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

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.

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).

A vaporize device typically uses an atomizer that heats the vaporizable material and delivers an inhalable aerosol instead of smoke. The atomizer can include a wicking element that conveys an amount of a vaporizable material (along its length) to apart of the atomizer that includes a heating element. In some embodiments, the atomizer includes a mesh that can be used as a wicking element, which draws the vaporizable material into the atomizer, or can be used as a heating element, which vaporizes the vaporizable material. As such, the use of a mesh therefore requires the atomizer to include an additional element to either draw the vaporizable material into the atomizer or heat the vaporizable material depending on how the mesh is being used. For example, in instances where the meshes are used as the wicking element, an additional heater is required because the electrical resistance of the mesh is generally low. In other instances where the mesh is used as the heating element, an additional wicking element is needed, such as cotton. As such, improved vaporizer devices and/or vaporizer cartridges that improve upon or overcome these issues is desired.

<CIT> discloses a vaporization device with a heating element that is formed with a planar portion including a filament. The filament is placed adjacent a porous substrate in fluid communication with a reservoir. The porous substrate is made of a material capable of withstanding the varying temperatures of the heating element. The heating element can thus heat material which is drawn by the porous substrate toward the filament.

<CIT> discloses a vaporization device with a heating element that includes an aerosol-forming member. The aerosol-forming member contains a first layer formed of a conductive metal wire mesh, and a second layer formed of a non-conductive material acting as a wick. The two layers are fitted to another so that the aerosol-forming member has a capillary path and an electrical path. The positioning of the aerosol-forming member is in the airflow tube.

<CIT> discloses a smoking system including a tobacco containing section in which tobacco is heated by a mesh heater assembly, and a replaceable cartridge in which a pre-vapor formulation is vaporized by a heater. The mesh heater assembly is wrapped around a wall forming the airflow path and located in the tobacco to heat the tobacco and to generate a tobacco aroma.

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 housing that is configured to hold a vaporizable material, an airflow tube that extends through the reservoir housing, and a folded mesh that is disposed within the airflow tube and includes a plurality of folds. The airflow tube defines a passageway extending therethrough and at least a portion of the airflow tube being permeable to the vaporizable material, in which the permeable portion of the airflow tube is configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir housing into the airflow tube for vaporization. The folded mesh is configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current, and when in the activated state, the folded mesh is configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir housing.

In some embodiments, the permeable portion of the airflow tube can include a plurality of holes.

The folded mesh can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the folded mesh can extend a mesh length from a first end to a second end, in which the mesh length of the folded mesh can be less than a predetermined length of the folded mesh in an unfolded state. The folded mesh can have a width that can be greater than a radius of the airflow tube.

The airflow tube can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the airflow tube can have a tube length that extends from a first end to a second end. The tube length can be greater than the mesh length.

In some embodiments, a pressure equilibrium can be created across the permeable portion of the airflow tube between the reservoir housing and the passageway when the folded mesh is in the deactivated state.

In some embodiments, a pressure differential can be created across the permeable portion of the airflow tube between the reservoir housing and the passageway when the folded mesh is in the activated state. The pressure differential can be created in response to the vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material when the folded mesh is in the activated state. In certain embodiments, the vaporizable material can flow from the reservoir housing into the airflow tube through the permeable portion of the airflow tube when the pressure differential is created.

In some embodiments, a portion of the vaporizable material can be within the airflow tube when the folded mesh is in the deactivated state.

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 housing that is configured to hold a vaporizable material, an airflow tube that extends through the reservoir housing, and a folded mesh that is disposed within the airflow tube and includes a plurality of folds. The airflow tube defines a passageway extending therethrough and at least a portion of the airflow tube being permeable to the vaporizable material, in which the permeable portion of the airflow tube is configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir housing into the airflow tube for vaporization. The folded mesh is configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current, and when in the activated state, the folded mesh is configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir housing.

The vaporizer body can have a variety of configurations. In some embodiments, the vaporizer body can include a power source.

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 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 of <FIG>, a 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 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 device 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 (i.e., 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 not covered by the claims, 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 assembly configurations are also possible.

The heating element can be activated in association with a user puffing (i.e., 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> (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 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 of a sensor <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 (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 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 light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on a status and/or mode of operation 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 (i.e., 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 (i.e., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) the controller <NUM> (for example, a printed circuit board assembly 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 device, 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> (i.e., 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>.

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.

For example, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> or at least the insertable end <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can be symmetrical upon a rotation of <NUM>° around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer device <NUM> can support identical operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> occurs.

