RU2812957C2 - Vaporizer device and cartridge for it - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking equipment.

SUBSTANCE: vaporizer device and a cartridge for it. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing, a reservoir and a fuse housing located in the cartridge housing, a heating element and a fuse element. The cartridge housing is configured to extend below the open top of the receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device. The reservoir is configured to contain the vaporized material. The heating element includes a heating section located at least partially within the fuse housing and a contact section located at least partially outside the fuse housing. The contact section may include cartridge contacts that form an electrical connection to the socket contacts in the socket. The fuse element is located in the fuse casing and adjacent to the heating section of the heating element. The fuse element is configured to draw the vaporized material into the fuse casing for evaporation by means of the heating element. The fuse housing is located at least partially in the socket when connecting the cartridge to the vaporizer device.

EFFECT: provides the ability for liquid vaporized material pushed into the manifold to be reversibly drawn into the storage chamber when the pressure in the storage chamber is reduced and/or equalized relative to ambient pressure, as well as the ability to prevent or reduce leakage of vaporized material, trap air bubbles in the storage chamber and/or overflow volume.

27 cl, 121 dwg

Description

Cross references to related applications

[1] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/913135, entitled "HEATING ELEMENT" filed Oct. 9, 2019, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/812148, entitled "RESERVOIR OVERFLOW CONTROL WITH CONSTRICTION POINTS" and filed on February 28, 2019, US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/812161, entitled "CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE" and filed on February 28, 2019, US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/915005, entitled "CARTRIDGE FOR A VAPORIZER DEVICE" and filed October 14, 2019, US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/930508, entitled "VAPORIZER DEVICE" and filed November 4, 2019, US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/947496, entitled "VAPORIZER DEVICE" and filed on December 12, 2019, and Provisional Patent Application (US) No. 62/981498, entitled "VAPORIZER DEVICE WITH VAPORIZER CARTRIDGE" and filed on February 25, 2020. The disclosures of the foregoing applications are contained in their entirety herein by reference.

Field of technology to which the invention relates

[2] The subject matter of the invention described herein generally relates to vaporizer devices, and more particularly to a vaporizer device configured to be coupled to a vaporizer cartridge.

State of the art

[3] Vaporizer devices, which may also be referred to as “vaporizers” or “electronic vaporizer devices,” can be used to deliver an aerosol (or “vapour”) containing one or more active ingredients through inhalation of the aerosol by the user of the vaporizer device. For example, electronic cigarettes, which may also be referred to as “e-cigarettes,” are a class of vaporizer devices that are typically battery-powered and that can be used to simulate the experience of smoking cigarettes, but without burning tobacco or other substances.

[4] When using a vaporization device, the user inhales an aerosol, commonly referred to as "vapor", which may be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (which generally means forcing at least partial transition of a liquid or solid into a gas phase) the material being vaporized, which may be a liquid, solution, solid, wax, or any other form that may be compatible with the use of the particular vaporization device. The vaporizable material used with the vaporizer may be provided in a cartridge (eg, the portion of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir) that includes a mouthpiece (eg, for inhalation by the user).

[5] To receive an inhalable aerosol generated by a vaporizer device, a user may, in certain examples, activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing a button, or by some other approach. Inhalation, as the term is used generally (and also as used herein), means inhalation by a user in a manner that causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that an inhalable aerosol is formed by the combination of the vaporized vaporized material with the air.

[6] A typical approach by which a vaporizer device generates a respirable aerosol from a vaporized material involves heating the vaporized material in a flash chamber (or heating chamber) to cause the vaporized material to convert to a gaseous (vapor) phase. Vapor chamber generally means the area or volume in a vaporizer device in which a heat source (e.g., conductive, convective, and/or radiation) causes heating of the vaporized material to form a mixture of air and vaporized vaporized material so as to form an inhalable vapor by the user of the evaporation device.

[7] In some embodiments of the vaporization device, vaporized material may be drawn from the reservoir and into the vaporization chamber through a wick element. This drawing of vaporized material into the flash chamber may be at least partially due to capillary action provided by the wick, which pushes vaporized material along the wick toward the flash chamber. However, as the evaporated material is drawn from the reservoir, the pressure in the reservoir is reduced, thereby creating a vacuum and acting against capillary action. This may reduce the effectiveness of the wick in drawing vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the vaporizer device in vaporizing the required amount of vaporizable material, for example, when a user takes a puff on the vaporizer device. Additionally, the vacuum created in the reservoir may ultimately result in an inability to draw all of the vaporized material into the flash chamber, thereby wasting the vaporized material. Therefore, improved evaporation devices and/or evaporation cartridges are required that improve or overcome these difficulties.

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

[9] Various vaporizable materials having a variety of contents and proportions of such contents may be contained in the cartridge. Some vaporized materials, for example, may have a lower percentage of active ingredients per total volume of material vaporized, for example, due to regulations requiring certain percentages of active ingredients. Therefore, the user may have to vaporize a large amount of vaporizable material (eg, compared to the total volume of vaporizable material that can be stored in the cartridge) in order to achieve the desired effect.

The essence of the invention

[10] In certain aspects of the current subject matter, complications associated with the presence of liquid vaporizable materials in or near certain sensitive components of an electronic vaporizer device may be resolved by incorporating one or more of the features described herein or comparable/equivalent approaches , as would be understood by those skilled in the art. In one aspect, a cartridge for a vaporizer device is provided. The cartridge may include: a cartridge housing, the cartridge housing being configured to extend below an open top portion of a receptacle in the vaporizer device when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device; a reservoir located in the cartridge housing, the reservoir being configured to contain the material to be evaporated; a wick casing located in the cartridge casing; a heating element, wherein the heating element includes a heating portion located at least partially within the wick housing, and a contact portion located at least partially outside the wick housing, wherein the contact portion includes one or more cartridge contacts configured to form an electrical connection with one or more socket contacts in the socket of the evaporative device; and a wick element located in the wick casing and adjacent a heating portion of the heating element, the wick element configured to draw vaporizable material from the reservoir into the wick casing for vaporization by the heating element.

[11] In some variations, one or more features disclosed herein, including the following features, may optionally be included in any feasible combination. The contact portion may further be configured to form a mechanical connection with the socket of the evaporation device. A mechanical connection may secure the cartridge in the socket of the vaporizer device.

[12] In some variations, the socket may be a first portion of the vaporizer body having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the second portion of the vaporizer body. A low area may be formed between the cartridge housing and the second portion of the vaporizer device body when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device.

[13] In some variations, the housing may include one or more air inlets that form a fluid connection with one or more slots in the bottom of the wick housing when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device. The one or more slots may be configured to allow air entering the one or more air inlets to further enter the wick housing. One or more air inlets may be located in a low area. The one or more air inlets may have a diameter of from about 0.6 millimeters to 1.0 millimeters.

[14] In some variations, the interior of each of the one or more slots may include at least one shoulder formed by the interior dimensions of the one or more slots being smaller than the dimensions of the one or more slots on the bottom of the wick housing. The at least one shoulder may provide a pinch point at which a meniscus is formed to prevent vaporized material in the wick casing from flowing out of the one or more slits. The one or more slots in the bottom of the wick housing may be approximately 1.2 millimeters long by 0.5 millimeters wide. The internal dimensions of the one or more slots may be approximately 1 millimeter in length by 0.3 millimeters in width.

[15] In some variations, the heating portion of the heating element and the contact portion of the heating element may be formed by folding the substrate material. The backing material may be cut to include one or more teeth to form a heating portion of the heating element. The backing material may further be cut to include one or more legs to form a heating element contact portion.

[16] In some variations, the heating element contact portion may be formed by folding each of one or more legs to form at least a first joint, a second joint, and a third joint. The first joint may be located between the second joint and the third joint. The second joint may be located between the tip of each of the one or more legs and the first joint.

[17] In some variations, one or more cartridge contacts may be located in the second joint. The heating element may be secured to the wick housing by a first mechanical connection between an outer portion of the wick housing and a portion of each of the one or more legs between the first joint and the third joint. The cartridge may be secured to the evaporation device socket by means of a second mechanical connection between the second joint and the evaporation device socket.

[18] In some variations, one or more cartridge contacts may be located in the first joint. The heating element may be secured to the wick housing through a first mechanical connection between the outer portion of the wick housing and a portion of each of the one or more legs between the tip and the second joint. The cartridge may be secured to the evaporation device socket by means of a second mechanical connection between the first joint and the evaporation device socket.

[19] In some variations, the reservoir may include a storage chamber and a manifold. The collector may include an overflow channel configured to hold a volume of vaporized material in liquid contact with the storage chamber. One or more microfluidic features may be located along the length of the overflow channel. Each of the one or more microfluidic features may be configured to provide a pinch point at which a meniscus is formed to prevent air entering the reservoir from passing past the evaporated material in the overflow channel.

[20] In some variations, the cartridge housing may include an air flow passage leading to an aerosol outlet that is formed by a heating element that vaporizes the material to be vaporized. The manifold may include a central tunnel supporting fluid exchange with the air flow passage. The lower surface of the manifold may include a flow controller configured to mix the aerosol generated by the heating element vaporizing the vaporizable material.

[21] In some variations, the inner surface of the air flow passage may include one or more channels that extend from the outlet to the wick element. One or more channels may be configured to collect condensate formed by the aerosol and direct at least a portion of the collected condensate to the wick element.

[22] In some variations, the flow controller may include a first channel and a second channel. The first channel may be offset from the second channel. The first inner surface of the first channel may be inclined in a direction different from the direction of the second inner surface of the second channel to direct the first column of aerosol entering the central tunnel through the first channel in a direction different from the direction of the second column of aerosol entering the central tunnel through second channel.

[23] In some variations, the bottom surface of the controller may further include one or more wick interfaces. One or more wick interfaces may support fluid exchange with one or more wick leads in the manifold. One or more wick feeds may be configured to deliver, to a wick element located in the wick casing, at least a portion of the vaporized material contained in the storage chamber.

[24] In some variations, the wick housing may be positioned at least partially within the vaporizer housing when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device. The flange is located at least partially around the upper perimeter of the wick housing. The flange may extend at least over a portion of the edge of the cartridge receptacle.

[25] In another aspect, an evaporation device is provided. The vaporizer cartridge may include: a socket comprising a first portion of a vaporizer device body, wherein the socket includes one or more socket contacts, wherein the socket is configured to receive a wick housing of a cartridge containing vaporizable material when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device, wherein the housing is cartridge extends below the open top portion of the socket when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device, wherein one or more socket contacts are configured to form an electrical connection with one or more cartridge contacts comprising a contact portion of a heating element in the cartridge, wherein the contact portion is located at least , partially outside the wick casing; a power source located at least partially in a second portion of the evaporation device housing; and a controller configured to control the discharge of an electric current from the power source to a heating element included in the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporization device, the electric current being discharged into the heating element to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable material saturating the wick element , located in the wick casing and adjacent to the heating section of the heating element.

[26] In some variations, one or more features disclosed herein, including the following features, may optionally be included in any feasible combination. The socket may be further configured to form a mechanical connection to a contact portion of the heating element, wherein the mechanical connection secures the cartridge to the socket of the vaporizer device.

[27] In some variations, the first vaporization device housing portion may have a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the second vaporization device housing portion. A low region may be formed between the second vaporizer body portion and the cartridge casing when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device.

[28] In some variations, the housing may include one or more air inlets that form a fluid connection with one or more slots in the bottom of the wick housing when the cartridge is coupled to the vaporizer device. The one or more slots may be configured to allow air entering the one or more air inlets to further enter the wick housing. One or more air inlets may be located in a low area. The one or more air inlets may have a diameter of from about 0.6 millimeters to 1.0 millimeters.

[29] In some variations, the socket may be located in the first portion of the vaporizer body such that the top edge of the socket is substantially flush with the top edge of the first portion of the vaporizer body.

[30] In some variations, the receptacle may be configured to receive a portion of the wick housing such that a flange located at least partially around the upper perimeter of the wick housing extends at least over a portion of the upper edge of the cartridge receptacle and /or the upper edge of the first section of the housing of the evaporation device. The nest can be approximately 4.5 millimeters deep.

[31] 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.

Brief description of drawings

[32] 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:

[33] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an evaporator in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[34] FIG. 2A illustrates a planar cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge having a storage chamber and overflow volume in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[35] FIG. 2B illustrates a planar cross-sectional view of an example of a cartridge having a storage chamber and overflow volume in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[36] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a cartridge having one example of a connector in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[37] FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a cartridge having another example of a connector in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[38] FIG. 3C illustrates a planar cross-sectional view of a cartridge having one example of a connector in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[39] FIG. 3D illustrates a planar cross-sectional view of a cartridge having another example of a connector in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[40] FIG. 3E illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of a cartridge having an example of a connector in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[41] FIG. 3F illustrates a planar top view of a cartridge having an example of a connector in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[42] FIG. 4A illustrates a closed perspective view of an example cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[43] FIG. 4B illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[44] FIG. 4C illustrates another closed perspective view of an example cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[45] FIG. 4D illustrates a closed side view of an example cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[46] FIG. 5A illustrates a planar side view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[47] FIG. 5B illustrates a planar side view of a cartridge including an example of a manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[48] FIG. 5C illustrates a perspective view and a planar side view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[49] FIG. 5D illustrates a perspective view and a planar side view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[50] FIG. 5E illustrates a perspective view and a planar side view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[51] FIG. 5F illustrates a side view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[52] FIG. 5G illustrates a front view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[53] FIG. 5H illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[54] FIG. 5I illustrates a top perspective view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[55] FIG. 5J illustrates a side perspective view of a portion of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[56] FIG. 5K illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of an example reservoir in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter.

[57] FIG. 5L illustrates an example of a manifold fluid flow control mechanism in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[58] FIG. 5M illustrates an example of a manifold fluid flow control mechanism in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[59] FIG. 5N illustrates an example of a manifold fluid flow control mechanism in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[60] FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[61] FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of another example of a manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[62] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view, a front view, a side view, and an exploded view of an example of a cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[63] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view, front view, side view, bottom view, and top view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[64] FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[65] FIG. 8C illustrates a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[66] FIG. 8D illustrates a plan view of an example of a wick submersible mechanism in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[67] FIG. 8E illustrates a plan view of an example of a wick submersible mechanism in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[68] FIG. 8F illustrates a plan view of an example of a wick submersible mechanism in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[69] FIG. 9A illustrates a closed perspective view of an example cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[70] FIG. 9B illustrates a front view of an example cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[71] FIG. 9C illustrates a side view of an example cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[72] FIG. 10A illustrates a front view of a cartridge having an example of a condensate recirculation system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[73] FIG. 10B illustrates a top view of a cartridge having an example of a condensate recirculation system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[74] FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom view of a cartridge having an example of a condensate recirculation system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[75] FIG. 10D illustrates another front view of a cartridge having an example of a condensate recirculation system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[76] FIG. 10E illustrates another top view of a cartridge having an example of a condensate recirculation system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[77] FIG. 11A illustrates a front view of a cartridge having an example of an external airflow path in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[78] FIG. 11B illustrates a front view of a cartridge having an example of an external airflow path in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[79] FIG. 12A illustrates a perspective view, a top view, a bottom view, and various side views of an example of a wick housing in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[80] FIG. 12B illustrates perspective views of an example manifold and wick housing in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[81] FIG. 13A illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example of a cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[82] FIG. 13B illustrates a top perspective view of an example of a cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[83] FIG. 13C illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example cartridge in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[84] FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic view of a heating element for use in an evaporative device in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[85] FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic view of a heating element for use in an evaporative device in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[86] FIG. 16 illustrates a schematic view of a heating element for use in an evaporative device in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[87] FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic view of a heating element positioned in a vaporizer cartridge for use in a vaporizer device in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[88] FIG. 18A illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[89] FIG. 18B illustrates a side view of a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[90] FIG. 18C illustrates a front view of a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[91] FIG. 18D illustrates a perspective view of a heating element and a wick element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[92] FIG. 18E illustrates a bottom perspective view of a wick housing including a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[93] FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[94] FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[95] FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[96] FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[97] FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in a non-curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[98] FIG. 24 illustrates a top view of a heating element in a non-curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[99] FIG. 25A illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[100] FIG. 25B illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[101] FIG. 26 illustrates a side view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[102] FIG. 27 illustrates a top view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[103] FIG. 28 illustrates a front view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[104] FIG. 29A illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in a non-curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[105] FIG. 29B illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in a non-curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[106] FIG. 30A illustrates a top view of a heating element in a non-curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[107] FIG. 30B illustrates a top view of a heating element in a non-curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[108] FIG. 31 shows a top perspective view of a sprayer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[109] FIG. 32 shows a bottom perspective view of a sprayer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[110] FIG. 33 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a sprayer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[111] FIG. 34A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a sprayer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[112] FIG. 34B illustrates another side cross-sectional view of a sprayer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[113] FIG. 35 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[114] FIG. 36 illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[115] FIG. 37 illustrates a side view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[116] FIG. 38 illustrates a perspective view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[117] FIG. 39 illustrates a side view of a heating element in a curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[118] FIG. 40 illustrates a top view of a heating element substrate material in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[119] FIG. 41 illustrates a top view of a heating element in a non-curved position in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[120] FIG. 42A illustrates a top perspective view of a sprayer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[121] FIG. 42B illustrates a detailed view of a portion of a wick housing of an atomizer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[122] FIG. 43 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a sprayer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[123] FIG. 44 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a sprayer assembly in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[124] FIG. 45A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an example of a condensate recirculator system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[125] FIG. 45B illustrates a first perspective view of an example of a condensate recirculator system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[126] FIG. 45C illustrates a second perspective view of an example of a condensate recirculator system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[127] FIG. 46 illustrates an exploded view of an evaporative device in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[128] FIG. 47A illustrates an example of jack contacts in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter.

[129] FIG. 47B illustrates another example of socket contacts in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[130] FIG. 47C illustrates another example of socket contacts in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[131] FIG. 47D illustrates a perspective view of an example cartridge slot in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[132] FIG. 47E illustrates a top perspective view of an evaporator housing including an example of a cartridge socket in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[133] FIG. 48A illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a cartridge located in a cartridge slot in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[134] FIG. 48B illustrates another side cross-sectional view of a cartridge located in a cartridge slot in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[135] FIG. 48C illustrates a partial view of a side of a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a vaporizer body in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[136] FIG. 48D illustrates another partial view of a side of a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a vaporizer body in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[137] FIG. 48E illustrates another partial view of a side of a vaporizer cartridge coupled to a vaporizer body in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[138] FIG. 48F illustrates heat maps illustrating the distribution of air pressure and air velocity around air inlets in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[139] FIG. 49A illustrates a top perspective view of an example of an evaporator housing shell in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[140] FIG. 49B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of an assembled evaporator housing shell in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[141] FIG. 50A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a wick housing in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[142] FIG. 50B illustrates another cross-sectional view of a wick housing in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[143] FIG. 51A illustrates a perspective view of another example of a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[144] FIG. 51B illustrates a side view of another example of a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[145] FIG. 51C illustrates a front view of another example of a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[146] FIG. 51D illustrates a top view of another example of a heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[147] FIG. 52A illustrates a bottom view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[148] FIG. 52B illustrates a front cross-sectional view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[149] FIG. 52C illustrates another front cross-sectional view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[150] FIG. 52D illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[151] FIG. 52E illustrates a perspective view of an example manifold in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter;

[152] FIG. 52F illustrates an example of laminar flow and an example of turbulent flow in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter; And

[153] FIG. 53 illustrates a resistance measurement for an example heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter.

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

Detailed Description of the Invention

[155] Implementations of the current subject matter include devices related to vaporizing one or more materials for inhalation by a user. The term "evaporator" is used generically in the following description to mean an evaporation device. Examples of vaporizers in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, and the like. Such vaporizers are generally portable, hand-held devices that heat the vaporized material to deliver an inhalable dose of the material.

[156] The vaporizer material used with the vaporizer may optionally be provided within the cartridge (e.g., in a portion of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizer material in a reservoir or other container, and which may be replenished when becoming empty or disposed of in favor of a new cartridge containing additional vaporizer material identical or different type). The vaporizer may be a cartridge vaporizer, a cartridge-less vaporizer, or a universal vaporizer that can be used with or without a cartridge. For example, a universal vaporizer may include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven) configured to receive vaporized material directly in the heating chamber, and also to receive a cartridge or other replaceable device having a reservoir, volume, or the like, at least to partially contain the applicable amount of material being evaporated.

[157] In various implementations, the vaporizer may be configured for use with a liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which the active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution or in a pure liquid form of the vaporizable material itself ) or with solid evaporable material. The solid vapor material may include plant material that releases some of the plant material as vapor material (e.g., so that some of the plant material remains as waste after the vapor material is released for inhalation by the user), or may optionally be a solid form of the vaporized material itself (eg, "wax") such that all of the solid material can ultimately be vaporized for inhalation. The liquid vaporizable material may similarly allow complete vaporization or may include some portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the respirable material has been consumed.

[158] In some aspects, liquid vaporizable material may leak from the vaporizer cartridge and/or other portion of the vaporizer. Additionally, consistency in the manufacturing quality of the evaporator heating element may be particularly important during scaled and/or automated manufacturing processes. Additionally, a vaporizer use case may operate with specific power requirements that may result in less battery run time, may result in less run time at lower temperatures, may cause the battery to age faster, and may affect battery performance.

[159] Implementations of the current subject matter may also provide advantages and benefits with respect to these problems. For example, various features are described herein for controlling air flow as well as evaporative material flow, which may provide advantages and improvements over existing approaches while introducing additional benefits as described herein. The vaporizer devices and/or cartridges described herein include one or more features that control and improve air flow in the vaporizer device and/or cartridge, thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of vaporization of liquid vaporizable material by the vaporizer device without injection additional symptoms that may result in leakage of liquid vaporized material or accumulation of condensate collecting along one or more internal channels and outlets.

[160] For example, the heating element may be stamped from a sheet of material and may be curved to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the wick element. Heating element configurations may allow for more consistent manufacturing with increased quality of the heating element and may help reduce tolerance problems that may arise during manufacturing processes when assembling a heating element having multiple components. The heating element may also improve the accuracy of measurements taken from the heating element (eg, resistance, current, temperature, etc.) due to at least partially improved consistency to enable the heating element to be manufactured having reduced tolerance problems. A molded heating element of a particular shape may preferably help minimize heat loss and help ensure that the heating element can behave predictably when heated to an appropriate temperature.

[161] By way of further illustration, FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an evaporator 100. As shown in FIG. 1, vaporizer 100 may include a power source 112 (eg, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable battery, a fuel cell, etc.) and a controller 104 (eg, a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic). The controller 104 may be configured to control the delivery of heat to the atomizer 141 to cause the vaporized material to be converted from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, a liquid, a solution, a slurry, a portion of at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) into the gas phase. For example, controller 104 may control the delivery of heat to atomizer 141 by at least controlling the discharge of current from power source 112 to atomizer 141. Controller 104 may be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) in accordance with certain implementations of the current subject matter. .

[162] After the vaporized material is converted to the gas phase, and depending on the type of vaporizer, the physical and chemical properties of the vaporized material, and/or other factors, at least a portion of the vaporized material in the gas phase may condense to form particulate matter at least , in partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of the aerosol. The vaporized material in the condensed phase (e.g., particulate matter), in at least partial local equilibrium with the vaporized material in the gas phase, may form part or all of the inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer 100 for a given puff or puff on the vaporizer 100. It should be understood that that the interaction between the evaporated material in the gas phase and in the condensed phase in the aerosol formed by the evaporator 100 can be complex and dynamic, as factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in air flow paths (both inside evaporator, and in the airways of a person or other animal), mixing of evaporated material in the gas phase or in the aerosol phase with other air flows, etc. may affect one or more physical parameters of the aerosol. In some vaporizers, and in particular for vaporizers for delivering more volatile vaporized materials, the inhaled dose may exist predominantly in the gas phase (ie, particle formation in the condensed phase may be very limited).

[163] To enable the vaporizer 100 to be used with liquid vaporizable materials (e.g., pure liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, etc.), the atomizer 141 may include a wick element (also referred to herein as a "wick") formed from one or more materials capable of causing fluid movement by capillary pressure. The wick element may transport an amount of liquid vaporizable material to a portion of the atomizer 141 that includes a heating element (also not shown in FIG. 1). The wick element is generally configured to draw liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir configured to contain (and which may in use contain) liquid vaporizable material such that the vaporizable material can be vaporized by heat generated by the heating element. The wick element may also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir to replace the removed volume of liquid. In other words, capillary action forces the evaporated material into the wick element for evaporation by means of a heating element (described below), and air may, in some implementations of the current subject matter, be returned to the reservoir through the wick so as to at least partially equalize the pressure in the tank. Other approaches to allowing air to return to the reservoir in order to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter, as explained in more detail below.

