Vaporization system and method

Abstract

To provide a system and a method for generating an inhalable vapor in an electronic vaporization device.SOLUTION: A vaporization device may generate a vapor with one or more defined characteristics. In some cases, the vapor may have a predetermined aerosol number density and / or a predetermined average aerosol diameter. The vaporization device may generate a vapor from a vaporizable material. In some cases, the vaporizable material may be a liquid material housed in a cartridge 30. The vaporization device may comprise a rechargeable power storage device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7B

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 920,225 filed on December 23, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 936,593 filed on February 6, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 937,755 filed on February 10, 2014, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The present invention relates to electronically inhalable aerosol devices, or electronic vaping devices, and in particular to electronic aerosol devices that utilize a vaporizable material that is evaporated to produce an aerosol vapor capable of delivering an active ingredient to a user.

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In some aspects of the present invention, the device comprises an inhalable aerosol, and the device includes: an oven comprising an oven chamber and a heater for heating a vapor forming medium in the oven chamber to generate vapor; a condenser comprising a condensation chamber in which at least a portion of the vapor condenses to form the inhalable aerosol; an air inlet originating from a first airflow path that includes the oven chamber; and a vent originating from a second airflow path, wherein the second airflow path connects air from the vent to the first airflow path that is before or in the condensation chamber and downstream from the oven chamber, thereby forming a combined flow path, wherein the combined flow path is configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol formed in the condensation chamber to a user.

[0004] In some embodiments of the present invention, the oven is located within the body of the apparatus. The apparatus may further include a mouthpiece comprising at least one of an air inlet, a vent, and a condenser. The mouthpiece may be detachable from the oven. The mouthpiece may be integrated with the body of the apparatus, which comprises the oven. The apparatus may further include a body comprising the oven, condenser, air inlet, and vent. The mouthpiece may be detachable from the body.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present invention, the oven chamber may include an oven chamber inlet and an oven chamber outlet, and the oven may further include a first valve at the oven chamber inlet and a second valve at the oven chamber outlet. The vent may include a third valve. The first valve or the second valve may be selected from the group consisting of check valves, vane valves, check valves, and one-way valves. The third valve may be selected from the group consisting of check valves, vane valves, check valves, and one-way valves. The first or second valve may be mechanically operated. The first or second valve may be electrically operated. The first or second valve may be manually operated. The third valve may be mechanically operated. The third valve may be electrically operated. The third valve may be manually operated.

[0006] In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may include a main body comprising at least one of a power supply, a printed circuit board, a switch, and a temperature controller. The apparatus may further include a temperature controller in communication with a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may be a heater. The power supply may be rechargeable. The power supply may be detachable. The oven may further include an access lid. The vapor-forming medium may include tobacco. The vapor-forming medium may include a plant-based chemical. The vapor-forming medium may be heated in an oven chamber, where the vapor-forming medium may include a wetting agent to generate vapor, and the vapor may include a vapor-phase wetting agent. The vapor may be mixed with air from a vent in a condensing chamber to produce an inhalable aerosol having an average particle size of about 1 micron. The vapor-forming medium may be heated in an oven chamber, where it is mixed with air from a vent in a condensing chamber to produce an inhalable aerosol having an average particle size of about 0.9 microns or less. The vapor-forming medium may be heated in an oven chamber, where it is mixed with air from a vent in a condensing chamber to produce an inhalable aerosol containing particles with an average size of approximately 0.8 microns or less. The vapor-forming medium may be heated in an oven chamber, where it is mixed with air from a vent in a condensing chamber to produce an inhalable aerosol containing particles with an average size of approximately 0.7 microns or less. The vapor-forming medium may be heated in an oven chamber, where it is mixed with air from a vent in a condensing chamber to produce an inhalable aerosol containing particles with an average size of approximately 0.6 microns or less. The vapor-forming medium may be heated in an oven chamber, where it is mixed with air from a vent in a condensing chamber to produce an inhalable aerosol containing particles with an average size of approximately 0.5 microns or less.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the wetting agent may contain glycerol as a vapor-forming medium. The wetting agent may contain vegetable glycerol. The wetting agent may contain propylene glycol. The wetting agent may contain a ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 100:0. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 90:10. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 80:20. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 70:30. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 60:40. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 50:50. The wetting agent may contain flavoring materials. The vapor-forming medium may be heated to its thermal decomposition temperature. The vapor-forming medium may be heated to a maximum of 200°C. The vapor-forming medium may be heated to a maximum of 160°C. The inhalable aerosol may be cooled to a maximum of 50°C–70°C before exiting the aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes a method for generating an inhalable aerosol, the method including a step of providing an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol, the apparatus comprising: an oven including an oven chamber and a heater for heating a vapor-forming medium in the oven chamber and for forming vapor therein; a condenser including a condensing chamber in which the vapor forms an inhalable aerosol; an air inlet originating from a first airflow path including the oven chamber; and a vent originating from a second airflow path, the second airflow path including a vent that connects air from the vent to a first airflow path located in front of or in the condensing chamber and downstream from the oven chamber, thereby forming a connecting path, the connecting path being configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol formed in the condensing chamber to a user.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the oven is located within the body of the apparatus. The apparatus may further include a mouthpiece comprising at least one of an air inlet, a vent, and a condenser. The mouthpiece may be detachable from the oven. The mouthpiece may be integrated with the body of the apparatus, which includes the oven. The method may further include a body comprising the oven, condenser, air inlet, and vent. The mouthpiece may be detachable from the body.

[0010] In some aspects of the present invention, the oven chamber may include an oven chamber inlet and an oven chamber outlet, and the oven further includes a first valve at the oven chamber inlet and a second valve at the oven chamber outlet.

[0011] The vapor-forming medium may contain tobacco. The vapor-forming medium may contain plant-based chemicals. The vapor-forming medium may be heated in an oven chamber, where the vapor-forming medium may contain a wetting agent to generate vapor, and the vapor contains a vapor-phase wetting agent. The vapor may contain particle sizes with an average mass of about 1 micron. The vapor may contain particle sizes with an average mass of about 0.9 microns. The vapor may contain particle sizes with an average mass of about 0.8 microns. The vapor may contain particle sizes with an average mass of about 0.7 microns. The vapor may contain particle sizes with an average mass of about 0.6 microns. The vapor may contain particle sizes with an average mass of about 0.5 microns.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the wetting agent may contain glycerol as a vapor-forming medium. The wetting agent may contain vegetable glycerol. The wetting agent may contain propylene glycol. The wetting agent may contain a ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 100:0. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 90:10. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 80:20. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 70:30. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 60:40. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 50:50. The wetting agent may contain flavoring materials. The vapor-forming medium may be heated to its thermal decomposition temperature. The vapor-forming medium may be heated to a maximum of 200°C. The vapor-forming medium may be heated to a maximum of 160°C. The inhalable aerosol may be cooled to a maximum of 50°C–70°C before exiting the aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the device may be user-friendly. Or, the device may not be user-friendly.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for generating an inhalable aerosol, the method comprising the step of providing a vaporizer, the device generating vapor containing particles with an average mass of about 1 micron or less, the vapor being formed in an oven chamber by heating the vapor-forming medium to a first temperature lower than the thermal decomposition temperature of the vapor-forming medium before it exits the aerosol outlet of the device, the device further comprising the step of cooling the vapor to a second temperature lower than the first temperature in a condensation chamber.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol, the method comprising the step of providing the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a mouthpiece having an aerosol outlet at a first end of the apparatus; an oven comprising an oven chamber and a heater for heating a vapor-forming medium in the oven chamber and forming vapor therein; a condenser comprising a condensation chamber in which vapor forms an inhalable aerosol; an air inlet originating from a first airflow path comprising the oven chamber and the condensation chamber; a vent originating from a second airflow path, the second airflow path comprising a vent originating from a first airflow path located in front of or inside the condensation chamber after vapor has been formed in the oven chamber, wherein the connected first and second airflow paths are configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol formed in the condensation chamber to a user through the aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece.

[0016] The above method may further include the step of providing a device that includes a power supply or battery, a printed circuit board, a temperature controller, or an operating switch.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, a device for generating an inhalable aerosol includes a mouthpiece having an aerosol outlet at a first end of the device and an air inlet originating from a first airflow path; an oven having an oven chamber in the first airflow path and a heater for heating a vapor-forming medium in the oven chamber and forming vapor therein; a condenser having a condensation chamber in which the vapor forms an inhalable aerosol; and a vent originating from a second airflow path, the second airflow path connecting air from the vent to a first airflow path located before or in the condensation chamber and downstream from the oven chamber, thereby forming a connecting path, the connecting path having been configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol formed in the condensation chamber to the user through the aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol includes a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece including an aerosol outlet, an air inlet originating from a first airflow path, and a vent originating from a second airflow path, the second airflow path enabling air from the vent to connect to the first airflow path; the apparatus further includes an oven, the oven chamber including an oven chamber in the first airflow path and a heater for heating a vapor-forming medium in the oven chamber and forming vapor therein; and a condenser including a condensing chamber in which vapor forms an inhalable aerosol, wherein air from the vent connects to a first airflow path located before or in the condensing chamber and downstream from the oven chamber, thereby forming a connecting path, the connecting path being configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol to the user through the aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol includes an apparatus body comprising a cartridge receptacle; a cartridge comprising: a fluid storage chamber and a channel integrated with the outer surface of the cartridge, the apparatus further comprising an air inlet passage formed by the channel and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle; where the channel forms a first side of the air inlet passage and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle forms a second side of the air inlet passage.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol includes an apparatus body, the apparatus body includes a cartridge receptacle; a cartridge, the cartridge includes a fluid storage chamber and a channel integrated with the outer surface of the cartridge, the apparatus further includes an air inlet passage formed by the channel and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle; where the channel forms a first side of the air inlet passage and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle forms a second side of the air inlet passage.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, the channel may include at least one of a groove, valley, depression, dent, furrow, trench, crease, and side groove. The integrated channel may include walls that are recessed into the surface or protrude from the surface into which it is formed. The inner side walls of the channel may form additional sides of the air inlet passage. The cartridge may further include a second air passage that is in fluid communication with the air inlet passage to the fluid storage chamber, the second air passage being formed through the material of the cartridge. The cartridge may further include a heater. The heater may be attached to the first end of the cartridge.

[0022] In embodiments of the present invention, the heater may include a heater chamber, a first pair of heater contacts, a fluid core, and a resistance heating element in contact with the fluid core, wherein the first pair of heater contacts includes a thin plate mounted around the sides of the heater chamber, and the fluid core and resistance heating element are suspended between them. The first pair of heater contacts may further include a molded shape including a tab having a flexible spring valve extending from the heater to connect to complete a circuit comprising the body. The first pair of heater contacts may be a heat sink that absorbs and dissipates excess heat generated by the resistance heating element. The first pair of heater contacts may also be a heat shield that protects the heater chamber from excess heat generated by the resistance heating element. The first pair of heater contacts may be press-fitted to a feature on the outer wall of the first end of the cartridge. The heater may surround the first end of the cartridge and the first end of the fluid storage chamber. The heater may include a first condensation chamber. The heater may include one or more first condensation chambers. The first condensation chamber may be formed along the outer wall of the cartridge. The cartridge may further include a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be attached to a second end of the cartridge. The mouthpiece may include a second condensation chamber. The mouthpiece may include more than one second condensation chamber. The second condensation chamber may be formed along the outer wall of the cartridge.

[0023] In embodiments of the present invention, the cartridge may include a first condensation chamber and a second condensation chamber. The first and second condensation chambers may be in fluid communication. The mouthpiece may include an aerosol outlet in fluid communication with the second condensation chamber. The mouthpiece may include one or more second condensation chambers and one or more aerosol outlets in fluid communication. The mouthpiece may surround the second end of the cartridge and the second end of the fluid storage chamber.

[0024] In embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus may include an airflow path comprising an air inlet passage, a second air passage, a heater chamber, a first condensation chamber, a second condensation chamber, and an aerosol outlet. The airflow path may include one or more air inlet passages, heater chambers, one or more first condensation chambers, one or more second condensation chambers, and one or more aerosol outlets. The heater may be in fluid communication with a fluid storage chamber. The fluid storage chamber may be capable of holding condensed aerosol fluid. The condensed aerosol fluid may contain a nicotine preparation. The condensed aerosol fluid may contain a wetting agent. The wetting agent may contain propylene glycol. The wetting agent may contain vegetable glycerin.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge may be separable. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge is a receptacle, and the separable cartridge forms a separable coupling. The separable coupling may include a friction assembly, a snap-fit ​​assembly, or a magnetic assembly. The cartridge may include a fluid storage chamber, a heater attached to the first end with a snap-fit ​​coupling, and a mouthpiece attached to the second end with a snap-fit ​​coupling.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol includes an apparatus body comprising a cartridge receptacle for receiving a cartridge; wherein, when a cartridge comprising a channel integrated on its outer surface is inserted into the cartridge receptacle, the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle forms a first side of the air inlet passage, and the channel forms a second side of the air inlet passage.

[0027] In an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol includes an apparatus body comprising a cartridge receptacle for receiving a cartridge; wherein the cartridge receptacle comprises a channel integrated into an inner surface and defines a first side portion of an air inlet passage when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle, and an outer surface of the cartridge defines a second side portion of the air inlet passage.