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 assembly 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 (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 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> illustrate an embodiment of the vaporizer body <NUM> having a cartridge receptacle <NUM> into which the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can be releasably inserted. <FIG> show top views of the vaporizer device <NUM> illustrating the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> being positioned for insertion and inserted, respectively, into the vaporizer body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the reservoir <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> being formed in whole or in part from translucent material such that a level of the vaporizable material <NUM> is visible from a window <NUM> (e.g., translucent material) along the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. The vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can be configured such that the window <NUM> remains visible when insertably received by the vaporizer cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM>. For example, in one exemplary configuration, the window <NUM> can be disposed between a bottom edge of the mouthpiece <NUM> and a top edge of the vaporizer body <NUM> when the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> is coupled with the cartridge receptacle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example airflow path <NUM> created during a puff by a user on the vaporizer device <NUM>. The airflow path <NUM> can direct air to a vaporization chamber <NUM> (see <FIG>) contained in a wick housing where the air is combined with inhalable aerosol for delivery to a user via a mouthpiece <NUM>, which can also be part of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. For example, when a user puffs on the vaporizer device <NUM> device <NUM>, air can pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> (for example, window <NUM> shown in <FIG>) and an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle <NUM> on the vaporizer body <NUM>. Air can then be drawn into the insertable end <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, through the vaporization chamber <NUM> that includes or contains the heating element and wick, and out through an outlet <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> for delivery of the inhalable aerosol to a user.

As shown in <FIG>, this configuration causes air to flow down around the insertable end <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> and then flow back in the opposite direction after passing around the insertable end <NUM> (e.g., an end opposite of the end including the mouthpiece <NUM>) of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> as it enters into the cartridge body toward the vaporization chamber <NUM>. The airflow path <NUM> then travels through the interior of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, for example via one or more tubes or internal channels (such as cannula <NUM> shown in <FIG>) and through one or more outlets (such as outlet <NUM>) formed in the mouthpiece <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> can be a separable component of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> or can be integrally formed with other component(s) of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> (for example, formed as a unitary structure with the reservoir <NUM> and/or the like).

<FIG> shows additional features that can be included in the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. For example, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> can include a plurality of cartridge contacts (such as cartridge contacts 124a, 124b) disposed on the insertable end <NUM>. The cartridge contacts 124a, 124b can optionally each be part of a single piece of metal that forms a conductive structure (such as conductive structure <NUM>) 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 cartridge <NUM>. <FIG> also shows the cannula <NUM> within the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> that defines part of the airflow path <NUM> between the heating chamber formed between the conductive structure <NUM> and the mouthpiece <NUM>.

As mentioned above, existing vaporizer devices that are not covered by the claims can include an atomizer that includes separate wicking and heating elements to ultimately vaporize the vaporizable material to form a vaporized material. The wicking element draws the vaporizable material across its length. The wicking distance is therefore dependent upon, among other possible factors, the length of the wicking element itself Further, the wicking distance can influence the ability of the vaporizer device to vaporize a desired amount of vaporizable material, such as when a user takes a puff on the vaporizer device.

In instances in which the atomizer includes a mesh, the mesh can function as either the wicking element or the heating element. Since electrical resistance of the mesh is typically low, when used as the heating element, a large amount of the mesh (along its length) is needed to provide sufficient electrical resistance for heating, such as ohmic heating. Under such circumstances, the mesh would not be suitable to also concurrently function as the wicking element because the length of the mesh would provide an overly long wicking distance for the vaporizable material to travel to be vaporized. Contrastingly, if the length of the mesh is tailored to a suitable wicking distance, the resulting mesh would not possess a sufficient amount of electrical resistance to also be used for heating, such as ohmic heating. Thus, since the electrical path and the capillary path of the meshes are not independent of each other, these meshes cannot be used as a combined wicking and heating element for the atomizer. Various features and devices are described below that improve upon or overcome these issues.

The vaporizer cartridges described herein use a combined wicking and heating element, thereby eliminating the need for two separate components to effect drawing and vaporizing of the vaporizable material. This combined wicking and heating element is a mesh that is sufficiently dimensioned to provide a length suitable for both wicking and heating. As discussed in more detail below, the mesh is in a folded configuration and positioned within an airflow tube that extends through a reservoir housing with a vaporizable material disposed therein. The mesh is configured to reduce wicking distance while still possessing a sufficient length for heating. That is, the meshes described herein possess a separate electrical path and capillary path which enables the mesh to function as both a wicking and heating element.

