Convective heat not burn devices

Abstract

Vaporizer devices, various components used with the vaporizer devices and methodologies for operating the vaporizer devices are disclosed herein. A cartridge can be removably coupled with a vaporizer body, where the carridge includes at least one heating element (342) configured to convectively heat in lieu of or in combination with conductively heating at least one vaporizable material disposed within the cartridge. Methods of convectively heating at least one vaporizable material in lieu of or in combination with conductively heating are disclosed herein.

Description

CONVECTIVE HEAT NOT BURN DEVICESCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 645,131 filed on May 9, 2024, and entitled “Convective Heat Not Bum Devices,” to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 645,095 filed May 9, 2024, and entitled “Heat Not Bum Vaporizer Devices,” to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 661,527 filed June 18, 2024, and entitled “Heat Not Bum Vaporizer Devices,” and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 684,831 filed August 19, 2024, and entitled “Heat Not Bum Vaporizer Devices.” The disclosures of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The subject matter described herein relates to vaporizer devices, including vaporizer devices comprising a vaporizer body configured to heat a cartridge containing vaporizable material.BACKGROUND

[0003] Vaporizer devices, which can also be referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used for delivery of an aerosol (for example, a gas-phase and / or a condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gas carrier) containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizer device. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a class of vaporizer devices that are battery powered and that can be used to simulate the experience of smoking, but without burning of tobacco or other substances. Vaporizer devices are gaining increasing popularity both for prescriptive medical use, in delivering medicaments, and for consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based materials. Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and / or convenient for use.

[0004] In use of a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, colloquially referred to as “vapor,” which can be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., causes a liquid or solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which can be liquid, a solution, a solid, a paste, a wax, and / or any other form compatible for use with a specific vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a separable part of the vaporizer device that contains vaporizable material) that includes an aerosoloutlet (e.g., a mouthpiece or an outlet in fluid communication with a mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by a user.

[0005] To receive an inhalable aerosol generated by a vaporizer device, a user can, in certain examples, activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing a button, and / or by some other approach. A puff as used herein can refer to inhalation by the user in a manner that causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that the inhalable aerosol is generated by a combination of vaporized material (e.g., gas-phase material) with the volume of air.

[0006] An approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material (e.g., within a cartridge, an insert, a vaporization chamber, a heater chamber, an oven, and / or a compartment associated with a heating element) to cause at least a portion of the vaporizable material to be converted to vaporized material (e.g., gasphase material). A vaporization chamber, heater chamber, oven, or the like can refer to an area or volume in the vaporizer device within which a heat source (for example, a conductive, convective, and / or radiative heat source) causes heating of a vaporizable material to produce a vaporized material and allow the vaporized material to mix with air to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the vaporizer device.

[0007] Vaporizer devices can be controlled by one or more controllers, electronic circuits (for example, sensors, heating elements, buttons, switches), and / or the like on or in the vaporizer device. Vaporizer devices can also wirelessly communicate with an external controller (e.g., a computing device such as a personal computer or smartphone).

[0008] In some implementations, cartridges that contain solid vaporizable material (e.g., comprising plant material such as tobacco leaves and / or parts of tobacco leaves) must be heated to undesirably high temperatures in order to cause inner regions of the vaporizable material to be heated to a minimum temperature required for vaporization. As a result, portions of the solid vaporizable material contained within a cartridge can bum or char at these high temperatures and produce combustion or partial combustion byproducts (e.g., chemical elements or chemical compounds) that can have undesirable characteristics, such as unpleasant smells or tastes, negative health impacts, etc. Furthermore, uniform heating of the vaporizable material in current conduction-based vaporizers may be difficult to achieve due to the low thermal conductivity of certain vaporizable materials (e.g., plant materials, such as tobacco). Accordingly, controlled and even distribution of heat is desirable in such devices.

[0009] Some issues with current vaporizer devices include the inability to efficiently and effectively heat the vaporizable material without wasting a significant amount of energy. For example, some vaporizer devices include a heater body surrounding a tobacco consumable, requiring the entire heater body to be heated to create an oven. Such a configuration requires additional energy to maintain a sufficiently high temperature in an area that is exposed to the airstream, thereby losing at least a portion of thermal energy produced by the heater that could have been used to heat the tobacco material. As such, energy can be wasted as the generated heat is not effectively utilized.

[0010] Vaporizer devices configured to embed some or part of a heater apparatus inside of the tobacco material can include airflow passing through the tobacco material thereby prohibiting tight tobacco compaction around the heater, thus diminishing heat transfer from the heater to the tobacco material. Furthermore, vaporizer devices with a heater element embedded within or at least partially surrounded by the tobacco can also experience cleaning and hygiene issues. For example, as the heater pierces the tobacco, residue can be left on the heater element after use, thereby requiring the user to clean the heater element before continued use.SUMMARY

[0011] Aspects of the current subject matter relate to vaporizer devices including various implementation of a vaporizer body and / or cartridge of vaporizable material configured to generate an inhalable aerosol. For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described herein. It is to be understood that not all such advantages can be achieved in accordance with any one particular implementation. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can be implemented, embodied, or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all advantages as taught or suggested herein. The various features and items described herein can be incorporated together or separable, except as would not be feasible based on the current disclosure and what a skilled artisan would understand from it.

[0012] In various implementations, a vaporizer device, vaporizer body, and / or cartridge can include the vaporizer devices, vaporizer bodies, and / or cartridges described herein. In particular, various implementations are provided in the independent claims that follow, with various aspects defined in the dependent claims.

[0013] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of thesubject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

[0014] In one aspect, a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end is disclosed herein. The cartridge includes a wrapper extending between the cartridge proximal end and the cartridge distal end, and vaporizable material disposed within the wrapper. The cartridge further includes one or more first heating elements disposed within the wrapper and upstream of the vaporizable material, the one or more first heating elements configured to heat air passing proximate and / or through the one or more first heating elements to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material. The cartridge also includes an airflow outlet channel downstream of the vaporizable material, wherein the airflow outlet channel includes at least one condensation chamber within which the vaporized vaporizable material condenses to form at least a portion of an aerosol. The cartridge also includes an aerosol outlet downstream of the airflow outlet channel and configured to provide the aerosol to a user.

[0015] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a first divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the vaporizable material and the one or more first heating elements, the first divider separating the vaporizable material from the one or more first heating elements.

[0016] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a second divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the vaporizable material and the airflow outlet channel.

[0017] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements include an interior and an exterior configured to allow air to pass through the interior and around the exterior.

[0018] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements includes an interior wall and a plurality of exterior walls extending from one end of the interior wall to another end of the interior wall, optionally wherein the plurality of exterior walls are defined by sequential exterior bends and interior bends which respectively direct the shape of the one or more first heating elements towards the interior wall and away from the interior wall.

[0019] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first heating element includes a plurality of sequential interior and exterior bends to form a wavelike pattern throughout the heatingelement, optionally wherein the wavelike structure is formed of a single sheet of material with two opposing ends joined.

[0020] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements includes a plurality of exterior walls and interior walls, separated by intermediate walls, and wherein each exterior wall is formed between adjacent exterior bends, each interior wall is formed between adjacent interior bends, and / or each intermediate wall is formed between adjacent exterior bends and interior bends.

[0021] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements include two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides, wherein each long side includes one exterior wall and two intermediate walls, and wherein each short side includes two intermediate walls and optionally one exterior wall.

[0022] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements includes a plurality of loops of metal material, wherein the plurality of loops of metal material are held in place by a support structure configured to contact an interior perimeter of the wrapper.

[0023] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements includes wherein the one or more first heating elements includes a plurality of loops of metal material, wherein the plurality of loops of metal material are packed within a heater section.

[0024] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements includes a plurality of discs extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the wrapper.

[0025] In optional variants of the implementations described, each of the one or more first heating elements includes a pair of opposing segments with an interior formed therebetween, wherein each of the opposing segments includes an aperture for airflow into or out of the interior, optionally wherein the segments are concave and / or dome shaped.

[0026] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a mouthpiece proximate the cartridge proximal end.

[0027] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a first endcap disposed within the wrapper, the first endcap proximate the cartridge distal end.

[0028] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a second endcap disposed within the wrapper, the second endcap proximate the cartridge proximal end.

[0029] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes one or more second heating element disposed within the wrapper, the one or more second heating element disposed to at least partially surround the vaporizable material and / or conductive ly heat the vaporizable material.

[0030] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating element includes a susceptor.

[0031] In optional variants of the implementations described, the vaporizable material includes tobacco leaves and a humectant.

[0032] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements are configured to convectively heat the vaporizable material.

[0033] In optional variants of the implementations described, the wrapper includes a primary wrapper and a secondary wrapper, wherein the primary wrapper includes one or more of a paper material, cardstock, corrugated material, cardboard, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic, and non-wood plant fibers.

[0034] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements include a plurality of exterior walls defined by exterior bends and interior bends which respectively direct the shape of the one or more first heating elements towards the interior defined by the plurality of exterior walls of the one or more first heating elements and away from the interior of the one or more first heating elements.

[0035] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements include at least one first heating element that is formed of a single sheet of material.

[0036] In optional variants of the implementations described, the wrapper extends from a first end to a second end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and wherein the plurality of exterior walls of the one or more first heating elements are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrapper.

[0037] In optional variants of the implementations described, the wrapper extends from a first end to a second end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and wherein the plurality of exterior walls of the one or more first heating elements are angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the wrapper and extend away from the interior of the heating element.

[0038] In optional variants of the implementations described, the wrapper extends from a first end to a second end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and wherein the plurality ofexterior walls of the one or more first heating elements are angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the wrapper and extend towards from the interior of the heating element.

[0039] In optional variants of the implementations described, a cross-section of the one or more first heating elements is generally oval.

[0040] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements include a top end and a bottom end.

[0041] In optional variants of the implementations described, the top end and the bottom end are at least partially open ends.

[0042] In optional variants of the implementations described, the top end of the one or more first heating elements is an open end, and the bottom end of the one or more first heating elements is a closed end having one or more perforations.

[0043] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements further include a flange extending outward from an outer surface of a top-most end of the one or more first heating elements, the flange configured to couple to the first divider.

[0044] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements are coupled to the first divider.

[0045] In optional variants of the implementations described, the wrapper includes one or more airflow inlets allowing ambient air to enter through the wrapper and contact the one or more first heating elements.

[0046] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more airflow inlets includes one or more rows of apertures.

[0047] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more airflow inlets are positioned proximate to the top end of the one or more first heating elements.

[0048] In optional variants of the implementations described, the wrapper includes an air passageway, the air passageway extending from the one or more airflow inlets along a first airflow path extending between an interior surface of the wrapper and an exterior surface of the one or more first heating elements, along a second airflow path downstream of the first airflow path and extending along at least a portion of a bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements, and along a third airflow path that extends through an interior of the one or more first heating elements, and towards the vaporizable material.

[0049] In optional variants of the implementations described, the air passageway further includes a fourth airflow path extending through the first divider and towards the cartridge proximal end.

[0050] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a third divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the one or more first heating elements and the cartridge distal end.

[0051] In optional variants of the implementations described, the top-most end of the one or more first heating elements is coupled to the first divider, and a bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements is spaced apart from the third divider.

[0052] In optional variants of the implementations described, the second airflow path extends between the bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements and the third divider.

[0053] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first divider includes a spacer, the spacer including a top layer, a bottom layer, and one or more corrugated layers extending therebetween.

[0054] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first divider includes one or more second heating elements configured to conductively heat the vaporizable material.

[0055] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more second heating elements include a conduction disk.

[0056] In optional variants of the implementations described, the conduction disk includes conductive material having one or more perforations extending therethrough.

[0057] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first divider further includes a spacer positioned between the conduction disk and the one or more first heating elements, the spacer including_a top layer, a bottom layer, and one or more corrugated layers extending therebetween, positioned.

[0058] In optional variants of the implementations described, the conduction disk and the spacer are spaced apart from each other at a distance.

[0059] In optional variants of the implementations described, the conduction disk has a first thickness different from a second thickness of the one or more first heating elements.

[0060] In optional variants of the implementations described, the conduction disk includes a first material and the one or more first heating elements include a second material that different than the first material.

[0061] In another aspect, a cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end is disclosed herein. The cartridge includes a wrapper extending between the cartridge proximal end and the cartridge distal end, and vaporizable material disposed within the wrapper. The cartridge further includes one or more first heating elements disposed within the wrapper and upstream of the vaporizable material, the one or more first heating elements configured to heat air passing proximate and / or through the one or more first heating elements to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material, the one or more first heating elements include a top end and a bottom end. The cartridge also includes an airflow outlet channel downstream of the vaporizable material, wherein the airflow outlet channel includes at least one condensation chamber within which the vaporized vaporizable material condenses to form at least a portion of an aerosol. The cartridge also includes an aerosol outlet downstream of the airflow outlet channel and configured to provide the aerosol to a user, wherein the wrapper includes one or more airflow inlets allowing ambient air to enter through the wrapper and contact the one or more first heating elements. The wrapper includes an air passageway extending along an exterior surface of the one or more first heating elements and through an interior of the one or more first heating elements to allow incoming air to travel in one or more first directions along the outer surface and in one or more second directions through the interior, thereby creating air counterflow within the wrapper.

[0062] In optional variants of the implementations described, the air passageway extends from the one or more airflow inlets along at least a first airflow path, the first airflow path extending between an interior surface of the wrapper and an exterior surface of the one or more first heating elements, and towards the cartridge distal end.

[0063] In optional variants of the implementations described, the air passageway further extends along a second airflow path that extends adjacent to at least a portion of a bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements.

[0064] In optional variants of the implementations described, the air passageway further extends along a third airflow path that extends through an interior of the one or more heating elements

[0065] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a first divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the vaporizable material and the one or more first heating elements, the first divider separating the vaporizable material from the one or more first heating elements.

[0066] In optional variants of the implementations described, the air passageway further extends along a fourth airflow path extending through the first divider and towards the cartridge proximal end.

[0067] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a second divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the vaporizable material and the airflow outlet channel.

[0068] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a third divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the one or more first heating elements and the cartridge distal end.

[0069] In optional variants of the implementations described, the top-most end of the one or more first heating elements is coupled to the first divider, and a bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements is spaced apart from the third divider.

[0070] In optional variants of the implementations described, the second airflow path extends between the bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements and the third divider.

[0071] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first divider includes a spacer, the spacer including a top layer, a bottom layer, and one or more corrugated layers extending therebetween.

[0072] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first divider includes one or more second heating elements configured to conductively heat the vaporizable material.

[0073] In optional variants of the implementations described, one or more second heating elements include a conduction disk.

[0074] In optional variants of the implementations described, the conduction disk includes conductive material having one or more perforations extending therethrough.

[0075] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first divider further includes a spacer positioned between the conduction disk and the one or more first heating elements, the spacer including a top layer, a bottom layer, and one or more corrugated layers extending therebetween, positioned.

[0076] In optional variants of the implementations described, the conduction disk and the spacer are spaced apart from each other at a distance.

[0077] In optional variants of the implementations described, the conduction disk has a first thickness greater than a second thickness of the one or more first heating elements.

[0078] In optional variants of the implementations described, the conduction disk includes a first material and the one or more first heating elements include a second material that is different than the first material.

[0079] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more airflow inlets include one or more rows of apertures.

[0080] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more airflow inlets are positioned proximate to the top end of the one or more first heating elements.

[0081] In optional variants of the implementations described, the one or more first heating elements are in contact with or in close proximity to at least a portion of the vaporizable material, and wherein the one or more first heating elements are further configured to conductively heat the vaporizable material

[0082] In another aspect, a vaporizer device including a cartridge of any one of the preceding aspects is disclosed herein. The vaporizer device includes a device body including a first inductor configured to generate a first magnetic and / or electromagnetic field to heat the one or more first heating elements. The vaporizer device also includes a controller configured to selectively apply power to the first inductor.

[0083] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a second inductor configured to generate a second magnetic and / or electromagnetic field to heat the one or more first heating elements, the one or more second heating elements, or both.

[0084] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first inductor is configured to operate at a first frequency, and the second inductor is configured to operate at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0085] In optional variants of the implementations described, the second inductor is positioned closer to the cartridge proximal end than the first inductor.

[0086] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first inductor is configured to heat the one or more first heating elements to a first temperature, and the second inductor is configured to heat the one or more second heating elements to a second temperatures, the first temperature being greater than the second temperature.

[0087] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first inductor is configured to heat a first portion of the one or more first heating elements to a first temperature, and the secondinductor is configured to heat a second portion of one or more first heating elements to a second temperature.

[0088] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first temperature is equal to or greater than the second temperature.

[0089] In optional variants of the implementations described, the first temperature is less than the second temperature.

[0090] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes a third inductor configured to generate a third magnetic and / or electromagnetic field to heat the one or more first heating elements, the one or more second heating elements, or a combination thereof.

[0091] In optional variants of the implementations described, the third inductor is configured to operate at a third frequency that is different from the first frequency, the second frequency, or both.

[0092] In optional variants of the implementations described, the cartridge further includes one or more sensors configured to detect a user puff on the cartridge, wherein the controller is further configured to apply the power to the first inductor based on detection of the user puff.

[0093] In optional variants of the implementations described, the controller is configured to apply the power to the second inductor prior to the detect of the user puff.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0094] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. In the drawings:

[0095] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0096] FIG. IB illustrates a block diagram of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0097] FIG. 1C illustrates a block diagram of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0098] FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of an implementation of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0099] FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective exploded view of an implementation of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0100] FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0101] FIG. 4B illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the vaporizer device of FIG. 4A, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0102] FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a holder assembly for use in a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0103] FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of a holder assembly for use in a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0104] FIG. 5C illustrates a perspective view of a holder assembly for use in a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0105] FIG. 5D illustrates a perspective view of a holder assembly for use in a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0106] FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0107] FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0108] FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of a cartridge, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0109] FIG. 6D illustrates a perspective view of a cartridge, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0110] FIG. 6E illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a cartridge, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;[OHl] FIG. 6F illustrates a top view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0112] FIG. 6G illustrates a top perspective view of a cartridge, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0113] FIG. 6H illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0114] FIG. 61 illustrates perspective and cross-sectional views of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0115] FIG. 6J illustrates a top perspective and top views of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0116] FIG. 6K illustrates a perspective view of a cartridge of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0117] FIG. 6L illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0118] FIG. 6M illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0119] FIG. 6N illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0120] FIG. 60 illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0121] FIG. 6P illustrates a top perspective view of a cartridge, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0122] FIG. 6Q illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0123] FIG. 6R illustrates cross-sectional views of a cartridge and a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0124] FIG. 6S illustrates perspective views of a heating element, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0125] FIG. 6T illustrates perspective views of a divider, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0126] FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0127] FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0128] FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0129] FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary cross-section of a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0130] FIG. 8B illustrates an exemplary cross-section of a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0131] FIG. 8C illustrates an exemplary cross-section of a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0132] FIG. 8D illustrates an exemplary cross-section of a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0133] FIG. 8E illustrates an exemplary cross-section of a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0134] FIG. 8F illustrates an exemplary cross-section of a cartridge and / or receptacle of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0135] FIG. 9A illustrates a top perspective view of a heating element of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0136] FIG. 9B illustrates a top perspective view of a heating element of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0137] FIG. 9C illustrates a top perspective view of a heating element of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0138] FIG. 9D illustrates a top perspective view of a heating element of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0139] FIG. 9E illustrates a top view of a sheet of material prior to being formed into the heating element of FIG. 9D;

[0140] FIG. 9F illustrates a top perspective view of the heating element of FIG. 9D with a plurality of exterior walls shaped at different angles from a longitudinal axis;

[0141] FIG. 9G illustrates a top perspective view of a heating element of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0142] FIG. 9H illustrates a top view of a sheet of material prior to being formed into the heating element of FIG. 9G;

[0143] FIG. 91 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a heating element of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0144] FIG. 9 J illustrates a top view of the heating element of FIG. 91;

[0145] FIG. 9K illustrates a bottom perspective view of the heating element of FIG. 91;

[0146] FIG. 10A shows a top perspective view of a first mold part and a second mold part configured to shape and form the heating element of FIG. 9D;

[0147] FIG. 10B shows a top perspective view of multiple implementations of a first mold part and a second mold part that are configured to shape and form the heating element of FIG. 9F;

[0148] FIG. 10C shows a top perspective view of a first mold part and a second mold part engaged together and configured to shape and form at least a portion of the heating element of FIG. 91;

[0149] FIG. 10D shows a top perspective view of the second mold part after it was removed from the first mold part of FIG. 10C;

[0150] FIG. 11 A illustrates a top perspective view of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0151] FIG. 1 IB illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 11A, taken at line 11B-11B;

[0152] FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0153] FIG. 13A illustrates a top perspective view of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0154] FIG. 13B illustrates a top perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 13 A that is partially inserted into a vaporizer device consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, where the top perspective cross-sectional view is taken at line 13B-13B (see FIG. 13 A, extending in the z-direction);

[0155] FIG. 13C a top perspective view of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0156] FIG. 13D illustrates a conduction disk of the cartridge of FIG. 13C;

[0157] FIG. 13E a top perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 13C that is partially inserted into a vaporizer device consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, where the top perspective cross-sectional view is taken at line 13E-13E (see FIG. 13C, extending in the z-direction);

[0158] FIG. 14 illustrates a front view of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, with corresponding inductors of the vaporizer device shown wrapped about portions of the cartridge;

[0159] FIG. 15A illustrates a perspective view of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, with corresponding inductors of the vaporizer device shown;

[0160] FIG. 15B illustrates the cartridge of FIG. 15A without a wrapper;

[0161] FIG. 16A illustrates a perspective view of a cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, with corresponding inductors of the vaporizer device shown; and

[0162] FIG. 16B illustrates an exploded view of the cartridge of FIG. 16A.

[0163] When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures, features, or elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0164] Implementations of the current subject matter include methods, apparatuses, articles of manufacture, and systems relating to vaporization of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. For example, various implementations of vaporizer devices are described herein that provide a number of benefits, including improved generation of controlled energy transfer to inductively heated cartridges. For example, by providing multiple inductors, a singular wrapped susceptor, and / or feedback loops with sensors, localized heat transfer can be controlled over the course of use (e.g., each complete use of a cartridge, from start to finish, referred to herein a vaporizing session).

[0165] An additional benefit that can be provided by various implementations of vaporizer devices described herein is improving contact between a heating element and / or heated surface of a heating system and a cartridge containing vaporizable material to ensure efficient and effective thermal transfer between the heating element and vaporizable material. For example, by maintaining intimate contact between the cartridge and the heating element and / or heated surface, thermal losses (e.g., to a surrounding housing of the vaporizer device) can be reduced, and heating efficiency (e.g., per amount of power consumption) can be increased. An additional benefit that can be provided by various implementations of vaporizer devices described herein is increased user satisfaction. For example, in some implementations, the proper mixing of relatively cool air (e.g., ambient temperature air) and heated air containing vaporized material can improve the formation of sub-micron sized aerosol particles, thereby reducing condensation of one or more compounds released during heating of the vaporized material onto internal surfaces (e.g., inhalation tubes and / or mouthpiece components) of the vaporizer device. Such condensates can ultimately be drawn into the mouth of a user in liquid form, thereby leading to unpleasant tastesensations, and are not available for inhalation, thereby reducing an amount of available inhalable product. Accordingly, by ensuring proper mixing and aerosol generation, implementations of the current subject matter can increase user satisfaction.

[0166] In some implementations, the vaporizable material can be placed within a location that is in direct contact with and / or in close proximity to a heating element of a heating system to allow for efficient and effective heat transfer from the heating element to the vaporizable material. In some implementations, a cartridge comprising the heating element and the vaporizable material (e.g., vaporizable material contained within an appropriately configured structure) can be placed within a vaporizer body that is configured to transfer energy to the heating element, such as by one or more inductors and / or completion of an electrical circuit that includes the heating element. In other implementations, a cartridge comprising the vaporizable material (e.g., vaporizable material contained within an appropriately configured structure) can be placed within a vaporization chamber, heater chamber, oven, or the like, in which case the area or volume in the vaporizer body within which a heating element causes heating of at least a portion of a vaporizable material includes an internal area or volume of the cartridge. Characteristics of an appropriately configured structure include being formed at least partially of metal and / or some other material that is durable under heating and that has a sufficient thermal conductivity, one or more openings through which air can enter the cartridge to aid in heating the vaporizable material and / or transfer of the vaporizable material as it is vaporized, one or more openings through which ambient air mixes with the vaporized material to form at least a portion of an inhalable aerosol, conveyance of the inhalable aerosol out of the cartridge, and / or the like. As such, the vaporizer devices, heating systems, cartridges, and vaporizable material described herein can provide more efficient heating of vaporizable material and formation of inhalable aerosol compared to some currently available vaporizer devices. Other benefits are described herein and are within the scope of this disclosure. It will be appreciated that aerosol formation can occur concurrently with (e.g., immediately after) vaporization of the vaporizable material, such as based on air that is present within or near the vaporizable material, and that the provision of ambient air can accelerate the formation of the inhalable aerosol.

[0167] The term “vaporizer device” as used in the following description and claims refers to any of a self-contained apparatus, an apparatus that includes two or more separable parts (e.g., a vaporizer body that includes a battery and other hardware, a cartridge and / or insert that includes avaporizable material, and / or a mouthpiece (including a mouthpiece portion of the cartridge) configured to deliver an inhalable aerosol to a user), and / or the like. A “vaporizer system,” as used herein, can include one or more components, such as a vaporizer device, a charger for charging the vaporizer device, a wired or wireless communication device in communication with the vaporizer device, a remote server in communication with the communication device, and / or the like. Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and / or the like. Such vaporizer devices can be hand-held devices that heat (such as by convection, conduction, radiation, induction, and / or some combination thereof) a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material to a user. Vaporizer devices can be regarded as “generating” inhalable aerosols, as they provide the capabilities and / or functionality required to convert vaporizable material into inhalable aerosols (e.g., heat, airflow path(s), condensation chambers, etc.).

[0168] The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can optionally be provided within a cartridge (e.g., an insertable and removable part of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable material) which can be refillable when empty, or disposable such that a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of a same or different type can be used. A vaporizer device can be a cartridge-using vaporizer device, a cartridge-less vaporizer device, or a multi-use vaporizer device capable of use with or without a cartridge. Some cartridge implementations can include a vaporizable material, which can be packed to an appropriate density, as described herein. In some implementations, a vaporizer device can include a compartment (e.g., a receptacle, heater chamber, and / or the like) configured to receive a cartridge directly therein and heat the vaporizable material for forming an inhalable aerosol.

[0169] In some implementations, a vaporizer device can be configured for use with a liquid vaporizable material (for example, a carrier solution in which an active and / or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution, or a liquid form of the vaporizable material itself) and / or a non-liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a paste, a wax, a gel, a solid, a plant material, and / or the like). A non-liquid vaporizable material can include a plant material that emits some part of the plant material as the vaporizable material (for example, some part of the plant material remains as waste after the material is vaporized for inhalation by a user) or optionally can be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself, such that all of the solid material can eventually be vaporized for inhalation. A liquid vaporizable material can likewise be capable of being completely vaporized,or can include some portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.