[0028] In an aspect of the present invention, a cartridge for an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol comprises: a fluid reservoir; a channel integrated into an outer surface, the channel defining a first side portion of an air inlet passage; and wherein when the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge receptacle, an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle in the apparatus defines a second side portion of the air inlet passage.

[0029] In an aspect of the present invention, a cartridge for an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol comprises a fluid reservoir, wherein an outer surface of the cartridge defines a first side portion of an air inlet channel when inserted into an apparatus body comprising a cartridge receptacle, and the cartridge receptacle further comprises a channel integrated into an inner surface, said channel defining a second side portion of the air inlet passage.

[0030] The cartridge may further comprise a second air passage in fluid communication with the channel, the second air passage being formed from the outer surface of the cartridge to the fluid reservoir through the material of the cartridge.

[0031] The cartridge may comprise at least one of a groove, a trough, a depression, a recess, a ridge, a deep groove, a crease, and a gutter. The integrated channel may comprise a wall that is recessed in the surface or projects from the surface on which it is formed. An inner side wall of the channel may define an additional side portion of the air inlet passage.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol includes a cartridge, the cartridge including: a fluid storage chamber; a heater attached to a first end, the heater including a first heater contact, and a resistance heating element attached to the first heater contact; the apparatus further includes an apparatus body, the apparatus body including: a cartridge receptacle for receiving the cartridge; a second heater contact suitable for receiving the first heater contact and completing the circuit; a power supply connected to the second heater contact; and a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the power supply and the second heater contact; wherein the PCB is configured to detect a shortage of fluid based on the measured resistance of the resistance heating element and to shut down the apparatus.

[0033] The printed circuit board (PCB) includes a microcontroller; switches; a circuit including a reference register; and an algorithm including logic for control parameters; where the microcontroller cycles through the switches at regular intervals to measure the resistance of a resistive heat source relative to the reference register, and applies algorithmic control parameters to control the temperature of the resistive heat source.

[0034] The microcontroller may instruct the device to stop if the resistance exceeds a threshold control parameter indicating that the resistive heating element is dry.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, a cartridge for a device that generates an inhalable aerosol includes a fluid storage chamber, a heater attached to a first end, the heater including: a heater chamber; a first pair of heater contacts; a fluid core; and a resistance heating element in contact with the fluid core; wherein the first pair of heater contacts includes a thin plate attached around the sides of the heater chamber, and the fluid core and resistance heating element are suspended between them.

[0036] The first pair of heaters may further include a molded shape that includes a tab having a flexible spring valve extending from the heater to connect to complete a circuit with the main body. The heater contacts may be configured to connect to a second pair of heater contacts in a cartridge receptacle of the device body to complete the circuit. The first pair of heater contacts may also be a heat sink that absorbs and dissipates excess heat generated by the resistance heating element. The first pair of heater contacts may also be a heat shield that protects the heater chamber from excess heat generated by the resistance heating element.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, a cartridge for a device that generates an inhalable aerosol includes a heater, the heater including: a heater chamber; a pair of thin plate heater contacts in the heater chamber; a fluid core located between the heater contacts; and a resistance heating element in contact with the fluid core, where each heater contact includes a fixed portion and the resistance heating element is pulled between them.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, a cartridge for a device that generates an inhalable aerosol may include a heater attached to a first end of the cartridge.

[0039] The heater may surround the first end of the cartridge and the first end of the fluid storage chamber. The heater may include more than one first condensation chamber. The heater may include the first condensation chamber. The condensation chamber may be formed along the outer wall of the cartridge.

[0040] In embodiments of the present invention, a cartridge for a device that generates an inhalable aerosol may include a fluid storage chamber and a mouthpiece attached to a second end of the cartridge.

[0041] The mouthpiece may surround the second end of the cartridge and the second end of the fluid storage chamber. The mouthpiece may include a second condensation chamber. The mouthpiece may include more than one second condensation chamber. The second condensation chamber may be formed along the outer wall of the cartridge.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, a cartridge for a device for generating an inhalable aerosol includes a fluid storage chamber; a heater attached to a first end; and a mouthpiece attached to a second end; wherein the heater includes a first condensation chamber and the mouthpiece includes a second condensation chamber.

[0043] The heater may include one or more first condensation chambers, and the mouthpiece may include one or more second condensation chambers. The first and second condensation chambers may be in fluid communication. The mouthpiece may include an aerosol outlet in fluid communication with the second condensation chamber. The mouthpiece may include two or more aerosol outlets. The cartridge may meet ISO recycling standards. The cartridge may meet ISO recycling standards for plastic waste.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol comprises an apparatus body including a cartridge receptacle; and a removable cartridge; wherein the cartridge receptacle and the removable cartridge form a removable coupling, the removable coupling including a friction assembly, a snap-fit ​​assembly, or a magnetic assembly.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol includes the steps of providing an apparatus body including a cartridge receptacle; and providing a removable cartridge, wherein the cartridge receptacle and the removable cartridge form a separable coupling including a friction assembly, a snap-fit ​​assembly, or a magnetic assembly.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a cartridge for a device that generates an inhalable aerosol includes the steps of: providing a fluid storage chamber; attaching a heater to a first end by a snap-fit ​​connector; and attaching a mouthpiece to a second end by a snap-fit ​​connector.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, a cartridge for an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol, comprising an airflow path, includes a channel, the channel comprising: part of an air inlet passage; a second air passage in fluid communication with the channel; a heater chamber in fluid communication with the second air passage; a first condensation chamber in fluid communication with the heater chamber; a second condensation chamber in fluid communication with the first condensation chamber; and an aerosol outlet in fluid communication with the second condensation chamber.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, a cartridge for a device that generates an inhalable aerosol includes a fluid storage chamber; a heater attached to a first end; and a mouthpiece attached to a second end; wherein the mouthpiece includes two or more aerosol outlets.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, a system for supplying power to an electronic device for generating inhalable vapor includes: a rechargeable power storage device housed within the electronic device for generating inhalable vapor; two or more charging pins accessible from the outer surface of the electronic device for generating inhalable vapor, the charging pins being in electrical communication with the rechargeable power storage device; and a charging base including two or more charging contacts configured to supply power to the rechargeable storage device, wherein the charging pins of the device can be reversed so that the device is charged on the charging base, by a first charging pin on the device in contact with a first charging contact on the charging base and a second charging pin on the device in contact with a second charging contact on the charging base, and by a first charging pin on the device in contact with a second charging contact on the charging base and a second charging pin on the device in contact with a first charging contact on the charging base.

[0050] The charging pins may be visible on the external housing of the device. The user may permanently disable the device by opening the housing. The user may permanently deactivate the device by opening the housing.

[0051] Additional aspects and advantages of this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following details, and only exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are shown and described here. As can be realized, this disclosure is also possible in other embodiments, and various details thereof can be modified in various obvious ways without all departing from this disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be considered factually exemplary and not limiting.

[0052] <Integration by reference> All publications, patents, and patent applications referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same degree as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were explicitly and individually intended to be incorporated by reference. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] Novel features of the present invention are particularly expressed in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention can be obtained by referring to the detailed description below, which specifies concrete examples in which the principles of the present invention are utilized, and to the following appended drawings. [Figure 1] This is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a typical vaporizer. [Figure 2] This is an exemplary cross-sectional view of a typical vaporizer equipped with various electronic mechanisms and valves. [Figure 3] This is an exemplary cross-sectional view of another typical vaporizer, which includes a condensation chamber, an air inlet, and a vent within the mouthpiece. [Figure 4A]This is an exemplary example of an oven section of another typical vaporization apparatus configuration with an access cover at the rear of the oven, the oven section including an oven having an air inlet, an air outlet, and additional vents in the airflow path. [Figure 4B] This is an exemplary example of an oven section of another typical vaporization apparatus configuration with an access cover at the rear of the oven, the oven section including an oven having an air inlet, an air outlet, and additional vents in the airflow path. [Figure 4C] This is an exemplary example of an oven section of another typical vaporization apparatus configuration with an access cover at the rear of the oven, the oven section including an oven having an air inlet, an air outlet, and additional vents in the airflow path. [Figure 5] This is an illustrative isometric view of an assembled, inhalable aerosol device. [Figure 6A] This is an illustrative arrangement and cross-sectional view of the main body of the device and its dependent components. [Figure 6B] This is an illustrative arrangement and cross-sectional view of the main body of the device and its dependent components. [Figure 6C] This is an illustrative arrangement and cross-sectional view of the main body of the device and its dependent components. [Figure 6D] This is an illustrative arrangement and cross-sectional view of the main body of the device and its dependent components. [Figure 7A] This is an isometric view illustrating an assembled cartridge. [Figure 7B] This is an example exploded view of a cartridge assembly. [Figure 7C] Figure 3A is a side cross-sectional view showing the inlet channel, inlet hole, and the relative arrangement of the fluid core, resistance heating element, and heater contact area, as well as the heater chamber located inside the heater. [Figure 8A] This is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an exemplary end of an exemplary cartridge located inside the heater. [Figure 8B] This is an exemplary side view of the cartridge with the cap removed and the heater indicated by shadow / outline. [Figure 9]This is an example of the assembly procedure for the cartridge. [Figure 10A] This is an exemplary sequence showing the airflow / vapor path for the cartridge. [Figure 10B] This is an exemplary sequence showing the airflow / vapor path for the cartridge. [Figure 10C] This is an exemplary sequence showing the airflow / vapor path for the cartridge. [Figure 11] This shows an exemplary assembly sequence for assembling the central components of the device. [Figure 12] This shows an exemplary assembly sequence for assembling the central components of the device. [Figure 13] This shows an exemplary assembly sequence for assembling the central components of the device. [Figure 14] Front, side, and cross-sectional views of the assembled inhalable aerosol device are shown. [Figure 15] This is an illustrative diagram of an assembled, inhalable aerosol device in an operational state. [Figure 16A] This is a typical example of a charging device relating to a charging device for aerosol devices and the application of a charger using said device. [Figure 16B] This is a typical example of a charging device relating to a charging device for aerosol devices and the application of a charger using said device. [Figure 16C] This is a typical example of a charging device relating to a charging device for aerosol devices and the application of a charger using said device. [Figure 17A] This is a typical example of a block diagram of a proportional-integraliative-deviation (PID) controller and a circuit diagram showing the essential components in a device for controlling the temperature of a coil. [Figure 17B] This is a typical example of a block diagram of a proportional-integraliative-deviation (PID) controller and a circuit diagram showing the essential components in a device for controlling the temperature of a coil. [Figure 18] This device has charging contacts that are visible from the external housing of the device. [Figure 19] This is an exploded view of the device's charging assembly. [Figure 20] This is a detailed diagram of the device's charging assembly. [Figure 21] This is a detailed diagram of the charging pins in the device's charging assembly. [Figure 22] It is a device located inside the charging cradle. [Figure 23] This is a circuit provided on a PCB that is configured to allow the device to include charging contacts that can be reversed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0054] This specification provides systems and methods for generating vapor from a material. The vapor may be delivered for inhalation by a user. The material may be a solid, liquid, powder, solution, paste, gel, or any other material having physical consistency. The vapor may be delivered to the user for inhalation by a vaporizer. The vaporizer may be a portable vaporizer. The vaporizer may be held in one hand by the user.

[0055] The vaporizer includes one or more heating elements, which may be resistance heating elements. The heating elements may heat the material so that its temperature rises. Steam may be produced as a result of heating the material. Energy is required to operate the heating elements, and this energy may come from a battery electrically connected to the heating elements. Alternatively, a chemical reaction (e.g., combustion or other exothermic reaction) may provide energy to the heating elements.

[0056] One or more embodiments of a vaporizer may be designed and / or controlled to deliver to a user vapor having one or more specified characteristics. For example, an embodiment of a vaporizer designed and / or controlled to deliver vapor having specified characteristics may include a heating temperature, a heating mechanism, an air inlet of the device, an internal volume of the device, and / or a material composition.

[0057] In some cases, the vaporizer may have an "atomizer" or "cartomizer" configured to heat an aerosol-forming solution (e.g., a vaporizable material). The aerosol-forming solution may contain glycerin and / or propylene glycol. The vaporizable material may be heated to a temperature sufficient to evaporate.

[0058] The atomizer may be a device or system configured to produce an aerosol. The atomizer may include a small heating element configured to heat and / or evaporate at least a portion of the vaporizable material, and a wicking material that draws the liquid vaporizable material into the atomizer. 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 vaporizable material into an atomizer that has no pump or other mechanical moving parts. A resistance wire may be wrapped around the wicking material and connected to the anode and cathode of a power source (e.g., an energy source). The resistance wire may also be a coil. When the resistance wire is activated, the resistance wire (or coil) may become hotter as a result of current flowing through the resistance wire to generate heat. The heat may be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material via conductive, transmissive, and / or radiant heat transfer so that at least a portion of the vaporizable material evaporates.

[0059] Alternatively, or in addition to an atomizer, the vaporizer may include a "cultomizer" to generate an aerosol from a vaporizable material for inhalation by the user. The cultomizer may include a cartridge and an atomizer. The cultomizer may include a heating element surrounded by liquid-soaked polyfoam, which acts as a holder for the vaporizable material (e.g., liquid). The cultomizer may be reusable, rebuilt, refillable, and / or disposable. The cultomizer may include a tank for the storage of excess vaporizable material.

