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 (or "vapor") 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 may be used to simulate the experience of smoking, but without burning of tobacco or other substances.

In use of a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, commonly called vapor, which may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., causing a liquid or solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which may be liquid, a solution, a solid, a wax, or any other form as may be compatible with use of a specific vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer can be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a separable part of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir) that includes a mouthpiece (e.g., for inhalation 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, or by some other approach. A puff, as the term is generally used (and also used herein), refers to inhalation by the user in a manner that causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that the inhalable aerosol is generated by a combination of vaporized vaporizable material with the air.

A typical approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (or a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizable material to be converted to the gas (or vapor) phase. A vaporization chamber generally refers to an area or volume in the vaporizer device within which a heat source (e.g., conductive, convective, and/or radiative) causes heating of a vaporizable material to produce a mixture of air and vaporized vaporizable material to form a vapor for inhalation by a user of the vaporizer.

Currently available vaporizers often use a power source such as a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries are useful due to their power density and high discharge rates. Lithium-ion batteries are not suited for disposal systems due to the materials used and the high cost to produce. Recycling lithium-ion batteries is difficult and requires high heat and harsh chemicals to recover the cathode materials. As such, improved vaporization devices and/or vaporization cartridges that improve upon or overcome these issues is desired.

The term vaporizer device, as used herein consistent with the current subject matter, generally refers to portable, self-contained, devices that are convenient for personal use. Typically, such devices are controlled by one or more switches, buttons, touch sensitive devices, or other user input functionality or the like (which can be referred to generally as controls) on the vaporizer, although a number of devices that may wirelessly communicate with an external controller (e.g., a smartphone, a smart watch, other wearable electronic devices, etc.) have recently become available. Control, in this context, refers generally to an ability to influence one or more of a variety of operating parameters, which may include without limitation any of causing the heater to be turned on and/or off, adjusting a minimum and/or maximum temperature to which the heater is heated during operation, various games or other interactive features that a user might access on a device, and/or other operations.

Various vaporizable materials having a variety of contents and proportions of such contents can be contained in the cartridge. Some vaporizable materials, for example, may have a smaller percentage of active ingredients per total volume of vaporizable material, such as due to regulations requiring certain active ingredient percentages. As a result, a user may need to vaporize a large amount of vaporizable material (e.g., compared to the overall volume of vaporizable material that can be stored in a cartridge) to achieve a desired effect.

Reference is made to the prior art documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

In certain aspects of the current subject matter, challenges associated with adequate power supply in a disposable vaporizer device may 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 methods and systems related to a power supply of a vaporizer device.

According to the invention , a vaporizer body is provided having the features of claim <NUM>. The vaporizer body includes a first metal-air battery, an air channel disposed in the vaporizer body, the air channel configured to provide air to the first metal-air battery, and an air pump, attached to the vaporizer body proximate the air channel and configured to selectively provide air through the air channel to the first metal-air battery.

In another, interrelated aspect, a vaporizer body is provided. The vaporizer body includes a first metal-air battery, an air channel disposed and configured to provide air to the first metal-air battery, and a selector valve, wherein the selector valve is disposed and configured to selectively pass air through the air channel to the metal-air battery.

In another, interrelated aspect, a vaporizer is provided. The vaporizer includes a vaporizer body. The vaporizer body includes a first metal-air battery, an air channel configured to provide air to the first metal-air battery, and an air pump, wherein the air pump is configured to selectively blow air through the air channel to the first metal-air battery, and a separable cartridge.

In another, interrelated aspect, a vaporizer is provided. The vaporizer includes a vaporizer body. The vaporizer body includes a first metal-air battery, an air channel configured to provide air to the first metal-air battery, and a selector valve, wherein the selector valve is configured to selectively pass air through the air channel to the first metal-air battery, and a separable cartridge.

In another, interrelated aspect, a vaporizer is provided. The vaporizer includes a vaporizer body. The vaporizer body includes a first metal-air battery, an air channel disposed in the vaporizer body, the air channel configured to provide air to the first metal-air battery, and an air pump, attached to the vaporizer body proximate the air channel and configured to selectively provide air through the air channel to the first metal-air battery.

In another, interrelated aspect, a vaporizer body is provided. The vaporizer body includes a first metal-air battery, an air channel disposed in the vaporizer body, the air channel configured to provide air to the first metal-air battery, and an air pump, attached to the vaporizer body proximate the air channel and configured to selectively provide air through the air channel to the first metal-air battery.