[164] The heating element may be or include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiant heater, and a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which may be configured 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. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the atomizer may include a heating element that includes a resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, positioned within, integrated in a volumetric form, pressed into thermal contact, or otherwise configured to deliver heat to the wick. an element for causing the liquid vaporizable material drawn by the wick element from the reservoir to vaporize for subsequent inhalation by the user in a gaseous and/or condensed (eg, in the form of aerosol particles or droplets) phase. Other configurations of wick elements, heating elements and/or atomizer assembly are also possible, as explained in more detail below.

[165] Alternatively and/or additionally, vaporizer 100 may be configured to provide an inhalable dose of vaporized material in the gas phase and/or aerosol phase through heating a non-liquid vaporized material, such as, for example, a solid phase vaporized material (e.g., wax etc.) or plant material (for example, tobacco leaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves) containing vaporized material. Accordingly, the heating element (or elements) may be part of or otherwise included in or in thermal contact with the walls of a furnace or other heating chamber into which the non-liquid vaporizable material is placed. Alternatively, the heating element (or elements) may be used to heat air passing through or past the non-liquid vaporizable material to cause convection heating of the non-liquid vaporizable material. In yet other examples, a resistive heating element or elements may be positioned in direct contact with the plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs within the body of plant material (eg, as opposed to conduction inward from the walls of the oven).

[166] The heating element may be activated (e.g., a controller, which is optionally part of the vaporizer housing, as explained below, may cause current to flow from the power source to a circuit including a resistive heating element, which is optionally part of the vaporizer cartridge, as explained below), in association with the user drawing (e.g., inhaling, inhaling, etc.) on the vaporizer mouthpiece to cause air to flow from the air inlet along the air flow path that passes by the atomizer (e.g., wick and heating element), optionally through one or more condensation regions or chambers, into an air outlet in the mouthpiece. Incoming air passing along the air flow path passes over, through, etc. an atomizer in which the evaporated material in the gas phase is entrained into the air. As noted above, entrained vaporized material in the gas phase may condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhaled dose of vaporized material in aerosol form can be delivered from an air outlet (e.g., in inhalation mouthpiece 130 user).

[167] The heating element may be activated in response to detecting a puff and/or determining that a puff is imminent. For example, puff detection may be performed based on one or more signals generated by one or more sensors 113 included in the vaporizer 100, such as, for example, one or more pressure sensors (for example, configured to measure pressure along an air flow path relative to ambient pressure, changes in absolute pressure, etc.), motion sensors, flow sensors, capacitive sensors (eg, configured to detect contact between the user's lip and the vaporizer 100). Alternatively and/or additionally, a puff (or imminent puff) may be detected in response to detecting user interaction with one or more input devices 116 included in the vaporizer 100 (e.g., buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer 100), receiving signals from the computing device communicating with the evaporator 100, etc. It should be appreciated that puff detection, which includes determining when a puff is imminent, can be performed using a variety of technologies.

[168] In some implementations of the current subject matter, vaporizer 100 may be configured to communicate (eg, wirelessly or via a wired connection) with a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the vaporizer. To this end, controller 104 may include communications hardware 105. The controller 104 may also include a storage device 108. The computing device may be a component of an evaporator system that also includes the evaporator 100, and may include proprietary communications hardware that can establish a wireless communication channel with the evaporator communications hardware 105 100. For example, a computing device used as part of an evaporative system may include a general purpose computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet computer, personal computer, some other portable device such as a smart watch, etc.) that executes software to generate a user interface to enable a user of the device to interact with the vaporizer. In other implementations of the current subject matter, such a device used as part of an evaporative system may be a dedicated piece of hardware, such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or software (e.g., on-screen configurable or other display device and selectable through user interaction with a touch screen or some other input device such as a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, etc.) interface controls. The vaporizer may also include one or more indicators or output devices 117 for providing information to the user.

[169] The computing device, which is part of the evaporative system defined above, can be used for any of one or more functions such as dosing control (e.g., dose monitoring, dose adjustment, dose limiting, user tracking, etc.) , managing session management (e.g. monitoring session status, setting up sessions, limiting sessions, tracking users, etc.), managing nicotine delivery (e.g. switching between nicotine and non-nicotine vaporizers, adjusting the amount of nicotine delivered, etc. .), obtaining location information (e.g. other users' locations, retail/commercial establishment locations, vaping locations, relative or absolute location of the vaporizer itself, etc.), vaporizer personalization (e.g. naming the vaporizer, locking/password-protecting the vaporizer , adjusting one or more parental controls, associating the vaporizer with a user group, registering the vaporizer with the manufacturer or warranty organization, etc., engaging in entertainment (e.g., gaming, communicating via social media, interacting with one or more groups, etc.) with other users, etc. The terms "session", "session", "evaporator session", or "steam session" are used generically to mean the period dedicated to the use of the evaporator. The period may include a period of time, a number of doses, an amount of material vaporized, and the like.

[170] In an example in which the computing device provides signals associated with activation of a heating element, or in other examples of coupling the computing device to the vaporizer 100 to implement various control or other functions, the computing device may execute one or more sets of computer instructions to provide user interface and basic data processing. In one example, detection by a computing device of user interaction with one or more user interface elements may cause the computing device to signal to vaporizer 100 the need to activate the heating element, also to full operating temperature, to create an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer may be controlled through user interaction with a user interface on a computing device in communication with vaporizer 100.

[171] The temperature of the evaporator heating element may depend on a number of factors, including the amount of electrical power delivered to the heating element and/or the duty cycle in which the electrical power is delivered, heat transfer by conduction to other parts of the electronic evaporator, and/or the environment, latent heat loss due to evaporation of vaporized material from the wick element and/or the atomizer as a whole, and convective heat loss due to air flow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or atomizer as a whole when a user inhales on an e-vaporizer). As noted above, in order to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, the vaporizer 100, in some implementations of the current subject matter, may use signals from a pressure sensor to determine when the user inhales. The pressure sensor may be positioned in an airflow path and/or may be coupled (e.g., via a passage or other path) to an airflow path connecting an air inlet that enters the device and an outlet through which a user inhales the resulting vapor and/or an aerosol such that the pressure sensor is subject to changes in pressure simultaneously with air passing through the evaporator device from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element may be activated in association with a user's puff, for example, through automatic puff detection, such as through a pressure sensor detecting a change in pressure in the air flow path.

[172] Typically, the pressure sensor (as well as any other sensors 113) may be positioned or coupled (e.g., electrically or electronically coupled, either physically or via a wireless connection) to/from a controller 104 (e.g., a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). To make measurements accurately and maintain durability of the evaporator 100, the elastic seal 150 may optionally separate the air flow path from other parts of the evaporator 100. The seal 150, which may be a gasket, may be configured to at least partially surround the pressure sensor with such such that the connections of the pressure sensor to the internal circuitry of the evaporator are separated from the portion of the pressure sensor exposed to the air flow path. In the example of a cartridge-based vaporizer, seal 150 may also separate portions of one or more electrical connections between vaporizer housing 110 and vaporizer cartridge 1320 (not shown in FIG. 1) from one or more other portions of vaporizer housing 110. Such seal arrangements 150 in the evaporator 100 may be useful in reducing potentially damaging effects on evaporator components resulting from interactions with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phases, other fluids such as the material being evaporated, etc. , and/or reduce air loss from the designed air flow path in the evaporator. Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing by and/or contacting the evaporator circuitry may cause various undesirable effects such as changes in pressure readings, and/or may result in the accumulation of unwanted material such as moisture, evaporated material, etc. d. in parts of the evaporator where it may result in a poor pressure signal, failure of the pressure sensor or other components and/or reduced evaporator life. Leaks in the seal 150 may also result in the user inhaling air that passes over parts of the vaporizer device containing or constructed of materials that may not be desirable to inhale.

[173] The vaporizer 100, as noted above, may be a cartridge-based vaporizer. Accordingly, in addition to controller 104, power source 112 (eg, battery), one or more sensors 113, one or more charging contacts 124, and seal 150, FIG. 1 shows the vaporizer housing 110 for the vaporizer 100 as including a cartridge receptacle 118 configured to receive at least a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 for connection to the vaporizer housing 110 through one or more of a plurality of mounting structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may include a reservoir 140 for containing liquid vaporizable material and a mouthpiece 130 for delivering an inhaled dose to a user. The atomizer 141, including, for example, a wick element and a heating element, may be located at least partially in the vaporizer cartridge 1320. Optionally, the heating element and/or wick element may be positioned in the vaporizer cartridge 1320 such that the walls enclosing the cartridge seat 118 surround all or at least a portion of the heating element and/or wick element when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is fully engaged. with evaporator housing 110. In some implementations of the current subject matter, a portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 that is inserted into the cartridge slot 118 of the vaporizer housing 110 may be positioned internally with respect to another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. For example, the insertion portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may be at least partially surrounded by some other portion, such as, for example, an outer shell of the vaporizer cartridge 1320.

[174] Alternatively, at least the atomizer portion 141 (e.g., one or both of the wick element and the heating element) may be located in the vaporizer housing 110 for the vaporizer 100. In implementations in which the atomizer portion 141 (e.g., the heating element and/or or wick element) is a portion of the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer 100 may be configured to deliver liquid vaporizable material from a reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the atomizer portion(s) included in the vaporizer housing 110.

[175] As mentioned above, removal of vaporized material 102 from reservoir 140 (e.g., through capillary draw via a wick element) may create at least a partial vacuum (e.g., a reduced pressure created in a portion of the reservoir that is emptied due to consumption of liquid material being evaporated) relative to the ambient air pressure in the reservoir 140, and such vacuum may interfere with the capillary action provided by the wick element. This reduced pressure, in some examples, may be sufficiently large in absolute value that it reduces the effectiveness of the wick element to draw liquid vaporizable material 102, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the vaporizer 100 in vaporizing the required amount of vaporizable material 102, for example, when the user takes a puff on the vaporizer 100. In extreme cases, the vacuum created in the reservoir 140 may result in an inability to draw all of the vaporized material 102 from the reservoir 140, thereby resulting in incomplete utilization of the vaporized material 102. One or more vent features may be included in association with vaporizer reservoir 140 (regardless of the positioning of reservoir 140 in vaporizer cartridge 1320 or elsewhere in the vaporizer) to allow the pressure in reservoir 140 to at least partially equalize (not necessarily fully equalize) with ambient pressure (e.g., ambient air pressure outside the tank 140) in order to alleviate this problem.

[176] In some cases, although allowing pressure equalization in reservoir 140 improves the efficiency of delivery of liquid vaporizable material to atomizer 141, this may be achieved at the expense of forcing the filling of an otherwise empty void volume (e.g., the space emptied by use of liquid vaporizable material 1302 ) in the tank 140 air. As explained in more detail below, this air-filled void volume may then be subject to changes in pressure relative to the surrounding air, which may result, under certain conditions, from liquid vaporizable material 1302 leaking out of reservoir 140 and ultimately out of vaporizer cartridge 1320 and/or another portion of the vaporizer that contains the reservoir 140. For example, a negative pressure event in which the pressure in the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is high enough to displace at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 in the reservoir 140 may be initiated by various external factors. environment, such as, for example, changes in ambient temperature, altitude, and/or volume of the cartridge 1320. Implementations of the current subject matter may also eliminate or at least minimize the leakage of vaporized material 1302.

[177] FIG. 2A-B illustrate a planar cross-sectional view of an example vaporizer cartridge 1320 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in FIG. 2A-B, cartridge 1320 may include a mouthpiece or mouthpiece area 1330, a reservoir 1340 containing vaporizable material 1302, and an atomizer (not shown separately). The atomizer may include a heating element 1350 and a wick element 1362, together or separately, depending on the implementation, such that the wick element 1362 is thermally or thermodynamically coupled to the heating element 1350 for the purpose of vaporizing vaporizable material 1302 drawn or stored in the wick element 1362.

[178] Contacts 1326 may be energized, in one embodiment, to provide an electrical connection between heating element 1350 and a power source (eg, power source 112 shown in FIG. 1). An airflow passage 1338 defined through or on the side of the reservoir 1340 may connect an area in the cartridge 1320 that houses the wick member 1362 (e.g., a wick housing, not shown separately) to an opening that leads to a mouthpiece or mouthpiece area 1330 to provide a path for the vaporized vaporized material 1302 to pass from the heating element area 1350 to the mouthpiece area 1330.

[179] As provided above, the wick element 1362 may be coupled to an atomizer or to a heating element 1350 (eg, a resistive heating element or coil) that is coupled to one or more electrical contacts (eg, plates 1326). Heating element 1350 (and/or other heating elements described herein in accordance with one or more implementations) may have various shapes and/or configurations and may include one or more heating elements 1350, 1350 or features thereof, as provided more details below.

[180] According to one or more example implementations, the heating element 1350 of the cartridge 1320 may be fabricated (e.g., stamped) from a sheet of material and either crimped around at least a portion of the wick element 1362 or bent to provide a fabricated element , configured to receive a wick element 1362. For example, the wick element 1362 may be pushed into the heating element 1350. Alternatively and/or additionally, the heating element 1350 may be held in tension and pulled over the wick element 1362.

[181] The heating element 1350 may be curved such that the heating element 1350 secures the wick element 1362 between at least two or three portions of the heating element 1350. Additionally, the heating element 1350 may be curved such that it conforms to the shape at least a portion of the wick element 1362. Configurations of the heating element 1350 may allow for more consistent manufacturing with increased quality of the heating element 1350. Consistent manufacturing quality of the heating element 1350 may be particularly important during scaled-up and/or automated manufacturing processes. For example, heating element 1350 in accordance with one or more implementations may help reduce tolerance problems that may arise during manufacturing processes when assembling heating element 1350 having multiple components.

[182] Additionally, as explained in more detail below with respect to the included embodiment associated with a heating element formed from corrugated metal, the heating element 1350 may be completely and/or selectively metallized with one or more materials to increase the heating efficiency of the heating element 1350. Plating all or a portion of the heating element 1350 may help minimize heat loss. The metallization may also help concentrate heat in a region of the heating element 1350, thereby providing a heating element 1350 that heats more efficiently and further reducing heat loss. Selective metallization may help direct the current provided to the heating element 1350 to the proper location. Selective plating may also help reduce the amount of plating material and/or costs associated with manufacturing the heating element 1350.

[183] [184] As noted above, the heating element 1350, in one embodiment, may be configured to receive at least a portion of the wick element 1362 such that the wick element 1362 is located at least partially in the heating element element 1350 (eg, in the heating portion of heating element 1350). For example, a wick element 1362 may extend near or adjacent to the plates 1326 and through resistive heating elements in contact with the plates 1326. A wick housing may surround at least a portion of the heating element 1350 and connect the heating element 1350 directly or indirectly to the air passage 1338 flow. Vaporizable material 1302 may be drawn by wick member 1362 through one or more passages connected to reservoir 1340. In one embodiment, one or both of primary passage 1382 or overflow channel 1104 (see FIG. 5A) may be used to assist direct or deliver vaporizable material 1302 to one or both ends of the wick element 1362 or radially along the wick element 1362.

[185] As discussed in more detail below, in particular with reference to FIG. 2A-B, the exchange of air and liquid vaporizable material 1302 to/from the reservoir 1340 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may advantageously be controlled by incorporating a structure called a “manifold 1313.” Inclusion of the manifold 1313 may also increase the volumetric efficiency of the cartridge 1320, defined as the volume of liquid vaporizable material that is ultimately converted into a respirable aerosol relative to the total volume of liquid vaporizable material included in the cartridge 1320 (which may correspond to the capacity of the cartridge 1320 itself).

[186] According to some implementations, cartridge 1320 may include a reservoir 1340 that is at least partially defined by at least one wall (which may optionally be a wall that is shared with the outer shell of the cartridge) configured to contain liquid vaporizable material 1302. Reservoir 1340 may include a storage chamber 1342 and an overflow volume 1344, which may include or otherwise contain a manifold 1313. Storage chamber 1342 may contain vaporizable material 1302, and an overflow volume 1344 may be configured to collect and/or retain at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 when one or more factors cause the vaporized material 1302 in the reservoir storage chamber 1342 to pass into the overflow volume 1344. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the cartridge 1320 may initially filled with vaporizable material 1302 such that the vacuum in manifold 1313 is pre-filled with vaporizable material 1302.

[187] In some example embodiments, the volumetric size of the overflow volume 1344 may be configured to be equal to, approximately equal to, or greater than the amount of increase in volume of the contents (e.g., vaporizable material 1302 and air) contained in the storage chamber 1342 when the volume of the contents is storage chamber 1342 expands due to the maximum expected change in pressure that reservoir 1340 may experience relative to ambient pressure.

[188] Depending on changes in ambient pressure, temperature, and/or other factors, cartridge 1320 may undergo a change from a first pressure state to a second pressure state (e.g., a first relative pressure difference between the internal reservoir pressure and the ambient pressure environment and the second relative pressure difference between the internal part of the pressure in the productive formation and the ambient pressure). For example, in the first pressure state, the pressure in the cartridge 1320 may be less than the ambient pressure external to the cartridge 1320. In contrast, in the second pressure state, the pressure in the cartridge 1320 may be greater than the ambient pressure. When the cartridge 1320 is at equilibrium, the pressure within the cartridge 1320 may be substantially equal to the ambient pressure external to the cartridge 1320.

[189] In some aspects, the overflow volume 1344 may have an opening for the exterior of the cartridge 1320 and may be in communication with the reservoir storage chamber 1342 such that the overflow volume 1344 may act as a vent to provide pressure equalization in the cartridge 1320. collect and at least temporarily contain vaporized material 1302 entering the overflow volume 1344 (e.g., from storage chamber 1342 in response to variations in the pressure differential between storage chamber 1342 and ambient pressure), and/or optionally reversibly return at least at least a portion of the evaporated material 1302 collected in the overflow volume 1344.

[190] As used herein, "pressure differential" may mean the difference between the pressure inside the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure external to the cartridge 1320. Drawing vaporized material 1302 from storage chamber 1342 into the atomizer for conversion to vapor or aerosol phases may reduce the volume of vaporized material 1302 remaining in storage chamber 1342. In the absence of a mechanism to return air to the storage chamber 1342 (for example, to increase the pressure in the cartridge 1320 to achieve substantial equilibrium with ambient pressure), low pressure or even a vacuum may develop in the cartridge 1320. The low pressure or vacuum may interfere with such capillary the action of the wick element 1362 to draw additional amounts of vaporizable material 1302 into the heating element 1350.

[191] Alternatively, the pressure in the cartridge 1320 may also increase and exceed the ambient pressure external to the cartridge 1320 due to various environmental factors, such as, for example, changes in ambient temperature, altitude, and/or volume of the cartridge 1320. This is an increase in internal pressure may occur, for example, after air is returned to the storage chamber 1342 to achieve equilibrium between the pressure in the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure external to the cartridge 1320. However, it should be appreciated that a sufficient change in one or more factors environment may cause the pressure in the cartridge 1320 to increase from a pressure below ambient pressure to above ambient pressure (e.g., changing from a first pressure state to a second pressure state) without introducing additional air into the cartridge 1320 to first achieve equilibrium between the pressure in the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure. The resulting negative pressure event, in which the pressure in the cartridge 1320 undergoes a sufficient increase, can displace at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 in the storage chamber 1342. In the absence of a mechanism to collect and/or retain the displaced volatile material 1302 in the cartridge 1320, the displaced volatile material 1302 may leak out of the cartridge 1320.

[192] Referring again to FIG. 2A and 2B, tank 1340 may be configured to include a first zone and a second zone that is separable from the first zone such that a volume of tank 1340 is divided into a storage chamber 1342 and an overflow volume 1344. Storage chamber 1342 may be configured to store vaporizable material 1302 and may further be coupled to the wick member 1362 through one or more primary passages 1382. In some examples, the primary passage 1382 may be of very short length (eg, a passage opening from a space containing the wick member 1362 or other parts of the atomizer). In other examples, the primary passage 1382 may be part of a longer fluid path between the storage chamber 1342 and the wick member 1362. The overflow volume 1344 may be configured to collect and at least temporarily contain one or more portions of vaporized material 1302 , which may enter the overflow volume 1344 from the storage chamber 1342 in a second pressure state in which the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 exceeds the ambient pressure, as provided in more detail below.

[193] In the first pressure state, vaporizable material 1302 may be stored in the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. As noted above, the first pressure state may exist, for example, when the ambient pressure external to the cartridge 1320 is approximately equal to or greater than the pressure in the cartridge 1320. In this first pressure state, the structural and functional properties of the primary passage 1382 and the overflow channel 1104 are such that the vaporized material 1302 can flow from the storage chamber 1342 to the wick element 1362 through the primary passage 1382. For example, the capillary action of the wick element 1362 may draw vaporizable material 1302 adjacent to heating element 1350. Heat generated by heating element 1350 may act on vaporizable material 1302 to convert vaporizable material 1302 to a gas phase.

[194] In one embodiment, in the first pressure state, no vaporized material 1302 can flow at all (or a limited amount of vaporized material 1302 can) flow into the manifold 1313, for example, into the overflow channel 1104 of the manifold 1313. In contrast, when the cartridge 1320 transitions from a first pressure state to a second pressure state, vaporizable material 1302 may flow from storage chamber 1342 into overflow volume 1344 of reservoir 1340. By collecting and at least temporarily retaining vaporizable material 1302 entering manifold 1313, manifold 1313 may prevent or limit unwanted (e.g., excessive) flow of vaporized material 1302 from reservoir 1340. As noted above, a second pressure condition may exist when the ambient pressure external to cartridge 1320 is less than the pressure within cartridge 1320. This pressure difference may cause to the expanding air bubble in the storage chamber 1342, which may displace some of the vaporized material 1302 in the storage chamber 1342. The displaced portion of the vaporized material 1302 may be collected and at least temporarily contained by the manifold 1313 instead of exiting the cartridge 1320, causing unwanted leakage.

[195] Advantageously, the flow of vaporized material 1302 may be controlled by directing vaporized material 1302 driven from storage chamber 1342 to overflow volume 1344 in a second pressure state. For example, the manifold 1313 in the overflow volume 1344 may include one or more capillary structures configured to collect and at least temporarily contain that contain at least a portion (and substantially all) of the excess liquid vaporizable material 1302. pushed out of the storage chamber 1342 without allowing the liquid vaporized material 1302 to reach the outlet of the manifold 1313, at which point the liquid vaporized material 1302 can exit the manifold 1313, causing unwanted leakage. The manifold 1313 may also advantageously include capillary structures that allow liquid vaporizable material forced into the manifold 1313 (e.g., by pressurizing the storage chamber 1342 relative to ambient pressure) to be reversibly drawn into the storage chamber 1342 when the pressure in the chamber 1342 storage decreases and/or equalizes relative to ambient pressure. In other words, the overflow channel 1104 of the manifold 1313 may have microfluidic features or properties that prevent air and liquid from bypassing each other during the filling and emptying of the manifold 1313. Thus, the microfluidic features can be used to control the flow of vaporized material 1302 in/ from manifold 1313 (ie, provide evidence of flow reversal). In doing so, these microfluidic features may prevent or reduce the leakage of vaporized material 1302 as well as the trapping of air bubbles in the storage chamber 1342 and/or overflow volume 1344.

[196] Depending on the implementation, the microfluidic features or properties noted above may be related to the size, shape, surface finish, design features and/or capillary properties of the wick element 1362, the primary passage 1382 and/or the overflow channel 1104. For example, the overflow passage 1104 in the manifold 1313 may optionally have different capillary properties from the capillary properties of the primary passage 1382 leading to the wick element 1362 such that a certain volume of evaporated material 1302 may be able to pass from the storage chamber 1342 into the overflow volume 1344, during the second a pressure state in which at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 in the storage chamber 1342 is forced out of the storage chamber 1342.

[197] In one exemplary implementation, the impedance of the manifold 1313 to allow liquid to flow from the manifold 1313 may be greater than the impedance of the wick element 1362, for example, to allow the vaporized material 1302 to primarily flow through the primary passage 1382 to the wick element 1362 during the first pressure conditions.

[198] Primary passage 1382 may provide a capillary path through or into wick member 1362 for vaporized material 1302 stored in reservoir 1340. The capillary path (e.g., primary passage 1382) may be large enough to permit wick action or capillary action, to replace the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 in the wick member 1362, but small enough to prevent vaporizable material 1302 from leaking from the cartridge 1320 when excess pressure in the cartridge 1320 forces at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 out of the storage chamber 1342. The wick housing or wick member 1362 may be treated to prevent leakage. For example, a coating may be applied to the cartridge 1320 after filling to prevent leakage or evaporation through the wick member 1362. Any suitable coating may be used, including, for example, a heat evaporative coating (eg, wax or other material) and the like.