[0060] Air may be drawn into a vaporizer to carry away the aerosol vaporized from the heating element, and the air is then cooled and condensed to form liquid particles suspended in the air, which may later be drawn out by the user from the mouthpiece.

[0061] The vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material may occur in the vaporizer at a lower temperature compared to the temperature required to produce inhalable vapor in a cigarette. A cigarette may also be a device in which smoking-suitable material is burned to produce inhalable vapor. The lower temperature of the vaporizer may result in less decomposition and / or reaction of the vaporized material, and therefore produce an aerosol with fewer chemical components compared to a cigarette. In some cases, the vaporizer may produce an aerosol with fewer chemical components harmful to human health compared to a cigarette. In addition, the aerosol particles of the vaporizer may undergo nearly complete evaporation in the heating process, and nearly complete evaporation may result in an average particle size (e.g., diameter) value smaller than the average particle size in a cigarette or plant-based effluent.

[0062] The vaporizer may also be configured to extract one or more active ingredients from plant materials, tobacco, and / or plant-based medicines, or other herbs or mixtures for inhalation. The vaporizer may be used with or without pure chemicals and / or wetting agents mixed with plant materials. Vaporization may also be an alternative to combustion (or smoke) to avoid inhalation of many irritating and / or toxic carcinogenic byproducts resulting from the pyrolysis process of burning tobacco or plant products at temperatures above 300°C. The vaporizer may operate at temperatures below 300°C.

[0063] The vaporizer (e.g., vaporizer) does not need to have an atomizer or cartomizer. Instead, the device may include an oven. The oven may be at least partially closed. The oven may have an opening that can be opened and closed. The oven may be covered with a heating element, or alternatively, the heating element may be in thermal communication with the oven through another mechanism. The vaporizable material may be placed directly in the oven or in a cartridge fitted to the oven. The heating element in thermal communication with the oven may heat a mass of vaporizable material to produce gaseous vapor. The heating element may heat the vaporizable material via conductive, transmissive, and / or radiative heat transfer. The vapor may be released into a vaporization chamber where the gaseous vapor condenses to form an aerosol having typical liquid vapor particles with particles having an average mass diameter of about 1 micron or more. In some cases, the average mass diameter may be about 0.1–1 micron.

[0064] As used herein, the term “vapor” may generally refer to a substance in the gaseous phase at a temperature below its critical point. Vapor may condense into a liquid or solid by increasing its pressure without lowering its temperature.

[0065] As used herein, the term “aerosol” may generally refer to a colloid of fine solid particles or droplets in air or another gas. Examples of aerosols may include clouds, haze, and smoke, including smoke from tobacco or plant products. The liquid or solid particulate matter in aerosols may have different diameters of average mass, ranging from monodisperse aerosols containing uniformly sized particles that can be produced in a laboratory to polydisperse colloidal systems exhibiting a variety of particle sizes. As the size of these particles increases, the settling velocity of the particles increases, which causes the particles to settle more quickly from the aerosol, making the aerosol less dense and reducing the time the aerosol remains in the air. Interestingly, aerosols with smaller particles appear denser or more compact because they have more particles. The number of particles has a far greater effect on light scattering than particle size (at least over the considered range of particle size), thereby enabling vapor clouds with many smaller particles that appear denser than clouds with larger particle sizes, even if they are less numerous.

[0066] As used herein, the term “humectant” may generally refer to a substance used to keep something moist. A humectant may also be one that attracts and retains moisture from the air by absorption, allowing the water to be used by other substances. Humidants are also commonly used in many tobacco or plant-based medicines and electronic vaporization products to keep the product moist, as well as as vaporizing media. Examples include propylene glycol, glycerol, glycerin, and sugar polyols such as honey.

[0067] <Rapid ventilation> In some cases, the vaporizer may be configured to deliver an aerosol with high particle density. Aerosol particle density may refer to the number of aerosol droplets relative to the volume of air (or other dry gas) between aerosol droplets. A dense aerosol may be easily visible to the user. In some cases, the user may inhale the aerosol, and at least some of the aerosol particles may act on the user's lungs and / or mouth. The user may exhale the remaining aerosol after inhaling it. If the aerosol is dense, the remaining aerosol may have a particle density sufficient to make the exhaled aerosol visible to the user. In some cases, the user may prefer a dense aerosol that has visual efficacy and / or is palatable.

[0068] The vaporizer may contain vaporizable material. The vaporizable material may be contained in a cartridge, or it may be loosely arranged in one or more cavities of the vaporizer. A heating element may be provided in the device to raise the temperature of the vaporizable material so that at least a portion of it forms vapor. The heating element may heat the vaporizable material by conductive heat transfer, convective heat transfer, and / or radiative heat transfer. The heating element may heat the cartridge and / or cavity in which the vaporizable material is stored.

[0069] The vapor formed after heating a vaporizable material may be delivered to the user. The vapor may be transported through the apparatus from a first location in the apparatus to a second location in the apparatus. In some cases, the first location may be the location where at least a portion of the vapor is generated, for example, the cartridge or cavity, or an area adjacent to the cartridge or cavity. The second location may be the mouthpiece. The user may inhale the mouthpiece to inhale the vapor.

[0070] At least a portion of the vapor may condense after the vapor is generated and before it is inhaled by the user. The vapor may condense in a condensation chamber. The condensation chamber may be part of the apparatus through which the vapor passes before being delivered to the user. In some cases, the apparatus may include at least one vent located in the condensation chamber of the vaporizer. The vent may be configured to introduce ambient air (or other gas) into the vaporization chamber. The temperature of the air introduced into the vaporization chamber may be lower than the temperature of the gas and / or gas / vapor mixture in the condensation chamber. Introducing a relatively lower temperature gas into the vaporization chamber may result in rapid cooling of the heated gas-vapor mixture produced by heating the vaporizable material. Rapid cooling of the gas-vapor mixture may produce a dense aerosol containing high-concentration droplets with smaller diameter and / or lower average mass compared to an aerosol that is not rapidly cooled before inhalation by the user.

[0071] Aerosols containing highly concentrated droplets with smaller diameter and / or smaller average mass compared to aerosols not quenched before inhalation by the user may be formed in a two-step process. The first step may be carried out in an oven chamber where a vaporizable material (e.g., a mixture of tobacco and / or a plant-based chemical and a wetting agent) is heated to a high temperature. Evaporation at high temperatures may occur faster than evaporation at room temperature, and the oven chamber may be filled with the gas phase of the wetting agent. The wetting agent may continue to evaporate until the partial pressure of the wetting agent equals the saturation pressure. At this point, the gas is 1 (S=P partial / P sat It is said to have a degree of saturation of ).

[0072] In the second step, the gas (e.g., steam and air) may leave the oven and enter a condenser or condensing chamber where it may begin to cool. As the vapor phase cools, the saturation pressure may decrease. As the saturation pressure decreases, the degree of saturation increases, and the steam may begin to condense and form droplets. In some apparatuses, without additional cooling vents, cooling is relatively slower, which may prevent high saturation pressures from being reached, resulting in droplets that are relatively larger and fewer in number in apparatuses without additional cooling vents. When colder air is introduced, a temperature gradient may be created between the colder air and the relatively warmer gas in the apparatus. Mixing between the colder air and the relatively warmer gas in the confined space inside the vaporizer may lead to rapid cooling. Rapid cooling produces high saturation, small particles, and high concentrations of smaller particles, which may form a denser and more compact steam cloud compared to the particles produced in apparatuses without vents.

[0073] Where, for the purposes of this disclosure, the proportion of a wetting agent such as vegetable glycerol or propylene glycol is referred to as “about” means a variation of 5%, 10%, 20%, or 25%, depending on the embodiment.

[0074] Where, for the purposes of this disclosure, the average mass diameter at the particle size is referred to as "about," it means a variation of 5%, 10%, 20%, or 25%, depending on the embodiment.

[0075] A vaporizer configured to rapidly cool steam includes a mouthpiece with an aerosol outlet at a first end of the device; an oven including an oven chamber and a heater for heating a steam-forming medium in the oven chamber and forming steam therein; a condenser including a condensing chamber in which the steam forms an inhalable aerosol; an air inlet originating from a first airflow path including the oven chamber and the condensing chamber; and a vent originating from a second airflow path, the second airflow path including a vent that connects to the first airflow path located in front of or inside the condensing chamber after steam has been formed in the oven chamber, wherein the connected first and second airflow paths are configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol formed in the condensing chamber to the user through the aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece.

[0076] In some embodiments, the oven is located within the body of the apparatus. The oven chamber may include an oven chamber inlet and an oven chamber outlet. The oven may further include a first valve at the oven chamber inlet and a second valve at the oven chamber outlet.

[0077] The oven may be enclosed within the housing of the apparatus. In some cases, the body of the apparatus may include vents and / or condensers. The body of the apparatus may include one or more air inlets. The body of the apparatus may include a housing that holds and / or at least partially encloses one or more elements of the apparatus.

[0078] The mouthpiece may be connected to the main body. The mouthpiece may be connected to the oven. The mouthpiece may be connected to a housing that at least partially encloses the oven. In some cases, the mouthpiece may be detachable from the oven, the main body, and / or the housing that at least partially encloses the oven. The mouthpiece may include at least one of an air inlet, a vent, and a condenser. The mouthpiece may be integrated into the main body of the device. The main body of the device may include the oven.

[0079] In some cases, one or more vents may include a valve. The valve may regulate the flow rate of air entering the device through the vent. The valve may be controlled via a mechanical and / or electrical control system.

[0080] A vaporizer configured to rapidly cool steam may include a main body, a mouthpiece, an aerosol outlet, a condenser with a condensing chamber, a heater, an oven with an oven chamber, a first air inlet, and at least one vent located downstream of the main body and oven, and upstream of the mouthpiece.

[0081] Figure 1 shows an example of a vaporizer configured to rapidly cool vapor. The apparatus (100) may include a body (101). The body may house and / or integrate one or more components of the apparatus. The body may house and / or integrate a mouthpiece (102). The mouthpiece (102) may have an aerosol outlet (122). The user may inhale the aerosol produced through the aerosol outlet (122) on the mouthpiece (102). The body may house and / or integrate an oven section (104). The oven section (104) may include an oven chamber in which a vapor-forming medium (106) is disposed. The vapor-forming medium may include tobacco and / or plant-based chemicals with or without a second wetting agent. In some cases, the vapor-forming medium may be contained in a removable and / or refillable cartridge.

[0082] Air may be drawn into the device through a first air inlet (121). The first air inlet (121) may be located above the end of the device (100) opposite the mouthpiece (102). Alternatively, the first air inlet (121) may be adjacent to the mouthpiece (102). In some cases, the pressure drop sufficient to draw air into the device through the first air inlet (121) may be due to the user blowing into the mouthpiece (102).

[0083] The vapor-forming medium (e.g., a vaporizable material) may be heated in the oven chamber by a heater (105) to generate a high-temperature gaseous phase (vapor) of tobacco or plant-based chemicals and wetting agent / vapor-forming components. The heater (105) may transfer heat to the vapor-forming medium via conductive, transmissive, and / or radiative heat transfer. The generated vapor is drawn out of the oven section into the condensation chamber (103a) of the condenser (103), where the vapor begins to cool and condenses into fine particles or droplets suspended in the air, thereby forming the initial aerosol before being drawn out of the mouthpiece through the aerosol outlet (122).

[0084] In some cases, relatively colder air is introduced into the condensation chamber (103a) through the vent (107), causing the vapor to condense more rapidly compared to vapor in a device without the vent (107). Rapid cooling of the vapor may produce a denser aerosol cloud with particles having an average mass diameter of about 1 micron or less, and, depending on the mixing ratio of the vapor-forming wetting agent, particles having an average mass diameter of about 0.5 microns or less.

[0085] In another embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol, the apparatus comprising a body with a mouthpiece at one end, a body attached to the other end including a condensing chamber, a heater, an oven (wherein the oven includes a first valve in the airflow path at a first air inlet of the oven chamber and a second valve at the outlet end of the oven chamber), and at least one vent provided downstream of the body and oven, and upstream of the mouthpiece.

[0086] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the vaporizer (200). The vaporizer may have a body (201). The body (201) may integrate and / or encompass one or more components of the device. The body may integrate with or be connected to a mouthpiece (202).

