Cartridges for vaporizer devices

Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge can include a reservoir configured to contain a plurality of encapsulated particles and an airflow tube extending through the reservoir. Each of the plurality of encapsulated particles includes a core formed of a liquid vaporizable material and a coating material that forms a shell surrounding the core, in which the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles are configured to be selectively ruptured to release the liquid vaporizable material therefrom. The airflow tube includes a wicking element that is in communication with the reservoir, in which the wicking element is configured to draw, into the airflow tube for vaporization, at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material that is released by rupturing one or more shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles. Vaporizer devices are also provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to vaporizer devices, including vaporizer cartridges.

BACKGROUND

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 vapor-phase and/or 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 vaporizing 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.

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 for example, a separable part of the vaporizer device that contains vaporizable material) that includes an outlet (for example, a mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by a user.

To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by a vaporizer device, a user may, 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 the vaporized vaporizable material with the volume of air.

An approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (e.g., a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizable material to be converted to the gas (or vapor) phase. A vaporization chamber 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 mixture of air and vaporized material to form a vapor for inhalation of the vaporizable material by a user of the vaporizer device.

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

In various implementations, a vaporizer device may be configured for use with liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which an active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution or a neat liquid form of the vaporizable material itself). In such instances, the liquid vaporizable material can be stored within a reservoir of the device (or of a cartridge for use with the device). However, a free liquid reservoir has a potential to leak.

Vaporizable material leaks are problematic because such leaks typically interfere with the functionality and cleanliness of the vaporizer device (e.g., leaked vaporizable material plugs the electric ports or makes a mess that requires cleaning). Additionally, user experience is negatively impacted by leakage of vaporizable material from a cartridge due to the possibility of staining or damaging other articles or fabrics adjacent to a leaking cartridge. Leaks into certain parts of a cartridge or a vaporizer device may also result in liquid vaporizable material bypassing an atomizer configured to convert the liquid vaporizable material to vapor or aerosol form, thereby causing a user to experience unpleasant sensations from inhaling the vaporizable material in the liquid form.

Alternatively, the liquid vaporizable material can be absorbed into and stored within a porous material. However, when using a porous material as a storage medium, inconsistent dosing of the liquid vaporizable material over the lifetime of the vaporizer device can lead to challenges around volumetric efficiency and can also result in poor delivery characteristics.

Accordingly, vaporization devices and/or vaporization cartridges that address one or more of these issues are desired.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the current subject matter relate to vaporizer devices and to cartridges for use in a vaporizer device.

In some variations, one or more of the following features may optionally be included in any feasible combination.

In one exemplary embodiment, a cartridge is provided and includes a reservoir configured to contain a plurality of encapsulated particles and an airflow tube extending through the reservoir. Each of the plurality of encapsulated particles includes a core formed of a liquid vaporizable material and a coating material that forms a shell surrounding the core, in which the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles are configured to be selectively ruptured to release the liquid vaporizable material therefrom. The airflow tube includes a wicking element that is in communication with the reservoir, in which the wicking element is configured to draw, into the airflow tube for vaporization, at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material that is released by rupturing one or more shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles.

In some embodiments, the wicking element can be configured to substantially draw at least a portion of ruptured shells into the airflow tube for vaporization. In such embodiments, the vaporization of the portion of the ruptured shells drawn into the airflow tube can occur concurrently with the vaporization of the liquid vaporizable material.

In some embodiments, the wicking element can be configured to be selectively bulk heated to thermally rupture a portion of the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles to release the liquid vaporizable material therefrom. In such embodiments, the portion of the shells that are ruptured can be within a predetermined distance of the wicking element.

In some embodiments, the wicking element can be configured to receive at least a portion of the released liquid vaporizable material under the influence of gravity.

The reservoir can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the reservoir can include at least one vent that can be configured to substantially allow air to pass into the reservoir. The at least one vent can be configured to inhibit the plurality of encapsulated particles to pass therethrough and out of the reservoir.

The shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the shells of the plurality of the encapsulated particles can be configured to be thermally ruptured. In other embodiments, the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles can be configured to be mechanically ruptured. In yet other embodiments, the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles can be configured to be chemically ruptured.

In another exemplary embodiment, a cartridge is provided and includes a reservoir configured to contain a plurality of particles and an airflow tube extending through the reservoir. Each particle of the plurality of particles is formed of a substantially solid vaporizable material. The airflow tube includes a wicking element that is in communication with the reservoir, in which the wicking element is configured to be selectively bulk heated to cause a portion of the plurality of particles to be substantially melted to form a liquid vaporizable material, and in which the wicking element is configured to draw the liquid vaporizable material into the airflow tube for vaporization.

In some embodiments, the wicking element can be configured to receive at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material under the influence of gravity.

The reservoir can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the reservoir can include at least one vent that can be configured to substantially allow air to pass into the reservoir. The at least one vent can be configured to substantially inhibit the plurality of particles to pass therethrough and out of the reservoir.

In some embodiments, the portion of the plurality of particles that are substantially melted can be within a predetermined distance of the wicking element.

In another exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device is provided and includes a vaporizer body and a cartridge that is selectively coupled to and removable from the vaporizer body. The cartridge includes a reservoir configured to contain a plurality of encapsulated particles and an airflow tube extending through the reservoir. Each of the plurality of encapsulated particles includes a core formed of a liquid vaporizable material and a coating material that forms a shell surrounding the core, in which the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles are configured to be selectively ruptured to release the liquid vaporizable material therefrom. The airflow tube includes a wicking element that is in communication with the reservoir, in which the wicking element is configured to draw, into the airflow tube for vaporization, at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material that is released by rupturing one or more shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles.

The shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles can be configured to be at least one of thermally ruptured, mechanically ruptured, or chemically ruptured.

In some embodiments, the wicking element can be configured to be selectively bulk heated to thermally rupture a portion of the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles to release the liquid vaporizable material therefrom.

In some embodiments, the wicking element can be configured to receive at least a portion of the released liquid vaporizable material under the influence of gravity.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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. Example implementations include vaporizer devices and systems including vaporizer devices. 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 (for example, a vaporizer body that includes a battery and other hardware, and a cartridge that includes a vaporizable material), and/or the like. A “vaporizer system,” as used herein, can include one or more components, such as a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and/or the like. In general, such vaporizer devices are hand-held devices that heat (such as by convection, conduction, radiation, and/or some combination thereof) a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material.

The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be provided within a cartridge (for example, a part of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container) 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. For example, a vaporizer device can include a heating chamber (for example, an oven or other region in which material is heated by a heating element) configured to receive a vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber, and/or a reservoir or the like for containing the vaporizable material.

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). The liquid vaporizable material can be capable of being completely vaporized. Alternatively, at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material can remain after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.

Referring to the block diagram ofFIG.1A, a vaporizer device100can include a power source112(for example, a battery, which can be a rechargeable battery), and a controller104(for example, a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) for controlling delivery of heat to an atomizer141to cause a vaporizable material102to be converted from a condensed form (such as a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase. The controller104can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain implementations of the current subject matter.

After conversion of the vaporizable material102to the gas phase, at least some of the vaporizable material102in the gas phase 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 device100during a user's puff or draw on the vaporizer device100. It should be appreciated that the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer device100can be complex and dynamic, due to factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer device and in the airways of a human or other animal), and/or mixing of the vaporizable material102in 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 volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can exist predominantly in the gas phase (for example, formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).

For example, the wicking element can be configured to draw the vaporizable material102from a reservoir140configured to contain the vaporizable material102, such that the vaporizable material102can be vaporized by heat delivered from a heating element. The wicking element can also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir140and replace the volume of vaporizable material102removed. In some implementations of the current subject matter, capillary action can pull vaporizable material102into the wick for vaporization by the heating element, and air can return to the reservoir140through the wick to at least partially equalize pressure in the reservoir140. Other methods of allowing air back into the reservoir140to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter.

As used herein, the terms “wick” or “wicking element” include any material capable of causing fluid motion via capillary pressure.

