RU2804632C2 - Evaporation device and cartridge for it - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking devices.

SUBSTANCE: evaporator device and a cartridge for it. The vaporizer cartridge comprises: a reservoir body having the first end of the body and the second end of the body opposite the first end of the body, the body of the tank being configured to hold an evaporation substance; an airflow conduit that extends through the reservoir body, the airflow conduit defining an airflow passageway therethrough; the first and the second seals, each substantially fluid-tight, the first seal attached to the first end of the housing and the second seal attached to the second end of the housing, the first and second seals being selectively broken to allow access to the evaporation substance in the evaporation reservoir body to obtain an evaporated substance; a mouthpiece defining a hollow body, the hollow body including the first end of the body and the second end of the body opposite the first end of the body, the first end of the body including an opening passing through it; a hollow nipple extending at a distance from the first end of the body and in communication with the opening, wherein the mouthpiece and the reservoir body are selectively slidable relative to each other to cause the hollow nipple to pierce the first seal to thereby position the opening in communication with passage channel for air flow; and the first locking mechanism configured to lock the mouthpiece onto the reservoir body to prevent the mouthpiece and reservoir body from sliding relative to each other until application of a compressive force to at least one of the mouthpiece and reservoir body exceeds a predetermined threshold force.

EFFECT: prevention of retraction of the hollow nipple from the reservoir body after the first seal is pierced.

18 cl, 9 dwg

Description

Cross references to related applications

[0001] The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/755,962, filed November 5, 2018, entitled "Cartridges For Vaporizer Devices", the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to the extent permitted.

Field of technology to which the invention relates

[0002] The subject matter of the invention described herein relates to vaporizer devices including vaporizer cartridges.

State of the art

[0003] Evaporative devices, which may also be referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizers, or electroevaporative devices, can be used to deliver an aerosol (e.g., a vapor-phase and/or condensed-phase substance suspended in a stationary or moving body of air or some other gaseous carrier ), containing one or more active ingredients, through inhalation of the aerosol by the user of the vaporization device. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a class of vaporizer devices that are battery-powered and that can be used to simulate the sensation of smoking but without burning tobacco or other substances. Vaporizers are becoming increasingly popular both for prescriptive medical use in drug delivery and for the consumption of tobacco, nicotine and other herbal substances. Evaporative devices may be portable, self-contained, and/or user-friendly.

Such evaporation devices are known, for example, from EP 3087853 A1, WO 2017/207419 A1, WO 2017/207416 A1, US 6098632 A, RU 2597531 C2.

[0004] When using a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, colloquially referred to as “vapor,” which may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., causes a liquid or solid to at least partially enter a gaseous phase) the vaporized substance , which may be a liquid, solution, solid, paste, wax, and/or any other form compatible for use with the particular vaporizer device. The vaporizable substance used with the vaporizer may be provided in a cartridge, for example, a detachable portion of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable substance, which includes an outlet (eg, a mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by the user.

[0005] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by the vaporizer device, the user may, in some examples, activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, pressing a button, and/or some other approach. A puff, as used herein, may refer to the user inhaling in a manner that forces a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that an inhaled aerosol is formed by the combination of the vaporized vaporized substance with the volume of air.

[0006] The approach by which a vaporizer device generates a respirable aerosol from a vaporized substance involves heating the vaporized substance in a vaporization chamber (eg, a heater chamber) to cause the vaporized substance to convert into a gaseous (or vapor) phase. A vapor chamber may refer to an area or volume in a vaporizer device in which a heat source (e.g., a conductive, convective, and/or radiant heat source) causes the vaporizer to be heated to create a mixture of air and vaporizer to form vapor for inhalation of the vaporizer by a user evaporation device.

[0007] In some implementations, vaporizable material may be drawn from the reservoir and into the vaporization chamber through an absorbent element (eg, a wick). Drawing of the vaporized substance into the flash chamber may be at least partially due to capillary action provided by the wick, where the wick pulls the vaporized substance along the wick towards the flash chamber.

[0008] Vaporizer devices may be controlled by one or more controllers, electronic circuits (eg, sensors, heating elements), and/or the like. on the evaporator. Evaporative devices can also communicate wirelessly with an external controller, such as a computing device such as a smartphone).

[0009] The vaporizable substance used with the vaporizer device may be provided in a vaporizer cartridge. Once the vaporizer cartridge is manufactured and filled with the vaporized substance, it is then typically placed in secondary packaging, such as a blister pack, for protection until subsequent use with the vaporizer device. The secondary packaging material used for vaporizer cartridges typically resists chemical degradation of the vaporized substance (eg, preventing environmental exposure), thereby extending the shelf life of the vaporized substance. Additionally, the secondary packaging material prevents leakage of vaporized substances that may occur before use.

[0010] However, the secondary packaging material itself can be expensive, and a significant amount may be needed to effectively package the cartridge. Additionally, after the vaporizer cartridge is removed from the secondary packaging material, the vaporizer is exposed to the environmental conditions outside the cartridge and, if exposed for a significant period of time before use, the vaporizer may begin to degrade. As a result, the shelf life of the vaporized substance can be dramatically reduced when removed from the secondary packaging too early. Additionally, after the vaporizer cartridge is removed, potential leakage of vaporized substance may occur.

[0011] Accordingly, improved vaporizer devices and/or vaporizer cartridges that improve or overcome these problems would be desirable.

The essence of the invention

[0012] Aspects of the current subject matter relate to vaporizer devices and cartridges for use in a vaporizer device.

[0013] In some variations, one or more of the following features may optionally be included in any possible combination.

[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, a cartridge for a vaporizer device is provided and includes a reservoir body having a first housing end and a second housing end opposite the first housing end, an air flow tube that extends through the reservoir body, and first and second seals, each of which is substantially impermeable to fluid. The tank body is designed to hold the evaporated substance. The air flow tube defines a passageway for air flow through it. The first seal is substantially attached to the first end of the housing, and the second seal is substantially attached to the second end of the housing, wherein the first and second seals are configured to be selectively disrupted to allow access to the vaporized substance in the vaporization tank body with obtaining the evaporated substance.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first seal may be configured to be pierced or removable from the first end of the housing.

[0016] In some embodiments, the second seal may be configured to be removable from the second end of the housing.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a cap. The cap may have a hollow cap body that may be configured to receive the second end of the body. The cap may be attached to the second seal such that removing the cap from the reservoir body may remove the second seal from the second end of the housing for the reservoir body.

[0018] In some embodiments, the fluid may be at least one of a gas and a liquid.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first and second seals may seal the reservoir body.

[0020] The air flow tube can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the air flow tube may include an absorbent element that is in communication with the reservoir chamber. The absorbent member may be configured to substantially draw at least a portion of the vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber into the vaporization airflow passageway.

[0021] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a mouthpiece defining a hollow body and a hollow nipple. The hollow body portion may include a first end of the body portion and a second end of the body portion opposite the first end of the body portion, wherein the first end of the body portion may include an opening extending therethrough, and the second end of the body portion may be configured to receive first end of the body. The hollow nipple may extend distal from the first end of the body and in communication with the hole. The mouthpiece and the reservoir body may be configured to selectively slide relative to each other to cause the distal end of the hollow nipple to pierce the first seal, thereby positioning the opening in communication with the air flow passageway.