[0170] Implementations of vaporizable material can be partially made of a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as tobacco (e.g., leaves, stems, and / or the like), other plant substances, and / or other solids such as cotton. In such implementations, the vaporizable material further includes a humectant or other aerosol forming material or carrier, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, an acid (e.g., organic acid such as benzoic acid, citric acid, etc.), and / or the like. As such, some implementations of the vaporizer device can be configured to use a vaporizable material that is at least partly made of one or more vaporizable materials (e.g., that includes one or more compounds that can be converted to the gas phase when the vaporizable material is heated to a sufficient temperature) for heating and forming an inhalable aerosol, as described in greater detail herein.

[0171] FIGs. 1A-1C depict block diagrams illustrating example vaporizer devices 100a, 100b, 100c (collectively referred to as vaporizer device 100) consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. The vaporizer device 100 can include a power source 112 (for example, a battery, which can be a rechargeable battery), and a controller 104 (for example, a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) for controlling delivery of heat from one or more heating elements 142 (collectively referred to as heating element 142) to cause at least a portion of the vaporizable material 102 (such as a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) of a cartridge 120 to be converted to the gas-phase. The controller 104 can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain implementations of the current subject matter.

[0172] After conversion of some amount of one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102 to the gas phase, at least some of those gas-phase compounds can condense to form particulate matter in at least a partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol, which can form some or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 100 during a user’s puff or draw on the vaporizer device 100. It should be appreciated that the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer device 100 can be complex and dynamic, due to factors such as temperature (e.g., ambient or local at various points within the vaporizer device and / or cartridge), relative humidity, chemistry, vapor pressure of one or more vaporizable compounds, flow conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer device 100and in the airways of a human or other animal), and / or mixing of the one or more compounds in the gas phase or in the aerosol phase with other air streams, which can affect one or more physical parameters of an aerosol. In some vaporizer devices, and particularly for vaporizer devices configured for delivery of relatively volatile compounds, the inhalable dose can exist predominantly in the gas phase (for example, formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).

[0173] The heating element 142 can include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, inductive heater, and / or a convective heater. One type of heating element 142 is a resistive heating element, which can include a material (such as a metal or alloy, for example a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when electrical current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the resistive heating element. Another type of heating element 142 is a susceptor, which can include a material (such as a metal or alloy, for example an aluminum alloy and / or a ferritic material such as a stainless steel alloy) configured to absorb and convert energy into heat when magnetic and / or electromagnetic energy is radiated into one or more segments of the susceptor. In various implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element 142 (e.g., a resistive heating element, a susceptor, and / or the like) is configured to generate heat for converting, to the gas phase, one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102 to generate an inhalable dose of the one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102. As described herein, in some implementations, the vaporizable material 102 includes a non-liquid vaporizable material including, for example, a solid-phase material (such as a gel, a wax, or the like) or plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves and / or tobacco stems).

[0174] In some implementations, the heating element 142 can be a part of the cartridge 120 (e.g., part of the disposable part of the vaporizer 100), as shown in the vaporizer device 100a of FIG. 1A. As illustrated, the cartridge 120 can include a mouthpiece portion 130 that includes one or more inserts 124 (e.g., one or more filters, such as illustrated by way of an example implementation of the insert 124 in FIGS. 1A and IB) and a heater portion 141 that includes vaporizable material 102 and one or more heating elements 142. In some implementations, the mouthpiece portion 130 can be releasably coupled to a part of the cartridge 120. In some implementations, the mouthpiece portion 130 can be integrated with the cartridge 120. In some implementations, the mouthpieceportion 130 can include one or more elements of the cartridge 120 (e.g., airflow pathway, insert, end cap, vaporizable material, etc.), such as described herein.

[0175] In some implementations, the cartridge 120 can include one or more inserts 124, and each insert 124 can include one or more filters and / or filter material. For example, the one or more inserts 124 can be made of material that is one or both of non-vapor permeable and moistureresistant (e.g., resists damaging effects of water, at least to some extent). Such material can include one or more of metal, metal alloy, cotton, paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cellulose acetate, non-wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like. In some implementations, at least a part of the insert 124 can be inserted into and / or surrounded by one or more elements, including one or more elements associated with the cartridge 120 and / or vaporizer body 110. For example, one or more inserts 124 can be positioned adjacent to, in contact with, and / or offset (e.g., along the length or longitudinal axis) from one or more of a divider (e.g., dividers 454 in FIG. 4A-4B) a first end of the cartridge 120 (e.g., a distal or upstream end), a second end of the cartridge 120 (e.g., a proximal or downstream end), the vaporizable material 102, and / or the like, as described herein. In some implementations, at least a part of the insert 124 can be exposed (e.g., not inserted into or surrounded by one or more elements), including an entire length (as length is used and defined herein) of the insert 124 can be exposed. As used herein, an “end cap” can refer to at least one of a variety of materials and / or elements that are positioned adjacent an end of the cartridge 120, such as a first end or second end of the cartridge 120. In some implementations, the end cap can be positioned at an end of the cartridge 120. In some implementations, the end cap can be positioned offset (e.g., along the length of the cartridge 120) from an end of the cartridge 120, including not being a most distal or proximal element within an implementation of the cartridge 120. For example, the end cap can form a part of an outer surface of the cartridge 120 and / or the end cap can be fully contained within the outer surface of the cartridge 120.

[0176] In some implementations, the heater portion 141 can optionally include one or more inserts 124, such as at the end of the vaporizable material 102 (e.g., distal end of the cartridge 120) to help retain the vaporizable material 102 within the cartridge 120. The one or more inserts 124 can contain a plurality of openings, such as inlets, channels, and / or outlets. In some implementations, at least a portion of the one or more inserts 124 can be permeable, such that vapor and / or aerosolcan pass through the inserts 124. In some implementations, the heater portion 141 can be releasably coupled to a part of the cartridge 120. In some implementations, the heater portion 141 can be integrated with the cartridge 120. In some implementations, the heater portion 141 can include one or more elements of the cartridge 120 (e.g., airflow pathway, insert, vaporizable material, etc.), such as described herein. In some implementations, the heater portion 141 can include more than one separable and / or releasably coupleable parts. For example, one part of the heating portion 141 can be integrated with the cartridge 120 and a second part of the heating portion 141 can be integrated with an element apart from and / or outside of the cartridge 120, such as integrated with the vaporizer body 110.

[0177] The mouthpiece portion 130 and the heater portion 141 can be joined together via an outer layer, such as one or more layers of material (e.g., wrappers 122, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 1A and IB, shells, or other comparable structural material or materials). In some aspects, the heater portion 141 can be regarded as including at least a portion of the cartridge 120 that is insertably received in the receptacle 118 and the mouthpiece portion 130 can be regarded as at least some of a portion of the cartridge 120 that remains outside of the receptacle 118 when the cartridge 120 is insertably received in the receptacle 118. In some implementations, the receptacle 118 can be configured to insertably receive and couple to the cartridge 120 via a snap-fit, press- fit, friction fit, magnetic attachment, and / or the like. In some implementations, the vaporizer body 110 can include a ledge 121 that at least partially defines an opening into the receptacle 118. The ledge 121 can include features, such as a chamfered edge, that facilitate placement of the cartridge 120 into the receptacle 118. As the term is used herein, it is not required that the entirety of the mouthpiece portion 130 be designed for insertion into a user’s mouth, only that the mouthpiece portion 130 is at or near the end of the cartridge 120 that is designed for the user to place into their mouth in use.

[0178] The heating element 142 can be wrapped around (at least in part), pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to the vaporizable material 102 to cause release of one or more compounds into the gas phase. Within the vaporizer body, driving circuitry 143 (as shown in FIG. 1C) is provided for driving the heating element 142. For example, the driving circuitry 143 can include two or more electrical contacts (e.g., positioned at least partially within the receptacle 118) for providing an electrically conductive pathway between the power source 112 of the vaporizer body 110 and the heating element 142 of the cartridge 120, when the cartridge120 is insertably received within the receptacle 118. In other implementations, the driving circuitry 143 can include one or more inductors, such as two or more inductive coils, configured to generate an electromagnetic field directed and positioned to affect the heating element 142, which can take the form of a susceptor, to cause the susceptor to generate heat.

[0179] In other implementations, the heating element 142 can be a part of the vaporizer body 110 (e.g., part of the durable or reusable part of the vaporizer 100), as shown in the vaporizer device 100b of FIG. IB. As illustrated, the cartridge 120 can include a mouthpiece portion 130 that includes one or more inserts 124 and a container portion 123 that includes vaporizable material 102. The mouthpiece portion 130 and the container portion 123 can be joined together via an outer layer, such as one or more wrappers 122. The heating element 142 can be wrapped around (at least in part), pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to the cartridge 120 containing the vaporizable material 102 to convert the one or more compounds from the vaporizable material 102 to the gas phase for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas-phase and / or a condensed (for example, aerosol particles or droplets) phase. For example the heating element 142 can be positioned within the receptacle 118 and disposed to directly or indirectly heat the container portion 123 (e.g., by conductive, radiative, or convective heating), which in turn can heat the vaporizable material 102 contained therein. In related implementations, the heating element 142 can be positioned outside of the receptacle 118 and disposed to heat the receptacle 118 itself, so as to create an oven that provides convective and / or conductive heat. In either case, the heating element 142 can be at least partially or substantially wrapped around a perimeter of the receptacle 118. Such a heating element can be heated by one or more of a variety of mechanisms, such as for example electrical resistance, inductive heating, chemical or combustion-related heating (e.g., by burning or causing oxidation or other exothermic chemical conversion of a fuel material), thermal conduction from another heated element, radiative heating, convection, etc.

[0180] In other implementations, the heating element 142 can be a part of a cartridge 120 containing a liquid vaporizable material 102 in a liquid reservoir 182, as shown in the vaporizer device 100c of FIG. 1C. As illustrated, the cartridge 120 can include a mouthpiece portion 130 and a shell portion 192 containing a heater portion 141 and a reservoir 182 configured to hold a liquid vaporizable material 102. The mouthpiece portion 130 and the shell portion 192 can be integrally formed (e.g., manufactured as a single piece) or can be joined together via mechanical coupling means, such as snap fit, press fit, friction fit, adhesive, and / or the like. The heater portion141 can include a heating element 142 and a wicking material (not shown) configured to transfer the liquid vaporizable material 102 from the reservoir 182 to be in contact with the heating element142 via capillary action. In some implementations, the heating element 142 can be in direct contact with the wicking material, such as by being pressed against one or more sides of the wicking material, wrapped at least partially around the wicking material, and / or the like. The heating element 142 can be configured to generate heat to convert the one or more compounds from the vaporizable material 102 to the gas phase for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas-phase and / or a condensed (for example, aerosol particles or droplets) phase. For example, the heater portion 141 can include circuitry configured to receive and / or convert an applied electromagnetic field into an electrical current that is used to power, and thereby heat, the heating element 142. In some implementations, the heating element 142 itself can be configured to generate heat based on having a structure (e.g., material and shape) configured to receive and convert an applied electromagnetic field into an electrical current that is used to power, and thereby heat, the heating element 142. Accordingly, the heater portion 141 and / or heating element 142 can be powered via the driving circuitry 143, as described herein.

[0181] Where the vaporizable material 102 includes a non-liquid vaporizable material, the heating element 142 can be part of, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with, the walls of a heating chamber or compartment (e.g., receptacle 118) into which the cartridge 120 and / or the vaporizable material 102 is placed. Additionally or alternatively, the heating element 142 can be used to heat air passing into, through, or past the cartridge 120, to cause convective heating of the vaporizable material 102 (e.g., within the cartridge 120). In still other examples, the heating element 142 can be disposed in intimate contact with the vaporizable material 102 such that direct conductive heating of the vaporizable material 102 of the cartridge 120 occurs from within a mass of the vaporizable material 102, as opposed to only by conduction inward from walls of the heating chamber (e.g., an oven and / or the like). Convective heating of air passing through or past the cartridge 120 can also occur in such configurations. Additionally, conductive heating can occur by means of inductively heating the heating element 142. That is, the heating element 142 can generate heat based on conversion of electromagnetic energy into heat, and this heat can be thermally transmitted (e.g., conducted) to other parts of the cartridge 120, such as for example other parts of the heating element 142 that are not as directly affected by the electromagnetic energy, the vaporizable material 102, other thermally conductive parts of the cartridge 120 or thevaporizer body 110, etc. The vaporizable material 102 can be vaporized by this heat based in part on being in contact with one or more surfaces of the heating element 142 and / or other materials that are conductively heated by the heating element 142.

[0182] In some implementations, the vaporizable material 102 can be heated via one or more heating elements 142 that is not in physical contact with the vaporizable material 102, such as by convective heating. In accordance with such implementations, a heating element 142 can be configured to heat air passing along, through, and / or near the heating element 142 such that a temperature of the air reaches a temperature sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material 102. In some implementations, the vaporizable material 102 can be vaporized through convection and conduction from at least one heating element 142. In some implementations, a single heating element 142 can be used to convectively heat the air passing along and / or through the heating element and to conductively heat at least a portion of the vaporizable material. In such implementations, the heating element can be in direct contact with a portion of the vaporizable material (e.g., a bottom portion) or in close proximity to the portion of the vaporizable material. In implementations where the heating element is in close proximity to the portion of the vaporizable material such that conductive heating occurs, the heating element is spaced a distance apart from the portion of the vaporizable material. In some implementations, the distance can be from about 0.01 mm to about 4 mm or from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. In some implementations, the vaporizable material 102 can be vaporized by both conductive heat from one heating element 142 and convective heat from another heating element 142.

[0183] The heating element 142 can provide heat to convert, to the gas phase, one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102 in association with a user puffing (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece portion 130 and / or end of the vaporizer device 100 to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path for assisting with forming an aerosol that can be delivered out through an air outlet (or aerosol outlet) in the mouthpiece portion 130 and inhaled by a user. Incoming air moving along the airflow path moves past (e.g., around, over, etc.) and / or through the cartridge 120 and / or vaporizable material 102 where compounds released from the vaporizable material 102 into the gas-phase are entrained into the air. The heating element 142 can be activated via the controller 104, which can optionally be a part of the vaporizer body 110 as discussed herein, causing current to pass from the power source 112 through a circuit including or otherwise electromagnetically coupled to (e.g., as part of an inductor-susceptor pairing) theheating element 142, which can be part of the vaporizer body 110. As noted herein, at least some of the entrained one or more gas-phase compounds can condense while passing through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the one or more compounds in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., via the mouthpiece portion 130) for inhalation by a user.

[0184] In some implementations, the heating element 142 can be activated in association with a user interacting with the vaporizer device 100. For example, activation of the heating element 142 can be caused by automatic detection of a puff or other user interaction based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113. The one or more sensors 113 and / or the signals generated by the one or more sensors 113 can include one or more of: a pressure sensor or sensors disposed to detect pressure along the airflow path of the vaporizer device 100 relative to ambient pressure or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure; a temperature sensor or sensors, such as a thermistor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) circuit such as a PTC thermistor, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) circuit such as anNTC thermistor, a thermocouple, and / or the like disposed to measure the temperature of the receptacle 118, the heating element 142, and / or some other component of the vaporizer body 110 or the cartridge 120; one or more circuits configured to determine a temperature of the heating element 142, for example based on measuring or determining a resistance and / or inductance of the heating element 142 via comparison to one or more resistors with a known resistance and / or one or more inductors with a known inductance; a motion sensor or sensors, such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or the like, configured to detect movement, vibration, orientation, position, acceleration, etc. of the vaporizer device 100; an airflow sensor or sensors configured to detect a flow rate of air, gas, or liquid within the vaporizer device 100; a capacitive sensor configured to detect touch, such as of a user’s finger(s), palm(s), lip(s), etc. on some part of the vaporizer device 100; circuitry configured to detect interaction with the vaporizer device 100 via one or more input devices 116, such as buttons, other tactile control devices, or the like of the vaporizer device 100; circuitry configured to receive and process signals from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100; and / or circuitry configured for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.

[0185] In some implementations, the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to start a heating cycle that can include a period of heating the heating element 142, receptacle 118, cartridge 120, and / or vaporizable material 102 to an operating (e.g., pre-determined) temperature or temperaturerange (e.g., a temperature or range sufficient to convert, to the gas phase, one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102). Once the heating element 142, receptacle 118, cartridge 120, and / or vaporizable material 102 reach the operating temperature or temperature range, the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to maintain or otherwise regulate the application of heat such that the vaporizable material 102 can be vaporized without burning. In some implementations, additional heat can be provided via the heating element 142 upon detection of an event, such as a user placing their lips on the vaporizer device 100, the user taking a puff on the vaporizer device 100, and / or any of the signals (e.g., generated by the one or more sensors 113) described herein. The heating cycle can terminate upon detection of an additional interaction with the vaporizer device 100 via the one or more input devices 116, upon determining that a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of the heating cycle, upon determining the user is no longer puffing on the vaporizer device 100 (e.g., mouthpiece 130 of the cartridge 102), upon determining that a certain amount of time has elapsed since the last detection of a user puff, upon determining that a cartridge 120 is not present within the receptacle 118, as a result of other events, actions, detected durations of the same, and / or the like, consistent with implementations described herein.

[0186] As discussed herein, the vaporizer device 100 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter can be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the vaporizer device 100. To this end, the controller 104 can include communication hardware 105. The controller 104 can also include a memory 108. The communication hardware 105 can include firmware and / or can be controlled by software for executing one or more protocols for the communication.

[0187] A computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device 100, and can include its own hardware for communication, which can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer device 100. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system can include a general- purpose computing device (such as a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, some other portable device such as a smartwatch, or the like) that executes software to produce a user interface for enabling a user to interact with the vaporizer device 100. In other implementations of the current subject matter, such computing device(s) used as part of a vaporizer system can be adedicated piece of hardware such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device 116 like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the like) interface controls. The vaporizer device 100 can also include one or more outputs 117 or devices for providing information to the user. For example, the outputs 117 can include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on a status and / or mode of operation of the vaporizer device 100. The one or more LEDs can be single-color LEDs and / or multicolored LEDs (e.g., both can be separately used).

[0188] In the example in which a computing device provides signals related to activation of the heating element 142, or in other examples of coupling of a computing device with the vaporizer device 100 for implementation of various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more computer instruction sets to provide a user interface and underlying data handling. In one example, detection by the computing device of user interaction with one or more user interface elements can cause the computing device to signal the vaporizer device 100 to activate the heating element 142 to reach an operating temperature for creation of an inhalable dose of aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer device 100 can be controlled by interaction of a user with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100.

[0189] The temperature of the heating element 142 of the vaporizer device 100 can depend on a number of factors, including an amount of power or energy delivered to the heating element 142, a voltage applied to the heating element 142 and / or driving circuitry 143, a duty cycle at which power or current is delivered, a frequency at which power is provided is applied to the heating element 142 and / or driving circuitry 143, a time during which the power or current is delivered, an efficiency of the heating element 142 converting current to heat, a temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) of the heating element 142, the construction and geometry of the heating element 142 (e.g., thickness, number of layers, number of folds or bends, etc.), conductive and / or radiative heat transfer to other parts of the vaporizer device 100 (e.g., vaporizable material 102), and / or to the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of the vaporizable material 102, convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element 142 and / or an area heated by the heating element 142 when a user puffs on the vaporizer device 100), and / or the like.

[0190] As noted herein, to reliably activate the heating element 142 and / or heat the heating element 142 to a desired temperature, in some implementations of the current subject matter thevaporizer device 100 can make use of signals from the one or more sensors 113. For example, the one or more sensors 113 can include a pressure sensor and / or airflow sensors, to determine when a user is inhaling. The one or more sensors 113 can optionally be positioned in the airflow path and / or can be connected (for example, by a passageway or other path) to an airflow path containing an airflow inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and an airflow outlet via which the user inhales the resulting aerosol such that the one or more sensors 113 experiences changes (for example, pressure changes) concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device 100 from the airflow inlet to the airflow outlet. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element 142 can be activated in association with a user’s puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, or by the one or more sensors 113 detecting a change (such as a pressure change or flow rate) in the airflow path.

[0191] Additionally or alternatively, to maintain the heating element 142 at a desired temperature, in some implementations of the current subject matter the vaporizer device 100 can make use of other signals from one or more sensors 113. For example, the one or more sensors 113 can include a capacitive, conductive, and / or electromagnetic sensor, to determine the inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the heating element 142. The one or more sensors 113 can optionally be positioned in a location that is in physical contact with the heating element 142 (for example, within the receptacle 118) or in a location that is sufficiently close to the heating element 142 to measure the variations in an electromagnetic field or components affecting the heating element 142 (e.g., within, touching, or proximate to at least some part of the receptacle 118). In some implementations, the one or more sensors 113 can be in electrical communication with an inductor configured to inductively heat the heating element 142 and / or configured to determine the inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the inductor. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more sensors 113 can include a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the inductor and / or heating element 142. Based on information derived from the one or more sensors 113, the controller 104 can be configured to estimate a temperature of the heating element 142, as described herein. In some implementations, the heating element 142 can be activated and / or power provided to the heating element 142 can be adapted in association with an estimated temperature of the heating element 142, for example by comparison of the detected inductance and / or resistance of the heating element 142 via the one or more sensors 113 with a suitable sensing circuit.

[0192] The one or more sensors 113 can be positioned on and / or coupled to (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, physically or via a wireless connection) the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). To take measurements accurately and maintain durability of the vaporizer device 100, it can be beneficial to provide a seal that is sufficiently resilient to separate an airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer device 100. The seal, which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround the one or more sensors 113 such that connections of the one or more sensors 113 to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 are separated from a part of the one or more sensors 113 exposed to the airflow path. Such arrangements of the seal in the vaporizer device 100 can be helpful in mitigating against potentially disruptive impacts on vaporizer components resulting from interactions with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phases and / or to reduce the escape of air from the designated airflow path in the vaporizer device 100. Passage of air, liquid, or other fluid passing and / or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can cause various unwanted effects, such as altered pressure and / or airflow readings, and / or can result in the buildup of material, such as moisture or residue, errant portions of the vaporizable material 102, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device 100 where they can result in poor pressure and / or airflow signal, degradation of the one or more sensors 113 or other components, and / or a shorter life of the vaporizer device 100. Leaks in the seal can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the vaporizer device 100 containing, or constructed of, materials that may not be desirable to be inhaled, such as the controller 104, power source 112, and / or the like.

[0193] When the one or more sensors 113 includes an electrically conductive surface for measuring the resistance of the heating element 142, the one or more sensors 113 can additionally or alternatively be positioned on a surface that is biased against some part of the heating element 142. For example, the one or more sensors 113 can be disposed on a surface of a spring or other resiliently deformable structure, or otherwise biased by a spring or other resiliently deformable structure, such that the one or more sensors 113 remains in physical contact with a surface of the heating element 142. Such arrangements of a spring or other resiliently deformable structure in the vaporizer device 100 can be helpful in mitigating against potentially disruptive impacts on vaporizer components resulting from interactions with environmental factors such as those described herein.

[0194] In vaporizer devices in which the power source 112 is part of a vaporizer body 110 and the heating element 142 is disposed in the cartridge 120 configured to couple with the vaporizer body 110, the cartridge 120 and vaporizer device 100 can include electrical connection features (e.g., electrical contacts, conductors, and the like) for completing a physical circuit that includes the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source 112, and the heating element 142. The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to the heating element 142 (e.g., resistive heating element) and can further be used for additional functions, such as measuring a resistance of the heating element 142 for use in determining and / or controlling a temperature of the resistive heating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element. In some implementations, a different circuit can be provided for measuring a resistance of the heating element 142, compared to the circuit that allows for delivery of the electrical current to the heating element 142, such as a circuit that includes one or more sensors 113 and the heating element 142, as described herein.

[0195] Alternatively, the power source 112 can be part of a vaporizer body 110 and the heating element 142 can be disposed in the cartridge 120 and configured as a susceptor to be electromagnetically coupled with one or more inductor coils that are part of the driving circuitry 143 in the vaporizer body 110. A physical circuit in the vaporizer body 110 includes the controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source 112, and the one or more inductor coils, which can be or form part of the driving circuitry 143. The physical circuit delivers electrical current to the one or more inductor coils and can further be used for additional functions, such as measuring inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the heating element 142 for use in determining and / or controlling a temperature of the heating element 142 based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element 142. In some implementations, a different circuit can be provided for measuring inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the heating element 142, compared to the circuit that allows for delivery of the electrical current to the one or more inductor coils, such as a circuit that includes one or more sensors 113 as described herein.

[0196] In some implementations, the receptacle 118 can include all or part of the heating element 142 (e.g., a heating coil, resistive heating element, etc.) that is configured to conductively, radiatively, convectively, etc. heat the cartridge 120 received in the receptacle 118, such as for forming an aerosol to be inhaled by a user of the vaporizer device 100. For example, the receptacle 118 can include various implementations of the heating element 142 that are configured to receiveand / or be placed in contact with the cartridge 120. Various implementations of the heating element 142, the receptacle 118, and the cartridge 120 are described herein for integration within and / or use with a variety of vaporizer bodies 110 for forming inhalable aerosol.

[0197] In some implementations, the cartridge 120 can be configured for insertion in the receptacle 118, such as for forming contact between an outer surface of the cartridge 120 and one or more inner walls of the receptacle 118. In some implementations, the cartridge 120 can have a same or a similar shape as the receptacle 118. In some implementations, the cartridge 120 can include a square or rectangular shape. In some implementations, the cartridge 120 can include a circular cross-section and / or a cylindrical shape. In some implementations, the cartridge 120 can have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis along which the cartridge 120 is inserted into the receptacle 118. The non-circular cross-section(s) of the cartridge 120 and / or receptacle 118 can include two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposing sides (e.g., having a parallelogram-like shape), or other shapes, including curved shapes, having rotational symmetry of at least order two. For example, FIGs. 8A-8F illustrate example cross-sections of the cartridge 120 and / or receptacle 118, including a rectangular shape (FIG. 8A), a rounded rectangular shape (FIG. 8B), an elliptical or oval shape (FIG. 8C), or other shapes that include comers, bends, edges, protrusions, recesses, and / or the like (FIGs. 8D-8F). In this context, approximate shape indicates that a basic likeness to the described shape is apparent, but that sides of the shape in question need not be completely linear and vertices need not be completely sharp. Rounding of both or either of the edges or the vertices of the cross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of any non-circular cross-section referred to herein.

[0198] In some implementations, at least one of the one or more inner walls forming the receptacle 118 can include the heating element 142 and / or include thermally conductive material. For example, cartridge 120 configurations in which the cartridge 120 forms a sliding fit and / or forms close contact with the receptacle 118 can allow for efficient heat transfer between the heating element 142, the receptacle 118, and the cartridge 120, thereby causing efficient and effective heating of the vaporizable material 102 within the cartridge 120. In other implementations, at least one of the one or more inner walls forming the receptacle 118 can include ridges that only contact the cartridge 120 in specific locations, in order to minimize conductive heat losses from the cartridge due to physical contact with surfaces of the vaporizer body 110 that are not actively heated. For example, cartridge 120 configurations in which the heater portion 141 (or otherthermally conductive parts) of the cartridge 120 only contacts the receptacle 118 in certain regions, such as regions distal to the heating element(s) 142, can allow for maintaining a higher temperature at the heating element 142, thereby causing efficient and effective heating of the vaporizable material 102 within the cartridge 120.