[199] When a user inhales from the mouthpiece area 1330 of the cartridge 1320, air may flow into the cartridge 1320 through an inlet or opening operatively coupled with the wick element 1362. The heating element 1350 may be activated in response to a signal generated by one or more sensors 113 (shown in Fig. 1). As noted above, one or more sensors 113 may include at least one of a pressure sensor, motion sensor, flow sensor, or other mechanism capable of detecting puffing and/or imminent puffing, including, for example, through change detection passage 1338 for air flow. When the heating element 1350 is activated, the heating element 1350 may experience an increase in temperature as a result of current flowing through the plates 1326 or through another electrically resistive portion of the heating element 1350 that operates to convert electrical energy into thermal energy. It should be appreciated that activation of the heating element 1350 may include a controller 104 (such as shown in FIG. 1) controlling the power source 112 so as to discharge electrical current from the power source 112 into the heating element 1350.

[200] In one embodiment, the generated heat may be transferred to at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 in the wick element 1362 through conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 is drawn into the wick element 1362, evaporates. Depending on the implementation, the air entering the cartridge 1320 may flow over (or around, adjacent, etc.) the wick element 1362 and the hot elements in the heating element 1350 and may discharge vaporized vaporized material 1302 into the airflow passage 1338. in which the vapor may optionally be condensed and delivered in aerosol form, for example, through an opening in the mouthpiece area 1330.

[201] Referring to FIG. 2B, the storage chamber 1342 may be coupled to an airflow passage 1338 (i.e., through the overflow passage 1104 of the overflow volume 1344) for the purpose of allowing portions of liquid vaporizable material 1302 to be contained, driven from the storage chamber 1342 by increased pressure in the chamber 1342. storage relative to the environment, in the overflow volume 1344, without leaving the evaporator cartridge 1320. Although the implementations described herein relate to a vaporizer cartridge 1320 including a reservoir 1340, it should be understood that the described approaches are also compatible and intended for use in a vaporizer without a detachable cartridge.

[202] Returning to the example, air that may be admitted into the storage chamber 1342 when the pressure in the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is below ambient pressure may increase the pressure in the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and may cause the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to enter a second pressure state in which the pressure in the vaporizer cartridge 1320 exceeds the ambient pressure external to the vaporizer cartridge 1320. Alternatively and/or additionally, vaporizer cartridge 1320 may transition to a second pressure state in response to a change in ambient temperature, a change in ambient pressure (e.g., due to a change in environmental conditions such as altitude, weather, etc.), and/or a change in the volume of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 (eg, when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is compacted by an external force, such as compression). An increase in pressure in the storage chamber 1342, for example, in the event of a negative pressure event, may at least expand the air occupying the vacuum of the storage chamber 1342, thereby displacing at least a portion of the liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the storage chamber 1342. The displaced portion of the evaporated material 1302 may pass through at least some portion of the overflow channel 1104 in the manifold 1313. The microfluidic features of the overflow channel 1104 may cause the liquid evaporated material 1302 to move along the length of the overflow channel 1104 in the manifold 1313 with only a meniscus completely covering the area of the transverse cross-section of the overflow channel 1104, transverse to the direction of flow along the length.

[203] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the microfluidic features may include a cross-sectional area small enough that, for the material from which the walls of the overflow channel 1104 are formed, and for the composition of the liquid evaporative material 1302, the liquid evaporative material 1302 preferentially wets the overflow channel 1104 around the entire perimeter of the overflow channel 1104. For an example in which the liquid vaporizable material 1302 includes one or more of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, the wetting properties of such liquid are advantageously considered in combination with the geometry of the second passage 1384 and the materials from which the walls are formed overflow passage 1104. Thus, since the sign (e.g., positive, negative, or equal) and the absolute value of the pressure difference between the storage chamber 1340 and the ambient pressure varies, a meniscus is maintained between the liquid vaporizable material 1302 present in the overflow passage 1104 and the air, entering from the surrounding atmosphere to prevent vaporized material 1302 and air from moving past each other. When the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 drops sufficiently relative to the ambient pressure, and if there is a sufficient volume of voids in the storage chamber 1342 to allow such a drop, the vaporized material 1302 present in the overflow channel 1104 of the manifold 1313 can be withdrawn into the storage chamber 1342 at sufficiently to cause the anterior liquid-air meniscus to reach the closure or port between the overflow channel 1104 of the manifold 1313 and the storage chamber 1342. At such a time, if the pressure difference in the storage chamber 1342 relative to the ambient pressure is negative enough to overcome the surface tension supporting the meniscus in the valve or port, the meniscus may be released from the walls of the valve or port to form one or more air bubbles, which are then released into storage chamber 1342 with sufficient volume to equalize the pressure in storage chamber 1342 relative to ambient pressure.

[204] When the air admitted into the storage chamber 1340, as explained above (or otherwise present therein), is subjected to a state of increased pressure relative to the environment (for example, due to the decrease in ambient pressure that may occur in an aircraft cabin or other high-altitude locations, when a window of a moving vehicle is opened, when a train or vehicle exits a tunnel, etc., or an increase in internal pressure in the storage chamber 1340, which may occur due to local heating, mechanical pressure, which distorts the shape and thereby reduces the volume storage chambers 1340, etc., etc.), the above process can be addressed. Liquid passes through the gate or port into the overflow channel 1104 of the manifold 1313, and a meniscus is formed at the leading edge of the column of vaporized material 1302 extending into the overflow channel 1104 to prevent bypass and air flow contrary to the advance of the vaporized material 1302.

[205] By maintaining this meniscus due to the presence of the above microfluidic properties, when the elevated pressure in the storage chamber 1340 is subsequently reduced, a column of vaporized material 1302 can be withdrawn back into the storage chamber 1340 and optionally until the meniscus reaches the closure or port. If the pressure difference sufficiently favors the ambient pressure relative to the pressure in the storage chamber 1342, the above-described bubble formation process may occur until the two pressures are equalized. Thus, the manifold 1313 may act as a reversible overflow volume that receives vaporized material 1302 that is pushed out of the storage chamber 1342 in a transient mode of greater storage chamber pressure relative to ambient pressure, while allowing at least some (and preferably all) or most) of this overflow volume of vaporized material 1302 is returned to storage chamber 1340 for subsequent delivery, for example, to heating element 1350 for conversion to a respirable aerosol.

[206] Depending on the implementation, the storage chamber 1342 may or may not be connected to the wick member 1362 via an overflow channel 1104. In embodiments in which the overflow channel 1104 includes a first end connected to the storage chamber 1342 and an overflow channel 1104 at the second end leading into the wick element 1362, any vaporizable material 1302 that may exit the overflow channel 1104 at the second end may further saturate the wick element 1362.

[207] The storage chamber 1342 may optionally be positioned toward the end of the reservoir 1340, which is located near the mouthpiece area 1330. The overflow volume 1344 may be positioned near the end of the reservoir 1340 closer to the heating element 1350, for example, between the storage chamber 1342 and the heating element 1350. The exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter with respect to the position of various components, disclosed in this document. For example, the overflow volume 1344 may be positioned in an upper portion, a middle portion, or a lower portion of the cartridge 1320. The location and positioning of the storage chamber 1342 may be adjusted relative to the position of the overflow volume 1344 such that the storage chamber 1342 may be positioned in an upper portion, a middle portion, or a lower portion. cartridge 1320 according to one or more variations.

[208] In one implementation, when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is filled into a container, the volume of liquid vaporizable material 1302 may be equal to the internal volume of the storage chamber 1342 plus the overflow volume 1344. The internal volume of the overflow volume, in some example implementations, may correspond to the volume of the overflow channel 1104 between a closure or port connecting the overflow channel 1104 to the storage chamber 1340, and the outlet of the overflow channel 1104. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may be initially filled with liquid vaporizable material 1302 such that all or at least a portion of the internal volume of the manifold 1313 is occupied by liquid vaporizable material 1302. In such an example, liquid vaporizable material 1302 may be delivered to a nebulizer (eg, including wick element 1362 and heating element 1350) as needed for delivery to a user. For example, to deliver a portion of the vaporized material 1302, a portion of the vaporized material 1302 may be drawn from the storage chamber 1340, thereby causing all of the vaporized material 1302 present in the overflow channel 1104 of the manifold 1313 to be drawn back into the storage chamber 1340 since air cannot enter through the overflow channel 1104 due to the meniscus supported by the microfluidic properties of the overflow channel 1104 (which prevents air from flowing past the evaporated material 1302 present in the overflow channel 1104). Once enough vaporizable material 1302 is delivered to the nebulizer from storage chamber 1340 (eg, to be vaporized and inhaled by a user) to cause the initial volume of manifold 1313 to be drawn into storage chamber 1340, the above-described action occurs. For example, one or more air bubbles may be released from a seal or port between the secondary passage 1384 and the storage chamber 1340 to equalize the pressure in the storage chamber 1340 (e.g., relative to ambient pressure) as a portion of the vaporized material 1302 is removed from the chamber 1340 storage When the pressure in the storage chamber 1340 exceeds the ambient pressure (for example, due to the admission of air in the first pressure state, a change in temperature, a change in ambient pressure, a change in the volume of the vaporizer cartridge 1320, etc.), a portion of the liquid vaporized material 1302 in the storage chamber 1340 may become displaced and thereby move outside the storage chamber 1340 past the closure or port into the overflow channel 1104 until the pressurized condition in the storage compartment subsides, at which time, the liquid vaporized material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 may be pulled back into the storage chamber 1340.

[209] In particular embodiments, the overflow volume 1344 may be large enough to contain a percentage of the vaporizable material 1302 stored in the storage chamber 1342, including up to approximately 100% of the capacity of the storage chamber 1342. In one embodiment, manifold 1313 may be configured to contain at least 6-25% by volume of vaporizable material 1302 capable of being stored in storage chamber 1342. Other ranges are also within the scope of the current subject matter.

[210] The manifold structure 1313 may be configured, designed, molded, manufactured, or positioned within the overflow volume 1344, in various forms with different properties, to enable at least temporary reception, containment, or storage of overflow portions of vaporized material 1302 within the overflow volume. 1314 in a controlled manner (e.g., by capillary pressure), thereby preventing vaporizable material 1302 from leaking from the cartridge 1320 or excessive saturation of the wick element 1362. It should be understood that the above description referring to the overflow channel 1104 is not intended to be limited to such a single overflow channel 1104. One or optionally more than one overflow channel 1104 may be connected to the storage chamber 1340 through one or more than one closure or port. In some implementations of the current subject matter, one gate or port may be connected to more than one overflow channel 1104, or one overflow channel 1104 may be split into more than one overflow channel 1104 to provide additional overflow volume or other benefits.

[211] In some implementations of the current subject matter, an air vent 1318 may connect the overflow volume 1344 to an air flow passage 1338 that ultimately leads to ambient air outside the cartridge 1320. This air vent 1318 may provide a path for the escape of air or bubbles that may be formed or trapped in the manifold 1313 through the air vent port 1318, for example, during a second pressure state in which the overflow channel 1104 is filled with a portion of vaporized material 1302 displaced from the storage chamber 1342.

[212] In accordance with some aspects, the air vent port 1318 may act as a return vent port and provide pressure equalization in the cartridge 1320 while returning back to an equilibrium state from the second pressure state as the vaporized material 1302 is overflowed. returns back to the storage chamber 1342 from the overflow volume 1344. In this implementation, since the ambient pressure exceeds the internal pressure in the cartridge 1320, ambient air can flow through the air vent window 1318 into the overflow channel 1104 and effectively help push the vaporized material 1302 temporarily stored in overflow volume 1344, in the opposite direction back to the storage chamber 1342.

[213] In one or more embodiments, in the first pressure state, the overflow passage 1104 may be at least partially occupied by air. In the second pressure state, vaporized material 1302 may enter the overflow channel 1104, for example, through an opening (i.e., a vent) in the interface between the storage chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344. As a result, air in the overflow channel 1104 may become displaced (e.g., through incoming evaporative material 1302) and may exit through an air vent port 1318. In some embodiments, the air vent port 1318 may act as or include a control valve (e.g., a selective osmotic membrane, a microfluid seal, etc. .), which allows air to escape from the overflow volume 1344, but blocks the exit of evaporated material 1302 from the overflow channel 1104 into the air flow passage 1338. As noted above, the air vent window 1318 may act as an air exchange port to allow air to enter and exit the manifold 1313, for example, as the manifold 1313 is filled with vaporized material 1302 displaced by overpressure in the storage chamber 1342, and is emptied when the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 substantially equalizes the ambient pressure. Thus, the air vent window 1318 may allow air to enter and exit the manifold 1313 during the transition between a first pressure state when the pressure in the cartridge 1320 is less than ambient pressure, a second pressure state when the pressure in the cartridge 1320 is greater than the ambient pressure. environment, and an equilibrium state where the pressure in the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure are substantially identical.

[214] Accordingly, vaporized material 1302 may be stored in manifold 1313 until the pressure in cartridge 1320 stabilizes (e.g., when the pressure in cartridge 1320 is substantially equal to ambient pressure or satisfies a designated equilibrium), or until vaporizable material 1302 is not removed from the overflow volume 1344 (eg, by being drawn into the vaporizer). Thus, the level of vaporized material 1302 in the overflow volume 1344 can be controlled by controlling the flow of vaporized material 1302 into/out of manifold 1313 as ambient pressure changes. In one or more embodiments, the overflow of vaporized material 1302 from storage chamber 1342 into overflow volume 1344 may be reversed or may be reversible depending on environmental changes detected (e.g., when the pressure event that causes the overflow of vaporized material 1302 subsides or ends).

[215] As noted above, in some implementations of the current subject matter, in a state where the pressure in cartridge 1320 becomes less than ambient pressure (eg, when transitioning from a second pressure state back to a first pressure state), the flow of vaporized material 1302 may reverse in a direction that causes the vaporized material 1302 to flow from the overflow volume 1344 back into the storage chamber 1342 of the reservoir 1340. Thus, depending on the implementation, the overflow volume 1344 may be configured to temporarily hold weir portions of the vaporized material 1302 during the second state by pressure, when the high pressure in the cartridge 1320 displaces at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342. Depending on the implementation, during or after reverting back to the first pressure state, when the pressure in the cartridge 1320 is substantially equal to or less than ambient pressure, at least a portion of the overflow of vaporized material 1302 retained in the manifold 1313 may be returned back to storage chamber 1342.

[216] To control the flow of vaporized material 1302 in cartridge 1320, in other implementations of the current subject matter, the collector 1313 may optionally include an absorbent or semi-absorbent material (e.g., a material having porous properties) to permanently or semi-permanently collect or contain overflow of vaporized material 1302 passing through the overflow channel 1104. In one exemplary embodiment in which absorbent material is included in the manifold 1313, counterflow of evaporated material 1302 from the overflow volume 1344 back into the storage chamber 1342 may not be more practical or possible compared to embodiments that are implemented without (or without a large amount of) absorbent material in the header 1313. Thus, the presence of absorbent or semi-absorbent material may at least partially inhibit the return of vaporized material 1302 collected in the overflow volume 1344 back to the storage chamber 1342. Accordingly, the reversibility and/or rate of reversibility of the vaporized material 1302 into the storage chamber 1342 can be controlled by including more or fewer densities or volumes of absorbent material in the collector 1313 or by controlling the texture of the absorbent material, such characteristics resulting in a lower rate or a higher rate absorption, immediately or over long periods of time.

[217] FIG. 3A-D illustrate various design alternatives for connectors for forming a connection between cartridge 1320 and vaporizer body 110 for vaporizer 100. FIG. 3A-B illustrate perspective views of various examples of connectors, while FIGS. 3C-D illustrate planar cross-sectional side views of various examples of connectors. Examples of connectors shown in FIGS. 3A-D may include complementary plug connectors (eg, tabs) and female connectors (eg, sockets). As shown in FIG. 1, 2A-B, and 3A-D, one end of the cartridge 1320 may include one or more connectors to provide a connection between the cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 for the vaporizer 100. For example, one end of the cartridge 1320 may include one or more mechanical connectors, electrical connectors and fluid connectors configured to provide an electrical connection, a mechanical connection and/or a fluid connection between the cartridge 1320 and the evaporator body 110. It should be appreciated that these connectors may be implemented in various configurations.

[218] In one implementation of the current subject matter shown in FIG. 1, 3A and 3C, one end of the cartridge 1320 may include a male connector 710 (eg, a tab) that is configured to connect to a female connector (eg, a cartridge socket 118) in the vaporizer housing 110. In this example, when cartridge 1320 is coupled to vaporizer body 110, contacts 1326 located on plug connector 710 may form an electrical connection to corresponding socket contacts 125 in cartridge socket 118. In addition, the contacts 1326 on the plug connector 710 may mechanically engage the socket contacts 125 in the cartridge slot, for example, in a snap lock manner, to secure the cartridge 1320 in the cartridge slot 118 of the vaporizer housing 110. Alternatively, FIG. 3B and 3D illustrate another example in which one end of the cartridge 1320 includes a female connector 712. The female connector 712 may be a female connector that is configured to receive a corresponding male connector (eg, a tab) on the vaporizer body 110. In this exemplary implementation, contacts 1326 may be located in a female connector 712 and may be configured to form an electrical connection as well as a mechanical connection to corresponding contacts on a male connector on the evaporator housing 110.

[219] FIG. 3E-F illustrate an additional view of the cartridge 1320 showing the plug connector 710 in FIG. 3A and 3C. Referring to FIG. 3E, which illustrates cross-sectional perspective views of an example cartridge 1320, the cartridge 1320 may include a wick housing area 910 configured to accommodate at least a heating element 1350 and a wick element 1362 of the cartridge 1320. As shown in FIG. 3E, the wick housing area 910 may be located, at least partially, in the plug connector 710 at one end of the cartridge 1320. Accordingly, when the plug connector 710 is inserted into the cartridge slot 118 of the vaporizer body 110, the wick housing area 910 including including a heating element 1350 and a wick element 1362 is at least partially positioned in the cartridge seat 118 such that the cartridge seat 118 of the vaporizer body 110 can provide additional insulation to the heating element 1350. Meanwhile, FIG. 3F illustrates a planar top view of cartridge 1320. In particular, FIG. 9B shows that the plug connector 710 may include one or more vent holes 920 located in or adjacent to the wick housing area 910. One or more vents 920 may be configured to provide precise evacuation of vapor and/or air flow into the wick element 1362, for example, to help control condensation in the cartridge 1320, improve capillary action, or the like.

[220] FIG. 4A-D illustrate an example of a cartridge 1320 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in FIG. 4A-D cartridge 1320 may include a manifold 1313, a heating element 1350, a wick element 1362, contacts 1326, and an air flow passage 1338. The manifold 1313, as noted above, may be configured to control the exchange of air and vaporized material 1302 to/from the reservoir 1340 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. The manifold 1313 may be located within the cartridge housing 1320. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the manifold 1313 may be configured, designed, manufactured, manufactured, or constructed wholly or partially independently of the cartridge housing 1320. In addition, the manifold 1313 may be configured wholly or partially independently from other components of the cartridge 1320, including, for example, a storage chamber 1342, an airflow passage 1338, a storage chamber 1342, a heating element 1350, a wick element 1362, and the like.

[221] For example, in one implementation of the current subject matter, cartridge 1320 may have a cartridge housing formed from a monolithic hollow structure having a first end and a second end. The first end (i.e., the first end, also referred to as the "receiving end" of the cartridge housing) may be configured to receive and insert at least a manifold 1313. In one embodiment, the second end of the cartridge housing may act as a mouthpiece with aperture or hole. The diaphragm hole or opening may be located opposite the receiving end of the cartridge housing into which the manifold 1313 may be insertably received. In some embodiments, for example, the opening may be connected to the receiving end via an airflow passage 1338 that may pass through the cartridge body 1320 and manifold 1313. Similar to other embodiments of the cartridge in accordance with the present disclosure, an atomizer, such as an atomizer, including including a wick element 1362 and a heating element 1350, as explained elsewhere herein, may be positioned adjacent to or at least partially in the airflow passage 1338 such that the respirable form, or optionally, a precursor to the respirable liquid form vaporized material 1302 may be released from the atomizer into the air passing through the air flow passage 1338 to the orifice orifice.

[222] In some implementations of the current subject matter, manifold 1313 may have one or more valves and one or more channels configured to control the flow of air and vaporized material 1320 to/from reservoir 1340. As further illustration, FIG. 5A illustrates a planar side view of an example manifold 1313 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. A planar side view of a cartridge 1320 including an example manifold 1313 is shown in FIG. 5B. An example manifold 1313 shown in FIG. 5A-B may include one gate 1102 and one overflow channel 1104, although alternative implementations of the manifold 1313 may include additional gates and/or channels. In the example manifold 1313 shown in FIG. 5A-B, a gate 1102 may be provided at an opening to a first portion (eg, an upper portion) of the manifold 1313, in which the manifold 1313 contacts or maintains fluid exchange with the reservoir storage chamber 1342. The closure 1102 may provide a fluid connection between the storage chamber 1342 and the overflow volume 1344 formed by a second portion (e.g., a middle portion) of the manifold 1313.

[223] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the second manifold portion 1313 may have a finned or multi-finned design that forms an overflow channel 1104. The overflow channel 1104 may spiral, taper, and/or slope away from the closure 1102 and toward the air exchange port 1106. As shown in FIG. 5A-B, the overflow passage 1104 may be configured to drive or cause at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 collected in the overflow volume 1344 to move toward the air exchange port 1106. The vaporized material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 may enter the overflow volume 1344. through the shutter 1102. The air exchange port 1106 may be connected to ambient air through an air path or air flow passage that connects to the mouthpiece. This air path or airflow passage is not explicitly shown in FIG. 5A-B.

[224] As shown in FIG. 6A, in some implementations of the current subject matter, the manifold 1313 may be configured to include a flat vein 2102 that protrudes into the lower perimeter of the manifold 1313 to provide a suitable surface for welding the manifold 1313 to the interior walls of the storage chamber 1342, after a manifold 1313 is inserted into a receiving cavity or receptacle in a storage chamber 1342. A variant of a full perimeter weld or a tack weld may be used to tightly secure the manifold 1313 to a receiving cavity or receptacle in the storage chamber 1342. Alternatively, a tight and tight connection can be made without the use of welding technology, and/or an adhesive material can be used instead of or in addition to the connection technologies noted above.

[225] Referring now to FIG. 6B, the seal bead profile 2104 may be formed within the perimeter of the spiral veins of the manifold 1313 that define the overflow channel 1104 such that the seal bead profile 2104 can support a fast turnaround injection molding process. The geometry of the seal bead profile 2104 can be created in a variety of ways such that the manifold 1313 can be inserted into a receptacle cavity or receptacle in the storage chamber 1342 in a tight manner, while vaporized material 1302 can flow through the overflow channel 1104 without leaking along the seal bead profile 2104.

[226] In some implementations of the current subject matter, manifold 1313 may include a central tunnel 1100 (eg, shown in FIG. 5D), which may be configured to serve as an air flow path leading to the mouthpiece. The air flow path may be connected to the air exchange port 1106 such that a volume in the overflow passage 1104 of the manifold 1313 is connected to ambient air through the air exchange port 1106 and is also connected to a volume in the storage chamber 1342 through the shutter 1102. In this regard, in accordance with In some implementations of the current subject matter, gate 1102 may be used as a jet control valve to primarily control liquid flow and air flow between overflow volume 1344 and storage chamber 1342. The air exchange port 1106, for example, may be used to control the flow of air and vaporized material 1302 between the overflow volume 1344 and the air path leading to the mouthpiece. It will be appreciated that the overflow channel 1104 may be diagonal, vertical, or horizontal in conjunction with the elongated cartridge body 1320.

[227] The vaporizable material 1302, while the cartridge 1320 is being filled, may have at least an initial interface with the collector 1313 via a gate 1102. This is because the initial interface between the vaporizable material 1302 and the gate 1102, for example, may prevent air trapped in the overflow passage 1104 from entering the storage chamber 1342. In addition, such an interface may initiate capillary interaction between the evaporated material 1302 and the walls of the overflow channel 1104 such that a limited amount of evaporated material 1302 can enter the overflow channel 1104 without disturbing the equilibrium state in which the evaporated material 1302 flows into/from the overflow volume 1344 is negligible. Capillary action (or interaction) between the walls of the overflow channel 1104 and the evaporated material 1302 can maintain the above equilibrium state while the cartridge 1320 is in the first pressure state when the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 is approximately equal to ambient pressure.

[228] The equilibrium state and additional capillary interaction between the evaporated material 1302 and the walls of the overflow channel 1104 can be established or configured by adapting or adjusting the volumetric size of the overflow channel 1104 along the length of the channel. As provided in more detail herein, diameter (which is used herein to collectively refer to the absolute value of the cross-sectional area of the overflow channel 1104, including in implementations of the current subject matter in which the overflow channel 1104 does not have a circular cross-section ) of the overflow channel 1104 may be contracted at predetermined intervals or points or along the entire length of the entire channel to allow for sufficiently strong capillary interaction that allows forward and countercurrent flow of evaporated material 1302 into/out of manifold 1313, depending on changes in pressure and further provide allowing a large overall volume of the overflow channel while maintaining seal points to form a meniscus to prevent air from flowing past the liquid in the overflow channel 1104.

