus may allow the user to select a temperature, e.g., 100°C, from many (two or more, three or more, or more) of the above-mentioned preset heating / evaporation temperatures. This is achieved by allowing the user to adjust a pair of different inputs inside the apparatus (not from controls on the surface of the apparatus) within a time period (e.g., within 60 seconds, within 50 seconds, within 45 seconds, within 40 seconds, within 30 seconds, within 20 seconds, within 10 seconds, between 1 and 60 seconds, between 2 and 60 seconds, between 3 and 60 seconds, etc.). Such detection may be an accelerometer input within a predetermined time period after the cartridge has been removed and / or inserted (e.g., one or more taps, three or more taps, rotating the apparatus around its long axis, etc.). For example, the device may enter temperature selection mode by removing the cartridge after shaking the device (for example, for more than one second, or more than two seconds) to allow the user to select a temperature. In temperature selection mode, the user can choose from several (e.g., four) preset temperatures by repeating the preset temperatures, for example by tapping the device housing (or another pre-set action). These preset temperatures are displayed on the device's output (e.g., LED, monitor, LCD, etc.).

[0057] Buttons, particularly other inputs of the device that are not external buttons (or are not connected), may be used in a predetermined startup sequence (e.g., a tapping pattern detected by an accelerometer after inserting / removing a cartridge) or in a set of sequential independent operations. For example, the device may enter temperature selection mode after removing and inserting a cartridge three times in succession (e.g., each step within 5 seconds). In any of the variations described herein, simply shaking the device may use an output to display information about the device's status (e.g., charge level). Additional inputs that do not use buttons within a predetermined time (e.g., removing and / or inserting a cartridge) may allow the operating temperature to be selected.

[0058] In one variation, the device includes multiple (e.g., four) presets and any additional presets (e.g., a fifth or more) that can be configured by the user. Alternatively, or in addition, an external controller (such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer) may communicate with the device to enable setting and / or selecting the operating temperature.

[0059] In the embodiment, the device may be operated in such a way that the user can select an operating temperature (set a mode) by shaking the device with the inserted cartridge. In one variation, this may change the display (e.g., multicolor LEDs on the surface of the device). For example, battery life may be displayed using multiple LEDs arranged in a specific pattern (e.g., the X-shaped pattern 897 shown in Figure 8C). In this state, removing the cartridge may result in a temperature setting mode. The device may automatically repeat, for example, four (or more, depending on the user) presets. The user may select one preset by reinserting the cartridge at an appropriate time. In one variation, the preset temperatures may be 270°C, 320°C, 370°C, and 420°C. In one variation, the user may change or include additional presets within the temperature range of each preset, for example, within the operating range of 270-420°C. Other preset temperatures may be available.

[0060] As described above, an apparatus consistent with the embodiments of the subject matter of this application may be operated by an external processor that receives inputs and / or outputs for controlling the operation of the apparatus, as described herein. For example, a vaporizer may be operated by application software. This application software enables control of temperature or other functional settings and / or enables the storage, display, and / or transmission of information, including dose information, about operation and / or use. As described herein, an approximate dose estimate may be determined based on the power supplied to the heater (resistance coil) during (gradual) inhalation, for example, the power supplied to the coil, which increases with the inhalation time. This approximate “dose” estimate may be accumulated by using a particular cartridge. (For example, once a cartridge is inserted, the approximate “dose” estimate may be accumulated and / or displayed until approximately a “session” of the cartridge is reached and the cartridge is removed.)

[0061] For example, Figures 21 and 22 show exemplary user interfaces for application software that allows the user to set and / or adjust the device's preset temperatures. In the user interface shown in Figure 21, the user can select a preset temperature. Figure 22 shows the use of application software to control the device's state and operation. For example, the user can lock / unlock the device and confirm its use (e.g., by dose estimation).

[0062] As described herein, devices consistent with embodiments of the subject matter of this application may enable a user to perform one or more interactive “games” with the device. For example, any of these devices may include entertainment modes that can be achieved by operating the device (e.g., by tapping, shaking, rotating, or spitting in a predetermined pattern). Generally, an entertainment mode may include one or more presentations (e.g., LED light display, tone / music, vibration pattern, or a combination thereof), and / or a game. The device may be configured to allow selection of presentation or game states to be performed, or the device may randomly select one of them. Generally, the game may be interactive. The game may allow the user to provide input, i.e., detection of spitting / airflow, insertion and / or removal of a cartridge, etc., via one or more inputs, such as movement of the device, via detection of touching actions, or via buttons and / or capacitive sensors (e.g., lip detection).

[0063] For example, the entertainment mode may include a game such as a pattern-following game. In this game, the device presents an output (e.g., one or more LEDs that light up in a predetermined pattern and / or color). The device (e.g., a controller) may also determine whether a response input by the user relates to a predetermined response. Generally, the same controller used to control the heater may be used to control the entertainment mode, including the game. Alternatively, a separate controller may be used and may communicate with the controller that controls the heater.

[0064] One or more games may include memory games. For example, in a memory game, the device presents an output sequence and determines whether the sequence of responses input by the user relates to a predetermined sequence of responses. One or more games may include evoked output games. In this game, the device presents outputs in response to predetermined user inputs. For example, the device presents a series of LEDs in different positions and / or colors based on the angle or movement of the user holding the device.

[0065] One or more games may include chance-based games. In these games, the device is configured to display one or more random patterns of color, tone, or vibration in response to predetermined user input. The entertainment mode may include a display game. In this game, the output unit includes multiple LEDs. The device is also configured to cause the LEDs to repeat a predetermined sequence of colors in response to predetermined user input. The entertainment mode may include a tone game. In this game, the output includes multiple tones. The device is also configured to perform a predetermined sequence of tones in response to predetermined user input.

[0066] As described above, the device may be configured to switch between normal mode and entertainment mode by providing one or more predetermined user operations to the input. For example, the device may rotate. In one variation, the input of the device includes an accelerometer. The device may also be configured to switch between normal mode and entertainment mode by rotating the device (e.g., three or more times) around one or more directions.

[0067] In addition to, or instead of, games, entertainment modes include entertainment outputs (displays) that operate when an entertainment mode is activated. For example, as described above, entertainment outputs may include the display of one or more colors and / or patterns, tones or continuous tones, vibrations or continuous vibrations in the output.

[0068] [Preventing leaks]

[0069] Apparatuses described herein, consistent with embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, may be configured to prevent or reduce leakage of evaporatives. As described above, leakage of liquid evaporatives, such as oily evaporatives (especially cannabinoid oils), is particularly troublesome for vaporizers because evaporatives can dry into a viscous, tar-like substance that is contaminated and can interfere with the operation of the apparatus, particularly reusable parts (e.g., the vaporizer base). Leakage of liquid evaporatives is undesirable.

[0070] Apparatuses described herein that are consistent with embodiments of the subject matter of the present application may include one or more absorbent pads or components. These absorbent pads or components are configured to prevent leaks without obstructing airflow or vapor generation. Generally, vapor droplets and particles may accumulate on a filter pad. This filter pad is off-axis with respect to the vapor path.

[0071] A vaporizer (system) consistent with the subject embodiment of the present application may include a heating element, which may include a resistance heating element. The heating element may heat the evaporating substance so that the temperature of the substance rises. Vapor may be produced by heating the substance.

[0072] In some scenarios, the vaporizer may have a “sprayer” or “cartomizer” configured to heat an aerosol that forms a solution (e.g., an evaporating substance). The evaporating substance may be heated to a sufficient temperature for evaporation (e.g., between 200 and 500°C, between 250 and 450°C, or between 270 and 420°C). The device may include one or more preset evaporation temperatures and control the temperature (via a controller including feedback logic) until a predetermined and / or selected temperature is reached.