[0199] Furthermore, the cartridge 120 can include compressed and / or higher density configurations of non-liquid vaporizable material 102, which can further contribute to efficient and effective heating and converting, to the gas phase, one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 102. For example, vaporizable material 102 in a compressed and / or high- density configuration can include a minimal amount of air or pockets of air in the vaporizable material 102 thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of transferring heat within the vaporizable material 102. Such a configuration can allow for reduced power consumption at least because less heating power is needed to effectively heat the vaporizable material 102 to a temperature sufficient to cause release of inhalable substances. Additionally, lower temperatures (e.g., at a contact surface of an oven or heating element) can be used to heat the vaporizable material 102 at least because of the improved heating efficiency of the vaporizable material 102, which can also reduce power consumption and formation of hazardous byproducts resulting from heating the vaporizable material at higher temperatures. Various implementations of the cartridge 120 are described herein that include the vaporizable material formed in compressed and / or high- density configurations for achieving at least some of the benefits described above.

[0200] In some implementations, the vaporizer device 100 can include a heating system configured to receive and heat the vaporizable material 102 for generating an inhalable aerosol. For example, implementations of the heating system can include one or more heating elements 142 positioned at, against, near, within, outside, and / or along the walls of the receptacle 118 (e.g., extending along at least a portion of the wall(s) at the distal end (e.g., bottom) of the receptacle 118, extending along at least a portion of each of the distal wall(s) and / or side wall(s) of the receptacle 118, etc.). In some implementations, the one or more heating elements 142 can be configured to heat one or more of the walls of the receptacle 118 from the outside to the interior of the receptacle 118 (e.g., with the vaporizable material 102 being in the interior of the receptacle 118). In another example, implementations of the heating system can include one or more heating elements 142 positioned at, against, near, within, outside, and / or along the walls of the cartridge 120 (e.g., extending along at least a portion of the wall(s) at the distal end (e.g., bottom) of thecartridge 120, extending along at least a portion of each of the distal wall(s) and / or side wall(s) of the cartridge 120, etc.). In some implementations, the one or more heating elements 142 can form one or more of the walls of the cartridge 120 to heat from the outside to the interior of the cartridge 120 (e.g., with the vaporizable material 102 being in the interior of the cartridge 120 and optionally, in the interior of the heating element 142).

[0201] The heating system can also include at least one airflow pathway, which can be configured to move heated air through the vaporizable material 102. As described herein, the heating system can be configured to receive the cartridge 120 and heat the cartridge 120 using at least one heating element 142 to provide an inhalable aerosol via one or more airflow pathways for inhalation by a user.

[0202] Various implementations of such heating systems of vaporizer devices 100 are described herein that provide a number of benefits, including evenly distributing heat through the vaporizable material 102 of the cartridge 120. This can result in improved inhalable aerosol generation, less energy and / or lower average temperatures required to form inhalable aerosol, and increased user satisfaction with the device use and consumption of the vaporizable material 102.

[0203] In some implementations, the heating system of the vaporizer device 100 is configured to heat a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as a tobacco-based material. For example, the vaporizer body 110 can include one or more heater portions 141 or containers 123 that each accept and heat vaporizable material 102 via one or more heating elements 142, thereby generating an inhalable aerosol. In some implementations, the vaporizer device 100 can include one or more airflow pathways that extend through the cartridge 120 positioned within a respective receptacle 118, and out through a mouthpiece portion 130 to a user.

[0204] In some implementations, the cartridge 120 can include one or more barriers configured to contain vaporizable material 102 and / or hold the components of the cartridge 120 together. The one or more barriers can be provided by the heating element 142 itself, a container 123, an insert 124, an outer layer, such as one or more wrappers 122, and / or the like. The one or more barriers can be made of material that is one or both of non-vapor permeable and moisture -resistant (e.g., resists damaging effects of water, at least to some extent). Such material can include one or more of metal, metal alloy, cotton, paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate(PET), cellulose acetate, non- wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like.

[0205] In some implementations, use of a metal (such as aluminum) in the heating element 142 and / or a container 123 can be advantageous where efficient heat transfer (e.g., requiring less energy to spread across a larger region) is required, which can be the case where a singular heat source is provided. In other implementations, a metal such as stainless steel in the heating element 142 and / or a container 123 can be advantageous where efficient heat transfer is of less concern, such as where multiple heat sources are disposed to heat different regions of the cartridge 120. Containing the vaporizable material 102 within a non-vapor permeable and / or moisture-resistant barrier can protect the receptacle 118 and / or other portions of the vaporizer device 100 from vapor deposits and / or remains of the vaporizable material 102, such that cleaning of the heating element 142, receptacle 118, and / or other portions of the vaporizer device 100 after use may not be required. Stated another way, one or more of the heating element 142, the container 123, the insert 124, and / or the outer layer (e.g., one or more wrappers 122) can provide a barrier between the vaporizable material 102 and the components of the vaporizer body 110, with the barrier optionally being non-vapor permeable and / or moisture -resistant.

[0206] The heater 141 of FIG. 1A and / or the container 123 of FIG. IB cartridge 120 can be configured to hold the vaporizable material 102 with a lid, outer layer and / or inner layer(s) (e.g., wrapper(s) 122), insert 124, and / or other component configured to retain the vaporizable material 102 therein. Various implementations of a heating system and cartridge 120 are described in greater detail herein.

[0207] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an implementation of a vaporizer device 200, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. The vaporizer device 200 can be an implementation of one or more components of the vaporizer device 100 of FIGs. 1A-1B. Separately, any of the structure of functionality described with respect to the vaporizer device 200 of FIG. 2 can be implemented in or by the vaporizer device 100 of FIGs. 1A-1B.

[0208] For example, as illustrated, the vaporizer device 200 can include a vaporizer body 210, a receptacle 218, and a ledge 221 outside of the receptacle 218. As described herein, a cartridge 220 containing vaporizable material 102 (including any implementation of the vaporizer material 102 of FIGs. 1 A- 1 C) can be inserted into the receptacle 218, and at least a portion of the cartridge 220 can remain outside of the receptacle 218, such as at least part of the mouthpiece portion 230 thatincludes an airflow outlet 228. At least part of the heater portion 241 of the cartridge 220 can be inserted into and / or at least partially enclosed within the receptacle 218.

[0209] As illustrated, the cartridge 220 can extend from a cartridge proximal end 220a to a cartridge distal end 220b and contain two or more portions, such as a heater portion 241 and a mouthpiece portion 230. The total distance between the cartridge proximal end 220a and the cartridge distal end 220b can be regarded as the cartridge 220 length, for example, extending along the y-axis as illustrated in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIG. 3). Furthermore, any component of the cartridge 220 can be referred to as having a length as referenced by the y-axis in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIG. 3).

[0210] As also illustrated, the vaporizer body 210 can extend from a body proximal end 210a to a body distal end 210b. The total distance between the body proximal end 210a and the body distal end 210b can be regarded as the vaporizer body 210 length, for example, extending along the y- axis as illustrated in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIGs. 5A-5D). Furthermore, any component of the vaporizer body 210, as well as the vaporizer device 200, can be referred to as having a length as referenced by the y-axis in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIGs. 5A-5D with respect to components of the vaporizer body 210).

[0211] The cartridge 220 can be regarded as having two additional dimensions that are transverse to the cartridge 220 length, which are the depth and the width. As referred to herein, the cartridge 220 depth can be the distance between two points on opposing faces (e.g., surface areas, which can be substantially the same size and shape when rotated about a central longitudinal axis, which can be regarded as an axis along which the cartridge 220 length extends) of the exterior of the cartridge 220, in a dimension that is perpendicular to the cartridge 220 length, for example, extending along the z-axis as illustrated in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIG. 3). Furthermore, any component of the cartridge 220 can be referred to as having a depth as referenced by the z- axis in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIG. 3). In some aspects, the cartridge 220 depth can be understood as the greatest distance of the cartridge 220 along the z-axis and / or the distance between two opposing points on the exterior of the cartridge 220 (e.g., with the opposing points being opposite each other along an axis that is perpendicular to the center of the cartridge 220 width). As referred to herein, the cartridge 220 width can be the distance between two points on opposing faces of the exterior of the cartridge 220, in a dimension that is perpendicular to both the cartridge 220 length and the cartridge 220 depth, and is the longer of the two transversedimensions, for example, extending along the x-axis as illustrated in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIG. 3). Furthermore, any component of the cartridge 220 can be referred to as having a width as referenced by the x-axis in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIG. 3). In some aspects, the cartridge 220 width can be understood as the greatest distance of the cartridge 220 along the x- axis and / or the distance between two opposing points on the exterior of the cartridge 220 (e.g., with the opposing points being opposite each other along an axis that is perpendicular to the center of the cartridge 220 depth). Accordingly, the axis along which the cartridge 220 width extends can be referred to as the first transverse axis and / or the cartridge long axis, and the axis along which the cartridge 220 depth extends can be referred to as the second transverse axis and / or the cartridge short axis.

[0212] A surface of the cartridge 220 extending primarily along the cartridge 220 width can be referred to as a long side of the cartridge 220 and / or as being on a long side of the cartridge 220, and a surface of the cartridge 220 extending primarily along the cartridge 220 depth can be referred to as a short side of the cartridge 220 and / or as being on a short side of the cartridge 220. Each of the referenced surfaces of the cartridge 220 can be a surface area on the exterior of the cartridge 220. In some aspects, the longer opposing faces can be regarded as being on the long / longer sides of the cartridge 220, offset along the cartridge 220 depth, and the smaller opposing faces can be regarded as being on the short / shorter sides of the cartridge 220, offset along the cartridge 220 width. It will be appreciated that this terminology can be applied to any implementation of a cartridge and its subcomponents described herein (e.g., heater portion, mouthpiece portion, heating element, layer of material, wrapper, insert, and / or the like), and this terminology is not redefined with respect to each implementation or subcomponent for the sake of brevity.

[0213] The vaporizer body 210 can also be regarded as having two additional dimensions that are transverse to the vaporizer body 210 length, which are the depth and the width. As referred to herein, the vaporizer body 210 depth can be the distance between two points on opposing faces of the exterior of the vaporizer body 210, in a dimension that is perpendicular to the vaporizer body 210 length, for example, extending along the z-axis as illustrated in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIG. 5A). Furthermore, any component of the vaporizer body 210, as well as the vaporizer device 200, can be referred to as having a depth as referenced by the z-axis in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIG. 5 A with respect to components of the vaporizer body 210). In some aspects, the vaporizer body 210 depth can be understood as the greatest distance of the vaporizer body 210along the z-axis and / or the distance between two opposing points on the exterior of the vaporizer body 210 (e.g., with the opposing points being opposite each other along an axis that is perpendicular to the center of the vaporizer body 210 width). As referred to herein, the vaporizer body 210 width can be the distance between two points on opposing faces of the exterior of the vaporizer body 210, in a dimension that is perpendicular to both the vaporizer body 210 length and the vaporizer body 210 depth, and is the longer of the two transverse dimensions, for example, extending along the x-axis as illustrated in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIGs. 5A-5D). Furthermore, any component of the vaporizer body 210, as well as the vaporizer device 200, can be referred to as having a width as referenced by the x-axis in FIG. 2 (and as also illustrated in FIGs. 5A-5D with respect to components of the vaporizer body 210). In some aspects, the vaporizer body 210 width can be understood as the greatest distance of the vaporizer body 210 along the x-axis and / or the distance between two opposing points on the exterior of the vaporizer body 210 (e.g., with the opposing points being opposite each other along an axis that is perpendicular to the center of the vaporizer body 210 depth). Accordingly, the axis along which the vaporizer body 210 width extends can be referred to as the first transverse axis and / or the vaporizer body long axis, and the axis along which the vaporizer body 210 depth extends can be referred to as the second transverse axis and / or the vaporizer body short axis.

[0214] A surface of the vaporizer body 210 extending primarily along the vaporizer body 210 width can be referred to as a long side of the vaporizer body 210 and / or as being on a long side of the vaporizer body 210, and a surface of the vaporizer body 210 extending primarily along the vaporizer body 210 depth can be referred to as a short side of the vaporizer body 210 and / or as being on a short side of the vaporizer body 210. Each of the referenced surfaces of the vaporizer body 210 can be a surface area on the exterior of the vaporizer body 210. In some aspects, the longer opposing faces can be regarded as being on the long / longer sides of the vaporizer body 210, offset along the vaporizer body 210 depth, and the smaller opposing faces can be regarded as being on the short / shorter sides of the vaporizer body 210, offset along the vaporizer body 210 width. It will be appreciated that this terminology can be applied to any implementation of a vaporizer body and its subcomponents described herein (e.g., holder assembly, frame, inductor, flux concentrator, shell, and / or the like), and this terminology is not redefined with respect to each implementation or subcomponent for the sake of brevity.

[0215] It will be appreciated that elements described herein (e.g., vaporizer device, cartridge, vaporizer body, and component thereof) can have surfaces defined in Euclidean or non-Euclidean spaces. Dimensions of ends, sides, faces, and / or the like that exist in non-Euclidean spaces can be regarded as dimensions of the referenced ends, sides, faces and / or the like that exist in Euclidean spaces. The distance between any two ends, sides, faces, points, etc. can be equal to the shortest distance between two opposing points at the center of each identified structure, component, region, portion, etc. However, in the event a structure, component, region, portion, etc. is not uniform in shape (e.g., convex or concave ends of a cartridge 220 and / or vaporizer body 210), the distance can be equal to the longest distance along a plane or volume that intersects the identified ends, sides, points, etc., orthogonal to the identified ends, sides, points, etc.

[0216] The term “heater portion” as used herein can refer to a portion (e.g., region and / or subset of the components) of a cartridge that includes a heating element or is otherwise heated in use. The term “mouthpiece portion” as used herein can refer to a portion (e.g., region and / or subset of the components) of a cartridge that includes a mouthpiece or other component to which a user applies their mouth in use. Although the cartridges are generally described herein with respect to a heater portion and a mouthpiece portion for simplicity, it will be appreciated that additional portions can be provided within the cartridge, which can be at least partially upstream, between, downstream, adjacent, within and / or exterior to the heater portion and / or mouthpiece portion. For example, an external wrapper or shell can be exterior to both the heater portion and mouthpiece portion, a space and / or component(s) can be disposed between the heater portion and mouthpiece portion such as a divider, the heater portion can include an insert and / or end cap upstream or at least partially within the heater portion, the mouthpiece portion can include an insert and / or end cap downstream or at least partially within the mouthpiece portion, and / or the like. Although the mouthpiece portion 230 and the heater portion 241 can be approximately the same size in length (e.g., 1: 1) along the cartridge 220 length, other relative sizes are contemplated (e.g., approximately 1 :2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5, 5:4, and / or the like). Furthermore, it will be appreciated that although described at times as separable, the mouthpiece portion 230 and the heater portion 241 can simply be regarded as general regions of a unitary body that is the cartridge 220.

[0217] As illustrated, the vaporizer device 200 can include one or more input devices 216a, 216b (collectively referred to as input devices 216), such as a pair of input devices 216a on opposing sides of the vaporizer body 210 and / or one or more input devices 216b on the ledge 221. In someimplementations, the one or more input devices 216a, 216b can include a button (e.g., plastic, metal, elastomeric), a capacitive sensor, and / or the like. A controller (not illustrated) of the vaporizer device 200, similar to controller 104 of FIGs. 1A-1C, can be configured to detect actuation (e.g., touch or force) of the one or more input devices 216a, 216b based on signals or data provided by the one or more input devices 216a, 216b. In implementations where multiple input devices 216 are present, a controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to activate the vaporizer device 200 only in response to detecting actuation of all of the input devices 216 (e.g., two input devices 216a located at opposing sides of the vaporizer body 210). It can be beneficial to provide multiple input devices 216 in different locations that are less likely to each be activated accidentally (e.g., in locations most likely to be touched all at the same time only during active use of the vaporizer device 200). However, a simpler interface can be provided, such as by using an input device 216 in the form of a single push button or multiple push buttons.

[0218] In some implementations, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to select predetermined operating temperatures and / or heating profiles from among N temperatures or profiles. In accordance with these implementations, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured (and thereby a user can be allowed) to select a temperature or profile based on detecting actuation of the one or more input devices 216. In some implementations, the input device(s) 216 (e.g., input devices 216a) can be used to increase and decrease the currently selected operating temperature (also referred to as target temperature) and / or profile between a range of zero (0) through N temperatures and / or profiles, where zero means the vaporizer device 200 is in an “off’ state (e.g., not actively heating the receptacle 218 but otherwise configured to detect interactions with one or more components of the vaporizer device 200). Accordingly, an input device 216 can be actuated to increase the currently selected operating temperature and / or profile and the same or another input device 216 can be actuated to decrease the currently selected operating temperature and / or profile. The input device(s) 216 can be actuated to provide for switching between the “off’ state and an “on” state (e.g., where the “on” state starts at the lowest pre-configured temperature and / or profile) when one or more input device 216 is actuated (e.g., held down or pressed) for a predetermined time. As described herein, the controller 104 can be configured to heat different regions of the heating element 143 , optionally at different temperatures and / or times.

[0219] In some implementations, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to operate (e.g., power the heating element 142 as described herein) at one or more predetermined operating temperatures, such as based on a default or user-selected heating profile. For example, in some heating profiles, the controller of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to power the heating element 142 at a first operating temperature for a first period of time, power the heating element 142 at a second operating temperature for a second period of time, power the heating element 142 at a third operating temperature for a third period of time, and / or the like. In some implementations, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to power the heating element 142 based on usage of the vaporizer device 200. For example, an operating temperature of the heating element 142 can be initially set to an initial operating temperature and / or the operating temperature can be dynamically changed depending on detected airflow, temperatures, heating time, power applied, estimated vaporizable material 102 used, estimated vaporizable material 102 remaining, and / or the like. Although heating of the vaporizable material 102 is at times described with respect to a singular heating element 142, it will be appreciated that multiple heating elements 142 and / or multiple regions of a singular heating element 142 can be implemented and / or controlled in the same or similar manner to provide more control over vaporization of the vaporizable material 102.

[0220] In some implementations, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to detect when the heater portion 241 is present within the receptacle 218 and / or for a sufficient duration of time. In response to determining that the heater portion 241 is present within the receptacle 218 and / or for a sufficient duration of time, the controller of the vaporizer device 200 can switch the vaporizer device 200 between the “off’ state and the “on” state, increase the temperature (e.g., to a range of zero (0) through N target temperatures), implement a predetermined (e.g., user-selected) profile (e.g., from a plurality of zero (0) through N different profiles), and / or the like.

[0221] In some implementations, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to determine whether a cartridge 220 is spent and / or should be changed. This can occur when all, most, or an estimated threshold amount of one or more compound present in the vaporizable material 102 contained within the cartridge 220 has been converted to the gas phase, when an insufficient amount or quality of the vaporizable material 102 is present to provide an inhalable aerosol that would be satisfying to a user, and / or the like. For example, based on the length oftime the cartridge 220 is heated, the temperatures at which the cartridge 220 is heated across the length of time or the temperatures at each of a plurality of time segments (which can be measured via the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 as described herein), and / or the like, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to determine that the cartridge 220 is spent and / or should be changed. Based on determining that the cartridge 220 is spent and / or should be changed, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be figured to provide an indication that the cartridge 220 is spent and / or should be changed, switch the vaporizer device 200 into the “off’ state, and / or the like. During operation, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to provide indications of an estimated amount of vaporizable material 102 left in the cartridge 220 and / or an estimated amount of time remaining in a vaporizing session during which the vaporizable material 102 can be used (e.g., a period of time starting when the vaporizer device 200 is heated or when the receptacle 218 reaches a predetermined operating temperature and ending when the cartridge 220 is spent and / or should be changed). In some implementations, the controller 104 can be contained in and / or in communication with the vaporizer body 210 and / or the cartridge 220.

[0222] The vaporizer device 200 can include a plurality of outputs 217 (e.g., LEDs) that can be similar to the output(s) 117 (e.g., vibration, sound, and / or the like), and the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to illuminate one or more of the LED outputs 217 in response to detecting actuation of one or more of the input devices 216a, 216b, in response to detecting a cartridge 220 has been inserted into the receptacle 218, to indicate the currently selected operating temperature and / or temperature profile; to indicate the current temperature of the receptacle 218; to indicate the current temperature of the receptacle 218 relative to the currently selected operating temperature and / or temperature profile; to indicate the current temperature of the receptacle 218 has reached the currently selected operating temperature; to indicate an estimated amount of useable vaporizable material remaining in a cartridge 220 (e.g., by selectively illuminating more or less of the LED outputs 217); to indicate an estimated amount of time remaining in a vaporizing session (e.g., by selectively illuminating more or less of the LED outputs 217); to indicate an indication that the cartridge 220 is spent and / or should be changed; to indicate an amount of battery power remaining (e.g., voltage remaining within a power source 112), and / or the like. In some implementations, the one or more input devices 216a, 216b can include one or more of the LEDs described (additionally or alternatively to the LED outputs 217), be at leastpartially surrounded by the LEDs, and / or be positioned relative to the LEDs such that a perimeter (e.g., halo) of light at least partially surrounds a perimeter of the one or more input devices 216a, 216b.

[0223] The controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to illuminate the LEDs (e.g., the plurality of LED outputs 217 and / or LEDs proximate one or more of the input devices 216a, 216b) in one or more colors and / or according to one or more patterns. For example, the controller 104 of the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to illuminate the LEDs according to different colors to indicate a current temperature of the receptacle 218 (e.g., oven), blink one or more times to indicate the current temperature of the receptacle 218 has reached the currently selected operating temperature, and / or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 104 can be configured to provide haptic feedback (e.g., via one or more outputs 217, such as a motor, a linear resonant actuator, and / or the like) to indicate the one or more input devices 216a, 216b have been pressed, whether the vaporizer device 200 has switched between the “off’ state and / or the “on” state (e.g., that the receptacle 218 is heating up), a current temperature of the receptacle 218 (e.g., in a periodic pattern with increasing frequency), whether the current temperature of the receptacle 218 has reached the currently selected operating temperature, when threshold amounts of the estimated amount of useable vaporizable material remaining in a cartridge 220 are reached, when threshold amounts of estimated amounts of time remaining in the vaporizing session are reached, that the cartridge 220 is spent and / or should be changed, and / or the like. Although illustrated as a generally flattened cylindrical shape, a cross-section of the cartridge 220 and / or vaporizer body 210 can be a different shape. For example, in some implementations, a crosssection of the cartridge 220 and / or vaporizer body 210 can be similar to one or more of the crosssections of FIGs. 8A-8F. The cross-section can be anywhere between the respective distal and proximal ends of each of the cartridge 220 and / or vaporizer body 210.

[0224] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an implementation of a cartridge 320 in an exploded schematic form, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. The cartridge 320 can be an implementation of one or more components of the cartridges 120 of FIGs. 1 A-1B and / or the cartridge 220 of FIG. 2, and / or can be configured for use within a vaporizer device such as the vaporizer devices 100a, 100b of FIGs. 1A-1B and / or the vaporizer device 200 of FIG. 2. As illustrated, the cartridge 320 can extend from a cartridge proximal end 320a to a cartridge distal end 320b and contain two or more portions, such as a heater portion 341 and a mouthpiece portion330. As described herein, the total distance between the cartridge proximal end 320a and the cartridge distal end 320b can be regarded as the cartridge 320 length, and transverse to the cartridge 320 length are the width (longer dimension, x-axis) and the depth (shorter dimension, z-axis). As further described herein, cartridges 320 can have surfaces defined in Euclidean or non-Euclidean spaces.

[0225] As illustrated, the heater portion 341 can include a heating element 342 and vaporizable material 302. The heating element 342 and / or the vaporizable material 302 can extend between a heater portion proximal end 341a and a heater portion distal end 341b, and the total distance (dimension) between these two ends can be referred to as the heater portion 341 length. For convenience, the heater portion 341 length can be referred to with respect to the longitudinal axis (y-axis) along which the cartridge 320 is inserted into a receptacle (e.g., the receptacle 218 of FIG. 2). The heater portion 341 can also be regarded as having two additional dimensions that are transverse to the heater portion 341 length, which are the width (longer dimension, x-axis) and the depth (shorter dimension, z-axis).

[0226] In implementations where the heater portion 341 width is greater than the heater portion 341 depth and / or the vaporizable material 302 width is greater than the vaporizable material 302 depth (e.g., in a 3:2 ratio, 9:5 ratio, 2:1 ratio, 9:4 ratio, 5:2 ratio, or greater ratio), heat transfer can be more efficient. For example, relative to a cylindrical surface, a heating element 342 and / or vaporizable material 302 that includes two wider, opposing surface areas (e.g., faces) with a shorter distance between the two opposing surfaces can allow for a vaporizer device that only needs to actively heat from one or two of the opposing sides, as opposed to on all surfaces of a cylindrical surface. The remaining portions of the heating element 342 that are not actively heated can be configured to absorb and redistribute heat from the nearby regions that are actively heated, thereby providing heat to a much larger surface area of the vaporizable material 302 compared to a cylindrical surface. While this non-cylindrical structure (e.g., elliptical or oval) is harder to manufacture than a cylindrical structure, it provides benefits to the user by making the system easier and more comfortable to use (e.g., more ergonomic structure that fits the natural shape of a user’s lips). Additionally, the use of less power due to increased efficiency allows for longer battery life and / or less spatial constraints on the vaporizer device (e.g., a smaller battery can be used). Ultimately, the manner in which the heating element 342 and / or vaporizable material 302 is heated can affect the temperature at which the vaporizable material 302 is heated and / or the rateat which one or more compounds present in the vaporizable material 302 are converted to the gas phase and / or otherwise released from the vaporizable material 302.

[0227] As discussed herein, the heating element 342 can be configured to convert electrical energy into heat (e.g., through inductive heating, resistive heating, etc.). However, in some implementations, the heating element 342 of FIG. 3 can instead be regarded as a container (e.g., similar to the container 123 of FIG. IB) that receives heat from an external heat source and distributes it to the vaporizable material 302. In implementations in which inductive heating is used to heat the heating element 342, providing a wider surface area also has further benefits. For example, it is easier to generate eddy currents in wider, flatter, and / or larger surfaces as compared to curved and / or smaller surfaces. Additionally, larger surface areas of a heating element 342 allow for more surface area of the heating element 342 to be in direct and thermal contact with a larger area of the vaporizable material 302 and / or be in thermal contact with air passing through the cartridge 320. These eddy currents can be generated over a larger surface area using less energy and / or the larger surface area can provide multiple, smaller regions that can be selectively targeted using a plurality of smaller inductors. In this regard, use of susceptors that are inductively heated, at least primarily, via formation of eddy currents rather that via hysteresis (as is the case for susceptors comprising magnetic and / or ferritic materials) can be advantageous. In implementations where eddy currents are the primary (e.g., entire) form of heat generation, the inductive coil(s) can include or otherwise be formed of Litz wire. As used herein, Litz wire can refer to a wire formed from a plurality of strands of metal (e.g., 5 strands, 10 strands, 20 strands, 40 strand, etc.) that are twisted or braided together, and can optionally include an outer insulation material, an internal core of material, and / or the like.

[0228] In some implementations, a susceptor is provided that is non-ferritic and / or non- magnetically permeable. For example, aluminum can be considered as non-ferritic and non- magnetically permeable, and thereby substantially unaffected by hysteresis. With no or substantially no influence on temperature created via hysteresis, the temperature of non-ferritic and / or non-magnetically permeable susceptors can be derived based on the direct relationship of the temperature of the susceptor and eddy currents, as described herein. Although inductors and / or inductive coils may be referred to herein as “heating” susceptors and / or heating element, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that heating in this sense can be regarded as an inductor generating magnetic and / or electromagnetic energy that is radiated into and absorbed by one ormore segments of a susceptor, which is in turn converted into heat via eddy currents and / or hysteresis.