[0022] In some embodiments, applying a compressive force to at least one of the mouthpiece and the reservoir body may cause the hollow nipple to move toward the first seal and its distal end to pierce the first seal. In such embodiments, the cartridge may include a locking mechanism that may be configured to lock the mouthpiece to the reservoir body so as to prevent the mouthpiece and the reservoir body from sliding relative to each other until the compressive force exceeds a predetermined threshold force.

[0023] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a locking mechanism that may be configured to substantially secure the mouthpiece to the reservoir body when a predetermined length of hollow nipple is received into the airflow tube.

[0024] The hollow nipple can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the hollow nipple may be axially aligned with the airflow tube such that piercing the first seal positions the hollow nipple in at least a portion of the airflow tube.

[0025] In another exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device is provided and includes a vaporizer body and a cartridge that is selectively attached to and removable from the vaporizer body. The cartridge includes a reservoir body having a first housing end and a second housing end opposite the first housing end, an air flow tube that extends through the reservoir body, and first and second seals, each of which is substantially fluid-tight. . The tank body is designed to hold the evaporated substance. The air flow tube defines a passageway for air flow through it. The first seal is substantially attached to the first end of the housing, and the second seal is substantially attached to the second end of the housing, wherein the first and second seals are configured to be selectively disrupted to allow access to the vaporized substance in the vaporization tank body with obtaining the evaporated substance.

[0026] In some embodiments, the main body of the vaporizer may include a power source.

[0027] The cartridge can have many configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the cartridge may include a mouthpiece defining a hollow body and a hollow nipple. The hollow body portion may include a first end of the body portion and a second end of the body portion opposite the first end of the body portion, wherein the first end of the body portion may include an opening extending therethrough, and the second end of the body portion may be configured to receive first end of the body. The hollow nipple may extend distal from the first end of the body and in communication with the hole. The mouthpiece and the reservoir body may be configured to selectively slide relative to each other to cause the distal end of the hollow nipple to pierce the first seal, thereby positioning the opening in communication with the air flow passageway.

[0028] In some embodiments, applying a compressive force to at least one of the mouthpiece and the reservoir body may cause the hollow nipple to move toward the first direction and its distal end to pierce the first seal. In such embodiments, the cartridge may include a locking mechanism that may be configured to lock the mouthpiece to the reservoir body so as to prevent the mouthpiece and the reservoir body from sliding relative to each other until the clamping force exceeds a predetermined threshold force.

[0029] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a locking mechanism that may be configured to substantially secure the mouthpiece to the reservoir body when a predetermined length of hollow nipple is received into the airflow tube.

[0030] The hollow nipple can have a variety of configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the hollow nipple may be axially aligned with the airflow tube such that piercing the first seal positions the hollow nipple in at least a portion of the airflow tube.

[0031] Details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and in the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the description and drawings and from the claims. The claims that appear after this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

Brief description of drawings

[0032] The accompanying drawings, which are included in and form a part of this specification, show specific aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help to explain certain principles associated with the disclosed implementations. On the drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an evaporation device;

[0034] FIG. 1B is a top view of an embodiment of the vaporizer device showing the vaporizer cartridge separated from the main body of the vaporizer device;

[0035] FIG. 1C is a top view of the evaporation device of FIG. 1B showing a vaporizer cartridge attached to a main body of the vaporizer device;

[0036] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the evaporation device of FIG. 1C;

[0037] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG. 1B;

[0038] FIG. 1F is another perspective view of the vaporizer cartridge of FIG. 1E;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge showing the vaporizer cartridge in a pre-powered state;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 2 showing the evaporator cartridge in an intermediate actuated position; And

[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 2 showing the vaporizer cartridge in a fully actuated position.

[0042] Where appropriate, like reference numbers designate like structures, features, or elements.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0043] Implementations of the current subject matter include methods, devices, articles of manufacture, and systems related to vaporizing one or more substances for inhalation by a user. Exemplary implementations include evaporative devices and systems including evaporative devices. The term "vaporizer device," when used in the following description and claims, refers to any of a stand-alone device, a device that includes two or more separable parts (for example, a vaporizer body that includes a battery and other hardware, and a cartridge that includes a vaporizable substance), and/or the like. "Evaporation system" as used herein may include one or more components, such as an evaporation device. Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and/or the like. In general, such vaporizer devices are pocket-sized devices that heat (eg, by convection, current, radiation, and/or some combination thereof) the vaporized substance to provide an inhalable dose of the substance.

[0044] The vaporizable substance used in conjunction with the vaporizer device may be provided in a cartridge (eg, the part of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable substance in a reservoir or other container), which may be refillable when empty, or disposable so that a new a cartridge containing additional vaporizer of the same or a different type may be used). The vaporizer device may be a cartridge-based vaporizer device, a cartridge-less vaporizer device, or a reusable vaporizer device adapted for use with or without a cartridge. For example, the vaporizer device may include a heating chamber (e.g., a heat chamber or other area in which a substance is heated by a heating element) configured to receive vaporizable substance directly within the heating chamber, and/or a reservoir or the like. to contain the evaporated substance.

[0045] In some implementations, the vaporizer device may be configured for use with a liquid vaporizable substance (e.g., a solution of a carrier in which the active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution, or a liquid form of the vaporizable substance itself) . The liquid vaporizable substance can be adjusted to completely vaporize. Alternatively, at least a portion of the liquid vaporized material may remain after all of the respirable material has been vaporized.

[0046] Referring to the block diagram in FIG. 1A, vaporizer device 100 may include a power source 112 (e.g., a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery), and a controller 104 (e.g., a processor, circuitry, etc. configured to perform logic) for controlling the delivery of heat to the atomizer 141 to cause the vaporized substance 102 to be converted from a condensed form (such as a liquid, solution, suspension, a portion of at least partially unprocessed plant matter, etc.) into a gaseous phase. The controller 104 may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with some implementations of the current subject matter.

[0047] After vaporizer 102 is converted to the gaseous phase, at least some of the vaporizer 102 in the gaseous phase may condense into particulate form in at least partial local equilibrium with the gaseous phase as part of an aerosol, which may form some part or all of the inhalable dose delivered by the vaporizer device 100 during a user puff or draw on the vaporizer device 100. It should be understood that the interaction between the gaseous and condensed phases in the aerosol generated by the vaporizer device 100 can be complex and dynamic due to such factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemical composition, flow conditions in air flow paths (both within the evaporative device and in the respiratory tract of a person or other mammal), and/or mixing of the vaporized substance 102 in the gaseous phase or aerosol phase with other air flows that may influence one or more physical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizer devices, and in particular for vaporizer devices configured to deliver volatile vaporizable substances, the inhaled dose may exist predominantly in the gaseous phase (eg, the formation of condensed phase particles may be very limited).