[0087] The main body includes an oven section (204), and the oven chamber (204a) may have a first shrink valve (208) at the first air inlet of the oven chamber and a second shrink valve (209) at the oven chamber outlet. The oven chamber (204a) may be sealed with tobacco or a plant-based chemical and / or a wetting agent / vapor-forming medium (206). The seal may be an airtight and / or liquid-tight seal. A heater may be provided in the oven chamber with a heater (205). The heater (205) is in thermal communication with the oven, and for example, the heater may surround the oven chamber during the vaporization process. The heater may be in contact with the oven. The heater may be covered around the oven. Before intake and before air is drawn out through the first air inlet (221), pressure may rise in the sealed oven chamber so that heat is constantly applied. The pressure may rise due to the phase change of the vaporizable material. A high-temperature gaseous phase (vapor) of tobacco or plant-based chemicals and wetting agent / vapor-forming components may be achieved by frequently applying heat to the oven. If valves (208) and (209) are opened during inhalation, this heated pressurized process may result in an even higher degree of saturation. A higher degree of saturation may result in a relatively high particulate concentration of gaseous wetting agent in the resulting aerosol. When the vapor is drawn out from the oven section into the condensing chamber (203a) of the condenser (203), for example by inhalation by the user, the vapor of the gaseous wetting agent is exposed to additional air through the vent (207), and the vapor may begin to cool and condense into droplets suspended in the air. As previously stated, the aerosol may be drawn out by the user through the mouthpiece (222). This condensation process may be further refined by adding an additional valve (210) to the vent (207) to further control the mixing process of air and vapor.

[0088] Figure 2 also illustrates exemplary embodiments of additional components found in a vaporizing device, which include a power supply or battery (211), a printed circuit board (212), a temperature controller (213), and an operating switch (214), which are housed within an internal electronic housing (214) to isolate them from the harmful effects of moisture in the vapor and / or aerosol. Additional components may be found in the vaporizing device, with or without the vents described above.

[0089] In some embodiments of the vaporizer, the components of the device are user-friendly, such as a power supply or battery. These components may be replaceable or rechargeable.

[0090] In another embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol, the apparatus comprising a second mounted body including a first body, a mouthpiece having an aerosol outlet, a condensation chamber in a condenser, an airflow inlet, and a channel, an oven having a heater and an oven chamber, wherein the airflow channel is located upstream of the oven and mouthpiece outlets to bring airflow through the apparatus to the oven and to the condensation chamber, which is provided with an auxiliary vent.

[0091] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the vaporizer (300). The device (300) may include a body (301). The body may be connected to and / or integrated with a mouthpiece (302) at one end. The mouthpiece may include a condensation chamber (303a), an air inlet (321), and an air channel (323) in a condenser section (303). The device body may include a nearby oven (304) including an oven chamber (304a). The oven chamber may be located inside the device body. A vapor-forming medium (306) (e.g., vaporizable material) containing tobacco or a plant-based chemical and a wetting agent vapor-forming medium may be placed in the oven. The vapor-forming medium may be in direct contact with the air channel (323) from the mouthpiece. Tobacco or herbal medicine may be heated by a heater (305) surrounding the oven chamber to generate air, as well as tobacco or herbal medicine and wetting agent / vapor-forming components, which are drawn out by the user blowing into the mouthpiece via a first air inlet (321) above the oven and into the condensation chamber (303a) of the condenser section (303). Once additional air enters through a vent (307) in the compression chamber where the vapor of the vapor-phase wetting agent begins to cool and condense into droplets suspended in the air, it generates a denser aerosol cloud having particles with an average mass diameter less than that of a typical vaporizer without the additional vent, before being drawn out again from the mouthpiece via the aerosol outlet (322).

[0092] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus includes a mouthpiece with a spray outlet and an air inlet originating from a first airflow path at a first end of the apparatus; an oven including an oven chamber in the first airflow path and a heater for heating a vapor-forming medium in the oven chamber and forming vapor therein; a condenser including a condensation chamber in which the vapor forms an inhalable aerosol; and a vent originating from a second airflow path, the second airflow path connecting air from the vent to a first airflow path located before or in the condensation chamber and downstream from the oven chamber, thereby forming a connecting path, the connecting path configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol formed in the condensation chamber to the user through an aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece.

[0093] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus includes a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece including an aerosol outlet, an air inlet originating from a first airflow path, and a vent originating from a second airflow path, the second airflow path enabling air from the vent to connect to the first airflow path; the apparatus further includes an oven, the oven including an oven chamber in the first airflow path and a heater for heating a vapor-forming medium in the oven chamber and forming vapor therein; the apparatus further includes a condenser including a condensation chamber in which the vapor forms an inhalable aerosol, where air from the vent connects to a first airflow path located before or in the condensation chamber and downstream from the oven chamber, thereby forming a connecting path, where the connecting path is configured to deliver the inhalable aerosol to the user through the aerosol outlet of the mouthpiece, as shown in illustrative Figure 3.

[0094] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus may include a body having one or more separable components. For example, the mouthpiece may be separably attached to the body, which includes a condensation chamber, a heater, and an oven, as shown in illustrative Figure 1 or 2.

[0095] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus may include a body having one or more separable components. For example, a mouthpiece may be separably attached to the body. The mouthpiece includes a condensation chamber, as shown in illustrative Figure 3, and is attached to or directly adjacent to the oven, and is separable from the body, which includes the heater and oven.

[0096] In other embodiments of the present invention, at least one vent may be located in the condensing chamber of the condenser, as shown in illustrative Figures 1, 2, or 3. At least one vent may include a third valve in the airflow path of at least one vent, as shown in illustrative Figure 2. The first, second, and third valves are check valves, vane valves, non-return valves, or one-way valves. In any of the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, the first, second, or third valves may be mechanically, electrically, or manually operated. Those skilled in the art will recognize, after reading this disclosure, that the apparatus may be modified to include different combinations or variations of the mechanisms described for controlling the airflow, pressure, and temperature of the vapor and aerosol generated by the configuration of these apparatus, including manually operated openings or vents with or without valves.

[0097] In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus may further include at least one of a power supply, a printed circuit board, a switch, and a temperature controller. Alternatively, those skilled in the art will recognize that each of the aforementioned configurations also houses the power supply (battery), switch, printed circuit board, or temperature controller within the main body.

[0098] In some embodiments of the present invention, the device may be disposable when the supply of pre-packaged aerosol-forming medium is exhausted. Alternatively, the device may be rechargeable so that the battery is rechargeable or replaceable and / or the aerosol-forming medium is refilled by the user / operator of the device. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the present invention, the device may be rechargeable so that the battery is rechargeable or replaceable and / or the operator also adds or refills tobacco or plant components in addition to the refillable or replaceable aerosol-forming medium of the device.

[0099] As shown in Figures 1, 2, or 3, in some embodiments of the present invention, the vaporizer includes tobacco or a plant-based chemical heated in the oven chamber, wherein the tobacco or plant-based chemical further includes a wetting agent to produce an aerosol containing a wetting agent and gaseous components of the tobacco or plant-based chemical. In some embodiments of the present invention, the vapor of the gaseous wetting agent and tobacco or plant-based chemical produced by the heated aerosol-forming medium (106)(206)(306) is further cooled after the gaseous vapor has been condensed, and then mixed with air from special vents (107)(207)(307) to produce a fairly dense and concentrated aerosol with a diameter of about 1 micron or less in average mass, having more particles than that produced without excessive cooling.

[0100] For example, in other embodiments of the present invention, the composition of the aerosol produced by mixing gaseous vapor with cold air may include, for example, aerosols containing particles in different ranges having average mass diameters of about 0.9 microns or less; about 0.8 microns or less; about 0.7 microns or less; and about 0.6 microns or less, as well as aerosols containing particle sizes with an average mass of about 0.5 microns or less.

[0101] The possible variations and ranges of aerosol density are significant in that there are numerous possible combinations of temperature, pressure, choice of tobacco or plant-based chemicals, and choice of wetting agent. However, by excluding the choice of tobacco or plant-based chemicals and limiting the temperature range and wetting agent ratio to those described herein, the inventors have demonstrated that this apparatus produces a considerably denser, more concentrated aerosol containing more particles with an average mass diameter of about 1 micron or less than that produced without excessive cold air.

[0102] In some embodiments of the present invention, the wetting agent includes glycerol or vegetable glycerol as a vapor-forming medium.

[0103] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the wetting agent comprises propylene glycol as a vapor-forming medium.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wetting agent may include a ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol as a vapor-forming medium. The range of the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may vary between a ratio of about 100:0 and about 50:50. The difference between the preferred ratios within the above range is only about 1, for example, the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 99:1. More generally, however, the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may vary in increments of about 5, for example, about 95:5; or about 85:15; or about 55:45.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol for the vapor-forming medium is in the range of about 80:20 and about 60:40.

[0106] In the most preferred embodiment, the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol for the vapor-forming medium is about 70:30.

[0107] In any preferred embodiment, the humectant may further include a flavoring product. These flavorings may include, to name just a few, cocoa solids, licorice, tobacco, or plant extracts.

[0108] In some embodiments, tobacco or a plant-based chemical is heated in an oven to its thermal decomposition temperature, which is most commonly measured in the range of 300–1000°C as described above.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco or plant-based chemical is heated to a maximum of approximately 300°C. In another preferred embodiment, the tobacco or plant-based chemical is heated to a maximum of approximately 200°C. In yet another preferred embodiment, the tobacco or plant-based chemical is heated to a maximum of approximately 160°C. In these lower temperature ranges (<300°C), thermal decomposition of the tobacco or plant-based chemical does not typically occur, but vapor formation of the tobacco or plant-based components and flavoring products does occur. In addition, vapor formation of the components of the wetting agent mixed in various ratios also occurs, resulting in nearly complete vaporization depending on the temperature, since the boiling point of propylene glycol is approximately 180°C–190°C and the boiling point of vegetable glycerol is approximately 280°C–290°C.

[0110] In another preferred embodiment, the aerosol generated by the heated tobacco or plant-based chemicals and wetting agent is mixed with air provided through a vent.

[0111] In other preferred embodiments, the heated aerosol, generated by tobacco or a plant-based chemical and a wetting agent, is mixed with air and cooled to a temperature of at least 35°C and up to about 50°C–70°C before exiting the mouthpiece, depending on the temperature of the air mixed into the condensing chamber. In some embodiments, the temperature may be cooled to a maximum of about 35°C–55°C and have a variation range of more than ±10°C, with the overall range being at most about 35°C–70°C.

[0112] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a vaporizer for generating an inhalable aerosol, comprising a unique oven configuration, wherein the oven includes an access cover and an auxiliary vent located in an airflow channel directly downstream of the oven and in front of the vent chamber. In this configuration, the user may access the oven directly by removing the access cover, thereby allowing the user to refill the device with vaporizing material.

[0113] In addition, the presence of vents in the airflow channels directly behind the oven and in front of the vaporization chamber gives the user additional control over the amount of air entering downstream of the vent chamber and the cooling rate of the aerosol before it enters the vent chamber.

[0114] Focusing on Figure 4A-4C, the apparatus (400) may include a body (401) having an air inlet (421) that allows for the initial heating process of air into the oven section (404). After heating tobacco or a plant-based chemical and a wetting agent (heater not shown), the vapor of the generated gaseous wetting agent may move down an airflow channel (423) and pass through an additional vent (407) where the user selectively increases the airflow to the heated vapor. The user may selectively increase and / or decrease the airflow to the heated vapor by controlling a valve communicating with the vent (407). In some cases, the apparatus may not have a vent. The airflow to the heated vapor through the vent may increase the condensation rate and vapor density by lowering the temperature of the vapor before it exits the airflow channel at the outlet (422) and reducing the diameter of the vapor particles in the vent chamber (not shown), thus producing a denser and richer vapor compared to the vapor produced by an apparatus without a vent. The user may also access the oven chamber (404a) to refill or replenish the device (400) via an access cover (430) provided inside. The access cover may be provided in devices with or without vents.

[0115] This specification provides a method for generating an inhalable aerosol, the method comprising the steps of: providing a vaporizer, the device which generates vapor having an average mass particle size of about 1 micron or less, the vapor which is formed by heating a vapor-forming medium in the oven chamber of the device to a first temperature below the thermal decomposition temperature of the vapor-forming medium, and cooling the vapor in a condensing chamber to a temperature below the first temperature before it exits the aerosol outlet of the device.

[0116] In some embodiments, the vapor is cooled after exiting the oven and during the condensation phase by mixing it with relatively cool air in the condensation chamber, where the condensation of the vapor-phase wetting agent occurs more rapidly than that typically occurs in standard vaporizers or aerosol generators due to the high degree of saturation achieved at the moment of aeration, producing higher concentrations of smaller particles with fewer byproducts in a denser aerosol.

[0117] In some embodiments, the formation of an inhalable aerosol is a two-step process. The first step is carried out in an oven where a mixture of tobacco or a plant-based chemical and a wetting agent is heated to a high temperature. Evaporation at high temperatures occurs faster than evaporation at room temperature, and the oven chamber is filled with the gas phase of the wetting agent. The wetting agent continues to evaporate until the partial pressure of the wetting agent equals the saturation pressure. At this point, the gas is 1 (S=P partial / P sat It is said to have a degree of saturation of ).

[0118] In the second step, the gas leaves the oven chamber, passes through the condensation chamber in the condenser, and begins to cool. As the vapor in the gas phase cools, the saturation pressure also decreases, which increases the degree of saturation, causing the vapor to condense and form droplets. When cold air is introduced, the large temperature gradient between the two fluids mixing in a closed space leads to very rapid cooling, which in turn produces high saturation, small particles, and even smaller particles with higher concentrations, forming a denser, more compact vapor cloud.

[0119] This specification provides a method for generating an inhalable aerosol, the method comprising: a vaporizer having a body with a mouthpiece at one end and a body attached to the other end, the vaporizer comprising a condenser with a condensing chamber, a heater, an oven with an oven chamber, and at least one vent provided in the body, downstream of the oven, and upstream of the mouthpiece, wherein tobacco or a plant-based chemical containing a humectant is heated in the oven chamber to generate vapor containing a vapor-phase humectant.