[0229] At least a portion of the heater portion 341 can be contained within a wrapper 322. The wrapper 322 can be similar to the outer layer (e.g., wrapper(s) 122) of FIGs. 1A-1B. For example, the wrapper 322 can be made of material such as one or more of a paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic (e.g., PET), non- wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like. The wrapper 322 can extend along all or at least some part of the heater portion 341 length, and define an interior volume between the heater portion 341 depth and width. The vaporizable material 302 can fill the majority of the volume, but other components can be present, such as an end cap and / or divider configured to at least partially enclose end(s) of the volume. In some implementations, the heating element 342 extends between all or at least some part of the heater portion 341 length, and defines an interior volume between the heater portion 341 depth and width within which the vaporizable material 302 can be contained.

[0230] In some implementations, the vaporizable material 302 can be formed from tobacco leaves (e.g., dried, cut, shredded, and / or reconstituted), tobacco stems (dried, cut, shredded, and / or ground), a carrier, and / or an acid (e.g., an organic acid such as benzoic acid, citric acid, and / or the like). The ratio of tobacco leaves to tobacco stems can be based on the total desired amount of nicotine to be delivered, and can vary with the strain of tobacco used. Tobacco stems can provide a similar sensation to smoking when vaporized, but with a lower nicotine content. The carrier can be formed of vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, and / or the like. In some implementations, the carrier can form 30-50% of the total weight of the vaporizable material 302. Because tobacco naturally includes some moisture, the percentage by weight of the carrier can be measured with respect to the dried weight of the vaporizable material (e.g., substantially free of water).

[0231] Including a carrier such as vegetable glycerin as at least 30% of the dried weight of the vaporizable material 302 can create a smoother inhalable aerosol and provide a unique experience to users that is more pleasant than smoking combustible cigarettes and other available heat-not- bum products. For example, cartridges 320 containing vaporizable material 302 with a carrier forming at least 30% of the dried weight of the vaporizable material 302 can allow for a lower temperature of vaporization (e.g., by approximately 100 degrees Celsius), and therefore less odor, higher flavor extraction efficiency, net reduction in HPHCs (harmful and potentially harmfulconstituents) such as via less charring, a more tunable experience, a more uniform vaporization of nicotine from tobacco over time, a faster heat up time (e.g., 10-15 seconds compared to 20-30 seconds, or more), and / or the like. In example implementations of the vaporizable material 302, the tobacco leaves and tobacco stems are in an approximately 1 :1, 1 :2, 2:3, 3:4, or 4:5 ratio and vegetable glycerin forms at least 30% of the dried weight of the vaporizable material 302, such as approximately 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or less than 50%. For example, in some implementations, the vaporizable material 302 includes tobacco leaves and tobacco stems in an approximately 1 :1 ratio, and approximately 35% by weight (dried) of vegetable glycerin. Having a carrier in higher quantities can result in degradation of components of the vaporizer body 110, 120, such as the receptacle 118, 218 if not properly compensated for.

[0232] In some implementations, the heating element 342 can be formed of metal, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, brass, zirconium, stainless steel (ferritic or non-ferritic), nickel, and / or the like. As described herein, aluminum is beneficial for spreading heat and stainless steel is better for localized heat. For an inductive heating approach, use of a non-magnetic material, such as aluminum, allows the creation of eddy currents in the susceptor heater, while a magnetic material, such as ferritic stainless steel, is inductively heated by a hysteresis mechanism. Different inductor coil arrangements are generally needed for these two heating approaches, which can have different requirements such as an amount of power required to generate an electromagnetic field. However, in some implementations, the heating element 342 is non-ferritic and non-magnetically permeable, which can simplify the design of the vaporizer device 100, 200 and allow for tighter control in heating of the heating element 342.

[0233] The heating element 342 can be formed of one or more pieces, and can define all, substantially all, or at least a portion of the walls that define the volume into which the vaporizable material 302 can be inserted. For example, the heating element 342 can form at least a portion of a bottom wall of the heater portion 341 (proximate the heater portion distal end 341b), a top wall of the heater portion 341 (proximate the heater portion proximal end 341a), and / or a perimeter along a length of the heater portion 341 (extending between the heater portion distal end 341b and the heater portion proximal end 341a). In implementations where the heating element 342 forms at least a portion of a bottom wall of the heater portion 341 , this bottom wall can be the most distal portion of the heater portion 341 at the heater portion distal end 341b or can be offset from the heater portion distal end 341b such that it is not the most distal portion of the cartridge at the heaterportion distal end 341b. In implementations where the heating element 342 forms at least a portion of a top wall of the heater portion 341, this top wall can be the most proximal portion of the heater portion 341 at the heater portion proximal end 341a or can be offset from the heater portion proximal end 341a such that it is not the most proximal portion of the cartridge at the heater portion proximal end 341a. Such bottom walls and / or top walls can include one or more perforations or other openings to allow for passage of air and / or vaporized material. In implementations where the heating element 342 forms at least a portion of a perimeter of the heater portion 341, the heating element 342 can be disposed inside and / or on an interior surface of the wrapper 322 or outside and / or on an exterior surface of the wrapper 322.

[0234] In some implementations, the heating element 342 can be formed from one or more sheets of metal that are configured to wrap (at least partially) around the perimeter of the heater portion 341. Where one or more sheets are used, the two ends of the heating element 342 sheet can meet or be in proximity to each other, at or near a joint location 345, as shown in FIG. 3, and optionally form a continuous loop. In some aspects, when assembled within the cartridge 320, a surface of the heating element 342 primarily facing towards and / or touching the vaporizable material 302 can be regarded as an interior face of the heating element 342 and a surface of the heating element 342 primarily facing away from and / or not touching the vaporizable material 302 can be regarded as an exterior face of the heating element 342. In some aspects, a joint location 345 can be regarded as a location or region, at or near an end of the heating element 342, such as where the end of the heating element 342 is at or near another end or another region of the heating element 342. When portions of the heating element 342 overlap, the joint location 345 can optionally be regarded as the overlapping portion, bounded in part by the ends of the heating element 342. Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects a joint location 345 can be regarded as a location or region, at or near where a joint is formed (e.g., via direct physical contact, welding, gluing, and / or the like) between two portions of the heating element 342. Various implementations of the heating element are discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGs. 6A-16B.

[0235] In example implementations, the heating element(s) 342 can be made to include metal which is in a range of 50-150 pm thick, such as 50-100 pm thick, 60-80 pm thick, 70-90 pm thick, 75-85 pm thick, and optionally approximately 80 pm thick. In some implementations, the heating element(s) 342 can be made to include metal which is in a range of 3-15 pm thick, such as 5-10 pm thick, 6-8 pm thick, and optionally approximately 6.5 pm thick. In other implementations, theheating element(s) 342 can be made to include metal which is in a range of 200-800 nm thick, such as 200-400 nm thick, 300-500 nm thick, 400-600 nm thick, 400-800 nm thick, and / or the like. In some implementations, the heating element(s) 342 can be made to include metal which is backed with material(s) to increase rigidity, such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic, non-wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like. The total thickness of the heating element(s) 342 can be measured as an average thickness of the heating element(s) 342 when disassembled and / or flattened, and as either inclusive or exclusive of the thickness of any backing.

[0236] The metal can include an aluminum alloy, such as aluminum foil. In other implementations, the metal can include another alloy, such as invar. In some implementations, the heating element 342 can be formed of a cladded metal, which can take advantage of benefits of different metals. For example, the heating element 342 can comprise a cladding metal formed from an aluminum alloy and stainless steel, which could take advantage of the higher coupling efficiency of stainless steel and the higher heat transfer of aluminum. If a thinner metal is used, then increases in coupling efficiency and / or higher temperatures of the heating element 342 with lower total energy can be achieved. Additionally or alternatively, a thinner metal can be better suited for application of magnetic and / or electromagnetic energy at a higher frequency, such as greater than 1 MHz, greater than 5 MHz, greater than 15 MHz, greater than 20 MHz, or greater than 25 MHz.

[0237] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mouthpiece portion 330 can include an insert 324 that is at least partially wrapped in a wrapper 322 or some other shell or layer of material. The insert 324 can be similar to the insert(s) 124 of FIGs. 1A-1B. For example, the insert 324 can be made of material such as one or more of paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic (e.g., PET), cellulose acetate, nonwood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like. The insert 324 and / or layer of material (e.g., wrapper 322) can extend between a mouthpiece portion proximal end 330a and a mouthpiece portion distal end 330b, and the total distance between these two ends can be referred to as the mouthpiece portion 330 length. Similar to the heater portion 341, the mouthpiece portion 330 can include a shorter mouthpiece portion 330 depth transverse to its length, and a longer mouthpiece portion 330 width that is transverse to both its length and depth. These dimensions can extend in the same axes as the heater portion 341.

[0238] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the insert 324 can include a plurality of airflow outlet channels 326 (or aerosol outlet channels) that extend from a plurality of corresponding vapor inlets 335 at the mouthpiece portion distal end 330b to a plurality of corresponding airflow outlets 328 at the mouthpiece portion proximal end 330a. The airflow outlet channels 326 thereby form a fluid connection between the heater portion 341 and the airflow outlets 328, such that vapor generated in the heater portion 341 can be drawn towards a user at the mouthpiece portion proximal end 330a, and ultimately out of the airflow outlets 328 as an inhalable aerosol. Proximate to the mouthpiece portion distal end 330b (at least more proximate than to the mouthpiece portion proximal end 330a), the insert 324 can further include a plurality of bypass channels 338 that each extend from a corresponding bypass air inlet to a corresponding bypass outlets, and thereby form a fluid connection between the airflow outlet channels 326 and ambient air. In some implementations, the airflow outlet channels 326 and / or the bypass channels 338 can be created via a laser-cutting operation through walls of the insert 324 during the manufacturing process. Although two airflow outlet channels 326 are illustrated, more or less airflow outlet channels 326 can be present. Although one insert 324 is illustrated as extending along a majority of the length of the mouthpiece portion 330, additional inserts 324 can be present and / or the insert(s) 324 can extend along less than half of the length of the mouthpiece portion 330.

[0239] The heater portion 341 can include one or more cartridge inlets (e.g., though-holes) at the heater portion distal end 341b configured to allow external air (i.e., external to the cartridge 320, such as ambient air) to enter the cartridge 320. In some aspects, the volume defined at least in part by the heating element 342 or otherwise including the heating element 342 can be referred to as a heater chamber, as it is a physically bound location in which heating is occurring. The heater chamber can be in fluid communication with the heater portion proximal end 341a, which can include one or more outlets. Accordingly, the one or more outlets at the heater portion proximal end 341a can be in fluid communication with the one or more cartridge inlets at the heater portion distal end 341b, via the heater chamber.

[0240] When a user draws on the mouthpiece portion 330 at the mouthpiece portion proximal end 330a, this can cause external air to enter one or more cartridge inlets (e.g., though-holes) at the heater portion distal end 341b and cause ambient air to enter and pass through the plurality of bypass channels 338 (when present) at approximately the same time. The external air that enters at the heater portion distal end 341b can subsequently pass through the vaporizable material 302as it is heated to entrain the vaporized material (also referred to as “vapor”) generated within the heater chamber. Meanwhile, ambient air enters and passes through the plurality of bypass channels 338, entering an associated airflow outlet channel 326. The air that entrains the vaporized material 302 in the heater chamber (including the volume defined at least in part by the heating element 342) can subsequently pass through one or more outlets at the heater portion proximal end 341a and into the plurality of vapor inlets 335 at the mouthpiece portion distal end 330b, entering the plurality of airflow outlet channels 326. As the vapor and air from the heater portion 341 traverse the plurality of airflow outlet channels 326, they mix with the ambient air that entered through the plurality of bypass channels 338 (when present) to form an inhalable aerosol. The area in which the mixing and / or condensation occurs can be referred to as a condensation chamber. Accordingly, each of the plurality of airflow outlet channels 326 can include one or more condensation chambers configured to condense the entrained vapor with the ambient air to form at least a portion of the inhalable aerosol. For example, at least a part of one or more airflow outlet channels 326 can include one or more condensation chambers. The inhalable aerosol ultimately travels out of the airflow outlet(s) 328 at the mouthpiece portion proximal end 330a and into the mouth of a user. Collectively, the path of air, vapor, and inhalable aerosol within the cartridge 320 can be referred to as the airflow path of the cartridge 320. The overall airflow path of a vaporizer device that includes the cartridge 320 is further defined by the vaporizer body, which is described in greater detail below. Although the flow of “air” is described herein, depending on the location within or even outside of the cartridge 320, the “air” can contain other matter, such as gas-phase and / or condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gas carrier (e.g., an aerosol), a liquid or solid at least partially transitioned to the gas phase (e.g., a vaporizable material), and / or the like.

[0241] In some implementations, more or less components and / or features can exist in the heater portion 341 and / or the mouthpiece portion 330, the components and / or features of the heater portion 341 and / or the mouthpiece portion 330 can be disposed in different locations and / or take different physical forms, and / or components of the heater portion 341 and the mouthpiece portion 330 can instead be present in the other portion 330, 341. Although illustrated as a generally flattened cylindrical shape, a cross-section of the mouthpiece portion 330 and / or the heater portion 341 can be a different shape. For example, in some implementations, a cross-section of the mouthpiece portion 330 and / or the heater portion 341 can be similar to one or more of the cross-sections of FIGs. 8A-8F. The cross-section can be anywhere between the respective distal and proximal ends of each of the mouthpiece portion 330 and / or the heater portion 341.

[0242] Among other things, various implementations of the vaporizer devices 100a- 100c, 200, vaporizer body 110, 210, cartridges 120, 220, 320, and heating elements 142, 342 are described in greater detail below. For example, FIGs. 4A-4B illustrate cross-sectional schematics of an example implementation of a vaporizer device 400 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. For purposes of simplicity only, certain components of the vaporizer device 400 are not illustrated. Implementations of the vaporizer device 400 can include or more components of the vaporizer devices lOOa-lOOc of FIGs. 1A-1C, the vaporizer device 200 of FIG. 2, the vaporizer devices 1100a- 1100c, 1400a, 1400b of FIGs. 7A-7C, 13B, 13E, the cartridge 320, 1200A-1200D, 1300, 1400a, 1400b, 1500, 1600 of FIGs. 3, 11A-13E, 14, 15, and 16, the holder assemblies 558a-558d of FIGs. 5A-5D, the cartridges 620 and / or heating elements 642 of FIGs. 6A-6T, the cartridges 1200A-1200D and 1300 of FIGs. 11A-14, and / or the heating elements 700A- 700F, 800A-800C of FIGs. 9A-13E.

[0243] As illustrated in FIGs. 4A-4B, the vaporizer device 400 can include a vaporizer body 410 and a cartridge 420 containing a vaporizable material 402 and one or more heating element 442. The cross-section of the vaporizer device 400 illustrated in FIG. 4A is taken along the length and width of the vaporizer device (y-axis and x-axis), whereas the cross-section of the vaporizer device 400 illustrated in FIG. 4B is taken along the length and depth of the vaporizer device (y-axis and z-axis). As illustrated, the vaporizer body 410 can include a holder assembly 458 and one or more sensors 413 (which can be part of or separate from the holder assembly 458). The holder assembly 458 can include a frame 447 defining a receptacle 418. The receptacle can optionally include a plurality of ridges or other features for retaining the cartridge 420 within the receptacle, such as by applying force against a region of the heater portion 441 that does not include a heating element 442. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, external to the frame 447 and the receptacle 418, the holder assembly 458 can include or otherwise be coupled to one or more inductors 443 and / or one or more flux concentrators 448. In some implementations, each of the one or more inductors 443 can include an inductive coil configured to generate an electromagnetic field. When the one or more heating element 442 receives the electromagnetic field, they can be configured to convert the current to heat, in order to heat the vaporizable material 402. In some implementations, each of the one or more flux concentrators 448 can include a magnetic material (e.g., ferritic material)configured to control and / or direct an electromagnetic field, generated by a respective inductor 443, such as by changing magnetic properties of the field. In some implementations, each of the one or more flux concentrators 448 can include a nanocrystal material, a nanometal material, and / or the like. In some implementations the inductor(s) 443 and / or flux concentrator(s) 448 can be secured to or on the frame 447.

[0244] As illustrated, the cartridge 420 can include a mouthpiece portion 430 and a heater portion 441 within one or more layers of material (illustrated as wrapper(s) 422). The cartridge 420 can extend between a cartridge proximal end 420a and a cartridge distal end 420b, with the dimension between the two being the cartridge 420 length. Transverse to the cartridge 420 length (along the y-axis) and illustrated in FIG. 4A (from the left to the right) is the cartridge 420 depth (along the z-axis). Transverse to both the cartridge 420 length and depth, and as illustrated in FIG. 4B (from the left to the right) is the cartridge 420 width (along the x-axis).

[0245] The heater portion 441 can include one or more heating element 442 configured to heat the vaporizable material 402 of the cartridge 420 to generate a vapor. As illustrated, one or more first heating element(s) 442a can be disposed upstream of the vaporizable material 402. Optionally, one or more second heating element(s) 442b can be disposed to at least partially surround the vaporizable material 402. As described herein, the heat can be generated in the heater(s) 442 through inductive means and applied to the vaporizable material 402 by conductive and / or convective heating. For example, eddy currents can be induced in the heating element(s) 442 via induction, which in turn causes the heating element(s) 442 to heat up. The heat produced by the heating element(s) 442 can be picked up by air passing along or near the heating element(s) 442 and distribute the heat to portions of the vaporizable material 402 that are not in physical contact with the heating element(s) 442, such as the one or more first heating element(s) 442a thereby heating the vaporizable material 402 via convective heating. Additionally and / or alternatively, if at least a portion of the vaporizable material 402 is in direct contact with or in close proximity to the heating element(s) 442 (e.g., the same heating element that is primarily providing heat via convection or the one or more second heating element(s) 442b) then the vaporizable material 402 can be heated via conductive heating at the points of direct contact. Additionally and / or alternatively, if at least a portion of the vaporizable material 402 is in close proximity to the heating element(s) 442 (e.g., the same heating element that is primarily providing heat via convection or the one or more second heating element(s) 442b) then the vaporizable material 402 can be heatedvia conductive heating. As noted above, in implementations where the heating element(s) is / are in close proximity to the portion of the vaporizable material such that conductive heating can occur, the heating element(s) is / are spaced a distance apart from the portion of the vaporizable material. In some implementations, the distance can be from about 0.01 mm to about 4 mm or from about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm. The volume within which the vaporizable material 402 is held can be regarded as a heater chamber. For example, the one or more second heating element(s) 442b can define at least a portion of a perimeter of a heater chamber containing the vaporizable material 402, and in some implementations define substantially all of the perimeter. Arrows shown extending from the heating element(s) 442 can indicate a direction of heat flow and / or heat transfer from the heating element(s) 442, such as the set of vertical arrows extending from the one or more first heating element(s) 442a and directed towards the heating chamber and towards the vaporizable material 402 and / or opposing sets of horizontal arrows extending from the one or more second heating element(s) 442b and directed towards a center of the heating chamber and towards a center of the vaporizable material 402. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, arrows that are not extending from the heating element(s) 442 can indicate a direction of fluid flow (e.g., airflow, inhalable aerosol, etc.) and / or a fluid pathway (e.g., airflow pathway, inhalable aerosol pathway, etc.).

[0246] The heater portion 441 can include an end cap (e.g., the illustrated first insert(s) 424a) proximate the cartridge distal end 420b to hold the one or more first heating element(s) 442a therein and / or define a lower boundary of the cartridge 420. However, in some implementations, other structures can be present to hold the one or more first heating element(s) 442a within the cartridge 420 and / or an end cap may not be necessary. In the event first insert(s) 424a are included, they can include one or more cartridge inlets and / or an air-permeable material such that ambient air can enter the cartridge 420 through the material. The first insert(s) 424a be regarded as a filter end cap, and / or include material such as one or more of paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic (e.g., PET), cellulose acetate, non- wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like. For example, the end cap can include corrugated paper material that is pressed or formed to fit within a region at the cartridge distal end 420b.

[0247] As illustrated between FIGs. 4A-4B, the mouthpiece portion 430 can include one or more second inserts 424b. The one or more second inserts 424b can include airflow outlet(s) 428, which can take the form of a cutout or other aperture (e.g., formed via laser-cutting, molding, pre-formedholes, and / or the like, as described herein). The one or more second inserts 424b can be disposed proximate the proximal end 420a of the cartridge 420.

[0248] The cartridge 420 can optionally include first and second bypass channels 438 a, 438b forming a fluid connection between the second airflow outlet channel 426b (or second aerosol outlet channel) and ambient air. As illustrated, the first and second bypass channels 438a, 438b can be formed through opposing long sides of the wrapper 422. In some implementations, the bypass channels 438 can be created via a laser-cutting operation through walls of the wrapper 422 during the manufacturing process. Instead of one bypass channel 438 on each of the opposing long sides of the wrapper 422, it will be appreciated that additional bypass channels 438 can be present, that the bypass channels 438 can be disposed in different locations (e.g., on one or both of the short sides of the cartridge 420), and / or different numbers of bypass channels 438 can be located on opposing sides of the cartridge 420, including only having one or more bypass channels 438 on one side of the cartridge 420.

[0249] As further illustrated, the cartridge 420 can optionally include one or more dividers 454a, 454b that are configured to restrict movement of the vaporizable material 402. The heater portion 441 can at least partially include the one or more dividers 454a, 454b. Each of the divider(s) 454 can include a proximal end (or upstream end), an opposing distal end (or downstream end), and a boundary that extends between the two ends (e.g., along a perimeter of the divider(s) 454, where the perimeter can optionally be substantially the same dimensions at each end). At least a portion of the boundary of the divider(s) 454 can be in contact with a layer of material (e.g., wrapper 422) such that the divider(s) 454 are held in place within the cartridge 420.

[0250] As illustrated, a first divider 454a can be disposed within the heater portion 441 and / or between the one or more first heating element(s) 442a and the vaporizable material 402. The first divider 454a can be disposed closer along the cartridge 420 length to the cartridge proximal end 420a. The first divider 454a can be disposed within the receptacle 418 when the cartridge 420 is inserted into the vaporizer body 410. The first divider 454a can include at least one channel at least partially through the first divider 454a, through which heated air can pass to heat the vaporizable material 402. In some implementations the first divider 454a can include a solid or partially solid volume at the upstream end of the first divider 454a. For example, the first divider 454a can include grates, a mesh material, filter, perforated wall, and / or the like at the upstream end of the first divider 454a. In such implementations, the grates, mesh, filter, perforated wall,etc. can be in fluid communication with and / or form the at least one channel. The at least one channel can be in fluid communication with the volume (e.g., heater chamber) that includes the vaporizable material 402. The first divider 454a can define a lower boundary of the volume (e.g., heater chamber).

[0251] The first divider 454a can include an air-permeable material such that heated air can enter the volume (e.g., heater chamber) through the material. The first divider 454a can be regarded as a filter and / or include material such as one or more of paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic (e.g., PET), cellulose acetate, non-wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like. For example, the first divider 454a can include corrugated paper material that is pressed or formed to fit within a region proximate the one or more first heating element(s) 442a. In some implementations, a corrugated material can be perforated such that air can flow through the perforations. The first divider 454a can include one or more metal walls or layers of metal material, which reduces the thermal mass of the first divider 454a. In some implementations, the entire first divider 454a is formed of metal or metal alloy, for example aluminum, an aluminum alloy, steel, and / or a steel alloy.

[0252] As further illustrated, a second divider(s) 454b can be disposed proximate the intersection of the mouthpiece portion 430 and the heater portion 441. The second divider 454b can be disposed closer along the cartridge 420 length to the cartridge distal end 420b or the cartridge proximal end 420a, depending on a length of the cartridge 420. In some implementations, the second divider 454b can extend out of the distal end of the mouthpiece portion 430 such that it can couple with and / or be inserted within the heater portion 441. The second divider 454b can be regarded as part of the mouthpiece portion 430 only, as part of both the mouthpiece portion 430 and the heater portion 441, or as part of an intermediate divider portion disposed between the mouthpiece portion 430 and the heater portion 441. In some implementations, at least a portion of the second divider 454b or divider portion can be disposed within the receptacle 418 when the cartridge 420 is inserted into the vaporizer body 410 and / or at least a portion of the second divider 454b or divider portion can be disposed outside of the receptacle 418 when the cartridge 420 is inserted into the vaporizer body 410. In some implementations, the structure of the second divider 454b can be the same as the structure of the first divider 454a for ease of manufacture. However, for more fine-tuned control, the structure of the second divider 454b can be different (e.g., extendfurther along the length of cartridge 420, include different air passages, be formed of a different material, and / or the like) from the structure of the first divider 454a.

[0253] The boundary (e.g., outer walls) of the second divider 454b, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 420, are illustrated as only extending partially within the mouthpiece portion 430 (e.g., spaced apart from the second filter 424b). However, in some implementations the boundary of the second divider 454b can extend along a majority of the mouthpiece portion 430 (e.g., with the second filter 424b disposed adjacent the proximal end of the divider(s) 454 and the vaporizable material 402 disposed adjacent the distal end of the divider(s) 454). This extended boundary of the second divider 454b can increase the overall durability and rigidity of the cartridge 420, especially in the region proximate the divider(s) 454, which can be partially inserted into the receptacle 418 and / or in contact with one or more ridges of the receptacle 418 in some implementations. However, a second divider 454b that does not extend all the way from adjacent the second filter 424b to adjacent the vaporizable material 402 can provide sufficient durability and rigidity to the cartridge 420 while also saving on manufacturing costs and complexity. Accordingly, in some implementations, the second divider 454b can extend less than 50% of the distance between the second filter 424b (or cartridge proximal end 420a) and the vaporizable material 402 along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 420, less than 40% of the same distance, less than 30% of the same distance, and / or the like.

[0254] The second divider 454b can include at least one first airflow outlet channel 426a (or first aerosol outlet channel), through which vaporized vaporizable material 402 and air from the heater chamber can pass and at least partially condense into an inhalable aerosol. The at least one first airflow outlet channel 426a can be in fluid communication with the volume (e.g., heater chamber) that includes the vaporizable material 402. The second divider 454b can define an upper boundary of the volume (e.g., heater chamber). The at least one first airflow outlet channel 426a can form or be defined by an interior perimeter of the second divider 454b. In some implementations the second divider 454b can include a solid or partially solid volume at the upstream end of the second divider 454b. For example, the second divider 454b can include grates, a mesh material, filter, perforated wall, and / or the like at the upstream end of the second divider 454b. In such implementations, the grates, mesh, filter, perforated wall, etc. can be in fluid communication with and / or form the at least one channel. The at least one first airflow outlet channel 426a can be in fluid communication with at least one second airflow outlet channel 426b.

[0255] Additionally or alternatively, the second divider 454b can include an air-permeable material such that vaporized material and air can enter the second airflow outlet channel(s) 426b through the material. The second divider 454b can be regarded as a filter and / or include material such as one or more of paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic (e.g., PET), cellulose acetate, non-wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like. For example, the second divider 454b can include corrugated paper material that is pressed or formed to fit within a region proximate the vaporizable material 402. In some implementations, a corrugated material can be perforated such that air can flow through the perforations. The second divider 454b can include one or more metal walls or layers of metal material, which reduces the thermal mass of the second divider 454b. In some implementations, the entire second divider 454b is formed of metal or metal alloy, for example aluminum, an aluminum alloy, steel, and / or a steel alloy.