[0048] The atomizer 141 in the vaporizer device 100 may be configured to vaporize the vaporizable substance 102. The vaporizable substance 102 may be liquid. Examples of vaporizable substance 102 include pure liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures and/or the like. The atomizer 141 may include an absorbent element (ie, a wick) configured to transfer a volume of vaporized substance 102 to a portion of the atomizer 141 that includes a heating element (not shown in FIG. 1A).

[0049] For example, the absorbent element may be configured to draw vaporizable substance 102 from a reservoir 140 configured to contain vaporizable substance 102, so that vaporizable substance 102 can be vaporized by heat supplied from the heating element. The wicking element may also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir 140 and replace the volume of vaporizer 102 removed. In some implementations of the current subject matter, capillary action may draw the vaporizer 102 into the wick for vaporization via the heating element, and air may be returned to the reservoir 140 through the wick to at least partially equalize the pressure in the reservoir 140. Other methods of allowing air to return back to the reservoir 140 to equalize the pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter.

[0050] When used herein, the terms “wick” or “absorbent element” include any material adapted to cause movement of a fluid through capillary pressure.

[0051] The heating element may include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiant heater, and/or a convection heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may include a material (such as a metal or alloy, such as a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when electric current is passed through one or more resistive heating element segments. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the atomizer 141 may include a heating element that includes a resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, positioned within, embedded in a 3D mold, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise configured to deliver heat to the absorbent member to cause the vaporizable substance 102 to be drawn from the reservoir 140 by the absorbent member to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by the user in a gaseous and/or condensed (eg, aerosol particles or droplets) phase. Other absorbent elements, heating elements, and/or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible.

[0052] The heating element may be activated in association with a user's puff (i.e., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer device 100 to cause air to flow from the air inlet, along the air flow path, which passes through the atomizer 141 (ie, the absorbent element and the heating element). Optionally, air may flow from the air inlet through one or more condensation areas or chambers, to the air outlet in the mouthpiece 130. The incoming air moving along the air flow path moves over or through the atomizer 141, where the vaporized substance 102 is in gaseous form is carried into the air. The heating element may be activated through a controller 104, which may optionally be part of the vaporizer body 110 as discussed herein, causing current to flow from the power supply 112 through circuitry including a resistive heating element, which is optionally part of the vaporizer cartridge 120. as discussed in this document. As noted herein, entrained vaporizer 102 in gaseous form may condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhaled dose of vaporizer 102 in aerosol form can be delivered from an air outlet (e.g., mouthpiece 130). for inhalation by the user.

[0053] Activation of the heating element may be caused by automatic puff detection based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113. Sensor 113 and signals generated by sensor 113 may include one or more of the following: a pressure sensor or sensors, located to detect pressure along the air flow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), a motion sensor or sensors (e.g., an accelerometer) of the vaporizer device 100, a flow sensor or sensors of the vaporizer device 100, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer device 100, detecting user interaction with vaporizer device 100 through one or more input devices 116 (e.g., buttons or other tactile control devices of vaporizer device 100), receiving signals from a computing device in communication with vaporizer device 100, and/or through other approaches to determine that tightening is occurring or is about to happen.

[0054] As discussed herein, vaporizer device 100, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter, may be configured to communicate (such as, for example, wirelessly or via a wired connection) with a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the evaporative device 100. To do this, the controller 104 may include communication hardware 105. The controller 104 may also include a memory 108. The communications hardware 105 may include firmware and/or may be controlled by software to implement one or more cryptographic protocols for communications.

[0055] The computing device may be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes vaporizer device 100, and may include its own communications hardware that can establish a wireless communication channel with communication hardware 105 of vaporizer device 100. For example, the computing device the device used as part of the evaporative system may include a general purpose computing device (such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, some other wearable device such as a smart watch, or the like) that runs software to create a user interface for allowing a user to interact with the vaporizer device 100. In other implementations of the current subject matter, such a device used as part of the vaporizer system may be a specialized piece of hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or software (i.e., configured on a screen or other display device and selected through user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the like) interface controls. The evaporative device 100 may also include one or more output devices 117 or devices for providing information to the user. For example, output devices 117 may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on the status and/or operating mode of vaporizer device 100.

[0056] In an example in which a computing device provides signals related to activating a resistive heating element, or in other examples for connecting the computing device to vaporizer device 100 to implement various controls or other functions, the computing device executes one or more sets of computer instructions, to provide the user interface and underlying data processing. In one example, the computing device's detection of user interaction with one or more user interface elements may cause the computing device to signal the vaporizer device 100 to activate the heating element to reach an operating temperature to create an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer device 100 may be controlled through user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100.

[0057] The temperature of the resistive heating element of the electronic vaporizer device 100 may depend on a variety of factors, including the amount of electrical power delivered to the resistive heating element and/or the duty cycle at which electrical power is applied, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the electronic vaporizer device 100, and /or to the environment, latent heat losses due to evaporation of vaporized substance 102 from the absorbent element and/or atomizer 141 as a whole, and convection heat losses due to air flow (i.e., air moving through the heating element or atomizer 141 as a whole, when the user takes a puff on the vaporizer device 100). As noted herein, in order to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, vaporizer device 100 may, in some implementations of the current subject matter, use signals from sensor 113 (e.g., a pressure sensor) to determine when the user inhales. Sensor 113 may be placed in the airflow path and/or may be connected (for example, through a passage or other path) to the airflow path comprising an inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and an outlet through which the user inhales the resulting airflow. resulting in vapor and/or aerosol such that sensor 113 senses changes (eg, pressure changes) simultaneously with air passing through evaporator device 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element may be activated in association with a user's puff, for example, through automatic puff detection, or through sensor 113 detecting a change (such as a change in pressure) in the air flow path.

[0058] Sensor 113 may be located on or coupled to (i.e., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) to controller 104 (eg, a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). To perform measurements accurately and maintain the durability of the evaporator device 100, it may be useful to provide a seal 127 that is resilient enough to separate the air flow path from other parts of the evaporator device 100. The seal 127, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least , partially surround the sensor 113 so that the connections of the sensor 113 to the internal circuitry of the evaporator device 100 are separated from the portion of the sensor 113 exposed to the air flow path. In an example of a cartridge-based vaporizer device, seal 127 may also separate portions of one or more electrical connections between vaporizer housing 110 and vaporizer cartridge 120. Such seal arrangements 127 in evaporator device 100 may be useful in mitigating potentially damaging effects on evaporator components resulting from interactions with environmental factors such as vapor or liquid water, other fluids such as evaporator material 102, etc. .d., and/or reduce the loss of air from the designed air flow path in the evaporator device 100. Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing through and/or contacting the circuits of the evaporator device 100 may cause various undesirable effects, such as changed pressure readings, and/or may result in the formation of undesirable matter, such as moisture, excess vaporizer 102, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device 100, where they may result in a poor pressure signal, degradation of the sensor 113 or other components and/or shorter life of the vaporizer device 100. Leaks in the seal 127 may also result in the user inhaling air that has passed through parts of the vaporizer device 100 containing, or constructed from, materials that may be undesirable for inhalation.

