Patent Description:
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. Vaporizers 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 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 vaporization device.

In some implementations, the vaporizable material can be drawn out of a reservoir and into the vaporization chamber via a wicking element (e.g., a wick). Drawing of the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber can be at least partially due to capillary action provided by the wick as the wick pulls the vaporizable material along the wick in the direction of the vaporization chamber.

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

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose vaporizer devices with shells made of metal. <CIT> discloses an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium. The apparatus comprises a generally hollow cylindrical outer housing with an open end and a tubular mouthpiece provided in the open end. Further vaporizer devices are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

In certain aspects of the current subject matter, challenges associated with designing the body of a vaporizer device, specifically the outer enclosure of the body, can be addressed by inclusion of one or more of the features described herein or comparable/equivalent approaches as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the current subject matter relate to a one-piece outer enclosure for a body of a vaporizer device. Further emodiments are apparent from the dependent claims.

In an aspect, which is not covered by the claims, a vaporizer device is provided. The vaporizer device includes a shell formed from a single continuous piece of a material, the shell having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the shell extending at least partially around a perimeter of a receptacle configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material, and the second portion of the shell configured to receive at least a portion of a power source, and the second portion of the shell having a second thickness that is less than a first thickness of the first portion of the shell and/or a transition region between the first portion of the shell and the second portion of the shell.

In another, interrelated aspect, which is not covered by the claims, a shell for a vaporizer device is provided. The shell includes a single continuous piece of a material, wherein the shell has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the shell extending at least partially around a perimeter of a receptacle configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge containing a vaporizable material, and the second portion of the shell configured to receive at least a portion of a power source. The second portion of the shell has a second thickness that is less than a first thickness of the first portion of the shell and/or a thickness of a transition region between the first portion of the shell and the second portion of the shell. According to the invention, the second portion of the shell has a larger inner cross-sectional dimension than the first portion of the shell. The material includes a metal or a metal alloy. The second thickness of the second portion of the shell is reduced in order to increase an inner cross-sectional dimension of the second portion of the shell. A length of the shell can be greater than <NUM> times a width of the shell. A length of the shell can be <NUM>-<NUM> times a width of the shell. The shell can be formed by subjecting a slug or billet of the material to impact. The slug or billet may be either solid or hollow. The shell can include one or more apertures configured to allow visualization of one or more illuminating device indicators. The one or more illuminating device indicators can be light emitting diodes. The first portion of the shell can include a first air inlet configured to form a fluid coupling with a second air inlet in the vaporizer cartridge when the vaporizer cartridge is coupled with the vaporizer device, and the second air inlet in the vaporizer cartridge can be configured to allow air entering the first air inlet to further enter the vaporizer cartridge. The receptacle may include a cartridge interface configured to receive the vaporizer cartridge. At least one sidewall of the cartridge interface includes a notch where a material forming the cartridge interface is at least partially removed to accommodate the vaporizer cartridge.

The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into 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. In the drawings:.

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 vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be provided within a cartridge (for example, a part of the vaporizer 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 of the current subject matter, 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), a paste, a wax, and/or a solid vaporizable material. A solid 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.

<FIG> depicts a block diagram illustrating an example of a vaporizer device <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. Referring to <FIG>, the vaporizer device <NUM> can include a power source <NUM> (for example, a battery, which can be a rechargeable battery), and a controller <NUM> (for example, a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) for controlling delivery of heat to an atomizer <NUM> to cause a vaporizable material <NUM> to be converted from a condensed form (such as a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase. The controller <NUM> can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain implementations of the current subject matter. After conversion of the vaporizable material <NUM> to the gas phase, at least some of the vaporizable material <NUM> in 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 device <NUM> during a user's puff or draw on the vaporizer device <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer device <NUM> can be complex and dynamic, due to factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer and in the airways of a human or other animal), and/or mixing of the vaporizable material <NUM> 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 volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can exist predominantly in the gas phase (for example, formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).

The atomizer <NUM> in the vaporizer device <NUM> can be configured to vaporize a vaporizable material <NUM>. The vaporizable material <NUM> can be a liquid. Examples of the vaporizable material <NUM> include neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, and/or the like. The atomizer <NUM> can include a wicking element (e.g., a wick) configured to convey an amount of the vaporizable material <NUM> to a part of the atomizer <NUM> that includes a heating element (not shown in <FIG>).

For example, the wicking element can be configured to draw the vaporizable material <NUM> from a reservoir <NUM> configured to contain the vaporizable material <NUM>, such that the vaporizable material <NUM> can be vaporized by heat delivered from a heating element. The wicking element can also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir <NUM> and replace the volume of vaporizable material <NUM> removed. In some implementations of the current subject matter, capillary action can pull vaporizable material <NUM> into the wick for vaporization by the heating element, and air can return to the reservoir <NUM> through the wick to at least partially equalize pressure in the reservoir <NUM>. Other methods of allowing air back into the reservoir <NUM> to 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 atomizer <NUM> can 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 material <NUM> drawn from the reservoir <NUM> by 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 configurations are also possible.

Certain vaporizer devices may, additionally or alternatively, be configured to create an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material <NUM> in the gas phase and/or aerosol phase via heating of the vaporizable material <NUM>. The vaporizable material <NUM> can be a solid-phase material (such as a wax or the like) or plant material (for example, tobacco leaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves). In such vaporizer devices, a resistive heating element can be part of, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with, the walls of an oven or other heating chamber into which the vaporizable material <NUM> is placed. Alternatively, a resistive heating element or elements can be used to heat air passing through or past the vaporizable material <NUM>, to cause convective heating of the vaporizable material <NUM>. In still other examples, a resistive heating element or elements can be disposed in intimate contact with plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within a mass of the plant material, as opposed to only by conduction inward from walls of an oven.

