Patent Application
20240284981
The current subject matter described herein relates generally to vaporizer devices, such as portable, personal vaporizer devices for generating and delivering an inhalable aerosol from one or more vaporizable materials.
Vaporizing devices, including electronic vaporizers or e-vaporizer devices, allow the delivery of vapor containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the vapor. Electronic vaporizer devices are gaining increasing popularity both for prescriptive medical use, in delivering medicaments, and for consumption of nicotine, tobacco, other liquid-based substances, and other plant-based smokeable materials, such as cannabis, including solid (e.g., loose-leaf) materials, solid/liquid (e.g., suspensions, liquid-coated) materials, wax extracts, and prefilled pods (cartridges, wrapped containers, etc.) of such materials. Electronic vaporizer devices in particular may be portable, self-contained, and convenient for use.
Aspects of the current subject matter relate to a vaporizer cartridge for use with a vaporizer body to provide a vaporizable aerosol for consumption by a user.
According to some aspects, a cartridge may be configured to operatively couple with a vaporizer body. The cartridge may include an atomizer assembly configured to heat a vaporizable material to generate an inhalable vapor, a mouthpiece configured to deliver the generated inhalable vapor to a user, a reservoir configured to store the vaporizable material, and a wick housing configured to surround at least a portion of the atomizer assembly. The wick housing includes: a headspace vent positioned at a proximal end of the wick housing and a vent rod positioned over the headspace vent. The headspace vent may allow air to pass from the reservoir.
In some aspects, the vent rod includes a cylindrical shape.
In some aspects, the vent rod has at least one rounded side.
In some aspects, the vent rod is configured to seal the headspace vent.
In some aspects, the vent rod includes an elastomer material.
In some aspects, the vent rod is configured to move freely to allow air to pass through the headspace vent when the mouthpiece is in a first position. The vent rod is configured to seal the headspace vent when the mouthpiece is in a second position, different from the first position.
In some aspects, the wick housing further includes a central, upper element defining in part a proximal surface of the wick housing. The central, upper element extends across a major axis of the cartridge between sidewalls of the cartridge and includes a side cross-sectional profile having a sharpened end that is configured to split vapor flow around the central, upper element and to the mouthpiece.
In some aspects, the wick housing further includes: a venting gap protrusion, and a vent rod receiving portion defining a proximal surface of the wick housing. The vent rod receiving portion is configured to receive the vent rod.
In some aspects, the venting gap protrusion and the vent rod receiving portion at least partially define an area in which the vent rod is configured to move.
In some aspects, the vent rod receiving portion includes a groove in the proximal surface of the wick housing.
In some aspects, the venting gap protrusion includes two venting gap protrusions.
In some aspects, the venting gap protrusions are configured to be bent towards the headspace vent, thereby compressing the vent rod and sealing the headspace vent.
In some aspects, the wick housing further includes: a lateral, upper element spaced apart from the central, upper element, defining a venting gap therebetween.
In some aspects, the vent rod is positioned within the venting gap.
In some aspects, the wick housing further includes at least two venting gap protrusions extending into the venting gap. The venting gap protrusions may be configured to be bent towards the headspace vent, thereby compressing the vent rod and sealing the headspace vent.
In some aspects, the cartridge includes a central, upper element support configured to support the central, upper element. A first venting gap protrusion extends from the central, upper element support. A second venting gap protrusion extends from the lateral, upper element support.
In some aspects, the cartridge includes a base including a region of greater thickness than a remaining region.
In some aspects, the region of greater thickness is positioned along at least one shorter side portion of the base. The remaining region is positioned along at least one longer side portion of the base.
In some aspects, the region of greater thickness is aligned with an air inlet of the vaporizer body.
According to some aspects, a method of filling a cartridge for a vaporizer device may be provided. The cartridge includes a mouthpiece, a reservoir, a heating assembly, and a wick housing configured to house at least a portion of the heating assembly. The method includes: positioning the mouthpiece of the cartridge in a first mouthpiece position, filling the reservoir of the cartridge with a vaporizable material, and positioning the mouthpiece in a second mouthpiece position.
In some aspects, the filling further includes: filling a first side of the vaporizer cartridge with the vaporizable material. The filling the first side of the vaporizer cartridge may be configured to cause the vaporizable material to flow around the wick housing to fill a second side of the vaporizable material.
In some aspects, the filling further includes: filling a first portion of the reservoir via a first fill port positioned on a first side of the vaporizer cartridge and filling a second portion of the reservoir via a second fill port positioned on a second side of the cartridge. The second side may be opposite the first side.
In some aspects, the first portion is greater than or equal to 30% of a total volume of the reservoir.
In some aspects, the wick housing further includes: a headspace vent positioned at a proximal end of the wick housing. The headspace vent is configured to allow air to pass from the reservoir during filling of the reservoir.
In some aspects, the cartridge further includes: a vent rod positioned over the headspace vent. The vent rod is configured to move freely to allow air to pass through the headspace vent when the mouthpiece is in the first mouthpiece position. The vent rod is configured to seal the headspace vent when the mouthpiece is in the second mouthpiece position.
In some aspects, positioning the mouthpiece in the second mouthpiece position includes causing compression of the vent rod to seal the headspace vent.
According to some aspects, a cartridge is configured to operatively couple with a vaporizer. The cartridge may include: an atomizer assembly configured to heat a vaporizable material to generate an inhalable vapor, a reservoir configured to store the vaporizable material, a base assembly coupled to the reservoir, a receptacle configured to receive power from a power supply of the vaporizer, an opening through which the receptacle is accessible, and one or more sealing features configured to seal the receptacle within the opening. The base assembly includes a base and a data tag positioned within the base. The one or more sealing features are configured to limit leaking of the vaporizable material through the opening.
In some aspects, the one or more sealing features includes a gasket.
In some aspects, the one or more sealing features includes one or more protrusions extending from an inner surface of the base and contacting the receptacle.
According to some aspects, a cartridge may operatively couple with a vaporizer. The cartridge may include a cartridge body, a vaporizing assembly, a mouthpiece, and at least one absorbent pad. The cartridge body may define, at least in part, a reservoir configured to contain vaporizable material. The vaporizing assembly may be positioned within the cartridge body in fluid communication with the reservoir. The vaporizing assembly may vaporize the vaporizable material. The mouthpiece may be coupled to a proximal end region of the cartridge body. The mouthpiece may include an internal volume and an external surface defining at least one mouthpiece opening that opens into the internal volume. The at least one absorbent pad may be wedged within the internal volume of the mouthpiece. The at least one absorbent pad may include an annular shape having a central opening that aligns with the at least one mouthpiece opening. A central, upper element may define, at least in part a top surface of the cartridge body. The central upper element extends across a major axis of the cartridge body between sidewalls of the cartridge body and includes a side cross-sectional profile having a sharpened end that is configured to split vapor flow around the central, upper element and to the mouthpiece such that particles within the vapor flow are entrained in the at least one absorbent pad.
In some aspects, the at least one absorbent pad includes one absorbent pad surrounding the at least one mouthpiece opening. The at least one mouthpiece opening may be a narrow, elongate slit. The central opening of the one absorbent pad may have a shape that substantially corresponds to a shape of the slit. In some aspects, the one absorbent pad is wedged within the internal volume of the mouthpiece to avoid blocking gas flow through the at least one mouthpiece opening.
In some aspects, the one absorbent pad has an outer perimeter wall sized and shaped to engage with an inner wall of the mouthpiece.
In some aspects, the at least one absorbent pad interfaces with at least a portion of the top surface of the cartridge body.
In some aspects, the vaporizing assembly includes a ceramic porous wick and a vaporization chamber. The ceramic porous wick includes a central bore along a length thereof. The ceramic porous wick may passively draw the vaporizable material contained in the reservoir towards the vaporization chamber.
According to some aspects, a cartridge may operatively couple with a vaporizer. The cartridge may include a cartridge body. A mouthpiece, a cannula, and a ceramic porous wick. The cartridge body may define, at least in part, a reservoir configured to contain vaporizable material. The mouthpiece may be coupled to a proximal end region of the cartridge body. The mouthpiece may include an internal volume and an external surface defining at least one mouthpiece opening that opens into the internal volume. The cannula may define a vaporization chamber extending through the cartridge body. The vaporization chamber may be in fluid communication with the at least one opening of the mouthpiece. The ceramic porous wick may include a central bore along a length thereof. The ceramic porous wick may passively draw the vaporizable material in the reservoir towards the vaporization chamber.
In some aspects, the porous wick includes a central region positioned within the vaporization chamber, a first end positioned outside the vaporization chamber and within the first volume of the reservoir, and a second, opposite end positioned outside the vaporization chamber and within the second volume of the reservoir.
In some aspects, the cartridge further includes a first end cap positioned over the first end of the wick and a second end cap positioned over the second end of the wick. The first end cap and the second end cap may connect to respective electrical leads.
In some aspects, the cartridge further includes at least one absorbent pad wedged within the internal volume of the mouthpiece. The at least one absorbent pad may include an annular shape having a central opening that aligns with the at least one mouthpiece opening. A central, upper element may define in part a top surface of the cartridge body. The central upper element may extend across a major axis of the cartridge body between sidewalls of the cartridge body and include a side cross-sectional profile having a sharpened end that is configured to split vapor flow around the central, upper element and to the mouthpiece such that particles within the vapor flow are entrained in the at least one absorbent pad.
In some aspects, the cartridge includes at least two absorbent pads wedged within the internal volume of the mouthpiece. The at least two absorbent pads may define a central opening therebetween that aligns with the at least one mouthpiece opening. A central, upper element may define in part a top surface of the cartridge body. The central upper element extends across a major axis of the cartridge body between sidewalls of the cartridge body and includes a side cross-sectional profile having a sharpened end that is configured to split vapor flow around the central, upper element and to the mouthpiece such that particles within the vapor flow are entrained in the at least one absorbent pad.
In some aspects, the cartridge body comprises a fill port, through which the reservoir may be filled.
In some aspects, the mouthpiece is configured to cover the fill port to prevent access to the fill port.
In some aspects, the mouthpiece is configured to slide along the cartridge body from a first position to a second position. When the mouthpiece is coupled to the cartridge in the first position, the fill port is accessible, and when the mouthpiece is coupled to the cartridge in the second position, the fill port is inaccessible.
In some aspects, the mouthpiece is coupled to the cartridge in the first position when an inwardly-projecting feature of the mouthpiece is engaged with a first recess of a wick housing of the cartridge body. The mouthpiece may be coupled to the cartridge in the second position when the inwardly-projecting feature of the mouthpiece is engaged with a second recess formed within a reservoir body of the reservoir.
In some aspects, the cartridge includes a data tag positioned within an interior of the cartridge. The data tag may wirelessly communicate with the vaporizer.
In some aspects, the cartridge body further comprises a wick housing and a reservoir body. The reservoir may defined by a combination of an interior volume of the wick housing and an interior volume of the reservoir body.
In some aspects, the reservoir body and the wick housing are laser-welded to one another.
In some aspects, the cannula includes a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
According to some aspects, an atomizer assembly for a cartridge may operatively couple with a vaporizer. The atomizer assembly may include a wick, a heating coil, a pair of opposing end caps, and a pair of receptacles. The wick may passively draw vaporizable material stored within the cartridge. The heating coil may be wrapped around at least a portion of the wick. The pair of opposing end caps may be positioned over opposing ends of the wick. The pair of opposing end caps may be electrically coupled to the heating coil. The pair of receptacles may receive power from a power supply of the vaporizer.
In some aspects, the wick includes a ceramic porous material.
In some aspects, the wick includes a central bore along a length of the wick.
In some aspects, each receptacle of the pair of receptacles includes at least two opposing contact arms. Each contact arm includes a proximal end and a distal end. Each receptacle may include an end cap contact configured to engage with a corresponding end cap of the pair of opposing end caps. The end cap contact may be positioned at the proximal end. Each receptacle may include a power supply contact configured to contact the power supply of the vaporizer. The power supply contact may be positioned at the distal end.
In some aspects, the at least two opposing contact arms define an interior volume in which the power supply is configured to be inserted.
In some aspects, the at least two opposing contact arms are configured to deflect when the power supply is inserted within the interior volume.
In some aspects, each of the at least two opposing contact arms includes a locking feature. The locking feature may secure the receptacles within the cartridge.
In some aspects, the locking feature includes a recess configured to receive a corresponding protrusion within the cartridge.
In some aspects, at least a portion of the end cap contact includes a circular shape having an end cap contact radius. The end cap contact radius may be smaller than an end cap radius of the corresponding end cap.
According to some aspects, an atomizer assembly for a cartridge operatively couples with a vaporizer. The atomizer assembly may include a wick, a heating coil, an end cap, a lead, and a receptacle. The wick may passively draw vaporizable material stored within the cartridge. The heating coil may be wrapped around at least a portion of the wick. The end cap may be positioned over an end of the wick. The end cap may be electrically coupled to the heating coil. The lead may extend from the end cap. The lead may include a bend. The receptacle may receive power from a power supply of the vaporizer.
In some aspects, the lead contacts at least two surfaces of the receptacle.
In some aspects, the lead includes a first portion extending away from the end cap, a second portion configured to contact the at least two surfaces of the receptacle, and a third portion extending towards the end cap.
In some aspects, the second portion includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion. The first contact portion may contact an end surface of the receptacle, and the second contact portion may contact a side surface of the receptacle.
In some aspects, the receptacle includes a lead connector portion and at least two opposing contact arms extending from opposing sides of the lead connector portion.
In some aspects, the at least two opposing contact arms define an interior volume in which the power supply is configured to be inserted.
In some aspects, the at least two opposing contact arms are configured to deflect when the power supply is inserted within the interior volume.
In some aspects, the lead connector portion includes a locking feature. The locking feature may secure the receptacle within the cartridge.
In some aspects, the locking feature includes an opening configured to receive a corresponding protrusion from within the cartridge.
In some aspects, the lead connector portion includes a recess configured to contact an end portion of the lead to establish an electrical connection between the lead and the receptacle.
According to some aspects, the cartridge includes an atomizer assembly and a lead guide. The lead guide may receive and surround at least a portion of the lead.
In some aspects, the lead guide includes a bore, and at least a portion of the lead is configured to pass through the bore.
In some aspects, the lead guide includes a recess configured to receive an end portion of the lead.
In some aspects, the receptacle may be at least partially inserted into the bore. The insertion of the receptacle into the bore may seal the bore to prevent vaporizable material from passing through the bore.
In some aspects, the locking feature of the receptacle secures the receptacle to a protrusion extending from the lead guide.
In some aspects, the lead connector portion wraps around at least a portion of the lead guide.
In some aspects, the lead connector portion is configured to snap to at least a portion of the lead guide.
According to some aspects, a cartridge includes an atomizer assembly and a reservoir. The atomizer assembly heats a vaporizable material to generate an inhalable vapor. The reservoir stores the vaporizable material. The reservoir includes a wick housing configured to surround at least a portion of the atomizer assembly and form at least one wall of the reservoir, a reservoir body coupled to the wick housing and configured to form at least another wall of the reservoir, and a mouthpiece configured to deliver the inhalable vapor.
In some aspects, the wick housing and the reservoir body are coupled at a joining interface via laser-welding.
In some aspects, the cartridge further includes a mouthpiece seal.
In some aspects, the wick housing includes a joining rib extending from an exterior surface of the wick housing. The joining rib engages a corresponding joining recess on the mouthpiece seal to thereby strengthen the mouthpiece seal.
In some aspects, a length of the mouthpiece indicates a volume of the vaporizable material stored within the reservoir.
In some aspects, the length of the mouthpiece is 19 mm.
In some aspects, the cartridge further includes a mouthpiece seal. The mouthpiece seal may surround at least a portion of the joining interface.
In some aspects, the cartridge further includes a mouthpiece seal. The mouthpiece seal is positioned in contact with a portion of the reservoir body opposite the joining interface.
In some aspects, the mouthpiece seal includes a region of increased thickness positioned in contact with the portion of the reservoir body opposite the joining interface.
In some aspects, the region of increased thickness extends between a proximal end of the reservoir body and a distal end of the mouthpiece.
In some aspects, the cartridge also includes a base assembly coupled to a distal end of the reservoir. The base assembly includes a base, an absorbent pad positioned within the base, and a data tag positioned within the base.
In some aspects, the atomizer assembly is positioned within an interior volume of the base assembly.
In some aspects, at least a portion of the reservoir is transparent and at least a portion of the base assembly is opaque. In some aspects, at least a portion of the atomizer assembly is hidden from view from external to the cartridge.
In some aspects, the atomizer assembly includes a wick configured to passively draw the vaporizable material, a heating element in contact with the wick, and an end cap positioned over an end of the wick. The end cap may be electrically coupled to the heating element. The atomizer assembly may also include a lead extending from the end cap. The lead may include a bend. The atomizer assembly may also include a receptacle that may receive power from a power supply of the vaporizer.
In some aspects, the lead contacts a side surface of the receptacle.
In some aspects, the receptacle is press-fit into contact with the lead.
In some aspects, a distal side of the reservoir is tapered. The distal side encourages the vaporizable material from within the reservoir towards the atomizer assembly.
According to some aspects, a cartridge includes an atomizer assembly, a reservoir, and a mouthpiece. The atomizer assembly may heat a vaporizable material to generate an inhalable vapor. The reservoir may store the vaporizable material and include a wick housing and a reservoir body. The wick housing may surround at least a portion of the atomizer assembly and form a proximal wall of the reservoir. The reservoir body may be coupled to the wick housing and form a distal wall of the reservoir. The mouthpiece may deliver the inhalable vapor.
The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In the drawings:
When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures, features, or elements.
According to aspects of the current subject matter, a cartridge, in which vaporizable material is contained for producing a vaporizable aerosol and which couples to a vaporizer body, includes various seals, internal structures, and absorbent padding to contain the vaporizable material, prevent leakage of the vaporizable material, and provide enhanced air flow. According to aspects of the current subject matter, a cartridge may have a reservoir in which approximately 1.0 grams of vaporizable material may be contained. According to aspects of the current subject matter, a cartridge may include a porous ceramic wick configured to draw the vaporizable material in the reservoir towards the vaporization chamber.
Implementations of the current subject matter include devices relating to vaporizing of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. The term “vaporizer” may be used generically in the following description and refers to a vaporizer device, such as, for example, an electronic vaporizer. Examples of vaporizers consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or the like. In general, such vaporizers are often portable, hand-held devices that heat a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material.
Vaporizer devices consistent with the current subject matter may be referred to by various terms such as, for example, inhalable aerosol devices, aerosolizers, vaporization devices, electronic vaping devices, electronic vaporizers, vape pens, etc.