The cartridges generally include an airflow tube extending through the reservoir housing and a folded mesh that is disposed within the airflow tube. At least a portion of the airflow tube can be permeable to the vaporizable material, in which the permeable portion of the airflow tube can be configured to draw the vaporizable material from the reservoir housing into the airflow tube for vaporization. The permeable portion of the airflow tube can include a plurality of holes. The folded mesh can include a plurality of folds. The folded mesh can be configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current. When in the activated state, the folded mesh can be configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn from the reservoir housing. As used herein, "reservoir housing" is used synonymously with "reservoir.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary vaporizer cartridge <NUM> that can be selectively coupled to and removable from a vaporizer body, such as vaporizer body <NUM> shown in <FIG>). More specifically, the cartridge <NUM> includes a reservoir housing <NUM>, an airflow tube <NUM> extending through the reservoir housing <NUM>, and a folded mesh <NUM> that is disposed within an airflow tube <NUM>. For purposes of simplicity, certain components of the cartridge <NUM> are not illustrated.

While the reservoir housing <NUM> can have a variety of shapes and sizes, the reservoir housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is substantially rectangular in shape. The reservoir housing <NUM> is configured to hold a vaporizable material <NUM>. As shown, a gasket <NUM> is disposed within the reservoir housing <NUM> and is configured to substantially control the vaporizable material <NUM> within the reservoir housing <NUM>. Further, a headspace <NUM> exists between the gasket <NUM> and a top wall 202a of the reservoir housing <NUM>. Thus, the gasket <NUM> separates the vaporizable material <NUM> from the headspace <NUM>. The gasket can have a variety of configurations, such as a substantially rectangular shape that is dimensioned to fit within the reservoir housing <NUM> and allow the airflow tube to pass therethrough, as shown in <FIG>. In other embodiments, a gasket <NUM> can be omitted.

In some embodiments, the reservoir housing <NUM> can include one or more vents, for example vent <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, that are configured to substantially allow the passage of air into the reservoir housing <NUM> from the environment to thereby substantially maintain an inner pressure (e.g., an inner pressure that is substantially equal to ambient pressure) of the reservoir housing <NUM>. As such, the one or more vents can function as a one-way valve and therefore can be used to decrease or eliminate negative pressure that is created as the vaporizable material <NUM> flows out of the reservoir housing <NUM>.

Alternatively, or in addition, the reservoir housing <NUM> can include a valve <NUM> that is configured to allow airflow into the reservoir housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The valve <NUM> can also be configured to substantially prevent airflow from passing out of the reservoir housing <NUM>. As such, the valve <NUM> can be configured as a one-way valve. This valve <NUM> can be a passive or active valve. This valve <NUM> can be mechanically and/or electronically controlled. Various configurations of the valve <NUM> are contemplated herein.

As shown in <FIG>, the airflow tube <NUM> extends through the reservoir housing <NUM>. While the airflow tube <NUM> is shown to be approximately centered within respect to a longitudinal axis extending through a centroid of the reservoir housing <NUM>, such position is not required. As such, other locations of the airflow tube <NUM> within the reservoir housing <NUM> are also contemplated herein. Further, other airflow configurations through the reservoir housing <NUM> are also contemplated herein.

The airflow tube <NUM> can have a variety of configurations. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the airflow tube <NUM> extends a length (LT) from a first end 216a to a second end 216b and is defined by a curved sidewall 218a and a bottom wall 218b. The length of the airflow tube <NUM> is also referred to herein as tube length. Further, the airflow tube <NUM> defines a passageway <NUM> that extends therethrough. The airflow passageway <NUM> is configured to direct air, illustrated as arrow <NUM>, through the airflow tube <NUM> so that the air <NUM> will mix with the vaporized material to form an aerosol, illustrated as arrow <NUM>. The airflow passageway <NUM> further directs the aerosol <NUM> through the first end <NUM> (e.g., an outlet) of the airflow tube <NUM>, and thus into a mouthpiece <NUM> that is coupled to the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, for inhalation by a user. While a mouthpiece <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the mouthpiece <NUM> can be omitted and the user can directly puff on the cartridge <NUM> at an outlet (such as the first end <NUM> of the airflow tube <NUM>).