In embodiments, the vaporizer body includes a cartridge receptacle configured to receive a cartridge including a vaporizable material. In embodiments, the vaporizer body includes a cartridge receptacle configured to insertably receive a cartridge containing a vaporizable material. In embodiments, the vaporizer body includes a storage compartment configured to receive a vaporizable material. In embodiments, the vaporizer body includes a cartridge coupler configured to couple a cartridge including a vaporizable material. In embodiments, the air channel is configured to provide air to a cathode of the first metal-air battery. In embodiments, the air pump is configured to selectively provide air through the air channel to a cathode of the first metal-air battery. In embodiments, the vaporizer body has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is opposite to the second end, and wherein the first end is free of electrical contacts. In embodiments, the cartridge receptacle is disposed at the second end. In embodiments, a base of the cartridge receptacle includes one or more electrical contacts configured to transmit an electrical power to the cartridge. In embodiments, the air channel extends from the base of the cartridge receptacle. In embodiments, the air channel extends to the first end of the vaporizer body. In embodiments, the air channel extends along a length of a cathode of the first metal-air battery.

In embodiments, an anode of the first metal-air battery includes a metallic powder. In embodiments, an anode of the first metal-air battery includes a metal alloy. In embodiments, a cathode of the first metal-air battery includes a porous carbon. In embodiments, a cathode of the first metal-air battery includes a porous activated carbon. In embodiments, an electrolyte of the first metal-air battery includes potassium hydroxide. In embodiments, an electrolyte of the first metal-air battery includes an additive. In embodiments, the first metal-air battery further includes a selectively permeable membrane disposed on a cathode of the first metal-air battery. In embodiments, the first metal-air battery further includes a selectively permeable membrane forming a portion of the air channel. In embodiments, the selectively permeable membrane is permeable to oxygen and/or air. In embodiments, the selectively permeable membrane is impermeable to water and/or carbon dioxide. In embodiments, the air pump includes a flexible bladder. In embodiments, the air pump includes a pressurizable tank. In embodiments, the air pump includes a mechanical pump. In embodiments, the air pump includes an electrical pump.

In embodiments, the vaporizer body further includes a second metal-air battery. In embodiments, the air channel is disposed between a first cathode of the first metal-air battery and a second cathode of the second metal-air battery. In embodiments, the vaporizer body further includes a selectively permeable membrane, wherein the selectively permeable membrane is disposed between the air channel, and at least one of the first cathode and the second cathode. In embodiments, the vaporizable material includes a nicotine formulation.

In embodiments, a base of the cartridge receptacle includes one or more electrical contacts configured to transmit, to the cartridge, an electrical power. In embodiments, the vaporizer further includes a selectively permeable membrane, wherein the selectively permeable membrane is disposed between the air channel, and at least one of the first cathode and the second cathode. In embodiments, the vaporizer includes a mouthpiece disposed at the second end. In embodiments, the air channel extends from the base of the storage compartment. In embodiments, the cartridge coupler is disposed at the second end. In embodiments, a base of the cartridge coupler includes one or more electrical contacts configured to transmit an electrical power to the cartridge. In embodiments, the air channel extends from the base of the cartridge coupler.

Implementations of the current subject matter include devices relating to vaporizing of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. The term "vaporizer" is used generically in the following description to refer to a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizers consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers or the like. Such vaporizers are generally portable, hand-held devices that heat a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material.

The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer may optionally be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a part of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container and that can be refillable when empty or disposable in favor of a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of a same or different type). A vaporizer may be a cartridge-using vaporizer, a cartridge-less vaporizer, or a multi-use vaporizer capable of use with or without a cartridge. For example, a multi-use vaporizer may include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) configured to receive a vaporizable material directly in the heating chamber and also to receive a cartridge or other replaceable device having a reservoir, a volume, or the like for at least partially containing a usable amount of vaporizable material.

In various implementations, a vaporizer may be configured for use with liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which an active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution or a neat liquid form of the vaporizable material itself) or a solid vaporizable material. A solid vaporizable material may include a plant material that emits some part of the plant material as the vaporizable material (e.g., such that some part of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material is emitted for inhalation by a user) or optionally can be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself (e.g., a "wax") 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 part of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been consumed. In some examples, the vaporizable material includes a nicotine formulation.