An apparatus and/or method consistent with implementations of the current subject matter involves heating of a vaporizable material to result in production of one or more gas-phase components of the vaporizable material. A vaporizable material may include liquid and/or oil-type plant materials. The gas-phase components of the vaporizable material may condense after being vaporized such that an aerosol is formed in a flowing air stream that is deliverable for inhalation by a user. Such vaporizer devices may in some implementations of the current subject matter be particularly adapted for use with an oil-based vaporizable material, such as, for example, cannabis oils.
One or more features of the current subject matter, including one or more of a cartridge (also referred to as vaporizer cartridges and pods) and a reusable vaporizer device body (also referred to as a vaporizer device base, a body, a base, etc.), may be employed with a suitable vaporizable material (where suitable refers in this context to being usable with a device whose properties, settings, etc. are configured or configurable to be compatible for use with the vaporizable material). The vaporizable material can include one or more liquids, such as, for example, oils, extracts, aqueous or other solutions, etc., of one or more substances that may be desirably provided in the form of an inhalable aerosol.
In some implementations, the vaporizable material is cannabis oil. Cannabis oils may present particular challenges when vaporized using a cartridge and a vaporizer device. For example, cannabis oil is relatively sticky and viscous, particularly once it dries out. Thus, leakage may be a more serious consideration and challenge compared to other aqueous vaporizable materials. In particular, leakage of cannabis oil may result in clogging of the device and disturbing the electrical components, particularly the electrical contacts. The dried oil may also disrupt the electrical control of the vaporizer device due to its electrically insulating properties. The cartridges described herein may provide robust leak-resistant designs and may be configured to be used with viscous oil-based vaporizable materials, such as cannabis oil that may have a viscosity at room temperature of between about 40 cP and 113 KcP.
Before providing additional details regarding the cartridge (also referred to as a “pod”), the following provides a description of some example of vaporizer devices.
As shown in
A tag 164, such as a data tag, a near-field communication (NFC) tag, or other type of wireless transceiver or communication tag, may be positioned on at least a portion of the distal end of the cartridge body 156. As shown in
In the example of
The cartridge 150 may fit within the cartridge receptacle 114 by a friction fit, snap fit, and/or other types of secure connection. The cartridge 150 may have a rim, ridge, protrusion, and/or the like for engaging a complimentary portion of the vaporizer body 110. While fitted within the cartridge receptacle 114, the cartridge 150 may be held securely within but still allow for being easily withdrawn to remove the cartridge 150.
Heater control circuitry 130 of the vaporizer body 110 controls a heater 166 of the cartridge 150. The heater 166 may generate heat to provide vaporization of the vaporizable material. For example, the heater 166 may include a heating coil (e.g., a resistive heater) in thermal contact with a wick, as described in further detail below.
A battery 124 is included in the vaporizer body 110, and the controller 128 may control and/or communicate with a voltage monitor 131 circuitry configured to monitor the battery voltage, a reset circuit 132 configured to reset (e.g., shut down the vaporizer device 100 and/or restart the vaporizer device 100 in a certain state), a battery charger 133, and a battery regulator 134 (which may regulate the battery output, regulate charging/discharging of the battery, and provide alerts to indicate when the battery charge is low, etc.).
The power pins 122a,b of the vaporizer body 110 engage complementary power pin receptacles 160a,b of the cartridge 150 when the cartridge 150 is engaged with the vaporizer body 110. Alternatively, the power pins may be part of the cartridge 150 for engaging complementary power pin receptacles of the vaporizer body 110. The engagement allows for the transfer of energy from an internal power source (e.g., the battery 124) to the heater 166 in the cartridge 150. The controller 128 may regulate the power flow (e.g., an amount or current and/or a voltage amount) to control a temperature at which the heater 166 heats a vaporizable material contained in the reservoir 158. According to implementations of the current subject matter, a variety of electrical connectors other than a pogo-pin and complementary pin receptacle configuration may be used to electrically connect the vaporizer body 110 and the cartridge 150, such as for example, a plug and socket connector.
The controller 128 may control and/or communicate with optics circuitry 135 (which controls and/or communicates with one or more displays such as LEDs 136), a pressure sensor 137, an ambient pressure sensor 138, an accelerometer 139, and/or a speaker 140 configured to generate sound or other feedback to a user.
The pressure sensor 137 may be configured to sense a user drawing (i.e., inhaling) on the mouthpiece 152 and activate the heater control circuitry 130 of the vaporizer body 110 to accordingly control the heater 166 of the cartridge 150. In this way, the amount of current supplied to the heater 166 may be varied according the user's draw (e.g., additional current may be supplied during a draw, but reduced when there is not a draw taking place). The ambient pressure sensor 138 may be included for atmospheric reference to reduce sensitivity to ambient pressure changes and may be utilized to reduce false positives potentially detected by the pressure sensor 137 when measuring draws from the mouthpiece 152.
The accelerometer 139 (and/or other motion sensors, capacitive sensors, flow sensors, strain gauge(s), or the like) may be used to detect user handling and interaction, for example, to detect movement of the vaporizer body 110 (such as, for example, tapping, rolling, and/or any other deliberate movement associated with the vaporizer body 110). The detected movements may be interpreted by the controller 128 as one or more predefined user commands. For example, one particular movement may be a user command to gradually increase the temperature of the heater 166 as the user intends to begin using the vaporizer device 100.
The vaporizer body 110, as shown in
The tag 164, as previously described, may be a type of wireless transceiver and may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) 190, a memory 191, and an antenna 192 (e.g., an NFC antenna) to perform the various functionalities described below with further reference to
An application software (“app”) running on at least one of the remote processors (the user device 305 and/or the remote server 307) may be configured to control operational aspects of the vaporizer device 100 and receive information relating to operation of the vaporizer device 100. For example, the app may provide a user with capabilities to input or set desired properties or effects, such as, for example, a particular temperature or desired dose, which is then communicated to the controller 128 of the vaporizer body 110 through the wireless communication circuitry 142. The app may also provide a user with functionality to select one or more sets of suggested properties or effects that may be based on the particular type of vaporizable material in the cartridge 150. For example, the app may allow adjusting heating based on the type of vaporizable material, the user's (of the vaporizer device 100) preferences or desired experience, and/or the like.
The app may allow a user to perform a hard-reset of the vaporizer device 100. For example, a user may indicate through the app that the vaporizer device should be reset, which may cause the vaporizer device 100 to shut down, which may be performed by the reset circuit 132. Following shut-down, the vaporizer device 100 may enter a standby mode or may resume operation, depending upon a variety of factors, such as for example the reason (if known) for the reset.
The input and/or user selections may act as control signals for the controller 128 to perform a corresponding function (e.g., reach and hold a defined temperature, provide a certain dose, reduce heat after a certain time period, reset, etc.). Likewise, the controller 128 may transmit information, through the wireless communication circuitry 142, to one of the remote processors for display via the app. For example, a summary of use of the vaporizer device 100 throughout a day may be tracked and sent to the user device 305.
Data read from the tag 164 from the wireless communication circuitry 142 of the vaporizer body 110 may be transferred to one or more of the remote processors (e.g., the user device 305 and/or the remote server 307) to which it is connected, which allows for the app running on the one or more processors to access and utilize the read data for a variety of purposes. For example, the read data relating to the cartridge 150 may be used for providing recommended temperatures, dose control, usage tracking, and/or assembly information.
Additionally, the cartridge 150 may communicate directly, through the tag 164, with one or more remote processors (e.g., the user device 305), such as, for example, a smartphone, tablet, assembly equipment, and/or filling equipment. This enables data relating to the cartridge to be written to/read from the tag 164, without interfacing with the vaporizer body 110. The tag 164 thus allows for identifying information related to the cartridge 150 to be associated with the cartridge 150 by one or more remote processors. For example, when the cartridge 150 is filled with a certain type of vaporizable material, this information may be transmitted to the tag 164 by filling equipment. Then, the vaporizer body 110 is able to obtain this information from the tag 164 to identify the vaporizable material currently being used and accordingly adjust the controller 128 based on, for example, user-defined criteria or pre-set configuration parameters associated with the particular type of vaporizable material (set by a manufacturer or as determined based upon user experiences/feedback aggregated from other users). For example, a user may establish (via the app) a set of criteria relating to desired effects for or usage of one or more types of vaporizable materials. When a certain vaporizable material is identified, based on communication via the tag 164, the controller 128 accordingly adopts the established set of criteria, which may include, for example, temperature and dose, for that particular vaporizable material.
Other information related to the cartridge 150 may be transmitted to and stored on the tag 164, such as information relating to components of the cartridge 150, for example heating components. The controller 128 of the vaporizer body 110 may use this information to control a usage session for a user. A manufacturer may thus transmit manufacturing information to the tag 164 for storage for subsequent use by the controller 128 or other remote processors (e.g., the user device 305 and/or the remote server 307).
Types of data that may be stored on the tag 164 include manufacturing data (e.g., tag serial number, tag manufacturer identifier, tag IC product code, cartridge serial number, cartridge hardware revision code, date of assembly, manufacture (MFG) lot code, MFG test equipment serial number (S/N), MFG test data (e.g., coil resistance, leak/flow rate test, cosmetic check, etc.), MFG test parameters, material logging (e.g., coil type, wick type, etc.), and/or mass of empty cartridge); filler data (which may be added after the cartridge is filled with a vaporizable material, for example, batch identifier (ID), vendor ID, product ID, strain code, mass of filled cartridge, viscosity, default/min/max temperature setting, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content percentage (%), cannabidiol (CBD) %, terpene %, extraction method, and/or fill date); and/or usage data (e.g., total puffs taken, total puff time, drop count, total energy delivered to cartridge (joules), date of first/most recent puff, cartridge lock (for locking cartridge to specific device/child lock), cartridge kill (initiating lock out of cartridge), min/max temperature set by user/device, min/max “baseline” resistance measured, count of bad connections (where cartridge did not properly dock and measure baseline resistance), and/or various device error codes). As previously described, the data stored on the tag 164 may also include pre-set or user-established configuration parameters relating to operation of the vaporizer body 110 with respect to the particular cartridge 150 and/or the particular type of vaporizable material (e.g., a predetermined temperature and/or parameters associated with a dose). The tag data may be encrypted and/or hashed, and the tag 164 may be password protected.
Returning to
The vaporizer body 110 also includes the connection (e.g., USB-C connection, micro-USB connection, and/or other types of connectors) 118 for coupling the vaporizer body to a charger to enable charging the battery 124. Alternatively or additionally, electrical inductive charging (also referred to as wireless charging) may be used, in which case the vaporizer body 110 would include inductive charging circuitry to enable charging. The connection 118 at
The vaporizer body 110 may also include a memory 146 that is part of the controller 128 or is in communication with the controller 128. The memory 146 may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory or provide data storage. In some implementations, the memory 146 may include 8 Mbit of flash memory, although the memory is not limited to this and other types of memory may be implemented as well.
As mentioned above, the vaporizer device 100 includes the cartridge 150 configured to operatively couple with the vaporizer body 110. In some implementations, the cartridge 150 is disposable whereas the vaporizer body 110 is durable and/or re-usable. The cartridge 150 may also be configured to be reused as described elsewhere herein.
The cartridge body 156 can be divided, generally, into a proximal end region 156A, a central region 156B, and a distal end region 156C. The proximal end region 156A of the cartridge body 156 can be coupled to the mouthpiece 152 configured to deliver the vapor to the user. A tank or reservoir 158 is defined, at least in part by, the proximal end region 156A and the central region 156B of the cartridge body 156 and is configured to contain an amount of the vaporizable material. The distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 may house one or more components configured to vaporize the material from the reservoir 158 into a vaporization chamber 1005 (see, e.g.,
In some implementations, the vaporizable material is cannabis oil. Cannabis oils can present particular challenges when vaporized using a cartridge and a vaporizer device. For example, cannabis oil is relatively sticky and viscous, particularly once it dries out. Thus, leakage may be a more serious consideration and challenge compared to other aqueous vaporizable materials. In particular, leakage of cannabis oil may result in clogging of the device and disturbing the electrical components, particularly the electrical contacts. The dried oil can also disrupt the electrical control of the vaporizer device due to its electrically insulating properties. The cartridges described herein may in certain implementations provide robust leak-resistant designs and may be configured to be used with viscous oil-based vaporizable materials, such as cannabis oil that can have a viscosity at room temperature of between about 40 cP and 113 KcP.
As mentioned, the cartridge body 156 can be divided generally into the upper, proximal end region 156A, the lower, distal end region 156C, and the central region 156B located between the proximal and distal end regions 156A, 156C (see
As mentioned, the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 may be configured to couple to and be secured with the vaporizer body 110, for example, by inserting within the cartridge receptacle 114 (see
The cartridge 150 can couple within the cartridge receptacle 114 by a friction-fit, snap-fit, and/or other types of secure connection. In some implementations, any of a variety of complementary coupling features may be incorporated, including but not limited to tab, indent, magnetic lock, channel, rim, lip, ridge, protrusion, groove, rib, etc., that are configured to engage with a complementary feature (not shown) of the vaporizer body 110. For example, in some implementations the cartridge 150 and vaporizer body 110 may incorporate one or more coupling features having corresponding male and female parts that allow the cartridge 150 to snap into place in operable contact with the vaporizer body 110. The distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 may include substantially straight or inwardly tapered sides and include one or more coupling features that secure the cartridge 150 within the cartridge receptacle 114 of the vaporizer body 110. The one or more coupling features may be configured to engage with a complementary feature on the vaporizer body 110, such as within the cartridge receptacle 114, when the cartridge 150 engages with the vaporizer body 110. For example, the one or more coupling features may be male parts such as a pair of tabs or a circumferential rib on an outer surface of the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 that inserts within a complementary female part such as a pair of indents or a circumferential groove on an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 114. The male parts may snap into the female parts upon downward insertion of the cartridge 150 within the cartridge receptacle 114 to provide a secure fit and reversed upon withdrawing the cartridge 150 upward out of the cartridge receptacle 114.
In some implementations, the one or more coupling features is a circumferential rib on an outer surface of the cartridge 150, for example, near where proximal end region 156A meets the central region 156B (see
The cartridge 150 may have an elongate and flattened tubular body extending in a distal to a proximal axis (longitudinal axis A). The cartridge 150 may be described as having a length (sometimes referred to herein as a height), a width, and a depth (sometimes referred to herein as a thickness). The height is a length from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge 150 along the longitudinal axis A (see, for example,
The cross-sectional shape of the cartridge body 156 may be any of a variety of shapes, including circular, round, or non-round shapes, such as an approximately oval, elliptical, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, or other cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape may be geometric or free-form shape. Non-round shapes, particularly flattened shapes may be preferred to prevent rolling when the vaporizer device 100 is placed on its side. The shape of the cartridge 150, including the cartridge body 156 and the mouthpiece 152, resembles or is a continuation of the general shape of the vaporizer body 110 such that upon coupling the cartridge 150 and the vaporizer body 110 together, the vaporizer device 100 has a substantially sleek profile. The coupling between the cartridge 150 and the vaporizer body 110 may allow for the vaporizer device 100 to have continuous edges that provide a seamless unibody profile from end to end.
Because the overall shape of the cartridge 150 may be somewhat flattened, the coupling between the cartridge 150 and the vaporizer body 110 may occur upon relative sliding along the longitudinal axis A of the vaporizer device 100 as shown at
The fit between the cartridge body 156 and the vaporizer body 110 may be sufficient to provide a secure fit to prevent inadvertent uncoupling, but may still allow for the cartridge 150 to be easily withdrawn or disengaged from the vaporizer body 110 to remove and replace the cartridge 150. In some implementations, the engagement between the cartridge body 156 and the vaporizer body 110 may include a release button or other feature that is configured to actively disengage the cartridge 150 from the device. The outer surface of the cartridge 150 may incorporate one or more three-dimensional features such as slots, knurling, or other type of finger grips that aid a user during installation and removal of the cartridge 150 from the vaporizer body 110. The coupling, such as a snap-fit coupling, may provide a visual, audible and/or tactile confirmation that the cartridge body 156 is positioned properly relative to the vaporizer body 110.
Again with respect to
One or more openings 154 may extend through the proximal end surface 1025 into the internal volume 1010 of the mouthpiece 152. The one or more openings 154 allow for the vapor produced within the cartridge 150 to be inhaled by the user. The one or more openings 154 may be aligned with the central, longitudinal axis A of the device or positioned off-set from the longitudinal axis A. The proximal end surface 1025 of the mouthpiece 152 may be sloped inwardly away from the outer edges towards the one or more openings 154. The relative size of the one or more openings 154 may be minimized to hide from view internal components positioned beneath the mouthpiece 152 from the proximal end 153 of the cartridge 150 and aid in reducing the amount of dirt/lint that may enter the mouthpiece 152, while at the same time being of sufficient size to permit the sufficient flow of vapor to the user. In some implementations, the one or more openings 154 through the proximal end surface 1025 of the mouthpiece 152 is a single, elongate slot that has a relatively narrow width providing a generally thin, rectangular shape to the opening 154. However, other shapes, sizes, and/or configurations of the mouthpiece opening 154 may be utilized. For example, the mouthpiece opening 154 may be an oval shape, or two more openings of the same or different shapes may be used.
In some implementations, the elongate opening 154 may have a length along the major axis of the mouthpiece 152 that is a fraction of the total width of the mouthpiece 152 along the major axis. For example, the opening 154 may have a length that is at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, up to at least about 90% of the total width of the mouthpiece along the major axis. The elongate opening 154 may have a narrow width along the minor axis of the mouthpiece 152. For example, the opening 154 may have a width that is no greater than 50%, no greater than 45%, no greater than 40%, no greater than 35%, no greater than 30%, no greater than 25%, no greater than 20%, no greater than 15%, or no greater than 10% of the total width of the mouthpiece along the minor axis. For example, the width of the mouthpiece 152 along the major axis may be about 2 cm and the width of the mouthpiece 152 along the minor axis may be about 1 cm. The opening 154 of the mouthpiece 152 may have a length along the major axis that is about 0.5 cm to about 1.8 cm and a width along the minor axis that is about 0.1 cm to about 0.5 cm. In some implementations, the opening 154 of the mouthpiece 152 has a length that is about 10 mm, about 11 m, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, up to about 15 mm and has a width of about 1 mm, 1.25 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 1.75 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.25 mm, about 2.5 mm, up to about 3 mm. The dimensions of the opening 154 may vary. The dimensions of the opening 154 may be sufficient to allow vapor to be easily drawn through the opening 154 while the internal components within the cartridge 150 are substantially hidden from view.