The heating element can include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and/or a convective heater. One type of heating element 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 heating element. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the atomizer141can include a heating element which includes a resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, positioned within, integrated into a bulk shape of, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to a wicking element, to cause the vaporizable material102drawn from the reservoir140by the wicking element to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas and/or a condensed (for example, aerosol particles or droplets) phase. Other wicking elements, heating elements, and/or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible.

The heating element can be activated in association with a user puffing (i.e., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece130of the vaporizer device100to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes the atomizer141(i.e., wicking element and heating element). Optionally, air can flow from an air inlet through one or more condensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece130. Incoming air moving along the airflow path moves over or through the atomizer141, where vaporizable material102in the gas phase is entrained into the air. The heating element can be activated via the controller104, which can optionally be a part of a vaporizer body110as discussed herein, causing current to pass from the power source112through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which is optionally part of a vaporizer cartridge120as discussed herein. As noted herein, the entrained vaporizable material102in the gas phase can condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material102in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (for example, the mouthpiece130) for inhalation by a user.

Activation of the heating element can be caused by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more of a sensor113. The sensor113and the signals generated by the sensor113can include one or more of: a pressure sensor or sensors disposed to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), a motion sensor or sensors (for example, an accelerometer) of the vaporizer device100, a flow sensor or sensors of the vaporizer device100, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer device100, detection of interaction of a user with the vaporizer device100via one or more input devices116(for example, buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer device100), receipt of signals from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device100, and/or via other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.

As discussed herein, the vaporizer device100consistent with implementations of the current subject matter can be configured to connect (such as, for example, wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the vaporizer device100. To this end, the controller104can include communication hardware105. The controller104can also include a memory108. The communication hardware105can include firmware and/or can be controlled by software for executing one or more cryptographic protocols for the communication.

A computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device100, and can include its own hardware for communication, which can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware105of the vaporizer device100. 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 device100. In other implementations of the current subject matter, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (i.e., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the like) interface controls. The vaporizer device100can also include one or more outputs117or devices for providing information to the user. For example, the outputs117can 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 device100.

In the example in which a computing device provides signals related to activation of the resistive heating element, or in other examples of coupling of a computing device with the vaporizer device100for 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 device100to activate the heating element to reach an operating temperature for creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer device100can be controlled by interaction of a user with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device100.

The temperature of a resistive heating element of the vaporizer device100can depend on a number of factors, including an amount of electrical power delivered to the resistive heating element and/or a duty cycle at which the electrical power is delivered, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer device100and/or to the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of the vaporizable material102from the wicking element and/or the atomizer141as a whole, and convective heat losses due to airflow (i.e., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer141as a whole when a user inhales on the vaporizer device100). As noted herein, to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, the vaporizer device100may, in some implementations of the current subject matter, make use of signals from the sensor113(for example, a pressure sensor) to determine when a user is inhaling. The sensor113can 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 inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device100and an outlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol such that the sensor113experiences changes (for example, pressure changes) concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device100from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element can be activated in association with a user's puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, or by the sensor113detecting a change (such as a pressure change) in the airflow path.

The sensor113can be positioned on or coupled to (i.e., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) the controller104(for example, a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). To take measurements accurately and maintain durability of the vaporizer device100, it can be beneficial to provide a seal127resilient enough to separate an airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer device100. The seal127, which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround the sensor113such that connections of the sensor113to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer device100are separated from a part of the sensor113exposed to the airflow path. In an example of a cartridge-based vaporizer device, the seal127can also separate parts of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body110and the vaporizer cartridge120. Such arrangements of the seal127in the vaporizer device100can 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, other fluids such as the vaporizable material102, etc., and/or to reduce the escape of air from the designated airflow path in the vaporizer device100. Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing and/or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer device100can cause various unwanted effects, such as altered pressure readings, and/or can result in the buildup of unwanted material, such as moisture, excess vaporizable material102, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device100where they can result in poor pressure signal, degradation of the sensor113or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer device100. Leaks in the seal127can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the vaporizer device100containing, or constructed of, materials that may not be desirable to be inhaled.