[0073] The atomizer may include a small heating element. This small heating element is configured to heat and / or evaporate at least a portion of the evaporating material and the wicking material that can draw the liquid evaporating material into the atomizer (e.g., heater). If the device includes wicking material, the wicking material may include silica fiber, cotton, ceramic, hemp, stainless steel mesh, and / or rope cable. The wicking material may be configured to draw the liquid evaporating material into the atomizer without the use of a pump or other mechanically moving parts. A resistance wire may be wound around the wicking material and connected to the anode and cathode of a current source (e.g., energy source). The resistance wire may be a coil. If the resistance wire is effective, the resistance wire (or coil) may increase in temperature in proportion to the current flowing through the resistance wire to generate heat. The heat may be transferred to at least a portion of the evaporating material by conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat transfer so that at least a portion of the evaporating material evaporates.

[0074] Instead of, or in addition to, a sprayer, the vaporizer may be configured as a "cartomizer" that generates an aerosol from the evaporating material for inhalation by the user. The cartomizer may comprise a cartridge and a sprayer. The cartomizer may comprise a heating element encased in liquid-impregnated polyfoam that serves as a container for the evaporating material (e.g., liquid). The cartomizer may be reusable, refillable, and / or disposable. The cartomizer may be used in conjunction with a tank for external storage of the evaporating material.

[0075] Air may be drawn into the vaporizer to carry away evaporated aerosols from the heating section. At this time, the aerosols cool or condense to form liquid particles suspended in the air. This air may be inhaled by the user through a mouthpiece. For example, any of the devices described herein may include an intake groove or path. The intake groove may be fluid-coupled to the heater so that the vapor formed by the heater passes through the intake groove. This intake groove may also be fluid-coupled to a mouthpiece. This mouthpiece may be integrated into the device (including a cartridge).

[0076] One or more vaporizer configurations may be designed and / or controlled to deliver vapor to a user with one or more predetermined characteristics. For example, a vaporizer configuration that can be designed and / or controlled to deliver vapor with predetermined characteristics may include a heating temperature, a heating mechanism, an air intake, an internal volume of the device, and / or a material configuration.

[0077] Energy may be required to operate the heating element. This energy may be obtained from a battery electrically connected to the heating element. Alternatively, a chemical reaction (e.g., combustion or other exothermic reaction) may supply energy to the heating element.

[0078] The term "aerosol" generally refers to a colloid of fine solid particles or droplets in air or other gases. Generally, the aerosols described herein are liquid aerosols in which liquid particles in air are predominant (e.g., more than 80%, more than 85%, more than 90%, more than 95%). The liquid or solid particles in an aerosol can vary the average diameter of the clumps. This clumping ranges from monodisperse aerosols containing particles of common size, which can be produced in the laboratory, to polydisperse colloidal systems exhibiting a range of particle sizes. As the size of these particles increases, the settling velocity of the particles increases, causing the aerosol to settle more quickly. This settling velocity makes the aerosol less dense, thus reducing the time the aerosol remains in the air. Interestingly, aerosols with smaller particles are thicker and denser because the aerosol has more particles. The number of particles has a greater effect on light scattering than the particle size (at least within a range of possible particle sizes). Therefore, vapor clouds with a large number of smaller particles are denser than clouds with a small number of larger particles.

[0079] Vapor refers to a gaseous substance at temperatures below its critical point. As described herein, vapor includes many liquid aerosols. For convenience, the terms vapor and aerosol, which generally refer to liquid aerosols, may be used alternately herein, as is common in the art of electrovaporation.

[0080] The methods and apparatus described herein have a broad range of applications for inhaling activated substances, such as plants, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, or other substances that are inhaled to provide an aid or sensation to the end user. In one embodiment, the apparatus described herein includes a tank having a liquid containing an activated component such as nicotine, cannabis, or cannabinoids.

[0081] The term "cannabis" refers to plants of the genus Cannabis, and their loose-leaf products or extracts. As stated above, the term "cannabinoid" refers to plant-derived or synthetic compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors and may have biological effects. Cannabinoids include acids, salts, and bioactive stereoisomers. Representative cannabinoids include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabigerol (CBG), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), cannabichromvaline (CBCV), cannabigerovaline (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (D8THC), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9THC), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabinolic acid (CBNA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidivalic acid (CBDVA), cannabidiol (CBD), CBCA (cannabichromic acid), cannabichromene (CBC), or CBLA (cannabicyclolic acid), and / or the salts or stereoisomers of the above.

[0082] The apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol described herein may include a battery, a cartridge or tank containing or configured to contain an evaporative, at least one input (for example, in a variation that does not have any inputs on the outer surface of the apparatus, e.g., "buttonless"), and a body having a circuit for controlling the apparatus.

[0083] Figures 1 and 2 show a vaporizer 200 consistent with the embodiment of the subject matter of the present application. The vaporizer 200 includes two filter pads 222a and 222b. The filter pads 222a and 222b are offset from the central axis of the air passage 212. Both condensation and particle aggregation occur as the vapor travels through the air tube 208 and begins to return to a liquid state. As the vapor exits the air tube 208 into the air passage 212, water droplets (see Figure 1) and larger particles (see Figure 2) are filtered through the pads 222a and 222b (i.e., via gravity) without interfering with the user's inhalation in the device.

[0084] One or more pads (including pads 222a and 222b) used with the vaporizer described herein may be formed of a desiccant. The desiccant allows water droplets to escape quickly and disperse them quickly within itself. Therefore, the desiccant may be hydrophilic. Typical materials include, but are not limited to, cotton, e.g., nonwoven cotton, lintner paper, felt, cellulose, or hydrophilic polymers. Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, one or more pads may be formed to have a curved shape or curved direction. Alternatively, one or more pads may be substantially flat panels. In accordance with some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, one or more pads may be formed of thin sheets of two or more layered materials.

[0085] One or more pads may be positioned inside or near the mouthpiece to capture water droplets before being inhaled by the user. Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in some embodiments, one or more pads may be pushed up against or near the inner surface of the vaporizer to minimize interference with the vaporizer components. Alternatively, one or more pads may be detached from the inner wall to maximize the surface area capable of absorbing water droplets. These pads may be rectangular, circular, oval, triangular, square, or other shapes. The shape and size of the pads are chosen to maximize moisture and particle collection and minimize interference with the airway.

[0086] Figures 3A and 3B show another embodiment of the vaporizer 300 using water droplet accumulation pads 322a and 322b. The vaporizer 300 includes a cartridge 301 that can be attached to a reusable component 311. (This reusable component 311 may include electronic equipment that supplies power to the device, etc.) As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the cartridge 301 includes a tank 302, a heater assembly 343, an air tube 308 that forms an air path, and a mouthpiece 303. As shown in the figures, the pads 322a and 322b are rectangular and flat and are positioned parallel to each other inside the mouthpiece 303 on either side of the air tube 308. (i.e., they are offset from the axis of the air tube 308.) The vaporizer 300 may also have any of the features described in U.S. Patent Application 15 / 053,927, “Vaporizing System and Method,” filed February 25, 2016, U.S. Published Patent 2016-0174611A1. This application in its entirety is incorporated herein by reference as constituting a part thereof.

[0087] Figures 4A to 4B show another embodiment of the vaporizer 400 using one or more pads. As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the vaporizer 400 includes reusable parts 411 and a cartridge 401. The diameter of the device 400 is greater than its width (for example, 1.2 times or more, 1.3 times or more, 1.4 times or more, 1.5 times or more, 1.6 times or more, 1.7 times or more, 1.8 times or more, 1.9 times or more, etc.). This configuration gives the device a substantially long and flat shape.

[0088] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the reusable component 411 includes a shell 431. This shell 431 may house electronics that operate the vaporizer 400. The reusable component 411 may also include one or more LED-like visual indicators 421 to indicate the operating status of the vaporizer 400. The distal end of the reusable component 411 (shown in Figures 5A and 5F) includes a charging element 433 configured to charge the device. Furthermore, the proximal end of the device (shown in Figure 5E) includes contacts 595, 595' for maintaining an electrical connection with the cartridge 401.