The mouthpiece 152 may couple (e.g., snap-fit) onto the proximal end region 156A of the cartridge body 156 to snugly mate with the cartridge body 156. The configuration of the coupling between the cartridge body 156 and the mouthpiece 152 may vary. The coupling may incorporate corresponding male and female parts configured to mate together. For example, an inner surface of the mouthpiece 152 (or the external surface of the cartridge body 156) may incorporate a lip, flange, rib, or other outwardly projecting coupling feature configured to slide past and/or into a corresponding feature on an exterior surface of the cartridge body 156 (or the inner surface of the mouthpiece 152).
The mouthpiece 152 may be permanently affixed to the cartridge body 156 by the coupling or may be configured to be removed by a user. For example, the mouthpiece 152 may be removed from the cartridge body 156 in order to refill the reservoir and attached again following refilling for reuse. The cartridge 150 may be disposable and not configured to be refilled. It should be appreciated that the mouthpiece 152 need not be a part of the cartridge 150 itself. For example, the cartridge 150 may include a reservoir and be configured to attach with the vaporizer body 110 independent of the mouthpiece 152.
Mating between the mouthpiece 152 and the proximal end region 156A of the cartridge body 156 may provide a seal with an exterior surface of the cartridge body 156. For example, the mouthpiece seal 177 may be incorporated between where the mouthpiece 152 and the proximal end region 156A of the cartridge body 156 couple together. The sealing of the mouthpiece seal 177 may eliminate, or at least aid in reduction of, air leaks at the junction between the mouthpiece 152 and the cartridge body 156. Preventing air flow leaks into the mouthpiece 152 at this junction, in turn, may improve drawing vapor through the at least one opening in the mouthpiece by blocking gas flow between the inner surface of the mouthpiece and the outer surface of the cartridge body and thereby may increase air flow through the cartridge 150, which will be described in more detail below. The sealing may also eliminate, or aid in the reduction of, vapor leaks from the mouthpiece 152.
As mentioned above, the mouthpiece seal 177 may be incorporated between where the mouthpiece 152 and the cartridge body 156 couple together. The mouthpiece seal 177 may be dual-purpose in that it may provide a seal or barrier between the mouthpiece 152 and the cartridge body 156 to prevent leaks as discussed above. The mouthpiece seal 177 also may aid in coupling the cartridge 150 to the cartridge receptacle 114 of the vaporizer body 110 by providing a seal between the cartridge 150 and the cartridge receptacle 114. Thus, the mouthpiece seal 177 simplifies manufacturing in that a single element may perform more than a single function. In some implementations, the mouthpiece seal 177 may be an elastomeric element such as an O-ring or flattened band positioned over the exterior surface of the cartridge body 156. In other implementations, the mouthpiece seal 177 may be formed around (e.g., by over-molding) the exterior surface of the cartridge body 156. The mouthpiece seal 177 may be an elastomeric element that encircles the exterior surface of the cartridge body 156 near the proximal end region 156A, for example where the proximal end region 156A meets the central region 156B of the cartridge body 156. The mouthpiece seal 177 may engage the internal surface of the mouthpiece 152 near its distal end region 1030. The mouthpiece seal 177 may be a generally annular feature having a flat inner diameter configured to be affixed or engaged flush with the external surface of the cartridge body 156. The outer surface of the mouthpiece seal 177 may have at least one, two, three, or more circumferential sealing beads or ribs 1035 (see
Again with respect to
In an implementation, the absorbent pad 170 is configured to be positioned within the internal volume 1010 of the mouthpiece 152 near the opening 154 without obstructing vapor flow through the opening 154. The pad 170 may be positioned within the mouthpiece 152 such that the pad 170 is generally off-axis relative to the opening 154 allowing unobstructed vapor flow through the opening 154. In other implementations, the pad 170 may be coaxial with the opening 154 and the shape of the pad 170 allows the pad to avoid obstructing vapor flow through the opening 154.
As mentioned above, the mouthpiece 152 may be attached over the proximal end region 156A of the cartridge body 156. The pad 170 may be positioned (e.g., sandwiched) against an upper, proximal surface 1050 of the cartridge body 156 (see
The pad 170 need not be formed by a single absorbent element. Rather, the pad 170 may be formed by multiple absorbent elements positioned relative to the opening 154 to provide absorption without impeding, restricting, or blocking vapor flow through the openings 154 in the mouthpiece 152. Use of the term “pad” is not intended to be limiting. The pad 170 may be any absorbent member (e.g., sponge, pad, felts, fiber, fabric, etc.) that may absorb an amount of a fluid. The one or more pads 170 may include any absorbent material configured to wick moisture relatively quickly and allow it to disperse quickly therethrough. The absorbent material may be hydrophilic, including cotton, non-woven cotton linter paper, felt, cellulose, or hydrophilic polymers. The pad 170 may be formed of thin sheets of layered material.
The configuration of the pad 170 in which the opening 1040 is generally aligned with the central channel 1015 and off-axis from the opening 154 of the mouthpiece 152 may result in the capture of large particles yet allow smaller particles through to the opening 154. In some implementations, a large particle may have a diameter of at least about 10 microns. In some implementations, a large particle may have a dimeter of at least about 8 microns, about 9 microns, about 10 microns, about 11 microns, up to about 12 microns. As larger particles have more inertia, the larger particles will hit the pad 170 whereas smaller particles will curl around the central, upper element 1052 to exit the mouthpiece 152, as further described below.
The size and shape of the central, upper element 1052 may aesthetically block off the internal components from a user (e.g., through the opening 154 of the mouthpiece 152) as well as direct or split vapor flow around it. By directing the flow around the central, upper element 1052, larger particles are trapped in the pad 170 due to their inherent inertial properties described above. The central, upper element 1052 thus splits the vapor flow to allow for flow around the central, upper element 1052 and thereby reduces the amount of excess material that is collected on the central, upper element 1052 and elsewhere in the cartridge body 156.
In an implementation, as shown in
In some implementations, other side cross-sectional profiles as well as variations of those described herein may be used for the central, upper element 1052, where such profiles aid in the splitting and directing of the flow of vapor, such as other shapes with a sharpened or pointed end, including for example a diamond, a teardrop, an arrow, or a round or rounded edge profile.
Again with respect to
The sealing ring 171 may provide a seal between the central cannula 172 and the mouthpiece 152 to prevent or reduce the likelihood of fluid, such as the vaporizable material, from flowing into and out of the mouthpiece opening 154. The sealing ring 171 may be any of a variety of sealing element and can, but need not, have an annular shape. The shape of the sealing ring 171 may be configured to match the shape of the proximal tap 1018 of the central cannula 172 on its inner diameter and match the shape of the central channel 1015 on its outer diameter. In some implementations, the sealing ring 171 may be an elastomeric material configured to be compressed slightly upon insertion of the central cannula 172 into the central channel 1015 thereby providing fluid sealing and preventing the vaporizable fluid stored in the reservoir 158 from exiting the cartridge 150 through the central channel 1015.
The reservoir 158 may be arranged to surround the central cannula 172, which may be positioned coaxial with the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 150. The reservoir 158 may thereby be generally ring-shaped such that the outer wall(s) of the reservoir 158 are formed by the cartridge body 156 and the inner wall(s) of the reservoir 158 are formed by the central cannula 172 extending through the reservoir 158. The reservoir 158 need not be arranged symmetrically around the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 150 with the central cannula 172 extending through it. Other configurations are considered herein.
As mentioned above, at least a portion of the cartridge body 156 may be transparent, translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. The cartridge body 156 may include one or more regions formed of an opaque material such that the contents are not visible from outside the device as well as one or more regions formed of a translucent or transparent material such that the contents are visible from outside the device. For example, the central region 156B of the cartridge body 156 may be translucent to transparent such that the reservoir 158 contained within this portion of the cartridge body 156 may remain visible to a user from outside the cartridge 150. The distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 may be opaque such that a majority of the components within this region remain hidden from view. Similarly, the mouthpiece 152 positioned over the proximal end region 156A of the cartridge body 156 may be opaque.
The volume of the reservoir 158 may vary, but is generally sized to hold sufficient vaporizable material for delivering at least one dose of the material. The volume of the reservoir 158 may be between about 0.2 mL to about 2 mL, in other implementations between 0.4 mL to about 1.2 mL, in other implementations between about 0.4 mL to about 0.8 mL, or in still other implementations between about 0.6 mL to about 1 mL. The reservoir 158 may be pre-filled or filled prior to, during, and after use as well be described more below.
Again with respect to
The enlarged base of the central cannula 172 may be coupled to a bottom plate 1072 (as shown in
The cartridge 150 may include a vaporizing assembly of vapor-generating components. The vapor-generating components may include a heater 166 configured to heat the vaporizable material to a sufficient temperature that it may vaporize. The vapor-generating components may be arranged as an atomizer or cartomizer or oven. The vapor may be released to a vaporization chamber where the gas phase vapor may condense, forming an aerosol cloud having typical liquid vapor particles with particles having a diameter of average mass of approximately 1 micron or greater. In some cases, the diameter of average mass may be approximately 0.1-1 micron.
The heater 166 of the vaporizing assembly may cause the 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. 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 may form some or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer 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 may 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 in which a wicking element (also referred to herein as a wick 168), which may include any material capable of causing passive fluid motion, for example, by capillary pressure) conveys an amount of a liquid vaporizable material to a part of the atomizer that includes the heating element. The wicking element is generally configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from the 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 the heating element.
The heater 166 may be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and a convective heater. One type of vaporizing heating element is a resistive heating element, which may 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 may include a vaporizing heating element that includes 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 or plant material 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 from walls of an oven).
Still with respect to
The wick 168 may be formed of any of a variety of materials, including metals, polymer, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations of these. For example, the wick 168 may be formed of silica fibers, cotton, ceramic, mullite, hemp, stainless steel mesh, rope cables, and/or any porous medium, such as for example sintered glass beads. The wick 168 is porous and provides a capillary pathway for fluid within the reservoir 158 through and into the wick 168. The capillary pathway is generally large enough to permit wicking of sufficient material to replace vaporized liquid transferred from the reservoir 158 by capillary action (wicking) during vaporization, but may be small enough to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material out of the cartridge during normal operation, including when pressure is applied to outside the cartridge 150. The wick 168 may have a size configured to handle high viscosity liquids. In some implementations, the wick 168 may have a diameter that is at least about 1.5 mm. The wick may be larger than 1.5 mm in diameter (e.g., about 1.9 mm or larger, about 2.0 mm or larger, about 2.1 mm or larger, about 2.2 mm or larger, about 2.3 mm or larger, about 2.4 mm or larger, about 2.5 mm or larger, etc., including between about 1.8 mm and about 5 mm, between about 1.9 mm and about 4 mm, between about 2 mm and about 4 mm, etc.). The material of the wick 168 is configured to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir 158 into the vaporization chamber 1005 without the need for a pump or other mechanical moving part. In some implementations, the tension of the heating coil 167 wound around the wick 168 may vary. Winding the heating coil 167 tighter and/or with additional windings may create a larger heating surface area to create more intense or concentrated heating of the vaporizable material. Likewise, reducing the diameter of the wick may also create more intense or concentrated heating of the vaporizable material.
Consistent with implementations of the current subject matter and as shown in
The heating coil 167 may be a resistance wire wrapped around the wick 168 and connected to a positive and negative pole of a current source. The coil 167 may increase in temperature as a result of the current flowing through the wire to generate heat. The heat may be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material through conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material vaporizes. Air drawn into the vaporization chamber 1005 may carry the vapor away from the heater 166.
The wick 168 may include end caps 1068 that provide a connection between the heating coil 167 and respective leads 1067 (e.g., for facilitating the electrical connection of the coil 167 with the vaporizer body 110). The end caps 1068 may be made of various materials, such as copper, stainless steel, other metals, or combinations thereof. The end caps 1068 may securely and snugly fit over respective ends of the wick 168 (e.g., opposing ends 1065a,b described below). For example, the end caps 1068 may be thin sleeves that fit over the respective ends of the wick 168. End portions of each of the end caps 1068 have an opening that aligns with the central bore 1069. The openings may be of a larger diameter than that of the central bore 1069 to further promote wicking of the vaporizable material along the length of the wick 168.
The heater 166 may extend across the air path within the vaporization chamber 1005, such as in a transverse direction. Still with respect to
In some implementations, the wick 168 of the heater 166 may include a central portion 1060 and opposing ends 1065a,b. The heating coil 167 may be wrapped around the central portion 1060 of the wick 168, which in turn may be positioned within the vaporization chamber 1005. The opposing ends 1065a,b of the wick 168 may be positioned outside the vaporization chamber 1005 by extending laterally outward through the lateral openings 1074a,b of the central cannula 172. As such, the opposing ends 1065a,b may be positioned within the internal volume of the reservoir 158 whereas the central portion 1060 of the wick 168 wrapped by the heating coil 167 may be positioned inside the vaporization chamber 1005 of the central cannula 172. The leads 1067 of the heating coil 167 may extend away from the central portion 1060 of the wick 168 and down through the central aperture 1073 of the bottom plate 1072 out of the vaporization chamber 1005. The leads 1067 may extend into the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 where the leads 1067 may electrically couple with the power pin receptacles 160a,b.
As mentioned, the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 may house the internal sealing gasket 173 coupled to a lower support structure 174. The internal sealing gasket 173 may be positioned generally under the bottom plate 1072 of the central cannula 172 and attached to an upper surface of the lower support structure 174. This placement of the internal sealing gasket 173 serves to seal the reservoir 158 on the distal or bottom end and thereby reduce or eliminate leaking of vaporizable material out of the reservoir 158, for example, into the electrical components contained in the distal end region 156C of the cartridge 150 as well as the vaporizer body 110. The internal sealing gasket 173 may be, in some implementations, an oversized elastic or rubberized material that plugs various openings in a distal end region of the device and forms a seal between the reservoir 158 and the lower support structure 174 when under compression. Thus, the internal sealing gasket 173 may be sized and shaped to fit between the reservoir 158 and the lower support structure 174 to seal any openings therebetween.
Now with respect to
The upper region of the internal sealing gasket 173 is configured to seal the distal end region of the reservoir 158, the lower region of the internal sealing gasket 173 is configured to seal with the lower support structure 174, and the midline region of the internal sealing gasket 173 is configured to seal with an inner surface of the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156. The upper region of the internal sealing gasket 173 may include a pair of surface features projecting upward from a generally planar upper surface (see
As described above, the wick 168 may extend orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A at the base of the reservoir 158. The opposing ends 1065a,b of the wick 168 may be positioned within the reservoir 158 and the central portion 1060 of the wick 168 wound by the heating coil 167 may be positioned within the vaporization chamber 1005. The upper half of the wick 168 may be sealed by the walls of the central cannula 172 defining the lateral openings 1074a,b. The lower half of the wick 168 may engage and seal with the pair surface features of the internal sealing gasket 173. The pair of surface features may be sized and shaped to insert through the central aperture 1073 of the bottom plate 1072 helping to seal the central aperture 1073 (see
As mentioned, the internal sealing gasket 173 also may include a midline region between the upper and lower regions. The midline region of the internal sealing gasket 173 may seal with the internal surface of the cartridge body 156. In an implementation, the midline region of the internal sealing gasket 173 may be encircled by a seal having dual sealing beads 198. The dual sealing beads 198 are configured to provide a circumferential seal with the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 (see
Still with respect to
The various features of the internal sealing gasket 173 on the upper, lower, and perimeter surfaces form an integrated sealing element that may seal a variety of locations within the cartridge 150 (i.e., the filling ports, the wick, and the distal end of the reservoir 158). The integrated seals provided by the internal sealing gasket 173 may simplify assembly and manufacturing.
As mentioned, the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 may house the lower support structure 174. The lower support structure 174 may include an upper region 1077 and a lower region 1078 (see
A pair of air flow channels 1085 may extend through the lower support structure 174. The air flow channels 1085 each communicate on a distal end with a respective one of a pair of the air flow inlets 162a,b configured to remain in fluid communication with the atmosphere during use of the device. The distal end of the lower support structure 174 may define the air flow inlets 162a,b into the air flow channels 1085 extending through the lower support structure 174. The air flow channels 1085 extend from the air flow inlets 162a,b through the lower region 1078 of the lower support structure into the upper region 1077 of the lower support structure 174. The air flow channels 1085 extend to the pair of openings 1080 in the upper region 1077 of the lower support structure 174. Thus, the pair of air flow channels 1085 may extend through the entire thickness of the lower support structure 174 between the air flow inlets 162a,b in the lower surface to the pair of openings 1080 in the upper surface. The internal sealing gasket 173 may be positioned in the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 providing sealing between the reservoir 158 and the air flow channels 1085 of the lower support structure 174. The pair of penetrable surface features projecting downward from the lower surface of the internal sealing gasket 173 insert through the pair of openings 1080 and seat within an upper portion or proximal end of the air flow channels 1085 thereby sealing the upper end of the air flow channels 1085 preventing leaking of the vaporizable material out of the reservoir 158 through the air flow channels 1085. The pair of air flow inlets 162a,b through the lower surface of the lower support structure 174 into the air flow channels 1085 remain unobstructed. The air flow inlets 162a,b may align with or be positioned in fluid communication with the side air inlets 116a,b, which will be described in more detail below. Each of the air flow channels 1085 extending through the lower support structure 174 from the lower air flow inlets 162a,b to the pair of openings 1080 may additionally include a side channel outlet 1087. The side channel outlet 1087 may be positioned a distance distal to the pair of penetrable surface features projecting into the air flow channels 1085 and a distance proximal to the lower air flow inlets 162a,b into the air flow channels 1085. The length of the air flow channels 1085 allows for the positioning of these side channel outlets 1087 away from the lower air flow inlets 162a,b such that, in the event of a leak into the bottom volume of the cartridge body 156, the air flow channels 1085 avoid being significantly filled in a manner that could block the air flow through or cause leaking out of the side channel outlets 1087.
The air flow inlets 162a,b into the air flow channels 1085 form an entry point for air into the cartridge 150 as well as an entry point for a filler to fill the reservoir 158 with vaporizable material.
The lower region 1078 of the lower support structure 174 is configured to mate with the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156. As a further leak protection in this region of the cartridge, the lower region 1078 of the lower support structure 174 may include a bottom tank seal 176 extending circumferentially around its perimeter (see
In another implementation, the bottom tank seal 176 may incorporate an outward protruding rib along its circumference. The material of the bottom tank seal 176 may be such that it absorbs material that is being blocked and may thus need room to expand to account for this absorption. For example, the bottom tank seal 176 may be a Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR). The ribbed design provides for absorption and expansion of the bottom tank seal 176 through the rib 176a while still blocking leaked material from the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156.