[0059] In some implementations, the vaporizer body 110 includes a controller 104, a power source 112 (such as a battery), one or more sensors 113, charging contacts (such as contacts for charging the power supply 112), a seal 127, and a cartridge holder 118 , configured to receive an evaporator cartridge 120 for connection to the evaporator main body 110 through one or more of a plurality of connection structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 120 includes a reservoir 140 for containing the vaporizable substance 102 and the mouthpiece 130 has an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhaled dose to the user. The vaporizer cartridge 120 may include an atomizer 141 having a wicking element and a heating element. Alternatively, one or both of the absorbent element and the heating element may be part of the evaporator body 110. In an implementation in which any part of the atomizer 141 (i.e., heating element and/or wicking element) is part of the main vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer device 100 may be configured to supply vaporizable substance 102 from a reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the part (wells) of the atomizer 141 included in the main body 110 of the evaporator.

[0060] In an embodiment of the vaporizer device 100 in which the power source 112 is part of the vaporizer body 110 and the heating element is housed in the vaporizer cartridge 120 and configured to be coupled to the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer device 100 may include electrical components connections (eg, circuit termination means) to complete a circuit that includes a controller 104 (eg, a printed circuit board, microcontroller, or the like), a power supply 112, and a heating element (eg, a heating element in atomizer 141). These parts may include one or more contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts 124a and 124b) on the bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two contacts (referred to herein as holder contacts 125a and 125b) located adjacent base of the cartridge holder 118 of the vaporizer device 100 such that the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the holder contacts 125a and 125b make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and connected to the cartridge holder 118. The circuit completed by these electrical connections may provide the ability to supply electrical current to the heating element and may further be used for additional functions such as measuring the resistance of the heating element for use in determining and/or controlling the temperature of the heating element based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element. element.

[0061] In some implementations of the current subject matter, cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and holder contacts 125a and 125b may be configured for electrical connection in one or another of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits required to operate the vaporizer device 100 may be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge holder 118 in a first rotational orientation (about the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge holder 118 of the vaporizer body 110) , so that the cartridge contact 124a is electrically connected to the holder contact 125a, and the cartridge contact 124b is electrically connected to the holder contact 125b. In addition, one or more circuits required to operate the vaporizer device 100 may be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge holder 118 in a second rotation orientation such that cartridge contact 124a is electrically coupled to holder contact 125b and cartridge contact 124b is electrically coupled to contact 125a of the holder.

[0062] For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least the insertion end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120, may be symmetrical when rotating 180° about the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge holder 118. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can maintain identical operation no matter what symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 120 occurs.

[0063] In one example of an attachment structure for attaching a vaporizer cartridge 120 to a vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer body 110 includes one or more fasteners (e.g., pits, projections, etc.) projecting inwardly from an interior surface of the cartridge holder 118 , an additional material (such as metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include a portion projecting into the interior of the cartridge holder 118, and/or the like. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 120 may include corresponding recesses (not shown in FIG. 1A) that may fit and/or otherwise snap over such latches or projections when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge holder 118 of the main body 110 evaporator. When the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 are connected (e.g., by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the vaporizer holder 118 of the vaporizer body 110), the latches or protrusions of the vaporizer body 110 may be mounted within and/or otherwise held within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge 120 to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place when assembled. Such an assembly may provide sufficient support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place to ensure good contact between the cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the holder contacts 125a and 125b, while allowing the vaporizer cartridge 120 to be removed from the vaporizer body 110 when the user pulls with reasonable force on the vaporizer cartridge 120 to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the cartridge holder 118 .

[0064] In some implementations, the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least the insertion end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 configured to be inserted into the cartridge holder 118, may have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge holder 118 . For example, the non-circular cross-section may be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (i.e., approximately oval in shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposite sides (i.e., having a parallelogram-like shape), or other shapes having rotational symmetry of at least second order. In this context, an approximate shape indicates that the basic similarity to the described shape is obvious, but that the sides of the shape in question need not be entirely linear and the vertices need not be entirely sharp. The rounding of both or one of the edges or vertices of a cross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of any non-circular cross-section referred to herein.

[0065] The cartridge contacts 124a and 124b and the holder contacts 125a and 125b can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts may include conductive pins, printed contacts, contact posts, receiving holes for pins or contact posts, or the like. Some types of contacts may include springs or other features that provide better physical and electrical contact between contacts on the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 . The electrical contacts may not necessarily be gold plated and/or may include other materials.

[0066] FIG. 1B-1D illustrate an embodiment of the vaporizer main body 110 having a cartridge holder 118 into which the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be removably inserted. Fig. 1B and 1C show top views of the vaporizer device 100, illustrating the vaporizer cartridge 120 positioned for insertion and inserted, respectively, into the vaporizer main body 110. Fig. 1D illustrates a reservoir 140 of a vaporizer cartridge 120 formed in whole or in part from a translucent material such that a level of vaporizer 102 is visible from a window 132 (eg, translucent material) on the vaporizer cartridge 120. The evaporator cartridge 120 may be configured such that the window 132 remains visible when inserted by the evaporator cartridge holder 118 of the evaporator main body 110. For example, in one exemplary configuration, window 132 may be located between the lower edge of the mouthpiece 130 and the upper edge of the vaporizer body 110 when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is coupled to the cartridge holder 118.

[0067] FIG. 1E illustrates an exemplary air flow path 134 created during a user's puff on vaporizer device 100. Air flow path 134 may direct air into a vaporization chamber 150 (see FIG. 1F) contained within the wick body, where the air combines with a respirable aerosol for delivery to the user via a mouthpiece 130, which may also be part of a vaporizer cartridge 120. For example, when a user takes a puff on the vaporizer device 100 of the device 100, air may flow between the outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., window 132 shown in FIG. 1D) and the inner surface of the cartridge holder 118 on the vaporizer body 110. Air may then be drawn into the insertion end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120, through the vapor chamber 150 that includes or contains a heating element and wick, and out through the outlet 136 of the mouthpiece 130 to deliver an inhalable aerosol to the user.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1E, this configuration causes air to flow around the insertion end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge holder 118 and then flow back in the opposite direction after passing around the insertion end 122 (e.g., the end opposite the end including the mouthpiece 130) of the vaporizer cartridge 120 when it enters the main body of the cartridge toward the vaporization chamber 150. The air flow path 134 then moves through the interior of the vaporizer cartridge 120, for example, through one or more tubes or internal channels (such as cannula 128 shown in FIG. 1F) and through one or more outlets (such as outlet 136) formed in the mouthpiece 130. The mouthpiece 130 may be a separable component of the vaporizer cartridge 120 or may be integrally formed with other component(s) of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (e.g., formed as an integral structure with the reservoir 140 and/or etc.).

[0069] FIG. 1F shows additional features that may be included in the vaporizer cartridge 120 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. For example, vaporizer cartridge 120 may include a plurality of cartridge contacts (such as cartridge contacts 124a, 124b) disposed at the insertion end 122. Each of the cartridge contacts 124a, 124b may optionally be part of a single piece of metal that forms a conductive structure (such as conductive structure 126) connected to one of the two ends of the resistive heating element. The conductive structure may optionally form opposite sides of the heating chamber and may also act as thermal shields and/or heat sinks to reduce heat transfer to the outer walls of the evaporator cartridge 120. Fig. 1F also shows a cannula 128 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 that defines a portion of the air flow path 134 between the heating chamber formed between the conductive structure 126 and the mouthpiece 130.