The heating element can be activated in association with a user puffing (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece <NUM> of the vaporizer device <NUM> to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes the atomizer <NUM> (e.g., 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 mouthpiece <NUM>. Incoming air moving along the airflow path moves over or through the atomizer <NUM>, where vaporizable material <NUM> in the gas phase is entrained into the air. The heating element can be activated via the controller <NUM>, which can optionally be a part of a vaporizer body <NUM> as discussed herein, causing current to pass from the power source <NUM> through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which is optionally part of a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> as discussed herein. As noted herein, the entrained vaporizable material <NUM> in the gas phase can condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material <NUM> in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (for example, the mouthpiece <NUM>) 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 sensor(s) <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> and the signals generated by the sensor <NUM> can 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 device <NUM>, a flow sensor or sensors of the vaporizer device <NUM>, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer device <NUM>, detection of interaction of a user with the vaporizer device <NUM> via one or more input devices <NUM> (for example, buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer device <NUM>), receipt of signals from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device <NUM>, and/or via other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.

As discussed herein, the vaporizer device <NUM> consistent 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 device <NUM>. To this end, the controller <NUM> can include communication hardware <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can also include a memory <NUM>. The communication hardware <NUM> can 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 device <NUM>, and can include its own hardware for communication, which can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware <NUM> of the vaporizer device <NUM>. 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 <NUM>. 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 (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 like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the like) interface controls. The vaporizer device <NUM> can also include one or more outputs <NUM> or devices for providing information to the user. For example, the outputs <NUM> can include one or more illuminating indicators, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources, configured to provide feedback to a user based on a status and/or mode of operation of the vaporizer device <NUM>. The illuminating indicators may flash, change colors, and/or brighten, or provide other indications relating to the status or use of the vaporizer device <NUM>.

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 device <NUM> 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 <NUM> to activate the heating element to reach an operating temperature for creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer device <NUM> can be controlled by interaction of a user with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device <NUM>.

The temperature of a resistive heating element of the vaporizer device <NUM> can 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 device <NUM> and/or to the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of the vaporizable material <NUM> from the wicking element and/or the atomizer <NUM> as a whole, and convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer <NUM> as a whole when a user inhales on the vaporizer device <NUM>). As noted herein, to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, the vaporizer device <NUM> may, in some implementations of the current subject matter, make use of signals from the sensor <NUM> (for example, a pressure sensor) to determine when a user is inhaling. The sensor <NUM> can 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 device <NUM> and an outlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol such that the sensor <NUM> experiences changes (for example, pressure changes) concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device <NUM> from 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 sensor <NUM> detecting a change (such as a pressure change) in the airflow path.

The sensor <NUM> can be positioned on or coupled to (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) the controller <NUM> (for example, a printed circuit board or other type of circuit board). To take measurements accurately and maintain durability of the vaporizer device <NUM>, it can be beneficial to provide a seal <NUM> resilient enough to separate an airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer device <NUM>. The seal <NUM>, which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround the sensor <NUM> such that connections of the sensor <NUM> to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer device <NUM> are separated from a part of the sensor <NUM> exposed to the airflow path. In an example of a cartridge-based vaporizer, the seal <NUM> can also separate parts of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body <NUM> and the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. Such arrangements of the seal <NUM> in the vaporizer device <NUM> 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, other fluids such as the vaporizable material <NUM>, etc., and/or to reduce the escape of air from the designated airflow path in the vaporizer device <NUM>. Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing and/or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer device <NUM> can cause various unwanted effects, such as altered pressure readings, and/or can result in the buildup of unwanted material, such as moisture, excess vaporizable material <NUM>, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device <NUM> where they can result in poor pressure signal, degradation of the sensor <NUM> or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer device <NUM>. Leaks in the seal <NUM> can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the vaporizer device <NUM> containing, or constructed of, materials that may not be desirable to be inhaled.

In some implementations, the vaporizer body <NUM> includes the controller <NUM>, the power source <NUM> (for example, a battery), one more of the sensor <NUM>, charging contacts (such as those for charging the power source <NUM>), the seal <NUM>, and a cartridge receptacle <NUM> configured to receive the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> for coupling with the vaporizer body <NUM> through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> includes the reservoir <NUM> for containing the vaporizable material <NUM>, and the mouthpiece <NUM> has an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can include the atomizer <NUM> having 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 body <NUM>. In implementations in which any part of the atomizer <NUM> (e.g., heating element and/or wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body <NUM>, the vaporizer device <NUM> can be configured to supply vaporizable material <NUM> from the reservoir <NUM> in the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to the part(s) of the atomizer <NUM> included in the vaporizer body <NUM>.

Cartridge-based configurations for the vaporizer device <NUM> that generate an inhalable dose of a vaporizable material <NUM> that is not a liquid, via heating of a non-liquid material, are also within the scope of the current subject matter. For example, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can include a mass of a plant material that is processed and formed to have direct contact with parts of one or more resistive heating elements, and the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can be configured to be coupled mechanically and/or electrically to the vaporizer body <NUM> that includes the controller <NUM>, the power source <NUM>, and one or more receptacle contacts 125a and 125b configured to connect to one or more corresponding cartridge contacts 124a and 125b and complete a circuit with the one or more resistive heating elements.