As shown, the air <NUM> enters the airflow tube <NUM> through the bottom wall 218b as a user puffs the mouthpiece <NUM>. As such, the bottom wall 218b is configured to allow airflow to readily pass therethrough and into the airflow tube <NUM>. While the bottom wall 218b can have a variety of configurations, the bottom wall 218b is perforated, as shown in <FIG>. The perforations can be of any suitable size that allows air to pass through the bottom wall 218b. In certain embodiments, the size of the perforations can substantially prevent any vaporizable material <NUM> and/or aerosol <NUM> present in the airflow tube <NUM> to pass through the bottom wall 218b. In this manner, undesirable leakage into other portions of a vaporizer body, such as vaporizer body <NUM> shown in <FIG>, coupled to the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, can be inhibited. The bottom wall 218b can include any suitable number of perforations, and therefore the number of perforations is not limited by what is illustrated in the <FIG>. Alternatively or in addition, the bottom wall 218b can be formed of an air permeable material. Thus, the bottom wall 218b functions as an air inlet for the airflow tube <NUM>.

The airflow tube <NUM> can also include a valve <NUM> that is configured to allow the airflow to enter the airflow tube <NUM> through the bottom wall 218b, as shown in <FIG>. The valve <NUM> can also be configured to substantially prevent vaporizable material <NUM> within the airflow tube <NUM> from leaking through the bottom wall 218b. Alternatively, or in addition, the valve <NUM> can be configured to prevent air <NUM> and/or aerosol <NUM> within the airflow tube <NUM> from passing through the bottom wall 218b. As such, the valve <NUM> can be configured as a one-way valve. The valve <NUM> can be mechanically and/or electronically controlled. Various configurations of the valve <NUM> are contemplated herein.

Further, at least a portion of the curved sidewall 218a of the airflow tube <NUM> can be permeable to the vaporizable material <NUM>. While the permeable portion of the curved sidewall 218a can have a variety of configurations, in this illustrated embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the permeable portion includes a plurality of holes <NUM> that extend through the curved sidewall 218a. These plurality of holes <NUM> can be configured to draw the vaporizable material <NUM> from the reservoir housing <NUM> into the airflow tube <NUM>, and consequently into the passageway <NUM> thereof, for vaporization by the folded mesh <NUM>, as discussed in more detail below. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the plurality of holes <NUM> form a flow passageway that extends through the curved sidewall 218a of the airflow tube <NUM>, and thus between the reservoir housing <NUM> and the passageway <NUM> defined by the airflow tube <NUM>. The plurality of holes <NUM> can also have a variety of diameters that substantially allow vaporizable material <NUM> to flow from the reservoir housing <NUM> and into the airflow tube <NUM> until a pressure equilibrium is reached (e.g., when an internal pressure of the reservoir housing <NUM> is substantially equal to ambient pressure outside of the reservoir housing <NUM>). Alternatively, the curved sidewall 218a of the airflow tube <NUM> can be formed of permeable material.

The plurality of holes <NUM> can be positioned along any portion of the curved sidewall 218a. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the plurality of holes <NUM> are positioned proximate to the bottom wall 218b of the airflow tube <NUM>. While the plurality of holes <NUM> are illustrated as being equidistant from one another, in other embodiments, the plurality of holes <NUM> can be spaced at different distances relative to each other and/or relative to the bottom wall 218b of the airflow tube <NUM>.

As discussed above, a folded mesh <NUM> is disposed within the airflow tube <NUM>. The folded mesh <NUM> can be configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current. Further, when in the activated state, the folded mesh <NUM> can be configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material <NUM> drawn from the reservoir housing <NUM> through the plurality of holes <NUM> and into the airflow tube <NUM>.

The folded mesh <NUM> can have a variety of configurations. According to the invention, the folded mesh <NUM> includes a plurality of folds <NUM>. The folded mesh <NUM>, therefore, is formed from an unfolded mesh having a predetermined length and that possesses a sufficient amount of electrical resistance suitable for heating, such as ohmic heating. The folding decreases the length of the unfolded mesh but increases the width of the unfolded mesh to form the folded mesh <NUM>. By increasing in width, according to the invention a capillary path is formed along the width of the folded mesh <NUM>. As a result, and according to the invention, the folded mesh <NUM> possesses an electrical path that extends along its length and a capillary path that extends along its width. The folded mesh <NUM> has a length (LM) that extends from a first end 228a to an opposing second end 228b and a width (WM) extending between adjacent folds. The folded mesh <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material capable of conducting an electric current. Nonlimiting examples of suitable material include stainless steel and the like. In one embodiment, the folded mesh <NUM> is a concertina stainless steel mesh.

The folded mesh <NUM> can be positioned within any portion of the airflow tube <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the folded mesh <NUM> is approximately centered with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) extending through a centroid of the cross-sectional area of the airflow tube <NUM>. In other embodiments, the folded mesh <NUM> may be offset from the centroid. In some embodiments, the width (WM) of the folded mesh <NUM> is greater than a radius (R) of the airflow tube <NUM>, for example, as shown in <FIG>.