[0089] In Figures 6A–6D, the cartridge 401 is shown. As shown in the exploded view of Figure 6D, the cartridge 401 includes a tank 441 configured to hold a liquid evaporative, a heater 443 (e.g., a wick and coil assembly) configured to heat the evaporative in the tank 441, and an air tube 408 forming an air path extending from the tank 441 to the mouthpiece 403. The cartridge 401 may include an outer seal (e.g., an O-ring 409) that seals the mouthpiece 403 in the tank 441. The tank 441 may be sealed at the top (proximal end) below the mouthpiece 403 by plugs 404a, 404b that cover a number of openings. These openings may be used to fill the tank 441. (See Figures 6B, 6D) Contacts 535a, 535b are configured to connect to contacts 595, 595' of a reusable component 411 for supplying power to start the wick and coil assembly 443. At the distal end of the cartridge 401, the walls and bottom cover plate 691 of the elongated, flat tubular tank body 441 form an overflow leak chamber 699. This overflow leak chamber 699 is shown together with a pair of absorbent pads 445a, 445b positioned along the long wall (radially) of the overflow leak chamber. One or more optional covers 693 (e.g., felt covers) may be included. (These covers 693 also act as absorbent members.)

[0090] As shown in Figures 4A-5D, the device 400 further includes openings on the side of the shell 431, which are configured as intake ports 762a, 762b. These intake ports are located near the openings (intake ports) 662a, 662b at the distal end of the cartridge 401 (see, for example, Figures 6A, 6B) that open toward an overflow leak chamber (not shown). As shown in Figure 11A (a cross-sectional view of the device 400 in its center), the air passage 777 extends from intake ports 762a, 762b through tube 408 to reach stop 433 (see also Figure 12), then along the inner surface of mouthpiece 402 (between pads 422a, 422b) and divides into two independent paths that exit through the exhaust port of mouthpiece 403.

[0091] As shown in Figures 6D, 10A-10B, 12-14, parallel absorbent pads 422a and 422b may be positioned inside the mouthpiece 403. The absorbent pads 422a and 422b may be rectangular and parallel to each other. The absorbent pads 422a and 422b may be substantially parallel to the flat side surface of the device 400 (parallel to the plane formed by length l and width w in Figure 4A) and positioned parallel to each other. The pads 422a and 422b may be fully biased against the inner wall of the mouthpiece 403 to easily capture liquid flowing along the wall surface. The distance between the two pads 422a and 422b may be, for example, 3-6 mm, 4-5 mm, or about 4.8 mm. The gap between the absorbent pads 422a and 422b effectively prevents the pads from interfering with the airflow path when the user inhales from the mouthpiece 403.

[0092] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6D, 13, for example, the overflow pads 445a and 445b are located near the tank 441, i.e., inside the overflow leak chamber located below the tank, in order to absorb any liquid that may leak from the tank 441 during use. The overflow pads 445a and 445b may be arranged parallel to each other and / or similarly to the sides of the shell 431, as described above with respect to pads 422a and 422b.

[0093] Figure 13 (a cross-sectional view of the device 400 passing through pads 422a, 422b, 445a, 445b) shows the air passage 777 with dotted lines relative to the arrangement of pads 422a, 422b, 445a, 445b. The air passage 777 extends alongside all of pads 422a, 422b without penetrating them. That is, pads 422a, 422b, 445a, 445b extend out-of-axis with respect to the air passage 777 and do not obstruct the user's suction. On the other hand, since pads 422a, 422b, 445a, 445b absorb the most liquid, the air passage 777 is positioned to move along and / or in contact with pads 422a, 422b, 445a, 445b.

[0094] During use (i.e., when the user is sucking with the device), the device 400 can be held horizontally with a width w in the vertical direction and a diameter d in the horizontal direction (see Figure 4A). Thus, at least one of the pads 422a, 422b, and / or 445a, 445b is substantially horizontal when the user is sucking with the device. This configuration ensures that gravity pulls droplets or particles downward toward the lower pads 422a, 422b, and / or 445a, 445b. Furthermore, having two pads 422a, 422b, and / or 445a, 445b ensures that droplets are captured regardless of whether the user holds the device with pad 422a or 445a facing upwards, or pad 422b or 445b facing upwards. This prevents interference with the device's electronics and can also prevent liquid from entering the user's mouth from the tank when the user is sucking with the device.

[0095] As shown in Figures 15A-15D, a typical apparatus 800 is similar to apparatus 400, except that it has a single plug 888 located near the cartridge section (i.e., instead of the two tank seals 404a and 404b shown in Figure 6D). (Thus, similar reference numbers are used.) The plug 888 is configured to simultaneously seal both exhaust ports of the mouthpiece 403 and also seal around the tube 408.

[0096] In the embodiments described herein, multiple sets of absorbent pads are shown, but only a single off-axial (i.e., “outside the air path”) pad may be used at each location. Similarly, two or more (e.g., three, four, five, or more) off-axial pads, such as elongated pieces of absorbent material, may be used. Similarly, only a single set of pads may be used.

[0097] According to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the absorbent pad may be placed only in the cartridge area (i.e., the waste area). In other embodiments, additional absorbent pads may also be used in the reusable parts of the device.

[0098] A wick for use with any vaporizer consistent with the embodiments described herein may be large enough to handle liquids of higher viscosity (e.g., liquids containing cannabinoids). For example, the wick may have a diameter greater than 1.5 mm, such as about 2 mm.

[0099] As shown in Figure 16, according to some embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the openings 962a, 962b leading to the cartridge 901 (also referred to as inlets) may include protective annular rings 992a, 992b, or periphery seals extending from the inner wall of the cartridge. The rings 992a, 992b may prevent spilled liquid from splashing toward the inlets 962a, 962b. As shown in Figure 16, the rings may also be lips or ridges projecting toward the overflow leak chamber.

[0100] As shown in Figure 16, according to some embodiments of the subject matter of this application, the contacts 935a and 935b of the reusable portion 911 of the device 900 may be pin contacts. On the other hand, the contacts 1035a and 1035b of the cartridge 901 may be annular contacts or pin receptacles configured to connect to pins. In some embodiments, the pin receptacle 1035 may include a spring-loaded wiping mechanism on its inner diameter. The spring-loaded wiping mechanism may be configured to wipe the pin as the pin passes through the pin receptacle. As a result, vapor residue on the pin may be removed in order to maintain a proper electrical connection between the pin and the pin receptacle.

[0101] [Power and temperature control]

[0102] According to embodiments of the subject matter of the present application, the vaporizer can be controlled so that the temperature used for vaporizing the evaporating material is maintained within a preset range (for example, within ± a few degrees Celsius of one or more preset temperatures as described above (e.g., + / - 3°C, 2°C, 1°C, 0.5°C, etc.)). Generally, a microcontroller can control the temperature of a resistance heater (e.g., a resistance coil) based on the change in resistance with temperature (e.g., TCR). For example, the heater may be a suitable resistance heater such as a resistance coil. Generally, the heater is connected to a heater controller via two or more connectors (conductive wires or lines) so that the heater controller supplies power to the heater (e.g., from a power supply). The heater controller may include adjustment control logic for adjusting the temperature of the heater by adjusting the supplied power. The heater controller may include a dedicated or general-purpose processor, circuitry, etc., which is generally connected to a power supply and may receive input from the power supply to adjust the power supplied to the heater.

[0103] For example, an apparatus consistent with the embodiments described herein may include logic for determining the temperature of a heater based on the TCR of a heating element (resistance coil) based on the detected resistance of the coil. The resistance of this heater (e.g., resistance heater) may be measured (R heater). The controller may also use a well-known characteristic of the heater (e.g., temperature coefficient of resistance) to determine the temperature of the heater. For example, the resistance of the heater may be detected by a sensing circuit connected at an electrical contact that connects to a cartridge, and this resistance is compared to a target resistance. Generally, the target resistance is the resistance of the resistance heater at a target temperature. In some cases, this resistance may be estimated from the resistance of the resistance heating element at ambient temperature (baseline).