The internal sealing gasket 173 and the lower support structure 174 may provide redundant sealing to prevent liquid leaks from the reservoir. As described above, the internal sealing gasket 173 positioned in a distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 may include an upper region configured to seal a bottom end of the reservoir 158, a midline region that may include the first circumferential perimeter seal (e.g. 198) that is configured to seal with an inner surface of the cartridge body 156, and a lower region. The lower support structure 174 may also be positioned in the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156. The lower support structure 174 may include the upper region 1077 configured to seal with the lower region of the internal sealing gasket 173 and the lower region 1078. The lower region 1078 of the lower support structure 174 may include the second circumferential perimeter seal (e.g., bottom tank seal 176) that is configured to seal with an inner surface of the cartridge body 156. The first circumferential perimeter seal provided by the dual sealing beads 198 and the second circumferential perimeter seal provided by the bottom tank seal 176 provide redundant sealing to prevent liquid leaks from the reservoir 158 and out of the cartridge 150.
One or more absorbent pads 175a,b may be positioned within the distal end region 156C of the cartridge body 156 to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material from the reservoir 158 (see, for example,
The opposing side of the lower support structure 174 may have a similar configuration and geometry, and may include an absorbent pad and side regions for aiding in holding the absorbent pad to perform the same or similar functions with respect to excess vaporizable material.
Although sets of absorbent pads are shown and described in certain configurations, it should be appreciated that fewer or more pads may be incorporated within the cartridge 150. For example, the absorbent pad 170 in the proximal end region of the cartridge 150 may be formed by more than a single ring-shaped pad (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 or more). Similarly, the pair of absorbent pads 175a,b in the distal end region of the cartridge 150 may be a single pad or greater than two pads. Additionally, the absorbent pads may be located in only one region of the cartridge 150.
As mentioned above, the leads 1067 of the heating coil 167 extend through the central aperture 1073 of the bottom plate 1072 as well as through the central opening 195 of the internal sealing gasket 173 into the lower support structure 174. The leads 1067 of the heating coil 167 may electrically couple with the power pin receptacles 160a,b within the lower region 1078 of the lower support structure 174. The power pin receptacles 160a,b may be power pin receptacles configured to mate with the respective power pins (or contacts) 122a,b of the vaporizer body 110, for example, pins projecting upward from a bottom end of the receptacle, as described elsewhere herein. The power pins 122a,b are configured to insert into the respective power pin receptacles 160a,b; the engagement between the power pins 122a,b and the power pin receptacles 160a,b allowing for the transfer of energy from an internal power source of the vaporizer body 110 to the leads 1067 of the heating coil 167. However, the wick 168 and coil 167 assembly performed by hand may pose difficult in ensuring the leads 1067 of the coil 167 are properly inserted into the power pin receptacles 160a,b. Thus, the upper region 1077 of the lower support structure 174 may include a pair of coil guides 179a,b aligned with the central opening 195 and the power pin receptacles 160a,b (see
The upper surface of the lower support structure 174 may abut against a lower surface of the internal sealing gasket 173 such that the pair of coil guides 179a,b are aligned with and positioned below the central opening 195. The pair of coil guides 179a,b, in turn, may be aligned with and positioned above their respective power pin receptacles 160a,b. The built-in coil guides 179a,b may be provided within an upper region of a respective one or the power pin receptacles 160a,b. The coil guides 179a,b may include a bore extending through a thickness of the upper region 1077 of the lower support structure 174 from a generally circular opening 1081 on the upper surface of the upper region 1077 to another generally circular opening 1082 leading towards the power pin receptacles 160a,b within the lower support structure 174. The bore of the coil guides 179a,b may be cylindrical and have an inner diameter sized to receive and mate with the outer surface of the leads 1067 such that the leads 1067 are securely held within the coil guides 179a,b. The opening 1081 into the bore of the coil guides 179a,b on the upper surface may have an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the bore. For example, the opening 1081 into the bore of the coil guide 179a,b may be funnel-shaped to ease insertion of each the leads 1067 into their respective coil guides 179a,b. The coil guides 179a,b may advantageously eliminate the cumbersome installation by hand of properly inserting the leads 1067 of the coil 167 into the power pin receptacles 160a,b. The coil guides 179a,b and also the power pin receptacles 160a,b may be insert-molded into the lower support structure 174.
The cartridge 250 may include one or more assemblies that may be coupled together, such as via snap-fit, laser-welding, adhesives, and/or the like. For example, the cartridge 250 may include a mouthpiece assembly 290, a cartridge body assembly 292, and a base assembly 294. The cartridge body assembly 292 may include the cartridge body 256, which may be divided, generally, into a proximal end region 256A, a central region 256B, and a distal end region 256C. The proximal end region 256A of the cartridge body 256 can be coupled to the mouthpiece 252 configured to deliver the vapor to the user. A tank or reservoir 258 is defined, at least in part by, the proximal end region 256A and the central region 256B of the cartridge body 256 and is configured to contain an amount of the vaporizable material. The distal end region 256C (alone or together with the central region 256B) of the cartridge body 256 may house one or more components configured to vaporize the material from the reservoir 258 into a vaporization chamber 2005 (see, e.g.,
As noted above with respect to
As mentioned, the cartridge body 256 can be divided generally into the upper, proximal end region 256A, the lower, distal end region 256C, and the central region 256B located between the proximal and distal end regions 256A, 256C (see
As mentioned, the distal end region 256C of the cartridge body 256 may be configured to couple to and be secured with the vaporizer body 110, for example, by inserting the cartridge 250 within the cartridge receptacle 114 (see
In some implementations, the one or more coupling features is a circumferential rib on an outer surface of the cartridge 250, for example, near where proximal end region 256A meets the central region 256B. The circumferential rib may be an elastomeric element configured to provide an interference fit with an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 114 such that the cartridge 250 securely couples with the vaporizer body 110 without needing to engage with a corresponding feature on the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 114. The circumferential rib may be part of a mouthpiece seal 277 positioned between and configured to seal between an inner surface of the mouthpiece 252 and an outer surface of the cartridge body 256. The compliant material of the mouthpiece seal 277 may wedge against and engage with the inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 114 providing a secure fit. The mouthpiece seal 277 may provide a snap-fit feel upon seating the cartridge 250 within the cartridge receptacle 114 of the vaporizer device.
The cartridge 250 may have an elongate and flattened tubular body extending in a distal to a proximal axis (longitudinal axis A). The cartridge 250 may be described as having a length (sometimes referred to herein as a height), a width, and a depth (sometimes referred to herein as a thickness). The height is a length from the proximal end to the distal end of the cartridge 250 along the longitudinal axis A (see
Similar to the cartridge body 156, the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge body 256 may be any of a variety of shapes, including circular, round, or non-round shapes, such as an approximately oval, elliptical, rectangular, square, trapezoidal, or other cross-sectional shape.
Again with respect to
One or more openings 254 may extend through a proximal end surface 2025 into the internal volume 2010 of the mouthpiece 252. The one or more openings 254 allow for the vapor produced within the cartridge 250 to be inhaled by the user. The one or more openings 254 may be aligned with the central, longitudinal axis A of the device or positioned off-set from the longitudinal axis A. The proximal end surface 2025 of the mouthpiece 252 may be sloped inwardly away from the outer edges towards the one or more openings 254. The relative size of the one or more openings 254 may be minimized to hide from view internal components positioned beneath the mouthpiece 252 from the proximal end 253 of the cartridge 250 and aid in reducing the amount of dirt/lint that may enter the mouthpiece 252, while at the same time being of sufficient size to permit the sufficient flow of vapor to the user. In some implementations, the one or more openings 254 through the proximal end surface 2025 of the mouthpiece 252 is a single, elongate slot that has a relatively narrow width providing a generally thin, rectangular shape to the opening 254. However, other shapes, sizes, and/or configurations of the mouthpiece opening 254 may be utilized. For example, the mouthpiece opening 254 may be an oval shape, or two more openings of the same or different shapes may be used.
The mouthpiece 252 may couple (e.g., snap-fit) onto the proximal end region 256A of the cartridge body 256 to snugly mate with the cartridge body 256. The configuration of the coupling between the cartridge body 256 and the mouthpiece 252 may vary. The coupling may incorporate corresponding male and female parts configured to mate together. For example, an inner surface of the mouthpiece 252 (or the external surface of the cartridge body 256) may incorporate a lip, flange, rib, or other outwardly projecting coupling feature configured to slide past and/or into a corresponding feature on an exterior surface of the cartridge body 256 (or the inner surface of the mouthpiece 252).
In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 252 may be permanently affixed to the cartridge body 256. In some embodiments, the cartridge 250 may be disposable and not configured to be refilled. It should be appreciated that the mouthpiece 252 need not be a part of the cartridge 250 itself. For example, the cartridge 250 may include a reservoir and be configured to attach with the vaporizer body 110 independent of the mouthpiece 252.
Mating the mouthpiece 252 with the proximal end region 256A of the cartridge body 256 may provide a seal with an exterior surface of the cartridge body 256. For example, the mouthpiece seal 277, which may be the same or similar to the mouthpiece seal 177, be incorporated between where the mouthpiece 252 and the proximal end region 256A of the cartridge body 256 couple together. As noted above with respect to the cartridge 150, the sealing of the mouthpiece seal 277 may eliminate, or at least aid in reduction of, air leaks at the junction between the mouthpiece 252 and the cartridge body 256.
The mouthpiece seal 277 may engage the internal surface of the mouthpiece 252 near its distal end region 2030. For example, the mouthpiece seal 277 may be positioned on the cartridge body 256 near where the distal end region 2030 of the mouthpiece 252 encircles the cartridge body 256.
The mouthpiece seal 277 may be a generally annular feature having a flat inner diameter configured to be affixed or engaged flush with the external surface of the cartridge body 256. The mouthpiece seal 277 may include a fill port seal 296 that aligns with a fill port 297 that extends through a side of the reservoir body 258A (see
Referring to
In some implementations, an inner surface of the distal end region 2030 of the mouthpiece 252 may have an inwardly-projecting feature 298. In some implementations, such as is shown in
Again with respect to
In some implementations, the one or more pads 270 are configured to be positioned within the internal volume 2010 of the mouthpiece 252 near the opening 254 without obstructing vapor flow through the opening 254. The one or more pads 270 may be positioned within the mouthpiece 252 such that the one or more pads 270 surround at least a portion of the vapor path and are generally off-axis relative to the opening 254, allowing unobstructed vapor flow through the opening 254. In other implementations, the one or more pads 270 may be coaxial with the opening 254 and the shape of the one or more pads 270 allows the one or more pads 270 to avoid obstructing vapor flow through the opening 254.
As mentioned above, the mouthpiece 252 may be attached over the proximal end region 256A of the cartridge body 256. The pad 270 may be positioned (e.g., sandwiched) against an upper, proximal surface 2050 of the cartridge body 256 (e.g., of the wick housing 288). The upper, proximal surface 2050 of the cartridge body 256 abuts against a lower surface 2055 of the pads 270 such that the pad 270 is wedged between a proximal portion of the mouthpiece 252, the inner sides of the mouthpiece 252, and the proximal surface 2050 of the cartridge body 256. The pads 270 may be wedged into place and affixed without an adhesive although it should be appreciated that adhesives may also be used to affix the pads 270.
The upper, proximal surface 2050 of the cartridge body 256 (e.g., of the wick housing 288) may also include a central, upper element 2052 sized to be inserted through the opening formed between the two pads 270. The pads 270 thereby encircles at least a portion of the central, upper element 2052, which in turn, projects through opening formed between the pads 270. The shape of the pads 270 along with the wedged coupling with the mouthpiece 252, and the proximal surface 2050 and upper element 2052 of the cartridge body 256 prevent shifting of the pads 270 during use and handling. Shifting of the pads 270 may cause the pads 270 to obstruct vapor flow through the device. Use of the term “pad” is not intended to be limiting. The pads 270 may be any absorbent member (e.g., sponge, pad, felts, fiber, fabric, etc.) that may absorb an amount of a fluid. The one or more pads 270 may include any absorbent material configured to wick moisture relatively quickly and allow it to disperse quickly therethrough. The absorbent material may be hydrophilic, including cotton, non-woven cotton linter paper, felt, cellulose, or hydrophilic polymers. The pads 270 may be formed of thin sheets of layered material.
The configuration of the pads 270 in which the opening formed therebetween is generally aligned with the central channel 2015 and off-axis from the opening 254 of the mouthpiece 252 may result in the capture of large particles yet allow smaller particles through to the opening 254. In some implementations, a large particle may have a diameter of at least about 10 microns. In some implementations, a large particle may have a dimeter of at least about 8 microns, about 9 microns, about 10 microns, about 11 microns, up to about 12 microns. As larger particles have more inertia, the larger particles will hit the pad 270 whereas smaller particles will curl around the central, upper element 2052 to exit the mouthpiece 252, as further described below.
As described above with respect to the cartridge 150, the cartridge 250 may include a vaporizing assembly of vapor-generating components. The vapor-generating components may include the heater 266, which is configured to heat the vaporizable material to a sufficient temperature that it may vaporize. The heater 266 may have the same or similar properties and/or features as the heater 166. Generally, as noted above, vaporizers for use with liquid vaporizable materials (e.g., neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, etc.) typically include an atomizer in which a wicking element (also referred to herein as a wick 268, which may have the same or similar properties and/or features as the wick 168), which may include any material capable of causing passive fluid motion, (for example, by capillary pressure) conveys an amount of a liquid vaporizable material to a part of the atomizer that includes the heating element. The wicking element is generally configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from the 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 the heating element.
The heater 166 may be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and a convective heater. One type of vaporizing heating element is a resistive heating element, which may 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 may include a vaporizing heating element that includes resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, positioned or otherwise embedded 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 or plant material 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 from walls of an oven).
Still with respect to
The wick 268 may be formed of any of a variety of materials, including metals, polymer, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations of these. For example, the wick 268 may be formed of silica fibers, cotton, ceramic, hemp, stainless steel mesh, rope cables, and/or any porous medium, such as for example sintered glass beads. The wick 268 is porous and provides a capillary pathway for fluid within the reservoir 258 through and into the wick 268. The capillary pathway is generally large enough to permit wicking of sufficient material to replace vaporized liquid transferred from the reservoir 258 by capillary action (wicking) during vaporization, but may be small enough to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material out of the cartridge during normal operation, including when pressure is applied to outside the cartridge 250.
The wick 268 may have a size configured to handle high viscosity liquids. In some implementations, the wick 268 may have a diameter that is at least about 1.5 mm. The wick 268 may be larger than 1.5 mm in diameter (e.g., about 1.9 mm or larger, about 2.0 mm or larger, about 2.1 mm or larger, about 2.2 mm or larger, about 2.3 mm or larger, about 2.4 mm or larger, about 2.5 mm or larger, etc., including between about 1.8 mm and about 5 mm, between about 1.9 mm and about 4 mm, between about 2 mm and about 4 mm, etc.). The material of the wick 268 is configured to draw the liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir 258 into the vaporization chamber 2005 without the need for a pump or other mechanical moving part. In some implementations, the tension of the heating coil 267 wound around the wick 268 may vary. Winding the heating coil 267 tighter and/or with additional windings may create a larger heating surface area to create more intense or concentrated heating of the vaporizable material. Likewise, reducing the diameter of the wick may also create more intense or concentrated heating of the vaporizable material.
Consistent with implementations of the current subject matter and as shown in
The heating coil 267 may be a resistance wire wrapped around the wick 268 and may be connected to a positive and negative pole of a current source. The heating coil 267 may increase in temperature as a result of the current flowing through the wire to generate heat. The heat may be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material through conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material vaporizes. Air drawn into the vaporization chamber 2005 may carry the vapor away from the heater 266.
The end caps 2068 may be made of various materials, such as copper, stainless steel, other metals, or combinations thereof. The end caps 2068 may securely and snugly fit over respective ends of the wick 268 (e.g., opposing ends 2065a,b). For example, the end caps 2068 may be thin sleeves that fit over the respective ends of the wick 268. End portions of each of the end caps 2068 have an opening that aligns with the central bore 2069. The openings may be of a larger diameter than that of the central bore 2069 to further promote wicking of the vaporizable material along the length of the wick 268. In some implementations, the end portions of each of the end caps 2068 may also include at least one (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more) outer openings 2068A (see
The heater 266 may extend across the air path within the vaporization chamber 2005, such as in a transverse direction. Still with respect to
In some implementations, the wick 268 of the heater 266 may include a central portion 2060 and opposing ends 2065a,b positioned on opposite sides of the central portion 2060. The heating coil 267 may be wrapped around the central portion 2060 of the wick 268, which in turn may be positioned within the vaporization chamber 2005. The opposing ends 2065a,b of the wick 268 may be positioned outside the vaporization chamber 2005 by extending laterally outward through the lateral openings 2074a,b of the central cannula 272. As such, the opposing ends 2065a,b may be positioned within the internal volume of the reservoir 258 whereas the central portion 2060 of the wick 268 wrapped by the heating coil 267 may be positioned inside the vaporization chamber 2005 of the central cannula 272. The leads 2067 of the heating coil 267 may extend away from the central portion 2060 of the wick 268 and down through respective openings in an interior surface of the reservoir body 258A, out of the vaporization chamber 2005. The leads 2067 may extend into the distal end region 256C of the cartridge body 256 where the leads 2067 may electrically couple with the power pin receptacles 260a,b.
As noted above, the wick housing 288 includes the central, upper element 2052, a central, lower element 2053, the central cannula 272 defining the vaporization chamber 2005 extending between the central, upper element 2052 and the central, lower element 2053, and a proximal wick housing base 2051 positioned adjacent to the central, upper element 2052 and surrounding at least a portion of the central cannula 272 (see
As noted above, the pair of lateral openings 2074a,b may extend through the walls of the central cannula 272 and/or the central, lower element 2053 of the wick housing 288. The pair of lateral openings 2074a,b may be aligned across from one another on opposing sides of the central cannula 272 and receive or otherwise house at least a portion of the wick 268, such as the central portion 2060 of the wick 268 and the heater 266.