Further, the folded mesh <NUM> extends along at least a portion of the length of the airflow tube <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the folded mesh <NUM> extends along at least the portion of the airflow tube <NUM> having the plurality of holes <NUM>. In some embodiments, the length of the folded mesh <NUM> can be less than the length of the airflow tube <NUM>. In other embodiments, the length of the folded mesh <NUM> can be equal to the length of the airflow tube <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> includes two or more cartridge contacts such as, for example, a first cartridge contact 229a and a second cartridge contact 229b. The two or more cartridge contacts can be configured to couple, for example, with the receptacle contacts 125a and 125b in order to form one or more electrical connections with the vaporizer body <NUM>. The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to the folded mesh <NUM>. The circuit can also serve additional functions such as, for example, measuring a resistance of the folded mesh <NUM> for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the folded mesh <NUM> based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the folded mesh <NUM>.

In use, a pressure equilibrium can be created across at least a portion of the plurality of holes <NUM> between the reservoir housing <NUM> and the passageway <NUM> of the airflow tube <NUM> when the folded mesh <NUM> is in the deactivated state. As such, a portion of the vaporizable material <NUM> can be within the airflow tube <NUM> when the folded mesh <NUM> is in the deactivated state. The folded mesh <NUM> can be activated (changing from the deactivated state to the activated state) in response electric current being applied via a power source (not shown). Once activated, the folded mesh <NUM> generates heat that vaporizes at least a portion of the vaporizable material <NUM> in contact therewith, and in some instances, in close proximity thereto, into the vaporized material. This vaporized material then mixes with the air <NUM> that is passing through the passageway <NUM> of the airflow tube <NUM>, and consequently between the plurality of folds <NUM> of the folded mesh <NUM>, and forms aerosol <NUM>. Alternatively, or in addition, the air <NUM> can pass through the folded mesh <NUM> itself.

A pressure differential can be created across at least a portion of the plurality of holes <NUM> between the reservoir housing <NUM> and the passageway <NUM> of the airflow tube <NUM> when the folded mesh <NUM> is in an activated state (e.g., in response to the vaporization of at least a portion of the vaporizable material <NUM> within the airflow tube <NUM> when the folded mesh <NUM> is in the activated state). It should be noted that this pressure differential can exist irrespective of whether the folded mesh <NUM> is in an activated state or a deactivated state. When a pressure differential is created, the vaporizable material <NUM> can flow from the reservoir housing <NUM> into the airflow tube <NUM> through the plurality of holes <NUM>.

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.

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.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may 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.

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. 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. 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 cartridge (<NUM>) for a vaporizer device (<NUM>), the cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a reservoir housing (<NUM>) being configured to hold a vaporizable material (<NUM>);
an airflow tube (<NUM>) extending through the reservoir housing (<NUM>), the airflow tube (<NUM>) defining a passageway (<NUM>) extending therethrough, at least a portion of the airflow tube (<NUM>) being permeable to the vaporizable material (<NUM>), the permeable portion of the airflow tube (<NUM>) being configured to draw the vaporizable material (<NUM>) from the reservoir housing (<NUM>) into the airflow tube (<NUM>) for vaporization; and
a folded mesh (<NUM>) that is formed from an unfolded mesh having a predetermined length and an electrical resistance suitable for heating, wherein the folding of the unfolded mesh into the folded mesh (<NUM>) including a plurality of folds results in a decrease of the length of the unfolded mesh and an increase of the width of the unfolded mesh,
wherein the folded mesh (<NUM>) is disposed within the airflow tube (<NUM>), the folded mesh (<NUM>) having a capillary path and an electrical path such that the folded mesh (<NUM>) is configured to draw vaporizable material (<NUM>) from the reservoir housing (<NUM>) and vaporize at least a portion of the drawn vaporizable material (<NUM>) into vaporized material, wherein the folded mesh (<NUM>) is configured to change from a deactivated state to an activated state in response to receiving an electric current, and when in the activated state, the folded mesh (<NUM>) is configured to generate an amount of heat that is sufficient to vaporize the at least a portion of the drawn vaporizable material (<NUM>) into vaporized material
characterized in that
the capillary path extends along a width (WM) of the folded mesh (<NUM>), the width (WM) extending between adjacent folds of the plurality of folds, and wherein the electrical path extends along a length (LM) of the folded mesh (<NUM>), the length (LM) extending from a first end to an opposing second end of the folded mesh (<NUM>).