In an embodiment of the vaporizer device <NUM> in which the power source <NUM> is part of the vaporizer body <NUM>, and a heating element is disposed in the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and configured to couple with the vaporizer body <NUM>, the vaporizer device <NUM> can include electrical connection features (for example, means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit that includes the controller <NUM> (for example, a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source <NUM>, and the heating element (for example, a heating element within the atomizer <NUM>). These features can include one or more contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts 124a and 124b) on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and at least two contacts (referred to herein as receptacle contacts 125a and 125b) disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer device <NUM> such that the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. 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 contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b can 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 device <NUM> can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> in a first rotational orientation (around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM>) such that the cartridge contact 124a is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125a and the cartridge contact 124b is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125b. Furthermore, the one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device <NUM> can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in the cartridge receptacle <NUM> in a second rotational orientation such cartridge contact 124a is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125b and cartridge contact 124b is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125a.

In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to the vaporizer body <NUM>, the vaporizer body <NUM> includes one or more detents (for example, dimples, protrusions, etc.) protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle <NUM>, additional material (such as metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include a portion protruding into the cartridge receptacle <NUM>, and/or the like. One or more exterior surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can include corresponding recesses (not shown in <FIG>) that can fit and/or otherwise snap over such detents or protruding portions when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> on the vaporizer body <NUM>. When the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and the vaporizer body <NUM> are coupled (e.g., by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM>), the detents or protrusions of the vaporizer body <NUM> can fit within and/or otherwise be held within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, to hold the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in place when assembled. Such an can provide enough support to hold the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in place to ensure good contact between the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b, while allowing release of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> from the vaporizer body <NUM> when a user pulls with reasonable force on the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to disengage the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> from the cartridge receptacle <NUM>.

In some implementations, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, or at least an insertable end <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> configured for insertion in the cartridge receptacle <NUM>, can have a non-circular cross section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. For example, the non-circular cross section can be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (e.g., have an approximately oval shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposing sides (e.g., 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 contacts 124a and 124b and the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b can 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 cartridge <NUM> and the vaporizer body <NUM>. The electrical contacts can optionally be gold-plated, and/or include other materials.

<FIG> depicts an example of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the example of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be configured to couple with the vaporizer body <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, a collector <NUM>, a wicking element <NUM>, a heating element <NUM>, a wick housing <NUM>, and an identifier chip <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the collector <NUM> may be coupled with an assembly including the wicking element <NUM> and the heating element <NUM> disposed at least partially inside the wick housing <NUM>. When the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is assembled, the collector <NUM> and the assembly including the wicking element <NUM>, the heating element <NUM>, and the wick housing <NUM> may be disposed inside the housing <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> with the housing <NUM> extending around a perimeter of the collector <NUM> and the wick housing <NUM>. Moreover, the housing <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may extend at least partially below a top of the wick housing <NUM>. Accordingly, when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is coupled with the vaporizer body <NUM>, at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, for example, at least a portion of the wick housing <NUM> may be disposed inside the cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM> and the housing <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may extend at least partially around a perimeter of the cartridge receptacle <NUM> as well as at least partially below a top of the cartridge receptacle <NUM>.

In some implementations of the current subject matter, the collector <NUM> may be configured to control an exchange of air and a vaporizable material into and out of the reservoir <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the reservoir <NUM> may include a storage chamber <NUM> and an overflow volume <NUM> including the collector <NUM>. The storage chamber <NUM> may be configured to contain at least a portion of the vaporizable material included in the cartridge <NUM>. Moreover, the cartridge <NUM> may be initially filled with the vaporizable material such that void space within the collector <NUM> is at least partially filled with the vaporizable material as well. The overflow volume <NUM> may be configured to collect and/or retain at least a portion of the vaporizable material displaced from the storage chamber <NUM> to the overflow volume <NUM> by one or more changes in a pressure state of the cartridge <NUM>. Accordingly, the volumetric size of the overflow volume <NUM> may be configured to be equal to, approximately equal to, or greater than the amount of increase in the volume of the content (e.g., vaporizable material and air) contained in the storage chamber <NUM>, when the volume of the content in the storage chamber <NUM> expands due to a maximum expected change in pressure that the reservoir <NUM> may undergo relative to an ambient pressure.

Depending on changes in ambient pressure, temperature, and/or other factors, the cartridge <NUM> may experience a change from a first pressure state to a second pressure state (e.g., a first relative pressure differential between the interior of the reservoir and ambient pressure and a second relative pressure differential between the interior of the reservoir and ambient pressure). For example, in the first pressure state, the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM> may be less than an ambient pressure external to the cartridge <NUM>. Contrastingly, in the second pressure state, the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM> may exceed the ambient pressure. When the cartridge <NUM> is in an equilibrium state, the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM> may be substantially equal to the ambient pressure external to the cartridge <NUM>.

As used herein, a "pressure differential" may refer to a difference between a pressure within an internal part of the cartridge <NUM> and an ambient pressure external to the cartridge <NUM>. Drawing the vaporizable material <NUM> from the storage chamber <NUM> to the atomizer for conversion to vapor or aerosol phases may reduce the volume of the vaporizable material <NUM> remaining in the storage chamber <NUM>. Absent a mechanism for returning air into the storage chamber <NUM> (e.g., to increase the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM> to achieve a substantial equilibrium with ambient pressure), low pressure or even a vacuum may develop within the cartridge <NUM>. The low pressure or vacuum may interfere with the capillary action of the wicking element <NUM> to draw additional quantities of the vaporizable material <NUM> to the heating element <NUM>.