The vents 289 may prevent or reduce the likelihood of leaking of the vaporizable material from the reservoir 258, help to maintain a consistent level of saturation of the wick 268 with vaporizable material, and/or help to prevent flooding of the wick 268. For example, as vaporizable material is vaporized by the heating coil 267 from the wick 268, air may enter the reservoir 258 to prevent a vacuum from occurring within the cartridge 250, and to prevent leakage of the vaporizable material. Generally, the vaporizable material would fill the openings formed by the vents 289. The vents 289 may break the surface tension of the vaporizable material to allow air to enter the reservoir 258 to counteract the transfer of vaporizable material to the wick 268 and relieve the pressure caused by the transfer of vaporizable material to the wick 268. Thus, the vents may desirably prevent leaking of the vaporizable material. The vents 289 may additionally and/or alternatively control vapor performance and/or provide a predictable experience to the user from puff to puff, at least because the vents 289 help to control the amount of air entering the reservoir 258 as the vaporizable material is displaced from the reservoir 258. In some implementations, the vents 289 have a radius of approximately 1 to 2 mm, 2 to 3 mm, 3 to 4 mm, and/or greater. The number of vents 289, the shape of the vents 289, the position of the vents 289, and/or the size of the vents 289 may be adjusted to increase, decrease, or otherwise improve transfer of the vaporizable material from the reservoir 258 to the wick 268, and/or to control the transfer of air into the reservoir 258 during, before, or after a puff. Additionally and/or alternatively, the vents 289 (or outer openings of the end caps 2068) may be positioned along various portions of the end caps 2068 (see
Referring to
As noted above, the central cannula 272 extending through the reservoir body 258A defines the vaporization chamber 2005 that together with the central channel 2015 directs vapor flow from the heater 266 towards the mouthpiece 252. The central cannula 272 defining the vaporizing chamber may be a generally rectangular element extending from the central, lower element 2053 to the central, upper element 2052. The central cannula 272 may extend coaxial with the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 250 up through the reservoir body 258A such that the reservoir body 258A surrounds the central cannula 272. Vapor from the vaporization chamber 2005 may flow through the central cannula 272 into the central channel 2015 and out the one or more openings 254 of the mouthpiece 252.
The rectangular cross-sectional shape of the central cannula 272 may lead to less clogging of vaporizable material within the vapor path that flows through the central cannula 272. For example, the central cannula 272 may have a depth of approximately 3.3 mm and a width of approximately 5.4 mm. In other implementations, the central cannula 272 has a depth of approximately 2 to 3 mm, 3 to 4 mm, 4 to 5 mm, 5 to 6 mm, and/or the like, and a width of approximately 3 to 4 mm, 4 to 5 mm, 5 to 6 mm, 6 to 7 mm, 7 to 8 mm, and/or the like. The rectangular cross-sectional shape allows the central cannula 272 to provide a greater volume through which the vaporized vaporizable material may travel, which reduces clogging of the vaporized vaporizable material within the vapor path. Such configurations may improve the user experience by providing more consistent and controlled amounts of vapor each puff. Additionally and/or alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the central cannula 272 may provide a desired amount (e.g., approximately 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, and/or the like) of clearance around the heater 166 (e.g., the heating coil 267 and the wick 268), which may prevent or reduce the likelihood that the central cannula 272 will melt or otherwise become damaged due to the heat from the heater 166.
Referring to
The size and shape of the central, upper element 2052 may aesthetically block off the internal components from a user (e.g., through the opening 254 of the mouthpiece 252) as well as direct or split vapor flow around it. By directing the flow around the central, upper element 2052, larger particles may become trapped in the pads 270 due to their inherent inertial properties described above. The central, upper element 2052 thus splits the vapor flow to allow for flow around the central, upper element 2052 and thereby reduces the amount of excess material that is collected on the central, upper element 2052 and elsewhere in the cartridge body 256.
In an implementation, as shown in
In some implementations, other side cross-sectional profiles as well as variations of those described herein may be used for the central, upper element 2052, where such profiles aid in the splitting and directing of the flow of vapor, such as other shapes with a sharpened or pointed end, including for example a diamond, a teardrop, an arrow, or a round or rounded edge profile.
Referring to the
In some implementations, the proximal wick housing base 2051 may be configured to, at least temporarily, couple with the mouthpiece 252. For example, the proximal wick housing base 2051 may include one or more wick housing grooves 263, formed along at least a portion of an exterior surface of the proximal wick housing base 2051, which may receive the inwardly-projecting feature 298. The one or more wick housing grooves 263 may be spaced apart from one another and may be positioned about a perimeter of the proximal wick housing base 2051, adjacent a distal end portion of the proximal wick housing base 2051. In some implementations, the proximal wick housing base 2051 includes six wick housing grooves 263 that are configured to receive at least a portion of the inwardly-projecting feature 298. For example, at least two wick housing grooves 263 may be positioned on each of the longer sides of the proximal wick housing base 2051 and at least one wick housing groove 263 may be positioned on each of the shorter sides of the proximal wick housing base 2051. The wick housing grooves 263 may be shaped and/or sized to secure the mouthpiece 252 to the wick housing 288 of the cartridge body 256. In some implementations, the wick housing grooves 263 may be shaped and/or sized to allow the inwardly-projecting feature 298 of the mouthpiece 252 to slide over a proximal side and/or a distal side of each groove in one direction (e.g., in a distal direction) and prevent the inwardly-projecting feature 298 of the mouthpiece 252 to slide over the proximal side and/or the distal side of each groove in an opposite direction (e.g., in a proximal direction).
As noted above, the proximal wick housing base 2051 may be configured to, at least temporarily, couple with the mouthpiece 252. For example, as shown in
In some implementations, after the reservoir 258 has been at least partially filled with the vaporizable material and/or after the inwardly-projecting feature 298 of the mouthpiece 252 is secured to the one or more wick housing grooves 263, the cartridge body assembly 292 may be further inserted into the interior volume of the mouthpiece 252. For example, the cartridge body assembly 292 may be further inserted into the interior volume of the mouthpiece 252 until the inwardly-projecting feature 298 engages with the reservoir body groove 271. As noted above, the reservoir body groove 271 may be formed on the cartridge body assembly 292 between the mouthpiece seal 277 and a proximal end portion (e.g., a proximal rib on the proximal end portion) of the reservoir body 258A and/or located on one side of the recessed portion formed in the exterior surface of the cartridge body 156. As a result, the mouthpiece may enclose the septum of the fill port seal 296, preventing or reducing oil and/or air leakage through the fill port 297 from within the cartridge 250. In some implementations, In some implementations, the wick housing grooves 263 and/or the reservoir body groove 271 may be shaped and/or sized to allow the inwardly-projecting feature 298 of the mouthpiece 252 to slide over a proximal side and/or a distal side of each groove in one direction (e.g., in a distal direction) and prevent the inwardly-projecting feature 298 of the mouthpiece 252 to slide over the proximal side and/or the distal side of each groove in an opposite direction (e.g., in a proximal direction). This helps to add additional security to the cartridge 250. For example, once the cartridge 250 is filled by an authorized filler and/or with an authorized and/or tested vaporizable material, in some implementations, the mouthpiece 252 may not be removed without damaging the cartridge 250. This may prevent the cartridge 250 from being refilled, such as with an unauthorized substance and/or by an unauthorized party. Such configuration may also help to improve the user experience, as the user may be aware that the cartridge 250 may include the authorized vaporizable material. Such configuration may additionally and/or alternative allow for a pre-cut septum to be used at the fill port to enable blunt needle filling.
In some implementations, the proximal wick housing base 2051 may at least partially surround the central cannula 272. Referring to
To prevent leakage of vaporizable material from the combined interior volume of the cartridge body 256, the wick housing 288 and the reservoir body 258A may be coupled via laser-welding. In some implementations, however, other fastening may be implemented, such as via adhesive, a snap-fit arrangement, and/or the like. In some implementations, the wick housing 288 and the reservoir body 258A may be laser-welded at at least one, two, three, or more interfaces to reduce leaking of the vaporizable material.
For example,
In some implementations, the reservoir body 258A may include a distal chamber portion 255. The distal chamber portion 255 may be positioned within the reservoir body 258A proximate to a distal end portion of the reservoir body 258A. The distal chamber portion 255 may include a curved surface 259 that defines at least a portion of the distal chamber portion 255. The curved surface 259 may be spaced apart form and/or at least partially surround the heater 266 when the heater 266 is coupled to the reservoir body 258A. The distal chamber portion of the reservoir body 258A may also include a chamber coupling portion 257. The chamber coupling portion 257 may be positioned adjacent to the curved surface 259. The chamber coupling portion 257 may include an inwardly-facing surface 261 and a proximally-facing surface 265. The inwardly-facing surface 261 may be positioned approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 250. The proximally-facing surface 265 may be positioned approximately orthogonal to the inwardly-facing surface 261 and extend between the inwardly-facing surface 261 and the curved surface 259. In some implementations, the second joining interface 279B may be formed between an interior surface of the reservoir body 258A, at or near the distal end of the reservoir body 258A, such as the proximally-facing surface 265 and/or the inwardly-facing surface 261 of the chamber coupling portion 257 and at least a portion of an exterior surface of wick housing 288, such an exterior surface of the central, lower element 2053 of the wick housing 288.
Together, the central, lower element 2053 and the distal chamber portion 255 of the reservoir body 258A may form at least a portion of the atomization chamber that houses and/or otherwise surrounds at least a portion of the heater 266, such as at least a portion of the wick 268 and/or the heating coil 267. Joining the wick housing 288 to the reservoir body 258A at at least the first joining interface 279A and/or the second joining interface 279B may create an improved seal around the heater 266 (e.g., the wick 268 and/or the heating coil 267), which may prevent or reduce leaking and/or clogging of vaporizable material from the cartridge 250. This configuration may also help to prevent leakage of vaporizable material from other portions of the cartridge 250, such as at or near the mouthpiece 252. This configuration may also help to expand the size of the interior volume of the reservoir 258 to allow the reservoir 258 to contain a greater amount of vaporizable material to be vaporized. This may improve the user experience, as the user may use the cartridge 250 for a greater length of time, such as during a single session and/or over a series of sessions.
Referring to
As mentioned above, at least a portion of the cartridge body 256 may be transparent, translucent, opaque, or a combination thereof. The cartridge body 256 may include one or more regions formed of an opaque material such that the contents are not visible from outside the device as well as one or more regions formed of a translucent or transparent material such that the contents are visible from outside the device. For example, the central region 256B of the cartridge body 256 may be translucent to transparent such that the reservoir 258 contained within this portion of the cartridge body 256 may remain visible to a user from outside the cartridge 250. The distal end region 256C of the cartridge body 256 may be opaque such that a majority of the components within this region remain hidden from view. Similarly, the mouthpiece 252 positioned over the proximal end region 256A of the cartridge body 256 may be opaque.
As noted above, the volume of the reservoir 258 may vary, but is generally sized to hold sufficient vaporizable material for delivering at least one dose of the material. The volume of the reservoir 258 may be between about 0.2 mL to about 2 mL, in other implementations between 0.4 mL to about 1.2 mL, in other implementations between about 0.4 mL to about 0.8 mL, or in still other implementations between about 0.6 mL to about 1 mL. The reservoir 158 may be pre-filled or filled prior to, during, and after use as described above.
Referring to
The distal support structure 269 of the reservoir body 258A includes one or more receptacle housings 278. As noted above, the leads 2067 may extend into the distal end region 256C of the cartridge body 256, where the leads 2067 may electrically couple with the power pin receptacles 260a,b. Also as noted below, in some implementations, the receptacles 360a,b may extend into the distal end region 356C of the cartridge body 356 within the one or more receptacle housings 378. Each of the power pin receptacles 260a,b may be positioned within and/or surrounded at least in part by a corresponding receptacle housing 278 that extends in a distal direction from the reservoir body 258A. The receptacle housings 278 may help separate the power pin receptacles 260a,b from the air flow path and/or other internal components of the cartridge 250. This may help to reduce disruption on the air flow caused by the power pin receptacles 260a,b. This may additionally and/or alternatively help to reduce any temperature impact on the air passing the power pin receptacles 260a,b that may have otherwise been caused by heat emitted from the power pin receptacles 260a,b.
Referring to
The distal support structure 269 may include one or more connection features 283. In some embodiments, the one or more connection features 283 may extend from the reservoir body 258A into the base assembly 294 and press against a 275 pad, compressing the pad 275 and ensuring a secure and sealed engagement between the base assembly 294 and the cartridge body assembly 292.
As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
The base 274 may include one or more (e.g., one, two, three, four, or more) air flow inlets 262a,b configured to remain in fluid communication with the atmosphere during use of the device. The distal end of the base 274 may define the air flow inlets 262a,b. The base 274 may include air flow channels 2085, which are defined by the region between the air flow inlets 262a,b and the reservoir body air inlets 282. Thus, the air flow inlets 262a,b form an entry point for air into the cartridge 250. From the air flow inlets 262a,b, the air may flow within the base 274, through the inlets 282, flow past the heater 266, through the central cannula 272, and out through the mouthpiece 252.
The cartridge 350 may include one or more assemblies that may be coupled together, such as via snap-fit, laser-welding, adhesives, and/or the like. For example, the cartridge 350 may include a mouthpiece assembly 390, a cartridge body assembly 392, and a base assembly 394. The cartridge body assembly 392 may include the cartridge body 356, which may be divided, generally, into a proximal end region 356A, a central region 356B, and a distal end region 356C. The proximal end region 356A of the cartridge body 356 can be coupled to the mouthpiece 352 configured to deliver the vapor to the user. A tank or reservoir body 358A is defined, at least in part by, the proximal end region 356A and the central region 356B of the cartridge body 356 and is configured to contain an amount of the vaporizable material. The distal end region 356C (alone or together with the central region 356B) of the cartridge body 356 may house one or more components configured to vaporize the material from the reservoir 358 into a vaporization chamber 3005 (see, e.g.,
As described herein, the cartridge 350 may include a heater 366, which may be the same or similar to the heater 166, 266. The heater 366 may be configured to heat and/or vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn towards the heater 366 from the reservoir 358. In some implementations, the heater 366 may include a resistive element such as a heating coil 367 in thermal contact with a wick 368. The heating coil 367 and the wick 368 may include the same or similar properties and features as the heating coil 167, 267 and the wick 168, 268 described above with respect to the cartridge 150, 250.
The end caps 3068 may be made of various materials, such as copper, stainless steel, other metals, or combinations thereof. The end caps 3068 may securely and snugly fit over respective ends of the wick 368 (e.g., opposing ends 3065a,b). For example, the end caps 3068 may be thin sleeves that fit over the respective ends of the wick 368. End portions of each of the end caps 3068 have an opening that aligns with a central bore 3069 of the wick 368. The openings may be of a larger diameter than that of the central bore 3069 to further promote wicking of the vaporizable material along the length of the wick 368. The heater 366 may extend across the air path within the vaporization chamber 3005, such as in a transverse direction. As shown in
In some implementations, the wick 368 of the heater 366 may include a central portion 3060 and opposing ends 3065a,b positioned on opposite sides of the central portion 3060. The heating coil 367 may be wrapped around the central portion 3060 of the wick 368, which in turn may be positioned within the vaporization chamber 3005. The opposing ends 3065a,b of the wick 368 may be positioned at least partially outside the vaporization chamber 3005 by extending laterally outward through and/or within the lateral openings 3074a,b of the central cannula 372. As such, the opposing ends 3065a,b may be positioned within or in contact with the internal volume of the reservoir 358 whereas the central portion 3060 of the wick 368 wrapped by the heating coil 367 may be positioned entirely inside the vaporization chamber 3005 of the central cannula 372. The receptacles 360a,b may be coupled (e.g., in electrical communication with) to the end caps 3068 and extend away from the wick 368 and down through respective openings in an interior surface of the reservoir body 358A, out of the vaporization chamber 3005. The receptacles 360a,b may extend into the distal end region 356C of the cartridge body 356 where the receptacles 360a,b may be configured to receive and/or couple with the power pins 166a,b.
Referring to
In some implementations, the outer contact portion 347a of the end cap contact has a semi-circular shape. The radius of curvature of the outer contact portion 347a may be the same as or less than a radius of curvature of the end cap 3068. As a result, the ends of the outer contact portion 347a may deflect outwardly when the end caps 3068 are positioned within the outer contact portion 347a, causing an opposite force on the end caps 3068 by at least the ends of the outer contact portion 347a. In some implementations, the size and/or shape of the end cap contacts 347 may allow the end caps 3068 to be snapped into and/or otherwise secured to the end cap contacts 347. In other implementations, such as when the radius of the curve formed by the outer contact portion 347a is the same as the radius of the end cap 3068, the ends of the outer contact portion 347a may not deflect outwardly when the end caps 3068 are positioned within the outer contact portion 347a. The configurations described herein further help to secure the end cap 3068 within each end cap contact 347 and help to limit or prevent lateral movement of the wick 368 and/or the end cap 3068 within each end cap contact 347. These configurations also helps to maintain electrical communication between each end cap 3068 and the respective receptacle 360a,b.
As noted above, each receptacle 360a,b may include at least one contact arm 341. In some implementations, each receptacle 360a,b includes at least two contact arms 341. The contact arms 341 may, at a proximal end, extend in a distal direction from the end cap contact 347 (e.g., from the inner contact portion 347b). In some implementations, the contact arms 341 may be positioned parallel to one another. In some implementations, the contact arms 341 may be positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the cartridge 350. The contact arms 341 may be positioned at opposite lateral ends (e.g., in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A) of the end cap contact 347. For example, the contact arms 341 may define an interior volume 351 in which the power pins 122a,b of the vaporizer body 110 are inserted.
As shown in
The carrier 323 may help to support the heater 366 and receptacles 360a,b and is configured to form a receptacle assembly together with the receptacles 360a,b. The carrier 323 allows the receptacles 360a,b to, as a single unit, be inserted into and coupled with the cartridge body 356. This may improve assembly of the cartridge 350 by reducing the number of components assembled within the cartridge 350, and reducing the number of steps for assembling the cartridge 350. The carrier 323 may also allow the receptacles 360a,b to be inserted into the cartridge body 356 more easily. For example, the carrier 323 may be coupled to a runner or other portion of a mold, which may be broken off, during insertion of the receptacle assembly into the cartridge body 356. Once the receptacle assembly is properly positioned within and/or coupled to the cartridge body 356, the runner may be broken off of and/or otherwise separated from the receptacle assembly.
In some implementations, the carrier 323 may be made of a material, including a non-conductive material. For example, the carrier 323 may be formed of plastic, liquid crystal polymer, and/or the like.