[0120] As described above, a vaporizer having an auxiliary vent located within a condensing chamber, capable of supplying cold air (relative to the heated gaseous elements) to the gaseous vapor and tobacco or plant-based chemical components exiting the oven section, may be used to provide a method for producing a fairly dense and concentrated aerosol containing more particles than those produced without excessive cold air, with an average mass diameter of about 1 micron or less.

[0121] In another embodiment, the Specified herein provides a method for generating an inhalable aerosol, the method comprising: a vaporizer having a body with a mouthpiece at one end and a body attached to the other end, the vaporizer comprising a condenser with a condensing chamber, a heater, an oven with an oven chamber (the oven further comprising a first valve in an airflow path at the inlet end of the oven chamber and a second valve at the outlet end of the oven chamber), and at least one vent provided in the body, downstream of the oven and upstream of the mouthpiece, wherein tobacco or a plant-based chemical containing a humectant is heated in the oven chamber to generate vapor containing a vapor-phase humectant.

[0122] As illustrated in the illustrative Figure 2, before inhalation and before air is drawn out through the first air inlet (221), the inside of the oven chamber (204a) is sealed with a vapor-forming medium (206) of tobacco or a plant-based chemical and wetting agent during the vaporization phase, and heat is applied by a heater (205) to generate a higher temperature vapor-phase wetting agent (vapor) of the vapor-forming components of tobacco or a plant-based chemical and wetting agent, as heat is continuously applied by an electronic heating circuit generated through a combination of a battery (211), a printed circuit board (212), a temperature controller (213), and an operator-controlled switch (not shown), causing the pressure inside the oven chamber to increase. This heated pressurized process generates a higher degree of saturation when valves (208) and (209) are opened during inhalation, resulting in a higher concentration of particles in the resulting aerosol, and when the vapor is drawn out from the oven section into the condensation chamber (203a), the aerosol is again exposed to additional air through the vent (207) as described above before it is drawn out through the mouthpiece (222), and the vapor begins to cool and condense into droplets suspended in the air. The inventors also note that this condensation process may be further refined by adding an additional valve (210) to the vent (207) to further control the mixing process of air and vapor.

[0123] In some embodiment of any one of the creative methods, the first, second, and / or third valves are one-way valves, check valves, vane valves, or non-return valves. The first, second, and / or third valves may be mechanically operated. The first, second, and / or third valves may be electrically operated. The first, second, and / or third valves may be automatically operated. The first, second, and / or third valves may be manually operated either directly by the user or indirectly by the user in response to input commands to a control system that operates the first, second, and / or third valves.

[0124] In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus further includes at least one of a power supply, a printed circuit board, or a temperature controller.

[0125] In any of the aforementioned embodiments of the creative methods, a person skilled in the art will, after reading the disclosure, recognize that the method may be modified so that one or each of these openings or vents includes different combinations or variations of the described mechanisms or electronic devices for controlling the airflow, pressure, and temperature of the vapor and aerosol generated by the configuration of these devices, including manually operated openings or vents, with or without valves.

[0126] The possible variations and ranges of aerosol density are large in that there are numerous possible combinations of temperature, pressure, choice of tobacco or plant-based chemicals, and choice of wetting agent. However, by eliminating the choice of tobacco or plant-based chemicals and limiting the temperature to the range and wetting agent ratio described herein, the inventors have demonstrated a method for producing a considerably denser, more concentrated aerosol containing more particles with an average mass diameter of 1 micron or less than that produced without excessive cold.

[0127] In some embodiments of the creative method, the wetting agent includes a ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol as a vapor-forming medium. The range of the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol will vary between a ratio of about 100:0 and about 50:50. The difference between preferred ratios within the above range is only a variation of 1, for example, the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be about 99:1. More generally, however, the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol will vary in increments of 5, for example, about 95:5; or about 85:15; or about 55:45.

[0128] Because vegetable glycerol is less volatile than propylene glycol, it will re-condense at a greater rate. A humectant with a higher concentration of glycerol will produce a denser aerosol. Adding propylene glycol results in an aerosol with a lower concentration of condensed phase particles and a higher concentration of gaseous phase effluent. When the aerosol is inhaled, this gaseous phase effluent is often perceived as an itchy or unpleasant sensation in the throat. For some consumers, it may be desirable to alter the degree of this sensation. The ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol may be adjusted to maintain aerosol concentration equilibrium at the precise amount of “throat itchiness.”

[0129] In a preferred embodiment of the above method, the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol for the vapor-forming medium is in the range of about 80:20 and about 60:40.

[0130] In the most preferred embodiment of the above method, the ratio of vegetable glycerol to propylene glycol for the vapor-forming medium is about 70:30. Those skilled in the art will conceive that mixtures with different ratios exist for consumers with different tastes.

[0131] In any preferred embodiment of the method described above, the humectant further comprises a flavoring product. These flavorings include, to name a few, enhancers such as cocoa solids, licorice, tobacco, or plant extracts.

[0132] In some embodiments of the above method, tobacco or a plant-based chemical is heated to its thermal decomposition temperature.

[0133] In a preferred embodiment of the above method, the tobacco or plant-based chemical is heated to a maximum of about 300°C.

[0134] In another preferred embodiment of the method, the tobacco or plant-based chemical is heated to a maximum of about 200°C. In yet another embodiment of the method, the tobacco or plant-based chemical is heated to a maximum of about 160°C.

[0135] As mentioned above, at such low temperatures (<300°C), thermal decomposition of tobacco or plant-based chemicals does not typically occur, but vaporization of tobacco or plant-based components and flavoring products does occur. As can be inferred from the data provided by Baker et al., the aerosols produced at these temperatures also contain little to no Hoffman analyte, or at least less than 70% of the Hoffman analyte of typical tobacco or plant-based tobacco, and are scored significantly better on the Ames test than the material produced by burning typical tobacco. In addition, vaporization of humectant components mixed in various ratios also occurs, resulting in nearly complete vaporization depending on the temperature, as propylene glycol has a boiling point of approximately 180°C–190°C and vegetable glycerol has a boiling point of approximately 280°C–290°C.

[0136] In any of the methods described above, the inhalable aerosol, produced by tobacco or a plant-based chemical containing a humectant and heated in the oven, produces an aerosol containing a gaseous humectant, which is further mixed with air provided through a vent.

[0137] In any of the methods described above, the aerosol produced by the heated tobacco or plant-based chemical and wetting agent, which is mixed with air, is cooled to a temperature of about 50°C–70°C and at least 35°C before exiting the mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the temperature may be cooled to a maximum of about 35°C–55°C and have a variation range of more than ± about 10°C, with the overall range being at most about 35°C–70°C.

[0138] In some embodiments of the above method, the vapor containing the gaseous wetting agent may be mixed with air to produce an aerosol having a particle size with an average mass of about 1 micron or less.

[0139] In other embodiments of the above method, the aerosols produced by mixing gaseous vapor with cold air may each include, for example, aerosols containing particles in different ranges having average mass diameters of about 0.9 microns or less; about 0.8 microns or less; about 0.7 microns or less; and about 0.6 microns or less, as well as aerosols containing particle sizes with an average mass of about 0.5 microns or less.

[0140] In some cases, the vaporizer may be configured to produce an inhalable aerosol. The device may be a self-contained vaporizer. The device may include a rectangular body, which functions to complement an embodiment of a separable and reusable cartridge having an air inlet channel, a vent, multiple condensation chambers, a flexible heater contact area, and multiple aerosol outlets. Furthermore, the cartridge may be configured to facilitate manufacturing and assembly.

[0141] A vaporizer for generating an inhalable aerosol is provided herein. The vaporizer may include a device body, a separable cartridge assembly further including a heater, at least one condensation chamber, and a mouthpiece. The vaporizer provides compact assembly and disassembly of components using removable couplings; overheating protection of a resistive heating element; an air inlet passage (closed channel) formed by the assembly of the device body and the separable cartridge; at least one condensation chamber in the separable cartridge assembly; a heater contact; and one or more refillable, reusable, and / or reusable components.

[0142] Apparatus for generating inhalable aerosols is provided herein, comprising an apparatus body including a cartridge receptacle; a cartridge having a storage chamber and a channel integral to the outer surface of the cartridge; and an air inlet passage formed by the channel and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle, the cartridge may be formed from metal, plastic, ceramic, and / or composite material. The storage chamber may hold a vaporizable material. Figure 7A shows an example of a cartridge (30) used in the apparatus. The vaporizable material may be a liquid at or near room temperature. In some cases, the vaporizable material may be a liquid below room temperature. As illustrated in various non-limiting embodiments of Figures 5-6D, 7C, 8A, 8B, and 10A, the channel may form a first side of the air inlet passage, and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle may form a second side of the air inlet passage.

[0143] Apparatus for generating inhalable aerosols is provided herein. The apparatus may comprise a body that houses, includes, and / or integrates with one or more components of the apparatus. The apparatus body may comprise a cartridge receptacle. The cartridge receptacle may comprise an integral channel on the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle; and an air inlet passage formed by the channel and the outer surface of the cartridge when a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. The cartridge may be loaded into and / or inserted into the cartridge receptacle. The cartridge may have a fluid storage chamber. The channel may form a first side of the air inlet passage, and the outer surface of the cartridge may form a second side of the air inlet passage. The channel may comprise at least one of: grooves; valleys; tracks; depressions; indentations; grooves; deep grooves; folds; and side grooves. The integral channel may include walls recessed into the surface or protruding from the surface on which it is formed. The inner side walls of the channel may form additional sides of the air inlet passage. The channel may have a circular, oval, square, rectangular, or other shaped cross-section. The channel may have a closed cross-section. The channel may have a width of approximately 0.1 cm, 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 2 cm, or 5 cm. The channel may have a depth of approximately 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, or 5 mm. The channel may have a length of approximately 0.1 cm, 0.5 cm, 1 cm, 2 cm, or 5 cm. There may be at least one channel.

[0144] In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a second air passage that is in fluid communication with an air inlet passage to a fluid storage chamber, and the second air passage is formed by the material of the cartridge.

[0145] Figure 5-7C shows various drawings of a compact electronic device assembly (10) for generating an inhalable aerosol. The compact electronic device (10) may include a device body (20) with a cartridge receptacle (21) for receiving a cartridge (30). The device body may have a square or rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the cross-section of the body may be other regular or irregular shapes. The cartridge receptacle may be shaped to accommodate an open cartridge (30a) or “pod”. The cartridge may be opened when a protective cap is removed from the surface of the cartridge. In some cases, the cartridge may also be opened when a hole or opening is formed on the surface of the cartridge. The pod (30a) may also be inserted into the open end of the cartridge receptacle (21) such that an exposed first heater contact tip (33a) on the heater contact portion (33) of the pod contacts a second heater contact portion (22) of the device body, thereby forming the device assembly (10).

[0146] Referring to Figure 14, the pod (30a) is connected to the cartridge receptacle (21). notch It is clear from the plan view that when inserted into the main body provided, the air inlet (50) of the channel remains exposed. The size of the air inlet (50) of the channel is such that the cartridge receptacle (21) notch of structure This may be changed by modifying [something].

[0147] The device body may further include a rechargeable battery, a printed circuit board (PCB) (24) with a microcontroller providing the device's operating logic and software commands, a pressure switch (27) for detecting the user's breath-holding action to activate the heater circuit, an indicator light (26), charging contacts (not shown), and an optional charging magnet or magnetic contacts (not shown). The cartridge may further include a heater (36). The heater may be powered by a rechargeable battery. The heater temperature may be controlled by the microcontroller. The heater may be mounted on the first end of the cartridge.

[0148] In some embodiments, the heater may include a heater chamber (37), a first pair of heater contacts (33)(33'), a fluid core (34), and a resistance heating element (35) in contact with the core. The first pair of heater contacts may include a thin plate mounted around the sides of the heater chamber. The fluid core and resistance heating element may be suspended between the heater contacts.

[0149] In some embodiments, there may be two or more resistance heating elements (35), (35') and two or more cores (34), (34'). In some embodiments, the heater contact portion (33) may comprise a flat plate; a male contact portion; a female receptacle, or both; a flexible contact portion and / or a copper alloy or another conductive material. The first pair of heater contact portions may further include a molded shape which may include a tab (e.g., a flange) having a flexible spring valve extending from the heater to complete a circuit comprising the device body. The first pair of heater contact portions may be a heat sink that absorbs and dissipates excess heat generated by the resistance heating elements. Alternatively, the first pair of heater contact portions may be a heat shield that protects the heater chamber from excess heat generated by the resistance heating elements. The first pair of heater contact portions may be press-fitted to a mounting mechanism on the outer wall of the first end of the cartridge. The heater may surround the first end of the cartridge and the first end of the fluid storage chamber.