Alternatively, the pressure inside of the cartridge <NUM> can also increase and exceed the ambient pressure external to the cartridge <NUM> due to various environmental factors such as, for example, a change in ambient temperature, altitude, and/or volume of the cartridge <NUM>. This increase in internal pressure may occur, for example, after air is returned into the storage chamber <NUM> to achieve an equilibrium between the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM> and the ambient pressure external to the cartridge <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that a sufficient change in one or more environmental factors may cause the pressure in the cartridge <NUM> to increase from below ambient pressure to above ambient pressure (e.g., transition from the first pressure state to the second pressure state) without any additional air entering the cartridge <NUM> to first achieve an equilibrium between the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM> and ambient pressure. The resulting negative pressure event in which the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM> undergoes a sufficient increase may displace at least a portion of the vaporizable material <NUM> in the storage chamber <NUM>. Absent a mechanism for collecting and/or retaining the displaced vaporizable material <NUM> within the cartridge <NUM>, the displaced vaporizable material <NUM> may leak from the cartridge <NUM>.

In some implementations of the current subject matter, the overflow volume <NUM> may have an opening to the exterior of cartridge <NUM> and may be in communication with the storage chamber <NUM> such that the overflow volume <NUM> may act as a venting channel to provide for the equalization of pressure in the cartridge <NUM>, collect and at least temporarily retain the vaporizable material displaced from the storage chamber <NUM> due to variations in a pressure differential between the storage chamber <NUM> and ambient pressure, and/or optionally reversibly return at least a portion of the vaporizable material collected in the overflow volume <NUM> back to into the storage chamber <NUM>.

For example, in the first pressure state, the vaporizable material may be stored in the storage chamber <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. As noted, the first pressure state may exist, for example, when the ambient pressure external to the cartridge <NUM> is approximately the same as or more than the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM>. In this first pressure state, the structural and functional properties of the overflow channel <NUM> are such that the vaporizable material may flow from the storage chamber <NUM> toward the wicking element <NUM> by way of one or more wick feeds <NUM> leading from the storage chamber <NUM> to the wicking element <NUM> through the collector <NUM>. For example, capillary action of the wicking element <NUM> may draw the vaporizable material into proximity with the heating element <NUM>. Heat generated by the heating element <NUM> may act on the vaporizable material to convert at least a portion of the vaporizable material to a gas phase.

In some implementations of the current subject matter, in the first pressure state, none or a limited quantity of the vaporizable material may flow into the collector <NUM>, for example, into the overflow channel <NUM> of the collector <NUM>. Contrastingly, when the cartridge <NUM> transitions from the first pressure state to the second pressure state, the vaporizable material may flow from the storage chamber <NUM> into the overflow volume <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. By collecting and at least temporarily retaining the vaporizable material <NUM> displaced from the storage chamber <NUM>, the collector <NUM> may prevent or limit an undesirable (e.g., excessive) flow of the vaporizable material out of the reservoir <NUM>. As noted, the second pressure state may exist when the ambient pressure external to the cartridge <NUM> is less than the pressure inside the cartridge <NUM>. This pressure differential may cause an expanding air bubble inside the storage chamber <NUM>, which may displace a portion of the vaporizable material inside the storage chamber <NUM>. The displaced portion of the vaporizable material may be collected and at least temporarily retained by the collector <NUM> instead of exiting the cartridge <NUM> to cause undesirable leakage.

Advantageously, flow of the vaporizable material may be controlled by way of routing the vaporizable material displaced from the storage chamber <NUM> to the overflow volume <NUM> in the second pressure state. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the collector <NUM> may include an overflow channel <NUM> having one or more capillary structures configured to collect and at least temporarily retain that contain at least some (and advantageously all) of the excess liquid vaporizable material displaced from the storage chamber <NUM> without allowing the liquid vaporizable material to exit the collector <NUM> and cause undesirable leakage. The overflow channel <NUM> may also include capillary structures that enable the vaporizable material pushed into the collector <NUM> (e.g., by excess pressure in the storage chamber <NUM> relative to ambient pressure) to be reversibly drawn back into the storage chamber <NUM> when the pressure inside the storage chamber <NUM> reduces and/or equalizes relative to ambient pressure. For instance, the overflow channel <NUM> of the collector <NUM> may include one or more flow reversal features and/or properties that prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during filling and emptying of the collector <NUM>. As such, the overflow channel <NUM> may include microfluidic features configured to control the flow of the vaporizable material into as well as out of the collector <NUM>. In doing so, the collector <NUM> including the overflow channel <NUM> may prevent or reduce leakage of the vaporizable material as well as the entrapment of air bubbles in the storage chamber <NUM> and/or the overflow volume <NUM>.

Depending on the implementation, the microfluidic features or properties noted above may be related to the size, shape, surface coating, structural features, and/or capillary properties of the wicking element <NUM>, the wick feeds <NUM>, and/or the overflow channel <NUM>. For example, the overflow channel <NUM> in the collector <NUM> may optionally have different capillary properties than the wick feeds <NUM> leading to the wicking element <NUM> such that a certain volume of the vaporizable material may be allowed to pass from the storage chamber <NUM> into the overflow volume <NUM> during the second pressure state in which at least a portion of the vaporizable material inside the storage chamber <NUM> is displaced from the storage chamber <NUM>. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the overall resistance of the collector <NUM> to allowing liquid to flow out of the collector <NUM> may be larger than an overall resistance of the wicking element <NUM>, for example, to allow the vaporizable material <NUM> to primarily flow through the wick feeds <NUM> toward the wicking element <NUM> during the first pressure state.