Referring to
Referring to
A distance F (e.g., 0.72 mm, 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.5 mm to 0.75 mm, 0.75 mm to 1.0 mm) between opposing distal pin contact portions 349a may be approximately equal to a width or diameter of each of the power pins 166a,b. In some implementations, the distance F between opposing distal pin contact portions 349a is less than the width and/or diameter of each of the power pins 166a,b. Such configurations may help to maintain contact between the receptacles 360a,b and respective power pins 166a,b. For example, upon insertion of each power pin 166a,b into the respective receptacle 360a,b, the power pins 166a,b contact at least the distal pin contact portions 349a of the power pin contacts 349, causing the contact arms 341 to deflect away from one another (and in a direction outwardly away from the interior volume 351). The deflection of the contact arms 341 causes an opposite force to be applied to the power pins 166a,b at the power pin contacts 349 (e.g., at the distal pin contact portions 349a) in an opposite direction towards the interior volume 351. This opposite force helps to maintain contact between the power pins 166a,b and the receptacles 360a,b in use. In some implementations, the opposing contact arms 341 are spaced apart by a distance E (e.g., approximately 2.2 mm, 1.0 to 1.5 mm, 1.5 to 2.0 mm, 2.0 to 2.5 mm or greater) such that the contact arms 341 do not deflect beyond a yield distance when the power pins 166a,b are coupled to the receptacles 360a,b. This helps to reduce wear on the receptacles 360a,b and allows the cartridge 250 to be coupled to the vaporizer body 110 for at least a desired number of cycles (e.g., 500, 1000, 1500, or 2000 or more cycles). In some implementations, the distal pin contact portions 349a as shown in at least
Additionally and/or alternatively,
In some implementations, the receptacles 360a,b shown in
Again referring to
In some implementations, such as is shown in
Referring again to
The cartridge 450 may include one or more assemblies that may be coupled together, such as via snap-fit, laser-welding, adhesives, and/or the like. For example, the cartridge 450 may include a mouthpiece assembly 490, a cartridge body assembly 492, and a base assembly 494. The cartridge body assembly 492 may include the cartridge body 456, which may be divided, generally, into a proximal end region, a central region, and a distal end region. The proximal end region of the cartridge body 456 can be coupled to the mouthpiece 452 configured to deliver the vapor to the user. A tank or reservoir body 458A is defined, at least in part by, the proximal end region and the central region of the cartridge body 456 and is configured to contain an amount of the vaporizable material. The distal end region (alone or together with the central region) of the cartridge body 456 may house one or more components configured to vaporize the material from the reservoir 458 into a vaporization chamber 4005 (see, e.g.,
As described herein, the cartridge 450 may include a heater 466, which may be the same or similar to the heater 166, 266, 366. The heater 466 may be configured to heat and/or vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn towards the heater 466 from the reservoir 458. In some implementations, the heater 466 may include a resistive element such as a heating coil 467 in thermal contact with a wick 468. The heating coil 467 and the wick 468 may include the same or similar properties and features as the heating coil 167, 267, 367 and the wick 168, 268, 368 described herein with respect to the cartridge 150, 250, 350.
The end caps 4068 may be made of various materials, such as copper, stainless steel, other metals, or combinations thereof. The end caps 4068 may securely and snugly fit over respective ends of the wick 468 (e.g., opposing ends 4065a,b). For example, the end caps 4068 may be thin sleeves that fit over the respective ends of the wick 468. End portions of each of the end caps 4068 have an opening that aligns with a central bore 4069 of the wick 468. The openings may be of a larger diameter than that of the central bore 4069 to further promote wicking of the vaporizable material along the length of the wick 468. The heater 466 may extend across the air path within the vaporization chamber 4005, such as in a transverse direction. As shown in
In some implementations, the wick 468 of the heater 466 may include a central portion 4060 and opposing ends 4065a,b positioned on opposite sides of the central portion 4060. The heating coil 467 may be wrapped around the central portion 4060 of the wick 468, which in turn may be positioned within the vaporization chamber 4005. The opposing ends 4065a,b of the wick 468 may be positioned at least partially outside the vaporization chamber 4005 by extending laterally outward through and/or within the lateral openings 4074a,b of the central cannula 472. As such, the opposing ends 4065a,b may be positioned within or in contact with the internal volume of the reservoir 458 whereas the central portion 4060 of the wick 468 wrapped by the heating coil 467 may be positioned entirely inside the vaporization chamber 4005 of the central cannula 472. The leads 4067 of the heating coil 467 may extend away from the central portion 4060 of the wick 468 and down through respective openings 4073A in the distal support structure 469 of the reservoir body 458A out of the vaporization chamber 4005. The leads 4067 may extend into the interior of the base assembly 494 of the cartridge body 456 where the leads 4067 may contact and/or electrically couple with the power pin receptacles 460a,b.
As shown in
The contact portion 4072 may extend from the extension portion 4071 and contact at least a portion of a respective receptacle of the receptacles 460a,b to establish an electrical connection between the receptacles 460a,b and the end caps 4068. The lead 4067 may be press fit, welded to, and/or otherwise coupled to the receptacle 460a to establish a secure electrical connection. Though the lead 4067 is described with respect to the receptacle 460a, the second lead 4067 may contact and/or communicate with the receptacle 460b in the same manner.
The contact portion 4072 may be bent relative to the extension portion 4071 and extend at an angle from the extension portion. 4071. In some implementations, at least a portion of the contact portion 4072, such as a first contact portion 4072A, extends at an angle that is approximately perpendicular relative to the extension portion 4071. In some implementations, at least a portion of the contact portion 4072, such as a second contact portion 4072B, additionally and/or alternatively is positioned approximately parallel relative to the extension portion 4071.
The contact portion 4072 of the lead 4067 may extend about at least a portion of the receptacle 460a. For example, the contact portion 4072 may contact the receptacle 460a at at least one, two, or more surfaces. As shown in
Referring to
The end portion 4075 may help to secure the leads 4067 to the cartridge body 456. For example, as shown in
The lead guides 479a,b may include a bore extending through a thickness of the lead guides 479a,b from a generally circular opening 4073A on the upper surface of the distal support structure 469 to another generally circular opening 4082 leading towards the power pin receptacles 460a,b. The bore of the lead guides 479a,b may be cylindrical and have an inner diameter sized to receive and mate with the outer surface of the leads 4067 such that the leads 4067 are securely held within the lead guides 479a,b. The opening 4073A into the bore of the lead guides 479a,b on the upper surface may have an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the bore. For example, the opening 4073A into the bore of the lead guides 479a,b may be funnel-shaped to ease insertion of each the leads 4067 into their respective lead guides 479a,b. The lead guides 479a,b may advantageously eliminate the cumbersome installation by hand of properly inserting the leads 4067 into contact with the receptacles 460a,b. Thus, the lead guides 479a,b are configured to receive and securely hold the leads 4067 as well as reduce the free space between the heater within the vaporization chamber 4005 and the power pin receptacles 460a,b to improve assembly. When the cartridge 450 is assembled, the receptacles 460a,b may be at least partially inserted through and/or plug the opening 4082 and/or within the bore of the lead guides 479a,b to limit or prevent vaporizable material from leaking from the reservoir into the base assembly.
The lead guides 479a,b may include an end portion recess 470 (see
Referring to
In some implementations, the wick 468 and end caps 4068 may be properly positioned within the reservoir body 458A and/the cartridge body 456 when the wick housing 488 is inserted into the cartridge body 456. For example, the wick housing 488 (e.g., the lateral openings 4074a,b) may contact the end caps 4068 and press the end caps 4068 into contact with the end cap contacts 447, thereby locking the end caps 4068 into place and/or sealing around an exterior surface of the end caps 4068.
Referring back to
As shown in
A distance F (e.g., 0.72 mm, 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm, 0.5 mm to 0.75 mm, 0.75 mm to 1.0 mm) between opposing distal pin contact portions 549a may be approximately equal to a width or diameter of each of the power pins 166a,b. In some implementations, the distance F between opposing distal pin contact portions 549a is less than the width and/or diameter of each of the power pins 166a,b. Such configurations may help to maintain contact between the receptacles 560a,b and respective power pins 166a,b. For example, upon insertion of each power pin 166a,b into the respective receptacle 560a,b, the power pins 166a,b contact at least the distal pin contact portions 549a of the power pin contacts 549, causing the contact arms 541 to deflect away from one another (and in a direction outwardly away from the interior volume 551). The deflection of the contact arms 541 causes an opposite force to be applied to the power pins 166a,b at the power pin contacts 549 (e.g., at the distal pin contact portions 549a) in an opposite direction towards the interior volume 551. This opposite force helps to maintain contact between the power pins 166a,b and the receptacles 560a,b in use. In some implementations, the opposing contact arms 541 are spaced apart by a distance E (e.g., approximately 2.2 mm, 1.0 to 1.5 mm, 1.5 to 2.0 mm, 2.0 to 2.5 mm or greater) such that the contact arms 541 do not deflect beyond a yield distance when the power pins 166a,b are coupled to the receptacles 560a,b. This helps to reduce wear on the receptacles 560a,b and allows the cartridge 450 to be coupled to the vaporizer body 110 for at least a desired number of cycles (e.g., 500, 1000, 1500, or 2000 or more cycles). In some implementations, the distal pin contact portions 549a as shown in at least
Referring to
Referring again to
The cartridge 550 may include one or more assemblies that are be coupled together, such as via snap-fit, laser-welding, adhesives, and/or the like. For example, the cartridge 550 may include a mouthpiece assembly 590, a cartridge body assembly 592, and a base assembly 594. The cartridge body assembly 592 may include the cartridge body 556, which may be divided, generally, into a proximal end region 556A, a central region 556B, and a distal end region 556C. The proximal end region 556A of the cartridge body 556 can be coupled to the mouthpiece 552 configured to deliver the vapor to the user. A tank or reservoir body 558A is defined at least in part by the proximal end region 556A and the central region 556B of the cartridge body 556 and is configured to contain an amount of the vaporizable material. The distal end region 556C (alone or together with the central region 556B) of the cartridge body 556 may house one or more components configured to vaporize the material from the reservoir 558 into a vaporization chamber 5005 (see, e.g.,
As described herein, the cartridge 550 may include a heater 566, which may be the same or similar to the heater 166, 266, 366, 466. The heater 566 may be configured to heat and/or vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn towards the heater 566 from the reservoir 558. In some implementations, the heater 566 may include a resistive element such as a heating coil 567 in thermal contact with a wick 568. The heating coil 567 and the wick 568 may include the same or similar properties and features as the heating coil 167, 267, 367, 467 and the wick 168, 268, 368, 468 described above with respect to the cartridge 150, 250, 350, 450.
The end caps 5068 may be made of various materials, such as copper, stainless steel, other metals, or combinations thereof. The end caps 5068 may securely and snugly fit over respective ends of the wick 568 (e.g., opposing ends 5065a,b). For example, the end caps 5068 may be thin sleeves that fit over the respective ends of the wick 568. End portions of each of the end caps 5068 have an opening that aligns with a central bore 5069 of the wick 568. The openings may be of a larger diameter than that of the central bore 5069 to further promote wicking of the vaporizable material along the length of the wick 568. As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
As an example, the intended amount of vaporizable material to be filled into the reservoir 558 may be approximately 1.0 g. Due to various tolerance factors, the actual amount of vaporizable material filled into the reservoir 558 may be up to approximately 1.1 g (e.g., a 10% filling tolerance). Positioning the heater 566 within the interior volume of the base assembly 594 and a greater distance away from the proximal side of the reservoir 558 helps to account for the filling tolerance. In other words, the position of the heater 566 allows for greater error in filling the cartridge 550, as the reservoir 558 has a greater total interior volume and may accommodate for a greater amount of vaporizable material to be filled into the reservoir 558. The position of the heater 566 also allows the heater 566 to be at least partially hidden when viewed from a position external to the cartridge 550, which may improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the cartridge 550, and/or help to more clearly display to the user the amount of vaporizable material remaining in the reservoir 558 during use. Additionally and/or alternatively, the position of the heater 566 increases the efficiency of vaporizing the vaporizable material as the vaporizable material can pass more easily into the wick 568 due at least in part to gravity. Additionally and/or alternatively, the position of the heater 566 improves the manufacturability of the cartridge, as it simplifies the mating (e.g., welding) process when joining the wick housing 588 and the cartridge body assembly 592. For example, before the base assembly 594 is coupled to the cartridge body assembly 592, a proximal end of the wick housing 588 may be coupled with (e.g., laser-welded to) the reservoir body 558A on either size of the heater 566.
Referring again to
As shown in
The contact portion 5072 extends from the extension portion 5071 and contacts at least a portion of a respective receptacle of the receptacles 560a,b to establish an electrical connection between the receptacles 560a,b and the end caps 5068. For example, the contact portion 5072 may extend in a direction that is parallel to the receptacles 560a,b. The contact portion 5072 may be configured to contact a side surface of the corresponding receptacle 560a,b. The lead 5067 may be press fit, welded to, and/or otherwise coupled to the receptacle 560a to establish a secure electrical connection. In some implementations, for example, the lead 5067 may be welded (e.g., laser-welded, resistance-welded, and/or the like) to the receptacle 560a. Welding the connection between the lead 5067 and the receptacle 560a provides a robust electrical connection and helps to ensure that the lead 5067 maintains contact with the receptacle 560a during assembly and/or during use of the cartridge 550. Though the lead 5067 is described with respect to the receptacle 560a, the second lead 5067 may contact and/or communicate with the receptacle 560b in the same manner.
The contact portion 5072 may be bent relative to the extension portion 5071 and extend at an angle from the extension portion. 5071. The contact portion 5072 of the lead 5067 may extend about at least a portion of the receptacle 560a. For example, as noted above, the contact portion 5072 may contact the receptacle 560a at at least one, two, or more surfaces, such as along a side surface of the receptacle 560a. This configuration helps to secure the lead 5067 to the receptacle 560a and to ensure that the lead 5067 maintains contact and/or the electrical connection between the lead 5067 and the receptacle 560a in use. Such configurations increase the length and/or area of engagement between the lead 5067 and the receptacle 560a, to improve the efficiency in transferring power between the receptacle 560a and the lead 5067.
To further improve the securement and/or electrical connection between the lead 5067 and the receptacle 560a, the distal support structure 569 may include a lead securement portion 5073B. For example, at least a portion of the lead 5067, such as the extension portion 5071 and/or the contact portion 5072 may extend through the openings 5073A of the distal support structure 569 into the lead securement portion 5073B. Thus, the lead securement portion 5073B may act as a lead guide that guides the lead 5067 into contact with the receptacle 560a. The lead securement portion 5073B may be shaped and/or sized to surround at least the portion of the lead 5067 extending through the openings 5073A and/or contact at least the portion of the lead 5067. Thus, the lead securement portion 5073B may help to reduce and/or limit heat radiating from the lead 5067 and/or may help to maintain contact between the lead 5067 and the receptacle 560a.
As noted above, the heater 566 and the distal end of the reservoir 558 may be positioned within the interior volume of the base assembly 594. This allows the receptacle 560a to be press-fit directly into the cartridge body assembly 592, such as at least partially through the openings 5073A of the distal support structure 569. Such configurations may increase the length of engagement between the receptacle 560a and the lead 5067, which improves the efficiency in transferring power between the receptacle 560a and the lead 5067 and/or ensures engagement between the lead 5067 and the receptacle 560a. This also helps to reduce variation in placement and/or movement of the lead 5067 with respect to the receptacle 560a, thereby further improving the power transfer efficiency and/or electrical connection. In some implementations, press-fitting the receptacle 560a into contact with the cartridge body assembly 592 (e.g., the distal support structure 569) improves the seal between the cartridge body assembly 592 and the base assembly 594. For example, the press-fit configuration (alone and/or together with a barb or other mating feature on the receptacle 560a,b) may help to reduce or limit vaporizable material from passing out of the reservoir 558, passing into contact with one or more internal components of the base assembly 594, and/or leaking out of the cartridge 550.
Referring to
In some implementations, the wick 568 and end caps 5068 may be properly positioned within the reservoir body 558A and/the cartridge body 556 when the wick housing 588 is inserted into the cartridge body 556. For example, the wick housing 588 (e.g., the lateral openings 5074a,b) may contact the end caps 5068 and press the end caps 5068 into contact with the end cap contacts 547, thereby locking the end caps 5068 into place and/or sealing around an exterior surface of the end caps 5068.
As shown in
Referring back to
In some implementations, the distal support structure 569 may include a capillary feature 569A (see
As shown in
In some implementations, the base 574 includes one or more base ribs 574A upon which the tag 564 is positioned within the tag recess 564A. The base ribs 574A extend from a distal wall of the base 574 towards an interior volume of the base 574. The base ribs 574A space the tag 564 from the distal wall of the base 574. The base ribs 574A help to increase the structural integrity of the base 574 while reducing the amount of material used to form the base 574. The base ribs 574A provide a flat and/or stable surface upon which the internal components of the base assembly 594 (e.g., the tag 564 and the pad 575) may be positioned. In some implementations, the chip of the tag 564 may be positioned within the space formed between adjacent base ribs 574A to position the chip of the tag 564 closer to the exterior of the cartridge 550, which further improves RF performance and limits or reduces interference in the connection between the tag 564 and the vaporizer body 110.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring back to
As described herein, the mouthpiece 552 may be coupled to the cartridge body assembly 592. For example, the mouthpiece 552 may be first coupled to a first portion of the cartridge body assembly 592, such as a first portion of the wick housing 588, leaving the fill port 597 exposed for filling the reservoir 558 of the cartridge 550. Once the filling process is complete, the mouthpiece 552 may slide along an exterior surface of the wick housing 588 in a distal direction. The mouthpiece 552 may then be coupled to a second portion of the cartridge body assembly 592, such as a second portion of the wick housing 588, to secure and/or cover the fill port.
For example, as described herein the proximal wick housing base 5051 of the wick housing 588 may be configured to, at least temporarily, couple with the mouthpiece 552. The mouthpiece 552 may slide over at least a part of the proximal end region 556A of the cartridge body 556. For example, the mouthpiece 552 may slide over at least the proximal wick housing base 5051 of the wick housing 588. In other words, at least a portion of the cartridge body assembly 592, such as the proximal wick housing base 5051, may be inserted into the interior volume of the mouthpiece 552. After insertion of the proximal wick housing base 5051 into the mouthpiece 552, the inwardly-projecting feature 598 of the mouthpiece 552 may engage with one or more proximal wick housing grooves 563 to secure the mouthpiece 552 to the cartridge body assembly 592. In some implementations, when the inwardly-projecting feature 598 of the mouthpiece 552 is secured to the one or more proximal wick housing grooves 563, the interior volume of the cartridge 550, such as the reservoir 558, may be filled with the vaporizable material, via the fill port 597. The reservoir 558 may be filled via the fill port 597 and/or the fill port seal 596.