[0070] As mentioned above, secondary packaging can be used to enclose existing vaporizer cartridges and protect the vaporizer contained therein from chemical degradation as well as vaporizer leakage therefrom. Secondary packaging, however, can be expensive. Additionally, after the vaporizer cartridge is removed from the secondary packaging, the vaporized substance is exposed to the environment. As a result, the vaporizer may begin to degrade before the cartridge is used, thereby reducing the shelf life of the vaporizer and potentially negatively impacting the user experience. Additionally, once the vaporizer cartridge is removed from the secondary packaging, the vaporized substance could potentially leak from the cartridge and stain or otherwise damage the user's clothing or property in the vicinity of the leaking cartridge (eg, wallet, etc.). Various features and devices are described below that improve or overcome these problems. For example, various features are described herein that provide a one-piece cartridge seal that prevents the vaporizer from being exposed to the environment prior to use without the need for existing secondary packaging.

[0071] The vaporizer cartridges described herein employ barrier seals that prevent premature seal failure before the cartridge is intended to be used. In some cases, barrier seals are used in combination with an actuated mechanism. The actuated mechanisms described herein are adapted to maintain seals prior to intended use of the vaporizer cartridge. This functionality preserves the shelf life of the vaporized substance, as well as preventing potential leakage. The actuated mechanisms are further adapted, upon activation by the user, to rupture the barrier seals in a controlled manner which allows the volatile matter contained within to evaporate on demand. Additionally, the actuated mechanisms can be user-friendly while still having a child-resistant feature, providing a level of safety comparable to secondary packaging.

[0072] Vaporizer cartridges generally include a reservoir body, an air flow tube, and first and second seals. The first and second seals are attached to the tank body. During use, the first and second seals are broken by connecting the evaporator cartridge and the evaporator main body to allow the evaporated substance to enter the evaporation tank body to produce the evaporated substance.

[0073] The reservoir body has a first body end and a second body end opposite the first end. The tank body is designed to hold the evaporated substance. The body of the reservoir can be made of a variety of materials having sufficient barrier properties to prevent at least the escape of the evaporated substance from it. The material of the tank body may also prevent water vapor and/or other gases (such as air) from penetrating into the tank. Non-limiting examples of suitable reservoir body materials include one or more polymers and copolymers. For example, the reservoir material may include one or more cycloolefin copolymers, such as TOPAS, and the like.

[0074] An air flow tube extends through the reservoir body and defines a passageway for air flow through it. The air tube can have a variety of configurations (eg, dimensions, geometry such as cylindrical, rectangular, etc., etc.). Other air tube configurations are discussed in this document.

[0075] The air flow tube may include an absorbent element that is in communication with the reservoir chamber. The absorbent element is configured to substantially draw at least a portion of the evaporated substance from the reservoir chamber into the evaporation air flow passageway. The absorbent element may be further configured to be selectively heated volumetrically so as to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material contained therein. The absorbent member may be formed from any suitable material that can substantially draw liquid vaporizable material into the airflow passageway of the airflow tube. The absorbent element itself is essentially porous. Non-limiting examples of suitable absorbent body materials may include one or more ceramic materials, one or more cotton fabrics, or one or more polymers. This drawing of vaporizable material into the air flow tube may be, at least in part, due to capillary action provided by the absorbent element, which draws vaporizable material along the wick in the direction of the air flow tube.

[0076] The first and second seals are each substantially fluid-tight. The fluid may be a gas and/or a liquid. In one embodiment, the first and second seals seal the reservoir body. The first and second seals may be formed from any material that prevents fluid from passing therethrough. For example, the first and second seals are formed from material(s) that have sufficient barrier properties to prevent water vapor and/or other gases from penetrating into the interior as well as vaporized substances from escaping from the reservoir body. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials for the first and second seals include foils, polymers, and the like. The first and second seals may be formed from the same material(s) or different material(s). The first seal and/or the second seal may be single-layer or multi-layer. Additionally, the first and second seal materials are compatible with the reservoir body material (eg, one or more cycloolefin copolymers).

[0077] The first and second seals are substantially attached to the reservoir body. The first seal may be substantially attached to the first end of the housing, and the second seal may be substantially attached to the second end of the housing. The first and second seals may be substantially attached to the reservoir body using a variety of methods, such as heat welding, adhesives, and the like.

[0078] The first and second seals may be substantially attached to the reservoir body so as to prevent substances from penetrating therein, as well as preventing volatile matter disposed within the reservoir body from escaping. That is, the first and second seals are substantially attached to the reservoir body so as to substantially isolate the vaporized material from the environment until the cartridge is intended to be used. The first and second seals may also substantially seal the air flow path of the cartridge, which is at least partially defined through the reservoir body.

[0079] As mentioned above, the first and second seals are configured to be broken to allow access to the vaporized substance housed in the reservoir body. For example, the user may remove the first seal and/or the second seal from the existing housing immediately before using the cartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a cap having a hollow cap body portion that is configured to receive a second end of the housing. The cap may be attached to the second seal (eg, by heat sealing or adhesive) such that removing the cap from the reservoir body removes the second seal from the second end of the housing for the reservoir body.

[0080] Alternatively, or in addition, the user may operate the cartridge actuator mechanism to pierce the first seal. For example, the cartridge may include a mouthpiece having an opening extending therethrough and a hollow nipple extending from the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece and the reservoir body may be configured to selectively slide relative to each other to cause the distal end of the hollow nipple to pierce the first seal, thereby placing the opening in communication with the air flow passage of the air flow tube. Thus, in use, the user may apply a compressive force to at least one of the mouthpiece and the reservoir body, which causes the hollow nipple to move toward and its distal end pierce the first seal.

[0081] The mouthpiece can have a variety of configurations. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece defines a hollow body. The hollow body may include a first end of the body and a second end of the body opposite the first end of the body. The first end of the main body may include a mouthpiece opening that extends therethrough, and the second end of the body may be configured to receive a first housing end for the reservoir body. The opening is configured to allow at least a portion of the air and vaporized material to flow through it and out of the mouthpiece. The hole can have many configurations (eg dimensions, geometry, etc.). In some embodiments, the mouthpiece may include two or more holes.

[0082] The hollow nipple is in communication with the hole. The hollow nipple can have a variety of configurations (eg dimensions, geometry, etc.). The distal end of the hollow nipple is configured to at least partially penetrate and pass through the first seal. For example, in some embodiments, the far end may have a c-shaped configuration. In other embodiments, the distal end may taper linearly. In one embodiment, the hollow nipple may be axially aligned with the airflow tube such that piercing the first seal positions the hollow nipple in at least a portion of the airflow tube. In this way, the pierced foil can be folded back and essentially threaded between the hollow nipple and the air flow tube.