The wick feeds <NUM> may provide a capillary pathway through or into the wicking element <NUM> for the vaporizable material <NUM> stored in reservoir <NUM>. The capillary pathway may be large enough to permit a wicking action or capillary action to replace the vaporized vaporizable material in the wicking element <NUM> but small enough to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material out of the cartridge <NUM> when excess pressure inside the cartridge <NUM> displaces at least a portion of the vaporizable material <NUM> from the storage chamber <NUM>. The wicking element <NUM> may be treated to prevent leakage, for example, by being coated after filling to prevent leakage or evaporation through the wicking element <NUM>. Any appropriate coating may be used, including, for example, a heat-vaporizable coating (e.g., a wax or other material) and/or the like.

In one embodiment, the generated heat may be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material in the wicking element <NUM> through conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn into the wicking element <NUM> is vaporized to generate an aerosol. Depending on implementation, air entering the cartridge <NUM> may flow over (or around, near, etc.) the wicking element <NUM> and the heating element <NUM> and may strip away the vaporized vaporizable material into the airflow passageway <NUM>, where the vapor may optionally be condensed and delivered in aerosol form, for example, through the airflow passageway <NUM>.

Air, which may be admitted to the storage chamber <NUM> when the pressure inside the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is lower than ambient pressure, may increase the pressure inside the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and may cause the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to transition to the second pressure state in which the pressure inside the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> exceed the ambient pressure external to the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. Alternatively and/or additionally, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may transition to the second pressure state in response to a change in ambient temperature, a change in ambient pressure (e.g., due to a change in external conditions such as altitude, weather, and/or the like), and/or a change in the volume of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> (e.g., when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is compacted by an external force such as squeezing). The increase in the pressure inside the storage chamber <NUM>, for example, in the case of a negative pressure event, may at least expand the air occupying the void space of the storage chamber <NUM>, thereby displacing at least a portion of the vaporizable material in the storage chamber <NUM>. The displaced portion of the vaporizable material may travel through at least some part of the overflow channel <NUM> in the collector <NUM>. Microfluidic features of the overflow channel <NUM> can cause the liquid vaporizable material <NUM> to move along a length of the overflow channel <NUM> in the collector <NUM> only with a meniscus fully covering the cross-sectional area of the overflow channel <NUM> transverse to the direction of flow along the length.

In some implementations of the current subject matter, the microfluidic features can include a cross-sectional area sufficiently small that for the material from which walls of the overflow channel <NUM> are formed and the composition of the vaporizable material, the vaporizable material preferentially wets the overflow channel <NUM> around an entire perimeter of the overflow channel <NUM>. For example, where the vaporizable material includes one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, wetting properties of such a liquid are advantageously considered in combination with the geometry of the overflow channel <NUM> and materials from which the walls of the overflow channel <NUM> are formed. In this manner, as the pressure differential between the storage chamber <NUM> and ambient pressure varies, a meniscus is maintained between the vaporizable material present in the overflow channel <NUM> and air entering from the ambient atmosphere to prevent the vaporizable material and the air from moving past one another. As pressure in the storage chamber <NUM> drops sufficiently relative to ambient pressure and if there is sufficient void volume in the storage chamber <NUM> to allow it, the vaporizable material present in the overflow channel <NUM> of the collector <NUM> may be drawn back into the storage chamber <NUM> sufficiently to cause the leading liquid-air meniscus to reach a gate or port between the overflow channel <NUM> of the collector <NUM> and the storage chamber <NUM>. At such time, if the pressure differential in the storage chamber <NUM> relative to ambient pressure is sufficiently negative to overcome surface tension maintaining the meniscus at the gate or port, the meniscus may be freed from the gate or port walls to form one or more air bubbles, which are then released into the storage chamber <NUM> with sufficient volume to equalize the pressure inside the storage chamber <NUM> relative to ambient pressure.

When air admitted into the storage chamber <NUM> as discussed above (or otherwise becomes present therein) experiences an elevated pressure condition relative to ambient (e.g., due to a drop in ambient pressure or an elevation in internal pressure in the storage chamber <NUM> such as might occur due to local heating, mechanical pressure that distorts a shape and thereby reduces a volume of the storage chamber <NUM>, etc., or the like), the above-described process may be reversed. The vaporizable material may pass through the gate or port into the overflow channel <NUM> of the collector <NUM> and a meniscus may form at the leading edge of a column of the vaporizable material passing into the overflow channel <NUM> to prevent air from bypassing and flowing counter to the progression of the vaporizable material.

Referring now to <FIG>, depicted is an example of the vaporizer device <NUM> and the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. <FIG> depicts a perspective view of the vaporizer device <NUM> having the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> inserted (e.g., releasably) into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) of the vaporizer body <NUM>. The vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may include a transparent portion that remains visible when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is coupled to the vaporizer body <NUM>. The transparent portion may allow a level of vaporizable material in the reservoir <NUM> to be viewed by a user.