[0104] In some variations, a reference resistance (R reference) may be used to set the target resistance. The ratio of the heater resistance to the reference resistance (R heater / R reference) is linearly related to the heater temperature (above room temperature) and can be directly converted to the temperature to be calibrated. For example, the change in heater temperature relative to room temperature can be calculated using a formula such as (R heater / R reference - 1) * (1 / TCR), where TCR is the temperature coefficient of the heater's resistivity. In one example, the TCR of a particular apparatus heater is 0.00014 / °C. When determining the partial doses and doses described herein, the temperature value used (e.g., the temperature of the evaporator at the dose interval Ti described in detail below) represents a unit smaller than the resistivity (e.g., R heater / R reference). Alternatively, this temperature value may represent a normalized / corrected temperature (e.g., in °C).

[0105] When controlling a vaporizer by comparing the measured resistance of a resistance heater with a target resistance, the target resistance may be calculated initially, preset at the time of shipment, and / or calibrated by the user upon activation. For example, as described in detail below, the target resistance of a resistance heater when the device is operating may be set by the baseline resistance of the resistance heater, in addition to the rate of change of the baseline resistance. As mentioned above, the resistance of the heating element in air is the baseline resistance. For example, the target resistance may be based on the resistance of the resistance heater at atmospheric temperature and the target change in the temperature of the resistance heater.

[0106] As described above, the target resistance of a resistance heater can be based on the target temperature of the heating element. Any apparatus or method for using them described herein may include determining the target resistance of the resistance heater based on the resistance of the resistance heater at ambient temperature and the rate of change of the resistance of the resistance heater at ambient temperature.

[0107] In accordance with the embodiments described herein, the resistance of the vaporizer's resistance heater may be measured (using a resistance measuring circuit) and compared to a target resistance using a voltage divider. Alternatively, or further, any of the methods and apparatus described herein may use a Wheatstone bridge to compare the measured resistance of the resistance heater to a target resistance and adjust the power to increase / decrease the applied power based on this comparison.

[0108] In any of the variations described herein, adjusting the power supplied to the resistance heater may involve comparing the resistance of the resistance heater (actual resistance) with a target resistance using a voltage divider, a Wheatstone bridge, an amplified Wheatstone bridge, or an RC charging time circuit.

[0109] When resistance and / or power are used to determine the temperature of the device and / or to control the temperature for vaporization, there may be unexpected discrepancies between the actual temperature and the temperature that is pre-detected or determined using only the heater's resistance. This problem becomes particularly serious when the distance between the heating element (e.g., the resistance coil) and the electrical input (from the vaporizer base to the power contact) to the cartridge is large, or when the conductive material between the heater and the contact changes (as shown in Figure 15A). When the conductive material between the contact, the electrical wiring and the resistance coil changes, the thermoelectric effect resulting from this change in electrical properties (resistance) can lead to errors when determining the power to be applied.

[0110] In the above-described embodiment of the cartridge, the heating coil may be connected to electrical contacts by extension wires 1054, 1054' (see, for example, Figure 10B). Since the extension wires are made of different materials, a voltage (EMF) may occur at the junction between the different conductors when there is a temperature gradient. This thermoelectric effect is called the Seebeck effect and can produce a voltage based on the material properties of the different conductors. In the above embodiment, the heating coil, extension, and core are substantially symmetrical. However, during normal use, the temperature may not be uniform among these three, creating a temperature gradient. This can result in a non-uniform voltage. This difference can lead to errors in controlling the heater (the power given) and / or estimating the temperature.

[0111] At any given point in time, the effect may be relatively small (and therefore overlooked). On the other hand, cumulative effects can cause a significant decrease in accuracy and temperature control. Other systems attempt to circumvent this problem by changing the resistance of the material used in the resistance heater, which may require greater power. This may reduce the overall contribution of the offset EMF voltage due to the mismatch in thermoelectric properties. On the other hand, this requires greater power consumption. Therefore, a battery (and the power it generates) is provided.

[0112] Alternatively, any apparatus described herein may include, as described above, a precise resistance measuring circuit for heating to control the temperature of a coil based on the change in coil resistance from room temperature to the evaporation temperature, and for determining the resistance of a heating element (e.g., a coil formed from resistance-heating alloy wire) when not heated. For example, in one embodiment, the measuring circuit is an amplified Wheatstone bridge. In this amplified Wheatstone bridge, the heating element (when connected) is one half of the two voltage dividers of the Wheatstone bridge. The voltages of the two voltage dividers are inputs to a differential operational amplifier circuit. This control circuit may be modified as described herein to explain the mismatch in thermoelectric characteristics that causes an offset voltage.

[0113] Conventional resistance measurement systems generally use two-terminal or four-terminal detection circuits, which are prone to measurement errors when the load being measured is a voltage source or has another unknown voltage applied to the detection circuit. As mentioned above, in vaporizers using a resistive heating element (usually a coil), extension leads are usually used to supply power to the heating element, resulting in minimal Joule heating and losses in the path between the heating element (which requires Joule heating) and the power source (usually a battery or power supply). For ease of manufacture, these extension leads are usually the only connection between the device (or the contacts connected to the device) and the heating element. Therefore, measuring the resistance of the heating element always involves measurement errors (Seebeck error) arising from the resistance of the extension leads and the mismatch in thermoelectric characteristics. The heating element and the extension leads (three conductors if considered separately) each have a portion of the temperature gradient along their length. This temperature gradient also generates an electromotive force (EMF, which is a measurable voltage even when the conductor is an open circuit) in each conductor. This electromotive force is given by Eemf = -S∇T, where S is the Seebeck coefficient of the conductor, which depends largely on the conductor material (and also on the conductor's temperature). ∇T is the temperature gradient across the entire material. Ideal materials for the heating element and extension leads typically have different Seebeck coefficients. Furthermore, the temperatures at the two connection points between each extension lead and the heating element may differ when heated (due to the acceptable asymmetry in both the heating element assembly and the heat transferred from the heating element and extension leads, as expected in mass-produced items). Therefore, the final EMF spans both the extension and the heating element (considered as a single load in any vaporization system where a pair of extension leads electrically connects the heating element to the device). This distorts resistance measurements, making temperature control of the heating element using the measured resistance impossible if this effect is not compensated for. Generally, the measured resistance of a heating element is distorted by inconsistent thermoelectric properties (e.g., the Seebeck effect) whenever there is a temperature difference and material transition between the two heating element terminals to which the contact or extension is connected.

[0114] Figure 17 shows a simplified model of a heating element having two extension leads made of the same material. In this embodiment, the combination of the heating element and the extension leads is connected to the apparatus at the open ends of the extension leads. Therefore, the resistance measurement of the heating element is performed through the extension leads connected to the heating element. S1 and S3 are constant coefficients corresponding to the respective material properties (Seebeck coefficients) of the materials of the two extension leads. S2 is the Seebeck coefficient of the heating element. T1 and T4 are the temperatures at the ends of the extensions that are electrically connected to the vaporizer. T2 and T3 are the temperatures at the connection between the extension leads and the heating element. (This connection may be a weld, crimp, solder joint, or other electrical connection.) If Enet shown below is not 0, EMF,Enet is expected to distort the resistance measurement. Enet from the Seebeck effect is expected to be given by the following formula.

[0115] Enet=-S1(T2-T1)-S2(T3-T2)-S3(T4-T3)

[0116] To illustrate how an Enet other than zero is formed when the temperature difference between T2 and T3 is zero, we consider a further simplified model. In this model, it is assumed that the temperatures at the two (illustrated) open ends of the conductive path are the same and close to the temperature of the apparatus (T1=T4). This is an acceptable simplification in a system like the one in this application. In this system, the extensions connect to electrical contacts with large thermal mass at T1 and T4. Since the two extension leads are made of the same material (S1=S3), it is assumed that the Seebeck coefficients of the two extensions are the same. This simplifies the above equation as shown below.