[0150] As illustrated by the assembly shown in the exploded assembly diagram of Figure 7B, the heater enclosure may include two or more heater contacts (33), each including a flat plate which may be machined or punched from a copper alloy or similar conductive material. The flexibility of the tip is provided by a cut-out gap mechanism (33b) made below the male contact tip (33a), which fully utilizes the inherent spring properties of the metal sheet or plate material. Another advantage and improvement of this type of contact is reduced space requirements, simplified construction of the spring contact point (against the pogo pin), and ease of assembly. The heater may include a first condensation chamber. In addition to the first condensation chamber, the heater may include one or more additional condensation chambers. The first condensation chamber may be formed along the outer wall of the cartridge.

[0151] In some cases, the cartridge (e.g., pod) is configured to facilitate manufacturing and assembly. The cartridge may include an enclosure. The enclosure may be a tank. The tank may include an internal fluid storage chamber (32). The internal fluid storage chamber (32) is open at one end or both ends and has raised rails on the side ends (45b) and (46b). The cartridge may be formed from plastic, metal, composite, and / or ceramic material. The cartridge may be rigid or flexible.

[0152] The tank may further include a set of first heater contact plates (33) made of a copper alloy or another conductive material, which are attached to the side of the first end of the tank and have a thin cutout below a contact tip (33a) that spans the open end (53) of the tank. The plates may be attached by pins or posts as shown in Figure 7B or 5, or by other common means such as compression directly below the enclosure (36). A fluid core (34) with a resistance heating element (35) wrapped around it is placed between the first heater contact plates (33) and attached thereto. The heater (36), including a raised internal edge on an internal end (not shown), a thin mixing region (not shown), and a main condensation channel cover (45a) sliding on a rail (45b) on the side of the tank in the front half of the tank form a main condensation channel / chamber (45). In addition, a small male snap mechanism (39b) at the end of the channel cover is configured to fit into a female snap mechanism (39a) and is placed in the central body on the side of the tank to form a snap-fit ​​assembly.

[0153] As will be further clarified below, an efficient heater system is created by the combination of a fluid core (34) having an open side end (53), a protruding tip (33a) of a contact plate (33), and a resistance heating element (35) surrounded at the open end of the fluid storage tank, under a heater (36) with a thin mixing region inside. In addition, a main condensation channel cover (45a) sliding on rails (45b) on the side of the tank creates a one-piece, easily assembled main condensation chamber (45), all contained within a heater at the first end of the cartridge (30) or pod (30a).

[0154] In some embodiments of the device, as shown in Figure 9, the heater may surround at least a first end of the cartridge. The surrounded first end of the cartridge may include the heater and an internal fluid storage chamber. In some embodiments, the heater further includes at least one first condensation chamber (45).

[0155] Figure 9 shows illustrated steps that may be taken to assemble the cultomiser and / or mouthpiece. In step AB, the fluid storage chamber (32a) may be oriented so that the heater inlet (53) faces upward. The heater contact (33) may be inserted into the fluid storage chamber. A flexible tab (33a) may be inserted into the heater contact (33). In step D, the resistance heating element (35) may be wound around the core (34). In step E, the core (34) and heater (35) may be placed in the fluid storage chamber. One or more free ends of the heater may be located outside the heater contact. One or more free ends may be soldered in place, placed in a groove, or snap-fitted in place. At least a portion of one or more free ends may communicate with the heater contact (33). In step F, the heater enclosure (36) may be snap-fitted in place. The heater enclosure (36) may be attached to the fluid storage chamber. Step G shows the heater enclosure (36) in place on the fluid storage chamber. In step H, the fluid storage chamber may be turned upside down. In step I, the mouthpiece (31) can be attached to the fluid storage chamber. Step J shows the mouthpiece (31) in place on the fluid storage chamber. In step K, the end (49) can be attached to the fluid storage chamber on the opposite side of the mouthpiece. Step L shows the fully assembled cartridge (30). Figure 7B shows an exploded view of the assembled cartridge (30).

[0156] Depending on the size of the heater and / or heater chamber, the heater may have more than one wick (34) and resistance heating element (35).

[0157] In some embodiments, the first pair of heater contacts (33) further comprises a molded shape including a tab (33a) having a flexible spring valve extending from the heater. In some embodiments, the cartridge (30) comprises a heater (33) inserted into a cartridge receptacle (21) of the device body (20), and the flexible tab (33a) is inserted into a second pair of heater contacts (22) to complete the circuit comprising the device body. The first pair of heater contacts (33) may be a heat sink that absorbs and dissipates excess heat generated by the resistance heating element (35). The first pair of heater contacts (33) may be a heat shield that protects the heater chamber from excess heat generated by the resistance heating element (35). The first pair of heater contacts may be press-fitted into a mounting mechanism on the outer wall of the first end of the cartridge. The heater (36) may surround the first end of the cartridge and the first end of the fluid storage chamber (32a). The heater may include a first condensation chamber (45). The heater may include at least one additional condensation chamber (45), (45'), (45''), etc. The first condensation chamber may be formed along the outer wall of the cartridge.

[0158] In yet another embodiment of the device, the cartridge may further include a mouthpiece (31), which includes at least one aerosol outlet channel / second condensation chamber (46); and at least one aerosol outlet (47). The mouthpiece may be attached to a second end of the cartridge. The second end of the cartridge with the mouthpiece may be exposed from the end when the cartridge is inserted into the device. The mouthpiece may include more than one second condensation chamber (46), (46'), (46''), etc. The second condensation chamber is formed along the outer wall of the cartridge.

[0159] The mouthpiece (31) may surround the cartridge and the second end of the internal fluid storage chamber. A partially assembled unit (e.g., with the mouthpiece removed) may be inverted and filled with vaporizable fluid through the remaining (second) open end on the opposite side. Once filled, a snap-type mouthpiece (31) that closes and seals the second end of the tank is inserted into the end. The mouthpiece further includes a projecting internal rim (not shown) and an aerosol outlet channel cover (46a) that slides on a rail (46b) located on the side of the rear half of the tank, forming an aerosol outlet channel / second condensation chamber (46). The aerosol outlet channel / second condensation chamber (46) slides over the end of the main condensation chamber (45) in a transition region (57), creating a confluence point for vapor exiting the main chamber, which then proceeds through the aerosol outlet (47) at the end of the aerosol outlet channel (46) and the user end of the mouthpiece (31).

[0160] The cartridge may include a first condensation chamber and second condensation chambers (45), (46). The cartridge may also include more than one first condensation chamber and more than one second condensation chambers (45), (46), (45'), (46'), etc.

[0161] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first condensing chamber (45) may be formed along the outside of the cartridge fluid storage chamber (31). In some embodiments of the apparatus, the aerosol outlet (47) is located at the end of the aerosol outlet chamber (46). In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first and second condensing chambers (45)(46) may be formed along the outside of one side of the cartridge fluid storage chamber (31). In some embodiments, the second condensing chamber may be the aerosol outlet chamber. In some embodiments, another pair of first and / or second condensing chambers (45'),(46') are formed along the outside of the cartridge fluid storage chamber (31) on another side of the apparatus. In some embodiments, another aerosol outlet (47') is also located at the end of the second pair of condensing chambers (45')(46').

[0162] In any one of the embodiments, the first condensation chamber and the second condensation chamber may be in fluid communication as shown in Figure 10C.

[0163] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece may include an aerosol outlet (47) in fluid communication with a second condensation chamber (46). The mouthpiece may include one or more aerosol outlets (47)(47') in fluid communication with one or more second condensation chambers (46),(46'). The mouthpiece may surround a second end of the cartridge and a second end of the fluid storage chamber.

[0164] In each of the embodiments described herein, the cartridge may include an airflow passage, which includes: an air inlet passage; a heater; at least a first condensation chamber; an aerosol outlet chamber; and an outlet port. In some of the embodiments described herein, the cartridge may include an airflow passage, which includes: an air inlet passage; a heater; a first condensation chamber; a second condensation chamber; and an outlet port.

[0165] In yet another embodiment described herein, the cartridge may include an airflow passage comprising at least one air inlet passage; a heater; at least one first condensation chamber; at least one second condensation chamber; and at least one outlet port.

[0166] As illustrated in Figures 10A to 10C, an airflow passage is created when the user inserts the mouthpiece (31) to produce suction (e.g., a single puff), thereby essentially drawing air through the air inlet opening (50) of the channel, through the air inlet passage (51), through the second air passage (tank air inlet hole) (41) of the tank air inlet (52) to the heater chamber (37), and then to the heater inlet (53). At this point, the pressure sensor detects the user's puff and activates the circuit to the resistance heating element (35), which in turn begins to generate steam from the vapor fluid (e-juice). As the air enters the heater inlet (53), it begins to mix and circulate in the narrow chamber above and around the wick (34) and between the heater contacts (33), generating heat and concentrated steam as it mixes in the airflow passage (54) created by the sealing structural obstruction (44). Figure 8A shows a detailed diagram of the sealing structure obstruction (44). Finally, the steam may be drawn out of the heater along the air passage (55) near the shoulder of the heater into the main condensation chamber (45) where the steam diffuses and begins to cool. As the diffusing steam moves along the air passage, it transitions out of the main chamber through the transition region (57), creating a confluence point for the steam exiting the main condensation chamber (45), entering the second steam chamber (46), proceeding through the aerosol outlet (47), and reaching the user at the end of the mouthpiece (31) to the user.

[0167] As illustrated in Figures 10A to 10C, the apparatus may have a double set of air inlet passages (50-53), a double first condensation chamber (55 / 45), a double second condensation chamber and ventilation channel (57 / 46), and / or a double aerosol outlet vent (47).

[0168] Alternatively, the apparatus may have air passages, which include air inlet passages (50)(51); a second air passage (41); a heater chamber (37); a first condensation chamber (45); a second condensation chamber (46); and / or an aerosol outlet (47).

[0169] In some cases, the apparatus may have airflow passages, which include more than one air inlet passage; more than one second air passage; a heater chamber; more than one first condensation chamber; more than one second condensation chamber; and more than one aerosol outlet as clearly illustrated in Figures 10A to 10C.

[0170] In any one of the embodiments described herein, the heater (36) may be in fluid communication with the internal fluid storage chamber (32a).

[0171] In each of the embodiments described herein, the fluid storage chamber (32) is in fluid communication with the heater chamber (37), and the fluid storage chamber can hold condensed aerosol fluid as illustrated in Figures 10A, 10C, and 14.

[0172] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the aggregated aerosol fluid may contain a nicotine preparation. In some embodiments, the aggregated aerosol fluid may contain a wetting agent. In some embodiments, the wetting agent may contain propylene glycol. In some embodiments, the wetting agent may contain vegetable glycerin.

[0173] In some cases, the cartridge may be removable from the device body. In some embodiments, the cartridge receptacle and the removable cartridge may form a separable joint. In some embodiments, the separable joint may include a friction assembly. As illustrated in Figures 11 to 14, the device may have a press-fit (friction) assembly between the cartridge pod (30a) and the device receptacle. Furthermore, recesses / friction captures such as 43 may be used to capture the pod (30a) at the device receptacle or to hold a protective cap (38) on the pod, as illustrated in Figure 8B.

[0174] In other embodiments, the separable coupling may include a snap-fit ​​or snap-lock assembly. In yet another embodiment, the separable coupling may include a magnetic assembly.

[0175] In any one of the embodiments described herein, the cartridge components may include a snap-fit ​​or snap-lock assembly, as shown in Figure 5. In any one of the embodiments, the cartridge components may be reusable, refillable, and / or recyclable. The design of such cartridge components facilitates the use of reusable plastic materials, such as polypropylene, for most of the components.

[0176] In some embodiments of the device (10), the cartridge (30) may include: a fluid storage chamber (32); a heater (36) attached to a first end by snap-fit ​​connectors (39a), (39b); and a mouthpiece (31) attached to a second end by snap-fit ​​connectors (39c), (39d) (not shown, but similar to 39a and 39b). The heater (36) may be in fluid communication with the fluid storage chamber (32). The fluid storage chamber may hold a condensed aerosol fluid. The condensed aerosol fluid may contain a nicotine preparation. The condensed aerosol fluid may contain a wetting agent. The wetting agent may contain propylene glycol and / or vegetable glycerin.

[0177] Apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol is provided herein, comprising: an apparatus body (20) including a cartridge receptacle (21) for housing a cartridge (30), wherein when a cartridge including an integral channel (40) on its outer surface is inserted into the cartridge receptacle (21), the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle forms a first side of an air inlet passage (51), and the channel forms a second side of the air inlet passage (51).

[0178] Apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol is provided herein, comprising: an apparatus body (20) including a cartridge receptacle (21) for housing a cartridge (30), the cartridge receptacle including an integral channel on its inner surface, which forms a first side of an air inlet passage when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle, and the outer surface of the cartridge forms a second side of an air inlet passage (51).

[0179] A cartridge (30) for a device for generating an inhalable aerosol (10) is provided herein, the cartridge comprising a fluid storage chamber (32); an integral channel (40) on its outer surface, the channel forming a first side of an air inlet passage (51); and, when the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge receptacle, the inner surface of a cartridge receptacle (21) in the device forming a second side of the air inlet passage (51).

[0180] A cartridge (30) for a device for generating an inhalable aerosol (10) is provided herein, the cartridge comprising a fluid storage chamber (32), the outer surface of the cartridge forming a first side of an air inlet channel (51) when inserted into a device body 10 including a cartridge receptacle (21), the cartridge receptacle further comprising an integral channel on its inner surface, the channel forming a second side of the air inlet passage (51).