Referring to the block diagram of <FIG>, a vaporizer <NUM> typically includes a power source <NUM> (such as a battery), and a controller <NUM> (e.g., a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) for controlling delivery of heat to an atomizer <NUM> to cause a vaporizable material to be converted from a condensed form (e.g., 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> may 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 to the gas phase, and depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporizable material, and/or other factors, at least some of the gas-phase vaporizable material may 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 <NUM> for a given puff or draw on the vaporizer. It will be understood that the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer can be complex and dynamic, as 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), mixing of the gas-phase or aerosol-phase vaporizable material with other air streams, etc. may affect one or more physical parameters of an aerosol. In some vaporizers, and particularly for vaporizers for delivery of more volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose may exist predominantly in the gas phase (i.e., formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited).

Vaporizers for use with liquid vaporizable materials (e.g., neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, etc.) typically include an atomizer <NUM> in which a wicking element (also referred to herein as a wick (not shown in <FIG>), which can include any material capable of causing fluid motion by capillary pressure) conveys an amount of a liquid vaporizable material to a part of the atomizer that includes a heating element (also not shown in <FIG>). The wicking element is generally configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir configured to contain (and that may in use contain) the liquid vaporizable material such that the liquid vaporizable material may be vaporized by heat delivered from a heating element. The wicking element may also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir to replace the volume of liquid removed. In other words, capillary action pulls liquid vaporizable material into the wick for vaporization by the heating element (described below), and air may, in some implementations of the current subject matter, return to the reservoir through the wick to at least partially equalize pressure in the reservoir. Other approaches to allowing air back into the reservoir to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter.

The heating element can be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which can be constructed of or at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, for example a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when electrical current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In some implementations of the current subject matter, an atomizer can include a heating element that 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 a liquid vaporizable material drawn by the wicking element from a reservoir to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas and/or a condensed (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) phase. Other wicking element, heating element, and/or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible, as discussed further below.

Certain vaporizers may also or alternatively be configured to create an inhalable dose of gas-phase and/or aerosol-phase vaporizable material via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material, such as for example a solid-phase vaporizable material (e.g., a wax or the like) or plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves) containing the vaporizable material. In such vaporizers, a resistive heating element may be part of or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with the walls of an oven or other heating chamber into which the non-liquid vaporizable material is placed. Alternatively, a resistive heating element or elements may be used to heat air passing through or past the non-liquid vaporizable material to cause convective heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material. In still other examples, a resistive heating element or elements may 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 (e.g., as opposed to only by conduction inward form walls of an oven).

The heating element may be activated (e.g., a controller, which is optionally part of a vaporizer body as discussed below, may cause current to pass from the power source through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which is optionally part of a vaporizer cartridge as discussed below), in association with a user puffing (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece <NUM> of the vaporizer to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes an atomizer (e.g., wicking element and heating element), optionally through one or more condensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece. Incoming air passing along the airflow path passes over, through, etc. the atomizer, where gas phase vaporizable material is entrained into the air. As noted above, the entrained gas-phase vaporizable material may condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., in a mouthpiece <NUM> for inhalation by a user).

Activation of the heating element may be caused by automatic detection of the puff based on one or more of signals generated by one or more sensors <NUM>, such as for example 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), one or more motion sensors of the vaporizer, one or more flow sensors of the vaporizer, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer; in response to detection of interaction of a user with one or more input devices <NUM> (e.g., buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer <NUM>), receipt of signals from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer; and/or via other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.

As alluded to in the previous paragraph, a vaporizer consistent with implementations of the current subject matter may be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the vaporizer. To this end, the controller <NUM> may include communication hardware <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may also include a memory <NUM>. A computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer <NUM>, and can include its own communication hardware, which can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware <NUM> of the vaporizer <NUM>. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system may include a general-purpose computing device (e.g., 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 of the device to interact with a vaporizer. 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 can also include one or more output <NUM> features or devices for providing information to the user.

A computing device that is part of a vaporizer system as defined above can be used for any of one or more functions, such as controlling dosing (e.g., dose monitoring, dose setting, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling sessioning (e.g., session monitoring, session setting, session limiting, user tracking, etc.), controlling nicotine delivery (e.g., switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizable material, adjusting an amount of nicotine delivered, etc.), obtaining locational information (e.g., location of other users, retailer/commercial venue locations, vaping locations, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), vaporizer personalization (e.g., naming the vaporizer, locking/password protecting the vaporizer, adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a user group, registering the vaporizer with a manufacturer or warranty maintenance organization, etc.), engaging in social activities (e.g., games, social media communications, interacting with one or more groups, etc.) with other users, or the like. The terms "sessioning", "session", "vaporizer session," or "vapor session," are used generically to refer to a period devoted to the use of the vaporizer. The period can include a time period, a number of doses, an amount of vaporizable material, and/or the like.