[0117] Enet = (S2 - S1)(T2 - T3)

[0118] From the above formula, if S2 and S1 are not equal (the heating element and the extension lead wire have different Seebeck coefficients), and T2 and T3 are not equal (T2 and T3 are the final temperature gradients that are not zero across the two points where the heating element intersects with the extension), then Enet is not zero. This Enet distorts the resistance measurement performed by the device. For comparison, in the absence of the extension lead wire, the EMF of the heating element alone can be considered.

[0119] Enet = S2(T2-T3)

[0120] When the heating element is directly connected to an electrical contact with a large thermal mass, T2 and T3 are very close together, and the Seebeck effect is expected to introduce (and may be measurable) a negligible error in the resistance measurement. In other systems where extension leads are used, the Seebeck effect distorts the measured resistance, and if the Seebeck effect is not compensated for, temperature control becomes impossible.

[0121] Furthermore, in some systems without extension leads, a temperature difference may be observed between T2 and T3, depending on the assembly of the device and heating element. If this temperature difference is large, this effect may need to be compensated for for accurate resistance measurement. The simple model described above with extension leads and heating element is provided to illustrate the source of the heating element's EMF. In most systems, further material transitions and temperature gradients exist in each material along the resistance measurement path. As shown below, it is not necessary to fully understand or model all material transitions and junction temperatures to compensate for this effect. The heating element's EMF (due to the Seebeck effect) is easily measured and can be used in resistance measurement to compensate for errors caused by this EMF.

[0122] In a vaporizer consistent with the embodiments described herein, the vaporizer uses the heating element resistance measured for temperature control of the heating element as described above. The heating element's EMF may be measured and used to control the estimated power and / or temperature. The Seebeck effect is considered the primary cause of the heating element's EMF when no current (or constant current) flows through the element at any given time, and is the only known cause of the heating element's EMF. The measured heating element's EMF may be used to correct for resistance measurement errors caused by the heating element's EMF. Resistance measurement (distorted by Seebeck's EMF) and Seebeck's EMF measurement may be used together to calculate the accurate heating element's resistance. This accurate heating element's resistance may be used to control the average temperature of the heating element.

[0123] The effect of the heating element's EMF on resistance measurement depends on the measurement circuit used. Since the heating element's EMF introduces measurement errors in all known resistance measurement circuits, it can be measured independently to compensate for errors in the resistance measurement. The sensitivity of the resistance measurement to the heating element's EMF can be determined to ensure that the measured EMF of the heating element is correctly used to calculate the resistance of the heating element from the two resulting measurements. For example, the same differential operational amplifier used for resistance measurement can also be used for measuring the heating element's EMF. In resistance measurement, the heating element may be powered through a voltage divider so that a measurable voltage is passed to the heater. This measurable voltage is compared to a reference voltage, or added to another reference voltage, and amplified by a differential operational amplifier circuit. For measuring the heating element's EMF, no voltage is applied to the heating element. This allows for direct measurement of the EMF. This EMF is compared to another close reference voltage and amplified by the same differential operational amplifier used for resistance measurement.

[0124] Since the same amplification circuit can be used, the sensitivity of both the resistance measurement and the EMF measurement of the heating element to the EMF of the heating element is the same. The two measurement results can be used to calculate the difference in the raw indicated values ​​between the EMF of the heating element being measured, i.e., the exact resistance of the heating element when the device is heating and when it is not heating for a certain period of time (when the heating element reaches thermal equilibrium in the device, Seebeck's EMF is 0). This measurement result is also subtracted from the raw indicated value of the resistance measurement before other calculations are performed to derive the resistance of the heating element from the indicated value of the corrected resistance measurement.

[0125] Figure 18 shows an example of a measuring circuit that may be used as part of a vaporizer according to a certain embodiment of the subject matter of the present application. The operation of this circuit for controlling the resistance of a heating element during heating is shown below (with the following names of signals and components referring to the signals and components from the circuit diagram in Figure 18). All output boxes (1801, 1803, 1805, 1807, 1809, 1811, 1813), except for H+1821, are connected to a microcontroller not shown. The timings described below are for one representative software embodiment and may differ or be modified for different embodiments. The heating element is connected between H+1821 and GND.

[0126] In Figure 18, when the device is heating, the Heater 1807 is operated by PWM to connect VBAT to H+1821 via Q5 (which supplies battery voltage to the heating element) during a certain duty cycle, so that it generates a known power in the heating element. When the device is heating or is running but not heating, the Heater 1807 is kept off every 3.9 ms (measured at 256 Hz), and the HM_PWR1805 (which supplies power to the differential operational amplifier circuit and the reference voltage required for measurement) is kept on for 268 μs. Thus, either the resistance or EMF of the heating element can be measured. The resistance and EMF of the heating element are measured every 7.8 ms, respectively (resistance and EMF are measured in each measurement time band). The first 200 μs in this 268 μs measurement time band is a settling time for stabilization of the operational amplifier output shown by the microcontroller (HM_OUT1809). The ADC is performed by the microcontroller of HM_OUT1809 between AREF_HM_OUT1801 and GND during the last 68 μs of the measurement time bandwidth. For resistance measurement of the heating element, HM_NEG_REF_EN1803 is turned on to energize the heating element. Thus, the voltage divider formed by R19 and the heating element can be compared to a fixed voltage divider formed by the combinations of R20 and R32, and R28, R29, and R30, by a differential operational amplifier circuit (equipped with U5, R21, R22, R23, and R33). These combinations of R20 and R32, and R28, R29, and R30 are used to keep HM_OUT1809 within a usable voltage range between AREF_HM_OUT1801 and GND for the range of resistance of the heating element that the device can recognize. HM_SCALE_0~2 1813 can be connected to GND in the microcontroller to float (high impedance) or to set the range of resistance measurement of the circuit using R28~30.

[0127] For EMF measurement of the heating element, HM_NEG_REF_EN1803 is off so that H+ can float to a predetermined voltage which is the EMF (relative GND) of the heating element. Also, SEEBECK_REF_EN1815 is turned on so that the fixed reference used by the differential operational amplifier circuit approaches the EMF of the heating element sufficiently. Therefore, HM_OUT1809 becomes available over the expected range of the heating element's EMF when the heating element is heated (it lies between AREF_HM_OUT1801 and GND). The EMF of the heating element may be in the range of + / -3mV. The heating element's EMF measurement circuit can measure in the range of + / -5mV. The measurement circuit produces a non-zero ADC value when the device is not heating at a given time and the EMF is 0. This value is used to set the displayed value of the heating element's EMF to "0" when used in resistance calculations. The resistance calculation is shown below.

[0128] Resistance of heating element = (Raw value of ADC for resistance measurement - (Raw value of ADC for EMF measurement - Zero value of ADC for EMF measurement)) * Sensitivity of resistance measurement + Offset of resistance measurement

[0129] The sensitivity and offset of the resistance measurement are solved using the values ​​of the circuit components, depending on the scale of the resistance measurement being performed (selected using HM_SCALE_0~2 1813), and may be included in the device (e.g., in the device's firmware, hardware, or software).

[0130] Baseline resistance (the resistance measured when the heating element is not heated over a given period of time) is used to calculate the target resistance corresponding to the target average heating element temperature, based on a curve of resistivity and temperature of the heating element.

[0131] As described above, the resistance measurement circuit may be a two-terminal detection circuit. In other variations, four-terminal detection is used to mitigate the influence of the resistance of the series wiring or leads on the variable contact resistance and the resistance measurement of the heating element. Changes in contact resistance and wiring / lead resistance have a negligible effect on resistance measurement and temperature control. On the other hand, these effects may be more pronounced in some variations with heating elements of lower resistance, different heating elements, and device assemblies. In this case, a four-terminal (also known as four-point) resistance and EMF measurement circuit, as shown in Figure 19, may be used.

[0132] In Figure 19, the operation of the circuit for controlling the resistance of the heating element is shown when the following are connected to a microcontroller (not shown) and heating can be performed, (including the following signals and component names that refer to the signals and components from the circuit diagram above, namely signals 1903, 1905, 1907, 1909, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1917). On the other hand, the following timings are merely representative examples and may differ. In Figure 19, HI+1822 and HV+1826 are directly connected to one terminal of the heating element, while HV-1828 and HI-1824 are directly connected to the other terminal of the heating element.