<FIG> depict alternate views of the vaporizer device <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> show front and back views, respectively. <FIG> show left and right side views, respectively. The vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can be seen coupled (e.g. releasably) to the vaporizer body <NUM> in each of the views. <FIG> depicts a top view of the vaporizer device <NUM>, in which the airflow passageway <NUM> is visible. When a user inhales from an airflow passageway <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>, air may flow into the cartridge <NUM> through one or more air inlets in an operational relationship with the wicking element <NUM>. The heating element <NUM> may be activated in response to a signal generated by the one or more sensors <NUM> (e.g., shown in <FIG>). As noted, the one or more sensors <NUM> may include at least one of pressure sensor, motion sensor, flow sensor, or other mechanism capable of detecting a puff and/or an imminent puff including, for example, by detecting changes in the airflow passageway <NUM>. When the heating element <NUM> is activated, the heating element <NUM> may undergo a temperature increase as a result of a current flowing through one or more electrically resistive portion of the heating element <NUM> where the electrical energy is converted to heat energy. It should be appreciated that the heating element <NUM> may be activated by the controller <NUM> (e.g., shown in <FIG>) controlling the power source <NUM> to discharge an electric current from the power source <NUM> to the heating element <NUM>. <FIG> depicts a bottom view of the vaporizer body <NUM>.

<FIG> depict schematic representations of an example of a shell <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM> consistent implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in <FIG>, the shell <NUM> is formed from a single, continuous piece of material comprising a metal or a metal alloy. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the shell <NUM> may exhibit an aspect ratio in which a length of the shell may be approximately <NUM>-<NUM> times a width of the shell <NUM>. Moreover, the shell <NUM> may be formed by an impact extrusion process in which a slug (e.g., of metal, metal alloy, and/or the like) is pressed at a high velocity and with extreme force into a die or a mold. For example, the shell <NUM> can be formed from impact extrusion followed by machining of the first portion <NUM> and/or the second portion <NUM> and/or the transition region <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. Typically, aspect ratios of similar objects created via conventional impact extrusion processes are limited to aspect ratios of approximately <NUM>:<NUM> or less. The shell <NUM> disclosed herein can have an aspect ratio higher than <NUM>:<NUM>, such as <NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM> as previously disclosed. The design of the shell <NUM>, including the thicknesses of the walls, allows for impact extrusion manufacturing of a stable and consistent shell <NUM> having an aspect ratio up to approximately <NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM>.

A first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may include the cartridge receptacle <NUM> configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge such as, for example, the examples of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Furthermore, a second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may be configured to accommodate at least a portion of the power source <NUM> (e.g., a battery and/or the like). Forming the shell <NUM> from a single piece of metal can reduce manufacturing costs and complexity, for example, by eliminating a need for joining portions of the shell <NUM> by welding, adhesives, and/or the like. The structural integrity of the shell <NUM> can also be increased by using a one-piece design due to the absence of seams or joints (e.g., adhesives, welds, and/or the like) that may weaken and/or fail over time and use. The elimination of seams and joints may further improve the consistency of an external appearance of the shell <NUM>.

<FIG> is a close-up view of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may include a cartridge receptacle area <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the cartridge receptacle <NUM> in the vaporizer body <NUM> may be disposed at least partially within the cartridge receptacle area <NUM> such that the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> extends at least partially around a perimeter of the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. The cartridge receptacle area <NUM> can also include one or more apertures <NUM>. The apertures <NUM> can be configured to allow visualization of illuminating indicators (such as LEDs, or other light sources) through the shell <NUM>. For example, the apertures <NUM> may allow a user to visualize flashing, color changes, brightness changes, and/or other patterns or changes in the illuminating indicators. The apertures <NUM> may be located at any position on the shell <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, cross-sectional views of the shell <NUM> are provided. <FIG> shows a cross-sectional view across an axis of the shell <NUM>. The first portion <NUM>, with cartridge receptacle area <NUM> and apertures <NUM>, is shown. A transition region <NUM> can be seen between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> such that the walls of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> are thinner than the walls of the shell <NUM> in at least the transition region <NUM>. The thickness of the walls of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> is reduced, in order to increase the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. Increasing the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may increase the capacity of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> such that the shell <NUM> is able to accommodate, for example, a larger battery serving as the power source <NUM>. For example, the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM>-<NUM> wide and approximately <NUM>-<NUM> deep. The second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM>-<NUM> wide and approximately <NUM>-<NUM> deep. In embodiments, the thickness of the walls of the first portion <NUM> of the shell can be approximately <NUM>-<NUM>, and the thickness of the walls of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM> by approximately <NUM>, which is larger than the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>, which can be approximately <NUM> by approximately <NUM>.

In the example of the shell <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the walls of the shell <NUM> can have a first thickness at the first portion <NUM>, a second thickness at the transition region <NUM>, and a third thickness at the second portion <NUM>. In embodiments, the first thickness of the shell <NUM> at the first portion <NUM> and the third thickness of the shell <NUM> at the second portion <NUM> may be less than the second thickness of the shell <NUM> at the transition region <NUM>. Moreover, in some embodiments, the first thickness of the shell <NUM> at the first portion <NUM> may be the same as, greater than, or less than the third thickness of the shell <NUM> at the second portion <NUM>. These thicknesses may be achieved by forming the shell <NUM> via impact extrusion, followed by machining of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. Forming the shell <NUM> such that the thickness of the walls at the transition region <NUM> is greater than the thickness of the walls of the shell <NUM> at the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> offers the following advantages of allowing more space in the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> to contain additional components and/or a larger battery.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view across an axis perpendicular to that shown in <FIG>. The first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may include one or more air inlets <NUM>. Air may flow through the shell <NUM> via one or more air inlets <NUM>. The one or more air inlets <NUM>, which may be in fluid communication with one or more air inlets in the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is coupled with the vaporizer body <NUM> including the shell <NUM>, may provide entry for air to travel through the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may have larger inner cross sectional dimensions than the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>, with the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> extending beyond the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. When the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> (e.g., the example of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG>) is coupled with the vaporizer body <NUM>, the housing <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may extend at least partially below the top of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The housing <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may further extend at least partially around a perimeter of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> while remaining substantially flush with the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>.

Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, the thickness of the walls of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> is reduced in order to increase the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> has a larger inner cross-sectional dimension than that of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. In <FIG>, the one or more air inlets <NUM> can be seen in the cartridge receptacle area <NUM>. The capacity of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may be increased as a result of reducing the thickness of the walls of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. Increasing the capacity of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may allow the shell <NUM> to accommodate a larger battery serving as the power source <NUM>, thereby increasing the power of the power source <NUM> and/or extending the battery life associated with the vaporizer device <NUM>. Alternatively and/or additionally, increasing the capacity of the second portion of the shell <NUM> may allow the shell <NUM> to accommodate additional components (e.g., controllers, sensors, and/or the like) that may lend additional functionalities to the vaporizer device <NUM>.

<FIG> show embodiments of the cross-sectional dimensions of the shell <NUM>. <FIG> shows the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. As shown, the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM> by approximately <NUM>-<NUM>. <FIG> shows the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be greater than the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the inner cross-sectional dimensions of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM>-<NUM> by approximately <NUM>-<NUM>. <FIG> shows a front view of the shell <NUM>, indicating sections A and B. Section A is an outer view of the shell <NUM> corresponding with the cross-sectional view of section A-A of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. Section B is an outer view of the shell <NUM> corresponding with the cross-sectional view of section B-B of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>, shown in <FIG> shows a side cross-sectional view of the shell <NUM>. The transition region <NUM> of the shell <NUM>, as well as the one or more air inlets <NUM>, can be seen. As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the thickness of the walls of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM>-<NUM>. In embodiments, the thickness of the walls of the second portion <NUM> of the shell can be approximately <NUM>. The thickness of the walls of the transition region <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be thicker than one or both of the thicknesses of the first portion <NUM> and/or the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. <FIG> is another front view of the shell <NUM>, showing section C of the shell <NUM>, which corresponds to the cross-sectional view of section C-C, shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, in some embodiments, the width of the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM>-<NUM>. In embodiments, the width of the second portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> can be approximately <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the dimensions described and illustrated herein can vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> shows a close-up view of the vaporizer body <NUM> including the first portion <NUM>, the second portion <NUM>, and the transition region <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the vaporizer body <NUM> may be coupled with the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, which may include the collector <NUM>, wick feeds <NUM>, heating element <NUM>, and wicking element <NUM>. For example, <FIG> shows that the cartridge receptacle <NUM>, which may be disposed at least partially within the cartridge receptacle area <NUM> formed by the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM>, may receive the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. The wick housing <NUM> including the wicking element <NUM> and the heating element <NUM> may be disposed at least partially within the cartridge receptacle <NUM> when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is coupled with the vaporizer body <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> contains, at least partially, the power source <NUM>, which provides power to the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in order to vaporize the vaporizable material <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>). The second portion <NUM> may also include additional components such as controllers or sensors, which may add additional functionality.

<FIG> depicts a disassembled view of an example of the vaporizer body <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in <FIG>, the vaporizer body <NUM> may include a shell <NUM>, a sheath <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, a skeleton <NUM>, a charge badge <NUM>, a cartridge interface <NUM>, an endcap <NUM>, and an LED badge <NUM>. In some aspects, assembly of the vaporizer body <NUM> may include placing the battery <NUM> within the skeleton <NUM> at an inferior end of the skeleton <NUM> (left-hand side of <FIG>). The antenna <NUM> may be coupled to an inferior end of the battery <NUM>. The cartridge interface <NUM>, the PCBA <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> may be mechanically coupled, for example, via one or more coupling means. For example, an inferior end of the PCBA <NUM> may be coupled to a superior end of the battery <NUM> and a superior end of the PCBA <NUM> may be coupled to the cartridge interface <NUM> using press fits, solder joints, and/or any other coupling means. To form the cartridge interface <NUM>, the sheath <NUM> may be configured to at least partially surround the cartridge interface <NUM> when the cartridge interface <NUM> is disposed in the sheath <NUM>. When disposed in the shell <NUM>, the skeleton <NUM> (e.g., including the battery <NUM>, the antenna <NUM>, the cartridge interface <NUM>, and the PCBA <NUM>) may be secured to the shell <NUM> by friction fit, spring tension, and/or the like. For instance, as show in <FIG>, the skeleton <NUM> may include one or more snap features <NUM> configured to engage the shell <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a top perspective view of the vaporizer body <NUM> including an example of the cartridge receptacle <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in <FIG>, the cartridge receptacle <NUM> may be disposed at least partially within the sheath <NUM>. For example, in the example shown in <FIG>, the top rim of the cartridge receptacle <NUM> and the sheath <NUM> may be substantially flush. The interior of the cartridge receptacle <NUM> may include one or more pod identifier contacts (e.g., the pod identifier contacts 307A, 307B, and 307C) and one or more receptacle contacts (e.g., the receptacle contacts 125A and 125B). Moreover, the vaporizer body <NUM> may also include one or more pod retention features <NUM>, which may be disposed on an interior of the cartridge receptacle <NUM> and/or an exterior of the sheath <NUM>. Examples of the pod retention features <NUM> may include pins, clips, protrusions, detents, and/or the like. The pod retention features <NUM> may be configured to secure the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> within the cartridge receptacle <NUM> including by applying, against the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, a magnetic force, an adhesive force, a compressive force, a friction force, and/or the like.