In some implementations, after the reservoir 558 has been at least partially filled with the vaporizable material and/or after the inwardly-projecting feature 598 of the mouthpiece 552 is secured to the one or more proximal wick housing grooves 563, the cartridge body assembly 592 may be further inserted into the interior volume of the mouthpiece 552. For example, the cartridge body assembly 592 may be further inserted into the interior volume of the mouthpiece 552 until the inwardly-projecting feature 598 engages with the distal wick housing groove 571. As described herein, the distal wick housing groove 571 may be formed on the wick housing 588 on one side of the mouthpiece seal 577 and distally relative to the proximal wick housing groove 563 . . . . As a result, the mouthpiece may enclose the septum of the fill port seal 596, preventing or reducing oil and/or air leakage through the fill port 597 from within the cartridge 550. In some implementations, the proximal wick housing grooves 563 and/or the proximal wick housing groove 571 may be shaped and/or sized to allow the inwardly-projecting feature 598 of the mouthpiece 552 to slide over a proximal side and/or a distal side of each groove in one direction (e.g., in a distal direction) and prevent the inwardly-projecting feature 598 of the mouthpiece 552 to slide over the proximal side and/or the distal side of each groove in an opposite direction (e.g., in a proximal direction). This helps to add additional security to the cartridge 550. For example, once the cartridge 550 is filled by an authorized filler and/or with an authorized and/or tested vaporizable material, in some implementations, the mouthpiece 552 may not be removed without damaging the cartridge 550. This may prevent the cartridge 550 from being refilled, such as with an unauthorized substance and/or by an unauthorized party. Such configuration may also help to improve the user experience, as the user may be aware that the cartridge 550 may include the authorized vaporizable material. Such configuration may additionally and/or alternatively allow for a pre-cut septum to be used at the fill port to enable blunt needle filling.
In some implementations, to prevent leakage of vaporizable material from the interior volume of the cartridge body assembly 592 (e.g., from the interior volume of the cartridge body 556, the wick housing 588 and the reservoir body 558A), one or more components of the cartridge body assembly 592 may be joined by a mating process, such as laser-welding and/or by application of an adhesive, a snap-fit arrangement, and/or the like. For example, the wick housing 588 and the reservoir body 558A may be laser-welded at at least one, two, three, or more interfaces to reduce leaking of the vaporizable material.
For example,
Additionally and/or alternatively, in some implementations, such as in the cartridge 550 shown in
In some implementations, the mouthpiece seal 577 may be positioned over at least a portion of the joining interface 579A. For example, as shown in
In some implementations, the placement of the mouthpiece seal 577, the shape of the mouthpiece seal 577, the position of the joining interface 579A, and/or the shape of the wick housing 588, for example, may improve the structural integrity of the cartridge 550 and help to improve the ability of the cartridge 550 to withstand a greater force during insertion and/or removal of the cartridge 550 from the body 110 and/or to withstand insertion and/or removal of the cartridge 550 for a greater number of insertions and/or removals. For example, the wick housing 588 may include a joining rib 579B (see
The joining rib 579B and/or the joining recess 577A may improve the seal formed between the wick housing 588 and the reservoir body 558A. For example, the joining rib 579B and/or the joining recess 577A may prevent or limit rolling and/or wrinkling of the mouthpiece seal 577, such as during insertion of the cartridge 550 into the vaporizer body 110, during removal of the cartridge 550 from the vaporizer device, and/or during filling of the cartridge 550. The joining rib 579B may additionally and/or alternatively absorb and/or concentrate the force applied on the mouthpiece seal 577 to further strengthen the mouthpiece seal 577. For example, the joining rib 579B may reduce the angle of the pressure exerted by the vaporizer device 100 during insertion and/or removal of the cartridge 550, thereby reducing the impact of the force applied to the mouthpiece seal 577. In some implementations, the joining rib 579B also concentrates the force applied by the edge of the vaporizer body 110 to a distal side of the joining rib 579B to reduce the impact of the force applied to the mouthpiece seal 577.
In some implementations, the mouthpiece seal 577 may additionally and/or alternatively include a region of increased thickness 577B surrounding the joining rib 579B and/or the joining recess 577A to improve the strength and/or stiffness of the mouthpiece seal 577 surrounding the joining rib 579B and/or the joining interface 579A. The region of increased thickness 577B may extend from a distal end of the mouthpiece seal 577 (e.g., positioned distally relative to the joining rib 579B and/or the joining recess 577A) in a proximal direction to at least a portion of the mouthpiece seal 577 that contacts a distal edge of the mouthpiece 552 (e.g., positioned proximally relative to the joining rib 579B and/or the joining recess 577A). Such configurations may also prevent or limit rolling and/or wrinkling of the mouthpiece seal 577, such as during insertion of the cartridge 550 into the vaporizer body 110, during removal of the cartridge 550 from the vaporizer device, and/or during filling of the cartridge 550. The region of increased thickness 577B may also help to prevent rolling or rocking of the cartridge 550 when the cartridge is fully inserted into the vaporizer body 110. This improves the seal formed between the cartridge 550 and the vaporizer body 110 and thus, improves airflow and/or heating efficiency.
In some implementations, such as is shown in
As shown in
Referring back to
The cartridge 650 may include one or more assemblies that are be coupled together, such as via snap-fit, laser-welding, adhesives, and/or the like. For example, the cartridge 650 may include a mouthpiece assembly 690, a cartridge body assembly 692, and a base assembly 694. The cartridge body assembly 692 may include the cartridge body 656, which may be divided, generally, into a proximal end region 656A, a central region 656B, and a distal end region 656C. The proximal end region 656A of the cartridge body 656 can be coupled to the mouthpiece 652 configured to deliver the vapor to the user. A tank or reservoir body 658A is defined at least in part by the proximal end region 656A and the central region 656B of the cartridge body 656 and is configured to contain an amount of the vaporizable material. The distal end region 656C (alone or together with the central region 656B) of the cartridge body 656 may house one or more components configured to vaporize the material from the reservoir 658 into a vaporization chamber 6005 (see, e.g.,
As described herein, the cartridge 650 may include a heater 666, which may be the same or similar to the heater 166, 266, 366, 466, 566. The heater 666 may be configured to heat and/or vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn towards the heater 666 from the reservoir 658. In some implementations, the heater 666 may include a resistive element such as a heating coil 667 in thermal contact with a wick 668. The heating coil 667 and the wick 668 may include the same or similar properties and features as the heating coil 167, 267, 367, 467, 567 and the wick 168, 268, 368, 468, 568 described above with respect to the cartridge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550. The wick 668 is porous and provides a capillary pathway for fluid within the reservoir 658 through and into the wick 668.
Referring again to
The end caps 6068 may include one or more materials, such as copper, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, other metals, or combinations thereof. The material of the end caps 6068 may allow for efficient transfer of power between the power pin receptacles 660a,b and the heating coil 667. The material of the end caps 6068 may additionally and/or alternatively allow the heating coil 667 to heat to a sufficient vaporization temperature, while preventing or limiting heat from emanating from the end caps 6068 and transferring to unwanted portions of the cartridge 650. For example, titanium, such as titanium grade 5 or another titanium alloy, may efficiently transfer power between the power pin receptacles 660a,b and the heating coil 667. In some implementations, the titanium material may have a relatively low thermal conductivity, slowing and/or reducing the total heat absorption by the end caps. Such configurations may prevent or limit the spread of heat from the end caps 6068 to other portions of the cartridge 650, such as plastic components, or unwanted portions of the vaporizable material stored within the reservoir 658. Such configurations may additionally and/or alternatively leave more heat available for vapor production, improving the efficiency of heating the vaporizable material. The titanium material may also allow for the end caps 6068 to be thinner than end caps 6068 including another type of material, thereby allowing for a reduced mass (e.g., by approximately 64%) compared to other materials and further reducing or limiting heat from emanating from the end caps 6068. The thinner end caps 6068 may additionally and/or alternatively have less thermal dissipation due at least in part to the lower mass, further reducing or limiting heat from emanating from the end caps 6068.
The end caps 6068 may securely and snugly fit over respective ends of the wick 668 (e.g., opposing ends 6065a,b). For example, the end caps 6068 may be thin sleeves that fit over the respective ends of the wick 668. In some implementations, the end caps 6068 have a stepped arrangement. For example, the end caps 6068 may each include an outer portion 6068A and an inner portion 6068B. The outer portion 6068A and the inner portion 6068B are positioned adjacent to one another and are integrally formed to define each of the end caps 6068. As part of the stepped arrangement, the outer portion 6068A may have an outer circumference that is greater than an outer circumference of the inner portion 6068B.
The stepped arrangement allows for the end caps 6068 to support a smaller wick 668 and/or allows for less of the wick 668 to be exposed. For example, the material of the wick 668 may allow heat to emanate from the wick 668. Thus, in some implementations, it may be desirable to reduce the amount of heat emanating from the wick 668, by, for example, reducing a diameter and/or a length of the wick 668. The stepped arrangement of the end cap 6068 may better support the smaller wick 668. For example, the smaller wick 668 may be pressed into the end cap 6068 and may be securely held by the end cap 6068. The wick 668 may have a length of approximately 4.8 mm or less. In some implementations, the wick 688 has a length of approximately 4.3 mm to 6.5 mm. For example, the wick 668 may have a length of approximately 2.5 to 3.0 mm, 3.0 to 3.5 mm, 3.5 to 4.0 mm, 4.0 to 4.5 mm, 4.5 to 5.0 mm, 5.0 to 5.5 mm, 5.5 to 6.0 mm, 6.0 to 6.5 mm, and/or other ranges therebetween. In some implementations, the wick 668 has an outside diameter of approximately 1.66 mm to 2.0 mm. In some implementations, the wick 668 has an outside diameter of approximately 1.825 mm, 1.66 mm, 2.0 mm, 1.0 to 1.5 mm, 1.5 to 2.0 mm, 1.66 to 2.0 mm, 2.0 to 2.5 mm, 1.25 to 2.0 mm, or other ranges therebetween. In some implementations, such as when the wick 668 includes a ceramic material, the wick 668 has a high porosity, thereby absorbing a large volume of vaporizable material. However, if too much vaporizable material is absorbed by the wick 668 and/or is positioned within the vaporization region, it may require a large amount of energy to vaporize the vaporizable material, rendering the vaporization process inefficient and/or ineffective. Thus, in some instances, it may be desirable to reduce a total volume of vaporizable material absorbed by the wick for vaporization, by, for example, including the wick 668 having a smaller diameter and/or length, such as the diameters and/or lengths described herein.
In some implementations, the outer portion 6068A of the end caps are hollow. The hollow outer portion 6068A further helps to reduce and/or limit dissipation of heat from the end caps 6068. In some implementations, the end caps 6068 each include a divider 6068C. The divider 6068C may extend from an interior surface of the end caps 6068. The divider 6068C may separate the inner portion 6068B and the outer portion 6068A from within the end caps 6068. The divider 6068C may provide a surface against which the end of the wick 668 is pressed. Thus, the divider 6068C may help to secure the wick 668 within the end caps 6068. End portions of each of the end caps 6068 may also have an opening 6069 that aligns with a central bore of the wick 668. The openings may be of a larger diameter than that of the central bore to further promote wicking of the vaporizable material along the length of the wick 668. The divider 6068C may also have an opening that concentrically aligns with the opening 6069 of the end caps 6068 and/or the central bore of the wick 668.
In some implementations, such as when the wick 668 includes a silica material or silica fibers, the heater 666 may not include the end caps 6068. Rather, in such implementations, the heating coil 667 may be wrapped around the wick 668 and leads of the heating coil 667 may directly contact respective power pin receptacles 660a,b. For example,
Further, as shown in
Referring to
As noted above,
The contact portion 6072 extends from the extension portion 6071 and contacts at least a portion of a respective receptacle of the receptacles 660a,b to establish an electrical connection between the receptacles 660a,b and the end caps 6068. For example, the contact portion 6072 may extend in a direction that is parallel to the receptacles 660a,b. The contact portion 6072 may be configured to contact a side surface of the corresponding receptacle 660a,b. The lead 6067 may be press fit, welded to, and/or otherwise coupled to the receptacle 660a to establish a secure electrical connection. In some implementations, for example, the lead 6067 may be welded (e.g., laser-welded, resistance-welded, and/or the like) to the receptacle 660a. Welding the connection between the lead 6067 and the receptacle 660a provides a robust electrical connection and helps to ensure that the lead 6067 maintains contact with the receptacle 660a during assembly and/or during use of the cartridge 650. Though the lead 6067 is described with respect to the receptacle 660a, the second lead 6067 may contact and/or communicate with the receptacle 660b in the same manner.
The contact portion 6072 may be bent relative to the extension portion 6071 and extend at an angle from the extension portion. 6071. The contact portion 6072 may be parallel to the connector portion 6071A. The contact portion 6072 of the lead 6067 may extend about at least a portion of the receptacle 660a. For example, as noted above, the contact portion 6072 may contact the receptacle 660a at at least one surface, such as along a side surface of the receptacle 660a. This configuration helps to secure the lead 6067 to the receptacle 660a and to ensure that the lead 6067 maintains contact and/or the electrical connection between the lead 6067 and the receptacle 660a in use. Such configurations increase the length and/or area of engagement between the lead 6067 and the receptacle 660a, to improve the efficiency in transferring power between the receptacle 660a and the lead 6067.
As described above,
As shown in
In some implementations, each of the leads 6067 includes an extension portion 6071, a contact portion 6072, and an end portion 6073. The extension portion 6071 may extend from the heating coil 667. The extension portion 6071 may extend from the heating coil 667 in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a lateral axis that is centrally aligned with the lateral sides of the wick 668. In other implementations, as shown in
The contact portion 6072 extends from the extension portion 6071 and contacts at least a portion of a respective receptacle of the receptacles 660a,b to establish an electrical connection between the receptacles 660a,b and the end caps 6068. For example, the contact portion 6072 may extend in a direction that is parallel to the receptacles 660a,b. The contact portion 6072 may be configured to contact a side surface of the corresponding receptacle 660a,b. The lead 6067 may be press fit, welded to, and/or otherwise coupled to the receptacle 660a to establish a secure electrical connection. In some implementations, for example, the lead 6067 may be welded (e.g., laser-welded, resistance-welded, and/or the like) to the receptacle 660a. Welding the connection between the lead 6067 and the receptacle 660a provides a robust electrical connection and helps to ensure that the lead 6067 maintains contact with the receptacle 660a during assembly and/or during use of the cartridge 650. Though the lead 6067 is described with respect to the receptacle 660a, the second lead 6067 may contact and/or communicate with the receptacle 660b in the same manner. For example, the contact portion 6072 of the first lead 6067A may contact a first side of the receptacle 660a, facing away from the receptacle 660a, and the contact portion 6072 of the second lead 6067B may contact a second side of the receptacle 660b, facing away from the receptacle 660b, and in a direction opposite the contact portion 6072 of the first lead 6067A. The end portion 6073 may extend from an end of the contact portion 6072. The end portion 6073 may be bent and extend laterally at an angle in a proximal direction away from the end of the contact portion 6072. The bent end portion 6073 may help to ensure proper assembly and positioning within the cartridge 650, and may improve contact between the leads 6067 and the corresponding receptacle 660a,b.
Referring back to
For example, as described herein the proximal wick housing base 6051 of the wick housing 688 may be configured to, at least temporarily, couple with the mouthpiece 652. The mouthpiece 652 may slide over at least a part of the proximal end region 656A of the cartridge body 656. For example, the mouthpiece 652 may slide over at least the proximal wick housing base 6051 of the wick housing 688. In other words, at least a portion of the cartridge body assembly 692, such as the proximal wick housing base 6051, may be inserted into the interior volume of the mouthpiece 652. After insertion of the proximal wick housing base 6051 into the mouthpiece 652, the inwardly-projecting feature 698 of the mouthpiece 652 may engage with one or more proximal wick housing grooves 663 to secure the mouthpiece 652 to the cartridge body assembly 692. In some implementations, when the inwardly-projecting feature 698 of the mouthpiece 652 is secured to the one or more proximal wick housing grooves 663, the interior volume of the cartridge 650, such as the reservoir 658, may be filled with the vaporizable material, via the fill port 597. The reservoir 658 may be filled via the fill port 597 and/or the fill port seal 596.
Referring to
In some implementations, the proximal wick housing base 6051 may include lateral, upper elements 6053 and central, upper element supports 6057. The central, upper element supports 6057 may be coupled to and/or integrally formed with the central, upper element 6052 and/or the lateral, upper elements 6053. The central, upper element supports 6057 may be positioned on lateral sides of the central, upper element 6052 and may extend from the proximal side of the proximal wick housing base 6051. The central, upper element supports 6057 may support the central, upper element 6052 proximally relative to the proximal side of the proximal wick housing base 6051 and over the central cannula 672. The lateral, upper elements 6053 may be positioned on lateral sides of the central, upper element 6052 and may extend from the proximal side of the proximal wick housing base 6051. The lateral, upper elements 6053 may be coupled to and/or integrally formed with the central, upper element 6052 and/or with the central, upper element supports 6057. The lateral, upper elements 6053 may be spaced apart from opposing sides of the central, upper element 6052 and/or with the central, upper element supports 6057. For example, the lateral, upper elements 6053 may be spaced apart from opposing sides of the central, upper element supports 6057, defining a venting gap 6055 between the central, upper element supports 6057 and the respective lateral, upper elements 6053. The air from within the reservoir 658 may pass through the headspace vents 6059 into the venting gap 6055.
In some implementations, the proximal wick housing base 6051 includes a vent rod receiving portion 6049. The vent rod receiving portion 6049 may receive at least a portion of a respective vent rod 6061. The vent rod receiving portion 6049 may be positioned adjacent the headspace vents 5059 within the venting gap 6055. For example, the vent rod receiving portion 6049 may be positioned at a distal end of the venting gap 6055. The vent rod receiving portion 6049 may be defined by the proximal side of the proximal wick housing base 6051, the inner surface of a respective lateral, upper element 6053, the inner surface of a respective central, upper element support 6057, and venting gap protrusions 6047 that extend inwardly from the inner surfaces of the lateral, upper element 6053 and the central, upper element support 6057 towards the venting gap 6055.
For example, as shown in
As described herein, once the filling process is complete, the mouthpiece 652 may slide along an exterior surface of the wick housing 688 in a distal direction (see
The cartridge 750 may include one or more assemblies that are be coupled together, such as via snap-fit, laser-welding, adhesives, and/or the like. For example, the cartridge 750 may include a mouthpiece assembly 790, a cartridge body assembly 792, and a base assembly 794. The cartridge body assembly 792 may include the cartridge body 756, which may be divided, generally, into a proximal end region, a central region 756B, and a distal end region. The proximal end region of the cartridge body 756 can be coupled to the mouthpiece 752 configured to deliver the vapor to the user. A tank or reservoir body 758A is defined at least in part by the proximal end region and the central region 756B of the cartridge body 756 and is configured to contain an amount of the vaporizable material. The distal end region (alone or together with the central region 756B) of the cartridge body 756 may house one or more components configured to vaporize the material from the reservoir 758 into a vaporization chamber (not shown). The mouthpiece 752 is configured to interface with the user to allow the vapor to flow from the vaporization chamber to the user through one or more openings in the mouthpiece 752, for example, upon the user drawing a breath through the vaporizer device. Each of these components may have the same or similar features and/or properties as the components described above with respect to the cartridge 150, the cartridge 250, the cartridge 350, the cartridge 450, the cartridge 550, and/or the cartridge 650, and/or may be interchanged and/or used in combination with one or more of the components of the cartridge 150, the cartridge 250, the cartridge 350, the cartridge 450, the cartridge 550, and/or the cartridge 650.