[0083] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a locking mechanism (first locking mechanism) that is configured to lock the mouthpiece to the reservoir body so as to prevent the mouthpiece and the reservoir body from sliding relative to each other until the compressive force exceeds a predefined threshold force. In this way, the locking mechanism can function as a security feature (eg childproof). The locking mechanism can have many configurations. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism may include at least one tab that extends between the reservoir body and the mouthpiece (eg, between a side wall of the body and an interior surface of the hollow body). The at least one tab may have sufficient rigidity to withstand a compressive force that is less than a predetermined threshold force. And, when a predetermined threshold force is satisfied, the at least one tab may break or bend to allow the hollow nipple to move toward and pierce the first seal. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism may include plug and socket elements located on the reservoir body and mouthpiece, respectively (or vice versa). These elements may be configured to release when the user applies a compressive force that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold force. Other suitable configurations for the locking mechanism are discussed herein.

[0084] Alternatively or in addition, the cartridge may include a locking mechanism (second locking mechanism) that is configured to substantially secure the mouthpiece to the reservoir body when a predetermined length of the hollow nipple is received into the airflow tube. Thus, the second locking mechanism, when engaged, can substantially prevent the hollow nipple from being pulled away from the reservoir body after the first seal has been pierced. The second locking mechanism can have a variety of configurations. In some embodiments, the second locking mechanism may include a first reservoir body locking member and a second mouthpiece locking member. The first and second locking members may be initially disengaged and then become engaged after a predetermined length of the hollow nipple is received into the air flow tube. For example, in one embodiment, the reservoir body includes two projections extending therefrom (e.g., from opposite side walls of the reservoir body), and the hollow body may include two corresponding recesses that are configured to engage the two projections when the mouthpiece (or reservoir body) slides when actuated by the user.

[0085] In some embodiments, the cartridge may include a heating element that is configured to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material that is drawn from the reservoir body into the air flow passage through the wicking element. For example, in some embodiments, a heating element may be contained within an air flow tube and wrapped around, positioned within, embedded in a 3D mold, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise positioned to deliver heat to the absorbent element. Thus, when the first and second seals are broken, at least a portion of the vaporized substance that was drawn from the reservoir body into the air flow passage by the absorbent member can then be vaporized to produce vaporized substance. The vaporized substance can then be mixed with, and transferred from, the airflow tube by air passing through the airflow passageway.

[0086] FIG. 2-4 illustrate an exemplary vaporizer cartridge 200 that can be selectively attached to and removed from a vaporizer body, such as the vaporizer body 110 shown in FIG. 1A-1D. More specifically, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes a reservoir body 202, an air flow tube 210 extending through the reservoir body 202, first and second seals 214, 216, a mouthpiece 222, and a hollow nipple 228 extending therefrom. An exemplary actuation sequence using an exemplary actuation mechanism is shown in FIG. 2-4, in which the vaporizer cartridge 200 is in the pre-actuated position in FIG. 2, in the intermediate actuated position in FIG. 3 and in the fully actuated position in FIG. 4. For the sake of simplicity, certain components of the vaporizer cartridge 200 are not illustrated.

[0087] As shown, the reservoir body 202 contains the vaporizable substance 204. The reservoir body 202 is defined by two opposing ends (two opposing body ends) 206a, 206b and two opposing side walls 208a, 208b. While the reservoir body 202 can take many shapes and sizes, the reservoir body 202 as shown in FIG. 2-4 is substantially rectangular in shape. Other shapes and sizes of reservoir body 202 are discussed herein.

[0088] While air flow tube 210 is shown approximately centered about a longitudinal axis (L) passing through the centroid of reservoir body 202, such a position is not required. As such, other locations of the air flow tube 210 in the reservoir body 202 are also discussed herein. Additionally, other configurations of air flow through the reservoir body 202 are also discussed herein.

[0089] The air flow tube 210 can have a variety of configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 2-4, the air flow tube 210 extends a length (L _A ) from the first end 210a to the second end 210b and is defined by the curved side wall 212. Additionally, the air flow tube 210 defines a passageway 218 for the air flow that passes through it. . The air flow passage 218, and thus the air flow tube 210, is configured to receive vaporizable substance 204. As described above, vaporizable substance 204 entering the air flow passage 218 is then vaporized to form vaporized substance .

[0090] As further shown in FIG. 2-4, the airflow tube 210 includes an absorbent member 220. As discussed above, the absorbent member 220 is configured to draw a portion of the vaporizable substance 204 from the reservoir body 202 into the airflow tube 210 for evaporation. Additionally, as discussed above, the absorbent element 220 may also be further configured to be selectively volumetrically heated, for example, by a heating element (not shown), so as to vaporize a portion of the vaporizable substance 204.

[0091] While the absorbent element 220 can have a variety of configurations, the absorbent element 220 is essentially rectangular. The absorbent element 220 extends substantially transversely through the airflow tube 210 (for example, substantially perpendicular to the length (L _A ) of the airflow tube 210), such that the first and second opposite ends 220a, 220b of the absorbent element 220 are each positioned there are 202 tanks in the building. As such, the absorbent element 220 is in fluid communication with the reservoir body 202.

[0092] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2-4, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes a heating element 221 that is disposed in the air flow tube 210. The heating element 221 is configured to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material that is drawn from the reservoir body 202 into the absorbent element 220. The heating element 221 may be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiant heater, and a convection heater. As discussed above, one type of heating element is a resistive heating element, such as a resistive coil, which may be constructed of or at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, such as a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) , configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when electric current passes through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. As shown in FIG. 2-4, the heating element 221 exists in the form of a resistive coil.

[0093] In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes two or more cartridge contacts, such as, for example, a first cartridge contact 223a and a second cartridge contact 223b. Two or more cartridge contacts may be configured to connect, for example, to holder contacts 125a and 125b to form one or more electrical connections to the evaporator body 110. The circuitry implemented by these electrical connections may provide the ability to deliver electrical current to the heating element 221. The circuitry may also support additional functions, such as, for example, measuring the resistance of the heating element 221 for use in determining and/or controlling the temperature of the heating element 221 based on thermal resistivity coefficient of the heating element 221.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second seals 214, 216 are substantially attached to two opposite ends 206a, 206b of the housing. That is, the first seal 214 is substantially attached to the first housing end 206a, and the second seal 216 is substantially attached to the second housing end 206b. The first and second seals 214, 216 extend between the first and second housing ends 206a, 206b to substantially seal the air flow passage 218. As described above, the first and second seals 214, 216 are substantially fluid-tight. Thus, the vaporizable substance 204 is isolated from the environment outside the vaporizer cartridge 200 and is substantially prevented from being inadvertently released from the vaporizer cartridge 200 when the first and second seals 214, 216 are substantially intact and substantially attached to the housing 202 tanks.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 2, mouthpiece 222 is initially coupled to vaporizer cartridge 200 via a first locking mechanism. While the first locking mechanism may have a variety of configurations, in this illustrated embodiment, the first locking mechanism includes a first tab 217a that extends between the mouthpiece 222 and the side wall 208a of the reservoir body 202, and a second tab 217b that extends between the mouthpiece 222 and the side wall 208b of the tank body 202. The first tab 217a and the second tab 217b are each configured to secure the mouthpiece 222 to the reservoir body 202 until a compressive force is applied to the mouthpiece that exceeds a predetermined threshold force. That is, the first tongue 217a and the second tongue 217b each have sufficient rigidity to withstand a compressive force that is less than a predetermined threshold force. And, when the predetermined threshold force is satisfied, the compressive force causes the first tongue 217a and the second tongue 217b to break, as shown in FIG. 3. This allows the hollow nipple to move further towards and pierce the first seal.