[229] The diameter (or cross-sectional area) of the overflow channel 1104 may be sufficiently small or narrow such that the combination of surface tension caused by adhesion in the evaporated material 1302 and wetting forces between the evaporated material 1302 and the walls of the overflow channel 1104 can operate, to cause the formation of a meniscus that separates the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from the air in an amount transverse to the axis of flow in the overflow channel 1104. This meniscus may prevent the air and the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from passing each other. It should be understood that menisci have an inherent curvature, so reference to a dimension transverse to the direction of flow is not intended to imply that the liquid-air interface is flat at that or any other dimension.

[230] As shown in FIG. 2B and 5B, the wick element 1362 may be thermally or thermodynamically coupled to the heating element 1350 such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wick element 1362 can be vaporized by heat generated by the heating element 1350. Meanwhile , the air exchange port 1106 may be configured to allow the flow of air (and/or other gases) from the overflow channel 1104 while preventing the flow of evaporated material 1302 from the overflow channel 1104.

[231] Referring again to FIG. 5A-B, the forward or countercurrent flow of vaporized material 1302 in manifold 1313 may be controlled (e.g., enhanced or reduced) by implementing suitable designs (e.g., microchannel configurations) to introduce and/or exploit capillary properties that may exist between vaporized material 1302 and the retaining walls of the overflow channel 1104. For example, factors associated with the length, diameter, internal surface texture (e.g., rough versus smooth), tightening points, directional tapering of channel structures, tightening, or the material used to construct or coat the the surface of the closure 1102, overflow channel 1104, or air exchange port 1106 may be positively or negatively affected by the rate at which liquid is drawn or moved through the overflow channel 1104 by capillary action or other influencing forces acting on the cartridge 1320.

[232] One or more of the factors noted above, depending on the implementation, may be used to control the displacement of vaporized material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 to introduce the desired degree of reversibility as vaporized material 1302 collects in the manifold channel structures 1313. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the flow of vaporized material 1302 into the manifold 1313 may be completely reversible or semi-reversible by selectively controlling various factors noted above and depending on changes in pressure state inside or outside the cartridge 1320.

[233] As shown in FIG. 5A-B and 11A-B, in one or more embodiments, the manifold 1313 may be formed, constructed, or configured to have a single duct design with a single vent port. In such embodiments, the overflow channel 1104 may be a continuous passage, tube, channel, or other structure for connecting the closure 1102 to an air exchange port 1106, which may optionally be positioned near the wick element 1362. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the evaporated material 1302 may include or exit the manifold 1313 from the gate 1102 and through a separately constructed channel, with the evaporated material 1302 flowing in a first direction as the overflow volume 1344 fills, and in a second direction as it drains from the overflow volume 1344.

[234] To help maintain equilibrium and/or control the flow of evaporated material 1302 into the overflow channel 1104, the shape and design configuration of the overflow channel 1104, closure 1102 and/or air exchange port 1106 may be adapted or modified so as to balance the flow of evaporated material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 in various pressure states. In implementations of the current subject matter, for example, the overflow channel 1104 may be wedge-shaped such that the cross-sectional dimensions (e.g., diameter, area, etc.) of the overflow channel 1104 decrease towards the gate 1102, while the cross-sectional dimensions (e.g., diameter, area, etc.) of the overflow channel 1104 increases towards the air exchange port 1106. Thus, the cross-sectional dimensions of the overflow channel 1104 can be minimized in the closure 1102, in which the overflow channel 1104 connects to the storage chamber 1342, in while the cross-sectional dimensions of the overflow channel 1104 may be maximum at the air exchange port 1106, in which the overflow channel 1104 connects to the environment outside the cartridge 1320. It will be appreciated that the wedge-shaped constriction of the overflow channel 1104 may be continuous or discrete. Alternatively and/or additionally, one or more tightening points may be located along the length of the overflow channel 1104.

[235] The non-wedge-shaped end of the overflow channel 1104, in which the cross-sectional dimensions of the overflow channel 1104 are minimal, may be connected to an air flow path from which vaporized vaporized material 1302 is delivered to the mouthpiece (for example, to an air vent port 1318 shown in FIG. 2A, which connects to air flow passage 1338). In addition, the non-wedge-shaped end of the overflow channel 1104 may also lead to an area near the wick housing 1315 (see, for example, FIG. 7) such that at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 exiting the overflow channel 1104 can saturate the wick element 1362.

[236] The wedge-shaped design of the overflow channel 1104 can, as necessary, reduce or increase the restriction on the flow of evaporated material 1302 into the manifold 1313. For example, in an embodiment in which the overflow channel 1104 is wedge-shaped to the valve 1102, a preferential capillary pressure to counterflow is caused in the overflow channel 1104 through a wedge-shaped constriction such that the direction of flow of evaporated material 1302 is set from the manifold 1313 and into the storage chamber 1342 when the pressure condition changes (for example, when a negative pressure event is eliminated or subsided). In particular, implementing the overflow channel 1104 with a smaller opening may prevent the free flow of vaporized material 1302 into the manifold 1313. Thus, the wedge-shaped narrowing of the overflow channel 1104 to the gate 1102 may allow the vaporized material 1302 in the overflow channel 1104 to flow out of the valve 1102 (for example, back into storage chamber 1342) and impede the flow of vaporized material 1302 through the valve 1102 and into the overflow channel 1104 (eg, from the storage chamber 1342). Meanwhile, the non-wedge-shaped configuration for the overflow passage 1104 in the direction leading to the air exchange port 1106 allows for efficient storage of vaporized material 1302 in the manifold 1313 during a second pressure condition when increased pressure in the cartridge 1320 forces at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342 flow into the manifold 1313 from the narrowed sections of the overflow channel 1104 into the large volumetric sections of the overflow channel 1104.

[237] In this regard, the size (eg, diameter) and shape of the manifold 1313 can be implemented such that the flow of vaporized material 1302 through the valve 1102 and into the overflow channel 1104 is controlled at a desired rate. For example, during a second pressure state, the size and shape of manifold 1313 may be configured to prevent vaporized material 1302 from flowing too freely (e.g., beyond a certain flow rate or threshold) into manifold 1313 (e.g., due to excess pressure in cartridge 1320 displacing , at least a portion of the vaporized material 1302 from the storage chamber 1342), with a preference for countercurrent flow back into the storage chamber 1342 (eg, when the pressure in the cartridge 1320 and the ambient pressure external to the cartridge 1320 reach substantial equilibrium). It should be noted that the combination of interactions between the vent window 1318, the overflow channel 1104 in the manifold 1313, which constitutes the overflow volume 1344, and the air exchange port 1106, in one embodiment, can provide adequate ventilation of air bubbles that may be introduced into the cartridge due to various environmental factors. environment, as well as the controlled flow of evaporated material 1302 into/from the overflow channel 1104.

[238] Referring again to FIG. 5B, a portion of the cartridge 1320 that includes a storage chamber 1342 may also be configured to include a mouthpiece that can be used by a user to inhale the vaporized vaporized material 1302. An air flow passage 1338 may extend through the storage chamber 1342, beyond due to this connecting the evaporation chamber. Depending on the implementation, the air flow passage 1338 may be a straw structure or a hollow cylinder, for example, that forms a channel in the storage chamber 1342 to allow passage of vaporized vaporized material 1302. Although the air flow passage may be circular or at least At least an approximately circular cross-sectional shape, it should be understood that other cross-sectional shapes for air flow passage are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[239] A first end of the airflow passage 1338 may be coupled to an opening at the first end of the mouthpiece of a storage chamber 1342 from which a user may inhale vaporized vaporized material 1302. A second end of the airflow passage 1338 (opposite the first end) may be received at an opening at the first end of the manifold 1313, as provided in more detail herein. Depending on the implementation, the second end of the air flow passage 1338 may pass in whole or in part through a receiving cavity that extends through the manifold 1313 and connects to a wick housing that may house a wick member 1362.

[240] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the airflow passage 1338 may be an integral part of a monolithic molded mouthpiece that includes a storage chamber 1342, with the airflow passage 1338 extending through the storage chamber 1342. In other configurations, the airflow passage 1338 may be an independent structure that may be separately inserted into the storage chamber 1342. In some configurations, for example, the airflow passage 1338 may be a structural extension of the manifold 1313 or cartridge body 1320 extending internally from an opening in the mouthpiece portion.

[241] Without limitation, a variety of different design configurations may be possible for connecting the mouthpiece (and airflow passage 1338 internal to the mouthpiece) to the air exchange port 1106 in the manifold 1313. As provided herein, the manifold 1313 may be inserted into the cartridge body 1320 , which may also include and/or act as a storage compartment 1342. In some embodiments, the air flow passage 1338 may be configured as an internal sleeve that is an integral part of the cartridge monolithic body such that an opening at the first end of the manifold 1313 may receive a first end of the sleeve structure forming the air passage 1338. flow. It will be appreciated that the mouthpiece may be a single barrel mouthpiece, as shown in FIG. 5B, or a multi-barrel mouthpiece, such as a double-barrel mouthpiece, in which multiple airflow passages are provided to deliver a higher dose of vaporized vaporized material 1302.

[242] As noted above, manifold 1313 may include various mechanisms to control the forward and countercurrent flow of vaporized material 1302 into/out of manifold 1313 (eg, overflow volume 1344). Some of these factors may include the configuration of the capillary actuation of the jet vent port, referred to herein as “shutter 1102.” The capillary actuation of the valve 1102, for example, may be less than the capillary actuation of the wick element 1362, while the flow resistance of the manifold 1313 may be greater than the flow resistance of the wick element 1362. The overflow channel 1104 may have smooth and/or grooved internal surfaces to control flow of evaporated material 1302 through the overflow channel 1104. As noted above, the overflow channel 1104 may be inclined and/or tapered to provide proper capillary interaction and forces to limit the flow through the valve 1102 and into the overflow volume 1344 during the first state pressure to stimulate return flow through the valve 1102 and from the overflow volume 1344 during the second pressure state.

[243] Additional modifications to the shape and design of the components of the manifold 1313 may be possible to help further regulate or tailor the flow of vaporized material 1302 into or out of the manifold 1313. For example, a configuration with a smoothly curved helical channel (i.e., as opposed to a channel with sharp turns or edges), as shown in Fig. 5A-H may provide the ability to include additional features, such as one or more vents, channels, apertures, and/or collapsible structures, in the manifold 1313 at predetermined intervals along the overflow channel 1104. As provided in more detail herein, for example, such additional features, designs and/or configurations may help provide a higher level of control over the flows of vaporized material 1302 along the overflow channel 1104 or through the gate 1102.

[244] For example, as shown in FIG. 5A-E, a fully or partially beveled helical surface may be implemented along the interior of the overflow channel 1104 to define one or more sides of the interior volume of the overflow channel 1104 of the manifold 1313 such that the evaporated material 1302 can flow freely due to capillary pressure (or gravity) through the overflow channel 1104 as the vaporized material 1302 enters the overflow channel 1104. The central tunnel 1100 may extend along the length of the manifold 1313. At the first end, the central tunnel 1100 through the manifold 1313 may interact with or connect to the wick housing 1315 (see 7), in which the wick element 1362 and the heating element 1350 are located. At the second end, the central tunnel 1100 may interact with, connect with, or receive one end of a duct or tube that forms an air flow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece portion of the cartridge. 1320. The first end of the airflow passage 1338 may be connected (eg, by means of an insert) to the second end of the central tunnel 1100. The second end of the airflow passage 1338 may include an opening or diaphragm opening formed in the mouthpiece area.

[245] In accordance with one or more embodiments, vaporized vaporizable material 1302 formed by heating element 1350 heating vaporizable material 1302 may enter through the first end of the central tunnel 1100 in the manifold 1313, pass through the central tunnel 1100, and optionally from the second end the central tunnel 1100 to the first end of the air flow passage 1338. The vaporized vaporized material 1302 can then pass through the air flow passage 1338 and exit through a mouthpiece opening formed at the second end of the air flow passage 1338.

[246] In some implementations of the current subject matter, a gate 1102 may control the flow of vaporized material 1302 to/from an overflow passage 1104 in a manifold 1313. An air exchange port 1106, through a connecting path with ambient air, may control the flow of air to/from an overflow passage 1104. to regulate the air pressure in the manifold 1313 and in turn in the storage chamber 1342 of the cartridge 1320, as provided in more detail herein. In specific embodiments, the air exchange port 1106 may be configured to prevent vaporized material 1302 present in the overflow passage 1104 of the manifold 1313 (e.g., due to displacement due to excess pressure in the cartridge 1320) from exiting the overflow passage 1104 and leaking into the passage for air flow (for example, into the central tunnel 1100).

[247] The air exchange port 1106 may be configured to cause vaporizable material 1302 to exit along a path that leads to an area in which the wick element 1362 is located. This implementation may help prevent vaporizable material 1302 from leaking into an airflow passage (e.g., a central tunnel 1100) that leads to the mouthpiece when vaporized material 1302 is forced out of the storage chamber 1342. In some implementations, air exchange port 1106 may have a membrane that allows gaseous material (e.g., air bubbles) to enter and exit, but prevents vaporized material 1302 from entering and exiting manifold 1313 through air exchange port 1106.

[248] Referring now to FIG. 5C-H, the flow rate of evaporated material 1302 to/from manifold 1313 through valve 1102 can be directly associated with the volume pressure in overflow passage 1104. Thus, the flow rate to/from manifold 1313, through valve 1102, can be controlled by manipulating the hydraulic diameter (or cross-sectional area) of the overflow channel 1104 such that reducing the overall volume of the overflow channel 1104 (e.g., uniformly or by introducing multiple contraction points) can result in increased pressure in the overflow channel 1104 and control of flow into the manifold 1313. Accordingly, at least in one implementation, the hydraulic diameter (or cross-sectional area) of the overflow channel 1104 may be reduced (eg, narrowed, pinched, tightened, or restricted), either uniformly or by introducing one or more contraction points 1111a along the length of the helical path of the overflow channel 1104. For example, , in the example manifold 1313 shown in FIG. 5C-E, the overflow passage 1104 may include a plurality of downward beveled spirals with various pinch points 1111a and 1111b located along the length of the overflow channel 1104 between the closure 1102 and the air exchange port 1106. The number of spirals in the overflow channel 1104, as well as the number of pinch points along The length of the overflow channel 1104 allows the volumetric pressure in the manifold 1313 to be determined. In addition, the volumetric pressure in the manifold 1313 can be determined through the configuration of contraction points located along the length of the overflow channel 1104.

[249] For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the pinch point 1111a may be formed by bumps, raised edges, projections, or pinch points extending from the interior surfaces of the overflow channel 1104 (ie, the manifold blades 1313). The shape of the contraction point 1111a may be defined as a pin, pin, tooth, rib, edge, or any other shape that subtracts a cross-sectional area transverse to the direction of flow in the overflow channel. In the example shown in FIG. 5C, the pinch point 1111a may be shaped like a shark fin, for example, in which the distal end of the pinch point 1111a tapers toward the edge. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5C, the pointed or cantilevered edge of the shark fin shape may be rounded, although the cantilevered edge may also be tapered to the sharp end. The shape, size, relative location, and total number of contraction points located in FIG. 1104 may be adjusted to further control the entries and exits of liquid vaporizable material 1302 into/out of overflow channel 1104, for example, by adjusting the tendency for a meniscus (e.g., separating liquid vaporizable material 1302 and air) to form in overflow channel 1104.

[250] For example, if it is desired instead to maintain the incoming flow in the overflow channel 1104 at a higher speed than the outgoing flow, the contraction points may be shaped such that they have a flat surface facing the outgoing flow and a rounded surface facing the incoming flow to facilitate the formation and retention of a meniscus resisting outward fluid flow (e.g., away from the storage chamber 1340) by assisting the meniscus to be released from a pinch point facing rearward toward the storage compartment 1340. Thus, a sequence of such pinch points can operate as a type of "hydraulic ratchet" system in which microfluids promote counter-flow of fluid into the storage compartment relative to the outer flow from the storage compartment. This effect may be achieved, at least in part, through the relative tendency of the meniscus to tear on the side of the retraction point storage chamber compared to the opposite side.

[251] Referring again to FIG. 5C, in one exemplary implementation, in addition to (or instead of) pull points extending from the floor or ceilings of the overflow channel 1104, some pull points may extend from the interior walls of the overflow channel 1104. As shown more clearly in FIG. 5F, the pinch point may extend from the inner wall of the overflow channel 1104 at an identical pinch point 1111a, with two additional pinch points extending from the floor and ceiling of the overflow channel 1104 so as to form a C-shaped pinch point 1111a. An exemplary implementation illustrated in FIG. 5D and 5F, can more effectively adjust the microfluidic properties of the overflow channel 1104 to promote liquid flow to be drawn toward the storage chamber 1340 relative to the implementation in FIG. 5C, since the hydraulic diameter of the overflow passage 1104 is more contracted (ie, narrowed) at the contraction point 1111a shown in FIG. 5D and 5F.

[252] The contraction points formed along the overflow channel 1104 need not be uniform in shape, size, frequency, or symmetry. Thus, depending on the implementation, various pinch points 1111a or 1111b may be implemented in different sizes, designs, shapes, locations, or frequencies along the weir channel 1104. In one example, the shape of the pinch point 1111a or 1111b may be similar to the shape of a C with a round internal diameter. In some embodiments, instead of forming the inner diameter as a rounded C-shape, the inner wall of the tightening point may have corners (eg, sharp corners), such as the corners shown in FIG. 5F and 5G.

[253] In some examples, the overflow channel 1104, at the first level, may have pull points extending from the ceiling of the overflow channel 1104, while at the second level, for example, the pull points may extend from the floor in the overflow channel 1104. At the third level, points of contraction may extend from the inner walls. Alternatives to the above implementations may be possible by adjusting or changing the number of pinch points and the shapes of the pinch points, or positioning the pinch points in different sequences or at different levels to help control the microfluidic effect with respect to bidirectional flow in the overflow channel 1104. In one example, contraction points 1111a may be implemented, for example, at one or more (or all) levels, sides, or widths of the manifold 1313.

[254] Referring now to FIG. 5E-G, in addition to defining pinch points 1111a along the longer length of the overflow channel 1104 or the wider side of the manifold 1313, one or more additional pinch points 1111b may be defined along the narrower side of the manifold 1313. In this regard, the exemplary implementation illustrated in fig. 5E-5G may improve the control of resistance or facilitating detachment of the meniscus in a desired direction in the overflow channel 1104 compared to the implementation in FIG. 5D, since the overall hydraulic diameter (or flow volume) of the overflow channel 1104 is contracted to a greater extent due to the addition of additional contraction points 1111b.

[255] Referring now to FIG. 5H, in some implementations of the current subject matter, the valve 1102 may be configured to include an aperture or hole configuration that, similar to the tightening point 1111a or 1111b, has a tapered edge, edge, or flange that is flatter in one direction. For example, the edge of the shutter aperture 1102 may be shaped such that it is flat on one side (eg, the side facing storage chamber 1342) and rounded on the other side (eg, the side facing away from storage chamber 1342). In such a configuration, the microfluidic forces promoting flow back to the overflow of the storage chamber 1340 in the direction away from the storage chamber 1340 may be improved due to the easier detachment of the meniscus on the less rounded side relative to the more rounded side.

[256] Accordingly, depending on the implementation and variations in the structure or design of the contraction points and closure 1102, the resistance to the flow of vaporized material 1302 from the manifold 1313 may be greater than the resistance to the flow of vaporized material 1302 into the manifold 1313 and into the storage chamber 1340. In certain implementations, the closure 1102 is designed to support a liquid seal such that a layer of vaporizable material 1302 is present in the medium in which the storage chamber 1342 communicates with the overflow channel 1104 in the overflow volume 1344. The presence of the liquid seal may help maintain equilibrium pressure between the chamber 1342 storage and overflow volume 1344 to promote a sufficient level of vacuum (e.g., partial vacuum) in the storage chamber 1342 to prevent vaporized material 1302 from completely draining into the overflow volume 1344, as well as preventing the wick element 1362 from being deprived of proper saturation.

[257] In one or more example implementations, a single passage or channel in the manifold 1313 may be connected to the storage chamber 1342 by two vent ports such that the two vent ports support a liquid seal regardless of the positioning of the cartridge 1320. Forming a liquid seal in the closure 1102 also may help prevent air in the manifold 1313 from entering the storage chamber 1342 even when the cartridge 1320 is held diagonally relative to the horizon, or when the cartridge 1320 is positioned with the mouthpiece facing downward. This is because if air bubbles from the manifold 1313 enter the reservoir, the pressure in the storage chamber 1342 must equalize the ambient pressure. Thus, the partial vacuum in the storage chamber 1342 (eg, created by the flow of vaporized material 1302 through the wick leads 1368) must be displaced if ambient air flows into the storage chamber 1342.

[258] In some scenarios, a vacuum in the headspace cannot be maintained when the vacuum (i.e., the headspace above the evaporated material 1302) in the storage chamber 1342 contacts the closure 1102. As a result, as noted above, a liquid seal, installed in valve 1102 may rupture. This effect may be due to the inability of the shutter 1102 to support the jet film as flow from the manifold 1313 proceeds and the headspace comes into contact with the shutter 1102, resulting in a loss of partial vacuum in the headspace.

[259] In specific embodiments, the headspace at the top of the storage chamber 1342 may be at ambient pressure, and if there is hydrostatic displacement between the seal 1102 and the atomizer in the cartridge 1320, the contents of the storage chamber 1342 may flow into the atomizer, causing the wick to become completely full. boxes and leakage. To eliminate leakage, one or more embodiments may be implemented to remove hydrostatic displacement between the valve 1102 and the atomizer and maintain the functionality of the valve 1102 when near-flow from the storage chamber 1342 has occurred.

[260] FIG. 5I-K illustrate labyrinth-shaped structures 1190 that may be designed around a valve 1102 to establish a high-speed actuation connection between the valve 1102 and an overflow passage 1104 in a manifold 1313 to maintain a fluid seal in the valve 1102. In the example shown in fig. 5J, a groove structure 1190 may be included as a means to further improve fluid seal maintenance in the valve 1102 in accordance with one or more implementations.

[261] FIG. 5L-N illustrate various views of gate 1102 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown, the overflow channel 1104 in the manifold 1313 may be connected to the storage chamber 1342 via a V-shaped or horn-controlled jet valve 1102, for example, such that the V-shaped valve 1102 includes at least two (and preferably three ) holes that connect to the storage chamber 1342. As provided in more detail herein, a liquid seal may be maintained in the valve 1102 regardless of the vertical or horizontal orientation of the cartridge 1320.

[262] As shown in FIG. 5L, on the first side of the vent window, a vent path may be supported between the overflow passage 1104 and the shutter 1102 through which air bubbles can escape from the overflow passage 1104 in the manifold into the reservoir. On the second side, one or more high speed actuation passages coupled to the reservoir may be configured to promote clamping at the clamping point 1122 so as to maintain a fluid seal that prevents air bubbles from prematurely venting from the overflow passage 1104 and into the reservoir , as well as unwanted entry of air or vaporized material 1302 into the overflow channel 1104 from the reservoir.

[263] Depending on the implementation, the high speed actuation channels shown as an example on the right in FIG. 5L are preferably maintained sealed due to capillary pressure applied by liquid vaporizable material 1302 in the cartridge reservoir. Low actuation speed channels formed on the opposite side (i.e., shown on the left in FIG. 5L) may be configured to have relatively lower capillary actuation compared to high actuation speed channels, but still have sufficient capillary actuation such that, in the first pressure state, a liquid seal is maintained in both the high actuation velocity passages and the low actuation velocity passages.

[264] Accordingly, in the first pressure state (for example, when the pressure in the reservoir is approximately equal to or greater than the ambient air pressure), in such case a liquid seal is maintained in both the low actuation speed and high actuation speed passages, generally preventing air bubbles from leaking into the tank. On the other hand, in the second pressure state (for example, when the pressure in the reservoir is less than the ambient air pressure), air bubbles formed in the overflow channel 1104 (for example, by entering through the air exchange port 1106), or more generally, at the leading edge of the surface meniscus interface between the liquid evaporated material and the air may pass upward and toward the controllable jet seal 1102. As the meniscus reaches the pinch point 1122 positioned between the low-speed actuation and high-speed actuation passages of the vent window 1104, air is preferentially is directed through the low actuation velocity channel or channels due to the higher capillary resistance present in the high actuation velocity channel(s).

[265] After the air bubbles pass through the low speed passage section of the shutter 1102, the air bubbles enter the reservoir and equalize the pressure in the reservoir with the pressure of the surrounding air. In this regard, the air exchange port 1106 in combination with the controllable jet seal 1102 allows ambient air entering through the overflow passage 1104 to pass into the reservoir until a pressure equilibrium condition is established between the reservoir and the ambient air. As noted above, this process may be referred to as "tank venting." After an equilibrium pressure state is established (eg, a transition from the second pressure state back to the first pressure state), the liquid seal is then re-established at the pinch point 1122 due to the presence of fluid in both the high-velocity actuation channels and the with low actuation speed, into which liquid vaporized material 1302 stored in the reservoir is supplied.