In some implementations, the vaporizer body110includes the controller104, the power source112(for example, a battery), one more of the sensor113, charging contacts (such as those for charging the power source112), the seal127, and a cartridge receptacle118configured to receive the vaporizer cartridge120for coupling with the vaporizer body110through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge120includes the reservoir140for containing the vaporizable material102, and the mouthpiece130has an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge120can include the atomizer141having a wicking element and a heating element. Alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element can be part of the vaporizer body110. In implementations in which any part of the atomizer141(i.e., heating element and/or wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body110, the vaporizer device100can be configured to supply vaporizable material102from the reservoir140in the vaporizer cartridge120to the part(s) of the atomizer141included in the vaporizer body110.

In an embodiment of the vaporizer device100in which the power source112is part of the vaporizer body110, and a heating element is disposed in the vaporizer cartridge120and configured to couple with the vaporizer body110, the vaporizer device100can include electrical connection features (for example, means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit that includes the controller104(for example, a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source112, and the heating element (for example, a heating element within the atomizer141). These features can include one or more contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts124aand124b) on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge120and at least two contacts (referred to herein as receptacle contacts125aand125b) disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle118of the vaporizer device100such that the cartridge contacts124aand124band the receptacle contacts125aand125bmake electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge120is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle118. The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to a heating element and can further be used for additional functions, such as measuring a resistance of the heating element for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the heating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element.

In some implementations of the current subject matter, the cartridge contacts124aand124band the receptacle contacts125aand125bcan be configured to electrically connect in either of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device100can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge120into the cartridge receptacle118in a first rotational orientation (around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge120is inserted into the cartridge receptacle118of the vaporizer body110) such that the cartridge contact124ais electrically connected to the receptacle contact125aand the cartridge contact124bis electrically connected to the receptacle contact125b. Furthermore, the one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device100can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge120in the cartridge receptacle118in a second rotational orientation such cartridge contact124ais electrically connected to the receptacle contact125band cartridge contact124bis electrically connected to the receptacle contact125a.

For example, the vaporizer cartridge120or at least the insertable end122of the vaporizer cartridge120can be symmetrical upon a rotation of 180° around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge120is inserted into the cartridge receptacle118. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer device100can support identical operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge120occurs.

In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge120to the vaporizer body110, the vaporizer body110includes one or more detents (for example, dimples, protrusions, etc.) protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle118, additional material (such as metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include a portion protruding into the cartridge receptacle118, and/or the like. One or more exterior surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge120can include corresponding recesses (not shown inFIG.1A) that can fit and/or otherwise snap over such detents or protruding portions when the vaporizer cartridge120is inserted into the cartridge receptacle118on the vaporizer body110. When the vaporizer cartridge120and the vaporizer body110are coupled (e.g., by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge120into the cartridge receptacle118of the vaporizer body110), the detents or protrusions of the vaporizer body110can fit within and/or otherwise be held within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge120, to hold the vaporizer cartridge120in place when assembled. Such an assembly can provide enough support to hold the vaporizer cartridge120in place to ensure good contact between the cartridge contacts124aand124band the receptacle contacts125aand125b, while allowing release of the vaporizer cartridge120from the vaporizer body110when a user pulls with reasonable force on the vaporizer cartridge120to disengage the vaporizer cartridge120from the cartridge receptacle118.

In some implementations, the vaporizer cartridge120, or at least an insertable end122of the vaporizer cartridge120configured for insertion in the cartridge receptacle118, can have a non-circular cross section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge120is inserted into the cartridge receptacle118. For example, the non-circular cross section can be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (i.e., have an approximately oval shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposing sides (i.e., having a parallelogram-like shape), or other shapes having rotational symmetry of at least order two. 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.

The cartridge contacts124aand124band the receptacle contacts125aand125bcan take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts can include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, or the like. Some types of contacts can include springs or other features to facilitate better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge120and the vaporizer body110. The electrical contacts can optionally be gold-plated, and/or include other materials.