[0256] Although not illustrated, a divider 454 can be disposed between the one or more first heating element(s) 442a and the first insert(s) 424a. This additional divider can be formed in substantially the same manner as the first divider 454a and / or second divider 454b. Additionally or alternatively, each of the first divider 454a and / or second divider 454b can include multiple dividers. For example, the first divider 454a can include multiple layers of material and / or stacks of components (e.g., along a length of the cartridge 420) that are the same as or similar to the individual dividers 454 described herein. Similarly, the second divider 454b can include multiple layers of material and / or stacks of components (e.g., along a length of the cartridge 420) that are the same as or similar to the individual dividers 454 described herein.

[0257] After exiting the least one first airflow outlet channel 426a and entering the at least one second airflow outlet channel 426b, the vaporized vaporizable material 402 and air can further condense into an inhalable aerosol. Thereby, vapor generated in the heater portion 441 can be drawn towards a user at the cartridge proximal end 420a, and ultimately out of the airflow outlet(s) 428 as an inhalable aerosol. When bypass channels 438 are present, ambient air can enter the second airflow outlet channel 426b through the bypass channels 438 to further promote nucleation. As illustrated, the second airflow outlet channel 426b includes a larger volume of space compared to the first airflow outlet channel 426a, which can promote nucleation and aerosol formation in a manner. This interior volume of the mouthpiece portion 430 can be defined as a space between the second filter 424b (or cartridge proximal end 420a) and the proximal end of the divider(s) 454,within the interior perimeter of the wrapper 422. In some implementations, the second airflow outlet channel 426b can include a larger, open volume (e.g., condensation chamber) downstream of the first airflow outlet channel 426b and upstream of the second airflow outlet(s) 428b (e.g., proximate the cartridge proximal end 420a),

[0258] When a user draws on the mouthpiece portion 430 at the cartridge proximal end 420a, this can cause ambient air to enter the receptacle 418 of the vaporizer body 410 at the airflow inlets 434, cause the air residing in the receptacle 418 to enter one or more inlets at the cartridge distal end 420b, and cause ambient air to pass through the bypass channel(s) 438 (when present) into the second airflow outlet channel(s) 426b at the same time. The air that enters the receptacle 418 from the airflow inlets 434 can travel along the airflow inlet path 432 to the cartridge distal end 420a, where it can flow into the one or more cartridge inlets located there.

[0259] The air that enters at the cartridge distal end 420b can subsequently pass across and / or through one or more first heating element(s) 442a, which heat the air. The heated air can pass through a first divider 454a and into the vaporizable material 402. This heated air can pass through the vaporizable material 402 and heat the vaporizable material 402 to entrain the vaporized material generated within the heater chamber. The air that entrains the vaporized material in the heater chamber can subsequently pass through a second divider 454b, such as by passing into and through a first airflow outlet channel(s) 426a. As the vapor and air from the heater portion 441 traverse the first airflow outlet channel(s) 426a, they continue to mix to form an inhalable aerosol. After passing through the second divider 454b the vapor and air pass into the second airflow outlet channel(s) 426b, where they can they mix with the air present in the second airflow outlet channel(s) 426b and / or ambient air that enters through the bypass channel(s) 438 to continue forming the inhalable aerosol. Ultimately, the inhalable aerosol passes through the airflow outlet(s) 428 and / or the cartridge proximal end 420a where it is inhaled by the user. Collectively, the path of air, vapor, and inhalable aerosol through the vaporizer device 400 can be referred to as the airflow path of the vaporizer device 400.

[0260] In some implementations, the cartridge 420 can be assembled by inserting at least a portion of the components of the cartridge 420 into a pre-formed wrapper 422 and / or by wrapping a wrapper 422 around at least a portion of the components of the cartridge 420. For example, the components of the cartridge 420 can be inserted into the wrapper 422 starting from the first insert(s) 424a at the cartridge distal end 420b, the first heating element(s) 442a, the first divider454a, the second heating element(s) 442b if present, the vaporizable material 402, then the second divider 454b, and ending with the second insert(s) 424b at the cartridge proximal end 420a. When the bypass channel(s) 438 are present, they can be formed in the wrapper 422 before any component is inserted into the wrapper 422 or after the components are inserted into the wrapper 422. In some implementations, the cartridge can include more than one wrapper 422, such as a primary wrapper that includes the first insert 424a, the first heating element(s) 442a, the first divider 454a, the second heating element(s) 442b if present, the vaporizable material 402, and / or the second divider 454b, as well as a secondary (e.g., tipping) wrapper 422 that includes the second insert 424b and optionally a second divider 454b. The primary wrapper 422 and secondary wrapper 422 can be combined to simplify the manufacture of the cartridge 420 such that the components can be inserted over shorter distances and / or in a more controlled manner.

[0261] The one or more sensors 413 can include one or more pressure sensors, airflow sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, measurement circuitry configured to measure properties of the various components of the vaporizer body 410 and / or cartridge 420, and / or the like. When present, the pressure sensor can be configured to detect changes in pressure that occur along the airflow path of the vaporizer device 400, optionally including an absolute pressure within the airflow path and / or a differential pressure between the airflow path and ambient pressure. Additionally or alternatively, when present, the airflow sensor can be configured to detect air flowing along the airflow path of the vaporizer device 400, optionally including a measurement of a rate of airflow along the airflow path. When present, the temperature sensor(s) can be configured to detect an orientation of the vaporizer body 410, which can be referenced to determine whether or not the vaporizer body 410 is in an orientation indicative consistent with an intended use of the vaporizer device 400. When present, the temperature sensor(s) can be configured to detect a temperature of the cartridge 420, heating element(s) 442, receptacle 418, frame 447, inductor(s) 443, flux concentrator(s) 448, and / or other components of the vaporizer body 410 and / or cartridge 420. The temperature sensor(s) can be physically touching and / or in thermal proximity to any component for which a temperature is desired.

[0262] Detected pressure drops, increases in airflow, and / or other measurements can be used to determine when a user is inhaling, which can in turn be used to control the power applied to the inductor(s) and / or heating element(s) 442 to decrease, maintain, or increase the temperature of the heating element(s) 442 and / or vaporizable material 402. Additionally or alternatively, the detectedpressure drops, increases in airflow, and / or other measurements can be used to count the number of puffs taken, which can in turn be used for other operations, such as stopping the application of power to the heating element(s) 442 (e.g., placing the vaporizer device 400 in a sleep or off state).

[0263] In some implementations, the one or more sensors 413 can include measurement circuitry configured to derive one or more properties of the heating element(s) 442 and / or inductor(s) 443, such as inductance, resistance, impedance, and / or temperature. In some aspects, the measurement circuitry can include circuitry configured to directly measure the one or more properties and / or circuitry configured to estimate the one or more properties based on other data (e.g., obtained via direct measurement, obtained via processed and / or filtered measurement data or signals, obtained from memory, and / or the like). The resistance and / or inductance of the heating element(s) 442, for example, can be used to estimate the temperature of the heating element(s). The inductance, resistance, impedance, and / or temperature can be used to maintain and / or alter the application of power to the heating element(s) 442, such as to achieve a target temperature. For example, altering the application of power can include increasing or decreasing the total power applied to the inductor(s) 443 and / or heating element(s) 442, increasing or decreasing the voltage applied to the inductor(s) 443 and / or heating element(s) 442, increasing or decreasing the frequency at which power is applied to the inductor(s) 443 and / or heating element(s) 442, increasing or decreasing the time during which power is applied to the inductor(s) 443 and / or heating element(s) 442, adjusting a duty cycle of power applied to the inductor(s) 443 and / or heating element(s) 442, and / or the like.

[0264] A duty cycle of power applied to the heating element(s) 442 can include a defined (e.g., predetermined and / or dynamically determined) period of time during which power is applied and a defined (e.g., predetermined and / or dynamically determined) period of time during which power is not applied during a given cycle of time. In some implementations, a default duty cycle can include 48 milliseconds (ms) of applying power and 2 ms of not applying power, every 50 ms.

[0265] Within the period of time during which power is not applied, the resistance and / or inductance of the heating element(s) 442 can be derived. If the derived inductance, resistance, impedance, and / or temperature are above a respective threshold (e.g., target temperature), the period of time during which power is applied can be decreased and / or the period of time during which power is not applied can be increased, in order to maintain a stable temperature at the heating element(s) 442 (e.g., target temperature). If the derived inductance, resistance, impedance, and / or temperature are below the same or a different respective threshold (e.g., target temperature), theperiod of time during which power is applied can be increased (up to a maximum value, which can be the same as the default value) and / or the period of time during which power is not applied can be decreased (down to a minimum value, which can be the same as the default value). For example, the same period of time (e.g., the last 2 ms) in each duty cycle (50 ms) can always be dedicated to deriving the resistance and / or inductance of the heating element(s) 442, regardless of the inductance, resistance, impedance, and / or temperature, and even if power is not being applied for a longer period of time.

[0266] However, in some implementations, the default duty cycle can be defined to apply power during the entire cycle of time (e.g., 50 ms out of each 50 ms), with measurements being taken at predetermined intervals (e.g., at the beginning or end of each duty cycle) regardless of whether power is being applied to the heating element(s) 442. The default duty cycle can be adjusted to include a period of time during which power is not applied during the duty cycle, based on the measured or derived value(s). This can be achieved, for example, by providing separate driving circuitry (e.g., including one or more inductors 443) and measurement circuitry as described herein (e.g. , including a sensor 413 and / or an inductor 443 via which one or more properties of the heating element(s) 442 and / or inductor(s) 443 can be derived). Although temperature control can be achieved based on controlling the application of power to the heating element(s) 442 according to duty cycles as described herein, additionally or alternatively temperature control can be achieved based on controlling the voltage applied to the inductor(s) 443 and / or heating element(s) 442, the frequency applied to the inductor(s) 443 and / or heating element(s) 442, and / or the like.

[0267] In some implementations, a Curie temperature of the heating element(s) 442 can be utilized to maintain heat applied to the vaporizable material 402 in a particular range. A Curie temperature of an object can be regarded as a temperature at which particles of the object are substantially nonmagnetic. For example, in implementations where the heating element(s) 442 is made of a nickel and iron alloy (e.g., Invar), the heating element(s) 442 can be configured such that it does not reach higher than a known temperature (e.g., 240°C). As such, the heating element(s) 442 can be regarded as self-regulating. Otherwise, the existence of metals with a known Curie temperature can be factored into the heater control methodologies described herein. For example, in some implementations, a controller 104 and / or other circuitry can be configured to monitor the heating element(s) 442 magnetic properties as it is transitioning to its Curie temperature, and regulate the heating element(s) 442 such that it stays at or near its Curie temperature. For example, thecontroller 104 can be configured to decrease the application of power and / or energy to the heating element(s) 442 when it is at or near its Curie temperature such that additional power and / or energy is not wasted.

[0268] In various implementations, depending on the shape and number of the heating element(s) 442, multiple inductors 443 can be used to heat the heating element(s) 442. For example, one inductor 443 can be used to generate an electromagnetic field to heat the first heating element(s) 442a and one inductor 443 can be used to generate an electromagnetic field to heat the second heating element(s) 442b. In other implementations, sets of two, three, four, five, six, or more inductors 443 can be used to generate electromagnetic fields to each heat two opposing long sides of the heating element(s) 442 (see FIGs. 5A-5D for examples of the physical construction and / or locations of the inductors 443).

[0269] When multiple inductors 443 are implemented, each can be configured to operate at the same frequency and / or different frequencies. For example, in some implementations all of the inductors 443 can be configured, via their structure and / or corresponding circuitry such as a controller 104, to operate at substantially the same operating frequency, which can change over time. All of the inductors 443 can be configured to operate at a first frequency when power is not being applied to heat the heating element(s) 442 (which can be 0 Hz), at a second frequency when power is being applied to derive one or more properties of the heating element(s) 442 and / or inductor(s) 443 (e.g., during a measurement mode, a standby mode, a normal power mode, and / or the like), and / or at a third frequency when power is being applied to heat the heating element(s) 442 (e.g., in a normal power mode).

[0270] In other implementations, one or more of the inductors 443 can be configured to operate at a different frequency or frequencies from the remaining inductors 443. In accordance with these implementations, the inductors 443 can be configured to operate at substantially the same frequency during certain times or modes while also being configured to operate at different frequencies during certain other times or modes. With each of the inductors 443 being positioned near different portions of the heating element(s) 442, information derived from the inductor 443 (or coils) operating at a different frequency can be used to derive additional information about the heating element(s) 442.

[0271] Although various frequencies and modes are discussed with respect to the inductors 443 specifically, it is contemplated that other measurement circuitry, such as one or more of the sensingcoils 513 discussed with respect to FIGs. 5A-5D can optionally be provided and configured to additionally or alternatively measure the heating element(s) 442. For example, the measurement circuitry can be configured to measure information about the heating element(s) 442. In implementations where such measurement circuity is present (e.g., one or more sensing coils 513), the measurement circuitry can be configured such that it measures the restiveness, inductance, temperature, and / or other properties of the heating element(s) 442, such as at one or a plurality of different frequencies, does not generate an electromagnetic field for heating the heating element(s) 442, operates while the inductors 543 are heating the heating element(s) 442, operates while the inductors 543 are not heating the heating element(s) 442, and / or the like.

[0272] In some implementations, information about the inductors 443, such as their inductance, resistance, impedance, temperature, and / or the like can be measured in one or more of the described modes and used to control the power or voltage applied, such as to heat the heating element(s) 442 at different temperatures (e.g., target temperatures), as described herein. Although reference is made to the long sides of the heating element(s) 442, other configurations are contemplated depending on the shape and / or position of the heating element(s) 442.

[0273] Other implementations exist where additional or alternative information about the inductor(s) 443 can be measured and / or used to estimate the temperature of the heating element(s) 442, such as via measuring the temperature and / or other properties of the inductor(s) 443 by using a temperature sensor 413 in close proximity to the inductor(s) 443. In some implementations, the temperature sensor can include a thermistor, a PTC circuit such as a PTC thermistor, an NTC circuit such as an NTC thermistor, a thermocouple, and / or the like. In accordance with such implementations, the controller 104 and / or other circuitry can be configured to regulate the application of power to the heating element(s) 442, based on a detected temperature of the inductor(s) 443, in addition to or alternatively from the measured inductance and resistance. For example, a specific, detected rise in temperature of the inductor(s) 443 can be correlated to a rise in temperature of the heating element(s) 442, such that the power and / or energy applied to the heating element(s) 442 can be reduced and / or maintained.

[0274] In some implementations, the inductors 443 can be configured to measure information from something other than the heating element(s) 442, such as for the purposes of calibration and / or estimation. For example, an inductor 443 that is operating in a calibration mode can be configured to operate at a plurality of different frequencies and / or frequency ranges when a heating element(s)442 is not present. Information sensed or measured through the inductors 443 in this mode can be used to determine an expected change in inductance, resistance, impedance, and / or temperature which can be stored in a look-up table and / or for creating a best fit line for use in monitoring the inductor(s) 443 when a heating element(s) 442 is present. The sensed information can come from operation of another inductor 443, such one or more inductors 443 on an opposing side of the vaporizer device 420. For example, in some implementations, one or more of the inductors 443 (e.g., all) can be configured to heat up to a predetermined temperature (e.g., heat the inductor(s)443 and / or heating element(s) 442 to a predetermined temperature) and / or for a predetermined amount of time, and the inductance and / or resistance can be measured and / or stored for each of the one or more inductors 443. For example, the heating element(s) 442 can be removed after it is heated (if present) and the temperature, inductance, and / or resistance of each inductor(s) 443 can be recorded as the inductor(s) 443 cool down. The data derived from this monitoring can be used to define one or more parameters of each inductor(s) 443, which can be factored into the temperature control methodologies described herein. In some implementations, this calibration mode can be implemented as part of a manufacturing process and / or periodically after the device has been sold (e.g., be a recommended user-selectable mode).

[0275] FIGs. 5A-5D illustrate different schematics and views of various implementations of a holder assembly 558a-d (collectively referred to as holder assembly 558 or holder assemblies 558) consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. These holder assemblies 558 can be implementations of one or more components of the vaporizer body 110 of FIGs. 1A-1B, the vaporizer body 210 of FIG. 2, and / or the vaporizer bodies 410 of FIGs. 4A-4B, such as the holder assembly 458.

[0276] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the holder assembly 558, 558a can include a frame 547 defining a receptacle 518 for insertion of a cartridge (e.g., cartridge 220, 320, 420, not illustrated). The frame 547 can include two long sides and two short sides, similar to the cartridges and receptacles described herein. For example, the long sides of the frame 547 can be configured to align with the long sides of the cartridge and the short sides of the frame 547 can be configured to align with the short sides of the cartridge when the cartridge is insertably received within the receptacle 518. As described herein, a surface of the cartridge extending primarily along the cartridge width can be referred to as a long side of the cartridge and / or as being on a long side of the cartridge, which can align with the long side of the frame 547. Additionally, a surface of the cartridge extendingprimarily along the cartridge depth can be referred to as a short side of the cartridge and / or as being on a short side of the cartridge, which can align with the short side of the frame 547. It will be appreciated that this terminology can be applied to any implementation of a cartridge (including its subcomponents described herein) and frame 547, and this terminology is not redefined with respect to each implementation of each component for the sake of brevity.

[0277] As illustrated, the frame 547 can include an inductor 543 formed as a spiral, flattened, and / or pancake coil on a long side of the frame 547. Inductor 543 coils depicted and / or described as spiral, flattened, and / or pancake coils herein can take the form of parallel or anti -parallel pancake or Helmholtz structures, although other structures are contemplated. The electrical leads 544a that power the inductor 543 can be disposed on a short side of the frame. The electrical leads 544a that power the inductor 543 can be electrically coupled with a controller and / or driving circuit for powering the inductor 543 as described herein. As described herein, the inductor 543 can be configured to generate an electromagnetic field for generating heat in a heating element of the cartridge, which can take the form of a susceptor.

[0278] As described herein, it can be desirable to measure an inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the heating element for use in determining and / or controlling a temperature of the heating element, such as based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element. Various circuit can be provided for measuring the inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the heating element, such as the sensing coil 513. In some implementations, the sensing coil 513 can be disposed in an open center region 562 of the inductor 543 and / or on a long side of the frame 547, such as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In such implementations, the sensing coil 513 can be in the form of a spiral, flattened, and / or pancake coil. As illustrated, the electrical leads 544b the power the sensing coil 513 can be disposed proximate the distal end 561 of the frame 547. In some implementations, the illustrated and described sensing coils 513 can instead be implemented as inductors 543 configured to generate an electromagnetic field for generating heat in a heating element (e.g., susceptor) of the cartridge. In accordance with these implementations, one or more (e.g., all) of the inductors 543 can be configured to measure the inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the heating element as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the illustrated and described sensing coils 513 can take the form of a temperature sensor, which can include a thermistor, a PTC circuit such as a PTC thermistor, an NTC circuit such as an NTC thermistor, athermocouple, and / or the like. Such temperature sensors can be in physical and / or thermal contact with each inductor 543 or a subset of the inductors 543.

[0279] In some implementations, the open center region 562 in the middle of the inductor 543 can be increased in size, which can lead to an increased efficiency in delivering energy to the heating element of the cartridge in the receptacle 518. For example, in a circular region defined by a radius that extends from the center of the inductor 543 to the outer-most turn of the inductor 543, the open center region 562 in which turns of the inductor 543 are not present can occupy 20-50% of the surface area of the circular region. In some implementations, the open center region 562 can take up 30-40% of the circular region. In some aspects, having a larger open center region 562 can result in increased efficiency in delivering energy from the inductor 543 into the heating element to be heated via the magnetic or electromagnetic field. In implementations where the illustrated and described sensing coils 513 are additionally or alternatively configured as inductors 543, the collective set of inductors 543 can be configured to heat separate regions of the heating element. For example, a first region of the heating element adjacent the illustrated sensing coils 513 can be heated independently from a second region of the heating element adjacent the illustrated inductors 543. In this manner, greater control over aerosol production over the life of a cartridge can be provided.

[0280] As illustrated in FIGs. 5B-5D, the sensing coil 513 can be disposed within a region near a proximal end 560 of the frame 547. The sensing coil 513 can be wrapped around the frame 547 a plurality of times, so that the sensing coil 513 is capable of measuring inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the heating element. Within this region, the sensing coil 513 can still be disposed in sufficiently close proximity to the heating element of the cartridge, which can be configured to extend up to or proximate the opening of the receptacle 518 when the cartridge is inserted within the receptacle 518. In accordance with these implementations, the inductor 543 may not include an open center region 562. Other locations and / or configurations for the sensing coil 513 are contemplated, as described herein, including selectively powering one or more of the inductors 543 off to use the inductor 543 as a sensing coil, without the presence of a separate sensing coil 513. Alternatively, the illustrated and described sensing coils 513 can be inductors 543 configured to generate an electromagnetic field for generating heat in a heating element (e.g., susceptor) of the cartridge. In accordance with these implementations, one or more (e.g., all) ofthe inductors 543 can be configured to measure the inductance, resistance, and / or impedance of the heating element as described herein.

[0281] As illustrated in FIG. 5C, a long side of the frame 547 can include a plurality of inductors 543a-d, which can be in the form of spiral, flattened, and / or pancake coils, and each have their own, independent sets of electrical leads 544a-d that can be coupled to a controller and / or driving circuit. As described herein, each of the plurality of inductors 543a-d can be powered off and on independently, such that different regions of a heating element can be selectively heated. For example, all of the inductors 543 a-d can be powered at the same time and with the same amount of power, all or some of the inductors 543 a-d can be powered at the same time and but with differing amounts of power, and / or only a portion of the inductors 543a-d can be powered at the same time and with the same or different amounts of power. As described herein, different amounts of power can include applying a higher or lower voltage, driving at a longer or shorter duty cycle, driving at a higher or lower frequency, and / or the like.

[0282] Although one set of four inductors 543 a-d are illustrated and an additional set of inductors on the opposing long side are described, other numbers of inductors 534 are contemplated. For example, sets of two inductors 543 on each of the opposing long sides are contemplated, which can be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal dimension (e.g., along the length) or transverse to the longitudinal dimension (e.g., along the width). Separately, sets of three, five, six, or more inductors 543 are contemplated, and it is not required that the same number of inductors 543 be implemented on each of the long sides. Other implementations exist in which the inductor(s) 543 do not take the shape of a spiral, flattened, and / or pancake coil, such as the inductor 543 of FIG. 5D, wrapped around the short and long sides of the frame 547 multiple times (also referred to as a helical coil or helical inductor). In some implementations, a plurality of inductors 543 can be disposed in series along the frame 547 (e.g., between and / or along the proximal end 560 and the distal end 561 of the frame 547), such as two, three, or more inductors 543. For example, the plurality of inductors 543 can be formed as solenoid coils, with a space along the frame 547 between each inductor 543.

[0283] In some implementations, the long and short side of the frame 547 that are shown can be the same or similar to the long and / or short side of the frame 547 that are not shown. For example, the long side of the frame 547 that is not shown in FIGs. 5A and 5B can also include an inductor 543, such that the receptacle 518 is between two opposing inductors 543. Such a configurationcan provide benefits, such as by heating a wider surface area of the heating element, into which it is easier to generate eddy currents using less energy. The long side of the frame 547 that is not shown in FIG. 5C can similarly also include a plurality of inductors 543, such that more control can be provided over how and where heat is generated.

[0284] In some implementations, the various configurations and positions of the illustrated and described inductors 543 and / or sensing coils 513 (additionally or alternatively configured as inductors) of FIGs. 5A-5D can be at least partially combined. For example, in some implementations, the illustrated inductor 543 of FIG. 5B can be substituted with the illustrated inductor 543 and sensing coil 513 of FIG. 5A (on both opposing long sides of the frame 547). Additionally or alternatively, the illustrated sensing coil 513 in FIG. 5B can be implemented at one or both of the proximal end and the distal end of the frame 547 (and each be implemented as sensing coils and / or inductors). Accordingly, separate regions of the heating element adjacent the inductors 543 and / or sensing coils 513 can be heated independently to provide greater control over aerosol production, as described herein. It will be appreciated that the ability to heat the heating element in as many independent regions is desirable, but that the implementation of more inductors 543 and / or sensing coils 513 is more expensive and more complicated (e.g., in order to properly account for mutual inductance).

[0285] In various implementations, the inductors 543 can include two or more layers of wire, with the layers disposed on top of one another from the perspective of the vaporizer device width or depth. For example, the inductors 543 can include a first layer of turns that is closer to and / or on a holder assembly 558 of the vaporizer device, and a second layer of turns that is further from the holder assembly 558 and / or closer to the external shell of the vaporizer body that includes the holder assembly 558. If the holder assembly 558 or the vaporizer device are defined in part by a circular cross-section, the layers of wire can be regarded as being disposed on top of one another from the perspective a radius of the holder assembly 558 and / or vaporizer device.

[0286] In various implementations, the shape and / or structure of the inductors 543 can be varied to increase and / or tune their efficiency, such as based on their coupling efficiency with a heating element of a cartridge in the receptacle 518. For example, one or more of the inductors 543 can include varying numbers of cross-sections, shapes, strand counts, strand gauges, and / or the like of coils. The coils could also be bent to have the same general curvature as the heating element to improve performance, or could be straightened (e.g., along the cartridge width) to limit thecoupling efficiency to a specific degree. In some implementations, a flex based coil can be used to decrease manufacturing costs of the device and the consumables, such as by only requiring relatively thin layers of material (e.g., smaller inductors 543 and / or thinner heating elements).

[0287] In some implementations, a cartridge for use with a holder assembly 558 that includes multiple inductors 543 can include regions with different susceptibilities. For example, a cartridge can be manufactured to include different materials and / or thicknesses in certain regions depending on each region’s intended proximity to an inductor 543. In some implementations, a cartridge can be manufactured to include a first material and / or material of a first thickness in a first region (or set of first regions) that is disposed at or near a first inductor 543 (or set of first inductors 543), and a second material and / or material of a second thickness in a second region (or set of second regions) that is disposed away from the first inductor 543 (or set of first inductors 543). In some aspects, if multiple inductors 543 are used, the regions of the cartridge that are between the set of first regions can include the second region(s).

[0288] Although illustrated and described as singular coils, in some implementations any of the inductors 543 can instead be formed of two or more coils, which can each generally take the shape of half or less than half of the inductor 543 they replace. In accordance with these implementations, the general direction of current through one of the replacement inductors (e.g., clockwise) can be opposite the general direction of current through the other of the replacement inductors (e.g., counter-clockwise). Although first and second inductors 543 are illustrated and described at times, the first inductor 543 can instead be implemented as a first set of inductors 543 (e.g., configured to heat the first region 1559a) and / or the second inductor 543 can instead be implemented as a second set of inductors 543 (e.g., configured to heat the second region 1559b). Separately, additional inductors 543 and / or sets of inductors 543, such as a third inductor and / or third set of inductors 543 can be present, and configured and / or disposed to heat a third heating element 442.