[0133] When the device is heating, the HEATER1907 is operated in PWM mode to connect VBAT to H+1822 via Q2 (which supplies battery voltage to the heating element) during a certain duty cycle, in order to generate a known power in the heating element.

[0134] When the device is heating or running but not heating, every 3.9 ms (256 Hz measurement), HEATER1907 is kept off, and HM_PWR1905 (power supply to the differential operational amplifier circuit and the reference voltage required for measurement) is kept on for 268 μs. Therefore, either the resistance or EMF of the heating element can be measured. The resistance and EMF of the heating element are measured every 7.8 ms, respectively (resistance and EMF are measured separately for each measurement time band). The first 200 μs of this 268 μs measurement time band is a settling time for stabilization of the operational amplifier output indicated by the microcontroller (HM_OUT1915). The ADC is performed by the microcontroller of HM_OUT1915 between AREF_HM_OUT1913 and GND during the last 68 μs of the measurement time band.

[0135] For resistance measurement of the heating element, HM_WS_ISRC_EN1903 is turned on to energize the heating element through R20 and HI+ / -. Therefore, the voltage across HV+ / - can be measured by a differential summing operational amplifier circuit (equipped with U2, R19, R23~25, and optionally R10~14, R17, and R21). HM_WS_POS_REF_EN1903 is turned on to add GND through R19 and HV+ through R25. Certain combinations of HM_SCALE_0~5 are turned on to add HV- through R24 and VBAT through each combination of R10~14, so as to keep HM_OUT1915 within a usable voltage range between AREF_HM_OUT1913 and GND for a range of heating element resistances that the device can recognize.

[0136] For EMF measurement of the heating element, HM_WS_ISRC_EN1903 is turned off so that HV+ can float up to a predetermined voltage which is the EMF of the heating element (relative HV-). That is, HM_WS_POS_REF_EN1909 is turned off so that the voltage divider of R17, R21, and R19 passing through R19 is added to the HV+ passing through R25. Also, HM_SCALE0~4 1911 are all turned off so that at the negative input of the op-amp, no addition is provided, only negative feedback is provided. This differential summing configuration keeps HM_OUT1915 within the usable range (between AREF_HM_OUT1913 and GND) over the expected range of the heating element's EMF when the heating element is heated. Using the above values, the EMF measurement circuit for the heating element can measure between + / -3.5mV. The measurement circuit produces a non-zero ADC value when the device is not heating up for a given period of time and the EMF is 0. This value is used in resistance calculations to set the EMF reading of the heating element to "0".

[0137] The resistance calculation is shown below.

[0138] Resistance of heating element = (Raw value of ADC for resistance measurement - (Raw value of ADC for EMF measurement - Zero value of ADC for EMF measurement)) * Sensitivity of resistance measurement + Offset of resistance measurement The sensitivity and offset of the resistance measurement are solved using the values ​​of the circuit components, depending on the scale of the resistance measurement being performed (selected using HM_SCALE_0~4 1911), and may be included in the device (e.g., in the device's firmware, hardware, or software).

[0139] Baseline resistance (the resistance measured when the heating element is not heated over a given period of time) is used to calculate the target resistance corresponding to the target average heating element temperature, based on a curve of resistivity and temperature of the heating element.

[0140] As described above, the mismatch in thermoelectric properties and the resulting electrochemical effect (EM) (e.g., Seebeck's EMF) can be a potential source of resistance measurement errors after data obtained from controlled tests of vaporizer prototypes (e.g., using heating elements with extension leads). A single heating element operating with temperature control of a heating element (using the measured resistance of the heating element without correcting for this EMF) may consistently operate at higher power when connected to one polarity relative to the other. The asymmetry of the heating element assembly (in this case, the core and coil) can consistently produce higher temperatures at one of the junctions of two heating elements / extension leads. This results in a consistent offset voltage at the operating temperature that distorts resistance measurements in one direction where the heating element is connected to one polarity and in the other direction where the heating element is connected to the other polarity. The resistance being measured is controlled during these tests. However, these devices do not accurately control the temperature of the heating element because the measurement is distorted by the EMF of this offset resulting from the mismatch in the thermoelectric properties of the components. Along with the aforementioned correction used to compensate for resistance measurement errors, it is shown that the polarity of the heating element does not affect the power required to maintain the heating element at its operating temperature during control testing. This indicates that this correction results in a precisely calculated heating element resistance that eliminates the effects of offset EMF. This provides far more accurate temperature control of the heating element than in the uncorrected case.

[0141] Accordingly, in any variation described herein, a vaporizer consistent with the embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention may include an offset correction circuit (also referred to as a Seebeck correction circuit) for correcting an offset voltage resulting from a mismatch in thermoelectric characteristics between a resistive heating coil and a conductive connector connecting the resistive heating coil to the input of a power supply in the cartridge (for example, from a vaporizer base including a vaporizer power controller). The offset correction circuit is located at the vaporizer base and connected between connecting connectors 595, 595' for connecting to the cartridge connector, and can determine the offset voltage due to a mismatch in thermoelectric characteristics between the heating (resistive) coil and the wires connecting the coil to the cartridge connector. Methods for correcting a mismatch in thermoelectric characteristics (Seebeck effect) between a coil and wires (electrical extensions) connected to an electrical connector are also described herein.

[0142] [Dose monitoring]

[0143] As described above, vaporizers consistent with embodiments of the subject matter described herein may further or instead detect and indicate the dose of a given substance. U.S. Patent Application 14 / 960,259 (filed April 12, 2015, and published as U.S. Published Patent 2016-0157524-A1), incorporated herein by reference as part of this specification, describes examples of methods for determining a dose (and apparatus including a dose determination unit). Generally, these methods may be used to accurately calculate a dose immediately before a small time increase, based on the power supplied to a heater and the temperature of the heater (or the substance in contact with the heater). The total dose is determined by summing these small increases over a desired time range. These methods are included herein by reference as part of this specification and may be formed more accurately by correcting the power supplied as described above (e.g., taking into account the EMF of the Seebeck effect offset).

[0144] This specification describes a method and apparatus that can, instead or further, provide a rough approximation of the dose based on the power supplied over time to evaporate the substance inside the cartridge. This may be referred to as consumption of the cartridge or the evaporated substance (consumption of the evaporated substance in the cartridge, i.e., indication of consumption). Generally, the apparatus can collect power during the operation of the apparatus (e.g., power supplied over time during discharge / suction, and / or the power supplied over this time multiplied by the time of suction).

[0145] This device may further provide a consumption output. In particular, this output may be a qualitative approximation. For example, the output may gradually increase the number, intensity, and / or color of one or more LEDs on the surface of the device. For example, in this case, consumption (dose) is not an absolute amount, but an indicator or display value of the power (power supplied to the coil) given over time to evaporate the substance. In Figure 9C, for example, when the user first installs the cartridge and the device is set to display consumption / dose, the four LEDs 897 may initially be off or illuminated in an intermediate color (e.g., white). As the user sucks with the device and evaporates the substance in the cartridge, the number of illuminated LEDs may increase. The intensity and / or color of the illumination may also increase to indicate an increase in dose or consumption. For example, the calculation of the power given over time may determine whether to increase the number of illuminated LEDs of a particular color and / or intensity, or change the color and / or intensity, based on the number or a predetermined increment.

[0146] The accumulated dose can be reset manually (e.g., by using the application, by shaking the device) or by removing the cartridge. Alternatively, or further, in addition to the qualitative output described above, a power-based quantitative estimate may be displayed or output to a remote processor (e.g., a smartphone).