FIGS.1B-1Dillustrate an embodiment of the vaporizer body110having a cartridge receptacle118into which the vaporizer cartridge120can be releasably inserted.FIGS.1B and1Cshow top views of the vaporizer device100illustrating the vaporizer cartridge120being positioned for insertion and inserted, respectively, into the vaporizer body110.FIG.1Dillustrates the reservoir140of the vaporizer cartridge120being formed in whole or in part from translucent material such that a level of the vaporizable material102is visible from a window132(e.g., translucent material) along the vaporizer cartridge120. The vaporizer cartridge120can be configured such that the window132remains visible when insertably received by the vaporizer cartridge receptacle118of the vaporizer body110. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the window132can be disposed between a bottom edge of the mouthpiece130and a top edge of the vaporizer body110when the vaporizer cartridge120is coupled with the cartridge receptacle118.

FIG.1Eillustrates an example airflow path134created during a puff by a user on the vaporizer device100. The airflow path134can direct air to a vaporization chamber150(seeFIG.1F) contained in a wick housing where the air is combined with inhalable aerosol for delivery to a user via a mouthpiece130, which can also be part of the vaporizer cartridge120. For example, when a user puffs on the vaporizer device100device100, air can pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge120(for example, window132shown inFIG.1D) and an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle118on the vaporizer body110. Air can then be drawn into the insertable end122of the vaporizer cartridge120, through the vaporization chamber150that includes or contains the heating element and wick, and out through an outlet136of the mouthpiece130for delivery of the inhalable aerosol to a user.

As shown inFIG.1E, this configuration causes air to flow down around the insertable end122of the vaporizer cartridge120into the cartridge receptacle118and then flow back in the opposite direction after passing around the insertable end122(e.g., an end opposite of the end including the mouthpiece130) of the vaporizer cartridge120as it enters into the cartridge body toward the vaporization chamber150. The airflow path134then travels through the interior of the vaporizer cartridge120, for example via one or more tubes or internal channels (such as cannula128shown inFIG.1F) and through one or more outlets (such as outlet136) formed in the mouthpiece130. The mouthpiece130can be a separable component of the vaporizer cartridge120or can be integrally formed with other component(s) of the vaporizer cartridge120(for example, formed as a unitary structure with the reservoir140and/or the like).

FIG.1Fshows additional features that can be included in the vaporizer cartridge120consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. For example, the vaporizer cartridge120can include a plurality of cartridge contacts (such as cartridge contacts124a,124b) disposed on the insertable end122. The cartridge contacts124a,124bcan optionally each be part of a single piece of metal that forms a conductive structure (such as conductive structure126) connected to one of two ends of a resistive heating element. The conductive structure can optionally form opposing sides of a heating chamber and can act as heat shields and/or heat sinks to reduce transmission of heat to outer walls of the vaporizer cartridge120.FIG.1Falso shows the cannula128within the vaporizer cartridge120that defines part of the airflow path134between the heating chamber formed between the conductive structure126and the mouthpiece130.

As mentioned above, storing a liquid vaporizable material within a free liquid reservoir can result in undesirable leakage. Further, when using a porous material as a storage medium for the liquid vaporizable material, challenges with volumetric efficiency and poor delivery characteristics can result. Various features and devices are described below that improve upon or overcome storage issues of vaporizable material.

The vaporizer cartridges described herein are designed to store a plurality of particles of vaporizable material in a reservoir in which the particles are configured to be selectively melted or ruptured in response to an event (e.g., heating, mechanical interaction, chemical interaction, and the like). The melting or rupturing of these particles are configured to provide an on-demand delivery of liquid vaporizable material to form a vapor for inhalation by a user of a vaporization device. On-demand delivery of liquid vaporizable material for vaporization through melting or rupturing of particles inhibits undesirable leakage and provides the ability to use a storage medium that can effectively delivery liquid vaporizable material throughout the lifetime of the vaporizer cartridge.