[0289] Control algorithms can be implemented that selectively power a first inductor 543 (e.g., at or near the location of any of the inductor(s) 543 of FIGs. 5A-5D) and a second inductor 543 (e.g., at or near the location of any of the sensing coil 513 of any of FIGs. 5B-5D). Such control algorithms can be configured to selectively power the first inductor 543 and the second inductor 543, and thereby the heating elements, such as the heating element(s) 642 of FIGs. 6A-6T at different times, temperatures, frequencies, voltages, duty cycles, and / or the like. In someimplementations, the first inductor 543 can be selectively powered (e.g., according to a first set of operating parameters) based on detection of a user puff, such as to heat a first heating element to a first temperature, which can provide for heating a first heating element on demand. The second inductor 543, when present, can be powered (e.g., according to a second set of operating parameters) based on detection of a user puff, such as to heat a second heating element to a second temperature, which can provide for heating a second heating element on demand. However, in some implementations, the first inductor 543 can be powered for a first period of time (e.g., to maintain the first heating element at or around a first temperature) and / or the second inductor 543 can be powered for a second period of time (e.g., to maintain the second heating element at or around a second temperature), which can be independent of detection of a user puff.

[0290] In some aspects, the first temperature can be sufficient to vaporize both the humectant and the active ingredient, such as at or above the boiling point of the humectant. In some aspect, the second temperature can be sufficient to vaporize both the humectant and the active ingredient, such as at or above the boiling point of the humectant, and may be the same as the first temperature. However, in other aspects, the second temperature can be lower than the first temperature but sufficient to reduce recondensation of the vaporizable material after it is vaporized and / or to increase the effectiveness of the first heating element heating at the first temperature. The first and second temperatures can change over time, such as based on a programmed profile. For example, the first temperature and / or second temperature can increase and / or decrease over time, across the duration of a session.

[0291] As noted above, the heating elements disclosed herein can be designed and implemented into cartridges for convective heating, namely configured to heat air prior to the air coming into contact with the vaporizable material. In such aspects, a cartridge having one or more of these heating elements disposed therein can generally include a wrapper extending between a cartridge proximal end and a cartridge distal end. The wrapper can include a vaporizable material disposed within the wrapper and one or more first heating elements disposed within the wrapper and upstream of the vaporizable material, an airflow outlet channel downstream of the vaporizable material, and an aerosol outlet downstream of the airflow outlet channel and configured to provide aerosol to a user. The one or more first heating elements are configured to heat air passing proximate and / or through the one or more first heating elements to vaporize at least a portion ofthe vaporizable material. The airflow outlet channel includes at least one condensation chamber within which the vaporized vaporizable material condenses to form at least a portion of the aerosol.

[0292] Depending on the position of the heating elements relative to the vaporizable material within the wrapper, the heating elements can also be configured to heat the vaporizable material via conduction. Combining convective and conductive heating of the vaporizable material can more efficiently heat the vaporizable material without burning it by operating at a higher power and / or achieving a desirable temperature faster. For example, the vaporizable material can be preheated conductively at a first temperature, and then heated convectively on-demand to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature when the user takes a puff.

[0293] Various aspects of a convective heating element are disclosed herein that can maximize current flow within the heating element and thereby increase the heating efficiency of the heating element. As discussed above, the convective heating element can generate heat in a variety of ways. In implementations where one or more inductors, e.g., induction coils, are used to heat the convective heating element, the convective heating element can function as a susceptor which absorbs the magnetic and / or electromagnetic energy that radiates from the one or more induction coils. This energy is then converted to heat via eddy currents and / or hysteresis. As such, in such implementations, it is desired to have the one or more inductors stimulate enough eddy currents and / or hysteresis within the heating element (susceptor) to generate the desired amount of heating so that the heated air can enter the vaporized material at target temperature.

[0294] In some implementations, the heating element can be manufactured to include a structure that is designed in a manner that results in the desired coupling with one or more inductors (e.g., inductive coils). The coupling efficiency between the one or more inductors and the heating element can also be improved if the heating element has a structure that compliments the shapes, configurations, locations, and / or orientations of the one or more inductors. While the heating elements described below are illustrated as having an oval cross-section in combination with helical inductor coils, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that other structural configurations of both the heating elements and the one or more inductors are within the scope of this disclosure and therefore are not limited to what is shown in the figures.

[0295] To help maximize the electrical paths for eddy current generation, and consequently, maximize the heat generation capacity of the heating element, the heating element can be provided in the form of one or more continuous loops (e.g., a loop with no breaks (separations) along itslength, as shown in FIGs. 9G and 9H). In some implementations, a continuous loop can be formed by joining (e.g., welding) two opposing ends of a material (e.g., a single sheet of material), and thereafter folded or pressed to form the heating element. By way of example, a material can be cut in a strip having two opposing free ends, the two opposing free ends can be joined together (e.g., by welding, by adhesive, and / or the like) to thereby form a continuous loop of material, and thereafter the continuous loop is then folded, pressed, or otherwise manipulated to form the heating element. The free ends can overlap or abut to each other when joined together to form a continuous loop. In some implementations, the one or more continuous loops can be formed of two or more different materials that are each cut into respective strips, where one free end of one material is joined to one free end of another material, or optionally and in addition, the other free end of the one material is joined to the other free end of the another material. By way of another example, a material (e.g., a single sheet of material) can be cut into any desired shape, e.g., a ring shape or oval shape, such as the ring shape shown in FIG. 9H or oval shape shown in FIG. 9E, such that no free ends of the material are formed and thus the resulting continuous loop does not include any joined ends (e.g., welded ends or joints), and thereafter the continuous loop is folded, pressed, or otherwise manipulated to form the heating element. As such, the continuous configuration of the heating elements disclosed herein can promote a high coupling efficiency with the one or more inductors, and thus high eddy current generation that would not otherwise be effected by a heating element having a non- continuous configuration.

[0296] To help increase the heat exchange efficiency between the heating element and the air coming into contact with the heating element, the heating element disclosed herein can include a plurality of exterior walls and interior walls via bends created in the heating element, e.g., as shown in FIGs. 6E-6K and FIGs. 9A-9D. For example, in some implementations, the bends can be more rounded to provide a heating element with a plurality of exterior walls that results in a singular wall having a wavelike configuration. Forming a plurality of walls connected by a plurality of rounded or otherwise shaped bends in the heating element can increase the contact surface area and contact time between the heating element and the air passing through the heating element, and therefore the heat exchange between the air and the heating element. That is, including a plurality of walls in the heating element can increase the heat exchange rate between the heating element and the air passing therethrough to allow faster and more efficient heating of the air.

[0297] Further, forming an air passageway within the wrapper that extends along at least a portion of an exterior surface of the heating element as well as extends through the interior of the heating element, e.g., as shown in FIGs. 11A-12, can create an air counterflow that can additionally increase the contact time, the contact surface area, or both between the incoming air and the heating element. This counterflow can be created, by way of example, between the inner surface of the wrapper and at least a portion of the exterior surface of the heating element relative to the incoming air flow through the interior heating element. Counterflow along at least a portion of the exterior surface of the heating element, e.g., as shown in FIGs. 11A-12, can allow for preheating the incoming air prior to such air entering the interior of the heating element. In some implementation, this counterflow can also allow for the heating element to operate at a higher temperature relative to a heating element without counterflow because incoming air running along at least a portion of an exterior surface of the heating element can create a cool barrier between the heating element and the wrapper.

[0298] The various methodologies for heating and / or controlling the heating of a heating element described above (e.g., inductive heating) can be implemented based on the vaporizer devices and / or components thereof illustrated in FIGs. 6A-6T. The various components of the example vaporizer devices of FIGs. 6A-6T can be the same as or similar to the vaporizer devices 100, 200, 400, HOOa-HOOc illustrated and described with respect to FIGs. 1A-1C, 2, 4A-4B, and 7A-7C. For example, FIGs. 6A-6S illustrate various components of cartridges 620, including various implementations of heating elements 642, which can be the same as or similar to the cartridges 120, 220, 320, 420 and / or heating elements 142, 342, 442 of FIGs. 1-4.

[0299] FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of a vaporizer device including a cartridge 620a positioned within and / or proximate an inductor 643. The exterior of the cartridge 620a is illustrated as semitransparent such that the internal components of the cartridge 620a are visible for ease of understanding. As illustrated the cartridge 620a can include a mouthpiece portion 630 and a heater portion 641 within one or more layers of material (illustrated as wrapper(s) 622). The cartridge 620 can extend between a cartridge proximal end 620x and a cartridge distal end 620y, with the dimension between the two being the cartridge 620 length. Transverse to the cartridge 620 length (from the front to the back) is the cartridge 620 depth. Transverse to both the cartridge 620 length and depth (from the left to the right) is the cartridge 620 width. The heater portion 641 can extend from a heater portion distal end 641b to a heater portion proximal end 641a and the mouthpieceportion 630 can extend from a mouthpiece portion distal end 630b to a mouthpiece portion proximal end 630a.

[0300] The heater portion 641 can include one or more heating element 642, which can be susceptor(s) configured to be inductively heated by the adjacent inductor 643. The heater portion 641 can include one or more heating element 642 discussed with respect to FIGs. 6B-6R and 7A- 7C. The heater portion 641 can further include vaporizable material 602, which is downstream of the one or more heating element 642. The heating element(s) 642 can be configured to heat the vaporizable material 602 to generate a vapor, such as by heating air that flows along and / or through the heating element(s) 642 to convectively heat the vaporizable material 602. As described herein, the heat can be generated through inductive means. The volume within which the vaporizable material 602 is held can be regarded as a heater chamber. Accordingly, the wrapper 622 can define at least a portion of a perimeter of a heater chamber containing the vaporizable material 602, and in some implementations define substantially all of the perimeter.

[0301] Within the heater portion 641, a first divider 654a can be disposed between the heating element(s) 642 and the vaporizable material 602. The first divider 654a can retain the vaporizable material 602 in place, such that the vaporizable material 602 does not come in contact with and / or interfere with operation of the heating element(s) 642. The mouthpiece portion 630 can include a second divider 654b disposed downstream of the vaporizable material 602. The first divider 654a can retain the vaporizable material 602 in place, such that the vaporizable material 602 does not come in contact with a user and / or interfere with aerosol generation. The first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b can be implemented in the same manner as the first divider 454a and / or second divider 454b of FIGs. 4A-4B. Additionally or alternatively, first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b can be implemented in the same manner as the dividers 654 of FIGs. 6C-6D, 6R-6T.

[0302] The mouthpiece portion 630 can include an airflow outlet channels 626 that extends from the second divider 654b (e.g., proximate the mouthpiece portion distal end 630b) to one or more airflow outlets at the cartridge proximal end 620x. The heater portion 641 can include an end cap 664 at the cartridge distal end 620y to hold the one or more heating element 642 within the cartridge 620. The end cap 664 can include one or more cartridge inlets (e.g., though-holes) such that ambient air may enter the cartridge 620. The mouthpiece portion 630 can include an end cap 674 at the cartridge proximal end 620x. The end cap 674 can include one or more cartridge outlets (e.g., though-holes) such that the inhalable aerosol may exit the cartridge 620. Additionally oralternatively, the end cap 664 and / or end cap 674 can include an air-permeable material such, such as a filter, configured to allow air to enter the heater chamber through the material. The end cap 664 and / or end cap 674 can include material such as one or more of paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic (e.g., PET), cellulose acetate, non-wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like.

[0303] Providing the first heating element(s) 642a in this manner can provide for a reduction in the total power required to operate a vaporizer device over the course of one session. For example, the first heating element(s) 642a can be controlled to heat the vaporizable material 602 in the same or similar manner as discussed above with respect to FIGs. 5A-5D. Where the first heating element(s) 642a provides convective heat to heat the vaporizable material 602 and is selectively powered (e.g., based on detection of a user puff), a vaporizer device power source can last longer between charges, providing significant benefits to users who wish to convert from traditional smoking to using heat not bum devices.

[0304] As illustrated and described, the cartridge 620a of FIG. 6A only includes one or more heating elements 642 upstream of the vaporizable material. However, FIG. 6B illustrates a front view of another implementation of a vaporizer device including a cartridge 620b positioned within and / or proximate a first inductor 643a and a second inductor 643b. The cartridge 620b can be substantially the same as the cartridge 620a of FIG. 6A, but with one or more first heating elements 642a and one or more second heating elements 642b. The first inductor 643a can be configured to heat the one or more first heating elements 642a and the second inductor 643b can be configured to heat the one or more second heating elements 642b. The first heating element(s) 646a can be the same or similar to the heating elements 646 discussed with respect to FIGs. 6A and 6C-6R. The second heating element(s) 642b can be disposed within the heater portion 641 and / or at least partially define a volume within which the vaporizable material 602 is held. The second heating element(s) 642b can be configured to heat the vaporizable material 602 to generate a vapor. As described herein, the heat can be generated through inductive means, and the generated heat can primarily heat the vaporizable material 602 through conductive means. The volume within which the vaporizable material 602 is held can be regarded as a heater chamber. Accordingly, the second heating element(s) 642b can define at least a portion of a perimeter of a heater chamber containingthe vaporizable material 602, and in some implementations define substantially all of the perimeter.

[0305] Providing the first heating element(s) 642a and second heating element(s) 642b in this manner can provide for more control over aerosol production and a reduction in the total power required to operate a vaporizer device over the course of one session. For example, the first heating element(s) 642a and second heating element(s) 642b can be controlled to heat the vaporizable material 602 in the same or similar manner as discussed above with respect to FIGs. 5A-5D. Where the first heating element(s) 642a provides convective heat to heat the vaporizable material 602 and is selectively powered (e.g., based on detection of a user puff), a vaporizer device power source can last longer between charges, providing significant benefits to users who wish to convert from traditional smoking to using heat not bum devices. Where the second heating element(s) 642b provides selectively powered (e.g., based on detection of a user puff) and / or powered at a lower temperature, a vaporizer device power source can last longer between charges.

[0306] FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of another implementation of a cartridge 620c. The cartridge 620c can be substantially the same as the cartridge 620a of FIG. 6A and / or cartridge 620b of FIG. 6B, but with the outlet 628 (e.g., though-holes) of the end cap 674 visible and alternative constructions of the first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b. For example, the first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b can include grates, a mesh material, filter, perforated wall, and / or the like at the upstream end of the first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b. In such implementations, the grates, mesh, filter, perforated wall, etc. can be in fluid communication with and / or form at least one channel therethrough. The first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b can include perforated cormgated paper material that is pressed or formed to fit within regions proximate opposing ends of the vaporizable material 602. The first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b can include one or more metal walls or layers of metal material, which reduces the thermal mass of the first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b. In some implementations, the entire first divider 654a and / or second divider 654b is formed of metal or metal alloy, for example aluminum, an aluminum alloy, steel, and / or a steel alloy.

[0307] As illustrated, the cartridge 620c can include a heater section 667 within which the heating element(s) 642 are disposed. The end cap 664 and / or divider can at least partially define opposing ends of the heater section 667 and / or an interior perimeter of the wrapper 622 can at least partially define a perimeter of the heater section 667. The heating element(s) 642 can have some freedomof movement within the heater section 667, as long as the heating element(s) 642 are retained in a proper orientation (e.g., standing up along the length of the cartridge 620). Although not illustrated, the heater section 667 can include a support structure that is configured to hold the heating element(s) 642 in place within the cartridge 620. In some implementations, such a support structure can be configured to contact each of the heating element(s) 642 and at least a portion of the interior perimeter of the wrapper 622.

[0308] As illustrated in the transparent illustration of the cartridge 620d of FIG. 6D, another divider 654c can be disposed upstream of the heating element(s) 642. The first divider 654a and / or other divider 654c (and / or second divider 654b) can be implemented in the form of an upsidedown cup. The base end of the divider(s) 654 can include a wall with a plurality of perforations for controlled airflow therethrough. An open end of the first divider 654a can be configured to receive and at least partially surround the heating element(s) 642, and the base end of the first divider 654a can be disposed adjacent the vaporizable material 602 (not illustrated). An open end of the other divider 654c can be configured to receive and at least partially surround the end cap 664 (not shown), and the base end of the other divider 654c can be disposed adjacent the heating element(s) 642. Although not illustrated, an open end of the second divider 654b can be configured to receive and at least partially surround the vaporizable material 602, and the base end of the second divider 654b can be disposed adjacent the airflow outlet channel 626. Although not illustrated, in various implementations the other divider 654c can be included in any of the cartridges 620 illustrated and / or described with respect to FIGs. 6A-6R.

[0309] FIG. 6E illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a cartridge 620e including a front heating element 642ax and a rear heating element 642ay disposed within a heater section 667 defined within a wrapper 622. The front heating element 642ax and rear heating element 642ay can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. The front heating element 642ax and rear heating element 642ay can take the same shape, which provides for airflow through an open interior 668 of each heating element 642, outside of each heating element 642, and / or through a space 669 between adjacent heating element 642. As illustrated, the front heating element 642ax and rear heating element 642ay can be formed to include a flattened interior wall 684 and a plurality of exterior walls 681 extending from one end of the flattened interior wall 684 to another end of the flattened interior wall 684. The plurality of exterior walls 681 can be defined by sequential exterior bends682 and interior bends 680, which respectively direct the shape of the heating element(s) 642 towards the flattened interior wall 684 and away from the flattened interior wall 684. FIG. 6F illustrates a top view of a portion of a vaporizer device 600f including the cartridge 620e of FIG. 6E. As illustrated, the inductor(s) 622 of the vaporizer device 600f can be configured to inductively heat the front heating element 642ax and rear heating element 642ay, when the cartridge 620e is inserted into a receptacle of the vaporizer device 600f. The exterior walls 681 can be closer to the inductor 622 and therefore act as the primary portion(s) of the heating element that generate heat.

[0310] FIG. 6G illustrates a top perspective view of an implementation of a cartridge 620g including a front heating element 642ax and a rear heating element 642ay disposed within a heater section 667 defined within a wrapper 622. The front heating element 642ax and rear heating element 642ay can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. The heating element(s) 642 can include sequential exterior bends 682 and interior bends 680, similar to the cartridge of FIG. 6E, but does not include an interior flat wall. Instead, the bends 680, 682 can be more rounded to provide heating element(s) 642 that have a singular wall in the form of a wavelike structure. The wavelike structure can be formed of a single sheet of material with two opposing ends joined. However, the sheet can be manufactured without a joint. The front heating element 642ax and rear heating element 642ay can take the same shape, which provides for airflow through an open interior 668 of each heating element 642, outside of each heating element 642, and / or through a space 669 between adjacent heating element 642.

[0311] FIG. 6H illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device 600h including a singular heating element 642 having a different shape. The heating element 642 can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. The heating element 642 can provide for airflow through an open interior 668 and outside of the heating element 642. As illustrated, the heating element 642 can be formed to include a plurality of exterior walls 681 and interior walls 684, separated by intermediate walls 686. Each exterior wall 681 can be formed between adjacent exterior bends 682, each interior wall 684 can be formed between adjacent interior bends 680, and / or each intermediate wall can be formed between adjacent exterior bends 682 and interior bends 680. As illustrated, the inductor(s) 622 of the vaporizer device 600h can be configured to inductively heatthe heating element 642, when the heating element 642 is inserted into a receptacle of the vaporizer device 600h. The exterior walls 681 can be closer to the inductor 622 and therefore act as the primary portion(s) of the heating element that generate heat. A flux concentrator 648 can be provided to at least partially surround the inductor 622, as described herein.

[0312] FIG. 61 illustrates top perspective and cross-sectional views of a vaporizer device 600i. The cartridge and wrapper 622 can be generally cylindrical in cross-section. The heating element 642 can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. The heating element 642 can provide for airflow through an interior 668 and outside of the heating element 642. The heating element 624 can be formed from a plurality of walls 681 extending between and defined by sequential exterior bends 682 and interior bends 680, which respectively direct the shape of the heating element 642 towards the interior of the cartridge and away from the interior of the cartridge, which can include a support insert 624 in the interior 668. As illustrated, the inductor(s) 622 of the vaporizer device 600i can be configured to inductively heat the heating element 642, when the cartridge is inserted into a receptacle of the vaporizer device 600i. The exterior regions of the walls 681 can be closer to the inductor 622 and therefore act as the primary portion(s) of the heating element that generate heat. The support insert 624 can restrict movement of air through the interior 668 of the heating element 642, which can be cooler than the exterior. A flux concentrator 648 can be provided to at least partially surround the inductor 622, as described herein.

[0313] FIG. 6J illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device 600j including a singular heating element 642 having a different shape. The heating element 642 can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. The heating element 642 can provide for airflow through an open interior 668 and outside of the heating element 642. As illustrated, the heating element 642 can be formed to include a plurality of exterior walls 681 and interior walls 684, separated by intermediate walls 686. Exterior walls 681 can be formed between adjacent exterior bends 682, each interior wall 684 can be formed between adjacent interior bends 680, and / or each intermediate wall can be formed between adjacent exterior bends 682 and interior bends 680. The interior 668 of the heating element 642 can take the form of a snakelike pattern due to the interior walls 686 being disposed closer to opposing sides of the heating element 642 from intermediately connected exterior walls 681 and / or the intermediate walls 684 crossing the midline of the heating element(e.g., along the x axis). Further, three exterior walls 681 can be sequentially formed at each of the opposing short sides of the heating element 642 due to the presence of four sequential external bends 682. As illustrated, the inductor(s) 622 of the vaporizer device 600j can be configured to inductively heat the heating element 642, when the heating element 642 is inserted into a receptacle of the vaporizer device 600h. The exterior walls 681 can be closer to the inductor 622 and therefore act as the primary portion(s) of the heating element that generate heat.

[0314] FIG. 6K illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device 600k including a singular heating element 642 having a different shape. The heating element 642 can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. The heating element 642 can provide for airflow through spaces 669 between adjacent walls of the heating element and outside of the heating element 642. As illustrated, the heating element 642 can be formed of a single sheet of material to include a plurality of exterior walls 681 separated by intermediate walls 686. The exterior walls 681 can be formed between adjacent exterior bends 682 proximate the same side (e.g., short side) of the heating element 642 and / or each intermediate wall can be formed between exterior bends 682 at opposing side (e.g., short side) of the heating element 642. The heating element 642 can take the form of a snakelike pattern. As illustrated, opposing inductor(s) 622 of the vaporizer device 600k can be configured to inductively heat the heating element 642, when the heating element 642 is inserted into a receptacle of the vaporizer device 600k. The intermediate walls 686 can be more in line with a direction of the field generated by the inductors 622 and therefore act as the primary portion(s) of the heating element that generate heat.

[0315] FIGs. 6L-6N illustrates top perspective views of portions vaporizer devices 6001-600n. The heating element 642 can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. The heating element 642 can provide for airflow through spaces 669a, 669b between adjacent heating elements 642. As illustrated, a plurality of heating elements 642 in the form of continuous loops. In some implementations, a support structure can be configured to contact each of the heating elements 642 and at least a portion of the interior perimeter of the wrapper of a cartridge to secure the heating elements 642. Each heating element 642 can extend along a primary axis, with the major faces of each heating element 642 facing a secondary axis and include an open interior 668 through which a tertiary axis runs. In the vaporizer device 6001 of FIG. 6L, the primary axis is the x-axis, thesecondary axis is the z-axis, and the tertiary axis is the y-axis. In the vaporizer device 600m of FIG. 6M, the primary axis is the x-axis, the secondary axis is the y-axis, and the tertiary axis is the z-axis. In the vaporizer device 600n of FIG. 6N, the primary axis is the y-axis, the secondary axis is the z-axis, and the tertiary axis is the y-axis. A flux concentrator 648 can be provided to at least partially surround the inductor 622, as described herein.

[0316] FIG. 60 illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a vaporizer device 600o. As illustrated, a plurality of heating elements 642 in the form of continuous loops similar to the heating elements 642 of FIGs. 6L-6N. However, the organization of the heating elements within a cartridge of the vaporizer device 600o is not set. Instead, the heating elements 642 can be inserted into the cartridge without a support structure. This relatively chaotic or disorganized organization can result in more surface area of more heating elements 642 being exposed to the field of the inductor 622 without as much interference, and a simpler manufacturing process. Although the heating elements 642 of FIG. 60 are illustrated as being in an L-shape, the heating elements 642 can be formed of ribbons of circular material as illustrated in FIG. 6P. A flux concentrator 648 can be provided to at least partially surround the inductor 622, as described herein.

[0317] FIG. 6Q illustrates top perspective views of portions vaporizer devices 600q. The heating elements 642 can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. The heating elements 642 can generally take the form of flattened disks, which can generally take the shape of the cross-section of the cartridge. The perimeter of the heating elements 642 can be closer to the inductor of the vaporizer device 600q and therefore provide the primary source of heat. In some implementations, a support structure can be configured to contact each of the heating elements 642 and at least a portion of the interior perimeter of the wrapper of a cartridge to secure the heating elements 642. A flux concentrator 648 can be provided to at least partially surround the inductor 622, as described herein.

[0318] FIGs. 6R-6S illustrate cross-sectional views of a cartridge 620, a portion of a vaporizer device 600r, and a portion of a cartridge 620s. The heating elements 642 can be an implementation of the first heating elements 442(a), 642(a) upstream of the vaporizable material 402, 602 described herein. As illustrated, a series of heating element 642 can be stacked within a wrapper 622 of the cartridge 620 along the length of the cartridge 620. The wrapper 622 can extend from a first end 622a to a second end 622b with a longitudinal axis L extending therebetween (e.g., extendingalong the y-direction). A first divider 654a can be disposed downstream of the heating elements 642 and / or another divider 646c can be disposed upstream of the heating elements 642 as described herein. As illustrated, each of the heating elements 642 can be formed of two opposing segments 672a, 672b. A first (upstream) segment 672a of each heating element 642 can include a first aperture 690 and / or a second (downstream) segment 672b of each heating element 642 can include a second aperture 691. When the opposing segments 672a, 672b are disposed such that their interiors face each other, an open interior 668 (e.g., space or volume) can be formed. In some implementations, each of the segments 672a, 672b can be concave or dome shaped. A space 669 can exist outside of each heating element 642 and / or between successive heating elements 642. In operation, airflow can pass through the open interiors 668 of each heating element 642 and / or through the space 669 between adjacent heating elements 642. Thereafter, the heated air can pass through the first divider 654a. Airflow can pass through the open interiors 668 of each heating element 642 by first passing through the first aperture 690, passing through the open interior 668, and passing out of the second aperture 691. In some implementations, each sequential aperture 690, 691 can be disposed closer to opposing sides (e.g., short sides) of the cartridge 620 to provide a torturous and / or snakelike path through the heating elements 642. As further illustrated, each of the sequential segments 672a, 672b can be connected by a first joint 693 and / or each of the sequential heating elements 642 can be connected by a second joint 694. In some aspects, each of the segments 672a, 672b and / or joints 693, 694 can be formed of the same material, such as a metal or metal alloy.

[0319] As illustrated, the perimeter of the heating elements 642 can be closer to the inductor of the vaporizer device 600r and therefore provide the primary source of heat. A flux concentrator 648 can be provided to at least partially surround the inductor 622, as described herein. As illustrated, the divider(s) 654a can be of a construction (e.g., non-metal) and / or be disposed in a location that does not result in heating (or minimal heating). In some implementations, a support structure can be configured to contact each of the heating elements 642 and at least a portion of the interior perimeter of the wrapper of a cartridge to secure the heating elements 642.

[0320] Although not explicitly illustrated and described in each of FIGs. 6A-6S, a divider can be included in the locations and / or configurations described herein. FIG. 6T illustrates formation of an example divider 654, which can be the same as or similar to the dividers 454, 646 illustrated and described with respect to FIGs. 4A-4B and 6A-6S. As illustrated, a former 699 having aplurality of piercing elements can be used such that a sheet of material can be pressed against the former 699 to create a plurality of holes through the divider 654. The divider 654 can be inserted into a cartridge wrapper 622 as described herein.