In implementations where the pod retention features <NUM> are disposed inside the cartridge receptacle <NUM>, the pod retention features <NUM> may be configured to form a mechanical coupling with, for example, at least a portion of the heating element <NUM> and/or a portion of the wick housing <NUM> (e.g., the recesses in the wick housing <NUM>). Alternatively and/or additionally, in example implementations where the pod retention features <NUM> are disposed on an exterior of the sheath <NUM>, the pod retention features <NUM> may be configured to form a mechanical coupling with the housing of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the pod retention features <NUM> may include various means of securing the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> within the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. Moreover, the pod retention features <NUM> may be disposed at any suitable location in the vaporizer body <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, the cartridge interface <NUM> may include a notch <NUM> in at least one sidewall of the cartridge interface <NUM>. According to some implementations of the current subject matter, the thickness of the walls of the shell <NUM>, particularly in the areas around the sheath <NUM>, may be thickened to increase the strength of the material forming the shell <NUM> (e.g., aluminum (Al) and/or the like). Thus, in the example shown in <FIG>, the notch <NUM> may include a region in the sidewall of the cartridge interface <NUM> where the thickness of the material forming the cartridge interface <NUM> is reduced (e.g., thinned or tapered) or where the material forming the cartridge interface <NUM> is eliminated altogether. The resulting notch <NUM> may provide space for accommodating the wick housing <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is coupled with the vaporizer body <NUM>. For example, the example of the notch <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be U-shaped cutout conforming at least partially to the contours of the wick housing <NUM>. The shape, size, and thickness of the material at the notch <NUM> may correspond to the shape and size of the wick housing <NUM> as well as the thickness of the shell <NUM> (e.g., at the sheath <NUM>).

Implementing the notch <NUM> as a cutout instead of thinning (or tapering) the material may improve the dissipation of heat from the heating element <NUM> disposed in the wick housing <NUM>. For example, excess heat generated by the heating element <NUM> may be absorbed and dissipated by the shell <NUM>, instead of the excess heat potentially softening or damaging one or more portions of the cartridge interface <NUM> or other structures that are proximate to the heating element <NUM> when the cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. Forming the notch <NUM> by thinning (or tapering) the material may reduce the structural integrity of the cartridge interface <NUM>, rendering the cartridge interface <NUM> more susceptible to breakage during manufacturing and use. Thus, in some implementations of the current subject matter, the notch <NUM> may be implemented as a cutout to increase the robustness the cartridge interface <NUM> and the durability of the vaporizer device <NUM> incorporating the cartridge interface <NUM>. Manufacturing complexity and cost may also be reduced by implementing the notch <NUM> as a cutout at least because the cartridge interface <NUM> may be less fragile and prone to breakage during manufacturing and assembly.

<FIG> is a flow chart showing an exemplary processing method <NUM>, which may be used to form an example of the shell <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown, a material can be provided, such as a slug, billet, or other material (<NUM>). The slug or billet may be hollow or solid. Impact extrusion can then be performed on the material (<NUM>). For example, impact extrusion may be performed to form the shell <NUM>. Machining may be employed to form various features of the shell <NUM> (<NUM>). For example, the first portion <NUM> of the shell <NUM> may be machined. Additionally and/or alternatively, the neck features, cartridge receptacle area <NUM>, and/or transition region <NUM> may be machined. Optionally, the machining step can be followed by additional processing, such as heat treatment, sandblasting, polishing, anodizing, or the like.

<FIG> show the shell <NUM> manufactured via the processing method <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is a front plan view of the shell <NUM> after impact extrusion of a material <NUM> was used to form the shape of the shell <NUM> (<NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, some material <NUM> remains around the exterior of the shell <NUM>, including additional material <NUM> around the transition region <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) of the shell <NUM>. <FIG> is a front plan view of the shell <NUM> after machining of features of the shell (<NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, the cartridge receptacle area <NUM>, apertures <NUM>, and the first portion <NUM> and second portion <NUM>, have been machined onto the shell <NUM>.

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. 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 can be present.

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.

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.

Spatially relative terms, such as "forward", "rearward", "under", "below", "lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may 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. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated <NUM> degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

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. For example, a numeric value can have a value that is +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- <NUM>% 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.

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

The programmable system or computing system can include clients and servers.

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. 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.

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. 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.

Claim 1:
A vaporizer device (<NUM>) comprising:
a vaporizer cartridge (<NUM>) containing a vaporizable material;
a power source (<NUM>); and
a shell (<NUM>) formed from a single continuous piece of a material, the material comprising a metal or a metal alloy, the shell (<NUM>) having a first portion (<NUM>) and a second portion (<NUM>), the first portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) extending at least partially around a perimeter of a receptacle (<NUM>) configured to receive the vaporizer cartridge (<NUM>), and the second portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) configured to receive the power source (<NUM>), and the second portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) having a second thickness that is less than a first thickness of a transition region (<NUM>) between the first portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>), wherein the second portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) has a larger inner cross-sectional dimension than the first portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>), and wherein the second thickness of the second portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>) is reduced in order to increase an inner cross-sectional dimension of the second portion (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>).