[0147] [Thermocouples as heating devices]

[0148] In a vaporizer consistent with the embodiments of the subject matter described herein, the heater may be configured as a thermocouple junction. See, for example, Figures 20A and 20B. Thus, the thermocouple junction (containing materials having different thermoelectric properties) may be used to measure the temperature at a point along the heater coil. As described above, this allows the device to determine the temperature along the heater coil by resistance using the aforementioned thermoelectric properties. Thus, as described above, the heating element functions as both a heater and a temperature sensor. For example, as shown in Figure 20A, the resistance heater may comprise two different conductors (e.g., stainless steel and titanium) welded together. When the heater (heating coil) heats, at the junction of the two different materials, the different materials are heated separately, and due to the Seebeck effect described above, a temperature gradient and the resulting offset voltage (EMF) are produced. This effect may be used to determine the temperature at the junction. (On the other hand, as described above, the average temperature of the entire heater is generally determined by using the TCR, the temperature coefficient of resistance.)

[0149] The Seebeck effect also occurs at the junction between the electrode at the end of the heater and the passive conduit. The correction circuit described above aims to compensate for this effect. On the other hand, it is also possible to utilize the effect for more localized temperature measurement. For example, compare Figure 20A and Figure 20B. In Figure 20A, the junction is located in the center of the heating element. In this case, determining a temperature-based offset voltage allows for accurate temperature determination. In particular, this embodiment relates to a convection vaporizer. This convection vaporizer has a (relatively) large heater, and the user pays attention to the temperature at the exhaust port end.

[0150] In a vaporization system where a heating element is connected to the apparatus via extension leads, and the Seebeck coefficient is known for both materials, the measured Seebeck EMF can be used to determine the final temperature gradient across the heating element. In some models, this measurement can be used to approximately control the maximum temperature of the heating element, instead of, or in addition to, the average temperature of the heating element. This measurement can also be used for quality control at the place where the heating element assembly is manufactured. In a vaporization system where a heating element is connected to the apparatus via extension leads and the heating element is primarily used to heat air, and the Seebeck coefficient is known for both materials, the Seebeck EMF can be used to determine the final temperature gradient across the heating element. This temperature gradient can be used to predict the average air temperature at a point downstream of the heating element using conventional airflow path and system thermal models. As described above, this may be particularly beneficial in convection (hot air) vaporization systems, as the two measurements obtained from the actuator (resistance and Seebeck's EMF) allow for precise temperature control of the air flowing from the exhaust port of the heating element without additional sensors in the air path or connected to the heating element.

[0151] As shown in Figure 20A, the Seebeck effect alone, or the Seebeck effect in combination with resistance measurement, can be used to control the temperature of a heating element having a material transition (junction) at a location where the temperature should be controlled. This substantially forms a thermocouple from a resistance heating alloy. Therefore, the Seebeck EMF can be measured to control the temperature at the hot junction of a thermocouple resistance heater. The junction may be located where the heating element is expected to become the hottest in order to control the maximum temperature of the heating element. The control algorithm may use a target average temperature of the heating element (calculated using resistance and EMF measurements) and a maximum allowable temperature of the heating element (calculated using EMF measurements alone). An apparatus that knows both the average temperature and the maximum temperature of the heating element provides a better understanding of the temperature gradient along the heating element and is more preferable than an apparatus that knows only the maximum or average temperature of the heating element for predicting the mass of material evaporating during heating. (An instrument that can determine the precise mass of the vaporized material is important for dose control within the vaporizer.) When used in such a system, the extension may be made of the same material as the heating element under consideration, or it may have a larger gauge to reduce losses in the extension. Alternatively, an extension with a Seebeck coefficient very similar to that of the two heating element sections may be used. Thus, the Seebeck EMF can be used for temperature control of the hot junction (a slight help at the heating element / extension junction to the final Seebeck EMF).

[0152] [Vaporizer without a cartridge]

[0153] Any of the features described herein may be included in vaporizers that do not require separate use (e.g., removable cartridges), such as loose-leaf vaporizers.

[0154] Such devices are described, for example, in each of the following applications. These applications are incorporated herein by reference as constituting a part of this specification. U.S. Patent Application 13 / 837,438, filed March 15, 2013, U.S. Published Patent 2013-0312742 A1 U.S. Patent Application 15 / 166,001, filed May 26, 2016, U.S. Published Patent 2016-0262459 A1 U.S. Patent Application 14 / 581,666, filed December 23, 2014, U.S. Published Patent 2015-0208729 A1 U.S. Patent Application 15 / 053,927, filed February 25, 2016, U.S. Published Patent 2016-0174611 A1 U.S. Patent Application 15 / 257,748, filed September 6, 2016. U.S. Patent Application 15 / 257,760, filed September 6, 2016, U.S. Published Patent 2016-0374399 A1 U.S. Patent Application 15 / 257,768, filed September 6, 2016, U.S. Published Patent 2016-0366947 A1

[0155] For example, such a device includes a preset function, allowing the user to enter a temperature setting mode by pressing and holding a button (above or below the mouthpiece) for more than 0.6 seconds. For example, pressing the button again repeats a 4+1 preset. To exit the temperature setting, the button is pressed and held again for more than 0.6 seconds. These presets are, for example, 180C, 193C, 204C, and 216C.

[0156] Any of the devices described herein include haptic feedback with distinct characteristics for different scenarios, such as the following:

[0157] Trapezoidal input for power-on and Bluetooth® connection ( / ￣\)

[0158] Quick click to manually turn off the power and disconnect Bluetooth®.

[0159] Two long clicks to indicate the temperature has been reached (|￣||￣|)

[0160] A single long click to wait at the reached low temperature and for automatic shutdown (|￣|)

[0161] Furthermore, users can change the intensity of these operating ranges through the application.

[0162] Referring to Figure 23, process flowchart 2300 illustrates the characteristics of the method. This method may optionally include some or all of the following: In step 2310, an operation is performed which involves heating and evaporation of the evaporating material into air drawn into the vaporizer along an airflow channel having an airflow axis. The airflow channel connects an intake port to a mouthpiece configured to supply an aerosol containing the evaporating material to a user. Air from outside the vaporizer enters the vaporizer device through the intake port. In step 2320, the air passes through a pad located inside or adjacent to the mouthpiece. This pad is configured to capture deposited and / or condensed liquid from the air without requiring the air to pass through the pad.

[0163] The disclosures described herein, including the drawings, may describe and / or exemplify these different variations independently. On the other hand, it is understood that all or some of these variations, or their components, may be combined.

[0164] Various representative embodiments have been described above. On the other hand, many modifications can be made to various embodiments. For example, the order in which the steps of the various methods described herein are performed can often be changed in other embodiments. Also, in yet another embodiment, one or more steps of the method can be skipped entirely. Any feature of the various embodiments of the apparatus and system may be included in some embodiments but not in others. Therefore, the above description is provided primarily as a representative target and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0165] In this specification, where a feature or element is shown as being "on" another feature or element, that feature or element may be directly on the other feature or element, or may be an intervening feature and / or element. On the other hand, where a feature or element is shown as being "directly" on another feature or element, there is no intervening feature or element. Also, where a feature or element is shown as being "connected," "attached," or "linked" to another feature or element, it is understood that that feature or element may be directly connected, attached, or linked to the other feature or element, or an intervening feature or element. On the other hand, where a feature or element is shown as being "directly connected," "directly attached," or "directly linked" to another feature or element, there is no intervening feature or element. While a feature and element are described or illustrated in relation to one embodiment, those described or illustrated in this way may also apply to other embodiments. A structure or feature positioned "adjacent" to another feature may have a portion that overlaps with or is below the adjacent feature.

[0166] The terms used herein are intended solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular "is" is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term "equips" is understood to identify the presence of a described feature, step, operation, element, and / or component, but not to exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or sets thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" in the relevant enumeration includes any combination of one or more and may be abbreviated as " / ".

[0167] In this specification, spatially relative terms such as “downward” and “upward” may be used for ease of description to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature as illustrated. It is understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the illustrated orientation. For example, if the illustrated device is inverted, an element described as being “downward” or “directly below” another element or feature will be oriented “upward” of the other element or feature. Thus, the representative term “downward” may include both upward and downward. The device may also be oriented in other directions (rotated by 90 degrees or in other directions). Furthermore, spatially relative descriptors used in this specification are to be interpreted appropriately. Similarly, in this specification, terms such as “upward,” “downward,” “vertical,” and “horizontal” are used for illustrative purposes only, unless otherwise specified.