The base assembly 794 may include a base 774. The base 774 may surround a plurality of components within an interior of the base 774. The base 774 may additionally and/or alternatively surround at least part of the distal end region of the cartridge body 756. The base 774 may include a side wall 777. The side wall 777 may surround at least a portion of the plurality of components within the interior of the base 774 and/or at least the part of the distal region of the cartridge body 756. The side wall 777 may extend from a distal end portion of the cartridge 750. The side wall 777 may include one, two, three, four, or more side walls. In some implementations, the base 774 includes a single side wall 777 that surrounds the interior of the base 774.
In some implementations, the sidewall 777 has a uniform thickness. In other implementations, the side wall 777 has a variable thickness. For example, the side wall 777 may include one or more regions 777A (e.g., at least one portion) that have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of one or more other regions (e.g., a remaining portion) 777B of the side wall 777. The one or more regions 777A having a greater thickness may be positioned along a shorter side portion of the base 774. For example, the base 774 (and/or the cartridge 750) may have opposing longer portions 779B (e.g., the sides 4902, 4904) and one or more opposing shorter portions 779A positioned between and connecting the opposing longer portions 779B. The opposing shorter portions 779A and the opposing longer portions 779B may be integrally formed. For example, the opposing shorter portions 779A and the opposing longer portions 779B may together form a perimeter of the base 774.
Referring to
In some implementations, a length 777C of the one or more regions 777A, such as along the opposing shorter portions 779A, from an end of the cartridge 750 towards a proximal end of the cartridge 750 is less than a length 777D of the base 774 from the end of the cartridge 750 towards the proximal end of the cartridge 750. The length 777C may be greater than one half of the length 777D. The length 777C may be greater than one third, three fourths, and/or the like of the length 777D. The length 777C may be the same as the length 777D.
The one or more regions 777A of the base 774 having a greater thickness than the remaining regions 777B may be optimally positioned along the perimeter of the base 774. For example, as shown in
Referring to
At 4302, the mouthpiece 552 is positioned in a first mouthpiece position (see
At 4304, the reservoir 558 of the cartridge 550 may be at least partially filled with the vaporizable material. For example, a needle may be used to fill the reservoir 558 via the fill port 597. The reservoir 558 may be filled via the fill port 597 positioned on one or both sides of the cartridge 550. In such configurations, the needle may pierce or otherwise pass through the fill port seal 596 to fill the reservoir 558 (see
In some implementations, the cartridge 550 is filled in various orientations. For example, the cartridge 550 may be filled in a flat orientation, such that the length of the cartridge 550 along the longitudinal axis extends in a lateral direction. Additionally and/or alternatively, the cartridge 550 may be filled in an angled orientation, such that the length of the cartridge 550 along the longitudinal axis is positioned at an angle relative to a lateral axis. In such configuration, the mouthpiece may be angled in a downward direction to improve venting of air from within the cartridge 550 during filling. Additionally and/or alternatively, the cartridge 550 may be filled in a wick-up orientation such that the wick is positioned over the mouthpiece. Such configurations may help to improve venting of air from within the cartridge 550 during filling. This helps to prevent leakage of vaporizable material from the cartridge, such as during filling, and helps to reduce or eliminate trapped air from within the vaporizable material.
Additionally and/or alternatively, at least a portion of the cartridge 550 may be filled through one fill port 597 and at least another portion of the cartridge 550 may be filled through the other fill port 597. For example, in some implementations, approximately 30% of the reservoir of the cartridge 550 is filled through one fill port and the remaining 70% of the reservoir is filled through the other fill port. In some implementations, approximately 0 to 10%, 10 to 20%, 20 to 30%, 30 to 40%, 40 to 50%, 50 to 60%, 60 to 70%, 70 to 80%80 to 90% or more of the reservoir of the cartridge 550 is filled through one fill port and the remaining portion of the reservoir is filled through the other fill port. Filling a portion of the reservoir through one fill port and filling the remaining portion of the reservoir through the other fill port may help to prevent or limit air from becoming trapped within the vaporizable material and/or may help to prevent or limit leakage of the vaporizable material from the cartridge. In some implementations, the reservoir is filled by alternating between filling at least a portion of the reservoir through each fill port. In some implementations, the reservoir is filled by filling through both fill ports simultaneously.
At 4306, the mouthpiece 552 may be positioned in a second mouthpiece position (see
At 4402, a vaporizer device (e.g., the vaporizer device 100) is activated. For example, the vaporizer device may be activated by drawing (e.g., inhaling) through the mouthpiece. The device may detect a draw (e.g., using a pressure sensor, flow sensors, and/or the like, including a sensor configured to detect a change in temperature or power applied to a heater element) and may increase the power to a predetermined temperature preset. The power may be regulated by the controller by detecting the change in resistance of the heating coil and using the thermal coefficient of resistance to determine the temperature.
At 4404, a heater (e.g., the heater 166, 266, 366, 466, 566, 666) may heat at least a portion of the vaporizable material stored within the cartridge (e.g., the cartridge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, 650, 750) to generate an aerosol. For example, the heater may heat at least a portion of the vaporizable material stored within the wick of the heater to generate the aerosol to be delivered to the user through the mouthpiece of the cartridge.
Any of a variety of materials may be used for the cartridge 150. Though these materials are described with respect to the cartridge 150, the cartridge 250, the cartridge 350, the cartridge 450, and/or the cartridge 550 may include the same or similar materials, features, and/properties. Portions of the cartridge 150 may be made of harder plastic materials configured to be strong and resist cracking, compression, or other damage when placed under pressure. For example, one or more regions of the cartridge body 156 such as the region defining the reservoir 158 may be formed of hard plastic materials, such as, for example, Trogamid CX7323 (BPA free). Other plastic materials for the cartridge body 156 and the mouthpiece 152 may include, for example, Veradel A-301 (BPA free). Other regions of the cartridge 150 such as the regions intended to provide for sealing with other harder regions of the cartridge 150 may be made of any of a variety of resilient or elastomeric materials. For example, the bottom tank seal 176 and the internal sealing gasket 173 may be made from a variety of materials including rubber, such as, for example, fluorosilicone rubber (SHIN-ETSU FE-251-U). The mouthpiece seal 177 may also be made from a variety of materials including rubber, such as, for example, clear liquid silicone rubber (LSR). The seals 176 and 177, the sealing ring 171, the internal sealing gasket 173, and the lower support structure 174 may be made from a variety of materials, such as Polypropylene and materials in the Nylon 6/3 or Polyethersulfone-based (PESU) classes, including but not limited to PESU, Nylon, Silicone, Nitrile, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), PTFE, Fluorocarbons, and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The portions of the cartridge 150 including the reservoir 158, the cartridge body 156, the mouthpiece 152, the sealing ring 171, the internal sealing gasket 173, the bottom tank seal 176, the mouthpiece seal 177, and the lower support structure 174 are formed of durable materials that are suitable for the functions they perform. A variety of materials, including glass, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, gold, bronze, gold-plated phosphor bronze, mullite, nickel chromium, and/or ceramic, may be used for the components of the cartridge 150, including but not limited to the reservoir 158, the cartridge body 156, the mouthpiece 152, the sealing ring 171, the internal sealing gasket 173, the bottom tank seal 176, and the mouthpiece seal 177.
As described above, a data tag 164 (and/or data tag 264) may be incorporated within a region of the cartridge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, 650, 750 to transmit, receive, and/or store relevant information about the cartridge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, 650, 750 and/or the vaporizable material contained within. Though the tag is described with respect to the tag 164 of the cartridge 150, the tag 264 may have the same or similar properties and/or features. The tag 164, 264 may be positioned within and/or otherwise used with the cartridge 350. For example, the tag 164 may allow for communication between the cartridge 150 and the vaporizer body 110 as well as between the cartridge 150 and an external computing device, such as a user device 305 (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, laptop), or a remote server 307. The communication between the cartridge 150 provided by the tag 164 may be independent of the vaporizer body 110 such that the cartridge 150 may communicate with an external computing device even when the cartridge 150 is not coupled to the vaporizer body 110, as described elsewhere herein.
In some implementations, the tag 164 is a near-field communication (NFC) tag positioned near a bottom region of the cartridge 150. In the example implementations of the cartridge 250, 350, 450, 550, 650, 750 shown in
The tag 164 may be an antenna trace made of copper or a similar material and may have a thickness of, for example, about 0.05 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.07 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.09 mm, or 0.10 mm. The tag 164 may be protected by a protective layer, such as, for example, a plastic cover made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic or other plastics. A variety of non-conductive materials, such as glass or ceramic, may be used for the protective layer. The protective layer may have a thickness of, for example, about 0.08 mm, 0.09 mm, 0.10 mm, 0.11 mm, or 0.12 mm. The overall thickness of the tag 164, with or without the base 184 and/or with or without the protective layer 185, may be, for example, about 0.05 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.07 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.10 mm, 0.12 mm, 0.14 mm, 0.16 mm, 0.18 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.22 mm, 0.24 mm, 0.26 mm, 0.28 mm, 0.30 mm, 0.32 mm, 0.34 mm, 0.36 mm, 0.38 mm, 0.40 mm, 0.42 mm, 0.44 mm, 0.46 mm, 0.48 mm, or 0.50 mm.
The tag 164 may be a variety of shapes, including the generally planar element with an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer perimeter such as that shown in the figures. In the example cartridge 150 shown in
In some implementations, the tag 164 has a circular or partially circular shape. The tag 164 may include at least one aperture extending through its thickness such that the tag 164 surrounds the power pin receptacles 160a,b and air flow inlets 162a,b at the distal end of the cartridge 150.
In an implementation in which the tag is coupled with an exterior of the cartridge, as shown in
Similarly, in an implementation in which the tag is coupled with an interior of the cartridge, as shown in
As shown in the bottom perspective views of the cartridge 150 in
As shown in
As shown in
Consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, the size and shape of the tag 164 may vary to accommodate variations of the size and shape of the cartridge body 156. For example, the cartridge body 156 may have a circular, oval, square, rectangular, or other polygonal cross section, and the tag 164 may be sized and shaped to attach to a distal end of the cartridge body 156. The tag 164 may be of various shapes and sizes and is not limited to a shape that mirrors that of the bottom plate fitted within the cartridge body 156. For example, in some implementations, the tag 164 may be of a variety of polygonal shapes to accommodate the antenna 192.
In some implementations, the antenna 192 may be traced or etched onto the tag 164 on the usable area of the tag 164 between an outer perimeter 164a and an inner perimeter 164b of the tag 164. The outer perimeter 164a may be of the same or similar size as that of the bottom plate of the cartridge body 156. The inner perimeter 164b may define the single aperture 1091. In one implementation, as shown in
As shown in
The tag 164 may be encased in plastic during injection molding of the mating plastics, or an ultrasonic welding process may be implemented in which the protective layer is welded to mating plastics. The tag 164 may be manufactured like a flexible printed circuit (FPC). In some implementations, the tag 164 may be formed like a rigid printed circuit board. Alternatively, an air coil may be used as a coiled wire for the tag 164, rather than being printed like a FPC. The air coil is conductive with an increased range of performance compared to the FPC method. As another alternative, the tag 164 may be printed or directly etched onto a base, such as for example the PSA base 184, using a laser direct structuring (LDS) method or the like.
In some implementations, the tag 164 may include one or more substrate layers on which the antenna traces, made of copper or a similar material, are etched or formed. In one implementation, the tag 164 includes four traces on one substrate layer. In another implementation, the tag 164 includes two traces on a first substrate layer and 6 traces on a second substrate layer. Various other implementations consistent with the current subject matter are possible. For example, the tag 164 may include any number of traces on any number of layers to achieve desired properties with respect to size, frequency, tuning, range (i.e., range with one or more antennas such as the first antenna 143), and manufacturability.
In one implementation, the antenna traces have a width of about 75 microns and a thickness of 18 microns, and there may be a gap of about 75 microns between each antenna trace. The antenna traces may have a width of, for example, about 20 microns, 25 microns, 30 microns, 35 microns, 40 microns, 45 microns, 50 microns, 55 microns, 60 microns, 65 microns, 70 microns, 75 microns, 80 microns, 85 microns, 90 microns, or 95 microns. The antenna traces may have a thickness of, for example, about 8 microns, 10 microns, 12 microns, 14 microns, 16 microns, 18 microns, 20 microns, 22 microns, 24 microns, 26 microns, 28 microns, or 30 microns. The gap between the antenna traces may be, for example, about 20 microns, 25 microns, 30 microns, 35 microns, 40 microns, 45 microns, 50 microns, 55 microns, 60 microns, 65 microns, 70 microns, 75 microns, 80 microns, 85 microns, 90 microns, or 95 microns. The thickness of the antenna traces on a single substrate may differ from one another or may be the same as one another. The gap between the antenna traces may be the same on a single substrate or may differ such that one gap is larger than another gap.
Once assembled, the cartridge 150 may be difficult for a user to take apart. A feature may be incorporated on a region of the cartridge 150 to discourage tampering and disassembly and for internally securing components. The configuration of the feature may vary. In an implementation, the cartridge 150 may include an internal snap feature 180 on one or more outer edges of the lower support structure 174 (at the distal end of the cartridge 150) (see
In operation, after the vaporizer device is fully charged, a user may activate the vaporizer device by drawing (e.g., inhaling) through the mouthpiece. The device may detect a draw (e.g., using a pressure sensor, flow sensors, and/or the like, including a sensor configured to detect a change in temperature or power applied to a heater element) and may increase the power to a predetermined temperature preset. The power may be regulated by the controller by detecting the change in resistance of the heating coil and using the temperature coefficient of resistivity to determine the temperature.
The heater may include a small heating element configured to heat and/or vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material and a wicking material that may draw a liquid vaporizable material into the atomizer (e.g., heater). The resistance wire may be a coil. When the resistance wire is activated, the resistance wire (or coil) may have a temperature increase as a result of the current flowing through the resistive wire to generate heat. The heat may be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material through conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material vaporizes.
Air may be drawn into the vaporizer device to carry the vaporized aerosol away from the heating element, where it then cools and condenses to form liquid particles suspended in air, which may then be drawn out of the mouthpiece by the user.
In some examples, the vaporizable material may include a viscous liquid such as, for example a cannabis oil. In some variations, the cannabis oil comprises between 0.3% and 100% cannabis oil extract. The viscous oil may include a carrier for improving vapor formation, such as, for example, propylene glycol, glycerol, medium chain triglycerides (MCT) including lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, caproic acid, etc., at between 0.01% and 25% (e.g., between 0.1% and 22%, between 1% and 20%, between 1% and 15%, and/or the like). In some variations the vapor-forming carrier is 1,3-Propanediol. A cannabis oil may include a cannabinoid or cannabinoids (natural and/or synthetic), and/or a terpene or terpenes derived from organic materials such as for example fruits and flowers. For example, any of the vaporizable materials described herein may include one or more (e.g., a mixture of) cannabinoid including one or more of: CBG (Cannabigerol), CBC (Cannabichromene), CBL (Cannabicyclol), CBV (Cannabivarin), THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin), CBDV (Cannabidivarin), CBCV (Cannabichromevarin), CBGV (Cannabigerovarin), CBGM (Cannabigerol Monomethyl Ether), Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA), Cannabidioloc Acid (CBDA), Tetrahydrocannabivarinic Acid (THCVA), one or more Endocannabinoids (e.g., anandamide, 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, 2-Arachidonyl glyceryl ether, N-Arachidonoyl dopamine, Virodhamine, Lysophosphatidylinositol), and/or a synthetic cannabinoids such as, for example, one or more of: JWH-018, JWH-073, CP-55940, Dimethylheptylpyran, HU-210, HU-331, SR144528, WIN 55,212-2, JWH-133, Levonantradol (Nantrodolum), and AM-2201. The oil vaporization material may include one or more terpene, such as, for example, Hemiterpenes, Monoterpenes (e.g., geraniol, terpineol, limonene, myrcene, linalool, pinene, Iridoids), Sesquiterpenes (e.g., humulene, farnesenes, farnesol), Diterpenes (e.g., cafestol, kahweol, cembrene and taxadiene), Sesterterpenes, (e.g., geranylfarnesol), Triterpenes (e.g., squalene), Sesquarterpenes (e.g, ferrugicadiol and tetraprenylcurcumene), Tetraterpenes (lycopene, gamma-carotene, alpha- and beta-carotenes), Polyterpenes, and Norisoprenoids. For example, an oil vaporization material as described herein may include between 0.3-100% cannabinoids (e.g., 0.5-98%, 10-95%, 20-92%, 30-90%, 40-80%, 50-75%, 60-80%, etc.), 0-40% terpenes (e.g., 1-30%, 10-30%, 10-20%, etc.), and 0-25% carrier (e.g., medium chain triglycerides (MCT)).
In any of the oil vaporizable materials described herein (including in particular, the cannabinoid-based vaporizable materials), the viscosity may be within a predetermined range. The range may be between, at room temperature (23° C.) about 30 cP (centipoise) and 115 kcP (kilocentipoise), between 30 cP and 200 kcP, although higher viscosities and/or lower viscosities may be implemented as well. For example, the viscosity may be between 40 cP and 113 kcP at room temperature. Outside of this range, the vaporizable material may fail in some instances to wick appropriately to form a vapor as described herein. In particular, it is typically desired that the oil may be made sufficiently thin to both permit wicking at a rate that is useful with the apparatuses described herein, while also limiting leaking (e.g., viscosities below that of ˜40 cP at room temperature might result in problems with leaking).
Although the disclosure, including the figures, described herein may described and/or exemplify these different variations separately, it should be understood that all or some, or components of them, may be combined.
Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various embodiments. 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. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.
When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. References to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”.
Spatially relative terms, such as, for example, “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. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings provided herein.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” means various components can be co-jointly employed in the methods and articles (e.g., compositions and apparatuses including device and methods). For example, the term “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of any stated elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other elements or steps.
As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” “or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise.
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. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, are possible.
In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as, for example, “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.
The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail herein, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features further to those disclosed herein. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. The scope of the following claims may include other implementations or embodiments.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/213,596, filed Jun. 22, 2021, and entitled “Vaporizer Cartridge,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/031212 | 5/26/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63213596 | Jun 2021 | US |