The cartridges generally include a reservoir and an airflow tube that includes a wicking element that is in communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to contain a plurality of particles that contain a volume of a vaporizable material. The plurality of particles can have any suitable particle size (e.g., from about 10 nm to 1 mm, or other sizes that achieve one or more advantages as described herein). The distribution of the plurality of particles within the reservoir can adopt any desired distribution such as, for example, Gaussian, multi-modal, and/or the like.

The wicking element is configured to at least draw a portion of a liquid vaporizable material into the airflow tube for vaporization. The wicking element can be formed of any suitable material that can draw the liquid vaporizable material in the airflow tube, e.g., by capillary action. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials for the wicking element can include of one or more ceramic materials, one or more cottons, or one or more polymers. In one embodiment, the wicking element is formed of one or more ceramic materials.

Such drawing of the liquid vaporizable material into the airflow tube can be due, at least in part, to capillary action provided by the wicking element, which pulls the vaporizable material along the wick in the direction of the airflow tube. As discussed in more detail below, the liquid vaporizable material is formed by selectively melting or rupturing of some amount of the plurality of particles. In one embodiment, the wicking element can also be configured to receive at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material under the influence of gravity.

In some embodiments, the plurality of particles can be in the form of encapsulated particles that include a core and a coating material that forms a shell about the core. The core is formed of a liquid vaporizable material. The shells are configured to be selectively ruptured within the cartridge to release the liquid vaporizable material therefrom such that the wicking element can draw a portion thereof into the airflow tube for vaporization. The coating material can be any suitable material that can effectively form a shell that can house the liquid vaporizable material described herein while also being capable of being selectively ruptured when desired. The encapsulated particles can be formed using any known suitable encapsulation method.

In some embodiments, the wicking element can be further configured to substantially draw at least a portion of ruptured shells into the airflow tube for vaporization. In one embodiment, the vaporization of the portion of the ruptured shells drawn into the airflow tube occurs concurrently with the vaporization of the liquid vaporizable material.

The shells can be configured to be thermally ruptured, mechanically ruptured, chemically ruptured, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the shells can be thermally ruptured in response to bulk heating of the wicking element. For example, the heated wicking element can dissipate heat into the reservoir to which at least a portion of the plurality of encapsulated particles are exposed thereto. The portion of the shells that are exposed to the heat can be within a predetermined distance of the wicking element. This heat exposure can cause the exposed shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles to substantially melt, thereby releasing their respective portions of the liquid vaporizable material. The released liquid vaporizable material can be drawn into the wicking element, and ultimately vaporized into vaporized material.

The wicking element can be bulk heated using any suitable known technique. For example, the wicking element can be heated via ohmic heating, capacitive heating, and the like. In one embodiment, the wicking element can be heated by a separate heating element. In another embodiment, the wicking element can be heated in response to receiving an electric current itself from a power source. In yet another embodiment, the wicking element can be heated in response to an electrical potential being created across it (e.g., between two metal plates on opposing sides of the wicking element).

In some embodiments, the shells can be mechanically ruptured, for example, by coming into contact with at least one surface of the wicking element that is roughened, e.g., to include one or more spikes, or other abrasive features, etc., so that the shells of the encapsulated particles rupture upon coming into contact with at least a portion of such roughened surface. Alternatively, or in addition, at least a portion of the inner surface of the reservoir can be roughened, e.g., to include one or more spikes, or other abrasive features, etc., so that the shells of the encapsulated particles rupture upon coming into contact with at least a portion of the roughened surface of the reservoir.

In some embodiments, the shells can be chemically ruptured by coming into contact with the wicking element itself. For example, the wicking element can be formed of a material that is configured to chemically interact with the shells such that at least a portion of the shells breakdown, and therefore release their respective portions of the liquid vaporizable material therefrom. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the shells can come into contact with an interference material that is configured to chemically interact with, and cause the breakdown of, the shells. The interference material can be added directly to or in close proximity with the wicking element.