[0321] The various methodologies for heating and / or controlling the heating of a heating element described above (e.g., inductive heating) can be implemented based on the vaporizer devices and / or components thereof illustrated in FIGs. 9A-9K. The various implementations of heating elements of FIGs. 9A-9K can be the same as or similar to the heating elements 142, 342, 442, 642 ofFIGS. 1-6S.

[0322] Additional variations of a heating element for a vaporizer device are also disclosed herein. FIG. 9A illustrates a top perspective view of a heating element 700A that can include a plurality of exterior walls 702A and interior walls 704A, separated by intermediate walls 706A. Each exterior wall 702A can be formed between adjacent exterior bends 703 A, each interior wall 704A can be formed between adjacent interior bends 705A, and / or each intermediate wall 706A can be formed between adjacent exterior bends 703A and interior bends 705A. Similar to other implementations of a heating element disclosed above, and in particular the heating element 600h shown in FIG. 6H, an inductor of a vaporizer device can be configured to inductively heat the heating element 700A, when the heating element 700A is inserted into the vaporizer device. The exterior walls 702A can be closer to the inductor than the interior walls 704A and therefore act as the primary portion(s) of the heating element that generates heat. However, while most of the exterior bends 682 and the interior bends 680 of the heating element 600h each have a bend angle that is about 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees, the exterior bends 703 A and the interior bends 705A of the heating element 700A can each have a bend angle that is greater than 90 degrees.

[0323] The heating elements disclosed herein can have interior walls, exterior walls, and intermediate walls of any suitable widths, interior bends and exteriors bends of any suitable angles, and any suitable number of walls and bends. For example, FIG. 9B illustrates a heating element 700B similar to the heating element 700A in FIG. 9A. The heating element 700B can have exterior walls 702B that each has a width w that are greater than a width w of the exterior walls 702A of the heating element 700A.

[0324] The heating element 700 A and the heating element 700B can each have two opposing long sides 771 A, 77 IB and two opposing short sides 773 A, 773B, wherein each long side has a plurality of exterior walls 702A or 702B, interior walls 704A, and intermediate walls 706A, 706B. Asshown in FIG. 9A, each short side 773A of the heating element 700A can include one exterior wall 702A and two intermediate walls 706A. While in other implementations, as shown in FIG. 9B, each short side 773B of the heating element 700B can include only two adjacent intermediate walls 706B. As shown in FIG. 9B, each short side 773B of the heating element 700B can instead include two adjacent intermediate walls 706B directly connected to each other at an exterior bend 707 and with no exterior wall 702B extending therebetween.

[0325] FIG. 9C shows another implementation of a heating element 700C that is similar to the heating element 700B shown in FIG. 9B. However, the heating element 700C can have exterior walls 702C and interior walls 704C that have widths w that are smaller than widths w of the exterior walls 702B and the interior walls 704B of heating element 700B. Further, the heating element 700C can have two opposing long sides 771C, where each long side 771C includes a greater number of exterior walls 702C compared to that of the long sides 77 IB of the heating element 700B.

[0326] FIGs. 9D-9F show another implementation of a heating element 700D having a different shape from that of the heating elements 700A-700C shown in FIGs. 9A-9C. The heating element 700D can be formed from a plurality of exterior walls 702D, connected to one another by exterior bends 703D and interior bends 705D. In this implementation, the exterior bends 703D and the interior bends 705D are pointed rather than rounded.

[0327] As illustrated in FIGs. 9A-9D and 9F, the heating elements 700A-700D can each have a top end 710A-710D and a bottom end 712A-712C. In some implementations, the top end, the bottom end, or both can be completely open. In some implementations, the top end, the bottom end, or both can be partially open (e.g., an end can include a base with one or more perforations). In some implementations, the top end can be completely open and the bottom end can be partially open or vice versa. By way of example, as shown in FIGs. 9A-9D, the top ends 710A-710D of the heating elements 700A-700D are completely open. While not shown, the bottom ends 712A- 712C of the heating elements 700A-700C of FIGs. 9A-9C are completely open, and the bottom end 712D of heating element 700D is partially open.

[0328] In some implementations, the heating elements disclosed herein can be formed from a sheet of material by any suitable method. The sheet can be formed of a variety of materials. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials can include metal (e.g., such as aluminum, copper, brass, zirconium, stainless steel (ferritic or non-ferritic), nickel, alloys thereof, or any combinationthereof). As shown in FIG. 9E, a sheet of material 70 ID, also referred to as an unfolded form of the heating element 700D, can include a center region 719D surrounded by an exterior region 729D extending radially outward from the center region 719D. The sheet of material 70 ID can also include perforations 708D formed therethrough and positioned within the center region 719D. Thereafter, the sheet of material 70 ID can be manipulated in such a way, e.g., folded, molded, or the like, to form the heating element 700D. As shown in FIG. 9F, once formed, the heating element 700D can include the plurality of exterior walls 702D extending from the base 709D at an angle as previously described. In some implementations, the center region 719D can form the base 709D and the exterior region 729D can form the exterior walls 702D. As such, the base 709D can include the one or more perforations 708D. In some implementations, the one or more perforations 708D can be formed through the sheet of material 701 D before the sheet of material 701 D is manipulated. In other implementations, the one or more perforations 708D can be formed through the base 709D after the plurality exterior walls are partially or completely formed.

[0329] In some implementations, the heating elements disclosed herein can be formed from a sheet of material having a ring-shape configuration, and in some implementation, can also have a completely open top end and a completely open end. In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 9G and 9H, the heating element 700E (FIG. 9G) can be formed by folding an oval ring-shaped sheet 701E (FIG. 9H) to form the plurality of walls 702E connected by exterior bends 703E and interior bends 705E and have both a completely open top end 710E and a completely open end 712E. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the shape of the sheet of material can depend on the structural configuration of at least the cartridge, the vaporizer device, and the components thereof. As such, the sheet of material can have a variety of other shapes, and therefore in other implementations, the ring-shaped sheet can be in the form of other suitable shapes, e.g., a circle ring-shaped sheet.

[0330] In some implementations, the heating elements disclosed herein can be formed of a single sheet of material where no welding or connecting of free ends are needed to form the heating element, e.g., heating element 700D shown in FIGs. 9D and 9F and heating element 700E shown in FIG. 9G. In such implementations, limited piercing or cutting can be utilized to create perforations in the heating element, e.g., in the center region 719D of the sheet of material 70 ID to form the heating element 700D of FIGs. 9D and 9F. Similarly, as shown FIGs. 9G and 9H, the heating element 700E can be formed by folding or pressing the ring-shaped sheet of material 70 IEwith molds to form the plurality of walls 702E with the exterior bends 703E and interior bends 705E and without utilizing welding. In some implementations, cutting can be utilized only to create the ring-shaped sheet of material 70 IE from a solid oval sheet of material. Advantageously, forming the heating element with no welding or otherwise joining of free ends can reduce manufacturing costs and maximize surface area for heat generation and heat exchange, while folding the heating element to thereby create a plurality of exterior walls can further increase the surface area of the heating element that is exposed to and available to heat air, thereby maximizing the heating efficiency of the heating element as discussed above.

[0331] As shown in FIG. 9G, the heating element 700E can include exterior walls 702E that longitudinally extend parallel to a longitudinal axis Lw (e.g., extending in the y-direction) of a wrapper (not shown) when placed inside the wrapper of a cartridge. In FIG. 9D and 9F, all of the exterior walls 702D of the heating element 700D are positioned at an angle Q relative to the longitudinal axis Lw of the wrapper (e.g., extending in the y-direction).

[0332] In some implementation, the plurality of exterior walls 702D of the heating element 700D can be angled relative to the longitudinal axis Lw of the wrapper and extend away from an interior 730D of the heating element 700D as shown in FIG. 9D. In other implementations, the plurality of exterior walls of the heating element can be angled relative to the longitudinal axis Lw of the wrapper and extend towards the interior of the heating element. In some implementations, a first amount of exterior walls of the plurality of exterior walls can be angled relative to the longitudinal axis Lw of the wrapper and extend away from an interior of the heating element, and a second amount of exterior walls of the plurality of exterior walls can be angled relative to the longitudinal axis Lw of the wrapper and extend towards the interior of the heating element. In some implementations, one or more exterior walls of the plurality of exterior walls are not angled relative to the longitudinal axis Lw of the wrapper and therefore extend parallel to the longitudinal axis Lw of the wrapper (e.g., in the y-direction).

[0333] Another implementation of a heating element 700F is shown in FIGs. 9L9K. The heating element 700F has a similar shape as the heating element 700D shown in FIGs. 9D and 9F except that the exterior bends 703F and interior bends 705F are rounded and the heating element 700F can include a flange 713F. The flange 713F can be configured to position the heating element 700F within a cartridge. Alternatively, or in addition, the flange 713F can be configured to inhibit air from flowing therethrough, e.g., airflow between the inner surface of a wrapper and the flange713F. In this implementation, the heating element 700F is formed from a single sheet of material. In some implementations, the heating element 700F can be formed from a plurality of sheets of material. In such implementations, a first sheet of material can be compressed in a mold to form the plurality of exterior walls 702F, and a second sheet of material can be further coupled to the first sheet of materials and compressed to form the flange 713F.

[0334] In some implementations, the flange 713F can extend radially outward from a top-most end 711 of the heating element 700F. The flange 713F can be configured to couple to a first divider, e.g., first divider 654a in FIGs. 6A-6D, disposed between the vaporizable material and the heating element 700F. The flange 713F can help attach the heating element 700F to the first divider and form a sealing between the heating element 700F and the first divider such that air could flow through an interior of the heating element 700F towards the vaporizable material straight through the first divider without escaping through a gap between the heating element 700F and the first divider as further described below.

[0335] FIGs. 10A and 10B illustrate implementations of mold sets 900A-900D that can be used to form the heating elements disclosed here. The mold sets 900A-990D have first mold parts 920A- 920D and second mold parts 922A-922D, where each second mold part engages with a respective first mold part of the mold set to at least partially form a heating element. For example, as shown FIG. 10A, the heating element 700D can be formed by placing a sheet of material, such as sheet of material 70 ID shown in FIG. 9E, onto a top surface 930A of the first mold part 920A, and then pressing the second mold part 922A onto the first mold part 920A. The second mold part 922A can have a bottom surface 932A configured and shaped to conform to the top surface 930A of the first mold part 920A. In some implementations, the first mold part 920A can include one or more piercing members 923A configured to create the one or more perforations 708D of the heating element 700D. The second mold part 922A can include one or more holes 924A corresponding to and configured to receive the one or more piercing members 923A when the second mold part 922A is brought toward and then into contact with the first mold part 920A. The top surface of the first mold part 920A and the bottom surface of the second mold part 922A can be configured to form any of the heating elements disclosed herein or any other desirable shape of a heating element from one or more sheets of material.

[0336] FIGs. 10C and 10D illustrate another implementation of a mold set 900E that includes a first mold part 920E and a second mold part 922E. The mold set 900E can be configured to formthe heating element 700F in a similar manner as the first mold parts 920A-920D and the second mold part 922A-922D described above. In some implementations, the first mold part 920E can have a flat platform 92 IE disposed around a recessed portion for receiving the heating element 700F. While not shown, it is to be understood that the recessed portion can include protrusions similar to that shown in FIGs. 10A and 10B. When the sheet of material for the heating element 700F is placed onto a top surface 930E of the first mold part 920E, a portion of the sheet of material is disposed over a portion of the platform 92 IE and configured to form the flange 713F of the heating element 700F. In some implementations, instead of a portion of the sheet of material, a separate sheet of material can be disposed over the portion of the platform 92 IE to form the flange 713F of the heating element 700F. In some implementations, while not shown, a third mold part can be used to press onto the platform 72 IE of the first mold part 720E and create the flange 713F of the heating element 700F.

[0337] FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a vaporizer device 1100a. As illustrated a vaporizer body 1110a or portion thereof can include two or more sets of inductors 1143a, 1143b, illustrated as helical coils extending in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vaporizer body 1110a. The vaporizer body 1110a can be similar to the vaporizer bodies 110, 210, 410 described herein.

[0338] The first inductor 1143a can be inductively coupled to a first heating element 1142a and second inductor 1143b can be inductively coupled to a second heating element 1142b. The inductors 1143a, 1143b can be surrounded by one or more flux concentrator 1148. The one or more flux concentrators 1148 can be configured to direct the electromagnetic field of each of the inductors 1143a, 1143b in a direction of the heating elements 1142, as described herein. A cartridge 1120A can be inserted into a receptacle 1118 of the vaporizer body 1110a.

[0339] As illustrated the cartridge 1120A can include a mouthpiece portion 1130 and a heater portion 1141 within one or more layers of material (illustrated as wrapper(s) 1122). The cartridge 1120A can extend between a cartridge proximal end 1120x and a cartridge distal end 1120y, with the dimension between the two being the cartridge length. Transverse to the cartridge length (from the front to the back) is the cartridge depth. Transverse to both the cartridge length and depth (from the left to the right) is the cartridge width. The heater portion 1141 can extend from a heater portion distal end 1141b to a heater portion proximal end 1141a and the mouthpiece portion 1130can extend from a mouthpiece portion distal end 1130b to a mouthpiece portion proximal end 1130a.

[0340] The heater portion 1141 can include a first heating element 1142a and a second heating element 1142b which can be susceptor(s) configured to be respectively inductively heated by the adjacent inductors 1143a, 1143b. The heater portion 1141 can include one or more heating element 1142 discussed with respect to FIGs. 6A-6R. The heater portion 1141 can further include vaporizable material 1102, which is downstream of the one or more heating element 1142. The heating element(s) 1142 can be configured to heat the vaporizable material 1102 to generate a vapor, such as by heating air that flows along and / or through the heating element(s) 1142 to convectively heat the vaporizable material 1102. As described herein, the heat can be generated through inductive means. The second heating element(s) 1142b can be disposed within the heater portion 1141 and / or at least partially define a volume within which the vaporizable material 1102 is held. The second heating element(s) 1142b can be configured to heat the vaporizable material 1102 to generate a vapor. As described herein, the heat can be generated through inductive means, and the generated heat can primarily heat the vaporizable material 1102 through conductive means. The volume within which the vaporizable material 1102 is held can be regarded as a heater chamber. Accordingly, the second heating element(s) 1142b can define at least a portion of a perimeter of a heater chamber containing the vaporizable material 1102, and in some implementations define substantially all of the perimeter.

[0341] Within the heater portion 1141, a first divider 1154a can be disposed between the first heating element(s) 1142a and the vaporizable material 1102. The first divider 1154a can retain the vaporizable material 1102 in place, such that the vaporizable material 1102 does not come in contact with and / or interfere with operation of the heating element(s) 1142. The mouthpiece portion 1130 can include a second divider 1154b disposed downstream of the vaporizable material 1102. The first divider 1154a can retain the vaporizable material 1102 in place, such that the vaporizable material 1102 does not come in contact with a user and / or interfere with aerosol generation. The first divider 1154a and / or second divider 1154b can be implemented in the same manner as the first divider 454a and / or second divider 454b of FIGs. 4A-4B. Additionally or alternatively, first divider 1154a and / or second divider 1154b can be implemented in the same manner as the dividers 1154 of FIGs. 6A-6D, 6R-6T.

[0342] The mouthpiece portion 1130 can include an airflow outlet channels 1126 that extends from the second divider 1154b (e.g., proximate the mouthpiece portion distal end 1130b) to one or more airflow outlets at the cartridge proximal end 1120x. The heater portion 1141 can include an end cap 1164 at the cartridge distal end 1120y to hold the one or more heating element 1142 within the cartridge 1120A. The end cap 1164 can include one or more cartridge inlets (e.g., though-holes) such that ambient air may enter the cartridge 1120 A. The mouthpiece portion 1130 can include an end cap 1174 at the cartridge proximal end 1120x. The end cap 1174 can include one or more cartridge outlets (e.g., though-holes) such that the inhalable aerosol may exit the cartridge 1120 A. Additionally or alternatively, the end cap 1164 and / or end cap 1174 can include an air-permeable material such, such as a filter, configured to allow air to enter the heater chamber through the material. The end cap 1164 and / or end cap 1174 can include material such as one or more of paper material such as cardstock, corrugated material such as cardboard or paper, tobacco paper, temperature-resistant plastic (e.g., PET), cellulose acetate, non-wood plant fibers such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto, and / or the like.

[0343] Providing the first heating element(s) 1142a and / or second heating element(s) 1142b in this manner can provide for a reduction in the total power required to operate a vaporizer device over the course of one session. For example, the first heating element(s) 1142a and / or second heating element(s) 1142b can be controlled to heat the vaporizable material 1102 in the same or similar manner as discussed above with respect to FIGs. 5A-5D. Where the first heating element(s) 1142a provides convective heat to heat the vaporizable material 1102 and is selectively powered (e.g., based on detection of a user puff), a vaporizer device power source can last longer between charges, providing significant benefits to users who wish to convert from traditional smoking to using heat not bum devices. Where the second heating element(s) 1142b is selectively powered (e.g., based on detection of a user puff) and / or powered to a lower temperature, a vaporizer device power source can last longer.

[0344] FIG. 7B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a vaporizer device 1100b. The vaporizer device 1100b can be substantially the same as the vaporizer device 1100a of FIG. 7A, with the exception of the cartridge 1120B. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the first divider 1154a can have a different construction, with intersecting trenches formed within the downstream end of the first divider 1154a in a cross-shaped pattern. The first divider 1154a can additionally include a plurality of through-holes defined through stand-offs at the downstream end of the first divider1154a. In some aspects, the stand-offs can define the trenches therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, the cartridge 1120B can include bypass channels 1138 forming a fluid connection between the second airflow outlet channel 1126 and ambient air.

[0345] FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a vaporizer device 1100c. The vaporizer device 1100c can be substantially the same as the vaporizer device 1100a of FIG. 7A, with the exception of the cartridge 1120C. As illustrated in FIG. 7C, the first heating element 1142 and first divider 1154a can have a different construction, which can be the same or substantially similar to the construction of the heating elements 642 and / or divider 654 illustrated and described with respect to FIGs. 6R-6S.

[0346] ] The various methodologies for heating and / or controlling the heating of a heating element described above (e.g., inductive heating) can be implemented based on the vaporizer devices and / or components thereof illustrated in FIGs. 11A-16B. The various implementations of cartridges 1200A-1200D, 1300, 1500, 1600 of FIGs. 11A-13C, 14, 15A-15B, 16A-16B can be the same as or similar to the cartridges 120, 220, 320, 420 of FIGs. 1-4B. The various implementations of heating elements 800A-800D, 1342a-1342b, 1504a-1504b, 1604a- 1064b of FIGs. 11A-13E, 14, 15B, 16B can be the same as or similar to the heating elements 142, 342, 442, 642, 1142a, 700A- 700F of FIGS. 1-6S, 7A-7C, 9A-9K.

[0347] In accordance with various implementations discussed above, a cartridge 1200A can include a wrapper 1122 holding a vaporizable material 102 and a heating element 800A as illustrated in FIGs. 11 A and 1 IB. The heating element 800A can be generally similar to the heating element 700D in FIG. 9D and have a top end 810A and a bottom end 812A. However, different from the heating element 700D, the top end 810A of the heating element 800 can include a top wall 809A with perforations 808A, and the bottom end 812A of the heating element 800A can be completely open. In some implementations, as shown in FIGs. 9D-9F, the heating element 700D can have the top end 710D and the bottom end 712D at least partially open. For example, the bottom end 712D can be a base 709D with one or more perforations 708D. It is to be understood that where no base exists, the bottom end of the heating element would be considered completely open. In other implementations, as shown in FIG. 9A-9C and 9G, the heating element 700A, 700B, 700C, 700E can have the top end 710A, 710B, 710C, 710E and the bottom end 712A, 712B, 712C, 712E both be completely open such that the heating element is formed into a continuous loop.

[0348] In some implementations, the cartridge 1200A can further include a first divider 840A configured to separate the vaporizable material 102 from the heating element 800A, as shown in FIGa. 11A and 1 IB. The heating element 800A can be coupled to the first divider 840 A. In some implementations, a top-most end 811A of the heating element 800A can be coupled to the first divider 840A. In some implementations, the cartridge 1200A can include one or more airflow inlets 820A to allow ambient air to enter the cartridge 1200A. As shown, the one or more airflow inlets 820 A extend through the wrapper 1122 A to allow ambient air to enter the cartridge and come in contact with the heating element 800A to be heated. In some implementations, the one or more airflow inlets 820A can be positioned proximate to a top end 810A of the heating element 800A. The one or more airflow inlets 820A can include one or more rows of apertures, where each row of apertures can be positioned along at least a portion of the wrapper to facilitate air inflow around a perimeter of the heating element 800A at the top end 810A. The one or more airflow inlets 820A can be positioned in regions where the wrapper 1122A overlaps with the heating element 800A such the air can enter and be directed between an inner surface of the wrapper 1122A and an outer surface of the heating element 800A. For example, as shown in FIGs. 11 A and 1 IB, the one or more airflow inlets 820A can include two rows of apertures to facilitate more air flow. In other implementations, for example, a cartridge with one or more airflow inlets can include one row of apertures, e.g., cartridge 1200B with airflow inlets 820B shown in FIG. 12, or can include more than two rows of apertures.

[0349] In some implementations, the wrapper can have an air passageway configured to direct incoming air (e.g., air from an exterior environment relative to the wrapper and / or cartridge (e.g., ambient environment)) into the wrapper, around and / or through the heating element to be heated, through the vaporizable material, and exit via a mouthpiece at a cartridge proximal end. It is to be understood that the specific structure of the air passageway can change depending at least upon the configuration of the heating element. Advantageously, the air passageway disclosed herein is configured to maximize a contact area between the heating element and the incoming air such that heating efficiency of such air can be increased. In accordance with various implementations disclosed herein, the cartridge and the heating element thereof can be configured such that a first portion of the air passageway can flow in a first direction, while a second portion of the air passageway can flow in a second direction to the first direction to facilitate further contact between the air and the heating element, where the first direction is different than the second direction (e.g.,the first direction can be opposite of the second direction). This can result in air counterflow within the wrapper, which can allow the heating element to be operated at a higher temperature compared to instances where no counterflow can occur. In other words, the incoming air, which is generally at a cooler temperature than that of the heating element can act as a heat sink for the heating element by absorbing some of the heat radiating from the heating element. As a result, the incoming air can be preheated before entering the interior of the heating element.

[0350] In some implementations, a cartridge can have a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The cartridge can include a wrapper extending between the cartridge proximal end and the cartridge distal end, and vaporizable material disposed within the wrapper, one or more first heating elements disposed within the wrapper and upstream of the vaporizable material, an airflow outlet channel can be disposed downstream of the vaporizable material, and an aerosol outlet downstream of the airflow outlet channel and configured to provide the aerosol to a user. The one or more first heating elements can be configured to heat air passing proximate and / or through the one or more first heating elements to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material, the one or more first heating elements comprise a top end and a bottom end, and the airflow outlet channel comprises at least one condensation chamber within which the vaporized vaporizable material condenses to form at least a portion of an aerosol. The wrapper of the cartridge can include one or more airflow inlets allowing ambient air to enter through the wrapper and contact the one or more first heating elements. The wrapper can include an air passageway extending along an exterior surface of the one or more first heating elements and through an interior of the one or more first heating elements to allow incoming air to travel in one or more first directions along the outer surface and in one or more second directions through the interior, thereby creating air counterflow within the wrapper.

[0351] Examples of cartridges that are configured with air counterflow are illustrated in FIGs. 11A-12 Cartridge 1200A (FIGs. 11A-11B) and cartridge 1200B (FIG. 12) can include an air passageway that extends from the one or more airflow inlets 820A, 820B along a first airflow path 902A, 902B extending between an interior surface 903 A, 903B of the wrapper 1122A, 1122B and an exterior surface 905A, 905B of the heating element 800A, 800B. In some implementations, as shown in FIGs. 11A-12, the air passageway can further extend along a second airflow path 904A, 904B, downstream of the first airflow path 902A, 902B and extending along at least a portion of a bottom-most end 813A, 813B of the heating element 800A, 800B. As further shown in FIG.1 IB (and obstructed in FIG. 12), the air passageway can further extend along a third airflow path 906A that extends through an interior 83 OA of the heating element 800A towards the vaporizable material. The air passageway illustrated in FIGs. 11A-12 allows air counterflow to occur with the wrapper during use of the cartridge, as described above. In use, air passing through the air passageway can be heated by the heating element 800A, 800B. The heated air can then pass through the vaporizable material 102 and heat the vaporizable material 102 to entrain the vaporized material generated. The air that entrains the vaporized material can continue to mix to form an inhalable aerosol which then travels towards and out of the cartridge proximal end 320a where it is inhaled by the user.

[0352] In some implementations, the cartridge 1200A, 1200B can include a first divider 840A, 840B. In some implementations, the air passageway can further extend along a fourth airflow path 908 A, 908B extending through the first divider 840A, 840B towards the vaporizable material 102 and the cartridge proximal end 320a. Advantageously, the first divider 840A, 840B can physically separate the vaporizable material 102 and the heating element 800A, 800B and help to secure the vaporizable material 102 in place. The first divider can have a variety of structural configurations. In some implementations, the first divider 840A, as illustrated in FIGs. 11A-1 IB, can be formed of a sheet of material having one or more apertures 842A extending through the sheet of material, where the one or more apertures 842A are configured to allow air to pass through.

[0353] In some implementations, as illustrated in FIG. 1 IB, the first divider 840B of the cartridge 1200B can be formed of a spacer having a top layer 844B, a bottom layer 846B, and one or more corrugated layers 845B extending therebetween. The first divider 840B can also include one or more apertures 842B formed through the top layer 844B, the bottom layer 846B, and the one or more corrugated layers 845B to allow air to pass through the first divider 840B.

[0354] While not shown, the cartridge 1200B can also include a second divider, e.g., a second divider that is the same or similar to second divider 1154b shown in FIG. 7A, which can be configured to separate the vaporizable material from an airflow outlet channel leading to the mouthpiece of the cartridge. In some implementations, with further reference to FIG. 12, the cartridge 1200B can further include a third divider 848B disposed within the wrapper 1122B and positioned between the heating element 800B and the cartridge distal end 320b, opposite to the cartridge proximal end 320a. The third divider 848B can be configured to at least partially prevent air within the wrapper 1122B from exiting towards the cartridge distal end 320b through the thirddivider 848B. In some implementations, a bottom-most end 813B of the heating element 800B can be spaced a distance apart from the third divider 848B. As a result, the second airflow path 904B of the air passageway of the cartridge 1200B can extend between the bottom-most end 813B of the heating element 800B and the third divider 848B.

[0355] In some implementations, the third divider 848B can be formed of a spacer having a top layer 854B, a bottom layer 855B, and one or more corrugated layers 856B similar to the first divider 840B, except that the third divider 848B does not include apertures. As a result, the third divider 848B can be formed of a sheet of material configured to at least partially prevent air from passing therethrough and out of the cartridge 1200B. Further, the multiple layers of the spacer, e.g., of the first divider 840B, the third divider 848B, or both, can help insulate the heat provided by the heating element during use.

[0356] In some implementations, depending on the length of the heating element, two or more inductors can be used to heat the heating element. In such implementations, the heating element can be operated at a higher power when coupled electrically to two separate inductors instead of one single inductor. Further, the two or more conductors can help simulate a desired amount of eddy current in the heating element so that the air can enter the vaporizable material at a target temperature. In addition, the two or more conductors can help maintain a desired heating profile across the heating element during use. For example, the two or more inductors can help maintain a generally uniform temperature across the heating element. By way of example, in use, a first inductor can heat a first portion of the heating element to a first temperature, and a second inductor can heat a second portion of the heating element to a second temperature, where the first temperature and the second temperature are equal or where the first and the second temperature are similar (e.g., ±5 degrees). Alternatively, or in addition, the two or more inductors can be configured to heat different portions of the heating element to different temperatures.