[266] In some implementations, the conical channels may be designed to increase the actuation to the controlled vent window. In consideration of the pinching of the two front menisci, the reservoir wall and the bottom of the reservoir channel may be configured to continue to provide actuation while the side walls provide a pinching location for the menisci. In one configuration, the net actuation of the anterior menisci does not exceed the net actuation of the retreating menisci, thereby maintaining the system statically stable.

[267] Returning to FIG. 4C-D and 5B, in certain variations, the manifold 1313 may be configured to be insertable through the receiving end of the storage chamber 1342. An end of the manifold 1313 that is opposite the end that is received by the storage chamber 1342 may be configured to receive the wick member 1362. For example, fork-shaped pinch points may be formed to securely receive the wick member 1362. The wick housing 1315 may be used to to further secure the wick member 1362 in a secured position between the tightening points. This configuration may also help prevent the wick member 1362 from swelling and becoming weak due to oversaturation.

[268] Referring to FIG. 5C-E, depending on the implementation, one or more additional passages, channels, pipes or cavities that pass through the manifold 1313 may be designed or configured as paths that supply the wick element 1362 with vaporized material 1302 stored in the storage chamber 1342 . In certain configurations, such as those explained in more detail herein, wick feeders, tubes, or cavities (i.e., wick feeders 1368) may extend approximately parallel to the central tunnel 1100. In at least one configuration, one or more more wick leads that extend diagonally along the manifold 1313, for example, independently or in connection with a wick exchange, optionally including one or more other wick leads.

[269] In specific embodiments, a plurality of wick leads may be interactively connected in a multi-connected configuration such that the intersection of lead paths possibly intersecting each other may result in a wick shroud area. This configuration may help prevent complete blockage of the wick feed mechanism if, for example, one or more feed paths at the intersection of the wick feeds are blocked by the formation of gas bubbles or other types of blockage. Advantageously, multiple subsea path metering may allow vaporized material 1302 to safely pass through one or more paths (or cross another but open path) to the wick shroud area, even if some paths or specific paths at the wick intersections become completely or partially clogged. or are blocked.

[270] Depending on the implementation, the wick subsea path may be shaped such that it is tubular, for example, with a circular or polyhedral cross-diameter shape. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick may be triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, or any other suitable geometric shape. In one or more embodiments, the cross-sectional perimeter of the wick lead may be shaped like a hollow cross, for example, such that the arms of the cross have a smaller width in relation to the diameter of the central criss-crossing portion of the cross from which the arms extend. More generally, the wick submerged channel (also referred to herein as the "first channel") may have a cross-sectional shape with at least one irregularity (e.g., protrusion, side channel, etc.) that provides an alternative path for liquid flow. evaporated material if an air bubble blocks the remaining cross-sectional area of the wick feed. The cruciform cross-section of the current example is an example of such a design, but those skilled in the art will understand that other shapes are also contemplated and feasible within the meaning of the present disclosure.

[271] The implementation as a cruciform duct or tube that is formed through a wick submerged path overcomes clogging problems because the cruciform tube can essentially be considered to contain five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional tract formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such an implementation, a blockage in the subsea tube by a gas bubble, for example, is likely to form in the central portion of the cruciform tube, leaving the subpaths (ie, the paths that pass through the arms of the cruciform tube) open to leakage.

[272] In accordance with one or more aspects, the wick subsea paths may be wide enough to allow vaporizable material 1302 to move freely through the subsea paths and toward the wick. In some embodiments, the flow through the wick lead can be improved or adjusted by setting the relative diameter of certain portions of the wick lead so as to force capillary tension or pressure on the vaporized material 1302 passing through the wick lead path. In other words, depending on the shape and other design or material factors, some wick underwater paths may rely on gravity or capillary forces to cause vaporized material 1302 to move toward the wick casing portion.

[273] In a cruciform tube implementation, for example, the underwater paths that pass through the arms of the cruciform tube may be configured to apply wick via capillary pressure instead of relying on gravity. In such an implementation, the central portion of the cruciform tube may provide wick supply due to gravity, for example, while the flow of vaporized material 1302 in the arms of the cruciform tube may be maintained by capillary pressure. It should be noted that the cross-shaped tube is disclosed herein for the purpose of providing an exemplary embodiment.

[274] It should be understood that the cruciform cross-section of the wick subsea path has only a few potential configurations in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. In other words, the concepts and functionality implemented in this exemplary embodiment can be extended to wick subsea paths with various cross-sectional shapes (for example, tubes with hollow star-shaped cross sections having two or more arms extending from a central tunnel extending along the wick underwater tract). A common feature in accordance with this aspect of the current subject matter is a cross-sectional shape which, for the wetting angle of the wick-forming material and the liquid evaporating material to be used, preferably results in the inability of the air bubble to completely block the entirety of the cross-section, e.g. because the one or more raised cross-sectional shapes are of such a size that a meniscus is formed in the raised shape to maintain a continuous fluid flow path (eg, in the wick portion of the flow path that constitutes the raised portion of the cross-section) around any such bubble.

[275] Referring again to FIG. 5C, an exemplary manifold 1313 design is shown in which two wick leads 1368 are positioned on two opposite sides of the central tunnel 1100 such that vaporized material 1302 can enter the leads and flow directly to a cavity area at the other end of the manifold 1313 on which a casing is formed for wick.

[276] Wick subsea paths may be formed through manifold 1313 such that at least one wick subsea path in manifold 1313 may be in the form of a polyhedral hollow tube with a cross diameter. For example, the hollow cross-section of a wick lead may be shaped like a plus sign (e.g., a wick lead shaped like a hollow cross when viewed from a cross-sectional top view) such that the arms of the cross have a smaller width in relation to the diameter of the central crossing portion of the cross. , from which the sleeves are drawn.

[277] Such central positioning of the gas bubble would ultimately leave sub-paths (ie, paths that pass through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) that remain open for the flow of vaporized material 1302 even when the central path is blocked by the gas bubble. Other implementations for the design of the wick submerged passage are possible which may achieve an objective identical or similar to that disclosed above regarding trapping gas bubbles or avoiding complete clogging of the wick submerged passage by the trapped gas bubbles.

[278] Adding additional vent ports to the manifold design 1313 may provide the opportunity for faster flow rates, depending on the implementation, since a relatively larger total volume of evaporated material 1302 can be displaced when additional vent ports are available. In this regard, even if not explicitly shown, embodiments with more than two vents (eg, three vent implementations, four vent implementations, etc.) are also within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

[279] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view, front view, side view, bottom view, and top view of an example manifold 1313 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. In the example manifold 1313 shown in FIG. 8A, the shutter 1102 may be V-shaped. The manifold 1313 may fit in a hollow cavity within the cartridge 1320 along with additional components (eg, wick element 1362, heating element 1350, and wick housing 1315). Wick element 1362 may be positioned between the second end of manifold 1313 with heating element 1350 wrapped around wick element 1362. During assembly, manifold 1313, wick element 1362, and heating element 1350 may be aligned and closed by wick housing 1315 before being inserted into a cavity in cartridge 1320. .

[280] The wick housing 1315 may be inserted, along with other marked components, into the end of the cartridge 1320, which is positioned opposite the mouthpiece, to hold the components inside with a seal or press fit. The seal or fit of the wick housing 1315 and the manifold 1313 into the inner walls of the cartridge receptacle 1320 is preferably sufficiently tight to prevent leakage of vaporized material 1302 contained in the reservoir of the cartridge 1320. In some embodiments, an airtight seal between the wick housing 1315 and the manifold 1313 and the inner walls of the cartridge receiving sleeve 1320 is also tight enough to prevent manual disassembly of the components with the user's bare hands.

[281] Referring now to FIG. 8B-C, in some implementations of the current subject matter, the wick member 1362 may be constrained or compressed at certain locations along its length (e.g., toward the longitudinal distal ends of the wick member 1362 positioned directly below the wick leads 1368) by compression-loaded ribs 1110 to help prevent leakage, for example, by maintaining a large zone of saturation of vaporized material 1302 towards the ends of the wick element 1362 such that the central portion of the wick element 1362 remains drier and less susceptible to leakage. Additionally, the use of compression load ribs 1110 may further force the wick member 1362 against the atomizer housing to prevent leakage into the atomizer.

[282] FIG. 8D-F illustrate a plan view of examples of wick submersible mechanisms that may be formed or constructed through manifold 1313. In the example shown in FIG. 8D, at least one wick supply path 1368 in the manifold 1313 may be in the form of a polyhedral hollow tube with a cross diameter. For example, the hollow cross-section of the wick path 1368 may be shaped like a plus sign (e.g., a wick in the shape of a hollow cross when viewed from a cross-sectional top view) such that the arms of the cross have a smaller width in relation to the diameter of the central cross section. section of the cross from which the sleeves are drawn. Meanwhile, in the example shown in FIG. 8E, a duct or tube with a cross-shaped diameter formed through the wick lead path 1368 overcomes clogging problems because the cross-shaped diameter tube can be considered to include five separate paths (e.g., a central path formed in the hollow center of the cross and four additional tract formed in the hollow arms of the cross). In such implementations, a blockage in the submerged tube by a gas bubble (eg, an air bubble) is likely to form in the central portion of the cross-shaped tube, as shown in FIG. 8E. The central positioning of the gas bubble should ultimately leave sub-paths (ie, paths that pass through the arms of the cross-shaped tube) that remain open for the flow of vaporized material 1302, even when the central path is blocked by the gas bubble.

[283] Referring now to FIG. 8F, the wick feedback mechanism may also be a wick path 1368 structure capable of trapping gas bubbles or preventing the trapped gas bubbles from completely clogging the wick path 1368. As shown in the exemplary illustration of FIG. 8F, one or more teardrop-shaped contraction points 1368a and/or 1368b (e.g., similar in shape to one or more separated nipples with a wick path 1368 therebetween) may be formed at the end of the wick path 1368 through which vaporized material 1302 flows from chamber 1342 storage into the manifold 1313 to help guide vaporized material 1302 through wick feed path 1368 if a gas bubble is trapped in the central region of wick feed path 1368. Thus, a sufficiently controlled and consistent flow of vaporized material 1302 can be streamed to the wick, preventing the scenario , in which the wick is inadequately saturated with vaporized material 1302.

[284] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view, a front view, a side view, and an exploded view of an example of a cartridge 1320 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown, cartridge 1320 may include a mouthpiece and reservoir combination having the shape of a sleeve with an air flow passage 1338 defined through the sleeve. An area in the cartridge 1320 houses a manifold 1313, a wick element 1362, a heating element 1350, and a wick housing 1315. An opening at the first end of the manifold 1313 leads to an air flow passage 1338 in the mouthpiece and provides a path for vaporized vaporized material 1302 to pass from the area of the heating element 1350 to the mouthpiece from which the user inhales.

[285] FIG. 9A-C illustrate a perspective view, a front view, and a side view of an example cartridge 1320 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. Referring to FIG. 9A-C, the cartridge 1320, as shown, can be assembled from multiple components, including a manifold 1313, a heating element 1350, and a wick housing 1315 for holding the cartridge components as the components are inserted into the cartridge body. In one embodiment, laser welding may be implemented at a circular joint positioned approximately at the point where one end of the manifold 1313 meets the wick housing 1313. Laser welding between manifold 1313 and heating chamber 1315 may prevent liquid vaporized material 1302 in manifold 1313 from flowing into heating chamber 1315 housing the atomizer.

[286] Evaporation of vaporized material into an aerosol may cause condensation to collect along one or more internal channels and outlets (eg, along the mouthpiece) of some vaporizers. For example, such condensate may include vaporized material that is drawn from the reservoir, formed into an aerosol, and condensed into condensate before exiting the evaporator. Additionally, evaporable material that bypasses the evaporation process may also accumulate along one or more internal channels and/or air outlets. This may cause condensation and/or unevaporated vaporizable material to escape from the mouthpiece outlet and deposit into the user's mouth, thereby both creating an unpleasant user experience and reducing the amount of inhalable aerosol otherwise available. In addition, the formation and loss of condensation may ultimately result in an inability to draw all of the vaporized material from the reservoir into the flash chamber, thereby wasting the vaporized material. For example, as particles of evaporated material accumulate in the internal passages of the air tube below the evaporation chamber, the effective cross-sectional area of the air flow passage is narrowed, thereby increasing the air flow rate and thereby applying a drag force to the accumulated fluid, and therefore, enhancing the potential to entrain fluid from the internal channels and through the mouthpiece outlet. Accordingly, in some implementations of the current subject matter, the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may include a condensate recirculation system including, for example, a condensate manifold 3201 and condensate recirculation channels 3204 (e.g., micro-fluid channels) that extend from the mouthpiece opening to wick element 1362. As further illustration, FIG. 10A-E illustrate various views of cartridge 1320, including an example of a condensate recirculation system in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter.

[287] Referring to FIG. 10A-E, the condensate collector 3201 may act on the evaporated vaporizable material 1302, which is cooled and formed into droplets in the mouthpiece to collect and direct the condensed droplets into the condensate recirculator channels 3204. The condensate recirculator channels 3204 collect and return condensate and large vapor droplets to the wick and prevent liquid vaporized material formed in the mouthpiece from settling into the user's mouth when the user inhales or inhales from the mouthpiece. The condensate recirculator channels 3204 may be implemented as microfluidic channels to capture all liquid droplet condensates and thereby eliminate direct inhalation of vaporized material in liquid form and eliminate an unwanted sensation or taste in the user's mouth.

[288] Additional and/or alternative embodiments of condensate recirculator passages and/or one or more other features for controlling, collecting and/or recirculating condensate in the evaporator device are described and shown with respect to FIG. 45A-C. For example, FIG. 45A-C illustrate another example of a condensate recirculator system 360 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. The condensate recirculator system 360 may be configured to collect condensate from the evaporated material and direct the condensate back to the wick for repeated use. As shown in FIG. 45A-C, the condensate recirculator system 360 may include an internally slotted air conduit 334 creating an air flow passage 338 that extends from the mouthpiece to the flash chamber 342, and may be configured to collect all condensate vaporized material and direct it (through capillary action) back into the wick for repeated use.

[289] One function of the slots may include allowing condensate of evaporated material to become trapped or otherwise positioned in the slots. The condensate, after being positioned in the grooves, flows down into the wick due to the capillary action created by the wick element. Drainage of condensate in the grooves can be at least partially achieved through capillary action. If any condensation exists in the air duct, particulate matter of evaporated material may be filled into the grooves instead of forming or assembling a wall of condensation in the air duct if the grooves are not present. When the slots are filled sufficiently to allow fluid exchange with the wick, condensate flows through and out of the slots and can be reused as vaporizable material. In some embodiments, the slots may be tapered such that the slots are narrower toward the wick and wider toward the mouthpiece. This wedge-shaped constriction may promote fluid movement toward the flash chamber as additional condensate collects in the slots through higher capillary action at the narrower point.

[290] FIG. 45A shows a cross-sectional view of airway tube 334. Airway tube 334 includes an airflow passage 338 and one or more internal slots having a decreasing hydraulic diameter toward the vapor chamber 342. The slots are of a size and shape such that fluid (eg , condensate) located in the grooves can be transported from the first location to the second location through capillary action. The internal grooves include airway tube grooves 364 and chamber grooves 365. The airway tube slots 364 may be located in the airway tube 334 and may taper such that the cross-section of the airway tube slots 364 at the first end 362 of the airway tube may be larger than the cross-section of the airway tube slots 364 at the second end 363 of the airway tube. The chamber slots 365 may be located adjacent to the second end 363 of the airway tube and connected to the airway tube slots 364. The internal grooves may support fluid exchange with the wick and are configured to allow the wick to continuously drain condensate of evaporated material from the internal grooves, thereby preventing the formation of a film of condensation in the air flow passage 338. Condensate may preferably enter the internal grooves due to capillary actuation of the internal grooves. The capillary actuation gradient in the internal slots directs the migration of the fluid cut to the wick casing 346, in which the condensate of evaporated material is recirculated due to the supersaturation of the wick.

[291] FIG. 45B and 45C show an internal view of the condensate recirculator system 360 as viewed from the first airway tube end 362 and the second airway tube end 363, respectively. The first end 362 of the airway tube may be located adjacent to the mouthpiece and/or air outlet. The second end 363 of the air tube may be located adjacent the vapor chamber 342 and/or the wick housing 346 and may maintain fluid exchange with the chamber grooves 365 and/or the wick. The airway tube slots 364 may have a first diameter 366 and a second diameter 368. The second diameter 368 may be narrower than the first diameter 366.

[292] As the effective cross-section of the airflow passage narrows, either by condensation accumulation in the airflow passage or by design as explained herein, the flow rate of air moving through the airway tube increases, exerting force resistance to accumulated fluid (for example, condensate). Fluid exits the air outlet when the drag forces pushing the fluid toward the user (eg, in response to inhalation at a vaporizer) are greater than the capillary forces pushing the fluid toward the wick.

[293] To resolve this problem and facilitate the passage of condensate in the direction from the outlet of the mouthpiece and back to the flash chamber 342 and/or the wick, a wedge-shaped air flow passage is provided such that the cross-section of the air tube grooves 364 adjacent the flash chamber 342 is narrower than the cross-section of the airway tube grooves 364 adjacent to the mouthpiece. Additionally, each of the internal grooves is tapered such that the width of the internal grooves adjacent the first end 362 of the air tube can be greater than the width of the internal grooves adjacent the second end 363 of the air tube. In this regard, the tapering passage increases capillary actuation of the airway tube slots 364 and promotes movement of condensate fluid toward the chamber slots 365. Additionally, the chamber slots 365 adjacent the second end 363 of the air tube may be wider than the chamber slots 365 adjacent the wick. Thus, each groove passage gradually narrows as it approaches the wick, in addition to the narrowing of the airflow passage itself towards the end of the wick.

[294] To maximize the effectiveness of the capillary action provided through the design of the condensate recirculator system, the cross-sectional size of the duct tube relative to the size of the groove may be considered. Although capillary actuation can increase as slot widths decrease, smaller slot sizes can cause condensate to overflow the slots and clog the air tube. Accordingly, the width of the grooves can vary from approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 0.8 mm.

[295] In some embodiments, the geometry or number of slots may vary. For example, the grooves may not necessarily have a decreasing hydraulic diameter towards the wick. In some embodiments, a decreasing hydraulic diameter to the wick may improve capillary actuation performance, but other embodiments may be contemplated. For example, the internal slots and channels may have a substantially straight design, a wedge-shaped design, a helical design, and/or other arrangements.

[296] FIG. 11A-B illustrate a front view and a side view of a cartridge 1310 having an example of an external airflow path in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A-B, one or more closures, also called “air inlets,” may be provided on the evaporator body 110. The inlet ports may be positioned in the air inlet port with a width, height, and depth that are such as to prevent a user from inadvertently blocking the individual air inlet ports when the user holds the vaporizer 100 coupled to the cartridge 1320. In one aspect, the inlet port design may be long enough so as not to significantly block or restrict air flow through the air inlet when, for example, the user's fingers block the air inlet area.

[297] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the geometric design of the air inlet passage may provide at least one of a minimum length, a minimum depth, or a maximum width, for example, to ensure that the user cannot completely cover or block the air inlet openings. air inlet into the air inlet duct using a finger, hand and/or other body part. For example, the length of the air inlet channel may be greater than the width of an average person's finger, and the width and depth of the air inlet channel may be such that when the user's finger is pressed over the channel, the skin folds created do not interface with the air inlet holes in the air inlet channel. air.

[298] The air inlet passage may be designed or formed to have rounded edges or a shape such that it wraps around one or more corners or areas of the evaporator body 110 such that the air inlet passage cannot be easily closed by a user's finger or body part. . In some implementations of the current subject matter, the optional cover may be provided to protect the air inlet passage such that a user's finger cannot help but block or completely restrict air flow into the air inlet passage. Alternatively and/or additionally, the air inlet passage may be located at the interface between the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer housing 110. For example, the air inlet passage may be located in a low area, such as a seam, cavity, groove, gap, or the like, that is formed between the evaporator cartridge 1320 and the evaporator body 110 when the evaporator cartridge 1320 is coupled to the evaporator body 110. This low area may extend at least partially around the circumference of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 such that a user's finger (or other body part) is able to cover only a portion of the low region and air can still enter the duct for air intake through an open section of the low area.

[299] FIG. 12A illustrates a perspective view, top view, bottom view, and various side views of an example wick housing 1315 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown, one or more perforations, holes, or slits 596 may be formed in the bottom of the wick housing 1315 to allow air to flow into the wick housing 1315 and around and/or past the wick member 1362 positioned in the wick housing 1315. A sufficient number of slots 596 may promote adequate air flow through the wick housing 1315, which may be necessary to provide proper and timely vaporization of the vaporizable material 1302 absorbed into the wick element 1362 in response to the heat generated by the heating element 1350 positioned adjacent or around the wick element 1362.

[300] To prevent the vaporized material 1302 that is present in the wick housing 1315, such as the vaporized material 1302 drawn into the wick member 1362, from flowing out of the wick housing 1315, the internal dimensions (e.g., cross-sectional area, diameter, width, length, etc.) The slots 596 may be stepped to provide, for example, one or more pinch points at which a meniscus may be formed to prevent additional escape of vaporized material 1302. As further illustration, FIG. 50A-B illustrate cross-sectional views of a wick housing 1315 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in FIG. 50A-B, the slots 596 may be stepped in that the internal dimensions of the slots 596 may be smaller than the dimensions of the slots 596 on the bottom of the wick housing 1315 such that the interior of the slots 596 exhibits at least one shoulder.

[301] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the dimensions of the slots 596 on the bottom of the wick housing 1315 may be 1.0-1.4 millimeters long by 0.3-0.7 millimeters wide. For example, the slots 596 may be 1.2 millimeters long by 0.5 millimeters wide at the bottom of the wick housing 1315, but may exhibit a stepped interior such that the internal dimensions of the slots are approximately 1.0 millimeters long by 0.3 millimeters in width. The step may provide a contraction point at which a meniscus can be formed to prevent additional vaporizable material 1302 from escaping from the slots 596. In particular, maintaining a liquid/air interface at the stepped interior portions of the slots 596 may prevent the liquid vaporizable material 1302 from piercing the bottom of the wick housing 1315. and contamination of the external environment, including, for example, the vaporizer body 110 at locations (for example, in the cartridge slot 118) adjacent to the location where the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is coupled to the vaporizer housing 110.

[302] FIG. 12B illustrates a perspective view of a manifold 1313 and a wick housing 1315 that may be coupled, for example, to form at least a portion of a cartridge 1320. As shown, a wick housing 1315 (which includes a portion of a cartridge wick housing) may be implemented to include includes one or more protruding elements or posts 4390. Post 4390 may be configured to extend from an upper end of a wick housing 1315 that is assembled to mate with the receiving end of manifold 1313. Post 4390 may include one or more edges that correspond to or coincide with one or more edges in a receiving groove or receiving cavity 1390, for example, in a lower portion of the manifold 1313. The receiving cavity 1390, for example, may be configured to removably receive a post lead 4390 for snap engagement. The snap-in arrangement may assist in holding the manifold 1313 and the wick housing 1315 together during or after assembly.

[303] In particular embodiments, the post 4390 may be used to guide the orientation of the wick housing 1315 during assembly. For example, in one embodiment, one or more vibrating mechanisms (eg, vibrating bowls) may be used to temporarily store or organize various components of the cartridge 1320. According to some implementations, the post 4390 may be useful in orienting the upper portion of the wick housing 1315 for mechanical gripping devices for easy engagement and correct automated assembly.

[304] In some implementations of the current subject matter, manifold 1313 may include one or more features configured to facilitate mixing of vaporized vaporized material 1302 in air flow passage 1338. As noted above, the central tunnel 1100 may extend through the manifold 1313 to form a fluid exchange connection between the air flow passage 1338 and the wick housing 1315 in which the heating element 1350 and the wick element 1362 are located. Accordingly, the aerosol generated by the heating element 1350, heating the vaporized material 1302 drawn into the wick element 1362 may pass from the wick housing 1315 into the central tunnel 1100 in the manifold 1313 before flowing into the air flow passage 1338 for delivery to the user. To facilitate mixing of the vaporized vaporized material 1302 as the vaporized vaporized material 1302 passes through the central tunnel 1100 and airflow passage 1338, a lower surface of the manifold 1313 that serves as an interface between the manifold 1313 and the wick housing 1315 may include one or more features configured to direct the flow of vaporized vaporized material 1302.