In other embodiments, the plurality of particles can be in the form of substantially solid vaporizable material that are configured to be selectively melted to form a liquid vaporizable material such that the wicking element can draw a portion thereof into the airflow tube for vaporization. In some embodiments, the substantially solid vaporizable material can be substantially melted in response to bulk heating of the wicking element, such as the bulk heating discussed above. For example, the heated wicking element can dissipate heat into the reservoir to which at least a portion of the plurality of particles are exposed thereto. The portion of the particles that are exposed to the heat can be within a predetermined distance of the wicking element. This heat exposure can cause the exposed particles to substantially melt, thereby undergoing a phase change to form liquid vaporizable material. In one embodiment, the portion of the plurality of particles that are substantially melted are within a predetermined distance of the wicking element.

The liquid vaporizable material can then be drawn into the wicking element, and ultimately vaporized into vaporized material. The liquid vaporizable material can be substantially vaporized by the wicking element itself, either by the same amount of heat provided to substantially cause the solid to liquid phase change or by an additional amount of heat provided by the wicking element. Alternatively, or in addition, the liquid vaporizable material can be substantially vaporized by a separate heating element.

While the cartridges are shown and described in connection with a plurality of particles of vaporizable material, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that these cartridges can be used in connection with vaporizable material in other shapes and sizes. Moreover, the implementation of storing a plurality of particles that are configured for on-demand liquid vaporizable material formation is not limited to the cartridges shown and described herein.

FIG.2illustrates an exemplary vaporizer cartridge200that can be selectively coupled to and removable from a vaporizer body, such as vaporizer body110shown inFIGS.1A-1D. More specifically, the cartridge200includes a reservoir202configured to contain a plurality of encapsulated particles204and an airflow tube206extending through the reservoir202. Alternatively, the cartridge200can be configured to contain a plurality of particles formed of substantially solid vaporizable material. For purposes of simplicity, certain components of the cartridge200are not illustrated.

As discussed above, each encapsulated particle includes a core and a coating material in which the core is formed of a liquid vaporizable material. While the plurality of encapsulated particles are illustrated as being dispersed throughout the reservoir202, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the particles may be, for example, packed within the reservoir202at any desired porosity and location. Thus, a porosity with interstices between the encapsulated particles can be tailored to a desired value. In some embodiments, such interstices can be filled with air. Further, the encapsulated particles may possess a selective distribution of sizes, for example, the distribution illustrated inFIG.2.

While the reservoir202can have a variety of shapes and sizes, the reservoir202, as shown inFIG.2, is substantially rectangular in shape. The reservoir202can include at least one vent208that is configured to substantially allow the passage of air into the reservoir202from the environment to thereby substantially maintain an inner pressure (e.g., an inner pressure that is substantially equal to ambient pressure) of the reservoir202. As such, the at least one vent208can function as a one-way valve and therefore can be used to decrease or eliminate negative pressure that is created within the reservoir202(e.g., as liquid vaporizable material flows out of the reservoir202). The at least one vent208can also have a diameter that is less than the diameter(s) of the encapsulated particles so as substantially prevent the encapsulated particles from exiting the reservoir202through the at least one vent208.

While the airflow tube206is shown to be approximately centered within respect to a longitudinal axis (L) extending through a centroid of the reservoir202, such position is not required. As such, other locations of the airflow tube206within the reservoir202are also contemplated herein. Further, other airflow configurations through the reservoir202are also contemplated herein.

The airflow tube206can have a variety of configurations. For example, as shown inFIG.2, the airflow tube extends a length (LA) from a first end206ato a second end206band is defined by a curved sidewall207. While the airflow tube206is illustrated as being open at its first and second ends206a,206b, in other embodiments, the airflow tube26can also be defined by a bottom wall at the second end206bof the airflow tube206. This bottom wall can be configured to substantially allow air to pass therethrough and into the airflow tube206.