[0357] FIGs. 13A and 13B illustrate another implementation of a cartridge 1200C similar to the cartridge 1200B of FIG. 1 ID, except for the structural configuration of the heating element 800C and includes a second divider 849C. The heating element 800C of the cartridge 1200C can have a length extending along the y axis of the vaporizer cartridge that allows the heating element 800C to correspond and electrically couple to a first inductor 1143a and a second inductor 1143b, when the cartridge 1200C is inserted into the vaporizer body 1410 of a vaporizer device 1400a, as shown in FIG. 13B. For simplicity, only a portion of the vaporizer device 1400a is illustrated. The secondinductor 1143b can be located above and spaced apart from the first inductor 1143a. In some implementations, the heating element 800C can have a length greater than a distance from a bottom end 1145a of the first inductor 1143a to a top end 1145b of the second inductor 1143b. In use, the first inductor 1143a can heat a first portion (e.g., a top portion) of the heating element 800C to a first temperature, and the second inductor 1143b can heat a second portion (e.g., a bottom portion) of the heating element to a second temperature. In some implementations, the first temperature can be equal to or greater than the second temperature. In some implementations, the first temperature can be less than the second temperature.

[0358] FIGs. 13C-13E illustrate another implementation of a cartridge 1200D that can be removabley coupled to a vaporizer body 1420 of vaporizer device 1400a and powered by the vaporizer device 1400b. In some implementations, the first divider 840D of the cartridge 1200D can include one or more second heating elements. In some implementations, the one or more second heating elements can be a conduction disk 850. The conduction disk 850 can be configured to correspond and electrically coupled to the second inductor 1143b, while the heating element 800D can be configured to correspond and electrically coupled to the first inductor 1143a. The conduction disk 850 can be inductively heated by the second inductor 1143b and configured to conductively heat the vaporizable material 102. In some implementations, the conduction disk 850 can be placed in contact with the vaporizable 102. The conduction disk 850 can be formed of a conductive sheet of material 847. In some implementations, the conduction disk 850 can include one or more apertures 845 configured to allow air to pass therethrough, as illustrated in more detail in FIG. 13D. In some implementations, the first divider 840D can include only the conduction disk 850 which can be configured to both separate the vaporizable material 102 from the heating element 800D, and conductively heat the vaporizable material 102. In other implementations, the first divider 840D can further include a spacer 84 ID as described above and shown in FIGs. 13C and 13E, where the spacer 84 ID can be configured to separate the heating element 800D and the conduction disk 850. In some implementations, the conduction disk 850 and the spacer 841D can be spaced apart from each other at a distance such that a predominant amount of generated heat from the conduction disk 850 is transferred to the heating element 800D and not the third divider 848D. In other implementations, the conduction disk 850 can also be embedded inside the vaporizable material to more evenly heat the vaporizable material by generating heat from within the vaporizable material.

[0359] It can be advantageous to operate the first inductors 1143a and the 1143b at different frequencies, such that the one or more first heating elements (e.g., the heating element 800D) and the one or more second heating elements (e.g., the conduction disk 850) can be individually controlled and / or operated at different temperatures. In some implementations, the conduction disk 850 can have a first thickness different than a second thickness of the heating element 800D. For example, the conduction disk 850 can have a first thickness greater than the second thickness of the heating element 800D, while the second inductor 1143b is operated at a first frequency lower than a second frequency at which the first inductor 1143a is operated, such that the conduction disk 850 is more likely to couple to the second inductor 1143b, while the heating element 800D is more likely to couple to the first inductor 1143a. In some implementations, the conduction disk 850 can be formed of a first material and the heating element 800D can be formed of a second material that is different than the first material, so that the conduction disk 850 is more likely to couple to the second inductor 1143b, and the heating element 800D is more likely to couple to the first inductor 1143 a.

[0360] In some implementations, the conduction disk 850 can be added to the cartridge 1200C with a third inductor added to the vaporizer device 1400a. Although not shown, it is to be understood that a third inductor similar to the first and the second inductors 1143a and 1143b can be included in the vaporizer device 1400a. With the third inductor and the conduction disk 850 added to the cartridge 1200C, the conduction disk 850 can be configured to correspond and electrically coupled to the third inductor. The conduction disk 850 can further provide heat to the vaporizable material 102 by conduction in addition to the convectively heated air coming from the heating element 800C.

[0361] In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 14, a cartridge 1300 can be configured to couple with a first inductor 843a, a second inductor 843b, and a third inductor 843c of a vaporizer body (not shown). The first inductor 843 a can be configured to couple to one or more first heating element 1342a to convectively heat air, which would flow towards and through the vaporizable material 102 as previously described. The vaporizable material 102 can be wrapped around by one or more second heating element 1342b, the one or more second heating element 1342b configured to couple to the second and the third inductors 843b and 843c. As such, the one or more second heating element 1342b can be powered at a higher power or more efficiently as compared to using one single inductor.

[0362] Advantageously, the first inductor 1143a for the heating element 800D or the first inductor 843 a for the one or more first heating element 1342a can be actuated upon detection of a puff by the user to convectively produce heated air and generate aerosol in a first heating mode. However, in a second heating mode, the second inductor 1143b for the conduction disk 850 or the inductors 843b, 843 c for the second heating elements 1342b can be actuated prior to the detection of the puff to conductively preheat and prepare the vaporizable material for faster aerosol production and better taste. For example, the vaporizer device can be configured to operate in the second heating mode periodically to constantly keep the vaporizable material at a desirable temperature. In other implementations, upon detection of a puff, the vaporizer device can be configured operate in the second heating mode for a first period of time to first pre-heat the vaporizable material conductively, and then operate in the first heating mode for a second period time to heat the air and produce an aerosol for use by the user. In some implementations, the first period of time and the second period of time can partially overlap or completely overlap.

[0363] In the first heating mode, the heating elements 800D, 1342a can be actuated to heat the incoming air (e.g., air traveling through the wrapper and along and / or through the heating element) to a temperature in a range of 180°C-350°C, a range of 200°C-300°C, a range of 230°C-280°C, over 200°C, about 250°C, or about 280°C. In some implementations, in the second heating mode, the conduction disk 850 or the one or more second heating element 1342b can be configured to heat the vaporizable material to a temperature in a range of 100°C-200°C, a range of 130°C-180°C, a range of 130°C-150°C, about 130°C, or about 150°C.

[0364] In another aspect, the various features of vaporizer devices, cartridges, and heating elements thereof can be further implemented as shown in FIGs. 15A-16B. FIGs. 15A-16B illustrate cartridges 1500 and 1600 that can be used with vaporizer devices in accordance with various implementations, for example, the vaporizer devices 1100a- 1100c in FIGs. 7A-7C and / or vaporizer devices 1400a, 1400b in FIGs. 13B and 13E described herein. With reference to FIGs. 15A and 15B, the cartridge 1500 can include a first vaporizable material 1502a and a second vaporizable material 1502b. In some implementations, the first vaporizable material 1502a can be the same or different from the second vaporizable material 1502b.

[0365] The cartridge 1500 can further include a first heating element 1504a configured to heat air flowing towards the first vaporizable material 1502a, and a second heating 1504b configured to heat air flowing towards the second vaporizable material 1502b. The heating elements 1504a and1504b can be in the form of any of the various heating elements disclosed above. For example, the first heating element 1504a and the second heating 1504b can each be configured to heat air flowing therethrough to heat the first vaporizable material 1502a and the second vaporizable material, 1502b, respectively. Having two vaporizable materials 1502a, 1502b each being heated by its own separate heating element 1504a, 1504b positioned side-by-side can allow more variations in strength, formulation, or taste of the aerosol. As shown in FIGs. 15A and 15B, the first vaporizable material 1502a and the first heating element 1504a are positioned next to the second vaporizable material 1502b and the second heating 1504b (e.g., positioned lateral offset from each other, e.g., along the x-direction).

[0366] In some implementations, the cartridge 1500 can further include a first spacer 1506a and a second spacer 1506b, the first spacer 1506a disposed above or downstream of the first heating element 1504a, while the second spacer 1506b disposed below or upstream of the second heating 1504b as shown in FIG. 15B. Alternatively, the first spacer 1506a can be disposed upstream of the first heating element 1504a, while the second spacer 1506b disposed downstream of the second heating 1504b. The first and second vaporizable material 1502a and 1502b, the first and the second heating elements 1504a and 1504b, and the first and the second spacers 1506a and 1506b can all be disposed inside a wrapper 1510 to form the cartridge 1500 similar to the implementations discussed above. The first and the second spacers 1506a, 1506b can be formed of any suitable material to act as a divider between various components. For example, the first and the second spacers 1506a, 1506b can each be formed of silicone, cellulose, a high temperature plastic, wood, the like, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the first spacer 1506a, the second spacer 1506b, or both can be a porous structure that can act as filter to prevent undesirable particles to enter the first and second vaporizable material 1502a, 1502b.

[0367] By including the first and second spacers 1506a, 1506b to offset the first and the second heating elements 1504a, 1504b can allow each heating element 1504a, 1504b to be coupled with its respective inductors 1522, 1524 when used with a vaporizer device. For example, the first heating element 1504a can only or primarily couple to a first inductor 1522, while the second heating 1504b can only or primarily couple to a second inductor 1524. In this dual-zone configuration, the cartridge 1500 can allow different operation settings for the first and second heating elements 1504a, 1504b, and therefore allow different heating rate, heating temperature, orheating time of first and second vaporizable materials 1502a, 1502b. Additionally, including two inductors can provide higher power to heat the heating elements 1504a, 1504b when desired.

[0368] In yet another implementation, a cartridge 1600 can similarly include a first vaporizable material 1602a and a second vaporizable material 1602b disposed inside a wrapper 1610 as shown in FIGs. 16A and 16B. The wrapper 1610 can extend between a proximal end 1612 and a distal end 1614. The first vaporizable material 1602a can be the same or different from the second vaporizable material 1602b. However, different from the cartridge 1500, the first vaporizable material 1602a and the second vaporizable material 1602b can be positioned along a longitudinal axis y of the cartridge 1600 such that the first vaporizable 1602a can be upstream or downstream of the second vaporizable material 1602b. For example, as shown in FIG. 16B, the first vaporizable material 1602a is positioned downstream of second vaporizable material 1602b. The cartridges 1600 can further include a first heating element 1604a and a second heating element 1604b configured to convectively heat air that passes into and through the first and the second vaporizable material 1602a, 1602b in accordance with the disclosure herein. The first heating element 1604a can be disposed upstream of the first vaporizable material 1602a and between the first vaporizable material 1602a and the second vaporizable material 1602b, while the second heating element 1604b can be disposed upstream of the second vaporizable material 1602b and the distal end 1614 of the wrapper 1610. In use, incoming air can enter the cartridge 1600 through the distal end 1614 of the wrapper 1610, then heated by the second heating element 1604b, where the heated air then travels through the second vaporizable material 1604b. Thereafter, the vaporized material and air can then travel through the first heating element 1604a where at least the air is further heated and then the vaporized material and further heated air travels through the first vaporizable material 1602a.

[0369] The first heating element 1604a and the second heating element 1604b can be respectively positioned to couple to a first inductor 1622 and a second inductor 1624 to allow separate operation settings of the two heating elements 1604a, 1604b to produce an aerosol combining the vaporized material from the first and the second vaporizable materials 1602a, 1602b at different temperatures, different timings, and different ratios. For example, an air passing through the second heating element 1604b can be configured to heat the air passing through the second vaporizable material 1602b to a second temperature, and the first heating element 1604a can be configured to heat already heated air and aerosol coming from the second vaporizable material1602b. As the air passing through the first vaporizable material 1602a is already heated by the second vaporizable material 1602b, the first heating element 1604a can require less power to heat the air passing through the first vaporizable material 1602a to a first temperature that is higher than the second temperature, ft is to be understood that while two sets of vaporizable materials and heating elements are illustrated in FIGS. 15A-16B, three or more sets of vaporizable materials and heating elements can be produced and used in a similar manner as disclosed herein.Terminology

[0370] ft will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein to refer to relative locations of the referenced devices and / or components. Although “proximal” is generally used to refer to a location that is at or near a user when the device and / or component is in use, and “distal” is generally used to refer to a location that is away from a user when the device and / or component is in use, these terms are not intended to be absolute. For example, a “proximal” end and / or a “distal” end of a component need not be the absolute furthest points on the referenced ends, and can instead refer to a general region at or near the referenced end. Further, opposing “proximal” ends and “distal” ends of a component need not be completely and / or perfectly opposite each other, as the shapes of each end can differ and / or the component may not be perfectly linear (e.g., one or more longitudinal dimensions of the component can be of different lengths).

[0371] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and / or elements can also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present, ft will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements can be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present.

[0372] Although described or shown with respect to one implementation, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other implementations. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature can have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0373] Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and can be abbreviated as “ / ”.

[0374] In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of’ or “one or more of’ can occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and / or” can also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and / or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and / or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

[0375] Spatially relative terms, such as “forward”, “rearward”, “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, can be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0376] Although the terms “first” and “second” can be used herein to describe various features / elements (including steps), these features / elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms can be used to distinguish one feature / element from another feature / element. Thus, a first feature / element discussed below could be termed a second feature / element, and similarly, a second feature / element discussed below could be termed a first feature / element without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0377] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers can be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” can be used when describing magnitude and / or position to indicate that the value and / or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and / or positions. For example, a numeric value can have a value that is + / - 0.1 % of the stated value (or range of values), + / - 1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / - 2% of the stated value (or range of values), + / - 5% of the stated value (or range of values), + / - 10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed that “less than or equal to” the value, “greater than or equal to the value” and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if the value “X” is disclosed the “less than or equal to X” as well as “greater than or equal to X” (e.g., where X is a numerical value) is also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout the application, data is provided in a number of different formats, and that this data, represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any combination of the data points. For example, if a particular data point “10” and a particular data point “15” are disclosed, it is understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are considered disclosed as well as between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0378] Although various illustrative implementations are described above, any of a number of changes can be made to various implementations without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed can often be changed in alternative implementations, and in other alternative implementations one or more method steps can be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system implementations can be included in some implementations and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

[0379] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which can be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0380] These computer programs, which can also be referred to programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logical programming language, and / or in assembly / machine language. As used herein, the term “machine -readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and / or device, such as for example magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor. The machine -readable medium can store such machine instructions non-transitorily, such as forexample, as would a non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine -readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0381] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific implementations in which the subject matter can be practiced. As mentioned, other implementations can be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such implementations of the inventive subject matter can be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific implementations have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose can be substituted for the specific implementations shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various implementations. Combinations of the above implementations, and other implementations not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the cartridge comprising: a wrapper extending between the cartridge proximal end and the cartridge distal end; vaporizable material disposed within the wrapper; one or more first heating elements disposed within the wrapper and upstream of the vaporizable material, the one or more first heating elements configured to heat air passing proximate and / or through the one or more first heating elements to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material; an airflow outlet channel downstream of the vaporizable material, wherein the airflow outlet channel comprises at least one condensation chamber within which the vaporized vaporizable material condenses to form at least a portion of an aerosol; and an aerosol outlet downstream of the airflow outlet channel and configured to provide the aerosol to a user.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a first divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the vaporizable material and the one or more first heating elements, the first divider separating the vaporizable material from the one or more first heating elements.

3. The cartridge of claim 2, further comprising a second divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the vaporizable material and the airflow outlet channel.

4. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprises an interior and an exterior configured to allow air to pass through the interior and around the exterior.

5. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprises an interior wall and a plurality of exterior walls extending from one end of the interior wall to another end of the interior wall, optionally wherein the plurality of exterior walls are defined by sequential exterior bends and interior bends which respectively direct the shape of the one or more first heating elements towards the interior wall and away from the interior wall.

6. The cartridge of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first heating element comprises a plurality of sequential interior and exterior bends to form a wavelike pattern throughout the heating element, optionally wherein the wavelike structure is formed of a single sheet of material with two opposing ends joined.

7. The cartridge of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprises a plurality of exterior walls and interior walls, separated by intermediate walls, and wherein each exterior wall is formed between adjacent exterior bends, each interior wall is formed between adjacent interior bends, and / or each intermediate wall is formed between adjacent exterior bends and interior bends.

8. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprise two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides, wherein each long side comprises one exterior wall and two intermediate walls, and wherein each short side comprises two intermediate walls and optionally one exterior wall.

9. The cartridge of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprises a plurality of loops of metal material, wherein the plurality of loops of metal material are held in place by a support structure configured to contact an interior perimeter of the wrapper.

10. The cartridge of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprises wherein the one or more first heating elements comprises a plurality of loops of metal material, wherein the plurality of loops of metal material are packed within a heater section.

11. The cartridge of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprises a plurality of discs extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the wrapper.

12. The cartridge of any one of claims 1-4, wherein each of the one or more first heating elements comprises a pair of opposing segments with an interior formed therebetween, wherein each of the opposing segments comprises an aperture for airflow into or out of the interior, optionally wherein the segments are concave and / or dome shaped.

13. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a mouthpiece proximate the cartridge proximal end.

14. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:a first endcap disposed within the wrapper, the first endcap proximate the cartridge distal end.

15. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a second endcap disposed within the wrapper, the second endcap proximate the cartridge proximal end.

16. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: one or more second heating element disposed within the wrapper, the one or more second heating element disposed to at least partially surround the vaporizable material and / or conductive ly heat the vaporizable material.

17. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first heating element comprises a susceptor.

18. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vaporizable material comprises tobacco leaves and a humectant.

19. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first heating elements are in contact with or in close proximity to at least a portion of the vaporizable material, and wherein the one or more first heating elements are further configured to conductively heat the vaporizable material.

20. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapper comprises a primary wrapper and a secondary wrapper, wherein the primary wrapper comprises one or more of a paper material, cardstock, corrugated material, cardboard, tobacco paper, temperature- resistant plastic, and non-wood plant fibers.

21. The cartridge of any one of claims 4-20, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprise a plurality of exterior walls defined by exterior bends and interior bends which respectively direct the shape of the one or more first heating elements towards the interior defined by the plurality of exterior walls of the one or more first heating elements and away from the interior of the one or more first heating elements.

22. The cartridge of claim 21 , wherein the one or more first heating elements comprise at least one first heating element that is formed of a single sheet of material.

23. The cartridge of claim 21 , wherein the wrapper extends from a first end to a second end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and wherein the plurality of exterior walls of the one or more first heating elements are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrapper.

24. The cartridge of claim 21 , wherein the wrapper extends from a first end to a second end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and wherein the plurality of exterior walls of the one or more first heating elements are angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the wrapper and extend away from the interior of the heating element.

25. The cartridge of claim 21 , wherein the wrapper extends from a first end to a second end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and wherein the plurality of exterior walls of the one or more first heating elements are angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the wrapper and extend towards from the interior of the heating element.

26. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross-section of the one or more first heating elements is generally oval.

27. The cartridge of claim 22, wherein the one or more first heating elements comprise a top end and a bottom end.

28. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the top end and the bottom end are at least partially open ends.

29. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the top end of the one or more first heating elements is an open end, and the bottom end of the one or more first heating elements is a closed end having one or more perforations.

30. The cartridge of claim 27, wherein the one or more first heating elements further comprise a flange extending outward from an outer surface of a top-most end of the one or more first heating elements, the flange configured to couple to the first divider.

31. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first heating elements are coupled to the first divider.

32. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapper comprises one or more airflow inlets allowing ambient air to enter through the wrapper and contact the one or more first heating elements.

33. The cartridge of claim 32, wherein the one or more airflow inlets comprises one or more rows of apertures.

34. The cartridge of claim 32 or claim 33, wherein the one or more airflow inlets are positioned proximate to the top end of the one or more first heating elements.

35. The cartridge of any one of claims 32 to 34, wherein the wrapper comprises an air passageway, the air passageway extending from the one or more airflow inlets along a first airflowpath extending between an interior surface of the wrapper and an exterior surface of the one or more first heating elements, along a second airflow path downstream of the first airflow path and extending along at least a portion of a bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements, and along a third airflow path that extends through an interior of the one or more first heating elements, and towards the vaporizable material.

36. The cartridge of claim 35, wherein the air passageway further comprises a fourth airflow path extending through the first divider and towards the cartridge proximal end.

37. The cartridge of any one of preceding claims, further comprising a third divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the one or more first heating elements and the cartridge distal end.

38. The cartridge of claim 37, wherein the top-most end of the one or more first heating elements is coupled to the first divider, and a bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements is spaced apart from the third divider.

39. The cartridge of claim 38, wherein the second airflow path extends between the bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements and the third divider.

40. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first divider comprises a spacer, the spacer comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and one or more corrugated layers extending therebetween.

41. The cartridge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first divider comprises one or more second heating elements configured to conductively heat the vaporizable material.

42. The cartridge of claim 41, wherein the one or more second heating elements comprise a conduction disk.

43. The cartridge of claim 42, wherein the conduction disk comprises conductive material having one or more perforations extending therethrough.

44. The cartridge of claim 42, wherein the first divider further comprises a spacer positioned between the conduction disk and the one or more first heating elements, the spacer comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and one or more corrugated layers extending therebetween, positioned.

45. The cartridge of claim 44, wherein the conduction disk and the spacer are spaced apart from each other at a distance.

46. The cartridge of claim 42, wherein the conduction disk has a first thickness different from a second thickness of the one or more first heating elements.

47. The cartridge of claim 42, wherein the conduction disk comprises a first material and the one or more first heating elements comprise a second material that different than the first material.

48. A cartridge having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the cartridge comprising: a wrapper extending between the cartridge proximal end and the cartridge distal end; vaporizable material disposed within the wrapper; one or more first heating elements disposed within the wrapper and upstream of the vaporizable material, the one or more first heating elements configured to heat air passing proximate and / or through the one or more first heating elements to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material, the one or more first heating elements comprise a top end and a bottom end; an airflow outlet channel downstream of the vaporizable material, wherein the airflow outlet channel comprises at least one condensation chamber within which the vaporized vaporizable material condenses to form at least a portion of an aerosol; an aerosol outlet downstream of the airflow outlet channel and configured to provide the aerosol to a user, wherein the wrapper comprises one or more airflow inlets allowing ambient air to enter through the wrapper and contact the one or more first heating elements, and wherein the wrapper comprises an air passageway extending along an exterior surface of the one or more first heating elements and through an interior of the one or more first heating elements to allow incoming air to travel in one or more first directions along the outer surface and in one or more second directions through the interior, thereby creating air counterflow within the wrapper.

49. The cartridge of claim 48, wherein the air passageway extends from the one or more airflow inlets along at least a first airflow path, the first airflow path extending between an interior surface of the wrapper and the exterior surface of the one or more first heating elements, and towards the cartridge distal end.

50. The cartridge of claim 49, wherein the air passageway further extends along a second airflow path that extends adjacent to at least a portion of a bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements.

51. The cartridge of claim 50, wherein the air passageway further extends along a third airflow path that extends through an interior of the one or more heating elements52. The cartridge of any one of claims 48 to 51, further comprises a first divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the vaporizable material and the one or more first heating elements, the first divider separating the vaporizable material from the one or more first heating elements.

53. The cartridge of claim 52, wherein the air passageway further extends along a fourth airflow path extending through the first divider and towards the cartridge proximal end.

54. The cartridge of any one of claims 52 or 53, further comprises a second divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the vaporizable material and the airflow outlet channel.

55. The cartridge of claim 54, further comprises a third divider disposed within the wrapper and positioned between the one or more first heating elements and the cartridge distal end.

56. The cartridge of claim 55, wherein the top-most end of the one or more first heating elements is coupled to the first divider, and a bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements is spaced apart from the third divider.

57. The cartridge of claim 56, wherein the second airflow path extends between the bottom-most end of the one or more first heating elements and the third divider.

58. The cartridge of any one of claims 52 to 54, wherein the first divider comprises a spacer, the spacer comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and one or more corrugated layers extending therebetween.

59. The cartridge of any one of claims 52 to 54, wherein the first divider comprises one or more second heating elements configured to conductively heat the vaporizable material.

60. The cartridge of claim 59, wherein one or more second heating elements comprise a conduction disk.

61. The cartridge of claim 60, wherein the conduction disk comprises conductive material having one or more perforations extending therethrough.

62. The cartridge of claim 60, wherein the first divider further comprises a spacer positioned between the conduction disk and the one or more first heating elements, the spacer comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and one or more corrugated layers extending therebetween, positioned.

63. The cartridge of claim 62, wherein the conduction disk and the spacer are spaced apart from each other at a distance.

64. The cartridge of claim 60, wherein the conduction disk has a first thickness greater than a second thickness of the one or more first heating elements.

65. The cartridge of claim 60, wherein the conduction disk comprises a first material and the one or more first heating elements comprise a second material that is different than the first material.

66. The cartridge of any one of claims 48 to 65, wherein the one or more airflow inlets comprise one or more rows of apertures.

67. The cartridge of any one of claims 48 to 65, wherein the one or more airflow inlets are positioned proximate to the top end of the one or more first heating elements.

68. The cartridge of any one of claims 48 to 65, wherein the one or more first heating elements are in contact with or in close proximity to at least a portion of the vaporizable material, and wherein the one or more first heating elements are further configured to conductively heat the vaporizable material.

69. A vaporizer device comprising: a cartridge of any one of the preceding claims; a device body comprising a first inductor configured to generate a first magnetic and / or electromagnetic field to heat the one or more first heating elements; and a controller configured to selectively apply power to the first inductor.

70. The vaporizer device of claim 69, further comprising a second inductor configured to generate a second magnetic and / or electromagnetic field to heat the one or more first heating elements, the one or more second heating elements, or both.

71. The vaporizer device of claim 70, wherein the first inductor is configured to operate at a first frequency, and the second inductor is configured to operate at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

72. The vaporizer device of any one of claims 70 to 71 , wherein the second inductor is positioned closer to the cartridge proximal end than the first inductor.

73. The vaporizer device of any one of claims 70 to 72, wherein the first inductor is configured to heat the one or more first heating elements to a first temperature, and the second inductor is configured to heat the one or more second heating elements to a second temperature, the first temperature being greater than the second temperature.

74. The vaporizer device of any one of claims 70 to 72, wherein the first inductor is configured to heat a first portion of the one or more first heating elements to a first temperature, and the second inductor is configured to heat a second portion of one or more first heating elements to a second temperature.

75. The vaporizer device of claim 74, wherein the first temperature is equal to or greater than the second temperature.

76. The vaporizer device of claim 74, wherein the first temperature is less than the second temperature.

77. The vaporizer device of any one of claims 70 to 76, further comprising a third inductor configured to generate a third magnetic and / or electromagnetic field to heat the one or more first heating elements, the one or more second heating elements, or a combination thereof.

78. The vaporizer device of claim 77, wherein the third inductor is configured to operate at a third frequency that is different from the first frequency, the second frequency, or both.

79. The vaporizer device of any one of claims 69 to 78, further comprising one or more sensors configured to detect a user puff on the cartridge, wherein the controller is further configured to apply the power to the first inductor based on detection of the user puff.

80. The vaporizer device of claim 79, wherein the controller is configured to apply the power to the second inductor prior to the detect of the user puff.

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