[305] As further illustration, FIG. 52A-E illustrate a manifold 1313 with an example of a flow controller 5220 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. Referring to FIG. 52A-E, manifold 1313 may include, on its lower surface, a flow controller 5220. The lower surface of the manifold 1313 may further include one or more coupling mechanisms for securing the manifold 1313 to the wick housing 1315, including, for example, a first coupling mechanism 5210a and a second coupling mechanism 5210b. The first coupling mechanism 5210a and the second coupling mechanism 5210b may be plug connectors (eg, plugs) that are configured to be inserted and frictionally engaged with corresponding female connectors (eg, sockets) in the wick housing 1315. In the example manifold 1313 shown in FIG. 52A-E, the bottom surface of the manifold 1313 may further include one or more wick interfaces, including, for example, a first wick interface 5230a and a second wick interface 5230b. The first wick interface 5230a and the second wick interface 5230b may be coupled to the wick leads 1368. For example, the first wick interface 5230a may be located between the end of the first wick lead 1368a and the wick housing 1315, while the second wick interface 5230b may be located between the end of the second wick lead 1368b and wick housing 1315. The first wick interface 5230a and the second wick interface 5230b may be configured to serve as a tube for delivering, to the wick member 1360 located in the wick housing 1315, at least a portion of the vaporizable material 1302 flowing through the wick leads 1368.

[306] Referring again to FIG. 52A-E, flow controller 5220 may be fluidly coupled to central tunnel 1100, which in turn supports fluid exchange with air flow passage 1338. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the flow controller 5220 may be configured to direct the flow of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 in a manner that promotes mixing of vaporized vaporized material 1302 in the central tunnel 1100 and/or airflow passage 1338. Mixing of the vaporized vaporizable material 1302 may be desired for a variety of reasons, including, for example, to control the temperature and/or distribution of vaporized particulates in the aerosol delivered to the user.

[307] In some implementations of the current subject matter, flow controller 5220 may include one or more channels, including, for example, a first channel 5225a and a second channel 5225b. In the example manifold 1313 shown in FIG. 52A-E, the relative positions of the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b may be offset (or offset) such that the first opening of the first channel 5225a in the central tunnel 1100 is at least partially offset from the second opening of the second channel 5226b in the central tunnel 1100. In addition, the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b may be wedge-shaped, for example, to form separate funnel-shaped structures. The cross-sectional dimensions of the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b may also taper toward the end at which the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b converge with the central tunnel 1100. For example, the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b may taper from 2.62 millimeters by 5.85 millimeters (at the bottom of the 1313 manifold) to 1.35 millimeters by 0.70 millimeters in height of approximately 2.25 millimeters. In addition, the inner walls of the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b may be inclined toward the center of the central tunnel 1100. Accordingly, the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b may form, from the evaporated vaporized material 1302 entering the flow controller 5220 from the wick housing 1315, a separate column of evaporated evaporated material 1302.

[308] In addition, each column of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 may flow in a direction that is biased by the inclined inner contours of the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b. For example, instead of extending directly toward the airflow passage 1338, the columns of evaporated vaporizable material 1302 may be directed toward the walls of the central tunnel 1100 and the airflow passage 1338. Thus, the flow controller 5220 may be configured to disrupt the laminar flow of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 in which layers of vaporized vaporizable material 1302, each flowing at its own speed and temperature, flow independently without disruption or mixing between layers. The lateral mixing between layers of vaporized vaporized material 1302 in laminar flow can be minimal as well as slow (eg, through diffusion mixing). Therefore, without disruption introduced by the flow controller 5220, the vaporized vaporized material 1302 may not be able to undergo sufficient mixing prior to the existing air flow passage 1338 for delivery to the user.

[309] In contrast, since the first channel 5225a and the second channel 5225b are configured to displace the flow of vaporized vaporizable material 1302, flow controller 5220 can introduce turbulent flow into the vaporized vaporized material 1302 passing through flow controller 5220. For example, a shift in the direction of flow of vaporized vaporized material 1302 may cause each column of vaporized vaporized material 1302 to interact with the walls of the central tunnel 1100 and airflow passage 1338, as well as with each other. These interactions may disrupt layers of vaporized vaporizable material 1302 moving at different speeds and at different temperatures to promote mixing of layers of vaporized vaporizable material 1302.

[310] As further illustration, FIG. 52F illustrates an example of laminar flow and an example of turbulent flow through the central tunnel 1100 and air flow passage 1338. On the left in Fig. 52F, the columns of vaporized vaporized material 1302 remain separate as the columns of vaporized vaporized material 1302 pass through the central tunnel 1100 and the air flow passage 1338. In this regard, the evaporated vaporizable material 1302 maintains a substantially laminar flow in which minimal mixing occurs between the layers of the evaporated vaporizable material 1302. In contrast, on the right in FIG. 52F, flow controller 5220 introduces turbulent flow into the vaporized vaporized material 1302, including by shifting the direction of flow of the columns of vaporized vaporized material 1302 such that the columns of vaporized vaporized material 1302 interact with the walls of the central tunnel 1100 and air flow passage 1338, and together. As noted above, the turbulent flow of vaporized vaporized material 1302 may promote mixing of different layers of vaporized vaporized material 1302 such that the resulting aerosol delivered to the user may exhibit greater homogeneity in temperature and/or distribution of vaporized particulates.

[311] As noted above, vaporizer cartridge 1320 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter may include one or more heating elements, such as, for example, heating element 1350. According to some implementations of the current subject matter, heating element 1350 may preferably have such form that it receives the wick element 1362 and/or is crimped or pressed at least partially around the wick element 1362. The heating element 1350 may be curved such that the heating element 1350 is configured to secure the wick element 1362 at least between two or three portions of heating element 1350. Heating element 1350 may be curved such that it conforms to the shape of at least a portion of wick element 1362. Heating element 1350 may be manufactured more simply than typical heating elements. A heating element in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter may also be made of an electrically conductive metal suitable for resistive heating, and in some implementations, the heating element may include selective metallization of another material to allow more efficient heating of the heating element (and because this evaporated material).

[312] FIG. 13A illustrates an exploded view of an example vaporizer cartridge 1320, FIG. 13B illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a vaporizer cartridge 1320, and FIG. 13C illustrates a bottom perspective view of an example vaporizer cartridge 1320. As shown in FIG. 44A-C, vaporizer cartridge 1320 may include a housing 160 that is configured to house a manifold 1313, a wick housing 1315, and a heating element 1350 (located at least partially within the wick housing 1315). In some implementations of the current subject matter, wick housing 1315, heating element 1350, and wick element 1362 may form the atomizer assembly 141 shown in FIG. 1.

[313] As explained in more detail below, at least a portion of the heating element 1350 is positioned between the housing 160 and the wick housing 1315 and is accessible for connection to a portion of the evaporator housing 110 (eg, electrically connected to socket contacts 125). The wick housing 1315 may include four sides. For example, the wick housing 1315 may include two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides. The two opposing long sides may include at least one (two or more) grooves. The grooves may be positioned along a long side of the wick housing 1315 and adjacent to corresponding intersections between the long sides and short sides of the wick housing 1315. The grooves may be shaped such that they are releasably coupled to a corresponding feature (eg, a spring) on the vaporizer body 110 to secure the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer body 110 in the cartridge socket 118 . The grooves provide a mechanically stable fastener to connect the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer body 110.

[314] In some implementations, wick housing 1315 also includes an identification chip 174 that may be configured to communicate with a corresponding chip reader located on the vaporizer. The identification chip 174 may be glued and/or otherwise adhered to the wick housing 1315, for example, on a short side of the wick housing 1315. The wick housing 1315 may further or alternatively include a chip groove that is configured to receive an identification chip 174. The chip groove may be surrounded by two, four, or more walls. The chip groove may be shaped such that it secures the identification chip 174 to the wick housing 1315.

[315] FIG. 14-17 illustrate schematic views of heating element 1350 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. For example, FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic view of the heating element 1350 in an unfolded position. As shown, in the unfolded position, the heating element 1350 forms a flat heating element. The heating element 1350 may initially be formed from a substrate material. The substrate material is then cut and/or stamped into the proper shape through various mechanical processes including, but not limited to, stamping, laser cutting, photo etching, chemical etching, and the like.

[316] The substrate material may be made of an electrically conductive metal suitable for resistance heating. In some implementations, heating element 1350 includes nickel-chromium alloy, nickel alloy, stainless steel, and the like. As explained below, heating element 1350 may be metallized with a coating at one or more locations on the surface of the substrate material to improve, limit, or otherwise change the resistivity of the heating element at one or more locations of the substrate material (which may be all or a portion of the heating element element 1350).

[317] Heating element 1350 includes one or more teeth 502 (e.g., heating segments) located in heating section 504, one or more connecting portions or legs 506 (e.g., one, two, or more) located in transition region 508 , and a cartridge contact 124 located in the electrical contact area 510 and formed in an end portion of each of one or more legs 506. The teeth 502, legs 506, and cartridge contacts 124 may be formed as a unit. For example, the teeth 502, legs 506, and cartridge contacts 124 form portions of the heating element 1350 that is stamped and/or cut from the substrate material. In some implementations, heating element 1350 also includes a heat shield 518 that extends from one or more legs 506 and may also be integrally formed with teeth 502, legs 506, and cartridge contacts 124.

[318] In some implementations, at least a portion of the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 is configured to interface with vaporizable material drawn into the wick element from the reservoir 1340 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. Heating portion 504 of heating element 1350 may be shaped, sized, and/or otherwise processed such that it can provide the desired resistance. For example, the teeth 502 located in the heating section 504 may be designed such that the resistance of the teeth 502 matches the appropriate resistance value to influence localized heating in the heating section 504 so as to more efficiently and effectively heat the vaporized material from the wick element. . Teeth 502 form thin heating path segments in series and/or parallel so as to provide the required amount of resistance.

[319] The teeth 502 (eg, tracks) may include various shapes, sizes, and configurations. In some configurations, one or more teeth 502 may be spaced apart to allow evaporative material to be drawn away from the wick member and then evaporated from the side edges of each of the teeth 502. The shape, length, width, composition, etc., including other properties of the teeth 502 may be optimized to maximize the efficiency of generating an aerosol by evaporating vaporizable material from the heating portion of the heating element 1350 and to maximize electrical efficiency. The shape, length, width, composition, etc., among other properties of the teeth 502, may additionally or alternatively be optimized to distribute heat evenly along the length of the teeth 502 (or along a portion of the teeth 502, for example, in the heating section 504). For example, the width of the teeth 502 may be the same or variable along the length of the teeth 502 to control the temperature profile in at least the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. In some examples, the length of the teeth 502 may be controlled to achieve a desired resistance, according to at least along a portion of the heating element 1350, for example, in the heating portion 504. As shown in FIG. 45-48, teeth 502 are identical in size and shape. For example, the teeth 502 include an outer edge 503 that is approximately aligned, and have a generally rectangular shape with flat or square outer edges 503 or rounded outer edges 503. In some implementations, one or more teeth 502 may include outer edges 503. edges 503 that do not align and/or may be of different sizes or shapes. In some implementations, teeth 502 may be uniformly spaced or have variable spacing between adjacent teeth 502. A particular geometry of teeth 502 may preferably be selected to provide a specific localized resistance to heat heating section 504 and maximize the performance of heating element 1350 to heat vaporized material and form aerosol.

[320] Heating element 1350 may include regions of wider and/or thicker geometry and/or different composition relative to teeth 502. These regions may form electrical contact areas and/or more conductive portions and/or may include signs for mounting the 1350 heating element in the evaporator cartridge. Legs 506 of heating element 1350 extend from the end of each outermost tooth 502A. The legs 506 form a portion of the heating element 1350 that has a width and/or thickness that is typically greater than the width of each of the teeth 502. Although, in some implementations, the legs 506 have a width and/or thickness that is identical to or less than the width of each of the teeth 502. Legs 506 connect heating element 1350 to wick housing 1315 or other portion of vaporizer cartridge 1320 such that heating element 1350 is at least partially or completely enclosed by housing 160. Legs 506 provide rigidity to promote mechanical stability of heating element 1350. during and after production. Legs 506 also connect cartridge contacts 124 to teeth 502 located in heating section 504. Legs 506 are shaped and sized to enable heating element 1350 to support the electrical requirements of heating section 504. As shown in FIG. 18, legs 506 space the heating portion 504 away from the end of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 when the heating element 1350 is assembled with the vaporizer cartridge 1320. Legs 506 may also include a capillary feature configured to restrict and/or prevent vaporizable material 1302 from flowing from heating portion 504 to other portions of heating element 1350.

[321] In some implementations, one or more legs 506 include one or more positioning features 516. The positioning features 516 may be used to relatively position the heating element 1350 or portions thereof during and/or after assembly by communicating via an interface with other (eg, adjacent) components of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. In some implementations, the positioning features 516 may be used during or after manufacturing to properly position the substrate material for cutting and/or stamping the backing material to form the heating element 1350, or for post-processing the heating element 1350. The positioning features 516 may chip and/or or cut to crimp or otherwise bend the 1350 heating element.

[322] In some implementations, the heating element 1350 includes one or more heat shields 518. The heat shields 518 form a portion of the heating element 1350 that extends transversely from the legs 506. When folded and/or corrugated, the heat shields 518 are positioned offset by a first direction and/or a second direction opposite the first direction in an identical plane of teeth 502. When the heating element 1350 is assembled in the vaporizer cartridge 1320, heat shields 518 are configured to be positioned between the teeth 502 (and heating section 504) and a housing (e.g., plastic housing) of the 1320 evaporator cartridge. Heat shields 518 may help isolate the heating portion 504 from the vaporizer cartridge body 1320 . Heat shields 518 help minimize the effect of heat emanating from heating portion 504 on the vaporizer cartridge body 1320 to protect the structural integrity of the vaporizer cartridge body 1320 and prevent melting or other deformation of the vaporizer cartridge 1320. The heat shields 518 may also help maintain a consistent temperature in the heating section 504 by retaining heat in the heating section 504, thereby preventing or limiting heat loss while evaporation occurs. In some implementations, vaporizer cartridge 1320 may also or alternatively include a heat shield 518A that is separate from heating element 1350.

[323] As noted above, heating element 1350 includes at least two cartridge contacts 124 that form an end portion of each of the legs 506. For example, as shown in FIG. 14-17, the cartridge contacts 124 may form a leg portion 506 that folds along a fold line 507. The cartridge contacts 124 may fold at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the legs 506. In some implementations, the cartridge contacts 124 may fold at other angles, for example, at an angle of approximately 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 35 degrees, 45 degrees, 55 degrees, 65 degrees. , 75 degrees, or other ranges in between, relative to the legs 506. The cartridge contacts 124 may fold toward or away from the heating portion 504, depending on the implementation. The cartridge contacts 124 may also be formed on another portion of the heating element 1350, for example, along at least one of the legs 506. The cartridge contacts 124 are configured to be exposed to the environment when assembled into the vaporizer cartridge 1320.

[324] The cartridge contacts 124 may form conductive pins, studs, studs, receiving holes or surfaces for pins or studs, or other contact configurations. Some types of cartridge contacts 124 may include springs or other pressure features that result in better physical and electrical contact between the cartridge contacts 124 on the vaporizer cartridge and the socket contacts 125 on the vaporizer body 110. In some implementations, the cartridge contacts 124 include sliding contacts that are configured to clear a connection between the cartridge contacts 124 and other contacts or a power source. For example, sliding contacts would include two parallel but offset hubs that frictionally engage and slide against each other in a direction that is parallel or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[325] The cartridge contacts 124 are configured to interface with socket contacts 125 located near the base of the vaporizer cartridge socket 100 such that the cartridge contacts 124 and the socket contacts 125 make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is inserted and connected to the socket 118 cartridge. The cartridge contacts 124 may be in electrical communication with the vaporizer power source 112 (eg, via socket contacts 125, etc.). The circuitry completed by these electrical connections may be capable of delivering electrical current to the resistive heating element to heat at least a portion of the heating element 1350, and may further be used for additional functions, such as measuring the resistance of the resistive heating element for use when determining and/or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity of the resistive heating element, to identify the cartridge based on one or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other evaporator cartridge circuitry, etc. The cartridge contacts 124 may be treated, as explained in more detail below, to provide improved electrical properties (eg, contact resistance) using, for example, conductive metallization, surface treatments, and/or deposited materials.

[326] In some implementations, heating element 1350 may be processed through a series of crimping and/or bending operations to form heating element 1350 with a desired three-dimensional shape. For example, heating element 1350 may be configured to receive or pleat around wick element 1362 to secure the wick element between at least two portions (e.g., approximately parallel portions) of heating element 1350 (e.g., between opposing portions of heating portion 504) . To crimp the heating element 1350, the heating element 1350 may be bent along fold lines 520 toward each other. Folding the heating element 1350 along the fold lines 520 forms a platform section of teeth 524, defined by the area between the fold lines 520, and side sections of teeth 526, defined by the area between the fold lines 520 and the outer edges 503 of the teeth 502. The platform section 524 of the teeth is configured to contact one end of the wick member 1362. The side portions of the teeth 526 are configured to contact opposite sides of the wick member 1362. The platform portion 524 of the teeth and the side portions of the teeth 526 form a pocket that is shaped to receive and/or conform to the wick member 1362. at least a portion of the wick element 1362. The pocket allows the wick element 1362 to be secured and held by the heating element 1350 in the pocket. The platform portion 524 of the teeth and the side portions of the teeth 526 contact the wick element 1362 to provide multidimensional contact between the heating element 1350 and the wick element 1362. The multidimensional contact between the heating element 1350 and the wick element 1362 provides more efficient and/or faster transfer of vaporized material from reservoir 1340 of vaporizer cartridge 1320 to heating section 504 (via wick element 1362) for vaporization.

[327] In some implementations, portions of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 may also be bent along fold lines 522 away from each other. Folding the leg portions 506 of the heating element 1350 along fold lines 522 in a direction away from each other places the legs 506 in a position spaced from the heating portion 504 (and teeth 502) of the heating element 1350 in a first and/or second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., identical plane). Thus, folding the leg portions 506 of the heating element 1350 along the fold lines 522 away from each other moves the heating portion 504 away from the vaporizer cartridge body 1320. Fig. 15 illustrates a schematic view of a heating element 1350 that folds along fold lines 520 and fold lines 522 around a wick element 1362. As shown in FIG. 15, the wick element is positioned in a pocket formed by folding the heating element 1350 along fold lines 520 and 522.

[328] In some implementations of the current subject matter, heating element 1350 may also be bent along fold lines 523. For example, cartridge contacts 124 may be folded toward each other (in/out of the page shown in FIG. 16) along fold lines 523. The contact portion of the heating element 1350, including the cartridge contacts 124, may be located at least partially outside the wick housing 1315 such that the cartridge contacts 124 are exposed to the outside environment and can engage the socket contacts 125. Meanwhile, the heating portion of the heating element 1350 may be located at least partially in the wick housing 1350.

[329] In use, when the user draws on the mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer cartridge 1320, when the heating element 1350 is collected in the vaporizer cartridge 1320, air flows into the vaporizer cartridge and along the air path. In association with a user's puff, the heating element 1350 may be activated, for example, by automatically detecting a puff via a pressure sensor, by detecting a user's button press, by signals generated from a motion sensor, a flow sensor, a capacitive lip sensor, and/or another approach. capable of detecting that the user is or is about to puff or otherwise inhale to cause air to enter the vaporizer 100 and flow at least along the air path. Power may be supplied from the vaporizer device to the heating element 1350 at the cartridge contacts 124 when the heating element 1350 is activated.

[330] When the heating element 1350 is activated, an increase in temperature results due to current flowing through the heating element 1350 so as to generate heat. Heat is transferred to some of the vaporizable material through conductive, convective and/or radiative heat transfer such that at least a portion of the vaporizable material is vaporized. Heat transfer may occur for the vaporized material in the reservoir and/or for the vaporized material drawn into the wick element 1362 held by the heating element 1350. In some implementations, the vaporized material may vaporize along one or more edges of the teeth 502, as mentioned above. Air passing into the vaporization device flows along the air path through the heating element 1350, removing vaporized vaporizable material from the heating element 1350. The vaporized vaporizable material may condense due to cooling, pressure changes, etc., so that it exits the mouthpiece 130 as aerosol for inhalation by the user.

[331] As noted above, the heating element 1350 can be made of various materials, such as nichrome, stainless steel, or other resistive heater materials. Combinations of two or more materials may be included in heating element 1350, and such combinations may include both homogeneous distributions of two or more materials throughout the heating element and other configurations in which the relative amounts of two or more materials are spatially heterogeneous. For example, the teeth 502 may have portions that are more resistive, and as such, are designed to become hotter than other sections of the teeth or heating element 1350. In some implementations, at least the teeth 502 (for example, in the heating section 504) may include a material that has high conductivity and heat resistance.

[332] Heating element 1350 may be completely or selectively metallized with one or more materials. Because the heating element 1350 is made of a thermally and/or electrically conductive material, such as stainless steel, nichrome, or other thermally and/or electrically conductive alloy, the heating element 1350 may be subject to electrical or thermal losses in the path between the cartridge contacts 124 and the heating teeth 502 portion 504 of heating element 1350. To help reduce thermal and/or electrical losses, at least a portion of heating element 1350 may be metallized with one or more materials to reduce resistance in the electrical path leading to heating portion 504. In some implementations, In accordance with the current subject matter, it is preferable for the heating portion 504 (e.g., teeth 502) to remain unmetallized, at least as long as a portion of the cartridge legs 506 and/or contacts 124 is metalized with a metallized material, which reduces resistance (e.g. , one or both of volume and contact resistance) in these areas.

[333] For example, heating element 1350 may include various regions that are metalized with different materials. In another example, heating element 1350 may be metallized using laminates. Metallization of at least a portion of the heating element 1350 helps concentrate the current flowing into the heating portion 504 to reduce electrical and/or thermal losses in other portions of the heating element 1350. In some implementations, it is desirable to maintain low resistance in the electrical path between the cartridge contacts 124 and teeth 502 of heating element 1350 to reduce electrical and/or thermal losses in the electrical path and compensate for voltage drop that is concentrated in heating section 504.

[334] In some implementations, cartridge contacts 124 may be selectively metalized. Selectively plating the cartridge contacts 124 with certain materials can minimize or eliminate contact resistance at the point at which measurements are made and electrical contact is established between the cartridge contacts 124 and the socket contacts. Providing low resistance at the cartridge contacts 124 may provide more accurate measurements and readings of voltage, current, and/or resistance, which may be useful for accurately determining the current actual temperature of the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350.

[335] In some implementations, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 124 and/or at least a portion of the legs 506 may be plated with one or more outer plated materials 550. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 124 and/or at least a portion of the legs 506 may be plated with at least gold or other material that provides low contact resistance, such as platinum, palladium, silver, copper and so on.

[336] In some implementations, to secure the outer low-resistance metallized material to the heating element 1350, the surface of the heating element 1350 may be metallized with an adhesive metallized material. In such configurations, the adhesive plating material may be deposited on the surface of the heating element 1350, and the outer plating material may be deposited on the adhesive plating material, defining the first and second plating layers, respectively. The metallized adhesive material includes a material with adhesive properties when the outer metallized material is deposited onto the metallized adhesive material. For example, the metallized adhesive material may include nickel, zinc, aluminum, iron, alloys thereof, and the like.

[337] In some implementations, the surface of the heating element 1350 may be poured to deposit the outer metallized material onto the heating element 1350 using a non-plated pour rather than by plating the surface of the heating element 1350 with an adhesive metallized material. For example, the surface of the heating element 1350 may be cast using etching rather than by deposition of adhesive metallized material.

[338] In some implementations, all or a portion of the cartridge legs 506 and contacts 124 may be metallized with an adhesive metallized material and/or with an outer metallized material. In some examples, the cartridge contacts 124 may include at least a portion that has an outer metallized material having a greater thickness relative to the remaining portions of the cartridge contacts 124 and/or the legs 506 of the heating element 1350. In some implementations, the contacts 124 The cartridge and/or legs 506 may be thicker relative to the teeth 502 and/or the heating section 504.

[339] In some implementations, instead of forming the heating element 1350 with a single substrate material and metallizing the substrate material, the heating element 1350 may be formed from different materials that are bonded together (eg, through laser welding, diffusion processes, etc.). The materials of each portion of the heating element 1350 that are interconnected may be selected to provide little or no resistance at the cartridge contacts 124 and high resistance at the teeth 502 or heating portion 504 relative to other portions of the heating element 1350.

[340] In some implementations, the heating element 1350 may be electroplated with silver ink and/or spray applied with one or more plating materials, such as an adhesive plating material and an outer plating material.

[341] As mentioned above, heating element 1350 may include various shapes, sizes, and geometries to more efficiently heat heating portion 504 of heating element 1350 and more efficiently vaporize vaporizable material 1302.

[342] FIG. 19-24 illustrate another example of a heating element 1350 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown, the heating element 1350 may include one or more teeth 502 located in the heating portion 504, one or more legs 506 extending from the teeth 502, and cartridge contacts 124 formed in the end portion, and/or as part of each of one or more legs 506.