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 a vaporizer for implementation of various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more computer instructions 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 <NUM> to activate the heating element, either to a full operating temperature for creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer may be controlled by interaction of a user with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer.

The temperature of a resistive heating element of a vaporizer may 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 and/or to the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of a vaporizable material from the wicking element and/or the atomizer as a whole, and convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer as a whole when a user inhales on the electronic vaporizer). As noted above, to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, a vaporizer may, in some implementations of the current subject matter, make use of signals from a pressure sensor to determine when a user is inhaling. The pressure sensor can be positioned in the airflow path and/or can be connected (e.g., by a passageway or other path) to an airflow path connecting an inlet for air to enter the device and an outlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol such that the pressure sensor experiences pressure changes concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element may be activated in association with a user's puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, for example by the pressure sensor detecting a pressure change in the airflow path.

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

A general class of vaporizers that have recently gained popularity includes a vaporizer body <NUM> that includes a controller <NUM>, a power source <NUM> (e.g., battery), one more sensors <NUM>, charging contacts, a seal <NUM>, and a cartridge receptacle <NUM> configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> for coupling with the vaporizer body through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In some examples, vaporizer cartridge <NUM> includes a reservoir <NUM> for containing a liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece <NUM> for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge can include an atomizer <NUM> having a wicking element and a heating element, or 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 can be configured to supply liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir <NUM> in the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to the atomizer <NUM> part(s) included in the vaporizer body.

Cartridge-based configurations for vaporizers that generate an inhalable dose of a non-liquid vaporizable material via heating of a non-liquid vaporizable material are also within the scope of the current subject matter. For example, a vaporizer cartridge may 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 such a vaporizer cartridge may be configured to be coupled mechanically and electrically to a vaporizer body the includes a processor, a power source, and electrical contacts for connecting to corresponding cartridge contacts for completing a circuit with the one or more resistive heating elements.

In vaporizers in which the power source <NUM> is part of a vaporizer body <NUM> and a heating element is disposed in a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> configured to couple with the vaporizer body <NUM>, the vaporizer <NUM> may include electrical connection features (e.g., means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit that includes the controller <NUM> (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source, and the heating element. These features may include at least two contacts on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> (referred to herein as cartridge contacts <NUM>) and at least two contacts disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle (referred to herein as receptacle contacts <NUM>) of the vaporizer <NUM> such that the cartridge contacts <NUM> and the receptacle contacts <NUM> 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 the resistive heating element and may further be used for additional functions, such as for example for measuring a resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the resistive heating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element, for identifying a cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of a resistive heating element or the other circuitry of the vaporizer cartridge, etc..

In some examples of the current subject matter, the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> and the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM> 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 can be completed by insertion of a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in the cartridge receptacle <NUM> in a first rotational orientation (around an axis along which the end of the vaporizer cartridge having the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM>) such that a first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> is electrically connected to a first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM> and a second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> is electrically connected to a second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM>. Furthermore, the one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer can be completed by insertion of a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in the cartridge receptacle <NUM> in a second rotational orientation such that the first cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> is electrically connected to the second receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM> and the second cartridge contact of the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> is electrically connected to the first receptacle contact of the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM>. This feature of a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> being reversible insertable into a cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM> is described further below.

In one example of an attachment structure for coupling a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> to a vaporizer body <NUM>, the vaporizer body <NUM> includes a detent (e.g., a dimple, protrusion, etc.) protruding inwardly from an inner surface the cartridge receptacle <NUM>. 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 when an end of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> 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 an end of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> of the vaporizer body <NUM>), the detent into the vaporizer body <NUM> may 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 a detent-recess assembly can provide enough support to hold the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in place to ensure good contact between the at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> and the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM>, 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>.

Further to the discussion above about the electrical connections between a vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and a vaporizer body <NUM> being reversible such that at least two rotational orientations of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> in the cartridge receptacle <NUM> are possible, in some vaporizers the shape of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, or at least a shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> that is configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle <NUM> may have rotational symmetry of at least order two. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> or at least the insertable end of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may be symmetric 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 may support identical operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> occurs.

In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>, or at least an end of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> configured for insertion in the cartridge receptacle <NUM> may 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 may 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, approximately having a 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 edges or vertices of the cross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of any non-circular cross section referred to herein.