Further, as shown inFIG.2, the airflow tube206defines a passageway210that extends therethrough and into communication with an outlet tube212of a mouthpiece214of the cartridge200. The outlet tube212extends from and is in communication with an outlet214aof the mouthpiece214. The passageway210is configured to direct air, illustrated as arrow216, through the airflow tube206so that the air216will mix with vaporized material to form an aerosol, illustrated as arrow225, as discussed in more detail below. The passageway210further directs the aerosol225through the first end206a(e.g., an outlet) of the airflow tube206, and thus into a mouthpiece214that is coupled to the vaporizer cartridge200, for inhalation by a user. The mouthpiece can have a variety of configurations and therefore is not limited to what is illustrated inFIG.2. While a mouthpiece214is shown inFIG.2, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the mouthpiece214can be omitted and the user can directly puff on the cartridge200at an outlet (such as the first end206aof the airflow tube206).

As further shown inFIG.2, the airflow tube206includes a wicking element218. As discussed above, the wicking element218is configured to draw a portion of liquid vaporizable material into the airflow tube206for vaporization when at least a portion of the plurality of encapsulated particles204are ruptured. Further, as discussed above, the wicking element218can also be further configured to be selectively bulk heated so as to thermally rupture a portion of the shells of the plurality of encapsulated particles204to release the liquid vaporizable material therefrom.

While the wicking element218can have a variety of configurations, the wicking element218is substantially rectangular. The wicking element218extends substantially laterally across the airflow tube206(e.g., substantially perpendicular to the length (LA) of the airflow tube206) such that a first and a second opposing end218a,218bof the wicking element218are each positioned within the reservoir202. As such, the wicking element218is in fluid communication with the reservoir202.

In use, once liquid vaporizable material is drawn into the airflow tube206via the wicking element218, as discussed above, it can be substantially vaporized into vaporized material via heating element221, as discussed in more detail below. The vaporized material mixes with the air216passing through the passageway210to form the aerosol225and is carried out of the airflow tube206and into the outlet tube212and ultimately through the outlet214aof the mouthpiece214for inhalation by a user.

As further shown inFIG.2, the vaporizer cartridge200includes a heating element221disposed within the airflow tube206. The heating element221is configured to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn into the wicking element218, and thus into the airflow tube206. The heating element221can be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and a convective heater. As discussed above, one type of heating element is a resistive heating element, such as a resistive coil, which can be constructed of or at least include a material (e.g., 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 heating element. As shown inFIG.2, the heating element221is in the form of a resistive coil.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge200includes two or more cartridge contacts such as, for example, a first cartridge contact223aand a second cartridge contact223b. The two or more cartridge contacts can be configured to couple, for example, with the receptacle contacts125aand125bin order to form one or more electrical connections with the vaporizer body110. The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to the heating element221. The circuit can also serve additional functions such as, for example, measuring a resistance of the heating element221for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the heating element221based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element221.

The cartridge200can also include a spit-catch element220that is disposed within the airflow tube206. The spit-catch element220can be configured to prevent the ingress of external material (e.g., saliva and/or the like) into passageway210including by capturing the external material. While the spit-catch element can be disposed within any portion of the airflow tube206, the spit-catch element220is disposed proximate to the first end206aof the airflow tube206. The spit-catch element220can have a variety of configurations. As shown, the spit-catch element200is substantially cylindrical and coupled to the curved sidewall207of the airflow tube206. Further, the cartridge200can also include an attachment structure222for coupling to a vaporizer body, such as vaporizer body110(FIGS.1A-1D). In some embodiments, the attachment structure222of the cartridge200is a male coupling element, whereas in other embodiments, the attachment structure222of the cartridge200is a female coupling element. For example, as shown inFIG.2, the attachment structure222is a male coupling element that is in the form of a protrusion that is configured to be received within a female coupling element (e.g., recess) that can fit and/or otherwise snap over such protrusions when an end200aof the cartridge200is inserted into a vaporizer body. Other various configurations of suitable attachment structures are contemplated herein, e.g., structures that are configured for a friction fit. It is also contemplated herein that a spit-catch element and/or an attachment structure can be omitted.

Terminology

For purposes of describing and defining the present teachings, it is noted that unless indicated otherwise, the term “substantially” is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” is also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

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 may 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. It 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 may 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.

Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. 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 may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments 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.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may 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 embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Use of the term “based on,” herein and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.