[343] The teeth 502 may be folded and/or corrugated to define a pocket in which the wick member 1362 (eg, a land pad) is permanently housed. The teeth 502 include a platform tooth portion 524 and side tooth portions 526. The platform portion of the teeth 524 is configured to contact one side of the wick member 1362, and the side portions of the teeth 526 are configured to contact other opposite sides of the wick member 1362. The platform portion 524 of the teeth and the side portions of the teeth 526 form a pocket that is shaped such that it receives the wick element 1362 and/or conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the wick element 1362. The pocket allows the wick element 1362 to be secured and held by the heating element 1350 in the pocket.

[344] In this example, the teeth 502 have different shapes and sizes and are spaced apart from each other by identical or varying distances. For example, as shown, each of the side tooth portions 526 includes at least four teeth 502. In the first pair 570 of adjacent teeth 502, each of the adjacent teeth 502 is spaced an equal distance from an interior region 576 positioned near the platform portion 524 teeth, to an outer region 578 positioned near the outer edge 503. In the second pair 572 of adjacent teeth 502, adjacent teeth 502 are spaced a varying distance from the inner region 576 to the outer region 578. For example, adjacent teeth 502 of the second pair 572 are spaced a width that more in the inner region 576 than in the outer region 578. These configurations can help maintain a constant and uniform temperature along the teeth 502 of the heating section 504. Maintaining a constant temperature along the teeth 502 can provide a higher quality aerosol because the maximum temperature can be more easily maintained throughout the heating section. plot 504.

[345] As noted above, each of the legs 506 may include and/or define a cartridge contact 124 that is configured to contact a corresponding contact 125 of the socket of the vaporizer 100. In some implementations, each pair of legs 506 (and cartridge contacts 124) can contact one pin 125 of the socket. In some implementations, the legs 506 include retaining portions 180 that are configured to be curved and generally extend away from the heating portion 504. The retaining portions 180 are configured to be positioned within a corresponding groove in the wick housing 1315. Retaining portions 180 form the end of legs 506. Retaining portions 180 help secure heating element 1350 and wick element 1362 to wick housing 1315 (and vaporizer cartridge 1320). The holding portions 180 may have an apex portion 180A that extends from the end of the holding portion 180 to a heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. This configuration reduces the likelihood that the holding portion contacts another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 or a cleaning device to clean the vaporizer cartridge 1320.

[346] The outer edge 503 of the teeth 502 in the heating section 504 may include a post 580. The post 580 may include one, two, three, four, or more post 580. The post 580 may extend outward from the outer edge 503. and extending in a direction away from the center of the heating element 1350. For example, the pillar 580 may be positioned along an edge of the heating element 1350 surrounding an internal volume defined by at least the side portions 526 of the teeth for receiving the wick element 1362. The pillar 580 may extend outwardly. in a direction away from the interior of the wick member 1362. The post lead 580 may also extend in a direction opposite to the platform section 524 of the teeth. In some implementations, the post leads 580 positioned on opposite sides of the internal volume of the wick element 1362 may extend in a direction away from each other. This configuration helps to widen the opening leading into the interior of the wick element 1362, thereby helping to reduce the likelihood that the wick element 1362 will be easily caught, torn, and/or become damaged when assembled with the heating element 1350. Due to the material of the wick element 1362, the wick element 1362 can easily become caught, tear, and/or otherwise become damaged when assembled (eg, positioned within or inserted into) with heating element 1350. Contact between wick element 1362 and the outer edge 503 of teeth 502 can also cause damage to the heating element. The shape and/or positioning of the post 580 may allow the wick element 1362 to more easily be positioned within or within a pocket (e.g., within the interior of the heating element 1350) formed by the teeth 502, thereby preventing or reducing the likelihood that the wick element 1362 and /or the heating element is damaged. Thus, the pillar terminals 580 help reduce or prevent damage caused to the heating element 1350 and/or the wick element 1362 when the wick element 1362 comes into thermal contact with the heating element 1350. The shape of the pillar terminal 580 also helps to minimize the impact on the resistance of the heating section 504.

[347] In some implementations, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 124 and/or at least a portion of the legs 506 may be metallized with one or more outer metallized materials 550 to reduce contact resistance at the point at which the heating element element 1350 contacts contacts 125 of the socket.

[348] FIG. 25A-B, 26-28, 29A-B and 30A-B illustrate another example of a heating element 1350 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown, the heating element 1350 includes one or more teeth 502 located in the heating portion 504, one or more legs 506 extending from the teeth 502, and cartridge contacts 124 formed in the end portion, and/or as part of each of one or more legs 506.

[349] The teeth 502 may be folded and/or corrugated to define a pocket in which the wick member 1362 (eg, a land pad) is permanently housed. The teeth 502 include a platform tooth portion 524 and side tooth portions 526. The platform portion of the teeth 524 is configured to contact one side of the wick member 1362, and the side portions of the teeth 526 are configured to contact other opposite sides of the wick member 1362. The platform portion 524 of the teeth and the side portions of the teeth 526 form a pocket that is shaped such that it receives the wick element 1362 and/or conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the wick element 1362. The pocket allows the wick element 1362 to be secured and held by the heating element 1350 in the pocket.

[350] In this example, the teeth 502 are identical in shape and size and spaced equally apart. Here, the teeth 502 include a first side tooth portion 526A and a second side tooth portion 526B that are spaced apart by the platform tooth portion 524. Each of the first and second tooth side portions 526A, 526B includes an inner region 576 positioned near the tooth platform portion 524 and an outer region 578 positioned near the outer edge 503. In the outer region 578, the first tooth side portion 526A is positioned approximately parallel to the second tooth side portion 526A. section 526A of teeth. In the inner region 576, the first side tooth portion 526A is positioned offset from the second tooth portion 526B, and the first and second side tooth portions 526A, 526B are not parallel. This configuration can help maintain a constant and uniform temperature along the teeth 502 of the heating section 504. Maintaining a constant temperature along the teeth 502 can provide a higher quality aerosol because the maximum temperature can be more easily maintained throughout the heating section 504.

[351] As noted above, each of the legs 506 may include and/or define a cartridge contact 124 that is configured to contact a corresponding contact 125 of the socket of the vaporizer 100. In some implementations, each pair of legs 506 (and cartridge contacts 124) can contact one pin 125 of the socket. In some implementations, the legs 506 include retaining portions 180 that are configured to be curved and generally extend away from the heating portion 504. The retaining portions 180 are configured to be positioned within a corresponding groove in the wick housing 1315. Retaining portions 180 form the end of legs 506. Retaining portions 180 help secure heating element 1350 and wick element 1362 to wick housing 1315 (and vaporizer cartridge 1320). The holding portions 180 may have an apex portion 180A that extends from the end of the holding portion 180 to a heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. This configuration reduces the likelihood that the holding portion contacts another portion of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 or a cleaning device to clean the vaporizer cartridge 1320.

[352] The outer edge 503 of the teeth 502 in the heating section 504 may include a post 580. The post 580 may extend outwardly from the outer edge 503 and extend away from the center of the heating element 1350. The post 580 may be shaped such that it allows the wick element 1362 to be more easily positioned in the pocket formed by the teeth 502, thereby preventing or reducing the likelihood that the wick element 1362 must be caught on the outer edge 503. The shape of the post lead 580 helps minimize the impact on the resistance of the heating portion 504.

[353] In some implementations of the current subject matter, at least a portion of the cartridge contacts 124 and/or at least a portion of the legs 506 may be plated with one or more outer plated materials 550 to reduce contact resistance at a point in which the heating element 1350 contacts the contacts 125 of the socket.

[354] Referring to FIG. 24 and 30A-B, the geometry of the heating element 1350, when unfolded, may resemble the letter "H" with the heating section 504 located substantially in the center of the legs 506. The temperature of the heating element 1350 may correspond to the resistance of the heating element 1350, for example, in the heating section 504 of heating element 1350. For example, the temperature of heating element 1350 may be determined based on the thermal coefficient of resistivity and resistance of heating element 1350. Accordingly, the temperature of heating element 1350 may be determined and/or controlled (for example, by controller 104) by at least a resistance measurement at heating element 1350, such as at heating portion 504 of heating element 1350. It will be appreciated that in some implementations of the current subject matter, the geometric configuration of heating element 1350 may provide a resistance measurement at heating portion 504 of heating element 1350. Thus, Resistance in heating portion 504 may be measured in isolation (eg, from other portions of heating element 1350), thereby increasing the accuracy of the resistance measurement as well as the accuracy of the corresponding temperature determination.

[355] As further illustration, FIG. 53 illustrates a resistance measurement for an example heating element 1350 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. Referring to FIG. 53, the resistance in the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 may be measured by at least applying a current from the first point 1a to a second point 2b located, for example, in a corresponding portion 180A of the top of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350. Although the current may flow from the first point 1a to the second point 2b, current cannot flow between the third point 2a and the fourth point 1b.

[356] The resulting voltage drop between the first point 1a and the third point 2a may correspond to the voltage drop between the fifth point C and the sixth point D. As shown in FIG. 53, the fifth point C and the sixth point D are located at the corresponding end portion of the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. Accordingly, the voltage drop through the fifth point C and the sixth point D may correspond to the voltage drop in the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350. In addition, the drop measurement voltage at the first point 1a and the third point 2a may correspond to the measurement of the voltage drop at the fifth point C and the sixth point D. The resistance R in the heating section 504 of the heating element 1350 can be determined based on the following equation (1), which relates the resistance R in the heating section 504 with a voltage V and a current I in the heating section 504 of the heating element 1350.

(1)

[357] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the first point 1a and the third point 2a, which are located in the portion 180A of the top of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350, may coincide at least partially with the contacts 124 of the cartridge, which form an electrical connection with the contacts 125 sockets in the socket 118 for the cartridge of the evaporator housing 110. In this regard, the geometric configuration of the heating element 1350 can provide an isolated resistance measurement in the heating region 504 of the heating element 1350 by measuring the voltage drop in the region 180A of the top of the legs 506 (for example, at the first point 1a and the third point 2a), which is located outside the casing 1315 of the wick and has easier access than the heating section 504 located at least partially in the housing 1315 of the wick.

[358] FIG. 31-32 illustrate an example of an atomizer assembly 141 with a heating element 1350 assembled with a wick housing 1315, and FIG. 33 illustrates an exploded view of a sprayer assembly 141 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. The wick housing 1315 may be made of plastic, polypropylene, or the like. The wick housing 1315 includes four grooves 592 into which at least a portion of each of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 can be positioned and secured. As shown, the wick housing 1315 also includes an opening 593 providing access to an internal volume 594 in which at least the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 and the wick element 1362 are positioned.

[359] The wick housing 1315 may also include a separate heat shield 518A. The heat shield 518A is positioned within the internal volume 594 of the wick housing 1315 between the walls of the wick housing 1315 and the heating element 1350. The heat shield 518A is shaped such that it at least partially surrounds the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 and space the heating element 1350 away from side walls of the wick casing 1315. The heat shield 518A may help isolate the heating portion 504 from the vaporizer cartridge body 1320 and/or the wick housing 1315. The heat shield 518A helps to minimize the effect of heat emanating from the heating portion 504 on the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and/or wick housing 1315 to protect the structural integrity of the vaporizer cartridge body 1320 and/or wick housing 1315 and to prevent melting or other deformation of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and/or or wick housing 1315. The heat shield 518A may also help maintain a consistent temperature in the heating portion 504 by retaining heat in the heating portion 504, thereby preventing or limiting heat loss.

[360] Heat shield 518A includes one or more slits 590 (e.g., three slits) at one end that are aligned with one or more slits 596 (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven more slits) formed in a portion of the wick housing 1315 opposite the hole 593, for example, at the base of the wick housing 1315 (see FIGS. 32 and 43). One or more slots 590, 596 allow the pressure caused by the flow of liquid vaporizable material in the heating section 504 to escape and vaporize the vaporizable material without affecting the liquid flow of the vaporizable material.

[361] In some implementations, complete filling may occur between the heating element 1350 (eg, legs 506) and the outer wall of the wick housing 1315 (or between portions of the heating element 1350). For example, liquid vaporizable material may accumulate due to capillary pressure between the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 and the outer wall of the wick housing 1315, as indicated by the liquid path 599. In such cases, sufficient capillary pressure may be generated to draw liquid vaporizable material from the reservoir and/or heating section 504. To help limit and/or prevent liquid vaporizable material from leaving the interior of the wick housing 1315 (or heating section 504), housing 1315 The wick and/or heating element 1350 may include a capillary feature that causes an abrupt change in capillary pressure, thereby forming a liquid barrier that prevents liquid vaporized material from passing past the feature without the use of an additional seal (eg, an airtight seal). The capillary feature may define a capillary break formed by a pointed point, bend, curved surface, or other surface in the wick housing 1315 and/or in the heating element 1350. The capillary feature allows the conductive element (e.g., heating element 1350) to be positioned in wet and dry conditions. areas.

[362] The capillary feature may be positioned on and/or form part of the heating element 1350 and/or wick housing 1315 and causes an abrupt change in capillary pressure. For example, a capillary feature may include a bend, a pointed point, a curved surface, an inclined surface, or other surface feature that causes an abrupt change in capillary pressure between the heating element and the wick casing along the heating element or other component of the vaporizer cartridge. The capillary feature may also include a projection or other portion of the heating element and/or wick housing that extends a capillary channel, for example, a capillary channel formed between portions of the heating element, between the heating element and the wick housing, etc., which is sufficient to reduce the capillary pressure in the capillary channel (eg, the capillary feature carries the heating element away from the wick casing) such that the capillary channel does not draw liquid into the capillary channel. Thus, the capillary feature prevents or limits fluid flow along the fluid path beyond the capillary feature due at least in part to an abrupt change and/or decrease in capillary pressure. The size and/or shape of a capillary feature (e.g., a bend, a pointed point, a curved surface, an inclined surface, a protrusion, etc.) may be a function of the wetting angle formed between materials such as the heating element and the wick casing or other walls of the capillary the channel formed between the components may be a function of the material of the heating element and/or the wick casing or other component and/or may be a function of the size of the gap formed between two components, such as the heating element and/or the wick casing, defining the capillary channel, among other properties.

[363] As an example, FIG. 34A and 34B illustrate a wick housing 1315 having a capillary feature 598 that causes an abrupt change in capillary pressure. The capillary feature 598 prevents or restricts the flow of liquid along the fluid path 599 beyond the capillary feature 598 and helps prevent liquid from accumulating between the legs 506 and the wick housing 1315. A capillary feature 598 on the wick housing 1315 carries the heating element 1350 (e.g., a component made of metal, etc.) away from the wick housing 1315 (e.g., from a component made of plastic, etc.), thereby reducing capillary strength between two components. Capillary feature 598 shown in FIG. 34A and 34B also includes a sharp edge at the end of the inclined surface of the wick housing that restricts or prevents fluid from flowing beyond the capillary feature 598.

[364] As shown in FIG. 34B, the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 may also be angled inwardly toward the interior of the heating element 1350 and/or the wick housing 1315. The corner legs 506 may form a capillary feature that helps restrict or prevent liquid flow across the outer surface of the heating element and along the legs 506 of the heating element 1350.

[365] As another example, heating element 1350 may include a capillary feature (e.g., bridge 585) that is formed from one or more legs 506 and spacers legs 506 away from heating section 504. Bridge 585 may be formed by folding heating element 1350 along lines 520, 522 folds. In some implementations, jumper 585 helps reduce or eliminate overflow of vaporized material from heating section 504, for example, due to capillary action. In some examples, such as the exemplary heating elements 1350 shown in FIG. 25A-30B, bridge 585 is angled and/or includes a bend to help restrict fluid flow from heating section 504.

[366] As another example, heating element 1350 may include a capillary feature 598 that defines a pointed point to cause an abrupt change in capillary pressure, thereby preventing liquid vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary feature 598. The capillary feature 598 may form the end of a bridge 585 that extends outwardly away from the heating portion for a distance that is greater than the distance between the legs 506 and the heating portion 504. The end of the bridge 585 may be a sharp edge to further help prevent liquid vaporized material from passing into and/or out of the legs 506 heating section 504, thereby reducing leakage and increasing the amount of evaporated material that remains in heating section 504.

[367] FIG. 35-37 illustrate variations of the heating element 1350 shown in FIG. 19-24. In this variation of the heating element 1350, the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 include a bend in the bend region 511. A bend in the legs 506 may create a capillary feature 598 that helps prevent liquid vaporizable material from flowing beyond the capillary feature 598. For example, a bend may create an abrupt change in capillary pressure, which may also help limit or prevent liquid vaporizable material from flowing beyond the bend and/or accumulation between the legs 506 and the wick housing 1315 and may help limit or prevent liquid vaporizable material from flowing out of the heating portion 504.

[368] As shown in FIG. 35, legs 506 may be curved to create one or more joints including, for example, a first joint 534a, a second joint 534b, and a third joint 534c. In the example heating element 1350 shown in FIG. 35-37, the legs 506 may be curved such that the first joint 534a may be located between the second joint 534b and the third joint 534c, while the second joint may be located between the tip 180a (of the legs 506) and the first joint 534a. In addition, the metallized material 550 and the cartridge contact 124 may be located in the second joint 534b. The bending of the legs 506 may thereby at least spring the legs 506 such that the legs 506 may form a mechanical connection (eg, frictional engagement) with the socket contacts 125 in the socket 118 of the evaporator housing 110.

[369] FIG. 38-39 illustrate another variation of heating elements 1350 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. In this variation of the heating element 1350, the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 include a bend in the bend region 511. A bend in the legs 506 may create a capillary feature 598 that helps prevent liquid vaporizable material from flowing past the capillary feature 598. For example, a bend may create an abrupt change in capillary pressure that also helps limit or prevent liquid vaporizable material from flowing past the bend and/or pooling between the legs 506 and the wick housing 1315 and may help limit or prevent liquid vaporizable material from flowing out of the heating portion 504.

[370] FIG. 18A-E illustrate another variation of the heating element 1350 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the top portions 180A of the retaining portions 180 of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 are bent inward (rather than outward in the manner shown, for example, in FIGS. 19-22). Each of the legs 506 may include and/or define a cartridge contact 124 that is configured to contact a corresponding socket contact 125 of the vaporizer 100. For example, each pair of legs 506 (and cartridge contacts 124) may contact one socket contact 125. The legs 506 may be spring-loaded to enable the legs 506 to maintain contact with the socket contacts 125. The legs 506 may include a portion that extends along the length of the legs 506 that is curved to help maintain contact with the socket contacts 125. The springing of the legs 506 and/or the curvature of the legs 506 may help increase and/or maintain consistent pressure between the legs 506 and the socket contacts 125. In some implementations, legs 506 are coupled to support 176, which helps to increase and/or maintain consistent pressure between legs 506 and socket contacts 125. The support 176 may include plastic, rubber, or other materials to help maintain contact between the legs 506 and the socket contacts 125. In some implementations, support 176 is formed as part of legs 506.

[371] FIG. 51A-D illustrate another variation of the heating element 1350 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the top portions 180A of the retaining portions 180 of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 are bent inward (rather than outward in the manner shown, for example, in FIGS. 19-22). Although the holding portions 180 of the legs 506 are positioned within a corresponding groove in the wick housing 1315, the tip portions 180A of the holding portions 180 may contact the wick housing 1315. As shown in FIG. 51B, folding the legs 506 may thereby form one or more joints, including, for example, a first joint 534a, a second joint 534b, and a third joint 534c. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 51B, the first joint 534a may be located between the second joint 534b and the third joint 534c, while the second joint 534b may be located between the tip 180a and the first joint 534a. In the example heating element 1350 shown in FIG. 51A-D, the cartridge contacts 124 and the plating material 550 may be positioned at the first joint 534a in the legs 506. The bending of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 may thereby spring the legs 506 such that the legs 506 may form a mechanical connection (e.g. frictional engagement) with contacts 125 of the socket in socket 118 of the evaporator housing 110.

[372] For example, as shown in FIG. 51B, the first fold in the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 may bend the apex portions 180A of the retaining portions 180 of the legs 506 inward and form a second joint 534b. Although the retaining portions 180 of the legs 506 may secure the heating element 1315 to the wick housing 1315 (e.g., by positioning in corresponding grooves in the wick housing 1315), a second fold in the legs 506 of the heating element 1350, which may form the first joint 534a, may provide spring tension, to further secure the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer body 110. Thus, although the cartridge contacts 124 are electrically coupled to the socket contacts 125, the first joint 534a formed by the second fold in the legs 506 can apply sufficient pressure to the cartridge socket 118 to secure the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer body 110. It should be appreciated that this configuration of the heating element 1350 may be associated with minimal mechanical stress at the third joint 534c in the heating element 1350, in which the heating element 1350 is folded a third time, at least due to a more even distribution of force of the legs 506 against the seat 118 for the cartridge along the legs 506.

[373] FIG. 42A-B and 43 illustrate another example of an atomizer assembly 141 with a heating element 1350 assembled with a wick housing 1315 and a heat shield 518A, and FIG. 44 illustrates an exploded view of a sprayer assembly 141 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. The wick housing 1315 may be made of plastic, polypropylene, or the like. The wick housing 1315 includes four grooves 592 into which at least a portion of each of the legs 506 of the heating element 1350 can be positioned and secured. In the grooves 592, the wick housing 1315 may include one or more wick housing retaining features 172 configured to secure the heating element 1350 to the wick housing 1315, for example, using a snap-fit arrangement between at least a portion of the heating legs 506 element 1350 and retaining features 172 of the wick casing. The wick housing retaining features 172 may also help to space the heating element 1350 away from the surface of the wick housing 1315 so as to help prevent heat from affecting the wick housing and melting a portion of the wick housing 1315.

[374] As shown, the wick housing 1315 also includes an opening 593 providing access to an internal volume 594 in which at least the heating portion 504 of the heating element 1350 and the wick element 1362 are positioned.

[375] The wick housing 1315 may also include one or more other recesses that help space the heating element 1350 away from the surface of the wick housing 1315 to reduce the amount of heat that contacts the surface of the wick housing 1315. For example, the wick housing 1315 may include recesses 170. The recesses 170 may be formed along the outer surface of the wick housing 1315 adjacent the opening 593. The recesses 170 may also include a capillary feature, such as a capillary feature 598. The capillary feature of the recesses 170 may define a surface (eg, a curved surface) that breaks points of contact between adjacent (or intersecting) walls (eg, the walls of the wick casing). The curved surface may have a radius that is sufficient to reduce or eliminate capillarity formed between adjacent outer walls of the wick housing.

[376] Referring to FIG. 42A, the wick housing 1315 may include a post 168. The post 168 may assist in properly positioning and/or orienting the wick housing during assembly of the vaporizer cartridge relative to one or more other components of the vaporizer cartridge. For example, the added material forming the post 168 shifts the center of mass of the wick housing 1315. Due to the shifted center of mass, the wick housing 1315 can rotate or slide into a specific orientation to align with a corresponding feature of another vaporizer cartridge component during assembly.

[377] FIG. 46 illustrates an exploded view of an example evaporator housing 110 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the evaporator body 110 may be configured to receive and/or couple to a cartridge having various features described above, including, for example, a cartridge 1320 having a manifold 1313, a finned condensate manifold 352, etc. P.

[378] As shown in FIG. 46, the vaporizer body 110 may include a shell 1220 including a cosmetic braid 1219, a battery 1212, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 1203, an antenna 1217, a frame 1211, a charging token 1213, a cartridge slot 118, and an end cap 1201 and an LED badge 1215. In some aspects, assembly of the vaporizer housing 110 includes positioning a battery 1212 within a frame 1211 at the lower end of the frame 1211 (left in FIG. 46). Antenna 1217 may be coupled to the lower end of battery 1212. Cartridge slot 118, PCBA 1203, and battery 1212 may be mechanically coupled, for example, through one or more connecting means. For example, the lower end of the PCBA 1203 may be connected to the upper end of the battery 1212, and the upper end of the PCBA 1203 may be connected to the cartridge slot 118 using press fits, solder joints, and/or any other connecting means. The cosmetic braid 1219 may be configured to at least partially surround the cartridge slot 118 when the cartridge slot 118 is located in the cosmetic braid 1219.