The at least two cartridge contacts <NUM> and the at least two receptacle contacts <NUM> can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts may include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, or the like. Some types of contacts may include springs or other urging features to cause better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and the vaporizer body <NUM>. The electrical contacts may optionally be gold-plated, and/or can include other materials.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the vaporizer body <NUM> having a first end and a second end, with a cartridge receptacle <NUM> at the second end into which the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may be releasably inserted. The first end may be free of electrical contacts. <FIG> shows a top view of the vaporization device <NUM> illustrating the cartridge being positioned for insertion into the second end of the vaporizer body <NUM>. When a user puffs on the vaporization device <NUM>, air may pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> and an inner surface of a cartridge receptacle <NUM> on the vaporizer body <NUM>. Air can then be drawn into an insertable end <NUM> of the cartridge, through the vaporization chamber that includes or contains the heating element and wick, and out through an outlet of the mouthpiece <NUM> for delivery of the inhalable aerosol to a user. The reservoir <NUM> of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM> may be formed in whole or in part from translucent material such that a level of vaporizable material <NUM> is visible along the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of a metal-air battery <NUM>. The metal-air battery <NUM> may be a zinc-air battery, a lithium-air battery, a sodium-air battery, a potassium-air battery, a magnesium-air battery, a calcium-air battery, an aluminum-air battery, an iron-air battery, a silicon-air battery, and/or the like. In some examples, the metal-air battery <NUM> is a disposable battery. In some implementations, a vaporizer <NUM> may include at least one metal-air battery <NUM> comprising one or more metal-air battery cell(s). Referring to the metal-air battery <NUM> of <FIG>, a zinc anode <NUM> may be at least partially disposed between at least two layers of electrolyte solution 202a,b. The zinc anode <NUM> may consist of powdered zinc, or a zinc alloy. The electrolyte solution 202a,b may be a gel, paste, or liquid, and may comprise electrolytes such as potassium hydroxide or the like. The layers of electrolyte solution 202a,b may be at least partially disposed between at least two layers of air breathing cathodes 201a,b (e.g., oxygenated mesh, polymer mesh, carbon paper, porous carbon, porous polymer, etc.). The air breathing cathodes 201a,b are at least partially enclosed by a flexible, permeable membrane that prevents liquid or other undesirable contaminants (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, air pollutants, etc.) from reaching the air breathing cathodes 201a,b. In some implementations, the zinc anode <NUM> may be manually rechargeable via replacement of the zinc anode <NUM> by the user. In some implementations, the vaporizer <NUM> and metal-air battery <NUM> may be disposable. In some situations, access to power sources, such as electrical outlets or rechargeable batteries, may be limited. Thus, it is desirable to have a vaporizer <NUM> that can be disposed of after the power supply has been depleted. Metal-air battery <NUM> is more environmentally friendly and better suited to be disposed of and/or recycled in a responsible manner than traditional metal-ion (e.g. lithium-ion) batteries. Metal-air battery <NUM> can be produced for a fraction of the cost of traditional metal-ion batteries.

Referring to the vaporizer <NUM> of <FIG>, the vaporizer <NUM> may include more than one metal-air battery 212a,b. The metal-air battery 212a,b may be arranged in a stack, and they may be in parallel or in series within an electrical circuit. The vaporizer <NUM> may include an air channel <NUM> disposed between the metal-air battery 212a,b. The vaporizer <NUM> may include one or more zinc anodes 200a,b, at least partially disposed between layers of electrolyte solution 202a,b and further disposed at least partially between layers of air breathing cathodes 201a,b. The air channel <NUM> allows air containing about <NUM>% oxygen to react with the air breathing cathodes 201a,b to form ions that travel to the zinc anodes 200a,b, to release electrons thus producing electrical power. In some implementations, the output of the metal-air battery may be proportional to the intensity of a user's puff or draw, such that a user may be able to control the amount of aerosol received via the intensity of their puff or draw. The vaporizer <NUM> includes an air pump <NUM>. The air pump <NUM> may be at least partially disposed between the vaporizer body and the cartridge receptacle containing the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. By increasing the amount and the rate of air provided through air channel <NUM> to the air breathing cathodes 201a,b, the reaction rate within the metal-air battery 212a,b can be increase to provide more power than ordinary metal-air batteries. In this manner, metal-air battery 212a,b can achieve temporary electrical discharges rates comparable with traditional metal-ion batteries. When vaporizer <NUM> is not in use, the air provide through the through air channel <NUM> can be reduced to slow the reaction and conserve power. Additionally, the vaporizer <NUM> may include a switch (not shown) which closes a circuit that includes the controller <NUM> (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source, and the heating element, when the switch is in the ON position. The switch may be any suitable switch configuration including without limitation: a press switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a capacitive switch, a momentary switch, a solenoid, a relay, and/or a solid-state switch. The switch may form a part of the vaporizer body. The switch may form a part of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. The switch may form a part of the air pump <NUM>.