[0096] As further shown in FIG. 2-4, the mouthpiece 222 includes a hollow body 224. The hollow body 224 has a first body end 224a and a second body end 224b. The first body portion end 224a includes an opening 226 extending therethrough. While the mouthpiece 222 and the reservoir body 202 can be connected together using the first locking mechanism as described above.

[0097] While the hollow nipple 228 can have a variety of configurations, the hollow nipple 228 as shown in FIG. 2-4, a hollow nipple 228 extends from the first body portion end 224a. A substantially hollow nipple 228 is in communication with an opening 226. In this illustrated embodiment, the hollow nipple 228 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes a linearly tapered distal end 228a. As discussed above, the distal end 228a is configured to pierce at least a portion of the first seal 214. In use, after the distal end 228a pierces through at least the portion of the first seal 214, the hollow nipple 228, and thus , opening 226 of mouthpiece 222 is in fluid communication with air flow passage 218. In this illustrated embodiment, hollow nipple 228 is also shown to be axially aligned with airflow tube 210.

[0098] Additionally, the vaporizer cartridge 200 includes a second locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism includes two projections 230a, 230b extending outwardly from two opposing side walls 208a, 208b of the reservoir body 202, and two corresponding recessed channels 232a, 232b extending inwardly into the hollow body 224. The position of the second locking mechanism depends on at least the predetermined length of the hollow nipple 228 to be received into the airflow tube 210 and the structural configuration of the mouthpiece 222. Other configurations of suitable second locking mechanisms are also contemplated herein.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 2-4, when a compressive force (C _F ) is applied (eg, by a user) to the mouthpiece 222, the mouthpiece 222 slides in the distal direction (D) along the reservoir body 202, thereby pushing the hollow nipple 228 toward the first seal 214. This causes the hollow nipple 228 to begin to pierce the first seal 214, as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, the hollow nipple 228, and thus the opening 226 of the mouthpiece 222 is then in fluid communication with the air flow passage 218.

[0100] It will be appreciated that the second seal 216 may be removed from the second housing end 206b before, during, or after application of a compressive force (C _F ). In this illustrated embodiment, the second seal 216 is removed before the compressive force (C _F ) is applied. As such, the second seal 216 is not illustrated in FIG. 3-4. The second seal 216 can be removed in a variety of ways. In this illustrated embodiment, cap 229 is selectively attached to and removed from vaporizer cartridge 200. In this example, cap 229 is attached to second seal 216 via adhesive 229a. Thus, in use, removing the cap 229 from the reservoir body 202 (eg, by grasping the cap 229 and pulling the cap 229 away from the vaporizer cartridge 200) simultaneously removes the second seal 216 from the second housing end 206b for the reservoir body 202.

[0101] As compressive force (C _F ) continues to be applied to the mouthpiece 222 (eg, by the user), the hollow nipple 228 continues to penetrate the first seal 214 until a predetermined length of the hollow nipple 228 in the air flow tube 210 is reached. (for example, also when the first body portion 224a for the hollow body 224 does not come into contact with the remaining portion of the first seal 214), as shown in FIG. 4. Also, the user may receive haptic feedback in response to the engagement of the second locking mechanism and release of the compressive force (C _F ). As shown in FIG. 4, after being fully actuated, the pierced foil 214a is pierced between the hollow nipple 228 and the air flow tube 210. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4, maximum fluid communication between opening 226 and air flow passage 218 has been achieved. While maximum communication is desirable for efficient use of the vaporizer cartridge 200, it is not required. That is, fully actuating the actuation mechanism is not necessary, although it is desirable to expose the volatile substance 204 to the environment and ultimately allow the volatile substance 204 to vaporize.

Terminology

[0102] For purposes of describing and defining these teachings, it is noted that, unless otherwise noted, the term “substantially” is used herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be inherent in any quantitative comparison, value, measurement or other representation. The terms “substantially” are also used herein to represent the extent to which a quantitative presentation may vary from an established standard without resulting in a change in the essential function of the subject matter.

[0103] When a feature or element is referred to herein as being "in" another feature or element, it may be directly contained in the other feature or element, or intermediate features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly contained" in another feature or element, no intermediate features or elements are present. It should also be understood that when a feature or element is referred to as “connected” or “attached” to another feature or element, it may be directly connected or attached to the other feature or element, or intermediate features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly attached” to another feature or element, no intermediate features or elements are present.

[0104] Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements described or shown in this manner may apply to other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that references to a structure or feature that is located “next to” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0105] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, singular forms are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0106] In the above descriptions and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may appear followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term "and/or" may also appear in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly inconsistent with the context in which it is used, such phrase is not intended to mean any of the enumerated elements or features alone or any of the enumerated elements or features in combination with any of the other enumerated 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 intended to mean "A only, B only, or A and B together." A similar interpretation also applies to lists containing three or more elements. 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 intended to mean "A only, B only, C only, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together." The use of the term "based on" above and in the claims is intended to mean "at least in part based on" so that an unstated feature or element is also acceptable.

[0107] Spatially relative terms such as “front”, “back”, “under”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “top”, etc. may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or relationship of a feature in relation to another element(s) or feature(s), as illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to cover various orientations of the device being used or operated, in addition to the orientation illustrated in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is inverted, elements described as "under" or "below" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can cover both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly. Likewise, the terms “up”, “down”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, etc. are used in this document for explanatory purposes only, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0108] 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 can be used to distinguish one characteristic/element from another characteristic/element. Thus, the first feature/element explained below may be referred to as the second feature/element, and likewise, the second feature/element explained below may be referred to as the first feature/element, without departing from the ideas provided herein.

[0109] When used herein in the detailed description and claims, including when used in examples, and unless otherwise expressly indicated, all numbers may be read as if preceded by the word "about" or "approximately" even if the term is not shown explicitly. The phrase "about" or "approximately" may be used when describing an absolute value 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 a set value (or range of values), +/-1% of a set value (or range of values), +/-2% of a set value (or value range), +/-5% of the set value (or range of values), +/-10% of the set 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 otherwise indicates. For example, if the value "10" is disclosed, then "about 10" is also disclosed. Any range of numerical values set forth herein is intended to be inclusive of all subranges included therein. It should also be understood that when a value that is “less than or equal to” a value is disclosed, a “greater than or equal to a value” and possible ranges between the values are also disclosed, as those skilled in the art would appreciate. For example, if the value "X" is disclosed, "less than or equal to X" is also disclosed, as is "greater than or equal to X" (eg, where X is a numeric value). It should also be understood that in this application, data is provided in a number of different formats, and that this data represents end points and starting points and ranges for any combination of data points. For example, if a particular data point "10" and a particular data point "15" are disclosed, it should be understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are considered disclosed, as are between 10 and 15. It should also be understand that each unit between two specific units is also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are revealed, then 11, 12, 13 and 14 are also revealed.