[0181] In some embodiments, the cartridge further includes a second air passage (41) in fluid communication with the channel (40), the second air passage (41) being formed by the material of the cartridge (32) from the outer surface of the cartridge to an internal fluid storage chamber (32a).

[0182] In some embodiments of the cartridge receptacle (21) or cartridge (30) of the device body, the integrated channel (40) includes at least one of the following: grooves; valleys; depressions; indentations; grooves; deep grooves; folds; and side grooves.

[0183] In some embodiments of the cartridge receptacle (21) or cartridge (30) of the device body, the integrated channel (40) may include walls recessed into the surface or protruding from the surface on which it is formed.

[0184] In some embodiments of the cartridge receptacle (21) or cartridge (30) of the device body, the inner side wall of the channel (40) forms a further side of the air inlet passage (51).

[0185] Apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol is provided herein, the apparatus comprising: a fluid storage chamber and a cartridge comprising a heater attached to a first end comprising a first heater contact and a resistance heating element attached to the first heater contact; an apparatus body comprising a cartridge receptacle for housing the cartridge; a second heater contact suitable for housing the first heater contact and completing the circuit; a power source connected to the second heater contact; and a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the power source and the second heater contact, the PCB being configured to detect the absence of fluid based on the measured resistance of the resistance heating element and to turn off the power to the apparatus.

[0186] Referring here to Figures 13, 14, and 15, in some embodiments the device body further includes at least one second heater contact (22) (shown in detail in Figure 6C); a battery (23); a printed circuit board (24); a pressure sensor (27); and an indicator light (26).

[0187] In some embodiments, the printed circuit board (PCB) further includes a circuit configuration comprising a microcontroller; switches; a reference register; and an algorithm comprising logic for control parameters, where the microcontroller cycles through the switches at regular intervals to measure the resistance of a resistive heat source relative to the reference register, and applies algorithmic control parameters to control the temperature of the resistive heat source.

[0188] As shown in the basic block diagram in Figure 17A, the apparatus utilizes a proportional-integral-error controller or PID control law. The PID controller calculates the value of "error" as the difference between the measured process variable and the desired set value. When PID control is possible, the power to the coil is monitored to determine whether acceptable vaporization is occurring. If the apparatus is producing steam using a given airflow on the coil (heat is removed from the coil to form steam), more power is required to hold the coil at a given temperature. If the power required to hold the coil at the regulated temperature falls below a threshold, the apparatus indicates that it is currently unable to produce steam. Under normal operating conditions, this indicates that there is not enough liquid in the fluid core to produce normal vaporization.

[0189] In some embodiments, the microcontroller instructs the device to shut down if the resistance exceeds a threshold of a control parameter indicating that the resistive heating element is dry.

[0190] In another embodiment, the printed circuit board further includes logic capable of detecting the presence of condensed aerosol fluid in the fluid storage chamber, and if no condensed aerosol fluid is detected, power to the heating contact can be cut off. When the microcontroller is running a PID temperature control algorithm (70), the difference (error) between the setpoint and the coil temperature is used to control the power to the coil so that the coil quickly reaches the setpoint temperature [between 200°C and 400°C]. When an over-temperature algorithm is used, the power remains constant until the coil reaches an over-temperature threshold [between 200°C and 400°C]. (Figure 17A applies the case where the setpoint temperature is the over-temperature threshold and the power remains constant until the error reaches zero).

[0191] The essential components of the device used to control the coil temperature of the resistive heating element are further shown in the circuit diagram of Figure 17B. Here, BATT(23) is the battery; MCU(72) is the microcontroller; Q1(76) and Q2(77) are P-channel MOSFETs (switches); and R_COIL(74) is the coil resistance. R_REF(75) is a fixed reference register used to measure R_COIL(74) via a voltage divider(73).

[0192] The battery powers the microcontroller. The microcontroller turns on Q2 for 1ms every 100ms so that the voltage between R_REF and R_COIL (voltage divider) is measured by the MCU in V_MEAS. When Q2 is off, the control law controls Q1 with PWM (pulse width modulation) to power the coil (battery discharge by Q1 and R_COIL when Q1 is on).

[0193] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the apparatus body further includes at least one second heater contact; a power switch; a pressure sensor; and an indicator light.

[0194] In some embodiments of the apparatus body, the second heater contact portion (22) may include a female receptacle; a male contact portion, or both; a flexible contact portion; or a copper alloy or another conductive material.

[0195] In some embodiments of the device body, the battery supplies power to the second heater contact, pressure sensor, indicator light, and printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the battery is rechargeable. In some embodiments, the indicator light (26) indicates the status of the device and / or battery, or both.

[0196] In some embodiments of the device, the first and second heater contacts constitute a circuit that allows current to flow to the heating contacts when the device body and a removable cartridge are assembled, and this can be controlled by switching it on or off. Alternatively, the device can be switched on or off by a puff sensor. The puff sensor may include a capacitive membrane. The capacitive membrane may be similar to a capacitive membrane used in microphones.

[0197] In some embodiments of the device, the device body also includes an auxiliary charging unit for recharging the battery (23). As shown in Figures 16A–16C, the charging unit (60) may include a USB device comprising a power plug (63) and a protective cap (64), and a stand (61) for capturing the device body (20) (with or without a cartridge installed). The stand may further include a magnet or magnetic contact (62) for securely holding the device body in place during charging. As shown in Figure 6B, the device body further includes a fitted charging contact (28) and a magnet or magnetic contact (29) for the auxiliary charging unit. Figure 16C is an exemplary example of the device (20) being charged by a power source (65) (laptop computer or tablet).

[0198] In some cases, a microcontroller on the PCB may be configured to monitor the heater temperature so that the vaporizable material is heated to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature may be an input provided by the user. A temperature sensor may be in communication with the microcontroller to provide the input temperature to the microcontroller for temperature control. The temperature sensor may be a thermistor, thermocouple, thermometer, or other temperature sensor. In some cases, the heating element may function simultaneously as both a heater and a temperature sensor. The heating element may differ from a thermistor by having resistance with relatively low dependence on temperature. The heating element may include a resistance temperature sensing unit.

[0199] The resistance of the heating element may also be an input to the microcontroller. In some cases, the resistance may be measured by the microcontroller based on a measurement from a circuit (e.g., a Wheatstone bridge) with a resistor having at least one known resistance. Alternatively, the resistance of the heating element may be measured by a resistor-voltage divider in contact with the heating element and a resistor with a known and sufficiently constant resistance. The measurement of the heating element's resistance may be amplified by an amplifier. The amplifier may be a standard operational amplifier or an instrumentation amplifier. The amplified signal may contain little noise. In some cases, the charging time of the voltage divider between the heating element and the capacitor may be measured to calculate the resistance of the heating element. In some cases, the microcontroller must stop the operation of the heating element during the resistance measurement. The resistance of the heating element may be directly proportional to the temperature of the heating element, so that the temperature is measured directly from the resistance measurement. Measuring the temperature directly from the resistance measurement of the heating element may provide a more accurate measurement than using an additional temperature sensor, as it eliminates the thermal resistance of an unknown contact between the temperature sensor and the heating element. In addition, temperature measurement can be performed directly, which is therefore faster and eliminates the time lag associated with achieving equilibrium between the heating element and the temperature sensor in contact with it.

[0200] This specification provides a device for generating an inhalable aerosol, the device comprising: a cartridge including a first heater contact; a device body, the device body comprising: a cartridge receptacle for receiving the cartridge; a second heater contact suitable for receiving the first heater contact and completing the circuit; a power supply connected to the second heater contact; a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the power supply and the second heater contact; and a button interface, wherein the PCB comprises circuit configurations and algorithms including logic for child safety features.

[0201] In some embodiments, the algorithm requires a code provided by the user to activate the device. In some embodiments, the code is entered by the user via a single button interface. In further embodiments, the single button interface also serves as the power switch.

[0202] This specification provides a cartridge (30) for a device (10) for generating an inhalable aerosol, the cartridge comprising: a fluid storage chamber (32); a heater (36) attached to a first end, the heater comprising: a heater chamber (37); a first pair of heater contacts (33); a fluid core (34); and a resistance heating element (35) in contact with the fluid core; wherein the first pair of heater contacts (33) comprises a thin plate attached around the sides of the heater chamber (37), and the fluid core (34) and the resistance heating element (35) are suspended between them.

[0203] Depending on the size of the heater or heater chamber, the heater may have more than one fluid core (34)(34') and resistance heating element (35)(35').

[0204] In some embodiments, the first pair of heaters further includes a molded shape comprising a tab (33a) having a flexible spring valve extending from the heater (36) to connect to complete a turn comprising the apparatus body (20).

[0205] In some embodiments, the heater contact portion (33) is configured to connect to a second pair of heater contact portions (22) in the cartridge receptacle (21) of the device body (20) to complete the circuit.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first pair of heater contacts also serve as a heat sink that absorbs and dissipates excess heat generated by the resistance heating element.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first pair of heater contacts is a thermal shield that protects the heater chamber from excess heat generated by the resistance heating element.

[0208] This specification provides a cartridge (30) for a device (10) that generates an inhalable aerosol, the cartridge comprising: a heater (36), the heater comprising: a heater chamber (37); a pair of thin plate heater contacts (33); a fluid core (34) located between the heater contacts (33); and a resistance heating element (35) in contact with the fluid core; wherein each heater contact (33) comprises a fixed portion, and the resistance heating element (35) is stretched between them.

[0209] As will become obvious to those skilled in the art after examining the assembly method shown in Figure 9, the heater contact portion (33) is located above or on the first end of the fluid storage chamber inside the cartridge, with locator pins simply attached to or above the air inlet (53) on either side, and generates a spacious vaporization chamber encompassing at least one fluid core (34) and at least one heating element (35).

[0210] This specification provides a cartridge (30) for a device (10) that generates an inhalable aerosol, which includes a heater (36) attached to a first end of the cartridge.

[0211] In some embodiments, the heater surrounds the first end of the cartridge and the first end (32)(32a) of the fluid storage chamber.

[0212] In some embodiments, the heater includes a first condensation chamber (45).

[0213] In some embodiments, the heater includes one or more first condensation chambers (45)(45').

[0214] In some embodiments, the condensation chamber is formed along the outer wall of the cartridge (45b).

[0215] As described above, and as shown in Figures 10A, 10B, and 10C, the airflow path through the heater and heater chamber generates steam in the heater circulating airpath (54), which then exits the heater outlet (55) and goes to the first condensing chamber (45), which is formed by the components of the tank body, including the rails (45b) of the first condensing channel / chamber and the cover (45a) of the first condensing channel (outer wall of the heater enclosure).

[0216] This specification provides a cartridge (30) for a device (10) that generates an inhalable aerosol, comprising a fluid storage chamber (32) and a mouthpiece (31), the mouthpiece being attached to a second end of the cartridge, and further comprising at least one aerosol outlet (47).

[0217] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece (31) surrounds the second end of the cartridge (30) and the second end of the fluid storage chamber (32)(32a).

[0218] In addition, as clearly shown in Figure 10C, in some embodiments the mouthpiece also includes a second condensation chamber (46) prior to the aerosol outlet (47), which is formed by components of the tank body (32) including a rail (46b) for the second condensation channel / chamber and a cover (46a) for the second condensation channel (outer wall of the mouthpiece). Furthermore, the mouthpiece may also include another aerosol outlet (47') and another (second) condensation chamber (46') on the other side of the cartridge, prior to the aerosol outlet.

[0219] In other embodiments, the mouthpiece includes one or more second condensation chambers (46)(46').

[0220] In some preferred embodiments, the second condensation chamber is formed along the outer wall of the cartridge (46b).

[0221] In each of the embodiments described herein, the cartridge (30) includes an airflow path, which includes an air inlet channel and passage (40)(41)(42); a heater chamber (37); at least a first condensation chamber (45); and an outlet port (47). In some of the embodiments described herein, the cartridge (30) includes an airflow path, which includes an air inlet channel and passage (40)(41)(42); a heater chamber (37); a first condensation chamber (45); a second condensation chamber (46); and an outlet port (47).

[0222] In other embodiments described herein, the cartridge includes an airflow path comprising at least one air inlet channel and passage (40)(41)(42); a heater chamber (37); at least one first condensation chamber (45); at least one second condensation chamber (46); and at least one outlet port (47).

[0223] In each of the embodiments described herein, the fluid storage chamber (32) is in fluid communication with the heater (36), where the fluid storage chamber is capable of holding a condensed aerosol fluid.

[0224] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the condensed aerosol fluid contains a nicotine preparation. In some embodiments, the condensed aerosol fluid contains a wetting agent. In some embodiments, the wetting agent contains propylene glycol. In some embodiments, the wetting agent contains vegetable glycerin.

[0225] This specification provides a cartridge (30) for a device (10) for generating an inhalable aerosol, the cartridge comprising: a fluid storage chamber (32); a heater (36) attached to a first end; and a mouthpiece (31) attached to a second end; wherein the heater comprises a first condensation chamber (45) and the mouthpiece comprises a second condensation chamber (46).

[0226] In some embodiments, the heater includes one or more first condensation chambers (45)(45'), and the mouthpiece includes one or more second condensation chambers (46)(46').