[379] As shown in FIG. 46, the cosmetic braid 1219 may include an aperture sized and shaped to receive a charging tag 1213 on a first side of the cosmetic braid 1219. The second side of the cosmetic braid 1219 may include an LED tag 1215, which may be arranged into the cosmetic braid 1219. or be located in another aperture sized and shaped to receive the LED tag 1215. In some aspects, the cosmetic braid 1219 may include stainless steel material and may have a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm. The 1215 LED tag can be molded using black printed circuit. In some aspects, charging token 1213 may include liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polycarbonate, and/or phosphor bronze contacts. The charging token 1213 can minimize the distance between charging pads by using a Mylar film. The charging token plating may include palladium nickel, black nickel, physical vapor deposition (PVD), or another black plating option. In some implementations, the battery assembly 1212, PCBA 1203, cartridge slot 118, and cosmetic braid 1219 may be configured to fit into frame 1211, and frame 1211 may be configured to fit into shell 1220. In some aspects, cosmetic braid 1219 may Include stainless steel material with a thickness of 0.2mm. The shell 1220 may include ground mats, a source end cap, an LED interface, one or more air inlets (which support fluid exchange with slots 596 on the bottom of the wick housing 1315 when the cartridge 1320 is coupled to the vaporizer body 110), and a frame snap feature. when the frame 1211 snaps into place when inserted into the shell 1220. The end cap 1201 may be located at the lower end of the shell 1220 opposite the cosmetic braid 1219. The end cap 1201 may be configured to retain internal components of the vaporizer housing 210 in the shell 1220 and may also serve to as a ventilation window at the lower end of the 1220 shell.

[380] In vaporizers in which the power source 112 is part of the vaporizer housing 110 and the heating element is located in a vaporizer cartridge 1320 configured to connect to the vaporizer housing 110, the vaporizer 100 may include electrical connection features (e.g., means for circuit closure) to complete a circuit that includes a controller 104 (eg, a printed circuit board, microcontroller, etc.), a power source, and a heating element. These features may include at least two contacts 124 on the bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 (referred to herein as “cartridge contacts 124”) and at least two contacts 125 located near the base of the cartridge slot (referred to herein as herein "socket contacts 125") of the vaporizer 100 such that the cartridge contacts 124 and the socket contacts 125 make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is inserted and connected to the cartridge socket 118. The circuitry completed by these electrical connections may be capable of delivering electrical current to the resistive heating element and may further be used for additional functions, for example, to measure the resistance of the resistive heating element for use in determining and/or controlling the temperature of the resistive heating element based on thermal resistivity coefficient of the resistive heating element, to identify the cartridge based on or more electrical characteristics of the resistive heating element or other evaporator cartridge circuitry, etc.

[381] In some examples of the current subject matter, the at least two cartridge contacts and the at least two socket contacts may be configured to be electrically coupled in any of at least two orientations. For example, one or more circuits required for operation of the vaporizer may be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 1320 into the cartridge slot 118 in a first rotation orientation (about the axis along which the cartridge end of the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge slot 118 of the vaporizer body 110 ) such that a first set of cartridge contacts of at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically coupled to a first set of socket contacts of at least two socket contacts 125, and a second cartridge contact of at least two contacts 124 the cartridge is electrically connected to a second set of socket contacts of at least two socket contacts 125. In addition, one or more circuits required for operation of the vaporizer may be completed by inserting the vaporizer cartridge 1320 into the cartridge slot 118 in a second rotation orientation such that the first set of cartridge contacts of at least two cartridge contacts 124 are electrically coupled to a second set of socket contacts of at least two socket contacts 125, and a second set of cartridge contacts of at least two cartridge contacts 124 is electrically coupled to the first set of socket contacts of at least two socket contacts 125. This feature of the ability to reversibly insert the vaporizer cartridge 1320 into the cartridge slot 118 of the vaporizer housing 110 is described in more detail below.

[382] In one example of a mounting structure for connecting the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to the vaporizer housing, the vaporizer housing 110 includes one or more fasteners (e.g., a recess, a projection, a spring connector, etc.) projecting inwardly from an interior surface of the seat 118 for the cartridge. One or more outer surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 may include corresponding grooves (not shown in FIG. 1) that may seat and/or otherwise engage such latches when the end of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is inserted into the cartridge slot 118 on the vaporizer body 110 . When the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 are connected (e.g., by inserting the end of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 into the cartridge slot 118 of the vaporizer housing 110), a retainer in the vaporizer body 110 may seat and/or otherwise be retained in the grooves of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 so that hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place during assembly. Such a retainer-groove assembly may provide sufficient support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 1320 in place to ensure good contact between at least two cartridge contacts 124 and at least two socket contacts 125 while allowing the cartridge to be released 1320 of the vaporizer from the vaporizer body 110 when the user pulls with reasonable force on the vaporizer cartridge 1320 to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 1320 from the cartridge slot 118 . For example, in one implementation of the current subject matter, at least two detents may be located in the outer portion of the cosmetic braid 1219. The detents in the outer portion of the cosmetic braid 1219 may be configured to engage one or more corresponding grooves in the vaporizer cartridge 1320, e.g. an inner surface of a portion of the vaporizer cartridge housing 1320 that extends below the open top of the cosmetic braid 1219 (and cartridge housing 118) so as to cover at least a portion of the cosmetic braid 1219 (and cartridge housing 118).

[383] In addition to the above explanation regarding the reversibility of the electrical connections between the vaporizer cartridge and the vaporizer body such that at least two orientations of rotation of the vaporizer cartridge in the cartridge slot are possible, in some vaporizers the shape of the vaporizer cartridge or at least the shape of the end of the vaporizer cartridge, which is configured to be inserted into the cartridge socket, may have rotational symmetry of at least two. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge, or at least the insertion end of the vaporizer cartridge, may be symmetrical when rotating 180° about the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. In such a configuration, the evaporator circuit can maintain identical operation no matter what symmetrical orientation of the evaporator cartridge occurs. In some aspects, the first rotation position may be more or less than 180° relative to the second rotation position.

[384] In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge, or at least the end of the vaporizer cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge receptacle, may have a non-circular cross-section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle. For example, a non-circular cross-section may be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (eg, approximately oval in shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposite sides (eg, having a parallelogram shape), or form other shapes having rotational symmetry, according to at least about two. In this context, "approximately shaped" indicates that the basic similarity to the described shape is obvious, but that the sides of the shape in question need not be perfectly linear, and the vertices need not be absolutely sharp. The rounding of both or one of the edges or apexes of a cross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of any non-circular cross-section referred to herein.

[385] FIG. 47A-C illustrate various examples of socket contacts 125 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. Fig. 47A shows an exemplary capsule identification contact 307A extending from the remolded capsule identification material 308. The capsule identification pin 307A may be configured to connect to a pin 293 of the identification chip 174. FIG. 47B shows another exemplary capsule identification contact 307B extending from the remolded capsule identification material 308. Fig. 47C illustrates another exemplary capsule identification contact 307C extending from the remolded capsule identification material 308.

[386] As shown in FIG. 47A-C, the cartridge 1320 can be inserted into the cartridge slot 318 from the beginning of the page. In some aspects, as the cartridge 1320 is inserted into the cartridge slot 318, the capsule identification contacts 307A-307C may be compressed inward or to the left on the page in response to cartridge insertion 1320. Additionally, the capsule identification contacts 307A-307C may be configured to connect to one or more cartridge contacts 124 (eg, contacts 293) after the cartridge 1320 is fully inserted into the cartridge slot 318.

[387] As shown in FIG. 47A, capsule identification contact 307A includes a 180° bend in the material of capsule identification contact 307A at location 407. Capsule identification contact 307C of FIG. 47C is similar and adapted from the capsule identification pin 307B of FIG. 47B. As shown in FIG. 47C, the capsule identification contact 307C includes a security element 408 (eg, a foot or boot) at least partially surrounding a portion of the capsule identification contact 307C.

[388] FIG. 47D shows an assembled cartridge socket 118 of the vaporizer housing 110. As shown in FIG. 47D, the cartridge slot 118 includes one or more capsule identification contacts, including, for example, capsule identification contacts 307A, 307B and 307C, on the first side 404 of the cartridge slot 418. Fig. 47D further illustrates two heater/cartridge socket contacts 125A and 125B on the second side 402 of the cartridge socket 118.

[389] FIG. 47E illustrates a top perspective view of a vaporizer housing 110 including an example cartridge slot 118 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in FIG. 47E, the cartridge slot 118 may be located at least partially within the cosmetic braid 1219. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 47E, the upper edge of the cartridge slot 118 and the cosmetic braid 1219 may be substantially flush. The interior of the cartridge socket 118 may include one or more capsule identification contacts (eg, capsule identification contacts 307A, 307B, and 307C) and one or more socket contacts (eg, socket contacts 125A and 125B). In addition, the vaporizer body 110 may also include one or more capsule retention features 415, which may be located on the interior of the cartridge slot 118 and/or the exterior of the cosmetic braid 1219. Examples of the capsule retention features 415 may include pin terminals, clamps, protrusions, clamps, etc. The capsule retention features 415 may be configured to secure the cartridge 1320 to the cartridge seat 118, including by applying to the cartridge 1320 a magnetic force, an adhesive force, a compressive force, a frictional force, or the like.

[390] In implementations in which capsule retention features 415 are located in the cartridge receptacle 118, capsule retention features 415 may be configured to form a mechanical connection to, for example, at least a portion of the heating element 1350 (e.g., to a portion of one or more than legs 506 located outside the wick housing 1315) and/or with a portion of the wick housing 1315 (eg, with grooves in the wick housing 1315). Alternatively and/or additionally, in exemplary implementations in which capsule retention features 415 are located in the outer portion of the cosmetic braid 1219, capsule retention features 415 may be configured to form a mechanical connection to the vaporizer cartridge housing 1320. It will be appreciated that the capsule retention features 415 may include various means of securing the cartridge 1320 in the cartridge slot 118 . In addition, capsule retention features 415 may be located at any suitable location within the vaporizer housing 110.

[391] FIG. 48A-B illustrate side cross-sectional views of a cartridge 1320 located in a cartridge slot 118 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in FIG. 48A, a capsule identification contact 307 may be located on a first side of the cartridge slot 118 and may be coupled to an identification chip 174 on the cartridge 1320. Additionally, a capsule identification contact 309 may be located on a second side of the cartridge slot 118 (opposite the first side of the cartridge slot 118). cartridge) and may be coupled to cartridge 1320. FIG. 48A further shows capsule identification pin 309 as connected to pin 293 of ID chip 250. It will be appreciated that cartridge slot 118 may be sized to receive at least a portion of cartridge 1320 including, for example, at least a portion of the wick housing 1315. For example, the cartridge seat 118 may have a depth of approximately 4.5 millimeters such that the wick housing 1315, which has a height of approximately 5.2 millimeters including a flange located at least partially around its upper perimeter, may be located partially in the cartridge seat 118 (for example, up to the flange). The flange may remain outside the cartridge housing 118 when the vaporizer cartridge 1320 is coupled to the vaporizer body 110 and may extend at least partially over the edge of the cartridge housing 118 and the cosmetic braid 1219.

[392] As noted above, one or more air inlets may be formed and/or supported while the cartridge 1320 is coupled to the vaporizer body 110, such as by insertion into the cartridge receptacle 118. The one or more air inlets may maintain fluid exchange with one or more slits 596 in the wick housing 1315 such that air entering through the one or more air inlets may further enter the wick housing 1315 through the one or more slits 596 to flow. past and/or around the wick member 1362. As noted above, adequate air flow through the wick housing 1315 may be necessary to provide proper and timely vaporization of the vaporizable material 1302 drawn into the wick member 1362. In examples in which more than one is provided air inlet, the plurality of air inlets may be located around the assembly including the cartridge 1320 and the evaporator body 110. For example, two or more air inlets may be located on substantially opposite sides of the assembly including the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer housing 110. The presence of more than one air inlet located on an identical side of an assembly including the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110, or the presence of air inlets on different but not substantially opposite (e.g., adjacent) sides of such an assembly is also within the scope of the current subject matter. inventions.

[393] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the air inlets may be configured to admit sufficient air to allow vaporizable material 1302 to evaporate and form a respirable aerosol. Additionally, as noted above, one or more air inlets may be configured to be resistant to blockage, for example, by a finger, hand, or other part of the user's body. For example, one or more air inlets may be located at the interface between the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer housing 110. As shown in FIG. 48A-D, a low region 1395 (eg, a cavity, groove, gap, seam, or the like) may be formed between the evaporator cartridge 1320 and the evaporator body 110 when the evaporator cartridge 1320 is coupled to the evaporator body 110. One or more air inlet openings may be located in the lowered area 1395 such that portions of the cartridge 1320 (eg, housing 160) and the evaporator body 110 may extend beyond the area including the one or more air inlet openings. In addition, the lowered area 1395 may extend at least partially around the circumference of the vaporizer cartridge 1320 and the vaporizer body 110 so as to provide clearance for one or more air inlet openings since the user's finger (or other body part) may cover only the lowered area. area 1395. Thus, as shown in FIG. 48E, even when the user's finger (or other body part) covers one portion of the low region 1395, air can still enter one or more air inlets through the open portion of the low region.

[394] It should be appreciated that the air inlets may present at least some constriction for air flow into the vaporizer cartridge 1320. For example, in the pressure maps shown in FIGS. 48F, the greatest localized pressure drop occurs at the air inlets where, as noted above, ambient air can enter cartridge 1320 to provide sufficient air to allow vaporizable material 1320 to evaporate and form a respirable aerosol. Peak airflow velocity can also be observed through the air inlets as ambient air enters the contracted space of the air inlets. A drop in air flow velocity is observed after admission through the air inlets.

[395] FIG. 49A illustrates a perspective view of the assembled evaporator housing shell 1220 with the LED badge 1215 facing the front side. As shown in FIG. 49A, the shell 1220 may include a cartridge receptacle 118 having a second side 402 with one or more capsule retention features, cartridge receptacle contacts 125A and 125B, and capsule identification contacts 307. Fig. 49A further shows the shell 1220 as including at least one air inlet 1605 to the right of the shell 1220, but it should be appreciated that the shell 1220 may include additional air inlets located at locations different from the locations shown. For example, in some implementations of the current subject matter, the air inlet 1605 may be positioned above a ridge 1387 in the sheath 1220, which is formed by a first portion of the sheath 1220 (including cosmetic braid 1219) having a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the second portion of the sheath 1220 below. cosmetic braid 1219 configured to accommodate at least a portion of a power source 112 (eg, battery 1212). The air inlet 1605 may be configured to allow ambient air to enter the cartridge 1320 and mix with the vapor generated in the atomizer 141. For example, the air inlet 1605 may support fluid exchange with the air flow passage 1338 extending through the body of the cartridge 1320 in this manner. that ambient air may enter the air flow passage 1338 through the air inlet 1605 when the cartridge 1320 is coupled to the shell 1220. The mixture of ambient air and vapor formed in the atomizer 141 may be drawn through the air passage 1338 for inhalation (e.g., into the user's mouth ) through mouthpiece 130.

[396] Alternatively and/or additionally, air inlet 1605 may support fluid exchange with an air vent port 1318 located at one end of overflow passage 1104 in overflow volume 1344 of manifold 1313. As noted above, air may flow to/from manifold 1313 through air vent window 1318. For example, air bubbles trapped in the manifold 1313 may be released through the air vent window 1318. In addition, air may also enter the manifold 1313 through the air vent window 1318 to increase the pressure in the reservoir 1340. Accordingly, it should be assumed taking into account that the dimensions of the air inlet 1605, the shape of the air inlet 1605, and/or the position of the air inlet 1605 on the shell 1220 may be such that at least a portion of the ambient air entering the air inlet 1605 may enter the manifold 1313 through the air inlet air vent 1318, and such that at least a portion of the air released from the manifold 1313 from the air vent 1318 can exit through the air inlet 1605. The air inlet 1605 can be substantially circular and have a diameter of from 0.6 millimeters to 1.0 millimeters. For example, in some implementations of the current subject matter, air inlet 1605 may be substantially circular and have a diameter of approximately 0.8 millimeters. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the air vent 1318 may also support fluid exchange with the air passage 1338. Accordingly, ambient air entering the air inlet 1605 may be supplied to the manifold 1313 (for example, through the air vent 1318) and to the air vent 1318. passage 1338 (eg, to create a respirable aerosol).

[397] FIG. 49B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an evaporator housing shell 1220 in accordance with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in FIG. 49B, the shell 1220 may include a pressure sensor path 1602, a cosmetic braid 1219, an air inlet 1605, which may also include a capsule identification cavity, and a capsule identification housing 1607, which may include connections to springs 307 or 309 for capsule identification and/or heater contacts 125A and 125B (or 302).

Terminology

[398] 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.

[399] 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.

[400] 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. It should be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" when used in this detailed description indicate the presence of the set forth features, steps, operations, elements or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed elements and may be abbreviated as “/”.

[401] In the foregoing descriptions and 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.

[402] Spatially relative terms such as “front”, “back”, “under”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature 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.

[403] 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.

[404] 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, so are “greater than or equal to a value” and possible ranges between the values are 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.

[405] 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.

[406] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in a digital electronic circuit, an integrated circuit, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), computer hardware, firmware , software and/or combinations of the above. These various aspects or features may include implementation in one or more computer programs that may be executed and/or interpreted on 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 and transmit data and instructions from/to a data storage system, at least one input device and at least one output device. A programmable system or computing system may include clients and servers. The client and server are generally 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.

[407] 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 term "machine-readable signal" means 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 store such machine instructions in a volatile manner, for example, similar to a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

[408] 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 separately or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without the intention of intentionally limiting 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 should become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the foregoing description.

Claims (35)

1. A cartridge for an evaporation device, containing: - a cartridge casing, wherein the cartridge casing is configured to extend below the open upper part of the socket in the evaporating device when connecting the cartridge to the evaporating device; - a reservoir located in the cartridge casing, the reservoir being configured to contain evaporated material; - a wick housing located in the cartridge housing, the cartridge housing extending under the top of the wick housing to cover at least a portion of the perimeter of the wick housing; - a heating element, wherein the heating element includes a heating portion located at least partially within the wick housing, and a contact portion located at least partially outside the wick housing, wherein the contact portion includes one or more cartridge contacts configured with the ability to form an electrical connection with one or more socket contacts in the socket of the evaporative device; And - a wick element located in the wick casing and adjacent to the heating portion of the heating element, wherein the wick element is configured to draw evaporated material from the reservoir into the wick casing for evaporation by means of the heating element, and the wick casing is located at least partially in the socket when connecting the cartridge to evaporative device. 2. The cartridge according to claim 1, in which the contact section is additionally configured to form a mechanical connection with the socket of the evaporation device, wherein the mechanical connection secures the cartridge in the socket of the evaporation device. 3. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, in which the socket contains a first section of the evaporator device body having a smaller cross-sectional size than the second section of the evaporator device body, and a reduced area is formed between the cartridge casing and the second section of the evaporator device body when connecting the cartridge to the evaporator device. 4. The cartridge of claim 3, wherein the seat includes one or more air inlets that form a fluid connection with the one or more slots on the bottom of the wick housing when connecting the cartridge to the evaporation device, wherein the one or more slots are configured with the ability to allow air entering the one or more air inlets to further enter the wick housing, wherein the one or more air inlets are located in a low region. 5. The cartridge of claim 4, wherein the one or more air inlet holes have a diameter of about 0.6 to 1.0 mm. 6. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 4, 5, wherein the interior of each of the one or more slots includes at least one shoulder formed by the interior dimensions of the one or more slots that are smaller than the dimensions of the one or more slots on the bottom of the wick casing, wherein at least one the shoulder provides a tightening point at which a meniscus is formed with the ability to prevent vaporized material in the wick casing from flowing out of one or more slots. 7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the one or more slots in the bottom of the wick housing are approximately 1.2 mm long by 0.5 mm wide, and the internal dimensions of the one or more slots are approximately 1.0 mm in length by 0.30 mm in width. 8. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, in which the heating portion of the heating element and the contact portion of the heating element are formed by folding a substrate material, wherein the substrate material is cut so as to include one or more teeth for forming the heating portion of the heating element, wherein the substrate material is further cut such that it includes one or more legs for forming a contact portion of the heating element. 9. The cartridge of claim 8, wherein the heating element contact portion is formed by folding each of the one or more legs to form at least a first joint, a second joint, and a third joint, wherein the first joint is located between the second joint and the third joint, wherein wherein the second joint is located between the tip of each of the one or more legs and the first joint. 10. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein one or more cartridge contacts are located at a second joint, the heating element being secured to the wick housing by a first mechanical connection between an outer portion of the wick housing and a portion of each of the one or more legs between the first joint and the third joint, wherein the cartridge is secured to the evaporator device socket by means of a second mechanical connection between the second joint and the evaporation device socket. 11. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein one or more cartridge contacts are located at a first joint, wherein the heating element is secured to the wick housing by a first mechanical connection between the outer portion of the wick housing and a portion of each of the one or more legs between the tip and the second joint , wherein the cartridge is secured to the evaporator device socket by means of a second mechanical connection between the first joint and the evaporation device socket. 12. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, in which the reservoir includes a storage chamber and a collector, wherein the collector contains an overflow channel configured to hold a volume of evaporated material in fluid contact with the storage chamber, wherein one or more microfluidic features are located along the length of the overflow channel wherein each of the one or more microfluidic features is configured to provide a contraction point at which a meniscus is formed to prevent air entering the reservoir from passing past the evaporated material in the overflow channel. 13. The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the cartridge housing includes an air flow passage leading to an aerosol outlet that is formed by a heating element that vaporizes the material to be vaporized, wherein the manifold includes a central tunnel in fluid communication with a passage for air flow, wherein the lower surface of the manifold includes a flow controller configured to mix the aerosol generated by the heating element, evaporating the evaporated material. 14. The cartridge of claim 13, wherein the inner surface of the air flow passage includes one or more channels that extend from the outlet to the wick member, wherein the one or more channels are configured to collect condensate formed by the aerosol, and direct at least part of the collected condensate to the wick element. 15. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 13, 14, wherein the flow controller includes a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel is offset from the second channel, wherein the first inner surface of the first channel is inclined in a direction different from the direction of the second inner surface of the second channel to direct the first a column of aerosol entering the central tunnel through the first channel, in a direction different from the direction for the second column of aerosol entering the central tunnel through the second channel. 16. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 13-15, wherein the bottom surface of the controller further includes one or more wick interfaces, wherein the one or more wick interfaces are in fluid communication with one or more wick leads in the manifold, wherein the one or more wick leads are configured to deliver into the wick element located in the wick casing, at least a portion of the evaporated material contained in the storage chamber. 17. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-16, wherein a flange is located at least partially around the upper perimeter of the wick housing and extends over at least a portion of the edge of the cartridge receptacle. 18. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 1-17, in which the socket wall is located at least partially between the cartridge housing and the wick housing when connecting the cartridge to the evaporation device. 19. Evaporation device containing: - a socket comprising a first portion of a vaporizer device body, the socket including one or more socket contacts, wherein the socket is configured to receive a cartridge wick housing containing the vaporized material when connecting the cartridge to the vaporizer device, wherein the cartridge housing extends below the open top portion sockets when connecting the cartridge to the evaporator device, the cartridge casing further extends under the upper part of the wick casing to cover at least a portion of the perimeter of the wick casing, wherein one or more socket contacts are configured to form an electrical connection with one or more cartridge contacts containing a heating contact section an element in the cartridge, wherein the contact portion is located at least partially outside the wick housing, and the wick housing is located at least partially in the socket when connecting the cartridge to the evaporation device; - a power source located at least partially in the second section of the evaporation device housing; And - a controller configured to control the discharge of electric current from a power source into a heating element included in the cartridge upon connection of the cartridge to the evaporation device, wherein the electric current is discharged into the heating element to evaporate at least a portion of the evaporable material saturating the wick element located in the wick casing and near the heating section of the heating element. 20. The evaporator device according to claim 19, in which the socket is further configured to form a mechanical connection with the contact portion of the heating element, wherein the mechanical connection secures the cartridge in the socket of the evaporator device. 21. Evaporation device according to any one of paragraphs. 19, 20, in which the first section of the evaporator body has a smaller cross-sectional size than the second section of the evaporator body, and a reduced area is formed between the second section of the evaporator body and the cartridge casing when connecting the cartridge to the evaporator. 22. The vaporizer device of claim 21, wherein the seat includes one or more air inlets that form a fluid connection with the one or more slots on the bottom of the wick housing when connecting the cartridge to the vaporizer device, wherein the one or more slots are formed with the ability to allow air entering the one or more air inlet openings to further enter the wick housing, wherein the one or more air inlet openings are located in a low region. 23. Evaporation device according to any one of paragraphs. 21, 22, in which one or more air inlet holes have a diameter of approximately 0.6 to 1.0 mm. 24. Evaporation device according to any one of paragraphs. 19-23, in which the socket is located in the first portion of the evaporator body such that the upper edge of the socket is located substantially flush with the upper edge of the first portion of the evaporator body. 25. The vaporizer device of claim 24, wherein the seat is configured to receive a portion of the wick housing such that a flange located at least partially around an upper perimeter of the wick housing extends over at least a portion of the upper edge of the cartridge housing and/or the upper edge of the first section of the evaporation device housing. 26. Evaporation device according to any one of paragraphs. 19-25, in which the socket has a depth of approximately 4.5 mm. 27. Evaporation device according to any one of paragraphs. 19-26, in which the socket wall is located at least partially between the cartridge casing and the wick casing when connecting the cartridge to the evaporation device.

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