The air pump <NUM> may form a part of the vaporizer body. The air pump <NUM> may form a part of the vaporizer cartridge <NUM>. The air pump <NUM> may be perforated to allow air to flow through while also preventing liquid passage. The air pump <NUM> may be flexible, such that a user could manually compress the air pump <NUM>. The air pump <NUM> may be a flexible bladder, a pressurizable tank, a mechanical pump, an electrical pump, or other suitable configurations. Activation of the air pump <NUM> may provide additional air to the metal-air battery 212a,b, thereby accelerating the reaction and increasing the output of the metal-air battery 212a,b. Additionally or alternatively, the body of the vaporizer <NUM> may be stainless steel, plastic, or other materials that may withstand corrosive properties of electrolyte solution 202a,b. Additionally or alternatively, the body of the vaporizer <NUM> may include a valve (not shown) at the end opposite the user and vaporizer cartridge <NUM> which may open during use to allow additional air to reach the metal-air battery 212a,b by selectively passing air through the air channel <NUM> to the cathodes 201a,b. For example, the valve may be opened by a user's puff or draw, or the valve may button operated. The air pump <NUM> may be configured to selectively operate only when increased power is required, e.g. when a user draws on the device. Additionally or alternatively, the air pump <NUM> may be configured to provide an adjustable airflow output to deliver more or less air to the metal-air battery 212a,b. This adjustable or selective airflow output may be achieved via any suitable method, including without limitation mechanical adjustment or selection, electrical adjustment or selection, etc..

In alternative configurations, the vaporizer includes a vaporizer body having a cartridge coupler configured to couple a cartridge. The vaporizer includes each of the aforementioned features, except that instead of a cartridge receptacle for receiving the cartridge, the vaporizer has a cartridge coupler for coupling to the cartridge. For example, the cartridge coupler can be a part of the vaporizer body that is integrated into the vaporizer body or forms a portion of the vaporizer body. Alternatively, the cartridge coupler can be a separate piece that is attached to the vaporizer body, either permanently or releasably. In some embodiments, the cartridge coupler can be attached to the vaporizer body via snap-fit, friction-fit, magnetic, thread, or other suitable attachment means in either a temporary or permanent fashion. The cartridge coupler can in turn attached to the cartridge via snap-fit, friction-fit, magnetic, thread, or other suitable attachment means in either a temporary or permanent fashion. For example, the cartridge coupler can be secured to the vaporizer body, such that a cartridge can be coupled to and removed from the cartridge coupler without detaching the cartridge coupler from the vaporizer body.

In alternative configurations, the vaporizer includes a vaporizer body having a storage compartment configured to receive a vaporizable material. The vaporizer includes each of the aforementioned features, except that a cartridge receptacle or a cartridge coupler is not required. In these configurations, there is no need for a separate cartridge, cartridge receptacle, or cartridge coupler since the storage compartment is integrated into the vaporizer. For example, liquid or non-liquid vaporizable material can be added directly into the storage compartment contained in the vaporizer body. The storage compartment can deliver the vaporizable material to, or place in thermal contact with, a resistive heating element or other heater configuration, such that vaporizable material is vaporized after exiting the storage compartment.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting.

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 as long as the resulting embodiments fall within the scope of the appended claims. 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.

Claim 1:
A vaporizer body (<NUM>), the vaporizer body (<NUM>) comprising:
a first metal-air battery (<NUM>);
an air channel (<NUM>) disposed in the vaporizer body (<NUM>), the air channel (<NUM>) configured to provide air to the first metal-air battery (<NUM>);
characterized in that said vaporizer body (<NUM>) further comprises an air pump (<NUM>), attached to the vaporizer body (<NUM>) proximate the air channel (<NUM>) and configured to selectively provide air through the air channel (<NUM>) to the first metal-air battery (<NUM>),
wherein the first metal-air battery (<NUM>) further comprises a selectively permeable membrane disposed on a cathode (<NUM>) of the first metal-air battery (<NUM>).