[0110] Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to the various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which the various described method steps are performed may often vary in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various embodiments of the device and system may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Accordingly, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0111] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in a digital electronic circuit, integrated circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), computer hardware, firmware , software and/or a combination of the above. These various aspects or features may include implementation in one or more computer programs that can be executed and/or interpreted for a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, coupled with the ability to receive data and instructions from and transmit data and instructions to the data storage system, the at least one input device and the at least one output device. A programmable system or computing system may include clients and servers. The client and server are typically remote from each other and typically communicate through a communications network. The relationship between the client and the server is carried out on the basis of computer programs running on the corresponding computers and having a client-server relationship with each other.

[0112] These computer programs, which may also be referred to as "programs", "software", "applications", "applications", "components" or "code", include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural language, object-oriented programming language, functional programming language, logic programming language and/or assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term "machine-readable medium" means any computer program product, hardware and/or device, such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, memory and programmable logic devices (PLDs) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor including a computer-readable medium that receives the machine instructions as a computer-readable signal. The expression "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. A computer-readable medium may non-volatilely store such machine instructions, for example, similar to a non-volatile semiconductor memory or magnetic hard disk, or any equivalent storage medium. A computer-readable medium may alternatively or additionally volatile store such machine instructions, for example, similar to a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[0113] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter of the invention may be practiced. As mentioned above, other embodiments may be used and learned from such that structural and logical substitutions and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without the intent to deliberately limit the scope of this application to any one invention or inventive concept if more than one is actually disclosed. Thus, while specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve an identical purpose can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments not specifically described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the foregoing description. The use of the term "based on" above and in the claims is intended to mean "at least in part based on" so that an unstated feature or element is also acceptable.

[0114] The subject matter described herein may be implemented in systems, equipment, methods and/or products depending on the desired configuration. The implementations set forth in the above description do not represent all implementations in accordance with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are simply some examples in accordance with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although several variations are detailed above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, additional features and/or variations may be provided in addition to the features and/or variations set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above may be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several additional features disclosed above. In addition, the logical sequences of operations illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown or sequential order in order to achieve the desired results. Other implementations may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (32)

1. A cartridge for an evaporation device, containing: a reservoir body having a first housing end and a second housing end opposite the first housing end, the reservoir body being configured to hold a vaporized substance; an air flow tube that extends through the reservoir body, the air flow tube defining a passageway for air flow therethrough; first and second seals, each of which is substantially fluid-tight, the first seal being attached to a first end of the housing and the second seal being attached to a second end of the housing, wherein the first and second seals are selectively ruptureable to allow access to the evaporated substance in the body of the evaporation tank to obtain the evaporated substance; a mouthpiece defining a hollow body portion, the hollow body portion including a first end of the body portion and a second end of the body portion opposite the first end of the body portion, the first end of the body portion including an opening extending therethrough; a hollow nipple extending at a distance from the first end of the main body and in communication with the opening, wherein the mouthpiece and the reservoir body are configured to selectively slide relative to each other to cause the hollow nipple to pierce the first seal, thereby positioning the opening in position communications with a passage channel for air flow; And a first locking mechanism configured to lock the mouthpiece onto the reservoir body to prevent the mouthpiece and the reservoir body from sliding relative to each other until the application of a compressive force to at least one of the mouthpiece and the reservoir body exceeds a predetermined threshold force. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second seal is removable from the second end of the housing. 3. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cap having a hollow main part of the cap, which is configured to receive the second end of the body. 4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the cap is attached to the second seal such that removing the cap from the reservoir body removes the second seal from the second end of the reservoir body. 5. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid is at least one of a gas and a liquid. 6. A cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second seals seal the reservoir body. 7. The cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow tube includes an absorbent element that is in communication with the reservoir body, wherein the absorbent element is configured to draw at least a portion of the evaporated substance from the reservoir body into the passage channel for air flow for evaporation. 8. The cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising a heating element configured to evaporate at least a portion of the evaporable substance drawn from the reservoir body into the absorbent element. 9. The cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow nipple is axially aligned with the air flow tube such that piercing the first seal positions the hollow nipple at least within a portion of the air flow tube. 10. The cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first locking mechanism comprises a first tab extending between the mouthpiece and a first side wall of the reservoir body, and a second tongue extending between the mouthpiece and a second side wall of the reservoir body. 11. The cartridge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second locking mechanism configured to secure the mouthpiece to the reservoir body when a predetermined length of hollow nipple is positioned in the air flow tube. 12. The cartridge of claim 11, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises two projections extending outwardly from two opposing side walls of the reservoir body and two corresponding recessed channels extending inwardly into the hollow main portion of the mouthpiece. 13. Evaporation device containing: main part of the evaporator; And a cartridge that is configured to be selectively attached to and removed from the main body of the evaporator, the cartridge including: a reservoir body having a first housing end and a second housing end opposite the first housing end, the reservoir body being configured to hold a vaporized substance; an air flow tube that extends through the reservoir body, the air flow tube defining a passageway for air flow therethrough; first and second seals, each of which is substantially fluid-tight, the first seal being attached to a first end of the housing and the second seal being attached to a second end of the housing, wherein the first and second seals are selectively ruptureable to allow access to the evaporated substance in the body of the evaporation tank to obtain the evaporated substance; a mouthpiece defining a hollow body portion, the hollow body portion including a first end of the body portion and a second end of the body portion opposite the first end of the body portion, the first end of the body portion including an opening extending therethrough; a hollow nipple extending at a distance from the first end of the main body and in communication with the opening, wherein the mouthpiece and the reservoir body are configured to selectively slide relative to each other to cause the hollow nipple to pierce the first seal, thereby positioning the opening in position communications with a passage channel for air flow; And a first locking mechanism configured to lock the mouthpiece onto the reservoir body to prevent the mouthpiece and the reservoir body from sliding relative to each other until the application of a compressive force to at least one of the mouthpiece and the reservoir body exceeds a predetermined threshold force. 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the main part of the evaporator includes a power source. 15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the hollow nipple is axially aligned with the air flow tube such that piercing the first seal positions the hollow nipple at least within a portion of the air flow tube. 16. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 13-15, wherein the first locking mechanism includes a first tongue extending between the mouthpiece and a first side wall of the reservoir body, and a second tongue extending between the mouthpiece and a second side wall of the reservoir body. 17. Device according to any one of paragraphs. 13-16, wherein the cartridge further includes a second locking mechanism configured to secure the mouthpiece to the reservoir body when a predetermined length of hollow nipple is positioned in the air flow tube. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second locking mechanism comprises two projections extending outwardly from two opposing side walls of the reservoir body and two corresponding recessed channels extending inwardly into the hollow main portion of the mouthpiece.

Images