[0168] In this specification, the terms “first” and “second” may be used to describe various features or elements (including steps). However, these features or elements are not limited by these terms unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature or element from another. Thus, the first feature or element described below may be referred to as the second feature or element. Similarly, without departing from the teachings provided herein, the second feature or element described below may be referred to as the first feature or element.

[0169] Throughout this specification and the claims described herein, unless the context requires otherwise, the term “equipped with” means that various components may be used together in the method and description (e.g., the configuration including the apparatus and the method). For example, the term “equipped with” is understood to indicate that any element or step described is included, but not to exclude any other element or step.

[0170] As used in this specification and in the claims, and including when used in the examples and unless otherwise clearly stated, all numbers may be interpreted to include the phrase “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not explicitly state otherwise. The expression “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing a size and / or location to indicate that the stated value and / or location is within a reasonably expected range for the value and / or location. For example, a number may have a value that is ±0.1% (or range of value) of the stated value, ±1% (or range of value) of the stated value, ±2% (or range of value) of the stated value, ±5% (or range of value) of the stated value, ±10% (or range of value) of the stated value, and so on. Furthermore, any number described herein is understood to include “about” or “approximately,” unless the context otherwise indicates.

[0171] The examples and figures included herein illustrate, without limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be carried out. As stated above, other embodiments may be used therefrom and obtained such that structural and logical substitutions and modifications are formed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In this specification, any configuration that is illustrated and described, while calculated to achieve the same objective, may be substituted for the illustrated specific embodiment. The disclosure is intended to extend to all kinds of configurations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the embodiments described above with other embodiments not specifically described herein are possible.

[0172] In the above-mentioned specification and claims, expressions such as “at least one” or “one or more” appear following lists of elements or features that combine. The term “and / or” appears in lists of two or more elements or features. Depending on the context in which such expressions are used, unless implicitly or explicitly contradicts other expressions, such expressions are indicated to mean any of the individually listed elements or features, or any of the listed elements or features that combine with any of the other listed elements or features. For example, the expressions “at least one of A and B,” “one or more of A and B,” and “A and / or B” are indicated to mean “A only, B only, or A and B together,” respectively. A similar interpretation is also applied to lists containing three or more items. For example, the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more A, B, and C,” and “A, B, and / or C” are indicated to mean “A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together,” respectively. The use of the term “based on” in the above-mentioned specification and claims is intended to mean “based on at least in part,” so as to allow for features or elements not described.

[0173] The embodiments described in the above specification do not represent all embodiments that are consistent with the subject matter described herein. Rather, they are merely some examples that are consistent with aspects related to the subject matter described herein. While a small number of variations are described in detail herein, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and / or variations may be provided in addition to those described herein. For example, the embodiments described above may be directed toward various combinations and partial combinations of the disclosed features, and / or combinations and partial combinations of one or more features that are added to those disclosed herein. Also, the logical flows shown in the accompanying drawings and / or described herein do not necessarily require a specific order or sequence of steps shown to obtain the desired result. The following claims may include other embodiments.

Claims

1. A vaporization device comprising a cartridge and a vaporizer body, The aforementioned cartridge is A mouthpiece is located at the first end of the cartridge and is configured to supply an aerosol containing an evaporative to the user, A first electrical contact is located at the second end of the cartridge opposite to the first end, A second electrical contact located at the second end, A reservoir configured to contain the aforementioned evaporative substance, A sprayer configured to heat the aforementioned evaporating substance, The device comprises one or more cartridge air inlets located at the second end and adjacent to the first and second electrical contacts, configured to supply air to the atomizer, The body of the vaporizer is, The cartridge receiving portion is configured to insert the cartridge, and includes a base end portion, A first base connector configured to engage with the first electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact is positioned close to the base end when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receiving portion; A second base connector configured to engage with the second electrical contact, wherein the first electrical contact is positioned close to the base end when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receiving portion; A first body air intake port defines a first opening on the first side surface of the body of the vaporizer, The vaporizer body comprises a second body intake port defining a second opening on a second side surface opposite to the first side surface of the vaporizer body, The cartridge and the vaporizer body define an air passage, and the air passage is The first body intake port and the second body intake port, The region between the second end of the cartridge and the base end of the cartridge receiving portion, The one or more cartridge air intake ports and A vaporization device comprising a cannula extending between the sprayer and the mouthpiece, passing through the reservoir.

2. The vaporizer according to claim 1, wherein the first body intake port and the second body intake port are aligned in the region between the second end of the cartridge and the base end of the cartridge receiving portion.

3. The vaporizer according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is configured to be at least partially fixed inside the body of the vaporizer via frictional engagement.

4. The vaporizer according to claim 3, wherein the frictional engagement is determined by the engagement between a groove or edge provided at the second end of the cartridge and a bendable or deformable claw or projection provided on the body of the vaporizer.

5. The aforementioned cartridge is An overflow leak chamber formed between the reservoir and the second end, The vaporizer according to claim 1, further comprising one or more absorbent pads disposed within the overflow leak chamber and positioned out of axis with respect to the air passage that passes through the overflow leak chamber.

6. The vaporization apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the air passage further includes the overflow leak chamber.

7. The body of the vaporizer is, A pressure sensor configured to detect suction at the mouthpiece and start the body of the vaporizer, A groove extending from the base end of the cartridge receiving portion to the pressure sensor, The vaporizer according to claim 1, further comprising:

8. The vaporizer according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact each include a pin receiving portion.

9. The vaporization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sprayer extends across the air passage in the lateral direction.

10. A vaporization device comprising a cartridge and a vaporizer body, The aforementioned cartridge is A first electrical contact located at the insertion end of the cartridge, A second electrical contact located at the insertion end, A reservoir configured to contain evaporative material, A sprayer configured to heat the evaporative substance contained in the reservoir, The device comprises one or more cartridge air inlets located at the insertion end and adjacent to the first and second electrical contacts, configured to supply air to the atomizer, The body of the vaporizer is, A cartridge receiving portion, configured to insert the cartridge and including a base end configured to face the insertion end of the cartridge, A first body air intake port defines a first opening on the first side surface of the body of the vaporizer, The vaporizer body comprises a second body intake port defining a second opening on a second side surface opposite to the first side surface of the vaporizer body, The cartridge and the vaporizer body define an air passage, and the air passage is The first body intake port and the second body intake port, The region between the insertion end of the cartridge and the base end of the cartridge receiving portion, The one or more cartridge air intake ports, A vaporization device including a cannula that extends from the sprayer to the exhaust port of the cartridge, passing through the reservoir.

11. The vaporizer according to claim 10, wherein the first body intake port and the second body intake port are aligned in the region between the insertion end of the cartridge and the base end of the cartridge receiving portion.

12. The vaporizer according to claim 10, wherein the cartridge is configured to be at least partially fixed inside the body of the vaporizer via frictional engagement.

13. The frictional engagement is determined by the engagement between a groove or edge provided at the insertion end of the cartridge and a bendable or deformable claw or projection provided on the body of the vaporizer, according to claim 12.

14. The aforementioned cartridge is An overflow leak chamber formed between the reservoir and the insertion end, One or more absorbent pads are disposed within the overflow leak chamber and positioned out of axis with respect to the air passage that passes through the overflow leak chamber, The vaporizer according to claim 10, further comprising:

15. The vaporization apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the air passage further includes the overflow leak chamber.

16. The body of the vaporizer is, A pressure sensor configured to detect suction in the cartridge and start the vaporizer body, A groove extending from the base end of the cartridge receiving portion to the pressure sensor, The vaporizer according to claim 10, further comprising:

17. The vaporizer according to claim 10, wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact each include a pin receiving portion.

18. The vaporization apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sprayer extends across the air passage in the lateral direction.

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