[0227] In some embodiments, the first and second condensation chambers are under fluid communication. As shown in Figure 10C, the first and second condensation chambers have a common transition region (57)(57') for fluid communication.

[0228] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece includes a second condensation chamber (46) and an aerosol outlet (47) that is in fluid communication with it.

[0229] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece includes two or more aerosol outlets (47)(47').

[0230] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece includes two or more second condensation chambers (46)(46') and an aerosol outlet (47)(47') that is in fluid communication with them.

[0231] In any one of the embodiments, the cartridge meets ISO recycling standards.

[0232] In any one of the embodiments, the cartridge meets the ISO recycling standards for plastic waste.

[0233] In another embodiment, the plastic components of the cartridge are made of polylactic acid (PLA), where the PLA components are compostable and / or biodegradable.

[0234] This specification provides an apparatus (10) for generating an inhalable aerosol, the apparatus comprising an apparatus body (20), the apparatus body (20) comprising a cartridge receptacle (21) and a removable cartridge (30); wherein the cartridge receptacle and the removable cartridge form a separable coupling, the separable coupling comprising a friction assembly, a snap-fit ​​assembly, or a magnetic assembly.

[0235] In other embodiments of the device, the cartridge is a removable assembly. In any one of the embodiments described herein, the cartridge components may include a snap-lock assembly, such as those indicated by snap mechanisms (39a) and (39b). In any one of the embodiments, the cartridge components are recyclable.

[0236] This specification provides a method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating an inhalable aerosol, the method comprising: providing an apparatus body including a cartridge receptacle; and providing a removable cartridge, wherein the cartridge receptacle and the removable cartridge form a separable coupling, including a friction assembly, a snap-fit ​​assembly, or a magnetic assembly, when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle.

[0237] This specification provides a method for creating an apparatus (10) for generating an inhalable aerosol, the method comprising: providing a cartridge receptacle (21) having one or more internal bonding surfaces (21a)(21b)(21c)... on an apparatus body (20); and further providing a cartridge (30), the cartridge (30) comprising one or more external bonding surfaces (36a)(36b)(36c)..., a second end and a first end; a tank (32) having an internal fluid storage chamber (32a); and at least one channel (40) on at least one external bonding surface, wherein the at least one channel forms one side of at least one air inlet passage (51), and at least one inner wall of the cartridge receptacle forms at least one side of at least one air inlet passage (51) when a separable cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle.

[0238] Figure 9 provides an illustrative example of how to assemble such a device.

[0239] In some embodiments of the method, the cartridge (30) is assembled with a removable protective cap (38) to protect the exposed heater contact tab (33a) protruding from the heater (36).

[0240] This specification provides a method for manufacturing a cartridge for a device that generates an inhalable aerosol, the method comprising: providing a fluid storage chamber; attaching a heater to a first end by a snap-fit ​​connector; and attaching a mouthpiece to a second end by a snap-fit ​​connector.

[0241] This specification provides a cartridge (30) for a device (10) for generating an inhalable aerosol, the cartridge comprising: a channel (50) including part of an air inlet passage (51); a second air passage (41) in fluid communication with the channel; a heater chamber (37) in fluid communication with the second air passage; a first condensation chamber (45) in fluid communication with the heater chamber; a second condensation chamber (46) in fluid communication with the first condensation chamber; and an aerosol outlet (47) in fluid communication with the second condensation chamber.

[0242] This specification provides an apparatus (10) for generating an inhalable aerosol, suitable for receiving a removable cartridge (30), the cartridge comprising a fluid storage chamber [or tank] (32); an air inlet (41); a heater (36); a removable protective cap (38); and a mouthpiece (31).

[0243] <Charging> In some cases, the vaporizer may include a power supply. The power supply may be configured to power a control system, one or more heating elements, one or more sensors, one or more lights, one or more indicators, and / or any other system of the e-cigarette that requires power. The power supply may also be an energy storage device. The power supply may be a battery or a capacitor. In some embodiments, the power supply may be a rechargeable battery.

[0244] The battery may be enclosed within the housing of the device. In some cases, the battery may be removed from the housing for charging. Alternatively, the battery may remain in the housing while being charged. Two or more charging contacts may be provided on the outer surface of the housing of the device. The two or more charging contacts may be in electrical communication with the battery so as to charge the battery by applying a charging source to the two or more charging contacts without removing the battery from the housing.

[0245] Figure 18 shows a device (1800) equipped with a charging contact (1801). The charging contact (1801) may be accessible from the outside of the device housing (1802). The charging contact (1801) may be in electrical communication with an energy storage device (e.g., a battery) inside the device housing (1802). In some cases, the device housing may not contain an opening that allows the user to access components within the device housing. The user may not be able to remove the battery and / or other energy storage devices from the housing. To open the device housing, the user must disable or permanently release the charging contact. In some cases, the device may not function after the user has opened the housing.

[0246] Figure 19 shows an exploded view of a charging assembly (1900) in an electrovaporator. The housing (not shown) has been removed from the exploded view of Figure 19. The charging connection pin (1901) may be visible from the outside of the housing. The charging connection pin (1901) may be in electrical communication with the power storage unit of the electrovaporator. When the device is connected to a power source (for example, while the device is being charged), the charging pin may facilitate electrical communication between the power storage unit inside the electrovaporator and the power source outside the housing of the vaporizer. The charging connection pin (1901) may be held in place by a retaining bezel (1902). The charging connection pin (1901) may be in electrical communication with a charger flex (1903). The charging pin may be in contact with the charger flex so as not to require a rigid coupling of the charging pin to an electrical connection that is electrically connected to a power source. The charging flex may be rigidly bonded to a printed circuit board (PCB). The charging flex may be electrically connected to a power storage device via the PCB. The charging flex may be held in place by a bent spring retainer (1904).

[0247] Figure 20 shows a curved spring retainer in its initial position (2001) and deflected position (2002). The curved spring retainer may hold the retaining bezel in the fixed position. If the charging assembly is enclosed within the housing of the electrovaporator, the curved spring retainer may be deflected in only one direction.

[0248] Figure 21 shows the position of the charging pin (2101) when the electrovaporator is fully assembled with the charging pin (2101) in contact with the charging flex (2102). When the device is fully assembled, at least a portion of the retaining bezel may fit into a recess (2103) inside the housing (2104). In some cases, the bezel is rendered inoperable by disassembly of the electrovaporator, thereby preventing the device from being reassembled after disassembly.

[0249] The user may place the electronic smoke generator inside the charging base. The charging base may be a holder equipped with charging contacts configured to connect to or couple with charging pins on the electronic smoke generator in order to provide charge to the energy storage device in the electronic vaporizer from a power source (e.g., a wall outlet, a generator, and / or an external power storage device). Figure 22 shows the device (2302) inside the charging base (2301). The charging cable may be connected to a wall outlet, USB, or other power source. Charging pins (not shown) on the device (2302) may be connected to charging contacts (not shown) on the charging base (2301). The device may be configured such that, when the device is placed on a charging base, a first charging pin on the device contacts a first charging contact on the charging base, and a second charging pin on the device contacts a second charging contact on the charging base, or a first charging pin on the device contacts a second charging contact on the charging base, and a second charging pin on the device contacts a first charging contact on the charging base. The charging pins on the device and the charging contacts on the base may be in any orientation. The charging pins on the device and the charging contacts on the base may be agnostic, regardless of whether they are current inlets or outlets. Each of the charging pins on the device and the charging contacts on the base may be a cathode or an anode. The charging pins on the device may be reversed.

[0250] Figure 23 shows a circuit (2400) that allows the charging pins on the device to be reversed. The circuit (2400) may be provided on a PCB that is in electrical communication with the charging pins. The circuit (2400) may include an H-bridge of metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The MOSFET H-bridge rectifies the voltage change across the charging pins when the charging pins are reversed from a first configuration to a second configuration, where in the first configuration, the device is positioned on a charging base for charging from a first charging pin on the device in contact with a first charging contact on the charging base to a second charging pin on the device in contact with a second charging contact on the charging base, where in the second configuration, the first charging pin on the device is in contact with a second charging contact on the charging base, and the second charging pin on the device is in contact with a first charging contact on the charging base. The MOSFET H-bridge may rectify the voltage change through an effective current path.

[0251] As shown in Figure 23, the MOSFET H-bridge may include two or more n-channel MOSFETs and two or more p-channel MOSFETs. The n-channel and p-channel MOSFETs may be arranged in the H-bridge. The sources of the p-channel MOSFETs (Q1 and Q3) may be electrically connected. Similarly, the sources of the n-channel FETs (Q2 and Q4) may be electrically connected. The drains of the n-channel and p-channel MOSFET pairs (Q1 with Q2 and Q3 with Q4) may be electrically connected. The general drain from an n-and-p pair may be electrically connected to one or more gates of other n-and-p pairs, and / or vice versa. The charging contacts (CH1 and CH2) may be electrically connected separately to the general drain. The common power supply of the n-channel MOSFETs may be electrically connected to PCB ground (GND). The common power supply of the p-channel MOSFETs may be electrically connected to the PCB charge controller input voltage (CH+). If the CH1 voltage is greater than the CH2 voltage (due to the MOSFET gate threshold voltage), Q1 and Q4 are "on," connecting CH1 to CH+ and CH2 to GND. If the CH2 voltage is greater than the CH1 voltage (due to the FET gate threshold voltage), Q2 and Q3 are "on," connecting CH1 to GND and CH2 to CH+. For example, whether or not there is 9V across CH1 to CH2, CH+ is 9V higher than GND. Alternatively, a diode bridge may be used, but a MOSFET bridge may be more effective than a diode bridge in some cases.

[0252] In some cases, the charging dock may be configured to be a high-performance charger. The high-performance charger may connect the device's battery in series with the USB input to charge the device with a higher current compared to a typical charging current. In some cases, the device may be charged at rates up to approximately 2 amps (A), 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 10A, or 15A. In some cases, the high-performance charger may include a battery, and power from the battery may be used to charge the device's battery. If the battery in the high-performance charger has a charge below a predetermined threshold, the high-performance charger may charge the battery within it and the battery in the device simultaneously.

[0253] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided only as examples. Numerous variations, alterations, and substitutions can now be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present invention described herein may be used in the practice of the present invention. The following claims define the scope of the present invention, and methods and configurations within the scope of these claims and their equivalents are intended to be encompassed thereby.

Claims

1. A device for generating inhalable aerosols, The device body includes a cartridge receptacle, A detachable cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle, Airflow path and Includes, The aforementioned airflow path is A channel including a portion of an air inlet passage, wherein when the separable cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle, the channel air inlet remains exposed, allowing air to flow into the air inlet passage. A second air passage that is in fluid communication with the channel, A heater chamber that is in fluid communication with the second air passage, The heater chamber and at least one condensation chamber that is in fluid communication with the heater chamber, The aerosol outlet having fluid communication with at least one condensation chamber, Includes, The air inlet passage is formed between the inner surface of the device body and the outer surface of the separable cartridge. Device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second air passage is formed through the material of the cartridge and extends from the outer surface of the cartridge to the heater chamber.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer surface of the cartridge forms a first side of the air inlet passage when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle, and the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle forms a second side of the air inlet passage when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the channel is integrated with the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle.

5. The channel is integrated into the outer surface of the cartridge. The apparatus according to claim 3.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the channel includes at least one of a groove, valley, depression, recess, groove, deep groove, fold, and side groove.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the channel includes a wall recessed in or protruding from the surface on which the channel is formed.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cartridge further comprises a mouthpiece including the aerosol outlet.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one condensation chamber includes a first condensation chamber and a second condensation chamber, and the mouthpiece includes the second condensation chamber.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the cartridge further includes a heater.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the heater is located at the first end of the cartridge and includes the heater chamber, and the mouthpiece is located at the second end of the cartridge.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge further includes a fluid storage chamber, the heater is located at a first end of the fluid storage chamber, and the mouthpiece is located at a second end of the fluid storage chamber.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the heater surrounds the first end of the fluid storage chamber.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the heater is attached to the first end of the fluid storage chamber by a snap-fit ​​joint.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the mouthpiece surrounds the second end of the fluid storage chamber.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the second end of the cartridge having the mouthpiece is exposed when the first end of the cartridge having the heater is inserted into the cartridge receptacle.

17. The aforementioned heater, A pair of heater contact parts, The core and A resistance heating element in contact with the aforementioned core, This further includes, The resistive heating element is attached to the pair of heater contacts, and the pair of heater contacts is configured to pair with a second pair of heater contacts in the cartridge receptacle of the device body in order to complete the circuit. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 16.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the open end of the cartridge receptacle such that the exposed first heater contact portion of the cartridge is in contact with the second heater contact portion of the apparatus body, thereby forming the apparatus.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the cartridge is separable, the cartridge receptacle and the separable cartridge form a separable coupling, and the separable coupling includes one of a friction assembly, a snap-fit ​​assembly, a snap-lock assembly, and a magnetic assembly.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the cartridge receptacle has a body with a notch.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the channel air inlet remains exposed when the cartridge is inserted into the body of the cartridge receptacle having the notch.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the main body provided with the notch has a notch, and the size of the channel air inlet is defined by the structure of the notch.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the notch is located at the end of the cartridge receptacle.

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